Independents Cup 6 - Everything Thread

[Beepee]

Beepee 2–2 Hystaria
Metropolitan University Campus 

Beepee's Team had already qualified for the knockout stagrs and secured top spot in the group with a two all draw at the LMU Stadium, in Langtree.

Beepee took the lead in the 39th minute when Earnhardt scored from a penalty after being brought down by a clumsy tackle in the box.

Hystaria levelled only two minutes later with a beautifully crafted goal.

Shortly after the break, hystaria took the lead with a close range effort.

However on the 50th minute Beepee tied up the game with a header from Jackson after Lazarova floated in a cross.

[b]Key Match Highlights[b]
BEEPEE 2 - 2 HYSTARIA

39 min ⚽️ Earnhardt (Beepee)
41 min ⚽️ #9 (Hystaria)
46 min ⚽️ #11 (Hystaria)
50 min ⚽️ Jackson (Beepee)

Attendance: 4,689

Beepee face the might of Omerica in the first knockout round and will be looking to upset the odds with a victory.

After the match, Humphries urged fans to 'Come blow that horn,
Start celebrating right this way'.

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
The IA Championships VI - Mercedini

SELECÇÃO PUSH THROUGH
Lisander 0-3 New Lusitania
Centre of Excellence , Zoloroni. (Att: 1,917)


Many criticised the Centre of Excellence for being part of a major tournament and being a 2,000 seater venue, but it would be New Lusitania's host today against Lisander nonetheless. Patríce in goal, Guerreiros, Cancela and Peralva in defence, Nevais, Fernando in midfield with Breu and Gama on the flanks, Armilar further up front with Silveira and Cavalriça in the Attacking positions today. Lisander handled New Lusitania extremely well during the first half, with a good chance by Cavalariça which didn't turn into a goal due to a goalkeeper's stretch. Lisander also had one or two good chances. On fifty minutes though, the deadlock was broken with a pass from Breu that led Silveira to score by just slotting it in. Later on, just past the hour mark, a foul just outside the free kick led Fernando to score his second goal of the tournament. A yellow was given to the Lisander Right Back. Though Lisander
scored, the Linesman noted that it was offside meaning that there was no goal, in fact. Finally at the very end, for all his great work in the past matches, Nevais launched a one-two with Breu who put the ball in off the post. New Lusitania now qualified with nine points in nine, with a dream for glory. FULL TIME: 0-3


Around the Grounds
New Lusitania took Group D with Kriegersrien also qualifying after their win against Barunia, 0-2 at the City of Zoloroni Stadium.
The S.R.S. took group A after beating hosts Mercedini in a tough battle in which a single late goal gave them the three points. Though an irrelevance towards progression, Paschenstein took third after beating Abristan 2-1 at La Globa.
The Alpine Union left it late but overcame Blaneu easily (5-2) at the Naturala, qualifying for the next phase. Aaaaaa surprised after they won Group B, after a win against Tinhampton.
Drawkland thrashed Sharktail 5-0, meanwhile The Heraion's amazing free-form football gave them an easy win against Competitive Solitaire (4-0) and thus qualifying behind Drawkland in Group C.
Baranil qualified by beating Third Asopia 2-0, Devonta lost to group winners Lochario 1-3, costing progression in Group E. Abahnfleft drew against last placed Adab 1-1 in United Grounds, whilst Darkmania struggled to beat Sajnur, the game finishing 3-4 to them. In Group G, Space beat Juvencus 3-0 at the Municipal Park, qualifying over Hystaria, who drew 2-2 with Beepee. Omerica achieved their dreams of qualification, after beating the heavyweights from the Free Republics. Hot Skitty lost to group winners Kavagrad 1-0, who won the group on goal difference.


POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS and REACTIONS
I: I'm here once more with National Coach, Victor Santa Cruz. Victor, thoughts on today's game?
VSC: We weren't guaranteed, so we still needed to do our best. I'm delighted that we managed to get the three wins, some think that's a bit of a curse but we're just going to get as far as possible with the abilities we have, which we hope is far.
I: Next up, if you didn't know, it's The Heraion. Do you know your opponent and what do you have to say about your knockout tie?
VSC: I must admit they were unknown to me, as to all before the IAC. I have seen them perform in the competition and they're interesting to say the least. The fact that theoretically they are trained to play in any position, makes them hard to crack, because they'll have a sort of regimented but free form, well flowing football, which if you're not ready for, is extremely hard to catch. We are, of course, looking to get past them, but it won't be easy that's for sure.
I: Thanks Victor.

RATINGS and AWARDS

LUS Ratings : Patríce 8, Guerreiros 8, Cancela 7, Peralva 7, Nevais 7 (Azinheira 6) , Breu 8, Fernando 9 - MOTM, Armilar 7.5, Gama 8 (Luz 7.5), Silveira 8 , Cavalariça 7.5 OVERALL : 8
LIS OVERALL: 7

STATS (LIS/LUS)
Goals: 0/3
Shots: 7/9
Shots on Target: 5/6
Corners: 4/2
Fouls: 7/5
Cards - Yellow: 1/0
Cards - Red: 0/0
Posession %: 55/45

THE HUB
GOALS: André Silveira (3), Gama (2), Bruno Fernando (2), Hélder Carvalho (1), Breu (1)
ASSISTS: Fernando (3), Gama (2), Nevais (2), Breu (1), Mário (1)
CARDS: Rafael Guerreiros (1Y)
INJURIES: None to Report


LATEST
World Cup Quals
Top Goalscorers: Silveira, Gama (11).
Assists: Fernando (9)
Cup of Harmony
Top Goalscorer: Silveira (2)
Assists: Fernando (3)
IDU Championships
Top Goalscorer: Gama (2)
Assists: Fernando (2)

----------------------------------
MATCH PROGRAMMING (IA6) {All times are GMT}
-- Sat, 17h --
S.R.S. Vs U.S.A.R. (Alpine Union), STL 4
Drawkland Vs Kriegersrien, STL Sport 1
--Sat, 19h --
Aaaaaa Vs Mercedini, STL Sport 1
NEW LUSITANIA Vs The Heraion, STL 1
-- Sun, 17h --
Lochario Vs Darkmania, STL Sport 1
Beepee Vs Omerica, STL 4
-- Sun, 19h --
Abahnfleft Vs Baranil, STL Sport 1
Kavagrad Vs Space, STL Sport 2
All of the IA - Live and Exclusive
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STL1 22:00 GMT
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World Cup 82, The IA Championships 6
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New Lusitania in exclusive.
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MMXIX

[Kavagrad]

The Kavagrad Sportsman
Kavagrad's Most Trusted Daily Sports Leaflet Since 1961


Top Right: Our weather reports are simplistic, we just need to know that it's still there.

Pundits all make same joke when asked about Kavagrad's chances

Viewers of KTVS1's Soccer Saturday called in their hundreds to complain last night, mainly in the form of pun-induced groans, as four different pundits called Kavagrad's chances against Space "astronomical" within a single hour.

The first mention of the word came at 8:21pm when former Spartak KVG defender Ferdinand Green, attempting and butchering an Anatoly Cherdenko impression, stated that the Redhearts would have "an astronomical chance to defeat the one place that hasn't been corrupted by Capitalism", at which point the other members of the panel all joined in with a cry of "SPACE!" A source on the crew of the show has told us that this was not planned ahead of time: the panellists are simply massive RTS nerds. Tim Curry did not respond to our request for a comment.

The offending pun was made a second time at 8:48pm, this time by retired journeyman manager Warren Ock-Neil, after Green asked him if he thought Kavagrad could beat Space. Ock-Neil would follow this up by stating that Kavagrad's attacking lineup was "out of this world" and "star-studded", and then went on a tangent in which he called second-choice winger Elijah Preston's pace "approaching light speed at times" and opined that a loss "would really bring our side back down to earth". Green then asked professional sports analyst Richard Hibbert whether or not he thought that would happen, to which he responded by again claiming Kavagrad's chances to be "astronomical" at 8:50pm.

By this stage, the comments on the Soccer Saturday livestream occurring on ktvsports.com was flooded with negative comments about the level of "unnecessary and frankly underdeveloped punsmanship" on the show so far, and Green would address this on-air, promising viewers that the "astronomical pun" would not be used again on the broadcast. However, nobody told Alex-Louis Valentine, former national team manager, who came onto the show as a guest analyst at 9pm, and was asked about Kavagrad's chance of winning at 9:02pm. Valentine's response, predictably, was the same, and this sent the other three pundits, as well as much of the production staff, into fits of laughter, whilst Valentine wondered if his joke was funnier than he had originally thought.

A representative of KTV's Sports Department has told us that the channel is looking into the incident, but that "the chances of disciplinary action being taken in this case isn't exactly, well, astronomical". He then ran away, giggling. We're not sure that he was an official representative of the channel, to be honest.

[Sajnur]

Sajnur's Independents Cup Ends in the Group Stage

It wasn't to be for Sajnur's footballers as a 4-3 loss to Darkmania means Sajnur finishes third in Group F and is eliminated from the Independents Cup. Sajnur played valiantly in the exciting fixture, but Darkmania came out on top in the closely fought fixture. The crowd of 27,000 saw plenty of action and gave rapturous cheers, and Sajnur's fans had plenty to celebrate, but they left joyless after the defeat, our players unable to keep the Darkmanians from the knockout stages.

"We feel that we played extremely well tonight, and our three goals kept us in this match for the full 90 minutes, but we just couldn't take the points today. It's really saddening that we couldn't get to the knockout stages, but I feel like we put on a fighting performance in this tournament and we can only go up from here," commented Jessica Siafik in a post mach interview.

Andre Naulo scored from close range to cap off an intricate passing sequence and open the scoring, but Rande and Arsalberg scored for the Darkmanians to give them a 2-1 half time lead, Rande belting one from the edge of the penalty box, and Arsalberg getting through the Sajnur defence to score a second from closer up. Darkmania scored a third via Tyrn to establish a cushion, but Siafik scored a wickedly curling free kick to being it back to 3-2. Sadly, Tyrn scored a second late on, and while Tomasi Vuierev leapt high to keep Sajnur in the hunt, a fourth goal was not forthcoming for us, and Sajnur misses out on the knockout stages as a result.

It was not a good day for either defence, as both sides were peppered with shots and numerous attacks and counter-attacks scythed their way through the pitch, but it was a slighly worse day for Sajnur's defenders, for obvious reasons, even as our back line fought with pride against the onslaught of Darkmanian attacks. Piotr Laghiev has proven himself to be an exceptional force in goal, and today was no exception as he made 13 saves. However, those saves were not enough as the Darkmania, being the heavy favourites, asserted their presence inside the penalty box and put four past him. It was a better day for the attacks of both teams, and it was a wonderful performance from Siafik and Naulo, with the former constantly getting passes through the Darkmanian defence and Naulo always finding space dangerously close to goal.

The Sajnur football team will find no joy at their failure to progress, but they will at least have something to look back to. A win against fellow newcomers Adab proves that Sajnur's efforts in football development haven't been wasted, and the attack really came into its own in the last two matches and should prove to be a good platform on which to base future success.

