AOCAF LIVe :: Roster | RP | Scores

by **Mriin** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 9:09 pm

"What? Why do they want to know our rivals?" Solara hadn't been following the idle chatter in the clubhouse too closely, but then Joren had called them all over with a message from the hosts.

"I'm not sure," Joren responded, "probably some advertising thing. Try and find some potential hot matchups to hype up, that sort of thing."

Janna gave him a sideways glance. "We haven't been on the scene anywhere near long enough to have a 'rival'."

"Eh, there's probably an argument there." Zilia was looking contemplatively at the ceiling. "We've played Juvencus plenty of times; even if we've wiped the floor with them they probably consider us a rival. And I remember the papers were making a big deal about the Barunia games in seventy-eight, since they knocked us out of the Cup of Harmony."

"But why would Atlantians care about them?" Janna shook her head. "Just a couple of random nations from outside the Big 3 isn't going to stir up any hype."

"Well, we did have some big games against big AO names," Solara chimed in after brief pause. "Our matches against Farfadillis were exciting, and we pulled that huge upset over Osarius in the cup proper. It's not a lot to go on, but it's something. I think they're even both in the round of sixteen?"

"Hmm." Joren stroked his beard for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, that's probably our best answer. I'll see if I can track down the Tropicorp suit that asked."

by **Valanora** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:28 pm

Valanora Times
All of Time

When one has been part of the world of international football for over a century and has seen fifty World Cups, there are quite a few nations that one might consider a rival to their team, as repetition breeds contempt among competing adversaries. There is also geographical rivalries to consider, as by rights, one would have to think that the closer that one is to another, the more likely it is to form that sort of weird love-hate relationship that so often seems to spring forwards from the sporting arena. It is weird then perhaps that instead of that locality providing a reason to further antagonize one another, those in the Southwest instead have found common ground in a shared bit of culture in the sub region of Atlantian Oceania. While there is no denying that when meeting on the football pitch, the likes of Farfadillis do bring out a certain flair from our squad, it is not one that is bred from contempt but rather a mutual respect and understanding and a bit similar to that of a sibling rivalry, merely wishing to outdo the other in terms of achievements met.

In that way, you would also have to think about the great nations of the World Cup and think that they could be the rival of our Marauders, as striving for equal or better success than one another is one of the driving factors that does keep the motivation high even when it feels like the mundanity of repetition is edging away at your focus. This is where you might think that a nation like The Holy Empire or Audioslavia might be among the Marauders true rival, as they have had quite a bit of sustained success from their own time in the World Cup. Not to mention that the Audioslavs are a part of the region and you begin to even greater quantify that feeling of rivalry, but while these two sides do make the Marauders play with it all on the line, they just fall a bit short for some reason. Perhaps it is because of the lack of matches between our sides and theres or because ours is a success that has been sustained in a near unbroken line for nearly eighty years on where theres has come and gone, but they just do not evoke a certain drive that you would associate with the true rival.

Perhaps then it is those nations that when the Marauders where still gaining their footing in the international stage tested them over and over again and helped forged the Marauder machine into what it would eventually become. Chief among that sort of list is Turori, who were a common foe for the Marauders several times during those early and mid 30 cycles where the Marauders had to build the reputation and pedigree that the World now knows them for. While it may be a bit of nostaligia, not to mention ever so slightly a certain amount of regional pride and bias, it was these clashes and the lessons that the Marauders learned from them that truly helped teach them the sort of lessons they needed in order for them to grow from a would be power in the region, to one that was constantly challenging for the right to call themselves the world's best. That the Marauders are now commonly thought to be one of if not simply the best team to ever have played in the World Cup is in thanks in no small part to Turori, but they have not the success to their name both in the series nor in the tournament to be that true rival.

Which ultimately there was only ever going to be a single answer to who could call themselves the rivals of the Marauders, which obviously is the Purple Peril of Starblaydia. They have it all, the locale, the sustained success, the early confrontations between the two nations that helped shaped the Marauders to the force they are today. If not for two unexpected victories by the Starblaydii in World Cup 41 and 44, there is little doubt among historians that the Marauders would have won five if not more World Cups in a row, a feat that is near impossible to even begin to fathom today. It is only Starblaydia that matches the titles that the Marauders have, though they have less second and third place finishes, nor have they been a force in the game since the early 60 editions. Still, despite that, the all whites of Starblaydia are the only nation in the footballing World that can truly rival the Marauders and their competition for the first squad to win six World Cups is what drives many a players and gives fans of the game something to salivate over any time both squads are looking up for a tournament.

by **Tropicorp** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 7:53 am

Round of 16

--- COCOABO ZONE ---

Cosumar [2] Iskandervale [2] [2-2] AET :: (4-3) on penalty kicks
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

Chromatika [1] Qasden [1] [2-1] AET.
Kionao Minor Field, Kionao, Turori

Valanora [4] Blackmont [0]
Coliseum of the Inurahtii, Inura, Turori

Osarius [0] Royal Kingdom of Quebec [2]
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

--- TROPICORP ZONE ---

Vilita & Turori [2] Eshan [2] [2-2] AET :: (3-4) on penalty kicks
Turoki National Stadium, Turoki City, Vilita

Oontaz Dert Li Ng [1] Farfadillis [1] [1-1] AET :: (5-4) on penalty kicks
Colonial Field, Sile, Vilita

95X [4] Krytenia [0]
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Tropicorp [1] Mriin [0]
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Quarter Final Matchups :: "Cutoff No-Earlier-Than..." 09/04 Monday 23:59 UTC

Cosumar [-v-] Chromatika
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

Valanora [-v-] Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

Eshan [-v-] Oontaz Dert Li Ng
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

95X [-v-] Tropicorp
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Roster Challenge: Include on your Roster at least one player who either plays in another AO Nation (or, has a story of historical lineage to another AO Nationality)

MD 1 RP Challenge :: Post a picture of a Postcard that would be found in your nation; See the "Postcards!" thread on the AO Forum for some inspiration.

MD 2 RP Challenge :: National Holidays; Incorporate one of your nations National Holidays into your RP, or present its recognized holidays.

MD 3 RP Challenge :: Nation Name Origin; What is the origin of your Nation's Name? :: OR :: (for the graphically inclined) Weird Road Signs from your Nation; Show us what weird or unique Road Signs might be found in your nation, and what they mean!

Round of 16 RP Challenge :: National Rivals; List your nations biggest regional or international rivals and the reason(s) why!

Quarter Final RP Challenge :: Natural Disasters / Events; What (recurring?) Natural Disasters or Significant Naturally Occurring Events is your nation known for?

:: OR ::

(for those that have not yet done so) Complete the Previous Challenges; and where relevant cross-post in proper the AO Forum Thread: MD1: Postcards! MD2: National Holidays MD3: Nation Name Origin, MD3: Road Signs, RO16: Rivalries.

by **Tropicorp** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:43 am

Ranbomahi Stellar Again, Techie-bo's through to Quarter Final

Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp :: Hanauma Ranbomahi was once again the top performer of the show for the Tropicorp team as the Tropicorp FC goalkeeping starlet posted an hour of shutout play commanding the Citizens and Cocoabo ahead of them into a stellar defensive showing.

Cocoabo #91 scored the game winner for the Techie-bo's double-nutmegging the inexperienced center back Renia Kress who had temporarily been twisted onto all fours as Cocoabo #99 and Cocoabo #91 kept them busy.

Ranbomahi was expected to leave the field at half time to make way for Cocoabo #86 in continuation of the Tropicorp Scientists research into improving the efficiency and performance of hybrid Cocoabo-Citizen squads. However, with Ranbomahi pitching a shutout and the scores level, the Tropicorp team decided it would be more valuable to keep Ranbomahi on the field and play for the win in order to shoot for an extra 90 minutes of data against even stronger opposition opposed to the fifteen or so minutes of Cocoabo netminder integration with the Citizen defensive line.

Once Tropicorp took the lead in the 54th minute, preparations were made to bring Cocoabo #86 in and Ranbomahi got a standing ovation from the locals in the Tropicorp Park crowd.

Now the Techie-bo's have a new challenge ahead of them, a quarter final matchup against AOCAF 51 champion 95X. For the team from the Cocoabo Enrichment and Enhancement Project (CEEP) and the local Tropicorp Researchers, it will be an outstanding opportunity to collect more data on Cocoabo-Citizen Hybrid Squad performance. For the young netminder Hanauma Ranbomahi, however, it will be a first look at Vilita & Turori regional rivals 95X.

With some thought that Ranbomahi would become the goalkeeper of the future for Vilita & Turori when or if they declared for either of the home nations, the youngster would eventually be thrown into the thick of the rivalry. Now however there would be a sneak peak. Furthermore, with Vilita & Turori themselves having been ousted unexpectedly on penalty kicks by Eshan at the Turoki National Stadium, it wouldn't be just the locals in Tropicoast in support of the Techie-bos. Ranbomahi would likely be taking the field in front of a packed house of Vilita & Turori faithful taking the ferry trip across with the sole purpose of rooting against 95X.

It could be a rivalry match for Tropicorp, by virtue of association to Vilita & Turori and most certainly will be due to the environment inside the stadium. 95X are coming off a massive 4-0 thrashing of AOCAF 52 champions Krytenia - a team that, if Tropicorp were to have any true and unique rivals, would be prime candidates. Tropicorp shares its only land border with Krytenia, to the North and East, as well as, by extension through the Cocoabo Forest, to the South and East. The rivalry first came to being in that AOCAF 52 competition that the Krytenian's ultimately won as Tropicorp were ousted by Krytenia in the Quarter Finals by a 2-1 scoreline before narrowly defeating Vilita & Turori on penalty kicks in The Semi-Finals and triumphing 5-1 over Chromatika in the final.

Will Tropicorp add a second name to its list of rivals in 95X or will the two-time regional champions be too much for the Techie-bo's to tackle in Tropicoast?

by **Chromatika** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 2:16 pm

Despite the Chromatik Party trying beforehand and the new Chromatik government trying the same, there are still numerous deaths in the mountains of the Mountain District every year. In Felswyr and Z'ai'ai, winter is six months long and temperatures don't go above freezing. In the days of the Chromatik Party, even that corrupt party had party-sponsored heaters for the ROYG populace. Now, there are nonprofits helped by the government that do the same. Snowfall isn't as common as expected, as it's just too cold. There is a semblance of permafrost during those months.

