IT'S DREAMPLANET'S TIME
Tomorrow. In less than 24 hours Dreamplanet will take on Kita-Hinode in the Klyde Stadium in Fullham, Velestria. Nobody expected us to get this far, not even us, looking at the match-up doesn't even feel real, but it is. It all started with a shock trashing of last edition's hosts, Apox, and from there it only took off. We topped the group, we beat South Covello in the last second, we beat the hosts in a very good game, we advanced to the final in our first ever final, and now there's only one more game left until glory. We want to be Esportivan champions, we never thought we'd even make the group and we've already come this far, the nation is proud and we want to cement our name in the history books forever.
Kita-Hinode are the ultimate test for Dreamplanet: 2 time World Cup champions under the Northern Sunrise Islands and a CE win in the 21st edition, they'll be looking to completely derail Dreamplanet's tender, fragile pipe dream with the same dominant displays as they have had to top their group with 9 points, Kita-Hinode have already been made the favourites to win the final but Dreamplanet will give a fight until the very end, we want this just as much as they do and Os Tricores will stop at nothing to bring the trophy back to Libon.
GET THE JOB DONE!
L-R: Filipe Vaz, João Pedro, Fransisco Jorge, Paulo Figueiredo, Fábio Henriques, Aaron Hungar
Jorge Cardozo, Paulo Oliveira, Rui Jorge, Miguel Benedito, Luis Silva (C)
Not Pictured: Antonio Luis, Jorge Resende, Luis da Costa, Michael Silva, Duarte Henriques, Rafael dos Bosques
What to ExpectDreamplanet and Kita-Hinode have gotten to this final by playing attractive, attacking football and Dreamplanet has more goals scored and less goals conceded than Kita-Hinode, despite this fact being in our favour, Kita-Hinode is still the stronger team and overall has more experience: This is Dreamplanet's first ever final in their 4 year history, they have been in 6 finals, losing only 2 of them which gave them 2 World Cups, 1 Campionato Esportiva and 1 Cup of Harmony which is enough to intimidate even the most swept-away of Dreamplanetians.
Dreamplanet's route to the final
Apox 1-4 Dreamplanet
Dreamplanet 3-1 San José Guayabal
Fhulghamous Peninsula 1-1 Dreamplanet
Dreamplanet 3-2 South Covello
Velestria 1-2 Dreamplanet
Dreamplanet (4) 2-2 (1) Mattijana
5 Wins - 1 Draw - 0 Losses
17 Goals Scored - 8 Goals Conceded
Kita-Hinode's route to the final
Kita-Hinode 1–0 Ceynes Islands
Kita-Hinode 3–2 Racing
The Golden Lotus 0–1 Kita-Hinode
Kita-Hinode 5–4 Fhulghamous Peninsula
Apox (3) 2–2 (4) Kita-Hinode
Kita-Hinode aet 2–1 Damukuni
6 Wins - 0 Draws - 0 Losses
14 Goals Scored - 9 Goals Conceded
But we have Luis Silva who is the current top goalscorer with 9 goals and a solid tactic that has seen us unbeaten throughout this whole tournament just as Kita-Hinode have, Dreamplanet should not be underestimated but we also cannot underestimate Kita-Hinode who has just as much confidence as us, Kita-Hinode play a very analytical and cold-blooded game, almost robotic at times but they have been very efficient with the only match where they weren't as efficient was the 5-4 win over the Fhulghamous Peninsula who Dreamplanet drew against in the group stage but yet they were able to win that match, Dreamplanet play a free-flowing game with the confidence and self-belief that underdogs need to go far but that's just what we are in this final: underdogs. Dreamplanet has passion, experience in Velestria with players in their league and a goalscoring machine but Kita-Hinode has expertise, know-how and their efficiency will do everything to ensure that we can't get our way in a major cup final.
This is truly a David vs Goliath match but expert predictions have even said that Dreamplanet could win 1-0 if they shut out Kita-Hinode after scoring their first goal but the overall consensus is that Kita-Hinode should be able to win fairly easily as they are the better and more technical team, however if Dreamplanet has a flaw it hasn't been spotted yet as this is uncharted territory and they will be playing the same way they played the knockout stages which was a departure from their tactic in the group stage which was to tire the team and then doing a sucker-punch to win. But if Dreamplanet showed anything is that they are capable enough of causing an upset and will never give up, they will take the fight to Kita-Hinode whether they want it or not, Os Tricores will do everything in their power to lift the trophy, after getting this far this is no time to give up.
Ones to WatchDreamplanet's is obvious, Luis Silva is a machine that is almost unstoppable, without him Dreamplanet wouldn't even get this far but Aaron Hungar is often one of the sleeper hits of the Dreamplanetian squad as he is able to break free as the defenders are too busy man-marking Luis Silva, Filipe Vaz is also a notable player as he has been very good inbetween the sticks and even became the penalty shootout hero against reigning champions Mattijana. However Dreamplanet does have the ticking timebomb that is Jorge Cardozo but he is teflon, a great defender but hotheaded, Kita-Hinode might try to exploit him to peg Dreamplanet down to 10 men, it is important that the players don't crumble under the pressure that is their first ever final, they must continue playing as they have been.
