World Cup LXXV - AK75 - The RP Thread

by **Nephara** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 5:56 am

THE BRINEMOUTH HERALD
NEPHARA'S GREATEST TEAMS: PART ONE - THE BAPTISM OF FIRE
by Patricia Steinbren

In this latest Herald series, our journalists will track down the stories of Nephara's great teams - specifically, the ones that won titles - and really rake up what made them so successful, recount their stories and ask where their key players are now.

The 90th minute of a podunk international friendly tournament, the Northern French Irish Invitational. The Cormorants have marched triumphantly out of the shadows of their region, successfully applying for WCC approval, and this is their first match against any opponents outside of Serenes. First-choice central defender Kyle Renown is stretchered off with a broken leg as Nephara, then New Sideburn, slumps to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of anonymous nation New Ecopia, a result doomed to stand forever as Nephara's first official WCC-era international. Could this side possibly be the one to bring glory back to the nation within the year?

None of the players in Nephara's Baptism of Fire squad, the team that put the nation firmly in the world's spotlight, still play today. Chances are, very few of them would cut it in today's Premiership. Oh, and they were pulverised repeatedly in qualifying. But who cares? That first set of Cormorants were legendary.

What's remarkable about those early successes is that the side was four or five years past its best. Asger Stubbs, legendary pre-UICA goalkeeper, was 38 by the time of the Baptism - leading Portia Thrift, 32, to start most matches. Centre-halves Strongnesse and Harm were 36 and 33, and central midfield was dangerously shallow - 26-year old Rosewood was a fantastic player, but 31-year old inverted winger Grant Beardsley was his partner. A few years ago and Anna Cliving, one of early Nephara's true technicians and current manager of Coret Hawks, would have been the first name on the teamsheet - but the Baptism of Fire was just too late for her.

Something else that was legendary about this early side was their drinking prowess. "After every match," Rook Harm lovingly retold in his autobiography, 'Grievous Bodily Harm', "it'd be down to the pub and sinking pints like nobody's business." Not that it really did them any harm on the pitch. At least, not in a way they were willing to admit.

Starting lineup against the Nenets Autonomous Okrug in the Baptism of Fire final.

Following the New Ecopia fiasco, Nephara were relatively guarded early on and the way that they edged their fixtures in a flourish of goals echoes the way that the World Cup was more recently won. Drawn into a tough group containing Saintland, a group of nefarious cultists and the promising Glascovia, Nephara manged to win through, ultimately playing Saintland twice in two legendarily bloody-minded fixtures. Coming out on top over them in the quarterfinals, an extra-time win over Bearded Moose paved the way for the final, where Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a side who had not conceded all tournament, were edged 1-0 thanks to a classic long ball over the top.

It was a genuinely staggering success, although Nephara's entrenched football culture and professional league had put them firmly among the favourites at the start of the tournament - really, the excellent performance of the Autonomous Okrug was the most remarkable story of the tournament, but from that Baptism only Nephara, Saintland and Barunia survive in WCC competition today. Three powerful nations, from a powerful generation.

After that glory, qualifying was a rude awakening - Nephara won half of their eighteen fixtures, got annihilated 7-0 by Sicoutimont (as well as leaking goals to pretty much anyone) and ultimately finished 5th from 10. But a 2-1 home win over the Northern Sunrise Islands signalled their intention for domination at home... and a genuinely staggering success followed.

Almost identical to the Baptism side of yesteryear, Nephara (further buoyed by three wins in the Cup of Harmony, though they were ultimately defeated at the second time of asking by a Cassadaigua side they'd thrashed 3-0 in the group) won the Campionato Esportiva at the first time of asking. Admittedly, it was not yet a marquee tournament - and their opponents reflect this, Esportiva not yet being at its current stage of providing world football with its thriving middle class, let alone the world champions. But in the semifinals, the Cormorants managed, somehow, to come out ahead of the Licentian Isles - before an extra-time free kick from Lucia Oakwood was enough to beat Uitbregen in the final.

In practice, this side was not a fantastic one in football terms. Despite a strong goalkeeper and once-great defenders (Harm, for his part, went on to finish his career with Egloskerry) the side simply crumbled when attacked at pace, while the two fullbacks pushing up made for plenty of chances up front and huge, unavoidable frailty to being attacked down the wings. Slow and relatively unfit by international standards of the day, the Cormorants benefited from genuine chemistry and motivation, stemming from devotion to one man - Gethin Ramsey.

Ramsey was a terrifying figure in his prime, a storming thunderclap of a man capable of inciting even a mouse to battle. His tactical acumen would come later - for now, he bellowed at his players and they went out and won games for him. His side was at its best crashing down the middle, Rosewood and Charmwell (soon supplanted by young talent Dale Brightley) using their technical gifts to find the right passes for the pacey but profligate Scabbard and the giant Gerhard Thunder, who would usually finish the chances they were given. And they weren't pushovers at the back, either - if you couldn't simply outrun Strongnesse or Harm, they'd smash you. And the role of Lucia Oakwood, who started Nephara's first 80 internationals, cannot be understated - perhaps her role is sometimes overlooked owing to the fact that Michael Brandon, a far better player, came after her, and then Tanith Rainsford after him, but Oakwood was the calming influence on a breathless, emotional squad, just calmly getting possession and then threading it forward. Not for nothing was she the side's penalty taker, dead ball specialist and, eventually, captain.

So, the squad was old, flawed, and probably picked to an extent through politics - none of the Big Four of Treason, Crisisbless or the Sabrefell sides was allowed to have their players dominate the squad, which kept everyone happy. But you can't question results - and, on that front, this side delivered everything that could have been reasonably asked for... and a little more than that.

by **Boring Paradise** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:34 am

Boring Paradise: Do we really need a title?

Now to begin with, Boring Paradise has never won a international tournament at all, we only reached the the final on two occasions and reached the Top 4 in three overall. We lost to Zenic in the final in the sixth edition of the Runners Cup that occurred after we were eliminated from World Cup 72 qualifying. That was our biggest achievement as a nation. But this is ignoring the more youthful tournaments like U21s, which we do hope we are going to enter this time, and the U15s, where we finished 2nd once in the seventh edition. That does not conclude our closest attempts of winning our trophy since we came 2nd in one other tourney, that we Paradisians don't like to mention, was our tournament we had hosted soon after World Cup 66 occurred where we had lost to Paradystopia at our own national ground, Paradisia North Park, with a scoreline of 1-0. It was a day that was never forgotten and remains to this as a scar of the past that can not be removed.

Anyways onto our next topic, San Hosé Guayabal because it never got old but it was surprising that the media in SHG couldn't control themselves. The team traveled there as our first away game so far this qualifying and we went there with a bit of nostalgia as we have been through the airport before for the thirteenth edition of the Campionato Esportiva hosted by both San Hose and Star United States. Not only that but we even faced this team before once in the Third Place Playoff of the tenth Friendly Cup, which we also hosted, and beat them 3-1. That is the only recorded match we have had against San José Guayabal so we were hoping for close match but we were never aware of how strong the opposing team have grown since our last meeting as we stay at a constant pace. It was definitely worthy of being in the 1st pot of the World Cup qualifying as we lost 4-1 to them. Raiyaan Malik Jr scoring the only goal as he made it 3-1. A score nobody knew wasn't going to better as you might as well stand down and wait until the next match at home.

Now onto the next match that occurred at home following the defeat from SJG, that they unofficially claim was due to the San Hosé joke, but I doubt that. We went to Boration Park, the other stadium we use for international matches, and went against The Urain. This team was not to be treaty lightly after they had won one game but tied two, leaving them in 2nd before the matchday began. Even if they were the lowest ranked nation in our group we knew that this could be challenging if we don't try. Anyways we had played our reserve 11 excluding Ali Roberts with Haider Williams playing the center attacking midfielder role in the game. The Urain put up a early goal at the 15th minute after the offside was not accepted from the officials but after looking back he was just a footstep over the line and I would daresay it was obvious but it wasn't. After the 2nd half began the Paradisians began to apply pressure and eventually Joris Fuller scored in the 71st minute after Alex Smith played the ball through the defense. The second goal from Urain was disallowed due to the fact that the striker was seen handling the ball with his arm but then Clyde Zenin saved another shot from a free kick as it graced his hand then hit the post and went out of play. Soon after the fans were uncomfortable was it was nearing the full time whistle as the full back, Tim Black came down on the wing and crossed the ball to Yaser Rehman who then finished it elegantly and made the final score 2-1 and recorded our first win of the qualifying stage with now 3 points but we are still lying in 6th and we need to get to 2nd.

Out next match shouldn't be too hard as we go against 7th place, Migli, who have not won a single game yet, so we should be able to get the three points and continue to climb up as we already faced the top two nations, San Hosé Guayabal and Omerica leaving us with easy matches until the mid-qual break where we might be seeing some friendlies occur but I doubt that will happen.

by **Eshan** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:55 am

Well, now we find ourselves in a must win position, though I suppose when you’re in the process of qualifying for the World Cup, every game is a must win. The Echani team had four points after three matches, and while we were in a four way tie for third, Saintland sat in second with a three point lead, Chiata in first with a pretty unconquerable four point advantage. I mean four points really isn’t that many, but with 11 games left to play in the qualification round, a two game lead is a formidable undertaking. We have a game in hand, but then again so do Saintland, as well as Hasznia and New Gelderland who we are tied for third with, so there’s a lot of ball left to play.

The next game would really have a lot to say about the character of the Echani team and their intentions as we face off against the aforementioned Hasznian team. By all measures, it should be a comfortable game for our boys in white and red, but anything can happen in international football, a single goal puts pressure on the team like nothing else. Steven Dumolt still remains at his mother’s side, whose condition is reported to be rapidly worsening, so Mirlam Marjanovic takes control of the team for the third time, and he’ll have a bit of a jigsaw lineup task infront of him with both David Smith and Luke Albom pulling out of training the other day with muscle discomfort. In a presser earlier today the sharp eyed Marjanovic disclosed his replacements to the surprise of all of us. 21 year old centerback Darren Tran (Alexandria United) and fellow 21 year old leftback Steven Tadeo (Rosaria United) step into the fray, with Tadeo set to earn his tenth cap, Tran his second. This isn’t exactly who we would’ve thought would be elected to the starting lineup, indeed many are calling for Hugo Cartensen, the 25 year old leftback from Skoljard FC, and Valentinianus Gratiz, the centerback from Alexandria United to start instead. Xavi Arisilde, dependable as he’s been in the World Cup thus far, has been sent to the bench in favor of the more dynamic, box-to-box energy offered by Deandre James. Commenting on this selection, Miralem Marjanovic referenced the Echani superiority that could be expected in the match, and that Deandre was perfect for linking the entire show together and keeping things running from end to end in favor of the Echani squad.

The previous match against Chiata had gone well, with the Echani team doing a brilliant job of absorbing pressure and pushing back on the break in a very entertaining match that ultimately ended in a scoreless draw. There were plenty of postivites to take from the match as we move forward in the campaign; Anthony Baudelio will be one of the best strikers in the world within a few years, his combination of size, speed, natural ability, and drive to be the best he can be will certainly see him shoot up the ranks of internationally recognized strikers. Marshawn Mercury also displayed a vastly more developed game then we’ve seen from him in the past. It seems that he knows with Mulcair nearing retirement there’s going to be a giant hole in the starting lineup and someone is going to have to fill it. In the thirty minute cameo against Chiata the rocket-paced, slick dribbling Mercury showed off a developing shooting ability, something that is the last step for the 20 year old Seria-A champion to take before making god on his bags of potential and emerging as a world class player. Augustin Markel isn’t at his best, not sure what the deal is, but the highly talented playmaker wasn’t impressing anyone with 19 minutes of action last night. Brought on to try and unlock the resilient Chiatan defense, Markel only completed a single dribble and 11 out of 17 passes, eye-gouging numbers from the Royal Queenstown magician. Hopefully he can snap out of this little funk, we’re going to need all hands on deck if we’ve a chance to progress into the knockout stages for the first time in our history.

by **Darmen** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 9:33 am

Radio Free Darmen
Alban security forces violently suppress non-violent protests

Alban riot police rush forwards

-Darmen City

Peaceful protestors in the Alban capital of Darmen City were ferociously attacked by Alban security forces after marching towards the Presidential Palace. The protestors, who were calling for free and open elections to be held by the end of the year, were beaten with batons and riot shields, and also had to deal with tear gas and water cannons. It is also reported that several police dogs were sent after protestors who had become isolated from their counterparts. Protest organizers believe over 200 protestors were injured, with a possible five deaths, and that they believe the number of deaths will rise over the coming days after the injured were denied access to hospitals. Alban officials stated that their were no deaths, and that only 20 protestors were injured. Also, according to Alban officials, all of the injured refused medical care offered by the Alban officials.

Although this is not the first time that democratic activists have called for elections, this is the first time that thousands of citizens have gathered to express their desire for a democratic Alba. It may also be the first time that the Council of the Confederation may meet in an emergency situation, with several leaders of other nations in the Confederation having expressed complete shock and dismay at the Alban response. The falsely named "Republic" of Alba, led by the dictatorial "President" Alfredo Albaladejo, formerly the Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Scat Peari's cabinet, is well known for its jailing of political dissenters, but as of yet has not used violence in public to suppress dissention.

