The proper start of Season 5, Level 5 post:

There were worries for Season 5 as the European financial climate finally caught up with iLandslaget. It was made clear after the high expenditure of last year that the owners would not invest further funds into the team until such time as they could see a let up in the general economic climate. iLandslaget and their manager were left to fend for themselves, and to manage resources as best they could to get the most out of an already small squad for this year.

CUP
It's been a hard first few days of the season for the team, even if they've managed quite well on the pitch. They managed to knock italian Umberto FC, a lvl7 team, out of the Cup in the Preliminary Round and won the first tie in the Qualification Round against czech team Albanie FC (also lvl7) 3-0 at home in front of a capacity crowd of 8,500 ecstatic supporters.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
iLandslaget were seeded into Group H of the Champions League this year. In the same group are chinese team Khanh FC (26*), fc juventus 2013 from Italy (30,2*) and then an old acquaintance from last year's CL playoffs; the croatian team Dalibor FC (28,6*). The Swedes managed to see off Khanh FC in a 2-0 victory under the watchful eyes of a filled stadium, in spite of many visiting supporters. They are top of the group and play their 2nd game in the tournament later tonight, away to Dalibor FC who won their first game against fc juventus 2013 with a 1-0 margin away.

LEAGUE


We are now two games into the fifth season of iLandslaget, and things are still looking up inspite of the lack of investment and small squad. We've had two games, one at home to Regenerados which was won 3-0 with Bouzgarrou, Gerailton and Sogaard scoring one each, and Gerailton nabbing the only assist. Nils Liljehook received a yellow card when 2-0, something that was never really going to affect the game. With the game already at 3-0, Bambara of Regenerados received his 2nd yellow of the game and was sent marching.

The second game was played yesterday, away to a thai team (thailetteringFC) and sister club to iLandslaget since last season. In front of a near enough empty stadium iLandslaget triumphed in a 4-0 victory that saw Gerailton score a brace in the 2nd half, while also managing to assist Gamarra for his goal and Kuchar for his. This put him on 3 goals and a shared 2nd place in the Golden Shoe for season 5, in 1st place for the Assist League on 3 assists and also in 1st place for the running of Players' Player of the Season Awards with an average of 9.00. An injury to Sogaard looked to upset the team for a few games, but first scans showed it to be less of bruising on his neck and back and he should be fit for the next game.

This afternoon sees the team travel to France, for their game against Adel FC who have lost their first two games and are firmly lodged in 12th place. iLandslaget does this without steadfast central defender Alex dos Santos who will be out with a calf strain after a hard exercise in training.

I'll give a further introduction of the teams in the league as we reach the halfway point when I know more about them, and can make out which one seem to still be active.