Power to the People: BoF 66 Everything Thread

[Liberated American Provinces]

Thrilling Conclusion to Group F

Group F came down to goal difference today as Liberated American Provinces and South Toronto secured spots in the last 16. Coming into the match, LAP needed only a draw to advance, and they clinched it in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Reuss-Lippe who had been even on points with them.

The Rattlers stuck with the same starting eleven which had defeated Adab 3-0 in the previous match, but played significantly more defensively in the first half. While pushing numbers forward in only the 4th minute, Reuss-Lippe gave up the ball through midfielder Felix Nadel. Wilfred Pfannkuchen who intercepted the pass quickly played the ball up field to Proudman. He laid the ball off for Pullastick who fired a shot past the keeper form outside the box. It was a perfect start for the LAP, but complacency kicked in.

Just three minutes later, a pass from Gerste split the LAP defense. Schuster ran onto the ball and chipped Harvard to even the scores at 1-1. The Americans had their heads down, but they needed to get back into the game. It wasn't to be, however, as a brilliant bit of footwork by Anzor Jalagonia allowed him to tip toe through three defenders and slot home into the bottom corner. Only nine minutes after they had initially taken the lead, LAP was down 2-1 in the 12th minute. It seemed as if the game would only get worse from there.

The Americans collected themselves to some extent and kept the Black Eagles at bay until halftime. Now was the time to refocus and score some goals. They knew that South Toronto would likely beat Adab, so they could not lose this game. It was time to go back on the attack as they did against Adab. Immediately as the second half kicked off, it could be clearly seen that the game was far more open. Both sides sprayed shots wide as they tried to get an all important goal.

With only ten minutes remaining, Reuss-Lippe began to sit back in an attempt to hold onto their lead. The clocked ticked on and it looked like the LAP would be eliminated. The Americans pushed forward, passing the ball through the middle, looking for an opening. Pullastick received a pass from Michaels and made a run towards the goal. He was brought down by a challenge from substitute Adam Herb. The Reuss-Lippean players surrounded the referee, but eventually Herb was booked for the tackle. Four minutes remained. Michaels and Proudman lined up behind the ball which was 25 yards out, more than close enough for a shot.

Michaels stepped back as the referee blew the whistle. Proudman hit a curling shot over the wall and into the back of the net. The LAP fans were ecstatic. If result held they would be going through to the next round.

A nervy final four minutes plus stoppage time filled out the rest of the match. Reuss-Lippe created a couple more opportunities, but it wasn't to be. The referee blew the final, sending the Liberated American Provinces on.

[Maryloupe]

Maryloupe National Soccer Team (Equippe nationale Maryloup de soccer)
Ranking: NIL
Formation: 4-4-2
Home ground: Le Champ Royal
Nickname: The Ibex Kingdom of Sports
Manager: Cinga Munrich

About Maryloupe
Maryloupe is a very large, genial nation. The national languages are English, French and Sibosk. It used to be a French colony. It has good relationships with other countries.

[u]Squad[u]
#1: Queenston (GK)
#2: Chance (GK/sub)
#3: Alberg (Def)
#4: Neil (Def)
#5: Laryan (Def)
#6: Jackson (Def)
#7: Michael (Def/sub)
#8: Larson (Mid)
#9: Lilian (mid)
#10: Rora (Mid)
#11: Karmen (Mid/sub)
#12: Marjura (For)
#13: MJJ (Messi JrJr)(For)
#14: Moors (For/sub)

The opponent will be given the permission to (if he/she RP first):
Choose My Goalscorers: Yes
Godmod Goalscoring events: Yes
Injure Players: Yes
Godmod injury event: Yes
Red card player: Yes
Yellow card player: Yes
Godmod other events: Yes, ONLY if it is realistic. If you're not sure, telegram me FIRST.

EDIT: #15 (Jayson Starburn) added to the squad as a forward.

