World Cup 73 - RPing Thread

[Nephara]

Auburn Bywater relaxed in her seat.
This was the life. The high-rise seat over the stadium, a laptop close to hand to type notes in, and the Cormorants she'd had a subtle hand in managing for years.
It was still weird to think of that. She'd been cornered at a dull party by then-manager Gethin Ramsey (now terrorising Cosumar), impressed him and suddenly been pressed into service as a staff member. Ramsey hadn't set stock in anything as petty as 'qualifications' - if he liked you, you were good enough. She'd worked as a 'whip', keeping players in line... something she now understood was the duty of Franziska Rensenbrink, daughter of the NFA President.
That was the difference between then and now, she figured. In an FA without any real central power - hell, in a country without real central power - Ramsey had almost been a kind of warlord, doing pretty much whatever he wanted without repercussion. As soon as his performances showed him to be indispensable, he'd armtwisted the NFA into a contract that took them by the balls and squeezed, hard. He'd left at a time of his choosing and personally chosen a successor in the then-obscure Jess Mortlock.
Things were... different, now. Not worse, but different. The new President ruled with an iron fist and God forbid you step out of line. One of his first actions had been to block Mortlock's resignation, and Bywater herself wasn't even certain if that was legal. And, of course, his daughter was now closely embedded with the team. Another benevolent dictator, just this time with the title to match.
She adjusted her glasses. Yeah, things were definitely easier as an editor. She had, in a way, skipped a lot of intermediate phases between 'an internship' and 'head editor of the most prestigious newspaper in the country', but it had worked out well for her. Besides, it wasn't like she'd spent that time on her arse - she'd been working, in her own way. Even written a book about her experiences.
Rensenbrink hadn't been happy about that, of course. But all the libel threats in the world didn't stop her from, well, actually getting it published. They'd backed down in the end. There was nothing they could do about a bloody memoir, was there?
Just went to show. In this country? If you were strong enough? You could do whatever the fuck you wanted.

"Portia, what the fuck is going on out there?"
Thrift shrugged. "It's a tight match between two even teams, guv. Just one great pass is making the difference for 'em right now, and a tidy finish."
"We should be two up, at least! Fuck this."
The assistant manager sighed. There was little stopping her pensive manager once she got like this. There were many types of genius out there, and Riether fit into the 'high-strung, touchline-stalking' type. Particularly when Nephara were losing. "Yeah, well, we've not had that, have we? We can still have this."
Riether seethed. Thrift, not for the first time, worried about her heartrate.
"Any, uh, move, guv?"
"I want changes out there. Rivers, Levy... Kestrel. Anything but what's currently going on out there."
"Three at once, guv. Tanith's on a caution already."
"She's a clever lass. She won't push her luck."
Thrift sighed. Right. "Oi, Brendan, Sig, Brigid! Start the warmups!"
Levy unfolded from his chair with all the ungainly, creaking lack of grace of an old statue coming to life. Rivers was already on his feet, already stretching. Kestrel, as usual, was talking. "What position, guv?"
Well, Thrift didn't know, did she? As Riether often failed to account for, she was not, in fact, a mind-reader. "You'll know when the time comes," she bluffed. Kestrel gave her a look that said it all about how much she'd seen through it.
Either way, the former international goalkeeper returned to face the match. "Right, now-"
She drew in her breath, sharply. So, it seemed, did the entire stadium. Christener was on the floor and so, it seemed, was Illatara, both protesting to the referee. Who promptly whistled, cautioned Christener, and pointed to the spot. Bottlegreen, right up in his face in protest, got a caution of her own before being dragged back by Belfast and Ashdown - "You aren't helping anyone, mate!" Belfast's hybrid accent rumbled across the stadium. The winger's former club teammate was more sympathetic. "No referee changes their mind at our say-so, right, Tanya? Tanya?" But the Izotz Zubia winger continued glaring, and seething.
The whip Rensenbrink scratched the back of her neck. "Least it's not a re-"
"Shut up, Franzi," snapped Riether. Thrift, for her own part, prayed. Ballard was good with penalties. Thrift had been, too, and given her a few pointers. They'd done their homework on how the Jungle Cats took their penalties, too. They at least had a fifty-fifty shot, right? Just go the right way - with conviction, mind - and the rest takes care of itself.
But Ballard didn't go the right way. And suddenly, with twenty-four minutes left, Nephara were 2-0 down.

Michael Kellard was fuming.
He'd not had a good game, not at all, and he could tell Riether might be about ready to hurl him into the sun. Which was a shame, considering his eye for goal - which had also steadily evaporated over the course of qualifying - had mysteriously come back to him with a couple of fantastic (if he said so himself) headers against Cosumar. And that had taken no small doing, when you took a glance at the Vanquishers' defence. But here... here he'd missed a free header from twelve yards and shot straight at Milake from ten. It happened sometimes. The touches were a bit heavy, sure, but he was still in his best pantomime villain form up front. Covenant was getting space, and Milake had done well to keep his clean sheet.
But as the Cormorants went two down, three guys had come on, and he'd been a casualty for the giant Sigmund Levy. Now, Kellard was the same as all those fans in the stand. All he could do was pray.
And right now, it was the 93rd minute. Yep. Definitely time for prayer. Still, the Cormorants were surging upfield... and, yes, Kellard might be loathe to admit it in the context but it was the fresh legs starting this move, and maybe finishing it, too. Rivers' clever crossfield pass had brought Bottlegreen into a dangerous run, but, closed down by weary but vigilant Tadalek and Baracelv, she drew them away and hit the ball over to the overlapping leftback (for today) Kestrel, who was suddenly free to pick her target.
And targets didn't get much better than Sigmund Levy. Kestrel smashed it at the far post, floating it over the entire defence, stranding the goalkeeper. And Levy...
... skimmed the crossbar with his header under pressure from Rotropii, and the referee blew the final whistle.
Kellard had to restrain himself from being the last to leave the pitch, but he couldn't wait to for a shower. That, or a punching bag. Couldn't find one of those in time? The closest journalist would have to do.
And that little voice, singing at the back of his head... "You would have buried that."

[Vilita]

Jungle Cats Start out Strong

Rare Winning Start to World Cup Finals

ATTAWAPISKAT, ROYAL KINGDOM OF QUEBEC :: For the first time in their history, the Vilita Jungle Cats would square off against the Nephara Cormorants with Nephara, and not Vilita, being the favored side going into the match.

Of course, since it was the first matchday of a competition - in this case, the World Cup Finals, it didn't really matter who Vilita were playing, they would likely be favored in the match.

For National Team head coach Ritopa Simafela, it was a chance to prove himself. A chance to prove that the run during World Cup 72 that led to a 3rd place finish during his debut tournament in charge of the squad was not a fluke. A chance to prove that, in fact, he was the guy that was going to lead the Vilita National Team into a new era - and era where they plant themselves firmly in the top 5 of the KPB Rankings and regularly fight in the Semi-Final stage or later.

The chance to prove himself would come immediately. As luck would have it, although there were 8 groups and the Jungle Cats ranked 7th, Vilita would not be granted a top seed and would, for the umpteenth cup running, be the highest ranked team in the second pot. That meant, of course, that there would likely be a higher seed in their group, and eventually, it was confirmed: Nephara.

To make matters slightly even more difficult, the Jungle Cats, who hadn't really built much momentum at all from their World Cup qualifying campaign, would have to dive straight into it against Nephara, the #4 team in the KPB rankings, drawing the groups top seed on the very first matchday.

Having a history of dropping points on the first matchday, perhaps it was best for the Jungle Cat faithful that it was Nephara, and not one of the lower ranked sides that the Jungle Cats would match up against. If they're all but guaranteed to drop points, they may as well do it against the top team in the group, so they don't have to then rebound against them the very next game after dropping points. Although, that is exactly what the Vilita National Team did in World Cup 72, dropping points the opening matchday to a mediocre Saintland squad before ousting the defending champion and World #1 nation Osarius on the second matchday.

The Venue wasn't going to help things either. The Jungle Cats had made their way to Attawapiskat where the temperature was cold enough to make little ice crystals appear on players eyelashes if they had stood outside for too long. The only hope for the tropically accustomed Jungle Cats was to either adapt quickly, or hope the cold was just as bothersome to the Nepharim players as it was to them.

Despite the cold, many Vilitan citizens made the not-too-terrible trek up from the Vilitan Cove to pack the City of Attawapiskat stadium in support of their team, many having to settle for standing room only entrance as the City of Attawapiskat Stadium only had about 30,000 seats.

After messing around with their lineups through the World Cup Qualifying campaign, there was absolutely no messing around on this day from Ritopa Simafela and Ricata Amakra. Zelkki Milake in goal, Purapal Eskiiy in midfield, Nili Ylimaiina with the captains armband. Many of the youngsters who had injected life into the team during qualifying were watching with the supporters from the stands. This was the time where experience rose to the top and thats the look that the Jungle Cats went with.

With both teams fighting the cold temperatures a little bit, the match got off to a bit of a slow start. Players spent time adjusting to the weight of the ball, the speed of the pitch and the effects of contact. Half an hour into the contest and all the stat lines were even. Possession? 50-50, Shots? 1-1 Corner Kicks?... hadn't been any of those yet.

That was until the 36th minute when a cross from Altimo Ueboa curved awkwardly in towards the net instead of to the 18 yard box requiring Comorants netminder Diandra Ballard to tip the sinking ball over the cross bar. It was a seemingly harmless play but it would change the course of the match as Ueboa would find Tripate Falcon on the resulting corner kick, the Vilitan midfielder connecting to put the Jungle Cats up 1-0 and put Nephara on their heels needing to play a different style of game to get back into the match.

After picking up a knock during the first half, Vilitan captain Nili Ylimaiina was subbed out at the interval, Perran Adlani being introduced in his place. However, much of the focus shifted to the other end as the Comorants opened the second half with a flurry looking to equalize, earning a series of corner kicks that would threaten, but never produce the final bit of quality they needed to pull level.

The match nearly got out of hand less than 30 minutes from time when an incident at the half way line saw a pair of players get a talking to from the referee, but no cards were handed out. Just moment later, a ball in once again from Ueboa was tracked down by Kaivel Illatara, who turned, then hit the deck as Sasha Christener came in to attempt to break up the play. After hearing both sides of the discussions, the referee pointed to the spot and Illatara converted calmly to double the Jungle Cats advantage.

The Nepharim were down but not out, they continued to fight right to the very last whistle, with Sigmund Levy cracking an effort against the cross bar with the final kick of the game to end the match.

The Jungle Cats had done it - the unthinkable - They'd won their opening match. Not only of the World Cup Finals, but also of World Cup Qualifying - in the same cycle. Historians across the Vilitan Cove stumbled about in a fit of dumbfoundedness, media types had no clue what to write about - no need to find someone to blame for the Vilitan's shortcomings.

The headlines would be simple this time. Vilita Win.

Vilita [2] - [0] Nephara

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 37' Tripate Falcon :: 66' Kaivel Illatara

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Best Player: Altimo Ueboa :: Worst Player: Jirijii Januaa :: Possession: 49% :: Shots on Target: 8 :: Corner Kicks: 2

:: Nephara Statistics :: :: Possession: 51% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 5

---

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Nephara ::
[GK]Zelkki Milake, [D.]Arocki Tadalek, [D.]Jirijii Januaa, [D.]Endur Rotropii, [ML] Dalian Magagula, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC]Serabi Chamya, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [MR] Altimo Ueboa, [FC]Nili Ylimaiina, [FC]Kaivel Illatara
BENCH::
[FC]Kiliko Riazen, [FC]Perran Adlani, [M]Westii Yahaya, [M]Lopaki Kilpter, [U]Amarini Baracelv, [D]Tlikao Muratai, [GK]Cilamara Issah

---

[Valladares]

The National Kickoff
The Online Home of Valladar Football!

Tricolor Strike First in Group of Death

By: Alan Rosero

WINNIPEG, ROYAL KINGDOM OF QUEBEC (VP) - Aaand, the World Cup proper finally started! Yipee! After a pretty boring qualifying stage, where we got rid of a lot of equally boring teams, we're finally with our final 32 that will be battling for the big prize in Apox and Québec. And Valladares is there, of course. That was the good news, now time for the bad news: the Tricolor were grouped in what looked as the toughest group of the tournament along with defending champions Pasarga, five-time winners Starblaydia (who despite being a Pot 4 team nowadays, are still a force to reckon with), and perennial entertainers Turori in Group H. If that isn't a Group of Death, I honestly don't know what would it be. Anyways, the tournament's schedule determined that while Pasarga and Starblaydia were holding each other to a 3-3 draw in the group's opening day, Valladares and Turori were facing each other in what seems to be the group's "second place play-off" in a match that is becoming an usual fixture in World Cup finals.

And Then They Were Seven

The Valladars were coming to the finals (and the match vs. Turori) with a 6-game winning streak after stumbling during the first half of qualifiers. Turori, on the other hand, dominated their qualifying group by winning 11 games and only losing one, so Valladares were going to face one of the best teams in World Cup qualifiers. You must also consider that our most recent WC match against the Atlantian Oceanians ended up with them progressing to the quarterfinals and us making our return home (hmm, blood in the eye). But now's the time for a whole new story, and Flabio Flórez and his squad understood it well: their performance was coming in crescendo since halfway point of the qualifiers, the players were now displaying a more solid and effective game, and also (as an extra bonus), this match was the must-win one. Losing against Turori would mean, aside from the usual psychological blow for being the first of three "sure" finals games, that the group's second place was soon going to get out of reach for the Valladars (we were already counting with Pasarga running away with top spot easily...). Around 30,000 people (with a sizable contingent of 10,000 Valladar fans) were present at Winnipeg Stadium for Group H's opener, which we were expecting to be exciting and with us in the winning end, of course.

Just like in earlier Valladares-Turori meetings, the game was a tricky and hard-fought affair for both teams. With this game being instrumental for both sides in their quest to make it out of the group stage, the game was expected to be a wide open affair, and whilst Valladares tried to honour their half of the deal by displaying their usual offensive play, Turori didn't. Instead, their strategy was based on presenting a compact side, short and closed between lines, which presented an additional challenge to the Valladar offense. Their exit through the wings was easily cut off, and with this, Pedrinho, Gignac, and Rozenthal were deprived of the ball most of the time. At the same time, our rivals resorted to counterattacks, but Pedro Pedretti and Ivan Coupet were always able to retreat to the back line, dispelling the risk. The Turorians were already aware of the virtues of the Valladar squad, having already played us several times in the past, and therefore knew pretty well what to expect from us, much to the Marinos' coach's chagrin. And thus, with most of the game's play concentrated in the midfield and no important goal chances for either side, a frustrating first half ended with both Valladares and Turori cancelling themselves out with a 0-0 that wouldn't really do any favors to either.

For the second half, though, Flórez understood that this game required an urgent alternative, and Angelo Farías came up for the second half with Juan Pablo Reyes staying in the changing rooms. The Ajax Carloburgo winger was unknown to the Turorians, and therefore they wouldn't be able to predict what would he be up to. Young Nacional promise (and U-21 NTer) Cristian Arango was also sent in to replace his Nacional teammate Abel Brücke in the 55th minute. With those two substitutions, Flabio Flórez was placing a risky bet (especially with Arango, considering that this was his very first game with the NT) but he decided to go ahead with it. And that bet proved to be successful, with the Valladars quickly tipping the scales into their favour: Farías and Arango both proved to be unpredictable for the Turorians with their moves, changes of direction, and crosses, which eventually activated the "Thrilling Trio". However, G.Q Disterfred II was there to deny the Valladar strikers from opening the scoreboard several times in 20 minutes. With the clock slowly reaching 90 minutes, the Valladars had their chance with a corner in the 81st minute. Farías kicked the ball from the corner, and an unexpected hero appeared to give Valladares the eventual winning goal: Patrick Courtois. All the Turorian players were focused on the main Valladar danger men, but the Izotz Zubia player was not being marked by anyone, which allowed him to come on time to head that cross into an unreachable corner for G.Q Disterfred II and propel the Tricolor to the top of the group. Things are looking bright, but the harder challenges are precisely to come next...

