AOCAF Cup 43 - Everything Thread

by **Valanora** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:41 pm

Audioslavia, of course. It had to be the Bulls, it was the only possible outcome after the draw was made three weeks ago. They were becoming or maybe had become the Marauders new rival, with the fall off of Starblaydia and only so many chances to play The Holy Empire. Perhaps they were now the third in the trinity, replacing the vacant spot left by The Han Empire nearly forty years now gone. Whatever was the case, it had to be them, though saddening that it is happening in the Quarterfinals rather than a proper affair that the Semifinals or even Final would have afforded. Alas, the draw had made this an inevitability, the Marauders and the Bulls to duel it out for the right to move on to the last four of the AOCAF.

Ko-oren had been more difficult than I anticipated, their defense was able to withstand many forrays and even lead into a counter attack goal to give themselves the lead twenty-five minutes into the match. It was a goal scored too early for them, all it did was make the team dig deeper into themselves to see out the match and earn the victory. I will give them credit though, they played well above their measure, well above what anyone could have suspected for them. They had most definitely earned their place in the last sixteen of the AOCAF and I suspect they will do well in the upcoming Qualifiers for the next World Cup if they can keep up this level of play.

Yet this was not their tournament to turn the upset and round the corner from an up and comer to having made it. They definitely tried though, yet when Fresco scored the equalizer three minutes before the break, I knew that our side would be victorious. The manager left us alone for the first few minutes of the half as we rested and replenished our fluids. I spoke fewer words than I had planned on doing, thanks in large part to that poachers effort from Fresco, netting off the rebound of a Soldarian shot. With a squad like this, the words need to be few and to the point, we have all heard hundreds if not thousands of prep and half time talks before. Yet they are needed even still, like a blade needs to be sharpened, those words are the whetstone for our play.

I suppose it was only natural I would score the game winner, after va Drake was taken down just outside the box on the right side. While closer in than my preferred shooting position, I was able to put enough force and spin on the ball to have it curl wall and shoot into the upper inner corner of the goal for the go ahead and eventual game winning goal. We should have added a third but Fresco hit the post on what should have been the brace and nail in the coffin with just ten minutes left to go, giving the Ko-oren side hope. They threw all they had at us, but it was not enough, a case of too little too late. The final whistle was a relief and a new challenge, the new rival of our times awaited us in the next round.

Facing any of our rivals is a bit of a humbling experience, with all of their history and tradition in the art of this sport. It is like playing not only against the players that they have on the field, but the ghosts of their past that lead them to such high statures, like playing against an entire nations will and drive and their entire culture. We are Vanorians however, with our own heritage and culture, our own legacy, and that is what keeps the drive alive to continue on despite those ragged and raw emotions of facing such giants of the sport. When you add in the fact that they are all exceptionally skilled and the few teams who are just as likely to defeat us as they are to lose to us and you get a vast amount of emotion and adrenaline that can either make you or break you in the moment.

I hope to seize this moment though and lead my team over such a respectable foe. We are hungry for success, though not desperate for it, desperation leads to recklessness and would likely see the Audioslavia side exploit any and every weakness we have. You have to control the hunger, temper the desire to just the right amount, to give you the edge and exhilaration required to perform up to your potential and yet have fun with the game. For that is the most basic of things I have found, if you are not having fun, then you are not playing the game as it should be. Those who do not respect the game should not reap its rewards, at least in a just world. I am not entirely sure I or all of the side fits all of my ideologies, but when the whistle blows and the game begins, I know that I am out to be the best and enjoy my time while doing so.

by **Audioslavia** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:42 pm

Aroup the Groups
The low-down on the AOCAF's Quarter-Final matchups

VS

Casual observers will look upon the Vaians as the weakest of the eight remaining teams, but in reality the islanders are every bit as strong and talented as their fellow quarter-finalists. Maklohi Vai have come a long, long way since their win-less debut World Cup cycle where the side functioned more as a minion for Geisenfried - beating the ex-nation's rivals but rolling over when the men in red and black came calling - than an actual, competitive football team. Maklohi Vai have been to the quarter-final stages of tournaments before and will be out to prove the doubters wrong when it comes to questions of the supposed 'glass ceiling' above their heads. Their Calanian opponents need no introduction. Seriously. Mo'fu**in' Starblaydia, yo.

PREDICTION: Maklohi vie, Purple reigns. 1-2.

VS

There were rumblings from the Vanorian part of the continent about supposed 'favouritism' when the draw was announced, and the apparent 'easy' route made for the defending champions Vilita and Turori. Indeed, one could argue that most of the top sides will be tearing chunks off of one another in the bottom half of the draw, but to call the Eel-cats' route to the final 'easy' is doing a disservice not only to the violets and islanders above, but also to their opponent in the quarter-finals. Kinitaria is a side on the up, fresh from an appearance in the last-sixteen of the World Cup and itching to make a belated mark in the international game. The Kinitarians are lacking a little, man-for-man, when put against the combined forces of Vilita and Turori, but an ardent home support could well see them come through against the reigning champs.

PREDICTION: V+T on the rocks, Canny Kinis to shock. 2-3.

VS

The Farves were reportedly shocked when they discovered that their quarter-final opponents would not be the Syndicatians from Calania, but their black-clad rivals from the other side of West Guiana. Legalese are a side that goes through long periods of doing absolutely nothing on the world stage before calmly delivering a slap to the world's face every now and again just to remind us that they're here. The defeat of The Syndicate may well have been this year's version of the shock CoH win or invitational tournament victory, but one can never discount the Legalites. Having said that, this Farfadillis team are simply getting better and better, and the vherderoja are itching to finally make their way to the last-two of a major tournament after years of falling at the penultimate hurdles. Farfadillis have the tools to be the next powerhouses of world football, and though their insistence on kamikaze attacking play is so often their undoing, they may prove too much for the cautious Legalites this time round.

PREDICTION: Four for Farf, beating Legal with ease. 2-4.

VS

Audioslavia and Valanora will play the seventh installment of a rivalry that, as you'll know if you were reading two years ago, has seen plenty of drama. The sides share a 2-0-2 record regarding matches in ancient history, but Audioslavia are two-for-oh in the modern era, emerging victorious in the final of AOCAF 39 and the semi-finals of the last World Cup. Valanora, then, are out for revenge, while Audioslavia are on a mission to re-instate themselves as 'winners' after two consecutive finals - an AOCAF and a WC - without a win. This game, unlike the above three, is not a match between a team on the up and a side on a slide. Valanora and Audioslavia are both very active, very capable powerhouses of the modern game, and this one promises to be the tie of the round.

PREDICTION: Audioslavia. Of course. 1-0.

by **Legalese** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:24 pm

A package arrives at the Kinitarian host organizing doorstep, weeks late...

The Legalese National Team Roster for AOCAF 43

About Legalese

Legalese is a gargantuan, cultured nation in the hallowed Northeast
of Atlantian Oceania. Spanning two landmasses: the mainland, on
the eastern side of the Calanian continent, fitting inhabitants between
Lake Bekk on the west, the Nemyan Strait and Calanian Sound on the
east, Starblaydia to the north, and New West Guiana to the south; and
the more recently inhabited Karin Islands, a temperate-zoned landmass
(and smaller included barrier island) opposite the strait from the mother
country. For nearly three centuries since the first true organization of the
Legalites, the People of Legalese have spent the majority of their history
in the shadow of their neighbors, including two periods of occupation by
Starblaydia, the latter during the troubled times of Operation Galactica.
Having rebuilt and colonized in the near-century since, they no longer just
seek their own survival, but a place in the international community.

The Team:
Players are listed by their shirt number, followed by name, age,
and club affiliation.

Keepers:
22 - Evan Swales, 28, Tyrellia Titans. Sometimes, it takes
playing for a champion to get you noticed. Swales, a Tyrellian
by birth, has played for his home club for five seasons now,
the last three as the primary netminder. After the Titans’
championship season in which had the lowest number of goals
per match - one per game over the course of twenty-five of the
Titans’ twenty-six in league play - he was called up to the National
Team in the previous cycle. While he saw only two
appearances in qualifying, the biggest change in the lineup sees
him as the last man on defence.

