Dossier: Paradystopi Initiative, Codename Triad (Operation Chalkboard, T.A.C.T.I.C.S.)
Summary: Agent M will take the lead on this collaborative mission. We have two other agents stationed within the nation of Paradystopia, both of whom we feel are excellent foils to Agent M's potentially dangerous volatility. Conor Kinsella (Codename Crunch) was selected for his no-nonsense attitude and ability to remain calm even under pressure while Katherine Holland (Codename Kholera) was selected for her excellent capacity for strategic thinking. Between the two, we feel that the operation should not be in jeopardy should Agent M's instability be too much even for the Paradystopi.
Current Mission Objective: Maintain inconspicuity while gathering information and establishing bonds with prominent figures. Agent M is tasked with developing a sort of cult of personality, while Crunch and Kholera should be doing all within their power to assist. We feel it would be counterproductive to issue all three the same task, as the other two would no doubt diminish the headway made by each of our agents. Agent M was selected to lead the project due to his greater experience in the field of football management, though we cannot be certain this will translate to greater success. Should the mission objective be changed, the information will be relayed to all agents via coded messages in match reports on the Paradystopi League. To this end, it is imperative that all three remain abreast of the news.
* * * * *
Quebec City, The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
"This city is so weird..." Jayson Dhanda thought aloud, while struggling to read the news in French. "At least French is sort of similar to English and Spanish."
He strode over to the sofa in his apartment and took a seat, clutching the newspaper and the dossier folder he had received from K division back home in Osarius. The dossier folder was thick, overflowing with papers. Information on the most recent Quebecois squad, the incoming assistants he was to work with, lots of information. From appearance to favourite TV show, K division had been thorough.
"So much to learn... " Dhanda muttered, as he leafed through the dossier.
** RING RING **
"Weird. I haven't given anyone my new number yet... Only got the phone this morning." Dhanda glanced at the screen. It wasn't his phone.
** RING RING **
Following the ringing sound, he found the phone eventually. A nearly-paper thin device tucked into the dossier. K division were remarkable, he decided.
"Hello?"
"Agent J. We see you are doing your due diligence. Splendid."
"Of course. I can't be expected to do a job without knowing what I'm doing."
"True. However, a lesser man may have balked at the workload."
Dhanda didn't even reply, he just snorted derisively into the receiver.
"Nonetheless, we have received an update on your clearance. We are told you will be installed to your position at the end of the current World Cup. You may wish to fly to Apox now, see if you can meet the relevant people."
"I may wish? You mean you've already booked tickets?"
"Yes."
"Osarius are also based in Apox. Would it compromise my mission to go visit them?"
"No."
"Good. I'll give Jermain a call."
"Be careful, Agent J. You may be under surveillance."
"What do you mean?"
"You can never be too careful."
* * * * *
With the strength up front that the Firebirds have, you'd be forgiven for sharing Jermain Lewis' frustrations after the Zwangzug game, for thinking that the team is not scoring enough. Last night, however, it would have been much harder to criticise, as Farfadillis were suprisingly (from the perspective of someone who watches them play regularly, at least) focused, sticking largely to Pekarik's gameplan.
A Farfadillis side in transition were largely disciplined at the back, limiting the number of chances Osarius could carve out, with their defensive five capably locking down the Osarius front four. Mêndêlöíndçêl in particular was crucial, shutting Drummond out of the game in the early stages. The Franz Josef playmaker has often found himself up against a defensive stalwart, but typically finds space. Mêndêlöíndçêl gave him none, and stuck to his back like a spiteful shadow.
Under normal circumstances, this would free up Acosta to push forward, or allow Capiello to create from deep, but the intense attacking instincts of the Farf side -- though in the process of being curtailed -- posed a problem. With Tuzzio and Teran also applying pressure, Osarius began to resemble a "broken team" in the sense that the attack and defence were disjointed, with nothing to link them.
While the Farves were pressing, they weren't creating much either. A sort of stalemate in the midfield had left Dandalleion and Roga isolated -- much like Grassi -- while Osarius' lateral fullbacks were keeping Fôx and Kâí busy in the defensive phase. Something had to give.
Eventually, gaps began to appear. As Tuzzio tired, and Teran drifted off-beat, Drummond began to create openings. Acosta's tireless running allowed the former Utica man to drift into space, pulling his marker with him. As a result, the Farf defence narrowed, and Capiello was given time to pick a pass into the wide areas that Osarius love to exploit.
After having had a poor tournament by his standards, and another quiet game, Nathaniel Doherty had been replaced by Firewood's pacy youngster Darell Marshall. With Marshall comfortable cutting inside to shoot, in a way Doherty never has been, this change would be crucial. When Capiello released the Firewood winger beyond Fakkotti, the Minault United defender was never going to catch up. Marshall cut inside toward Mata, faked to shoot as he had earlier, before sliding a reverse pass into the right channel for Ezio Grassi to put the Firebirds ahead.
The second came shortly afterward, capitalising on deflated morale for Darell Marshall again to do the damage. This time, the Firewood man properly signalled his arrival on the international stage with a rocket of a shot into the top left corner.
Osarius' victory over Farfadillis was hard-fought, but earned the team the opportunity to take a break against Ko-oren in the final group stage matchup. With safe passage now assured, it is expected that certain regular starters will be rested. In the frame to start are Padron, Rodriguez, Puntoriero and Poynter, along with Marshall. Lewis refused to be drawn on whether he would withdraw Fletcher and allow long-suffering number two Adam McBride a chance to show the world how good he is, however. It is no secret that Fletcher is a crucial part of the Osarian defensive setup, given her skill at organising the back line, and having seen his team keep the opposition out so far, Lewis may be loath to make such a major change.
