World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

by **United States of Devonta** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 7:24 pm

Devontan Sports Central

World Cup Seventy-Nine Opening Victory
Devontan National Team defeats 192nd ranked Darkmania 2-0 in opening match
Kerry D. Fletcher (@Kerry_Fletcher)
^{11/26/2016, 9:30 PM | Devonta City, United States of Devonta}

    United States of Devonta 2 - 0 Darkmania
         Johansen (13')                     
         Edwards (65')

Darkmania
GK: Ërimär
DF: Yürang
DF: Tërman

(36')
DF: Lërnÿn
DF: Ërim
MF: Rånde
MF: Årdalberg
MF: Vërnspern
MF: Përsater
ST: Tÿrn
ST: Mjøe

United States of Devonta
GK: Bradley Cooper
LD: Johnson Brooks
CD: Martin Benton

(Coby Rice - 68')
CD: Daniel Kindred
RD: Brayden Liam
DM: Isaiah Russel
LM: Mohamed Abdullah

(Tony Phillips - 74')
RM: DeMonte Edwards
OM: Tyrell Owens
ST: Gerald Johansen

(Condor Madrid - 74')
ST: Lamar Adams

Match Statistics:
Possession
Devonta: 65%
Darkmania: 35%
Shots
Devonta: 17 shots (11 on target)
Darkmania: 7 shots (3 on target)
Pass Accuracy
Devonta: 89%
Darkmania: 79%
Corners
Devonta: 12
Darkmania: 4
Offsides
Devonta: 4
Darkmania: 1
Fouls
Devonta: 5
Darkmania: 11

World Cup 76 Qualifying Schedule

Friendly Matches:
Devonta 1-0 Savojarna
Equestrian States 1-1 Devonta

World Cup Qualfying: Group 4
MD1: Devonta 2-0 Darkmania
MD2: Great Pie vs Devonta
MD3: Devonta vs Kel Assuk
MD4: Devonta vs Pasarga
MD5: Moorish Land vs Devonta
MD6: Devonta vs Razenthuria
MD7: Mrinn vs Devonta
MD8: Devonta vs Maryloupe
MD9: Port Christopher vs Devonta

Mid-Qual Friendly: TBD

MD10: Darkmania vs Devonta
MD11: Devonta vs Great Pie
MD12: Kel Assuk vs Devonta
MD13: Pasarga vs Devonta
MD14: Devonta vs Moorish Land
MD15: Razenthuria vs Devonta
MD16: Devonta vs Mrinn
MD17: Maryloupe vs Devonta
MD18: Devonta vs Port Christopher

Author: Kerry D. Fletcher

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^{FAVORITE THIS DISCUSSION}

ZRollins45 · 5 minutes ago
Rigsby, Rigsby, my man. You gotta shake it off dude, don't let Preston's bad season weight you down here!
92381 up · 15 down
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ConwayChampions11 · 8 minutes ago
Stone is old, just replace him with Dolan or go and get proper wingers, you should have done that anyways.
5411 up · 103 down
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GreatGibson · 1 hour ago
Win is a win is a win, but god damn Rigsby, step it up brotha.
117892 up · 37 down
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by **Razenthuria** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 7:39 pm

D A W N

_{NEw Calix, Razenthuria | Old Torchmaine | RC-410}

| The squad would trudge in after a nail-biter of a loss to the 46th-ranked Mriin side to start off the qualification cycle, Old Torchmaine would've been quite loud throughout the night as the packed stadium was unable to see a victory by the home side - however, it was a stunner that a 280th-ranked squad had been able to limit Mriin to only a single goal as they stepped away from the game. Manager Thunder Rivers, the Razen legened in the domestic world would speak to the media after their tight loss, highlighting need for stronger offensive play and creating more opportunities - he would steer clear over Ethan Bruno, the young winger who went down in the 32nd minute with an injury to his leg, he wouldn't be able to move a muscle and was subsequently carted off the field, later, it was announced a torn ACL was to blame for the issue and he would be out for eight weeks, thus essentially removing him from the equation for the rest of qualifying for the foreseeable future, a blow to Razen footballing as a whole. The following are excerpts from the coach's team conference after the game, the press was allowed in. |

| "Hello all, I'd like to formally welcome you to the ride that is World Cup qualifying", spoke Rivers, a commanding voice would glance off the walls, daring any to counteract his statements. "We've started off on a terrible foot, a one-nill loss is still a loss, we're going to require the grit and determination if we even want to leave this World Cup cycle with three wins, and that's the minimum goal the Razen Footballing Authority has set forth for our side. Today was a troubling game on many accounts, alas, we've only been gathered together as a national team for only three days, I can certainly make vouches for each member of this team, however, we're due to go to wherever Maryloupe plays their national team games, and its going to require a better effort against a significantly less-experienced team so we can notch a needed win. Now, our team was resilient no doubt - lets give it up for our youngster Pullman - only gave up one goal back there, superb job from my boy, I'm expecting great things out of this one moving forward." |

| He would turn and indicated Conley Goddard, a Cosumarite - "ALright folks, this here is a well-known Cosumarite manager by the name of Conley Goddard, brought in by the Razen Football Authority to replace me once I get old and grow more grey hairs" - the team would pause to laugh as he grinned. "Mr. Goddard himself is a superb coach, a former manager of Helfin Fief in the Cosumarite league system, he was a constant mainstay between their top two divisions, leading them to titles in their second division and making moves into the top league - he's been brought in to really help develop and stabilize this squad moving forward. If we have a decent showing at the qualification stage - we can very much possibly be in the Cup of Harmony, this would be a dream-come-through for the RFA, I intend to not disappoint - if we do make it that far, this men hear will be your guide and eventual manager when that time comes around." |

| Goddard would wave to the assembled players, speaking in his thick Cosumarite accent, he would talk to the Razen players - "Mr. Rivers here is a living legend in Razenthuria, my native country started off from nothing and grew to become one of the most-famous footballing nations in the multiverse, I to also intend to grow Razenthuria's football escapades, I look forward to assisting and guiding this team down its path." |

| Thunder Rivers would smile once again, "Alright folks, that's a wrap - y'all all need to get cleaned up as quickly as possible, we're due to travel to Marylopue within the next three hours, y'know New Calix's airport will be busy with all these international pests leaving, credit to Aldo Vocani of the Mriinian side who scored that excellent goal. We have a long patch ahead of us - Maryloupe has proven to be a pesky little bug, preferably, I'd like to see us thrash them to a major defeat as they previously beat us in that one-nill encounter during the Baptism of Fire - I believe we can beat them despite the fact they're nearly 90 ranks above us. They're a very interesting little bunch, they're not built to win like we are though - they're looking short term folks - notihng but a bunch of idiots are lined up for that side. I want a heavy attack from y'all during this, we've got to go old blitzkrieg fashion if we're trying to walk away with a good victory. Alright that's it y'all. 'Razen' on three y'all - 1...; 2..; 3...!" |

| "RAZEN!" |

by **Dunnes** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 7:44 pm

THE MIROLA REGISTER

MAGIC

JENNINGS HAT TRICK LEADS DUNNES TO OPENING DAY WIN

Ben Jennings led the way with three goals, as Dunnes beat New Jarwel 5-0 at Grand National Stadium in the first day of qualifying for Group 5. Jennings found the back of the net twice in the first half, before striking again just 60 seconds into the second.

“A great game for us, just truly brilliant, every player was on top form.” Said manager Josue Zeigler. “They’re I ranked, but 5-0, 5-0 really sets us up nicely for qualifying against these bigger teams.

Jennings got the goal scoring started, heading the ball in off a Tabaz corner in the 14th minute. Jennings then took matters into his own hands in the 23rd minute when he took advantage of the New Jarwel goalie making an ill timed pass to an unaware defender. Jennings then swiped in, juked the defender, and put the ball in the back of the net.

“We really controlled the game well, I think we need to keep doing so, keep breaking down our opponents using our endurance and passing.” Remarked Jennings in the tunnel after the game. “It’s a long way to go, but I couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

After the game resumed Jennings was quick to capitalize on his two goals, scoring from a free kick after Dave Botler was brought down outside the box. Striking in one swoop, Jennings put the ball in the back of the top right corner to complete his hat trick. His third was followed by a goal from Tabaz in the 79th. After LeBouw crossed the ball in, Tabaz got a deflection off of a Fredricks header, which somehow found the net, putting the game away for the home team.

Dunnes' final goal was late in the match, as Dave Botler successfully converted a penalty, as a visibly frustrated New Jarwel team resorted to fouls late in the match.

by **Chromatika** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 8:34 pm

Chromatika in WC 79 - Part 2: The Prodigal Prodigy

The Capitalizt Dome
1 Capitalizt Dome Court
Chromatik City, Chromatika

Mia Ria yawned. Sometimes, the Chromatik defense could be just so... Boring. Even with the likes of Severin Ilya, Lucjusz Stef, and Aysu Damjana being back there instead of the first string, the three had all kinds of experience starting, and they were holding the Buyanese at bay. Rachel Hellion had worked her magic early, assisting Rowena Sierra's first goal - the supermodel looked like a damned angel after that goal, positively glowing - and then the Chromatiks had settled into a controlled, methodical game, holding the ball as much as they could and frustrating the Buyan players to no end.

Which made for one boring night for a keeper. Sure, Emil Eklund, the star striker, had a golden opportunity which she had palmed away to be cleared by Stef. Parker and Williamsen had praised their play and asked them to continue it at halftime, and then Silian had brought in Kendrick Lamarde of all people to play even further back. After Xe's highlight goal, Buyan started to press even more, but the Chromatik defense just wouldn't yield.

There was some activity going on along the Chromatik sideline, she noted. Another substitution, perhaps? She wasn't paying much attention to it until Lucjusz Stef came up to her and said, "You're going off, Ria."

She giggled at his joke, but his countenance didn't change. She turned to look, and sure enough, it had #12 coming off the field and #35 coming on. There was Sherlyn Joy, waiting to meet her half way. There was no way, right? No, there was a way. As she jogged off the pitch and met Joy at the sideline, Joy shrugged as if she didn't understand, either.

She knew better than to interrupt Parker in the middle of a match. His focus and intensity was incredible - but the players knew to not disturb him until after the postgame speech. However, she went to Jane and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Seemed like a good chance to give her a shot," stated the Eastfielder, "Can't you tell by the body language? We have them beat. Should be pretty safe."

Still a little annoyed, Ria sat down onto the bench and watched the Chromatiks hold the lead for the win. She tried to not let her body language show her frustration.

The entire time, Silian was glancing at her once every few seconds, being careful to not make it obvious. Mia Ria was a temperamental player at times, and it was important to see how she would react to such an unexpected situation...

An hour later, as the players were leaving the meeting room to the showers, Parker called Mia to him.

"Yes, Sir?" she said, not meeting his gaze.

"I wanted to explain myself, Mia. It's not that I thought you were playing badly, nor that I didn't want you to have a complete game clean sheet. No, it's that you really didn't need to be out there - we had the game under control, and I would rather save you and Jillian for later. I wanted to see how Sherlyn would do with the situation as well. You both played and behaved professionally and admirably. I appreciate that. It gives me the freedom to do whatever is needed for the good of the team without worrying about your ego or what you might think of me. Do you understand? Do you trust me?" asked Parker, his voice softening than his usual authoritative tone.

She was genuinely surprised, and made no attempt to hide it. Mia replied evenly, "I do, Sir. And I appreciate you telling me."

He raised one hand and patted her lightly on the back, and then motioned for her to leave.

There would come a day, they both knew, when she, the prodigy keeper, would finally be the #1 keeper for Chromatika. Every match, ever moment, was a building black to that day. And it would be up to both of them to make sure that she would be ready...

Chromatika 2-0 Buyan
Chromatika: Sierra '9, Xe '47
Starting Lineup: Ria; Ilya - Stef - Damjana; Thorben - Hellion (C) - Mora - Liam; Rien - Sierra - Xe. Subs: Lamarde -> Liam ('46), Joy -> Ria ('56), Vidal -> Sierra ('88)
Summary: Besides the lovely deep ball from Hellion to set up Rowena Sierra and Xi Xe's absolute highlight of a goal, the game was a dull affair, Chromatika content to see if they could control the game at their midfield and defense, and Buyan not being up to the task of seriously challenging the strategy. Now that Parker knows he can control the ball if necessary, only time will tell if the mad genius will continue with one strategy - chances are he won't.

Matchday 2: Boring Paradise vs. Chromatika @ Boring Paradise
Projected Starting Lineup: Ria; Morningstar - Stef - Damjana; Kelly (C) - Hellion - Mora - Dragana; Victoriane - Mehdizade - Xe.
A mixed bunch of starters and backups, Chromatika faces its first test on the road, a game against the fourth ranked team in the group. Morningstar's drive should energize Stef and Damjana, Kelly will be bringing the speed alongside Dragana's flexibility, and Kaytlyn Victoriane makes her debut in the right winger spot. Aide Mehdizade is another to watch as he looks to put a disappointing Slateport Bulls season behind him, while the young Xe has been a pleasure to watch.
Prediction: Kelly has an assist, Victoriane a brace, and Mehdizade puts the game away. Boring Paradise 1-3 Chromatika.

