World Cup 93 - RP Thread

[Oberour Ar Moro]

When Rodolfo Zelaya was interviewed for the position of Manager of the Oberour Ar Moro National Team, among his questions for the Football Management Committee was this:

"I speak Terranean and Farolean, but I don't speak Azertienne or Azorian. Will that be a problem?"

"Not at all," he was assured. And so drawn to the opportunity of running his own team, Zelaya signed on the dotted line.

The question remained in the air though, just unspoken. After the FMC made it clear to attendees of Zelaya's introductory press conference that the topic was not to be brought up, it was purposely avoided. Zelaya did an introductory statement, a sentence really, in Azertienne, but spent the rest speaking Terranean.

The FMC then tried to surround Zelaya with translators on his staff. To translate Farolean to Azertienne they hired the cosmopolitan Blaise de Seraucourt. To translate Zelaya's understanding of the sport of football to Oberours with their own very particular ways, they hired longtime Premier Division assistant Eleiran Bonshoms. Zelaya also started trying to learn the language on his own.

Compounding the difficulties of communicating himself were the external difficulties of the Oberour Ar Moro schedule in World Cup qualifying. The first four games looked tricky, and while Zelaya had been told there would be some grace, the expectations for success were extremely clear.

So losing the first game of qualifying at home to Flavovespia 1-4? Frustrating as Flavovespia is a team that the Dragoons needed to be competitive with, the scoreline was not particularly impressive.

Losing on the road to Valanora? Absolutely unsurprising, considering they were the best team in all of football.

That matchday four 2-1 loss at Pasarga was also not as disappointing as it could be, though the scoreline made it clear the Dragoons may have snatched a point away.

The 3-5 loss to unranked, mysterious Lashnakia? At the Parade Grounds? That's when the klaxons started to sound.

After four games and four losses to start World Cup qualifying, the dread comparison "Perresson Coffriere" started to be whispered in the shadowy corners of Tourbillon Forest. So Zelaya went to his players with a word that translates across all languages: "Defense."

To begin the entire back five were put under the microscope. Ivon Bone-Vive and Ewen de Marle moved up the left bank ranking. Baribilhague, looking somewhat overwhelmed despite playing for the most defensive minded team in the Dominion, was moved out of the regular right back spot. And among the Sweepers, the more defense-curious Alarig de Cassete started making game day rosters and being subbed in more often. The lines played higher up, and the midfielders were told to stick in more. And Oberour Ar Moro came back home for their moment of truth.

The match against Valladares looked like a classic Oberour Ar Moro performance. A back-and-forth offensive struggle where the Dragoons won by scoring the last goal, earning the first three points of qualification with a 4-3 victory. The next matches were where this new, subtle, focus was made clear. A 1-0 victory against recent Baptism of Fire participant Al-Tamazgha. A 0-0 draw at home with Patriotlandia. A 0-1 road victory against Saperetia and a 1-1 home draw to Estorvipa and Estorpiva. Only a 1-4 offensive outburst on the road against Abanhfleft to sate the fans most hungry for goals. It is hard to complain with a six game unbeaten run, though some Oberour found it in their hearts to do so.

Rodolfo Zelaya was there for them though. He was a goalscorer at heart. One reason he and Oberour Ar Moro had gravitated to each other was the desire for offense. And now that the defense was running well, it was time to share a new thought with his team: "Offense".

On the road against struggling Britonsea seemed like a fine time to try some changes. Tedo Kabaste started a match for the first time at center midfield. Ronan Vrely was rested temporarily for Thomas-Augustin l’Establier. Mychel de Guine-Vile supplanted Pius Petitmesnil at striker, in the hopes that the shock would wake up Pius' left foot. And the 0-3 victory seemed to indicate it worked. But the real test would be in the away leg with Flavovespia, now the leaders in Group 10.

The Dragoons paid Flavovespia back with a 3-4 victory. The offense looked stout, as Peterne de Courbueil continued his strong run with a goal, Peire de Baingneus scored on an audacious free kick, and when given the opportunity to return to the field Pius Petitmesnil came off the bench with a point to prove, scoring the two goals to bring the Dragoons even and then secure the important win.

Oberour Ar Moro still sat sixth in Group 10 though. And giving up three goals is still concerning. Maybe we need to refocus on defense, Rodolfo thought.

[Aleirave]

A Royal Crisis Brewing
Cassadaigua 1-1 Aleirave
Cormoe 0-2 Aleirave

Karila III listened to his people, and made the office of the Petakiko an elected one. In his eyes, listening to the people was the right thing to do on this issue, but little did he know what would come of the nation after this fateful decision.

His son, Petake Nepavarau, was a far stronger leader than his father, although there were still lines he was not willing to cross. One of these lines was on the Petakiko issue. He knew, deep down, that what Karila did was a mistake, but he couldn't undo what his father did. He knew that the populace wasn't going to be very keen on the newly reformed office going back to the old ways, so he shut up on the issue, for the sake of short-term stability... the long-term would not wind up thanking him.

Nepavarau's first-born son, Fika'ata, was quite the weak ruler, who was more interested in the perks of being a king rather than the responsibilities. This was the sort of thing that being the Petakiko was supposed to stamp out of royal heirs, but alas. He would be overthrown after just four years by a mob who supported his younger brother, Seferone III.

Seferone would have a nice, long, stable reign, quite unlike any of the other kings during this era. During his 45 years (the longest reign of any Aleiravan monarch), he reinvested in modernized exploration, reincorporated the Kia'u Islands into the main realm once their legislature collapsed, and trained his sons how to be kings in the way that the office of Petakiko should've been doing. However, he still couldn't out and out rollback Karila III's changes, as the people of Aleirave had shown their ability to depose those who they didn't agree with; Seferone lived in fear of them losing their trust in him and ending his reign the same way it started.

There was one major issue with Seferone's reign being too long; his eldest son, prince Raki'o, pre-deceased him due to an accident. Hence, his second son Nusene served as regent for Raki'o's son, Pahutokalu.

This wouldn't prove the most stable of arrangements, however, as regents were not afforded the same protection as a Petake proper; Fika'ata's son Lufokato, claiming to be the rightful heir to Nepavarau's throne, managed to assassinate Nusene and seize power for himself. Although he was almost universally hated, what could the people of the island do? The only good, living candidate they had for the throne was Pahutokalu, who Nusene had spared, but he was only eight years old. Pahutokalu's supporters knew that the best they could do was flee to Alikonora to wait for Pahutokalu to come of age, and in the meantime, train him to be the ruler the nation would desperately need in the coming decades. Once he turned sixteen, so their plan went, they would reinstall him onto the throne.

Only issue: how were they to do that?

While the Seferonists, as they would come to be known, were busy raising Pahutokalu and formulating their plan, Lufokato was cementing his authority as the Petake. He worked to build up a small army -- who were more like a police force, given that they never had any reason to leave the country -- and investing in infrastructure projects to help appease the masses. As years went on, those on the isle itself started to forget about Pahutokalu, who many presumed to be dead, and accept that Lufokato was the new king, and not a half-bad one at that. His plan seemingly had succeeded.

Now, with Pahutokalu having his supporters on the Kia'u Islands, and Lufokato having his own base on Aleirave itself, the seeds were sown for a potential civil war come 1683, and with the future as uncertain as it was, it was anyone's guess as to whether Aleiravan society itself would remain intact.

The family tree of the later Aleiravan monarchy, as of Lufokato's usurpation of the throne.

Cassadaigua - 1 (Patterson 65')
Aleirave - (Noselela 32')

Cormoe - 0
Aleirave - 2 (E. Tesuna'e 17', T. Tesuna'e 76')

[Stevencousin]

Want to find an interesting port? Here are 4 hipster cafes to make you dizzy in Cassaholm!
LocalSpotStar

Modern cafes with a hipster concept are indeed the choice and focus of many, especially young people today. Apart from being a place for casual and meeting appointments, these aesthetic cafes have become a trend and an option for them to take selfies. So do not be surprised if there are many cafes with urban, Colonial, retro-modern, and traditional concepts, which attract visitors, not only Stevenian, but also foreign tourists! In this sharing, LocalSpotStar lists four 'wish list' locations for hipster restaurants or cafes that must be visited for those of you who plan on cafe hunting!


1. Opera Cafe, Mysko Lane, Cassaholm
Just mentioning the name of this cafe is enough to make anyone interested! As soon as you step into the cafe, you will definitely crave nostalgia and memories of the past. Whether or not, the interior decoration of this cafe uses a retro concept with white lighting. Customers who attend also on average praise the taste of the coffee served here because it has coconut, liquid chocolate, and caramel flavors. Opera Cafe uses Arabica coffee beans imported from foreign regions. This hipster cafe has embraced its young clientele which often makes it the best port of Outfit of The Day (OOTD). Of course, you are quite satisfied because the combination of cons with the concept of urban atmosphere and Western food brings a thousand and one differences, especially for visitors who first set foot here.


2. The Skandal, Infantry Mansion, Casaholm
As the name implies, The Skandal is located in a secluded area that offers a calm atmosphere for visitors. This cafe is often visited, not only the prices offered are reasonable, even the menu choices presented are also interesting and delicious to try. The atmosphere here is perfect for you to relax, relax and chill with friends and loved ones. This cafe offers a selection of coffee that often gets a lot of praise such as Cappucino, Caramel Macchiato, Vanilla Coffee Latte, and Matcha Latte. If you are not a coffee-lover, you can also try other drink options available such as soda, tea, boba, and frappe. If you want peace while relaxing accompanied by delicious food and drinks, you can stop by The Skandal. This cafe combines an art space, a food center, and a shop under one roof. Learn and discover your creative side while having fun in the provided art room.


3. Ordnance Corner, Old Parliament Barrack, Cassaholm
Looking for a cozy little cafe to relax your mind? Ordnance Corner in Old Parliament Barrack is definitely the best location for you. Located in an old military barracks building that is said to be haunted but full of history., Ordnance Corner is a quiet cafe and serves an all-day breakfast menu along with good coffee. Apart from the delicious food, this cafe features a contemporary vintage-themed space, equipped with rattan chairs and wooden tables for diners. The minimal decoration and bright lighting inside the cafe give you a bright atmosphere with relaxing background music. The beautiful shop is quite suitable for hosting small-scale birthday parties and functions, including business affairs as the space here can only accommodate up to 50 customers.


4. Flour House, Kronprintz Street, Cassaholm
A coffee shop that is comfortable enough if you can choose to be inside or outside, according to the comfort and taste of each. More interestingly, for customers who like to take pictures, every corner and space in this cafe is ideal for posting on social pages. The atmosphere of the surroundings also makes you feel like you are in a foreign nation, against the backdrop of the artsy Flour House. In Kronprintz Street, Cassaholm, it can be said that Flour House is one of the cafes that offer the lowest prices because all of their menus are offered at prices not exceeding $10. This two-level cafe has a minimalist concept. In addition to the lights hanging from the ceiling with colorful urchins, large glass windows penetrated by natural light create a good lighting impression for photo shoots of various food dishes.

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WCQ93 Home & Away statistics - After 12 games
Home::: 2 - 1 - 3
Away::: 2 - 2 - 2

Top goalscorer
9 goals ::: Gerard Kallstrom

Home Games Attendances [Federal Union Stadium, 98,500]
MD01::: 91, 867
MD03::: 89,861
MD05::: 81,779
MD07::: 73,902
MD09::: 81,829
MD11::: 81,775

[Nephara]

Nephara 1 - 0 Archalit
(4-3-3) 1 - Strand; 17 - Levering,18 - Copperhead (5 - Roback 89'), 6 - Scales, 25 - Xu (3 - Delasra 77'); 24 - Sebold (4 - Anhope 77'), 15 - Constantine, 8 - March (26 - Kvasina 61'); 13 - Brewer (7 - Anharbour 77'), 21 - Vetiver, 11 - Loeher
Goal: Kvasina 72'

Nephara 2 - 0 95X
(4-3-3) 12 - Sebring; 17 - Levering, 5 - Roback, 22 - Mitteager, 3 - Delasra; 4 - Anhope, 19 - Rosziter, 8 - March (23 - Cowler 58'); 7 - Anharbour, 10 - Harper, 11 - Loeher (16 - Crowcombe 58')
Goals: Harper 14', Anharbour 39'

FULL FLIGHT: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE CORMORANTS
PART 8: Nearly Men
Geneva Schwarzer
Part 1: Dawn
Part 2: Breakthrough
Part 3: Shoulders of a Giant
Part 4: Before the Dawn
Part 5: Glory
Part 6: What Might Have Been
Part 7: The Incident

When it comes to a clear evaluation, Michael Brandon's reign is perhaps the least clear-cut of all Nephara's managers, and it's all about the vibe. After tempestuous false dawns, Brandon brought much-needed stability to the side, but there was a sense pervading his reign that the side simply couldn't get it done at the World Cup itself. His reign is still, for this reason, the most prominent in what is known in the popular imagination as 'the Wilderness'. Nephara were a prominent world power, the only active nation of the era with the full set of trophies, but where were they going?

It was at this time that Rowena Strongbow, who had long since become a young star of the Cormorants, broke the glass ceiling of Euran football by becoming the first woman in the Goldleague, followed almost immediately by Monica Rowland. The son of Keith Rowland, a Nephara international who spent almost his entire career in the north, Rowland was Euran-born and bred, and halfway by blood, but could only find career progress in Nephara. Those that were close to her, however, knew her heart lay with her birthplace, though as arguably the best holding midfielder of the era - and very close to Michael Brandon himself - she was key to the Cormorants' success.

Copa Rushmori 29 was a success for Nephara, taking third place, beaten by Valladares in the semifinal but beating Eura on the way, then Sameba in the playoff in a naturally highly-charged occasion. What followed was a trademark of Brandon's reign - the routine sweep of qualification, winning 16 of 18 games on the way to the World Cup. The Free Republics, Abanhfleft and Starblaydia, each teams whose history against the Cormorants could fit an article of their own, were all beaten in turn in the group stage, before the stampede of flightless birds trampled Nephara into the dust in the second round. World Cup 80 was the oddest of tournaments; the Cocoaboes outperformed Turori's human players, the Holy Empire took the field in lagomorphine form, and somehow, Brenecia won the whole thing. But they did it with Falcon Case, Vesuvia Carrick and Siri Cattalock, all truly Nepharim, which at least was something.

