World Cup LXI (61) RP Thread

by **Yesopalitha** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:50 pm

Sparky's Stance

Question of the day: What the heck happened to Jonah Calhoun in that goal he gave up against the Democratic States of Fenbar?

My answer: He just got beat, plain and simple. No need for excuses, no need for alarm. The forward came up with confidence, lost Von Helz, who was covering him, and buried it to the corner of the net. It kind of shocked the team, for certain, but it isn't the end of the world to give up one goal. Especially not when that one goal kind of awakes your all-star Goalkeeper and the rest of the squad.

I am speaking, of course, of the eighth minute goal given up by the usually reliable Calhoun, which was then followed by eighty-two minutes of sheer dominance by a rejuvenated Flames squad. Ivan and Fantasia brought up the ball through the wings, gave it to Isaac, Jane, and Hilary, who pressed it forward to Quincy and Nadya. Result: Three goals, one by Nadya on a header off of a free kick (which was taken by Isaac of course), one by Hilary on a driving shot right before the half, and the third in the second half off the left foot of Jacques, who came in to give Fantasia a break. (Interesting formation resulted, by the way)

I have to say, if conceding a goal fires them up this much, I wouldn't mind if Jonah gave up more goals. They played like crazy people out there. The intensity was apparent on their faces, and the result speaks for itself. I suppose we should thank the Democratic States of Fenbar for slapping the face of the Flames for a wake-up call. Hopefully, we won't need too many of them.

Now comes a key stretch of games - first against Amstaad & Bierlin, and then Ossidiacqua. These two matches, and the two again in the second leg, will truly determine whether Yesopalitha makes it to the all-important winner-to-World Cup proper game or not. For that is the goal of the Flames, for now.

Jacques looked sharp out there today. The kid has a bright future. Looking forward to him play out there for years to come. Not that I don't want any of the Starting XI to retire yet, of course... But it's never too early to start thinking of the future, is it?

It's an exciting time in the history of Yesopalithan Football. And I love my job, reporting on it.

Sparky out.

Maharamba in Wight

Although the King of Uncertain Dimensions had wanted to leave Maharamba the child-assassin in that forsaken island for three days and then pick him up, the demon-child had other ideas. After he had drunk his fill of the blood of the rodents in the island, Maharamba swam - yes, he could swim so far since Vampires don't need to breathe - to the nearest land, which ended up to be the peninsula between the cities of Spit and Fall.

Glad to be out of the King's Court, and away from any prying, judgmental eyes, the child-assassin went to the nearest village, and terrorized the poor kids there by scaring them with his teeth. As the children scampered off, screaming at the top of their lungs, the demon-child said to himself, "Now, isn't that the best music ever played? To me forever this place will be called "Screaming Pit", for the glorious noise heard here."

Before the local officials could catch him, the child-assassin turned and ran, hoping to make it to the city of Fall and cause even more problems than he had had already.

by **Geisenfried** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:01 pm

His first name was actually Walter, but in truth, he hated it. He'd been given the nickname Wali from an early age and held onto it fastidiously, even though others might see 'Walter' as more mature. Indeed, perhaps the only things he hated more than being called Walter were not winning and not scoring, something he in particular noted were closely correlated. Ever since he'd agreed to participate in the national team call-up, he'd yet to score a goal in an actual match, and Geisenfried hadn't seen it's first win either. Maybe if they could get the ball to him a bit more often, there'd be a few more marks in the win column. That wasn't totally true, a voice in the back of his head told him - he'd gotten plenty of chances and wasted them all was probably the more accurate assessment - but the greater part of him didn't care. He was starving for a goal, and the sooner it came the better.

Despite still remaining without a goal for the match, Geisenfried was in the lead. They'd pushed hard early on, and it finally paid off when Eric found a cozy little space at the edge of the box where he was open and managed to blast one past the goalkeeper for an early 1-0 lead, much to the dismay of the home crowd. He was happy for his captain and for his team, but inside it still gnawed at him that the goal wasn't his. He wanted one so badly, damn it - he was a striker - their lead striker - and it was his job to the ball in the net. He nursed this frustration silently, only to see it grow as his team eased into it's more natural defensive stance in order to protect it's fought-for lead. That meant less opportunities for him.

And so the end of the first half and the beginning of the second came without fanfare, as Geisenfried continued to maintain its 1-0 advantage. Eventually, the hour mark on the match passed, and Mashiki was on the offensive again, desperate to equalize in front of their home fans and not make it two straight losses to teams ranked 'below' them. He didn't have much to do defensively - not exactly a centre forward's job, now was it? - but as always remained ready and waiting for a quick counter, one of Geisenfried's favorite ways to put goals on the board. As he waited impatiently near midfield, suddenly the chance came - Heinz had dispossessed their attacking midfielder of the ball and it had rolled right to Reiher - who lobbed ball right over their unsuspecting wing back to Rudi, who had rushed forward in the opportune moment. Suddenly it was off to the races, with just a couple defenders left to beat.

Wali pushed forward as fast as he could while trying to remain onside, all the while trying to telepathically get Rudi pass the ball forward and let Wali run. Though any psychic connection failed to manifest, Rudi nonetheless saw the opportunity and pushed the ball far forward, hoping that Wali would be quick enough to get there. Wali pushed on the afterburners and ran ahead of the defender closest to him, trying his hardest to get where the ball would be. One of the other remaining backs stretched forward to try and tap the ball out of its line, but it was too far forward, and he was left stuck on the ground, only able to watch the rest of it unfold. Wali was not so unlucky. He got his forward foot to the ball and suddenly it was just him and the keeper - a situation every striker dreamed about. The goalie tried to come out and force Wali's shot into a bad angle, but he had already scoped his chance and fired across the goalkeeper's body. It flew past the keeper's outstretched limbs before nestling right into the back right corner of the net. That all-too-welcome surge of accomplishment rushed back into his body as he celebrated his score with a fist-pump. Geisenfried had its insurance goal - and in time, its first win in a long while.

Mashiki 0-2 Geisenfried

- Reiher (13'), Schenze (63')

Group 12:	GP	W	D	L	PT	GF	GA	GDF
Eura		 5	4	1	0	13	20	 9	+11
New Mont. St.	 5	3	0	2	 9	 7	 5	 +2
Mashiki		 5	3	0	2	 9	 9	 8	 +1
Starblaydia	 6	3	0	3	 9	12	12	 +0
Baltskandio	 5	2	1	2	 7	14	13	 +1
Ko-oren		 5	2	1	2	 7	 6	 7	 -1
Aexalla		 6	2	1	3	 7	 7	12	 -5
Geisenfried	 5	1	2	2	 5	 3	 8	 -5
Urbis Tractus	 6	1	0	5	 3	 8	12	 -4

Next Match - MD7: v Baltskandio @ Kaiserstadtsportfeld [Altien, Mehren]

by **Mashiki** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:27 pm

Form dips once again for Mashiki

Once again, Mashiki has fallen to yet another lower ranked team in the qualifying process for the World Cup LXI. Geisenfried visited this time, and we were very confident as they are unranked. But they did have the pedigree, after hosting World Cup 32. They may be unranked, but they are still believed to be a dangerous side. We found that out after another unexpected loss, this time the score was 2-0. Maha Bubuneski was certainly not happy at all about the way that the team played, and they were all punished for not playing well at all. The match was intervened at half time due to another case of wild antelope being let out on the pitch, but this time no-one was hurt as it was at half-time.

Before the match, a lot of people were expecting a repeat of what happened last match against Aexalla, as did the bookmakers in Mashiki, with a lot of bets going towards a 2-0 Geisenfried win. As the match kicked off, Mashiki just couldn't handle with the amount of pressure that was being put on their shoulders, and Geisenfried went all out offensive and quickly scored while Mashiki weren't ready for it. The scorer, captain Eric Reiher, was quick to celebrate in front of the booing Mashiki fans, and was swiftly booked.

Again, Mashiki came so agonisingly close to scoring when a low half-volley from left-back Wimpal-Mateng collided with the post, sting the chances of a comeback before half-time. Maha could say nothing at half-time, as there was nothing to say, and he thought that they could think about how they could improve by themselves. So when they came out for the second half, they knew what must happen: All out attack. Another few close chances from Papovska, Menz and Didinho went whizzing by, and Mashiki could only think tat luck was holding them back from better things to come. And when Geisenfried found their second goal through their star striker, Wali Schenze, they didn't have the power in them to will them on, and so the match ended, again, with a loss.