23 - Morrissey Beaudine, 21, Oker United. Beaudine, a native
of Francopolis, was lured out west by promises of a consistent
spot in the eighteen for the M-League side, not seeing the same
prospects with his prospective league side, Argyle Warriors.
His work with the Okerson side has turned out surprisingly well
for him, getting the nod for all twenty-six league matches, as well
as being named the starter for four of the five matches the
National Team played in AOCAF 42.

Defense:

2 - Benson Black, 28, Knights of Tiberia. A poor run of form
doomed the Knights in National League play, but nobody
seems to attribute it to Ben Black, whose play on the outer
defense was aggressive at times - he suffered one direct red,
a red off of a double-yellow, and two other yellow cards in
league play - but is widely credited with keeping the Tiberian
side from falling back to the M-League.

3- Liam Todd, 37, Draig Goch FC. To think that he was the
upstart rookie so many years ago! Liam Todd has, in over
a decade of national team play and over five cycles of
experience, become a mainstay, with twelve international
goals to his name, and countless others prevented. At his
age, his best playing days are looking behind him, and there
are rumors that he will be used only as a substitute, despite
having a single-digit number. That said, his experience has
gained him an honor last bestowed on the man now sitting
in the manager’s seat: Player-Coach.

4 - Kenny Stroud, 29, International of Tyrellia. A mainlander
by birth, Stroud moved to the islands in his early teens with
his mother. Having played a little recreationally, he was
convinced by a friend to try out for the youth club based in
the highlands, International. He’s been a key part of the club
since, in addition to spending the previous few cycles on the
National Team.

5 - Jeff Donaldson, 23, Turoki Tide. (Vilitian Stellar Division)
Donaldson, formerly of Myre Town, picked a good season
to make the move abroad, joining the Vilitian League side
Turoki Tide. In 36 games for the Tide, he provided a solid
presence on the back line for the Tide, who would earn a
UICA place, while his old club went down to the M-League.
It is hoped that his international experience will help him
take a more permanent spot on the NT side, having made
three appearances and two starts in the previous cycle.

18 - Gnaeus Shoobridge, 20, Comunas Cougars

19 - Gruffudd Masters, 20, Comunas Cougars.
Collectively, the central back duo of Shoobridge
and Masters, aka. “Gruff and Ready”, have had
mounds of praise heaped upon them for their league
work - the Cougars were the team with the fewest
goals allowed all season - and their continuing work in
Audioslavia for AOCAF 42. Regular play is not likely to
start, but the experience will be helpful for future cycles,
one would suspect.

21 - Eudav Kaszinski, 23, Bekknia FC - also an alum
from the AOCAF 42 squad, Kaszinski managed as
the left wing-back for the Sagdineo side, turning in a
finish that, while mid-table, was a bit higher than
expected.

Midfield:

14 - Cade Zorich, 23, Portsmouth United

7 - Cyrus Damhan, 28, International of Tyrellia.
Born in Erodoeth, discovered by International. Team
Captain by age 22, and national teamer at around the
same time. There’s a reason the quiet, hard-working
son of a teamster and a server is on the back of the
model kits. At twenty-seven, he’s in his prime, but
as always, is hungry for more.

8 - Slade Brahm, 28, Draig Goch FC. Slade’s career
has developed alongside Cyrus’s, only on the opposite
side of the strait. Known for solid, consistent, but not
flashy play, he has been the reliable outside midfielder,
driving the Red Dragons to snag the Federation Open
Cup, finish third in the National League, and ride the
wave into UICA competition, fighting for a Globe Cup
place in the group stage.

10 - Chance Cloman, 21, Straitside FC.

16 – Ty Henderson, 32, Tiberian City
17 – Blake Carter, 24, Francis City

Up Front:

11 - Xavier Boyle, 29, Milona-Lpaka (Vilitian Stellar Division)
For Xavier, the fourth time was the charm domestically - his
Fourth club in as many years, Milona-Lpaka, hoisted the
Tropical Trophy, finished second in league play, and earned
the Turori spot in the 51st Champions Cup qualifying process.
For his part, Boyle is fully out of the shadow of his predecessors,
and is the side’s most experienced striker. His proficiency up
top will be the difference on an attack-minded side.

9 - Quintus Oxboro - 21, Tyrellia Titans. Quintus, a native of the
Bekknian city of Morven, moved to Tyrellia with his family in his early
teens, and immediately demonstrated some talent on the pitch,
leading to the Titans offering him a place in their youth program,
and as the leagues went professional, a place on their senior side.
A breakthrough performance in the recent league season, including
a number of key goals down the stretch, helped him earn a spot on
the AOCAF 42 roster, which in turn led to his nomination as Boyle’s new
primary striking partner. While he faltered at times, going six matches
without a goal in the tail end of qualifiers, Quintus remains the choice.

12 - Titus Leopoldo, 25, Draig Goch FC
13 - Jake Detzler, 22, Comunas Cougars

Manager: Stan Thate. Thate, in his early-to-mid forties, climbed
the coaching ladder quickly, going from retirement as a player to
assistant to NT Manager Hamish McKinley, before being suddenly
named Interim Manager on the eve of the 55th Cup of Harmony.
The snagging of the nation’s first international trophy - and first CoH
win in three finals appearances - locked him into the position, which
he has now held for five cycles, and three qualifications - the latter
number the most of any Legalese NT manager. While his side's
performance in the Cup of Harmony fell short of successful, he
was - surprisingly kept on for the AOCAF, in what could be a last
hurrah.

Notes:

The Kits, Proudly Created by Kirola Sportswear of Audioslavia:

by **Vilita and Turori** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 6:36 pm

Hosts Await after Eel-Cat Things tame Ibex

Vilita & Turori 1-0 Ibex

LORCEAG, KINITARIA :: Vilita & Turori Eel-Cat Things head coach Nycflala Kater will certainly be hoping that his sides 1-0 victory over Ibex will end up being the almost-traditional "Close Call" that his team has survived and escape for the 43rd AOCAF Competition.

In fact, Kater's Eel-Cat Things had a very tight AOCAF 42 campaign, winning 4 of the first 5 matches by 1 goal or fewer, including a 1-0 victory over Ibex on Matchday 2. The only other prior meeting between the two sides came in AOCAF 39 when a previous generation of Eel-Cat things outlasted Ibex in a lopsided 6-1 match.

Looking to make a solid name for themselves within the region, however, the more experienced Ibex side would certainly be giving its all on the pitch in Lorceag.

There was a surprising development in the starting lineup - and on the bench for the Eel-Cat things, however, as Zelkki Milake was left out of the squad entirely - perhaps Kater giving the youngster a break in antcipation of a tougher Quarter-Finals matchup. It was the future of Turori, Turoki Tide goalkeeper Sharif Deniibo who got the nod with Kater calling his own number as backup on the bench.

Perhaps he had no idea of what was to come, or perhaps he was just itching for the opportunity to play but whatever the reason, Kater was kitted up instead of suited up on the sidelines, and it didn't take long before he was swapping his position on the sidelines for a position between the sticks after Deniibo appeared to pull a muscle on a goal kick 20 minutes into the match.

The opening half an hour was a tense affair as both sides tried to figure each other out, testing the defense and looking for a way to penetrate the backline.

Vilita & Turori got their only clear-cut goalscoring opportunity 33 minutes into the match after a long ball from Kigaoua Oalalka was crucially allowed to bounce by Ibex defender Lujayn Salah. As Salah turned, with only defensive partner Saliha El-Amin as cover, Arcticala Inlet starlet Nili Ylimaiina sprinted between them, latched onto the ball and waltzed in on goal - leaving no chance for the Ibex Bluegrass to get a hoof on it.

The ball settled in the back of the net for what would be the only time over the 90 minutes.

Nycflala Kater posted a shutout though was only tested twice in the second half, the best chance coming after a cross from Illebo the Llama to the Polar Bear substitute Krunt Ishtag. While the shot had immense power on it, Ishtag's effort was palmed away by Kater and the resulting corner kick amounted to nothing as the Eel-Cat things held on for the 1-0 victory.

The Round of 16 result set up a Quarter-Final clash against the hosts in Kinitaria and the Eel-Cat thing supporters will surely be outnumbered in Litora at the Stadion Viteanii Revolusii where both teams will be relishing the prospect of advancing to the Semi-Finals.

