Independent Associations Championship 12 [IC]

by **New Lusitania and the Algarves** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:01 pm

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana| EN
Sport | Football - Internationals
12th Independent Associations Championships

SILVEIRA’S STILL GOT IT
Oscioru 0-5 New Lusitania
Alfira International Stadium, Alfira/Elvira, Almuzahara (Att: 26 875)

First, an editorial note: Due to the timezone gap between the nations, the information regarding New Lusitania vs Fujai shall be included in the next bulletin

After what had been an extremely positive showing in the first matchday, New Lusitania moved on to game two against Oscioru at the International Stadium in Alfira, the host city of Group C. Rui Patríce would play this one instead of António Lopes as part of the keeper rotation system currently in place due to the transition. Ferradura and Pedralva made their debuts in defence as the midfield line-up stayed the same after a very positive outing the previous time with Jota getting in the attacking action this time around.
A warm breeze would set up this evening of IAC football just fine as the referee blew for kick-off once all the formalities were over. Like the previous game, New Lusitania completely dominated the match once more and within one quarter of an hour the first goal was in the bag. A swift shot from Gama coming into the box from the right flank was the catalyst for what was to come. The day would be Silveira’s mostly once again as he’d put three for a great hat-trick over the course of the match. The first one within range of halftime with a play that had started with a goal kick by Patríce, onto Ferradura who attempted to move the ball. Fernando and Caldeirão made their best to spur it onto the attack and so the ball found itself well in enemy territory with Silveira who did not miss the chance. When the second half commenced the Sevilha forward had the other two goals lined up quickly, the second on fifty-two minutes of play and the third on sixty-one. The former was spurred from a great cross of the ball from Guerra, with a volley to back it up with the latter being a costly mistake from defence leaving Silveira to pick the ball off from the back four and carry it to the back of the net to make it 0-4. The final goal came from a goal incoming from outside the box by youngster Caldeirão. A nice shot that will definitely be in the mind of the youngster in the times to come as a defining moment of his on the international stage. Full time, 0-5 again and six points on the board. The Lusitanian train was chugging at high speed, much like Poafmersia’s but could they actually hold on to this level of form for much longer? Only time will tell.

by **Muralos** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:06 pm

Cut-off for MD-4, Groups A-D! The knockout stages are coming closer. I am rooting for the teams that aren't doing so well. I know you have it in you to spring back, even if it's not in this IAC.

Host note: Just a reminder that as specified in our host bid, when the IAC ends, there will be an exhibition match between two teams composed of players from participating nations. One team will represent players from Muralos’ side of the bracket, while the other team will represent players from Almuzahara’s side of the bracket. If you would like specific players to be represented (or not represented!), leave an OOC note in your RP to submit them for our consideration; however, we will be considering all players in the tournament by default.

Group A:
Reçueçn 3-0 Britonisea
Almuzahara 4-1 Bunkaiia
Silver Beach 2-0 Murphtannia

.                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Silver Beach            4    3   0   1     5    2   +3     9
2 Reçueçn                 4    1   3   0     4    1   +3     6
3 Almuzahara              4    1   2   1     6    4   +2     5
4 Murphtannia             4    1   2   1     5    4   +1     5
5 Bunkaiia                4    1   1   2     4    6   −2     4
6 Britonisea              4    1   0   3     2    9   −7     3*

Group B:
Squornshelan Remnant States 3-1 Poafmersia
Britland Isles 1-1 Treekidistan
North Alezia 2-1 Quintessence of Dust

.                              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Squornshelan Remnant States    4    3   1   0     9    4   +5    10
2 Poafmersia                     4    3   0   1    18    4  +14     9
3 North Alezia                   4    3   0   1     5    9   −4     9
4 Britland Isles                 4    0   3   1     3    5   −2     3
5 Treekidistan                   4    0   1   3     3    8   −5     1
6 Quintessence of Dust           4    0   1   3     3   11   −8     1

Group C:
Space 2-2 Hebitaka
Fujai 1-1 Oscioru
New Lusitania and the Algarves 3-0 Gadhavi

.                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 New Lusitania and the Algarves    4    4   0   0    19    0  +19    12
2 Space                             4    3   1   0     9    2   +7    10
3 Hebitaka                          4    2   1   1     7    8   −1     7
4 Fujai                             4    1   1   2     3    8   −5     4
5 Oscioru                           4    0   1   3     1   12  −11     1
6 Gadhavi                           4    0   0   4     1   10   −9     0

Group D:
Srednjaci 1-4 TJUN-ia
Kriegiersien 1-1 Sajnur
Montaña Verde 1-1 Squidroidia

.                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 TJUN-ia                 4    3   1   0    13    3  +10    10
2 Squidroidia             4    2   2   0    10    3   +7     8
3 Kriegiersien            4    1   2   1     5    4   +1     5**
4 Sajnur                  4    1   2   1     4    7   −3     5
5 Montaña Verde           4    0   2   2     2    6   −4     2
6 Srednjaci               4    0   1   3     3   14  −11     1

Green denotes advancing to the Round of 16.
Red denotes elimination from the tournament.

*Britonisea is eliminated on H2H results. While they can win 3 points on MD-5 and tie with Reçueçn on points (if Reçueçn win no points), they would lose the head-to-head results tiebreaker against Reçueçn.
**Kriegiersien is eliminated on H2H results. While they can still tie with Squidroidia on points (if Squidroidia win no points), they would lose the head-to-head results tiebreaker against Squidroidia. On the other hand, Sajnur is not eliminated, as they can still win the same tiebreaker against Squidroidia.

by **Omerica** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:06 pm

IAC 12 group stage: Incorrigibles supporters complain about a lack of tickets to HSOWA v Omerica
Huelavia supporters are reportedly buying up all the tickets under the mistaken belief that they are playing Devonta in Saĥalena-Urbeto

Saĥalena-Urbeto — Huelavia may have dealt Omerica their first proper loss at the Independent Associations Championship since the TJUN-ia game at IAC X, but their section of the Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena featured an uncharacteristically high number of empty seats. As it turns out, their supporters were in Okcidenta-Havenurbo snapping up tickets for the Central Shaneville v Devonta game under the false belief that their team were playing there.

Matches in Saĥalena-Urbeto
MD1: Omerica 8–0 Central Shaneville
MD2: Al Wadiya 0–1 Omerica
MD3: Omerica 0–1 Huelavia
MD4: HSOWA v Omerica
MD5: Omerica v Devonta
Matches in Tomari
MD1: Devonta 2–0 Al Wadiya
MD2: Huelavia 1–1 Central Shaneville
MD3: Al Wadiya 2–0 HSOWA
MD4: Devonta v Huelavia
MD5: HSOWA v Central Shaneville
Matches in Okcidenta-Havenurbo
MD1: HSOWA 0–2 Huelavia
MD2: HSOWA 0–1 Devonta
MD3: Central Shaneville 4–1 Devonta
MD4: Central Shaneville v Al Wadiya
MD5: Huelavia v Al Wadiya

The dossier given by the Muralosian Soccer Association to participating associations states that “[t]he first listed stadium will host the first listed match of each [matchday], the second listed stadium will host the second listed match and the third stadium will host the third match.” When the groups were shuffled after the draw ceremony, Omerica wound up at the top of the list, ensuring that the Incorrigibles would play all five of their group games at the first of the three Group G venues: the Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena in Saĥalena-Urbeto. The other teams would then split their time not playing the Incorrigibles between the other two venues.

Unfortunately, Huelavia supporters have been in the wrong city for each of the team’s games and are depleting the supply of tickets for the Incorrigibles’ clash with Hot Skitty on Wailord Action in Saĥalena-Urbeto. As it turns out, the Huelavian Football Association have spreading false information about match venues and the nation’s media have been blindly following their lead. The Huelavia section of the Spartak Stadium Okcidenta-Havenurbo in Havenurbo was barren during their two-goal win over Hot Skitty on Wailord Action, with fans falsely believing they were supposed to be at the Tomari Stadium in Tomari, presaging what was to come.

The first sign of trouble for the United Republics came when confused supporters of Huelavia and Central Shaneville—media in the latter nation having copied the Huelavian misinformation—were far more prevalent than Omerica supporters at Omerica’s 1–0 victory over Al Wadiya. Omerica supporter groups—most notably the Incorrigibles Supporters’ Association and the Gryphon Army—were predictably incensed.

“We had a lot of confused Huelavia supporters at our Al Wadiya match,” assistant manager Christina Tedesco noted. “I remember someone coming up to me asking what was going on and I had to explain that Huelavia were actually playing in Tomari. It was a total shambles.”

“You never hear a weak L’Avonnaise when Omerica supporters are in the stadium,” Incorrigibles Supporters’ Association spokesperson Marceline Savatier told SFRD. “The instant the national anthem is played, we make a statement and we were not there to make it. All the tickets were gone by the time we could start buying them.”

For their part, the Huelavia team have been as much victims of their nation’s venue misinformation, with the team barely getting to Saĥalena-Urbeto in time to avoid forfeiting their critical clash against Omerica; both the Huelavia and Central Shaneville teams had to be redirected to Tomari, nearly delaying the match. And now neither Hot Skitty on Wailord Action nor Omerica supporters have been able to get tickets to their matchday four clash at the Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. Huelavians—due to play Devonta at the Tomari Stadium—have been given false information that their next match will be in Saĥalena-Urbeto.

Why is this happening?
In all likelihood, the false venue information being given out by the Huelavian FA and media is likely an honest mistake on the part of the Huelavians. Nevertheless, it is unclear how this farce has come to transpire, as the Huelavian FA and media were able to correctly identify the venues they were playing at during IAC X in Omerica, IAC 9 on home soil and IAC 8 in Reçueçn.

The last Championship used a model whereby participating associations selected the venues at which their matches would be played, which United Republican Soccer Federation Outreach Director Alexis Peña-Rosales believes may be part of the reason why the Huelavian FA has been giving out false information. The other issue, according to the director, is a failure in communication. “The host associations have both used the same method of allocating venues,” Peña-Rosales notes, “but I believe Almuzahara communicated that more clearly. I reckon the Huelavian FA thought these three venues were set aside for Group G matches and they could just pick where their games were being played, when that has very much not been the case.”

For her part, Peña-Rosales (and the rest of the URSF administration) believe that this ought to be a learning experience. “Clarity is everything,” she stated. “Wherever the next Championship is held, the hosts need to make clear where each team is playing their games at the outset lest we end up with this chaos again.”

Unfortunately, Omerica supporters have no clue where Huelavian media will allege the Huelavia–Al Wadiya clash on matchday five will take place, putting into jeopardy many supporters’ plans of seeing Omerica’s potentially crucial game against Devonta. “If our absence from the Devonta game gets between the Incorrigibles and the knockout stage,” an anonymous Omerica supporter says, “I have no doubt there will be trouble. It won’t be pretty.”

The Huelavian Football Association did not return SFRD’s request for comment.

The IAC group stage continues with Omerica taking on Hot Skitty on Wailord Action at the Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena in Saĥalena-Urbeto, Devonta facing Huelavia at the Tomari Stadium in Tomari and Central Shaneville playing Al Wadiya at the Spartak Stadium Okcidenta-Havenurbo in Havenurbo with live coverage available on SFRD Sport. ⚜️

For your reading pleasure
▶ The URSF condemns the disappearance of Squornshelan midfielder Tyra Volam in Muralos
▶ The URSF and OPSL agree to offer up the Arena la Rouge for the seventh Challengers Cup final
▶ IAC 12 group stage: Al Wadiya 2–0 Hot Skitty on Wailord Action — full match report
▶ OPINION: Birds are most certainly real and most certainly should not be footballers

United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA
Omerica 0–1 Huelavia
Independent Associations Championship 12 group stage — Matchday Three
Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena, Sahalena-Urbeto, Muralos
Omerica goalscorer(s): [none]
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Valentine Augustin (captain); Alphonse Notley, Anna Charles, Justin Thyme, Sacha Sepulveda; Maxime Fournier, Fearchar Mac Cléirich, Thom Magalhães; Jessie Beckett, Alexis Chrysanthos, Jamal Ahmad

Hot Skitty on Wailord Action v Omerica
Independent Associations Championship 12 group stage — Matchday Four
Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena, Sahalena-Urbeto, Muralos
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Antoine Vicario (captain); Frédérique Marquetti, Jacques Laurent, Raphaël Martin, Felix Zanetti; Alphonse Fontaine, Paige Boyce, Christian Marts; Jean-François Fernand, Malcolm Beauchesne, Adélaïde Argyris
Substitutes: Valentine Augustin, Alexandra McGuire; Alphonse Notley, Anna Charles, Justin Thyme, Sacha Sepulveda; Maxime Fournier, Fearchar Mac Cléirich, Thom Magalhães; Jessie Beckett, Alexis Chrysanthos, Jamal Ahmad

by **Squidroidia** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:34 pm

Almost There - Marrakaybu

It wasn't what manager Johnson wanted. It wasn't what the SFA and their member clubs wanted. But at least a draw with Montaña Verde, a draw the team had to struggle to get, means that, unless disaster happens against Sajnur and/or Kriegiersien whips past TJUN-ia, the Squidroidian national team were through to the knockout stages. The feeling of getting so close gave off a certain energy in the locker room down at the Stadium of the Woodlands. An energy that seemed to be one of determination. Unlike in Havynwilde, where the Squidroidians had to claw back from an embarrassing loss in the group stage to make it out, there was no loss dragging the team down and forcing them to find a way back. In the words of Ira Atling, one of the bench players in Johnson's Squidroidia setup, it was "Win and you're in, get prize money or you're calamari".

