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Montcrabe national football team

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Montcrabe
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)O Tenazes (The Pincers)
O Bico (The Bicolor)
AssociationMonscrabel Balompie Federacione (MBF)
ConfederationCONFUSUR (Sur)
ManagerLudwig Croque
CaptainMarque Reus
Most capsFrancois Ochoa (148)
Top scorerAntoine Batistuta (71)
Home stadiumStade Zinedine Monscrabel
TC codeMTC
First colors
Second colors
Third colors
Terraconservan Cup rankings
CurrentSteady 3
Highest1 (1950 to 1978)
Lowest8 (1928-1932)
First international
 Montcrabe 2–0 Salisford 
(Montcrabe Cite Stade, Montcrabe; 24 November 1900)
Biggest win
 Montcrabe 19-2 El Salvador 
(Campo de Alfonso, Creeperopolis; 12 December 1955)
Biggest defeat
 Montcrabe 2–8 Tirol 
(New San Dedomenico Stadium, Salisford; 24th June 1938 )
Terraconservan Cup
Appearances24 (first in 1928)
Best resultChampions (1936)
Copa Sur
Appearances26 (first in 1922)
Best resultChampions (1934, 1962)

The Montcrabe national football team (Gaúcho: Seleção Monscrabeira de Futebol), officially the Principati's Honored National Football Team, represents Montcrabe in international men's football matches. The team is governed by the Montcrabe Football Federation (FFM; Federação de Futebol de Montcrabe), the governing body of football in Montcrabe. It is a member of the CONFUSUR (including the Copa Sur) and the Terraconservan Cup in international competitions. The team is colloquially known as O Tenazes (the Pincers) or O Bico (the Bicolor), as their founding color scheme was partly inspired by Crabliga A clubs Sinatre and Real Parante, two of the country's main football teams.

Founded in 1900, the team is one of three to win the Terraconservan Cup, winning their first and only current title in 1936 Karimun. Other trophies include two winning runs at the Copa Sur, and runner-up appearances in the Terraconservan Cup (once) and the Copa Sur (six times). Surprisingly, Montcrabe have been named champions of Ostlandet twice, winning the OFL Continental Cup as foreign invitees in 1991 and 2023. Montcrabe's domestic league and elite footballing academies are regarded as some of the best in the world, especially in the production of top-league strikers and attackers. Many regard the country as one of the best attacking teams in international football, though often lacking in the production of defenders (many of theirs often nationalized players developed elsewhere). Notably, the Montcrabe national football team has appeared in every single edition of the Terraconservan Cup, having never failed to qualify to the competition.

For three decades, between the years 1950-1978, Montcrabe's national football team was considered the undisputed best in the world. Under the captaincy of Maxence Colbert, their two wins and second-place finish in the Terraconservan Cup, and four wins in the Copa Sur, took place during this era. Followed by a long period of disappointing decency, the saying "Quase os anos sessenta" (Almost the sixties) became popular among fans whenever the team played well, as half-sarcastic words of praise.

The team's official home stadium is the Stade Zinedine Monscrabel, shared with Montcrabin club Real Parante Balompié, and they train at the Crabontaine Academia. The national team's kits have been sponsored and manufactured by luxury fashion brand Crappa since 1972, some more notable partnerships including sports company Cradidas and government-owned broadcasting network MUDN.

Montcrabe has historic footballing rivalries with Creeperopolis, Salisford and Tirol. The team's most capped player is goalkeeper and current captain Francois Ochoa, Antoine Batistuta as its historic top scorer with 100 national team goals throughout his career. Wayne Sainz is the highest active goal scorer for the team, with 57 goals.

History

Early years and first Terraconservan Cup (1900–1940s)

Montcrabe national football team in the 1928 Terraconservan Cup in Montcrabe City.
Montcrabe starting line-up against Rakhman at the 1936 Terraconservan Cup Final, a match they won 1–0.

Despite its ripe age as a sport, football's growing popularity in the country, and calls for the officialization of a professional league to be made, prompted the creation of the Competição de Futebol do Príncipe (Prince's Football Competition) in 1897. Funding from the government led to the founding of the prestigious Crabontaine Academia two years later, with Montcrabe's first recognized national team made up of the graduating class of the academy in 1900. Montcrabe's first game as a national team was played against Salisford a few months later in the Montcrabe Cite Stade, ending in a 2-0 victory for the Pincers. The team's extremely young age, and a lack of international competitiveness or games at the time, albeit, shifted the spotlight from the national project to the Prince's Football Competition (renamed the Crabliga A in the 60s) for a few years.