	Ibex
:: Goalscorers :: :: 33' Nili Ylimaiina	:: Goalscorers :: :: None
:: Best Player: Kigaoua Oalalka :: Worst Player: Endur Rotropii :: Shots on Target: 3 :: Corner Kicks: 5	:: Best Player: Illebo :: Worst Player: Lujayn Salah :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 4

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things ::
[GK] Sharif Deniibo, [D.] Geafi Laina-Sola, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Tlikao Muratai, [D.] Inaosnaa Klanoa, [ML] Kigaoua Oalalka, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Vliela Lianksa, [MR] Dalian Magagula, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina, [FC] Inamari Altariiz
BENCH::
[FC] Enluta Makakio, [FC] Kaivel Illatara, [M] Lopaki Kilpter, [M] Tripate Falcon, [U] Kiroki Mitaroka, [D] Amarini Baracelv, [GK] Nycflala Kater

Vilita & Turori Substitutions::
(22) - Sharif Deniibo >>> Nycflala Kater
(45) - Endur Rotropii >>> Kiroki Mitaroka
(67) - Inamari Altariiz >>> Kaivel Illatara

by **Kinitaria** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:22 pm

(I apologise for the delayed cutoff tonight, however, RL issues mean I was unable to get online and let participants know about the delay. Anyway, this is your long-awaited quarter-finals cutoff.)

Quarter-finals

Maklohi Vai 0-1 Starblaydia
@ Central Stadium, Mi'ato

Kinitaria 1-2 Vilita & Turori
@ Stadion Viteanii Revolusii, Litora

Valanora 0-0 Audioslavia
Valanora 0-0 Audioslavia AET
Valanora win 5-4 on penalties
@ Stadion Republikana, Serenberg

Legalese 0-1 Farfadillis
@ Stadion Orašii, Mi'ato

Semi-final draw

Starblaydia v Valanora
@ Stadion Orašii, Mi'ato

Vilita & Turori v Farfadillis
@ Stadion "Lumar Beqiri", Mi'ato

by **95X** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:58 pm

Shortly after the abrupt 95X exit from AOCAF 43, Floyd Commando opens the door to Xi Foureleven’s room. Commando finds a dim room, and Foureleven sitting cross-legged on a mat, in a meditative position, with her back to the door.

She responds to the intrusion without moving.

“What is it that you want, Floyd?,” in her usual statement-like questioning voice.

“How did you know it was me?,” Commando asked, puzzled.

“You are the only one crass enough to disturb me. And stop looking at that!”

Foureleven is referring to a gap of a couple millimeters between her shorts and shirt, which, like usual, is a tattered, previously-worn kit. Only a negligible amount of her back is showing, and since she was trying to solemnly meditate it didn’t matter to her. To Commando’s credit, he didn’t really notice.

Commando looked at the back of her head while he tried to talk to her.

“What are you doing?,” he asks, as if he didn’t know.

“I am trying to be at peace with the situation. But you are here for another reason.”

“Well, years ago you said I could challenge you,” Commando refers to something exchanged in one of his first meetings with Foureleven.

“You are not ready,” is her immediate, emotionless reply.

“When will I be ready then?,” Commando asks, thinking getting back on the 95X National Team would make him ready, and hoping for a concrete answer from Foureleven.

“You will know when you are ready,” Foureleven corrects him.

Commando correctly guesses Foureleven was hoping for a better 95X performance in the most recent AOCAF, but incorrectly thinks she is merely waiting for the next tournament.

“Well,” Commando tries to console her, “there’s always next time.”

Foureleven doesn’t reply.

“We can learn some new stuff and be bigger and better next season!”

“Maybe you will,” Foureleven states, not placing emphasis on any one word.

A pale look of horror appears on Commando’s face. It’s been his dream to not only play in the AOCAF alongside Foureleven, but also in Oceanside. That, and as Commando got older, something about Foureleven seemed to stay relatively similar.

“‘leven,” Commando starts to crack, “I—I—um, we need you.”

More silence from Foureleven.

Commando swallows rather hard, and nervously continues (using some improper grammar, since he’s that nervous): “Um, I know you’re so much older than I am, and I’ve learned so much from you, no matter how good I get you’re still be the greatest, and—and—you’re still so—”

Foureleven anticipates what’s next, springs up, turns around, and stares at Commando straight in the eye, only centimeters away.

“Do not say what I think you are about to say!” Foureleven yells into Commando’s frightened face. “You are about to lose any respect I might have for you!”

Commando is shaking, unable to do anything else.

“You need to leave, Floyd,” Foureleven orders, “I need to be alone.”

Commando does as he’s asked, while he leaves he puts the rooms’ “do not disturb” sign on the outer doorknob, slamming it shut in the process.

Foureleven tried to salvage her meditation session by sitting back down in the same pose as before. Though as three minutes go by, tears start rolling down her unblemished face she’d never applied makeup on. She does not attempt to catch the tears, as she sees tears as weakness in a liquid form leaving her chronologically-turned-back body. She wanted 95X and the multiverse to see her for her talents, not as an object that played soccer for a nation that, in her mind, was a has-been former champion in its dark ages. She wanted answers, and for that there was one place for her to turn: the man everyone in 95X thinks is her “agent.”

Foureleven opens the door to the hotel rooms’ bathroom, instead of going into the bathroom, it leads to another dark room. At times like these, her granted powers came in handy.

In the room, an organized chaos contains a mat on the floor. Sleeping on the mat is the man most know as Jason NinetyfiveX, as if that wasn’t a conspicuous giveaway.

As luck would have it, NinetyfiveX woke up shortly thereafter. Waking up to Foureleven’s scowl wasn’t very difficult, but definitely unexpected.

“I’m glad you’re here,” NinetyfiveX starts. Foureleven knows some sort of story is about to follow.

“I just had this weird dream. The RL world was destroyed, and beings from another planet re-created it. But they only had the General game forum to go on.”

“That doesn’t sound very good,” Foureleven responded, rolling her eyes.

“There was some weird stuff, though. Everyone screamed in agony at random times, especially when other people insisted that all conversation were in debate questions. The mods were a combination police force and ruling class and almost all of them looked like the woman in Euroslavia’s flag, and could literally delete someone on sight by looking at them.”

Foureleven realized this was the wrong time for any sort of answers, since NinetyfiveX was nowhere near done.

“Except for Reploid Productions,” NinetyfiveX continued, “who looks like the pictures and welds the banhammer from a hamburger shop in Los Angeles. Oh, and Sedgistan and Crazy Girl are King and Queen of the Moon.”

Foureleven stood silently.

“There was this place called ‘the TET,’ which collapsed on itself, and that’s when I woke up.”

“I thought the Moon was destroyed in that,” Foureleven jumped back a bit, thinking NinetyfiveX was thoroughly confused.

“That was in a movie that wasn’t very good,” NinetyfiveX replied. “This was different.”

“I’ll,” Foureleven starts, “be going now!”

She runs out the door and back into NS as fast as she arrived.

Somewhere else in 95X, far away from Floyd, Xi, and Jason, a photo on a website catches someone’s attention.

“Floyd Commando scores a late goal in the 4-2 95X loss to Vilita & Turori in AOCAF Cup 43,” the caption below the photo said.

A left hand gently touches the screen, as two ice-blue-colored eyes gaze into the computer monitor.

“I’m glad it worked out for one of us,” a meek voice quietly said to themselves.

by **Vilita and Turori** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:29 am

Eel-Cat Things Down Hosts

Vilita & Turori 2 - 1 Kinitaria

LITORA, KINITARIANycflala Kater's Vilita & Turori Eel-Cat Things left it late against the hosts Kinitaria but would eventually find the magic once again to keep the streak alive and press ahead as they look to repeat as AOCAF champions.

After a closer-than-expected Quarter Final matchup against an improved Ibex squad, the Eel-Cat things knew it would be a tougher affair as they travelled to Litora to square off against the first-time tournament hosts, bolstered with confidence after a clear improvement at the World Cup level and looking to translate that into a regional championship on hom soil.

After relaxing his lineup a bit against Kinitaria, allowing some of the other players to get involved against Ibex - including himself - Nycflala Kater re-introduced one of the hottest young up-and coming international goalkeepers, Zelkki Milake.

Kater stuck with the 3-4-3 formation with a fearsome attacking trio led by Vilita's Nili Ylimaiina and flaked by the Turorian youngsters Matlya Eelador of Cednia Beach AFC and Inamari Altariiz of Mliona-Lpaka.

