AOCAF Cup 60 | Everything Thread

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

(OOC: just a bit too slow. Oh well, I wrote it up, might as well put it out here)

BP eke past Red Wolves, on to last 16
Frank Armitage
The Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

The Commonwealth National Team continued their march towards the AOCF LX title with another close match following a high scoring affair, after they defeated Timuria on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the La Fantas Stadium in Ferdullaele. Sabrina Patton had the only BP goal during the 120 minutes and added a tally in the shootout, as a Caroline Gordon save on Volkan Ayhan, and a miss by Beyhan Enver was the difference, while Missy Tilton, Annabeth Westmoreland and substitute Nicki Stone also converted from the spot.

The match was a rather tame affair relative to the previous outing, as the ladies set about breaking down a resolute Timuria defense. Ashley Delgarro and Maria Fernandez probed the wings for openings and Anna Porter's distribution in the center of the pitch created havoc, but Tilton, Patton and Jessica LeClair had trouble finding room to work in the final third against the back line.

The Red Wolves led at the halftime interval, in spite of having only 41& of possession, through a spectacular effort by Ismail Burhan, whose shot in the 39th minute Gordon got a fingertip to but was unable to keep out. Patton leveled the proceedings at the hour mark, when she knocked in a loose ball in the scramble off a corner,

Stone replaced Porter on 79 minutes and Nicole Underwood came on at the beginning of extra time in place of Sarah Foreman, who suffered from a cramping calf. BP had the best chance in the second thirty minute period, when a Westmoreland header from a cross by Delgarro struck the bar and went over.

The result means that Baker Park will face Torisakia in the Round of 16, with the winner facing off against the winner of Equestria-Farfadillis. The surprise winners of Group D, Torisakia had only won 1 previous match in this tournament in their history, but manager Jen Prescott wouldn't be drawn into a discussion about whether they would be an underdog against her side. "Teams come together at the right time in a competition like this. They beat Banija, one of the favorites to win here, and to me, that makes them a threat."

Asked by a local media outlet about this result being a letdown of sorts after the Muradil match, Prescott smiled for a moment. "I hope you don't ever ask Pam (Scott) a question like that, unless you're feeling a bit too smart for your own good on a given day. Don't disrespect them (Timuria) by trying make me say that this should've been an easier win. The other day was an aberration, a one-off event dictated by the circumstances leading up to it. This is a team of professionals, who know how to manage their emotions, and their mental preparation for an opponent. Timuria are an up & coming side, they are building a national team squad step by step. They stood toe to toe with us, and they should be given credit for that. We respect everyone we play, as long we get some back in return."

Captain Tracy Vasillias was asked about the next match and how the team would approach the buildup. "Like we always do. We'll look at tape, we'll work out the things on the training ground, like we always do. Look, I'll admit I don't know the first thing about them (Torisakia), I don't think I could point on a map where it is." (Told it was near Siovanija & Teusland, she picked up the thought). "Thanks, I won't have to go look it up now. (laughter) They know what the stakes are, we'll go out and see who is better on the day."

[Ko-oren]

The AOCAF marches on, with big scores, low-scoring events, but most of all, incompetent defences. 10 out of 16 teams have scored three goals or more (including extra time), and only two teams bow out of the tournament having scored zero goals in their final games. The Dragonflies bested Valanora 1-0, and Baker Park won 1-0 over Torisakia, to advance to the Farf quarterfinals - where they're not met with the hosts. No, they lost to Equestria, 5-3. Eight goals in 90 and a few minutes, unheard of. Except that it wasn't even the highest scoring match of the round - by far. But first, the remaining Farfside match: Banija lost 3-2 to Siovanija and Teusland, so we now know the Dragonflies are to play the Goldhorns next.

In the other Round of 16 games, let's just get the biggest one out of the way: Vilita and Turori dropped 6 goals on Krytenia, but couldn't do with any fewer goals, having conceded 5 themselves. Krytenia 5, Vilita and Turori 6. Now that's unheard of. They will play Cosumar, who beat Starblaydia 3-1. The final quarterfinal features Mriin (4-3 over Euran Oceania Territories) versus Chromatika. The latter needed penalties to beat Sarzonia. 2-2 turned 3-3 after extra time, and then finally a near-perfect penalty series.

The star of the national team actually wasn't a defender this time. Vallotton was named MVP - the first time a striker was given that honour in over three years - for his goal, relentless bombardment of the Valanora goal, and impressive counterattack adventures. Vallotton was instrumental in pressuring the correct defender, blocking passing lanes, and winning the ball a few times in the process, the perfect example of how defence starts with the attack. Two quick back-and-forth passes between him and Turner set Vallotton free in front of goal just after the 30 minute mark, beating Smordal on a chip shot, and scoring the only goal of the match. Smordal, along with substitute rightback Asghar the teammates of Antoine Duchemin who somehow hasn't earned a Dragonflies call-up, played an otherwise perfect game by responding to a few close-quarter headers to prevent further damage. Beyond that, the Dragonflies managed to pin the Elves deep, and Cholmondeley only faced three shots on goal total. Two from Nygard, and one from Schreiner who came on for the starter when she rolled her ankle trying to turn a ball from a goal kick into a corner kick. She walked off on her own, but it did mean that the Vanorians had to 'waste' their first substitution early. As for the Green-and-Blue, Turner went off for Noya, and after that the Dragonflies just couldn't form a threat. Longchambon was taken off for Benjamin, forming a 6-man back line, in a hope to keep that clean sheet, well, clean.

Team Showcase: Castelo e Calvente CS

Named after two neighbourhoods of the southeastern city of Ferrovente - and one of those neighbourhoods isn't even located in the city at all - Castelo e Calvente CS ('Caca' to its haters, 'Casteca' to its fans) is Finisterre's third best football club. Football is often seen as a Santa Teresa thing, while Ferrovente is more into baseball or rugby league, but nothing is further from the truth. Both cities have embraced all three sports equally, and football is definitely well and truly alive in Finisterre's second largest city. While it'll be hard for Casteca to hold a candle to Santa Teresa's two Top League teams, Miradela GD and Branvon CD, Casteca has certainly made itself known at the second level, finishing second in its first season, behind Arboren FC. Should Casteca keep this up and even finish first, they could be the third Finisterran team in the Top League, assuming that promotion/relegation goes ahead. That would would be an amazing feat, making the Top League the most Finisterre-heavy league of them all, even with the geographically weighted baseball and rugby league competitions!

The team is represented by goalkeeper Navia, absolutely good enough for the Top League but not making the jump out of fear he might have to represent Branvon or Miradela in the future - and besides, he loves the city. Two more players from the university system complete the leading trio. Having studied in Aminey and fluent in French, Valdovinos is the left fullback of the team, just returning to his home province this year. On the other side of the defence we find Parada, who's cut his studies short at the University of Mawryshire, and is hoping to complete his final credit over the next few summers, in between football seasons. Out of these three, Parada is actually the one with the highest ceiling, and should Casteca not promote soon, he's most likely to leave.

Then, finally, the name: Castelo is the name of the neighbourhood in Santa Teresa that gives that city its prominence. Santa Teresa is a defendable location, with a castle atop a cliff, and the nearest area is called just that: Castelo. Calvente is a contraction meaning Hot Wind, the easternmost suburb of Ferrovente which shields the rest of the city from the desert's sandstorms. The unlikely combination comes from the fact that the stadium is located in eastern Ferrovente, with baseball more of a CBD thing and rugby league more of a coastal sport, while football is played on the barren fields further inland. The club's first years were spent in Valeloma, just south of Ferrovente, with the club named after two prolific neighbourhoods in the two cities that Valeloma depends on: Ferrovente as it's nearby, acting as its port, and Santa Teresa, almost visible on clear days, and both cities sharing a very busy ferry route.

[Chromatika]

AOCAF Round of Sixteen: Sarzonia 2-2 Chromatika (3-3 AET) (4-5 pen.)
Goals: Croix-Pierre ('24), Armageddon ('62), Vidal ('112)
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Tioux; Xiao - de Aea - Will - Rowles; Armageddon (C) - Kim, M.S.; Marc - Mora - Croix-Pierre; Vidal.
Substitutes: Kuznetsov -> Croix-Pierre ('48), Nocturne -> Rowles ('67), Kim, M.J. -> Mora ('82)
Projected Lineup vs. Mriin: Tioux; Xiao - de Aea - Will - Rowles; Armageddon (C) - Kim, M.S.; Marc - Mora - Croix-Pierre; Vidal.

Chromatiks Advance to Quarterfinals after Dramatic Shootout

Penalty kicks haven't been kind to Chromatika in the past.

In five previous occurrences, Chromatika had faced an opponent in shootouts:
AOCAF 50, Cosumar, Round of Sixteen
CoH 66, Fluvique, Round of Sixteen
WC 76, San Jose Guayabal, Third Place Play Off
AOCAF 56, Starblaydia, Round of Sixteen
AOCAF 59, Valanora, Round of Sixteen

In each of these instances, Chromatika had lost. Gabriella Antonio, one of the best strikers in the team's history, gained a reputation of being jinxed when it came to penalties. The Chromatik populace came to believe that if they couldn't win in regulation, their team would not win at all.

Enter the Anomalies' match against Sarzonia, Round of Sixteen, AOCAF 60. It'd been a back-and-forth affair, the Stars' attack being a bit too much for Tioux and the defense to handle, with he last twenty minutes being a total deadlock in regulation after Sarzonia had equalized. Then, in extra time, it was the Anomalies that had to rely on a late strike from Olimpia Vidal, who is having the tournament of his career, to even send the game to penalty kicks.

