The Eagle's Cup RP/Scores Thread
This thread will be for all RP's and scores for the Eagle's Cup IV.
First matchday will occur SUNDAY, when I return from an out of town trip Fri-Sun morning.
The 16 teams were ranked by ther pre-WC18 KPB ranks and then divided into 4 pots. Random groups were chosen from ach pot. The groups are (with KPB Ranking)
Group A:
Audioslavia (6)
Starblaydia (21)
Turori (29)
Legalese (122)
Group B:
NEWI Cefn Druids (8)
Liverpool England (12)
Sarzonia (35)
The Redavic Union (75)
Group C:
Vilita (7)
The Lowland Clans (22)
The Belmore Family (45)
Kelonian States (150)
Group D:
Bedistan (2)
Crystilakere (24)
Aquiliana (27)
Sliponia (150)
This is the most stacked field in the history of the Eagle's Cup. Each group wil play 2 games against each other (for a total of 6 matchdays) At that point we will move on to the Quarterfinals.
Matchday schedule:
MD1: 1v2, 3v4
MD2: 2v4, 1v3
MD3: 1v4, 3v2
MD4: 4v3, 2v1
MD5: 3v1, 4v2
MD6: 2v3, 4v1
There is a bonus for a roster, and a RP bonus will be applied for a pre-MD1 RP. Post RP's here, Post rosters here: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=370880
Good luck!
--------------The Vilita Jungle Cats have once again been handed a Senior Group draw with their Inagural World Cup 13 foes, The Lowlands Clans and The Belmore Family. Vilita quickly made amends for the pair of losses handed to them by The Belmore Family by outperforming them in the 14th Cup of Harmony, The first Major Trophy picked up by Vilitan Sport. The Belmore Family is back in the Vilitan spotlight, after neighboring Turori shocked the sporting world by entering a World Cup 19 Hosting bid with the Inconsistent Belmorian state. Vilitan influence in The Belmore Family has been rising in recent years, both in sport and in politics, with the Vilitan Antiparticulates winning over arguably the most influential City in the world, Alan City, in the most recent Belmorian Elections. The Vilitans however fell short of victory in the overall election, despite winning the popular vote.
'Group of Death' awaits Stars
The deepest Sarzonian national team in history began the final stages of preparations for its first entry into the Eagle Cup, where it was drawn into what is arguably the toughest group in the tournament.
Regional rivals and eighth ranked NEWI Cefn Druids, who until this year won every AOCAF tournament played, 12th ranked Liverpool England and 75th ranked The Redavic Union all join the Stars in Group C, and Coach Dave Wilson said it was absolutely "essential" the team begin the tournament with a win over The Redavic Union.
"There's not an easy match in our group," Wilson said. "This isn't like the Cup of Harmony where we were the class of our group. We're going to have to fight to get results."
The Stars will enter this tournament with three goalkeepers for the first time in national team history, with John Bartlett fresh off a dominating performance in the AOCAF tournament (six shutouts in nine matches, 0.72 goals against average) serving as the backup to national team mainstay Troy Perkins. Trevor Crenshaw provides defensive depth while "Dix" Porter also joins the roster as a midfielder.
The biggest news, however is the return of forward Anton Gregor to the first choice team after his ACL tear toward the end of the third AOCAF tournament.
"That's going to be a big lift for this team," midfielder Bobby Convey said. "Anton was such a big part of this team that it was a huge loss not having him around. He'll be a big part of this team again."
"He'll come off the bench at least early on," Wilson said. "We may get him in the starting 11 later in the tournament."
The Stars are hoping they can string some upsets together and possibly earn their first point against the NEWI Cefn Druids.
"Anything is possible," forward and team captain Brian Wilson said. "We beat Vilita in the AOCAF tournament, after all."
Alrighty. For those of you not used to Eagle's Cups, I move fast. meaing MD is eachday, and when we go to the knockout rounds, I will TG your score, and then in 24 hours, TG the next round and post the previous scores. so be quick.
