NationStates Premier League Season One IC - MD 1 Posted

by **The greater Vakolicci Haven** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:07 am

Demit Cronan condemns 'despicable' Haven-sport for 'self-serving lies to U&M'

Notoriously fiery United and Metropolitan striker and fighter Demit Cronan has hit out at the leadership committee of haven-sport for the misinformation that they handed to Roman Rigic, Blacksen Domination and Mickie Roper.
Cronan, 25, told the times of Iros that "United and Metropolitan had been told repeatedly, in the run-up to the showdown with Eastern Fire of Caldonaris, that we would be playing the top teams of other nations.
What we have been handed are university teams, aged players, and a team of kids. It is clear that Haven-sport are simply using U&M in order to claim that the Vakolicci were competing on a worldwide scale, and we're sick of it."

Cronan has vowed to make NS premier league referees and opposition supporters for their discontent, promising "Constant retrebution home and away," from a well-armed Green and Black sporting army. The Green and Black sporting army, of which Cronan is General Commander, has received 'top-of-the-range' Vakolicci weapons with which to 'inflict hell' on opposition supporters.
"The fortress is not a safe place to go if you don't where the green and black," Cronan warned. "Vakolicci are fighters, and we will happily show this."

by **Free Republics** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:15 pm

Sporting World

Welcome to the NSPL
by: Rule Theriault

With the establishment of the new NS Premier League, an prestigious new international soccer league consisting of club teams from 54 nations around the multiverse, the Republican National Team will now face top-level league competition on a regular basis as a cohesive unit. I am looking forward to leading the team onto the pitch, although my assistant Mr. Abdullahi will take over for me when my responsibilities with the National Team interfere with the NSPL schedule.

This is the inaugural season of the NSPL, so this season will involve 3 placement groups which will determine which teams will be placed in which divisions next season. Federation United, the representative from the Indispensable Nation, has been placed into the Amethyst group. This group consists, as do the others, of 18 nations that will play every team in their group both home and away over a lengthy season.

We will open at Hippion Overdrive, a team from Starblaydia. Starblaydia are 5-time World Cup champions, although their last World Cup championship was in World Cup 47, 21 years ago. They certainly aren't going to be an easy opponent. Second on our schedule is Talahita Lions FC of Super-Llamaland. Super-Llamaland has attempted to qualify for 6 World Cups, but they have never done so. They are more famous for their success in baseball, where they won last year's edition of the World Baseball Classic. Frusennia's Elvabyen Kapital will be our third opponent and we will play the first leg against them in Frusennia. They are newcomers to the world of international sports and should not pose much difficulty since they are from the Region of Minnows, Esportiva.

Our 4th match will be at home against Olastor's Olastaryn FC. Olastor has entered the last 2 World Cups, losing all 10 of their qualifying matches 2 years ago and finishing with just 2 draws last year in 16 matches. A club team from a nation that has never won a game in a WCC event, in 2 years of trying, should be 2 easy wins for us. Then, we will host Noville Heart, from Filopines. Filopines has competed in 7 of the last 8 World Cups, missing World Cup 63. Their best performance was at World Cup 64, where they almost qualified. Then, we will pay a visit to Estope to play Twin Brooks United. Estope debuted in World Cup 62 and has still never qualified for the World Cup, but since they are from Esportiva, you wouldn't expect them to qualify for the World Cup anyway.

Our 7th match will be at home against Mangolana's Horizon FSC. Mangolana has entered qualifying for 16 World Cups and has qualified on just 3 occasions. We should have no problem defeating another team from a mediocre nation. Then, we will travel to Syadei to face Ezueil United. Apparently, they are a total newcomer to international sports, so they shouldn't pose much of a problem for us. Then, we host Squanders FC from Tibbiville. Tibbiville entered World Cup qualifying 2 years ago and picked up just 1 draw in 10 matches. They did not enter last year's World Cup at all. Yet another easy win.

By this point, we should have 9 victories and no defeats. Then, we will apparently compete in some kind of a cup, although details have yet to be announced other than the names of the cups. Apparently, there is a Jade Cup, a Ruby Cup and a Topaz Cup, although I don't know what any of them are. Then, we will finally get some real competition when we visit the Ko-oren Capitals. Ko-oren debuted in World Cup 55 and has since qualified for 3 out of 13 World Cups, a pathetic record. However, they have gained some respectability in recent years and have even reached the top 20 of the KPB rankings in the past. After facing the Ko-oren Capitals, we will host Clusteriol United from Boring Paradise. Boring Paradise debuted 8 years ago at the BoF and have qualified for 3 World Cups, including last year's World Cup. Then, we will visit Jujoo, a newcomer to the world of international sports from the region of Srsp, which I had never heard of before. They should be an easy win.

Then, we will visit the Northern Sunrise Islands to face the Sunrice Saint-Raptors. The Northern Sunrise Islands are an Esportivan minnow that finally qualified for their first World Cup last year, in their 7th attempt. That is rather sad and pathetic. That was after a year that saw them fluke into victories at both the Di Bradini Cup and the U-15 World Cup. Not only is the RWC better than the SWF, but my National Team could beat any team from NSI on their best day and they could do it with their eyes closed. I mean, they're from Esportiva. That says it all. Then, we will host a minnow known as Tropicorp FC from Tropicorp, a newcomer to the world of international sports. Yes, they may be from Atlantian Oceania, but I still don't think they're serious competition for the freest nation in the multiverse. Then, we will face Zhenovia's Kransburgh United on the road. Zhenovia' s gridiron team performed respectably at last year's Baptism of Iron and I expect them to enter this year's World Cup and perform respectively in the Baptism of Fire.

Then, after the second round of the cups, we will return home to face CF Ciudad Sangti from the Royal Barangay, the nation that used to be known as Sangti. Sangti debuted at the same time that we did, but since they are Esportivan, have not had the level of success so far that we have had in WCC events. Then finally, since somebody at the NSPL offices is incompetent, we have to visit the Equestrian States to face Equestria HC, a team consisting of a bunch of that nation's famous talking animals. As I have said repeatedly, the WCC needs to ban non-humans from competing in the World Cup and the NSPL should ban non-humans from competing in the Premier League. Its only reasonable, in the interests of fair play and safety. In addition, strict PED testing should be adopted, with any team that has more than 5 players test positive in a single season being kicked out of the NSPL forever. That would establish some integrity in this league, integrity which the WCC is lacking, since the decision to award the World Cup to those corrupt talking horses last year. Nonetheless, I look forward to managing my team in the NSPL and I hope the league's management comes to its senses soon, before it is too late for them as it is too late for the WCC.

Rule Theriault is the manager for the FFR's National Soccer Team and Federation United. He was the manager of Petrograd United. After a disappointing end to his tenure there, he entered a team in the 27th Di Bradini Cup on behalf of the Federation of Free Republics. His mostly unheralded team finished 2nd in that competition, losing to the Equestrian States in the final. He led his Republican National Soccer Team to a 17th place finish in the 52nd Baptism of Fire and a 6th place finish in Group 20 during World Cup 65 qualifying. In the Cup of Harmony, the National Soccer Team overcame having to play in the Equestrian States and came back to win their final 2 matches, including a shocking victory over Jeru FC, one of the true powers of international soccer. In the 28th Di Bradini Cup, he led the FFR right back to the finals, this time finishing on the right note. The Free Republics finished 3rd in their second World Cup qualifying attempt, again falling short of qualification. On home turf for the Cup of Harmony, Theriault's team advanced out of the group stage for the first time ever in a WCC event before falling to the Licentian Isles. Theriault led the B National Team into Saintland for the UWCFA Gold Cup, where they finished second. In his team's 3rd attempt at qualifying for the World Cup, they survived the Group of Death and knocked out the Felix Trolls on the last day of qualifying, before losing to New Sideburn in the playoff. They return to the Cup of Harmony for the 3rd straight time, but as a serious contender this time around. Federation United will soon be debuting in the new NS Premier League.

by **Andossa Se Mitrin Vega** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:53 am

A few hours late but here are the MD1 scores...

MATCHDAY 1

Emerald Plaement Group

Gluckshire SC 0-1 FC United
Catholica FC 3-4 Allanza FC
La Condamine 3-1 CSKA Quebec
Natanyan National FC 2-2 Moon Village FC
Royal PFC 4-1 SC Oceanside
Kageboushi FC 1-5 Concord United
Heretic Cleansing Squad 3-3 Ettinburg FC
Gloriax United 0-1 Kericia City International
Guards FC 3-2 ISC Ibini

Amethyst Placement Group

Olastaryn FC 1-0 Clusteriol United
Talahita Lions FC 0-2 Elvabayen Kapital
Ko-oren Capitals 0-4 Jujoo
Hippion Overdrive 0-0 Federation United
Squanders FC 1-0 Sunrice Saint-Raptors
Equestria HC 0-2 Noville Heart
Ezueil United 0-2 Tropicorp FC
CF Ciudad Sangti 4-0 Twin Brooks United
Horizon FSC 0-1 Kranzburgh FSC

Sapphire Placement Group

CC Hessington 2-1 SC United & Metropolitan
CAA Todas Partes 2-0 Canil Olympic
FC Koradai 2-2 Tradewinds
Kolonia Fussball 0-2 Smyslova Virmest
Great Alexandria 1-0 Warlocks FK Rhyuun
Engineers 76 FC 4-0 Tavistock United
Bosen FC 2-0 Baotou Guoan FC
Dynamo Galaktik 0-0 Undead Arastom Soccer
Lac-Drouin FC 0-4 KF Lorceagu