Sarzonia went first. Tioux guessed left, and Aguirre hit a low ground ball to the right. Sarzonia 1, Chromatika 0.
As their first kicker, Evans decided to send out Hermaeus Mora, who had been replaced by Kim Mi Jung through the match but was one of the better shooters. His strike was just past the left hand of Gomes. Sarzonia 1, Chromatika 1.
Brady Reynolds had been a thorn in Chromatika's side all game, having assisted on two of the Stars' goals. He totally faked out Tioux, leaving the young Anomaly kicker committing too soon. Sarzonia 2, Chromatika 1.
Vasiliy Kuznetsov, having substituted in the second half and assisted on Vidal's late equalizer in extra time, buried the ball to the upper right corner of the net. Gomes could only watch. Sarzonia 2, Chromatika 2.
Clayton Wilson had scored the go-ahead goal in extra time for the Stars, and he showed his class once again in a low, slow ball that Tioux could not get to. Sarzonia 3, Chromatika 2.
Enigma Armageddon had actually scored this game - something that the one-eyed General almost never did. With slow, measured steps, he hit the ball straight and true, and it was perhaps luck or surprise that led to Gomes not staying put. Sarzonia 3, Chromatika 3.
Mek'hi West had entered in the second half for the Stars and provided few moments of burst. His shot almost missed the right post, but just snuck in. Sarzonia 4, Chromatika 4.
Henri de Aea being listed among the first four was a surprise to most. That being said, De Aea is one of the best in Chromatika with midrange passes. Did that translate to penalty kicks? His shot had a curve that Gomes couldn't take into account fast enough. Sarzonia 4, Chromatika 4.
Carlos dos Santos ran up to, but couldn't get a full hit onto the ball. It was a one-hopper that almost went over Tioux's head, but the young Anomaly was able to get it to the exuberance of his team and the fans in Chromatika. They had a chance! Sarzonia 4, Chromatika 4.
Who would come up to take that all-important penalty? Olimpia Vidal. The Cazadores Cathair striker had continued his torrid form, now having scored six goals in the last three matches. That being said, this would be the biggest short-ranged kick he'd make in his career as an Anomaly. After taking a few deep breaths, he jogged up to the ball, and instead of hitting it with his dominant right foot, hit the ball with his left, following through all the way. The ball sailed a bit - and then dipped down, and Gomes got a finger on it, but not enough to stop it completely. Sarzonia 4, Chromatika 5.

Absolute bedlam and mayhem followed. Chromatika had won in Penalty Kicks for the first time in the nation's history, and Olimpia Vidal had just insured that his name would be remembered in the annals of Chromatik football.

All that to earn a game against Mriin. The Group-mates in the last World Cup, against whom the Anomalies have a 0-1-3 record.

The road doesn't ever get any easier, does it?

[Mriin]

"Sweet jumpin' Jehoshaphat," Daff muttered as he sat among a veritable sea of blue shirts in the Ashton sports bar. The sky blue of the locals, the slightly lighter sky blue of the travelling Mrii, and the surprising amount of deep blue from the Euran subjects that had made the jaunt. That surprise is why he wasn't at the match to begin with--after the shock upset over Audioslavia, a massive statement victory for a peoples who could count the slavs as an ancient rival from The Before But Not Too Before Times. Needless to say ticket prices spiked well above the paygrade of an internet content creator.

"That's some kind of sacrilege, in’tit?" Jeremy calmly questioned, somehow making himself heard over the raucous din without raising his voice.
"Do I look like a fuckin' Banijan missionary? Hell if I know, it's just some phrase I picked up."
"And that's another"
"I know you have your reasons for wanting to ignore the football, but they just fuckin' drew even at three-all."
"You know you say 'fuck' an awful lot when you drink"
"Yes that is a known tic and is why I try not to drink in polite company."
"Good thing you're just with me then, eh?"
“This leh-tonsil guy is havin’ the night of his fuckin’ life.”
“He’s more accomplished than you would think. Probably the only player on that pitch to have made an elf see red”
“He’s scored all three of their goals."
“Now that’s just an outright lie. He skor’d those goals”
“Was that supposed to be a pun?”
“Is it ever not?”
“I mean I like to think you’re capable of expressing genuine sentiment someti--OH HOLY FUCK”

The bar erupted as the TV replayed Mako absolutely ripping the ball, the force of the shot blasting Freddie Law’s shoulder back and somehow managing to bang just inside the crossbar. Charlie Ross wears a look of cosmic betrayal. Skorji Oslograd is being physically restrained by a motley crew on the sidelines. Tailtiu Brennan wears a look like she'd seen it coming from a mile away.

Jeremy couldn’t help but grin as he watched his shell-shocked companion try to process everyone around them fly off the handle. “Just sit back and enjoy the Txo”
“The what?”
“The show. show.”

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Stelburger Zeitung

Sports

Goldhorns Through to AOCAF Quarterfinal

Siovanija & Teusland’s national football team are back into the Quarterfinal stage at AOCAF 60, having knocked out subregional neighbours Banija in an excellent Round of 16 matchup.

“It’s a chance to play countries that are close to use, but that we haven’t really faced off against ever before,” said national team vice captain Thorsten Kramer in the build-up to the match, which was quite exciting in the national media. After all, despite both being in the Southwest of Atlantian Oceania, Banija and Siovanija & Teusland have never played a competitive fixture against each other in world football. There had been two friendlies, of course, which saw Banija take the first 4-3 in Michael Ribbeck’s international debut, and a 2-2 draw in Stelburg just a few weeks before the beginning of this tournament.

Given the fact that the nations have also gotten much closer politically and economically over the past few months, since the election of Chancellor Dominik Meier and his new ‘Sudwestpolitik’ approach of greater interaction with our neighbours, and the significant Banijan migrant population in the city of St. Jakob, the stage was set for a great match-up already. Add into the mix the fact that, in the last little while, the national junior hockey team faced off against Banija twice en route to their gold-medal win at the World Junior Hockey Championship, including a 3-2 overtime win in the semifinal over the neighbours, the matchup between the Goldhorns and the Kadongo Kamu was definitely one to watch.

Then, of course, there’s the other relationships here. Two of the players in Banija’s squad play their football in the Republikaliga, Nwabudike Ugonna the star winger for FC Rotmunde 1932 and Kabir Jobateh an excellent forward for FC Kaiserhaven. On our side of things, Dennis Brotzmann plays for Banijan giants Herzegovina City FC, while centre-back duo Karl-Heinz Jager and Kuma Bultum are stars for Vanorian giants Raynor City United as well as their respective countries. These teams know each other quite well, and so this Round of 16 matchup, with a Quarterfinal birth on the line, was already full of expectation.

Gavin Hughes’ squad for this match was relatively unchanged from the one that had defeated Baker Park 1-0 in the Goldhorns’ final group stage match. Ewald Heuser in net, the young star goalkeeper having earned the 5th clean sheet of his international career in that important win. In front of him, Edgar Steimle, Karl-Heinz Jager, Raphael Klopfer and the sole change, Pierre-Louis Lotbiniere coming in for Thorsten Helmke. This change clearly showed Hughes’ intent to go for this one, Lotbiniere being a more capable attacking option than Helmke. The trio in midfield stayed the same, of course, of Todor Mihailov, Thorsten Kramer and Viktor Dimitrov, while up front on the wings were Lukas Tauscher and Mario Kogler, with Michael Ribbeck at the number 9 position.

Kicking off at Den Mytologiska Maneter, you could feel the cool mountain air, and there was a bit of a sense in the Goldhorns’ camp early that they would be able to adapt to that mountain air better than the opponents. After all, the Republikaliga’s SW Stahlberg played in a similar environment, and several of the Goldhorns’ World Cup Qualifiers had been played at the stadium, in addition to players like Michael Ribbeck being ex-Stahlberg himself. Overall, however, the two sides started out the match relatively evenly, each coming in to the game confident. Both teams had dropped their opening match of the tournament in shocking circumstances, but both had been undefeated since, including big wins over Baker Park for the Goldhorns, and Valanora for Banija.

The teams started out relatively cautious, but the Goldhorns seemed to settle into the game a bit quicker than their opponents, moving the ball well and that midfield trio creating a great deal of opportunities. Thorsten Kramer and Viktor Dimitrov, in this system, are quite fluid in their positions in midfield, and for most of the first half it was Dimitrov further forward in that playmaking role. The Goldhorns’ best opportunity early came through a creative pass from Dimitrov that found Mario Kogler, but the FC Teussen Stelburg winger’s shot was just wide of the goal.

Siovanija & Teusland would break through, however, just moments later off of a corner. Jumu Sanneh had turned Michael Ribbeck’s shot wide, and the Goldhorns pushed into the box for the opportunity. Lukas Tauscher swung in a ball that looked as if it was intended for the head of Michael Ribbeck, but it was instead perfectly timed for Karl-Heinz Jager to power the ball past Sanneh and put the Goldhorns up 1-0. An unexpected source, but none of the Goldhorns’ supporters minded, as they were now in the lead of this one.

Banija, however, would not quite, and fought hard to get themselves back into this one. For much of the remainder of the first half, Banija pushed hard into the Goldhorns’ half, and created great chances for themselves. It was Nwabudike Ugonna in particular causing a great deal of trouble for Edgar Steimle, the Rotmunde winger getting past him on the Banijan opener. After beating the 1912 Stelburg fullback, Ugonna worked his way in closer to the box before sending a pass in for Gitonga Kahara, and Kahara would not miss as he found the bottom left corner to beat Heuser and even things up as the sides headed into the half level at 1.

Coming back out for the second half, the Goldhorns needed to find a way to deal with the great speed and power of the two wingers, Ugonna and Kahara. Lukas Tauscher and Mario Kogler were both instructed to help out a bit more on defence, but in the end, Edgar Steimle, despite his mistake on the first Banijan goal, became the absolute key to what was an exceptional defensive performance in the second half. He’s faced Ugonna twice a year in the Republikaliga for a few years, now, and the two were locked in a great battle for much of the second half. With things quite even, here, it was clearly going to take a moment of inspiration for one team to break through.

That moment would come for the Goldhorns, as Todor Mihailov made an excellent run with the ball to send the Goldhorns forward, counter-attacking well and forcing the Banijans to speed back in a desperate attempt to defend. Mihailov, meanwhile, laid off a great pass to Lukas Tauscher, who blazed into the box at full speed. His initial shot, however, was stopped in a great athletic save from Sanneh, but Michael Ribbeck was there to pick up the rebound and knock it in to put the Goldhorns up 2-1.

The tide continued to turn in the Goldhorns’ favour in the second half, and just minutes after the 2-1 goal, Siovanija & Teusland would extend their lead. Mario Kogler came down the left hand side, before beating his marker Uzoma Iruka. Kogler dodged the tackle and came into the box along the goal line, looking for options in front. Thorsten Kramer, who was operating further forward in the second half in that shadow striker position, was racing into the box, and Kogler’s pass was perfectly timed for Kramer to take a quick touch and then send a drive past Sanneh into the bottom left corner. 3-1 for Siovanija & Teusland, and just 25 minutes for Banija to get back in it.

The Goldhorns lay back a bit in those final minutes, holding on to their advantage, and Thorsten Helmke and Dennis Brotzmann were both introduced into the match, as the Goldhorns shored up to preserve the lead. Banija, however, were clearly pushing forward with desperation to get themselves back into the game. After Helmke fouled Gitonga Kahara in the box, Ilman Jawara would score from the spot to make it 3-2 late, but it wasn’t enough for Banija, and Siovanija & Teusland took the 3-2 victory to advance to the Quarterfinal.

