World Cup 89 - Roleplay Thread

by **Huayramarca** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:43 am

Delightfully Consistent

Written by: Giovanna Cardozo
18/03/1984 – 11:46 P.M.

Fifth Qualification, third time we have to face Nephara in the process. The always strong Cormorants have been a team that causes troubles for Huayramarca, as their great physical display is something that puts them far ahead from what our players can do, still, the Condors had been able to put decent resistance in home with two draws (2-2 in WC 85 Qualifiers, 1-1 in WC 88 Qualifiers) at the Estadio Nacional. Said height is a taboo topic for Nepharim media, as described by them as “suffocation” during their first visit.

Things have changed this time, the Huayramarcan Football Federation decided to leave aside the advantage that altitude could provide and decided to switch to the humidity that Sechura provides, despite setting the kick-off at 8:00 p.m. The “Gateway to the Jungle” dressed its best galas since that WC 87 Qualifier match against Northwestern Kalactin, where Huayramarca secured a spot for the World Cup playoff series. Fans had been doing queues to enter to the venue since early hours of the morning with the hope of getting the best seat possible; the squad arrived only an hour prior to the match while the fans roared in happiness.

Omar Caicedo’s idea was a bit different than before, he needed to make sure that the defense would be a solid one and that the midfield would be in need to support defense when needed, extra precautions would be needed in order to avoid the Cormorant artillery, since Triffid Ramsey decided to go full-on against Huayramarca with her stellar XI. Lothaire Cromwell, Latona Basilisk and a plethora of big names were about to field on the pitch, many fans were happy as they were about to watch closely those players they use to watch behind TVs every weekend. Much was in game for both sides, Huayramarca had a splendid succession of matches and clean sheets that took the Condors to the top of the leaderboard, meanwhile, Nephara had some draws and an unexpected defeat that kept them in second place, the winner would take first place and a chance to set themselves apart from the peloton.

The match began and Nephara was on charge of the ball, the Cormorants tried to gain possession for good in order to avoid Huayramarca keep the ball and do what they have been doing during the first matches of the Qualifier. Ramsay had studied pretty well what Huayramarca did, Ian Mamani with double mark from Timekeeper and Koerner, Mamani wasn’t enjoying creative freedom as he would’ve wanted, meanwhile, Cromwell gave a depth pass to Reed, the winger decided to go through Felipe Fernández’s wing, the Nepharim got past him and then gave a backwards pass to Basilisk, the striker didn’t found a chance to get in between Kevin Quispe and Santiago Chumacero, hence a pass was sent to Considine, the left winger shot the ball in Juan Mamani’s general direction, the Huayramarcan keeper was able to keep the ball and lay on ground for a while at the 8th minute of the match.

Once again, the Cormorants created a chance after a fruitless run from Gabriel Sayritupac on the wing at the 14th minute, Radeka Lind recovered the ball after beating Sayritupac in 1v1 via force; Radeka passed the ball to Shoshanna Bruhn, the defender crossed it to Koerner, who took it and quickly sent it to Cromwell, then the midfielder sprinted and decided to filter the ball between Fernández and Chumacero to let Considine get deep into the area, it happened and Considine passed the ball to Basilisk, the striker sent the ball to the left goalpost. Reed was quick to recover the ball, he passed it to Cromwell and the seasoned midfielder shot but Juan Mamani was in the right spot to deflect the ball and send it to corner.

Reed crossed the ball to find Basilisk, instead, found Orlando Mina who kicked it away from the area, but it found Reniira Clevinger, the defender passed the ball to Timekeeper, the player also sent it to Considine, she managed to kick the ball and forced Ian Mamani to block the shot with his face, since the ball was going right into goal, after seeing that, Quispe kicked the ball away and medical services were provided to the captain.

After a minute, the game was on and Huayramarca had to endure the offensive onslaught of Nephara, Considine made a throw-in, sent a large throw to Basilisk, the striker found a chance to turn on Quispe and shot, but it went wide away of Juan Mamani’s goal. The keeper wasted some valuable seconds in order to chill down Nephara and try to ensemble a play for the Condors; at the 18th minute, Huayramarca was able to keep the ball for a sustained period of time, Quispe and Chumacero led the movements to break, little by little, the Nepharim midfield.

Nicolás Allauca and Orlando Mina marked Cromwell and Koerner, in an attempt to let Ian Mamani roam more freely than before, Mina competed nicely with Koerner while Allauca struggled, but helped the captain to receive balls. Although Nephara had enjoyed much more possession, Huayramarca was slowly levelling it after the double marking of Ian Mamani was put into stalemate with the two destroying midfielders doing their roles properly. At the 26th minute, Mamani passed the ball to Abraham Mendoza, the midfielder passed it fast to the captain, who diverted the play to Sayritupac, then the winger crossed to Bryan Tello, the striker nodded the ball and sent it right to Aranea Provost.

The fans and Omar Caicedo started pushing the team, there was some hopes that the Condors could adapt better and get into the game. Caicedo asked Allauca and Mina to continue “destroying” Ramsey’s tactics to let Ian Mamani do what he does better, filtering passes; Mamani got a ball at the 37th minute, he left the midfield and stopped to let Considine go blank, Mamani crossed to Tello and he nodded the ball to pass it to Mendoza, the winger controlled the ball and dribbled Stride to get into the box and shot to Provost’s goal, the keeper controlled it but the linesman had a waving flag indicating offside.

One last chance for the Nepharim squad during the first half, Reed received a pass from Stride, Reed ran through the wing and left Carlos Vilca on floor, Reed crossed the ball to Basilisk, the striker nodded the ball and went to the crossbar, Considine tried to get the rebound, but found Kevin Quispe’s diving effort as a blockade to her offensive intentions. Throw in and some seconds left as the referee added four minutes of stoppage time, Cromwell took the throw, found Koerner who shot from mid-range, enough to make Juan Mamani fly in vain as the ball went a bit wide from his goal.

Huayramarca wasn’t doing what they wished to do in the first half, it was understandable as they were facing the elite of football itself, it was being a complicated match and the second half would be similar. Omar Caicedo took some notes on his notebook, apparently, he detected something as he jumped while going to the dressing rooms for the half time. Luis Mamani entered to the match for the second half as Kevin Quispe got substituted to avoid a potential injury, as he was walking slow in the pitch during the last seconds of the first half.

Huayramarca kicked off the second half and Omar Caicedo was screaming “Move forward and do your job!” The defense line moved almost to the center of the pitch, Ian Mamani passed a ball to Bryan Tello, the striker did an effort against Bruhn and Clevinger, but found himself locked, hence he kicked the ball against Clevinger to earn a corner kick. Abraham Mendoza kicked the corner as the Huayramarcan defenders joined into the area, the cross found Felipe Fernández head while ne nodded to send the ball to the lower right side of the goal, Provost wasn’t able to reach the ball nor Lind who was close, Fernández header sent Sechura into a state of madness as the Condors hit two minutes after beginning the first half.

After the celebrations ended, the Nepharims took the ball in order to swim against the current, Considine passed the ball to Reed, the wingers associated well, meanwhile, the Cormorant’s midfield were keeping track of the actions. At the 50th minute, Reed crossed the ball backwards to Cromwell, the midfielder shot a volley to the left post, Juan Mamani stood chanceless as the ball entered into the goal and Nephara equalized only three minutes after Huayramarca’s ice-breaking goal.

The stadium went silent, but Omar Caicedo lifted up the team’s mood by screaming them “Chill off and do what we talked!”. Orlando Mina and Nicolás Allauca took extra precautions and, for the next twenty minutes, managed to nullify the Nepharim midfield with zonal marking. At the 55th minute, Ian Mamani ran through the midfield and crossed the ball to Gabriel Sayritupac, the winger dribbled Stride and entered in the box, crossed back the ball to Bryan Tello and the striker shook off Provost’s goal with a strong kick, Mamani found the rebound but wasn’t able to shot properly.

62nd minute and Abraham Mendoza got a ball from Carlos Vilca, Mendoza passed the ball to Mamani and then back to Mendoza once again in a quick succession of passes that led Ian Mamani to shot and Provost sent the ball to the corner. Mamani kicked the corner and crossed the ball right to Orlando Mina, he nodded the ball right to Carlos Vilca, the defender shot the ball but he missed as it went too high from the goal. Caicedo and the fans were pushing up the team as they were being close to break the equalizer.

At the 65th minute, Juan Mamani saved a chance from Basilisk and passed the ball immediately to Carlos Vilca, the defender saw a chance to do a counterattack, Vilca ran as fast as he could, passed a ball to Abraham Mendoza, the winger left Cromwell behind as he did a superb sprint, reached the corner side and sent a cross to Bryan Tello, the striker received the ball and maneuvered between Clevinger and Stride, turned 270° and kicked the ball with enough power to sent the ball to the upper left side of the goal, leaving Provost chanceless while Huayramarca scored the second and the people went crazy. From the simple fan, passing through the press standing behind the goal and police officers jumped in unison, Tello ran to the stands and to celebrate but he had to turn back as the referee ordered it. Tello got yellow carded by removing his shirt.

The Cormorants tried to react as they did in the first goal, still, wasn’t enough since Mina and Allauca were able to handle in a better way the Nepharim midfield, as Brand (Cromwell was substituted) and Koerner’s circuits were cut by the couple of destroyers. At the 74th minute, Bryan Tello received a great ball from Sayritupac, the striker was fouled by Stride just outside the box and the Nepharim got a yellow card. Ian Mamani tested Provost with the free kick but the Nepharim was quick to react and sent the ball to corner.

The Huayramarcans were controlling the actions during the second half, as the goal encouraged them to do so, meanwhile the Nepharim midfield wasn’t able to connect themselves. Sayritupac crossed the ball to Fernández, the defender passed the ball to Mendoza and the winger was caught offside. Jonathan Espinoza entered for an exhausted Nicolás Allauca in order to burn some time, Allauca had to be taken by paramedics as he was worn off. Omar Caicedo asked the players to keep pressing, coherent with his “attack is our first line of defense” ideal, Tello molested Provost but had to retreat to avoid getting a second yellow card, hence, a red card that would have complicated Huayramarca hugely.

Time passed by, four minutes were added and Caicedo decided to send Joshua Quispe for Orlando Mina into the pitch to kill some seconds once again, still, it wouldn’t be enough as the Nepharim wanted to have the last say. Reed received a ball from Brand, the winger passed the ball to Basilisk and the cross passed some meters wide from the goal, crossing the entire box as Basilisk wasn’t able to have contact with the ball, Santiago Chumacero fought against Belgrade to get that throw-in for Huayramarca. Fernández gave the ball to Mamani, and the keeper passed it to Carlos Vilca, then again to Mamani who kicked the ball away for the ending of the match, the Condors just did it.

After said match, Huayramarca had to travel alone to Martune for the second match of the window. Many fans decided to avoid the travel, even TV broadcasters because the nation was exiting from an isolation period that included a brutal civil war, also that it was extremely difficult to get there in the first place. Huayramarca had to come from behind twice in the match, as it was described by Martunese newspapers, as the locals hit first at the 18th minute, then Bryan Tello levelled up at the 26th minute, but the locals hit hard only one minute before the end of the second half.

Huayramarca pressed hard in the second half, another early goal this time, at the 48’ by Abraham Mendoza and another goal from coming from the bench, from Félix Huamán specifically set Huayramarca 3-2 Martune. But when it looked that the score was written on stone, Martune equalized at the 91st minute.

Omar Caicedo said: “A draw is always valuable when it was got away, but this one is still bittersweet as we had those three points already, we made an error and we have to fix them off as we will have two complicated matches against Tumbra and République Qalactienne. Fortunately, we won’t travel a lot this time since we have to go to a fellow Calanian nation, so that will simplify stuff.”

In regards of the upcoming matches, the manager said: “Consistency is the key, I’ve talked with the players and we are coming to the midpoint, so crunch time is closer and closer and we need to avoid regrets like the ones we had in the last qualifier, where we did a decent second half but that wasn’t enough because the mistakes we did at the beginning. We will work hard and smart in order to avoid a circumstance like that, we will try to be consistent and earn as much points as we can, because this is an endurance race.”

by **The Licentian Isles** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 11:52 am

Malta Comino Gozo 0-0 The Licentian Isles – Quarter Arena, Valletta, Malta Comino Gozo

Kimi-suomi Goals – N/A
Licentian Goals – N/A

The Licentian Isles 1-0 Pascafia – St Bart’s Oval, St Bart’s, the Licentian Isles

Licentian Goals – A. Mazereeuw (71 mins)
Pascafian Goals – N/A

The Kit Hipster

Hello, and welcome to my blog that, apparently, some fuckers will read! Once again, I’m very grateful that some weirdos like me have decided that this is somewhat interesting and they want to hear my opinion on kits. I’ve been incredibly humbled by the debate and support, and slightly concerned by some of the anger, but we’ll leave that to the side. Eventually, maybe even my girlfriend will get why I’m doing this!

Today, I’m going to start by covering the kits of Omerica, a nation famed for their prominence in the independent football scene, which isn’t a part of the world I’ve covered before: I’m not even certain that “Indie” is a real region! Anyways, let’s get to the kits.

This is bloody lovely. I don’t know if complimenting a kit from the Starblaydi company ediraf will take away from how much I usually love Kirola kits, but at least it’s not a Krytenian company eh my Auren friends/readers/angry-commenters? The sash on the lower section of the kit is a really good look, even though if you’d have said it to me out loud without me seeing this picture (the joys of aphantasia). The fleur-de-lis may be a controversial symbol here in my homeland, but it looks bloody good on a football kit, there’s no doubt about that. The colours look great next to each other, especially on the small detail at the end of the sleeve. This one is up there with the best for sure, simple but effective.

This one is still lovely, but I think I definitely prefer the home kit. I can see what the designers were going for here, and the different colour scheme certainly gives it a separate look from the home kits. There’s just something about the slight 3D look that I don’t think works to my liking, but again, that may be because I’m just seeing a picture rather than looking at the real thing. The grey-and-green colour scheme is incredibly nice though, there’s no doubting that.

I haven’t got round to reviewing a goalkeeper kit yet, so I guess this is a first for the blog! I do quite like this. I’m not a fan of the trend that’s been around for a wee while of the fluorescent kits that just seem designed to disorient strikers – this is much more like it. The colour scheme between the shirt and shorts is very nice, with that slight shift in colour enough to make the full kit stand out pretty nicely. Bravo ediraf!

Next, let’s take a look at the kits of Bollonich, one of the newer nations to the World Cup scene that already seem to be bringing some very efficient hosting in their nation.

It’s another new company for me to review, Tahuatxi! Let’s start by looking at the home kit that the Bollonischian national team wear. It’s an interesting colour combination, with black contrasted by a very bright blue or cyan colour, but the rest of the kit is simple and effective, and I do like it. The blue collar and sleeve detailing are lovely, and overall this is a very smart-looking shirt. Sometimes, the simplest looking designs can be really nice, and this certainly feels like an example of this.

That away kit though! Phwoar! That burgundy and gold combination makes the shirt look incredibly classy, and I think it’s almost a shame that they won’t wear this shirt as often because it’s the away kit. The colours are certainly very different from those on the badge, so it really stands out, but the rest of the kit makes up for it completely. The gradient effect that the pinstripes give the torso of this shirt is gorgeous, and the single colour sleeves only add to that look in my opinion. This is definitely high on the list for me.

I’ve also decided that as we go through this process of me reviewing kits, I’m going to give a ranking of my favourite kits that I’ve reviewed so far, but I have decided to expand it to five kits now I’ve reviewed a few more. Here’s the ranking so far!

1. Omerica – Home
2. The Licentian Isles – Away
3. Bollonich – Away
4. Chromatika – Away
5. Tumbra – Third

What I hope this is showing is that there’s some pretty gorgeous kits out there in the world, and some damn talented people making them: maybe that’s the end result of me making all this?