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
The IA Championships VI - Mercedini

WELCOME TO THE IAC: WHERE NOTHING'S LOGIC AND THE FANS ARE LOVING IT
Or A Quick Review and a Preview of What's Coming Up Next

Mercedini are the proud hosts of the 6th edition of the Independent Associations' Championships. This tournament, unlike the greats in the big three, doesn't count for the rankings yet, something which many contest, given it's growing pedigree, though in a way it might be exactly to separate the nations as they are. Mercedini of course are hosting it a second time - following the second edition in which they had a joint venture with Schottia - as well as being the holders of the title, after beating a confident Drawkland, 1-3 which now are runners-up twice in a row.

The group stage provided us great football, as well as the fact that many unknown nation stepped up onto the international stage. In some cases, they aren't eliminated yet. Indeed, whilst a good half of the groups seemed straightforward between high ranked, Top 100 nations and some unranked or extremely low countries, the fact is, it had a lot more to it. Maybe this confidence, didn't help in certain cases. Some of the bigger names have left already, such as Cup of Harmony holders Tinhampton and promising side Juvencus as well as the great Free Republics.
The hosts group is probably the exception, with the S.R.S. and Mercedini qualifying easily. However, in Group B, Aaaaaa won the group against all odds, with the Alpine Union qualifying in the very end and Tinhampton at the very bottom, which caused great shock. In Group C, Drawkland of course, wouldn't fail, playing as scarily well as the Central Europeans, with second being a free for all. In the end, it was the hellenics of The Heraion with their very attractive football, which seems to be captivating thousands of sports fans by the way they play. In the Selecção's group, 16th ranked Barunia, the highest in show, left after Kriegersrien started believing and qualified.
In Langtree, group E seemed sort of straightforward from day one, with Lochario evidently coming out on top. In F, Darkmania fought very hard to the very end to qualify with a classic match on the final day against Sajnur at the FLR Stadium. Juvencus left the competition in group G, leaving the great mystery of Space, adventuring towards the final frontiers of the competition. Omericans had doubts about their capabilities at the start, but overcame giants the Free Republics on the last day, to qualify ... and dream.

So what does this mean... for the Round of Sixteen?

S.R.S. Vs. Alpine Union, MetroStadi
One of the biggest games of the round, someone big is going to go home. Truth be told, if the groups are anything to go by, the Remnant States don't leave anything for the attackers, not conceding a single goal during their group stage. The Alpine Union however, are the team with most goals scored however. It's one that'll go down to the wire. Overall, despite the Alpine's ability to score, the Squorshelan's ability to defend might cancel it out, so they might be the ones going through.

Drawkland Vs. Kriegersien, City of Zoloroni Stadium
Contrary to the other one, this one is considered universally by pundits as one of the most straightforward games. The best team in show at the moment (+9 differential), the most probable thing to happen is that they'll qualify to the Quarter Finals. Not to disrespect, Kriegersien of course ,which, when they start believing they can play well against the run of play. Kriegersien find themselves with interim coaches as the previous coach disappeared mysteriously, which do not make things any easier.

Aaaaaa Vs. Mercedini, Blue Strike Arena
Now this would seem a very straightforward game as well, however, the pressure is all on Mercedini's side, expected to win, defending the title, playing at home whilst Aaaaaa are just on their maiden voyage. It'll be interesting to see what the Group C winners can do. Aaaaaa's name has of course been a real highlight of the tournament, specially for journalistc puns, including this latest one from Drawkland : If Mercedini loses to Aaaaaa, then "aaaaaa" will be the noise coming out of my mouth because I'll be laughing so hard [it'll be] the only sound I can make . Jokes aside, the most probable thing to happen is a victory for the hosts.

New Lusitania Vs. The Heraion, The Olimpostadi
The Heraion has basically puzzled most. Whether by their free flowing football, or the fact that, according to their FA, any player is able to play in any position. So it won't be as easy as it would originally seem. Drawkland seems to agree with this closeness between sides, though their argument is that the only team able to beat the Hellenic side has been them, and as we are a tad inferior it should be close. Whilst it isn't a lie we are inferior to them (source: Rankings), it'll be a close one because both play on the attacking side of things. Not wanting to curse this, but we in New Lusitania hope it'll be us going through.

Lochario Vs. Darkmania, Langtree Metropolitan
Both more recent than some, Lochario managed to go the entire group stage without losing a point, Darkmania meanwhile, struggled to even get through, on a even goal difference. Lochario also know how the drill works around the Independent Associations tourney, and it all seems to point to them. Though the most probable thing to happen is that the side who wins this , could perhaps go extremely far. Lochario seems to edge out this one, so I think they'll qualify.

Beepee Vs Omerica, FLR Stadium
Beepee had a very good with two wins a draw and a ratio of two goals scored for every one conceded. Omerica's victory against the Free Republics show character and potential, but the fact that they left the group with a negative goal difference leaves a lot to be desired from certain aspects. Overall, any which one can qualify but Beepee seem to be in form lately.

Abahnfleft Vs. Baranil, South Down Stadium
Abahnfleft is one of the favourites on this side, winning Group F in the process. Baranil made a consistent run, though it has been nothing to right home about. Odds are, Abahnfleft will progress from this one well, but Baranil's consistency has its real test here, making it an interesting matchup.

Kavagrad Vs Space, Municipal Park of Langtree
Kavagrad won Group H, qualifying despite their loss to the Free Republics who somehow stayed behind and with it one of the primary contenders. Space is quite literally as unknown as the void above us, not much is known. Going on what is known however, Kavagrad should progress despite joking that their chances are "astronomical"

What then?
Well, some of the main contenders have already left, meaning that the Langtree side of the draw is weakened, also putting New Lusitania on the more complicated side.
In Langtree, the winner of Lochario Vs Darkmania as well as Abahnfleft seem to be the main contenders, though Beepee or Omerica have an outside chance as well. Abahnfleft seem practically guaranteed unlike whoever will meet them in the semis, most probably.
In the Zoloroni side there's still much to watch until we get to the business end. The winner of S.R.S. Vs Alpine Union will have to play Drawkland, who are confident though they have reason to, being the runner up of the previous two editions. The other quarter will be no less exciting, Mercedini has most probably booked their ticket but a slip up could cause Aaaaaa to go through. As for New Lusitania, It's anybody's guess if they get through The Heraion, which until a few weeks ago was completely unknown. Should they qualify, the road between big sharks will be perilous. Even at this stage it's very early to easily predict who will be going to that Final.

--------------------
Watch it all
All of the IA - Live and Exclusive
-----------------------------------
Matchday: Internationals
coverage of the best
STL1 22:00 GMT
-----------------------------------
World Cup 82, The IA Championships 6
The best of the action on STL, your National Broadcaster
New Lusitania in exclusive.
-----------------------------------
Reach us with your reactions:
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MMXIX

[Omerica]

blogdefootball.co.om
All the football news that's fit to print!

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Guest Article: Why I Believe—A Message to Supporters
By Anne-Sophie Groothuis

We are through to the second round after what was a narrow, but emphatic win over the Free Republics. We face Beepee next and many would be falsely lulled into a sense of complacency. “Beepee can’t be that big a threat, right? We just knocked one of the tournament favourites out, after all.”

They can be a big threat and that’s why we have to treat this match seriously. But, I still believe that we can win it all.

It’s true that we did just knock out one of the favourites: the ninth-ranked side in the world—top among the independent associations—and bronze medallists of the last World Cup. Even with their attention divided among several tournaments simultaneously, the depth of their national side is admirable and the men on the pitch played a fantastic game, one in which it was a pleasure to manage the United Republics. I have the utmost respect for the Free Republican team and wish them the best fortune in the coming months and years.

Looking forward, we have just blown the lower half of the knockout stage draw wide open. Abanhfleft—ranked 38th in the world with 19.67 points—are the highest ranked side left in Langtree by a minor measure, but we Incorrigibles come only 6.5 points short of the Revolutionaries; as underdogs, we have beaten them before on hostile territory during our World Cup 74 qualification campaign. With the Revolutionaries struggling to get off the mark thus far, a semifinal with them is nigh winnable.

New Lusitania will also be a keen contender for the trophy, ranked in the top 50 and just 5.41 points shy of Abanhfleft, as will Drawkland, who have a fiery drive to avenge their World Cup qualifying playoff loss to Saltstead. And misfortune to those who neglect to mention the hosts. These three teams are on the other side of the draw, meaning that they will potentially have to batter each other before we even approach as challengers.

Now I recognize that it may be a tad presumptive to talk about the final after a 3-0 loss in the group stage to third-seed Kavagrad. The players and I had an off day with a smattering of misfortune, which does not absolve the defeat; complacency, tactical oversights and wasted opportunities contributed as much to the loss as Lady Luck.

This is a mistake I vow not to repeat. The match is a lesson from which our players have learned valuable lessons which we employed against the Free Republics and will employ going forward.

A good team can win their matches; a great team can pick themselves up and keep moving forward after being set back. As our training sessions and our victory over the Free Republics demonstrate, we certainly can bounce back. We have belief in our system, in our skills and in each other and together, we will make it through any obstacle put in our path, whatever fate brings upon us.

Whatever happens tomorrow, I believe that we have much to be proud of. We have an honest belief in ourselves again and it is thanks to those incorrigible men, women and children who support this team through thick and thin, even despite the moments we would rather forget.

What I ask of supporters, as our twelfth man, is to stand together with the players, the management and the staff that work hard to honourably represent our beloved United Republics. Sing our L’Avonnaise with pride, but also treat our opposition with the utmost courtesy and respect. Celebrate when we do well, stand behind us when we make mistakes and remember that misfortune can strike us as easily as it strikes the other team. Believe in the team and believe in yourselves.

As we sing before each match: un rêve peut mourir, mais on n’enterre jamais l’avenir—a dream can die, but we never bury the future. In the words of the Avonian martyrs: even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. ◇

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Uniting Omerican sport fans across the United Republics — blogdefootball: a proud member of the Gryphon Pride network

[Darkmania]

IS THE CURSE FINALY BROKEN FOR DARKMANIA?

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Sajnur 3–4 Darkmania

With a hard-fought match, it ended with a Darkmanian victory and a Round of 16 matches, a first since the days of Darkmania took part in BoF. The news was huge and the die-hard fans ended up almost destroying the city square in the capital Örkendrem. Damages for £10 million has to be repaired. This is how huge the news is. It has become a tradition for Darkmania not to pass the Group stage, so this is huge news for a country famous for being half successful at football.


The 77th best time at the time of the hosting og this tournament are going to meet the 93rd best team and the team do look like they aren't as organized as they were in the Group Play. Still, David can kill Goliath (or David can kill bigger David) and we cant tell what they have for us (Darkmania), but one thing is for sure. The next match with Lochario at the Langtree Metropolitan University Stadium will be an exciting match. And hopefully, a darkmanian win can be claimed. The smell of Quaterfinals is near.

