One Future Football: Best player, goals and stories from rounds three and four

The inaugural season of One Future Football rolled-on this week as the world’s first global football league hosted its latest round of exciting fixtures. Rounds three and four resulted in some enthralling matches, scintillating play and jaw-dropping goals as the table begins to take shape and narratives between teams - and players - starts to form.

Two teams have already stuck a flag in the ground and have made the rest of the league take note of their early season title charge - New York’s Manhattan FC and Indonesia’s very own Inter Nusantara. Both sides won in round three and four, both have scored a bagful of goals and both are three points clear of the teams below them. They have scored 14 goals collectively in their last two fixtures and boast some of the most impressive attackers in 1FF. American, Dale Ramos (below centre), headed in his fourth goal in three games to put Paris St-Denis to the sword in Round 3 as Le 93 were handed their first defeat of the season. This was followed by another goal in a 4-3 victory at home to Riyadh Stars on Tuesday. It’s fair to say 'Dale Beckham’ is enjoying a purple patch.

Whatever the New York team seem to do however, Inter Nusantara match or better it! A 5-3 demolition of Argentina's Club Sportivo Palermo saw four different players score for The Garuda Warriors. However, there will be question marks over their forward line as 21-year-old attacker, Segara Biru, was subbed off injured after scoring a brace. The Jakartan attacker, who has been likened to Mbappe, joins Dutch powerhouse forward, Bas Holsink, on the treatment table after the latter was replaced during their 3-1 win versus Tokyo Youth Club in round three.

Clube de Futbol Brasil Amazonia, currently sit in third after drawing with Sportivo Palermo, in the South American Derby on Friday before following that up with a win versus Tokyo Youth Club.

Elsewhere, South London United quietly go about their business, winning their first game of the season on Tuesday - 2-1 against Naija United of Nigeria - to add to their three draws and remain undefeated. Bengaluru Phoenix underline why they are one of the most entertaining, if unpredictable, teams in 1FF as they drew 2-2 for the second game in a row. There are still a number of teams who are waiting for their first win, none-more-so than Tokyo Youth Club who currently prop up the table after two more losses in round three and four.

Player of the Week

There’s been some big calls for Player of the Week, especially considering the aforementioned performances of Dale Ramos, Amirul Abu Bakar’s goal and two assists in Inter Nusantara’s clash with Tokyo or Brasil Amazônia’s striker, Thiago Barros, who scored a brace and set-up teammate Andrea Olivieri’s effort in a well-rounded and energetic display. However, the highest rated player across all matches was Club Sportivo Palermo’s Spanish playmaker Izan Sabate who got 95 points working his socks off in a frustrating loss against Inter Nusantara in which he scored, assisted two more and dominated the passing stats.

Goal of the Week

Whilst there was some debate over the Player of the Week, there is no denying that Adrien Grondin scored the best goal of rounds three and four. An incredible overhead kick for South London United helped them to their first win of the season - a 2-1 victory over Naija United in Lagos. We could describe the Frenchman’s strike in detail…but just watch for yourself. Hang it in the Louvre!

Stories of the Week

It may be away from the field of play but this is a big one - legendary football commentator, Clive Tyldesley, confirmed he’s signed for One Future Football in an official announcement on social media

Stats of the Week

Selection of interesting pieces, graphically represented that enhance the narrative around players and teams.

• Bondi FC goalkeeper James Keegan has saved 97% of the shots he’s faced so far this season. The Irishman has saved 26/27 shots on target by opposition teams in four games. A wall.
• Naija United is having trouble creating chances in front of goal. The Lagos-based club has only managed 40 shots on goal so far - that's 22% less than the next lowest which is Brasil Amazônia. Naija has some exciting attackers like Deji Akande, Charles Ogude, and Anthony Chidi so they'll be hoping the shots start to fly soon.
• South London United are the 'kings of crossing'. The Ballers have crossed the ball into the box 102 times in the opening four games. The next highest is FC Angelenos at 84. South London has big strikers like Ruben Sinclair and Chris Bird so the tactic makes sense.

One Future Football league table