Chromatika 1-1 Qasden (2-1 AET) @ Kionao Minor Field, Kionao, Turori
Starting Lineup vs. Qasden: Nier; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Kelly (C) - Sybill - Montague - Dragana; Victoriane - Andisori - Antonio. Subs: Damjana -> Ellen '52, Hellion -> Sybill '69, Niro -> Antonio '73
Goals vs. Qasden: Victoriane '78 assisted by Kelly, Niro '118 assisted by Hellion
Player of the Match: Ki Niro (1 goal)
Summary: What a match it was at Kionao Minor Field. On one side Chromatika, a top 4 team in the world. On the other, Qasden, back-to-back Cup of Harmony champions. Chromatika could not solve the mystery of Abbott and his fellow defenders for the longest time, and it was instead Onyx Foster who buried a neat cross by Ryan Xandreas past Nier in the thirty-eighth minute. Parker countered past halftime by subbing in Hellion to create more opportunities off set pieces, but the Qad backfield really earned their pay and bottled down on the Chromatik forwards, trying to hold onto the lead. Parker decided to buck tradition by substituting Ki Niro in for Gabriella Antonio, deciding to go with speed instead of experience. Five minutes later, Niro's run down the center was blocked by Abbott, but the rebound was taken by Kelly, who found Victoriane in prime position to equalize. In overtime, the Chromatiks' experience and finesse started to take over, with Qasden trying to play for penalty kicks. With Chromatika's record in penalties in mind, the players found one more wave of energy, and the fresh Niro ran in a deflection of Hellion's cross for the win.

Next? That fateful tiebreaker against Cosumar, whose head to head record is 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Nier's first crack at Cosumar, and Antonio's last chance at another Semifinal in the AOCAF. Would Chromatika be in form enough for the Vanquishers? Between the two emerging powers of Atlantian Oceania and the World, only one will go unto the Semifinals...
Projected Starting Lineup vs. Cosumar: Nier; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Kelly (C) - Sybill - Montague -
Dragana; Victoriane - Andisori - Antonio.

by **Eshan** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 6:20 pm

A Day Off
The Echani Starting 11 Enjoy A Day Free Of Training Before Quarter Final Clash Against Oontaz Dert Li Ng

Aurélian Gautier—23 years old—Starting Goalkeeper

How to celebrate securing a high profile move abroad to one of the top teams in the best league in the world? By spending a day free from training on the Echani island of Okonma of course! Which is made even easier when you already live there in the island's capital city, which also doubles as a major capital of culture; Parisia. As the wonderkid who stared for the city's football since he was four years old before maturing into the undisputed Echani national team starting goalkeeper. But now, after 19 years with the team, his time with the club had come to an end.

Aurélian took a hearty swig of his Tenrian Mule, part ginger beer, many parts Belkan Vodka, as he packed the last of his swapped shirts collection into a large brown box, and sealed it with tape amply applied from front to back. He'd been doing this all day, hours spent packing all ouf his belongings in a beautiful and quite luxurious apartment into different boxes, labelling them by their contents and rewarding his efforts with a healthy supply of drinks, only occasionally switching it up to water.

Pack. Drink.

Pack. Drink.

Drink, drink, pack, drink.

8pm, loaded as hell and it's time for some dinner. But the pots and pans are all packed…delivery it was, one of his favorite places in the entire city was a hole in the wall Alencian joint just down the street. He hesitated before calling; should he pick it up in person since it was one of the last times he would eat here (so conveniently at least, he'd be back in the city for family and because it's Parisia), but the heavy buzz said perhaps walking the streets drunk as a star might have poor results. Delivery it was, so he put in his order and sat back to wait. His TV was still up, so he pulled up the Oontaz Dert Li Ng scouting video Alexio del Nieran and the coaching/scouting teams had put together. He couldn't help but laugh at the player named Godzilla, he was a monster, both as a footballer and as a physical sight.

He shouldn't be in for too busy of a day in goal, the upcoming opposition presented a tactically sound front that was centered around a defensive approach to the game. Aurélian was perfectly fine with that, an offensive minded team sucked to play against, no matter how good your defense is. Despite that, he would have to stay in the game mentally espeicially as one of the opposing players was named Godzilla. With a name like that, you know they aren't messing around, no matter how defensive the set up.

Doorbell rung, delivery. He got up to get it, writing the restaurant a check for 50,000╜ when his order was just 43.67╜. He was drunk as hell and his accountant was going to want to know just what the fuck he was thinking, but the place needed the money and he didn't and he loved the place and he was leaving……home. He was leaving home. Head down, he answered the door to see the owner, a little old woman in her early 70s, with all of his food. He bent down to grab it from her and handed her the check. Seeing the amount, she looked up at him mouth agape. He always paid extremely well but this was just absurd. She was adamant in refusing it but he insisted that she take it, explaining he was leaving to Nephara and it might be some time before he returned. She hugged him and Aurélian kissed her on the cheek, "to make up for all the orders until I return," and pulled away. They said good bye and he closed the door. Feeling melancholy and drunk, he collapsed on his couch, eating his food as he flipped randomly through Echani television. Unsatisfied, he used the built in internet browser to go to uTube, where a recommended video caught his eye.

AURÉLIAN GAUTIER—WELCOME TO BOURNEMOUTH—19/20 ALL SKILLS AND GOALS—ECHANI ECLAIR

Echani Eclair? 'The fuck?' he thought to himself as he watched a compilation of himself perform saves that he had done throughout the most recent season, his last with Parisia. He closed his eyes; the number one league in the world. He wasn't nervous, totally confident, part natural, part boozes. Sad to leave but on to new adventures.

Another video popped out to him: AURÉLIAN GAUTIER—PRINCE OF PARISIA—19 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR LEGEND

He leaned forward and held his head in his hands. This had all better be worth it he thought to himself as despair engulfed him and he reached for a new beer.

Steven Tadeo—26 years old—Starting Rightback

Steven Tadeo had a pleasant if uneventful day for the most part. He slept in late after staying up late with a controller in hand playing AOCAF LIVe; nothing like controlling a virtual version of yourself and simultaneously ego trip and experience a bit of existentialism. Waking at close to noon, he showered and walked into the kitchen to make himself some steak and eggs. A note from his girlfriend Sierra Montecarla said she was out running errands but would be back in time for their date night out in Rosaria so he had time to relax.

He ate his breakfast out in his backyard, featuring a surprisingly large lawn considering his was a hillside estate looking down into the seaside paradise that was Rosaria. As a footballer, a big lawn was of course a necessity so that he might practice his sweet moves. Feeling good after a restful sleep and good breakfast, he rolled a ball off the deck onto the lawn and started to shoot it into the half-sized goal he had in his five-vs-five sized field. Playing music from his sound system and various football matches on the outside TV, he spent most the afternoon just kicking the ball around, watching games and talking to his national team and club teammates on various messaging apps.

Around 2 he lay down for a nap and woke up just before 5. Another shower to get all fresh and Sierra returned from running about the city. She jumped in the shower while he got dressed in a pair of tight, light brown past, a denim button-down with sleeves rolled up, and some clarks. Sierra dressed in a formfitting mauve dress that complimented her brown hair and figure and the two of them jumped into Tadeo's Dilajo sports car and sped down the winding hills into the capital city of Eshan.

A night out included a wine and dine at one of the best restaurants in the city, a delightfully exquisite seafood place looking northeast over the sea towards Legalese and beyond it, Starblaydia. The couple had a brilliant time together, having a free flowing conversation never once mentioning football or the upcoming match. Most of the people in the restaurant recognized him, and those who didn't quickly learned by word of mouth or eavesdropping. Despite that, it was quite a nice place and the people who dined there were either rich or famous or both, so no big fuss was made about him. After food, it was off home for him and Sierra.

When home the two of them watched a movie, a visually impressive take on the Echani War of Independence that stirred his patriotism and made him ready to take on the world, and no country more than Oontaz Dert Li Ng. A couple more shots on goal with a beer and joint in hand before Sierra called him to bed, and he retired for the day.

Darren Tran—26 years old—Starting Centerback

What better way to spend a day off from training then to……lift heavy shit repeatedly? Not too much according to Darren Tran, who got up at 10:05 before eating three bowls of oatmeal with all sorts of nuts'n'berries'n'things thrown in. Next, to the gym.

Blast those arms for two hours before pausing for a four-man size lunch prepared by his personal gainz chef followed by a little bit of weed to help the blood flow and stimulate muscle recovery and digestion. An hour and a half of treading and running in a pool was followed by some video game time, and then a nice hour long leg routine.

4:20.

Watching game tape and many protein munchies later, it was time for another little work out. Calling up his buds, a mixture of athletic and personal connections, who lived close by, a game of basketball was on the menu. At 8:30, it was time for home.

A yuge dinner was in order for a busy day, and was consumed while watching Ball Fondlers, a military action TV show about a group of different badass people and non-humans who fight in the army and wreak havoc over fun and corny commentary.

Bed.

Eric Bambic—25 years old—Starting Centerback

A desire to leave his current club reign supreme here as the highlight of Eric Bambic's day was a heated conversation with his agent.

"Milbert this is the way I see it man and tell me if I'm being an idiot alright? I've been here five years in San Llera with Llara llera, great time you know that. Made some nice money here and won a couple league titles, all with the original goal of becoming the starting centerback for the national team, which hasn't entirely happened. I mean yeah, I'm starting in the AOCAF and Big Will is slowly becoming Old Will, but I guess I'm also slowly becoming Old Bambic, and I know this isn't where I want to be if I'm not starting. And even if I am. I just don't want to be here any longer.

I mean to be honest with you Milly, I don't even know if Llara llera is even existing……no I'm not high and yes I know how baked and straight idiotic that statement sounds but you gotta believe me here, I can't tell if things are real or not here and it's been this way for the past five months; I feel like I'm in purgatory here.

Help me Milbert Vanitzerlin, you're my only hope."

Eric Bambic was surprised to get a phone call only a few hours later, “Eastweald wants you.” That’s all his agent, Milbert Vanitzerlin, had to say. The 53rd best team in the world in the sixth best league. You’d be a fool to turn down a chance to get the hell out of San Llera for them.

“Yes. Please.” came the response.

Transfer completed.

Matthias Prudenzio—21 years old—Alexandria United

When you're young, rich, living in a nation with no drug laws, no better way to spend the day then committing eight hours to an introspective LSD trip and floating through a indistinguishable mashup of swirling colors, melting music, and reflecting on his career. He just recently turned 21, and here he was listening to psychedelic music pondering his good fortune to become one of the best fullbacks
in Eshan and a national team starter for the AOCAF team within two seasons. That was some trippy shit, just how lucky he was to be in this position.