MATCHDAY 2

Emerald Plaement Group

Allanza FC 4-0 Gluckshire SC
CSKA Quebec 1-2 FC United
Moon Village FC 1-1 Catholica FC
SC Oceanside 1-3 La Condamine
Concord United 1-0 Natanyan National FC
Ettinburg FC 1-1 Royal PFC
Kericia City International 1-0 Kageboushi FC
ISC Ibini 2-1 Heretic Cleansing Squad
Guards FC 0-0 Gloriax United

Amethyst Placement Group

Elvabayen Kapital 3-0 Olastaryn FC
Jujoo 3-0 Clusteriol United
Federation United 1-1 Talahita Lions FC
Sunrice Saint-Raptors 3-0 Ko-oren Capitals
Noville Heart 0-1 Hippion Overdrive
Tropicorp FC 0-2 Squanders FC
Twin Brooks United 1-1 Equestria HC
Kranzburgh FSC 2-1 Ezueil United
Horizon FSC 1-0 CF Ciudad Sangti

Sapphire Placement Group

Canil Olympic 2-0 CC Hessington
Tradewinds 0-1 SC United & Metropolitan
Smyslova Virmest 2-0 CAA Todas Partes
Warlocks FK Rhyuun 0-1 FC Koradai
Tavistock United 1-2 Kolonia Fussball
Baotou Guoan FC 3-2 Great Alexandria
Undead Arastom Soccer 0-9 Engineers 76 FC
KF Lorceagu 3-2 Bosen FC
Lac-Drouin FC 1-2 Dynamo Galaktik

MATCHDAY 3

Emerald Plaement Group

Gluckshire SC 1-0 CSKA Quebec
Allanza FC 4-0 Moon Village FC
FC United 3-0 SC Oceanside
Catholica FC 0-0 Concord United
La Condamine 0-0 Ettinburg FC
Natanyan National FC 1-1 Kericia City International
Royal PFC 2-2 ISC Ibini
Kageboushi FC 1-4 Guards FC
Heretic Cleansing Squad 6-1 Gloriax United

Amethyst Placement Group

Olastaryn FC 0-1 Jujoo
Elvabayen Kapital 4-1 Federation United
Clusteriol United 0-4 Sunrice Saint-Raptors
Talahita Lions FC 2-0 Noville Heart
Ko-oren Capitals 3-1 Tropicorp FC
Hippion Overdrive 1-0 Twin Brooks United
Squanders FC 0-0 Kranzburgh FSC
Equestria HC 2-0 Horizon FSC
Ezueil United 0-6 CF Ciudad Sangti

Sapphire Placement Group

CC Hessington 1-0 Tradewinds
Canil Olympic 0-4 Smyslova Virmest
SC United & Metropolitan 1-1 Warlocks FK Rhyuun
CAA Todas Partes 0-1 Tavistock United
FC Koradai 1-1 Baotou Guoan FC
Kolonia Fussball 3-0 Undead Arastom Soccer
Great Alexandria 1-4 KF Lorceagu
Engineers 76 FC 2-0 Lac-Drouin FC
Bosen FC 1-5 Dynamo Galaktik

Emerald Plaement Group Standings

    Team                            P  W  D  L For Ag +/- Pts
  1 Allanza FC                      3  3  0  0  12  3  +9  9
  2 FC United                       3  3  0  0   6  1  +5  9
  3 Concord United                  3  2  1  0   6  1  +5  7
  4 Guards FC                       3  2  1  0   7  3  +4  7
  5 La Condamine                    3  2  1  0   6  2  +4  7
  6 Kericia City International      3  2  1  0   3  1  +2  7
  7 Royal PFC                       3  1  2  0   7  4  +3  5
  8 ISC Ibini                       3  1  1  1   6  6  +0  4
  9 Heretic Cleansing Squad         3  1  1  1  10  6  +4  4
 10 Gluckshire SC                   3  1  0  2   1  5  -4  3
 11 Ettinburg FC                    3  0  3  0   4  4  +0  3
 12 Moon Village FC                 3  0  2  1   3  7  -4  2
 13 Catholica FC                    3  0  2  1   4  5  -1  2
 14 Natanyan National FC            3  0  2  1   3  4  -1  2
 15 Gloriax United                  3  0  1  2   1  7  -6  1
 16 SC Oceanside                    3  0  0  3   2 10  -8  0
 17 CSKA Quebec                     3  0  0  3   2  6  -4  0
 18 Kageboushi FC                   3  0  0  3   2 10  -8  0



Amethyst  Placement Group Standings

    Team                       P  W  D  L For Ag +/- Pts
  1 Jujoo                      3  3  0  0  8  0  +8  9
  2 Elvabayen Kapital          3  3  0  0  9  1  +8  9
  3 Squanders FC               3  2  1  0  3  0  +3  7
  4 Hippion Overdrive          3  2  1  0  2  0  +2  7
  5 Kranzburgh FSC             3  2  1  0  3  1  +2  7
  6 CF Ciudad Sangti           3  2  0  1 10  1  +9  6
  7 Sunrice Saint-Raptors      3  2  0  1  7  1  +6  6
  8 Talahita Lions FC          3  1  1  1  3  3  +0  4
  9 Equestria HC               3  1  1  1  3  3  +0  4
 10 Ko-oren Capitals           3  1  0  2  3  8  -5  3
 11 Noville Heart              3  1  0  2  2  3  -1  3
 12 Olastaryn FC               3  1  0  2  1  4  -3  3
 13 Horizon FSC                3  1  0  2  1  3  -2  3
 14 Tropicorp FC               3  1  0  2  3  5  -2  3
 15 Federation United          3  0  2  1  2  5  -3  2
 16 Twin Brooks United         3  0  1  2  1  6  -5  1
 17 Ezueil United              3  0  0  3  1 10  -9  0
 18 Clusteriol United          3  0  0  3  0  8  -8  0



Sapphire Placement Group Standings

    Team                          P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Engineers 76 FC               3  3  0  0  15   0  +15  9
  2 KF Lorceagu                   3  3  0  0  11   3   +8  9
  3 Smyslova Virmest              3  3  0  0   8   0   +8  9
  4 Dynamo Galaktik               3  2  1  0   7   2   +5  7
  5 Kolonia Fussball              3  2  0  1   5   3   +2  6
  6 CC Hessington                 3  2  0  1   3   3   +0  6
  7 FC Koradai                    3  1  2  0   4   3   +1  5
  8 SC United & Metropolitan      3  1  1  1   3   3   +0  4
  9 Baotou Guoan FC               3  1  1  1   4   5   -1  4
 10 Tavistock United              3  1  0  2   2   6   -4  3
 11 CAA Todas Partes              3  1  0  2   2   3   -1  3
 12 Great Alexandria              3  1  0  2   4   7   -3  3
 13 Bosen FC                      3  1  0  2   5   8   -3  3
 14 Canil Olympic                 3  1  0  2   2   6   -4  3
 15 Tradewinds                    3  0  1  2   2   4   -2  1
 16 Warlocks FK Rhyuun            3  0  1  2   1   3   -2  1
 17 Undead Arastom Soccer         3  0  1  2   0  12  -12  1
 18 Lac-Drouin FC                 3  0  0  3   1   8   -7  0

by **The greater Vakolicci Haven** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:42 am

Matchday 1

390 dead as red and green army make Hessington suffer for victory

Della Barecci Metropolis:
It was a typical day for Red and Green army commander Demit Cronan as he he got United and Metropolitan off to what would look at first glance to be a terrific start, converting Blacksen Dominations cross into the top corner past the hapless Hessington goalkeeper.

Unsure of the new teams tactics, however, Roman Rigic's men began to play a very defensive form of football, which seemed to be working until the 83rd minute when a Hessington striker clearly dived in the box after a Mickie Roper challenge, resulting for a red card for the United and Metropolitan shotstopper, and a duely converted penalty for Hessington.

With a replacement goalkeeper on the field, United and Metropolitans attacking play proved reckless as shots pummeled the goal, before at last a header in the 93rd minute found its mark.

Things became ugly after this point, however, as Demit Cronan lifted his arm as the final whistle blew, unleashing a barrage of flares, fireworks and other thrown missiles from the red and green army seated in the stands. The chang of 'Cronan's red and green army,' a chant that has proved infamous and synonymous with mass brawls, was heard, as U&M fans invaded the home area.
Gunshots had been heard, and hundreds dead, before local police could restore law and order.

by **The greater Vakolicci Haven** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:46 am

matchday 2
All calm as U&M win in simple game

Blacksen Domination today was the hero of united and metropolitan as they came back from what would become an infamous loss to get back to winning ways away at tradewin.
Domination, 16, scored the only ggoal, a long-range effort from 10 yards outside the penalty area, and excited the away support enough that their was no red and green army action in the stands after the match.