Operation New Hope: The Aftermath
Part 1: Miranda Gail

Hello, my readers! No doubt you're basking over that win over Buyan - as boring as it was at times - and wondering just what I am going to bring you. Well here, in her own words, is Miranda "Lightning" Gail, on what transpired at the beginning of their trek in the Eyrodi Jungle.

After a banquet to celebrate the beginning of the trip, we all slept rather soundly before waking up at eight and getting on our aircraft. After landing in Eyrods - a strange feeling always comes over me when I head that way, it must be the sudden change in weather - it was a two hour drive to the edge of the jungle. There, the Colonel bid us adieu, and then drove off.

The Staff Sergeant led us off - of course he would be the leader - and we started to look for a source of water. Angel had to keep telin Grugel to stay with the group, the Farf was so excited. Justin brought up the rear, and the Professor and Lani from that island country deep down south helped us find that water. We made camp, and then the Sergeant and Angel got together with that Secret Agent chick and started to have an animated conference.

I just sat to the side, helping Lani and Clarissa sharpen the nearby branches into sharp sticks that we could put into the ground to form a natural defense. Kerri was nearby, surely documenting something or another as a journalist, Kelly next to her, helping her write. Pierre, Didi, and Nick were getting materials to build shelters, though the temperate jungle wasn't very hot and it didn't seem like it was going to rain anytime soon.

That was when Justin whistled sharply to gain everyone's attention, and we all turned to him. He put a finger to his lips, and that was when we began to hear it - a slight hum that reverberated through the jungle. While we were trying to determine what it was, I noticed that it was starting to get closer to us. The Staff Sergeant waved us to all hide in the underbrush while Angel unlocked the weapons chest. We all armed ourselves - incredulous that we would need the weapons already - and I, like most everyone else, was scared out of my mind.

The humming noise continued to get closer.

That's when I saw it - a column of... Air? No, it couldn't be just a whirlwind of air, right? But What could it be? As soon as I saw it, it seemed, it picked up speed, grew in size, and started swirling. Clarissa panicked and started to make a run for it, but the "column" just picked her up like a rag doll and threw her toward the middle. Everyone had weapons out, looking for something to shoot, but the "column" of air was encircling us, bringing us closer and closer to each other, picking up speed and ferocity to where we couldn't step outside of it.

And then, in one fell swoop, it picked us, gear and all, off the ground. The sky went dark, or maybe something covered my eyes.

Few seconds later, I was falling. From the screams I heard around me, so was everyone, or most everyone, else. I still couldn't see anything, it was pitch black. After like fifteen seconds or so, I hit the ground - but the ground was soft, as if covered by layers and layers of cushions. I should've died, but I was fine! I heard fourteen other thuds, meaning we were all there, wherever "here" was.

A light flickered above, revealing that we were all there - all fifteen of us - but had been relieved of our weapons. We were in a circular room, rather large so that the fifteen of us clustered together only covered maybe a tenth of it. There wasn't a door anywhere. I tried to speak, but nothing came out of my mouth - it was as if there was no air to carry the sound, but I could breathe.

Angel was catching all of our eyes one by one, trying to calm everyone down. It was working for the most part except for the Farf and the Bonesfolk. Clarissa looked like a feral animal, and was barely containing herself, while Grugel seemed like he had gone into hyperactive shock. I looked around for something to write with to communicate, but all of our things were gone save for the clothes on our backs and glasses for those of us that wore them.

It seemed like an eternity before the next thing happened, but it was probably like five minutes or something. I felt a pinprick of a thought spring up in my mind. Then, it grew louder, and louder, and louder, until...

'Welcome, Miranda, to my abode. You don't know me, neither do you know why you are here; but here you are, nonetheless. All will be explained to you, all will be made clear. For now... Rest..."

The voice was clear and animated, but neither male nor female, and I sure as hell hadn't heard it using my ears. I turned around, and from the look on everyone's eyes, it was clear that I wasn't the only one that this had happened to. A few people looked like they had seen a ghost, while Mara was actually smiling.

A noise shook us all away from our shock - the first noise in this place that I had heard. The floor behind us opened up, and out came blankets, pillows, water, and what looked like bread. Even more strangely, a full bathroom just appeared from the ground on the other side of the circular room.

'Eat, wash up, and then sleep. It will be explained. This I swear, by My Name,' said the voice in my mind.

I looked to the Staff Sergeant to see what he would say... And was surprised to see that he... Didn't even look phased. Was it his training? Did he know something else? I made a note to myself to ask him as soon as we could actually speak to each other. He went over to a water bottle and showed it to us to be the brand of the usual water in Chromatika. The bread was also from a popular bakery, still wrapped.

So we ate, and drank, and even washed in the showers that were provided, all without saying a word, because we couldn't. There was no sound of water in the bathroom, nor the sound of chewing. It was silent, it was peaceful, it was unnerving. How could it be both peaceful and unnerving at the same time? I don't know, but it was.

The room's eyes started to dim, and I started to get drowsy. Was it the food? Was it the water? It didn't feel that way...

That's the last thing I remember of that day, Day 1, before falling asleep.

Boy, oh boy, did we have no idea of what we were stepping into. Me, the least of everyone...

by **Eshan** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:21 pm

President Revan Bernat was pacing the halls of the Presidential Office. Conflict was on the horizon, and he was carefully considering the options available to him. The news from Gregoryisgodistan--he stopped himself. The news from South Covello had caught him, and indeed the world at large, by massive surprise. Lord Almighty Gregory, that crazy mofo, had been assassinated and was dead, and with the psychotic godking out of the picture, a revolution had exploded through the nation. Built on the abolition of slavery, the movement was pushing to make for a free and better South Covello, and that was something Revan was very much eager to get Eshan involved with, as this was a golden opportunity for him and Eshan.

About to enter the fourth year of his Presidency, Revan Fitzgerald Bernat had simply been brilliant for Eshan during his term. He’d brought winning to the country, Eshan had been kinda meh, but now we were winning. Domestically, the Echani people were living better than ever but it was really in the area of international affairs that Revan had made his mark. Under his strong leadership, Eshan has gone from a heavily populated conglomeration of eight islands, to a massive, sprawling nation with colonies in Atlantian Oceania and Rushmore, three new countries waving our flag thanks to Revan’s liberal application of money, savvy negotiation, and the ever-present threat of force. Speaking of force, President Revan had solidified Eshan’s status as one of the most powerful actors in Atlantian Oceania and Rushmore, Eshan big, Eshan stronk. Yet there was an undeniable sort of national blue-balls syndrome. ALl this might, all this power, all this national pride, it was just sitting there unused. There was no conflict, not outlet for all of this might; getting bigger and stronger is all well and good, but the Echani people were cutting their teeth for the chance of a splendid little war, something to prove to themselves and the world that Eshan-Tang Clan ain’t nuthing ta fuck with. And that was precisely the opportunity that the revolution in South Covello afforded to him and the nation. Echani soldiers on the front line, leading the noble fight to end slavery and free the entirely fucked up country from the iron grip that their newly deceased leader had ruled with. That vision was a guarantee, not only for re-election, but to cement his status as one of the greatest Echani Presidents in history. And it was only his first term.

If he were to lead Eshan into battle, what would the purpose be? Ostensibly he would package it as intervening for the freedom of mankind in the face of oppressive dictatorship and slavery, for the rights and freedom of man to partake in their experiment of life without being a slave to the government, that’s a raison d'etre that anyone could get excited and patriotic about. But under the surface, there was a few more factors at play, as is always the case with politics. First off, it was a chance for Eshan to finally flex their military muscle and kick some ass on the international stage. Second, it provided an opportunity for Eshan to project force into Esportiva, the one region Eshan didn’t have a colony or base in. Or both. Building off that, there might be an opportunity for Eshan to seize some unclaimed land in the region, perhaps maybe a base in South Covello when the conflict ended, just any opportunity for Eshan to grow in size and strength is an opportunity worth taking. Plus who knows what sort of plunder and spoils of war, what sort of resources and technology a war would bequeath unto the Echani. For Revan, this was a chance to grab plenty of personal power. He was already loved throughout the country and had extreme leeway to conduct the business of the Presidency, if he were to bring Eshan to battle, who knows much more power the National Congress and the Echani public would give to him? Perhaps he would be given broad emergency powers and the chance to do something truly magnificent. And perhaps the best part of the entire conflict was that Eshan the nation and all of her holdings would be very far removed from the arena of combat and thus would not have to fear attacks against the country. So, all things considered, it really was a win-win situation for Eshan, where things really only stood to go well.

So how to get this accomplished? How to get into war? Well that was pretty easy because the infant government/rebels of South Covello had put out a standing invitation to nations to get involved, so that was straightforward and simple. But how to get the Echani military involved, how to get war were declared? Pretty easily, Revan thought to himself. The Social Democrats controlled the National Congress, so they’d stamp anything he sent to their desk. Sooooo……why not bend the rules a little bit? He was beloved, he had all the power, and this was a surefire case where the National Congress would accept his declaration of war. So the time was to make moves now, and then ask for permission. So what did that mean? That meant that it was time for action. He would sent the 3rd and 6th fleets over, providing thousands of Echani soldiers, naval vessels, aircraft, weaponry and instructors for the South Covelloian revolutionaries. Of course they would need a staging area; considering the United States of Damukuni’s recent declaration of war and entrance into the conflict, they would be the perfect partners to resupply, reorganize, and prepare to enter the fray. Likewise, long range bombers could use that as a refuel and rearm station to carry out airstrikes, so he would have his generals muster the men and make way immediately. There was also an island base near Ethane that Eshan was sure to be permitted to use, and use it they would. In the meantime, he would send a message to the South Covello fighters that Eshan was on their side and would fight next to them. Oh and also prepare a speech and resolution for a declaration of war for the National Congress to approve so everything he did was actually legal.

President Revan Bernat looked out the window, whistling softly to himself.

Eshan was going to battle.

by **Mriin** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:32 pm

"This is a typo, right?" Joren scratched a horn while looking over the lineup card. "Two wingers on the right and none on the left?"

All Don could do was shake his head. "I can't tell heads or tails with these... what do they call themselves, Razen? If they actually go and trot out a lopsided formation, we'll can just have Kalia fall back and tag their extra man. You good with that, Kalia?"

"Sure?" the midfielder shrugged, "it... hurts my head a bit, just trying to imagine them doing that, but I'll be ready."

Aldo sauntered up and clapped Joren on the back. "Tell me they've forgotten to have a left back too!"

"No, you're going to have to put some effort in. Tragic, I know."

The seven-thousand-odd Mriinians fans shook Old Torchmaine's bleachers, even if the first goal of the campaign hadn't required quite as much effort as Aldo had been lead to believe. Victor Parks may be an attractive man, but having a temper like that is a recipe for disaster against a showboat. No-one quite caught what happened between them in that fateful fifteenth minute, if Aldo said something abrasive or perhaps made a rude gesture, but it was clear to all that the tackle Parks attempted was full of malice. With a graceful sidestep, the satyr deftly dodged the spikes, much to the relief of the referees and the Mriinian physio--and to the delight of the fans, left him with a wide open to challenge Lord Pullman mano-a-mano, which was understandably not much of a contest against the young keeper.

Having secured the early lead, the Mriinians fell back to observe the quirky Razen formation. It never seemed quite right--Peaflower could have all the open space in the world, but there wasn't anything he could do with it. The great blob of bodies on the other side of the field meant crossing it in, especially into a much taller defending team, was a losing proposition, and not many midfielders are too keen to run it down themselves when they have Uhlon to contend with. Then, perhaps mercifully for the home team, one of their right-wing duo went down with an apparent leg injury--allowing Pete Merlot to come on the left side. A step down in raw skill, perhaps, but in exchange they had a proper balanced formation to attempt to threaten an equalizer with.

Well, maybe that could have been the case. But as it was, when Ethan Bruno went down, Don stuck to his word of spreading the playing time around. Joren, Aldo, and Malia all got to rest their legs in favor of a more defensive mix of Tia, Hilda, and Ara. Those substitutions weren't free, however--even with the goal of choking the game out, there were plenty of "learning experiences" to be had, leading to Razenthuria actually leading in possession for most of the rest of the game. But their greenness as a team showed through; their midfield just could not link up effectively with the wingers to create proper chances, making Zilia's job a whole lot easier and never putting the away crowd in doubt that they'd be leaving with three points.

