Jmc Cup (2011)

The **jmc Cup** was a tournament that was played from 3 November to 28 December 2011. It comprised of 8 national teams, which were the last winners of the Jmc World Cup through the 2011 edition. The engine used for this tournament was FIFA 12.

The tournament was played under a single elimination format, in which the 8 teams were drawn in two-legged ties (starting at the quarter-final round) by playing one match at home and one match as guests. If both teams were tied at the end of the second match, the team with the most away goals scored advances to the next round. If away goals are equal, a 30-minute extra time will be played and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.

Spain were crowned champions after defeating Brazil 3–2 in the aggregate score. Javi Martínez became the national hero after scoring the deciding goal at the 87th minute of the second leg match, played at São Paulo. On the other hand, South Africa became the most surprising team after eliminating Argentina in the quarterfinals and almost succeeding in eliminating Brazil in the semifinals, until they lost at the penalty shoot-out.

Three players were named top goalscorers of the tournament, being Alexandre Pato of Brazil, Katlego Mphela and Teko Modise of South Africa, all of them with 3 goals each. At the same time, Iker Casillas was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, after securing 4 clean sheets and conceding his first goal just at the final.

The official song for the tournament was "La Búsqueda de Ianna", performed by Epic Soul Factory.[1]

## Qualified Teams

The tournament was confirmed on 30 October 2011, after fan voting.[2] Unlike the JMC World Cup or other of its tournaments, the 8 participating nations were selected on a performance basis, with winning a World Cup as the main prerequisite for enter. All teams also received a seeding based on the JMC World Ranking.

Nigeria, winners of the 2003 World Cup and placed 18th in the World Ranking, were initially considered in the tournament, but were later replaced by Ivory Coast as they were not eligible in FIFA 12.[3]

## Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals were played from 3 to 29 November 2011.

### Germany vs. Spain

The opening match of the tournament took place on 3 November 2011 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. The home team attacked and put a suffocating pressure during the entire match, but were imprecise at shooting on goal. On the other side, much fewer attacks but two goals from David Villa and Xavi were enough for Spain to secure a valuable win.[4]

In the second leg match played at Valencia, the Spanish team intensified their attack and tried to increase their difference in the aggregate score, which resulted in the second half due to a goal scored by Gerard Piqué. Immediatly after, *Die Mannschaft* started to attack and put pressure on the home team, but it was too late.[5]

 Piqué 65'

*Spain won 3–0 on aggregate.*

### Italy vs. Netherlands

An early goal scored by Robin Van Persie conditioned the entire match. From there, the *azzurri* made numerous attacks that were stopped by the opposition, specially by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who was named Man of the Match. in the last minute of stoppage time, Giampaolo Pazzini scored the definitive draw with a header, causing euphoria at the Stadio Olimpico.[6]

 Pazzini 90+4'

In the second leg match, the Dutch took the initiative and started to attack early in the match, but the Italians reacted in time and switched to an offensive scheme, resulting in a two-way match that, somehow, ended in a goalless draw. Netherlands took advantage of the away goal scored in Rome and qualified to the semifinals.[7]

*1–1 on aggregate. Netherlands won on away goals.*

### Ivory Coast vs. Brazil

Both teams have previously met each other twice at the Jmc World Cup France 2011, with one win to each side. The match was entirely one-sided to the *canarinha*, who scored early in the match and attacked unceasingly while trying to extend the difference. Didier Drogba had the opportunity to equalise the match in the last minute, but Júlio César blocked the ball before he could even shoot.[8]

The home crowd at São Paulo was shocked due to an early goal scored by Tioté, equalling the aggregate score. Ten minutes later, Robinho put Brazil back in front. From there, both teams put equal force on trying to score a second goal, but neither team could break the draw. The *Canarinha* took advantage of the first leg win and qualified to the semifinals.[9]

 Robinho 21'

