World Cup 87 - RP Thread

by **Baggieland** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:55 am

The DAILY BOING

Another Win and Another Loss

Baggieland 1 – 0 Quemorr Isles

After Baggieland's impressive rout of Sett Forest in the previous qualifying game, the Throstles went into the game against Quemorr full of confidence. As Quemorr are ranked even lower than Forest, most Baggies were expecting a similar scoreline. However, Quemorr approached this match with a defensive mindset and for pretty much the entire game they defended with ten men behind the ball.

The Throstles had an impressive 82% possession and a whopping 27 attempts at goal, but as much as they huffed and puffed, the Quemorr defence stuck to their task and the home side could be visibly seen getting frustrated at their inability to find the key to unlock their defence. The breakthrough finally came in the 78th minute when Baggieland were awarded a very dubious penalty. Regis ran into the opposition's penalty area and with the most minimal of contact from a Quemorr defender, Regis then proceeded to fall over a blade of grass. The ref had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick and waved away all protests from the away side. Richardson, who has never missed a penalty, made no mistake.

Graintfjall 2 – 0 Baggieland

For the second game in this double header, Baggieland travelled to Graintfjall. All Baggies, every man and every woman, were horrified at having to play a team nicknamed "the snow w*****". We bumped into Vinny Roberts, a true fan who travels to see all of Baggieland's sporting fixtures, to get his views on the game.

Reporter:
"Do you think that having to play a team called W***** affected the players in any way?"

Vinny:
"Undoubtedly. As soon as I arrived at the stadium there were pictures of W***** everywhere, and the word W***** written everywhere: it was such an assault on my visual sense, I could barely keep my eyes open. Once inside the stadium, all I could hear the home fans chanting was "c'mon you W*****." I wanted to rip my ears off! There just had to be a similar feeling amongst the Baggielandian players."

Reporter:
"Do you think our players gave a good account of themselves?"

Vinny:
Well, seeming that they were playing virtually blind and deaf, I would say they did the best they could under these frightful conditions.

Reporter:
"How can we get our revenge against the W***** in the return fixture later in the tournament?"

Vinny:
"I think we should place plastic shopping bags on all the seats allocated to away supporters. Click on the link below to listen to what we will sing."

https://youtu.be/yPdFeguilOI

by **Garbelia** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:03 am

Following 2 more defeats, the manager Ottery McOtter has resigned. "This country needs the right manager to move forward. I do not think I am the right man, and I am stepping down, in favour of a better manager." The move has caused widespread shock across Garbelia, as the past 3 defeats have all been against teams we 'had no chance against', and there has been widespread speculation over who will take charge. A press release detailing the new boss will be released shortly.

by **Brenecia** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:49 am

West Angola 0 - 3 Brenecia
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Wright; 17 - Shepherd, 5 - Leadbetter, 18 - Giltanan, 19 - Watermark; 23 - Schofield, 14 - Caitiff (13 - Deal 77'); 22 - Waters (15 - Fife 77'), 10 - Parrish, 16 - Fletcher; 7 - Cheney (9 - White 70')
Goals: Parrish 28', Caitiff 43', Fife 83'

Brenecia 2 - 0 Terre Septentrionale
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Wright; 17 - Shepherd (2 - Bravender 76'), 5 - Leadbetter, 18 - Giltanan, 3 - Roscommon; 4 - Townsend (c), 14 - Caitiff (23 - Schofield 84'); 22 - Waters, 10 - Parrish, 16 - Fletcher (11 - Pace 66'); 7 - Cheney
Goals: Waters 39', Cheney 51'

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Confident win in Rozelle spurs on high hopes
Annette Brisbane

Goals either side of halftime from right winger Linoan Waters and the woman she displaced, Lauren Cheney, were enough to bring down the Nordiques in a Rozelle downpour.

While Brenecia were in indomitable form going into the match, confident statement-making 3-0 wins back-to-back over Filindostan and West Angola, Terre Septentrionale loomed as an important opponent, still-unbeaten second seeds, and this fixture will have been one that most fans circled on the list.

Terre were at their brightest early on, as the rain began light. The curiously evergreen veteran Cwierczakiewiczowa almost struck early, fed through by the impressive Sandrine Fontaine past a wrongfooted Leadbetter; Cwierczakiewiczowa took one touch to steady herself, but Casey Giltanan came across to provide pressure and the shot in the end was beaten away at Wright's near post. The resulting corner failed to clear the first man, Townsend, but even so the travelling fans applauded and spurred their side on.

But as time went on, the Patriots began to find their rhythm. Esther Caitiff and Caithe Shepherd combined excellently down the right to not only shut down a budding attack from Waclawczyk, but start something at the other end. Shepherd's pass to Parrish was one-touch fed down the right to Linoan Waters, who crossed first-time and immediately called for a handball from the blocking Niedzwiecki; it looked like one at first but replays would reveal it smacked the midriff, an excellent non-call from Quebecois referee Fabien Michaelson-Sohn in real time.

Still, as the rain picked up, there was little end product on either side. Terre thought they'd missed an easy chance in the 33rd minute, when Roscommon slipped in the grass and Kolodziejczyk fed Kordic only for the striker, with the goal gaping, to fire straight at Wright; the offside flag came up and offered some kind of reprieve.

That aside, Brenecia looked narrowly the better of the two sides, and a clever but seemingly ornamental backheel from Dreigiau Parrish where a simple pass back might have done wound up leading to the difference, with the ball coming perfectly into the path of Linoan Waters as she cut inside, checked her run and drove the ball low past Vainqueur.

Brenecia came out better in the second side, perhaps comforted by the steady rain, and after just six minutes of midfield dominance came up with the decisive second goal. Brzezancyk, indomitable all match, won a thumping header at the back, but Finn Townsend rose highest to head it straight back, and Lauren Cheney beat Skrzeszewski to it and rattled home a low strike past Vainqueur's near post with her first touch, its precision all the more impressive from her left boot. Scruffy for a high-class player, but an illustration of her ruthless touch.

Terre rallied somewhat, and Kordic almost atoned for his earlier miss with a towering header which Scathach Wright reacted brilliantly to tip over the crossbar, but there was little more goalmouth activity with the Patriots mostly content to stay solid in midfield. The captain, Townsend, continued to prove he's in the form of his life with a dominant showing, while a bad miss at the far post on the counterattack denied Tricia Pace a goal with her first touch, instead scuffing her strike into the side netting from six yards.

The last ten minutes were something of a farce, both sides left skittering around in the swampy patch at times. While Terre started with white hoops, and the Brenecians with white socks, it all looked far more brown by the end on most players, even managing to obscure Wright's blinding pink-and-yellow goalkeeper kit. Even so, even if the game had largely degraded to each side lumping the ball to Cheney and Cwierczakiewiczowa respectively, it was seen to its conclusion, and Brenecia take a vital three points.

The result means Brenecia keep pace with Riena at the top of the group, with the Plane's draw in the Coalition pegging them back two points, impressive newcomers Ranoria and Terre themselves rounding out the top half with five games played. With over a quarter of the matches played, the Patriots have played their way into a commanding position, and will be difficult to disldoge from the top.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 3
Goalkeepers: 1 - Scathach Wright (Raynor City United, VAL), 12 - Tiarnan Cove (Rozelle), 20 - Cairbre Dundalk (Chenoworth Rovers, NPH)
Defenders: 2 - Clovette Bravender (Ulsa, EUR), 3 - Triss Roscommon (Revolutionaries, EUR), 5 - Finn Leadbetter (Holdenberg, EUR), 6 - Leona Ford (Workers Union, EUR), 17 - Caithe Shepherd (Rozelle), 18 - Casey Giltanan (Workers Union, EUR), 19 - Deimne Watermark (Northern Stallions)
Midfielders: 4 - Finn Townsend (CdF Celtade, AUD, c), 8 - Esther Caitiff (Ulsa, EUR), 10 - Dreigiau Parrish (KT Itzalovalle, AUD), 11 - Tricia Pace (Northern Union), 13 - Cheney Deal (Northern Stallions), 15 - Mathgamain Fife (Rozelle), 16 - Ceridwen Fletcher (Holdenberg, EUR), 21 - Gaheris Archer (North Hall), 22 - Linoan Waters (Istria City, BNJ), 23 - Ronan Schofield (Raynor City United, VAL)
Forwards: 7 - Lauren Cheney (Spartangrad, EUR), 9 - Mhacha White (Farrenton Athletic, EUR), 14 - Kitty Hazeldean (Marque)

SCHEDULE
Hindu Ram Rajya 1 - 4 Brenecia
Plane of Possibility 1 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 3 - 0 Filindostan
West Angola 0 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Terre Septentrionale
Ranoria vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Trigel
CRC vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Riena
Brenecia vs. Hindu Ram Rajya
Brenecia vs. Plane of Possibility
Filindostan vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. West Angola
Terre Septentrionale vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Ranoria
Trigel vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. CRC
Riena vs. Brenecia

by **Indusse** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:57 am

IFA NEWS NETWORK
Victory!Defeat!

Indusse 0–2 Græntfjall
Pluvia and the Saxean Isles 2–5 Indusse
Group 9                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 South Covello                          5    5   0   0    15    3  +12    15
 2 Nephara                                5    5   0   0    14    5   +9    15
 3 Indusse                                5    4   0   1    14    9   +5    12
 4 Kandorith                              5    2   2   1     6    6    0     8
 5 Græntfjall                             5    2   1   2     6    4   +2     7
 6 Baggieland                             5    2   0   3     9    9    0     6
 7 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles            5    1   0   4    11   15   −4     3
 8 Garbelia                               5    1   0   4     7   16   −9     3
 9 Sett Forest                            5    0   2   3     6   13   −7     2
10 Quemorr Isles                          5    0   1   4     7   15   −8     1

Matchday four was something no one have thinked of. Indusse faced Graintfjall in the fifth Matchday. Graintfjall has been a very well known team in the sporting multiverse. Known for their tactical gameplay which leads them to the qualifiers. The first half was a total possession of Indusse, Indusse made eleven shots in the first half, whereas Graintfjall made three only. But none of the shots could move the scoreboard. The first half was literally boring as no one was able to score a goal. Everyone thought that Indusse will score some goals in the second half and easily gain another victory. It's called Overconfidence what else? The second half started and Indusse of course continued their possession, Possessiveness is good but Fatality isn't. In the sixty sixth minute of the game, Rajpoot tackled the Graintfjaller striker inside the penalty box. It was a awesome tackle and he shouted Ko!!. Poor guy was playing some games last night after practice. He must have thought of the fatality moves. The referee came near him and said well done and showed a shiny blood coloured paper slip. A shiny blood coloured paper slip? What's that? It was shiny maybe because it was new, it was blood coloured that means it's read and a paper slip can be a card. Yes! Oh no! It's a red card. Happy Birthday Rajpoot! Oh sorry lol. That was the end of Rajpoot's game he gave a penalty kick to the opponents. The striker who took the kick remembered the fatality. Ko!! Its a Goal!! Graintfjall leads one-zero. Indusse couldnt do anything better, nine players and what the heck are they going to do? Simple. Surrender. Eh? Surrender, Indusse never gives up. The game went to the final two minutes, Graintfjall still leads and they again did it. Another shot from one of their strikers deflects on the body of Budtedjson. Deflected Ball went to the goal! Yay! That's the end of Indusse. Graintfjall 2-0 Indusse. The Referee blew the whistle and it's full time.

After their defeat against Graintfjall, Indusse was to face Pluvia and the Saxean Isles. That's a loooooong (Long) name. Pluvia and the Saxean Isles were seventh in the group and was coming for a win against Indusse as they had lost against Graintfjall. Pluvia and Saxean Isles as they were known had long that means high players, not on basis of skills but on the basis of their heights. Those Coconut Trees were first a nightmare for Indusse, but they were so lazy that they couldn't bend. Some Vintage Old man said Every dog has a day, maybe this is the day meant for Indusse? The game started, Indusse was still in the frustration of the defeat. Angry Mode on! Danger! Danger! Yes, the danger came in the fourth Minute, a miss pass from the Isles Teams gave indusse the chance to score their first goal. Bechun Butea didn't miss it. It's a Goal and wonderful one. Indusse 1-0 Pluvia and The Saxean Isles. But the long legged Coconut Trees weren't ready to accept defeat so early, it's just a goal right? Within a interval of six minutes. Isles scored their equilizer. Indusse 1-1 Saxean Isles. Then, the game went through counter attacks till the thirty sixth minute where the coconut trees scored the next goal. It was from a header, wow a high header! Saxean Isles 2-1 Indusse. Was that enough? Nope... It continued. This time within seconds there was a reply to it. Another fabulous run by Baskar Kumar and the ball was passed to Mersiás who took the chance to score a goal. Tie! Indusse 2-2 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles. The game continued, shots came but nothing went in. The Half Time whistle was blown and the next half started soon. Indusse substituted a new recruit Abah Safir for Goblin Grundjee. Abah Safir got hurt in their debut match. Poor guy they couldn't afford risk. Sixty minutes of the match and the game was about to start, it was Goblin Grundjee! A one man show! He ran between the defenders passed it to the blank court snatched it back and scored a goal. The kick was strong the ball was fast. Indusse 3-2 Saxean Isles.
The game continued everyone gets their chance, Sixty Nineth Minute and it's captains time. Bechun sprinted forward with the ball and chipped it to the captain BHK or Baskar H Kumar and within seconds he headed it in. Indusse 4-2 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles. The fan continued again... This time the islanders were more conscious. They started attacking like Bulls seeing Red Color. Pass there, Pass here, Shots perfect. But none was able to pass the goalkeeper. Not bad, they say. The Goalkeeper shows his might. Eighty Six minutes, four minutes to go and Baskar H Kumar in another chase. He sprinted and jumped with the ball like a galloping horse. Passed the ball through the air to Mersiás. Mersias took it and kicked it in. The Isles Goalie easily pushed it out but, no! Baskar was still there. A kick and a goal! Indusse 5-2 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles. That's the end. A victory! Indusse! Well done!

by **Electrum** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:24 am

The Turnip: Dream Games to release new, ultra-realistic football game
by Sweet-T, citizen journalist

Gamers rejoice! Dream Games, the Electrum and Grearish gaming company has announced the release of a new football game called "World Domination 87". Hailed as a truly immersive game, the game features everything you would expect from a triple-A sporting release such as realistic three-dimensional animation, dynamic football match commentaries, and the ability for players to be questioned by the media after being caught attending a strip club with their teammates. Us gamers are sure to appreciate these features as the boundaries between the real and imaginary worlds are blurred together. We must warn you that if you play this game too much, you'll be so entranced by how realistic the game is that you will forget to perform the basic functions of life that are necessary to survive.

When you first boot up the game, you can start right away by creating a new character. Creating a new character is an experience in itself -- the game sets the benchmark of how much character customisation that players should have. Everything is designable -- weight, height, football IQ, skin colour, shape of the blood cells (try being a sickle cell carrier for extra difficulty!) and even the ability to get away with dives. There's even a feature to adjust the penis size for male characters (even though the function does nothing), as it is apparently a feature that is required in all triple-A games nowadays. You can also change the race of your character - you do not have to be specifically a human. You can choose to be a Sylestonean oven, a Drawkish drawk, an Equestrian pony, or you could even be an Ethanian.

Finally, once you're done ticking at least a hundred boxes of character development, you start the game as a young player, fresh out of the academy and looking for a job. The work is hard, but with a little bit of luck and skill, you can climb up the ranks -- the sky's the limit. Indeed, you too can try to fulfil all those footballer dreams that you had growing up, only to become a lowly journeyman in game, bitter at not quite reaching the heights or the salary as the top 1% talent of the top 1% of all footballers worldwide. After all, not everyone can be an elite footballer.

But in the event that you do make it to the top, a great deal of features start getting unlocked. You can start hiring by hiring an agent and a PR agency to help you secure those branding deals. You can start dating models instead of your high school sweetheart. You can even start flying by private jet to all your matches, with the caveat that a small percentage of the time, your career will end unexpectedly due to a jet crash. Watch as your PR agency spins their way from a former significant other unfollowing you and saying "You just can't trust people" in a cryptic Snapstergram story. The more money you make, the more things you can get away with.

Where this game really shines is how true-to-life the experience is. As a young player, you will need to spend hours every day dedicated to training and development, all for that ninety minute football match at the end of the week. You will also need to dedicate an hour each way commuting by car from your house to the training field. When you climb up the ladder, a chauffeur will be hired to drive you around, but you will still need to do mundane tasks such as raising your children to making small talk with your realtor as you try and sell the family home after the divorce.

In summary, this game has finally met the expectations of players who complain of unrealistic gameplay. This game gets into the nitty-gritty of life as a footballer, and we're all the better for knowing what a ~~terrible~~ great industry it is.

by **Graintfjall** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:27 am

“52,” said Álfar. He shrugged, a gesture that had a certain ominous quality with shoulders of his size. “About average.”

Giggles were suppressed. ‘About average’ was the mildly cruel nickname his teammates had for Álfar, a loping plodder who played his heart out every game for not that much reward. He was truly about average in all things. Of course no one would ever say that to his face, with his approach to his defensive responsibilities rumored to be the inspiration for several gory slasher movies.

“Guys, I don’t think this is such a good idea,” moped Björnólfur. There were good-natured chuckles as the ‘baby’ of the team, all 6’6” of him, turned over his sheet to reveal a score of a rather innocent 87.

Mathias spared his friend’s blushes. “I got a 19,” he admitted, to whoops of ‘kinky!’. Hanne looked over his shoulder (she had to stand on tip-toes to manage this feat) and her eyes widened at some of the items he’d crossed off. Her own score, 63, paled in comparison.

Kalle had reported a score of 3, but no one took it too seriously, as they were convinced that was just the highest number he could count to. Mathias had the new low score. Surely it couldn’t be beaten?

“Jason?”

The striker glanced down at his sheet. “-17.”

“Minus 17?”

“Yeah, I added a few at the end.”

They crowded around to look at his copy of the test.

“How do you…?”

“How does that even work…?”

“Is that where she puts it up your…?”

“Four? Wait, what’s the fourth one…?”

“I thought you were allergic to peanut butter…?”

Indusse – 0 (0)
Leghourn; McMuller (64’ Horsehood ), Paulson, Aksinwala; Hasle (82’ Khaseem ), Budtedjson (88’ o.g.); Grundjee (70’ Sreevastva ); Mersiás, Butea, Kumar, Rajpoot (66’)

Græntfjall – 2 (0)
Jorgesson; Vilbertsdóttir, Reynarsson, Ernestisson, Lúthersdóttir; Ásvaldursson (76’), Jvarsson (73’ Álvgeirsdóttir ); Snæþórsson, Guttisdóttir (58’ Dannysdóttir ), Noahsdóttir (45+1’); Þórhallursson (66’ pen.) (69’ Bergmundurrsson )

Græntfjall – 2 (2)
Jorgesson; Vilbertsdóttir, Reynarsson, Ernestisson (39’), Lúthersdóttir; Ásvaldursson, Jvarsson; Snæþórsson (68’ Heikkisdóttir ), Guttisdóttir, Noahsdóttir (32’ Mensdóttir ); Þórhallursson (82’ Bergmundursson )

Baggieland – 0 (0)
Osborne; Pennington, McAuley (30’ o.g.), Moore, Dawson (45’ Batson ); Brunt (73’ Barlow ), Livermore, Regis (64’) (86’ Allen ), Bomber, Bassett (32’); Richardson

by **TJUN-ia** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:41 am

By Peter Davis

After bouncing back in style with 6 out of 6 points from 2 games, David Seems and his Jaguars were approaching the big boys of the group and a long stretch of some great team before the halfway point of the group. How would we do in two tough games against some good opposition? Let's just say that you win some and you lose some.

First up was a trip to Shaneville City and its Red Bull Arena to take on Central Shaneville. Jay Buck's side is an interesting one with an attacking 4-2-2 employed. The first half wouldn't be an easy one as the hosts looked to cause the upset to bring some stability to their campaign, Gylfisson seeing a lot of shots come his way. TJUN-ia did breakthrough first as Joe Green struck in the 36th but just before the stroke of Halftime, David Vujanic headed in a shock equaliser off a corner. It would make the start of the 2nd a tense affair but two quick goals by substitute Prince Archer before the hour mark put an end to that. From here, it was just smooth sailing to another win and another 3 points before the real challenge came.

