The island nation of Flavovespia, once a part of Atlantian Oceania, has joined the region of Anaia recently. A population slightly more than 20’000’000, it is a nation of football lovers. The team are nicknamed the Hornets, the native animal of the island, albeit an animal less harmful to humans (and other sentient species) than first impressions give off.
6 attempts at World Cup Qualification haven’t landed any success, but the side have continued their streak of making the Cup of Harmony in every cycle. Cup of Harmony 78 was the furthest Flavovespia have gone, making the Quarter Finals. However last cycle saw Flavovespia crash out in the group stages, not even making the Round of 32. Flavovespia will hope for a less frosty result this time, to try and make amends.
Home-Away-GK/Third
The kits, used since the start of last cycle continue, although there is a good chance this will be their last tournament, with new kits possible for the inaugural CAFA cup. As is tradition, its yellow shirts, black shorts and black socks on the home kit, with the double V motif appearing on multiple parts of the kit. The away kit is practically a reversal, creating interchangeable elements. The green kit acts as both the goalkeeper kit and a third choice if needed.
Manager
Marcus McCormick Age: 55
Marcus McCormick’s performance in the World Cup Qualifiers 88 was satisfactory, but not spectacular. Flavovespia did well in the majority of their games, even if the curse of early away days still continued, and the 4 matches against higher ranked Newmanistan and Omerica were all losses (the latter a dead rubber for Flavovespia in the final Matchday though). The Cup of Harmony 80 is seen as a chance for McCormick to try and prove some of his doubters wrong, by getting Flavovespia into at least the knockout stages.
McCormick began the Qualifiers using a 5-2-1-2, but switched to a 4-2-3-1, and has since stuck with that. Once seen as a stern, stubborn manager, McCormick has become a bit more relaxed as the results came, and did seem to be enjoying himself more. He maybe wasn’t the first choice of quite a few when announced, but plenty of the critics have said he’s turned it around since the last AOCAF tournament, a tournament that Flavovespia will not participate in for the foreseeable future.
Goalkeepers
1 Aarif Muhammad Age: 24 Position: GK Club: Rockridge Phoenix [BRE] Caps: 64 Goals: 0
23 Lucky Diamond Age: 26 Position: GK Club: Loxthorpe Rovers FC Caps: 1 Goals: 0
27 Robert Jones Age: 30 Position: GK Club: Kings Lunsel FC Caps: 3 Goals: 0
Aarif Muhammad was a star of the Qualifiers, in his 17 appearances he only conceded 11 for Flavovespia. He looks set to cement the #1 jersey for Flavovespia for a while. At just 24, he’s matured into a great goalkeeper, with maybe room to further improve, and become a generational level goalkeeping talent amongst the Flavovespian ranks. Lucky Diamond finally got his first cap, away at Omerica. The 3 goals conceded hardly suggests he’s going to be challenging to be the #1 goalkeeper anytime soon. But nevertheless, he’s still second choice. Eccentric in appearance, personality and play style, he certainly doesn’t live a dull life, for better or for worse. David Meehan may have been the #1 for Flavovespia for several years, but now he doesn’t even make the squad. Robert Jones comes in as third choice. He’s unlikely to get many minutes, but should be an okay emergency choice if needed.
Defenders
2 David Lyons Age: 23 Position: LB Club: Langmere Green Rovers FC Caps: 45 Goals: 1
3 David Blythe Age: 26 Position: RWB Club: Kytheas Rivermen [TKT] Caps: 93 Goals: 0
4 Alexander May Age: 31 Position: CB Club: Langmere Green Rovers FC Caps: 104 Goals: 2
5 Tony Gardner Age: 29 Position: CB Club: Newrook City FC [NPH] Caps: 156 Goals: 5
14 Daniel Lansdell Age: 25 Position: CB Club: St Astons City FC Caps: 24 Goals: 0
16 Mj Hayes Age: 26 Position: RWB Club: Marthorpe City FC Caps: 3 Goals: 0
24 Ronald Maddox Age: 33 Position: LWB Club: Marthorpe City FC Caps: 85 Goals: 2
26 Stuart Cookson Age: 22 Position: CB Club: Marthorpe City FC Caps: 5 Goals: 0
Defence was strong for Flavovespia in the Qualifiers, and with all 8 of the defenders returning to the Cup of Harmony squad, Marcus McCormick clearly liked what he saw. David Lyons played the vast majority of games at left back. His defensive game took a step up, better positioning and challenging of the ball meant he cut off plenty of attacks out wide. Ronald Maddox stays as the back-up in that position. The wing back may not be the pacey player of his heyday, but he provides a mature head and experience, useful if the team need experienced heads in a game.