MATCHDAY 1
Group A
Audioslavia 2 - 3 Starblaydia
Turori 0 - 0 Legalese
Group B
NEWI Cefn Druids 0 - 2 Liverpool England
Sarzonia 0 - 1 The Redavic Union
Group C
Vilita 3 - 1 The Lowland Clans
The Belmore Family 1 - 1 Kelonian States
Group D
Bedistan 1 - 3 Crystilakere
Aquiliana 0 - 0 Sliponia
Tables will start after MD3.
Stars crash vs. Redavic Union
The Sarzonian national team figured that getting a win against 75th ranked The Redavic Union with Liverpool England and regional rivals NEWI Cefn Druids in the same group would be essential. Unfortunately, the Stars weren't equal to the task, misfiring on several scoring opportunities en route to a 1-0 loss.
"This was a disgrace," Coach Dave Wilson said. "Offensively, we weren't jack squat. We gave up the goal thanks to a defensive breakdown. We're going to have to go back to Football 101 after this match."
The Stars gave up the only goal in the 43rd minute when Emacio, playing center back with defender Corey Hemby suspended for a red card in the Cup of Harmony final, didn't mark the RU's top goalscorer and he had an easy shot on goal that goalkeeper Troy Perkins couldn't get to in time.
"I made big mistake," Emacio said. "I missed my mark. That goal my fault."
"We couldn't get anything going offensively," forward and team captain Brian Wilson said. "I think we had what, six shots the whole match?" When told the team had eight shots, with only two on goal, he said, "Sheesh!
"We've got to play a better game of football because it only gets a lot tougher from here on out."
Sliponia Fights For Draw
Slips off to a great start.
THE EAGLE'S NEST---The fans of Sliponia's national team have a lot to cheer about. In their first match of the cup, Sliponia earned a hard fought 0-0 draw against #27 Aquiliana. Though the Slips didn't pull off the win, many analysts feel this is a minor upset.
Famed Sliponian soccer historian Drake Brees has been quoted as saying "Sliponia has a KPB ranking of 150; Aquliana is 27. This should have been a blow-out. Hopefully this means there will be a chance for Sliponia to advance!"
This having been said, all of Sliponia's hopes will be upon this squad as well as the squad competing in the Baptism of Fire Cup. Sliponia split it's roster in half to see who would do better.
Sliponia's next match is against a tough #24 Crystilakere who recently beat #2 Bedistan 3-1. The Sliponian team will need to rally all of it's strength to compete against this team. Sliponia Coach Jeff Hawkins had these comments:
"In practice we're just going to try and focus on attacking their weaknesses and defending their strengths so that in the match we can try to win, or at least play for another draw! The win is our main goal. We're not here moral victories."
No goals, but still joy in Legalese
0-0 Draw vs. #29 Turori reason to celebrate, says Carnalejo
Legalese, not expected to favor well in the Eagle's Cup, has come off to a surprising start, playing defending Champions Turori to a scoreless draw this evening. Little action dominated the match, with Tommy Walters making 7 saves on 10 shots for the Black and Red.
Legalese, ranked 122nd in the world, faces a difficult first round, with matches against Audioslavia and Starblaydia ahead, and a return bout with Turori looming. Regardless, Manager Robbie Heard in optimistic of the Cup of Harmony runners-up.
"As we showed today, we can play the game with some of the best," Heard commented. "It will not be easy for us, in any way whatsoever, but with hard work, there's no reason we can't come out of this with a team ready for a qualifying run. The experience is there, and this draw has only helped us further in gaining that experience."
Legalese will take on Starblaydia in Matchday 2, as they hope to make the most of this run to the Eagle's Cup.
All Square in Sliponia
Falcons "not prepared to play," says Coach Ed
Unfortunately, Aquiliana couldn't get their forwards awake in time to score anything against the unranked Sliponia. However, the defense was extremely solid, not allowing any shots on goal at all. It seems that Sliponia's physical defense was able to stop Aquiliana's speed players, despite giving up some fouls.