“It’s an excellent win for us, and we’ve picked up a great deal of confidence throughout the tournament and we’re eager to keep going,” said the captain Raphael Klopfer. Michael Ribbeck added that “We’ve been great, I’ve thought, other than that very first game. And obviously, we’re hoping that that will continue in the Quarterfinal - it would be very nice to get past that stage this time.” Ribbeck, of course, refers to the fact that in 3 prior AOCAF Quarterfinal appearances, the Goldhorns have never advanced past that stage. The Goldhorns will be hoping things are different this time.

Siovanija & Teusland will face Ko-oren in that Quarterfinal, the Dragonflies having earned a 1-0 win over Valanora in their Round of 16 match. The Goldhorns have faced Ko-oren twice before in international matches, as the sides were in the same qualification group in World Cup 82. The Goldhorns defeated Ko-oren 3-0 in the away leg, while at the Nationalstadion in Stelburg the sides played out a 0-0 draw. Things have changed since then, however - Ko-oren are ranked 21st in the world, and 10th in Atlantian Oceania. The Goldhorns, meanwhile, are 27th in the world, and just 1 spot behind them regionally in 11th. It’s sure to be an exciting match, then, between these two teams as they compete for a spot in the AOCAF Semifinal.

We’ll have complete coverage as Siovanija & Teusland’s AOCAF campaign continues. Come on you Goldhorns!

Siovanija & Teusland 3-2 Banija, Den Mytologiska Maneter, Farfadillis

Starting XI: Heuser; Steimle, Jager, Klopfer, Lotbiniere (Helmke 75’); Mihailov, Kramer, Dimitrov (Brotzmann 75’); Tauscher, Kogler (Kokalj 88’), Ribbeck
Goals: Karl-Heinz Jager 14’, Michael Ribbeck 64’, Thorsten Kramer 71’
Man of the Match: Todor Mihailov

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

This morning's video session was being conducted by Hailey Reinhart-Zavakos, along with Jessica Curran and Elaine King; the three women were the staff coaches for this tournament, and for Hailey, this was the first time she'd been tasked with reviewing the upcoming opponent on tape. They would be preparing for their quarterfinal matchup with Equestria, which would be the third meeting in the last four AOCAF tournaments the sides had faced one another in the knockout stages.

There was a good reason for this change in assignments, as both assistant manager Will Barnard and manager Jen Prescott were absent from the pre-training meeting. At the same time the squad were looking at the breakdown of Equestria's match against Farfadillis, the top two staff members were in Prescott's hotel room, on a video conference.

It was Willie's idea to get a second opinion about the tactical changes the pair had discussed, so they were laying out the plan to their nominal boss, Ichi Tuzzio, along with his assistant Friekder Dandalleion, and Tony Weiss, the senior 1st Team coach, who of course had been in charge with Prescott of the SWC championship side in the first mixed gender team in BP history. The trio were in Qasden preparing for the Wonder Cup with the men's team.

"So, what do you think Maestro?" Everyone had gotten into the habit of calling Tuzzio by the nickname that Trevor Richmond had laid on the man during their initial encounter; in his own way, the Farf legend was much like a conductor of an orchestra.

"I think it is good plan, but do you think you'll be able to make adjustments on the training pitch in just a couple of days?" Tuzzio was thinking in terms of having to deal with Farves on a playing squad, rather than how players in the Commonwealth setup understood their roles in the system well enough that small changes, or even a big one here & there, were easy to implement.

"It's really just a matter of getting the spacing right. I'll be able to see if there are any issues we haven't encountered after the session today."

Tuzzio and Dandalleion were impressed with the fact that there was a willingness of other coaches to share ideas and ask for thoughts from one another here. He could not have imagined other coaches at the FFFF coming to him for advice about preparations for an opponent.

"OK Jeanie-ver, don't hesitate to call again. We are sending you good wishes." Prescott loved the way he pronounced her name.

"Thank you sir, we'll see what shakes out."
Now in the meeting room with the squad, the film session completed, Prescott started with her thoughts on how to approach the single problem that would have to be solved.

"The most important thing that we are going to have to accomplish against the Ponies if we want to win is actually put the ball in the net." In 4 previous encounters, BP had scored a grand total of one goal, which had come in a friendly in the buildup to the last regional tournament.

"I think if we make some adjustments, we can increase our chances of doing just that." She had Will pull up the drawing from the laptop and project it onto the wall. "We need to work hard to keep possession, not give the ball way cheaply. We need to keep the attack dynamic, so the defense can't zero in on one or two of you in a given area."

She proceeded to go through the various changes she wanted to work on that morning: pulling the 3rd forward, usually called "the slot" in the terminology of the system, almost all the way back into midfield, making a solid 5 player line, which would mean having a pure midfielder in that role, and having the other two forwards play more offset—one in the middle and the other starting outside the box.
Prescott wanted to bring Tracey Vasillias, who played in the center of the three back defense, into the attack more; she had the skills and instincts of an attacking fullback (which is what was for her club), and if the goal was keep the ball, she would be important. This would require an adjustment defensively, which would come from Maria Fernandez on right wing tracking back further and tucking in when Vasillias moved forward.

She also wanted to press the defensive line higher—a tall task as they already played higher than most teams—and have the midfield play a bit deeper and narrower. In essence she wanted Equestria to be forced to send balls over the top rather than working through midfield, playing into another BP strength, the offside trap. Both Pam Scott and Trevor Richmond before her built their defensive players up in confidence by claiming that the Commonwealth played the trap better than any other side in the multiverse; whether that was true was a matter for someone else to decide, but match after match through the years it had been the central tenet of the defensive philosophy.

"Sarah, think you're up for the challenge of Pristina Shine on your own?" The Equestria striker was one of the best in the world and was the lynchpin of the Ponies attack. It was Willie who had come up with the idea that if they continually pushed the defensive line higher, Shine would have to come back deeper to receive the ball, or to make runs from onside positions.

The instructions having been laid out, Jen was anxious to get out and see how the players would adapt. "We did the penalty shootout thing once here, and we've done it once against this bunch (in the semi-final of AOCAF 58), how about we give something else a try?"

lineup vs Equestria:
Gordon; Foreman, Vasillias (C), O'Connell; Callum, Hayes, Westmoreland, Stone, Fernandez; Patton, Tilton

[Equestrian States]

Purple Pony Power
Your Source for Equestrian Hoofball News, By Fans, For Fans

AOCAF 60, Round of 16: The Champions are Dead, Long Live the Champions!
by Crystal Cloudburst

It was, without a doubt, the most widely-anticipated match of the 60th AOCAF Cup thus far.

The 84th World Cup winners and tournament co-hosts Farfadillis faced off against two-time defending AOCAF champions and 83rd World Cup winners Equestria. Two rivals which have met in the Cup of Harmony, in a famous World Cup qualifying playoff, and more recently in an AOCAF Cup 58 quarterfinal which saw the Ponies dethrone then-defending champions Farfadillis en route to their own first major title. On their own, the team names themselves and the respect they command throughout the multiverse would attract the attention of viewers throughout Atlantian Oceania and beyond. But that's not all. Just for good measure, let's add in a great individual match-up: Xíxì Êns, La Vherderoja's star striker and newly-crowned Galactico, versus Gentle Breeze, Equestria's beloved "Goddess of Goalkeeping" who has reigned as one of the multiverse's elite goalkeepers for virtually her entire career. Honestly, this fixture would not be out of place as a Final in either the AOCAF Cup or even the World Cup itself, but instead we get it in just the second round of the tournament. The neutrals were certainly delighted, the supporters of the Ponies and La Vherderoja considerably less so.

The Equestrians entered La Gran Avenida in excellent form. After failing to defend their World Cup title, some critics might have been eager to declare the Ponies' reign of supremacy over international hoofball dead and over, but it seems Pearly White and company weren't quite ready to end this Equestrian golden age just yet. The Ponies entered the diamond edition of the AOCAF Cup having gone a ridiculous 32 games without losing a 90-minute match at the regional level, as well as boasting a 21-match winning streak dating back to the start of AOCAF 58. In Group B, Equestria showed no mercy to their outclassed opponents, outscoring their rivals by a 12-3 margin and claiming the top seed in the Southwestern half of the tournament with relatively little difficulty and were the only team in the entire competition to not drop even a single point in the group stage. Pearly White may have begun the changing of the guard to the next generation of Ponies stars with her player selection for this AOCAF, but has simultaneously maintained Equestria's stranglehold on regional hegemony thus far, a balancing act for which she cannot be given enough praise.

Meanwhile, the Farves' road to La Gran Avenida through AOCAF 60 has poetically mirrored the famously treacherous path to the venue itself. Farfadillis won the 84th World Cup in more or less the exact fashion anyone would have predicted: with an overwhelming offense which bludgeons their opponents into submission, spearheaded by a world-class striker in Xíxì Êns. As the current world champions, tournament co-hosts, and the most recent winners of the AOCAF Cup before the ongoing Equestrian dynasty, La Vherderoja were the favorites of oddsmakers everywhere to at least finish atop their group in front of a friendly crowd, if not dethrone the Ponies as the champions of Atlantian Oceania. However, the Farves stumbled immediately off the starting block with a disappointing 2-2 draw against 44th-ranked Dogsmouth in their opening match, and failed to win against the Busoga Islands and Ko-oren in their following two matches. It wasn't until their Group A finale against unranked newcomers South Concepthuania that La Vherderoja finally regained their stride with a 6-2 victory, just enough for the world champions and tournament co-hosts to avoid the humiliation of a group stage exit. Paired with Group B runners-up Qasden in the Round of 24, the Farves comfortably took care of business to punch their ticket to the next round. After an ugly start, La Vherderoja were finally back in form, just in time for a date with a white-hot Ponies dynasty.

Over 60,000 souls swarmed over the narrow forest pathway to La Gran Avenida's gates, the vast majority of which donned the hosts' red and green colors; but a sizable minority wore purple and orange, to say nothing of the predominantly pastel array of colors present in many of the visitors' fur and manes. By the time the teams took the field for the pre-match ceremonies and national anthems, the stands were filled to capacity and then some with a somewhat garish rainbow of spectators.

