AOCAF Cup 42 - RP/Rosters/Scores thread

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Marauders Fall Massively Short

With the Marauders failing in their pursuit of another World Cup title, sights were then set on the AOCAF and finally winning the regional tournament. The closest the side had ever come to doing so was when the tournament was hosted in Valanora herself in the 39th edition, falling to a resurgent Audioslavia side that was in the midst of their reign of terror over regional and international football. While not as great as taking home a record sixth World Cup trophy, it would have been a very precious and celebrated achievement if the Marauders had been able to do so.

And through four games of the tournament, it looked like the side was indeed looking to collect their first trophy from the regional tournament. With a quarterfinal fixture against a lower ranked and lesser experienced Farfadillis side, it seemed that the path was clear to at least a semifinal fixture where they were like to take on the regional founders in VIlita (& Turori). What did Farfadillis have that could have stood up against the likes of Fresco, Hawk, va Drake, and Soldarian in their line up?

The answer, they didn't have anyone who could, but what they did have was the benefit of a nasty flu going through the Marauder side in the day leading up to the game. Zapped of their usual strength and will, even the great players of the Marauder side could not handle what was quite obviously a hungry Farfadillis squad. While the flu itself was a major inconvenience for the squad, it does not excuse the lack of effort by the backups who came in in place of Hawk, Soldarian, and Fresco. These are supposed to be players of the same quality as their starters, yet it was so obviously not so when they took to the field.

What this means is that the Marauders once again fall short of their lofty goals, a very common trend the last decade or so for any and all things in Valanora when it comes to the sporting world. Perhaps the time of the elf is over and the dominion of man is on the rise. The results in the UICA, WCoH, AOCAF, and even the World Cup seem to point at that way. How though should a people, a nation, and a squad so used to success look to change to reacquire that edge that for awhile seemed to point Vanorians above all others? Can they even change that culture that has become engrained in the program and if they can do so, will they still be the same quality of side that has won titles in the past? These and many more questions are now abound following this embarrassment this cycle.

[95X]

No Comment
Melissa/Michelle Mitchell was in striking distance near the end of extended time when she was knocked to the ground by the Vilitian defender, dashing hopes 95X would defeat its current regional archrivals.

"Are you blind?" Melissa yells at the ref, who immediately red cards her.

Since Mitchell is a two-level-headed professional, she simply walks off the field before security can walk her off.

95X would lose in penalty kicks.

After the game, the XBN sideline reporter saw his chance within walking distance.

"Xi Foureleven," he asks, "we're on live; this is the second of the last three AOCAF Cups in which 95X was defeated by Vilita and Turori in a penalty kick situation, some ask if 95X needs further leadership on the pitch. Do you have any comment?"

Showing no emotion on her face, Foureleven punches the TV camera, which falls out of the camera operator's shoulders and breaks, knocking XBN off the air momentary as network control in Pacific City scrambles to put up the "technical difficulties" sign.

"Bill me," Foureleven says to the reporter, who is totally dumbfounded.

"Don't worry," she says to her startled teammates as they leave the field, "I did us all a favor."

95X Info
Scorers: Foureleven :43, :65
Best player: Xi Foureleven
"worst" player: Melissa/Michelle Mitchell

Vilita & Turori Info
Scorers: Ylimaiina :52; Kulkkiia :81

95X All-Time Records
Updated through AOCAF Cup 42
21 Appearances
1 Championship (AOCAF 22)
42 wins, 12 draws, 56 losses
167 goals for, 204 goals against

---

from the Pacific City Courier:
Stryker Fired as 95X National Team Coach

The rebuilding effort for the 95X National Soccer Team began immediately after their AOCAF Cup 42 Quarterfinal loss to Vilita & Turori, as Bobby Stryker received a phone call that he was immediately relieved of his national team coaching duties only minutes following the team's loss. His successor has not been named. Sources close to the matter, speaking in anonymity as they were not authorized to officially discuss it, state that the national team may conduct an exhaustive search for up to a year and a half before naming a replacement.