Despite all the fire power up top, however, the games opening goal would come from another source. It was former Kirota Beach trainee and current Kiiara-Torra midfielder Dalian Magagula who re-directed a Purapal Eskiiy free kick to give the Eel-Cat Things the lead early in the first half.

Things started to get heated on the field after that as Inamari Altariiz got into an argument with Kinitaria's experienced defender Karl Sala with both players earning themselves a yellow card after some pushing and shoving in front of the net.

It appeared things would get worse for Altariiz in the 22nd minute when he hacked at Sala from the ground. After a tense talking to by the Audioslavian referee Anabull Shiitere, Altariiz avoided getting sent off the field by avoiding having their name put in the book for a second time, however, it was little consolation for Nycfalal Kater who promply yanked the Mliona-Lpaka youngster from the pitch. It was one Turorian for another as Strike FC's Enluta Makakio was introduced in place of Altariiz.

The match progressed as a fairly even affair from a possession standpoint, although Vilita & Turori had the advantage in quality chances, particularly those on target as strong work in the penalty area by the Vilita & Turori defenders Endur Rotropii, Geafi Laina-Sola and Amarini Barcelv resulted in many Kintaria scoring chances broken up at the vital moment or cleared out for a corner kick before a dangerous shot attempt could be made.

The hosts regrouped at half time however and made it count soon after the break, Malen Elkinič besting Zelkki Milake from 20 yards out, first appearing to be committed to the short pass to the corner before twisting his body and ripping the shot past the outstretched arms of the Lonngeylin Coast goalkeeper.

It set up a grand stand finish with Stadion Viteanii Revolusii rocking in support of Kinitaria, it seemed that all 62,000 in attendance were there to support the home team.

Looking to keep the legs fresh, Nycflala Kater made two changes with Viela Lianksa being introduced in place of Inlite Makakio and the Eel-Cat Things lone goalscorer Dalian Magagula being replaced by Kigaoua Oalalka.

Kater was clearly banking on the fresh legs being able to provide Vilita & Turori with a victory before Extra Time or penalties were needed, while his opposite number Melody Pond on the Kinitaria sideline appeared to be holding her options just in case she needed to make some strategic substitutions later in the match to prepare for a penalty shootout.

Kater's Eel-Cat Things certainly left it late but the fresh legs would eventually pay off as it would be Viela Lianksa to break the deadlock in the 89th minute after being put through by Purapal Eskiiy before lobbing the ball cooly over the on-rushing Jaren Kozak - likely the last goal to ever be scored internationally against the Mi-ato goalkeeper.

Melody Pond would make her last substitution to try to recover from the devastating blow dealt by Lianksa but it was too little too late as Vilita & Turori held on for the 2-1 victory propelling the Eel-Cat things to a repeat appearance in the Semi-Finals against a familiar foe: Farfadillis.

	Kinitaria
:: Goalscorers :: :: 7' Dalian Magagula :: 89' Vliela Lianksa	:: Goalscorers :: :: 48' Malen Elkinič ::
:: Best Player: Purapal Eskiiy :: Worst Player: Inamari Altariiz :: Shots on Target: 7 :: Corner Kicks: 4	:: Best Player: Malen Elkinič :: Worst Player: Samuel Costica :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 7

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things ::
[GK] Zelkki Milake, [D.] Amarini Baracelv, [D.] Geafi Laina-Sola, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [ML] Inlite Makakio, [MC] Dalian Magagula, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MR] Lopaki Kilpter, [FC] Matlya Eelador, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina, [FC] Inamari Altariiz
BENCH::
[FC] Kaivel Illatara, [FC] Enluta Makakio, [M] Vliela Lianksa, [M] Kigaoua Oalalka, [U] Kiroki Mitaroka, [D] Majid Jedidi, [GK] Sharif Deniibo

Vilita & Turori Substitutions::
(22) - Inamari Altariiz >>> Enluta Makakio
(69) - Inlite Makakio >>> Vliela Lianksa
(72) - Dalian Magagula >>> Kigaoua Oalalka

by **Valanora** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:49 pm

I think in the future, they might call this path that the Marauders and I are taking The Gauntlet of Fire, as it is certainly proving to be one of the most difficult paths to a Final that our side has even seen. While knockout matches are never going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, certain matches are quite a bit less difficult than others would be. Audioslavia for instance is a side that should not be faced until the semifinal stage at the earliest for a team the likes of the Marauders, whose rank, skill, and history would make such a fixture a bigger occasion and more "right" occasion in that very late stage. Instead, we faced them in the quarterfinals, a round too soon by most peoples estimations, and were utterly spent after the match, though in victory at least.

Audioslavia did what they do best, clog the playing lanes, keeping the fancy footwork and passing of our dynamic midfield in check for not just ninety minutes, but one hundred twenty. What this did was turn the match into a tense, yet somehow entertaining affair, and gave the Bulls just three shots total at the end of extra time, with their defense at all costs attitude. Another time, they might have even worn out the side enough that all of our energy would be done and we would barely be able to execute the spot kicks that came after. Yet sublime substitutions late in regular time and then the last one with two minutes left in the extra time was the key difference.

With three sets of fresh legs, the will that I possess, and the sheer tenacity of va Drake, we were able to put away each and every one of our spot kicks. The Bulls were not so lucky, their fifth taker shooting the ball straight and our keeper standing their ground and catching the ball to seal our advancement. It was tough, it was rigid, and yet it was what was deserved if you think that teams should go for the victory. Yet it is also a cautionary tale for our side, that despite all of our attacking prowess, a good and determined defensive effort can turn aside at every thrust. Luckily our midfield was able to retain the possession despite those turn abouts and keep our own shattered back line from having to do more than what they are expected to.

I look forward though with enthusiastic glee to the next match though, a renewal of the rivalry with Starblaydia. Though they be our political allies, they have ever been a thorn in our side when it has come to football. I remember with great pride the thumping we gave them back in World Cup 39, the worst ever defeat for the Purple Peril, and in the late rounds of the World Cup to. They were trying to reach a new ascended star just a few short years after over a decade long hiatus from the game, we were just reaching our peak at the time, though we ultimately did not win that particular tournament. It was a splendid affair for our side and one I thought was the signal of things to come.

In a way it was, as we played the tournament over the next five editions as if it was our toy, each besting the other on the road to a title, with us taking three and the Starblaydi two. The best and worst of it though was that World Cup Final in the 47th edition, in Raynor City, where they took their record breaking title and broke Vanorian hearts. It is that loss against the side that makes every Marauder always up for the game now when our paths meet, a quest for revenge for the millions of Vanorians who had thought to celebrate the victory on home soil that would have made us tied for the best of all time, only to have it snatched away.

This is the next step in the gauntlet, the rival from the past after the rival from the now. The champions are on the other side, easily coasting to another Final it seems, and what a match that could be if we get there. Yet we must exercise old ghosts from our current foray and send the Starblaydi back to Calania without another trophy. Their time is in the past, of faded glory, ours is eternal, and we have to now prove that once more. It shall be a most splendid, difficult, and memorable affair, whichever way the wind of luck shall blow that day.

by **Farfadillis** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:07 pm

"Ah, the game. Yeah... almost forgot." he thought to himself, before turning around to offer himself to Tuzzio for a pass.

He often suffered of strokes of lack of attention when playing. He was always the kind of guy who would forget his head at home if it were a possibility. He was defined as lackadaisical. Or - in his language - despistado.

"Hmm... despistado sure sounds better."

The ball arrived at his feet.

"Oh shit!" was the first thought that sprang when he realized. He forgot again. There was no time, though. He saw a Legalite coming for him. He instinctively dribbled him, with a nutmeg added. BAM, to the floor he went following a barbarian fowl by the guy he'd just dribbled. He had provoked him, obviously. He quickly got up as if nothing had happened. He liked to take the free kicks no matter the team he was playing for. But no, he knew Fôx was better. He happily trotted to the D. He was the guy who would get the rebounds, in case there were any. He quite liked it. He got to shoot many times. Maybe even score. It was fun.

And BAM. Fôx hit the wall. Terán looked, quite lost once again. Then Fôx went for a simple central cross with the rebound. Roga jumped and headed it towards the goal. However, a Legalite in the goal cleared it just in time. And it went straight to his right foot. He stopped it effortlessly and realized there were two Legalites going for his head. He lobbed the ball just enough for it to avoid the Legalite's left foot and proceeded to go for the lower-left corner. He went for a powerful shot. It was instinct. It was reasonable, however, as a strong shot like that can bounce off anyone and leave the goalkeeper confused. It did not, however, and the goalkeeper barely saw the ball slightly rub the post. A goal for Terán. A goal for Farfadillis.

