Sporting World Cup 8 Everything Thread

[Tulize]

The Cygnets Rise before the Swans

The humongous 88,234-seater AllMartDome in Reco, Jolarus loomed over Heidi Dawson as she stood in her black tracksuit lined with a Tulizean blue that, by now, ran in her veins like blood. Tulize has never been at this juncture before - its youngsters never had this opportunity to showcase their skills to the world. The Sporting World Cup is here, and it is beckoning them.

It probably took Dawson some time to come to terms with it, as she looked on blankly into the abyss. While she put her hands inside her pockets, rain started falling - making temperatures drop suddenly. The sudden precipitation thudding on to the transparent roof was surprising at first, but then monotonous, and she regained the same distant vision into the infinite: as if she questioned why the ones before her never got here, and why she is the one who decides if ones after her make it to this juncture at all. It is a difficult situation, to say the least. When the group draw was made last week, and the subsequent announcement of the squad happened: it wasn't much of a surprise to Dawson. She was already one of the probables for the senior team. However, the real battle with herself started, when there was rumour in the national FA office that she was being made skipper for the U-18 side. Instant flashbacks infected her mind, as the rain grew in intensity, as the noise it made against the beautiful transparent roof of the AllMartDome changed into a low, constant growl.

It was back when she was in school at Eighby town on the eastern side of Tulize: surrounded mostly by farmland, the rather dusty old town had a lot of scope, and unrealised scope for football. Dawson was selected for her school team at St. Edward's, and was supposed to play her district championship. They made it to the finals, that year, until the skipper at school was ruled out for injury, earning her the captain's armband for the final. She took the last penalty kick that day, and St. Edward's lost out. Dawson opened the armband and threw it off, never accepting it again.

Dawson remembers it rained that day as well. The lights had flickered on at the Dome, tugging her back into the realm of reality. This is it. She’s the captain of the Cygnets, and she has to shine.

---

Match Preview vs Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia

---

In what seems to be a contest against an opposition completely unknown, it remains to be seen what the hyped, yet unranked Tulizeans can muster in their first U18 game at the world stage in their entire existence. A lot of what we shall later call history will be written in the game tomorrow, and it is with great anticipation that all the pubs around Tulize are bustling with people trying to get vouchers for the matchday screening, or people trying to book tickets for a flight to the city of Reco in the Free Republics, as travelling supporters. While this may be a case largely unheard of in the case of age-group football, but if reports are to be believed, the marketing angle which focusses on Tulize’s ‘first’ international competitive match has sold like hot cake in the national viewership market, at least. The nation is, therefore exploding in anticipation of what is to come.

The beautiful AllMartDome and its transparent roof has made it very evident that while temperature and humidity may be a problem for players, but precipitation shall never be an issue. This comes as good news for the Cygnets, who base their playing style under Qasdonian Jon Merritt off free-flowing, moderately attacking football, trying to keep the ball to themselves, and on the ground. No real changes in the lineup is expected, as the default first eleven shall be playing their first match, with Heidi Dawson leading the team out into the pitch.

Prediction: Tulize 2-0 Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia

---

We wouldn’t predict here, if we weren’t hard-pressed to, but as it seems now, the Cygnets have a fair little advantage over the opposition, given their superior coaching staff and acclimatisation programmes along with focussed training on specific weak areas as diagnosed by the gaffer. The opposition, on the other hand, is largely unknown about, and is hard to predict. We say, Tulize wins this one, two goals to nil.

[Free Republics]

Republican National Soccer Team, LLC U-18 Squad

Formation: 3-1-2-1-3
Style Modifier: +4.5
Colors: Blue and White
Manager: Sir Koby Theodore
Honorary Assistant Coach: Consul Kyle Bolton

Roster (age in parentheses)

Starting Lineup

GK: #1 Alexis Campbell (15)
RB: #2 Ignacy Wozniak (17)
CB: #3 Risae Kan (14)
LB: #4 Brooke Shaw (15)
CDM: #5 Logistilla Bellemare (17)
LM: #6 Amadeus Haugen (15)
RM: #7 Denes Polak (18)
CAM: #8 Archie White (16)
ST: #9 Norman Casares (18)
ST: #10 Love Holm (18)
ST: #11 Steven Bosters (16)

Bench

GK: #12 Uzuki Mikami (13)
DEF: #13 Maurelle Allain (15)
DEF: #14 Edmondo Lucchesi (14)
DEF: #15 Gifford Duffet (13)
MID: #16 Christine Eichel (15)
MID: #17 Cataldo Padovesi (15)
MID: #18 Lioba Arcuri (13)
MID: #19 Albano Loggia (16)
ST: #20 Amy Ashbolt (15)
ST: #21 Roland Tretyakov (13)
ST: #22 Faith Marshall (14)

Kits (made by Kirola Sports)



Cheerleading Squad (age in parentheses)

Coach - Nova Hellstrom-Hancock

#1 - Minka Sasa (22)
#2 - Fabienne Casares (19)
#3 - Elsa Suutari (20)
#4 - Anisa Kazantseva (22)
#5 - Michele van Roijen (23)
#6 - Kathrin Unger (19)
#7 - Helena Kucerova (20)
#8 - Zakia Zwarthoed (19)
#9 - Katie Hoysted (19)
#10 - Aubrey Desroches (22)
#11 - Miluse Vilkova (19)
#12 - Morana Tomic (22)
#13 - Rukiyat Ibragimov (20)
#14 - Beatrycze Piotrowska (23)
#15 - Leona Henriksson (21)
#16 - Lalita Bazhaev (23)
#17 - Sonya Wynne (23)
#18 - Ruzena Chlupova (21)
#19 - Sarah Miller (21)
#20 - Leokadia Olszewska (20)
#21 - Olivia Henderson (23)
#22 - Taymaskha Batukayev (22)
#23 - Patricia Knatchbull (20)
#24 - Hilda Sigurvaldadottir (21)
#25 - Ktisztina Dudas (19)
#26 - Mia Espenes (22)
#27 - Bethany Nunan (20)
#28 - Julitta Zawadzka (19)
#29 - Kamilla Sultes (21)
#30 - Summer Bradford (19)
#31 - Jodi Marshall (22)
#32 - Kriszta Goloncser (19)
#33 - Frederique Vaillancour (21)
#34 - Anni Salonen (19)
#35 - Deidamia Batista (20)
#36 - Claribel Fuentes (20)
#37 - Thyra Strom (22)
#38 - Ester Udinese (20)
#39 - Alma Jessen (22)
#40 - Veronica Biryukova (20)
#41 - Edda Palsdottir (23)
#42 - Klaudia Makay (19)
#43 - Candelaria Jaquez (22)
#44 - Judit Forgach (22)
#45 - Rosaura De Luca (21)
#46 - Elina Ek (19)
#47 - Matilda Todd (20)
#48 - Zuzana Tomankova (22)
#49 - Fabienne Jolicoeur (23)
#50 - Katrina Sigmund (22)
#51 - Beatrice van Sluijs (20)
#52 - Mikaela Lindberg (20)
#53 - Zana Kurunic (19)
#54 - Hana Vidakovic (20)
#55 - Victoria Allan (20)
#56 - Ursy Almonte (23)
#57 - Tahlia Lew (19)
#58 - Fiona Soderstrom (22)
#59 - Yisa Vedzizhev (21)
#60 - Sonay Meilink (19)
#61 - Bojana Matic (22)
#62 - Liliana Boni (21)
#63 - Julia Schroder (23)
#64 - Vera Dilday (22)
#65 - Sanja Barisic (22)
#66 - Elise Reinikainen (20)
#67 - Kristal Lendvay (22)
#68 - Claudia Vasilyeva (20)
#69 - Sophie Burrows (14)
#70 - Hua Ko (17)
#71 - Wakaba Chikafuji (14)
#72 - Karen Mathisen (14)
#73 - Greta Yermolayeva (17)
#74 - Ellen Black (16)
#75 - Chloe Kitamura (17)
#76 - Johanna Klein (16)
#77 - Leah Austerlitz (15)
#78 - Liane Lamare (16)
#79 - Ninette Labrosse (14)
#80 - Daphne Pinto (16)
#81 - Teresa Lucchese (14)

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y

[Oberour Ar Moro]

For the second time, Oberour Ar Moro has entered into the Sporting World Cup. 23 young men, three coaches, and a collection of backroom staff have been sent out to measure themselves against the phenoms and brightest young stars amongst the rest of the nationstates.

For the cup, there is a bubbling consensus that (Dixon Light) Group C could be the proverbial Group of Death. The Free Republics are the hosts of the entire tournament and will have the home crowd on their side in every match. The Juvencus senior team sits 28th in the world rankings. Starblaydia is the defending U-18 Champions, their squad boasts 11 members of that winning side, and beyond that, they’re Starblaydia.

And yet, perhaps for the first time, Obeorur Ar Moro are not considered the weak link in the groups. Oberour Ar Moro might not yet be big fish, but they are not minnows that other sides will expect to cough up free points.

If you could describe the Oberour U-18 side in a word, that word would be inexperience. And not just the inexperience that comes with minimal years on this planet.

When John Cristaliere walks into the technical area in the IslandDome, it will be his first match as a football manager, after four seasons with Altair. His assistants have two seasons of coaching experience amongst them. Nearly the entire playing squad are on regular 25-man rosters in the Football System, but the number of actual starts are vanishingly low. Three players on the roster were took part in Sporting World Cup 7, though only two are slated to be part of the regular starting 11.

This is a side who's potential success is predicated on promise. On potential. The entire Oberour contingent that will debut in Toakameau can be measured in joules.

Oberour Ar Moro faces off against Free Republics today.

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 1 Cutoff, brought to you by Nicholls Enterprises! Nicholls Enterprises: We Make Everything!

---

Results

Nicholls Enterprises Group A
United States of Devonta 0–0 Alpine Union
Lisander 2–4 Velestria

  Nicholls Enterprises Group A          Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Velestria                               1   1  0  0    4   2  +2    3
2 Alpine Union                            1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
  United States of Devonta                1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 Lisander                                1   0  0  1    2   4  −2    0

AllMart Group B
Cosumar 2–1 Sharktail
Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia 2–6 Tulize

  AllMart Group B                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tulize                                  1   1  0  0    6   2  +4    3
2 Cosumar                                 1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Sharktail                               1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia      1   0  0  1    2   6  −4    0

Dixon Light Group C
Juvenus 2–3 Starblaydia
Free Republics 5–6 Oberour Ar Moro

  Dixon Light Group C                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Oberour Ar Moro                         1   1  0  0    6   5  +1    3
2 Starblaydia                             1   1  0  0    3   2  +1    3
3 Free Republics                          1   0  0  1    5   6  −1    0
4 Juvenus                                 1   0  0  1    2   3  −1    0

Googol Group D
Savojarna 3–5 Kandonica
Sajnur 2–2 Filindostan

  Googol Group D                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kandonica                               1   1  0  0    5   3  +2    3
2 Filindostan                             1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
  Sajnur                                  1   0  1  0    2   2   0    1
4 Savojarna                               1   0  0  1    3   5  −2    0

FreedomCola Group E
Anthor 3–0 Pius Desurongcrandis
Commonwealth of Baker Park 2–0 Freeport

  FreedomCola Group E                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Anthor                                  1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Commonwealth of Baker Park              1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Freeport                                1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
4 Pius Desurongcrandis                    1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Trudeau Firearms Company Group F
Schottia 5–3 Darmen
Pratapgadh 1–5 Abanhfleft

  Trudeau Firearms Company Group F      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                              1   1  0  0    5   1  +4    3
2 Schottia                                1   1  0  0    5   3  +2    3
3 Darmen                                  1   0  0  1    3   5  −2    0
4 Pratapgadh                              1   0  0  1    1   5  −4    0

BearOil Group G
Indusse 1–0 Cassadaigua
Equestria 0–3 Banija

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Indusse                                 1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Cassadaigua                             1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Equestria                               1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Olden Automobile Company Group H
Main Nation Ministry 0–0 Ancherion
Trastamur 1–2 Crystalline Caverns

  Olden Automobile Company Group H      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Crystalline Caverns                     1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
2 Ancherion                               1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
  Main Nation Ministry                    1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 Trastamur                               1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

[Union of Socialist Alpine Republics]

Under-18 World Cup 8 Preview

Baseton, Amolotopia, Land of Evil Capitalism - (NAP) The Under-18 World Cup is starting off in this evil nation called "Free Republics". The Alpine Union is in group A with the United States of Devonta, another evil nation because every nation with the word "United States" in their name is evil! Another nations in the group are Lisander and Velestria. Lisander is a kind nation, nothing bad to say about them. Velestria, they seem to be some idiotic nation who keep changing their name all the time.

U.S. of Devonta is the highest ranked nation in this group, but in an under 18 competition, rank means nothing. Devonta missed the Under-18 World Cup 7. In the Under-18 World Cup 6, they finished 2nd in their group and lost in quarter finals. In this edition, they sent a young squad, mostly consisting of 17 years old players. Despite having younger players, they're still one of the teams to beat in this group. Prediction: 2nd place.