The foundation of TUFA in Montcrabe, circa 1905, brought much-needed attention back to the national team and its growing identity, especially with the announcement of the 1928 Terraconservan Cup to be held in Montcrabe City. Montcrabe's inaugural 2-0 victory against El Salvador saw them become the first team to score in a Terraconservan Cup, and the first team to keep a clean sheet in the same. The team's 7-0 thrashing of Atlántida in their second match broke the record for biggest win margin in the competition. The Pincers, albeit, would come to be elimiated in the Quarterfinals against Tumland, a trend that would continue in the 1932 Terraconservan Cup after their quarterfinal loss to Creeperopolis. Notably, despite their loss, the team's return to Montcrabe was celebrated by a crowd of over 4,000 supporters. The domestic league's growing success, paired with the talent produced by the Crabontaine, gave the national team an added boost in possible selection quality, experience, and strategy. Participating in far more friendlies, international competitions, and receiving the infrastructure needed to thrive, Montcrabe shifted into the status of a football powerhouse in Sur and the Romanyan sea - competing with the likes of Creeperopolis' La'Dinastía during this period.

In 1926 and 1930, Montcrabe came out runner-ups of the CONFUSUR-held Copa Sur - having made their initial competiton debut in 1922. Hopes were high for the upcoming 1936 Terraconservan Cup to be held in Karimun, given the addition of a young Artale Ġelardu, from the Crabontaine Academe, and the nation's first Copa Sur win in 1934 thanks to his very performances. Following an initial shock loss against Quebecshire in the group stages, Montcrabe actually came to top their group to face Castilliano in the quarterfinals. A 1-0 win in the quarterfinals, and a victory in the semis by the same scoreline against Paleocacher pitted Montcrabe as heavy favorites in the final against Rakhman. A single goal in minute 68 by tournament hero, Ġelardu, was enough for the Pincers to win their first Terraconservan Cup title in Karimun

This period in the national team's history saw them reach 7 different finals, 5 in Copa Sur and 2 in the Terraconservan Cup. Disappointingly, Montcrabe lost four of their finals in the Copa Sur to finish runners-up in 1926, 1930, 1938, and 1950, and once against Paleocacher in the 1940 Terraconservan Cup Final.

Title here (1940s–1960s)

Title here (1960s–1980s)

Title here (1980s-2000s)

Title here (2000s-2010s)

Title here (2010s-present)

Home stadium

Stade Zinedine Monscrabel
Stade zinedine monscrabel 2.jpeg
LocationMontcrabe City, Montcrabe
TypeOpen roof stadium
Capacity89,000 (football)
Opened24 November 1968; 55 years ago (1968-11-24)

Montcrabe had originally held their games at the historic Montcrabe Cite Stade, sharing it with Reguecos, ever since the first Terraconservan Cup in 1928. Following Real Parante's recognition as a crown-endorsed club, and the subsequent construction of the Stade Zinedine Monscrabel (then named the Estádio Nacional de Montcrabe, or Montcrabe National Stadium) in 1968, the national team's games were officially set to be held in the new facilities by means of royal decree.

The Stade Zinedine Monscrabel, also commonly known as "Nid des Pinces" (Pincer's Nest), is the second largest stadium in Montcrabe, and the primary stadium of the Montcrabe national football team and Real Parante of the Crabliga A. Having finished construction in 1968, and expansion in 2015, the stadium has a capacity of over 89,000, making it the third largest football-specific stadium in the world. The Zinedine Monscrabel is also recognized as the most expensive football venue in the world. The stadium hosted the Copa Sur final in 2018.

Friendly matches hosted by the Montcrabe national team often take place in different stadiums across the country, including the Zinedine Monscrabel, Montcrabe Cite Stade, and the Nacionale Stade. In an effort to boost attendances and attention to events, the tickets to matches held by the national team have historically been sold at remarkably cheap prices (especially for friendlies and the like) - including the free entry of children as a way to let them experience footballing environments and atmospheres early on.

Prior to matches, home or away, the national team is known to train at the Crabontaine Academia in Montcrabe City. Crabontaine is among 5 elite academies throughout the country, and the biggest in the continent of Sur. Normally used as an elite academy for young talent, the Crabontaine can house up to 100 people in its facilities, and is recognized as being the birthplace of Montcrabe's first ever national team.