After a game that saw Squidroidia survive a scare with only bruises from a midgame strike by Osito with an off the bench strike by the young Inkling girl Henriette Brooks in the 63rd, the Squidroidian fans back home and the ones that traveled with their beloved Inklings to Almuzahara wondered what was going to happen next. Their final game was against Sajnur in the very city they played for the Montaña Verde game - Marrakaybu, the Woodlands as players from Squidroidia called it, due to the Stadium of the Woodlands that was being used for the IAC. There was going to be no travel like between the Srednjaci and Montaña Verde games. It was going to be like their first 3 games in Kurtitibah, stay in the hotel with no bus movements to worry about except for coming to the training pitches. No sitting in uncomfortable chairs for long periods of time, nothing.

But this game wasn't going to be one where Johnson would put out a weak C team with Akiyama in net and some random Squidroidian fan placed at right-back, no no no. Technically Squidroidia were on the verge of being eliminated from the IAC if they crash out hard enough - A 6 goal gap separated them and Kriegiersien, a 10 goal gap separated the Inklings and their opponents for this matchday. All that was needed to put the team out was a loss against Sajnur, regardless of scoreline. It was the equivalent of a playoff game, one that everybody throughout the IAC landscape was watching when the final fixtures were going to kick off. Win and you're in. Lose and you're going back to where you came from by four in the morning. But that wasn't the only fixture the fans were going to monitor...

SBN Football Insights - IAC 12 Almuzahara Groups

Writing for SBN Football Insights, this is Taniuchi Nichiren.

With the final day of the 12th Independent Associations Championship group stage upon us, many fans are wondering who's in, who's out, and who's fighting for survival in the lands of Almuzahara and Muralos. For the Almuzahara side, we already know what's in store for the final matchday. 10 sides are eliminated from competition heading into the final group games, with 3 nations clinching berths to the last 16 on Matchday 4 - Sonnel's best according to the 7 Nations Tournament Silver Beach, a stunning New Lusitania and the Algarves team that hasn't given up a goal yet, and the Jags of TJUN-ia, who drew with the Inklings earlier in the group stage. Everybody else is up in the air.

Group A is the tightest group heading into kick-off - Reçueçn, hosts Almuzahara, Murphtannia and Bunkaiia are all eligible to make the knockouts. Britonisea could have also been eligible if it wasn't for a 3-0 loss to Murphtannia earlier in the group stage. The highlight of the final slate from here is Reçueçn versus Silver Beach - If Reçueçn wins, they will finish top and Silver Beach will finish 2nd. If they draw, that leaves everything wide open, and if they lose and secure a shocking elimination, it will be even more so. Since Murphtannia has drawn with both Almuzahara and Reçueçn, all they need is a win against Bunkaiia to advance, and if Almuzahara wins against Britonisea as well, they have to outscore them by 2 goals to clinch a spot in the last 16. A draw would mean Bunkaiia have to beat Murphtannia by 6 goals and Almuzahara draws or loses to Britonisea, if the Silver Beach-Reçueçn ends up as a win for Silver Beach, they just have to do so much as win against Murphtannia by any amount and hope that Almuzahara does not beat Britonisea to go through.

In other words, if Almuzahara draws or loses to Britonisea if Reçueçn loses to Silver Beach, or if they don't win if it's a draw, the co-hosts are out.

In Group B, things are much simpler, but defending champions Poafmersia can be eliminated if they're not careful. If Poafmersia loses to the Britland Isles, all North Alezia has to do is to draw or beat the Squornshelan Remnant States to advance and secure an unthinkable elimination for the Red Panjias. If the Poaf-Britland game is a draw, North Alezia have to win against the Squornshelan Remnant States to advance. If Poafmersia wins, which is extremely likely at this point, North Alezia is eliminated.

In Group C, Space versus Hebitaka will decide who will advance to the last 16 along with New Lusitania and the Algarves. Whoever wins will book their place and send the other team packing. If it's a draw, the Space Team will blast off into the knockout stages, leaving Hebitaka stranded home.

Group D is roughly the same situation, but with the Inklings involved it's the one everybody in the nation will have their eyes at. A win or draw against Sajnur will see Squidroidia through to their third straight IAC knockout appearance - However, if they lose to the Jessica Siafik led outfit, they will be eliminated.

In other words, if Squidroidia wins, they're in.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:56 pm

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independents sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Football Fallacies
with The Man from Markovsky

REPLICATING SUCCESS IS GOING TO BE TOUGH

Hello and welcome to The Football Fallacies. Right, so this Independent Associations Championships hasn't unfolded the way I would have wanted it to go. Then again this is Abanhfleft we're talking about, so why the fuck am I even surprised we've had a shite start? First of all we got blasted 3-0 by Tequilo, and then we barely just scraped past the Picksall Islands thanks to a goal by a frustrated Elene Liner who has just had enough of all this shite and wanted to get that game over with.

Well, we finally got another three points against Garbelia. We did it, Abanhfleft! We've salvaged our Independents Cup campaign! Except not really. Remember, this is Abanhfleft we're talking about here. Just when you reckon that this bastard team has finally found a winning rhythm, just watch them lose either 5-4 or 6-0 to some bastard team that only appears in one tournament and then vanishes from the face of the multiverse immediately afterwards. But there's no danger of that particular scenario happening. Instead it's going to be losing 6-4 or 8-0 to either of Trolleborg or Sannyamathland, two nations that are fairly established in the sporting 'verse right now. There currently appears to be no threat to either nation of falling victim to a Catastrophic Termination Event, so if either of those teams beat us then that defeat's gonna get some time to sting and simmer.

What can I talk about this game then? Nothing much, really. Garbelia approached this game with a plan: stay strong and stay tough. Well, to be fair, the plan worked. For all of fifteen minutes. Then Trinnie Kleist and CeCe Segovia got to work smashing up some kneecaps and Garbelia was just carved open. First Woodward, then McGinnis, and then Rusev all found the back of the net within a fifteen-minute period that was all over before the 30th minute had even passed. I'll tell you one thing though, Ginny Katesmar seems to be finally learning about this pacing and conversation thing. She probably knows more than anybody that Fleftic fans just want to see goals, goals, and more goals, but she's also learned throughout her long time with the national team that searching for more goals is just gonna make us open to getting counterattacked, and that three-goal lead could evaporate in an instant. So she told the players to just calm down and keep Garbelia pinned to their half, at the very least. And wouldn't you know it, the bastard tactic actually worked! We also had our chances to increase the lead even further but Garbelia's out of favour goalkeeper seemed to be trying his best to get back into his manager's good graces. Personally, I think it's a bit of a wasted effort since he already conceded three goals before he decided to switch on god mode, but to each his own, I guess.

Speaking of goalkeepers, let's turn our attention to Miss Mihaela Hristova. After warming the bench in a handful of tournaments, including one Under-18 World Cup, Mihaela finally gets her first Abanhfleft cap. Seems like a tough ask, putting a literal first timer in between the sticks and hoping that she doesn't shit the bed bad enough to undo the good work her teammates in the outfield have done. Well, I'd say she's done a pretty good job! The defense shielded her pretty well, and on the rare occasions she had to make a save, which wasn't a lot, she performed admirably well. The only real issue I have with her is that she plays for... (vomits) Rosenpfelblatz City. Christ above, why does almost every good goalkeeper called up to the national team have to be a Rosenpfelblatz player? Is this some sort of salt miner joke that I'm to Markovskite to understand?

Anyway, that's all that there is from me. If you've got any comments of your own about the game against Garbelia or predictions against Trolleborg then feel free to leave them down below. Until then, I've been the Man from Markovsky, still disappointed in our country, because all the good goalkeepers always seem to come from Rosenpfelblatz!

    ABANHFLEFT 3 - 0 GARBELIA
WOODWARD (17')
McGINNIS (23')
   RUSEV (30')

by **Squornshelous** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:31 pm

Scions, Chapter 2
Chapter 1, Chapter 1.5

Not knowing was the worst part.

Not knowing whether her family was safe. Not knowing what they planned to do with her. Not even knowing whether the team was doing well.

After Tyra had been subbed off, just a minute into matchday one, Lagerkron had sent her to the locker room. She'd been ready for that. Expected it even. What she hadn't counted on was the two men in dark blue suits who abruptly entered. They hadn't bothered with introductions. Afterward, she wondered why she hadn't questioned them, hadn't tried to resist. But it had all just seemed so inevitable. One way or another, they were going to take her. She might as well just go. If she'd made a scene, maybe local authorities could have done something. Or maybe she'd only have gotten herself killed, or worse, someone else. She no longer had any illusions about what her government was capable of when it felt threatened. Whether it was that awareness or just shock, she'd gone with them, and now she was a prisoner.

It was a pleasant cell. She knew a lot of people were in a much worse state than being locked in a hotel room. It held a queen bed with white sheets, and a navy blue comforter she now had draped over her shoulders like a cape. The other furniture: two nightstands, a TV stand, dresser, desk, and chair were built of sleek, dark stained wood. She had examined them all closely on the first day, gripped by a frantic hope that there had to be something. Something somewhere in this room would lead to her escape, if only she looked hard enough. She recognized that thought for what it was now. Denial. She hadn't touched the dresser or desk since. She'd sat in the chair, but only as a change of pace from the bed. As for the TV stand, the TV didn't even work. Her captors had been careful to sever every link with the outside, cutting cords on the TV and phone. One or the other of the men who'd taken her from the stadium brought her meals. The hotel staff must have also been told to leave the room alone. She heard movement in the halls each day as the housekeeping cart went by, but no one so much as knocked.

She wondered what might happen if she beat on the door, if she called for help as someone went by in the hallway. There had to be listening devices, hidden cameras even. They would be watching, probably from s room next door. Could she cause enough of a stir in the 30 seconds or so before they arrived that someone might go to the authorities? Probably not, even assuming whatever passerby she chose made it out of the hotel alive. The Imperium never had much regard for foreign sovereignty before. There was no reason to think they would shrink from any crime now either. It was hopeless. Smarter and better people than her had fallen victim to the vast power that now held her in its fist.

Still, Tyra couldn't seem to make herself give up. Don't ever let anyone push you around Tyra. She could almost hear her mother's voice. People will think you're weak, think you're submissive, because you're a woman. They'll underestimate you, and that's your chance to prove them wrong. Her mother. Was she locked in a room like this? In a prison cell? No, she couldn't fixate on that now, she'd made her decision. She'd put herself into this mess, and she had to find a way out. No one was perfect. They would make a mistake eventually, she just had to stay ready, stay alert. Easier said than done in the unvarying tedium of the past week.

A sharp noise broke through her thoughts. She leaned forward and turned her head to stare down the short entryway to the door. The two men never knocked. A brief pause, and it came again. Rapping knuckles on the door. Comforter still draped over her, dragging behind her on the floor, she shuffled to the door and looked through the peephole. A man in wrinkled gray coveralls stood with a bag slung over one shoulder. She opened the door a crack.

"Yes?"

The man said something utterly unintelligible. Tyra had heard that they spoke some sort of constructed language here, but she didn't know a word of it. Luckily, they'd also been told that there were Slavic roots, particularly in this part of the country. Maybe she could get by in Squornsh.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Muralosian."

"Esperanto."

"What?"

"Not Muralosian, Esperanto."

"Ok."

"I'm here for the phone."

"What?"

"To fix the phone. It's not connected to the hotel's network, must be a problem with it."

"Oh?"

"May I come in?"

"Ok."

Tyra undid the chain lock, and opened the door. She glanced side to side in the hallway, half expecting to see a man in a suit, gun in hand. There was no one. She shut the door, and after moment, slid the chain into place. The technician was holding the phone as if it were a dead animal. He brandished it at her.

"Someone cut the cord."

"I didn't touch it."

"Well it didn't happen on its own."

"I promise, I didn't touch the phone."

Muttering to himself, the technician turned an placed the phone back on the desk. He removed the cut pieces of cord, and produced a fresh one from his bag, carefully plugging it in. Immediately, the phone came back to life with lights. He pressed a few buttons, lifted the handset and listened for a moment.

"It's fixed. Be careful with the cord." His face was stern.

"Yes. I will."

He shouldered his bag again and walked to the door, "Have a nice day."

Tyra watched as he headed down the hallway. She looked in the other direction. Still no one. She shut the door, thought for a moment, then threw the deadbolt and locked the chain. Why didn't I say something to him? I'm an idiot, I missed my chance She reeled back into the room and collapsed on the bed in despair. The red light on the phone blinked at her.