All the teammates started sprinting towards him like crazy.

"Surely, it couldn't have been that much of a big deal, man." he said to Fôx, who was the first to get to him.

"What? You scored the goal in the last minute of regular time!"

He was about to reply, but he could only manage rough out a smile before he was crashed by his teammates.

They had to keep the clean sheet, but it did not look particularly difficult as they looked very, very threatening on the counterattack. He had to focus more, though.

"Last minute of regular time? I would've sworn we'd just reached half an hour of the second half or so." he told himself. "Ah, the ball" he continued in his line of thought before stripping the Legalite centre midfielder from the ball and heading forward.

"What to do? What to do?" "Ah, yes. Shoot!"

He let a missile take off his left foot. Not his preferred foot, but he was slightly ambidextrous. The shot was very violent. The goalkeeper, however, managed to dive fantastically and punch it out. "I'm pretty sure that was corner" Terán thought. The referee whistled thrice.

"Hey, that was a corner!" he shouted to the referee, albeit in his mind. Then he saw his teammates celebrating.

"... Ah, right." he concluded.

by **Kinitaria** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:09 pm

Semi-finals
Starblaydia 1-1 Valanora
Starblaydia 1-3 Valanora AET
@ Stadion Orašii, Mi'ato

Vilita & Turori 3-4 Farfadillis
@ Stadion "Lumar Beqiri", Mi'ato

Bronze medal match
Starblaydia v Vilita & Turori
@ Stadion "Irin Kucinič", Lorceag

AOCAF 43 Final
Valanora v Farfadillis
@ Central Stadium, Mi'ato

by **Vilita** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:12 am

A Private Letter to the Football Association of Valanora

To our esteemed Vanorian colleagues -

Please find enclosed the entirety of our scouting analysis and film on the Farfadillis Team that has competed in AOCAF 43. They may have beat us, but they were lucky. We didn't play our best. I'm sure you'll do better. But if the attached helps, we're glad to provide it.

- V&T

P.S. - Go kick some Farfadillian Ass.

AO43_FARFSCUM_SCOUTING.ZIP

Vilita & Turori 3 - 4 Farfadillis

	Farfadilis
:: Goalscorers :: :: 3' Dalian Magagula :: 42' Nili Ylimaiina :: 46' Perran Adlani ::	:: Goalscorers :: :: 9' Friekder Dandalleion :: 61' Santos Alaminos :: 68' Santos Alaminos :: 83' Ichi Tuzzio
:: Best Player: Kigaoua Oalalka :: Worst Player: Amarini Baracelv :: Shots on Target: 8 :: Corner Kicks: 7	:: Best Player: Santos Alaminos :: Worst Player: Yurpá Mêndêlöíndçêl :: Shots on Target: 8 :: Corner Kicks: 8

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things ::
[GK] Zelkki Milake, [D.] Amarini Baracelv, [D.] Geafi Laina-Sola, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [ML] Vliela Lianksa, [MC] Dalian Magagula, [MC] Kigaoua Oalalka, [MR] Purapal Eskiiy, [FC] Enluta Makakio, [FC] Nili Ylimaiina, [FC] Perran Adlani
BENCH::
[FC] Inamari Altariiz, [FC] Kaivel Illatara, [M] Inlite Makakio, [M] Lopaki Kilpter, [U] Tripate Falcon, [D] Tlikao Muratai, [GK] Nycflala Kater

Vilita & Turori Substitutions::
(45) - Nili Ylimaiina >>> Inamari Altariiz
(45) - Endur Rotropii >>> Lopaki Kilpter
(70) - Enluta Makakio >>> Kaivel Illatara

by **Kinitaria** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:02 pm

Bronze medal match
Starblaydia 0-1 Vilita & Turori
@ Stadion "Irin Kucinič", Lorceag

Congratulations to Vilita & Turori for clinching third place! As (belatedly) announced on the RMB, the final will take place in 24 hours. Best of luck to Farfadillis and Valanora!

by **Farfadillis** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 11:03 pm

Yes. Damn yes. Curse officially broken. Not the always-third-place team anymore! Yet, the final hurdle is hardly the next curse we want, right? After all, the Polarians or the Audioslavians are hardly what we want to imitate. What? They've won things? Ugh... I guess we'd actually like to copy them...

But anyway. Everybody knows what went down. We were facing Vilita & Turori, a team that sort of was the biggest candidate for the title after having won two back-to-back titles in the last two editions. They were kind of a big deal. Buuut, we seem to be their biggest nightmare. For what I've seen in other nations, this does not seem to be much of a secret. Truth is, never in history have we been the team the most likely to win against Vilita (& Turori, in this case). World Cup 63 qualifiers? They were the candidates both times. They won at our home, yet we managed to win at theirs. All normal, just a little fluke from the Jungle Cats, both teams qualified. Group draw was conducted and, well, yeah, we were in the same group. Vilita and us both lost their games, so Vilita went into the second matchday needing to win to avoid missing out on the second round as a top seed. Yet we had different plans, beating them and eventually topping the group a matchday after that. Ok, two flukes by Vilita, all within the parametres of normality.

It would take some time for both sides to meet each other once again. It would be in World Cup 66, in which Vilita was decidedly going for revenge in the very last matchday. Despite having only garnered one point when that fateful matchday three arrived, we just needed to win in order to advance. Vilita just needed a tie. Things happened here and there, and to the second round we went. The Vilitans got eliminated because Eura won. They were world champions that tournament.

After that, the Vilitans already started taking it as a curse (and so did we, naturally). We managed to reach the semifinals of the AOCAF Cup once again, beating Starblaydia and a dented Valanora on the way. We faced the by-then one-time winning incumbent champions. We lost. The curse had been broken.

Or maybe not. They won that tournament, and one tournament after that (See: this one) we faced them again. We had to prove their most recent win had been the fluke, not all their losses. Underdogs again... this just had to be good.

Now, there's a particularly funny (at least I find it funny) quirk that happens whenever we face Vilita. Vilita/Turori-based players tend to score. Be it experience, knowing the opposing style or just our best players being based there, or whatever, it just happens. It's Dandalleion most of the time, but Tuzzio scores too. Obviously, some non-Vilitan-based players also score once in a while. Actually, thinking about it, this quirk has just been confirmed with this match. The four goals scored by Vilitan-based players. Poor guys, the fans of their respective teams must be split between hating them and loving them.

But anyway, there's also something that is always true in the encounters between Vilita and us: Dandalleion tears them apart. In this match, however, it wasn't him that stole the show (though he did cause them lots of problems). It was someone else (obviously playing for a Vilitan club). It was Santos Alaminos. A defender that somehow scored two goals.

But let's go more in-depth about the match, in chronological order. Vilita started playing better than us. They started with a pretty nice-looking possession game and a few passes here and there, though nothing too incisive. Our defense seemed to be taking good care of it anyway (let's remember our defense has been partucularly good this tournament... though the number of goals conceded should show it is still not very good).

Well, the defense seemed to be taking good care of the Vilitan possession game for... uh... two minutes and fifty-two seconds? Yeah, something like that. Things is, Mêndêlöíndçêl did not play a very good game this time around (don't ask why, not sure). He was not the worst in my opinion, granted, but he did miss a few tackles here and there. The Vilitan press said he was our worst player, but you shouldn't take something that says "Farfadilis" instead of "Farfadillis" very seriously, right?

Ah, yes, the goal. Rotropii to Oalalka. Oalalka dribbles Mêndêlöíndçêl, heads towards the box, Frêndê goes to the floor to strip him from the ball and the rebound is left to Magagula, who comes sprinting and just shoots powerfully to the lower-right corner, apparently instinctively. Boom, barely avoided the post. Fantastic goal. Terrible start for us.

Now the Vilitans were obviously high on confidence, as anyone would've expected. I mean, a goal as early as minute three sure gives you a pretty good advantage. Vilita started to thoroughly dominate us for the next five or six minutes. It was terrible. I was expecting to be thrashed.

A pass here, someone dribbles Mêndêlöíndçêl, then dribbles Mata, then passes the ball, then Oalalka dribbles Terán, then Oalalka heads towards the goal, then Oalalka shoots, the Lisdiren saves. Then Alaminos clears. That happened thrice. THRICE. All of them were slightly different, but Rossizzo is a fool if he didn't notice the very obvious pattern they were using to reach our goal. I love Lisdiren, by the way.

