PS3 iFVPA England Clinch Home Nations Tournament

Leading into the tournament, many would argue there were no clear front runners. Previous 8 Nations Winners England were entering the tournament with a new manager , and new squad including just 4 of Sid's winning 8 nations team. Ireland were entering with Interim Manager Russ who managed to get a squad ready in roughly 24 hours. Wales and Scotland both entering the tournament with relatively unknown teams, how good they would be wouldn't be known until Kick Off!

The first fixture of the tournament was England versus Wales, with both teams coming into the game without knowing much about their opponent; it was always going to be a tactical affair. The game got going and it was a close fought battle for the majority of the game, before Dan_Cufc, England’s target man striker pounced in the box to see his finish hit the back of the net. England went on to win 1-0.

For Scotland and Ireland, their tournament started with an intense affair between two teams with high hopes for the tournament, Scotland came out all guns blazing, but a newly formed Ireland team managed to give Scotland a great game, with Peaty and Scottymilloty getting on the score sheet for the winning Scotland team. Scotland 2-1 Ireland.

England’s second game came against Ireland, the game was clearly a must win for both teams, not only for the tournament but also for bragging rights as this was a derby of sorts. With England coming into the game on 3 points and Ireland on 0, the Irish were always going to attack as they had to win. With England making it a tight encounter, and pegging the Irish back for large parts of the game, Ireland managed to get into the England box before the Ireland attack managed to win a penalty after a clumsy foul from England’s solid centre back YeadonHazard. With the pressure of a surely game winning penalty, the responsibility fell to Yeadon’s Cool Running’s team mate StephenD08, the attacker stepped up confidently to take it, against an England keeper who up to this penalty had never conceded a goal in an International tournament. Stephen slotted it home. Full Time, Ireland 1-0 England.

With Scotland winning their second game against Wales, they were top of the group with a 3 point gap, and 3 points left available, only goal difference could stop them reaching the final!

The final group fixtures:
• Scotland (1st) V England (2nd – Goal Difference)
• Wales (4th) V Ireland (3rd – Goal Difference)

These final games were going to be intense!

Scotland against England. England came into the game knowing only a win would do, and a win was what they got. With England attacking as much as possible, Scotland were happy to sit back as they simply needed a draw to guarantee a place in the Home Nations final.
With England attacking as much as possible, their defense had to remain focused. Scotland were no fools, cleverly sitting back and counter attacking in numbers at every given opportunity. With England battering the doors of the Scotland goal, they held out, until finally, England’s most capped player, striker Dan_Cufc pounced to scramble home an England winner from just yards out. Could England be playing this same Scotland team in the final!?

Wales v Ireland, with Wales not having anything to play for, they relaxed. With no pressure on their shoulders they played fluently and positively, whilst Ireland threw the kitchen sink at a resilient Wales defense in their last ditch efforts to reach the final, after England’s 1-0 win over Scotland, Ireland needed to beat the Welsh by 2 clear goals! But a calm and relaxed Wales side began to show their true potential, running out 2-1 winners over a good Ireland side!

THE FINAL

The first half saw chances for both teams, Scotland coming the closest, but the England defense held firm, with LittleBigMan007 giving a heroic performance in the nets behind them. Half time, 0-0.

Just 45 minutes left to decide the winners of the Home Nations.

England came out on the attack early in the second half, pounding the Scottish centre backs who held strong, but with Dan_Cufc in good form, and the England manager leading from the front, England created, and executed. Dan_Cufc scoring his 3rd of the tournament and putting a confident England side into the lead! Here came the Scottish!

With not long left, Scotland came on the attack, throwing everything they had at the England back 4 and Goalkeeper, LittleBigMan007 again picking some world class saves out of his top drawer with Jamico, YeadonHazard, iPhil and Manuk standing strong as the England Midfield got back to help. With almost all of the Scotland players attacking with just minutes left of the game, England cleared the ball, with most of the England players sitting back, it fell to England’s manager xStevieGerrard8_, top scorer Dan_Cufc and Cool Running’s attacking midfielder MMT-Zucker to try and clinch a second goal. As the 3 attacked, they outnumbered the Scottish defense as they did their best to get back. With Zucker playing it forward to Dan_Cufc, his confidence shone as he unleashed a shot at goal, the Scottish defender made a good block, only for the ball to fall to the England manager’s feet, as he slotted home England’s second and the Home Nations winner from 8 yards. Full time England 2-0 Scotland

Home Nations Winners: England

Home Nations Runners Up: Scotland