World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

[Nephara]

Nephara 6-4 Thibaea
(4-2-3-1) 20 - Matraxis; 2 - Rafford (18 - Brymora 79'), 5 - Konoval (c), 22 - Theuer, 19 - Vicelich; 4 - Misidjan (23 - Chilmark 65'), 15 - Klein; 13 - Fanaiyan, 21 - Gosforth (c, 14 - Rowan 60'), 16 - Aspenwood; 10 - Cathar
Goals: Cathar 3', 41', 75', Aspenwood 17', Gosforth 53' pen, Theuer 67'

Leona Rafford
Derived from Greek λεων (leon) meaning "lion". During the Christian era this Greek name was merged with the Latin cognate 'Leo', with the result that the two forms are used somewhat interchangeably across European languages.

It would be Nevaeh Cathar who got most of the plaudits, and with a sense of inevitability took the player of the match award. It was hard to turn away from her. She had three goals to her name. All were pretty straightforward to the eye, but they'd taken clever runs, marked down as she was by three centre-halves. She'd drifted away from Cazenave to flick Fanaiyan's cross inside Chappuis' cross, found the end of Gosforth's splitting pass on the counterattack before stroking past Chappuis and, most industrial and recent of all, hammered home Leona Rafford's cutback into the roof of the net.

But it was Rafford who was catching Brandon's eye the most. Cathar had three goals - the plucky rightback had three assists, having also set up Aspenwood with a lofted diagonal cross that allowed her to hammer home at the far post and then been scythed down by Lafaille in the box for a penalty that Gosforth easily slotted home. Admittedly, she could possibly have saved the first Thibaean goal, standing at the far post and reacting too slowly to block Cazenave's header, but it was hard to blame her too much.

Besides, Rafford was a... project of Brandon's. When he'd taken over, promising changes, most of the peanut gallery had confidently predicted she'd be one of them. Rafford had been flaky for Nephara, overly-aggressive and drifting out of games, defensively naive. But a manager's job was to improve players, an international manager especially, and Brandon had seen enough to know Rafford was a player of genuine class, waiting to be unleashed.

They'd talked a lot, in those opening couple of days. Yeah, Rafford acted nonchalant, mostly because she was. But she was determined to crack it as a footballer, sought nothing but the best, and wanted Brandon's help in getting there. At club level, hard-nosed gaffers Portia Thrift and then Aidan Brosque also helped hammer her out. The new Rafford still sought to attack, but would always cover her tracks. She'd snap into tackles, but this time got more ball than man. And that pace was now marshalled into better, more damaging runs, especially as a rapport built up with Szalai and Fanaiyan on the right wing. She gave them an option out wide, allowed them to cut inwards more. And if given time and space to cross, things like three assists happened.

And yes, she clearly loved her work, and clearly hated losing. That was a good thing, to be treasured. How far would a disinterested mercenary get you in the big occasions?

So it was Rafford, for Brandon's money, to watch in the last chunk of a game. Thibaea had fought hard but just had no answer for the Cormorants' precise passing mixed with ruthless finishing and relentless intensity. They'd hit back through that set piece and again on the counter through Milhaud, succeeding where Taeshan, Eura and Ko-oren had failed, but 6-2 was a good scoreline.
It was Rafford pressing hard on Lafaille, punishing him for moving forward with a heavy touch - it was Rafford who stretched out her leg slightly awkwardly to snare the ball, flicked it past the wingback and started to run.
Then her left knee gave way beneath her, and she fell.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 6
Goalkeepers: 1 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Falourr, EUR), 12 - Gideon Fletcher (AFC Treason), 20 - Andreas Swoboda (1830 Azoth, CEN)
Defenders: 2 - Ruon Asante (AFC Serpentine), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Danijel Brymora (Brinemouth), 19 - Lux Vicelich (Sabrefell Moths), 22 - Dragora Steelhenge (Parrhesia United)
Midfielders: 4 - Monica Rowland (Parrhesia United), 7 - Roxana Coffey (Bishop), 8 - Circe Rosenthal (Marionville, SCT), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Avenida Leal, FFD), 13 - Ishtar Fanaiyan (Eastweald, COS), 14 - Ursula Rowan (Cassandra City, COS), 15 - Rusalka Klein (Crawford City FC, COS), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 23 - Helmut Chilmark (Holdenberg, EUR)
Forwards: 9 - Heron Kendall (Port Sebastian, SCT), 10 - Nevaeh Cathar (Avenida Leal, FFD), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD)

SCHEDULE
Thibaea 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 2 Natanians and Nosts @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Al Qurija 2 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 0 Taeshan @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Rotztotzka 1 - 5 Nephara
Akatsurai 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 1 Apox @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Ko-oren 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 3 - 0 Eura @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara 6 - 4 Thibaea @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Natanians and Nosts vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Al Qurija @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Taeshan vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Rotztotzka @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. Akatsurai @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Apox vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Ko-oren @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Eura vs. Nephara

[Kita-Hinode]

CHAPTER X - IT BEGINS (Part 2)

Rushmore Brigade HQ
Friday, 7:00 AM

He could still remember his sister's reaction when he told her about it.
To join a war games group out of nowhere?
It was just odd.
And of course, said sister would never avoid giving him flack about it.
In the end, it was decided.
He was now a part of the Rushmore Brigade.

And here he was.
He had to wake up early as a request from their leader.
Barely had anything to eat, of course.
He just jumped out of bed, got himself ready and ran.
He walked up to the Conference Room.
[Nephara] - Captain? Are you there?
He looked around, finding... well, a pigsty.
[Nephara] - Yeah, he's here alright.
After checking most of the room, he checked a television that had apparently recorded something earlier.
The same news the Doctor and the Nurse caught earlier on the train station.
[Nephara] - Well, that explains the wake-up call... but nothing of the captain.
He heard someone arriving.
The person held up a phone to his own face, talking.
He also held a roll of toilet paper.

[Valladares] - Yeah, calm down. I'm coming.
Nephara crossed his arms as Valladares pretty much ignored him, walking up to the bathroom.
[Valladares] - Look, I don't care about your Dork Brigade and... uh... if there's anyone else here?
He looked at Nephara, who waved back.
[Valladares] - Yeah, the EGA guy... Oh, he's one of ours now?
Finally, he threw the roll over the bathroom's door, hitting someone on the head.
[Valladares] - I don't know why you complain, you always wear that stupid helmet...
A couple of minutes later, the Captain finally left the toilet.

[Eura] - If you call my helmet stupid again, I swear I'll-
He noted Nephara, stopping midway through his sentence.
[Eura] - Ah, Nephara! So you arrived.
[Nephara] - Yes, sir.
[Eura] - Where is... well, everyone else?
[Nephara] - Well...
The newer one looked at Valladares, who essentially laughed.
[Valladares] - I have nothing to do with your mess. They're probably sleeping or preparing for school.
[Nephara] - I guess that would be the answer, sir.
[Eura] - Well, you'll have to make do.
The captain looked at the television.
[Eura] - I see one of you played the recording I made.
[Valladares] - Not me. I can see the mess you made, though.
[Eura] - Look, money isn't exactly on the high right now, I'll hire a cleaner as soon as things get... greener.
[Nephara] - Greener, sir?
[Eura] - Yeah... Uh... Anyway, the point is that we should do something about the Xtreme Destroyers situation.
[Nephara] - I imagine the government must have someone working on it already, sir.
[Eura] - Y-Yeah, but... You know, we could do their job and they'd pay us something... Can't be that hard, right?
[Valladares] - You do know that they literally stole a batch of the rarest rocks around from a very secure location without a hitch, right?
[Eura] - W-well, yeah, but...
[Valladares] - And you folks can barely keep a clean headquarters...
He lowered, picking up a slice of pizza thrown around.
[Valladares] - I mean, look at this. This place is such a mess the pizza are avoided by the cockroaches regardless of how long you throw it about.
[Eura] - U-Uh... Recruit Nephara, didn't you have a sister?
[Nephara] - Brenecia, sir.
[Eura] - Don't you think you could talk her into cleaning our place?
[Nephara] - In proper accent, sir, she'd tell you to grab a Didgeridoo and shove it right up-
[Valladares] - I think she wouldn't want to do that... sir! Hahahahahah...
[Eura] - Sigh... Look. Recruit Nephara, we both are going to make an investigation over this. The rest are on...
Valladares swayed the same slice of rotten pizza.
[Eura] - ...Cleaning Duty. They'll join us later.
[Nephara] - Are you coming, Val-
[Valladares] - See, I would if not for two things.
He raised one finger.
[Valladares] - I'll be too busy enjoying life and...
He then poked Eura's helmet.
[Valladares] - I'll never be caught wearing a helmet over my head. Period.
Valladares walked out, throwing the pizza slice in the trash bin.
[Eura] - ...
[Nephara] - Sir, why do you let him talk like that?
[Eura] - I... don't really know.

St. Margot High
Friday, 9:00 AM

[Bonesea] - Thank you all for attending this-
He looked around the room where they were all supposed to gather.
Except he only found Chrom sitting on a chair, shrugging at notice.
[Chrom] - Uh... I think they're all on Holiday leave.
[Bonesea] - Oh, the w... Nevermind. I'm glad you showed up, at least.
[Chrom] - W-well... I didn't know it was optional.
[Bonesea] - It wasn't.
[Chrom] - ...Oh.
[Bonesea] - In any case, our school's new owner requested that I called up an emergency meeting over the theft of Z-Crystals.
Bonesea walked around, thinking.
[Bonesea] - You're probably aware of it, right?
[Chrom] - Yeah... Sunrise kept talking about it during breakfast. That said, I don't know what's the fuss about that.
[Bonesea] - How not? They're able to power moves to massive potential.
[Chrom] - Well... OK, but you need... Well, you need more to make them fully effective to the point where they could damage massive structures.
[Bonesea] - As in?
[Chrom] - For starters, the Theory of Oak-Birch states that the expression to determine the amount of power obtained by Z-Crystals is exponential, ergo it'd only be powerful enough to destroy things if the Pokémon was somewhere between Level 90 and 100.
Chrom got up, writing on a blackboard.
[Chrom] - As far as our Pokémon League is aware, the odds of a Pokémon to be somewhere around this category of power is around 1 in 128.254.500. Over that, we have to add that not every Pokémon is the same and some, even at this point of skill, might be lacking in the Power Department.
[Bonesea] - Hm.
[Chrom] - And if we establish a mark where one attack could simply knock down an entire building, the odds are at least cubed, making it even harder. As far as we know, there's a very small window of good trainers that could actually have the Pokémon good enough for this and as far as we know, none of them would be involved in this.
[Bonesea] - ...Still, I think it's best to keep caution.
[Chrom] - I understand. Sunrise himself opened his gym for training today for that very same reason.
[Bonesea] - Aren't you worried about him?
[Chrom] - Not really. Sunrise is probably one of the few trainers that have nothing to fear.
[Bonesea] - Aside of... well, a family?
[Chrom] - Eh, we can always try Formation Alpha Zeta Omega.
[Bonesea] - ...What?
[Chrom] - Nevermind. Anyway, did you mention something about the owner?
[Bonesea] - Oh, yes. I think she's arriving in a bit.
Steps could be heard pretty much as soon as he finished talking.
The door opened.

[Valanora] - I'm sorry for arriving in such a late time. My... temporary butler doesn't know how to drive and I had to take that... the thing you fellows call the bus.
[Chrom] - Yeah, that's Kirisaki alright. Also... How did you buy this place?
[Valanora] - Oh, the results of a fair night of Poker.
[Chrom] - ...Poker?
[Valanora] - Yes. You'd think people wouldn't want to play Poker with an elf, especially considering I've learned every trick in the book by now.
[Bonesea] - Good morning, madam.
[Valanora] - Good morning to you too. So... I see most didn't show up.
[Bonesea] - Y-Yes...
[Chrom] - I believe they thought it was optional.
[Valanora] - Well, it wasn't. But I guess we can be a bit lenient, it is a Holiday after all.
[Chrom] - Well... Then what do we do?
[Valanora] - I was going to say that we're taking an emergency brake of classes.
[Chrom] - ...Just that?
[Valanora] - Not really. I'm bored. So I figured we could look for the Z-Crystals.
[Chrom] - I beg your pardon?
[Valanora] - We... could look for the Z-Crystals. I know it doesn't befit my status, but it's somewhat better than drinking tea at home with Kirisaki.
[Chrom] - B-but...
[Bonesea] - I think this is a pretty good idea myself.
[Chrom] - Eh?
[Bonesea] - Call me odd, but it does sound like a quaint little adventure.
[Chrom] - Weren't you worried about how powerful these things were?
[Bonesea] - Yes. However, the prospect of an adventure still beats my worries.
[Valanora] - So it's settled, then. Gather your stuff and meet up at the Central Train Station. We have work to do.
The two older ones left.
Chrom shrugged.
[Chrom] - I think they're out of order.

[Brenecia]

EEC 0 - 1 Brenecia
(4-2-3-1) 12 - Calhoun; 19 - Hamilton, 18 - Heneghan, 6 - Szubanski, 22 - Levein; 23 - Alweather, 16 - Drover; 7 - Trevelyan (15 - Crowther 73'), 8 - Hartsdown (21 - Wheeler 66'), 10 - Ashbrown; 14 - Charnwood
Goal: Charnwood 34'

Krytenia 1 - 1 Brenecia
(4-2-3-1) 12 - Woodgate (c); 2 - Carrack, 5 - Bradden, 6 - Szubanski, 3 - Quill; 4 - Gryphon (c), 16 - Drover; 15 - Crowther (7 - Trevelyan 74'), 11 - Balliol, 13 - Keohane (10 - Ashbrown 82'); 9 - Riordan (17 - Bannion 74')
Goal: Drover 19'

Elsie Drover
Diminutive of Elisheba. From Ελισαβετ (Elisabet), the Greek form of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע ('Elisheva') meaning "my God is an oath" or perhaps "my God is abundance".

God, Elisheba Kathleen Drover was fucking angry.

She wasn't playing great right now, for club or country. The rest of her club was playing worse, which was really bad because somehow they were in a relegation scrap. The rest of her country, very specifically including Meghan Hartsdown, was playing pretty well, and while Drover was happy about that (they were called the Patriots, after all, not the... Civil Disobedience, or whatever) she wasn't happy about the prospect of her place slipping away.

She'd been trusted away in Krytenia, and that probably meant she'd be trusted away in Damukuni. Whoever was trusted away in Damukuni, provided they didn't fuck it up - and Hartsdown was fucking precious little up these days - would probably be trusted in the World Cup which, thankfully, Brenecia looked pretty well sewn up for. Especially with a win here.

So of course they went down a goal within four minutes. Why not? Fuck it!

Anyway, the rare sight had been seen across the world of the Patriots under Catherine Bardsley 2.0 chasing a game. It was not an especially pretty sight, and though Krytenia were traditionally an attack-minded side they knew how to keep shut at the back, and had a tradition of excellent goalkeepers backing them. And they weren't afraid to stick the boot in, either, as Sander Balliol was scythed down - well outside the box, but the angle was decent. He limped forward, rolling the ball back to Drover and Gryphon. This would normally be Gryphon's job, but, hell. Drover nudged her aside. She had this.

Griffin Riordan had this tattoo, she liked to flash it around the place. 'God helps those who help themselves' or something. Maybe there was something in that. So she waved Gryphon away, stood over the ball, took a couple steps back...

... thought on the prospect of dropping back in the order, of the literal backwards steps her career seemed to be taken, of the regression she'd been guilty of personally, of the Sekundar Ligan...

... and she put her foot through the ball, and the ball tore through the net, making the posts tremble with the force of it.