That would be hosting Stephanie Sweeney's Cassadaigua, the 4th best team in the whole WCC entering this WC, in the National Stadium at TJUN-ia City. Dagans vs Jaguars once again but this time in a sport where Cassie has seen more success in recent times that their TJUN-ian counterparts. With a team this strong in town, any good performance would be considered a success no matter the final score. Today, we managed to hold them off to only 1 goal per half - Madison McClain in the 35th, Preston Newfeld in the 64th - and despite the 2nd loss in this WCQ, we certainly performed well against a Top 5 team. 4th we remain after 5 games and an interesting fact remains - the "Drawmasters" haven't scored a draw so far. Strange.

A shock happened over in Group 19 as S&T lost their UWC belt at home to Pemecutan, who then defended successfully against Natanians and Nosts at home. Yes, you saw that right - Pemecutan, a nation that has seen more success in the NSTT than the WCC (like us), now holds the OG UWC title. As for us, we have another interesting double ahead of us - a trip to Hadford Hill to play the underperforming Pot 2 Flavovespia before Tiankong hosts its first game at last as Muralos comes to the CEA capital. We may be 4 points adrift off top spot and 3 behind high-flying Havynwilde but this isn't over by a long shot. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group 3) - lines indicate when next edition of Boot It! will be released
MD1: vs Busoga Islands (79) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City L 1-3 (T-9th)
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MD2: @Hispinas (315) W 5-1 (7th)
MD3: vs Nacaltora (UR) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky W 4-0 (4th)
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MD4: @Central Shaneville (UR) - Red Bull Arena, Shaneville City W 3-1 (3rd)
MD5: vs Cassadaigua (4) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City L 0-2 (4th)
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MD6: @Flavovespia (41) - Highland Road, Hadford Hill
MD7: vs Muralos (259) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
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MD8: @Havynwilde (126)
MD9: vs Acronius (100) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
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MD10: @Busoga Islands (79) - The Dukuma Oval, Dukuma, North Island
MD11: vs Hispinas (315) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
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MD12: @Nacaltora (UR)
MD13: vs Central Shaneville (UR) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
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MD14: @Cassadaigua (4) - Dagan Airways Stadium, Concord Heights
MD15: vs Flavovespia (41) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
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MD16: @Muralos (259) - Komcatt Arena, Urbego (?)
MD17: vs Havynwilde (126) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City
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MD18: @Acronius (100) - Atlas Arena, Defense

by **Mapletish** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:00 am

The Sour Kind
"I only know one thing, that is I know nothing"

Commentaries| Timothy Jozua

Mapletish 1–0 Kohnhead: Dragons overcome Kohnhead to secure second win

The sweltering Maplish summer heat saw temperatures rising to 33 degrees Celsius as Rosfield welcomed Kohnhead in matchday 4 of the World Cup 87 Qualifying. The home side looked almost at ease but the afternoon heat was showing up on the faces of the Maplish players as they did their pre match warm up. Head coach Bernhard Floris skipped around the pitch handing water bottles to his players and volunteered to use water sprays to cool his players down. On the other hand, we saw the away team trying their best to adapt to the atmosphere as they too did their pre match preparations. It was the visitors who were noticeably more disciplined with their warm up execution. Whereas the more youthful Maplish side joked around in an attempt to keep their minds off the heat as much as possible.

As the players made their ways to the tunnels, Michael White, the coach of Kohnhead walked over to Floris who was wiping his sweat and fanning himself with a baseball cap. Both coaches shook hands and posed for a photo opportunity in front of a cameraman. The duo exchanged pleasantries and shook hands once again before turning their separate ways. "Keep cool guys, go get a quick water down if you need," Floris instructed his players as they walked towards the tunnels in preparation for kick off. Assistant coach Cherokee doubled up as a dutiful assistant as he handed towels to each of the players.

The Kohnhead players were treated to the Buio'Dzz spectacle from both the Maplish players and the Fierykop who were moving together and rhythmically despite having to bear the unforgiving afternoon sun. Kohnhead were first to secure attacking opportunities. In the 6th minute, a misplaced pass from Quin to Patrick saw Rallyton skipped on the opportunity to bring his team forward, as he picked up an on coming Korkson who was sprinting past Patrick in an attempt to get the pass. Korkson succeed and immediately got to work, making easy work getting over Sonnie who sort to cover up for Quin before passing Dwight and straight for a one to one chance with Meade. Meade prevailed in the early scare as the Dragons hold onto the deadlock.

Kohnhead were not to be missed too from their set pieces. In an attempt to stop the fast break play from the Kohnhead players, Tijs sort to using heavy body checks and sliding tackles to snatch the ball away from his opponent. The Kohnhead victim was Cogginter as he failed to get past Tijs and got tripped by him. Mr Referee resort to giving Kohnhead the free kick from the right flank just outside of the penalty box in the 12th minute. Rallyton ready up as he touched his sleeves, adjusted his socks and sent a tempting cross over to Maltos who was there to meet the ball with his head. It was snatched by Meade before it added a goal to the scoreline.

The Maplish side were trying their best to put in some quality attacking opportunities but the afternoon heat got the better of them. It seemed that the more disciplined Kohnhead side were much better in adapting to the Maplish heat when it was the Maplish who was supposed to be more at ease in their home environment. The Maplish side managed just another attacking opportunity in the 20th minute, after failing to put a quality attacking chance during the opening minutes of the game. Surviving the earlier onslaughts from Kohnhead, it was a welcomed respite. Tonomi was free on the right flank after a quick passing move from Singer to Tijs got to Tonomi's feet. Tonomi danced through the tight marking from Korkson who decided to drift a little more right of the pitch to cover Cogginter who was trying to cover the space just in front of Tonomi.

Tonomi cut in to the centre of the pitch quickly and released Gauvain just outside of the penalty box. Gauvain nutmegged Corton who was marking him closely and unleashed a strong attempt against Sanders. Sanders held onto the ball tightly in a show of dominance. Floris applauded the effort from the sideline while adjusting the collar of his polo shirt as he looked to be a little uneasy from the heat. Cherokee handed him a thermal flask presumably filled with tea only to see Floris denying the offer and said to him to stop fooling around. Kohnhead were unfazed by the Maplish attack and got another attempt to pressure the Maplish defence.

Jonhson linked up with Atkinson in the 36th minute and that put pressure on Tonomi and Quin who was covering the space that the former duo was working on. It could be a lack of speed or experience or both that left the latter duo out of position as they failed to react in time as the Johnson-Atkinson danced through their defence in an effortless and seamless attacking transition from defence and the ball kept rolling forward. It was eventually picked up by Maltos after a higher than knee pass got to Maltos' position. It was perfect for a volley attempt from Maltos only to see Meade blocked the shot out.

The first half will continue to be a back and forth affair for the two sides as each of them tried to cement something in the first half to make a statement for the rest of the match or to exert some dominance so as to get some kind of psychological advantage early. But there was none to begin with since the summer afternoon heat of Mapletish zapped whatever resolve the players were trying to show or to exert to each other, very early in the game. As Mr Referee blew for the end of the first half, players from both sides dropped to the ground, relieved that their miseries were put on hold for the next few minutes as they hid in the comforts of the dressing rooms before enduring another 45 minutes of hell once more.

The second half begun shortly and it was the Dragons who got the upper hand earlier on in the half. Pouncing on a weak pass by Laker on the left flank, Bobbie who had been absent or seemingly un imposing all half in the first 45 minutes leaped into action much to the delight of the crowd. He controlled the ball confidently and brought the ball upwards the pitch with relatively ease as his marker Laker retreated back and watched his every move in an attempt to snatch the ball away from Bobbie. Bobbie's imposing stature continued to threatened Laker as Radison got ready to cover him. A direct lob from Bobbie ensured as he found Gauvain who would attempt a bicycle kick once again, having failed previously. 1-0 in the 49th minute. Gauvain jogged towards the Fierykop to celebrate as he bowed in front of the grandstand.

Kohnhead were determined to not be left behind as they mounted a quick attack in the 53rd minute. After controlling possession for the bulk of the time after play restarted following the Maplish's goal. Rallyton was the centre of the passing play as he relayed the ball around the pitch as he looked for good opportunities to open the stubborn Maplish defence up. Rallyton found the opportunity he was looking for when he saw Korkson free in the spaces between Quin and Singer. Korkson would pick up the ball quickly before unleashing a quick shot on goal, only to see the attempt fall wide.

The Dragons were not to be pushed around despite the heavy pressure from the visitors. Patrick took that responsibility personally as he stripped the fast running Radison of the ball in the 63rd minute. Radison attempted to open up the left flanks as the Port Tacassam FC man tried to get pass Bobbie only to see his attempt stripped away by Patrick who came to assist his captain. Patrick transited towards the offensive phase. He picked up the fast running Sonnie in the penalty box with a neat left flank cross. Sonnie trapped the ball with his knees before releasing Gauvain who could not get the ball past Sanders.

Floris' original intention of sitting back and pressing was not to be missed, however it was Dwight this time round who decided it was not up to Floris to determine how the play was to be conducted since it was the players who were up for it. Being a little more pushy than what was prescribed, Dwight pressed Maltos a little further forward than what was expected from him, almost covering Sonnie's left centre position on the pitch. Floris saw what had happened but decided against calling out the "mispositioning". The "over-zealous" Dwight would succeed stripping Maltos of the ball and bring the upwards as the 4-4-2 formation of the Dragons moved ahead steadily. This attack attempt drawn to the Maplish side in the 77th minute as Dwight picked a long ball towards Tonomi who cut inside to assist the attack. His subsequent shot was saved by Sanders as Sanders attempted to keep the score down.

Kohnhead's desire to mount a comeback diminish every minute but they did not give up hope. Their wait prevailed as Mr Referee ruled a foul just outside of the penalty box in the 83rd minute, courtesy of a trip outside the penalty box by Singer after his tussling with Korkson saw the latter fell before Singer managed to snatched the ball away from the attacker. Rallyton lined up for an attempt on goal only to see the attempt swerve out wide. The Dragons would have a last ditch attempt to increase the scoreline following an 87th minute corner. Job Bobbie was the man taking the right corner. Meade thought it was a good idea to assist the attack. His in-swinging corner saw it reach Meade's head only to see his header out wide.

The remaining minutes of the second half saw the scoreline remained at 1-0 as the Dragons took all three points for their second win of the World Cup qualifying.

United Pink States 0–3 Mapletish: Dragons' overcomes The Couriers to take home third qualification win

Floris warned against complacency earlier on after Dragons' close win against Kohnhead earlier in matchday 4. The sweltering summer heat back at home was not something that the Maplish players were expecting again this time round as they travelled to United Pink States for matchday 5 of the qualifying campaign. The Brown Logistics Group Stadium at Jamestown played host to the encounter between the Couriers and the Dragons. Byron Smith, the captain of United Pink States and Job Bobbie, the captain of Mapletish shook hands earlier on in the warm up as both captains exchanged jerseys right before the match begun as a sign of friendship.

One would expect the gesture to be done after the match but this gesture was captured earlier even before the game started. Critics cited Bobbie's initiation of such a gesture to be "giving up the game before it had even started". Bobbie denied the allegations rebutting it in the post match conference. "I had decided to have done it earlier before the game began as both of us had a new set of kit, so why not do the kit exchange first, when we were all not sweaty and stinky right?" Floris denied to add anything to the gesture as he rejected questions about the gesture in the post match conference. Critics have also blasted Floris for being a "run-over", letting Bobbie have his way.

A small section of the Brown Logistics Group Stadium sat some Maplish supporters as they were seen in the Maplish kit and some of them waving banners supporting the Maplish team, a heartening sight after a lack of confidence surfaced with the Royal Football Association of Mapletish (RFAM) and the Mapletish national team ensured after the dispute between the Mapletish Board of Sports Organisation and the RFAM. Floris and the Maplish players gathered over to the supporters present in the stadium to appreciate their support before the preparations for kick off began.

The United Pink States were first to respond to the initial whistle and was quick to mount an attack. The 5th minute saw Byron Smith receive a direct pass from Donnie Price who got the ball from a passing link up play between Alex Casler and Brain Tucker. Byron Smith was quick to get past Tonomi on the right flank before cutting into the centre of the pitch in a long shot attempt which was stopped by Meade right in their tracks. The Dragons were hungry to get one back after United Pink States' quick attacking attempt. The Couriers favoured quick, direct passing play early in the game. A misplaced pass from Jose Nieves towards Jason Kinzey was intercepted by Job Bobbie.

Bobbie trapped the ball and looked for open passing opportunities. He saw Sonnie open to receive a pass after the latter passed by Lyle McGrady with minimal effort. Sonnie cut inside to the penalty box in an 11th minute shot attempt. Logan Hughes was on deck to block the shot in an attempt to keep the scoreline even. Hughes called out to the defence line to be more alert following the goal scare. Sonnie could only count his chances again as he backtracked to his position. The Dragons were not the sort to give up hope just yet. It was still days in the game and there were more opportunities that would open up.

The Dragons would attempt another attacking opportunity by soaking up pressure from the Couriers before unleashing a quick counter attacking move through the right flank via Tonomi. Tonomi was confident and ever present in this game and was widely attributed to the prime mover of the Maplish attack. The clock displayed 22 minutes as the Dragons attempted their counter attacking move via Tonomi. A knack for misplaced passes saw Ashley Crossman sending a weak pass from deep towards Jose Nieves only to see the pass intercepted by the fast running Tonomi who spotted the opportunity before releasing Patrick in the penalty box. Patrick converted the chance with ease, 1-0 in favour of the Dragons in the 22nd minute.

The Couriers got a little more tensed up following the early goal from the Dragons. The Maplish side were obviously not favourites to take the game so early on. The crowd at Brown Logistics Group Stadium knew this as the Pinksters who gathered in the stadium continued to sing and cheer as if the score was still 0-0. The Couriers though got their chance in the 34th minute with a fine attacking move which started from Lyle McGrady. McGrady was confident on the ball and released Ellis Spiers confidently with a well-timed and accurate pass to keep the Dragons on their toes.

Spiers took the ball and without hesitation sidestepped Bobbie who was in that area. Bobbie could only turn his back and gave chase Spiers put some speed in the ball carrying as Spiers placed a direct pass towards Jordan Irvine who attempted a strong shot against Meade towards the bottom right corner. Meade made easy work of the attempt as he went for the bottom corner almost immediately to block the shot just in time. Having been practising his reactions through repeated training, getting into position took some work for him because he was not the best with his natural instincts and reflexes. He made up for it though with his fast reaction.

Before the first half whistle concluded the half, the Dragons attempted their last ditch chance on goal. This time round it came from a corner kick opportunity. Tonomi, the refined left corner taker, at least for the Dragons lined up the ball and attempted a long cross towards the far end of right edge of the penalty box to meet Quin who managed to come unmarked by the United Pink States' players. Quin, however failed to make anything significant out of it as his attempted shot felt way wide from what he had expected. The first half closed with the Dragons taking the lead 1-0.

The dressing rooms roared with laughter from the Maplish side as Floris, once again attempted to rally his side together. Although the team seemed rather relaxed after having held a one goal lead against the Couriers, Floris' attempted to remind the players about complacency albeit in a tone that was less serious than what the players had earlier expected from him, and the team burst out in laughter. "Remember to control the tempo first, then we get the plays in later and then the win," reminded Floris as his last word of caution to the players as they head out for the second half.

The Maplish kicked off the second half with a one goal lead and were also the first to respond to the second half whistle as they continued their hunt for the next goal. That was broken in the 53rd minute. Focusing play this time round on the left flank where skipper Bobbie has the most influence on, the Maplish side were able to form passing triangles around the United Pink States' players. The trio of Elton, Bobbie and Sonnie were effectively an unbreakable shackle as they shifted their focus towards the United Pink States' half almost immediately following a monkey around play around their players. This was another crucial passing move as they opened the 53rd minute with a resulting shot from Patrick who was not afraid to put the ball in the bottom left corner, making the score 2-0. This was Patrick's 2nd goal of the match.

The Dragons knew what was coming. Patrick was on a streak. He was also on a hunt. The hunt for the hattrick had begun as the team kind of rallied against this common goal. This though was achieved in the 67th minute. It was the passing trio of Patrick, Tonomi and Quin who made this possible. Having come from the previous passing trio of Quin, Singer and Tijs, Quin was the pivot point for the next passing link up with Patrick and Tonomi. Having shifted play to the right now, Tonomi was comfortable to provide an assist. Tonomi would go ahead to beat Jason Kinzey after having recieved the ball from Quin. Patrick then recieved a chest height cross and it was a volley towards goal, completing his hat trick. It was 3-0 in favour of Mapletish.

The Dragons would die down in their attacks as they attempted to keep possession and look for any other attacking opportunities as they started lying a little deeper than what they have presented in the whole game. The act of lying deeper and focusing more on pressing in their own half comforted Floris, as he stepped back from the sidelines after having been kept at the edge of his dugout throughout the match after the Dragons moved into a more attacking posture than he had earlier prepared the team for. The players were indeed having fun being rebellious.

The Couriers attempted to take back some goals to mount their comeback if they had the chance to. The 73rd minute saw Jose Nieves and Jason Kinzey's one two with each other catching Dwight off guard outside of the Maplish penalty box. Meade could onyl curse as Kinzey attempted a hard shot into the top left corner of the goal. Meade's long out stretched arms almost did not block the shot off but he managed in the end to keep the ball out.

Meade's third clean sheet of the campaign was to be confirmed after the Couriers attempted a last ditch attempt to at least score a goal. Jordan Irvine was at the end of a passing link up from Smith and Nieves having beaten Quin to the ball earlier. Irvine's strong top right corner shot though was not enough as it rattled off the crossbar.

Eventually the final whistle sounded, much to the relief of all the players, as the Maplish players gathered in front of the small visiting crowd once again to applaud them for their support. Savigliane travels to Rosfield in matchday 6 for the Dragons next match, while the Dragons make a trip to Port Ember for matchday 9.

We shall see you then!

Group 19                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Savigliane                             5    4   0   1    11    8   +3    12
 2 Mapletish                              5    3   1   1     6    2   +4    10
   Siovanija & Teusland                   5    3   1   1    14   10   +4    10
 4 Natanians and Nosts                    5    3   0   2    12   10   +2     9
 5 Eura                                   5    2   2   1    10    7   +3     8
 6 Kohnhead                               5    2   1   2    17   11   +6     7
 7 Pemecutan                              5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7
 8 Port Ember                             5    1   2   2     9    8   +1     5
 9 Al Qurija                              5    1   0   4     8   14   −6     3
10 United Pink States                     5    0   0   5     4   21  −17     0

The next match could be said as a top of the table clash as the Dragons sat unexpectedly at the 2nd spot while defeated United Pink States remained as the bottom team having lost all five of their opening matches. The Dragons are also the best defensive team in the group so far, only conceding two goals in 5 matches, all courtesy to three clean sheets from the main shot stopper Meade.

by **Chartistan** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:12 am

In the game of chess, kings and queens are different - A king is important, as losing him via checkmate means you lose the game, but he can move only 1 space at a time. Queens, on the other hand, can go wherever they like - Up, down, side to side or diagonally. The queen is a powerful piece on the chessboard, but when you lose her, don't worry - A minor pawn can restore the crown and bring wrath on the opponent if they aren't looking. Thus is the duality of the king and queen - Protect the king, but make sure the queen carves out a path towards victory without being caught.

There are 3 girls in the Chartistani Hot 11 being trotted out for the World Cup qualifiers - Tatertot Crazy at centerback, Air Latte in right midfield (Having just inked a contract to play abroad for Græntfjall Premier League team Korsbach) and Mama Coriel playing the role of captain. 3, 9, 11. They have become the queens of the football pitch for their national team, and a detrimental part of their team. The closest thing to a king? Ivan Door, #10. Yes, he has impressed in his performances in the purple shirt, but it was mainly Coriel and perhaps a little bit of Air Latte magic that helped him. Without the queens, Chartistan would probably be heading into the Zwangzug game without a win.

Of course, this doesn't count Jia Chewy, Lishenara Samathachan, and twice-capped goalkeeper Cheesus Cheesus, all of which made the 23 player roster when it was finalized by Doctor Lucas after the Baptism of Fire. And it doesn't count the Chartistani queens of old, including Callie Deadbrush, who played goalkeeper during the Baptism of Fire (Except those times when Chessus did), and the Chartistani queens of the future. With how Olisa Rodgers is playing within Chartistan, she might get her driver's license and be able to play with the team at the Cup of Harmony.

