Tuirma Searches Ancient Texts for Key to Victory
Turori may need more than a little help from Margaret to dig out of Group G hole
BCEL Beverage Corporation Stadium, Jinja City, Banija :: The Turori National team felt right at home when they got to the BCEL Beverage Company Stadium in Jinja City with Cocoa-bo in the locker rooms, Cocoa-bo advertising on the boards at the stadium in their familiar Eelskin Brown and their Colonial Rivals the Vilita Jungle Cats had left the Turorians a 'gift' in the locker room that defender Lulu Pumaziiri had the unfortunate honor of finding as the first one in the showers. The Vilitan National Team had used the very same locker room just one match day prior as they were defeated by the Commonwealth of Baker Park on the opening match day of the World Cup 83 Group Phase. The Turorians were hoping to meet up with the Vilitan National Team later on during the knockout round of the World Cup Finals to get a chance at revenge over their colonial rivals who had eliminated them from the World Cup for two cycles running.
In order to get there, however, Turori would first have to advance from Group G and they were off to a slow start having been held to a 1-1 draw against Apox on the opening match day at the Star Field in Herzegovina City. As the #2 team in the multiverse the Turori National Team were widely expected to easily roll through Group G and make their way into the knockout phase. There were no former World Cup Champions in the group which also contained a side that many consider to be the weakest in the World Cup 83 Finals, Bongo Johnson. It would not be that easy mark that the Eels would have on Match day 2, however, it would be Mriin - the prickly Atlantian Oceania side whose only claim to fame was their defeat at the hands of Vilita and Turori in the AOCAF 56 Final in the Equestrian States.
With over 20 places separating the two sides in the World Rankings, Mriin would likely have been happy to settle for a point against Turori while the Eels were certainly looking to record their first win of the Finals to remove any doubt of their advancement when it came down to the final match day. Unfortunately for Turori, however, they were not able to dominate the possession as they had hoped to do as the Reavers style had sufficiently cancelled out the System Turori defensive structure being employed by Kliaill Tuirma's Turori Eels.
The two teams shared possession but there were minimal chances in a match which quickly became a nervous affair when the two sides realized they were more evenly matched than they might have thought at the outset. Looking for a spark, Tuirma introduced Turakia Diijelhma at half time for a slightly more attacking threat but it didn't affect the match when the players returned to the pitch refreshed from their locker room breaks.
Tuirma kept messing with the Eels lineup to try to inject some offense, moving players around on the pitch and then replacing the youngster Nua'oma Aikiki with veteran attacker Mirana Gotuai. After throwing all their chips at the problem, however, Tuirma finally conceded with their 77th minute change where the Turorian head coach made the call to settle in and secure the point by introducing defender Moumouni Verre'elali of Tropicorp FC in order to solidify the back line. While the Eels wanted the victory to ensure full control of their destiny on Match day 3, it would certainly not have been a terrible position to head into a match against the lowest rated team in the group with two points and an unbeaten record having a possibility to come out with five points and a decent shot at advancing on a tiebreaker at worst.
Unfortunately, while the defensive changes did their job in open play, there was little the Eels could do in the 82nd minute when Karii Bruun headed home to give 23rd ranked Mriin the lead.
Having already played all of their cards, Kliailil Tuirma had no substitutions left to make any further changes to the Turorian side to press for a late equalizer. On the other hand, Mriin had every incentive to hold on to their lead as a victory on the day would ensure their advancement to the Round of 16. When the final whistle blew, the Turori National Team knew they would have their work cut out for them on the final match day but they would soon receive the news at just how improbable a task they would be facing.
:: Turori Goalscorers :: - None - | :: Turori Statistics :: :: Possession: 50% :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 8 | :: Mriin Statistics :: :: Possession: 50% :: Shots on Target: 3 :: Corner Kicks: 7 | :: Mriin Goalscorers :: 82' :: Karii Bruun |
'Turori Eels Lineup v. Mriin ::
[GK] Timaala Hualtia, [D.] Yitizo Mpala'a, [D.] Biliki Rona'atu'i, [D.] Mikki Mayelli, [D.] Lulu Pumaziiri, [ML] Daliora Toru'u, [MC] Kentu Umaka'a, [MC] Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [MR] Indelli Nura'amura, [FC] Meldi'ita Mungwaii, [FC] Nua'oma Aikiki
BENCH::
[FC] Mirana Gotuai, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [M] Mbdiai Akarenaa, [M] Lati'ala Giaoka, [U ] Amakli Inuro'o, [D] Moumouni Verre'elali, [GK] Wiyauw An'maude
While the Turorian players already knew they had screwed up, blown a chance at an easy advancement - they still left the pitch in Jinja City thinking they had a shot to advance. When they saw the scoreline in Group G's other match, however, the tone changed considerably. Apox had thrashed Bongo Johnson by a scoreline of 7-0 to move second in Group G with a goal differential of +7. With Mriin already assured advancement on six points at the top of the group, the Turorians would have to catch and pass Apox in order to advance and as the Match day 1 fixture between the two sides was a draw, it would all be decided on goal differential if the two nations were level on points. As such Turori would be going into the final match day at a deficit of -8 on Apox.