However, any meeting of the Council of the Confederation is unlikely to yield any positive results, as it has proved ineffective in the past at resolving even the simplest of disputes between nations. Albaladejo will likely use the meeting to paint a picture of "ungrateful and selfish" citizens attempting to undermine his "glorious and prosperous" administration, while the other nations will make some sort of call for a respect of basic human rights. Such a call, would likely be ignored and laughed at by those in power in Darmen City, as has happened in the past numerous times.

We can only hope and pray that somebody, whether that be a current leader of a nation within the Confederation, an up and coming Alban activist, or an outside nation, steps in. Not only does the average Alban need an improvement in his or her political and social freedoms, but also in his or her everyday life. Time will only tell whether things get worse or better in Alba.

Darmen City Guardian
When it comes to the Football, there is no Hope

-Darren Jansing

This attempt to recreate the Darmeni national football team of old is clearly never going to go anywhere. There are simply no excuses for a team of the best that Darmen has to offer to lose to Garifunya, three goals to one.

Tor Tong Lee, certainly the greatest player that Darmen has ever produced, is absolutely horrible at managing this team. The 3-1-4-2 certainly worked when we had good players, but with the players we have now, only a 5-4-1 formation would do. Without a move to a defensive setup, this team is doomed to leak goals throughout qualification and ultimately finish last in the Group 11 table, which is exactly where they sit now.

Even our own Alban players, who currently have us just two points behind the Kingdom of Darmen for second place in the Romanov Cup, can not hope to lead this All Greens team to glory. Maia and Rome, our two goalkeepers, certainly can not cope with the number of shots they will have to face with the horribly selected defenders in front of them failing to stop any attacks. Perhaps if Lee had had the foresight to realize that he needed to select some Alban defenders, our two qualification losses may have been draws, or possibly even wins, instead.

Lee has done a good job in selecting three of our midfielders, and handing the captaincy to one of them. Only an Alban can provide strong leadership, and Samuel Horta does just that. Na Ulani does well beside Horta in midfield, but with Jerold Stolarz sitting on the bench, Horta and Ulani can only do so much to progress the ball up field.

Only one other team in the Romanov Cup, 10th placed Chuckio, has scored as many goals as Alba (17), in the competition. Despite this, not a single Alban striker has made the roster, leading me to believe that Lee is purposefully leaving off our quality Alban players to sabotage the chances of the All Greens qualifying for the World Cup. He is undoubtedly doing this for some horrid reason, likely in a scheme for personal gain. After all, Tor Tong Lee is widely known for being a loud mouthed selfish and narcissistic jock.

In conclusion, I can only say that this experiment was destined to fail from the beginning. There is not a single person within the vast multiverse, save for our own President Alfredo Albaladejo, who could right this ship and get Darmen into the World Cup. We might as well give up now.

by **Arcantova** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 9:51 am

Jasper Carmichael Still Starting After Loss to San Llera
Written By: Chadwick Yates

Even with Arcantova's recent loss to San Llera 6-3, the decision has been made to continue to start Jasper Carmichael at goaltender for the remainder of qualifiers. The decision was announced at the post-match press conference.

"Allowing six goals in any game is embarrassing, especially at this level. Jasper couldn't make it to the press conference today because of that. He is taking this loss very hard. However, what's done is done, and at this point we will be unable to move on past qualifying. That being said, we have decided to allow Jasper to stay in the net and gain some more experience on the international level." Roster Director Nathan Broad said.

When asked if this decision would affect the Cup of Harmony roster Broad stated, "At this time we're only focused on finishing out World Cup Qualifiers."

The decision makes perfect sense, no matter how much people hate it. At this point The King's Own will be unable to get more than two wins, and will not be able to get to the post-qualifier rounds. Since the original purpose of starting Jasper Carmichael was to give him experience in the net, the only logical decision is to leave him there when, even if he messes up, he will not negatively affect the teams chances.

Plus, you really can't blame Carmichael for losing to San Llera. The team boasts the highest goals scored in group five. Their offense is potent, and Arcantova's defense made the perfect prey. It crumbled around the more experienced offence. Carmichael attempted to make up for the pitiful play on the defenses part, but was unable to do so.

Arcantova may only have one more shot at a win this World Cup. Their next match comes against Indo-Malaysia, a team with only one win under their belt. It's still more than Arcantova, but even with the win, they still possess a -1 goal differentiation, allowing a little over two goals per match. If the Arcantovan offense can penetrate that defense, and Jasper could pull himself together, then it is possible that after matchday 5, Arcantova could have it's first win.

As always, good luck Arcantova...it looks like you guys need it.

(C) 2016 Arcantova Athletic Network

by **Schottia** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 10:34 am

CMB

Part four

Ross Killanen's mind was on other matters as he put his players through their paces ahead of Kirk Preston's, eagerly awaited, first match SPL match. He had sent Corinne packing, and it had been the right thing to do, but something just wasn't sitting right with him. She needed to move on, from this club, from his coaching, and from this country. She was never going to be a star playing in the Schottic league system - she was too big a personality, and she was the wrong type of player. He had done her a favour - even if she hadn't seen it at the time -and that was the line he was sticking too

Watching the squad of players in front of him was giving the 52-year-old much cause for concern. He'd had a little bit of money to play with following Corinne's transfer to St Johns Arsenal, but he had nowhere near the quality he needed to keep the team up. Handon North's hulking centre-back Seth Gritt, and journeyman midfielder Kris Scott had been two signings of note, and he had also picked up Matthewsianian forward, Flasymar on a free transfer. The twenty-year-old was definitely something of a wild card in terms of his usual recruits, but if Killanen was going to have any chance of avoiding the drop, he was going to have roll the dice. There was no point in looking back, not for him, and not for Corinne. She had to focus on helping Arsenal in the Champions' Cup, and he had to focus on the SPL. Neither of them could allow thoughts to linger back to their days in the Schottic second division.

'Back up on yer bloody feet.' John Borrom, Killanen's assistant manager barked, as he lifted Flipp West by the back of her shirt collar and pushed her back into the training match. 'Do ye think the other players are going to stop, just cause ye'r lying on yer face?' He shouted at her, before turned back to Killanen shaking his head angrily.

Poor Flipp West. She had started her career with such promise at Handon United, then subsequent loan spells in the lower leagues, followed one year contracts here and there, and now she found herself in this shit-hole. The girl was now just trying to make a living. She had completely given up all hope of playing for a big club, or even a good club, she just wanted a pay packet.

'The Lassie's too soft Ross.' Borrom shook his head, teeth grinding in anger. 'I've always said, playing for those big clubs makes ye soft. Soft in the body, and soft in the heid!' Borrom was in his seventies (or he had to be at least, Killanen wasn't even sure) he had been a youth coach at New Belfast Blues during Killanen's playing days, and he had been about the only person he trusted who was also within his budget for an assistant. Borrom was a heavy smoke and drinker, whose overall appearance was just grey. He had this unhealthily looking wiriness, which made him seem as though all the goodness had been sucked from him, leaving just muscle and bone.

Killanen considered his response. 'Aye.' He took a deep breath. 'We've not really got anyone else to partner Flasymar upfront though... It'll have to be West.' Killanen met Borrom's glace of cynicism full on. 'Look, Johnny. We had to bring in someone with some SPL experience in the attack, and West was the only sod we could afford alright?' Killanen was about as happy as his assistant with the prospect having West in the starting line up, but there were no other options. All they could really do was put an arm round her and hope she could find the mental strength from somewhere.

Killanen turned up his shirt collar, and thrust his hands inside his pockets. It was still technically summer, but it was a bitterly cold day in South Schottia. The side trained at the far end of the Kirk Preston Academy playing fields, stuck out on the windiest hill in the whole area. The bleak, and barren setting ensured that if there was a breath of wind, or a flake of snow anywhere in the air, it found its way into the players' faces. The slope, which descended to the coast behind them was a desolation of wind swept tufts and overgrown grass, mud, and bushes holding trapped items of litter. The slope eventually lead a the sewage works at the bottom, jutting out into the sea, built on reclaimed land. The snell southern winds brought with them more than a few unsavoury smells. The area between the training pitch and the sewage works was technically cordoned off, but the fencing had been well and truly trampled and broken at both ends. Whenever Killanen gazed out he could see the occasional dog walker, and some of the children from the local estate who seemed to use the waste ground for skipping school to smoke and drink.

At the far end he noticed small group of children sat on top of an overgrown structure, which used to be the old groundkeeper’s shed, dating back to the days before the job was performed by contractors. They were no doubt here to catch a glimpse of Kris Scott, whose one Schottia cap earned seven years ago with Lammerton, made him the most high profile Kirk Preston player in a long time.

'He's no' much interested.' Said Killanen regretfully, looking over at the 31-year-old ambling about in a noncommittal manner. 'The bastard is just here for the wage. He couldn't give a flying f**k if he's in or out.' This was a major point of concern for Killanen, who knew he was going to have to lean heavily on the player signed from Granton Vale to help the other players out. There was no one else in the team with any real experience of playing at this level.

'Not... one... bind bit of interest.' Borrom, turned back to his manager, with a look that was somewhere between a grin and a scowl. 'He's going to have to learn how we do things around here - and he's going to learn the hard way.'

'Ye'll no' teach that c**t f**k-all.' Killanen said, but it was minus his usual fire. 'He thinks he's already learnt it all.'

The magnitude of the task facing them was really starting to sink in for Killanen, as the first match approached. Eyes watery from the cold wind, he fixed his gaze on the four scrawny young boys wearing tracksuits, sat atop the old groundskeeper's shed. Were they fans? Probably not. Kirk Preston had two fan demographics: The main fan base, over sixty-five, and fiercely loyal - the second mostly kids who were too young to realise supporting a different team from your grandfather was an option. They would be New Belfast Warriors fans, like all the kids in the city. Like the majority of the students at Kirk Preston Academy. The final slap in the face for Killanen and his players was the fact that he had to train here right on front of them. Calls of "Ye'r shite!!!" and "Warriors!!!" punctuated every training session, as students walked past on their way too and from class. Even Kris Scott (the great saviour Kris Scott) was a Warriors reject... then of course he had been a Granton Vale reject after that... and only then had he come to Kirk Preston. It was like his signing stood as poignant reminder, telling the club exactly where they were in the pecking order. How a player used to training at a well-furbished complex would handle this situation remained to be seen.

Killanen's mind drifted back a couple of years, settling on another incident he had almost forgotten about. It was one of the aforementioned instances of heckling. He was no wordsmith himself, and his wife and warned him about his language on numerous occasions, yet he had never heard abusive language like the kind that came out of a "Kirky" student's mouth. Not long after Corinne had joined the club, a group of boys had been giving her a particularly hard time. The fact that she was around their age, and at the time was the only woman on the team, easily singled her out for abuse.

One lunch break it had gotten so bad that a couple of coaches had even walked over to the fence to try and move the kids on, but to no avail. The normal advice would have been to ignore them and hope they got bored, but after days of being constantly berated, Killanen was genuinely getting worried about what the long term affect on his young striker might be. Of course, he hadn't known her well enough back then.

As the players headed for the exit after the training session, Corinne had very calmly, without so much as a word, headed round the corner to where the boys were standing. The first Killanen knew of the events that were to follow, was yells of 'FIGHT FIGHT', and by the time he got round to the other side of the fence, Corinne was sat on top of one of the boys with her hands round his throat.

He had driven home very slowly after that, still shaking, and terrified of the backlash from the school, should it have emerged that one of their pupils had been assaulted by a Kirk Preston player. He genuinely thought that this would have been the end of them using the bottom of the playing fields for free, and they would have been back training in their own stadium, churning up the turf. However, to the boy's credit, he hadn't been a grass. There was no fallout whatsoever and if anything, the heckling actually quietened down for a couple of months. Although he had never admitted it, not even to himself until recently, this was the moment he started to gain a respect for the girl.

Turning back now towards his disinterested and lazy players, utterly bereft of talent, it really was a sorry sight. If there was ever a time he had needed someone with Corinne's fight and passion, it was now.

by **Anglatia** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 10:36 am

AnglatiaArising.an
Stars shine bright in Underfell win, offseason transfer rumors continue

Fans of Underfell FC sold out AirValeria Arena for the latest World Cup qualifying match

Article by Dusko Zoric, Hunsen Loggers fan and transfer consultant

After the 2-2 draw with Chromatika, our Explorers returned home and played their next match, against Shytysle, in Underfell FC's fortress of a stadium, AirValeria Arena. All 65,000 seats were filled and the support of the home crowd powered the team to a second win, which was behind the efforts of rising young star Nessa Chryst. Unlike the first win, Anglatia took advantage of their hot start and scored on only their third shot. Carlito Traoe broke away down the wing and crossed to Conall O'Hara, who played a short pass down the middle to Chryst. Chryst took advantage of Daellya Duedoo not rushing out in time and placed the ball in the back of the net with a low to the ground shot to the right side of the goal.