Such a fickle thing. Maybe he hit a poor stretch of form and didn't get a chance in the reserve time and his shot was lost, or maybe he could've had an injury when he was younger, or he could've chosen Rosaria instead of Alexandria and then there wouldn't have been an opening, such a fickle thing was athletic success. Untold billions of people have played the game of football, and yet only a minute percentage of those have become professional footballers. And yet here he is, making millions trying to stop a ball going into a net for ninety minutes.

Damn life was awesome.

Samper Markovic—27 years old—Starting Defensive Midfielder

The calm, ever present defensive midfielder and lynchpin to the entire attacking and positional structure of both the Echani national team and Sebio City, where he was a three time league champion. He was an icon, but you’d never know it if you were to see him and interact with him. Quiet, well-mannered, and with little to say by way of conversation, he seemed like a reserved and aloof personality, with the quiet confidence of someone who is absolutely certain in everything they do.

For him, a quiet day with his steady girlfriend was in store on the day off. The two of them spent the day in Isla San-Renee, where the two enjoyed a lovely day hiking through the beautiful nature preserve that made up the majority of the small island. The two of them had been dating for three years; Alicia was a high-profile sports reporter and an interview series turned into several dates and the rosy blooms of love blossomed within them. After spending much the day hiking about and enjoying being removed from humanity, he and his girlfriend spent the night in the capital city of Isla San-Renee, a city named San-Renee with a population of roughly 250,000 people, just under a quarter of the small island’s total population. Famed for it's beautiful architecture and interlocking system of waterways, Samper Markovic took his gal out, and after a romantic city full of wine and leisurely boating through the city, he said fuck it and proposed to Alicia, to which she happily consented.

Jean-Marie Bentacur—28 years old—Starting Center Midfielder and Team Captain

Always a *tad* religious, Jean-Marie Bentacur literally spent the entire day in prayer. Morning? Prayer. Dinner time? Prayer. Friend needed help moving? Prayer. Prayer time? Prayer.

Outstanding lad.

Artemis Montanari—21 years old—Starting Center Midfielder

Always the intellectual, Artemis Montanari spent the day with his six foot three inch frame sprawled out in various poses all throughout his mansion in Osarius reading books and considering worldly issues.

Philosophical texts, political musings, occasional breaks to read some magical surrealism by Jean-Francois Charest, a brilliant author from the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. For most it was not an entertaining day, but for Montanari it was an exciting occasion to depart from the realm of the physical in football for his more favored cerebral pursuits.

Football was nothing but a means to an end for Artemis Montanari. It was something he was incredibly skilled at for a massive amount of fun work certainly, but his ambitions were far greater than football. Politics or a think tank or NGO, something where power was the currency and he had a check to cash. In a literal sense, he did have a check to cash. It was here where playing football his whole life would pay off, when he would put the millions he had made playing the sport to use as funding and the naturally acquired extremely positive publicity that came with being an iconic Echani athlete and public figure. It was fantastic and he was quite sure he could make something very good come out of this.

He’d recently met with President Revan as part of the World Cup team’s traditional meeting with the President and Royal Family, and he’d been able to speak with him for several minutes about his national agenda and path to the Presidency. Both social democrats, they discussed the progress under the first year of Revan’s reign and what Eshan had in its future; sharing a sense of Echani expansionism, they briefly touched on how Eshan might be able to expand and seize more territory.

Montanari was hooked, and for the remainder of his footballing career, he would carefully lay the foundation for a future career in pursuing Echani Exceptionalism.

Marco van Ciavatinni—25 years old—Starting Right Wing and Echani GOAT

Obviously the only way to celebrate a day off when you’re the best footballer of all time from your nation and one of the best footballers in the world and, at 25, in the prime of your life, and in New Oxford, Ceni, a university town with great nightlife and social activities?

Start the day by practicing diagonal through balls from the right wing for an hour, followed by free kicks for thirty minutes, dribbling cones for 15, and then just fucking around for another forty odd minutes.

Nice little nap for three hours to recover and prepare for the night.

He woke up, showered, got dressed and jumped into his Dilajo Maserti and zoomed off into the night. His red and white paint job got a lot of attention, and it wasn’t long until word spread through New Oxford that the superstar was out in town. He pulled up to a high class bar and dropped his car off with the valet before stepping inside. He stopped at the counter to grab two beers, admiring the classic Cenial architecture and interior design before getting his drinks.

Beers in hand, he waltzed over the three people sitting in the bar he was waiting for. On one side of the both sat his good friend, Mercedini national team captain, and Myrmidon teammate Sam Billic and on the other side was Mia Ria, child prodigy and Chromatika national team back-up goalkeeper. A bit of a goody goody two-shoes, she was nonetheless a good friend and, seeing as how she was headed out to Golden Eagles in Avon on loan, a night out together was needed. The third was none other than Anthony Baudelio, Marco’s fellow Echani national team starter and league rival Phalanx FC starting striker. MvC walked over to them as they slide out of the booth to greet him. He and Anthony dabbed up, Mia got a hug and kiss on the cheek, and for Mr. Sgt Sam Billic, a firm handshake.

The four were an unlikely group but the unifying force that is football brought them together at Myrmidon. The 30 year old Billic had been a bit of a mentor to the five-year younger Marco when he had first transferred to the New Oxford club, helping MvC get acquainted with the team and life in New Oxford, resulting in a deep friendship and a lethal connection on the pitch between Billic at striker and van Ciavatinni at right wing.

As one of the goalkeepers on the team, Mia’s relationship with Marco, five years her senior, originated from him asking her to stay late after practice on many occasions so he could work on his shooting. For that, he’d become a better finisher, her a better keeper, and the two of them good friends. He was sad to see her head back out to Avon, he thought she could certainly do the job for Myrmidon, but regardless the experience she would would be invaluable and she would have a chance to really flourish and show the world her excellence.

Marco van Ciavatinni and Anthony Baudelio went wayyyyy back to when they were both four years old, when they played each other for the first time in the U-5 league system for Sebio City and Alexandria United. The pair had dueled through the entire youth league structure and had broken into their team’s first team at the same time, taking their rivalry to the Echani Seria-A. That, however, was not the end of it. The two of them transferred abroad at the same time, both heading to Ceni and proved that there might perhaps be some merit to immigrants taking their baggage with them; tearing up the league as the traded goals and assists as their teams battled it out. The two had relished every opportunity to play on the same team for the national set up, featuring from the U-14s all the way on to the full team, and they formed a devastating combo. Between the two players, only 25 and 23 years old, they had a combined 234 caps, 150 goals, and 70 assists. That’s simply absurd no matter what way you look at it.

The four of them drank and talked football, life, family, politics, shows, conversation flitting from topic to topic with the only constant being smiles and laughs. Time passes faster when you’re having fun, even more so when you’re drunk, and Marco van Ciavatinni was flying.

The four eventually called it a night, the goody two-shoes Mia headed home while the night was young for Marco van Ciavatinni, Sam Billic, and Anthony Baudelio; the three grabbed some shots for the road before heading out into town to dance and party the night away.

One tequila
Two tequila
Three tequila

Floor.

Anthony Baudelio—23 years old—Starting Striker

For some members of the Echani team, the term 'day off' meant absolutely nothing to them, it was just another chance to put in hours at the gym and on the training pitch. Anthony Baudelio did exactly that and spent the vast majority of the day in the gym. Standing at 6’3 and weighing 179lbs, Anthony Baudelio was a solid body for sure and the physical aspect of the game was paramount to his play style. So with this time off, the strikers pushed himself in the gym for hours. He, with two of the Phalanx AF team physios monitoring and helping him, lifted heavy shit and targeted sore spots and muscle groups that he wanted to tone and develop. This commitment to physical perfection had obviously served Anthony Baudelio well, transforming him into a veritable monster who scored goals for fun; 60 for the national team, 103 for Alexandria, and a good showing to bring Phalanx AF to a second placed finish in the league. He was a beast.

After he put in that work, it was time to play some AOCAF LIVe, the video game about the current AOCAF tournament, before taking a shower and heading out to meet up with Marco van Ciavatinni, Sam Billic, and Mia Ria.

Marshawn Mercury—25 years old—Starting Left Winger

Marshawn Mercury, the fastest Echani alive, decided to spend his day off doing a little bit of sightseeing in his native Eshan. Today was something that he had always heard about, as had every Echani, but never managed to see it for himself. He jumped on a private jet heading to Val Helios, the second smallest Echani island where there was a significant naturally occurring event that Eshan was famous for.

Travelling through the island to the southwestern part of the island, an hour long drive through a dense jungle that gradually gave way to flat land, with mountains on the horizon and the ocean at their back. As Mercury and his entourage approached, they altered their course towards a looming mountain that stood separate from the rest.

They smelled the sight before they saw it, a sort of raw onion-sulphur-rotten egg smelling smell, a kind of smelly smell. A smelly smell that smells...smelly. The soon saw it too.

Fire. Sheer fire and flame twisting into the sky. Two pillar of fire some 250ft high scorched into the dry air, flame licking up the side of the Arrowhead mountain it was in front of. The Echani Pillars of Fire was the result of a natural gas field that had collapsed while being prospected for mining purposes, creating a natural gas crater. Fearing a lethal buildup of methane gas, scientists had set it on fire to burn it out, but they soon found out how intricate this natural system was.

It turns out there there is labyrinth of underground caves the sea had whittled away, and the ebb and flow of the tide pushed air through the caves, mixing it with methane and sending the air shooting up into the sky, igniting into flame as it reached the top level and eternally burning methane, shooting into the sky as a fire tornado that had been burning for 117 years straight.

Marshawn Mercury was awestruck as he watched the flame shoot into the sky. It was beautiful, the way the two pillars danced around each other, jumping and falling, burning brightly and licking the side of the mountain, long since burned a deep black. It was truly an amazing sight, one of those things that makes you realize how powerful and mysterious nature is, and how the natural world was both beautiful and terrifying at the same time, so unknown and majestic. It was these precise thoughts Mercury was having as he was walking when, with his heads in the cloud, he tripped and fell at an awkward angle, feeling a lancing pain shoot through his left ankle, causing him to yell out.

It wasn’t broken he knew that immediately, but a series of later scans should it to be severely strained, meaning he would miss the remainder of the tournament. To that end, 20 year old wonderkid Magnum Cerelius of Sebio City, Marshawn Mercury’s boyhood club, would start in the quarterfinal clash against Oontaz Dert Li Ng and the rest of the tournament, if the Echani team were to advance.