Extensive security measures, including police and even government intervention, are the norm for international matches held by the Montcrabe national team, following the attempted 2015 Montcrabe City attacks, in which three terrorists attempted to detonate explosives inside the pitch of the Zinedine Monscrabel stadium during a friendly match against Rakhman (which would end 3-1 in favor of Montcrabe). Two of three bombs failed to detonate after they were reportedly short-circuited by the pitch's sprinkler systems, with one of the bombs minorly injuring goalkeeper Francois Ochoa a minute after the full-time whistle.

Team Image

Kit

Montcrabe traditionally utilizes a bicolor system, composed of a Crabin crimson shirt and shorts with dark blue or even white accents. The color scheme originates from Crabliga A clubs Sinatre and Real Parante, two of the country's main football teams. Prior to 1970, the country often used either bright red or white shirts, paired with black shorts, as their home kit.

Montcrabe's third kit

Since 2006, the national team's kits have been manufactured by Kappa.

Current kits of the Montcrabe national team (2022–present)
Home
Away
Alternate
Period Kit manufacturer
1980–1991 Montcrabe Cradidas
1991–2006 Tirol Ciamorza
2006–present Montcrabe Kappa

Style of play

Montcrabe has historically played a style of football called the Montepress, a very aggressive and attacking way of playing, often relying on the team’s ability to react and move quicker than the opposition.

Montcrabe coach Ludwig Croque with Real Parante

The Montepress has been described as a strategy used to disrupt the opposition as soon as possession is lost. It involves aggressively pressing the ball and the opponents near to the ball with several players, rather than falling back to regroup. The aim is to win possession back as quickly as possible, before the opposition can settle on the ball, to break into a counter-attack. The style is widely supported and touted by fans as an interactive and entertaining form of football, especially when combined with the signature flair exhibited by the Montcrabe national team. Nonetheless, it has also been criticized for how open it often leaves defenders whenever the pressing fails.

Watching Montcrabe attack is like watching a hot knife cut through butter. Watching it defend feels like that same knife got stabbed into their defenders.

— Alvaro Morales of Balompié Picante on the disparity between Montcrabe's attack and defense.

The country's attacking style of football has been adopted by many football teams, most notably Real Parante, CF Adolfosburg, CP Federazion, and even the Tirol national team. Though, given its need for attacking talent, pace, and stamina, it is often a very hard system to successfully implement.

Nicknames

Montcrabe's national team is commonly known by fans as "O Tenazes", meaning The Pincers in Gaúcho, in reference to their attack-focused and dangerous style of play.

Another common nickname known by fans is "O Bi", abbreviation of the Gaúcho "O Bicolor", or "The Bicolor", making reference to the team's historic main kit colors of Crabin crimson and blue. This nickname is often used in a more formal or unbiased manner over that of the Pincers, often by commentators or media.

Supporters

Montcrabe's fans at 2016 Terraconservan Cup in Greater Sacramento

Montcrabe national team supporters are infamous for their often extreme, patriotic, and disruptive behavior during international matches. Ranging from throwing things on the pitch, to a variety of offensive chants. Controversially, the MBF has never sanctioned its fans, and has even defended them through many events and criticism.

Controversial chants

The most notable offensive chant used by Montcrabin supporters is the "eeeh puto!", which is typically screamed when an opponent is about to kick a penalty, or a goalkeeper a goalkick. Due to the homophobic meaning of the word puto in Gaúcho (a vulgar term for a male prostitute), the tradition received widespread negative attention in media and international circles. The chant is thought to have been originated in the Crabliga A by supporters of club Sinatre.

A somewhat less vulgar, though nonetheless controversial, tradition is that of the Crabnan, a celebration involving supporters standing with their backs to the pitch, linking shoulders side-by-side and jumping on the spot in unison. The disputed part, albeit, is the often-used chant that goes with, "quem não pula é uma puta ecrosiana", roughly translating to "whoever doesn't jump is a slutty Ecrosian". Montcrabin supporters often replace the latter word with that of their current opponent, commonly leading to heated clashes with rival supporters. The chant and celebration originated from supporters of Real Parante, and was later adopted by national ultras.

Media coverage

All of Montcrabe's international matches are shown live on channel MUDN and broadcast around the world, including friendlies and appearances in both Copa Sur and the Terraconservan Cup.

