Baptism of Fire 34 (for WC47) RP/Roster/Scores Thread

[Isselmere]

Football Weekly Special

Eagles snatch victory in low-scoring affair
Oscar Belham

Bostopia - Isselmere-Nieland secured a win against Aeukera in a much-improved defensive performance despite the strangely casual play of the striking partnership of Owen Claesburgh and Robert Cohen. James Potherington made a few alterations to his starting XI, replacing Egil Thorvaldsson and Sylvester Morrison with Colum mab Wercus and Brian Stewart, and Daniel Norton for Mark Dunston. This last change proved essential as Norton converted Isselmere-Nielandic dominance into a goal with a thirty-six yard belter into the top left corner of the Aeukerian net in the eighth minute.

From that moment, it seemed a question of how many goals the Eagles would score, but Claesburgh and Cohen amongst others conspired to miss chance after chance as Isselmere-Nieland pressed their opponents into the final third. In the twelfth minute, Claesburgh struck a low drive that missed the net by inches.

Cohen managed only to find either the Aeukerian keeper or defenders. After retrieving the goal kirk from the Aeukerian keeper, Björnssund sent in Norton who set up a superb linking play with Cohen only for the striker to scuff the ball tamely into the keeper's hands. In the 38th minute, he unleashed a belter that winded a Aeukerian centre-half. Shot after shot, Cohen's attempts were blocked, parried or deflected safely away from goal.

Continued on p.4 - That is, more later ...

Despite the disappointingly low score, Isselmere-Nieland remains second in Group G and will play the group leaders, Gillenor, next.

Isselmere-Nieland 1 - 0 Aeukeria
(Norton 8') -
Bookings
Stewart (18' - persistent fouling)

[Toyur]

Toyurska Sportnyhet

Bears go into Bye Day with Victory
by Anders Alfven

BOSTOPIA(TP) - The Toyur national team recorded their first major international victory with a 2-0 win over Euro-Trash last night. The win gives the Bears 5 points, good enough for top spot in the group, with one game left to play before the second round begins.

Manager Erik Larsson credited the victory to good scouting and a good effort from his team. 'I felt that we knew how they were going to play, and in training we drilled that over and over,' Larsson said following the match. 'They liked to play a possession game and get the ball to speedy forwards, and we knew that we would need to frustrate their passing and cover certain players a bit more closely.'

The strategy seemed evident from the opening kick-off, as Sjodin was tracking Euro-Trash forward Roger Bridger from start to finish. Both Toyur fullbacks played an aggressive game, frustrating the Euro-Trash playmakers and looking for opportunities to attack once they won possession. The first chance came in the 12th minute; Olafsson won the ball and made a quick pass to Modin, whose cross into Eklund was headed wide. While not successful at scoring, the Bears were encouraged by the chance.

'It was a miss, sure, but we knew that if we kept up that sort of play that we would get one eventually,' striker Viktor Eklund, one of two Toyur goalscorers on the night, said later. 'They were getting a bit more possession than us but they were not creating many chances with it and it gave all of us confidence that we could get a win.'

Eklund did hit the mark on the 28th minute. After intercepting a pass across the Euro-Trash back line, Eklund went in alone and scored easily to give the Bears the opening goal. At half-time, the possession was in favour of Euro-Trash 55-45, but the Bears had 2 shots on target and 3 missed while Euro-Trash could not muster a shot on target.

In the second half, Euro-Trash were a bit more threatening. Bridger got free early on and blasted a shot off the post, and a strong run of possession an hour into the match forced the Bears defence apart, forcing Anders Eriksson into a few saves.

The second goal for Toyur came in the 79th minute, with a Kristian Olsen corner kick meeting the head of Justin Tillström, who put it across the keeper, giving Ralph Alwyn no chance and the Bears a 2-0 lead. The match finished at that scoreline, delighting the small Toyur contingent in attendance and players and manager alike.

The win gives the Bears a record of one win, two draws, and no losses in the group stage so far, with one match remaining after their upcoming bye. Matchday four matches in Group A can be seen, with Gargorina and Euro-Trash on on TSTV2 and Carbonegro and Zerdonian on TSTV3.

[Sargossa]

Safety back in the privacy of his hotel room in the facility currently being used as the national side’s training base FFS Vice-President Rafael Barragán helped himself to something deeply alcoholic from the mini bar. Sure the bill would almost certainly make painful reading but right now he really didn’t care. Sargossa’s first foray into senior international football wasn’t exactly going to plan. Sure he hadn’t expected an easy ride through this tournament but, after watching the Corsairs throw away a winning position against Queer Poco el Mono Ara, there was a genuine danger that they might not even make it out of the group.

He knew that group draw would be trouble. Five good teams drawn together, what had been the chances of that? And after the opening win over Group E whipping boys Nationstates 4 the Sargossans had first been held by al-Merika and now by the Poconese. Leaving the Corsairs in third place in the group, a position that wouldn’t be good enough to advance as things stood right now. And with only 2 points separating Parthenon at the top and Vaarshire in fifth it was shaping up to be a tense final two games. Oh he was going to get so drunk tonight. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. “What is it?”

“Sorry for disturbing you sir.” Albert, the FFS’s security man, poked his head around the door. “But there’s something going on in Salazar’s room I think you’re going to want to see.”

“If it’s Reyes angling for another exclusive tell him to sod off.”

“I really think you should come and see for yourself.”

Something in the other man’s tone made Barragán slightly uneasy. “Ok, i’ll be down in a second.”