That’s everything for today! Comment down below what you think about these kits, and maybe suggest some for me to review going forward that you think can beat the current top five. Thanks for reading, and see you soon!

Cyan-and-Gold Squad to face Darkmania in Darkmania:
Starting XI – C. Fraser (C); C. Spijker, F. Watson, L. Allen, R. Findlay; D. Godijn; M. Henderson, A. McGregor, A. Mazereeuw, W. Tuininga; A. van Oers
Bench – L. Wood, H. Shaw, S. Maartens, S. van Duuren, T. Hughes, M. Louws, R. Grant

Cyan-and-Gold Squad to face Twicetagria at the LTI Stadium, Montfort:
Starting XI – C. Fraser (C); C. Spijker, F. Watson, L. Allen, S. Thomson; S. van Duuren; M. Louws, A. McGregor, A. Mazereeuw, W. Tuininga; T. Weiling
Bench – L. Wood, H. Shaw, S. Thomson, F. Buchan, T. Hughes, M. Henderson, R. Grant

by **Ethane** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:03 pm

Who are the most defensive teams in the World Cup?

It's not quite the middle of qualifiers, but after a set of rather easy wins we thought we'd not reflect on the games, but on the state of play in the qualifiers right now across all groups. Considering Ethane's recent tendency towards defensive prowess, today we're looking at 11 teams in these qualifiers who have conceded the least goals. We'll be briefly exploring the teams and their defensive performances, taking a quick look at the statistics to see who can be crowned the most defensive so far, and who's at risk of losing their 'defensive status'. We'll also explore how this fits in with their tactics and why they've done so well defensively - is a product of tactics and discipline, or is it the result of overpowering their opposition. Why are these teams the most defensive of the teams in these groups?

Number 11: Savojarna
Goals Conceded: 4 | Goals Scored: 14 | Position: 1st | Points: 17 | Group: 3 | Clean Sheets: 3
Savojarna is an interesting addition to this list, just sneaking in at number 11. In the 7 games played during these qualifiers so far, Savojarna has conceded only 4 goals - 1 against Mertagne, 1 against Cabo Azure, and 2 against Fluvannia. This is a good record for a team that isn't religiously following a defensive mindset. An online program called Xkoranate assesses the tactics and performances of a team and ascribes a number between -5 and 5 to inform viewers how defensive (-5) or offensive (+5) a team aims to be based on their line ups. On that scale, Savojarna was given a +0.75, indicating they lean slightly more to the offensive than defensive side in their strategy. When preparing to write this list, I expected that all of the teams on this list would have a negative value modifier. However, this is clearly not the case, with Savojarna being the first surprise inclusion on this list at 11th. It's easy to see how they have done it though, with clean sheets against Vilita, Nyowani Kitara, and Kandorith showing that despite their offensive focus, you cannot discount their defensive ability.

Number 10: Græntfjall
Goals Conceded: 4 | Goals Scored: 13 | Position: 1st | Points: 18 | Group: 7 | Clean Sheets: 4
Coming in at tenth, we have Græntfjall with a rather similar goals scored and conceded ratio, though with a slight advantage in points after 7 matches versus Savojarna. Græntfjall certainly take a more defensive approach as a workmanlike, strong team perhaps lacking a certain pizzazz to their play. Their -2 style modifier according to Xkoranate reflects this. They've conceded goals against India, Acastanha, and The Holy Empire - that last one being easily explainable considering their relative rankings. Despite this, Græntfjall have racked up a few important clean sheets against the likes of Saltstead and Zug um Zug which have kept their position in this list.

Number 9: Trolleborg
Goals Conceded: 4 | Goals Scored: 11 | Position: 2nd | Points: 15 | Group: 8 | Clean Sheets: 4
In ninth we have the first team entering this list without topping their group (and certainly not the last). More importantly, perhaps, is the fact Trolleborg is the first of three teams in this list from Group 8 - which makes that group the 'most defensive' of the qualifying campaign so far. Trolleborg is an extremely defensive team, shown by the -5 modifier given to their line ups. This plays out in their results too. They've picked up clean sheets against decent teams that can score such as Osarius and South Covello. They haven't been bad at conceding goals either - Murphtannia and West Zirconia were able to sneak one past each, but Savigliane - the highest ranked team in the group - is the reason for half of Trolleborg's conceded goals. Their prospects could go downhill from here though, as they face up against Ethane - the team on fire currently in group 8.

Number 8: Murphtannia
Goals Conceded: 4 | Goals Scored: 5 | Position: 4th | Points: 12 | Group: 8 | Clean Sheets: 4
Murphtannia are the second of three teams from group 8 to enter this list. They have conceded 4 goal like Trolleborg and teams from other groups. They have picked up some decent clean sheets - against South Covello and crucially against fellow defensive team, Trolleborg. Their defence is certainly outperforming their table position, reflecting on just how defensive-leaning group 8 might be. But this could slip away from them in the second half. The thing they do have going for them is that they can beat higher ranked teams of course. However, they did concede 2 goals to Ethane and are yet to face Savigliane. Despite this, Murphtannia are purist defenders according to their performances (unfortunately there was not enough data for a modifier readout), conceding 4 but only scoring 5 goals so far. One goal is all you need, right?

Number 7: Zug um Zug
Goals Conceded: 4 | Goals Scored: 5 | Position: 5th | Points: 11 | Group: 7 | Clean Sheets: 4
We return to group 7 to add Zug um Zug to the list of the most defensive teams, slotting in as slightly more defensive than Græntfjall. They are true defensive purists, putting everything on the defensive line with their -5 modifier. And to some extent, it has come off with 4 clean sheets and only 4 goals conceded. A clean sheet against Saltstead is no particularly easy feat, but they're also managing to put out clean sheets against your regular low-ranked side - consistency is key in that regard to make this list. It's expected that you concede goals against teams like The Holy Empire and Græntfjall, but their (relative) collapse against Brookstation, letting in 2 goals, shows that they can be vulnerable.

Number 6: Krytenia
Goals Conceded: 3 | Goals Scored: 18 | Position: 1st | Points: 19 | Group: 14 | Clean Sheets: 5
Krytenia are a top team that puts a lot of focus on the offensive side of the game, hence why they have scored a remarkable 18 goals in the 7 games of qualifiers so far. The +2.5 modifier attributed to their line-ups reflects how dedicated they are as a team to pushing forward and scoring goals. So to see them on this list comes as a rather large surprise. They have beaten out decent defensively-minded teams to make it into the top 11 most defensive teams based on performances in the qualifiers so far. It should come as no surprise though. Krytenia are tactically competent, and know when to push and when not to. They're not a team that will unnecessarily leave themselves vulnerable to conceding goals at the back, slip-ups against Augusticinia aside. Keep being consistent and they'll fly to first place in their group, and possibly keep their spot in this list if they don't let their defensive performances slip.

Number 5: Turori
Goals Conceded: 3 | Goals Scored: 16 | Position: 1st | Points: 17 | Group: 13 | Clean Sheets: 5
Turori have been consistent defensively, so have found themselves rightfully at the top of group after the first 7 games of qualifiers. They've only conceded three, though perhaps should have conceded less. St. Trinians - a team apparently performing relatively well this cycle, were able to put two of those three past Turori's keeper, accounting for 2/3 of the goals they have conceded so far. The clean sheet list is much larger than the concession list though, with teams such as Sargossa, Ranoria, and Michama unable to find a way past the disciplined defence of Turori. With a -1.23 modifier applied to their line-ups and their rank, it's possible they stay on this list right to the end - and that they win their group.

Number 4: Twicetagria
Goals Conceded: 3 | Goals Scored: 14 | Position: 1st | Points: 17 | Group: 12 | Clean Sheets: 5
Twicetagria are another team that have been consistent defensively, and top their group because of it. Slightly more defensive leaning that Turori with a -2 modifier, Twicetagria have managed to score 14 goals against their opposition and only let in 3. Two of those goals were scored by Pascafia, with 1 by Euran Oceania Territories - another team that can cause some damage to these statistics. However, with 5 clean sheets they've been able to shut out opposition such as Kelssek and Malta Comino Gozo, better known for WorldVision participation, and keep their momentum going.

Number 3: Le Choix
Goals Conceded: 3 | Goals Scored: 8 | Position: 4th | Points: 13 | Group: 2 | Clean Sheets: 4
Le Choix are known to be defensively strong. In fact, two matches ago they'd have potentially topped this group, having conceded only 1 goal in the first five matches similar to the team at the top in this list. But they've let it slip a little in the past two matches. They had the momentum, but key 1-0 losses against Squidroidia and Kohnhead in fixtures 6 and 7 of the qualifying campaign have brought a reality check to this team. They're in a very competitive group and have an extremely tough task ahead of them if they want to qualify, and they're unlikely to be topping the list of the most defensive teams in the qualifying campaign.

Number 2: Sylestone
Goals Conceded: 2 | Goals Scored: 7 | Position: 3rd | Points: 14 | Group: 18 | Clean Sheets: 5
Of all the teams to make the top 11, it had to be Sylestone. With a -5 modifier, the sentients seem to have their defensive performances underwrap. They have managed to only let in 2 goals in the first seven matches of this qualifying campaign. Their offence is perhaps a tad weak, only scoring 7 goals at an average of 1 goal a game exactly, but they've done enough to take third so far and put them within a shout of fighting for qualification. The most crucial of the clean sheets so far has to be against Eura, who were unable to score against an inferiorly ranked team in Sylestone. A weel-disciplined defensive performance that refused to buckle sees this team come in at second on the list, only conceding one goal to Chromatika and group 18 surprises Lathamford.

Number 1: Ethane
Goals Conceded: 1 | Goals Scored: 14 | Position: 1st | Points: 19 | Group: 8 | Clean Sheets: 6
Of course the team that tops this list had to come from the most defensive group in the campaign so far. And of course it had to be close rivals of Sylestone. With a -5 modifier applied across the board to Ethane's line-ups, they were sure to be in with a shout of placing on this list. But perhaps not top. Their position atop this leaderboard after 7 matches has to do with two things: they haven't faced group 8's second seed Trolleborg, and they were given a very friendly draw. Group 8's top ranked team is Savigliane, ranked 19th, and pot 2 team Trolleborg is only a few ranks ahead of the Red Kites. However, the performances that Ethane have put in and have gone above and beyond that, combining their extraordinarily strong defensive performances with a devastatingly in-form offensive line-up. Clean sheets against South Covello and Murphtannia along with others have kept the momentum of this team going, Velazquez and Wilburn-Mason of particular note in the team's standout defensive performances. Their position atop this list is unlikely to be at risk either. They have only conceded one goal, and that was in a 1-1 draw against top ranked team Savigliane. The game against Osarius should hopefully not provide too much of a challenge for the team. And they also face off against Trolleborg in fixture 9. But that sees two of the top 11 most defensive teams in the campaign so far, both with -5 modifiers, go up against each other. I'd imagine goals are going to be hard to come by in such a fixture.

Interestingly, there's a couple of findings from this list research that I'm taking away. Firstly, to be competitive defensively, you don't need to put everything in defence. Yes, Ethane and Sylestone have a clear lead in this list and both have an extremely defensive mindset with -5 modifiers, but you also have teams such as Krytenia and Savojarna who make this list with positive style modifiers. Negative modifiers certainly have the advantage in this listing, but with strong offensive performances you can stay tight at the back as well. You also don't need to be the world's best team to make this list. Ethane is a pot three team and tops this list, albeit with an easier draw than others. Sylestone also isn't in the top echelon of sporting nations yet, but still makes the list. You also find teams such as Zug um Zug and Murphtannia in the list; teams that have enough to be competitive but perhaps won't be pushing for qualification, yet can still be among the most defensive teams. However, it's clear that you need to be able to perform at a certain level to make this list. It's important to note that no team 6th or below in their group has made the list, and the only team in 5th is Zug um Zug. The majority of teams (6 out of 11) top their group, with a few lesser performing nations squeezing in such as Murphtannia and Le Choix. The only anomaly here is Sylestone, who are in third yet second in this list. However, they have managed to stay close in a very competitive group. So it's not important that you're highly ranked, but there is a minimum performance bar to get on to this list.

Thanks for reading! We'll be bringing more defensive analysis throughout the qualifying campaign and the World Cup, so keep following our website to keep up to date!

by **Vdara** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:06 pm

MD6:

MD7:

The loss to Treekidistan had made this match all-important. With Yuezhou sitting a point and a place behind Vdara, a good result was crucial for the team’s qualifying hopes - as well as the team’s morale in general. Without good results, there is no morale - and without morale, there are no good results. In other words, you can’t have one without the other. Markos knew this very well, and emphasised this during the team talk…

Home Team Dressing Room
VdarArena (where else?)

Markos: ”Here, lads - I’m sure you all saw the headlines yesterday, slating all of you, calling you ‘vacuous’ or whatever the fuck it was, saying we were beaten by a lowly team, et cetera. et cetera. Now, I’m not suggesting that you should simply ignore these headlines, no no no - harness them. Use them to your advantage. They want to insult us? Well, we’ll take those insults and shove them RIGHT up the arses of the media moguls at those shitty newspapers and TV companies! They can shit talk us all they want, but they can’t put us down for long if we prove them wrong entirely, y’know? I mean, if we win, what’ll they do - insult us again? They won’t! They can’t! Their stories about us are what makes them money, and if they talk shit about us all the time, they’ll sell fuck all! Anyhow, if that’s all been forgotten by you already: play well, shove the media’s insults up their arses, get a good result. Got it? Good.”

The match report is as follows:

Team Info
Trifonas Tolakis is dropped to the bench in favour of David Xeniadis, and Manousos Scafididis is dropped to the bench in favour of Mathaios Makrotsis.

1: The referee has blown the whistle, and with that - the game has started! Both sets of fans have been waiting excitedly for this match, and no wonder!
3: Yuezhou have started on the front foot here, with their attackers causing havoc - they’ve really caught the Vdaran defenders off guard, at least for now.
6: Huang Shedong has intercepted a pass from Tryfon Vlahiades, and he’s caught out the rest of the defenders with his pace! Huang’s one-on-one with Frangoglou… but his shot is miraculously saved by the keeper! Zaharias is proud of that one, and he’s getting a lot of applause from the home crowd.
7: Frangoglou hasn’t put his side in the clear yet, though - there’s still a corner to be taken. Liu Huiying crosses the ball into the box… but her cross is caught by Frangoglou, who quickly clears the ball away.
16: Vdara have a free kick in a promising position here, and it’ll be Tryfon Vlahiades who takes it. Tryfon takes four steps back, runs up to the ball and hits it with power… but it’s gone over the bar. Goal kick to Yuezhou.
22: Vdara seem to be finally coming into this game, that earlier spell of pressure from Yuezhou seems to be dying down a bit.
32: Manousos Athanas has the ball over on the right hand side, and the wing-back is powering forward. Athanas flicks the ball back to Karalas, who tries to lob the ball over towards Lazelis… but the flag is raised - Lazelis is offside.
45: Well, that’s the whistle blown for half time - there hasn’t been any goals so far, but both sides have been pushing for them, as you’d expect in a game of this nature.

Home Team Dressing Room
VdarArena

Markos: ”Well… we can thank our lucky stars that Zaharias is playing like one of the best goalkeepers in the world, eh? They’ve certainly been throwing shots at us, but we’ve held them off well. It looks like it’ll be hard for us to get goals past them during open play - so our best bet might be to try and win as many corners and free kicks as possible, yeah? Understand? Good, good. Now, get back out there and make those fans proud!”