Lisander is well known for rugby but they're decent in football too. This is Lisander's first participation in an Under-18 World Cup so we have no idea how good their players are. Based off their main team's results, they should be able to secure the 3rd place.

Kep, I mean Razenthuria, err Velestria is the lowest ranked nation (99th) but the most promising one as they invested a lot in their youth system recently. That's what my dad told me. Velestria finished 3rd in their group in the Under-18 World Cup 7. However, they won the Under-18 World Cup 6 as "Razenthuria" and could repeat again this year. They has to stop changing names and concentrate on football. Prediction 1st.

So that means in a though group, the Alpine Union will finish last, despite having Caitriona Nig Fhionnghaile between the pipes. She has the potential to become one of Alpine Union's best goalie in history.

Matchday 1

The opening game was played against Devonta. Devonta had a slight advantage in the game, attacking a little more often than the Bisons, but Nig Fhionnghaile stopped everything. The Alpine Union's best chance came at the 66th minute when Grzegorz Hajdukiewicz made a cross to Caomhainn MacAmhalghaidh but Charlie Dos Santos made a beautiful diving save to stop the ball. The final score was 0-0.

The next game is against Velestria.

Katarzyna Krzykowska,
National Alpine Press' junior correspondent and younger sister of Arkadiusz Krzykowski

[Banija]

Setting is the Banijan locker room at the Soccer Palace in Petrograd, Plymouth

Kiggwe Siakam walked into the locker room, extremely pumped up after the team's 3-0 victory. "What a game, lads!" and the players cheered his words. But his words were no exaggeration- what a moment it was for the U18 national team. Of course, a win at a tournament is always something to be celebrated, even if it is just the group stages, and it is a youth tournament. But this was the Sporting World Cup, even though it was a U18 tournament, it had the benefit of being in Banija's most popular sport. And, of course, it was his own first win as the senior manager of a squad in over 7 years. Quite a moment, wasn't it?

But that did not stop him. "The impact, the first generation of Banijans to actually beat the Equestrians, well- that's a big time accomplishment." And that was certainly true- the Equestrian States were Banija's biggest rivals in this sport by a large margin, and that had been proven time and time again. Unfortunately for the Banijans, however, the rivalry had been about as one sided and predictable as Loyola or Northern Moravica playing a foreign team in the Celestia conference in the NSCF- but not in their favor. Five times, these two teams had met at the senior level- twice in friendlies, and thrice in competitive tournaments, including a Cup of Harmony, an AOCAF, and World Cup 80. And five times, the Equestrian States had come out victorious.

That made the rivalry a near borderline obsession, at least for Banijan fans. Normally, with youth tournaments, the spotlight is on player development- which individuals can shine, and use the tournament to jumpstart their careers? But there came an extra emphasis with the game 1 here, as their opponent was the Equestrian States. For this game, at least, the advancement of individual careers didn't matter- this one was about a Banijan team, even if it was just a youth side, finally winning a game against the Equestrian States in this sport. And not only did it happen, it happened in style, as the Usana Kadongo Kamu shredded the Young Ponies as they romped to a 3-0 victory, with Robert Kabuja, Momodou Sene, and Ablan Jaye all scoring on the night.

"You all know how much games mean when we play against the Equestrian States- it's about beating our rivals, it's about showing that we belong." Siakam told his players. "We play in the Glorious Southwest of Atlantian Oceania- we are in the damned toughest region that the sport has to offer. We're neighbors with the sport's all time greats, like Valanora, neighbors with the Equestrian States, just in our sub region. And, of course, we know the other greats in the region- the VIlitas, the Turoris, the Starblaydias of the multiverse. We're out here, trying to make a name for ourselves, for our country- and here is the chance to do it! But we won't do anything unless we take care of business, unless we beat our rivals. And we have done that on this day."

Kiggwe Siakam gave the talk, and then told his players to get ready for the next day's training session, as the team would certainly have tough preparations for the ladies of Cassadaigua. And then, of course, Siakam went out to the post match press conference, and fielded questions from various reporters. Was the victory sweet because they finally beat the Equestrians? Of course it was, but they had their eyes on a far bigger prize than a singular win in the group stages. He told reporters that this win would only mean something if they could pair it up with wins elsewhere, to not let the joys of one game distract from the team's primary mission.

After the post game presser, Kiggwe Siakam went back to the film room. As a day game at the stadium, he had time to do something that he normally would not have had the time to do- which was watch the post game film, in the coach's room. THe attention to detail- something that he had learned from his previous boss, and his mentor, Brian Emerson. Find those things to improve on, find ways to challenge your players to continually get better, it would be that kind of coaching drive and energy that would take him places. So he sat down and began to dissect the film, seeking ways to improve the squad before their next tilt with Cassadaigua.

[Main Nation Ministry]

(OOC: Another double feature post. This time continuing from the Red Wagon. Featuring the death of Josh Etten.)

The Red Wagon: The Legendary Humiliation of Josh Etten

Josh Etten sat on his throne, where he was casually sipping on some nice brandy that was in a glass, as he let his followers worship him for hours on end. However, even though he had everything, he still wanted more. Even if his teeth were gone, he still had implants that he had to still eat food. Now, he was just waiting till his precious little almanac was making history come to life. It wasn't until one of the followers came in the room was when he heard the news. "Our prophet Josh! A traveler has came to visit you!" they said, as they bowed to the floor at Josh's presence. "I ask for no travelers! Identify who they are!" Josh demanded. "A girl with a red wagon and a witch hat, sir!" Josh heard the reply, where he immediately grinned. "Bring her in! She has came to give me the wagon!" Josh ordered the follower, as he let them take the girl with the red wagon in the room.

For the girl with the red wagon, she didn't seem to be intimidated by Etten's demanding presence, as she only gripped the wagon handle and her hat. "I know you were trying all day to summon me. You honestly had to decide to steal someone's house?" the girl with the red wagon said, as Josh tapped his finger on the side of the throne. "Just give me your damn wagon! You're wasting my time with these pathetic followers in my house." Josh said, where it looked like the girl with the red wagon had an eye twitch in frustration, but she kept this hidden. "You do have a habit of using people, before you violently throw them under the bus even if you let them do your demands."
"Oh please! They are always worthless! Everyone I ever met has been doing nothing but antagonizing me for years!"
"Right... You do realize that you put some innocent guy in a coma. Then stole his comic books."
"I didn't steal them! He was brain dead anyways!"
"What kind of excuse is that?"

"That's it! I had it with you, pathetic wastes of space!" Josh suddenly snapped, where he started to get down from his throne. "They always treat me like shit! Shit to be stepped in with these pathetic losers who are in control in everything, while I'm the smart one here getting hounded and thrown under the bus by everyone! I should have just written in my book to have everyone just die for all I care, since you always ruin everything! You hear that, bitch?! You and all people have been ruining everything since I have been born!" Josh declared, where the girl with the red wagon had a visible aggressive frown. She didn't even bother hiding it.

"Take the wagon, if you want it so much.."

"What?"
"It's yours. Just take it. You did ask for it yourself."
"Finally! You been wasting my time, since you gotten here!" Josh said, as he walked over to the red wagon. Leaning towards the bag on the wagon, he stick his arm into the bag to see what was inside. "I don't feel anything! Why the hell is this empty?!" Josh demanded to the girl with the red wagon. "Oh don't worry. It's not empty." she said, where Josh felt something tug his arm deeper into the bag. "The hell is in this thing?!"

"It's not empty. It's hungry."

Suddenly, sharp pain penetrated into Josh's arm, as he started to scream in pain. Josh tugged his arm away from the bag, only to fall to the ground in front of the wagon. All that was left on his arm was nothing. It was just an empty sleeve that was being soaked with blood, as some started to squirt out onto the carpet. The girl with the red wagon looked over Josh, as she explained him his situation. "I been keeping an eye on you, where I believe you have gone too far. I figured that your true wish is to just leave this reality. Because I don't even know your motives, Josh. But I think I have a theory."
"Screw you, bitch.." Josh said, as he started to cough blood.
"The truth is, you provoking and antagonizing people on purpose. You don't really understand on how to properly social with everyone, since you see it as meaningless. You want people to be mad to you, as it gives you the satisfaction you need to have attention. Of course, many people do have some self-destructive behavior similar to yours, but they have some sense of self-awareness. In your case?" the girl with the red wagon looked at the bag on her wagon. "You just want people to forget about you. And I can help with that."

The wagon started to move closer to Josh, where he felt his own legs float from the floor by themselves. Within a minute, Josh felt the familiar sharp pain at his feet to see them being inside the bag. Then, he felt his body being tugged and pulled towards the bag. "No!! Don't you freaking dare! Someone help me!" Josh demanded to his followers, but when he looked to see one of them, they have simply dissolved into ash. They were never real at all. Just part of Josh's attempt to rewrite reality in his making. The bag was practically eating him alive, as blood started to pool inside the wagon, as it gotten itself a new paint job of red. The girl with the red wagon watched Josh's execution that was being forced upon him for the sins he made. After seeing Josh's head go into the bag, the girl let out a sigh of relief. Reaching into the bag, she felt something where she pulled it out.

A bloodied shoe. The same one that Josh was wearing. A new item to be on sale.

The girl with the red wagon walked out of the house with the wagon in tow, as soldiers went in to assess the damages inside. Walking towards her, the Leader wanted to hear the news. "He's dead?" he asked her, where she didn't need to say an answer. The Leader immediately knew from seeing the wagon. "It's done."

---

Meanwhile, another buyer from the girl with the red wagon was busy in his house, while his wife was passed out in the bed. The fireplace was on, as Henry had his cane on his side, as he was immediately looking through some old yearbook photos from years before Main Nation Ministry took control. It was then that Henry immediately recognized her. If Diana knew about her, she probably left Henry, finding him sick. Tearing the page with her photo on the yearbook, Henry tossed it into the fireplace. "It's where you're supposed to belong.. You need to stay in the ash.." Henry said to himself, wondering if she can hear him.

[Indusse]

The first match of indusse in this tournament was with cassadaigua. The group to which indusse belongs is also called Bear Oil group 8. The first match was won by Indusse on defeating cassadaigua 1-0. The Bear Oil group consists of cassadaigua,banija,equestria and noob nation of "Indusse".

BearOil Group G
Indusse 1–0 Cassadaigua
Equestria 0–3 Banija

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  1   1  0  0    3   0  +3    3
2 Indusse                                 1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Cassadaigua                             1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
4 Equestria                               1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

Indusse 1-0 Cassadaigua| 65` Mersiás

[Schottia]

Schottia The Next Generation

Part Two.

Kelpies

Of all Schottia’s numerous inhabitants, by far the most curious has to be the Kelpie. While frustratingly little is yet known about these sapient equines, they most certainly appear to be distance cousins of those residing in the Equestria and the Pony Lands. Kelpies are slighter in build - with longer, more slender limbs, necks and muzzles - easily distinguishable on account of the straggly locks of their mane and tail. They are normally shades of blue or green in colour, with their precise hue and markings varying heavily upon their locality. Kelpies (or Nocken as they are known in German speaking regions) are distinct from most other sapient equines in their love for water, and are most commonly found in and around Schottia’s lochs, seas, and waterways.

Wherever you go on the Schottic islands, you can hear tales of sea dwelling fairies, nymphs, and shape shifters. Whether it’s the ‘Mermaids of Lochend,’ the ‘Ashries’ on the River Lamm, or the ‘Flusstöchter of Soessch’ who are said to have built the town from rocks dragged up the estuary; these mysterious marine mammals have been the source of many myths and legends. Sightings of Kelpies were often seen as dark omens, as the creatures were associated with bad weather, floods, or death of livestock. In the middle ages it was also common belief that Kelpies were in league with the Devil, a superstition that is believed to have contributed much to their persecution.

While their numbers are now dwindling, it is supposed that the species was once a common sight around the islands, with credible accounts of their existence dating back to the time of the very first Ossorí settlers. These scholars described strange fish, with legs like ponies, springing from the ocean; and pale eyes which gleamed at them through the mist by the lochside. While the Kelpies’ own unwritten records are unreliable, their stories go back even further to dealings with Fearies, Elfins, and Giants, in a land of rain and mist, untouched by human hands. None of these accounts can be backed up by credible historic sources, however it is true that the settlers in Schottia spoke of shadowy daemons inhabiting the untraversable bogs and marshes, which previously covered most of the country.

Indeed, it has likely been the changes to the Schottic landscape, and introduction of agricultural models, which have led to the Kelpies steep decline. With the exception of the Greater Handon peninsula and Port James (then Mucusia), most of mainland Schottia was uninhabitable up until the sixteenth century. Right in the centre, Lammerton, is often depicted on maps as being on an island, surrounded by long shallow lochs and swamps. Much of this was drained over the past four hundred years to make way for farmland, with the Kelpies’ habitat virtually destroyed.