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 11:56 pm

Top 3 Reasons Why Tonight's AOCAF Quarterfinal is Historic
brought to you by E-Egret, AO's most-clicked distributor of online content

3. Bryger Tidesson's first start - With right winger Kit Kvanderwyk's form stuck in a dry spell since the World Cup, it comes as no huge surprise that Alexander Pearce has given teenage wunderkind Bryger Tidesson the nod to start tonight's critical match against Chromatika instead despite the gaffer's close ties to Kvanderwyk. It mirrors the trust Tidesson gained back with his club team last season. He earned the nod to start the Cygnus Cup Final instead of longtime star Ronan Bowditch after leading Real Azuris to its unprecedented second consecutive Youth Cup title. After earning his first senior cap with a substitute appearance against Demot on MD1, will the Azurian thrust himself into the regional limelight and score his first international goal in the AOCAF Quarterfinal?

2. Rivalry Rubber Match - The (mostly) friendly but heated Northern AO struggle between Cosumar and Chromatika has burned bright since flaming to life in AOCAF 50. The three momentous meetings since have left the battleground between the two nations split down the middle at 1-1-1. Chromatika currently have the momentum in the fight to rule the far northeast, residual from their legendary World Cup 76 triumph, but Pearce's men and women have a huge chance here to flip the script and reassert their previously-held superiority. It won't be the last chance to put one on Sybill, Nier and their other familiar faces, but with these crucial knockout meetings so few and far between...the result could permanently shift the balance. There is no draw. Either the Vanquishers or the Chromatiks will take a decisive 2-1-1 advantage.

1. Ninth Time's The Charm? - Most importantly of all is what a win tonight would mean in the history of Cosumarite soccer. The Fiefdom Soccer Federation (FSF) began sending teams to regional competition in AOCAF 32 and in the time since has achieved five Quarterfinals appearances. From those, how many semifinals appearances? ...Zero. That's right. The Dragons, despite flying high on the Multiversal stage, have never managed to fly through this glass ceiling. With a similar curse haunting us in the World Cup (0-4 in Quarterfinals appearances), many fans believe we must first snap the streak in our own region before aspiring to make the semifinals on the bigger stage. Chromatika is a ridiculously strong team at the moment, but a win would be the definition of historic. This country's first chance to play in an AOCAF Semifinal. In the World Cup and AOCAF combined, Cosumar is a dumbfounding 0-for-8 in quarterfinal match-ups. Is the ninth time the charm? Tune in tonight on E-Egret's live Holo-Stream to witness the history unfold yourself.

MD3: Two examples of dragon-related road signs unique to Cosumar, each corresponding to one of the two species of dragon found here. The Cosumarite Azure Dragon, the large and majestic beasts that have come to symbolize this land, are ancient and reclusive creatures that rarely stray from the heart of their vast territory. Nevertheless, the extremely rare encounters can be catastrophic, so you can find red warning signs (A) dotted all along roads that border the Azure Dragon Reserve in Cosumar's northern peninsula. The sign attempts to convey the fearsome size of the creatures to foreign tourists by showing its frame overshadowing one of the large karst rock formations that define the terrain of the northern peninsula. These signs are a local curiosity and not familiar to most Cosumarites. Sign B, however, is universally-known here due to the complete opposite nature of the creature it depicts: the Cocodragon. These insatiable overgrown lizards are not shy and are considered pests in many Cosumarite cities. They're the bane of drivers Fiefdomwide because they're too oblivious (or lazy) to fly out of the way of cars, yet still ~~chubby~~ large enough to damage a vehicle.

A) Cosumarite Azure Dragon warning on Parougan Fief Freeway 6, which famously borders the massive and mysterious Azure Dragon Reserve. Purpose: human safety (hence Red color - for potential danger).

...

B) Far more common Fiefdomwide, a Cocodragon-Crossing sign in Zakhoro, Ankortroth Fief. Purpose: more for the protection of the Cocodragons, which are small enough to be harmed by vehicles (hence Yellow color - for simple caution).

by **Oontaz Dert Li Ng** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 5:59 am

THE POCKET GUIDE TO THE SULTANATE OF OONTAZ
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: UNIFICATION DAY

Above: The flags of the Sultanate of Oontaz and the Ma-I Free State, two technically independent states which were actually both under the rule of the Sultan of Oontaz in personal union before the Proclamation of Unification in 1925.

National holidays are quite the thing in the Sultanate of Oontaz, or at least it's quite the thing for the Mayin half of the nation. The Mayin people love their national holidays, as it's a reason for them to not come to school or work (unless they're government employees, in which case they're not usually exempt from working on national holidays) and any reason for them to turn out lavish feasts and festivals for whatever occasion comes to their mind or fits with the overall theme of the day. The Oontaznik people are much more stoic and somewhat phlegmatic. They are more pragmatic and practical; they are not likely to take just any reason to create a rest day until it is they who are actually exhausted. Oontaznik holidays are usually only for those events which are historically or sociologically important to them, like the foundation of the original Sultanate of Oontaz or the birthday of the Sultan and his family. But there is one holiday which is quite important to both the Oontazniks and the Mayin, and that holiday is Unification Day.

The roots of the modern unified Sultanate of Oontaz date back to 1895, when Oontaznik forces captured the final Spanish citadel of al-Abar (Aparri in the Mayin tongue) and eliminated the last major site of colonial influence in the Mayin Islands. At that point, the Mayin Islands were under the rule of numerous members of the royal family and friends of the Sultan at that time as landed titles. Sultan Hussein IV realized that ruling over the Mayin Islands in such a fractured and disorganized fashion would not help the Oontaznik administration of the islands and would actually foster an environment ripe for rebellion (mostly in the southern parts of the Mayin archipelago as it was here that Christianity had taken root thanks to Spanish and Portuguese control of the area) so on August 9, 1897, Sultan Hussein IV created the Free State of Ma-I (the Arabicized version of Mayin) and began ruling both states in a personal union (similar to King Leopold II of Belgium and the Congo Free State). Hussein's heir, Crown Prince Ali Umar Khalil ibn Hussein Oontaz (the future Sultan Ali V) was also named the heir of the Ma-I Free State to perpetuate the personal union between the states.

Persons of Mayin ancestry were asked to sit in the government of the Sultanate of Ma-I, mostly to assuage fears from the Mayin people that the Oontaznik people would abuse their rule and occupation and reduce the Mayin people to a second-class nationality within their own nation. In the end, a compromise government comprised of both Oontazniks and Mayin (with equal representation for both peoples) was allowed to stand and organize in the traditional Mayin capital of Maynilad. This arrangement proved to be sufficient, at least until 1910, when Sultan Ali V ascended the throne after the death of his father. One of his first dilemmas as the new ruler of both Oontaz and Ma-I was the so-called "Ma-I Question", in which the Sultanate of Oontaz had the choice of either fully incorporating the Mayin Islands into the Sultanate or releasing the islands as an independent nation, albeit with very favorable relations with the Sultanate. Mayin advocates of both the incorporation and independence options flocked to Manitogoro to debate their side to the Sultan and the nascent Oontaznik Parliament, the first majorly Western political innovation introduced into the Sultanate in the last years of Sultan Hussein IV's reign. The incorporation party eventually won over both the Sultan and Parliament as they had seen that the Mayin, under the right treatment, were a responsible and well-behaved people worthy of inclusion into the Sultanate. However, Ali V elected not to deal with the "Ma-I Question" until he died in 1920, leaving his younger brother and heir Talib II to handle the Question among other pressing matters such as the Fleftic invasion of the Sultanate in 1921.

Both modern Oontaznik and Fleftic historians have agreed that Abanhfleft's 1921 invasion of the Sultanate was, while ultimately a military and tactical failure for the Fleftics due to the size and geographic differences of the Sultanate, the first stepping-stone to eventual Oontaznik-Fleftic cooperation and also helped to accelerate the matter of the incorporation or independence of the Mayin people. The Mayins and the Fleftics (at least the original Fleftics whose roots could be traced back to the Capital Islands of the Democratic Republic) were ethnolinguistically related and the original aim of the Fleftic invasion was to free the Mayin from the Oontazniks and incorporate their fellows into their burgeoning nation-state. However, after seeing how both the Mayin and Oontazniks fought well side by side during the invasion, Abanhfleft eventually halted their occupation to only include vital cities in the Sultanate such as Manitogoro, Qoph, Maynilad, and Sibu before the Fleftics settled upon a white peace and restoration of status quo ante bellum. However, one of the preconditions of the peace treaty between Abanhfleft and the Sultanate of Oontaz required that the Oontaznik government either incorporate the Mayin people or grant them their independence within five years.

Now, although the Oontaznik Parliament had already been convinced years before that incorporation of Ma-I was the most suitable option for them, the government still put forth the question of incorporation or independence to the Mayin people in the form of a general referendum held throughout the month of October 1923. The referendum presented the people with two simple choices: incorporation or independence. Both sides initiated information campaigns in the months leading up to the referendum, attempting to convince the population of the benefits of their choice and the problems they would face if they decided to vote for the other option. The Incorporators (pro-incorporation) argued that Ma-I would benefit both geopolitically and economically by being incorporated into the Sultanate of Oontaz by providing internal imports and exports without the risk of noncompetitive tariffs as well as security provided by the powerful Oontaznik Armed Forces. The Independentists (pro-independence) however argued that the inevitable Oontaznik-dominated nation that would result from their incorporation would see the Mayin people downtrodden and eventually downgraded into a second-class citizenry before eventually becoming slaves of the Oontazniks.

When the final results of the referendum arrived in Manitogoro, it was determined that 70.3 percent of the population of the Mayin Islands (as of the 1919 census) participated in the referendum. Of those 70.3 percent, 72.5 percent voted for incorporation while the rest (27.5 percent) voted for independence. This set in motion a second referendum in which the Mayin people decided how exactly they would be incorporated into the Sultanate: as is, with the Ma-I Free State remaining in personal union with the Sultanate of Oontaz and a new and fully Mayin Parliament or Congress serving as its legislative body; or abolishing the Ma-I Free State and all of the corresponding emirates and such applying for entry into the sultanate. Voter turnout was 69.6 percent (according to the 1919 Ma-I census), with 87.1 percent deciding for incorporation as is, 7.8 percent voting for incorporation by abolition of the Ma-I Free State, and the remaining percentage voting undecided or abstaining.

The union of the Sultanate of Oontaz and the Ma-I Free State officially occurred on August 25, 1925. A new flag for the Sultanate, combining elements of both the flags of the original Sultanate of Oontaz and the flag of the Ma-I Free State was flown above the al-Zakaria Palace, the official home of the Sultan for the first time on this day as a mark of the new union between Oontaz and Ma-I. Subsequently, the Ma-I Free State was renamed the Sultanate of Ma-I and the title conferred upon the Sultan. Since then, August 25 has become Unification Day in the Sultanate, a day for two people with different cultures and religions to celebrate their unity as one nation.

