Ok, it's time for World Cup qualification, the first being Cibotap. It is a tournament in its own respect however, this year 3 teams will qualify. As Alexandria are hosting this year's World Cup, the top 2 teams with the exception of Alexandria will qualify for the world cup.

Entrants (FMF "classed" representative teams/nations

Confirmed:
Alexandria
Kavalos (holders)
Zandarijn
Natopia
Monovia

Unconfirmed:
Carlsbald
Relaram


Entrants must confirm their participation by 1st Feb 2009

Further information such as structure of tournament will be displayed later.

Alexandria Name Very Mixed 18 Man Squad

With nothing to lose due to the fact that they've already qualified for the FMF World Cup this year, Alexandria have decided to field a very unknown squad, omitting many of the old players in return for new talents. The biggest surprise is despite being regarded as the key three players of the national side, Sebastien Focan, Alexandre von Heil and David Belle are all dropped.

These 3 major drops amongst others may prove to pave ways for some of the new exciting young talent coming up from the youth ranks, with both Kerem and Tamer Modrem being included in the 18 men squad. As well as the Modrem brothers being included, Ibelin's Damián Sala is also included, with the 20 year old winger hoping to prove his worth before the Super 8 season starts.

However it's not just the youngsters that could pave their way. The return of goalkeeper Diego Pedro may give him a chance to shine and secure the highly questionable number 1 shirt between the sticks, as well as seeing a return for Jean-Pierre Belle. The 30 year old defender will be returning after a long stint out with a achilles tendon rupture, however it seems he might have to start as a centre half instead of his beloved Left Back at Franciscania, as manager Paolo Ste. Laurent has kept Manuel Pegazo to improve or gain experience.

The majority of the Alexandrian people are questioning the ASA's effort in attempt to win the trophy, however it seems that it will be more of a trial and examine period for Les Bleus.

Alexandrian 18-man Squad for Cibotap 2009

Natopia Announce the "Nasties" for Cibotap 2009

After a 2 year absence from the world cup, Natopia are now adknowledging their best chance since qualifying for the world cup in 2006. However alot of things have happened since their 1st round world cup exit - with many new players coming up as well as the better players moving out to play abroad in better structured leagues.

Raymond Luxury-Yacht will yet again captain the side, who truly believes that if there is a chance of qualifying the world cup, then it would have to be this year. The midfielder currently playing for Franciscania Athletic, is joined by fellow compatriot Joshua Murphy-Lee, James Shim and Alan Des Saint-Louis as the key players still representing the nation from the 2006 World Cup.

However as well as the old faces, there are also some new faces, with striker Ilyas Chowdhury replacing his uncle Momo up front, who retired since last year's Cibotap 2008 after failure to qualify for the world cup. The exciting Club Imperiale talent has not yet started a game at Club Imperiale, but is raring to go and is playing to impress the staff back at his club to give him a chance to prove himself. A natural goalscorer in the Under-19's, unlike his older relative, Ilyas Chowdhury does not have the strength and will tend to use trickery to leave defenders lying around.

Along with Chowdhury, another exciting junior is Elijah Karoly, a hard working box-to-box midfielder who can really create havoc when going forward.

Zandts hope to reach full potential!
Zandarijn are sending their strongest squad yet for the CiboTap/World Cup qualifiers, according to the national team's captain, Gabriël Joors.

After being beaten in the semi-finals of last year's CiboTap by surprise winners Kavalos, they are hoping to do one better this year and qualify for the World Cup this summer.

With all but three of the squad plying their trade in the domestic league, a sense of national pride is strong in the team. The non-Zandarijn-based players all play in Craitland's League 1 and are highly-rated worldwide. There are no real surprise inclusions or exclusions to the squad, except maybe Jonas van Cruyningen.

Monovia return with a fresh side raring to go

After a 2 year absence from the field, Monovia have decided to return to the Cibotap scene for 2009. However along with the absence, there has been a lot of changes, especially after the nation has become a sovereign entity of Ocia. As a result of this the Monovia side seems very mixed of ethnic Monovians found from the team a few years ago, along with new players with Ocian heritage.

