37th AOCAF Championship :: RP/SCORES

[Leorudo]

This had been a rough off-season for the Leorudian club. Leorudo had ended the World Cup on a strong note, and he had hoped that a nice performance in the vacation nation of Gaveo would be relaxing for the club. The club started on a high note, qualifying for the quarterfinals from their group, but then the tragedy caused by the war in Wicksteed swept over the club when the brother of Luke Moore, one of the two main Leorudo strikers, was killed in action. The club quickly lost multiple games back to back, and the cup was lost. Now they had scheduled themselves a spot in the AOCAF Championship. In the first game, it looked like the Gaveo play had carried over to the new tournement after a quick 2-0 loss to Audioslavia. This was really depressing as a whole, and the manager knew that even his job was in question. They needed help. Frank Dossings needed to be that help. He had been the agent of the LDI(Leorudian Department of Intellegence, the Leorudian variant of an intellegence agency) who was tasked with getting the public to focus less on the War in Wicksteed, and more on the football club that was about to enter the greatest international football tournement in the World, and these warm-up tourneys were supposed to make the club better and give the public a spectacle to watch, but this season, neither had happened. He needed plans. he needed ideas! Anything would be better than that of the public almost revolting agianst them, but for now he just turned on the television and watched the Leorudian team let another goal past them in the last four minutes of the match. This caused one of the most boring sensation in sports, a tie. You don't feel as if you had lost, yet, you still feel like the day is missing something. This was kind of like his situation, he pondered. He had not failed, yet he was really missing something. He turned to his computer. Opening a search engine, he typed in asking what other nations were doing to promote their clubs. He saw anything from forced participation to egg rolls and pub sales. This did not really narrow down his choices. He decided that messeging the manager of the club was his first order of buisness.

Code: Select all

Dear Sam,
This is Dossings, your club needs to start winning. It is more important than you can possibally imagine. You cannot fail.

Of course, that meant nothing. The club could still lose and nothing would happen. Nothing except him getting fired and going back to owning a pub in the outskirts of town. This is what was bad about his job. He could not decide his own fate. Leorudo really did need a win.

[Farfadillis]

Once again he wrote about the match, this time completely pissed off with Matino:

For the honour

Yes, we're going to play tomorrow against Svengarda, for honour only, as we have no chances to qualify. Today, we lost against Vilita and Turori, 4-1 to be exact. The match started poorly for us, conceeding 4 goals on the 1st Half. I'd say this was mainly Matino's fault, who once again put Setentriona and Frêndê together, and actually told them to play offensively, AGAINST A MUCH BETTER TEAM. I don't understand this guy, even I could manage better than him. Just imagine it, Friekder Dandalleion, player-manager of the Farf national football team. That'd be awesome. Anyways, after conceeding those horrible 4 goals in the 1st Half, we went to Half Time completely sad, without believing it. Matino told us that we weren't giving the 100% and that he would call other players if we didn't. The thing is, the FFFF is already fed up with him, so I don't think he'll even have the chance. Anyways, when we kicked-off the 2nd Half, we were all so angry with Matino that we played our best play in months. We were kind of better, actually! We managed to score a goal, Mêndêlöíndçel got a ball from outside the box and shot with all his strength, the goalkeeper couldn't help but watch the ball hit the net violently. After that, we did have many chances, but we couldn't avail them. We would lose and get knocked out, but I think this could actually be good, as we've, I hope, also knocked out Matino. For god's sake he doesn't even know to speak Farf fluently!

Prediction: Farfadillis 1-0 Svengarda
I say we'll win, we have to preserve our honour, and climbing up the rankings could be something useful. I don't know how, but the high-ranked teams always seem to have better chances.

He stopped writing.

[Hutt River]

It was about halfway through the first half at Arena CK. The game had to be stopped due to a lengthy injury to the referee after a hard tackle gone very wrong. The Hutt River team were taking a rest because they knew it would be a long time until play resumed. Lister went over to Kryten.

"Right, Kryten. We're losing, and we should be losing by more. Anyway to fix this?"
"Fix what, sir?"
"What do you think?"
"I don't know, sir. It's difficult to tell whether you want to be winning or losing by more sir."
"Kryten", Lister said, smothering his face with his palm, "you're supposed to be smart. You're supposed to think logically. Can you at least try to figure out what I mean."
"I don't know sir. Must be a touch of computer senility. You know how old I am."
"It's the second one. Even a smegging toaster could solve that."
"Hey", said Talkie Toaster, who was right next to Lister's feet, "I'll have you know that I can solve the toughest scientific questions"
"No you can't, all you do is make toast." Lister said
"I can do much more than that."
"Like what?"
"I can toast bagels. Crumpets too."
"Just shut your grill" Lister said, hitting the top of the toaster. He turned back to Kryten, "Anyway, do you have anything to increase our luck. Something like a positive virus or something like that."
"Well, I still have a dose of liquid luck back in the coolbox. Should be ready by half time."
"Lovely"

Half time came and Falcania had doubled their lead. The game looked set, as Hutt River hadn't even had a shot yet. The players entered the dressing room and sat down, exhausted. Lister, not that tired out compared to the others, leaned over to Kryten.

"Do you have the luck?"
"Yes sir", replied Kryten, holding up a test tube with a blue liquid in it
"Give it here", Kryten handed over the tube, "and those bottles", Kryten gave him the 8 bottles filled with water. Lister put a few drops of the luck in the bottles. "Will that be enough?" he said after he finished
"Three drops should last about 45 minutes. So yes, it should be enough."
Lister nodded and then spoke to the team. After giving a team talk he gave out the bottles and told them to drink deeply. Lister then led them out for the second half

The luck immediately worked, as The Cat scored right from the kick-off. Falcania still dominated the game, but the defense and Lister held Falcania off with relative ease. Another goal was scored around the 70th minute, and the scores were level. Then they scored a third from a penalty around 5 minutes after. With this being more than enough, the team decided to park the bus. They hung on and the final whistle came to the relief of everyone. Despite losing 7-0, Hutt River's campaign was not over yet.

[Khytenna]

Geisenfried win after seeing of late come back by Khytenna

Khytenna: 2
Pellett 81st
Firestone 84th

Geisenfried: 3
Schenze 33rd 44th
Volke 88th

With the view of coming into the game to causes an upset, Khytenna did everything they could but was undone in the first half by a very on form Schenze. Khytenna dogged it out in the second half and managed to grab two late goals and pushed hard for a third, but thanks to deflected free kick, Khytenna was denied a draw, with now so much to do in their last game against legalese

the look of intensity of the faces of players from the crowned federation spoke volume on the attitude that players would take, and Khytenna played like they used to play, fast attacking football, within the first 10 minutes Khytenna had defiantly threw the gauntlet down, Falcon shocked the crowd by nearly scoring a scorcher from why outside the penalty box on the wing when he powered home a shot when he saw the keeper of his line, it sailed over the defence going to the top left corner but Warner got his finger tips on the ball pushing it over for a corner. Khytenna where here to win.

Geisenfried, however, wasn't their to be walked over, and had the hopes an nation in the stadium with them, and they would let the them have something to cheer about, with 20 minutes of pressure from khytenna, Geisenfried got back into the game, getting down field and testing the Khytenna defence, who stayed strong. Geisenfried would find their luck from set pieces in this game, a corner kick taken by Koch was crossed in a headed home by Schenze, he managed to battle of Bohannan to get the ball, the home team getting a great goal to take the lead.

Defending corners turned out to be Khytenna weakness in this game, another corner this time headed by Reiher was saved by Cuyler but was poorly cleared by Xin, Hillenbrand volleyed it back towards goal, and looked to be going to the keeper, but a on form Schenze raced to met it be fore Cuyler, and just headed over the keeper, he was inches from catching it, a great goal by Schenze to give Geisenfried a two-nil and comfortable lead going into the second half.

Most of the second half was slow paced, but teams having chances at goal, but Geisenfried seemed to be in defence. This half saw some chances for Khytenna, with Keogh –Green coming on for Bady and Evelyn for Falcon. K-G being a fantastic impact player need to bring everything to try to do something.

in the 81st minute Khytenna got the goal back, and would start a sudden come back into the game. The goal from a great and deep cross by Berkeley it was headed towards goal by firestone put was pushed aside by the keeper, unknown to him, Pellett had beat his marker expecting a to tap in a deflection, a very well read move as he tap the goal,A big roar from the Travelling fan's was heard the all corners from the stadium, Khytenna had made it 2-1 in the 81st minute, Pellett picked the ball out of the net and ran back down the pitch to restart the game, Khytenna was their now to get back into the game, in the 84th minute, Khytenna struck again, this time it was from Firestone, K-G made his way towards goal from the half way line, passing it into the box, the pass to Pellett was stopped by Kollins but he didn't control the ball well, Firestone pounced and robed the ball of him, he ran in towards goal, and chiped it over the keeper, the ball just dipping down to go in the goal, Gehlen rushed in to clear but was just to late, as Khytenna drew level, this time the home crowned was silenced whilst the Khytenna fan's where going crazy, the sea of flags where waving in the Khytennan end.

Khytenna pushed home for a third goal, but in the end it would be Geisenfried would get the win thanks to a lucky free kick by Volke. from 20 yards out he made an attempt to curl the kick around the wall, it took a deflection of the wall and was to far away from the keeper for him to get, he stretched in desperation get the ball but was in vain, Geisenfried got the winner and Khytenna was defeated after so much work.

the Coach said these words after the game.