THE POCKET GUIDE TO THE SULTANATE OF OONTAZ
WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Above: His Royal Majesty Sultan Kudarat Abu Abdullah ibn Hakeem Oontaz, Sultan of Oontaz, Sultan of Ma-I, Emir of Manitogoro, Emir of Zalim, Sheikh of al-Suwayyil, Sheikh of Maynilad, et al., First of His Name

Where did the name of the Sultanate of Oontaz come from? What is the difference between the Sultanate of Oontaz and the Sultanate of Oontaz Dert Li Ng? Is there really any difference at all? And what is the Sultanate of Ma-I? And what's the difference between it and the Mayin Islands? Well, fear not, because everything will all be explained in this section of the Pocket Guide.

The Sultanate of Oontaz takes its name from the Royal House of Oontaz, the ruling house of the Sultanate. The name dates back to the old days when the old Tribe of Oontaz was still a nomadic pagan tribe not yet converted to Islam. The name traces its roots to a word of unknown language and origin, ohuntahsh which literally translated is "finds-luck-good" or, more loosely, "seekers of good fortune." It is still unclear how or why the Tribe of Oontaz came to bear that name but the infamous "al-Karamiyya Prophecy" had purported to claim that the ancestor of the Tribe of Oontaz had visited a soothsayer before setting out on his own nomadic travels and the soothsayer claimed that his tribe would become famous "for eternity" but only if they strove to "seek [their] own good fortunes". The document has long since been proven to be a 19th century forgery created by ministers of then-Prince Hakeem Abubakar Abdulla ibn Habib Oontaz (the future Sultan Hakeem I) to improve his claim on the throne during the Fifth Oontaznik Succession Crisis. Meanwhile the name Oontaz Dert Li Ng, oftentimes used by the Sultanate as its full name during international events, comes from the days after the unification of Oontaz and Mayin. "Oontaz Dert Li Ng" is a phrase from the old Oontaznik tongue (the language before the Tribe of Oontaz adopted Arabic as their language alongside their conversion to Islam) which means "Oontaz and the South Spice Islands", the "South Spice Islands" part being an obvious reference to the Mayin Islands and their 16th century participation in the spice trade.

Mayin, meanwhile, comes from the purported name of a state which was said to have ruled over the southern part of the islands and was known to have conducted trade as far as the Kingdom of Manitogoro before it was conquered by the Oontazniks. Other names for the state, which comes from both Chinese and Arabic sources, write the name as "Mahin", "Mait", and "Ma-hih". The modern Oontaznik Arabic name for the Mayin Islands is "Ma-I". most famously used in the Ma-I Free State and the Sultanate of Ma-I, the current iteration of the overall Mayin government in personal union with the Sultanate of Oontaz through the Sultan (currently Sultan Kudarat).

by **Tropicorp** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:50 am

Quarter-Finals

--- COCOABO ZONE ---

Cosumar [1] Chromatika [1] [2-1] AET.
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

Valanora [1] Royal Kingdom of Quebec [1] [1-1] AET :: (4-2) on penalty kicks
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

--- TROPICORP ZONE ---

Eshan [0] Oontaz Dert Li Ng [0] [1-0] AET.
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

95X [2] Tropicorp [4]
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Semi Final Matchups :: "Cutoff No-Earlier-Than..." 09/06 Wednesday 23:59 UTC

Cosumar [-v-] Valanora
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Eshan [-v-] Tropicorp
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Roster Challenge: Include on your Roster at least one player who either plays in another AO Nation (or, has a story of historical lineage to another AO Nationality)

MD 1 RP Challenge :: Post a picture of a Postcard that would be found in your nation; See the "Postcards!" thread on the AO Forum for some inspiration.

MD 2 RP Challenge :: National Holidays; Incorporate one of your nations National Holidays into your RP, or present its recognized holidays.

MD 3 RP Challenge :: Nation Name Origin; What is the origin of your Nation's Name? :: OR :: (for the graphically inclined) Weird Road Signs from your Nation; Show us what weird or unique Road Signs might be found in your nation, and what they mean!

Round of 16 RP Challenge :: National Rivals; List your nations biggest regional or international rivals and the reason(s) why!

Quarter Final RP Challenge :: Natural Disasters / Events; What (recurring?) Natural Disasters or Significant Naturally Occurring Events is your nation known for?

Semi Final RP Challenge :: Greatest Regional Moment; What are the great moments in your nations Regional history? Could be in AOCAF/Sports? Politics? War?

:: OR ::

(for those that have not yet done so) Complete the Previous Challenges; and where relevant cross-post in proper the AO Forum Thread: MD1: Postcards! MD2: National Holidays MD3: Nation Name Origin, MD3: Road Signs, RO16: Rivalries.

by **Eshan** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:55 pm

What a time to be alive; the national team stood poised in the semifinal to do battle with tournament hosts and a team they had already drew with in the group stage.

Eshan vs. Tropicorp, step right up, step right up.

Step right up and see that Eshan had purchased the former San Jose Guyabal territory of Lucorias for a tasty 42.0╜ billion, an excellent piece of business that brought more territory to the Republic of Eshan.

The country had been booming in growth for decades, and was nearly bursting at the belt with Echani in population. An innate taste for conquest and conflict burned deep in their breast, and years of humiliation in indentured servitude to the Echani had ingrained in them a deep, deep burning desire to spread beyond their shores and conquer their Erathore bastard former slavers, and generally conquer. And now, with the nation holding 420 million of these conquest minded people, the need to expand for lebensraum was never clearer.

President Revan F. Bernat lay on top of his bed, tie loosened and collar unbuttoned, his jacket on the bed beside him. His hands were folded behind his head, and his eyes were closed. It was a rare moment away from it all to enjoy the silence and let his mind wander. And today they were wondering about Lucorias.

Or should he say Echani Lucorias. The deal was done. Contracts signed, money sent, t's crossed, i's dotted, all nice and neat. Just like that he celebrated 15 months as President by increasing Eshan's size by just about 78% in a neatly structured arraignment that made it even more of a steal for Eshan. They'd robbed the Guayabalense blind.

Lucorias was a brilliant pickup for the Republic; not only was it incredibly rich in natural resources, with several massive oil deposits, but it also received a ton of sun throughout the year, making it ideal for all sorts of energy generation and industrial production facilities. It was superbly well connected by railway to the Northern section of Atlantian Oceania, especially the Royal Kingdom of Quebec, a long time ally of Eshan, and so it would be perfect to spread a form of mark╜ diplomacy to win strengthen international ties by producing Echani goods and providing energy to nations in the region.

He had received an interesting offer from the Royal Kingdom regarding Lucorias; they had quite a number of hardworking prisoners, who were certainly capable of doing manual labor and industrial work, for extraordinarily cheap prices. It was a highly tempting offer, for not many Echani wanted to do slavish tasks like that, but the outright exploitation of prisoners in that manner is something that the social democratic inclined peoples of Eshan would particularly feel strongly inclined to doing, as it contrasted pretty strongly with some of their deepest held beliefs.

But, he thought to himself, they were prisoners, so sorta fuck them would be the mentality of the Echani, and if Eshan built some nice living quarters and treated them niceishly, then perhaps it wouldn't be too hard a sell. He sighed, there was bound to be some resistance so force would be needed, but it shouldn't be too big a problem and what Echani didn't say no to a chance to use some military might.

The best part is that the deal with San Jose Guayabal was only the tip of the iceberg. Lucorias stood as the perfect staging ground to push into the land vacated by Korizland and seize that for the Republic as well. Furthermore, he'd been recently approached by representatives of Southern Yerfilag to purchase their country in Rushmore, so there were plenty more opportunities for Eshan to expand.

If he could pull those purchases and assimilations off, it would no doubt go down as the greatest moment in Eshan's history, and one of the most consequential in Atlantian Oceanian history. For the Echani, honestly the greatest moment in Eshan's regional history was probably their current run in the AOCAF, as sad as that might be. That would have to change, Revan thought to himself.

His mind returned to the task at hand. He was off the a great start as President, now he just had to close out the day and watch Eshan triumph in the AOCAF semifinal against Tropicorp.

Antonio Mulcair sighed to himself. Ah hell. It was time.

21 years of professional football, titles with Rosaria United, a great player for Ramousk United, 75 appearances with 35 goals and five assists for the Echani national team, and a 3rd place in the Baptism of Fire, it had been a phenomenal career.

The Hawk.

But now, he was 37 years old, and he wasn't anything remotely comparable to what he was in his prime, a deadly false winger with terrific dribbling and shooting abilities who ripped defenses apart with ease. He had been the first Echani superstar, it's captain, the first national team icon, the pinnacle of success before Marco van Ciavatinni assumed the mantle.

He was proud of what he had done, but his time in the game was over, his chapter was finished and a new one ready to begin.

Retirement.

It was over, just one last goodbye to make. He was ushered into the Echani dressing room right before the match against Tropicorp. Up on the wall, in the beautiful white and red of the Echani national team jersey was 'MULCAIR' above the number 9. His old jersey.

He had been invited in by Alexio del Nieran as the team's former captain, not to mention the pillar of success who single-handedly dragged the team to a third place finish in the Baptism of Fire, to give one last pre-match hype talk to the team before he retired from football completely. Of course he had accepted, how couldn't he? This was big for the team, big for him, big for everyone. A semifinal, a chance at eternal glory or nothingness.

He took off his shirt and jacket, his fingers brushed the jersey, his heart stirring with pride at his name on the back, and he pulled it on, closing his eyes and reliving the memories.

Eight goals in the Baptism of Fire, his rocket against Valanora to knock them out in one of Eshan's first AOCAF appearances, his hatrick against Cosumar in their 5-4 thriller in the AOCAF, and 23 others for the national team, all of which he could distinctly remember. 75 games, all which he could distinctly remember.

It hurt to think about, as it all came to an end. He breathed in, mind to the present and to the team about to play against Tropicorp.

He turned around and begun to speak to the team;

""Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys………

by **Valanora** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:01 pm

Valanora Times
A Touch Of History

Thinking about it now, it seems almost as if it were destiny, though destiny is not truly a predetermined fate that we are all slaves to but rather a goal for which the pursuit and what ensues is all that entails. Valanora is known across the sporting world for being one of the best if not the best footballing nation to ever grace the game but that was not always so, there was a time when the Marauders were known as overconfident upstarts that merely had been fortunate in the draws that they had had during the World Cup Finals. This was especially true during World Cup 39, the first World Cup that would be hosted in Valanora, where they were cohosting with the Capitalizt SLANI faction of Paripana, and had a very comfortable draw for their half of the bracket only to then have one of the most memorial knockout games of all time against Squornshelous before ultimately losing in the Semifinals and then winning third place while their cohosts managed to win a title on their home soil. It was a great moment for the region but it was just the middle of something great and a precursor for something more memorial in two years time.