Vilita kept attacking and attacking, and I really wondered for how much more we would be able to hang on. Apparently we'd be able to equalize. The formula was quite simple. Alaminos stripped Makakio from the ball and looked up. He smashed the ball with his right foot, going straight for Roga's head. After that, Roga headed the ball backwards (that is to say, towards Vilita's goal, as he was facing ours). The ball bounced and advanced some metres. Then it happened. Dandalleion came in rushing at an astonishing speed and got to the ball just before a Vilitan (I'm gonna say Vilitan from now on, Turorians are closet Vilitans anyway). He hit it with his left foot and started rushing forward. Another defender reached him, and he dribbled him with a long 180º roulette. Facing the goalkeeper, he just shot to the lower-left corner - contrary to what he usually does for Strike (upper-left corner), which left the goalkeeper pretty confused, apparently, which meant he couldn't react nearly as well. A fantastic, much-needed goal. Like, really, I believe that stroke of luck and brilliance saved us.

After that, Vilita & Turori was not quite the same. They no longer made me eat my fingers (fingernails are for those who don't like football) all the time, which is very nice. The first half continued as a very balanced affair, with both teams getting their fair share of chances. Anyone could score, and anyone could win if it continued like that. It was all a matter of who would have the most strokes of brilliance.

It all looked like it would be Vilita & Turori, however. When the first half was coming close to an end, Ylimaiina dribbled Alaminos (I do not blame him), then Frêndê and then smashed the roof of the goal. Let me quote myself when this goal happened:

"OHMYFU**INGODA**ITWHATWASTHATWHYTHEFU**DIDWENOTAVOIDTHATGODDA**ITCO**FU**CO**FU**."
- Severe Psychosis' Anonymous Owner

And to half time we went, one goal down. As for what happened in the remnant three minutes or so of the first half, well, we did not get utterly dominated, if that's what you're asking yourself. During half time, the Vilitan manager for some unexplained reason substituted Ylimaiina (maybe saving him for the match against Starblaydia?). Totally made sense. He also replaced Rotropii for some reason.

They scored in the first minute. I don't like reviving the memory of that long-range effort that hit the crossbar, bounced and hit the roof of the net before I could count to sixty from the second kick-off. Thank you for understanding.

However, that their manager had fucked up became pretty evident as soon as Alaminos started constantly keeping the defense together. The guy just stopped most attacks dead-cold. Ylimaiina had caused him a lot more problems then any other player, and replacing him basically meant Alaminos was not longer under the stress of taking care of him. Now he was flying, even causing problems on the other end of the pitch. The team started playing better and better, Kâí and Fôx woke up, Terán and Tuzzio started getting the ball more, Mêndêlöíndçêl started correcting his performance, Mata and Frêndê started complicating on the other end, Dandalleion and Roga started looking scarier. We were rearing our beautiful face (ugly for the Vilitans).

It was unavoidable (I'd say inevitable, but ever since a certain nation with an awkward name became a well-known thing, this verb has been used to death) that we'd score a goal that would pull us close to them once again, maybe even an equalizing goal and, with the momentum, a winning goal. It was a matter of time. Or at least that was what I liked to tell myself. I could dream.

But the first goal happened, exactly in the sixty-first minute. Alaminos gambled by bombing forward and connected a perfect though pass to Roga (may I say he's been surprising me so far?). The striker then just followed the course of the ball and bombed the goalkeeper. Milake reacted correctly, but he couldn't help but allow us to have a corner kick. The first of many to come (exactly eight). It was fate.

Dandalleion went for the far post. Someone was there. The cross was nanometric in precision. The ball arrived at the perfect place for someone to head the ball with tremendous strength; for someone to score by smashing the crossbar with a header. Someone? Why, Alaminos of course. Surprising tournament the guy has enjoyed so far. I hope there's more of him to come in the next... match. Yeah, not matches. Feels weird to say that.

The equalizing goal was a much-needed boost for us. La Vherderoja was on its track. Finally.

And it showed, we started playing better than them. We started dominating. Slightly. However, we did get kind of lucky. I mean, scoring again, just seven minutes after that... well, that was unexpected.

Kâí started running down the flank when we were holding possession. The left midfielder then proceeded to dribble two players before entering the box. There, he passed the ball to Tuzzio, at the edge of the box. Tuzzio then just one-touch heeled it to Terán, who in turn feinted a shot. Instead, he heeled it a few metres back. Guess who was rushing towards the ball? If you said "Well obviously Alaminos cause we watched the match and you're probably over-describing everything we know.", then you got it right. A powerful missile took off his right foot and went straight for the roof of the net. It was absolutely impossible for Milake to do anything other than watching.

Equalizing. Now that was pretty unexpected. Mainly for the Vilitans, as became clear when we started winning metres and metres, slowly but surely. We started dominating them, and not slightly.

Now, the Vilitans had the advantage of having dominated a considerable part of the match, having scored three goals. Yet we had turned everything around. Now, I imagine, many Vilitans saw what was about to come. There were only two Vilitan-based taking the pitch who had yet to score a goal. One of them was the goalkeeper. The curse was happening. Personally, I saw it coming and probably would have if I had been a Vilitan then.

A good fifteen minutes after Alaminos' second goal, it happened. The cataclysm for them, euphoria for us.

Kâí dribbled Eskiiy with a pretty simple feint. Then he one-twoed (Lopaki, not Kristofer) Kilpter with Terán's aid. He started running down the flank. It was obvious that danger was coming. It always does when Kâí starts dribbling. He came close to the goal line. He crossed. Dandalleion, Roga and Tuzzio were on the box. Dandalleion managed to barely head the cross, but he failed to alter the ball's path enough. Roga barely failed to head it, too. Then Baracelv headed it out as he could... which was straight to Terán, who was rushing for a rebound after having helped Kâí one-two Kilpter. He arrived and, as calm as always, and with a distinguishable smile on his face, he chipped the ball straight to Tuzzio. Baracelv jumped, but the pass was too high for him. Tuzzio looked at the path for a second, then connected a perfect volley with his right foot (now that looked extraordinarily difficult, considering how he was looking at the ball coming from the left). I believe the net was lucky not get a hole after that shot. It was not spectacularly precise, but hardly was it stoppable. Ecstasy. Pure ecstasy.

Tuzzio, what a mysterious but wonderful player. Appearing only in the most important moments. Incredible.

Vilita and Turori could not react. We would win. We would win a semifinal. We would finally win a semifinal. FINALLY.

Now it is the final hurdle.

by **Valanora** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:45 pm

Revenge, vindication, overcoming past demons has been a common thread among the strand of opponents that we have had to face during the knockouts of this tournament. Each a different tale, a different sort of motivation that drives you forth, making you put it all on the line to show that you are the better, at least on the day. Ghosts of bygone eras, modern rivals looking to overthrow your legacy, upstarts who think they are the next and most favored child of lady luck. It has been a trying and difficult two weeks since the end of the group stage and our advancement into the knockout rounds, but here we are at the end of the road.

We have made it to the Final, the destination of every team in every tournament, but a place where Vanorians think they belong. I will not lie and say that it is not part of my own desire, to reach this stage of every tournament I enter, for it is. It is the simple conclusion stemming from the desire to be the best at every pursuit, that you must reach what would be the epitome of that pursuit and then overcome it. It may be domestic leagues, domestic cups, international club competitions, regional cups, or even the largest of them in all in the World Cup, but it is for the Final that I strive, and to win it is my hunger.

Starblaydia proved to be as strong as ever as we engaged them on the pitch, ready to take us on as they had over fifty years ago as we ran rampant through the World Cup. It is chronicled by the Starblaydi legend in their book Craziness Encourage, and eloquently named the era "Two Now Stand". Those teams were our rivals through and through and had all the skill in the world at their disposal to put together the greatest of teams. So did we, and that was what made those matches great, two juggernauts going at one another. In science, I think they call it an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, such were the grandeur of those titanic clashes. For not only where they composed of great players, but the winners of those matches usually brought home the World Cup trophy to boot.