Rivalries

Creeperopolis

Widely considered two of the biggest teams in CONFUSUR, matches between Montcrabe and Creeperopolis often attract widespread media attention, labeled a challenge for Surian football dominance. Nonetheless, the rivalry itself is not often very heated, and supporters of the two countries are known to have a good relationship with one another. Montcrabe is tied with Creeperopolis in total previous encounters, at 4–2–4.

Salisford

Salisford is seen by many Montcrabins as the nation's most hated, though not primary, rival. Given the shared history between the two countries, the rivalry often extends beyond football and leaks onto various political affairs. Montcrabe narrowly leads the all-time series, with a record of 6–0–5.

Tirol

Tirol is seen by some as a major Montcrabin rivalry, given the competitiveness of the two countries and the anti-Ecrosian feeling shared by many in Montcrabe. The rivalry with Tirol is highly abnormal by the fact that it is intercontinental, with Tirol being a part of LFE and Montcrabe a founding member of CONFUSUR. The rivalry is more keenly felt by Montcrabin football fans than Tirolers. In fact, a number of Tirol supporters do not consider Montcrabe rivals at all. The historic match record puts Montcrabe slightly below the Ecrosian team at 5—2—6.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2022

2023

Coaching staff

Mao Chang-pu, the current assistant coach of the Montcrabe national football team.

Current technical staff

Position Name
Head coach Montcrabe Ludwig Croque
Assistant coach Monsilva Mao Chang-pu
Goalkeeper coach Tirol Balser Corsin
Trainer Montcrabe Renato Corvere
Doctor Rakhman Aleksei Benchenko
Video analysts Montcrabe Thierry Klawdja
Rakhman Vladimir Rondinski
Osteopath Montcrabe Jean-Yves Duminka
Physiotherapists Montcrabe Ġiswaldu Gonathan
Monsilva Zhao Huang
Montcrabe Alexandre Germain
Montcrabe Peppinu Vassinu
Team Manager Montcrabe Olivier Vinċenz
Chef Creeperopolis Juan González Jurado
Security officer Rakhman Yesaulov Yegorovich
Steward Montcrabe Thom Starace
Media officer Jackson Jack Pickson

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up to the final squad for the 2023 OFL Continental Cup in Monsilva.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Francois Ochoa (1984-08-11) 11 August 1984 (age 39) 148 1 Montcrabe Real Parante
15 1GK Louis Llorise (1986-12-26) 26 December 1986 (age 37) 32 0 Montcrabe Inter Montena
23 1GK Carle Acevedo (2001-11-24) 24 November 2001 (age 22) 6 0 Montcrabe Real Parante

2 2DF Ġulinu Arauje (2001-09-30) 30 September 2001 (age 22) 10 0 Tirol CP Pretoria
3 2DF Ċisju Monte (1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 (age 27) 38 1 Creeperopolis CF Nuevo Xichútepa
5 2DF Kalcidon Popov (captain) (1997-10-24) 24 October 1997 (age 26) 68 14 Montcrabe To be confirmed
6 2DF Marque Reus (1989-07-14) 14 July 1989 (age 34) 85 4 Montcrabe Inter Montena
8 2DF Giuseppe Pons (1992-06-24) 24 June 1992 (age 31) 28 8 Montcrabe To be confirmed
12 2DF Karistu Pulido (1996-07-11) 11 July 1996 (age 27) 6 0 Montcrabe To be confirmed
13 2DF Grezzju Valenti (1987-02-24) 24 February 1987 (age 37) 14 0 Montcrabe To be confirmed
16 2DF Leli Carabott (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26) 3 0 Montcrabe To be confirmed

4 3MF Emandu Alba (1997-10-24) 24 October 1997 (age 26) 68 3 Creeperopolis CF San Salvador
10 3MF Enzo Aliker (2000-12-03) 3 December 2000 (age 23) 26 1 Montcrabe Inter Montena
17 3MF Fonzu Debarro (1988-01-02) 2 January 1988 (age 36) 84 1 Montcrabe To be confirmed
18 3MF Emvin Fedele (1994-12-29) 29 December 1994 (age 29) 22 6 Montcrabe To be confirmed
19 3MF Jaden Lisano (1994-02-07) 7 February 1994 (age 30) 28 5 Montcrabe To be confirmed
21 3MF Erin Critien (1999-08-01) 1 August 1999 (age 24) 14 4 Montcrabe To be confirmed