Enter the Champions

First game and first win for Valladares in this World Cup finals. With Starblaydia holding Pasarga to a 3-3 draw, both are left behind with 1 point, whilst Turori are still with no points. Precisely, the champions will be our next rivals in a match where the Tricolor must avoid defeat in order to continue handling their own destiny. Defeating Turori greatly helped Valladares' chances in the Group of Death, as it gave Valladares a bigger margin of safety ahead of the match against the multiverse's current team...further helped by Starblaydia tying them. This means, a win against Pasarga (tough task, that one) might even qualify Valladares for the knockout rounds. So let's go for that one, because I'm sure we can give our beloved Rushmori rivals a run for their money at the very least. Onward, Valladares!

[Turori]

Bringing The Cocoabo Forest to Life
It can't all be done by just one man...

Previously:
A New "Settlement" Rises in the Forest
Approaching the "Settlement"
Re-claiming Turori's History, and understanding the Flock
Changing the face of the Preservation Society
Signing the Deals to Make Things Happen

Though well aware with the fact that he needed their help, needed their capabilities...needed their financial influence, Noa-Isinao Wioauoi also had grown quite weary of some of the folks over at Tropicorp.

Sure, as president of the Cocoabo Preservation Society, Wioauoi's job was to look out for the best interest of the Cocoabo, secure funding, put on a good face. He wasn't necessarily a Cocoabo conservation expert, he wasn't necessarily an expert on infrastructure, ecology, land cultivation, Cocoabo Breeding - in fact, the list of things that Noa-Isinao Wioauoi was not an expert in was quite long, so he knew he would need to rely on many, many different people and organizations to make his dream a reality.

Normally, Wioauoi's job consists of talking to people, getting them to donate money, and getting them to make promises for the future. Now, with respect to his grandiose plans for a vast Cocoabo preserve in the AORDO protected lands West of Krytenia, he had already done those things. He'd talked to the right people, he'd gotten the right paperwork signed, he got a major quasi-government organization to make promises of support and to put forward the financial capital to accomplish those promises. Now, it was just about executing them in a single, unified vision.

...To be continued...

---

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

Fashion
F-F-F-F-F-Fashion
F-Fashion
S-S-Style
War
L-L-L-Look look look

I'm the edge
I'm the chic
I'm the taste
I'm a larger than life with just a hint of lace
I'm avant-garde, I'm the heir, I'm the Vogue
I'm the she she ohh hee hee
I'm the man a la mode

Hello.

I'm Jorge Armanes, and... well... you're probably wondering what I'm still doing here. After all, I'm a slave to the fashion muse, and the Holy Empire has now chosen its brand new - and oh so terribly exciting - kits. All you Mundies probably take one look at a fine hunk of spunk like John Petraliphaso wearing his new version of the classic imperial Gold and Red, and I see you shiver with... an.ti.ci.pa.tion.

But we're now in the World Cup, the Holy Empire has just defeated Semarland in what was - by all accounts - a terribly exciting 4-3 victory with goals galore, and you're expecting me to talk about football; a subject about which, by my own admission, I know next to nothing. I mean, that lovely Mr Tzimisces was trying to explain to me just the other day about how the offsides ruling could lead to penalty kickings on the other side of the halfing line, or some such, but I'm afraid to say that I didn't understand a word.

So what am I doing here?

Well, you see, last night was the very first time that we saw the brand new Holy Empire kit in action, and as luck would have it, it was against a team that plays in the precise reverse colours to the Empire. Instead of our imperious and intimidating gold and red, Semarland play in a manly and enticingly attractive red and gold. Fortunately these are precisely opposite colour schemes offering no real clash, and with one dark kit and one light kit (and for those of you watching in black and white, the Holy Empire had the red shorts).

So you'd think that there wouldn't be a problem, right? That fashion was the only real winner (except for, in footballing terms, the Holy Empire) and that no one was a loser (except for Semarland).

Well, that's where you'd be wrong.

Because Semarland's goalkeeper usually plays in gold and red.

I mean, HOW DARE HE! HOW DARE HE STEAL OUR NATIONAL COLOURS, THE NATIONAL COLOURS WE'VE BEEN WEARING SINCE WORLD CUP ONE. What sort of monstrous ego must this 'Marco Valbuena' have to think that he - and he alone - can wear the glorious gold and red. I SPIT ON HIS NAME.

Of course, he couldn't keep on wearing those colours. Oh no. Something had to give; and since we couldn't use our away colours under the circumstances, the only solution was for the clearly mentally unhinged Valbuena to wear the Semarland white change kit instead of his evil, plagiarising, and culturally insensitive gold and red. I'm reliably informed that he cried like a girl when he was told he had no choice.

Serves him right. He should know not to tangle with fashion; fashion is danger.

Anyway, once that was sorted out, a football match broke out. I've been told to tell you all about this exciting end to end match, with the lead changing hands, Lecapno scoring a hattrick, and Valbuena scoring an 'accidental' own-goal for the Holy Empire's fourth (personally, I think his eyes were so stained with his childish, girly tears that he simply didn't know which way was up), but frankly, who can be bothered.

It's all just BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH; it might as well be Bedistani to me.

Instead I want to tell you about my Spring collection....

<BZZZZZZZT>

<The Imperial Secretariat of the Purple Inkwell would like to clarify that Mr. Armanes does not represent the views of the Imperial government or the Holy Empire Football Association. We would also like to clarify that the allegations about Mr Valbuena 'crying like a girl' have not been substantiated by the Semerland authorities, and we cannot vouch for their authenticity>

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Marauders Fail To Meet Expectations

The Marauders found themselves frustrated at the end of the ninety minutes in Apox after their first game in the group stage, a sight that has a strange familiarity to it, like when they dropped points to Cosumar and Taeshan during the Qualifiers. Instead though, it is here in the Finals that those points where dropped and to Flardania, the group's four seed and expected walkovers for all those in the group, the closest thing to an assured three points as one can get. Someone apparently forgot to send Flardania the memo though, as they came out of the gates swinging and looking to make an impact here in Apox in a way that no one could have ever believed them to be capable of when then groups were drawn.

Coming out in their 4-3-2-1, or known as the V formation, they presented an interesting dilemma for the Marauders who are used to dominating the midfield and dictating play. However Flardania's tactics were apparent from the first whistle as their three in the middle neutralized the normal advantage of the Marauders and their attacking wingers/wide strikers exploited the Marauders lack of fullbacks. Just ten minutes into the game, an incisive run by Nayasaki allowed Yabuta to find space between the backline and receive a fine cross that he one touched into the back of the net. Shellshocked, the Marauders fumbled the kickoff and Yabuta latched onto the poor backpass, rounded Toraandal and then put a curler into the upper right corner past Galadirdren's outstretched gloves, giving the lowest ranked side in the World Cup a two to nil lead over one of the favorites just eleven minutes in.

Continually frustrated by the midfield gridlock as they tried to push forward, the Marauders were looking after half an hour as if they had hit a wall that they could not find a way past. However, when you have the Hero Quartet, all it takes is a moment of magic for everything to begin to turn around and that was the case in the thirty-third minute. Espy va Drake collected the goal kick and began dribbling up the flank, play a quick one-two with Soldarian to navigate past the challenging of the oncoming Izumi. Cutting inside, va Drake used some fancy footwork to periout past Fujisaka and put in a hard shot as he came inside the area. The keeper tried to parry it, however the power behind the shot saw the ball bounce off the ground and spin backwards past the goal line and brought the Marauders back within one, with the half then ending two to one in favor of Flardania.

Vanauraiiel Nardironel slammed into her team for not being mentally sharp and ready for the challenge of Flardania despite all the work they had put in the week before during the half time talk. Her voice was so loud that you journalists could hear her from inside the tunnels while the team was in the locker rooms. That might not have been the best approach, for just six minutes after the second half kickoff, Yabuta rose above Aldamiel to head home a corner and restore the two goal margin for the upstarts. Not to be outdone, Hawk took the side upon his shoulders and from the kickoff began playing a high triangle offense with Fresco and Celetholtinu, the trio putting in crisp passes to navigate towards the box. Nguyen however clattered into Fresco with a crunching tackle just outside the box, getting a yellow card and conceding a free kick for her troubles. Inside his comfort zone, there was no doubt that Hawk would take it, and he took his run up and put in an inch perfect curler that rose just over the wall and then into the upper corner of the near post, grazing the elbow as it went in to once more make the margin only a single goal.

Fresco would have to come off, with Tathtauré coming on for him and Teltholsyr replaced Haerear to give the Marauders a more offensive spark and turning the side into a 3-3-4 with Hawk and Teltholsyr playing so far up. Conceding the possession battle, the Marauders began to run Flardania ragged on the counters and in the seventy-sixth minute Hawk found Tathtauré on the right edge of the box and the striker played a through ball that Teltholsyr ran onto and blasted with authority into the roof of the net and equalizing the game. The Marauders continued to run Flardania ragged for the remaining fourteen minutes and coming close to netting the winner but Hawk hit the crossbar twice and Hōjō was able to stop the five shots that the side were able to put on net in those last few minutes, preserving Flardania's shock point against the Marauders.

So with what was supposed to be the easiest of matches proving to be quite difficult and having taken two points away from the Marauders, the side needs to regroup quickly for their upcoming match. For up next they have the second best side in the group and hosts of Apox who will be all too happy to add to the Marauders slow start while looking to provide a great result for themselves and their hope for progressing out of the group. Having already defeated Electrum to begin the group, the hosts know that a victory against the Marauders would all but ensure their progression towards the next stage and would in fact do so if Flardania manages to draw with Electrum in the other match. The Marauders can not be eliminated regardless of the result against Apox but you can be sure that the side would want to get a victory and find themselves on the balance after that poor start to the Finals. With Hawk's intimate knowledge of the Apox domestic scene, plying his trade for the past few seasons at Dwile Warriors, you can be sure that the side will be relying on their captain to give them that edge against what is a formidable challenge.

[Farfadillis]

It had already been a few months since Rossizzo had offered me the job as assistant manager for Endeavour. It was hard to think of a better way to kickstart a career as a manager, to be honest, but I was still much too worried about whether I'd have to spin a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Even after so long, the doctor said things were not clear. So, amidst the stress of the job offer and my legs being as numb as ever, the World Cup seemed like the perfect break. It's like a month-long Christmas that comes twice a year... or something like that. Time is a weird thing.

It only seemed to be the perfect break, though, as I'd later find out. We were facing some minnows making their debút. I was only vaguely aware of some of their names, and I am fairly sure their best player played for a club less prestigious than our worst. It was my mistake assuming we'd do well, though; this is Farfadillis and, therefore, there is no such thing as consistency. We had been lucky to draw such a low-quality group for the qualifiers. Only Super-Llamaland was on a decent level, and they underperformed heavily. Not playing like in the AOCAF Cup was a big shame. The squad certainly had the talent.

I sat alone in my room, as usual, as the game started. The Schottic, as I'd later find out is their counterintuitive demonym (I know, irony) thanks to the commentators, kicked off. It was very symbolic of how the match would eventually turn out when Killanen dribbled three as soon as he got the ball. Our defense was not one unit at any point in the game. Our offense made up for it for the first time in forever, but a bad defense would not fly against San José Guayabal or Polar Islandstates. I could feel the Farf part of me leaving me as I thought that. Maybe the manager in me was surfacing?

Anyway, as I said, it's not like we were being dominated or anything. It's just I could tell the game would be a lot harder than I initially expected. Mâás and Alex looked like they were finally approaching the level I expected of them, while Risko looked as sharp as ever, so I still wasn't too worried. Ivaktör was failing to replicate his previous form, though, and, perhaps more worryingly, Yurpá was starting to look disoriented. Definitely not what I had expected of our eternal captain in his last World Cup. Hopefully, he'd step up his game? It sort of happened, but he would need to step it up even more for the following two matches.

As badly as we were playing by my standards, we did snatch the lead in the twentieth minute as Risko dribbled two and calmly slotted the ball in. Unfair, if you ask me, but it's the sort of thing that can happen when you have him in your team. I shudder to think what would've been of us without him, really. Even as Dandalleion's best friend, it was not hard to see why Kâí was now regarded as just as good as him. I think Friekder probably realized he could even pull ahead of him, but he was not the kind of person who would be worried than that instead of relieved. He was always a country-before-anything-else kind of player anyway.

But we couldn't hang onto the lead for long. Not even for a decent amount of time. They pulled level just five minutes later as Coultan confused Mata with her dribbling, one-twoed Bârr with Killanen's help and fulminated the ball to the upper-right corner. No way I could blame Tzâín as much as I wanted to. That shot had been vicious. Mata and Bârr were a different story, though. It was funny how Drê was, out of the defenders, the one who was performing best despite his relative infirmity in that area.

Schottia seemed complacent after the goal, though. Might just have been my perspective, but we seemed to play better after it, and I can only assume that was just us playing as always and them playing worse. Eventually, in the fortieth minute, Mâás showed everyone why he's second-best in the national team after rocketing the ball in from a free kick that had followed a foul committed to him. We were not setting the world alight, but we were winning and the three points were all that mattered.

Rübéãn Tôr seemed to injure himself needlessly chasing a lost ball, but he wasn't replaced until after half time. Jê Çìró, who had had a bit of a nightmare of an AOCAF Cup, ended up taking the pitch for the second half. Aged eighteen, he would experience his first World Cup match. I had this eerie feeling that things still wouldn't go well for him. It's true that there's a dearth of left wingers, but the media would probably ostracize him if he screwed up again.

For the second half, our opponents looked invigorated. They played with renewed confidence, don't ask me why. Meanwhile, Tôr's importance to the team became extremely evident. Terán and Delafuente no longer had someone making defense-penetrating runs down the left flank, and Bârr, Mêndêlöíndçêl and Mata had more things to worry about as Jê's defensive frailty couldn't be overstated. Things looked pretty bleak, basically.

And, inevitably, Schottia pulled level once again. This time, the scorer would be Rudden, of whom I had heard because I followed the Nepharim league. She had up to that point lost the duel with fellow Nephara-based player Röènôùjýâ, but she managed to best him in a swift counterattack orchestrated by, you guessed it, Eoin Killanen. Yurpá just couldn't get a hold of him. Even if he's very old now and probably would've shut him out of the game in his prime, the youngster must've caught the attention of more than a few high-profile clubs with that performance. Well, as I was saying, Rudden scored after a counterattack. She dribbled Rôhj and calmly hit the net with the goal at his mercy.

Before I continue talking about the match, I should tell you something about Alex Terán: he's the most frustrating footballer you could possibly have as a teammate. He doesn't pay attention, never gives it his all in training, and he rarely ever defends. God have mercy on me if I accepted Rossizzo's offer and became assistant manager for his team with that thing as one of their key players. However, I would never, ever, ever think of benching him. Risko Kâí and Friekder Dandalleion are to-date the best Farf players in history without question, but I wouldn't think highly of anyone who denied Alex is the most naturally talented Farf player ever. Without any kind of discipline, the guy has become a world class footballer. He's the heart of Farfadillis' attack, the man vested with the responsibility of game fluidity. And, more importantly, he can pull an undeserved goal out of no-fucking-where. He tends to do that even more often than Risko, in fact. But still, you'll want to punch him more often than you'll want to hug him.

So, yeah, as you can guess, he scored our third goal amidst absolute Schottic domination. After they pulled level, we started being overwhelmed, something I definitely hadn't expected. Forget walking, now I only wanted to be able to kick. Kick the asses of every single one of our players. However, all it took to end that domination... sort of, was some of Terán's art. Çìró, in one of his only positive moments that night, dribbled Seggerson and passed the ball to Delafuente, who then made it arrive at Alex's feet with a stylish dummy. Alex then calmly turned around, tricked their other center midfielder and started journeying towards the box. When one of their center backs got to him, he went to the right and without any warning let off a missile of a shot their goalkeeper couldn't possibly have foreseen. It really reminded me of, well, me.