We have it our all, we brought our A-game, but in the end, we where just unlucky against a great team, we tryed hard to back back in the game, those goals showed our great fighting spirit. we just have to put it behind and think about the next game.

[Port Hawthorne]

Port Hawthorne loses 4-2 to Kiryu-shi
ROY DAVIS
Heirhein, Geisenfried

Port Hawthorne recorded it's first loss in the thirty-seventh edition of AOCAF to the Kiryu-shi squad 4-2. Kiryu-shi striker Samantha DeCastro with a header in the first goal of the match in the tenth minute assisted by midfielder Will Feingold. The Kiryu-shi squad would quickly score their second goal of the game in the closing minute of the first half at '45.

The Port Hawthorne squad would bounce right back with a goal by the twenty-third year old striker Fraser Maclean on the cross from Charlie Nicholson on the corner in the fifty-fifth minute. They would shortly score the equalizer in the fifty-ninth by midfield Ewan Carr with his second goal of the tournament. Ewan scoring two goals in the AOCAF is a milestone for a Port Hawthorne footballer playing at this level of competition.

The Kiryu-shi club scored another two goals to win the game, earning two more points in the goal column were midfield Tyler Rolan (76') and Tziganes d'Arányi (84').

Unexpected Kyran Reilly who was sent to the changing room in the 1-1 draw against Kinitaria was in the starting XI. He was solemnly yellow carded after fouling Connor Boyle. Head Manager Henry Mackay told the press after the match that they plan on playing Reilly in their game against Osarius in their elimination match in the tournament, "He'll definitely be in lineup tomorrow. We need every good defender tomorrow."

[Blouman Empire]

THE EMPIRE TIMES
EAGLES DRAW AS TENSIONS RISE

The Eagles managed to secure a draw against Leorudo thanks to a late equaliser from Andrew Kepros, however, the bigger story is what happened after the game with a clash between player Robert Schmitz and manager Harry Malsomp. Schmitz appeared to be unhappy when he was substituted in place of Kepros in the 80th minute, refusing to shake Malsomp's hand and headed straight into the tunnels. Despite his replacement scoring the equalising goal in the 89th minute, Schmitz continued to fume. Sources from inside the change rooms who wish to remain nameless report that when Malsomp went and spoke to Schmitz, Schmitz began screaming obscenities at Malsomp while Malsomp engaged and continued the yelling match. Our sources further report that at one point Schmitz pushed Malsomp and required a number of players to hold both men away from each other until they calmed down. After the incident Malsomp refused to speak to journalists instead stating that the matter will be sorted by the FFB's own procedures, Schmitz also refused to answer media questions instead stating that he had nothing to state at this time. Schmitz has a history of outbursts when he feels he has been treated unfairly the most recent outburst against his manager at Riverside last season when he refused to go back on the field after halftime during the FANB Cup quarterfinal against Balxand.

Schmitz was training with the team today in preparation for their final group stage game against Audioslavia, however, he has not been named as a starter instead Kepros has been rewarded for his goal and will be taking his place on the team. Malsomp has also replaced Paul James with Harry Cathi in a move that he will be hoping will keep the back line tight. The Eagles need to secure a win against Audioslavia (a feat they have not accomplished in the past 3 outings) in order to proceed past the group stage, a draw or loss will see the team returning home early. Captain Biggs-Way spoke to the media after their training session and spoke highly of the teams chances, stating they had learnt a lot during the World Cup Qualifiers and Cup of Harmony against this team and that all players are confident they can win this game. Many analysts and commentators are still in doubt and are concerned that the recent spat between Schmitz and Malsomp may distract the players which will hinder the chances of winning.

[Geisenfried]

Group A
Geisenfried [1] - [0] Israeli Apartheid Client-State
Legalese [1] - [1] Khytenna

___Team                                P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Geisenfried                         3  3 0  0  8  3  +5  9
 2 Legalese                            3  1 1  1  5  5  +0  4
 3 Khytenna                            3  1 1  1  4  4  +0  4
 4 Israeli Apartheid Client-State      3  0 0  3  0  5  -5  0

^{* - Legalese advances based on goals scored}

Group B
New Montreal States [1] - [0] Leorudo
Blouman Empire [0] - [1] Audioslavia

___Team                     P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 New Montreal States      3  3 0  0  7  0  +7  9
 2 Audioslavia              3  2 0  1  3  4  -1  6
 3 Blouman Empire           3  0 1  2  1  4  -3  1
 4 Leorudo                  3  0 1  2  1  4  -3  1

Group C
Thatius [2] - [1] Lymantatia
Delesa [0] - [3] Valanora

___Team            P  W D  L For  Ag +/- Pts
 1 Valanora        3  3 0  0  12   2 +10  9
 2 Thatius         3  2 0  1   6   4  +2  6
 3 Delesa          3  1 0  2   3   6  -3  3
 4 Lymantatia      3  0 0  3   2  11  -9  0

Group D
Kinitaria [0] - [2] Kiryu-shi
Port Hawthorne [0] - [2] Osarius

___Team                P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Osarius             3  3 0  0 10  4  +6  9
 2 Kiryu-shi           3  2 0  1 10  7  +3  6
 3 Port Hawthorne      3  0 1  2  3  7  -4  1
 4 Kinitaria           3  0 1  2  1  6  -5  1

Group E
Andossa Se Mitrin Vega [2] - [0] Urbis Tractus
95X [0] - [4] Wight

___Team                        P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Wight                       3  2 0  1  5  1  +4  6
 2 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega      3  2 0  1  3  1  +2  6
 3 95X                         3  2 0  1  3  5  -2  6
 4 Urbis Tractus               3  0 0  3  1  5  -4  0

^{* - Wight wins group on goal differential; Andossa Se Mitrin Vega advances on goal differential}

Group F
Austenersey [1] - [2] Hutt River
Falcania [2] - [4] Pacitalia

___Team             P  W D  L For Ag  +/- Pts
 1 Pacitalia        3  3 0  0  14  2  +12  9
 2 Hutt River       3  2 0  1   5 10   -5  6
 3 Falcania         3  0 1  2   5  8   -3  1
 4 Austenersey      3  0 1  2   2  6   -4  1

Group G
Svengarda [0] - [1] Farfadillis
Vilita & Turori [2] - [0] Carpathia & Ruthenia

___Team                      P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Vilita & Turori           3  3 0  0  8  1  +7  9
 2 Carpathia & Ruthenia      3  1 1  1  4  3  +1  4
 3 Farfadillis               3  1 0  2  2  7  -5  3
 4 Svengarda                 3  0 1  2  1  4  -3  1

Group H
New West Guiana [0] - [2] Dorian and Sonya
Starblaydia [5] - [0] Mantwenic

___Team                  P  W D  L For Ag +/- Pts
 1 Dorian and Sonya      3  3 0  0  6  1  +5  9
 2 Starblaydia           3  2 0  1 10  5  +5  6
 3 Mantwenic             3  1 0  2  1  7  -6  3
 4 New West Guiana       3  0 0  3  3  7  -4  0

AOCAF XXXVII Knockout Schedule

Round of 16
M1: Geisenfried v Audioslavia @ Albenseestadion, Alster (61,640)
M2: Valanora v Kiryu-shi @ Sportlich-Stadion-am-Jülau, Lüthessien (49,470)
M3: Wight v Hutt River @ Seifertstaatstadion, Barheim (57,350)
M4: Vilita & Turori v Starblaydia @ Komone-Insel-Kolosseum, Rödis (60,230)
M5: New Montreal States v Thatius @ Arena CK, Kalffe (53,515)
M6: Osarius v Legalese @ Augustus Arena, Gründer (63,720)
M7: Pacitalia v Carpathia & Ruthenia @ Silbernstadion, Sileväl (52,810)
M8: Dorian and Sonya v Andossa Se Mitrin Vega @ Herzogssportfeld-Heirhein, Heirhein (48,240)

Quarterfinals
Q1: M1 winner v M2 winner @ Kaiserstadtsportfeld, Altien (58,760)
Q2: M3 winner v M4 winner @ Alterschloßestadion, Dözel (56,875)
Q3: M5 winner v M6 winner @ Stadionkapetägien, Kapetägien (55,950)
Q4: M7 winner v M8 winner @ Greifshorst-Stadion, Greifeläs (65,360)

Semifinals
S1: Q1 winner v Q2 winner @ Wilhelm-Rohm-Stadion, Darnesmark (64,860)
S2: Q3 winner v Q4 winner @ Heimüller Küstenkolosseum, Heimüller (70,210)

Finals
3PPO: S1 loser v S2 loser @ VfS-Arena, Königseifert (67,930)
F: S1 winner v S2 winner @ Königskronestadion, Königseifert (72,755)

[Port Hawthorne]

Federation of Port Hawthorne Football President claims unfairness in group assignment
ROY DAVIS
Heirhein, Geisenfried

The President of the Federation of Port Hawthorne Football (FPHF) Daniel Hilton has accused the Atlantian Oceania Confederation of Association Football Cup of corruption. President Hilton stated that AOCAF has been guilty of group rigging for years disallowing healthy competition and developer of younger nation's football clubs from succeeding in recent years. Hilton believes that AOCAF has to reform it's grouping, "I believe AOCAF has been irresponsible and unbecoming to sport of association football. We believe it's time to make the AOCAF more fair and competitive."