46: The game has kicked back off, and the second half has begun!
54: It’s a corner to Vdara, and it’ll be Tryfon Vlahiades who takes it. Vlahiades tries to blast the ball into the box… and it’s Xeniadis who rises highest and heads the ball into the net! The centreback has given his side the lead here, and this is something he’s not done too often in recent times! The players are loving this, the fans are loving this - and most importantly, I’m loving this! It’s 1-0 to Vdara.
65: Wen Xiaohui has received a long pass from Li Jing, and she’s dodging defenders on her way to the 18-yard box. Wen takes a step to the side and tries to finesse the shot into the top corner… but it’s tipped over the bar by Zaharias Frangoglou once again! My, my, he’s having the game of his life tonight!
73: Chirstoforos Lazelis has been given the ball by Tantalopoulos, and he’s trying to use his pace to kick-start another Vdaran attack… but he’s been dispossessed by Yuan Mingrong with a well-executed sliding tackle.
78: It’s a corner to Yuezhou, and it’ll be swung into the box by Liu Huiying again… but it’s headed over the bar by Yuan Mingrong.
89: Lambros Tantalopoulos has a good chance to put this game to bed at a very late stage, as he drives forward into the box… but he’s dispossessed by Kang Enlai. Although, the fans are booing - I think they’ve spotted something the referee hasn’t!
90: The referee has gone over to the VAR monitor, and it appears they’re checking to see whether or not Kang got the ball in that tackle… the referee’s made his decision, and he’s given a penalty to Vdara! What a big decision, especially so late on in the match!
91: There’s been a lot of deliberation from the home side as to who’s taking the penalty, but they’ve made an unorthodox choice - it’ll be the goalkeeper, Zaharias Frangoglou!
92: The final kick of the game. Goalkeeper on goalkeeper. Who’s going to prevail in these final stages? Frangoglou’s taking a few seconds to compose himself at the penalty spot, it’s a lot of pressure to put on a goalkeeper. Frangoglou takes a few steps back from the ball, and runs up to hit the ball with more power than placement… and it’s in! The goalscoring goalkeeper works his magic once again, and doubles his team’s lead in the dying embers of the match! Frangoglou’s being engulfed by his teammates, and the fans are cheering louder than they have before - this is a moment he’ll never forget, even if it is only matchday 7!

Home Team Dressing Room
VdarArena

Markos: ”FUCK YEAHHHHHHHHH, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! YOU FUCKING LEGENDS, WHAT A RESULT… erm, ahem. Sorry about that, guys. Needed to let a bit of steam off after that Adrenalin rush at the end. Brilliant job, lads - brilliant, brilliant job. Especially you, Zaharias, you kept us in the game when it was needed, and you took that penalty like you’d been taking them for your whole life! It’s a crucial result that we needed, and I’m proud of you all for showing the fans and the media how good you really are. After that shitshow against Treekidistan, you can bet your arses that it’ll be a positive headline on the front page tomorrow, heh! Ach, who am I kidding, it’ll probably be another shitty diet. Newspapers love to talk about the shit that doesn’t matter, especially when they can’t push their usual agenda. Absolute scum, the media are. Anyhow, with that rant over and done with - you should all grab a drink. I’d rather you all had a nice and refreshing drink of water, but who am I to judge. Drink what you want and drink plenty of it, for all I care! As long as you’re ready for the next game, I’m fine with what you do.”

FT: Vdara 2-0 Yuezhou
    Xeniadis 54’
    Frangoglou (P) 90+2’

by **Saltstead** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:07 pm

Spicy Saltsteadish Memes for the Soul

Saltstead have been excellent in some very important games this cycle, but there’s a very 83-esque feeling about the campaign. Saltstead secured critical draws home and away against Baker Park in that campaign, but were profligate in their other ten matches, finishing second and failing to qualify. The National Eleven have notched some key wins—most notably against the top-ranked team in the multiverse—, but have also had some real stinkers.

Any team that beats the Holy Empire will be over the moon with the result and we ought to be thrilled to have won on our first two trips to Atlantian Oceania as members of CAFA. But the defeat to Gräntfjall—in Saltstead’s first match at the Park der Fründens while the National Park undergoes repairs—and that opening defeat against unranked Zug um Zug are Big Sad™ moments, for sure.

The Brookstation match was one to forget. A scoreless draw is the most stereotypically Saltsteadish scoreline in the multiverse, but that doesn’t mean they’re always enjoyable. The good news is that Saltstead remain ahead of the two AOCAF teams (for now), but the bad news is that the result puts us five points behind leaders Gräntfjall. The Saltsteadish mission to sniff at a playoff spot looks to be in deep trouble.

Equestria may be a shadow of their former selves, but at least they’ve managed to qualify for World Cups via the front door. Unless some frosty magic goes highly wrong and one of the top two nations in this group nukes themselves out of existence, it looks like the accidental arse-backwards journey—famously requiring a critical existence failure by Garifunya—into World Cup 81 will remain Saltstead’s only successful qualification campaign.

There always seems to be one RLstates nation that slips into Ordinary Reality, then immediately fractures into dozens of pieces. It appears that it’s India’s turn to take on that role. Let’s just hope they can piece themselves back together and return to RLstates safely, because this reality is a dangerous, kraken-infested place. We’re rooting for you, India!

Of course, it’s not all bad news for the National Eleven! In all of Saltstead’s time in AOCAF, the National Eleven proved weak and impotent in knockout matches. The very first CAFA broke that trend, though, with a victory against Ko-oren no less! Saltstead went on to beat future Baptism of Fire winners Pyazhnaya in the quarterfinals before their run was stopped by the eventual champions in the semis. All-in-all, Saltsteadish voters seem to have made the right decision in picking Anaia!

★
The Royal Saltsteadish Football Association
Royal House of Sport, Ashwell
Ostankin : Saltstead
World Cup 89 qualifying group stage — Matchday 8
Unknown Stadium, Unknown City, Ostankin
— and —
Saltstead : [Ideal] India
World Cup 89 qualifying group stage — Matchday 9
Park der Fründens, Cersehorst, Saltstead
Starting line-up (4–5–1): Kathrinita Äsħes; Gunner Stepħenssen, Pijr Josefssen, Johan van Tilborg, Yorg Handel; Johanne Geuberts, Benni Sħåul, Violeta Igesleven, Theodor Felicianus, Aleksa Pascal; Reinhard Åubreħtssen
Substitute bench: Julij Kåler, Christijn Sänt-Andreas; Frans Richard, Dijter Ackerdiħ, Sebastien van Can, Victoria Rothöüf; Marina Jager, Nico Swart, Anne Hodmaker, Nicholas Tiberius, Aleksa le Duc; Stepħanie Withöüf

by **Saint Eleanor** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:15 pm

OOC: Inspired by Exclusive — Monica Crowley: Open Borders, Unvetted Afghan Refugees Expose America to a Terrorist Attack. (To reiterate, again, that I oppose all forms of terrorism.)

The last episode of Circling The Wagon follows. Sorry for being late - my Matchday Six Sevenths was punctuated by two breakdowns that have since resolved themselves.

Circling The Wagon
Episode VI: I Wanna Know What Love Is

Throughout February, March and April 1996

A few hours or days later, two casualties were confirmed. The first was Simon Wallace, the man who had kept watch over the cars entering and exiting the underground parking. The other was one Adam Ellis: fairly dedicated, fairly passionate, possibly the most nondescript person you are ever likely to meet. Smith had left his car shortly before it was stolen and - it was said - had been trying to pay his parking fee in advance. The real Robert Smith had broken his big toe on the Monday and was unable to attend - no wonder.

Not among them was Nate McGregor, whose car bomb had successfully taken out Bramblewood train station for a few months until it could be properly repaired. His other car... wasn't. He was arrested on various charges, shown the damage he caused to the train station, and - after one of the shortest trials you'd ever expect to be long and drawn-out - was consigned to 120 years in Saint Eleanor's highest-security prison.

Nobody was really talking about how best to deal with Our State for the People - they were probably on their last legs anyway. It was as if nothing happened and nobody really cared. By the time the whole shenanigans had resolved, we can safely fast-forward to a couple of the Vice-Presidents talking to each other at a just-about-expensive restaurant somewhere near the real capital.

"Really, Frank... was this really the right way of going about this whole business? At this point, we're just circling the wagon and hoping that something's going to be done about this when it won't!"

"Yes. He confessed fair and square, we got him on the correct charges, he was imprisoned for the minimum sentence possible and all is nice and fair and... well, this is Saint Eleanor. Those aren't the best words to describe our situation, but they're just about good enough."

"And what are the conditions like? There are a lot of standards for prisoners that George Mitcham laid down in 1977 - on my request, of course - and if those aren't being met then the prison manager could run into serious trouble with Big George next time he pays a visit, even if for PR purposes."

"I'll have to check. They aren't the best but then he's hardly well-behaved either."

"Besides, I'm reliably told that he wasn't arrested for any reason whatsoever."

"Yes, Charlotte. Corporal Trout may have done the wrong thing, but he did the right thing."

"Seriously? I'll finish the rest of this steak and these last few chips and then I'm out of here. If you want to explain your shitty opinions, you do so in Cabinet, not in a private conversation which isn't."

∴

2:29pm - Wednesday 17th April 1996

About twenty or thirty angry people are now standing outside the Presidential Palace, or at least as close as you can get to outside without being harassed by one of his literally hired guns. Some of them are holding middling banners talking about how the government had mismanaged the whole situation; most of them aren't. And one of them is holding a loudspeaker. Why? Beats me.

"THIS... WAS A DERELICTION OF DUTY! THIS... WAS A FAILURE OF PLANNING! THIS... WAS BECAUSE OF HIGH IMMIGRATION! THIS... IS TREASON AT ITS BEST! RESIGN, OR BE RESIGNED AT! WORST GOVERNMENT IN ANAIA! THIS IS THE WORST GOVERNMENT ANYWHERE IN ANAIA AND YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME!"

One of the soldiers who usually guarded the Palace was having a bit of a walk at the same time this was happening. As soon as he noticed it, he unleashed his rifle and took out one of the placard holders. The rest of the crowd just charged away from the scene out of panic.

Should they have worried? Another rather piffling scandal was about to blow up for no obvious reason...

by **Banija** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:16 pm

Isebantu Mutungi, sitting in a luxury suite at Hangaza Unified Stadium

The Isebantu, who was also the Foreign Minister, was sitting in a luxury suite, watching the Kadongo Kamu take on Southwest Eastnorth in World Cup Qualifying. It had been a very frustrating campaign for the Banijans so far. A team that was originally expected to end up qualifying quite comfortably seemed to be in the midst of the World Cup Qualification fight of their lives. Of course, this was something that could happen to any team. Some fans had that perspective. If Eura could miss the World Cup after 27 in a row. Hell, a few cycles ago, even Nephara was on the edge for the entire campaign, almost missing the World Cup Finals altogether- although they'd go on to not on qualify for the Finals, but win the whole damn World Cup.

It had been like that for Banija. And although there were 11 games left- aka, plenty of time to turn this around- there was a more panicky side of the fanbase. Nowadays, World Cup Qualifiers were tense affairs. Fans getting frustrated by major defensive errors in key moments. The lack of ability of the central midfield, for so long a strength of this team, to suddenly be completely inept at controlling play in the center of the park. Although the game was going well against Southwest Eastnorth so far- Babaja Mboob had made it 3-1, and the team seemed well on their way to a victory.

In the middle of the game, however, in the luxury box, the Isebantu received a call, from one of his Ambassadors. "Your Royal Highness." The Ambassador said. It was the Banijan Ambassador to Silver Beach- of all nations. "I have just received the most curious news- news that will be beneficial for our country and Nyowani Kitara."

"Did Silver Beach recognize the KFF?" The Isebantu said.

"Nothing to do with Silver Beach, actually." The Ambassador said. "It's simply about being in the right place at the right time. THey will probably follow the lead of the Holy Emperor, if that helps. But that's not what we are here about. I had a man show up at the Embassy- not requesting asylum, of course. But a Kitaran. An ethnic Kitaran- could immediately tell from his accent. And he said that he represented the KFF. His name? Irumba Mbabazi. I, of course, had no idea who he was. But then, he put me through on a video call on his phone- and boom, there I was, talking to Malik Akongo."

"Are you sure?" The Isebantu asked. He missed Southwest Eastnorth halving Banija's lead on the field, to 3-2, but of course he was focused on the matter at hand.

"Yes I am, your Highness." The Ambassador said. "I looked up Irumba Mbabazi. His official record shows that he is in a Nyowani Kitara prison, and has been for six years. His crime? Plotting the overthrow of the government. Do you remember that incident?" And the Royal did indeed. Three years into President Boaz Akongo's reign, a Kitaran traditionalist group had been thwarted for trying to blow up a parade that he was in, and he had gone on an arresting rampage. Looks like Mbabazi was caught up in that.

"But how is he not in jail now? How did he escape?"

"He said that he was deep into the center of the country. But a few prison guards had defected to the KFF, and then they helped him break out- dressed up in a guard's uniform, threw on a facemask, and simply walked out the front door. He was then snuck into Inhalo."

"So that one network, that's the rebel group that Malik Akongo has taken over." Said the Crown Prince. Mutungi pondered for a minute. "Well, what did he want?"

"He wants Banija's support, of course." The Ambassador said. "I told him, obviously, I am not authorized to give that. But what should we do? I need orders from the capitol. He's currently here in the Embassy. I'm not sure how many people know he's here, have assets all the way in Sonnel. Hell, I'm wondering how he even got all the way to Sonnel in the first place." The Isebantu was bewildered. They surely couldn't hold Mbabazi at the Embassy, sneaking around. Would anyone find out? Nations like Eura had assets everywhere- could they find out?

"Ok. Here is the plan." The Isebantu said. "You're going to bring him home to Banija. And you'll bring him with you. And for the love of God- do not tell a soul that he's there. It would be absolute worst case disaster if anyone found out. He can't meet my father the Kabaka, or the general cabinet. But he can meet me. If the KFF wants us in that country on their side, he's gonna have to make us an offer that he can't refuse..." And with that, the Isebantu started callign a few high ranking officials within the country, telling them exactly what was going on.

The Isebantu was so immersed in his conversation, that he didn't even originally see Thurman IV's equalizer for Southwest Eastnorth until one of his bodyguards had thrown his cup of water at the glass of the luxury box in frustration. Then he looked down, and saw the celebrating players and fanbase. While things were not going well for the national team- they were about to get real interesting on the diplomatic front...

by **New Lusitania and the Algarves** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:27 pm

Inconsistent Results Cause (Some) Doubts
A Quick and Rushed Review of Matchdays 2-7:: New Lusitania 3-2 Saint Eleanor, Electrum 2-1 New Lusitania, New Lusitania 1-0 Saterun, Pluvia & The Saxean Isles 1-1 New Lusitania, Al Qurija 1-1 New Lusitania, New Lusitania 5-3 Felinetopia.

