World Cup 73 - RPing Thread

by **Krytenia** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 4:34 pm

K1K: The Game Of History

MATCH #361: WHAT'S THE TIME?
Starblaydia 8-0 Krytenia, Friendly
Jhanna, Starblaydia, 11 June 2089

OK, we're not going to lie, that draw in Keyne Island was an unmitigated disaster. Still, we've had worse days...

THE BUILD-UP
Krytenia had slipped out of the international limelight after World Cup XXXIII, missing four entire cycles of the competition. In their absence, the balance of power had shifted from Starblaydia and Bedistan (and Casari) to the likes of Bettia and Az-cz. The Aces' return in World Cup XXXVIII hadn't exactly lit up the world - in fact, they'd won only two games and rounded out a miserable campaign by getting themselves hammered six-two by Valanora - but hope sprang eternal for their chances of making it to the big stage for World Cup XXXIX.

That hope was sorely misguided.

The first half of qualifying comprised seven matches, and yielded all of five points. Consecutive five-nil drubbings at the hands of Bostopia and Ariddia hadn't helped, either. Still, there was some light at the end of the tunnel; Krytenia were assured of qualification for World Cup XL as co-hosts with Starblaydia...which brings us to this little friendly encounter.

THE MATCH
It's almost remiss to call this a "match" in the conventional sense of the word. Though this Starblaydi side was certainly not a patch on the ones that had racked up a clutch of World Cup winners medals, they were no slouches. Which is more than can be said for their opponents. The likes of Steven Sparrow and Oliver McDonald have been almost erased by the mists of time, such was their complete lack of impact on the side. Raph Kennedy carried the team, whilst Peter Pojencic scared attackers with his face - a tactic that seemed to work on his players a few years later when he went off to manage Hypocria.

One player, though, whose name will never be forgotten, though, is John Ibanez. And this game is the reason why.

Ibanez had a torrid time of things in the Krytenian goal that day. Perhaps it's a little unfair to place all the blame on him, there were defenders ahead (such as Sparrow, Pojencic, and Darren Gibernau) who did themselves no favours. The sight, though, of Ibanez fumbling a weak Roque Bravo header into his own net is one almost burned onto the retina of any Aces fan (or, indeed, prospective goalkeeper). That particular moment was goal number six; Tarquin Fullbright had already helped himself to four, and Antonio Mora had also got in on the act with a smart strike that Ibanez might have saved had he actually reacted in a timely fashion.

The Starblaydis are always one to enjoy the twist of the knife in a victims helpless flesh, and the replacement of Fullbright with Stefan Hinkonnen simply meant fresh legs to torment the Aces with. Two well-taken goals later, the embarrassment was complete. Aces boss Sam Duffy, in a classic case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, finally hoiked Ibanez and replaced him with veteran 'keeper Adam Toivonen. The tide was stemmed, and it wouldn't be the first time Toivonen would be replacing someone that day...

THE AFTERMATH
The repercussions were swift and bloody. Sam Duffy and his entire coaching staff were unceremoniusly fired within minutes of the final whistle, with Toivonen installed as player-manager. His first act was to drop Ibanez from the team; his career never recovered and he spent his later years as a virtual recluse. It didn't help that the question asked in our title up there is still answered by Starblaydis with the phrase "Eight Past Ibanez".

As for the rest of the team, their fortunes improved somewhat in the second half of qualifying, losing only one of their return matches - and even that was a completely understandable away defeat to a strong Ariddian side. The Aces may have failed to qualify, but it did set them up for a decent Cup of Harmony campaign that saw them through to the quarter-finals.

As for Starblaydia...they'd be back...

#1: It Haperd One Night
#89: You Beat Us, We're Still Better
#637: The Magnificent Seven

by **Osarius** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:32 pm

           Osarius 4-0 Kaboomlandia      
    Poynter 9' 71'                     
       Laccona 49'                       
       Mancini 57'                       
                                         
Player of the Match: Andrea Poynter (OSR)         

Squads:
  OSR [4-3-3] Suarez (Monteforte 86); Simpson, Bianchi, Riviello, Turner; Mancini (c), 
              Mitchell (Feliciano 68), Afolayan (Drummond 68); Kane, Laccona, Poynter
  KBM [3-4-3] McEachern; Ciliano, Burrell, Cracknell; Epone, Lapointe, 
              Bradbury (Wright 58), Kessler; Allard, T. Libin, D. Libin

In many ways, this was the first proper test Azarai Robinson has faced as Osarius boss. Not in terms of quality of opposition, but tactically. How would he adapt to cope with the unorthodox system employed by Kaboomlandia and their aggressively defensive, stifling plan? The answer, perhaps disappointingly, was to stack the team with runners and leave Salvatore Laccona as a lone forward. Confused? We'll get back to that later.

Neither side really lined up in the formations listed on their team sheets, and given the relative inexperience of both coaches, it was a curious tactical battle. Osarius' claims of a 4-3-3 were technically correct, but with Kane dropping off the front line, and Poynter drifting into central positions nearer to Afolayan, it would not be a stretch to consider it a lop-sided 4-2-3-1. On the other side, Kaboomlandia's nominal 3-4-3 rarely resembled anything of the sort, with Ciliano more often than not being left alone in the defensive zone ahead of the penalty area, while the Libin siblings dropped off the front line to pack eight bodies in the midfield zones.

Normally, this would be a problem. Particularly on the short pitch at Mount Crown Stadium, where space is at a premium, but Robinson seemed to be wise to the plot from the first whistle. Whatever footage and notes his scouting team had passed along must have been invaluable, as it took less than ten minutes for Andrea Poynter to collect a flicked header from Laccona, beating the offside trap, to open scoring. The trick was to use that crowding against the visitors.

"We're used to operating in tight spaces," explained Robinson, post-match. "I had faith in my players to handle that bit, then it was a case of either creating opportunities for flick-ons, or putting Sal [Laccona] in places he could hold the ball up while we got bodies forward." This would explain the odd selection of both Poynter and Afolayan -- who would normally be competing for the role at the forward-most point of the Osarian midfield triangle -- alongside the box-to-box midfielders Mancini and Mitchell. Izotz Zubia's Fabio Mancini, who wore the captain's armband in the absence of Juan Pablo Rodriguez, was particularly troublesome; hanging back during the attack phase for as long as possible, before barreling forward to support the front four. "Fabio seems to be getting better at that late arrival. It's something Roque Acosta did a lot, and before him Jayson Dhanda, before him Jermain Lewis... it's a key part of the Osarian system, I think, and it wasn't something he was doing often enough last cycle." Assistant manager Reiss Ryerson revealed. "With him forcing the opposition to track every run, and he sprints, he really made it tough for them to keep up. When he got that goal near the hour mark, he was pretty much in the clear."

Osarius' normal width on the attack was almost entirely absent against Kaboomlandia, perhaps owing to the difficulty in releasing wingers into space against a well-drilled, high line. Instead the attacking width came from fullback on the right, with India Turner making late, surging runs to support Poynter on the outside, or Wesley Kane communicating well with Will Simpson to create double teams on the left. "I was really impressed with the chemistry between Will [Simpson] and Wes [Kane]," Serenity Lewis told us. "They changed things up a lot, switching whether Will should cut inside or overlap depending on coverage, and it really helped us out by stretching the midfield zone horizontally at times." The lack of width while attacking was less noticeable thanks to this movement from fullback, removing bodies from a crowded area, and creating gaps for the creative players like Afolayan, Kane and Poynter to start picking holes in the defence. While Kaboomlandia put up a valiant fight -- limiting Osarius to just three shots in the first half at home is impressive, to say the least -- and their unorthodox style has strengths, they were simply outclassed by a very strong Firebirds selection on the day. "I think the gaffer will go home, plot and scheme, and make things tougher for us when we visit them." Robinson admitted. "On another day, his plan may have worked, normally we go with pacy, young wingers. It was only thanks to our scouting and analysis team that I was able to prepare a counter-strategy here."

Next up for the Firebirds is perhaps their toughest fixture of this qualifying campaign, as they travel to face a formidable Unified Sunrise Islands team. "It's hard to know what to expect from the Sunrisians, they're mercurial." Robinson said, when questioned whether he had a plan to beat the group's second seeds. "But the plan is always the same: play better than the other team." He added, to mild laughter. "Most of the time, if you can do that, you win." He's not wrong. Most of the time.

* * * * *

Roque Acosta went to pull the armband off his left bicep as he made his way toward the tunnel. 'Instinct.' He thought to himself. 'I forget I'm not on the pitch.' He had been pitchside in the aftermath of the match, giving an interview for OSN, providing commentary on what he'd seen. The usual stuff, really. It was clear he still hadn't adjusted to punditry, though. Despite his insightful comments, he just wasn't really... media friendly. At least not yet. He shook the hand of ... someone he didn't recognise as he walked toward the Osarius dressing room. "Just gonna congratulate the lads," he told the man he didn't recognise, as he maintained his brisk walking pace, almost as if trying to escape the network cameras he had left behind near the dugout. Glancing around in the tunnel, he smiled. So many familiar sights. Smells, even. As he made his way down the corridors to the dressing rooms, he took notice of all the photographs on the walls. Old friends, the lot of them. Well, all except two of himself holding the World Cup; he still hadn't quite gotten used to those. 'Twice, heh. So damn lucky.'

"Skipper!" The shout dragged him from his thoughts, and he wheeled around.

"Manu!" He embraced the big defender tightly, as one might a brother you haven't seen since the last family reunion. "How've you been you big-"

"Better than you, old-timer!" The big man cut him off. Emanuele Riviello was like that. Sharp as a tack when it came to throwing insults around; probably the result of spending so much time with Toby Drummond, Roque mused.

"Naff off, you git." Ah, the classic comeback. "Just had to do a TV thing for OSN, wanted to pass by the dressing room and see how you lot are doing. Make sure you don't miss me too much, I saw you struggle last year without me."

Emanuele laughed. A great, booming laugh that echoed forcefully off the walls. It seemed to infiltrate the body when heard. "Cheeky git. We missed Tobes, and Ezio. You, mate? Nah."

"No but seriously, you guys look a lot better this year. What changed? What was going wrong for Jermain?"

"Nothing, really. We just had a bad run, got unlucky. But you know the gaffer, doesn't really know how to lose, does he?"

"Yeah..." That much was true enough. Jermain Lewis loved to tell a humourous anecdote about his own boss, from his playing days, involving Scrabble. The joke was that he'd tried to play the word 'defeat' and was refused, because it's 'not a real word'. Roque had found it ironic at the time, given Lewis' own clear issues accepting losses.

"I think the real difference isn't really the manager, though I like the guy." Manu said.

"Then what?"

Manu's tone got serious all of a sudden. "The younger guys have matured."

"Mm." Nothing more needed to be said, they both knew what Manu had meant. Roque had seen it for himself, in the fifty-seventh minute. If he had left a void when he retired from international football, then it was now clear that Fabio Mancini had grown to fill that void. More than fill it, in fact. An awkward pause followed. "He's already better than me, you know, Manu."

"I supected."

"No replacement for Tobes and Ezio, though."

"Not sure we need like-for-like replacements for those two." Manu replied.

"But they're once-... well, twice-in-a-lifetime talents." Roque protested.

"Exactly, and that's why we don't need like-for-like. Just something close enough. You were the real key, Rock. I'll keep telling you until you believe me."

'And I'll never believe you,' Roque thought. "That's why the team looks so strong again? Is that what you're getting at? Because Fabio is everything I was, and more?"

"Something like that." Manu stopped walking. They'd reached the home team dressing room. "Come in, have a word with the guys. Gaffer won't mind." Roque looked at the door. He'd walked through it so many times, but never really digested what it meant until now. "Yeah, be good to see some of those gits." As they walked in, Roque caught a glimpse of the captain's armband. He grasped at his left bicep. 'Oh yeah...' He remembered.

by **Witty Penguins** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:10 pm

WC QUALIFIERS: U.S. Devonta 0-0 A.U.W.P.

16 October 2015

UNITIA CITY - The Penguins may have been having a case of deja-vu after once again, drawing nil-all in their World Cup 73 Qualifying match. This means that the team is still yet to secure their first goal of tournament, however at the same are one of the only two teams in Group 18 that have yet to lose a match - the other being group-leaders Saintland. Their draw today against the United States of Devonta now places them in 5th, above New Gelderland and Cuboneland.