Tyra stared at the phone. The numbers glowed invitingly with gentle, white backlighting. In the back of her mind, a voice that was her own screamed that she didn't have much time. Ten seconds, maybe twenty. She needed to act now. In agonizing slow motion, she watched herself reach out to take the handset. She lifted it to her ear. A terrible moment of hesitation followed. What number to call? Her hand hovered over the buttons, then pressed 0. The phone rang. Once. Twice. A clatter, as someone picked up.

"Reception, how may I help make your stay a memorable one?"

"H-hello?"

"Yes, hello. This is the reception desk, can you hear me?"

"Yes, I . . . I need help."

"Of course ma'am. I see you're calling from 408. Is there any problem with your room?"

"No, you don't . . . my name is Tyra Volam. Please, I need help."

by **Drawkland** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:26 pm

E X P I R E D ...

Kanyo and Nicole Warren silently hiked through the secluded forest trail until they got to a small cliff in front of them. Nicole looked at Kanyo, expecting her to say something or give out some instructions, but she didn't. The Queen appeared to be concentrating on something, and Nicole didn't want to interrupt her. Nicole looked Kanyo up and down to see what she was doing, and then she noticed something strange.

Kanyo wasn't touching the ground. Nicole's eyes widened and she struggled to stay quiet as the Queen began to float in the air. As her body levitated over the ground, Kanyo brought her legs up in a fold and she slowly rotated to look at Nicole.

"You'll have to climb here." Kanyo instructed, and she continued to rise in the air until she was at the top of the hill. She then unfolded her legs and gently stepped onto the elevated ground, looking down at Nicole.

Nicole was a bit confused. Was this some sort of warmup? Was this her standard routine? Or was she doing just to alienate her? Whatever the case, Nicole knew she had to get going quickly, so she hopped up onto the first large rock and began clambering up the surface of the little cliffside. It didn't take much more than a minute, but it felt much longer with Kanyo's gaze seeming to burn into her as she climbed.

When she finally reached the top and came level with Kanyo, the Queen sat down, and motioned for Nicole to do the same. The top of the hill was just tall enough to peep over the trees surrounding it, so they had a clear view of the forest all around them. Kanyo was right when she said there was no artificial influence - there was nothing but untamed natural beauty as far as the eye could see.

"Meditation is done in many religions and belief systems." Kanyo started suddenly, in a more soothing voice. "Even those who somehow don't believe in a higher power, even those who don't have arcane abilities within themselves, can find use from meditation. Its purpose for the average person is to clear the mind and, in turn, the body and spirit. For you, the ability to use magic is locked deep, deep inside you. If it weren't for your desire to undertake this reckless Quest, you likely would've gone your entire life without even knowing.

"Your ability is like a pocket of water far underground. It's so deep, and small, that it's nearly impossible to tap into. You must have the utmost concentration and knowledge of its existence to be able to draw water from it. You can use meditation to help calm your mind and concentrate on honing into your skills. I use meditation because it allows me to look within myself. I have a hundred lifetime's worth of arcane knowledge and abilities. Meditation helps me sort through them, discover things I didn't previously know, and connect with this part of my identity.

"Right now, do not think about yourself. There is a time and a place to use meditation for self-reflection and introspection, but now is not that time. Let the thoughts about your life leave your mind, for a time. Let go of your worries about your lover, let go of the stresses of your career, let go of your misgivings about me. Now is the time for you to concentrate on nothing but the world around you. Close your eyes, let go of your sight. Our species relies too much on what we can see and not what we can feel, yet all these other feelings are so potent, they mean so much.

"Your ability stems from your aura, your spirit, your energy. This is your anchor. If you can manage to cultivate and draw power from it, then your abilities will stem from this energy. Those who can warp and play with the elements are connected directly to the physical world. Their bodies are their anchor. Those whose power can affect life, death, and the psyche are connected by the thing that connects all true beings. Their minds are their anchor. Those who do things that seem to defy the natural order do so with the energy which connects mind and body. The aura is a unique thing that us as sapient beings possess. Your energy stems from it, it is your anchor.

"Now I want you to let go of your body. You can feel the wind lightly brushing you, the nip of the breeze, the ground underneath you. Let go of those things. Think of the sun, don't open your eyes, but picture it. Just now it's breaching the horizon, but the forest around you won't be warm for another hour. But can you feel the warmth, still? Can you feel it surround your body? The sun brings life. The sun brings nourishment and energy to the billions of trees surrounding you. It is the embodiment of energy. You, yourself, are like the sun. You exude energy, and the people around you can feel it. Your excitement, your infatuation, your anxiety, your disappointment, it can all be felt. But don't think of them in context. Don't picture them as reactions to your life's events. Feel them. Feel them as the energy you give. Let your mind empty and simply feel your spirit."

Kanyo paused for a moment, but Nicole didn't notice. She almost felt like she was in a trance, but she wasn't thinking about it. She had gotten lost in Kanyo's words, hearing them, but not listening to them. And yet, she understood their meaning. She could feel what she meant. The energy of the sun, still barely peeking the horizon, surrounded her. She couldn't feel the breeze anymore, but she could feel something else. It felt like she was glowing from her skin.

"Good, good. Capture this feeling. Memorize it. This is how it feels to have a hold of your energy. This is how it feels to draw from your anchor."

A few more moments passed, with Nicole still feeling in a trance. Now it almost felt like she was encased in a field of warmth, simultaneously silky and smooth while also brimming with potential.

"Open your eyes, Nicole." Kanyo instructed, and after a second Nicole obliged. She was shocked to see translucent green waves peeling off of her body like steam. It was really similar to what had happened the day before when Kanyo "found" her magic ability.

"Is- is this my aura?" Nicole found it difficult to speak.

"Yes. It's not very opaque, and there's not a lot of force to it. That's why you've never been aware of your magic abilities. But it will be enough for what you need it for."

"What do I do now?" Nicole asked, noticing the waves were starting to thin out.

"Close your eyes again, and continue focusing like this. I usually meditate from right before sunrise to the time the sun is completely over the horizon. You will do this with me as part of your training. You need more practice drawing from your well. You've managed to poke a little straw into it, and now it's time for you to start digging to create a true well. Simply sit in silence and feel your energy flow."

"Okay." Nicole breathed, closed her eyes again, and did as she was told.

The rest of the day, once the sun had risen and the meditation was over, was a little less exciting. Kanyo brought Nicole to the cottage, and began giving her crash courses in magic history and theory. Nicole hadn't done real bookwork since college and that was ages ago, but thankfully she'd gotten adept at jotting down notes since she started preparing for the Quest.

"These are subjects that students would study for years in one of the mage colleges," Kanyo had said, "but these are the big essentials. If you wanted to be a true pupil of the arcane arts I would go slower and more in-depth, but for both of our sakes I'm speeding through all of this."

As the day waned and it neared sundown, Kanyo halted the book lessons and brought Nicole back outside for another meditation session at the same place.

"Is there a specific reason to do this at sundown and sunrise?" Nicole asked as she clambered up the cliff face.

"It's a liminal period," Kanyo answered, already on top of the hill. "Liminal spaces are the boundaries between two things, two opposites even. There is much potential power in these time periods. Have you heard of the witching hour? It's in the dead of night, as one day switches to the next. Magic power is increased at this time for some individuals. It goes beyond just the arcane ideals, though. Picture the coastline, where the land meets the sea. People gather there, it's powerful for commerce, tourism, defense.

"For novices as yourself, the liminal period of sunrise and sunset makes it marginally easier for you to tap into your anchor. Also, it's a good way to start and end your day, in my opinion. Just like you do your stretching and exercise routines, this is the same concept."

As they had in the morning, Kanyo and Nicole sat on top of the hill and the Queen talked Nicole through meditation again. This time, it was quicker, and Nicole fell into the nearly trance-like state in just a couple minutes. With less time needed to be coached through the process, more time was spent with Nicole merely sitting and trying to solidify the feeling. Kanyo entered meditation on her one once she determined Nicole was well enough to go on her own.

Soon enough, the sun went down, and the session ended. They walked back to the cottage together, Nicole was directed to a small bedroom, and she fell into sleep.

The next day, the sunrise routine was repeated, though this time they were already at the cottage grounds so no portal magic was necessary. Once again, Nicole clambered up the cliff face, though by now she knew the climbing route better so it took half as long. This time, Kanyo said nothing, and simply began meditating on her own. Nicole watched as the Queen slowly began to float a foot or so above the ground in her sitting position, and she wondered if that was something everybody could do with practice or if it was just something Kanyo picked up over her many, many years of magic study.

Nicole shook her head, knowing she had to concentrate and do it herself this time. It was a little more difficult, without Kanyo's somewhat soothing voice to guide her, but she knew this was one of her first tests. Actually, she was convinced she'd already been secretly tested a dozen times by now, but this was probably a big one. Kanyo wouldn't be there on the Quest to help Nicole when she would need it, so she needed to do it herself.

Getting into the meditative mode took longer this time, but Nicole eventually managed it. She stopped paying attention to her physical surroundings and instead focused on she could feel outside of herself. She pictured the sun and its energy flooding the forest, the cycle of life perpetuated by that which cannot be touched or moved. She pictured her own energy exuding from herself, her own being outside of her mere physical form. That was doing the trick. Before long, she got the feeling which was becoming familiar. Nicole didn't dare open her eyes, but if she did she knew she'd see her aura visually radiating from her.

Once the sun had risen and the Nicole started to feel the actual warmth of the sun on her skin, Nicole opened her eyes and shivered a bit. Goosebumps ran down her body and she slowly sat up. When she looked to her left she nearly had a start, as Kanyo was staring straight at her.

"Is something wrong?" Nicole asked, standing up.

"You're showing excellent proficiency at this so far. I assume this is due to your discipline and diligence that no doubt played a factor in your abilities as an athlete. Perhaps in another life you could've been a great mage."

"Thank you, I guess." Nicole replied, wondering if she should take it as a compliment. "What's next? More bookwork?"

Kanyo sighed, "No. You are ready for the next phase."

Nicole didn't know what to expect going into this "next phase," but once she was started, she didn't like it. Kanyo had brought her down from the hill and to the small clearing out in front of the cottage. Kanyo instructed Nicole to attempt bringing out her aura while outside of meditation.

"It may not seem like it, but it's a reflex you can control like anything else. Just like you do a ... kick, or whatever you do in that sport you play."

"Like, a tackle?" Nicole tried to help Kanyo with the analogy. She was still a bit miffed Kanyo hadn't bothered learning a lot about her.

"I thought that was the other kind of football?" Kanyo seemed genuinely confused.

"Well technically - you know what, never mind" Nicole decided it wasn't worth the trouble.

"Fine. Now as I was saying, being able to connect to your anchor outside of meditation is like a reflex. If you do it enough, it becomes like muscle memory. I don't have a lot of time with you, so we'll have to expedite that process a little bit. After all, in the maze, you may have fractions of a second to protect yourself. If this reflex isn't built into your muscle memory, you may be an instant too late and your life is over."

"I understand," Nicole said quietly.

"Now I want you to try and replicate the feeling you get from meditation. By now you're clearly familiar with the feeling of tapping your aura, so it shouldn't be too difficult. Simply imagine yourself priming your aura and flaring it out from yourself. Just like you'd mentally imagine yourself doing a 'tackle' or whatever else. This will take awhile, but once you do it, just let it go and start back from the beginning. Practice flaring out, then backing off and doing it again."

Nicole did as she was told. As Kanyo had said, it took a few minutes the first time, it was nearly 15 minutes before she finally got something to show up. Without the calm and serene environment of meditation, with more ability to get distracted, it was tough for Nicole to get it going. But she did, and the faint green waves floated off her skin again.

"Good. Now like I said, let go of it. Go back to your normal state, then work towards this again. It should be a little quicker this time. Once you're done, do it again, and again. I will let you know when the drill is over."

"Understood," Nicole said simply, and she got to work. She was no stranger to doing the same thing over and over again. She'd been practicing for soccer since grade school, she understood the concept of plugging away at the exact same drill for hours at a time.

However, she wasn't prepared to be doing it all day. Once Nicole got to work from Kanyo's instruction, the Queen wandered off and seemed to disappear. Nicole was concentrating on her "drill" most of the time, but she swore that she didn't see Kanyo once for the rest of the day until the sky started to redden. The work of concentrating, flexing something that wasn't really a muscle, and having to start from nothing again was tiring, like doing wind sprints or suicides at practice. Those drills never lasted more than a small session. This was a majority of the day, and Nicole was becoming exhausted.

Nicole was agitated, both mentally from the grind and physically from the effort, and Kanyo still had yet to be seen. She knew that she couldn't stop though, because that would show weakness. Plus, as Kanyo had said, she needed to go establish muscle memory that took weeks or months to master in just a few days. So, on Nicole worked, forcing her aura out and letting it dissipate again. By the time the sun was sinking in the sky, she had started to get better at it, taking less than a minute to make it happen. When it did form, Nicole would try moving or shaping it, which had mixed results. She needed something to break up the monotony, after all.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Kanyo walked out from the treeline and observed Nicole. Nicole did her best to avoid looking at the Queen, to try and prove that she wasn't backing down from the challenge. Another eternity seemed to pass as Kanyo evaluated her from afar, before she finally spoke up.