We’re over one third of the way done as we pass the 7th fixture and New Lusitania have had an inconsistent bout during the 89th cycle. They currently sit third in the group, behind the two former champions Audioslavia and Electrum – this was always to be expected, but twelve points is a poor showing for the Lusitanians, seeing as it’s the second worst third place tally (joint with TJUN-ia and Jeruselem), losing only to Sannymathland’s eleven. Three wins, three draws, one loss shows is not only a record but also a fair one as we shall show.
After the game in Anaia’s Audioslavia, the Selecção played their first home match peculiarly but fittingly at the Estádio das Fontaínhas, in Vizeu against Saint Eleanor. It was a tightly concurred match despite what the national fans expected of it. The decision to rotate the team due to the following voyage to Electrum, did indeed play a part to it – Manuel was the keeper, for instance and Grafanil in defence. New Lusitania struggled against the Eleanorians and spent a good portion of the fixture clearing their lines. Paciente was a star up front, netting the two and essentially keeping the Selecção in it. In the end, Luís Miguel that would give the team the full three points, a clean strike into the net causing the crowd to go off in celebration. However, the sheer effort from the away side cannot be ignored and was probably one of their best games in the campaign, actively seeking the goal with every attack and showed that the current squad depth still has a lot to be desired in terms of overall experience. Travelling to Electrum, issues arose with the main players, facing a tough to swallow 2-1 defeat. The game spent its majority with both teams level, except for New Lusitania’s early goal – courtesy of Fernando and Silveira – and later when Electrum actually scored. It was, extremely late, at around eighty-one minutes of play but the constant attacks from either side had signalled something had to give at some point in the half – Roland McCourtney once again showcasing his raw talent and the gap to second had grown.
When international football returned once more, the media were quick to interrogate the national coach, Francisco Grilo, in the press conferences by the end of the window. New Lusitania had initially calmed everyone down with an unconvincing but straightforward 1-0 win against Saterun in the Algarve. Fernando and Caldeirão were easily the stars of the show, with Lopes having a very chill game at the back. What sparked this all, was the match in Pluvia (and the Saxean Isles). Here, most expected a win – Lopes in his second consecutive game of the season, was the one to keep the team in it at all and some pointed out this pattern beginning to emerge in the away days. New Lusitania once again had a lot of trouble getting the ball into the final third and struggled to pressure the adversary, salvaging a point late in the day after bringing on Daniel Jota from the bench to score. Although a questionable end at the time, since then that home side has gone on to be fourth just behind the Lusitanians themselves, with that game at the start of their string of good form.
Off to more arid lands, the Selecção did not feel refreshed in their third away game – a draw at Al-Qurija, likely their weakest showing to date. Jota’s injury, which will likely extend to the second leg of qualifying, was one of the main points from this game early on, affecting it. Filipe Vieira was the available forward, with Paciente absent, meaning another slightly inexperienced player would take up an important role in a match that all of a sudden became of extreme importance for the Lusitanians as they visioned qualification slipping away into values up to a six point gap. Vieira admittedly managed to create chances and hit the post, as well as being fulcral in the actual goal scored by Miguel Pereira who just conjured a mighty strike into the net. The late goal that António let in however undid it slightly, finishing 1-1. With this, New Lusitania and the Algarves have yet to win away from home. The pressure was mounted.
So what now? Despite the growing pile of interior pressure, it was a tough group to begin with and had very slim chances of success – but anything could happen and a four point gap at this stage is perfectly recoverable. With the team coming in for the first time in a while for the final week of games from the first round of matches. With Ancherion and the Gothanita Isles left to play for the first time this cycle, it’s all still very out and the open.

by **South Newlandia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:30 pm

Cutoff for Matchdays 8/9. This will be the last cutoff of mine until the playoffs. Tikariot will take it over from here. Music.

And scores. One final time. Thank you all for being here.

by **Juvencus** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 12:56 pm

Second Great War of Unification (1876-1892)

Technological advancement was rapid during the war, with scientists from both the Unionist and the Independentists sides battling each other in search of the perfect weapon, capable of giving them their godly-given advantadge in the war. The invention and first usage of submachine guns during The Great Attempt of 1865 had worried strategists about the amount of manpower that could be used. Though still not in extensive usage in the start of the conflict, nor extremely accurate, whatever few machine guns were used proved to be devastating, as such they were normally used in defensive battles of big cities, starting from the battle of Pomena. This worried strategists, who knew their manpower would most often be limited and would have to capture or cover up massive expanses of land in order to reach any target of importance, even in the densest areas, as population and in extent manpower were sparse and wartorn or of wartorn ancestry at the time of the start of the war (30.6 million persons in the combined population count of 1873). This forced a lot of trench warfare to take place around areas of big importance, with limited or significant success depending on the occasion.

Guillermont trenches as photographed by Martino Colpino, after the Independentists' final push ~circa May 30th, 1878

Southeastern side of the trenches as caught by Maximo Colpino, after a major skirmish ~circa June 1st, 1878

Chapter 5: Siege of Pomena(April 28th-July 2nd 1878)
Part 3: The Struggles of the Trenches(Northeastern Trenches: May 3rd-June 3rd, 1878, Southeastern Trenches: May 12th-July 2nd, 1878)

"My dad always told me to fight like a lion when it came to combat, but then I realised it was only easier said than done and that fighting like a lion was moronic in this day and age. When it comes to war today, fight like a hyena instead, cunningness always wins in the end." Timoteo Chalieu, a Confederation of the West soldier describing his first battle experience in an article written by the Vilan Times, ~1894

The victory at Remeno was grand for the Independentists and especially King Alberto VI himself. His plans to capture Pomena were working like a charm at this point in time and capturing such a big center right next to Pomena ensured some excellent position for bombardments and a push. Maintaining that stronghold meant copious amounts of reinforcements would fill up the ranks of the independentists and more than double their numbers in an extremely short time. On the other side, 150,000 Pomenienze and Western soldiers and militia were tasked to defend a very extended first line of defences in the form of trenches. In the city, 50,000 more troops and militia were waiting behind the newly-built walls for any successful push. At that moment, the Independentists saw themselves outnumbered for the first time in their campaign towards capturing Pomena.

King Alberto VI was aware of this and was also eerily aware of the defenders' advantadge at any given time, unless he were to extensively use artillery as he had during the majority of the conflict thus far. In May 3rd, he issued the first hostilities to begin at the northeastern trenches, a position that became known as the makeshift Guillermont position, named after the easternmost quarter of Pomena at the time. The trenches at Guillermont were guarded by 30,000 soldiers and 28 cannons in a very tight position giving the artillery regiments of the Independentists a very easy time when it comes to striking into their positions.

For a full week, the Independentists' cannons would strike, until reinforcements would come on over and on May 11th the first charge was issued towards the trenches. The Pomenienze would pull out their newly-created machine guns, causing a catastrophic amount of casualties to the Independentists, which however was not enough to stop them from reaching several positions and commencing large amounts of fighting either in the form of man-to-man or close range shooting. The valiant defenses of Guillermont would withstand the attack for another day, though it was clear that the war had a lot more in it for the time being.

The rest of May was described by mostly failed attempts at a push for the Combined forces, despite successfull position dispersement by the artillery bombardments that were constant for the time being. Guillermont would fall in the early days of June, when a push led by King Alberto VI himself saw a lot of his troops capture a series of trenches while also winning a lot of fights against the defensive Pomenienze troops. By June 3rd that side of the front would fall to the Independentists and only Pomena itself would be ahead of them.

The southeastern side of the trenches, in the position of Margheritte, a small village that was consumed by Pomena in recent years was relatively peaceful in the very start of the fighting. It was however, slightly longer and as a result more heavily guarded, with a force of 55,000 troops and 35 cannons at their disposal. The Combined forces never really managed to make a break on that area though, as the trenches were better designed and weather conditions did not allow for any many swift pushes. (Late summer/early autumn in that side of Juvencus is marked by sporadic rainfalls that create muddy conditions which are very hard to operate on). May would mostly be described by carnages and captuires of Combined troops, while June and July(when the siege ended), would mostly see a stalement with a mild amount of skirmishes with no clear push. This resulted in difficulties encircling Pomena and ending the siege quick enough for the Independentists, and because of that, Margheritte would remain a stronghold until the end, even after the Combined troops stormed in the capital.

Battle outcome: Mixed results, while the Independententists won in Guillermont, the loss at Margheritte was costly.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:02 pm

By Peter Davis

After our first 5 games saw us go 1-3-1 and 6th in the table, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia were certainly looking for a traditional bounce back period in order to get right back in the hunt for the Top 2 spots this time around. The clock was certainly cruel to David Seems and Li Xiu Ying last time out and with time certainly starting to run out, the quest must return to form and what better way to do that than to play against some low-ranked teams?!

Up first was probably the craziest and just downright weird games of football TJUN-ia will ever play in - and that is saying something, considering who we have played in the past. We were at the Seven Stadium in Seven to take on Sevendia, a team where everyone wears 7, is called Seven (in some way), could be shown as +7 on the attacking scale and even has a formation that looks like the number Seven. It was so many sevens, that I managed to say Seven 7 times in the last sentence because Sevendia loves seven so much...and yes, they play in both 7Ball and Rugby Sevens as well. See, I did it again! Naturally, because of the obsession with 7, many wanted to see 7 goals in this contest to add to the chaos of 7...but it simply wasn't to be. Two goals were scored by us in the end...but thankfully, it was our #7 in Pedro Vasquez who managed to score both of them, one in the 42nd and another in the 77th (which, by the way, are both divisible by seven). The 3 points were secured and just like that, we were up to 4th again.

Then came the first game of the season from Tiankong as their Tiankong Stadium hosted Raspotochje (Ras-po-toch-ye) and, to make up for the 5 goals not scored in Seven, they would all come here in an enthralling game. TJUN-ia were 2-0 up entering halftime, with Vladimir Podolov (34th) and Joe Green (44th) both getting on the scoresheet in a stadium they love to play in, but our visitors weren't going to give up just yet and by the hour mark, Sunara Bjelova had scored twice (49th, 58th) and this game was tied. This was looking like another TJUN-ian draw until Archer Andrews pulled out the magic from the bench once again, firing past Mihaela Bošnjak in the 88th to give us another win at the death.

Form 6th, we're now 3rd and only 3 points back on the Top 2 heading into a crucial double-header before the halfway break. Playing St Trinians on the road ain't gonna be easy at all, and neither will hosting the defending Champions of the World in Turori at the National Stadium. Not only will this be our first meeting with the Eels since WC85 but, barring any last-minute surprise, this will only be TJUN-ia's first Title Match for one of the UWC Belts - the only one, in fact, still in use by a current nation after Mriin's WCC retirement. Holding that belt would surely mean TJUN-ia was here to compete...but that would require beating # 2in our home turf. Who knew the first half could be so critical? GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group 13)
MD1: @Pyazhnaya (181) - Krasnograd Dome, Krasnograd D 3-3 (T-4th)
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD2: vs Ranoria (79) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City W 3-2 (4th)
MD3: @Hispinas (126) - Estadio Nacional en el Castill, Mandrid D 2-2 (T-3rd)
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD4: @Milchama (220) D 0-0 (5th)
MD5: vsSargossa (41) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky L 0-2 (6th)
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD6: @Sevenida (UR) - Seven Stadium, Seven W 2-0 (3rd)
MD7: vs Raspojochje (336) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong W 3-2 (3rd)
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD8: @St Trinians (97) - National Stadium, Searle
MD9: vs Turori (2) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD10: vs Pyazhnaya (181) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
MD11: @Ranoria (79) - Smith Field, Richardson
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD12: vs Hispinas (126) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
MD13: vs Milchama (220) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD14: @Sargossa (41) - Independienté, Goza
MD15: vs Sevendia (UR) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD16: @Raspojochje (336)
MD17: vs St Trinians (97) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City
----------------------BOOT IT!----------------------
MD18: @Turori (2) - Cednia Beach Center, Cednia

by **Sargossa** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:08 pm

The Petro Dome was rocking. The score line may not have been the most palatable but the matchday experience had forty two thousand fans on the edge of their seats. The last couple of minutes alone had been worth the entrance fee. New boys Sevendia arrived in Mercada having lost every fixture thus far in their debut campaign. But the Corsairs were struggling to get to grips with their bizarre system. It was like handing an orangutan a Beretta. I did have a suitable denouement to that analogy, but it popped out of my head. Anyway, three times Sargossa had taken the lead. Each time hoping to have put the plucky underdog in the ground. But no, they just kept coming back.

And sure enough, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, statuesque striker Sean-Seven Raven chested a lofted ball down into his own path before unleashing a dipping drive into the top corner from twenty yards. It was perfection, Alejandro Martínez didn’t even bother to move. And while the team and fans were trying to process the equaliser it could have gotten even worse. Serge-Seven Fomeven got his feet in an almighty mess inside the penalty area, letting the ball strike his ankle and bouncing away. Máximo Moya had clearly anticipated a slightly better touch and committed to the tackle. He took all of the man and none of the now departed ball. It was a penalty all day long but, amazingly, it was not given.

Play went on. Straight up to the other end. Alfonso Barrueco was in space on the left and swung in a cross which struck covering ‘defender’ Seattle-Seven Badven on the arm. It was struck from close range, but Badven’s outstretched arm was considered to be in an unnatural position and the penalty was given. The crowd roared. It would surely be the last kick of the game. Enrique González carefully placed the ball on the spot. He took his usual careful run up and struck one of the worst penalties of his career. It was at a poor height and wasn’t anywhere near finding the corner. Sebastian-Seven Proven, an intimidatingly large target, guessed right. At least it’s assumed he guessed. Nothing the Sevendia players had done had seemed particularly intentional . But he went the right way and clawed the ball away. It was a suitably bizarre end to the kind of odd encounter the World Cup can throws up. Probably why we love it so.

The visitors were delighted, they were finally off the mark in this campaign. For Sargossa there was at least the consolation of keeping their unbeaten start to the qualifiers going.

The nation’s sporting press may still be suffering some kind of post-Olympic burnout but the national side are on a half decent run. Four wins and three draws from the opening seven games might not be quite as imposing as the Rushmori champions would like, but they sit just two points behind group favourites Turori. And three ahead of TJUN-ia and Ranoria. Turning over the Eels will be a tough ask, they are ranked second in the sportiverse for a reason, but it would prove a particularly soothing balm after Sargossa were dumped out of the Olympic football tournament in favour of the Vilitan Union (Turori included) thanks to the drawing of lots. It still rankles.

by **Kaldtfjell** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 1:20 pm

Dear diary,

We can celebrate a little bit! We just got our second win of the campaign!

It’s been a long time coming. We got our first quite a while back now when we beat Damukuni away, and while obviously we were happy about that, I think it kind of got pushed back when we went on another losing run. I could tell the pressure was starting to hit when we came back to Hornungsvagr for the seventh match of the qualifying group. We were hosting the Grearish Union at home, and I think we all thought it would be another loss. The boss decided to put me in from the start this time, for the first time in qualifying, so I was pretty excited about that. Then, I realised the pressure that would be on me specifically now. Usually I can just defer to Odin and let him start things off, but clearly Sverre had decided it was time for me to have a go. Was I really going to be that good?

I almost wish my first game hadn’t come at home. I looked into the crowd when the national anthem was playing, and saw the Hovding staring, intently, in the direction of the pitch. At first, I didn’t want to let him down, but then I paused for a minute and wondered why I felt like that. I had seen all of the stress that Sverre had been under, all of the worry that’s resulted from the edict from on high. We aren’t going to qualify this time, and I’m not sure we were ever going to win honestly. We would do well to get any wins out of this tournament, and so it was great to have got a win. Let’s just go out and see if we can get any more.

So when the referee, a guy called Juan Pérez (I think), blew the whistle at the start of the game, I just went out and tried to play as well as I damn well could. I don’t know what the rest of the team were thinking, but all I knew was that I was going to throw everything at this game, and any other that I got to play in.

As we reached the twenty minute mark, we got a free kick: Jarl got pulled down by one of the Grearish defenders, and so we had a free kick on the outside of the box. There was a little moment of confusion over who was going to take it. It would usually be Jarl, but he was still feeling slightly worse for wear after the tackle, and no-one else seemed keen to step up. “Fuck it”, I thought to myself, and walked towards the spot that Pérez was standing over, and you know what?

I fucking smashed it.

Top corner. The Grearish keeper had absolutely no chance. We were in the lead, and I was the one who scored. It was unbelievable.

Everything after that is somewhat of a blur honestly. I spent some time directing the ball towards Elof and Thorarinn in front of me, and I made sure to keep up with my defensive duties, but after that point it was like I was walking on air, y’know? I knew that I’d done something that I could be really proud of.

We won the game as well. A second win of the qualifiers, and weirdly against another Esportivan team, maybe there’s something in that. As we came off the pitch and I walked back towards the dressing room, I found my path blocked in the tunnel by a bunch of men in suits, and one, in a quartered tracksuit and sunglasses, who stood out ahead of the rest. The Hovding.