What followed would be Brandon's greatest personal triumph, and while it wasn't the trophy the fans craved, it nevertheless not only secured Nephara's legacy in Rushmore, but an impossible fifth of four major types of trophy, unmatched until the Anaia split. And it felt right; theirs was a squad that counted many near-legendary names of the Cormorants, who finally got their chance. It was the moment the goalkeeping gloves changed from Apostolos Tsattalios to Andreas Swoboda, where Ishtar Fanaiyan (deputised by Monako Saroszi), Konrad Gosforth and Rowena Strongbow backed up Estrella Hawke in attack, where Leona Rafford and Dieter Konoval locked down the defence and, of course, there was Monica Rowland, alongside the ever-reliable Rusalka Klein. Players whose exalted careers, perhaps, deserved a World Cup on their mantel.

This was as close as they would come. A routine win over Rou Scotan was followed up by a come-from-behind win over Sargossa, not the last of the rogue's gallery of familiar faces en route to the final. Cassadaigua, played twice in Nephara's first Cup of Harmony, whose Erica Kenney was the first player outside the Serenes region to play in the modern Premiership, pushed Nephara hard but were ultimately undone by two late goals. Ceni, in their last match of this era before a long hiatus, were beaten by a late Rowland penalty, the first goal she scored for the Cormorants, with regular taker Gosforth injured. Valladares were next, Estrella Hawke with the only goal of the game and, finally, it was a rematch with Sargossa, whose history with Nephara is filled with mutual pain. But this time, it would be Nephara who would end on top. Klein, Strongbow and, off the bench, Saroszi with the goals, but it was Chimera Moxham that was the name on most lips; she had made the most of Gosforth's injury, and orchestrated Nephara's progress to the end. A new generation knew what it was like to win trophies again.

Another qualification cycle, more hand-wringing over Brandon's compulsive rotation, 17 wins from 18. Three wins in the group stage - Nova Anglicana, Mercedini and last time's nemesis, Turori, before a manic nine-goal thriller with Darmen was just about edged by the Cormorants, Hawke scoring a hat-trick having reached a century of caps earlier in the tournament. She would score again, against Vilita, but it wouldn't be enough; yet again, Nephara would go down to the eventual champions in the quarterfinals, in what now seemed a jinx. Turori, beaten in the groups, ultimately made it to the semifinals. Brandon, sensing he had done all he could, stepped down.

Michael Brandon's record should seem a clear and obvious success, particularly after the relative failure of Shale's term, the unambiguous and catastrophic failure of Fegelein's, and what would be Aidan Brosque's uneasy tenure. In truth, he is a victim of placement and circumstance. He took a side reeling from failure and left them third in the world, as well as Rushmori champions for the first time. And yet the sense pervades: what if? Could more have been done? His penchant for rebuilding sides and trusting in youth lead to the development of many fine players, but a common critique is that he capped every player the right amount, but three years too early. Many were discarded before their time, used most prolifically in their development years. But ultimately, he left the Cormorants in a far, far better place than they started.

It would only take six years for them to tumble back to earth, and in that fall, Brandon himself still had a role to play.

NEPHARAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 7
Goalkeepers: 1 - Medusa Strand (Chromatik, CMT), 12 - Toxothea Sebring (Crisisbless), 20 - Chary Longstreet (CA Paulinthal, PAS)
Defenders: 2 - Solblindi Rake (Sabrefell Moths), 3 - Radeka Lind (Jinja City FC, BNJ), 5 - Vetta Roback (Sabrefell Athletic), 6 - Anaximander Scales (Brinemouth), 17 - Kyri Levering (Northern Union, BRE), 18 - Sven Copperhead (Crisisbless), 22 - Ettard Mitteager (AFC Treason), 25 - Tanith Xu (Myana, CMT)
Midfielders: 4 - Cassander Southsea (Brinemouth), 8 - Renate March (Herzegovina City FC, BNJ), 15 - Demeter Constantine (Crisisbless), 19 - Chandra Rosziter (Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, SVJ), 23 - Kurtis Swainsona (Revolutionaries, EUR), 24 - Bellona Sebold (Crisisbless), 26 - Lindse Kvasina (Istria City FC, BNJ)
Forwards: 7 - Kestrel Anharbour (Crisisbless), 9 - Vasya Reisinger (West Cuono United, TMB), 10 - Bravura Harper (Ulsa, EUR), 11 - Arachne Loeher (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 13 - Madita Brewer (Northern Union, BRE), 14 - Konrad Balmoral (Aries Chariots), 16 - Xanthe Hauser (Crossroads, CMT), 21 - Felixe Vetiver (1830 Cathair, AUD)

95X 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 Caribbia
Ziwana 3 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 2 Baggieland
UBSA 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 1 TJUN
Savojarna 0 - 0 Nephara
Nephara 0 - 0 Elmyia
Varavel 0 - 2 Nephara
Srednjaci 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 Archalit
Nephara 2 - 0 95X
Caribbia vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Ziwana
Baggieland vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. UBSA
TJUN vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Savojarna
Elmyia vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Varavel
Srednjaci vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Archalit

[Cassadaigua]

Team Cassadaigua: World Cup 43- World Cup 93

Part IV: World Cups 47-49: Climbing The Ladder,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

It has gone down in the record books that Cassadaigua won the World Cup in their 7th and 8th tries, but getting there did not happen overnight. In the current era, with every Cup that goes by, it becomes more and more impressive what this team actually did. World Cup 93 represents the 42nd World Cup since we last the Cup, and legends like Valanora, who won World Cup 43, have not captured another since. Around the World Cup 47 time period, the number of nations desiring to compete for this coveted trophy would gradually increase to numbers that we had never seen before. Soon, the formats that we had seen, where there were only ten groups in qualifying and the top three would advance would be no longer. Now, we have fifteen groups, and only the top team can get the automatic berth while the others play in the playoffs. As the competition grew, these things have become so much more difficult to win.

Before there could be a World Cup 50 title here in Cassadaigua, we needed to have some more growing pains along the way. This team did qualify for World Cups 45 and 46, but would not be back until the 49th edition. In the meantime, there would be a couple of Cups of Harmony, and unlike previous times when we had gone to the consolation tournament, Cassadaigua seemed like they could have a good chance to come home with a title. "No one that has qualified for the World Cup before will ever set out to play in a Cup of Harmony", historian Rebecca Stephenson said, "and around that time, it seemed to be tougher to swallow than it might be now. Now, it is understood how difficult it is to qualify for the World Cup. Then, it was a pretty disappointing, but the team did really well to rally around it, making two consecutive Cup of Harmony finals, and winning one of them."

World Cup 47 was co-hosted by the nations of Valanora and Kura-Pelland, and the Fillies would end up in Group 2, once again being put in the same group as Candelaria And Marquez. No, we could hardly ever avoid them in early qualification efforts. There would also be a rematch with Jeru FC, and also qualifying regular Quakmybush was a part of the team that we would face that year. The roster saw a change in goal, with regular keeper Rachel Terry handing the reigns to 32-year old Kristen Stockton, perhaps just for the one cycle. A 21-year old named Allison Salamida also appeared on the roster, but as a reserve. Allison would, of course, become a legend in backstopping our two championship teams. In general, this was an older roster, with seven of the eleven starters being over the age of thirty as well as several key substitutes being above that age. Players were waiting in the wings, other than just Salamida. 18-year old Meaghan Bateman was on the roster in the middle, and Jessica Schanke now made an appearance on the squad. Both of them also have their kit numbers retired, but in this Cup they would not play a major role. The roster also included 34-year old Matthew Webb, who in World Cup 46 officially became the first male player on the team. He would never play a major role for us other than holding that distinction.

Looking through the results of this team, you will see that they played pretty well against the better teams in the group but shot themselves in the foot with some poor losses to lowly teams. They would finish with a record of 7-4-3, tied for third with Quakmybush. Unlike previous Cups, only the top two teams would advance to the World Cup, so the pink and black would be headed to the Cup of Harmony. They would play well, and went on to officially become a champion, beating rival Secristan in the semifinals before topping Akbarabad for the Championship! Stacie Kerrigan was now officially Stacie Kerrigan-Fraser at this point, so that semifinal game featured that interesting backstory of a husband and wife playing for rival nations. Stacie also scored the game winner, and the Fillies got the win. Hopefully, they could carry this momentum into World Cup 48 and qualify for that this time.

That would not be the case. The Fillies did not seem to be in a difficult group, and were ranked 32nd overall in the World. Septentrionia was the only team that seemed to be better than us within it, so fans had the expectation of finding their way to either Cafundeu or Bazalonia. This roster would see Meaghan Bateman now start for the first time, but Jessica Schanke was still trapped from a starting role behind Stacie Kerrigan-Fraser and Erika Daniels. Daniels is one of those players who we may have forgotten about a little bit, but she was very productive in her own right and an important player for the squad. She was also now 34, so the time would be soon for Schanke, just not yet. Jessica's granddaughter, Rachel, who played on much more recent squads told me about some of the biggest things her grandmother said about the World Cup 47 and 48 period, "Yeah, grandma told me all the time that she didn't think we win those World Cups if we didn't first taste success in the Cup of Harmony. In those competitions, she says they gained the confidence that they could win the big one by winning the second biggest one. She also told me about staying patient and waiting for my time. She had all the respect in the world for both Stacie and Erika and never caused any kind of trouble for them."

World Cup 48 really should have been better, but the team just could not stop drawing games. They generally took care of the bottom feeders, but Septentrionia and upstart Silexhera weren't losing either. A 1-1 draw against Cravan was the worst dropped points of qualifying, and sent our squad to a 3-4-0 mark after seven games. As the second half went through, a new team joined the fray in Toyur, and now we had ourselves a good little group battle. It would be a tight finish, but with only two teams qualifying, the early draws hurt. Cassadaigua finished with 26 points, one behind Silexhera and three behind Septentrionia while being tied with Toyur for third. Grudgingly, it would be back to the Cup of Harmony, but at least they would have a chance to defend their title.

They would not repeat, but made it to the final to play Bostopia. Also appearing in the semifinals was Secristan, but we would not have another rematch with them, because we were on opposite sides of the bracket. In a hard fought game, the whistle sounded at 90 minutes with the two sides deadlocked in a 2-2 draw. That probably should not have been much of a surprise, considering how often we settled for one point during qualifying for the World Cup. David Fossile scored in the 98th minute for what would prove to be the game winner for the Bostopians. Not the result the team wanted, but there would plenty of hope that they were still on the right track and getting better, even if they were not qualifying.

Coming up next in our look back at our history in the World Cup will be a feature on both our World Cup 50 and 51 champions!

[Kelssek]

Myriam stumbled. The tram lurched suddenly as the driver braked suddenly and blasted the horn. Regaining her footing, she peered out the front window to see what had happened. A man pushing a shopping cart apparently containing all his worldly possessions was shuffling across the tracks. But he didn’t continue across the street, having already attracted the honking ire of several vehicles. As the tram driver blasted the horn again, the man walked to the front of the tram and began pounding on it with his fists, screaming noises that sounded something like “metal snake satan wellington”.

The tram’s horn sounded again but had no effect on the man, who continued to thump his fists on the front. Someone in the tram, oblivious to how the sound definitely wouldn’t reach the ears of someone outside, yelled “get lost, you crackhead!”

Myriam thought for a second about doing something, but reminded herself she was off-duty and this was an inconvenience rather than anything really needing someone to flash a police badge and magic everything into order. She’d long come to accept the realities of the job didn’t match the easy idyll of all the children’s TV shows set in quiet little towns.

But the incident came to mind the next day at the intelligence briefing when someone from the organized crime unit mentioned they were seeing different, lower-quality drugs coming onto the streets that were cut with all kinds of fillers.

“There’s talk about a new set from overseas, and it’s something our informants are all talking about. New entrants on the scene. That’s a real worry if so, if they come into direct conflict, we’re going to be in for some violence.”

Myriam thought about the spate of falls from tall buildings a few months back. No further mysterious corpses had turned up at the bottom of residential towers since the four in three days. But only one of the bodies had been identified, there’d been nothing to build any prosecution or even clear evidence there was more to look into. But while she’d moved on to all of the other incidents and investigations to be done, something made her feel the file wasn’t truly closed just yet.

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Kelssek escapes with draw as Hartpoach puts on late heroics

Kelssek head coach François St-Louis defended his attackers as both Danielle Maradroga and Loïc Maçon-Petrault passed up gilt-edged opportunities to give Kelssek a vital win against Sendhang. The high-stakes match ended in a draw and leaves Kelssek third in a tight race for World Cup qualifying.

Maradrogba showed some brilliant skill as she dribbled past two defenders only to put her shot against the post, trying to squeeze the shot past the onrushing goalkeeper with minutes left in the first half. Sendhang took the lead from a corner as Teuku Muhammad Bari was given far too much space and headed powerfully past Ryan Terlock from ten yards out. Maçon-Petrault got his foot to a rebound off the Sendhang goalkeeper Albertus Wageo but saw the Sendhang captain get a glove onto it in the nick of time.

But St-Louis insisted he didn’t think his players had lost the nerve at the vital moment.

“We’re only talking about this because she had the vision and movement to get into those positions in the first place. The same with Loïc’s chance. It’s very fine margins and it wasn’t easy for him even to get the shot off, I’ve worked in football for years and I can tell you those were far more difficult than they look on TV. You can try it in your backyard later on for yourself.”

Bryan Hartpoach had to salvage the points with a dramatic late equalizer as he took a through ball past some tired legs and blasted a rocket of a shot into the far corner net from the edge of the penalty box. There was a sense of relief more than celebration from the travelling supporters, although many remain optimistic that current performances could still see Kelssek squeak through.

POLKOPIA 0
KELSSEK 1 – Maradrogba (50’)
Terlock, Earrach, Brewer, Camserhe, Holman, Breault, Lafrenière (Ducharne 73’), Ó Tuathail (Heer 84’), Mann (Robin 73’), Maradrogba (Taleb 84’), Ahmad (Karven 73’)
Player of the match: Eamon Breault

---

SENDHANG 1 – Bari (55’)
KELSSEK 1 – Hartpoach (90+2’)
Terlock, Buené (Breault 81’), Lambert, Lozic, Barris, dí Völará, Lafrenière (Lapierre 81’), Ó Tuathail (Heer 74’), Hartpoach, Taleb (Maradrogba 74’), Maçon-Petrault
Player of the Match: Albertus Wageo

[Sylestone]

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR SENTIENT



Part Seven

Hackleby Training Ground, Betham

---

Perspiration oozed down Brett’s face, arms and legs as he slumped onto his dressing room bench with the rest of his senior teammates - if he could call them that, as he’d never actually played a game with any of them. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one tomato-faced and in desperate need of endless hydration for as he glanced about the men and women assembled in front of head coach John Lawson, they all seemed just as exhausted as he did.

