Fusion United

[David Malone]

Awww, thank you so much You type very well considering its not your first language Should see me and Norwegian^^ Det er hard! :P

[David Malone]

Pushing on from their Victory over the Muts last time out, the Clarets needed to continue this fine form into Europe if they had any chance to progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League. A daunting trip to Romania for the Clarets, they knew they needed only to win, regardless of the margin, and they would be through to the final 4. The match finely poised at 2-2 after the home leg.

To better accommodate the opponents, United went with a 4-5-1 formation to help counter the wide threat posed by Lucian FC's attack. This meant that Mohammed and Fabio dropped to the bench with Promut and Nash taking their places.

The match got off to a rather bad start for the Clarets, with Al-Selwi picking up a booking for a silly lunge only 2 minutes in. These challenges usually get off early doors, but the referee was in no mood for messing around tonight, they felt. Thankfully, that is only Al-Selwi's first yellow card in the competition, so he would be available for the semi-final, should the Clarets win.

The first half of the game was mainly contested in the midfield areas with the new adopted formation doing its job of keeping the elusive attacking players away from the goal. Sadly, you sensed that they where not comfortable with this formation, as many players where caught out of position on many occasions, but there was always cover. On 43 minutes this was not the case. Nash found himself too far forward after an attacking break, and Lucian sought to take full advantage. A delightful ball right through the middle allowed the striker to turn and rifle a shot into Kamal's net, 1-0 to Lucian. The away fans looked completely gutted, their European adventure may be coming to an end. The Clarets would now needed 2 goals to win the tie, one goal would not do as Lucian already had 2 away goals from the first tie, so would win on the away goals rule.

On 68 minutes, noticing the new formation was not working as effectively as it could, the manager decided to change his formation back to his favoured 3-2-3-2 formation. This signalled the end of the game for Nash of Promut, with Mohammed and Fabio coming on in their places. Mohammed moved to DMR with Fabio at DML, with both set defensive duties to help the 3 at the back from the wide areas. This allowed Scmidt and Al-Selwi to attack down the opposing flanks without having to worry about losing the ball and having to run all the way back to help the defence. Keane was also pulled off, suffering from the rigours of the last few games, a rest was well earned. Walsh, who has been on fine scoring form came on in his place.

United battered the Lucian defence for the next 15 minutes, the defence doing anything to keep the ball out of the box. Thy threw their bodies at every challenge and defended corner after corner, 9 corners in 15 minutes signalled the way the game was flowing, Lucian where holding on for the win, not too concerned with sealing it with a second goal. On 83 minutes their resolve was broken, when Kotchetov fouled Miswan on the edge of the 18 yard area, the midfielder booked as Miswan was in. A free kick, to be taken by Miswan, 7 minutes to go. This must go in if the Clarets have any chance of salvaging something. Miswan did not disappoint. A looping effort flew over the wall and into the top right hand corner, the keeper did not move, he was resigned to the fact that the ball was beyond him. 1-1 in the game, the next goal wins.

The next few minutes of the game was pure chaos. United sniffed a chance to win the game outright, with the first goal against Lucian going in, they pursued a second. United players flooded the Lucian box in search of that all important winner. Lucian could not get out, every time they kicked the ball away it was coming straight back in from the wings. On 87 minutes, their defensive line was broken, a through ball by Miswan to Walsh, caught the striker on the turn, he swivelled and buried the ball into the back of the net. 1-2 to the Clarets, 3 minutes to go. All they needed to do now is hold on. Try as they might, the momentum was now too strongly in the favour of the Clarets, who spent the last 3 minutes camped inside the opposing half, looking for a third! Fusion United held on for the most unlikely of wins, and find them selves through to the Semi finals, where they will face Montecarlo City.

Final Result: Lucian FC 1(3) - 2(4) Fusion United

In other news, Fusion United, in preparation for next season made the choice to sell Daniel Sturridge to Hafez FC for the fee of $357k. This was not an easy choice for United, as Sturridge was simply too senior at 33 to have any longevity at the club. It was decided by the board that younger blood was needed to aid Keane in his development, so the search begins for a strike partner. In the meantime Fathy, who has 20 goals this season, will be an able deputy.