He followed Albert down the corridor to the national coach’s room quite unsure what to expect. They reached it and Albert opened the door. Taking a deep breath Barragán stepped through. Inside he found Salazar, his assistant and . . .

“Excellency?”

Normally government minsters weren’t addressed quite so formally but Roberto Rojas, Minister of Sport, was different to your average minister. Roberto Rojas was the youngest son of Juan Manuel Rojas all powerful President of Sargossa.

"Hello Rafael."

“Umm . . .to what do we owe this unexpected honour?”

Rojas snorted at the question. “Some recognition is all i'm looking for. I have been watching the people back home and do you know what Rafael? Do you know how much those people love this team of yours? Every time the play the whole nation grinds to a halt. They love them, they cheer them. And why? They’ve only won a single game. Whereas I, me, the Minister of Sport, the man who made all this possible get nothing. Where are my cheers?”

“I’m sure the people appreciate what you’ve done Excellency.” Barragán said trying to sooth the young minister. Although he knew that what Rojas had actually done was a fat lot of nothing. His title was ornamental, nothing more. He had no input into, well, anything.

“Oh they will appreciate me Rafael. They will. This team is in danger for dropping out of this tournament. And then how will the people feel huh? They will be devastated. But if someone could turn it around, could rescue this situation they would be a hero in the eyes of an entire nation.”

“And that someone might be you?” Barragán wasn’t sure he liked where this was going.

“Indeed. Rafael i’m here as your saviour.”

“And how would you go about . . . saving us?”

“Simple, i’ve found you a new player.”

Barragán felt a sudden sinking feeling in his stomach but he asked the dreaded question anyway. “And who might that be?”

By way of an answer the minister placed an ediraf produced Sargossan football shirt on the coffee table in the centre of the room. On the back it had the squad number 24 and in large letters, ROJAS.

The FFS Vice President felt his whole body suddenly go very cold. “But you . . . that’s impossible!”

Rojas flashed him a predatory smile. “I think you’ll find that for me very little is impossible. As I was just explaining to coach Salazar here i’ve formally registered myself as part of the squad with the tournament’s organisers and I will be partnering Fariás up front against Vaarshire. If he has any objection he’ll find his next coaching role on a penal colony. And you Barragán, any word from you and the only way you’ll be involved with the national side again will be as the coach driver. Is that clear?”

Barragán opened his mouth but he could think of nothing to say. He saw that Salazar’s own look of helplessness matched his own. There really was no way of arguing with the president's son.

“I’m glad we’re all in agreement. The next time the people cheer they’ll cheer for me!”

[Parthenon]

Lady Amanda Valtreck, Empress of the Parthenese Confederation, took her seat beside Minister of Public Affairs Lord Richard Ambrose on the small government jet destined for Liventia. Lord Ambrose suggest the trip as a PR stunt to Lady Valtrck weeks ago as it would be the first time that a Parthenese ruler has ventured to international sporting competition since the dark days of the Parthenese dictatorship under Lord Governor Angelfire the nefarious. Lord Ambrose had high hopes of the Parthenese National Team winning their group in the Baptism of Fire Tournament with their recent success over the capable Vaarshire team, however, he also felt a sense of trepidation in knowing that the traitorous Bachus Erebus was the man that would be coaching Parthenese team throughout the tournament. Erebus was a highly decorated Dread Commander under Lord Governor Angelfire during the Alexandrian Campaigns and the various Confederation Wars the gripped the nation in the last years of the the Lord Governor's reign. Erebus somehow managed to escape a similar fate to that of the other Dread Commanders by bribing Lady Valtreck's father, Emperor Archos Valtreck, with the Mark of Fate, battle scepter of Parthenese Leaders since the days of old. How Erebus came to acquire this relic from Angelfire remains a point of contention between witnesses at the destruction of old Athens in the fourth Confederation war. The prevailing account was that he himself was responsible for lighting fire that torched the inner sanctum of the Governor's Palace and took the life of Angelfire, however, there are those that claim Angelfire lit the fire himself in order to ascend the mortal world into the immortal and rule the land for eternity. Lord Ambrose took no solace in either of these stories when he would be responsible for Lady Valtreck in the vicinity of this man that did so much to combat, and ultimately deceive, her father for so long.

The silence of Lord Ambrose's thoughts was broken with the sound of the engines roaring to life as the plane left the tarmac for Liventia. Lady Valtreck was no fan of flying and gripped the aging minister's hand tightly as a serpent would its prey. They were off to witness the epic battle between the national team and all those in her path...

[Bostopia]

Matchday 4 Scores

Group A

Gargorina 0-2 Euro-Trash
Carbonergro 2-1 Zerdonian

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Euro-Trash                 3   2   0   1    3    2    1    6
   2  Toyur                      3   1   2   0    4    2    2    5
   3  Carbonergro                3   1   1   1    3    3    0    4
   4  Zerdonian                  4   1   1   2    6    7   -1    4
   5  Gargorina                  3   1   0   2    4    6   -2    3


Group B

Swilatia 1-1 Lanceo
Upper Orange 1-0 Fson

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Fson                       4   2   1   1    7    4    3    7
   2  Upper Orange               3   2   1   0    3    1    2    7
   3  Lanceo                     3   1   1   1    4    4    0    4
   4  Swilatia                   3   0   2   1    3    4   -1    2
   5  Elesdee                    3   0   1   2    2    6   -4    1