[Petroslovania]

deleted

[Barunia]

Round of Sixteen Fixtures
Barunian half
Petroslovania vs West Violence @ Sam Garcia Field
Romaian vs Somecoldwetislands @ Bayview Stadium
The Steel Coast vs Northwest Kalactin @ Memorial Stadium
Isula Reale vs Filindostan @ Sun Stadium

Mattijanan half
Darkmania vs Liberated American Provinces
South Toronto vs Rotztotzka
Maryloupe vs Al-Qurija
Bojikstan vs Kebec

Reminder that today is a break day between the group stage and finals

[Empire of Donner land]

Donner Land National Football Team
(Donosklan Unitioneh Legehg Unior)

---

Ranking: Unranked
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Home ground: Bogt City Football Stadium, Capacity: 60,000~
Nickname: Snow Burners
Manager: Faned Sordehg
Squad

No    Name            Pos.       Age.
1   Soruh Geneid        GK         22
2   Yasur Einehg        RB         21
3   Parit Urneid        CB         22
4   Turmon Quelehg      CB         22
5   Urston Durtehg      LB         21
6   Freiteh Zurond      DM         22
7   Ieflen Pondur       DM         30
8   Jacohg Wurmet       RW         27
9   Ohgen Benuig        AM         24
10  Helzui Nurstehg     LW         21
11  Varert Muriehg      ST         24

Subs/Reserves

No    Name            Pos.       Age.
12   Unitehr Juniehg   GK        22
13   Surg Tullen       RB        30
14   Juntehr Zerh      CB        21
15   Kallown Herm      CB        22
16   Lenola Kurg       LB        20
17   Urneh Uhmehtz     DM        24
18   Jesurh Rahmiehg   RW        25
19   Fussun Larehg     AM        24
20   Larunt Verrutz    LW        20
21   Burzhg Tunehg     ST        23

---

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events: No

[New Doltania]

NDFA BoF Team:

Manager: Diego Santos
Coach: Phil Nanat

Strikers: Starters: Peter Newark, AJ Colins
Subs: Terea Novato, Nicholas Larsson
Midfielders: Starters: Nico Paoli, José Manuel Antonio, Joseph Clark, Ned Wellington
Subs: Peter van Der Mere, Jon Stewart
Defenders: Starters: Robert Agincourt, Theirry Henrik Ibsen, Joe Strathmore, Colin Andrews
Subs: Callum Malton, Luke Josephson
Goalkeeper: Starter: Dan Morris
Sub: Luce Hoffman

[Darkmania]

"Well, boys. We made it! We are the first darkmanian national team to qualify for the knockout stages. This is one hell of an achievement for a team who only has played three matches. And we won all.
Enough of that silly talk.Our next foe is Liberated American Provinces. L.A.P, as my sheet refers to, looks like a strong team to beat. I`ve seen all of L.A.P`s matches, and it looks like their biggest strength are defense. If we manage to break L.A.P`s defensive wall, we`ll pay for it with some goals.
Our goal is to try to win. I`ll bet £10 000 if we win"

[Filindostan]

FSNA BERITA FILINDO
Filindostan State News Agency - fsna.fid

SPORTS
St Wilhelm 0-3 Filindostan: Bochog late brace seals Round of 16 matchup with Isula Reale

BAYVIEW, TILDOS, BARUNIA - The Filindostan national football team have made it to the Round of 16 of the Baptism of Fire tournament after blanking St Wilhelm, 3-0 to secure second place in Group C. After struggling in the first two games for the Pula Garuda, Fortunas striker Bochog has finally ended his goal drought, putting in late goals in the 75th and 87th minutes. His strike partner Bienvenido scored the opener, his third goal of the tournament, in the 6th minute. Filindostan made sure that their opponents would not even get a sniff in their goal.

The early goal would have helped the Filindostanis ease their tension, as any goals from their opponents would make life harder for them, and in the sixth minute, they got what they badly needed. While the ball was in their opponents' feet, King made an interception that surprised the St Wilhelm defense, and lobbed a pass into an open Bienvenido, who beat the offside trap set by the opponents. The opposing goalie committed to a save, but the Jakulta City striker's head came first to the ball, which bounced nicely into an open net. St Wilhelm defenders ran back to their net, but their efforts were futile as they failed to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line. One-nil to Filindostan and the scoreline remained the same throughout the half.