With the opening goal secured after only fifteen minutes, Anglatia settled back into a possession based style and ground out the rest of the match with slow passing and many passes between their back four. Mauricio Jaco had the start in goal again, and for most of the match he was able to sit back. His biggest save came in the fiftieth minute when Jym nearly scored because of another costly turnover by Amy Abramsen, but Jaco leapt to the top corner and deflected the ball forward for Hector Grier. Jaco was nearly forced to make one more save in extra time to keep the game tied, when Jym had another breakaway run on a counter attack, but Leonne Warner was quick enough to outrun him and make up for a fifteen yard gap to win the ball.

Afterwards, Nessa Chryst had an interesting interview with GASN, saying: "I don't know where I will play next season. I probably won't play in Liga Elite for Evolucion, because I know that I will leave midseason if I do. I hear that Bathgate is interested, Real Barriga too. I want to play for Escane, but my agent says that they have not offered a contract. At this point, I will wait for more offers."

While World Cup qualifiers continue, transfer season is still in swing. According to multiple sources within the team, Ross United leading scorer Bianka Schraeder has agreed on a pre-contract with Calovice Sporting, and the clubs have agreed on a fifteen million mark fee. The contract however is conditional on Calovice not signing Sayo Matsuoka, who is their first choice striker to sign. Calovice's manager, Rakel Teixiera, managed Matsuoka at AFC Center City, and led C-Sporting to a surprising second place finish in the Imperial Superleague. Schraeder and Matsuoka have a long feud dating back to Schraeder's time at Lionesses, and that feud will likely only grow if Matsuoka becomes the striker of Calovice, the team that Schraeder has stated that she will "play for next season or die trying". The most reliable source has said that Calovice is "sixty percent likely" to sign Schraeder, who wants to form a superteam with fellow Armeians Zoran Michel and Tilo Abramsson. There's also the unlikely chance that Thane Hull will cancel the deal for Isa Tangemen to keep Schraeder on Ross United, as Bianka is supposedly leaving because of the chemistry problems that the transfer would create.

Meanwhile, Bathgate City may look into getting a striker, because reports from various sources claim that Sami Haawk is being investigated by Northeast Anglatia Police for an alleged 'very serious crime'. Details of the crime haven't been leaked yet, but Bathgate officials are worried that a suspension from the league will be imminent. Haawk was last seen before the last national team match in Calovice, where he stayed for one night before taking the train to Underfell to join the rest of the national team.

The same journalists who found Haawk in Calovice also found another possible story, this time in Ross. Milan Toure, who is joining Ross United as a free agent next season, was sighted downtown with Zoran Michel, who is widely known as his protege and one of his closest friends. Some have speculated that Toure could sign for Calovice instead of RUFC, but Toure himself has said: "I'm not joining as part of a superteam led by Zoran. If I become a member of a superteam, it will be built around me, and Ross is the best place for that to happen."

Ross United may indeed become a superteam by replacing Schraeder with Toure, and it could be interesting next season to see what happens when they play Calovive. Whatever the result, the lineups of both teams will be surprising and interesting.

by **Hasznia** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 11:31 am

Hasznia 2-0 Mapletish

Just Hasznian Things #3: Hasznian Universities

Hasznian Maritime University
Founded: 1765 (commissioning of H.M.H.S Landgrave of Wick), 1854 (as Royal Naval Academy), 1963 (as Republican Naval Academy), 2010 (demilitarized as Maritime University)
Enrollment: 4,350
Colors: Blue, white, and gold
Mascot: Mariners (formerly Midshipmen)
Degrees conferred: BS, BA, M.Eng, Ph.D.
Colleges and schools: Aquaculture, Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Maritime Studies
Affiliation: Public (formerly military)
The Hasznian Maritime University, formerly the Royal Naval Academy and Republican Naval Academy, is the training institute for officers in Hasznia’s revenue and merchant fleets, as well as one of the most prestigious engineering schools in Hasznia. Students at HMU study a variety of maritime-related subjects, including aquaculture, marine biology, maritime commerce, naval architecture and engineering, and oceanography, as well as a select few land-based pursuits, mostly in the college of engineering.

HMU traces its lineage to the commissioning of the R.H.S. Landgrave of Wick, the Hasznian Navy’s training vessel in 1765. The Landgrave was supplemented in 1854 with the establishment of the Royal Naval Academy at the port of Sterling. In 1963, the academy was seized by gendarmes loyal to the Kingsley Republic and the Landgrave was razed at anchor because Brianna Kingsley believed the Navy could be a source of Royalist dissension. The academy operated throughout the Kingsley Republic as the Republican Naval Academy until the Navy was demobilized in 2010 along with the rest of the Hasznian military.

After demobilization, the academy was renamed the Maritime University and converted to a civilian campus with a focus on the sea. The R.H.S. Landgravine of Wick, named in honor of Princess Sonja, was commissioned to be an exact replica of the Landgrave and serve the same function as the Landgrave had previously, as a sail trainer for the Maritime Studies department. Students in Maritime Studies have the option of living in a “regimented” dorm, which attempts to simulate shipboard life with officers, watches, and drills.

University of Barracha

Founded: 1919
Enrollment: 21,500
Colors: Red and gold
Mascot: Brawlers
Degrees conferred: B.A., B.L., B.S., B.N.S., L.L.M., M.A., M.Ed., M.S., Ph.D., D.D.S.
Schools and colleges: Arts & Sciences, Commerce, Law, Medicine, Social Work
Affiliation: Public
The University of Barracha is the largest university in Hasznia, one of the newest, and has the distinction of being the only public university in Hasznia not founded by royal charter. Instead, the university was created by the City of Barracha in 1919 in order to fill a gap in higher education caused by Barracha’s rapidly growing population compared to the rest of the country. UB’s close affiliation with the City of Barracha has been both blessing and curse throughout its history, to include nearly bankrupting it when the City of Barracha went into debt in the late 1930s and saving it in 1963 when Brianna Kingsley ordered the shuttering of all institutions with royal charters.

The University has the largest and most diverse student body of any in Hasznia, and includes the top medical school and top law school in the country among its schools. Brawler athletics are well-supported by Barrachans, regardless their affiliation to the university, and its gridiron football and basketball teams are typically dominant in their respective sports. Barracha 1919, the White League football club, started as the university team until it was divested from the school in 1949. To this day, the club and school maintain a close relationship, and the 1919 Reserves play most of their games on the university field.

by **Northern Sunrise Islands** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 11:36 am

Noah was once again on a fighting ring, contending against another opponent as Sun made sure of watching her pupil's efforts. So far, he had been doing fantastically well, mostly thanks to his unsuspected right arm packing more of a punch than the usual.
She couldn't help but notice how the Sunrisian had been having lots of fun at this. He dashed to the sides to avoid attacks before delivering his finest hook, a devastating blow to the head that knocked many out; now once again taking one out.
Jean had been stumbling as usual, visibly drunk yet still capable of taking actions with no issue.
The Sunrisian left the ring, sweaty from the whole night but with a smile on his face.
"Any reason why Noka decided not to show up tonight?" Sun asked, staring at him as he slowly calmed down. "Can't find her for some reason, I assume she'd be here."
"Huff... Something... Something about... baking a cake." He replied with pauses. The Sunrisian then sat at a chair, looking to the floor. "I think... I think she's not her usual self."
"Maybe she's missing moi, mah boy." Jean replied, laughing as he fell to a couch by the chair Noah was sitting at. "And the cake's her reconciliation gift!"
He shrugged. "I think she's after me... or something." Noah brought a hand to his chin, thinking. "Vophybia did say about Matt's birthday soon, though."
"Ha!" Jean laughed. "Didn't know she had a think for dirty-faced dawgs. Hahah!"
"You mean that guy that drove you off last time?" Sun asked, sitting by her student. "Makes sense, I guess. She is an otaku after all."
"And?" Noah asked, taking offense. "So am I! What's that supposed to mean?"
"Woah, kid! Chill!" said Jean, placing his stick in front of the wonderkid. "Y'all two should preserve that for a rematch, y'know."
"Not a bad idea, mind you." Sun said, staring at him. Noah looked at his teacher, confused. "Even though you know a bit too much about my moves, I know all your tricks just as much."
"C-c-can't I just back off?" Noah asked, still remembering of how their last encounter ended with barely a win for himself. "I should get Noka around for that, right?"
"If you insist." Sun smiled. "But we'll have our rematch soon. Remember that."
"R-really don't want to." muttered Noah, as he looked around to search for Nana.

Nana had been at the house to the side of Noah's, where Andy had been taking care of Neil. The young boy had been long sleeping for some time now while Andy herself had been off the schedule in favor one of her colleagues.
"Do you really want to do this?" Andy asked, staring as Nana tried to bake a cake at their kitchen. "I mean, you're wasting good food on that attempt of a cake over there."
"I can do this!" She yelled. "Just wait and see!"
"Don't yell. You're going to wake up Neil." Andy protested, the baking instructions on a piece of paper by her side.
"Uh... What now?" The kunoichi asked.
"Mix. You know." The nurse then motioned her hands mixing the cake.
"Y-yeah, right." She then mixed the cake with a dagger to Andy's laughter. "What is the matter?"
"You use the funniest things to cook." The Paradisian nodded. "But still, it's a bit early to think of Matt's birthday, no?"
"I-it is not for Matt." She looked down, still trying to mix the cake. "It is for Noah."
"Hah. You're having him save a castle then?" Andy asked. "Didn't know you were a fan of Maiden Princesa Magika. Hiro, come save us! I've made a cake for you! Yours truly, Princess Magika! That's just grand."
"Not like that!" She yelled again, before turning from angry to sad fast. "I... I thought about what you said. And you are right. So I've ordered Vophybia to make a potion so that he'd truly fall in love with me."
"That's... pretty wrong." Andy said, before her colleague turned to see her; her eyes watering hard. "If it makes for a saving grace, you do look like you love him now."
She kept staring at the nurse, crying.
Andy looked to the side, confused. "Did you had a bit of the potion, then?"
"NO!" Nana yelled back.

CHAPTER XVI - PEACH

Noah had been questioning recent things. No doubt Nana had been messing with some pretty unusual things, even to her standards.
He never really did get why her approach from the start had some weird tones.
Introducing herself to his mother as his girlfriend must've been suspicious for people who just've met, though he assumed his mother just took it as a joke of sorts and decided to be more lax with her son.
Or she hoped her most distanced, silent son had suddenly become a regular and with a pretty girl to his side. Or at least as pretty as she assumed he could find.
Asa probably didn't take him very seriously since the Eternal Night.
Thought of him as weak for allowing a thing like that take him down even if she herself wasn't the same after what happened, becoming a major star on defeating Eternal Night's many denizens.
His father never declared any opinion even if he did slam Lea down for making fun of the girl. That might've just been his very nature.
He never quite cared for his children beyond the usual, taking the books as the major thing on his life and while that helped many, it didn't help Noah himself; his arm notwithstanding.
His brothers and sisters were the usual. Anna was sweet and smart, finding the facade early but helping them out at home, where they should be but almost always were not.
Lea was a pain. Never would change.
Tai preferred not to bother himself about it. A fair thought as he probably had been too busy dealing with college, not enough time to deal with things at home.
Lee did complain about food disappearing from his dishes. At school, he'd spend most of the time being lazy, no surprises there.
Times like these made him long for the days he'd spend at his Grandparents' home. The two still lived at Hollywood Acres, on the other side of the island. What seemed like a short distance on a map felt always massive for some reason. It was a different, new world. A world where things were much more peaceful.
He would, however, find a note over his bed. Nana was waiting for him at the house's backyard.
He sighed. "This is one of those days, isn't it?"

As the Sunrisian walked inside his home's backyard, he found Nana sitting on a table. Candles lightened the place, the girl looked fantastic, a dark-blue dress on, her hair done and make-up put.
Noah was somewhat confused, however, sitting in front of her and the cake, a beautiful peach-flavored cake with a red heart on top of it, that seemed like candy. On front of him was a plate, a knife and a spoon.
"Uh... What's up, Nana?" The Sunrisian asked, confused. "You weren't around, so I went to the Afternight. Jean asked where you we-"
"N-Noah. I think we've been a bit too far from each other." She stated, ignoring what he said. "So I invited you for a wonderful night."
"...I've noticed, I think." He said, looking to the side. "You're really creeping me out."
"I believe you need the best." She said, striking a pose.
"Uh... Well, I admit you're looking pretty tonight but-" Noah tried to talk some sense, but was quickly interrupted.
"Ah, so you like how I look?" Nana smiled. "Why don't you have a bit of cake? Get that piece of heart as well, I've heard it tastes great."
"...OK?" Noah served a piece of the cake for himself and took a bite out of it. "Woah... This is delicious! Who made this?"
"Myself." she said, proudly, striking a pose again. However, as soon as she looked down, she found Noah sleeping on top of that piece of cake, having completely ignored the heart that had the potion.
"Noah?" Nana asked, hurrying to wake him up before staring at what fell from under the cake. Someone had shoved sleeping pills inside of one the cake.