From the announcement of the starting lineups, it was obvious that this match would not be a duel of defenses, but one of offensive star power, both Pearly White and Pamela Scott opting to line their sides up in 3-5-2 formations brimming with names familiar to many throughout the multiverse: Pristina Shine, Xíxì Êns, Rainbow Blitz, Faragó rue Cazade, Rosie Tyler, and Aaron Aiza, to name just a few. A couple young rising stars, Tôsgo Alxíkí and Sunny Day, also made their teams' starting elevens. Goalkeeper Gentle Breeze, fullback Brix Hamilton, and centerback Kósa Bajnok stood apart as the best defenders on the pitch, but would be facing a difficult task in keeping such an array of firepower out of their respective goals.

Most of the pundits predicted a high-scoring affair, and were almost immediately proven right with just over a minute gone when Xíxì Êns got past Ironhoof with a lovely display of footwork and let loose a shot that would have beaten nearly any goalkeeper in the multiverse and found the net, but instead found only Gentle Breeze's gloves. The Farves pressed hard to get an early lead in the opening few minutes, which has long been a glaring weakness of the Equestrians, but were soon left wishing they had maybe played a bit more conservatively.

Krysia Bailey, a longtime fullback for Avendia Leal in the FARF Freitball Ligá, managed to clear the ball out to Rosie Tyler on the left flank, catching the Farf defense with its metaphorical shorts down. Tyler wasted no time charging up the side of the pitch, with Pristina Shine and Midnight Strike sprinting through the high line of the Farf defense almost before they realized what was happening. Tyler served up a perfect cross to the pair of Equestrian forwards just before they could overtake her, Pristina Shine drawing the attention of goalkeeper Berény Phelede only to let the ball past her to the patient hoof of Midnight Strike. The thestral striker was grinning, baring his sharp teeth to the cameras, as he calmly fired the ball into the middle of the net before smoothly peeling off to celebrate with Rosie Tyler and Pristina Shine near the corner flag in front of a stunned crowd of Farf supporters. In the opposite corner of the stadium, the Equestrian contingent went wild, while a visibly furious Pamela Scott let her players know her displeasure at having been caught napping so early on in the proceedings, especially against a side which is so well known for their lightning-quick, frequently-lethal counterattacks.

The Farves, having learned their lesson well, were demonstrably less aggressive in the back as they re-started play, though they remained in control of the possession battle as the Equestrians played a bit deeper with a 1-0 lead. La Vherderoja would have to break down the Ponies' defense while being wary of another Equestrian counterattack. Not long ago that may have been too tall a task for the Farves, as the Equestrian back line once boasted four elite defenders in Brix Hamilton, Flitter, Andrea Molovi, and Krysia Bailey, backed by arguably the best goalkeeper in the multiverse, Gentle Breeze. Now, however, time had eroded the Ponies' stalwart defense; Molovi and Flitter retired from international play, Hamilton approaching the twilight of her Ponies career, with only Bailey and Breeze remaining near their peak ability. Although the three Equestrian defenders on the pitch at La Gran Avenida were supported in their efforts to keep the hosts off the board by their teammates in the midfield, it felt inevitable that the Farves would find an equalizer sooner or later, and in the 35th minute did just that.

Gentle Breeze had just made a save off a hard, low shot by Oskar Holsteiner from outside the box, but was only able to steer the ball past the far post, giving Farfadillis a corner kick with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Scoring:
Midnight Strike '3 (EQS 1-0 FFD)
Xíxì Êns '35 (EQS 1-1 FFD)
Xíxì Êns '37 (EQS 1-2 FFD)
Sunny Day '40 (EQS 2-2 FFD)
HT: Equestria 2-2 Farfadillis
Vínseslâdís Wìjìnì '55 (EQS 2-3 FFD)
Pristina Shine '56 (EQS 3-3 FFD)
Pristina Shine '66 (EQS 4-3 FFD)
Rosewing '77 (EQS 5-3 FFD)
FT: Equestria 5-3 Farfadillis

[Krytenia]

South West Region
Quarter-Final Scores

Equestria 1–4 Baker Park
Ko-oren 0–0 Siovanija & Teusland (1–0 AET)

Semi-Final aka CHAMPIONSHIP OF GLORIOUS SOUTHWEST
Baker Park vs Ko-oren

[Vilita and Turori]

Vilita & Turori Survive Thriller in Krytenian Forests

Heading into the Round of 16, both host nations were well positioned for deep runs into their respective halfs - particularly if they could get past their formidable opponents in the Round of 16. In the so-called "Glorious Southwest" region, the reigning World Cup Champions Farfadillis had struggled in the Group Stage but made amends in the Play-in round by overcoming the Curious Cats of Qasden to set up a high profile Round of 16 matchup between the two most recent World Cup Champions, Equestria and Farfadillis.

Over in the Legendary Northeast, there were no such nerves for Krytenia in the group stage as their performance earned them top spot in their group and a bye directly to the Round of 16. While the Kryties were almost assured a fascinating Round of 16 matchup one way or another, most expected the signature matchup on the Legendary half of the draw to be a classic duel of the oft-defeated between Audioslavia and Krytenia. However, the Bulls were stunned in the Play-in match by an inspired Euran Oceania Territories side that was piecing together its best ever Regional performance. That result upended the seedings for the Round of 16 and meant that Krytenia would instead be facing Vilita and Turori.

The hosts would rise to the challenge and looked to take advantage of a Vilita and Turori side that looked vulnerable after a narrow victory over Northwest Kalactin in the Play-in Round. It was a match that saw 9 goals in the first half, one of the highest scoring opening forty-five minutes of action in the history of the AOCAF competition.

It was the Eel-Cat Things who struck first on a corner kick just 4 minutes into the match, Tulaki Tauogba delivering the cross that was fired past Damien Carpenter by Lohani Riiyaaw after the Mercia Bromham goalkeeper punched a catchable ball straight to the Vilitan defenders feet at the edge of the box. The lead would be short lived however and the boos from the Krytenia fans would turn quickly back into cheers when Phillip Eaton surprised the Vilita and Turori defenders by faking a cross and cutting inside against all of the insight that had been provided by the scouting reports. Eaton found a step and fired a shot past Turorian netminder Timaala Hualtia that lifted spirits throughout Bell Moor and the surrounding Forest Lands as fears of an embarrassing performance seemed short lived.

From there the teams would trade blows back and forth throughout the first half. Limu Katarakhna and Khrusan Mlianko would deliver goals for Vilita and Turori to put the Eel-Cat Things up 3-1 after twenty minutes. Selaphiel Kennedy would respond for Krytenia in the 23rd minute to pull the hosts back within one but a long-distance toe-shot from Cuoabaza Orani'aoa at the half hour mark dipped just under the bar after Carpenters fist could not make contact. The Krytenian sideline was in di as Vilita and Turori took a 4-2 lead. The Cyan Army had seen enough and made a change in goal bringing in the 19 year old Westleigh Athletic goalkeeper Serge Dupree who had some fiery words for the other 10 players on the pitch as they came on.

The inspiration seemed to work as Krytenia fired back with goals from Kennedy, Neil Smith and Joshua Kelnic over the next fifteen minutes to round out a high scoring first half that produced a roller coaster of momentum for the fan bases, the Krytenians having the last laugh taking a 5-4 lead into the half.

While Krytenia needed the motivational boost of their first half goalkeeper change to provide the surge of momentum to re-claim the lead, the loss of the sub for an otherwise ineffectual change in tactics limited their ability to respond to the Vilita and Turori adjustments in the second half. The Eel Cat Things altered their look from a traditional 3-5-2 into a more attack minded formation with Limu Karakhna sitting in the slot between the forwards. As Krytenia sat back to defend their lead, The Eel-Cat Things began to take control of the possession game and after an early second half equalizer from Turakia Diijelhma, seemed the more likely to find a winner.

Eventually, the winner would come off the Vilita and Turori substitutes bench from Galacticos Under-21 nominee and reigning Stellar Division champion Nii'arala Milaaso of Eastal Lunar FC. Milaaso's 75th minute winner felt inevitable by the time it finally hit the back of the net with a sigh of acceptance from the Cyan Army who were watching their fears realized in real time. There would be no party in Krytenia as Vilita and Turori had survived one of the highest scoring single goal margin of victory games in their history to advance through to a Quarter-Final matchup against Cosumar.

 Vilita & Turori [6] - [5] Krytenia
				
	GOALS:	Vilita & Turori 	:: 4' Lohani Riiyaaw:: 12' Limu Katarakhna:: 19' Khrusan Mlianko:: 29' Cuoabaza Orani’aoa:: 47' Turakia Diijelhma:: 75' Nii'arala Milaaso         		
	STATS:	Vilita & Turori 	:: Possession: 58%:: Shots: 11:: Corners: 16	Krytenia 	:: Possession: 42%:: Shots: 11:: Corners: 16
	Lineup:	[GK] Timaala Hualtia, [D.] Inteali Koranjo, [D.] Lohani Riiyaaw, [D.] Tarek Edgeli, [ML]  Khrusan Mlianko, [MC]  Tulaki Rauogba, [MC] Limu Katarakhna, [MC]  Lentali Purama, [MR]  Intikko Kuhilana, [FC] Enzoril Alabonni, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma			
	Bench:	[FC] Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC] Clarana Refiami, [M] Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [M] Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [U ] Naraiza Ruaplal, [D] Amakli Inuro'o, [GK] Vernasa Sanamun

[Farfadillis]

Mriin 3–0 Chromatika

Vilita and Turori 0–1 Cosumar

Second-place Play-off

Mriin vs Cosumar

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Mark Tolbert: "we're halfway through the 4 minutes added on. Craig we've seen some raucous celebrations by Baker Park supporters, but I don't recall anything quite so surreal as what is going on behind the goal to our right."

Craig Snyder: "I'd have to agree, as it appears there are about 3 separate celebrations going on among the 5,000 or so who got tickets."

(shot of Jen Prescott on the bench, arms & legs crossed with the barest of expressions of satisfaction on her face)
MT: "She might look like she's perfectly content, but you know her heart is racing right now."
CS: "You know everyone back in Belle Haven are thrilled for her personally. She's done everything asked of her and more."

MT: "And. That's the whistle! Possibly one of the biggest shocks in the history of the AOCAF tournament, the two times defending holders from Equestria see their 22 match winning streak broken, eliminated by a rampant Commonwealth of Baker Park side. Goals from Amanda Hayes in the 30th minute, Tracey Vasillias on 48 minutes, Annabeth Westmoreland in the 72nd and Daisy Callum 5 minutes after for the Bees, with Sunny Day getting the lone tally for the Ponies in the 64th minute. Gary Kostka, Aiden Donnan, Leslie Van Horn, back to you in Ferdullaele, it was Equestria 1, Baker Park 4"

Leslie Van Horn: "Gary, the last five minutes I've thought Aiden wanted to have a cry."
Aiden Donnan: "I might still have one yet."
(laughter) Gary Kostka: "me too!"

