World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

[Mriin]

"YES!" Vicky Lavoi jumped out of her seat in Stade de Torgos, having finally been able to carve out the time to make a game. Getting a trip to an exotic Rushmori nation alongside it? A pretty good deal. Especially when you get to see one of Solara's ridiculous stunts; it's a miracle Wefel's ankles weren't broken after the forty-third minute equalizer. The rest of the visiting Mriinians were a little slower on the cheer--Vicky knew it was going in off the hoof--but the ferocity still seemed to shake the Pasargans just a bit.

As the second half started, Vicky kept a close eye on Mari--her little sister, and technical employee at the Angels. The job for a left-footed forward was in hot contention thanks to Lasser's meteoric rise in Harbor, and both had been putting in strong performances throughout qualifying. It's a good sign Don gave her the nod for this game. Although a bit surprising after Lasser ripped up Port Christopher... Her thoughts were interrupted as Reina managed to find herself directly in the line of a Pasargan pass, and suddenly they were pressing for the lead. A punt to Joren, who forwards it to Aldo, who kicks it back to Malia, who... crosses it over to Mari way out on the side! Shit, she's got a shot from there, doesn't she?

The lithe purple satyr grounds the ball, moves just a bit forward, and rears back--

*THOOOOOM*

--and she can barely stay on her feet as the ground violently shakes. Hell, Vicky can barely stay in her seat. Does Pasarga get earthquakes?

SCREEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW

Every set of eyes in the stadium turned to the east, and to the sky--where a towering... giant lizard?... was clambering out of the ocean, its first footfall having caused the quake. And even at such a distance--it seemed like there was a small figure riding atop the beast!

Vicky immediately shot a look at the Mriinian bench, where there was a notable absence. What the fuck did Leon do?!

---

A couple of fans had been excited to sit next to the renowned shipping magnate and successful football owner Vicky Lavoi, but where decidedly less than enthused when she finally woke up with an ugly snort.

I... wha? She looked around, wiping her eyes. She was in a stadium, but... there certainly wasn't any giant monster. Wait, this is Haven! A look to the field confirmed that it wasn't Pasarga on the pitch, but rather Moorish Land's yellows. ...right, I saw the Pasarga match on the tele during that all-nighter... and Solara's out nursing a tight hamstring today... and we've rotated the rest of the front line, too... fuck, why did I come to this game?

[Eshan]

Rosaria Daily Herald | Sporting Section
Slow But It’s Still Three Points

In a match between the number 34 team in the world vs a team ranked 201 spots below them, you’d be forgiven for expecting a goal fest. Doubly more so when the number 34 team in the world is Eshan, with our slick passing, high octane attacking style. So imagine your (and mine and every Echani’s) surprise when this game turned out to really be a little bit of a straightforward matter and far from the BIGGOALS we were hoping for.

I think a large part of that had to do with the fact that we went up in the first few minutes, a hallmark of the type of football Alexio del Nieran has the national team playing. In the fourth minute, the Echani players were having a nice spell of possession in the Reuss-Lippen half that culminated with a pass back from Marco van Ciavatinni to Jean-Marie Bentacur. There was one defender running at Bentacur, but he did brilliantly to spin around him with the ball and charge up the field, a neat one to with Marshawn Mercury put Bentacur about 25 yards out from goal. He took a touch as if to shoot, but instead slide it righhhttttt through the defensive line to Anthony Baudelio, who had zero problem dumping it into the net, 1-0 Eshan, let’s go!

And yet, very disappointingly, that was a scoreline that held until the ref blew the whistle for the end of the game. That’s not to say that we didn’t play well for the rest of the game, no we played very well and were unlucky to not win by more. We hit the woodwork four times, and Baudelio being denied two more goals, Steven Tadeo a great long range shot, and Marco van Civatinni from a first time shot inside the box. And we came close plenty of other times, with our shots either saved or just missing, so it really was pretty heartbreaking to not win by more. Three points is three points so that’s great don’t get me wrong but seriously, we should be winning by more than one goal to a team ranked 201 spots below us, I mean come on.

But that does make it four wins from our last four, so the Echani players have to feel confident that the poor run of form where we took one point from nine is safely in the back mirror. Which is extremely convenient because we have a massive game in our next fixture!

Yes that’s right, we play against the third placed team in the group (just two little points behind us) and the 42nd best team in the world, Eastfield Lodge. We beat them away in the first round of this qualification campaign, as well as taking four points out of six from them in the last World Cup, and now it comes time to do the job again at home. A win here would be YUGE folks, believe me that’s what they’re all saying, I’ve heard em say it myself and they tell me, Author, a win against Eastfield Lodge would be absolutely yuge, and I tell them, I fucking know. This is my job boi. This is how daddy brings home the bread. Also like…every Echani knows what the situation with our team is, come on, we live for football. Anyways, a win here would be a good deal folks and go a long way towards securing our ultimate glorious qualification for the World Cup.

So go Echani national team, woooooo!!!