Despite last minute injuries suffered by Jermison Clargo and Sebastian Smith, and the team already calling new replacements for the two injured men, Monovia seem more confident than ever in becoming successful. Last minute callups for Robert Zabavnik and Louis Ducourtioux have given them a glimmer of hope of being spotted by foreign teams. With Monovian football having a struggle, and still a majority of the team being unaffiliated to clubs, it's a good chance for players to shine and get signed as they prepare for an attempt to reach the world cup.

After winning the Cibotap tournament last year, Kavalos go into the tournament as the front-runners to retain it due to Alexandria's experimental callups. Unsurprisingly, Kavalos have fielded their strongest possible squad, with all of their 18 players being involved in last year's World Cup. Surprisingly Leonzio Pandolfi has regained his captaincy, after being stripped off his skipper status when released by Port Rackham Rangers after they folded.

Nevertheless the main target will be 18 year old striker Kwesi Themba. A proven goalscorer in Cibotap and the domestic league, teams will be making sure space is closed down before the speedy striker can create a chance.

With Cibotap happening within a matter of days, its time to reveal the Cibotap 2009 guide, with the players to look out for and the prospects.

Fixtures

Week 1
Monovia v Alexandria*
Natopia v Zandarijn

Week 2
Zandarijn v Monovia
Alexandria v Kavalos*

Week 3
Kavalos v Zandarijn*
Monovia v Natopia*

Week 4
Alexandria v Natopia*
Kavalos v Monovia

Week 5
Natopia v Kavalos
Zandarijn v Alexandria*

FINAL:
To Be Decided*

Just wondering, why are Natopia and Monovia's star players the same person?

Also changed Leonzio Pandolfi's team, by the way. The Aztecs got him in December as he was unattached...

*fixed*

Week 1 Preview



Monovia v Alexandria
ZM Stadium, Zurich, Monovia

Alexandria will be hoping to have a good start to the tournament despite fielding a team with the average squad age of 24. The two time finalists are yet to win Cibotap and are hoping that this will be their year. Tamer Modrem is expected to start in the midfield, despite being one of the youngest players on the team, other than younger sibling Kerem.

Among the starting 11 are Frédéric du Clerc, Yannick Ancelin and Damián Sala, all making their first ever competitive starts for Alexandria, with the latter two given their first debut/caps for their nation. The team will look to Fábio González, skipper Cesc Xavi and Jean-Pierre Belle for experience, while Khalid Mohamed will be given the untested role of lone striker for the very first time.

Monovia have likewise got a few young players in the squad, as well as talented striker Armand Diarra, who Alexandria will need to look out for. Vince O'Brien is left on the bench while the midfield remains the same from 3 years ago, with the exception of Left Midfielder Adam Lalić. Out of the starting 11, 5 of them will be making their first ever debuts for Monovia, with all of them ruling themselves out for future Ocian callups.

Lineups:

Monovia (4-4-2): Richardson (GK) (capt), Tkalčić, Große, Popović, Zrinko, Alain, Kiedis, Wojchiechowski, Lalić, Diarra, Tomašević

Alexandria (4-5-1): Pedro (GK), du Clerc, Esmé, Belle, Pegazo, Sala, Ancelin, T. Modrem, Cesc Xavi (capt), González, Mohamed




Natopia v Zandarijn
National Stadium, Oakham, Natopia

With both teams looking for a world cup spot, this match could turn out to be great kick start for either team. Zandarijn are looking to get into the world cup for the first time, whereas Natopia will want to end their 3 year absence. Both have a great chance as Alexandria automatically qualify, leaving 2 other places for the world cup.

Zandarijn will play a flat back 4-4-2, with Gabriël Joors expected to control the team with authority on the pitch. The Zandts will be expecting width either side from wide players Daniël Lavan-Olsen and Arjen Paats, with the threat of Stephan van Hajn waiting for good deliveries in front of the goalmouth. Natopia will need to close down the wide positions if they want to prevent the Zandts' creativity.

Meanwhile Ilyas Chowdhury will be making his debut, and Joshua Murphy-Lee will be deployed unusually at Left Midfield for a 5 man midfield, despite being known as a solid left back which could help defensively for Natopia. Instead Natopia are now deciding to play 3 at the back, with 2 up front. Raymond Luxury-Yacht will once again be the team's heartbeat, although he is getting compeition for that role within the team, through James Shin.