Today, the Kelpie population is believed to be in the thousands, for the most part confined to the Belker region, and in the cliffs off the coast of the North Islands. Like most sapient equines, Kelpies are capable of human speech, and from the late twentieth century onwards, began to adopt more human-like customs. The glossy wooden doors of their waterside dwellings can often be seen built into the riverbanks, and in recent years, a few Kelpies have even moved into the human towns and cities, finding employment…

---

Cladach, clutched the handle of his teacup between his teeth and trotted over to his favourite armchair by the window. He placed his watercress tea carefully down on the telephone table (which existed almost solely for that purpose) and opened the morning paper.

‘Hm… More elections…’ He muttered to himself, eyeing at the headline suspiciously, before perching a small pair of half-moon spectacles on the end of his greying mussel to aid with closer inspection.

In his youth, Cladach had been a brilliant blue, the blue of the ocean on a hot summer’s day, reflecting all the vibrancy of the heavens above. How the young Kelpie had swam back then, skipping across the open seas like a dolphin, leaping through the surf. The oceans had once been his oyster, and he had swam up countless rivers in search of adventure, back when the Multiverse seemed like a wondrous and magical place.

‘There’s someone selling a used rug…’ A greyer and more sedentary Cladach furrowed his eyebrows as he turned to the small ads column. This was as close to excitement as he got these days, and he reached across to the table to fetch a pen. ‘With any luck… it might still be available…’

Cladach didn’t have adventures anymore, and he most certainly didn’t swim in the oceans. He had his armchair next to the window, in his neat little home by the river, and that was quite enough for a Kelpie of his age. A two-week package holiday in Equestria was all the adventuring Cladach (or Mr Cladach as he preferred to be called) was up to these days.

‘Sgáile!’ He shouted through to his wife. ‘Do you have time to run a wee errand on your way back from the supermarket..?’

An old kelpie mare appeared from the small doorway that led the kitchen. Apron clad, and hooves on hips, she seldom walked on four legs these days. ‘Well it depends on how wee darling…’ She had a knowing look, and Cladach could tell from the way her lips were contorted, that she was already sceptical.

‘Well… it’s square, and… eh… rug-shaped– ’

‘Och, Cladach…’

‘The hallway is terribly draughty in the winter– ’

‘The house is coming down with your old junk – and if you think I’m carrying some old bit of carpet round Lammerton like some old cart horse, then you’ve got another think coming–’

Luckily Cladach was saved by the bell. ‘That will be the post.’ He stated, as the front door bells rang merrily through the house. Grateful for the change in conversation, he got to his hooves and trotted across the polished wood floor towards the front door. What Mr Cladach and his family lived in was technically a burrow (but don’t try to tell him that). It was dug into the high banks of the River Braid, about ten metres deep, with smaller rooms jutting off at the side. Most of the rooms were windowless, and benefited from a system of oil lamps, which provided adequate light. The exception was the front room, which had a small porthole-like window, complete with curtains and a well-kept window box. Outside a small garden sloped down a few metres towards the river, where Mr Cladach grew his wild garlic, watercress, and where his wife planted her lilies.

‘Just a second.’ Cladach reassured the postman, as he pulled the bolt, and opened the door. ‘Good morning.’

‘Good morning Mr Cladach.’ The postman was sat on his haunches, bringing him eye level with the Kelpie, who had now reared up on his hind legs. To reach to Kelpies’ home the postman had to make down a narrow woodland path, and sure enough, the bottoms of his trousers legs were damp with early morning dew. ‘Just a couple of letters this morning sir.’

The Kelpie pushed his specs back up his mussel and took the letter between his front hooves. ‘Likely just more people wanting money.’ He said, half in jest, as he studied the envelopes. ‘Take care Mr Walker.’ He bade the postman farewell as he turned to head back into his burrow.

‘And you, Mr Cladach.’ The public servant pulled himself back up to his feet, dusting himself off before heading back to the path in search of his delivery bike.

‘Bills…’ Cladach muttered, as he sat back in his armchair, and retrieved his brass letter opener from the mantelpiece. ‘Bills, bills, and more bills– ’

CLANK, BANG!

At that the front door flew open, causing the surprised Kelpie to drop the letter currently held between his teeth.

‘Hi Mum, hi Dad.’ Úisge-Aonàranach galloped like a hurricane through the hallway, shouting into the front room as she breezed past. ‘We’re just going into my room..!’

There followed a moment of clattering and banging, before: ‘Hi Mr Cladach, Mrs Sgáile’ His daughter’s friend, Chris Smith, crouched on all fours, stopped to offer a greeting, before following her along the tunnel to her bedroom.

‘Good morning.’ Cladach answered wearily, before gritting his teeth and tutting loudly as the bedroom door was slammed shut with such force that it caused the ceiling lights to swing.

‘They’re just kids.’ Sgáile reassured him, remerging once again from the kitchen, seeing her husbandsexpression. ‘Do you not remember what you were like at that age..?’

‘I was out swimming! Exploring!’ Cladach waved his hooves theatrically. ‘All that foal does is play football and listing to that infernal racket.’

As if to illustrate his point, with perfect timing, the heavy base beat of some Cosumarite metal band began to cause the burrow to shake.

‘You listened to music too, Cladach.’ Sgáile wagged a lecturing hoof in her husband’s direction. ‘You’ve got an awfae short memory…’

‘That’s not music!’ Cladach was on his hind legs, pacing the floor. It was apparent from his body language that he was weighing up the pros and cons of bursting in there and telling his daughter as much. ‘What’s wrong with Harry Heartfelt? Tony Margaret and The O’Hares? Old Robbie McEwan on the accordion!? That’s when music was music?’

‘If you go in there, you’re just going to embarrass the filly.’ His wife’s eyes narrowed. ‘She’s got Chris round. If you make a scene she’ll not thank you for it.’

‘And that’s another thing..!’ Cladach tossed his greying mane from his eyes, causing his spectacles to fly across the room in the process. ‘She’s only seventeen, she shouldn’t be having… having… boys in there.’

‘She’s not a weanling anymore.’ Sgáile protested. ‘She just signed a professional contract with Central Stars! And besides, Chris isn’t even the same bloomin’ species!’ The mare walked over and closed the sitting room door, just in case any of this was audible in Úisie’s bedroom.

‘All I’m saying is I’d be happier if there were rules about bedroom doors being ajar.’ Cladach slumped back into his armchair in defeat, and took up his mug of watercress infusion. ‘You hear about all sorts of things these days…’

‘Oh Cladach! Chris is a decent young human, from a respectable family.’ Sgáile said as she brought a teapot over and refreshed her husband’s cup. ‘His parents own that bric-a-brac shop on the corner of Willwilly Street.’

‘Humph…’ Cladach averted his gaze, staring through his window – he didn’t want to confess that he enjoyed perusing the aisles in that particular store. ‘Looks like a nice morning… I might take a walk along to the top field and back…’ Cladach had said his piece on the topic, he wasn’t going to win this debate with wife, and escaping the sound of his daughter’s music was now rocketing up his priority list.

Just then, out of the blue, the music stopped, and Úisie’s bedroom door was flung open. There was a muffle of voices and the sound of Chris’ head and lower shoulder grazing the ceiling. “Oops, careful…” the following sound of giggling alerted Cladach to the fact that his wallpaper could be at risk of scuffmarks.

Cladach’s eyes narrowed as peered through the net curtains, waiting for the pair to arrive on the porch. He was a pony-of-the-world, and he’d seen that kind of body language before. Maybe Sgáile wasn’t worried, but from now on, Cladach would be watching his daughter like a hawk.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

BP start off Under 18's with win
Kristian Barnard
Daily Mail Soccer Writer

Reporting from Borotia, Iodara, Free Republics:

The U18 National Team kicked off their campaign in the Sporting World Cup 8 with an emphatic 2-0 victory over the Freeport Isles here at the Freedom Cola Stadium.

Kyle Baum and Freddie Altman scored for the Commonwealth and the defense showed solid organization, with an uncanny knack for springing the offside trap on the Islanders, thwarting numerous attacks to allow Rose McCormick to earn her first U18 shutout.

This BP squad are the youngest collection of players sent to the tournament since the initial squad won the SWC 5 on the nation's debut in the competition, with only 6 members who have reached their 18th birthday; however they showed poise and discipline beyond their years as Freeport could only manage 3 attempts on frame.

Manager Darren Kirby was pleased with the performance and praised the youngsters in the starting XI who maintained their composure throughout the contest. "Great effort by everyone tonight, especially in the center of midfield, Freddie and Ben (Moorman) working together with Christa (Vuckovic), following her lead getting involved in buildup. "

Next up for Baker Park is Anthor, who were winners in the earlier match over Pius Desurongcramdis and are joint top of the Group E table. A win for the black & gold would surely see them stamp their ticket into the knockout stages once again at the SWC, with a match to spare.

Baker Park 2-0 Freeport Isles
McCormick; Allen (c), Nelson, Bruce; Olivera, Vuckovic, Altman, Wiley; Moorman; Baum, Price
shots (on target)-- BP: 10 (6) FI: 7 (3)
corners—BP: 4 FI: 1
possession (%)—BP: 61 FI: 39
fouls—BP: 7 FI: 6
yellow cards—none
referee—B. Helliford (USD) att—57,000

[Sajnur]

SWC8: Players to watch out for

The Sporting World Cup is the premier football tournament for players aged 18 and under, and is a chance for nations both established and rising to show off their future talent. Sajnur is one of those nations that are rising in the football scene, and the senior football team introduced its presence at the 6th Independents Cup. It was at the qualifiers for World Cup 82 where Sajnur really made its mark, with a series of bombastic displays and several upsets shocking the football world. The brand of attacking football that the Sajnurans demonstrated put fear into the hearts of opponents who previously had no reason to consider them a threat, and the campaign here in the Free Republics is an opportunity for Sajnur to brood another generation of players to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers at World Cup 82.

Kahala Murje

One of those pioneers at WCQ82 is Kahala Murje. Now serving as the captain for the under-18 side here at SWC8, Murje was the star of a gigantic upset as her 94th minute screamer gave Sajnur sweet victory over then 16th ranked Cosumar, sparking the deafening cheers of more than 100,000 fans. Only 17 years old when she scored that fateful goal, Murje has since won a title for Stormers FC and has cemented herself as arguably Sajnur's best defender, a badge she could very well have for the next 15 years.

Kahala Murje was born and raised on the outskirts of Roskjepa by Kuvial-speaking parents, and was a high performing student in school, scoring plenty of A's, and was also one of the more well behaved students in school. She picked up football in intermediate school and won several district championships, culminating in the Delta Province under-15 title. Scouts for Stormers FC then signed her to their youth academy where she was developed into a league winning defender. She made her professional womens' debut almost immediately after winning the state title, and then made her debut in the mens' league the season after.

Murje is known as an aggressive defender, preferring to charge in and tackle the ball carrier rather than intercept, and her tackling skills are second to none, at least not to anyone in Sajnur anyway, whether she jockeys the attacker standing or slides in low. While she isn't that fond of intercepts, this isn't for a lack of ability as she made 1.3 interceptions per game last season to go with her 3.2 tackles per game. While Murje isn't particularly adventurous going forward, her crossing is generally accurate and smart and, especially since that day at the National Stadium, has displayed a penchant for threatening shots outside the box, scoring four from beyond 18 yards last season. Some may criticise her use as a fullback given her lack of pace but Murje has shown herself to be a rock solid left back, and is also frequently seen at centre back, especially as the left centre back in a back three. Don't expect her to fly up the wings, though. That's not her job.

Murje's interests outside of football include art and astronomy. She was a prolific artist in her school years, with notepads full of drawings and many A's in art class, and continues to draw during her downtime. She doesn't get too much downtime, though, as when she's not playing for Sajnur or for Stormers FC she studies part time at the University of Roskjepa.

[Abanhfleft]

(OOC: This story continues from here.)

"Sorry about the suspension, Bobby," Klearchos Kazantzakis said on the phone to Robert Washington as the latter got off the bus with the rest of the Locomotive Imgortur team staff and made the walk towards the away locker rooms of the Aeroflot Stadium in Rosenpfelblatz. Locomotive were about to play another Fleftic Premier League game, this time away to Rosenpfelblatz City. The former was currently serving a sideline ban after the incident last week in which he kicked at a water bottle seemingly in response to an offside decision rendered against his team. "It's all my fault, man. Everything just went to my head. The goals, the offside... Then I just saw the bottle lying there and I just swung at it."

"Don't worry about it, boss," Washington said back. "It happens to the best of us."

"I know. That's why I'm saying sorry. I should be out there with the boys, you know. This is going to be a very important game for all of us. I can just feel it. I should be out there telling the boys what to do."

"Don't worry, boss," Washington repeated. "That's why I'm here, remember? Have some faith, boss. We may be on a three-game losing streak but that's got to end sometime, right?"

"Tell that to Wabash River in 2006," Kazantzakis muttered, referring to the Wabash River side of the 2005-06 season which set the unenviable record of 30 consecutive losses in a single Fleftic Premier League season.

"Surely Locomotive couldn't get that bad, right?" Washington asked jokingly, but underneath his jovial words was the fear in the back of his mind that maybe, just maybe, things could get worse.