[Farfadillis]

Fourth Time the Charm?

What a match. We're through to the semifinals for the fourth time, are we supposed to have broken the curse by now? Let's give it another shot!

The knock-out stage has been a tough path so far. We've taken out ten World Cup trophies so far. Led by Terán, Dandalleion, Mêndêlöíndçêl, Tuzzio and Kâí up front, neither the defense of the Starblaydis nor the defense of the Vanorians could cope with our offense. Sure, the Vanorians may have lacked some of their best players - Hawk, Fresco and Soldarian being key players, after all -, but their defense was almost untouched, with just the goalkeeper going down with flu.

The match against Starblaydia was truly exciting, with the Starblaydis managing to make us incredibly nervous in the last few minutes. On the first half, Tuzzio got to volley the ball from the edge of the box, after Kâí crossed to him perfectly. The shot was not particularly precise, but still too powerful for the goalkeeper to stop.

On the second half, when it had just begun, we got to widen the score. Dandalleion got the ball on the flank, dribbled Morton and cut in. He was in a perfect position for one of his bending shots to the right post. However, he saw Tuzzio on the run and connected a through pass that barely avoided Robinson. Tuzzio got to the ball just before Cable, the Starblaydi goalkeeper, and softly touched the ball, chipping it.

A third goal would arrive, scored by Alaminos. Terán crossed from a corner kick. Tenian rose above all and headed to the right post. However, Cable managed to dive wonderfully to stop the goal. Alaminos, however, had other plans and, fueled by his majestic reflexes, poached the third goal.

All looked fine, with just twenty minutes to go we were even thrashing Starblaydia, who were by no means a walkover. However, Ffion McAllister had other plans, and she would let us know in the eighty-fifth minute, when she got fouled inside the box by Faró. She then chipped the ball with Lisdiren diving to the right post. She then quickly ran to the goal, picked up the ball and started sprinting towards the center. It was alright, we were still winning by two goals.

However, she'd score again just before injury time, when she got the ball outside the box, dribbled Alaminos, dribbled Faró and sent a creeping shot to the left post. Lisdiren dived, but it was no use; the shot had been stunningly fast.

And then the two minutes of injury time. Agonizing, but we survived them and got through. And we had to face... Valanora. A tough road forges the champion, I guess.

But we had a stroke of luck! Although it did stripe us of some of our merit. Some of the Vanorian players got flu. Some were not really important, but not having to face Hawk, Soldarian, Fresco or Durosa sure was relieving. Basically, most of the Vanorian midfield was replaced, with the exception of va Drake, who somehow did not go down with the flu. The other player from the starting line-up who got that flu was the goalkeeper, as I previously mentioned.

But don't let that fool us. Even though the Vanorian side was lacking in their best stars, our team more than utterly tore apart their defense. va Drake was obviously threatening, however. Rossizzo decided to swap Frêndê and Alaminos, relegating the latter to a defensive role that not many defenders would like: having to mark one of the best players in the world. However, when you're helped by Mêndêlöíndçêl in that task, it does not matter all that much. Oh, yes, Mêndêlöíndçêl had to take a more defensive approach as well.

The game started terribly for us, though. va Drake easily escaped from Alaminos in just the fifth minute, dribbled Faró, then Frêndê and curled the ball to the left post. Just like that. Truly disappointing, but the Vanorian player is renowned everywhere for a reason. Anyway, the team stayed focused, and the best was about to come.

Soon, the offense started wreaking havoc. As good as va Drake may be on the attack, he could not cope with Kâí on the defense, and neither could Haelinde. Rossizzo quickly noticed that Risko was in great

Risko Kâí with the ball, right after
dribbling Haelinde for the third time.

form for that match, and started to order the team to pass the ball to him more often. Soon, the devastating left midfielder, or winger, whatever you'd like to call the hybrid position he plays, got into the box and started threatening the opposition. Inevitably, the Vanorians started to mark him with more and more players, though he did not care all that much about it. Whether it was Haelinde, Tinueme, Narbrinsyr, va Drake or Cularin that was marking him, he just dribbled back and forth, provoking them. They even got to marking him with three players in the twentieth minute, and that's when everything changed.