Group C

The Babbage Islands 3-1 Penthoria
Valladares 1-2 Delaclava

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Delaclava                  4   2   2   0    7    5    2    8
   2  The Babbage Islands        3   2   1   0    8    3    5    7
   3  Penthoria                  3   1   1   1    3    4   -1    4
   4  Maciea                     3   1   0   2    4    4    0    3
   5  Valladares                 3   0   0   3    2    8   -6    0


Group D

South Wienda 0-3 Valipac
Drie-Bene 0-2 LeDoucheland

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  LeDoucheland               4   3   1   0    7    2    5   10
   2  Valipac                    3   2   1   0    7    2    5    7
   3  Unreal229                  3   1   0   2    3    4   -1    3
   4  South Wienda               3   1   0   2    1    5   -4    3
   5  Drie-Bene                  3   0   0   3    1    6   -5    0


Group E

Nationstates IV 1-3 Parthenon
Sargossa 1-2 Vaarshire
al-Merika 2-2 Queer Poco el Mono Ara

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Parthenon                  4   3   0   1    8    5    3    9
   2  Vaarshire                  4   2   1   1    6    5    1    7
   3  Queer Poco el Mono Ara     4   1   3   0    7    6    1    6
   4  al-Merika                  4   1   2   1    8    6    2    5
   5  Sargossa                   4   1   2   1    5    5    0    5
   6  Nationstates IV            4   0   0   4    3   10   -7    0


Group F

Sibirsky 3-2 WaffenBrightonburg
Gallartium 1-0 Western Mediterranean
Barbana 2-0 46566

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Gallartium                 4   3   0   1    6    3    3    9
   2  Sibirsky                   4   3   0   1    8    6    2    9
   3  WaffenBrightonburg         4   2   1   1    9    5    4    7
   4  Barbana                    4   2   0   2    4    4    0    6
   5  46566                      4   1   0   3    2    8   -6    3
   6  Western Mediterranean      4   0   1   3    3    6   -3    1


Group G

Isselmere-Nieland 0-0 Gillenor
Krytak 2-2 Midlauthia
Aeukera 0-0 P00t3r

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Gillenor                   4   3   1   0    4    0    4   10
   2  Isselmere-Nieland          4   2   2   0    6    2    4    8
   3  P00t3r                     4   1   2   1    4    4    0    5
   4  Krytak                     4   1   1   2    6    8   -2    4
   5  Midlauthia                 4   0   3   1    5    6   -1    3
   6  Aeukera                    4   0   1   3    0    5   -5    1


[Valipac]

Valipac Pummels South Wienda 3-0

A great outing for King (in club kits above) and Valipac

In a fabulous display of form, Valipac destroyed the squad from South Wienda by as score of 3-0. The win clinches a birth in the next round for Valipac, and one more victory will clinch the division for them. Valipac will play winless Drei-Bene in the final match of group play. A 1-0 victory or higher would tie Valipac with LeDoucheland in points, and Valipac would win the group based on goal differential. A draw or loss would leave Valipac in second, but the other teams in the group have no chance of catching up to Valipac in that second spot, with South Wienda and Unreal both being able to achieve only a maximum of six points. Even if Drei-Bene does pull off the unlikely upset, Valipac will still move on.

The goal scorers for Valipac were Leon King, for his first goal of the tournament, Nicholas Fitzgerald, for his fourth, and Taylor Haynes, for his first. King scored in the 14th minute of the game with a beatiful header off of a Marsden cross. Fitzgerald scored in the 40th minute on a nice shot that arced just inside the post. Haynes scored in the final seconds of stoppage time as the keeper for South Wienda had came up to play a corner, and the goal was left undefended.

OOC: Somehow I just lost motivation while writing this post. I'll complete it later.

[The Babbage Islands]

FORT BOSTON, Bostopia (BPA) -- The Babbage Islands soccer eleven defeated Penthoria 3-1 in the international Baptism of Fire tournament, to move into a commanding position in group play. The Islanders now stand on seven points after three games with one to play. They also have a game in hand on group leaders Delaclava, who have eight points but have completed their schedule. A draw against Maciea will assure The Babbage Islands of first place in Group C.

The Babbage goals, all in the first half, were scored by Erik Hebbeler (Viktoria Baden), Qiao Zhibang (FC Green Star), and Carl Rolando (Charleston FC). One late goal by Penthoria did not diminish an excellent performance in goal by Averill Robinson (West Scoville Tigers).

[Isselmere]

Football Weekly Special

Goalkeeping masterclass in scoreless draw
Oscar Belham

Liventia - The result belied the quality of the match as Isselmere-Nieland and Gillenor fought a bitterly contested match for first place in Group G. Although the Eagles remain second, they escaped the fate of their fellow competitors who have all lost against the mystery side.

In truth, both sides created some remarkable chances. Gillenor had a total of fifteen accurate attempts on goal with several more blocked by a valiant Isselmere-Nieland defence. For their part, the Eagles had seventeen attempts on target, Claesburgh producing six and Cohen seven. Despite the sublime quality of the efforts by both sides, neither team could beat the opposing keepers. In the eighth minute, Cohen unleashed a belter from the edge of the eighteen that seemed destined to find the top left corner of the net only to have it parried by the Gillenor keeper. Felsingborgin had to make his own spectacular save in the thirteenth minute. From then on, it was a goalkeeping battle with each keeper producing save after amazing save.

Norton came closest to securing victory for the Eagles at the 57th minute after a lucky bounce escaped the Gillenor defence and gifted him the ball, only to see it sail towards row Z.

