Oriental Lisbon - One Step Closer

Managerial Merry-Go-Round!

Prior to the drastic FIFA World Cup performance from Paulo Bento's Portugal team and his subsquent resignation from the job, we've seen new appointments come quick and fast.

After Bento's resignation from his post at the Portuguese national team helm, the Portuguese FA were quick to offer 60-year old Jorge Jesus the job, and the current Benfica manager quickly agreed terms and will now be the man to lead Portugal into Euro 2016.

"It's an honour to manage your national team," Jesus told a packed press room. "We have a fantastic and talented squad, one which can challenge for titles in the future."

Only a day after his move away from the Benfica job, the board were quick to appoint André Villas-Boas as the man to succeed Jesus at the Estádio da Luz. The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager has endured troubled stints in England since his extremely successful season at FC Porto.

AVB said upon his arrival, "Benfica is a big, big club. One which I cannot wait to manage," the ex-Académica manager said. "It really is a tremendous set up here and with facilities like this I think we have to set ambitious goals and really look to take that next step."

Benfica narrowly missed out on both the Primeira Liga and the Taça de Portugal last season. Jorge Jesus' side were pipped to both titles by Paulo Fonseca's high flying Porto side. However despite Porto's near total dominance of Portuguese football in the last decade, Jesus' reign at Benfica can be considered a success, says ex-player Rui Costa.

"What Jorge brought to the table at Benfica was a consistent side that always challenged for the title. Even towards the end of his reign he really pushed for European success, and they could have won if it wasn't for [Branislav] Ivanovic's header," stated Costa. "I guess Porto were just better."

ooo I wonder how AVB will fare at Benfica.

Congrats on going pro mate, that's a massive step for the club!
Great graphics in your updates at the moment as well, loving it.

Josh Yeah it will be interesting!

Pompey Yeah it is thanks for the kinds words.

Season One Review

The season ended in delight for our club and fans. The race for promotion was a tight, nervy and in the end amazing affair and one that fans all across Portugal will never forget. For us, here at Oriental, it was a season to remember. We started the season well and went on to win 15 games in a row, including a dominant 4-0 win over Leixões SC in the Taça de Portugal.

Our run ended with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Sintrense, but we managed to keep our lead and finish 17 points clear of Casa Pia in the National Championship - G standings. It was on to the Promotion Stage and yet again we didn't fall to even one defeat, grinding out tough games and securing promotion to the Liga Revoluçao without having to go through the play-offs.

There was one play-off we had to play and that was against Freamunde. We triumphed on penalties, 12-11 the score in the shootout, and were crowned champions of the whole National Championship!

Friendlies 2013-14

It was a great preseason for us, considering the mixture of ability between each of our opponents. We ke[pt two clean sheets, pretty much three except Ricardo Pessoa scored a 93rd minute free kick winner for Portimonense in our friendly against them. We scored some wonderful goals during our friendlies, Sergio Mendonça's the pick of the bunch versus Juve Reserves!

National Championship - G

We clearly dominated the league this season. Only Sintrense managed to beat us as I said before and we really were disappointing in that game. We started the league in goal scoring form with 11 goals in three games but we were scraping wins in patches, with a lot of 1-0 wins.

Promotion Stage

I think this was the best period of the season, particulary because we were up against much stronger opposition. To get the draws when we did was absolutely pivotal and then to win against the teams lower than us also helped a lot (that sounds a bit dumb, I know). And to win the final was a brilliant effort from the boys, too!

Taça de Portugal

The run we went on in the Taça de Portugal really helped us on our way in the league. The momentum it offered was great and after that demolishing win over Leixões, it fuelled our run even further. To get as far as we did was truly astonishing - and only conceding two goals to a relatively strong SL Benfica side is a challenge completed in my eyes, too! What the run also offered was a boost to the finances. By passing every round, we'd get a little cash injection and the extra gate receipts were a boost, too.

Primeira Liga

FC Porto narrowly edged out the team that ended our cup run in the Primeira Liga. It was a close fought battle between those two only but Paulo Fonseca's side reigned supreme and took home yet another title, as Porto's success continues.

Liga Revoluçao

Our parent club CD Aves managed to walk the league, finishing eleven points ahead of second placed Moreirense. Other clubs that were attemtping to go back up missed out. Undoubtedly this is one of the toughest competitions in the country and if we are going to survive some serious planning and preparation is going to have to go in to this.

The League Cup

FC Porto won their fourth trophy of the season in the shape of the League Cup - a cup competition exclusive to teams from the first and second divisions. A 2-0 win in the final over Sporting CP meant that Fonseca's side added this cup to their 2013-14 collection - after the Supertaça, Primeira Liga and the Taça de Portugal.

The World Cup

Unforunately I did not screenshot the groups of the results because, well quite frankly I was enjoying my own game too much! I do, however, know the winners of the competition and it will please quite a lot of you!

Great update to review the season!
Can't believe England won the WC, looks like Woy did an incredible job. Hopefully what happened in your save replicates in real life

2014-05-27 09:03#176865 pompeyblue : Great update to review the season!
Can't believe England won the WC, looks like Woy did an incredible job. Hopefully what happened in your save replicates in real life

Thanks pompey.
Yes, I heard he got knighted for it Haha, I'm afraid to say as a fan of South American football Brazil is who I will be supporting!

Fantastic update! Really enjoyed that, well layed out! Some really nice graphics as well! Can I ask who England beat to win the WC?

An awesome season man, congrats!

It was a surprise that England won the 2014 mundial... Anyway, good luck in the next season

AaronHJFT96 Thanks Aaron. I will post an update later in more depth but it was Italy who you beat

Einyel It was a great season and yes, it surprised me too! Thanks for reading mate.

England Triumph In World Cup Final!!

http://www.irishpost.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ireland-england-n.jpg

England may have finally shaken off their infamous "chokers" tag, after prevailing 1-0 over Italy in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final.

The win over Italy means England have won their first World Cup since their 4-2 win over Germany all the way back in 1966! Roy Hodgson is being hailed by the British media and the players have come home to wild celebrations from a nation filled with relief.

After finishing second to Paraguay in a group containing Australia and a largely disappointing Holland, England were set to face Belgium, a side filled with stars. The Three Lions defended valiantly and won a nervy shootout.

A Theo Walcott strike was enough for Hodgson's side to overcome arch rivals France in the Quarter Finals. But it was in the semi finals when England produced their best performance of the tournament.

After trailing to Spain through Diego Costa's 8th minute strike, Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck an equaliser before half time. Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling gave England the lead over the reigning champions before key player Wayne Rooney bagged one of his own.

78,836 fans turned up to the famed Maracanã for the final. After a nervy first half where chances were few and far between, the second half proved a little more open. Danny Welbeck managed to find the winner and became the unlikely hero for England.

"The boys played splendidly!" beamed Hodgson. "Even if it wasn't the most pleasing game on the eye, the lads showed discipline and nerve to overcome such an occasion and come away with one of the most famous victories of all time!" he added.

England 1-0 Italy
Welbeck 57'

ugh, I hate seeing England win the World Cup really nice update though

WOOOOO! ENGLAND! Very good update as per usual, Walter! If I won the WC with England, and they win it on your story, does that mean we'll win it IRL? xD

TaT lolol and I thought you were English

Josh_MU Haha thanks Josh Maybe it does, but I doubt it

FM is biased towards England, js.