Hilton stated that he won't go into detail but he's calling for a hearing in Vilita. Insiders say that Hilton is vying for the AOCAF presidency which would be landmark for football in Port Hawthorne. Hilton wants to fix the system. What will it be? I expect that he'll try to go for a Champions Group and allow the lower ranking teams to play against each other that way the teams can experience growth but we'll have to say.

Daniel Hilton has not confirmed what his next course of action is. His first act as president was canning ex-head manager Patrick Ashby after finishing dead last in AOCAF Cup 33. They were unable to obtain a win in this edition like 33. However they didn't place at the bottom of their grouping above a higher ranked team. Does head manager Henry Mackay still have a job with coaching the national hockey team? I really really hope so. I followed this young man's career and lead to an impressive career as player-manager of the Colchester Gunners FC before retiring from playing. He currently manages for Weymouth while not appearing as manager in international play. They're currently going for a two peat in the Port Hawthorne Premier League (PHPL).

[Vilita]

Eel Cat Things Advance to the Second Round

Vilita & Turori top Group G with unblemished record

The Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things have opened up to the perfect start to the AOCAF 37 campaign in Geisenfried wrapping up the group stage on top of Group G on 9 points and advancing to the Round of 16 under the guidance of Vilita National Team head coach Calaesa Mitaroka.

The Eel-Cat things opened up the campaign against AOCAF debutants Svengarda who were using the tournament in Geisenfried as a warmup to their Baptism of Fire and World Cup debut's in qualifying for Astograth & Carpathia and Ruthenia. Mitaroka used the opportunity against what was perceived to be the least experienced team in the group to give a run out to Jungrii Canopii in goal as well as to young midfielder Kiroki Mitaroka. Neither player had a huge impact on the match, with Canopii giving way to Kater at half time and Mitaroka gaining match fitness running out the full 90 minutes, but never really contributing much to the match. The Eel-Cat things had a scare 21 minutes in when Jomur Hulyer had to be replaced after a challenge near the half way line. Luckily nothing ended up being broken or pulled and Hulyer returned to the bench after half time to watch the rest of the game with his teammates. Hulyer did get to watch his replacement, Turori's Raso Tareak, net the goal that sealed the victory for Vilita & Turori. It was a very Eel-y scoresheet as Liinai Zakazaka had opened the scoring to give the Eel-Cat things the lead at half time before Tareak's goal just minutes into the second half really put the game out of reach, as Svengarda never looked like overcoming a two-goal deficit.

Following the Svengarda match, Vilita & Turori set up camp at the Augustus Arena in Gründer for the final two matches of the group stage. First up was Farfadillis, a bright young team also making their AOCAF debut and looking to make a name for themselves as a team to watch out for in the future in the process.

The Farfadillis team were anchored by the sometimes over-confident Friekder Dandalleion, a new resident of the Island Emirate of Turori after signing a contract with Cednia Beach AFC in the Vilitan Stellar Division. The promise and excitement of the Farfadillis team was somewhat overcome on the day by discontention in the ranks, as many of the Farf players disagreed with the style of play forced upon them by the coaching staff.

The disgruntled Farf players were cought out time after time by the overpowering Vilitan midfield which resulted in constant pressure inside the final third. Noa-isinao Wioauoi scored a rare goal to open the scoring after finding himself unmarked after a Jomur Hulyer corner kick in the 14th minute. The Eel-Cat things continued the pressure and put the game out of reach just after the half hour mark as Strike FC attacking duo Viji-mara Lawaai and Yves Gadois worked off each other to provide a pair of goals within 60 seconds of each other to give Vilita & Turori a 3-0 lead.

Not satisfied with the 3-0 lead, the Eel-Cat things continued pressing to take advantage of the discontention in the Farfadillis side, netting for a second time off a corner kick through Kadi Molali in the 41st minute. Coach Mitaroka made a pair of changes at the half, introducing Kristofer Kilpter and Liinai Zakazaka into the match in place of Vrotaoa Lorasoiba and goalscorer Viji-mara Lawaai. While Farfadillis was able to pull one goal back, it was not enough to worry Vilita & Turori who clinched their place in the second round with the win.

With nothing but pride to play for, the Eel-Cat things returned to the Augustus Arena on Matchday 3 to square off against AOCAF 35 hosts Carpathia and Ruthenia. Always expected to be the most difficult match of the group, coach Mitaroka was certainly eyeing to have recorded maximum points in the first two matches, allowing some freedom in selection if a win was not required from the final match. Instead, however, Mitaroka played for pride and fielded a strong lineup against Carpathia and Ruthenia in preparation for the knockout rounds. The strong selection resulted in an equally strong performance from Vilita & Turori who walked away with a 2-0 victory in what was otherwise a very close and hard fought match in Gründer. The match itself could have gone either way, however, the Eel-Cat things capitalized on strong fitness to wear Carpathia and Ruthenia out at the end of the first half, scoring a pair of goals in the final 5 minutes before the break through Yves Gadois and Restiaa Mumamba, those goals making the difference in the match. Due to the Farfadillis victory against Svengarda, Carpathia and Ruthenia advanced to the second round regardless of the defeat, but Vilita & Turori emphasized their position as outside favorites to reach the final by finishing atop Group G with a perfect record.

	Svengarda
:: Goalscorers :: :: 25' Liinai Zakazaka :: 48' Raso Tareak	:: Goalscorers :: - None - .

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things v. Svengarda (3-(1-4)-2) ::
[GK] Jungrii Canopii, [D] Ritopa Simafela, [D] Moia Fliporta, [D] Noa-isinao Wioauoi, [DMC] Restiaa Mumamba, [ML] Jomur Hulyer, [MC] Kiroki Mitaroka, [MC] Riksa Valjariia, [MR] Steffyn Siazzu, [FC] Liinai Zakazaka, [FC] Yves Gadois
BENCH::
[FC] Lita Adjei, [FC] Xcnaio Bansoa, [M] Astara Daiili, [M] Raso Tareak, [U] Anuh Ciniima, [D] Kadi Molali, [GK] Nycflala Kater

Vilita Substitutions v. Svengarda::
(21) - Jomur Hulyer >>> Raso Tareak
(45) - Jungrii Canopii >>> Nycflala Kater
(72) - Steffyn Siazzu >>> Xcnaio Bansoa

	Farfadillis
:: Goalscorers :: :: 14' Noa-isinao Wioauoi :: 33' Viji-mara Lawaai :: 34' Yves Gadois :: 41' Kadi Molali	:: Goalscorers :: :: 66' Mêndêlöíndçel . . .

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things v. Fafadillis (3-(1-4)-2) ::
[GK] Nycflala Kater, [D] Ritopa Simafela, [D] Kadi Molali, [D] Noa-isinao Wioauoi, [DMC] Retiso Buran, [ML] Jomur Hulyer, [MC] Astara Daiili, [MC] Vrotaoa Lorasoiba, [MR] Steffyn Siazzu, [FC] Viji-mara Lawaai, [FC] Yves Gadois
BENCH::
[FC] Kristofer Kilpter, [FC] Liinai Zakazaka, [M] Viliaka Morasita, [M] Raso Tareak, [U] Sirkii Moliaudo, [D] Tyaoino Munviola, [GK] Ronji Miiastara

Vilita Substitutions v. Farfadillis::
(45) - Vrotaoa Lorasoiba >>> Kristofer Kilpter
(45) - Viji-mara Lawaai >>> Liinai Zakazaka
(74) - Kadi Molali >>> Raso Tareak

(For Future Statistical Reference)
GK :: Nycflala Kater 6

D :: Ritopa Simafela 8
D :: Kadi Molali 7
D :: Noa-isinao Wioauoi 9

DMC :: Retiso Buran 6

ML :: Jomur Hulyer 10
MC :: Astara Daiili 4
MC :: Vrotaoa Lorasoiba 7
MR :: Steffyn Siazzu 7

FC :: Viji-mara Lawaai 7
FC :: Yves Gadois 7

Vilitan Subs Bench:
FC :: Kristofer Kilpter 6
FC :: Liinai Zakazaka 6
M :: Viliaka Morasita DNP
M :: Raso Tareak 5
U :: Sirkii Moliaudo DNP
D :: Tyaoino Munviola DNP
GK :: Ronji Miiastara DNP

	Carpathia and Ruthenia
:: Goalscorers :: :: 40' Yves Gadois :: 43' Restiaa Mumamba	:: Goalscorers :: . .