A yell woke up the neighborhood for a second or two.
"ANDY!"
Though no one quite knew why besides from two people in particular.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 11:54 am

OOC: Leonardo series will return soon. For now, I'll be working on something else as well

Hazel- I

'Want some Gosori-sul?' Hazel van Robben asked Xavier, while slowly opening from her cellar collection. 'For once you should try this bottle. Class of 95, crafted by Jang Hyun-Joo and her 3 sons. A special treat I've prepared for a long while to share with my pals back home.' This was certainly true; Hazel, herself having a huge appetite for alcoholic beverages from her native Newfoundland, had taken advantage of a season-long loan by filling her St.John's apartment (where she usually lives during summer season anyway) with a huge fridge containing over 300 bottles of 56 different beverages. Being a girl from the island very well known for its distinctive alcoholic beverages, this was of no surprise really. Newfoundlanders, regardless of ethnic or linguistic background, drink very well, after all.

But then, unlike what anyone's expected in the season's start when she bought all the alcohol for the season, she ended up drinking very few. Why? The lack of company largely had to do it. Leonardo, when not around in national team (where to her dismay, he hasn't been drinking for a last while), was in Handon with Claire Hanson, while good friend Xavier was in Quebec City for most of the time. As a result she started drinking less and less until to the point where she's only drank 2 bottles a week, something that surprised those who knew her. Was the lack of company slowly getting to her? Was the happiness of Leonardo and Claire getting to her somehow? Lots of questions anyways were raised up in the air, but really it's up to the reader to figure out.

It was because of this that gave Xavier's visit to St.John's even more emphasis. For once with a worthy guest to pop her bottles from more impressive side of the collection, she decided that this was a perfect time to lift her gloomy of late and improve the situation. She had prepared the dinner with the very excellence she always had in mind, by cleaning every single porcelains in the household, getting some of the best beverages in his collection and of course prepare the three-course meal with perfect precision.

'May as well. Get three top bottles you have tonight.' The 32-year old responded, graciously accepting the request his host offered to him. This was the first time in a while that Hertel, after many weeks seen in games with Princess Anna on her side, was by himself; the Jeruselemite princess had other commitments for the week and couldn't come. In his place came Aaron Shin, the Koreana midfielder who's rumoured to have been dating Giacoma de Jeruselem at one point, and Corinne Martel-Burns, whom Hazel been serving as her billet for the year. While neither were that difficult to be accommodated, Hazel knew she always had to be careful with the latter because it's only Hazel's preparedness and remarkable similarity in few aspects that prevented her from getting nuts. Corinne's a great billet and a person, let's be honest, but some of her syndromes were not.

This was something that Aaron Shin noticed, while sitting at the table texting his girlfriend that he'll be back in hotel by midnight. An emergency text, this was not something that he'd have done in most cases; that'd be considered really rude in most table manners in this northernly nation. A regular fixture on the national team, he had witnessed how Hazel, once a 16-year old wunderkid just 8 years ago, has stepped up from the pitch and became a vocal leader of the team. While some of her on- and off-turf issues were quite noticeable, they didn't take it away from the off-sight efforts Hazel's taken to prove herself and abilities. That's what the managers liked about her, Aaron thought, and was not surprised that she was handling her guests with such grace and preparation.

'Any good Makgeolri out there?' Aaron asked, as he slowly looked at the others eating quietly. He wasn't talking to them though, and they knew very well about it. Corinne now started cleaning her hands after trying a small bowl of fried chicken, the food which she reluctantly devoured. She wasn't feeling that certain about eating it, but since it's a guest's meal and since she needed energy, she may as well felt like eating it anyway. That's something that Hazel found out in the very first day, much to her relief. There's one thing Hazel's never been, never was and will never be and that's being a vegetarian or vegan. Being a professional athlete it's next to impossible in maintaining such a diet, and she clearly wasn't a fan of it.

'There probably is. It's Hazel we're talking about.' Xavier responded, as he graciously accepted the pouring of glass from his friendly host, who then smiled at him. 'She is the best in our world when it comes to finding and drinking excellent alcoholic beverages. I've traveled to all sorts of places, and nobody had this intricate and elaborate of collection as hers for sure.' He were clearly and deliberately being oblivious to some of the thoughts going inside his host's mind. He knew Hazel's a very well-organised, dedicated person, but one's alcoholism was as clear as light and day and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Some people simply grew up with it, he knew, and there's no point trying to save her from that. Not especially when Xavier himself was under the influence of nicotiana tabacum and alcohol quite often. That's how he ended up meeting Princess Anna of Jeruselem but dear reader, that's for another time to explain. 'So that was how you exactly met this......so-called Anna?' Corinne asked, with much curiosity, to Xavier before accepting the offer of glass by Hazel. While not yet an alcoholic, Corinne's never the one to refuse drinks when offered and graciously took it.

Now that Xavier, Corinne and Aaron were talking about the famous affair with the Jeruselemite princess, Hazel looked back in silence and slowly left the dining hall in silence. For her it's delightful to see the house with some outside guests present, which it lacked for most of the time. Her St.John's house was feeling really depressing for her lately. Having Corinne helped her offset the pressure for sure, but her apprentice was somebody with issues as big and significant as that of hers, so that didn't really help her in dealing with the other matters where Corinne couldn't help her. She had been going through rough times with Leonardo initially choosing Claire Hanson over her, and then contract negotiations with CD FAS while in middle of the strike that'd been crippling Liga Premier for last few months. Even though cannabis business was going well for it, on the positive side of things, it nonetheless was a busy business and as a result taken toll on her health. While she knew this would be temporary struggle, on both front of things, Hazel nonetheless found it hard to adjust and hoped this won't influence into anything that can be devastating in long-term.

She turned around and entered the east hall of her St.John's house. She lived in North Point, the area well known for being a middle-class settlement in northeastern side of St. John's. It's usually with three to five-room houses, who would have lawns and a garage to meet the needs of its residents. Hazel's was no different to it in its Arlenian style (OOC: Victorian style) architecture, except that it was little bit bigger- it's a big, roomy house of 7 rooms that got divided into 2 wings. While it's not the best of houses she wanted in St.John's, it fit her need perfectly. She got to have a pretty large lawn, a huge basement (where the last owner was rumoured to have butchered an infamous pimp 7 years before Hazel's purchase) and a beach right next door.

With the end of hall her destination, she slowly walked into the room. It's a room quietly kept for the residents, one of three that she disallowed entry of others. While Hazel was not the one who kept her house particularly noticeable with her profession and interests, she made an exception to this room. Growing up in a van Robben household, where you grew up cheering for Arsenal, she became a collector of anything that she's done over time. Mostly empty, the room was filled with all sorts of memories. Walls were draped with her jerseys and covered by photos, autographs, championship medals, plaques and other memorabilia she earned and received while growing up. On the centre there'd be few championship trophies and golden boots in memory of her U15WC championship, 3 golden foot award with Fligsive FC and a couple of them just empty space - those were bound for her future achievements, which Hazel seemed very likely to achieve with the 24-year old leading the LigAnaia Nord scoring race so far.

From time to time she came into this room and stare into achievements and memories she had achieved. Usually it's just by herself, but sometimes she'd bring company: Leonardo, her family and most recently Corinne came into her mind as some of very few guests who were given access to the room. It's usually to put motivation and drive into her and her company, which she seemed to have done so well with Corinne at least. Corinne may be the most OCD-driven and bizarre girl Hazel's seen in her life, but boy she did have lots of gas and gauges. She appreciated how the apprentice, in spite of her attitude, was able to accept the hardcore training regimen required by Vauganian-Quebecois manager Kurt Hlasek and come up with even greater fire and explosiveness. Oh yeah, and also trying to kill few players and a couple of refs but oh well. Hazel's not the one who had problem with them anyway.

But it was not why she came here for. She also came here for one another purpose : to remember the friend of hers. A good friend of hers from childhood, the one whom was as touted as Hazel, left this world few weeks before she moved to Fligsive. It was few days before the first of August, she remembered it well, when Hazel witnessed his fall in front of his girlfriend, while under Hazel's presence. This affected Hazel, whose damage sustained by the passing of her good friend and teammate, to move to Fligsive in sudden decision, marking 7 years of living abroad until 3 months ago.

Hazel walked to the bronze statue, facing against the window. There she stood in front, looked into its eyes and placed her right hand on its shoulder. Its facial expressions, depending on its day, would change. It was smiling at her right now.

Alexandre, if only you were not gone to the other side...

by **The Sarian** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:18 pm

Marlborough Room
St Wilfred Club
Lavington

If there was one thing you could rely on the St Wilfred Club for, it was their food. Being the self-described premier gentlemen's club for One Nation Party members, it was a great place to relax, unwind and plot against the leader of the day - something that was always made much easier with a juicy duck breast from Isle Henill.

As a woman, Shazeen was only entitled to associate membership, but that didn't stop her sitting at the head of the table, surrounded by around twenty other One Nation MLAs, each tucking into their starters - with bottles of fine Electrum Red and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc being passed around and thoroughly enjoyed.

The conversation thus far had steered clear of politics, and it hung over the room like an nasty scent, if it wasn't for the Pigeon Breast Wellington - and the wine, of course - Shazeen feared it would be awkward. Looking across the table, she could tell it was the subject on everyone's mind. "So what are we going to do about the pillock then?", it was Harvey Protractor MLA on the other end of the table who broke the politics-silence. The pillock was the group's goto name for their party's leader, almost like the name was not worthy of passing by their lips.

Shazeen cleared her throat to break through the chorus of laughter that had taken over the table, "We have two options - we either get rid of him now and risk looking divided to the electorate or we grin and bear it and ditch him at the first Assembly Party meeting of next Assembly." It was the common consensus amongst the One Nation Members of the Legislative Assembly, and not just the ones present, that they were going to lose the election. The polls showed it neck and neck but the feedback from the doorsteps was not positive. The Chief Executive was never much liked in One Nation circles, but no MP will get rid of a Leader who would keep them their seats. One scent of trouble, however, and the same Chief Executive is a dead man.

"We can't have a leadership contest this close to an election, it just can't happen. You think we're doing bad under old pillock, we'd be punished beyond measure." piped the MLA to Shazeen's right, one of the more pragmatic members of the group dubbed by the whips as the 'Awkward Squad'. "Look, I want him gone, but I also want to be employed in six months time."

"There is always the honeymoon period a new leader experiences, don't forget about that." said another MLA, spraying his Shrimp Gnocchi everywhere.

"Aye." exclaimed another, "Just ask old Fishy about that." The table burst out laughing again. Fishy was their nickname for the Leader of Left Unity. They had initially been worried when it looked like she might win the leadership election, but that soon turned to joy when a left wing challenger cracked an already fractured party into many little pieces, more and more voters were ditching Left Unity for further left wing alternatives - though, worryingly, they weren't flooding to One Nation.

"I think it's clear then," said Shazeen, once again cutting through the laughter, "if we don't win back our majority in the election, he's gone the next day. If I were you, I'd write your letter to the Party Chairman in advance. The question is, who are we going to get to replace him."

Silence hung over the table for a second, before a single voice belonging to easily the most senior member of the group rang out. "You, Shazeen."

by **Ficiscia** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:02 pm

The Carinha Times International: Government Crisis as Decampus resigns

Domesticus (Minister of the Interior and traditionally Deputy Prime Minister) Marius Decampus of the Communia Ficiscia resigned yesterday after a heated debate on whether far left agitators holding speeches before the Forum Valeriam riots should be punished or not. Decampus stated that giving out punishment to these men and women would undermine their constitutional rights of free speech and political agitation against the Government is not illegal. According to the constitution, Decampus puts out, the state may only punish people for committing further crimes such as advocating or causing violence against particular people. The Domesticus stated that no agitation for violence has been done and the calls for revolution on the square were not illegal. After the discussion, the administration decided to accuse them of hateful agitation and causing violence, against the votes of Decampus, Sarssa (PSOe) and Naca (PSF). Decampus has reacted by resigning and calling the decision a breach of the Constitution, while Naca expressed his belief in the nation's judicial systems. Sarssa has stated that his party will now discuss the case internally and decide what action to take. All three expressed concerns over the constitutional rights of the people currently hold in jail, and criticized the DF as the founding party of modern Ficiscia for their support of Nerata's call for trial.

The CF revoked their support for Lucia Nerata and her government and calls for a vote on the current administration, however, this is unlikely as the elections will soon come up. In the current situation, a government tolerated by minor opposition parties could work without the CF, however the remaining PSF-PSOe-DF coalition does not hold a parliamentary majority. The left wing of the PSF, led by Naca and vice president Andrina Micaria announced that they will force Nerata to follow the left wing politics of the party and threatened to break off and build a "popular front" with the CF, PSOe and Norja-leftist Nordiske Arbeiterparti. The PSOe has not decided their standpoint yet. If they agree to such a front, it is likely that they will end up with similar strength to the current social-democratic block. However, such a block would also end the current coalition of the left side of the spectrum and open the gates to a government led by the conservative FLD and backed by the economically oriented POF. Likely, a conservative victory would leave the decision up to the libertarian PL (Partitum Libertas) and the Norja separatists.

