Complicated - Page 4 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

**evertonfan** · 05-12-06, 11:16 AM

great story mate well done cant wait for the next part.

Tanel · 05-12-06, 12:23 PM

Trip Of Fame

7th of January 2007

vs

Portugese Cup

It had been fun and exciting preperation for the big Porto match, for some players, and me, it was the first big team ever that we face. Though some others had gotten experience from the cup run couple of years ago, when they faced Benfica.

Estadio do Dragao was fantastic, all thanks to the Euro 2004. The dressing rooms were more of a luxury hotel rooms than place where you imagine swetty mean going to wash and change clothes.

But that we had to do today, and much more than that. This years cup somehow got a lot of hype and this match was done big thanks to us being placed so close. I was even interviewed by one of the leading papers in the country as I told them about my plans.

The line-up remained the same old. Beto in goal. Defence from left to right Joao Pedro, Nuno Silva, Elvis, Marco Cadete. Defensive midfielder Jorge Duarte, playmaker Bruno China, wingers Xavier and Cristovao (Pedro Moita still out injuried). Attacking midfeilder was Hugo Morais and lone in front other Joao Pedro.

As we steped on the Estadio do Dragao we were impressed by a little coreography our thousands of travelling fans had made as most of the home support didn't mind to take that important trip.

It was us getting the first touch as I was constantly looking at the clock nervously, but Joao Pedro's long range lob managed to fly over the goal. I almost got a heart-attack while the ball was flying, so close! It was the 13th minute as I saw from the clock.

We were rather good at keeping Porto under control in the first twenty fife minutes and even got another chance through Joao Pedro too, he though hit the outside of the post and what a close miss again! In top league they'd kill him for that.

But it was a bad save from the keeper minutes later as he let Helder Postiga send the ball into the back post from very tough angle, it was 0:1. At half hour point Hugo Morais came close to drawing, but our unluck continued with him shooting it half metres over.

Just when it seemed like the game was over for us and Porto was beginning to take the game to our half Joao Pedro again came close, forcing a great save out of Porto goalkeeper few minutes from half-time.

At half-time I decided to introduce some attacking ideas by bringing in Jorge Goncalves & Leandro Tatu as wasting Joao Pedro came off for the later one.

The half started with Porto hitting the bar as we had to thank our luck for this time though. And it was more than sure that this game was going for Porto as they created many chances in following dozen minutes, even got a goal disallowed and hit the post again. But I was still fancying our chances as it was just 0:1.

But as we got our first chance of the half Leandro Tatu proved himself to be even worse than Joao Pedro that night, shooting five meters wide in a one on one situation.

It was more than boring after that though, Porto just keeping the ball in the midfield and it went until the end. We were out of the cup, but fought brave and only if we've had some better finishing and things could've gone otherwise.

But that wasn't such a bad experience considering that they are one of the favourites for the Bwin league title this season and they played with full squad, while I had my best center-back and winger out on injuries.

Tanel · 05-12-06, 05:22 PM

Call Me Mr. Narrow

January 2007 Review

vs

Portugese Cup
4th Round

We fought brave againist the BWIN league favourites Porto, but thanks to some bad finishing we had to lose this cup tie 0:1. For more see a previous entry.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 15

Xavier was out injuried, but luckily Pedro Moita returned to the team for the January first league tie. Vizela was more or less fighting againist relegation as their league position wasn't really impressive and they were in the second half of the 16-team table.

The match was rather boring at the start though Hugo Morais bringed some life into it by scoring a header which though was disallowed in the fifteenth minute, but as it seemed to be a sign of breath it took another fifteen minutes to something happen.

This time we scored a goal again, but without it getting disallowed. It was winger Pedro Moita, returning from the injury as mentioned before, heading in a striker Joao Pedro's cross in the 30th minute. Pedro Moita showed clearly that he hasn't lost his form by being one of the best players around the pitch for most of the time.