Mashiki 0 - 2 Geisenfried

Geisenfried Scorers:
Reiher 13"
Schenze 63"

Again another disappointing loss for the Mashiks, and looking at the group table and upcoming matches, it doesn't look like it's going to get any better...
Team P W D L For Ag +/- Pts
1 The FSSO 5 4 1 0 20 9 +11 13
2 Mashiki 5 3 0 2 9 8 +1 9
3 Starblaydia 6 3 0 3 12 12 +0 9
4 New Montreal States 5 3 0 2 7 5 +2 9
5 Ko=oren 5 2 1 2 6 7 -1 7
6 Baltskandio 5 2 1 2 14 13 +1 7
7 Aexalla 6 2 1 3 7 12 -5 7
8 Geisenfried 5 1 2 2 3 8 -5 5
9 Urbis Tractus 6 1 0 5 8 12 -4 3

Mashiki are still just holding on to that crucial second place, but New Montreal States have a superior goal difference to us. However, all this can change when we go to visit Ko-oren next matchday with a win putting us securely in second place (although Starblaydia could go ahead if they also match our result).

So once again I conclude with the results and fixtures list thus far:

MD1: Baltskandio (H) 2-1
MD2: Urbis Tractus (A) 2-1
MD3: Starblaydia (H) 5-3
MD4: Aexalla (A) 0-1
MD5: Bye
MD6: Geisenfried (H) 0-2
MD7: Ko-oren (A)
MD8: New Montreal States (H)
MD9: The FSSO (A)
-----Mid-Qualifying Break-----
MD10: Baltskandio (A)
MD11: Urbis Tractus (H)
MD12: Starblaydia (A)
MD13: Aexalla (H)
MD14: Bye
MD15: Geisenfried (A)
MD16: Ko-oren (H)
MD17: New Montreal States (A)
MD18: The FSSO (H)

by **Kiryu-shi** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:33 pm

from a scrap of paper found orbiting around the planet curiously blacked out except for the following

a team recently thoroughly baptised quarterfinalists in Ossidiacqua a dangerous team playing at home a close knit team all from the same club even a family team the sole reserve and the coach brothers this team not to be taken lightly almost matching aguazul goal for goal the cosmic team they battled today with the kiri

slow at the beginning i floated not stinging it was no doubt that both teams were waiting and i was able to drift neither team pressing too hard a lot of cycling around defenders and midfielders i was on a series of neat strings connecting foot to foot it was easy for me rolling straight this was
almost leisurely

i drifted

almost pelagic on waves of grass the tides of players moving up and down back and forth not seasick merely cruising as they flock to and from me i can’t tell if i’m drawing them or being drawn by them surely
both
to be fair

rolling is something easy to get used to my face is ever changing never a moment in which i am not looking forward even though always when rolling touching the ground in an instant i am transformed my face previously looking straight forward now on grass my rear then skyward and around it circles each moment transitioning into the other as i transform orientations defining my body my body always the same but never
quite the same

and the rolling the drifting the floating from player to player team to team it keeps going but now the tides are stagnant i am bound in the cosmic side of the pitch but their control over me grows ever tenuous i am now one with them the kiri pass me to and fro nothing but their feet and all of a sudden i am floating circling and circling each boot seems a little more aggressive perhaps or anxious
probing
and
prodding

now i am a surgical instrument slicing through soft tufts of cosmic defending and i feel more violent than ever i don’t feel quite secure both teams are heavily felt as i explore the tension still rolling on the ground but faster quicker moving through the penalty area short quick blasts connect me languid no longer and then a blast

my world is pain i am oblivious to all else

before it is mercifully ended at the back of the net

and then
again
this slow pace starts
cosmic censorship perhaps nervous and trying to attack but the kiri are taking
it
slow
so
very
slow

i almost feel like i can doze the grass feels good beneath me passes more like massages caressing me softly handling me touches in just the right places

this time deeper in kiri territory held closely tightly possession instead of aggression the cosmic side increasingly attempting just to get me but i am elusive spinning past their helpless boots and then just when their presence is about to get overwhelming

empty

space

i’m on the the side at the feet of mcguinness who controls me adeptly running freely and i am skimming freely along the ground i flow and positions me bringing me into the penalty area the cosmic presence scrambling just to materialize in front of their net

but

too late

mcguinness cuts me to d’arányi
and i am in the net

by the second half the kiri had different members in circulating once more a little less adeptly a little less briskly but still in control until the moment i was lost
lost a combination of luck and skill i was lazily drifting between defenders again riding a comfortable wave when all of a sudden scott took me a sudden blast of force taking me past the keeper and a moment is lost

it ends slowly painfully both teams trying to control me nothing is beautiful any longer big kicks sloppy play no one can score like this but neither team is at ease and it ends like that
a win the kiri cannot quite celebrate
a loss cosmically off kilter

kiri have won all five now but this
is no way
to keep playing
not with aguazul in three matches
unbeaten
multiple world cups

clear cut
number one

kiryu
wavering

[ooc notes: I am incorporating dictionary.com’s Word of the Day into my RPs, today’s word is ‘pelagic’. Also, as should hopefully be evident, this is written from the ball utilized in the matches of Kiryu-shi, and hopefully accurately represents the writing ability of inanimate objects.

Also, goalscorers for record keeping and RPing purposes: Feingold 39', d'Arányi 44', Scott 74'

by **Kingdom of Phoenixia** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:47 pm

2-3 against Wihsirmir Taoul di wer Qumadosfan, shame on Phoenixia !

The qualification tournament started so well for Phoenixia and now we are the laughing stock of the whole group. After a battle of pure offensive football Andreas Stenko failed with the exploitation of chances, two goals are not enough, not even close. In a normal game no one would accuse him for that but that wasn't a normal game. The defence was a mad house, the Keeper a chicken excuse of his games against Fillipones and Anollasia.
Coach Riegerson needs to give other players a chance but it is most unlikely that the member of the royal party will take the right measures, like the most members of this party he is a coward. A coward who will be merited for his failures !
The only change he declared for the game against Mangolana is the change of the goalkeeper. To the surprise of the most experts Jens Holgerson will be the man between the goalposts for this most important game of the group.
For the sake of the struggling soul and honor of Phoenixia lets hope that this will be the right decision, otherwise lynch him.
Tomas Breivik for true-phoenixians.ph

by **Alasdair I Frosticus** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:29 pm

THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO THE ORDINARY REALITY MULTIVERSE

Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal, the

Highly dangerous carnivorous mammal. The animal does not seem to have evolved naturally. Two hypotheses exist for its origin. In the first, the Bugblatter Beast was created in the gene vats of Traal, an obscure necrologist to the Oneiromancer, and then unleashed into the multiverse during one of the earlier outpourings of the Event into Ordinary Reality. The second hypothesis holds that 'Traal' is in fact the beast's planet of origin, though opinions differ on how it was then created, which universe Traal is in, and how it then spread across bubbles into different parts of the multiverse.

Larval forms of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal have sometimes been taken to the Dreamed Realm for study. While neither SBIS nor ISPI have ever released an official statement, many hold that this would tend to support the hypothesis that they are a creation of someone working for the Adversary.

Much confusion over the true nature of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast was once caused by a popular work of Ordinary Reality fiction which described the Beast as 'so mind-bogglingly stupid that it assumes that if someone cannot see it, then it cannot see the person'. This led to many intrepid individuals dying when they attempted to evade the Beast's attention by wrapping a towel around their head.

There are no known survivors of this technique.

The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast is so vicious, so ravenous, so indestructible, that a single individual has been known to lay waste to an entire planet. This became a particular cause of concern during World Cup 61, when agents of the nation of Wight - described elsewhere in this guide as 'mostly harmless' - were allowed to kidnap 12 larval Beasts in order to, in the words of representatives of the Imperial Chap's Club, 'show those foreign blighters a lesson'.

Only the personal intervention of Juan Tzimisces, ably assisted by an SBIS agent masquerading under the alias 'Fr Eusebius Who Always Burns the Lentils', stopped the dozen Ravenous Bugblatter Beasts from consuming Wight, and then moving on to the destruction of all of Atlantian Oceania.

Following Tzimisces' heroic intervention - which amazingly related in no cessations of existence for any mundy lifeforms - King Bua of Wight agreed (reluctantly, and - so it's said - highly begrudgingly) to name a geographical feature of Wight after the legendary Imperial football manager. Everyone later agreed that, whatever the specifics of the event (which Wight's Ministry of Inaccurate Information has often hotly disputed), it was much exciting than the Holy Empire's rather embarrassing 9-1 demolition of West Zirconia.

Should you ever be confronted by a Ravenous Bugblatter Beast (and if you're not Juan Tzimisces), you should immediately attempt to return to the Dreamed Realm via an adjacent portal. If you are not adjacent to a portal, consider how lucky you are that life has been good to you so far. Alternatively, if life hasn't been good to you so far, which given your current circumstances seems more likely, consider how lucky you are that it won't be troubling you much longer.

by **Qazox** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:30 pm

World Cup 61
ASMV-Valanora

Qazox defeated Mapletish 2-0 to remain atop of the Group 17 standings, leading Mapletish and United Gordonopia by 3 points each with just 3 games left for each before the mid-way point. The Eagles will now head to a struggling Turori. With a poem about these matches, here is Natalie Waters:

Two to nil a win Qazox did get,
though at times the match
was boring enough to forget.

