The Pony Republic of Equestrian States
National Hoofball Team - World Cup 62 Roster
Team History
Hoofball is easily the most popular sport in the Equestrian States. Known internationally as football or soccer, the game has long been a part of the Equestrian sporting identity. However, it was not until just a few decades ago that the first national leagues began organizing in the country, and even younger than the leagues is the Equestrian national team.
Formed prior to the 58th World Cup, the first international tournament participated in by the Equestrian States was Baptism of Fire 45. But despite the team’s decent performance, they were eliminated by the end of the group stage. Looking to redeem themselves, the Equestrians joined Market Cup V. As the tournament progressed, many teams shifted their best teams to the World Cup, but the Equestrians remained invested in the Market Cup. In the end, the Equestrian States would win the Market Cup, but thanks to their neglect of the qualifiers, failed miserably in World Cup 58.
The next appearance of the Equestrian States would come in the first regional tournament in the Pony Lands: Equestria Cup I. Organized and hosted by the Equestrian States, the tournament was not large by international standards, but given the general lack of interest in sports in the Pony Lands, it was a decent-sized competition. After finishing third in the Equestria Cup, the Equestrians looked forward to World Cup 59.
While the Equestrian performance in the World Cup 59 qualifiers was okay, the team and its supporters still felt the agony of elimination despite several upsets including a scoreless draw with the highly-ranked Jeruselem squad. Fortunately, the Equestrian States was recognized for its turnaround and was invited to compete in Cup of Harmony 51. Although the Equestrians went into the tournament with low expectations, they would silence their critics by stunning the higher-ranked West Zirconia and Darmen teams on their way to winning the group. Unfortunately, the Equestrians were drawn against Wight in the round of 16 and fell in a closely-contested match.
After two World Cup qualifying campaigns, the Equestrians were slowly rising higher in the rankings. But despite their increasing successes, few expected the Equestrian States to have a strong run as the World Cup 60 qualifiers got underway. While the team experienced a sluggish start, the Equestrians quickly recovered and upset Western Cuba on the road with a draw as the first half of the campaign came to a close. The second half of the tournament would witness a display of prowess by the Equestrian States not seen since the Market Cup. In the end, the Equestrians would advance to the playoff pods after an upset victory over Western Cuba. Their first playoff match, against West Zirconia, resulted in a surprising victory for the Equestrians and they advanced to face Astograth in a match to decide who would play in the World Cup. It was a close game, but the Equestrians would fall in additional extra time and instead of a stunning World Cup berth, went on to Cup of Harmony 52. Perhaps demotivated by just how close they came to qualifying, the Equestrians performed poorly in the Cup of Harmony. Finishing third in their group with losses to Kiryu-shi and Civil Citizenry, the Equestrians were knocked out of the tournament.
The World Cup 61 qualifiers would also prove to be painful for the Equestrian States. Despite dominant wins against several decent-ranked teams, the Equestrians struggled against several of the lowest-ranked teams in the group and found themselves in fourth place at the midpoint. Having come into the tournament looking to make the World Cup for the first time, the Equestrians knew they were far behind in the race and would have to perform well in the second half to have even a chance at a playoff spot. But cruel fate seemed to be against the Equestrian States in the tournament, and despite surprising draws on the road against both Cosumar and Krytenia, the Equestrians fell just short of advancing thanks to a couple of home draws against the lower teams that robbed the Equestrian States of the precious few points that would have allowed them to advance. To add injury to insult, starting goalkeeper High Soarin’ was unable to play in the last few critical matches thanks to an untimely injury.
Once again, the Equestrians went to compete in the Cup of Harmony as a consolation prize for their valiant efforts at qualification. The group stage was difficult, and with High Soarin’ unable to play, the Equestrians were forced to rely on back-up Mac Stevenson. While the Equestrians snuck out of the group in second place, they ran into a wall against the host nation of Turori. After 120 minutes of hard play, the match was to be decided by penalties. Equestrian fans could hardly watch as Stevenson failed to stop a single shot. Once again, the Equestrian States had come close only to be denied and eliminated.
The World Cup 62 qualifiers will be the fifth time that the Equestrians have competed in the event, but it will be only the second time that they will look to qualify from the first match day. Equestrian supporters have watched their team improve dramatically over the last few campaigns from where they were at the end of the 45th Baptism of Fire and now expect strong performances in every match no matter the opponent. Perhaps the Equestrian national team will finally have the breakthrough that it needs, perhaps they won’t. Either way, this looks to be a promising campaign for the Equestrian States.
Quick Stats
KPB Ranking: 52nd (15.17 pts.)