[Union of Socialist Alpine Republics]

The Alpine Union beats Blaneu, makes the round of 16

Zolorini, Mercedini - (NAP) The Alpine Union wasn't planning to participate in the Independents Cup 6 and sent a "B" team made with left outs. This "B" team just beat Blaneu 5-2 and qualified our glorious nation to the round of 16. The Alpine Union opened up the score at the 2nd minute when Przemyslaw Suszczewicz made a long pass to Anton who dribbled and made a short pass to Elisenda Gafarot who shoots and scores and it's already 1-0 Alpine Union! At the 26th minute the Bisons increased their lead when Nick Warner dribbled with the ball and passed to Wlodzimierz Ryczkowski who passed back to Nick Warner. Warner made a cross to Anton, he kicks and the ball is in! The Reprezentacja Alpejski is leading 2-0. 8 minutes later, Momo passed the ball to Wlodzimierz Ryczkowski who made a short pass to Elisenda Gafarot who shoots. Goalkeeper #1 delected the ball out of bounds and it's a corner kick. Winnifred Owens takes the corner kick. She kicks the ball in the penalty area, Przemyslaw Suszczewicz jumps and heads the ball right into the net, it's another goal for the Alpine Union who leads 3-0! Blaneu attacked at the 39th minute when Player #10 passed to Player #9 who shooots wide left, it's a goal kick. Krzysztof Brzozowski kicks the ball, Anton jumps and heads the ball to Winnifred Owens who dribbles and shoots. the Ball is in and the Bisons are leading 4-0! This is the halftime.

Blaneu scores at the 56th minute when Player #8 made a header pass to Player #11 who heads the ball right into the net and the Alpine's lead is cut to 5-1. At the 64th minute, Wlodzimierz Waclawczyk passed to Nick Warner who dribbled and made a short pass to Wlodzimierz Ryczkowski who shoots and scores and the Alpine Union is leading 5-1! Blaneu added another goal at the 80th minute and the final score was 5-2 for the Bisons.

The Alpine Union finshed 2nd in group B behind Aaaaaa with a 2-0-1 record and will play in the round of 16 against the winner of group A, which is Squornshelan Remnant States. These remnant states are unknown to us but they're ranked 82nd, which makes them one of the top nation in the Independents Cup. The round of 16 game will be played at MetroStadi in Zoloroni.

BOXSCORE

2nd minute: Elisenda Gafarot assisted by Anton
26th minute: Anton assisted by Nick Warner
34th minute: Przemyslaw Suszczewicz
39th minute: Winnifred Owens assisted by Anton
56th minute: Player #11 assisted by Player #8
64th minute: Wlodzimierz Ryczkowski assisted by Nick Warner
80th minute: Player #9 assisted by Player #10

YELLOW CARDS

Alpine Union: Kazimierz Wieszczycki
Blaneu: Player #3, Player #5, Player #7

RED CARDS

Alpine Union: None
Blaneu: None

[Mercedini]

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CUTOFF
Round of 16

Zoloroni Half

Squornshelan Remnant States 0-1 Alpine Union
@ MetroStadi, Zoloroni

Drawkland 4-0 Kriegiersien
@ City of Zoloroni Stadium, Zoloroni

Aaaaaa 1-2 Mercedini
@ Blue Strike Arena, Zoloroni

New Lusitania & the Algarves 2-0 The Heraion
@ Olimpostadi, Zoloroni

Langtree Half

Lochario 2-2 Darkmania (2-2 AET, 4-5 pens.)
@ Langtree Metropolitan University Stadium, Langtree

Beepee 2-3 Omerica
@ FLR Stadium, Langtree

Abanhfleft 2-1 Baranil
@ South Down Stadium, Langtree

Kavagrad 1-0 Space
@ Municpal Park, Langtree

---

Quarterfinal Draw

Zoloroni Half

Alpine Union vs. Drawkland
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium

Mercedini vs. New Lusitania & the Algarves
@ City of Zoloroni Stadium

Langtree Half

Darkmania vs. Omerica
@ Langtree Metropolitan Stadium

Abanhfleft vs. Kavagrad
@ FLR Stadium

[Kavagrad]

The Kavagrad Sportsman
Kavagrad's Most Trusted Daily Sports Leaflet Since 1961


An Artist's Rendition


REDHEARTS CONQUER SPACE!

Despite not putting on the out-of-this-world performance that many had expected from a Kavagrad side that has blasted off in recent weeks, the valiant Redhearts have secured their place in the Quarter-Finals of the 6th Independent Associations Cup with a 1-0 victory over Space. Kavagrad, who many were predicting wouldn't make it out of the group stage, have defied all expectations and become the almost-alien opposition to the high-ranking sides that remain, including their next opponents, 38th-ranked Abanhfleft.

The Kavagrad-Space game was in many ways a boring one, not like our games against the Republicans or the Incorrigibles. In fact, the game itself almost went to extra time, with the difficulties Kavagrad had beating Space's goalkeeper, who dived across the mouth of the goal to deflect any shot that came their way, as if unrestricted by gravity. The end of Normal Time was approaching, and despite the Redhearts' best efforts, they simply couldn't get that launching pad that they needed. That was until the 88th minute when Moses Maxwell Diaby exploited the vast emptiness of a gap in the defensive line, taking the ball out wide and going on an absolutely stellar 40-yard run, cutting back inside near the goal line, lofting the ball across the box with ease, and allowing a surging Anthony Wordsworth to fire a rocket of a shot into the net, which almost collapsed in on itself from the impact. Wordsworth, in his celebratory fervour, dived into the crowd, disappearing into a black hole of Kavagrad fans in their Third Kits. When he finally emerged from the void, the referee gave him a yellow card, but it didn't matter. Kavagrad had won again, and their unpredictable run in the IAC-6 continues.

Kavagrad will now play 38th-ranked Abanhfleft in the Quarter-Finals, the 3rd-best team by KPB ranking of the 8 remaining in the competition, a scale by which 100th-ranked Kavagrad is last. The Fleftic side is an all-women's team for this competition, and while the Redhearts look once again to be on their way out of the competition, the Kavagrad camp remain positive. When asked what the most difficult part of playing a team like Abanhfleft would be, Kavagrad manager Ian Wissa replied simply: "pronouncing it".

[Abanhfleft]

Do you wish to know the story of how Locomotive Imgortur did the impossible and won the 2025-26 Fleftic Premier League title? Ah, it is a story that I can tell you, but it is a story that must be told in its entirety, or you will not be able to understand it. Are you ready? Then here goes...

It all began in the city of Taguigub in the Sultanate of Oontaz. Taguigub is, of course, one of the sixteen cities (and one municipality) that make up the urban conglomeration that is Metro Maynilad. It is also one of the more urbanized and upper-class of the sixteen cities (and one municipality) of Metro Maynilad, hence popular with foreigners who came to visit Ma-I, the archipelago making up the south of the Sultanate of Oontaz.

Of course, no one knew about what had happened immediately after it happened, understand? It only broke out after a video of what had happened found its way onto the Internet. These things happen, of course, but you have to wonder: why would they make a video of the whole thing in the first place if they never wanted it to get out to the multiverse? Is it a sense of wanting to show off without really showing off? Is it something about posterity, however weird such a thought is considering the subject? Hey, why are your eyes rolling over, huh? You know what I'm talking about, don't you? No? All right then, dumbass, I'm talking about the Locomotive Imgortur racist Oontaznik orgy video! Now do you remember? Can I continue telling the story then? Goddamn it, some people...

As I was saying, it all began in Taguigub. And then that racist Oontaznik orgy found its way into the Internet. I mean, you can imagine the uproar when that video went viral. Of course, when the news reported about it, they couldn't show the unsavory bits. It would mess with children's minds! But anyone who wanted to watch the whole thing knew where to watch it. You know what I'm talking about. Anyway, Locomotive Imgortur had to take action. Such behavior couldn't be tolerated in a sports club, not anymore, not when you decide to record your stupidity for reasons and don't bother to delete the footage. If you do such a thing, you probably deserve what's going to go your way after.

That's why on July 1, 2025, the contracts of William Neely, Leslie Veith, and Marlon Rupe to Locomotive Imgortur Football Club were terminated with immediate effect. What I'm saying is that Locomotive basically fired Neely, Veith, and Rupe. So long, bye bye, and thanks for all the memories. Well, not these very recent memories, but you know what I mean.

So what? You're really asking me that? Seriously? Fine, if you'll just shut up and let me do the talking then we'll get to it soon enough...

So Locomotive Imgortur just released three of its players? So what? It's not like they were very important players for the club, right? Neely and Veith were bit players, good enough to do a job on the gameday but not really the kind of players you would want to build a team around. And Marlon Rupe was just a youth player. Sure, he was the son of Locomotive's manager Merlin Rupe, but still, just a youth player, right? Well, it wasn't that simple. Or maybe it was. All we know is that Merlin Rupe resigned from his position as Locomotive manager a few days after the players were fired. I mean, yeah, sure, it wasn't him who was caught on camera having an orgy with those Oontaznik hookers, but his son was. And probably both club and father didn't want the stink of the association hovering around both club and manager, so they both decided to mutually part ways. At least that's what they say. For all we know, Locomotive fired Merlin Rupe and he just said that he resigned to save the club's face.

Now Locomotive needed a new manager. Okay, easy enough. But where were they going to get a new manager? Well, as always, they had options. Not the best options, of course, but options nonetheless. But who were they going to get? Who was willing to take on the challenge of this once gloriously mid-table team who was now fighting a relegation battle? Granted, that relegation battle had only been for one season, but who knows if that one relegation battle will not lead into a slippery slope that will inevitably see Locomotive's descent into Unang Liga?

The answer turned out to be a man named Klearchos Kazantzakis. Kazantzakis had taken over the Palaeiologi Football Club in the Fhulghamous Peninsula colony in the summer of 2022, and after the club had survived their own few relegation battles, finally led them to all three Fhulghamousian Premier League titles in the 2024-25 season (namely the Opening, Closing, and Overall league titles; Fhulghamousians are weird that way). I mean, it wasn't unprecedented. Klearchos Kazantzakis was just one in a long line of coaches to have come under the tutelage of a certain Atanasios Zindros. You might know him better as Sakis Zindros. Yes, that Sakis Zindros. The old man himself. Still going strong at 93 years old, still coaching and managing for as long as he likes it and his body can still do it. Last I heard, I think he was over at Niraza Rovers. But I digress. We're talking about Klearchos Kazantzakis here, not Sakis Zindros.

So Locomotive made contact with Kazantzakis and deals were negotiated. This would be Kazantzakis' first time managing in Abanhfleft, specifically the Fleftic Premier League. It was a big leap for most people, and some might say it was too big a leap for someone like Kazantzakis. The Fhulghamous was nothing like Abanhfleft, at least when it comes to their respective top flights of football. There was no guarantee that what had worked for Palaeiologi in the Fhulghamous would work for Locomotive Imgortur. But it appeared as if Locomotive were willing to take the chance.

Ten days after Merlin Rupe resigned from his position as manager and head coach of Locomotive Imgortur Football Club, and thirteen days after the three Locomotive players involved in the "Taguigub scandal" were kicked out of the club, Locomotive Imgortur announced the arrival of Klearchos Kazantzakis as their new manager and head coach. There was the usual media (both regular and social) stuff, scarves raised and jerseys presented. Kazantzakis said the usual lines: he was grateful for the chance and the opportunity to take over such a historic club as well as to get to know the players, and that he wanted to achieve great things with Locomotive. But he didn't know that what he was about to achieve with the Engineers was simply unbelievably out of this world.

Wait a minute. We're getting ahead of ourselves, aren't we? Let me slow down a little, guy. You wanna know the whole story? I'm gonna tell you the whole story. Don't make me skip parts that shouldn't be skipped...

[Drawkland]

KICK CORPS' PERFECT RUN CONTINUES
Written By: Fox Lewis and Duchess Lewis

---

Call me crazy, but maybe we should've ditched Michael Starre sooner. I know, I know, I was the one soapboxing 2 weeks ago about how we need to respect the guy and how he helped build this program from nothing and how we still have no idea how Carol Haywood will actually fare in the long run or against real competition ... but holy shit. This run has been incredible so far, and it looks like we'll be doing even greater things in the future.