Tony Gardner and Daniel Lansdell proved to be the key defensive duo in the centre back position. Tony Gardner showed by he was now playing in the Nepharan Zenith, with several great games for Flavovespia, and plenty of clean sheets. Daniel Lansdell moved from bench player to starter, with a string of good performances. His consistency paid off with an uptick in performance, and mistakes seemed uncommon. Alexander May could be disappointed to not be a consistent starter anymore, but he still offers a good rotation option, when he keeps a cool head. Stuart Cookson looked okay in the appearances he made, but still needs time to develop into the level needed to be a starter. McCormick has shown faith in him though, to not drop him for a more experienced option.
David Blythe was solid in the Qualifers, if not quite at his best. The change to 4 at the back didn’t quite favour him, as he had less opportunity to get forward and be creative. Nevertheless, he was still decent in defence, and deserves his spot in the squad as a starter. MJ Hayes didn’t get much time on the pitch in qualifers, so question marks do remain a bit on whether he can recreate the sort of form at club level that got him a call-up.
Midfielders
7 Kieron Player Age: 22 Position: CDM Club: Sleepy Hollow [TAE] Caps: 35 Goals: 0
8 David Clark Age: 27 Position: CDM Club: Langmere Green Rovers FC Caps: 56 Goals: 12
11 Steven Hall Age: 31 Position: RAM Club: Loxthorpe Rovers FC Caps: 169 Goals: 63
17 Jonathan Feld Age: 30 Position: LM Club: Kings Lunsel FC Caps: 131 Goals: 15
18 Robert Totten Age: 26 Position: CAM Club: Loxthorpe Rovers FC Caps: 23 Goals: 3
19 Alexander Clarkson Age: 28 Position: CDM Club: Binclestead Wood FC Caps: 9 Goals: 0
20 Christopher Ace Age: 28 Position: RM Club: St Astons City FC Caps: 53 Goals: 5
25 Murad Ahmed Age: 28 Position: CM Club: Langmere Green Rovers FC Caps: 61 Goals: 4
Midfield wasn’t the strongest point of Flavovespia in the qualifiers. After a change to a 4-2-3-1, personnel changes weren’t uncommon at all. The current favoured central defensive midfielders are 2 club teammates, David Clark and Murad Ahmed. David Clark is a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none type midfielder, it’s hard to tell if he should be more of a ball player or a ball winner. Murad Ahmed alongside him is similar, although a centre midfielder originally, he can play almost anywhere in midfield. He received a contentious red card against Acastanha in a 1-0 loss, but turned it around with some good play in his current role to stay as a starter. Kieron Player is also an option in this position, a creative defensive midfielder, but one who couldn’t quite get into the swing of things. At 22, there’s plenty of time for him to mature into a real talent and an effective player for Flavovespia. Alexander Clarkson gave a few gritty performances, but needs a stellar tournament to be considered secure in the squad going forward.
Central attacking midfield was another role where there some changes made throughout the 18 games. Robert Totten has been the one to take that position often. He provides good link-up play to the attack, and can assist and score himself from time to time. He may not be one of the stars, but is a solid performer. The other players who can play in central attacking midfield do so as a secondary position, wingers Steven Hall and Jonathan Feld, and striker Michael Cole.