The Vanorians, who seemingly had forgotten they were winning, went crazy on the agile midfielder, and soon attempted to stripe him off the ball in a violent way. But he was having none of it. He nutmegged Cularin, confused va Drake with a double step over, avoided his aggressive kick, then avoided Cularin's aggressive attempt at harming him while he was chasing him and, with a big deal of the Vanorian defense out of place, sent a great frontal cross to Dandalleion, who headed the cross upwards at the edge of the box. Tenian, who was already in the box, managed to head it once again and change its direction, confusing Galadirdren, the substitute goalkeeper. It was a surprising and sudden change of direction that meant the Farves were back in the game. The environment was now very tense, however. Risko Kâí was being a bit too sassy with the Vanorian defense.

Indeed, he got kicked here and there, some elbows, a few punches in the kidney when the referee wasn't watching, and yet he attempted a rainbow flick when Cularin tried to pull off a good sliding tackle in the center of the midfield. The very humiliating trick left Cularin more than angry, and he could not resist the temptation of sliding again, only to harm the sneaky Rulandese footballer. It got him just a yellow, because he missed his objective a bit. However, it was a very comfortable frontal free kick. Tuzzio would take it. He took five steps, started sprinting towards the ball and connected a thunderous straight shot, which barely avoided the left post, and the wall as well. Later on he told a journalist that he had seen the wall misplaced and had no second thoughts about it. Anyway, it was a goal. A great one.

As it had been just before half time, we ended the first forty-five minutes in the middle of great momentum. We had turned the tables around, somehow. We were playing great football, while the Vanorians had had just a few chances, of which one was that magical goal by va Drake, who was pretty much absent afterwards, as Alaminos seemed to get the hang of him, with a bit of help from Mêndêlöíndçêl, who took over when needed.

The second half saw Mata being substituted by Mêrí, who would now take the role of striker, with Tenian becoming the left midfielder and kâí becoming the right midfielder. Celetholtinu was replaced by Mithlithelen on the Vanorian side. They were apparently looking for a more efficient striker to partner with Gwaval.

The Vanorians soon gave us a scare (which we countered flawlessly), when va Drake managed to surprise Alaminos with a few tricks. He ran down our left flank and waited for an incoming Mithlithelen. The substitute, just two metres from the goal, one-touch massacred the ball with his right foot. However, Lisdiren's fast reflexes were somewhat underestimated, as the Farf goalkeeper managed to guess where the striker would shoot, and dive there just in time to make the ball bounce off his chest. The rebound went straight to Faró, who chested down the ball, dribbled Gwaval and started a swift counterattack. And very swift it would be.

He sent a long through pass to Kâí, who managed to get to the ball at the same time as Norovathar, of a pauper performance. Both hit the ball at the same time, and so the ball rocketed upwards defying all logic. Mêndêlöíndçêl and Dandalleion started sprinting for the ball, with the former getting to it first and chesting it down, as he was already pretty close to it. Dandalleion started running towards the goal. Tinueme got to Mêndêlöíndçêl almost as quickly as the ball hit the floor after being chested down. The Rulandese midfielder then, without looking, sent a quick through pass to Dandalleion, who was just barely

Mêndêlöíndçêl on the run for the ball, always.

in a legal position to avoid the off-side law. He got to the ball quickly, stopped it, and looked at the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper started rushing towards him while Tinueme, Narbrinsyr, Haelinde and, luckily, Mêndêlöíndçêl. He then sent a soft through pass to Mêndêlöíndçêl, with all the Vanorian defenders left in an awkward position, as the pass was going at just about the perfect speed. The Rulandese midfielder, who is also the captain, let's not forget that, got to the ball and shot towards the goal. Another one for us!