It was a farce of a game, all in all, but points are points.

by **Super-Llamaland** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:38 pm

BREAKING: WAR WITH GREGORYISGODISTAN IMMINENT AFTER MORGAN DECLARATION
Adrian Beneficio, LBC Politics

NEW LLAMA CITY -- President Eden Morgan announced immediate support for the rebel state of South Covello this morning as the state attempts to break Gregoryisgodistan's despotic hold over its people. Although current Llamanean aid has been limited to the financial realm, the Llamanean Republic is quickly moving towards war in support of South Covello. "Our forefathers hoped that one day the so-called Lord Gregory might fall. And today, with such an event on the brink of happening, it only seems responsible that we fight the natural enemy of freedom and enter this conflict," Morgan - who opposed such an action just 24 hours earlier - bravely declared this morning, confirming that Super-Llamaland would militarily enter the conflict.

It almost seems ironic that the man who opposed intervention in the ongoing South Covello conflict will lend his name to its official declaration. But after President Eden Morgan's hand was forced by the hawkish Llamanean Congress, war was inevitable. Although the upcoming elections between Morgan and four other presidential candidates could destabilize the country, and Gregoryisgodistan remains a threat, a limited military engagement seems more than likely to succeed with the despot and his government so overwhelmed. Still, Morgan refused to confirm that troops would be on the ground, and it's possible that he maneuvers his way out of active military conflict with Gregoryisgodistan.

We will keep you updated as this event progresses. Suffice to say that the next few weeks will be critical for our nation's security and the freedom of nations across the world.

Lineup to Face Darmen (4-3-3): Markus Sheffield; Luke Svensson, Adrian Lindberg, Georgia Rodrigues, Jonathan Van Dijk; Damian Bao, Nemanja Vesely, Elias Møller; Eva Velasquez, Ansel Penbrooke, Miroslav Vorobyov
Reserves - GK Lukas Bernholm, CB Emily Ynoa, DF Chris Myers-Briggs, DM Ethan Candelario, CM Jason Santana, FW Axel Korborg, ST Sophia Trevelyan

by **Free Republics** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:42 pm

News Magazine

Consul Nicholls Escalates His Pointless and Illegal War to Prevent Secession
by: Royale Truchon

I honestly don't know which of our Consuls is worse. Well actually, I think everybody knows that Kyle Bolton is one of the shittiest human beings in the multiverse so he's obviously worse as a human being but as a Consul, Robert Nicholls might be even worse. The Amolotopia native became famous as a business tycoon whose son Veleik led a revolt against the tyranny of Consul Kulseth and whose daughter Scarlett became an international sex symbol and pop music superstar singing about how awful Kulseth was. Unfortunately, while the Nicholls clan was right about Kulseth and O'Reilly, their patriarch has proven to be almost as bad during his time in power.

Over the past 15 years or so, Republicans have lived through a perennial crisis as we've elected awful consul after awful consul who imposed tyrannical law after tyrannical law. We've fought wars and we've had our reputation destroyed because some idiots decided it was a good idea to allow our armed forces to go rogue and protect a rapist soccer player from being justly punished for his crimes. Many people have lost their lives at the hands of evil consuls and in wars. Lately, we've fallen into an even worse war, if you can believe it, and there seems to be no hope of securing a peace.

As you're undoubtedly aware (if you haven't been living under a rock for the past year), 32 Republics exercised their constitutional right to secede and banded together as the Confederacy of Leftist Republics. This Confederacy has been smeared and defamed from the start by fake news outlets such as NewsWars and the Republica Post that publish pro-government propaganda. We've seen many terror attacks that have been proven beyond all doubt to be false flags carried out by our own government to defame the 32 Republics that just want to go their separate ways in peace. We've seen Progressive candidates across the Federation targeted by smear campaigns. We've simply seen a torrent of propaganda designed to gin up support for the government's illegal war of aggression against the CLR which isn't surprising in light of the war propaganda that enabled a Nicholls Enterprises employee to set herself up as the leader of the new government of Sudernius, the first government to exist in that nation in decades.

Today, the soccer match between Rule Theriault's band of pathetic rapists, racists and misogynists and the team from Olastor saw yet another "thwarted false flag attack" as an agent provocateur in the stands took off his shirt to reveal a chest painted to look like the CLR flag (OOC: The Republican flag with the blue changed to blood red). This cishet white man pulled a sniper rifle out of his pants and was attempting to set up for a shot as he was tackled by AllMartDome security and hauled away in a police car. According to reports from the Reco Tribune, this man has since been sent to an undisclosed military prison even though everybody knows they just let him go.

Consul Nicholls wasted no opportunity in using the attempted attack, which is being reported by the pro-government press as an "assassination attempt" on the so-called "Soccer General" Rule Theriault, as a pretense for an escalation of his war. Today, the Lunian League, a puppet organization founded by Nicholls to advance his agenda throughout Lunia, has agreed to intervene in the war. Nicholls wasted no time in announcing that the Republican Army would now be commanded by Nordernian general Mike Grunewald, a man infamous in Nordernious for his brutal treatment of their conscript armies while the Navy would now be headed by Admiral Censorina Volusenus of the West Sanctii Navy and the Air Force would now be commanded by General Taisei Kamihara of Noburu Taiyou, a former colony of the FFR which is decided that depriving other nations of independence is the right thing to do. The new commanders of the Republican armed forces have pledged to escalate the war to coerce the CLR back into the Federation. News Magazine unequivocally condemns this development and calls for an immediate unconditional peace treaty recognizing the right to exist of the Conferacy of Leftist Republics.

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

OOC: The claims of the above article regarding the ongoing Republican Civil War are ICly false. It is a propaganda piece written by a journalist in the FFR who sympathizes with the Confederacy of Leftist Republics and published by a media outlet that is openly cheerleading for the other side.

EDIT: I originally identified my MD2 opponent as Octinstine. It was actually Olastor. My RP has been corrected.

by **Liberated American Provinces** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:47 pm

Washington Times

The Provinces Fall in First Qualifier

Timothy Barzillai, Sports Columnist

Washington - The Liberated American Provinces fell to a 4-2 defeat in their first ever World Cup qualifier against fellow BoF 66 participants, Petroslovania. Robert A. Wollen Park was filled to maximum capacity as Americans from all parts of the country came to see their team play. Their was a healthy contingent of Petroslovanians present as well.

The match began decently for the Americans. Possession was evenly balanced, and both sides were creating opportunities, though not many. Notably, Petroslovanian winger Sung made a run into the box where he met a cross from Abdullaba. His effort was fumbled by Harvard. After the ball bounced around the box, it was finally cleared by Jefferson. The match remained this way for much of the first half. However, as the the 45 minute mark neared, Petroslavonia pushed forward. Chan played a through ball to Korrapati. The number 5 put the ball in the back of the net with a seemingly effortless chip.

It seemed as though Petroslovania would go into the break with the lead, but the Americans responded a few moments later. Almost directly from the restart, Proudman made an overlapping run to the outside. He recieved the ball from Aronsson, and put a cross into the box. MacEachern, the Petroslovanian centre back missed his header, and the ball sailed to Pullastick who converted with a simple tap in. The sides went into the break all square.

The second half, on the other hand, proved to be a quite one-sided affair. Petroslovania, apparently motivated by their coach at halftime, dominated both possession and shots. A long-range effort from Chan restored their lead in the 56th minute. This was added to shortly after by some lovely team play at the top of the box where Korrapati was slipped through for his second, his team's third. To top off the rout, the Petroslovanians were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute. Campo was brought down by a sloppy tackle from Ramos. The penalty was converted by Korrapati for his hat-trick.

As the minutes ticked on, the American fans began to leave. Their team, however, began to pick up the pace. A late break, in the 86th, provided a consolation goal. Ramos cleared the ball over the top for substitue Morris Jordan. The striker raced toward the goal, and calmly finished through the keeper's legs. It was only a consolation goal, but it provided some much needed optimism for the team.

In their next match, the Rattlers face even tougher opposition. Hosts to Quakmybush, they will need to improve greatly from their previous match to have a chance of securing points. The match will be held at Hollywood Day Stadium, the home of Fairview FC, and is expected to be a mud-fest. Be sure to bring your raincoats out for that one.

by **Flardania** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:05 pm

 KIRISHIMA  4   -    SARRBIA 1
Français|日本語|한국어|English
??: Welcome one and all to the seasonal grind that is known simply as World Cup qualifiers. I am Wang In-Taek on play by play and I am joined by former player turned color commentator Jérémie Devereaux here at the Ostianae Magnaem Centre in Heiwa, our nation's capital!

J: It's great to be here!

I: Tonight we will see Sarrbia face off against Kirishima, what are some keys to the game?

J: The Kitsunes look to start this World Cup qualifier at the Rank of 19. This is one of the highest ranks the Kitsunes ever got and there is a lot of optimism considering what they accomplish last time out. But that was last time, in order to truly be recognized as a threat for a long time to come they need consistency and that starts but letting go of their pride. This is a new World Cup cycle and a strong qualifier is crucial to a good World Cup. Also Sarrbia may be ranked 98th but they can always catch a wind of form at a moment notice. The Kitsunes need to take them seriously and that is a good thing. The Kitsunes need to get used to taking everybody seriously because now they are in a position where should they lose to a team pot 4 or below, it's an upset and there are no excuses. Mental toughness is crucial. Finally just play the game, for this game the Kitsunes have the ability and just need to play their brand of football and whilst taking their opponents seriously. Should they do that, they will do fine.

I: Alright it seems it is time for the anthems after which will be the start!

0' I: And we are off as the first match of Kirishima's qualifying campaign kicks off!

2' I: And here comes the Sarrbian attack there is the shot and...saved by Hojo!
J: What a save, it was a good shot but an even better save...she has really developed nicely as a goalkeeper if I say so myself.

6' I: We have a corner for the Kitsunes as Ako Izumi goes up to deliver the kick. Miyamoto is way back and it seems that she is too far out for a sneak attack...Izumi delivers the kick and GOAL! it may have been only six minutes here in Kirishima's qualifying campaign but Son Dae-han delivers a stunning header that beats the keeper!
J: That is the exact start that you need when you are the favorites. Seize the lead early and put pressure on your opponents but look at the header. The Supported Ballista doesn't leave much opportunity for the defensive midfielder to score but Son simply went out and seized the day.
I: Kitsunes up 1-0!

12' I: Here is another strong attack by Sarriba for the Tie.....and saved again by Hojo! Miyoko Hojo once again with a save.
J: Not as impressive as the first one but Hojo was in a little jam and she got herself out of it.

18' I: Mizoguchi dishes it off to Yabuta who takes the shot and.... it's wide right. I really thought the Kitsunes would have gone up 2-0 there.
J: It's a marathon, not a sprint but Yabuta must be kicking himself for missing that shot attempt.

21' I: The ball is moving along nicely here, good position...Guidice with the shot and it's deflected by the defense
J: That is simply good heads up defense by the Sarriban side.

23' I: We have another corner for the Kitsunes, the question is whether this will be another goal? Izumi delivers the kick Guidice delivers the header and no it's deflected by the keeper this time!
J: How disappointing for Guidice, she had two chances in a row, good ones at that and they were deflected by the defense.
I: It will be another corner as Izumi once again will deliver it.

24' I: Izumi is ready as she gives the signal ball is up and headed away by the defense...Ishikawa gets the ball just outside the box, he gets set and fires a bullet...for a GOAL! Josuke Ichikawa has made this a two nothing match!
J: Ichikawa may be a nice winger but he can score off of chances like that every now and again. Sometimes it's all about being at the right place at the right time,

29' I: Sarriba takes a shot on goal which will be easily scooped up by Hojo. The fans here at the sold-out Magnaem Centre are buzzing but it's a rather restrained excitement.
J: Can't blame them honestly, there is a whole lot of football to be played here. 2-0 means a lot but it also doesn't mean much this early on.

33' I: Sarriba with a shot and it's a goal there goes the clean sheet. Match is now 2-1
J: I honestly felt like it was a matter of time until they scored...they have been probing and prodding this entire time. The question here is how will the Kitsunes respond?

38' I: Stong attack here by the Kitsunes, Yabuta get's the ball dishes it back out and he finds Mizoguchi who takes a shot and GOAL! Rin Mizoguchi gets his name on the board off of the Yabuta assist. Kitsunes go back up by two, score is now back to 3-1

..........

81' I: Yabuta with the interception as the crowd erupts! No one to beat but the Keeper, he finesses it and it's a GOAL! Yabuta is finally on the board!
J: The Kitsunes really ground this match down with possession play after the reclaimed the two-goal advantage but Yabuta is always watching and waiting and got a solo counter-attack to shut the door of this match close.