God fuckin' damn. Let Hartsdown try and equal that. If she did, she deserved the fucking spot.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 6
Goalkeepers: 1 - Mathis Woodgate (Myrmidon, CEN), 12 - Rostyn Calhoun (Cenial United, CEN), 20 - Rosalind Buchanan (Lunas FC, PAS)
Defenders: 2 - Brun Carrack (Bengtsmark IF, BYN), 3 - Gethin Quill (Revolutionaries, EUR), 5 - Anaximander Scrivener (Brigham, EUR), 6 - Niko Szubanski (Rozelle), 18 - Cheney Heneghan (Ernesse Stahl, BYN), 19 - Vaila Hamilton (Lotus Park), 22 - Ophelia Lovelock (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH)
Midfielders: 4 - Catherine Gryphon (Starling, NPH, c), 7 - Squire Trevelyan (FC Endeavour, APX), 8 - Meghan Hartsdown (Kings Park, SCT), 10 - Tiferet Ashbrown (Kings Park, SCT), 11 - Sander Balliol (Tanrisal, PAS), 13 - Keohane (Ramusok United, COS), 15 - Brae Crowther (Chenoworth Harriers, NPH), 16 - Elsie Drover (OAS Royal FC, COS), 21 - Aleksandra Skorupska (Northern Stallions), 23 - Catsidhe Alweather (Eastal Lunar, VIL)
Forwards: 9 - Griffin Riordan (Klyde, COS), 14 - Fox Charnwood (Hellinic-Rouge, PAS), 17 - Aelfwynn Bannion (North Hall)

SCHEDULE
Brenecia 3 - 1 Krytenia
Pridnestrovia 3 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Damukuni
West Angola 1 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Yuezhou
Empire of Donner Land 0 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Garifunya
Brenecia 2 - 0 Gangnam
EEC 0 - 1 Brenecia
Krytenia 1 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Pridnestrovia
Damukuni vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. West Angola
Yuezhou vs. Brenecia
Brenedia vs. Empire of Donner Land
Garifunya vs. Brenecia
Gangnam vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. EEC

[Buyan]

”And it’s the fourth referee, holding up the board… Three more minutes! That’s not a lot of time but it could be enough to write history. The Chromatiks look little like the powerful machine which hoovered over the Hedgehogs in the opening half. Another wave of attacks, Okmiankas looking unleashed there as he slides past Damjana and tosses it in the box… Fossuuuuuuuuum! Oh! Off the crossbar, we’re really getting closer and closer to a draw but will the clock outrun us?”

Tuzzio nearly broke a finger, smacking the top side of the dugout. It had been a whirlwind so far, this game, and it stood out amongst all that he had experienced as a manager so far. Previously, he had accepted that no game from the sideline could give him the joy of those ninety minutes on the grass but this… Possibly joy wasn’t the cut-out word for this but excitement definitely did the track. It all had snowballed with the home victory over Banija, one that brought the Nine two heavens above the seventh. He had staked a lot on the guys between the lines and was not disappointed, with captain Pawlo Marciak holding on to an Afolayan penalty. But more importantly, he had managed to rekindle the partnership between Eklund and Isaksson – no wonder all morning papers opened with a picture of the duo celebrating near the corner flag: fist clenched, arms around the shoulders and mouths incapable to spread wide enough to scream out all the pride.

But Banija was Banija and this was Chromatika. It’s like comparing downing three portions of spaghetti with eating a concrete apartment building – elevators included. Parker knew that his troops had erred once and if he wanted a calm preparation for the finals, no more mistakes could be made. They made it clear in the opening segment of the game, bringing another portion of their passing football larded with an impeccable speed of execution. It was a clockwork with Rachel Hellion as the engine – almost a blueprint of what Buyan had gone through during the game at the Capitalizt Dome. Almost.

Contrary to that ill-fated away game, the defensive line now held the tide – even after an opener of Trenn Rien, with one of those shots that held the middle ground between a careless attempt and a perfect execution. But the Hedgehogs went on and the back three kept it tight with a decent recipe found in the bottomless talent pit of Stromberg, the subtilty of Haukland and the grossly underestimated reliability of Antek Zych. The three of them held it to one for a long time and at least, they got relieved. Bit by bit, the centre of gravity moved further up the pitch with Buyan showcasing its traditional stamina by taking over in the last quarter. When Karlsson lined up a long-range shot, it was just an attempt to get some stats vis-à-vis Mia Ria. By the time Kaukenas and Eklund each had scaled the box once, it had become a pattern. And now that clock in the top of the stadium went so much faster than Tuzzio wanted…

”We’re officially past the last second but the referee is not yet watching on his clock. Nyberg in possession, kept at bay well by Damjana… A cross and, oh, clever, that’s Valter Isaksson with half an inch of space! Will he… He opts for the assisting pass and it’s Eklund with the header! Eklund! Ek…! No, it’s wide… And now the last whistle… Thousand of fans stay behind with mixed feelings after a heart-warming performance – but the result remains the same. Another loss and Buyan even further adrift for the top half.”

Ichi Tuzzio sunk to his knees for half a second before his assistant picked him up, softly pushing him in the direction of Silian Parker’s outstretched arm. No one could rival that if one team deserved to walk off with three points, that it was Chromatika but… The nod from Friekder sufficed for Ichi to shake hands before consoling some of the closest players. It remained unlikely, bordering impossible that two of the greatest Farves in football history had decided to take their next step in their coaching career so far off the beaten track. Instead of taking one of the presumably endless offers domestically, Ichi Tuzzio and Friekder Dandalleion had decided to move to a forgotten corner of Esportiva – well, it’s just around the corner of Nephara and Brenecia, so it’s not completely forgotten, but you get the point. They could’ve gone for diamonds for breakfast with golden omelettes but instead they preferred to work themselves in the sweat with a squad that all together never would amass the talent the two of them shared.

It’s difficult to define that that’s the reason for what enrolled in the next minute. The Buyanese crowd is notoriously fickle when it comes to the results of the national team, even if they usually stand in awe for the managers behind them. Hope won their hearts through endurance and dexterity. Shale was everything a regular Buyanese never would be: loud, enthusiast and successful – an immediate road towards being revered. The modest Maarsden got respect for his professional attitude and honest stance. But all of them would get a weak applause at best and more often a pair of lifted shoulders after a close loss against a better side. We’re just us, back at where we belong, and winning a Campionato didn’t change that – even made it only worse when comparisons were drawn with Rushmori of Atlantian powerhouses. But tonight, they all rose and the hesitant waterfall turned into a rhythmic sound, a beat guided by one clear powerline. Tu! Zi! O! Tu! Zi! O! Tu! Zi! O!

No wonder that amidst the pandemonium, few drew any attention on Valter Isaksson who remained in some sort of standstill, the hands on the hips, at the corner of the box where he had last touched the ball. There was a battle going on in his mind, one that required all his focus and…

”You did the right thing,” Friekder said. Well, he rather shrieked to get above the crowd, but still no one further than four yards out would’ve heard it, ”you chose for the right option. A partnership is about giving without expecting. Because it will be rewarded when you’re not expecting yourself.”
”I could…” Valter started and in his mind, the magnificent overhead kick slash equalizer of the previous game played.
”… do a lot of things. And you invested in the good one. This will only work again once you allow Emil to make mistakes. A good partnership is worth gold – take that from me.”

Valter nodded as the striker patted his shoulder and shuffled on to the next guy. The playmaker didn’t even notice that it was a tall, powerful striker who had sunk on the grass near the penalty point, inches away from the place where he landed after a strong flick of the head. Nope, all he noticed was what’s left of his sentence… ’ve scored if I had gone for it myself.

Gularis *** Nordin, Zych, Stromberg, Hermansen, Okmiankas *** Hedlund, Dobas, Isaksson *** Eklund, Fossum

[Trans-Dniesters]

ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКАЯ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНАЯ НОВОСТИ АГЕНЦИЯ
PRIDNESTROVSKAYA TSENTRALNAYA NOVOSTI AGENTSIYA
PRIDNESTROVIAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY

PRIDNESTROVIA RETURNS TO WINNING WAYS IN THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS WITH HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY OVER EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND
By Gustav Tyumenov


Peter Schermer of the Pridnestrovian men's national football team celebrates scoring a goal against the Empire of Donner Land in the qualifiers of the 79th World Cup.

TIRASPOL, TRANSNISTRIA - The Pridnestrovian men's national football team returned to winning ways with another dominant win over the Empire of Donner Land, this time in front of the home fans who were finally treated to a display befitting the expectations that had been heaped upon the team following their recent performances in recent football tournaments.

New manager of the men's national football team Martin Pavle Gormesyan, who served as an assistant manager to the now-sacked Werner Ceausescu, certainly knows all about how the players train and prepare for their games, and he has apparently said the right words to motivate this team which has lost seven consecutive games and has now halted that downward progress with smart tactics to tally what is only their third win in the qualifiers of the 79th World Cup.

The first sign that things were now going the way of the Pridnestrovians once again was when Peter Schermer, who had contributed a good number of goals for the Pridnestrovian Republic but didn't have the support of his other teammates at times more often than not in the recent games, was able to ghost into space in the Donnerian box and head home a lobbed pass from Boyan Radev to the loud cheers of the Pridnestrovian faithful. The fact that Schermer scored the goal in the ninth minute gave the Pridnestrovian people hope that this was the game that would finally change their fate, and this belief would finally prove to be well founded for, in this instance, eighth time was the charm.

The second sign that showed that this was finally going to be Pridnestrovia's day was the fact that, in the face of rare spells of pressure from the Empire of Donner Land, the Pridnestrovian defense of Yuri Tymoshenko, Aleksey Vasilyev, and Adam Vadimenko were finally able to withstand said pressure without conceding even just one goal. In the face of recent trends set by the national team, this was quite the achievement although even though Pridnestrovia had already ended up conceding 25 goals in this qualifying campaign at this stage, they still managed to score 20 against their opponents, so the problem for Pridnestrovia right now lies in solidifying their defense. For the moment, Pridnestrovia appeared to have done exactly that. And what had been a threatening attack by Varert Muriehg, who had scored the Donnerians' only goal against the Pridnestrovians, was eventually snuffed out by some good defending from Vasilyev and Ferdinand Abbing, even if it did feel a little bit last-ditch.

The moment that could be said to have finally turned the match fully in Pridnestrovia's favor was when the Pridnestrovian right midfielder Mark Polzin, who had been blowing hot and cold throughout this tournament, finally managed to tee up a shot at the Donnerian goal which managed to fly into the far post after a slight but kind deflection from Yasur Einehg, and it was thanks to that second goal that the Empire of Donner Land finally caved in to the superior might of the Pridnestrovian Republic, but once again some poor finishing meant that Pridnestrovia wasn't able to dominate this contest as well as they could have and should have. Pridnestrovia could very well have finished this match 5-0 to add a needed boost both to the Pridnestrovian Republic's points tally and goal difference, but alas, if the Pridnestrovians weren't sending their shots over the target or just wide of the goal, the Donnerian goalkeeper was able to smother out these sometimes half-baked chances.

The result was however finally set in stone courtesy of Peter Schermer's striker partner Boyan Radev. Radev, who had assisted Schermer in the opening goal, then turned goalscorer himself and Schermer himself also became provider in a way to Radev. It was Schermer's strong attempt near the hour mark of the game that forced a clumsy save from Soruh Geneid, a weak save that only put the ball back into play, and Boyan Radev set his sights on the ball immediately before firing it into the far post to tally Pridnestrovia's third goal of the game. Radev also had a chance to get himself a brace in the closing stages of the game with the Donnerian defense tiring, but his attempted lob of the Donnerian goalkeeper ended up being too ambitious even for him as the ball bounced off of the roof of the net and into the stands.


Pridnestrovian men's national football team manager Martin Pavle Gormesyan: This is the turning point of Pridnestrovia's qualification campaign

Pridnestrovian men's national football team manager Martin Pavle Gormesyan: “I tell you this, comrades, that this win is just the first step in the changing of the fate of the Pridnestrovian Republic in this biggest stage in the multiverse of sport. What we have achieved here should be the stepping stone for our future successes on the field of football. This is where our campaign begins to turn towards a newer and brighter direction. That is all that this performance deserves and more. Yes, I acknowledge that Brenecia is tough opposition, and to face them this quickly after the team has just come under new management is a difficult thing, but I have trust in the players. We beat Brenecia before. Let us beat them again.”

PRIDNESTROVIA 3 - 0 EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND
SCHERMER (9')
 POLZIN (33')
  RADEV (58')

EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND
GK: 1 Geneid
RB: 2 Einehg █ (Tullen - 80' █)
RCB: 3 Urneid
LCB: 4 Quelehg (Herm - 71')
LB: 5 Durtehg
RM: 6 Zurond
LM: 7 Pondur
RW: 8 Wurmet
CAM: 9 Benuig
LW: 10 Nurstehg
ST: 11 Muriehg (Tunehg - 51')

PRIDNESTROVIA
GK: 1 Abbing
RB: 2 Tymoshenko █ (Kardashenko - 70')
CB: 3 Vasilyev █
LB: 4 Vadimenko
RM: 7 Polzin
RCM: 6 Wasylyk (Antonescu - 53')
CDM: 5 Funar
LCM: 10 Bogomolov
LM: 8 Pajari (Nesterenko - 55')
RS: 11 Radev
LS: 9 Schermer

MATCH STATS
Possession
Pridnestrovia: 53%
Empire of Donner Land: 47%
Shots
Pridnestrovia: 12 (7 on target)
Empire of Donner Land: 4 (1 on target)
Corners
Pridnestrovia: 6
Empire of Donner Land: 2
Fouls
Pridnestrovia: 17
Empire of Donner Land: 14

---

(OOC: And I guess this is what I mean when I said I'll deal with my backlog of match reports. Depicting both matches against one team from the perspective of two different managers and two different eras. Read on if you dare.)

ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКАЯ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНАЯ НОВОСТИ АГЕНЦИЯ
PRIDNESTROVSKAYA TSENTRALNAYA NOVOSTI AGENTSIYA
PRIDNESTROVIAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY

PRIDNESTROVIA OPENS WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFICATION CAMPAIGN WITH DOMINANT VICTORY OVER EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND
By Gustav Tyumenov


Peter Schermer of the Pridnestrovian men's national football team celebrates scoring a goal against the Empire of Donner Land in the qualifiers of the 79th World Cup.

TIRASPOL, TRANSNISTRIA - The Pridnestrovian men's national football team opened their campaign against the imperialists of the Empire of Donner Land with a resounding victory which left the 60,000 home fans stunned thanks to the indisputable skills showed on the field by the players of the glorious Democratic People's Republic of the United Socialist States of Pridnestrovia. It was all thanks to the stars of the Pridnestrovian Republic that they gained this rightful and deserved victory over the morally and socially corrupt people of Donner Land.

Peter Schermer, the Pridnestrovian star striker of Fleftic Premier League club Sporting Ceneisis, one of the top clubs in Abanhfleft always challenging for the Fleftic Premier League title, was finally back in the starting eleven of the men's national football team after Selim Tiryaki announced his retirement from international football at the conclusion of the 28th Copa Rushmori, and despite being already 31 years old, Schermer showed exactly just why he was still part of the men's national team when he surged ahead of the Donner Land defense in pursuit of Vladislav Bogomolov's through-ball. He used his speed and strength to beat the Donnerians (if that is the proper demonym for them) and then, with a little cut to the inside that was seemingly in imitation of his international teammate Valentin Funar's classic cut-inside move, Schermer stroked home the ball past the gloved fingertips of the Donnerian keeper.

Unfortunately for lovers of fluid and dynamic games with lots of goals, though, the Empire of Donner Land, realizing that their national team was under threat from the superior players and team of the Pridnestrovian Republic, ordered their defense to lock down and tighten their man marking of the Pridnestrovian players. This strategy worked, clearly to the benefit of the Donnerians who were lucky enough not to see their team concede any more goals against the superior attacking prowess of the Pridnestrovians. However, this strategy also served to limit the Donnerians' own chances in front of the Pridnestrovian goal, and Ferdinand Abbing ended up being nothing more than a spectator for almost the entire match. Freiteh Zurond had the closest chance for the Donnerians in the first half, and by close, Zurond fired his shot miles over the crossbar, troubling Ferdinand Abbing only by just the slightest bit before he regained his composure and let the ball fly out of the stadium.

Despite this chance from Donner Land, Pridnestrovia retained the lion's share of possession, and they also had the lion's share of chances created as well as shots on goal and shots on target, and for a large period of the second half, this game seemed like it would be all about the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. But the defense of the national football team of the Empire of Donner Land was no immovable object unlike the Pridnestrovian attack, which was truly unstoppable to begin with. This first match of the Pridnestrovian men's national football team would eventually be decided within a ten-minute period, starting in the 70th minute when Marinos Thimpodopoulos striker Boyan Radev fooled the Donnerian defense once again with a tight spin move that wouldn't be out of place on the basketball court. This move afforded Radev the space he needed to line up a shot on target at the Donnerian goal, and he struck the ball into the top right corner of the net with a powerful kick.

Things then immediately heated up when right from the kickoff, the Donner Land striker, Varert Muriehg, went right for goal by lobbing the ball from the halfway line towards the goal, and Ferdinand Abbing was caught off-guard in a very rare slip-up from the Dinamo Bender custodian, although to call it a slip-up when the lob had taken everyone by surprise would be too harsh. Abbing had been very good for the team when called upon, after all. Their two-goal advantage having been lost to a rare golazo from the Empire of Donner Land, Pridnestrovia made to restore said lead, and it was through the eternally dependable combination of Valentin Funar and Vladislav Bogomolov that Pridnestrovia would get its third goal of the night. Funar, as always, made a run down the right wing of the field before cutting into the middle of the pitch and loosing off a shot at the Donnerian goal. Donnerian goalkeeper Soruh Geneid was able to make a save but the best he could do with Funar's stinging shot was to push it right back into the field of play, and Vladislav Bogomolov was quickest to react to the loose ball, and he took one step over the ball to bring it under his control before finally lashing it into the roof of the net to secure Pridnestrovia's opening victory in the qualifiers of the 79th World Cup.