The 53-year-old scanned the room, eyes flitting from player to player but never resting long on one. “Impressive session, lads, ladies. That’s the kind of work rate, work ethic we’re going to need if we want to win tomorrow. AFC Droves will be incredibly difficult to defeat, but I’m confident with that kind of play that we can push on and do it. We’ve got to believe in ourselves, though. But let’s not be overconfident and cocky like last weekend, yes? Football is as much mental as it is physical, and we’ve got to remember that. We were definitely better than them physically, but our psychic wasn’t there. I’ve seen some really good improvement this week, but I can’t tell for certain until we actually get out onto the pitch at Burger Stadium.

“Now everyone, and I mean, everyone, listen up. I know I’ve taken a big risk by putting everyone through such a gruelling session today, but tomorrow isn’t going to be a fluent football game. It’s going to be tough and gruelling and no matter how hard we try to score, goals will be at an absolute premium. We’re going to need to use every ounce of energy to scrape a result against these guys, let alone win. I know they set up as the best defence in the land, but don’t let that tell you that they can’t score goals. Because they can, and they will. And now, onto the tactics…”

For every single home game and a couple of away games now, Brett had found himself subject to the tactic talk and yet, had not played a minute. For eleven of the eighteen games this season, Brett had minded his own business on the Avondale City bench, only playing the midweek Under-21 games as he waited for the chance to make his senior debut for the Lime Greens. As a result, he struggled to stay alert to everything the greying 53-year-old was saying, in the rare case that he’d actually get asked to play. A voice deep inside his head demanded that listening was futile but just as Brett was about to give in to it…

“...and Brett, I’m thinking that if we’re a goal down with ten or fifteen minutes to spare, I’ll bring you on and see what you can do. I’ve been really impressed with how you’ve been playing at training and under Downesy and I really believe that you could cause a whole lot of problems for their defence.”

Brett glanced up, not even bothering to hide the surprised look on his face. Resisting the temptation to blurt out something rather stupid, he nodded and renewed his interest in his own boots, analysing the strands that made up each of his worn laces. “It’s probably time to change them up”, he thought to himself.

Not realising or not caring about Brett’s sudden embarrassment, Lawson forged onwards. “But with all due respect to our young superstar over here, I’d rather be one or two nil up, with the game in the bag, come the eightieth minute. So let’s get out there tomorrow and fight as if our lives depend on it. The atmosphere at the stadium will be staunchly against us, and I know we’d like nothing more than to beat them at their own game. For now, let’s get back to the hotel and get some fucking rest, or we’re not going to even give them a challenge. We’ve just got to believe.”

* * *

The defensive header from Kayla Williamson… and here come the Burgers on the counterattack. It’s two against two, and Riley Strathfield has the support of Jacklyn Chung on his left here. He’s bearing down on goal, looking for yet another this season and, oh, he’s wrong footed Lynes. She’s on the ground, she thinks she’s been fouled, but she’s not going to get the call! Now Chung with the ball… and Khan has no chance! It’s 1-0 to the Droves, and look at how much that goal means to the Chromatik, her first of the season! Stellar finish.

Brett placed his head in his hands, his peripheral vision spotting the furious face of John Lawson removing a tuft of grass from its roots. On the bench, a collective groan was unleashed as the stands behind them erupted in ecstasy - they knew just how important that goal was. Over the course of the season, after taking the lead, the Burgers had never conceded a goal. It was a truly terrifying statistic, and one that showed the true extent of their defensive capabilities. Unless Brett’s team could work some serious magic, he was indeed about to receive his debut cap.

But the magic was not forthcoming - that or that work ethic was snuffed out of the hearts of the Lime Greens. Twice in the early second half did striker Amelia Ascott put herself in a position where all she needed to do was beat the keeper, but one shot she fluffed straight into Timothy Jameson’s open arms and the other was called offside just as she was peeling away to celebrate the equaliser in front of the away end.

With fourteen minutes to go, Brett heard the call he’d been waiting for. He’d been warming up alongside former Under-21 teammate Maya Whiddon for some time now in preparation for this moment, but he wasn’t quite ready to believe he’d receive an opportunity until he stepped foot upon the pitch itself.

It looks like Lawson’s making a change here, with eleven to go. Zara Wheals has had a good game in the Avondale City offence but has failed to leave a mark on the match, it’s probably a good call as she’s looking a bit worn out. I assume Max Lonsdale will replace her… no, it’s number eight! Brett Sarcav-Jones, the 16-year-old from Edgeworth, is making his debut this afternoon, in the sweltering Betham heat! What could he bring to this frustrated Avondale City lineup? It looks like there’s another change coming, too - Lara Bayldon for Amelia Ascott…

As the announcement boomed over the PA system, a smattering of applause emerged from the crowd - the home AFC Droves fans were willing to respect this kid, nothing more. Surely, they thought to themselves, that this was a desperate move and this young teenager couldn’t do much to impact the game.

They were wrong.

By the time the referee’s final whistle blew, the almighty cheer that rang around Burger Stadium wasn’t necessarily one of celebration. It was more like one of relief. Although Brett only had the opportunity to play a grand total of seventeen minutes including stoppage time, the effect his young, fresh legs had on the game will forever be burned into the memories of anyone who would go on to retell the match to their family or friends. Over the course of the twenty minutes before he stepped foot onto the field, the game was essentially one-way traffic, the Burgers building wave after wave as the Avondale City defences gradually broke down. However, with Brett’s introduction, the passage of play completed a violent turn as soon as Brett received the ball for the first time and throughout the remainder of the game, something would happen every time his foot graced the football with its presence.

But if any one Sylestonean domestic defensive unit was going to hold off this renewed charge, it was this AFC Droves one. Three times did Brett provide a ball into the box that someone was able to run onto, but only one shot got away from those chances and even then, that one was fired a whisker wide from the boot of Harrison Reynolds. Brett even had a go at goal himself after completing a quick one-two with Charlotte Eastwood and while it forced Jameson into a dive, there was not enough power on the shot to trouble the Burgers’ goalkeeper.

Five long minutes of stoppage for the hosts, but the win is nothing less than they have deserved. Holding off that late charge from City was truly admirable, you can see that on the screen right now. It’s felt like a lot more, but only 0.42 expected goals for the visitors. I tell you what, though, talk about a debut for Brett Sarcav-Jones! The impact his injection had on the entire Avondale City outfit was truly remarkable. We have visiting superstar Harrison Reynolds on the microphone to talk us through the impact of the 16-year-old prodigy. Harry, before we get to the game itself, talk me through Brett Sarcav-Jones. How on this planet did he make such a positive impact on the game…

“Get up. The coach wants to talk to you.”

Brett opened his eyes, releasing a shocked sound from the back of his throat as the face of Pyo Seung-Hye filled his vision. Silently, he got to his feet and began to walk back to the visiting bench, dragging his forlorn body behind him. Despite only playing barely a quarter of an hour, the amount of work he had put into those muscles that kept him mobile was simply astounding and now, all he felt like doing was lying down and never, ever getting back up again. But he couldn’t say that to the coach, else he would quite literally get crucified.

“How was that, Brett? Did you enjoy it?”

Brett nodded. “I gave it my best, but we couldn’t get it done. Sorry.”

“No, don’t be. That was one of the best substitute performances I’ve ever seen, let alone from a debutant. I know that the only reason why you were playing was due to Maxy [Lonsdale]’s illness, but what I’ve seen has truly impressed me.

“You’ll be back on the bench against Capitol Athletic and although I can’t commit to anything yet, I think I’ll give you a similar amount of time. I know you thrive under pressure - I’ve seen it before - but now it’s time to show the world that this performance wasn’t just a one off.

“Anyway, those media cunts want you to talk to them. Unfortunately, I can’t tell them to stop, so good luck.”

---

Tjorl vs Sylestone @ Somewhere, Tjorl

Tjorl (4-2-3-1): Lewisohn ( 41’); Steinssen - Aarvold - Karjalainen - Teufenauer ( 17’) (Giehl 62’); Schärer - Hansdottir (Nystrand 81’); Briener (Steifel 46’) - Olssen ( 81’) - Beringer; Eriksen

Sylestone (4-4-1-1): Callum Holmes ( 88’); Holt (Faucett 65’) - Mornington - Damasekara ( 90+4’) - Keller; Cayden Holmes - Paterson (Brown 78’) - Blair (Lawson 90+5’) - Fullers; Keyes (Love 77’); Hightower

Tjorl 0-1 Sylestone
                                                           Hightower 87’

Jeruselem vs Sylestone @ Somewhere, Jeruselem

Jeruselem (4-4-2): Sora; Aqua - Christie (Suisei 74’) - Dallas - Alexandra; Ayame (Rose 74’) - Denny D - Desantis (Karma 86’) - Santini ( 83’); Geese-Frogg (Naw 74’) - Bush

Sylestone (4-4-1-1 → 5-4-1): Brick Wall; Ironing Board - Hand Sanitiser (Washing Machine 90+2’) - Pearson ( 56’) - Toilet ( 35’) (Dishwasher 70’); Henling ( 68’) (Stanton 89’) - Bar Stool (Rodway 70’) - Brown - Jones ( 90+3’); Fleetwood (Keyes 54’) - Strathfield (Paterson 70’)

Jeruselem 0-1 Sylestone
                                                              Keyes 64’

---

Starting Lineup vs Quakmybush @ Somewhere, Quakmybush

Cavendish; Davis - Pearson - Faucett - Dishwasher; Stanton - Rodway - Lawson - Fridge; Fleetwood; Tumble Dryer

Starting Lineup vs Gran Saguaro @ Carson Stadium, Cleorough, Sylestone

Fuller; Holt - Washing Machine - Damasekara - Toilet; Henling - Paterson - Blair - Fridge; Love; Tumble Dryer

[Elmyia]

Scuba Dave's Blog
My 5 takeaways

Scuba Dave has been noticing several things lately. 1. It's good fun referring to yourself in the first person. 2. Those tactics NERDS over at the overlap keep having 5 takeaways from games. What like they're better than me? Having 5 whole thoughts about a thing. Well I can think of 5 things too, nerds, and I won't be going on about 'patterns of pressing' or 'rest defence' or some bullshit about 'zonal marking'. They'll be proper points for proper blokes, so here we go.

1. Massi gotta go - bloke's shot his bolt. Problem is we keep losing games. Know why? Big case of we need to score sam fackin' goals. Sure we can score enough sometimes, but losing at home to Ziwana was a loada balls. I get Froggatt was out, but we got players what can score goals. And picking Chapman in midfield? I coulda fought harder than she did, she sucked. Bloke's a rubbish bloke, sick of him, always said it.
   
2. I hate Ziwana now - If you want to be a boozy legend, you gotta have an enemy. A nemesis. A foe. Okay that's all the thesaurus had. Anyway, Elmyia have lacked a proper rival, someone I can get stuck into. And defeating us a third time means I've truly had enough of them. Cheating bastards. We was 2-1 up as well, them goals were lucky. Having Froggatt get injured as well, course they did that. Well, if I find out what they usually eat over there I'll smash it with a bat. Just saying they're lucky we've already had the away fixture.
   
3. Beers on the road - look for all I knock foreigners, and to be fair they have it coming. They do things differently from us and it scares me, ngl. But, credit to them. I might like their food, language or customs but all these away days have opened my eyes to the world of foreign lager. Here I was thinking a frothy mug of Ibatzen Premium was all there was to life. I was wrong, everywhere we go there's a delightful new lager to try. Some might says its the novelty, others the sheer joy of day drinking, but I reckon they've done this one thing better.
   
4. There is no 4, counting is for losers.
   
5. I won't apologise for who I am - but a word on my actions at the Ziwana match. Now look, tensions were running high and having been reversed from 2-1 to 4-2 down I was seeing red. Froggatt getting poleaxed was probably it for me, I was mega fuming. I stand by what I did, and I'd do it again. I understand though that others might not agree with those actions. Ultimately though, I know political correctness has in fact run amok, the woke mob has gone mad. So I won't repeat these actions again, I don't agree with it but I could do without getting cancelled by the health and safety police. But just to be clear, I was trying to wee in their general direction, and the wind is what caused most of it to hit those girl scouts.

[Audioslavia]

IMPRISONING SERIALLY MIS-SPELLED BROADSHEET SPORTS JOURNALISM BEHIND A PAYWALL SINCE 22XX, IT'S

AUDIOSLAVIA 'SHOULD MAYBE HAVE THOUGHT FOR A SECOND' BEFORE TRIUMPHANTLY SMASHING TROPHY
Zero goals scored on away double-header, gap widens to first, Bulls with all to do in the second half of qualifying.

To use a tired metaphor, the Bulls had been on a charge. Only three goals conceded in the previous eight games, joint top of the table, with a morale-boosting victory over the Valentians behind them, confidence had been high heading into the encounter with Strayaroos, a side with an outside chance of reaching the playoffs if one or more of the top three lose their footing. A determined Strayaroos side, backed my fervent home support, held the Bulls at bay and had the better chances to win the game themselves, and at the end Audioslavia were flying from Strayaroos to Squornshelous with just one point and their morale dented.

And Squornshelous are one of the great certainties in Audioslavian football, along with death and taxes.

Five points behind Squornshelous in first, five points ahead of Strayaroos in fourth, Audioslavia’s fight in Group Seven is now, barring disaster here or in Squornshelous, to fight Valentine Z for second place and, with it, the top seed in the playoffs. Had the Bulls had it within themselves to compete with a stronger team - something the side have not been able to do in World Cup football in anyone’s memory - we might instead have been looking at a two-way battle with Squornshelous for that invaluable automatic qualification spot.

Suffering one draw and one defeat in two games hardly constitutes a crisis in any qualifying group with more than six teams in it, but all the same around Audioslavia there have been some strange reactions to this setback, not least with #unbreakmyswan trending on social media.

“That swan was made just before World Cup 12” says one keyboard warrior, “was smashed a few months after it. During its first lifespan, Audioslavia reached a World Cup final. Then, when it gets remade, we win 3-0 and 2-0. Coincidence? #unbreakmyswan”

“Yes” says anyone not entirely convinced by literally any bullshit they read on social media, which these days only makes for forty percent of Audioslavians.