90 + 1' I: There is the final whistle as the Kitsunes start their World Cup qualifiers strong with a 4-1 win.
J: This is exactly how you want to start qualifiers if your Kirishima, now it's all about consistency and stringing wins together. Form is a very important thing to maintain when you are a talented side and sometimes even harder to maintain when you have the ability.
I: I have been Wang In-Taek here with Jérémie Devereaux wishing you a wonderful evening. Join us next time as the Kitsunes continue their push towards the World Cup!

by **Yesopalitha** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:06 pm

Manager's Office
Freedom's Altar, Yesopalitha

Portia Thrift had known that this job wouldn't be an easy one. Yesopalitha had not played international football in more than thirty years, and there was no way that they would be back in top notch form after a cycle and a game. That being said, the way that the team had simply folded in the second half was disheartening. They had played well in the first half, Roswell showing that Dostoevich wasn't the only striker on the team while Park scored off a free kick. The real problem began when before the half ended, Kaboomlandia landed a wicked header that cleared the net.

In the second half, Yesopalitha played with a lack of confidence and vision. The substitutions did little to help, and it was a miracle and Calhoun's doing that kept the scoreline from going further out than the 2-4 defeat it was.

After she had given out things for people to improve upon and told the players that it was just one defeat that wouldn't define the entire campaign, and that Kaboomlandia was ranked higher than them, she went back to studying Yesopalitha, and ran into a series of short articles called "Unknown Facts about Yesopalitha":

Yesopalitha wrote:Unknown Facts about Yesopalitha Part 1

When citizens of the world see that Nadya Dostoevich, Yesopalithan Football Team Captain, is listed as a Vampire, they are surprised. How does a Vampire stand to play matches in daylight? Why doesn't she just evaporate or burn up in flames? How does she stand the heat? There are a million and one questions asked about whether or not she is a true Vampire, and if not, what she actually is. What they do not understand is what makes Yesopalithans Yesopalithans. There was a time in the annals of history when the Vampires of Yesopalitha were indeed the Vampires of old, and the same could've been said about the Werewolves only turning at the full moon, Wraiths being incorporeal, and the like. However, when Zaiden declared Yesopalitha the homeland of all Unbidden, things changed at the most basic level - the molecular level.

Indeed, the Yesopalithan Vampire could be considered a super-Vampire. The Yesopalithan variety is able to stay in sunlight without dying, although they are still not a fan of the sun, as it obstructs their vision. However, their superior sense of smell and hearing is not obstructed by the sun, and the fact that they can operate in the sun allows them to serve in many more facets than the previous Vampire, an example being Nadya Dostoevich being able to play in sun-lit fields. This also means that the Yesopalithan Vampire has no problem at all with artificial light, as it is the rays of the sun that obstruct its eyes, not man-made light.

This change at the molecular level can be traced to all Unbidden. Yesopalithan Werewolves can change at will, or not at all, and remain fully cognizant of themselves during the change. This means that they won't just attack people, unless it is their choice. It can even be considered a curse, as a Yesopalithan Unbidden cannot revert to their primal form, as the blessing of Zaiden courses through them. Wraiths can be as corporeal or incorporeal as they please; Skeletons and Zombies, as well as Mummies, are capable of intelligent thought that no Undead should be able to retain.

That should be evil and tainted by darkness is instead allowed to have the capacity for good, and all beings are returned the conscience that is to help them make the choices of their lives. That is, in fact, the true gift of the blessing of Zaiden.

This does make it so that criminals of the Unbidden species are much harder to catch than if they were the primal selves. However, there are also those of the Unbidden who serve in capacities previously not possible. Vampire police officers are highly effective, as are Skeleton Special Ops teams, Mummy coroners, and Wraith bodyguards. There is even room for creativity and the genius - Skeletons and Zombies having law degrees, Vampires cooking with blood without any problems, or even serving as Doctors.

Only in Yesopalitha can one see such behavior, and it is all because of Zaiden, may His reign last forever.

She had spent the time since their win over Tinhampton reading about the Unbidden, and it was nice to see that this article also highlighted the same things. That they were created to be evil, but this being, Zaiden, fixed them to be good. That Zaiden also took away their weaknesses, but gave them a conscience so that they couldn't do evil without feeling it. One thing that the article didn't say was what she had learned from Jane Vander Rox, that Yesopalithan humans removed bad things from their genes and gave only the good to their young. That was why there weren't many Yesopalithans wearing glasses around. It was freaky.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to run away from, or toward, this mysterious Zaiden figure. Was such a deity even possible? Logic said no, but the land around her suggested otherwise. She continued to read the series of articles:

Yesopalitha wrote:Unknown Facts about Yesopalitha Part 2

Magic is still very prevalent within Yesopalitha, though it is not as feared as it used to be. There are races that are more apt at it, and races that struggle with it, and there are many many kinds of it, like it is in many other parts of the world.

Elemental mages tend to stick to a single element in Yesopalitha, whether it be Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Nature, or the like. There aren't that many that can harness the power of more than one. It takes a lot of time to learn magic, and mostly, creatures don't have a long enough lifespan to master more than one. Sure, there are those who can do rudimentary stuff with more than one, but mastery of one is considered to be the nobler, true path instead of just dabbling mindlessly.

Necromancy and death magic aren't considered evil, though necromancy is not what it is in other parts of the multiverse. Necromancy in Chromatika is the restoration and protection of the Undead, instead of the creation of the Undead. Undead are created when the other Races die and decide that they want to live on; they aren't created by Evil Magic in Chromatika. This makes necromancy basically a clerical magic for the Undead, which is quite different. Death magic, however, uses death itself, and is considered to be the most intense of magics, with entropy and the banned magic of time following.

Healing magic or holy magic is perhaps the least studied magic in Yesopalitha, often because modern medicine has made it obsolete. That being said, if someone needs healing and there aren't medical supplies around, they best find a healer.

Time magic is the only universally banned magic in Yesopalitha. Touching the timeline could change things to before Zaiden blessed the Unbidden, and then everything could change. No sane Unbidden wants that.

Magic is not the most visible art, but neither is it truly gone. One only needs to know where to look...

Magic? That whole snap your fingers, say some words, and stuff happens? That was present here, too? Science in the modern world wasn't able to explain magic quite yet, but maybe it could here. 'Necromancy is the restoration and protection of the Undead...' well of course when the Undead were just created when people died unless they chose to move onto the beyond of afterlife. She hadn't found a single place that described what Zaiden said about what happens to the Undead after they perish, or what happens to people when they die and choose to not be reborn again in undeath. Neither had she been able to find anything on whether or not Unbidden could be created without something dying first. All her research and reading suggested that every being in Yesopalitha that was Undead had once been something else, but something told her that she was missing something.

Vowing to figure out what that was, she read the final one:

Yesopalitha wrote:Unknown Facts about Yesopalitha Part 3

The Yesopalithan Government is still tribal, even to this day. The Dark Council is made of Councilors who come from each Tribe, or each Species. There is one Councilor that represent all of the Bidden (non-Unbidden), and then one per each major Unbidden species: Vampire, Werewolf, Skeleton, Zombie, Mummy, Shade, Wraith, and the like. The only reason that Nirdasil is the leader is because she is a combination of many of them. That being said, Zaiden remains the supreme leader, if he should return.

Any and all political ascending is done per species. There have been movements to make it more of an even playing field instead of one per species, especially because some species have more of a population than others, and it is a bit unfair for the Shade representative representing tens of thousands to have the same representative power as the Vampire representative representing millions. That being said, it's the way things were decreed by Zaiden, and without the God's intervention, it's the way that things will likely remain in the future.

Each species does run their own version of elections to decide on their Councilors, and then the Councilors vote on matters of the state. That is why Yesopalitha is deemed an Unbidden Free Republic.

Now this was the most interesting. Apparently, all the living species only had one representative! She found that hard to believe, provided she had seen them all in her time now - Human, Elf, Dwarf, Beastling, Changeling, and the like. Sure, the population of the Bidden were so much lower than the Unbidden, but then how did Yesopalitha's population grow? The census definitely showed that the population was increasing, albeit slowly; it also said that about 30% of all Bidden chose to be reborn after they died. If you took the number of Bidden and multiplied it by 30%, though, you wouldn't come up with the rate that Yesopalitha's population was increasing. No, the Unbidden were multiplying somehow, but that somehow wasn't addressed on the internet, or at a local library. It was either taught in homes and taboo to speak of outside, or it was kept from her because she was an outsider.

In order to fully understand this country, she would have to figure that part out. What made the land tick? What made her players tick?

She put away those thoughts and instead focused her attention on the match versus Kaboomlandia and their next opponent, New Danican on the road. It was time to see how her players did in a hostile venue...

by **Islana Lunigo** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:24 pm

The First Pair
A Match Repoem by Zwelious Nightshade

The Coast! The Coast!
With steel to boast!
There couldn't possibly be anything these guys can't roast!
Topping with 3,
Chopping the tree,
Their golden fate was too true to see.
Alas! Alas!
Kalactin showed them some sass,
2-1 AET, a real kick in the a**.
192nd, a real rank to show,
For it was only the beginning of a story of Margaret will know.
Time passed, and soon it was time to go,
Ladies and gents, your Islana Dragonites!
A tropical team without the tropical tights,
and the fights. The Fights!
A true series to behold,
for the community's comeback was waiting to be told.
A group of white kitted cappers, youthful and bold,
they were the real reason we kept going on.
Once a group of tigers, now a little fawn,
but don't underestimate 'em or you'll be gone.
2-0! 2-0! A fate no one really saw,
well except for Kopur, who saw scoring as law.
And as our heroes hear the birds caw,
we leave Steel Coast, ready for more.

Starblaydia, a fierce footballing fortress to its core,
5 titles and counting, decimating opponents without the need for gore.
But alas! Alas! Their hope was soon to plunder,
for death made sure that their tricks stayed under.
So while their years of gold were made to wonder,
the Starblaydi team had gone to mourn.
And while they attempted to protect their courage from scorn,
something must've happened. Something reborn.
And on that fateful night in Moaria, stadium packed to the brim,
fans of the violet quickly knew things were about to turn grim.
A score for the blue, tearjerking ever Star, even lil Tim.
Twelve minutes left, the purple fighting in vein!
And as the clock dwindled, their hopes began to rain,
1-0 Final, and their fates were ordain.

And so our first pairing of matches come to an end,
the Dragonites go 2-0, a record that's quite the blend.
With many more encounters waiting for time to spend,
A journey to the World Cup is a journey we want to mend.

by **Taeshan** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:32 pm

It has not been the greatest start to the World Cup 79 qualifying campaign for the Purple Knights of Taeshan. They would have hoped to have gotten off to a flying start on their two road trips to Al Qurija and Akatsurai. With no matches against the higher ranked sides to start, but both games on the road the Knights fans would have deemed a win and a tie as the least they could expect and they were able in the end to actually attain the 4 points they really needed. While both matches have for the most part lacked much attacking flair, the Knights honestly tend to play a more defensive style and while sometimes that has worked to great effect, currently it seems to keep the side from doing much of anything internationally.

The first matchup was a 0-0 tie on the road in Al Qurija. The game was almost as boring as the title would suggest. While manager Lysander Ying Uing attempted to push the team forward with some attacking subs in the second half, attempting to push past a lesser team. With both Johnson Salazar and Falstaff Book seeing the field in the first game of the campaign. Also seeing the field was Elton Petersheim who was the lone used sub in both games. While ultimately the end result lacked the goals the team desired, it definitely showed an ability for the side to push against tough defensive opposition.

The second matchup proved to be much more open as the Knights bagged an early goal as Aleksandr Denisov scored his second international goal in his eighth international game. With lots of solid effort in the build up, Janson Jesbury ended up with the cross that found him and his volley was struck truly into the back of the net. The Knights pushed for a second goal, but it would be the home side tying things up with an early second half goal after coming out of the break rather more excited than in the first 45 minutes. They seemed unlikely to push for a second goal and that ultimately was their undoing as Miles Snavely pushed the Knights ahead once more in the 75th minutes off a corner kick and the side gained all the points from the match.

by **95X** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:33 pm

From the 95X Wire Service:
95X Holds Number One Schottia to One Goal

95X National Soccer Team Head Coach General Failure stated in a pregame interview "this will be a match where we'll look at the performances that don't appear on the scoreline." The match that followed was actually a highly competitive contest between two world-class nations.

Though Schottia earned three points and avoided an upset, they were held to one goal and held scoreless in seventy-six minutes of action. A Corinne Martel-Burns corner kick to Kim Coultan led to a grounder that would be the game's only goal.

"I have to give them credit," Failure applauded the opposition after the match, "that goal made it past three defenders considering Coultran was double-teamed as soon as the players knew where it was going. We had young and old talent out there at the same time, good talent, who fared well considering the opponent."

On the offensive end for 95X, Larry Lewis, Micah Morrison, and Alyssa Yorkton combined for a valiant six shots-on-goal effort that all met a gold performance by Schottian keeper Harry Gould.

A Little About the 95X Selection Process: Goalkeeper

Two functionaries within the 95X National Team offices have been given the ultimatum: find national team-caliber players that record-keepers and scouts have forgotten about, or find new jobs. With the sun down, clock ticking, night janitors at work throughout the building, and announced retirements of some of the older players, it was time for some quick decisions.