Rest of the half continued in the same rythm, countless ball losses from both sets and only long range shots getting some blood pumping. I can't blame the crowd for being quiet for most of the game either.

For second half I bringed in Pedro Cervantes and Alexandre, but it didn't really bring too much into the game. Joao Pedro made some close misses and twice we got really close with the free-kicks, but no goal came. Luckily if needed our goalkeeper Beto was in full-stretch also to keep the scoreline like it was and earning the man of the match with couple of brilliant saves in the closing ten minutes.

Another 1:0 victory put us again closer to the promotion as form we're having is hot.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 16

With this game we were going to get past the half-point of the season. And we had a suprise for the fans also. Just before the game againist Trofense we had bought a new player. Brazilian Alemao started this game on the right-back position which had often given me headache. The 24-year old arrived on free-transfer.

Already in the 2nd minute we showed our supporters what was going to happen when Hugo Morais shot flew just couple of centimeters past the goal.

We were one-man up after 15 minutes already though, despite we dominated already, Mozer's red card for two yellows was a great news for us. But just when I thought this was heading for another cruise our opponents suprise with a goal as Nuno Silva made a amateurish mistake in the defence letting Trofense player through on one vs one situation.

With 0:1 down I was beginning to get worried with our scoring lately as our ability to score more than two goals atleast was doubtful, but I knew that two goals would still get us victory in good circumstances.

And it was 1:1 not too much later. Defensive midfielder Jorge Duarte sending in a curling effort from 25 meters or so, it was great stuff from him as goalkeeper had no chance.

I was happy with the way we had played though and despite not scoring in the closing stages of the half with a some great chances I opted to remain with the same squad and it paid off in the 50th minute already.

Captain Bruno China sent an amazing bomb from 30 meters that made the goalkeeper just watch it fly over him despite coming straight at him. Even Roberto Carlos would've been proud of the strenght of the hit.

It was still our game, but it took some luck and skill to keep the scoreline as Beto made another one of his magical saves and Trofense hit the bar in the 85th minute. In the end it was another narrow victory for us, but it was a win!

Though there was some bad news in the closing stages of the game, in the added minutes our new player Alemao had to end his nice debut with a few week long injury.

We've gone unbeatten in nine games in a row in the league and the table looks certainly nice, but I've taken into the account that our fate or strenght or both will be probably decided in the following two months, when we have some nutbreakers in our schedule.

And for some fantastic statistics, it's been a total team effort this season, with total of 11 players getting a chance to celebrate a goal from our 32 succesive strikes. And neither we have a one star goalscorer as Pedro Moita, Bruno China & Joao Pedro share the top scorer award with five each. Lots of players have three or two goals.

Leixões In League Table
1. Gil Vicente - 38 points
...
4. Vit. Guimaraes - 28 pts
5. Leixões - 28 pts
6. Feirense - 25 pts

Tanel · 06-12-06, 05:19 PM

Hitchhikers

10th of February 2007

I had just gotten new leather seats to my Mercedes and I was driving back to Porto from Matosinhos. The world going past me at 90 km/h, I was looking around as the traffic was light. My eyes pointed out an eagle flying towards south, what was an eagle doing here I was wondering. I looked at him fly, so graceful, so fast, there was no doubt during that moment why eagle is symbol of freedom.

Soon the eagle was gone from my sight and I for some time had to concentrate on the road. Not far from Matosinhos there was a repairing of the road, I had to slow down. That though gave me a chance to get into another thing that I was quietly doing.

I never mentioned that I'm being mocked around because of my musical preference as I like to listen to genre's of dance music despite not being a party person. Tek-House, Italodance... you name it. I have one room full of vinyls, maxi CD's, albums and compliations. Thousands of songs there. I fell into the style thanks to my mother listening to stuff like Depeche Mode etc when I was a child.

I was singing along to a CD I was playing in the car, The Disco Boys - For You. Simply adorable track. If I would've had some button instead of just kicking the beat with my fingers on the driving wheel I would've probably caused a riot in the traffic.