Now it was already somewhat defined. The Vanorians were not going to take the ever-elusive AOCAF Cup trophy, it was just obvious. Their defense was just not up to the task of taking care of Dandalleion, Tuzzio or Kâí. Terán was not easy for them either.

Indeed, he was not even close to easy. In the eightieth minute, when the game was already dying and the Farf side had already monopolized the game, we got another goal that came from his fanned right foot. Kâí got the ball close to the box, dribbled Narbrinsyr and cut in. He then passed the ball to Terán, who was right on the D. The Faroleran number three then stopped the ball and waited for Cularin to get to him. He then dribbled the terrible defensive midfielder and feinted a shot, which confused the Vanorian goalkeeper. Just in time, he managed to get to the touch the ball, making it go straight to the lower-right corner. As terrible as Norovathar may have been, she cannot be blamed for not getting to stop that shot. I still cannot believe how fast Terán managed to move his right leg in that goal. Anyway, four-one it was. It was all over for the Marauders. They were not going to be the best of the region. And Farfadillis had had its revenge, making the record one-one.

We then went on to control the entire game. va Drake probably knew that everything was over now. So did the manager, replacing him just in case he got an unexpected injury. As expected, the game ended like that. Farfadillis had thrashed one of the two best football teams in football history, right after having beaten the other one.

Aaaaaanyway. We're now facing Vilita and Turori. I know our record as underdogs against them is great and all, but we're obviously underdogs again. I mean, they are still better than us, after all. But let's be grateful that the team is still rising and rising, and we've already reached our fourth AOCAF Cup semifinal. 38, 39, 41 and now 42. That's just great!

[Vilita]

Eel-Cat Things Survive Shootout

Vilita & Turori p2-2 95X

After barely scraping by in 3 group stage matches before a strong 3-0 performance against Maklohi Vai sent the Vilita & Turori Eel Cat things into the Quarter Finals of the 42nd AOCAF tournament, Nycflala Kater finally called his own number and led the team out onto the pitch like he did for the entirty of the Eel-Cat Things title-winning AOCAF 41 campaign.

Kater put himself into the lineup despite the fact that his young goalkeeping duo, Cilamara Issah of Marine Coast United and Gisterfred Q. Disterfred II of Turori had thus far failed to concede a single goal, combining for over 360 minutes of consecutive clean sheet action.

But, seeing how the team lacked experienced leadership on the pitch, and knowing the competition would only get tougher, Kater felt the time was right to inject himself into the lineup for a last-gasp infusion of an experienced presence into his youthful roster.

For 42 minutes the scores remained level with neither side able to break trough, Kater doing masterfully to turn away a series of 95X corner kicks. Then, just minutes before the halftime whistle, the unthinkable happened. Xi Foureleven did what no other striker in AOCAF 42 could do: score a goal against Vilita & Turori.

Kater knew he had set himself up for a difficult half time speech. Not only was he going to have to talk to a young bunch of players with virtually no familiarity to the idea of needing to come back from a half-time deficit - but he would have to do so as the one responsible for putting them in that position - the only goalie that had conceded for the Eel-Cat things the entire tournament was now himself, the experienced goalkeeper, the coach.

Whatever it was that Kater said at the half time interval must have resounded in some way as Nili Ylimaiina equalized 7 minutes into the half and the game was back on again.

However, the tides turned back in the favor of the AOCAF 22 champions when Xi Foureleven broke free of Amarini Baracelv and beat Kater in a one-on-one situation to put 95X in the lead by a 2-1 scoreline.

Dejected, Kater immediately called his own number, slowing the game down and introducing the Turorian Gisterfred Q. Disterfred II into the match.

"G.Q." as he prefered to be called, leapt up from the bench ready to go as any young player looking to prove themselves both internationally, and advertising themselves for a domestic position should.

With the change, Kater was able to get closer to the game and manage it from the sidelines, giving marching orders straight to his forwards instead of having to relay them all the way up from the backline.

