(Note: The Tropical Trophy is a seasonal competition between the Vilitan Stellar Division Champions and Vilitan Cup Champions. There has been some controversy as to whether it is a "Season Ending" event or a "Season beginning" event, though it has tended to be closer to the start of the new season, then the end of the previous one.
Traditionally, the Tropical Trophy is contested between the V-League Stellar Division Champions and the Vilitan Cup Champions. However, in cases where the same team wins both titles, the V-League Stellar Division Runners-Up take the second slot.
Jungle Strike FC - v. - Mliona-Lpaka FC
Tivali Ring Stadium, Alikki-Corra, Vilita
Jungle Strike FC [4-4-2] ::
[GK] Kajaxo Imaslavii (AUD), [D] Arthur Moon (KZP), [D] Bas Bodnark, [D] Miiara Makose (VIL), [D] Henri-Rene Lavaillere (NMS), [M] Jian Lejsrma (VIL), [M] Coll Brodie (TBI), [M] Friekder Dandalleion (FRF), [M] Yves Gadois (VIL), [F] Lopaki Kilpter (VIL) [F] Viji-mara Lawaai (VIL),
Mliona-Lpaka FC [3-4-3] ::
[GK] Jawz Tiiaupila (VIL) , [D] Leii Danias, [D] Ichi Tuzzio (FRF), [D] Russi Zakoli, [M] Bisi Hattu, [M] Manolis Kontalroma (VIL), [M] Resaie Kentiak (VIL), [M] Jomur Hulyer (VIL), [F] Eric Tyler, [F] Ceri Sabilli, [F] Aimee Irin'Lur (ASV)
Turorian referee Tuaoko Vumaou was called upon to officiate the match for the fourth consecutive season.
Jungle Strike FC didn't waste any time putting the pressure on with an early sequence that saw Yves Gadois play Friekder Dandaellion free in the box. While turning to place a shot on goal, Danias grabbed Dandaelleion's shirt impeding the players progress and preventing the shot from being taken. Initially, referee Vumaou did not whistle for a foul but the linesman spotted it and got the attention quickly of Vumaou. After a consultation, a penalty was awarded to the Vilitan side.
It was Dandaelleion to take the kick himself and he made no mistake getting the ball past Jawz Tiiaupila to put the Venom up by a 1-0 scoreling just 2 minutes into the match.
Mliona-Lpaka quickly responded, however, not seeming quite ready to conclude their reign as Tropical Trophy champions. It was the never-aging Eric Tyler, formerly of Krytenia, who equalized and set the tone for what would become a very tight and tense matchup.
Strikes Miiara Makose nearly got sent off on the half hour mark after a nasty foul on Kentiak but escaped with a yellow card and a strong talking to from Vumaou. Both sides had their fair share of chances as the first half came to a close but Tiiaupila most certainly had more to do with most of Strike's chances forcing the Vilitan keeper to make a save while Audioslavia's World-Cup Champion Kajaxo Imaslavii had little to do but look up into the sky to see the efforts of Mliona-Lpaka sailing well over the goal.
1 Dandalleion (3')1
Tyler (9')
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The second half started with a free kick to Strike and a yellow card to Farfadillis player Ichi Tuzzio, squaring off against his countrymate Dandalleion for the first time with Mliona-Lpaka. The free kick was placed way over the goal, however, and the remainder of the second half would lose a bit of a lustre that the pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes seemed to have promised.
Regular time came and went with extra time required for the 8th time in the history of the competition. For just the 5th time ever, however, 120 minutes was also not enough. Audioslavia's Kajaxo Imaslavii, representing Strike FC, lined up alongside Tiiaupila for Mliona-Lpaka. It would be the Tuorian's to shoot first with Manolis Kontalroma stepping up against the World Champion.
Imaslavii emphatically stopped Kontalroma's effort in its tracks giving all the momentum to the Venom until Gadois blasted his effort over the bar to keep the tallies level. The Farf duo were up next and both Tuzzio and Dandalleion converted for their respective teams, followed by 4 more from each side with Brodie, Lavaillere, Lawaai and Lejsrma all converting for Strike. Danias stepped up for Mliona-Lpaka in the 7th round and blazed wildly over the net leaving Relamr Winauat with the ball at his feet and the Tropical Trophy in his sights.
The Vilita made no mistake as Strike FC celebration victory in the Tropical Trophy for both Club and Country. Friekder Dandalleion of Strike FC was given the Tropical Trophy MVP honors.
Statwise:
:: This is Strike's 12th Tropical Trophy Victory in their 21st appearance, leading all clubs.
:: This is the 1st Tropical Trophy Victory defeat for Mliona-Lpaka
:: This is the 8th Tropical Trophy to require Extra Time
:: This is the 5th Tropical Trophy to be decided on Penalty Kicks
:: This ends a streak of 6 consecutive Tropical Trophies with a unique champion, resetting the streak to just 3 consecutive winners.
:: Eric Tyler became the oldest player to compete in the Tropical Trophy since Tristain Verelst played for Makosile during Season 24, and the oldest player to compete in the Tropical Trophy during the Modern Era*
* The modern Era is defined as all seasons from Season 26 on. Seasons 1-25 are the 'classic era'.
Tropical Trophy Host Site:
Tivali Ring Stadium - Alikki-Corra, Vilita (87,000 Capacity)
The Football Association of Vilita is based at the Tivali-Ring Stadium in the capital city of Alikki-Corra, Vilita and many National Team training sessions take place on the grounds of the Tivali Ring. The Football Association regularly schedule matches at arenas throughout Vilita, especially bigger matches as many of the stadiums that host Stellar Division and UICA competition matches have expanded far beyond the capacity of the National Stadium at Tivali Ring, which is used only for the National Team, and, for the Vilitan Cup Final and Tropical Trophy matchup. In addition to its World Cup matches, 'The Ring' hosted the 40th UICA Series 'B' Champions Cup Final. The stadium was constructed as part of the Vilitan bid to host the World Cup 14 Cup of Harmony as a replacement to the former National Stadium in Lopinka that was destroyed during a regional conflict.
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Past Seasons, Format and Background Information on the Vilitan League is available in the Vilitan League Thread
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