Playing in their home colours for the first time this tournament, the Penguinish players started considerably better than their previous match against New Gelderland, holding a solid percentage of possession throughout the game. In particular, Klaus Gunther improved his performance, converting that posession into numerous shots at the goal. In the 36th minute Pierre Fort made a short and quick pass to Gunther, who then escaped Daniel Kindred to make a powerful shot for the top left corner. However the resilient Devonta goalkeeper Bradley Cooper did well to ensure that the home sides' score remained at zero, gaining a touch on the ball to deflect it out of the goal area. Another close save occurred in the 54th minute, when Pierre Fort headed a corner from Troy Cornet, only for Cooper to grasp it. Martinez replaced Gunther in the 79th minute, and was only able to get a single shot towards goal, which went well over the top. However our own Oliver Johnson had his work cut out for him as well, with Adams and Johansen both taking turns at shooting. Ultimately neither side could muster a goal throughout the 92 minutes, and the Penguins once again left with a single point.

Some fans and commentators are beginning to express concern about the teams' performance, having yet to be able to win a single match. Controversial sports blogger Johan Peterson, of 'TheSquawker.up', said in his post-match review, "It has only been two matches and the Penguins' fate has already been sealed: they are out of the World Cup. Let's put our patriotism to the side for the moment and look at the facts - they had little chance of qualifying to start with..." Meanwhile, other supporters continued to express their trust in the team.

Richard Peak, speaking to journalists at the post-match conference, said that he was generally pleased at the player's effort today.

"The team have proved twice that they have the ability to hold their defenses against their opponents. And today the offense also proved their potential. There's always room to improve, and we'll be looking to build our team up further to produce some wins."

Meanwhile in Group 18, Saintland have continued their 3 win streak, winning 1-0 against Maklohi Vai to concrete their place as group-leaders. Abanhfleft proved to be victorious against New Gelderland, scoring two goals, and conceding none. Cuboneland had a bye today, and remain last in their group, unable to win a match as of yet. Tomorrow the Penguins will be up against 2nd place team Abanhfleft.

by **Kaboomlandia** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:19 pm

Landmark Decision in Kaboomlandian Court

GOME, Kaboomlandia
It's been a long time coming. After a 17-year fight, sports players from the Kaboomlandian Foreign Territory are finally allowed to compete for Kaboomlandia after a long-standing law that prohibited members of the Kaboomlandian Foreign Territory from playing for Kaboomlandian club teams or for the national team in any sport was declared unconstitutional this morning. The debate flared back up near the end of last year, when baseball pitcher Axel Hammårschønd, of the Territory, filed a challenge in court against the legality of the law. The courts ruled that allowing other nations to send players to Kaboomlandian leagues while banning Territorians was biased and against the constitution of Kaboomlandia. The Territory's sports program is poorly funded, though the country, which is a semi-autonomous exclave of Kaboomlandia, has produced several skilled players who have had to take their trade to other nations.

by **Ceni** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:47 pm

NEW STADIA, NEW MANAGER, NEW RESULTS?
A change in scenery should help Ceni's qualifying campaigns

Everyone knows how poorly Ceni has fared at these World Cup qualifiers so far- with not a single qualification to its name, Ceni is one of the highest ranked teams that has never qualified for the World Cup. However, the former manager of Tir Snake Strike, Kirk Koromin, father of Cenian footballing talent Kel and Kira Koromin, hopes to change things with a victorious qualification campaign for World Cup 73. Aided in his bid for qualification are three new stadiums built in Ceni, the construction perhaps indicating that Ceni has an eye on hosting the World Cup. However, in a more immediate benefit, the new national stadium - Cenial Halcyon Stadium in the southern area of Cenial - will serve to boost confidence and act as part of a catharsis of emotions.

Back in the days when Ceni wasn't too involved in football, Kirk Koromin was one of the most prolific Cenian players of his time, playing as a center midfielder (sometimes as an attacking midfielder) in college and in various clubs before making the nominal Cenian national team - not worth much as the team never participated in any international tournaments. However, he decided to give up football after a couple of years to pursue his career in business. It turns out that business didn't suit Koromin all that much and he longed to return to the sport of football. The emerging club of Tir Snake Strike offered Koromin a position as manager of their nascent club - something that Koromin readily accepted. He won plaudits for his training strategy, emphasizing physicality and often training with the team himself to show his solidarity. When the Cenian Premier League started only a couple of years ago, Koromin's training regimen, which had brought unity and cohesion to the team, as well as some very promising footballers, paid off; the club won the very first title, with only one loss the entire season. His second season with the club, Tir Snake Strike was able to snap up his son Kel and his friend Will Noveth, adding to the team's prestige and luster. Unsurprisingly, the team won the title again.

In his personal life, Kel enjoys reading, current events, and listening to music (a lot of New Age). Around the early time of his managing career, Kirk Koromin met his future wife, Dari, a promising trainee for the club. He married Dari a couple of years later and the two have enjoyed a very happy marriage, producing two of Ceni's most lauded and praised footballers - Kel Koromin and Kira Koromin. Kirk is very involved in his family life and treats his family, along with football, of course, very seriously. In terms of managing style, Koromin prefers an aggressive style of football but one that prefers to take on mistakes by the other team. After taking charge of the Cenian national team, Koromin toned down the attacking by a little, covering some holes in the midfield, which was previously undefended with a lot of Ceni's players in the attacking half of the pitch. Koromin has also focused on repairing personal tensions between players, some of which had gotten out of control. And most importantly, Koromin has started to work on improving the team's confidence by a lot. And the team needs the confidence that Koromin has been working to establish.

"I think that Ceni has a lot of potential to go forth to the World Cup tournament itself," the eldest Koromin told Goal. "We've had this goal of qualifying for the World Cup in the years and years since when we first entered the Baptism of Fire. Unfortunately we haven't done so well in the past but I know that this cycle will be the time that we can qualify and finally make it past our fears." On the subject of the supposed "first-round curse" and the loss to Matthewsiania, Koromin offered this: "We need to stop focusing on our defeats and instead start focusing on our wins. We cannot let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams. I know we still have the dream of going to the World Cup, and I know that our dream isn't done." On the topic of the nepotism that critics have accused Koromin of, he replied that "I'm sure Osman [Ibarra, the former head manager of the Cenian national team] would have selected Kel and Kira based on their footballing skills and I try to do the same, especially if we look at their performances, especially Kira's at the Di Bradini Cup. That's results that speak for themselves." But of course, Koromin acknowledged that he was proud of his two children, just like any father.

Meanwhile, the Cenian Football Association (CFA) has embarked on a stadium-building program - with perhaps an eye on the World Cup, but with the nominal reason of supporting Ceni's burgeoning league system (in fact, this is a valid reason, as 1860 Azoth and Cenial United were previously sharing Shadow B'betsy Stadium). However, a more tangential impact is that Ceni has a lot more confidence in its home matches. That confidence showed in the home match against Herberland. Previously, the Shadow B'betsy Stadium was the site of some of the most heartbreaking results in Cenian football history - most specifically the fluke defeat to Octinstine two years ago. More specifically to the stadiums at hand, the Cenial Halcyon National Stadium will now host most of Cenial's home matches. With a capacity of 85,000, the stadium has an unique roof which is retractable in case of inclement weather, preserving the optimal climate for spectators inside the stadium. The stadium also has won plaudits from national team players who say the stadium is one of the best grass pitches they have played on. Cenial United will also host home matches in this stadium. The New Oxford Coliseum was designed at the request of the club Myrmidon and will host 55,000 spectators at full capacity for matches; the Southeastern Ceni Arena will fit 49,500 spectators for matches. The club Polaris will use the stadium for its home games. All stadiums were built by Sky High Architecture, Ceni's premier architecture firm.

Kirk Koromin's accession to the managerial spot will certainly have confidence boosting effects among the national team. For starters, he has started to work on increasing the ties and chemistry between each of the players, as well as bringing that "winning" aura to the team, as he has done so with Tir Snake Strike. He has also worked to eliminate personal tensions between a lot of the players on the team. And finally, Koromin will bring a fresh slate to the team - and a new opportunity to do well. With the new stadiums as well, they will bring increased confidence because Ceni will no longer have to remember the results that befell them at Shadow B'betsy National Stadium. Most importantly with the fresh slate of the team - with stadiums and a manager - it will provide the team with an opportunity to make sure that yesterday's disappointments don't overshadow tomorrow's dreams, as manager Koromin said. Now - with this boost of confidence - the team is ready to qualify for the World Cup.

From left to right: Cenial Halcyon National Stadium, New Oxford Coliseum, Southeastern Ceni Arena

by **Sameba** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:51 pm

There was only four minutes left on the clock and the game was won, but the Dellaro was buzzing. Sameba were beating Alastonia 3-1 at home. They had taken the lead through a Pablo Dohi goal from close range before Fabio Quella doubled the lead with a fabulous solo effort just before half time. It had not all been plain sailing though as Alastonia nicked a scrappy goal back, only for Julius Carrera – consigned to the bench in qualifying in consecutive games for the first time – to come off the bench and restore the two goal advantage with a well taken run and finish. Now Sameba were looking set to take top spot in the group after Huele’s heroics and goals from Sarado and (somehow) Silva had won an unlikely point at Krytenia, a thrilling 4-4 draw. For their manager Catherine Bardsley, this was nothing less than a heartening display. This was a team that had a golden generation of potential which seemingly had been squandered by her Sameban predecessor Elgar Derei, even if they had shocked some big teams and become the qualifying nemesis of teams like Farfadillis and Cosumar. The big opportunity had been that qualification playoff against Audioslavia, and they had come up short when it mattered. Now it seemed that the hopes of this generation were not quite dead yet.

Bardsley’s first campaign had been dire and most of the core of the team were now over 30, but a mix of them and young talent and a new, brave attacking strategy were paying dividends. Throwing everything forward had got them a point against Krytenia, and now it was ensuring there was no mistake at home to Alastonia. Bardsley was, as usual, quite animated and mouthy on the sideline, even with a comfortable lead, and had used her final sub by bringing on Martin Berra to shore things up in midfield. A score update came in – Krytenia had followed up their shocker against Sameba with an even bigger shocker against their basically amateur neighbours Keyne Island, leaving Sameba sitting pretty in the group. The 93,000 fans in the Dellaro were mostly still here, though a few of the away fans had started to slink out. There was a rare shot at Sameba’s goal which made Catherine twitch In a moment of nervousness, but the experienced goalkeeper Roman Ayebler had no difficulty in getting down to take it with ease. The crowd whooped somewhat half-heartedly in approval as the game had been dying down for the last ten minutes and their voices had tired a bit after a particularly vocal first half display. Though as the minutes ticked by, even as the crowd got a bit quieter, one could sense an air of optimism that had not been present in the last couple of qualifying campaigns.