Now watch us lose 5-1 in the quarterfinal just so Margaret can make me eat shit.

vs KRIEGIERSIEN
Once again, Haywood and the Kick Corps pulled a miraculous performance out of the hat. Despite playing in a new stadium in downtown Mercedini, rather than a small secluded one in the southeast suburban area, the Corps was impervious to the bigger pressure and bigger match. Haywood, in the biggest match of her international career so far, was also cool under pressure, and seemed to be unfazed by the game's events. To be fair, it's easy to remain cool when you're winning the match in a landslide, but still.

Kriegiersien themselves were literally an amateur squad, as their senior squad was out competing in the Olympics. They had a decent group stage, obviously playing well enough to advance to the playoffs over older stalwarts like Barunia and Lisander. However, the pressure and the skill level ultimately came to bite them here in the Round of 16. Drawkland had 2 goals in each half of the game, Cam Cross and Stella Moore in the 11th and 31st minute, then Leea May and Ellzidan in the 69th and 85th minute. The defense was also playing very well with Everett in the net, but ultimately they didn't need to be there often. For some 75% of the match, the ball was on the Kriegiersien side of the pitch, with the Corps conservatively taking up a lot of the match, scoring when the moment was most opportune.

This is really a contrast from the Michael Starre style of managing. During his tenure, the Corps would often aggressively shoot for the goal throughout the game whenever possible, which led to a lot of turnovers and lower time of possession. Scoring on fast breaks is often how lesser squads would get goals on Drawkland. This time around though, there is no such luck. Haywood has been sure to craft a plan where the Corps stays aggressive while being conservative and not risking too many extraneous shots or moves. This works well and good, but how will this strategy fare against the bigger and better-matched squads Drawkland will be playing in the future?

PLAYOFF PICTURE
With Drawkland advancing to their 3rd straight and 4th total quarterfinal appearance in IAC history, we now have a much clearer picture of our path to the championship and every other nation's shots at the final. Firstly, our quarterfinal matchup will be against Alpine Union. We've only played the Alpine Union once, in the Semifinal of IAC 4. It took us extra time to defeat them 2-1, but defeat them we did. And then we got absolutely destroyed by the Free Republics in the final, but we'll ignore that.

Those of you who are wise in international affairs may also recognize the Alpine Union for another reason. The Union itself was created from several nations near each other, one of which was Great Caledonia and North Hybernia. They were the nation to defeat us in the semifinals of our first tournament, the Global Cup of Soccer (where we went on to lose the third place matchup). It was a 3-1 penalty shootout, an abysmal loss, but we got revenge on them in the subsequent Baptism of Fire third place matchup by defeating them handily. In other words, there is a sort of rivalry with the Alpine Union, but not very much of one. GC&NH is now a small region of the larger nation, and not many players from that original squad still play. Personally, I give ourselves the edge since we're playing like monsters so far, but you never know. Personally, I think our clean sheet streak will come to an end with this match. The Alpine Union are too strong a squad to be kept scoreless over 90 minutes.

Elsewhere in the Cup, we see the real contenders emerge. On the other side of the Zoloroni bracket, Mercedini advanced over Aaaaaa and New Lusitania and the Algarves advanced our old groupmates The Heraion. New Lusitania and The Algarves are certainly playing some of the best soccer they've played, but Mercedini have both home field advantage and the better squad, so I predict they will pull it out to face us in the semifinal. This is no big deal anyway. Provided we can beat Alpine Union, we likely have what it takes to defeat Mercedini.

There have been cheeky mumblings from Mercedini fans lately claiming that the team will take a dive against New Lusitania to maintain their perfect record against us, which is both ridiculously inane and yet insanely diabolical. Think about it: Drawkland is suddenly back and playing really hard. The way the bracket is set up, Drawkland would be pegged to take revenge on both Free Republics and Mercedini and advance to win their first-ever IAC. Suddenly though, the FFR lose inexplicably in the group stages, ensuring they won't be in the final to play us. Mercedini, too, suddenly lose a match and drop to second in their group. The teams are playing bad enough that they won't be at top form against us, if they face us at all. This way, it completely destroys any legitimacy of our title if we win it. Think about it: for these two teams to win the IAC they had to beat us (blow us out really), one of the top-form sides in the tournament. They surely earned it with sweat and blood. But if we win this IAC without playing Mercedini or FFR, suddenly we look weak. "Oh look, Drawkland won the IAC finally. All it took was for all the good sides to crash out early. They didn't even play anybody good." Suddenly, our win is completely nullified in the eyes of the foreign fans. We'd get no respect. Basically, if Mercedini loses this semis, they're all a bunch of cheating bastards trying to ruin our reputation. The FFR too. Grrrr.

Anyway, on the Langtree side, we finally have a look at the teams who really intend to win. Darkmania barely outlasted Lochario in a 2-2 match that went 4-5 in penalties to end it. Omerica beat Beepee in a goal-filled match, Abanhfleft took care of Baranil, and Kavagrad grabbed a win from the clutches of Space. Thus, we have Darkmania vs Omerica in the quarterfinals, alongside Abanhfleft vs Kavagrad. Darkmania have been playing well, but Omerica have simply been playing better, and have the better squad. I easily see them advancing. On other hand, while Abanhfleft are the strongest squad on that Langtree bracket, Kavagrad have really come out of nowhere to shock this IAC and play greatly. I can see Abanhfleft advancing, but just by a hair.

Thus, I see Drawkland vs Mercedini in the Zoloroni semifinal, while Omerica and Abanhfleft battle it out on the Langtree semi. Based on how every team has played so far, I think the final will be Drawk-Fleft, a matchup gridiron fans will lick their dirty chops to see, while Drawkland will win it 6-0 just to shut up all the haters. Just kidding, but I think if we beat Mercedini we're a shoo-in to win the final. Meanwhile, Mercedini will take care of business against Omerica and take third place.

Will these predictions come true? Likely not. In any case, this round will be one to watch carefully. Whoever balls out comes out on top in these quarterfinals will all have legitimate shots at the title, and it'll be very interesting to see how it all shakes out. As for us, all we can say is On Corps. Get it done ladies.

[Darkmania]

ÖRKENDREM PAPERS

Little Darkmania may win their first fooballtornament

Article written by: Erÿk Äberlüg
LANGTREE/Örkendrem

When it comes to football in Darkmania, the first thing that isn't on the mind is to win a medal. But the team has struggled and fought hard and has come where it is today, their best placement for the Independents Cup after two tries. For a team who isn't the most competitive, it has been surprising. The reaction on social media has been largely positive affairs.

"I believe we might have accidentally found our form before the Qualification to the World Cup" Manager Däniël Rëspertner says on the team bus on the way from the stadium after the match which ended with a darkmanian victory with a 5-4 in penalties with two-goal each. Ädryan Ërimär (goalkeeper) were able to save the ball from Sassi. This means that a hard match with Omerica, one of the better teams, is next. "We might lose, but at least we will get a good warmup before it all starts" the Manager adds. The bus drives from the venue around 23:00 and is heading toward the hotel where they are going to sleep before a hard training at a location within Langtree. All players are going to train hard.

One player who will be on the bench is Rånde, who managed to tear his shirt after the Lochario match after a dive that went as it became a internet meme for how bizarre it is. He will be ready for the Qualification to the WorldCup .

The odds are in favour for Omerica wining, but the national team can beat them. Turn on your TVs at 20:30 Mercidini local time on Wednesday for a truly interesting match. Who will meet Abanhfleft/Kavagrad in the semifinal? Only time tells.

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
The IA Championships VI - Mercedini

IT'S ALL GREEK TO THEM!
New Lusitania 2-0 The Heraion,
Zoloroni Olimpostadi(Att:25,000)


New Lusitania had qualified and faced a tough road with the first challenge being The Heraion. For New Lusitania, Patríce in goal, Guerreiros, Cancela and Peralva in defence, Nevais, Fernando in midfield with Breu and Gama on the flanks, Armilar further up front with Silveira and Hélder Costa in the Attacking positions today. For The Heraion, the only eleven they have, with Kleopatra, Pelagia, Theophania, Helene, Hypatia, Theophania, Xanthe, Alexandria, Eudoxia, Xeno, Zosime on the pitch. The Heraion played extremely specially against a team which only has three defenders using that lack of width at the back to get through. At half-time all square with Armilar needing to go off for a second centre-back, Carriça being the choice. This tactic functioned much better with the wingers getting more coverage. The first goal came on the 58th minute when Breu put the ball a bit to far for Silveira, Carvalho fortunately appearing from nowhere to score the goal. Hypatia almost put the ball in the net, Patríce stretching far to save that goal, so far that it amazed many how he got to it. On the 85th minute, a corner from the right, taken by Nevais was put in the net by Silveira with a fine header. It was done - New Lusitania were through to the Quarter-Finals.

Around the Grounds
The S.R.S. were sent home by the Alpine Union by a single goal at the MetroStadi, whilst Drawkland saw off the Kriegersrien Amateurs by four goals to nil.
Hosts Mercedini progressed after a hard fought win against Aaaaaa at the Blue Strike.
In Langtree, Beepee were overcome by Omerica who managed to get a late winner to progress, the final score 2-3. At the University, Lochario saw themselves out due to a missed penalty after the game finished all square after ninety and extra-time 2-2, and took it to the shootout where Darkmania won 4-5 on penalties. Abahnfleft beat Baranil 2-1 whilst Kavagrad overcame the final frontier when the beat Space 1-0.

POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS and REACTIONS
I: I'm here once again with Victor Santa Cruz. Victor, comment on tonight's performance?
VSC: It was hard to play them in the first half, they played honourably, but that second defender was just what we needed for the occasion.
I: Up next, it's Mercedini. Have we got any chance at all?
VSC: Ah, the hosts! It'll be an extremely hard game, a real challenge. Of course, we always have a slight chance, we need to clinch it to get through of course.
I: If by any chance you beat them, what are your prospects for the title. Omerica seems to think we're a contender. Thoughts?
VSC: Well we can't not think we have a shot. I think we're not one of the main contenders at this point, but we're hopeful we can get to hold that trophy later on.
I: Indeed, thank you Victor.