United also sold Marcus Davies to Azure FC for the fee of $410k, the reserve defender was not being given the opportunities in the first team we felt he deserved so with a heavy heart we offered him the option to move on. We wish both players the best of luck with their new clubs. It is hoped the injection of funds will help untied to sign quality players for next season.

Stay Tuned for more United updates!

[David Malone]

In a double coup for Fusion United, they used the funds from the Davies and Sturridge Transfer to further supplement their team for next season!

It gives the manager great pleasure to welcome Glen Johnson and Luis Suarez to the Clarets. Both players are of 5* quality and both are 25 years old, guaranteeing some longevity of term in the main team. Johnson will be playing DML with Suarez playing ST alongside United's shining talent, Robbie Keane. More information can be found on the Clarets in the newly updated team showcase first post. As for the players information is posted below

[David Malone]

Sorry for lack of updates Been busy

Summary: Fusion Utd 7:1 Rajawi FC(League)
Fusion Utd 0:2 Montecarlocity(Ch Lge, 3 supporters)
Othamane FC 1:1 Fusion United(League)

Full match descriptions coming soon

[David Malone]

In a game versus a team sat in 5th place in the table, the Clarets' hosting of Rajawi FC promised to be an entertaining encounter. The game saw the manager bring on two new débutantes in Luis at Centre Forward alongside Keane, Shay Given at Goalkeeper and Glen Johnson at left defensive midfield. Fathy, Kamal and Fabio would drop to the bench in their place.

The game started brightly for the hosts, bossing possession in the opposing half, clearly the Clarets where on a high following their exploits in Europe on the previous matchday. This feeling of euphoria was encapsulated after 16 minutes, when Mohammed played a ball through to Keane on the edge of the box, Keane took a touch to settle the ball, and shot into the net. 1-0 To the Clarets.

The game continued in the same vein, with Fusion almost tearing the defence in two at will. It wasn't until 36 minutes had passed that they made the breakthrough, and it came from a set piece. Miswan was fouled at the edge of the box. The man himself stepped up to the free kick, delivering a piledriver into the top corner, just skimming in off the top right crossbar. 2-0 to the Clarets, and you feel they where in control of the game. The half finished with the same score, and the team could take a breather, ready for the next 45.

It was decided with Keane looking jaded from all the matches he is playing, that he needed a rest, so the manager subbed him at half time, brining on Fathy in his place. This seemed to have a demotivating effect on this team, as for the first 10 minutes of the first half, they sat back, despite the managers shouts of "go foward!", minus expletives. They where made to pay for their slacking approach to the second half, when Avery got in behind the defence, rounded Given in the goal and tapped in. 2-1 to the Clarets.

That's all the motivation that was needed. The ball, from the second it was set down on the centre circle, was always going forward, with the Clarets looking for a third, and they would not have to wait long. A Rajawi defence that has looked suspect all day, allowed the speedy Suarez to break away from them, and 2v1 with the keeper, passing to Rodriguez to tap in. 3-1 to the hosts, and the game back in their hands.

United piled forward in search of a 4th goal to put the icing on the cake for the home fans, but the fans where soon despairing as on 74 minutes, Khalloof put in a horror challenge with the high studs, injuring Suarez on his debut, and would see him out for the vital home game in Europe! Khalloof received a yellow card, and Suarez, who had a good game, was stretchered off the pitch to an ovation from the home support. Johnson took the resulting free kick after the substitution was complete, with Promrut coming on for Suarez and the clarets switching to a 3-2-4-1 formation. The free kick felt a sweet justice as Johnson planted the ball firmly on Al-Selwi's head, who unmarked, powered in to make it 4-1 to the hosts.

The Clarets where now in total control of this game, with their newly found formation ensuring defensively at least, they where more solid. But, it was once again the strikeforce that showed the way forward, and less than a minute later, Jamie got in on the act with a fine drive from 25 yards, leaving the opposing keeper stunned. He could only watch it sail past him. 5-1 to the hosts, queue the chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" to the opposing manager, who after 3 losses a draw, and a likely loss here, was starting to feel the heat.