Yes, queens can be weak too. Going back to Deadbrush, way before the Hot vs Cool game in which she and Tatertot fell to an Air Latte led Cool side doing things that the Hot side didn't seem to do, she would come face to face against Cirrus Azale (Or Darelland if you ask Florence "I Love My Country" George) in a penalty shootout in the last 16. If Chartistan won, they would most likely go to the Fire final in Chamberley and maybe make the trip to Græntfjall for the main event. Of course, Deadbrush, nor the Chartistani team at large, were prepared to lose. It was a path to victory that was stopped with bishops and knights and those pesky, pesky rooks - All of which could stop a queen at her best if she wasn't looking.

Then, of course, there's the white and black, or black and white, or whatever, on the other side of the boar- erm, pitch. Zwangzug. Their top scorers who got sent to the tournament? Male. Idmar, McCollins, Cherenkov-Nguyen, they're all male. There's about a half and half split in their starting XI between the genders, but the star players are indeed male. To them, the king is more important than the queen - While in Chartistan a queen can score the goals more often than the king, this role is reversed for the white and black - The queen lets them pass through and the king reaps the benefits. The duality of kings and queens on a football pitch.

Of course, some may argue a football pitch might be more complicated than a chessboard. Yes, a chessboard has more pieces on it than the football pitch, but positions can change on a whim. In chess you don't give a knight the properties of a bishop on a whim, knights are knights and bishops are bishops, you can't change them. In football, however, a centerback can be a wingback, a midfielder can move into an offensive or defensive position, a striker may move to one of the wings, and each switch gives them different abilities which may counter an opponent. As such, unlike in chess, the pitch is like a blank canvas. Yes you need a goalie, but for the other 10 players you can do whatever your heart desires - Standard formations or unorthodox strategies, take your pick.

Of course, some players are better than others - Combbrush versus Sonnabend leans heavily towards the Zwangzug side of the board - Yes, Combbrush might have won a Dusk Bracket at the Wonder Cup not that long ago, but Sonnabend has a great team at his disposal, and could easily find a way around a newcomer's defense to win the match. But at the end of the day we have seen some odd results throughout this tournament so far - Murphy beating Kimura, Tree taking Tzimisces to split the points, the continued rise of Ekstrom, Gerardikis taking his Rangers to within a shot of the last 32, as well as Bonhomme, von Keekee, Sedenah, Di Tane, Moustakakos and plenty of others having some success at the tournament. Combbrush can beat Sonnabend, but that will come down to how his queens stack up against his kings. Maybe then he could checkmate the Zwangs.

by **Tequilo** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:40 am

KIPOLALIA
The Auto-Imitation Disease

Part 3/7: The Long Kip

Part 1 - in which the Tequilo IAC squad catch The Kip
Part 2 - the infected are sent to isolation camp

“Kin’t take yr gibberish kin’t take yr flamingo woulda tri t smile guess I got no lingo I'm droppin' to the slope n I gonna move your soap yea, yaz, in a bellend stayt f mind,” rhymed Esâ Neá, with some peculiar hand and arm movements to match and a little bend of his knees.

After being locked down at Iso Camp 19 for four weeks, the party were just a couple of days away from leaving and things had started to appear fairly typical within the squad when Esâ went head to head with Tomás Alemán in what started as a regular debate over the relative qualities of military-issue Rice Krispies, quickly escalated into an ill-tempered and entirely unreasonable argument, before taking another turn entirely.

“Imma thinkn f hammers yaz imma thinkn f hammers hammers” replied Tomás to his rival.

“What we have here,” said the monitoring medical staff from the control room, “is a Kip Slam”.

“Yea yea ayo havvo s time s time havvo aight havvo Eezy-Esâ begin” said, um, Eezy-Esâ.

“Imma thinkn f krispies eezy, imma thinkn f krispy krispies.” And so on.

Captain Cotus of the 19th Military Provost Guard Service sent a couple of his men to intervene, suitably protected with ear-stoppers, the ears being the primary entry-way of the auto-imitation virus into the brain from whence it would interfere with the neural pathways in the Broca's area and arcuate fasciculus sections of the brain. Causing a bizarre pastiche imitation behaviour that was so common in the land of Gibberish, one notable symptom was argumentativeness, and when two infected patients got into a wrangle like this, the guards at Iso Camp 19 had named it a ‘Kip Slam’ and the reference had even caught on with the medical and scientific staff.

Undoubtedly, and more importantly, this latest slam was a setback so close to the team’s scheduled release, and bore all the signs of a new condition that virologists and neurologists were getting concerned about - Long Kip.

“Our worst fears have been realised,” said Chief Scientific Advisor Doctor Nacao over the phone from Tapalupé city, somewhat gloomily, “some of the patients have formed Variant 27b/6. The Kipoculation is inbound, but some are not coming home just yet.”

§

Variant 27b/6 had been described by researchers dispatched secretly to the Wildelands of Gibberish to observe the long-term effects of having a Kipolalia infection. In most cases, they surmised, a complete recovery was made within a month, although it seemed there was no inherent immunity built up from having carried the virus - and in a country deep in the grip of Kipolalia, people often caught the disease three or four times a year so that lucidity was as much a passing phase as being ‘Kip-Jammed’. The nation seemed to have built a social system to cope with frequent outages caused by The Kip and a casual observer of media and propaganda published in the country might not suspect at all just how much nonsense the average Gibber spoke in the course of a year. But for a country not yet widely exposed to Kipolalia, with some early effective quarantining, the disease could easily be brought under control for about 80% of infected persons. But then there was the mutation, Variant 27b/6 or Long Kip.

The secret researchers noted that, by their estimation, one in five patients who caught Kipolalia did not recover within the usual 28-day cycle, but developed a mutated virion capable of replication well beyond that time frame - Long Kip. In most cases, a Variant 27b/6 virus might successfully lodge and replicate for up to 360 days, running out of replicative material at any indeterminate time within that period - whilst in the worst cases, known as the 27b/6 Ultra Strain, it might become a life-long active agent within the brain. Virologists and musicologists surmise that it is the Ultra Strain that is probably responsible for modern versions of ‘rap’ (or, as it is known in the nations of the Wide Enness Ocean, ruffian dippety-doppa) - pale and rancid pastiches of a once brilliant artform perpetuated by ‘Long Kip’ sufferers with the 27b/6 Ultra Strain. Wide estimates of between 0.05 and 10% of infections might mutate into this life-long form, which is resistant to all known anti-Kip vaccines - or Kipoculations; and there is some speculation that very low intellect male teenagers are more vulnerable, though this is considered both controversial and scientifically unfounded. Certainly though, one would not think about entering Esâ Neá or Tomás Alemán for University Challenge, bless them.

At Iso Camp 19, when the vaccines arrived on day 28 since known infection, there was general revelry and excitement. For most, the Kipolalia had already passed and they were ready to rejoin the world - the Kipoculation being more of an insurance vaccine, helping to prevent reinfection. But since the recent Kip Slam between Esâ and Tomás, scientists at the centre had managed to establish that five poor fellows would not be going home, and one could only hope that their Variant 27b/6 would not evolve into the Ultra Strain. Suitably jabbed in the arm, the happy team said their goodbyes to the unlucky five - Esâ, Tomás, Patient Zero of Tequilo Diego Nores, Alex Gallo, and head coach of the IAC team Luka Entenza. The cured and freed boarded their plane back to reality and rebuilding their match fitness to rejoin domestic football and hopefully win a place in the World Cup Qualifying Squad. For the Long Kip Five, it was a move away from the military camp to another as yet undisclosed location; somewhere more relaxing and comfortable for the long stay ahead.

TAPALUPÉ, Tequilo - World Cup qualification rumbles along! Version 87 is past half way to half way… and we've got your back for all the latest in the biggest and best competition in the multiverse: let the GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL-a!!! Daily take the strain - all your favourite bits, in brief. All this week: Track & Trace… whatever happened to The Class of 72? Rúi de Las Rovas… season three of the famous old comic book strip rebooted. Logistics Report... how to manage a touring football team without picking up any weird viral infections; and of course, we have mail! You can write in too, if you want to - address your fascinating texts to spamcatcher@gola.teq or drop a letter in the mail to PO Box 654353583.2, Grand Central Post Office, Tapalupé¹ But first, El Copametro… how are Los Pitxileros making out in the qualification campaign trail?

HOLY QUARTET IN TRINITY

State of Trinity 2-4 TEQUILO HT: 1-1

Location: Unpublished location
Attendance: A smattering of random passing Trinitites and the Ultra-Mariachi Band (8 sombreros+dog)
Scorers: #10Trinite 28' (pen.) #7Trinite 49' | Eolo Sorazar 30' Roxelio Toran 47' Ricardo Bailén 73' Çenturion 85' Assists: #10Trinite 49' | Aleixo Claver 30' Roxelio Toran 73' Vilca Hualla 85'
Booked: #9Trinite | Vilca Hualla, Çenturion (1 match ban) Sent off: Roxelio Toran (3 match ban)
Injured: Eolo Sorazar (severity 10/20), Blêxu (1/20)
Tequilo Line-Up: OOscar Bienvenida (VC) | Blêxu (sub: Ostando Bertendona), Antton Machinena, Huracan, Eolo Sorazar (sub: Tol Chicote) | Aleixo Claver | Vilca Hualla (C), Çenturion, Ricardo Bailén | Roxelio Toran, Ecuador
Player of the Match: Eolo Sorazar (Tequilo)

TEQ (HARDLY) A RIOT

TEQUILO 0-1 Tikariot HT: 0-0

Location: Estadio 77o; Ixta-Comitán, Chazapa
Attendance: 66,309
Scorers: Jardel Connolly 72' Assists: Rory McNair 72'
Booked: Ixtub Tün, Huachalla ( both 1 match bans), Ecuador (2/sent off - 2 match ban), Niño Pinto | Rory McNair, Morris Nighthorse, Jardel Connolly
Injured: Huracan (1/20), Xaime Medal (11/20)
Tequilo Line-Up: Oscar Bienvenida (VC) | Blêxu, Antton Machinena, Huracan (sub: Noxochinoch), Huachalla (sub: José Tavia) | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla (C), Niño Pinto (sub: Xaime Medal), Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl, Alexandro Calvoecheaga
Player of the Match: Eren Knox (Tikariot) (Tequilo MVP: Blêxu)

Without a win in three home games, five key players serving bans and second seed Newmanistan at home next, things are already beginning to go a little awry for the Agave-Blues and don't look likely to pick up at the Palacios de Cristal in Gardaresso, where The Rockets will be in attendance with a solid start under their belts, winning four and only dropping points to top seed and current draw specialists Vilita. Comfortably dispatching everyone ranked below them so far, Newmanistan will be looking for all the points and Los Pitxileros will have to start doing better in front of their own fans to get anything out of this. Defeat would suggest qualification at the third attempt will already have eluded Tequilo. Indiscipline has certainly played it's part in the stuttering start so far, finishing the last two games with only ten men and a very ragged sixteen yellow cards in five games suggests coach Ramiro Paredo's high energy, quick press approach needs some finessing - his successful domestic campaigns with SC Pedregal certainly did not feature so many cards per game and it would seem more practise on when to push, how hard, and for how long might help regain a balance - but it's too late for the next match, with Huachalla, Ixtub Tün, captain Vilca Hualla, Roxelio Toran and Ecuador all serving suspensions for this vital game.

TEQUILO STAT SUMMARY
Competition goals: Tlacolotl, Roxelio Toran, Ricardo Bailén, Çenturion (2) Vilca Hualla, Xaime Medal, Eolo Sorazar (1)
Competition assists: Ecuador (2) Ixtub Tün, Tlacolotl, Huracan, Aleixo Claver, Roxelio Toran, Vilca Hualla (1)
Competition PoMs: Eolo Sorazar (2) Huachalla, Tlacolotl, Blêxu (1)
Competition cards: Roxelio Toran (1 red card) Ecuador (2 yellows, 1 red) Vilca Hualla, Çenturion, Ixtub Tün, Huachalla (2 yellows) Huracan, Tol Chicote, Ricardo Bailén, Blêxu, Jatsu Cañaverri, Niño Pinto (1 yellow)

Confirmed Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Newmanistan @ Palacios de Cristal; Gardaresso, Antivador (capacity 81,000)
Oscar Bienvenida (C) | Blêxu, Antton Machinena, Huracan, José Tavia | Aleixo Claver | Isidoro Artechevarria, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl (VC), Alexandro Calvoecheaga

Probable Line-Up for TEQUILO @ Hebitaka @ undisclosed location
Oscar Bienvenida (C) | Blêxu, Antton Machinena, Huracan, Huachalla | Ixtub Tün | Vilca Hualla, Niño Pinto, Ricardo Bailén | Tlacolotl (VC), Alexandro Calvoecheaga

ON THE ROAD WITH...
The Team Doctor

In our new occasional feature, we go on the road with some of the backroom staff - the unsung heroes - who keep our Agave-Blues ticking over and ready to perform in the far-flung stadia of the multiverse. It’s all very well knowing the profiles and tactical mores of the coaching staff, but how does the team psychologist keep everyone sane? What’s the point of a local fixer? And who is translating the breakfast menus in the team hotels of Vilita, Tikariot and - dogs help us all - Khytonya, to make sure the team avoids ‘Cathair Colon’?

But first, from the medical notes of team doctor, Remedío Cuhl, deciphered by a hand-writing expert, we get a glimpse into what’s happening with some of our long-term crocked pitxileros:

Patrick Zambo / Chipped contuculus / 3 months / Ouch! Even from the bench in a crowded stadium we all heard it go. Poor Blêxu nearly threw up when he realised what it was. I have to say though Patrick is adhering to his rehabilitation as the true professional he is. To prevent further arcticisirisitis I have prescribed three doses of tetravisphetranycin and told him to wear a baseball mit modified to fit over the sore spot when he sleeps.

Eolo Sorazar / Broken Rhincodon / 6-9 weeks / Treatment has been complicated by his irrational fear of triangles, which I understand is usually fairly moderate but has been amplified by the injury. Seems to have developed a taste for the Cocoa-bo which may stimulate a quicker recovery. Best not mention it to the authorities.

Xaime Medal / Myelitis of the denudendum / 5 weeks / Oh dear. Poor Xaime - I hope this doesn’t get out because he will be tremendously embarrassed. Just before his wedding too; I have suggested his partner lets him have a few weeks off, though I understand the temptation when you look at it. Will prepare a press statement to the effect that he bumped his cuspidextor, which is not too far from the truth.

RÚI DE LOS ROVAS
The famous cartoon strip from a fantasy football world - season 3

Read on for Season 3 of the Rúi Reboot, as our comic book illustrators imagine the capitol of the free fictional world where World President Joe Biden is being sworn into office in a bomb shelter sixteen floors beneath the surface of the White House Gardens - whilst at the same time, Rúi’s son Roque is prevented from attending the biggest gig of the year, for which he and his father would most certainly have got VIP invites - because a big fat orange fascist has him hog tied in the club house of his private golf course, refusing to allow him to even watch the big event on TV. Roque tries to reason with his crazed old golf partner Donny, but the old hillbilly billionaire dictator just won’t hear of it. Could it be that he’s worried that President Joe, his mortal enemy, will discover he’s no billionaire at all, but in fact an inflatable balloon radio-controlled by Vlad The Inhaler, the Moscow Mobster who already tried to shoot Roque in season 2?

Meanwhile Roque’s son Ronaldo is putting the finishing touches to a deal for rich agency client, party animal and superstar footballer Neymar to extend his contract at moneybags Paris FC, where he will be paid in untraceable crypto-currency, barrels of oil and a never ending supply of tissues to wipe the tears from his poor eyes when he remembers how hard he has it.

NEXT UP
What's coming next with GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLa!!!

In the next edition of GOLa Extra, we continue our thrilling look back at the Kipolalia Crisis as things take a very dark turn just when you thought it was safe to come out of the closet; PLUS! - in the Daily edition look out for more adventures of fictional comic book legend Rúi de Los Rovas, now into his 140s and running the family agency as he tries to find a new home for 'Lionel Messi', the world's greatest ever tax dodger; there will be our regular letters feature; we talk to more of the logistics team in the World Cup squad about how to manage a campaign of double-matchdays; and of course we'll keep you bang up to date with the progress of Los Pitxileros in World Cup 87...

[1]Or TG Tequilo and we'll be sure to publish you in the next edition of the DAILY!

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:40 am

Previous RP (Chapter 3 Part 3)

RP Series: Getting to the top
Chapter 3: New Year, New Goals
Part 4: Team Dynamics

Sometimes we wonder whether the team is just 11 strong players or an entire 33 players fighting for 23 spot. Honestly, if Adnan Suliaha wants to pick all the good players, he might have a really hard time. The way Adnan picks players is not necessarily based on their personal performance at the club level. In his opinion, he thinks that the players should be able to synergise with fellow national team players in order to produce the best performance possible. This can be seen by how he tries the team out during the pre-qualifiers friendlies - a whole lot of substitutes, along the way to putting off a performance.

Before we take a look at the 2 recent performances against West Zirconia and Gyasto-Kai, we take a look at the 4 pre-qualifier friendlies. The PFFA was very lucky to have gotten a wide variety of fixtures, home and away, that would certainly be beneficial to the team. Poafmersia started the pre-friendly season against Mavinet, winners of the 72nd Baptism of Fire. Mavinet has been producing really eye-catching results over the last 2 qualifiers. In the 85th World Cup qualifiers, they didn't do spectacularly, finishing 9th in a 13-team group which included surprise packages South Newlandia, Pasarga, Valanora, Eraman and Juvencus. They improved at the next try, finishing 3rd out of 10 teams. This time, although they have been drawn into a relatively tough group with Chromatika and Drawkland heading the group, we believe that they present a tough challenge to them. The opposition plays a fast-paced offensive football, following a football style which is adopted by many other nations including our Red Panjia. There were a number of positives for the match, despite the loss. For one thing, it was the first match for Shirou Amatore in goal, and he showed some potential with a few brilliant saves to stop Mavinet striker Vo Thanh Hai from scoring on 4 occasions. His handling of the corner in the 60th minute, where Ha Van Thao attempted to head in a goal, also earned praise from many Poafmers. Sadly, he wasn't able to hold the fort during Mavinet's penalty, converted by Vo Thanh Hai. The penalty was conceded after a foul by Mitchel Rosales. Vo Thanh Hai just lobbed the ball past Amatore, who thought that the ball would go towards the left side. Simone Gori fit better into the 3-man backline with Nasri Sanchez and Mitchel Rosales, as the backline dealt with the threats pretty well and let little go through. Dargis Walshor's first time working with Josef Gentry turned out slightly better than expected, though the latter still really needed help here and there as he adapts to the even-faster game.

Against Lorrana, it was an experience of "how to score". Perfect posession-based football, combined with absolutely powerful firepower, meant that the game was absolutely over before it begun. The game would be the perfect script for any match. After the first 15 minutes where Lorrana put up a very strong defence, with Iulianus Innocenti and Joel Haodao having shots saved by the keeper, Pete Carisa made a brilliant shot in the 16th minute after a cross from Joel Haodao, aiming from the top right corner. He continued with another goal just 12 minutes later, after a brilliant through pass from Shwentin that went past 3 players. A speculative shot from Pete Carisa in the 40th minute gave him yet another hat-trick. He was promptly substituted off soon after the break, much to the applause from the home crowd. It was riot for Poafmersia after that. Iulianus Innocenti headed in a goal from a corner in the 58th minute, before Joel Haodao got in a screamer from 25 yards. Nasri Sanchez added yet another goal from a corner in the 74th minute, before Innocenti rounded out with his 2nd national team goal, following a corss from nero Wood.

Against Megistos, the defence was a problem. Ariel Casey seemed to be the weakness, making 2 mistakes that allowed Megistos to score equalise on both instances. It was a match where the manager wanted to test out the group of players and their capabilities, and so he didn't make much changes. Whitney Rios, starting in place of Pete Carisa, performed solidly to open the scoring after getting the ball from kickoff. Probably the fast goal in Poafmersian history. The home side than hit in two consecutive goals, before Poafmersia found a goal through an Aleka Dufour header and a Joel Haodao chip in goal. However, the home side managed to get in yet another goal. Ariel Casey came from Dalaris Sports FC, a mid-tier club that did not really had the best of resources. Adnan, seeing the potential in him, gave him a call-up, presumably trying to push him to join one of the larger clubs where he would gain more experience. Whether this campaign would help him to do so, we shall see.

By the time we reached Græntfjall, a rather defensive side, it was supposed to provide yet another close game. However, with the Græntfjall side having a new manager and trying to fine tune with injuries hitting the standard lineup, Poafmersia breezed through the match much better than Adnan and Katiri thought. Monesty Erdos got hold of a goal in the 30th minute, after Donk Mason pulling off a magnificent screamer that bounced of the post. Erdos just grabbed the ball, and tapped it in. After the break, Shakira Handris took their turn to pull off after Daas Taisg found a particularly creative way to slip the ball to Handris. Tang soloed the ball past 4 defenders on the way to yet another goal to complete the match 3-0.

