Well here we are. All the build up (minimal), all the preparation (mixed bag), it all comes down to this. Day one of the 2022 CM Cup and of course, happy 25th anniversary to CM9798. Let’s football!

Group A includes the defending champion, Dave Mathieson. He’s Republic of Ireland and will have his work cut out against three experienced campaigners. Zak of the Blog Squad is Sweden, Tom Rostance has the group favourites Holland and former champion FPLHints (Ash) will be trying to find some balance with Nigeria. In the words of Des’ree – Oooh I get the shivers.

Huge thanks to Andrew (KingOfTheRooks) for all of the graphics this year, I am biased but he has really outdone himself.

Republic of Ireland vs Sweden

Dave’s opted for a 5-3-2 with the Irish lads. He knows their limitations and it’s fair to say Roy Keane will be doing a lot of heavy lifting in that midfield. The mercurial Sean Devine could go either way up front.

His first opponent is Sweden and Zak has gone for a bit of a more conservative 2-3-1-2-2

It starts so well for Dave with Roy bursting through from midfield to open the scoring. That’s the highlight though as Sweden come roaring back through Kennet Andersson and Larsson. Blomqvist adds daylight only for Andersson to add a quick fire double as Dave chased some salvation. Cascarino pulls one back to make it 5-2 but the champ is already on the brink, whilst Sweden are sitting pretty.

Somehow Ireland are deemed to have been the better team but less surprising is Kennet taking the man of the match plonk.

Nigeria vs Holland

Let’s see what Ash is up to. Our 2018 champion has rather astutely realised that Nigeria have nothing in defence and quite a lot of options up front. It’s a 3-5-2 with a difference.

Tom has the group favourites Holland to guide through Group A and he’s opted to play the 2-3-1-2-2 but with a little Overmarsy twist. Look at him run. This won’t be 0-0.

Making that run might be the best decision Tom has ever made. Two goals in the opening 15 minutes suggests Overmars will be a handful in that position. The meat in his brace sandwich is Mutiu bringing Nigeria level within a minute but that’s as good as it gets for Ash, whose tinkering kept the Super Eagles in the game but ultimately Seedorf was able to pick off a third on the break to give Tom the points and leave Ash in the same position as Dave after one game.

The right winner in the end.

Even if Peter Rufai had a stormer, he’s no Jaap Stam.

The show must go on…

Holland vs Ireland

Other than Ronald De Boer being injured and standing down from bench duty, Tom is able to name an unchanged lineup.

Ireland basically must win. 0 points and a minus 3 goal difference leaves little margin for error. Dave needs his lads to channel their future selves who famously beat the Dutch in 2002 World Cup qualifying. Unchanged

What’s incredible about this game is that 35 shots were shared between these two teams and yet there was only one goal. Only 11 were on target but the one that counts comes from the boys in green. Keith O’Neill is somewhat of a CM9798 folklore name – he always gets a big move in the first few weeks of a new game and he plays like it here, slotting in the winner against all the odds. Overmars and co have no reply, even the emergence of Ruud Gullit can’t upset the Irish defence and they keep themselves alive. The Champ is still here.

Profligacy from the Dutch…and the Irish to be fair. So many chances passed up.

The two keepers take the plaudits but only Winston Bogarde of the outfield players scores above a 7.

Can Nigeria keep themselves in the tournament now?

Nigeria vs Sweden

It’s the same formation with different personnel for Ash – when times are hard, call on Ekoku.

Zak can really assume control of the group here so after a 5-2 win first time out there’s little need to make changes.

It’s a weird game sometimes. The Swedes were so good and barely missed in game one but here they are, totally dominated by the Nigerians and only mustering three shots of their own…with none on target. Peter Rufai had a great time.

Even Zak’s late attempt at a keeperless formation fails to yield dividends. That’s following the only goal of the game from – yep – Efan Ekoku.

What a win for Ash to keep the group as tight as can be for points.

So after two games, there’s everything to play for. Sweden know a draw will be enough against Holland but everything is a possibility.

Ireland vs Nigeria

The two champions, defending and former, will be the first to learn their fate. Dave’s Ireland are nothing if not consistent. They go again.

Ash is the polar opposite, if he’s not rotating he’s not playing. Ekoku is now up front, Oliseh is in for the injured Oruma.

Ireland needed a hero and they got one…in the shape of Sean Devine. His early double sets them on their way and although Ikpeba briefly gives Nigeria hope, Devine completes his hat-trick and McAteer settles it. The Champ lives on.

Ash can have no complaints. Thoroughly outplayed on the day but it was always the risk with the top heavy nature of the Nigeria talent pool.

Obviously Ash had to chase the game but even Daniel Amokachi couldn’t save this one.

Ireland are through but will it be as the group winners or just runners up?

Sweden vs Holland

Zak’s Swedish House Mafia just need a draw. The maths is relatively simple in that regard.

Tom sticks with it. It has a 50% success rate.

The Dutch are famous for combusting on the big scene but not this time. Tom has kept them on a level and rather than fighting each other after losing to the Irish, they channel a spirit rarely seen in Orange. Seedorf starts the rout and Kluivert finishes it with a double. Henrik Larsson’s late penalty is just a consolation.

Poor Zak. So good in game 1, a very poor attacking return from games 2 and 3.

Once again the switch to keeperless was plan B but it didn’t work for Zak. Kluivert doesn’t always show up but he did here.

That win is enough for Tom to top the group, Dave will be delighted to get through in second after the horror start.

Group A is in the books so I really hope you join me again tomorrow for Group B where we’ll see England, USA, Angola and Scotland take to the stage.