Sadly for the opposing manager, life wasn't about to get any easier, when on 84 minutes Regragui fouled Johnson 25 yards out, conceding the yellow card, a team saving measure because he was the last man back, 7 yards more forward and it would have been red. From the free kick, Johnson stepped up and thumped it hard and low into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper helpless. 6-1 to the hosts now, and a game that was all but lost as a competition.

Johnson was at it again on 89 minutes, demonstrating the attacking abilities that may make him a vital cog in the Claret machine for year to come, with a surging run into the opposing box, when upon getting there was cleaved down by Zavala, the crowd baying for blood and a penalty, the latter they would get, but Zavala was punished by receiving a yellow card. It was left to Johnson, who had a great game up to this point, to take the spot kick. A goal and an assist to his name on his debut, the result was never really in doubt, cooly finishing to the keepers left hand side, he turned to see his team-mates charging to join in the celebrations. The league push may be over, but this team has more title charges left in them, that's for sure. Next up: Montecarlocity, a home game in the semi finals, can we upset the odds again?

Final Score: Fusion United 7 - 1 Rajawi FC

[David Malone]

In this crunch game at home in Europe it was imperative to the hosts to try and not let the much fancied away team grab an away goal which would make the tie a whole lot harder on the Clarets. The pre match signs where good, despite missing Suarez had their manager present, a full crowd of 800 excited spectators and 3 other managers offering their support to the cost. Our thanks to Doncaster FC, Norealinterest, and to Vihnuphan for their support in this crunch tie.

With the game between two good sides, tension was the keyword for the game, with neither team willing to attack too much for fear of making a mistake and allowing the other to punish the error. The game itself began in the same vein, with a lot of scrappy challenges flying in in various areas of the pitch. It wasnt until the 25th minute that the ref had enough and awarded Marinheiro a yellow card for a foul on Miswan, what would prove the only card of the game.

The first half was after that uneventful, with both teams feeling their way into the game, the possession stats showing a 6% advantage to the hosts. The score at half time was 0-0, the game finely in the balance.

The second half began in much the same way as the first, but this time, the manager of the Clarets decided to add a bit of attacking threat to the team by bringing off rodriguez, jamie and walsh. Eliasson, Schmidt and Walsh would take their place. The substitutions had the desired effect with United now in the opposing half for the next 20 minutes, sadly, they where unable to break through a stubborn Montecarlo defence.

On 86 minutes the game would turn bad for the hosts, as from an attacking move, Montecarlo broke from the attack with pace, leaving a 2v1 situation with the keeper, they calmly passed the ball around him, tapping into the empty net. 1-0 to the away side, with the Clarets worst fears of conceding an away goal coming to fruition. They would at least need 2 goals now to stand a chance in the tie.

So, the Clarets pushed for an equaliser, having no choice but to flood the opposing box and hope for a breakthrough goal that would send them back into the tie. However, this left them open in the back, which allowed Montecarlo to break again, this time stopped Mijalovic, who fouled Sakata, injuring the player in the process. Sakata was taken off, and from the resulting free kick, Montecarlo scored, sinking the hearts of all the home fans. Europe now a very tall mountain to climb.

Final Result: Fusion United 0(0) - 2(2) Montecarlocity

[David Malone]

In a game away to the team sat 10th in the table despite some notable wins and draws this season, this is not a team to be taken lightly. Sadly, due to RL events, the manager for the clarets was unable to make the game, but even in his absence the team managed to get 60% of the overall possession.

In a scrappy game, the first real action of the half didn't happen until a late challenge saw one of the opposing players booked. Gunkel booked on 31 minutes.

The game, surprisingly at half time was 0-0, with no disrespect to the opponent the rating difference was 13.8 -19.0, which in theory meant united should have been having an easier game of it, this proved not to be the case.