However, time was working against the Eel-Cat things and the nerves were clearly setting in as the final 10 minutes approached. Then, it was a corner kick that broke the tension, Etamara Kulkkiia taking the corner kick which hugged the line before curving directly into the back of the net as a horrified Trent Callahan picked the ball out of his net and punted it upfield.

Kulkkiia ran off making the airplane celebration as if the game was one but Kater got his side in check: there was still work to be done.

Throughout the extra session, the Eel-Cat things overworked their 95X opposition though neither side truly had that golden chance they needed to finish off the game. There was some late controversy when Melissa/Michelle Mitchell of 95X was sent off for dissent, costing their team a player in the inevitable shootout.

Riding that momentum, the Eel-Cat things fired first through Ylimaiina and never looked back, blasting 4 straight attempts from the penalty spot past Callahan. As Disterfred saved the fourth from 95X, coupled with the booming miss on the first attempt by Ryan Grand, the match was won and Nycflala Kater's Eel-Cat things had survived another scare. The title defense would live on for another round as Vilita & Turori would shift their focus towards their semi-final opposition: A team which shall not be named.

	95X
:: Goalscorers :: :: 52' Nili Ylimaiina :: 81' Etamara Kulkkiia	:: Goalscorers :: :: 43' Xi Foureleven :: 65' Xi Foureleven
:: Best Player: Inamari Altariiz :: Worst Player: Lopaki Kilpter :: Shots on Target: 5 :: Corner Kicks: 6	:: Best Player: Xi Foureleven :: Worst Player: Melissa/Michelle Mitchell :: Shots on Target: 5 :: Corner Kicks: 11

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things ::
[GK] Nycflala Kater, [D.] Inaosnaa Klanoa, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Amarini Baracelv, [ML] Altimo Ueboa, [MC] Vliela Lianksa, [MC] Lopaki Kilpter, [MC] Dalian Magagula, [MR] Etamara Kulkkiia, [FC] Inamari Altariiz, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina
BENCH::
[FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Lboaisa Akarelm, [M] Kigaoua Oalalka, [M] Purapal Eskiiy, [U] Kaivel Illatara, [D] Tlikao Muratai, [GK] G.Q Disterfred II

Vilita Substitutions::
(45) - Amarini Baracelv >>> Kigaoua Oalalka
(62) - Lopaki Kilpter >>> Lboaisa Akarelm
(65) - Nycflala Kater >>> G.Q Disterfred II

(For Future Statistical Reference)
GK:: Nycflala Kater - [4]

D.:: Inaosnaa Klanoa - [5]
D.:: Endur Rotropii - [10]
D.:: Amarini Baracelv - [5]
ML:: Altimo Ueboa - [8]
MC:: Vliela Lianksa - [9]
MC:: Lopaki Kilpter - [4]
MC:: Dalian Magagula - [7]
MR:: Etamara Kulkkiia - [6]
FC:: Inamari Altariiz - [8]
FC:: Nili Ylimaiina - [8]

Vilitan Subs Bench:
FC:: Kiliko Riazen - [DNP]
FC:: Lboaisa Akarelm - [6]
M:: Kigaoua Oalalka - [6]
M:: Purapal Eskiiy - [DNP]
U:: Kaivel Illatara - [DNP]
D:: Tlikao Muratai - [DNP]
GK:: G.Q Disterfred II - [5]

[Audioslavia]

Semi Final Results
Vilita & Turori 2–1 Farfadillis
Pacitalia 0–0 Osarius (0–0 AET) (1–3 pen.)

Third-placed Playoff
Farfadillis vs Pacitalia

AOCAF 42 Final
Vilita & Turori vs Osarius

OOC:
3PPO will be scorinated tomorrow night.
The AOCAF Cup Final will be scorinated on Sunday night (a day late due to RL commitments)

[Audioslavia]

Third Place Playoff

Farfadillis 1–0 Pacitalia

Again, the final will be scorinated on Sunday due to RL commitments.