After that, the game went back to being a fair affair. Both teams attacked recklessly. This was probably a result of us being one of the teams. Either way, it could really go both ways. We could get a two-goal lead and seal the deal, or they could tie the game. Guess what happened? Naturally, the team making their debút against the AOCAF Cup champions pulled level for the third time.

With few minutes on the clock.

And it was, of course, Eoin Killanen.

The man of the match, without a shadow of a doubt, once again dirbbled Yurpá in the midfield before sending Coultan through with an exquisite pass. Coultan then dribbled Rôhj but failed to find the space to shoot. She went for a creeping pass towards the penalty spot, but both Ivaktör and their striker got to it at the same time. After their clash, the ball went Killanen's way. The offensive midfielder carefully lifted it with his feet, putting it well out of a recovering Tzâín's reach, barely avoiding the crossbar. God. Damn. It.

Arambilet replaced Delafuente and Nofzaleiné replaced Fuego after that. Both had had average games at best, though Matías had helped in Terán's goal. Nothing could be done, though, as the Schottians hanged on to the result superbly with solid defense after eighty minutes of meltdown.

Watching the game as a fan was the most frustrating experience possible. I made up my mind. Hector would be receiving a call soon.

[Pasarga]

Jullian van Setten was worried, his side had been floundering ever since lifting that trophy in Valanora. Winning the World Cup should have been a launchpad for the Wanderers, most of their best players were still in their mid twenties and would see at least two if not three more World Cups. It could have been the start of a dynasty that the World Cup had not seen since the Aguazul had rule the World Cup with their record three straight titles and four titles in five, besting even Valanora's record of three in four. That was the talent that these Wanderers had, they had shown it against Osarius when they had made the miracle run to the Final four years before and then showed that class and experience by besting Eura in Valanora two years ago. Since then it had been on bottling after another in moments that were completely out of character for his squad.

"Alright everyone, come here." He called to them as he made his way to the middle of the locker room as they were getting ready for Valladares. Their regional rivals were riding high after finding a way to get past Turori to open the group while they had their issues to begin the group stage. It was still hard to believe that they had let a three to nil lead slip away in the last half hour when they should have easily put their foot on the ball and killed the play to ride out as winners. That crunching tackle on the captain though, that had demoralized an already nervous side and no one knew if the captain would be able to go today. He had protested and said that he was fine and told Jullian to pencil him into the starting midfield role but everyone could see the limp that he carried.

"I won't lie to you, you are too good for me to do that and would probably see past the lie anyhow. I admit, we're behind the eight ball now that we failed to beat Starblaydia, we have our work cut out for us and then some as Turori and Valladares are some of the best sides in the world. Normally there is no shame in drawing with Starblaydia, they are five time former World Cup champions afterall, tied for the best haul. However, they are not the same side that won those stars, these are players that while good are not among the best in the world, not like you are." He let that point sink in for a moment, to let them realize that they were the best players in the world, not excellent like some others, but best in how they played as a team.

"These last two years, ever since you have won that star on your kit, you have gone from trying to win and prove everyone wrong to playing nervous and not to lose, as if the weight of expectation and victory is weighing you down. I get it, I feel that same weight now that I have managed to take a side to the Final twice and won it, plus the results that we have had in the Copa as of late. You all have done great things, have played to such a high level that you are now expected to roll over each and every team that gets in your way, the way the headlines write it. That expectation is a heavy burden and have seen better people and players succumb to it as they don't learn to handle that weight. History is littered with the likes of Nethertopia and Sorthern Northland that get to the pinnacle and then disappear into nothingness." The fact that Nethertopia never won the title and that Sorthern Northland nuked itself out of existence made little difference.

"You however are better than that and you just need to take a moment to breathe, to take exhale and let all of the negativity, the nervousness, and the anxiety that has arisen to just flow out of you. I believe in all of you, from the captain to the twenty-third man on the squad, you all have what it takes to get it done when the moment is called upon you. Cast off the weight of expectation and embrace being the best team in the world, go out there and play to win rather than be afraid to lose. Valladares and Turori sure will be playing to take us out so let us return the favor, let us go out there and play with the same intensity and fire that made Eura, Osarius, and the Polarians shake. Play as champions, take everything and give nothing to your opposition."

[Zenic]

What an thrilling first match day of the 73rd World Cup! Truly, it was filed with high-scoring affairs, tight defensive contests and heart-stopping moments. Some teams came out filed with joy, others with a sinking feeling in their guts and a few came away with moral victories.

For Zenic, they fell into the final category of leaving Pavel Wilson Stadium with a moral victory. It was close the entire game with neither team being in the lead for more than a few minutes. Killian’s strategy managed to get his team’s offense going at the start as the Barnsley twins exchanged the ball efficiently between themselves before dropping it off to Kun-woo for the first goal. Unfortunately, the Audioslavian backline adjusted to our offense and prevented us from scoring for the rest of the match; their offense also adjusted to the game quickly after our goal. Hufschmied really turned on the pressure, which affected one of the more recent additions to the squad by Luke Killian, Kolman Gottfried. His clearance bounced off the shoulder of Hufschmied and landed at the feet of Caszely, who scored as Sagan tried to run back to his line for the block. The game looked like it would end in a draw until Omaexevarria managed to get the game-winning header in the 91st minute.

In the end, Audioslavia emerged victors 2-1 and now lead Group E. In the other match of the group, the hosts, The Royal Kingdom of Quebec, managed to defeat Krytenia 1-0. As it stands, Audioslavia are the leaders, the R.K. of Quebec are second, the Survivors are third and Krytenia are last in the group. Looking at the overall picture, the result against Audioslavia is quite impressive: a first-timer kept the game close against a two-time world champion. The squad could have easily been blown out but they played with all of their heart and almost came away with a draw and, bar an error caused by nerves, a win. Audioslavia simply proved why they are consistent contenders with their play. It is very likely that the Survivors will leave R.K. of Quebec without a win or draw but as long as every game is this tightly contested, the future looks bright for the Empire.

Now, the squad travels to Iqaluit Stadium to take on the Royal Kingdom of Quebec in what most claim is a must-win if Zenic wish to have an opportunity to advance to the Round of 16. Our opponents on match day 2 are an interesting case as they play a slightly more offensive style compared to Zenic. The squad runs a 4-2-4 that tries to go forward as much as possible.

The main question for this upcoming match will be whether Luke Killian makes any changes to the squad to counteract the Quebecois offense: will he change the formation to a more defensive minded one or will he keep the 4-3-3 but replace Gottfried as well as Yasif in hopes that it will improve a struggling defense? There are not many who would be surprised by the change as the two have been struggling as of late: some say due to age and others say due to not being good fits in the new system implemented by Killian. It has been completely quiet from the national squad so any changes will likely not be revealed until game-time.

No matter what choices are made, I will be rooting for a victory in favor of the Survivors. It is having faith in the squad that is one of the most important building blocks of all championship squads. And I fully expect our squad to be championship-worthy in the future. And I’ll be expecting all of you to join me in the exciting journey to that wonderful future.

-- Xavier Magnusson
Xavier Magnusson is one of the oldest and most respected sports writers at the Leinz Herald. Having 32 years of award-winning journalism and experience covering both domestic and international association football competitions, it is only appropriate that he would be the one to cover the Empire’s first ever international tournament and all subsequent tournaments/events.

[Semarland]

Semarland kicked off Group F with an enthralling game against The Holy Empire last night. A 4-3 loss may not have been what the Semars wanted, but the game certainly was an intriguing one.

Andreas Jansen named a full strength XI, with Valbuena, Eiriksson, Chalobah, Lunds, Oseni, Snow, Labonne, Strand, Cisse, Lygaard and Lindesfarne starting in a 4-4-2 formation. Abel Nkutu and Tunji Tunde were dropped in favour of Strand and Cisse, but the two were to prove Jansen made the right choice. Strand is continuing to prove that he could be the future of the national team with his displays recently and to think there are such promising youngsters like Rene Claro-Hunt as well, we certainly are in a very lucky position right now.

Onto the game, a seven goal thriller is always a nice way to open the World Cup group stages, although maybe not as much if you’re the losing team, of course. Anyway, it was to be captain fantastic Marc Lygaard who would open the scoring on nine minutes, controlling Strand’s chip/through ball neatly and slotting home past the advancing Andronicus Contostephano with ease. 1-0? Simple enough. Until a rather rare slipup from Marcel Labonne allowed Constantine Cantecuzeno to break through on goal and bend it past Marco Valbuena. 1-1. Then Cantecuzeno’s cross was to be nodded home by Isaac Lecapno only seven minutes later. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on what type of matches you prefer, there were to be no more goals until Marc Lygaard popped up two minutes before half time to poke home Diego Snow’s cross, who coincidentally was playing on the left hand side for the first time in his professional career, at least internationally. To be fair to Snow he wasn’t doing a bad job, a little shaky in places but better than most.

On the hour mark Jansen decided to use all his substitutes at once, replacing Lindesfarne with Yannick Simeone, Labonne with Tunji Tunde and Matur Eiriksson with Rasmus Norregaard. Lindesfarne and Labonne didn’t look as good as usual and Eiriksson seemed to have picked up an unfortunate knock but Norregaard seemed more than adequate and it was his lovely floated cross that saw Marc Lygaard control beautifully before swivelling and knocking it home past Contostephano, putting Semarland back in the lead. Until, Juan Vatatzes soared down the left wing before cutting inside and slamming home on 74 minutes. Vatatzes and Cantecuzeno were probably the Holy Empire’s standout players of the game, and Vatatzes would be involved just like Cantecuzeno in the second goal with a splendid cross that found an unmarked Felipe Macrembolites at the far post who just simply tapped home for the winner on 84 minutes. What could have been a mind-blowingly easy goal to prevent turned into the goal that cost Semarland at least one point. However The Holy Empire were phenomenal as ever. So many standout players. Contostephano (despite letting three goals in), Aspietes (despite having the chance to prevent at least two of those goals), Vatatzes, Comneno, Monomacho, Macrembolites, Cantecuzeno…let’s just say the whole midfield. Strikers Lecapno and Petraliphaso plus remaining defenders Ducaso and Lascaro looked okay of course, they just didn’t stand out as much.

Next up for Semarland is Saintland or Feministvs Sancvsterra (or whatever) at the City of Attawapiskat stadium, located in (believe it or not!), Attawapiskat! Not as remote as Iqualuit though. Three points please? Hopefully.

[Apox]

There was little to get the heart going like a home crowd in the first World Cup match of the finals screaming for your team. And damn, this time, they fucking had to live up to their expectations. As their captain, Solomon Etezadi lead the team out onto the field to another round of cheering home fans at the River Exe Ground - one of the smaller grounds, yes, but so much louder and with the fans so much closer - James Fowey grinned to himself.

This was his first World Cup as a starter, having taken over from Ben Hatem in the last Campionato, and the sense of occasion was definitely not lost on him or any of the other relatively "inexperienced" players in the team. He glanced over at the Electrum team next to him. They looked defiant but perhaps a little shocked by the occasion. It was a big opportunity for them, and especially considering as Group A had two teams making their debut in World Cup competition, it would open up the chance of a big upset against on of the "established" teams such as Apox and Valanora as paving towards a spot in the knock-outs.

The crowd roared out the national anthem, as did the players, with James Fowey screaming along. On the sidelines, Olim Benzari, himself a World Cup legend and one of only two players to reach 100 caps, stood proudly, his first opportunity to lead his team out in a World Cup, a home one at that. He knew the importance of this game, of every game in the finals. Apox by now had been in plenty of finals tournaments, seeing the countries name amongst the 32 wasn't a surprise any more. However, that ability to make it that bit extra, to actually make an impression on the tournament, that was something the team been unable to do by this point. Maybe this time, at home for the second time, it would finally happen.
---

61 minutes in and there was a nervous energy about the crowd. As in the only time Apox and Electrum had met on the football field, it was an incredibly close game. Adnan Zozula had been subdued somewhat by the vitality of Noel Kane at the back, and Corinna McKenna had been misfiring at the back. At the other end of the pitch, Electrum had had their share, captain Kane and Jess Fielding had been troubling the defence all game, and had come close a couple of times, only the ability of world class Solomon Etezadi able to stop them.

Benzari made a tactical change, bringing on the mercurial Alpha Gandhi for Zozula, and the added injection of pace made the difference, with Gandhi able to drag the defence about trying to keep him marked. It was as Gandhi made a diagonal run, taking Mitch Watkins with him, that space opened up for Luxulya St. Cleer to pass it through to Zana Ibrox, who was suddenly through on goal and able to take the shot.

And take the shot she did, firing the ball into David French's net, the Electrum keeper miles away from the ball. Apox had their first goal of the tournament, and later on, their first win.

Team Sheet (scorer in bold)
GK - Alan Eustathios
RD - Eneko Treloquithack
CD - Solomon Etezadi
CD - Olim Shahzad
LD - James Fowey
DM - Luxulya St. Cleer sub Willem Ajax 78'
RM - Eric Abbraciabene
CM - Zana Ibrox
LM - Kaj Aurora
ST - Adnan Zozula sub Alpha Gandhi 61'
ST - Corinna McKenna

[Free Republics]

News Magazine

How the Republican National Team's Loss is Helping Sibylla Croteau
by: Royale Truchon

By now, I'm sure everybody is sick and tired of all of the pundits on television talking about how Rule Theriault's Rogues melted down in spectacular fashion against Eura the other day. While Mr. Theriault is blaming the controversial red card awarded to Patrick Werfel for his team's loss, the fact of the matter is that they were already down 4 goals to 2 at the time the card was handed out. Let's face it: Eura was simply the better team on that night and that is something that should embarrass the manager who has repeatedly proclaimed his team the best soccer team in the multiverse. Yes, the manager of a team that barely won their qualifying group actually thinks his team should be able to beat the unstoppable Eurans who have dominated everybody in their path this year and look to be on their way toward a second World Cup title.

Closer to home, the inability of Rule Theriault's team to live up to their own self-imposed hype has played into the hands of Sibylla Croteau, the glamorous Progressive candidate for Consul who just keeps rising in the polls. Recently, Ms. Croteau finished with 20% of the vote in the first round of voting, finishing second to Kaleb O'Reilly's 27%. Responsible Progress's Younes Danielsson polled 10.01%, likely setting up 2 more rounds of voting. Several other candidates finished just shy of the 10% cutoff. In the days following the first round of voting, O'Reilly rolled out endorsements from Kyle Bolton, Koby Theodore and Rule Theriault. Connie Chase and Levai Imre have endorsed Danielsson. Strikingly, not one single current member of the National Team has endorsed Sibylla but she did attain the endorsements of former National Team players Kieran Hancock and Zrina Martinovic.

In the days leading up to the Free Republics-Eura match, Mr. O'Reilly gave a number of speeches about the greatness of the National Soccer Team and why they would soon win the World Cup, just like he would Make Republica Great Again once he inevitably won the election. At the debate, one of the biggest issues involved the song by Lucia Bolton, the doormat wife of Kyle Bolton, from the past edition of WorldVision. The song was entitled "Rape Me Baby One More Time" and was exactly as bad as it sounds and a prime example of why rape culture is real and why something needs to be done about it. Sibylla showed why we all love her by courageously speaking out on this matter and telling her story of how she is herself a rape survivor: "Every time a woman comes forward, there are always those who doubt her. I know this firsthand because I was raped when I was attending college. Because the rapist had been my boyfriend until the day before he violated me, I found that nobody believed me when I came forward and told my story of how he entered my dorm room while my roommate was home for the weekend, tied me to the bed and [editors note: details removed because this is a family-friendly publication] while I screamed out in agony for somebody to help me. Yes, we had consensual rough sex on several occasions, but that didn't give my ex-boyfriend the right to come into my room and rape me! I'm sick and tired of people blaming the victim and I'm sick and tired of people doubting the victim. How about we try listening to rape victims for once and believing their stories rather than making such a fuss over the 'rights' of rapists?" Personally, I couldn't agree more.