Before she could blink the stadium erupted as, with the final few kicks of the game, Huele was set up to stroke home a well worked goal to make it 4-1 before the final whistle blew. Catherine punched the air and retreated to her dugout to hug some of her advisors; this wasn’t the toughest fixture in their group but following up the Krytenia result was huge. They had to develop consistency and beat the lower seeds to have any chance as fourth seed. After shaking the opposition manager’s hand and meeting her players onto the pitch, she left her assistant to give the team a debriefing so she could go get a drink – she had lost her water bottle half an hour ago and was completely parched. As she stood alone in the drinks room adjacent to the players tunnel, she heard the metal door open behind her and turned, to see a brooding man in military uniform standing there. Army uniform. She tried to give him a firm smile, as her post game euphoria was cut short by the reminder of the ever presence of the military in this corporate dictatorship. ‘So, Catherine, five points from six. Not a bad start.’ She replied in her intermediate Sameban. ‘Cheers. I don’t believe you’ve met, sorry?’
‘We can speak English if you really want.’ This surprised her. ‘Really? I thought the brass hated that?’
‘Well I am the brass, and I’m telling you I’m okay with it. Now are you going to walk with me or not? I have a proposal for you.’

by **Brenecia** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:34 pm

Conrad Keane adjusted his tie.
He'd gotten this far by knowing who to talk to, when to talk to them and what to say. It'd gotten him a post as assistant, then a job as U-18 manager. He was well-paid, almost a job for life. But this?
This was a threat.
Catherine Bardsley had never liked him, and, frankly, saw through him at every turn. He'd gotten the assistant manager's job, but what had that meant when he'd been ignored at every turn? And now it was Bardsley's former assistant, Bale, in the managerial role. This was going nowhere good, was it?
And so he'd been called for a meeting. Senior officials within the FA were attending, as was Bale. Bale, who had recently been on record as criticising Keane's tactics and record as youth manager.
Fuck.
Well, this was it, then. This meeting would be a fight for his job.
He stepped into the boardroom.
"Conrad! Take a seat," purred Steve Pell, current President of the BFA. A few other executive chairmen were present as well - Searle and Daniel - while Bale and the current assistant, Fiona Sylver completed the table.
Keane sat.
"We'd like you to formally resign your post as Under-18 manager," Pell continued, hardly missing a beat.
What.
Keane breathed in. He breathed out. "What the fuck."
"You heard the man," snapped Sylver, leaning forward in her chair - Scott Daniel held her back.
"Easy, Fiona..."
"We feel it would be in the best interests of the Brenecian Football Association if the same philosophy was instilled at all age groups and skill levels-" Pell went on, but Keane cut him off.
"Don't give me that shit."
"It's not shit," interjected Bale. "It's the only way forward."
"Forward! You think this is the way forward? You really think this tiny fucking country can somehow achieve sustained success by all-out attack and just sort of praying it works? You don't have the infrastructure, the culture, the population!"
"Don't make this harder than it has to be, Conrad," said Searle quietly.
"Fuck off, Ben, I was your kid's fucking godfather!"
Bale flashed a glance at Searle, who looked studiously innocent.
"I'm not quitting," said Keane, firmly.
"Conr-"
"I'm not quitting! I'm not fucking quitting. I fought hard for this post, I earned this post-" Sylver scoffed. Keane ignored her. "I earned the right to have this post. I'm not fucking quitting. And if you do kick me out? You're fucked. You'll just doom yourself to more group stage exits for the rest of fucking time. That's all our golden generation did! One World Cup win from six matches, at the very peak of the national team's history. And it's not gonna get better. Scherzer's gone, Connolly's gone, you've forced Breton and Camden out. Faulkner, Cullen and Purrington aren't getting younger. And who's coming through now, yeah? Where's the next Cullen?"
"This initiative is to nurture the next Cullen," said Bale with a quiet edge to her tone.
"There won't be one! We have to be smart about this!"
"So your image for the future is your U-18 team, huh? A pack of Nepharim and Apoxians with actual Brenecians just filling the gaps. No spark, just... keeping it tight and hoofing it forward." Sylver shook her head, disgusted. "Like the bad old days."
"We didn't have the-"
"I don't think you understand, you fucking- I was there, moron! I was literally the fucking captain, while you were brown-nosing, playing golf with the prawn sandwich brigade and jacking off to tapes of Audioslavia in 63-"
"That's enough!" snapped Pell, finally exerting his authority.
Sylver and Keane glared at one another, breathing heavily. But a slow calm finally fell upon the group.
Pell breathed deeply. "If you refuse to resign, then we have no choice but to fire you. We'll forward you the appropriate paperwork. You're excused."
Keane slowly got up from his chair. "I'll be back, you bastards. This isn't the last you've seen of me."
"Don't make me call security, Conrad."
Keane snorted. "You disgust me."
And so he turned, and walked away from the job he'd fought so hard to get. But he'd be back. He knew he'd be back, someday.

by **Flardania** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:00 pm

OOC: Had midterm essay, short rp today.
AirPacifica flight 214
from Akihabara, Kirishima (Flardania)

If it isn't the girl who decided to be among the first players to leave Kirishima for abroad. Joseph Yabuta stated as he and Koharu Miyamoto approached Sayo Matsuoka. "So how is it in Armeia?" Koharu asked.

Sayo shrugged "Besides the specific location of my home team, not to well. Also downright scary." she replied

"Scary? How so?" Koharu asked

"Well you see rivalry games are very competitive, fans are hostile to other teams, sportsmanship is bad etiquette, and there is always risk for a brawl. Aremians seem to be unable to resist getting into fights." Sayo answered. But I'm stuck there so I might as well try to win clean without getting myself killed. sayo added.

Joseph and Koharu nodded before heading to there seats.

"It seems we are off to a very good start so far what do you think." Yabuta the star striker asked of his friend with benefit left back.

"We try to pull a Gim and go for the draw...if your talking about the next match. Or you get a spare room key once the plane lands and we spend sometime together to recover from Jet lag if your talking about me. So which is it?Koharu asked.

"I choose both." Joseph said with a smile.

by **Stvoto Latoli** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:08 pm

Groups 1-10 Matchday 3 Cutoff

Need Some Atmosphere?

SCORES

by **San Jose Guayabal** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:38 pm

WC 73 Qualifiers: Are we getting rhythm? the real test is coming to us.

Two victories in a row vs Aeqamustopia and Natanians and Nosts could have given a bit rhythm injection on the Guayabalense squad for the start of the qualifiers but the real test is coming to us, Gregoryisgodistan, that game is for sure difficult both phisically, mentally, it's a matter of history and national pride.

By: Karla Vásquez, proud nationalist woman and huge fan of La Selecta.
From: El Paraíso, Chalatenango, El Roblar - World Cup 73 - Qualifiers.
Posted: July 1st, 2203 - 22:36 (Guayabalense Western Time - User's local time)

Maybe our recent games in the World Cup Qualifier have not been the best of the best but we must emphasize that in order to obtain points has been accomplished in these, except for the setback against Jeruselem in the Cuscatlan Stadium was definitely a moment of WTF ? But that has been overcome as it should be, is not the end of the world that La Selecta lost the first game of a playoff, which matter itself is as we know play and we try to get the three points as many times as possible during this round it is quite short compared to others that have recently taken place, there are only twelve games, 36 possible points for and so the margin of error is reduced to negligible levels.

In the most recent game against Natanians and Nosts we had the chance to see a national team that has been raising his head after being defeated in the first game and a certain part of the press started talking trash about them, for those journalists have a question, perhaps losing the first game of a playoff elimination is a sentence? I answer no and say that recent history supports me very well, my argument is: You come from a period of several months of inactivity, unemployment in leagues and international competitions, you can start winning, but will not be easy, considering you have almost one or two months without playing a demanding level as a World Cup Qualifiers, where no game should be taken for given, other than in the World Cup started 72 worst losing two of our first four games, it seemed that a disaster but guess what would happen, since matchday four non lost until the first match of the World Cup Finals, we first qualify as a difficult group.

With the above said and the good game held in Aeqamustopia, La Selecta returned to San Jose Guayabal to play the game three of the qualifiers in the city of Rostov, with the support of 47,000 fans supporting La Selecta in the match, all with optimism and confidence that victory would remain in San Jose Guayabal. Natanians and Nosts entered the game after two bittersweet for them at the start of the qualifying defeats, they sought some claim and what better way to succeeding against the leading candidate to finish in the group and thus put our beards to soak and think our style of play and performance in this, so it was an important game for La Selecta if he gain momentum for the game against Gregoryisgodistan there in that shithole.

Oliveira's intentions were to get the three points at all costs and to rest certain players like Rodolfo Zelaya, Sean Fraser, Jonathan Faña, and Sebastián Núñez in order to take them with all the energies and in good condition for the next game, made to rest in soccer action would not mean that day, but had an intense three-hour session at a gym in order to do physical work and earn a little extra muscle for a game that appears to be of much physical contact.

With four of the main pillars of La Selecta at rest, Oliveira decided to use Dos Santos, Marcos Pérez and Michael Richtie as forwards, and Herbert Sosa in midfield, hence kept the rest of the lineup intact for the party, knowing that three points should stay at home, and with that intention was played from the beginning of the game, not to give opportunity to the opponent was a priority but it was something that happened after all but the biggest danger to Terrazas goal.

Richtie seemed to inaugurate the game with a goal after a long pass by Leonidas Bregoo where masterfully controlled Richtie then try to elevate the ball over the goalkeeper but his attempt failed and sent the ball to the goalie's hands, very first attempt Interestingly unfortunately was wasted and from that play action subsides relatively maintained, it was a span of eight minutes for two minutes to ten where the ball was kept in the midfield and both teams looking to take the initiative but the midfield rival destroyed the plays, so did San Jose Guayabal which was canceled during that time and did not have much chance to trouble the goalkeeper, or with long passes it seemed that the defense of Natanians and Nosts wanted to play the offside trap for much of the game.

The smart play by Natanians and Nosts, especially his defense that seemed at times behave like a wall with feet achieved its objective, to contain a lead that despite being first used in good weather was effective in when he had a chance, unfortunately it was not their turn, but that of Natanians and Nosts who kept trying to get close to the Guayabalense defense, succeeding fifteen minutes gone in through a series of short passes between three players, striker made a play of great technical quality to shake off James Moreira to approach Terrazas but this came in time to take the ball forward and avoid what could have easily been the first clear chance of scoring the party did not take La Selecta still on track but was just a matter of time before again had opportunities to score a goal or at least intimidate the goalkeeper and the defense of Natanians and Nosts.

Twenty minutes into the game, our midfield seemed a little tweaking and this is how Rudy Valencia decided to give a pass to Perez for this got a corner, because the longer had the chance to take a centering pass to the edge of the area, finding themselves locked in the presence of a defense, in the corner, decided to make a set piece, Valencia got the ball and finished from the corner of the area but the keeper held his shot, but leaving rejecting face Two Santos, who had the opportunity to score but too rushed when pitifully kick and sent the ball into space, if you ask me about that, would you say has been one of the worst shots I've seen in my life, maybe even my grandmother kicks better than, my God, that shot was actually quite frightening and also harmful to the retina of the fans.

Dos Santos managed to vindicate just four minutes later based on a fairly long pass from Rudy Valencia, Dos Santos took the ball and ran towards goal, topped by placing the ball in the corner of the goal, the shot seemed coming out of the goal but it bounced off the post and went and joy seized the Municipal Stadium in Rostov, fans were happy after the goal, which came at the right time considering that much of the audience seemed to be preparing for booing La Selecta be playing in a boring way or maybe those boos would go Natanians and Nosts by fairly conservative game that performed during that time, no doubt, their mission was not to receive a win that would prejudice them on goal difference for later in the World Cup Qualifiers.

With a goal scored, the pressure was reduced significantly and La Selecta would not be the moral obligation to scoring a goal, I say moral obligation because every team (I guess) must feel to see that it is unable to score you the opponent and it is disappointing to fans who have traveled from different places in order to support you while Natanians and Nosts longer shy in his game and he ventured forward with the goal of having the ball for a little more than time and so, they succeeded, but remained without generating opportunities, the game looked like it was going to turn into a game of strategy, like those sold in supermarkets, where they had to decide every step would, it seemed that break again defending Natanians and Nosts would be costly for as managed to retrieve the balls, it was a fairly efficient recovery but the front was inefficient because of failing to stay with for a long time and generate occasions of danger to the Terrazas goal.

Another chance managed to have La Selecta for thirty-seven of the match minutes, and this time was through a fault that occurred just outside the area indicated kicking was Rudy Valencia and excellent contact with the left foot, was the ideal profile, this would be a good chance of scoring for Valencia, he kicked it and the ball hit the crossbar of the goal, Dos Santos again tried to pull back but crashed off the post only only to see Richtie's effort going again in the post, it was unheard of, crashing the ball in the post three times is not something that commonly happens, is something out of a movie or some football fiction book, was just plain weird.

And after that a little strange action, the first half ended with applause from the stands, people were happy with the performance of La Selecta in the game but it was not enough, so in some sectors apparently acting was not very compelling and boos were heard, but were marginal able to listen, so it implied that there were certain aspects that had to be improved for the second part of the match, so Oliveira decided that La Selecta their lead after some more ranks to attack in a more intense way and thus try to score the second goal or if it was possible to score more goals in order to give a soul injection players in view to the next game, "The Classic", where have to play 100% so we can get the three points, that would be a good step for La Selecta, to say they could even be decisive for later in the round.

The second half started and no substitutions were made during the break, so everything was ready to go play another forty-five minutes of football. The first ten minutes of this time were key to La Selecta for the purpose of attacking football were noted at the outset, the march of the front and attitude to go forward and attack was remarkable, just moved a couple of seconds and you Richtie had managed to corner the goalkeeper after take out the ball from the goal line of his goal which came from a powerful shot from outside the area and that crashed into the pole. In the corner, Richtie decided to send direct to Saucedo and would jump for a header, which was at the side of the goal of Natanians and Nosts, unfortunately, even though it was obvious that San Jose Guayabal had intentions to keep attacking until at least the second goal came in the match.