Domination told the Irosii times "I'm really excited to be playing new opposition, and I hope games like this happen far more. I'm hoping to break my goal record from last years domestic league, and I sincerely believe I can do it."

by **New Koln** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:14 am

KOLONIA FUSSBALL DOES AMAZING PERFORMANCES
Kolonia Fussball starts amazingly in the 5th place of the group only 2 wins and a loss. Kolonia Fussball in the first match wasn't playing very well and that's because there weren't the basic lineup but in the next matches the basic lineup used and proved worth it.

by **New Koln** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:22 am

Kolonia Fussball will give 34.000.000$ for Arturo Albarrán if you want a higher bid Kolonia Fussball can give even 40.000.000$. Alianza FC answer.

by **Lzherusskia** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:04 am

Home -> Football -> NS Premier League

The Home Of Lzher Sports Since 2089

Smyslova "Utterly Dominant", Go Three-For-Three With Three Clean Sheets
Smothering Defense and Counter Attacks Bamboozle All Opposition

Foreign Nationals Prove Difference Makers In Victory
Kolonia Fussball 0 – 2 Smyslova Virmest
Jacob Hashimoto earned a well-deserved Man of the Match award in the opener and Harry Leveson-Gower was flawless in net as Smyslova ran out comfortable winners against Kolonia Fussball. It's not fair to describe any team as definitely inferior or superior at this early stage, but Kolonia's peculiar "lopsided" formation – featuring a right-sided midfielder without a counterpart on the left – was bottled up all game, and never looked like threatening a rock-solid Leveson-Gower
16  Leveson-Gower 
28  Miranchuk      [Booked - 75]
 6  Cherchesov
21  Kishishev      [Substituted - 67]
19  Hashimoto      [Goal - 27]
10  Smerdyakov     [Booked - 11]
20  Samoylenko
12  Zheldakov
29  Bilyaletdinov  [Substituted - 78]
 9  Pronin         [Goal - 82]
26  Vodopyanov

 5  Savrasenko
13  Vasilevski
22  Chugunov       [Substituted - 67]
30  Mogilevets
31  Pogrebnyak     [Substituted – 78]
Tabby Plays Cat and Mouse With Overmatched Alianzans
Smyslova Virmest 2 – 0 CAA Todas Partes
With the scoresheet blank at the halfway mark, Lumir Gabashviliev let David Mogilevets come off the bench and the self-described "playa among players" repaid his coach in style, scoring the first and setting up Ilja Pronin for the second within fifteen minutes. The Smyslova fans were in fine voice in the home opener, singing from the first whistle to the final one, and giving every member of the team a colossal reception as they did the traditional round of applause.
16  Leveson-Gower 
28  Miranchuk      
 6  Cherchesov
21  Kishishev      [Booked - 14]     
19  Hashimoto      [Substituted - 71]      
10  Smerdyakov     
20  Samoylenko
12  Zheldakov      
29  Bilyaletdinov  
 9  Pronin         [Goal - 57]
26  Vodopyanov     [Substituted - 45]

 5  Savrasenko
13  Vasilevski
22  Chugunov       
30  Mogilevets     [Substituted - 45; Goal - 52]
31  Pogrebnyak     [Substituted – 71]
Smudge's Red Card The Only Blemish On A Phenomenal Performance
Canil Olympic 0 – 4 Smyslova Virmest
Proving that you can take the boy out of Vsevintseva but you can't take Vsevintseva out of the boy, Frantisek Smerdyakov turned in a truly world-class performance and capped it off in classic Smudge style – going for the ball, taking the ball and the man, and adding a second yellow to his first. Goals from Zigmund Samoylenko and Milan Vodopyanov saw the game over within the first fifteen, but Harry Leveson-Gower still had to perform a stunning reflex save to keep the team's clean sheet streak alive in the dying minutes.
16  Leveson-Gower 
28  Miranchuk      [Substituted - 81]
 6  Cherchesov     [Booked - 29]
21  Kishishev      
19  Hashimoto      
10  Smerdyakov     [Booked - 13; Goal – 66; Booked, Sent Off - 84]
20  Samoylenko     [Goal - 8]
12  Zheldakov      [Substituted - 45]
29  Bilyaletdinov  [Booked - 70]
 9  Pronin         [Goal - 45]
26  Vodopyanov     [Goal - 11]

 5  Savrasenko     [Substituted - 81]
13  Vasilevski
22  Chugunov       
30  Mogilevets     
31  Pogrebnyak     [Substituted – 45]
By The Numbers
Goals:          Pronin (3); Hashimoto, Smerdyakov, Mogilevets, Samoylenko, Vodopyanov (1)
Bookings:       Smerdyakov (3); Miranchuk, Cherchesov, Bilyaletdinov (1)
Red Cards:      Smerdyakov (1)
Clean Sheets:   Leveson-Gower (3)
Minutes:        Leveson-Gower, Cherchesov, Samoylenko, Pronin (270)

by **New Koln** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:39 am

Your team Lzherusskia is very good and I say it.

by **San Jose Guayabal** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:45 am

New Koln wrote:Kolonia Fussball will give 34.000.000$ for Arturo Albarrán if you want a higher bid Kolonia Fussball can give even 40.000.000$. Alianza FC answer.

No.

OOC: Expect RP here.

by **Lzherusskia** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:03 pm

"For the first time, the LMO is allowing cameras behind the scenes to capture the day-to-day life of a football team, and we'll be following Smyslova Virmest as they try to make the nation proud in the NS Premier League." The words remain the same, but the opening montage has changed - where originally it featured clips of the players in action with their club sides, now it's a highlight reel of the first few games, with the final shot one of the whole team celebrating their first win. "Come with us...Behind Closed Doors."

The title card fades out to footage of the team in training, captioned "SMYSLOVA VIRMEST TRAINING CAMP - POST MATCHDAY THREE". The atmosphere is relaxed and loose, as one would expect it to be in a team yet to concede a goal in league play, but no less serious for it. In one goal, Harry Leveson-Gower is drilling penalties with David Mogilevets, hero of the Todas Partes game; at the other end of the pitch, Igor Vasilevski is in net for a group of players working on their corners. Even Frantisek Smerdyakov isn't his normal surly self.

The scenes are accompanied by a voiceover from Lumir Gabashviliev, who is in the unenviable position of having to keep the team grounded: "Obviously, I'm as happy as any of the lads at the way things have gone so far, but these are early, early days. Do I think there are areas we could improve on? Of course." It probably isn't a coincidence the camera is watching Milos Zheldakov as he says that – the word is that Stanislaus Pogrebnyak will be getting the next start.

The midfielders, with the exception of Smerdyakov, have been gathered for a meeting with the coach and his second-in-command. "First things first," starts Gabashviliev, looking at each of them in turn. "Let me congratulate those of you who played. The strikers score the goals and the defense keeps them out, but neither of them could do their jobs without you guys. You're the heart and the soul of this time and you were ****ing magnificent."

The scene is intercut with snippets of interviews from the midfielders themselves, conducted in classic "talking head" style. As Gabashviliev continues to talk on screen, it's Esien-Oku Akinbode who's first up: "Coming here, I didn't know what to make of the coach. I'd heard the stories, that he had a horrible temper, that he'd...y'know, got into fistfights with his own players, but I was really impressed. He's got a real vision for this team and I respect that."

It's back to Gabashviliev on the training pitch. "What I want to see over the next few games is for us to play a lot wider. We're not playing to the sidelines and we've got away with it so far, but the better teams in the league are going to exploit that. Ziggy, Elbow, this is your area of expertise and I want to see you making more of an effort to stretch the defense." Laszlo Bilyaletdinov nods, looking studious and apparently taking it all on board.

Zigmund Samoylenko feels differently, as the camera cuts to him in "talking head" mode: "I like the ideas he's got, but just talking to us about it isn't going to help. We're built to play defense and counter-attack, and if he wants to make us different, he's going to need new players." Samoylenko doesn't voice his concerns in public, however. "And besides, we're three-for-three and we haven't let in a single goal yet. Why change something that's working?"

Gabashviliev has his reasons: "People are going to wonder why I want the midfield and the team to change, and it's...it's about identity. We're here representing the best of Lzherusskia's football league, and I don't want us to get a reputation for being...dull, for being boring, for being defense-first. That's doing the guys a disservice, and I know I've got the talent here to make this team into anything I need them to be. I want to prove to the world that this is Lzherusskia's team and there is nothing you can do that we can't do better."

"For all his big ideas and his blue-sky thinkking," cuts in the narrator, as the camera shifts to a very unhappy-looking Juraj Savrasenko, "there are problems here on the ground that Lumir Gabashviliev has to address first. Juraj Savrasenko has requested a formal meeting with his coach about his lack of playing time." It's obviously some time later, and a casually-clothed Savrasenko is sitting in the coach's office, waiting for Gabashviliev and his team.

"I know I shouldn't take this personally," says Savrasenko, the talking head. "But the league voted for me as the best right back, and I haven't been given any chances. I played nine ****ing minutes in three games, for ****'s sake, and it's so convenient that the guy playing in my spot just happens to play for Savoprinov and with the coach in the league. So no, I'm not happy." It's a surprising level of anger, and not one that shows on Savrasenko's face in the coach's office.

"Juraj," says Gabashviliev as he enters, reaching out to shake his defender's hand before sitting down. "You asked to see me. What's the problem?"

Savrasenko takes the proffered hand, although with a little reluctance. "I want to be straight with you, coach. I know it's early doors and all that, but I'm not happy with the team selection."

Gabashviliev purses his lips briefly as he taps the desk lightly, a nervous habit of his that years of dealing with the nation's press has only exacerbated. Poker players would call it a tell, but all it says is that the coach is in a difficult position – something anybody could see. "I was afraid that might be it. Juraj, you were straight with me so I'll be straight with you – I meant what I said in that meeting before. Yes, I've picked Radomir to play right back, but don't think I don't think you're a very good player."

"That's all well and good to say, coach, but..." Savrasenko scratches his head, evidently trying to avoid being obviously rude. "But I've been training as hard as anybody and yet you gave me...like, nine minutes. Nine minutes at the end of a game we were miles ahead in. Coach, it..." Savrasenko looks down, then back up, and there's both anger and hurt in his eyes. "It feels like I'm being punished for something I didn't know I did."