Against West Zirconia and Gyasto-Kai, there was clearly an issue of "offence leading the defence". Really close margins existed in both matches, but Adnan Suliaha told the fans that "a win is a win, no matter how you win it". It took quite a while for Poafmersia to break through a West Zirconia side, aiming to escape with 1 point. Substitute after substitute, as Josef Gentry moved into right back, Gisiik Moonar replaced Nero Wood, and Emma Conner replaced Hansel Tang. The substitution broke the deadlock in the end, after Gentry made a nice pass by the edge to Moonar, who then dribbled it for 10 yards before passing it to Handris. Handris then tapped the ball in, securing all 3 points for the home side. Against Gyasto-Kai, it was a flip-flop of the swing, as both sides took turns to grab the lead. The team worked hard to generate goals faster than the fast-attacking opposition, and therefore, it was Makana Tuft who fished out a winner in the 87th minute, following a pass from Gisiik Moonar. Both these matches provide some food for thought for the coaching team, who has to think of something ahead of Matchday 7's match against Krytenia. The next 4 matches are crucial in Poafmersia's path - at least 9 points should be obtained, with 6 of these points coming from matches against Caryton and Socialist New Britain, 2 sides who have yet to produce a roster or provide any information to the remaining teams in the group. The other points will come from 6-pointers against Krytenia and Farfadillis. Every result here would become a learning process, to fine tune the team dynamics, and find the best possible set-up to grab maximum points.

Poafmersia 2
Pete Carisa 18'
Shakira Handris 87' (assist by Moonar)

West Zirconia 1
Mark Heath 40'

Lineup for Poafmersia (4-3-3): Sandi Jaliaha; Ariel Casey, Alex Hoboson, Mitchel Rosales, Natalia Abbott; Daas Taisg, Woden Sweet, Nero Wood; Hansel Tang, Shakira Handris (c), Pete Carisa
Substitutes: Emma Conner (Tang 55'), Josef Gentry (Abbott 69'), Gisiik Moonar (Wood 80')

Gyasto-Kai 3
Dag’da SKIRATA 6', 78'
SONG Kaoru 53'

Poafmersia 4
Aubrey Mayer 19' (assist by Gisiik Moonar)
Makana Tuft 34', 87' (assist by Aubrey Mayer)
Joel Haodao 45+1'

Lineup for Poafmersia (4-3-3): Sandi Jaliaha; Nasri Sanchez, Mitchel Rosales, Hollis Stephenson, Josef Gentry; Arnold Shwentin, Woden Sweet, Gisiik Moonar; Joel Haodao (c), Makana Tuft, Aubrey Mayer
Subsitutes: Donk Mason (Shwentin 68'), Ftiks Wariq (Sweet 78')

by **Waisnor** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:23 am

Things are not going quite the way we wanted

After a devastating 5-0 defeat from Twicetargia Waisnorian fans were confident that it would not be worse and hoped for the best in meetings with Red Kelp and Sulsuland.
Before the match with Red Kelp it was clear that Waisnorian team would have a hard time playing with them, they still haven't suffered a single defeat in qualification stage and it didn't seem like this streak would end in this match.
At the beginning of the match, both teams were still equal, both teams tried to create chances for a goal, but none of them succeeded in realizing them. The most striking event of the first half was the yellow card shown to Konstantin Nikrevich for a cut during the attack of Red Kelp. For this, a rather passable free kick was appointed, but Vsevolod Gromyko was able to cope with this situation and knocked the ball out of the goal.
The teams left for the break without scoring a goal. However at the beginning of the second half Red Kelp quickly took the initiative in this game, and at the 51st minute the score was opened - William Afton was able, thanks to an accurate and slightly careless shot to the goal, to make the score 1-0 in favor of Red Kelp.
Waisnorian team still tried to make some moments, however, no attempts to level the score were crowned with success. And Red Kelp felt comfortable and played calmer. At the 68th minute, Vincent Tiger made Waisnorian fans get even more nervous - he was able to catch the right moment and score the most elegant header goal possible in this situation. Nothing more happened in the match and Waisnor suffered second defeat in a row.

Next rival of Waisnor, Sulsuland, was quite an equal opponent. This country's matches were the same as Waisnor - 1 victory and 3 losses.
This game in the beginning was like a swing - the field was dominated by one or the other team. However, at the 23rd minute Sulsuland was able to take advantage of the hole in Waisnorian defence and the midfielder of this team was able to easily score a goal against Vsevolod Gromyko.
For the rest of the first half, Waisnor tried to equalize to score, however, the teams left for the break with Sulsuland's advantage in the score. However, apparently, the instructions of the Waisnorian head coach helped take the team the upper hand in a meeting in the second half. At the 54th minute, the superiority in the game was consolidated - Vitaly Butin, thanks to a competent bypass of the defenders of Sulsuland, scored a goal in the bottom corner with an accurate shot and equalized the score. Next Waisnor tried to to take the lead in the match, however, until the end of the meeting it did not work out, and the teams left the field, earning one point.

Team for a matches with Maccian and The Holy Empire
Vsevolod Gromyko
David Shavlokhov
Nikolay Vaneev
Alexey Tiunov
Arseny Bratkov
Timur Skvortsov
Svyatoslav Piatigorets
Arthur Shuteyko
Prokhor Golovnov
Vitaly Butin
Alexey Bolotov

by **HUElavia** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:35 am

Upsets Galore for HUElavia!

HUElavia 2-1 Recuecn
(Hamada-Navarro 17', 83' | Tegeler 58')
(Estadio Salvador, Sao Salvador)

Fluvannia 4-3 HUElavia
(Vaudois 19', 38', Iezusu 68', Gordon 85' | Torrisi 26', Moutinho-Figo 43', Tiong Belleza 73')
(Takeuchi Park Stadium, Charlottesville)

HUElavia returned to the World Cup Qualifiers looking to desperately improve their situation, after three consecutive losses to open up the Qualifiers. This was especially the case given that they were upset by Murphtannia and Silvedania in Matchdays 1 and 2 respectively. Coach Illaramendi was facing mounting pressure to respond, especially where they were facing off against Recuecn, the favorites for the Group, along with Fluvannia, a team that pundits hoped could begin the spark to help HUElavia earn points. For the game against Recuecn, it was played in Sao Salvador, with Ramos starting in goal while the centerback pairing was be Fernandez-Roux with D'Aquila. Guilbert started in favor of Sakaguchi and Sol in favor of Sissoko. The Home Uniform was used for that match. For the game at Fluvannia, the C-Team was used, with Baptista in goal and Coelho as captain. HUElavians came into these matches with anxiety and worry as to what could happen.

The first game against Receucn was one for the history books. HUElavia came out looking to play well and wanting to put up a good show for the rabid and feverent crowd in the first time a major game was played outside of Curumba. The opening goal would come in the 17th minute, when Navarro went past Kayserling and gave a low pass into the box, only for his wife Hamada-Navarro to pop up past Cutrona and chip the ball past Firault into the goal to make it 1-0. The crowd erupted with joy, jumping and cheering with passion to make the stadium rumble, all while Hamada and Navarro hugged and kissed while their teammates hugged and congratulated them for the play. HUElavia kept the pressure going and really wanted to keep pressure on the former IAC Champions. Receucn did not want to keep this going and eventually got their chance to get back into the game. In the 58th minute, a cross by Lavigne went into the box, where Fernandez-Roux tried to get the ball, but it was chested down first by Tegeler, who put it down and blast it past a diving Ramos into the goal to make it 1-1. Tegeler was mobbed by his teammates while the crowd fell silent at the goal. The HUElavians refused to let another game fall from their grasp once again. In the 83rd minute, Gagne-Leblanc (in for Duran) was looking to make a move to go in and was being covered by Bourguignon, but she gave a light pass to go on the playing line while she went out and around the playing field to get past Bourguignon and pass it to Hamada, who came and chipped it past Firault into the goal, making it 2-1. The crowd erupted once more, celebrating with passion and joy to make the stadium rumble, while Hamada was mobbed by her teammates and the bench. Finally, Navarro shared another hug and kiss as they celebrated the goal once more. HUElavia held out and shortly after, the match ended, 2-1, not only getting the first points of the Qualifiers, but getting their first ever victory against Receucn, 12 years since their first meeting in the IAC 8 Final.

The second match against Fluvannia was a regrettable one. The opening goal came in the 19th minute when Vaudois gave a long distance strike that had Baptista stretching to reach the ball, but it was too much of a shot to stop, and into the goal it went to make it 1-0. HUElavia responded in the 26th minute, when Di Donato gave a pass into the box, where Torrisi got the ball, gave a turnaround to shake off Mcdaniel and give a low shot past Asahiko into the goal to make it 1-1. Torrisi celebrated his first ever goal with the team with his teammates and the bench. Vaudois would strike again in the 38th minute, as he would get a pass from Lambert and give a curving shot to send it past Baptista into the goal to make it 2-1. HUElavia would not let go of the match as a corner taken by Ocampo in the 43rd minute went into the box and Moutinho-Figo towered over Hale to head it past Asahiko into the goal, making it 2-2 for halftime. Fluvannia kept the attack going as in the 68th minute, Iezusu would send a low, curving shot past a reaching Baptista into the goal to make it 3-2, giving the home team the lead once again. HUElavia once again responded in the 73rd minute, as a cross by Savedra went into the box, and Tiong Belleza chested the ball down and gave a blast to put it past Asahiko into the goal to make it 3-3. It all looked like the game would end in a draw when Iezusu put a cross in and a misclearance by C. Almeida allowed Gordon to appear and blast it past Baptista into the goal to make it 4-3. HUElavia tried to get another goal but it was too little, too late as the team lost once again, the 4th time in 5 matches.

With 5 matches gone, HUElavia have an insanely complicated situation, sitting in 8th place with 3 Points and a record of 1-0-4, the worst start in over 40 years. Coach Illaramendi is obligated to get results in the coming matches in order to ensure his safety with the job. The next two matches will be at Rwekazaland and vs Pays den haut at Nouveau Stade de Lourdes in Lourdes. These are the two teams worse than HUElavia up to now, and HUElavia is obligated to get a victory in these matches. A mix of the C-Team and D-Team will play against both teams, with Marin in goal for the first game, and Vannier in goal for the second game. If there is a time for the team to start earning points, it is now. The election also was played out, and President Adriano Coimbra narrowly missed out, so the run off is against Green Party's Pomawari Sihui Michi, where she could be the first Native HUElavian (Hueti) President, and Libertarian Party's Juan Carlos Torrente. The runoff election will be in 2 months time. With the election chaos and the qualification chaos, it looks more and more that HUElavia has a Long Shot to recover and be strong as before, in both the government and the football world. The players continue to train and the fans pray for a comeback miracle for the team and country.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Trolleborg** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:48 am

Greetings, compatriots!
It’s TTV with the latest newsreel about our national football team, and we are glad to present you highlights of the great victory our lads bring home.

HOLY EMPIRE – TROLLEBORG 1:3

The visit to Holy Empire is perhaps the most memorable event of all the WCQ schedule for this season for our team, in every respect. Starting on the way back and forth, through a portal built by mysterious monks. Continuing, with the - let's use this term, - originality of the very place of Holy Empire, where the games were held, and the stadium itself, the grandiose and majestic beauty of which we cannot convey, the buildings of indescribable antiquity and where, probably, every famous multiverse player would dream of playing. And ending with the fact that the team put on the field by the home team consisted of one and only player, Juan Tzimisces, just from different timelines and historical moments. As Finn Finnsnes explained on behalf of all the players, “It was difficult to figure out who was who of the opponents, and with the orientation on the field, whom to mark, whom to follow. We have the data of the scouts and the instructions of the coaches, but it took time to adapt to such a situation. Then we nevertheless learned to distinguish which of the Tzimiscises is who, not only by numbers, but by facial features, manner of play and behavior on the field. They differ from each other, some are older, others are younger, one athletic and slow, the other fast-moving and agile, and so on. And it turned out funny with the exchange of T-shirts, no one have reason to complatin, since all our players got the same ones".

And the plurality of Tzimisces, it seems, make effect in the very first minutes - the hosts moved in a large group to the goal of our lads, and the one Juan Tzimisces who played on the left flank of the attack took advantage of some confusion of the defenders, who played with looseness unusual for them and did not clearly understand who cover whom and not insuring each other. Coming closer to the goal, the hosts' midfielder struck a powerful blow. By the way, this is a real masterpiece of individual skill – as our technique showed, the ball went exactly to the far corner, and the AI estimated the probability that our goalkeeper would be able to cope with it at 45-50%. The ball flew this way, but did not reach the intended spot – as a result of a ricochet from the defender, it changed direction and ended up in the net on the opposite side.

Many of us sighed in disappointment at that moment. Holy Empire was the grandeur of world football, and such a beginning foreshadowed complete disaster. But fortunately, our lads did not flinch, gradually moved the game closer to the center of the field and found in themselves something to oppose the skill and experience of numerous Juan Tzimisces.

Closer to the break, our lads organized a quick counterattack, as a result Troll found himself with the ball without a single Tzimisces nearby and make a strong and accurate shot.

Perhaps it is good that the score was not equalized earlier, since Juans Tzimiscies staged a real assault, and although the defenders and the goalkeeper coped with all the proposed puzzles, the hosts would certainly have succeeded if they continue with that more time. It would hardly have been possible to defend at such a pace against such combinations for a long time, sooner or later someone would have made a mistake. But there were only a few minutes left before the break and our guys held out.

Although everyone in the stands expected that after the break onslaught will continue, the second half began quite calmly, and, probably, this calmness let the hosts down. After a not particularly successful attempt of Levenkrands to go down the flank, the ball flew over the goal line, our lads took a corner and then Gulbranden scored a beautiful goal with a header.

The enthusiasm of the fans was somewhat aggravated by the prospect that now our lads would again be subjected to such an assault as before the break, but this time Juans Tzimiscies did not succeed in organizing it. It seems that they were unsettled by this turn of events, and standing breathless. Teams played as equals, but from the second half of the half, the home team began to press, but Juans Tzimiscies were clearly nervous due to the unfavorable score, making minor mistakes in passes and slightly miscalculating the trajectory of passes and shots, which allowed our guys to compensate for the difference in class.

And at the end of the match, a quick counterattack ended with the third ball

Fans joy have no bounds when the final whistle sounded a few minutes later. Billions of people at Trolleborg took to the streets to celebrate the victory.

At the end of the game, our head coach gave one of the rare interviews right on the edge of the field:
“I'm proud of my team,” he said. “It is really meaning a lot for us to cope with such a serious rival on his field, not to succumb to the pressure of the great history of this place and this country. Today one of the most precious victories of our sport has been won. Undoubtedly, this day will be marked in the sporting history of Trolleborg "

Undoubtedly it will.

And we on TTV officially announce that Trolleborg FA has sent an official request to the appropriate authority in Holy Empire to hold an autograph session with Juan Tzimisces-coach and Di Bradini, and perhaps interviews for our viewers and organize a skill lesson before or after the return match at Trolleborg.

TROLLEBORG – YERAPIA 4:2

Yerapia started the tournament with three defeats in a row, then took points from Megistos, playing at home, and then came to Trolleborg. After the epic victory over Holy Empire, we all, of course, feared that the team would be let down by the understandable euphoria, especially since there is ridiculously little information about our opponent.

The score in the match was opened pretty quickly, during the classic quick attack of our lads the defenders of the guests did not fully comprehend the situation, Kolding distracted their attention and make a pass back to Finnsnes, who, choosing the moment, redirected the ball to the far post, where Skaloed decently settled everything

Our players continued to play as see fit, and the opponents did not look too good – it seemed that they could not cope with their nerves due to the understandable agitation and partly due to serious pressure that the boiling cauldron of the December 1 stadium puts on the guests of Trolleborg. In the middle of the first half, Levenkrands broke through at the flank and made a pass to the center of the penalty area, where Kerr managed to push the ball into the goal whilst fight against two defenders

However, the guests quickly scored a return goal. In one of their rare attacks, our defender played with his hand in the penalty area after a cross from the flank, and he himself could not then explain why he did it, the situation did not require such measures. But the penalty was awarded - and used properly

Nevertheless, this did not stop the lads, although they don’t succeed to score another goal before halftime, and it was clear when the first half ended that the team was uncomfortable with the fact that, with such an advantage, it went into the changing room with a minimal gap.

But shortly after the start of the second half, Troll again used his talent to deliver powerful shots from afar, catching the guests' goalkeeper by surprise

And then our players created several more goalscoring moments, in one of the episodes in they they twice hit the crossbar, and towards the end of the game Finnsnes managed to intercept the ball from one of the defenders, who had delayed deciding what to do next, and lost caution, and scored the fourth ball

The guests succeeded, however, to find the net once – Du Riis, trying to intercept the long pass into the penalty area, made a mistake (apparently, the sun blinded him), so he incorrectly calculated the trajectory of the ball and the guests' footballer standing behind him got the opportunity to shoot from several meters. And he took advantage of it.

There was too little time left and the guests had little strength to really try to make something, so our guys brought the match to victory, 4:2.

So far, we are all have a good reason to be pleased when look at the table, but we must not forget that world football is an insidious thing, at any moment you can slip and never get up. We hope that our coach will not allow troubles, which are in his power to prevent, and fate will not intervene against us.

by **Darmen** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:48 am

President Lee To Not Seek A Fourth Term

SCOTT CITY - Following the Department of Labor's announcement that the unemployment rate sits at 13.23% as Darmen enters the week of Christmas, President Tor Tong Lee has confirmed that he will not seek a fourth term as president but will step down as leader of the Republican Party. Lee's move honors his 2045 campaign promise to leave office if he failed to bring the unemployment rate below 12% by this time. At the time of Lee's campaign promise, the unemployment rate was 30.78%; Lee's administration has made significant progress in finding jobs for large numbers of Darmenis, but not quite enough for Lee to have claimed success and seek a fourth term.

With Lee no longer a candidate for President in next year's election, his Republican Party will need to search for a new leader. Many party members are looking no further than Lee's vice president, Donald O'Donahaue, to serve as the party's candidate in April. Although the two men have not always seen eye to eye on various policies, O'Donahaue is a proven leader. However, O'Donahaue's history as leader of the Liverpool Free State prior to the reunification of Darmen may hinder his chances at election.

The presidential election in 2049 will be the first one conducted by popular vote, with the annexation of Esportivan Darmen causing the abandonment of the Electoral College system. A two-round system will be used; if no candidate wins a majority of votes in the first round, the top two candidates will face off head-to-head in the second round.

Whether in the first round or the second, whoever wins the presidential election will be the second President of the Republic, following in the footsteps of Tor Tong Lee. Lee's legacy is starting to be assessed, with many pundits and experts of various political persuasions arguing that he has earned the title "Father of the Nation", meaning the bar for the next president has been set high.

by **Banija** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:06 am

Squad Composition and Analysis, Part 2/2- Midfielders, Wingers, and Strikers

Banijan players at a training session during World Cup Qualifying

BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- More squad analysis! Back in Part I, we talked about the Goalkeepers and defenders. Now, we'll talk about the rest of the squad- the midfielders, the wingers, and the attackers. Without further ado!

Midfielders
Starter: Mzukisi Nzo(Crisisbless, Nephara), Cyper Corr(Northern Stallions, Brenecia)
Reserves: Immaculate Kaba(Kitara AA, Banija), Musa Gaye(Jinja City FC, Banija)
On the radar: Tamba Kama(Makosile United, Vilita), Ijeawele Halim(Istria City FC, Banija)

And now, for a look at the midfielders. We have one look- somebody who has been a lock starting in the central midfield for a number of cycles now, and that man is Mzukisi Nzo. He has spent a number of his formative years playing for Yaton FC in Taeshan, and he has really excelled and taken off in the country. Talking about him is interesting- he's one of those players who, when you talk about not being able to crack the Galacticos longlist, would be right up there. His star shone bright in Taeshan. Two-time all-star, and he was the league's Newcomer of the Year and Foreigner of the Year in seperate seasons. He's accomplished what he could in Taeshan, however, and now will be making the move to Nephara. He's young, energetic, and knows how to deal with pressure, being highly accomplished from a young age. He's one of the first names on the team sheet- like Kuma Bultum.