And so, the pressure during the first minutes took effect and in a play of backlash, Rudy Valencia gave pass to Saucedo that this will control and reached the area, gave a focus only pass to Dos Santos arrived to close the play with and a header and put the 2-0 in favor of La Selecta in the game forty-eight minutes, this being the final score in a game where the elite begins to give signs of returning to the pace that we know and which reduced due to stoppage of soccer activity that always occurs from early December until May, that's the reality we know and apparently it will be difficult to change, personally feel that breaks this length can be bad for the player then lost pace on your computer because no professional activity is likely during these months off not only regionally but also globally or at least in most major leagues around the world.

The match ended with the result 2-0 in favor of La Selecta, and now the real obstacle is approaching and the key game against Gregoryisgodistan, visitors will play against hostile 175,000, well actually only 105,000 viewers since it has been confirmed that 70,000 Guayabalenses will make the journey to Gregoryisgodistan in a party that has raised many expectations on both sides, is one of those key parties must win at all costs, many more reasons there when that opponent is Gregoryisgodistan, our rival for excellence Throughout our history, the opponent that we all hate to even personal and historical reasons, is a game that certainly raises many passions among the people of the two neighboring countries in southern Esportiva, a party with an extraordinary atmosphere by how it is experienced by fans of both nations.

Oliveira has admitted that he wants to win the game at all costs, known pressure and commitment whose trained to make the Selecta win this match, so he said: "We will play and fight to the last breath, I am aware of the rivalry between the two nations, I am no stranger to reality and I think I should do that the hopes of the fans are satisfied, beat Gregoryisgodistan is a priority not only for the team players, but for me, for the staff technical and FGF. "It has been said that San Jose Guayabal make an exception and will play 3-1-3-3 this time with the intention of pressuring early Gregoryisgodistan to defend and force them to make mistakes with to generate gaps between them so they can score goals to ensure a victory for San José Guayabal, it will not be easy but it is not impossible to achieve.

On the subject of fans, there are 70,000 people who bought tickets for the party, the entire convoy will meet in San Salvador in order to go in convoy to Gregoryisgodistan and enter that same way to the Capital District, many fans that will make the ride accompanied by whole families and friends in order to live an unforgettable holiday in Gregoryisgodistan, indeed many have to pyrotechnic apparently to throw over the houses of residents in Gregoryisgodistan, although safety coordinators of the tour have banned fireworks, no It has maintained adequate control over this and people who have acquired. A game like this not only creates orbid feeling but different ways of expressing hatred towards the nation of shit as the following chants:

¡Esclavo vigilante, vos corrés por todas partes!
(Coward slave, you run everywhere)
Sos amigo de la jura, vos sos un hijo de puta
(You're friend of police, you are a son of a bitch)
¡Ay, ay, ay, ay, a los esclavos mataremos! (x2)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay, we will kill you, fucking slaves! (x2))

¡Esclavo puto, muerto de hambre este día te mataremos!
(Hey fucking slave, poor vagabond, we will kill you today!)
¡No tenés aguante, sos un pecho frío!
(You don't resist us, you're boring people!)
¡Oooooh, los vamos a matar! (x3)
(Oooooh, we will kill you all! (x3))
Los vamos a quemar vivos, putos.
(We will burn you all alive, fuckers)

by **Dreamplanet** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:12 am

Barunia 2-1 Dreamplanet

Our best result yet

"That was better, lads, i enjoyed when we got the lead thanks to Aaron Hungar's great header, great exhibition, but then all things went wrong when Jorge Cardozo got a red card which made them equalise." Said a clearly delighted João Pedro.

"I think that you are a better manager and that we'll have more chances of victory with you." said a delighted Aaron Hungar and Luis Silva agreed.
"We didn't lose that badly, maybe you were the right one for us" Luis Silva added.

"Maybe i should keep being Goalkeeper?" said a also delighted Rafael dos Bosques.
"Yeah, keep being in goal, i'll go if we start losing by alot." Filipe Vaz awnsered before João Pedro could awnser.
"Ya' know that we can't really take these losses just because we didn't get wrecked like we got against Britonisea, we're not that type of team."

"Well, even though i do fancy our chances of atleast a win against RealSquad, but anything can happen, anyway, where was i?"
"You were at half time." Said Aaron Hungar.
"Oh yeah, i was delighted when we were 1-1 and the way things were we could win, and if we drew we would have our first point, but it was not to be as they had a corner, just like us and scored and then we lost, the fans weren't happy, they chanted: "We'll never win!" and i really thought it would be the end of my managing career but it isn't since this was our best match yet." said a confused João Pedro. "We should have a good game against RealSquad but let's win that match so we don't make any other upset."

We host RealSquad in the Estadio Quadrados, the squad is the same as against Barunia with a little change, as Jorge Cardozo got a red card so Michael Silva will be playing, and Joo Pedro will be subsituted by Zé André. Joo Pedro will be in the bench.

by **Brenecia** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:45 am

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Two Sides To Patriot Coin In Defining Win
by Karena Fife
KO-OREN C Macedo; N Aoki, K Davenport, K Juliasterinthen, B Bahvahnin (P Morrow 54'), C de Jong (K Turnbull 75'); V Wakefield, N Bagaurunir (E Millet 79'), V Volkov, T Arevalo; A Leroux
BRENECIA G Urquhart; S Given, O Faulkner, B Duguid, J Collingwood (G Duffy 70'); D Kilbane (C Blackslate 70'), L Paterson, C Purrington; I Cullen (R Bowditch 83'), S Maddon, N Thatcher
Goal: Maddon 49'

Today, the Brenecian public saw two sides to this Brenecia side. In defence, secure, quick and capable - refreshingly free of the lapses that has plagued it recently. In attack, capable of throwing a whole lot of mud at a whole lot of wall until something finally sticks. Sheila Maddon's eleventh goal for her country wasn't her prettiest, but when she stabbed home that deflected cross, it still must have felt sweeter than anything. The undisputed player of the match, however, was Lilith Paterson - utterly holding down the midfield before passing to someone who could do some serious damage going forward.

Ko-oren was, as always, fairly tepid going forward but seemingly invincible in defence, but they had already been beaten by a Starblaydia side cobbled together from the first two tiers of the LigAnaia. Brenecia had beaten Ilasia comfortably before a slightly shaky performance against Antoletia - it put them joint-top, but not without a few jitters. And, at least, four goals had proven they had what it took up front.

The Dragonflies were favourites for a reason, and started the match brightly. It was a fight between two sides optimised to hit on the counterattack, and it was Brenecia who bit first - however, cross after aimless cross was hardly going to strike terror into the hearts of the Dragonflies. Purrington seemed the only person willing to try something different, but she also found it difficult to pick out the isolated Maddon, and Macedo was equal to any long shots. Meanwhile, the Patriots had left themselves exposed with the fullbacks pushing forward as much as possible, and the away fans' hearts stopped when Wakefield bombed forward on the counterattack through a Collingwood-shaped hole before slipping a great cross to Leroux. After chesting the ball to feet, the centre-forward was only denied by an excellent save from Urquhart, and Brenecia survived.

It was a wake-up call, and Brenecia had the better of the rest of the half. Still nothing doing as far as clear chances went, however, and Brenecia's lack of a big striker who took up space seemed to cost them as Maddon was drowned out in a sea of defenders. There was only one clear chance that half, when Purrington did finally thread a ball through the defence, Maddon racing off Davenport's shoulder. She only had one touch from a narrow angle, however, and in the end it wasn't too hard for Macedo.

It seemed to be heading for a nil-all draw, and maybe, when Ko-oren looked to recover in the second half - Wakefield forcing another good save from Urquhart - it could well have turned out worse. But Brenecia finally got their big break. Cullen was felled by Aoki near the corner flag, and Purrington opted for sheer power. It smashed into Juliasterinthen's foot, and Bahvahnin really needed to clear it... but he didn't, and Maddon stretched out a boot to poke it beyond a stranded Macedo. The Patriots had their goal.

Ko-oren had to chase the game, and that isn't exactly the Dragonflies' strength - meanwhile, the Patriots kept their usual shape and held the fort. The key was the midfield, where the Dragonflies simply could not get a foothold, especially after Kilbane was taken out for the fresh legs of Blackslate. But Lilith Paterson was the key, seemingly everywhere to defend her team - sliding challenges, interceptions, even overachieving in the air, and she more than made up for the defensive liability presented by Purrington (who could mostly just puff after the likes of Volkov looking sad).

Volkov and Wakefield would both get decent shots on target by the end of the game, but the midfield was choked and Leroux never got another sniff of the ball. The home crowd was displeased when the final whistle blew, all the white shirts on the pitch immediately going over to a modest travelling crowd that had come all the way to Atlantian Oceania and never stopped chanting. With Ko-oren now six points behind with three matches played, Brenecia's attention turns to a rejuvenated Starblaydia - though a decidedly unrejuvenated-looking Dainer is next in line to be played at Union Park. If Starblaydia can be chalked off away, then Brenecia's path to the World Cup should be all but clear. It's rarely that simple... but maybe, just once, it could be.

To think that the trend of journalism before the Campionato Esportiva was all doom and gloom! In reality, the future looks brighter than ever.

by **Freedom Utopia 100** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:47 am

The International - Freedom Utopia 100 - Sports
ANOTHER DEFEAT TO MATCHDAY 1 TEAM CARIALUS, FREEDOM UTOPIA PLAYERS:"CAN WE WIN AT LEAST 1 MATCH?"
Freedom Utopia 100 have defeated under Carialus again by 2-0, and the morale of the players have never dropped to a so low place.
The Match Report is as follows:

Code: Select all: Freedom Utopia 100 Team Carialus 0 Goals 2 4 Shots On Goal 5 9 Shots 6 21 Fouls 22 7 Corners 6 0 Free Kicks 1 3 Offsides 1 0 Own Goals 0 0 Yellow Cards 2 0 Red Cards 0

Attendance: 55232
Added Time: 2 minutes

Match Events (Time: Event)

1: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
7: Carialus takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
15: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
25: Carialus is shown a Yellow Card.
34: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
37: Carialus scores! The scorer was Paul Masson
41: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
45: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
46: Carialus takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
51: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
59: Carialus is shown a Yellow Card.
61: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
62: Carialus takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
76: Carialus scores! The scorer was Paul Masson
81: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
88: Carialus takes a shot. That's off target.
91: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.

__________Loopback_______________
The International - Freedom Utopia 100 - Sports
YESTERDAY ANOTHER BITTERING DEFEAT FOR FREEDOM UTOPIA 100, LOSES 0-2 OCTINSTINE, INTERVIEW WITH ALBERT GOBBLE, SAYS:"WE'VE DONE OUR BEST,AND NO ONE CAN BLAME FOR THAT."
Freedom Utopia 100 recently have suffered another defeat from a major adversary, Octistine, and all these doesn't make the team of Freedom Utopia 100 got dissatisfied.The delay of the report is due to high traffic at the network and we have to speed this delivery to you.

Let's look at the match report:

Code: Select all: Freedom Utopia 100 Team Octinstine 0 Goals 2 3 Shots On Goal 5 12 Shots 12 16 Fouls 21 6 Corners 5 0 Free Kicks 0 3 Offsides 4 0 Own Goals 0 2 Yellow Cards 1 0 Red Cards 0 Attendance: 62506 Added Time: 4 minutes

Match Events (Time: Event)

1: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
4: Octinstine is shown a Yellow Card.
10: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
13: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
14: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
18: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
22: Octinstine takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
24: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
33: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
34: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
35: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
39: Freedom Utopia 100 is shown a Yellow Card.
41: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
44: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
50: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
52: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
57: Octinstine takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
58: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
59: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
64: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.
69: Octinstine takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
82: Octinstine scores! The scorer was Jake Simpson.
83: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
84: Freedom Utopia 100 is shown a Yellow Card.
85: Octinstine scores! The scorer was Jake Simpson.
87: Octinstine takes a shot. That's off target.
93: Freedom Utopia 100 takes a shot. That's off target.

After, we've had an interview with Albert Gobble, the Goalkeeper who stand for Freedom Utopia 100.

R: Reporter
A: Albert Gobble

R: You have lost the match and what do you feel?

A: I just feel tired, no regrets.

R: Why?

A: My team have done so well.Although my team have been seriously attacked by Octistine, they've managed to regroup and continued to take the shots to the opponent's goal.Although none of them scores, I'm glad that I'm here with my team.

R: So what did you view when your team have lost 2 to the other team consecutively when in the latter match time?

A: I've done my best, and I'm sure that others have done the best for our team also.Actually I think our team have done our best, and no one can blame us that.

R: That's the end of our interview and thank you, Albert Gobble.