Though just when the slow part of the road had ended the track did the same and I saw two hitchhikers standing by the road, asking for a ride. Music, unlike the films which do completely the opposite, always gives me a great mood so I decided to share that with some others.

I stoped by the boys, one of them seemed twenty and the other was a little bit older, even had a small mustache or so. The traffic was light, so there was no problem with pulling the car over by the boys. I know in Estonia I sometimes had to hitchhike when I went to one friends place outside of Tartu.

I tried to make some talk with the guys, as I turned down the music. They wanted to go to Porto like me and they actually were on my way.

The younger guy replied to my question about where they are from that he is from France actually, but he has lived most of his life in Porto though.

Though the other's reply was completely different, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at me...

scholesy18 · 06-12-06, 05:24 PM

=O cant wait to see how this takes shape, never expected that!

**PompeyLibertine** · 06-12-06, 05:28 PM

=O Shocking! Hope you kick is arse! Great twist mate.

Tanel · 06-12-06, 08:23 PM

Don't Want The Car?

10th of February 2007

I hit the breaks and stoped by the road. "I don't want the car. Drive on," the guy pointing the gun at me said. I was about to turn on the gear, when he hit me and said don't move. There was a cop driving a bike and he hide the gun, I tried to run away, but the other dude had locked the door without me even noticing it.

"No, you aren't going anywhere. We need you," the French dude, if he actually was French, told. The cop pulled over, I then noticed the newspaper with two guys looking very similiar on the one corner of the paper, but I hadn't yet managed to read that part. I didn't see why they were there though, but seeing that it was surveilance camera tape it was probably for something similiar they were doing now.

The cop then knocked on the window, and I opened the window. He asked me is there any problem. I felt the gun pointing at my hips so I said, "No, officer, we're okay. Just that one of us wanted to drink, but it's hard to drink in a moving car."

"Have a nice day then," the officer said. Don't know how nice this day can be actually, that was already ruined by afternoon. The officer walked away and he watched back one more time, as he was suspicios of something. He had a weird face to be honoust, big mustache's, very short hair, big eyes with bags under them. He wore no gun though. Very big guy though, in certain ways reminded me of Tackleberry from Police Academy.

I then moved on after the cop had left and asked about where are we going. He said to turn right not soon after the sign welcomed us to Porto. I was cruising around the city, wondering when I will stop and what'll happen. I then noticed a guy standing in some quiet place and the younger hitchhiker told me to stop.

The guy had blonde hair, shaved face, wore a suit and bringed a suitcase with him. I must say he looked rather good, but what was behind that pretty face?

"Who's this?" the guy who came in. "The driver you asked for," young guy said. I'm a driver? For what?

Tanel · 07-12-06, 06:02 PM

It's A Bank

10th of February 2007

They told me to go the central town. Four guys in one car was rather weird though, either gays or drunk I'd say if I would've not known what was going on.

And not soon after hitting central town they put on some fake faces, very weird masks and they told me to stop here. That part of town was full of surveilance cameras, I knew I was in s***. There was no chance that my face was going not to get involved.

Soon after there were sirens all around as the guys had rushed into the bank, one of them was with me, I was like a stone, I couldn't move... I only prayed god that the gun he was pointing at me was on the tape.

It didn't take more than few minutes before they came out, then I was supposed to hit the gas... and I did that.

I was wondering, why did they even wear masks if I had seen them. I got shivers only thinking about that. I heard the cops chasing us, I hit the gas even more, soon switching the gear.

I was driving 200 km/h as we got out of Porto, the cops were slowly falling behind us, I continued to drive past the highway until one of them told me to turn down there as there was some forrest. Did they actually have a plan or they were just making a desperate getaway through a man who don't care about them.

I had been quiet most of the time and I continued to be so, for a second I thought what the hell, I stop before I kill anyone as I was almost set to death myself with the way I was driving and having seen the faces of the guys.