The second half began much the same as the first, scrappy challenges flying in in the middle of the park, but no end product at either end. This changed on 56 minutes, as the opponents broke free on the wings, the ball played out to Laksiri, who crossed into the Claret box, with Hadji turning into Given's net. 1-0 to the hosts, and not looking good for the visitors, who saw their challenge in Europe falter last time out, where looking at an unlikely league defeat.

On 67 minutes, after sustained pressure, Keane made a fantastic solo run at the Othmane defence, rounding 3 people, before cooly chipping the keeper. The finish that of a veteran, for a man so young, his future is bright. 1-1.

The game failed to produce a breakthrough second for the Clarets, who, after seeing PollaFC winning earlier in the day now drop to 6 points behind the leaders with 5 games to go. The Claret's attention now turns to the next game at home to real fantasy FC, a game they would hope to win to at least keep within a slim chance of the title.

Final result: Othmane 1 - 1 Fusion United

[David Malone]

Today's game was played in front of a crowd of excited 800 fans at the Fusion United Stadium. Not demoralised by recent events in Europe and at home in the League, they where determined to give the team a good end to the season, with promotion and 2nd place all but secured with 5 games to go. The team was greeted with cheers as they entered the field at 12:17, a fitting tribute to this newly formed teams efforts in the league and abroad.

The aim for today's game was to end the recent slump of form that saw them surrender another two points in the title race, and a likely spot in Europe's elite competition. A draw away at Othmane FC was still leaving a bitter taste in the teams moth, a game, they feel, the could have won on a better day. The next challenge lay in front of them, Real Fantasy FC.

The game, like all encounters lately began at a calm pace, the atmosphere akin to a beach game in Rio, there was no urgency to the play, and most challenges felt sloppy and mistimed. So it proved to be, on 27 minutes, Gimenez with a lunge on Johnson, Gimenez would receive a yellow card. The Clarets where happy to let their opponents attack at will, seemingly of the opinion "we'll score more than you!", With the game at 0-0 a rather comical thought to have.

On 42 Minutes, it was Al'selwi's turn to make a ill timed tackle, fouling Gimenez, Al-Selwi also shown a yellow by the ref. From the free kick Gimenez stepped up and put it around the wall and into Given's top right corner. 1-0 to the visitors, and the "we'll score more" philosophy would have to start working. At half time, the score stayed 1-0 to the visitors, a recent problem for a team so defensively sound, the manager furiously scribbling down notes. A new formation for the new season, perhaps? We will see in due time.

The second half began with a flurry of shots on the Real goal, but the new strikeforce of Keane and Suarez where still trying to bed in together, so penetrating the defence was proving a tough task. 52 minutes in, a couple of replacements to help tired players in preperations for tomorrow's make or break tie away in Europe, Eliasson and Promut coming on for Bourguigon and Miswan.

5 minutes after the subs, Jamie took the game by the scruff of the neck, side stepping a defender, rounding the opposing keeper and slotting home to level up the scores at 1-1. A stunning effort from the young winger, proving that forwards are more than just the strike force.

Encouraged by this, the Clarets began what was in truth an onslaught on the opposing teams goal. Keane and Suarez where starting to put passes together, only sort 5 yard passes at first, but on 64 minutes, the start of hopefully a great partnership. Suarez played the ball over the defenders, for Keane to run onto, and the 20 year old burst onto the scene delivering a emphatic finish, 2-1 to the home side, and you feel the upper hand in the game.

Keane, not to be outdone by his winger counterpart, sought to do one better than Jamie and set about ravaging the defence, sidestepping the defender, using his sublime speed to chip the keeper and tap into an open net. 3-1 to the hosts, the fans bouncing.

Jamie fouled Mohd Said on 79 minutes, and it was deja vu with the free kick being delivered into the net with a stunning finish. 3-2 to the hosts, a nervy finish was in wait for the Clarets. Jamie was also booked. They held on for the win, putting them back to 6 points of the leaders.

Final Result: Fusion United 3 - 2 Real Fantasy FC

Statistics below:

[David Malone]

Today's game took the Clarets back into Europe, but this time in the league! A trip to the Netherlands vs the team ranked 4th in the table. Sadly their name is in Arabic, so it's a bit hard to know the exact name of the team, but for the purposes of this showcase, let's call them Challenger FC.