Out on the wing, and aforementioned Steven Hall plays in his best position. At 31 he provides invaluable experience as captain, and is still one of the best Flavovespian players out there. Always a threat to get a goal or assist on the pitch. Jonathan Feld is likely to stay playing out on the left wing, with Murad Ahmed his only real competition in the squad. Feld may not quite have the outright talent and flair of the likes of Hall, but he is a dependable player who always seems to be working hard, having fought his way back into the squad. Christopher Ace remains in the squad, the very pacey winger didn’t see much game time in the qualifiers, and some do wonder how many more chances to impress he has now.
Attackers
9 Michael Cole Age: 22 Position: CF Club: Langmere Green Rovers FC Caps: 19 Goals: 5
10 Scott Coleman Age: 28 Position: CF Club: Aries Chariots [NPH] Caps: 148 Goals: 96
21 Anthony Hannigan Age: 24 Position: CF Club: Kings Lunsel FC Caps: 6 Goals: 0
28 Victor Cooke Age: 29 Position: CF Club: Apsbrooke FC Caps: 0 Goals: 0
Scott Coleman was again the highest scorer for Flavovespia in the qualifiers, 13 in the 15 games he played in. He may have hoped for a little more himself, but nevertheless it was still a good performance. Great on and off the ball to create space and great at finishing, his ambition for this tournament is surely to get that centennial international goal. Michael Cole was maybe unfortunate that a change to the 4-2-3-1 pushed him out of the side. Playing as a central attacking midfielder was a little bit of a challenge for him, as his creative skills need a little work. Put him one on one with a goalkeeper though, and he’s as every bit as good as Coleman, and probably better than any other Flavovespian striker. Anthony Hannigan made few appearances, mostly off the bench. He could potentially go far, but needs to find the extra edge to his game to get more minutes off the pitch. Sean McClafferty is dropped, for the only debutant in the side. Victor Cooke comes into the side, thanks to his domestic form. A journeyman before joining Apsbrooke, he’s a fan favourite there. A striker who’s very old-school, creativity may not be his strong suit, but he has an eye for goal with foot and head. He’s not afraid to take on defenders himself to win the ball, and his brashness both in play and personality can cut both ways with neutrals. If he does get a first cap, there could be fireworks.
(Note, all caps and goals are taken as of the end of WCQ 88)
MD1 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles - Abbey Road, Bradwell, Krytenia
MD2 Ethane - Abbey Road, Bradwell, Krytenia
MD3 The Gothanita Isles - Harbour Stadium, Stanton, Krytenia
Round of 32: Græntfjall - Abbey Road, Bradwell, Krytenia
MD1: Aarif Muhammad, Lyons-Lansdell-Gardner-Blythe, Ahmed-Clark, Feld-Totten-Hall(c),
MD2: Aarif Muhammad, Lyons-Lansdell-Gardner-Blythe, Ahmed-Clark, Feld-Totten-Hall(c),
MD3: Aarif Muhammad, Lyons-May-Gardner-Blythe, Player-Clark, Ahmed-Totten-Hall(c), Cole (4-2-3-1)
Round of 32: Aarif Muhammad, Lyons-May-Gardner-Blythe, Clarkson-Clark, Ahmed-Totten-Hall(c), Cole (4-2-3-1)
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My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: TG me or Discord me first
RP injuries to my players: Y, I choose length of injury
Godmod injuries to my players: TG me or Discord me first, I choose length of injury
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y (although if you want multiple Red Cards, TG me or Discord me first)
Godmod other events: TG me or Discord me first
COVID-19 specific issues: Flavovespians are assumed to be vaccinated/immune against this. However if your nation is in a pandemic, assume the Flavovespia NT take specific precautions to avoid infection (i.e. isolating at all times before and after the match, daily tests. If you have any particular questions or RP lines that may involve my permission, TG me or Discord me.
I'll try and post the next Matchday here before each match. If not, assume the same as previous in the event of a win, or some rotation otherwise. You’re welcome to use any player as a sub (within reason), unless they're listed as injured or suspended.
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OOC Info: The year in Flavovespia is 33AU. Player ages are taken from the start of the year, player teams are after the end of TW31. TG me or Discord me if you need some IC or OOC info for RP purposes.