But soon I was on a empty road going towards a forest and cops hunderds of meters behind, I then turned down to a dirty road which was going even deeper into the forest. Over a long time I talked and asked them to turn on the cd player as I was fastened my seatbelt already in front of the bank.

It was happy hardcore, Stylez And Breeze, playing that was fitting with fast driving, I had driven some rallies since I was kid so that was no problem.

I noticed that trees were getting very close to the road and the guys in the back were trying to fasten their seatbelts just now! I decided to take a risk, a huge risk with my own life. I needed to hit the tree right, without them noticing that I'm doing it on purpose and also making sure I get the maximum chances of staying alive.

I found a perfect tree after one corner, I could perfectly slide into it with the guy next to me getting smashed and others in the back getting vital injuries that would either kill them or black them out, but I knew very well that same thing could happen to me too.

And then bang! A minute later it was full of cops as I somehow wondered out of the car. "Put your arms in the air," the police shouted at me and one guy ran to me. I was trying to see if there was any blood on my face, but I couldn't as the guy grabbed me, forced be againist the car and cuffed me.

I looked back at my Mercedes as I sat into one of the police cars that took me to the police station. It wasn't going to drive anymore no matter what for sure and the guys inside didn't show any sign of life either as the ambulance arrived too as we were driving out to the highway.

KoNvIcT · 07-12-06, 07:13 PM

Very Good Story Mate KUTGW!!!!!

Tanel · 08-12-06, 07:49 AM

Minutes With The Investigator

11th of February 2007

A big man with a suit came up to me as I woke up in the hospital after I had put there with my injuries that needed some stiches and stuff.

He closed the door behind himself, I looked out of the window and then at him as he sat down the chair beside the bed. They had arranged the other patient to go out for a small walk and the guy told me, "Three of your mates are dead."

"They are not my friends, mates or anything," I started my sentence. But he interupted, "Yeah sure. Why were you with them? They paid you to drive? We know you were the driver."

"I took couple of guys on as hitchhikers, I thought they were nice guys by their looks, but when we reached Porto one of them pulled out a gun and wanted to get his friend as they went to rob a bank and wanted me to drive, otherwise I would've got killed myself" I told.

"You tell those bedtime stories to a children. Why wouldn't they take a car itself and leave you behind," the guy raised from his chair to grab a cup of water from the machine near the door.

As he returned I said to him, "I have no idea. They had almost no plan. I had to drive myself, in unknown roads."

"That story of yours is bull," he still didn't buy it, "You'd risk killing innocent peoples lives by driving lunatic in the streets with bank robbers."

"For christ, I had a gun pointed at my hip!" I shouted at him as I felt a huge pain in my head. "I didn't think about such stuff when my own life was at sake! I just couldn't think about such things in such circumstances. My mind was blank! I was on my survival instincts."

"I demand you to cooperate or we will make sure you'll get a twice as big punishment for every thing you did that day, including bank robbery," he was trying to make me say lies.

"I've already told the truth! Now it's up to you to prove it. I'm son of a millionare, I have a nice job. Why would I need to rob a damn bank!?" I was more and more p***ed off, eventhough keeping myself from insulting his Portugese bottom to the hell. "Call your little friends and tell them to check some of the video tapes that are in the central town and see how one of them is pointing a gun at me!"

And at the same moment his phone rang... "Mhmh," was the only words he said.

"Okay, the guys investigating it told me that there was a gun pointed at you, so you are telling atleast some truth. I will let you alone though, but in any attempt to go away from Portugal during the investigation you will be arrested," he told as he grabed the coat he had put on the chair and went off.

I was going to get out myself later today, but assuming it is one of the big stories around now it's going to have either good or bad affect on my reputation. Most likely the latest though. What a mess!