Pridnestrovian men's national football team manager Werner Ceausescu: It is always good to start off with a win

Pridnestrovian men's national football team manager Werner Ceausescu: “It is always good for any team with ambitions to start off their campaigns with a victory. Granted, victory was always expected by the Pridnestrovian people over the team of the imperialists from Donner Land as they are a decadent people and we are more disciplined, but to see expectations translated well to the field is also a good thing. We hope to build upon this victory with a good campaign for the people of Pridnestrovia. Brenecia will be a tough test but rest assured that we will be doing our best to be competitive with that team.”

EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND 1 - 3 PRIDNESTROVIA
        MURIEHG (71')       SCHERMER (17')
                            RADEV (70')
                            BOGOMOLOV (79')

PRIDNESTROVIA
GK: 1 Abbing █
RB: 2 Tymoshenko █ (Kardashenko - 77')
CB: 3 Vasilyev
LB: 4 Vadimenko █
RM: 7 Polzin
RCM: 6 Wasylyk (Antonescu - 65')
CDM: 5 Funar
LCM: 10 Bogomolov
LM: 8 Pajari (Khvashchynski - 86')
RS: 11 Radev
LS: 9 Schermer

EMPIRE OF DONNER LAND
GK: 1 Geneid
RB: 2 Einehg
RCB: 3 Urneid
LCB: 4 Quelehg (Herm - 50')
LB: 5 Durtehg █ (Kurg - 68' █)
RM: 6 Zurond
LM: 7 Pondur
RW: 8 Wurmet
CAM: 9 Benuig
LW: 10 Nurstehg (Verrutz - 80' █)
ST: 11 Muriehg

MATCH STATS
Possession
Pridnestrovia: 48%
Yuezhou: 52%
Shots
Pridnestrovia: 5 (2 on target)
Yuezhou: 11 (6 on target)
Corners
Pridnestrovia: 2
Yuezhou: 5
Fouls
Pridnestrovia: 15
Yuezhou: 11

[Filindostan]

Continued from here.

Manyakol | Part 2

---

The first few days of training was very hard for Manyakol. Knowing his low reputation in San Rafael, his new teammates rejected at the idea that they will be playing with one of the most infamous people in their city. They refused to train with the guy, didn't give him any touches, and sometimes bully him knowing that he cannot retaliate due to his tag as the newest member of the team.

This trend continued and continued, until Manyakol took notice of their behavior. In scrimmages, when a pass is being made by his teammates, Manyakol runs quickly at the ball, runs it with himself, and usually, always perhaps, loses the ball, to the chagrin of his teammates. These scenes have led to the opposing team taking their chances, worse, scoring a goal against them.

"Hey, don't get into our passes."

"Then why don't you pass me the ball?!"

"We dont want you here. Go back to the streets, no, go straight to hell in jail."

Manyakol took exception to the words his teammate, named Wardog, said, and a brawl broke out between the two. Their coach quickly got into the thick of the action until both players were pacified by the fellow squad members.

"Rai, I need to talk to you regarding this matter."

He was at first in disagreement with Rai on recruiting the enigmatic pervert to the team. But the striker told the gaffer to just let things as they are for some weeks. She'll devise a plan to integrate Manyakol more into the team and make him a useful team player in the coming years.

"Okay. But once your little experiment fails, then we have to put him where he belongs, OK?"

"Sure."

Weeks passed. The situation did improve, a little. Wardog and Manyakol still have disagreements with each other. Despite this, the attitude of the team towards Manyakol started to get better, as they recognize his talent, despite still being raw to the game. They noticed that he can run tirelessly, as when he ran from the policemen during the time he was at the streets, however, he cannot deliver good crosses, a required ability for a winger or a side midfielder. Despite this talent, his slyness and attitude has not changed much - he still stares creepily at the female players and their bodies, and sometimes gets a chance to feel his hands on the chests of Rai, much to her irritation. With the latter getting used to it, she just let him do his thing - only for a few seconds before she slaps his wrist or even worse - his face.

After one of their grueling trainings, Rai asked Manyakol for a small talk.

"Hey Manyakol. It's been two months since you joined. It seems that our coach liked your enthusiasm in learning to play... HEY GET THE HAND OUT OF THERE YOU PERV!"

"Oh, sorry, never doing it again."

"Okay, going back to the conversation, our coach wanted you to be our centerpiece in midfield."

"Not gonna play with that fucking Wardog."

"You want to go to jail? Remember, I have your life now, so, while you are in this city..."

"Relax, relax, okay, I'll play with the team, just don't let me handle central midfield with that punk."

"Look who's talking. For your info, Wardog isn't a central midfielder. He'll be our right side midfielder, thanks to your inability to make crosses..."

Rai proceeded to slap Manyakol hard once again to his face as she felt another sensation coming to her chest.

"That's the one aspect you need to change, perv. If you keep what you're doing to me, you'll never be selected to the national team!"

"Chill. I get it. Sorry Ms. Rai."

"I'll get going. Stop groping me."

With Manyakol's antics to Rai slowly dissipating, he started to refrain from doing things with his pesky hands and start concentrating on the matches. And while all of these are happening, their feelings for each other were starting to develop...

---

Jabok 0-4 Filindostan - Undisclosed location in Jabok

There were two things that coach Willy has almost abandoned. First, his squad selection in the game. Knowing that a good start of the second half of qualifiers is what they needed, he fielded an almost full-strength squad against one of the cellar-dwellers of the group, to keep pace with the Atlantian Oceania duo of Vilita and Starblaydia.

With Gerry already in full recovery, he started the match, along with a relatively strong back three - Mila Khalifa, Dina Satyawan, and Enzo. Surprisingly though, he fielded five midfielders - Damaris, Mohd Safri, Manyakol, Siharto, and Domo, and two forwards in Bochog and Bienvenido. It was already evident that the coach have let them attack whatever they decide to, still keeping tabs on defense. The result? a 4-0 thrashing of Jabok, and an unlikely hattrick for Manyakol. Two free kicks and a half volley, just inside the penalty box, along with substitute MMM's goal later in the game sealed the deal. Yish and Alex Jampang were the other subs who had nothing to do significantly.

When asked by the Filindostani media, Willy has said that in order to catch the goal difference deficit to Starblaydia, they must be looking for more ways to score and frustrate their opposing defenses, hence the change of philosophy at this stage of their campaign. It already seem obvious that Willy is no longer playing just for experience - they want a high position as possible, even a qualifying place for the World Cup Finals.

Note to hosts: Please change our style modifier to +2.201 for the rest of the qualifiers.

[Cassadaigua]

Time For the Big One,
by Brittany Byers, Team Captain

The time has come. Up next, is our match against Valladares, the top seeded team in this group, and one of the most consistently top performing soccer nations in the world today. They are not the reigning champions, but for a long time, they could be counted on to be a major threat. It’s possible that they were even the adopted nation of Cassadagan fans during our absence from the World Cup, since the Westlands of Valladares nearly borders us in Rushmore. Valladares has been quiet during this World Cup, allowing their play on the field do the talking, but we certainly know that the stadium will not be quiet.

Do you want to make the trip to Valladares to see us play? I am holding a special contest right here on the blog. Members of the team were able to secure tickets for these games as soon as the group draw was made. While fans in Valladares may have thought their games against Acronius or Aggrey-Fynn land could be more important, we were buying up tickets. So, here’s the contest. I want everyone to email me at the link on the page, and every 50th fan, up to 500, who e-mails me the final score of the World Cup 50 final, will receive four tickets to the match, plus a voucher for $500 to cover any of our travel or lodging expenses. My husband will monitor the e-mail, and be the one communicating with winners, and awarding the prizes. Those who do not win will still have the chance to randomly win Cassadagan World Cup team swag. All fans who e-mail, up to 20,000 will receive a voucher for a free Cocoa-bo Product. Thanks to the Cassadagan Economic Development team for providing the funding for that prize. As you know, they are working on bringing Cocoa-bo to Cassadaigua. By the way, the stuff is pretty good, if Cocoa-bo chooses our ideally-located in Rushmore nation to secure a greater Rushmori market share for their business, I will be happy to formally endorse the product!

Also, it was announced by CASE that we are officially bidding for the Cup of Harmony. I feel as though my blog just got jinxed by even mentioning that, but yet I see Ethane is also bidding for it, so we both can’t jinx ourselves. Sure, it would be great for the nation to host a major competition like that again, but we hope, if we did win, that it would just be something for you all to do while watching us play in Ceni or Drawkland.

For now, I am going to cut this a little short today. It's a big game, so more of my time needs to be devoted to preparing for it. Remember to send that email, the count starts as soon as this is submitted. My husband will be the one reading and figuring it all out.

[Schottia]

OOC: Just for clarity, this story starts between the end of the Eagle's Cup and the start of World Cup Qualifying.

CMB

Part One.

It's shite.

Ross Renshaw wasn't sure what to expect as he walked over the squeaky linoleum floor tiles, making his way uncertainly towards Ward Six; Room Three. There was a strange mix of smells in the air; cooking, body odour, disinfectant. The Blue Coast star wasn't sure what it reminded him of, but it most certainly conjured up something from a bad dream. The people in the brightly lit wards on either side of the corridor didn't seem crazy, like he had expected; they rather seemed calm and tiered. Whether it was through acquiescence or sedation, Ross had no way of knowing.

As he looked through the glass-lined walls of the hallway it took him a while to work out exactly what it was that upset him so badly. Was it was the lack of fight in these people? But what did he want, a mass revolt, patients blasted back into their cells with high-pressure hoses? He'd been watching too many movies, these people were here to get better, and nothing more. There was a high security ward towards the back of the hospital, put for the most part these people were just sick. If you had a broken leg you'd go to hospital and get it put in a cast; why should there be any more stigma if you needed help with your own mental well-being? The pale, drawn-out faces either side of the corridor belonged to people just like him, people, whom for whatever reason, had just fallen by the wayside a little. They would have been brought here by concerned parents, partners, friends, or maybe just decided themselves that enough was enough.

Ward Six was on the fourth floor of the building, and ascending through a stairwell that stirred memories of his secondary school, Ross felt reassured that his friend was at least in a better place. The rooms here seemed to be private - or as private as a room that had a window out into the corridor could be. Room Three was written in vinyl letters, three-quarters of the way up a gloss painted, grey door. It was the grey of administration, and sobriety. It was the grey from the suit jacket of the biggest cunt you'd ever met in your life.

'Can I help you?' A clipped voice caught Ross by surprise as he had clearly been hesitating at the door. A woman sat at a desk throught a half open door directly behind him. She almost had the look of a Halloween witch, with dyed black hair, a painfully drawn face, and eye make-up that looked like it had been applied by Pablo Picasso. She was dressed from head to toe in black, holding a phone in one hand, while the other was clapped tight to the receiver to mute the conversation.

'I'm just visiting a friend.' Ross managed to get out, at length. He'd been so entirely lost in his train of thought that he hadn't noticed the office directly opposite, or maybe the old witch had just sensed his presence.

'What's your name?' She snapped.

'Ross.'

'Ross...?'

'Renshaw.'

'And whom are you here to see?'

'Connie, eh Corinne.'

The witch seemed to be considering this for a moment, or maybe she was just wondering whether or not she had remembered to lock up her broomstick outside. In the end all she did was nod her head before returning to her phone conversation, turning her back on Ross in a way that told him he was no longer of any significance.

Shaken by the confrontation, which caught him entirely off guard, Ross stood before the grey door once more. Should he knock? Just go in? Somehow it seemed both silly to knock, but also an invasion of privacy not to do so. In the end he did the most Ross-ish thing possible, and knocked gently as he pushed the door gradually open.

The room was dark. The venetian blinds were open, but on an overcast day, seemed to be allowing very little light into the room. There was a sent of alcohol based hand gel, along with the bodily smells which suggested that someone spend a lot of time there.

'Hellooo..?' He tried, bright and friendly, but he kept the volume low as he crept inside. There was no answer. He looked towards the bed, which, albeit unmade, was sat empty. Room Three was somehow halfway between a bedroom and an intensive care ward. The bed looked like a hospital bed, and there was a plastic curtain which could be drawn round if needed. The sink in the corner looked more like something you'd see in a staff canteen, but there were also more homely artefacts. An armchair, a table, facilities for tea and coffee. Maybe hospital/budget hotel room would have been the most accurate description. 'Hello?' Ross tried once more, and he was just about ready to turn leave, when he noticed that the armchair was in fact occupied.

Sat as still as a statue was Connie Martel-Burns, somehow looking lost in her own world, with no hope of finding the way back out. She'd lost weight, and her normally straight black hair had a frizziness that probably came from being repeatedly washed with a very cheap shampoo. She was pale - that was nothing new - but her skin, and her lips also looked dry, cracked, and utterly devoid of life.

'Connie. Hey' Ross said tentatively, and the mention of her name seemed to bring her out of her trance.

'Oh hi.' Connie smiled, but it was a slow smile that seemed to creep over her face without any real sense of direction. The Polaris striker was wearing a loose fitted C.D FAS training t-shirt, and a pair of grey jogging-bottoms. Both garments looked old, stretched and faded - a lot like the wearer.

'Hi.' Ross decided that treating her like nothing had even happened was the best policy, at least at first anyway. He tried to perch his buttocks on the edge of the bed but it was a little too high. 'So how's it going?' He asked figuring that he may as well just stand.

'Good.' Connie nodded slowly, eyes open wide, as if she were surprised by her own answer. 'Really tired though, but good.' After her erratic behaviour at the Eagle's Cup, it was just a relief for Ross to see her calm. It was no secret Connie had her issues, but even the most robust amongst their teammates had found her latest episode a challenge to deal with. That was the thing, despite the fact that they had a potentially very high-pressure profession, most footballers were just normal people. They all had their own lives to deal with, and the somewhat extreme behaviour Connie had displayed was one bridge too far.

'So...' Ross wished he were better at conversations. Someone like Evelyn would have known how to strike the right tone here; juggle the fine balance between concern and kindness. 'You been watching the UICA qualifiers?' God... he needed to find more interests.

Connie closed her eyes tight and shook her head. 'Nah, not really. To be honest I've actually kind of lost all interest.' She got up slowly from her seat, her four seasons out of date Tigers t-shirt was clearly too big got her, and draped down past her bottom as she trudged over to the sink to splash water on her face. Ross could do little but stand and watch as - with an excruciating slowness - she used the water to try and wake herself up, before dabbing her face dry with a white hand towel. She took a second to steady herself on the towel rail. 'Can. Can I make you a tea or a coffee.'

'Sure.' Ross held out his hands and smiled, doing his best to act normal. Without her usual generous application of black eyeliner, it was amazing how much it felt like you were staring into the eyes of someone else. 'Can I give you a hand or something?'

Connie shook her head, as she shuffled toward the kettle. 'It's all that, fucking...' She rubbed her mouth, frustrated that her speech was a little slurred. 'It's all that fucking decaf shite. But there's, like, tea or coffee, or some of those shitty herbal, fruity things.' It didn't feel as if there were a question in any of that, but she looked at Ross waiting for his answer.

'Ehm, Decaf shite please... I'll have a coffee.' Connie had made him a cup of tea once while they were on Schottia duty, and it was quite literally the worst tea he had ever drunk. It had just tasted like water - Ross hadn't even been sure if she had boiled the kettle or simply used the hot tap.

'Okay...' Connie plucked a small sachet from the bowl in front of her. 'Just so you're warned though - it's shite.'

It took the former St Johns Arsenal star a full fifteen minutes to make the single cup of coffee, but after she had refused help for the third time, Ross felt it was rude to keep asking. As he finally accepted the lukewarm and disgustingly milky beverage, he was painfully aware that he had nothing interesting to talk about other than football. The first sip of coffee, coating his tongue with a UHT milky powderiness, told him it was going to be a chore to get through.

'So when do you get out?' He asked, as Connie kept her stair fixed to the back wall. He regretted his choice of words, which no doubt made it sound like she was incarcerated.

'Not too sure.' Connie adjusted her head, so as she could look in his rough direction. 'I think someone is actually meant to be coming round to talk to me about that later.' She screwed her eyes up, trying hard to think. 'I know my body needs to adjust to the new medication... Or something like that. They need to wait until I stop feeling so tiered.'

'Will you be able to play again? Football I mean.' There was nothing more important in Ross' world, hence the slightly insensitive question.

'They reckon so.' Connie answered, scratching hard at the side of her head. 'I don't fucking know...'

'I'm moving club...' Ross put in, lips pursed together with a humble pride. 'Cednia Beach... Turori.'

'Good for you man.' Connie gave what seemed like a genuine smile for the first time today, as the corners of her lips slowly angled upwards. 'Fucking... Fucking good on you.'

