HOPP VADUZ!
FC Vaduz finished a lofty fifth, in their first season (09/10)
in the Zentral Liga Division 1. The plucky club endured a nail-biting
end to season which saw them snatch a European qualification spot. FCV face the daunting task, however, of competing in a group consisting of AJ Auxerre, AC Fiorentina and Liverpool FC,
all aiming to enter European competitions themselves. Furthermore, the
residents of Vaduz face the daunting task of playing host to legions of
rambunctious football fans, who'll invade their town on three different
occasions.
Amazingly, Paraguayan striker Dante Lopez, again took the
golden boot for netting 22 league goals in the season. It's the third
consecutive season that the hitman picks up the award, totaling 47
league goals for his club (in three seasons). Quite how the Paraguyan
goal-machine hasn't managed to raise a single eyebrow across the
continent, remains somewhat mystifying to the few who follow the
fortunes of the principality outfit. But then, Real Enormo's loss, is FCV's gain, evidently.
In transfer news, FCV have brought in 6ft 6 (202cm) Dutch goalkeeper Jurgen Wevers from RKC Waalwijk, ex-Grasshopper Stephan Lichtsteiner, on a free transfer and a 35 year old Mario Frick,
who is seemingly too old now for the Italian Lega, and joins FCV on a
comfortable one year contract, after which the experienced forward
wishes to retire.
DANTE LÓPEZ CLAIMS DIVISION AWARD FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING
Paraguayan
striker Dante López yet again hit double figures for the club, two
seasons in a row. The striker bagged eleven goals, three less than last
season, yet he still claimed the Division's top scorer award for a
second season running. Brazilian Enrico Cardoso, followed closely
behind his South American compatriot, chipping in with nine goals in
his first season.
VADUZ CROWNED DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONS 2008
Having
squandered a seven point lead, Vaduz were seemingly unable to achieve
early promotion in their third season. Instead, the Liechtensteiners
saw themselves leapfrogged by rivals Heracles Almelo on the penultimate
day. A loss in the last fixture to Excelsior could have spelt disaster.
Nevertheless, manager Professor Nutmeg motivated his charges for a
'must win' game, in which victory, although guaranteeing promtion,
didn't guarantee the division title.
A brace from goal-scoring sensation Dante
López and a strike from Enrico Cardoso sealed a deserved 3-1 victory
over Excelsior. Concurrently, Heracles Almelo were subjected to a shock
3-2 defeat at home to basement side Waalwijk, ensuring FCV grabbed the
title. Celebrations reached fever pitch as news came through of
Heracles' result.
STEIN NAMED CAPTAIN FOR 2008
Midfield
rock Marcus Stein has been given the captain's armband ahead of the
2008 Zentral Liga campaign. The diminutive battler succeeds Marcel
Valery, who led the team for two seasons.
DANTE LÓPEZ CLAIMS DIVISION AWARD
Chilean
striker Dante López fired his way to the Division 2 top scorer award
for season 2007. The marksman hit prolific form midway through the
campaign, netting ten goals in five games, including four against
Sparta Rotterdam.
SWEDE FA: REDS HELD TO GOALLESS DRAW BY DJURGARDENS
FC Vaduz 0 - 0 Djurgardens IF
Week
2 of the Zentral Liga saw the reds host Swedish club Djurgardens IF.
Gregory Ruskin's red card in the previous week saw the Scot suspended
for this game, so Spanish midfielder Manuel Ximenez filled in at left
full back. Australian flyer Brett Burchet then took up the wide left
berth.
Marcel Valery's goalline clearance header denied the
visitors an opening goal early on in the first half as the home side's
inability to deal with corners was exposed. Furthermore, keeper
Vladimir Ivanov had to be at his best to shut out efforts from both
Thiago Quirino and Kusi-Asare. At the other end, Matt came closest for
Vaduz, firstly with a well struck shot from 20 yards just right of
centre, which smashed off the left upright, having already beaten
Wahlstrom and then again from the same area, the Brazilian drove hard
and low, but the keeper was equal to it, parrying to safety.
With
two games gone, FC Vaduz have taken four points from six, not conceeded
a goal and remain unbeaten in the Zentral Liga second division.
Team: (4-1-4-1) Ivanov - Valery, Libermann, Jaric, Ximenez - Stein - Matt, Miranda, Dodo, Burchet - Castello
MOTM: Vladimir Ivanov (FC Vaduz)
TEN MAN VADUZ SNATCH OPENING DAY VICTORY
FC Vaduz 1 - 0 Sparta Rotterdam
(Castello 65')
Castello's
65th minute strike was enough to see the Lichtensteiners claim all
three points against Sparta Rotterdam on the opening day of the Zentral
Liga. The performance however was marred by the straight red shown to
Vaduz fullback Gregory Ruskin, for a challenge on Sparta's Yuri Rose.
Professor Nutmeg was left fuming by the referee's decision and had to
be restrained minutes later by the fourth official, when Rose
recklessly brought down Marcus Stein from behind. The Liechtenstein
midfielder had to be stretchered off and Rose only received a yellow
card for his challenge.
Fifteen minutes after the sending off,
Vaduz's Brazilian striker Castello held up the ball well in Sparta's
box and turned to curl the ball past Ponk's outstretched arm.
Team: (4-1-4-1) Ivanov - Valery, Libermann, Jaric, Ruskin - Stein - Matt, Miranda, Dodo, Ximenez - Castello
MOTM: Castello (FC Vaduz)
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES ROUND-UP
Djurgardens 0 - 1 FC Vaduz (Matt 43')
FC Vaduz 0 - 0 PSV
Prior to the Zentral Liga kick-off, Vaduz faced both Djurgardens and
PSV in pre-season friendlies. The coach played a cautious 4-1-4-1
formation in both games which showed promise. Vaduz managed not to
concede, yet they struggled to find the net. Brazilian dynamo, Matt (left),
netted in Sweden to give the reds a 1-0 victory as well as claiming the MOTM award. Against PSV, however,
Vaduz were very much on the back foot, repelling wave after wave of
attacks from the Dutch giants. Comfort can be taken from the clean
sheet against the Zentral Liga top tier club.
VALERY NAMED CAPTAIN
French defender Marcel Valery has been given the captain's armband for
the forthcoming 2006 season. The stopper was handed the role by the
new manager in October 2006 in recognition of his drive, motivation and
leadership skills. Speaking on Radio Liechtenstein, Valery
said, "I'm delighted and honoured
to be given this opportunity to lead the club on the field. I'm grateful
to the manager for putting his faith in me."
Additionally,
Marcus Stein has been handed the vice-captaincy, a month after pledging
his international allegiance to Liechtenstein. The 24 year old
midfielder was never considered for Republic of Ireland international
duty and since opted to play for his country of birth.
CASTELLO: RARING TO GO
Brazilain striker Castello has signalled his intent for the new season, as the Zentral Liga kick-off date fast approaches. "I
can't wait for the season to get underway. I'm feeling sharp and i know
i can help fire the club to the top of the table. It won't be easy, but
i'm raring to go. I think with the new manager, we'll be a force to be
reckoned with. Our advantage is that many people underestimate us."
Castello is likely to feature in Vaduz's attack as the talented
Brazilian is sure to bring pace and flair to the Liechtensteiner's game.
Liechtenstein's
FC Vaduz currently play in the first tier of the "Zentral Liga" after achieving promotion from the second division in 2008. The
league is made up of two divisions and includes club teams from Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and
Norway.