82nd World Cup Qualification MD5
Mercedini vs. Ancherion
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini
FINAL SCOREWCQ | MD5MERCEDINI 2
Alotic 45+1', Billic 80' (P)
ANCHERION 2
Salivlo 6', Kaur 88'Zoloroni, Mercedini
Attendance - 44,144
Indin Salivlo made a name for himself by netting an opportunistic opening goal for the visitors following an errant back pass from Toivonen was chased by the Ancherion midfielder. Polasic looked to have got there in time but the opposition player got a small flick on the ball, ricocheting the ball off the chest of the goalkeeper. The original ricochet took the ball back towards Salivlo who didn't know too much about it, as the ball came back off the shin to take it over Polasic as he was sliding to claim the ball. Salivlo was then presented with a gift with no one to beat, the defenders were all taking out due to the original back pass, leaving the Ancherion midfielder with the freedom of the six-yard box to roll the ball home for the opening goal.
Mercedini would then be denied multiple times in the first half as the fans grew ever more frustrating with the players on the pitch, but the first half was salvaged when an Alotic header flew in in first half added time for the equalising goal. A simple Garzallo cross was crafted following a quick one-two between the Zoloroni Met winger and Johan Karlovic who was on for his debut appearance at this cycle's qualifiers. Alotic used his muscular strength to rise high above his marker and flick on a header at the near post for the equalising goal. Dini had got themselves out of a relative rut, 1-1 at half-time.
The Golden Eagles turned it all around after the break as the Golden Eagles asserted their dominance on their opponents, but their resolute defending frustrated the players and the fans, the former lashing out a their less experienced opponents and earning themselves a spot in the referee's book for good measure. Mercedini eventually found their head's above water via a Billic converted penalty following an extremely soft handball call after Pujannic flicked up the ball into the hand of Sikim Arts. The talismanic striker, currently playing in Azuris, Cosumar took a short run-up and placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to give his team a crucial 2-1 lead with ten minutes to go.
The drama in the match only increased ten-fold from then on, as Ancherion were awarded a penalty of their own less than three minutes towards the end. Polasic came out to chase a long ball, but he was caught short yet again, this time by Fuller. He got a flick and then fell to the floor as Polasic clipped the legs of the Ancherion striker, with the referee making no hesitation he pointed to the spot. Mamdou Kaur stood over the ball as Polasic did his best to make himself look big in the Mercedinian goal. A quick run up was made as Kaur place the ball low towards his left, but Polasic was equal to it as he saved the ball brilliantly. However, the goalkeeper could only parry the ball back into open play which allowed Kaur another chance to convert. The striker made no mistake on the rebound as he lashed at the ball to send it in off the bar in a dramatic end to the match. Not the end that Mercedini had wanted at the end of the match, it finished Mercedini 2, Ancherion 2.
Group 15 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Equestrian States 6 5 0 1 17 5 +12 15
2 Lisander 6 4 1 1 12 10 +2 13
3 Mercedini 6 3 1 2 19 13 +6 10
4 Garifunya 6 3 1 2 18 17 +1 10
So, where does that leave the Golden Eagles in the qualification race? Well, they are currently three points outside the top two of Group 15, sitting in third place on ten points from six games, level on points with third-seed Garifunya but ahead of them thanks to their superior goal difference at this early stage. Top seed Equestrian States is unsurprisingly at the top with five wins from six, with their only loss coming from their recent home defeat to a resurgent Lisander side, who have claimed four wins and a draw from the five matches after their 5-1 drubbing in Zoloroni on opening night. A common theme throughout many of the groups in this cycle, no single team is currently running away with the group with all teams displaying some kind of weakness in their opening six matches. The group is very open with almost every team in with a chance to snag a top-two spot come the end of the qualification calendar, with the top seed automatically qualifying for the World Cup Finals tournament while the second-placed team is expected to contest a playoff to decide their fate.
Even matches, erratic results and the odd shock have all culminated in a nail-biting group to round up the action in qualification. With only a third of the games played so far, we likely have an unfinished picture when it comes to the action and drama that is to come from the ten teams in contention. Mercedini and Equestrian States have flexed their muscles but by no means are streaking clear, dark horses Garifunya and Krytenia are not ruling themselves out when it comes to former juggernauts making a comeback, and plucky Lisander are defying all the odds to give themselves a chance at the big time. Watch this space, we could be looking at a developing story when it comes to the moves and shakers inside Group 15.