By: Jordan Lawless, Chief Correspondent, Previous Sports Corresponsdent, Chromatik City Courier
Guest Panelist: Nikolai Thorben, Previous Starting Goalkeeper, Chromatik National Team
Guest Panelist: Kéirâ Andìsorì, Starting Striker, Chromatik National Team
World Cup 76: Quarterfinals Preview
Previous Record:
Lawless: 4-4 (Guessed Brenecia-Krytenia correctly )
Thorben: 4-4 (Guessed Chromatika-Royal Kingdom of Québec and Unified Sunrise Islands-Nephara correctly)
Andìsorì: 4-4
There isn't really a lead among the three panelists, as they all finish at a record of 4-4, with Lawless calling one match's score exactly and Thorben calling two exactly. Andìsorì? Scored the game-winning goal, and won, so we'll give her the win for the Chromatik-Québec game.
Now, we look ahead to the Quarterfinals, at the last eight teams remaining at this seventy-sixth edition of the World Cup!
Cenian Half
#16 Brenecia vs. #3 Audioslavia
@ Volatus Millennium Stadium, Cenial
How they got there: Brenecia defeated Krytenia, 2-1, After Extra Time, after tying 1-1 in regulation. Audioslavia defeated Eura, 1-0.
Offense: Brenecia: 25 qualifying, 9 proper, 2 playoffs. 36 total in 16 games. Audioslavia: 27 qualifying, 8 proper, 1 playoffs. 36 in 16 games. EDGE: Even 2.25:2.25
Defense: Brenecia: 8 qualifying, 4 proper, 1 playoffs. 13 total in 16 games. Audioslavia: 8 qualifying, 4 proper, 0 playoffs. 12 in 16 games. EDGE: Audioslavia 0.813:0.75
The Matchup: Woodgate vs. Williams was a doozy, and Brenecia needed heroics late, in extra time, to edge the Krytenians. Audioslavia, on the other hand, relied on an early goal of Rose and the keeping of Ozuna to get by Eura. The two sides are dead even in goals scored, and if Brenecia hadn't conceded the lone goal in the Round of Sixteen, they would be dead even in goals allowed as well.
The Pick:
Lawless: One of the great footballing giants reveals their true form. Audioslavia will make it to the finals, and give Unified Sunrise Islands a run for their money, behind the power that is Ozuna and the superstar that is Rose. The Patriots have made a good run, but it ends here. Audioslavia 2-0 Brenecia.
Thorben: I wouldn't count Woodgate out. Brenecia just has a different gait, a different look, this cycle. Especially with their friendly(?) rivals Nephara crashing out, they'll be wanting to do even better than this. I can see the upset coming. Brenecia 2-1 Audioslavia.
Andìsorì: I think that the first half hour of this game will tell the tale. Audioslavia will try to exert their will, Brenecia will try to hang on. As the game goes late, I think Brenecia has a real chance. It'll be up to the Bulls to generate enough of a lead. I think they will, they're a side that's been here multiple times, so why not more? Audioslavia 3-1 Brenecia.
#8 San José Guayabal vs. #21 Ceni
@ New Oxford Coliseum, New Oxford
How they got there: San José Guayabal defeated Valanora, 3-2. Ceni defeated Valladares 5-2.
Offense: San José Guayabal: 30 qualifying, 7 proper, 3 playoffs. 40 total in 16 games. Ceni: 10 proper, 5 playoffs. 15 total in 4 games. EDGE: Ceni 2.5:3.75
Defense: San José Guayabal: 15 qualifying, 7 proper, 2 playoffs. 24 total in 16 games. Ceni: 6 proper, 2 playoffs. 8 total in 4 games. EDGE: San José Guayabal 1.5:2
The Matchup: A high-scoring affair that sees the Guayabalense make it through, just to now face a Cenian side that produced the upset of the tournament with five goals scored against the second best team in the world. Ceni is producing goals at an absurd rate, though there's only been four games. Morales is doing just enough on the defensive end. Terrazas will be bombarded left and right. The midfield will be a crucial matchup, as it will dictate time of possession and the number of chances that Ceni will be able to attack.
The Pick:
Lawless: Yes, I understand that Ceni was grossly underestimated against Valladares, but I just can't see them put up another monster performance after the last. I think Terrazas will be able to hang on against the Cenian onslaught, and the Guayabalense offense will make enough of a difference. San José Guayabal 3-1 Ceni.