I saluted, as is customary, purely out of instinct honestly. He turned to me and took off his sunglasses, and said, “Well done boy!” I nodded and mumbled some thanks, before he leaned into my ear and whispered, “Keep that up.” It didn’t sound like an encouragement. It sounded like a threat.

I don’t know why that was the response to the game I’d just had. It was my full debut, and I’d scored! Why was the response to vaguely threaten me if I didn’t keep doing that? Is that a normal thing? I just don’t get it?

I’m going to stop before I write something I regret. Maybe after a night’s sleep I’ll be able to focus on the good and put this aside…

A. F.

by **Polkopia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:04 pm

Polkopia Prepares for MD9 Against The Jovannic

Coach Dyakov cleared his throat and shut his binder, "and that's the starting lineup today. Any questions?"

Today, the team met at the training facility outside of the Marshupov Arena in Peeto, days before their match against The Jovannic. Later that evening, they would begin their first practice in readying up the Polkopian squad to face their opponent, but until then they had the rest of the day to relax and prepare, both mentally and physically, for practice.

"Right. I'll see you guys in a few hours then. Everyone's free to leave." Coach Dyakov said, turning around and leaving the facility. The team meeting this morning was in the lounge in a building adjacent to the practice fields themselves. The building had been completed prior to the World Cup this year, and this squad was the first to have ever used it. The building came with several plush sofas, televisions with several video game consoles, a billiard table, kitchenette, and several other amenities for the team. This was the first official team meeting that took place in this room, as the room was only ever used for post-practice hangouts and relaxation, but Coach Dyakov had expressed that he'd like some of these more casual team discussions to take place here.

"Right," Yakoby Kosyo picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, "I'll be seeing you guys later then." he said as he walked out. Behind him were Danya Siyan and Vadim Išutin, some of his teammates from Lada Kirovski, the domestic Polkopian club they played in.

Slava Panin turned his back toward them as they walked out the door and smirked. "Well," he said, leaning over to pick up some leftover crackers that were sprawled out on the coffee table, "it's about damn time."

Vladimir Hužyak and Stepen Azarov were with Panin sitting on one sets of couches, both of them enjoying the food that was brought over more than the meeting itself. "What do you mean?" Azarov said, holding his hand over his face to keep himself from spewing food everywhere as he talked.

"I mean," Panin threw one of the crackers at Azarov, who flinched and looked back at Panin, "that I'm finally starting striker. Do you know how long it's been since I've started for this team? It's always ever been Kosyo!" Panin nearly spat Kosyo's name as he said it. He immediately looked around at the other players to make sure no one else was listening. Everyone else was busy playing video games or gathering their stuff to leave; no one really seemed to be paying too much attention to their group at the moment.

"Well you did have that little tantrum in the locker room in front of Coach, don't you think that might've had something to do with it?" Azarov said, dipping his cracker in the cheese dip and shoving more of it in his mouth.

"Look, I'm not even talking about that. That was dumb but I mean before that even happened, I was always on the bench." Kosyo said, feeling his patience growing thinner and thinner with each moment that he felt like he had to explain himself to his teammates.

"I think," Azarov said after swallowing his food, "that your attitude has a lot to do with it. I'll say this to you as a friend because I like you Slava, but your attitude sucks and Coach isn't the only one who's been noticing." Hužyak stayed quiet, but he crossed his arms over his body and nodded, staring down at the coffee table with wide eyes as if he were in some sort of trance.

"I'm just getting pissed off!" Panin nearly shouted and he felt a few of his teammates turn and look at them. Panin looked around as they returned to what they were doing before looking their way and continued, "It's really frustrating because I want to play, I want to be out there, I want to do you guys and my country proud, but I think Coach has some sort of vendetta against me or something because he isn't even giving me a chance!"

"I think he's hesitant to put you in there for a number of reasons, actually," Azarov said, wiping his hands on his shorts and leaning back, sprawling his arms around the back of the couch, "I think for one, you don't mesh well with certain players and that shows on the field pretty obviously. I thi-" Azarov continued, but Panin cut him off.

"Bullshit." Panin said, pointing a finger at him, "That's fucking bullshit and yeah, I'm not going to be everyone's best friend off of the fucking pitch, but I'll still play with them because that's my job."

Azarov shrugged, "I mean, that's your opinion but the decision isn't yours to make - it's Coach's. I'm just telling you what I'm noticing. You aren't like this on Valinkova, Slava, I don't know what's been getting into you but I hope you shake it off soon because I like having you out there on the pitch, but you're getting this... I don't know, complex maybe? You're acting younger than Kosyo at this point and I think you're feeling a little threatened by him, so you've been a bit of a dick lately."

Again, Hužyak said nothing, but continued to nod as Azarov spoke, biting his lip as he said the last part. Hužyak looked over at Panin, who did nothing but sit back and bite his nails, wincing as he drew blood as he ripped the flesh adjacent to his fingernail.

"Look, I didn't want it to turn into this, but you've at least played a couple of matches. Look at Kristian, he hasn't played more than twenty minutes this whole cycle and he hasn't said a word. I just think you need to put things in perspective a little bit." Azarov said.

"Mhm." Panin said, looking down toward the seat of the couch, purposely trying to avoid eye contact with Azarov. He couldn't help but feel a little hurt, he hadn't meant to come off in that way, but the past few weeks have been incredibly stressful for him. He's always giving 110% at practice and seemingly sidelined for a younger and fresher face. How could he not be mad at that?

"I'm gonna go, but I'll see you tonight okay?" Azarov said, standing up. Hužyak followed, patting Panin on his knee before leaving him by himself. He wasn't sure why he felt his eyes tearing up, but he dug his nails in his thighs to keep from crying. 'Don't fucking cry, not in here!' Panin thought to himself. He had always been an emotional player and often let his feelings get the better of him on the pitch, but this was something he would have to shake off by the time tonight's practice happened. He couldn't let everyone see him wavering now that he finally earned that starting position. Azarov said that he was behaving like a dick, and that hurt, but maybe he was right? He didn't necessarily remember saying anything mean toward Kosyo or any other of the Lada Kirovski guys throughout this whole tournament; he mainly just avoided them, but maybe that was what he meant? He shook his head and stood up. No. He wasn't going to dwell on this now. He was going to move on and focus on practice and beating The Jovannic because that's why he's here. He didn't have time for feelings, emotions, or anything else that would hold him back, and Coach was obviously expecting big things from him so he was going to go out there and deliver a hell of a game.

by **Sylestone** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:11 pm

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SENTIENT

Part Five

Somewhere between Conton and Halpenley, Sylestone

It was late that afternoon when Brett woke up from his second nap of the day, waking to see the sweeping, arid Sylestonean desert all around, with no forms of life in sight save the occasional cactus and of course, his father. There may only be roughly 150 kilometres separating the Central Sylestonean cities of Conton and Halpenley, but it is some of the most boring landscape in the nation, and Brett knew it. Only one town, with just 1093 residents, lay between the two cities, but we’ll get to that later.

Brett peered out the window and, as always, said exactly what he had been thinking. Vis is bawing. Surewy we’re neawwy vere yet?”

Brett’s father laughed. “Son, I don’t think we’re even halfway there. Kirkham is a long, long way away. We’re not even at Halpenley yet!”

Brett was stunned. “But you said we’d be vere in a coupwe of hours!”

“No, son. You were the one who thought that. I told you it would take the better part of two days to reach Kirkham.”

Brett huffed, but slunk back into his seat at the same time. A few minutes later, he asked again to ensure his father wasn’t fooling him, but got the same response. This was going to be one hell of a boring journey.

Minutes passed, with the same landscape recurring over and over again, so much that Brett thought they were really going around in circles. The road was straight, with no hills or anything in sight. But finally, just as Brett was about to pose the question to his father, the two of them passed a large sign on the side of the road.

Welcome to The Middle Of Fucking Nowhere

Brett put his hand to his mouth and shouted. “RUDE!!!” while his father chortled away in the driver’s seat.

“Well, it’s right on the dot, isn’t it?” were Brett’s father’s words once he stopped chuckling, as the two of them crested a hill; one that Brett had clearly missed while he was scanning the countryside. On the other side was the town, bustling full of life with its 1093 residents in the middle of the vast desert.

Yeah, it really was in The Middle Of Fucking Nowhere.

While staying in the town was considered, Brett and his father opted to drive the extra half hour to Halpenley, where they would be assured of accommodation for the night. The time was nearing six o’clock and the sun was beginning to set in an stunning fashion over the desert, catching Brett’s awestruck eyes as they drove on along the Rubber Chicken Highway that separated the cities of Kirton on the north coast, located between Avondale and Cleorough, and Betham on the south. Despite being the same sweltering, arid and deserted landscape that was prevalent before The Middle Of Fucking Nowhere, time passed in a flash and all of a sudden, Brett could see the suburban lights of Halpenley up ahead.

The two of them drove through most of Halpenley before finally finding an available hotel in the southern suburbs, surprisingly close to Sunlife Stadium, Halpenley’s most prestigious footballing arena and the home of Halpenley City FC. A little while earlier, Sylestone had hosted Srednjaci at the stadium, where they had attained their largest win thus far, with the final result being a 3-0 victory for the Sentients. Now, following a 1-0 home win at Betham over Melbergia and a brilliant 1-1 draw against 16th-ranked Chromatika, Sylestone were on 14 points from seven matches, only two behind the Chromatik and four behind Eura. Brett took pride in this fact - the Sentients were still the only team to take points off the Eurans, with a 1-0 home victory in Chamberley making up part of Sylestone’s current 4-0-0 winning streak at home, where six goals have been scored and none conceded.

Over the dinner table that night, the father-and-son duo took their time to analyse the Sentients’ play over the course of the current World Cup Qualifiers and make predictions for upcoming matches before heading to an early bed. Both believed that their nation had their best shot at qualifying in history, but knew it was a hard hill to climb with Eura and Chromatika favourites for a top-two finish. But having already stolen four points from two outings against those two nations, the Esportivans are certainly proving a nuisance.

“So, Daddy. What do you fink are ve chances we’ww quawify for ve Worwd Cup?” Brett asked to begin the conversation, while they ate their sweet cactus soup ordered from a local restaurant.

“Not particularly high. Maybe 20-25 percent? Remember, even if we do pip one of Eura or Chromatika, we may still have to go through a playoff to make the World Cup itself”, was his father’s response.

Brett sniffed. “Yeah, I agwee. If we can beat Darmen and ven Schima Bas ven we might have a chance.”

“It’s still very up in the air; anything can happen. This new schedule with all the games fitting into just a few months has me baffled, but that’s just the way it is. Fortunately, the Sentients don’t tire as fast as us regular humans do, so they should be able to push through it.”

“So it’s not onwy me who fought vat was weird.”

“Yes. Anyway, bedtime for you, Brett. We’ve got a big day tomorrow. Half of Sylestone crossed, half to go!”

Sylestone vs Melbergia @ The Bay Reserve, Betham

Sylestone (4-1-3-1-1): Table; Ironing Board - Toilet (Sofa 78’) - Wok (Washing Machine 82’) - Drawer; Television; Stove - Knife (Bar Stool 61’) - Spiderwebs; Mixer; AC Vent

Melbergia: Unknown

SYLESTONE - 1
AC Vent 53’

MELBERGIA - 0
-no scorers-

Chromatika vs Sylestone @ Islander Dome, Myana

Chromatika (4-4-1-1): J Fillar; Xiao (G Fillar 70’) - de Aea (▮ 38’) - Ken - Ilya; Humphreys (Marc 82’) - Armageddon - Zuniga (Hauser 62’) - Kuznetsov (▮ 84’); Mora; Vidal

Sylestone (4-1-3-1-1): Brick Wall; Ironing Board (▮ 45’) - Toilet (Wok 87’) - Washing Machine (▮ 13’) - Dishwasher; Air Conditioner (Television 58’); Stove - Bar Stool (▮ 64’) - Fridge; Heater; Tumble Dryer (Mixer 80’)

CHROMATIKA - 1
Hauser 71’

SYLESTONE - 1
Bar Stool 41’

Starting Lineup vs Darmen @ Avondale International Sports Stadium, Avondale

Brick Wall; Nokia - Toilet - Washing Machine - Dishwasher; Television; Stove - Bar Stool - Fridge; Mixer; AC Vent

Starting Lineup vs Schima Bas @ Unknown

Saucepan; Ironing Board - Sofa - Washing Machine - Drawer; Air Conditioner; Kitchen Sink - Bar Stool - Spiderwebs; Heater; Tumble Dryer

Schedule:

MD1: Sylestone 1-0 Talamia @ Carson Stadium, Cleorough
MD2: Sylestone 1-0 Eura @ Chamberley Institute of Sport, Chamberley
MD3: Lathamford 1-0 Sylestone @ Thousandforks National Arena, Lathamford
MD4: Sylestone 3-0 Srednjaci @ Sunlife Stadium, Halpenley
MD5: Agresos 0-0 Sylestone @ Unknown
MD6: Sylestone 1-0 Melbergia @ The Bay Reserve, Betham
MD7: Chromatika 1-1 Sylestone @ Islander Dome, Myana
MD8: Sylestone - Darmen @ Avondale International Sports Stadium, Avondale
MD9: Schima Bas - Sylestone @ Unknown
MD10: Talamia - Sylestone @ Ebdemar Au'tokra Stadium, Clinepalas
MD11: Eura - Sylestone @ Bastion National Arena, Bastion
MD12: Sylestone - Lathamford @ Sentient Oval, Kirkham
MD13: Srednjaci - Sylestone @ Blue Volcano Stadium, Melarit
MD14: Sylestone - Agresos @ Ground of Dunkirk, Dunkirk
MD15: Melbergia - Sylestone @ Unknown
MD16: Sylestone - Chromatika @ The Trees, Pesfield
MD17: Darmen - Sylestone @ Unknown
MD18: Sylestone - Schima Bas @ Fiery Stadium, Dodle

by **Flavovespia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:18 pm

Aut-Ves-Nat 0 - 0 Flavovespia

PH: Hello and Welcome to Matchday 6 of the World Cup Qualifiers. Now’s the time the contenders to make it to the World Cup look to make themselves known. Returning as a special guest is John Calvert. 5 games in, and it’s not looking too great for Flavovespia, how do you see the situation now John?

JC: I think the Polkopia game will hit the team hard. Obviously losses against Jeruselem, Baker Park, you hope they don’t happen but aren’t all that unexpected. Polkopia though, well just everything went wrong it seemed.

PH: How will the team bounce back from that?

JC: You just can’t dwell on it. Go out here, try and win, and put it past you. I think the team will know they can win, they just need to perform.

PH: Several changes for Flavovespia, is this desperation by McCormick, or a calculated move?

JC: I think a bit of both. He’s under pressure, but the 4-3-3 didn’t get results. The 4-2-3-1 is more familiar, it hopefully combines the defensive improvements of the last few games, and gives a little more in attack. Some bold line-up changes as well, especially up front.

PH: There’s been some criticism, your thoughts?

JC: Maybe it’s harsh to drop Coleman, but I think he’s not been at his best for now, and Cole has looked the better of the out and out strikers. Hall through the centre, I get the frustrations, I think it’s unfortunate Totten is suspended and Hall has to cover there. I think Cooper can impress.

PH: It’s over to our commentary team, as kick-off is imminent.

Kickoff: We’re underway in Aut-Ves-Nat. Flavovespia hope to kickstart a so-so campaign, Aut-Ves-Nat of course hope to build on that CAFA Cup win.

15 minutes: A slow start here in Aut-Ves-Nat. The hosts aren’t really finding anyway through the Flavovespian midfield and defence. However the Flavovespian attack is a bit disjointed for now. Aut-Ves-Nat have a good shape and it’s preventing Flavovespia getting forward. More pace is needed in this game.

