All a bit of fun, I've put together a small profile for each of the captains from the upcoming 27th November tournament. Each profile will include a short bit about them, our resident bookmaker "LadJefferys" verdict on the player and their odds on winning specific awards.
Truth be told, captains don't tend to win awards too often, though it has happened before. But I figured it was worth putting the odds down based on information that i have right now. Keeping in mind that the teams haven't been organized yet, which can have a bearing on odds too.
Please head over to our Previous Winners page for information on the awards.
Jersey - John Jeffery.
Surprisingly not the smallest country in the competition! Jersey is a small island off the coast of France, considered a British Crown Dependency but with it's own Government and Currency, it's classified as a country.
Many would consider Jersey minnows in the competition, even before the teams being released, can they find the players to become a formidable force or will they be lowly wooden spoon contenders?
Many would consider Jersey minnows in the competition, even before the teams being released, can they find the players to become a formidable force or will they be lowly wooden spoon contenders?
Captain John Jeffery is only one of two people to ever Captain a team more than once. The joys of being the man with the plan, he takes charge of Jersey for a 2nd time. Last time he managed Jersey he went further than he has ever done before, reaching the final only to miss a penalty (by falling over the ball) and lose.
As a local Jersey lad, John has been playing soccer all his life, from a young boy on the streets of England, to being a very talented player in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Age and covid times have caught up on him though, and a once feared 4 star player is now dropping down the food chain.
As a local Jersey lad, John has been playing soccer all his life, from a young boy on the streets of England, to being a very talented player in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Age and covid times have caught up on him though, and a once feared 4 star player is now dropping down the food chain.
LadJefferys verdict:
Will he release his inner 5-aside demons and be one of the most underrated? Or will he more likely be old and slow? JJ was a once top player in the NZ Tournaments, but old age has not been kind and nowadays he's more of a stay at home defender.
One thing you will get from him is a real urge to win and a competitive side that helps motivate the team, he's probably not in the running for any major awards but we could see him getting the Dark Horse award for his ability to organize.
One thing you will get from him is a real urge to win and a competitive side that helps motivate the team, he's probably not in the running for any major awards but we could see him getting the Dark Horse award for his ability to organize.
Reports suggest JJ is planning on retiring from playing in the tournaments soon, so time is running out to get the win. Can he finally captain a team to glory? Also has a high probability of winning Arse of the Day.
Odds:
MVP: 10/1
Male Star: 8/1
Top Goalscorer: 15/1
Dark Horse: 4/1
Perseverance: 10/1
Arse of the Day: 1/5
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MVP: 10/1
Male Star: 8/1
Top Goalscorer: 15/1
Dark Horse: 4/1
Perseverance: 10/1
Arse of the Day: 1/5
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England - Joe Senior
The early frontrunners from the tournament, being the highest ranked team in the world from those in the competition. Too long has England gone without a win, even in the Invitational, the previous England couldn't pull out the dub.
But is it going to be same old, same old for this team? We thought it was coming home in the summer, maybe it's coming home in November?
Captain Joe Senior is surprisingly making his very first appearance in the Indoor Invitational, despite living with organizer JJ in both Oxford and New Zealand. Timing has made it impossible for him to enter a tournament in the past, so he is eager to hit the grown running and stop his long-time friend from getting the first win.
Born in Oxford, England, Senior has been around the game for a long long time, playing football at school with professional player Josh Mceachran as well. In his younger days he was considered a winger with a great shot. As he's grown older his game has become more mature, better defensively and more of a passer these days.
LadJefferys verdict:
Similar to Johns verdict, Senior back in the day was a tremendous player, a bit lankier so was more of a passer than compared to Johns dribbling skill. He saw the pitch better than most. If he can showcase this skill again, he'll be a potential candidate for many awards.
In a more realistic scenario, he'll be your very good middle of the pack guy. Someone who can make plays, score goals and defend to a good extent, but perhaps not
Odds:
MVP: 9/1
Male Star: 7/1
Top Goalscorer: 12/1
Dark Horse: 8/1
Perseverance: 14/1
Arse of the Day: 1/5
MVP: 9/1
Male Star: 7/1
Top Goalscorer: 12/1
Dark Horse: 8/1
Perseverance: 14/1
Arse of the Day: 1/5
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Canada - Luis Gonzales
Ohhhh Canada, the home of the Indoor Invitational. One advantage this team has is that they're on home turf, can they make it count? Not known for their footballing prowess, it could be a tough ask. But against a few other countries with smaller populations, it could be possible.