In World Cup 40, the Atlantian Oceania nations and rivals of Starblaydia and Krytenia had launched an ambitious and unprecedented bid, it was a bid not only for the hosting rights of the World Cup but also the preceding Baptism of Fire as well as the concurrent Cup of Harmony. It was also marked by a small period of time where Krytenia was married into the royal family of Starblaydia and went by the name of West Starblaydia, though that was short lived. The Marauders on the heels of a very surprising win in the U21 World Cup rolled through the qualifiers on the strength of the hero quartet and were looking to change that perception that the world had of them. For three straight World Cups now they had finished in the top 3 of the World Cup and they felt like their success and consistency demanded recognition, demanded a certain level of respect and admiration from their peers. The trip to Calania was one that would provide that very stage for the Marauders to grab the respect.

Being so close to the Eternal Empire, the fan support for the Marauders in that World Cup was the highest it ever been and the side went out of their way to try and entertain the fans that were supporting them, even if it did make their group stage a bit more perilous than it needed to be. All the same, the Marauders would advance and keep on winning and in spectacular fashion, they were a force of nature that could not be stopped by anyone that was daring to get in their way. Lead by the quiet but strong resolve of Laborious Hawk, who had yet been thought of as one of the best players in the World, the Marauders pressed on through the knockouts with ease and determination until they were at long last at the pinnacle of the footballing World, in the Final and against none other than another Atlantian Oceania and Southwestern nation in Bazalonia. The Bazalopes were made favorites for the match, as they had the history and many thought that this was now their time to finally win a World Cup of their own, such was the surprise then that the Marauders would emerge as the victors and established a dynasty that has lasted since.

That lesson should be in the minds of the squad now as they take on Cosumar in the semifinals of this AOCAF, after having escaped against a very resilient Royal Kingdom of Quebec side that the Marauders probably thought would have been an easy team to beat given their form. Unfortunately the Grim Reapers took the Marauders not just to extra time but to the challenge that is spot kicks, though the discipline and resolve of the Marauders would come through the penalty shootout and earn them the right to play the Dragons for the right to progress to the Final. Perhaps it is a bit fortunate then that the Dragons were also taken into extra time by Chromtika in their Quarterfinal fixture, meaning both sides will meet with equal footing in terms of tiredness, though Vanorian stamina could prove all the difference. However this Cosumar side reminds many of those Marauders sides of the late 30s and early 40s, and the Marauders ought to take care that they are not on the wrong side of history, where they are expected to win like Bazalonia was, only to fall short to a determined side looking to establish their own name for a long time coming.

by **Tropicorp** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:41 am

Semi-Finalists convene in Tropicoast as Hurricane passes through Cocoabo Forest

Generally protected from open water hurricanes by the gateway islands at the mouth of the Vilitan Cove, a strong storm retaining Hurricane Force winds is a rare event on the Western Calanian shore.

As luck would have it, however, a rare event is about to make landfall at the Point of Calania and the Cocoabo Forest. Formed inside the Vilitan Cove itself off the Eastern shore of Azeruia, the tropical system gained a category 1 hurricane status and set its sites perfectly between the Dragon Island and the Island of Turori, with the Point of Calania in its crosshairs.

With the Cocoabo Forest being inhabited mostly by native species and researchers, the immediate impact on civilian life in the Cove is expected to be minimal. There should be some intense surfing opportunities in Northern Vilita as the storm swells off its Northern Shore.

The only notable impact of the storm thus far was the pre-emptive re-location of the AOCAF 54 Semi-Final fixture from the Cocoabo Park Arena in Cocoabo Park to Tropicorp Park in Tropicoast, well south of the affected area. Cocoabo Park is projected to receive in upwards of 8 hours of Tropical Storm force winds as a result of the system and event organizers felt it would be in the best interest of both teams and fans to not hold any Semi-Final round matchups at Cocoabo Park.

The AOCAF LIVe third place playoff match is still expected to be held as scheduled at the Cocoabo Park Arena after the storm has passed.

The move will for the first time put all four remaining National Teams competing for the AOCAF title in one location as the National Team's of Cosumar and Valanora join Eshan and Tropicorp in Tropicoast in an historic Semi-Final grouping that sees three nations - Cosumar, Eshan and Tropicorp; contesting their first ever Semi-Final. At least one nation, Eshan or Tropicorp, is guaranteed to be headed to their first ever AOCAF final. These circumstances were made possible due to a series of early round upsets including the Echani advancing on penalty kicks over the fourteen time finalist Vilitan side and the convicts of the Royal Kingdom Of Quebec defeating three-time AOCAF Champion Osarius both in the Round of 16. The failure of the #3 Ranked nation in the region, Audioslavia, to field a team for the competition also opened up the door for the inexperienced Semi-Final matchup.

They will all still be chasing Valanora, however. The defending AOCAF Champions and four time winners overall, the Vanorians stand out amongst the other Semi-Finalists as decidedly not inexperienced and as the #1 ranked team in the region.

As for the Tropicorp team, their victory over 95X in the Quarter Final round by a decisive 4-2 scoreline likely replaces the result achieved against Farfadillis as their most impressive Regional Sporting achievement of all time. However, the opportunities presented ahead of them will certainly make it possible for even that result to be just a miniscule memory compared to victory in either of the Techie-bo's remaining games.

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:00 pm

Cosumar 2-1 Chromatika: Dragons soar into semis for first time
Gritty Cosumarite performance as defenders score both goals, spoil Antonio finale

In his second AOCAF and first full World Cup cycle, manager Alexander Pearce has taken Cosumar to the AOCAF Cup semifinals for the first time in nearly 50 years of contention.

Deirdre McNessa and Bacary Na'Kale were the unlikely names on the scoresheet - ten minutes from half time and the end of extra time, respectively - to beat much-fancied Chromatika in 120 minutes despite a goal from departing hero Gabriella Antonio.

The victorious Cosumarites, known for their hitherto 0-for-8 record in major quarterfinals, have come on strong in the latter half of the tournament despite a shaky start in which they were shockingly upended by semi-pro Demot and within three minutes of dropping points against minnow Komarov-Thomiya. The Round of 16 shootout win over Iskandervale was not a particularly convincing performance either, but provided enough momentum to allow Pearce's young team to walk confidently into Cocoabo Park Arena despite their toughest opponent yet pacing in wait.

A feisty, mad-scramble first half that saw both teams score in the last ten minutes settled into a rhythm at last in the second half as Chromatika kept the ball on the floor and methodically kept control. Their central duo of Alyss Montague and Sandra Sybill in particular dominated the match for long stretches in midfield. The possession stat continued to grow more disproportionate into extra time. Nevertheless, it was Cosumar left back Bacary Na'Kale who finally broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 110th minute, pouncing and jabbing home from close range after Jillian Nier uncharacteristically failed to cleanly control a free kick.

Player of the Match: Starling center back Deirdre McNessa (above, before match) was central to the Vanquishers' first Quarterfinals success. Instrumental in shutting down club teammate Andisori in defense, intervening time and time again, McNessa also scored the first goal on an inch-perfect header.

The set-piece delivery was almost identical to the one that saw Cosumar take a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Only on that one, Nier hadn't come out and McNessa had cut across the area and headed it down inside the left post instead. Chromatika had leveled quickly the first time. Retirement-bound hero Gabriella Antonio drove in a gorgeous shot off the underside of the crossbar following a pass from Montague. But no such equalizer was forthcoming in the final ten minutes of extra time despite the Chromatiks' strained efforts.

They pushed forward with renewed vigor after Stig Söderquist was sent off with a straight red in the 117th minute. Montague had a header stunningly cleared off the line by Peter Svensson, Antonio hit the post and Keira Andisori hit the crossbar. Meagan Kelly had also drawn an excellent point-blank save from Jakk Winterfyll a few minutes prior. It just wasn't the day for Chromatika's attackers.

Credit must be given to Cosumar's back five and goalkeeper for dealing so well with the constant pressure and defending throughout the second half and extra time. Minimal impact was made by forward stars like Romikk Valgard, Vega Zeale-Riddick and Alora Heher, so it's poetic justice that defenders indeed scored both of the vital goals. Maybe the rest of the region will start to recognize what those in the Fiefdom have known for years: just how world-class players like Winterfyll, McNessa, Svensson and especially Na'Kale really are. They won this match. They restored Cosumar's hegemony over Chromatika. They made history.

And in their first ever AOCAF semifinal, the national team will now face, yes... Valanora. The Marauders, of course, are the defending champions and #1 ranked team in the region. It will require another historic performance from the Cosumarite squad if they hope to ink their name in place of Valanora's in the AOCAF Final. While Cosumar has beaten Valanora on big stages before (see: World Cup 73), Vanorians have long reigned supreme over the AOCAF. People there view this as "their" tournament and their team will not cede their proud regional supremacy without a fantastic fight, knowing that such a loss could be stylized as a symbolic "changing of the guard" by reactionary media.

It could be a duel for the ages, and it will all go down at Tropicorp Park. The semifinals will take place two days later than initially scheduled due to the severe hurricane wreaking havoc in Cocoabo Forest, the original site of the match. Both sides will enjoy the delay to recuperate from taxing Quarterfinal fixtures. Valanora likewise required the full 120 minutes to dispose of The Royal Kingdom of Quebec on penalties.

Either an inexperienced Eshan or Tropicorp will await in the Final. Regardless of the result of the Cosumar-Valanora semifinal slugfest, the title is completely up for grabs for the winner. May the best team win.

...

Click here to donate to aid & damage recovery efforts in the Vilitan Cove and be entered to win a free Romikk Valgard AOCAF jersey!

by **Tropicorp** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 12:47 am

Semi-Finals

Cosumar [2] Valanora [2] [3-2] AET.
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Eshan [1] Tropicorp [0]
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

"Cutoff No-Earlier-Than..." 09/09 Saturday 23:59 UTC

Third Place Playoff
Valanora [-v-] Tropicorp
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

AOCAF LIVe Final
Cosumar [-v-] Eshan
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Roster Challenge: Include on your Roster at least one player who either plays in another AO Nation (or, has a story of historical lineage to another AO Nationality)

MD 1 RP Challenge :: Post a picture of a Postcard that would be found in your nation; See the "Postcards!" thread on the AO Forum for some inspiration.