30 minutes: The play has been going the way of Flavovespia, and if a breakthrough is coming, it’ll probably be from the visitors. Clark and Player are working well in the midfield, spreading the play about. Cooper and Hall are causing problems down the right-hand side, with some interchange between the sides. Some good efforts, but also some good saves and defending from Aut-Ves-Nat.

Half time: Aut-Ves-Nat 0 – 0 Flavovespia. Goalless, but it very nearly wasn’t. A long ball over the top saw Aut-Ves-Nat almost through on goal, if not for Diamond dashing out of his box to hoof the ball downfield. That clearance fell all the way into the path of Cole. His marker was just a bit too quick and strong to allow Cole a 1 vs 1, pushing Cole to shoot from a less optimal position and straight into the gloves of the keeper.

60 minutes: Flavovespia have tried to come at Aut-Ves-Nat with pace, and it’s backed up the hosts in their own half. Alexander May came closest of anyone in yellow to opening the scoring this game, his header beat the goalkeeper but not the defender just in front of the goal line. Aut-Ves-Nat did have one counter-attacking opportunity, but the pass was fired too far downfield and Diamond swept that away.

75 minutes: This match looked lively, but is beginning to peter out somewhat. Aut-Ves-Nat enjoying a good spell, but not really doing anything with the ball particularly. For Flavovespia, Blythe is off for Dance, and Hall moves out wide, as Ahmed comes in to the play

90 minutes: A classic game, this isn’t going to be. There’s more urgency, but more sloppiness across the park. Aut-Ves-Nat had a good chance, as Dance was dispossessed 30 metres out, but after a good run into the box, the ball was fired straight at Diamond, who gathered it up. The final ball for Flavovespia just isn’t there, and Cole’s had few attempts to try and score.

Full time: Aut-Ves-Nat 0 – 0 Flavovespia. Well Flavovespia didn’t lose, and they kept a clean sheet. Not much else that can really be said, and there’s got to be a sense of 2 points dropped after that.

PH: So John, a point gained or 2 dropped?

JC: I think 2 dropped. The defence did well, but unfortunately the attack just wasn’t there today.

PH: Obviously the calls were there to sub on Coleman, was it wrong to not do that?

JC: In retrospect yes, and I do think taking Feld off and Coleman on, with Cole at left wing was the change needed. It didn’t look like Cole was working well as a lone striker. McCormick needs a win now, or I think it’s over for him.

PH: Well that end’s today’s coverage. Possibly a big game for McCormick next up, as Flavovespia host Xanneria. See you then!

Flavovespia 3 - 4 Xanneria

PH: Hello and welcome to this coverage of the game in City Arena! Well as if the Flavovespian qualifying campaign couldn’t get any worse, there was early drama when the Xannerian National Team arrived. Their site of arrival was Lunselbury Airfield, keen to stay relatively close to Marthorpe, but away from the hustle and bustle of Bavingtor Airport and Hadford Aerodrome. Unfortunately an inexperienced and ill-prepared crew mishandled the unloading of the plane. The plane became unbalanced and there was a tailstrike. Thankfully no injuries occurred, but there was damage to the aircraft. A spokesman said “This is the one thing we didn’t want to happen”. Nevertheless, the match is upon us, here we go.

Kickoff: Kickoff here in Marthorpe, neither side has done too well so far, and both will need a win to really get their chances of qualifying back on track.

15 minutes: A fairly open game so far, you sense there’s goals in it. Xanneria are playing quite an open game, looking to create space for their players. Flavovespia could capitalise, and we’ve already seen Hall and Cole make some runs through the middle. Cole has just missed out to Bray Feltzer on a pass by Hall.

16 minutes: GOAL! Oh and Xanneria take the lead. Feltzer goes on a good run with the ball, and slots the ball into the gap for Carlton Brower. He times his shot well, and it beats Diamond. The visitors lead.

30 minutes: That goal has shaken Flavovespia somewhat, they really needed to not fall behind yet again, and the body language of the fans, players and coaches is awful. The ball is with Xanneria at the moment

31 minutes: GOAL! And Flavovespia score! Well it was from not much really, Xander Washington passes straight to the feet of Steven Hall. Hall quickly plays the ball over the top behind the defence for Cole, and Cole places it low past Evan Jefferson Jr. 1-1, maybe not the most deserved equaliser, but they all count.

Half Time: The first half ends, in a game that really could go either way. Flavovespia definitely lacking confidence despite the equaliser. Xanneria’s open game style working well for them, even if there’s gaps to be exposed.

52 minutes: GOAL! Xanneria take the lead again. A great ball in by Feltzer to Brower sets up the chance. Diamond comes out of his goal, and Brower just gets the shot away before Diamond reaches him. The two collide as the ball rolls into the net. Unfortunately for Flavovespia, Diamond looks too shaken up to continue. No malice or foul intent from the Xannerian, and the goal clearly stands. He limps off, and Aairf Muhammad returns to goal.

59 minutes: GOAL! Cole gets his second of the game. He jinxes through the middle, before a quick one-two with Hall opens up a clear goalscoring chance. Cole doesn’t need a second chance, he fires with power and pace past Even Jefferson Jr to equalise.

60 minutes: Well it’s all action here. Xanneria take the lead again, but can’t exert control as Cole and Hall link up well to get the game back to 2-2. Who knows where this could go? Diamond at least doesn’t look too badly injured as he came off the pitch, but his unhappiness was clear as he kicked a crate of water bottles on the sideline.

68 minutes: GOAL! A hat-trick of assists for Feltzer. Maybe too much ball watching by Flavovespia, May and Player go to close him down, leaving Andrew Gasey enough space to collect the through ball and place it past Aarif Muhammad. 2-3 now, an entertaining game.

74 minutes: GOAL! Kieron Player gets his first goal for Flavovespia! A free-kick from Steven Hall is initially punched away by Jefferson Jr, but Xander Washington miscued the clearance towards Player. Player takes a shot on the edge of the box, and it finds its way through the crowded box and into the bottom corner of the net. Delight for Player and he receives the plaudits for his first international goal.

75 minutes: 15 minutes left, and there could still be yet more goals in this. Bray Feltzer has been a star for Xanneria, on the other side of the pitch Michael Cole has gotten 2 goals. And look who’s coming on, it’s Scott Coleman for Jonathan Feld!

81 minutes: GOAL! And after getting 3 assists, Feltzer puts himself onto the scoresheet. Cole is too confident at the back, he plays a slow ball to club teammate Clark. Feltzer intercepts, and then shoots first time past Aarif Muhammad, out of position to stop that. Aarif Muhammad is furious at his outfield players for that, Gardner and May also seemed involved in this shouting match, and McCormick looks apopletic on the touchline.

90 minutes: Flavovespia have thrown the kitchen sink at this, Hannigan is now on for May. Hardly a yellow shirt in defence now, and the ball is pinging backwards and forwards. There really could be a late goal at this rate.

Full time: Flavovespia 3 – 4 Xanneria. Well after the chaos pre-game, it was chaos on the field. In the end, Xanneria won, the individual brilliance of Bray Feltzer impossible to deny. Mistakes were made by Flavovespia, in many ways, but that compounds so many problems.

PH: Well after everything before the game, that game was a lot of drama of its own. Sadly for Flavovespia, they were on the wrong side of a 7 goal thriller. That marks the 4th game in a row without victory, and just 7 points from 7 games. McCormick’s sombre look as he shook hands with Myrone Rhule post game was that of a man who knows nothing is going right. 7 games in, and Flavovespia lie 8th in Group 17. They’re 8 points off of 1st and 6 off of 2nd. For now it seems, the dream of qualification has unexpectedly slammed into the ground. Next up, a trip to Great Jovannica Stadium in The Jovannic, before the first of 2 games in Saints Park, starting with the visit of Sajnur.

Breaking News

PH: Hello and Welcome to this special edition of FTV’s Football News. Marcus McCormick has been sacked by the FFA, following the torrid start to the qualifiers. In a statement, the FFA said that a change will be needed for this team to progress, and now is the time to begin the search for a new manager. They wish him well for the future. The FFA have also announced that the interim replacement will not come from Marcus McCormick’s coaching staff, but instead it is the man Marcus McCormick originally replaced himself as an interim manager, Nick Cole returning. Nick Cole was the first ever Flavovespian national team manager, who lead the team up to the end of the 4th game of WCQ 84. As a club manager, he lead Waldster to their only 2 modern era league titles. In 22AU, he became the first ever manager to win the domestic treble, the Super League, Flavovepsia Gold Cup and the League Cup. Between spells at Waldster, he of course was the Flavovespia National Team manager, in WCQ 83, COH 75, AOCAF 59 and the start of WCQ 84.At his most recent club, Langmere Green Rovers, he won 2 Super League titles, but was sacked after a poor run of form to begin 34AU.

The FFA have said this is an interim appointment until the end of WCQ 89, whereupon the search for a new manager should be concluded. The move has received mixed reviews based on early comments. Some say the quick interim choice gives stability and certainty, and Nick Cole does have experience at this level. However, the way his time at Langmere Green Rovers, and his second stint at Waldster, raises some questions. Of course fans of clubs like Loxthorpe Rovers, Hadford Hill and St Astons City aren’t happy either, although the caveat of biased fandom comes into play. Nevertheless, he’ll have the 11 upcoming games to try and settle this side and salvage the qualifying campaign into some sort of positive.

by **Ko-oren** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:22 pm

The Dragonflies have certainly had better starts to qualification campaigns. Seven matches in, the national team has more wins than losses, but so do four other teams in Group 15, making Ko-oren look a bit mediocre. With four wins, a draw, and two losses, things could have been worse, but they could have been much better - especially as you realise the losses were to unranked Britonisea (8th) and Baggieland (7th). Those who've beaten us aren't in that group of five hoping for the World Cup. And if you realise that the matches ahead of us - at Omerica (1st), at home versus Oberour Ar Moro (6th) - you probably don't get more optimistic. That first game, at Omerica, is a must-win fixture. Win here and you overtake at least Omerica and likely one of the other upsetters and you're within a point of the top of the group going into the second half of qualification. Lose here and you're six points behind Omerica and a few points short of third place in general.

And at that point, you're looking at the nine remaining games, see them as excellent opportunities to develop a new core, some youth, in addition to maybe trying out some extremely fancy new concepts (Maethoru SC's positional play and zone rules).

On the other hand, you're Ko expletive dash oren. You didn't get to pot 1 by rolling over as soon as things stopped getting easy. You didn't get to six consecutive World Cup qualifications (all the way since World Cup 83, baby!!) by giving our opponents a fair and equal chance at beating us. Bollonich got a nice broom closet for a dressing room in the Orange Bowl. Vajlahrys got off easily in Étouille. The team was so underequipped that they ended up playing in knockoff Tanques AOE jerseys and had to borrow a ball from the Dragonflies ahead of the game. You can't do anything to them that they haven't already done to themselves. The Juvencus team, upon arriving in Katashi, were put on a 'hop on, hop off' bus through the city, except the driver only allowed hopping on, not hopping off, until it was well past midnight before the squad was dropped off at a hotel - next to a construction site - and they still kept us to a 2-2 draw.

Anyway, this is no time to start worrying. I'll start worrying when we have two games to go and we're six points behind second place, and by then we realise that the Cup of Harmony is a damn fun tournament to be in anyway.

It might surprise many older fans of the Dragonflies, but yes, we've gone to more World Cups than Cups of Harmony. 16 of the former, 10 of the latter. To newer fans of the Green and Blue: in the late 70s, we had nine of each. Under Juliasterinthen, this team has put in some work - and that's an understatement. And I'm already hearing the older fans "How come we're in so many more World Cups now? I feel like we're not winning much more than in the 70s". Well, you're right. In the 70s, the Dragonflies won 60% of their games. In the 80s, up until the current qualification campaign, the Dragonflies have won 61% of their games. Not a huge difference. "We used to win so many more qualification groups back in the day, right?" the older fans continue. And yes, again, you'd be correct. In the 11 cycles since our World Cup 77 absence, the Dragonflies have won their group four times. In the 11 cycles before our absence, we won our group six times.

So why are we better now? We're not winning more, we're winning more important games, which are more visible, are easier to remember.

And our opponents have also seen us win. They also committed a handful of our important games to memory.

In life, and in football, and in many other things, it's not about being better. It's about them thinking that we are better.

Keep some clean sheets, score a goal, string those 1-0 wins together. It doesn't have to be good, we have to be able to pretend that we are good. Just like Bollonich has to think they're at a disadvantage by being in a hot pink broom closet huddled around a leaky airconditioning vent in Schemerdrecht. Some friends tell me they've got great things planned for Oberour Ar Moro in Aminey. Have fun. And after that we have two more home games. This three-game home stretch must give us six or more points, and the pranksters at each stadium are going to do whatever lies in their power to make that happen.

by **Squidroidia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:39 pm

RIVALRY

Squidroidia vs HUElavia

Chapter 5 - Round 2

Intro music

"How about this for Round 2 with HUElavia? Adam Johnson's Squidroidia Inklings have bounced back from a shock draw against Moliza and have fired on all cylinders against Kohnhead and a feisty away tie at the Heimüller Küstenkolosseum! As they look forward to the 2nd half as one of 5 teams all 10 points apart fighting for qualification, there is one team that is staring them in their eye hoping to trip up the Squidroidians and throw them off the beaten path. As one would might say, it's Curumbra. The Estadio Capital. Round 2 against HUElavia!.

"Hello everyone and welcome to Matchday 10 of 18 in the World Cup 89 qualifiers, my name is Takanaki Osa. Halfway into qualification for this running of football's biggest prize, Group 2 of qualification seems to be one of the more competitive groups. Here's how the table stacks up heading into this matchday. As expected, Brenecia, the top seeds heading into the qualifiers are on top, their only slipup so far came against Le Choix away from home. But take a look at 2nd place, that is Squidroidia, right there, 6 wins, 2 draws and a loss against Brenecia, 20 points and having a chance at qualifying for their first ever World Cup. Kohnhead, who they beat 1-0 at the Inkopolis City Stadium off a wonderful goal off the bench for Kiichi, 2 points behind them in 3rd, and ANOTHER 2 points behind them in 4th is the very team Squidroidia will face in just a few moments time, HUElavia.

"Now let me tell you, they have come PREPARED for WAR tonight, this HUElavia team! Full strength ACROSS THE BOARD, not uncommon for HUElavia in money games like this! Only real downside is that they JUST played Le Choix with this setup to a 2-0 win at Lourdes, so these players might be a bit tired against a full strength Squidroidia squad themselves, but there is one major upside for them - Just LOOK at this crowd on hand for the match! 90,000 seats all sold out for today's matchup, and they have come out in FORCE to support the team in yellow tonight! This is the stuff that only collegiate gridiron football can top!

"Johnson has to be asking a lot of questions to his team before the crucial match - Can Squidroidia have a chance to keep their foot on the gas heading to a crucial 2nd half? We'll be right back!"

In the locker room minutes before the 2 sides were on the field, Squidroidia manager Adam Johnson would talk to his players for the very start of this 2nd half.

"Lads. It's HUElavia. It's Curumbra. You did so well against this very team when this campaign started, but we had the home crowd on our side. HUElavia has brought the big guns and aren't messing around. You do not want to mess with a full strength team like this in their stadium with the crowd relentlessly cheering them on. We talk about away days a lot when we leave Inkopolis, especially against these high level teams who want to win so badly in front of their home crowds, and time and time again you all have to stay calm under pressure and make sure you try and get a result out there. It worked very well against Geisenfried, we battled hard against Brenecia, we did fantastic at Le Choix, only real downside... That freaking draw against Moliza. I can't have that anymore if we want to qualify for the World Cup.