Normally a trip to Rosenpfelblatz was a dreaded thing for many a football team in Abanhfleft as the Citizens were always a tough and tricky proposition at their home ground. This was even before the Oontaznik sultans had invested into the club and turned it into a Fleftic powerhouse. The old Bangor Lane was one of the toughest stadiums to play in if you were the away team, and Rosen City had managed to turn their new Aeroflot Stadium into a similar fortress in only a few years after their move. And on the back of two consecutive defeats, a trip to Rosenpfelblatz was pretty much the last thing that this Loco side needed.

But Rosenpfelblatz had not been firing on all cylinders this season, something that irked their manager Joseph Churchill to no end. There was even a time in the early season where Rosenpfelblatz had actually ended up at the foot of the table, which was completely the wrong place where both the team and its fans wanted the Citizens to be. It seemed to be actually the perfect time to play Rosenpfelblatz. But then Rosen had begun picking up some decent form, pulling themselves away from the foot of the table and moving themselves up to fourteenth place, with the same points as Locomotive but above them on goal difference. And Rosenpfelblatz wanted to keep moving further upward, and they weren't about to let a mid-table team like Locomotive get in their way.

The sun was setting and the sky had turned orange over Rosenpfelblatz as Rosenpfelblatz City Football Club and Locomotive Imgortur Football Club squared off against each other in the late Saturday kickoff. Rosenpfelblatz were looking to make a statement of intent, that their early season form was just a fluke and soon they would be back up the top of the table challenging for the title. Locomotive meanwhile were just looking to finally put an end to their horrible form in recent weeks. Three consecutive defeats, and all of them by at least three goals. If anything, the odds were most definitely not looking good for Locomotive.

And judging by the evidence that was the first half, Locomotive were most definitely on their way to yet another defeat. City's two young strikers Buddock Mawla (who was, technically speaking, an inside forward, but who uses the term inside forward these days?) and Oliver Ganson (that kid from Tumbra who had a good Di Bradini Cup and went straight from the Tumbran fourth tier to the Fleftic first tier of football) both found the back of the net within the first twenty minutes to give themselves, their team, and their fans a well-needed boost. Meanwhile, Locomotive were once again left reeling, no idea at all what to do to stop their downward skid down a steadily increasing incline. The image of Klearchos Kazantzakis looking down at the pitch from the stands just served to hammer home the point that Locomotive had a really, really daunting task ahead of them.

But for all of their defensive porosity in the first twenty minutes, the team seemed to have some sense finally knocked into them after Oliver Ganson's goal, and they held their shape better and concentrated more on the game, thus cutting out the majority of the chances that Rosenpfelblatz had been enjoying earlier. That didn't mean that Rosen weren't getting any chances at all; no, they still were. The chances now just seemed like they were more half-and-half than clear-cut and could very much result in a goal. And Locomotive were also beginning to get some decent chances of their own, but the first half ended before the Engineers could take advantage of it.

In the second half the Citizens picked up where they left off, and for a few brief moments Locomotive once again forgot how to defend and Buddock Mawla had a great chance to finally kill off the game, but his long-range rocket of a shot crashed against the crossbar and flew out for a goal kick, and that served as the signal for Loco to get their shit back together once again and keep Rosenpfelblatz from kicking balls into their net. And soon after that, Locomotive regained the momentum that they had seemingly lost at the end of the first half and began creating more and more dangerous chances for themselves against Rosen, and the home team's players didn't like that. Kareem Dagen went in for a late tackle on Jarrett Holmes, resulting in a free kick for Locomotive and a booking for Dagen. Holmes took the free kick himself, and he took it well, planting it right for the top left corner, beyond the reach of Brad Dennison to put Locomotive right back in the game.

That free kick goal seemed to give Locomotive a second wind, something that they desperately needed in order to arrest their downward slide down the table. Rosenpfelblatz stood their ground, as sides of their caliber often did against mid-table teams trying to fight for the draw, but their resistance could only last for so long before it was finally broken. With five minutes left to play in the second half, Jarrett Holmes took another free kick, this time from the right side of the pitch, and tried to cross the ball into the box. The ball flew high above the heads of those in the middle of the box, but Rhys Bustamante arrived just in time to control the ball at the left wing. Bustamante did a little dribble, and then he tried to smash the ball into the far post, only for Apolloscleiyali with his backside. The ball flew right back to Bustamante, who took a few more steps to get away from Apolloscleiyali before firing another shot at goal. This time it was Anastas Filipovic who put his body on the line to prevent the attempt at goal being successful, but in the ensuing chaos everyone wearing light blue lost track of the ball. It would turn out to be a costly mistake as following Filipovic's goal line clearance, the ball actually ended up right at the feet of Coke Handu, and this time he made no mistake of putting the ball into the back of the net from his position just two yards out.

By now, it seemed to most that both teams would now be content to keep the score as it was, 2-2. Some—many—Rosen fans were upset, mostly because their team had taken a 2-0 lead and subsequently squandered it, but they were already thinking ahead to the next game against the newly promoted Fleftic Air Force. In fact, many spectators were already making their way out of the stands and the stadium itself even as the fourth official indicated that there would be five more minutes of time added on. Even the Rosenpfelblatz City players themselves were, mentally at least, out of this particular game against Locomotive. And that would be what would cost them the last remaining point that they had managed to hold on to up to this point, as it was this "thinking ahead" mentality that allowed young Quintrell Lidgley to slip through the lines and gave him the space and time to pop off a long-range shot at goal. The ball seemed destined to fly just wide of Brad Dennison's near post, but then it began to curve back towards goal before finally sneaking in in between the crossbar, the post, and Dennison's outstretched glove.

Though they numbered only four thousand, it was said that the cheers of Locomotive fans in the game could be heard all over the city of Rosenpfelblatz all through the night.

---

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UNDER-18 WORLD CUP 8: PRATAPGADH VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


The Abanhfleft under-18 team congratulates each other on their win against Pratapgadh in the 8th Under-18 World Cup in the Free Republics. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

REPUBLICA, FREE REPUBLICS - The Abanhfleft under-18 national football team stormed to the top of the Trudeau Firearms Company Group F of the 8th Under-18 World Cup in the Free Republics after an impressive and commanding 5-1 victory over tournament newcomers Pratapgadh.

Karamoko Bakayoko scored a hat trick on the Young Young Revolutionaries' opening game in the Under-18 World Cup for the second consecutive time, having netted four goals in a 6-0 drubbing of Eraman in the previous edition. Derek Nixon and Darren Richardson also contributed goals while substitute Shabeeba al-Naqvi inadvertently turned the ball into her own net in the dying minutes of the game.

Abanhfleft opened the scoring with only a quarter of an hour played, with Bakayoko latching on to the through-ball from his Uranium City Radiation teammate Richardson before slotting the ball past the Pratapgadi goalkeeper.

Derek Nixon then doubled the Fleftics' advantage with a strongly taken free kick that was only going to go one place, which was the back of the net. Bakayoko's second goal of the game would then ensure that all three points would be going to the Young Young Revolutionaries even with just about an hour still to play.

Abanhfleft had numerous chances to increase their lead throughout the rest of the game, but it wasn't until the latter stages of the second half before the Young Young Revolutionaries started making their chances count once again. Karamoko Bakayoko turned from scorer to provider when he crossed the ball to the waiting forehead of Darren Richardson, who headed home Abanhfleft's fourth goal.

Bakayoko completed his hat trick in the final quarter of an hour with a one-on-one chip shot over the goalkeeper, prompting the teenage striker to remove his shirt to reveal a message stating "We will do better", an act which inevitably earned him a booking.

And while the game had long since been won by Abanhfleft, Shabeeba al-Naqvi's accidental but (questionably) unavoidable own goal at the 86th minute prompted loud and very much sarcastic cheers from the Pratapgadh faithful who had stayed behind to watch the full ninety while their compatriots had already filtered out of the stands many minutes earlier.


Abanhfleft under-18 national team manager Vaughn Palladino: We hope to build something big from this victory

Abanhfleft under-18 national team manager Vaughn Palladino: "It's great that we won. That's how we always want to start: winning. And we want to build upon this victory and turn it into a great campaign. We want to win; that much is obvious. But we want to win not just because we want that trophy; we want to win because we want to breed a generation of winners. Great job to Karamoko [Bakayoko] for the hat trick, but I have to say I will have to have a word with him about his celebration. We don't need our star players getting unnecessary cards just because they want to make a statement!"

On the potential of history being repeated in the Free Republics: "We won what happened to us the last time we played an Under-18 World Cup in the Free Republics. Frankly, I'd rather not discuss. But we are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We, Abanhfleft, have had an illustrious history in this particular competition. We made the final three times straight in the first three editions. Shame that we didn't win but we were up against some very great teams. Now it's time for us to assert ourselves as a great team of our own."

Abanhfleft will next square off against Darmen in the second matchday of the 8th Under-18 World Cup.

███████PRATAPGADH 1 - 5 ABANHFLEFT
AL-NAQVI (86' og)       BAKAYOKO (15', 33', 76')
                        NIXON (29')
                        RICHARDSON (65')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Mull █
RB: 2 Dauer (Al-Naqvi - 71')
RCB: 4 Sessler (Knauf - 79')
LCB: 5 Webre
LB: 3 Rhames
RM: 8 Nixon
LM: 6 Avalos (Huang - 69')
RW: 7 Deans
CAM: 10 Perone
LW: 11 Richardson
ST: 9 Bakayoko █

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Pratapgadh: 45%
Abanhfleft: 55%
Shots
Pratapgadh: 7 (2 on target)
Abanhfleft: 19 (10 on target)
Corners
Pratapgadh: 5
Abanhfleft: 11
Fouls
Pratapgadh: 10
Abanhfleft: 14

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 2 Cutoff, brought to you by AllMart! AllMart: Our Prices are Always Low!

---

Results

Nicholls Enterprises Group A
Alpine Union 0–1 Velestria
United States of Devonta 0–0 Lisander

  Nicholls Enterprises Group A          Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Velestria                               2   2  0  0    5   2  +3    6
2 United States of Devonta                2   0  2  0    0   0   0    2
3 Alpine Union                            2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1
4 Lisander                                2   0  1  1    2   4  −2    1

AllMart Group B
Sharktail 0–4 Tulize
Cosumar 4–2 Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia

  AllMart Group B                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tulize                                  2   2  0  0   10   2  +8    6
2 Cosumar                                 2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
3 Sharktail                               2   0  0  2    1   6  −5    0
4 Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia      2   0  0  2    4  10  −6    0

Dixon Light Group C
Starblaydia 1–2 Oberour Ar Moro
Juvenus 0–5 Free Republics

  Dixon Light Group C                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Oberour Ar Moro                         2   2  0  0    8   6  +2    6
2 Free Republics                          2   1  0  1   10   6  +4    3
3 Starblaydia                             2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
4 Juvenus                                 2   0  0  2    2   8  −6    0

Googol Group D
Kandonica 1–0 Filindostan
Savojarna 1–4 Sajnur

  Googol Group D                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kandonica                               2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
2 Sajnur                                  2   1  1  0    6   3  +3    4
3 Filindostan                             2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1
4 Savojarna                               2   0  0  2    4   9  −5    0

FreedomCola Group E
Pius Desurongcrandis 1–0 Freeport
Anthor 1–5 Commonwealth of Baker Park

  FreedomCola Group E                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Commonwealth of Baker Park              2   2  0  0    7   1  +6    6
2 Anthor                                  2   1  0  1    4   5  −1    3
3 Pius Desurongcrandis                    2   1  0  1    1   3  −2    3
4 Freeport                                2   0  0  2    0   3  −3    0

Trudeau Firearms Company Group F
Darmen 0–0 Abanhfleft
Schottia 2–0 Pratapgadh

  Trudeau Firearms Company Group F      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Schottia                                2   2  0  0    7   3  +4    6
2 Abanhfleft                              2   1  1  0    5   1  +4    4
3 Darmen                                  2   0  1  1    3   5  −2    1
4 Pratapgadh                              2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0

BearOil Group G
Cassadaigua 0–3 Banija
Indusse 3–0 Equestria

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  2   2  0  0    6   0  +6    6
2 Indusse                                 2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
3 Cassadaigua                             2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0
4 Equestria                               2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

Olden Automobile Company Group H
Ancherion 1–2 Crystalline Caverns
Main Nation Ministry 2–1 Trastamur

  Olden Automobile Company Group H      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Crystalline Caverns                     2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Main Nation Ministry                    2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Ancherion                               2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
4 Trastamur                               2   0  0  2    2   4  −2    0

[Lisander]

The Future Eleven (due to sponsorship also called InvestDirect® Future Eleven) is the Lisander U-18 team. They make their international debut on this Sporting World Cup. InvestDirect, an Investment Fund based in Brax, Lisander, bought the naming rights for all youth national teams of Lisander, and is supporting the team during its participation in the tournament. As the team has been set up in a hurry and most of these players are on holiday, they come to this tournament completely free of any kind of pressure, just to have fun and announce the sponsor. Their expenses are paid and each one of them will receive a prize of 10 thousand lises for the participation, converted into investments that will be able to redeem as soon as they turn 21, the legal age to invest money in actions of the financial market. Rating: +4

Uniforms

Uniforms are the same of the adult national team, with a "Future Eleven" logo in the front.