Both teams struggled to smuggle a goal past their respective opponents defenses throughout the game. The two teams' offside traps and defensive sets produced a total of 15 offside calls combined - 9 to St Wilhelm while 6 to Filindostan. With 15 minutes to go in the game, Bochog finally got his moment. Damaris was left open in left flank with the ball, and while the defenses collapsed to the runaway winger, the defender assigned to Bochog suddenly switched to manning Bienvenido, who became a marked man after his earlier goal. This left Bochog open, and the Tanjung Pagi winger delivered a square ball to Bochog, who nifty smashed the ball with a half-volley to the goalkeeper's far left, hitting the post inwards goal, giving the keeper with no chance whatsoever. Twelve minutes later, King played a clever through ball to substitute Tri Buana beating the offside trap once again. With no one between Tri Buana and the charging keeper, the Perseuno forward delivered a well-timed backpass to Bochog to an open goal.

When asked about Bochog's brace, Filindostan manager Willy was elated about it. "It's good that he got his confidence back. His brace will help him score goals in our next matches which are very important. One mistake from us and it could cost us the tournament. Isula Reale is a very tough opponent, and we expected them to go all the way to the final. But we will fight for the win and this tournament. It's a good boost for us coming into the World Cup Qualifiers."

The team will have a short break before travelling to Sun Stadium in Porthaven where they will meet Isula Reale in the Round of 16. The Il assuroj, have two players of interest in them - Jozefo Marko and Lucia Puggioni. However, any player from Isula Reale can step up and show the multiverse that they can beat anyone, anyplace. The opponents of the Pula Garuda has won all of their matches in a relatively weaker group with wins over anonymous sides Gangnam and Nekodemus and thrashing minnows Northwest Kalactin 5-1 in their winner-takes-all match. The Isula Reale team also boast their offensive capabilities, employing a style of football with emphasis on attacking, attacking and attacking.

The Filindostan manager is hoping that first, their defense would be ready on whatever the opponents attacks may bring to them, their team to play as a cohesive team with coordinated counter-attacks, and their fans all around the world to tune in to the match and support the Filindostani national team.

[Romaian]

Head Coach's interview.

Loukas Favianos - Head coach of Romaian National team.

- Was it difficult to competently assess the level of the opponent and expose a competent composition?
- I think no, the guys had amazing matches, the individual skill of the players allowed us to achieve a decent result and to leave the group in the first place.

- Were you satisfied with the draw in the match with West Violence, how do you assess the opponent's level?

- You know, of course we will not be satisfied with the draw, under any circumstances, we are giving our best in every match. The guys played a great match, we played with the strongest opponent in our group, we played a match worthy, we did, if not everything, very much for the victory, but it's football, everything is possible in football.

- I'm asking the question about the goalkeepers of the national team, still many balls were missed, are you satisfied with the current state of affairs?

- You know, if I was not sure at least 1 of the 11 players in the starting lineup, this player would not be there, moreover, every player of the main team or the bench of the reserve is ready to enter the field at any minute and execute all my settings, I am confident in my guys.

- You said about confidence, are you sure that they are for a day does not get drunk and lose their physical form?

- They are professionals, naturally, I did not forbid them anything, they understand everything perfectly.

[Al Qurija]