The Eagles will guarantee themselves a spot in the next round should they win or draw in the next match against P00t3r, although they may also progress if they do not lose to the third-placed side by more than three goals.

Isselmere-Nieland 0 - 0 Gillenor

[Euro-Trash]

Euro-Trash Fans Celebrating A Lead In Group A

Head Coach Chandler stared thoughtfully at the tapes of yesterday's game. "We played well." the coach stated yesterday at a press conference " We executed what we practiced all week down to a science, played our fundamentals well, and completely shut down their offense." However, noting these reels he continued to pour over, he realized that was an understatment.

The game was, for once, not played in their court. The defense, lead by Mitchell Lester with 14 tackles and not a single foul, continuesly moved up farther and farther until most of their 'heavy' defensive work was being played a meter or so ahead of the mid-pitch line.

As for the offense, Roger Bridger was finally able to put one in following a corner kick. The kick in itself was flawless, hooking just slightly to where Roger would wish to have the ball. Surprisingly though, Roger messed up the manner in which he was to score. It was more of a mistake than anything. While Bridger went up to deflect the ball inward with his head, another Gargorina player coming from behind and tripped Bridger mid-air. Thanks to the swinging motion of Bridger's feet after the fall, the ball somehow deflected itself off of his cleat and into the goal.

Aster Raven, coming in for Bridger after the fall, got the ball for himself about the 80th minute of play and, driving with Norris Seward, was able to infiltrate the 18 yard box and pass to Sammy Lavern after a rather impressive fake of the goal keeper to let him score.

As for Bridger, medical experts don't beleive he has more than a very mild concussion from hitting his head on the ground. "I should be ready to play our next match." stated Bridger "Doctors say I have a slight concussion. I say just got a headache."

[Queer Poco el Mono Ara]

As seen by an outsider

It is perhaps one of the easiest jobs in the footballing world, but one which surely brings very little satisfaction. Being the head coach of a nation who expect very little of their team means that even a draw can be a victory. Draws are something which are becoming a staple of the Asdrubal Espinoza era as head coach of Queer Poco el Mono Ara. 6 points from 4 games was a good number to hold, but it could be so much different. Late points snatched from the jaws of defeat mean Queer Poco have yet to lose, but perhaps at this stage in the Baptism of Fire they should have lost a game.

This so-called Group of Death had remained a group of consistently average. With little interest shown from the media back home (they want World Cup coverage) not many people have been gripped by the constant draws as Queer Poco grind out result after result against evenly matched opposition. These fledgling footballing nations have yet to set the world on fire with their obvious skill and innate ability with a ball. Give it time and this group of Death may be a more captivating fixture list. However amongst this lack of interest there is a glimmer of something exciting as Queer Poco are on the verge of qualifying for the next stage. A win against Nationstates IV is necessary for qualification to the next round to even be a possibility but if Vaarshire fail to win, we can overtake them. This however all remains in the hands of fate as nothing is written, even if the “four” have failed to take a single point in four games they may come up trumps against a side who have been drilled to draw matches and not go looking for the kill.

The likelihood of Asdrubal Espinoza’s reign in charge of the Poconese national team being blighted by constant draws is a possibility and the ever pessimistic fans who have gone to the trouble of keeping tabs on this pre-cursor to the world cup competition know all too well that the final group game may yet end in disaster. If Espinoza is incapable of guiding us through the group stages at the Baptism of Fire, the chances of us qualifying for the World Cup are slim and his expensive appointment may require a quick look at the receipt.

6 points in four matches and humiliation in the Oxen Cup and the jury is still undecided on Asdrubal Espinoza. Qualification for the second stage of the Baptism of Fire may yet prelong this reserved judgement but a strong showing against the weakest side in the group is required.

Being a coach for a national team that does not expect very much is an easy job. But being in charge of a team who are thinking way ahead of themselves may prove exceptionally difficult for a manager.

[Toyur]

Toyurska Sportnyhet

Still All-to-Do for Bears after Bye
by Anders Alfven

BOSTOPIA(TP) - Following matchday four, which was a bye for the Toyur national side, they still sit second in the group, but their position is not safe.

The team could conceiveably still finish at the bottom of the table with a horror result against bottom team Gargorina. Toyur hold 5 points, one behind group leaders Euro-Trash, one ahead of Carbonergro and Zerdonian, and two ahead of their upcoming opponents.

'I think it will force us into the mindset of a must-win game,' Larsson said at training. 'No team is an easy game in this competition and we want to finish strong and hopefully move on to the next round.'

A travelling contingent of fans has been following the team for four matchdays now, and are a bit nervous.

'We booked for two and a half weeks,' said Erik Jonasson, a travelling fan. 'If we don't go through, I don't know what else I can do in this place. They have no temples! No churches! Only fun things. There's too much freedom here. I'm not spending my hard-earned money watching other teams win either.'

His friend, Johannes Nylander, agreed. 'I came too far to go home empty-handed, and the last thing we need is some free time to tempt us from following our holy path.'

In matchday four Group A results, Euro-Trash defeated Gargorina 2-0, while Zerdonian finished the group stage with a 2-1 loss to Carbonergro. The match with Gargorina can be seen on TSTV2.