Roster

#	Name				Pos	Age
1	Lucas Cédric			GK	18
2	Danilo Grecco			DF	16
3	Bruno Segall			DF	17
4	William Castro			DF	16
5	João Monteiro			MF	17
6	Emilio Brunni			DF	16
7	Eric Canonne			FW	18
8	Marian Bittencourt		MF	17
9	Marco Regagnin			MF	16
10	Leandro Misano			FW	16
11	Bruno "LINHO" Melo		FW	17
12	Bruno Becker			FW	17
13	Alisson Bittencourt		DF	18
14	Nathan Rimini			DF	16
15	Nuno Marinho			DF	16
16	Anderson Bório			GK	18
17	Miguel Velasco			DF	16
18	Daniel Fernandes		MF	17
19	Martim Pinto			MF	16
20	Lécio Extremoz			MF	17
21	Filipe Mendl			FW	16
22	Mateus Durão			MF	17
23	Pedro Pacci			GK	16
						
C	Cássio Mendl			C	41

RP Permissions
I give my opponent permission to:
Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
Give my players yellow cards: Y
Give my players red cards: Y
Give injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y

[Indusse]

BearOil Group G
Cassadaigua 0–3 Banija
Indusse 3–0 Equestria

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  2   2  0  0    6   0  +6    6
2 Indusse                                 2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
3 Cassadaigua                             2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0
4 Equestria                               2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

INDUSSE QUALIFIES,EQUESTRIA LOSES

Indussean youngsters shows up their might at the matchday 2 of the sporting worldcup. The team was with confidence after the first match but, suddenly The physiotherapist of team Rana Hidanba died due to a cardiac arrest. Rana Hidanba served indusse as the physiotheraphy chief of various sports associations. Micael Jude has taken charge as the new physiotherapist of the team. In the match equestria was defeated by indusse for 3-0. the noob nation is showing its Might.

EQUESTRIA 0-3 INDUSSE | 3`,54` Mersias
67` OG

[Schottia]

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SBCNEWS Online...
Football special - The Sporting World Cup

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Schottia 5–3 Darmen @ Gem of the Oceans Stadium
Line-up: Prichard, Del Duniun, Meyer zu Heide, Meerfeld, Strathspey, Knoxburgh-Brann (Lira), Ramsey, Arniston, Maitfield (Úisge-Aonàranach), Enrico (Hunter), Palermo
Goals: Enrico, Arniston, Palermo (2), Ramsey

---

In what was Schottia’s first completive match in nearly five years, the young auks were made to work hard for the three points against a dangerous looking Darmen side. A team crammed with Project Olimpo and Centre for Excellence players gave the Schottic defence the run around at times, netting three in the process. Thankfully, Judy Scott’s players had their scoring boots on too, and came up with five of their own to see out the win.

It will be “second-generation” stars Enrico and Ramsey who undoubtedly dominate the column inches, but this win was very much a team performance. Kirston Union attacker, Rachel Arniston, also got herself on the score sheet in what was a woman of the match performance, and a double from Pirates kid, Simon Palermo, at the start of the second half, was crucial in turning the tide.

It was the result the Schottic development team were looking for, but there were plenty of positives for Darman coach Lionel Ottosen, whose side looked particularly impressive in the final third.

Schottia opened the scoring after three minutes, when Enrico did well to get a flick on a Kendra Ramsey cross, directing the ball past the wrong-footed Simon Toro. The Manechester City striker caused the Darman defence a lot of problems early on, as they struggled to get to grips with aerial threat that he posed. The son of Quebecois legend, Leonardo Conavacio, could have even had a second moments later, but this time his headed effort was held by Toro.

Schottia kept the pressure up, and Simon Palermo really should have doubled their lead after doing well to dispossess Cooper Johnson in the area. Kendra Ramsey also had a shot blocked, before the Auks finally made their pressure tell, with Arniston converting from close range. The Union midfielder played a clever one-two with Palermo before sliding the ball under the outstretched keeper.

Given the early chances, Schottia could have been home and hosed by the half hour mark, so it’s credit to Darman that they dug deep and got themselves back into contention. Schottia were living proof of the adage, “you’re never more vulnerable than straight after you’ve scored,” as Charles Frederickson pulled one back straight from the restart. The Springfield United youngster was a thorn in Schottia’s side for much of the game, and he took advantage of defensive dithering to leave John Prichard with little chance.

Thing got worse for Schottia, as the goal seemed to take the wind from them. Suddenly their play was rushed, untidy, and it was little surprise when Darman pulled level. Again Frederickson was at the heart of the move, giving Kati Meyer zu Heide the slip before squaring for Billy-Bob Trudeau to finish from the angle of the box.

As the second half kicked off, the match was anyone’s, and both sides quickened the pace as they looked to make the decisive breakthrough. It was a time for cool heads, and luckily Schottia seem to have found one in the form of Simon Palermo. The little Willox Street attacker jinked past Melech Mag Raith, keeping his composure before slotting home. Ten minutes later, the striker showed his club might have a real gem on their hands, as quickly ran onto an Enrico flick-on, to stab in number four.

Schottia were well worth their lead, but at 4-2, it was perhaps a little unkind to Darman, who were never really out of it. Judy Scott’s side made sure of the three points with seven minutes left on the clock, as Ramsey finished after a fine solo run. The Chenoworth Rovers winger has some real pace about her, and she showed Erskine Tittensor a clean set of heels before powering home at the near post.

Darman pulled one back in the closing stages, thanks to a long-range strike from Ian Wilkinson, which will have made the score line look all the more respectable.

It was a good first outing for this pool of players, and it will give fans and pundits alike plenty to chew over. Schottia seem to have no issues going forward, but the defensive lapses will not have been part of the plan.

---

Schottia 2–0 Pratapgadh @ Gem of the Oceans Stadium
Line-up: Prichard, Del Duniun, Meyer zu Heide, Meerfeld, Strathspey, Knoxburgh-Brann (Black), Ramsey, Arniston, Lira (Maitfield), Enrico, Palermo (Lilíúisge)
Goals: Meerfeld, Enrico

---

Fresh off the back of that impressive win over Darman, Schottia took on Group E’s relative unknowns, Pratapgadh. Judy Scott made one change to the starting eleven, with Trista Lira coming into the midfield at the expense of Tess Maitfield.

Schottia enjoyed the lion’s share of the early possession, with Rachel Arniston going close from a distance effort, before Enrico headed a Scott Knoxburgh-Brann cross against the upright. For all their early pressure, however, the Auks were unable to find the back of the net as the Pratapgadh defence continued to frustrate.

When Schottia finally broke the deadlock, it came through an unlikely source. Simon Palermo turned his marker on the edge of the area, before unleashing a wicked strike, which the goalkeeper had to react quickly to in order to turn it wide. Kendra Ramsey swung in the resulting corner, which seemed to skip the entire box, before it was headed across the line by Sarah Meerfeld. The Cornellians defender doesn’t score many goals, and you could see by her celebration how much it meant to her.

As the game wore Schottia looked more and more composed, and thought they’d bagged when after Enrico knocked the ball down for Ramsey after an Arniston free kick. The linesman had his fag up, however, much to the disappointment of the young winger who thought she’d scored her second of the tournament.

Schottia didn’t have to wait too much longer for the killer second goal, with Enrico powering home from close range to secure qualification from the group. Arniston combined well with substitute, Tess Maitfield, to play in the Manechester forward, who doesn’t miss from four metres out.

It’s so far so good for Schottia, who will now face a far stiffer test in the form of Abanhfleft. The two sides are no strangers, having met almost every level over the past twenty years. The Fleftic are traditionally a strong youth side, and this current side are no different. Key to getting a result is going to be finding a way to deal with Karamoko Bakayoko, who has emerged as one of the Multiverses hottest prospects.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Weekend 2024
Second win builds confidence for 18's
by Fiona Devlin, Staff Soccer Writer

Anthor 1-5 Commonwealth

Their second straight strong performance at the Sporting World Cup 8 has the members of the Under 18 National Team in excellent spirits as they look towards making it a perfect 3-0 in the group stage for the first time since 6 years ago in Abanhfleft.

Baker Park's 5-1 win over Anthor at the FreedomCola Stadium was with an almost completely changed lineup from the earlier victory over Freeport Isles. Chandra Mack, who is one of the six 18 year-olds in the squad and was held back from the opener, scored twice and newcomers Elena Diaz and Amy Knight also added tallies from open play, while co-captain Christa Vuckovic, who came on as a sub for Diaz in the 75th minute, converted a penalty just 7 minutes later to complete the scoreline.

With the win, the Commonwealth is all but mathematically qualified for the knockout stage; their final match against Pius Desurongcrandis presents a slim chance that could see them lose out, but a third straight win will erase all doubt.

So far, this second trip by a Baker Park squad to the FreedomCola Stadium in Iodara, Free Republics has been a far more positive experience, although probably not as high in significance--this was the venue in World Cup 81 where the Commonwealth made their first appearance in a knockout round match, in the Round of 16 against South Covello, a 1-0 loss.

As for the near term future, the other groups in the Baker Park half of the draw are shaking out as follows:

Group F sees former World Cup Champions and WCC #1 Schottia facing off against Abanhfleft on the final day, with the former having already qualified and the 4 times finalists needing only a point to set up a possible encounter in the Round of 16 against Baker Park

Group G will be the table that most will look hard for a second time at, as both Cassidaigua and the Equestrian States have been eliminated and all will be watching as Banija and Indusse battle for the top spot on matchday 3.

Group H presents the only real final day drama, as Crystalline Caverns will square off against Main Nation Ministry, while Ancherion and Trastamur will fight for the wooden spoon, although a loss by MNM and a win by Ancherion will make the final spot up for grabs dependent on the actual scores of both matches; currently, the former have just a +1 advantage and their potential usurpers have a -1 deficit. As the sides played to a scoreless draw on opening day, the potential for deep tiebreaking discussion looms.

[Tulize]

Patriot or Progeny?

The AllMartDome had donned the Tulizean blue twice this Sporting World Cup, and bpth of those occasions have seen the Cygnets rise above all odds to defeat Andyrssia 6-2 and Sharktail 4-0. Thumping victories, the media called them…

Sheri Taylor was sat in her dressing room after the team left, following Thursday’s match against Sharktail. The massive 4-0 victory seemed unable to penetrate the bubble of sadness that grasped her. She felt she heard a noise over on the other end of the locker room. She looked absent-mindedly – nothing seemed to be there. She turned back to packing her boots, the same ones her Dad gifted her back in Treicester.

She remembers being the kid whose Dad took her to the club one fine morning, picking up a modest set of boots on the way, just to let her get acquainted to the country’s most popular game. She remembers the beautiful sunshine, that day. She remembers the Treicester City gate, and she remembers how the grass suddenly smelled so beautiful that day! It was the rebirth of Sheri Taylor, the bully – all thanks to her Dad whom she hated until that point. We mean, her step-father: she never learnt to call him anything except Dad.

She was almost ready in her black and blue stripes, waiting to run on to the field, when Merritt sent someone from the coaching staff to talk to her. She collapsed in disbelief, while the entire team turned back in the tunnel, hearing the loud thud. Nobody knew what it was. After 15 seconds, everything was normal – no matter who won, then, it was sure that Taylor’s professionalism won. Taylor loved her nation and her game too much to run away.

Everyone got to know later that it was her Dad who passed away. They didn’t know it was the second time this happened to her – neither did they know that this is the only time it actually hurt her. She didn’t cry when her own Dad died when she could barely talk properly, but she cried now, aged 18, in the locker room at the Sporting World Cup, defeating the opposition 4-0, scoring a brace in that, while being the most promising talent the country had produced in recent times.

What would she be without her Dad? What would we be without or loved ones?

She remembers the grass smelling beautiful today as she walked into the AllMartDome for kickoff. She felt like she’ll tear up even before she’d touch the ball. The referee blew. Taylor kicked off, passing the ball onward from daughter to central attacking midfielder.

---

Match Report vs Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia

---

Goals:
Taylor 15', 36', 40'
Lindsey 23', 45+2'
Porter 72'

---

Substitutions:
Taylor OUT Jimenez IN 50'
Fernandez OUT May IN 50'
Keller OUT Curtis IN 74'

The Andyrssian team literally crumbled before the Tulizean attack, as the Cygnets won 6 goals to 2 in a match-up that surprised nobody. Having fallen behind 0-2 in the few opening minutes due to the unknown opposition and the big-tournament blues, the Cygnets were in a spot of bother. The Qasdonian manager did pull a few strings here and there to make sure the Andyrssians weren’t too much trouble, but a 5-2 lead at the end of the first half eliminated any need of precaution to the manager, as he used all of his three subs in quick succession to try out the depth in the squad. The commotion in the change and the time needed for the team to settle in caused the goal-scoring spree to stop a little, but the sheer domination was still very prevalent. A hattrick in the name of the prolific Sheri Taylor, a brace from Jane Lindsey and a second half tap-in from Porter sealed the scoring for the Tulizeans.