"We need to get ourselves focused," said Coach Ed afterwards. "We've got Bedistan up tomorrow, and there's no way we cancome close to winning that game the way we played tonight."
Final Score:
Aquiliana 0
Sliponia 0
Philosophers Triumph
The Philosophers beat NEWI Cefn Druids today in the Eagles Cup 2-0. Playing with their under 23 side, the Phiolosophers got off to a quick start when full international (17 caps) Douglas Freech, 20, tapped in from close range from u21 player (4 u21 caps) Gordon Tudomich's cross.
Philosophers Triumph
The Philosophers beat NEWI Cefn Druids today in the Eagles Cup 2-0. Playing with their under 23 side, the Phiolosophers got off to a quick start when full international (17 caps) Douglas Freech, 20, tapped in from close range from u21 player (4 u21 caps) Gordon Tudomich's cross. Freech turned provider in the second half, when with 17 minutes left on the clock, he helped seal the win with a strong shot which cannonned back off the crossbar into Hernan Damian's path. Damian made no mistake, finding the back of the net wtih a powerful volley.
------------------Defending Eagle's Cup Champions the Turori Eels National Team got their Eagle's Cup IV Campaign off to a similar start by drawing to weaker opposition in Atlantian Oceania newcomers Legalese. The Cup of Harmony runners-up proved very tough opposition to the mixed Eels side, and Turori will have to improve their game against Audioslavia and Starblaydia if they expect to retain their Eages Cup Crown.
------------------It was a reunion of sorts for Eels Striker Martiia Rawaii, after begginning his Training with the Legalese Professional League, Rawaii took leave to fly to the Eagle's Nest and compete with his Nation in the competition. Coach Mauritus Banda was quick to hand Rawaii his first start with the Senior Squad when Legalese were drawn in the same group as the Eels. The Now-Short trip to regional neighbors Legalese had not been made by any of the Eels scouts, and Banda hoped Rawaii would be the catalyst to send the Eels off to a winning start. The match, however, ended scoreless, and The Eels prepared for Audioslavia looking to regain their Eagle's Cup Form.
Vilita Goalscorers::
17' Carmine Mbidzo
51' Calaesa Mitaroka
61' Umberto Melli
-------------------The Vilita Jungle Cats continued their Strong run of results against The Lowland Clans and continued their success in the Eagle's Cup by opening the Fourth Eagle's Cup with an impressive 3-1 Victory over their Clanny counterparts. The result was celebrated with great pleasure throughout Vilita, the Vilitans still taking great pride in ousting the team that wrote the first page in the Vilitan World Cup History book. It was a less than spectacular 0-4 defeat to the Lowland Clans on the first matchday of World Cup 13 Qualifying that sent Vilita spiriling to the front pages of the World Press. The feud between rookie manager Helmut Vilkaus and his Lowland counterparts reached a level far beyond that of the match itself, and the Clannies backed up the result with a 0-2 victory in the return leg.
-------------------The two sides would not meet again until World Cup 18 Qualifiers, seeing Vilita, now ranked inside the Top 10 in the world being favorites over their once dominating others. Both matches were ones to remember, with Vilita taking the first matchup 3-2, before upsetting the Clans on their own turf, 2-1 in the return leg.
-------------------The 3-1 Victory to open the Eagle's Cup, with goals from Future Star Carmine Mbidzo, trustworthy Strike FC midfieler Umberto Melli and Energetic Winger Calaesa Mitaroka cemented the Vilitan's hold on the all-time series between the teams for the first time, and signalled the Jungle Cats intentions of maintaining their status as Favorites to lift the fourth Eagle's Cup, and prove they can do as their former Colony, Turori, has already surprisingly done.