Ross nodded his thanks. He gathered that Connie had had very little contact with the footballing world over the last three weeks, and was terrified that he might say or do something to upset her. He stared at his coffee (if you could call it that) wondering how on earth he was going to finish it. He doubted Connie wanted him to leave, but at the same time he somehow felt like he had outstayed his welcome. Right now, she looked a million miles away from the player who had played in the IAC last year. He wasn't sure exactly what he had expected to find coming here, but it most certainly hadn't been reassurance. He had this deep insatiable need to satisfy his curiosity regarding the Polaris striker, who had got under his skin like some sort of virus. Had Ross been more perceptive, or inclined towards self-analysis, then he might have come up with the answer - but as it was, he would have to see where the journey led him.

'Good afternoon.' A low, but not unfriendly voice issued in from the doorway, and both footballers turned to see a middle aged doctor, in a duck egg blue shirt and back tie stood there smiling professionally. 'I'm afraid we are going to need to cut visiting hour short today.' He added without apology.

It was fine by Ross, he was making a meal of this visit anyway. He reached out and tapped Connie on the shoulder, in want of a better form or farewell. Her only reaction was to half raise a hand to wave. 'Eh, take care. Erm, See you.'

[Banija]

George Wangolo exacts long awaited revenge on Boring Paradise as Banija win away home from, 4-3


Team celebrates George Wangolo's 88th minute winner

BORING PARADISE- The Kadongo Kamu wanted to regain their momentum, after ending the 1st half of qualifying with an extremely bad taste in their mouths. The Kadongo Kamu lost 4-2 in Buyan, as they allowed a penalty to be saved that had a chance of tying the game with 15 minutes left in the match. And, of course, they wanted revenge against Boring Paradise. Banija's opponents were ranked 60th in world football, 61 spots ahead of the Kadongo Kamu. And while the two teams had played a thriller in Banija, an 86th minute own goal from Banija's captain was the winning goal fro Boring Paradise. Banija wanted revenge- and that's exactly what they got.

To start the game, Banija came out on the front foot. They knew that they could score goals on Boring Paradise, while at the same time, Boring Paradise knew that they could score goals on Banija. The Kadongo Kamu, however, have struggled on the road thus far, taking just 3 points from four opportunities up to this point. So it must have shocked home fans and players, when Banija came out in front, took the initiative, and took an early lead. Kiggwe Mavuto's goal in the 16th minute made it 1-0 in favor of the visitors, while Isaac Georgiadis scored a goal himself to make the score 2-0 in the 27th minute.

The Kadongo Kamu had come to this stadium, and taken them by storm. While Boring Paradise seemed shell shocked that the Banijans would take a 2-0 lead on them in their own stadium, they came back firing after the second goal. They were the 60th ranked team in the world, and they were fighting to actually go to the World Cup Finals. In the 38th minute, Raiyaan Malik Jr, the 20 year old striker, scored a goal in front of home fans and cut the Banijan lead in half. This meant that, at halftime, Banija was talking about defending a 2-1 lead, rather than a 2-0 advantage.

The hosts came out firing in the second half. Winger Ryan Miller came out to tie the game at 2 all in the 47th minute, and it looked like the lead that the Banijans had worked extremely hard for was suddenly disappearing from underneath them. The 2-0 advantage had disappeared, and Boring Paradise had all the momentum, with all their home fans on their side. It was clear to the naked eye- this Banijan team was rattled. They were in a hostile environment, on their heels, in a position that they absolutely did not want to be in.

A header in the 62nd minute from teenager Sameer Jaklim Jr. made the score 3-2 to the hosts, adn they had successfully completed a comeback from 2-0 down to take the lead against the Kadongo Kamu. We said all along that for Banija to be successful in these qualifiers, they would have to show a quality that Banijan teams, in general, have not been able to show when the going gets tough- mental toughness. Outside of Loyola-Istria, of course, led by legendary head coach Alastair Jobs.

Randolf Cherry, however, is different. Jan Cassallerus was an excellent manager for Banija, and took them off the heels of their disaster of a World Cup 73 qualfication cycle, where one point from 3 games in the Baptism of Fire was followed by zero points from 12 games in World Cup Qualifying. But, however, he couldn't get Banija over that hump. The team stalled under his leadership. Are things different under Randolf Cherry? Randolf Cherry has been able to get this team to rally under his leadership, to stay focused in all situations, and it showed in Boring Paradise.

After the go-ahead goal for the hosts, Randolf Cherry did not fold. He, quite surprisingly, used all 3 of his subsitutions in the wake of that goal. Nega Bazin came into the game for Okafor at striker. Veteran 33 year old winger John Katumba entered the game for Chibuzo Afolayan, while veteran Boimah Ba went onto the field for Kiggwe Mavuto. It was an all veteran affair for the Banijans, and the team took full advantage of that. They now had 5 players above the age of 30 on the field, and their youngest player on the pitch for the remainder of this match was 25 year old Isaac Georgiadis.

It was the veterans, of course, that would bring this team back. John Katumba, a former starter for this squad, is playing his last qualification cycle before his international retirement. It was Boimah Ba, the 30 year old who was actually making his debut for the national team, who scored the equalizer. These veterans were able to steady the ship and get the game turned around, turn around the momentum, against the crowd that was going crazy. Ba scored on a volley from 6 yards, where Paradisian midfielder Samuel Wong lost his assignment and left Ba wide open, and that leveled the game at 3.

It was this point where the Banijans looked at each other. They had to score a winner. A win against the #60 team in all of international football, away from home? That would be huge for the national team. Their best road win in history. They had to push, but they could not find a winner. Homewood was pushing away efforts from everyone, including a brilliant save when Bazin had a free header. But the winner would come, courtesy of the captain. George Wangolo, of course, felt terrible after the team's 4-3 loss to Boring Paradise in Banija. He was determined to make up for it. On a corner kick in the 88th, Wangolo rose up above his man, and headed the ball into the top right hand corner.

The team went wild, and so did the visiting fans. And who else to score the winner besides the captain. Randolf Cherry was happy with his team's poise. "This team has both the talent and the mental poise to accomplish great things during this campaign" said Banijan manager Randolf Cherry. "Wangolo deserved this goal. He was criticized after his unlucky own goal, but nobody deserves this moment more than the captain. He has been a rock of stability in the back line, and he is unquestionably this team's leader. This goal was destined to be scored by Wangolo, but now we must turn our focus to Bostopia. They beat us at their place, and in our first game at the Stadium of the Restoration, we need to get three more points."

As the manager always says, a win by itself does not mean much, no matter who you beat. It's all about stringing victories together. The Kadongo Kamu are on a tear, having won 5 of their last 6 qualifiers, and now have their first game at the national stadium, with a visit from Bostopia. While Banija might be driven by revenge, they are driven more in their desire to get three points. "This is a game that we should win." Said Banijan captain George Wangolo. "Bostopia is an excellent side, but to accomplish our goals, we have to win this match. We are motivated in our return to the Stadium of the Restoration, and we hope that we can defend our home field successfully once again."

The game with Bostopia will be a toss-up. These are two evenly matched sides, as seen in their match in Fort Boston. Because of that, we expect an extremely tight game, and predict a 2-2 draw. While Bostopia will come out firing, so will Banija, and Banija will come away with a point earned against a historic footballing power. We hope, however, that the form of this team will hold up, and the team can get their 6th win from 7 games, to get to 21 points, and to keep the pressure on in Group 3, as things seem to be coming down to the wire.

[Ko-oren]

The Gentleman's Group of Death

All nations involved know that Group 8 is no group to look down on. It's a battlefield, with Nephara and Eura taking centre-stage in the road to the World Cup. They're the ones who are ahead by far and will probably decide the direct qualifier amongst themselves. And then, there's a whole host of nations with long World Cup histories in this group: Apox, Taeshan, Ko-oren, and the Natanians and Nosts. Every single one of these nations has commented on the difficulty of this group. After half of the qualification cycle has passed, they are also looking ahead at their schedule for when they play the other five on this list:

Nephara - The only nation with 10 wins right now

Eura - The only nation better with Cocoa-bo

Apox - The only nation without football trophies (if you ignore NaN for a second)

Taeshan - The only nation we've played in everything but football until this World Cup

Ko-oren - The only nation ranked 100+

Natanians and Nosts - The only nation with a fancy nickname

And today, we've asked the biggest names of our national team about these opponents and what it is like to play in the Gentleman's Group of Death! (Why Gentleman's? Because all six have nothing but praise for the other five... no hate, revenge, anger, resentment, jealousy... just quiet fear and respect)

Katherine Davenport
Eura... a name that probably tells you something. You've played them before. How do you feel about this team now?

"Oh yeah! Unfortunately didn't get any minutes on the pitch this time around, but I've seen them before. Ainsworth, Rose, Sutton and Campbell, they'd bring out the best in us, but I think we might have also brought out the best in them. God, were they good against us al lot of those times. I absolutely hope I get to play them one last time, for old times' sake!"

What's your prediction for the return match against them? We lost 1-0 at home to them so far.

"With me in, sneaky 1-0 win? Without me, we'll still get the sneaky 1-0 win. We've got to take points somewhere if we want to challenge anything and get back up on the ladder where we've been before. Next time we face Eura, it won't be with me, but I surely hope we're in the top 30's again when it happens. And about that 1-0 win... I'm actually guessing a 1-1 draw. Or maybe we get the one crazy match that always happens in a qualification, and get somewhere around the 3-3 or 4-4 mark."

Katanmak Juliasterinthen
Nefarious opponents, Nephara... What do you think?

"Ugh, man, you have to bring them up... Nephara, definitely very nefarious opponents. I've planned ahead for this game for a long time, but we had to lose this in the end. I rearranged the defence to show something we haven't yet done with this team, and it just wasn't enough. Or rather, maybe, the other way around, we'd've lost by a lot more, hard to say."

What's going on for the second match? As you've said, we've got a 1-0 home loss to them up to now.

"More scheming, maybe something weird. Nephara is a good opponent to try something odd, I mean, if there's anyone in this group you want to catch off-guard it's them. Then again, it'll also come back to bite you harder than against any other team, I'm guessing... uh, well yeah, we're not beating them. We'll play them very close again, maybe 1-0?"

Timo Arevalo
It does not exactly roll of the tongue, but the Tyrannosauri Natanicii are, we think, definitely a team that deserves to be on the list. Do you agree?

"Well, if you're including us, you can't exactly leave them out. Sure, I know we have the name and the Cup of Harmony, but right now, they've got the ranking on us. Ranking isn't everything, and definitely this group is all over the place, but they're definitely not worse than 50% of that list of yours!"

What's your prediction for the return match against them? So far we have one loss against them, at home, 1-0. It's starting to become a theme. Yes, that's the third one out of three we've had a 1-0 home loss to.

"Revenge! Or at least, that's what we should be thinking. We're not worse than any team in this group, we've played them all close! Nephara might have something on us, same goes for Eura maybe, but I'm not expecting a loss against the Dinosaurs this second time. We're usually not affected by home or away, so I'm guessing... why not, three points. Traditional Ko-orenite 0-1!"

Ruben de Meester
Apox! Maybe a little self-defeatist, but definitely a team to always be aware of. And we're in their group. How does that feel?

"Yeah, Apox, definitely a team I grew up watching on TV. I remember a time there where after the Dragonfly matches, it was always the highlights of like Darmen, Apox, Taeshan, brings back memories. And who doesn't remember late night Champions' Cup games with the likes of the Dwile Warriors! I do, because sure as hell there was never a Ko-orenite team in those competitions. So yeah, Apox, legendary team, glad to sit on the bench seeing them trash us."

A three to nothing loss so far at Apox, what's your prediction for the return?

"Uh yeah, nothing against the folks on our team, and at least we're playing at home against them. I know Apox have that thing that makes everything go wrong for them in crucial moments, but hey there's something us Ko-orenites are good at too. 0-2 loss, at home."

Lyami Aviara
Probably the closest thing we've got to a rival in this group! Taeshan... love them or hate them?

"Love them!! Stylish, love the pink =D Never get too much to do against them as we're already pretty defence-heavy, as are they. It's like we play ourselves in the mirror with opposites of our kits on =| if that were a thing."

Yeah, we forgot you were the only player on our team to talk in smiley faces, emojis, whatever. And what do you think about the second match against them? We've got a 3-2 home win over them so far.

"Wasn't exactly my best game so far, one of two games I conceded a few in =/ but we've got the win and the points =D so yeah, for this second game, I'm thinking we're going to sneak in another win!"

[Ethane]

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Football - World Cup 79

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Fight To The Death
by Danny Alexander

Ethane's group - group 14 - is set to continue with it's enthralling and competitive nature as we enter the second half of the qualifying campaign with only 1 point separating the top 3 teams. The group started off competitively, although Ethane had developed a narrow lead. However, difficult games for the Red Kites later on in the first half of qualifying led to them giving up that lead. However, they have not conceded any further ground, while slip-ups by Cassadaigua and Valladares have ensured the group remains tight at the top. The focus of this analysis of the games so far will mostly concentrate on the top 3 seeds of group 14.

Match Day One

The qualifying campaign started off with a rather unexciting set of matches. All of the top 3 seeds had games they were expected to win relatively easily. And the results also spoke this truth. Valladares easily dispatched of Northwest Kalactin, with *insert striker here* scoring a neat hat-trick for the top seed. Cassadaigua arguably had a more impressive start against another debutant, dominating Adab. Cassadaigua vs Adab was actually a very interesting game, with an Adabian midfielder falling out their shoes in the 4th minute. The whole team impressed in Adab, with no player proving the stalwart striker, instead sharing the load between the whole team. The Red Kites also nabbed a win against Acronius. This was an expected result, and Mitchell and Jaurequi had come out in flying colours, their performance in this match, not a predictor of what was to come during the campaign. It was, in the end, a fairly narrow result for Ethane, only just outscoring the opposition. However, this was a relatively good team that the Red Kites were facing - only about 20 places down in the ranks from us - and facing them at their home was not going to be an easy task. Defeating Acronius in this match allowed us to concentrate more on looking up to the top, rather than down at the lower teams in fear of our position.

Match Day Two

The second match saw a shake-up in the results. This result perhaps speaks for the top two teams in group 14 coming into the second half - Cassadaigua and Valladares unable to pull away from each other. Cassadaigua, at home, played Valladares, and were able to secure a one-all draw against them. This was an impressive result for Cassadaigua and rather disappointing for the Valladars, as this was supposed to be a victory for Valladares. However, the Cassadaiguans managed to pin the Valladars back with a draw, showing the matriarchial state to be a real threat to the top two in this campaign. This was also later illuminated in the first half of the campaign. Where the results of this matchday go out of step with the narrative of the groups come the second half is the Ethanian result. The Red Kites, on matchday two, secured a second win against Adab. This left Coldfield and Ethane unbeaten in the groups, with Coldfield out in front due to goal differential. Coldfield, in fact, had an amazing start to this campaign which unfortunately dropped off later on. In two matches, they managed to score 10 goals; 6 against Dainer in their first match and 4 against Northwest Kalactin in their second match. This was impressive on the offensive front. In comparison, despite going unbeaten in two games, the offensive side of the Red Kites was not quite satisfactory. While playing at home, Wilmer Jaurequi, Samuel Mitchell, and Lukas Cole were only able to score 1 goal between the three of them, that goal coming from the debutant player to the national team, Lukas Cole. Signs of issues in offence which continue throughout the first half of the campaign were first realised in Ethane's second match against Adab.

Match Day Three

The starting narrative of the group really shifted in the third set of matches in regards to Cassadaigua and Valladares. These 2 well-respected teams within the world cup community at this point didn't seem to be performing at the top of their game and risked dropping further down the group without change. Both teams had only secured 1 win in their first 2 games and were looking to their third game to secure a second win and keep up with the Red Kites and Coldfield who had taken the lead within the group. Yet neither Cassadaigua nor Valladares would find themselves a victory in their third match; instead, all they found was defeat. This is completely out of step with the current narrative entering the group stages, but following the third set of matches, things were looking hopeful for Ethane and Coldfield. Both the Cassadaiguan and Valladar results were a crucial outlook in the long-term standings of the group (or were expected to be). Cassadaigua were visiting Coldfield and Ethane was visiting Valladares. Both of the home teams knew that this match should be important, yet only 1 team played as such. Hannah Ranucci did score a goal for Cassadaigua, but it was Coldfield that finished the match on top with 2 goals. More significant in the making of the current group standings is perhaps Ethane's victory against Valladares. This was the best of the group; a good predictor of who could win the group overall. And it was the Red Kites that came out on top, comfortably as well. Mitchell and Jaurequi had performed in this match - probably their last good performance in this campaign. These results gave Coldfield and Ethane a 5 point lead at the top of the group, and they just seemed to be asserting their position at the top. However, while it may have been Ethane on top after this match, it is Valladares that finds themselves on top just into the second half of the qualifying campaign.