Aside from him, though? There is plenty of fierce competition for playing time. The player who was supposed to be beside Nzo was Idi Mboge. However, Idi Mboge, at DBC 47, dramatically changed his allegiance to Mriin, his country of birth, opening up competition for the other midfield slot. It really has never been settled. For the last few years, it has been going back and forth between two veteran midfielders, Ablie Kah and Amadi Uche. Uche, who had played his way out of the national team setup entirely, before playing himself back in. Kah, the Istria City maestro. Kah scored the game winner in the World Cup 86 Semifinal. But with both of them retiring from international duty after World Cup 86, and Kah retiring entirely, it's given way to new competition.

Cyper Corr, Immaculate Kaba, and Musa Gaye all played together at DBC 47. Corr, Gaye, and Nzo all played together at SWC 8. Those youth championships that have contributed so much to the current national team setup. Kaba and Gaye both started at DBC 47, while Corr came off the bench. And at SWC 8, a U18 World Cup, Nzo started beside the long forgotten Robert Kajuba, the only central midfielder from either of those championship teams to not have a senior national team cap somewhere. How did Corr work his way past Kaba and Gaye? Well, his move to the Northern Stallions has gotten high praise. Being able to navigate Brenecia is not easy for any player, but he has done it- and has done enough to impress Waters into giving him the first chance to start.

Gaye and Kaba, however, will get a chance. Eventually, Waters will settle for a midfield partner beside Nzo. Or maybe he won't. The constant competition for playing time in the second midfield spot may be by design, used to push everyone. Tamba Kama is an interesting character to keep an eye on as well. He just made the move to Makosile United in Vilita. How will he do there next season? And with Halim staying in Istria City, he is currently outshone by the Hapilopper international Murray Hunnisett- can he make enough progress to move up the national team pecking order next season?

Wingers
Starter: Madu Okparra(Raynor City United, Valanora), Babaja Mboob(Herzegovina City FC, Banija)
Reserves: Adama Coote(Busukuma AC, Banija), Anwar Dawit(René Skaé, Farfadillis)
On the radar: Theresa Lubalo(Ibini FC, Valanora), Sheriff Sene(Herzegovina Phoenix, Banija), Isa Faye(Jinja City FC, Banija)

As with the position group above, there is only one sure fire starter here- Madu Okparra, of Raynor City United. Ever since his move to Raynor City United, he has exploded onto the scene, beating out Nwabudike Ugonna for the starting winger spot on the right side of the field. He flies up and down the pitch for Banija, creating opportunities with brilliant crosses, and both his pace with and without the ball creating all sorts of problems for defenders. He plays with the attitude you'd expect for somebody who plays at arguably AO's biggest club- confidence and unwavering belief. HE's a deserved fixture in the starting XI.

And now, for everyone else. Babaja Mboob had a much better season than expected at Herzegovina City, even if Brian Emerson's side was hoping for a bit more success than they achieved. He has the first opportunity to try and replace Gitonga Kahara, the captain and World Cup Hall of Famer. It's going to be a tough battle to play on the left side, but Mboob has quality about him. Still, while right wing is a position of strength for the Kadongo Kamu,, the left wing spot can be considered a position of weakness. Adama Coote has his moments for Busukuma AC, but lacks consistency. Sheriff Sene plays for the Phoenix, who just got promoted from Banija's second tier.

On the right side, behind Okparra, there is some solid depth. Anwar Dawit was the captain of the DBC 47 team- and now is an important starter for René Skaé, who are a Champions League club in the S-FPL. Theresa Lubalo is playing in Valanora, a very important place for Banijan national team players. IF she produces at Ibini FC, there is a strong chance that she can break through as well. Either player, however, has a better chance of breaking into the starting XI if they can prove they can produce on the left wing, which is the natural position of neither player.

Attackers
Starter: Ilman Jawara(Soldarian FC, Valanora), Idai Uster(AFC Treason, Nephara), Momodou Sene(1912 Stelburg)
Reserves: Abigail Admassu(Energie Thorsborg, Savojarna), Enyinnaya Jideofor(Lhor, Chromatika), Cyper Baldeh(Busukuma AC, Banija)
On the radar: Kamara Touré(Mar Sara FC, Valanora), Kausu Dione(CdF Celtade, Audioslavia), Kiggwe Basamula(Busembe Timberwolves, Banija),
Nominal Starter: Namakula Kawesa(Sporting Iturributa, Astograth)

And last, but not least, up top. Right now, there are no questions about Marcus Waters preferred players at the top. He wants Namakula Kawesa, even at 34 years old, playing in the #10 role. And then he wants two strikers, Idai Uster and Ilman Jawara, playing in front of her. Of course, Namakula Kawesa is missing the entirety of World Cup Qualifying due to her pregnancy and eventual birth of her baby, although she is expected to be prepared to play in the World Cup Finals. This strike pair up top is one of the most dominant in the multiverse. You can't argue with Ilman Jawara's inclusion- he is a Galactico. Not a long-lister, not even a shortlister- he is the Galacticos XI. And Idai Uster when AFC Treason won the Nepharim Premiership? 24 league goals. A hat trick in the CdC Final. Three goals in World Cup 86, including the only goal in a 1-0 win over Ko-oren to open the tournament, and scoring in the World Cup Final. All off the bench. Essentially forcing Marcus Waters to go from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-1-2, so he could put her in the starting XI.

That's what Marcus Waters means by adapting- you've got to adapt a national team to get as much of your talent on the field at one time as you can. And with the depth the Banijans have both in the back and in the front, it makes sense. There is a massive, massive gap at the two striker spots from the starters to Cyper Baldeh. As long as Uster and Ilman Jawara can maintain their form, they are locks for as long as they want. Kind of disappointing for Kausu Dione. He was supposed to be everything that Idai Uster is. He was a starter on both Banija's U18 and U21 World Cup winning teams. And now, he's still seemingly as far away as ever as getting into the 23. He will be making the move to Audioslavia next season, and we'll see if he can have enough form there to break the bench for this national team.

And now, the attacking midfielder spot. Usually Namakula Kawesa's. But now? Anybody's. Plenty of competition. Look at Momodou Sene. A starter at 1912 Stelburg in Siovanija & Teusland. His play in the United Republics has earned him the first crack at this job. But he's not the only one. Jideofor, playing for Lhor, will get a look. The reason he didn't get a look first was largely due to Lhor's down year in Chromatika. And as for Abigail Admassu, she figures to get a shot as well at playing in the attacking midfielder role.

Plenty of good players in the setup. Some places with a lot of elite level talent and depth. ANd some places, with a lot of depth but not much elite level talent. And some positions- with elite talent, but not a lot of depth. Marcus Waters will try all sorts of combinations during Qualifying, to figure out what combinations of 11 and 23 will be the best ones to try and defend that world title at World Cup 87.

by **Mercedini** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:43 pm

87th World Cup Qualification
A Crumbling Empire?
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Mercedinains Lining Up @ The World Cup Watch-Along In Zoloroni Park

At the beginning of the World Cup Qualification schedule, it is very easy to be wrapped up in the magic of it all. Nations from up and down the world rankings, from the established to the upstarts are able to collide, face-off against each other to see who comes out on top in the end of it all. With the World Cup expanding to more horizons, qualification is seen as the ultimate gauntlet for many in the sporting world. For Mercedini, there seems to be a love-hate relationship with qualification, which has seen the nation's best and worst moments in international football. Now towards the peak of their apex as a side under Billic, it is hoped that they can put their previous disappointment aside and set the group alight, taking on all-comers.

Granted, Dini has never actually won a qualifying group en-route to the World Cup, meaning their only success comes when the group allows two teams through to the World Cup. Their Pot 2 status this time around is enough on paper to ward them at least a play-off place this time around, with only perennial qualifiers Turori between themselves and the top rank on paper. To get to that coveted Pot 1 title, Dini will likely have to have one good run at a World Cup, or qualify for a couple in quick succession. As we have already seen, A decent run at the Cup of Harmony can offer a minor but helpful boost, but many top teams would rather take the 'three-and-out' at the big time rather than the crown of 'best-of-the-rest'. Billic had yet to do that as a manager, so he more than anyone would be feeling the pressure to repeat what he did multiple times under Bjarnasson and Lyndainium as a player.

Mercedinian fans are widely known to be a fickle bunch, wanting eternal growth in their squad, providing them with better and better results on their journey up the table. The Mercedinian train should be rumbling across the tracks, and it should not stop to let anyone off. Sadly, this fantasy utopia is seldom achieved by the best of them, let alone some random side on the cusp of the top-32. Surprise results often come around,. both home and away, which means it is often the case that the Golden Eagles do not have a fortress at home, and they cannot regularly pick up away points often enough to make up for that. In this cycle already, the Sports City Stadium has been breeched by San Ortelio, the only unranked side in the group who ran out 2-1 winners in Mercedini against a less-than-full-strength Golden Eagles side.

That result was certainly not what the fans expected, but on the whole the rest of the result hasn't been too bad, comprehensive wins against Sannyamathland (0-3 Away) and Treekidistan (5-1 Home) has bolstered both the points column and the goals for tally, giving them at least some hope of picking up points in the return legs. Rounding out the opening five, draws against Freeport (1-1 Away), and Qasden (also 1-1 away) has given Dini a mixed start to proceedings, but it's a postition which they would not want to be in. Obviously, Dini are playing catch-up this earl on with Pot 1 side Turori leading the pack. The Cocabo's currently hold a three point margin over second place, and a five point margin over the Golden Eagles.

Group 6                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Turori                                 5    4   1   0     7    3   +4    13
 2 Gouvanarch                             5    3   1   1    13    9   +4    10
 3 San Ortelio                            5    3   1   1     6    3   +3    10
 4 Mercedini                              5    2   2   1    11    5   +6     8
 5 Qasden                                 5    2   2   1     4    2   +2     8
 6 Juvencus                               5    1   3   1     5    5    0     6
 7 Freeport                               5    1   1   3     6    5   +1     4
 8 Treekidistan                           5    0   3   2     4    9   −5     3
 9 Sannyamathland                         5    1   0   4     3   13  −10     3
10 Cosumar                                5    0   2   3     4    9   −5     2

The group outlook is an interesting one with two outsiders included in the Top 4, with Gouvanarch and the aforementioned San Ortelio going strong in their first five games, giving them with an outside chance of making it at least to the play-offs if they keep up their good run of form. For Mercedini, there is still time for them to catch up, and they can do that with their matchday-six fixture against Gouvanarch (a win there will been the Golden Eagles are guaranteed to jump into third). Their other match of the double header comes against Cosumar, who seem to be having a torrid time in their opening match. Propping up the table with only two points from their five games. Six points is highly probable over the next couple of days if the players and management staff can focus on their tactics and execute them correctly on the pitch. Billic would need to be wise to play as full of a strength side as he can, as any slip up now just means they would slip further behind their rivals.

All eyes will be on the results around the ground as well, with the group so tightly packed at this early stage, any win or draw needs to be of maximum effect. A win means barely anything if those around them also pick up three points, it just means both teams are in the same position, with one less match to play. We will begin to see the group pan out within the next couple of days, before we bid goodbye to those nations languishing at the bottom as matches and available points begins to tick down.

As always, we will give you all of the rundowns from each game as well as what that means for the group outlook and Mercedinian football going forward. The Cup of Harmony is the safety net as of right now, although it could be come a real possibility in the coming days. Remember, Mercedini has never missed a cycle of post-quals tournament football (be that the actual World Cup, or the Cup of Harmony), and the Cup of Harmony has always been a place of hope for Mercedinian teams past and present, it is just hoped that the team can step up and get back to their prime.

by **Busoga Islands** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:53 pm

The Busoga Chronicle
The Islands #1 News Source!

After three consecutive victories, the Busoga Islands takes a trip to the home of the two-time World Champions, Cassadaigua

Busogan fans during the Islanders home game against Central Shaneville

CONCORD HEIGHTS, CASSADAIGUA- The Busoga Islander national team, unlike the World Cup 86 Qualification campaign, has gotten off to a fly start during these World Cup Qualifiers. During the last ones, the team found disaster. Finishing 7th out of 10 when they were in Pot 3 was an abject disaster and failure, no matter what way you look at it. We finished with 5 total wins in World Cup Qualifying out of 18 games played- and this campaign, we've hit our fourth win in our first five games. Obviously, much better than World Cup 86. Of course, that's the bare minimum- not the goal. But it is confidence inspiring.

We've gotten close to the World Cup Finals on two occasions, and yet, although we had a chance to qualify on the Final day, we could not get the job done. World Cup 83 Qualifying. We made the playoffs. We entered the playoffs. We had gotten the help we needed- if we had dropped Chromatika in the final game of the playoff group stage, we would have qualified for the World Cup Finals. However, although we broke out to a 2-0 lead at halftime in that game, although we could not hold on. World Cup 85 Qualifying, we were in 2nd place with two games left, but we lost our final two qualifiers and missed out on the Finals.

World Cup 84 Qualifying was forgettable, and 86 was disastrous. What does that show you? Only the odd years matter, of course. And it's far too early to ask about where we are at in the table. But 12 points from 15th possible puts us in 2nd, although there is still plenty of time to ask about the table. Even Bethany Donnell, the manager, said that in her press conference after the Central Shaneville. "I don't' even look at the table in the first half of Qualifying." She told reporters. "It's all about establishing a rhythm, your form, and getting your points. Besides Cassadaigua, nobody has separated themselves yet."

But the form is there. They went away to a higher seed, TJUN-ia, on Matchday 1, and won by two goals in TJUN-ia City in a game that was tight, although the Busoga Islanders were deserving of all three points in the hostile environment. After dropping points away to Acronius on Matchday 2, they came back firing. The Hispinas win was fine. A 1-0 win at home against a team that was worse than them, although the performance wasn't all that against a team that's struggled so far. Still, three points are three points, and they'll take them in any way they can. Then, we had our matches against unranked teams. We've always struggled in the past against unranked sides, inexpicably dropping points to unranked sides in most of our Qualification campaigns. But we not only won our last two- were dominant. Beating unranked sides, of course, won't put you through. But losing to them will make the path that much harder. These were necessary points to earn, points that our competitors are likely to earn.

And now, we'll get ready to travel to the home of a Banijan multi-sporting rival, one that the Busoga Islands ourselves are not too familiar with- Cassadaigua. They are the two-time world champions. They are also the only nation to win the multi-sport "grand slam", which is winning the World Cup, IBCs, World Bowl, WCoH, and the WBCs at least once. In fact, they are just one IBC away from being double grand slam champions. Banija is chasing hard after them, trying to grand slam, as they are a World Bowl(unlucky to not have one yet with 5 total semifinal appearances) and a World Cup of Hockey(far less likely to ever win one considering they lack winter) away from doing that.

Those two nations have a lot of respect for each other. And, of course, Busoga is formerly a part of Banija. Our respect for Cassadaigua's accomplishments, both in this sport and in general, is immense. But this isn't about all that. This is a single World Cup Qualifier. And the question isn't about Cassadaigua's general prowress- it's about a simple question. Can the Busoga Islands travel to Concord Heights and earn a point on Sunday? That's the question of the day.

We talk about how we haven't faced each other before. And that is true. But a few Dagan players and a few Busogan players are familiar with each other, via the S-FPL. There are two Cassadagan national team players playing for Banijan teams in the S-FPL. Meghan Walcott is a Galactico longlister, and stars for Herzegovina City FC. Madison McClain plays for Jinja City FC, and with one year under her belt at Jinja City, is really projected to take off next season. We've got a number of Lakiska SC players who are very familiar with some of Cassadaigua's key attackers, as well as Cicek Aga.

Will that relative familiarity at the club level be helpful? Bethany Donnell says that it's possible, but it's not super likely to be. "Look- it is a good thing. It means that Busogan players are going against some of the multiverse's best players, week in and week out. It's good for our national team in general. But will it help us a bunch in this specific match? I'm not sure. They've scouted Walcott and McClain before. They are familiar with their movements. Can help us gain an advantage. But the national team game is something entirely different than the club game. Different gameplans, they're asked to do different things. It gives the match more intrigue, but I'm not sure that it changes a ton on the pitch."

While the attention is on the Cassadaigua match, there are actually two huge matches coming up for the Busoga Islands. The game after the Cassadaigua match, they've got to get right back at it. THey will play Flavovespia, who are the Pot 2 side in this group. The second favorites to qualify by default out of this group, that will be an important game for both sides. Points against Cassadaigua are unlikely, although our players are well rested. But points against Flavovespia are a requirement, and expect the Dukuma Oval to be filled to the brim for that match. As always, go Busoga!

by **Omerica** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:57 pm

United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA
Due to a boycott of the Independent Associations Championship in Havynwilde approved by the Omerican Professional Footballers Associations and supported by the Omerican Professional Soccer League, the United Republican Soccer Federation has been forced to send a non-professional selection to the tournament instead. As a consequence, the IAC Organising Committee has determined that the Federation has “br[ought] the Independent Associations Championship into disrepute” and disqualified Omerica from the tournament as a result.

The Federation regrets that these events have taken place and accepts the disqualification imposed by the Organising Committee. The Federation will co-operate with the Organising Committee in any disciplinary hearings regarding Omerica’s disqualification and will accept such sanctions as the Organising Committee sees fit to impose against the Federation.

On behalf of the United Republican Soccer Federation and the Incorrigibles Supporters’ Association, our deepest apologies go to the IAC Organising Committee and to the players, staff and supporters of Squidroidia, Murphtannia, a Flock of Seagulls and Vykta. Omerican clubs and players owe you a possibly unrepayable debt.

The Independent Associations Championship will survive this debacle, but the actions of our clubs and our players have brought Omerican football into potentially perpetual disrepute. We must now and will now dedicate ourselves to tackling the grievances that have led to this unfortunate moment and repairing the damage it has caused.

Signed,
Catriona Maura Immaculata
Executive Director, United Republican Soccer Federation

Frédéric Marie Bosquets
President, Incorrigibles Supporters’ Association

Conference room, House of Football, Port Alexandre
IAC 11 matchday 1 (actual timeline)

The Omerican press were waiting in great suspense. The fissures in Omerican football were becoming ever more clear to see and everyone from the blogdefootball to La Romainbourgeois, SFRD to The Northern Times and The National to National Radio-Television were waiting to see what the Federation’s top official had to say about the mess her organisation currently found itself in.

Photo cameras clicking away and video cameras rolling, Catriona stepped out on the stage and up to the podium, straightening her notes on the surface before setting them down.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” she began in Gallic. “Unfortunately, I am speaking to you today under less than ideal circumstances. For only the second time in the brief history of the tournament, a nation has been disqualified from the Independent Associations Championship. Sadly, that nation is the United Republics of Omerica.

“What has happened here as of late is a great shame to all of Omerican football,” Catriona continued, “but I must acknowledge the grievance that has ultimately led to this moment. We are a proud nation here in these United Republics, one which deeply cherishes our great cultural heritage, the most vocal part of which are our languages. Yet by virtue of the very tongues we speak, we are considered to be a second-class nation by one of the two bodies that purports to govern independent association football. I understand why that hurts and that Havynish officials have played no small part in this grave offence.

“I firmly believe that the greatest show of defiance would have been to go to Havynwilde and win the Championship. It would have been a show of unity and strength for one of the nations that the so-called ‘FFI’ considers to be second-class to be crowned winners for a second time, but what has just happened makes us look weak and divided. It undermines our point and only serves to reinforce the unjustifiable and offensive pandering that the organisation’s very name perpetuates. If there was a way to not make the argument, our clubs and our players found it.

“Further, we cannot ignore the fact that this is a direct attack on the governing authority of the United Republican Soccer Federation,” Catriona stated with a brief pause for effect, letting her seething rage become evident. “The League administers itself under the sanction of the Federation, not the other way around. If the League cannot understand that, then the League cannot continue to enjoy its present autonomy.”

She paused to take a small drink before calmly contuining.

“And our footballers share no small part of the blame for what has happened. Their failure to express their legitimate concerns for their safety sooner is what ultimately created this mess. Safety is the number one priority of the Federation, but we also cannot be kept waiting in suspense until kickoff as to whether or not players disagree with our security assessments and believe that they actually will not be safe. It thus with a heavy heart that I am issuing Omerican clubs and players a yellow card. The League and the national team as they currently stand are in danger in vanishing if they do not stand down and accept that the Federation is ultimately the governing authority of Omerican football.

“I can state that in spite of the attitude of Omerican clubs and Omerican players,” Catriona continued, switching into her native language, “the United Republican Soccer Federation holds its status as an independent association close to its heart. The Independent Associations Championship will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Omerican supporters, both as the competition in which the United Republics of Omerica reintegrated back into international football and the competition in which the national team won their first trophy. Our fellow independent associations will lose a major piece of their history and we a major piece of ours if the divorce our clubs want were to move forward, yet that is the trajectory on which we currently appear to be. We hope and pray that this will not occur.