The manager of the team also stated that this team the players have done well against a formidable opponent.
___________BORDERLINE___________________

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:41 am

The Saga of All-Inclusive Haranguer F.C., Part Four

"So, Tom, how did it go with Zolnerov?"

"No luck with him, hon. Just as I got here in Kimmirut, they had a press conference announcing that he'd just signed a new fat contract with them, and Zolnerov said that much as he'd like to go to a big club, he'd rather make sure that Kimmirut stayed up in the Premier League. How about you? Any luck with Vicky?"

"Just the same as you had. She's signed a new contract for Xemlice too, although it's still supposed to be a secret until they officially announce it." Janine Fuller shook her head in disappointment as she prepared for the ride back to the airport in Hampdenpool. So far, they had managed to sign only one player for All-Inclusive Haranguer, and that player was a former bench player who was already past thirty and had signed on only on the promise of guaranteed starting minutes.

Their shortlist was quickly running out. Many of their prospective targets had already gone on to other clubs, signed new contracts with their current teams and basically reaffirmed that they were loyal to the club and would stay no matter what (not including big money from the big teams). There were only a few players left on the list, young players who would most likely be allowed to go out to lower-league teams only on loan. But there was still a chance of getting a big player. Granted, it was a slim chance, but there was always light at the end of the tunnel.

The player? None other than Rory Edwards, younger brother of Luke Edwards, current Riuwiee United captain. While the younger Edwards had made it abundantly clear that he was going to be a United player for the rest of his playing career, there wasn't really any space for him in the current United setup, either on the pitch or on the bench. Having been a fixture in the Fleftic under-21s that competed in Abanhfleft's first three Di Bradini Cup campaigns, Rory Edwards had shown the qualities of an excellent on-the-pitch leader, and his goalscoring ability was nothing to scoff at too. There was no way All-Inclusive Haranguer was going to get him (unless it was for a highly exorbitant fee that the Unang Liga team simply did not have), but perhaps a loan deal wasn't out of the question? Luke Edwards had himself been loaned out to Gyouza Young Lads the season before he really broke into the Blue Tribesmen's first team...

"I know I'm a United man through and through," Rory told Janine Fuller as the two of them conversed on the telephone. "And I know that I probably won't see a lot of time on the field for the team this season. A loan move may do me a lot of good... but I want to see if I can maybe get an opportunity to break into the team. I want to see where I stand before the end of the month. If I make it into the team, then good for me. But if not... well, I know where I'm going, for the rest of the season, at least."

That was at least worth the call. While All-Inclusive had not really managed to secure Rory Edwards, even on loan, at least they had a promise that depending on circumstances by the end of the month, he could be joining Haranguer on a season-long loan. Janine had recorded the conversation just in case Rory, or more likely Riuwiee United's management, went back on the deal, but Georges Leblanc was an honest man, and stuck through agreements unless they were clearly against the law or his personal code of ethics and conduct. They knew that if Rory still could not find a spot in the United squad, then he would be going to Haranguer on loan.

And with that bit of business done, Haranguer's transfer shortlist was officially exhausted. There was no one else whom the new managers saw could help lead All-Inclusive Haranguer to a proper promotion challenge. But it wasn't all bad news for them. The Sporting World Cup, a new tournament aimed at the under-18 football teams of the multiverse, was about to start in the Free Republics, where the idea had first gained traction in recent memory. It was a chance for the multiverse's young players to impress for the clubs watching the tournament with great interest.

There were already a few countries which were making waves in the Sporting World Cup; Abanhfleft among them. There were also notable talents from Schottia, Banija, Armeia, Lutine and Marion Oaks. Everyone knew that this Sporting World Cup was where a lot of players would be making their names and starting their careers. And there were already some players making a name out of themselves. Schottia's Billy Cross was one of them. He was a young central midfielder, already with caps for the Schottia U-18 team, and until recently he was a member of Gloriaxian team Campos Rovers. However, Gloriax's league was now gone, folded due to lack of sponsorship and revenue, and Cross was now a free agent. Signing him would be an absolute steal for All-Inclusive.

Through a little clever research, Tom Mereilles had found out who Cross's agent was and duly placed a call, only to find out that another team had already beaten Haranguer for Cross's signature. The club that signed Cross? None other than Arsenal de Releinthi, with its English manager Godric Wexler, who has an uncanny talent in spotting, well, talent in young players and senior players whom other sides saw as has-beens. Cross was already playing like a senior professional in the Sporting World Cup, and Arsenal would honestly gain a lot by signing him, and on a free! Wexler did always like signing players on the cheap.

Then there was Isa Tangemen, the tattooed war veteran playing between the sticks for Armeia. She was second-choice keeper before starting keeper Augustus Lenz tore his ACL during training, rendering necessary for Tangemen to perform for her country. Janine Fuller was just about to make an approach to Tangemen's club Southeastern, only to find out that a Ladies' Premier League club had beaten Haranguer to the punch: Rosenpfelblatz City Ladies, the women's affiliate of Premier League side Rosenpfelblatz City. Carlos Cuvimi, the gray-haired manager of the eastern Mezaladbyi side, had taken Tangemen to Rosenpfelblatz for just N$500k, an amount that would have been quite affordable for All-Inclusive. But as always with football, it was most often the top clubs that benefited the most from the performances of in-form players in international tournaments.

But all hope wasn't lost yet. There was still one player that looked ripe for the taking: Isaac Georgiadis of Banija. The captain of the Banijan under-18 football team led his team well throughout the game against Abanhfleft, which ended in a 5-3 victory for the Young Young Revolutionaries (a nickname meant to distinguish the under-18s from the under-21s, which were the Young Revolutionaries), and even scored a goal near the end of the match to keep the scoreline respectable. Georgiadis looked the excellent foil for the thirty-plus big man Sutalen Desoka. And once again, disappointment was in store for Haranguer as Riuwiee United beat them to the punch yet again, nabbing the FC Zacatecas DM for a princely N$5m. Everyone knew about United's DM woes, and while Georgiadis may be a bit green he was a good investment for the future. Still, it was a shame that All-Inclusive couldn't get him.

Not that it would have probably mattered in the long run. Had Haranguer managed to sign them, they could have led the team to Premier League football for the first time in their history, or they couldn't have. And if Haranguer had indeed managed to sign them, if they all played like this consistently for three or four seasons then the top clubs would've poached them anyway. Perhaps it was better for all parties that this exact sequence of events had unfolded the way that it did. But there was still the fact that All-Inclusive Haranguer had managed to sign only one player in the current transfer window, or two, if Rory Edwards failed to break through the Riuwiee United setup.

But it wasn't the end of the world yet. Good fortunes were still to follow.

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 73 QUALIFIERS: NEW GELDERLAND VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah

Abanhfleft's Abdullah Musa raises his arms in celebration of his goal. He and Valery Zolnerov ensured a convincing triumph against current Baptism of Fire champions New Gelderland. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

NASSAU BAY, NEW GELDERLAND - Abanhfleft handed current Baptism of Fire champions New Gelderland their second straight defeat in the World Cup qualifiers, and the nation's first ever home defeat in front of a packed Olympic Stadium in Nassau Bay, courtesy of goals from Abdullah Musa and Valery Zolnerov.

Musa slotted in the first goal of the game past Eliot Horn, who had just palmed away a stinging strike from Gustavo Potter.

Zolnerov nodded in Abanhfleft's second following a whizzing corner from fellow under-21 alumnus Rory Edwards, the pair playing for teams on different ends of the Premier League table establishing an effective midfield partnership for the national team.

The visitors had numerous chances to see the game off in the final twenty minutes, substitute Manute Beineka sending into orbit an attempt that would have been three points or two in rugby but was absolutely worthless in soccer, and Jefferson Samonte and Charles Amoroso smacking the bar and sending the ball straight to the keeper respectively.

New Gelderland's chances were few and far between, but the Baptism of Fire champions did well to make the most out of those chances, with Louis Rhodes striking a 30-yarder straight at Maksim Varamoninov, while Luke Virgo was unlucky to see his sitter roll just wide of the post despite the lanky Varamoninov lying prone on the ground after saving a spicy Liam Kirkpatrick shot.

Abanhfleft manager Kasper Molak: Team gave New Gelderland proper welcome to int'l footy

Abanhfleft manager Kasper Molak: "We did well to recover from the defeat against Saintland, which honestly came as a bit of a surprise to us all.

"New Gelderland managed to contain us well, but we were simply too good for them. This win was very much deserved. We gave them a proper introduction to international football. It's not all well and good after a successful Baptism of Fire campaign. We all know how ours went, and how our abundance of confidence hindered more than helped us in the following World Cup qualifiers.

"Valery [Zolnerov] and Rory [Edwards] are developing quite the partnership. They may play for teams at different ends of the table but their partnership for the national team is doing us wonders. They'll lead us to great honors, yes, they will.

"All in all, a magnificent performance, on the bounce and away at a passionate home crowd. There's a certain thrill to silencing the home crowd when you're playing away."

The victory propels Abanhfleft to second place in the group ahead of a meeting between another Baptism of Fire debutant in Witty Penguins, which handed New Gelderland their first and only defeat in the BoF. Abanhfleft will host the visitors at Wanda City's IKEA Arena, in Wanda Island.

NEW GELDERLAND 0 - 2 ABANHFLEFT
                     MUSA (47')
                     ZOLNEROV (65')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 01 Varamoninov
RB: 05 Amoroso
RCB: 04 L. Edwards
LCB: 03 Mikkelsen (Emilianovski - 71')
LB: 02 Samonte
RM: 08 Turpentine
CM: 19 Zolnerov
LM: 06 Musa
CAM: 20 R. Edwards
RS: 11 Kelvin
LS: 10 Potter (Beineka - 54')

NEW GELDERLAND
GK: 01 Horn
RB: 02 Kirkpatrick
RCB: 03 Rogue (Page-Osbourne - 61')
LCB: 04 H. Landis
LB: 05 Killarney
RM: 06 Wolf (Lennox - 76')
RCM: 07 Rhodes
LCM: 08 I. Landis
LM: 09 Morgan-Brown
CF: 10 Griffin
CF: 11 Virgo

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
New Gelderland: 45%
Abanhfleft: 55%
Shots
New Gelderland: 7 (3 on target)
Abanhfleft: 7 (4 on target)
Corners
New Gelderland: 5
Abanhfleft: 7
Fouls
New Gelderland: 17
Abanhfleft: 10

by **Banguela** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:53 am

You see all sorts of things at such a moment. Some will jump up and start cursing their back four, trying to avoid further disaster with a stern call to arms and attention. Others will put their head between their hands and bow, trying to hide their annoyance from the outside world with a move that exactly expresses that specific sentiment. A third category looks into the distance, seemingly untouched and detached as if they are gazing upon an empty river floating past them in the early morning sun. And don’t forget about those that start to explain to the bench players how, when and where the goal could have been avoided and how he had warned them in advance. I guess, I’m a fifth category as I just calmly took my notebook and tore all my notes to pieces.

What kind of team is Lymantatia? It was a question that had fuelled journalists’ typewriters for days on end and their conclusion was as mixed as the impression those had left on the footballing world so far. Experience was not the issue, considering that they have sixteen qualification rounds under the belt. But, on the other hand, not a single qualification for the tournament proper and one of the weakest picks out of the third pot. And those amongst Fleet Street who only had an eye for their mediocre performance at Willox Street, where a fine run by Elisa Rivera had been a costly one in terms of points, even dared to project points on the road for Os Gnus.

But I knew better. Whenever the opportunity was there, I would refer to that remarkable day in 2001, now a tad more than four years ago. Two hours which still haunt Osarian dreams as it was a painful fall from their pedestal as back-to-back reigning champions. Much has been said and written about that day and all side elements had been called up while the bare fact was there: they had to have at least some magic there even if it was hard to explain. I told it to the writers and I spread the news amongst my guys. Spread it? Forced them to see the whole game collectively.

So Banguela appeared with a stuffed middle of the pitch, not afraid to admit that a single point would present enough of a challenge. And did well so far, it appeared. We stuck together, chose for the way out with the least risks and even got a fine shot on an opener once or twice. And as the half-time whistle ran closer, my notebook got fuller. There was not that much to change but I could not shake off the feeling that we had the momentum. A nil-niller at the break might get them hesitating, adapting things that did not need any change. And even if the coach kept his brain cool, individual players would make that step forward too much or that run too little. Ignore the plan. Leave space. Oh, precious space, the water of modern football. Seemingly abundant yet so costly and necessary for any life to grow.