Normally when employing System Turorian tactics, the Turori National Team is more than satisfied winning matches by the slimmest of margins with 1-0 considered an ideal result. That would absolutely not fly in this scenario, however. Even if Turori could get some help from Mriin defeating Apox, it would be unlikely to recover enough to majorly help the Eels.
However, if Mriin is able to defeat the Apoxians by two goals or more, the Turorian National Team could have a chance. Twice this campaign alone the Turori Eels outscored an opponent by six goals, first on the opening match day of the World Cup 83 Qualification campaign against Hyundai-Kia and then later in the campaign against 78th ranked nation Darkmania. Both matches were 6-0 triumphs for Turori and if they could repeat that outcome against Bongo Johnson they would potentially be close enough to benefit from a windfall of advancement should Mriin take care of business against Apox.
Turori Eels Head Coach Kliaill Tuirma decided to study the ancient texts in the Turori National Team vault to seek tactical inspiration for how to approach the critical Matchday 3 scenario with odds so long they couldn't comprehend where to start.
The Original Rejistanian Tactical Systems
- System Karela: (aka. All-Out-Defense) - Perhaps the most famous of Rejistanian tactics, the use of System Karela typically employs the use of at least 5 defenders and either one or zero attackers. The moniker was generated by Rejistanian newspapers to describe the unconventional style of play of Karela Lines of the H1SR (First League of Rejistanian Soccer). Known to fans as "the most boring tactic ever".
System Jesejil: a 4-5-1 tactic, often in combination with pressing, named after the Rejistania city Jesejil kali in nanti ligat. This tactic was first employed by the Rejistania Under-21 Squad.
System Imdila: a 4-4-2 tactic. Named after Hexen Imdila, the first coach of the Rejistani national team who often used this style.
System Hisisim/Iknel: a fluid tactic where players are loaded into the midfield to create possession at the expense of both attacking and defensive prowess. Typically includes 2 or fewer defenders and 2 or fewer attackers (IE: 2-7-1; 1-8-1). The terms originate from the Rejistanian terms for Versatile (Hisisim) or Midfield (Iknel).
System Hangila: a 3-4-3 tactic named after Ha~e Hangila, a Rejistanian coach who preferred a more attacking 3-4-3 formation.
System Takil: (aka. All-Out-Attack) While at the peak of their prowess, Rejistanian head coach Laxtu Takil used an all out attacking style during the World Cup qualifiers when World Champion Rejistania played against weaker opposition. Famously resulted in the first double-digit victory when Rejistania scored 10 times against Ravea during World Cup 17 Qualifying.
- System Turori: a hybrid system taking from System Karela, System Jesejil and System Imdila, System Turori as employed by the Turori National Team adds a much stronger emphasis on the defensive role of its midfielders as opposed to using natural defenders. The Turorian tactic has 3 central defenders who are joined by 2 wing back midfielders when the Eels are on defense. However, when on Attack, the wing defenders push up the field and become true outside midfielders, supporting the attack as needed. Interpretations of the formation could include (5-3-2); (3-2-2-2) but more naturally fit a defensive minded (3-5-2). Previously, the System used by Turori was more reflective of a traditional System Jesejil.
As Tuirma reviewed the texts he understood the implications of the decisions he was going to make. The more extreme the tactical choice the more difficult it was to perfect. System Karela carried the potential ramification of boredom for players, fans and anyone within a sufficient radius of the playing field. System Takil on the other hand was sure to excite but any missteps in implementing the tactic could be catastrophic as goals could begin to get scored against just as quickly as they were being scored for.
Tuirma opened to the tab for System Takil. The first page warned the reader of exactly these facts. Of course Tuirma already knew but to see the warning written so plainly in the ancient texts was a sobering reminder for the Turorian Head Coach of the troublesome journey he was about to begin. He flipped the next page and began to study the usage of System Takil by the Bettian National Team, one of the great employers of the Takilan system in the history of the World Cup. Tuirma read every word and when he was done, back to the start and read it again. His team were still in Banija and the ancient text could not be removed. He needed to ensure no mistakes or his Nation's rise to the pinnacle of internationstatal sport could come crashing down just as quickly in his hands.