The centrist PNC has already announced an alliance or union with the right half of a separated PSF, which would likely lead to three major blocks - leftist popular front, left-centrist social-democratic block and conservative block - who will share their votes largely even, with two to three minor parties choosing a government. In this situation, the central block would be favoured as they are likely to appeal to both the left-leaning DF and the right leaning Norja separatists or parts of the PL. On the other hand, a conservative block would be likely to score the most votes of the three, which could lead to opposition leader Flavius Nero becoming the new Primus of Ficiscia. The few weeks until the election are likely to become very heated and a few important reforms and programs of the current government are likely to be blocked. In the currently instable, polarized political climate, a Great Coalition is thinkable as well. The most likely and stable combination would be centrist-conservative, whose leaders both stated that the current situation of two very similarly sized opposition and government blocks is not desirable.

Among the possible victims of polarization is a much needed health care reform designed to lower spending for health care and make the system more efficient as well as a program to create more affordable space to live in city centres. CF has announced that they will support the latter program, which has already been heavily challenged by the opposition, but they are likely to fight the health care reform as they fear a decline in health care quality. PSOe have announced that they may challenge the reform as well, which may be the end of it, but unlike the CF does not reject the need of a reform. They claim that they would have supported the program of the government, but want to challenge it now as the government did not fulfill their expectations regarding the protection of constitutional rights.

by **Ethane** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:29 pm

Part 3

Part 1 Part 2

It was just a few days until the end of term. All the exams had been taken, and the students were preparing for their summer break. It had felt like a long year for them, with the exams plaguing their minds throughout the year, but with them now out of the way, they could enjoy their summer, and feel free, and relax. Many would not be able to though. Many of the students were awaiting on important information on further education places, which meant that they needed decent grades, making that results day halfway through August a niggling thought always in the back of their mind, terrorising them, until it would come around. Some students - including Sam, and much of the year, were waiting upon acceptance letters from the further education site of their choice, which was for many of them New Sarum Academy’s further education department.

This wasn’t the one thing that was most important for the majority of students finishing school within a few days though. The important thing for them was saying goodbye to their friends. Many of them would never see each other again, as they would be going off to different schools or academies to carry out their further education, and this made the last few days a very emotional time for them - some of them would be saying goodbye to their lifelong friends forever. The football club was possibly the most emotional of the school, being the closest bonded group in the whole school. Some of the team were departing for new schools, some of them were staying put, provided they got the necessary grades.

‘’I am going to miss all of you.’’ Mr. Lagne said, trying to stop himself from tearing up. ‘’You guys have been really inspirational, and it has been an honour leading you this year.’’

Sam stood up from his blue chair, and walked over to Mr. Lagne, who was leant up against the goalpost. Sam revealed from behind his back a small gift wrapped in red and yellow wrapping paper, hastily wrapped just a few hours beforehand.

‘’Mr Lagne.’’ Sam said to the teacher. ‘’We wanted to thank you for your amazing coaching. You have been an amazing teacher, and we wanted to give you this gift to say thank you. I know some of us will hopefully be joining you next year, but I think I speak for the whole group here, in saying you are the best coach we could have ever asked for, and we wish you the best.’’ The whole group stood up and applauded Mr. Lagne as Sam handed over the gift to him, water building up in the teacher’s eyes.

Mr Lagne rubbed his eyes, before taking the gift. ‘’Sorry, I’ve got hayfever.’’ he apologised, choking over his words. He unwrapped the gift, revealing a card inside which they had all signed, tacked to a large mug and a chocolate cake. ‘’Thank you, this is wonderful.’’ he exclaimed. ‘’I really truly am going to miss all of you guys.’’

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

Later that very day, a sense of guilt over washed Wilmer. ‘’Its for the best.’’ he said, determined to hold back the tears that were welling up inside of him, wanting to stream out like water flows out a hosepipe. ‘’You have to do this, for your career, this is the best way to further your career.’’ He knew many of his friends would not understand what he wanted, and why he made the choice he did, filling in that piece of paper to apply. They would see it as him neglecting them, moving to better himself, even after all they had done that year together. It was understandable, but upsetting. He knew he would have to tell them about the decision he made soon, as there was only a few days left in the year to tell them, but he couldn’t seem to bring himself to doing it, letting them down. Having second doubts, he sat down on a bench, and placed his bag on the floor in front of him, unzipping it, and pulled open a document, holding a sheet of white paper, that held the dates he needed to know. It bore his signature at the bottom. The sheet read ‘Your application has been approved, and you have been accepted into our sports academy. We hope to see you soon, for enrolment day.’’ Wilmer read it, and knew he had made the right choice for him, no matter what the others thought. ‘’To hell with the others.’’ he declared to himself. ‘’Who cares what anyone else thinks, I have to make the best choice for me. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and I have to be the one taking the first move to advance myself.’’

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

‘’Gather round team.’’ Wilmer said to the football group, who were meeting together for their final club session of the year, and some emotional farewells. ‘’I know this has been an emotional day for everyone.’’ he said, solemnly. ‘’I know most of you will be attending further education here anyway, so will get to see each other once the holidays are finished.’’ Everyone fell silent.

‘’Why are you saying this?’’ Samuel asked, upset. ‘’Please tell me you’re not leaving. You said you wouldn’t leave. Please don’t leave. Stay here.’’ he sobbed.

‘’My decision is made. It cannot be reversed.’’ Wilmer replied, emotionless, hard. ‘’I have made the decision to leave here. As you all know, I was approached by a scout at the end of the football game which we won, as were you Sam.’’ Samuel gasped, shocked that he would actually accept an application to the academy that hated them as a school the most, and even tried to shut them down once, being the only one to currently know what he was saying.

‘’You didn’t. Please say you didn’t…’’ Sam trailed off, sobbing, sad he was losing a prime member of the football team, and a person he saw as a great friend.

Wilmer continued. ‘’I know this may seem upsetting to you, considering how many of you utterly despise the school I am going to, as I once did, until I realised you have to do whatever you can to get where you want to go, whatever the cost.’’ he declared, confidently to his team, wanting to shake off any ideas they might have that he was unsure in his decision, which he certainly felt like. ‘’I have been accepted at LowesSports Academy, and will be going there for my further education.’’ A deadly silence passed over the group, so quiet you could hear goodbyes from the other side of school. A crisp wind blew through the air, causing the team to shiver. ‘’Well, I guess it’s time to go.’’ Wilmer said, unsure at what to do next in consideration of the awkward silence that had beset the whole group. He started to walk off, before Mr Lagne told him to come back.

‘’It may seem like a shock to all of us, losing one of our best players to the team we beat in the final, but life is life, and nothing can stay the same forever, everything changes eventually.’’ he began to try to bring life back into the group, which had become devoid of all emotion and life as soon as Wilmer had mentioned where he would be going next year. ‘’It may seem sad to all of us, to lose a key player, which many of us, felt close to. He was a divisive figure in this club, but for what all of you did on the pitch, breaking down hatred for each other, it would be a shame to ruin what we have built up now, as we all leave for one last time.’’ The teacher cleared his throat, before continuing. ‘’No matter what decision Wilmer has made, he has made the decision that feels right for him, and no matter how much you hate that decision, you have to show him respect for what he did on and off the pitch for this team throughout the years.’’ a spontaneous round of applause spread throughout the group, leading Wilmer close to tears. ‘’I know they may seem hostile to your decision Wilmer, but as a leader, and as a very well respected member of this team, they do really mean you all the best, and are all going to miss you when it comes to next year.’’

‘’I love all you guys, no matter what you think, and this is the hardest decision of my life.’’ Wilmer sobbed, through tears which had begun to stream down his face. Everyone gathered round him, for one last massive group hug. ‘’We all love you too Wilmer’’ Jaqueline, who never spoke as a younger one, burst out, embracing Wilmer in an even larger bear hug.

‘’Lets do it one last time guys, then you all have to go.’’ Mr Lagne said, emotional at the scenes in front of him. They all gathered in a circle, their hands all touching in the centre, and their heads in for one last time. Mr Lagne began to countdown from five. He reached one, and then the whole team lifted their hands that were in the centre up into the air, shouting in unison. ‘’Go Blackadders!”

Match Review

Possibly the most horrific game that the team have played so far this world cup. It really begs the question as to whether this new 'explosive style' of football works when you lose to lower-ranked teams, whom you are wholly expected to beat.

When coming into this game, the team were fairly confident that this would be in the bag for them, it being a relatively new, low ranked team, that had failed to deliver really any surprises to anyone so far. Curtis Steeling was confident that his team had it in them to record a decent large victory in the game, and take advantage of earlier upsets in the group to move Ethane into an advantageous and surprising position in the group.

He couldn't have been further from the truth though. In a game in which Ethane dominated in terms of possession, the scoring instruments up the front failed to capitalise, with them struggling to get shots on goal, and the midfield struggling to get the ball to the strikers, even with the inherent weaknesses that the lower ranked team had.

Difficulty with Branden Veresoto on the left wing, with him having a poor game, led to a crisis on the ball actually getting to the strikers in the box, which limited the impact on the scoreline that the team could actually have, even when they seemed to dominate in every other regard. Jose Morgan and Julian West also proved to be blunt instruments, unable to find goal, even when Ethane was completely dominating, and damaging their prospects of further participation as starters in the team. It wasn't until the 75th minute, when Samuel Mitchell was subbed on for Julian West, that the team were able to find a goal, with Mitchell shooting in a zinger from just outside the box within 45 seconds of being put on to the field.

However, deadly counter attacks from the Cruenatian team posed a large threat to the defence of Ethane, and one that the remarkably weak defence was unable to cope with. Mistakes from Darien Fear, and Bruce Washington allowed Jake Spender and Justin Jones to get on goal multiple times, and provide a massive goal scoring threat, which should not have been happening due to the perceived strength of the Ethanian defence.

Silly mistakes by the Ethanian goalkeeper also proved costly, with Nicholas Reed making basic errors of judgement that allowed goals in the 32nd minute and the 44th minute, both by Jake Spender, which could have been easily prevented, had Reed been fully alert of where the ball was. The goal by Justin Jones was unstoppable by Reed in the 85th minute, but if Reed had been fully alert during the whole game, and not had an awful game, the result would have been a one-one draw, rather than a three-one win for Cruenatia. All that can be hoped is that when the game happens in reverse, and in other fixtures, the team can make up for losses they have suffered so far, and recover to the form they found in the first game, when they beat highly-ranked Matthewsiania two-one.

*I apologise for the mistake in the previous roster, in which Bruce Washington was mistakenly listed twice, as LB and CB. The CB was expected to be listed as John Campbell, and we therefore apologise for any errors that were made in other publications and news articles in accordance with the error made on our behalf.

Starting Lineup vs Nassau-Hessen

GK: Joe Henderson
LB: Cliff Driscoll
CB: John Campbell
CB: Kyle Cooper
RB: George Smith
CDM: Merlin Midgley
LM: Kevyn Stidolph
RM: Edward Williamson
CAM (ST): Julian Harrington
LF: Dewayne Boivin
RF: Wilmer Jaurequi

Record

Test Friendly: Osarius 2-0 Ethane
Test Friendly: Ethane 2–1 Super-Llamaland
Test Friendly: Super-Llamaland 2–1 Ethane
CEED MD1: Ethane 2–2 Eshan
CEED MD2: Chromatika 1–0 Ethane
CEED MD4: Eshan 0–1 Ethane
CEED MD5: Ethane 0–0 Chromatika
Pre-WC Friendly: Ethane 1–0 Savalen
Pre-WC Friendly: Savalen 1–0 Ethane
Pre-WC Friendly: Omerica 2-1 Ethane

World Cup Qualifying

MD1: Matthewsiania 1–2 Ethane
MD2: BYE DAY
MD3: Ethane 0-0 Afrikaners and Boers
MD4: Cruenatia 3-1 Ethane
MD5: Ethane vs Nassau-Hessen
MD6: New Gazi vs Ethane
MD7: Ethane vs The Holy Empire
MD8: Ethane vs Matthewsiania
MD9: BYE DAY
MD10: Afrikaners and Boers vs Ethane
MD11: Ethane vs Cruenatia
MD12: Nassau-Hessen vs Ethane
MD13: Ethane vs New Gazi
MD14: The Holy Empire va Ethane

Top Scorers:
Julian Harrington - 1
Dewayne Boivin - 1
John Campbell - 1
Samuel Mitchell - 1
Thomas Peone - 1

Assists
Dewayne Boivin - 1
Grady Stevens - 1
Edward Williamson - 1

Appearances
Edward Williamson - 3
John Campbell - 3
Jose Morgan - 3
Dewayne Boivin - 3
Joe Henderson - 2
Daniel Moore - 2
Merlin Midgley - 2
Thomas Peone - 2
Rene Beckenhauer - 2
Cliff Driscoll - 2
Archie Holmes - 2
Kevyn Stidolph - 2
Grady Stevens - 2
Julian West - 2
Samuel Mitchell - 2
George Smith - 1
Nicholas Reed - 1
Bruce Washington - 1
Darien Fear - 1
Joshua Cook - 1
Gerald Coleman - 1
Branden Veresoto - 1

by **Shmirnov** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:31 pm

Anthor 0 - 1 Shmirnov

Yesterday, the Shmirnov Kings travelled to Vaumort, Anthor. After losing their first two games to Associated Godlands and Red Blackiland, the Kings of Shmirnov were really hoping to turn things around. And the did. They have won their first game against -Anthor-. Samuel Rekentower, the captain of Shmirnov, said that the defense improved heavily. I guess that defensive change actually worked. We actually shut them out this time. Looks like the Shmirnish defense listened to captain Rekentower. The game was a little boring. Only one goal was scored the entire game, but at least Shmirnov walked away with with a win. That's all that matter at this point. With this win, Shmirnov boosts their record to 1-0-2. They are still sixth place in their group, but at least they are getting there. Ớzilio Mürchuski had a lot of problems shooting. Samuel Rekentower scored the only goal for Shmirnov. He was also picking the Anthoran defense apart. It was a good win for Shmirnov, and they want to carry it into another win later on today.