Line-ups

Natopia (3-5-2): Des Saint-Louis (GK), Benden, Azin, Latiz, Karoly, Luxury-Yacht (capt), Shin, von Hazelwood, Murphy-Lee, Pavle, Chowdhury

Zandarijn (4-4-2): Kleusen (GK), Aawlzeczaa, Vandem, de Wijnen, Schneidau, Lavan-Olsen, Joors (capt), van Scheil, Paats, van Hajn, Tyas

Natopia 2-3 Zandarijn
Zandarijn got off to a winning start in this year's CiboTap thanks to a very late penalty from captain Gabriël Joors.

The Zandts started the stronger, forcing two early corners but it was the hosts who took the lead. A break-away attack from a long Schneidau throw-in was finished in smooth style by débutant Ilyas Chowdhury after fifteen minutes. Zandarijn had an almost instant reply, however. Roger Azin tripped Daniël Lavan-Olsen 25 yards out and the confusingly-named Krzijsztijan Aawlzeczaa smashed the free kick into the top-right corner of the goal, showing why he's been named by a few big clubs as a possible transfer target. The teams went-in equal at half-time.

After the break, Zandarijn took the lead. Daniël van Scheil played an expert pass between John Benden and Roger Azin to find the run of Stephan van Hajn who deftly touched the ball past Alan Des Saint-Louis with his right foot, the ball skimming the post on its way in. Natopia brought the score level with twenty minutes left. Captain Raymond Luxury-Yacht played the ball behind Aawlzeczaa, meeting Joshua Murphy-Lee's run. Murphy-Lee turned-in and lashed the ball towards goal. Kleusen looked to have it covered but the low shot dipped under his hands, off his leg and inside the front post.

No real chances came-about for the remainder of the game until Lavan-Olsen tore through the Natopian defence. Just as he was about to slide the ball past Des Saint-Louis, Azin tripped him. Azin received a red card after getting a yellow earlier-on for an accidental handball. Lavan-Olsen went down and the referee pointed to the spot. Gabriël Joors stepped-up and scored the penalty. Des Saint-Louis went the right way but the shot was too well-placed for the Giessan Guesses 'keeper to get a touch.

Goals
15' - I. Chowdhury
18' - K. Aawlzeczaa
49' - S. van Hajn
72' - J. Murphy-Lee
90'+3 - G. Joors (pen.)

Week 2 Previews

Zandarijn v Monovia
ZandArena, Hamstadt, Zandarijn

With both teams victorious from last week, both teams will be going into this week's clash thinking they can get anything out of it. With Monovia stunning the Alexandrians, it will be another breathtaking moment if they can get anything out of this match. Although on paper, it looks easier than their previous one, Zandarijn beat Natopia away so will also be brimming with confidence and with home advantage this week, they will hope for an inspiring result for their fans.

Monovia go into the game with 3 changes to the side: Louis Ducourtioux will be making his first start replacing Miroslav Popović, whilst Robert Zabavnik replaces Matthew Kiedis to allow Michel Wojchiechowski to advance forward from the centre of midfield. Adam Štefánik replaces Goran Tomašević to earn himself his first debut, while Armand Diarra is named in the starting 11 despite concerns of fitness afrer taking a knock in the match against Alexandria.

Wojchiechowski looks to be the main threat, however with Diarra up front, Monovia have lined up to go on the offensive right from the start.

In comparison, Zandarijn are leaving their squad as it is after the 3-2 win against Natopia. Monovia have to keep an eye out for Daniël Lavan-Olsen and Arjen Paats. The width of the Zandt's will always prove to be their main attacking option and both Zrinko and Tkalčić will have their work cut out today. As well as the wide positions, the influence of Gabriël Joors will always boost the Zandts above, however the main attacking threat will be Stephan van Hajn, providing that the wide players can deliver a good cross for him to finish.