"Your drill is complete for now." Kanyo called out from the edge of the clearing. "Dinner is ready in the cottage for you."

"May I ask a question?" Nicole said, finally relaxing her body and slumping a bit in the process.

Kanyo said nothing but inclined her head to Nicole to indicate she could continue.

"Was this entirely necessary?" Nicole asked, with a slight bit of annoyance evident in her voice. "I am a professional athlete. I am no stranger to the grind of practice, to doing drills for hours at a time, but this is ridiculous. It's important to gain muscle memory, but overtraining is a real thing. There is a time that it starts to become detrimental. I don't mean to undermine your tutelage, but I would at least like to know some reason why I stood here for over half the actual day doing this over and over again."

Kanyo's face hardened. Nicole could feel that she probably should've shut the fuck up, but it was too late.

"The reasoning for this practice is threefold. The first reason you know. It's important to establish muscle memory so you can call upon your aura when you need it most, without faltering. You are trying to cram months of learning into a single week, so you must accept the fact that you are having to do a week's worth of practice in a single day.

"The second reason is that, like it or not, I am the only one who can instruct you in the arcane abilities that you need for your foolish quest. If you could manage to find another tutor in the magic arts, even one that was willing to take you in as a novice student with no interest in pursuing magic as a career path, they would not know exactly what to teach you that would actually do you any good in the Quest. You are stuck with me, and I with you. If you don't like how I train you, then you can leave now and accept the fact that your death is virtually guaranteed. Not that it isn't already virtually guaranteed, but I digress.

"The third reason is the most important. If, by some miracle, you succeed, you will be in a new plane of existence. My life is something that your mind cannot possibly comprehend right now. Do you think this is enjoyable? You may think that your labor of love is worth it right now, because right now you don't understand what this life truly is. One can argue that death is what gives value to life. Without life, what value does your life truly have? The mental exertion you've experienced today is the same you will experience as an immortal. Do you know how many times I've woken up? How many times I have had to go through the daily routine of eating, grooming, and sleeping? I have brushed my teeth an uncountable amount of times, and I was born centuries before toothbrushes were invented. There is no stopping the march of time, but instead of time gnawing and eating at your body, it will eat and gnaw at your soul. You may have a lover with you, but he won't change the fact that you will be trapped in a never-ending cycle of monotony. This is what you clearly have not considered. If you can't handle to do a day of this grind, you will drive yourself insane after a mere century of living as an immortal. This is something you must understand, if you are to continue."

Nicole's heart sank as Kanyo continued to speak, especially because she knew she was right. She hadn't thought about that daily grind, but when she thought of having to leave Mike, having to go on with whatever her life will be when she retires and goes on with her existence afterwards. She would figure it out later.

"I understand." Nicole said slowly, after a bit of introspection. "In my life, I've never backed down from a challenge, even when it meant causing myself pain as a means to an end. I will do whatever it takes."

Kanyo's gaze only seemed to harden.

"Fine. Go eat your meal, then meet me on the hill."

by **Almuzahara** » Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:28 pm

MD4 cutoff. It's the penultimate matchday: after today, qualification could be secured...or impossible.

IAC12: MD4
Groups E-H - Muralos

Group E
Grey County 1-3 Ginadjkrum
Kohnhead 0-2 Muralos
Indusse 1-5 Adab

Group E Standings
   Team            P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Ginadjkrum      4 3 1 0  8  4  +4  10  ¹
 2 Muralos         4 2 1 1  8  4  +4  7
 3 Kohnhead        4 2 1 1  5  5   0  7
 4 Adab            4 1 2 1 11  8  +3  5
 5 Grey County     4 0 2 2  5  10 -5  2  E
 6 Indusse         4 0 1 3  4  10 -6  1  E

Group F
Garbelia 0-2 Picksall Islands
Tequilo 3-0 Sannyamathland
Trolleborg 1-1 Abanhfleft

Group F Standings
   Team                 P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Tequilo              4 3 1 0  9  0  +9 10  Q
 2 Abanhfleft           4 2 1 1  5  4  +1  7
 3 Picksall Islands     4 2 0 2  3  3   0  6
 4 Sannyamathland       4 2 0 2  3  4  -1  6
 5 Trolleborg           4 1 2 1  3  2  +1  5
 6 Garbelia             4 0 0 4  0  10 -10 0  E

Group G
Hot Skitty on Wailord Action 0-1 Omerica
Devonta 0-3 HUElavia
Central Shaneville 2-1 Al Wadiya

Group G Standings
   Team                             P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 HUElavia                         4 3 1 0  7  1  +6 10  Q²
 2 Omerica                          4 3 0 1  10 1  +9  9
 3 Central Shaneville               4 2 1 1  7  11 -4  7
 4 Devonta                          4 2 0 2  4  7  -3  6
 5 Al Wadiya                        4 1 0 3  3  5  -2  3  E
 6 Hot Skitty on Wailord Action     4 0 0 4  0  6  -6  0  E

Group H
Lorrana 0-6 Squornshelous
Juvencus 2-2 United Pink States
Drawkland 5-0 Galimencia

Group H Standings
   Team                   P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Drawkland              4 3 0 1  9  2  +7  9
 2 Squornshelous          4 3 0 1  11 3  +8  9
 3 Lorrana                4 2 1 1  5  8  -3  7
 4 Juvencus               4 1 2 1  4  3  +1  5  E
 5 United Pink States     4 1 1 2  3  6  -3  4  E
 6 Galimencia             4 0 0 4  2  12 -10 0  E

~~¹ Ginadjkrum (10) holds the H2H Tiebreaker over Muralos (7).~~ (EDIT 4/1 - Ginadjkrum can still be eliminated after a loss to Kohnhead on GD. Thanks to Omerica for pointing this out)
² HUELavia (10) holds the H2H Tiebreaker over Central Shaneville (7).

by **North Alezia** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:45 am

Written by Hazakiel Daruzammi, Oklahoma Romney Jr. , and Sulaiman Fizharuddin.

ALMUZAHARA - Well oh my god. We won. The match between North Alezia against Quintessence of Dust resulted in a 2-1 victory for North Alezia. In the 16th minute, Jack Ryder of Quintessence of Dust's Forward scored first after breaking through North Alezia's tactics. Leading quickly against North Alezia. But in the second half, North Alezia gained the opportunity. Maqqa Razadaqqi scored at the 48th minute surprising everyone. Then, in the 63rd minute, North Alezia scored again with Tazal Pameshkovich. With this result, we can see North Alezians celebrating, and North Alezia is in third place.

We can say that the North Alezian team knows how to turn the public's heart like flipping the palm of a hand. People in twitter used to be upset about North Alezia's worst result, then after three streak victories, 93% of the public's emotion can be described with these two tweets.

The reaction of the public are so massive that it might as well be a meme in the football industry,,.

The Galleys are behind Poafmersia and Quintessence of Dust. North Alezia is projected to go through one of two paths. One, either win and go through to the Round of 16, Two, lose which means North Alezia has to go home. But the public said they won't mind. Because winning a match in the group is a good enough. But imagine the craze if North Alezia went through.

In the playing team, Khalid Ali'amaqqi said in a quick video call with ABA news that: "North Alezia is ready to play and advance further. Even if we sink now, I think the people will still be proud of us after bouncing back against that game against Poafmersia. But yeah, North Alezia will try their best for their people."

The final North Alezian game will be broadcasted at 9/10 PM at ABA Channel 1 on 3rd of April, where we might see the same North Alezians celebrating like they did in the previous match with a sail. And there are more North Alezians who are not part of the club but still in Almuzahara to watch the games. And there are WAY more North Alezians watching at home soil at the comforts of their homes. All of them who has an ABA account can sign in to www.ABA.co.az/ontv/IA12 and watch the competition from there and participate in chat box prepared specifically for this match where they can discuss the match and other things, and there will be a poll which will be available to ABA interactive users as well.

by **Kriegiersien** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 10:44 am

A 1-1 against Sajnur means the end for the Kriegiersien team at the IAC. After that, the young players of the team refused to come back for the last match against TJUN-ia, after they had raced to Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom to play at the Youth World Cup. As they could reach the play-offs there, they did not want to travel to Almuzahara again to play “another exhausting and now useless match”.

“I tried to convince them that they had to and that it is important for ranking points and to be chosen at the All-Star Exhibition match at the end. But I guess the last point didn’t help. They refused, so we will play the last match with our Staff, the coaches and some people we recruited last minute from the street", sighed Coach Schweizer.

The team will now consist out of the 5 people of the coaching staff, all former Pro-Players, 5 amateur players from a fan-club of the Schoenwetter FC who are here as spectators and a tourist who plays in a Sunday pub league and fantasy football at home in Scorpion City.

“I think there is much patriotic spirit in this team”, Coach Viveka Schweizer said.

by **Lorrana** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:00 am

https://www.newsbit.ln/sports/recent/

Lorrana 0-6 Squornshelous

THE TAKEAWAY: Squornshelous hammer Lorrana 6-0 for biggest loss in competitive match

Sparkling Squornshelous crushed hapless Lorrana 6-0 Wednesday to storm into second place in style as forward Tove Anker scored a hat-trick.

Lorrana were powerless to stop Teresa Lagerkron's relentless side as they suffered their worst defeat in a competitive game and the most humiliating since losing 7-0 in a recent friendly.

Havard Popov, Anker, and Lucia Krupin gave Squornshelous's side a 3-0 halftime lead, while Anker struck again early in the second half and completed her treble with a classy finish.

Substitute Tyyne Hult l tapped in the sixth goal in the 89th minute to adorn an incredible Squornshelous display and deepen Lorrana's misery.

"It's definitely a bitter defeat. It's very, very disappointing for us all. I am part of the team. We talk about the we. We screwed this up together. Our body language was disappointing, we did not communicate on the pitch. We should have talked more," Lorrana keeper Lizu Lruikti said after the match.

Lorrana had also been racked with injuries during their previous match, a 3-2 win against Galimencia.

Group H Standings
   Team                   P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Drawkland              4 3 0 1  9  2  +7  9
 2 Squornshelous          4 3 0 1  11 3  +8  9
 3 Lorrana                4 2 1 1  5  8  -3  7
 4 Juvencus               4 1 2 1  4  3  +1  5  E
 5 United Pink States     4 1 1 2  3  6  -3  4  E
 6 Galimencia             4 0 0 4  2  12 -10 0  E

by **Central Shaneville** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:38 pm

CAN THEY DO IT?
Central Shaneville boss Cam Meister was seemingly overjoyed when the final whistle blew in Central Shaneville's penultimate matchup in Muralos against Al Wadiya - the final score being 2-1 to Central Shaneville thanks to backup striker Taylor Anderson (filling in for Josh Smith for the second half due to Smith needing to deal with "personal business") this was Anderson's first goal since Central Shaneville's first Independents Cup campaign all those years ago, he said after the match "It's an honor to come back and wear my country's flag again, thank you everyone!"

This win also means that Al Wadiya have been eliminated along with the final team on Central Shaneville's metaphorical radar, the strangely named nation of Hot Skitty on Wailord Action whose name caused many confused Central Shaneville players, however nothing is ever certain in the Independents Cup as Central Shaneville join the fight with the mysterious Devonta side as well as an Omerica side looking good as well as each side needs the others to slip up for a chance in the next round alongside HUElavia.

This was a situation Central Shaneville found themselves in on debut all those years ago and they were able to just clutch it in a very tight game however Cam Meister remained quiet as he concentrates on the biggest match in Central Shaneville footballing history for almost three years and with the fans behind them who knows what will happen. all his final comments were "Good luck to Omerica and Devonta, we respect both of you and see you on the other side." he said with a smile.

by **HUElavia** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:11 pm

HUElavia Dominates and Advances Once More!

Devonta 0-3 HUElavia
(Sol 22', Navarro 43' (P), Gagne-Leblanc 65')
(Tomari Stadium, Tomari)

Entering Matchday 4 of the IAC, HUElavia was coming off an important victory over Omerica. Once again getting the best over Les Incorrigibles in a Group Stage match, the team now had the lead in Group G for the first time in this tournament. For Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos, their next opponent were another solid team: Devonta. Devonta were coming off a surprising 4-1 loss to Central Shaneville and needed the victory in order to stay alive in the IAC. For HUElavia however, a victory would mean that the team would secure qualification to the Round-of-16 for the IAC. The match was played at Tomari Stadium (18,500), in Tomari, where there was a very strong amount of HUElavian supporters present, especially in one of the endzones. Due to the high-stakes, high-reward level of the match, the A-Team was selected once again to play, with Ramos in goal and Navarro as the Captain. The Away Uniform was selected for the match. Once the teams came out, the anthems played, and the coin flipped, the ball rolled and the vital match was underway!