Kita-Hinode's captain, Iori Saitou, is also their top scorer with 6 goals and he is very quick on the ball much like Luis Silva but is more careful on the ball and prefers to pass it to set up a play where he can finish for the goal, Juri Kisame is a very tough and physical midfielder who always has an eye for the perfect pass, she will be up against the quick and nimble Miguel Benedito so it will be definitely a clash of opposites for the midfield, Raiden Kojima has been solid so far for Kita-Hinode, putting in some very good matches against Ceynes Islands and The Golden Lotus, helping Kita-Hinode to a clean sheet and there is also Cherry Whitecastle who will be Iori's accomplice in attack, she often makes the crosses that end up in a Iori Saitou goal and has notched 8 assists.
InterviewsWhen asked about the stress involved in playing a final, the Dreamplanetian captain, Luis Silva, looked hopeful with the quote "We will play our game like we have been in the last few matches, we won't let ourselves get carried away and hopefully we'll take the cup home." The manager, Rodrigo Vaz, gave a very brave response to the same question with "This final will be fought hard, we've come here to kill and not be killed!" and Aaron Hungar looked at it more tactically "Out of the two teams, they are the stronger team by far and we've been punching above our own weight and we'll be trying to do that for one more match." Luis Silva was also asked if he reckoned that Kita-Hinode were dismissing Dreamplanet as they were the underdogs, he said "I don't think so, they saw our run and they should take us seriously, if they don't they might get surprised by what we've got in store." and Jorge Cardozo responded in his typical brash manner "I think they do, they look at us and assume that they've already won before even getting on he field, they'll be in for a surprise!" but Aaron Hungar refused a Kita-Hinode lopsided result and said "We've got just as much of a chance to win as they do, they know that and we know that, the match will be won by fine margins, we just need to find a way to get on the right side of said margins."
However Dreamplanetian fans seem to be dreading this final more than looking towards it, citing Kita-Hinode as the team that was most likely going to end their run if they had gotten them earlier, the fans however are still looking forward to giving their team a hero's welcome when they come home and a party in the streets regardless if they won or not.
As for the Kita-Hinode players, when asked about Dreamplanet's presence in the final, Raiden Kojima replied with "I'm fine with them as our opponents. Hopefully, our match will be acceptable for the fans' standards." and team captain Iori Saitou added "Kinda surprised, to be honest with you. Still, it's fun to get an opponent you normally wouldn't get at this stage." which links nicely with Aaron Hungar's comment of Kita-Hinode being the stronger of the two teams, Kamalani disregarded Dreamplanet by saying "Psh, who gives a toss. We're in the final, that's what truly matters. Whoever is in the way is just another sidenote on my career anyway." Mimi Akazukin kept to 1 word answers in the middle of mutilating a rabbit, simply saying "What?" when asked the same question.
Later, the players were asked about their chances of winning, Kojima stuck to his professionalism with "I believe we have a good chance if we can apply our gameplan successfully." and Saitou kept up the professionalism, saying "Eh, 50/50. I'm not going to underestimate them." but Kamalani redirected the attention to himself with "You might as well wage on us. Or rather, wage on me." while Akazukin only said "Good." while opening up the belly of the rabbit.
Finally, the players were asked what their approach was, Kojima gave a response that echoed Luis Silva's by saying "Well, we'll go through it like we went through all our previous match, trying to attack but not letting our guard down. They know it, we know it." Saitou seemed a bit confused on whether the question was for the squad or the manager "I'll try to score, I guess... I mean, you should've just asked the manager." however Kamalani kept it short at blunt "We'll kick their ass, easy as that."
Yes, Akazukin was still doing surgery on a rabbit and simply said "Attack."
Where to WatchThe match will be broadcast on DTV 1 with coverage starting at 17:30 as the match starts at 19:45 Dreamplanetian Time, if you are watching abroad the match should be available on DTV Internacional and DTVLive, a livestream of the fanzone in Libon's Praça da Cidade will also be shown at the Dreamplanetian FA page.
Expected Starting 11s
DREAMPLANET: Filipe Vaz, Fransisco Jorge, Jorge Cardozo, João Pedro, Rui Jorge, Paulo Oliveira, Fábio Henriques, Miguel Benedito, Luis Silva (C), Aaron Hungar, Antonio Luis
Subs: Rafael dos Bosques, Duarte Henriques, Michael Silva, Luis da Costa, Jorge Resende, Paulo Figueiredo
Tactic: 4-1-2-3
Manager: Rodrigo Vaz
Captain: Luis Silva
Top Goalscorer: Luis Silva (9 goals)
Top Assister: Aaron Hungar & Miguel Benedito (3 assists each)
KITA-HINODE: Han Ji-hun, Koetsu Okuyama, Etishi Karu, Raiden Kojima, Mimi Akazukin, Juri Kisame, Kamalani Kanani, Somporn Metharom, Arichi Kunorikato, Iori Saitou (C), Cherry Whitecastle
Subs: Iona Mizukara, Granz-maëdel De Charlot, Motoko Kusanagi, Hinata Azuma, Tomoe Mikage, Nina Niikara
Tactic: 4-3-3
Manager: Eleanor Lingard
Captain: Iori Saitou
Top Goalscorer: Iori Saitou (6 goals)
Top Assister: Cherry Whitecastle (8 assists)