A first scare of the season tonight as iLandslaget had to turn a 1-2 deficit at home in the Preliminary Round of the Cup vs LVL8 Brazilian team Brenno FC and hopefully qualify for the next stage of the illustrious tournament.

Specifics of Game 1


As mentioned iLandslaget travelled to Brazil for the first leg and as if jetlagged or otherwise impaired the team failed to make their quality show. They went 0-1 down in the 5th minute and were second best throughout most of the game, the team's star players failing to make a lasting impression. In the 46th minute Maistrenko came on for Bouzgarrou and Gerailton came on for Bergsman but it was Brenno FC who continued to pile on pressure and only the bravery of Prodell and Reilly kept the team in the game.
In the 77th minute Liljehöök replaced new signing Vajdi and against the run of play Gerailton scored an equaliser in the 82nd minute.
Disaster struck again for the Swedes however as, in the 86th minute, Gaucho scored a 2nd for the home team to grab them the win.



Specifics of Game 2


For the return leg iLandslaget were at home to host Brenno FC and every ounce of pressure was on them to avoid an even bigger Cup-disaster than last season's. With the manager tied up in a Board meeting regarding his future at the club the team were left to fend for themselves. Last season's assist king Bouzgarrou played in Prodell to open the scoring in the 18th minute. iLandslaget were off to a great start and in the 25th minute Helfer ran past the defense and then lined a perfect pass up for Lindström to score a 2nd for the Swedes.
Right up until the 43rd minute it looked as if iLandslaget had booked their place in the coming Round, but Valdez of Brenno FC was of a different mind. He skipped past defenders left and right, only to put the ball on a plate for Busquets to draw the match-up for total goals.
The game passed with the ball mostly being passed in the middle of the pitch, neither side wanting to commit to many men in the attack and thus open themselves up for a counter attack. Two yellow cards were dealt, one to Siqueira in the 56th minute, and then one for Esmer in the 97th minute.

The game had to be decided by penalties though, and in the end iLandslaget proved the stronger team even if normally cool and composed Martin Laba managed to hit his penalty over the bar.


iFirman will hope the team can gel for future rounds and scouted new signing Vajdi to raise his game. Paramount among the fans' hopes will certainly be that the manager will be ready to commit to a new contract and extend his so far very succesful stay at iLandslaget.

Tomorrow we're looking forward to the drawing of the Leagues as well as the opening of the Champions League group stage.
Check in tomorrow for team news on the upcoming 7th season of iLandslaget, but for now, good night!