HUElavia went on their pressuring attack, looking to set the tempo from the start. The opening chance came in the 5th minute, when a long ball by Conti reached Hamada, who was played onside by REDACTED, going loose to go one-on-one with REDACTED and she took a chip shot that hit the post and went out for a goal kick. Devonta also had their chances as in the 11th minute, a free kick was taken by REDACTED, where it went into the box, with REDACTED towering over the defense in what looked like the ball would go in, and Ramos made a deflecting save to put it out for a corner. The opening goal would come in the 22nd minute, when Lieberman won the ball from REDACTED and gave a long cross to Conti, where she went past REDACTED and gave a low, long pass to a sprinting Sol, who got past REDACTED and took a strong, low shot with his right foot, going past a diving REDACTED into the goal to make it 1-0. The HUElavian crowd jumped up and cheered with a ferocious roar to make the stadium rumble, while Sol did an acrobatic celebration and got hugs and cheers from his teammates for the spectacular goal. These attacks continued and in the 43rd minute, Sol was pulled by the shirt by REDACTED, where the referee did not hesitate to call a penalty kick and give out a yellow card. Navarro stepped up and sent REDACTED the wrong way, as the ball blasted into the top left corner of the goal to make it 2-0. Navarro celebrated with his teammates with hugs and high-fives, and sharing a hug and kiss with his wife, Hamada-Navarro. Shortly after, the half ended 2-0 and HUElavia was satisfied with the control they had.

The second half had Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos turn the intensity down of the match, just making passes here and there, giving Devonta a hard time. In the 60th minute, REDACTED dispossessed Mariño and ran one-on-one with Ramos, where he passed it to his left and REDACTED took a shot that narrowly went over the bar over the empty net. HUElavia responded to this attack in turn, where in the 63rd minute, Torrisi (in for Guilbert) was going one-on-one with REDACTED, and he gave a turn around to pass it to Gagne-Leblanc, where she sent a curving shot past a reaching REDACTED into the top corner of the goal to make it 3-0. Gagne-Leblanc kneeled down to the ground and gave the Sign of the Cross, while her teammates came to hug and congratulate her for the spectacular goal. The HUElavian supporters jumped and cheered with passion once more, making the stadium rumble from the celebrations. Shortly after, any attempts by Devonta was snuffed out with ease as the HUElavian defense came in strong and made sure to give Ramos a calming end of the match. Shortly after, the match ended 3-0, with the bench coming onto the pitch to celebrate their qualification to the Knockouts and to congratulate Ramos for her clean sheet.

With the victory, HUElavia advance to the Round-of-16 with 10 points (3-1-0), and hold the head-to-head result over 3rd Placed Central Shaneville, who have 7 Points (2-1-1). Omerica won their match over Hot Skitty on Wailord Action to put them nearly into the Round-of-16 with 9 Points (3-0-1), currently in 2nd Place. The final Group Stage match will be against Al Wadiya, who are already eliminated in 5th place with 3 Points (1-0-3). The Home Special will be worn for the match, with most of the B-Team playing, except for the exception of Liberman and Sol, who will be playing. Marin will start in goal, and D'Aquila will be the Captain for the match. The Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena (21,484) in Saĥalena-Urbeto will be the site for the match. The team continues to have good therapy with the Sport Psychologists, and there are some reports that the team's anxieties have been easing up and there is a sense of more confidence in the team and in the individuals themselves. The team also continues to train and study film while enjoying each other's company in activities. The fans continue to enjoy their stay and have reported to enjoy the cold weather in Muralos during these past couple of days. While the team has their spot for the Knockouts, the Knockouts themselves are a new horizon that the team looks forward to facing in the near future. Here's to what can be a fun game and 1st Place in Group G!

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **Zwangzug** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:16 pm

The Arlington Moon-Tribune

With four out of the five rounds completed, Group F in the Independent Associations Cup is a study in extremes. Tequilo have clinched advancement, and are unscored upon. Garbelia have been eliminated, and have not scored a goal. The other four sides are, at least mathematically, in contention. This includes the Picksall Islands side, who built upon their win against Sannyamathland by being the latest side to shut out the Garbelian Otters, two goals to nil.

Sigtryggur Brynjólfursson, himself a Baptism of Fire "triumphator" with Græntfjall, has had mixed feelings about his new charges. This lack of cohesion seemed to benefit the Picksall side in the opening moments--that, or perhaps Kim Higden has had less time to develop a style and resents all her players equally. Either way, the back six were able to control possession as a unit while the Otters tried to impress with individual effort. Lefiné Avianuin's rough foul on Hefid Ūmogo provided an opportunity for Vādondu Gaudō at the half-hour mark, but James Lutrison was able to deflect the free kick. Shortly after, however, Gaudō would score from open play, the lone striker recording her first tally.

An impatient Sigtryggur swapped Otterface for the old hands of Miaow Otterinein at halftime, but this would not improve their prospects. A long run from Dūhūgā Yaēmā let her cross to Hōkogin Endēb, who evaded Otter McCat and shot for goal in the seventy-ninth minute.

Garbelia face Trolleborg on Matchday Five; on current form, it seems as if the Trolls should find the Otters as unintimidating as anyone else has. Only Abahnfleft control their own destiny, however; they can clinch by beating the Sannyamathland Lions, while everyone else will be looking over their shoulder at the South Coast results. This, technically, includes the Picksall Islands, though Kim Higden dismissed speculation as premature. Whether she is more interested in making sure the players can bask in today's small glories or merely doesn't want to provoke the Pitxileros is unclear--though one senses she is too innately competitive not to look at the tables herself, as much as she tries to downplay it.

Sentence of the day:

Dēyako dugo amē bumū bidi yēf kebdi bo. This man is six feet, seven inches tall. The Garbelian team has a very wide range of sizes, ranging from Otterface in goal to the wunderkind Otto Otter in midfield.

by **Trolleborg** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:39 pm

Greetings, compatriots!
It’s TTV from Muralos with a news about our national team. In the penultimate game of IAC tournament our lads played with Abanhfleft. This team is our old acquaintances – our footballers have never met anyone in the world more often.

Our team in this match did not deviate from its tactical formation it use this season, built on a neat but dense defense, with powerful pressure throughout the field. It is worth noting that despite the exceptional importance of this game, several newcomers again got places in the lineup. Obviously, the head coach considers it most important to test the up-and-coming talents in conditions as close as possible to combat ones.

Matches with 2-3-4 conceded goals have recently been replaced by rather sober results, and although the overall of the matches is generally not encouraging, we all hope that the reliability of the defense will eventually allow the whole team to play more confidently than now.

Throughout the first half, there was an almost equal struggle on the field, with some advantage of our opponents, who, however, not succeed in creating a lot of real sharp moments. Yes, and our young guys were sometimes let down by fervor, they began to put ball down where it was possible to break through and shot where it was much better to give a pass.

But Abanhfleft has shown a skill of adapting to opponents. It's also good for our team that they did this only once. Constantly meeting a solid barrier on the approaches to the penalty area, in the middle of the first half the opponents begin relying on long shots, and in one of the episodes our defenders did not play as expected. For some reason lost their heads and began to act extremely unwise. As a result, none of them prevented the opponent's player from moving along the penalty line and delivering a powerful aimed shot into the far corner. Our lads in this episode interfered with each other and the goalkeeper, blocking his view. But it would hardly have helped if the goalkeeper had pushed ball out, since whole complement of our defenders acted thoughtlessly and the first would probably have been one of the attacking players. Well, the team has just begun to master new tactics, and this is seemingly inevitable payback.

In the second half, the tournament situation required decisive action from our lads. And they did what they could, but basically, if something worked out at all, it was through the work of veterans who had already been tested in tough business of world football. Three of them, Wolters, Troll and Kerr, are presented the football world with a small masterpiece. It was an excellent, eye-catching combination, a model of football of exactly the kind that we would always like to see in the tactical-technical arsenal of our team. All passes are made in one touch, and the ball is served every time so gently that no additional work is required. And the ball was passed over a considerable distance with the active resistance of opponents

Inspired by the success, our lads rushed with a hope to score the second goal, but did not succeed in this and almost conceded themselves. But in the end it was a draw, which did not suit anyone, and practically canceled out the chances of our guys to qualify from the group.

by **Adab** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:02 am

KickTheBall.com
Bringing you the latest news and rumors in football, in Adab and abroad

Indusse 1-5 Adab
Kumar (7’) | Yargab (25’, 82’), Al-Kufa (34’), Yissakar (45’), Orlev (66’)

NEWS | INDEPENDENTS CUP
By: Alulim al-Tikriti

Independents Cup: Kaykali praises “demolition job” after Indusse win

Adab manager Saad Kaykali today heaped praise on his team after achieving a stunning 1-5 win against Indusse to keep their Independents Cup 12 hopes alive.

Speaking at the press conference following the match, Kaykali hailed the “beautiful” victory and hoped that this win would “be enough to shut the critics up”.

“This is a great, great win, especially for this newly-assembled team, which is a mixture of young and mature talent alike,” the Adab manager said. “What a demolition job.

“The capability of our team was on full display and I am sure fans across the country are pleased with the win, just like me.

“This is the beginning of a great new chapter in Adabian football,” Kaykali added optimistically.

Match quickly goes wrong for Indusse

Both teams went into the match hoping to score their first win in this year’s competition. The Indusseans were on the bottom of Group E, with two losses and one draw. Adab was fourth with two draws and one loss.

The Indusseans started the match with the ball and made the most of the opportunity, going on the attack and applying pressure on their opponents. The Adabian squad would take some time to adapt to the pace, and they paid for it when Indussean captain Baskar Kumar exploited a gap in the Adabian defense in the 7th minute, blasting the ball past defenders Shania Enmerkar and Yousif Issou and into Mohammed Marramzi’s net.

But any Indussean hopes of winning the match would soon fade away.

Kumar’s goal seemed to become some sort of warning siren for the Adabians, jolting them awake. From the dugout, Kaykali called on his players to “stay awake and be flexible”, urging them to take any opportunity to launch a counterattack but also be ready to retreat and defend tightly should the Indusseans themselves come close to the goal again.

Midfielders Alulim Sinmuballit, Emma Arthur, and Ephraim Orlev were especially instrumental in this stage, wrestling the ball away from the opponents every time they seemed poised to advance too far away from the center circle.

And under the constant marking, the Indusseans began to wilter.

In the 25th minute, Sinmuballit snatched the ball from under Alexis Budtedjson’s foot and sent it rolling right to veteran striker Enlilbani Yargab, who promptly made a daring one-man dash for the Indussean goal.

The Indussean defenders closed in on him, but it was too late; as they began to converge on him, Yargab sent the ball flying from just outside the penalty box into Steve Leghourn’s net to the cheers of Adabian supporters in the venue.

The Indusseans never did regain their mojo.

Having now acclimatized themselves to the quick pace of the match, the Adabians performed sustained and concerted counterattacks against their opponents. Yargab seemed poised to another goal in the 34th minute, but – with Leghourn right in front of him - passed the ball to the nearby Jushur Al-Kufa, who promptly netted in as the disoriented Indussean keeper failed to stop him.

Rebekah Yissakar then celebrated the coming of half-time break by putting in a goal of her own in the 45th minute, zigzagging her way past Sampath Singh Aksinwala and Mathias Paulson and feinting a pass to Yargab on her way to putting Adab 1-3 up.

The Indusseans returned from the break a noticeably slower team, their spirit sapped away. The Adabians again took the Indussean defense by storm in the 66th minute. Leading the charge, Yargab sent the ball to Yissakar slightly behind and to his right, who in turn passed to Orlev in front and to her right. Orlev rushed towards the penalty box, where he returned the ball to Yargab, who then passed it again to Orlev for the goal.

With their opponents now up 1-4, the Indusseans seemed content to pass the ball among themselves for extended amounts of time, their ventures onto the other side of the pitch increasingly seeming desultory. Yargab’s second goal in the 82nd minute was simply the final nail in the coffin.

Adab remained fourth in Group E following the win; Indusse remained on the very bottom, in sixth place, wih their chances of advancing to the knockout stages now gone.

What next for Adab?

For their next and final match on Group E, Adab will take on Independents Cup co-host Muralos. Muralos is currently second in Group E, with two victories, one draw, and one loss.

“Muralos is an excellent team,” Kaykali commented in the press conference. “Adamo Brava and Rui are two of the best players of this tournament. I know my players and I look forward to facing them.”

Responding to a question on what he would do next if Adab failed to advance to the knockout stages, Kaykali said, “I won’t worry too much about that, and my players won’t either. This is the national team’s first tournament in 13 years and I think we have done very well.

“The AFA [Adab Football Association] and I have agreed that the target for now is to make sure the players are well-prepared and well-equipped for the World Cup.”

Before exiting the press conference, Kaykali confirmed that he would extend his one-match contract for the match against Muralos.

“Of course the contract will be extended,” the Adab manager said. “We look forward to playing Muralos.”

See also:
Araqasdah: I maintain good relations with Kaykali
Hamza Ridha and the physio’s world
How football became a symbol of unity in this town

by **TJUN-ia** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:14 am

By Peter Davis

After a dominant performance over old foes Sajnur shocked many in the TJUN-ian football world, the Jaguars were certainly in a great position at the Moonlight Coliseum with only two games left to play. That may be due to the Co-Managers and how their new structure has brought something different to the team, but the jury is still out on if Li Xiu Ying is actually adding to David Seems' tactics in any way. Anyways, everyone knew that 1 more win here in Kuritibah might be enough for our Jags to advance to another IAC knockout round and so, that was the plan against a Pot 6 Srednjaci team who just fired their head coach after a winless first 3 games.

