A Venezuelan Adventure
The World Is Not Enough
Oh my...
The Mystery Man Part 2
Bond ignored his sopping wet clothes and skin. He persisted to track down his enemies and show them that they had failed and make them pay for their carelessness and for putting his life in danger.
All in all, Bond should've seen it coming. The text message gave it away - who else could know where the club training rooms were? Who else knew their way around a football stadium?
An assistant manager.
Richard Padilla, who had been disposed of at the end of the first season, had come back to take his revenge on Bond. He'd failed twice now, but what gave Bond the advantage was he didn't know he had failed the second time, and he would be complacent.
Having covered lots of ground, Bond began to feel tired. The humidity in the air didn't help, either. Luckily for him, he heard rustling noises ahead. As he suspected three men were trekking not far ahead. Bond adjusted accordingly, slowing down and instead adopting a stealthy approach, similar to a panther stalking its prey.
Slowly but surely Bond got closer. Neither of the three men, the one in the middle being Richard Padilla, suspected anything. He edged closer and closer to his enemies but in doing so stood on a large branch and under Bond's weight in promptly snapped in two.
The three men all spun around like lightning. Bond ducked down. Two of the henchmen drew guns and scanned the area. No one. Suddenly, one of them fell to the ground, the other spun around but Bond knocked him down, too.
Richard Padilla sensed the danger and ran. Bond scuttled after him and the former lead his ex-boss on a wild goose chase through the dense jungle towards a river. Finally, Padilla lost his energy and slumped on the edge of a murky river.
Bond caught up. "Why, Richard?"
He grimaced, beads of sweat ran down his face. "You really think YOU were the reason for all that success? No chance. It was all me," Padilla said, jealousy stinging his words. "Mea Vitali, and now Johan James - they both said, the minute you stuffed up they'd hire me. I had to get rid of you."
Bond looked over his old right hand man. All this greed of glory and recognition had lead him to this. It seemed Bond was getting in the way of everybody.
Segunda Venezolana: 2015-16 Review
The 2015-16 season came and went quickly
El Pais - Caracas
Much was expected coming in to this new season of football in Venezuela, and although things didn't quite go to plan, it is fair to say that the 2015-16 edition of the Segunda Venezolana has not failed to impress, with fans being provided entertainment in abundance.
The Champions
Yaracuyanos were a side that were not heavily expected to finish first, although few would've written them off being promoted this season. Displaying organisation, grit and just plain and simple class, the San Felipe based outfit were never going to be knocked off of their perch this season.
Promoted
Universidad de Central Venezuela F.C proved up to the promotion fight this season and their fine form was rewarded with second position, meaning they went up to the Liga Movistar. With 87 points the club was a large twelve behind first place but a steady eight ahead of third place Atletico Venezuela and the rest of the trailing pack.
Relegated
Anzoátegui B, Mineros de Guayana B and Carabobo B all proved to be below the required standard of playing in the second tier. All three sides are affiliates of Liga Movistar sides but the reserves and youths of those teams could not cut the mustard and suffered the embarrassment of going down - Mineros de Guayana B with only 11 points.
Review
All three promoted sides avoided the drop, and all finished in and around mid table. SC Guaraní finished 10th, with Hermandad Gallega and Real Anzoátegui in 11th and 12th respectively. Diamantes finished in an underwhelming 14th place and other teams such as Arroceros de Calabozo struggled but still survived comfortable due to the gulf in quality between themselves and the three relegated B teams.Next season, Portuguesa F.C and Aragua will be competing in the second division after being relegated from the top flight. The former, of Acarigua, were two points from safety whereas their counterparts were well and truly the cellar dwellars of the top tier.
Another well written update, to round off a very good season for Hermandad Gallega! Now that you have consolidated yourself in the division, hopefully you can push on in the following campaign and challenge towards the top half of the table. It will be interesting to see what business you can complete in the summer, that's for sure.
pompeyblue A top half finish would be our aim next season, transfers will be coming soon, too.
Justice Idk... maybe top half
Justice Idk... maybe top half
Bond: We Can Improve
Los Gallegos boss Bond thinks his side can push on
Defying the odds has been a theme of James Bond's Hermandad Gallega FC side. Predicted to finish low mid table in his first season in charge, the little known Englishman arrived on Venezuelan shores with seemingly no past experience and led his side to an unprecedented promotion.
In his second season the club faced the rigours of the Segunda Venezolana. A tough twenty-team competition, staying clear of the relegation drop zone can prove to be a challenge for plenty of teams. The sheer amount of games can get to sides who've not got lots of experience at that level, and leave them in trouble come the end of the season.
However, Bond's side managed it. They actually came close to cracking the top half - but it wasn't to be. Still, the 38-year old says there is a lot for his team to be proud of and no reason why they can't push on from here on in, either for a top half position or potentially promotion to the Liga Movistar, uncharted territory for the club.
Speaking with Manuel Meza of Diario Meridiano, Bond admitted that he had high ambitions for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
"I think we've proven we deserve to play at this level. We played some nice football and also stayed up, unlike what many predicted. I think if we can make a couple of additions, maybe tweak our game style a little we could be set for an even better performance."
Wary of 'second season syndrome', which has struck many a side in leagues all over the world, the Hermandad Gallega manager added, "It's a danger, yes, but I think we can avoid.
"The league is a long one. Even if we do drop into the red zone at one point, which I highly doubt, I think we have the talent and the mental strength to push on and improve our fortunes."
Relying on players such as Jesus Reyes, Marcelo Borges and Freddy Granados has proven key for the manager. The core of the squad is set to remain the same for this new season, and consistency has been the key for Bond's side.
"I think sending the same team out most weeks has been a real benefit to us," Bond revealed. "Our cohesion is above most teams and we gel and have a great, solid base and it provides a solid structure to our team.
"I think that's what makes us so good."
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