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things v. Carpathia and Ruthenia (3-(1-4)-2) ::
[GK] Nycflala Kater, [D] Ritopa Simafela, [D] Eda Shindhi, [D] Kadi Molali, [DMC] Restiaa Mumamba, [ML] Jomur Hulyer, [MC] Kiroki Mitaroka, [MC] Steffyn Siazzu, [MR] Vrotaoa Lorasoiba, [FC] Yves Gadois, [FC] Liinai Zakazaka
BENCH::
[FC] Viji-mara Lawaai, [FC] Kristofer Kilpter, [M] Raso Tareak, [M] Astara Daiili, [U] Sirkii Moliaudo, [D] Moia Fliporta, [GK] Ronji Miiastara

Vilita Substitutions v. Carpathia and Ruthenia::
(45) - Restiaa Mumamba >>> Raso Tareak
(58) - Vrotaoa Lorasoiba >>> Astara Daiili

(For Future Statistical Reference)
GK :: Nycflala Kater 7

D :: Ritopa Simafela 6
D :: Eda Shindhi 9
D :: Kadi Molali 8

DMC :: Restiaa Mumamba 7

ML :: Jomur Hulyer 8
MC :: Kiroki Mitaroka 8
MC :: Steffyn Siazzu 9
MR :: Vrotaoa Lorasoiba 5

FC :: Yves Gadois 8
FC :: Liinai Zakazaka 7

Vilitan Subs Bench:
FC :: Viji-mara Lawaai DNP
FC :: Kristofer Kilpter DNP
M :: Raso Tareak 5
M :: Astara Daiili 6
U :: Sirkii Moliaudo DNP
D :: Moia Fliporta DNP
GK :: Ronji Miiastara DNP

[Audioslavia]

Rubio and Sue hadn't been an item for a few months, now, going on non-dates and being very much embroiled in something that very much was not a relationship. They'd hidden their lack of commitment to each other badly. Everyone knew they weren't an item. They were in denial about it, and steadfastly defended their lack of involvement in one another. Nevertheless, they resolved to smuggle themselves two seats together in the press section of the Albenseestadion - Sue there as part of the Cathair Tribune's press team, Rubio there thanks to a flashed press-pass and a winning smile.
"Got you a vodka and coke from the concession stand" said Rubio, placing a far-too-small plastic cup in front of his non-girlfriend.
"Oh. Erm. Thanks... Rubio" said Sue, picking it up, smiling awkwardly and then placing it down, un-touched.
"Figured you'd be stressed. AOCAF semi-final, a match against the hosts, the chance for another major quarter-final... and so on"
"Yeah, stressed."

She was. Sue had always had an emotional involvement in the national side, from following their return to the international scene as a younger girl - the Baptism of Fire victory that captivated the nation, the sickening defeat in the AOCAF 34 final, the disappointing first forays into the World Cup Qualifiers and the Cup of Harmony, before the sweeping AOCAF35 and putting football very much in the centre of Audioslavian culture for the first time in a century. She'd been there or thereabouts, and now she had a job that encouraged her to be at the games. A dream come true indeed. Sue was supposed to be impartial, of course, but forcing her to look at the claret and green objectively, dispassionately, for her profession hadn't dampened her enthusiasm one bit. The love affair between herself and the gallant Bulls had strengthened, despite the latter's recent propensity for disappointment.

The current AOCAF tournament hadn't got badly, per se. Audioslavia were through to the second round after taking two wins from three games. A gutsy yet limited Leorudo had been accounted for in the first game before the Bulls were gored, sadistically, by a rampant New Montreal States - a perennial foe that had embarassed Audioslavia on more than one occasion, now. The third game, an encounter with a strong Blouman Empire outfit, had been a must-win for the Bulls. They had, but it had been one of the most difficult games Sue had sat through. There was no question the better team had lost. Biggs-Way had seen a perfectly legitimate back-post header ruled out for a non-existent push on an unspecific Audioslavian defender (two defenders claimed in was they who had been shoved, despite being nowhere near the Blouman captain). Robert Schmitz had, time and again, left a sluggish Audioslavian back-four scrambling in his wake but had been unlucky not to finish off his chances. A Dellapae free-kick had found the forehead of Eamonn Williams, but with the defender somehow hitting the bar with his header despite the goalmouth gaping. Audioslavia's goal had come from a counter attack and a scuffed shot from Vauvenargues that somehow manage to wriggle under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. It was one of those games. Audioslavia were, now, going into the Geisenfreid game with a point to prove, but seemingly without the wherewithal to prove it.

That wasn't why she'd been stressed. It had been a difficult morning. Wake up. No Rubio to be seen. A dash to the toilet. Vomit. An uncomfortable breakfast at the hotel restaurant, excuses made. A trip to the pharmacy.

She felt sick again.

"I'm not in the mood for drinking, I think" said Sue.
"Something wrong?" asked Rubio
"Hah. No. Yes. No. It's fine. I'll talk to you later"
"If its something you need to get off your chest..."
"Match is starting. Later, hun"
"...you just called me hun"
"Shut up"

[Wight]

.

[Geisenfried]

"In response to accusations by the Port Hawthorne's FPHF, the GKFV's representative to AOCAF released a statement largely dismissing the FPHF's president's concerns, declaring that the seeded pot system has been the standard in drawing for international football competitions for 'generations', and that to accuse AOCAF 37 of unfairness was a 'gross impropriety'. The statement went further to comment that due to difficulties with Audioslavia's football federation before the previous AOCAF in Vilita and Turori and the federation's subsequent late entrance, the Geisenfried national team was forced to play against both the finalists of AOCAF 35 in group play for AOCAF 36 - and that in light of those circumstances, the organizers for AOCAF 37 took extreme care to make the groups more balanced. While the statement acknowledged that it was unusual for all the top ranked teams to advance into the knockout rounds, it went further to comment that this was more of a testament to 'the level of quality of the top teams in Atlantian Oceania' rather than bias in the drawing system."

"Speaking of Audioslavia, it's time to look ahead at the first upcoming knockout matches for AOCAF 37, starting with a re-match between Geisenfried and Audioslavia as the first tie of the round."

"Rank-wise, this doesn't look like much of a contest. But the national team has been dominant on its home soil, handily defeating its chief competition in Group A, Legalese, 4-1 in the opening match of the tournament, before dispatching both Khytenna and the IACS to bring home a full nine points, much to the home fans' pleasure. Audioslavia, on the other hand, after going from champions in 35 to out in the group stage for 36 have managed to make it to the round of 16 for this AOCAF, but only after struggling in group play, especially after a 4-0 defeat to New Montreal States. We'll see if the home-field advantage can keep the Golden Eagles going, or if the Bulls can re-find the form that brought them the Cup in 35. This match'll be played at the Albenseestadion in Alster."

"Next up comes another intriguing match, this time facing up and comers Kiryu-shi against the current World Cup champion Vanorians. Kiryu-shi's appearance in the finals of the latest Di Bradini Cup showcases how much new talent is bringing Kiryu-shi further and further ahead in the world of international football. But it's hard not to respect Valanora after such a dominant stretch, coming off a otherworldly victory at home soil to put up 9 points in the group stage and score another 7-1 victory. This rumble on the river will be at the Sportlich-Stadion-am-Jülau in Lüthessien."

"Our third match sees the winners of a wild Group E in Wight take on Hutt River. The Smegs recovered from a disastrous opener against the defending champs to pick up two victories on the bottom half of Group F and entrance to the group stage, while it took a massive ending matchday for Wight to unequivocally claim their group, smashing former champs 95X 4-0 to get the group win, after 3 teams managed 2 victories in Group E. While both teams' losses came to very highly ranked opponents, it's hard to ignore the kind of day Hutt River had against Pacitalia. We'll see who comes out on top at the Seifertstaatstadion of Barheim."

"This next match is probably one of two most anticipated knockout round matches, as name power does not get much bigger than this. It's founders and 4-time champs Vilita & Turori versus footballing powerhouse and 6-time champs Starblaydia. The list of accomplishments seems to never end between these two, and the prestige these footballing programs command is the envy of the world over. But only one can advance further in the quest to hoist the championship at AOCAF 37. I don't have any doubt that this match will draw a lot of eyes and a lot of envy for those folks in Rödis watching this clash at the Komone-Insel-Kolosseum in person."

"The second half of ties begins with Group B winners New Montreal States, who seemed to have not slowed down at all after claiming the 53rd Cup of Harmony, breezing through the group stage with surprising efficiency. The only team not to concede a single goal through the group stage of the competition, more than a few people had to be caught off guard at how stunningly dominant the Paladins looked in taking out Audioslavia at the Silbernstadion. They'll face Thatius here, whose only fault in the group stage was not managing to knock off one of the best teams in the world in Valanora. They meet at Arena CK, in Kalffe."

"Despite a seemingly easy draw, Legalese has struggled through the opening matches of AOCAF 37, dropping a bad game to the hosts before ending on a draw to the group's low rank Khytenna. They still managed to get into the Round of 16, though I doubt having to face AOCAF 36 runners-up Osarius is much of a consolation prize. Speaking of the former finalists, they survived a crazy goal-filled opening match against Kiryu-shi to take care of business against Kinitaria and Port Hawthorne to take 9 points as well as the group. Their match takes place at Augustus Arena, in Gründer."

"The defending champs have played their part through the opening 3 matches, winning handedly to take Group F and continue on their path to add a consecutive trophy, as well as a record ninth championship to their collection. As much as Pacitalia might look ahead to a tough quarterfinal opponent, though, they best not overlook upcoming World Cup hosts Carpathia & Ruthenia, who would be all too happy to rip the carpet out from under the Blue Foxes and score an upset. Both teams travel to the eastern mountains of Bährens to the Silbernstadion of Sileväl to contest this match."

"Finally, we have the other major match of this Round of 16, a re-match of the latest World Cup semifinal and the two highest ranked opponents to see each other in this opening knockout round. While the teams of the Sylvanaes Queendom of Dorian & Sonya and the Draggonnii Socialist Empire of Andossa Se Mitrin Vega may look unfamiliar to viewers who watched the aforementioned semifinal, as the traditionally all-female Sylvanae team has been replaced by the all-male Necromancers and the Sea Dragons have been replaced by an all-female River Dragons squad, we can still expect the high quality of play both nations are known for. One of these top-5 ranked nations is going home - we'll see which at Herzogssportfeld-Heirhein."