This was one of those occasions and it was only fitting that the match did not end after just a mere ninety minutes. The fans in the stadium were treated to one hundred twenty minutes of intense action, players putting their heart and souls out on the field, every fifty-fifty ball being contested. In the end, Vanorian endurance proved the better on this occasion, with Starblaydi domination fizzling out in the latter stages of extra time. Soldarian netted the go ahead with six minutes before another prospective spot kick challenge and va Drake got his brace and the dagger at the last minute, hitting the desperate Starblaydi's singlehandedly on the break, sending the Marauders to the Final.

Now we are here, looking to exercise multiple demons in this upcoming encounter. Farfadillis humbled us greatly two years ago in this tournament, when a flu ravages the side in the lead up to the match, and gave us one of our worst defeats ever. Then when we looked to take revenge for that loss after being put in the same group with them in the World Cup Finals, they surprised us once more and made mincemeat out of our back line. While two matches in which they have provided an upset does not constitute them being a rival, they are a demon to exercise, a squad that the side is looking to finally get the upper hand on when it matters the most.

The other is the seemingly curse upon the side in the regional competitions. It's been over a hundred years since the Marauders have won one, predating even the commonwealth, when it was just the Elves of the "Elves Security Forces" that were in Valanora, predating even the introduction into the World Cup by the nation. It is a history of an era that now seems more myth than reality when the Marauders hoisted such a trophy. It has been something that the entire nation has wanted to see done over the last decade or so, as the weight of not having won a regional competition grew heavier and heavier, the curse seemingly more real.

Tomorrow brings the chance to put both of those sequences to an end and I relish the opportunity to do so. Not for any personal glory, not directly at any rate, for I do not desire the hero worship that seems to come with these accomplishments. I do it because I can, because it is the driving force behind what my existence has been forged into. I am a leader, a footballer, an elf. Beyond that, I am a man, a spirit who is looking to be as close to perfect as I can, to live life as fully as the Goddess would want us to. I am Laborious Hawk and I am on the quest for perfection, may it ever elude me, and ever keep me going.

by **Kinitaria** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:51 pm

AOCAF 43 Final
Valanora 2-3 Farfadillis
@ Central Stadium, Mi'ato

Congratulations to our champion, Farfadillis! Commiserations to Valanora, and all the best next time. I'd also like to thank all the participants for taking part and posting your RPs - it's been a pleasure to host this tournament and read through them, and you've shown once again why this is the greatest regional competition in the multiverse.

by **Farfadillis** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:47 pm

(OOC Edit on the 26th of July of 2014: Just noticed I posted this in my second anniversary without noticing!)

Both sides took the pitch. It was all ready to begin. The final of the most prestigious regional competition. Both managers looked very worried. Every fan was likely to be experiencing an accelerated heart rate - it was only natural. All neutrals were likely expecting a very exciting match between two very attacking teams. It did sound a lot better than a final between Maklohi Vai and Ko-oren, certainly. Who would even watch that as a neutral?

On one side was Valanora. The five-time World Cup champions with the immortal elves that have experienced fame for as much as the opposing footballers were alive. It would've been reasonable to assume they had got tired of winning, but apparently they had not. At least not when driven by someone like Laborious Hawk. They were all extremely experienced, and they had all won at least something in their lives - some of them at least a World Cup. Yet, in centuries of Vanorian history, never ever had they won the regional competition. They had come close when at home soil they reached the final to lose to Audioslavia, funnily enough having beaten the Farves in the semifinals. Many would've thought "they're not really going to take it seriously, it's just one more trophy for them". Thing is, winning the regional competition at least once was certainly the objective of this star-studded team. They had every weapon within their arsenal to finally do it. They had beaten teams like Ko-oren, Audioslavia and Starblaydia on their way to the final. Farfadillis did not look even half as hard as Audioslavia. Valanora could already taste glory. It was very close.

On the other side was Farfadillis. No World Cups, Cups of Hamony or anything similar to celebrate. Not a team renowned for their history certainly. Renowned for their present, surely. The rankings showed that. Contrary to what one would've thought of Valanora, anyone would've assumed Farfadillis was going for the trophy, desperate to finally write history. This time, it would certainly be right. There was no Laborious Hawk leading La Vherderoja, but their thirst for winning was unquenchable when boosted by never having won anything. Not all the Farves taking the pitch were extremely experienced, but some of them were pretty experienced, yes. Not even close to the Vanorians, however. None of them had any big, big trophies backing them. Many were well-known players, but that was it. What backed the Farves was that many of the ones starting the match had performer impressively for their teams. Alaminos, Mêndêlöíndçêl, Kâí, Terán, Dandalleion and Roga were all in a great moment. Kâí had not been as impressive as usual in Astograth, but he had made up for it with a Di Bradini Cup win worthy of appraisal. In terms of offense, Farfadillis had every weapon within its arsenal, just as Valanora. All of the players from the midfield onwards were, except for Mêndêlöíndçêl, specialized in attacking. The Farf attack could take many forms, as it was very, very flexible. It was a very high tempo attack most of the time too. That was probably Farfadillis' biggest advantage. The defense was incredibly bad, though, with Alaminos, Mêndêlöíndçêl and Lisdiren doing what was possible to keep the team decent in that regard. As a whole, they looked like the weaker team. The road to the final had probably been easier than Valanora's. The group stage had been very easy in terms of opponents, then Preiva had been out of contention since the beginning. Then Legalese was a good team that Farfadillis could barely oust, but the Legalites are not exactly renowned. Then Vilita & Turori. Ok, beating that team certainly looked tough, but that was it.

The teams had already faced each other in three occasions. The first time, Valanora had beaten Farfadillis at home, as mentioned, comfortably ousting them. It had been a three-one. The second match had been Farfadillis' revenge, three AOCAF Cups later, winning against a flu-struck Vanorian team, and thrashing them in the process. After that, luck would have them face each other in the group stage in World Cup 67. A fantastic match it was. It ended as a tie, four-all. Both teams made it to the second round after that. Previous matches did not indicate a favourite.

The referee whistled indicating the kick-off. Farfadillis had won the coin flip. The game started and it was evident that both teams were giving it their all. It couldn't be any other way. Both teams were going for the title that would in one case let them write a bit of history and in the other case let them fill their trophy case.

Both teams' defenses played a bad match since the beginning. The defenses were basically unchanged since the last match between the two teams one year before. The only difference was Frêndê playing for Fakkotti on the Farf defense, and nobody would ever claim Frêndê made the Farf defense better. The two defenses that had conceded four goals last time taking the pitch? Alright, can't see what could possibly go wrong...

The Marauders were the first to truly warn the opposing team when Espy va Drake dribbled Frêndê with a sidestep and then dribbled Mata by virtue of speed, following that with a shot from the edge of the box. Lisdiren was quick to react, however, and so he managed to dive to his lower-right corner touching the ball with his right hand and as a result changing the trajectory of the ball. It did not go out however, but Mêndêlöíndçêl managed to beat Gwaval to the rebound just in time, sending the ball to a corner before the Vanorian poacher could score with an empty goal at her will. The corner kick itself was wasted by the Vanorians, however, as Lisdiren unhung the cross effortlessly.

The Farves would also announce their intentions a few minutes later, however, when Terán narrowly missed the goal when aiming for the lower-right corner from outside the box, with a shot that surprised everyone. It ended up a goal kick, yes, but more than one Vanorian felt relieved, surely, and more than one Farf felt disappointed, surely.

Both goalkeeper got a few chances to show their worth here and there, but in the end no goals were scored in the first half. Somewhat disappointing considering how both teams were renowned as teams with very lethal attacks, with Farfadillis' defense being considered very bad too, which could only add to the fun of watching the game. Yet the defenses had been decent enough to, with some luck, keep a clean sheet for three quarters of an hour.

The second half would be different, to the luck of all the neutrals watching the final. No changes were made for the second half, rather unsurprisingly. Both teams had been doing really well inside the pitch anyway. It was all a matter of luck in a way.

It took just a few minutes of the second half for a team to score the first goal of the match. It would be Farfadillis. It would be Risko Kâí.

Agundí Frêndê got the ball from Espy va Drake (for the first time in the match, to be clear) and started rushing towards the Vanorian goal, choosing to go through the centre despite it being a terrible decision tactically-speaking. Looking up, he saw Dandalleion running towards the Vanorian goal, and he saw the potential for an assist. However, he instead chose to just feint a through pass to him, making the opposing defense desperate to stop him. It worked, as it opened enough space for an aerial through pass to Risko, who was close to Dandalleion, but not being taken care of thanks to what Frêndê had done. The pass was perfect. Kâí stopped it barely inside the box and looked up. He saw just Nororon. He feinted shooting to the lower-left corner and proceeded to dribble to the right. Nororon completely fell for it. With an empty goal in front of him, he just chipped the ball and started to celebrate.