RATINGS and AWARDS

LUS Ratings : Patríce 8, Guerreiros 7, Cancela 6, Peralva 7, Nevais 7.5, Breu 8, Fernando 7, Gama 8, Armilar 6.5 (Carriça Silveira 8 , Cavalariça 7.5 OVERALL : 7
HER Ratings: Kleopatra 7, Pelagia 6.5, Theophania 6, Helene 8.5 Hypatia 8, Theophania 7.5, Xanthe 7, Alexandria 7, Eudoxia 7, Xeno 6.5, Zosime 6.5

STATS (LUS/HER)
Goals: 2/0
Shots: 6/4
Shots on Target: 4/3
Corners: 4/7
Fouls: 7/9
Cards - Yellow: 0/0
Cards - Red: 0/0
Posession %: 40/60

THE HUB
GOALS: André Silveira (4), Gama (2), Bruno Fernando (2), Hélder Carvalho (2), Breu (1)
ASSISTS: Fernando (3), Gama (2), Nevais (2), Breu (3), Mário (1), Nevais (1)
CARDS: Rafael Guerreiros (1Y)
INJURIES: None to Report


LATEST
World Cup Quals
Top Goalscorers: Silveira, Gama (11).
Assists: Fernando (9)
Cup of Harmony
Top Goalscorer: Silveira (2)
Assists: Fernando (3)
IDU Championships
Top Goalscorer: Gama (2)
Assists: Fernando (2)

----------------------------------
PROGRAMMING (IA6) {All times are GMT}

TUE
Alpine Union Vs. Drawkland - STL 4, 17h
New Lusitania Vs Mercedini - STL 1, 19h
WED
Darkmania Vs Omerica - STL 1, 17h
Abahnfleft Vs Kavagrad - STL 4, 19h
All of the IA - Live and Exclusive
-----------------------------------
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World Cup 82, The IA Championships 6
The best of the action on STL, your National Broadcaster
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MMXIX

[Mercedini]

---

CUTOFF
Quarterfinals

Zoloroni Half

Alpine Union 1-1 Drawkland (1-1 AET, 3-4 pens.)
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium

Mercedini 0-0 New Lusitania & the Algarves (0-1 AET)
@ City of Zoloroni Stadium

Langtree Half

Darkmania 0-2 Omerica
@ Langtree Metropolitan Stadium

Abanhfleft 2-2 Kavagrad (2-2 AET, 4-5 pens.)
@ FLR Stadium

---

Semi-final Draw

Zoloroni Half

Drawkland vs. New Lusitania & the Algarves
@ MetroStadi

Langtree Half

Omerica vs. Kavagrad
@ FLR Stadium

[Kavagrad]

The Kavagrad Sportsman
Kavagrad's Most Trusted Daily Sports Leaflet Since 1961


Ecstatic: Louis-Henri Bonne celebrates his injury-time equaliser.

The Redhearts March On!

The stunning run of Kavagrad's national football team in the 6th Independent Associations Cup has continued into the Semi-Finals after a shocking penalty-shootout victory over the arguably superior Abanhfleft. Kavagrad, who place 100th in the KPB rankings, defeated the 38th-ranked all-female Appletheft side 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after both normal and extra time.

If there was ever a game that epitomised the term "end-to-end football", then this match was surely it, with both the Redhearts and the Lady Revolutionaries playing a swift, attacking style, each trying to catch the other by surprise. It was Kavagrad that struck first, in the 17th minute, after Abandonleft left-back Deborah Riddles, over-committing to an attack, left Kavagrad's right-winger Kenneth Gordon Cameron a clear run down the flank after the ball was cleared long by captain Axel Anderson. This drew centre-back Miranda Sullins out of position, which in turn allowed Louis-Henri Bonne and Moses Maxwell Diaby to surge into the box with only a single defender to oppose them. It was Bonne who got his head to the eventual cross, sending it past Fleftic keeper Stephanie Bryan and into the Abannedref goal to put the Redhearts 1-0 up. From then on, Alabastercrêpe began to attack with renewed passion, with the Kavagrad team finding themselves out of possession and under significant defensive pressure for the remainder of the first half. However, despite half a dozen dangerous shots on the Redhearts' goal, the Lady Revolutionaries' efforts were to be fruitless, as Edouard Calvin played out of his skin to make fingertip save after fingertip save, forcing Aberystwyth to go into half-time a goal down.

The Redhearts' problems began in the second half, when Abantfest brought an entirely unexpected level of aggression to the game. The Kavagrad defence struggled to react, and it wasn't long before the entire defensive line crumbled. While Calvin was the star of the game, making save upon more dramatic save, there was nothing he could do when he came out to meet Fleftic striker Princess Gonzales as she beat Axel Anderson and burst through the defense, only for her to play the ball to Amelie Rusev, who, played onside by Oscar Maguire, was able to collect the ball and calmly place it in the open net for a 62nd minute Anarmrest equaliser. The Lady Revolutionaries would strike quickly once again, and in less than 5 minutes were a goal up after Gonzales rifled a long-range effort into the bottom-left hand corner from 23 yards to put Aroundzest 2-1 up in the 66th minute. From then on, Kavagrad were forced into an all-out attack to save their chance to make the final four. Kavagrad's attacking players were now attempting shots whenever the opportunity arose, with many of their panicked long-range efforts missing the target. The Redhearts, getting more and more desperate as the match reached 90 minutes and began to push into injury time, got lucky after a contentious free-kick decision made by the referee with suspicions of diving by Redheart attacking playmaker Moses Maxwell Diaby. Diaby's lobbed the wall, allowing Louis-Henri Bonne to send a powerful volley past Bryan for a goal in the dying seconds of normal time. The referee would blow the final whistle before Acampvest could get the ball back to the centre of the pitch for kickoff, sending the game into extra time.

Both halves of extra-time would be a defensive masterclass for the Redhearts, who desperately wanted to take the better Amanfluffed side to a penalty shootout where they'd have a shot at getting a lucky win. Again, Edouard Calvin made several stunning saves, including two occasions where he was lobbed by Princess Gonzales, but still managed to tip her shots over the crossbar. When the whistle blew to end the pummelling at the hands of the Fleftic attack, the Redhearts sank to their knees, almost in unison. Going into penalties, they'd have one more chance. After both sides scored their first four penalties, Stephanie Winter-Slaughter stepped up to the spot, giving Calvin a cheeky smile as if to say "I'm scoring too", before proceeding to fire her shot into the right-hand post and out. Up stepped Benjamin Mumuni, the 18-year old left-winger. The teenager sprinted to the ball, pulled back his leg and brought it underneath the ball, chipping it to the left as Stephanie Bryan lunged in the other direction. Celebrations went on into the night on the streets of Langtree, as travelling Kavagraders, many having to request extra time off of work because of Kavagrad's deep run, drank heavily. Not surprisingly, for citizens of a country enforcing alcohol prohibition, the lightweight bastards trashed a fair few bars. Whoops.

Kavagrad now advance into the Semi-Finals, where they face fellow Group H 6-pointers in Omerica. The Incorrigibles, whom Kavagrad beat 3-0 in the group stages, advanced with a 2-0 win over Darkmania. With a semi-final opponent that haven't beaten them in 3 attempts, and the possibility of a Final against perennial final-losers Drawkland, the chances of the Redhearts achieving one of the greatest underdog tournament victories in recent memory, as a team that wasn't even expected to escape the group stages, becomes ever more likely.

[Drawkland]

CLOSE FINISH SENDS DRAWKLAND ONWARD
Written By: Fox Lewis and Duchess Lewis

---

Well, I almost ate shit on that one. But we were actually clutch for once! Wow!

For those that don't know, not only did Drawkland allow their first goal of the tournament to Alpine Union, but they were locked in a tight draw against the Bison which led to a close penalty shootout. Ultimately though, the Kick Corps prevailed and are on to the semifinals. However, Carol Haywood has suffered her first hiccup of her managing career (not counting the whole MD1 fiasco), and so a lot of our future fate lies on her shoulders and her ability to overcome a bit of adversity.

vs ALPINE UNION
Held in Zoloroni Sports City Stadium, the largest venue slated for this tournament, the match against Alpine Union was hotly contested and more of a defensive showdown than anything else. The Green-and-Whites brought their full-strength roster in for the game, as this was likely to be their toughest match of the tournament. Drawkland, however, anticipating a next-round meeting with Mercedini and a potential Final bid, weren't at full strength, instead bringing out a mid-strength lineup heavy on defense. Harmony, Arrowsword, Warren, and Tracy were the starting defenders, with a Talla-Ellzidan-Axelson midfield and a Jewel-Crawford-Turati-Cross striking corps. Playing against some real competition, Haywood was making it clear she was not intending to let the game slip away due to shoddy defense.

As the game progressed, it was evident that the Corps' previous strategy of conservatively keeping the ball on the opposing side without taking many striking chances was going to be the meta for the full 90 minutes. As it had the previous 4 matches, Drawkland's ladies hovered the ball threateningly around the Alpine Union's box. Unlike the previous matches though, there were much fewer chances for scoring. This is to be expected, as all the opponents from the group stage and early playoffs were all rather lackluster squads with weaknesses that were easy to hit. Alpine Union, on the other hand, are a squad in the top 70, not so easily exploited. Cam Cross eventually came through in the 41st minute with a header off a corner kick from Crawford. The two teams went into halftime with Drawkland claiming a 1-0 lead. Sure, a lead, and a clean sheet, but absolutely not the dominance the Kick Corps had been enjoying the first few matches.

Unfortunately for the Corps, their fortunes would turn still for the worse. While the team managed to keep their bearings and the ball on their side for a lot of the second half, key mistakes were made that the Alpine Union took advantage of. Late in the game, the 75th minute, an errant pass from Turati to Axelson was taken up by a Nick Warner running at full speed. The sudden change in momentum left a lot of the team seemingly shellshocked, not having to have to save face on a fastbreak all tournament. Warner zoomed through the Drawkian defense before passing it to Anton further down the pitch, who only took another step before firing the ball into the lower left corner to tie the game. All of a sudden, it was a deathmatch.

Drawkland managed to hang on but didn't have any more solid scoring opportunities for the rest of regular time, so the match had to be taken to extra time. Extra time progressed the same way, with the Kick Corps controlling the ball for most of the time but not having any good shots at the goal. A few were taken, but all off the mark and well-defended by a usually offensive Alpine Union. They, too, had a few shots at our goal that went wide. As Extra Time waned, Haywood replaced Aurora Jewel with Katie Madison for the inevitable penalty shootout. Alpine Union also subbed out their captain Anton with Przemyslaw Skoraczynski a moment later for the same reason.

Soon enough, the whistle was blown, and it was time for the shootout to commence. Alpine Union were set to go first. Their main striker, Elisenda Gafarot, took the first shot. It was a beautiful arcing shot that just flew through the top right corner to score. Katie Madison, fresh off the bench for the match but not yet entirely warmed up, had to take the first shot for Drawkland. Her shot went right down the middle, but the keeper had dove to the left, so it easily skipped into the goal. Nick Warner for the Alpine Union scored on his shot, and likewise with Drawkland's Cam Cross. It wasn't until after the 3rd set of kicks, which Winnifred Owens and Ellzidan both nailed, that the shootout became really interesting.

Przemyslaw Skoraczynski, the backup sent in especially for the shootout, tried to shake Lana Harmony right on his kick, but she correctly dove left and saved the kick, meaning Drawkland could take the lead with their next kick. However, Sarah Arrowsword's kick sailed wide right, hitting off the post and bouncing harmlessly away from the goal. The 5th round was coming, and it was crucial that each team makes their shot to have a chance at winning it. Wlodzimierz Ryczkowski of the Alpine Union came up to take his shot, aiming for the left side of the goal. Lana Harmony though, barely caught ahold of the ball. As the ball streaked left, she leaped and managed to knock the ball spinning away from the goal to give Drawkland a chance to win it on the next kick.