The fourth referee kept up a board with a blood-red two. A bit much, but Chingala had gotten a nasty kick in the shin and even if I had ended the short warm-up from Fulco prematurely once the left winger stood up again, it had taken a while before he could be carried off the pitch. But maybe I should put Fulco in nonetheless, as he could be the fresh guy who would find new options. I started to scribble a few arrows on one of the pre-printed pages with the Lymantatian formation. Maybe if Flavio moved more to the centre and Edison picked up behi...

Only when I ran through my notes in the bus that brought us back to the hotel after the game, in a mesmerizing silence only broken by the crackled voice of the local radio commentator giving an overview of all matches played, I noticed that throughout that whole phase I had kept my pen on the paper, making a dirty line that slowly crossed the page as I watched what unfolded. A loss of possession by Ze Mata, an Edison Joao coming in too slow, a Figuerinho out of position, a Helder Barbosa breaking the formation too soon, a hesitating Djalma Yaba and, eventually, a cursing Joao Pinto who picks the leather out of his goal. The few hundred black-and-red clad fans, so far entertaining themselves and standing their ground against the tricolour wall that filled the remainder of the stadium, got overwhelmed by the cheers.

Nineteen seconds. Nineteen little ticks between the kick-off, a lacklustre pass from Carlos Neto to Ze Vidigal, and the moment the nets trembled again. Nineteen seconds in which approximately everything went wrong. Nineteen seconds after which I could not but tear my notes in two, aware that I would have to invent something completely different for the second half.

by **Jeruselem** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:38 am

Princess Laura Virginia Dallas and Michelle Huniker at Dazza Dallas Stadium

Laura: This is Princess Laura for Naked News Jeruselem. We're live at Dazza Dallas Stadium, for match day 3 of qualification for the World Cup 73. I'm with the fox Michelle, back by popular demand.
Michelle: Hello football fans
Laura: The winless Aeqamustopia team came to Dazza Dallas stadium to kick start their campaign or get kicked out that is.
Michelle: I don't know how to say some of those funny names
Laura: Well, as a TV presenter ... it's one of those things
Michelle: I definitely don't

Laura: Well, Aeqamustopia stay winless and drawless as the Princesses sent them packing 3-1
Michelle: I don't think we're playing our best either, we didn't convert all our chances
Laura: Yes, we could have scored a few more goals
Michelle: A particular Laura was a bit wasteful of chances today
Laura: Hey, I got one goal.
Michelle: But you could have scored four

Laura: Well, their keeper had a good game considering their awful defending
Michelle: I guess he was pretty busy
Laura: Jeruselem aren't known for scoring lots of goals anyway, 3 points is still 3 points
Michelle: I guess it's a comfortable win so we can't complain
Laura: Mum did
Michelle: That's the manager's job, they are never happy really

Laura: Gregoryisgodistan ruled by God Greg took on the fanatical Christians in Associated Godlands, battles of the Gods. Who would win, the Christian God or Greg the God?
Michelle: That would have been an interesting game
Laura: Wouldn't have been terribly friendly really. Anyway, it was a draw so no God had boasting points over the other.
Michelle: I expected Gregoryisgodistan to win given their experience
Laura: I guess the Godlands are holding their own at the moment
Michelle: Yes, still holding top spot!

Laura: San Jose Guayabal seen to have recovered from their first game loss beating the still winless Natanians and Nosts 2-0
Michelle: I guess they kinda woke up
Laura: The Sword Bloke had the bye, that's a nation not a blacksmith
Michelle: They sure have a funny flag that place
Laura: The table for Group 16 is well, the same. No team has moved position. The bottom 2 have no points either.
Michelle: Pretty good we are still 2nd.

Laura: Michelle, you used to play Tennis?
Michelle: Yes, but I gave up because there's no money in that sport
Laura: No sponsors?
Michelle: They can't see the value in the sport really. So I had a go at football.
Laura: Any football talent in the family?
Michelle: None, my lot are pretty boring. No super sports folk in my family.

Laura: You don't just have football talent
Michelle: I guess I could do modelling but it's not my scene
Laura: You might need a backup career one the football is over.
Michelle: I love the outdoors, I don't like being in an office.
Laura: You could have joined the army
Michelle: I prefer to avoid weapons and stuff, not my scene either

Laura: So, you like say camping and fishing?
Michelle: Yes, I love mother nature.
Laura: There you go boys, Michelle wants outdoors loving people
Michelle: I'm a fussy girl, I'm fussy about my men
Laura: You'd be at home on that Chinese dating show
Michelle: Yes, I saw that. I m very fussy like them.

Laura: well, Jeruselem looking good so far. Two wins from two. We have an away game next. See you all later.
Michelle: Have a good day all.

OOC
Associated Godlands 0–0 Gregoryisgodistan
San Jose Guayabal 2–0 Natanians and Nosts
Jeruselem 3–1 Aeqamustopia

by **Augusticinia** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:56 am

Augusticinia defeats Stvoto Latoli and reaches 2nd

Augusticinia and Stvoto Latoli played a very tactical game which resulted in Augusticinia winning 1-0 at Munich International Stadium. Augusticinia's Vladimir Maier scored in the 62th minute after a free-kick. Augusticinia is currently in 2nd in their group and has not lost a game. They first defeated Saakslava in a 5-0 win due to Augusticinia's tactical playing style. Scorers in that match were Harry Wu (2), Gervasio Wyrzyk, Robert Michelakos, James Ljungborg. In their second game Augusticinia tied Copper Cuprum 0-0. During that game Augusticinia took on a more free form which did not work against Copper Cuprum. Augusticinia reverted to their tactical form against Stvoto Latoli.

Match Report

3: Goalkeeper Shyushoolootru Lyu (SVL) saves a Fast-low shot to the lower left corner from James Ljungborg (AUG)
6: Foul by Tu Yutha (SVL). Vladimir Maier (AUG) takes the Free-Kick and aims at the goal. The ball goes over the net.
11: Harry Wu (AUG) attempts to chip the ball over the Stvoto Latolian Goalkeeper but the shot is saved.
14: Charles MacBranian (AUG) attempts a Rabona to score but the ball goes out wide.
15: Stephan Dragic (AUG) aims for the center of the goal from outside of the box but it is caught by the keeper.
18: Ebash (SVL) takes the left corner for Stvoto Latoli. Usama O'Bearga (SVL) recieves the ball and attempts a volley but the shot goes wide.
25: Aconi (AUG) recieves a yellow card for an aggressive tackle.
29: Zhooheizhyu (SVL) tries to curve and slice the ball into the goal but it goes over the goal.
30: Maier (AUG) takes a Free-Kick and attempts to shoot it into the goal. The ball bounces off the crossbar.
31: Markov (AUG) tries to tap the ball in but it is stopped by defender Lazh (SVL)
35: Zhooheizhyu (SVL) reaches a one on one situation. He shoots it right at the keeper and is stopped by Stanic (AUG)
37: Ebash (SVL) tries to head the ball in after a cross but it is stopped by Stanic (AUG)
41: Yutha (SVL) receives a Yellow Card.
Half Time
46: Michelakos (AUG) tries to curve the ball in from outside of the box but the shot goes over the goal.
49: Markov (AUG) sets up a great play and passes it to MacBranian (AUG) who tries to shoot but the ball is saved.
50: Wu (AUG) tries to shoot during a goal-line scramble but the ball is saved.
55: Ebash (SVL) takes a corner and crosses it to Uriell. Uriell (SVL) attempts the diving header but the shot is saved.
62: GOAL!!! Maier (AUG) takes a Free-Kick and the ball dips into the lower left part of the goal.
67: de Filippis (AUG) is given a yellow card for a handball.
72: O'Bearga (SVL) turns on a sixpence and fires at goal. The ball is blocked by the Goalkeeper, Stanic (AUG)
78: de Filippis (AUG) is booked again for an aggressive tackle. He is sent of the field.
80: Yutha (SVL) crosses the ball and it almost curves inside the goal but it is caught by Stanic (AUG).
84: Zhooheizhyu (SVL) is one on one and slides it past Stanic (AUG) but he is called offside
85: Michelakos (AUG) tries the bicycle kick but the ball is caught by the keeper.
87: Augusticinian sub, Harrel (AUG) attempts to volley the ball in but the ball goes wide.
Match Ends

Man of the Match: Vladimir Maier (Augusticinia)

Miles de Filippis being sent off

Vladimir Maier celebrating after his goal.

by **Ko-oren** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:08 am

"Hey, and welcome to episode 377 of the Frightening Firefly podcast, your edutainment regarding all things Union soccer. I'm your host Mason Morgan, with me in the studio is the lovely Natsumi Takeda ("Hi there, everybody!") and 'professor' Stephen Westerhuis ("Good day to you all!"). Today's topic is the Dragonflies' start to the campaign, where Stephen will have some interesting points to share with us, and Natsumi has looked at whether the rest of the world still thinks we have a good team. First of all, we have received a lot of emails regarding our latest episode, where we first explored how this team will do in qualification..."

"And let me guess, people disagreed?"

"Exactly. The two losses against teams we should have beaten didn't sit well with the listeners, and we said we'd see the Dragonflies play in the World Cup. People are ready to bury this team already. Like we said, we could see the team do bad. We prepared you for a terrible campaign with five wins, even though on the whole we think we should be able to qualify. And we're not the only team to do this. Super-Llamaland, Legalese, Krytenia, West Angola, Semarland... they're all having bad starts. Chiata is last in their group even. Yeah, it's bad. Yeah, Brenecia and Starblaydia had good starts and are six points ahead. No reason to worry yet."

"Very true. Actually, I've looked at some of the key points for our team, and sure, our defensive qualities are praised, but our inability to create anything offensively... I mean, let's be honest, no opponent's goal keeper has gone weak in the knees against us in yonks. It would be better with footage, but hey, it's just audio. Just when you get the chance, look up a highlights reel of the last two games, and you'll see what I mean. Our strikers are quality. Our wingers are quality too. Then why doesn't it just go together? The very first time the Dragonflies were any little bit dangerous against Brenecia Wakefield knew exactly which defender was gone and which gap to run for. Wakefield was pretty good regardless, but simply couldn't connect anything. Leroux wasn't going to cut it in terms of getting in position. And here's the thing - new head coach. And he has to make a choice. Right now the tempo is going up and down, and the midfield looks conflicted in if it has to chase balls upfield for a counterattack or stay back to look for a better opportunity later. Right now it's just that the team tries to do both, and both not good enough. My personal ideas: tempo way up, there's not many teams that can do with a ball what our team can do, opportunism up, just have our front three, as in strikers and wingers, stay upfield a little longer and further to force mistakes, and better communication. Communiciation as in 'are we going for this attack, and if so, we all need to start moving now' or 'we're not capitalising on this, regroup and wait for a better chance' and not both at the same time, where one defender crosses the halfway line at the same moment the opposing players cross the halfway line in the other direction, in possession, going straight for where our defender just left a gap."

"Wow, thanks for that, Stephen. Much to think about, though in all honesty, with a little extra luck we would have been looking at first place with nine points. One win, one goal scored, and two losses, two goals conceded. It's all so minimal."

"True, the differences are small. But why settle for a 0-1 loss to Brenecia and Starblaydia where our team has the quality to win 2-0 or more over teams like these? Our team really is better than we think, or at least, they play as well as we think, but the ceiling is like a stadium roof... pretty high."

"I think we all want this team to be better, we all know this team can do so much better, but we need to get the configuration right. I think you're right, but we'll have to wait for our listeners to see what they think as well, we're coming back to this next episode. Meanwhile Natsumi has been looking at what other media think of the Union right now, Natsumi?"

"Yes! So, the fact we're doing terrible to start with hasn't gone unnoticed. They still call us the wall, the bus, masters of defence even, so that's massaging our ego. Sanctii media have so far correctly predicted Brenecia to be better than us, and to be honest, Brenecian media have cautiously predicted the same thing. Other than that... everybody seems to agree that our defence is pretty good, but our team's chances not so much. So um, that's pretty much what actually happened, I guess."