"That's it for this edition of Sport. If you want to see what the weather will be like at the upcoming games, stay tuned..."

---

Khytenna 2-3 Geisenfried
- Schenze (33', 44'), Pellett (81'), Firestone (84'), Volke (88')


Geisenfried 1-0 Israeli Apartheid Client-State
- Schenze (17')

[Kiryu-shi]

PRESS RELEASE
The Kasakake University Committee on International Affairs
Kasakake University
Premier Kiryu-shi Governance

The superiority of Dr. Archibald D. Peterson's patented 135 step plan for Improving the Performance and Lives of Kiryu-shi Athletes has been on full display at this year's AOCAF, where a dominant Kiryu-shi team has outscored opponents by a score of six to nothing aside from a brief four minute blip against Port Hawthorne. This dominance comes of no surprise to leadership at Kasakake University, where we have identified the key factors to optimize the performance of football players. While the upcoming match against the Elves of Valanora will test Dr. Peterson, we are confident that the results in the upcoming knockout match will once again demonstrate the ability of Dr. Peterson to improve upon the lives and performances of our athletes, and we encourage you all to stay tuned!

Furthermore, we are announcing, for the first time, That Dr. Peterson will be among the coaches charged with leading Kiryu-shi through the upcoming World Cup Qualifications. Not only that, but if you write in to the Kasakake P.O. box, you could win a patented copy of Dr. Peterson's STAR pamphlet, the same exact ones that our Kiryu-shi team will utilize during the next World Cup! Thanks for your ongoing support!

[Pacitalia]

Football > AOCAF Cup 37
Sunday 23rd September 2012

Demi Santos celebrates his tournament-leading 10th goal against Falcania, on Sunday. (APR)

Another masterful group stage performance has Foxes sitting pretty
But the path to Königseifert is paved with many a challenge for Pacitalia

Constantin Tiervancu
Kalffe, Geisenfried


Pacitalia stormed into the knockouts for the fourth consecutive AOCAF Cup championship, this time on the back of a tournament-leading 14 goals in their three group stage matches. And, once again, it was striker Demi Santos who led the charge for the Pacitalians, who, with as many as four matches left to play, is just two goals shy of his Golden Boot-winning tally of 12 last time out.

Following a blowout 7-0 win against Hutt River, a 3-0 victory over newcomers Austenersey, and a doubling-up of the Falcons (4-2 this evening), the Blue Foxes (3-0-0) find themselves, winners of Group F, ready to make another strong run at the AOCAF title.

But to do so this time will require some god-like determination, what with the likes of Carpathia and Ruthenia their certain opponent in the second round, and, should the Foxes prevail, an incredibly trying date with either third-ranked Andossa Se Mitrin Vega or fourth-ranked Dorian and Sonya waiting in the quarterfinals.

Foxes manager Narciso Pennachetti now sees his team as one that can overcome the adversity that comes standard at the world's premier regional tournament.

"There were several times in the last Cup that we found ourselves in a tough spot, and we definitely painted ourselves into a lot of corners in the knockouts, but we came out on top in the end, and that was the most important thing," Pennachetti said. "The boys showed that there was absolutely nothing that would stand between them and that trophy, if they had anything to do with it."

He said he will be looking for the same.

"I want them to dig deep inside of them to produce those career-defining, nation-defining performances," he added. "Either way they continue to do us proud, but they do understand what is at stake. They believe in themselves and they believe they can win."

Demi, the Étoile Rouge FC striker, has dominated the headlines from start to finish in the group stage at AOCAF Cup 37, with an unbelievable 10-goal performance to date that is drawing comparisons to recently departed front-man Ambrosino Giurimano. Giurimano, for his part, could only remark that he was "blown away" by the "quality and consistency" of the young Demi's efforts.

Not to be forgotten is linemate Cadi Herrera, who has found the back of the net twice, and Fernando Nero and captain Michelangelo Mascagnano, who have each netted a single goal for the Blue Foxes at this tournament. Nero has once again proven his worth at the expense of Xabi Ferrán, who is still struggling with a leg injury that has hampered an already inconsistent club and international career.

Xabi, for his part, was lucky to escape more serious injury. Initially thought to have suffered a clean break to his right fibula, further examinations showed a simple hairline fracture on the bone, from which he was able to return to play in just a matter of weeks (instead of the initially predicted 6-8 months).

But his poor play against Hutt River — worse yet in a match the Foxes won by an astounding seven goals — saw him benched at halftime in favour of Nero, and the young Empordian has not seen a minute of match play since. To add insult to (literal) injury, the trio of Cadi, Nero and Demi up front has proven to have significantly more chemistry, more skill and playmaking ability than when Xabi plays in the middle.

The veteran Masca, for his part, seems more comfortable quarterbacking attacks with Nero directly ahead of him.

Is AOCAF fair?

Pennachetti was asked to comment on the accusations from Daniel Hilton, the president of Port Hawthorne's football association, that the AOCAF Cup tournaments are unfairly stacked against lower-ranked teams. Hilton suggested that future tournaments be organized to allow lower-ranked teams a better shot at competing for the title and alleged that AOCAF Cup 37 hosts Geisenfried stacked the group stage to favour higher-ranked teams. Port Hawthorne entered the tournament ranked 52nd in the region.

"You know, I have nothing but respect for Mr Hilton, and he is coming from a position of frustration at his own nation's results," Pennachetti said. "It's tough. Their program is at a point where they wonder what to do next."

"I hesitate to comment, but I am a bit disappointed with the remarks. We have the pot system for a reason. It ensures that groups are not necessarily unfairly weighted with too many strong or too many weak teams. So, you know... you make it to the knockouts, you know you deserved to get there."

"I really think his comments are more a reflection of his anger or frustration or whatever with his nation's performance, even though they did relatively well. But I'd urge the man to be a bit more patient with his side. Things take time. The Blue Foxes are a very good example of what happens with perseverance and determination. We toiled away for years under some great managers — Parventi, Zentrescu, Saganyarov — managers who were more than able to deliver a championship or two, but we left each time with nothing much to show for what we put in."

"Then Marco [van Basten] finally broke through and saw success. But that took twelve, thirteen cracks at the whip. Now people on the outside look at the Pacitalian program — I think we are seen as a way to do things the right and honest way."

"I think that moment that we start to separate the wheat from the chaff with rules and regulations, rather than by the merit of this tournament, there isn't much point in holding it at all," he added, "and I really strongly feel that there's plenty of evidence to the contrary that AOCAF is quite fair. Again, I think he needs to be more patient."

---

Copyright © 2012 Extra, the Pacitalian sport network
http://www.extra.pc/football/nr.gspx?sd=802202&ad=en

[Geisenfried]

Round of 16
Geisenfried [0] - [1] Audioslavia
^{* - match scorinated by Karditan}
Valanora [1] - [3] Kiryu-shi
Wight [3] - [3] / [6] - [3] (a.e.t.) Hutt River
Vilita & Turori [2] - [0] Starblaydia
New Montreal States [2] - [1] Thatius
Osarius [1] - [0] Legalese
Pacitalia [2] - [0] Carpathia & Ruthenia
Dorian and Sonya [0] - [3] Andossa Se Mitrin Vega

Quarterfinals
Q1: Audioslavia v Kiryu-shi @ Kaiserstadtsportfeld, Altien (58,760)
Q2: Wight v Vilita & Turori @ Alterschloßestadion, Dözel (56,875)
Q3: New Montreal States v Osarius @ Stadionkapetägien, Kapetägien (55,950)
Q4: Pacitalia v Andossa Se Mitrin Vega @ Greifshorst-Stadion, Greifeläs (65,360)

[Osarius]

Sahota: Teams are afraid of us
Special Report, by Michael Henderson

After seeing an uncharacteristic -- even under the cautious Alain Montblanc -- run of three clean sheets for Osarius, fans are beginning to wonder if this is the start of something new. There will always be enthusiasm as long as the team attacks, though it is all-too-often matched by the despair of thousands (or even millions) when they fail to adequately carry out the reverse task. Defending has long been the achilles heel of the Firebirds, though they've seldom struggled at the other end of the pitch, and Amandeep Sahota's side appear to have found a cure for that particular maladie. However, the "cure" is probably not as promising in the long term as one might expect.

"I think perhaps teams are attacking us less." Sahota told me, as we walked along the edge of a training pitch at the team's base camp in Geisenfried. "They saw what we can do with the five goals against Kiryu-shi, and it perhaps concerns them. They're scared to attack, because we have a lot of pace up front and can counter really well." The former Hastmead boss is well aware of the psychological advantages of having a free-scoring frontline, and it appears to be one of the major strengths of his teams throughout his managerial career. His Hastmead side was heavily biased toward the offense, as was Arcaea County under his management. Even back to his first club at semi-professional level, he seems to have advocated the policy of 'defending from the front' that was so popular under Benedict di Corradi. Sahota is no fool, though. He knows that teams will clam up in the face of such a threat. "We work a lot on breaking down stubborn defences for this very reason." He explains, before shouting encouragement to three forwards running a drill designed to develop the very ability he is speaking of. "We know that a lot of teams will sit back and try to stop us finding space in the final third, so we work on finding it. This is why I like the three forward system, especially when you have players like Felix [McLean] and Gilberto [Cuellar] up there, they're just so versatile."