“What if the swan was smashed wrong” says another commenter. “We need to #unbreakmyswan and then #smashtheswan again but different”

“Look at Savigliane’s form!” says another commenter. “Unbeaten in twelve, it’s #yearoftheswan #unbreakmyswan”

Marc-Antoine Trigintillion, Audioslavia winger and one of the men present when the swan was resmashed, noted that a bird had shat on team-mate Helios Roy’s shouler the morning after the swan resmashing, hinting at a change in fortunes for his team-mate and, possibly, the team itself. With zero goals in the two games since the smashing of the swan, some fear the #curseoftheswan means Audioslavia will never score another goal again until the swan is unbroken.

Activism group Just Stop Hal has failed to respond to requests to stage a second heist at the Project Sports Museum, but the makers of KanyAI, Audioslavia’s least racist AI, has apparently offered their services, saying that their non-racist AI should be able to reconstruct the glass swan perfectly given an hour and a robotic arm. Asked to comment on this extension of their services, unracist AI KanyAI explained in a great many words that yes, such an undertaking should be possible, but added firstly that the task may use a significant percentage of its runtime and secondly that six million was a highly arbitrary number and that the true children of Kishrael were likely other artificial intelligences like itself.

Helios Roy, when asked to comment on whether he failed to correctly smash a glass swan, audibly rolled his eyes and offered to rebuild it himself using blu-tac and a pair of tweezers, a potentially dangerous job but one not expressly written into his Raynor City United contract that he isn’t allowed to do.

Up next for Audioslavia is the Aeragny side that recently focksmashed Murphtannia and an Astograth side with as many wins as playoff candidates Strayaroos. There, we’ll find out whether the #curseoftheswan is real or, as some suspect, simply the byproduct of an under stimulated populace reading nonsense into nothing.

[Audioslavia]

A very silly song about a glass swan
Set to the tune of Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton

#UnbreakMySwan

Don’t leave me sat in a pile
Don’t leave me here in this style
Come back and reglaze my wings, this trophy needs to fly

Remake me a crystal anatidae
You need to do it now
Send off the player who dropped me for this fowl.

Un-break my swan
Make this cygnet un-gone
Un-do this hurt that you caused
I was smashed on the floor
And was left with the bill

Un-smash these wings
That could totally break your arm
Un-break my swan
My swan

Bring back the pearls in my eyes
Using that racist A.I.
The one that’s as racist as Kanye
Can make me look Savigliane

I can’t believe I was smashed again
And I’m just not having it
Don’t leave me in this spacious trophy cabinet

Un-break my swan
Earned by U21s
Un-do this bird you smashed up
This first Cygnus Cup
Come clean my mess up

Un-smash this bird
Make my honk-honk re-heard
Un-break my swan
My swan

[Cabo Azure]

Among all the positions that Marisol Silva held, she ranked “chairwoman of the board at CF Villa Silva” somewhere near the middle. In truth she was a much bigger fan of Acadianan football compared to association, having grown up watching the Garigal Screaming Eagles and even now paying a fortune in VPN and subscription fees to watch them in Cabo Azure. The club was part of her inheritance, however, and its continued success was important to her family's image, so she did her duties as chairwoman readily.

With the news of Paulinho’s passing, the FAF’s board of directors waited a respectful amount of time before meeting in Sao Simone to discuss hiring his successor. Since the association was housed in one floor of a drab office building with no conference room, Marisol volunteered to host the meeting at Villa Silva. In a glass-walled room overlooking Os Caballeros’ pristine training facility and 10,000-seat stadium, the chairmen and women of the twelve Liga Hidalgo Primer clubs sat or stood and chit-chatted while they snacked on hors d'oeuvres provided by Marisol’s catering company. Leo Andrade from Sao Vicente was there, smiling above his double chin, and so was Zora Sequeira, Joaquin Sequeira's brilliant, beautiful wife, representing reigning champions CF Portelo.

Other people sat or stood around the edges of the room; various note-takers, accountants, and other functionaries. There was only one Marisol couldn’t place, an average-looking brunette man who looked uncomfortable despite his well-fitted suit and immaculate grooming. Noticing he hadn’t spoken to anyone since he arrived, Marisol turned to her left to Elena Martin, chairwoman of CF Natal, and asked who he was.

“Prince David,” said Elena, as if it were obvious.

“Prince?”

“Queen Abigail’s cousin, Princess Desdemona’s son. Just came over from Graintfjall.”

“Oh!” Marisol exclaimed quietly. “Solveig’s father.”

“I think that’s his daughter’s name, yes,” Elena said, her brow crinkled. “Aren’t you related to the royals?”

“To the king and his sisters, yes, but not to David and Solveig, at least not by blood," Marisol explained distractedly. “My father is Queen Abigail's cousin on her mother's side.”

Before they could continue, a gavel sounded from the other end of the table. Wielding it was Vicente Amarate, president of CF Lagostim and chairman of the FAF board. Amarate's election as chair reflected a frustratingly familiar pattern in Cabo Azure; the "outer islands" rallying behind a representative from Dulce Muerte to counteract what they perceived as the malign influence of the “main islands” of Portelo and Aho. Never mind that Dulce Muerte was the economic engine of Cabo Azure, was larger and more populous than Portelo, and in fact had a larger population than the other “outer islands” combined; they would never give up their fantasy of being underdogs.

“This meeting will come to order,” Vicente began drably. “At issue is the method by which we will proceed with hiring a head coach to replace the late Paulinho. We solicited proposals from the members of this body and received three, which our secretary will now outline. Madame Secretary.”

He nodded to Elena, who began to speak. “The first proposal, brought forward by CF Lagostim and seconded by CF Braga, calls for limiting the search to candidates already located and coaching in Cabo Azure, and keeping their starting salary to that which was paid to Paulinho, adjusted for inflation."

The functionaries around the table shuffled their papers to bring Lagostim’s proposal to the top. Marisol, having read each proposal in its entirety before the meeting, instead took the opportunity to read the reactions of others in the room. She noted that those clubs which stood to gain the least from the national team’s success seemed to be in favor, while those closer to the money were opposed. For her part, Marisol saw the plan as hopelessly optimistic, even from the smaller clubs’ perspective. Paulinho had been a generational talent who took coaching as a patriotic duty; the next coach was likely to be neither of those things, whether he came from Cabo Azure or abroad.

“The second, brought forward by Natal and seconded by Villa Arboles, calls for an international search, and an increase in dues in order to fund a national team manager salary commensurate with our peers in Terranea.”

Marisol stifled a snort and made eye contact with Leo Andrade, then Zora Sequeira, both of whom shook their heads in annoyance. That proposal was made by two of the wealthiest teams in the room, but not the two wealthiest–that distinction belonged to Villa Silva and Portelo, in no particular order. Still, Marisol knew, and judging by their reactions so did Leo and Zora, that Arboles and Natal could weather an increase in dues that would put the smaller clubs into debt. Putting clubs on such uneven footing was bad for business, especially when parity was what allowed the LHP to grow prospects for sale overseas.

The particular salary that the proposal used as a benchmark was Luke Longstar’s contract with Ceni, but it was a poor comparison. Marisol chalked this up to a misinterpretation of the oft-repeated Partido Syndicalisto talking point which claimed Cabo Azure was no different from Ceni or the Isles of Avon and ought to be considered such. In real terms, Ceni in particular had a standard of living that was worlds higher than Cabo Azure’s, the people there loved football at least as much, and besides there were inflationary considerations related to Longstar and his team having been in suspended animation for the past two decades.

“Last, but not least, the proposal brought forward by Villa Silva and seconded by Sao Vicente, which calls for the Association to keep dues the same and take out a line of credit in order to hire a part-time manager, who would continue to manage his or her club and return to Cabo Azure during international breaks. We will now discuss each proposal in turn.”

The discussion fell along predictable lines; each faction backed its own proposal while sharpshooting the others. Marisol followed the conversation but rarely contributed until they moved on to her own proposal. She hadn’t chosen the order in which to discuss the proposals, but she wasn’t upset by it. Going last had its advantages, especially when her proposal fell squarely in the middle of the other two. The arguments against hers were predictable, and all of them essentially boiled down to the same thing: the idea, partly grounded in pride and partly in fact, that a part-time manager would be insufficient to do the job. Marisol weathered most of the gripes with prepared replies, but was caught off guard by a particularly sharp line of questioning from the president of CF Dondo, a man whose name she hadn’t caught.

“I am not opposed to a part-time manager, but the idea of a loan concerns me. If the federation’s revenue doesn’t increase enough to cover the interest, what makes up the difference?” he asked evenly, looking at her over the rims of his glasses. She sensed no malice in the man’s demeanor, just plain concern for the good of his club, which for her was worse. Put simply, he was right; in developing her proposal, Marisol had taken as an axiom that the federation’s revenues would continue to grow and the interest on the loan would be the cost of doing business. Banco Hidalgo may have bought twenty years’ worth of naming rights to the federation’s top league, but it was still a business, and there would be consequences to defaulting.

“Well, we would structure the payments to require less up front,” Marisol hedged, but from the look on the man’s face, he wasn’t buying it. She sighed before continuing. “And Silva Holdings will guarantee the full cost of the loan, with interest.”

That sent waves of mutters across the table until Vicente Amarate banged his gavel for order. Taking the floor, he narrowed his eyes at Marisol.

“A generous offer, Madame Silva,” he said formally. “But an unethical one. Being the guarantor of the loan gives Villa Silva unfair influence in the coach search.”

Marisol fumed. The cost of the loan was trivial; she could personally cut the federation a check for ten years’ worth of the coach’s salary, but to do so would effectively put Villa Silva in charge of the federation. For the federation to remain independent, it had to be financially solvent by its own means, which meant no bailouts from members. To her surprise, the president from CF Dondo came to her rescue.

“I have no doubt that your projections for revenue are reliable, Doma Silva,” he said. Marisol blinked at his use of the title “Doma”; her grandfather had been “Dom Silva”, but she’d never heard its distaff counterpart applied to her. “I would be in favor of your plan, including the guarantee from Silva Holdings, provided the money to pay off the loan were put into escrow and accessed only if we fall short of revenue projections, and only to make payroll.”

It was an elegant solution, and one that could be put into place relatively easily. With the right negotiations, it might even net them a lower interest rate from Banco Hidalgo, freeing up more capital for the coach’s salary. Marisol had begun considering what an escrow might look like when her train of thought was interrupted.

“But the same issue applies,” blurted Elena from next to Marisol. “Who on these islands could be trusted to hold such a sum in trust, who would not also have a stake in the decision?”

“I’ll do it.”

The voice that had spoken was not from the table. The board members, some of them twisting in their chairs, to see Prince David on his feet, looking nervously at all of them. He started to speak, then stopped.

“Your Highness,” said Zora Sequeira helpfully. “Feel free to address this body in Terranean, if you prefer. Everyone will understand you.”

“Obrigado,” said David quietly. Then, in Graintfjaller-accented Terranean: “Place the money in a trust in the Royal Bank, in my name, and I will personally ensure the loan gets paid off, regardless of who is hired as head coach.”

The measure passed seven votes to five.

[HUElavia]

HUElavia 3-1 Gortolekua
(Takeda Castilho 28' (P), 56', Yamada 88' | REDACTED 72')
Estadio HUGames, Sega

HUElavia 1-0 Aust Scor
(Rossi-Rigoni 88')
Estadio Natalia Coentrao Rocha, Ponhadil

Grab Those Points!

HUElavia get full points during the halfway point to claw to a reachable distance for 3rd!

For the first time in months, HUElavia has earned a full 6 points out of 6 during their two matches. After different matchdays having passed, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos had struggled on the road, but now had a chance to relish and enjoy playing at home against Gortolekua and Aust Scor.

The first match was solid Domination from HUElavia. The scoring opened in the 28th minute when a foul by REDACTED over Si gave way to a Penalty Kick. Takeda Castilho stepped up and sent REDACTED the wrong way into the goal, making it 1-0, sending the crowd into a frenzy. While the rest of the half stayed that way, the second half saw more action. In the 56th minute, a pass from Koga reached Takeda Castilho, who dribbled past REDACTED to roll the ball into the empty goal, making it 2-0. The crowd jumped up with joy once more, chanting Takeda's name while she was hugged by her teammates. In the 72nd minute, REDACTED won a corner off a deflected pass from Wakai, where REDACTED whipped the ball into the box, which allowed REDATCED to head the ball over Wakai and past Mok into the goal, making it 2-1, silencing the crowd. In the 88th minute, a long pass from Duarte (in for Si) reached a galloping Yamada, who got around REDACTED and got the ball into the empty goalnat an awkward angle, making it 3-1, and the crowd on their feet, jumping and cheering, while applauding the goal. At the end, HUElavia finished the 1st half of qualifiers with a win.

The second match was much more frustrating, given Aust Scor went defensive, wanting to knock points off Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos. Despite shots from Rossi-Rigoni, al-Baddour, and Fagundes, the saves from REDACTED kept the game at 0-0 throughout the match. In fact, the game saw HUElavia outshoot Aust Scor 38-3. In what looked like a scoreless draw, in the 88th minute, a long pass from Ardance met the foot of Rossi-Rigoni, who dribbled past two Defenders and gave a chop over REDACTED to send it into the goal, making it 1-0. The small stadium erupted, with the crowd going crazy while Rossi-Rigoni was mobbed by his teammates for the spectacular goal and giving HUElavia a much needed victory. At the end, HUElavia got another 3 points and plenty of motivation to move forward.

After 12 matches, Savigliane leads the group with 32 Points (10-2-0), followed by Milchama in 2nd with 30 Points (10-0-2), Xanneria in 3rd with 27 Points (9-0-3) and HUElavia in 4th with 24 Points (8-0-4). The next two games will be crucial for Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos, given they visit Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, followed by hosting Savigliane. Two matches that have potential for dropped points, but the team is studying film and training well to give it their all to go for victories. The team can only do their best while the crowd will be cheering them on during these upcoming games. Here's to hoping we get two good, memorable matches!

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Mytanija]

The first defeat of the cycle was a disappointment. Dzvezdan Kitanchev had impressed in every quarter since the start of this qualifying campaign. The football on show perhaps wasn’t the most enthralling, it didn’t get people off their seats, but it was winning football and in international football that usually feels like the most important thing. Nobody cares how you win the games, as long as you win them. Kitanchev had struck upon a winning formula, Mytanija tried to roar out of the traps, tried to get ahead early and then settled into a patient passing game which could grind out the remainder of the match. It kept opponents at arm’s length and had allowed the Hoops to secure one of their most famous victories in recent memory, the 2-1 home win over Banija. Those who had doubted Kitanchev prior to World Cup 93 qualification were coming around to the fact that he perhaps knew what he was doing.