The streets of Al Qurija were filled with people celebrating the country's qualification to the round of 16 of the Baptism of Fire, an achievement received positively by everyone in this newly formed country. The flag waved at every single building in the area, the cars made their usualy horn sounds and the people were cheering. In the pitch, the few thousand Qurijan fans that went on to watch the young lads play in the last group stage game couldn't believe their good fortune, but most importantly, the reaction of the players was the most important of them all.
The game had started quite slowly, no chances during the first fifteen minutes of the game. The ball just changed direction all the time and no team would find its rhythm on the pitch. The first chance of the match was made by a Jabokian striker, on the 15th minute, a shot that went just outside the goal. A few minutes of confused by the players ensued until the Qurijan side had a chance. Umar Nagi's shot was kept by the Jabok goalkeeper. The last chance of the half was hopefully a goal for the Qurijan side, Saab's through ball found Nagi one on one with the Jabok goalkeeper, he just chipped it over him to give the advantadge to Al Qurija.
The second half saw a more mentally stable Al Qurija, the team pressured the Jabok side for the entirety of the first 10 minutes of the second half but the only chance that happened during this time was an Al-Mufti shot just off the post by a few inches. Then Jabok countered the Qurijan lineup which was quite in front, but the Jabok striker's shot was saved by Ayman Sultan who had a good day. Jabok went on the offensive once again and in the 82nd minute, an offside goal was scored by the Jabok striker, at first it froze the Qurijan team, but after it got disqualified the team got back in track. 7 minutes later, at the 89th minute, Al-Mufti scored a rocket from long range making the Qurijan fans happy. However the game Of Bojikstan and The Empire of Donner Land was not finished yet. But when it did, with an 1-1 scoreline, Qurijan fans started celebrating, the players in the pitch all made a circle and started dancing, Al-Mufti was with his mouth open, not realising he had helped the squad qualify to the next stage.
"Now we need to watch out on the next phase. Matches like this are like finals to us. I'm pretty sure the lads will make it, they have tons of passion for the game." said coach Safi Nasir Mohammed, smoking a cigar like he always does.
The next game for the team is against Maryloupe which steamrolled everyone in their group. Al Qurija's entering the matchup as the outsider, however the team's young squad will pull something out.

[Romaian]

The mountains of rubbish, broken bottles, broken street lights - the results of the night celebration of the release of the national team of the Romaian Empire in the 1/16 finals of the tournament.

The Police Department of Constantinoupoli announced the absence of victims, detainees also did not, the police took all necessary measures without the use of violence against the fans of the team.

The Department of Health of Constantinoupoli declares the victims as a result of a breakdown from balconies and street lamps, the victims got rid of bruises and abrasions.

The Constantinoupoli City Hall assesses the damage caused in the amount of € 500,000.

[Somecoldwetislands]

6 Hours to Kick-Off

Diddy Dave fell heavily into the uneven padding of the chair. Now here was a chance to finally get a luxury not afforded to many on the islands, a proper haircut. His shaggy mane was clipped and trimmed and fell to the floor in tufts, a carpet of mousy blonde hair, the kind that blonde boys get as they transition into adulthood. The cut stuck close to his head, but with a little more on top, like the haircut of an American soldier. Diddy Dave's haircut finally matched his playing style and personality, almost minimalist, nothing said that isn't required, nothing flashy with the ball, very straight forward. He ran his hands through his hair, forked over a large portion of his share of the islands foreign currency and walked back to the tarpaulin that the team was staying in.

4 Hours to Kick-Off

Diddy Dave stared out across the landscape of West Barunia, lush and covered in fields of crops, a rare site back home. He looked back down and heaved on his oar as the Somecoldwetislands' delegation rowed its way slowly and painfully across the land. This was certainly a lot slower than progress was across the sea. He began to worry that they might be late, and that perhaps hiring a coach to take them from Porthaven might have been a better idea. Regardless, he kept heaving. It was now 3 hours and 57 minutes until they kicked-off against Team Romaia. They'd certainly prove formidable opposition, they'd come out of their group in first place, two victories. Diddy Dave hoped his arms wouldn't be too tired by the time they arrived.

1 Hour to Kick-Off

With time to spare the big rowboat filled all up with Islanders came screeching slowly down the road towards the stadium in Bayview. Although by down we mean up, the stadium was inconveniently located at the top of a mountain, which tired out the oarsmen. They made a mad dash for the changing rooms. Diddy Dave hung-around after everyone else cleared out and tried to fix his hair. He couldn't get it looking right and decided this must be the nerves, he felt like a heavy weight had fallen upon him, a weight of expectation. All his countrymen and women were counting on him to pull it out the bag. All 27 of them.

2 minutes to Kick-Off

Diddy Dave and Daddy Dave stood on the pitch shouting "WARM! MOIST! WARM!" in order to warm up.