One of them comes running into the office from the file room.

"I've got it," he exclaims, placing an aged manila folder on his co-workers desk.

"What is this?" the co-worker asks in disbelief, "it looks like years-old scouting reports."

"These were players that began playing abroad several years ago," the first worker explains, while pulling out a report, "and this lady has 'NT' written on it."

"Maybe she did four years ago," the co-worker replied to Krista Till's report. "Now focus, we've got serious work to do."

"But," the first worker said, "I looked them up, Marionville won their league last season."

"Let me see that printout," the co-worker snatched the paper. "Harold, they were relegated in a previous season and being promoted this season."

"But," the first worker persuaded, "they won their league."

Ultimately, Krista Till accepted a position on the 95X NT.

by **Drawkland** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:44 pm

WOah here's a more "on-time" cutoff that will be more commonplace.

Let's Turn Up for MD2!

by **Damukuni** » Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:47 pm

          
Announcing the Partnership of
DSN and DNSN
for the World Cup 79 Qualifying Cycle

The Damukuni Sports Network (a 790MediaGroup company) and the Drawkland National Sports Network have entered into a mutual broadcast agreement for the World Cup 79 qualifying cycle. Under this agreement:

DNSN will carry the main camera feed of all World Cup 79 Qualifying matches to both Drawkland and Damukuni. Additionally, DNSN will provide the English-language commentary of both halves and Player of the Match presentations for each match. (DSN will provide its own Japanese-language commentary while broadcasting the DNSN feed.)
In Damukuni, DSN will provide its own pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows for each match in which it is partnered with DNSN.
Residents of Drawkland and the Damukunian States of Coastal Dre, Plains State, Northern Hind, Southern Hind, and West Aeryndale may stream matches using the DNSN Web site, https://stream.dnsn.dra/wc79. All other Damukunian citizens, including military personnel and crew of the FSS Shinagawa, should use the WatchDSN service, at https://dsn.com.du/watchdsn/wc79. (OOC: Don't click those links, they don't go anywhere) The English-language feed is identical for both Web streams.

SCHEDULE
of the Damukuni National Football Team

(OOC note: For matches played in Damukuni, only the city and state are given.)

Game #1

DKI 2 - 4 YUE

3Q Metropolitan Stadium, Jiangdong, Yuezhou

Game #2

DKI 3 - 1 EDL

Fujiwara Electra Stadium, Fujiwara, Central Free State

Game #3

@ BRENECIA

Kingsgarden, Rozelle, Brenecia

Game #4

vs. GANGNAM

Stadium at the Preserve, Ōza, Tenjiro

Game #5

@ EEC

EEC Stadium, EEC

Game #6

vs. KRYTENIA

Hitori Nikkei Field, Gyōto, North East

Game #7

@ PRIDNESTROVIA

Army Stadium, Tiraspol, Pridnestrovia

Game #8

@ GARIFUNYA

Garifunya National Stadium, Frederykvil, Garifunya

Game #9

vs. WEST ANGOLA

Miranda's Stadium, Miranda, Northern Free State

The second leg's schedule will be posted on the halfway break.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:42 am

(OOC: This was supposed to be for the U18 World Cup but as I wasn't able to finish it in time I just saved it and now I'm going to post it here instead. But I may have something else up for the World Cup if I get around to actually doing it. Oh, and this continues from here)

Young Guns, Part Sixteen

Kabanalan Sports Complex
Kabanalan, Kabishawan, Filindostan
The present day

It was the day of Abanhfleft's round of 16 matchup against their latest opponents in the Under-18 World Cup, which happened to be Qasden. Abanhfleft and Qasden had not met each other in the field of sports a lot so no one could look at past results to determine who could come into this game with a slight historical advantage. The simple truth of the matter was that all the preparation that both Abanhfleft and Qasden had for and against each other were little more than watching video of their previous matches and trying to study their tactics from said videos as much as possible.

The mood in the Fleftic camp was a little bit tense. Then again, who wouldn't be tense when they had massive expectations on their shoulders. Every Fleftic team that had participated in the Under-18 World Cup so far had managed to make it all the way to the final where they had been defeated three out of three times. The onus was on the current team to carry forward all that momentum and history and finally make it count by way of a win in the final against whoever it was they met there. But of course, first they had to get there. And Qasden was the one currently standing in their way of finally breaking that infamous duck of theirs.

But that wasn't the only reason why the Fleftics were tense. Today, the day of Abanhfleft's round of 16 game against Qasden in the Sporting World Cup, also happened to be the birthday of the late Marius Gerhard Rosenkrantz. Everyone was wearing black armbands to signify their remembrance of their fallen teammate, who was one of the victims of the "Real Fans of Abanhfleft's" bombing of the Peace and Brotherhood Mall in Tentenaraya, Duhblakk Province. It was only minutes before the teams were due to walk out onto the pitch of the Kabanalan Sports Complex in Filindostan but their manager, Rashad Dammam, had elected to keep them back here for a few more words regarding the circumstances of the day.

"Lads, ladies," Dammam began, "I think you all know why I've decided to hold you back for a little longer even though we're already due to go out to the tunnel for the game. Today is supposed to be the eighteenth birthday of our dear friend Marius Gerhard Rosenkrantz. I could talk about how he was such a good player, both for us and for Duhblakk Rovers, but we would all be just wasting each other's time. We all know how good he is. And we also know that he is with us right here, right now, watching us and watching over us. I know that he would want us to win this game, not for him but for the country, for Abanhfleft. When you step out there to the field, remember that black armband and remember for whom it stands for. Remember Marius Rosenkrantz."

"His name is Guildenstern Cardew, and if you're a guy, you'll find that he likes you!"

At this point in his life, Guildenstern Cardew no longer cared about the chants. He had never really cared for the supporters' chants before, but that was before he had ended up coming out at his best friend's funeral. After that, when everyone in Abanhfleft now knew of his real sexual orientation, the chants had picked up a more personal and offensive nature. Guildy first of it when he made his first ever professional start for Sporting Ceneisis in the SFA Cup, away to Porcusces Tsunamis, with whom Ceneisis shared a rivalry if only because they were located in the same province, Ceneisis. The Tsunamis fans let out the usual chants praising their team and disparaging Sporting Ceneisis as being a team that had only recently achieved success after they had been bought out by the Pridnestrovian oil and gas oligarch Nikita Bellich. But then, as Guildy had received a back pass from a Ceneisis teammate, the Tsunamis fans unveiled their new chant, aimed specifically at Guildy and Guildy only, as it was about his recently revealed homosexuality. As this was the very first time that Guildy had heard such a specific and disparaging chant, it threw him off guard, and in a few minutes Guildy had conceded a goal against the Tsunamis. It was at this point that Guildy realized that the Tsunamis fans were specifically doing that as he was a new and young goalkeeper for one of the top clubs in the country and they wanted to see if he could stand up under all the pressure. Yes, Guildy did concede a second goal against the Tsunamis but Sporting Ceneisis would win this game 4-2 as the first step of their journey to retain the SFA Cup, which they would eventually do but only after a gruelling penalty shootout against Pilken Kickers in the 2023 SFA Cup Final. Guildy was the goalkeeper for all of Ceneisis' games in the cup, and in those games he would eventually come to prove himself as a capable if young and raw goalkeeper who could very well be the future custodian of the sticks for the Democratic Republic. But Guildy certainly wasn't feeling that way back in that steaming hot day in Porcusces against the Tsunamis. At that game, Guildy had eventually confided in his manager, Tullio Zorzalo, that the chants had actually affected him but he had chosen not to show it because he knew that that was all part of the game, especially for a gay footballer like Guildy.

"And that was the right decision to make," Zorzalo had told him. "You may be young, Guildenstern, but I can sense in you that ability to turn yourself into a mature individual already. You have just gone through something that no one should have to go through at your age, which is lose a close friend and a loved one to such a sudden and unfair death. But that's life. And it's going to be your ability to roll with life's punches which will make or break you as a person. You have made a stand when you chose not to react to the fans' chants about you and your choices. Now it's up to you if you will continue to do that or if you will do something else. The choice is yours and yours only. You can reach out to me, to your parents and friends for advice, but no one else except you will be able to make life's choices for you. We can tell you what we think is best for you but in the end, everything is your choice and yours alone. And I can only ask that you keep that in your mind: only you can make your choices in life, and no one else."

Guildy had done what he could to ignore the chants against him, trying to grow a thick skin until he could finally tune out the chants specific to him along with all the other football chants that was the staple of the Fleftic stadium experience, and then when he stepped onto the field for Ceneisis against Pilken Kickers for the SFA Cup Final, he was surprised to hear that some of those chants were coming from his, meaning Ceneisis' own fans. At that point he had learned to ignore the chants but it was only later, after Ceneisis had won and lifted the little tin idol for the second time in two seasons that Guildy realized that the Ceneisis fans had taken that particular chant and turned it into one that was in support of Guildy, even if it was still somewhat offensive.

Now, even the Fleftic fans themselves had joined in on the Guildy chants, but for them, it was all right since they were using it to cheer Guildy on, never mind that he slipped up and let Bernard McCutchen's botched attempt at a defensive clearance slip through his fingers and into the back of the net to give Qasden a lead that they probably didn't deserve given that they hadn't had that many chances at that point in the game, but then again, neither did Abanhfleft. It was just fifteen minutes in after all, but no team ever wants to be down by a goal so early, especially in a tense knockout match like this round of 16 game.

"He likes it up the ass, and if you don't watch out, he'll stick the ball in yours!" The lead by Qasden didn't last very long though; not with Kelly McGinnis around. She was always flitting around the back line of the Qasdenians, making herself quite the nuisance for them, and eventually she made them chase shadows as she caught up to Guildy's long ball clearance to thump home into the roof of the net. Abanhfleft's dominance continued through half-time and into the second half, when Sonia Davidson of all people scored Abanhfleft's second goal and quite possibly the goal that would send them through to the quarterfinals. Throughout this period, Guildy had become very much a spectator as this team had been drilled to never pass back unless absolutely necessary, and for a goalkeeper, not getting too many touches on the ball was a good thing, because it meant that the defense was doing their job, and that the team was keeping possession of the ball--

Suddenly, the ball loomed very large right in front of Guildy, and in a completely instinctive move he raised his arms and swatted at the ball with both of his hands, palms open. He heard the oohs from the crowd as the ball sailed over his head and onto the net, and as both teams prepared for the corner kick, Guildy began barking out orders to the rest of the Fleftic team, telling them where to put themselves. "Bernie, mark that striker! Min-ho, keep your eyes on the number 17 on the overlap! George, stick to number 18 like butter!" Guildy then clapped his gloved hands together and let out a tribal yell. Let's do this.

Sonia Davidson knew that this might just be her last chance to prove herself.

When she was selected by both Rashad Dammam and Heinrich Wurzmann of the Alternative Football Program to join the squad of the under-18 Fleftic team that would play in the 3rd Sporting World Cup in Osarius, everyone's eyebrows rose at the mention of her name. Sonia would be lying if she said that she wasn't surprised by the selection as well. She had been playing good for her team, Keephall Valkyries, but she wasn't exactly playing on the kind of level that the other selections like Kelly McGinnis, Guildenstern Cardew, Prince William Luckless, Amelie Rusev and the like were just yet, and yet here she was, a member of the starting eleven of the national under-18 team.

Sonia did the best that she could on the pitch, and in just her second game she was able to score Abanhfleft's opener against Natanians and Nosts, and while she wasn't able to find the back of the net again after that, she was still able to contribute to the run of play and make an assist or two for her teammates. But then the 4th Sporting World Cup in Filindostan rolled around and Sonia... simply wasn't cutting it for the team anymore. Even she couldn't help but notice what was happening. Starting in the second game of the 4th SWC against Juvencus, Sonia's first touch had become poor and more often than not, Abanhfleft's counterattacks would be snuffed out simply because Sonia couldn't control the ball. Rashad Dammam noticed this as well and began subbing her off at the hour mark, most often to be replaced by the goalkeeper-turned-striker Elene Liner, and as soon as she came on, Abanhfleft's attacks were simply flowing better, there was no denying it. Sonia wasn't yet at the point that she was considering her own position change, the reverse of what Elene did, from winger to goalkeeper, but she had to admit that she was getting pretty close to going down that particular road. What could possibly go wrong?