In The Royal Athletics Stadium, Shmirnov came in furious, and blood thirsty for their first win. They did not want to start off the Qualifiers with and 0-0-3 record. That would be disappointing for them and their country. Just before the match, Samuel Rekentower tried to hype up his team for the game. He said, "Get angry! Make it all happen out there! No goals should be given up today!" That's exactly what happened. The game started, and Maks Yercič was already trying to score for the Kings. He later changed his mind, as he passed it to Vlắden Pedrič. Pedrič passed it to Samuel Rekentower. The Anthoran defense was looking exposed now. Rekentower took a shot, but it was saved by the Anthoran goalkeeper Layton Kingsley. In the twentieth minute, Shmirnov tried scoring again. This time, Ớzilio Mürchuski was running down the feild. He had beaten all of his defenders. He tried to chip it over the Anthoran goalkeeper, but it was just over the goal. No goal, but the amount of pressure started to increase. In the thirty-ninth minute, Jason Rigsby of Anthor got a pass from his teammate, Geoffrey Bissette. Rigsby got tackled by the Shmirnish left back Mason Rozrden before he could get off a shot. Mason Rozrden passed it up to Vlắden Pedrič. He ran up field and crossed it to Samuel Rekentower. Rekentower shot it, and it went to the bottom left corner of the net. Rekentower had scored a very nice volley goal for Shmirnov, and Shmirnov was now up 1-0. Anthor tried to stike back, just before halftime, but Seren Dernóv had gotten a tackle on Jennifer McKenzie. Many fans in the crowd were angry, because they though that was a dirty tackle. Then came the halftime whistle.

In the second half, Shmirnov's defense continued to do it's thing, shutting down the Anthor offense, many because of the two backs, Seren Dernóv and Mason Rozrden. The two both only let up seven total shots. Four out of those seven shots that were let up were saved by the Shmirnish goalkeeper, Ozker Ireijen. With twelve minute being gone in the second half, the veteran striker, Ớzilio Mürchuski took a shot. It was far left. The Anthoran center back, Zeke Paget , had the ball, dribbling it and then passing it to Anthony Black. Anthony Black got tripped up, and James Hedrin got the ball. The crowd booed. James Hedrin crossed to Samuel Rekentower. He headed it, but it was blocked by the Anthoran goalkeeper Layton Kingsley. He punted it, and Tomas Kidrič got the ball. More and more pressure was coming for the Anthoran team. Kidrič passed it to Ớzilio Mürchuski. He took at shot at it again. It bounced off the top cossbar, and out. It was a pretty frustrating game for Mürchuski, but Samuel Reentower tried to encourage him, saying not to worry about it, and keep focused on the game. Te eighty-fifth minute arrived, and Anthor only had so many chances before the whistle was going to blow. Jason Rigsby was attacking. He shot it just inside the box. It was blocked by Ozker Ireijen. The ball went to Jennifer McKenzie. She shot it, but Ireijen got it again with his foot. It was finally kicked out by Jakson Joachim. Anthoran fans could not believe what they just saw. Their hands were on their heads. They were shocked, and they new that that would most likely be their last chance. The final whistle blew, and Shmirnov have walked away with their first win in the World Cup seventy-five qualifiers. Their next game will be in Arstötžka against Eastfield Lodge. This is another some-what easy team they hope to beat.

Shmirnov
Rekentower 39'

Anthor
No Scorers

Schedule

Matchday 1: Shmirnov @ Associated Godlands (L 1-3)
Matchday 2: Bye
Matchday 3: Red Blackiland @ Shmirnov (L 5-3)
Matchday 4: Shmirnov @ Anthor (W 1-0)
Matchday 5: Eastfield Lodge @ Shmirnov
Matchday 6: Shmirnov @ Valladares
Matchday 7: Rocesia @ Shmirnov
Matchday 8: Associated Godlands @ Shmirnov
Matchday 9: Bye
Matchday 10: Shmirnov @ Red Blackiland
Matchday 11: Anthor @ Shmirnov
Matchday 12: Shmirnov @ Eastfield Lodge
Matchday 13: Valladares @ Shmirnov
Matchday 14: Shmirnov @ Rocesia

by **Alasdair I Frosticus** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:41 pm

NEWSLETTER OF THE IMPERIAL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Palace Branch

Ask Harriet & Elsie
The Advice Column for Ladies

Dear Harriet & Elsie,

I am a member of the Palace Branch of the Imperial Women's Institute. Of late our crumpet bakes, cake sales, and knitting evenings have become disrupted by something called 'footy-ball'. A Mr Tzimisces and Mr Di Bradini started turning up at weekly meetings, insisted we dress in what I believe are considered 'athletic garments' and then kick a spherical leather ball around a grassy field, with the aim of scoring one more 'goal' than our opponents; the latter aim is achieved by placing the leather sphere into a net between some posts by the means of using ones' feet.

At first, like the other ladies in the club, I considered this a gross imposition on our time - but now I must confess that I'm rather coming to like the activity. The feel of the wind sweeping through my petticoats as I gave the ball a right good thump is almost exhilarating; if one were younger, one might almost feel as if one were having a fit of the vapours. In the recent visit to New Gazi - where I had initially been under the impression that we would be merely having a bit of a sing song with some like-minded Mundies - I scored what I believe Mr Tzimisces called a 'hat stick' by conveying the ball into the opposing net three times all by myself (well, one was assisted by what I believe are called 'passes' by the other members of the Palace Branch).

My question is this... is it wrong and unladylike for me to be enjoying this robust physical activity.

Yours,

Your near namesake Harriet Herringbone (Mrs)

Dear Mrs Herringbone,

We believe that 'footy-ball' requires nothing more exerting that running around for a bit and occasionally kicking the leather sphere. As such, it is no more wrong for a lady to find herself enjoying this activity than it is for a lady to enjoy an afternoon rowing on the local pond. Feel free to continue - perhaps interspersed with the crumpet bakes, cake sales, etc. However, might we suggest that - to avoid misunderstandings - you might consider bloomers rather than petticoats?

Yours, etc.

Harriet & Elsie

------

Dear Harriet & Elsie,

I am a member of the Palace Branch of the Imperial Women's Institute. Of late I have found myself forced for mysterious and unknown reasons to play a hitherto obscure Mundy sport called 'footy-ball' that I believe is popular in some quarters with the Mundy-obsessed.

I must, however, rather confess that I increasingly find myself enjoying this sport. Last night we visited some dreary Mundy nation called New Gazi, and in the 34th minute of the match, I viciously scythed down one of the opposing players with a badly timed tackle, and found myself gaining quite the naughty thrill when the referee decided he couldn't bring himself to hand me a yellow card on the basis of my harmless appearance. For the remainder of the match I continued to engage in robust tackles while thousands of young men cheered me on with the refrain 'GET STUCK INTO THEM'.

Should I tone it down a bit for future matches?

Yours,

Martha Corduroy (Mrs)

Dear Mrs Corduroy,

So long as you think you can get away with it, why not? If, however, you think referees are consulting with each other, and might be more inclined to hand you with one of those yellow cards (which, for clarity, are not for sharing the referee's professional details), then you might want to reign it in a bit. We are sure that Mr Tzimisces will be able to advise you here.

Yours,

Harriet and Elsie

------

Dear Harriet and Elsie,

I feel I must write to you with a question of etiquette that I continue to find most vexing. Who takes precedence at a casual dinner party, a junior undersecretary of the Purple Inkwell, or a senior secretary of the Lesser Red Inkwell? Do please advise.

Yours,

Theodora Lascaro (Mrs)

Dear Mrs Lascaro,

A junior undersecretary of the Purple Inkwell always takes precedence over any secretary of the Lesser Red Inkwell, unless it is the First Secretary of the Lesser Red Inkwell, who is ranked equally to a secretary (though not a senior secretary) of the Purple Inkwell.

What fascinating dinner parties you must have to be able to invite such august personages to your dwelling; you are a credit to ladies everywhere.

Yours,

Harriet & Elsie

by **Bonesea** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:47 pm

by **Savalen** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:49 pm

Vik training ground

It was the last training session before the team flew out to Abanhfleft. The attackers were saved the extra session and allowed to just do a warm-up and leave an hour early, but the defensive contingent, more specifically the last line of defence, had to stay back for an extra few hours. This was because Marv wasn't sure who should go in goal after Selberg's injury and his choice kept on switching from Pollen to Elstad, from Elstad to Pollen, from Pollen to Elstad and from Elstad to Pollen.

but now he had made a decision, but he wanted to test both keepers further. He told the defenders to get their things as training for them was over and told Pollen that he would be starting, but they would want to do a few more exercises before they left.

But if there ever was a way in which to define or change a decision, it is a divine being intervening in your decision in such a way that you cannot actually choose. As Marv turned to the defenders, who were now free to go, he heard a massive clang of the post. His head whizzed around. And there was Pollen rolling at the base of the post, holding his back. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the physios running over to the injured Pollen. He turned back around to face the defenders, there was nothing he could at this moment in time.

"Ouch, that one must hurt." came a voice from the group of defenders.

"Yeah," replied Marv, "but hopefully he'll be alright. No point in worrying about it - you all know what you need to do before the flight?" Nodding from the players answered his question. "I'll see you at 6.00am then." He winked and turned back around and headed for his assistant.

"What happened here?" he asked Fabio.

Fabio looked at him and it answered all of Marv's questions. Fear seized him. "How long for?"

"I think they said at least a month - it would be best to call up a second keeper tomorrow. Otherwise, Molon is our best choice if something, god forbid, happens to Elstad."

Marv looked lost and told Fabio to dismiss Elstad, but he would be allowed to stay for as long as he wanted. Then the manager walked off in the direction of the tiny room that had been called his 'office.' If anybody walked in, they would call it a closet or storage area, but somehow a tiny desk had been squeezed in with two chairs. Marv however, didn't stay for long.

Picking up his mobile phone, he walked towards the back entrance, which squeaked as the gate opened, and walked into the forest. Nobody knew why there had been a gate here, except that it once just appeared out of nowhere and was just left. Vetlesen's heartbeat rose as he walked on through the forest. He checked his phone - it wouldn't switch on. This was both a good and a bad sign.

As the sky darkened more than it already was - Marv knew he was in the right place, but it filled him with fear and anticipation rather than hope. And then, out of a tree, a small raven flew out. Usually, somebody would just be surprised, but Marv knew to follow it. He slowly approached the raven and showed that he was here for it. The raven flew north, or so Marv thought (he had completely lost his bearings by now) and he followed the bird. Suddenly he came to a clearing and here he was.

The clearing itself wasn't large, but if you were to google maps it, you would see a glow and something that looked suspiciously like a cauldron. And you would be exactly correct, as Marv was now in the presence of a witch. An old, warty, small witch. Her croaky voice, barely noticeable above the sound of the bubbling liquid that was her pot, "How may I help you, fair man?"

Marv didn't think this would work, but he had heard legend about the witch from a friend. But now this was reality. "I need help with an injury." Marv was surprised when the witch looked at him knowingly.

"Ah yes, I see the poor soul. In return, you shall win against Abanhfleft, or there will be consequences"

Marv gulped. Abanhfleft were second seeds, but it was common fact that they were in fact the best team in the group - they were third, but the only unbeaten team in the group and had a game in hand. They had no chance. But then their chances were negative without Pollen - Elstad was awful in the air. "Yes"

"The deal is done," came a booming voice. Marv looked at the Raven. you may leave."

And with that, he noticed a suitably refreshed Pollen ready to start the next day at the airport. He had somehow 'magically' got better. Marv smiled, then gulped remembering the terms. It was going to be a long game and hopefully one without a punishment at the end.

by **The Saint James Islands** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:57 pm

blogdefootball.co.om
All the football news that's fit to print!