Full Time Analysis:
Vilita
Best Player: Tanner Nerni
Worst Player: Sibusiso Azaïez
Shots on Target: 9
Corner Kicks: 4
Opponents
Best Player:
Worst Player:
Shots on Target: 4
Corner Kicks: 4
Vilita Jungle Cats (3-5-2) ::
[GK] Jimmy Kater, [D] Ricky Ezis, [D] Sibusiso Azaïez, [D] Esemar Aliana, [DMC] Christian Sanou, [ML] Calaesa Mitaroka, [MC] Umberto Melli, [MC] Santo Kecker, [MR] Tanner Nerni, [FC] Serge DuPont, [FC] Carmine Mbidzo,
BENCH::
[FC] Callum Banda, [FC] Mauro Baraza, [M] Inaki Soler, [M] Marasent Sioane, Jaloey Afrikka, [D] Emarka Laniora, [GK] Bryan 'Pop' Duiker,
Vilita Substitutions::
(45) - Christian Sanou >>> Marasent Sioane
'Slaves Downed, Starblaydia top Group
Minor revenge from the World Cup in a side-dish served cold
Though not really comparable to their defeat in Group Stage of the 17th World Cup Finals, Starblaydia's victory over Audioslavia was a sweet one. Starblaydia's young guns got the better of the 'Slaves side.
Young striker Marco Del Blanco, Under-21 Captain Geraint Evans and Centre-Back Jamie Majeed got the goals that put Starblaydia ahead, then drew them level, then won the game.
Legalese are up next in the first of two Bekkside Derbies, with the Easterners Starblaydia up against the Red-and-Blacks from the Southern side of the lake. Fellow Atlantian Oceanians Turori, defending Champions, are here too, making Group A a tightly contested one with lots of needle for the competitors.
Final Score:
Audioslavia 2 - 3 Starblaydia
(Cailan 24, Black 36) - (Del Blanco 13, Evans 47, Majeed 62)
An editorial from the Columbia Times:
Bedistani Football: Going the Way of the Dodo?
by Chris McGee
I remember the days when the Bedistani national football team was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, quite possibly the best save Rejistania. And it really wasn't all that long ago -- only five or ten years. Right up there with nations like Eauz, the Eagle's Nest, Europa Brittania, and Kingsford. But many of these nations have fallen on hard times recently. Les Bleus, once the best in the world, now ranked 12th. Kingsford fallen all the way to 33rd, EB to 37th. And many other past greats falling off into obscurity as well -- Lemmitania 23rd, Snub Nose 29, Spaam 35th, Dennisov 39th, Halfassed 42nd, the Belmore Family holding on to the top 50 by a thread. Oglethorpia 62nd...the list goes on and on. TEN and Bedistan have, until now, been two of the few nations not subject to this curse. Indeed, TEN are just as strong as ever, still hanging on to fourth place by a razor-thin margin over...Iansisle? Who the hell are they?
But it's beginning to look like the Bedistani team is falling into a slump as well. There was that humiliating loss to EL CID THE HERO in the WC18 group stage, and then that absolute thrashing 4-1 by TEN that knocked the Lions out in the second round. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the Bedistani team is ranked the lowest it's been in about twenty years according to recent polls -- 7th. But surely it was just a bit of bad luck in WC18, right?
Well, if you've seen Bedistan's first ever Eagle's Cup match, played last night against Crystilakere, I'm sure you're shaking your head. While certainly no pushovers, Crystilakere is a team that Bedistan should reasonably expect to defeat, or perhaps draw on an off-day. So what did the team do? They lost to Crystilakere 3-1, that's what they did. And already brand-new manager Morris McGarity's job is on the line, as well it should be. He was brought in to fix the mistakes made by Brandon Barton, not to intensify them. Something must be done NOW before we become the next Lemmitania, Spaam, the Belmore Family, or Gesamtkuntswerk and start having to actually pay attention to the Cup of Harmony again because we'll be participating in it. I hope you're listening, McGarity, because if the Lions continue to falter, it's your head the fans (and the BFA) will be after.