Polls conducted over the past few days show Sibylla Croteau taking the lead. She now averages 44.7% of the vote in the latest News Magazine Polling Average while O'Reilly is averaging 32.4% and Danielsson is averaging 13.4%. The rest are undecided. In a head-to-head matchup with the sleaze tycoon, Sibylla leads by an average of 50.1 to 46.4. The movement in Sibylla's favor is clearly attributable to her strong debate performances and her outspoken criticism of Rule Theriault's habit of covering up for rapists. Let's not forget that Koby Theodore, as great as he is on the soccer pitch, is and will always be a rapist who got away with it in large part because of Theriault's refusal to hold that scumbag responsible for what he did to that poor girl from Felix.

Indeed, even though the manager of our National Soccer Team will go to any lengths to ensure that his star players can commit felonies with impunity, they can't even win! How many World Cups have they won? How many Cups of Harmony have they won? How many Baptisms of Fire have they won? Indeed, other than that one Di Bradini Cup they fluked into winning, what have they ever won? Let's get real here: Theriault's team just can't win the big one. Everybody knows that and we really ought to stop letting them hijack our political discourse and, in so doing, cause further harm to marginalized communities within our nation.

This is why it is so refreshing that Sibylla Croteau has stood up to King Soccer and has stood without reservations for women and minorities. Sibylla Croteau has stood, without apology, for social justice and against this shamefully misogynistic and racist society that we live in. Sibylla Croteau has stood up to those who wish to use women and hold us down. It is time that women return the favor and begin standing up for her. It is about time, as well, that we begin insisting that the men in our lives get with the program and stop oppressing us! It is time for us to begin progressing toward a better future, so I can only hope that we continue to disregard the suggestions of Rule Theriault and vote for the woman who has spent her life trying to protect the underprivileged. That's the least we can do to end racism and misogyny.

Royale Truchon is a young journalist fresh out of Guertin College. Royale chose the small liberal arts college in Keronama for its reputation as a haven for idealistic freethinkers who dream of a better multiverse. When she wasn't attending class or writing articles for the Guertin Sentinel, she spent her college years protesting against Consul Kulseth's tyranny and in favor of something better. Now, she wants to use her position at News Magazine to make a difference and help bring about social change.

[Apox]

World Cup Finals Group Stage MD2

Here we go for matches the second of this set of finals.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

Season 6, Chapter 25: Quantum of Solace

Mikoto stood on front of Aprile who lied on the hospital bed, slowly recovering.

Aprile: Ugh... my head...
Mikoto: You finally woke up.
Aprile: AAAH! YOU!
Mikoto: Yes, myself. Why are you scared? You look so pale, I'd say you didn't get knocked out by a baseball bat strike at your head, but falling on a pile of flour.
Aprile: ...
Mikoto: What's the problem, dear?
Aprile: ...You're going to kill me, aren't you?
Mikoto: You're kidding, right? I need information from you.
Aprile: No way in hell I'll spill anything! Specially to the likes of you!
Mikoto: That's fantastic, dear. Only you don't have any choice nor any attempts of yours on holding us back from finding anything out about you and your friends, know that we already have some major info on you.
Aprile: You're bluffing.
Mikoto: You have eleven sisters.
Aprile: ...How did you know?
Mikoto: Like I said. A lot of info. If you speak more about it, then you'll not be punished and we'll have what we want. If you don't talk, you'll be punished and we'll have what we want slightly later.
Aprile: ...
Mikoto: Your choice, toots.

Sunrise, who held both of Mikoto's hands behind her, popped up.

Sunrise: I'd suggest you to talk. It's kinda hard to hold her hands like this. I can't guarantee how long it'll take until she manages to find a way out of this hold and use her hands to beat you to death.
Aprile: ...Fine. I'll spill the beans.
Sunrise: Cowardice.
Aprile: ...
Mikoto: Enough! Speak!
Aprile: My name is Aprile. I'm one of the Twelve Terrible Twins.
Sunrise: Nice group name.
Aprile: Shut up. Our goal is to guarantee our master's plans to be fulfilled.
Mikoto: And who's your master?
Aprile: I can't tell you.
Mikoto: Why?
Aprile: If I tell you, I'm dead.
Mikoto: Same if you don't. I kinda don't think that matters.
Aprile: ...
Mikoto: Seems like you really want to be out of this world, don't you?
Aprile: I'm trying to muster my courage.
Mikoto: I can imagine that.
Aprile: Fine. Our leader is named... AAAGH!

A shot went through Aprile's right leg, blood sliding from the wound. Mikoto quickly frees herself from Sunrise and throws Aprile to Sunrise's hands. He dashes away with the enemy on hands while Mikoto leaps from the window, switching from her usual clothes to her winged armor on a flash. The shooter continues to send bullets on her way, only for Mikoto to avoid all shots with almost no trouble before landing on the roof. She then finds Mars with the rifle.

Mikoto: I can't believe such a young girl shooting people up!

Mars tries to shoot her again on the head, only for the bullet to be deflected by Mikoto's armored hand.

Mikoto: I'd suggest you not to try and do that. I don't mind catching bullets but it gets boring after a while.
Mars: I think I distracted you enough.

Szeptembre pops up from nowhere, hitting a hard punch at Mikoto's head. She dazed, before getting up at her feet.

Mikoto: Backstabbers? Not impressed.
Szeptembre: Better put all odds on our side.
Mikoto: Loveable, but no.
Julia: Then allow me to help out.

Julia appeared with a book in hand, smiling.

Julia: How about we take those wings of yours out?

Julia conjured some sort of magic after reading some words from the book, rendering Mikoto's wings slightly weaker.

Julia: ...What?
Mikoto: Yeah, you might need to use more power on that.

Mikoto smiled, kicking the book from Julia's hands, having dashed fast towards her.

Mikoto: Time for you to fight properly instead of running away. Take this!

A powerful strike at Julia's temple throw her offguard to the side. The other two Terrible Twins start to fight against Mikoto while Julia tries to recover. Sunrise, meanwhile dashes as fast as he can from the room, noticing two other girls dashing towards him. He tried to lose them through the buildings, swerving his body at some crossroads to take different ways, before starting to tire out. He could see them getting closer.

Sunrise: Can't... *pant* ...believe I'm even... *pant* ...thinking this... but I need help.
Dainer: And this is our cue.

Sunrise notices something above. Dainer, Sarian and Ytt were again on their helicopter. Dainer and Sarian leave the helicopter, reaching the floor quickly.

Sunrise: ...Well, that was a good one.
Dainer: Eh, you know. Think you can get home quick?
Sunrise: Probably... *pant* ...not.
Sarian: Then hop aboard already.
Aprile: I don't even get a say on this!?
Sunrise: Considering... *pant* ...you're bleeding... *pant* ...And we could leave you to die...
Aprile: ...ugh.

The two then hop aboard the helicopter while Dainer and Sarian prepare to face the upcoming menace.

Sarian: Game on.

[Schottia]

Identity

Part Two

'So Donald, Gary said you work in retail?' Asked William Rudden, Chloe's father. He was a tall slender man, with smart side parting and a neatly clipped beard. 'In the seafood industry, I'm lead to believe?'

Don Corsie held a fat palm in William's direction while he finished his mouthful of food. 'Just a second William...' It was another few seconds until he took a sip of wine from the glass in front of him and cleared his throat. All this Gary was beginning to sink deeper and deeper into himself. 'Aye.' He answered finally. 'I've ran a fishmongers for forty years now. I call it a job, but to be honest it's really more of a passion. As Jannet always says - If I'm not in the fish shop or the football terraces, she thinks there's something fishy going on.' Everyone laughed out of politeness.

'You must be so proud him Donald, and you too of course Jannet.' Said Chloe's mother Ella. 'I mean as a football fan, having your son playing professionally, it must make it extra special?' Ella Rudden was tall like her husband with very similar features to her daughter, only 25-years-older.

'Och, of course Ella, of course.' Said Don enthusiastically. 'It's one of those things isn't it, you take them to the games from whenever their old enough to stand. I think living your dreams through your own children is the healthiest thing a parent can do. And certainly the best thing for the kid!'

'We've always believed in letting Chloe find her own way in life.' Replied Ella, placing a hand on her husband's, in a show of solidarity. 'It's always been important to us that she finds her own path in life.' Ella looked up at William and smiled.

'The analogy we always used regarding how we wanted to educate Chloe was laying out a piece of string.' William Rudden added in agreement. 'We saw it as our job to lay out the string in a way that took Chloe to as many interesting places as possible; it was then up to Chloe how long she spent at each point, and how she interoperated it.'

'Hah! That wouldn't of worked with Gary.' Blurted out Don. 'He never had that much get-up-and-go. Maybe if it was a trail of iced-buns he would have followed it!' Everyone at the table enjoyed a laugh at Gary's expense. 'Aye, he always liked his food growing up did our Gary. Still does by the look of him.'

Chloe reached under the table and placed a hand on Gary's leg, trying to reassure him that she didn't see him like that.

'No, we were very lucky with Chloe.' Ella interjected. 'She was always a very interested child. Every summer she would sift through the list of sports and activity clubs and take up as many as she could.' Chloe looked at her plate, feeling embarrassed at the way she was being used as a comparison. 'Isn't that right Chloe?' She waiting until her daughter gave a shy nod. 'I remember you doing archery, fencing, gymnastics... horse riding... furniture making... Oh and running of course. Chloe used to have the best time in Schottia at the under 14s age group.'

'Gary was never interested in anything like that.' Said Don reaching for the butter, and applying a think layer of it to a slice of bread. 'He was happy enough plonked in front of the TV. That was generally how you spent your summers, wasn't it son? Never had much of an interest in going outside or anything.'

'I don't think that's strictly true.' Gary protested, in vain.

'The joke we always used to make...' Don continued, cutting over his son. '...was that the most exercise Gary got during the summer was opening crisp packets. It was like pulling teeth trying to get him to go to football training. More than once we had to put his training stuff in the boot without him noticing, and tell him that we were driving to the cinema.' Don looked over to his wife for agreement. 'Obviously by the time he realised we were well on our way, and we just had to pray he wasn't going to jump out of a moving vehicle.'

'No we never had that trouble with Chloe.' William put in. 'The hardest part was deciding between a career in football and going to Art College wasn't it Chloe?' His daughter nodded. 'We always let her make the decisions that she felt comfortable with, and whatever that might be, we would then support her. Anyway, when she got the move to North Laithland, we were over the moon for her. The way that they approach mix gender football here is admirable. With What Chloe has achieved in such a short space of time already, there's no reason she can't go on to become on of the top players in the league.'

'Oh aye.' Said Don, no one who was a fan of Schottic football could fail to see her potential. 'I'd say Gary has just about levelled out now in terms of his development.' He added, as if his son wasn't even there. 'He's done well, don't get me wrong, but he's at the top of his game now.' Don paused and looked gravely in the direction of his son. 'Aye... It's down hill from here my boy!'

Such unwavering confidence in him. There you go! There it was! If anyone wanted to see the reason why Chloe had grown up to the epitome of joy and optimism, and Gary a down trodden pessimist then you only had to look at their two upbringings. Where Chloe had been exposed to Art, Music and Culture from a young age, Gary had had to listen to the perpetual nonsense that spouted forth from Don Corsie's mouth. In the Rudden household creativity, ambition, and imagination were rewarded; where as with Corsies it was a cause for ridicule. This was why Chloe was such a free spirit, and Gary was a spiteful and bitter little shit.

He should take this as his inspiration, turn this into constructive energy and use it to turn his life around. He was already playing for a good team, in a good division; this was his chance to prove all his critics wrong. He could go on to succeed in spite of his upbringing...

There was only one thing holding him back however, and that was the fact that he was a spiteful and bitter little shit.

---

After the Farfadillis match,
FCB Stadium, Brimstone

The final whistle sounded in Brimstone, bringing down the curtain on what had been one of Schottia's best results in international football. The Farves were one of the best teams in the competition without any doubt, easily quarterfinal material, and with their fair share of luck they could even better that. This result was a much needed confidence boost for the men and women of a team trying to find their feet at World Cup level. Schottia might have one of the smallest side in the competition in terms of population, but it hadn't stopped them bringing a sizable support who were by now, in full voice. Eoin Killanen's goal on eighty-two minutes had secured his side a valuable point, giving them something to build upon.

Schottic Manager Jane Gullie walked out onto the pitch, struggling to keep the grin from her face as she applauded the fans, who were celebrating the result like a win. She knew that a good performance was worth nothing if you didn't come away with a positive result, and the three-all draw in their opening game gave her something solid to work with. It didn't feel that long ago that she was under pressure for her job after only four games in charge. Being held nil-nil by Sameba at home left Schottia on four points from four games, an incredible nine behind Mertagne, and seemingly out of the running. Even she, back then, had doubted that they would finish anywhere near the top of the group.

'Great game Thio!' She said reaching up to pat the big midfielder on the shoulder as he marched from the pitch with his shirt hung round the back of his neck. The Myrmidon star Thio Crillin had been drafted in for the match, to try and stem the Farfian tide they were likely to face. 'I'm surprised you're still standing, after that.' She smiled, and the player gave her a friendly nod of encouragement. He had literally covered every inch of the pitch it felt like, and while he was unlikely to get the plaudits he deserved from the fans, Gullie was under no illusion as to how important he had been to the side's success.

'C'mon, up the tunnel, there'll be time for celebrating later' She said turning back, and falling inline with a rather rosy-cheeked Chloe Rudden. She placed a comforting arm round the young winger's shoulder. 'Fantastic goal, you absolutely played your socks of out there, I couldn't ask for any more from you today.' She gave her a gentle push in the back, directing her up the tunnel, as she turned one last time to cheer the crowd before disappearing herself. Rudden looked like she was going to collapse as she trudged up the tunnel, half of her short ponytail had come loose and a few frizzy strands were stuck to the side of her face with perspiration. She really couldn't have run much more, and in a direct battle with Röènôùjýâ of the right side of the Farfian defence, she'd had to give it everything. The players were no doubt familiar with each other, both playing in the same league, and the 21-year-old's goal will have meant a lot to her.

"Jane Gullie; do you have a second?" The manager felt a gentle tug on her sleeve as she was stopped by an SBC journalist, desperate for an interview.

'Gary!' Chloe Rudden shouted as she saw her partner Gary Corsie a little further ahead. 'Wait there! Please don't make me run...' She gave a fatigued little laugh. Chloe knew that the midfielder hated the limelight and would have disappeared up the tunnel as soon as the final whistle sounded.

'Yay!' He said partly in his usual cynical demeanour, although you could tell that even he had enjoyed the atmosphere. He had pretty much been employed as a defender, as Schottia changed shape late on. There was something special about the World Cup, and it was obvious that even he had been caught up in the moment.

'I'VE SCORED A GOAL IN THE WORLD CUP!!!' Chloe screamed, as she finally pulled level with him, jumping up and down on the spot like an eight year old at a birthday party.

'I'm glad to see your still full of beans after sprinting for an hour and a half straight.' Gary joked, giving her a hug. 'That Röè... eh? Röènôù ...? Röè-something!' Gary struggled with the pronunciation.

'Drê Röènôùjýâ.' Said Chloe trying to be helpful. 'Gary, we both play in the same league as him!' She smiled and shook her head.

'That's the one! He is pretty quick, no?' Gary pushed open the door to the locker room and ushered his partner inside.

'He is indeed, but no one is as fast as me... Mwahahaha!' Chloe joked before bouncing inside.

Gary laughed. 'That's what to say in the interview Chlo; when they ask you how you thought you played...'

There was nothing like the atmosphere inside a dressing after your side had recorded a positive result. The players were full of it, as they waited for Gullie to join them for the debrief. As the insistent drone of conversation reach an unbearable level, Kim Coultan was force to open her eyes. The Crawford City attacker, who scored the opening goal, was sitting squeezed into the furthest most corner of the room, back straight, and head rested against the wall.