Match Day Four

The Coldfield-Ethane joint score at the top of the group couldn't last forever. The two teams would have to face each other eventually, pushing one team down to the sharks while the other one moves into a lead of their own, asserting their position within the group. That match came with the 4th set of matches. Coldfield travelled to Ethane in what would be a pretty defining match in the fortunes of the two teams, although not the definitive defining factor of the group. It was the Red Kites that maintained their position at the top of the group, while Coldfield moved closer to the feeding frenzy below. Coldfield did play a good game and apply tonnes of pressure, but the Red Kites were just able to slot one more goal into the back of the net than Coldfield were able to. This moved Ethane to the top of the group - 3 clear of Coldfield and 5 clear of Cassadaigua and Valladares. Problems did still hang in the air for us. Despite being an attacking team with an attacking philosophy, an attacking manager, and an attacking set-up, we found ourselves at this stage with an average of only 2 goals per match, and somehow the best defence in the group along with Cassadaigua. An odd position, considering the focus of the team, suggesting either the team's priorities were out of whack, the defensive philosophy of Comi's predecessor was still haunting the team or the preference of the team, or that the strikers were just out of form. We do later find out that it was the strikers - this is first brought up in the media by myself in a report after the game titled 'Shaky Or Strong Start?: Why The National Team Shouldn't Be Celebrating Yet' in reaction to the euphoria surrounding the performance of the team so far.

In regards to the other two top teams, both were undeniably refusing to be pushed down the table any further, asserting their position in the title race. Cassadaigua easily overcame Dainer with a comfortable 2-0 victory, Dainer being a wildcard team that would upset the standings of the group later on. Valladares also dispatched of Legalese, who has had a terrible campaign, although they did concede 2 goals; goals they would have wished to prevent.

Match Day Five

The fifth set of matches saw what I shall call The Mess-Up. Ethane had been progressing so well in the campaign up to this point. They had gone 4 games unbeaten - a perfect record - including beating the only team ranked higher than them. That result should speak to the other results that the Red Kites should have obtained. Perhaps the victory against Valladares made our team overconfident because they slipped up in the fifth match. Playing away against Dainer, the Red Kites wanted victory, but with the strikers not in best form - as highlighted in the article published after the fourth match - they weren't able to obtain it. It was actually quite a drab game, especially considering the Red Kites' current attacking philosophy, spearheaded by Comi. Ethane wasn't even able to score 1 goal, while Dainer only netted the 1 - testament to the Ethanian defence, surprisingly good as always. Combine this with Coldfield's 4-0 demolition of Legalese, and you see the Red Kites slipping to 2nd again because of goal differential, while Valladares and Cassadaigua creep up to only 2 points behind us. This was the shift in the narrative of the campaign so far. Valladares beating Acronius, Cassadaigua beating Northwest Kalactin, and Coldfield beating Legalese, while Ethane lost against Dainer, disheartened the Ethanians slightly while the resurgent teams hoped again.

Match Day Six

The narrative for Coldfield shifts once again. After shooting up to first in their fifth match once again, they see themselves plummet down to fourth. This doesn't speak of poor performances by Coldfield; it just highlights how close the group was at this stage - something which is still present in[/size] the second half of the qualifying campaign. Coldfield suffered a large 4-1 defeat to Acronius. This isn't quite the turning point for Coldfield. This isn't quite the start of their slight decline. However, it is in this defeat that you can first see the cracks within their team; cracks which would emerge later and lead to them falling behind slightly in the group standings in the second half. Our focus on Coldfield doesn't quite end this match, but we will depart from them soon for they are no longer integral to the title battle; they are merely a long shot for qualification in the group now.

We will shift our attention on this matchday back to the current top three to see the current group standings emerging in the past matches. Cassadaigua beat Aggrey-Fynn Land comfortably with 3 goals and another clean sheet for Speller, while Valladares overcame Adab with two goals. These results kept the two teams within touching distance of the Red Kites - only 2 points behind - waiting for a slip-up from the leaders. Meanwhile, the Red Kites secured another expected victory, this time a 2-0 defeat of Northwest Kalactin - an okay victory but far from the dominant picture the strikers were hoping to paint to redeem themselves. Jaurequi and Mitchell were under pressure to score goals and didn't score enough; everything hangs once again on their next match, which will be a much tougher prospect for them.

Match Day Seven

It is here that we see - bar Coldfield - the emergence of the present narrative in the second half of qualifying. Cassadaigua and Valladares tied but narrowly ahead, while Ethane hangs just behind them. That's because of the shift played out in a crucial match dictating the positions in the group currently. Ethane visited Cassadaigua. It is tough, visiting the defensive fortress that is Concord Heights Stadium, but it is even tougher when you're two best strikers, Jaurequi and Mitchell, appear to be out of form and this is a make or break match for them. In every definition, they didn't make it but they did break it. They were unable to find a sorely needed goal. Instead, Mitchell was sent off with a red card. That gave the Cassadagans the opportunity to take advantage of the game, and press for a goal. They managed to get that goal. And they won that game 1-0. A narrow victory for Cassadaigua, but an ultimately disappointing and crushing defeat for Ethane, who moved down to 4th in the group because of the loss. Cassadaigua moved into the top spot in the group, leapfrogging Ethane, while Valladares moved with them, taking advantage of the Red Kites' loss to Cassadaigua. Valladares hadn't had the most impressive game either, but theirs was the opposite of Ethane's; they were able to beat Aggrey-Fynn Land 1-0. This is where the narrative currently present in the group emerges. All that is left is for Coldfield to fall away slightly and this is a completely accurate depiction of the state of the group going into the second half of the campaign.

Match Day Eight

This is the turning point for Coldfield. Admittedly, it was a tough match for them and they did really well in the game considering all the factors were against them, but they weren't quite able to deliver the goal needed to get a positive result out of this match. They were playing Valladares - the top seed - away; not an easy prospect. The pressure that comes with a position in the title race was also stacked against them, and they just weren't able to quite get that goal to counter Valladares' goal and get a positive result, although only losing 1-0 does show hope and promise for the future footballing prowess of Coldfield. This is where our narrative - for the most part - shifts away from Coldfield as they decline slightly to 5 points behind Ethane with their draw in the next match.

That result also kept the 1 point lead for Valladares which has remained consistent all the way until now. Cassadaigua also keeps up their performances and their position at the top of the table, defeating Legalese narrowly with a 1-2 result. These performances, while not being the most reassuring or comfortable, do the job for the teams. That's all you need to do - win. It doesn't matter how much by unless you are level all points and it goes down to tiebreakers. Other than that, all you have to do is win and that's what Cassadaigua and Valladares are consistently doing.

Ethane also does a good, albeit not completely reassuring, job at keeping them in the fight. While Coldfield drops off slightly, the Red Kites maintain momentum with their 0-1 defeat of Aggrey-Fynn Land. This is far from a reassuring result, and considering the ease at which we should have defeated them, it really puts the issue of Jaurequi and Mitchell not performing well right to the heart of the team. The hope was that they would have improved by this point but they very obviously had not. This result lost them their starting position in the team for the next game, and because of results since this, potentially their position in the starting lineup for the rest of the qualifiers.

Match Day Nine

All three top teams in the group win again, keeping that grouping at the top of the group together within a 1 point margin. Paper-thin, as it has been for most of the campaign and has continued to be. Valladares had a slightly harder match travelling to Dainer - a team which had upset Ethane before - but they were easily able to dispatch of them with a comfortable and confident 1-3 victory. Cassadaigua also dispatched of Acronius - a team who were hoping to challenge us but haven't even challenged the top 4 until this point with Coldfield's decline. Cassadaigua, playing at home, were able to net a single goal while their overpowered defence prevented any concessions of goals.

There was a transformation in the Ethanian side though. The swapping out of Jaurequi and Mitchell for Burgess and Smith saw an explosion of goals, which is really surprising considering the two newer strikers are participating in their first ever qualifying campaign, and that this was their debut as starters for the Ethanian national team. Ethane won with a resounding 6-0 victory at home against Legalese, 5 of those goals coming from the two debutant strikers, including a hattrick from Declan Smith. This reinvigorated, youthful side appeared to be a threat once again, posing a real danger come the second half.

Match Day Ten

And here we enter the first match of the second half of the qualifying campaign of the 79th World Cup. It's time to replay every single team in the group again, but in the reverse (home or away). As played out on the first match day of the first half of the campaign, there were no surprises in the results; every result went close to as was expected.

Cassadaigua narrowly beat Adab 1-0. The team has had such an amazing performance in defence, with Speller really shining in goal. However, their scoring rate does seem to have slowed down lately with a flurry of narrow 1-0 victories. This could potentially prove problematic as the team moves through the second half, especially when they face Ethane again who have found their goalscoring step again - you can only prevent so many shots from going in after all, everyone breaks eventually.

Valladares visited Northwest Kalactin and gave them a little surprise in the form of a 2-5 bashing. This was an exciting game but a walkover, with NWK deserving not a single goal. Valladares are still easily in this group and will be looking when they face Cassadaigua and Ethane to stay up top in the group and position themselves for a group win.

The most different result to the start was probably in Ethane's result, although much of this can probably be put down to home advantage and the new strikers. The Red Kites walked over Acronius, scoring 6 goals to Acronius' 2. The team has certainly refound their appetite for goals in Declan Smith and Scott Burgess. All they have to do now is keep it up and beat either Cassadaigua or Valladares, and they qualify.

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The group is delicately poised for an exciting ending to it. The top 3 teams are all within 1 point, with Valladares and Cassadaigua *still* tied on points. Ethane remain 1 point behind them, but with a refound goalscoring urge; the Red Kites have scored more goals in these two past games than in the rest of the campaign. Even Coldfield remain in the running; they are only 5 points behind Ethane and 6 points behind first and second place - 2 wins and slip-ups from Cassadaigua and Valladares bring them right back into the mix. This should be an enthralling second half, and a group that every team in the multiverse should be watching. It's hard to find a closer group for the qualifying positions, especially amongst the top 3.

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Goals Galore
by Danny Alexander

The replacement of Wilmer Jaurequi and Samuel Mitchell, who appeared out of form throughout much of the first half of the qualifying campaign, with the debutants Scott Burgess and Declan Smith was a great risk. These were two untested players on the international scene, with no experience in international matches, let alone a competitive world cup group. They were wildcards, and many saw it is a risk not worth taking; despite their shortcomings, Jaurequi and Mitchell had scored some goals and should be kept on.

Comi knew that something had to happen though. Qualification was a necessity to keep the public on side, and he disliked having the fans opposed to his tenure as manager. He wanted to be regarded as a successful manager at the Red Kites, as do all managers. If he didn't qualify for the world cup, his managerial job would be at risk, so he knew he had to make some changes despite criticism, no matter how risky they were.

He chose to replace Jaurequi and Mitchell with newcomers Burgess and Smith. They had promising seasons, with Smith being the top scorer within The Flame League; not an achievement to be dismissed easily. Their inexperience was a problem, but Comi had the confidence they could deliver; or at least was partially confident they could deliver goals for him.

Through their recent performances, Comi has proven all those naysayers and risk-shy critics wrong. He has proven his tactical know-how, and has really inspired increased confidence in his role as manager. Why?

Scott Burgess and Declan Smith are on FIRE. In their debut match as starters for the international side, they scored 5 goals between the two of them in a 6-goal victory, with Declan Smith scoring a hattrick - the first hattrick in a debut match for a player ever, let alone a player as young as he is. In their second match for the team, they played a massive part in the 6-2 defeat of Acronius, scoring 2 goals apiece.

Those goals mean that across the past 2 games, the two new strikers have scored 9 goals between them, with Declan Smith scoring 5 goals in 2 matches - an average of 2 or 2.5 goals a match across your first 2 ever matches on an international level is spectacular. In fact, it is the best debut performances by strikers in Ethanian footballing history, internationally and domestically. They don't just have the goal scoring ability, but the partnership between them is amazing. They are two players that are going to be key to Ethane's future, and will hopefully eventually give Ethane a world cup.

These strikers have eclipsed Samuel Mitchell and Wilmer Jaurequi in the space of only 2 matches. Consider this: the team has scored more in the previous 2 matches than in the 8 matches preceding them. That is a ridiculous statistic. Declan Smith and Scott Burgess have scored more goals in 2 matches than Wilmer Jaurequi and Samuel Mitchell have scored in the whole campaign. The goals for stat has more than doubled in the past 2 matches. These statistics just profess the extraordinary start Smith and Burgess have had to their international careers.

But this isn't the whole story. Their performances also give hope, in fact, confidence, in Ethane's chances not only to qualify for the world cup but to finish first in the group. This goal scoring resurgence has seen the Red Kites' goal differential shoot up beyond belief. The team now has the best goal differential in the group - a massive improvement from 2 matches ago. That means that if Ethane doesn't slip up in any matches, but draws either Valladares or Cassadaigua, and the team that we draw loses to the other, then we will qualify. If we manage to beat one of those two teams and draw against each other, we win the group with our current goal differential statistics.

Alternatively, the other and better solution is just to beat both Valladares and Cassadaigua. This isn's a pipe-dream, but very easily could become a reality. In the first set of matches in this campaign, Ethane played away against both Valladares and Cassadaigua. They had the pressure of being out-numbered by the opposition, with the pressure of performing in a different country on them. However, Valladares and Cassadaigua will both be visiting the King Edward VI stadium in New Sarum, Ethane. Here, we have the home advantage. Here, our fans massively outnumber our opponents. Here, we can defeat them all.

This group is far from over. It will be a race right to the final match. It will be tough, close, competitive, pressurised. I could describe it with a hundred adjectives to try to get across the message. But these adjectives don't describe this group well enough. All you need to do is look at the group standings, read the analysis, and watch the games. Then you'll see how enthralling, exciting, but competitive this group is. And we're going to have a ball.

[Valanora]

The wind was whistling and the leaves flying through the sky, as if there a storm coming in from the sea, the only problem being that this was happening in the capital and not one of the coastal cities like Rinaldi or Quel'Thalas. The masses were running around trying to find shelter as the winds were so fierce that the debris flying through the air was leaving large lacerations on any exposed skin that it was coming into contact with. Meteorologists were struggling to try and pinpoint the exact cause for this sudden weather phenomenon, as no known understanding of climate and weather could come close to describing what was transpiring in the the capital. It was almost as if there was a huge gravitational pull towards the capital and it was generating such devastating effects throughout the city.

Even the dragons that were perched upon the Raynor Manor seemed to be having a difficult time maintaining their perch, as their wings were folded in covering their eyes and their claws were dug in deep into the roofing of the manor, destroying some of the roof as a result. However their covered eyes were all focused on a point, a hundred yards in front of the manor and about forty feet in the air. Those inside the manor were scrambling for cover, with Tobias and Artanis making sure that the staff as well as their family were taken down to the lower levels for safety. Something felt very terribly wrong about what was happening, even Tobias' twin children could sense something was amiss, though Tobias thought might have been because of their very strong magical prowess. He to felt a huge sense of dread start to creep over him even as he hurried the staff of the manor into the lower levels, as if there was all the hope and happiness he had ever felt was slowly being siphoned away from him and replaced with a complete sense of dread, that there was no hope for either him or the nation, that Gladerial had chosen poorly for him to lead the people.

With a crack of the the trunk of the oldest tree on the manor's ground and toppling over, a blackening began to appear in the air where the dragons had been staring, the trio of beasts each giving what sounded like a threatening roar to the sudden black material that was materializing in the air. It began to turn into a flat obloid and then more of the shiny black substance began to spill out of the sphere, stopping about thirty feet off the ground, as more and more of the material gushed downwards out of the obloid, until there was a large jet black sphere levitating off the ground. As the sphere completely took shape and the obloid it had emerged from appeared from vanished, the sheer winds suddenly went completely dead and the air all around the Manor seemed dead, until the dragons once more roared and took flight, flying high up into the air, obscuring the sun with their flight. They then dived on the sphere and each let loose a barrage of flames that covered the sphere in a burst of fire. However as the dragons landed in front of the manor and turned towards the sphere, it was still there with no signs of damage, despite the grass all below it being charred from the attack.

Puny creatures of flesh and bone.

There was no mouth on the sphere but all beings within a half mile of it heard the voice inside of their heads that seemed both slothful and yet utterly arrogant in its tone. Tobias as well as his children dared to move outside the confines of the manor and to get a better look at what it was that had appeared before their residence. As Tobias looked on at it, he did not understand what had prompted the dragons to attack, for it seemed to be nothing but a jet black sphere, roughly 15 yards in diameter, however he could feel that the closer that he got to the object, the worse his sense of dread seemed to be. As if reading his thoughts, the dragons all knelt down and motioned their head for the trio of elves to mount them. Looking back at his son and daughter to see if they what they thought should be the next action, he was surprised to see them both moving to mount the mythical beats with a stern look upon their faces, they so reminded him of himself when he was their age.