"Lastly, we have a new segment: the A-coefficient. A standing for accident. Accidents happening in and around the nations of Group 16, with Gregoryisgodistan, the Sword Bloke, the Associated Godlands, San Jose Guayabal and Jeruselem. Accidents, obviously, not brutal murders between peoples that simply hate one another. Right now we're officially putting the A-coefficient to 2, on a scale of 10, by which we mean nothing happened yet. We're all just waiting for the inevitable though. That's not the only inevitable thing: the Dragonflies will get together and seek revenge, and win, and next time we see you it'll have to be with a Union of Ko-oren win. See you then!"

by **Armeia** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:38 am

STRIKERLESS: A BLOG FOR ARMEIAN FOOTBALL

TOURE'S FORM CONTINUES

Milan Toure after the match

Milan Toure is playing like he's possessed right now, bagging a goal in the opening five minutes in his latest match. He took advantage of a defensive mistake, sprinting through the defense and easily putting a third minute shot into the net to give the Nordiques the (very) early lead. His knee problems appear to be gone now, with his blistering pace surprising even manager Conor Svedsson. "I think Boom Redman might finally have competition for being the fastest on the team," Svedsson said afterwards. "I'm glad to see Milan back in form, he's really something special when he's healthy."

Toure didn't just score, he assisted Christa Cruz twice, when she scored in minutes forty six and seventy one. Cruz, while not the fastest striker, is an expert at using angles, and she showed that in minute forty six when she beat the offside line to score a chip shot, taking Toure's cross in a stride. Cruz, who won the Emperor's Cup for Armeia, also scored a penalty kick in the seventy first minute after being fouled inside the box, when she was running in on goal after a counterattack.

In goal, Isa Tangemen appears to have locked up the starting goalkeeper position, making two big saves in the thirteenth and fiftieth minutes, turning shots against the crossbar both times. Atlas wonderkid Dan Nazaryn has also made his first appearance for the national team, subbing on for Edi Dragic at the half. Nazaryn is a physical striker who's just as capable of creating shots as he is of scoring, making him Atlas's number one academy prospect.

"He's going to be big," said Kal Leroux, the legendary manager who is now the GM of Hawks United and a special adviser for Atlas. "He'll be starting up front for us within the next four years, I can guarantee it."

THE TRANSFER LIST:

Isa Tangemen: Isa Tangemen is highly wanted by the expansion teams Forge Rangers, Cruz Blanca FC, and LFC Kyang. Forge would offer up to two million for her, while Kyang is offering one million and Cruz Blanca is preparing an undisclosed bid. The former Southeastern starter has stated in a recent press conference though that she will only leave if it means "going home", indicating that she would only return from Rosenpfelblatzcity for Southeastern.

Sayo Matsuoka: The top foreign player in WD1, the AFC Center City striker is being linked with a large bid from Lionesses, who is attempting to completely rebuild. No info yet about the size of the bid has been released.

Christa Cruz: Christa Cruz has officially signed a four year contract with Hawks United worth thirty million total. Cruz was released from Northeastern after winning the Golden Boot for a conduct violation off the pitch, related to drugs.

Viktor Holzer: The promising Kyang Steelers right back is wanted by IK Southern, and Racing Club Lions, but no bids have been made yet.

Milan Toure: As Milan Toure stays in a contract holdout with Lions, they appear to be more and more willing to sell him and make some money off of his departure. Atlas is the obvious frontrunner, but because of how Toure's Atlas career ended badly, some expect him to sign for his hometown club, Real Barrier, where he can make a large amount of money and play for a title contender in his hometown. "I'm not leaving Lions, until the end of my contract," Toure told the press. "We'll see what happens after that."

by **Eura** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:58 am

The minute that the final whistle blew, there was an uncomfortable feeling in Euran stomachs, despite securing a third consecutive clean sheet and beating New Mission 1-0. It had not been a comfortable win, and it had come against a supposedly weak opponent. Eura had played a rotated side of course, but they had not been convincing in the first half at all, while in the second half the team had failed to really assert themselves even after a couple of substitutions including the introduction of Spartan and Sinclair. The original goalkeeper and back line had been solid at least; Prince, Caffin, Rogers, Pope and Cotra had all looked very solid and not in much danger of conceding. The midfield of Bell, Hunter and Rose with Hargreaves and Adams on either side had not been particularly creative and debutant George Davies had been anonymous up front. Still, they did manage to create the only goal they would need to see off the home side. It came in the 55th minute when Hargreaves had whipped in his first decent cross of the game, which was not cleared present a relatively easy header for Hunter to power in. Spartan, Sinclair and Hayward all got game time to try and see off any comeback attempt, but none of them looked particularly good compared to their usual standards. One had to wonder if the two senior subs were saving their energy for Polkopia, the next opponent Eura had to face.

Steve Thompson's next opponent was the media, who were out to ask some questions at the press conference after the win. The Euran manager had nothing to worry about so far after three good wins and three clean sheets, but he clearly wouldn't be overjoyed by the narrowest of wins when experimenting with his squad. His answer to the first question of what he thought of the result was indicative of his mellow attitude. 'I'm happy with it, a win and a clean sheet again has us top of the group so we can't complain. I know some will think we could have won by more and that's true in some ways, but to be honest I think the main focus today was just getting a result and giving some of our less experienced players a bit of game time, to work with each other, to get to know each other, and they did that.' There was a buzz around the room as journalists jostled for the second question, with the chief sporting writer of the Directus Post getting in first. 'Steve we're three games in now and we haven't let a goal in yet, is your philosophy becoming more defensive or have the boys upped their game?' After a moment's though, he answered. 'The latter, definitely the latter. In the last couple of years we've had a very attacking philosophy and that has worked really well, its how we made the World Cup final again and it hasn't changed. I just think that at the back in the last qualifying campaign we would occasionally let through a goal and didn't get many clean sheets even though we beat teams well, so we worked on our defensive drilling and now we don't seem to be dropping those goals. There's a long way to go mind so we've got to keep the hard work up, but it helps that we've got a quality starting backline and strength in depth with men like Popey and Rog who can come in if we need to tighten up.'

A hand shot up for the next question. EBC Sport this time. 'Tommo its been noted that a few of the top seeds have started pretty slowly, so is it satisfying to have a 100% start?'
'Well of course it's satisfying, but it would be whatever results the others get. A couple of them have had dodgy starts yeah, Pasarga being the obvious one, San Jose Guayabal, Holy Empire, there's a few who will be thinking maybe they could have started a lot better and that's not something we feel right now. But it has to be said that we won't get complacent and we can always do better, some teams have had even better starts like the Polarian's who hammered Semarland, today we could have won more decisively and I felt like we could have won 3-0 or 4-0 against Sandwich Territories. Not that I'm complaining of course, we were happy with 2-0 in a crucial game, Craig and Kris scored a couple of wonderful goals and I'm confident they'll score plenty more.' The next question unsurprisingly followed up on this with a query about the Polkopia game. 'Yeah, Polkopia is one we will have to prepare for a lot, they're in form at the moment and they're a good team, a good unit. I can't tell you who will play but we'll be confident about it and we'll be playing to win and win well as usual, so don't expect any negativity.' The final question came from an independent sports journalist, who asked a more specific question. 'Hi Steve, a lot has been said this week about the "Jones option" and a long ball plan B, as it were, and you refused to comment on it earlier this week. So I'm just wondering, do you think some of the comments made have been fair?' There was a long pause as Thompson chuckled a bit at the question, even leaning over to his captain John Spartan to have a whisper in his ear. 'I didn't comment before because I couldn't answer many questions at the time, but I'll keep it brief here. There isn't anything to be said, really. There isn't. We have a great young talent in Lofty and he's more than just a tall player, he's strong and has great technical ability. I know there's this sort of instinctive gut reaction against long ball football in this country and as long as I'm manager you can trust me, you know you can trust me, to play good football and a passing game. But its good to have a backup plan and Lofty gives us that with his unique traits. I don't think its long ball football, I prefer to think of it as utilising altitude, if you will.' There was a murmur of laughter around the room as Thompson wrapped up, rising to leave with the one question he hadn't wanted to tackle very much taken head on.

by **Fluvique** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:27 am

The slump continues.

Rahku City. A step of ant, a snail advance. Fluvique started in that slow way on this qualifiers. Last night was more decent than against Nassau-Hessen, if is exist something worse than the things made on that night at South Lane. In football emergency and with many changes, the team at least showed his face, did not hide. Not enough to put a smile on it, but with a less sour gesture.

Three matches with only one point and without goals at home, is a extremely poor balance. With Gonza and FEDE lost on the pitch, with a weak defence, a defocused Di Angello. Fluvique is goalless. And we do not have to criticise Wilde, despite that he only have one change, which went wide. Adam was one of the best, the fought, was focused on the match, backed the midfielders and moved in all the attack front.

Warm, losing the shyness slowly. The defeat against Nassau-Hessen was a hit to the confidence and the many changes (five) were a punch to the fluency and the starting coordination. More than impose his conditions, the white foxes entered in study plan. With Emmanuel Battle and Henry Mhago as anchors in the mid zone, took a while until the team was friendly with the ball, tried to be partners and not fall into the temptation of launching long balls. Also was hard to conceal some nervousness and inaccuracies with the ball.

Nui-ta, knowing that they received a wounded rival, tried to hurt him. And they tried to be neat with the ball, they disputed control and initiative. He surprised with his midfielders and his hitch, capable of worry, with good technique and touch, the slow Fluviquean midfielders. Took forty five minutes until Fluvique gather around the ball, eradicate some solitary individual attempts. Defensively, the firmness of De La Mesea helped Martin Sampson. Both complement each other. On the wing, there was again the desired consistency.

Ricky Bertens had the pleasure of playing of what he likes. He went back to offer himself and to participate in the game creation with Sam Gonzo. And doing that, he stolen the role of a disappeared Di Angello. In the first half, Bertens gave three assists to Wilde, but he was not with accuracy on definition. It was the best attack formula.

It was a close game, both had his moment, threatened more than what they finally did. But this team has very bad luck. In a lonely situation, Varelovsky touched the ball through the center, Mhago was anticipated and lose the ball. The forward went alone and the rest his history. At 65´, the foxes were 0-1.

From that moment, the game was more disordered. Was more pushed than played. Di Angello's presence untenable, was replaced with Max Williams. The round of changes, with Williams, the debut of Nick Auze and Bernard Pullian, outlined an unusual formation for Fluvique. Also Bertens, Battle and Bass appeared from the start to plug holes. The game was on a thread at the end. De La Mesea prevented the goal with a miracle crossing and then came the justice. Ricky Bertens ran with the ball, touched to Mhago, who gave the ball to Gonza. The number 10, on his only good appearance on the match, avoided two players, and touched to Bertens again, near the corner. He did an accurate pass to Auze, who had his dreamed debut, shot with his left leg and the ball went to the second post, far for the goalkeeper. At 84´, Fluvique tied the game. It was justice, because both team were and did the same things.

In a calm stadium, far away of be a volcano, Fluvique will come home with a worked tie, with lung, with more fight than inspiration. The next match will be at home, with Eastfield Lodge, at a South Lane stadium who will be a true boiler. All the tickets are sold out, and also the flares and confetti are ran out in the stores. The fans are expecting to motivate the fierceness on the players but, we can not imagine what will happen if the white foxes lose again. After, Fluvique will travel to Emirate of Akbarstan. This first three matches were a headache to Fluvique. They still are in search the remedy.

Fluvique. 1
4-4-2

1: Andy Paribas
23: Jake Bass
2: Rodrigo De La Mesea
15: Mark Augsburg
3: Gabriel Varelovsky

(46´)
19: Ricky Bertens
14: Emmanuel Battle

(34)

(67´) Nick Auze
5: Henry Mhago

(77´)
7: Paul Di Angello

(70´) Bernard Pullian
10: Sam Gonza (C)
9: Adam Wilde

(61´) FEDE

Goal: Nick Auze (84´)
Cautions: Varelovksy, Battle, Mhago.
MoM: Ricky Bertens.

by **Natanians and Nosts** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:14 am

-Today I'm here in San Jose Guayabal to interviel some of our supporters.
Good morning,what's your name?
-I'm Mihai Ion da Silva.
-So,mr. Mihai,what are your opinions about our players?
-I think that we need to win the next games,and it's impossible.But I thin that we also have good players like the number 11,the number 10 and the seven,I don't remember correctly their names,but they play in a great way.
-Who do you think that will win the World Cup?
-I'm optimistic,but I don't think that we'll win this one,but there are several other good teams,and I shall cheer for this team that just beat us now, as some people that I know will do too.
-O.K. thanks mr. Mihai.

-What's your name?
-I'm Xosé Cáius dos Santos.
-Do you think that it is possible for us to qualify for this World Cup?
-I think that it's almost impossible,but I still support us.It's just a matter of time utill we get there!
-What to expect for the other teams and whom will you cheer for?
-I'm not going to cheer for anyone but Natanians and Nosts.But I think that Eura,Saintland,San José Guayabal,The Holy Empire,etc...these teams will keep making great games.
-Thank you mr. Xosé.