“I hope that this unfortunate event will be remembered merely as an unfortunate footnote in history, rather than the beginning of an end. Which path we will take depends on the actions taken by all of us. God bless the United Republics of Omerica and God save the independent associations.

“Unfortunately, I cannot personally answer questions at this time. I will now hand over to a spokesperson to respond to any press inquiries. Thank you.”

Catriona waved to the crowd before handing the podium off to the spokesman and walking off the other side of the stage. Next on the agenda: meeting with the heads of the republican FAs to figure out what on Maggie’s green Earth to do next.

United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA
Beepee v Omerica
World Cup 87 qualification — Matchday Six
Pinewoods Stadium, Norfolk Pinewoods, Beepee
— and —
Omerica v Darkmania
World Cup 87 qualification — Matchday Seven
Stade International, Bayonnette, New Vaucluse
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Antoine Vicario; Darcy Francis, Anna Charles, Raphaël Martin, Lauren Kerry; Maxime Fournier, Paige Boyce, Nadiya al-Hashim (captain); Maïa Bustos, Jean-François Fernand, Wesley Sawyer
Substitutes: Alexandra McGuire, Annelise Betancourt; Frédérique Marquetti, Jacques Laurent, Noah Clement, Felix Zanetti; Alphonse Fontaine, Fearchar Mac Cléirich, Christian Marts; Malcolm Beauchesne, Jean-Lucas Babineaux, Adélaïde Argyris

by **Krytenia** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:24 pm

A Game Too Farf
By Rami Niblick in Ferdullaele, Farfadillis

SOMETIMES, the stars align and miracles happen. Sadly, this was not one of those times. Despite a valiant effort, the Dragons couldn't account for the gap in skills against a superior opponent and went down to the odd goal in five.

Despite being away to the top seeds in the group, Krytenia's early play showed they weren't about to be intimidated by their opposition. The Dragons found room out wide, pressurising the back line of the Vherderoja and pinning their opponents largely in their own half. The veteran Cormac O'Neill, meanwhile, worked as a link man between the wingers and the Krytenian front three. Krytenia could - and should - have gone in front in the opening ten minutes; Neil Smith, however, wasted a good chance, blasting the ball over with space and time to place his shot. Apollo Peters, selected to the side in place of Alex Parsons, also came close. Peters' aerial threat is part of the reason he was named in the team, and he leapt above Çìríkò Ûsêtêrnìx to connect with a Ben Foyle cross. Unfortunately, he couldn't get enough on it and could only find the open arms of Dieje Ibrelaná with the header.

Farfadillis, to their credit, absorbed the early pressure relatively well, despite the chances for Smith and Peters. As the first half progressed, the home side began to stamp their authority on the game, with Faragó rue Cazade bottling up the positive play of O'Neill in the middle of the park, and the rest of the Farves' midfield putting pressure on the Krytenians. Edmün Çídh must have thought himself unlucky not to put Farfadillis in front when his shot flew past Damien Carpenter only to crash off the crossbar; Rodolfo Marquez, meanwhile, executed an excellent goal-line clearance from a Sürgân t'Öéséné effort after Joey Sinton could only half-clear a corner. Surprisingly, that clearance led to the opener, as Marquez' thumping boot was chased down by Alun Belmwr ahead of the play, leaving the Mercia striker with only the keeper to beat. Ibrelaná rushed out to narrow the angle, but this left him vulnerable to a deft chip from Belmwr to make it one-nil to the visitors.

The goal shocked the home fans, but failed to faze their players. Farfadillis kept the pressure on as if nothing had happened, and it felt like only a matter of time before something cracked in the Krytenian rearguard. The Çídhs were giving Sinton and Ross Green all sorts of headaches in the rear of the park, whilst O'Neill was practically wearing Cazade as an electronic tag in the middle. The turning point, though, ended up being a save. Carpenter stretched to keep out a Tôsgo Alxíkí fizzer, but landed awkwardly. Serge Duprée replaced him, only to immediately blot his copybook from the resulting corner. Duprée flapped at, and missed, the cross, allowing Röémün Çídh an easy nod in to equalise. Parity caled down the game somewhat, though Smith did keep Ibrelaná on his toes in first half stoppage time with a shot the Farfadillis keeper plucked deftly out of the air.

As the second half progressed, both sides looked to find momentum as the game opened up. Edmün Çídh somehow ended up without a goal from a gilt-edged chance, mis-hitting the ball in open space and watching it go well wide of the Krytenian goal. Peters was more accurate at the other end, but it didn't help, as the excellent Ibrelaná pulled off another top-drawer safe to deny the Avidia United striker. In the end, though, it was the home side who took the lead. Emiliano Gallegas' cross was half-cleared by Green straight to the feet of Edmün Çídh, and though he hit his shot right at Duprée, the Bromham City keeper fumbled the ball into his own net.

If Duprée was at fault for the second, there was nothing he could do about the third. A fine passing move from the Vherderoja culminated in Gallegas cracking a twenty-yard thunderbolt into the top corner, turning the tide of the game in less than five minutes. To be fair to Krytenia, the heads didn't drop, and when Green atoned for his prior error from a Krytenian corner a couple of minutes from time, the stage was set for a tense finale. Sadly, though, there was to be no way through for the Dragons, and Farfadillis took home all three points.

Next up for Krytenia are Bongo Johnson, with a double-header against SWEN and Poafmersia on the horizon as well. Three games that are all definitely winnable; not a one of them looks easy, though. It's fair to say the Dragons will need to be on top of their game; it's probably also fair to say they need all nine points to have a realistic chance of qualification. Onward!

FARFADILLIS - 3
R. Çídh 37
Duprée (og) 66
Gallegas 70

KRYTENIA - 2
Belmwr 23
Green 89

by **Jeruselem** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:13 pm

Princess Katherine (naked) and Princess Bella at Dazza Dallas Stadium

Kate: Hello! I'm Princess Katherine for Naked News Jeruselem covering the World Cup 87 qualification stages. With me is the future Queen of Jeruselem, Princess Bella.
Bella: Hello subjects and visitors
Kate: Well, we're back here for match day 4 of qualification. And comparably ... compared to the last two cups, we've had a good start. Another home game.
Bella: It's great to have time off school to come here. It's kinda weird Mum and Dad played for the national team but not me.
Kate: You're a bit like me, not quite good enough.
Bella: And the issues with having the crown princess travelling around.

Kate:
Let's review the other games in Group 13.
Oberour Ar Moro hosted Vangaziland and both teams had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Banija hosted Saltstead and made it 4 games in row with another win, winning 2-0.
Thibaea emulated Banija, hosting Melbergia and winning 2-0 as well.
New Lusitania .. and the Algarves ... hosted Stevidia and won easily 4-1.
No real shocks there, all the BIG teams still winning.

Bella: I guess that's called pressure to keep our high standards up
Kate: For sure, the standard bearers have been standing up and leading the way. And it's not the top 2 seeds.
Bella: We sure can't afford to let the top 2 run away from now on
Kate: We never do things easily, always make it hard for ourselves.
Bella: True dat
Kate: So, the visitors The Belacian States weren't exactly the same caliber as say New Lusitania and the Algarves but they could field a team to beat anyone still, if the opponent was off their game. The opponent was us of course. Would we have a bad day?

Bella: Not today
Kate: Princesses recorded our best result for the cup, 5-1 home win. A much needed boost to our crappy goal difference.
Bella: I guess our opponent really didn't have any answers
Kate: I guess they were a bit of punching bag today.
Bella: From the looks of their past results, yeah they are the group punching bag.
Kate: Well, it means all the top teams in the group won and the top 4 didn't move anywhere.

Bella: I guess we'll find out how good the top 2 are when they meet the top seeds.
Kate: Yes, we'll need to win those games for sure to be in contention.
Bella: From current results, they sure have fantastic defensive structures.
Kate: We'll find out if they can maintain it soon
Bella: Hopefully we can start our ascendency

Kate: Yeah
The table looks ... much the same.
Banija and Thibaea leading on 12 points with New Lusitania and Jeruselem on 9 behind them. Saltstead hold 5th on 6 points.
Oberour Ar Moro and Vangaziland hold 6th and 7th on 4 points with Melbergia on 3 in 8th.
Stevidia and The Belacian States are still last with no points between them.

Bella: From the looks of it, I won't be in the team.
Kate: Tell me about that
Bella: But we have to leave the football to best qualified players, that's what we should be doing
Kate: I guess your priority is to become our next Queen
Bella: I'll leave that responsibility to Dad, whatever he actually does.
Kate: Which isn't a lot ...

Bella: Since grandma retired as Queen, she hasn't exactly retired either.
Kate: She's not the type to sit around doing nothing
Bella: She maybe old but she's not dumb for obvious reasons
Kate: We're a a family of strong women
Bella: For sure, even if we're a bit degenerate
Kate: Oh that, that's OK.

...

Akai Hanto in Melbergia ...

Hello! I'm Akai Hanto for Naked News Jeruselem covering the World Cup 87 qualification stages.
It's qualification match day 5 and we're back on the road after home win.
Thanks for all feedback!
Oh yes, for all those people ... I am not a qualified chef. I just have my own special away of cooking, although some disagree I actually do cooking.

Now to the games in Group 13.
Stevidia hosted Oberour Ar Moro only to lose again. Oberour Ar Moro won 3-1.
The Belacian States hosted our rivals New Lusitania and the Algarves, they still did lose but put up a bit more of a fight than against us. New Lusitania and the Algarves won but I would call it a lucky win against the bottom team.
Saltstead hosted the undefeated Thibaea. But this time Thibaea could not overcome the local team and Saltstead inflicted a 1-0 loss on them! Thibaea's winning streak was broken.
Vangaziland hosted the other undefeated team Banija but could not emulate Saltstead. Banija won 3-2.

That left Melbergia hosting ... us! With Banija still winning and Thibaea stumbling, and New Lusitania winning, it was no time to rest for Jeruselem.
The home team put up a lot of resistance holding us to 3-3 draw.
Probably not our best effort conceding 3 goals knowing we can do a lot better but it's early in qualification still.
We actually could have lost, but the locals failed to hold out and we secured 1 point.
I guess Kate-San would have been disappointed really.

It looks like we have defensive issues to work out as we've had a game where we've kept a clean sheet.
Banija and Thibaea in comparison are showing the way on how to concede as few goals as possible.
But defense has never been priority with the setups with the Jeruselem team as it sometimes comes at the expense of being able to score goals.

The table in Group 13, after 5 games is interesting.
Banija are undefeated on 15 points leading. Conceding only 3 goals in 5 games.
Thibaea despite their loss today hold spot on 12 points and conceded 4 goals which is pretty amazing.
New Lusitania and the Algarves hold 3rd spot also on 12 points.
Jeruselem still in 4th with 10 points with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.
Saltstead are still 5th on 9 points.
Oberour Ar Moro are on 7 points in 6th.
Melbergia and Vangaziland hold 7th and 8th on 4 points
Stevidia and The Belacian States are last, with no points between themselves.

I guess it's still early but the top 6 are clearly showing the way with Saltstead upsetting Thibaea today.
But today was a missed opportunity as a win would have put us on 12 points with two other teams.
Of course, I won't be doing any sort of game analysis because ... it's not really my job.
Kate-San will do that anyway.

OK that's all from me!
Be nice to everyone or FAQ you.

by **Tikariot** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:34 pm

Instead of the Tikariot Sports TV logo or the studios, the picture fades in to a completely different scenery. We see a valley, lush with trees and greenery, giving way to gently rolling hills losing themselves in the distance. A little waterfall cascades down one side of the rocky sides, its water joining a small river winding down towards the plains far beyond while the spray that is sent into the air from the rocky outcroppings creates a fine mist, reflecting the sunlight in a sparkle of colours. Down in the valley a myriad of birds is circling, small birds gathering up bugs, birds of prey waiting for the right time to either dive down to sink their talons into one of the smaller birds or keeping their eyes open lower to the ground for a rodent or other small mammal to turn into lunch or dinner.

As the camera slowly turns around, the edges of a robe can be seen fluttering in the strong updraft moving up the sides of the valley, quickly being revealed as the same mysterious, hooded figure that introduced himself as The Shadow the last time we saw them. Despite it being bright daylight, the features underneath the cowl remain shrouded in a murky darkness, aided by the sun being behind him, casting the shadows forwards. A few metres behind him at the edge of the cliff he is sitting on, stands a raven-haired woman, all dressed in black, looking out across the valley, her long hair blowing in the updraft, seemingly oblivious to the camera being there. He holds up a file folder.

The Shadow: Some deem the World Cup a matchup of the greatest minds sport has to offer with their brilliant tactics, outwitting their opponents, working deep into the nights poring over notes, statistics, tactics boards, watching and re-watching videos and clips, analyzing this and that. A science where numbers can tell you everything about the game, regardless of who is actually on the field.

He tosses the folder aside, then out of seemingly nowhere produces a player figurine, holding it up.

The Shadow: And then there are those that argue that it is all in the players, to hand over the responsibilities to them as they are the ones on the pitch, running, playing, tackling, passing, scoring and all. The true stars of the game. Hand over the reins to them and watch the magic unfold. Yes, the coaches are there, but they are just there to give a rough outline.

The player figurine goes the same way as the folder just before. With a sudden movement the woman in the background flings something towards The Shadow, which he snatches out of the air without looking. When he holds up his hand again, it is a deck of cards.

The Shadow: What if it is neither? What if it is all just a big gamble after all? The luck of the draw? The roll of the dice?

He opens the pack and holds it up.

The Shadow: Or as they like to say, it is all right there in the cards.

Now you may say that this is all just gibberish, splitting hairs that there might not even be. And no, I am not going to pull out the tarot cards to resort to cartomancy or any other fancy mancy. However if you really think about it, looking at these is far more apropos than one would think at first look.

He fans out the cards.

The Shadow: Each of these cards has a value, serves a purpose. Not much different than the players, is it? You can have an ace, a king, a jack, a nine etc. Some are worth more than the other, yet unless you know how to put them together, they are worthless.

He puts the cards back together and splits the deck in halves.

The Shadow: Now imagine that your roster is not even half of one of these. How many aces are you going to find in your part of the deck? Will you have any jokers? Sure, you will argue that it is the coach's responsibility to select the right cards, or players, to ensure to have as many aces as possible and while not wrong, who is to say that whoever he chooses will be able to actually live up to their perceived qualities? Is an ace truly an ace? Give it three kings around it and the kings will trump it, rendering the ace a mere surplus. No, my friend, it is not that simple.

He puts the cards back together, then suddenly tosses them down into the valley, where the updraft catches them and blows them back up towards him. With a lightning-quick and fluid motion of something silver the raven-haired woman lunges forward and when she retrieves her arm, two cards are stuck on the blade of a curved dagger, its blade beautifully engraved. She casually tosses the dagger over towards The Shadow, who catches it with ease.

The Shadow: Now there is more in the cards, though, than just that.

He takes the first card off the dagger's tip. As he turns it around, it is the king of diamonds. The shriek of a bird of prey breaks the following silence, echoing off the walls of the valley, the camera following it using the winds to stand almost still in the air before it suddenly dives down in pursuit of its prey.

The Shadow: The king of the hill, Vilita. They are back with a vengeance, the heart burning with revenge over the lost opportunities of the first three match days. Intent to beyond a shadow of a doubt to reclaim their rightful place at the top, to prove to everybody out there that they still are the undisputed crown of the group, the cream of the crop that will inevitably rise to the top.

And so they did, beating Widaya and Khytonya. Looking at the deck, however, you trumped a 2 and a 7 as the king, so no matter what the rest of your hand looks like, everybody expected you to do so. So there is this slight little detail within all of this, which just cannot be overlooked. You already dropped the points before, and not just to Tequilo and Newmanistan, no, also to Hebitaka. You already, or still, are bleeding from the leng tch-e. Will the wounds close? Yes, they will, but they will take time. And that's just the thing, if you look at this group, literally every point counts, but even more so against your direct competitors.

He flips the card into the air, where the wind current immediately snatches it away. Then he picks the second card off the dagger. Turning it around it is a joker.

The Shadow: Ah yes, Newmanistan. Are they the infamous joker in the deck? The one that flies under the radar yet has the power to trump everybody after all? Well, the rocketmen are not really flying that much under the radar, are they? So far only dropped two points and those were against Vilita. But there is a caveat, too. Before the Snowy Owls come gliding in silently you have to face Tequilo and they will be unhappy. Just like Vilita going into the last two matches, they are out for blood and you just happen to be the first to get into their way.

And you know what can happen to a joker, right? He can become the jester in a heartbeat and is only one step removed from becoming the fool...

He flicks the card into the updraft, where it is carried away.

The Shadow: Now with king of the hill you are the target, not only by one competitor here, but nine and in this case four that have an actual realistic shot. So looking at Tikariot you may say that now they are in that spot, being the target of them all. True enough, however there is a twist to this as well. If you are on top you defend, if you are trying to get to the top, you have to battle uphill. If you get pushed down, you will waste energy clawing your way back up.

He briefly rises as if getting up before he sits back down, lifting a finger.

The Shadow: Oh, you are wondering which card Tikariot is? My apologies, how inconsiderate. Well, let's see.

He raises his hands and after a quick movement of his hands holds another card up that he turns around slowly.

The Shadow: The Ace of Spades. For those that know cards, the ace of spades has often been connected with ill-fortune and death and is the maybe most ominous card in any deck. So ladies and gentlemen, the cards have spoken and they foretell ill-fortune to beget you at your earliest inconvenience and to prepare for the end of your hopes…

After another quick hand movement the ace is gone and he gets up, holding out his hand towards his companion, who gracefully accepts it as the camera turns away to show the valley one last time.

by **Twicetagram and JYPe** » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:10 pm

Home >> International >> World Cup

BREAKING NEWS: Koulouris revealed to be pregnant with a child!

By Antoniv Vasiliev

Not long after disgraced defender Koulouris was suspended from the national team, it has been revealed that she is a month pregnant with a child! While Koulouris hasn’t confirmed this herself, many gossip sources in Twicetagria as well as Quebec have revealed that Koulouris is pregnant with Marco Hertel’s child. Marco Hertel, also an NT player for Quebec, has been suspended from his NT for a few matchdays.

When asked about the scandal, Ryoviste said that “he was very disappointed with [Koulouris] and that she didn’t deserve a national team spot for what she did.” Many national team players have also agreed with the statement.

Koulouris has turned to be a huge talking point for Twicetagrien folks, because the top 5 trending hashtags have all been related, directly or not, to her.

Many people who supported Koulouris when she was ousted from the national team have turned their backs from her.

“Getting pregnant during your NT spell LMAO, what a dick move” said Twitur user Bananes. Another user chimed in, saying that “pregnancy before marriage was only the actions of a barbarian”. While many have criticised her, there are some who defend her.

“Koulouris did NOTHING deserving the hate she’s been getting... Twicetagria is really a backwards nation” said user FeminineGirl.

Catch more sports news on our website, as well as our Twitur page at @VseVeshiOfficial.

Koulouris
I don’t really know what to say, except maybe “Oops”? I didn’t remember sharing my pregnancy with anyone at all. Whatever, I can’t say or do much anymore. Vse Veshi are truly one of the most trusted newspapers in Twicetagria, anything they say is pretty much Scripture by sports fans. Shame.

I’ve deactivated all my socials, because what else can I do? I’ve been reading about everything everyone’s saying about me. Well, people were right that I shouldn’t have done it during my NT spell, but it’s not like fornication is illegal here either. Sigh... Twicetagriens and their oblivion to basic rights.

I’m not even exaggerating. Twicist beliefs have always been insultingly stereotypical of women and couple that with our overly patriarchal society, no wonder a lot of Twicetagrien women are atheists.

Whatever. At this point I don’t really care about Marco, or about Twicetagria. I’ve already decided I’m going to immigrate to Quebec. I can’t even believe Twicetagriens would believe that they’re a frontrunner nation. Just look at the many other nations with better living standards and rights.

Obviously if I go out in broad daylight I’ll be stoned and ridiculed to death. I believe that there’s probably people like right outside my house, torturing my guards. Life’s like that, but this time I’m changing it.