LVH: "We talked at halftime about the way BP were playing against the Ponies, squeezing the match into an area about 25 yards or so on either side of the center stripe. Gary, how did that end up being the key to unlocking the secret for beating this team?"

GK: "Sheesh. I don't know if there's an advanced tactics course that could explain it. Ady pointed out how there was almost no attacking down the right side in the first half, but then all of a sudden there was a 6 or 7 minute stretch where that's almost the only place the ball was."

AD: "I want to come in here to say that one mistake that teams make when coming up against a side that's got better players than you on a position by position basis is to play deeper and soak up pressure. But that's sort of Equestria's default style, and as we saw, BP played a flat midfield line and the defense closed down the gap in between the defense and midfield. That's the area where the Ponies's best players thrive."

GK: "Where do you want to play 5v5 if you've got skilled players? On a 50 yard long pitch, or in a phone booth? Jen decided a phone booth was to her advantage."

LVH: "For the second time in the last three AOCAF Championships, Baker Park have advanced to the semi-finals, where they will await the winner of the second quarterfinal match later tonight between Ko-oren and Siovanija & Teusland. We'll be back here on CBC1 SoccerNight after these messages."

[Vilita and Turori]

 Vilita & Turori [0] - [1] Cosumar
				
	GOALS:	Vilita & Turori 	               		
	STATS:	Vilita & Turori 	:: Possession: 51%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 2	Cosumar 	:: Possession: 49%:: Shots: 6:: Corners: 2
	Lineup:	[GK] Timaala Hualtia, [D.] Tarek Edgeli, [D.] Inteali Koranjo, [D.] Lohani Riiyaaw, [ML]  Tulaki Rauogba, [MC]  Khrusan Mlianko, [MC] Limu Katarakhna, [MC]  Naraiza Ruaplal, [MR]  Intikko Kuhilana, [FC] Turakia Diijelhma, [FC] Enzoril Alabonni			
	Bench:	[FC] Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC] Clarana Refiami, [M] Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, [M] Lentali Purama, [U ] Nua'oma Aikiki, [D] Amakli Inuro'o, [GK] Vernasa Sanamun

[95X]

Flying Home
After the second loss in a row and getting knocked out of the tournament, Katelynn State did the usual postgame pleasantries, showered, and changed into street clothes. Not a flashy dresser or particularly stylish, but it’s obvious she’s a former sports player.

As she walked down the streets of Ousevale, which hosted the play-in game her team just lost, she sees an establishment and thinks to herself “y’know, I think I could try just one,” and walked right in.

Back at the hotel, the rest of the team and staff are getting ready to leave first thing in the morning, realizing the journey home might take quite a bit longer than they expected as Air95 was no longer flying and as such the airports were closed. That’s when they received calls from the front desk. They hurry down and find a deceptively-cutesy-looking officer from the Scottfire Military there. She doesn’t introduce herself by any kind of name because she doesn’t have one, has a high-almost-squeaky voice, and dressed in something that looks like a combination military uniform and something a generic anime girl would wear.

“I’m here with orders to fly all of you to Pacific City,” she stated, “and which of you is Sarah Foureleven?”

Players and staff alike all nervously pointed toward the tallest person in the room. The military officer knelt before her and bowed at her feet, as she would be instructed to do with superior officers and foreign dignitaries.

“Please get up,” Sarah asked her, which the mysterious officer did and continued speaking with why.

“I also have orders from Amanda Scott herself. She wants to meet with you.”

Everyone else gasped, as it was said very few people have seen Amanda Scott and lived to talk about it.

“Whoah,” one of the assistant coaches spoke up, “we can take you up on the transportation offer, but Sarah is—”

“I can handle this!” Sarah interrupted.

“Hey, where’s Katelynn?” someone else asked.

“Everything okay?” the officer pried.

“Everyone is here, except for our head coach,” Sarah explained. The rest of the team wasn’t happy Sarah was giving her this information.

“I can help you find her,” the officer offered.

“No thank you,” the assistant coach who spoke previously turned down the offer.

The assistant coach is then handed a note from the front desk. It said a woman claiming she’s from 95X was creating a scene at a bar down the street. Several of them arrive to find Katelynn State drunk, wearing very little except a dark pink tank top and shorts, slurring words loudly.

“And that’s when I told Eleven Foureleven that the only thing larger than her number of games played is her ego!”

“Hey!” Sarah called out after overhearing that, “that’s my mother you’re talking about!”

“It’s time to go, Kate,” the assistant coach said to her while helping her grab her things.

Katelynn then threw up all over the place, and the bartender commented “all I gave the lass was one beer!”

They get Katelynn out of there, the officer gets permission to fly them out the next morning, and in the morning a very hung over and embarrassed head coach and her team flew out of Krytenia on a plane that seemed far too nice for the military of a dictatorial regime to have. Onboard, Sarah is surprised to see someone in person she’d only exchanged letters with. This woman looked like an older version of a girl that would beat someone up for their pocket change and claim it was because they didn’t know how to say they loved the target as a means to get a free coffee/lunch/ice cream/whatever out of them when they had more money.

“You saved my life,” this other nameless woman told Sarah. “Because you called me just before I was to leave to say ‘if you could know what I know you wouldn’t board the plane.’ Flying all of you home is the least we can do for you because I am one of Amanda Scott’s top officers!”

(To be continued at a later time. Maybe.)

[Ko-oren]

Going on to our sixth semifinals, and the second in two cycles, the Dragonflies are hunting down their 350th official victory. After 622 matches in the AOCAF and WCC tournaments, Ko-oren are sitting at 349 wins. If draws were possible at this stage of the tournament: we have 99 of those at the moment, so we should hit the grand century there during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Including those 349 wins is just one AOCAF semifinal win - despite the five tries, meaning that the AOCAF semifinals are our second worst round other than the World Cup Round of 16 (in which we are 0 for 7).

This is all to Baker Park's advantage, the other 'southwestern' candidate, with the added difference that Baker Park is actually somewhat southwestern, after beating title holders Equestria 1-4 about an hour ahead of the Ko-oren v Siovanija & Teusland kick off. Goals from Hayes, Vasillias, Westmoreland, and Callum secured the massive goal difference - but it was not an easy win by any means. Equestria did score the 2-1 at some point, and the match was only comfortably going Baker Park's way about 20 minutes before the end. The Ponies fell to a tactically advanced team, playing responsibly and disciplined. That's what we can expect as well: the Bees will have a plan for our 5-3-2. Our style has been well documented, so there are plenty of video scouting opportunities. The Black and Gold XI play 3-4-1-2, with a lot of switching and changing shapes depending on what's necessary. At the top of this team sits Jennifer Prescott, architect behind a crafty scheme to pin Equestria down to the midway line and not give them the opportunity to advance the ball down the wing or further down the field. A daring move, but it paid off and that's honestly all that counts.

As far as the squad goes, most players earn their salary in their own domestic competition, much like us. The few foreign earners play at Nephara, Valanora, Brenecia, Banija, and Cosumar - so basically only storied, quality leagues - which is again very much like the Ko-orenite players' MO.

Meanwhile, the Dragonflies showcased another disciplined match, that was all about surrendering poor chances and shots to the Siovanija & Teusland team, without ever giving up a better chance or shot. Ko-oren is king when it comes to giving up a dozen shots on goal without letting the xG (expected goals) ever run much over 1 per match or so. Sitting deep (and probably giving Equestria exactly the space they needed, had they played us in the quarters) and then striking on the counter or a set piece is what we do.

Nagamine scored the only goal of the game, deep into extra time, while coaches already looked ahead to the penalty series. Both teams consolidated, feeling it more worthwile to go out on penalty kicks rather than to lose this far into extra time. The Goldhorns' adventurous 4-3-3 was vulnerable when not in possession, with the two young fullbacks advancing down the wing a little too often. Gassed at the end of regulation, they couldn't turn on the afterburners when it mattered most. The Ko-orenite defence had a plan in place for them, Hellegeland and Basquez staying back all match to pick up their attacking moves, and Yokota drifting in towards the half-spaces on the side of the ball if a fullback was also present on the wing. When in possession, Lotbiniere and Steimle were exciting but ultimately couldn't get the ball anywhere meaningful. The midfields of both teams were similar, one player sitting back (Yokota/Mihailov), one playmaker (Kramer/Janoreirinthen), and one creative supplier to the forwards (Longchambon/Dimitrov). That meant that the game was extremely narrow, and only the fullbacks were capable of adding enough width to make a difference. Speed was the name of the game for Siovanija & Teusland, while Ko-oren chose the long ball to overtake any Goldhorns running back to defend. The Goldhorns' key positions had enough energy for the full 120 minutes, but the creativity waned, the attacking intentions waned, and the shots on goal were few and far between as the game went on. Turner, frustrated with the lack of support and quality long balls forward, was taken off, while Longchambon and Vallotton chased the poor supply anyway. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough, with Turner's replacement Nagamine finally surprising Heuser at the near post with a low, driven shot.

Whether Ko-oren can put together another midfield-less game, looking ahead to Baker Park's good midfield tactics, remains to be seen. Again, we're here to win, not to impress, so whatever works, works. Even if the Bees have just three women at the back, they're covered by four midfielders - and we have to find a way to test that. If the wings aren't an option, it'll have to be long balls again, but we can't expect the same level of success. Sitting back also won't be an option, because that's exactly what Baker Park is prepared for.

It's time for the most tactical game of the AOCAF. Here's to an entertaining 0-0!

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

AOCAF Semi-Final Match notes
for immediate release, contact Sasha Henderson, FAC Director of Media Relations for more info


Breaking down some of the numbers from the AOCAF so far:

The 4-1 victory over Equestria was the 100th national team victory in the NSWC era, and came in the 170th match; with a record of 100 wins, 39 losses and 31 draws, it puts the Commonwealth's winning percentage at .588, and counting draws as half win/half losses, that figure increases to .679

It was also the 580th all time match for the men's and mixed gender team; in addition, the Round of 16 match against Torisakia was the 200th by an all-women's national team. Yet the semi-final against Ko-oren will only be the 775th senior team match in FAC history, so why the discrepancy?