-Well,it's clear that our pleople is confident that we'll soonely be able to go to the World Cup,but they are optimistics about our first one!

by **Super-Llamaland** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:24 am

HOOVER ON THE HOT SEAT: A FEW ALTERNATIVE MANAGERIAL OPTIONS

I guess the LFA really regrets letting Bogdan Antonescu go, doesn't it?

It's hard to call the Carlton Hoover tenure anything but a failure right now. They took a huge step back, crashing out in the round of sixteen...of the Cup of Harmony (after a WCQ campaign that went far better than it had any right to but far worse than anyone could possibly expect), and a three-nil defeat to friggin' Kaboomlandia marked by what Llamaneans would call horrifically shady refereeing perfectly illustrates how things went between one Cup cycle and the next.

And then they let the Crystal Empire - the CRYSTAL EMPIRE! - knock four past them in a shoddy away loss. Hoover had decided that away against a decent squad was a perfect time to rotate the living s*** out of his roster, putting Smith-Reynolds and Herleksson (which went terribly the only other time it was EVER tried) out of their natural positions, at left-center and right-center, with Tyler Zhou on the wrong wing and Adam Bay doing his best impression of somebody with functioning legs.

Jesus Christ, what did you expect?

Hoover then pinned all blame on his players in the press conference after the atrocity, saying: "Many of you have criticized my tactics. But when you can't execute, no amount of tactical wizardry can save you." I have never seen a manager lose the clubhouse faster. Add to that Peter Masters coming out with an honest account of Hoover losing the clubhouse entirely in the span of two days and Hoover's firing seems an obvious conclusion. It's almost inevitable that the ex-FC New Llama manager will be unceremoniously sacked. So, the question finally becomes not "should we fire this guy?" to "Who should we replace Hoover with?"

Some options have been provided below.

HIRE SOME FOREIGNER

The number of national teams that have been lifted from their declines by a foreign manager are too many to count. The TIgers themselves rode Bogdan Antonescu to success, shortly before Ko-oren rode Bogdan Antonescu to renewed success. While Antonescu isn't coming back, there are certainly other options on the international market, as well as closer to home - many a FLULON'er has expressed their interest, some of which are even listed below.

Tobyn Clearwater

The "Honestly, we're just firing Hoover for a lack of results" hire, or perhaps the "I mean, Clearwater has been assistant manager for a bit" hire. Either way, this isn't really inspiring and a Clearwater hire would likely cause a few upticks in the suicide rate amongst die-hard football fans. Clearwater is known for his tactical genius, but there's a reason he wasn't manager before and it's that he's, er, never been manager before.

PROS: Tactical acumen is a plus.
CONS: Uninspiring both as a coach and a hire.

Erik Anderssen

The "Let's Bring a FLULONer" strategy championed by perhaps every Hicanan national team ever, Erik Anderssen is a foreigner who understands the Llamanean football playstyle very well. He led a relatively unheralded Emerald Springs team into Globe Cup contention (they placed third despite being pegged by many to finish in the bottom half of the league) in his final season with the LFL, and ten years managing in the nation is solid. At sixty-two he is a bit old, and maybe hiring an Arondellenske isn't the wisest idea right now - but this is a man who can lead a clubhouse full of Llamaneans.

PROS: Can really lead a clubhouse.
CONS: Not the best tactically, and also Arondellenske.

Leonidas de la Cruz

Fiery and driven, Leo de la Cruz would be the perfect fit for a not-that-fiery-or-driven Tigers team, especially considering our playstyles align. Except the fact that he's never managed any Llamaneans before combined with his personality makes it likely that the spark he brings to the team will accidentally land in a previously-unnoticed puddle of gasoline.

PROS: Matching tactics and the will to win (TM)!
CONS: There is a non-negligible chance he just stabbed somebody in a bar fight.

Jeremy Hayes

Quite the dark horse candidate due to the fact that he's never managed in anything better than barely-professional Llamanean Pro Soccer (LPS), Hayes nevertheless deserves a mention for bringing bankrupt and moribund SC Hazel to a second-place finish. While it's unlikely he'll be able to make the jump to managing the national team, and he is only just thirty-six, he's worth scouting out for the next time we sack somebody.

PROS: Strong motivator
CONS: Relative unknown on a big stage

Megan Leonard

Could be the first female manager of the national team! Unfortunately, she's unlikely to become the manager, as while she's able to hold her own as a manager, she's tactically weak. A Leonard-Clearwater pairing shouldn't be ruled out, though.

PROS: Strong leader
CONS: Weak tactically

Keep Hoover!

PROS: Literally none
---
Jeremy Hayes reminded himself to inhale. He knew it was unlikely he'd actually be able to manage the national team. But just a year ago he'd been an utter unknown managing in the notoriously low-quality Llamanean domestic leagues. The fact that he was even here shocked him.

News of Carlton Hoover's immediate firing after a horrific loss to, as the New Llama Online described, "Cru-FFS who even knows how to spell this team's name" in which another Hoover-ized defense gave up two in the opening three minutes was expected by absolutely everyone. Hoover himself even acknowledged that the odds of him surviving another day as the Tigers manager were, as he put it in typically Hooveresque manner - "somewhere under fifty percent, although definitely over zero; it depends really on the LFA's attitude."

And now Jeremy Hayes was here. In front of the LFA President, interviewing for the next job. He knew he'd have to be bold to win it at the age of thirty-seven. He intended to be bold with every managerial position he went for.

"Sit down please, if you would, Jeremy."

Adam Wawrinka was a relative unknown. After Sam Dijon's sudden illness forced him to resign, the LFA president had appointed the fifty-six-year-old Wawrinka to take his place - despite the fact that the ex-FC New Llama captain had never even been in the LFA before, instead frolicking off to Hicana to help rebuild their sports acadmies; then off to Eirelia for a nice managerial tenure.

"Good morning, Mr. Wawrinka."

"Good morning. Let's get started, shall we?"

"Right."

"First, congratulations on your success with the unheralded team from SC Hazel. We were watching it closely and, as you might have guessed, that's why you're here."

"Thank you."

"But let's cut past formalities now - managing in Llamanean Pro Soccer is nothing at all like managing the national team. Can you handle the stress?"

"I don't see why not," Jeremy Hayes said with a smile.

"That brings us to point two. What are your plans for this Tigers side that's gotten three points from three matches despite being pegged for a second-place finish by literally everyone?"

"Well, firstly, I intend to emphasize a different style of play - to stick with the big sides - you know, Pasarga, Eura, Nephara, Osarius, Farfadillis is in our qualifying group - we can't just play that creative of a game. If we don't execute, we'll be destroyed. Far too much margin of error. The previous manager tried to get SC Hazel to do that before i came in, and, well, there's a reason why I came in."

"Alright," Wawrinka said, looking at the young manager warily.

"So I'd focus on explosiveness. The counterattack. Sit back, take it...as soon as there's a gap, play it forwards and sprint like mad."

"And your formation..."

"I'll give you the starting lineup. 4-3-3. The backline is aggressive but can be solid in a pinch, too. Carmichael, Myers, Zhou, Karnstedt."

"Tyler Zhou?"

"Tyler Zhou. He's one of the better defenders on that squad, and he's solid both ways if need be. Sebastian Myers is so good - the defense will occasionally rely on him and Kudlowski."

"A midfield trio of Sara Neshek holding - her passing skill has improved, she's underrated, along with Stefan Bogusevic, who'd be fantastic for this system, and Michael de Vries. No Raburn, no Anthony Player. This isn't World Cup 71."

"Forwards?"

"Stanton, Cartwright, Inriquez."

Wawrinka wrote this down. The two shook hands. Jeremy Hayes left the LFA office with a smile on his face.

by **Valanora** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:34 am

"Three from three, that's the way to start off a campaign, and doing it in an impressive fashion to, having yet to concede a goal while putting eleven past the opposition. I guess that the wake up call from missing the World Cup four years ago really sent the message. Hard to believe just two years ago the VFA was considering folding the current team and putting in people from the second and third tier of the pyramid. Can you imagine the team without the likes of Soldarian, Fresco, va Drake, or Hawk? I mean, they are called the hero quartet for a reason."

"When as an organization you have come to expect success and have kept that standard of success for decades upon decades and then you fail to meet that standard, you have to think about taking drastic measures. It was a boon that the VSC was able to secure the hosting rights to last tournament, make no doubt about that, as that automatic qualification and the home boost that most host nations seem to get certainly helped in righting the ship. Had the team not been hosting and then failed to qualify, that scenario might have played out."

"Oh I do know just how fortunate the cycle form last was, it certainly stemmed the tide and perhaps have even given back a boost and energy to the side that has been lacking for nearly a decade. Ever since that tournament with Legalese, the side just seemed to be missing that certain special quality. Going into that tournament as the second ranked nation in the world, so accustomed to things just going easy for them until the knockouts, perhaps we needed the shake up then. Just a shame it took losing the record streak of qualifications to see the side finally open their eyes and buck the idea that teams would just step aside for them because we're Valanora and we have five titles."

"Yet with every failure comes new purpose, it reinvigorated the side and we are seeing the fruits of their labor come to fruition now but it can not stop here. The rest of the qualification will not be easy just because of a hot start and you can be sure that Taeshan and The Fallenmark Islands will be rearing to exact a little revenge upon the side when the reverse fixtures come in the second half. Nor can we get too high upon the early success, as Cosumar waits us still, a challenge that is right up there with those that the side faces in the Finals."

"Cosumar will be a challenge and one that I look forward to with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. They are a wonderful side and my heart broke for them with the poor run of form they had during last qualifiers, it really was something awful to behold. However they were able to turn it around and win the Cup of Harmony which is a massive achievement when you have come to such lows, as our side knows well with that recent memory. A stern challenge indeed and one that will honestly gauge how ready both sides are if they do manage to qualify once more."

by **Northern Sunrise Islands** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:46 am

WORLD CUP 73
Win over West Angola at a cost: bench hero suspended against key opponent

The Sunrisian roll continues as the Samba Kids repeat the score from their encounter with Armeia against a stronger West Angolan side, even if that result came with a red card on Allejo, missing the game against powerhouse Osarius. But first things first. The game against West Angola showed one of their best skills, support withdrawal. Playing at one of the smallest venues of the qualifiers, seats had to be improvised, but barely managed to seat the 3000 Sunrisian fans that made the trip. Many had to stand up or sit on the grass just to watch the match. And the home side also made advantage of the relatively short pitch, scoring on the tenth minute, shot scored by Peter Simmons.

As the team finally positioned itself on the tiny field, things found themselves on the very same way the last Sunrisian game went: Allejo starring against a hopeless defence. In fact, the first goal came from another great play done by the cherished number 28 of the Unified Sunrisian side. Allejo had the ball on the middle of the field and advanced towards Henry Falding. A slide of legs to one side, a slide of legs to the other side and down went the opposing defender. The forward then noticed Raphael Xodó squeezing by the left wing, surpassing a defender. Allejo launched the ball towards the Raphael who knocked the ball upwards with his chest. As it fell down, Xodó shot the ball with power to the back of the net. Game tied.

Allejo continued his contributions into the second goal as well. A lucky moment where Allejo found himself alone in the middle of the pitch, darting towards the goal, only for a mischievous idea breed inside his mind: Allejo saw the keeper reaching for the ball and on that moment, he lifted the ball from the keeper's hand and, at last, hit the ball with his left heel just for the sake of being artsy. Two-one. However, that was the last good thing Allejo did. He would then burn himself in anger and punch midfielder Casey Palmer on the face after "hearing too much of his bitching", according to the Sunrisian. A red card ensued, sitting out of the game against Osarius.

Last but not least, Chi-chan's debut on the Unified Sunrise side starting out with a goal was something just as well. Enticing fans at SC Cascadia, the nekojin saw a perfect chance when lack of attention by Falding allowed the ball to roll free near the sideline. Chi-Chan caught the ball and pulled it by the side of the pitch. She then dazzled by the defenders, hitting a perfect shot to the top right of the goal. Three-one, Sunrisians catching another win... everything in preparation for what has to be the biggest game of their qualifiers. Union Stadium will see the Savior Grey face the Firebirds of Osarius, a game where the team hopes to at least draw and stay on the top of the group. Allejo might be the biggest miss of the group, but the fans hope Alcouin will be able to keep up with the football shown by her comrade.

World Cup 73 - RPing Thread

Witty Penguins RP #4

Who is online