**evertonfan** · 08-12-06, 01:27 PM

what a great twist in the story mate well done imloving every minute of reading it :)

Aldo-RFC · 08-12-06, 03:26 PM

Great story mate, keep this great thread up :D

Tanel · 08-12-06, 05:10 PM

Newspaper Attacks

12th of February 2007

I had gone away from the hospital, but seeing the morning newspapers I was angry and p***ed off.

They didn't even know half of the details, they just had the pictures of me talking with an officer and got some inside crap.

My dad called me and asked me what is this all about as he found out going to search stuff about my progress.

I told him the story, he atleast seemed to believe me, but then I had to put him on hold. There was a call from the number detective or investigator, how you like to call him, gave me at the hospital.

"Hello. Is this Tanel Tursk?" they asked me as I confirmed their assumption. "Today we'll held a press conference and where we'll announce you're innocent. We need you to be there," the voice said.

"Okay, and where is it?" I asked. "It's in the central town police station at 3 PM," he told me as I answered to it and closed the phone and talked about the news to father.

I arrived at the police station ten minutes before as I was photographed by the cameras. The press room was crowded of people as one of the officers was asked to make sure I get in without any problems.

Before I had managed to check the Leixões offical website where was an announcement about beliving that I'm innocent and they have full backing of me though except from dad no-one knew the details yet.

Due to my position not only in football world, but also thanks to my father being a healthy man and the fact that the robbers got killed during the robbery it was a huge interest around that from media, eventhough I didn't know did the regular people care about such things, I knew I usually skip crime pages of newspapers.

The same man who had questioned me in the hospital rise up and coughed his voice clear, "Thank you for coming here. Today we've reached the conclusion in our investigation already. There is no evidence that the only living of the four persons, Tanel Tursk, who is here today, has been innocent. By a security camera shot we've been confirmed that he was forced to do that by a gun. And also one cop who saw him earlier today with two people in the car noticed fear in his eyes and the two of the robbers were actually looked for couple of small crimes."

He continued telling the story and I had a small grin on my face as the whole thing got over as assuming by the questions and evidence showed to the media they seemed to convince the press about my innocent.

I was going to return to the trainings tomorrow, but that certainly pumped up my morale, so the team needed to continue winning ways to cheer me up again and get the promotion I'm here for. One this is certain that the attention Leixões is getting around is big eversince I came here.

Tanel · 08-12-06, 10:06 PM

Two Promotion Fights

February 2007 Review

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 17

This match was a vital one for our self confidence. Feirense were just behind us in the table and win would've given us a great bounce in the table, but I had to do without injuried first choice goalkeeper Beto.

I was waiting for a fifth consecutive win in the league, but the game was boring at the start and it was Feirense who enjoyed the half-chances. And it actually continued like that until the half-time, there was like two-three shots in whole half.

I was hoping that the second half will be a little different and for that I bringed in one of the big disappointments of the season, Brazilian striker Leandro Tatu.

Though that didn't change anything, Feirense's ultra-defensive tactics kept the midfield tight and our only chance was a Bruno China long shot that flew miles over.

It got even worse in 74th minute as referee gave our opponents a questionable penalty for a Alemao supposed foul and their striker Gaucho converted it with ease, sending Marco the wrong way.

I then had to go all out attack, but it didn't change anything, it was our first league loss in ages in such important game and in a point of the season where every win was vital as it was a chance to getaway from the slow moving 2nd to 7th place race with all teams having inconsistent form.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 18

The first match after the controversial bank robbing drama caught a lot of attention and the fans came to support me loads for that away game. Beto was still injuried, but despite a loss and boring game I picked the same line-up as againist Feirense.

O. Moscavide wasn't a top side and they sat in the second half of the table, but I took in cosideration that they had beat us in our start of the season crisis.

It was all joy in the first minute already. New signing Alemao's, who has already won the fans heart despite the penalty foul in last match, cross found Xavier who's shot was saved. But the rebound fell to striker Joao Pedro who scored into the empty net.