The final player for Drawkland to take their kick was Jackie Crawford. Despite Corrie Archer generally being the "cleanup" taker for shootouts, she was not in the game, nursing a minor muscle injury from earlier in the tournament. Crawford, despite originally being a starter for the team, had been relegated to the bench as other players began to prove their greater worth to the team in previous cycles. She certainly came up big here though. With the match - and the chances of a real IAC title - on the line, she delivered. A quick kick that went to the opposite direction the Alpine keeper did - straight into the net. Zoloroni Sports City Stadium exploded in elated cheers and furious cries as Drawkland officially won the match, 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

THE FINAL PLAYERS
Now the tournament is whittled down to 4 - the final players in this sixth IAC. Funnily enough, the IAC 5 quarterfinal match for Drawkland also resulted in a penalty shootout - not nearly as close though, as Drawkland easily dispatched Adab 3-0 in the shootout after a high-powered 3-3 draw rife with mistakes on both sides.

This is about this IAC, though. As Drawkland had to go through extra time and penalties to finally triumph over the Alpine Union, New Lusitania and the Algarves and Mercedini had to also go through overtime to settle their match. Unfortunately for the home fans (and fortunately for everyone else!) Mercedini fell scoreless in extra time and New Lusitania came up with the crucial single goal to send them on to the semifinal. This New Lusitania and The Algarves team is who we will be slated to face in the semifinal. We've faced this team before in the IAC, but it was many cycles ago, dating all the way back to IAC 2. The final match of the group stage for Drawkland was a 3-0 win over this very nation, although it was a very different time for both teams. New Lusitania, while not really a powerhouse, are a much more developed and dangerous team than they were then. However, I believe Drawkland still has the advantage. In any case, the game could go any direction. Only time will tell.

On the Langtree side of things, we have yet another upset. This time, it's Kavagrad, the new upstarts who won the Free Republics' group. This time they managed to defeat none other than Abanhfleft in a 2-2 AET draw that led to a razor-thin 4-5 penalty shootout. Their groupmates Omerica who actually upset the FFR also took victory, against the outmatched Darkmania 2-0. Thus, it's the two groupmates playing each other in Langtree for rights to the final bid against, most likely, us. Whether or not we're actually there to play them, literally or figuratively, remains to be seen.

I will take this moment to address the comments I made about a mass anti-Drawkland conspiracy regarding the IAC. WAS I RIGHT OR WHAT? Free Republics, gone. Mercedini, now gone in a shameful affair. Abanhfleft fell in crushing fashion to Kavagrad. Who's left? Older but success-less New Lusitania. Older still and equally success-less Omerica. Still-unproven Kavagrad. Who among you consider a victory over any of these teams a worthy and hard-fought affair? These are stressful quarterfinal matches at best, and they're all contenders for the final alongside us. No offense to any of these teams, but you're all a farce. We're probably going to win this final 10-1 and people will just scoff at us for not EARNING this IAC victory. It's disgusting, and I think we need to do a deep investigation of the NT organizations for Mercedini and the Free Republics.

All pseudo-seriousness aside, all we can do is hope our Corps is still running strong and ready to go for the next two matchups, for better or for worse. We know we have the ability to make this final, we know we have the ability to win it all, dubious amounts of actual respect gained aside. We just need to execute. And for that, I say On Corps!

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
The IA Championships VI - Mercedini

NEW LUSITANIA JUST ABOUT IN THE RUN
Mercedini 0-0 New Lusitania (0-1 aet)
MetroStadi (Att: 36,512)

The Selecção came into the quarters as one of the weaker teams on the Zoloroni side of the draw, and many considered it to be the end, specially against the tough hosts. For New Lusitania, Patríce in goal, Guerreiros, Cancela and Peralva in defence, Nevais, Fernando in midfield with Mário and Gama on the flanks, Breu further up front with Silveira and Hélder Carvalho in the Attacking positions today. For Mercedini, Tatius in the net, Aristaros, Dosic, Toivonen and Di Sansev make up defence, Grazallo, Nymark, Kraljić, Presić in midfield with Alottić and surprisingly Vorthik, up front for the occasion.
The match began and you could instantly see that Mercedini weren't playing around, two shots on target in the first fifteen minutes, one from long range. Gama and Silveira also had their chances during the first half but a very good game of midfield battles left the game all square after the first period. During the second half, not much had changed though there was more end to end action than in the previous period. Patríce had to clear a shot from Presić from the line, Mercedini almost scoring goal on 62 minutes. However, the game would end scoreless, needing to go to extra-time. In the second half of extra-time, Luz came on into Breu's position. Fernando passed the ball and he slotted into the back of the net with class, the young super sub pulling New Lusitania through to the semis! FULL TIME: 0-0 (0-1 AET)


Around the Grounds
New Lusitania would now face Drawkland as they beat the Alpine Union 3-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Sports City Stadium. In Langtree, Omerica booked their ticket to the semis after beating Darkmania at the Metropolitan, whilst Kavagrad shocked the rest by beating the favourites from that side of the draw, Abahnfleft, and now have to play the Omericans.


POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS and REACTIONS
I: I'm here once again with Victor Santa Cruz. Victor, comment on tonight's performance?
VSC: It was a real struggle but in the end we managed to pull through, it was a good game from both sides.
I: Do you express any concerns some have put about possible unsportsmanlike conduct by some federations?
VSC: Honestly it takes our credibility away too because we progressed. As far as I can see there was no problem, but I do believe in a clean game.
I: Okay, do you consider our chances bigger now?
VSC: Well, beating the hosts is a big deal and shows we are potential candidates but we have an extremely tough game ahead against Drawkland and that'll tell us all we need to know. For the time being however, we're going to prepare ourselves for the occasion, hoping we can get through.
I: Thank you Victor

RATINGS and AWARDS

LUS Ratings : Patríce 9, Guerreiros 7 (Vinagrete 7), Cancela 6, Peralva 7 (Cédric 7.5 ), Nevais 8, Mário 8, Fernando 7, Gama 8, Breu 7 (Luz 7.5) , Silveira 8 , Cavalariça 7.5 (H.Carvalho 8 ) OVERALL : 8
MRC Ratings:Tatius 8, Aristaros 7.5, Dosic 7, Toivonen 8, Di Sansev 7.5 (Conteffe 7), Grazallo 8, Nymark 7, Kraljić 7.5 (Karlović 8.5 ), Presić 8.5, Alottić 8.5, Vorthik 7 (Bilić 8 ) OVERALL: 8

STATS (MRC/LUS)
Goals: 0/1
Shots: 10/8
Shots on Target: 6/6
Corners: 5/6
Fouls: 5/4
Cards - Yellow: 0/0
Cards - Red: 0/0
Posession %: 40/60

THE HUB
GOALS: André Silveira (4), Gama (2), Bruno Fernando (2), Hélder Carvalho (2), Breu (1), Luz (1)
ASSISTS: Fernando (4), Gama (2), Nevais (2), Breu (3), Mário (1), Nevais (1)
CARDS: Rafael Guerreiros (1Y)
INJURIES: Peralva (Knock, 80% chance of playing)


LATEST
World Cup Quals
Top Goalscorers: Silveira, Gama (11).
Assists: Fernando (9)
Cup of Harmony
Top Goalscorer: Silveira (2)
Assists: Fernando (3)
IDU Championships
Top Goalscorer: Gama (2)
Assists: Fernando (2)

----------------------------------
PROGRAMMING (IA6) {All times are GMT}

THU - 19h
Drawkland Vs. New Lusitania - STL 1
FRI - 19h
Omerica Vs. Kavagrad - STL 4
All of the IA - Live and Exclusive
Now Watch the Rising Teams of the World in the Baptism of Fire. This February, on STL Sport.
-----------------------------------
Matchday: Internationals
coverage of the best
STL1 22:00 GMT
-----------------------------------
World Cup 82, The IA Championships 6
The best of the action on STL, your National Broadcaster
New Lusitania in exclusive.
-----------------------------------
Reach us with your reactions:
#STL #forçaselecção #IA6 #LUS
#LUSHER
----------------------------------
STL in association with FLF
MMXIX

[Omerica]

|omerica| |politics| |region| |world| |sport| |culture| |science| |lifestyle| |video|

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Floods hit central Omerica as rainstorms cause the failure of the Avon Basin dam system
Local authorities confirm eleven dead and thirty-three missing in the aftermath of heavy rains across the central republics

Historic flooding has swept across central Omerica thanks to historic rainstorms.

Port-des-Saints — Seven republics along the River Avon have been hit by substantial flooding in what is being described as a “historic disaster”, thanks in large part to heavy rainfall and the failure of five dams in the river valley.

The republics affected by the flooding.

Rainstorms from the north have battered Omerica, with only the Lallans in the north east spared significant precipitation. Central Omerican republics have been the hardest hit by the storms, with up to 900 millimetres being recorded at some weather stations in Strathavon and the River Avon—Omerica’s longest and most important river—cresting on the Strathavon-Westavon boundary at about 10 metres, 1.7 metres above the previous record.

A dam near Pharoah’s Falls in Strathavon’s Enford district was the first to breach under the strain of the water, flooding large parts of the surrounding area. The local terrain, plus breaches upriver in Terreneuf and South Provence have spread the damage across the region. Federal, republican and local officials have confirmed their cooperation in the matter of rescue efforts, noting that joint efforts by republican police forces and the United Republican Guard have already rescued nine people caught up in the flooding, while the Federal Flood Alert System allowed most to flee before the floods hit their homes. However, the rescue departments have already declared eleven dead and still name thirty-three people as missing in the disaster, pledging to continue their search “until everyone is recovered, dead or alive.”

Federal Prime Minister Julie Thibault (Socialist – Braganza) has declared the republics of Port-des-Saints, Strathavon, Westavon, Marche Rouge, Terreneuf, North Provence and South Provence disaster areas in response to the floods, paving the way for federal disaster funds to be provided to the areas in need. The premiers of the affected republics have also declared states of emergency in local government areas along the river.

“This is a disaster the likes of which we’ve never seen before,” Westavon Premier Jacques Monette (Reformist) stated in a joint press conference with Strathavonian counterpart George Frick (Socialist). “Every premier in the Union and the Prime Minister of the Union are all in close contact and are actively coordinating our response.”

The disaster has coincided with Omerica’s Independents Cup semifinal run. A narrow 3-2 win over Beepee had already confirmed the excision of the so-called “Curse of Kilkenny”, a superstition that Omerica were incapable of advancing past the first knockout round of a tournament, leading to celebration that only intensified after a Clemente Affini brace secured the Incorrigibles a place in the final four.

The United Republican Soccer Federation has requested that the IAC Organising Committee arrange a moment of silence before the semifinal against Kavagrad for the victims of the floods and has confirmed that captain Red Bolton will wear a black armband in place of the usual blue in Omerica’s two remaining matches.

Additionally, the URSF will also be auctioning off replicas of Omerica’s match pennants to raise money for flood victims, according to Executive Director Jean-André Simonetti. “The simultaneous occurrence of a joyous achievement by our national team with a tragedy that has impacted more than a fifth of our people is heartbreaking,” a statement from the URSF reads. “We want to give football fans in and outside the United Republics the opportunity to celebrate our team while helping those who now find themselves in desperate need.”

“We want to show our solidarity with the people affected by the Avon flooding,” Bolton said ahead of a team training session. “Several players on the team have friends or family who have suffered because of this tragedy and we want to send the message that we are one nation standing together in the face of adversity. We aren’t the ‘United Republics’ for nothing.”