Rumour mill: TAO under investigation for corruption
By Janmat Peterssen

“In the sporting world, corruption is often defined as occurring through match fixing - the process whereby a party will pay another party to deliberately obtain a specific result, usually in order to profit by betting large sums on said result.”
— Dr Herschel Matterhorn, A Discussion of Corruption in Modern Apox

If things couldn’t get much worse for Omerican football after widespread hooliganism and rioting brought down organised football for an entire year, the TAO is now supposedly under scrutiny for a widespread corruption scandal.

According to a source inside the Department of Customs and Revenue, who has opted to remain anonymous for legal reasons, the Chancellery of the Accounts, spearheaded by DCR Director Carola Lefebvre, is forging ahead with an internal investigation into the finances of the TAO and are accusing the federation of a massive betting scheme and possible collusion with referees and other federations to profit off of results of the Omerican national team. According to the anonymous source, the investigation will also cover four federal MPs, two Councillors and President Anatarea Mahana, who faces re-election this year.

As seen with the Apox corruption scandals, the TAO investigation, if it leads to discovery of any wrongdoing, could lead to severe consequences for Omerican football at-large, potentially putting the World Cup campaign of the multiverse’s 27th-ranked national team and pre-qualification play-off favourites in jeopardy, alongside the professional leagues of UICA’s 29th-ranked association if the investigation implicates clubs in the muck.

However, even if the extent of corruption in the Omerican federation is less than that which brought down Apoxian football, Omerican football executives could still walk away facing much tougher consequences; Omerica’s anti-corruption laws are notoriously stringent, which has helped the Commonwealth develop a reputation as one of the least corrupt nations anywhere in Rushmore, Esportiva or Atlantian Oceania.

United Philibiscostal were one of the first clubs to react to the news. “We are disappointed to learn that this investigation is taking place,” the club stated on Facebook after news of the investigation was leaked. “We hope that the TAO has not been involved in any of this alleged activity, but we will wholeheartedly support the DCR investigation.”

United’s arch-rivals Corona Christiana echoed United’s sentiments. “We stand by the process,” the club tweeted. In a later tweet, the club assured fans that professional football would continue on “with or without the TAO.”

“This investigation can only benefit Omerican football,” former national team captain and Black Dragons striker Jan-Nikläs Rosenkränts stated on social media. “If the TAO is cleared, we have the benefit of knowing that our federation is, as far as we know, operating on the up-and-up. If the TAO is busted, we always have the chance to start anew and purge football of those who seek to corrupt it.”

Royal Michaeltown and several other Aurentine clubs, including Ashley Mariners, Dancrest City and Union Orange, shared Rosenkränts’s statement on their social media channels, while Provençal clubs Ticomaça Nationale, Royal Martecabras and Sassari Trailblazers have all reiterated, in the words of the Trailblazers, that “[t]his is only a preliminary investigation”, but have stood by La Corona’s statement that professional club football would continue regardless of the investigation’s outcome.

The TAO’s social media channels have not commented on the leak, instead focusing on promoting Omerica’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against the Urain. An anonymous spokesperson for the TAO stated that the federation “will release a statement in due time.”

The evidence the DCR currently possesses on TAO Executive Board members is unclear, as is the question of if professional clubs have been involved in the scandal. Neither the office of Accounts Chancellor Kuhati ʻAata nor the Department of Customs and Revenue returned the Blog’s request for comment.

Turanga ʻAhipula ʻo ʻOmerika
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port-Alexandre, PH C5A-A40
COMMONWEALTH OF OMERICA
Official Press Release — Tuku Katipa Hoi ʻe Pieti

Qualifiers for the Seventy-Fifth World Cup
Omerica national team line-up vs the Urain (away)
Starting eleven
GK—№ 23: Ethan D’ARAMITZ (captain)
LD—№ 24: Lükas MANSFELD
CD—№ 26: Roman MIKÄELSSEN
CD—№ 27: Kai TEA
CD—№ 28: Guillaume FRANÇOIS
RD—№ 29: Victor NIKLASSEN (vice-captain)
LM—№ 30: Mätias DE JÖNG
CM—№ 31: Ruben GODDARD
CM—№ 32: Wake VOLKNER
RM—№ 33: Ändras ALTDAL
CF—№ 22: Ekeaka KONANI
Substitutes
GK—№ 1: Stéphane ROUSSEAU
GK—№ 13: John MARTIN
LD—№ 14: Martin PALL
CD—№ 15: Jean-Marie MOLINEAUX
CD—№ 16: Sejanus CHRISTOPHE
CD—№ 17: Makara ʻO TOA
RD—№ 18: Mikäel CHRISTOPHE
LM—№ 19: William PARNELL
CM—№ 20: Rangi AMANG
CM—№ 21: Kairo KAMARANI
RM—№ 22: Raia TURI
CF—№ 12: Red TYLER

by **Brigantii** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:00 pm

World Cup 75 Qualifying Review

Brigantii 1-4 Sameba

The Stags were humbled in their third qualifying game, suffering a hammering at the hands of Sameba. The attacking prowess of Sameba was too much for the Brigantii defence to deal with and for the second time in 3 games conceded 4 goals -putting pressure on Ron Winston to consider his options at the back. It wouldn't be the first time the coach had to rearrange his defence, having been displeased with his back four during the Baptism of Fire.

Up front, there were few opportunities for The Stags to score, but when Stephen Mcnamara was presented with a chance after 74 minutes he snapped it up and grabbed a consolation goal for country.

Away from the football... and back to the sea

Pascal woke, still at sea, but the wind had returned and, along with the fortuitous weather, Pascal felt refreshed and was glad of the hours of sleep he had. Today was going to be a good day he felt. And it was, he made good headway for the first time in days, and until it was time for him to sleep again it was plain sailing.

Pascal laid his head down in his cot and blew out the candle illuminating the room. Immediately the persistent knocking of the previous nights returned and the ominous whispers of his own name filled the black void of his cabin. “Not again” he sighed, the temporary relief of last night replaced with the stomach dipping dread he had been filled with earlier in the journey. “Please leave me alone” he pleaded into the darkness, but the knocking and whispering continued. For what felt like a life time Pascal kept his eyes screwed tightly shut and tried to think of anything but the sounds keeping him from sleep. Time ticked on into the night, but each minute spent wishing for the torment to end seemed to last an eternity. Then, a moment of relief, the knocking had stopped, the whispering stopped, the only sound was Pascal's own heartbeat and the blood he could hear being pumped in his head. He could feel his pulse in his neck, but the regularity was soothing and he began to comfortably drift off. Pascal was at ease.

But it lasted only seconds. The knocking on the hull came back louder and now the voice whispering his name sounded like it was right in his ear. Plucking up all his courage, he opened his eyes and there was nothing but darkness and he may as well have kept them closed. “Oh Sandman, please help me sleep again.” he pleaded with the empty room, his head collapsing back to his pillow despondent.

“Pascal, keep your eyes closed and I will keep you safe” came a familiar voice. It was the same as the night before.

Pascal slept a deep, dreamless sleep as his boat continued along its journey, safely watched over by the Sandman.

by **Flardania** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:15 pm

Opening Theme

Bonjour et Ohayōgozaimasu Kirishima. Welcome ladies and gentleman back to another edition of the Kitsune Report, brought to you by Seongwoo Motors and the Nagatomo Sports Network (NSN). Here at the Kitsune Report it's all about our cherished national team and other football news that may vaguely relate to the team because I can. We will continue coverage of this historic World Cup 75 qualification where 140 nations fight continue to fight for 30 measly spots, where only 20 will be able to relax via instant qualification and the remaining 20 fight for the ten remaining spots. So with out any further delay it's time to get grooving for some cup football once again.

I always found that Matchday four in a seven team group to be the beginning of analytical data for the group. It is not complete as a team leading with 9 pts in one group can be at a different stage than a team leading with 9 pts in another. However with that said one can notice two types of groups in the early running. At this stage if a team is leading their group with 12 points, things are looking real good for them in the long run, they are currently undefeated as well as group favorites. On the other hand every group with a team leading with seven points is very competitive in a showdown of who blinks or trips first. Upsets will be very influential in these groups and believe me, I take no comfort in seeing the Kitsunes in such a group.

Current Group 20

Group   20                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Anglatia                                 3    2   1   0     4    2   +2     7
  Flardania                                4    2   1   1     5    3   +2     7
3 Ko-oren                                  3    2   0   1     3    1   +2     6
4 Chromatika                               4    1   2   1     4    4    0     5
5 Nordeana                                 3    0   2   1     3    4   −1     2
6 Abaja                                    3    0   2   1     4    6   −2     2
7 Shytysle                                 4    0   2   2     5    8   −3     2

To those watching on NSN they can see the Group Chart, for those listening in, you have Anglatia and Kirishima tied in first with 7 pts. Should be noted that Anglatia has already had a bye day so Kirishima's tie may only be temporary for now. Then you have Ko-oren in third with 6 pts also with a bye day used up. Chromatika is in fourth with 5 pts. Nordeana, Abaja, and Shytysle fill in the 5th, 6th, and 7th spots in that order respectfully at 2pts each. As I mention last time, it's become more and more apparent that Group 20 is a group of death situation where Nordeana, Abaja, and Shytysle may very well decide who among the remain four will take the two spots. To those who doubt it, don't forget Union of American Democrats III which was unranked, which upset Turori with a draw, thus handing the Kitsunes a cup ticket. Remember? Good! Now just imagine that on a larger scale and that we can fall victim to it.... If for some reason you are thinking okay we are much better now....this happened during WC 74 qualification, I would call that quite recentdon'tcha think? As long as we play as if we are underdogs and not become cocky we should be fine.

Now it's time for the Kirishinan Football check. In Group 3 Pridnestrovia drew with Lons while the Vanquishers defeated Acronius 5-2 at home. Looking down in Group five, San Llera defeated Arcantova on the road in a six to three slobberknocker. In Group seven, Valanora got the expected 2-0 win against Jeckland at home. In Group 8 Omerica upset potential title favorites San Jose Guayabal 5-4. In Group 9 United States of Devonta fell 1-2 against Schottia at home. That puts our oldest rival fourth in the nearly impossible group which houses Eura. Finally in group 19 Unified Sunrise Islands won on the road against Aji No Moto with a single goal, putting them on top of their group.

Moving on to some Kirishinan football news, the topic is Ako Izumi. This is the first time we are speaking about the shy football apart from her highlights and accomplishments. Ako Izumi is great, and talented. I mean when she takes a free kick you must not leave your seat or you might as well miss a goal. We all saw when she was picked up by AC Kawajiri and we didn't think she would be the dominating player she is now. Let's not forget she was overshadowed by Bianka Schraeder. Schraeder left AC Kawajiri badly and while the feud between Bianka and Sayo heated up. Ako begun to make her mark. Ako's work went mostly unnoticed as the team was very unprepared for the loss of Schraeder. Izumi ended up return home to Heiwa.

Now even though she is home she has no real emotional attachment to Kirishima. No romantic relationship, no teammates she needs to remain with. Like Sayo, Ako is in an interesting position. Izumi's agent as mentioned that they may consider testing the transfer market dependent on Izumi's performance. I must say that so far so good for Ako's future.

Kirishima 2–0 Abaja Match Review:
Coming off of a drought ending win in Shytysle, the Kitsunes returned to Kirishima to face Abaja in Kairaku. It would be hard to believe that Kairaku has a large blue light (red light) district with how full the stadium was. Just goes to show that despite how ero focused Kirishima as a society has always been. People can take time off to support their team. The Kitsunes were fearful in once again facing another defensive focused team especially when trying to string consecutive wins together. It showed with a slow conservative start to the game. The Kitsunes had a chances to score early that they squandered. Hojo woke up and delivered another 9 match rating in front of the post. The Game went into the half 0-0 thanks to great goalkeeping on both sides

In the 55th minute Ako Izumi scored her second goal this tournament with a free kick 8 meters from the box in her coveted Goldilocks zone. The opposition got desperate but the Hojo we are used to and love was resurrected starving off the opposition. The game was a done deal in the 83rd minute with Jo Yabuta doing what he does best and that is cashing checks. Yabuta always seeks to get points on the board at least once via assist or goals and his header did just that.

(25)Kirishima 2 – 0 Abaja(UR)
Izumi (55')
Yabuta (83')

Here is what Kyosuke had to say after the match.

"It always feels good to string wins together. I always advocate patience and playing our style though thick and thin. We faced a unranked squad but they were defensive focus and we are still trying to heat up. We stayed flexible and each individual played their hardest. We are still like a PS 2 console however with a second straight win you can feel more confident in it's ability to boot up. Now we just need to keep up the momentum."

Nordeana v Flardania(Kirishima) Preview:
Nordeana is coming off an extended vacation with a bye plus a home match. This will be the Kitsunes third time facing the owls in two world cup cycles as the kitsunes were in the same group with them prior. The Kitsunes are undefeated against the owls and need to stay that way. Kirishima just need to face them like any other opponent and score a win before their bye and crucial showdown with Anglatia. Lets Go Kitsunes!

Post by: Keita Woo

by **Vilita and Turori** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:22 pm

Sokiti Amakra's at it again.

However, instead of "Fun With Flags", Amakra has released a vipodcast outlining exactly which national soccer teams he didn't like, and why.