Seven minutes later it was same guy in similiar situation. Alemao once again crossed in from the right side and this time Joao Pedro was the one who had his shot saved, but it fell to the path of Bruno China. China managed to shoot the ball into the empty net between many players and it was 2-0 after eight minutes.

It was an open start from both sides, but our goal was kept safe by brilliant Marco who was constantly making super saves and in 34th minute it paid off.

Joao Pedro and Pedro Moita dribbled past many players in magnificient double effort as Moita's cross back to Pedro hit O. Moscavide defender Patrick on the way and it unluckily for him flew to own net and we were up 3:0 and the game was virtually decided.

Despite Jorge Goncalves & Leandro Tatu coming in at certain points of second half it wasn't really as interesting as the previous half and we only retained simliar pace to the game for the last ten minutes, but no goals and we had to settle with a 3:0 victory that put us back to the 5th place.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 19

Our previous top half of the table clashes were often unsuccesful, but I was hoping for the trend to change and make a nice climb in the table as we faced Portimonense in one of the gameweek's big matches.

Beto was out, but it was more to our goalkeeping troubles that have been going on all season as our second goalkeeper Marco also got injuried. That meant Fonseca had to make his debut in our net, but I had never played him so it was a high doubt how he was going to perform.

It was another early goal though as the previous scenario seemed to repeat. Joao Pedro sloted in a perfect Pedro Moita low cross from four meters in the 5th minute. It was Joao Pedro's 5th goal in the league, but already seventh assist to Pedro Moita despite being injuried for one month earlier.

Soon after I got a some positive from Fonseca who saved a one on one situation with opposite striker and in the 13th minute we were 2-0 up.

This time it was Pedro Moita who proved out to be decisive, heading in a Hugo Morais cross after a quick throw-in taken by our other Joao Pedro, leftback.

Fonseca continued to make some brilliant saves, but he got some of the blame when Marco Abreu's brilliant shot went into the near top corner where Fonseca was standing.

We struck back immediately though, six minutes later, in the 42nd Hugo Morais gave us back the two goal lead by beating goalkeeper one on one after a bad clearance by the Portimonense defence, but couple of minues later Portimonense was allowed a clear header at the back post and it went in despite going straight at Fonseca who was beginning to look in bad light.

After Bruno China missed an empy net at the start of the second the price to pay for it was tough. In the 51st minute Rui Baio equalized with another saveable 30 yarder shot and then Miron showed some great skill by lifting the ball over badly positioned Fonseca to make it 4:3 in the 58th minute and we had fell behind from 2-0 ahead.

It was a thriller though and it went even more interesting, but we couldn't get the goal back before the 84th minute. After fantastic triple save from opposition goalkeeper the ball fell to Joao Pedro who scored his second of the evening into the empty net.

The story had another twist, a lethal one to us though. In the 87th minute opponent midfielder Kondaponi headed in a cross into the top corner of our goal and this was the only goal you can't blame our goalkeeper for.

The 4:5 loss meant that we had lost both of our most important games of the month and probably with our first choice goalkeeper we could've atleast won the Portimonense game which we stupidly threw away, partly thanks to me playing the attacking tactic even after I saw that Portimonense was getting into the game.

Luckily for us though, the table, as said before, is moving like a snail and we are only three points away from the second with 13 games to go.

Leixões In League Table

1. Gil Vicente - 44 points
...
5. Feirense - 31 pts
6. Leixões - 31 pts
7. Portimonense - 28 pts

Tanel · 09-12-06, 03:59 PM

Interview With Me!?

28th of February 2007

I finished the first training of the day as the players went out to the cafeteria. I was putting the balls back into the carrying bag as we were going to have a little training at the stadium this afternoon.

Just as I was putting in the last balls when a rather small and thin guy approached me. Despite his small body it his voice was like a roar of a bear. I barely understood him when he approached me and said, "Hello, Tanel Tursk, if I'm not mistaken?"

"Yes, thats me. What are you looking here for?" I asked him with polite voice. He then showed a journalist card and told me that he is from the Publico newspaper and wants to make an interview with me for the tomorrows sports page top news.