For record keeping purposes, the 10 matches played in the two editions of the Baker Park Open Cup are not included in the total NS era match records, although they are recognized as full internationals for the players who earned caps and scored goals in them. Additionally, there were two friendlies played in the leadup to World Cup 84 which were contested by single sex teams. So the math works as such:

Men's matches, pre NS—410
Women's matches, pre-NS—184
NS era matches, mixed gender—170
BPOC matches—10
Total of all matches—774

The match will mark the third time a BP side has reached the semi-final of a senior team competition; the Baptism of Fire 67 was the first occasion, a 4-2 win over Makhnovia at the BCEL Stadium in Jinja City, Banija; and the AOCAF 58 tournament hosted in Baker Park & Banija, where the Bees fell to eventual winners Equestria in a penalty shootout after a scoreless 120 minutes at Keller Field in Belle Haven.

That AOCAF tournament is also the only other time the national team have faced the Dragonflies from Ko-oren at senior level, a 2-1 win for Baker Park in the final Group A match at Sportsmen's Park.
The AOCAF 50 runners-up will be making their 6th appearance in the final 4, and their second in succession. They were placed in the Southwest half of the bracket in spite of being the most northwesterly nation in Atlantian Oceania, which means the two nations geographically farthest away from the "Glorious Southwest" will battle to see who will represent it in the Final.

The loss to Baker Park was the first competitive match Equestria had been defeated in regulation time for a stretch going back 34 matches. Amanda Hayes's goal snapped a 240 minute scoreless streak against the Ponies in regional play for the Commonwealth.

Ko-oren will be looking towards a milestone of their own, as a victory in either this match or the subsequent meeting with the winner or loser of the other semi-final between Cosumar or Mriin, will be their 350th. By comparison, the total of victories from the previously mentioned match history for Baker Park comes to only 346.

# 30

________________________________________________________________________________________

(pre-match meal ahead of the Equestria showdown)

The atmosphere in the dining area of the hotel's conference room that doubled as the squad's common area and meeting room was light and buzzing; around the five tables of 6 places, there was plenty of easy discussion and laughter.

Jen Prescott had borrowed this idea from her time with Tony Weiss at the SWC 5 in Abanhfleft; small groups, staff members interspersed with the players, freedom to relax, enjoy the meal and bond with teammates. She'd used it with the U21's, and Will told her that it was similar to the routine that both Pam Scott & Trevor Richmond had operated, except that the staff were separate from the players.

The menu was pretty standard for a late afternoon kickoff (17:30 local) where there would be a few hours before any activity would be occurring: a long time tradition for the BP National Team was Chicken & Noodle soup (it was something of a 'good luck' ritual, although it fit perfectly into the nutritional requirements); "buns & spuds", which could range from the ridiculous to the sublime--'buns' normally referred to what might known as dinner rolls: round, sometimes yeast risen, although other types of small individual bread servings were used--and 'spuds' was pretty self explanatory, although it covered a fairly wide range: mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, creamed potatoes, hash brown potatoes, cold potato salad, German potato salad, potato pancakes--rarely would one come across two Baker Parkers who had the same preference.

(a digression on typical dietary habits in the Commonwealth: "whole grains" is not a type of food some people eat, it is essentially the diet of almost everyone here. Wheat, Rye, Barley, & Oats are generally found in less milled or processed forms than most people would be used to; rice has never been cultivated successfully on a large scale here, so most of what is consumed is imported, but it is also an important element in the diet.)

Another nearly ubiquitous item on the buffet offering for FAC squads was shelled, fresh green peas; even the Naval Service of Commonwealth provided all their ships with enough freeze dried, shelled peas for every member of the crew to have at least 5 servings per month.

When most everyone had finished their lunch and availed themselves of the one cup of coffee or tea they were allotted per day--at least half of the players on this squad still indulged in a daily post-luncheon 'cuppa' (as did Prescott and Will, to be fair)--it was Hailey Reinhart-Zavakos who stood to address the squad, tapping a spoon against her water glass.

"Before we send you off for personal time (normally on match day, players were allowed at least a minimum of 2 hours after the final team meal to themselves, which they could use to nap, spend time with loved ones [yes, even entertain 'significant others', spouses, partners, etc] prior to departure for the stadium), Jen wanted me to share a couple thoughts with all of you."

She walked over to the equipment set-up used for video review, and typed in a few keystrokes.

On the wall screen where the match tape usually played, a face familiar to all those present in the room appeared in a taped video chat.
"I'm so missing all of you right now, because I want to be there just to be a tiny part of the squad."

Veronica Navarro looked like an expectant mother usually does, and continued her message. "The peach pit--yes it's advanced from peanut"--everyone laughed at her description of the baby--"and Kenny and I will be there with you in spirit tonight. I love you, and am sending you positive thoughts." She blew a kiss at the screen and then the next message began.

"I was just gonna send a shoutout to my girls on the D", JC Bartok began, "CarGo, TeeVee, Emma, Sair, Nicks, Kay-O, Jords, Rasamatazz...(whisper from off camera), oh Danni too! [Bartok generally had a silly nickname for everyone on whatever squad he was a part of; he was the self proclaimed Prime Minister of Fun of the FAC]"

The room filled with laughter as he got to the end of his initial burst. "But y'all know we're here in Qasden, but we got you. All of you. (he gave a quick fist bump to his chest) All of us, you know we're gonna be out there on the pitch where we always are--in spirit of course!--and we know you're gonna do the business!" (he glances off to his right briefly)
"This fool says he wants to holla at you, too. I'm out! You got this!"

Terrence Stephens appeared in frame and repeated a lot of the general sentiments that Bartok had.
"I was howling watchin' how you kicked the shit out of those dudes (in the Muradil match) because I couldn't have been more proud of my team. You already showed you ain't gonna take no shit, make them Ponies know who they fuckin' with...we'll come over in a minute to get your backs!"

More laughter and joy filled the room, until finally the face of someone most of them were not familiar with personally, but recognized immediately came up.

"Ladies, I am here to send you every best wish. You will do Baker Park proud with your effort and spirit tonight." Ichi Tuzzio smiled into the camera as a grandfather speaking to his clan might do.
"I know when the Farf people see you play against Equestria, they will know that you are more than worthy of the confidence I have in you." He nodded to himself, then continued.

"Jeanie-ver and Will, and Hailey, Elan and Jissa-ca, they have done all they can for you. It is up to you to go and seize the chance. Godspeed!"

lineup vs Ko-oren:
Gordon(C); Arnold, Rasanamira, Jordan; Delgarro, Callum, Porter, Aguilar; A. Underwood; LeClair, Wasdsworth

[Krytenia]

South West Region
Semi-Final (Regional Final) Score

Baker Park 0–1 Ko-oren

Congratulations to South West Region winners Ko-oren, who will meet the winner of the North East region in the final, to be held in Vilita.

[Mriin]

Maal Memoirs
Sports
A Bittersweet Dawn

Yon Kegaant
Bromham, Krytenia

Once more unto the breach, my friends.

There's innumerable storylines woven through this bracket. The Reavers firmly establishing themselves as the Anomalies' bogie team. The potential scandal of the Northeast versus Southwest cup final featuring two teams that aren't really from either region. And a dire rematch with the Vanquishers. The last time the two had met was the groups of World Cup 81, where a heroic effort by the Reavers handily upset the then-second-seed Cosumarites... only for both to be undone by the upstarts Baker Park. At least we've already gotten revenge on them. Oh, and the strike partnership Brennan decided on for this tourney just so happen to both play in Cosumar. You can't make this stuff up, folks.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The match against the Chromatiks was already loaded with historical significance, as much as can be for the (relatively) short timescale of Mrii international football. Mriin, as the second seed in World Cup 80 qualifying, added a huge amount of stock to their claim as a serious contender in the World Cup by virtue of how they pulled the double over the first-seeded Chromatiks to win Group 5 to completely avoid playoffs. Then, come World Cup 84 qualifying, we were drawn together with the roles reversed. Suffering from the ill effects of having missed a cycle of international football, the Chromatiks had a chip on their shoulder to prove they were still a top team and wouldn't let themselves get pushed around by a couple of horny bois. The first attempt didn't go well, a third straight game where they couldn't so much as score a goal on a Reavers side that only seemed to break out the defensive acumen when the Anomalies came to play. The reverse fixture would provide some joy, but still in a subdued manner: a scrappy one-all draw. It was a start for the Chromatiks: their very first goal on the Mrii.

They would not add any to that tally today.

Mara had been found out once and was clearly determined not to let it happen again. It wasn't like the Chromatiks were suffocated out of the game--despite the best efforts of Maas and Reina to gum up play and up the intimidation factor. The minuscule Olympia Vidal -- a full two feet shorter than the backs tracking them -- wasn't phased in the slightest, creating and taking quality chances throughout the first half. Each time Mara was there to meet them with a graceful bump or catch. The supercut of those shots and saves are stunning on both ends, but one couldn't help but feel there was some divine retribution being delivered upon the Anomalies that even when pulling out such a level of play they were being met blow-for-blow. And then the second half happened.

It all started so innocuously. A lazy tackle from Jarret Rowles handed the Reavers a free kick from a fairly awkward spot. Otalia stepped up and, surveying their field position, decided the correct choice of action was "fuck it." And so she fired a lazerbeam, catching everyone--even her teammates--off guard, splicing the defenders and blasting past a flat-footed Ferret Tioux for a sudden lead. While some teams would deflate a bit at suffering such a fate, the Chromatiks puffed up and strode forward with renewed determination to bring things level once more. That's when Karii depossessed Andréa Croix-Pierre--in one of the very few matchups where the satyr is noticeably shorter than the human--and launched a brutally swift counter-attacking, culminating in a scrum in the box that saw Tali'raia phase in from the wing to poke it home after Mako's initial attempt was rebuffed. With an insurance goal in hand, there was blood in the water. The Mrii wingbacks pushed ahead more and more aggressively as Malia had the time and space to start dictating the flow of the game. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, the Chromatiks needed to put a stop to that and send the game going the other direction ASAP if there was any hope of forcing extra time. Reina crashing home a corner for the third would be the final nail.