7 4FW Maxime Lahaye (2005-01-07) 7 January 2005 (age 19) 8 4 Montcrabe Inter Montena
9 4FW Wayne Sainz (1998-11-24) 24 November 1998 (age 25) 53 37 Montcrabe Real Parante
11 4FW Didier Emiren (2000-06-12) 12 June 2000 (age 23) 23 11 Montcrabe Real Parante
14 4FW Ċikku Lozane (1994-08-27) 27 August 1994 (age 29) 33 9 Tirol CP Federazion
20 4FW Karim Bencrabe (1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 36) 97 37 Montcrabe Real Parante
22 4FW Bizzju Corone (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 31) 61 19 Creeperopolis CF Chalatenango

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Montcrabe squad in the last 24 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alfredu Vega (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Creeperopolis CF Denshire v.  Uulgadzar, 28 March 2023

DF Kostantinu Saverina (1985-04-03) 3 April 1985 (age 39) 9 2 Creeperopolis CF Santa Ana v.  Uulgadzar, 28 March 2023
DF Fredu Peralte (2002-09-15) 15 September 2002 (age 21) 4 1 Creeperopolis CF Cámarillo v.  Uulgadzar, 28 March 2023 INJ

MF Mikelanġ Madorga (1985-04-03) 3 April 1985 (age 39) 21 3 Montcrabe Atletico Costea v.  Uulgadzar, 28 March 2023
MF Frenċ Jalisc (1995-01-04) 4 January 1995 (age 29) 2 1 Creeperopolis CF San Pedro v.  Uulgadzar, 28 March 2023

FW Dolfu Grimalde (2004-01-13) 13 January 2004 (age 20) 1 1 Montcrabe Moinsel KS 2020 Terraconservan Cup

  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to injury
  • POS Match was postponed
  • PRE Player was named to the preliminary squad
  • WIT Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Montcrabe.

Most appearances

Francois Ochoa is Montcrabe's most capped player with 200 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Francois Ochoa 200 0 2000-2023
2 Maxence Colbert 179 15 1950-1971
3 Antoine Batistuta 154 100 1999-2012
4 Vitu 114 19 1931-1940
5 Patrice Patricio 108 31 1998-2012
6 Ludwig Croque 107 19 1995-2006
7 Karim Bencrabe 97 37 2007-present
8 Marque Reus 85 4 2008-present
9 Ferdinandu Tinu 81 19 1932-1939
10 Francois Totti 79 41 1992–2017

Most goals (WIP)

Antoine Batistuta is Montcrabe's top goalscorer with 100 goals.
Rank Player Caps Goals Average Career
1 Francois Ochoa 200 0 2000-present
2 Maxence Colbert 179 15 1950-1971
3 Antoine Batistuta 124 71 1999-2012
4 Vitu 114 19 1931-1940
5 Patrice Patricio 108 31 1996-2008
6 Ludwig Croque 107 19 1995-2006
7 Karim Bencrabe 97 37 2007-present
8 Marque Reus 85 4 2008-present
9 Ferdinandu Tinu 81 19 1932-1939
10 Francois Totti 79 41 1992–2017

Competitive record

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Tournament played on home soil  

Terraconservan Cup

Terraconservan Cup record Terraconservan Cup qualification record
Year Round Place Pld W D* L GF GA GD PTS Pld W D* L GF GA GD PTS
1928 Quarterfinals 7th 4 2 0 2 10 7 +3 4 No qualification
1932 Quarterfinals 8th 5 2 0 3 8 8 0 4 No qualification
1936 Champions TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 6 4 2 0 15 6 +9 10
1940 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Qualified automatically as defending champions
1944 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1948 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1952 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1956 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1960 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1964 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1968 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1972 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1976 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1980 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1984 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1992 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
1996 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2000 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2004 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2008 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2012 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2016 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2020 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
2024 To be determined... TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD To be determined...
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Head-to-head record

As of 30 July 2023, the complete official match record of the Montcrabin national team comprises 865 matches: 481 wins, 225 draws and 159 losses. During these matches, the team scored 2,231 times and conceded 951 goals. Montcrabe's highest winning margin is seventeen goals, which was achieved against El Salvador in 1955 (19–2). Their longest winning streak is 15 wins, and their unbeaten record is 39 consecutive official matches, a world record.

Honors

Terraconservan Cup

Copa Sur

OFL Continental Cup

Competition 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
Terraconservan Cup 2 1 0 2
Copa Sur 2 4 3 9
OFL Continental Cup 2 0 0 2
Total 6 5 3 14

See also

Notes