Amandeep Sahota has never really been rated highly for his tactical knowledge, instead drawing most of his plaudits for his man management, youth development, and what John Holcombe referred to as his "hopeless devotion to attacking football". Yet here he was, explaining his ideas and concepts in a way that shows that I, and my peers, may have underestimated him. There is a clear method to this man's "madness" that I had not seen until now. I decide to press, though. I point out that surely he must have considered that there is a limit to how well his players can break down stubborn defences, they had struggled against Legalese, after all. "True." He conceded, though I already knew there would be some form of response to follow. "But we're probably better at penalties."

It's hard to dislike Sahota. He speaks like a fan in many ways, and his passion for the game is obvious through his enthusiasm. An enthusiasm that seems to be infectious. The players were all in high spirits, and before I left, I could feel myself beginning to believe the Firebirds could well go on to win this tournament, despite all my knowledge telling me it was unlikely. Allegations of top teams making heavy use of RPinin are always rife at these tournaments, and in my time with the Osarian team, I found little evidence to suggest they had much use of the substance. But it did make me wonder.

Tactically speaking, the clash with New Montreal States will be a difficult one for Sahota's team. With a three man midfield, it's going to be tough against the Paladins' six, and there will be a heavy reliance on support from fullback. Should Sol Kirkkegaard anticipate a wing-heavy attack -- likely, given his knowledge, Osarius' personnel and Sahota's tendencies -- he could perhaps instruct his team to shut down the Firebirds' attack in their own half. If that happens, we'll see the true measure of the new boss, as his reaction -- he can't simply rely on Gilberto Cuellar conjuring up a goal in this hypothetical scenario -- will likely dictate the outcome of the match. I'm hoping he gets it right, personally.

[Audioslavia]

"Fuckdoyouwant" said the gruff voice on the other end, sounding like he'd answered the phone while still in bed.
"I want a drink" were the first words out of Rubio's mouth. He held the phone to his ear and an untouched glass of rum in the other hand, and sat at his desk in his hotel room, staring at the wall.
"Ohhhhh alright then, it's that conversation, is it?" said Jeremy, followed by the creaking noise of an old man forcing himself to sit upright on an old bed.
"Yeah. I want a drink. I need one. I keep telling myself that it's OK, that in the circumstances I'm allowed one, but I wanted to check with you first"
"One would be too much"
"Yeah, yada yada"
"Yada yada indeed. What are your reasons?"
"Sue's pregnant" said Rubio, as quickly as he could lest his voice crack or break mid-sentence. There was a pause in the conversation. A natural one.
"Oh."
"Yeah"
"Is it yours?"
"Of course its mine, who else has been.... jesus Jeremy!"
"Sorry. Just checking. Fuck. Congratulations"
"Cheers"
"I mean.... is she keeping it?"
"Yes."
"Doesn't believe in abortions, then?" asked Jeremy. Over the phone, he couldn't see Rubio shrug.
"Dunno, I doubt she'd think like that. You know what Sue's like, though. Once she's started something, she has to follow through with it"
"If only she'd started putting a condom on that Krytenian dick of yours"
"Jeremy!"
"You shouldn't go around making half-Krytenian half-Audioslavian offspring, Rubio, they only cause you embarrassment in the end"
"Yeah yeah. If its a boy then he's playing for Krytenia"
"He'll probably go straight into the team. Just as he's coming out you can hold one of those cyan rags over her clu.."
"Jeremy!"
"..nge and he can go straight to the bench. After his umbilical chord has been cut, of course. Krytenia need a decent dribbler..."
"Yeah, yeah, enough already. The point still stands."
"What point?"
"I need a drink"
"Oh. Yeah. Fuck. Erm.... hard to think of an excuse not to, really"
"Jeremy!"
"What? Oh jesus Rubio you're, what thirty or so, you love Sue, even if you won't admit it..."
"'Love', what? I don't 'love' her, I've only known her six months"
"Yeah, balls, she's tall, attractive, strong willed, doesn't need looking after, fiercely intelligent. I fancied her too. If I was four-hundred years younger I'd have been there ahead of you. She's great. You love her, and you love the fact that you always have to be on your toes around her"
"Well *f***k me* Jeremy..."
"I'm right. Now. You're thirty. Young. Attractive. Wonderful. You've thin and healthy and bright and tanned. There's no reason for you to continue being tee-total. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Two, now. *I* need to keep up the non-drinking, you don't, not at all. Not when you're not around me, anyway"
"So.... You're telling me to get off the wagon"
"Jump off it. Take a sip of that rum. It won't do you harm, and you'll have lost your alcohol resistance so it'll knock you out in three seconds flat - a whole two seconds quicker than it did when you were trying to keep up with me - and you can get some sleep. Tomorrow, you can deal with Sue, tell her you'll be there, support her, be a daddy, be a lover, all those things. My Rubio's growing up"
"Wow. When you put it like that...."
Rubio took a small, dainty sip of his rum.
"Just don't tell me what it tastes like"
"It tastes damn g.."
"Rubio!"
"Ah, yeah, sorry"

[Vilita]

KILPTER LEADS EEL-CAT THINGS PAST RIVALS

Vilita & Turori Take Down Starblaydia in Rare Regional Rivalry

For the first time since AOCAF X, two of Atlantian Oceania's most decorated sporting powers clashed on the regional level in the AOCAF knockout rounds.

Vilita & Turori, 4 time AOCAF champions and, under Vilita, a World Cup Champion, was drawn against 6-time AOCAF and 5-time World Cup champions Starblaydia. Although neither side could really be considered favorites to reach the final in Geisenfried, as neither Vilita & Turori or Starblaydia had reached an AOCAF final since Starblaydia fell to Sarzonia during AOCAF XXIX, the match still brought with it an air of expectation and intrigue - if not due to the storied history of the two sides, then simply for the rarity of the occurance of the pairing on the fixtures sheet.

During their previous meeting on the regional stage, AOCAF X in Fmjphoenix, Starblaydia and Vilita, without the additional Turorian component, met at the Semi-Final stage. The match was one of the dirtiest most raucus matches in the history, not only of the AOCAF, but in organized associated football in general - perhaps an indication of why fixture generators across the multiverse have since gone to great lengths to avoid this pairing of nations.

On a night where a place in the final was at stake, neither side was willing to give an inch and no use of force was off limits. It took just 40 seconds for the action to get physical as Starblaydia right back Alex Vidal set the tone of the match by hauling down Vilita's Calaesa Mitaroka to open the book that the referee would keep open practically the entirety of the next 120 minutes of play. Brent Obwinyi wasted no time after the restart lashing out at Vidal in revenge, setting off a chain of fouls, sucker punches and all out poor sportsmanship that would eventually lead to every single player on the pitch, subs included, being shown a yellow card at some point during the match.

The one thing the match was lacking was offense, as, distracted by the brawl, neither side managed a shot on target in the first half. Things got worse in the second half, as players who had already been booked in the first half were booked again, getting sent off the pitch. Starblaydia's Isiah Sodek had already been sent off in the first half but was joined by Vilita's Sanou just after the half.

In the end, the match was remembered for many things. An incredible 21 players booked. Cherry Garcia's "flashing tackle" - IE: Lift up the shirt and collect the ball from the distracted player. And of course, The Goal. The goal by Starblaydia goalkeeper "Crazy" Corominas in the 120th minute. Looking to gamble against Penalty Kicks, Corominas steamed forward on the attack as the final whistle neared and found himself unmarked as Cherry Garcia's cross came in from the corner kick. Corominas rose above all deflecting the ball to the far corner of the net past Vilita's Shelton to lead Starblaydia to the final, wheeling away in celebration - eventually becoming the 21st and final player to enter the referee's book.

Starblaydia would go on to win the AOCAF X title, also requiring extra time, but the Semi-Final match against Vilita will always be remembered as the turning point in AOCAF X.

Fast forward to Geisenfried, 27 Cups later, the two sides were finally drawn together once again - for a chance to prove they could play... fair.

Far much less was on the line, and not a single player on the pitch - perhaps with the exception of Mitarokan descendant Kiroki, really had any strong feelings that could stem from the AOCAF X classic.

The most notable change for the Eel-Cat Things saw Kristofer Kilpter, the unattached former Cednia Beach AFC forward inserted to the starting 11. Kilpter made the most of the opportunity, scoring the game winning goal in the 36th minute in an otherwise lacklustre performance that probably didn't do a lot to raise his stock in the search for a new international club to call home.

The Eel-Cat things had a scare in the 27th minute as forward Yves Gadois had to be removed due to a cramp, being replaced by Liinai Zakazaka. However, it was halftime sub Riksa Valjariia that finished out the match, scoring the insurance goal 10 minutes into the second half to quietly close the book on what may be looked back on as the start of a new, tamer chapter in the rivalry between Starblaydia and Vilita.

The Eel-Cat things will square off against Wight in the Quarter Finals at the Alterschloßestadion in Dözel, an arena both sides will be visiting for the first time. Wight had a tough time fending off Hutt River in their second round matchup, the underdogs kept fighting back forcing extra time before Wight ran away with three goals in the extra session to cement their place opposite Vilita & Turori in the second round.

The 2-0 win over Starblaydia with the Eel-Cat things third victory of that scoreline in four AOCAF matches thus far in Geisenfried.

