Results
 

RAF (Por)

2

V

2

Dumpling CF (Eng)

Eltham International (Eng)

4

V

0

Sutton on Tour (Eng)

Team Rock (Spa)

5

v

0

Maruru (Spa)

 

We began Round 5 with much to decide. Whilst the group winners had already been determined, we didn't know who would be joining them. 4 teams still had a chance for a possible 2 further Cup places (if the third placed team ended up as one of the two best third placed teams). 9 points was often the benchmark for this and looking at the other groups it was likely to be so again.

We began with RAF versus Dumpling CF – both teams currently sat on 4 points so, even with a win, the best third placed option was unlikely to be on the table. Realistically, the teams needed a win combined with defeats for Eltham International and Maruru so they could qualify in second place with seven points.

With only a win good enough for Cup football it was RAF who got off to the required start. Tiago Sousa scored his second of the day to put the Portuguese ahead. Dumpling CF hit back through Daniel O'Mahony. RAF restored their lead when Cristiano Sousa scored his second of the tournament. Dumpling CF had shown Team Rock last time out how obstinate they were and RAF were now experiencing this for themselves. Magnus McDowall scored a second equalizer for the English team and we were back at 2-2.

The 2-2 draw was a great result for Dumpling CF in isolation. In the context of the group though, a draw was no good for either side. Both teams would progress to the Plate competition.

 
 
 

On Pitch C next was Eltham International versus Sutton on Tour.

Eltham International had just secured a great win over RAF and had their destiny in their own hands in terms of Cup qualification. A win would see them finish second if Maruru failed to win. If Maruru did win then Eltham International would need to maintain their advantage in terms of goal difference. Even if goal difference was not enough, they may qualify as one of the two best third placed teams. Anything less than a win was unlikely to be good enough for the Plate unless Maruru got a worse result.

Sutton on Tour needed a win to be sure of Plate qualification – it would see them move to 5 points and then come down to goal difference with RAF and Dumpling CF. Even if that meant they were 6 th , 5 points would almost surely be enough for the Plate as the best 6th placed team. A draw would give them hope, a defeat would see them hoping for results elsewhere.

Eltham International were riding the crest of a wave following their 4-1 win over RAF. Stefano Chagas bagged a hat-trick in that game and he remained on fire (metaphorically) in this game. He opened the scoring and went on to score another hat-trick as Eltham International raced to a 3-0 lead. Tony Martinez added another and Eltham had scored four for the second game in a row. This time there was another clean sheet for Mitchell Curmi as they won 4-0 and completed Cup qualification in the process.

Sutton on Tour would miss out on a place in the Plate due to RAF Fylingdale's last gasp win in Group B.

 
 
 

That left us with Team Rock versus Maruru as Spain met Spain in the final match of Group C. Team Rock had a free hit at this game as they had already secured the Group C title but would dearly love to maintain their 100% record and keep momentum going into the knockout phase. They could also eliminate the 2018 champions in the process which could be crucial in the latter stages of this event.

For Maruru, there was much more riding on this game. They had to better the result of Eltham International to secure second place. If both they and Eltham won they would need to have the better goal difference to secure second. Cup qualification could also be achieved if both won (even if goal difference was worse than Eltham's) if they were one of the two best third placed teams.

As it turned out, the complicated permutations were not required as Team Rock put in a 5 star performance to see of the Maruru challenge. It was 5 goals for Team Rock and meant 5 wins out of 5. 3-times winners Ecuador 100% would always be favourites with their titles behind them. However, with Team Rock's record today they would certainly be up there as title contenders.

Chiqui was the main protagonist as he scored Team Rock's first three goals. He was the second man in Group C to bag a hat-trick and it took him to 6 goals for the tournament overall. Guti (not the Real Madrid player) made it 4-0 and Jaume Gamundi rounded off the 5-0 win.

Maruru would miss out on the Cup for the first time and progress to the Plate competition.

 
 
Table
 
Team
Pld
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Agst
Pts

Team Rock (Spa)

5

5

0

0

16

2

15

Eltham International (Eng)

5

3

0

2

11

6

9

Maruru (Spa)

5

2

0

3

5

9

6

Dumpling CF (Eng)

5

1

2

2

6

8

5

RAF (Por)

5

1

2

2

5

8

5

Sutton on Tour (Eng)

5

0

2

3

1

11

2

 
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