10 Seconds to Kick-Off

Daddy and Diddy Dave stood in their positions waiting for kick-off. Diddy Dave's heart was already pounding. He turned to Daddy Dave and said "I'm nervous."

8 Seconds to Kick-Off

Daddy Dave turned around and said "Want to know my advice son?"

6 Seconds to Kick-Off

"Please"

4 Seconds to Kick-Off

"Don't be"

2 Seconds to Kick-Off

"Thank you for you sage advice father, you always know what to do, from performance nerves to when your sheep get a bit too damp."

KICK OFF

*Whistle*

[Barunia]

No more second chances - who will survive?

Round of 16
Petroslovania 4–2 West Violence
Romaian 0–1 Somecoldwetislands
The Steel Coast 1–1 Northwest Kalactin (1–2 AET)
Isula Reale 1–3 Filindostan

Quarterfinals
Petroslovania vs Somecoldwetislands @ Bayview Stadium, Tildos
Northwest Kalactin vs Filindostan @ Sam Garcia Field, North Islands

[Liberated American Provinces]

Head coach Dennis W. Wallace sat on the balcony of his hotel room. It was only a few hours before game time, and he already was getting goosebumps. He stared hard into the distance. Suddenly, he shot up from his seat. "Johann's starting today! I'm taking the risk," he said confidently as strolled back into the room.

His assistant coach was sitting on the bed. "Get the guys together," Dennis told him, "we're heading to the stadium in half-an-hour.

Dennis had been studying Darkmania's matches every night for several hours in the days leading up to the match. They had won all three of their group matches, so it would likely be the toughest game yet. The group had already been a tight enough affair; Dennis felt as though he would have a heart attack if he had to watch another match like the ones he had so far.

Before his assistant stepped out of the room, he stopped him. "And tell the boys that the line-up is set, that's all."

Here's what he had in mind . . .

[Filindostan]

OOC: Apologies for the brevity of this RP. Ran out of ideas for a lengthy one as I rushed to finish my IUBC entry. Need to finish my footy league RP by next week.

Haiku number 89994

We watched the match now;
The first half started so well;
But there was no goal.

Puggioni scored first,
a wonderful goal that was,
Il azzuroj leads.

We're finding chances,
Open chance for the great King,
Alas, he missed it.

Filindostan scored,
Equalized with a great goal,
just as the half ends.

It was scored by King
A direct free kick shot well
It was from a foul.

Second half started,
And Garuda scored a goal
To lead the match now.

Bochog scored the goal
Great pass by his teammates
Filindostan leads.

The subs played so well,
Private Ryan and Buknoy,
And don't forget Yish.

Because she has scored,
Filindostan's third match goal,
A good poacher's goal.

As the full time came
We're all chanting the name
PULA GARUDA!!!

Isula Reale 1-3 Filindostan
Scorers: Puggioni (35') - King (44'), Bochog (51'), Yish (82')

[South Toronto]

Just hours before the Round Of 16 fixture against South Toronto vs Rotztotzka, South Toronto are dealt a huge blow as crucial player Michal Bergman is injured during training.It is believed Michal cut his head and was rushed to hospital as he fell unconscious. He will be out for the next game versus Rotztotzka, who finished second in their group.The team sheet versus Rotztotzka is:


Before the game, Captain Kingsley Middleton had a chat with his teammates before the game. "Win this game and well go down in history lads. I no want to go homes yet so try your bestest not to concede and lose this match for us to make us look like fools.Don't get beaten like pounded yam or you'll get no tings blud understand g's?"

There is some hope as Pechre Mackay returns from his injury in the group stages to face Rotztozka.

[Mattijana]

32 became 16, now 16 becomes 8.
This is your round of 16 cutoff,

Apologies for the slight delay.