	Starblaydia
:: Goalscorers :: :: 36' Kristofer Kilpter :: 55' Riksa Valjariia	:: Goalscorers :: -None- .

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things (3-(1-4)-2) ::
[GK] Nycflala Kater, [D] Kadi Molali, [D] Ritopa Simafela, [D] Eda Shindhi, [DMC] Retiso Buran, [ML] Kiroki Mitaroka, [MC] Jomur Hulyer, [MC] Astara Daiili, [MR] Steffyn Siazzu, [FC] Yves Gadois, [FC] Kristofer Kilpter
BENCH::
[FC] Viji-mara Lawaai, [FC] Liinai Zakazaka, [M] Riksa Valjariia, [M] Raso Tareak, [U] Xcnaio Bansoa, [D] Noa-isinao Wioauoi, [GK] Ronji Miiastara

Vilita Substitutions::
(21) - Yves Gadois >>> Liinai Zakazaka
(45) - Astara Daiili >>> Riksa Valjariia
(75) - Steffyn Siazzu >>> Raso Tareak

(For Future Statistical Reference)
GK :: Nycflala Kater 8

D :: Kadi Molali 10
D :: Ritopa Simafela 7
D :: Eda Shindhi 9

DMC :: Retiso Buran 8

ML :: Kiroki Mitaroka 7
MC :: Jomur Hulyer 9
MC :: Astara Daiili 7
MR :: Steffyn Siazzu 5

FC :: Yves Gadois 5
FC :: Kristofer Kilpter 6

Vilitan Subs Bench:
FC :: Viji-mara Lawaai DNP
FC :: Liinai Zakazaka 5
M :: Riksa Valjariia 5
M :: Raso Tareak 6
U :: Xcnaio Bansoa DNP
D :: Noa-isinao Wioauoi DNP
GK :: Ronji Miiastara DNP

[Wight]

.

[Pacitalia]

Football > AOCAF Cup 37
Tuesday 25th September 2012

Nicolás Sema, #4, and Maurizio Domanecco, #22, celebrate with Michelangelo Mascagnano (APR)

Masca's double dip propels Foxes into quarterfinals
Captain turns in spectacular pair of goals to lead Pacitalia over Carpathia and Ruthenia

Constantin Tiervancu
Sileväl, Geisenfried


Pacitalian captain Michelangelo Mascagnano led the way with a splendid pair of strikes and Ander Bera — in his 50th international appearance — punched his third clean sheet of the tournament, leading the Blue Foxes back to the last eight with a 2-0 win over Carpathia and Ruthenia.

The former host nation's repeated forays behind the Pacitalian defence, and their 15 attempts at goal, ended up exposing them on two crucial occasions in the second half, and the Foxes made them pay. Mascagnano struck home two decisive balls in the 59th and 79th minute to seal the victory.

At the back, it was a solid performance by the Pacitalian back line despite the 15 shots by C&R. With Lina Salucci's attacking tandem of Olivia De Luca, Porfirio Martinelli and Edvárd Colombo pushing attacking balls deep into the Foxes' third, it was left to the back four to cut off angles and smother shots to try and push the Carpathian-Ruthenian attack out to the corners.

"I guess it was a successful strategy at the end of the day," Camilo Branco said post-match. "It's not used to how we are playing our game, and credit them for that. They put us on our heels for a lot of the match."

He added it was "great to have [...] scoring opportunities at the other end of the pitch to keep control."

Of potential concern will be the fitness of leading scorer Demi Santos who was substituted out for Maurizio Domanecco on 65 minutes. Demi appeared to hurt his ankle on a challenge against Battista Zentai, but Narciso Pennachetti says the prognosis is excellent.

"He was replaced out of an abundance of caution more than anything else," Pennachetti said Tuesday evening. "I don't foresee him missing the quarterfinal but we will be monitoring it, as we should be."

The Foxes move on to face Andossa Se Mitrin Vega in the bottom match of the quarterfinal bracket. The Pacitalians' next opponent unexpectedly dominated Dorian and Sonya, 3-0, in one of the marquee matchups from the second round. The match was most certainly a lopsided affair given the rankings of the two sides (third-ranked versus fourth-ranked).

The River Dragons were still reeling from their loss in the final of AOCAF Cup 35, and the country's early exit from AOCAF Cup 36 — a 2-1 upset in the second round at the hands of Kiryu-shi — as they backed into the knockouts on goal differential ahead of former champs 95X. A decisive win over a high-ranked side may have just given the Vegans the shot of confidence they need to go all the way for the first time.

Camilo noted the key to victory in the quarterfinal will simply be to get back to "Blue Foxes 101" and dictate the tempo and style of play against Nuseru's side.

"It's important for us to get back to controlling possession and limiting the long ball attempts into our third of the pitch," he said. "We will be looking to maintain control of the ball and build up that wall along the 18-yard box."

The winner of this quarterfinal match will book a date in the final four with either New Montreal States or Osarius, which, if the latter prevails and the Foxes also win, will set up a re-match of last Cup's final.

---

Copyright © 2012 Extra, the Pacitalian sport network
http://www.extra.pc/football/nr.gspx?sd=802357&ad=en

[Geisenfried]

Quarterfinals
Q1: Audioslavia [9] - [0] Kiryu-shi
Q2: Wight [1] - [0] Vilita & Turori
Q3: New Montreal States [3] - [1] Osarius
Q4: Pacitalia [1] - [1] / [1] - [1] (a.e.t.) / [2] - [1] (p.k.) Andossa Se Mitrin Vega

Semifinals
S1: Audioslavia v Wight @ Wilhelm-Rohm-Stadion, Darnesmark (64,860)
S2: New Montreal States v Pacitalia @ Heimüller Küstenkolosseum, Heimüller (70,210)

[Wight]

.

[Audioslavia]

Rubio was so happy there was a tear running down his cheek. Not about the whole 'being a father' thing, that still hadn't sunk in, and he'd been dealing with that using rum, bounding off the tee-total wagon with the grace of his fellow tee-totaller Jeremy Jaffacake. Rubio was happy because Sue, his mother-of-his-child-to-be, was relaxed and happy, and that hadn't happened for a long time. Probably since they'd first met. The reason for her happiness was out on a field in front of them, eleven claret-and-green shirted Audioslavians currently having the game of their lives. The game of their country's history, to be exact. Opponents Kiryu-Shi had barely turned up.

Rubio leant against the wall in the interior of the stadium, having made his excuses to the otherwise engaged Sue, and took his phone out of his pocket, dialling a number he knew off by heart.

"Nrf" came the response.
"Jeremy! How are you doing?"
"Nrf. Nrf nng nrf. What kind of time is this?"
"Um, the middle of the afternoon"
"Not where I am it isn't. I'm in bed"
"Bed? What time is it where you are? Where are you?"
"None of your business. What do you want?" replied Jeremy, obviously not best pleased at having been woken up. Rubio knew exactly how to cheer him up, of course.
"Audioslavia are playing Kiryu-Shi. Quarter-final of the AOCAF. Surprised you're not keeping tabs on it, despite the time, whatever that is where you are"
"I get them recorded and emailed to me. Didn't have the time nor the energy for this one. Good game?"
"Hah. Hahaha. Are you near a computer?"
"Ugh. Yeah. Well. It's over on the desk..."
"Go over to it? said Rubio, barely able to hide his mirth.
"Fine. We'll do things your way. It's turning on now."
"Good. Where in the world are you?"
"Never you mind"
"Fine"
"How's Sue, how's the unborn pleb?"
"Good and good, so far. Wait til the end of the game and the end of the pregnancy, of course..."
"Yeah, yeah. Computers on."
"Go to any football site. Any of them that will have the live score updates from the AOCAF"
"Fine. Hang on a sec..."
"Got it?"
"It's taking a while to load"
"Slow connection where you are?"
"Never you mind where I am. Wight are winning an...."
"Yup"
"...."
"Nothing to say, Jeremy?"
"...is that a typo?"
"Nope"
"Some kind of joke, perhaps?"
"Nope"
"We're.... we're winning EIGHT-nil?[/i]"
"Yup"
"How in the name of satan's arse are we 8-0 up? Kiryu-Shi... they've beaten us in the past... or was that Gyatso-Kai? Either way.... jesus christ....."
"Kiryu-Shi barely turned up. They've got five starting players either injured or suspended and the ones that have replaced them appear to have all the bottle of a.... tee-totaller."
"So,... what happened?"
"Vauvenargues helped on a looping cross into the net after two minutes and added another through a clumsy - yet effective - finish two minutes later. Kelly Sporadic made it three-nil before the ten-minute mark and Velazquez added two himself before twenty minutes had been played, both of them the same type of goal, smashing home a loose-ball that Kiryu-Shi's defenders somehow didn't manage to clear out of their own box. Vauvenargues penalty on forty minutes and a scrambled seventh... seventh before half time. Went down as an own-goal. That's how we're reporting it anyway. Jeroen barelled in a header on about sixty minutes. 8-0. That's where we're at right n..."
Rubio was rudely interrupted by a loud, if slightly ironic cheer. He looked up at a screen to see Marc Vauvenargues jogging towards the touchline, a finger raised in the air almost apologetically. A replay showed he'd hit a low, awkward shot from about thirty yards which the goalkeeper had let squirm under his body, the ball rolling over the line for a very embarrassing ninth goal.
"...Nine-nil?" asked Jeremy
"It would appear so"
"That's stupid. Absolutely stupid. Best Audioslavia have ever done before was a couple of 6-0s against some woeful opposition. Kiryu-Shi.... you don't beat a team like Kiryu-Shi by nine goals to f***ing nil..."
"You do, apparently" said Rubio, matter-of-factly.
"Full time-whistle has gone in Dözel. Wight have won" said Jeremy, the result evidently having gone through on the website he was watching. "That's the team we'll be playing on Monday, barring a miracle in this game..."
"Can't quite see it going 10-9, Jeremy..."
"I've seen worse"
"No you haven't"
"No... no I haven't" admitted Jeremy. "How's Sue going to take this?" he asked.
"What do you mean? Oh..."
"Yeah. Wight. It was Wight's 'relocationairing' that almost killed her, four years ago. She's been a bit funny about them ever since. It's the fallout from that that got her the gig working with us, of course"
"Yeah. Balls. Hadn't thought about it" said Rubio, almost to himself, suddenly a little worried again. He wrestled with himself for the answer to the question of whether to tell her or let her find out for herself. Probably best to leave the issue alone and merely be there for her if she reacts... badly.
"Going back to bed now" came Jerem'y voice , over the phone.
"Sure. See you soon, mate"said Rubio, absent-mindedly.