---

Match Report vs Sharktail

---

Goals:
Taylor 28', 56'
Porter 44', 67'

---

Substitutions:
None

Another largely unknown team, Sharktail failed to impress in their encounter against Tulize, as the Cygnets put 4 past them with considerable ease, as Taylor continued to impress with a brace while Porter also chipped in with his brace to complete the scoring for Tulize. Playing their well-known possession game, the Cygnets were very formidable in defence, learning from the mistakes they made in the past with Andyrssia. A solid, well-knit performance from the youngsters saw them sit pretty at the top of the AllMart Group B table while they go through to the next round along with Cosumar, who also won both games in the group.

---

Match Preview vs Cosumar

---

The Fiefdom of Cosumar and their Wyrmlings play in a style very close to ours, with the 4-in-the-back 4-4-2 and a moderately offensive style of play. It creates an exciting prospect for all watching, as the possessional play endorsed both by the Qasdonian Jon Merritt for Tulize and Hadassah Zepećky, the home-nationality coach for the Wyrmlings would face of in a battle that would decide the fate of the top of the group. Both the teams would urge themselves on to perform better in this match for the top spot to face a slightly weaker opposition in the next round, or at least bragging rights, if nothing else. The temperatures surrounding this epic clash have only been ever-rising since the declaration of the group draw and the fixtures. The beautiful AllMartDome will decide the fate of this match, and football enthusiasts following the Sporting World Cup from all over the world can't help but lose their calm about the fixture. It sure promises to be a cracker!

Prediction: Tulize 1-2 Cosumar

---

The predictions from the pundits in the office here might dishearten Tulizean fans, but it cannot be helped but seen how the rankings matter in a tournament like the Sporting World Cup, and Tulize being the outsiders here, might be able to put up a fight, but probably not enough to see them over the line versus the mighty Wyrmlings.

[Abanhfleft]

(OOC: Not enough time to write down another story so just another match report once again...)

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

UNDER-18 WORLD CUP 8: DARMEN VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Karamoko Bakayoko in action against Darmen in the 8th Under-18 World Cup in the Free Republics. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

REPUBLICA, FREE REPUBLICS - The Abanhfleft under-18 national football team played out a goalless draw against Darmen in the 8th Under-18 World Cup in the Free Republics, despite the best efforts of Karamoko Bakayoko and company to put their names on the score sheet.

Despite what the scoreline would suggest, this match was particularly full of chances and also egregious misses, with players from both sides seemingly coming up with wilder and more inventive ways of not scoring from good positions.

Easily taking the cake for worst miss of the tournament (so far) has to be Karamoko Bakayoko's seemingly nailed-on goal in the 20th minute of the game. The Uranium City Radiation striker, having evaded two Darmeni defenders and rounded goalkeeper Simon Toro, flicked the ball towards the far post and was already wheeling away to celebrate before he watched the ball roll just millimeters past the upright, and celebrations turned into faces covered in shame.

But Bakayoko was not the only one left red-faced throughout the afternoon; his Uranium City teammate Darren Richardson somehow managed to miss from point-blank range after Anderson Perone's free kick smashed into the crossbar and fell right back into play and at Richardson's feet, and in the dying minutes of the game Victor Dauer's attempt at a bouncing header flew over the woodwork as well.

It wasn't all Fleftic players who were missing sometimes practically open goals; Charles Frederickson's attempted chip over Dennis Mull also clattered off the bar, and Briar Pender blasted his free kick just a hair's width wide of the far post as well, leading to lighthearted speculation that the goal and the ball had been filled with repelling magnets.

Despite all this, the mood in the game remained respectful and cordial, with the only real flare-up being in the final seconds of added time when Darren Richardson barged into Simon Toro for timewasting. Richardson was duly booked for the challenge, but then also showed Toro the yellow card as the referee had adjudged Richardson to be in the right with regards to the timewasting.


Abanhfleft under-18 national football team manager Vaughn Palladino: We knew that we could have done better but we didn't

Abanhfleft under-18 national football team manager Vaughn Palladino: "We knew what we were capable of. We knew what we could do with the ball on our feet and around it. But we were just unable to do it. We didn't perform like we knew we could, and that could really cost us down the line. The boys and the girls knew the stakes. We all knew that this was a match for the taking, and we didn't do it. Now we are going to have to do it all again and also rely on some good luck in the other game if we want to get out of our group."

Abanhfleft will face group leaders Schottia in the third and final matchday of the group stage of the 8th Under-18 World Cup. Abanhfleft must win against Schottia in order to advance out of the group, or Pratapgadh must defeat Darmen in order to ensure the advancement of the Young Young Revolutionaries to the knockout stage.

DARMEN 0 - 0 ABANHFLEFT
█

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Mull
RB: 2 Dauer
RCB: 4 Sessler (al-Naqvi - 74')
LCB: 5 Webre
LB: 3 Rhames
RM: 8 Nixon
LM: 6 Avalos
RW: 7 Deans (Socia - 78')
CAM: 10 Perone (McCloy - 56')
LW: 11 Richardson █
ST: 9 Bakayoko

DARMEN
GK: 1 Toro █
RB: 4 Tittensor
CB: 3 Mag Raith
LB: 2 Johnson
RM: 8 MacGowan
RCM: 7 Wilkinson
LCM: 6 Wolfe
LM: 5 Grosse
RW: 10 Pender (Gorman - 82')
CF: 11 Frederickson (Carl - 60')
LW: 9 Trudeau (Hernandez - 75')

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Darmen: 51%
Abanhfleft: 49%
Shots
Darmen: 11 (5 on target)
Abanhfleft: 12 (6 on target)
Corners
Darmen: 6
Abanhfleft: 7
Fouls
Darmen: 9
Abanhfleft: 15

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 3 Cutoff, brought to you by Dixon Light! Dixon Light: The Beer that Makes Love Happen since 1836!

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Results

Nicholls Enterprises Group A
Lisander 3–2 Alpine Union
Velestria 0–1 United States of Devonta

  Nicholls Enterprises Group A          Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Velestria                               3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
2 United States of Devonta                3   1  2  0    1   0  +1    5
3 Lisander                                3   1  1  1    5   6  −1    4
4 Alpine Union                            3   0  1  2    2   4  −2    1

AllMart Group B
Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia 1–2 Sharktail
Tulize 3–0 Cosumar

  AllMart Group B                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tulize                                  3   3  0  0   13   2 +11    9
2 Cosumar                                 3   2  0  1    6   6   0    6
3 Sharktail                               3   1  0  2    3   7  −4    3
4 Commonwealth Republic of Andyrssia      3   0  0  3    5  12  −7    0

Dixon Light Group C
Free Republics 0–5 Starblaydia
Oberour Ar Moro 4–0 Juvenus

  Dixon Light Group C                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Oberour Ar Moro                         3   3  0  0   12   6  +6    9
2 Starblaydia                             3   2  0  1    9   4  +5    6
3 Free Republics                          3   1  0  2   10  11  −1    3
4 Juvenus                                 3   0  0  3    2  12 −10    0

Googol Group D
Sajnur 5–0 Kandonica
Filindostan 2–3 Savojarna

  Googol Group D                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sajnur                                  3   2  1  0   11   3  +8    7
2 Kandonica                               3   2  0  1    6   8  −2    6
3 Savojarna                               3   1  0  2    7  11  −4    3
4 Filindostan                             3   0  1  2    4   6  −2    1

FreedomCola Group E
Commonwealth of Baker Park 2–1 Pius Desurongcrandis
Freeport 1–2 Anthor

  FreedomCola Group E                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Commonwealth of Baker Park              3   3  0  0    9   2  +7    9
2 Anthor                                  3   2  0  1    6   6   0    6
3 Pius Desurongcrandis                    3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3
4 Freeport                                3   0  0  3    1   5  −4    0

Trudeau Firearms Company Group F
Pratapgadh 2–5 Darmen
Abanhfleft 0–5 Schottia

  Trudeau Firearms Company Group F      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Schottia                                3   3  0  0   12   3  +9    9
2 Darmen                                  3   1  1  1    8   7  +1    4*
3 Abanhfleft                              3   1  1  1    5   6  −1    4*
4 Pratapgadh                              3   0  0  3    3  12  −9    0

BearOil Group G
Equestria 1–1 Cassadaigua
Banija 4–0 Indusse

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  3   3  0  0   10   0 +10    9
2 Indusse                                 3   2  0  1    4   4   0    6
3 Cassadaigua                             3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1
4 Equestria                               3   0  1  2    1   7  −6    1

Olden Automobile Company Group H
Trastamur 1–7 Ancherion
Crystalline Caverns 1–0 Main Nation Ministry

  Olden Automobile Company Group H      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Crystalline Caverns                     3   3  0  0    5   2  +3    9
2 Ancherion                               3   1  1  1    8   3  +5    4*
3 Main Nation Ministry                    3   1  1  1    2   2   0    4*
4 Trastamur                               3   0  0  3    3  11  −8    0

*Drew head to head match. Tie broken by overall GD.

---

Round of 16

Velestria v. Cosumar @ IslandDome, Toakameau, Falatulu, Free Republics
Oberour Ar Moro v. Kandonica @ Olympic Stadium, Baseton, Amolotopia, Free Republics
Commonwealth of Baker Park v. Darmen @ Soccer Palace, Petrograd, Plymouth, Free Republics
Banija v. Ancherion @ FreedomCola Stadium, Borotia, Iodara, Free Republics
Tulize v. United States of Devonta @ CoCoCo Stadium, New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics
Sajnur v. Starblaydia @ AllMartDome, Reco, Jolarus, Free Republics
Schottia v. Anthor @ Olden Stadium, Falkamore, Nejax, Free Republics
Crystalline Caverns v. Indusse @ Gem of the Oceans Stadium, Republica, Republica District, Free Republics

[Indusse]

NOOB RETURNS!!!

BearOil Group G (final standing)
Equestria 1–1 Cassadaigua
Banija 4–0 Indusse

  BearOil Group G                       Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                                  3   3  0  0   10   0 +10    9
2 Indusse                                 3   2  0  1    4   4   0    6
3 Cassadaigua                             3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1
4 Equestria                              3   0  1  2    1   7  −6    1

Congrats Banija!!!
Indussean Senior Captain Baskar H Kumar predicts the Round of 16 results..

Velestria 2-1 Cosumar
Oberour Ar Moro 2-0 Kandonica
Baker park 2-3 Darmen
Banija 3-1 Ancherion
Tulize 2-1 US Devonta
Sajnur 0-2 Starblaydia
Schottia 1-0 Anthor
Crystalline Caverns ?-? Indusse

[Starblaydia]

OOC: the graphics in this RP, and indeed the game Joe is playing, are based on real-world PC games 'Warlords' from 1990 and 'Major Stryker' from 1993.

"Yes! Get in! That's three!"

The shout from the living room easily made it up to Joe's bedroom through the half-open door, partly because his father's booming voice often carried throughout the house and partly because he was always excitable and loud when watching Starblaydia play football. Even if it was the Under-18s, who hadn't even existed as a formal organisation five or six years ago, the built-in Starblaydi passion for anyone wearing the white and displaying the golden eagle had always permeated throughout the society.

Joe was supporting the team, too, in his own way. He had a live stream of the match taking up one quarter of his secondary computer monitor, so was able to keep tabs on the match. The rest of that screen was filled with code and coding websites, while his main one was the heavy individual pixels of a scaled-up video game from 'back in the day'. At least it looked like it was a vintage game, hand-coded by one or two people based on an idea written down on the back of a napkin. Compared to the games most people his age played, it was like using a wooden club when set against their laser guns. It was, however, almost brand new and only just released for digital download.

"Joe?" came the inevitable call from down the stairs, "are you watching this? We're three-nil up!"

"Yeah, I know Dad," Joe called back, but within moments the familiar sound of his father's footsteps climbing the stairs in their slow, rhythmic fashion. Why was it that whenever Joe shouted back down the stairs at the same volume level as his Dad, his Dad never heard him? When he then had to shout louder, he was told off for shouting. At this point it wasn't worth getting into an argument about, so Joe just carried on with his game and awaited the inevitable repeat of the short conversation. The gentle knock on his half-open door was respectful of his boundaries, at least.

"You should come watch this game," his dad said, "we're three-nil up, it's great."

"Yeah, Dad," Joe said, gesturing at the window with the stream and barely taking his eyes from his main focus of the game, "I'm watching."

"You're gaming," his Dad said with a look that was trying not to be a frown, "not watching."

"Multitasking," Joe said with a grin.

"This looks old," his dad pointed at the blocky, 256 colour pixels of what looked to be a medieval or fantasy game. The sky was single colour of pale blue, the grass was two colours, with a third, darker green added in that made for shadows on the tiled, identical hills. Three greys made not only the mountains, but also the roads and the user interface, "in fact I'd have probably told my grandfather that this looks old. What are you playing?"

"It's the latest strategy game from PICUS Multimedia," Joe said, "Plough Islands, um, something something Software. They all have this vintage style from there, it's really cool.