"I know Moliza was a first year Baptism of Fire team... But HUElavia are ready to hurt you if they so choose. They want revenge for us drawing against them on Matchday 1. They'll do anything for it, for a chance to head back to the World Cup. HUElavia... Mean business. I want you to turn back the clock now to IAC X, when we played this team for the first time. Yeah, that's it, all the stage and prestige and whatnot... Now imagine, all of those fans packed into their seats as HUElavia supporters. That's how this feels. This might as well be the biggest game against HUElavia you have faced that isn't in a major international tournament.

"But before you go... Remember this. The 2nd half of qualifiers will be more brutal than the first. It has always been like that since before I was even born. This is only just the start. 7 matchdays from now, we'll be at the Chicken King in Kohnhead City... You have to hold on to what you got. I say... Give it a shot! We don't want to live on a prayer now, do we? We will make it to Tikariot City before long, I swear! COME ON YOU INKLINGS!"

And they would head out of the tunnel with their HUElavian counterparts before long, ready to kick off the 2nd half in the most brutal way imaginable.

RIVALRY - Squidroidia vs HUElavia
Chapter 1 - Here We Go Again
Chapter 2 - First Blood
Chapter 3 - A Perfect Hill to Climb
Chapter 4 - Frustration
Chapter 5 - You are Here!
Chapter 6 - When All is Set and Done

by **Montana Verde** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:51 pm

Toro Castrado – 3 (1)
Kouyaté (27’), Martell (55’), Callejon (79’), Pereyra (84’)

Montaña Verde – 3 (2)
Mateo; Roberta, Arquímedes, Jairo, Juderías (37’); Ana-Ximena (79’ Edgar ); Valentinha, Primitivo (74’ Julia Varela ), Kristjana; Thiago Montilla (79’ pen.), Osito (4’) (56’ Verónica Ximena )

Montaña Verde – 3 (0)
Dolfo; Roberta, Arquímedes, Jairo (71’), Juderías; Edgar (61’ Cristo Díaz ); Valentinha, Primitivo (55’), Emma (58’ Kristjana (75’)); Thiago Montilla, Osito (79’ Naomí Berrocal (90’))

Omérica – 1 (1)
Beauchesne (21’)

The Condors came away with four points from a week of matches that could have been pencilled in for zero. They were the fortunate beneficiaries of some indiscipline in Juvencus in a see-sawing game of two halves. The Condors took an early, unexpected lead through Osito. Pierre-Didier Kouyaté equalized, using his size effectively from a corner where he simply physically overpowered the Verdean defence and perfectly directed his header. Juderías had a mixed game, starting for the injured Justin: his rocket shot on the 37 minute mark restored the Condors’ lead, but he would later be at fault for poor defending. The second half turned on its head as the Condors tired against the physical superiority of Gli attaccanti, who took full advantage and levelled through Joaquim Martell. Carlo Callejon’s reckless challenge upended and injured Ana-Ximena to gift the Condors the lead once more as Thiago Montilla converted the resulting penalty, but a touch of class from Joao Pereyra sealed the draw as he drove past Juderías and hammered the ball between Mateo’s legs.

Disappointment at thrice giving away the lead was tempered by few crediting the Condors with the chance of even a point, and it built positive energy for a return home to face Omerica. It was again a game of two halves, but this time it was the Condors rebounding after the Incorrigibles controlled possession through the first half, including Malcolm Beauchesne turning in a cross with a deft move to shake off Jairo’s attentions. The second saw a fiesta of goals as Primitivo, who had looked lacklustre on his return from injury against Juvencus, put on an improved display to orchestrate the response, scoring the first and assisting on the second and third from Emma and Naomí Berrocal.

Changes to expected XI for next two games: Doubts about his defensive solidity notwithstanding, Juderías will continue as Justin remains out. Thiago Montilla has picked up an ankle injury; Verónica Ximena will start in his place. Ana-Ximena is day-to-day but probable to return as she was more shaken up than seriously injured; Dolfo will keep the gloves after Mateo’s inept display against Gli attaccanti lost him the #1 jersey. Arquímedes, who has played every game, will get a break at some point, probably with Tafalla coming in.

Jerónimo read the note from Jazmín. She had been less than impressed by his finally mentioning that he had a wife; perhaps he should have brought that before they spent a year trekking through the jungle together. Or at least before they slept together. But her note made no mention of her: it had not been written in anger. In fact, it was its searing clarity, its very lack of emotion, that perturbed him. This was not a woman storming out in a rage, to be back before nightfall. This was a woman with a plan.

He had to appreciate the dialectic materialism – or, that’s what staff college had taught him it was called, anyway – at work. His men had spent years fighting the PAL. Now they’d fed them with a kettle of fish and they were sewing red stars onto their uniforms. The starving boys he’d ordered to hack through vines and leap over raging torrents, to clamber rocky slopes until their fingertips were more blood than skin and sleep in muddy sloughs shivering to the bone, were fed, and warm, and dry. There was no order he could give that could give them on now.

Every night he met with the Subcomandante for mate and cigarillos. She was acute enough to realize he had no interest in being proselytized to: his interest in her cause was strictly practical. He had none of Jazmín’s faith that her reappearance would solve the country’s problems. His experience was that only one thing could solve problems: the barrel of a gun. And the PAL’s guns were pointed in the right direction.

Frustratingly, that wasn’t quite how the Subcomandante saw it. Though she was respectful as he made his case, she didn’t see what this ‘Northern squabble’ had to do with her. Jerónimo’s wry amusement that this woman was as Northern as him failed to translate into a convincing argument. As the days drew on, as Jazmín got further away from him, he became more desperate as he plotted how to convince the Subcomandante…

The riverboat had taken Jazmín north. By the hour they were speeding past terrain it would have taken them weeks to cover on foot – that they probably had covered on foot. Her children asked about Jerónimo and the men a few times, but they had seen enough change in their young lives to adjust fairly quickly. It was Jazmín having the harder time adjusting. She felt a gaping absence against her chest where the ring had hung, but she wondered if it was really referred pain from a different absence. The only thing giving her hope was the promise of reaching the city – but then

A HUGE FIERCE GREEN SNAKE BARS HER WAY!

But this was no anaconda. The “snake” in question was not a reptile. It was the tributary of the Verdean Amazon, the fork heading up to Santa Margarita. The water was gunged over green and stagnant, reeking when they came within 50 miles of the junction. Stagnant chemical run-off from one of the huge farms had overwhelmed the river. It brought tears to Jazmín’s eyes – partly because she was gagging at the harsh stench, of course. But partly to see what had become of her country. It meant abandoning the boat and the goodwill of its owners, and trying to trade her remaining scraps of jewelry for a journey on the back of a truck.

But it only sealed her determination not to let the country she loved rot away while she skulked in the bushes.

More than a year since she left it, Jazmín Santángel Hurtado was back in Santa Margarita. The truck rumbled in across the bridge, gas cylinders clanking. When it held up at a checkpoint, she grabbed her children’s hands, jumped off, and was away into the weeds before the shouts of protest could reach the soldiers ahead. That night was the most scared she had been in a long time, longing for Jerónimo, or at least his rifle, as dark shadows stalked the streets around her. Fortunately her exhausted children fell asleep early, but she knew that as she entered the final, dangerous chapter, she needed to unload them.

With all the shifting loyalties swirling around the capital, one person she knew she could still trust was Carmelo Covarrubias Galán. He had been her husband’s long time friend in politics, from way back when they’d served on the same tiny municipal council together, before Jazmín had even been born. He was too loyal to have joined this new sham party, but too docile to have attracted too much untoward attention. Hoping he’d not moved, she made her way to his house and smiled when she saw him in his back garden, watering tomato plants. He’d always had green fingers.

“Carmelo.”

He looked up and saw a ghost at the garden gate. The watering can slid from his fingers and he clutched his chest; for a moment she feared she’d killed him. Then came the tears and the bony arms squeezing her so tight in a hug for a moment he’d kill her! The children received sticky kisses from ‘Tio Carmelo’ uncertainly, but were convinced when his old dog ran out and began sniffing their feet. They stayed in the garden playing with him while Carmelo and Jazmín went inside. She remembered how bad his coffee always was, and drank two cups anyway.

“Things have changed a lot,” he warned her. “Even the Universidad is not the same. The ‘Universidad de Santángel’, ha!” he spat darkly.

Jazmín was a little stunned to hear the university had been renamed after her husband.

“Jazmín, they told you…”

“I know what happened to him.”

“The colonizers shot him in the head and threw him from a helicopter.”

She’d heard it before, but hearing it from Carmelo made it more real than before. Her grip tightened on her coffee mug as she fought off the tears.

“So his name is everything now. Everything – and nothing. The colonizers martyred him but there was no one left to take up his cause. So now, you say his name, and it’s whatever you want. Don’t want to pay a parking ticket? Viva Santángel! Don’t want to pay your taxes? Viva Santángel! The Universidad is no different. Nothing they teach there has anything to do with any of the plans your husband had. We had.”

She reached out and clutched his bony knuckles. “Carmelo, those plans aren’t dead. The colonizers didn’t throw them from a helicopter. You can still make them real!”

He shook his head. “Jazmín, I am an old man. Leave me to water my tomatoes.” And then his eyes blazed, and something of the old Carmelo she remembered finally sparked.

“But you…”

PHORCED-ACRONIM #008-MV

It’s time for Jazmín to go public. She should make her announcement from…

0: a bridge
1: a church
2: an army barracks
3: a university lectern
4: a memorial site
5+: a hot air balloon flying over the city

but what should that announcement be?

0: a hilarious roast of the President
1: a forensic examination of the government accounts
2: a fist-clenched call to arms to the army
3: a passionate invocation of national pride to the people
4: a moving eulogy for her late husband to his former supporters
5+: a drunken rant to the few stray dogs and cats listening to her

PHORCED-ACRONIM #009-MV

When word reaches Jerónimo of Jazmín’s speech, he should react with…

0: fear
1: anger
2: guilt
3: enthusiasm
4: disbelief
5+: wild incontinence

He will realize that if he’s to get the PAL on her side, he must…

0: betray military secrets.
1: offer them a major political concession.
2: appeal to their sense of anarchy.
3: bribe them.
4: help them organize a terrorist attack.
5+: get them all really high.

by **Krytenia** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:53 pm

Cygnus Technologies unveiled their newest venture today - a brand new workplace social media network. Named Konnekt - or konne.kt, to use the URL - the network will allow users to advertise and apply for jobs, share files, arrange meetings and social events, and even utilise Cygnus' video conferencing app ShowUp. Users will also be able to create their own groups of friends and colleagues - or "konnektions" as the corporation is calling them - to share information, ideas, and cat GIFs.

CEO Alison Swann, at the product launch, called Konnekt "a revolution in business networking, allowing companies to synchronise and synergise strategies whilst making staff feel they are part of the process. With its social media style interface, Konnekt will be user-friendly whilst still feeling like a powerful and professional piece of software."

Konnect will be available to all users later this month, with groups of beta testers around Krytenia ironing the final kinks out of the software before the public go-live date.

by **Pasarga** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 5:23 pm

There were questions asked of this Wanderers' defense before they were set to play host to San Ortelio and then make the trip to Damukuni, particularly for the latter game as their hosts for that match were among the most prolific in front of net thus far in qualifying. The defense for the Wanderers had been decent but it had not been great, we had not seen the elite level goalkeeping that had been seen in the domestic scene for several seasons by Szescõ Mezei, he had looked mortal at times. With growing pressure to give Borka Szekeres a run of games as the Wanderers were heading towards the middle of the qualifying campaign, the defense as well as Mezei chose the most opportune of times to step up their level of game. A pair of clean sheets for the defensive line and the goalkeeper were just the tonic that was needed to keep the questions about their cohesion and ability at bay, while it meant that any games that Szekeres was to play was not because of a poor run of form. It also meant that in both games, the attacking talent had only needed to find a single goal to snag three points for the Wanderers in a very tight battle at the top of Group Fourteen.

For as good as the defense and Mezei played in both of those games, all the talk would be however of Elek Salai, as the Ibini FC striker/winger went off to devastating effect against both teams, scoring six goals in the two games, a hattrick in each. While Salai is by no means a mere pace merchant, being very much a well rounded, complete forward of the modern game, he is not slow either and San Ortelio was made to pay the piper on three occasions as the attacker made the use of his pace to great effect. Three breakaway opportunities where he only had to beat one defender and the goalkeeper and three goals were on the board, all three goals that would be had in the match as the Stade de Torgos was singing his name and gave him a round of applause when he was brought off in the seventy-ninth minute. It felt very reminiscent of when Boriska Nagy scored the goal that sent the Wanderers to the Finals last campaign, a defining moment of a players' career where they had finally gotten over the hump. Salai has been a known talent for seven or so years now and we are getting to finally see the player truly come into his own.

The trip to Damukuni would have the script completely flipped on its head, as the more reserved Wanderers' attack exploded for five goals against what was supposed to be a fierce test of their abilities. Perhaps too keen to try and get into the attack, Damukuni was torn apart, with Salai netting another hattrick in the process, as well as getting an assist on a Nagy goal, while Márió Szölösi scored a brilliant freekick just two minutes before the half hour mark. Five goals to the good and none against when taking on a team that was in theory supposed to pose a huge test to the cohesion of their defense as well as the ability for their midfield to play in transition was definitely a huge confidence booster and one could see by the smiles and body language of the players out on the field that for the first team in the entire campaign that the team looked like they were enjoying themselves. The hosts however had had a poor weekend, losing at Krytenia a few days before hosting the Wanderers and now had to find a way to regroup or see their campaign end before the halfway mark.

Speaking of Krytenia, the Wanderers will end the first half of the campaign in a trip to the Bekkside nation, after playing host to Adab in Torgos. Adab is also undefeated through seven games, sitting third in the table as a result, however their trek towards the undefeated ranks is a bit more unusual. The hundred thirty-ninth ranked side has three wins and four draws to their name, meaning they are sitting a full six points adrift behind the Wanderers and Aces who are tied atop the table. It is a natural trap game, given a top of the table clash that looms just a few days afterwards, and all the more interesting considering that the side drew with Krytenia. Like the Aces and Wanderers, Adab has built their success on a hard to beat defense, having conceded only six times in their opening seven matches, which will look to test the form of the suddenly prolific attack of the Wanderers. Should a victory be had in the Stade de Torgos, it will make the trip to Krytenia that more intriguing, with both sides looking to get the inside track in the second half of the campaign for the group's automatic qualifying spot.

by **Schima Bas** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 5:37 pm

The many wonderful stadiums of Schima Bas
Government Pamphlet | Copyrighted phrase “Wonderful Stadiums of Schima Bas” belongs to the Hatem Corp.

Schima Bas, the wonderfully eclectic land of ten thousand beaches is host to much more than family fun in casinos and luxury resorts the country is known for. The country also has a growing and well-supported national football squad that has the pleasure of competing in national tournaments. The country is also developing a football league, yet to be unveiled, but many clubs are already clamoring for their acceptance into the Basian FA’s league structure. Playing amateur football in some cases, these clubs have already built small grounds in which to play in. Here’s a short list of some of the most interesting.

Basian Sports Complex, Ourelasia.

The brand new Basian Sports Complex in the capital city was built with audiences in mind. The structure does away with the terrible columns that plague the seats of many Basian club grounds, and manages to sport an exterior that might be considered by some to emulate the best most hallowed grounds of the best footballing nations. In addition to football, the building has plans to host other sporting events as well, but plans are minimal at this time. The building’s exterior is a stunning blue, which shimmers in the light on especially sunny days. The stands feature delivery robots, that can be summoned to service the upper deck, which houses the luxury boxes. The skybox features a truly incredible view of the stadium that can’t easily be emulated anywhere else. The crowd can get a bit uproarious, but the skybox features noise-cancelling headphones for use by its patrons. A great part of Basian footballing culture with that brand-new corporate shine!