[Vaarshire]

THE VAARSHIRE TIMES

Vaarshire's #1 English Newspaper

ANOTHER CLOSE WIN FOR THE RED AND ORANGE
Vaarshire 2, Sargossa 1

LIVENTIA- The rankings roller-coaster continues as Vaarshire is up to second place in Group E after defeating Sargossa. Vaarshire scored first, in the seventeenth minute, with Ryan Xavier, back on the team after suffering a slight ankle injury, sending the ball careening at the goal. After that, the game was mostly eventless, with the half ending with a score of 1-0 to the Red and Orange.

Not to be outdone, Sargossa tied it within five minutes of the half starting. And thus began a series of several attempts at breaking the tie by both teams, none to any avail. Vaarshire attempted eight times to score a goal, with Sargossa doing the same. Striker Christian Sorensen received a red card for kicking Daniel Gallego rather violently in the shins, and was replaced by fan-favorite Valentine Naaktgeboren with nine minutes left in play.

A further eight minutes passed and everyone was sure the game would end in a tie. However, Naaktgeboren managed to find his way through Sargossa's defense and score a goal with just under one minute left in play. The shouts from the Vaar crowd in Liventia was surely heard back home. However, fans are still on the edge of their metaphorical seats as a win against al-Merika is needed to ensure qualification for the second round of the Baptism of Fire.

[Bostopia]

---Glenrock City Police Force HQ, Glenrock---

A Police spokeswoman was making a statement outside of the Headquarters of Glenrock City Police Force, in central Glenrock.

"Thank you all for coming. Following the pictures on both television and in printed media, we wish to make clear our actions at the game between Gargorina and Euro-Trash, at the Halling Rock stadium, we wished to make our actions clear. After ourselves and stewards at the ground noticed that the Euro-Trash fans were lighting rudimentary flares in celebration, we immediately asked them over the tannoy to cease the activity immediately, as it was both illegal inside stadiums in Bostopia and also significantly unsafe. The majority of fans at this point stopped. We then told those fans who were continuing that while we would be keeping the CCTV records for the remainder of the tournament, no further action would be taken as it was the first time this had happened.

It was at this point that our officers - supported by stewards - approached the fans and asked them to hand over the materials being used illegally, which was done.

The fans were then released from the stadium, and no further incidents took place.

We would ask that all fans read this page for more information on laws within Bostopia, specifically "Stadia Law".

Thank you again."

[Sargossa]

The Island Chronicle


Corsairs On the Brink

It really doesn’t seem that long ago that we were approaching this tournament riding on the crest of a wave produced by the growing strength of the domestic league and the performances of the national Under-21 side. Could we win the Baptism of Fire? Well no-one said as much but there was hope, no make that expectation, that Sargossa would at least be considered a challenger. And now thanks to a late Valentine Naaktgeboren strike for Vaarshire the Corsairs are in serious danger of the embarrassment of a group stage exit.

And against Vaarshire they got exactly what their limp, disjointed and oh so average performance deserved. Sure the first goal was so dodgy even an MP would hesitate before claiming it on expenses. We’re not entirely sure how far offside a player has to be before actually being called offside but apparently Ryan Xavier, at least three yards ahead of the defence when the ball was played, didn’t warrant a stoppage of play. After going a goal down the Sargossans played some nice stuff in the middle of the park but lack any kind of end product to speak of. New ‘star’ Rojas wasn’t exactly a help either, going down with cramp in the seventh minute and then collapsing in a heap after a rather short run down the flank three minutes later. He was eventually subbed on twelve minutes after staggering to the side of the pitch to throw up.

The second half started and finally a bit of life was injected into the navy blues. And five minutes into the half substitute Batista sidefooted in from Calderón’s pass. And then? Well nothing actually. The Corsairs reverted back to the depressing average performace of the first half. Not even when Christian Sorensen saw red could they rouse themselves. So called coach Salazar’s human semaphore impression on the touchline clearly wasn’t having much impact either. Maybe there’s more to this managerial lark then waving your arms around and looking cross?

And then disaster. Naaktgeboren controlled, suspiciously close to his arm, a long ball forward, defenders hands went up for a handball call that wasn’t coming and the Vaar sub simple ran through and beat Tejera. In the process scoring what could well be the goal that humiliatingly dumps Sargossa out of the Baptism of Fire.

Elsewhere Parthenon stayed top with a comfortable win over everyone’s favourite dud side Nationstates 4 while al-Merika and Queer Poco el Mono Ara fought each other to a standstill, drawing 2 – 2. Leaving the table looking much like this . . .

Code: Select all

 Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Parthenon                  4   3   0   1    8    5    3    9
   2  Vaarshire                  4   2   1   1    6    5    1    7
   3  Queer Poco el Mono Ara     4   1   3   0    7    6    1    6
   4  al-Merika                  4   1   2   1    8    6    2    5
   5  Sargossa                   4   1   2   1    5    5    0    5
   6  Nationstates IV            4   0   0   4    3   10   -7    0


Not good reading. But still a chance albeit it so, so slim. A win against top of the table Parthenon is a must. And by as many goals as possible. The Poconese can be banked on to beat Nationstates 4 so the Corsairs will be relying on either an al-Merika win or a draw between the Rams and Vaarshire to advance. And then only if their goal difference is looking healthier than it does now. And if they have a better record than the third placed times in Groups F & G. Oh dear.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile outside Heartwick House, Fort Boston . . .