Through one half there was no score
and it looked to stay that way;
but Daniel Spaatz in minute 54

Slammed home a lengthy shot
that trickled past Oliver Kahner
as he stopped it not.

Forward pressed the Eagles' attack
But the Lions countered with
strong play along the back.

Late in the match, Grady Reed
was sent in by Coach Zaki
to give the midfield more speed.

The move paid off very quick
as Reed stole a pass and went
up the field, drawing a free kick.

Sebastian McCoy lined up the ball
and sent the shot right on through
Marsha Tanner had just got past the wall,

and tipped it right on through
the hands of Oliver Kahner
and the lead was now two.

The Lions made a couple of threats,
but didn't get anything from them
due the play of the defensive vets.

Up next for this World Cup story
Qazox will head on the road
to face an old foe Turori.

The Eels are a tricky crew,
but the Eagles are playing well
and we'll root them through!

by **Vilita** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:27 pm

(ooc note: This mission is obviously not public knowledge, 'In Character' - it would only have been exposed to, probably, 15 beings at this point - all of which would have been Vilitan's (and at least one Turorian) who were in an isolated facility, either orbiting the NSVerse or on an isolated island in the middle of AO. I welcome you to bounce off of it, but it better be a pretty damn good explanation how anyone would know anything about it, so you may want to start it off with a TG first so we can sort it out. I do plan on spinning 'public knowledge' versions of this in future matchdays, since I've already exhausted the 'giant bird' theory to explain my poor results, and have already sacked the entire coaching staff...)

Operation Name: DRAGON SLAYER

Operation Status: Proposed, Pending Review

Overview: Operation DRAGON SLAYER will be carried out within the region on the Nothandryun landmass. Unmanned surveillance vehicles will be outfitted with large quantities of explosive in place of their surveillance and mapping payloads. Vehicles will be pre programmed to operate a flight path over specific sites in Andossa Se Mitrin Vega before losing altitude and self destructing into the target site. All vehicles should complete mission within 30 minutes of initial command.

Justification: Vilitan pride is too great to allow other nations to compete in the World Cup Finals under their own noses, while they are forced to travel to some remote corner of the NSverse to play in some secondary competition. The Vegai organizers of the 61st World Cup have clearly gone to the extreme to ensure the Jungle Cats would be excluded from the 61st World Cup. Among specific examples, including the allocation of The Icemark referee Lokri Pederson to Vilitan matches.

The World Cup must not take place in Vilita's neighboring country, without the Vilitan team participating.

Traceability: All vehicles shall be marked as mapping vehicles, surveilling the landmasses of Atlantian Oceania 'Post - Wight' charting any differences in Geography, vegetation and water levels. An explosion on a dummy support ship supposedly operating the vehicles off the coast of Andossa se Mitrin Vega will be used to explain the sudden loss in altitude of the explosive carrying vehicles. Vehicles will have been said to be on 'special mapping' over each prospective World Cup stadiums in support of the upcoming World Cup

Primary Target Site(s):
Stadii Se Draggonnii Arcea, Errion Vega

Additional Target Site(s):

Yumbo Jumbo Sports Complex, Carrington
Viastormin Vega Memorial Stadii, Errion Vega
Undermountain Stadium Cavern, Undermountain
The Dockyards, Millsport
The Ancient Stadium, Parthenon
Stadii Luraii, Tapia Reis
Fuborii Gardens, Stonengarten
Stadii Se Triarii Rivii
Stadii Se Sa’una Vega
Meldinburg Stadium
Combined Stadium, Malachi
Gahiji Urdinhertal, Radience
Stadii Falcione
Stadii Dwarvenhamme
Coastal Arena, Kelsey

Budget: N/A*

*Per statute, The Budget Line Item is irrelevant when Vilitan Pride is at stake

Timeframe: The proposed operation DRAGON SLAYER would commence once the Vilita National Team is mathematically eliminated from World Cup Qualification. At their current rate of 0.75 points per match played, this is estimated to occur on World Cup 61 Qualifying Matchday 10, 5 Matchdays from the current time, and 7 matchdays prior to the start of World Cup 61.

Target site destruction may occur at any time from confirmed elimination to the conclusion of the World Cup Qualifying, but must not occur any later, in order to minimize collateral losses from the operation

The Leazi-Corada reviewed the proposal at their desk. "Operation DRAGON SLAYER" it read. One member opened with an out burst. "This is outrageous" they began. "These are our neighbors. Sure its embarassing as crap to perform so pathetically in World Cup Qualifying season after season, but I don't think you can do this without it being seen right through. Seriously? A synchronous nose dive just happening to land on a bunch of random sports stadiums?

Focus on that word. Random. Vehicles who have actually failed will act a bit randomly. No matter what they were supposed to be mapping, they will have different paths, different angles, different wind. They wouldn't all hit the mark. This will be a give away."

Another member spoke up. "I have to echo those sentiments, and would like to add a concern of my own. How do you expect to explain the huge explosion caused by crashing explosive-packed vehicles into Vegai stadiums? I think everything else you've proposed here, works. We can explain it away. Everything can be explained away - even the not-so-random descent onto the stadiums. The place you lose it, is literally the end. These are supposed to be mapping vehicles with glass, electronics and hard drives on board. Last I checked, when those things crash, they don't go boom."

The official responsible for bringing the proposal to the Leazi-Corada hung his head. The Leazi-Corada was right. The plan, as written would not work. It would work, and it might look like an accident when it happens - but it wouldn't take long. 24? 48 hours? Probably about 5 minutes in Falcania before other governments started susecting something was amiss.

The plan had to be reworked. There had to be a better way to disrupt the Vegai World Cup without simply crashing planes into the entire Andossa Se Mitrin Vega stadium structure.

The official began to realize, if this plan was going to work, it would not be one single attack resulting in the destruction of all Vegai stadia. It would have to be individual, isolated incidents.

That would be tough; especially without an international ally shouldering the load...

And in other news...

Vilita 1-0 Wolfmanne

	Wolfmanne
:: Goalscorers :: :: 5' Steffyn Siazzu	:: Goalscorers ::
:: Best Player: Yves Gadois :: Worst Player: Ritopa Simafela :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 3	:: Best Player: Unknown Defensive Midfielder Player :: Worst Player: Unknown Defender with Purple streaks in hair :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 1

Vilita Jungle Cats (3-(1-4)-2) ::
[GK] Jaqe Planst, [D] Ritopa Simafela, [D] Sipaao Vereaoao, [D] Kadi Molali, [DMC] Tujamu Treola, [ML] Jian Lejsrma, [MC] Steffyn Siazzu, [MC] Resaie Kentiak, [MR] Viliaka Morasita, [FC] Viji-mara Lawaai, [FC] Yves Gadois
BENCH::
[FC] Kristofer Kilpter, [FC] Sirkii Moliaudo, [M] Jomur Hulyer, [M] Rexii Tzikas, [U] Manolis Kontalroma, [D] Miiara Makose, [GK] Aranora Jaded

Vilita Substitutions::
(45) - Steffyn Siazzu >>> Sirkii Moliaudo

by **United Gordonopia** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:30 pm

Previous Entries in "Norm Bates: Tolten's Fire"

Smart. Beautiful. She even had a personality. In every sense of the word Sarah Thurman, Norm's classmate, had been perfect. But in the year since discovering what football could bring him, Norm had discovered the only thing that brought him close, but not quite at the same level, to the thrill of the match: the chase. The chase for Sarah had ended last night, and even she realized it. A new challenge had to be discovered.

As he practiced on the field for the upcoming first-round of the playoffs, Norm could see that there were plenty of options. Miraculously, his second season on RMS's team had been even stronger than his first, where he had blown the rest of the league out of the water, and it was attracting a lot of attention. On top of the numerous scouts from club academies and universities that frequently attended practice, there was an ever-growing audience of girls who came out for nothing more than to watch him practice. The more he thought about it, though, the more he realized that that would be no fun. It would be like a man hunting his own dog.

No, he would need something more. He would need a true test. Perhaps he had just found it.

Running at a fast clip around the track was Samantha Dunn, possibly the most successful athlete at RMS outside of Norm. Both Sam's 800 and 1500 times had brought her victories at the All-Province Secondary Track and Field Championships last season, and as a second-year student like Norm, she was looking for more. Not only was she talented, though, but she had the perfect athlete's body. She was also a notorious ball breaker.

As he stood up after heading a ball past the scrimmage goalie, Norm looked over at Sam, who was just finishing a lap. For a moment, she looked over at him, giving him just enough time to give her a quick smile and nod. Her obviously forced smile told him only one thing: the hunt was on.

by **Turori** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:45 pm

EELS SUCKING IT UP
Turori Loses again to Bottom-Half Side

The Turori Eels have done it again, losing to a rank 200 side and making all the more likely they will be banking on the Cup of Harmony to save any shot at maintaining their top 50 ranking.