"Juraj, come on. You're a professional footballer, you've been doing this for over fifteen years. There's no slight here, I'm not playing favourites and I've got no idea why I should even be punishing you, if that's what you really think." Gabashviliev sighs, not liking this conversation any more than his defender does. "The fact is, Radomir has played and he has been excellent. You can't realistically expect me to drop him because your feelings are hurt."

"I don't want that, coach, I just..." Savrasenko stops himself from continuing, but then carries on anyway. "...you said you're not playing favourites, but people in the team don't see it like that. I'm an All-Star, I've played with the national team loads of times, and I'm losing my place to a 22-year-old kid who just happens to be one of your boys?" Gabashviliev's jaw has set, and any sympathy he may have had is obviously long gone, but Savrasenko is on a roll: "It looks scummy, boss. I know I've been training my heart out, everyone else knows that, but now I've lost out for no reason?"

"There was a reason, Juraj," says Gabashviliev, his tone icy. "The reason was because Radomir looked better in training than you did and I thought he would give the team a better chance of success. Given that we have played three games and won three games, it looks like I was right." Savrasenko opens his mouth, but Gabashviliev carries right on over him. "No, don't say a word. That is all that is going on here. And frankly, I am offended that you think I have that little integrity."

"It's not that, boss, it's just..."

"I know just what it is, Juraj," says the coach, his stare boring straight into Savrasenko. "You think you deserve to play. That is your right. You have expressed those opinions. That is also your right. But you have expressed them extremely badly and I am very angry. Now, there are two ways we can continue from here. Either you can respect that I am the coach, I make the decisions and I flatter myself by thinking I make them well, or you can leave the team. Whichever you decide, Smyslova Virmest will continue." Sitting back in his chair, Gabashviliev flicks a glance at the cameras. "Do not let me detain you."

Savrasenko doesn't move for a few moments. The look on his face is a mix - frustration, humiliation, shame and extreme anger – and his hands are clenched into tight fists. There is a tense moment before Savrasenko stands up, nods tersely, and leaves the room. No answer is given. Gabashviliev waits a few seconds before closing the door – only once he's alone in his office does he let himself sit down and sag into the chair, sighing deeply and shaking his head.

"The funny thing I've found about management," he says, addressing the cameras without looking up, "is that you get people who play their video games and think that's it, that's all they need to know, but being a true manager is so much harder than that. Obviously I have to deal with the tactical side of the game, and I like to think I'm very good at that, but managers are called managers because we do just that - we manage people. It's something gamers never have to deal with, but a manager who can't read people and who can't deal with his players on an emotional or a psychological level is always going to fail. And players are...well, players are humans, and humans are very tough to deal with.

The scene fades out, into a montage of players, with Gabashviliev still talking. "Some are easy, some are open and honest." Harry Leveson-Gower, chatting with Kristian Petrov. "But some are jealous." Igor Vasilevski jumps to claim high balls. "Some think they're entitled to more than they have." Savrasenko's back, as he walks to his car. "Some seem to delight in causing chaos." Frantisek Smerdyakov is shown running silently and alone. "Some need to learn to take things more seriously." Tim Fortuyn and Jacob Hashimoto jog along together.

"And some are just...enigmas. Some you can't read at all." Milos Zheldakov juggles a ball by himself. "You can't work out where the pressure points are or what makes them tick." Zheldakov balances the ball on his head briefly. "Those ones you really need to keep on your side, because they can be your best friend or your worst enemy." Zheldakov flicks the ball over his shoulder, turns and catches it on the volley, firing it into the net. "Those are the ones who worry me."

STARTING LINEUP
Pos  #      Player Name                       Club Team             Age     Nationality
GK   16     Harry LEVESON-GOWER               Vojna Vilnera         33      Anollasia

WB   28     Radomir "Army Man" MIRANCHUK      Poszar Savoprinov     22 
CB   6      Janos "Church" CHERCHESOV         Vojna Vilnera         27
CB   21     Konrad KISHISHEV                  Polozhenin Krestik    39
WB   19     Jacob "Hash" HASHIMOTO            Zhatka Trekylat       20      Yorudan

DM   10     Frantisek "Smudge" SMERDYAKOV     Arszhev Vsevintseva   20
LM   20     Zigmund "Ziggy" SAMOYLENKO        Levitisz MK           26 
CM   31     Stanislaus "Stan" POGREBNYAK      Vojna Vilnera         33
RM   29     Laszlo "Elbow" BILYALETDINOV      Poszar Savoprinov     24 

ST   9      Ilja PRONIN                       Vojna Vilnera         20 
ST   30     David "Tabby" MOGILEVETS          Poszar Savoprinov     30

SUBSTITUTES
CB   3      Tim FORTUYN                       Derevnjik Lzhet       21      Sint Franciscus
LB   8      Vitan KIRICHENKO                  Polozhenin Krestik    27 
GK   13     Igor VASILEVSKI                   Zhatka Trekylat       34      
CM   12     Milos "Milo" ZHELDAKOV            Metki Tikholm         27
ST   26     Milan VODOPYANOV                  Djalikhan Sargkisia   25

NOT AVAILABLE
GK   1      Kristian PETROV                   Derevnjik Lzhet       24      
DM   4      Tanjung NASUTION                  Poszar Savoprinov     37      Tongkang Pechah
RB   5      Juraj SAVRASENKO                  Komanda Usheni        35 
ST   11     Jackym PANYUKOV                   MK Kutuzuvir          34 
SW   22     Eduard CHUGUNOV                   Komanda Usheni        23 
RM   23     Esien-Oku AKINBODE                Levitisz MK           19      Ile de Cuivre 
LM   27     Maxim STEPANENKO                  Komanda Usheni        35

by **Frusennia** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:03 pm

Elvabyen Kapital 2-0 Talahita Lions (Clausen 33', Salomon 58')

Reality didn't set in until the skyline of Talahita was in his rearview, though Frederic couldn't decide whether or not he liked it better than whatever had come before. Sitting beside Rundstrom, the baby of the team at just over the requisite seventeen years, he smiled coyly at the seat back, replaying the game's highlights in his head, aware that they would stay frozen in his memory forever like a steel casting. He wondered who at home had seen the game; he knew it would be broadcast on local Elvabyen television and online, but he didn't know if anyone actually knew it was going on, or cared. His parents had been watcing, along with Delacroix and some others from Riverside, but he wondered who else in the city had seen it.

The game had started out kind of scary; the Lions had kept the ball forward of the half-field mark, leaving Frederic, Eklund and Østergård scrambling to keep them out of the box. Kapital's lack of presence up front was exposed by their failure to hold onto the ball for any period of time from the numerous goal kicks that came in the first thirty minutes, while the Lions's long-and-narrow 3-3-3-1 provided a pipeline for the ball to get back into the red zone after each dispossession. The first goal came seemingly by accident; Østergård cleared the ball off a cross from Fredric, and it somehow landed in the lap of Clausen past midfield, who beat the one defender marking him and scored from halfway between the six and the eighteen at thirty-three.

The goal gave Kapital a spring in its step, and they played the rest of the game confidently, dominating time of possession while never allowing the game to stall out. Pilkvist got called for a rather nasty tackle on his opposite number, Pierux, early in the second, but got off with a stern look from the referee that suggested had it not been the first match of the season, he might have left with a booking. He came off soon thereafter in favor of Rodrigo, the Texacano-born manchild, who expressed his excitement by delivering a beautiful chipper to Salomon, who had only to place his head in its way to ricochet it into the goal. Jose got the assist, but Salomon had joked in the locker room that he really should have been credited with the full goal.

His mind wandered to one person in particular, and he couldn't help picturing, fantasizing really, her watching the game and cheering wildly with her goofy, too-eager smile. It was a silly notion, he knew, though he let himself have it as a sort of reward for how the game had gone. She had a busy training schedule, busier than his, what with three teams she had to coach on top of all her school stuff. He drew his phone and absently navigated to his texts; before he knew it, he was rereading the last conversation they'd had, the day after they'd met, while she was between practices and he was just getting ready for his. She'd left him a note with her number and an invitation to go on a second "date" after she'd spent the night. He hadn't been sure how serious she was, since she'd left in such a hurry, but he'd texted her anyway. She had told him that she'd had practice to get to that morning, and they'd agreed to meet for coffee, but she'd forgotten about an early hockey practice and they'd had to cancel. Subsequent dates had fallen through until finally the day had come that they had to leave, him for Super-Llamaland and her for Anditia and then San Jose Guayabal for first a friendly and then the World Junior Hockey Championships, respectively.

To his surprise, as he looked at the phone it buzzed; a text from Kinzie: "Lost 1-0 :/."

"Sorry bout that," he texted, his thumbs moving clumsily over the touchscreen. For once he was grateful for autocorrect as it fixed the places where they hit more than one key at once. He considered mentioning the result against Talahita, but decided against it, not wanting to live up to the Carialite stereotype of being hopeless braggarts.

"It's ok," she replied, "They're not in the WJCH anyway. How did it go against the llamas?"

Did she think they were actually playing against llamas? He'd heard stories about horses and pegasuses (pegusi?) playing in leagues in other countries, but the players for Super-Llamaland had been as human as he was, near as he could tell. Still, if all she knew about the team was its country of origin, he supposed it wasn't an unusual assumption that they might be llamas.

"We won 2-0. You know they weren't actually llamas."

He hesitated a moment before adding the second sentence, then cursed himself for doing so; when did he start caring so much what she thought of a single sentence he typed? She replied quickly, and he was once again ashamed of the relief he felt.