[Pacitalia]

Football > AOCAF Cup 37
Thursday 27th September 2012

Demi Santos and Fenicio Samatini ecstatic after the former's 58th-minute equaliser (APR)

Demi goal and penalty kick help Foxes slay River Dragons
Striker's cool set-piece conversion breaks Vegan hearts and puts Pacitalia in final four

Constantin Tiervancu
Greifeläs, Geisenfried


The quarterfinal between Andossa Se Mitrin Vega and Pacitalia was as expected — an emotional, brutal and intense match-up of two titans of regional football, a pure test of skill and will between what are currently two of Atlantian Oceania's top three sides.

In the end, regulation and extra time solved nothing, and, still deadlocked at a goal apiece after 120 minutes, the Foxes ended up prevailing 2-1 on penalty kicks.

Demi Santos' 58th-minute equaliser — the 51st goal for his country in 61 caps — and his later penalty shot ended up the deciding factors in the Foxes' narrow win. Pacitalia now advance to the AOCAF Cup semifinals for the fourth straight time, to face upset shocker New Montreal States, after the Paladins trounced Osarius, 3-1, earlier in the day.

The win improved Pacitalia's record to 4-4 all-time in AOCAF Cup knockout matches decided by a penalty shootout. Initially 0-for-3 in this category, the Blue Foxes' last loss on penalties came against Cafundéu in the AOCAF Cup 27 semifinal. They are 4-1 in knockout-stage penalty battles dating back to AOCAF Cup 25.

For Itaeri Unt'ad, it was third time the charm. On 32 minutes, and following two narrow misses on attempts at the Pacitalian goal, Unt'ad's soaring ball to the top shelf evaded Ander Bera's desperate stretch. It was utter delight for the rest of the River Dragons' front five, who mobbed Unt'ad at the corner flag and raucously celebrated ASMV's early 1-0 lead.

Several futile efforts by the Blue Foxes to counter with a goal of their own ensued over the remainder of the first half, with the Dragons beating back a beautiful set-up attempt by Fenicio Samatini just outside the 18-yard box. Fernando Nero would then fall victim to a borderline offside call on 43 minutes, flagged down by the linesman as he attempted to enter the Vegan box on a long forward arc from Pacitalian fullback Camilo Branco.

A final foray into Vegan territory, this time looking like a sure goal, was, like the others, cleanly foiled, this time by the sweeping clearance of a fearless Erreeli Tor'vore. Descending down the tunnel at halftime, the Foxes still looked the worse of the two teams, despite having owned the ball for almost two-thirds of the first 45 minutes.

But, like other times the Pacitalians have been behind with the first half of the match played, they showed no desire to make an early exit from the tournament. In fact, they looked their hungriest yet a few minutes into the second frame, with Demi's thorough first attempt at goal bouncing menacingly off the crossbar. Shortly afterward, Cadi Herrera struck almost the exact same spot on the bar, rattling not only the woodwork but also Kekara Ves'war in front of goal.

From that point on a Foxes equaliser seemed somewhat inevitable. With the momentum firmly shifted Pacitalia's way, Demi found the heart of the twine in the 58th minute, connecting with a brilliant header that eluded Ves'war and sent half the stadium into unmitigated frenzy on a chilly early-autumn afternoon.

The Foxes transitioned to a more defensive style following the Demi goal, anticipating a resurgent Vegan effort to regain a lead. Sure enough, a battery of goal attempts came courtesy Unt'ad, Tekyja Que'usti and Siryl Ing'nal. But the Pacitalians fought off those challenges and three straight Dragon corners to help chew through regulation time.

A frustrated Cadi once again found white paint on 82 minutes, with an angry rocket that looked like it would rip the left post right out of the ground. But the effort sailed just wide enough to the left that it glanced out of play and tore through a sponsor board, instead of coming back to the attacking Foxes. Cadi helplessly tossed his head back, looking to the sky for answers.

The most nerve-wracking moment of the match would come in stoppage time. The Foxes appeared to have scored a sure winning goal off a Samatini free-kick with mere seconds to play. The ball ended up at Fernando Nero's feet; exulted, he ran for the corner flag to celebrate the killer strike, only to look back and find the referee waving his arms to negate the tally, once again arguing that the play and player were offside.

Nero's protests subsequently reached a point that captain Michelangelo Mascagnano had to pull the young striker away to save him the embarrassment of a needless yellow card.

The first half of extra time proved completely uneventful, which dampened the energy and enthusiasm of two increasingly fatigued sides. With a couple of substitutions — Samatini for Cristián Pique and Sebastiano Berardi for Pau Capdemarco — a refreshed Pacitalia once again came an inch or two from likely sealing the win in the second frame of extra time. On 117 minutes, Cadi's wrong-footed strike sailed straight for goal, only to be repelled, achingly, by the searching fingertips of Kekara Ves'war.

A final offside call on the Foxes in the 120th and final minute of normal play seemed to put a full-stop period on the futile Pacitalian efforts to gain a permanent advantage over the ASMV side.

In the penalty shootout, Pacitalia won the coin toss and elected to shoot first, but Pique's strike found Ves'war's welcoming arms. Bera would keep Pacitalia level on the initial pairing, smothering Que'usti's shrewd chip. Still without a successful conversion, Mascagnano stepped up, to find his effort, too, repelled by Ves'war. The River Dragons would go up 1-0 on Siryl Ing'nal's fiery blast into the low left corner of the net.

To the relief of the Blue Foxes' faithful, Cadi Herrera would get his redemption after the frustrations of match play, putting his shot past Ves'war to restore equality. With Unt'ad subsequently missing wide right to wipe out the Dragons' advantage, Demi gave the Foxes a 2-1 lead on a beautiful slotting effort underneath Ves'war and in. Iwiada Rad'del sent her attempt high over the bar, leaving Nicolás Sema with a chance to seal a semifinal berth for Pacitalia. But he succumbed to the pressure, with his dreadfully weak lob pushed aside determinedly by the Vegan keeper.

The Foxes would still advance if Bera could save one last penalty attempt from Tor'vore. With every single one of the 65,360 people in the stands on their feet, the young Pacitalian keeper punched away her floating volley and immediately ran for his frantic teammates, who dogpiled him as dejected River Dragons supporters filtered out of Greifshorst-Stadion.

On the horizon is a semifinal match that will still raise some questions and uncertainty for both sides. Though there is a rather sizeable difference in ranking between top-seed Pacitalia and 12th-seed New Montreal States, the Paladins have not had an easy route to the final four at AOCAF Cup 37. They have clearly demonstrated they're among the best and brightest at this tournament.

The favoured Osarius side that showed up to play on Thursday evening looked vastly different from the side that manager Amandeep Sahota boasted was confidently knocking aside allegedly "terrified" opponents on their way to another berth in the championship match. The Firebirds were clearly the side worse for wear following their quarterfinal meeting with the scrappy Paladins, and Sahota is now uncomfortably eating crow on the flight back to Burningham.

On the top half of the bracket, AOCAF Cup 35 champion and two-time finalist Audioslavia will face Wight. The Sondry Folk reached their second consecutive semifinal by virtue of yet another defeat of a storied national side. This time Vilita & Turori were victims to the pesky black-and-white bedecked Wight side, falling 1-0. The extracurricular activities directly involving Audioslavia and Wight, these two sort-of-neighbours in northeastern Atlantian Oceania, should be a major factor in helping determine who moves on to play for the Cup.

The seventh-ranked Bulls, for their part, will no doubt be feeling quite confident of their prospects, following their 9-0 thrashing of poor, defenceless Kiryu-shi in the quarterfinals.

---

Copyright © 2012 Extra, the Pacitalian sport network
http://www.extra.pc/football/nr.gspx?sd=802508&ad=en

[Geisenfried]

Semifinals
Audioslavia [2] - [1] Wight
New Montreal States [1] - [2] Pacitalia

AOCAF XXXVII Final:

---

Audioslavia v Pacitalia
@ Königskronestadion, Königseifert (72,755)

---

Third-Place Playoff:
Wight v New Montreal States @ VfS-Arena, Königseifert (67,930)