MD 2 RP Challenge :: National Holidays; Incorporate one of your nations National Holidays into your RP, or present its recognized holidays.

MD 3 RP Challenge :: Nation Name Origin; What is the origin of your Nation's Name? :: OR :: (for the graphically inclined) Weird Road Signs from your Nation; Show us what weird or unique Road Signs might be found in your nation, and what they mean!

Round of 16 RP Challenge :: National Rivals; List your nations biggest regional or international rivals and the reason(s) why!

Quarter Final RP Challenge :: Natural Disasters / Events; What (recurring?) Natural Disasters or Significant Naturally Occurring Events is your nation known for?

Semi Final RP Challenge :: Greatest Regional Moment; What are the great moments in your nations Regional history? Could be in AOCAF/Sports? Politics? War?

Final RP Challenge :: What Scarf will your Fans be wearing? + Complete the Previous Challenges; and where relevant cross-post in proper the AO Forum Thread: MD1: Postcards! MD2: National Holidays MD3: Nation Name Origin, MD3: Road Signs, RO16: Rivalries.

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:34 pm

GREATEST REGIONAL MOMENT? AOCAF SEMI LAYS CLAIM TO TITLE
brought to you by E-Egret, Cosumar's most-clicked distributor of online content

*

A friend recently asked me what I would consider the top achievement in Cosumar's regional history across all sports and competitions.

Before last night, I might've mentioned Real Azuris advancing to the AOCL Final while fielding a B team much of the way. I could've remembered 1005, when a pair of middling Cosumarite clubs stunningly monopolized the COCANEFA Cup Final (which AC Holmenkollen won over Morponte Fief, by the way). I could've even recalled dusty and long-forgotten accomplishments from before I was born or obscure sporting events with about as much relevance as my office bowling team's three-years-old bronze medal (which still hangs proudly in the break room here at E-Egret).

But as I sit here now, writing this, four hours after the final whistle at Tropicorp Park, my pulse is still racing like Secretariat with no sign of slowing. What a match. What a run! What in the annals of our history of regional competition could possibly match this?

No matter what unfolds later this week between Cosumar and Eshan in the AOCAF LIV Final, you can be satisfied in the knowledge that in the year 1011 you've already witnessed one of the most compelling, entertaining and downright spine-tingling Cosumarite soccer moments ever. Hell, let’s skip the qualifiers and give the Cosumar-Valanora semifinal the recognition it deserves: our best regional sporting triumph of all-time. Knocking off our rivals to break the 'Quarterfinals Curse' last week was sweet, but it's not even close to this unbelievable ecstasy.

Before you interject with your inevitable "But what about..." queries, let’s recap for a moment the 120 minutes of nonstop drama and how they set a new precedent for Cosumarite AOCAF performances across the board.

Biggest stakes? A place in the AOCAF Final, the first ever for our national team, contested against our biggest aspirational targets in Atlantian Oceania for the last century. Valanora. Laborious Hawk. Espy va Drake. That's as big-time as it gets. Check.

Most goal-scoring excitement? Well, 3-2 is two more to enjoy than the preceding 2-1 win over Chromatika, with bona-fide stars like Romikk Valgard, Vega Zeale-Riddick and Allandren Fresco among the scorers this time. Check.

Best fan atmosphere? Well, 75.000 spectators (split damn near evenly between the two competing nations) packed Tropicorp Park to the gills and created a world-class environment by any metric. Check.

Most dramatic narrative? How about the way the Cosumarites stormed furiously out the gates with an uppercut that nearly ended the match after just 11 minutes? How about the subsequent Valanora comeback that set the stage for a gripping extra time? Or the tit-for-tat insanity that had me screaming at the television for that entire final half hour as the fates of both teams teetered repeatedly back-and-forth on the edge with each trade of a scoring chance? How about when teenager Bryger Tidesson set up the winner for left back Bacary Na'Kale (who also won it late against Chromatika) with his first touch? How about that, indeed. Check.

Most jaw-dropping soccer moments? Many! Ok, Valgard's opener was a rather straightforward finish in acres of space following a rare Laborious Hawk mishit backpass (that's jaw-dropping in itself), but being such an unexpected turn of events in just the 9th minute... it had the impact of a 10,000-ton weight being dropped on Tropicorp Park. Just two minutes later, Vega Zeale-Riddick made it 2-0 with a truly jaw-dropping run to the middle of the box and smooth first-time finish to the top corner. Then the place really became a madhouse! Ok, ok, Hawk's curler and Fresco's bullet header to draw the Marauders back to 2-2 in the second half were nice too. But the most impressive play was saved for last! Fast-forward to the 103rd minute. After taking a couple class touches to control and tee up Bryger Tidesson's long switchfield cross, Bacary Na'Kale pulled up and surprised the defense by going for goal from outside the top-left corner of the box. It was an exquisite hit - and it needed to be - snaking around defenders and under Aediron Galadirdren into the back of the net. The Vloo fullback had done it again! Pulled magic out from between his horns for the second consecutive knockout match! What ensued, I could watch on loop all day. Pure adrenaline coursing through their veins, the entire team sprinted towards a common point by the touchline, arms lifted in disbelief. Emphatic Check.

Overall, this Cosumarite run in AOCAF LIV has embodied the spirit of regional competition at its very finest. With upsets (going both ways for and against us), three consecutive knockout duels decided in extra time and an intoxicating concoction of skill, spectacle, bad blood and stupefying moments all around, it has been enough to leave even casual followers hyperventilating.

The Farris Crowley cynic in me says the AOCAF Final couldn’t possibly exceed what just played out tonight as our greatest ever moment within Atlantian Oceania. Even if we win. And yet, with my heart still pounding at the memory of Romikk Valgard in open space or of Peter Svensson attacking tantalizing crosses into the box time and time again, the Alexander Pearce optimist in me says, "Why the hell not?"

Whether ultimate joy awaits or the sting of disappointment, nothing can take away the sheer delirium of what we have already witnessed in this tournament, from Iskandervale to Chromatika to Valanora. With each successive victory more impressive and more dramatic than the last, this AOCAF here in the Vilitan Cove has already cemented its place as the special sort of feat that will get passed down through generations of Cosumarite footie fanatics. And E-Egret sports columnists. I'll see to that.

AOCAF Final RP Challenge: The official AOCAF LIV Final limited edition collectors' scarf is shown below. It is being distributed by the Fiefdom Soccer Federation to traveling supporters' groups such as the Heathen Front ahead of the big title bout against Eshan. Featuring the Fiefdom's Coat of Arms and reference to the "Vanquishers" mantra that previously propelled the team to a Cup of Harmony title, the FSF is hoping that these scarves will unify fans to get behind the team in the boldest possible fashion amidst possibly hostile surroundings in southern Atlantian Oceania. They're hoping these scarves will inspire the players when they see them raised proudly overhead from the pitch. And, finally, they're hoping they'll be a piece of home - a piece of Cosumar - all the way down in Tropicoast.

by **Eshan** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 11:00 am

Echani Sporting Daily
WE ARE IN THE AOCAF FINAL!!!!!!!

The time is here, the moment? Now. Eshan v Cosumar, AOCAF LIVe Final. This is our first final in any tournament for any sport, this is a bigggggg deal, I would go so far as to call it a yuge deal. On the verge of immortality, never to be forgotten. If we win that is, and in Cosumar we face one of the absolute best teams in the world, not just Atlantian Oceania. It won’t be an easy task, but after going defeat-less the entire tournament and putting on a great show in the 1-0 win against host nation Tropicorp in the Semifinals.

Sure it had been deadlocked until the 68th minute, when none other than the young Magnum Cerelius who scored the winning goal, but it had been a wildly entertaining game prior to then, totally wide open. Both teams pushed forward in attack, got beaten back into a frantic scramble in midfield as both teams tried to gain possession of the ball and to control the game, before the winner of that scuffle moved upfield in an attacking move, only for the entire cycle to restart. It was a nervewracking, hair on end, drink 16 beers so you’re calm affair, with the final whistle greeted by sheer ecstasy from the Echani fans.

Our first AOCAF Final. Our first Final. What a time to be alive, but we can’t reflect on this too much and pat ourselves on the back all the way to the Tropicorp stadium. Our job isn’t done until we lift the trophy, second is the first loser, ain’t nobody got time for that, especially not us Echani. So how will we handle this all-important match against Cosumar?

By playing our starting 11 and letting them take care of it. Despite this being one of the lowest scoring Echani teams of all time, there’s a certain level of…’solidity’ about the team. They are confident in their movements, secure in themselves and their teammates, they are all in on Alexio del Nieran’s aggressive style of possession and positional play, ready to take on the world. There’s no reason for del Aimbot to switch around any of the players either position or personnel wise, this is the team that got us here and they’ve looked damn good and cohesive doing it, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Marco van Ciavatinni is actually a god, Jean-Marie Bentacur has been dominating attacking movements, Eric Bambic has shut down any attack and looked brilliant playing the ball out of defense, while Artemis Montanari has been nothing short of simply superb, while 20 year old Magnum Cerelius has looked positively scintillating after coming into the starting XI for the injured Marshawn Mercury. The team looks lethal and up to the task.

But what about the team from Cosumar? They showed great character to beat Valanora 3-2 after extra time; playing one of the best teams in the history of the sport, albeit assuredly nowhere near the height of their powers in days long gone, is always going to be a huge morale booster and really a life-affirming event for those boys in blue. Or white depending on if they’re home or away, but oh lordy you know what I mean and gosh dang they’re gonna be good competition.

Let’s step into the time machine for a second shall we?

The time is AOCAF 50, the scene is the fourth matchday of qualifying to the knockout rounds. Eshan and Cosumar were meeting for the first time in international football. What a match it was.

Within the first minute of the game, the second real sequence of the match, Marco van Ciavatinni sent Antonio Mulcair in on goal with a composed through ball and the legendary forward wasted no time in putting the ball into the net to make it 1-0 before sixty seconds had gone. The 20th minute and Jean-Marie Bentacur was fouled thirty yards out and put the ensuing freekick right on the money for an absolutely jaw-dropping scorpion kick goal from Samper Markovic. 2-0 and life was looking good.

But that didn’t last much longer, Mauricio Sigler mugged the ball off Francesco Di Nolfo (remember him) and curled the ball around our helpless GK to make it 2-1 going into halftime. In the 53rd minute, Dex Temple, tracking back on defense for the first time in his life, tripped up Jacob Pandan in the box, and Sigler wasted no time in blasting the penalty kick down the middle to tie it up at 2-2.