Updates to follow on SFRD. ⚜️

---

[Mercedini]

---

CUTOFF
Semifinals

Zoloroni Half

Drawkland 4-3 New Lusitania & the Algarves
@ MetroStadi

Langtree Half

Omerica 1-1 Kavagrad (1-1 AET, 8-7 pens.)
@ FLR Stadium

---

Independent Associations Championship VI - Final Day

---

Grand Final

Drawkland vs. Omerica
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Third Place Playoff

New Lusitania & the Algarves vs. Kavagrad
@ Langtree Metropolitan Stadium - Langtree, Mercedini

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
The IA Championships VI - Mercedini

THRILLING MATCH LEADS TO NEW LUSITANIA'S DEMISE
Drawkland 4-3 New Lusitania
MetroStadi (Att: 36,384)

The win against the hosts had been considered a bit of a shock for some, and now four remained. On the other side, Kavagrad had to play Omerica, but the Selecção had the tough challenge of facing now favourites Drawkland. For New Lusitania, Patríce in goal, Guerreiros, Cancela and Cédric in defence, Nevais, Fernando in midfield with Mário and Gama on the flanks, Breu further up front with Silveira and Daniel Jota in the Attacking positions today. For Drawkland, Harmony in the net, Arrowsword, Pack and Warren out back, Talla, Elzidan and Thompson in midfield and the four player attack with Moore and Cross in the wide positions, Archer and Madison in the middle. The game would be extremely interesting, the young and hopeful Lusitanians against the desperate of Drawkland which had reached the final twice before, with great football, but faltered at the very end. The match itself, once the game began, was an extremely attacking one, a true spectacle to watch. Drawkland would take the lead first after Moore crossed it into the box, with Archer scoring with a volley. It was early, so no one panicked yet. In fact, fifteen minutes later, on thirty five played in total, Mário passed the ball laterally to Fernando who managed to curve the ball well enough to go in to the net. What a game! Later on, after halftime, Nevais created a long ball that landed on Gama, a few dribbles later and the goal was into the top left corner of the goal. New Lusitania were leading! Past the hour mark and into sixty seven minutes, it was Warren passing the ball to Thompson that initiated an important attack. The ball found itself in Moore, which moved it where she was (practically) clear to cross it to Madison which had the simple task of slotting it in. 2-2, all still to play for in the last twenty minutes or so...
In fact there was still so much to play for that from the goal on 67' to the end would be a memorable half-hour, probably the best in the competition until that point. Crawford stepped in for Moore in the left-forward position. In fact with a pass from Archer, she would score the goal that would put them in front. The game got even more tense. Fernando made yet another key pass as the ball flew into Daniel Jota's position, the man scoring in the right part of the net. It was 3-3. On eighty-eight minutes of play, Mário had passed the ball to Silveira in a counter attack, Silveira scoring to put New Lusitania 3-4 in the lead. However, after consulting the Linesman and confirmation from the VAR, Silveira was one foot ahead of the defence, declaring the goal offside as a groan came from the Lusitanian team and fans. What's worse, later on 90+2, stoppage time, just as the game was finishing, Madison scored one final goal, in off the post. The final whistle blew. New Lusitania reconsidered this game, they started by trailing behind, equalised, led, were level, were on the back seat, were almost through and were knocked out two minutes later. Either way, what a match, one to be remembered in the times to come. FULL TIME: 4-3


Around the Grounds
Omerica played Kavagrad in a packed FLR Stadium. The game was considered to be a tad defensive as there were points were no one really wanted to get to the ball. A goal by Kavagrad left them on the defensive in fact, but Omerica's goal twenty-five minutes later changed all that. The game picked up, but remained 1-1. It had to go to a long session of penalties where Kavagrad faltered, Omerica celebrating their final progression on a 8-7 penalty scoreline. The final will be Drawkland vs. Omerica, as New Lusitania face Kavagrad in the Third Place Playoff.


POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS and REACTIONS
I: I'm here, as usual, with the national coach, Victor Santa Cruz. So, Victor, there goes the title, but what a match! What's your take on the affair?
VSC: It was perhaps one of the best games we've ever played in the finals of a tournament, but it wasn't enough against a team as Drawkland. I'm heartbroken to see us go to the Third Place Playoff but we'll want the medals and that podium position.
I: What were the difficulties against Drawkland.
VSC: Well they're also very different from us, they're extremely tall and we like the odd bit of aerial play so in this game it either was very high, very good aerials or we tried to use the ground play a lot, because playing against 6-7 foot people isn't easy. Besides that, both of our tactics are very attacking, we're using a more sustained type on the 3-1-4-2, but they have 3-3-4 which is quite unusual but extremely lethal, so er yeah I think there's a lot to say about this one.
I: Any final comments. Perhaps, on level of preparation?
VSC: Sadly, the tournament doesn't yet count for the rankings but the lads, all still young in their right earned very good experience, specially against the bigger teams, so there's still a lot we managed to take from this and with the World Cup Qualifiers coming up this gave us a good preparation.
I: Thanks, Victor. Don't forget there's still one more match from the Selecção and the Grand Final still to come, here, on STL.

RATINGS and AWARDS

LUS Ratings : Patríce 8, Guerreiros 7.5, Cancela 7, Cédric 7.5, Nevais 8, Mário 9, Fernando 8.5, Gama 8.5, Breu 8.5 , Silveira 8.5 , Daniel Jota OVERALL : 8
DWK: Harmony 9, Arrowsword 8.5, Pack 8, Warren 8.5, Talla 8, Elzidan 8.5, Thompson 7.5, Moore 8 (Crawford 8.5), Cross 8, Archer 8, Madison 9. OVERALL: 8.5

STATS (DWK/LUS)
Goals: 4/3
Shots: 16/12
Shots on Target: 9/7
Corners: 6/8
Fouls: 4/6
Cards - Yellow: 0/1
Cards - Red: 0/0
Posession %: 55/45

THE HUB
GOALS: André Silveira (4), Gama (3), Bruno Fernando (3), Hélder Carvalho (2), Breu (1), Jota (1).
ASSISTS: Fernando (3), Nevais (3), Breu (3), Mário (2), Gama (2).
CARDS: Rafael Guerreiros (1Y), Cédric (1Y)
INJURIES: None to Report.


LATEST
World Cup Quals
Top Goalscorers: Silveira, Gama (11).
Assists: Fernando (9)
Cup of Harmony
Top Goalscorer: Silveira (2)
Assists: Fernando (3)
IDU Championships
Top Goalscorer: Gama (2)
Assists: Fernando (2)

----------------------------------
PROGRAMMING (IA6) {All times are GMT}

SAT - 18h
NEW LUSITANIA Vs Kavagrad - STL 1
SUN - 18h - GRAND FINAL
Omerica Vs. Kavagrad - STL 1

All of the IA - Live and Exclusive
Now Watch the Rising Teams of the World in the Baptism of Fire. This February, on STL Sport.
-----------------------------------
Matchday: Internationals
coverage of the best
STL1 22:00 GMT
-----------------------------------
World Cup 82, The IA Championships 6
The best of the action on STL, your National Broadcaster
New Lusitania in exclusive.
-----------------------------------
Reach us with your reactions:
#STL #forçaselecção #IA6 #LUS
#DWKLUS
----------------------------------
STL in association with FLF
MMXIX

[Drawkland]

#IAC6

Sort: Most Popular
Time: Today

---

Official Drawkland National Sports Network
@DNSN

Is the third time the charm?! Be sure to catch the Kick Corps when they take on Omerica's Incorrigibles in the #IAC6 final. Watch the DNSN match coverage on DNSN1, our multimedia apps, or stream online. On Corps!

IAC HYPE TRAIN PART 3
@CorpsBeast21

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ACTUALLY DRINK IT THIS TIME #IAC6

A . F .
@talktalkAF

I dunno guys, I just feel like I've heard all this #IAC6 stuff before ... maybe it's just me

Drawkland Sports Memes
@DRKSmemes

When my friends start saying rational shit like this ... smh #IAC6

the meme boi
@thememeboi

#IAC6 break the cycle break the cycle break the cycle break the cycle

half of you don't even get these
@imjusthereforme

Welcome to the winner's club, Omerica, enjoy your stay #IAC6

Ed Stovall
@vinylyard6

I am really hoping this isn't the timeline we're in right now #IAC6

Chad Polanna
@zao1350

Bethany you whore! Release me from this cyclical IAC losing hell at once! #IAC6

[Omerica]

|national football| |club football| |basketball| |rugby| |volleyball| |lacrosse| |tennis| |cycling| |golf|

---

IAC⁶ semifinals: Omerica 1-1 aet Kavagrad (Omerica advance 8-7 on penalties)
The Incorrigibles win the right to face the Kick Corps for the Independents Cup after the longest shootout in IAC history

...Omerica.
Bolton 54’ ⚽

---

Bianchi ❌
Barzetti ✔️
Rodrigues ✔️
Nelissen ✔️
Bolton ✔️
Palmeiro ✔️
Michelakakis ✔️
de Felice ✔️
Kayode ✔️

.Kavagrad...
⚽ Bonne 29’

---

✔️ Bonne
✔️ Gordon-Cameron
✔️ Ochieng
❌ K. Keelie
✔️ Mumuni
✔️ Diaby
✔️ M. Keelie
✔️ Anderson
❌ Smith-Brown

1-1
after extra time

---

Penalties
8-7






.

Langtree, Mercedini — Going into the final, the Incorrigibles will have already defied their nickname and recorded their own little piece of history by defeating Kavagrad in the Independents Cup’s longest-ever penalty shootout—the first in tournament history to go to sudden death.

The Redhearts advanced to the semis after knocking Abanhfleft out on penalties themselves after extra time ended 2-2. In contrast, Omerica were the only team to win their quarterfinal in 90 minutes thanks to Clemente Affini’s two goals against Darkmania. But despite the quarterfinal scorelines and Omerica’s statistical ranking advantage, Kavagrad were considered favourites to face Drawkland in the final thanks to their unbeaten record against the Incorrigibles, including a 3-0 win in the group stage in Langtree.

After the usual pregame formalities and a moment of silence for the victims of the recent Central Omerican floods, the match began inauspiciously for Anne-Sophie Groothuis’s Incorrigibles. Moses Diaby, the first black player in Kavagrad’s history, almost opened the scoring a mere seven minutes into the semifinal, denied the icebreaker by mere centimetres. Frédérique Acardi’s goal kick bounced straight into the chest of Redheart midfielder Benjamin Mumuni, but was unable to capitalise on possession thanks to a back-and-forth game of keep-away that both sides would lose several times. Yet any change in possession was never for very long or ever got very far, stalling the match in midfield until Kenneth Gordon-Cameron was able to break away from John Soares and make a run to just outside the box. Aristide de Felice deftly handled Gordon-Cameron’s attempt on goal, but his pass back to Soares was intercepted by Diaby, who found Kavagrad’s talismanic striker Louis-Henri Bonne, who found an opening to beat Acardi and open the Redheart’s semifinal account.

Omerica would continue to be on the back foot, both in the scoreline and on the pitch, for the rest of the first half; Jesús Cruz nearly conceded a penalty in the final minutes of the half after taking Mumuni down to the floor, but was judged to have fouled outside the box, resulting in a free kick that fizzled into nothing. Facing down an unwanted third-place game, Groothuis made two substitutions at half-time, replacing Soares and Cruz with Alex Rodrigues and Charity Kayode respectively; Kavagrad manager Ian Wissa made one swap before the game restarted, replacing an uninspired Aaron Wordsmith with David Ochieng.