A simple error from the Vanorian defense had been punished severely by the Farf team, with no less than a goal. Now it was all uphill for the Vanorian team. If only they had been more focused at the moment of the goal... but they hadn't been, so it was useless to think that anyway.

Both teams continued giving the match their all. Farfadillis did not start playing more defensively, despite what logic could've told Rossizzo. The Farf manager just kept telling the player that they had to go for a second goal, that parking the bus would only mean Valanora scoring. He was right, Farfadillis' only way of properly defending was attacking and, as a consequence, not having to defend as much.

Soon, every attack became a toss-up. Both defenses started becoming unable to cope with the potency of the opposing offense. Hawk, va Drake and Fresco were already more than enough to tear apart the Farf defense, and they were helped anyway. On the other end of the pitch, Terán, Tuzzio, Kâí, Fôx, Dandalleion and Roga were too much of a task for the Vanorian defense.

Lisdiren saved his goal thrice with equally impressive saves. Nororon did the same, but twice instead of thrice. Farfadillis was coming close to a goal that would leave them a lot more calmed, while Valanora was coming even closer to scoring and therefore equalizing.

But coming so close and not scoring would be exactly what would almost doom Valanora. The Marauders started playing a possession game following a corner which got them very close to the box, and from there Hawk dribbled Terán and Mata easily, entering the box and then letting a missile take off from his right foot. It was saved by Lisdiren, but the rebound arrived at Gwaval's feet. The striker was now with an empty goal at her will but, just as had happened close to the beginning of the match, Mêndêlöíndçêl was there to act as the no-hands goalkeeper when the Vanorian poacher went for the goal. This time, however, Gwaval had had the opportunity to shoot. Yurpá's reflexes were fantastic, however, and so he managed to clear the ball with his head after diving to the left. It was reasonable, as it was only instinct for a striker to shoot there. It was only instinct for Mêndêlöíndçêl to correctly guess, however.

Much to the Vanorians' bad luck, the ball did not go out. Instead, it was picked up by Frêndê just before going out for a throw-in. Agundí then started heading forward, trying to started a counterattack. There were just two players up front, but they were just the perfect two for a counterattack. The two were Ichi Tuzzio and Friekder Dandalleion. Frêndê passed the ball to Tuzzio violently, as any counterattack-starting pass would be. Tuzzio carried the defender marking him towards him, and then stunned the entire stadium with an unexpected one-touch pass to Dandalleion with his heel. Dandalleion, already having guessed Tuzzio's intentions, started running to the right, where the pass would end up. Haelinde was following him, however. He got rid of him by virtue of his speed running down the right flank. It was impossible for Haelinde to catch up. Soon, Dandalleion reached the box and faced Nororon, who hadn't dared get out of the box to stop him. Nororon had started running towards him, though, and Dandalleion responded in the only safe way possible: dribbling him. Instead of what Kâí did, however, he just shot to the empty goal, trying to secure the goal. He scored. Farfadillis was now winning by two goals. It was already the eightieth minute.

All the Farves celebrated the goal like crazy, naturally, but they hadn't won yet. They knew they had Valanora in front of them, and so winning even by five with ten minutes left was no guarantee.

And indeed, they had apparently woken up Laborious Hawk. That could only have terrible consequences. It was evident, as the defense soon suffered of the full wrath coming from Hawk's raw skill. Soon, Rossizzo started telling the players to focus on him. In a minute Rossizzo realized that Hawk would tear apart the Farves even more if he did that, as other players would be left completely alone. So he told the team to just revert to the original plan. All that in a matter of a minute or so.

Hawk was thirsty for the AOCAF Cup, though. It showed. Soon, in the eighty-fourth minute, he scored a goal that put Valanora back on the game. He received the ball from Soldarian and proceeded to dribbled Terán. He then faced Mêndêlöíndçêl, but managed to one-two him with help from Durosa. He then faced Mata and Frêndê, with the latter having joined the former in an attempt to stop him. He quickly connected a through pass to his teammate Espy va Drake. va Drake easily got to it, as the pass had been perfect. He then went straight for the shot, which was deviated by Lisdiren's save, but it hit the crossbar nonetheless. It then went straight back to where Hawk was. With an incredibly explosive sprint, he sped past Mata and Frêndê and then fulminated the ball to the upper-right corner, which was very unnecessary considering Lisdiren was on the floor.

But it would not end there, as Hawk himself would score another goal just three minutes later. By then it was already the Vanorians' game, the Farves were now not really having any control at all of the pitch.

Hawk dribbled Mêndêlöíndçêl and passed to an open va Drake. va Drake then dribbled Kâí and was fowled by Frêndê. Pretty close to the box, from the right form a Vanorian perspective. Hawk would take the free kick. The Vanorian looked up and saw exactly what he probably wanted: Lisdiren on the left and nobody outstandingly tall in the wall. He shot. It was a perfect free kick. Lisdiren couldn't have done anything to stop it. Valanora had equalized. It was tragic for the Farves.

Yet, football is weird in many ways. After those two goals, Farfadillis suddenly woke up. This may have been thanks to Rossizzo making three substitutions at the same time. Kühâx replaced a Fôx that was already very, very tired. Bârr replaced a Mata that was not having his best game ever. Dragãozý replaced Roga to add speed to the Farf attack, as well as fresh legs.

Farfadillis rejoined the game. Valanora was now apparently satisfied with going to extra time after a rather heroic chain of two goals that had equalized the game. The Farf attack was growing hungry again, however. It could not end up really well for the Vanorians if they did not go for another goal.

Kühâx stripped Durosa from the ball and started heading forward. He passed the ball to Tuzzio, who instantly gave it back. Kühâx then outran Narbrinsyr to the ball. Close to the box, he decided to go for the cross. He hit the ball really well and so the ball headed straight for Dragãozý's head. The young Rulandese striker headed the ball powerfully. Nororon reacted just in time, however, and so managed to stop the goal by flying to the post to his left. The ball did not go out for a corner kick, very surprisingly. It just rolled along the goal line and reached Kühâx again. The right midfielder then dribbled Narbrinsyr and went for a cross with his left foot, but this time Haelinde managed to head it out. However, the ball went straight to Terán, who stopped the ball and instantly tried to enter the box. He then dribbled Tinueme and prepared to shoot, to condemn the Vanorians.

But then, Tinueme did what many would've done. Before letting his team fall, he decided to take the risk of fowling Terán inside the box. He knew the gamble could go wrong, but it would probably be game over if Terán scored. Terán fell, as expected, and the Turorian referee did not fail to point to the penalty spot. Farfadillis had a penalty. The Turorian referee then ran to where Tinueme was and carded him. A yellow card? Oh, that was outrageous for the Farves. Soon, the referee was surrounded by four Farf players. However, Terán, looking confused, just took the ball and positioned it on the penalty spot, then told his teammates to just leave it as it was. The teammates obeyed, for no apparent reason. Maybe it was that Terán looked extremely stoic? Anyway, Dandalleion and Tuzzio were usually the ones who took the penalties. Yet, for some reason, not even Rossizzo said a thing. Terán was definitely taking the penalty.

He looked at the ball, then the goalkeeper. He looked kind of confused. He looked as if he didn't understand what was surrounding him. He started running towards the ball. Every step was an eternity for both Farves and Vanorians. Nororon was preparing to dive to his left. He did. Terán hit the ball lightly. The ball went straight for the centre, perfectly for the centre, and at a very slow speed. He had... he had chipped it.

For a second, all of the Farf team did not react. After that, they went wild and joined Terán in celebrating the goal. A goal that would last centuries, a goal that would be remembered by Farves for years and years to come.

The goal, with just one minute of regular time left, was too much for Valanora to bear, and it was just too much a morale injection for Farfadillis for Valanora to equalize. The game had been sentenced. Farfadillis were the AOCAF Cup champions.

And oh did it feel good for them to watch Mêndêlöíndçêl lift the trophy. To watch him finally lift the trophy.

AOCAF Cup 43 - Everything Thread

95X AOCAF 43 MD3 RP

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