Headed into World Cup 61 Qualifying, the Eels were seeded second in their group, favored for the runner-up position and some even talked about the possibility of challenging Qazox for the groups lone automatic qualification place, allowing this group of Eels to qualify for the World Cup for the very first time.

However, reality has set in to the -nth degree ever since Turori stepped on the field(s). The lone win for the Eels has come against 293rd ranked debutant's Dark, while Turori has failed to collect all 3 points from any other team, including the defeat at 137rd ranked United Gordonopia.

If the theory supposed that the Eels can only defeat teams ranked 293rd or lower, then it will be a good thing that Atlantian Oceania regionmates Leorudo and Zarbli are placed in the group. Turori will square off against the two debutant Atlantian Oceania sides after first squaring off in a must-result clash with group favorites Qazox. The Eels will really need a win from this match, though, at the start of the campaign, they most certainly would have been happy with a draw.

But the precarious situion they find themselves in, 8 points behind leaders Qazox, really pushes the issue on needing to close the gap before its too late. The Eels do have the 4th best goal differential in the group but sits in 7th place, behind debutants Leorudo, but thankfully having Dark and Zarbli between them and complete embarassment.

If the Eels should advance to the Cup of Harmony, their selection would likely be eased by the fact that the Football Association of Turori is the only federation to thus far submit a host bid for the competition.

The Football Association, while inviting competition, would be perfectly happy to be awarded the competition unopposed. While the Cup of Harmony has a long history of being hosted without split duties, in a single country opposed to the traditional two, with 13 previous Cups of Harmony being solo-hosted, Turori's selection as a solo Cup of Harmony host would mark the first time any one nation solo-hosted the Cup of Harmony on two separate occasions.

Turori Goalscorers::

United Gordonopia Goalscorers::
67' Vonn Keller

Turori

Best Player: Restiaa Mumamba
Worst Player: Yoains Konoaafeo
Shots on Target: 1
Corner Kicks: 1

United Gordonopia

Best Player: Fritz Cole
Worst Player: Davis Roger
Shots on Target: 2
Corner Kicks: 2

Turori Eels Lineup ::
[GK] Ronji Miiastara, [D] Yoains Konoaafeo, [D] Diauro Dlaminii, [D] Lioniaa Tana, [UT] Restiaa Mumamba, [ML] Vrotaoa Lorasoiba, [MC] Rikko Rawaii, [MC] Cediici Tzatzos, [MR] Raso Tareak, [FC] Loala Kigoouao, [FC] Liinai Zakazaka
BENCH::
[FC] Jukkia Diijelhma, [FC] Anuh Ciniima, [M] Rutaj Ranaso, [M] Tiika Diirotora, [UT] Balariita Muzmaara, [D] Noa-isinao Wioauoi, [GK] Mumau Atla-Siioai

Turori Substitutions::

by **Antoletia** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:01 pm

A win is a win, is a win is a win. Last night the Fire Ants got another win. A big win once again. 4-1 over TaQud. Eerily similar to the game against the Archregimancy in that the Ants won the game by three goals over their opponents. IT was another good game to please their home fans as they easily mastered the other side with their vibrant skilled play, and their seemingly endless amount of surprising attacks that kept the TaQud team from knowing what hit them for most of the game.

Their was a certain level of extreme unpredictability to the Fire Ants game. After all you do not score four goals without an extremely high amount of attacks and a good amount of taking advantage of these attacks. The first goalscoring opportunity converted was in the 18th minute when Alec Raț headed in the first goal of the game off of a Filip Constantinescu corner won by Iosif Nicolescu.

Later on the man of the match Gheorghe von Leeweonheouck would add his first of two goals in the game from a Hans Alexandre assist in the 30th minute. Later Iosif Nicolescu would grab the third Fire Ants goal of the game just before halftime with a nice curled shot. The two teams would tie 1-1 in the second half as the team let up in the second half letting a goal in early.

von Leeweonheouck would make it 4-1 in the waning minutes with his second goal, unassisted, chip shooting it past the exasperated keeper who could do nothing to stop the obviously more advanced Antoletian team.

by **Liventia** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:17 pm

Hargreaves wins maiden match

City Centre, LIVENTIA— New Liventia manager Jimmy Hargreaves got off to a winning start as he watched his side comfortably dominate possession in an easy 1–0 win over Leorudo.

Sticking to a 4–3–1–2 formation used by his unpopular predecessor Dennis Lefevre, Hargreaves sent his side — captained by Paul Garner — out to face a lowly-ranked team many people expected them to beat.

George Bowler, the former captain who led a player revolt which cost Lefevre his job, started and played the full 90 minutes.

Hargreaves has named Bowler his new assistant, "partially because I thought Dennis treated him really badly and such a loyal player deserved more", and allowed Bowler to choose two vice-captains for Garner.

Reece Wilson, who had been a Football Association of Liventia appointment to the vice-captaincy, has been moved down in the order behind Bowler's defensive colleague Andy Davis, who is the new first vice-captain.

Hargreaves was full of praise for Davis, who scored his second career international goal with a blistering 25-yard banana shot after a half-cleared corner fell to him in the second half.

The manager said: "Andy has shown that he's ready to take on the added responsibility and he did that in the best of ways, by leading with a goal."

Garner, the FAL-appointed captain under Lefevre, has been allowed to retain his captaincy after a discussion between the FAL, Hargreaves and Bowler.

Bowler, who as captain was deputised by Garner, is said to have approved of the move.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that midfielder Mike Byford, who was the only player on the team to publicly support Dennis Lefevre, has been told by his teammates that he is "not welcome" in the team.

Byford is understood to be extremely apologetic about the situation. The FAL has insisted that team selection will lie with Hargreaves, who is thought to want the situation resolved quickly as he believes Byford is a key player.

Liventian side against Leorudo: Ramsden; Daniel, Radcliffe, Bowler, Davis; Coburn (Byford 73'), Grant (Goodwin 80'), Johnson, Baines; Garner (capt), Wilson
Liventian goalscorer: Andy Davis 66'

by **Taeshan** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:23 pm

"Did there newspaper say that game was boring?"

"I think they implied that."

"They need to learn. That wasn't boring, it was quite interesting. A beautiful game, of the beautiful game."

"Come on we had one shot on goal. Lucky we score on it."

"Yeah but it was an epic battle of two midfields who barely tried to attack. It was awesome."

"But it was as boring as hell."

"We couldn't attack to save our lives....How is that new."

"Well maybe we should work on our attacking."

"Or maybe we should start Tolea Patrick-Peterson."

"Yeah no. Hes a russian, and not a Tyrony so..."

"Yeah i understand. So lets just make them learn how to attack again."

"Yeah lol. We could totally score more than."

by **Audioslavia** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:37 pm

Sue Dysos chugged the remnants of that evening's third coffee - strong, bitter, black, no sugar, nothing but caffeine, a swirling and scalding vortex of energy - and connected up the last hard-drive to her computer. It had been a strange evening.

First of all was meeting Jeremy Jaffacake at the airport. The Jeremy Jaffacake. She'd been surprised , initially, that he'd made the effort to come and collect her, that he would gladly pay for a taxi to and from the airport and for it to wait the twenty minutes between his arrival and hers, but soon everything had come into place. Jeremy's newspaper had closed down. The newspaper that she was due to work on. That had left Jeremy Jaffacake with a lot of free time to, as it appeared, work out a way to butter up the new internt. He'd been surprised when Sue - all six feet of her - had turned up, evidently expecting someone posh and male who's father had 'engineered' this mother of all baptisms of fire. The taxi driver was evidently from a semi-legal firm that owed Jeremy favours, too, and so the taxi seemed to be free. Jeremy was a useful man to have around.

Then there was Rubio. The attentive, aesthetically pleasing hispanic Krytenian with his easy charm and unnerving habit of staring into her eyes as he explained the myriad of tasks she had to accomplish in order to land a 'job' - Sue still didn't know who exactly would pay her. Sue liked Rubio. Rubio was nice. Rubio was also off limits. The last thing Sue needed was to jump on the first person she worked with - well, second, but there was no chance of her jumping the geriatric Jaffacake - she was a professional now, or soon would be at any rate. The only reputation she wanted to build up over the course of a night was for cramming words onto a page, not cramming workmates into her lady garden.

Her mission, whether she chose to accept it - and whether she chose to accept it would shape the outcome of whatever career she was going to have in the industry - was to look over four hard-drives and a couple of zip drives salvaged from the recently closed Emberton Post offices, and cross-reference them with whatever data she could find elsewhere - on the internet or otherwise - and fashion some kind of narrative from them. And publish it. Possibly. Well, that all depended on what she could find.