Captain Luis though originally born in Peru, Luis calls Canada his home now. He has gone on the record to call soccer his religion, big words from the Canada captain here! Having played for mens leagues across Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver he clearly has a lot of knowledge.
Captain Luis though originally born in Peru, Luis calls Canada his home now. He has gone on the record to call soccer his religion, big words from the Canada captain here! Having played for mens leagues across Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver he clearly has a lot of knowledge.
Expect a well-rounded player, he might not be the fastest but being good on the ball and good awareness he'll be a threat to any team in the league.
LadJefferys verdict:
I don't expect Luis to be challenging for the MVP, Top Scorer or Male Star award, but I think he is a high chance at the Dark Horse award based on how he plays his game he could be extremely valuable to his team.
I don't expect Luis to be challenging for the MVP, Top Scorer or Male Star award, but I think he is a high chance at the Dark Horse award based on how he plays his game he could be extremely valuable to his team.
He's also got an outside shot at the perseverance award, given his good nature and captain skills.
Odds:
MVP: 14/1
Male Star: 12/1
Top Goalscorer: 12/1
Dark Horse: 3/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
MVP: 14/1
Male Star: 12/1
Top Goalscorer: 12/1
Dark Horse: 3/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
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Monaco - Shane Ryn
Monaco, the smallest country in the competition. While being the minnows of the tournament, they are football crazy down in the South of France and have one of the best teams in France representing their little nation. Can they translate that talent into the Indoor Invitational?
Captain Shane Ryn is a bit of an unknown one. He has shown flashes of brilliance in the games scouted, from off the line clearances to beautiful weighted throughballs. But does he have it in him to carry a team?
Captain Shane Ryn is a bit of an unknown one. He has shown flashes of brilliance in the games scouted, from off the line clearances to beautiful weighted throughballs. But does he have it in him to carry a team?
LadJefferys verdict:
I don't see Shane winning the MVP, I think that is reserved for someone that can carry a team completely which at this point I can't see Shane doing. That being said, I think he is in for a genuine shot at the Dark Horse award, I've seen first hand how impressive his defending and other contributions can be.
Outside that, I think their is also a shot for the perserverance award, he could perhaps be on the cusp of the usual player to receive this as I do believe with more minutes under his belt he could be a better candidate for male star, but you never know what could happen, so I'm putting him as a decent chance for this award too.
Odds:
MVP: 12/1
Male Star: 9/1
Top Goalscorer: 8/1
Dark Horse: 5/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 8/1
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MVP: 12/1
Male Star: 9/1
Top Goalscorer: 8/1
Dark Horse: 5/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 8/1
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USA - Nelson Jung
Captain Nelson Jung, born in China, Nelson came to Canada when he was 1 years old and was quickly playing the beautiful game by the age of 4. He played throughout all his school life for both the school and his community. Surgery on his foot however ruled him out for a few years when he was 18.
He's back in the action again, and ready to showcase his abilities on the Invitational stage. As one of the quieter captains, it will be interesting to see how he organizes his team. We know how the British and Irish folk do things, loudmouth talkers. The underdog captain I would have to say, which could work to his advantage.
LadJefferys verdict:
Truth be told, little is known about Nelson, we've heard reports to expect a decent player who knows the ins and outs. An injury like that can effect confidence, depending on when it was that could hinder his true potential but I think Nelson could be a Dark Horse contender.
We'll have to wait and see how much of a toll the injury had on him, but I think he'll be one to watch.
I would say MVP is not out of the question if the talk is correct on his gameplay, Male Star might be more realistic though. Top scorer might be one that is in play if his scoring touch does happen to be one of his stronger suits.
I would say MVP is not out of the question if the talk is correct on his gameplay, Male Star might be more realistic though. Top scorer might be one that is in play if his scoring touch does happen to be one of his stronger suits.
Odds:
MVP: 10/1
Male Star: 7/1
Top Goalscorer:8/1
Dark Horse: 10/1
Perseverance: 12/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
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MVP: 10/1
Male Star: 7/1
Top Goalscorer:8/1
Dark Horse: 10/1
Perseverance: 12/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
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Vietnam - Will Van Dao
Our sole Asian based team this tournament! They will have the support of the continent on their side which could give them a boost. Can the support help them in their efforts to be the first Asian based side to win the Indoor Invitational? At this time they are one of only two continents to not win one, alongside Antartica.
Captain Will Van Dao might just have the best name in the competition.