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:13 am

Regional Qualifiers MD 4&5
MD4

AO Group 1
Ibixa 0–1 Freeport
Khytonya 0–1 Tioguldos
Farfadillis 1–0 Qasden
Turori 0–0 Krytenia

   AO Group 1                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Tioguldos                              4    4   0   0     6    1   +5    12
 2 Qasden                                 4    3   0   1    11    3   +8     9
 3 Farfadillis                            3    3   0   0     5    0   +5     9
 4 Krytenia                               4    2   1   1     3    1   +2     7
 5 Freeport                               3    2   0   1     6    5   +1     6
 6 Turori                                 3    1   1   1     3    3    0     4
 7 Legalese                               3    0   0   3     6   12   −6     0
 8 Khytonya                               4    0   0   4     1    8   −7     0
 9 Ibixa                                  4    0   0   4     0    8   −8     0

AO Group 2
Bonbohk u Piche 0–2 Gyatso-Kai
Pluvia and Saxean 0–2 Barunia
Valanora 1–0 Mavinet
Ko-oren 3–3 Siovanija and Teusland

   AO Group 2                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Barunia                                4    3   0   1    12    4   +8     9
 2 Mavinet                                4    3   0   1    10    3   +7     9
 3 Gyatso-Kai                             3    3   0   0     5    0   +5     9
 4 Valanora                               3    3   0   0     6    2   +4     9
 5 Siovanija and Teusland                 4    2   1   1    12    7   +5     7
 6 Ko-oren                                3    0   2   1     5    7   −2     2
 7 Pluvia and Saxean                      4    0   1   3     2    9   −7     1
 8 Netop                                  3    0   0   3     1    6   −5     0
 9 Bonbohk u Piche                        4    0   0   4     5   20  −15     0

AO Group 3
Sett Forest 0–5 Euran Oceania Territories
Fjorsz 0–1 Busoga Islands
Banija 3–0 Maccian
Audioslavia 3–0 Equestria

   AO Group 3                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Busoga Islands                         4    4   0   0     7    1   +6    12
 2 Maccian                                4    3   0   1    10    4   +6     9
 3 Banija                                 3    2   1   0     7    0   +7     7
 4 Equestria                              4    2   1   1     5    5    0     7
 5 Euran Oceania Territories              3    2   0   1     9    4   +5     6
 6 Audioslavia                            3    2   0   1     4    4    0     6
 7 Quakmybush                             3    0   0   3     1    7   −6     0
 8 Fjorsz                                 4    0   0   4     1    9   −8     0
 9 Sett Forest                            4    0   0   4     2   12  −10     0

AO Group 4
Wreckeria 0–1 Saltstead
Muralos 1–1 Twicetagria
Starblaydia 0–0 Northwest kalactin
Mriin 4–4 Flavovespia

   AO Group 4                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Twicetagria                            4    2   2   0     6    1   +5     8
 2 Northwest kalactin                     4    2   2   0     5    0   +5     8
 3 Flavovespia                            4    2   1   1    10    7   +3     7
 4 Mriin                                  3    2   1   0     8    5   +3     7
 5 Saltstead                              3    2   0   1     6    6    0     6
 6 Starblaydia                            3    1   1   1     3    3    0     4
 7 Savigliane                             3    0   2   1     3    5   −2     2
 8 Muralos                                4    0   1   3     2    7   −5     1
 9 Wreckeria                              4    0   0   4     0    9   −9     0

AO Group 5
Cosumar 0–3 Huayramarca
Jabal Ahkdar 0–0 Blouman Empire
Vilita 4–2 Independent Athletes from Quebec
Commonwealth of Baker Park 2–0 Chromatika

   AO Group 5                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Independent Athletes from Quebec       4    3   0   1    12    6   +6     9
 2 Commonwealth of Baker Park             3    3   0   0     4    0   +4     9
 3 Blouman Empire                         4    2   1   1     4    3   +1     7
 4 Chromatika                             4    2   0   2    11    6   +5     6
 5 Vilita                                 3    2   0   1     8    5   +3     6
 6 Hapilopper                             3    2   0   1     4    4    0     6
 7 Huayramarca                            3    1   0   2     5    4   +1     3
 8 Jabal Ahkdar                           4    0   1   3     1   10   −9     1
 9 Cosumar                                4    0   0   4     1   12  −11     0

Game of the Day: Commonwealth of Baker Park 2–0 Chromatika
In a game between 2 teams that have reached the World Top 10 in the last 10 cycles, this week we saw a showdown of 2 teams that are getting stronger and building themselves into world powers as of late. This game puts Baker Park at an undefeated record so far, and they have the least goals against the entire tournament, with 0 so far.

Surprise Frontrunner: Twicetagria
In a group with Starblaydia, Flavovespia, Mriin and ourselves, Twicetagria is not a squad you expect to be leading the group. However, with a schedule that they have steamrolled so far, they get out to a 2-2-0 record, which puts them at the top of a relatively low performance group so far.

Biggest Disappointment: Cosumar
Even with their recent international hiatus, Cosumar is not a team you expect to perform poorly in international competition. Even though they have a had a rough schedule, and play in a tough group, an 0-0-4 start is nothing to be proud of for the Dragons.

Rushmore Group 1
Pasarga 1–0 Eastfield Lodge
Darmen 0–1 Electrum

   Rushmore Group 1                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Pasarga                                3    3   0   0     5    2   +3     9
 2 Electrum                               2    1   0   1     3    3    0     3
 3 Eastfield Lodge                        1    0   0   1     0    1   −1     0
 4 Darmen                                 2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0

Rushmore Group 2
Savojarna 4–1 Crystalline Caverns
Valladares 0–1 Yuezhou

   Rushmore Group 2                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Savojarna                              3    3   0   0     7    1   +6     9
 2 Yuezhou                                2    1   0   1     1    2   −1     3
 3 Valladares                             2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0
 4 Crystalline Caverns                    1    0   0   1     1    4   −3     0

Rushmore Group 3
Eura 3–0 Nagore
Sargossa 0–1 Oberour Ar Moro

   Rushmore Group 3                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Eura                                   3    3   0   0     7    1   +6     9
 2 Oberour Ar Moro                        2    1   0   1     2    3   −1     3
 3 Sargossa                               2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0
 4 Nagore                                 1    0   0   1     0    3   −3     0

Rushmore Group 4
Cassadaigua 4–1 Southwest Eastnorth
Astograth 0–0 Tikariot

   Rushmore Group 4                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cassadaigua                            3    2   1   0     7    2   +5     7
 2 Tikariot                               2    0   2   0     0    0    0     2
 3 Astograth                              2    0   1   1     1    3   −2     1
 4 Southwest Eastnorth                    1    0   0   1     1    4   −3     0

Rushmore Group 5
Nephara 2–0 Mytanija
Graintfjall 0–1 Plane of Possibility

   Rushmore Group 5                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Nephara                                3    3   0   0     7    0   +7     9
 2 Plane of Possibility                   2    1   0   1     1    3   −2     3
 3 Mytanija                               1    0   0   1     0    2   −2     0
 4 Graintfjall                            2    0   0   2     0    3   −3     0

Game of the Day: Nephara 2–0 Mytanija
Nephara continues their dominance of the Rushmori Regionals so far, as they cruise out to a 3-0-0 record with no goals against. Their victims today? Mytanija. Mytanija is a nation with a rich footballing history, although their lack of experience with a new squad proved costly today.

Surprise Frontrunner: Obuerour Ar Moro
It is hard to find a front runner in this small regional, although Oberour Ar Moro has proven to be just as good as anyone else so far. Their surprise win against Sargossa today definitely re-affirms this, and they could be looking at a surprise qualification if they manage some upsets.

Biggest Disappointment: Græntfjall
It seems that the BoF Champions are just unable to find a spark as of late. 2 straight losses to beatable teams are very much a rough experience to go through, but we think that they can regroup and get back on top, maybe even score a few upsets.

Indies Group 1
Caryton 0–1 T Republic
North Alazia 1–2 TBS
Melbergia 2–1 Icecliff
Terre Septentrionale 5–2 Emastalia
New Lusitania 1–0 Indusse

   Indies Group 1                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Terre Septentrionale                   4    3   0   1    13    7   +6     9
 2 New Lusitania                          4    3   0   1     8    4   +4     9
 3 Indusse                                4    2   0   2    10    8   +2     6
 4 Caryton                                4    2   0   2     5    5    0     6
 5 TBS                                    4    2   0   2     5    5    0     6
 6 Melbergia                              4    2   0   2     5    9   −4     6
 7 T Republic                             4    2   0   2     3    8   −5     6
 8 Emastalia                              4    1   1   2     8    7   +1     4
 9 North Alazia                           4    1   1   2     7   10   −3     4
10 Icecliff                               4    1   0   3     8    9   −1     3

Indies Group 2
Beepee 1–2 Cirrus Azale
U-koro 2–1 UAC
Widaya 0–1 Hebitaka
Drawkland 2–3 Murphtannia
Poafmersia 1–0 Juvencus

   Indies Group 2                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Murphtannia                            4    4   0   0    11    2   +9    12
 2 Drawkland                              4    3   0   1    12    7   +5     9
 3 Poafmersia                             4    3   0   1     7    4   +3     9
 4 Hebitaka                               4    2   2   0     6    3   +3     8
 5 UAC                                    4    1   1   2     5    5    0     4
 6 Juvencus                               4    1   1   2     5    6   −1     4
 7 U-koro                                 4    1   1   2     2    5   −3     4
 8 Beepee                                 4    1   0   3     5    9   −4     3
 9 Cirrus Azale                           4    1   0   3     5   12   −7     3
10 Widaya                                 4    0   1   3     2    7   −5     1

Waisnor 4–4 State of Trinity
Stevid 0–2 Squidroidia
Trolleborg 3–2 Garifunya
Abanhfleft 2–2 Freechi
Al-Qurija 2–5 Bluecliff

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Freechi                 4    3   1   0    13    3  +10    10
 2 Squidroidia             4    3   1   0     9    1   +8    10
 3 Abanhfleft              4    3   1   0     6    2   +4    10
 4 Trolleborg              4    3   0   1     9    7   +2     9
 5 Garifunya               4    2   1   1    10    6   +4     7
 6 Bluecliff               4    1   1   2     5    4   +1     4
 7 Al-Qurija               4    1   0   3     3   10   −7     3
 8 Waisnor                 4    0   1   3     4   10   −6     1
 9 Stevid                  4    0   1   3     0    7   −7     1
10 State of Trinity        4    0   1   3     6   15   −9     1

Indies Group 4
Trigel 1–2 Quemmor Isles
Cascadia 1–2 St. Domingues
Hafamarimet 1–1 PSTCT
Zwangzug 2–1 Megistos
Geektopia 3–0 Darkmania

   Indies Group 4                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zwangzug                               4    4   0   0    13    4   +9    12
 2 Megistos                               4    3   0   1    10    2   +8     9
 3 St. Domingues                          4    2   1   1     9    7   +2     7
 4 Geektopia                              4    2   0   2     7    7    0     6
 5 Quemmor Isles                          4    2   0   2     4    6   −2     6
 6 Darkmania                              4    2   0   2     3    5   −2     6
 7 PSTCT                                  4    1   2   1     5    5    0     5
 8 Hafamarimet                            4    1   1   2     2    9   −7     4
 9 Trigel                                 4    1   0   3     4    8   −4     3
10 Cascadia                               4    0   0   4     2    6   −4     0

Indies Group 5
Smosh Games 2–1 West Angola
Aepreleh 3–5 Mexi Catcha
Hindu RR 1–2 Ranoria
Kandorith 4–2 Sulsuland
Jeruselem 0–2 Kohnhead

   Indies Group 5                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kandorith                              4    3   1   0    11    4   +7    10
 2 Sulsuland                              4    3   0   1    12    4   +8     9
 3 Mexi Catcha                            4    2   2   0    10    7   +3     8
 4 Jeruselem                              4    2   1   1     8    2   +6     7
 5 Kohnhead                               4    2   1   1     7    8   −1     7
 6 Ranoria                                4    1   1   2     8   10   −2     4
 7 Smosh Games                            4    1   1   2     3    7   −4     4
 8 Aepreleh                               4    1   0   3     8   11   −3     3
 9 West Angola                            4    0   2   2     2    5   −3     2
10 Hindu RR                               4    0   1   3     2   13  −11     1

Indies Group 6
Gothina Isles 1–2 North Japan
Magnecia and Galmencia 1–2 Mand Blustopia
Tornado Queendom 0–0 Chartistan
Kelssek 1–0 Balqia
Squornshelous 2–4 Sharktail

   Indies Group 6                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kelssek                                4    4   0   0    10    1   +9    12
 2 North Japan                            4    3   1   0     7    2   +5    10
 3 Sharktail                              4    3   0   1     9    5   +4     9
 4 Mand Blustopia                         4    3   0   1     9    7   +2     9
 5 Squornshelous                          4    2   0   2     6    6    0     6
 6 Chartistan                             4    1   1   2     3    4   −1     4
 7 Balqia                                 4    0   3   1     4    5   −1     3
 8 Tornado Queendom                       4    0   2   2     3    5   −2     2
 9 Magnecia and Galmencia                 4    0   1   3     2    8   −6     1
10 Gothina Isles                          4    0   0   4     2   12  −10     0

Indies Group 7
Garbellia 1–0 Socialist New Britain
Regmotto 1–1 Sannyamathaland
Critical Operations 0–1 Fluvannia
Mercedini 3–3 Rangers FC
Port Ember 4–2 Squornshelan Remnant States

   Indies Group 7                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Port Ember                             4    3   1   0    11    5   +6    10
 2 Rangers FC                             4    2   2   0     8    3   +5     8
 3 Mercedini                              4    2   1   1     7    5   +2     7
 4 Squornshelan Remnant States            4    2   0   2     7    7    0     6
 5 Fluvannia                              4    2   0   2     3    3    0     6
 6 Garbellia                              4    1   2   1     3    3    0     5
 7 Socialist New Britain                  4    1   2   1     3    3    0     5
 8 Regmotto                               4    1   1   2     2    5   −3     4
 9 Sannyamathaland                        4    0   3   1     4    5   −1     3
10 Critical Operations                    4    0   0   4     3   12   −9     0

Indies Group 8
Pays Den Haut 1–1 Silvedana
Logano 0–1 Rwezakaland
Frezza 1–1 Transvolcanic
HUElavia 1–0 Baggieland
Omerica 0–1 Devonta

   Indies Group 8                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Transvolcanic                          4    3   1   0     7    2   +5    10
 2 Devonta                                4    3   1   0     8    4   +4    10
 3 Baggieland                             4    3   0   1     5    1   +4     9
 4 HUElavia                               4    2   1   1     7    5   +2     7
 5 Rwezakaland                            4    2   1   1     7    6   +1     7
 6 Pays Den Haut                          4    1   2   1     7    7    0     5
 7 Omerica                                4    1   0   3     6    9   −3     3
 8 Silvedana                              4    0   2   2     4    8   −4     2
 9 Frezza                                 4    0   1   3     3    7   −4     1
10 Logano                                 4    0   1   3     1    6   −5     1

Indies Group 9
Lorrana 3–2 Red Kelp
Norish Jeia Repa 1–1 Armed King
Pemecutan 1–0 Arklanda
The Holy Empire 4–2 Havynwilde
TJUN-ia 0–0 Acronius

   Indies Group 9                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 The Holy Empire                        4    4   0   0     9    3   +6    12
 2 Acronius                               4    2   1   1     3    1   +2     7
 3 Pemecutan                              4    2   1   1     3    3    0     7
 4 Red Kelp                               4    1   2   1     9    8   +1     5
 5 Havynwilde                             4    1   2   1     7    6   +1     5
 6 Arklanda                               4    1   2   1     5    5    0     5
 7 TJUN-ia                                4    1   1   2     5    4   +1     4
 8 Lorrana                                4    1   1   2     5    9   −4     4
 9 Armed King                             4    0   2   2     5    8   −3     2
10 Norish Jeia Repa                       4    0   2   2     4    8   −4     2

Indies Group 10
Thibaea 0–0 Central Shaneville
Yerapia 1–1 United Pink States
Acastanha 0–3 Treekidistan
The Sarian 1–1 ZSeparatists
Tequilo 1–0 Sajnur

   Indies Group 10                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Tequilo                                4    3   1   0     7    2   +5    10
 2 Treekidistan                           4    3   0   1    10    5   +5     9
 3 The Sarian                             4    2   2   0     5    3   +2     8
 4 United Pink States                     4    2   1   1     5    4   +1     7
 5 ZSeparatists                           4    1   3   0     6    4   +2     6
 6 Sajnur                                 4    2   0   2     6    6    0     6
 7 Central Shaneville                     4    1   2   1     1    1    0     5
 8 Yerapia                                4    0   2   2    10   13   −3     2
 9 Thibaea                                4    0   1   3     2    6   −4     1
10 Acastanha                              4    0   0   4     0    8   −8     0

Game of the Day: Drawkland 2–3 Murphtannia
Nobody expected it, but suddenly, this game became the most important game in deciding Group 2. Drawkland and Murphtannia faced off for control of the group, and Murphtannia was able to pull off one of the biggest upsets so far in the simulation.

Surprise Frontrunner: Transvolcanic
While Murphtannia could also be considered for the spot, there is no doubt that Transvolcanic has made a splash over the past few games, and extended their unbeaten streak today, against the unknown Frezza. This group includes HUElavia and Omerica, but neither of them have managed to take control of the group.

Biggest Disappointment: Omerica
Coming in as the #2 seed in the group, Omerica has been a very large disappointment lately. While we know they don’t have their best squad out right now, we expected them to do far better than they have been doing. Omerica is the lowest ranked 2 seed so far.

MD5

AO Group 1
Qasden 1–0 Turori
Tioguldos 1–3 Farfadillis
Freeport 0–0 Khytonya
Legalese 0–0 Ibixa

   AO Group 1                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Qasden                                 5    4   0   1    12    3   +9    12
 2 Farfadillis                            4    4   0   0     8    1   +7    12
 3 Tioguldos                              5    4   0   1     7    4   +3    12
 4 Krytenia                               4    2   1   1     3    1   +2     7
 5 Freeport                               4    2   1   1     6    5   +1     7
 6 Turori                                 4    1   1   2     3    4   −1     4
 7 Legalese                               4    0   1   3     6   12   −6     1
 8 Khytonya                               5    0   1   4     1    8   −7     1
 9 Ibixa                                  5    0   1   4     0    8   −8     1

AO Group 2
Mavinet 1–3 Ko-oren
Barunia 0–3 Valanora
Gyatso-Kai 3–2 Pluvia and Saxean
Netop 5–0 Bonbohk u Piche

   AO Group 2                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Valanora                               4    4   0   0     9    2   +7    12
 2 Gyatso-Kai                             4    4   0   0     8    2   +6    12
 3 Barunia                                5    3   0   2    12    7   +5     9
 4 Mavinet                                5    3   0   2    11    6   +5     9
 5 Siovanija and Teusland                 4    2   1   1    12    7   +5     7
 6 Ko-oren                                4    1   2   1     8    8    0     5
 7 Netop                                  4    1   0   3     6    6    0     3
 8 Pluvia and Saxean                      5    0   1   4     4   12   −8     1
 9 Bonbohk u Piche                        5    0   0   5     5   25  −20     0

AO Group 3
Maccian 2–4 Audioslavia
Busoga Islands 0–1 Banija
Euran Oceania Territories 1–0 Fjorsz
Quakmybush 1–0 Sett Forest

   AO Group 3                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Busoga Islands                         5    4   0   1     7    2   +5    12
 2 Banija                                 4    3   1   0     8    0   +8    10
 3 Euran Oceania Territories              4    3   0   1    10    4   +6     9
 4 Maccian                                5    3   0   2    12    8   +4     9
 5 Audioslavia                            4    3   0   1     8    6   +2     9
 6 Equestria                              4    2   1   1     5    5    0     7
 7 Quakmybush                             4    1   0   3     2    7   −5     3
 8 Fjorsz                                 5    0   0   5     1   10   −9     0
 9 Sett Forest                            5    0   0   5     2   13  −11     0

AO Group 4
Northwest kalactin 0–2 Mriin
Twicetagria 0–2 Starblaydia
Saltstead 2–0 Muralos
Savigliane 3–1 Wreckeria

   AO Group 4                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mriin                                  4    3   1   0    10    5   +5    10
 2 Saltstead                              4    3   0   1     8    6   +2     9
 3 Twicetagria                            5    2   2   1     6    3   +3     8
 4 Northwest kalactin                     5    2   2   1     5    2   +3     8
 5 Flavovespia                            4    2   1   1    10    7   +3     7
 6 Starblaydia                            4    2   1   1     5    3   +2     7
 7 Savigliane                             4    1   2   1     6    6    0     5
 8 Muralos                                5    0   1   4     2    9   −7     1
 9 Wreckeria                              5    0   0   5     1   12  −11     0

AO Group 5
Independent Athletes from Quebec 1–2 Commonwealth of Baker Park
Blouman Empire 0–0 Vilita
Huayramarca 3–0 Jabal Ahkdar
Hapilopper 2–0 Cosumar

   AO Group 5                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Commonwealth of Baker Park             4    4   0   0     6    1   +5    12
 2 Independent Athletes from Quebec       5    3   0   2    13    8   +5     9
 3 Hapilopper                             4    3   0   1     6    4   +2     9
 4 Blouman Empire                         5    2   2   1     4    3   +1     8
 5 Vilita                                 4    2   1   1     8    5   +3     7
 6 Chromatika                             4    2   0   2    11    6   +5     6
 7 Huayramarca                            4    2   0   2     8    4   +4     6
 8 Jabal Ahkdar                           5    0   1   4     1   13  −12     1
 9 Cosumar                                5    0   0   5     1   14  −13     0

Game of the Day: Qasden 1–0 Turori
In a rough and tumble game, the Cats of Qasden were able to pull off a very important victory over the Co-coabo of Turori. Turori was a clear favorite coming into the game, however the Qasdonian Defense held them to 0 goals, and won the game, which gives them control of the group.