"An interview with me? Quite frankly I'm suprised..." I expressed my feelings. "Yes, interview. The people are really interested in you after the stuff going around Leixões and you in the past few months or so."

"Are there football related questions in the bunch? Because I don't want to make an interview all about this month's tragedies," I made a demand.

"No, there are lots of other questions about football also," he answered. "Okay, let's go to some place where we could sit down, eventhough I should be eating lunch at the moment," I finally agreed with his proposal.

We then found a place under the trees with a little bench near it as it was damn hot that day and I didn't want to go inside either because some board members were there. He turned on his dictophone and started asking me questions.

It all started off with the bank robbery kind of stuff, but soon we turned onto more pleasant stuff. I was asked about what I'm thinking of my life in Portugal, favourite moments so far etc. I must say that I'm more and more into living in Portugal and managing Leixões despite the bumpy form and the nerve-wrecking chase for promotion. I enjoy it to be honoust, due to that team must always give 100% and even more of themselves so we cannot fall asleep during a 10 point lead and then lose it with final few weeks as we sat down in comfort.

I was certain that despite the two losses we had this month we're going to get the promotion as we were unlucky on both occasions.

Then we had a brief chat about my dad and some of the players, espescially former U21 international Pedro Moita who has been praised and gotten some slight interest from the top division, but we will take him there ourselves as he is a great lad.

It actually took around one hour and when I asked how long will it be on paper the guy answered, "It cannot be more than two pages, but it'll probably fill up all the possible room."

Later on I gave him my phone number and he took a picture while I continued some physical training with the lads after I had quickly eatten my lunch.

Tanel · 09-12-06, 05:50 PM

This Cannot Be Happening!

March 2007 Review

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 20

I had absolutely no injury problems for my match againist Santa Clara and goalkeeper Beto returned to the goal againist the second half of the table side. But I was worried due to our latest result that our nerves may not be ready for such a match.

Beto demonstrated his skills in the 5th minute already with a great long range save, but Joao Pedro made an horrific miss when trying to make sure that save was important in the 14th minute.

It got even worse just minute later, Hugo Morais robbed opponent goalkeeper off the ball, but somehow managed to side net instead of sending it into seven meters wide and more than two meters high net.

It was an interesting first half, but thanks to some bad finishing we failed to convert our chances and I bringed in Jorge Goncalves for Hugo Morais to try make this better.

Second half continued with us dominating, but soon after Xaviers shot that went so close we lost the control and the price for missed chances didn't take long to pay. Julio Cesar of Santa Clara broke through and used Beto's rather bad reflexes in that case to send it into the back corner from a rather tough angle in 58th minute.

I then bringed in striker Roberto over a long time and he did a lot of useful, espescially crossing in for Jorge Goncalves, whose incompentant heading though resulted into the ball flying over from seven meters.

It went cathastrophe after 79th minute though. The relationship between the opposite team were getting rather high and it resulted in our players cracking up with Pedro Moita and Nuno Silva hitting their opponents in face and getting sent off and probable long term plans which once again dent our chances of promotion.

It was no suprise that they hit two more goals in the final ten minutes to get a 3:0 win as I was simply shocked by the unluck we are having lately.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 21

Next up with our side was a must win againist 3rd placed Vit. Guimaraes. If we would've lost that then it was going to be a big step towards making sure we'll be in Liga de Honra next season too.

My mission was made a lot of "easier" by the Pedro Moita six-match ban, while Nuno Silva had to be out for three. Jorge Duarte and Joao Pedro also sat out.

We started off amazing and promising, but it was some incredibly bad finishing when we had many shots saved or gone wide in the first fourty minutes. Already in the first minute Hugo Morais tested the opposite goalkeeper.

But after 40th minute the lady of luck stroke us again. Bruno China, our captain, got a second yellow card for a rather pointless tackle in midfield and it was 0:1 soon after it with Tiago Targino.