LadJefferys verdict:
Early reports suggested Will would have been in the running for the Dark Horse award, a hard-worker, lots of defensive duties with the ability to play in goal as well. However, recent odds have switched more towards Male Star of the Day.
I would consider him an outside shot at the Male Star of the Day, and I think his lack of goalscoring ability rules him out of MVP and top goalscorer but he's definitely one to watch and on the rise. He can play every position effectively, especially the most defensive side.
Early reports suggested Will would have been in the running for the Dark Horse award, a hard-worker, lots of defensive duties with the ability to play in goal as well. However, recent odds have switched more towards Male Star of the Day.
I would consider him an outside shot at the Male Star of the Day, and I think his lack of goalscoring ability rules him out of MVP and top goalscorer but he's definitely one to watch and on the rise. He can play every position effectively, especially the most defensive side.
Odds:
MVP: 8/1
Male Star: 5/1
Top Goalscorer: 9/1
Dark Horse: 2/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 6/1
MVP: 8/1
Male Star: 5/1
Top Goalscorer: 9/1
Dark Horse: 2/1
Perseverance: 5/1
Arse of the Day: 6/1
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Ireland - Fionn Thielitz
Just like Canada, Ireland are not great at winning much except the one sport they play in their country (that not many other countries play) so the Irish will be coming out to play in this one. Can they make something special happen in the tournament?
Captain Fionn Thielitz was born in Cork, Ireland, which makes him the perfect candidate to captain the lucky folk into the tournament. As a child he was a major fan of soccer, despite it not being the most popular in his town. He started playing around the age 7.
His dad would take him to all the trainings and games for years, you would not think it these days but Fionn was a shy kid, with soccer bringing out his inner extrovert. He grew up watching Bergkamp and Ozil, he tries to recreate their style of play. After being away from the beautiful game for a few years, he's back at it and raring to go.
LadJefferys verdict:
Well, Fionn isn't going to set the world alight in one particular area, but he might be one of the most well-rounded players in the tournament, and therefore potentially one to watch for the Dark Horse Award however, the type of game he plays might be suited to the 5aside game. I think he'll be a closer runner for Male Star or MVP.
Well, Fionn isn't going to set the world alight in one particular area, but he might be one of the most well-rounded players in the tournament, and therefore potentially one to watch for the Dark Horse Award however, the type of game he plays might be suited to the 5aside game. I think he'll be a closer runner for Male Star or MVP.
There is no real negative point about this guys game, perhaps he might be too nice? Sometimes to win you need that cutting age, does he have it?
Odds:
MVP: 3/1
Male Star: 2/1
Top Goalscorer: 5/1
Dark Horse: 6/1
Perseverance: 15/1
Arse of the Day: 3/1
MVP: 3/1
Male Star: 2/1
Top Goalscorer: 5/1
Dark Horse: 6/1
Perseverance: 15/1
Arse of the Day: 3/1
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Germany - Jayson Postle
Ah, the ze Deutsche. 2nd favourites before the teams are drawn, but truth be told this could be because of the home country biased from the organizer, Germany could be the ones. Germany are looking to establish themselves as the team to beat, they are already the most feared but can they walk the walk?
Captain Jayson Postle was born in Victoria, BC, and is well and truly soccer mad. You can often find him dribbling down main street, seeing how long he can keep the ball before someone chases him away from it.
Having played soccer since the age of 6, he attended Reynolds Secondary, renowned for it's Centre for Soccer Excellence. Jayson's claim to fame is scoring a hat-trick in Munich one time, winning the award for most inspirational player in the U10 youth soccer. An early candidate for the perseverance award?
LadJefferys verdict:
Jayson is a very talented footballer, I expect to see him controlling the play and scoring goals for fun, I would imagine he'll be closer to MVP than the perseverance award. But given his good nature, he's certainly someone you'd want on your team.
LadJefferys verdict:
Jayson is a very talented footballer, I expect to see him controlling the play and scoring goals for fun, I would imagine he'll be closer to MVP than the perseverance award. But given his good nature, he's certainly someone you'd want on your team.
A goalscorer with an edge, he is competitive and wants to win, does his defensive game have some flaws though? I tip him for the top goalscorer award especially.
Odds:
MVP: 3/1
Male Star: 3/1
Top Goalscorer: 2/1
Dark Horse:10/1
Perseverance: 20/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
MVP: 3/1
Male Star: 3/1
Top Goalscorer: 2/1
Dark Horse:10/1
Perseverance: 20/1
Arse of the Day: 10/1
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