Royal Antwerp FC - The Great Old

Great start mate, and it looks like you're adjusting nice to life in FM14! Welcome to the site!

Thanks Pauker. I'm really enjoying FM14. It is certainly more challenging than FM10, especially keeping pleyers happy. Dealing with greedy agents on a tiny budget is also a new angle to deal with.

0-1 Geel (H)

Nirasirike sent off in the 79th minute. Soft decision. Kerckhols scores from the resulting free kick.

Poor display!


0-1 Lokeren (H- Paid to take home advantage) - Belgian Cup

6th Round

Scholz turns and shoots from the edge of the area.

Good effort against Pro League opposition.


0-0 Virton (A)

Bore draw!

MoM - Sengier - Played extremely well.


International Callups

Tano - Ghana U20

Soumah - Senegal U20

Nirasirike - Rwanda

Kalambay - DR Congo


1-1 Aalst (H)

Calabro comes in for Mombongo who has lost his goalscoring form.

Papa Sene heads in from a corner against the run of play.

A Van Steenkiste cross from deep worms its way through to Kevin Tano who cooly applies a first time finish.

Should have won this one!

MoM - Van Steenkiste

http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2013/09/11/4b2c18be-1ac1-11e3-8975-e37b267b7d8a_original.jpg.h380.jpg


1-1 Hoogstraten (A)

Petrucci jnjured!

Hoogstraten dangerman Swagers heads into an empty net after mix up between Dusenne and Sengier.

Simone picks out Mombongo in the box who side foots it home.

Had chances to win this one! A really lean spell in front of goal. Looks like the honeymoon period is over. Really need to pick up a win soon!

2-0 Boussu (H)

Simone volleys in Maynard's cross. John Bostock, on as sub, involved in the buildup.

Petrucci with a pinpoint pass to Mombongo in the area. Cool volleyed finish.

MoM - Simone

http://www.fcoss.nl/sites/fcoss.nl/files/photos/09-2012/dordt.jpg

The poor run comes to an end with a professional performance I can build on.


! Eupen secure the first playoff spot. Antwerp miss out by one point!


1-1 Heist (H)

Petrucci picks out Mombongo in the box who turns and blasts one in off the keeper.

Thiare beats the offside trap and latches onto a long goal kick to nab the equalizer.

MoM - Hannes (Heist Keeper)

Should have won this one!


! Petrucci out for a couple of weeks. We will miss his creativity!


1-0 Sint-Truidense (A)

Tano threads the ball through to Mombongo who slots it past the onrushing keeper.

MoM - Mombongo

Close game!


! Brazilian Sao Paulo loanee Allan requests a termination of his stay. I reject his request as I feel he will play over the coming weeks.


1-1 Mouscron-Peruwelz (H)

Poor defending gives Damessi a shooting chance from the edge of the area.

Tano connects with Maynard's cross with a headed flick on over the Mouscron keeper.

MoM - Tano

Even game and despite being at home I'm happy with the point. Despite failing to win much recently Antwerp are still second and only two points off of top spot and now unbeaten in seven games. If I can start turning some of these draws into wins I will be doing OK.


! Sandro Calabro breaks his foot during training and will be out for 5-6 months. This is a blow as I was planning to sell him in January to raise some funds for the club and get his E3k p/w off the wage bill.


1-0 Dessel (A)

Mombongo scores a sweet volley from Petrucci's cross. Class!

MoM - De Roeck

http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/11/09/2760910/invaller-mombongo-dues-redt-de-antwerpse-meubelen-id5054433-1000x800-n.jpg

Hard fought win. Showed some real determination here. Antwerp go top of the table.


2-0 Eupen (H)

Tano feeds Mombongo who has a lot to do, but his strike is powerful enough to beat Deumeland.

Bostock picks out Tano with a fantastic long range pass over the top and the young Dutchman / Ghanaian (he hasn't made his mind up yet) finishes beautifully.

MoM - Tano

http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/12/24/2796817/kevin-tano-twee-speeldagen-geschorst-voor-slag-id5195744-1000x800-n.jpg

A big win against top of the table opponents. Antwerp are now four points clear at the top.

http://cache.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/Euros.jpg

Due to the continued deterioration of Antwerp’s finances the board reduce the wage budget. Now running at minus €6.3k p/w. The board inject €650k to help with running costs.

1-2 Vise (A)

Ceesay cuts through our defence like they weren’t there and strokes it home. Rubbish!

Ceesay bangs in a second at the near post from a cross. Oh dear!

Bostock out muscles his marker and gets a shot off from Mombongo’s cross. Better.

Bostock – Second yellow.