"No, I actually didn't, but I'm glad. Can't have you getting spit on. We're boarding right now. Do you have Skype?"

That was a loaded question. He thought he might have an account somewhere; if not, he'd have to make one. He quickly answered affirmatively, and then she stopped replying, he hoped because the plane was airborne.

Elvabayen Kapital 3-0 Olastaryn FC (Albrechtsson 19',Clausen 52',67')

Kinzie had left that morning for San Jose Guayabal. She'd actually been in the city a whole twelve hours, but it had been twelve hours dedicated to paperwork, sorting her players out, and sleeping as much as she could; no room in there for a guy who wasn't yet her boyfriend. He didn't mind; an idle woman would soon be a drag, he knew, with the lifestyle he now led. The current home stand notwithstanding, he would soon be dragged across the multiverse to play in all manner of awful places, and he couldn't bring someone with him into that life who hadn't already chosen it for herself. Still, he missed talking to her, and Skype dates had proven just as elusive as the real kind, and even less satisfying.

Olastor was one place that he was not looking forward to visiting. He'd heard it was a repressive corporate dictatorship, three things of which Frusennia could never be accused of being. For all that he was ostracized by the Frusennian public for his last name, he would never feel at home anywhere else, least of all somewhere he had to be careful of what he said. At the very least in Frusennia he felt justified in calling someone out when they were being racist or xenophobic; in a more repressive state, he feared he'd have to swallow those words.

Still, despite that unpleasant prospect, his buzz could hardly be contained at Kapital having won their first two matches. This one had gone better than the first, and not just because they'd scored an extra goal; Clausen's second had been more of an afterthought, really, an "also-ran." It was the goal at nineteen, the one by Albrechtsson, that really got them going. The execution was just fantastic; the Olastaryns had started out strong, but a clear lack of refinement showed through their football by the end of ten minutes, and Frederic had been able to sneak a ball past Simmons to Pilkvist, who had made a beeline for the goal, drawing two defenders to him before kicking off his back heel to Albrechtsson, who took two steps and buried the ball in the upper-right corner of the goal.

The rest of the game, well the entire game, was played defensively by the Frusennians, who trapped the ball in their midfield and kept it there, occasionally penetrating to the other team's goal but rarely allowing it close to theirs. They played slow, deliberate football like always, and it worked, like it always had so far. Just after halftime, Østergård had an impressive run that resulted in him bypassing much of the Olastaryn midfield and getting it to Clausen, who drove in and scored. Clausen's next goal came when he was able to dispossess an Olastaryn midfielder as much by chance as anything and catch the rest of the team off guard, leaving him a sizeable gap in which to dribble.

He returned to his apartment that night on the subway, as he always did, but he had just disembarked when his phone buzzed with a text message. He opened it quickly, as he did with every text these days, hoping they would be from Kinzie, but instead the number was Aunt Charlotte, asking if he could come to the restaurant after the game. She'd called him mon neveu instead of by his name, which meant that she was invoking her status as family and he couldn't refuse without breaking custom, something that was forgivable with a good enough reason, but that he tried to avoid anyway. Being seen as too Frusennian by the Carialites for neglecting his family was just as bad as the other way around, if not worse, since the Carialites accepted him in the first place.

Around the corner from the bar, he took a few deep breaths and rehearsed one last time the couple of lines he'd prepared for explaining his relationship with Kinzie. All seemed quiet as he stepped inside, looking and craning his neck for Aunt Charlotte. The front area was empty, unusual for a weekend night; even the young barkeep wasn't at his station. He heard a hearty laugh come from deeper in the restaurant, the more "private" area where the ethnic Carialites were usually seated, and he walked inside on tiptoe.

"My boy!" said Delacroix's deep baritone as he entered, "My champion! It is good to see you."

Frederic smiled a little in spite of himself. For all that Delacroix was a politician, he was also very good at putting people at their ease. Frederic didn't trust Delacroix any further than he could throw the three hundred pounds of him, but he also didn't dislike him. Delacroix was the alderman for Riverside, the first Carialite to hold elected office anywhere in Frusennia. He extended a hand, and Frederic took it and found himself pulled into an odd embraced and kissed on both cheeks. It was an old affectation, even in Carialus, and so he was forgiven for not reciprocating, but Delacroix seemed to do everything he could to emphasize his heritage.

"The match," said Delacroix, "You were brilliant!"

A small cheer went up in the crowd of Carialites with whom Delacroix had evidently been holding court before they went back to their private conversations. A few men came up to slap him on the back, and he very much had the feeling of being a prized pig at auction. The alderman turned to Frederic and indicated he wanted to speak privately, turning away the last few heads that lingered on them. His pompous public persona now gone, he spoke to Frederic evenly.

"I understand there's a woman," he said. Frederic felt like he was swallowing a football. He had not mentioned Kinzie even to his parents, for fear of what they would say about him dating a woman who was not a Carialite, but he supposed that if Delacroix had Aunt Charlotte's ear, it was inevitable that he would hear about it eventually.

"Indeed, sir," said Frederic.

"What is her name? What does she do?"

"Kinzie," answered Frederic tersely, "She's a hockey coach."

"Not Kinzie Schved?" Delacroix's round features tensed up like he was waiting for the punchline of a joke.

"The same," said Frederic, strangely giddy at the effect it had, "Do you know her?"

"Know her? No, my son, I know of her. She is Guayabalian, correct?"

That question, because her heritage was the most important thing about her. "Yes, sir, her parents are from San Jose Guayabal."

Delacroix closed his eyes and nodded slowly, as though mulling something over. He opened them and looked Frederic conspiratorially in the eyes, close enough for Frederic to smell the bourbon on his breath.

"She is quite beautiful," he said, "And very, very smart. Are you sure you can handle her?"

What the hell kind of question was that? "Yes, sir," said Fredric, "It's going well."

Elvabyen Kapital 4-1 Federation United (Bolton 22')

Frederic had always believed that emotions and grudges clouded judgment and made good players make mistakes, get frustrated, and give up. He'd always had a laissez-faire, devil-may-care attitude toward football, playing his best always, of course, but not letting results or tables dictate how he felt about his life. Games to him were just that, games; things to do for fun and try to win. Until this one.

Of course he knew the name Rule Theriault; it was all over football news sites in every corner of the Internet. The guy was a prick, that much was sure, but it had never been personal until now, until he'd dismissed Kapital out of hand simply because of the part of the map where they played their football. He'd seen Theriault dismiss Northern Sunrise Islands and New Sideburn in the World Cup, and had cheered when the latter defeated his precious Free Republics team, but in truth, he hadn't cared that much until Theriault had taken one sentence, just one, to write the entire nation of Frusennia off as a football backwater. Seriously, fuck that guy.

The team took the field against the Republicans with a grim determination that made Frederic feel like Gryffindor facing down Slytherin or some equally crazy sports metaphor. They imagined themselves as holy warriors, defending Frusennia's honor against the smug foreign bastards. It was all kind of silly, as Frederic would later admit, but a pretty, sleep-deprived girl had recently told him to shove Rule Theriault's words up the man's own ass, and that was what he and the rest of Kapital intended to do.

Unfortunately, it didn't appear at the outset that that was meant to happen. The narrow diamond formation employed by the United worked Kapital's central players, Frederic and Pilkvist, to the bone as they dodged and weaved to keep up with the powerful Republican attack. The first goal came at 22', scored by Bolton, and it appeared that there would be more to follow, but strangely, none did. It was unclear what changed, but the Federation quickly found themselves locked down by the robust Kapital defense, unable to break through the second line of midfielders. After that the goals came automatically, spaced at intervals as the Republicans would attempt to drive to the goal, get rebuffed, and every few attempts Kapital would make a run into their lack of a defense.

by **Zhenovia** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:04 pm

The days leading up to the opening match were filled with excitement, as flyers were posted all over Kranzburgh advertising the opening game of the NationStates Premier League, in which Kranzburgh United would be hosting a team from a top-50 KPB nation. However, the Zhenovians still had hope that their boys in black and gold would prevail. On the first day of the season, Kranzburgh Square was packed to capacity as 67,821 people came out to cheer on their beloved Tigers. As expected, the stadium was a sea of black and gold, the colors of the Kranzburgh United squad. As the squad took the field, the fans went wild, and the noise continued for the first ten minutes of the match until a hard foul about ten yards outside the box brought Kranzburgh midfielder, Malcolm Norris to the ground writhing in agony. The crowd held their breath as the status of Norris was unknown at the time. After bringing him back to the locker room, further examination revealed that he had a bruised left shin, and would miss the next two matches. As Norris was being tended to, Horizon midfielder Reed Schmidt was cautioned. A free kick by Lukas Fredriksen sailed well over the crossbar resulting in a goal kick. More action occurred midway through the second half as Kranzburgh's Igor Dragonov bent a beautiful shot that almost snuck over the Horizon goalkeeper's head, but he was able to dive and stretch out just far enough to tip it over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Lukas Fredriksen placed a ball beautifully so that a leaping Clint Kriner was able to direct into the net and give the hosts the lead. Once again, the crowd was on its feet and going wild. The keeper, Bruno Schumacher just needed to hold on for fifteen more minutes and the Tigers would win their opening match. Kranzburgh was excellent with ball control and dispossessing the Horizon forwards, and not much opportunity came until there were three minutes left. After a questionable call, and what looked like an obvious flop from a Horizon forward, the Horizon squad had a free kick within striking distance. Tension was felt around the stadium, and as the free kick was sent right into the keeper's arms, a collective sigh of relief was released. Later on, in stoppage time, Horizon once again looked like they may have a scoring opportunity, but the offsides flag was raised. After a Kranzburgh free kick from the defensive half, the referee blew the final whistle signaling the end of the game. Final Score: Kranzburgh United (Republic of Zhenovia) 1, Horizon FSC (Mangolana) 0.