The last hard-drive. The accounts for the Emberton Post in the run-up to the paper's closure, freshly decrypted via a friend of Jeremy's in Krytenia's seedy underworld, no doubt in exchange for favours rather than money. Jeremy had something on everybody. Jeremy had been surprised that his new protege was a female, but she could be damned sure he'd be doing his homework on her now. Not that he'd find much.

The accounts for the week before the closure. Hmm. A lot more annotations here. An accountant bod with poor command of the English language. Annotations. Annotations everywhere. "This doesnt add up" read one. "Money to new account: Too many zeros? NB check with boss" went another. And then... two days before the closure... blank.

Sue looked at the user information, one 'N. Clarke'. A familiar name? Well, it was hardly a memorable one, there were probably more than five N. Clarke's in just the business district of Emberton but.... yes. A mention of an N. Clarke on another hard-drive. Sue pulled up the backup, and the saved emails from the random management guy they'd nabbed the hard-drive from. A message to Nora Clarke in accounts from two days before the closure. It had bounced straight back, an automated message informing the sender that their sendee had left the company. No personalised message, no fowarding address. This had been done in a hurry. Where had Nora Clarke gotten to? A quick search for 'Nora Clarke' on the company's database revealed that she'd been fired two days before the company closed. The reason? Unspecified. No, wait. 'Persistent impunctuality'. Sue pulled up the log-in records for Nora which revealed that her average log-in time over the preceding month had been... 9:02. Well balls. Balls to that being an even remotely reasonable course of action.

Sue scanned over the rest of the accounts for the final two days. Nothing. Not a smidgen. No wages, no bills, no payments, no takings, no nothing. That stood to reason: The accounts spreadsheets would have been available over the intra-net, most likely with a number of passwords. Those final two days of activity would make for some interesting reading, and wouldn't Nora be an interesting person to talk to?

This journalism thing was fun after all.

To Be Continued

by **Socialist States Owen** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:45 pm

Rising to the occasion: First half treble helps FSSO cruise past five time world champions
Clint Covey reports from Stadii Di Bradini, Jhanna, Starblaydia (Attendance: 187,937)

STARBLAYDIA - 0

FSSO - 3
Paranaya 4
Sharp 14
Xavier 41

They call Starblaydia the home of footballing royalty, so the FSSO had to show their own quality last night to show what they are capable of. Fortunately a trio of goals from Julesk Paranaya, Lee Sharp and Simon Xavier helped the FSSO on their way to a memorable win in Jhanna.

On a personal note, it was a trip I've always wanted to make; visiting the magnificent Stadii Di Bradini, named of course after their greatest footballing hero. There were many things about this particular fixture that made it special such as the virtually unique pre match "Raiigar", the swathes of purple and whites chanting about the failures of Krytenia, the generally very sporting and respectful atmosphere carried by the crowd - it's not something you witness too often. Off the pitch of course our own fans were making themselves heard - the standard "Eura! Eura! Urrahh!" finish to 'Ode to Eura' echoed around the stadium despite coming from the minority away contingent, who until that point had seemed rather quiet. On the pitch the Starblaydi's were less impressive while our lads seemed to live up to their billing as group favourites. While as usual the sporting and passionate Starblaydia players commited themselves fully to the match, they were not completely on the top of their game.

In the very early stages their diamond formation (Rather similar to our own) had little effect against the FSSO. Against other teams it possibly would have given the home side more of a counter attacking edge, yet in this fixture they were unable to retain possesion in midfield and Enrique Shabla soon found himself struggling against Steve Thompson. So, to the surprise of everyone in the stadium the Euran's lead after only four minutes, continuing their knack of taking early leads in recent times. Thompson was at the centre of the move, winning a free kick off the already struggling Shabla when he attempted to find a way into the box down the middle. Taking the free kick quickly Thompson stroked the ball out wide to James McCroft who beat Azestella Ajhabekk with relative ease, before sweeping the ball into the box where Lee Sharp was waiting to tap in. Wait, it wasn't that straightforward! Sharp made a rare error by mistiming his run and sprinting ahead of the ball. However, he had the agility to stick his leg out and push the ball away from Pablo Del Astra before he could clear it. Astra then could only watch as the ball rolled to Julesk Paranaya at the edge of the box, who thumped in another goal for his country with fearsome power.

Sharp would not make the same mistake next time. 10 minutes later the Starblaydian's were on the attack, testing Daniel Belgrave with several hopeful efforts. Yet they once again found themselves unusually out of their depth in midfield as Persa Ryans intercepted a corner, which had been intended to cut back towards Jordan Johanssen at the edge of the box. Ryans showed his valuable quality of being able to deliver killer long balls, rifling the ball up the pitch for Lee Sharp to run on to. Juan Torres (Starblaydian captain) attempted to prevent him breaking through on goal, but the young Starblaydi defender never stood a chance against Sharp's pace as the 32 year old FSSO striker broke clear unopposed, before calmly slotting the ball past Grant Hansen as the goalkeeper rushed out. He could have doubled his tally within sixty seconds when Ryans found him with another long ball shortly after the restart, but when Sharp beat Torres for pace again he could only perform a rather weak finish that Hansen palmed away without a lot of difficulty.

Despite going two behind so early in the game, Starblaydia never looked like giving up and made sure they at least gave a good account of themselves. Dylan Beyda and Joe Copeland both looked to be a constant threat but Paranaya and Michael Robertson were more than a match for them at the back. The best chance by some distance for the home side in the first half fell to Beyda just five minutes before the break. Beyda finally got the better of Paranaya with a rare victory in the air against the lanky FSSO centre back, then swung his right foot round perfectley to strike the ball with some finesse towards the top corner from the edge of the box, on the volley. Yet the ever vigilant FSSO goalkeeper Belgrave was determined to keep a clean sheet, leaping to his right to acrobatically tip Beyda's shot over the bar. What came next was perhaps the demoralising blow that sealed the win. After the resulting corner was intercepted by Belgrave with relative ease, Simon Xavier (in for Sam Needle who had experienced a tight hamstring in the pre-match warmup) found himself in acres of space while Torres and Del Astra were seemingly unaware of a massive gap between them.

Belgrave saw the opportunity instantly and hoofed the ball out for Xavier who immediatley ran after it. It was not the greatest of drop kicks from the FSSO goalkeeper but it was enough to propel the ball in Xavier's general direction. Xavier quickly adjusted course to bring the ball down at his feet skillfully, 30 yards from goal, before taking a few steps and thumping the ball past Hansen from range. Understandably Starblaydia were less than pleased as Xavier appeared to be offside, however badly the two centre backs Torres and Del Astra had been positioned. In the box next to the one being shared by myself and the Euran Broadcasting Organisation sports team, our SCB:Sports looked rather vexed, though of course they soon calmed down and resumed the usual Starblaydian manner. As I write this report, I struggle to write anything about the second half as it was almost completely dead, with the FSSO happy to retain the ball and Starblaydia not quite 'there'.

Overall it was a very good result for the FSSO. They had arrested their defensive misdemeanours away from home and put themselves four points clear in Group 12. In contrast the home team will be dissapointed to have been so brittle in midfield and defence during the first half, a rather out of character performance for a team who usually are consistent across the pitch. Next up is New Montreal States, seen by most as the main rival to the FSSO in this group. Notably, their manager seems to have got the impression that the FSSO press were getting a bit cocky before the game, acknowledging the rather inaccurate wording of a question put to him that suggested papers such as this one have labelled NMS "dead and buried". This of course is nonsense; in my own column after our last qualifying game, I suggested that New Montreal States were currentley languishing near the foot of the table, and would struggle if they didn't arrest their slip in form - of course I presumed that they would do so, and they appear to have done so with a 3-1 win against Ko-oren. Hopefully though our team will live up to their expectations at home and deal a severe blow to our main qualification rival.

Man of the Match: Julesk Paranaya

Lineup

1. D Belgrave
2. N Feeney
5. M Robertson
4. J Paranaya
3. JA Pizza
7. J McCroft
6. P Ryans
8. S Thompson
11. J Stevenson
10. L Sharp
14. S Xavier

Substitutes

13. S Neeson
15. M Humphrey
23. N Kerr
16. K Kane
20. T Riley (On for Ryans 62)
17. P Fessner
22. S Daley

---------------------

GROUP 12
Starblaydia 0-3 The FSSO
New Montreal States 3-1 Ko=oren
Aexalla 1-3 Urbis Tractus
Mashiki 0-2 Geisenfried

Group 12 Standings

   Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
 1 The FSSO                 5  4  1  0  20   9  +11  13
 2 Mashiki                  5  3  0  2   9   8   +1   9
 3 Starblaydia              6  3  0  3  12  12   +0   9
 4 New Montreal States      5  3  0  2   7   5   +2   9
 5 Ko=oren                  5  2  1  2   6   7   -1   7
 6 Baltskandio              5  2  1  2  14  13   +1   7
 7 Aexalla                  6  2  1  3   7  12   -5   7
 8 Geisenfried              5  1  2  2   3   8   -5   5
 9 Urbis Tractus            6  1  0  5   8  12   -4   3

by **Kinitaria** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:49 pm

KINITARIA'S World Cup dream remained well on track thanks to a stunning 3-0 reverse of Iturributa at the packed Old City Stadium today.