Basian Blac Sporting Field, Dos Arbores

The true location for any indulgent sporting fan, Basian Blac Sporting Field is the pinnacle of what footballing stadiums should do. It is a quiet, contemplative experience, as one takes in the views of a football match while feeling the north wind on one’s face. Without the loud sounds of other stadiums, which others may call enjoyable, this stadium is truly for intellectuals considering the great game. A full wine bar inhabits the upper deck, where visitors can greet with locals in many open-air standing sections atop the stadium, solidifying business plans and networking for future cooperation. The private security team for the venue makes sure that everything goes to plan on gameday, offering the utmost level of security. A must visit, even for those who can’t find a love of the game.

Fusili Park, Alquierdi

An old mosque in the city of Alquierdi fell into disrepair, until eventually collapsing during explosions during the war. To many, it would be time to give up and throw the material away. The crafty residents of the small village of Alquierdi decided that that wouldn’t be the end of the historic faith site. With plan to build a football stadium, the population decided to build part of the stadium with the materials from the old mosque. The result is a beautiful half-dome just outside of the field, where fans can stand and look upon the great field of Fusili Park, a living memory to Alas Fusili, one of the best players from the immigrant community of the village.

by **Turori** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 5:44 pm

Eels Show no Mercy to Baptism of Fire Graduates

Eels Park, Eelandii, Turori :: While their colonial rivals from Vilita had struggled over the opening three match days of World Cup 89 Qualifying, the defending World Cup Champion Turori National Team had quite a different experience keeping up their unbeaten streak in World Cup Competition over the first three match days and taking it one step further by not conceding a single goal over the first 270 minutes of the campaign. Very few would likely have had the name "Poppy Appleton" on their betting ticket as the first player to ever score a goal in an official World Cup Qualifying match against the reigning World Cup Champion Turori National Team - but anyone who did would have been rewarded. While Turori had taken an early 1-0 lead through Naraiza Ruaplal it was Appleton who broke the Turorian Clean Sheet streak by netting what was then an equalizing goal into Wiyauw An'maude's goal.

The immediate effect was St Trinians survived to head to the locker room on level terms with the defending champions with a high dose of confidence after being the first to score against the Eels. Turori would come roaring back in the second half however as Nua'oma Aikiki hit a quickfire double just after the hour match to give Turori a lead that St Trinians would not be able to overcome. It was a continuation of form for Aikiki who was obviously strong during World Cup 88 as Turori lifted their first World Cup Title and then followed it up by leading all goalscorers in the Vilitan League on the pathway to propelling Jungle Strike FC back to the top of the Stellar Division.

 Turori [3] - [2] St Trinians
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 3' Naraiza Ruaplal:: 61' Nua'oma Aikiki:: 62' Nua'oma Aikiki            		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 57%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 13	St Trinians 	:: Possession: 43%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 8
	Lineup:	[GK] Wiyauw An'maude, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.] Karek Edgeli, [D.]  Planio’o Nrujsa, [ML]  Daliora Toru'u, [MC] Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MC]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MR]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii			
	Bench:	[FC] Loala Inkabu, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [M] Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [M] Tulaki Rauogba, [U ] Moumouni Verre'elali, [D] Lulu Pumaziiri, [GK] Timaala Hualtia

The match would not finish without nerves however as St Trinians got a late goal from Miracle Butler to give the home fans something to cheer about as the game approached full time. That would end up being the last Miracle of the night for the Esportivan Hosts as Turori survived to secure all three points even if they were unable to keep their defensive record in tact.

From there Turori headed home to the capital city for the highly anticipated fixture against Atlantian Oceania regional rivals Milchama at the Almintora National Stadium. Milchama had been highly critical of the Ice in Vilita & Turori during the recently contested AOlympics Curling Championships and Turorian fans were at the ready with some chants for their opponents once the Eels took the lead less than 10 minutes into the game through Loala Inkabu.

As the first half wore on, the Turori National Team would increase their lead as Turakia Diijelhma was able to bundle home a botched clearance on a corner kick before the youngster Loala Inkabu netted their second goal of the night to increase Turori's lead to 3-0. At that time, Nigel's Army began to chant "How do you like our grass?" at the Milchama players and fans as the Warriors struggled to maintain the pace of the game Turori was throwing at them.

 Turori [4] - [0] Milchama
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 8' Loala Inkabu:: 37' Turakia Diijelhma:: 40' Loala Inkabu:: 81' Meldi'ita Mungwaii           		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 69%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 13	Milchama 	:: Possession: 31%:: Shots: 2:: Corners: 5
	Lineup:	[GK] Timaala Hualtia, [D.] Moumouni Verre'elali, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Planio’o Nrujsa, [D.]  Lulu Pumaziiri, [ML]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MC] Daliora Toru'u, [MC]  Kinabo Telioa, [MR]  Kentu Umaka'a, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [FC] Loala Inkabu			
	Bench:	[FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [M] Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [U ] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D] Karek Edgeli, [GK] Derizi Amatopa

The Eels were absolutely dominating the possession game while out shooting their opponents en masse. Karek Edgeli would make two changes to the side when they returned to the field for the second half - both straight swaps with Moummouni Verre'elali being replaced by Biliki Rona'atu'i and Jungle Strike FC star Nua'oma Aikiki entering the game for the double goalscorer Loala Inkabu who must have picked up a knock after scoring their second goal as they would not return to the field to chase the hat trick.

The Turori National Team would get another goal in the second half but it would come late in the game from the veteran Meldi'ita Mungwaii who had entered the match in the 68th minute in place of Kinabo Telioa. it would be the final goal of the game as Turori ensured a comfortable victory in the long-awaited continuation of their rivalry with Milchama.

As if competing against the Baptism of Fire Cup Quarter Finalists wasn't enough of a test for the Turori National Team, their next match would come against the reigning Baptism of Fire Cup Champions. It was a special occasion at Eel's Park in Eelandii, Turori as the Baptism of Fire Cup's most recent Champions squared off against the oldest active champion in the competition, winners of the very first in the current continuous line of Baptism of Fire tournaments, Turori.

With 73 more cycles of time passing and translating into experience, the reigning World Cup Champions would show no mercy in front of a nearly entirely Lime Green stadium in Eelandii. THe Eels got the show started quickly with Turakia Diijelhma, Nua'oma Aikiki and Cuoabaza Orani'aoa all scoring within the first thirty minutes.

 Turori [5] - [1] Pyazhnaya
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: 12' Turakia Diijelhma:: 23' Nua'oma Aikiki:: 30' Cuoabaza Orani’aoa:: 59' Tulaki Rauogba:: 73' Cuoabaza Orani’aoa          		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 56%:: Shots: 12:: Corners: 14	Pyazhnaya 	:: Possession: 44%:: Shots: 5:: Corners: 6
	Lineup:	[GK] Wiyauw An'maude, [D.] Moumouni Verre'elali, [D.] Karek Edgeli, [D.] Planio’o Nrujsa, [D.]  Biliki Rona'atu'i, [ML]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MC] Tulaki Rauogba, [MC]  Kinabo Telioa, [MR]  Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki			
	Bench:	[FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Loala Inkabu, [M] Daliora Toru'u, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [U ] Lulu Pumaziiri, [D] Amakli Inuro'o, [GK] Derizi Amatopa

Early in the second half Svetlana Ananyeva would join a very short list of players who have scored a goal against Turori thus far in World Cup 89 Qualifying but her lone tally was not enough to put more than a minor dent in the scoreboard on the day. The Eels would keep pressing forth and would get second half tallies from Tulaki Rauogba and Cuoabaza Orani'aoa - the midfielders second of the night - to secure a handily lopsided 5-1 victory and a total scoreline of 9-1 over their two match back-to-back home stand.

Perhaps the Eels had used up all their goal scoring in bunches however as they would travel a possibly short, possibly unknown distance to Ranoria where they would be held by the 79th ranked nation in the multiverse dropping points for just the second time in the campaign and for the second time doing so in a goalless draw. While it was a clean sheet for Derizi Amatopa it would allow Sargossa to pull within just 2 points of the Eels atop the Group 13 table. While Turori still had a superior +13 Goal Differential having one of the best defensive records in the entire World Cup Qualifying, potential trouble still lay ahead with matches against 6th place Hispinas and 3rd placed TJUN-ia to close out the first half of the cycle.

Of particular concern was the highly anticipated match up against TJUN-ia away in the Jungle on the final match day of the first half with the Jaguars looking themselves to push into contention for a World Cup Qualification berth. However, if the Eels can hold to their current form and pick up the victory they might just begin to open a little bit of breathing room in the standings for when the second half of competition resumes.

 Turori [0] - [0] Ranoria
				
	GOALS:	Turori 	:: None               		
	STATS:	Turori 	:: Possession: 52%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 2	Ranoria 	:: Possession: 48%:: Shots: 2:: Corners: 0
	Lineup:	[GK] Derizi Amatopa, [D.] Amakli Inuro'o, [D.] Lulu Pumaziiri, [D.] Karek Edgeli, [D.]  Planio’o Nrujsa, [ML]  Kentu Umaka'a, [MC] Kinabo Telioa, [MC]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR]  Tulaki Rauogba, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii			
	Bench:	[FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [FC] Loala Inkabu, [M] Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [M] Daliora Toru'u, [U ] Moumouni Verre'elali, [D] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [GK] Wiyauw An'maude

by **Britonisea** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 5:52 pm

"I've never been to Doportedas before," said the young father to his son - Bryce, trying to convince him out of taking a trip to a city that the father thought was very scary. For Phillip, the dad, he was from the country, in the North. He hadn't met that many people before - he was very comfortable living in the middle of nowhere and didn't mind the couple of men that came to his farm every so often to take his stock. it was the only way he made money and thanks to recent restrictions and the appointment of the Britonish Patriots and Nationalists - who are all about supporting Britonish produce - he's noticed a huge surge of demand for his produce as Britonisea cuts down on produce from other parts of ABEN and the region. The Patriots say that they are trying to cut carbon emissions by doing so, but more liberal members of the country believe that this is only part of the Britonish agenda. Either way, Phillip loved it - he was earning a lot more money that he's ever earnt before and he's still pretty young. He was only 37 years old but his kid, Bryce (who was 17) didn't seem as though he wanted to take the same route in life that his father wanted him to take.

"You've got me trapped, dad. You don't want me to go anywhere or do anything. I've hardly got any friends, well maybe like four, because my school has literally nobody in it - it feels like its just me and the pervy substitute teacher. Come on, dad, I've always wanted to go somewhere that has many people. You can't keep me trapped on this farm forever - let me soar high. Let me experience the life!" Bryce took a huge deep breath as he said all of this under one breath. He was desperate to head to Doportedas - it's one of the cities that gain the most media attention in the country, which makes sense as it was the capital city. The idea of six million people living in one space astounded him with him being home to a village with only a few thousand and he believes that sometimes it can get quite cramped. Bright lights syndrome. He had it and for people who live in the countryside, a popular sport is football for God-Knows what reason. A lot of the stars in the Britonish squad are from these unheard of countryside places and so for him, the fact that Britonisea would be hosting matches for the World Cup 89 qualifiers, especially against great teams such as Omerica, Ko-Oren and Juvencus, the boy was more than excited to go to... at least one match. He knew his father had the money for it. He would occasionally see his father rolling around in a small pool of Britonish banknotes he would lay on the floor. Weird flex but ok. The boy looked at his father after his rather dramatic soliloquy before the father responded.

"I should've sent you to drama school, perhaps then you would've been able to make some friends there. Your friends here aren't that bad - you've got...good ol' what's his face? Tyrone. He's a good lad - you don't need anymore friends. The farm calls for you my darling son, and you don't need to get caught up in all that football nonsense malarkey - it's a bunch of subpar looking men with socks down their boxers, prancing around the pitch doing absolutely nothing for more pay in one hour than you will get in your life time and you want me to pay for tickets to head there? Them Doportedasians are something else as well - the lot of them. I heard a two-bed apartment there costs you up to up to 300,000 BPS - and that's the outskirts of the city! I got this house for 90,000 BPS and you have a huge room, a huge lounge, your mother, your sister, they've got their own rooms - well...before they left us." There was a pause. The two looked at each other with an intense gaze - it was so silent in the room, one could hear a single pin drop in the room. The sound of a sheep running into the window broke that silence, with the pair of them looking as the sheep wiggled its head before walking in the opposite direction.

"You're scared, aren't you?" the boy asked sitting down, bringing out his laptop and placing it on the kitchen table. The father scoffed, "Son, I've seen a lot of things in my life so I wouldn't say I'm scared just of going to watch a football match - come on now." The father walked over to the kid to see what he was doing on the laptop, but Bryce turned around and smirked, "You're scared that I will leave you just like mum and Rebe did, don't you? Where do they live again? Doportedas. You don't want me to go to Doportedas, do you? You've never wanted me to see my mother and my sister. My sister lives a great life, she has so many friends, she lives in a great house and whilst she doesn't mean to show off to me, it kinda hurts. I'm living in the middle of bumfuck nowhere and you don't want me to see the better side of life, do you? Do you?" Bryce taunted. The father was stunned - never had his young boy used language like that towards him, "Calm your tone down with me young man - how very dare you speak to me like that. I've given you everything. I've given you money, clothes, bed, fantastic food - and listen to how ungrateful you sound. You wanna go off to a football match in Doportedas? Why? Do you think these football lot care about the North? So many of the players are from the North but have you noticed that none of the matches are being played in the North? Why should we- actually, why don't you want to go to any of the other matches?" the father asked.

"Because I start my final year of sixth form only next week and this is the last match I can watch before my exams and whatnot. Please dad, come on. I wanna go to Doportedas. We don't have to see mum and Rebe if you don't want to...I mean, I would like to...but if you don't want to...then that's fine." The young boy pondered on his very complex family life. It was hard living away from his mother and his twin sister and due to the toxic relationship that went down between his mum and dad, the pair of them don't keep in contact.

"Look, I've got this page up - dad. Doportedas seems to cause you a lot of bother for reasons I'm not too sure about but come on, have a look at their Visit Page. There's so much that we can do - just you and I, we could make a real week of it. You're worried that I will enjoy it so much that I will leave you and live in Doportedas instead. I know that's what's up but dad, I am grateful for everything you've done for me and so I will never leave you - you should know this." the boy smiled with his father returning the smile. "You're also scared of people too, and sure, the sound of being around 6 million other people is rather daunting but like - they've got so much going on. You love a bit of tennis and they've got Barlinedon on! Oh and look here, there seems to be a deal of transport there as well. It would be great to experience something new. With us, it's always the same. You go to work, I go to school. During non-term time, we spend so much time together but it's never fun - it's always me milking the cows and you feeding the pigs. We're never together and God I do love you, dad. I really want to spend some time with you and only you in a completely new location. Sure, you don't like football but do this for me and we can do things you want too. Sure, the tickets are a bit pricey but it'll be great! We can even go for massages too! Please..."

The young boy waited for a reply from his father before eventually, he gave in, "Hmmm, alright kid. You want to go to Doportedas? We will head to Doportedas. What's this page you're looking at? Let's have a look..."

Bryce handed his father the laptop with the Visit Doportedas website giving a lot of information on things to do whilst in Doportedas. "We're definitely going to watch...what's his face...that guy from Electrum for the tennis...Andrew Simmons, phwoar, his backhand is bloody beautiful. 40% off - wow that's quite the deal for transport...hmm..."

The father continued to look through the website before the pair booked the tickets, ready to head to the Juvencus v Britonisea match...

by **Zwangzug** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:01 pm

Cutoff! My groups will not be affected by the halfway changeover, so I'll see you all in approximately 48 hours time.

Scores 8 and 9 for 89

World Cup 89 - Roleplay Thread

Circling The Wagon - Episode VI (the last episode)

Boot It!: We Love A Good Bounce Back!

WC89Q - MD4-7

Bryce & Phillip

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