After Ezueil got up early on a goal and was able to keep Kranzburgh off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half, things looked great for the hosts, especially when it began pouring in the 41st minute. However, Karl Ostermann was able to rally his team and they came out fired up in the second half despite the deficit. Almost immediately, Lucas Fredriksen began working his way down the pitch, and when he found himself covered by several defenders, he found a wide open Viktor Ankudinov in the middle of the field. This mistake by the defenders sent the coach in a tirade especially when the inevitable happened - a game-tying goal just two minutes into the half. Ten minutes later, Igor Dragonov was able to give the guests the lead, as a beautiful pass from midfielder Jordan German (originally from Super-Llamaland) set up an open look at the net, and he cashed in. Just like that, Kranzburgh United was leading 2-1, but there were still 33 minutes to play not including stoppage time. However, in the 63rd minute, the sirens sounded, signaling that there was lightning in the area, and the teams were required to return to the locker rooms. Play resumed an hour later in front of a much smaller crowd. Even though the field was cleared, the ground was still soaked, and it was very windy. Free kicks were nearly impossible, as the ball refused to stay in place. With eight minutes remaining in the game, it seemed that Ezueil might have a chance to tie the game up. However, the forward slipped, and was unable to regain proper footing as he tried to get off a shot, and the shot sailed well right of the net.

Final Score: Kranzburgh United (Republic of Zhenovia) 2 - Ezueil United (Syadei) 1

Goalie John Squanderson of Squanders FC and Bruno Schumacher of Kranzburgh United really put on a goalkeeping clinic, as both of them shut out the opposition. Squanderson had 5 saves in the match, including a key stop in the 86th minute on a Clint Kriner shot. Bruno Schumacher had 6 saves, including one on a penalty kick when George Huler was brought down in the box in the 57th minute by defender Reagan Santos. He tried going in the upper left corner, but Schumacher guessed correctly and was able to keep Squanders FC off the scoreboard. Final Score: Squanders FC (Tibbiville) 0 - Kranzburgh United (Republic of Zhenovia) 0.

Stats
Clint Kriner: 1 Goal
Igor Dragonov: 1 Goal
Viktor Ankudinov: 1 Goal
Lukas Fredriksen: 2 Assists
Jordan German: 1 Assist

Bruno Schumacher: 3 Games, 2 Shutouts, 1 Goal Allowed, 0.33 GAA, 2-0-1

by **Valanora** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:13 pm

Valanora Times
Seasiders Off To Decent Start

After the opening week of the NSPL, ISC Ibini is off to a decent but not great start to the season. The opening day away defeat to Guards FC, who by the way are off to an unbeaten run these first three matches, is the only defeat for ISC in the opening week, with the side winning their match in Ibini but only managing to trade the points when off at Royal PFC. While four points from the first three matches is far from tearing things up, it shows that the side are capable of getting the job done away from Valanora. While some had hoped for a perfect three to three start, the Seasiders can take good measure of what to expect in the coming weeks and months of the season and be more prepared for it.

For what it is worth, the side managed to find the net twice in each and every one of their matches, which goes to show that the offense is indeed flowing just like the national team's. However the three back set has allowed the opposition the space to carve up paths to get in on goal in favorable positions. While the Seasiders have a half decent keeper, even the best of them will be hard pressed to keep clean sheets when they are facing seven, eight, or even ten shots on goal a match from inside the penalty area. If the Seasiders are to change their fortunes, they will need to tighten up the ship at the back and retain possession better.

However the good news is that Marintine is now solely ISC's stadium to take root in, as both Ibininers and Ibini FC will be using Metropolis as their permanent home. That is a major boon for the finances of ISC, as they will not having to be paying Ibini FC rent money and theoritcally could prove the way for some signings during a transfer window. However, with the team just barely thrown together and not part of the VFA, foreign talents may not be inclined to come to the club, nor the best of the domestic talent. However, the youth academy may also get some upgrades from these spare funds. However the board decides to use the extra bit of silver coins now in their pocket, the future looks decent for the Seasiders, as they look to get a foothold in this new league and see themselves into the top tier next season.

by **The greater Vakolicci Haven** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:06 am

United and Metropolitan
Would like to announce that Aran Reed, of Engineers 76, has successfully past a medical and has beent ransfered to the club for 9 million pounds. An unfortunate claus in his contract requires that Reed not play against engineers 76, however SC United and Metropolitan's legal team are reported to be investigating ways to alter the contract.

by **Starblaydia** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:44 am

Best in the World: 3 Clean Sheets
Cable yet to concede as Overdrive go 4th

Starblaydia's number one goalkeeper and Hippion Overdrive captain, Lucas Cable, has kept three clean sheets as his Overdrive team recovered from a 0-0 draw on the opening game of the new season to win their next two matches 1-0. Cable has been in fine form for his new club on the back of an excellent World Cup Qualifying campaign in which his Starblaydia side qualified top of their group for the first time in recent memory.

Not only that, but the thirty-one year old was named in the World XI for World Cup 67 - as close to an 'official' nod as the WCC will ever get - above every single one of the 170 other first-choice goalkeepers taking part in the qualifiers. If that's not best in the world, then we don't know what is.

Cable isn't the only goalie yet to concede, of course, as the other two teams in the Amethyst Group who have that distinction are Jujoo and Squanders FC, currently sitting pretty in 1st and 3rd place respectively.

It's early days in the first season of the NSPL, but with an unbeaten record and the opposition yet to score against them Cable is now ready to kick his side into Overdrive.

Sorry. First update, we had to use that pun once.

by **Sangti** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:39 am

OOC: Will catch up with match reports real soon, around two or three more phases.

Phase I: Club Creation

Phase II: Consolidation and Player Recruitment

As the prerogatives were ironed out, The KPMB looked into unattached players that can help the team move forward in the coming NSPL. The team was drawn into the Amethyst Placement Group, with some teams looking like favorites already, like the Ko-oren Capitals, Hippion Overdrive, Sunrice Saint-Raptors, Tropicorp FC and Jujoo to name a few, but Chairman Elliot Ligsay wanted the club at the top division next season.

Later that night, the stadium officials of Stadium Sangti sent an e-mail to the KPMB office:

TO:	Elliot Ligsay
	Chairman, CF Sangti
CC:	Alejandro Labindalawa
	President, Konsehong Pampalakasan ng Maharlikang Barangay
FR:	Paloma Morato
	Stadium Administrator, Stadium Sangti
RE:	Stadium Lease Request
Mr. Ligsay,

I have received your request for a 10-year stadium lease for Stadium Sangti. However, I need you to answer some questions before considering this request.

We would want to know if people will attend your club's matches. We all know that football here is a profession, but in terms of national level, we aren't just yet that competitive. We can say regional, but in the multiversal stage? By my reckoning, you would struggle to fill the stadium with people. 60,000 seats isn't just a capacity for clubs, particularly newly-found clubs here. So why not look at alternatives first before you could lease the stadium?

I hope for a speedy response soon.

This is certainly not good news for Elliot and the rest of CF Sangti. What they hoped that would be granted immediately was now a distinct fantasy, for now. However, Elliot still never gave up and replied to the Stadium Administrator:

TO:	Paloma Morato
	Stadium Administrator, Stadium Sangti
FR:	Elliot Ligsay
	Chairman, CF Sangti
RE:	Stadium Lease Request
Ms. Morato,

While it is certain that we, as a startup club, would struggle to attract fans from the city of Sangti, maybe even Region Capital, the impact that the club brings to the multiversal community is hoped to be a big one.

But the fact that there is no club from the region in the top division, we ensure that the level that our club plays will compare that of the top division, even better than that. Why? Because of the potential that there might be many current and former international players from the multiverse. Think that of the best nations in the multiverse. The level of competition is sure to be higher.

I hope that would factor in your decision soon.

"OK team, it seems that we have to go to Plan B."

That Plan B was to have a groundshare with CF Lafoxpa on their Nueva Estadio Lafoxpa ground. The stadium has 9250 capacity and despite its distance from Sangti, the amenities for the recently promoted club can match that of the clubs in the Campeonato (second division), but that would take weeks to complete the deal. They have to find a venue soon, or they'll have to forfeit their first match at worst. KPMB officials had an idea: Use Zalesgon's training ground as a temporary stadium for Los Toros. The Sentro ng Kahusayan sa Pagsasanay ng Putbol's bleachers can be arrange to allow for an additional 1,500 seating capacity. The facility had one main stand, though it can only seat 500 people. If the stadium deals cannot be processed in time, then they could pursue the plan just to avoid forfeiture of their matches.

While the stadium issue is being sorted out, Cush Bulayugan, the manager, is now filling his coaching staff, along with attending some try-outs for the club. He is however, disappointed that there might be no one applied in the tryouts who can they use immediately. Upon the recommendation from the KPMB, they sought help from the football associations of the Fipino Federation (Alitaba, Senippilihp, and Perlasilangan) to fill the roster with the needed players. However, Cush wanted to have a distribution of about sixty percent local players and others who are foreigners.