Stars hope to rebound against Druidish foes
The Sarzonian national team could be forgiven for spending most of their day off seething after their 1-0 loss to lightly regarded The Redavic Union, but the team immediately hit the practice field and the coaches spent hours poring over game tapes. The team looked to put the memory of a "flat" performance behind them and get back to work.
"We've got a huge match now and it's made even more important because we didn't get the job done the first time out," Coach Dave Wilson said. "Because we've only got five more matches, this match becomes kind of a must-win situation for us."
The Stars (0-1) are facing an equally desperate NEWI Cefn Druids team that lost its first match to Liverpool England 2-0. The team that loses this match would find itself at the bottom of the table and fishing for a telescope to find the leaders. Besides the urgency of the match, the Stars are also finding motivation in their previous series against their Druidish regional rivals.
The team is 0-3 lifetime against NEWI Cefn Druids, with the closest result being a 1-0 loss in the semifinals of the second AOCAF tournament. The Stars only scored one goal in the series, in a 4-1 debacle in the semifinals of the third AOCAF tournament that added injury to insult when forward Anton Gregor tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
Gregor sat on the bench against The Redavic Union, but will step into the starting lineup with the first choice national team for the first time since the previous meeting against the Druids, in that 4-1 loss. Forward Barry Alphonso will sit on the bench.
"I'm going to have some butterflies, that's for sure," Gregor said. "But it's not like I haven't played at all. I played in the last AOCAF tournament." The second choice Stars team finished in third place for the third time in four AOCAF tournaments, with the only exception being a fourth place finish in the second tournament. Gregor was the team captain in the regional tournament.
The Stars are hoping to end the hex against the NEWI Cefn Druids, but concede it won't be easy.
"None of the matches are going to be from here on out. We're in the Group of Death and you're going to see that hold up."
Matchday 2
Remember, tables will be posted starting tomorrow.
Anyway, off to the matches...many close games and one major upset.
Group A
Starblaydia 0 - 1 Legalese (Upset of the Day)
Audioslavia 3 - 1 Turori
Group B
Liverpool England 2 - 0 The Redavic Union
NEWI Cefn Druids 3 - 0 Sarzonia
Group C
The Lowland Clans 1 - 0 Kelonian States
Vilita 1 - 0 The Belmore Family
Group D
Crystilakere 0 - 0 Sliponia
Bedistan 1 - 1 Aquiliana
New Bekkside Derby Goes Against Starblaydia
Legalese Soar to knock down Starblaydia
Now with a new nation sitting on the Southern shores of the Bekk lake in Atlantian Oceania, Bekkside Derbies are becoming somewhat of a regular occurrence for Starblaydia, who take the eastern side of the lake. NEWI Cefn Druids and their breakaway state of Druida are to the west, while close firends Nova Britannicus lie to the North. This time it was the Black-and-Red 'southerners' of Legalese who upset Starblaydia's apple-cart in their first ever meeting.
Starblaydia, attempting to get their excuses in first, would point to the 'extreme' youth of the team, though that wasn't a problem against the 'slaves.
'We're still fine-tuning our team before the World Cup starts, we've got a lot of learning to do' said Manager Guylain N'Dumbu-Nsungu, 'Like Paulo [Bachchan], for instance. He was at fault for the goal, whereas I think Khim [Azanulbizarn] might have done better there. Who knows?'
Still, this is a hard loss to bear for Starblaydia, who would have been expecting to dominate their new-near-neighbours. There's always Matchday Five, though...
Final Score:
Starblaydia 0 - 1 Legalese
(None) - (Church 25)
Legalese 1, Starblaydia 0
For Legalese, the move to Atlantian Oceania has proven to work out well so far. After a scoreless draw with World Cup XIX hosts, Turori, the Black and Red pulled off a 1-0 victory over northern neighbors Starblaydia. An estatic throng of Legal Eagles cheered on the Legalese MNT, as Xavier Church earned Man of the Match honors. Church scored the lone tally in the 25th minute.
“This has been an unbelievable experience so far”, said Church afterwards. “Playing with our new neighbors, and some of the best teams in the world, is great enough. To pick up enough points to jump out to the group lead is just icing on the cake.”