Rivalry of the Day: Busoga Islands 0–1 Banija
Even without this game being played, this rivalry of Banija and Busoga has always been a heated one. The Busoga Isles, who broke away from Banija, were unable to win against their former masters, and Banija won the game with a decisive goal.

Upset of the Day: Legalese 0–0 Ibixa
Legalese, who is a very well known world power, was not able to play a good game against the mere Krytenian territories. A 0-0 draw showed the forces of these defenses, with not much offense to fight back. It’s like tying Krytenia. But 90 times worse.

Rushmore Group 1
Eastfield Lodge 3–5 Darmen
San Ortelio 0–4 Pasarga

   Rushmore Group 1                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Pasarga                                4    4   0   0     9    2   +7    12
 2 Darmen                                 3    1   0   2     5    5    0     3
 3 Electrum                               2    1   0   1     3    3    0     3
 4 Eastfield Lodge                        2    0   0   2     3    6   −3     0
 5 San Ortelio                            1    0   0   1     0    4   −4     0

Rushmore Group 2
Crystalline Caverns 3–2 Valladares
Govournauch 0–3 Savojarna

   Rushmore Group 2                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Savojarna                              4    4   0   0    10    1   +9    12
 2 Yuezhou                                2    1   0   1     1    2   −1     3
 3 Crystalline Caverns                    2    1   0   1     4    6   −2     3
 4 Valladares                             3    0   0   3     2    5   −3     0
 5 Govournauch                            1    0   0   1     0    3   −3     0

Rushmore Group 3
Nagore 2–1 Sargossa
Nacaltora 0–4 Eura

   Rushmore Group 3                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Eura                                   4    4   0   0    11    1  +10    12
 2 Oberour Ar Moro                        2    1   0   1     2    3   −1     3
 3 Nagore                                 2    1   0   1     2    4   −2     3
 4 Sargossa                               3    0   0   3     1    4   −3     0
 5 Nacaltora                              1    0   0   1     0    4   −4     0

Rushmore Group 4
Southwest Eastnorth 0–1 Astograth
Simulland 1–4 Cassadaigua

   Rushmore Group 4                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cassadaigua                            4    3   1   0    11    3   +8    10
 2 Astograth                              3    1   1   1     2    3   −1     4
 3 Tikariot                               2    0   2   0     0    0    0     2
 4 Simulland                              1    0   0   1     1    4   −3     0
 5 Southwest Eastnorth                    2    0   0   2     1    5   −4     0

Rushmore Group 5
Mytanija 1–4 Graintfjall
Hispinas 1–3 Nephara

   Rushmore Group 5                     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Nephara                                4    4   0   0    10    1   +9    12
 2 Graintfjall                            3    1   0   2     4    4    0     3
 3 Plane of Possibility                   2    1   0   1     1    3   −2     3
 4 Hispinas                               1    0   0   1     1    3   −2     0
 5 Mytanija                               2    0   0   2     1    6   −5     0

Game of the Day: Mytanija 1–4 Graintfjall
A game between these 2 up and coming teams would always prove to be a fun one, although Graintfjall just seemed to have complete control all game. Only allowing 1 Mytanija goal while netting 4 of their own, Graintfjall was clearly the better team today.

Upset of the Day: Crystalline Caverns 3–2 Valladares
Now, Valladares isn’t very highly ranked, I’ll give them that, although their game against the Caverns was one that they probably should’ve been able to win. Instead, Valladares takes a very tough loss that extends their 3 game losing streak for another match day.

Blowout of the Day: San Ortelio 0–4 Pasarga
This game is another one where Pasarga shows their full force in front of Rushmore. A 4-0 win puts them on top of the group for another day, which is a tough thing to do in this field. When we look at it, only Nephara may be able to beat this team.

Indies Group 1
Indusse 1–0 Caryton
Emastalia 2–3 New Lusitania
Icecliff 0–2 Terre Septentrionale
TBS 2–2 Melbergia
T Republic 1–0 North Alazia

   Indies Group 1                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Terre Septentrionale                   5    4   0   1    15    7   +8    12
 2 New Lusitania                          5    4   0   1    11    6   +5    12
 3 Indusse                                5    3   0   2    11    8   +3     9
 4 T Republic                             5    3   0   2     4    8   −4     9
 5 TBS                                    5    2   1   2     7    7    0     7
 6 Melbergia                              5    2   1   2     7   11   −4     7
 7 Caryton                                5    2   0   3     5    6   −1     6
 8 Emastalia                              5    1   1   3    10   10    0     4
 9 North Alazia                           5    1   1   3     7   11   −4     4
10 Icecliff                               5    1   0   4     8   11   −3     3

Indies Group 2
Juvencus 4–1 Beepee
Murphtannia 0–1 Poafmersia
Hebitaka 2–4 Drawkland
UAC 0–1 Widaya
Cirrus Azale 1–0 U-koro

   Indies Group 2                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Murphtannia                            5    4   0   1    11    3   +8    12
 2 Drawkland                              5    4   0   1    16    9   +7    12
 3 Poafmersia                             5    4   0   1     8    4   +4    12
 4 Hebitaka                               5    2   2   1     8    7   +1     8
 5 Juvencus                               5    2   1   2     9    7   +2     7
 6 Cirrus Azale                           5    2   0   3     6   12   −6     6
 7 UAC                                    5    1   1   3     5    6   −1     4
 8 Widaya                                 5    1   1   3     3    7   −4     4
 9 U-koro                                 5    1   1   3     2    6   −4     4
10 Beepee                                 5    1   0   4     6   13   −7     3

Bluecliff 5–2 Waisnor
Freechi 1–0 Al-Qurija
Garifunya 1–2 Abanhfleft
Squidroidia 3–3 Trolleborg
State of Trinity 1–1 Stevid

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Freechi                 5    4   1   0    14    3  +11    13
 2 Abanhfleft              5    4   1   0     8    3   +5    13
 3 Squidroidia             5    3   2   0    12    4   +8    11
 4 Trolleborg              5    3   1   1    12   10   +2    10
 5 Bluecliff               5    2   1   2    10    6   +4     7
 6 Garifunya               5    2   1   2    11    8   +3     7
 7 Al-Qurija               5    1   0   4     3   11   −8     3
 8 Stevid                  5    0   2   3     1    8   −7     2
 9 State of Trinity        5    0   2   3     7   16   −9     2
10 Waisnor                 5    0   1   4     6   15   −9     1

Indies Group 4
Darkmania 4–1 Trigel
Megistos 1–2 Geektopia
PSTCT 1–4 Zwangzug
St. Domingues 1–3 Hafamarimet
Quemmor Isles 2–1 Cascadia

   Indies Group 4                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zwangzug                               5    5   0   0    17    5  +12    15
 2 Megistos                               5    3   0   2    11    4   +7     9
 3 Geektopia                              5    3   0   2     9    8   +1     9
 4 Darkmania                              5    3   0   2     7    6   +1     9
 5 Quemmor Isles                          5    3   0   2     6    7   −1     9
 6 St. Domingues                          5    2   1   2    10   10    0     7
 7 Hafamarimet                            5    2   1   2     5   10   −5     7
 8 PSTCT                                  5    1   2   2     6    9   −3     5
 9 Trigel                                 5    1   0   4     5   12   −7     3
10 Cascadia                               5    0   0   5     3    8   −5     0

Indies Group 5
Kohnhead 4–2 Smosh Games
Sulsuland 0–3 Jeruselem
Ranoria 1–2 Kandorith
Mexi Catcha 2–0 Hindu RR
West Angola 1–2 Aepreleh

   Indies Group 5                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kandorith                              5    4   1   0    13    5   +8    13
 2 Mexi Catcha                            5    3   2   0    12    7   +5    11
 3 Jeruselem                              5    3   1   1    11    2   +9    10
 4 Kohnhead                               5    3   1   1    11   10   +1    10
 5 Sulsuland                              5    3   0   2    12    7   +5     9
 6 Aepreleh                               5    2   0   3    10   12   −2     6
 7 Ranoria                                5    1   1   3     9   12   −3     4
 8 Smosh Games                            5    1   1   3     5   11   −6     4
 9 West Angola                            5    0   2   3     3    7   −4     2
10 Hindu RR                               5    0   1   4     2   15  −13     1

Indies Group 6
Sharktail 4–0 Gothina Isles
Balqia 0–3 Squornshelous
Chartistan 2–4 Kelssek
Mand Blustopia 3–1 Tornado Queendom
North Japan 3–4 Magnecia and Galmencia

   Indies Group 6                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kelssek                                5    5   0   0    14    3  +11    15
 2 Sharktail                              5    4   0   1    13    5   +8    12
 3 Mand Blustopia                         5    4   0   1    12    8   +4    12
 4 North Japan                            5    3   1   1    10    6   +4    10
 5 Squornshelous                          5    3   0   2     9    6   +3     9
 6 Chartistan                             5    1   1   3     5    8   −3     4
 7 Magnecia and Galmencia                 5    1   1   3     6   11   −5     4
 8 Balqia                                 5    0   3   2     4    8   −4     3
 9 Tornado Queendom                       5    0   2   3     4    8   −4     2
10 Gothina Isles                          5    0   0   5     2   16  −14     0

Indies Group 7
Squornshelan Remnant States 0–0 Garbellia
Rangers FC 0–1 Port Ember
Fluvannia 0–3 Mercedini
Sannyamathaland 1–3 Critical Operations
Socialist New Britain 4–2 Regmotto

   Indies Group 7                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Port Ember                             5    4   1   0    12    5   +7    13
 2 Mercedini                              5    3   1   1    10    5   +5    10
 3 Rangers FC                             5    2   2   1     8    4   +4     8
 4 Socialist New Britain                  5    2   2   1     7    5   +2     8
 5 Squornshelan Remnant States            5    2   1   2     7    7    0     7
 6 Garbellia                              5    1   3   1     3    3    0     6
 7 Fluvannia                              5    2   0   3     3    6   −3     6
 8 Regmotto                               5    1   1   3     4    9   −5     4
 9 Sannyamathaland                        5    0   3   2     5    8   −3     3
10 Critical Operations                    5    1   0   4     6   13   −7     3

Indies Group 8
Devonta 1–0 Pays Den Haut
Baggieland 1–0 Omerica
Transvolcanic 2–3 HUElavia
Rwezakaland 2–3 Frezza
Silvedana 1–0 Logano

   Indies Group 8                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Devonta                                5    4   1   0     9    4   +5    13
 2 Baggieland                             5    4   0   1     6    1   +5    12
 3 Transvolcanic                          5    3   1   1     9    5   +4    10
 4 HUElavia                               5    3   1   1    10    7   +3    10
 5 Rwezakaland                            5    2   1   2     9    9    0     7
 6 Pays Den Haut                          5    1   2   2     7    8   −1     5
 7 Silvedana                              5    1   2   2     5    8   −3     5
 8 Frezza                                 5    1   1   3     6    9   −3     4
 9 Omerica                                5    1   0   4     6   10   −4     3
10 Logano                                 5    0   1   4     1    7   −6     1

Indies Group 9
Acronius 5–2 Lorrana
Havynwilde 0–0 TJUN-ia
Arklanda 1–1 The Holy Empire
Armed King 0–2 Pemecutan
Red Kelp 0–1 Norish Jeia Repa

   Indies Group 9                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 The Holy Empire                        5    4   1   0    10    4   +6    13
 2 Acronius                               5    3   1   1     8    3   +5    10
 3 Pemecutan                              5    3   1   1     5    3   +2    10
 4 Havynwilde                             5    1   3   1     7    6   +1     6
 5 Arklanda                               5    1   3   1     6    6    0     6
 6 TJUN-ia                                5    1   2   2     5    4   +1     5
 7 Red Kelp                               5    1   2   2     9    9    0     5
 8 Norish Jeia Repa                       5    1   2   2     5    8   −3     5
 9 Lorrana                                5    1   1   3     7   14   −7     4
10 Armed King                             5    0   2   3     5   10   −5     2

Indies Group 10
Sajnur 3–1 Thibaea
ZSeparatists 3–4 Tequilo
Treekidistan 0–2 The Sarian
United Pink States 1–0 Acastanha
Central Shaneville 0–0 Yerapia

   Indies Group 10                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Tequilo                                5    4   1   0    11    5   +6    13
 2 The Sarian                             5    3   2   0     7    3   +4    11
 3 United Pink States                     5    3   1   1     6    4   +2    10
 4 Treekidistan                           5    3   0   2    10    7   +3     9
 5 Sajnur                                 5    3   0   2     9    7   +2     9
 6 ZSeparatists                           5    1   3   1     9    8   +1     6
 7 Central Shaneville                     5    1   3   1     1    1    0     6
 8 Yerapia                                5    0   3   2    10   13   −3     3
 9 Thibaea                                5    0   1   4     3    9   −6     1
10 Acastanha                              5    0   0   5     0    9   −9     0

Game of the Day: Squidroidia 3–3 Trolleborg
Squidroidia and Trolleborg are 2 rising teams in the world picture that have legit shots at qualification this cycle, if they can grab a few upsets. Today however, nobody would come away with the big W needed, as they played out to a 3-3 draw.

Upset of the Day: Arklanda 1–1 The Holy Empire
Unknown Arklanda tying against The Holy Empire? That’s relatively unheard of, especially in a sim with not much randomness. With this very unfortunate tie for them, the Empire falls to a still strong 4-1-0 record, and they still do lead the group.

Rivalry of the Day: Sharktail 4–0 Gothina Isles
In another Melayu Archipelago showdown, these 2 squads were able to put on the full force of the Archipelago. Sharktail however, was taking no prisoners, as they were able to come off with the very strong victory in the end, and place themselves second in the group.

by **Sylestone** » Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:33 am

Matchday Four
SCHEMERDRECHT, Ko-oren - It might have been a 3-1 loss, but there were far more good things to take out of the game than bad things, especially considering that the result was against Ko-oren, ranked 14th in the multiverse and one of the best defensive-minded sides out there. It was a brilliant game of football, and the winner was the game itself.
Ko-oren kicked off and immediately began honing in on the goal. Vaugrenard had the ball, but the Ironing Board slide-tackled him, knocking the ball harmlessly out of play. The resulting throw-in fell straight to Harold Batchelor, who optimistically kicked the all at goal. It caught the Brick Wall by surprise, but he still managed to fend it to the Dishwasher, who began passing it around the field, not letting the Ko-orenites touch the ball.
Ko-oren had another chance at goal in the 13th minute, when Janoreirinthen dribbled the ball up the left-wing and crossed it into Vaugrenard. Desperate to stop the goal, the Toilet tripped up the forward in the box. The referee immediately called for a penalty, of which the fouled took. But the Brick Wall was too good for Vaugrenard, moving in the right direction and stopping the ball just before it went into the goal. But it fell to Erisia, who calmly slotted it in the other side of the goal. The Brick Wall looked as downcast as a Brick Wall could, but got back up again, knowing that the game was still there to be taken, with 76 minutes still to go.
Sylestone had the next opportunity, but the Stove made a big mess of it, shooting the ball to the right of the goal by five metres when he really should've scored. But things happen, and he made up for it 13 minutes later in the 34th minute when he dribbled around Batchelor, Aiamara and Pott before passing to the Tumble Dryer. Realising Gardan was on his tail, he passed it back to the Stove, who powerfully booted it past a diving Theshendan to score, equalising with the 14th ranked side after 35 minutes.
Nothing else really happened before half-time, save gun centre-back Norbert Pott being booked in the 42nd minute for fouling the Mixer just as something was seemingly looming for Sylestone. So the half-time score was 1-1 and the game was in the balance.
After half-time, Ko-oren came out with a significantly more aggressive mindset. They began pressing the Sentients' defence, but Sylestone hung on. But something was about to break, and something did. Finally, in the 69th minute, Erisia defeated the Sofa with some superb ball skills and passed it to Dennis Moore, who finished it off with a brilliant strike that skimmed past the Brick Wall and into the back of the net. The home crowd roared deafeningly as their side went up by one. 10 minutes later it was up by two when a dubious penalty call was cracked into the back of the net, putting Ko-oren up 3-1 and eliminating Sylestone's hopes. The better side had come out on top, and rightly so. The Sentients just couldn't hold on to the draw as they recorded their first loss of World Cup Qualifiers. But they were flying home once again, to play the Independent Athletes from Quebec in Kirkham. It's another hard task, but not behind the resilient sentient Sylestone side. Can they do it?

KO-OREN - 3
Erisia 14'
Moore 69'
Vaugrenard 79' (p)

SYLESTONE - 1
Stove 35'

Matchday Five
KIRKHAM, Sylestone - Not quite. So close, yet so far. What a game of football. Both sides played extremely well, but it was down to a singular moment where tensions boiled over that won and lost the game. The result puts Sylestone sixth on the Group 6 table, but with two of the three hardest games gone. Two games that they only just lost. But can they come back from it and keep their form up?
It was a dull start to the game, but in the sixth minute, Quebec was given a corner after the Dishwasher deflected a shot at goal from the boot of Pablo Mancosu out of play. Seung-Yoon took it and curved it beautifully towards the goal. However, the Brick Wall deflected it away as the offensive play by Quebec was stopped.
Quebec had another chance in the 27th minute, but a great save by the Brick Wall just stopped the Quebecois going 1-0 up by flicking the ball out of the top right-hand corner. It was possibly one of the greatest saves of the qualifiers to this day, perhaps even the best one the Brick Wall has ever done. Superb stuff.
But the game was getting tense. It was only the first half, but both sides what had happened the last time they met each other. A result out of nowhere - a 4-3 victory for Sylestone that was decided late into injury time. Whether something similar would happen again, no one would know. The Dishwasher and the Bar Stool had already been yellow-carded at the half-time mark, but the score was still 0-0 and that was what really mattered.
Quebec had a flurry of chances in the first twenty minutes of play after half-time, but the Sylestonean defence held strong without really showing any confidence in their ability to hold off the Quebecois forwards and midfielders. All clearances fell straight to a Quebecois and the ball went out of play more and more. But they held on, if only by the skin of their teeth. Finally, a spectacular clearance by the Toilet fell straight to the Mixer who was almost unguarded. He ran up the field with the ball, weaving in and out of defenders, before looking up and seeing only the goalkeeper in his path. Excited, he shot the ball... straight into Okello's arms. The Mixer kicked at the turf with his blades, cutting up the grass. He had missed a prime opportunity to put his nation 1-0 up in the 73rd minute.
As the timer ran down, the game got more and more intense. Something was going to break. It had to. And it did. Two minutes into injury time, Marco Hertel was charging towards goal when the Toilet, desperate to stop him, sprayed toilet water in his face, blinding him momentarily. The referee immediately pointed towards the penalty spot as the Toilet hurled abuse at no one in particular, shocking the children and parents in the crowd. He was later fined by the police removing all of his Toilet water for two days. Mancosu took the penalty and, naturally, shot it in. The crowd groaned as the Quebecois celebrated like they'd never celebrate before. Two minutes later, the referee blew the whistle three times o signify full-time as Sylestone officially dropped to sixth in the ladder.
Next, Sylestone travels to the Blouman Empire in what is shaping up to be a thriller of a game before coming back home to the capital city of Avondale to play some Twicetagrian Canterlot thingies. Should be good to watch.

SYLESTONE - 0

INDEPENDENT ATHLETES FROM QUEBEC - 1
Mancosu 90+2' (p)

World Cup 87 - RP Thread

Surprise Resignation

Boot It!: You Win Some, You Lose Some

WC-87q RP#4 MD6-7

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