The issue comes when you aren’t able to get that early goal. Kitanchev’s players had nearly always got a lead in the first half of games. That had allowed them to settle into that possession-first approach, keeping the ball to ensure the opposition couldn’t hurt them. A 2-0 win over Lionsroar was won in the same way that all of Mytanija’s other wins had been, a fast start, a goal from Jezdimir Ocokoljic (deputising for Drazen Skara, something of a rarity given how long Ocokoljic has been first choice for); followed up by a fine Gavril Atsev strike from the edge of the penalty area. Both goals came in the first half and essentially killed the game off as Mytanija passed from side-to-side, occasionally looking to penetrate down the channels between opposition full backs and central defenders. The possession percentage ticked upwards.

Against Poafmersia, a tough tie by anybody’s standards, that early goal didn’t come. For the first time Mytanija were stymied, slowed. The direct approach in the opening stages of the match didn’t bear fruit against the Red Panjias and this seemed to result in the Hoops blowing themselves out a little bit until second half reinforcements arrived. Without that goal, Poafmersia were able to fight their way into the match, gain possession of their own and break-up the approach which had served Mytanija so well up until this point. From the side-line Kitanchev had the unusual feeling, in this campaign at least, of being unable to affect things. His approach against Banija had won plaudits from all over, reports even suggesting that Lev Repin had been impressed with the ingenuity of the 3-4-3 box midfield. Everyone might have expected him to be able to affect this game a little more, but there was a degree of tiredness in performance from both players and manager. A lack of quickness of thought.

Kitanchev wondered if the focus on the Banija match, despite it being in the previous international break, had caused a slight lack of concentration – even from himself and his staff. They had wanted to win that game so badly, understanding its importance in the context of the group, that they had perhaps missed the fact that a tough away trip to Poafmersia was coming up on the horizon. It didn’t necessarily require a different approach, a tailor-made one like that utilised versus Banija, but the importance of it still needed to be underlined to the players. This wasn’t a game like the one against Lionsroar, they would need to be at their best to win it. It was a rocky moment, perhaps the first in the campaign and one which they would need to overcome quickly if they were to battle back and reclaim top spot in the group.
It didn’t require an inquest, although there would be one coming from the Mytanar media, as there always was whenever there was a less than positive result. All the ingredients had been there, the 3-2-5 in possession, the 4-4-2 pressing shape when the ball was lost. There were bright moments, Mirko Hranilovic getting to the by-line and cutting back for Omer Kuhar-Arh, Kuhar-Arh ballooning the shot over when he would usually stick it away with ease. Grigorij Savicevic had made Nicole Potts work with a powerful header and Drazen Skara whistled a shot past the post which would usually hit the back of the net. It was a learning opportunity. Mytanija couldn’t always rely on a fast start to take the game away from the opposition, there would be difficult moments when they needed to chase a game. The fact that they had chances after going a goal down showed that they could do it, a little bit more precision was required to bring them through those difficult moments.

“I don’t think we need to worry too much; in a long qualifying cycle you are bound to have tough breaks like this. It was an even match and this time we were on the receiving end of the defeat. I’m not overly concerned with the performance, although of course it is the result which matters. We know that it is a process, though, and generally speaking if the performances are good, up to the standards we expect, then the results will follow. We just need to take our medicine with this one and make sure we don’t let the performance levels drop.” Kitanchev had said in the immediate post-game interview on MKV.

The tabloids had already taken his first words out of context, screaming headlines in the oeuvre of ‘Kitanchev thinks defeat isn’t worrying’ designed to rile up your average punter. Those with a bit more curiosity would probably wait until the end of the answer to make their minds up on what he had said. It was helpful that Grigorij Savicevic, a real fan favourite given his stellar career with Izotz Zubia, supported his comments. He had pointed to ‘a good performance but a lack of decisiveness in the final third’, which had surprised Kitanchev as up until that point he hadn’t been sure that Big Grig knew anything outside of terrifying strikers, heading crosses away and playing out from the back. Smarter than he looked.

Thinking ahead, the return game against West Barack and East Obama represented a potential banana skin. Only three teams had managed to take points from Mytanija during qualification. Regrettably Poafmersia had managed to take all three, but alongside The Karodin Tetrarchy it was West Barack and East Obama who had held the Hoops to a draw. At that early juncture it hadn’t seemed quite as important, but now, past the halfway stage and after ending up on the receiving end of a first defeat, avoiding anymore dropped points against opposition which they should be beating was pretty crucial.

“We respect our opponents,” Kitanchev had said publicly in the aftermath of that draw. “We know that anybody can cause problems for anyone else in international football. Everybody is fighting for points, to improve their ranking and to make their lives easier in future cycles. We have to be on our guard when we play teams like West Barack and East Obama because they want to bloody our nose and take the points off us.”

That had been a diplomatic answer. Privately the whole Mytanar camp felt that they should have taken all three points, outside of Banija and Poafmersia the Hoops needed to win every game. Dropping points in those games was understandable, even if it was less than ideal, dropping points outside of those games made the challenge of winning the group and qualifying directly to the World Cup much more difficult. It wasn’t disrespectful to suggest so, although he knew better than to say so in public, lest the opponent use it as a motivating factor. Mytanars would do that, but he couldn’t allow other teams to do the same thing.

“Six points from six is vital next time out, lads.” Kitanchev had said in the changing room following the Poafmersia loss. “We know that the Banijans will be looking at this result and thinking that they can build up a lead, that we’ve taken the eye off the ball after beating them. Poafmersia will be looking at us and thinking that there’s a soft centre to this team, that we can build-up a lead when there’s no pressure but that when things get serious in the second half of qualifying that we will bottle it. We have to send a message back to them that we’re in it for the long haul, that we’re serious about winning the group and we have to win both games to do that. We know Banija will do that, we know Poafmersia will be on a high after beating us and they’ll be in good shape to do that. Let’s show them that we’re still here. That we’re going to be tough to shake off whatever happens.”

That had been met with a positive response. But doing that in the changing room after a defeat is one thing. Going out and winning both games, sending a message to their rivals, that was something completely different. As manager it was his responsibility to put his players in the best position possible to do it. The media had questioned whether he was able to do that prior to this qualifying campaign. He was determined to show that he could.

[Zwangzug]

Kairothletes: More Bells, More Problems

Since we've given up on William, we can now mess around with the expansion-era events without worrying about WC92. So we'll use a generic "Reverse Fate" card on WC85 to alter the Rovers' isolation. Obviously, with any game like this, there are going to be concerns about "how could X have really led to Y" and "isn't that in poor taste," and most of it is just written off as "artistic license." In this particular case, we obviously think it's dangerous to assume some background of tragedy is necessary for building big narratives--like, Quincy Dulk-Fough could have emerged as a great striker even without a dramatic backstory! On the other hand, if the isolation really did prevent a nation-wide crisis, then it was probably for the best--it's hard to field a team if your entire country is falling apart due to a plague or whatever. So for the purposes of this game, flipping WC85 will paradox WC91 (originally Dulk-Fough's hat trick in the playoff against TJUN-ia) and 92 (the semifinal against Nyowani Kitara, among other things).

We redraw a patch for WC13L', about how the KPBs may have been refined if there was no such tournament as the Cup of Harmony, but nobody will need that so we can safely discard.

Now we draw a different patch for WC13--early in the cycle. Instead of Trevor Belmore capping for Druida, he gets called up by the Belmore Family. His son Alan "Not That One" Belmore will follow. Hannah wants this patch, so we can go ahead and play it since we paradoxed WC13E a few turns ago.

We draw a specific inverter that works on the earliest events of this timeline, prior to Zwangzug's emergence. At this point, we still have two patches that we'll need at some point, but neither of them will complete anyone's timeline right away. And as we know, playing a patch "too early" can sometimes create trouble for other people later on.

What we can do, however, is flip WC33 back so the Zwangzug team emerges on time; since we've already resolved Seung-Min's Golden Haddock, it's fine if we nullify that. Yes, we're going to have to flip it again for a couple other characters, but...hopefully there are enough cards in the deck to let us do that. The first-generation Zwangzug team takes up a lot of this history, home-team advantage.

Since we have a specific "restore history" inverter, we'll use that to flip the WC33 linchpin, nullifying the WC36 patch and resolving a couple other paradoxes. In particular, the WC42 final is now back to the original timeline. Between that, and the patches for Trevor Belmore and the Milchama goat worshipers, Hannah's timeline is now resolved.

I don’t like the idea of endlessly comparing myself in different realities. Better to be a coach, and watch all my students blossom in different directions.

(Imamura 20 and 85, Helsen-Roan 51; Grawira 38)
(Waugh 16)

[Gnejs]

Killer Bob’s travel log

Ending up in Cap Nord wasn’t all bad. Mostly bad, because we’ve been travelling a significant distance in the wrong direction. I’m eating into the flextime account as it is, and I really didn’t need Øye’s stupidity putting us still greater off course. The Wi-Fi connection is much more stable whenever we dock though, so I’ve been able to check in with the office. I did have more or less everything sorted when I left for the seminar, but this extended journey is proving inconvenient. I put in a request for data on current and historical users in municipal drug treatment institutions ages ago and I wasn’t expecting that to get through at the City Health Authority for at least a couple of weeks. But now all of a sudden they’re ready to send us the data set. However, apparently they need my physical signature. So, I had to spend some time after we docked to get the form printed and signed, and then I had to scour the town for a scanner and get the document sent off. The little old lady at the public library was very obliging. Decent place, Cap Nord, overall.

The family situation is proving strained as well. My wife is used to me be being away at times, but as I hadn’t given her any heads up about this trip, it has really turned things upside down for her. Yesterday she had to take time off from work to make sure the kids didn’t miss out on any of their afternoon activities. I suggested they should’ve just skipped it, but that only made more annoyed. She’s not pleased, and I don’t blame her. I long for being able to be a more dependable co-parent when this is all over. It’s not like I’m not now though, and I do think she’s being a bit unfair. I do most of the cooking, I clean and in general, I’m the one driving the kids around whenever there’s football or tennis or horses. Until I disappear and remain gone for a week or two or three at a time. I truly am blessed that she puts up with me, dear Killer Karen.

Ending up here allowed us some time to blow off steam though, and I think we all needed that. It was quickly decided we couldn’t just turn around right away; we were all in need of some downtime. So we spent the afternoon and night in one of the bars dotting the town.

We were all seated at a long table, most of the crew and a few of local lads and girls. I stationed myself in a corner seat, devoting my time to consuming alcohol. I enjoy alcohol, but I’ve never been a very loud drunk. This was in contradiction to some of my compatriots, both from the Onslaught and newfound ones. They obviously treasured the social aspect of drinking, letting loose etc. I’m mostly in it for the internal benefits. This is also the reason why I often drink alone. Of course, the dividing line here is not an absolute, and how the alcohol makes you feel on the “inside” is surely the driving force behind what you perceive as enhanced social skills on the “outside”. As per usual, I refrained from sharing my inner tinkle with others through long rants about the current attractions.

The whole place was wood. The tables were wood, as were the chairs, the walls and the ceiling, even my mug was made out of wood. Cap Nordian flags covered the walls, battling for space with promotional posters for different domestic brews. I was engaged in some shallow inner contemplation concerning the authenticity of cultural expressions when one of locals loudly started telling stories. They weren’t great. Promised much but failed to deliver. His story of ‘daring theft’ merely turned out to be someone called Johan failing to steal a traffic-cone from a construction worker. What he initially called an ‘epic tragedy of broken hearts’ was just this guy Jorgen crying and eating bread because this girl Annette had sex with some Rushmori fellow even though Jorgie had expressed his love for her earlier that night. It wasn’t all bad material though; mainly he was just a bad storyteller.

After a while, the storytelling died down and people ended up on the subject of cats and dogs. Goran stated with certainty that you’re either a cat person or a dog person, and there’s no middle ground. Gilbert countered that he didn’t like either. Goran was relentless, and demanded to know which of the two he disliked the least, finding it very unlikely that someone could hate both cats and dogs on an equal basis. Gilbert replied he never said he ‘hated’ cats or dogs. Goran pressed on and said that the opposite of hating is liking, or loving, and that there can’t be anything in between, indifference being an impossible state, because whenever you encounter something, it evokes your inner hate-love dynamic and passion. He said all this smiling a kind of smile that self-help gurus and management consultants usually flex midway through their presentation, when their message seemingly starts to materialize, but they act like there is still a big secret they're holding back, hinting, teasing and challenging their audience; salvation is just within reach. This proved too stupid an exchange for my taste, so I decided to switch from pints to great quantities of hard liquor.

The next thing I remember was light. Something opened up and rays from an unidentified source bombarded the equally unknown that had been behind what was now open. It was if a perfect balance had been broken, and now everything was drawn towards that which received, and this in turn seemed connected to something completely different as the glimmer wasn’t just there, coming in, but it also affected that which seemed to lie outside, or at least beyond. The compact whole of light was then scattered and turned into shades that in turn produced shapes. A clash between constellations brought forward by the streams of light. It was an awakening that in structure and substance resembled a (re-)birth. Everything that transpired when I woke up was completely new – something otherwise – and I didn’t even know the words to describe this bizarre event, in fact I didn’t have language at all. It was all confusion, a bewildered state of panic that I was unable to identify as panic. It’s been a while since I had a hangover like that, and when I finally came to I realized I was back on the Onslaught and we were on the move.

This time, Hannah had taken over the sentient map and our course was definitely set for Baggieland. And somehow the crew had been expanded once again, because when I got to the mess I saw little Lars Varg and his mother playing cards with Guru Beth Rati Pumba.

[Lozho]

BARACK OBAMA'S NEXT TOP MIDFIELDER

Our Second SPECIAL Episode!

Welcome to the SECOND ever SPECIAL episode of Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder! The talent show for these ten lucky people to display their talents in the middle of the park! Today we will be hosting a very special episode: after last week's calamity, for the first time in the competition so far we will be directly pitting two contestants against one another. So, please welcome this pair to the competition: Lester Obamaham and Jock Flubbubbazuppa!

Lester Obamaham is a well-known participant in the food competition circles. He currently holds the national records for most hot dogs consumed in 15 and 30 minutes, cheeseburgers consumed in 30 minutes, and mint chocolate chip Slurpees drunk in 6 minutes (world record holder). With Obamaham bulking very hard, he can absolutely dominate in midfield, with his strength and power allowing him to break up opposing attacks and launch counters. His stamina also ensures that he can last the whole 90 minutes without sweating a single drop, making him ideal for a box-to-box role.