Kinitaria had established themselves in firm control of the game within the opening twenty minutes, Pročazka's header putting them in front before a stunning drive from Sabčot put them two up, and the game was killed off shortly before half time when a ranged Mihalcič effort took a harsh deflection and flew past the wrong-footed Aira.

Tofiq Yurovič's men hold on to second place in their group with today's result, and now face a crunch tie against Milchama which could well go a long way to determining if Kinitaria are to qualify for this edition of the World Cup.

It has become a habit of the Kinitar side to burst out of the blocks early on, and they kept it up today. After a couple of probing early exchanges, it was Vacarestič who led the way, the Kinitar winger easing past Zarrasbeitia and delivering a sweet ball across the face of goal, right into the path of Emil Pročazka. The midfielder kept his calm to head low past Aira to give Kinitaria the perfect start.

Ittuributa failed to react well to being a goal down, the centre-back pairing of Burruchaga and Maruri in particular finding themselves constantly stretched by the constant Kinitar assault. It looked as though another goal was certain to come, and when it did, it was something special. Luka Sabčot took it upon himself to launch on a 40-yard run, leaving three Ittuributan defenders in his wake, before reaching the edge of the box and burying a powerful left-footed drive which left the hapless Zernin Aira with no chance.

Any ominous thoughts amongst the sizable home crowd of a humiliation were gradually pushed out of their minds as their side began to work their way back into the game. The fragile Kinitar defence found itself prone to swift sprints forward from the midfield duo of Barta and Lukuix, therefore rendering every cross a threat. The home side could well have halved the deficit on the half-hour had Emenon Boneta's volleyed effort not been hit straight at Costin Petran.

The passion was plain to see for both sides, and visiting captain Yulian Kovačev found himself being the first name in the referee's notebook, an ill-advised lunge on Barta as the midfielder sped past him earning the Kinitar man a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting free-kick was swung in by Lukuix, and although Isasmendi managed to get a head on it, he couldn't keep his effort down and Kinitaria were let off the hook.

Just as the Iturributan resistance looked to be building, though, Kinitaria killed off the game in the cruellest of fashions. The ball fell to Lupan Mihalcič, who carried it forward and hit a speculative effort from 25 yards which Aira looked to have well covered. That's when it took a fatal deflection off Burruchaga and sped into the net out of the reach of the helpless goalkeeper. Mihalcič claimed and celebrated the goal while their hosts looked broken.

There wasn't much time for any other chances before the half-time whistle blew to a mixed reaction on the field - elation from the Kinitar players who thought they'd won it already as they strode off the pitch being marked in stark contrast to the downbeat expressions on the faces of their counterparts, punctuated with jeering from the dissenters in the home crowd who didn't believe they'd come to watch their team be humiliated.

Both sides lined up the same as they prepared to start the second half, and as is their style, Kinitaria were attempting to burst out of the blocks again. As could be expected, it was Luka Sabčot who was trying to add to his personal tally, the Kinitar forward drifting inside of Maruri before hammering in a low shot which Aira did well to get down to his left and claw away. The Kinitaria corner produced nothing more exciting than a goal-kick.

Iturributa, for their part, weren't prepared to count themselves out just yet, and came out with the full intention of salvaging anything they could from the game, refusing to play damage limitation. Their three-pronged attack still remained dangerous and Lukuix forced Petran to punch away his tricky looping cross right to the waiting Isasmendi, but the Iturributan man couldn't quite react quickly enough before Lupei had whisked the chance away from him and made the clearance upfield.

Although the hosts had their chances, Kinitaria could make their dominance felt at almost any point in the game, and it seemed to provoke the frustrations of their opponents as first Maruri and then Gorstiaga found themselves having their names taken for rash challenges which prevented Kinitar break-aways. Kinitaria themselves weren't playing like angels, Yulian Kovačev being responsible for a crunching challenge on Boneta that drew Aiza Sein's ire as the Kinitar captain stayed on the pitch.

Sein at that point decided he could hold out no longer and that he had to change things around. The capable striker Tibalt Kereyasu replaced Zornoza as Iturributa looked for some fresh legs in the closing stages, and Zorion Legeren replaced Gorstiaga as a means of adding more strength to the midfield. The immediate impact of these substitutions was felt, Kereyasu being unfortunate to see his close-range shot deflected out off Lupei after he had done well to keep hold of the ball in a crowded penalty area.

The more Iturributa looked to venture forward, though, the more likely Kinitaria seemed to break. They almost did so not long afterwards, Isasmendi's drive being hacked away by Spirlea for Preda to run onto, but the attempted through-ball aimed at Sabčot wasn't quite good enough to reach its target and Maruri was able to deal with it.

Neither side could really muster up an attack in the final few minutes, Kinitaria feeling assured of their victory and having no need to surge forward, and Iturributa already well beaten and unable to break through the Kinitar ranks. Manager Yurovič ran down the clock by taking Preda off to give the young Rumen Kaloyanov his debut, but that mattered little in the grand scheme of things as the final whistle blew just seconds later, and Kinitaria were on their way back home to contemplate a tasty clash with Milchama next game.

Manager Tofiq Yurovič speaking after Kinitaria's 3-0 victory over Iturributa:
"Firstly, I've got nothing to say about the Eastfield Lodge game. Absolutely nothing. So if you're here to ask about that, you're wasting your time.

As for today, I couldn't be happier with that performance. Absolutely brilliant, first class, the team deserves the plaudits for such a great performance. The Iturributan side are very good in their own right, they're very well respected, some of their players are from the world's top leagues, and for us, this is the level we're playing at now. We're good enough to go out there and take apart some very capable opposition on their own patch, and that's what we've got to do if we're aiming to qualify for the World Cup.

Some of the performances out there would have graced the top stage. Yulian [Kovačev], for instance, fantastic game, bossed the midfield out there, distributed balls all across the pitch, covered as much ground as he needed to and put in a top performance as captain on top of it. We've got some excellent role models in the team. More than that, we've grabbed three great goals today. Um, yeah, we got a bit of help with one of them, but you've got to have a bit of luck in this game. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't, and we're lucky that it has today.

We have to look ahead now, to the Milchama - I don't think it's disrespecting Iturributa to say that Milchama are going to be a sterner test - to the Milchama game, because that's one of the key games we're going to have to give everything in if we're looking to get to the World Cup. But I've got faith in my squad of 25, and I'm sure that they're capable of another performance like the one we've just seen out there today. If they can do that, not wanting to tempt fate, but we'd have a very good chance on our own turf."

ITU 0 - 3 KIN
(43%) Possession (57%)
(8) Shots (14)
(3) On target (7)
(8) Fouls (12)
(2) Corners (5)
(1) Offside (3)
(2) Yellow cards (1)
(0) Red cards (0)

Kinitaria team ratings: Petran 8, Sala 9, Lupei 8, Sykora 8, Spirlea 8, Vacarestič 7, Preda 8, Kovačev 9, Pročazka 8, Mihalcič 9, Sabčot 9.
Substitutes: Kaloyanov (for Preda 90+2) NA

Goals: Pročazka 7, Sabčot 18, Mihalcič 41.

kinitargoals.kt
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ITURRIBUTA 0 3 KINITARIA

It was easy as 1, 2, 3 for Kinitaria today as they took a huge stride towards the World Cup with victory over Iturributa! To watch the goals from this match, simply click on the buttons below.

by **Arcadian Islands** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:17 pm

Football Playing Its Part
The government-funded 'Ni-Kulan Kicks for Health' programme, a life-enhancing initiative designed to improve outcomes for Ni-Kulan communities, is one step closer to being put into practice after a workshop on Cook Island for teachers who will act as programme instructors.

The Ni-Kulan Kicks for Health Training Course which took place in Cannington this week, brought together over one hundred participants from the twenty high schools selected to take part in the programme's pilot phase. Those in attendance learned the main points of the programme under the guidance of Dr Lydia Goggin, of Cook University, who has been a long-time advocate of improving the quality of life in Ni-Kulan communities.

"We are here to explain what Ni-Kulan Kicks for Health is all about and how to implement and conduct its features in their schools," Dr Goggin said. "The more important part will happen now and that is the implementing of the programme [in schools]. They will educate the children and encourage them to spread the message to their friends and family."