"The... latest?" Joe's Dad looked utterly bewildered. "What did it come on, three-and-a-half inch floppy disks?"

"No," Joe laughed, "digital download. If I wanted the 14 floppy disks I'd have to get them shipped. And then buy an external disk drive, too, of course. But that'd be silly just for one little game."

His Dad watched as Joe maneuvered stacks of armies around the map, producing new units at cities that he owned and capturing more through battle. There were a large number of grey cities to be captured, but evidently a lot of other factions who were trying to capture them too. War was inevitable, most obviously when the word 'WAR' came up in big letters when battle was joined, and a low-quality sound effect played the sound of what was supposed to be swords crashing together.

"So what's the appeal," his Dad asked, "the graphics are terrible, sound is rudimentary, and the gameplay mechanics are really basic?"

"That's just it," Joe said, "there's nothing to distract you or try and gloss over shi-, um, really bad practices with microtransactions or anything. It's a simple mechanic that gets complicated as you expand your empire. I don't need super high-res textures, award-winning voice acting and stuff, just gimme a good platform it's fine."

"I was always a Triple-A gamer as a kid," his Dad said, "I always liked Dark Resonance: Rise - Fifteen, ever since I saw my own Dad playing Dark Resonance: The Reckoning that was really Rise Six, I loved watching him play that one."

"Yes but Triple-A is all fancy graphics and not much else," Joe countered, "they just spend millions of credits on the way it looks, then never bother with a decent story, or gameplay, or making anything interesting or new, it's just the same old recycled game every year."

"And what's wrong with that," his Dad exclaimed, "they're great games!"

"You just think that flashy graphics and a big soundtrack makes a great game," Joe said, "there's no heart to it. I'd rather play something a little janky that has a good heart and a new way of looking at things, rather than the same old rubbish with a different coat of grey paint each year."

"But Triple-A is Triple-A for a reason," his Dad continued, "the history, the money, the quality. It's the Starblaydi way of just being the best-looking, the smoothest and the richest product."

"Yeah," Joe said, "but that doesn't mean it's any good, just because it's coasting on the back of what it used to be. Maybe Dark Resonance One was this amazing ground-breaking game that defined a genre. That's pretty unlikely, anyway, because it was probably a straight rip-off of something generic and boring, but had millions of Credits thrown at it to make the dark smokey corridors look even darker and smokey-er, and then everyone in Starblaydia laps that up just because it looks fancy, even though it's telling you which button opens the door every single time you get to a door because it's assuming everyone is a moron. Everything is presented for you and all you have to do is shoot and hit button prompts. That's barely even a game. Sure, they cloak it in this fake cladding of a 'cinematic experience' but you might as well just be pressing 'Next' on a visual novel with movie studio-quality computer graphics. It's barely even gaming, yet somehow that's what gaming has become in this country. Look around, look across the world, and there's all these excited new companies from these excitable new nations churning out some of the most creative stuff. And sure it may not be polished, or may not be the best-looking, but they're making their presence felt and their ideas are getting across. Sooner or later they'll be successful too and what will the Starblaydi video game industry have? Dark Resonance: The Revenge Fifty-Two? We have to keep up with these innovators before we're some old coot who has nothing but history to cling on to."

"That looks like Starblaydi colours," his Dad said, trying to change the subject by pointing at the on-screen graphics.

"Yeah," Joe replied, "I modded the source files and put real-world nations in that match the Sporting World Cup, so currently I'm trying to wipe out the Free Republics, having conquered Juvencus and Oberour Ar Moro already. That one was close, though, they had a couple of Daemons with their Hero that knocked out a couple of my cities. Now I'm rolling though, so this should be easy until I cross the main river. Watch..."

Joe's Dad watched as he moved a Hero and their stack of troops towards a city flying a dark blue banner. The hero, who's name was 'Azewyn Feanaro', evidently because the text engine of the game couldn't recognise the special characters needed for 'Ázëwyn Fëanáro', moved one tile at a time down the road, using up movement points. When Azewyn was next to the city, the cursor changed into a huge red sword, and when Joe clicked, the same sword-clanging sound as before played. Up popped the 'battle' screen, where four standard-looking soldiers in dark blue were faced by five varied soldiers in purple. One ordinary soldier, one heavily armoured with a shield, a guy on a horse, what looked like a white Pegasus, and the Hero. One by one the dark blue soldiers were blotted out by a fight graphic, and the Starblaydi forces were victorious. The city's banners immediately changed to purple, and Joe selected 'Heavy Infantry' - the solider with the shield - from the production menu. One would be ready, apparently, in two turns and cost four gold pieces.

"I knew there was a good, old-fashioned Starblaydi patriot in you somewhere, son!"

"It's hard not to be," Joe admitted, "# when Fëanáro changed the game before I was born, and now we're seeing that bold new direction in action, winning things and moving back up the rankings."

"That's the spirit," his Dad said, punching the air slightly, "we'll make a Praetorian Party voter out of you yet."

"Don't count on tha-"

"YES! IT'S FOUR!" Joe's Dad interrupted with his booming cry, "Saraviva you little beauty!"

It was a decent goal, too, with the wide midfielder sweeping in at the back post from a Jake Deangelo cross that evaded everyone in the middle, leaving Lucy Saraviva to simply tap it in at the back post with not a single defender anywhere near her. Starblaydia were definitely going through to the Second Round, and they were doing it by sending the Free Republics home with a thrashing.

"Tell you what, mate," Joe's Dad said, "when this match is over, why don't you come downstairs and we'll watch the Pro Wrestling together, just like old times?"

"Sure thing Dad," Joe said, "can we watch something from the Indies?"

"Not today, I haven't caught up from yesterday's Tuesday Night Target yet,"

"Oh, Dad," Joe moaned, "the SWA is such a bland corporate machine, it's all so dull and samey. Same old sh-, um, same old stuff every week. Boring invincible heroes, big-mouth cowardly heels, it's like they've only got one formula."

"Yeah but they have a great formula." Dad said with a grin. "And pyro. And Celestine Von Bootyshake."

"That's literally the whole reason you watch it, isn't it?"

"I won't tell Mum if you don't," his Dad winked at him and turned to go back downstairs, "be down in fifteen!"

"Sure, Dad." Joe went back to modding other vintage-looking games to reflect the Starblaydia Under-18's passage in the Sporting World Cup. It was nothing if not a niche hobby...

[Schottia]

Schottia The Next Generation

Part Three.

Out of sight

Claire Hanson-Conavacio slammed her keys down on the kitchen worktop, uncorking the remains of last night’s red wine bottle, and grabbed a glass from the cupboard over head.

‘What a fucking DAY..!’

She screamed into her hands, pouring herself a large measure, before bringing both the glass and bottle over to the breakfast bar at the end of the room.

‘Fucking toys!’

She swiped a couple of action figures from the end of the table, caring not one bit for their wellbeing as they clattered noisily onto the tiles below. She had lost count of the number of times she’d told Derek and Hazel about keeping their crap out of the kitchen. Why in the Multiverse they bothered living somewhere nice was beyond Claire, the kids didn’t give a shit. That had been how it was sold to her all those years back, moving to Equestria was meant to be a chance to earn some more money. ”The lifestyle they deserved…” her husband Leonardo had said, as he tried to convince them a move to Manechester was in their best interests.

‘Everything is always about him…’

After the first glug she felt the tension in her back and shoulders ease a little, and after the second she was ready for a refill. Removing her phone from her jacket pocket and placing it on the table, Claire gave a sigh of relief as she realised there were no new messages. Enrico was over in Schottia with the under eighteens, and was at least out of sight, if not out of mind. One down, but there were still three other “disasters” more than capable of throwing a spanner into her day. Who could have thought that children - one half Leonardo Conovacio and one quarter Derek Hanson - could have been trouble?

She had twenty minutes before she needed to leave and pick up Matti from wrestling. At ten and twelve-years-of-age, Derek jnr and Hazel were more than capable of making their own way home from school, but all the same, she worried endlessly when the two of them were alone in the house unsupervised. Last time, she had come home to find a game of basketball underway in the hallway, with the downstairs toilet bowl being used as a hoop.

‘Oh well…’ Claire looked hard at her second glass of wine before sinking it. ‘I must be at least half way there…’ Was it normal to look forward to death..? She made a mental note not to ask her therapist next time they met. The truth was however, at forty four, she probably wasn’t even over the hump. She was now a stay-at-home-mum to the worst human beings alive, a borderline alcoholic, with her career as a top sports scientist lying on the scrapheap.

Her phone began to vibrate loudly on the polished granit surface. She eyed the unknown number with distrust. Leo was working late tonight¬..? No, going out with colleges for a drink, and Claire shouldn’t wait up..? Or, it was Matti’s trainer, informer her that he had been in a scuffle and broken a teammate’s nose. Maybe Enrico was being sent home the Sporting World Cup for misconduct. Failing that, Hazel and Derek were equally capable of getting themselves suspended from school.

‘Claire Hanson’s phone..?’ This was how Claire had taken to answering these days, giving herself an escape route if needs be.

‘Is that you Claire..?’ Came a familiar voice, frail and a little raspy, but one she couldn’t place.

‘May…be…’ She replied tentatively, the Schottic accent reassuring her that it was at least nothing to do with her youngest three.

‘Claire, it’s Jock Sonny.’

‘Jock?’ Claire tried to regain her composure. She hadn’t spoken to the veteran manager in years, not since she had worked with him at Cornellians in days of the Multiverse Premier League.

‘How are you doing, Claire?’

‘Great’ she lied, stuffing the cork back in the wine bottle, and pouring her half glass down the sink. ‘Eh, great, yeah. I’ve got my family here in the Manechester suburbs, beautiful house, Leo’s making enough money… things – you know – couldn’t be better.’ She was trying to work out how old Sonny must be now. When they had worked together he was already pushing retirement age, and that was long before Enrico was born. As far as she knew he was still in Cosumar with Ramusok United, no doubt still bawling his head off on the training pitch. ‘How about yourself? How are you keeping? How’s Peggy? The Grandkids?’

‘You know me, I’m doing away fine.’ Sonny sounded old, and distant. ‘I reckon I’ve taken Ramusok about as far as I can, it was a good couple of season’s there. UICA football. I’ve been training up this laddie, Mortonsson, he’s more than ready to take over– ‘

‘So retirement for you then..?’ Claire was in a hurry to move Sonny along. A glance at the wall clock told her that she had to be out the door in ten minutes.

‘Well not exactly.’ Sonny gave something that was a cross between a grunt and a laugh. ‘The SFA have approached me about putting a team together to compete in the Copa Rushmori later this summer.’

‘Ah okay!’ Claire began to pace the kitchen. She’d heard rumours that the hiatus might be coming to an end, with Schottia beginning to compete at youth level again. Thus far, however, she’d heard nothing about the regionals.

‘That’s why I was… well… sorry to hear that you were busy– ’

‘I’ll do it!’ Claire blurted out, without hesitation.


‘Okay…’ Sonny was taken aback. ‘Aye, I was wondering if you were available for some physio work– ’

‘I will do it!’

‘You’re not too busy with the bairns and– ’

‘Nothing I can’t push.’ Claire looked up at the clock again. She had seven minutes to seal the deal without looking like a crazy bitch. She needed Sonny to think he was getting the best physio in the world, not a daytime drinker who was counting down the days till death. ‘Listen, Jock, I’m a busy woman – of course I am – but when your country comes calling, you can’t knock them back.’ Hopefully that was convincing enough…

‘Well that’s good to hear Claire, I must say, it’s not been all that easy– ’

‘Yeah, yeah, yeah…’ Claire had already stopped listening. ‘Well it was nice speaking to you Jock. Send me an email or something with the details, and I’ll be in touch.’ She hung up, took a deep breath, and got ready for a tipsy car journey to wrestling practice.

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SBCNEWS Online...
Football special - The Sporting World Cup

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Abanhfleft 0–5 Schottia @ Gem of the Oceans Stadium
Line-up: Prichard, Kastir, Meyer zu Heide, Meerfeld, Strathspey, Knoxburgh-Brann, Ramsey (Úisge-Aonàranach), Arniston (Lawoti), Maitfield, Enrico, Hunter (Palermo)
Goals: Enrico (2), Arniston, Hunter, Palermo

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With qualification to the knockout stages already secured, Judy Scott took the opportunity to rest a couple of her stars. Kings Park defender, Gemma Kastir came in at right back, while the highly impressive, Simon Palermo, started on the bench to make way for Schottic Academy star, Kinnel Hunter.

It’s well established that Abanhfleft are a solid side, and generally very strong at development level. For those reasons, Schottia were expecting a strong challenge from the outset, with their opponents needing a point to guarantee progression. With that in mind - and considering the ease with which Abanhfleft came through their opening game – the score line is one that few would have predicted.

This Schottic side have been progressing well under Scott and Souter, and given the importance of the game, to put five goals past the opposition for no reply, underlines the quality they have at youth level.