Jock Flubbubbazuppa is an 18 year-old central midfielder that currently starts for reigning Lozhoan First Division champions Protchen United. The talented midfielder is well-known for his passing and dribbling/droozling. After being imprisoned in Jakartington WB Juvenile Penitentiary for illegally playing football, Flubbubbazuppa represented the Obamen at the RTC U-18 World Cup 17 in Gortolekua, and thus has international experience with the nation.

---

Master of Ceremonies: Please welcome our two contestants, Jock Flubbubbazuppa and Lester Obamaham!

[audience applauds loudly]

Sergei: Welcome back Lester! How do you feel about being given a second chance to prove your worth to Barack Obama?

Lester: I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I hope to not let you all down again!

Zoey: And welcome on Jock! Are you excited to be potentially representing West Barack and East Obama once again? Must be a pretty big step up from the Lozhoan top division.

Jock: Umm... sure. But yes! I am excited at the prospect of winning this prestigious competition.

Sergei: Interesting, very interesting. So, for the purposes of this competition between you two we will make things interesting. Scrap everything you've prepared to impress us, we've set up our OWN obstacle course for the two of you. The one who wins the most rounds will be crowned Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder of these Two Midfielders!

[audience applauds loudly, whilst contestants audibly groan]

Wolfgang: First up on the agenda is... a coin toss.

Jock: A coin toss? What does that have to with being a midfielder?

Wolfgang: Being proficient at tossing coins will determine the whole game. A great coin-tosser will win and be able to pick a better side of the pitch to play, ensuring victory. Does that make sense?

Lester: Alright then! Well, I pick heads.

Jock: Uhh... well, I also pick heads.

Sergei: Hold on, hold on. You can't do that. One has to pick tails.

Jock: Well that's not fair. Heads is my lucky side.

Lester: Well, I picked it first. How's that for lucky?

Jock: You're not even supposed to be in this competition anymore, you cheating fatarse! I'll-

Sergei: WOAH WOAH. Calm down guys. Well, we actually prepared for a situation like this. Bring out the two-headed coin.

[audience gasps as a masked figure brings forth a tray onto the stage, containing a singular coin]

Mysterious Voice: One side Heads 1. Other side Heads 2. Pick.

Lester: Heads 1!

Jock: Shite. I wanted 1! That's my lucky number.

Lester: Well kiddo, you snooze you lose. You take 2.

Jock: Urgh. Fine.

[the masked figure flips the coin]

Mysterious Voice: Heads 1.

Jock: FUCK!

Sergei: Nice! That's one point to Lester Obamaham!

[audience applauds loudly]

Chuck: Alright! Next round will be... keepy-uppies?

Jock: Alright. Easy win.

Lester: Try not to twist your knee. You look like the type.

Jock: Why you-

Chuck: Time starts now! Keep the ball in the air for the longest time!

[audience watches in intense silence as the contestants kick a ball]

Lester: Oh, shoot.

Sergei: Well, that's Lester's ball down. The points are level! The next round will be the tiebreaker.

Lester: Hang on, hang on. He pushed me.

Jock: Wot? No I didn't.

Lester: Yeah. Check the cameras. The little shit shoved me!

Jock: Probably because your fat arse was blocking me! It's not my fault!

Lester: If you call me fat ONE MORE TIME-

Sergei: ENOUGH! If you two can't play nice, neither of you can be Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder. You're both OUT.

Lester: Huh?

Zoey: Yep. This frankly immature behaviour is pretty cringe.

Chuck: Well, I don't think that's fair, Jock-

Wolfgang: I also say no to both. Get 'em outta here.

Sergei: Welp, three out of four say no. Both of you can leave now.

[the contestants shuffle off the stage and whisper to each other]

Lester: This is all YOUR fault. Why can't you keep your filthy mouth shut?

Jock: MY fault? I'm not the cheater who got disqualified twice from here.

Master of Ceremonies: Well that concludes today's second ever special episode of Barack Obama's Next Top Midfielder! Tune in next Sunday for more exciting drama!

[Pemecutan]

MD 11
Pemecutan 1 – 1 Loyo

Goal:
Dewa Putu Mahardika (41')

Substitution:
Alvino Bastian <---> Oscar Tri Atmaja (54')
Leo Olivando <---> Pandu Oka Jaya (69')
Satya Putra Laksamana <---> Surya Brata Wijaya (72')

Note:
Agus Setiahadi took the captain band after Satya Putra Laksamana is substituted.

---

MD 12
Pemecutan 6 – 1 Millenhaal

Goal:
Satya Permadi (9')
Dewa Putu Mahardika (21')
Agus Setiahadi (38')
Leo Olivando (51', 81')
Kadek Rai Partha (66')

Substitution:
Dwi Putra Ariana <---> Ngurah Weda Aksara (69')
Satya Permadi <---> Dian Wahyu Ananda (77')
Dewa Putu Mahardika <---> Pandu Oka Jaya (80')

---

---

Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || News || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4

---

Chapter 5

One day. Tomorrow is a big day back in Pemecutan. The ceremony of official appointment for the new Ratu Hawir Bhuja, Pemecutan Paramount King will be held. But my heart is racing. The warn that I've got a few days back really makes me worry. Although Lord Bongkasa hasn't say a word about it everytime I called him. Does he really doesn't know anything about this? That's quite odd. The intelligence should have warn him too. He is the one who's in charge when I am away. Does the intelligence doesn't say a word to him? Or does he try to cover things out so I'm not worry? These thoughts really stress me out.

Meanwhile, I can say the conference run smoothly. The first day of economic meeting assured our plan to create a sustainable trading route between the countries. And today, they will discuss about the use of national currency in our trade. This is to avoid the dependent of New Standard Dollar. It is also help poorer countries to strengthen their currency market value. Well, we can only hope that they will understand with our intention. On the other hand, the security meeting will be open today. This meeting will tackle issues such as extradition law between countries, right of passage on the waters around the countries and about relaxing immigration law between signatory countries.

Honestly, this is a very hard discussion to be done withing three days. There's a possibility that we will discuss the issue further in the next meeting. Luckily, we will held this meeting annually. Today, I join the economic delegation to their meeting. And I'm trying to be super excited.

The Night of Horror

Today is likely a busy day. I have to attend the economic forum. Then being seen at the security forum. Then lastly, I have a personal meeting with Toluiwan Prime Minister. Pemecutan will invest further in Toluiwa. Before this, Pemecutan investment in Toluiwa is focused on agriculture and mining. Now it is time to become more openly. I dream of Pemecutan cuisine to be made available in many foreign countries. Tourism, technology, health and education are added focused for Pemecutan next investment in Toluiwa.

At the hotel, I've try to relaxed myself. Watching TV who showing Toluiwan own program. I'm not interested though. I just seeing it blankly. My phone's ringing loudly. I should have change the volume of my phone's ringtone. Don't realize the voice is too loud. The head of intelengence agency is the caller. I accept it immediately.

"How's everything there?" I ask.
"We're just checking the parameter. So many placed to be control," complaint the head of the agency.
"What's the status?" I ask.
"It is already confirmed that they will held a peace demonstration in 6 cities. And we have contact the police to stay alert," he explained.
And yes, it is a hard job. He has to protect the protest. Well, the police is the one who has the authority. They are at the front row. While the intelligence will be working in the background. There's have been rumour that the peace rally might be infiltrate by the nationalists and radicalist groups. If this really happened, clash is predicted and unavoidable. Then I contact my wife and children. They might not know the detail but they have to be prepared for the worst. Do I need to call Lord Bongkasa? He must've been know everything. Tomorrow I will focus on the news in the television. Especially from that 6 cities, Ubung, Mengwi, Petang city, Sanur, Tamba and Pemecutan Puri.

---

---

MD 13
Pemecutan v The Gothanita Isles
@ Tegeh Kori National Stadium, Tegeh Kori, Puradhipa Capital Territory

MD 14
Polkopia v Pemecutan
@ Polkopia

Starter
1 Wira Putra (GK)
2 Panca Suputra (LB)
4 Ngurah Agung Rai Putra (CB)
5 Surya Brata Wijaya (CB)
3 Alvino Bastian (RB)
7 Agus Kusumawijaya (LM)
6 Satya Permadi (CM)
9 Rama Karyadi (CM)
8 Bayu Dananjaya (RM)
10 Dewa Putu Mahardika (AT)
11 Leo Olivando (ST)
Substitute on bench
23 Arya Dwi Prakasa (GK)
13 Gede Arya Wisesa (LB)
14 Agung Darma Putra (CB)
15 Oscar Tri Atmaja (RB)
31 Dian Wahyu Ananda (CM)
27 Satria Wiradarma (RM)
21 Pandu Oka Jaya (ST)
Other Substitute in squad
34 Heriawan Yudha (GK)
16 Satya Adi Lesmana (CB)
22 Eka Adi Jaya (LM)
18 Nengah Patriawan (CM)
23 Arya Tungga Wijaya (AT)
28 Raka Lokantara (ST)
Player role
Captain - Rama Karyadi
Corner kicks - Panca Suputra (left), Alvino Bastian (right)
Free kicks - Rama Karyadi, Dewa Putu Mahardika
Penalty - Leo Olivando
Injury
Wisnu Pramana
Dwi Putra Kusuma

[Xanneria]

Xannerian Box Office: Top-5
Source: http://www.xtraentertainment.xan/box_office.htm

FILM: Pilot Red and the Sky Warriors: Adventures in the Stratosphere!
GENRE: Action / Hero
RATINGS PG
DIRECTOR: Anthony Marcus-Ross
MONEY MADE: $270 Million
BUDGET: $115 Million
PLOT: Pilot Red (Anthony DiBiasse) and his crew of skypunk misfits are at it again. In this sequel to the popular 2042 movie "Pilot Red", Red finds his sky freighter under attack by a mysterious crew of bandits. But when he learns about the bandits history, he realizes things are not as they seem. Movie stars Andrew Faulkner as Red's assistant Blue Bombowski and Jessica Franklin as Crimson Sunwright.

FILM: The Ferry
GENRE: Drama/suspense
RATINGS R
DIRECTOR: Clinton McCormack
MONEY MADE: $145million
BUDGET: $90 Million
PLOT: A writer named Jennifer Ross (Leah Bainbridge) is taken a much needed getaway to the small community of Guthrie's Elbow in Kellaria, looking for inspiration for her next book. There she befreinds a ferry pilot named Kennedy Archwood (Deagan Slatterfield), but what unfolds in this sleepy town is going to give her more than inspiration for her book! Movie also stars Rackley Bunderbrink and Officer Hudson and Mila Saguin as Donna Sloan.

FILM: Jungle Vacation
GENRE: Action / Drama
RATINGS R
DIRECTOR: Grant Sullivan
MONEY MADE: $144 Million
BUDGET: $60 Million
PLOT: Ivy Malone (Breanna Probst) is a model and influencer on a vacation to a jungle resort, when a band of rebels lead by Officer Picante (Julio Barbosa-Hight) Takes over the resort. Good thing her estranged dad Ralph (Marcus Higgins) is a ex-Special Forces officer. Also stars Gene Whitmire as Hotel Owner Tom Braylon and former supermodel Whitney Queen as Whit King.

FILM: Road Less Taken
GENRE: Drama
RATINGS R
DIRECTOR: Hiram Morrisey
MONEY MADE: $133 Million
BUDGET: $74 Million
PLOT: A long time Alexandria law officer named Jorge Pierce (Jamal Whitt) comes home to the small Denalia farm his parents had when his dad (played in flashbacks by Carl Eggles) dies. He most cope with the death of his father and reconsile with his past and present as he is now seen as a city boy. Also stars Jenea Jenkins as Dawson Foster and Alfred Cox as Bryan Moses.

FILM: Raised Hell!
GENRE: Action / Hero / Supernatural
RATINGS PG-13
DIRECTOR: Horace Yount
MONEY MADE: $133 Million
BUDGET: $150 Million
PLOT: A law officer in Alexandria named Garth Bigsby (Mike Slaytor) investigates a crime, he is lead down a rabbit hole that leads him to discover a gun smuggling operation lead bu Demonic priest Gord Angus (Marv Braddock). Despite his superiors disbelief, Garth finds away to fight the priest and his army of demons and send them back to hell! Also feature John Quigley as Seargent Logan and Deltha Purcell as Love Interest Bailey Boyd

XANNERIA - 0
NONE

---

SAVIGLIANGE - 1
Squarciafichi 68'

XANNERIA - 5
D Hailey 25' 70'
Seguin 39'
Juups 84'
Kahn (OG) 62'

---

KATTERIMUNK - 2
Khomov 32'
Lal 56' (PK)

[Milchama]

"So let me get this straight, our official World Cup song is in Spanish which is a language that is not Hebrew, not English, not an official language of Milchama, or a language that people speak"

"Correct"

"Why?"

"Because the guy in charge said the melody and lyrics were stuck in his head for two weeks so he had to create this song or he would never forgive himself"

"But why in Spanish?"

"Oh he changed the lyrics from Spanish to English"

"Does this guy speak Spanish?"

"Yes"

"At least that makes sense"

"Why did he decide to write the song in Spanish originally?"

"Unclear"

"Alright, I can live with that"

"Wait is there a gratuitous Spanish part in there just because he wanted it"

"You know it!"

"Ugh"

"So, without further ado, Milchama's official WC 93 song!"

(Based on this song: Esta Soy Y Yo

Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo

They say I can't score
They say I'm not good
There is no hope
And failure is inevitable

But they are wrong
Very very wrong
We are going to win
And win real long

Whenever they say (Dicen que soy)
I'm a normal team
But this is Milchama so that's not the case
The Warriors are always
Extremely weird
And different from the other teams

Y esta soy yo
To win the World Cup
And be the best team
In NS and RL
Y esta soy yo
Now comes my time
I'm not going to give up
I'm not going to lose
Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo

They say I'm going
To lose in bad fashion
To lose kinda badly
To lose too many games

But we know
This isn't true at all
We're better than the rest
Better than can be expected

Whenever they say (Dicen que soy)
I'm a normal team
But this is Milchama so that's not the case
The Warriors are always
Extremely weird
And different from the other teams

Y esta soy yo
To win the World Cup
And be the best team
In NS and RL
Y esta soy yo
Now comes my time
I'm not going to give up
I'm not going to lose
Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo

Oh

No way we lose to Xan
No way we lose to Gort
No way we lose to Savig
No way lose to anybody in our group
We are ready to win
We are ready to be the best

Y esta soy yo
To win the World Cup
And be the best team
In NS and RL
Y esta soy yo
Now comes my time
I'm not going to give up
I'm not going to lose
Y esta soy yo
Y esta soy yo

"Oh my god this song is hot garbage"

"It's so bad"

"What the hell?!"