And now, Sonia had been given one more chance to redeem herself. At this point, it wasn't about the goals; it was just about controlling the ball well enough to get it moving again once it goes to her. And once again, Sonia was failing to do that; she was miskicking the ball or missing it completely. It got to the point where even the commentators were saying that Abanhfleft were basically playing with only ten men but of course Sonia wouldn't hear about it until after the game. Because of that, the rest of the team was also beginning to cut Sonia out of their plays, only passing to her if there really was no other choice. Even Sonia was beginning to doubt her ability to cut it with the rest of the team, and she was going to ask Coach to bench her even though she knew that there was a big possibility that Coach Dammam had already made up his mind to bench her for the next game, if they made it out against Qasden--

At that very moment, Sonia was suddenly aware that the ball was rolling towards her. She didn't know how the ball had ended up rolling towards her, and apparently through two Qasdenian players at that, but Sonia immediately realized that she had a golden opportunity to finally change the way her life, her career, had been going at that moment, and she stuck a foot out to touch the ball. And then, as if on cue, the ball bounced high into the air after her first touch. But this time, Sonia wasn't angry at herself for losing the ball. Enough of this shit already! she thought, and then she lifted her foot once again and smashed the ball towards goal. In all honesty, Sonia wasn't expecting much from her attempt, but then to her great surprise she saw the back of the net bulge outwards and the Qasdenian goalkeeper with a horrified look on his face. Everything was so confusing that all Sonia could do was run towards the Fleftic section with her arms raised out wide like airplane wings and then slap at the corner flag. It wasn't the best celebration routine in the world but by God, scoring that goal was like removing a very massive weight from Sonia's shoulders. And after that goal, she would begin to play just like a bright and promising youth prospect would, and she never messed up her first touch again.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 4:17 am

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFIERS: ABANHFLEFT VS LISANDER
By Malik Qazizadah

Abanhfleft's Kareem Dagen in action against Lisander. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

RIUWIEE - Abanhfleft opened their World Cup 79 qualification campaign with a resounding 4-1 victory against Lisander, who is a rising power in rugby but is still finding their feet in terms of association football.

Ranulph Bustamante's 23-man squad for the qualifiers, which includes a number of youngsters who had played under his tutelage and management in the 3rd edition of the Independents Cup as well as some national team stalwarts like Maksim Varamoninov and Luke Edwards, took little time to gel together, and it showed in the way that they played.

Kareem Dagen's first goal in the 18th minute was a classic Abanhfleft performance with the ball being passed around by at least seven players before Dagen finally ran forward and slammed home through the challenge of Martin Garmin.

Vitaly Zima then doubled the Revolutionaries' lead with a wonderful solo effort before Dagen effectively killed off the contest with a bobbing header from Rory Edwards' cross just a minute before half-time.

The younger Edwards then got his name on the score sheet when he applied the finishing touch to Andrea Marilungo's free kick, but substitute Lisanderan Erick Morton was able to nab a late consolation as he tapped in the rebound from Afonso Heretier's shot, which had been saved by Carlos Cohen just moments earlier.

Revolutionaries show defensive steel
Abanhfleft has a reputation of being both a high-scoring side and a side that concedes a lot of goals against a smart and opportunistic opposition, but for once, the Fleftics showed that their defense had some backbone, with captain Luke Edwards marshalling his troops well and smartly.

The decision to call up players from outside the Fleftic sphere of influence, players in leagues where defense was just as highly prioritized as offense, an-oft criticized decision in the part of Ranulph Bustamante and the SFA, seems to have paid off well as players such as Horace Popov, Ainsley Gibson, and Cedric Pearson have brought a newfound sense of defensive solidity at the back of this Fleftic team, something which should inspire confidence throughout the rest of the squad.

Abanhfleft also missed the pug-like tenacity of Toumain Vincelot, who was injured in a World Cup qualifying game against Revolutionary Nordskania and had spent his time recovering before finally coming back to the Sarvusdalamoive squad in time for the last leg of their promotion push. The Patierre-born midfielder immediately got into action after being subbed on for Valery Zolnerov, and while Vincelot did get a yellow card for his efforts, his pluckiness and daring has been missed by the Fleftic side.

It was also a sight to behold as Fleftic players risked their bodies in defending against Lisander who were still going for goal despite being four goals down with about seventy minutes elapsed into this match. Milen Kaplanoski had the closest and most impressive attempt just three minutes after Rory Edwards had scored Abanhfleft's fourth, and while every Lisanderan called for a handball after Ainsley Gibson's complicated clearance, the referee waved off the appeal and subsequently booked Kaplanoski when he refused to drop the case.

Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: This team is on fire

Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: "This team, when it's firing on all cylinders, is such a great team. I mean, I know that this is Lisander we're talking about. They're a great rugby nation but I'm afraid that as far as soccer is concerned, they've still got a lot to learn. But credit to them; they refused to roll over when any other team would have given up the ghost after maybe just the third or even the second goal. That's why I love playing against these plucky underdog teams. They always give the people a game worth watching and watching again even if the result may not always be in their favor."

Abanhfleft will face the Alpine Union at an unknown stadium at an unknown city in the Alpine Union for matchday two of the 79th World Cup qualifiers.

      ABANHFLEFT 4 - 1 LISANDER
DAGEN (18', 44')       MORTON (78')
   V. ZIMA (37')
R. EDWARDS (67')

LISANDER
GK: 1 Garmin
RB: 2 Lasses
RCB: 4 Rosell
CB: 5 Ávila
LCB: 3 Wagner
LB: 6 Kaplanoski █ (Templeton - 63' █)
RM: 8 Heretier
CM: 10 Camden
LM: 7 Nantel
RS: 11 Dawson (Morton - 76')
LS: 9 Walker

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Cohen █
RB: 2 Afolayan █
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 5 Gibson
LB: 3 Ogigayatsu
RM: 6 Pearson
CM: 7 Zolnerov (Vincelot - 60' █)
LM: 8 Marilungo
CAM: 10 R. Edwards
RS: 11 V. Zima (Lee - 71')
LS: 9 Dagen (MacAlistair - 82')

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Abanhfleft: 53%
Lisander: 47%
Shots
Abanhfleft: 19 (8 on target)
Lisander: 7 (3 on target)
Corners
Abanhfleft: 8
Lisander: 5
Fouls
Abanhfleft: 17
Lisander: 12

(OOC: For the Alpine Union's roster, I will use the one they submitted to the most recent senior football competition in which they participated, in this case the Independents Cup. Here it is for reference.)

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFIERS: ALPINE UNION VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah

Abanhfleft's Arthur MacAlistair celebrates his goal against the Alpine Union. The Alpines would eventually win the game 5-4 after trailing 4-1 at half-time. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

ALPINE UNION - The Alpine Union came back from four goals behind in stunning fashion to win against Abanhfleft 5-4, leaving the visitors completely dumbstruck by what had just happened.

As in the previous qualifying match against Lisander, Abanhfleft hit the ground running and Vitaly Zima rifled a shot into the top right corner to give Abanhfleft the lead just seven minutes in. Kareem Dagen then scored his third goal in the competition and Abanhfleft's second in the game when he pounced upon Zofia Kwietniewska's poor clearance following a ground-bound cross from Cedric Pearson.

Arthur MacAlistair, in the starting lineup on the wings in place of Rory Edwards who injured himself in pre-game training, got in on the scoring action when his shot from a tricky angle managed to foot the keeper once again and then Daisuke Ogigayatsu appeared to have put the cherry on the icing on the cake when he smashed home Andrea Marilungo's corner kick. Sascha Welzmüller then slammed home in the first minute of first half added time, but at the time it looked like it would be nothing more than a consolation for the home side; that was how well Abanhfleft had played in the first half.

What words Wlodzimierz Jastrzebowski said to his team during the interval must have had the desired effect from the Alpine perspective as from the first kick-off of the second half, the Alpine Union looked the more composed and dominant team. Zbigniew Zajczakowski, who had once been the target of interest for a number of Fleftic Premier League clubs before his club Pogon Miedzyzdroje blocked all offers for him, then scored two goals in quick succession to suddenly make this a contest again from the perspective of everyone involved. Zajczakowski's first goal was a masterclass in the art of the solo goal, while his second took advantage of Abanhfleft's confusion to catch Carlos Cohen out of position right from the halfway line, scoring one of the most fantastic and unbelievable goals in recent World Cup qualification history.

Ranulph Bustamante brought on Horace Popov and Toumain Vincelot to shut down the Alpines but the momentum had already swung in their favor, and just a minute after Vincelot stepped onto the pitch, a rash tackle from him gave the Alpine Union the chance to equalize from a free kick just outside the box. Sascha Welzmüller lifted the ball into the box, over the heads of the Fleftic defenders, and then Jean-François Kleineheismann jumped above everyone else to loop the ball into the goal for the Alpine Union's equalizer.

In his final gamble, Bustamante deployed Rory Edwards in place of Arthur MacAlistair despite doubts about the Riuwiee United midfielder's fitness, but it was soon clear that this gamble had failed and failed utterly as the younger Edwards seemed just a little bit slow to react to passes and crosses which he would normally latch onto and be able to craft a scoring chance at the very least.

The Fleftic heartbreak was completed thanks to Kevin O'Maoilsheachlainn's volley right at the death, and Toumain Vincelot was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after his rough shove on O'Maoilsheachlainn while the latter was celebrating his goal.

Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: This is a most disappointing defeat

Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: "This defeat was just very disappointing, plain and simple. We had the lead, we had the game in our hands, but we let it slip through our fingers. This is an inexcusable defeat for Abanhfleft. I will have a stern word with the players and make sure that they keep their heads for the entirety of the whole game. This is simply inexcusable. This is not the Fleftic national team that our countrymen and fans expect to see. Everyone is disappointed. Everyone should be disappointed. This is just disappointing, I'm sorry. I may sound like a broken record now but it's the truth: this was a most disappointing result, and a very disappointing way in which we were defeated."

Abanhfleft will next face South Toronto at Wanda Island Arena in Wanda City, Wanda Island for matchday three of the 79th World Cup qualifiers.

              ALPINE UNION 5 - 4 ABANHFLEFT
        WELZMÜLLER (45+1')       V. ZIMA (7')
   ZAJACZKOWSKI (56', 57')       DAGEN (10')
      KLEINEHEISMANN (74')       MacALISTAIR (15')
O'MAOILSHEACHLAINN (90+3')       OGIGAYATSU (34')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Cohen
RB: 2 Afolayan (Popov - 68' █)
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 5 Gibson
LB: 3 Ogigayatsu
RM: 6 Pearson
CM: 7 Zolnerov (Vincelot - 73' █)
LM: 8 Marilungo
RS: 11 V. Zima
CF: 22 MacAlistair (R. Edwards - 80')
LS: 9 Dagen

ALPINE UNION
GK: 1 Kwietniewska
RB: 5 Zawistowski
CB: 3 Januszkiewicz
LB: 4 Strzyzowski (Kaczorowska - 85')
RM: 77 Ksiezniakiewicz
LM: 8 Welzmüller
RW: 6 Schroffenegger █
LW: 7 Wawrzienkiewicz (Warner - 50' █)
CAM: 10 Zalwowska
RS: 15 Kleineheismann (O'Maoilsheachlainn - 79')
LS: 11 Zajaczkowski

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Alpine Union: 51%
Abanhfleft: 49%
Shots
Lisander: 12 (7 on target)
Abanhfleft: 13 (7 on target)
Corners
Alpine Union: 6
Abanhfleft: 6
Fouls
Alpine Union: 14
Abanhfleft: 25

by **Nephara** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 4:47 am

Nephara 4-2 Natanians and Nosts
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Tsattalios; 2 - Rafford, 22 - Tarrasch, 6 - Scharner (18 - Theuer 68'), 19 - Vicelich; 4 - Misidjan (23 - Aschenbach 80'), 15 - Klein; 7 - Szalai (13 - Coffey 68'), 21 - Gosforth (c), 11 - Strongbow; 9 - Hawke
Goal: Gosforth 12', Hawke 16', 79', Klein 41'

THE HERALD
AURELIA FERN PROFILE - WHO IS NEPHARA'S NEW MARGRAVINE?
Catheline Aspenwood

After a long, bitter but ultimately positive campaign, the indomitable Alexa Mitroglou was finally unseated, not so much for anything the Nationals did wrong so much as a general swing to the left from the electorate, spurred on as the Progressive Democrats adopted the universal living wage policy and now aim to get it rolled out within the year.

It is hard to imagine Margravine Mitroglou backing down quietly from politics, but she has already pledged to step down from the party leadership, and it's hard to see what National figure could take her place within the next three years. In the meantime, a red-green coalition takes the helm, with the centrist, globalised newcomers the Liberal Alliance establishing themselves as a minor power with fourteen seats, chiefly in Crisisbless and Brinemouth. The Libertarians finally lost their last seat, while the neo-fascist far right remains mercifully suppressed.

The new Margravine, Aurelia Fern, does not cut the same bombastic figure as Mitroglou did. Tall, lean and rather austere, her personal ratings suffered early in the electoral cycle as she came off as too cold for the electorate, but a quotable deadpan wit won the public over, as did a seething anger at the issues confronting the state.

Her most notable moment came about a year ago in Parliament, where she unleashed a nine-minute tirade on the Margravine, accusing her of viewing herself as a 'white knight to charge out and cure the world's ills'. Mitroglou had become, she felt, unassailable - that people were afraid to call out a popular figure's flaws, and her enthusiastic hawkishness. She made no secret of the fact that she was not about to pull her punches.