'Welcome back Kim.' Said Paul Coine, one of the little used substitutes. He was a nice guy, friendly enough, but he kept himself to himself. 'You okay?' He asked genuinely concerned. 'I thought you were having some sort of out-of-body experience there.'

Kim smiled weakly and leant forward resting her elbows on her thighs. 'I'm okay. Just a bit...' She wasn't totally sure how to say, I just wanted some space without sounding like a party-pooper. 'If I say "overwhelmed" will you take that as an acceptable answer and not ask follow-up questions.' She screwed up her face a little, as if bracing herself for some sort of impact.

Paul looked to the sky, suggesting that he might be making up his mind, in a jocular manner. 'I think there are a few people feeling that way.' He answered kindly. 'Just all of us express it differently, I wouldn't worry about it.' He added before he was suddenly cut off.

'Come on Golden Girl!' Said Holly Addison, in her unmistakable Arcadian accent. She moved between Kim and Paul, holding out two hands in the player's direction. 'Up on your feet.'

Kim groaned a little, accepted Holly's hands, and was dully pulled to her feet with a hop. 'Thanks.' She said as Holly threw her arms around her, in what was a rather robust hug.

'You had an awesome game against one of the best teams in the world.' Holly placed a hand on each of Kim's cheeks, squeezing hard, and smiling broadly. 'Be happy!!!' She then grabbed Kim by the hand and dragged her over towards the bulk of the other players who were gathered round Eoin Killanen.

The Kingsgrove player had been named man of the match, and was now standing holding his bottle of Champaign like an academy award. In fairness he had had a great game. Long gone was selfish, shoot-on-sight teenager, who won his first cap back at World Cup 69. He had scored the third goal, and in truth it had been his just reward for an assured performance.

'I'd first like to thank my family back home.' He said wiping a fake tear from his eye. 'Mama Killanen, Daddy Killanen, and my beautiful little sister Molly, who I'm sure will be a damn fine footballer too some day.' There was a huge group cheer that went up from all the players.

'I'd like to thank all the managers I've worked under...' He paused for dramatic effect. 'Even Barry Gorman!' A few people laughed. 'No no, seriously guys, seriously guys. Old Barry did something very important... He resigned!'

There was another loud cheer and laughter. Only as the underdogs, in their nation's first World Cup appearance, could scraping a draw be such cause for celebration. Undoubtedly the scenes in the Farfadillis dressing room would have been a little more sober.

---

Line-up for next match: D'Araby - Watt, O'Brian, Hanlon, Souter - Seggerson, Crillin - Coultan, Rudden, Killanen - Avelione

[Osarius]

"I did it, Mom!"
The meteoric rise of Osarius' newest golden boy, Ryan Watson
A Special Report for OSN, by Serena Hardison

There's an infectiousness about Ryan Watson's enthusiasm. It's the first thing you notice about him, as he almost bounces into the room, beaming at me, eagerly shaking my hand. He seems even younger than his nineteen years, he seems like a kid; and at the risk of sounding patronising, he kind of still is. It's easy to forget that, watching him at work.

"I forget how young you are," I tell him at one point during our interview. He laughs it off, and tells me his grandfather -- Osarius legend and current Hastmead Diamante manager, Benedict Watson -- said he should expect comments like that until he's forty. "Gramps is always telling me stuff like that." He half sighs, half laughs. "Likes to tell me I got his 'good, youthful genes', and I shouldn't complain when people think I'm younger than I am." He has a point. "But it's a pain in the ass when I want to go to a bar with friends." Ryan adds, with a grin.

I was only vaguely aware of Ryan's life up to now, like most people, I assume. Considering he seemed to suddenly explode onto the scene, there were a lot of things I wanted to ask. Fortunately, he is as talkative as he is enthusiastic. We started off talking about the obvious: that record-setting performance against Omerica.

"It sort of just happened." He tells me, shrugging. "Sometimes you get a chance and you take it. Sometimes you get three chances and manage to take all three, you know?" I don't. But I appreciate that the technicalities of scoring a goal largely go over my head anyway. Something Ryan makes abundantly clear as he jabbers on. "When the pass comes in, you have to sort of figure out where the ball is going, and how fast. Then you adjust and control. That's the easy part. Then you have to think about where the weak point is in the goal, and whether you're at the right angle to put the ball there." I nod, slowly, getting an insight into how his thought processes go during matches. "Sometimes I don't see a good chance for a shot, so I make the pass. Sometimes I look for a pass first and don't see one, so I keep dribbling and go for the shot. It all depends. And you have to make that decision in a split second sometimes. It's pretty tiring mentally as well as physically."

It strikes me how impressive his achievements really are at this point. For someone his age to regularly perform those kind of calculations, and make those decisions so quickly, when there are potentially millions of credits riding on them... it's remarkable. An average person couldn't do that. I ask him how he came to play football, and he seems a bit nonplussed. "I just always have. It's in my blood, I guess. It's a family thing." It's a fair point. His grandfather and three great uncles were all professional footballers. As was his father.

Upon mention of his father, his tone darkens significantly. "Yeah. He was a footballer." I can tell he doesn't really want to talk about this, so I test the waters before pressing on. I know he has no contact with his father, and I've heard that he was a former Hastmead Diamante player, but that's all. "I don't really talk about him with Gramps. I know Gramps wasn't a fan, and he left when I was really young. I can't really talk about him. I never knew him." His tone of voice betrays his emotions at this point and I offer to take a break, but he refuses. "I won't run from him. That's what he would do. I'm not like him."

Ryan's closeness with his grandparents is now abundantly clear. In the absence of his father, he looked to his grandfather as a role model. "I love Gramps. He's always been there for me. There are times when I'm mad at him, sure, but I learned to step back and try to understand why he does things. He always has a good reason." When Ryan's mother, Ariana, passed away, he was just six years old. We don't go into the details, but I feel like there is a connection between his mother's death and his resentment of his father. Seeing something bubbling just beneath the surface as we brush over the topic, I don't press the issue. I already feel terrible for dredging up what are clearly painful memories for him.

"Gramps was always around, helping Mom with something or another when I was younger. Everyone likes Gramps, and he always made Mom smile. So I wanted to be like that, you know?" Again, there is a pain in his tone that betrays his emotions. "She used to cry sometimes, and pretend she didn't. But I knew. I just wanted to make her happy, and I don't remember this but..." He pauses as he hands me a card. It's cute, something he must have made for his mother as a child. "...apparently I made this. Gramps told me about it last year, when I made my debut for Osarius." Inside the card, in his wild, childish scrawl, I read the message: "I wanted to buy you a house but I don't have enough pocket money. So I'm gonna be a football player like granddad and buy you the bestest house ever" It takes all my willpower not to exclaim "Awww!"

"Gramps told me, when he showed me this, that he's been trying to help me realise this goal ever since he adopted me." Ryan smiles at this. "I used to get mad at him for not picking me for the Hastmead team, or because I thought he was being unfair towards me, and I'm like 'I'm basically your son, man! What the hell?' But then I got it. He was making sure I did it myself, and not because I'm related to him, you know?" I notice that a lot of what he says seems to centre on last year, perhaps because it was then, on his eighteenth birthday, that he had a moment of clarity. A moment in which his grandfather's aims and actions made sense. A moment in which Ryan the wonderkid, became Ryan, the young man. I felt a profound sense of understanding of the young man in front of me at this point.

Knowing that he was raised by his grandparents, I'm curious. This would mean he had no siblings near his age growing up, and I don't think he played football with his grandfather as a child -- "Just once. He wanted to prove a point, absolutely slaughtered me one-on-one when I was sixteen." Ryan admits -- so how did he stop himself going crazy growing up an only child with two "parents" who were pension age? "Well, I wasn't really the only child." Ryan explains. I'd forgotten his uncle Alexander, who is ten years older. "Uncle Alex gets kinda cranky when I call him Uncle, even now. We were more like brothers, really. I'd get on his nerves, he'd beat me up a little bit. Normal brother stuff, right?" Right. I have three older brothers, that sounds accurate enough to me.

"When Alex moved out, I was already a teenager, playing in the Hastmead youth academy, so we'd drifted apart a bit anyway." It's remarkable they were close at all, thinking about it. Alexander would have left for university a couple of years after Ryan was adopted, after all. "Yeah, he didn't move away for uni, though. He went to Firewood, and stayed at home. Taught me stuff about computers while he did his degree, so I was the cool kid at school who knew how to hack and program robots and stuff. He's a teacher now." A logical career move, it seems to me.

So Ryan has athletic blood coursing through his veins, was raised in the home of one of the best Osarian footballers of all time, and had a nerdy older brother as a role model. It's no surprise he's analytical. Or a professional athlete. I feel like he didn't really have a choice in the matter. "I guess not. But I like it, so I'm not complaining." He shrugs.

I wonder, whether he ever thought he wouldn't live up to his surname, but Ryan laughs at the idea. "Erm... not really. I had the best coach in the world, and everyone told me I was good for as long as I can remember." I suppose that comes with the territory when you have a famous name, though it's not that simple. Alessandro di Corradi made that clear when I spoke to him a few years ago, as did his sister Maria. And I'd argue their family was even more athletic, apparently naturally so. Whereas Benedict Watson's greatness was perhaps more the result of a relentless work-ethic and intensely analytical nature. "There were days where I'd be frustrated after a match or training, of course. But like I said, best coach in the world. He always knew what to say."

It's becoming apparent that Hastmead's LigAnaia dominance, Ryan's emergence, and the breakthrough of several young Osarian players from the Diamonds' ranks happening at roughly the same time is probably not a coincidence. Benedict Watson is the key here. I've only met the man once, but I feel a strong affection for him through speaking to his grandson. "I tell everyone this," Ryan adds, in a serious tone. "I owe pretty much everything to my grandfather. You can't know how much he's done for me. I don't think even I know. He's been talking about retiring soon, and I don't know what I'll do if...when he does. He's always been there when I've played football. Ever since my first match. Giving me advice, encouragement. Whatever I needed." I ask Ryan if he feels like he needs to pay his grandfather back, and whether that has influenced his career decisions. "I definitely want to try and pay him back somehow, but I don't know how I possibly could. I told him I would win the World Cup for him one day, though." That would be nice. A convenient gift for the rest of the nation, too, though some might argue we've been spoiled already.

[Osarius]

Some called it a potential banana skin game, but the Firebirds successfully navigated their first group stage match and looked convincing in their victory. It's strange to say it, but it was a relief for many to see a team containing several world cup winners triumph over the lowest ranked side in their group. After the catastrophic performances of two years ago, and the controversy surrounding the final games in qualifying this cycle, there were more than a few with misgivings over Azarai Robinson's team. The gaffer will certainly feel that his team have been vindicated, though.

"Abanhfleft are a good attacking side," Robinson said. "But we had a gameplan and the team executed it well." In some ways, it could be argued that Osarius are the worst possible match for the Fleftic national side. "The Fleftic midfield tends to play narrow, out of necessity, relying heavily on the creativity of a central attacking playmaker to create chances." Explained Remi Bonnard, leading our Oracle team for the World Cup. "Against a team like Osarius, with a lot of width and great strength in the middle, this leads to problems. In this particular case, if we look at the heatmaps, we can see that Rory Edwards spent most of his time trying to neutralise Nicola Costello, which made him much less effective as a creative threat. The midfield three behind him were up against four Osarians, as Mancini and Drummond pressed through the middle, while Watson and Samuels dropped off the front to overload the midfield zones."

The start of Ryan Watson will have come as a surprise to very few, as the Hastmead winger has enjoyed a fantastic season, and was a key part of the Firebirds' successful qualifying campaign. When he was replaced by Jerome Monroe in the second half, he had been oddly subdued. "It looked like it was difficult for him to adjust to playing a more proactive role defensively." Bonnard said. "Normally, he plays high up the pitch, on the shoulder of the fullback looking to break and get in behind the defence. Tonight, he was asked to track back a lot more than he normally would, and it meant he wasn't often in the best positions to do the kind of damage he normally does."

Azarai Robinson's cautious approach -- though it ultimately achieved its aim -- will have frustrated some, who are crying out for a thoroughly dominant performance to dismiss any lingering concerns over the quality of the team. "Championship winning sides are normally built from the back," Robinson said, matter-of-factly after the game. "Teams know about our attacking strength so they make it difficult, it's harder to just outscore teams now. Our plan tonight was to keep it tight, and control the game in the middle. We did that. I'm happy."

The opening goal was a long time coming, and it took almost the entire first half for Osarius to finally break through the experienced Fleftic back four and beat Maksim Varamoninov, whose abnormally long frame had pulled off a string of miraculous saves in the early stages. It came through Darik Samuels, who had been thwarted three times previously, but reacted quickest when Varamoninov could only parry a venomous shot from Marco Puntoriero.

At the start of the second half, the Firebirds slowed the pace of the game right down, routinely passing backwards and building methodically out of defence. This plan was abandoned near the hour mark, when Gustavo Potter pounced on a slightly undercooked Jaconelli pass to Rodriguez, stinging the palms of Efrain Suarez. The Osarius 'keeper fumed as the team moved into position for the corner kick, placated only when Rodriguez pointed out that the opposition were almost ready to take the set piece. His frustration was evident as he punched the ball fully clear.

The Fleftic side seemed to gain some confidence after that, pressing more aggressively and forcing Osarius to play the ball forward quicker and more directly. Under normal circumstances, this would perhaps have played into the Firebirds' hands -- with the pace of Samuels and Watson on the wings -- but too often, Marco Puntoriero was isolated up front, due to the deeper positioning of the wingers.

To Robinson's credit, he noticed this quickly, and adjusted. Marco Puntoriero was replaced by Salvatore Laccona, and Jerome Monroe replaced Ryan Watson. "I wanted to put Jerome in because he's more used to playing that way, Ryan didn't do badly, but we needed someone with more experience." Robinson explained. "And of course, Sal [Laccona] gives us hold up play in the opposition half when we need it."

The substitutions helped, with Monroe crossing early for Laccona just minutes after the two were introduced. The St George's Creek striker twisted his body to reach the cross, but put his header just over the bar. Shots fired.

With the balance restored, and the momentum snatched away from Abanhfleft, Osarius took control again. When Drummond was replaced by Mitchell in the seventy-third minute, adding energy to a slowly tiring midfield that was already seemingly in control... it looked certain that the Firebirds would see out the game at the very least. The Directus midfielder would eventually score the goal that put the game beyond the World Cup newcomers, when he played a one-two with Laccona before rifling a shot into the top right corner from twenty yards.

Next up for Osarius is Kandorith, who have been impressive during this cycle, conceding just eight goals so far, and are yet to taste defeat. "It'll be tough, because they have a lot of energy and are physically impressive." Robinson conceded. "They are a bit defensive too, so it might be tough to break them down but I think we have the quality in this squad to get the job done."

Similar to Abanhfleft's system, the Kandorese diamond might struggle to deal with Osarius' midfield strength and pace on the flanks, which means we might see Mitchell and Mancini both start in an attempt to apply pressure. When asked if the more aggressively attacking Afolayan would feature against Kandorith, Robinson was non-committal, but Remi Bonnard feels that it's a no-brainer. "A midfield three of Afolayan with Mancini and Mitchell behind him would have the dynamism to keep Kandorith on their toes, and Afolayan has the size and strength to overcome the likes of Zhensheng, Xie and Moto, where Drummond would perhaps have struggled." He told us. "The problems in Robinson's selection will likely be deciding who to play on the wings. Samuels and Monroe are perhaps the obvious choices because they play in a similar system at Trothwands... but Kane has the necessary experience and versatility to make the best decisions, while Watson is what we in analytics call an X-Factor, the data trends toward him having a decisive impact when he plays. I don't envy the manager."