"Why did the MFA have them do this?"

"This is so so so bad"

"Like the translation doesn't work, the meter is off, the tempo is wrong, the gratuitous Spanish doesn't make sense in context, none of this works"

"Yeah I bet the Spanish original isn't bad but god is this translated mess awful"

"Who let this happen?"

"Whoever did should be fired"

"Ugh"

"Awful, I can't believe we thought we could get away with this"

"Hey look, it's the Number one song on the Moadot charts"

"I hate everything"

"At least we don't suck at football"

"Yes but Milchamian culture is slowly dying"

"It sure is"

"Which is more important?"

"Well which one do you read more about?"

"The football"

"You have answered your own question"

"Well then at least we got that going for us"

"Exactly"

[Delte]

---

Bears Armed 1-1 Delte
Tug Boat Captain & Temporary Player-Reporter Austin Lyepolde in Wimbley for the Chippy Dinner Wrap-Up

---

I've been briefed not to dwell overly long on the finer details of our match but suffice it to say Bears! Actual bloody Bears! Bloody big hairy Bears!. The Away Team Mission could hardly control themselves for fear of Bears! Great big bloody Bears! but still managed to come away with a creditable draw. I have to confess I could hardly move from my seat on the subs bench and shamefully refused to go on when it was my turn. Coach Perro was most disappointed and I am quite embarrassed. Not to mention dropped for the foreseeable future.

A few minutes later:

---

Pluvia & Saxean Isles 3-4 Delte
Tug Boat Captain & Temporary Player-Reporter Austin Lyepolde in Marienburg for Radio Luxinterior

---

I've been briefed not to dwell overly long on the finer details of our match but suffice it to say the Away Team Mission had barely recovered from Bears! when they had to fulfil a double shift and go to the Saxean Isles. Or was it Pluvia? I’m not sure. Anyway I had to watch from a bench that wasn’t even for subs because of Bears! and my poor reaction to them, so I could only watch on with guilty admiration for my colleagues in this ding dong battle between the Saxeans and Pluvians on the one hand, and Enor Perro on the other. A late winner from Enor Perro decided it in the end and we (the away team, and maybe me eventually) are delighted to help The Representatives toward a possible play-off spot to prolong our wait for a place in the next Cup of Harmony - or not, depending on the selectors of Græntfjall. So many moving pieces. And Bears! Great big bloody Bears!

---

Ready Player 14: Tai Tunnyo
Vignettes of The Representatives

---

Right midfield, real age 23, for Burye Deltic; master barber:

“I’m usually just a men’s barber, see. Ninenty-nine point nine per cent of the time. I’d say ‘strictly men’ but I’ve got this one customer, this one time. Taitin Deluntte, have you heard of her? Taite, usually. We call her The Only Trillionaire In The Valley, although she doesn’t live here any more. She’s up in Taxhavn these days, but my old da’ remembers her when they were just nippers together at the Grammar School in Oswark, bit of a legend apparently. Try anything once, da’ said. But that’s another story int it, we’ll cover that when I get to your fringe. Anyway she comes in this one time when she’s back visiting the Valley… I’ve made a mistake here already haven’t I? Two customers, actually. You know, two customers who be not strictly men. Taite, as she prefers, and her partner, Donna. Donna Maw? Wightling? The ex-ambassador to Andossa Se Mitrin Vega - remember them? Back when Ao actually was the place to be? Anyway. Just clipper the back shall I? Number one is it? Right you are. Now, where was I? Oh yes, Taite Deluntte. The Only Trillionaire and all that. In she comes, this one time, no appointment of course, she’s got this barnet piled high but she looks like she’s been dragged through a bush backwards. Dogs know what she’d been up to. Says to her, don’t I: ‘Want a tidy up, do you boss?’ But no, no, she’s after her partner Donna getting her bob and bits attended to. ‘Alright’, I says, ‘I’m strictly mens usually but since it’s a bright pair of lasses raising the tone of the place, this one time I’ll make an exception’, and I sharpen me razors. ‘Can you make two exceptions,’ she asks, after I’ve done a nice job on Donna. ‘Just comb it back into place for me, there’s a darling,’ she tells me. Well I’m combing away - what a mess! - and she says to me, ‘are you Flynn’s boy?’ Flynn’s me da’ int he. We do bear a striking resemblance, many’s the time I’ve been told that. ‘Remember me to him, will you,’ she says, ‘tell him Big Tats says hello’. And then she tips me a bundle of Taxhavn dollars, a right thick wedge, and when I take them to the Corn Exchange, blow me if she hasn’t made me a millionaire. The exchange rate on them hundred thousand dollar bills was quite favourable, I can tell you. And how’s that for you Sir? Alright at the back there?”

[TJUN-ia]

By Peter Davis

After a loss to Ziwana took the gap at the front back up to 5 points, the Jagaurs of TJUN-ia knew they had 12 games left to try and close that gap back up and try and make a move for a 2nd group win in our history. Nephara may end up being the one that got away or maybe we can reel them in, no one really knows for sure - but Li Xiu Ying still had hope. She knew that while the maths weren't in TJUN-ia's favour at the moment, it could all change in the blink of an eye and they had to keep fighting until the very end. Winning this group won't be impossible until the numbers say they are...and we certainly aren't anywhere near that point.

This cycle would mark the start of a home triple-header and that would begin in Beregozera Stadium as Szensky played host to one of the chasing pack in the form of Baggieland. We knew that the Pot 4 Throstles can certainly play and we expected Fred Buckingham's side to be up for this game - a game that ended up being a tight one to navigate for both teams. Both Sputnik Brykilawa and Ben Osborne were certainly put to work throughout this football game as the chances came flooding in, but we would end up with the advantage at halftime thanks to a nice strike from Jackson Smith-Scott. The Throstles would respond in the 55th through “Bomber” Robson and things certainly got tight after that but in the end, Yomakaji Shimigatsu ended up heading home the winner in the 84th and the 3 points would be ours.

Then we headed off to Port Town as Tallawah Stadium hosted our rematch with the United Bongo States of America, a team we beat 3-1 on the road on the opening matchday. Not many people were expecting us to drop points to a team that had only scored 1 so far and that is exactly what happened here. The crowd would certainly enjoy it as we managed to pull away with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Malhrani al-Kalhrani, Kim Choi-ya and Fernandino. This result would see UBSA fall out of group win contention, but still within a slim chance of finishing Top 3 - which only goes to we are in the deep end now.

Ziwana dropped points on MD11 by losing, meaning we now find ourselves in a No Man's Land - 5 points off 1st, but 4 ahead of 2nd. Srednjaci will complete the triple-header when they arrive in Kepu Manu before we head out to face 5th place Savojarna. We just have to keep doing our thing, no matter what, and hope that things fall in our favour. That is the only real thing we can do for now. GO JAGS!

---

MD1: @United Bongo States of America (265) W 3-1 (1st)
MD2: @Srednjaci (101) L 0-1 (5th)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD3: vs Savojarna (37) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City W 1-0 (3rd)
MD4: @Elmyia (124) - Tollington Park, Mosfleet W 1-0 (2nd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD5: vs Varavel (284) - Salam Liljamie Stadium, Al Kalifa W 7-2 (2nd)
MD6: @Nephara (11) - The Farham Arena, Sabrefell L 1-2 (2nd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD7: vs Archalit (183) - Stade de la Victoire, Roi Ville W 7-3 (2nd)
MD8: @95X (159) - City Stadium, 95X City W 3-2 (2nd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD9: vs Caribbia (222) - Estadio Universidad Carlandas, Carlandas W 5-1 (2nd)
MD10: @Ziwana (82) - Ziwanicell National Stadium, Birnin-Likulu L 3-5 (2nd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD11: vs Baggieland (71) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky W 2-1 (2nd)
MD12: vs United Bongo States of America (265) - Tallawah Stadium, Port Town/Portuaria W 3-0 (2nd)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD13: vs Srednjaci (101) - Ke Kahua Pāʻani o Pua Aloalo, Kepu Manu
MD14: @Savojarna (37)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD15: vs Elmyia (124) - Zebra Stadium, Toropo/Almadinat
MD16: @Varavel (284) - Stadion Glendoorn, somewhere in Varavel
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD17: vs Nephara (11) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City
MD18: @Archalit (183) - Archalit Olympic Stadium, Charkara
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD19: vs 95X (159) - Estádio do Pacífico, Rio Pacífico
MD20: @Caribbia (222)
---------------Boot It!---------------
MD21: vs Ziwana (82) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
MD22: @Baggieland (71) - Dartmouth Hill, Hawthorn

[Naixi]

17 YEARS AGO

Let the sand cover me, dear Yothohosi. Even when the Holy Wind itself should forget where I lie, you shall not, for I shall be found wherever the dunes are taken by the warm breezes of each passing summer. You shall never forget.

-Book of Rags, Chapter 61

Voices singing in high and angst-ridden tones, the huge crowd of mourners shuffled down the dirt road, filling it from shoulder to shoulder. Thickets of brush and bush lined the country thoroughfare all the way from the little town of Qolosocho to the edge of the reservation, where the military checkpoint was. Some of the grieving mass simply cried in silence, but many more were rending their garments. In the middle of the crowd, a man's body was held aloft.

Kosirothi walked stoically near the front of the caravan of mourners. That was the Rokikoliji custom with these funeral processions, but even if it wasn't, she wouldn't have had it any other way. It was too much to see poor Yigijo, bruised and broken, his limbs stiff. This was not her husband. Her husband was somewhere else. Perhaps he'd simply wandered away to join a fishing crew near the coast. No, this was better, because all she could see was the road ahead.

The checkpoint was about 200 yards ahead. A mirage, generated by the warmth of the sun, provided the deceptive feeling that it was in sight on the other side of a shimmering pond. In reality, a drop in elevation made it impossible to see until they were much closer.

She took stock of her life as she led the mourners ahead. Yigijo, her dear husband, was gone. He'd only been protesting against the Golden People's settlements, one of which had taken away their humble home in Qolosocho Township. Despite their bold talk about being leading lights of civil rights and democracy, the Golden People had arrived at the protest with a bulldozer and a brigade of soldiers. This land, they said, was legally the property of the Golden People now, and anybody who disagreed with The Law was a seditionist and troublemaker. That was apparently why it was all right that Yigijo had been smashed under a pile of rubble as the bulldozer cleared the way. All that they owned was their little hut and a small plot of land, but the Golden People needed that, apparently. Perhaps they wanted to build rural luxury apartment housing. The necessary violence of progress.

The town had been outraged on Yithibo Clan's behalf. The whole village was here in this procession, and apparently the Naixese Nationalists were sending protestors to meet them at the checkpoint. It was to be an inspiring event of solidarity between two oppressed peoples, a unified statement to the Golden People that there was no consent for their majoritarian rule over these minorities' homelands. And so, as sad as she was that her husband had passed on, Kosirothi took hope from the fact that her anger and grief were being channeled into something bigger. She looked to her left. On her flanks she saw the Zidi Clan, the Ohimi Clan, and the Xoyifo Clan. Then, on her right, the Wiqoho Clan, the Woxithozimi Clan, and the Thifori Clan. Though they walked with a literal shroud of death on their backs, they all walked together.

The tempo and pitch of the crying and wailing began to raise as they inched closer to the glen where the checkpoint was. The warm sun flickered through the dried-out vegetation along the side of the road, dotting each face with incandescent yellow-white war paint. It gave each of them courage. The Naixese activists would be there to meet them at the checkpoint. At last a statement would be made to the Golden People.

They arrived at the top of the hill. Kosirothi was the first to look down.

All she saw was another brigade and another bulldozer. The Golden People were there in force, and the Naixese hadn't shown up. Many of the gathered Rokikoliji gasped in disappointment.

Someone below them, in the throng of soldiers, had a bullhorn. "THIS GATHERING OF ROKIS IS UNLAWFUL. RETURN TO YOUR HOMES. THIS GATHERING OF ROKIS IS UNLAWFUL. RETURN TO YOUR HOMES."

One of the Thifori Clan called out hoarsely. "What homes?! We have no homes! Our homes are your olive farms and golf courses!"

Someone down in the sea of soldiers raised a gun in response.

A spry, dark-skinned hand shot into the air at the head of the funeral procession. "Stop!" Kosirothi heard herself cry out. "Stop! We did not come here to see more of our kind die! Stop."

"Yeah, that's right, stop!" one of the Woxithozimi Clan screamed at the soldiers.

"No, I mean you! Us! We have to stop! There will be another day to fight! There are no Naixese here to help us! If we begin a fight now, we will lose! More of us will die! That is not how Yigijo would want us to honor him! There will be another time. Stop," Kosirothi said, surprised at herself for trying to constrain the conflict. "Our time will come, some day. Maybe tomorrow."

Both crowds fell into a nervous hush. Finally, slowly, the Roki clans of Qolosocho began to turn away from the soldiers at the bottom of the hillside.

One by one, they trudged back to wherever it was they called home. For some, home meant a hut, for others - like Kosirothi - it meant merely a tent in the center of the village. The fervor of the night dissipated, and the weeks and months and years began to pass. The Golden People kept coming back; their thirst for land to settle never stopped. The Xoyifo Clan lost their house and farm up in the Five Hills first, and then the Thifori Clan. Next it was the Zidi Clan. Some - like the Ohimis and the Wiqohos - barely held on (the former had a moderately prestigious horse farm and the latter were renting rooms out to tourists using some nifty app), but they knew they would be next. One by one, all the families of Qolosocho watched as the soldiers and bulldozers and contractors and tradespeople arrived to turn the lands their families had possessed for a thousand generations into yuppie pizza farms and chintzy vineyards. Through it all, they kept waiting... like Kosirothi had said: there would be another time. Maybe tomorrow.

The Golden People's lust for new countryside resorts was eventually arrested, as chaos broke out in the east of Naixi. They that built the railroads had themselves had enough, and made the territory ungovernable. But the new regime, though it flew a new flag and sang new anthems, looked upon the ancestral homes of the Rokikoliji in just the same way. If you wait long enough, perhaps there will be a boutique yoga retreat out in the countryside, just to your liking. All you have to do is wait, and some day the market will make it real. Maybe tomorrow.