De Roeck – Second yellow in 93rd minute.

Bad day at the office!!!

! M’Vila back in light training

1-3 Lommel United (H)

Tano stretches to poke in Maynard’s cross at the near post.

Zinho Gano pounces as Antwerp fail to clear free kick.

Gano’s shot rebounds in off Dusenne

Nirasirike makes a hash of clearing the ball and Regales (league top scorer) pounces.

Another poor showing!

http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2014/02/02/ff40b8d6-8c14-11e3-b989-a37d728f19c1_original.jpg.h380.jpg
Romero Regales

Not a good run of results. Good story though

Thanks polynike

I'm currently starting my third season (spoiler: I don't get the sack!) but getting all the reports typed up is time consuming. I'm about 50% done and will post the results in bite size portions. From now on I'm going to pause after every few games and type a report so that I don't end up with tons of 'work' to do.

Managing in Belgium is a lot of fun and by far the toughest game I have ever had with FM. The lack of resources is a massive challenge. Its also really interesting getting to know new players that I might not look at if I was managing in England, France or Germany (my usual leagues of choice). I'm really having to wheel and deal for once just to keep things ticking over, exactly what I was hoping for.

HALFWAY POINT OF THE SEASON

Antwerp are currently second to Mouscron on goal difference (both 27 points). Other challengers are Eupen (26), WS Bruxelles, Lommel and Westerlo (all 25).

I’m not really sure how we’re still in contention as our form has been erratic. The finances are in a mess and I will have to offload several of the top earners in January. I’m still confident we can make it, but the team (and myself) need to improve!

2-0 Westerlo (H)

Vital games now to try and win 2nd playoff spot! I’m glad to have Petrucci back from his injury layoff. He is my creative force and a major goal scoring threat too.

Great build-up play. Petrucci crosses in and Mombongo steals in at the near post with header.

Dusenne ghosts in at the near post to poke in Petrucci’s corner kick.

MoM – Petrucci. Sengier was also excellent!

http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2013/18/14/4/20131125073236/media_xl_6284914.jpg

! Funso Ojo out injured for 4-5 weeks

! RWDM Brussels (A) postponed due to waterlogged pitch.

Lokeren concerned that Trompet isn't getting enough playing time.

Bubb’s contract is mutually terminated for a fee of €14k.


WINTER BREAK

2-0 Bayern Munich II (H) Friendly

Arranged at short notice to keep fitness levels up.

Victor Hugo volleys in Bakkenes cross.

Victor Hugo latches onto Diouck’s flick on and hits it first time.

! M’Vila back in training.

2-1 Monaco Reserves (H) Friendly

Powerful header from Bruno Cunha after good play and cross by Trompet.

Neat finish by Diouck from Bruno Cunha’s pass.

Luiz Felix (CB), Rafinha (M) and Henrique Miranda (LWB) brought in on loan from Sao Paulo. Allan’s loan is terminated after seven appearances (Av 6.60).

Despite being valued at over €280k at the start of the season and €175k now Emrulah Guvenc is allowed to leave on a free to Mersin I.Y. of Turkey.

http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/09/17/2717553/guvenc-op-de-bank-of-niet-ik-blijf-gemotiveerd-id4888969-1000x800-n.jpg

This cuts this €3.3k p/w from the wage bill. Having scored 18 last season for Helmond Sport in the Dutch Jupiter League he failed to contribute any goals or assists in his eight appearances for Antwerp. Under different circumstances he might have made the grade with us, but we just can’t afford passengers at the moment.

As one of the only players I can afford to let go Roy Bakkenes leaves for Sint-Truidense on a free. Now we are only €755 over the wage budget.

0-0 Tubize (H)

Sengier saved our bacon but we were unlucky throughout.

RWDM Brussels (A)

Postponed again due to the pitch still being waterlogged.

! Mouscron secure the second playoff spot

http://www.rafc.be/upload/photo_album_photo/co_04_royal_antwerp_fc___kas_eupen/img_9_171.jpg

3-2 Roselare (A)

Trompet centres the ball to Petrucci who thumps it in from six yards out.

Soumah gets mixed up and Soumare’s shot is deflected in as Sengier dives the wrong way. Unlucky.

Soumah makes amends, powering in a header from Bostock’s corner.

De Rechter catches Antwerp on the break and lashes in a shot past Sengier.

Simone’s persistence pays off from corner kick. His first shot is blocked but he buries it from the rebound.

MoM – Bostock

Spirited display!

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/08/article-2493660-194BB41800000578-6_634x459.jpg

Major tactical change. Now playing with three at the back (3-4-1-2) and more direct on the poor quality pitches.