[Vilita]

Youngsters Clear Curse of the Farf

Vilita & Turori 2 - 1 Farfadillis

During the group stage of the World Cup 63 Finals, Vilita squared off against a lowly Farfadillis side with the chance to advance to the knockout rounds. However, a band of-Vilitan based Farfadillis national team players upset their league-mates and elminated them from the competition.

When the same sides were drawn against each other on the final matchday of the World Cup 66 group stage, with the same prize on the line, Farfadillis once again bested their Vilitan foes - a fact not lost on Vilita & Turori head coach Nycflala Kater and other Vilitans in the AOCAF 42 squad including Lopaki Kilpter and Endur Rotropii who had already suffered the 'Curse of Farfadillis' first hand.

So when the two sides would meet in the Semi-Finals of AOCAF 42 - with the ultimate prize of advancement on the line: a place in the AOCAF 42 final, there was plenty of pre-game locker room material. The young Vilita & Turori squad, with no players over the age of 23 (with the exception of player-coach Nycflala Kater) is clearly outweighed in terms of International experience by their Farfadillian opposition.

However, many of the players already had a championship calibre that the attack-minded La Vherderoja could not claim. As reigning AOCAF champions, many of the players already had a championship medal under their belts and could play with the confidence knowing that they've already been there, and done that.

In the locker room before the match, head coach Nycflala Kater - who was not going to be dressed for the match, emphasized the importance of striking early and getting ahead of La Vherderoja, demoralizing them and setting the tone for the match.

However, as the fans were still getting into their seats, not many could have predicted just how quickly the Eel-Cat things would get on the board.

Perhaps fittingly, it needed a Turorian player to lift the curse that the players from the Tropics had experienced in recent seasons against Farfadillis. It was Matlya Eelador who put Vilita & Turori ahead 1-0 and set the tone for the match that Nycflala Kater had wanted his Eel-Cat things to set.

The youngsters of Vilita & Turori controlled the majority of the play throughout the opening 45 minutes and doubled their lead on a corner kick in the 39th minute. Matching the attacking mindset of La Vherderoja, Nycflala Kater's ambitious 3-4-3 formation was stretching the Farfadillis backline and it was the Vilitan Nili Ylimaiina who forced Vilitan-based Colonial Sile goalkeeper Erfaon Lisdiren into an incredible save to earn the corner kick.

There was little Lisdiren could do, however, about the towering header Endur Rotropii delivered from Etamara Kulkkiia's corner kick. Rotropii rose above Santos Alaminos, heading out of Lisdiren's reach and pushing the scoreline to 2-0 in favor of Vilita & Turori.

At half time, with a 2-goal advantage, Kater toyed with the idea of switching to a 3-5-2 formation to control the midfield and keep Farfadillis out of the game, but instead decided not to change anything and potentially open the door to set up for a chance at a way back into the match.

However, Farfadillis did find a way back in, pulling a goal back just after the hour-mark through Makosile United's Ichi Tuzzio. Tuzzio was set in by an inch-perfect moment of brilliance from Alex Terán and could really do no wrong in space just outside the 18 yard box as Marine Coast United goalkeeper Cilamara Issah stood stone-footed and watch as the ball found itself nestled in the corner of the net.

The Eel-Cat things would hold on, however, and the 2-1 victory would presumably end the Farfadillis curse, in addition to sending Vilita and Turori to their second consecutive AOCAF final for the first time since AOCAF 16 & 17 - both contested against Lamoni.