Stadijo Dinamov, Petrovijanka
Darkmania 3–4 Liberated American Provinces

Stadijo Nasinal, Burges
South Toronto 1–0 Rotztotzka

WesterStadion, WestStrand
Maryloupe 0–1 Al-Qurija

Garijo Ales Struna, Puljanka
Bojikstan 2–2 Kebec (3–2 AET)

[Petroslovania]

deleted

[Liberated American Provinces]

GRAND STAND FINISH SEES LAP THROUGH TO QUARTERS

It took extra time to separate the two sides. A 119th minute goal by Johann Aronsson kept the fairy tale going for the Liberated American Provinces. LAP coach Dennis W. Wallace took a gamble starting Aronsson, who only came on as a substitute once during group play, but that gamble paid off.

The game started as a very cagey affair with both sides hesitant to attack. Possession was evenly balanced, and it seemed as if the first half would end scoreless. However, a long range strike from Darkmanian striker, Mjøe, broke the deadlock in the final minute of the half. He received the ball thirty yards out, in acres of space, and decided to have a hit. The effort, with the outside of his right boot, curled into the far post sending the crowd into raptures. Shorty afterward, the whistle was blown for halftime.

The second half was much more open. The LAP pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but were caught to high up. A gap in the midfield allowed Përsater to slide the ball through Tÿrn who out ran Ramos to the ball. Harvard rushed forward to close down the space, but Tÿrn shot early, placing it low to the far post. Darkmania was up by two now. However, the lead would not last for long. A minute later, in the 58th minute, a long ball by De Andre found Pullastick. He dribbled inside, and cut the ball back, scoring at the near post. The Americans rushed to pick the ball out of the net and bring it back to midfield. Again in the 62nd minute, the Americans charged forward. Michaels played a ball into the overlapping run of De Andre who slid the ball across the face of the goal where it was tapped in by Pfannkuchen. All even.

The game slowed down for the subsequent fifteen minutes. Both teams refocused and restructured themselves in the back. As the clock neared 80 minutes, there had only been one additional shot. Extra time seemed an increasingly likely possibility. Then, in the 79th minute, Michaels intercepted a pass in the midfield. He quickly released the ball to Proudman who played it back. From twenty yards out, Michaels fired a shot along the ground which found the back of the net. Maybe this was the winner that sent LAP through to the next round.

The clocked ticked on, and the Darkmanians surged forward, leaving only one in the back at times. Finally, with only four minutes remaining, they equalized. The Americans were able to clear a corner fired low into the box. The ball bounced around, and magically, substitute, Änderm, scorpion kicked the ball into the top corner. It was a truly wonderful moment. The crowd went insane. Surely the match would go into extra time.

It did. Extra time dragged on. It was nail-biting stuff. With only a minute plus stoppage time remaining in extra time, it looked as if penalties would decide the match. The Americans had the ball. Michaels played it out wide to Aronsson who edged forward down the line. Proudman came in support, and in a quick one-two sent Aronsson sprinting down the line. Aronsson began heading toward the goal, but the defender, Yürang, was gaining on him. He decided to take the opportunity, and slammed the ball to the keeper's near post. The ball screamed past the keeper into the top right corner of the net. The entire team rushed towards him. They were all nearly crying, tears of joy. All they had to do was hold on for a few more minutes. It seemed like forever for the Americans, and as the referee blew the final whistle, Aronsson fell to floor exhausted, but filled with the greatest feeling in the world. They had done it.

[Northwest Kalactin]

Northwest Kalactin Pulls of crazy win over Steel Coast!

Northwest kalactin sure had a great win over the Steel Coast last night a overtime win the last goal was scored by Jake Dakota on the 117'th minute it was a free kick a amazing game! The northwest kalactin media was sure happy about the win

Hue Neñe
@presidenthue.twitter
Great game me the prez of kalactin is impressed with Dakota

Jake Dakota
@Therealjakedakota
Impressed with the game if theirs one person I liked the most it was our teamwork!

So as you can see northwest kalactin is very happy and has a huge game vs filindostan tomorrow!

[Amerland Island]

Ooc: i got eliminated, suprising no one. I didnt rp. Anyway, is it possible to withdraw from the world cup? (Suprising someone, i hope)

[Al Qurija]

AL QURIJA THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS!


