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Association football team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Malawi national football team represents Malawi in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, it was known as the Nyasaland national football team.
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Nickname(s) | Flames | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Association of Malawi | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Patrick Mabedi | |||
Captain | John Banda | |||
Most caps | Young Chimodzi (159) | |||
Top scorer | Kinnah Phiri (71) | |||
Home stadium | Bingu National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | MWI | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 126 ![]() | |||
Highest | 53 (December 1992) | |||
Lowest | 138 (December 2007, March 2008) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 1957)[2] | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 13 July 1968) ![]() ![]() (Blantyre, Malawi; 31 May 2008) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 15 October 1962)[2] | ||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1984) | |||
Best result | Round of 16 (2021) | |||
COSAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 19 (first in 1997) | |||
Best result | Runners-up (2002, 2003) | |||
Four Nations Football Tournament | ||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2024) | |||
Best result | Fourth place (2024) | |||
They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988, and they also got fourth place in the 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament.
The first full-time coach of the Malawi national football team was Ron Meades. The British Council arranged for his appointment through the English Football Association to coach the team for the Republic Celebrations, playing Madagascar and Zambia. Ray Batchelor was coach for four years from 11 November 1967 to 10 October 1971, guiding the team in 23 friendly matches and two Olympic Games. Players during this time included future coaches in Henry Moyo, Brian Griffin, and Yasin Osman. Other coaches included Brazilian Wander Moreira, British Ted Powell, and the first locally-born coach, Alex Masanjala, who was appointed as an interim before Henry Moyo. Moyo was the first former national player to coach the Flames, and stayed in the position for five years. As of January 2019, only nine coaches had been in charge for more than 20 games. The most successful coaches were Powell, Moyo, and Kim Splidsboel (2000–2002) from Denmark.[3][4][5]
Malawi first qualified for an African Cup of Nations in 1984, when only eight teams competed in the tournament in Ivory Coast. After a 3-0 defeat against Algeria, World Cup participants in 1982 and 1986, the Malawi drew 2-2 in the second game against eventual finalists Nigeria. With a 0–1 loss against Ghana, Malawi ended the group stage with 1 point at the bottom of the table and was eliminated from the tournament.[citation needed]
After 26 years, Malawi took part in an Africa Cup of Nations again in 2010. The team benefited from the fact that the continental elimination round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also served as the qualifying round for AFCON. In the group matches of the third round, Malawi, third place behind Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and with a record of only four points and 4–11 goal difference, was enough to make it to the continental finals.[citation needed]
At the tournament in Angola, Kinnah Phiri's team caused a big surprise. In the first group game, Malawi defeated Algeria, which had qualified for the World Cup, 3-0. One of the goalscorers was striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who at the time was under contract for the Swedish first division club IFK Norrköping and was thus one of only two players in the 23-man squad active in Europe. Malawi lost the second game against hosts Angola, 2-0.[citation needed]
For Malawi to have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, a draw in the last group game would have been enough. However, the team lost 3-1 to Mali. After just three minutes, the Malawians were 2-0 down, a goal from Mwafulirwa did nothing to avert the team's elimination.[citation needed]
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
6 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Zambia ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Durban |
18:00 | Report | Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
9 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Malawi ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Durban |
18:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Malawi ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Durban |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium |
14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF | Malawi ![]() | 1–1 (0–3 p) | ![]() | KwaMashu |
15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
16 July 2023 COSAFA Cup 3rd | Malawi ![]() | 0–0 (3–5 p) | ![]() | Durban |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification | Malawi ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Lilongwe, Malawi |
15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast) |
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Liberia ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Paynesville, Liberia |
16:00 UTC±0 | Report |
|
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Antoine Effa (Cameroon) |
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Malawi ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Lilongwe, Malawi |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 23,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo) |
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Malawi ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Lilongwe, Malawi |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania) |
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Equatorial Guinea ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea |
14:00 UTC+1 |
|
Report | Stadium: Estadio de Malabo Referee: Lamin Jammeh (Gambia) |
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head Coach | ![]() |
1st Assistant coach | ![]() |
2nd Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Team manager | ![]() |
Fitness Coach | ![]() |
Technical Adviser | ![]() |
Data Analyst | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Team Doctor | ![]() |
Kitmaster | ![]() |
Media Manager | ![]() |
Chaplain | ![]() |
Assistant Technical Manager | ![]() |
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The following local-based players were named to the provisional squad for the four-nations tournament friendly matches against Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe in March 2024.[7]
Caps and goals correct as of: 21 November 2023, after the match against Tunisia.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Innocent Nyasulu | 16 April 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Austin Chirambo | 31 December 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | George Chikooka | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Stanley Sanudi | 2 February 1995 | 86 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Lawrence Chaziya | 19 August 1998 | 14 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Nickson Mwase | 20 February 1997 | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Daniel Chimbalanga | 19 January 1999 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Blessings Mpokera | 2 April 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Mark Lameck | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Chimwemwe Nkhoma | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Yamikani Mologeni | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Alex Kambilinya | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Joseph Balakasi | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | Chimwemwe Idana | 7 September 1998 | 50 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Francisco Madinga | 11 February 2000 | 14 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Lanjesi Nkhoma | 27 May 2002 | 10 | 2 | ![]() | |
MF | Lloyd Aron | 8 January 2003 | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Patrick Mwaungulu | 18 February 2002 | 8 | 1 | ![]() | |
MF | Wisdom Mpinganjira | 8 July 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Chrispin Mapemba | 2 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | Yankho Singo | 1 April 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Wongani Lungu | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