If you’d spotted the figure creeping towards the FA building you probably would have given him a wide berth too. If it wasn’t the weirdly exaggerated tip-toeing motion that put you off the occasional high pitched giggle certainly would’ve done. Clutched in this rather strange person’s hand was a bar of soap. A bar of soap which seemed to have a pencil rammed in one end and two wooden strips along the bottom. When he reached the building this odd character got down on his knees and started pushing his strange soap vehicle thing up and down the second of the stone steps that led up to the main entrance. Engine like noises and the occasional sound possibly meant to be an explosion of some kind escaped his lips. Suddenly he leapt up, looked around and said in an overly loud and conspiratorial voice, “Gee, I hope no one steals my little tank.” And with that he left his little tank on the step and sidled off down the street, giggling all the way.

[Delaclava]

DELACLAVA STAR

Delaclava 2 - Valladares 1

Geraldo Ayala scored two goals and Graham Torres made 13 saves to overcome an early score from Hugo Ruiz, and Delaclava secured a place in the next round of the Baptism of Fire.

Once again, Delaclava didn't wake up immediately, and after a series of corner kicks, the last from Paulo Oliveira went right off the forehead of Hugo Ruiz and into the net. However, manager Nolan Wright got the message through their head, and Delaclava held possession for a long time. Later, in a manner similar to Ruiz's goal, Stanley Ichtyelkov found Ayala for a goal.

Later in the second half, Wright made a big change by taking out defender Jim Molina, giving Alex Hickman his first international cap. He also took out midfielders David Ward and John Ewing in favor of Ruben Hester and Gordon Compton. None of these players from the 67th-minute change made a huge different on the stat sheet, but the switch gave Delaclava the boost they needed. Hickman played flawless defense in his first game, and seven minutes later Mose Fuentes found Calvin Castillo up the sideline. Geraldo Ayala got open in the penalty box and volleyed the cross home.

With two wins and two draws, Delaclava has made it past the group play and stands in good position to have a high seed. A Babbage Islands loss to Maciea will give Delaclava the group win. A draw gives Babbage Islands the group on goal differential, and a win for Babbage Islands gives them the group on points. However, Delaclava tied Babbage Islands before and can most certainly beat them if they face them again.

Valladares 1 0 - 1
Delaclava 1 1 - 2

SCORING
1st Half - VAL, Hugo Ruiz (Paulo Oliveira) 15th. DEL, Geraldo Ayala (Stanley Ichtyelkov), 38th.
2nd Half - DEL, Geraldo Ayala (Calvin Castillo, Mose Fuentes) 74th.

SHOTS - VAL 8-9-17, on goal 7-7-14. DEL 5-5-10, on goal 3-4-7.
SAVES - VAL, Fuentes 2-3-5. DEL, Torres 6-7-13.

LINEUPS - VAL, Luis Fuentes; Yoan Lannoy, George Chenney (Ruben Calheira 83rd), Jerome Perrin, Ryan Jones, Armando Rivas, Charles Dickens (Ronald Moulin 78th), Luis da Lima; Paulo Oliveira, Hugo Ruiz, Jefferson Ospina (Andres Perez 78th). DEL, Graham Torres; Jim Molina (Alex Hickman 67th), Calvin Pope, Devin Santana; David Ward (Ruben Hester 67th), Jamal Pacheco, John Ewing (Gordon Compton 67th), Mose Fuentes.

[Penthoria]

TEAM MUST WIN

The Baptism of Fire has rolled along here, and the performance of team Penthoria has been decent. For a team from a nation with a very small population, playing with the handicap of having to play nude, the Panthers’ record of 1-1-1 is pretty good, especially when you consider the group. While the Baptism of Iron, the NSSCRA and the World Bowl have as much to do with the Baptism of Fire as clothes have to do in Penthoria, both Delaclava and The Babbage Islands are nations who have potential in the world of sports. Both of these countries have made others notice them and they deserve to be where they are. There is a third place team that will get in from the groups of five, and Penthoria does have a shot to get this. They are playing Valladres, the nation in which everyone else in the group has taken their turn to beat so far. A win won’t guarantee anything, and there are a bunch of scenarios that exist, so we will keep it as simple as we dress. Beat Valladres, and then hope for the best.

We asked coach Chris Reilly to evaluate the performance of the team in all positions, and here is his evaluation:

On the goalkeeper, Todd Packard: “Todd has played pretty well. The first two games were quite strong, and we did play well enough to beat Delaclava on opening day. He is still rather young. He wishes he could play with a jockstrap, as he took a couple shots in the game against The Babbage Islands that hit him in the midsection and left him a little stunned. On two of their goals, they capitalized probably while he was still feeling it.”

On the defense: “Probably the strength of our team right now. They have done a great job preventing scoring chances, except for the games against the Bumblebees where they got stung a few times.”

On the midfield: “Inconsistent. They played really well in the first game, and decently in the second. Then the Bumblebees really took it to us in our last game. They will have to paly really well against Valladres because not only do we need to win, we need to boost our goal differential as much as we can.”

On the attack: “Disappointed. This won’t cut it in World Cup qualifying, and we may make some adjustments before that qualifying actually begins.”

[Parthenon]

The small jet screeched to a stop as it took too the ground in Liventia. They had reached their destination at last, elapsed time 27 hours. Lord Ambrose and the shaken Empress Valtreck descended the small staircase extending from the side of the aircraft's cabin and took their first steps on the foreign soil. Awaiting their arrival on the tarmac besides a luxury rental car was Jericho Lestinius, team doctor for FC Athens and the Parthenese National Team. Like Erebus, his past was veiled in war and deceit having served as a combat surgeon with Heracle's Sword, an elite division of mercenaries that would do just about anything for the right price. Perhaps this was the reason Erebus kept him so close by his side all these years. "Welcome to Liventia, it is an honor to be of assistance to you my liege. May we continue on to the hotel noble empress?" Weary from the journey, Amanda ahd Lord Ambrose were all too willing to oblige the doctor's request. They entered the vehicle and off for the hotel...