What did Cush do? He sought for young players. However, league regulations say that clubs in their jurisdiction cannot purchase a player directly from the youth squad, so the KPMB decided to loan some promising youngsters from many clubs in The Royal Barangay. Within three weeks, the roster was submitted to the organizers for verification.

by **Catholican Catholica** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:45 pm

(Opening ident of CCSN Sports News begins the show.)

Andrews: Hello, and welcome to CCSN's Sports News. I am Aston Andrews.

Jefferson: And I am Ross Jefferson.

Andrews: This week in Catholican sports news, Catholica FC are off to not a very bad start in the NationStates Premier League. With one loss and two draws, Catholica FC are sitting in thirteenth place in the Emerald Placement Group. In front of them in twelfth place is Moon Village FC, while behind them in fourteenth place are Natanyan National FC. In the first matchday, Catholica FC faced off against Alianza FC, the team from San Jose Guayabal. It was a very tense match, with both sides seemingly trying to gain the early three points. In the fifteenth minute, we see Catholica FC getting an early counter-attack. Kev Goode chips the ball up over the defense of Alianza FC with a seemingly fast Trystan Janson gaining the ball at his feet. He runs forward as he is through on goal, passes it to his teammate, Burt Higgins, and he taps it in for an easy goal. The score is 1-0 in favor of the Catholicans. As we close in on halftime, we see Alianza FC gradually moving the ball up the pitch. Midfielder Tomas Coleman passes it to the wing, where Louis Desjardins can be found. A cross comes into the box, courtesy of Louis Desjardins, and the ball is met by the head of Sean Fraser. The score is now tied at one goal apiece. After halftime, the game restarts again. In the fifty-fourth minute, the Catholicans start their counter-attack off a Alianza corner. Neil Longstaff, the goalkeeper throws the ball up to midfielder Fergus Kay. Kay then finds Burt Higgins, who is sprinting incredibly down the middle. He plays a through ball to Higgins, who takes a touch and puts the ball in the back of the net. The score is now 2-1 in favor of the Catholicans. Six minutes later, in the sixtieth minute, the Alianza offense try and capitalize on a defensive mistake here in their final third. Blaine Duffy, accidentally heads the ball to the wrong side, allowing Renato Abad Santos to be through on goal. He scores, making the score tied again 2-2. In the seventy-fifth minute, Alianza FC is back again with another attack. He is fouled by Malachi Derrickson, which leads to a free kick and a warning from the referee. Tomas Coleman steps up to take the free kick for Alianza FC, and slots it in easily to put Alianza in the lead. Five minutes after that, in the eightieth minute, the Catholicans are on the offensive to try and tie the game before time runs out. Hartley Farnham, boots it up for Kev Goode to play a quick through ball to Burt Higgins. He sprints very quickly towards goal and takes a solid shot into the bottom left corner to tie the scores again at 3-3. In the eighty-ninth minute, Alianza quickly try to get the winning goal in this very close match. Forward Eleazar Espeleta was through on goal from a forward pass from midfielder Arturo Albarran. He takes a shot just right he hits the penalty box and scores the winning goal. The game finished 4-3, with Alianza FC taking the three points in their first match. Here is Ross with Catholica FC's second match.

Jefferson: In their second match, Catholica FC played against Moon Village FC, the team from the Lunar Republic Islands. The first half saw many chances from both sides. One free kick, from Robbie Chance, came very close to being in the back of the net, but a very quick reflexive save from Moon Village goalkeeper, Golden Swift, kept the Catholicans from leading in the game. In the second half, the goals finally came in. In the seventy-first minute, Moon Village came on the counter-attack off a Catholican corner. Midfielder Henry Jones Calloway makes a forward through ball to forward to Lightning Martinez. He is through on goal and slots it past Neil Longstaff to make the score 1-0 in favor of Moon Village. In the seventy-ninth minute, the Catholicans bounced back with an attack of their own. Goalkeeper Neil Longstaff started the attack by making a very long throw to right midfielder Michael MacClelland, who then makes a quick pass to central midfielder Kev Goode. Goode makes a chip through ball to Trystan Janson, who is through on goal, powerfully shoots it into the upper corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1. The game finished in a draw with each team gaining one goal apiece, and one point for each team. In the third game, Catholica FC faced Concord United, the team from Cassadaigua. Both teams had many chances throughout the game. One highlight of the game, a penalty kick awarded to Cassadaigua, could have put Concord United into the lead, but a very slick save by goalkeeper Neil Longstaff prevented that from happening.

Andrews: In the next matchday, Catholica FC will play Guards FC from Kovguron, Kericia City International from Kericia City, Kericia, and the Heretic Cleansing Squad from Charruterra. We will keep you posted for the results and the recaps and highlights of those matches.That is all we have for today. I have been Aston Andrews.

Jefferson: And I have been Ross Jefferson, and this has been an episode of Sports News. So long and goodbye.

(Sports News closing ident closes the show.)

by **German American States** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:24 pm

Presenting...Race to Division I
The Blog Following Dynamo Galaktik's Run to the Top Flight of the NSPL

#1: Jump Start

When Dynamo Galaktik was formed, it was an ambitious idea to begin with. As a giant supporter, who tried to try out for the team but did a horrible job, I never could have imagined something that started out as an intramural team at a uni is now playing teams from across the multiverse. Dynamo's first games were great successes and is a good start to the team's professional career. Here are my comments on the matches.

MD1: Dynamo Galaktik 0-0 Undead Arastom Soccer

A disapointment to be sure. We really didn't perform well, that's for sure. We seemed lethargic running around the pitch. Pitiful start.

MD2: Lac-Drouin FC 1-2 Dynamo Galaktik

Great play by the boys, as we beat the Sicouimont(or something) club at Galaktik Park in front of 300-something fans. We have to get more supporters out there in the future, but those who saw the game were rewarded. As I stood cheering with the the Rot-und-Schwarz End supporters, you could see how well our 4-3-3 formation was working. We had a great balance between attack and defense, and that's what a new club like us needs. Great performance, Hurtmacher showed that he might be worthy of being one of the best strikers in the group.

MD3: Bosen FC 1-5 Dynamo Galaktik
Man, do those 3 strikers work well! Hurtmacher gets a hat trick, and what a great way to close out the 3 match series. A glimmer of hope for the few supporters.

The tables:

Team                          P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Engineers 76 FC               3  3  0  0  15   0  +15  9
  2 KF Lorceagu                   3  3  0  0  11   3   +8  9
  3 Smyslova Virmest              3  3  0  0   8   0   +8  9
  4 Dynamo Galaktik               3  2  1  0   7   2   +5  7
  5 Kolonia Fussball              3  2  0  1   5   3   +2  6
  6 CC Hessington                 3  2  0  1   3   3   +0  6
  7 FC Koradai                    3  1  2  0   4   3   +1  5
  8 SC United & Metropolitan      3  1  1  1   3   3   +0  4
  9 Baotou Guoan FC               3  1  1  1   4   5   -1  4
 10 Tavistock United              3  1  0  2   2   6   -4  3
 11 CAA Todas Partes              3  1  0  2   2   3   -1  3
 12 Great Alexandria              3  1  0  2   4   7   -3  3
 13 Bosen FC                      3  1  0  2   5   8   -3  3
 14 Canil Olympic                 3  1  0  2   2   6   -4  3
 15 Tradewinds                    3  0  1  2   2   4   -2  1
 16 Warlocks FK Rhyuun            3  0  1  2   1   3   -2  1
 17 Undead Arastom Soccer         3  0  1  2   0  12  -12  1
 18 Lac-Drouin FC                 3  0  0  3   1   8   -7  0

4th isn't bad really. Hopefully the boys can continue the play in the 3rd MD into the rest of the season, and hopefully I can understand the scheduling soon. Anyhow, that's it for now.

UP GALAKTIK!

by **Gyatso-kai** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:57 pm

.:: The Warrior's Stadium, Baotoushi, Beifanghe Province, Earth Kingdom ::.
0400 hours local time (UTC+7), 17 January 2014.1

It was 4 in the morning and Head Coach Shen Xiangfu could not sleep: He lived just blocks from The Warrior's Stadium and a very short run got him there in no time. He needed to clear his head after a trying last couple of days.

He still remembered the call.

It cam about three months ago, during the Autumn break in the season for the Republic Premier Football League. Shen --- then an Assistant Coach to one of the more successful Premier teams in Gyatso-kai, Northern AFC --- was sitting at home, enjoying his two weeks off. Living in the Kitikmeot islands, Shen enjoyed the oceanic winters which were ever so much colder than those he grew up with in the Yaoxifang Provinces about a thousand kilometres south. He had chosen to sit on his porch, bundled up in the usual casual attire, reading a book on offensive tactics in multiverse play when the phone rang. His girlfriend, a beautiful Northern Tribeswoman, answered it promptly, first in Nunavimmiutitut before switching to Basic; Shen could barely make out her words until she started walking towards the front door. Given the warmth of the house, he was not surprised when he looked to her opening the door to see her barefoot, holding out the phone.

"Shen, it is for you. Says they are from the League"

Shen reached out to take the phone, his hand scrapped by her naturally long nails. He watched her retreat to the warmth of the house, appreciating the seductive walk she always did whenever she knew his eyes were following her, and put the phone to his ear.

"Shen here."

Good morning Shen. This is Obina Deguchi, Secretary for The Right Honourable Zhao Fulen.

Zhao? The President of the ALAF?

"Good morning Mr. Deguchi... To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

To be blunt Shen --- and please, call me Obina --- President Zhao would like a meeting with you to discuss your future in the Avatarian League of Football.