Qurijan players celebrating qualification to the quarter finals

It was a legendary night for the youngesters of Al Qurija with their second straight win, now against the formidable Maryloupe, which had gone unbeaten through the group stages, with a 0-1 scoreline. The game was really balanced without an abudance of chasnces from either side, however a Saqqaf goal during the dying minutes of the game saw Al Qurija go through to the Quarter finals.
The first half saw both teams ready to give it all, however, a quick chance from Karimi in the first minutes of the game went wide. While the game seemed to be going one sided for a few minutes, Maryloupeosk forward Jayson Starburn went on a rampage against the Qurijan players, surpassing 3 of them before getting his shot saved by Boulos. Then the game went on pretty balanced, the ball was in the center of the field, not much was happening except from possessive play from both sides. The first half finished with turbulence because of a really suspicious decision from the refferee to keep the game going after a push from Alberg to Saqqaf inside the box during a chance for Al Qurija. Campo, Karimi and Alfarsi were all around the refferee, complaining about his decision, Campo was awarded a yellow card by the refferee.
The second half started, just like the first one, tonnes of turbulence. However the Qurijan side found its steps and pressed with a Saqqaf shot which was saved by Queenston. Maryloupe went on to the counterattack pretty quickly but it was abruptly done by a Campo interception. Al Qurija kept playing possessively but as the half progressed it pressed forward, another chance by Karimi went wide, while Maryleopsk player Marjura hit the post twice during the next few minutes. The match was settled at 90+1 after Campo crossed it from the right side of the Maryloupe box right on Saqqaf's head and the ball went in, sending Al Qurija to the quarter finals.
"The lads delivered in this game, it was a great watching them beating such formidable competition. Now, we're looking towards the future and the lads should be able to bring this one home." said Safi Nasir Mohammed, the team's main coach. Next game is against Bojikstan, the team that had previously beaten Al Qurija in the group stages, that barely beat Kebec 3-2 on extra time.

[Somecoldwetislands]

5 Minutes to the Final Whistle

Since Kick-Off Diddy Dave had been tense. He could feel history turning his legs to jelly. 0-0 and no one looked like breaking down the dead lock. Old Granny Sherry rolled him the ball forward and then fell over. He took it at his feet and he just kept running. He ran past the halfway line. He ran past the defenders. He ran past the goalkeeper. He ran past the touchline and into the stands. He realised he might have run a bit far. Maybe time to change approach.

2 Minutes to the Final Whistle

A free kick near the halfway line. Friar Johnathan booted the ball up the field. Daddy Dave took it in his enormous feet and rolled on forward like a bus made out of skin. Daddy Dave crossed the ball into Diddy Dave. "PASS" everyone screamed. He held onto it, standing still for a solid minute outside the box. "Oh no" he thought, he'd let the nerves get to him. He was rooted to the spot. Old Granny Sherry ran over and gave him a good luck swig of Sherry. After such a nice, refreshing glass he was ready. "HERRINGS FOR TEA" he shouted, bamboozling the keeper as he kicked the ball over their head and into the goal.

He'd done it. He'd won the game with the very last kick and hence fully achieved the cliche that goes with a dramatic 1-0 knockout stage win...

[Barunia]

Eight little football teams went out to play ball
Two didn't score goals, and then there were four.

Quarterfinals
Petroslovania 1–0 Somecoldwetislands
Northwest Kalactin 0–2 Filindostan

Barunian Semifinal
Petroslovania vs Filindostan @ Memorial Stadium, Edwardton, Marion

[Liberated American Provinces]

Guzman Arrested at Training

In a strange turn of events, American goalkeeper Jo Guzman was arrested on drug trafficking charges are being confused with international drug lord Yoaquin "Shorty" Gooseman earlier today. While on an undercover investigation, Philips Islands Bureau of Investigation agents supposedly rushed onto the training pitch and handcuffed Guzman.

An eyewitness speaking with LAPBC said, "It was total confusion. I was just here watching my team practice, and these men in dark suits just rushed on the field. Really a once in a lifetime experience."

The Liberated American Provinces government has yet to issue a response, and the situation is still developing.

The team plays later this evening. It is possible that Guzman will miss the match.

Check back here for future updates.