RP Series: Getting to the top
Chapter 3: New Year, New Goals
Part 1: Regrouping
With a bunch of older players stepping aside for a new crop of players after the Independent Associations Cup (IAC) 11, Adnan Suliaha spent quite a bit of time deciding how the team should be rebuilt. How, as the coaches were considering, should Poafmersia play this World Cup Qualifiers? What kind of players should they pick? It was the flood of happiness that overwhelmed Adnan as he sat down to list out his 35-player shortlist for the Qualifiers. The Poafmersia Football League exploded on the rankings overnight, and it showed that the player quality in Poafmersia is slowly increasing to become even better year on year. The new crop of players will definitely try to step into the shoes of the previous batches, as Poafmersia kick off yet another campaign to race for qualification.
The group allocations, and by extension, the fixture list, came before the squad was released. For Poafmersia, they were particularly excited to see who they would be grouped in this time. After the ridiculousness 2 years ago at the World Cup 86 qualifiers, Poafmersia was determined that no such nonsense would show up this time - they hope that the group would be much more balanced to give the team good tests and yet have some qualification chance. The fixture list came as such:
MD1 - Poafmersia vs Bongo JohnsonNot the nicest of openings, but for the first time in 4 cycles, Poafmersia will open the qualification campaign at home, in the Libira National Stadium, hosting 7th seeds Bongo Johnson. No meetings between both sides before this match, so no reference to look at. Nonetheless, Poafmersia is likely to put in a strong squad to deal with them.
MD2 - Southwest Eastnorth vs PoafmersiaMD3 - Poafmersia vs Squornshelan Remnant StatesThen came the 6th and 4th seeds respectively - two opponents Poafmersia has played before. Southwest Eastnorth appeared in last cycle's qualifiers, where Poafmersia won 5-3 away but drew 3-3 at home. It was one of those opponents which was greatly underestimated the last time round, and Poafmersia would be sure not to underestimate them. Squornshelan Remnant States, we shall abbreviate as SRS, is also a tough opponent to play. Poafmersia encountered SRS twice in the international football - first time during the 76th Cup of Harmony in Banija, where Poafmersia drew 3-3 in the group stage; second time during the 10th IAC in Omerica, where Poafmersia edged them 3-2 in the quarterfinals. 6 points here would give Poafmersia some confidence ahead of a run of matches which may be particularly irritating for the 3rd seeds (us btw).
MD4 - Poafmersia vs West ZirconiaWest Zirconia is an old side returning from a hiatus - something which Poafmersia is dubiously suspicious about especially after the incident with Quebec the last time out. Poafmersia would be lucky that they open on Matchday 4 at home, utilising the comfort of Libira to take on a side which they have no clue how to deal with.
MD5 - Gyasto-Kai vs PoafmersiaA name that rings a bell, but Poafmersia has never played them before. Playing against the 5th seeds has the potential to be a banana peel - although Poafmersia can see from their last qualification cycle that anything else is possible with Gyasto-Kai. They did not do well in the qualifiers, though their performance might be on a bounce by the time both sides meet in Matchday 5.
MD6 - Poafmersia vs Socialist New BritainLittle is known about this visiting side - all that we know was that they had sent a team to the recent Baptism of Fire. As for team squad, dynamics, etc., little is known because they did not submit a roster. Their players look quite alike that it is impossible to determine what formation was used, who scored, and any information about them. Maybe after this match, will Poafmersia be able to know the opponents. Look like an easy match on paper.
MD7 - Krytenia vs PoafmersiaEasy? Not this match. Likely to be a 6-pointer in the race for qualification, 2nd seeds Krytenia and Poafmersia are both sides that are trying to qualify and do better this time. Both flopped last qualifiers, especially towards the end. Both sides would likely play out a very aggressive attacking match that would be pleasing to the eye.
MD8 - Poafmersia vs CarytonThe opponents was supposed to be someone else at first - until the hosts came out to issue a statement that there has been a mistake during the computer draw and initial fixture release. Caryton, also a side that came from the recent Baptism of Fire, would be out opponents instead. They had a very good run in the group stage with their brand of really defensive brand of football, before losing in the Round of 32. It would be interesting to see how Hansel Tang would perform here - she has been in good form for her club back with Ko-oren, and likely be able to deal with an equally defensive team here.
MD9 - Farfadillis vs PoafmersiaRounding up the qualifiers would be Farfadillis - the World Cup 85 champions and top seeds. They would present an even higher level of challenge that Poafmersia has never played before. Just look at the last 3 top seeds - Nephara, Brenecia and The Holy Empire. Nephara, back in World Cup 84, wasn't as strong as Nephara today, but that is likely to be the closest reference Poafmersia has in its history. If anything, Poafmersia would likely aim for a draw on Matchday 9 away at Farfadillis - anything else would be a bonus.
Matchday 1 for us is against Bongo Johnson, but with lots of interesting groups and the existence of multiple "Group of Death" as reported by many nations, let us find out some interesting matchups that we would expect in Matchday 1.