2-1 Geel (A)

Petrucci’s cross flies in after keeper is put off by Mombongo.

Finally Victor Hugo pounces on a loose ball to notch his first Antwerp goal.

Kerckhot’s tap in from corner. Soumah was weak!

The new system worked well…against Geel.

2-1 Virton (H)

Mombongo gets into a great position to head in Tano’s cross.

Victor Hugo centres to Diouck who turns and finishes confidently.

Dufor pulls one back.

MoM – Mombongo

Good win. Mouscron lose 2-1 to White Star Bruxelles. Antwerp now three points behind Mouscron with two games in hand.

1-2 RWDM Brussels (A) – Finally!

Antwerp fail to clear the ball from corner and Claes scores.

De Roeck powers in Rafinha’s cross-come-shot.

Claes with a great finish.

Disappointing after all the wait!

4-2 Aalst (A)

Tano picks out Mombongo with a pinpoint pass round the back of the defence. Cool finish by Freddy!

Petrucci picks out Mombongo in the box. Another cool finish by Freddy for his 12th of the season.

Aalst’s top scorer Sene pulls one back.

Sami Houri equalises after great work out wide by Sene.

De Roeck – second yellow card.

http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/11/19/2768404/de-roeck-minstens-vier-weken-out-id5083862-1000x800-n.jpg

Petrucci with a great turn and shot just inside the area after Soumah centres it.

Victor Hugo unselfishly lays off the ball for Tano who buries it.

MoM – Mombongo

Great reaction to losing the captain and the lead.

3-2 WS Bruxelles (H)

Petrucci wins a penalty and converts it too.

Tano picks out Mombongo’s run into the area and the Congolese hitman powers in a shot that the keeper can only deflect into his own net.

De Carvalho escapes his marker to poke in cross from free kick.

An unmarked Courgnaud drives in a shot from the corner of the area. This is the risk when not employing fullbacks!

One-two between Petrucci and Mombongo sees the Congo hitman net a second. Great interplay!

MoM – Mombongo

We played some really good football here! Now on equal points (48) with Mouscron who lose 2-1 to Virton.

http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2014/02/09/2832408/antwerp-vermijdt-nipt-blammage-tegen-wezet-id5330830-1000x800-n.jpg

! Henrique Miranda request’s his loan deal be terminated due to lack of playing time in the new system.

3-0 Hoogstraten (H) Playing 3-1-2-2W-2

Petrucci wins another penalty and applies an assured finish.

Victor Hugo bags his second of the season with a shot across the keeper and in off the far post. The opportunity was set up by one of their defenders flicking on a header!

Rafinha with a great through ball. Victor Hugo lays it off for Mombongo to net his 15th of the season.

Petrucci and Mombongo given a well-deserved rest at half time. No point risking them when the result looks certain.

MoM – Rafinha

http://i1.r7.com/data/files/2C95/948F/34B6/4896/0134/BDCA/2F61/7427/rafinha%20sp.jpg

Dominant display, especially in the first half. Top of the league by three points! We now have a long rest period before the next match.

! M’Vila gets DR Congo call-up and Tano brought into the Holland U21 squad (not Ghanaian after all?).



2-0 Bossau (A) – Must stop Kevin Koffi! (10 goals / 7 assists)


Petrucci picks out Victor Hugo in the box who turns and shoots with power.

The direct approach. Victor Hugo plays one through to Mombongo who knows exactly where the goal is at the moment.

! Koffi’s goal is disallowed for offside.

MoM – Petrucci

http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2013/09/04/326e1442-15a5-11e3-b237-290d986ffd7b_original.jpg.h380.jpg

Played well. We’re hitting form at a good time.

! M’Vila wins his first cap for DR Congo.

http://www.footballzz.com/img/jogadores/00/32200_m_vila.jpg

4-1 Heist (A)

Mombongo threads a pass through to Victor Hugo on the edge of the area. The Brazilian turns and picks his spot. Wonderful side footed finish.

Tano knicks the ball and plays it to Mombongo who’s cross is met on the volley by Victor Hugo.

Victor Hugo’s powerful shot is parried by the Heist keeper into the path of Tano who heads home powerfully from a narrow angle.

Easy! Petrucci nods in Tano’s inviting cross from a few yards out.

Webers pulls one back for the home side.


MoM – Victor Hugo

Vintage display!

During this period of the campaign Antwerp have really got into a good rhythm of winning games. Automatic promotion is looking more of a possibility. We have to go up or the financial situation will just get worse!

! Funso Ojo convinced to drop his agent who is making contract extension negotiations extremely difficult!