[Fson]

Fson go down to a one nil defeat.


Fsons blue and red army suffered a defeat today to the second place team Upper Orange, the Game was a very close affair with Fson conceding a goal in the second half. The player congratulated each other for a good game afterwards.


Here are the opinion of the manager "Yeah, well we where just not as good as we have been, and Upper Orange where excellant, hopefully we can stay top of the league and qualify"


This left 20,000 dissapointed Fsonian football fans, but there where no post game altercations.

[Liventia]

This is the Matchday Five RP cutoff for teams in the Liventia region (Groups E through G).

Bostopia will cut Groups A through D off in about an hour's time.

Top two teams from each group, as well as best third placed team from each region, qualify for the last 16. The seven qualifiers from Groups E through G, plus the best third-placed Bostopia region team, will play their Ro16, QF and semifinal in Liventia; the rest will do so in Bostopia.

The knockout rounds will be scorinated every day beginning tomorrow, and the BoF will end on Sunday, with the World Cup qualifiers beginning some time next week.

[Liventia]

Matchday Five, Liventia region

Group E
Queer Poco el Mono Ara 3-0 Nationstates IV
Vaarshire 4-0 al-Merika
Parthenon 1-1 Sargossa

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Vaarshire                  5   3   1   1   10    5    5   10  Q
   2  Parthenon                  5   3   1   1    9    6    3   10  Q
   3  Queer Poco el Mono Ara     5   2   3   0   10    6    4    9  Q
   4  Sargossa                   5   1   3   1    6    6    0    6
   5  al-Merika                  5   1   2   2    8   10   -2    5
   6  Nationstates IV            5   0   0   5    3   13  -10    0

Group F
46566 0-0 Sibirsky
Western Mediterranean 1-2 Barbana
WaffenBrightonburg 3-0 Gallartium

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  WaffenBrightonburg         5   3   1   1   12    5    7   10  Q
   2  Sibirsky                   5   3   1   1    8    6    2   10  Q
   3  Barbana                    5   3   0   2    6    5    1    9
   4  Gallartium                 5   3   0   2    6    6    0    9
   5  46566                      5   1   1   3    2    8   -6    4
   6  Western Mediterranean      5   0   1   4    4    8   -4    1

Group G
P00t3r 1-3 Isselmere-Nieland
Midlauthia 2-0 Aeukera
Gillenor 0-0 Krytak

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Isselmere-Nieland          5   3   2   0    9    3    6   11  Q
   2  Gillenor                   5   3   2   0    4    0    4   11  Q
   3  Midlauthia                 5   1   3   1    7    6    1    6
   4  Krytak                     5   1   2   2    6    8   -2    5
   5  P00t3r                     5   1   2   2    5    7   -2    5
   6  Aeukera                    5   0   1   4    0    7   -7    1

The Liventian region second round draw:
Vaarshire v Sibirsky
WaffenBrightonburg v Gillenor
Isselmere-Nieland v Parthenon
Queer Poco el Mono Ara v Bostopian region best third placed team

[Bostopia]

Matchday 5, Bostopian Region

Group A

Euro-Trash 0-1 Carbonegro
Toyur 2-2 Gargorina

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Carbonegro                 4   2   1   1    4    3    1    7 Q
   2  Toyur                      4   1   3   0    6    4    2    6 Q
   3  Euro-Trash                 4   2   0   2    3    3    0    6
   4  Zerdonian                  4   1   1   2    6    7   -1    4
   5  Gargorina                  4   1   1   2    6    8   -2    4

Group B

Lanceo 2-0 Upper Orange
Elesdee 3-0 Swilatia

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Fson                       4   2   1   1    7    4    3    7 Q
   2  Lanceo                     4   2   1   1    6    4    2    7 Q
   3  Upper Orange               4   2   1   1    3    3    0    7 Q
   4  Elesdee                    4   1   1   2    5    6   -1    4
   5  Swilatia                   4   0   2   2    3    7   -4    2

Group C

Penthoria 1-1 Valladares
Maciea 1-3 The Babbage Islands

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  The Babbage Islands        4   3   1   0   11    4    7   10 Q
   2  Delaclava                  4   2   2   0    7    5    2    8 Q
   3  Penthoria                  4   1   2   1    4    5   -1    5
   4  Maciea                     4   1   0   3    5    7   -2    3
   5  Valladares                 4   0   1   3    3    9   -6    1

Group D

Valipac 2-1 Drie-Bene
Unreal229 1-1 South Wienda

Pos  Team                       P   W   D   L   GF   GA   GD  Pts
   1  Valipac                    4   3   1   0    9    3    6   10 Q
   2  LeDoucheland               4   3   1   0    7    2    5   10 Q
   3  Unreal229                  4   1   1   2    4    5   -1    4
   4  South Wienda               4   1   1   2    2    6   -4    4
   5  Drie-Bene                  4   0   0   4    2    8   -6    0

Knockout Round Draw

Carbonegro -v- LeDoucheland | Landsberg Stadium, Caflin (66,546)
Fson -v- Delaclava | Junker Stadium, Prussingberg (67,390)
The Babbage Islands -v- Toyur | Sonfield Park, Reamontry (61,543)
Valipac -v- Lanceo | Sky Blue Stadium, Riikenberg (63,511)
In Liventia Queer Poco el Mono Ara -v- Upper Orange

[Sargossa]

The Island Chronicle


Down And Very Much Out

Oh dear. Given the big build up and bigger expectations prior to the BoF going out in the group stage is just a tad humiliating. Sure the Under-21s went out of their tournament the day before but that was in the last sixteen against Dancougar. There’s no excuses to be had here. Just a squad who would be well advised to keep their collective heads down for a while. And a coach who might be better off taking the scenic route home.