This game would actually be like a more interesting version of the game with Sajnur as Srednjaci certainly came into this game with nothing to fight for, but everything to prove. It would be a game that saw the opposition certainly try in the first half and they would actually score the first goal in this contest, a thundering shot by Li Peng in the 17th meaning they would take the unexpected lead. TJUN-ia had a lot of firepower under their belts and would respond in due course in the 34th, a nice clean shot by Vladimir Podolov levelling this one, but with half time arriving, this game was somehow deadlocked at 1-1 and Srednjaci certainly deserved it. But the magic would run out went the teams came back out as Peliniho and Joe Green were replaced by Galar's answer to a Dynamite Duo: Prince Carter and Archer Andrews. In the end, the 2nd half was as simple as 1, 2, 3: Carter provided Andrews with the first, then headed in the 2nd before Andrews used his very quick legs to get the 3rd. That would be that and with Squidroidia held to a draw by Montana Verde of all teams, TJUN-ia would advance to the knockouts no matter what happened on the final day.

So, we can relax after all and with Pot 4 Kriegiersien as the final game, I guess we can just use this as a bonus game before the knockouts begin. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group D, Matches in Almuzahara)
MD1: vs Montana Verde (Pot 5) - Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah W 3-0 (1st)
MD2: vs Squidroidia (Pot 1) - Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah D 2-2 (1st)
MD3: vs Sajnur (Pot 3) - Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah W 4-0 (T-1st)
MD4: vs Srednjaci (Pot 6) - Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah W 4-1 (1st/OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED)
MD5: vs Kriegiersien (Pot 4) - Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah

by **Tequilo** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:04 pm

RED RADIO A-GO-GO
ITS JUST THE SAME OLD SHOW

Part 5/6: Starry Starry Night Diner, Taxhavn

There are migrant workers from Tequilo all over the known multiverse, and in many of the sixteen corners of the as-yet unknown multiverse, each with their little state-issued red radio. Work-around-the-world backpackers Luzía Guitarra and her boyfriend Cheronimo Torquelles have one each, secure in the knowledge that if one gets broken or stolen, they still have a backup. So far, it hasn't been an issue.

Right now, Luzía and Cheronimo have made it to the crazy commerce island state of Taxhavn, where the rich and powerful from just about everywhere stow their hard-earned (and sometimes hard-knockoff) cash out of sight of domestic tax collectors and anti-corruption investigators. Many of the rich and powerful have residencies here just to enable that, and consequently, the city-state-island is awash with classy restaurants and clubs to keep them entertained. The Starry Starry Night Diner is not one of them. Luzía works the bar and Cheronimo is a waiter at the low-rent and slightly grubby Starblaydi-themed curry house (complete with authentic local dog tikka masala dishes) where Taxhavn's blue-collar workers like to treat themselves on a Friday night out. It is loud, chaotic, sometimes a bit dangerous but the tips are great. Plus the chef, Ivan The Par-Boiler, lets them listen to the Tequilo World Service if there is football coverage, which is his other great passion after, um, par-boiling. Like tonight, when the Agave-Blues are looking to break a national team record, but have made it difficult for themselves by being reduced to ten men after only one minute of play. The little red radio crackles away in the kitchen, a reminder of home for the young Tequilo adventurers working for a passage to Rushmore.

Three women were vitally instrumental in development of the little red radio. One - Lidia 'Radio' Inurreta - proposed the Tequilo World Service; one - La Presidenta Gisela Plazaola, legislated for the red radio to become both a right and an obligation of every citizen travelling abroad to take one with them. And a third, the exotic mathematics scientist and quantum spaghetti theorist Señora Calusa Klein, designed the extraordinary internal workings of the radio - the government-patented fluid time battery and the UMF receiver that can pick up a signal even if you have the misfortune to find yourself in the swamplands of Falcania, the last Gregorian holdouts of South Covello or some other dog-awful place that probably involves elves. Together Lidia, Gisela and Calusa founded a manufacturing company to take advantage of the coming legislation - the A-Go-Go Company of Sezalco, in the industrial heartland state of Chazapa. Awarding themselves the exclusive access to the patent, the government funding to build the factory and a lifetime contract for the production of the little radio for every citizen-traveller, they assured themselves a place in Tequiloan cultural history and on the Banque Sept-Nat rich-list for multiversal billionaires.

"Compliments to the chef from table seven," says Luzía to Ivan, as he adds a little more coriander to the mongrel bhuna, and Niño Pinto puts Tequilo ahead in Havenurbo despite the odds, "they want to know what your secret is for such a juicy Dobermann Dhansak!"

CLEAN THROUGH
TEQUILO 3-0 SANNYAMATHLAND HT: 1-0

Location: @ Ĉemara Arena, Havenurbo, Muralos
Attendance: 7,688 locals, about 2,000 Sannyamathematicians and the Ultra-Mariachi Band (8 sombreros + a calculating dogdog)
Scorers: Niño Pinto 9' 84' Alexandro Calvoecheaga 81'
Assists: Alexandro Calvoecheaga 9' Niño Pinto 81' Ixtub Tün 84'
Booked: Leon Vladinovich, Charles Bloomberg (Sannyamathland)
Sent-Off: Milan Lucio (Tequilo)
Tequilo Line-Up: (4-1-3-2) Abas Juanarena | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia, Diogo Junco, Ochoa Abril (sub: Mani Quita 68') | Ixtub Tün | Jaïr Iscla (sub: Aiker Têa 29'), Niño Pinto, Urbano Noboa | Milan Lucio (sent off, 1'), Alexandro Calvoecheaga (sub: Mó Reverté 82')
Player of the Match: Aien Troger (Trolleborg); Tequilo MVP - Emmanuel París

MILAN SENT OFF FROM A STRETCHER
Los Pitxileros had to dig in and be patient against a rough and tough Sannyamathland to win through to the knockout stages of the IAC for the third consecutive tournament, despite playing practically the whole match with only ten men following Milan Lucio's dismissal in the first minute. With a fourth consecutive clean sheet, this group of players have claimed a new record for the nation to add to the general plaudits they will receive for their game management in a professional win - though it looked far from professional in the opening minute. Brought in to add some leadership to the team in the absence of captain Oscar Bienvenida and vice Tol Chicote, Milan Lucio entirely lost his temper following a crunching, mis-timed tackle from White Lions' defender Leon Vladinovich in the first attack of the game. The injury was clearly a bad one for Milan, and he saw red when Leon was only booked by the lenient referee - offering enough choice words as he was being stretchered off that he gave the ref no choice but to red card him from his stretcher. Sub Mani Quita, warming up on the sideline, was stood down, though he would be brought into the fray later on to help put the game to bed. After such a bizarre and tempestuous start, it was the ten men of Tequilo who settled the quicker, with player-of-the-match midfielder Niño Pinto rising to the occasion, scoring in the ninth minute and dictating play throughout to mastermind a very decent win, in the end. Two late goals, from Alexandro Calvoecheaga and a deserved second for Niño Pinto, settled the game to ensure there was no late comeback from the Lions. Jaïr Iscla was injured midway through the first half and his replacement, Aiker Têa, limped off with minutes to go, and having used all the subs coach Juan Manuel Botín's side finished the game with only nine men. Mó Reverté, on as a late sub for Alexandro Calvoecheaga to shore up the defence in the closing minutes, made his international debut in the win.

Milan Lucio will serve his automatic three-match ban whilst injured, joining Jatsu Cañaverri as players ruled out for the rest of the tournament, while Aiker Têa will miss at least the next two games. Jaïr Iscla however escapes with only a minor knock and will be selected for the final group game against Picksall Islands. Vice captain Tol Chicote will return after missing the last two games with injury but captain Oscar Bienvenida is still on the treatment list. With head-to-head results the first tie-breaker, and Abanhfleft the only team who can match the Agave-Blues' points haul, Tequilo hold the advantage and thus this victory also confirms the group stage first place - leaving coach Botín the opportunity to rest some of his players. Ochoa Abril, Ixtub Tün, Niño Pinto and Alexandro Calvoecheaga will all be on the bench for this game, while Pedro Rôa & Tsttnauayui are to be recalled after resting last time out.

TEQUILO STAT SUMMARY

Competition goals: Alexandro Calvoecheaga (3) Niño Pinto (2) Ixtub Tün, Jaïr Iscla, Macedoni Altés (1)
Competition assists: Niño Pinto (2) Jaïr Iscla, Tsttnauayui, Alexandro Calvoecheaga, Ixtub Tün (1)
Competition PoMs: Alexandro Calvoecheaga, Emmanuel París, Tsttnauayui, Niño Pinto (1)
Competition cards: Milan Lucio (1 red, 1 yellow) Ostando Bertendona, Tsttnauayui, Urbano Noboa, Tol Chicote, Oscar Bienvenida, Abas Juanarena (1 yellow)

Confirmed Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Picksall Islands
@ City Stadium, Havenurbo, Muralos (capacity 28,000)
(4-1-3-2)
Abas Juanarena | Ostando Bertendona, José Tavia, Tol Chicote (C), Diogo Junco | Lorenzo Pero | Jaïr Iscla, Çenturion, Tsttnauayui | Pedro Rôa, Mani Quita

Unavailable: Oscar Bienvenida, Macedoni Altés, Aiker Têa, Jatsu Cañaverri & Milan Lucio (injured)

by **Muralos** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 3:29 pm

From another page in Georgo Zhong's diary
March 31, 2021

FINAL
Muralos 2 - 0 Kohnhead
Brava 62', Lin 78'

Oh my god, we did it. We beat Kohnhead. And we didn't let them score once. That's just incredible to my mind, the fact that we pulled it off. We had an ironclad defense throughout the entire match. Shoutout to Rodion, Tanya, and Ji-Yong; Kohnhead's squad REALLY likes to score, as evidenced by Kohnhead 4-1 Savigliane among other matches, but that didn't faze any one of them.

Importantly, we actually delivered on our chances. That first goal... I can still see in my mind's eye how the ball came to me from Nikolaj. Kohnhead's midfielders were at bay, and I knew Adamo could take a shot if I could just get the ball to him. And it freakin' happened. He headed it straight in. This time I could actually jump and scream without holding myself back, unlike on Monday against Ginadjkrum after that ridiculous goal.

But to think that we got ANOTHER goal. This time, it happened with Lerta dishing the ball off to Valora, who got ahead of both Kohnhead defenders and let the ball go.

The rush of emotions I feel right now is pretty similar to how it felt pulling off our precious few upsets in the WCQs. This match actually meant that much to us. I still feel like running around in celebration... but that's enough.

Our next match is against Adab. Their squad might not seem as strong as Kohnhead's, but considering how our training against Kohnhead paid off, I think we're going to keep that same energy against Adab. Our coaches have exhorted us to take them seriously. These Adabian players have taken on Audioslavia and Starblaydia's squad in the past, and they had a solid run in the IAC-5. Oh, and this present tournament, they've not been slouches either. Yargab's goal against Indusse earlier today was AMAZING, and don't forget that Indusse's team lost 1-5 while we tied 2-2 with them. (Oh shoot I forgot to specify I mean Yargab's first goal, which was just off the charts. The second goal was great too.)

So basically, Adab's squad is determined to expand on their old glory. I'm pretty sure most of us on the Muralosian squad want to rise to the challenge and give them a good game. ~~Underestimating our opponents is so last season.~~ Okay, no. But I think we're more than ready for tomorrow.

We've also heard back from the Muralosian Soccer Association and the office of President Lee about Tyra Volam's disappearance. Both the MSA and President Lee have started an investigation into what happened. Frustratingly, the MSA notes that the security cameras in the City Stadium of Poronaysk had some kind of outage. They also noted that one particular lot adjacent to the stadium was vacant with no attendants supervising it. This is probably something that Squornshelan authorities pounced on, detaining Tyra Volam and heading out from there. President Lee noted that his office was investigating bus, Hyperloop, rail, and air traffic from the last few days. Wild stuff, but it's within the Muralosian president's rights as he's ~~clearly~~ looking for a missing person on Muralosian soil who might be punished for dissent ~~on Muralosian soil~~ by a country with little tolerance for it. (It does seem like a lot of power, but I'm not in the mood to question our constitution right now.) Now, his lead investigator (Vasily Ivanov) doubts that Squornshelan authorities plus Tyra Volam could get past any sort of transit hub without being apprehended. So the investigation narrows her location down to the city limits of Poronaysk.

To Mr. Ivanov, it makes the most sense that Tyra Volam would be detained in a hotel. She could be locked in a room while some Squornshelan authority holds the key. The question is, which hotel? And is Mr. Ivanov right? I am waiting eagerly for the answers. Everyone following the IAC (and then some) is waiting, I think.