The Eel-Cat things opponents for the final will be Osarius, making their second appearance in the final and first since AOCAF 36 which was coincidentally held in Vilita & Turori. The Football Associations of Vilita & Turori unveiled a special edition AOCAF 42 Final kit that will be used for one match only. The kit switches to highlight colors as the primary tone with the Dark Cove Blue of Vilita surrounding the light atmospheric blue of Turori. The change was made, in part, to honor AOCAF legends Pacitalia who announced they would be disbanding their sporting activities in coincidence with the conclusion of AOCAF 42. As ten-time champions, the Blue Foxes were famous for their dedication to the regional game, regularly upsetting international powers such as Starblaydia, Audioslavia, Sarzonia and Cafundéu to claim a record number of regional championships. Vilita & Turori's special-edition AOCAF 42 finals kit also contains the colors of the Pacitalian flag on the right shoulder, both to show respect for the contribution of the Blue Foxes to sport in the region, and to embolden the resolve of the Vilita & Turori players as they look to claim their 6th AOCAF title which would put them in elite company with Starblaydia- still a long way from the high marks set by Pacitalia, but still one step closer in the AOCAF totem pole.

The special edition kit will be available for a limited sale with a majority of the proceeds going back to support regional football.

	Farfadillis
:: Goalscorers :: :: 1' Matlya Eelador :: 39' Endur Rotropii	:: Goalscorers :: :: 64' Ichi Tuzzio
:: Best Player: Endur Rotropii :: Shots on Target: 6 :: Corner Kicks: 3	:: Best Player: M :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 4

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things ::
[GK] Cilamara Issah, [D.] Tlikao Muratai, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [ML] Etamara Kulkkiia, [MC] Lopaki Kilpter, [MC] Inlite Makakio, [MR] Vliela Lianksa, [FC] Enluta Makakio, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina, [FC] Matlya Eelador
BENCH::
[FC] Inamari Altariiz, [FC] Kaivel Illatara, [M] Purapal Eskiiy, [M] Kigaoua Oalalka, [U] Amarini Baracelv, [D] Inaosnaa Klanoa, [GK] G.Q Disterfred II

Vilita Substitutions::
(45) - Jirijii Januaa >>> Amarini Baracelv
(45) - Etamara Kulkkiia >>> Kigaoua Oalalka

(For Future Statistical Reference)
GK:: Cilamara Issah - [6]

D.:: Tlikao Muratai - [8]
D.:: Endur Rotropii - [10]
D.:: Jirijii Januaa - [6]
ML:: Etamara Kulkkiia - [7]
MC:: Lopaki Kilpter - [6]
MC:: Inlite Makakio - [8]
MR:: Vliela Lianksa - [5]
FC:: Enluta Makakio - [8]
FC:: Nili Ylimaiina - [7]
FC:: Matlya Eelador - [6]

Vilitan Subs Bench:
FC:: Inamari Altariiz - [DNP]
FC:: Kaivel Illatara - [DNP]
M:: Purapal Eskiiy - [DNP]
M:: Kigaoua Oalalka - [5]
U:: Amarini Baracelv - [7]
D:: Inaosnaa Klanoa - [DNP]
GK:: G.Q Disterfred II - [DNP]

[Osarius]

"...rumours of a bust-up within the Osarius camp have been rife, and could put the Firebirds at a serious disadvantage ahead of this weekend's AOCAF Cup final against Vilita and Turori." The news report blared in the hotel lobby, over the awkward silence between the three men.

Jermain Lewis, Osarius manager, spoke first. "You two better sort this shit out. Now." His voice was firm, but calm (for now). "I am not having my best winger and best forward at odds ahead of a cup final."

"Well maybe if someone wasn't so robotic we wouldn't have a-" Nathaniel Doherty began.

"Nathaniel, shut up." Lewis cut him off. The diminutive winger had been annoyed with team captain and star striker Ezio Grassi since 'the Nellie incident' -- the members of the team refused to speak of it, and when necessary, they wouldn't go into the details; Dr. Karusi'ki suggested it had perhaps been more traumatising than originally thought -- and his fury was beginning to affect their partnership on the field. "I don't care what your problem is with Ezio."

The other two remained silent. Ezio, sat perfectly calmly in his seat, glanced at Nathaniel with a quizzical look on his face. Doherty, for his part, looked the complete opposite. Fidgeting, looking everywhere except directly at Grassi. He intertwined his fingers, then unravelled them and clenched fists. His feet were rapidly tapping heel first against the marbled lobby floor, as if trying to contain some ground-based demon beneath him.

