Hannah Miller had an international debut to remember, as she picked up an assist inside the first minute of the Suns' opening clash with 95X. 95X started with the ball, but Miller swooped on the second pass from Foureleven to Sunset, before feeding a lobbed ball over the top for Martin Bailey to head home. Bailey's goal was the fastest goal ever scored by a Barunian in international competition, and the second fastest by a Barunian ever, just behind Leon Reno's 30-second stunner in the 1st year of the X-League.
It was also the only goal of the match, with neither Collins-Holzknecht or Bailey able to capitalise on their chances, while a strong defensive effort kept the 95Xer's goalless in their first World Cup match in a long time. Not even the return of 95X legend Xi Foureleven from retirement could break through the wall that is Paul Bainbridge, with the veteran shot-stopper proving he still has what it takes, despite being in his late thirties.
While the single goal on the sheet might suggest a dull game, it was anything but; with excellent defensive performances on both sides the showcase. 95X players Bo Foureleven (Husband of Xi) and Wu Fivetwelve were outstanding, while teenager Sophie Riverforest made a good showing in her first game after coming off the bench. On the Barunian side, Daniel Kyrow was excellent at defensive midfield, while McClelland and Benitez impressed with their trademark aggressiveness.
Many Barunians might have been surprised to learn that the former World Champions are ranked below the Suns, but that is the case, with the Firebirds ranked 27th in the world. Barunia, on the other hand, have crept into the top 10, sitting in 10th place just ahead of Valanora. The ranking system counts the last three World Cups, and with three qualifications, plus two appearances beyond the group stage of the finals, Barunia have crept up into the exclusive club. Osarius failed to qualify for the last World Cup, and also missed out on the Cup of Harmony, which would have given them some extra ranking points.
With their rank, the Barunians made it into the first pot of the draw, while the Osarians were in the second. Thus, this game 2 matchup sees the top seeds fight it out. It was even money as far as the pundits were concerned, with predictions going either way. That is would be close was inevitable. That it would be a tie was acceptable, for many, including Barunian coach Joric Ruskin, who said that the team was happy with the one point. "The important thing is not to lose games against the better sides in this group. The plan for qualification is simple: get the job done against the small-fry and get the three points, and don't lose to Osarius or Boring Paradise. Do that, one of the top two spots is ours." Akio Sweet, who plays in Osarius for Firewood City, said that it was great experience playing against some familiar faces, including some of his club teammates - an experience that is also incredibly rare, giving the amount of nations, the randomness of world cup groups, and the fact that most Barunians play domestically. Sweet is just one of two players on the national team to play outside Barunia - the other is Kassandra Berry, who plays in Equestrian States.
The Barunians started with the lead after Collins-Holzknecht struck in the 13th minute, but Osarius responded with two of their own before half time. After the break, It was Kass Berry who got the equaliser, backing up after Bailey missed a cross from Cartwright on the opposing win.
Osarius then went back in front in the 76th minute, after a corner. Seconds earlier Liesel McClelland had made a brilliant sliding save after the Osarian striker got between Bainbridge and goal, her effort deflecting the ball across the baseline. Unfortunately, the resulting corner found the same striker at the far post, who got the header right on target.
It looked like the game might be going the way of the firebirds, but Collins-Holzknecht showed why her nickname is the pocket rocket, showing a good turn of speed as she threaded through the defence and nailed a shot into the bottom corner, to level the score at three-all. That's where it stayed, and the Suns and Firebirds shared the points.
The draw puts both teams at the top of the table in Group 16, with Osarius just ahead of the Suns on goal difference, having beaten Erathore 3-0 on day one. That nation has yet to record a win, having gone down to The New North African Republic today, while in the day's other game, Mercedini inflicted a humiliating 7-2 thumping on 95X, leaving that team on the bottom of the ladder.
(Hamilton Escarrà)