April 1, 2021
One more day until the last group stage match of the IAC-12. It would have been nice to be locked at the top of the group, but no; tomorrow, we're going to bring what will be an exciting match for Hawk and Adab fans alike. I'm almost sure of it. Coach Kageyama was completely right when she said that we need this sort of thing: confidence plus suspense. Our coaches love equations: preparation plus calculation, confidence plus suspense... It's nice. If we give into pressure before a suspenseful group stage game, we won't have the right mentality for it, and it'll come and bite us in any knockout stage games we play down the road. So I'm going to be out there playing good soccer– no, we'll all be doing that. Bring it on.

by **Almuzahara** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 4:23 pm

Almuzahara struggling to start an Independent Associations Champion before pulling things together at the end is not a new story. In fact, it's exactly what they did at IAC11, with wins on the final two matchdays propelling them into the next round. The Panthers will be hoping to add to that record, as after an assured 4-1 victory over Bunkaiia, a final-day victory over eliminated Britonisea could send them into the Round of 16 if other results go their way.

The Seahorse Defense has become a phrase synonymous with stability at the back and a solid, defensive-minded style of play. Against the hard-working, attack-minded hosts, the match was an interesting contrast in styles. If Bunkaiia had managed to score first, there's no telling how the match would have ended up, as Bunkaiia could have been empowered to simply sit back. Yet, ten minutes in, to protests from the Watermelons and from Hamosegaki's touchline, Herifein's challenge on Tariq Ben Labrat, who had split open the Magic Rectangle with a deft run into space, was punished with a penalty. Ahmed Fernandez coolly slotted home, and Bunkaiia were forced to leave their comfort zone and hunt for an equalizer.

Unfortunately, this played directly into Yusuf Alaoui's hand, as the Panthers thrive hounding opposing attackers and surging forwards on the counterattack. By the time Bunkaiia found their first goal, late in the first half, Almuzahara had tripled their advantage on the counterattack, first through Ben Labrat and then from a brilliant solo run from youngster Ilyas Youssef, who justified his recent big-money move to Siovanija & Teusland. By the time Keïan managed to pull one back with a magnificent long-range effort, the Panthers were comfortably ahead. Substitute Amir Alami's late goal proved little more than a victory lap, as Almuzahara locked down in the second half.

The Panthers now take on last-place Britonisea, playing only for pride, in an attempt to rescue their playoff qualification attempt. A win will not be sufficient, as Reçueçn remains ahead on points, but will be almost necessary if Almuzahara wants to continue playing in front of their home crowd. They'll be doing so without star forward Ahmed Fernandez, who will be replaced by Amir Alami in the starting lineup as Blanco shifts to the left, due to a training-ground injury, but will hope the team can pull through regardless.

by **Squornshelous** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 5:41 pm

Scions, Chapter 3
Chapter 1, Chapter 1.5, Chapter 2

Teresa Lagerkron's press conference following her team's 6-0 shellacking of Lorrana had definitely not gone as anticipated. Ever since Volam had been removed from the team after that kneeling stunt she'd pulled, there had been a frustratingly persistent sense of intrigue between her and the press. She'd gotten as much experience as any Squornshelan in dealing with the so-called Free Press of the wider multiverse, but that didn't make it any more enjoyable. There had been a few impertinent questions about her former player at some of her previous pressers. She'd fended them off ably enough, she felt. Volam had been removed from the team for actions unbecoming a representative of the Imperium. Whatever happened next simply wasn't Lagerkron's concern. She had a team to manage. Ever since the listless performance against Drawkland, her Red and Black had been firing on all cylinders. Three successive clean sheet victories, with the latest counted among the most impressive performances of the tournament thus far. Frankly, she found it insulting that so many still wanted to discuss someone who'd let her team down with a selfish act, rather than the players giving their all out on the pitch match after match. The first few postmatch questions at least had been on topic this time. She'd had the chance to praise Anker for her superb performance, netting a hat trick to lead the rout. It had fallen apart pretty quickly after that.

The Muralosian government, in the apparent absence of any real work to do, had decided to make her life hell. Worse yet, no one had told her of the developments in the Volam situation, so she ended up walking into the situation blind. When the first curveball question had come, she'd looked like a complete idiot.

. . . . . . . . .

"I wonder if we could get your reaction to the latest developments in the Tyra Volam saga."

She'd sighed deeply, "I hardly think its fair to call one player's dismissal from a team a "saga" and focus on it to the exclusion of all else."

"There are a lot of people around the multiverse who'd disagree with you. Do you mean to say you aren't aware of today's developments?"

"Yes, that's precisely what I mean to say. I have much more important things to focus on managing this team than keeping up with your rumor mill."

"Yes, you've made it very clear you don't read our publication, but do you have any comment to the releases from the office of President Lee, or from Lead Investigator Vasily Ivanov."

"I don't have any comment about it. I have no idea where Tyra Volam is right now, and frankly, I don't care. Is there anyone here who would like to ask a question about football."

"Ms. Lagerkron, Salwan Mynhier, independent writer, Squornshelan Remnant States."

"I'm not taking questions on this from a Westie¹."

"I prefer the term Confederate myself Ms. Lagerkron. This is more a comment than a question anyhow. Since you seem unaware of recent events I'd like to enlighten you. Tyra Volam was taken into Muralosian state police custody today at the hotel used by your team here in Poronaysk. Lead Investigator Ivanov indicated that police believe she had been kept in that hotel room since leaving the arena during your opening match. She hasn't been permitted to speak to the press yet, but I in particular am greatly interested in what she might have to say. Do you have any comment now?"

"Ms. Volam is no longer a member of this team, and her whereabouts or activities are entirely outside my purview. I'm not sure how many more times I need to repeat that for it to sink in."

"So it doesn't bother you at all that your government was detaining a former player of yours on foreign soil simply because she's not a player of yours anymore? I'm sure the rest of your roster will find that attitude interesting."

"That's a baseless accusation, and this press conference is over."

That awful Westie bastard had actually had the nerve to shout after her as she fled the room.

"Ah right, allegedly detaining a former player of yours. Honestly though I'd love to go to court with you. Have your lawyer call my lawyer! We'll do lunch!"

. . . . . . . . .

Against her own best instincts, Teresa had turned on the news immediately upon reaching the safety of her hotel room. It was bad. Volam had apparently requested political asylum, claiming she was in fear for her life, and while the Muralosian government was continuing to investigate before answering that request, there was apparently a lot of sympathy for the girl in public opinion. Worse yet, the Muralosian police were apparently conducting an inconveniently thorough investigation, with some speculating that she herself might even be a person of interest. It was all going to be a serious distraction for the team heading into the crucial final match of the group stage.

¹ Westie is a derogatory term in the Imperium for someone from the Squornshelan Remnant States, based on that nations former status as West Squornshelous.

by **Muralos** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:12 pm

Cut-off for MD5, groups A-D. Now I'm going to "Take Five" and come back with the group stage tables. (Edit: I took 15, more like. But here are the results!)

Group A:
Britonisea 0-3 Almuzahara
Reçueçn 2-1 Silver Beach
Bunkaiia 1-0 Murphtannia

.                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Reçueçn                 5    2   3   0     6    2   +4     9*
2 Silver Beach            5    3   0   2     6    4   +2     9
3 Almuzahara              5    2   2   1     9    4   +5     8
4 Bunkaiia                5    2   1   2     5    6   −1     7
5 Murphtannia             5    1   2   2     5    5    0     5
6 Britonisea              5    1   0   4     2   12  −10     3

Group B:
Poafmersia 5-0 Britland Isles
Squornshelan Remnant States 2-1 North Alezia
Treekidistan 3-1 Quintessence of Dust

.                              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Squornshelan Remnant States    5    4   1   0    11    5   +6    13
2 Poafmersia                     5    4   0   1    23    4  +19    12
3 North Alezia                   5    3   0   2     6   11   −5     9
4 Treekidistan                   5    1   1   3     6    9   −3     4
5 Britland Isles                 5    0   3   2     3   10   −7     3
6 Quintessence of Dust           5    0   1   4     4   14  −10     1

Group C:
Hebitaka 1-1 Fujai
Space 1-3 New Lusitania and the Algarves
Oscioru 3-0 Gadhavi

.                                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 New Lusitania and the Algarves    5    5   0   0    22    1  +21    15
2 Space                             5    3   1   1    10    5   +5    10
3 Hebitaka                          5    2   2   1     8    9   −1     8
4 Fujai                             5    1   2   2     4    9   −5     5
5 Oscioru                           5    1   1   3     4   12   −8     4
6 Gadhavi                           5    0   0   5     1   13  −12     0

Group D:
TJUN-ia 3-1 Kriegiersien
Srednjaci 1-1 Montaña Verde
Sajnur 0-1 Squidroidia

.                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 TJUN-ia                 5    4   1   0    16    4  +12    13
2 Squidroidia             5    3   2   0    11    3   +8    11
3 Kriegiersien            5    1   2   2     6    7   −1     5
4 Sajnur                  5    1   2   2     4    8   −4     5
5 Montaña Verde           5    0   3   2     3    7   −4     3
6 Srednjaci               5    0   2   3     4   15  −11     2

Green denotes advancing to the Round of 16.
Red denotes elimination from the tournament.

*Reçueçn is ahead of Silver Beach on H2H results.

Round of 16 matchups between teams from Group A-D:

Reçueçn vs. Poafmersia
Stadium of the Vanguard, Al-Fayit, Almuzahara

New Lusitania and the Algarves vs. Squidroidia
Estadio Los Leones, Alfira, Almuzahara

Squornshelan Remnant States vs. Silver Beach
Binsakula Workers' Stadium, Binsakula, Almuzahara

TJUN-ia vs. Space
Moonlight Coliseum, Kuritibah, Almuzahara

All matches will take place April 4, 2021 with the same cut-off time: 15:00 to 16:00 Hawaiian Standard Time, or 01:00 to 02:00 UTC on April 5.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:21 pm

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independents sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Football Fallacies
with The Man from Markovsky

OLD FLAMES BEING REKINDLED IN THE IAC?!

Hello and welcome to The Football Fallacies. Right lads, it's now time for yet another face-off with Trolleborg for the Lady Revolutionaries' penultimate match in the group stage in the 12th Independent Associations Championship. It's kind of a strange situation though. The Trolleborg media say that they and Abanhfleft meet again, while I can barely remember the last time we played against them. That one time I remember we played Trolleborg though, oh, that was certainly memorable. Raise your hands if you remember Elene Liner going out on a date with one of the Trolleborg defenders, Aiden Troger or whatever his name was. Are you raising your hands? Oh, right. This is a blog post. If I saw any one of you raising your hands on my computer monitor I would probably have my bastard computer checked.

Anyway, that was kind of the big story hovering over this game. The reunion of Troger and Liner. The official Trolleborg roster lists an Aien Troger as one of its defenders, and I think it's safe to say that this Aien guy and the guy who went on a date with Elene is the same guy but with a misspelled name. I'm actually surprised that misspelling made it all the way to the official IAC roster. You would think that the Trolleborg FA or whatever their equivalent is called would have people whose only job is to check for misspellings. Apparently not! Anyway, both teams took to the pitch, and to everyone's mild surprise, Trolleborg have decided to field a fairly young lineup as opposed to the veterans and experienced players we would have expected them to put out against us. Meanwhile, Ginny Katesmar stuck to her guns and put out the same starting eleven she's always played since the start of this tournament. Yes, even Rona Churchill, who's served out her red card suspension and is now ready and available for selection once again. Which Katesmar did.

Trolleborg came out swinging, and I do mean swinging. Must be because they've gone for youthful enthusiasm. And boy were they enthusiastic as well. They had some good early chances before our midfield made to shut the door in their faces. Thankfully this time, a few well-timed tackles from Trinidad Kleist was more than enough to tell Trolleborg to watch their shins. This adjustment period then was what allowed our girls to start stringing some moves together and get some shots on target, and before long Amelie Rusev had found the far corner. The ladies could have actually increased our lead by at least two goals too, you know, but Trolleborg grew into the game and steadied their rocking ship before things could get worse for them.

In fact, Trolleborg actually did a 180 and turned the tables on the girls by carving our defense apart. Trolleborg's veterans got to work on that one-touch-pass football, what we here in Abanhfleft call Wexlerball thanks to Godric Wexler who had the most success in the FPL using that tactic, in the early days anyway. Christ above, I can just remember the days before Ludogorets were a consistent Top Six team, when we were fighting against relegation a fair few times. I always dreaded the days when we had to play Arsenal de Releinthi. The old Ludogorets more often than not always chose this team to have an epic collapse and put themselves under the unneccesary risk of relegation, but there were a handful of games where we pushed the Gunners to the absolute limit, only to lose the game last minute anyway. More recently the Foresters have had better luck against Releinthi, but I've gotten distracted. Let's just say that Godric Wexler was the bane of my existence as a Ludogorets fan until his final few seasons in the league. So Trolleborg got the Wexlerball in, and they were duly rewarded with a Stuart Kerr goal. Trolleborg continued to probe and search for that second goal that could bag them the three points, but for once Abanhfleft were actually defensively good and they stopped Trolleborg from having any ideas. There was one additional highlight though of Aiden Trogger and Elene Liner having a "friendly" chat after the final whistle. Whether that chat led to another date or not though, I don't know. I'm an armchair journalist, not a gossip column writer!