"Father, whatever this thing is, it is not natural or right, we must send it back to whence it came." Was all that his daughter said as she let flow a bolt of lightning from her palm towards the sphere, while her twin unleashed a torrent of water it, causing a huge crackle of explosions around the sphere. Even as Tobias mounted the largest of the dragons, he felt dread, as when the smoke cleared from the attack, again there was no sign of the sphere had taking any damage.

Your feeble attempts at destroying me are not worth the effort of my time. I had expected more of Gladerial's kin but to expect a race worthy of my efforts from such a feeble creature was an error on my part.

Tobias looked on with both anger and confusion as the thing seemed to not only know of the Elder Goddess but seemed to suggest that he and his kin were kin to Gladerial. What did that mean and how was that even possible if it was true in the slightest? The answers would have to come later, for he knew now that this had to have been the very thing that Gladerial had warned him about, the source of the False Calling that he was supposed deter his kin from. It had worked for the most part but in having done so, had he forced whatever this thing was to make an appearance? Had saving the lives of his kin resulted in some sort of new monstrosity or tragedy?

The dragons took flight and once again tried to attack the sphere and though it did not have eyes or anything resembling something of the sort, Tobias could not help but feel as if the sphere was watching him, even as his children added in their magical attacks on the object. Tobias drew his sword from the scabbard and whispered into the air of the dragon to take him into melee range. With a roar, the dragon lifted several hundred feet into the air before stalling out the climb and then free falling back towards the ground, Tobias gripping the scales tightly with his right hand and his sword with his left. Though he did not see it, the runes on the hilt of the sword began to glow a faint blue even as he and dragon can in for the strike, with the elf slicing hard at the edge of the sphere. There was a loud clank and Tobias watched in horror as his sword broke in half, the shattered pieces falling to the ground below the sphere and only the hilt and a small shattered piece of the blade remaining in his hand, with the dragon rushing its flight back towards to the top of the manor.

This farce is at an end. You can not defeat the consumer of light, destroyer of worlds. I would say you have fought valiantly, but you, your kin, and this world utterly disappoint me. If I can not have my vengeance on Gladerial herself, I will destroy all that she loves, including her children, starting with you and your family. This world is at its end.

Suddenly a streak of the jet material erupted from the sphere and struck out at the dragon that was carrying Tobias' son and Tobias watched in horror as the dragon's flight was interrupted, with what appeared to be a rod erupting through its chest and wing, sending the creature and his son falling to the ground far below as the material retreated back into the sphere and faint cackle was heard in everyone's mind. That cackle stopped though as the bloody form of Kheleen emerged from under the crumbled and dying form of the dragon, standing up onto his feet, and launching forth a fireball. "We have defeated the Shadow before, be gone foul creature."

The sphere ignored that attack and had moved to launch another attack at Tobias' son, however it stopped as there was a flash of brilliant light coming from the sky, opposite of where the sun was. Another obloid was forming in the sky, though this was wrapped in flowing circlets of silver and gold and growing larger than the previous obloid had achieved. From Tobias' vantage point, he could look into the obloid, as it had stretched over a hundred yards in diameter and could see a blue black ground sprinkled with white dots across the backdrop... was he staring into space itself? However as he tried to get a better look at that backdrop, he had to look down and shield his eyes as another flash of light went through the sky and there was a roar so loud that cracked all glass within three miles of the Raynor Manor. Sweeping down from the obloid was a giant dragon whose underbelly was navy, fur and feathers that were a silvery white mixture, and whose scales, armor, and face plate were glittering golden.

Yanwë? No, this does not concern you! Please, this does not concern you! This conflict is between me and Gladerial, you do not need to interfere!

The dragon's great maw opened and a voice boomed through the air. "Silence! You dare speak to me as if you are an equal or in a position to negotiate. You have broken sacred laws in appearing here attempting to bait Gladerial into doing the same. Unlike you Orosion, Gladerial keeps to the sacred laws. For your transgression against the very laws that keep us alive, I have no choice but to banish you. Yours will be an eon of torment as you are banished to a realm of a thousand stars whose light shines so strong and so powerfully that it destroy you, only for you to be recreated each new day to experience the same.

The sphere tried to move away from the sweeping dragon, but the gigantic beast was surprisingly quick for something of its size and quickly brought the sphere into its maw and then swallowed it down, before flying back up into the obloid without another word to those down before. The obloid began to shrink significantly but stopped when it was a few yards wide and the form that Tobias knew as Gladerial emerged from it, floating slowly down from the obloid and to the charred grass in front of the manor. As her feet touch the ground, the charred grass around her began to turn back to a dark green and come back to life. She walked over to where the dragon that Kheleen had been riding laid dying and with a single touch to its wound, it began to heal as well. Her gaze then turned to Tobias and she gave a small smile.

"I suppose you are now entitled to some answers, son of Silverymoon. Come, let us speak in private."

[Equestrian States]

There are few athletes in the history of the multiverse who have lived up to the title of "legend": Juan Tzimisces, Laborious Hawk, Alan Belmore, Urk, Ari Smith, and - of course - the one and only Simeone Di Bradini. However, if there is any one player in the last two decades who has earned his place among such distinguished company, it must be Val Kylx, "The Slembanan Superman", "The First Minute Wonder", "Mr. Clutch", scorer of countless goals and layer of babes. His presence has been made known in many nations over the last 20 years, and it is high time that we examine his story completely. This is:

Part 2: Kylx Enters the International Arena

Val Kylx made his international debut for the Slembana national football team on Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 at Royal Cosgravian Airlines Stadium in Coskigrad, Cosgravia. It was the opening game of the King James Invitational Cup, a small tournament that would be long forgotten if not for the emergence of one of the multiverse's legends. In front of a crowd of 48,764, the Slembanans took on the since-lost nation of Icaia, those fans in attendance about to witness the birth of a superstar.

For much of that first match, Val Kylx was just another figure on the field, Icaia taking the lead in the 50th minute off the foot of a striker whose name has been lost to the sands of time. Then, in the 87th minute, Val Kylx broke through the Icaian line, dashed past the diving opposing goalkeeper and slotted home to equalize for the Slembanans. The crowd went wild, the Slembanans in attendance celebrating their national team's first point in international play. However, little did they know that they had seen the emergence of arguably the greatest final minute goalscorers of all time. Kylx would become legendary for, among other things, his knack for scoring in the dying minutes of a match.

Slembana's second match saw them meet Abaltha and it was at Coskigrad Arena that Val Kylx first truly captured the attention of the multiverse with a remarkable performance. In the 24th minute of play, Klyx headed home to put his team up 1-0 early, but Val was just getting started. Eight minutes into the second half, the 16 year-old striker found the net once again, this time tapping in a rebounded shot. Then, with four minutes remaining and Slembana up by two, Kylx sealed his team's win and his first career international hat trick, winning a penalty (claims that it was an obvious dive were categorically denied by his manager, Doppy Polver) and beating the keeper.

Though Val Kylx would not score in his team's third match against Cyborg Holland, he entered the tournament semifinals with all eyes on him and Slembana's dreams of a trophy resting squarely on his shoulders. However, despite Kylx's presence on the field, hosts Cosgravia were made 250-1 favorites by SlemBet, daunting odds for the young Slembanan team to overcome. But Kylx didn't care what the bookies thought, and after being played-in brilliantly by midfielder Follin Maxet, Val opened the scoring in the first minute of play. Just as crucial late goals would become a Kylx specialty, so would tremendous openers in the first few minutes, eventually earning him the title of "The Premature Striker" from the Starblaydi media.

Cosgravia was down early, but the hosts weren't out, and equalized in the 59th minute with a long-range effort from Eddie Hazzard to send the semifinal to extra time where they'd take the lead in the 99th minute when Eddie Hazzard headed the ball past Slembanan goalkeeper Kevin Banks, the 18 year-old shot-stopper having been a weak link all tournament for the young team. Slembana was on the ropes again, but once more Val Kylx came to the rescue, Follin Maxet again combining with the striker and Kylx hammering home a volley to send the match to penalties. Though Kylx would score his own shot, the Slembanan Wonder was let down by his teammate, center-back and captain Don Adobe, who rattled the crossbar on the fifth shot. Eddie Hazzard stepped up, and the Cosgravian striker scored to send the hosts to the final and relegate the upstart Slembanans to the consolation match.

The third place match against Perinpanland would see another Kylx goal, Val curling one past goalkeeper Gaspard Trotter to put the Slembanans ahead in the 15th minute, his seventh of the tournament. However, it was Don Adobe who would redeem himself with a last-minute winner after Perinpanland equalized, one of the few instances of a heroic Slembanan goal being scored by somebody other than Val Kylx. Presented with a bronze medal and the tournament's Best Player award by Cosgravian Princess Erin Cozki, Val Kylx concluded the tournament with his first couple pieces of international hardware and an eye on the upcoming World Cup 61 qualifiers, where he hoped to bring further glory to his name and to his country.

[Mattijana]

World Cup 79: Matchday 10

MFO SPORT

We're over halfway now, with 10 out of 18 matches played, and the tension will only rise further before the end of the cycle is out. Under pressure managers, grumpy supporters and feelings of increased hope and optimism are become increasingly more common across the multiverse, with only the top 2 from each group qualifying for the finals in Drawkland and Ceni.
Here's the latest news from around the grounds.

Mattijana Agonisingly Close to Historic Result

Mattijana head coach Dušan Vukoja applauds his travelling supporters after the 3-2 defeat to Farfadillis

Mattijana suffered a 2-3 defeat to group 12 leaders Farfadillis, but were denied a point by an 89th minute goal from Farf captain Ruy Monrazón.
Yet to lose or win a game by more than one goal, many could guess that the game would be a close one and the Mattijanan team made sure that the match lived up to its billing, even more so when they took a surprise lead in the 21st minute. Mathilde Lekarisa picked up a pull-back from left-back Helena Neumann, turned inside of Süns Söh and curled a shot past Calogero Metz.
After a quiet first 20 minutes, Farfadillis finally began to string some passes together and with Mattijana pushed deep into their own half, Farfadillis were able to work their way in field and play a ball back to midfielder Ror Jevdjevic-Hadsic, who thumped in a drive from 18 yards out. The world number twos continued to pile on the pressure and eventually the Mattijanan defence gave way once more. A cross from Trejo Maes fizzed its way to the back post where Täjó Çíânflöné got up highest to head into the top corner.

With half-time looming, Mattijana eventually got out of their own half and had a chance to equalise from a corner when Edvard Crajasovic headed just over the top. They at least managed not to concede further however, going into the changing rooms 2-1 down.

Mattijana picked up where they left off in the second half, sitting mainly behind the ball, but always threatening on the counter-attack. Jessika Struna was next to go close as a floated cross picked out the winger, who forced a good low save from Metz. In the 65th minute however, Mattijana finally got their reward for the good attacking play, Andreas Weiss picking up his 6th goal of the qualifying campaign when his diving header got on the end of a cross from substitute winger Sofia Velezia, leaving Metz rooted to the spot.

With the counter-attack looking sharp and causing Farfadillis problems, the dominant group leaders took a more measured approach to their attacking play, holding the ball and once more forcing the Mattijanans back into their own final third. Handanovic saved well from a dipping Xíxì Êns shot, whilst the striker also went close with a volley into the side netting. The pressure once more told though and with Mattijana becoming increasingly more stretched whilst trying to hold on for the point, a pass to the Farfadillis captain Monrazón gave the veteran 32 year old, expected to be playing his last World Cup cycle, time to bend a pinpoint shot off the inside of the post and in.

Mattijana failed to come up with another equaliser and there was visible frustration at the final whistle. However Dusan Vukoja said after the match that his team could be proud of the progress they have shown throughout the cycle after nearly holding Farfadillis in Petrovijanka in their opening game.

Vukoja also spoke about the importance of next match, a home match to Tumbra at the Stadijo Našinal. If Mattijana lose, they will be 8 points adrift of their rivals for the group's second spot and probably out of the picture. A result may however offer them hope of qualification, particularly a win that, providing all other fixtures go to form, will see the Mattijanans qualify.

The Tumbrans were in devastating form last time out though, thrashing 4th placed New Gazi 5-1 and will be a tough side to stop.
Having said that, all of Mattijana's games so far have been tight affairs and this one should be no different. In front of a home crowd, at the same stadium that saw their campaign ignite with a 2-1 win over Soltsteed, Mattijana may just be able to offer a real challenge for their 25th ranked opponents.

Preparations For Cup Of Harmony Begin:

With just 8 more matches to play in qualification, attention for nations who don't really have much chance of qualifying, but who haven't been totally abject, will undoubtedly turn to the Cup Of Harmony. Three bids have so far been presented to the powers that be.

Ethane and Qasden: Both these nations are well known to Mattijana, either through regional contact in the case of Ethane or the numerous other Tennis, Archery and whatnot that Mattijana has been involved with. A tournament here should be an entertaining one.

Equestrian States and Mriin: A more obscure outing for potential Mattijanan visitors, should we fail to qualify, the Equestrian States are known for their...well...equestrianness. Inhabitants are mainly ponies, not the usual conversation partners for the average Mattijanan, but still call the sport football rather than hoofball. Mriin are much less well known to us, but seem like an interesting bunch.

Free Republics and Cassadaigua: Another old hand with this sporting malarky, the Free Republics are safe and somewhat more familiar surroundings for Mattijanans. Cassadaigua are a more mysterious nation, with high hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals, but do at least have a fall-back form of entertainment should they not make it through.

[South Toronto]

Chapter 3:Old Freinds

Jozy was on his way from training after a 3-2 loss the Holy Empire, scoring 2 goals.He picked up a newspaper from the newspaper stand and turned the pages quickly to the sports section, where he saw the heading "South Toronto lose through a late minute equaliser" Curious, he kept on reading.

South Toronto lost 3-2 to The Holy Empire.First, defender Black Hole Sam scored a header through a corner in the 34th minute,
chipping keeper Cilimintaro.Only 2 minutes later, Michal Bergman was fouled by Blue Shift Bart inside the box who despite protests from The Holy Empire players, was given a straight red card earning a penalty for South Toronto.Jozy Dembele went up to take it.A calm composed shot from Dembele went in the bottom right corner to make it 1-1 at halftime.In the second half, South Toronto had a chance to go 2-1 up through Rashad Powel as he attempted a 30-yard longshot but was denied by Calico Sirius Rackham.However, in the 67th minute, a through ball to striker Quasar Beard Teach from Galaxy Legs Greaves resulted in Quasar Beard Teach finessing the ball into the corner to make it 2-1.A chance to go 3-1 up from Galaxy Legs Greave was blocked by makeshift defender Ni-Ling Son.South Toronton fans were getting restless, but in the 77th minute, youth prospectJozy Dembele scored an astonishing goal, volleying it right as it blazed right into the into the top left corner making it 2-2 as cheers from Toronton fans filled the stadium.Sadly, a 95th-minute extra time goal from substitute Basilica Handz shattered all the Toronton fans and players hearts, breaking the positive atmosphere in the Imperial Hippodrome in the Dreamed Realm.A portal then led disappointed Toronton fans back to Ordinary Reality.

Jozy frowned at the newspaper, then put it back.He then got into his car, then drove off to his little brother's football match.Jozy looked at the sign on the highway, it said"4 miles to Mitis".Grinning to himself, he plugged in his aux cord and listened to up-coming rappers as he approached closer to his hometown of Willern, Mitis.Finally, he showed up to the match and got out of his car, walking swiftly to the ground.Luckily the match was just about to start, as he greeted his mother."Hi mum, how are you?" said Jozy
"Oh I'm fine Joziah, I can't believe my son is a footballer! Oh my, how you've grown!" greeted his mother.Jozy hated it when his mum called him Joziah, even though it was his real name but he went by 'Jozy' as it was easier to say."Quinque is really excited about you coming to see him play.He's been playing really well for his team, he even scored 2 goals in his last match!" exclaimed Jozy's mum." Jozy was just about to speak when the match whistle blew.10 minutes after kickoff, Quinque scored a volley inside the box.Quinque's mum Jozy cheered and shouted "Well done Quinque!" as he dribbled past the defence and finessed it into the top corner.At halftime, Jozy said to his mum "I'm getting a drink, do you want a coffee?"."Ok, make it a latte please Joziah!" replied his mum.

