[Albion] 2024 Fantasy Albion World Cup. Quarter Final 1: Spain vs Asia & Oceania

Hope you all had a lovely weekend, I'm sure you've all been chomping at the bit for the Quarter Finals, well here it is

For the knock outs the poll will be open for 24 hours so choose wisely.

Spain
Manager: Oscar Garcia. Garcia managed Brighton for the 2013-14 season and guided his side to the Championship play offs.

Garcia brings a strong squad to Withdean for this tournament. Spain have a good goalkeeper in Sanchez and 4 good defenders, albeit they are all full backs. The midfield is unbelievably talented and technically gifted but there are questions marks about how robust they are. The Frontline is lacking firepower with the star man probably being Ansu Fati.

Story so far: Spain won Group A, fending off surprise package Sussex for top spot but still managed to amass an impressive 36 points. Semi finalists last year, can they improve on that?

Star man: Vicente. The magical midfielder will be almost playing a different sport to his team mates, but can he stay fit?

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Bruno, Inigo Calderon (captain), Martin Montoya, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: Vicente, David Lopez, Andrea Orlandi, Jack Harper
Forwards: Fran Sandaza, Adrian Colunga, Ansu Fati, David Rodriguez, Johnny Dixon

Possible starting line up:

Sanchez

Montoya Bruno Calderon Cucurella

Lopez Vicente Orlandi

Fati Sandaza Colunga


vs

Asia & Oceania
Manager: Maty Ryan (player-manager)

Political turmoil may threaten to derail this sides progress which would be a shame as this is a surprisingly talented squad. Rookie manager may struggle to retain harmony in the squad but if he can he'll be hoping to get the best out of flying winger Kaoru Mitoma. This side have a solid midfield and plenty of options up front but can they stay together long enough to succeed?

Story so far: Ryan's men have already vastly improved on their showing last year when they crashed out of the first round with just 1 vote. This time they emerged from a tough group, finishing second ahead of a fancied Wales side, picking up 14 votes in the process.

Star man: Undoubtedly Mitoma is the key man here. If he plays to his potential then this side could do well


Goalkeepers: Ali Al-Habsi, Maty Ryan, Andy Petterson
Defenders: Zesh Rehman, Paul Reid, Moshe Gariani, Jacob Cohen
Midfielders: Nick Ward, Dave Clarkson, Beram Kayal (Captain), Yasir Kasim, Aaron Mooy, Cameron Peupion, Mahmoud Dahoud
Forwards: Gai Assulin, Chris Wood, Kaoru Mitoma, Alireza Jahanbaksh, Tomer Hemed, Eric Lancelotte

Possible starting line up:

Ryan

Rehman Gariani Cohen Reid

Kayal Mooy Dahoud

Jahanbaksh Hemed Mitoma

Spain have plenty of possession but fail to capitalize due to a) no one to stick it away and b) over reliance on The Dagger. Garcia tactics cause half the Amex to literally fall asleep.

The superbly skilled midfield of Aaron, Mohammed and Beram would create enough for Mitoma and Hemed to combine for at least a brace.

Relatively easy Oz/Asia win IMO

MattBackHome said:

Spain have plenty of possession but fail to capitalize due to a) no one to stick it away and b) over reliance on The Dagger. Garcia tactics cause half the Amex to literally fall asleep.

The superbly skilled midfield of Aaron, Mohammed and Beram would create enough for Mitoma and Hemed to combine for at least a brace.

Relatively easy Oz/Asia win IMO

Click to expand...

I also went for the Asian boys. I think their midfield can JUST ABOUT cope with Spains, particularly taking into account that with 3 games already played there's no way they're all fit still. Up front I simply can't see Spain scoring

And I think Hemed, with Wood to come off the bench would be too much of a handful for Spain's defence especially with Mitoma causing HAVOC

Imagine the carnage caused by Mitoma getting repeatedly fouled, then Reidy dispatching one after another pinpont free kick onto the grateful bonce of Chris Wood...

That Spanish defence - excellent on the ground and not-so-great off it - wouldn't be able to deal with the stretegic aerial bombardment, and also Bobby Sanchez would have put the willies up them all by doing something utterly insane (before admittedly making 5 world class saves)