Anyway, that's all that there is for me. If you've got any comments of your own about the game against Trolleborg or predictions against Sannyamathland then feel free to leave them down below. Until then, I've been the Man from Markovsky, still disappointed in our country, although I don't bloody know why!

-TROLLEBORG 1 - 1 ABANHFLEFT
 KERR (72')       RUSEV (25')

by **Omerica** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:52 pm

blogdefootball.co.or
All the football news that’s fit to print!

IAC 12: Who needs what on the group stage decision day?
By Sydney King

The final matchday of the group stage has arrived. Many fans have already been disappointed by their side’s premature failure to make it through, but a surprisingly diverse assortment of associations are still in contention to advance to the petite knockout stage of the twelfth Independent Associations Championship here in Almuzahara and Muralos. As a service to the football community, the blogdefootball have crunched all the numbers and are here to present the definitive list of who needs what on this all important matchday.

Group A
Britonisea v Almuzahara @ Al-Fayit (Vanguard) | Reçueçn v Silver Beach @ Al-Fayit (Benhaddou) | Bunkaiia v Murphtannia @ Althuwar
With Silver Beach safely through, Bunkaiia need a ridiculous string of results to advance: they must defeat Murphtannia, Almuzahara must fail to defeat Britonisea and Silver Beach must defeat Reçueçn. For Reçueçn, the path is significantly easier: defeat Silver Beach and progression is assured.

And speaking of Almuzahara, they are on the brink of being the third straight Championship hosts eliminated in the group stage. They need to avoid defeat Britonisea and hope Reçueçn drop points against Silver Beach; for their part, Murphtannia need to win and for Reçueçn to drop points. Murphtannia can get through with a draw, but this requires Almuzahara and Reçueçn to both lose and Murphtannia’s goal differential to at least match Reçueçn’s.

Group B
Poafmersia v Britland Isles @ Binsakula (Conceição) | Squornshelan RS v North Alezia @ Binsakula (Workers’) | Treekidistan v Quintessence of Dust @ Conceição
This group is mercifully simplier. The match in Conceição is a dead rubber; the two games in Binsakula are all that matters. For Team Anne-Sophie Groothuis—the overly-long Squornshelan Remnant States—to advance, they simply have to avoid defeat against North Alezia and they will win the group so long as they match the titleholders’ result. A defeat, however, puts them at serious risk of a second-straight group stage exit.

For Poafmersia, they simply avoid getting a worse result than North Alezia thanks to their absolutely ridiculous 8–0 win on matchday 1. But if North Alezia snatch more points than Poafmersia, it would heavily vindicate the Incorrigibles’ wretched IAC 8 campaign in history: the two-time defending champions would set a new record for worst title defence in Championship history. It’s unlikely to happen, but an Omerican can dream.

Group C
Hebitaka v Fujai @ Alfira (Los Leones) | Space v New Lusitania @ Alfira (International) | Oscioru v Gadhavi @ Kulun
Perhaps the simplest group of them all, former indie champions New Lustiania are safely through on four wins from four, while the entire bottom half of the group are out entirely. Hebitaka can make it to the knockout stage if they defeat Fujai and New Lusitania defeat Space by a combined margin of at least eight goals. Given the utterly ridiculous margins at the Championship thus far and the fact that New Lusitania have won all of their games by no fewer than three goals, don’t count Hebitaka out just yet.

But here’s where things get, to use the scientific terminology, “fucky wucky”: a single point is enough to see Space through to the knockout stage, a single point is enough to see New Lusitania win the group and the two nations are playing each other on matchday five. Who’s to say they don’t just aimlessly kick the ball around for ninety minutes to lock Hebitaka out and get a result that benefits them both? New Lusitania will probably be too interested in going five-for-five to consent to such a arrangement, but be on the watch for it.

Group D
TJUN-ia v Kriegiersien @ Kuritibah (Moonlight) | Srednjaci v Montaña Verde @ Kuritibah (Liberation) | Sajnur v Squidroidia @ Marrakaybu
There’s not a lot to say about this group other than to point out that head-to-head works in strange ways. Kriegiersien have been knocked out by virtue of their opening day defeat to Squidroidia, but Sajnur can still claw into the knockout stage. All Sajnur have to do is defeat Squidroidia; a single point for the Inklings safely sees them through to the last sixteen in what could be their final Championship appearance.

For their part, TJUN-ia are safely through to the knockout stage and can top the group with a victory over Kriegiersien. If the Jaguars draw, they have to hope that Squidroidia drop points or fail to beat Sajnur by more than three goals and with third-ranked New Lusitania awaiting the runners-up, winning this group will be a paramount concern to all the teams in this group.

Group E
Ginadjkrum v Kohnhead @ Urbego (Komcatt) | Grey County v Indusse @ Urbego (Zemlinsky) | Muralos v Adab @ Urbo
If Ginadjkrum had played Kohnhead already, they would already be safely through. Unfortunately, they have not, giving the Brains the opportunity to pull off a stunning upset at the Komcatt Arena. Muralos would become the first Championship host nation since Huelavia to advance to the knockouts with a victory over Adab, a result that would simultaneously give Kohnhead the opportunity to knock out the group leaders with a multiple-goal victory.

For a full explanation: Muralos and Kohnhead wins would put all three teams on ten points overall and three head-to-head, sending the tiebreak to goal differential. Muralos would advance on at least +5, while a two-goal victory for the Brains pulls Kohnhead and Ginadjkrum level on +2 each. As Muralos will no longer be tied with the other two, the tiebreaker would reset and Kohnhead’s victory would put them through as group runners-up.

As for Adab, they get through if they beat Muralos and Ginadjkrum defeat Kohnhead. If Muralos lose and Kohnhead get a draw, the latter get through over Adab by virtue of their matchday one win at the Zemlinsky. It’s not as interesting as Ginadjkrum getting knocked out by a recursive tiebreaker, we do admit.

Group F
Picksall Islands v Tequilo @ Havenurbo (City) | Garbelia v Trolleborg @ Havenurbo (Cemara) | Sannyamathland v Abanhfleft @ Novikovo
Tequilo are not only safely through to the knockout stage, they are also the first team to secure top spot in the group. Conversely, Garbelia are the only team in this group out of contention, as the other four teams are separated by just two points. A Fleftic win over Sannyamathland would render the group anticlimatic, but the Revolutionaries could make the group interesting by dropping points.

If so, the Picksall Islands would secure a place in the knockout stage with victory thanks to their matchday 3 win over Sannyamathland. Sannyamathland would have to defeat Abanhfleft and hope Tequilo get a win at the City Stadium to get through to the last sixteen, while Trolleborg need every single result to go their way to advance: they must defeat Garbelia, the Picksall Islands must drop points to Tequilo and Sannyamathland and Abanhfleft must play out a draw. Highly unlikely, but unlikelier things have happened.

Group G
Omerica v Devonta @ Sahalena-Urbeto | HSOWA v Central Shaneville @ Tomari | Huelavia v Al Wadiya @ Okcidenta-Havenurbo
After the last two groups, Group G is mercifully simple. Huelavia are safely through thanks to their head-to-head advantage over Central Shaneville and will secure top spot in the group with a win over over Al Wadiya in Okcidenta-Havenurbo.

Thanks to that very same tiebreaker, the Incorrigibles only need a point to secure a place in the last sixteen. Conversely, defeat to Devonta means certain elimination. That result would open the door for Central Shaneville, who would simply have to defeat the hapless Hot Skitty on Wailord Action to make it through. For Devonta, their path to the knockout stage is narrow, as they must beat an Incorrigibles side that have only conceded once in the last four games and hope that the wretched HSOWA team can snatch points over Cam Meister’s side.

Group H
Squornshelous v Juvencus @ Poronaysk | Lorrana v Drawkland @ Gastello | United Pink States v Galimencia @ Makarov
Half of this group are already out and the match in Makarov is completely meaningless. Drawkland hold the tiebreaker over the Groothuis-less Squornshelous thanks to an opening day victory. Consequently, the only result that can knock the Kick Corps out is a defeat in Gastello and a victory by the Groothuis-less Squornshelous in Poronaysk; the Kick Corps are in such a good position that they will win the group so long as they don’t suffer a worse result than the Groothuis-less Squornshelous.

For the Groothuis-less Squornshelous, their six-goal blowout of Lorrana on the previous matchday means that a single point against Juvencus will be enough to secure a spot in the last sixteen.

We are now taking bets on the worst Championship performers. The favourites are Gadhavi, Garbelia and Galimencia. ◇

Other Football News:
• IAC 12: The HSOWA birds are officially confirmed for last place in Group G after defeat to the Incorrigibles
• IAC 12: Huelavia supporters mostly snapping up Devontan seats to the decision day clash in Sahalena-Urbeto
• OPSL Premier Division: How would the OPSL distribute places in the “Federation of Football Independents” cups?

Uniting Omerican sport fans across the United Republics — blogdefootball: a proud member of the Gryphon Pride network

United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA
Hot Skitty on Wailord Action 0–1 Omerica
Independent Associations Championship 12 group stage — Matchday Four
Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena, Sahalena-Urbeto, Muralos
Omerica goalscorer(s): Adélaïde Argyris 20’
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Antoine Vicario (captain); Frédérique Marquetti, Jacques Laurent, Raphaël Martin, Felix Zanetti; Alphonse Fontaine, Paige Boyce, Christian Marts; Jean-François Fernand, Malcolm Beauchesne, Adélaïde Argyris

Omerica v Devonta
Independent Associations Championship 12 group stage — Matchday Five
Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky Arena, Sahalena-Urbeto, Muralos
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Valentine Augustin (captain); Alphonse Notley, Anna Charles, Justin Thyme, Sacha Sepulveda; Maxime Fournier, Fearchar Mac Cléirich, Thom Magalhães; Jessie Beckett, Alexis Chrysanthos, Jamal Ahmad
Substitutes: Antoine Vicario, Alexandra McGuire; Frédérique Marquetti, Jacques Laurent, Raphaël Martin, Felix Zanetti; Alphonse Fontaine, Paige Boyce, Christian Marts; Jean-François Fernand, Malcolm Beauchesne, Adélaïde Argyris

by **Almuzahara** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:00 pm

MD5 cutoff. Will you be moving on, or walking away?

IAC12: MD5
Groups E-H - Muralos

Group E
Ginadjkrum 1-0 Kohnhead
Grey County 2-1 Indusse
Muralos 5-1 Adab

Group E Standings
   Team            P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Ginadjkrum      5 4 1 0  9  4  +5  13
 2 Muralos         5 3 1 1 13  5  +8  10
 3 Kohnhead        5 2 2 1  5  6  -1  7
 4 Adab            5 1 2 2 12 13  -1  5
 5 Grey County     5 1 2 2  7 11  -4  5
 6 Indusse         5 0 1 4  5 12  -7  1

Group F
Picksall Islands 2-5 Tequilo
Garbelia 0-2 Trolleborg
Sannyamathland 3-2 Abanhfleft

Group F Standings
   Team                 P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Tequilo              5 4 1 0 14  2  +12 13
 2 Sannyamathland       5 3 0 2  6  6   0  9
 3 Trolleborg           5 2 2 1  5  2  +3  8
 4 Abanhfleft           5 2 1 2  7  7   0  7
 5 Picksall Islands     5 2 0 3  5  8  -3  6
 6 Garbelia             5 0 0 5  0  12 -12 0

Group G
Omerica 3-0 Devonta
Hot Skitty on Wailord Action 0-1 Central Shaneville
HUElavia 1-1 Al Wadiya

Group G Standings
   Team                             P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Omerica                          5 4 0 1  13 1 +12  12
 2 HUElavia                         5 3 2 0  8  2  +6  11
 3 Central Shaneville               5 3 1 1  8 11 -3   10
 4 Devonta                          5 2 0 3  4 10  -6   6
 5 Al Wadiya                        5 1 1 3  4  6  -2   4
 6 Hot Skitty on Wailord Action     5 0 0 5  0  7  -7   0

Group H
Squornshelous 2-1 Juvencus
Lorrana 1-5 Drawkland
United Pink States 2-3 Galimencia

Group H Standings
   Team                   P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Drawkland              5 4 0 1 14  3 +11  12¹
 2 Squornshelous          5 4 0 1  13 4  +9  12
 3 Lorrana                5 2 1 2  6  10 -4  7
 4 Juvencus               5 1 2 2  5  5   0  5  
 5 United Pink States     5 1 1 3  5  9  -4  4  
 6 Galimencia             5 1 0 4  5  14 -9  0

¹ Drawkland ahead of Squornshelous on H2H.

Round of 16 matchups between teams from Group E-H:

Ginadjkrum vs. Sannyamathland
Komcatt Arena, Urbego, Muralos

Omerica vs. Squornshelous
Novikovo Stadium, Novikovo, Muralos

Tequilo vs. Muralos
Spartak Stadium Okcidenta-Havenurbo, Okcidenta-Havenurbo, Muralos

Drawkland vs. HUElavia
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