*Brazil won 2–1 on aggregate.*

### South Africa vs. Argentina

The argentinians dominated for much of the first half, but the *Bafana Bafana* were respected at home soil and started to attack unceasingly, to the surprise of the opposing defense led by Sergio Romero. At the beginning of the second half, a header made by Katlego Mphela caused a loud celebration in Jo'burg, but Lionel Messi and Sergio "Kun" Agüero turned the tables in only five minutes.[10]

 Mphela 67'

Despite leading the offensive in the entire match, Argentina made a bunch of mistakes that cost them the elimination. At first, Martín Demichelis caused a penalty kick which resulted in the first south african goal. Then, Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick at the second half that could have granted the victory to his team. And a few minutes later, Nicolás Otamendi was sent off after tackling Katlego Mphela while he was starting a counter attack. Mphela himself scored the deciding goal, sending the *Bafana Bafana* to an unprecedented semifinal round.[11]

 Higuaín 45+2' 80'

*4–4 on aggregate. South Africa won on away goals.*

## Semi-finals

The semi-finals were played from 4 to 18 December 2011.

### Spain vs. Netherlands

The all-european tie started with an early goal scored by Andrés Iniesta. From there, the Dutch attacked desperately for the whole of the first half, but couldn't get the equaliser. In the second half, the Spaniards started to attack again in hopes to increase the goal difference, but their efforts were unsuccessful.[12]

 Iniesta 7'

Knowing that they needed one goal to force an extra time, the Dutch were quickly enough to ensure the attack in this match. However, a strong spaniard defense and their own imprecise shots avoided them to score the goal they needed. La Roja also made their attacking and were so close to end the tie with a missed shot by Fernando Torres near the end of the match, but the goal scored in Valencia was enough for them to qualify for the Final.[13]

*Spain won 1–0 on aggregate.*

### Brazil vs. South Africa

The match started one-sided in favour of the *Canarinha*, who scored two determining goals in the first half to secure the first leg. However, while the home team was focused on increasing the difference, Teko Modise scored a surprising goal near the end of the match and boosted hopes for his team to make a possible comeback in Jo'burg.[14]

 Kaká 21'Alexandre Pato 40'

Despite missing a penalty kick in the first half, the *Bafana Bafana* commanded the attack and scored the first goal, surprising the brazilians who reacted on time to equalise the match near half-time. Steven Pienaar became the national hero by scoring the second goal, tying the aggregate score and forcing the match to go to extra time, on which none of the teams damaged each other. In the penalty shoot-out, Brazil won 3–2 and qualified to the final. Júlio César saved two penalties kicked by Katlego Mphela, both of them kicked at the same spot.[15]

 Modise 18'Pienaar 61' Mphela **X**Segolela **O**Pienaar **X**Tshabalala **O**Modise **X** | Alexandre Pato 45+2'  **X** Ronaldinho**O** Robinho**O** Alexandre Pato**O** Neymar

*3–3 on aggregate. Brazil won 3–2 on penalties.*

## Finals

The finals were played from 25 to 28 December 2011.

The first final started in a very intense way, with both teams generating numerous attacks in the first half, but none could open the scoreboard. At the end of the second half, Neymar scored an important goal for the *Canarinha*, while Cesc Fabregas equalised quickly afterwards, giving *La Roja* a valious draw for their visit to South America.[16]

 Fàbregas 84'

At the beginning of the second final, a spanish counterattack finished with a goal by Fernando Torres shocked the entire stadium. The *Canarinha*, now forced to win the match, took an all-attack strategy and were able to equalise quickly. From there, both teams attacked mercilessly looking for the second goal, but none could suceed as the time was running out. Just when the crowd was preparing itself for extra time, Javi Martínez scored the deciding goal of the final with a header, allowing Spain to win the tournament.[17]

 Alexandre Pato 23'

*Spain won 3–2 on aggregate.*

## Final Results

Note: As per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.

*P: Matches Played - W: Matches Won - D: Matches Drawn - L: Matches Lost - F: Goals For - A: Goals Against - GD: Goals Differential - PTS: Total Points*