The next morning, having returned to Banija armed with the knowledge of the ancient system that could save Turori's World Cup, Tuirma gathered the players and laid out the plan for a match that would require nothing short of perfection in planning and execution, as well as a little help from the goddess Margaret to delivery the right results across the board to see the Turori National Team survive to fight another day in their quest for the World Cup.
System Karela v. System Takil
Flag of Rejistania, Champions with System Karela
Flag of Bettia, Champions with System Takil
System Karela is a tactic best described as "All Out Defense". In reality, a Karelan System is more likely to be the one applied by a team that is gravely outmatched and hoping above all to escape with a goalless draw. As System Karela has also been dubbed "The Most Boring Tactic Ever" - a match where both teams were employing Karelan tactics could easily be quipped as "The Most Boring Game Ever". System Karela was named in the time before time after the Rejistanian club Karela Lines. The tactic was famously used by Cockbill Street during their successful campaign to qualify for World Cup 20. Adding to the legend, the Cockbill Streetians used the tactic, in its loosest form to record an historic 1-0 upset victory over former World Champion nation Rejistania - the very nation whose club Karela Lines originally invented the tactics. Unfortunately for Cockbill Street, however, they would lose their final match of the Group Stage when Lovisa famously used the Karelan Tactic against them. There would be no celebrations on the day - As Lovisa were eliminated anyway, but the resultant press conference from the Lovisan manager resonates across social sharing sites to this very day. Having sat down to talk to the media, the Lovisa manager took no questions. Confidently, he grabbed the microphone and uttered two words ("Lovisa Win") and walked out of the room. At the very same time, the Turori Eels had lost to Rejistania, also by a 0-1 scoreline, and also at the hands of the Rejistanian's own ultra-defensive system. The Rejistanians were not going to be beat at their own game and took on the tactic, successfully employing it against the Eels who had won their previous two games and were looking to run the table en route to their first big World Cup run.
The chain would continue, as the Eels then adopted System Karela for the first time in their history and executed the tactic to perfection in their Round of 16 fixture. The Eels played Two-Time World Cup Runners-Up Spaam to a goalless draw sending the match into extra time. When Lorenzo Mumamba netted for Turori in Extra Time, it set up a rematch between Turori and Rejistania in what many feared would end up as "The Most Boring Game, Ever". In the end, the Rejistanian's had a trick or two up their sleeve, switching from System Karela to System Takil unexpectedly and catching Turori off guard. The lone goal was enough to make the difference resigning the Eels to a 3rd consecutive Quarter Final defeat - setting off the start of a record run of Quarter Final ineptitude that still stands to this day. 5 of the next 6 Turorian World Cup Finals knockout matches would end with a 0-1, 1-0 or 0-0 scoreline to be decided on penalty kicks. The glory run for Karela would soon run its course, however. When the H1SR folded in Rejistania and Cockbill Street was paved right off the map in Atlantian Oceania; Turori were left as the last of the original "Karelan" teams standing.
While System Takil is an all out attacking system it was actually never fully employed by its namesake, Laxtu Takil. Takil was the head coach of the Rejistania Orange-Blues during of of their great periods of World Dominance, having built a team from the ground up at the Under-21 level and taking them all the way through to winning the World Cup. Takil actually resigned from the post just before the World Cup 17 Final citing that "It is best to leave when things are great". During their time as coach of the Rejistania National Team, Takil actually employed tactics that were much closer to System Karela than any form of attacking style. It was Takil's defensive approach that had led the Orange-Blues to their World Cup titles. However, near the end of their term in charge, Laxtu Takil began to experiment in the name of entertainment and keeping the players happy. Perhaps trying to prove how ridiculous of an idea attacking styles were, Takil sent the Rejistania team out in a 2-3-5 formation - the inverse of the normal formation of the team. This one exemplar was a stunning move from the normally defensive minded coach and is responsible for the coining of the term "System Takil" even if the Systems namesake was actually a very defensive minded coach. Shortly after introducing the System Takil style of offensive play, Rejistania would become the first team to score double digit goals on an opponent during World Cup 17 Qualifications when they would defeat Ravea 10-1 cementing System Takil as a legendary formation for generations to come.
While Rejistania themselves were most successful in their defense minded formations it was the Atlantian Oceania based nation of Bettia who were most successful while employing System Takil. The Aroras of Bettia rose to the pinnacle of the sporting multiverse as World Cup 33 champions. While the Bettians would win two World Cup's using System Takil, the most memorable result for the side was perhaps also the first time anyone had ever heard of Bettia or seen the successful use of System Takil in competition when Bettia lifted the Baptism of Fire trophy for World Cup 22 with a resounding 7-0 victory over Corneliu. Many regard it as the first truly successful implementation of System Takil and to this day the Bettian approach is studied by coaches Multiverse wide as they look to harness the power of System Takil.