The swaps quickly proved effective for the Incorrigibles, who put Kavagrad on the defensive. After just eight minutes in the second half, Raymond Alexander conceded a corner kick; one minute later, the Omerican captain guided Maria Nelissen’s corner into the net, levelling the score at 1-1 and setting the tone for the remainder of the half. Despite Miles Keelie coming in for Alexander, Omerica got another corner and credible chance in the 67th minute courtesy of Eric Valenti. Edouard Calvin saved Morgan Barzetti’s resultant shot on goal in return for a second Omerica corner, which ended in relief for the Redhearts after Barzetti sent a second shot into the stands.

The third and final substitutions of regulation saw a tiring Clemente Affini come off for George Palmeiro and James Smith-Brown replacing Eric Valenti. Kavagrad were able to salvage one credible attempt in the 81st minute with a run-in by Bonne, but was denied by the quick-clearing feet of Kayode. The mood in the stands from the Omerican supporters began to turn sour; Omerica had never before advanced from a match that went into extra time: Lons, Saintland and Nephara had all beaten Omerica in extra time and Abanhfleft and “Gregoryisgodistan” had beaten Omerica on penalties. Oscar Maguire gifted Omerica a chance to preempt a further thirty minutes of play in stoppage time when he hacked Palmeiro down to the ground, but instead Calvin emerged a hero by saving Barzetti’s penalty attempt.

Extra time was a staid affair, going back-and-forth with no real advantage to either side and only punctuated bursts which amounted to little. Omerica had an opportunity early on when Palmeiro got into the box, but Calvin made the save and Anderson the clearance. Kavagrad would get their best chance in the dying minutes after Kayode ceded a corner and with the end of extra time approaching, Groothuis pulled out the fourth substitution she had been keeping in her pocket the whole time, taking off keeper Acardi for penalty-specialist and Strathavon native Will Rake. The corner was sent wide and high by Bonne, leaving extra time to end scoreless and penalties to come.

Winning the toss and going first, Kavagrad sent up their goalscorer to face the Strathavonian. The decision to switch keepers seemed not to pay off at first, with Bonne scoring the first kick of the shootout and Bianchi putting her subsequent attempt skyward. With an advantage after just one round, Gordon-Cameron and Ochieng kept Kavagrad out of immediate reach, even as Barzetti and Rodrigues converted their spot kicks.

But when Kyle Keelie came up for his kick, Rake vindicated his manager’s decision, correctly diving to the left, reaching out to the ball in time and saving the penalty. Maria Nelissen followed up with a successful kick to level the score at 3-3, with Benjamin Mumuni and Red Bolton converting their kicks to take the shootout to sudden death. Diaby, Miles Keelie and Anderson would all keep the pressure at a consistent boil on Omerica with successful conversions, but Palmeiro, Michelakakis and de Felice all responded with conversion to bring the score to 7-7. James Smith-Brown, though, saw his attempt saved by Rake, leaving Charity Kayode to close the shootout down after eighteen kicks with a successful ball into the upper-right corner, converted despite the best efforts of Edouard Calvin.

Omerica now face familiar opponents Drawkland—who won a tight and thrilling seven-goal spectacle—in the IAC final in Zoloroni, while Kavagrad are relegated to the third-place play-off against New Lusitania and the Algarves. The Kick Corps will be playing in the IAC final for the third time running, having lost the previous two finals against the Free Republics and Mercedini by identical 3-1 scorelines, while Omerica will tread wholly new and seemingly surreal ground when they march out of the tunnel at the Zoloroni Sports City Stadium. But despite the nation’s poor record in the IAC final and stinging World Cup play-off loss to Saltstead, Drawkland will be buoyed by the fact that they’ve been victorious in all three of their previous encounters with the Incorrigibles: 1-0 and 5-2 wins at home in the Drawk City Stadium and away at Romainbourg’s Stade de la République during the previous World Cup qualifying campaign and a 2-0 win at Ashley Road during the group stage of the fourth Independents Cup.

Nonetheless, Groothuis seems unfazed by the Kick Corps.

“It would be wrong to claim that I’m intimidated about the final just because we’re playing Drawkland,” the manager said after the semifinal. “If it were New Lusitania or Mercedini or the Alpine Union or anyone else, I would be intimidated, because I’m intimidated by the final, not by a team. But I believe we can do it and even if we don’t, I believe we can be proud of our performance here in Mercedini.”⚜️

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For your reading pleasure
▶ Family of four rescued alive as Avon flooding begins to subside; twenty-nine people still missing
▶ President Christianne Ryan declares a one-off federal holiday in honour of Omerica’s IAC final run
▶ Plenipotentiaries send a record number of budget amendment proposals to the House of Representatives
▶ Free State invites the Port-des-Saints Legislative Council to New Cardiff while the city-republic rebuilds

[Drawkland]

IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN OH GOD OH FU-
Written By: Fox Lewis and Duchess Lewis

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Come on, you know what they say. We're in the endgame now. Once again, we have cruised through the group stage, fought through the playoffs, and find ourselves on the doorstep of greatness. Once again, we find ourselves favored in the final match against a team 10-20 ranks below us according to the WCC. Once again, everything had gone right for us as we avoid having to play the big players early in the playoffs. Once again, we sit here and say "surely, a victory is in our near future?"

It's all very sickening. At least the match against New Lusitania and The Algarves was a banger.

vs NEW LUSITANIA and THE ALGARVES
After our amazing shutout streak we had to start this IAC, many of us had started to grow accustomed to the conservative-yet-aggressive oxymoronic playstyle Carol Haywood had introduced to the team. We haven't been in a proper shootout in ages. The last one we were in was that ill-fated last matchday away against Natanians and Nosts, a 4-5 loss that sent us to the playoffs which we eventually lost out in to miss our first qualification. You'd think we'd be fans of shootouts but that kinda ruined the feeling for us.

At least for awhile. This match against New Lusitania was unexpected to say the least. New Lusitania themselves have been around for quite awhile, but this is one of the first events where they have enjoyed any amount of real success. You could say something about the power vacuum in the IAC at this time, no far-and-away favorites besides FFR who lost in the group stage. However, something still has to be said about how they made the most out of the situation and came out to play. And come out to play they certainly did.

New Lusitania is not known as a particularly aggressive or offensive side, but against us they decided to fight fire with fire. The match seemed to ramp up the intensity slowly but exponentially as it progressed. Drawkland fielded its full strength lineup, having rested most of them in the earlier two games and wanting to not give up a chance at the final too early. Haywood was quoted as saying they didn't want to have the surprise upset come from a lack of preparation. The first goal came from Corrie Archer when she scored off of a Stella Moore assist in the box in the 20th minute. 15 minutes later, New Lusitania tied the match up with a beautifully curved ball from Fernando (assist from Mário). The teams went into the half tied at 1 all, and the crowd expecting a little more. Many Drawkian fans didn't want to relive the immense pressure of a shootout twice in a row.

However, after the half the action seemed to really pick up the pace. Soon after play resumed, New Lusitania took their first lead of the game thanks to a long ball shot from Nevais to Gama. Gama, with a head of steam, simply took control of the ball for a few steps before firing it into the Drawkian goal and scoring. Some time elapsed until the 67th minute. After a successful defense, Nicole Warren passed the ball up the field to Thompson, who quickly shot the ball further up the field to Moore. Moore once again fed the ball inside, and this time it was Katie Madison ready for the pass who fired it into the goal to tie it at 2.

After this, the match shifted into overdrive for the last half-hour. With Stella Moore feeling gassed, Haywood subbed in Jackie Crawford. On Drawkland's next solid possession, it was Crawford herself who scored the next goal, this time with Archer playing the assist for the goal to put Drawkland up 3-2. Not long after, Lusitania's Fernando once again had the crucial assist, this time to Daniel Jota who shot the ball into the right side of the net. The time in the match was waning, and with 88 minutes showing, New Lusitania had another opportunity to score and take the lead. Mário passed out to Silviera on a quick counterattack who shot the ball in to score. However, officials ruled Silviera was just a step offsides, and the goal was discounted. With the tentative tie at 3 still showing, Drawkland began to play balls out to try and take the win.

The officials ruled 3 minutes of extra time would be added. The Corps transitioned to a much quicker and aggressive style, desperate to break the tie and win before extra time would be called. With moments left in the game before the ref would surely call full time, Madison brought the ball deep into the box. Despite multiple defenders attempting to box her out and force her away, she made an incredibly shifty move to move past them with the ball and score at the post. The crowd once again erupted with a cacophony of cheers, and a minute later after an unsuccessful attack by New Lusitania, the referee blew the whistle and it was official. Drawkland would go to their third straight final.

FINAL PREVIEW
Boy oh boy, are we stressed about this one. Just to think, if we had won earlier, we'd be on our way to another win and be obnoxiously proclaiming our imminent threepeat achievement. Unfortunately, fate has not been on our side, and now it's in question whether we'll win this match at all. We were favored decently in IAC 4 and IAC 5, and once again we seem to be the top to bet on. But lately we've shown our incapacity to truly play in big games. Just look at Free Republics, Mercedini, and Saltstead. Do we just have the choking gene within us? Those older among us may recall Amnarei-asud (curses upon their name) or even our inability to not lose by 3 goals on the last matchday of our home-hosted World Cup group stage to make the knockouts.

But let's ignore the fact that we're completely snakebit in games that matter. Let's shift our attention to our actual opponents this time: Omerica.

This is a surprise, honestly. Looking at the competition on the Langtree side of the bracket, you'd automatically expect the Free Republics to make a smash run to the final and probably win that too, as they're ranked in the Top 10 in the World Cup. Alas, they didn't seem to really show up on the field, and they missed the playoff in the very group Omerica inhabited (Omerica upsetting them on the final matchday). The only other big competitor on that side, Abanhfleft, also fell early, and then it was a free-for-all on who could and would make the final. Omerica bested their groupmates Kavagrad after an incredible 8-7 shootout to advance, and now they face us.

Omerica themselves have some history with us. All-time, we are 3-0-0 against the side. Our first meeting was in the group stage of IAC 4 on our way to our first final-losing run, where we bested them 2-0 in Schottia. Two cycles later, we faced them home-and-away in those fateful World Cup 81 qualifiers. We absolutely smashed them on their home turf 5-2, while a secondary pool squad finished them off 1-0 on the home leg. For those counting at home, we've scored 8 and allowed 2 against what's relatively the same team over the past few years. If you look at this precedent, we could be due to win the final 3-1 rather than lose it. Haha, as if.

Honestly, there's only so much more we can say about this match. Carol Haywood has stated her intent to start the same full lineup against Omerica. A big high risk/high reward move on her part, which could really define how the rest of her career at the Corps will go. Once again, the time for speculation and what-ifs has gone. Now all there is to do is sit, wait, watch, and (hopefully) ... celebrate. Let's see if our ladies can finally break the glass ceiling.

As they say. On Corps.

[Mercedini]

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CUTOFF
Grand Final

Third Place Playoff

New Lusitania & the Algarves 2-0 Kavagrad
@ Langtree Metropolitan Stadium

Grand Final

Drawkland 2-2 Omerica (2-2 AET, 4-3 pens.)
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium

All that's left for me to do is give a big congratulations to the winner, and commiserations to the runner-up. Everyone bought their A-games at this tournament and it was amazing to be a part of. Hopefully you all take this momentum into the upcoming World Cup cycle and beyond. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did, but from Zoloroni & Langtree, farewell!