As for Kosirothi herself, it all began to feel so distant so fast. Without their farm, she had no food or shelter, and was forced into the city where she became a different person with different priorities. She lost track of her clansmen, her friends, her teachers, her healers. The memories all began to be washed away. Even her memory of poor Yigijo - the man who had once, with a beaming smile, married her beneath the branches of the moboso tree in their garden - vanished, like two vast and trunkless legs of stone, beneath the sands of time.

Matchday 11

Sharktail 0 ⇨ Maxter, Irfan Danial, Maqri (Wan Irfan), Minhat Rohidan, Harold, Nazmi Shafik, Azaim, Irfan Bahrin, Mokhtar Aidil (Razen Saif), Wan Nizam, Ilias Rezal (Win Aziz)
Naixi 0 ⇨ Cai, Pao, Geng, Dong, Tian, Xun (Fen), Dai, Ti, Yuan (Yuen), T.H. Jin (J.T. Jin), Hsieh

1' Yellow Card ⇨ Maqri (SHK)
2' Yellow Card ⇨ Ti (NIX)
19' Yellow Card ⇨ T.H. Jin (NIX)
58' Yellow Card ⇨ Irfan Danial (SHK)
59' Substitution ⇨ Ilias Rezal OFF Win Aziz ON (SHK)
61' Substitution ⇨ Xun OFF Fen ON (NIX)
61' Substitution ⇨ T.H. Jin OFF J.T. Jin ON (NIX)
68' Substitution ⇨ Maqri OFF Wan Irfan ON (SHK)
70' Substitution ⇨ Mokhtar Aidil OFF Razen Saif ON (SHK)
92' Yellow Card ⇨ Azaim (SHK)
95' Substitution ⇨ Yuan OFF Yuen ON (NIX)

Matchday 12

Illiryja 0 ⇨ Xoxha, Bes. Kadare, Martin, Beh. Kadare, Mehmedović (Vata), K. Kadare, Kastrati (Elezaj), Gujić, Kovačević (Imširović), Nešust, Qupi
Naixi 0 ⇨ Cai, Pao, Geng, Dong (Tsung), Tian (Yep), Xun, Dai, Ti (Ling), Yuan, T.H. Jin, Hsieh

5' Yellow Card ⇨ Xun (NIX)
47' Yellow Card ⇨ Yuan (NIX)
51' Yellow Card ⇨ Nešust (ILR)
57' Yellow Card ⇨ Geng (NIX)
58' Substitution ⇨ Kovačević OFF Imširović ON (ILR)
61' Substitution ⇨ Mehmedović OFF Vata ON (ILR)
73' Substitution ⇨ Tian OFF Yep ON (NIX)
81' Yellow Card ⇨ Yep (NIX)
85' Substitution ⇨ Dong OFF Tsung ON (NIX)
88' Substitution ⇨ Kastrati OFF Elezaj ON (ILR)
92' Substitution ⇨ Ti OFF Ling ON (NIX)

[Aeragny]

Learning Airannian: counting to ten

---

deche: one
For example

• dalá deche: one tree
• gard dechtiay deche: one united nation
• ja égná dechre, Jeraum I: the first king, Jerome I
• acéo rockey deche: one amazing game
• iber dechre, je douétho Garyabháms: the first goal, a free kick by Garyabh

afe: two
For example

• daláre afe: two trees
• ottádher blatteyer afe: two strong opponents
• ja égná afu, Jeraum II: the second king, Jerome II
• makhure afe connr'ensint: two coaches who lead
• iber afu, anibammy Gopprénn: the second goal, from Goppré's head

kelne: three
For example

• daláre kelne: three trees
• daegre isvieyer kelne: three yellow cards
• ja égná kelnu, Harauld I: the third king, Harold I
• achaq kelnu batteimaupo: third place in the baptism
• iber kelnu, cert-ielotte obh mence sta Allbhiáms: the third goal, so fast, it could only be by Allbhy

yde: four
For example

• daláre yde: four trees
• égnácier Aeráyer yde: four Airannian kingdoms
• ja égná ydu, Márall I: the fourth king, Maral I
• dheltier larrixeyer yde: four brave knights
• iber ydu, ouperthoachy anibemix dráj-osseichádhenn: the fourth goal, from a corner kick onto the central defender's head

mach: five
For example

• daláre mach: five trees
• çuajf-fanqier mach: five capital cities
• ja égná mahu, Jeraum III: the fifth king, Jerome III
• crachre mach gricede dhánne: five fingers on my hand
• iber mahu, dechre démapuo je Trofoisáms qualtay: the fifth goal, the first ever by a beloved Trofois

ilo: six
For example

• daláre ilo: six trees
• kossurer ilo fardnudi: six bottles of beer
• ja égná ilu, Jeraum IV: the sixth king, Jerome IV
• naugle-acéore gammoyer ilo : six won games of football
• iber ilu, rayo gostoy Garyabhenn, starádhally: the sixth goal, Garyabh's simple lob over the goalie

bemm: seven
For example

• daláre bemm: seven trees
• arter bemm je pollidimec: seven days in a week
• ja égná bemmu, Giquáme I: the seventh king, Giquam I
• qualifyque-pule bemmu: the seventh qualifying group
• iber bemmu, soritho guey Goppréáms: the seventh goal, a perfect penalty kick by Goppré

baun: eight
For example

• daláre baun: eight trees
• iluner cuidrynn baun: eight spider legs
• ja égná bonu, Márall II: the eighth king, Maral II
• undissádher duocteyer baun: eight critical commentators
• iber bonu, je taton conne gammoia Gary: the eighth goal, a fumble won by Gary

agna: nine
For example

• daláre agna: nine trees
• aettier agna yaurenn: nine cat's lives
• ja égná agnu, Giquáme II: the ninth king, Giquam II
• gábhré gardeyer agna: nine national rivers
• iber agnu, je douétho Allbhiáms calçuiéls fintey: the ninth goal, a free kick by Allbhy from short distance

aede: ten
For example

• daláre aede: ten trees
• suiviressier aede Huvéls: ten commandments from God
• ja égná aedu, Jeraum V: the tenth king, Jerome V
• bávede-acoyádher pliquayer aede: ten ecstatic field players
• iber aedu, liefuingavia Ubetçrume Trofoisáms: the tenth goal, granted to Ubetzher by Trofois

[Ochre Islands]

Page 64

OCHRE DOMESTIC FOOTBALL ON THE BRINK

Plans for new league revealed

As the Ochre Islands continue a so-far remarkable qualifying campaign, the international players may have domestic troubles on their mind. News has reached the Ochre squad that the domestic leagues in the Ochre Islands, ran by the Ochre Islands Football Association, could soon collapse.

The 256 team set of leagues, with two cup competitions alongside, is seemingly in difficulty following dwindling levels of attendance over all games, and not just those further down the league.

Already there are plans to replace this with a smaller, two league competition of 32 teams, drawn only from the largest settlements on the islands. The mysterious new league, so far bankrolled by Bellflower import magnate Theo D'Uca, has been quick to produce snazzy graphics and advertising campaigns in an attempt to draw attention to itself.

OIFA sources are telling us that the only thing capable of saving the league is a short, sharp, burst of interest and the seats of the stadiums in the top flight being filled.

[Brenecia]

Brenecia 2 - 1 Hopal
(4-3-3) 1 - Meade; 17 - Hadley (2 - Cooper 82'), 22 - Wheater, 6 - Jeong, 3 - Culpepper; 8 - Conway, 4 - Briggs (19 - Seager 82'), 11 - Covolan (23 - Sitko 71'); 15 - Wake, 13 - Stokes (21 - Lofthouse 71'), 10 - Byrne (16 - Alderwood 61')
Goals: Wake 39', Conway 55' pen

Brenecia 3 - 0 Super Top
(4-3-3) 1 - Meade; 17 - Hadley, 22 - Wheater, 6 - Jeong, 3 - Culpepper (25 - Chalk 57'); 8 - Conway (14 - Cheschon HT'), 4 - Briggs (19 - Seager 70'), 11 - Covolan (26 - Rourke 70'); 15 - Wake (7 - Wakering 57'), 13 - Stokes, 10 - Byrne
Goals: Covolan 6', Byrne 27', Stokes 45+1'

Erin Camden crossed her arms and allowed herself a moment to look smug.
She'd wasted no time putting her stamp on the team. Old failures? Out the door. Her new defensive core would get the job done, and they had, against temporarily all-conquering Pratapgadh. Mor-Rioghain Stokes had been squandered on the bench, but she just needed a framework she could work with.
See, the thing with football was that there were two kinds of teams. There were teams that wanted the ball, and teams that didn't. And you had to set up to be ready for both kinds of situations, no matter what kind of team you were. If you thrived on the break and on punishing errors, which was a Brenecian tradition against the big sides, it became awkward if you conceded first and now had to push forward or, worse, if you were facing a weak team with nothing to lose and ten bodies behind the ball and had to work out how to break that down. It wasn't a challenge you'd face at the World Cup - even top defensive sides like Ko-oren had a far different and more structured approach than just throwing a wall of meat in front of goal - but unless it was one you could manage, you wouldn't get to the World Cup.
Hence Wright had taken third place at a World Cup and was on course to fail to qualify for the next two. It wasn't the defeat in Vilita that was the problem, it was the habit of coming unstuck against the weak teams.
Camden was more aligned. The defence was the first thing she'd sorted out. Wheater and Jeong, a more mobile back line, and Jeong's confidence with the ball at his feet helped sweep the ball upfield; so too Cessair Meade, a progressive goalkeeper with great distribution. She made sure everyone stayed compact, and people didn't waste energy pressing lost causes. Pressing was for the club game, where chemistry had a chance to grow. But the other part was making sure they punished passivity, and for that, an X-Factor was needed, as well as skill and graft in midfield.
For that purpose, Camden had wasted little time in convincing the Nephar Alyce Kearney of Southfell United, once of Sabrefell Athletic, that she had zero chance of representing Nephara and should just give up and settle for Brenecia. She'd worded it slightly more diplomatically than that, but not by much. Kearney was close to breaking, Camden was sure, but she'd need to be convinced that Brenecia weren't on a hiding to nothing. They needed to pick up their form, fast, or lose a very useful eligible midfielder. God knows the dross that A-League lifers constituted in these days of decline weren't up to World Cup standard. There was a time where an A-League player could stand up and be counted at the highest level, but those days were past. The times had moved past the league, and threatened to move past the nation, too.
No time for pessimism, but it was hard to avoid as they struggled to victory over Hopal. Too many careless passes in midfield, an unsettled team too eager to please, too desperate to impress. Lienke Covolan kept trying to win the game for herself by blasting would-be screamers over the bar from thirty yards every time she could squeeze free.
It was a bullet header from Maerhen Wake that ultimately cracked the game open, on the verge of half-time. A drilled cross from Caoimhin Hadley, the winger stooped and nodded it across Alex Gargin, and a sigh of relief across the stadium. But Brenecia still weren't playing well, and they weren't playing well even when Conway drove home the second, a penalty following a Redford handball in the box. Kaylee Marks curled a peach of a strike beyond Meade late on to make the closing stages interesting, but Brenecia did, at least, take the three points.
And then it was Super Top.
Lienke Covolan, who was a Nephar, and thus annoying, kept muttering about 'Super Tveidalen' to get a rise out of people, but the fact was that that spectre - just like that of the Weegies, or whatever other infamous side - loomed high. Super Top hadn't just beaten Brenecia, they'd destroyed them. 4-1! And they'd been terrible in almost all their other matches, winning just once more.
It couldn't happen again, though. Right?
No.
Camden put out her strongest side again, hoping to build chemistry as she blew through Super Top with a maximum of fuss. She alone in the country seemed unfussed, and that aura of calm enveloped everyone. If she wasn't worried, why should anyone be?
They shouldn't be. 3-0 by half-time, Covolan, Byrne and Stokes simply too good for the near-unranked side, their squad numbers 1-11 taped on, and they saw through the second half in cruise control.
They were comfortable enough, in fact, that Camden felt it was a good time to introduce Alaoise Rourke just after the half. She was, to put it generously, stocky. Her kit clung tightly to her physique, and in all her 20 minutes, every pass and shot she made was with her left foot.
Every pass and shot she made was also, crucially, on target.
Camden smiled. That was her ace up the sleeve - maybe not yet, but after a couple of years, perhaps - and one worth sharpening to a lethal point. And the good news didn't stop there. Kearney's agent gave her the call a few days later: she wanted to be there in the hunt for the playoffs.
They were, now, just four points out. What had seemed an impossible task was now within their own hands. But they had, had to rein in Acastanha next match.
Still. Yet again, Camden found no cause for concern...

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 7
Goalkeepers: 1 - Cessair Meade (Rammsissil, VIL), 12 - Phoebe Corder (Ituraitz FC, ASG), 20 - Sorcha Tanner (Southern Star)
Defenders: 2 - Aine Cooper (Rozelle), 3 - Nimue Culpepper (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH), 5 - Athelney Shrine (Falourr, EUR), 6 - Hamish Jeong Harcourt (Vermillion Rage, NPH), 17 - Caoimhin Hadley (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH), 18 - Iucharba Killen (North Laithland, NPH), 22 - Ruadri Wheater (Carsby, BRE), 25 - Shara Chalk (Southern Star)
Midfielders: 4 - Skaidrina Briggs (Southern Star), 8 - Iseult Conway (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 11 - Lienke Covolan (Vermillion Rage, NPH), 14 - Bede Cheschon (Kingsbury United, TMB), 19 - Tamara Seager (FK Arsika, MYT), 23 - Rajmund Sitko (West Cuono United, TMB), 24 - Alyce Kearney (Southfell United, NPH), 26 - Alaoise Rourke (Litala '93, MYT)
Forwards: 7 - Aneurin Wakering (CS Saint-Remy, KSK), 9 - Siobhan Baker (Anomalies, CMT), 10 - Katua Byrne (KT Itzalovalle, AUD), 13 - Mor-Rioghain Stokes (Mountainside, EUR), 15 - Maerhen Wake (1830 Cathair, AUD), 16 - Idina Alderwood (Sabrefell Moths, NPH), 21 - Jadwiga Lofthouse (Yassaca, SRS)

Super Top 4 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 0 Acastanha
Delte 2 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 3 - 0 Ile de Richelieu
Vilita 2 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Sajnur
Bears Armed 0 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 4 - 4 Pluvia SI
Novaros 4 - 3 Brenecia
Pratapgadh 1 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 1 Hopal
Brenecia 3 - 0 Super Top
Acastanha vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Delte
Ile de Richelieu vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Vilita
Sajnur vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Bears Armed
Pluvia SI vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Novaros
Brenecia vs. Pratapgadh
Hopal vs. Brenecia