And that's how we ended up preparing for this fateful encounter with Cosumar. Our semifinal ever--both in the AOCAF--makes it difficult not to look back on the team that lost to the Vilitan-Turori juggernaut eight years ago, right at the start of the Eelcat's collective ascent to outrageous levels of success (though much more slanted towards the cats). Comparing the shift in tactics from the run that temporarily saved Don Mizzet's career to the flourishing under Brennan's command; seeing the commonalities between the two teams approaching the ends of their international careers, namely Mara and Reina. And, of course, Solara, who didn't even see a minute in the quarter-final. When interviewed on the topic after the game, the former captain only had glowing things to say about how far the team had come. That important and resounding results like these can be achieved without the leaders that first brought them success. The thought that we'll see a roster list with none of those names sooner rather than later is a hard pill to swallow. Of course, there's more to that story--a generation of unheralded talents that stepped up and formed a phenomenally solid core, in the likes of Pia, Tia, and Popo now have their chance at silverware. And the bright future we all want is well in sight; Otalia leading the charge on the pitch, with Ÿya having made some impact later in games and a whole host of future stars tagging along with the team to get used to these high-stakes situations.

This is a last hurrah. This is a long-awaited opportunity. This is taste of glories to come. Let's see how far they can take it.

Mriin - 3
Kaasmir 57’
Tali'raia 71’
Kress 82'
Chromatika - 0

[Farfadillis]

Cosumar 1–1 Mriin (1–2 AET)

AOCAF Cup 60 Final

The Southwestern nation of Ko-oren vs the Northeastern nation of Mriin

[Ko-oren]

It's finally here - the long awaited match to answer the question of all questions: which is the more powerful football force in Atlantian Oceania? The Southwest, with World Cup winners, Cups of Harmony galore, and plenty of AOCAFs to show for it? Or is it the Northeast, with World Cup winners, Cups of Harmony galore, and plenty of AOCAFs to show for it. Iconic clubs, playing in some of the oldest and most storied leagues and competitions, surviving the UICA era into the IFCF era, with trophies of all kinds in the Champions' Cup, the AOCL. The Southwest, with Equestria, Valanora, or older powers like Bettia, New Montreal States, Milchama? Or recent forces Banija, Farfadillis, or names that'll want you to rip your hair out like Geisenfried? Or the Northeast, with Starblaydia, Osarius, Audioslavia, regional powers Pacitalia and 95X, older names like Krytenia, more recent names like Chromatika, names that'll make you rip your hair out like Cosumar, or somehow the fact that Vilita and Turori were included here? even though we're somehow in the southwest?

Or maybe, just maybe, it's not either of them.

This AOCAF belongs to ALL of Atlantian Oceania. Record title holders, World Cup winners, what good would be in store for the climax of this grand - 60th - edition of the grandest of all regional trophies?

And so, it is only fitting that the true spirit of the region is reflected by the true heartland. Welcome to the 60th AOCAF final. Welcome to...

NORTHWEST versus CENTRE

The Northwest, with Cup of Harmony winners Ko-oren, regular World Cup hosts Quebec, and such storied - and ravaged - nations of Sorthern Northland and Andossa Se Mitrin Vega. The Centre, ripped apart between the ferocious battles of the louder northeastern and southwestern appendages of the region, featuring Cup of Harmony hosts and AOCAF runners-up Mriin, World Cup hosts and Baptism of Fire runners-up Baker Park, the Rushmori spies of Euran Oceanian Territories, and honestly, the Vilitan Cove, Krytenia, and West Guiana kind of go here as well.

The route here was long, and doesn't consist of just a single AOCAF. Both teams have battled for years, building their teams, their legacies, in order for everything to culminate with this. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these players to be remembered by football nerds multiverse-wide - as is the highest thing to aim for if you're not a horse, an elf, or your flag has bull testicles. Such is the destiny of smaller nations with a moderately long history of messing up in the World Cup. Mriin went through Cosumar (many thanks for getting them out of the tournament), Chromatika, and the Euran Oceania Territories, bypassing the Play-In Round as the first seed of the 'Northeast'. The Dragonflies are here through Baker Park, Siovanija & Teusland, and Valanora, also exempt from the Play-In Round as the number two seed in the 'Southwest'.

Only one team may wear a glorious yellow sash. Ko-oren's home jersey has it surrounded by fields of blue and green, as in the national flag, while Mriin's away jersey has it as a ray of sunlight over a bright blue sky. With the Dragonflies named before the Reavers, we can't have both jerseys at the same time. The Ko-orenite home jersey will be paired with Mriin's home jersey, with the goalkeeper jerseys nicely contrasting, theirs in purple, ours in yellow.

The Reavers' tall 4-4-2 has all the ingredients for a horrible matchup. Aiming to cross the ball in, winning headers, feeding Tali'raia and Silanii, and all elven playing a physical game - as evidenced by their 3-0 over Chromatika. They then beat Cosumar utilising a fair few players actually playing in Cosumar and undoubtedly having a lot of extra knowledge on the team because of it - including Tali'raia and Silanii.

The Dragonflies have shown that they can adjust and outplay any opponent - via long balls, via short passing, on possession - but winning on physicality isn't in our book of tricks. There won't be a duel that doesn't end with a nice little push at the end, and headers are won via force, not via placement and tricksiness. The match versus Baker Park, was, as expected, a defensive affair where they hoped to hold the ball in midfield, while we hoped to push it out to the sides. Both sides had their victories, sometimes completely outplaying Yokota and getting a few challenging shots on Cholmondeley - at other times surrendering the wings to Longchambon and having him launch well-aimed crosses at Vallotton and Turner. Chances were few and far between - so far the match was exactly as the Ko-orenite playbook wanted - but the better chances, and most possession, ended up with Baker Park. We were careful not to give away too many passes through the centre, they were careful to avoid leaving a lot of space between defence and midfield - the location where most of our counterattacks begin. In the end, it was Longchambon with his second goal of the tournament, who broke the deadlock. In the 50th minute, fed by Janoreirinthen, he tried a 22-yarder from in between two defenders, that the keeper saw coming far too late to do anything about it.

No matter what, the AOCAF will know a new winner.

[Krytenia]

Third Place Play-Off
Held in Yeaddin, Vilita

Baker Park 4-1 Cosumar

[Vilita]

Lirai Asku Castle, Yeaddin, Vilita - Third Place Playoff

This historical aged castle was converted into a sporting arena by the Yeaddin Owls who promised to pay for maintenance on the Castle Exterior while building their stadium against the vacant inner walls of the structure. Despite its relatively low capacity compared with other stadiums in the Tropics of Vilita, the atmosphere provided by the Lirai Asku Castle both inside and out makes it a popular choice to host international matches in World Cup, Cup of Harmony, Baptism of Fire and AOCAF competition.

While much of the stadium and its surroundings are considered historical, there are modern amenities available as well as required to support major international sport including public transportation, vending and temperature control on an as-required basis. Upon return to the Stellar Division, the Lirai Asku Castle underwent an internal upgrade including modernizations to the Media Support Areas, Interview Rooms and Game Boxes. Team Benches are now enclosed dugout style enclosures to guard teams against the effects of inclement weather and Locker Rooms have been updated with modern shower, medical and fitness amenities including workout rooms. Yoga mats are available upon request from the grounds crew. The Lirai Asku Castle is also in shared proximity to the Owl's Castle Academy, a top class youth development facility home to Vilita's leading youth program.

The Lirai Asku Castle hosted the opening ceremonies of the XIV Winter Olympic Games (Inset) as well as the Gold Medal final of the Ice Hockey competition in a special outdoor extravaganza.

Lighthouse Park, Lonngeylin, Vilita - AOCAF 60 Final

Lighthouse Park is a recently rennovated stadium in Lonngeylin, Vilita that is home to the Lonngeylin Coast footsport team. After winning back-to-back Stellar Division titles during Vilitan League Season 55 and 57, the teams director decided to pump funding to renovate the teams old training facility at Lighthouse Point into a 'state of the art' stadium and remove the team from its burdensome ground share with Lonngeylin City at the virtually standing room only Lonngeylin Park facility in downtown Lonngeylin. While construction of the Lighthouse Point complex was functionally completed by the start of the 59th Vilitan League Season, the team continued to play many of its games and Lonngeylin Park due to ongoing work at the stadiums "main attraction" - the Lighthouse itself a 14-story structure along the stadiums half line that was being completed outfitted by Lonngeyling Lightworks to host dazzling visual displays as well as a state of the art primary lamp using newly refined efficient lighting technologies that could double as both a celebratory indicator as well as a standard Lighthouse Lamp for ships approaching Vilita's Western Shore.

Unfortunately, some issues with the Lighthouse Structure and its complex lighting project resulted in sporadic closures of the facility and for the 60th Vilitan League Season, Lonngeylin Coast played the entire campaign back at Lonngeylin Park ground sharing with Lonngeylin City of the Tropicorp Lower League. With the largest stadium in Vilita just down the road in Strike FC's Lonngeylin Coliseum, Lonngeylin Coast were looking to flex their muscle in constructing the tallest most advanced stadium in the league, but had a number of set backs along the way delaying the opening. Now, however, the Stadium appears set for the biggest grand re-opening yet as Lonngeylin Coast chairman Belmari Snowala has secured the rights to host the 60th AOCAF Final in a stunning defeat to rivals Strike FC who seemed certain to host the event at the Lonngeylin Coliseum.

[Mriin]

“So, you’re the ‘Daffodil’ I’ve been hearing so much about.” Yon Kegaant gestured to the seat beside him as Daff walked into the Southern Arena press box.

“...really? Where have you heard that? I didn’t think there was that much buzz about my stuff lately.”

“Oh, all the other senior editors at the Memoirs won’t shut up about how video is the next big medium, pointing at channels like yours. I’ve been telling them it was the next big thing ten years ago and we’ve missed the boat.”

“It’s never too late to get into the game, honestly.” Daff settled in and glanced at the bottle of water on the desk in front of him. “Do they charge for that?”

“No,” Yon chuckled, “it’s on the house.”

“Right. Anyway, independent creators burn out all the time, so there’s always the chance for new players to get in. As long as you don’t--”

“--do what your friend Jaffacake is doing, yes.”

“Damn, you know about that too?”

“His antics get around the Atlantian press circles quickly. My mentors had talked about how he had once been a trendsetter and someone whose actions were to be feared, but in my career it’s been nothing but one laughing stock after another. This RLStates platform folly included.”

“Apparently he still had enough sway to get me in here.”

“True, true. I’m sure the Krytenian locale aided in that; I’d advise finding another path to Vilita for the next round. Say--why isn’t he here himself?”

“Had business to attend to elsewhere. Something about seeing a man about a parakeet. I’ve given up trying to decipher the situations he gets into.”

“Very well. I’m sure it’ll show up in the tabloids sooner or later. Now, I imagine you have a much tighter feel for the pulse of the people nowadays--I never got used to using twii.tur. What have your fans been saying about this match?”