Jozy walked casually to a local corner shop as he saw a figure from afar.Once the mysterious person realised Jozy was looking at him, he started sprinting towards Jozy.Jozy instinctively ran the opposite as the now visible man caught up to him and muttered in a deep voice "Jozy, it's me bruv! It's Slink!".Confused, Jozy turned around and saw the man-his childhood friend-, Slink Jarhaan Nasar."Ay, what you sayin' fam?You good?"Slink said."Yeah, I'm alright, what about you?"Jozy replied."Ay listen, take this, it'll make you better in the next game" whispered Slink."Nah bruv," began Jozy"Do you want me to get banned? I cant take it at this stage, what kind of drug is that?" asserted Jozy.Slink slowly pulled out a black pill and murmured "It's called a Ten-Tail pill.It fuels you for a week, but every time you use one Ten-Tails gain more control over you, and if you use it too much you'll turn into a tailed beast and we both know what that do...".Jozy nodded with a concerned look on his face."Ok then. GIve it quick!" exclaimed Jozy.He swallowed it quick, and it melted in his mouth like chocolate, though it tasted like burnt toast."Do good yeah, in a bit." said Slink, walking away."In a bit" replied Jozy as he turned to get a drink and a coffee for his mum.

[Sargossa]

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport


The Quest For Goals


Blanco Borrayo reports;

It was another final whistle that the Soluca crowd greeted in less than positive fashion. Hot on the heels of the disappointing goalless draw with Astograth came the visit of Electrum, and a similarly disappointing 1 – 0 defeat. Admittedly Electrum happen to be the reigning world champions. And admittedly the reversal was the Corsairs’ first in this campaign, there first defeat in their last twenty-four world cup fixtures in fact. It’s a record that should be hard to criticise. But the two matches served to continue a worrying trend. An inability to score goals.

In the ten games of this campaign Sargossa’s finest have found the net just eight times, three of those coming against the group’s bottom side Cataduanes. The lack of goals has led to dull draws and potentially crucial dropped points against the likes of Anthor, Astograth and Sarrbia. It has also led to a three-game winless run and a drop to fifth place in the group’s standings, with lower ranked Astograth and Anthor taking full advantage of the misfiring Corsairs’ plight.

Word from the Sargossan camp is that coach Rafael Barrios and his technical staff have been looking at both changes in style and personnel in an attempt to freshening up his side’s floundering attack. With the trip to Sulsuland just on the horizon sweeping changes in playing staff may be premature, but not so a tweak in the tactical systems used. We asked SargoSport summariser and former Sargossan international Matías Montiel for his opinion on Rafael Barrios’ options.

‘Firstly, I wouldn’t expect anything dramatic to occur against Sulsuland or Anthor. Rafa’s been in charge for twenty-nine world cup matches, he’s lost just two of those games. It’s hardly a shabby record. The most likely change I think we’ll see is for the midfield anchor man to be dropped in favour of a second striker.’



‘It’s certainly a ploy we’ve seen the coach use in the SuperLiga on numerous occasions. I would expect to see Antonio Amaro be the man to come into the side, as the number eight, and Marí pushed up to partner Marcellán. It’s a strike force we’ve seen flourish domestically so there should be no qualms about that. Alternatively, Marí could stay in the hole with Iván Mayoral adding a more physical presence up front.’

‘An alternate plan we’ve seen from Barrios, particularly in his later years at Dínamo Maturín is something I think we’re calling a 5-2-3.’



‘Out again goes the holding midfielder and the player at the tip of the diamond, with those two roles instead pushed to the flanks. But instead of out-and-out wingers these players in Barrios’ set up act as inside forwards, cutting in from the wings to provide options in the centre while the wing backs bomb forward to provide the width. I’d suspect Mayoral would occupy the lone striker role in this formation, with Marí pushed to the right and Jorge Chanza brought in on the left.’

‘Or if he really wants to go all out he’s not adverse to occasionally deploying an attacking 3-4-3 system.’



‘With Chanza on the left and Gastón Suárez introduced on the right there should be no shortage of ammunition for a front three of Marí, Marcellán and possibly José Arroyo. It should be an imposing force when in possession but the acid test would be in the defensive third.’

[Ceni]

Don't you hope that your country is Simply Great? Cutoff.

[Bostopia]

The Emperor, as usual, had grabbed a big bag of salted popcorn (never sweet) and settled into the latest meeting of Fort Boston’s City Council. He was an elected Councillor and ought to be showing a bit more decorum, but as the person who elected him and the person who led the country was all one and the same, neither he nor anyone else in the room said anything on the matter. It was all a little bit of a sham and everyone knew it. The Emperor had called a meeting – in secret – with the electoral offices of the City Council and had them draw up a new map for the City, where instead of his Castle staying in it’s traditional ‘Motte and Bailey’ ward (which covered most of ancient Fort Boston), he had them change the map so the Motte and the old hunting grounds of what is now Fort Boston Park was now part of it’s own Council Ward, with just one person eligible to vote in it.

So, naturally, the Emperor took advantage of this situation, both standing and voting for himself, so while he did have what would normally be a very slim majority of 1, he also had a one-hundred-percent approval rating. Either way, most of the other Councillors in the room weren’t too pleased with him, so did their best to scupper his every move.

‘The first item on tonight’s agenda,’ began the Mayor (a largely ceremonial position), looking over his glasses at the gathered Councillors in the chamber ‘is the renewal of Fort Boston Bylaw Number 11 for the electoral year, colloquially known as the “Emperor Boston can’t declare the city is at war with anyone act”. Does anyone wish to debate this?’

All eyes turned toward the Emperor, who, not paying attention to proceedings, lifted his head up slightly, moved his hand away from his mouth and sheepishly chewed on a piece of popcorn he’d just placed in it. He looked at the other Councillors. They looked back.

He looked some more at the Councillors.

They looked back at him a bit harder, one or two of them furrowing their brows at him.

The Emperor looked back at them, slowly placing another piece of popcorn in his mouth.

A sigh of relief came up when it was obvious he hadn’t a clue what was going on. He’d managed to convince them all Bostopia was about to play Eshan again the other night, surprising a number of them when The Kiaser Colonies turned up on the other Isle in the country. A few of them had gathered at a very cold, very deserted Fort Boston Arena, where the Emperor had sworn the game was going to be played, only to find themselves looking awkwardly at their watches for forty five minutes and buying roast chestnuts off a street vendor to keep warm in the Bostopian winter.

‘Nobody wishes to debate this’ the Mayor said, purposefully not referring to the bylaw in case the Emperor had ran out of popcorn, ‘so we shall proceed to a vote. All those in favour, please press the appropriate button on your desk.’

As the Councillors pressed their buttons, a tally chart lit up the screen showing the bylaw was going to be approved with no votes against. The Emperor had blindly pressed a button while fumbling for a tasty salted morsel that had gone walkabout after he had missed his mouth, trying to throw a piece in.

‘That’s that settled then, Bylaw Number 11 has been passed with no objections.’

The Councillors applauded themselves for their efforts, satisfied that they had probably brought peace for another year.

The Emperor noticed the applause, though. He stood up, expecting the applause to be for him, before finally noticing the name of the Bylaw on the big screens and furiously rummaging through his paperwork, flinging sticky notes and pens half across his desk in the process. He came across the relevant sheet and felt despondent. Once again he had been bamboozled by his own Council. Perhaps the change he wanted hadn’t quite come yet. It was time to enact a plan.

[South Covello]

SBBC BREAKING NEWS

"Good evening, this is Thomas Hayes at the SBBC News Desk, with this Breaking News Alert. A verdict has been reached in the Gregist Trial after the jury deliberated for six and a half hours, and is set to be announced within the next few minutes. We'll take you there live when it's time. For now though, let's bring in our legal correspondent, Anna Garrison, joining us live from Ueshibolis. Good evening, Anna."

"Good evening to you too, Thomas."

"Well, we don't have much time before we have to go live to the National Courthouse in Freedom City, so let's get right to the point here. The jury has been deliberating for six and a half hours in what most people thought should be an open and shut case. What's your take on that?"

"Well, as you know, there were 18 different charges, each with numerous counts. The jury not only had to consider each of these charges individually, but to consider whether the number of counts was appropriate, or whether it should be reduced. Once they find their verdict, they also have to determine if the maximum sentence is appropriate or if they should receive a lesser one. Only then can they report to the judge that they have reached a verdict."

"And, Anna, remind us again who the members of this jury consist of."

"The 12 jury members were drawn randomly from the group of rebels who fought for our freedom. There are seven men and five women ranging in age from 19 to 75. Those with too close of a connection to the Gregists, either positive or negative, were excluded from selection.'

"So is there any doubt in your mind that the Gregists will be convicted on all charges and counts?"

"None at all, Tom. The prosecution was deliberately conservative with the number of counts, and they merely need to show that at least that many people were killed, or were otherwise victims, depending on the nature of the charge."

"And there are a lot of charges here - everything from peeping to hacking to crimes against humanity."

"Yes, they certainly were leaving no stone untouched."

"What do you think of sentencing? Will they receive the maximum?"

"That's a bigger question, I think. If they get the max, they will receive over a quarter billion life sentences plus enough additional time to still be locked up when the Sun goes Red Giant and destroys the Earth. The jury could choose to have some pity on them while still keeping them locked up forever. But I don't think so. After all, this regime never showed any pity for anyone else, except perhaps Lord Almighty Gregory's pet goat. You'll remember how he ordered a mass execution after his goat was killed as part of some foreign religious ritual."

"I'm going to cut you off right there because we're getting word that the jury has come back in and the verdict is about to be announced. Let's get you live to the courthouse right now."

Judge Rines: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict in this trial?

Foreperson: Yes, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Before the verdict is announced, I want to caution everyone in the gallery that outbursts from either side will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the courtroom and possible contempt citations. Is that understood? Good. Let's proceed. The first count of the indictment is for 101,234,618 counts of murder, in the matter of the deaths of all execution victims under the Gregist regime. How do you find?

Foreperson: We find all defendants guilty on all charges.

Judge Rines: And as for sentencing?

Foreperson: We find that each defendant should receive the maximum sentence - life on each count.

Judge Rines: So that's 101,234,618 life sentences on Count 1, correct?

Foreperson: Yes, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Very well, we'll move to Count 2, 83,819,028 counts of crimes against humanity in the matter of the execution of family members of criminals who had not themselves committed any crime. How do you find?

Foreperson: We find each defendant guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: Life on each count. 83,819,028 life sentences overall on Count 2.

Judge Rines: Thank you. We move on to Count 3, 100,000,000 charges of crimes against humanity for the Gregist regime's unprovoked nuclear attacks on the nations of Hicana, Vjaalsburg, Coconutstan, Asuraia, and Associated Godlands.

Foreperson: We find the defendants all guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: Life on each count again, 100,000,000 life sentences for each defendant on this count.

Judge Rines: As to Charge 4, 1,000 counts of terrorism resulting in death, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts for all defendants once again, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: We find that each defendant should receive 1,000 life sentences, one for each count.

Judge Rines: As to the 20,000 counts of assault, pertaining to the dickapitations and castrations performed by so-called "Pervert Chasers" at the behest of the Gregist regime, how do you find.

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: We find that the defendants should be sentenced to the maximum sentence - 25 years for each count, for a total of 500,000 years.

Judge Rines: Moving on to Count 6, 250,000,000 counts of attempted murder for the attempted invocation of the so-called Enemy Crusher Biggy McParis Option in which the defendants attempted to launch a nuclear obliteration of every country on the Enemy List?

Foreperson: We find each defendant guilty on all charges.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: We find that each defendant should receive the maximum sentence, 25 years on each count, for a total of 6,250,000,000 years.

Judge Rines: As to Count 7, 400,000,000 counts of voyeurism related to the installation of cameras in private dwellings without the occupants' consent, how do you find?

Foreperson: We find the defendants all guilty on all charges.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: We find the defendants should be sentenced to the maximum sentence of six months for each charge, for a total of 200,000,000 years.

Judge Rines: Moving on to Count 8, 24,000 counts disturbing the peace, in the matter pertaining to the loud and disturbing propaganda at the Guayabalense border, how do you find?

Foreperson: We find the defendants guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: The defendants shall receive the maximum one month for each count for a total of 2,000 years.

Judge Rines: Do the attorneys have any objection to combining Charges 9 and 18 per the jury's earlier request as they are largely identical?

Bob Borders: No, Your Honor.

Alexandra Haroldson: Me neither, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Very well. As to the new charge 9, 41,082,000,000,000 counts administering a drug without permission, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: The maximum, 82,164,000,000,000 years, two on each count.

Judge Rines: I'll note that the revised bill contains 17 charges, and now we'll move on to Count 10. 45,354 counts crimes against humanity for the so-called "human blitzkrieg strategy." How do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all charges.

Judge Rines: Sentencing?

Foreperson: 45,354 life sentences, one for each charge.

Judge Rines: As for the Charge 11, 120,000,000 counts slavery, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all charges, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Sentencing?

Foreperson: The maximum of 25 years per count, for a total of 3,000,000,000 years per defendant.

Judge Rines: Moving on to Charge 12, six counts computer trespassing, in the matter against citizens of the Free Republics, how do you find?

Foreperson: We find the defendants guilty on five of the six charges.

Judge Rines: On which charge did you find the defendants not guilty?

Foreperson: On the charge pertaining to the victim Samuel Izmailov. We would like to say a few words about this before we move on. May we, Your Honor?

Judge Rines: Any objections?

Alexandra Haroldson: No, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Mr. Borders?

Bob Borders: None here, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Very well, proceed.

Foreperson: We believe that Samuel Izmailov, was, in his time, a danger to the Free Republics and to freedom everywhere. While his crimes pale in comparison to the defendants', we believe that a danger to freedom anywhere is a danger to freedom everywhere, and the defendants' actions in going after Izamilov could be seen as justified.

Judge Rines: Thank you. Let's move on now. Count 13.[/b]

Alexandra Haroldson: Excuse me, Your Honor, the jury never pronounced sentencing on the other five charges.

Judge Rines: Thank you, my apologies. What should the sentence be on the other five charges?

Foreperson: They shall receive the max. One year each, five years total.

Judge Rines: Now we really move on to Count 13. 20,000 charges sexual assault. How do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to sentencing?

Foreperson: 25 years per count, the maximum. 500,000 years total.

Judge Rines: As for Count 14, 100,000 counts larceny?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts again.

Judge Rines: Sentencing?

Foreperson: We find the defendants should be sentenced to the maximum three years per count.

Judge Rines: So a total of 300,000 years?

Foreperson: Indeed, Your Honor.

Judge Rines: Charge 15, abuse and endangerment, in the matter of the Enemy Crushers, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all 10,000 counts.

Judge Rines: Sentence?

Foreperson: Five years per count, 50,000 total.

Judge Rines: Count 16, 500,000 counts cruel and unusual punishment not resulting in death, in the matter of the so-called Reeducation Camps for Grammar, Spelling, Mathematics, and Vocabulary, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: As to the sentence?

Foreperson: 10 years each count, 5,000,000 total for each defendant.

Judge Rines: As to Count 17, the final count due to the consolidated Count 9, 3,000,000,000 counts withholding food or drink from a minor, specifically on Creation Day, how do you find?

Foreperson: Guilty on all counts.

Judge Rines: Sentence?

Foreperson: 15,000,000,000 years total, five on each count.

Judge Rines: So, for clarification, the total sentence shall be 285,100,000 life sentences plus 82,024,420,252,005 years, is that correct?

Foreperson: Yes, Your Honor, so say we all.

Judge Rines: Very well, the jury is dismissed with thanks for their service. The defendants are remanded to custody to be transported to Island Prison as soon as possible.