In terms of her personal life, the 53-year old Fern was born and grew up in Crisisbless to a small business-owning family, second of three children. Growing up with that bookstore so central to her life, it is perhaps unsurprising that Fern was always a keen reader and indeed writer, and has pursued a career on the side as a modestly successful author of psychological horror. Despite that moonlighting providing a wealth of storylines to negative ad campaigns over the years, she has no intention to stop now.

She got involved politically at a fairly young age, too, and was an activist for both social democratic and LGBT+ causes throughout college and university. When it comes to her public service, however, she is something of a late bloomer. She was first elected to her inner-Crisisbless safe Pro Dem seat at the age of 36, and has been more or less in the background until the power vaccuum created after Mitroglou's most recent victory pushed her to the forefront with a clear, powerful and optimistic message. Derided by her opponents as only having gotten the job because nobody quite hated her enough - and there may be some truth in that - her mandate as Margravine is surely by now unquestioned both within the party and by the nation at large. Also worth noting, she is Nephara's second LGBT+ head of state, and lives quietly with her wife, Helena Koeller, in Crisisbless.

In the meantime, little is expected to change abroad. All parties save a small rump of Moving Forward are in agreement that Eura, Nephara's closest political allies, must be backed to the hilt in the increasingly bloody war against Sameba, and that the CRC will be a massive boon to the region. And in three more years, Corvistone remains on track to become the new capital. Life, as always, goes on.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 2
Goalkeepers: 1 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Falourr, EUR), 12 - Gideon Fletcher (AFC Treason), 20 - Anthoulis Matraxis (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Leona Rafford (Crisisbless), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Ruon Asante (AFC Serpentine), 19 - Lux Vicelich (Sabrefell Moths), 22 - Dragora Steelhenge (Violence Chariots)
Midfielders: 4 - Servet Misidjan (AFC Treason), 7 - Adnan Szalai (Ulsa, EUR), 8 - Vedran Tarashaj (AFC Treason), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Avenida Leal, FFD), 13 - Ishtar Fanaiyan (Eastweald, COS), 14 - Nikolas Vikmanis (Gwinevra Barbarians, APX), 15 - Circe Rosenthal (Marionville, SCT), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 23 - Monica Rowland (Parrhesia United)
Forwards: 9 - Estrella Hawke (Starling), 10 - Methuselah Tregajorran (Eastal Lunar, VIL), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD)

SCHEDULE
Thibaea 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 2 Natanians and Nosts @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Al Qurija vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Taeshan @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Rotztotzka vs. Nephara
Akatsurai vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Apox @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Ko-oren vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Eura @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Thibaea @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Natanians and Nosts vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Al Qurija @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Taeshan vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Rotztotzka @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. Akatsurai @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Apox vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Ko-oren @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Eura vs. Nephara

by **Schottia** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:12 am

Amanda Cunningham

Part Three.

A different kind of energy.

It was that grey early morning light, as Gary walked back to his hut with his tail firmly between his legs. It was possibly three or four in the morning and he still hadn't had his dinner. His diplomatic mission had been an abject failure, and as he'd lain there, skin-to-skin beside the lovely Amanda, all he had been able to think about was how the chances of getting her and Stick back together had gone up in smoke.

His back was aching too, from lying on an unsupported surface. There was a tight, shooting pain spreading like wildfire across his lumbar region. Thank god it had been the last match of the season - likely even his last match ever. It was beyond him how anyone could think that having sex on a pile of cushions - as opposed to a bed - was in any way preferable. What was wrong with a bed and a good, firm, supportive mattress?

It was hard to tell which crippling feeling was worse, the one in his lower back or the insurmountable guilt. Was this the worst thing he'd ever done? No - goodness no - not even close. Last summer he had fallen asleep, drunk, inside the wheelie bin of an old woman, who upon finding him, had died of a heart attack. As things stood, he hadn't killed anyone yet.

There was remorse there for sure, but there was another wholly different feeling rising inside his chest. It was a warm, tingly sort of feeling. That memory of her head resting against his bare chest, the way her bob of blonde hair looked in the moon light creeping in through entrance way, the feel of her skin against his.

No, the guilt wasn't really a result of the fact he had fucked up... it was because he wanted to do it again. He most certainly wasn't proud of himself, but as they say: Pride cometh before a fall. When you were riding high in life, that was when you were liable to take your eye of the ball and trip. But shame, self-loathing, those were emotions you could take to the bank.

He took his usual run and jump, clearing the stream in one cumbersome leap. However, his hand shot straight to his back as he landed on the other side, nursing his stiff muscles. The comfort he normally experienced being back on his side of the valley was absent on this occasion. Instead it had been replaced by a sense of nausea, and an anxiety, due to the fact that he would have to face Stick. How was he going to tell him? 'Oh, Stick, while you were lying there on the dungeon master's rack last night I was making love to your ex...'

'Jesus Chris.' Gary said, as the words flew past his lips involuntarily.

'Ga-ry..? Ga.... ry' A weak voice carrying on the morning breeze, met the footballer's ear. 'Gary, my old friend. Is that you?'

Gary walked up the path and round behind his hut to where Stick was still sprawled limp over the log-pile, like a corpse freshly cut down from the gallows. His face was pale, his eyes red, and his lips looked mercilessly dry and cracked. 'Yes it's me.' Gary replied, like Judas emerging from the shadows. 'How are you feeling Stick? Did you get much sleep?' Given the fact that the man's spine was contorted like an old telephone cord, it seemed a ludicrous question.

'Not much.' Stick said with a tired shrug. 'Maybe a couple of second here and there; you know how it goes. I wanted to make sure I was suffering as much as possible while you were over there, you know, just to maybe help the negotiations go a little better.' He tried to lick his lips, but his tongue appeared to be bone dry. 'Did you have any luck with her?' Sticks voice was now reduced to a faint rasp. 'You were a long time, I couldn't decide if that meant things were going well, or whether she was taking a bit of convincing.'

'Look, Stick I...'

'Did you tell her I was suffering..?

'Yes I did...'

'...and you told her about the hair shirt?

'Yes, but...'

'And the bed of logs?'

'Yes I did Stick, my friend, but...'

'Look Gary, I can't thank you enough.' Stick, half delirious from exhaustion, seemed unable to concentrate on anything Gary had to say. 'Spending the whole night over there, fighting my corner, you must be so exhausted.'

At that, Gary's stomach gave a rumble so loud that neither man could ignore it, and it stopped the conversation dead. He'd never been so desperate for something to eat his life. He placed his hand on his midriff, as if to tell it to shut up. It was probably good advice for him, too. How could he possibly tell Stick the truth?

'I know you've done so much already Gary.' Stick croaked. 'But you couldn't be a dear and help me over to the coldest part of the river for my daily ice bath.'

'Oh Stick, no.' Gary shook his head adamantly. This was getting ridiculous.

'Gary, I know you don't believe in this kind of energy, but I can assure you it works. Stick made to get up but he was understandably feeling weak. 'The cosmic energies are held in a precious balance, and if I can build up enough suffering here, then I'll be due for a pay-off at some point. I'm sure it's similar to monks who practice fasting to bring themselves closer to god.'

Gary couldn't really bring himself to pick Stick's argument apart, but the least he thought he could do was carry the poor man up stream for his freezing bath.

After watching Stick shiver for fifteen minutes, Gary became genuinely worried for his health, and at great length, managed to convince him to come back to the hut and eat some porridge. The Chatswood midfielder lit the stove and finally got some hot food into his belly. After much coaxing, Stick had agreed to leave the log pile, but as a compromise would not take off the shirt, and wouldn't accept a seat. Gary's guilty conscience wouldn't allow him to take a seat either, so he joined the former investment banker for a stand. He opened a bottle of strawberry wine and poured two large measures - it was barely mid-morning, but neither man was minded to complain.

'That girl was round looking for you last night by the way.' Stick said, as the oats and wine seemed to be bringing a little colour back into his cheeks.

Gary held his breath. 'Desdemona?' It seemed that they weren't wasting much time. The wheels would already be in motion; someone, somewhere would be pulling levers as they spoke, with Chatswood looking to make him one of the scapegoats. Lazy, disinterested, second to every fifty-fifty ball - he wasn't so much a scapegoat as a scape-slug. It made sense that someone would be sent to prepare him for the news, a friendly face to make it easier. Gary would be going back on the transfer list, and this time he would be leaving the club. Contacting someone who lived so entirely off grid was difficult, and Desdemona Schuster was one of the few people alive who could actually find him. They would already be panicking; what if Gary avoided being transferred by hiding for the entire off-season. If he wasn't there to negotiate terms, then what would the club do. If he were to head out into the hills with a tent and a camping stove, to what lengths would they go in order to find him? Would they send out teams of tracker dogs just to get him off their books?

'No, the other one.' Stick, said helping himself to another measure of wine. 'The Schottic girl, the sort of hipster, she's been to the valley a couple of times.'

'Rudden!' Gary spluttered wine down his chin in surprise. 'What did she say?' Christ, that must have been one fucker of a drive from Sabrefell. She was probably worried about him; but no doubt she'd been a damn sight more worried after finding Stick. The valley must have seemed like a fucking open-air madhouse at times.

'She didn't say much.' Stick sunk the wine, before adjusting his cilice, tightening it round his waist. The action brought a tear to his eye and a smile to his lips; undoubtedly he believed it would be bringing him closer to Amanda. 'I think she was a little surprised to see me there...'

'You don't say.'

'...yeah, in hindsight I may have startled her. Anyway, I was too weak to get up, but I said you we currently running an errand for me, and that I didn't know when you would be back.' Stick had a couple more spoonfuls of porridge oats, before indicating to Gary that he'd had enough. 'I asked her if she wanted to wait, but it was late in the evening by that stage, and she said she had a long drive, so...'

'Thanks Stick.' Probably best that Gary missed her, he thought. In his experience there was no such thing as good news; no news was good news. Hiding was genuinely now emerging as a plausible option. It had never worked before though, someone always found him. Besides, last time he tried to hide, he ended up scaring an old woman to death. Once bitten, twice shy.

'No problem Gary.' Stick waved away his scant gratitude. 'It's the least I could do, the very least, given the fact that you were working your ass of for me over there.'

Gary then watched on in amazement, as Stick preceded to disrobe in the middle of the hut. There was actually spit second where he thought it some rather blunt attempt at seduction. Then, calm as you like, the man reached down and retrieved what looked like a crudely put-together whip, and began beating himself across the back. Over his left shoulder, then his right, Stick began the act of self-flagellation, whipping himself with several lengths of knotted rope. Gary couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.

'I hope you don't mind me getting my fifty lashes in while I'm here.' Stick grimaced, but hid it with a smile. 'Nothing like a good whipping, to show how sorry you are, huh?'

'Quite.' Gary replied. He wandered if the Woodsmen's fans would have derived any comfort, had he and the rest of the team knelt in the centre circle and given themselves a "good whipping." 'Does... Amanda know you're doing this?' Gary couldn't imagine she would be impressed even if she did. Strangely though, he actually felt almost jealous; Jealous that someone cared as much about her as he did. This was going to have to stop.

'Well.' Stick seemed a little despondent, as his strikes lost a little ferocity. 'Technically it shouldn't matter, she should still feel the energy, since our souls are intertwined. But, then again... it maybe wouldn't hurt for her to be told - you know, just to make double sure...'

'Would - you - like me to go over and tell her?' Gary asked tentatively, a shiver of excitement running up his spine.

'Gary,' said Stick, looking encouraged by the support. 'You truly are the best companion a man could have.'

by **Brenecia** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:38 am

Pridnestrovia 3-2 Brenecia
(4-2-3-1) 12 - Calhoun; 2 - Carrack, 5 - Scrivener (c), 22 - Varney, 19 - Cattalock; 23 - Alweather, 21 - Conroy (16 - Drover 56'); 15 - Crowther (7 - Trevelyan 60'), 8 - Hartsdown (11 - Balliol 71'), 10 - Ashbrown; 9 - Riordan
Goals: Ashbrown 33', Drover 61'

Rostyn Calhoun
Likely corruption of 'Royston', an Old English place name meaning "town of Royse". The given name Royse was a medieval variant of Rose.

It was a lonely life, being a goalkeeper. Especially a backup goalkeeper, handed a rare opportunity to shine.
Especially if he'd just fucked it up.
Even Catherine Bardsley, who always had her players' back in any fight, had been sharp in the press conference. They were out for blood, unsurprisingly, and a foul-tempered Bardsley had been sharp with them. Complacency was the accusation; contingency the defence. But when one hack asked; "Would it have helped the result if the backup, Calhoun, had made a single save?"
She'd just drummed her fingers on the table. "I couldn't possibly comment."