A transcript of the vipodcast is below:

Hey hey hey! Sokiti's back... back again! Alright lets get on to it. There are a lot of countries competing in World Cup 75 Qualifying - 140 of them to be exact. Lets take a look at the 20 groups and just who is competing.

First up - Group 20. Yea. Back to front. Its how I roll.

So Group 20. Three nations I've heard of, one I should have heard of, and then a bunch of Shyt...ysle. First off. Chromatika - sounds like the name of a Chrome robot or some kind of post-modern grunge art scene. They might have what it takes to win this group. What's with Ko-oren - how do you even say that? I just picture that some point in the past someone was saying "Koren" with a stutter and it became the name of the nation. Cool nation though.

Group 19. Lymantatia sucks. Giant Birds Suck. I hope they lose. I'm sure they'll steal points from someone though as Brenecia look to defeat one of the 72 sunrise islands for the top spot in the group. It's hard to say who deserves last place more. Aji No Moto or Vyshehradska. Nope, I just decided. Vyshehradska. If you have to pause in the middle of saying it to make sure you are saying it right, you deserve to finish last.

Everyones favorite. Farvadiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiisssssssss!. Dreamplanet sounds like a really nice place to be. Zenic scares me. I don't feel like I would be safe walking the streets there. Look at this though. What are the odds of Dreamplanet and Losthaven being drawn in the same group. Its like, the place you really want to go and the place no one wants to be. The other place no one wants to be - bottom of the group 18 - reserved for Losth... no no, Lasthaven by the time this thing is through.

I'm looking forward to the match between Saratoga and St. Sargossa. Or Saragossa and St. Sartogga. Err, whatever it is, it actually might be a decent match. Sargossa have not been looking at their best recently and will struggle in a group Pasarga should dominate. Like totally dominate. As in there is no group with a bigger divide on paper between the best team and the second best team. When the second best team is Starblaydia, there really isn't much to fear. They used to be the purple peril but as of late its been more like the Purple Peeps - soft squishy little things that look nice and are fun to talk about but don't really have the same quality as you remembered them having. The Republic of The Republic of The Republic of The Republic of Arkan actually have half a shot at doing well if they can stay on top of their game and take advantage of the openings provided by the teams above them.

Well those slimy brown eels are in Group 16. We won't talk about them. What we do have in Group 16 is a pair of nations with names so long they don't even fit in the official World Cup 75 entrants list. Look, Paputu and Carcossia & Whocaresdes - shorten it up, your fans don't want to have to keep making up rally chants that last longer than your team can go without conceding a goal. They are less effective that way. Speaking of less effective, is it just me or are the women in Jeruselem starting to look a little old and not so interesting anymore? Quakmybush. 'nuff said.

Anyway, Thats 5 groups down, check me out next time and I might just keep going.

...

Alright, no, hold on. Back again. What kind of nation name is 46566? Is that a name? Is that a geo-coordinate? Actually thats not a bad idea. Abolish nation names. Just smash your geo-coords together so everyone knows where you are. Typically thats more important that what your name is anyway. But seriously. Way to break from the norm. There are three things I hate to see in a nation. Repetitive salutations, All Caps and now we've just added a new one. Numbers. All Numbers. I'm on the fence whether this geo coords hogwash is a good idea or not. But until it starts catching on, its not. And then we have Gregoryisgodistan. Look, no one likes Gregoryisgodistan. The only people who pretend they like Gregoryisgodistan are just afraid of Greggy. Now, at least they had the common decency to smash their little dictator-like statement into something resembling the name of the nation, unlike past heretics such as EL CID THE HERO. Now here's the reason we don't like Taeshan. We just don't. If their nickname was the anteaters, we might dislike them less. Now, Firebolt, a terrible nation name, would make an awesome superhero. Picture a flaming F with a lightning bolt through it on a round field of blac... oh wait, not Fun With Flags. Oh well, maybe we'll get to that next time."

by **New Gazi** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:42 pm

"These are the kinds of losses we will have to endure and drive on from", said center forward Amare Contee. "We fought as much as we could."

Contee picked up one of two Vannish goals, but not in a glamorous way. He scored on the 14th minute because of a sloppy tackle which the ref marked as a penalty kick. The shot hit the top right corner of the post, just above the diving goalkeeper.

It wasn't long before 'the Holy Empire' retaliated and drew even. From that point on, it became clear the Gazilians were losing the battle of possession. The ball spent too much time in front of the Gazilian goalkeeper.

Ibori found himself playing almost exclusively on the defensive half of the field.

Diya scored another goal on the 67th minute. Imari Lefisse sent a through ball ahead which was set up for him. The left winger found space and got ahead of his man. The shot hit the left crosspost and banked in around a goalkeeper who was trying to fall on it.

"I'm not any happier after scoring a goal", Diya said. "I care more about the team game. We still have a way to go, as far as our program. I feel better knowing that some plans are in place to build the team for the future."

The Vannish media was interested in knowing how goalkeeper Talib Mensah felt about giving up six goals.

"This is one of those games that I have to forget", Mensah said. "I'll move on. I'll train for the next game and my feelings won't be hurt over it. It's good to deal with such powerful offenses for the first time. Our players are growing from the experience."

The Gazilians seem to be vowing to compete, even though they are pretty much eliminated at this point.

by **Super-Llamaland** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:48 pm

Osiris - Part Four

Kyrinson

Miro Vorobyov sprinted down the line. The winger spun and fired a passable cross, and Nemanja Vesely managed to reel the ball in and use his left to slot it past Costa and into the net. A sight Trevor Duncan had seen many times - but now it felt different.

He'd taken over the Kaboomlandia match after Rodrigo Vaz had walked out, and nearly managed to steer the stunned players back into a victory - but once again, they'd collapsed on the final hurdle. Shortly after the match, Kristopher Wagner had called him to tell him he was the new manager of the team, and they'd be bringing in a second assistant alongside Jeremy Hayes shortly. He would be the seventh Tigers manager in roughly fifty years, which did seem to indicate stability until you realized that Bryan Ferguson accounted for thirty of them. Still, to be in the place of Ferguson, a man he'd idolized throughout his playing career, was something he never thought he'd achieve.

He didn't know how long he'd have the position. But based on Brandt's offer to discuss a long-term contract, one that he had quickly agreed to, he could be here for a long time. Long enough to revitalize a struggling team and bring the Tigers back to their former glory.

Emerald Springs

Justin was pleased with his new lineup. He'd brought in a number of star youth players from across the country, substituting them in for Leonard's collection of aging players with dubious talent. This had led to a series of obvious improvements. He was able to snag former U21 goalkeeper Michael Bradbury, now twenty-eight and in his prime, to lead the group. Things were looking up.

He threw out the youth for his first match of the season...and they lost, three-one. Then again, one-nil. After salvaging a point out of their third match, they dropped their fourth. Suddenly the lineup had lost its luster.

He'd tried something new the next time they played, making the lineup younger still - switching in right-back James Dyson for the aging Gustavsson, and, stunningly, replacing Bradbury with twenty-three-year-old Chad Seaborg. The lineup was now entirely composed of Llamaneans under twenty-seven. Vucevic noticed, but didn't mind. He hadn't even noticed, only being focused on building the best team possible. And the new lineup had worked - they led three-two with just five minutes to play. It'd taken five matches, but Emerald City was finally about to return to its winning ways.

An opposing midfielder brought the ball up, but the pass was intercepted by James Dyson. Justin sighed in pleasure and leaned back in his chair as the young right-back - so much better than his predecessor, the aging Riviera, had been - brought the ball up the right flank. Dyson turned and tried to send a pass across the field. Out of nowhere, the midfielder who'd brought the ball up - coincidentally also named Vucevic - intercepted the miskicked pass and found himself with enough open space to maneuver through and easily beat the sprawling Chad Seaborg with a well-placed shot into the corner.

He sat bolt upright. They were level again, and Justin couldn't stomach the prospect of just two points from five games. "Forwards!" he shouted animatedly. "Everybody forwards!"

He didn't know what he'd expected would happen. An Emerald team in full-fledged panic managed to send a few balls forwards, but every time they were stopped by the more organized opponent. And then, after the latest attempt at a shot hadn't even made it into the box before it was parried away, it was none other than Vucevic who managed to slit Emerald's throats with a pass upfield. The striker managed to get to the ball first, and Seaborg didn't stand a chance against his lob.

When the game had finally ended a few minutes later, the score was five-three. Justin was sacked shortly afterwards.

MD 5 Lineup:
Costa; Lindberg, Zhou, Kane, Karnstedt; Candelario, Karjalainen; Vorobyov, Rasmussen, Adrian; Penbrooke

by **Chiata** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:56 pm

Chiata Times
Momentum Stalls

After two consecutive wins, Chiata's momentum fizzled out in Gulf Stadium. The Suns hosted Eshan in what should have been a three point day, but instead it turn out to be a scoreless draw. Chiata came away with a single table point while Eshan did the same. It is definitely not as bad as a loss, but Chiata should really be able to defeat a team like Eshan, especially at home.

Eshan entered into the packed Gulf Stadium wearing their almost all black away kits. Chiata was in their standard home blue. Off of two wins, Chiata was on a roll and ready to continue. The Echani play with a strong attack, but as a result a sometimes vulnerable defense. It was truly a conflict of play style. Eshan preferred the attack while Chiata preferred to stay back and put up a hard defense. Coming after a game with three goals for the Suns, it was hoped the Chiatan attack could break the relatively weak Echani defense.

At the start of the match, it was clear Eshan was going to try to dominate the possession game. They pressed at every Chiatan with the ball and wouldn't give up a single inch of grass on the pitch. However, since players closed in on the person with the ball, there were often open gaps to be exploited with a well timed pass. The first few chances for Chiata would come from these mistakes. Brian Stewart had the ball as opponents Francesco and Arisilde closed in to challenge. There was a gap left open on the left side of the pitch, and Toler ran in and received the pass from Stewart. Toler had time to set up before and defenders closed in and put a beautiful cross into the box. Prince beat his marker, Smith, and sent a header to the goal. Demarcus was able to fall on the ball and stop the shot.

Eshan gained the momentum in the match and began to take over on possession time. Chiata spent a lot of time cooped up in their defensive third, especially when Eshan's defenders crept up past midfield in support of the attack. Eshan was desperately looked for any weakness in the Chiatan defense, but the defensive lines held firm. In something more like trench warfare than a football match, Chiata spent the remainder of the the first half trapped in their own side of the pitch.

Chiata went into the second half wanting to break the stalemate while Eshan wanted to continue to press the attack. At first, Eshan's strategy was the winning one. Chiata was once again penned in as the Echani attack through all it had at the goal. There were opportunities abound for Eshan. Mulcair almost put his team up with a strong strike to the top left corner, but Truex was able to punch it away. Eventually, Chiata was able to break free from the cage. Goldstien and Curtis created breakaway opportunities that finally got Eshan to start backing up. Chiata had command of the match once more and began making strikes at the goal. Wilma Adleson had the most promising chance, with a tapping shot in the six yard box, but defender Albom was there with the last second clearance. Eshan's defense was certainly bendy, but it wouldn't break. Ultimately, the game would be decided by defense, and both sides excelled in that field that day. The match would end 0-0, a scoreless draw.

Chiata 0 - 0 Eshan

Other Matchday Four results:
Hasznia 2–0 Mapletish
New Gelderland 0–1 Chernordad

Group 1 MD 4-----------------------------Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Chiata                                   4    2   2   0     5    1   +4     8
2 Saintland                                3    2   1   0     8    5   +3     7
3 New Gelderland                           3    1   1   1     3    1   +2     4
4 Chernordad                               4    1   1   2     4    5   −1     4
  Hasznia                                  3    1   1   1     2    3   −1     4
6 Eshan                                    3    1   1   1     4    5   −1     4
7 Mapletish                                4    0   1   3     0    6   −6     1

Chiata's disappointing draw wasn't much to fret about after the matchday settled. Hasznia secured their first win of qualifying against Mapletish by the score of two goals. Mapletish has had a particularly rough time getting back into international football and only have one point to show for in four matches. The surprise of the day came from Chernordad defeating New Gelderland while away. Chernordad won with a single goal while keeping the New Gelderlish from scoring. The Baptism of Fire champions have already played the best three teams in the group and have only gone down one goal difference. Chernordad has shown remarkable ability to translate success from the Baptism of Fire to a decent showing in World Cup Qualifying.

Saintland had a BYE, so Chiata remains at the top of the group, but just by a single point. Closely behind the Suns is Saintland, with eight points and one more match to play than Chiata. After the two leaders is a sizable three point gap. New Gelderland, Chernordad, Hasznia, and Eshan all have four points. New Gelderland is in third with a positive two goal difference. Chernordad and Hasznia are tied for fourth with negative one goal difference. Eshan is placed six, also with a negative one goal difference, but along with an unfavorable head to head tiebreaker. Mapletish brings out the cellar of the group, two points removed from sixth with only one point and zero goals.

by **COCANEFA** » Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:11 pm

CUT OFF

World Cup LXXV - AK75 - The RP Thread

WC75-Q5

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