Those in attendance also included Ni-Kulan gold medallist from the recent Games in Emberton, javelin thrower Olima Tokolo, as well Ni-Kulan MP Frederik Karloumana Timalakata who will oversee the implementation of the programme as project leader on behalf of the Arcadian Islands FA, who believes the course has provided the appropriate foundations for a successful launch.

"We are getting closer to the official launching of 'Ni-Kulan Kicks for Health' in our communities and I think this training is the most important aspect we needed to put in place before we begin," he said.

Dr Goggin was pleased with the outcomes of the course and is confident about the future of the programme in achieving the desired goals.
"I'm sure the programme will be successfully implemented because it is fun for children and is the best way to motivate them in such areas," she said.

The key goal of 'Ni-Kulan Kicks for Health' is to encourage individuals and communities to be conscious of the health issues around them and how they can address those issues. These objectives are communicated through ten messages: Play football; Respect girls and women; Protect yourself from diseases; Avoid drugs, alcohol and tobacco; Use a treated bed net; Wash your hands; Drink clean water; Eat a balanced diet; Get vaccinated; and Fair Play in all aspects of life.

The programme will be launched across schools on Glasshouse Island later this month and will be piloted among over five thousand students aged from nine to twelve. FootballArcadia welcomes the initiative from the Conservative-Green coalition, and hope that such a programme will enhance the future of Arcadian football and increase the diversity of both the national team and leagues.

by **Falconwhereveryouare** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:20 pm

The Eagle's Eye
Because books are too long.
SPORTS
Oswald that Ends Well

By Otis Birmingham

The Falcons pulled out their second win in qualifiers yesterday while hosting the Oswaldian national team. Falcon Field shone yellow and blue as our boys in yellow and blue proved themselves capable of winning when they need to; the three-game losing streak needed to be snapped immediately if there was to be any chance for the Falcons to have an upper-table finish.

The game itself was not as close as the 1-nil score might imply; the Falcons had the lion's share of possession throughout the game. The generally defensively-minded Oswaldians were kept on their heels throughout the match as Edwardo Baez and Darry Kouzmanoff played mind games with them. They did not feel the need to dawdle away their possession by just kicking the ball around the midfield; they were seemingly aimlessly passing back and forth between the Oswaldian defenders. Impressive ball control kept it out of the reach of the Oswaldians, who became increasingly desperate to gain possession as the ball was kicked around right underneath their collective nose. Eventually Mike Niemeyer, a fiery young defender, got fed up with this little game and charged straight for Baez, leaving Leon McClain unmarked. This brash, immature move is not surprising on a young player like Niemeyer, and the more experienced Baez quickly corralled the latest in the long line of passes and got a quick shovel-kick over Niemeyer's head before the young'n even realized what was happening. McClain received the arcing pass with his chest and briskly turned, firing a bullet towards the top-left portion of the goal. However, the keen James Greene had himself positioned well and tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Now, here comes the pivotal moment in the match. It is well-known that Greene's most prominent weakness as a keeper is defending corners; however, he played this one well. Perry Dempsey served a great kick curving towards the goal that Myles Marrerro gave a little more direction and 'umph' with his head; however, Greene laid himself out and stopped the ball cold. Or rather, wanted to stop the ball cold--it actually bounced back into the box, where none other than a sliding McClain squirted it past the prone keeper. That little squirter was all the Falcons needed; the Clippers were never able to rally together and put together a strong equalizing effort.

Falconwhereveryouare - 1
McClain, 62'
Oswaldia - 0

by **Stachland and Minor Outlying Islands** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:49 pm

Stachland Reds

Reds Involved in Four-Way Tie for First Place
by Witold Elliott

With Valladares losing a shocker 1-0 at Malt, and the Reds pulling off the 1-0 victory at home against Carpathia and Ruthenia, there is now a four-way tie for first place in Group Eleven, with ABK, Stachland, Valladares, and Carpathia and Ruthenia all at the top of the standings.

While the visiting squad put up a grand fight in the first half, holding the Reds to only three shots on goal, Jerce Wolszan and company were ultimately able to find a scoring opportunity in the second half, as Jerce and his cousin Elzbieta maneuvered the ball through the Carpathian and Ruthenian defense, allowing Zachary Zeelowe a scoring opportunity.

With Zeelowe’s goal in the seventy-second minute, the Reds retreated to their half of the pitch, and managed to fight off the visitors’ attacks to walk away from Generalife Union Arena with three points and the victory.

“We played well, and now we’re back at the top of the group,” Jerce Wolszan said. “It’s crowded up here, of course. But we’re happy with where we are at this stage of qualifying.”

Coach Theodore Czacki said following the match that, though this team is somewhat lacking in experience relative to Reds teams of past World Cups, they hardly resemble the very first Stachlandic national team of World Cup 55 qualifying. “That team was very tentative, very cautious,” he explained. “This team is still the same international-caliber squad it’s been for the better part of this last decade.”

The Reds’ next ma—

Addison Mulholland held her head in her hands, sitting at the foot of the bed in the apartment which she shared with her fellow national team rookie, Eugenia Marks. Beyond the window which dominated the northern wall of the room, the Manju Island National Athletics Grounds were silent.

The digital face of the clock, three minutes fast, displayed 2:19. She had had the same splitting headache the night before, one minute earlier.

And largely the same vision of the primordial world had come along with it.

The young one glowered with primitive eyes at the fat things which lumbered into the narrow gorge before him. Though he prodded the rearmost of the stout creatures until their bare flanks were stained crimson, and reproached the things in the low, gnashing intonations of his kind, still the herd plodded forward without urgency.

Already, the great orb of the sun was descending, and the bright eyes of the night were pouring their warmth down upon the steaming forests from a darkening sky. The day which had been the herd’s salvation was all but finished—as a great tide of shadows washed forth from the dank arbors of the vast conifer forest, the security of the herd would ebb and wane in equal proportion.

The hideous snorts of the fat things and the plaintive cry of his crèche-brother from within the gorge indicated to the young one that the procession would once again come to a halt, as the stout creatures demanded a respite. The young one did not doubt that the old, immense animals had been overcome by some trivial aspect of their nature—fatigue, or hunger, or perhaps even that primal fear of the unknown that his own kind had surmounted generations ago.

The young one’s black and gold plumage bristled with apprehension as the vast, arboreal horizon—the eternally distant periphery of the world—was stained a bloody orange by the touch of the sinking sun. Though the fat things’ brains were too rudimentary to comprehend what awaited them beyond the veil of darkness, their herders, the young one and his crèche-brother, understood all too well that the Others, even now, stalked them from the growing shadows.

At dusk, the herd numbered forty-five of the fat things, the last of which had only just entered the shallow gorge which marked the most tenuous extent of the territory of He-that-is-Scarred. At dawn, their numbers would be considerably fewer—of this, the young one had no doubt. His kin would not be pleased with him, and he and his crèche-brother would be faulted for the loss of so many months’ meat.

Still, to die fighting, claw and spear, protecting as many of the fat, ponderous creatures as they could would be to die honorably, and to earn their place in the sky amongst their ancestors. They would die fighting for a clan that would kill them for their incompetence had they lived.

So resolved, the young one hefted his spear and issued a defiant cry as the Others poured forth from the shadows.

by **Karditan** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:00 pm

"Aha! I knew it." Sucker Punch cackled and stroked his scruffy goatee. "I knew this front-heavy formation would payoff eventually!"

"It certainly took some time to prove." Silveen Eleco sat opposite Sucker in the elegant Fillydelphia restaurant. Talking about soccer in public is typically a criminal offense, but this restaurant is owned, operated, and patronized by the level of elites that don't really five much thought to the legality of things. "This is the first time this year that your team has scored more than once in a game."

"Well, we needed time to warm up. Not to mention it takes time to readjust to such a drastically different strategy, and further not mentioning that it's not exactly easy to plan practices what with so many of our players busy with their own businesses and personal lives. Dorian is organizing that merger with Laversham Liquor, Korzado and Carnac are dealing with that weird vigilante in spandex raiding their supply lines around Illineigh, Sweet and Emanuel are planning the wedding, and even Ivory is busy helping Ibex settle into its new location in the Alliance of Dictators. It's a miracle we can all get together on the matchdays."

"That 4-goal performance certainly indicates you have the guys warmed up well. I will be expecting more performances like that. We can't have erratic, random success and failure if we are going to have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup proper."

"Hey now, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. I'm just focusing on keeping the boys focused. We have to take one game at a time; if you focus too hard on what might happen in the future, the other guys are going to run circles around you. We really need to be on the same page for the next game; if we can punch above our weight and steal three points from Chenkorya, well, that'd be dandy."