MF | Patrick Macheso | 7 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Christopher Kumwembe | 21 January 1997 | 9 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Olson Kanjira | 29 March 1995 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Ephraim Kondowe | 2 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Clement Nyondo | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
The following players have been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Brighton Munthali | 11 December 1997 | 35 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Clever Nkungula | 13 February 2000 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Cyrus Mchawa | April 16, 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
GK | Harold Mwase | 28 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
DF | Dennis Chembezi | 15 January 1997 | 44 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Simeon Mwenechanya | 19 January 1999 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
DF | Christopher Chikoti | 16 January 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | John Banda | 20 August 1993 | 91 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Chifundo Mphasi | 17 October 2004 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Robert Saizi | 5 July 2003 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Frank Willard | 9 May 2001 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Alick Lungu | 24 March 2002 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Julius Phiri | 5 July 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Kenneth Mhango | 6 June 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Jonathan Mchulu | 27 December 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Anthony Chisale | 7 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Goodwin Kamuzu | 28 November 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Dennis Chirwa | 29 January 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Chikoti Chirwa | 19 September 1992 | 37 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Gabadinho Mhango | 27 September 1992 | 68 | 17 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Richard Mbulu | 25 January 1994 | 41 | 5 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Peter Banda | 22 September 2000 | 24 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Chawanangwa Kawonga | 5 January 1995 | 21 | 2 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
FW | Gaddie Chirwa | 30 November 1997 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 COSAFA Cup |
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Young Chimodzi | 159 | 13 | 1979–1995 |
2 | Jack Chamangwana | 133 | 10 | 1975–1985 |
3 | Lawrence Waya | 129 | 28 | 1982–1996 |
4 | Harry Waya | 126 | 8 | 1977–1987 |
5 | Kinnah Phiri | 117 | 71 | 1973–1981 |
6 | Gilbert Chirwa | 112 | 4 | 1981–1993 |
7 | Jonathan Billie | 110 | 8 | 1978–1987 |
8 | Joseph Kamwendo | 104 | 6 | 2003–2017 |
9 | Felix Nyirongo | 103 | 2 | 1986–1997 |
10 | Peter Mponda | 102 | 1 | 1998–2011 |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kinnah Phiri | 71 | 117 | 0.61 | 1973–1981 |
2 | Frank Sinalo | 28 | 75 | 0.37 | 1981–1989 |
Lawrence Waya | 28 | 129 | 0.22 | 1982–1996 | |
4 | Stock Dandize | 23 | 70 | 0.33 | 1977–1983 |
5 | Yasin Osman | 22 | 67 | 0.33 | 1966–1975 |
Essau Kanyenda | 22 | 72 | 0.31 | 1999–2015 | |
Chiukepo Msowoya | 22 | 89 | 0.25 | 2006–present | |
8 | Peterkins Kayira | 18 | 68 | 0.26 | 1983–1989 |
9 | Barnet Gondwe | 17 | 66 | 0.26 | 1976–1981 |
Gabadinho Mhango | 17 | 68 | 0.25 | 2012–present | |
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||
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8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||
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Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
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8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||
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12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||
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12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 16 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
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8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 | ||||||||||
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To be determined | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
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To be determined | |||||||||||||||
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Total | 0/14 | 70 | 18 | 16 | 36 | 63 | 98 |
Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | ||||||||||||||
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![]() | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
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Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | |
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||
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6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||
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12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
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Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 5 | |
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 8 | |||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
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Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | |
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Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
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Total | Round of 16 | 3/34 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 116 | 32 | 30 | 54 | 125 | 175 |
As of 10 June 2024 after match against Equatorial Guinea[9]
More wins than losses As many wins as losses Fewer wins than losses
Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 |
![]() | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | −2 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 25 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 47 | 21 | +26 |
![]() | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
![]() | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 19 | −13 |
![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5 |
![]() | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | +16 |
![]() | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | −1 |
![]() | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 20 | −12 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
![]() | 28 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 41 | 22 | +19 |
![]() | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 14 | –1 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
![]() | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 17 | −17 |
![]() | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | −5 |
![]() | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 17 | −9 |
![]() | 48 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 61 | 50 | +11 |
![]() | 23 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 46 | 16 | +30 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
![]() | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 21 | −9 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 |
![]() | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 19 | +14 |
![]() | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 17 | −13 |
![]() | 37 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 37 | 34 | +3 |
![]() | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 21 | −5 |
![]() | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 20 | −11 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
![]() | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −3 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 |
![]() | 14 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 20 | −15 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
![]() | 56 | 17 | 25 | 14 | 62 | 54 | +8 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 17 | −9 |
![]() | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 33 | 39 | −6 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 82 | 20 | 17 | 45 | 70 | 173 | −103 |
![]() | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 10 | +24 |
![]() | 67 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 64 | 85 | −21 |
Total | 667 | 223 | 197 | 247 | 781 | 858 | −77 |