[United States of Devonta]

Devontan Sports Central

---

Devonta resumes World Cup qualifying with opening victory in the second half
Devontan's defeat 192nd ranked Darkmania in thrilling 3-2 home match
Kerry D. Fletcher (@Kerry_Fletcher)
^{11/06/2017, 8:00 PM | Devonta City, United States of Devonta}

---

    United States of Devonta 3 - 2 Darkmania
         Brooks (23')                 Mjøe (58', 88')  
         Owens (45+1')  
         Washington (85')

Darkmania
GK: Ërimär
DF: Yürang
DF: Tërman (23')
DF: Lërnÿn
DF: Ërim
MF: Rånde
MF: Årdalberg (78')
MF: Vërnspern
MF: Përsater
ST: Tÿrn
ST: Mjøe

United States of Devonta
GK: Bradley Cooper
LD: Johnson Brooks
CD: Coby Rice (65')
CD: Daniel Kindred
RD: Brayden Liam (Mathew Creasmen - 72')
DM: Marco Hernandez
LM: Mohamed Abdullah (Anthony Crox - 72')
RM: Julius Washington
OM: Tyrell Owens
ST: Condor Madrid (Gerald Johansen - 82')
ST: Lamar Adams

---

Match Statistics:
Possession
Devonta: 63%
Darkmania: 37%
Shots
Devonta: 14 shots (9 on target)
Darkmania: 9 shots (6 on target)
Pass Accuracy
Devonta: 88%
Darkmania: 85%
Corners
Devonta: 9
Darkmania: 6
Offsides
Devonta: 3
Darkmania: 2
Fouls
Devonta: 9
Darkmania: 8

World Cup 79 Qualifying Schedule

Friendly Matches:
Devonta 1-0 Savojarna
Equestrian States 1-1 Devonta

World Cup Qualfying: Group 4
MD1: Devonta 2-0 Darkmania
MD2: Great Pie 0-2 Devonta
MD3: Devonta 2-1 Kel Assuk
MD4: Devonta 1-2 Pasarga
MD5: Moorish Land 2-0 Devonta
MD6: Devonta 2-0 Razenthuria
MD7: Mrinn 5-3 Devonta
MD8: Devonta 3-1 Maryloupe
MD9: Port Christopher 1-1 Devonta

Mid-Qual Friendly: Devonta vs Flardania***

MD10: Darkmania 2-3 Devonta
MD11: Devonta vs Great Pie
MD12: Kel Assuk vs Devonta
MD13: Pasarga vs Devonta
MD14: Devonta vs Moorish Land
MD15: Razenthuria vs Devonta
MD16: Devonta vs Mrinn
MD17: Maryloupe vs Devonta
MD18: Devonta vs Port Christopher

Current Group 4 Standings:

 # Group 4                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mriin                            10    7   3   0    25   11  +14    24
 2 Pasarga                          10    7   3   0    18    6  +12    24
 3 Kel Assuk                        10    6   3   1    30   15  +15    21
 4 United States of Devonta         10    6   1   3    19   14   +5    19
 5 Port Christopher                 10    5   3   2    14   10   +4    18
 6 The Great Pi                     10    4   0   6    17   21   −4    12
 7 Darkmania                        10    2   1   7    19   32  −13     7
 8 Razenthuria                      10    1   2   7     5   12   −7     5
 9 Moorish Land                     10    1   2   7    11   23  −12     5
10 Maryloupe                        10    1   2   7    13   27  −14     5

Author: Kerry D. Fletcher

---

More top news stories

• Devonta stops downward spiral in World Cup Qualifying 12,532,531 views
• Hardest fought game of WCQ ends in defeat 10,232,432 views
• Devonta is back on track for WCQ 8,893,986 views
• Devonta end first half of WCQ on good note 6,232,234 views

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Comments:

By Rookie_Jr. - Just now

Good game but too close.

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2,089 Likes | 97 Dislikes

Reply | Like | Dislike

By Clint367 - 3 mins Ago

Glad to see the youngsters playing very well!

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987 Likes | 87 Dislikes

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By Chris_Kyles - 10 min Ago

We are gonna need more of this luck, if we want to qualify.

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Likes 843 | 56 Dislikes

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By Daniel_Brooks - 28 mins Ago

These refs are always for the other team! Complete garbage!

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142 Likes | 19 Dislikes

Reply | Like | Dislike

[Chromatika]

Matchday 9: Chromatika 4-2 Lambdasia @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City, Chromatika
Chromatika: Gail '26, Rien '49, Niro '70, '82
Starting Lineup: Joy; Morningstar - Stef - Damjana; Thorben - Sybill (C) - Hellion - Liam; Rien - Gail - Niro. Subs: Ilya, S. -> Morningstar '51, Mora -> Hellion '63, Kelly, W. -> Rien '75

Matchday 10: Buyan 0-1 Chromatika @ The Nine, Dyatinsk, Buyan
Chromatika: Victoriane '62
Starting Lineup: Justus; An - Aart - Ellen; Thorben - Sybill - Hellion - Liam; Victoriane - Andisori (C) - Niro. Subs: Morningstar -> An '59, Dragana -> Liam '75, Sierra -> Andisori '85

After a narrow escape against Lambdasia, Chromatika had a three-nil victory on the road against Eura for a friendly, and then traveled to Buyan to get things going once again, knowing that there was a very narrow margin of error due to Eshan and Eastfield Lodge being right behind them. To be fair, Buyan has been absolutely plagued by bad luck this cycle, having bad results day in and out, with nary an upset caused by them and games that crushed them. Their manager had been sacked, and the crowd was desperate for a positive result against a higher ranked side.

Buyan played with all the intensity of a side trying to prove that it belonged among the elite. They almost got away with it if it wasn't for the play of the Chromatik defense and Kaytlyn Victoriane. With Mia Ria's return imminent, Nika Justus used the most of his opportunity to pitch a shutout on the five shots that he faced, while the Chromatik defense kept him relatively clean. Victoriane? The Lammerton striker had a signature left footed cannonball of a shot that left the Buyanese keeper short by two feet.

The three points, coupled with Eastfield Lodge suffering a draw, puts the Chromatiks five points ahead of third with eight matches to go. It might be a little too early to start looking at scenarios, but if the team can have their revenge against Boring Paradise, the first team that took points away from them, they should be okay to go before those two crucial matches against Eastfield Lodge and Eshan.

Matchday 11: Chromatika vs. Boring Paradise @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City, Chromatika
Potential Starting Lineup: Ria; Ilya, S. - Stef - Damjana; Thorben - Hellion (C) - Mora - Liam; Rien - Vidal - Niro.

The Dome will be rocking as Mia Ria makes her first start since the devastating injury of her ribs and leg. The Golden Eagles keeper will have a short leash as needed - she's expected to maybe play a half hour before making way - but Parker has elected to give her playing time even when she is not at a 100% so that she can get back into the mental flow of the game. Her return should be a major boon to the team's spirits, and the added dosage of the fact that Boring Paradise was responsible for the Chromatiks losing points to a lower side for the first time this cycle should definitely motivate the players to give more than they usually do. Parker is likely to stop experimenting and go with what has been proven at this point, and the poise of the Chromatik players and the genius that is he will start to be the difference in the group. Expect a clean win, with Mia Ria going thirty or so minutes. Olimpia Vidal will score, and Hermaeus Mora will continue to show why he is the future of the Chrmatik Center midfield. Chromatika 3-0 Boring Paradise.

---

Opinion: Parker Should Rest Ria for Rest of Qualifying
By: Neoko Torres, Staff Reporter, Chromatik City Courier

Since Silian Parker has taken over the Managerial duties after Lisa Amos stepped away directly after the Rainbow Revolution, the Chromatik skipper has become an enigmatic figure to the Chromatik populace. Often unconventional and unapologetic about his methods, he has made questionable move after questionable move, but the results have always followed. It was he who instituted the system that most other high ranked footballing nations do of having way more than twenty-three players show up to be in the player pull during qualifying. It was he who popularized the notion that as long as everyone knew what their role was, it didn't matter that much if you didn't have as much time playing with someone else. It was he that made Chromatik football be more based on a system and the roles of the players instead of just the players themselves. The most classic example is how Dragana is now playing more as a left mid/winger instead of just out in front. Not many would have had the guts nor the brains to do that.

However, he has finally stepped a little too far. Mia Ria's injuries suffered at her car crash were severe. Three broken ribs, one which punctured a lung; a broken right leg; and most of all, the brutal knock to the head that was the cause of her being in a coma for three days. Yes, it's been over six months since that injury, and yes, she has been making a recovery; it could also be argued that the play of Nika Justus and Sherlyn Joy in her stead haven't been great. I'll even hear the argument that the Chromatiks need all the help they can get with how close the group has gotten, and throughout the stretch, Ria's experience as the backup to Nier will be counted upon to help the team qualify in the first place.

With how badly Ria was hurt, though? I don't think she should be starting until she can play a full game. Perhaps not at all through the rest of qualifying. Jillan Nier is a capable player who can start all the important matches. Joy and Justus have provided enough keeping with the offense generated by the rest of the team. Chromatika is good enough of a team to qualify even without Ria playing. It is more of a risk to play with Ria's health and future than to play with this qualifying cycle.

I implore you, Chromatik fans, please tell Parker to rest Ria. The young lady needs to fully heal. The team needs to step up and cover for her absence, not have her start injured.

Her life is more important.

[Bojikstan]

BFA under fire as players raid HQ
The national team is surrounded by controversy after the BFA attempted to punish its players for their performances this cycle.
Posted by Loic Lande, Football Correspondent

The Bojikstan Football Association is under fire recently, with more and more of the blame for the failures of the national team falling on the shoulders of the coaching staff and the federation. Things boiled over when the team drew disappointingly with Somecoldwetislands in a match that they were favored to win, according to both the oddsmakers and the official World Cup rankings. It would have put some interest back into the campaign for the fanbase that hasn’t had much luck this cycle, but instead, the draw left fans booing the team off of the pitch when it was all said and done at home. Losing matches on the road is something that happens. Dropping points against lower ranked opponents at home, however, is a way to incite a fan uprising.

Incredibly, however, the controversy isn’t quite around the loss. The BFA headquarters were the sight of some bad scenes after the FA announced that the Bojikstani national team players wouldn’t keep receiving game checks for their matches during qualifying, as a punishment for their poor performance. The decision was broken to the players immediately after the draw, which drew the ire of team hothead Niko Komarov among others, including Lucas Alberg, Rain Delacruz, and Ricardo Hale. These players conducted a “raid” on the BFA headquarters located ten minutes away from the stadium in Strasburg, showing up in a team van with military rifles and submachine guns.

The players showed up at the headquarters and had a confrontation with guards, before forcing their way upstairs and demanding to talk to the head of the BFA, Alan Bermejo. Their main demand was that their regularly scheduled game checks are returned to them, and that manager Marco Christensen will be retained for the rest of the cycle despite increasing pressure from the fans and the media. According to reports from the scene, the negotiations lasted for about an hour and involved Komarov firing off ‘warning’ shots which left holes in the ceiling of the office that the argument took place in.

The Bojikstan Football Association has released a statement about the matter, but that statement had no mention of the raid on BFA headquarters or a suspension or punishment for any of the six players who were involved with it: “After much internal discussion, we have reversed our decision not to pay game checks to members of the national team for the rest of the qualifying campaign. The intent was to motivate the players into better performances leading into the Cup of Harmony, but after input from both the players and fans, we have decided to reverse this decision because of popular demand. We apologize for the mistake and we will be careful to avoid similar ones in the future.”

[Liberated American Provinces]

Washington Times

Jo Guzman Released

John Bair, Asia Correspondent

Manilla – After several weeks in custody, American officials have finally negotiated the release of goalkeeper Jo Guzman. He was arrested on drug trafficking charges prior to the LAP’s quarterfinal match during the Baptism of Fire 66. Furthermore, the narrative as to what actually happened has become much clearer.

The Philips Islands stated in an official press release, “Miscommunication between the head of the Bureau of Investigation and their agents resulted in the arrest of the incorrect suspect, American national Jo Guzman.” The nation’s quasi-dictator, Rogerio de Quarte, then issued a public apology on behalf of the Bureau. The official documents which led to the mistake have not yet been made available, but it is believed that a translation error was the culprit.

Guzman’s arrest was part of Philips Islands’ violent anti-drug campaign that began last year. It has resulted in near perpetual fear among the populace. At the same time, however, it has forced drug dealers further into the shadows. Looking to take advantage of the decreased amount of suppliers, international drug lord “Shorty” Gooseman has allegedly increased illegal shipments into the country. This prompted the Philips Islands Bureau of Investigation to begin their investigation into the drug lord. This investigation led to Jo Guzman’s detainment.

Meanwhile, Guzman will return to the Provinces tomorrow. After a short, two-week rest break, he will rejoin the national team for their next home match against Orrostriska. With the Americans’ struggling performances, he could provide a much needed boost in the backline as he is expected to replace Tom Harvard in goal.

As for the LAP's current qualifying campaign, the outlook is bleak. The team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in their return leg against Petroslovania. A first-half brace from Adebayo Campo and a 57th minute header from Jędrzej Abdullaba secured a 3-0 victory for the hosts. Despite the scoreline, it was a positive performance for the Provinces compared to their recent outings. They managed to create several glorious opportunities for themselves but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. They will hope that fortune favors them in front of goal when they travel to Quakmybush later this week.

[95X]

From the 95X Wire Service:
Frustrated and Shorthanded, 95X Affected by Early Retirement; Qualification in Serious Jeopardy

95X National Soccer Team midfielder Sam Seventyfifth has played his final game.

Shortly after being sent off in the first half for a particularly hard tackle against match hosts Schottia, Seventyfifth's agent communicated with the 95X National Team Office in Cascadia, 95X, that the star "regrets to inform the organization that (Seventyfifth) is retiring from the sport, effective immediately."

Seventyfifth had no further comment; calls from the media to his agent were not returned.

Seventyfifth became a member of the 95X NT for AOCAF 47, where he was immediately named to a starting lineup that featured Xi Foureleven, among others, that would go on to win the tournament. Finding success playing abroad for several seasons in San Jose Guaybal, it was widely regarded that World Cup 79 would mark his final appearance in a 95X uniform.

It marked the beginning of match woes for 95X, as the tackle took place within the box and resulted in a Schottian penalty kick and goal, all at only 17 minutes in.

Playing the world-ranked-number-one in their home stadium 10-on-11 would be daunting enough, only paling in comparison to the remainder of the match. 95X Head Coach General Failure would fully use up two substitutions placing Chaya and Rhiannon Concord-Fourteenth in for Stacey Sunset and Darrius Columbine, to bolster the defensive line in place of two of the three remaining midfielders. Though six 95X defenders on the pitch would not be enough, and Kim Coultan would put Schottia up 2-0 going into halftime.

The second half featured 33 minutes of possession for Schottia, while 95X blew a chance to score when Micah Morrison was yellow-carded in the 58th attempting to keep possession against Larry Watt. As Morrison was playing with a yellow after having received a caution in the previous 95X draw with New Lusitania and the Algarves, the 23-year-old was sent off for the remainder of this far more important match. With only nine players on the field for 95X, Corinne Martel-Burns would add some garlic garnish to the nail in the coffin.

Head Coach Failure had plenty of questions awaiting him after the final whistle.

"Retiring is a tough decision to make, and it's highly unorthodox to do so during a tournament," he commented of Seventyfifth. "Obviously we recognize his contributions to the team over the last decade and wish him the best in the future."

Of Morrison, "we have a twenty-three year-old talent who still has his better years ahead of him. We're going to have the same sort of discussion I always have with players facing this situation that's focused on improving down the road."

"Six defenders? Of nine on the field? We were playing the number-one team."

"Who will start? We have talented bench players and reserves, you might see something similar, you might see something different."

Qualification will be extremely difficult. 95X is currently ten points behind Group 6 second-place Tobiasia, with 24 possible points remaining.

---

Meanwhile, in a large armory somewhere on Cascade Island:

"YOU ARE MEANINGLESS!" James Sixsixtysix shouted into the camera. "You are merely a beautiful postergirl! Expect war!"

Xi Foureleven smacked the power button on the TV.

"I. Cannot. Believe. He. Called. Me. A. 'Girl.'" Foureleven fumed. It is one of the things she considers most insulting.

In this armory is Xi Foureleven herself, several overly-muscle-bound mercenary leaders, and many other volunteers that wanted to call themselves "Xi Foureleven's Army" except she wouldn't let them. Instead, they were the 95X Army of Cascade Island.

Foureleven went over the plans, stopping every so often to remind the participants they were not "subjects" and she was not a deity to be bowed before.

"You can clean and unclog the toilets at the stadium all you wish," she made reference to those who once worshiped her and met at Oceanside Stadium, many of whom were in attendance.

"Now, does everyone know their role?"

Thousands cheered "yeah!"

"Uh, wait a sec!" someone with more muscles than brains asked. "After this is all over I'd like to know if I can get some personal time with ya', if y'know what I mean," he said while reaching for Foureleven's elbow.

Foureleven's self-defense kicked in, and after a few painful moves he was neutralized in seconds.

"Anyone else wish to ask any inappropriate questions?" Foureleven asked.

There were none. The operation would begin.

[Taeshan]

It was an interesting matchup for the Purple Knights at home against Akatsurai. One of the lower ranked teams in the group, their opponents was really looking to shake things up in the middle level of the table while also getting their first points of the season. The Knights meanwhile are likely already looking ahead to their big matchup with Nephara in the Atlantea Coliseum. Before that however they did manage to take care of business at home against Akatsurai with a rather impressive 3-0 win. Before the Knights take on the group leaders they have a big game against Rotztotzka in that a win there can keep them in the race. It is a rather classic looking trap game and could spell doom on their chances of competing for the rest of the campaign. While they are seemingly far from pushing for qualification, a few big wins and losses elsewhere could see a shake up.

The Knights rather handily won their matchup with the fairly unimpressive Akatsurai side. While only allowing 10 goals in the games previous to this one, their opponents had also only managed to net the ball twice in their previous matchups and for the most part have not been in any of the games. This matchup was no different as Janson Jewsbury opened the scoring for the Knights early on. The lead wasn't expanded on quickly and it seemed the Knights didn't have much more than that until an incredibly halftime triple switch seemed to turn things around. With one Petersheim brother on for the other, Randall Abl Bakr on for Anton Vader, and Miles Snavely once again seeing only half of the game on the pitch as Johnson Salazar came on for him. It was a rather genius move as both Abl Bakr and Salazar would score goals in the second half as the Knights routed their visitors.