Cobrio 1–0 Carloso
Dupre 90+1'
Player of the Game: Idowu Cruz (CBR)
Venue: Natunolstadion Att: 73,913
Jansberg, Semarland
Squad:
CBR [4-3-3] | Cruz; Cooper, Johnson, Armstrong (c), Spence; Picard (Makonnen 74),
Fontaine, Ekeh (Munroe 57); Delfour, Warrington, Dupre
The final beckons. Cobrio's performances in the Baptism of Fire will certainly put some nations on high alert when World Cup qualifying starts in the coming months, but, as Lieutenant Uwusu remarked after the Panthers' hard-fought win over Carloso last night, "the job is not yet done."
Carloso boast a potent attack, and it would require superb discipline from the Cobre side to hold them at bay. "We could not afford to make the errors, like we did against Santa Rafa," explained Cobrio captain, Lewis Armstrong. "We needed to stay focused, strong."
Locals piled into the Natunolstadion to see this one en masse, backed up by a healthy contingent of Cobre fans after the Cobre Football Federation (CFF) subsidised tickets for young footballers, in the hopes that the national team's successes would help inspire the next generation. "It was decided that this was a wise investment for the future of the national team," explained Quincy Akabusi, a spokesperson for the CFF. "We have a lot of data showing that young people were inspired, and the government supported our goals in this, to bring the people together. To break down the tribal barriers that divide us so often, and become a stronger Cobrio, under football." A noble aim, no doubt.
Many suggested this would be the toughest test of Cobrio's abilities in the tournament thus far, owing to the stylistic matchup. Though Cobre football has its roots in the somewhat offensively-focused Osarian style, there are characteristics that go directly contrary to many of the more popular tenets of the methods preferred by their northern neighbours. "Cobre football is patient," said Didier Fontaine, who played a crucial role in the semi-final, marshalling the midfield for Cobrio. "It is not reactive, it is not proactive. It just is, you know? We are waiting for the moment, na, and when it is there, things will be happening."
It is this almost icy calm that permeates much of the squad, that was perhaps the primary factor responsible for the team's progress to the Baptism of Fire final. That and the heroics of Idowu Cruz in the face of the Carlosian attack. "I trust my defenders," shrugged Cruz, when asked how he kept his nerve during a particularly intense five minute spell late in the second half. "Everybody has a part to play, na. If you can trust everybody to play the part they are meant to play, everything is much simpler." With the two teams still locked in a goalless stalemate, Cruz made a stunning triple save, before flinging himself bodily across the goal to get a hand on a well placed Aarón Foster strike.
The Hastmead Diamante goalkeeper has been a paragon of consistency throughout the tournament so far, conceding just twice -- both against Santa Rafa -- as Cobrio head into the final. "Idowu is clever," says Armstrong. "He is not a loud man, but he can make himself heard when he needs to. I can play the game and know where he will be waiting without looking behind me, na. Or maybe I can leave the ball and know he will collect it oh."
So far in the tournament, Cruz's contribution to Cobrio's success has probably gone largely unnoticed, due to the outstanding performances elsewhere, and generally solid team performances. "It would be easy to say he has been rarely tested," suggested Jayden Obara, a Cobre pundit covering the tournament. "And so we don't know how good he really is. But I think that's unfair. He is rarely tested because he is so good." Obara went on to explain how Cruz positions himself wisely, and communicates with his defenders in subtle ways, using covert hand signals and head movements to make sure everyone is on the same page. "This is almost military precision." He added.
Speaking of military, several members of the Cobre squad are yet to complete their legislated mandatory service in one of the four branches of the Cobre Armed Forces -- Cobre Defense Force, Cobrio Coastal Defense, Cobrio Sky Patrol or United Cobre Intelligence -- though this obligation is effectively waived for what the Cobre Government describes as "elite international athletes". Normally, all capable Cobre citizens must serve a minimum of two years in the military, though those with the "elite international athlete" designation typically only complete basic training (six weeks) before being assigned to a military reserve roster, where they are almost never required to report for duty. However, the Lieutenant does not believe this is a major motivation for the players. "They want to win because they are competitive," he said matter-of-factly. "Military service is normal. Some would prefer not to complete it, but winning this tournament is not their goal for this reason. This makes no sense."
The winning goal in the semi final came in the first of four minutes of stoppage time, after a Maurice Delfour corner was inadequately cleared. Falling to Jahmeen Makonnen at the edge of the box, the Negus Koromanti midfielder played a short reverse pass to Raymond Dupre, who had found half a yard of space in the box. Dupre made no mistake, curling his strike beyond Alex Fernán. Idowu Cruz would cement his role as player of the game a minute later, thwarting Diego Santander in a one-on-one, before Cobrio cycled possession to run out the clock.
Ahead of the final, the question everyone is asking is whether or not teenage Cobre winger Moses Lofuko will play any part in the big game? He was on the bench last night against Carloso, though at no point did he warm up, leading to suggestions that his presence was purely for psychological reasons. "Moses is a part of this team," Lieutenant Uwusu told us, when asked. "The whole team should be present if possible. So Moses was present."
* * * * *
"Moses, you are young. You should wait. There will be other finals." The Doctor pleaded with him, advising against what he had resolved to do.
"But they are not this final, Doctor." Moses said, flatly. "They are my brothers, and I can help. So I should help."
"They would not appreciate you harming yourself to-"
"So they would accept it if I sti by and watch?" Moses snapped.
A tense moment passed, the Doctor's face hard as he searched the younger man's face for ... something. Finally, his expression softened.
"You know," he said, quietly. "You remind me of someone."
"Ch!" Moses sucked his teeth. "Is this the part where you tell me a story and I learn my lesson, and do as you tell me, na?"
The Doctor chuckled. "He said that too."
Moses simply frowned in response. Why did everyone treat him like a child? He was eighteen, legally a man.
"No you remind me of another young man," the Doctor went on, ignoring the silent -- but obvious -- protest, written all over Moses' face. "He was also very enthusiastic to help his teammates. His brothers."
"You tell me this already, na." Moses waved a hand dismissively. "Just tell me the story, ngugu1, so I can get the injection and be on my way oh."
"Always in such a rush," the doctor tutted. "The young man I knew was so eager to help, to be of value, he rushed into battle with a wound in his abdomen that was not correctly stitched." Moses knew what was coming next, he lowered his head. "The young man's wound re-opened while he was trying to help one of his brothers, and so his brother tried to help him." A pause, and a heavy exhalation that sounded almost like a sigh. "His brother, who was much healthier at this time, managed to give him the assistance he needed, and stopped the bleeding, just before the young man lost consciousness. When the young man regained his consciousness later, his brother was nowhere to be found."
Moses shook his head, furiously fighting back tears.
"The young man made his way back to camp, searching all the way for his brother. No signs." The Doctor sighed this time, definitely. "Back at the camp, reports said his brother was missing in action. They found him some time later, gunned down by the enemy. They shot him in the back as he was running." The doctor's voice wavered at this point, so he paused to compose himself. "Later they determined that the brother had deliberately run in the wrong direction to camp, to create a distraction. So they would not find the young man I speak of."
Moses felt it. He already knew this was coming, but it hit him nonetheless. Still fighting the tears, his voice a ragged whisper, he asked "why are you telling me this, ngugu?" There was a heavy silence, then a faint rustling. Moses looked up, and saw the doctor had removed his shirt.
A single, angry scar ran across the width of the Doctor's abdomen, just above the navel.
"Because I do not wish to see my errors repeated." He said.
1 - an informal way of addressing an elder, sort of like calling someone "gramps" in English. Mildly disrespectful.
