boozemonster
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The Cook Islands road to Glory or Ignominy
After an illustrious career of international football for the Cook Islands, being given a full 11 caps, only one below the record holder winger James Nand, I retired from playing.
My playing days now over it was time to swap boots for chalkboard, as luck would have it the Cook Islands national job was available, so with joy in my heart and optimism in my mind I applied for and received the most coveted of Cook Island jobs. However only having one national competition; the Cook Islands Cup containing 7 amateur teams I knew the job was never likely to be an easy one. Thankfully national expectation is never likely to be high.
Home to Vanuatu
So my first match at the helm is a difficult one against Vanuatu at home, a team 60 places above me in the FIFA rankings, I decide to choose a young team with only 3 capped players in the squad, with intentions of using the friendly’s this season to gel the team together. Things go fairly well until late in the game when the fitness, or lack of it show and my opponents net a couple of late goals.
Result: Cook Islands 0-2 Vanuatu
Not the worst result in the world but I was hoping to get a draw with the scores still tied that late in the game.
Away to Wallis & Futuna
Second match of the year, after my debut as Manager in feeling confident of getting something from this game. An early own goal from Junior Mataio shakes the team up, but I have faith in the lad, he came off the bench last match and did well, my faith wasn’t justified as in the 60th he bangs another one past Brown in goal. A disgraceful performance and if things continue like this there are going to be wholesale changes in the squad!
Result: Wallis & Futuna 3-0 Cook Islands
I’m now worried about my squad, I’m sure they are just about the best team I can field, they just haven’t played together enough, that must be the problem. One more chance before the older players are brought back to strengthen the team.
Home to American Samoa
A match on paper that should be close, American Samoa lay one place above us in the ranking, we have the home advantage and I really need the win if I’m going to keep the FA and the fans happy. Jubilations finally a 51st min free kick is banged in at the back stick by Junior Mataio (it seems he can do it in the opponent’s box too). Disaster! A ball crossed in from deep in the 90th and keeper Terry Brown charges out of his box to clear the danger… but cant control the ball, is dispossessed to leave an open goal. Although being rated the best player on the team it’s looking like Browns days are numbered in my team.
Result: Cook Islands 1-1 American Samoa
Too many of my squad have been released from contract from their respective clubs, I’m not keen playing lads who don’t even play so it looks like a major reshuffle is in order, I only hope I’ll be given the time to do it.
Away to East Timor
Another match I need a result from. East Timor are placed on below us in the FIFA ranking at 203rd, with the squad change around I really don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m hoping for the best. Things went unsurprisingly the same as in previous matches; wingers get the ball and forget what to do, defenders are brushed aside and when they do get to the ball boot it straight to the opponents.
Result: East Timor 2-0 Cook Islands
Disappointed but it was a new team thrown together so the defensive debacle that was put on display may work itself out. I am however becoming under increasing pressure from the fans to get a win. A main problem is the complete lack of pace anywhere in the team they just cant get to the ball first or close down quick enough to pressurize the opposition.
After an illustrious career of international football for the Cook Islands, being given a full 11 caps, only one below the record holder winger James Nand, I retired from playing.
My playing days now over it was time to swap boots for chalkboard, as luck would have it the Cook Islands national job was available, so with joy in my heart and optimism in my mind I applied for and received the most coveted of Cook Island jobs. However only having one national competition; the Cook Islands Cup containing 7 amateur teams I knew the job was never likely to be an easy one. Thankfully national expectation is never likely to be high.
Home to Vanuatu
So my first match at the helm is a difficult one against Vanuatu at home, a team 60 places above me in the FIFA rankings, I decide to choose a young team with only 3 capped players in the squad, with intentions of using the friendly’s this season to gel the team together. Things go fairly well until late in the game when the fitness, or lack of it show and my opponents net a couple of late goals.
Result: Cook Islands 0-2 Vanuatu
Not the worst result in the world but I was hoping to get a draw with the scores still tied that late in the game.
Away to Wallis & Futuna
Second match of the year, after my debut as Manager in feeling confident of getting something from this game. An early own goal from Junior Mataio shakes the team up, but I have faith in the lad, he came off the bench last match and did well, my faith wasn’t justified as in the 60th he bangs another one past Brown in goal. A disgraceful performance and if things continue like this there are going to be wholesale changes in the squad!
Result: Wallis & Futuna 3-0 Cook Islands
I’m now worried about my squad, I’m sure they are just about the best team I can field, they just haven’t played together enough, that must be the problem. One more chance before the older players are brought back to strengthen the team.
Home to American Samoa
A match on paper that should be close, American Samoa lay one place above us in the ranking, we have the home advantage and I really need the win if I’m going to keep the FA and the fans happy. Jubilations finally a 51st min free kick is banged in at the back stick by Junior Mataio (it seems he can do it in the opponent’s box too). Disaster! A ball crossed in from deep in the 90th and keeper Terry Brown charges out of his box to clear the danger… but cant control the ball, is dispossessed to leave an open goal. Although being rated the best player on the team it’s looking like Browns days are numbered in my team.
Result: Cook Islands 1-1 American Samoa
Too many of my squad have been released from contract from their respective clubs, I’m not keen playing lads who don’t even play so it looks like a major reshuffle is in order, I only hope I’ll be given the time to do it.
Away to East Timor
Another match I need a result from. East Timor are placed on below us in the FIFA ranking at 203rd, with the squad change around I really don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m hoping for the best. Things went unsurprisingly the same as in previous matches; wingers get the ball and forget what to do, defenders are brushed aside and when they do get to the ball boot it straight to the opponents.
Result: East Timor 2-0 Cook Islands
Disappointed but it was a new team thrown together so the defensive debacle that was put on display may work itself out. I am however becoming under increasing pressure from the fans to get a win. A main problem is the complete lack of pace anywhere in the team they just cant get to the ball first or close down quick enough to pressurize the opposition.