Group 2: Riena v Filindostan3rd seeds vs 4th seeds. Riena's rise to becoming 3rd seeds in their 3rd cycle has been particularly eye-catching. Against Filindostan, the match would definitely be nice to watch as we figure out whether both teams can beat Brenecia and Terre Septentrionale to one of the top 2 spots.
Group 3: TJUN-ia v Busoga IslandsAnother 3rd seeds vs 4th seeds on Matchday 1. TJUN-ia, coming from The North Pacific like us, and being our batchmate at the 71st Baptism of Fire, have been rising quite remarkably, and they would be looking for a chance to get into the playoffs at the bare minimum. Busoga Islands underpeformed last cycle, but yet have shown some consistencies in their performance over the years that they are likely to bounce back this cycle. This match, like the previous one, would set the tone for the group, and see if top seeds Cassadaigua and second seeds Flavovespia are actually threatened.
Group 4: Xanneria v HapilopperHapilopper, champions of BoF70, are up against Xanneria. Coming back from a season of hiatus, Hapilopper would be refreshed and ready to present another season of good performance. Their first test would be against Xanneria, a side that is starting to show consistent results to be in the upper mid-tier, like us. Is the Hapilopper team back? We shall find out in this match.
Group 4: North Japan v Commonwealth of Baker ParkAfter Free Republics ran away with an Ultimate World Championship title, last qualifiers was quite boring without an Ultimate World Championship to play for. This time, Baker Park, champions of the recent AOCAF, would be here with one (out of two!) UWCs, having taken it during the recent AOCAF semifinals from Banija, the originator of this particular UWC belt. Against a relatively new and unknown team North Japan, will Baker Park be able to defend the belt successfully? Or will an unknown team steal the show with a capture of the belt?
Group 6: Qasden v CosumarAnother match to watch - this time between recent AOCAF finalist Qasden and Cosumar. Cosumar has a very rich history of football, but didn't show up for the last cycle due to various reasons. The meeting between these two sides should be particularly intriguing to watch - especially looking at how the latter has improved over the years.
Group 8: Sargossa v MytanijaThe latter is a name we haven't heard for years - and now suddenly they are back. This matchup would certainly allow us to see yet another returning team performing their acts against a side that has been well established and known to us newcomers. Maybe we can see whether returning teams bring with them their strengths from the past - we shall find out with this match.
Group 9: Græntfjall v KandorithThe former, a fast rising side. The latter, a side that has rose very fast in the past but is in a down period for some time, until the qualified from the playoffs last cycle. Last cycle, Græntfjall presented a really interesting performance, but fell short of reaching the biggest stage. Kandorith, on the other hand, qualified for the first time in 26 years (13 cycles.) Being second seeds, they are certainly one of the favourites to reach the playoffs at the minimum. But give Græntfjall a chance to shine - this will let us see whether the race for 2nd is a walkover, or a really difficult challenge for Kandorith to be in.
Group 10: Chromatika v DrawklandGroup 10: Mavinet v United States of Devonta1st vs 2nd, 3rd vs 4th. The early meetings would set the direction of the team, allowing us to know just how the group dynamics will play out. Mavinet and Devonta are challengers that would contest for the top 2 spots, but to see who is the better challenger, we just have to watch this match to find out.
Group 12: Equestria v StarblaydiaArguably the match of the matchday, this pits two AO sides with strong histories against each other. Some may even call this a rivalry dating back decades. Whatever you call it, this battle between the top 2 seeds is definitely worth watching.
Group 17: Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom v Tikariot
Group 17: Tequilo v VilitaThe first match was chosen as a battle between 3rd and 4th seeds, the battle of newer sides. The second match would be a battle between old and new, between Tequilo, a side that has put in some good performances over their past cycles, and Vilita, a side with a rich history. Both matches would appeal to different audiences, depending on who you ask.
Group 18: Hampton Island v South Newlandia
Group 18: The Gothanita Isles v ValladaresMany would know South Newlandia as a newer side, an exciting side to watch. Hampton Island, on the other hand, features a bunch of veterans, which led them to the World Cup last cycle. This match would prove to be a match to watch for fans who are rooting for South Newlandia, and an away win would surely provide enough shocks to the group. The second match between TGI, our dear friend, and Valladares, is one match which we take particular interest in. TGI would be aiming to open the campaign nicely this time, after a very poor campaign last round where goals were not coming out. With a new manager and new tactics, the match against Valladares would provide a really good test.
Group 19: Siovanija & Teusland v Al Qurija
Group 19: Eura v Port EmberEura vs Port Ember would typically be the more interesting match to watch, since it pits the first seeds against the third seeds. The latter is trying to bounce back from a miserable cycle, attempting to regain the form that took them to their first World Cup. The first match would provide the platform for Port Ember to make a statement on their desire to qualify for the World Cup. But the match between S&T and Al Qurija...god knows how important this match is. For Al Qurija, it marks a return to the international football stage after disappearing with a particular UWC belt many years back. This first match against S&T would the first time in recent years this particularl UWC belt is defended, and S&T would definitely want to grab hold of this belt at the first possible instance. Question would be on whether Al Qurija can successfully defend it, or will we see a change in ownership of this belt?