[Zenic]

'Believe in your squad and all will be taken care of,' as spoken by Kelvin Ingles, legendary former manager of Internacional Binar. His words have never been truer than today: the Zenician squad are still in contention for a spot in the Round of 16
in the World Cup. Such a statement would only be thought of as a dream before the world cup cycle started yet today it is the truth and nothing but the truth.

Iqaluit stadium was packed as hosts R.K. of Quebec squared off against the Survivors on the second match day. The game was full of opportunities from beginning to end yet surprisingly only two goals were scored. The first major chance created came from Quebec as Conavacio's 13 meter strike from a corner kick was cleared off the line by Marshall just 8 minutes into the game. Eventually, Yasif would foul Hertel just inside of the box, leading to a penalty that Hertel himself would score for the 1-0 lead at the half hour mark.

Zenic would eventually respond with their own goal off of a set piece: Cavan would get brought down by Dunford just outside the box. This would set up a free kick by Kun-woo that ended up bouncing around in the box and that Ayaode would end up tapping in for the equalizer in the 54th minute. From that point on, both squad were on the verge of scoring more if not for the spectacular performances from Bartholomew Sagan and Ondrej Cech.

In the post-match interview, manager Luke Killian said that "this is the kind of result I expect from these guys. I know this squad is World Cup material and they are slowly starting to play like it. Hopefully, soon, I'll expect them to be winning these kind of results. Wouldn't that be something, huh?" He uttered that last bit with his trademark smile and to laughs from the reporters in attendance. He also confirmed that Kolman Gottfried and Yasif would start the final group stage game against Krytenia, believing that "a mistake or two doesn't automatically make you a bad player. So, I'm going to stick with my starting eleven that I announced at the start of the qualifiers and that got us this far. I'd be stupid to do otherwise."

With the draw at one goal apiece in addition to the Audioslavian victory over Krytenia, Audioslavia has advanced to the Round of 16, Krytenia has been eliminated from the World Cup while both R.K. of Quebec and Zenic still have a shot at advancing alongside the 8th ranked nation in the world. For this upcoming match day 3, Zenic travels to Winnipeg to face Krytenia while Quebec and Audioslavia face off in Attawapiskat.

In order for Zenic to advance, the squad must pile on the disappointment for Krytenia, winning by at least a goal while hoping Audioslavia can beat Quebec by at least the same margin, hopefully more. Should both games come down end in 1-0 victories for Audioslavia and Zenic, both victorious squads would be the teams advancing to the Round of 16. That's right, everyone: we are essentially a win away from making it to the knockout stage of our first World Cup visit. What an experience that would be.

-- Xavier Magnusson

Xavier Magnusson is one of the oldest and most respected sports writers at the Leinz Herald. Having 32 years of award-winning journalism and experience covering both domestic and international association football competitions, it is only appropriate that he would be the one to cover the Empire’s first ever international tournament and all subsequent tournaments/events.

[Eura]

Inspired Eurans rumble Republicans in ten-goal blockbuster
Thompson delighted as team score seven
Simon Banning reports from New Alpaca Drive, Oldem, Apox

EURA - 7
Spartan 14
Campbell 19, 71
Sutton 45+2
Blackthorn 50
Sinclair 64
Jones 67

FREE REPUBLICS - 3
Pozenel 40
Bolton 42
Theodore 78
Werfel s/o 57

As the World Cup kicked off all over Apox and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, all eyes were on a handful of games, such as San Jose Guayabals shock victory over the Polarians, and defending champions Pasarga's even more remarkable implosion to draw in the last fifteen minutes against Starblaydia. However there were also eyes from all corners of the multiverse tuning in to watch the last tournament's runners up, Eura. Steve Thompson's team were the only one to achieve a 100% qualifying record and came into this World Cup brimming with confidence. In their first game the validity of that confidence would be tested by the bombastic Free Republics, who have gained notoriety (and some may say infamy) for their arrogant manager and human rights situation. In the relatively tiny 26,000 seater New Alpaca Drive stadium in Apox, which was packed to the brim with fans, the challengers would put three goals past a Euran defence that was a bit average on the date. Yet they still couldn't win, because Eura's brilliant attack and midfield - with the help of a controversial red card - put seven past their opposition in an end to end contest that became a hammering as the game went on, leaving Eura in a commanding position having slain the group's second seeds.

Unsurprisingly both team's football associations had grumbled about the size of the venue for this game between the top two seeds in the group. Nevertheless, it didn't seem to have too negative an impact on the atmosphere, which was boisterous and enthusiastic largely thanks to the half of the ground filled by Euran's. The team they came to watch walked out imperiously with captain John Spartan watched by his mentor and manager Steve Thompson. After a heartbreaking near miss at the last tournament that had followed one convincing victory after another, Eura meant business, a playing mentality their qualifying record made explicitly clear. Eura played with their preferred defensive lineup of the moment featuring Waller in goal and a back line of Churchilli, Gilbert, Ainsworth and Watson. Although Eura's defence has been reasonably tight recently, they do have a tendency to let it slack as they aggressively pile into teams, which was clearly the gameplan against a Free Republics side that they did not appear to rate highly in the defensive department. Blackthorn was dropped for the more attacking Charles Hunter to play with Spartan in the middle. Sinclair and Sutton played on the right and left respectively. Kris Campbell lead the line supported by a second striker, Jones, rather than the attacking midfielder Lewis Hughes. Free Republic's, led by Rule Theriault and played up by their compatriots as apparently champions in waiting, played a full strength team, led by the powerful forward Kyle Bolton. Bolton himself was being touted as the man who could get them to the later stages of the tournament.

The Republican striker started well with the first chance of the game just two minutes in, aiming a rasping shot straight at Waller from 20 yards after being pressured by Gilbert into shooting earlier than he intended. It was an early sign of intent from Free Republic's who had kicked off, but Eura were having none of it and they flew in with some passionate tackles. Charles Hunter earned a scorching rebuke from Theriault on the sideline (and the sound of loud approval from the Euran fans) when he slid in on Ayub Sandstrom in the fifth minute, a heavy tackle but a clean one. Hunter seemed to play like a man possessed in those opening minutes and he crafted Eura's first chance a couple of minutes later by surging through two Republican midfielders and toepoking the ball into the box for Jones to run on to. Jones got to it but the titanic centre forward was a bit too slow to get on top of it, instead sliding forward to hook the ball across the box. It beat the defenders but was too high in the air for Campbell, who could only glance it well over the bar with the top of his head. That first ten minutes was a furious end to end exchange of full throttle tackles and blocked shots, but the Euran's did seem to have a slight edge. The Republicans gave away the ball as they tried to break away increasingly frequently, and they paid for their mistakes dearly in the 14th minute. Sandstrom, who had shaken off the impact of that Hunter tackle, tried to thread a ball between Gilbert and Ainsworth for Connie Chase, but it was woefully directed and easy for Gilbert to cut out. Gilbert, Eura's defensive bedrock, now became an attacking lynchpin as he reacted quickly to spot John Spartan in space in the oppositions half, pinging a direct ball straight to him. Spartan majestically controlled it with his chest and a bit of his left shoulder, knocking the ball forwards for himself to run on to. Sachiya Inoue made the mistake of committing into a foolhardy tackle which cleared out Spartan, which earned him a yellow card and Eura a direct free kick. Spartan stood over it from 30 yards, ran up, and got Eura's World Cup going with an absolute screamer into the top right hand corner.

Spartan's glorious opener wasn't quite enough to demoralise the Republican's, but it certainly riled up the Euran's some more. Soon they were ahead by two, and though this goal wasn't quite as good, it still took some exceptional skill. Sinclair darted down the right and into the box, fooled Omar Asbergsson with some tricky stepovers, and then squared the ball for Kris Campbell. The ball was behind the striker who had a lot to do with Jones out of position, but he managed to hold off Patrick Werfel with his back to goal, turn, and snap the ball past Werfel who made a pathetic attempt at a block, leaving Levai Imre with little chance of preventing the goal. The Republicans were in severe danger of complete collapse as the Euran's ran riot, so Theriault made a rare compromise on his usual style, telling his team to drop deep and kill momentum for five or ten minutes. It seemed to work as the chances slow, but it almost led to a build up of pressure that would have produced a killer third goal; if only Joel Sutton had passed to Campbell rather than shot when he was able to creep through the static defence in the 29th minute. After this period of slowing the game down the Republican's fought back and created some chances of their own. Bolton blazed over a glorious chance in the 35th minute from 12 yards before Faredin Pozenel, who had been very quiet until this point, slid in at the back post to push home a low Sandstrom cross that had evaded the Euran defenders inside the box due to its sheer pace, and slightly lucky deflection off Watson's right foot. Eura threatened again as the game evened out with Jones going close using his head, but then Bolton finally made his mark. Free Republics equalised against the run of play in the 42nd minute, when Bolton was given too much time on the right side to run at Watson, exchange a one-two with Chase, and then finish with fury when Chase played the ball back inside.

Just minutes before half time, and with the score now back to 2-2 from seemingly nowhere, Eura seemed snap into their killer instinct. They had been undone by two good goals with a bit of lax pressurising on the part of the defenders, but the Republican's seemed to have got cocky and were now throwing themselves forward, pressing high up the pitch. They should have been settling for 2-2 at half time, and Thompson recognised the opportunity presented to Eura by this tactical naivety just as the fourth official signaled for three minutes of injury time. He had words with Gilbert and Eura momentarily sat back and let the Republicans come forward, waiting for them to lose the ball. They did, and this time it was the hero Bolton who was guilty of an overambitious pass to Chase that was intercepted by Watson. Watson pushed the ball out to the left and knocked it down the flank for Sutton to run on to. The winger cut the ball inside to Campbell in the centre circle, who seemed to hesitate a moment. Before anyone could tackle him, he suddenly switched on; in fact he had not hesitated at all, but instead had perfectly timed his wait on the ball while Sutton got closer to the halfway line, before drilling the ball through the Republican's two players who remained back. It darted forward and so did Sutton, who accelerated with an incredible burst of pace from the halfway line. He was so easily clear on goal that Imre had to come to the edge of the box very quickly to stand a chance of intercepting. Sutton simply let the goalkeeper come before lofting the ball over him with ease, making the score 3-2 as half time arrived. Surprisingly Eura were the only side to make a change at half time, replacing Hunter (who had picked up some sort of knock) with Blackthorn.

The second half kicked off with a bang just like the first, except this time that bang was a goal rather than a flurry of chances. Blackthorn has been under pressure from Hunter and Rose to be in the side recently and was replaced by Hunter for this game, but Hunter's injury gave the veteran Revolutionaries pass-master a much needed reprieve. The impact he made instantly could not have been envisioned better in even the most pleasant of dreams. Sinclair created space on the right and gave the left back a headache with some trickery right out on the touchline, before knocking the ball past him for Churchilli, who sprinted past both of them and instinctively clipped the ball into the box. It was a perfect chipped cross which surprisingly Jones could not reach, despite his 6ft 10in height. However the centreback Werfel marked him anyway in a desperate attempt to prevent a Jones headed goal, leaving Blackthorn completely free to head in from six yards with what appeared to be his first touch. The Republican's, now desperate and knowing they had to score next to get anything from the game, committed themselves forward to try and force a similar breakthrough to the one achieved in the first half. Unfortunately for them the forwards had lost their spark and any hope of a comeback was quashed by the most controversial moment of the tie in the 57th minute. Patrick Werfel, their only centreback, was left retreating at full speed as Eura broke on the counter. He had one defender between him and his own goal, but he was determined to stop the troublesome Campbell from getting any closer to goal. Werfel slid in carelessly and took Campbell out.

It was unquestionably a free kick, but most were surprised when the referee also gave him a straight red card for dangerous play. Though the Republican's protested furiously - Theriault was seen throwing some sort of water bottle into the air and yelling something rude at the nearest official - the replay did show that Werfel had his right boot studs up and going in at knee level, making it a justifiable decision. After the red card the losing side lost hope, and as they were chasing the game they were forced to play on with only two defenders. Eura took full advantage of the situation and though they already looked like scoring more, the red card made it an inevitability. Sinclair netted his first of the tournament in the 64th minute, only thirty seconds or so after he had rattled the post from range, when he finished off a subsequent opportunity provided by Spartan on the rebound. Lofty Jones got on the scoresheet next, finally putting the ball in the back of the net after an unlucky game in front of goal, hitting home a powerful shot from 20 yards after Eura had teased the ball through the exhausted Republican midfield. This game had become a rout, and Eura had their seventh and final goal in the 71st minute. It was one of the easiest goals Kris Campbell will ever have to score as substitute Hughes, on for Jones after he had scored, did all the work in dribbling past Arnou Labrecque just inside the box and rounding the desperate Imre. Hughes passed the ball back across towards the net but Labrecque somehow heroically got back and stopped it right on the line, only for Campbell to dive in and scramble the ball over the line to make it 7-2. The Republican's made defensive changes to limit the damage and then got a lucky consolation as Waller was beaten by a bizarre deflected Koby Theodore off of Ainsworth, but by then the game was well and truly done.

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[Abanhfleft]

The Saga of All-Inclusive Haranguer F.C., Part Twelve

Fans of All-Inclusive Haranguer after they had received the news that their team had signed Kim Dong Jin, a center back from the nation of Gim after putting in some impressive displays for his country in the World Cup qualifiers. At 26 years old, Kim was hitting the prime of his career, and standing six feet and two inches tall he was easily one of the tallest people to ever wear the amber and black kit of All-Inclusive Haranguer. Already fans had a nickname for him: BFG, the "Big Fucking Gimian." They saw his size as equivalent to a high level of aerial attacking and defensive qualities, able to let the team score from headers and defending the team from similar headed goals and free kicks. And his defensive prowess was nothing to scoff at as well. Already the clip of him making a goal line save against defending champions Pasarga had become viral on the Internet, as people all over the multiverse watched Gim hold its own against Pasarga in an eventual nil-nil draw. Some may call it boring, but Kim's goalline save was anything but.

And his arrival couldn't have come at a better time. Haranguer's first game after transfer deadline day was against Thereisnogodistan, the "expansion" team from the Fhulghamous Peninsula which was now rising meteorically through the ranks of the Fleftic football league pyramid thanks to the money they had earned from playing two seasons in the now-defunct Multiverse Premier League. Thereisnogodistan was now aiming for three back-to-back promotions in the same number of seasons, and they were well on their way to achieving that, having won all five of the games they had played. Haranguer was close behind them with four wins and one draw, which was against Sarvusdalamoive, a thrilling 3-3 contest. The coming game was an opportunity for Haranguer to leapfrog Thereisnogodistan to the top of the table. Victory for the Sand Tigers meant that they would go top of the table and over the Atheists by a point, and in a game where all points mattered, it was a real all-or-nothing game for Haranguer.

The main key to neutralizing Thereisnogodistan (as much as possible, as no team has yet managed to contain them before) was to keep possession of the ball as much as possible, for if the ball was not with them, how could they possibly be able to mount an attack against the opposing team? But beyond keeping possession, the Thereisnogodistan defense was a very tough nut to crack, with the back four of Jess Stroman, Joey Renniger, Paul Malachi and Edward Carrasco having gone against some of the best offenses in the multiverse and come out mostly unscathed. If they could stand up against the likes of Strangers, Cornellians and Raedburg, then what chance did a front three of Nick Farnaby, Rory Edwards and Samantha Leroux, who had been given the go-ahead to start, have?

Haranguer was at home, playing host to Thereisnogodistan, but as soon as the game started it was as if NBS Stadium had suddenly been transformed into Richard Dawkins Park as the Atheists took full control of the game, which caused the away fans to sing very, very loudly. The sound of their chanting carried over long distances on the flat and featureless Myleishi Plateau. Soon urban legends would rise that the chanting in Haranguer could be heard as far as Rosenpfelblatz, on the northern edge of the plateau.