Team Lineups:

Zandarijn (4-4-2): Kleusen (GK), Aawlzeczaa, Vandem, de Wijnen, Schneidau, Lavan-Olsen, Joors (capt), van Scheil, Paats, van Hajn, Tyas

Monovia (4-4-2): Richardson (GK - capt), Tkalčić, Ducourtioux, Große, Zrinko, Alain, Wojchiechowski, Zabavnik, Lalić, Štefánik, Diarra


Alexandria v Kavalos
Stade de Genève, Geneva, Alexandria

After a humiliating 4-2 defeat to Monovia, the Alexandrians will return to Alexandria to prove a point in front of their home crowd. They face a tough task against Kavalos, the reigning champions who will be up for it after looking at the result last week and also have an advantage in terms of fitness. With Kavalos not playing last week, there has been extra preparation time for the team and Kavalosians will hope to make use of it after a dismal World Cup display in summer 2008.

Kavalos will be playing a standard 4-4-2 formation, with Leonzio Pandolfi leading the side out for the first time since being dropped from the side during the World Cup. Marius Iancu will be starting on the right wing for the first time in 12 months for the national side, his previous outings for Kavalos being a centre midfielder to play instead of the troubled Frederick Konta.

The main threat from the Kavalosians is undoubtedly Kwesi Themba, who is paired with Dara Pich in the line up to go for a strength and speedy forwards in attempt to break through the Alexandrian defence. They also have a target man option on the bench in the form of Viktor Ognjan, who will possibly come on if things don't goto plan.

Alexandria are preparing an all change - especially in terms of formation as they switch to move Tamer Modrem forward to play just behind the striker in a 4-4-1-1 line up. With 5 changes to the line up, the key ones look to be Rémi Marin replaces Diego Pedro in goal, with Kopaczewski and Diarra as the two centre backs to prevent Kavalos from attacking. The biggest inclusion, is set to be Florent Lassana-Traoré up front. The Club Imperiale striker impressed in the World Cup and looks to go out for more goals in his first start of the tournament.

With both teams fielding relatively strong teams, the battle of the heavyweight looks to be a chance for Kavalos to get a good start, or a chance for Alexandria to come back.

Team Lineups

Alexandria (4-4-1-1): Marin (GK), Belle, Diarra, Kopaczewski, Pegazo, Mohamed, Cesc Xavi (capt), de la Vega, González, Modrem, Lassana-Traoré

Kavalos (4-4-2): Viscariello (GK), Kibwe, Andreas, Dardan, Pandolfi (capt), Iancu, Vasilios, ó Mórdha, Kato, Themba, Pich

Zandarijn 2-1 Monovia
Zandarijn should stop relying on scoring late goals to win them games but, in doing so, they spoilt Monovia's thoughts of a second consecutive scalp this year.

None of the excitement we saw in both of these teams' previous matches followed them to the ZandArena in Hamstadt. Instead, we were treated to a dull first half where the only real chance came from that man again; Krzijsztijan Aawlzeczaa. Gabriël Joors held up play for a short while with just over 20 minutes gone before playing a cheeky pass behind the Monovian defence to find Aawlzeczaa. Unfortunately the Monovian-born wing-back could only blast the ball into the side netting.

The second half was a bit more lively, with Monovia picking-up the pace. With an hour played, the visitors earned a corner. Adam Lalić's run down the right side past Arjen Paats was met with a meaty challenge from Mark Schneidau and the ball came off the Grenstad left-back for a corner. Lalić it was who swung it in, finding the head of Marko Tkalčić on the penalty spot. The defender's header crashed against the bar and down to the feet of Adam Štefánik, who kicked-out quickly. Štefánik's snap-shot was hit off the chest of Arjen Kleusen, only to find Armand Diarra following-up, who slotted the ball between Kleusen and Peter Vandem.

Of course, you can't write-off Zandarijn. The orange Cibolans found an equaliser four minutes from time. A run inside from Daniël Lavan-Olsen was passed forward to Stephan van Hajn, who turned, took a touch, and curled the ball 'round Charles Richardson's reaching left palm. Van Hajn got his second in the first of the three stoppage time minutes. Lavan-Olsen again became the instigator, weaving between the Monovian defence before chipping-in a ball to the far post. Van Hajn peeled-off his marker, Tkalčić, to meet the ball with a firm header past the back-tracking Richardson.

That's now two wins in two games for the Zandts but I'd hazard a guess that if they keep leaving things late, they're likely to be punished in next week's game away to Kavalos.

Goals
60' - A. Diarra
86' - S. van Hajn
90'+1 - S. van Hajn

ALX-KAV, Hieu?