Expect changes before the world cup qualifiers start . . .

(OOC: Best of luck to all those left. Particularly my Group E opponents, it’s always better to say you were knocked out by the eventual champions. )

[Vaarshire]

THE VAARSHIRE TIMES

Vaarshire's #1 English Newspaper

VAARSHIRE ANNIHILATES AL-MERIKA
Vaarshire 4, al-Merika 0

LIVENTIA- The Red and Orange needed a win to ensure making it to the Round of 16 in the Baptism of Fire, and they sure got it. Perhaps it was the many thousands of fans with painted faces and signs that boosted the team's spirits. Perhaps there was something in the water. Perhaps- and this is the most likely theory- Coach De Keizer made sure the team played better than their best. Perhaps a combination of all three. At any rate, in the game that was most vital to Vaarshire- so far- Vaarshire scored higher than it ever had before, and indeed higher than any other Liventia region team playing that day. Vaarshire will advance to the Round of 16 with the top ranking from Group E. From Group E, Parthenon also qualified, and the best third-ranked team from the Liventia region was Queer Poco el Mono Ara.

Ryan Xavier scored the first goal in the third minute of play, followed five minutes later by Sebastian de Groot. In the 30th minute of play, the Rams nearly made a goal, though goalkeeper Daniel St. Paul put his famed light-speed reaction time and long reach to good use and prevented the Merikans from scoring. The rest of the half passed with little occurence. After halftime, the Rams played a bit more roughly; both Namvar Taloquan and Behrooz Sharif recieved yellow cards for fouls. In the 59th minute, Sebastian de Groot scored again, driving the ball through the Rams' defense as if it wasn't there. The last goal of the game was made by Valentine Naaktgeboren in the 77th minute. Though technically he is not a starter, and was in for Christian Sorenson who Coach De Keizer pulled after he saw red in the game against Sargossa, Naaktgeboren is one of the team's best players. It is widely assumed that he will be a starter should Vaarshire make it to the World Cup.

The group round of the Baptism of Fire ended well for Vaarshire, and Coach De Keizer is optimistic. "I think we'll do well in the Round of 16. I'm confident that we'll go far." When asked if he thought Vaarshire could win the Baptism of Fire, he said "I won't say anything; I'm a little afraid of jinxing it." Vaarshire's next opponent is the second-place team from Group F, Sibirsky.

[The Babbage Islands]

REAMONTRY, Bostopia (BPA) -- It wasn't long after The Babbage Islands won their final game in Baptism of Fire pool play before they were en route to Reamontry, site of their first knockout stage game.

The Islanders put up a 3-1 win over Maciea to finish clear first in Group C on ten points. Maciea struck first on a hotly disputed penalty. But afterwards it was all Babbage. Magnus Svoboda of Dover City put up two more goals, his fourth and fifth of the tournament. Defender Bill Hope of Gernsback United then played give-and-go with Dover City's Isaac Buffington up the length of the field before smashing a powerful 30-metre shot past defense and keeper for the final goal.

Sixteen teams now advance to the knockout stage. The Islanders will face Toyur, second-place team in Group A, here at Sonfield Park.

[Valipac]

And they're through!

Valipac wins Group D after a 2-1 victory over Drei-Bene

Valipac left little doubt in the minds of their followers, winning today 2-1 against Drei-Bene in Bostopia. The win pushes the Valipacians to the top of the group, and to an elimination round game against Lanceo, who finished the group stage at a meager 2-1-1 with a goal differential of 2. Ledoucheland was able to take second place despite their bye, losing the first spot to Valipac only by goal differential. Group D appears to be the toughest group of them all, with both advancing teams having received 10 points. Only Group C had the only other team with 10 points, the Babbage Islands, who along with Fson are the two biggest threats to stop Valipac from advancing to the Baptism of Fire final. If Valipac defeats Lanceo, they will move on to face the victor of the Babbage Islands and Toyur game. Certainly Carbenegro received the toughest draw for a group winner, having to play 3-1-0 Ledoucheland in their matchup.

The match between Drei-Bene and Valipac opened up poorly for the Valipacian squad. A few miscues led to an early goal for Drei-Bene and a one goal deficit. However, Valipac struck back just before halftime on a set piece header from Mardsen and equalized the game. Late in the second half, both teams were still looking to go ahead, but Valipac was dominating the touches with their superb passing. Their excellent display of football finally paid of, as Fitzgerald connected on a long shot, sending it soaring past the keeper's outstretched arms for their second goal of the game. Drei-Bene looked to tie, but their spirit seemed gone, as if a ghost had sucked it free of them.

Manager Terry Scott said after the game that he was "very proud of the way the team bounced back after conceding the early goal". He continued to say the he was glad to see "this resiliency", as it "bides well for the future of the team" as they progress through the tournament. The teams Valipac faces will only get better from this point, so it is important for them to keep playing top form football. We encourage all fans to not celebrate the victories too heartily, for safety comes first, and remember the Bostopian bans on certain types of flammable objects.