"I'll leave you to what you do best, then." Silveen got up and brushed a crumb or two from his suit. "I'm off to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the new library on Celest Boulevard. We provided them with a customized computer storage system and my head of public relations said it would be a nice way to show my 'commitment to the community.' I'm sure most people would more appreciate a bunch of stuffy rich people and librarians clogging up one of the most heavily traveled thoroughfares in the city, but I suppose anything intended to give the reporters a nice feel-good story can't be that bad."

by **Andossa Se Mitrin Vega** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:01 pm

And now for your Yumbo Jumbo MD7 Media Cutoff

And then there were Scores

by **Qazox** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:30 pm

World Cup 61
ASMV-Valanora

Qazox easily slipped by the Eels 4-1 to continue to set the pace in group 17. No Poem today, as it's National no poetry day in Qazox. So prose will have to do. The Eagles got off to a quick start as Quentin Rashaad scored just 11 minutes into the match, as the Eels defense couldn't stay with the speedy 17-yr old from St. Nash. But the hosts would clog up the faster Qazoxians by dropping Vrotaoa Lorasoiba back as an extra defender to stop up the middle.

But that allowed Qazox free rein up the sidelines, and in the 39th minute, Soai Fu'anuoa found a hole in the defense and sliced a pass through to Harley Rose who smacked it home for a 2-0 lead. Qazox's two goal lead was short lived, as the Eels quickly re-started, and caught the Eagles' midfielders of guard on a 5-on-3 attack, which lead to Liinai Zakazaka's goal in the 40th minute.

But that was as close as Turori would get, as in the 63rd minute, Coach Zaki traded out Soai Fu'anuoa, who had been limping for about 10 minutes after a hard tackle on Zakazaka; for Tomas Vera. An unsual strategy to have 3 wingers and one forward, and it worked as Vera constantly crossed from side-to-side during attacks, drawing the defense out from within the middle. In the 74th minute the plan came to fruition and Rashaad was left open during a Vera-Tanner-Spaatz pass-fest and slammed home his 2nd of the match.

In the 87th minute, Qazox finished off the scoring, as Vera headed home a corner from Daniel Spaatz just under the diving Ronji Miiastara. Qazox now heads home to face 3rd placed United Gordonopia at Estadia Pika on Monday night.

(ooc: Didn't have time to make a poem.. I know you all are dissapointed

)

by **Slembana** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:10 am

The Slembana Times: Fantastic!

By Peter Whiteman, chief football reporter

The lads have recorded a brilliant win, beating Megadia 2-1 away from home in World Cup 61 qualifying, keeping up our 100% away record in qualifying. It was Megadia, though, who opened the scoring, with their star striker heading home a cross from their left-winger in the 4th minute. We almost equalized in the 9th minute, when Gavin Stockwell, our captain, had a volley pushed over the bar by Megadia's goalkeeper. We equalized in the 35th minute, when Val Kylx curled home a free-kick that hit the crossbar and went in.

At half-time, with the score at 1-1, our manager Ian Harvey, said that the score was "OK", but also said we should "step it up a gear" in the second half. We almost went 2-1 ahead in the 54th minute, only for Stockwell to head against the post. Megadia's star striker then saw a shot palmed away by our keeper Toby Gapman in the 67th minute. After that, both teams were equally as dominant. You could say that we were more dominant.

Right at the end, Gapman saved a shot from Megadia's star striker. He then bowled the ball out to our right-back Callum Potts, who launched a long ball down the pitch to our left-winger Yuppë Tárnix, who crossed the ball into the box, where Jarod Vale was waiting. The 24 year-old then connected with the ball with his head to score, and send our fans wild, as we had just recorded a historic win.

Player Rankings: Gapman 8, Potts 7, Stockwell 7, Adobe 7 (Bareman 7), Rawlinson 7, Yalnif 7 (Tamerik 7), Dagens 8, Maxet 8 (Halmez 7), Tárnix 8, Kylx 8, Vale 8.

by **Rustika** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:48 am

The Football Hour
SNS, Sports News Station
With your hosts; Scott Smith and Byrne White

"Well with one match left for Rustika left in this cup things are looking bleak. It seems all the team's hopes for progressing were lost after their defeat against Cyborg Holland, though after that loss they really did get it together and they've been on a winning streak."

"Unfortunately, barring some sort of miracle it won't be enough. With only the top two teams in each group moving on it's unlikely that the Crow's will play in the knockout rounds. Though for their debut on the world stage fourth place isn't half bad, considering we beat out five ranked teams. On the bright side, match day seven witnessed brought another victory for the Rustik team, further strengthening their fourth place in the group stage."

"The match wasn't as exciting as the Rustik manager promised it would be, Bonaventura sprained his ankle a couple of hours before the match and he had to be pulled out of the game. Basilio Lotoro took his place, and that bad luck didn't stop the team from beating Conclespia 1-0. The team's doctor has assured that the ankle will be taken care of and hopefully Bonaventura should be fine to play against Sarmen."

"As for the match against Conclespia Alba came pulled the team ahead by one point in an otherwise drab first half, dribbling the ball past the Conclespian defenders who were badly positioned to stop the striker he shot the ball past the goalkeeper by at least half a meter bringing some life back into the game. The rest of the match was a back and forth though Alba and Basilio had their fair shares of shots at the goal, though for some reason practically all off them sailed over the goal and into the stands."

"That could be because after Alba's goal the Conclespian defense rallied and put up a tough resistance forcing Basilio and Alba to make almost all their further shots from outside the penalty box, severely hindering their accuracy. Conclespia on the other hand didn't get as many opportunities to shot at the goal as they would have liked, Blue Thunder's planned counter attacks didn't manage to break through the Rustik mid-fielders. The Rustik mid-fielders also deserve an honorable mention, not only for stopping Conclespia's counter attacks, but while Steamroller and Canyon are some of Conclespia's best players they didn't get many opportunities to score since the Conclespian midfield couldn't get the ball to the strikers past the Crow's midfielders."

"Moving onto the upcoming match with Sarmen it's worth mentioning that after a poll hosted on SNS's website asking whether voters thought the winner of Rustika's last match there ended up being no clear majority who believe whether the victor would be the Crows or the Sarmen. These doubts are justified, after all Sarmen is practically neck and neck with Rustika for fourth place, and the Rustik players will be edgy on game day trying to keep their place in the group."

"And if Bonaventura doesn't get any better losing to Sarmen could be a very real possibility. Though if Rustika is on the top of its game they shouldn't have any trouble with beating Sarmen, and since this will be the last match that the Crows will play in the second leg and we highly recommend that you all tune in here on SNS to watch the upcoming bout."

by **Mapletish** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:01 am

The World Cup LXI Journey
Mapletish 3-0 Zarbli

Following a 2-0 loss to Qazox,the Lions bounced back to a 3-0 victory over Zarbli at home to continue their charge to the actual World Cup tournament. Three points away from the top is certainly something that is further threatening then comforting.Chasing the reins of top seed Qazox,Muain Newtons is confident of qualifying for the World Cup,through automatic qualification.The Lions were unable to hold off Qazox in their first meeting in the previous match and to mark off the ambitious target to qualify automatically,the Lions will have to remain undefeated for the entire campaign before facing Qazox,and hope to come off with a win and automatic qualification will be guaranteed then.

The 3-0 win over Zarbli is something positive for the Lions and with Qazox holding onto the pole position,with no intentions of giving it up,the Lions have huge shoes to fill.The Lions got off to a quick start in the match with just 11 minutes on the pitch.Zarbli was unable to hold off the attacking trio of the Lions,the supposedly new Mapletish attacking trio.

The guest were unable to go further than just a few steps in front of the Lions goal and they finish the match goalless.With the main focus shifted onto mark Junio,the main target man for the Lions,the guest defence was caught unaware with several blind spots which allow the Lions to be used perfectly.The Lions scored another goal in the 40th minute.

With just five minutes before the half time break,the Lions continued to terrorise the guest's defences.However they were unable to get anything out from the five minutes of continuous attacking stance.Muain Newtons walked into the dressing rooms focused in thought,even though the Lions were leading.Right in the dressing rooms,Newtons started to go for a much more comprehensive tactical talk which went into a very clear detail on what the players are supposed to do in the second half.That took up the entire 15 minutes break,but the players seemed to be motivated and clear about what they are about to do in the second half.

The second half started with the Lions going right in a fantastic start of having 6 chances on the goal in a mere 15 minutes into the game.However 6 chances were not enough to produce a single goal for the second half.Despite that,Newtons applauded every single effort that was made on goal and shouted a few words of encouragement to his players.The sole goal for the second half came in the 75th minute as the Lions embraced each other as their chances finally came to a goal.

With just 15 minutes left on the clock,Newtons threw in 3 new faces into the game to foster the attack with an additional 2 new faces for the midfield.The play started to go into a one sided affair with the players putting very single shot on goal,training the reflexes of the opposition keeper.The play ended with a 3-0 win in favour for the Lions.The Lions now have 2 more matches in hand due the mid-point with a match against Dark and Leorudo coming up next.

World Cup LXI (61) RP Thread

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