Unluckily for Thereisnogodistan though, Callisto Parra was having the game of her life. Sure, there were poor chances from the visitors that were easy saves for her, but there were also some fantastic shots from the Atheists that Callisto had somehow managed to keep out of the net. The most notable of these saves were the snapshot save against Hugo Willmore's header, the knee-jerk reaction save to keep out Olen Celis's barreling shot and saving Tanner Keener's screamer with her forehead. If it weren't for Callisto, Haranguer could very possibly already be 3-0 down in a game which had gone out of their control from the very start.

Thankfully for Haranguer, half-time arrived after barely a minute of stoppage time. The players literally couldn't wait to get away from the pitch and get into the locker room for a well-deserved break from the frenetic pace and intense pressure of the Thereisnogodistan attack. Jane Fuller, managing the team in the place of her husband Tom Mereilles, who had a viral infection that prevented him from taking to the stands, greeted them all with a somber look. "That wasn't the best of games that we've had, is it?" she said to the players as they sat down.

"They were just all over us!" Gillian Lapointe, the seventeen-year-old new signing from Kaboomlandia, said. Her partnership with Copper Cuprum's Sutalen Desoka in the Haranguer midfield had mystified pundits until they showed that they worked so well together because they balanced out each other. But now it seemed as Thereisnogodistan were running circles around them and had the pitch to themselves.

"Yes, that may be true," Janine said, "but the opponents controlling the midfield doesn't mean that we've lost this match. Why, were it not for Callisto here, who knows how many goals they could've scored against us?"

"Six," Rory Edwards said in between muffled coughs.

"Don't mind that," Janine said. "There's still forty-five minutes left to play. I know we will find an opportunity. It's up to all of you to take it when you see it. Now, you say that our midfield's being controlled by them. It's time to stop the free-flowing and start holding it down..."

It wasn't the best pep talk ever given, but at least the Haranguer that came out of the tunnel to start the second half was markedly better than the Haranguer that had entered it just fifteen minutes ago. Gillian Lapointe was substituted by Ulrike Oss, a holding defensive midfielder to help Desoka in locking down the midfield against the coming Thereisnogodistan pressure. For a few minutes into the second half it appeared as if nothing had changed, and Thereisnogodistan was still bossing the midfield, yet still had no goals to show for it. But then as the game went on, Haranguer slowly but surely managed to claw their way back into the game. As the last five minutes of the game approached, and with both teams still scoreless, Haranguer and its fans appeared ready to settle for a draw. But as it turned out, there was something else in store for them.

Haranguer had earned a corner after Thereisnogodistan keeper Wally Arredondo managed to just parry over the bar Sam Leroux's shot at goal. Rory Edwards was the one to take the corner kick. Many players from both teams had assembled in Thereisnogodistan's penalty box in anticipation of the corner, but then Rory surprised nearly everyone by taking the corner short, kicking it with just enough force to Sam Gonza, who was waiting near the edge of the box. Gonza then hoofed the ball into the box, and in the confusion it looked as if no one would be able to get to the ball in time before it could go out for a goal kick. Then suddenly, out of the mass of players rose Kim Dong Jin, the Big Fucking Gimian himself. Using his head, he steered the ball into a path heading for the back of the net, and Arredondo was stuck in place and could only watch as the header bulged the back of the net, and Haranguer took the lead very much against the run of play.

Not even four minutes of stoppage time could bring Thereisnogodistan back on level terms with All-Inclusive, and when the referee blew the whistle, Thereisnogodistan tallied its first loss of the season, while Haranguer tallied its fourth win. The three points gained from the game ensured that the Sand Tigers went up to the top of Unang Liga, ahead of Thereisnogodistan by one point. And it was all thanks to a massive goal from a massive Gimian.

[San Jose Guayabal]

WC 73 Finals: La Selecta Strikes Again - Polarians Narrowly Defeated

La Selecta played as they should play always, a good display of concentration among the midfield managed to stop the strong Polarian midfield, Rudy Valencia performed a good labour of play destruction while taking out a surprising move out of his sleeves, after the game we must remember that overconfidence is a "sin" and we shall not fall on it in order to avoid underperforming against Farfadillis in an expected high-scoring duel.

By: Moisés Serrano, the fan who travels everywhere to support La Selecta.
From: Gwinevra, Apox - World Cup 73 - Finals.
Posted: Sunday, June 17th, 2204 - 22:09 (Guayabalense Eastern Time - User's default time)

It was a game that raised moderate expectations among the fans of La Selecta, for the simple fact of facing a team that has been one of the best national teams in the past ten years, we refer to Polar Islandstates, a tough opponent that was the first obstacle of La Selecta in their fourth participation in the World Cup Finals in what is arguably the toughest group La Selecta has had throughout its participations in the World Cup, with the mere presence of The Terns, it was an obvious indicator that good results would be hard but otherwise showed, La Selecta did an excellent game where neutralized the midfield of their rival, with outstanding participation by Rudy Valencia, who destroyed the game of The Terns and contributed greatly in the game by scoring the goal that gave the victory to La Selecta, certainly it was a pretty entertaining game for ninety minutes, very strategic in the midfield and in the defense, as it emerged repeatedly neutralize the attempts were made to attack the opponent, both defenses did a pretty game category, especially on the part of The Terns, who managed to hold off Rodolfo Zelaya, who surprisingly went unnoticed throughout the entire game, the same destination He suffered Sean Fraser and Jonathan Faña, but at least the habit of Oliveira playing in an unpredictable manner provided off to win.

It was a sunny afternoon in Gwinevra, Apox approximately twelve thousand Guayabalense fans gathered to give full support to La Selecta, fans coming from The Royal Kingdom of Québec, Skarosbrekka, Ratastan and the mainland came to support, in the way we all know, to the rhythm of drums and cymbals, jumping uncontrollably over ninety minutes and shouting their love for La Selecta, it certainly is a feeling that cannot be stopped, an inexplicable passion that makes you travel to places that neither you imagine, in short, the passion has no boundaries or barriers, passion can break eery imaginable barrier, many were pleased to see La Selecta in a new edition of the World Cup, especially with the addition of playing the Finals in an odd cycle, which occurs finally, for the first time, certainly this Qualifier has just broken paradigms and demonstrated the steady progress that we are having on football, something totally enjoyable for the fans and it definitely motivates you to keep supporting the team. Many may mistake this as a description of a lot of fans that support only if the results are the best, my answer to that is a resounding "no" because in San José Guayabal, we have fans who support through thick and thin and in a time like this, support was expected, even with the extra ingredient of facing a strong opponent like Polar Islandstates, seeing good players on the pitch is nice, so all would like to pay in order to enjoy ninety minutes of football, a quite attractive game to the public would ensure satisfaction.

Turning now to the pitch, we focus on alignments that were used by both teams, San Jose Guayabal now opt for a 3-4-3 which can vary up to become a 3-3-1-3, depending on the situation the game, especially the way in which Moses Luc Bjerregaard act throughout the game and apart from Bjerregaard, to neutralize the action would focus on Kirkkegaard and Kruse, another couple that could be lethal, finally, responsible for neutralizing the plays The Terns could make was Rudy Valencia and Leonidas Bregoo, although Valencia was comfortable in a role to which he is accustomed to do, doubts had regarding Bregoo, who is usually a winger, not a destroyer game opponent, so it would be interesting to see how Bregoo behave in the role assigned to it and whether it would be necessary that Oliveira will make a change during the game, all the speculations were around him but still very premature to make such conjectures. Meanwhile, the Polar Islandstates used a 2-3-3-2, with its typical "Pythagorean" but made no change in defense despite the press leaked some data about some problems in defense and most of them regarding to the speed of reaction from the defenders, when taking that into account, knowing that the defense rivals tend to play very physical form, Oliveira designated a role of provocateur in Faña, in order to try to generate faults all over the area and leave in a good position to Rodolfo Zelaya to perform a free kick or a strategic action through set pieces.

Everything was ready for the start of the game, both teams came prepared for preheating the game, a little fitness, gentle jog and speed in short spaces with passes were common denominators in both training sessions prior to the game, then the Guayabalenses proceeded with sessions focused mainly on long distance shots to Terrazas, the trainer with two reserve players were responsible for start testing the reflexes of terraces for the party, a doorman in top condition would be needed in this game, more if you have world class players in front of you, having them near your goal can be intimidating for the average fan but it is the reality that should undergo professional players, especially the goalkeeper, the team's last defensive resort. After practice prior to the game, Oliveira called the players for a final talk, mostly for the sake of emphasizing what should be done in the game, in the words of Oliveira own "must play with courage, with love the motherland because of ourselves depends qualify to the Round of 16, if we play well we will, but not make it, so we must play 110% "The players took to the field, they gathered to pray and They say motivational phrases, stood at their positions to start the game, everything was ready, it was just a matter of waiting for the referee to give the order to start the game actions.

The game started and Polar Islandstates was commissioned to start with the ball control, Otkupshchikov was commissioned to make the kick, he proceeded to take the game calmly and decided to back the ball, keeping it for a long period of time in defensive zone, short passes were constant during the first five minutes of the game, San José Guayabal achieved as expected and granted the domain of the ball to Polar Islandstates on purpose, in order to generate in them some physical exhaustion and meanwhile, La Selecta remained in their normal positions but always attentive to what was trying the players of Polar Islandstates, especially what might happen when Bjerregaard took the ball and headed toward the front, the same applies when Bickermann received a pass from Holzhauser or Kiriyenko, meanwhile Rudy Valencia kept abreast with Bregoo in order to try to calm the opportunities that come opponent. Lefebvre took the ball in the third minute and succeeded after a series of shoves off pressure of Valencia but Bregoo came in time to steal the ball and make a long pass to Zelaya, the former player Northbrook Diamonds in the Divisjon One of Polar Islandstates achieved with relative ease enter the area, tried to pass into the area but could not stop Strauss arrived and managed to force him to go back and stay with little room for maneuver, Zelaya had to step back to try to get support from any from their peers, Núñez, another former player of the Divisjon One came to his support but did not get the ball properly, then ended up taking the ball of the pitch by accident.

The game looks pretty good for La Selecta, because they were holding off The Terns, something it costs to make the intensity of the game that they perform throughout the ninety minutes, but based on passion and effort, they managed to stop rival in a complicated way but they succeeded, until in the seventh minute, The Terns decided to change the tone of the game a little more, to give a long throw towards Kruse, Moreira failed to stop the move despite having tried to nod and take the ball of the field, Kruse managed to continue with the play and came dangerously close to the area, decided to go back a little more to wait for Kiriyenko, which waited in the area and then gave the pass, Passarelli came too late and Kiriyenko had a good opportunity to finish off the goal Terrazas, kicked Kiriyenko was in offside but the linesman raised his flag and was awarded free kick to La Selecta, an awkward move but fortunately did not more. A very active game is appreciated during the first minutes and was not likely that dynamic changes during the first half, although the various reasons as strategy or unpredictability that characterizes the game that aims to show Oliveira with La Selecta could do that this will change, but as I said, it was an unlikely scenario.

The Selecta was showing as expected, cautious during the first moments, but from the twelveth minute, the things changed since they tried to retake possession of the ball and start opening holes in the defense of The Terns, Valencia gave a good pass in the middle of the defense to Sean Fraser, another player who played in La Selecta's Divisjon One, at least it provides some knowledge of the game that they practice, Fraser managed to unbalance the defense and tried to shoot from long distance as seen as Strauss approached him rather quickly, shooting Fraser was pretty good because Ulsletten forced to lie to keep the ball out into the goal, forced a corner, Saucedo went forward to try to find a header and thus try to score a goal, Zelaya made the corner and was predictably at the head of Saucedo, so one of the highest in the team, Moses Luc Bjerregaard had to intervene to prevent Saucedo made contact, he succeeded and cleared the ball, in what was an interesting duel of tall people, as both exceed the two meters, finally, the play had greater potential and could achieve something more interesting but difficult to achieve when you also have tall players on the other team In short, La Selecta temper seemed to be taking the game slowly.

The Terns were aware of what was happening and were forced to advance the line of defenses a little and also the line of midfielders, in order to compact its efforts to attack and reduce the scope for consistent players La Selecta's have harder time recovering the ball on any play that was necessary, the only alternative to be neutralized to Polar Islandstates at that time was overtaking Faña to put pressure on the main pin team Kiriyenko, but forward line of attackers could give important rival spaces and so could see more damage in the midfield and more chances to score from the opponent, which is not desirable at this stage of the game, but still managed to generate Selecta another chance, this time came from the foot of Passarelli, who gave pass to Valencia, he decided to move gradually towards the defensive third of The Terns and then give another pass to Faña, it decided to advance as is normally done, feeling more pressure managed to enter the area and take the pressure generated by Strauss off and then go to the goal, he took off Ulsletten, he did not have too much opportunities against Faña but he just sent it out of the goal, a clear scoring chance that unfortunately was wasted, surely it was the clearest opportunity that had been hitherto the game and chances are that there was a similar until later in the game, you should take advantage of opportunities like this and not waste them as it was getting, well, La Selecta seems that they will have to continue to deal with the constant struggle of the definition in front of goal.

The game certainly is leaning in favor of San José Guayabal, the actions taken by Oliveira to take over the implementation of measures to further pressure on the rival defense was effective, even if it was accurately risky, finally we can say that it was something good, because you have to take chances to win, so this end is justified by the means. Returning to the game, the strategy seemed for a moment that would prevail in the game, as Rasmussen urged his players to concentrate on defense, and met, therefore Zelaya attempts to generate a gap resulted in futile, not generated nothing to intimidate Ulsletten, like Fraser, were not yielding the desired for a dangerous play results, so did Polar Islandstates, they did not advance the midfield because Valencia was present at the right time to kill the attempts to advance from The Terns, finally the game seemed to be cornered in the area of midfield, it seemed that the game was getting a little boring, honestly, The Polarians have managed to make the game fails pond and a point profit or for them, well, I thank you for ruining the game ... Killjoy... Because over the first twenty minutes, the game was more interesting until they raised such a cowardly manner, what was the fear? I do not know, just Rasmussen knows it...

Going back to what we care about, in twenty minutes, Passarelli got a yellow card due to excessively charge Bjerregaard’s body and leave him somewhat injured, requiring medical attention in order to protect their physical integrity, Gunnlaugsson decided to take the ball and prepare for the free kick, which was not executed directly, but decided to give a pass to Bickermann, who in turn decided to test Terrazas with a powerful shot, Terrazas managed to stop but the power did that was surely burn the hands, there was no time for regrets, but it was time to defend and prevent Polar Islandstates from scoring the goal, Bjerregaard made the corner but Moreira managed to clear the ball, this time he failed to do a counterattack because the ball went down the line and led to The Terns undertake a throw in, Kiriyenko did it and left the ball to Kruse, who advanced to give a pass to Bjerregaard, he came to the area and Terrazas managed to react in time, leaving the goal and managed to take the ball through a tackle, then went back to the goal before a shot that Bickermann made, Terrazas stopped the ball did not send a corner, but everything was ready to conduct the clearance, but decided to calm a little game and so avoided problems in the next few minutes, while more time is lost to the extent permitted, most offensive of The Terns would subside.

It had been thirty minutes in the game and the actions appeared to have overcome the slump was overcome boredom between twenty and twenty minutes, but La Selecta was a certain lethargy, because this time, The Terns had taken the ball on a decisively and they did not want her release, although an improvement in the activity that made Rudy Valencia, so the action of Polar Islandstates made La Selecta to reduce their level significantly but could not achieve significant progress between rival defenders, a good approach and the absence a move out of the ordinary that would alter the order of the scheme that made The Terns did not allow a good result, however, Valencia managed to break the knot of his defense through an individual move, decided not to pass the buck, but who wanted to try their luck and managed to get to the edge of the area, but Strauss fouled Valencia, this caused a clear opportunity and that Zelaya had to try to capitalize, was thirty-three minutes and had a variety of options that could try in order to beat The Polarians, especially the exceptional qualities of Ulsletten, when the free-kick Zelaya stepped back and kicked straight into goal but Ulsletten reacted and stopped the ball, without having to send it to a corner, there can only see what it is capable of achieving an experienced keeper and has Ulsletten skills.