And he was hardly alone in having a bad day, to be fair! This was not a good day for the central defenders ahead of him - Scrivener was slow as hell, Varney was positionally naive and for that matter Mark Polzin, their best player shunted out to right wingback, was finding the better of Cattalock. And in fairness, Pridnestrovia were classier than most unranked sides - the way Polzin dropped a perfect cross onto Schermer while, admittedly, Scrivener and Varney were approximately nowhere to be found? That was class and there was nothing Calhoun could do to stop Schermer ramming the ball home. It was Polzin's assist yet again for the second, this time Pajari sweeping in out of nowhere to nod home at the far post. 2-0 down in sixteen minutes, qualification thoroughly derailed, Harper Conroy looking like a stray sheep who had wandered onto the pitch... you know, other people were at fault! Not to point fingers, but just saying!
Couldn't fault Tiferet Ashbrown, though, she'd been a livewire. Last time she'd been in a Brenecia shirt she'd been well and truly overwhelmed. Not this time. This time she went driving constantly down the exposed flank, causing constant issues with the space Polzin left behind him and after threatening all match she finally managed to pull one back, just a drop of the shoulder enough to make the nervy right-sided centre-half Tymoshenko fall over before coolly rifling home.
Brenecia improved in the second half, too, and it looked like they were going to win their race against time. Abbing saved brilliantly from a point-blank Riordan header, Ashbrown hit a post again before Drover, introduced to put Conroy out of her misery, picked her spot unmarked from just outside the box and found the top corner. They were level, and ratcheting up the pressure looking for the breakthrough.
Which came when, yes, The Moment happened. Pajari again this time, pushed out wide by cool, efficient marking from Carrack, figured he may as well take his chance before the angle narrowed further. He centred the ball powerfully, Carrack instinctively blocking with a meaty thigh but only succeeding at making it hurtle straight at the goal. Straight at Calhoun's near post.
Couldn't say exactly what went wrong, just that he shifted his position to fall on the ball, felt something shift past his bicep and heard the raucous cheering of the home fans.
Fuck.

Okay, so, yeah, he hadn't made a save.
So he'd been beaten at his near post in his only real test.
So what? Goalkeepers made mistakes, and Calhoun had more than proven that when Woodgate wasn't there anymore, he'd be the guy.
Fuck the press. There was always the next match, the next chance. So Calhoun waited in expectation at the next international break, knowing that his next chance would be seized with both hands, the Pridnestrovia match consigned to a footnote.
But the call never came.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 1
Goalkeepers: 1 - Mathis Woodgate (Myrmidon, CEN), 12 - Aidan Hartigan (Westpike United), 20 - Rosalind Buchanan (Lunas FC, PAS)
Defenders: 2 - Brun Carrack (Bengtsmark IF, BYN), 3 - Gethin Quill (Revolutionaries, EUR), 5 - Anaximander Scrivener (Brigham, EUR), 6 - Niko Szubanski (Rozelle), 18 - Cheney Heneghan (Ernesse Stahl, BYN), 19 - Czeslawa Szukala (Phalanx AF, CEN), 22 - Ophelia Lovelock (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH)
Midfielders: 4 - Catherine Gryphon (Starling, NPH, c), 7 - Squire Trevelyan (FC Endeavour, APX), 8 - Meghan Hartsdown (Kings Park, SCT), 10 - Tiferet Ashbrown (Kings Park, SCT), 11 - Sander Balliol (Tanrisal, PAS), 13 - Keohane (Ramusok United, COS), 15 - Brae Crowther (Kingsgrove), 16 - Elsie Drover (OAS Royal FC, COS), 21 - Aleksandra Skorupska (Northern Stallions), 23 - Catsidhe Alweather (Eastal Lunar, VIL)
Forwards: 9 - Griffin Riordan (Klyde, COS), 14 - Fox Charnwood (Hellinic-Rouge, PAS), 17 - Aelfwynn Bannion (North Hall)

SCHEDULE
Brenecia 3 - 1 Krytenia
Pridnestrovia 3 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Damukuni
West Angola vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Yuezhou
Empire of Donner Land vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Garifunya
Brenecia vs. Gangnam
EEC vs. Brenecia
Krytenia vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Pridnestrovia
Damukuni vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. West Angola
Yuezhou vs. Brenecia
Brenedia vs. Empire of Donner Land
Garifunya vs. Brenecia
Gangnam vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. EEC

by **Turori** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 6:20 am

Cocoabo Already In the Hole
Citizen Squad Three Points Up after Just one Game

For a more complete backstory regarding Cocoabo Forest please visit the Historical Record on the Atlantian Oceania Forum

Cednia Beach Center, Cednia, Turori :: The Citizen Squad and the Cocoabo Squad both departed at the same time for their opening round World Cup Qualifying fixtures. The Cocoabo loaded themselves up at the Cocoabo Park facility in the Cocoabo Forest while the Citizen Squad were calling Eels Park in Eelandii their home base for the competition. The Cocoabo wouldn't be playing their opening matches in the Cocoabo Forest, however, instead re-locating to the main land Island Emirate of Turori to contest opening fixtures against Valanora and U-62 at the Cednia Beach Center and the Almintora National Stadium, respectively.

That is where the schedule for the two squads will take a little bit of a deviation from the expected. Instead of having the Cocoabo play all the home games, and the Citizens play all the away matches - just as had been done during World Cup 78 Qualifying, the Football Association of Turori (FAT) decided to line things up differently. After their matchday 3 fixture against U-62 at the Almintora National Stadium, the Cocoabo Squad would return to the Cocoabo Forest for 3 MD's rest while the Citizen Squad picked up the slack with matches away at Kernovi, home to Yesopalitha and then again away at Kaboomlandia before the Cocoabo Squad resumed play on Matchday 7 with a matchup against New Danican at the Cocoaobo Park Arena.

The home match against Yesopalitha will be the only match of the campaign contested at Eels Park in Eelandii, Turori which will be busy prior to MD5 in hosting the 44th Cygnus Cup of Cup Winners Final. It is just the second time that The Island Emirate of Turori has hosted the Cup Winners Cup final with the previous occasion coming during the 31st Cygnus Cup which was held at the Coliseum of the Inurahtii in the Inura Forest. That matchup saw Urbanista of Apox defeat Mar Sara FC of Valanora by a 3-1 scoreline.

Valanora themselves would be the Turori National Teams first opponents of the World Cup 79 Qualifying campaign, setting off the most important match right at the front. With it being a home match contested at the Cednia Beach Center in Cednia, home of Cednia Beach AFC, it would be the Cocoabo Squad tapped for duty. The Cocoabo Squad would be going on their own three match stretch from Matchday 13-15 as they travel to relatively nearby Yesopalitha inbetween home matches against Kernovi at the Iobabao Legendary Park in Mliona - recently home to the 28th Atlantian Oceania Champions League final, and against Kaboomlandia at the Kionao Minor Field

Citizen Team Schedule:
[W] MD2 @ Omerica
MD4 @ Kernovi
MD5 v Yesopalitha (Eels Park, Eelandii)
MD6 @ Kaboomlandia
MD8 @ West Violence
MD10 @ Valanora
MD12 @ U-62
MD16 @ New Danican
MD18 @ Tinhampton

Cocoabo Team Schedule:
[L] MD1 v. Valanora (Cednia Beach Center, Cednia)
MD3 v. U-62 (Almintora National Stadium, Almintora)
MD7 v. New Danican (Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Forest)
MD9 v. Tinhampton (Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Forest)
MD11 v. Omerica (Cocoabo Park Arena, Cocoabo Forest)
MD13 v. Kernovi (Iobabao Legendary Park, Mliona)
MD14 @ Yesopalitha
MD15 v. Kaboomlandia (Kionao Minor Field, Kionao)
MD17 v. West Violence (Coliseum of the Inurahtii, Inura)

Through 1 of 9 Rounds:

The swapping of assignments for the two matches against Yesopalitha will certainly make it a more complicated and nailbiting experience to track the progress of the two squads throughout the qualifying campaign as the Citizen Squad will be two matches ahead for half of the campaign. Compounded by the fact that the Cocoabo Squad have already lost their opening matchday fixture, a 1-2 defeat to Valanora, its entirely possible that the scoreboard looks like a rout in favor of the Citizen Squad - perhaps up until Matchday 16 itself when the two squads will be back on level terms as far as games played and setting up a potentially tense final match week where the Cocoabo Squad will play West Violence at the Coliseum of the Inurahtii in Inura and the Citizen Squad will be away at Tinhampton - hopefully with a chance to represent the Turori National Team in the World Cup Finals on the line.

Of course, its still very early on, but if the two squads first matches are any indication of what is to come in World Cup 78 Qualification, then it seems like we'll be seeing a whole lot more of the Citizen Squad from Turori.

Starting Lineup v. Valanora:
Pos :: Identification  : Home (Goals)
GK  :: ( Cocoabo #86 ) : Cocoabo Forest
DEF :: ( Cocoabo #58 ) : Cocoabo Forest
DEF :: ( Cocoabo #57 ) : Cocoabo Forest
DEF :: ( Cocoabo #53 ) : Cocoabo Forest
MID :: ( Cocoabo #61 ) : Cocoabo Forest 
MID :: ( Cocoabo #64 ) : Cocoabo Forest
MID :: ( Cocoabo #46 ) : Cocoabo Forest
MID :: ( Cocoabo #62 ) : Cocoabo Forest
AMC :: ( Cocoabo #72 ) : Cocoabo Forest
FOR :: ( Cocoabo #91 ) : Cocoabo Forest
FOR :: ( Cocoabo #99 ) : Cocoabo Forest (18' )

by **Buyan** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 6:35 am

BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
Lacklustre Draw Against Lambdasia Raises Pressure On Teriouris

Having been at the receiving end of a seven-one drubbing on the opening evening of these qualifiers, there was not a chance for any of the members of the Buyanese staff to make this anything less than a must-win confrontation. The line-up, which remarkably kicked-off without a right-wing defender but instead chose to reinforce the midfield formation with the mileage of Henrikas Dobas, confirmed said sentiment amongst the members of the press. Going nowhere near disrespectful, it was clear that an ambitious side of Hedgehogs would have to do away with the side who had taken in no less than seventeen goals in their four only official outings.

One can only attempt to describe the astonishment with which the pitch was left at half-time as the beaming scoreboard painfully mocked the slim lead for the home side. Even more embarrassing than the actual result was the lack of commitment shown by the squad to turn things around after an early opener – the home team making proper use of the disorganisation at a corner kick. It’s not rare to see an, on paper, superior side taken aback in the always freckle first few minutes of a game. However, it was clear that this confrontation was played out on grass instead of paper and the red-clad showed little dedication to turn the tide.

Was the loss against Chromatika a simple case of being overpowered, than today it was the result of individual and collective failure. None of the key players turned up, bringing in games ranging from drably mediocre – Marciak and Stromberg – to downright appalling. Valter Isaksson might get lauded by some to be the true heir of the number ten shirt of Sverre Devold, he appeared unworthy to even clean the boots of the one mentioned above. Zonal defence easily bluffed the Bengtsmark midfielder out of possession, with the latter complaining over a lack of passing options and movement in front of him. The ease with which he was annulled serves as a painful reminder to the Top Division as well, demonstrating the true size of a local hero on the international scene.

But it was also a case of collective disappointment as Steponas Teriouris seemed bolted to the bench, ogling the disgrace in front of him with the glance of the embarrassed onlooker. Instead of rattling his troops to some sort of reaction, he came across as a man who had given up all hope. Most notable was his choice for what one would call a Nepharim diamond midfield but failing to back it up with strong support in the defence. Leaving out the vigour of Okmiankas – or if it really has to be, Grochala – over the static of Bjorklund on the right wing truly kept the Hedgehogs on the ground and none of the changes made any sort of quintessential progress in that. Jon Fossum appeared as dazed as Povilas Kaukenas, Mats Hedlund was admirable in his effort but dumbfounded in his finishing and bringing in Carl Nyberg could easily be described as too little, too late.

When all is said and done, we actually have to thank Emil Eklund for avoiding a true embarrassment at the hands of the Lambdasian eleven when he leaped in the air to knock in a desperate Raestad cross. Although some commented the lack of form, judging he is still in the build-up for his new Schottian outfit Cornellians, he remains well and true the kind of player to knock in an essential goal. However, that goes aside from the fact that the strikers made fairly little of a dent against one of the weakest opponents in this group.

All this leaves Teriouris in a very sticky situation ahead of the first appearance of this cycle in The Nine, where they will face a Boring Paradise coming off a confidence boosting clash with Chromatika. Managing to keep the group favourites to a hard-fought draw could do wonders to their World Cup ambitions, only raising the stakes for the visitors. Steponas Teriouris will have to bring out his best, not just to avoid a new loss of points but simply to ensure his job. The only question remaining is… What is his best? The 4-4-2 experiment, at least in this lay-out, seems to be one to leave behind until further notice.

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