"I suggest you put whatever happened between you aside for just one more day. This is a big chance. We've been here before and failed, and I do not do failure." Lewis emphasised the last four words, as if to impress upon his players just how important it was -- not just to a nation with no tournament wins, despite their lofty world ranking, but to himself -- that the team emerge victorious. "We did not come all this way, and take out arguably the best team in AOCAF Cup history, to fail now." He paused for effect. "Do you understand me?"

Ezio responded first. "Of course, boss." He turned to Doherty, "Look, I still don't really understand how I upset you, but I just wanna win."

This was typical of Grassi. It was no secret his drive to win was extremely high, and his apparent lack of empathy was a common joke among the squad. Doherty's anger toward him was baffling, to say the least. Of course, to an average man, the reasoning was quite obvious. In the aftermath of 'the Nellie incident', Grassi had been somewhat dismissive of the welfare of his teammates, focusing entirely on the victory, and his own -- admittedly brilliant -- performance. Doherty's concerns for the team had been paramount.

Lewis, to his credit, being capable of understanding both points of view, had attempted to mediate prior to the semi final against Pacitalia. It worked well enough to get the team to extra time, where he promptly withdrew Doherty, who was approaching boiling point. The yellow the Trothwands winger picked up had fortunately not ruled him out of the final, but it had impressed upon the manager just how serious things had gotten.

"Of course you don't understand." Doherty spat. "You don't even feel emotion, do you?"

Lewis had made to intervene, but Ezio replied calmly. "No. I don't. Not when it comes to this game, anyway. All that matter is the performance, and the game. Everything else is shut out. It doesn't matter."

"How can you function like that?"

"How can you function without isolating yourself from everything else? It's far more impressive that you are able to perform at all, with so much emotion. It's a burden. I choose not to carry it onto the pitch." Ezio's reply was so matter-of-fact, and composed, it stunned both other men into temporary silence. "I didn't intend to upset you. Or anyone else. But if that's what I have to do to be the best, I'll do it. Over and over again. And I won't apologize for wanting to be the best, Nathaniel."

"I...B-...Wha-?" Doherty stammered.

"Ezio." Lewis stepped in. "You can go. I want to speak with Nathaniel for a minute. Bring that attitude to tomorrow's game, son." Once the captain had left, Lewis turned to Nathaniel. "Listen to me carefully. That is the difference between you and Ezio. It's not the way everyone has to be, but it works for him. Sanosuke Mitsubara was like that, whereas Benni, Rene and I were more like you. Emotional, passionate guys. Feel those emotions on Ezio's behalf if you must. But you can't force him to do it too. You understand me?"

Nathaniel simply nodded.

"I get you. I see where you're coming from. But Ezio deals with the pressure in a very... unique... way, I guess. And nobody can say it doesn't work for him." Lewis continued. "I think he cares far more deeply than he lets on. But we don't want to mess with his method. Let him do his thing. He'll do what needs to be done. I need you to help him get there though. Don't let this shit mess with your head. It's the biggest game of your career so far. Make it count."

Doherty clenched his jaw. "You got it, boss."

"Atta boy."

"Boss, one more thing."

"Shoot."

"After the tournament, if I still want to punch him... is that a problem?"

"You two can settle your shit however the hell you want after you win that damned cup. But I doubt that will be necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"Sano was the first member of the Turic squad to cry when they finally won the league. Ezio will probably be the same." Lewis stood up and began to walk away. "Rest up, kiddo. Big game tomorrow."

[Audioslavia]

AOCAF 42 Final

Osarius 1-4 Vilita and Turori

Vilita and Turori are fourfivesix times AOCAF champions!

Thank you all for participating and a special thank you to the departing Pacitalia, who's record-annihilating haul of 10 regional championships will not be beaten, in any region, for a long time to come, and also to Wight who's departure leaves a huge gaping hole of RP in AO and the world.