The Selecta felt since then a small effect, perhaps pressure in order to get a good result before going to the half-time, so Oliveira decided to risk a little more in order to try, making Zelaya advance one little more and it became the spearhead for the last ten minutes but needed to get a little more fluidity in midfield, this was achieved through a small modification, make Bregoo had a little more space and thus give greater freedom of movement, since the pressure The Terns performed was strong, single brand in every player, apart that had the backing of other nearby players, so it was a difficult barrier to break, is not anything that this defense is considered the best in the world, despite the moves, nothing interesting happened and the game ended 0-0 in the first half, some boos were heard, because the game was not giving what in actually he promised. Oliveira went with the players and told them to do in the second half would be no major changes except to ensure that Valencia also had more freedom of play to destroy part of the game of the Valhallans, the key was to make a quick attack but concise, seizing opportunities that arise in order to score at least one goal, no matter if they won with a single goal, because the important thing was the three points, but the tie was already good in itself, was not sufficient according to the words of Oliveira, so he decided to motivate the players to give 110% of themselves and break up the rival defense at least once in order to get the three points.

The Selecta came with a different mentality in the second half, this time they were more determined to get a result that could lead to victory, it was hard to just see how they had behaved opposing players during the first forty-five minutes but could give a blow through a surprise, did not know who it could be but it could be something that happened, knowing the nature of the game looking to have La Selecta through the instructions of Oliveira and Herrera to their players. Zelaya moved the ball and the action began, this time decided to start on the right wing verticality, Fraser received Zelaya pass and ran up over the area, and he waited through the area, Zelaya took the ball but had to cede it to Faña for the finish off the goal but the shot Ulsletten sent to corner, the momentum shown was pretty good with that attitude could achieve something pretty good, depending on how they could take advantage of the chances that were generated from midfield or from the defense, Saucedo kicked and jumped Zelaya managed to make contact with the ball but sent it to the side of the goal. The pressure started high but time would tell if it would sustain or if it would be a good idea to keep it for a while, in addition to actions that could make the opponent, obviously.

The Valhallans were being held back quite well, Rudy Valencia found the key to stop them play without falling into the provocation or beat rivals while Bregoo cut the connection between Bjerregaard, Kruse and others, disabling the "Pythagorean" shaped effective, and to disable this system, a clear path is generated in order to approach the rival defense and create more danger with every opportunity you have, achieving the goals depended exclusively on the execution of the plays and how each player set in front of goal, beyond that, the ball by La Selecta was being directed, above fifty percent and five shots on goal, the low amount of shots was for the reason defense, a strong defense like Polar Islandstates is very difficult to overcome, even more so to see how Ulsletten was acting in the game, and imbued with a pretty good turnout, a very interesting fact was the number of saves, making four five shots that La Selecta had made a pretty good figure, in short, Ulsletten was becoming the main factor that La Selecta could not score a goal and so take the lead, but in the end, much insistence, defense it would break at some point, the question was when will the moment to be seized? That we are about to see, depending on how Selecta achieves up ahead do something useful.

Time progressed and La Selecta consolidated its domain, fifty-seven minutes, Fana managed to get the ball in midfield, gave the ball to Passarelli qe a play on the offensive began, Passarelli gave pass to Valencia for this advance and in turn pass the ball to Zelaya, who turned around and ran for about twenty meters, tried to keep the ball up to win the pressure imposed by the defenders, Zelaya stepped forward and gave pass to Sean Fraser, and returned Zelaya ball on a fine move, Zelaya was well in front of the goal, but unfortunately the linesman raised his flag and sanctioned an offside, the Polarians took the ball for a moment in order to start having a bit More domain and relax La Selecta, because the game was not at all in his favor because they were beating them through cautious and fast at the same time plays that was the way to penetrate the defense of them and thus score a goal, could be a little expensive but it depended on the will and the commitment that was put to the work of the attack, and greater fluidity was presented, it was only a matter of time to wait for a player to take the opportunity of scoring a goal.

The clock was ticking on his departure, people began to appear bothered by the lack of goals during the second half of the match, it looked like the game again entered a period of stagnation, as the defense of Polar Islandstates was going to rearm , to consolidate again in order to avoid constant opportunities created La Selecta some depth but with the lack of effectiveness being the remarkably consistent every opportunity that was created, it was necessary to appear a player who revolutionized the game with some action unusual and that player appeared sixty-six minutes, Valencia swept and recovered the ball after an attempted attack by Kiriyenko, Valencia moved Saucedo passes and gave the rose to give a pass to Zelaya, but here where surprising happens, Valencia accompanied the whole play and waited for the right time to pass from the time Zelaya, meanwhile Valencia found a comfortable position and went on to receive the ball, Strauss pressure was removed and was face to face with Ulsletten, without thinking twice, Valencia decided to finish powerfully and thus managed to score the 1-0 for La Selecta, the defensive end of The Terns lock had been broken, took sixty-six minutes for this to happen but the wait was worth, fans of San José Guayabal jumped into joy, celebrating the goal that was scored as if it had been completely crazy, we were beating Polar Islandstates in the World Cup Finals certainly beat one of the best teams in the Today is something that does not happen every day, therefore the particularity of the joyous celebration.

Already in the seventy-eight minute, La Selecta decided to take a good decision to shut a little more in their own area but also keep the destruction in the game of Polar Islandstates, the game was cooking slowly in favor of La Selecta, at the end, the three points were heading to San José Guayabal and this was achieved through an efficient handling of the ball and the surprise factor, but we must also highlight certain shortcomings such as lack of proper definition to beat the opponent, because they had at least two opportunities that could have been goals, not that I'm saying he was not happy with the result, but we must improve the definition, as it should not fail clear opportunities such as those now did not have to forgiving opponent, you have to overcome by any means, and what better way to take advantage of scoring opportunities that are available. I do not want to be perfect, but all I ask is to be tested a little more definition, as it will be necessary in the coming games, especially against Farfadillis, where we see what a duel front, while defending them is very bad, that is no reason to trust us and not play them as equals, this match is crucial because if we win, we advance to the Round of 16, which would be great for us.

[Flardania]

予想外に優れ！
Français|日本語|한국어|English
Sports in Review | Kirishinan Broadcasting Corporation

---

Takeru Saotome on Left, Himawari Park on Right

News Intro

*Advert Music Advert shows Kitsunes fans cheering before cutting to the refrain before devoting each repeat of the refrain to 4 Kitsunes players showing them as children and again celebrating after their win against Carialus to advance to the World Cup Final 32. The four players shown in the ad are Miyoko Hojo, Ako Izumi, Pandazi Papadoupulos and Joseph Yabuta. The Ad ends with the fifth refrain with tearjerking audio from Hiro Nakazawa's commentary as the Kitsunes qualified with the words World Cup 73 #Rêves and #Yume.

TS:Whoa, Welcome to Sports in Review on the KBC Network, I'm Saotome Takeru

HP: And I am Park Himawari

TS: And today we discuss the Kitsunes current progress but first, What did you think about that ad Himawari?

HP:Very emotional, shows the theme of dreams coming true and shows us that these four were very cute when they were younger. I only wish Koharu Miyamoto made it onto the advert. She has played great ever since the second to last Cup of Harmony match.

TS: *Nods* However they needed four and I heard she will be in the Kirishinan advertisements for the World Cup 73 video game so all is not wrong unless you have a problem with someone who made the list ahead of her?

HP:Hmmmm, nope there is no issues.

TS:Well we did not lose we managed to go up against Valanora and escape with a draw, which means despite how unlikely, the Kitsunes have more of a tangible chance of doing further damage.

HP:Especially when the team you draw against is ranked 9th in the world which shows that Hikaru is doing something right. We defeated Yittriba, played well twice against Pasarga, finally defeated Devonta and now this.

TS:*Takeru nods* Well the Kitsunes are still playing with nothing to lose as Yabuta managed to equalize the game to put the Kitsunes in a much better spot. Whenever you don't lose to the best team in the group especially when it's your first match, literally anything is possible.

HP: So what's next

TS: *Takeru ruffles his hair* Well no matter what happens in the Apox and Valanora match, this match against Electrum is the most important one we have. We are facing the closest ranked team to us and the team we have the greatest chance of actually defeating.

HP:Baring the fact that every matchup for the Kitsunes in this World Cup Proper is a mismatch and leaves the team as underdogs. We have the greatest the chances of winning against Electrum which regardless of the other match results we can still be in a position do do serious damage.

TS:Exactly but it will be tough as we have never defeated Electrum before in the history of the Kitsunes.

HP:Not just win less but humiliated on the road and home by this squad, I just hope we can pull another Devonta and finally get a win against this squad as well. The Core 5 + 1 will need to play very well.

TS: The Core 5 +1?

HP: Yabuta, Izumi, Miyamoto, Papadoupulos, Hojo plus Fujisaka/Matsuoka.

TS: Ah yes, and the Kitsunes will need to watch out for Alexander Krane and Jake Ingram as well. The defense will need to continue to vibe with Hojo in order to stay in this cup.

HP: The tone seems to have changed following the draw to Valanora just like it did post the draw against Pasarga and later after the win against Yittriba. Imagine what we would've been discussing if we loss to Valanora.

TS: Bingo, we would be discuss the the unlikelihood of getting anything done. But once again drawing against the best team in your group is certainly always a confidence booster.

HP:*sigh* Well hopefully the streak of good luck continues and we finally defeat Electrum!

TS: *Nods* So do the entire nation, For those at home games can be seen on Nagatomo Sport Network (NSN) and Saito Broadcast Channel (SBC) in Japanese or French. Tune in to Seupocheu Broadcast Network (SBN) for Korean. For those seeking English broadcast check local network listings.

HP: That's it so far for Sports in Review, I have been Park Himawari

TS: And I've been Saotome Takeru. Good Luck Kitsunes.

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[Barunia]

Kitchen Colours and Exploding Suns

That's how Jorge Armanes described the kits of Barunia's Suns. Well, of course we wear it in the kitchen - what true Barunian man doesn't cook a steak on the grill while wearing a national flag apron? What surprises me is that anyone from the Holy Empire would wear such a colour while cooking cupcakes for their niece - as I understand it, kitchens over there have flagstone floors, wooden walls, a fire burning in the grate, as well as dead poultry hanging from the beams and a sprig of rosemary over the door to ward off evil spirits.

Anyway, on to the "exploding away kits"… well, let's start with the colour scheme. Red and yellow - where have we seen that before? Well, on the Semarland players, and also the Holy Empire. So moving on from the fact that Mr Armanes is clearly colourblind, lets consider his description. Exploding? Now, I don't know much about the geography of the Dreamed Realm, so I cannot say if Mr Armanes has ever seen the sun rise or set over the ocean. Clearly though this is what it represents, and not the sun exploding in the sky.

Imagine what that would actually look like. The sun is up there in the sky, and then BOOM! It's spread out across the whole canvas of the sky, patches of burning yellow flying in all directions, mad splotches of colour applied like a blind Picasso dropping acid. Who in their right minds would want such a thing reproduced on a football kit? Which nation in the multiverse would be crazy enough to order something like that?

Oh, wait.

Shit.

We did.



Well, the less said about them the better.

So, Mr Armanes, if you think our away kits are bad, just bear in mind that it could have been a lot, lot worse.


OOC: Credit for the original Suns away kits goes to Audioslavia. Yes, that is what I asked for.

[Equestrian States]

World Cup 73: Equestrian States in Deep Trouble in Apox
Ponies Left Facing Long Odds to Escape Group Following Kandorith Defeat
by Steve McNotapony

DWILE, Apox - After winning their first ever playoff against Acronius to qualify for the World Cup, many Equestrian hoofball fans would have hoped the Ponies would carry over that tremendous boost in confidence to the World Cup finals, smash through their group, and potentially reach the quarterfinals of a WCC-sanctioned tournament for the first time in the team's history. Unfortunately, if the Equestrian States are to realize those ambitions of making it past the second round, it will not be without their fair share of drama in the group stage of the competition after losing their opening match against by-now familiar opponent: Kandorith.

The 4-2 result may strike some supporters as a bit harsh given the match was hardly dominated by the 20th-ranked Red Dragons, but any objective observer would have considered the Ponies the second-best team at the Garganaut yesterday evening. Once again, the Equestrians' defensive mistakes were punished by a rampant Kandorese attack which put four on the board against the Ponies. It could have been even worse if not for several world-class saves by Gentle Breeze, who received a warm welcome from the Apoxian locals in the city where she plies her trade at the club level for Dwile Warriors. For manager Pearly White, there were precious few positives to take away from the match, but her goalkeeper's performance was one of them and the Equestrian boss was also quick to praise her two forwards for their respective goals.

Unfortunately, the negatives far outweighed the positives for the Ponies as it was a poor night for the three defenders tasked with keeping Gentle Breeze from needing to make stops. Andrea Molovi and Flitter in particular failed to impress and both veteran defenders showed their age against the considerably-younger Kandorese striker pair, with Molovi being taken off for Rumble early in the second half, though the pegasus wasn't much of an improvement and was largely to blame for the Red Dragons' fourth goal. Meanwhile, Brix Hamilton struggled to shoulder her fellow defenders' loads and turned in a performance that was mediocre at best, a disappointing outing considering her world-class prowess when at her best. The defeat was the second straight match in which the Equestrian States conceded four goals and was the fourth game during the current World Cup cycle where the Ponies allowed three or more goals.

In her post-match press conference, Equestrian manager Pearly White admitted she would be considering a change in formation away from the Ponies' long-favored 3-5-2 towards a more defensive or counterattacking formation such as the 4-2-3-1 which the Ponies' senior team coach of four years hasn't used as much lately in order to keep the prolific strike partnership of Pristina Shine and Wither intact at the top. The 46 year-old unicorn mare denied, however, that she was committed to altering the Equestrians' tactics and would only be discussing her options with her coaching staff. Pearly White also refused to concede that the Ponies' fate was out of their own hooves, proclaiming her team is "fully capable of beating both Abanhfleft and Osarius" in the Equestrian States' final two matches.

The manager's words were affirmed by Ponies captain Cloudchaser and star striker Pristina Shine in interviews where the two players were both adamant that the Equestrian States could still make a deep run in the World Cup this year and backed their struggling teammates to improve upon their lackluster performance.

Meanwhile, in the other Group D match at Barbury's Village Green, 6th-ranked Osarius surprised nobody with a 2-0 victory over Abanhfleft in the bottom-seeded side's World Cup debut. The widely-expected result places the Equestrians in an undesirable position three points behind both the Firebirds and Red Dragons with two matches left to play, including one against top seeds Osarius in which the Ponies would have hoped to be in a position where a draw would be an acceptable result. However, before the Equestrian States can even begin to think about that difficult fixture they must first beat the Fleftics.

Though the lowest-ranked team in the group by a wide margin, Abanhfleft is a side which cannot be taken lightly by the Ponies in their present situation. The Fleftics faced a relatively light qualifying group en route to the World Cup, finishing second behind the team from Saintland who easily topped the group to force Abanhfelft into a playoff with Brenecia for a place in the finals. In the first leg of the playoff, the Fleftics smashed the Brenecians 4-1 before finishing them off 5-1 on aggregate in the second leg to clinch their berth in the World Cup. Abanhfleft will still be seeking their first ever point in the finals against the Equestrian States after their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Osarius.

Without a doubt, the match is one which the Ponies should win, and following the Equestrians' disappointing opener is one they must win if they are to stand any realistic chance of reaching the latter stages of the competition. The Equestrian States holds a significant advantage over Abanhfleft in both talent and experience, though nothing is ever guaranteed at the World Cup as Ponies fans are well aware of. It will not be easy for the Equestrians to make their way out of this group and few pundits will back them to advance given the Ponies' recent poor form and struggling defense...

...But if there's ever been a year for the Ponies to produce a hoofballing miracle, it's this one.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

World Cup Finals Group Stage MD2

Hey Margaret! I'm drunk on you so can you please make me win this game?