Rachel Arniston is a player who has done her reputation no harm at all during this tournament, and again, produced some fantastic skill and vision to set up Enrio for the opening goal. The Union playmaker held off the challenge of Ghislaine Rhames, before looking up and playing the killer through-ball. Kendra Ramsey was screaming for the pass, in space, on the six-yard-line, but the characteristically selfish Manechester City striker opted to blast the ball home; a combination of luck and power, ensuring he beat Dennis Mull at his near post.

Arniston turned scorer for Schottia’s second, after Hunter failed to get enough on a Tess Maitfiled cross to direct it goal word. The 18-year-old reacted quickest to prod the ball into the bottom corner, just out of Mull’s reach. The second goal prompted a response in Vaughn Palladino’s Abanhfleft side, who suddenly saw the urgency. In a frantic ten minute spell, Schottia had to defend with their backs to the wall, with Karamoko Bakayoko even clipping the outside of the post with a strike from the edge of the area.

The Schottic defence held up well however, and when the chance came to spring the counter attack, they took it with both hands. Scott Knoxburgh-Brann played a wonderful cross-field ball, which was taken down well by Ramsey. The Chenoworth Rovers winger moved forward quickly with the ball, before picking out the head of Hunter, who this time didn’t miss from the back post. With Abanhfleft chasing goals they were always going to leave themselves vulnerable at the back, and with half an hour left on the clock, Enrico dealt the decisive blow. The 16-year-old possesses real presence the air, and rose highest to nod a Meyer zu Heide cross into the top corner for four.

Sometime in football, the luck just really isn’t with you, and that’s likely how poor Vaughn Palladino felt as substitute, Simon Palermo, rifled in Schottia’s fifth, moments after his introduction.

Abanhfleft are desperately unlucky to be going home at this stage, and perhaps paid the price for chasing the game, when they could have sat back and seen a much more respectable score line. They will undoubtedly be left wondering what might have been, had Bakayoko strike hit the target for 2-1.

Next up for Schottia are Anthor, when they travel to Nejax for their last sixteen clash.

[Banija]

Dominant Banijan showing in group stages of Sporting World Cup draws attention of fans from home


Banijan players celebrate a goal in their 4-0 group stage win over Indusse

BOROTIA, IODARA, FREE REPUBLICS- The Usana Kadongo Kamu entered the Sporting World Cup without much fanfare. This, of course, is the first time a Banijan squad has entered the tournament. While, of course, U18 squads have played in the Commonwealth Games before, there has not been a Banijan entry in this tournament. The last time a Banijan youth team made real progress in a tournament, however, was when the Vijana Kadongo Kamu made it not only out of the group stages, but all the way to the bronze medal at the 42nd Di Bradini Cup. Of course, there was a lot more hype with that team. Chiefly because GItonga Kahara, current star player for OAS Royal FC in Cosumar, was making his international debut at the tournament. A number of names from that Di Bradini 42 team have gone on to make a name with the senior side- Jalang Ba, Alanso Tamba, Kahara of course, just to name a few. It takes time to build a strong national program, and it's no coincidence that only after that run, did Banija have its first ever successful World Cup Qualification campaign, capped by a 5-3 aggregate victory over Mercedini in a 2 legged playoff to qualify for World Cup 80. And Kahara, of course, was at the center of that.

Now, this is not the Di Bradini Cup, a tournament that the RBSA will not be entering this cycle. This is the Sporting World Cup- a U18 tournament, instead of a U21 tournament. But star players here are certainly capable of breaking onto the national team, though it will invariably take a few years for most of them to do so, depending on, of course, who can make it over the course of their careers. But this tournament is quite the opportunity for everybody involved. With Marcus Waters attending each practice, and hanging around the team, doing some in depth scouting, this is quite the opportunity to impress the man who has been at the helm of the national team since he turned around the ship in qualifying for World Cup 80, and brought the Kadongo Kamu to their first ever World Cup.

While it doesn't get the fan attention of senior tournaments, you can bet that the players understand the importance of the match. "This is our first opportunity, for many of us, to put on the green shirts and play for our country." Said the team captain, Demba Kinteh, who hit the game winning penalty kick for his club side, Dukuma Sporting Club, to win a penalty kick shootout in the RBSA Cup Final. "The chance to play big games, to play meaningful games, is not something that everyone gets the opportunity to do. So, as young professionals, it is good for the career development of each and every player. And, of course, this will help us understand how it works to play for a national team. What it means to play in a tournament like this- the differences from playing for your club, how you organize yourselves within the locker room at the end of a club season, working with players who you will be with for a short amount of time, working towards a common goal, before going back to being opponents at different clubs and academies. It's about checking your ego at the door, and playing for something much bigger than yourself- and this tournament is the perfect opportunity to do just that."

The opening match of the tournament, Banija v. the Equestrian States, had quite a number of eyes and ears tuned in. But that's not because the Usana Kadongo Kamu had a name as compelling as Gitonga Kahara, or because going into the tournament everyone assumed them to be tournament favorites. Indeed, that could not be further from the truth. It was because of the matchup- anytime the Banijans play the Equestrian States, it is going to get a certain number of eyes within the country. The Banijans and the Equestrians have been archrivals for a generation, and it is no wonder why- the geopolitical aspect of the relationship, coupled with the continued beatdowns of the Kadongo Kamu at the hands of their western neighbors, ensure that, especially in Banija, fans are paying attention when the two play. So when the Banijans took the game to the Equestrians, fans all over the country tuned in and celebrated.

And then, just like that, much of the country forgot about them. That happens at youth tournaments, of course, and with preparations for the AOCAFs coming to home soil, quite a few Banijans were understandably distracted by the regional championships, a tournament where many locals hope the Banijans, after three consecutive quarterfinal eliminations, can finally get over that hump and into the semifinals on home soil. But away from the public conciousness, away from the public eye in Matchday 1, the Usana Kadongo Kamu have shown that their first game wasn't simply an aberration. They turned in dominant performances in the next group stage matches as well. They took apart Cassadaigua 3-0 on Matchday 2, and on Matchday 3, they took the game to Indusse, defeating them 4-0 to clinch first place in BearOil Group G. And so, quietly and under the radar, Banija took all 9 possible points in the group and waltzed all the way to the Round of 16.

Not an easy thing to do- and yet, here they are. They've quietly put together one of the most impressive resumes of this tournament to date, scoring 10 goals across three games, and not conceding. Only one other team in this tournament did not concede in the group stages, and that was Devonta- though Devonta only scored once in 270 minutes of field time. The Banijans have had great success in general, and the defense has been particularly stifling. There is quite a bit of older talent on the back line, and that is helping them. Their left back, Lama Nyang, is already in the BSL, playing for Askatasuna FC. Their captain, Demba Kinteh, is a center back who plays for Dukuma SC. He may play in the regional leagues, but right before flying out to FFR, Dukuma SC won the RBSA Cup, a stellar accomplishment for a team that had recently been relegated. And he hit the game winning penalty in the shootout. And their right back, Ijeawele Chi, played for Igulu City FC in the Northern League, but his side just won a promotion playoff and will be playing in the Banijan Soccer League next season.

The manager, Kiggwe Siakam, said the big game experience that much of the back line already has helps them in a tournament like this. "There is nothing quite like international football- the pressure is amplified, as instead of a 28, or a 38, or a 44 game season, you just have a few games to play, with players that you only practice with for a couple of weeks, to play 3 games, and then, it's do or die. Much of our back line has experience in these big games. Chi played in a Promotion Playoff, three of the highest stress games that you can think of. Nyang plays in the BSL already at age 18, and played in a key number of big games for a team that was facing the pressure of avoiding relegation. And Kinteh already has silverware himself, winning the RBSA Cup. While there's no subsitute for playing for your country, that experience in big games helps these guys. They can bring calm to themselves, and the rest of the team, as nerves, especially for a team as young as this, can often be a major problem the first time you suit up for your country. And since this tournament is the first time all 23 of our players are playing for their country, this is a high pressure, high leverage situation."

Siakam said that the ability of the team to control their nerves has been key to their success so far. "Everybody gets nervous at a tournament like this- you're a teenager, representing your country on the world stage. It's not an easy task, and if you didn't get at least a little nervous, frankly, I'd be worried. But it's how you respond to those nerves that helps you succeed. And our players have responded well. They are using the nerves as fuel, and allowing those nerves to give them energy to succeed going forward. WE have motivation, and most importantly, we have focus. One of the challenges for players is to keep focus, and our eyes on the prize. We're in FFR, and these players get a stipend from the RBSA- and this country is nothing like ours. This is a country where nightclubs and bars let in people at the age of 15, and our players have the chance to experience that kind of nightlife. But, as players must understand, an international tournament in a country that you've never been to is not a vacation- it is a business trip. But the allure of a late night trip to the bar, to the club, is something that must be resisted. If you want to succeed in this sport, you need that kind of self-discipline- even though that opportunity may not be available back home, is staying out till 4 AM on a game night really conducive to your purpose at this tournament, which is to advance as far as you can? Great opportunity for the boys to learn a lesson."

Kiggwe Siakam, after going further in depth about the different opportunities that a tournament like this gives his players, spoke about the challenges that Ancherion would bring to his squad. "Well, this squad is flying with confidence- with their backs against the wall, facing elimination, they just put up, not one, not two, not three, but seven goals against that poor squad from Trastamur. That kind of domination is the type of game that can turn your fortunes and give you confidence, and this game between our lads and theirs, in my mind, is an absolute tossup. Harnes and Charpentier form a deadly duo at the front, and our back line will have their hands full keeping those two in check. If we don't, we could be in for quite a long day. We're going to strategize around shutting down those front two stars, and keeping our focus on this game- and nothing else. It's the knockout stages, it's do or die, it's win or go home. We must raise our intensity to the moment, and show that we are, indeed, capable of succeeding in this moment."

[Crystalline Caverns]

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Welcome to Cav's Knockout Analysis, your digital mecca for all upcoming matches involving the Double C, complete with a unnecessary-but-cool graphic! Here at CavKA, we take the time and tedious labor of reading other sports articles to develop our own partially original content. Sure, we would get sued if we were from, say, Qasden, but it's nearly impossible to get inter-dimensional lawyers brave enough to descend the miles of ice that make up our beautiful, jagged sky.

Anyways, let's get to the main purpose of today's article, the Sporting World Cup knockouts! Unlike the other 12,000 association football tournaments out there, the SWC provides a unique platform for teenage weebs that can kick a ball, shoving cameras in their acne-riddled faces and chastising them on a multiversal scale somewhat equivalent to the intimidation received by the senior teams. Entering it's 8th edition, the U-18 tournament returned to the Free Republics for the 4th time, the 1st since the 6th edition. SWC8 marked the first international appearance of the Crystalline Caverns U-18 squad, nicknamed the "Dwellers" to signify what they'll be doing in their parents' basements for the rest of their lives, should they pursue a career unrelated to ice or wolves. Led by the brother of Crystalline great, Dan Castellini, the dwellers surprised the multiverse by coming out on top of their group with all 9 points, securing victories of Trastamur, Ancherion, and Main Nation Ministry, the latter of which would've advanced if Ancherion didn't beat the ever-living fluorescent lights out of the first mentioned. Due to the group's apparent sponsorship deal with an automobile company, the tourney saw it only fitting to pair the winner and runner-up against the successors from a group sponsored by oil.

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The current portion of the bracket the Dwellers reside in.

With the dust settling in Falkamore, Nejax, the dwellers were hurled straight to the capital city of the Free Republics, Republica, to take on their next opponent: Indusse. The self-proclaimed "Noob Nation" has competed on the international stage for as long as Caverns as a whole has, though they compete in far more contests. Despite the nickname, the Indussean squad had managed to advance to the knockouts from a group containing Glorious Southwest combatants, Banija and Equestria, and the aficionados of all things pink, Cassadaigua. This was done with the assistance of small victories over the pinks and ponies, only to get absolutely mauled by the lions on their last day in Petrograd, ending their group performance with a goal difference of 0. The manager, who we aren't quite sure is exactly, will certainly have a bit of work to do if they desire to keep the team afloat, especially in the hopes of capturing the coveted title of U-18 champions.

So far, polls have been relatively mixed when determining the outcome of the match, with many Cavernites being reasonably pessimistic about the potential future athletes of our senior squad performing well in Lunia. The winner of CrysCavs-Indusse will be met with a merciless force in the quarters, being either the winner of a group sponsored by firearms, Schottia, or the runner-ups from a patriotic beverage group, Anthor. Velvet Armitage, the assistant manager of the Frostac Wolves who moved down to manage the Dwellers, acknowledges the work needed to improve her team, should they best Indusse. "These high school delinquents ain't gettin' scholarships based on intelligence," she replied in a serious tone, especially with a good amount of the team being straight up wolves. "We're gonna need to show the multiverse a perpetual display of passion and strength worthy enough to take out big names in the footballing world if we even want to dream about securing Caverns' first championship. We were lucky enough to play a friendly against the Indussean side prior to our match here in Republica, which allowed us to have that head-on situation in how to deal with them now.".

Can the Dwellers actually achieve something the senior team hasn't been able to do and win a knockout match? Tune in for our next report (if we decide to get off the couch and make one again) to find out!