The next 20 minutes are written into Atlantian Oceania history. In the 58th minute, left back Alexander Soarhaven chased down and lost ball and hit a mean slider past Demarcus Jones to make it 3-2 to Cosumar. Four minutes later, another Jean-Marie Bentacur freekick found its mark, dropping neatly on Willian Luc Villaview’s head, who directed it into the net to make it 3-3 even. Naught but two minutes later, Cosumar captain Anders Engström hitting the rebound effort into the net to make it 4-3 in the 63rd minute. Only FOUR MINUTES LATER, Luke Albom hit a sort of quasi-shot/cross from the endline that managed to slice into the net past a stood-still goalkeeper to equalize at 4-4. Finally, in the 78th minute, Vareza Na'Noni rose up to meet a chipped freekick and headed it home to make it 5-4.

20 minutes, five goals. What a match for the neutral observer, what a match for every man, woman, and pig watching. Goals are the lifeblood of football, which is the lifeblood of…well……life. That was brilliant. Let’s hope for another such display in the Final of AOCAF LIVe, only this time around with us scoring five, and them only four.

Make sure to visit the official website of the Eshan National Football Team to purchase your very own collector's edition ‘Cosumar v Eshan-AOCAF LIVe Final’ scarf to show your pride and how you really do bleed red and white!

ESHAN EXPANDS AGAIN; PRESIDENT REVAN APPROVES PURCHASE OF SOUTH YERFILAG

Oh yes, you read that headline correctly. President Revan F. Bernat, only three short weeks past announcing a 42.0 billion dollar deal to purchase Lucorias from San Jose Guayabal, has announced the purchase and acquisition of ANOTHER nation to add to the rapidly expanding Echani Republic.

A postcard from Echani South Yerfilag, a(nother) new territory in the Echani Republic

Welcome to the Echani Republic, South Yerfilag! Easily the best move you, or any nation in the multiverse, could make. The primarily Afrikaans and English speaking nation is awaiting ratification by the Senate to officially become a member of the Echani Republic, but it’s pretty much a done deal. President Revan has confirmed that Afrikaans will be permitted to carry on as an official language, with a proposal in generous funding to the education system of South Yerfilag to make English officially taught as the second language, making primary schooling bilingual, which makes sense when you think about it; pretty much no Echani speak a lick of Afrikaans. They aren't uncivilized whatsoever, they do drive on the right after all, they just need a push in the right linguistic direction.

Well, we might have spoken too quickly because it is baseball, not football, that is South Yerfilag's national past-time. That's………that's worrisome, very clearly a sign of something being not entirely at all correct with Yerfilagi culture; everyone knows football is the best. Well, at least it isn't cricket, truly a monstrosity of a sport. Joking aside, their obsession with baseball is a great thing. There are countless baseball diamonds, professional and amateur teams playing all day ever day, as far as the eye can see. As a result, the sporting infrastructure in the country is obviously great, but the people themselves are quite fit and athletic; certainly they will be welcome additions to our military and the general very fit nature of the Echani people in general, a lot of room for some good cross-cultural communication and innovations.

Major population centers of the country are Praetors' Point, Paasro, Embry, Delpek, Sunbury, Southpointe, Baarsbruck, Middelsburg, and Heelje; our task it made by easy by these cities and indeed the vast majority of Yerfilagi have consented to a peaceful assimilation. Of course, there's bound to be some holdouts but nothing can stand in the way of the Echani military, so any rebellious elements will quickly be put down.

Undoubtably one of the best aspects of our newly acquired territory is the plentiful supply of rare earth metals and important minerals for the construction of advanced electronics and technology. The nation almost boasts a very, very impressive state of the art telecommunications industry, with major players being ZedCel and Unitel. Their technological capabilities will make them invaluable additions to the Echani Republic, and their telecommunications facilites offer intriguing possibilities of a Radio Free Eshan or something similarly named to broadcast pro-Eshan newscasts and information, propaganda overall, into Rushmore and Esportiva.

What next for our great Republic? We've nearly doubled in landmass in the past month, and we've established a holding in Rushmore through South Yerfilag. Where do we go from here? The answer is both clear yet murky.

We must start by bringing Lucorias and South Yerfilag totally under our control and install docile, Echani governments into the nations and totally ensure their place under Eshan in the Republic. We will need to the nature of our Congress; what sort of voting rights do these people have? Can they run for office? How do we ensure adequete and fair representation for them within the halls of government?
They're our people now. Certainly they are nowhere near equal to Echani, no where near as capable either, but they are still our people,
our responsibility. We have an obligation to them to provide and elevate their standard of living; after all, a rising tide lifts all boats.

by **Tropicorp** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 6:53 pm

Techi-bo's Off to Cocoabo Forest; will face defending champs Valanora

Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp :: After a strong run at home in the 54th AOCAF Competition, The Tropicorp Techies; their Cocoabo counterparts from the Cocoabo Enrichment and Enhancement Project and their star netminder Hanauma Ranbomahi were finally defeated - done in by the very same Eshan side that nearly defeated them in the group stage with their previous meeting ending in a draw.

While the result eliminated the Tropicorp Team from contention for the AOCAF 54 title, their tournament didn't end their as they would be off to the Third Place Playoff where they would face #1 Ranked Valanora at the Cocoabo Park Arena in the Cocoabo Forest. Valanora were knocked out of the Semi-Finals by Cosumar after extra time and would certainly be looking for a rebound result after surrendering their reigning champions crown after having previously won AOCAF LIII.

With the match taking place in the Cocoabo Forest, and the team having already gathered more data than was already planned for the competition, most of the Scientists, Engineers and Researchers based in Tropicoast would not be traveling for the Third Place Playoff. Instead, the Tropicorp Squad for the match against Valanora would consist primarily of Cocoabo from the Cocoabo Enrichment and Enhancement Project, many of whom were involved in the Cocoabo Forests' Silver-Medal campaign at the recently concluded Summer Olympic games. Joining the Cocoabo in the Forest would be the goalkeeper Hanauma Ranbomahi who may be looking at the prospect of playing a full 90 minutes for the first time during AOCAF LIV.

While the Tropicorp Team won't be participating in the final at Tropicorp Park, they should still be well represented as many of the Locals will be in attendance at the matchup between Cosumar and Eshan. Additionally, to commemorate the occasion, Tropicorp will be handing out commemorative scarves to the first 50,000 fans in the door regardless of what team they are pulling for.

by **Eshan** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:16 pm

Idle thoughts, nervous breathing, kaleidoscopic music drumming from his headphones into his consciences.

Head down, breathe in through the nose.

Hold it.

Hold it.

Breathe out through the mouth.

Deep breath in, eyes closed.

Mind the music, envision the game, find the gaps.

Heart racing, mind running, clenching the fists to get rid of the energy.

A change in the beat, eyes snap open, feet bouncing on the ground.

Baudelio looking solemn as he pulled on his jersey. Jean-Marie Bentacur with jaw set as he stared into the future. Magnum Cerelius looking calm on the outside but his eyes betrayed his nerves, shakily darting all over the Echani dressing room.

Eyes closed, smooth beat, breathing. Focus on the heart.

R e l a x

Alexio del Nieran motioned to them. It was time.

Headphones off, but now no noise.

Silence.

In the game, in the zone, the top gun, the ace up the sleeve.

He closed his eyes in the tunnel.

A breath.

He opened his eyes standing over the ball.

The whistle blew.

He was Marco van Ciavatinni.

G a m e t i m e

by **Tropicorp** » Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:35 am

Third Place Playoff
Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Park, Cocoabo Forest

Valanora [2] Tropicorp [0]

Thanks to Schottia & Electrum for 3rd Party Scorination assistance throughout the tournament

AOCAF LIVe Final
Tropicorp Park, Tropicoast, Tropicorp

Thanks to all Participants for a successful and well participated tournament!

Last.fm · by **Cosumar** » Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:12 pm

AO champs Cosumar defy Eshan 6-5 in shootout despite late Marco equalizer
Valgard steps into full stardom as Dragons take home first regional treasure

Of course, the Final of one of the most dramatic AOCAF Cups in recent memory went to extra-time: Cosumar's fourth such match in a row. It seemed that all the extra minutes had finally caught up with the Vanquishers when Romikk Valgard's 4th and 67th minute goals were cancelled out by Marco Van Ciavatinni's 76th and 88th minute lifelines.

However, Eshan were unable to capitalize on their late momentum in extra time and the trophy proceeded to be awarded via penalty shootout.

Both sides missed their first spot kicks, with Stig Söderquist's effort saved midair by a diving Aurélian Gautier before Van Ciavatinni confidently stepped up only to hit the right post. Cosumar and Eshan traded successful strikes for the next four rounds, however, and when Anthony Baudelio leveled it at 4-4, it went to sudden death.

With all the pressure Atlantian Oceania could muster raining down on the remaining penalty takers, Jakk Winterfyll came up with his first save of the shootout to deny Marshawn Mercury at 5-5, but the chance to end it was squandered by Rowan Varghese, who sliced her penalty high. Dierdre McNessa then gave the advantage back to Cosumar, as she put it low and to the left for a 6-5 edge.

The stage was then set for Jakk Winterfyll, who clawed out Artemis Montanari's conservative attempt to claim victory for the blue-silver-and-white.

Romikk Valgard lifts the trophy on behalf of teammates and coaches as traveling Cosumarite supporters look on in celebration.

The early odds swung in Cosumar's favour when a mix up between Steven Tadeo and Darren Tran saw the latter nod the ball into the path of Valgard, who opened the scoring from close range.

Jean-Marie Bentacur almost equalized shortly after as Peter Svensson tried to knock down a high ball into the box only for it to drop kindly for the Echani midfielder, who fired towards goal. Luckily for Winterfyll (and Svensson), it hit the post.

Cosumar held on tightly to their 1-0 lead until the break, but their grip began to loosen in the second half. Mercury went close when he put the ball wide from just a few yards out in the 54th minute before Van Ciavatinni hit the post five minutes later. The Dragons doubled up on their advantage against the run of play, however, when Bellerophon Serafino set up Valgard for his second of the night with a well-won ball and nice assist.

Yet still, in contrast to the first half, Eshan were applying most of the pressure and it finally told in the 76th minute when the man Echani call "God" lobbed Hugo Cartensen's cross past Winterfyll to pull his team back to 2-1. Cosumar looked likely to eke out the victory with not much happening for Eshan until the Myrmidon man struck again out of nowhere with two minutes left on the clock.

The late equalizer and cagey, chance-scarce extra time meant the match was to be decided on penalties, which Cosumar won despite Gautier's best efforts, as Winterfyll and the woodwork edged the Vanquishers to a sudden death victory to top off a tournament for the ages.

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