Daff reflexively glanced down at his phone and thought for a minute. “There was a lot of confidence that I didn’t really get. They’d just run the gauntlet of Starblaydia and the cove, which is impressive even by their standards. But everyone seems to think they’re ripe for the picking.”

“Interesting, interesting. The industry certainly thought this wasn’t going to be a vintage Cosumarite side entering the competition, but at this point I think it’s fair to say they had been dangerously underestimated. I’d like to think our Reavers don’t get lulled into that false sense of security.”

“Eh, I doubt it. Brennan has kept them working hard. Haven’t had any real fiascos since she took over.”

---

“Remember,” Yon intoned, “no strong outbursts regardless of what happens. This is an allegiance-free zone.” It was the eighth time he’d brought it up when noticing the look on Daff’s face.

“S-sorry. Been… been a minute since we went to extra time. Gotta get my heart back in my chest.”

“If you ever decide to get into journalism proper--not that I’m recommending that--you’d get more accustomed to it. Sometimes I’m a bit jealous of the investment a pure fan can have.”

“Not even penalties get to you?”

“Oh no, penalties still fuck me up. Nobody ever gets used to penalties. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that tonight.”

The typing in the room rose to a furor as the teams came back out, with special notice being paid to veteran Solara Vol striding onto the pitch in place of Tali’raia.

“Looks like Brennan wants to take the fight to them,” Yon observed, “get another satyr of the field to crank physicality to max and get her wit into the equation.”

“Is that Ÿya coming on too?” Daff squinted down at the field. “Looks like Otalia is the odd one out?”

“She was all over the place throughout the match, likely gassed at this point.”

“So we’ve got the young and the old being brought in here.”

“I’m a little surprised, honestly--Ÿya hasn’t gotten much play so far. Bringing an inexperienced player on in this situation wouldn’t have been my move.”

---

an excerpt from Yon Kegaant’s article in the Maal Memoirs…

And with a final, stunning save wherein Mara denied Cathal Turner one last time, Mriin are through to the AOCAF final for the second time in our short footballing history. Awaiting the Reavers in Lonngeylin will be the Dragonflies of Ko-oren, without a doubt the most difficult team to fit in this edition’s northeast-southwest split. For all the big talk from the nations of the “Glorious Southwest,” that their ultimate representative is further from them than we are--it’s a delicious taste of irony. Mriin’s claim as a northeastern representative is a little more solid, as discussions between the MNL and the skeleton of the LigAnaia has shown, but then a good chunk of the LigAnaia nations fit the bill of being more central than anything.

While the Reavers last tasted finals play in the fifty-sixth edition, it’s been a whole ten cycles since the Dragonflies have had a chance. In the fiftieth edition of this grand old tournament, they would lose out in the ultimate match to none other than our maritime neighbors a short sail northwards--the then-juggernauts of Osarius. In the well-lit confines of Lighthouse Park, we shall see if the central-northish-kinda-eastern islands are truly the Ko-orinite kryptonite. And hey, even if they should lose--they’ll surely get another crack at it when AOCAF 70 rolls around.

Mriin - 2
Silanii 27’
Yonen 107'
Cosumar - 1
B. Tidesson 43’

[Farfadillis]

Ko-oren 0–0 Mriin (2–0 AET)

Congratulations to Ko-oren, who manages to win a tournament that was presented as a battle between the southwest and the northeast, despite being northwestern.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Bees earn Bronze for second time
Frank Armitage
The Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

If history is any guide, Ko-oren will be the winners of the 60th AOCAF Championship. It is almost taken as a matter of faith that the eventual winner of a competition that Baker Park participates in is usually the nation that has eliminated the Commonwealth.

But none of was on the minds of the thousands of spectators who made the trek to Yeaddin, Vilita from Baker Park to see the women battle Cosumar for the 3rd place classification, and the satisfaction of ending a tournament on a high note.

The sides met at Keller Field in Belle Haven in the Consolation match of AOCAF LVIII, with the home team collecting the hardware on that occasion. At the Lirai Asku Castle, it would be another display of valedictory patriotism from the supporters, and sense of pride by the Black & Gold clad squad to not suffer back to back losses to end what has been a thoroughly successful campaign in the self proclaimed World's Toughest Tournament not called the World Cup.

The atmosphere was worthy of a final, as "Hear Our Voices, Commonwealth" rang through the venerable ground, and at the start, Baker Park found a rhythm in the passing attack, Nicki Stone and Amanda Hayes spreading passes from one side to the other for Maria Fernandez and Annabeth Westmoreland--playing on left wing and wearing the armband for the first time after a vote by the squad--who looked to put the Cosumar fullbacks under pressure early.

Missy Tilton put the Bees on the board first, with a shot from just inside the box off a Stone pass, and it was 1-0 after 13 minutes.

The only real effective attack by Cosumar in the first half saw them score their only goal on the night, although it was only partly of their own making; a shot that Danielle Gaines seemed to have well covered took a deflection off Nicole Underwood, changing the flight of the ball, leaving the keeper wrong footed and the score 1-1. Gaines looked to the heavens, while Underwood looked crestfallen, although her defensive cohorts Sarah Foreman & Kelly O'Connell immediately consoled her and the unlucky Castleford netminder.

Westmoreland soon took her first decisive action as captain of her country, coming off a crisp buildup through midfield that saw Hayes spring the Hondo FC star with a ball that looked like an accident; there was only going to be one option for her as the drive into the penalty area drew the attention of two defenders, one of whom grabbed her by the arm while the other attempted to dispossess her of the ball. Unsuccessfully.

The Krytenian referee made the most definite penalty call probably seen in the entire tournament, and the player everyone calls "AB" converted the spot kick in the 37th minute, and the sides went to the dressing rooms at 2-1.

Westmoreland was brought off to a standing ovation just 6 minutes into the second half, replaced by Anna Porter after passing the armband to Sabrina Patton.

Ayana West notched the third BP goal off a return pass from Stone, the pair working effortlessly to open the space that provided all the room the 23 year old Sherwood Forest striker needed to make it 3-1. With 13 minutes left, it was only left for BP to close up shop.

Tracey Vasillias replaced Fernandez with about 8 minutes to go prior to an offensive corner kick, and Stone whipped in a gem that Patton rose cleanly to meet and head home for the fourth Commonwealth goal.

At the final whistle, the joy on the faces of the 23 women who had earned the praise of many neutrals, as well their own supporters, was probably reward enough, although the presentation of the medals was made more poignant by the fact that about half of the losing side remained on the pitch to watch the ceremony, and gave an impromptu clapping off.

[Ko-oren]

"If you think we need motivation at a time like this, you're out of your mind," Dennis Lampshire said, a little too loudly, in the Greenblue dressing room in a stadium in Vilita. Reizo Yokota pretended not to hear him. "We have thirty minutes left! This is the moment of this generation. Like legends before us, like the great names before us, this is our moment to become a legendary team for Ko-oren!" Most players had their head buried in their hands, but listened anyway. Yokota had never been a great motivator - no Ko-orenite captain had ever been - but you have to say something at a moment like this. Katanmak Juliasterinthen was in the corner, discussing changes for the final 30 minutes with Katherine Davenport and the other assistants. In another corner, the medical staff made themselves a little clinic, where Janoreirinthen, Basquez, and Buthoningun were being treated. The first still had a chance to finish the match, while Basquez was taken off minutes earlier, and Buthoningun never even made it on the field. The rest of the squad were either pale and zoning out, or trying to make some conversation while the faint cheers in the stadium barely made it into the room. Yokota, finally, sat down between Lampshire and Vallotton. "Whatever today brings, I'm not going to be the captain anymore," he began, "and I never wanted to be captain in the first place. Someone had to do it though."

"Two minutes, guys," Juliasterinthen yelled. An AOCAF staff member left the room. "Let's do more of the same, we've got Mriin where we want them. They're not tiring, but they haven't gotten a decent pass off in a while. We think they'll try to focus on getting the ball out wide when they have the ball, and defend really narrowly if we have it. So what we're going to do, is take Saushilu (Janoreirinthen) off, and then the midfield will be Yokota defensively, and Maxi and Batchelor left and right. Get the ball to one of them. Peter and Lionel, we need you to stand a bit wider too," as he gestured around some magnets on a whiteboard, "and be prepared to make the space between you and Maxi and Harold as small as possible. We need those passes to go right, because we also know that we're not going to outrun Tevainen and Mor. Dennis and Benjamin, look out for when Levaani and Bruun overlap on the wings. They're not your responsibility first and foremost, but you need to know when they're all of a sudden in your zone. Vallotton, you have to drop back a little. Turner, you need to be available. You'll have to run a lot, get in space wherever you can. To the rest, don't give up the ball without a fight. Simple passes, just complete simple passes when nothing else is available. Also, don't kick stuff back at Perry. He's charged by Tali'raia or Silanii, so if he can't get a decent pass off, they'll intercept it with no other defenders between them. Can't have that. For the rest, defensive structure is good, don't change it. Simple stuff. Let's go." And with that, the team took off for the tunnel, where the Reavers were already waiting. Trying to look confident, as were the Dragonflies, but neither team knew they had the advantage. The Reavers had plenty of air left in them, but were worn down from their possession not going anywhere. The Dragonflies were gassed, but knew they could keep the Mrii out even if the match would take another three hours.

---

"Dalton regains the ball, passing to Harold Batchelor, who just came on for Janoreirinthen. No word on his injury yet, though. Batchelor advances, nowhere to go... Dalton fell back, Vallotton is behind two defenders. Not looking good... but a diagonal pass forward, and a rare ball for Turner to run to. Almost overtaken by Halder, but still safe. A low cross - never bet a high ball against Mriin - and Vallotton and Longchambon come charging in! Can either get a foot to the ball? Maximilien Longchambon, slides, hits the ball, and it bounces in at the far post! Solaani outstretched, but just a hair too late, and Ko-oren are up! GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAA-"

---

"Kasmiir runs up, pass to Silanii, pass back, makes Lampshire look like a traffic cone... and Benjamin is just too late. Charges up a shot, Cholmondeley nailed to the spot - on the post! Mriin with the perfect opportunity to bring this match level with seconds to go! And Mizuno collects the ball, out to Dalton. Dalton finds Batchelor, and suddenly there's heaps of space! Seven Mrii attackers hoped to get that equaliser, and now it's just Batchelor, Vallotton and Turner against Solaani, Halder, and Kress... and Levaani running back. Batchelor threatens to go out wide, runs inside anyway, has Kress in front of him. Pass to the inside, Vallotton receives, and a hard hit towards the near post! 2-0! GOOOOOOOOAAAAA-"