Style Modifier: +2
All-Time Record: 61-27-32 (10-0-4 at WCQ62)
Achievments: Market Cup V (Champions), Equestria Cup II (Runner-Up), Equestria Cup I (3rd Place), Cup of Harmony 51 and 53 (Round of 16)
Group 9
#20 - Qazox (27.57 pts.)
#36 - Darmen (19.71 pts.)
#52 - Equestrian States (15.17 pts.)
#90 - United Gordonopia (9.36 pts.)
#114 - The Scandinavian Islands (6.00 pts.)
#192 - Weatherdon (2.57 pts.)
#276 - East Shippensburg (1.00 pts.)
UR - Gangnam (0.00 pts.)
Tournament Schedule
Qualifiers - Group 9
MD1: Equestrian States 3, Darmen 2 at National Stadium (cap. 79,220) in Darmen City, Darmen (Win)
MD2: Equestrian States 1, The Scandinavian Islands 0 at the Equestria Dome (cap. 87,500) in Canterlot, Equestrian States (Win)
MD3: Qazox 6, Equestrian States 2 at Qazian Memorial Stadium II (cap. 100,052) in Qazox City, Qazox (Loss)
MD4: Equestrian States 2, East Shippensburg 0 at an Unknown Stadium (cap. Unknown) in an Unknown City, East Shippensburg (Win)
MD5: Equestrian States 3, Weatherdon 1 at Diamond Park (cap. 60,000) in Stalliongrad, Equestrian States (Win)
MD6: United Gordonopia 2, Equestrian States 0 at Empire Stadium (cap. 122,000) in Gordonopia City, United Gordonopia (Loss)
MD7: Equestrian States 5, Gangnam 0 at Derby Field (cap. 54,000) in Manehattan, Equestrian States (Win)
MD8: Equestrian States 3, Darmen 1 at Sky-High Coliseum (cap. 45,000) in Cloudsdale, Equestrian States (Win)
MD9: The Scandinavian Islands 2, Equestrian States 0 at an Unknown Stadium (cap. Unknown) in an Unknown City, The Scandinavian Islands (Loss)
MD10: Qazox 2, Equestrian States 0 at Manticore Park (cap. 41,000) in Everfree, Equestrian States (Loss)
MD11: Equestrian States 3, East Shippensburg 1 at Elements Stadium (cap. 38,000) in Ponyville, Equestrian States (Win)
MD12: Equestrian States 3, Weatherdon 0 at an Unknown Stadium (cap. Unknown) in an Unknown City, Weatherdon (Win)
MD13: Equestrian States 3, United Gordonopia 1 at the Equestria Dome (cap. 87,500) in Canterlot, Equestrian States (Win)
MD14: Equestrian States 4, Gangnam 0 at an Unknown Stadium (cap. Unknown) in an Unknown City, Gangnam (Win)
Playoff Match
Jeru FC vs. Equestrian States at New Beltzura Stadium (cap. 46,000) in Basabe, Astograth
Quick Roster
Starters
GK - High Soarin' (Pegasus - Male)
DF - Flitter (Pegasus - Female)
DF - Stronghoof (Buffalo - Male)
DF - Andrea Molovi (Human - Female)
MF - Starlight Sparkle (Unicorn - Female)
MF - Cloudchaser (Pegasus - Female)
MF - Candace Rivers (Human - Female)
MF - Rapid Dash (Pegasus - Female)
MF - Apple Jack (Earth Pony - Male)
FW - Fire Dash (Pegasus - Male)
FW - Thunderlane (Pegasus - Male)
Reserves
GK - Barrel Roll (Earth Pony - Female)
GK - Gentle Breeze (Pegasus - Female)
DF - Fight Night (Unicorn - Male)
DF - Subtle Trix (Pegasus - Male)
DF - Ice Block (Pegasus - Male)
DF - Ironclaw (Griffon - Female)
DF - Blackmane (Earth Pony - Male)
DF - Antonio Randall (Human - Male)
DF - Diamondheart (Dragon - Female)
MF - Apple Pie (Earth Pony - Female)
MF - Carrot Cake (Earth Pony - Female)
MF - Ironhide (Dragon - Male)
MF - Gold Flash (Unicorn - Female)
MF - Lightning Bolt (Pegasus - Male)
MF - Blazing Fire (Griffon - Male)
FW - Sonar (Bat Pony - Male)
FW - Quick Bolt (Pegasus - Female)
FW - Blaze (Earth Pony - Male)
FW - Katherine Everdeen (Human - Female)
Starters (3-5-2)
Reserves
Staff
Stadium Information
RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (Nothing serious without TG permission)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (Max: 2)
Hand out red cards to my players: No
Godmod other events: Yes