We had dominated the match upto that point, but a Cristovao injury after the goal made me sure that it was again going to be tears for the Leixões fans.

Despite Vit. Guimaraes player also getting sent off very late in the second half it did end 0:1 and we were falling deep in table like a rock into the water.

vs

Portugese Liga de Honra
Week 22

The ridiclous unlucky streak made me think that there is no way we could even win againist this Gondomar SC side who is struggling in the second half of the table.

It was more and moer missing players. Nuno Silva, Alemao, Jorge Duarte, Bruno China, Cristovao & Pedro Moita all sat out for us and it was going to be a mission impossible ahead of us in this away game if we wanted to win, but the clock was ticking againist us so we had to start showing our character.

As much as I would love to write, it was a ugly first half from us and the finishing continued to be laughable and I was shaking my head like an idiot for most of the match.

In my pathetic attempt to bring some life into the game I made substitions with Leandro Tatu and Pedro Cervantes joining the game.

It actually did give us some new breathing, but didn't change anything upfront, by the 66th minute we had missed four golden opportunities ahead of the opponent net.

We finally scored our first goal of the month though! In 82nd minute Xavier grabed us a lead by sending in a long Leao pass into the far top corner of the goal and celebrating like wild.

But ofcourse, what else could've happened soon after rather than Gondomar hitting the one back just minute after Xavier by using ugly Beto positioning as Fernando Maicel scored 1:1.

Pedro Cervantes got injuried later on in the match and so did Hugo Morais, but we managed to hold onto the draw, but we're sitting 9th and nine points behind of 2nd place with ten games to go.

Leixões In League Table

9. Leixões - 32 points

Authors Note: Sorry, I forgot to check the table and I cannot open the game now anymore.

Tanel · 09-12-06, 05:51 PM

Serenity, Calmness And Chances Of Promotion

20th of March 2007

There was no training today, though I still went to the training ground. I sat down there, it was misery lately.

Everything in my life started going wrong. We had collected just four points from last six games, our side is raged with injuries and suspensions, the latest news was that Hugo Morais is out for a month too.

I sat down on the same bench where I had given my interview about hoping for promotion, the same bench I sat down on my first day here in this club.

I didn't know what to do. I was trying to find serenity and calmness inside of me, but it was tough. I was a little temperamental for that as I sometimes are full of rage. I cannot think calm always.

I just sat down, looked into the sky, onto the training ground, at the birds playing around in the trees nearby. I remembered how the team had laughed when China hit me with the ball in the training, by accident though, but that was united thing from the players. Where was that unity on the pitch?

There was nothing, everyone was letting the team-mates down time after time. No spirit whatsoever and stupidity flowing around the pitch.

Then someone approached me from the back, it was Pedro Moita. "Hey," he said. I didn't even bother to reply back to him and just nogged with my head in "approval".

"It's disappointing to me aswell," he started talking, "I am angry at what I did in the Santa Clara match. I hope to make up for it as soon as I get back though. There is still time. You are a great motivator, just some of the players don't really care or understand. But we can make them do so."

I watched at him as he continued, "This is great bunch of talent here that we showed before all this latest form broke out. I think we can restore this for the final ten matches. I try to help you by boosting them. We need to make sure what is on the sake."

After that I finally opened my mouth, "You know what is on the sake? This club itself, the players futures. If we won't get into the top division we're done unless a new owner comes or we'll sell most of the squad which means we're also done anyway. I won't sign a new contract if I cannot get the results. I'm here for one year only at the moment, the extension is up to the results I was having."

"That's a good enough motivation for the players," he told me. "Maybe..." I told him. He then left, while I was sitting on the bench for over a hour more. Thinking of my past and what I had done to came through such tough situations before.

Tanel · 09-12-06, 05:53 PM

ANNOUNCEMENT

This forum has offically catched up with the original latest update! So now you wont see spoilers if you go check forums of Susie, GK or Throw-In.