The result brings Leaglese to 1-0-1 so far, good for 4 points, and the group lead. Legalese is also now 1-0 in the Bekkside Derbies, with a rematch of this derby coming in a few days.
Philosophers win 2-0 for the second consecutive game
Liverpool England's under 23 team is making the headlines in Liverpool England, and for the right reasons too - they've now won two on the trot in The Eagles Nest, 2-0. Hernan Damian (20-year-old, 1 under-21 cap, 2 under-23 caps, 2 under-23 goals) scored his second of the tournament when Dougas Freech (20-year-old, 14 under-18 caps, 7 under-18 goals, 4 under-21 caps, 1 under-21 goal, 2 under-23 caps, 17 senior caps, 6 senior goals) lobbed the ball into the box and he got a header to it to make it 1-0.
Fellow under-21 international Gordon Tudomich then scoed his first ever under-23 goal with a beautiful flick over the keeper on the hour mark. Liverpool England will play Sarzonia next, coming off the back of a 3-1 under-21 win over Sarzonia.
UNOFFICIAL EAGLES CUP TABLES PROVIDED BY THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF LIVERPOOL ENGLAND
[Ties are sorted by GD, GF, Head-to-Head, Alphabetical order]
A Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Legalese 2 1 1 0 1 0 +1 4
2 Audioslavia 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 3
3 Starblaydia 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
4 Turori 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
B Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Liverpool England 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
2 NEWI Cefn Druids 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 3
3 The Redavic Union 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3
4 Sarzonia 2 0 0 2 0 4 -4 0
C Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Vilita 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6
2 The Lowland Clans 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
3 Kelonian States 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1
4 The Belmore Family 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1
D Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Crystilakere 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
2 Aquiliana 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
3 Sliponia 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
4 Bedistan 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
1: Peter Andersson (GK)
2: Petr Rijsbergen (RB/RW)
3: Oran Crevan (LB/CM)
4: Richard Keary (CM)
5: James Fulthorpe (CB)
6: Zareh Artaxiad (CB)
7: Coalan Fox (RW)
8: Revelin Cailan (CM)
9: Jackie McLlroy (CF)
10: Daley Black (CF)
11: Arie Jansen (LW)
12: Neil Redbank (GK)
13: Jason Robertson (CB)
14: Oran Duffy (LW)
15: Rab Clarke (CM)
16: William Kennedy (CM)
17: James Laver (CF)
18: William Ryder (CF)
'Slavia Succumb to 'Blaydia
Black Magic Cant Save 'Slaves
A wonder-goal by Daley Black was not enough to get Audioslavia the win against rivals Starblaydia.
1-0 down after twenty minutes, Audioslavia fought back with Revelin Cailan grabbing a goal with a near-post glancing header.
Pressuring the Blaydia defence, Audioslavia sought to get themselves ahead. Jackie McLlroy fired a shot over the bar and Arie Jansen missed a far-post sitter before Daley Black scored what will probably be the best goal he'll ever score.
Black pounced on a low cross by Jansen, killed the ball, flicked it up and over Starblaydi defender Jamie Majeed and flicked the ball into the roof of the net with the outside of his left foot.
2-1 up at half-time the 'slaves should have been set to defend their lead, but Starblaydia came out with all guns blazing in the second half and scored almost straight away, Evans collecting the ball on the edge of the area and curling it round a helpless Andersson.
Both sides went at each other for the next few minutes playing some compelling end-to-end football before tall centre-half Jamie Majeed converted a Starblaydi corner with a bullet header and gave Starblaydia a rightful 3-2 lead with half an hour to go.
Audioslavia again went to mount a comeback but the side had lost the fire and the pace which had got them back into the game in the first place, and Starblaydia comfortably hung on til full time.
FINAL SCORE
Audioslavia 2 (Cailan 24, Black 36)
Starblaydia 3 (Del Blanco 13, Evans 47, Majeed 62)