Thorben: Terrazas is the only reason you need to pick the Guayabalense. He's been playing as a man possessed, and he will be the difference. San José Guayabal 2-0 Ceni.
Andìsorì: The Cenian offensive juggernaut will take another scalp, Arrowsword & co. playing too hot on home soil. Mark my words - Ceni is going to the finals. Ceni 3-1 San José Guayabal.
Electrumite Half
#12 Cosumar vs. #18 Chromatika
@ Hamilton Multi-Purpose Venue, Hamilton
How they got there: Cosumar defeated Electrum, 1-0. Chromatika defeated the Royal Kingdom of Québec, 3-2.
Offense: Cosumar: 36 qualifying, 6 proper, 1 playoffs. 43 in 16 games. Chromatika: 30 qualifying, 12 proper, 3 playoffs. 45 in 16 games. EDGE: Chromatika 2.69:2.81
Defense: Cosumar: 17 qualifying, 5 proper, 0 playoffs. 22 in 16 games. Chromatika: 10 qualifying, 6 proper, 2 playoffs. 18 in 16 games. EDGE: Chromatika 1.38:1.13
The Matchup: Sigler's lone goal helped Winterfyll's efforts be enough for the win against pesky Electrum. Chromatika needed late heroics from Antonio and Andìsorì to get past ten-man Québec. Sigler will be suspended for this match after accumulating another yellow card.
The Pick:
Lawless: What a game it was for the Anomalies in Exile. These two teams met last in the Round of Sixteen of AOCAF 50, and the Vanquishers won in penalty kicks. It will be a true test of Nier, and Sigler's absence after another yellow card will be notable, as he is the playmaker for the Vanquishers. I think that the Anomalies will pull it off with the absolute brilliance of Andìsorì leading the way, and somehow see themselves in the Semifinals. Chromatika 3-1 Cosumar.
Thorben: As much as people talk about the Vanquishers' offense, it's Winterfyll that will have the last say as to whether the Anomalies will make it past Cosumar or not. Cosumar's defensive prowess is underrated, and it will be what dictates whether the Anomalies score enough or not. I think they will, only because the midfield is strong enough to contest - Kelly and Hellion will do a good enough job. Chromatika 2-1 Cosumar.
Andìsorì: Once again, I won't be providing a scoreline for this match. We are looking at Sigler's replacement, Kaspian, as the possible weak link. Hopefully we'll be able to capitalize on the chances that our system of play provides, and pull out another victory for the people watching.
#1 Unified Sunrise Islands vs. #13 Vilita
Walkers Stadium, Agri
How they got there: Unified Sunrise Islands defeated Nephara, 3-2, After Extra Time, after tying 2-2 in regulation. Vilita defeated Farfadillis, 3-1.
Offense: Unified Sunrise Islands: 28 qualifying, 6 proper, 3 playoffs. 37 in 16 games. Vilita: 25 qualifying, 5 proper, 3 playoffs. 33 in 16 games. EDGE: Unified Sunrise Islands 2.31:2.06
Defense: Unified Sunrise Islands: 13 qualifying, 3 proper, 2 playoffs. 18 in 16 games. Vilita: 12 qualifying, 4 proper, 1 playoffs. 17 in 16 games. EDGE: Vilita 1.13:1.06
The Matchup: A back and forth match saw Mallena's late score be the difference against Nephara, although Juliano is now out of the tournament... Vilita relied on a triple response after the early Farf goal to produce another upset, at least on paper.
The Pick:
Lawless: Ah, what a game by the Vilitans! Milake had an amazing game against Farfadillis. Now, he'll have to repeat that performance against another high-flowing offense, the Samba Kids! Unified Sunrise Islands had a spirited time against Nephara but ultimately prevailed. I think that the Samba Kids will get a step closer to a repeat... Unified Sunrise Islands 3-1 Vilita.
Thorben: Milake's goaltending last game was insane! I think along with his backfield, they'll make things more interesting on the Unified Sunrise Islands than people think. Defense wins championships, and Vilita will show that spirit! Vilita 2-1 Unified Sunrise Islands.
