Team
A squad of twenty-two players are to be sent to each international tournament for
the Utanian Crusaders, however, the UFA Crusaders selection panel have a far greater
number of players, up to fifty in total, they keep their eye on for possible
selection.
The current team or international squad is as follows:
Forwards (6)
Utania's champion forwards are made great by strong skilled striking power from
Satura and upcoming Y'benya, supported by some strong, experienced forwards.
- David Satura, 23, the champion striker, who has scored three of the only
four goals the Crusaders have scored in their career. When not menacing keepers on
the international curcuit, Satura is Striker for the champion Luka Central football
club. Satura's skills have been compared to Amayu's at times.
- James Y'benya, 18, is the up-and-coming striker for the Utan Krysaror
"Greens", and has proven himself a formidable foe for Utania's best keepers.
Y'Benya is new to the team, but has already made his mark as Satura's soon-to-be
equal.
- Jarama Kendol is a right-Forward and an experienced player for Richmond
football club as their striker. Kendol is a tough forward, with matured skills,
but just not quite the speed of his youthful striking team mates. Kendol is the
experienced forward who makes the impossible attacks possible!
- John Kapaya is a left/centre-forward who specialises in setting up the
impossible shots. This left-footed kicker has a powerful kick, and normally plays
forward for the Hamilton football club.
- Billy Dennis, Geelong's star forward plays at the centre of the Crusader's
forward line, providing the solid "pressing forward" football that fans of Geelong
have come to love.
- Tony Rayner is a newcomer to the team, from the Utan Krysaror "Greens",
where he plays in the forward line supporting Y'benya as striker. Rayner is most
likely to play the centre-forward backup to Billy Dennis, but given his superb
skills working with Y'benya, is likely to be put on the field with his UK teammate.
Midfield (7)
Utania's midfield is full of experience, experience and experience, with the country's
best in ball-handling skills and team unity. The Gaddich-West-Jackson trio will
move the ball forward with great skill and unity of thought.
- Graham Gaddich, 33, Richmond's veteran midfielder, Gaddich plays the
centre as though it is his own personal domain. Combined with Jackson and West,
the Crusader's midfield is formidable.
- Goran Jackson, 21, is the star centre midfielder for Kanhara's pride,
Kanhara One. The youngest of the midfielders, Jackson has been playing professionally
since the age of 15, and has a great deal of flair and skill at dancing the ball
from the opponents. Jackson is also becoming a central midfield team player.
- Gordan West, 29, is the only other player to have scored an international
goal aside from Satura, West is the team's captain, and an excellent on-field
strategist, providing the brains behind the attacking style of play. West is a
veteran right-foot midfielder for Isaston.
- Aaron Tosu, 24, Ayana's left-foot midfielder is a force to be reckoned
with. Tosu is a very skilled midfielder and the first choice after the
West-Gaddich-Jackson trio are selected.
- Thomas Flores, 23, the champion midfielder of Utan Krysaror is a reserve
midfielder. He follows the deliberate and steady style of Gaddich.
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Midfield... (continued)
- Ben Minchem, Vela Luka's right-foot midfielder is a back-up for captain
Gordan West in holding down the right wing of the field.
- David Koenraadt is Aaron Tosu's backup, playing the left-wing midfield.
Koenraadt is a fast-pace midfielder, who will press the ball ahead of the defendes
of the opposition midfield to the forwards. Considered Charleston's best playing
asset.
Defenders (6)
Utania's defence is three-fold: wing defenders who challenge any attempt to move
the ball forward from the side, the formidable Ramali brothers in the centre, and
the optional sweeping skills of Aratusu.
- Mark Bennett is a right-field defender/midfielder for the Crusaders. He
is the one who will press the attack when the ball is scored off an opposition
attack, pressing forward to the strikers, and giving the team a great deal more
speed in responding. He plays the same position for RFA Geelong.
- Arama Dayama is Bennett's corresponding left-fielder, playing
defender/midfield both for the Crusaders and Vela Luka FC. The dual role makes
Dayama and Bennett the first line of defence against an attacking team, and
will play against wing advances.
- Phillip Ramali is one half of the Ramali brothers who play the crucial
central defence for the Crusaders, and for Luka Central. In Utania, few can get
the ball past these defenders, with their superb ball-handling and tackling skills,
they are a formidable pair to meet. Phillip plays on the right.
- Andrew Ramali; see above. Andrew plays on the left.
- Michael Aratusu is the team's sweeper, a position that requires a strong
presense. Aratusu presents both excellent ball-handling skills and tackling skills
to make him a formidable last defence before the skills of the Goalkeepers.
Aratusu plays as central defender for Utan Krysaror.
- Thomas Rico is the reservist for the defenders, a strong right-foot
central defender from Benmore club.
Goalkeepers (3)
- Edward Artos, 34, is goalkeeper from Virana (formerly from Nystos Central).
Artos qualifies as an elder-statesman of the team, bringing with him ample
experience and qualifications as Utania's best goalkeeper. Artos has a good
international record, stopping a lot more goals than were scored against the team
in its four games, which number ten.
- Daniel Warton, 31, another elder statesman, Warton is a veteran of
Utanian football, having played the past ten years as Goalkeeper at Luka Central.
- Phillip Ruttin, 27, the Utan Krysaror goalkeeper is a back-up to reserve
Warton, but brings with him a great deal of his own experience.
Retired
As players get older, or their skills decline, the Crusader's selection committee
has the obligation to retire them.
- Samual Belson, 37, was the back-up goalkeeper for Edward Artos at the
UOCFA tournament in September 300, however, he has been forced into retirement
following knee injuries later that same year. Samual enjoyed a long and fruitful
career at Luka Heights, which continues as he trains there.
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