"My future?" Shen could only think of two reasons "future" would be discussed with the President; an opening head coach position for the National Teams, or expansion. Since he knew very well that all four National Coaches were alive and well and very employed, expansion was the only option.

"Very well, Obina. When shall I travel to Republic City to meet with President Zhao."

No need to travel, Shen. President Zhao and I are on the way to Kitikmeot as we speak. Meet us at the Hotel Arctic around one in the afternoon. We will be waiting.

click

Shen looked to the phone, a bit of disbelief on his face. The President of the Avatarian League of Association Football --- the governing body for all Leagues within the Republics, including the RPFL --- was coming to see him. How important could this be?

Better get ready...

SAPPHIRE Placement Group Standings As Of Matchday 03

Pos	Team				P  	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
1	Engineers 76 FC               	3  	3  	0  	0  	15   	00  	+15  	9
2	KF Lorceagu                   	3  	3  	0  	0  	11   	03   	+08  	9
3	Smyslova Virmest              	3  	3  	0  	0   	08   	00   	+08  	9
4	Dynamo Galaktik               	3  	2  	1  	0   	07   	02   	+05  	7
5	Kolonia Fussball              	3  	2  	0 	1   	05   	03   	+02  	6
6	CC Hessington                 	3  	2  	0 	1   	03   	03   	+00  	6
7	FC Koradai                    	3  	1  	2  	0   	04   	03   	+01  	5
8	SC United & Metropolitan      	3  	1  	1  	1   	03  	03   	+00  	4
9	Baotou Guoan FC               	3  	1  	1  	1   	04   	05   	-01  	4
10	Tavistock United              	3  	1  	0  	2   	02   	06   	-04  	3
11	CAA Todas Partes              	3  	1  	0  	2   	02   	03   	-01  	3
12	Great Alexandria              	3  	1  	0  	2   	04   	07   	-03  	3
13	Bosen FC                      	3  	1  	0  	2   	05   	08   	-03  	3
14	Canil Olympic                 	3  	1  	0  	2   	02   	06   	-04  	3
15	Tradewinds                    	3  	0  	1  	2   	02   	04   	-02  	1
16	Warlocks FK Rhyuun            	3  	0  	1  	2   	01   	03   	-02  	1
17	Undead Arastom Soccer         	3  	0  	1 	2   	00  	12  	-12  	1
18	Lac-Drouin FC                 	3	0  	0  	3   	01   	08   	-07  	0

by **The greater Vakolicci Haven** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 3:56 pm

Roman Rigic sat in his office, leafing through paper after paper, until he saw the notes he had made to himself.
The notes were regarding the weakness of the U&M defence. Roman's midfield had had to track back way too much, in order to protect the fragility of his wingbacks. It was not good enough, and he knew it.

He stood up, and looked at the telephone with its black leather-covered receiver, and reflected on the reports his scouts had given him regarding which players would be easy to shift, especially from his own group. Remembering, he found the number, and dialed it impatiently.

"...Overwhealm and confuse," he thought as the dialing tone rang, before an accented voice answered.
"Hello Mr. Savrasenko," he began jovially. "You may have heard my voice before. My name's Roman Rigic, and I'm the man who's going to ask you to leave that team where you're not getting the playing time you clearly deserve, and come and live in the beautiful, sunny Greater Vakolicci Haven. What do you reckon? I can arrange transport for you myself, and we can talk out all the personal terms before talking to your club side."

by **Kogvuron II** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:29 pm

Guards First Three Look Strong

Three games into the NationStates Premier League Season, Guards stands in fifth place with 7 points and no losses. The team is making waves in the Emerald Placement Group and is off to a stellar start to this first campaign.

Guards opened up at Hamilton Castle with a 3-2 win over Valanoran side ISC Ibini. The Guards looked a little intimidated by the Elves in the first half, with the whistle blowing at a 1-0 lead for Ibini (goal for Kiesdal). However, the Guards came out strong in the second half, quickly scoring two straight inside the first 10 minutes off of goals by Bristow and Derban. Ibini equalized in the seventy-third minute off of a set piece by Nelesian, but Guards retook the lead in the eightieth, with Anto capping off a stellar run with his first goal of the year. The game would end this way.

Guards next hosted Gloriax United. Both teams played hard, but the game was a defensive battle, with goalkeeper Hugo Ormond being named the Man of the Match for the Blues. Isaac Samuelsson nearly put Gloriax ahead in the sixteenth minute, but Ormond made a diving save to tip the shot just wide. Martinek and Anto had good opportunities in the second half, but both failed to convert. The game saw the first appearance for 18-year old wunderkind Andrej Rian who came on in the eighty-second minute as a substitute.

In their third match, Guards faced their first away game. However, the boys responded well, handing Kageboushi FC a 4-1 drubbing. Guards scored early and often, with Schuyler scoring off of a header from a corner in the ninth minute. Martinek added one just before halftime. Kageboushi took one back in the fifty-ninth minute, but the Blues responded well, with Smith scoring in the sixty-fifth minute. Substitute Servaas added an insurance goal in extra time.

Looking ahead, Guards plays host to Natanyan National FC before traveling to Catholica FC. They then host Alianza FC who are currently top of the table.

by **Darmen** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:46 am

OOC: Simply using this to see how my language looks, feel free to skip to the spoilered English.

Legonian language commentary from Royal PFC's 4-1 victory over SC Oceanside
"Lipari drusen ricotnon beth en passerren tol Preston. Preston streksanna forworts oben den feltse, finsintnis opentte spass, passes tol Dorival af den flán..."

"Scn overlappenden rucetál tsre, rirklichre oposnet oben den Oceanside corstigung."

"Dorival sutshe tucacse, hrn sochorg tol crossuren, ands en scn boyetung tsre tol costerenh hess markerr, hrn tatoncenh asch intoch den bosca, ands SORIC! Hen curlt toss ennán portet den Corpeterer folks. SORIC!"

"Duchamps mussór bernth serrt sascelich beth toss, ands Royal PFC arnd sochorg serrt sterkr here torluth af in den srason."

"Serrt sar, ands sesse nos 4-1 here ati King's Park, beth den resrichter nust otot tol cola forhagadh follt tidt."

"Nos Royal PFC socatnú tol tagencadh af Ettinburg FC. Beth en pessunoct sosele detse, si konntedfadh serrt gelath bernth den classe on den Ligate."

by **Cassadaigua** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:37 am

CONCORD UNITED

(Insert Pretty Pink-ish logo involving a horse, here)

Team Nickname: Fillies

Kits:
Home: Primarily pink, with white numbers and black stripe along each side.
Away: Primarily black, with pink numbers and stripes along each side.
Keeper: Yellow with black numbers and stripes

Starters in Green
Subs in Blue
Reserves in Red

Coach: Taylor Connolly

Goalkeepers:
#66- Satana S, Feministvs Sanctvsterra
#1- Tara Olsen, (Sub on DBC 30 Roster)
#20- Lori Cotton (Reserve in DBC 28)

Defenders:
#4- Meghan Henderson (on DBC 30 roster)
#2- Kelsey Nicholson (starter in WC 67) (CAPTAIN)
#6- Kiersten Young (starter in WC 67)
#3- Lisa Jackman (reserve in DBC 28)
#22- Ashley Emmerton (Sub in DBC 27)
#24- Tara Hancox (No International Experience)
#5- Arianna Gomez (No International Experience)
#25- Judy Rusick (No International Experience)

Midfielders:
#21- Loreen Steffanssen, Svengarda
#8- Hannah Cromer (starter in WC 67)
#12- Samantha Douglas (Reserve in WC 67)
#16- Kayla Springer (Sub in DBC 28)
#23- Rachel Holman (Sub in DBC 27)
#11- Daniella Contreras (Sub in DBC 27)
#10- Chelsea Summers (No International Experience)
#9- Lisa Manwaring (No International Experience)

Forwards:
#7- Kari Steffansson, Svengarda
#17- Luisa Moreira, San Jose Guayabal
#19- Samantha Mahoney (Starter in DBC 27)
#13- Sophie Hammond (Starter in DBC 27)
#14- Nicole Kline (No International Experience)
#15- Wendy Shortclef (No International Experience)

Style Mod (if applicable): -0.8

by **Florgania** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:05 pm

FlorganiaSport
Ettingburg on a Consistent Start

Ettingburg FC has started the inaugural season of the NSPL on a consistent note. The Saints have drawn their first three matches with members of the Emerald Division. If the team wants to contend for a spot in the NSPL's top flight next season, they will have to prove that they can win against competition in their division.

The first match of the NSPL season was a high scoring encounter with the Heretic Cleansing Squad. Oliver Simms, the budding twenty-two year old star netted two goals in his first start with the club. The defense struggled, giving up three goals over a span of twenty-three minutes. Brandon Sanders scored the equalizer in the 76th minute to draw the game at 3 goals apiece.

The Saints next match was against Royal PFC. The Saints got of to a hot start with a goal off the foot of twenty-one year old forward, Jack Andrews in the 12th minute. The defense played well enough to hold the one goal lead until the 53rd minute. No scoring was had after that point despite some wonderful opportunities by the Saints. The score remained 1-1 at the final whistle.

The third match of the season was against La Condomine. Both squads had near flawless performances and because of the brilliant play of both defenses, neither side managed to score. The Saints left that match a little disappointed due to the fact that they have yet to land in the win column but hope to change their fortune in their next match for Jade Cup qualification. The club will then have matches against FC United and Natanyan National FC.

NationStates Premier League Season One IC - MD 1 Posted

RTD1: #1-Jump Start

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