A small partisan crowd of 200 people greeted the Clarets to their home, in what was largely a friendly atmosphere despite the home team still in with a major chance of securing third from Anass FC who sat 4 points ahead of them in the table with 4 games to go. This was not a game for the title chasing Clarets to take lightly by any means.

The home side, despite the short share of the possession(30- 70% for the Clarets) crafted the first major opputunity of the game. An in-swinger from a corner provided Ligeon the perfect chance to tower above the defence and power into the United net. 1-0 to the hosts on 20 minutes and they where rocking, with radio lines reporting that Anass had won their game at home every point secured would be vital.

Sadly for them, their joy was short lived, as on 26 minutes Miswan dampened the mood in the stadium with a wonderful strike from 25 yards. He slipped as he hit the ball, the talk of the fans on the trip home would be if he meant it to go in or he slipped attempting to play in a long ball. He claimed it as if it was a everyday finish, professional footballers!!

On 30 minutes calamity inside the Challenger FC box, as Hogewoning pulled down Keane with a synical tug, the striker in on goal. The ref was right behind the pair, and pointed to the spot straight away and gave Hogewoning a yellow card, lucky to be still on the pitch if you asked the away fans. It had been decided in the boot room to give Keane penalty duties, not to pressure the young striker, but to reward him for his amazing impact. He did not disappoint the supporters, a cool finish with enough power to see it behind the outstretched palm of the keeper. 2-1 to the Clarets on 30 minutes. It stayed at that until half time, with both sides with improvements to make.

The second half as a contest, similar to the first, took some bedding in, the players wary of each other, as they knew the next goal would in most likely events, be the winner. On 66 minutes, Kwakman was booked for a challenge on Johnson(a player who seems to always be in the action for whatever reason).

The game was sealed 4 minutes later, as the Clarets through Suarez broke the resolute defence for the last time in the match. Suarez, with an Audacious nutmeg on the centre half, got round him and one on one with the keeper, slotted home to make the game 3-1 to the away side, and with that sealing the win, in what is becoming an ever decreasing hope of a title success.

Final Result: Challenger FC 1 - 3 Fusion Utd

Thoughts now turn to European competition and a crunch tie vs Montecarlocity, a game which sees the Clarets needing at least 2 goals away from home to have any hope in Europe.

[David Malone]

In an action packed game away in Monte Carlo, it was disappointment that flooded the away fans as they dropped out of Europe at the Semi Final Stage.

The Clarets came into this game, trailing 2-0 on aggregate after a disastrous last 10 minutes at home, which saw them concede twice. Fans felt that the formation that the Clarets set out in was wrong, the manager seemed to agree as he changed the formation from the usual to a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Keane the lone frontman. Al-Selwi was given a chance to atone for his recent poor form, and on 34 minutes the managers faith was rewarded when he pounced on a Keane through ball and fired into the Montecarlo net, 2-1 on aggregate to the hosts, but the Clarets with all the work to do. It was 1-0 to the away team at half time.

Sadly the breakthrough goal wouldnt arrive for the Clarets, they laid seige to the Montcarlocity goal, with Jamie coming on for Scmidt. Truth be told their keeper had the game of his life making 4 saves from shots on target in the second half, giving him a 9 rating in the game. Suarez came on for Keane after on 81 minutes, with yellow cards from Montecarlocity on either side of that.

Sadly Suarez, even though he had two shots on target, failed to break the wall of blue in front of the opponent goal and the game ended with the same result.

Final Result: Montecarlocity 0(2) - 1(1) Fusion United.

With the league seemingly out of grasp for the Clarets the attention now turns to next season. A few questions lie for the young manager, can the Clarets finish well in Division 3? Can they emulate their fantastic cup run next year? Can they even win the Champions League?

Stay Tuned for updates for the rest of the season and a preview of the Season 3 for the Clarets, where aims and transfer policies amongst other things will be discussed. Highlights of last nights match are below.