Andìsorì: There's something about a team playing with a chip on their shoulders that appeals to me. On paper, Vilita shouldn't win. But on paper, they shouldn't have defeated Farfadillis either. Rather insane, eh? Vilita will prevail. They just have the X-factor. Vilita 1-0 Unified Sunrise Islands.
#18 Chromatika vs. #7 Royal Kingdom of Québec
@ Fairleigh Field, Fairleigh
Starting Lineups:
Royal Kingdom of Québec: Cech; McNair - Jeong - Tagaq - Kontiola; Schneiderlin - Park; Kang - Conavacio - Gelinas - Mvouba
Chromatika: Nier; Morningstar - Stef - Aart - Ellen; Kelly - Hellion - Liam; Rien, Antonio, Andìsorì
Gelinas 7', Kelly 22', Conavico 52', Antonio 68', Andìsorì 90+3'
Three Keys to the Game:
1. Suspensions, Cards
You can say whatever you want about the Grim Reapers' depth and strengths, but missing three starters sucks no matter how good your team is. Missing van Robben, Hertel, and Dunford and having to be replaced by Gelinas, Kang, and Jeong definitely had an impact on the Grim Reapers. Yes, Gelinas did score the first goal of the game assisted by Park and had some good moments, but Conavacio definitely made things a lot harder for the team after getting ejected from the game due to disrobing almost completely after his goal. The Grim Reapers will most likely have hung on for a win had they had their actual starters.
2. Nier hanging on
Before you go off saying that she let in two goals, just keep in mind that the Grim Reapers play one of the most exciting brands of football out there, perhaps only matched by Ceni/Farfadillis. Gelina's shot from Park was a great ball that Aart mistimed by a little bit, and she really didn't have a chance at it. Conavico's goal? Perhaps that should have been handled a bit better, but Mvouba's touch was simple brilliance. Nier had some amazing blocks throughout the match, as Chromatika was outshot 16-4, and Québec had seven solid shots on goal versus Chromatika's five. It could definitely be stated that Nier had the hardest match of her career, but she will have to play better if the Anomalies are to go any further.
3. Kéirâ Andìsorì.
I'll let her account of the game winning goal stand for itself. What a sensational story and now the main face of the Chromatik team. If Antonio was first, and Thorben was second, Andìsorì, the youngster, is now.
There is one minute left in the match.
I can feel the energy getting drained from everyone on the pitch. McNair and Jeong look gassed, Porsan-Thauvin, the sub, looks a bit tired, too. Ki, who came in for Trenn at the eightieth, has the freshest legs, and she's doing a bit better than most of us out here. My mind can't help but wander to possible overtime, and then dreaded penalty kicks. Boy, does our team has a history of penalty kicks, with horrible results. Hopefully, it won't go down to that.
I'm down to our third, defending high, because the Reapers are pressing in. Although Conavacio's been ejected, the Québecois have continued to play their high-attacking style, and relied on their back end to cover when we counterattack. That image of Conavacio's celebration isn't going to be gone from my memory anytime soon. Poor wife. I get he likes attention, but that was just a bit too much.
Zelaya's probing shot is palmed by Jillian, and I start taking off towards the Québecois third. We're going to have one last chance! Jillian rolls the ball to Ellen, who's made some big challenges in the game. She gets by a struggling Zelaya, gets the ball to Kelly, who takes one, two steps, and I can see out of a corner of my eye what she's going to do next.
Porsan-Thauvin and Kontiola surround me with their burly forms, but I juke around them while making sure that i won't be offsides.
As I foresaw, the ball is dropping down, directly where only I can get to it. I can see Cech's eyes starting to get a bit bigger.
The pass is perfect. I take one touch with my right foot, to dribble it up in the air a bit. Then, taking a deep breath...
I hit it perfectly with the insole of my left foot. The ball seems to hang in the air for an eternity. It goes straight at Cech, who goes up to meet it, and then curves at the last second past his outstretched left hand...
And buries itself in the back of the net.
Elation. Simple elation. I slide down on my knees in the left corner area, and my teammates bombard me.
The resulting goal kick, a few more probes by Québec, and we win the fricking match!
Afterwards, I walked up to Cech, who gave me a high-five and said this:
"Our country has been rooting for you guys in your fight against your government. Best of luck out there, and don't give up."
Oh, we won't, Grim Reaper. This team has another match to play.