---

---

Things were going quite well for the Republic, nothing too much to note from Revan, no major global developments. Well, that wasn’t entirely true as there was some truly……interesting things occuring in Valanora. Word had reached the President of the Echani Republic of, well it wasn’t entirely clear what had happened. Incredible winds that turned the outdoors into a living hell, projectiles tearing through flesh in the cities, dragons flying through the air doing combat with some sort of black hole sphere jet fire shooting thing and then some kind of furry feathery talking dragon god type thing?

Revan didn’t know what the hell was going on down there or what sort of shit the elves had gotten themselves into, but as far as he could tell, Eshan was safe and secure against whatever these things are so that was his eternal priority number one, the safety of his people and nation. He wasn’t sure if the same could be send for his southern neighbors, so Revan had again sent Valanora a communications to the effect of: “Hey uhhhh not really sure wtf is going on down there; hope y’all are good, also let us know if we should be worried about crazy jet shooting black spheres materializing elsewhere cause that would be slightly problematic. Also we’re here if you need any help just hmu and we got it, good luck with your shit!”

So hopefully things down there would resolve themselves nicely but if things started to get out of control, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to deploy a fleet or two down in the region. Afterall, Echani soldiers were starting to stream back from the battlefronts in South Covello and Nuevo Caracas, greeted as the heros they are, How some nation’s treated their veterans, with Veterans Administrations just constantly acting in the WORST interests of their nations soldiers, it was just disgusting. Not the Echani soldiers. They found themselves showered with the public’s eternal love and gratitude and the government providing extremely healthy benefits; indeed being a member of Eshan’s military was certainly one of the best jobs in the nation, minus the constant potential of death that is.

To be clear, there are still certainly Echani forces deployed in Covello and Caracas, peace isn’t enforced by roses and smiles no matter what some strands of political ideology foolish believe, so Eshan’s military still had a presence in the two nations. More in Caracas certainly, the conflict wasn’t entirely finished, with some pockets of resistance but it was a routine matter to wipe them out. Two nice little wars that had been easily won. Mmmmmmm.

And on top of that, the old Gregist regime was going away for like……a bajillion years, so that was really something to celebrate, and plenty of Echani were doing just that, but it was hard to determine if it was based on the imprisonment of that regime, or more the role their nation had played in kicking ass. Well no it wasn’t hard to determine, they were Echani for christsake, it was definitely for winning the wars.

And things looked great domestically, there was no shot Revan would lose his re-election bid, and could begin to lay long term plans in earnest. He had subtly changed language in his speeches, no longer was it about how great National Congress and the Senators and People’s Representatives were and how amazing his party, the social democratic Eshan First party, was, and how happy he was to work with them. He was still gracious and elegant and a fantastic speaker, but he changed the language towards him. How much he had done, how much land he had won for Eshan, how he had won two wars, how he alone was the champion for Echani, he alone was the protector of Eshan and its Republic, and Republic HE had created. Revan and Revan alone could rule Eshan, without him they were as good as dead, Revan spoke to present himself as the supreme ruler of the land. More than a President, more than a regular politician. Some political scientists noticed and it generated intense debate in the corners of the academic community, with some warnings about where this could be headed coming out.

But the people didn’t care. Revan was a fantastic leader, tall and powerful, carrying himself strongly and with dignity, an excellent military commander and a fantastic manager of domestic policy. He was always in the press for a positive reason, both domestically and increasingly internationally. He was powerful, and he oozed that, and the Echani people loved him and the nation ground to a halt during one of his many speeches.

He had a path to becoming something more than a mere president. He was building himself into something far, far more than that. Something eternal. He was becoming beyond this realm. Savior, conqueror, hero, villain. He was already one of the greatest leaders in Echani history, and the world had changed in the many years since the nation had been founded, and change seemed to be lapping at the door.

He alone could save his people. That was something Revan truly believed with every single fiber of his being, and there was no force on the planet that could prevent him from doing what he could to do that to the best of his ability. And to do that, he needed to be able to do more, more power. The National Congress was essentially a rubber stamp, but he wanted more. Re-election would come, and then…..well the future is unwritten.

[Drawkland]

What is it like to be in Drawk's head 24/7? Find out with this cutoff song

mmmmresults

[Equestrian States]

The Ponies Strike Back: Equestrians Rally to Stun Imperials
by Steve McNotapony

The Holy Empire 2-3 Equestrian States
at the Imperial Hippodrome in The Imperial City, The Holy Empire
Attendance: 150,000

Quasar Beard Teach '5 (Hornigold)
Alexander Dalzeel '27 (Ashworth)
Rainbow Blitz '64 (Apple Cobbler)
Pristina Shine '81 (Rainbow Blitz)
Nightshade '90+3 (Unassisted)

THE IMPERIAL CITY, The Holy Empire - For the Equestrian States it was a must-win match. Do or die. Win or effectively be eliminated. And win they did, upsetting the 5th-ranked Holy Empire on the road in front of 150,000 at the famed Imperial Hippodrome against - shall we say - odd opposition.

The Ponies seem to be a magnet for strange matches this World Cup qualifying campaign. First an insane referee in the draw with Indusse, and now intergalactic zombie space pirates. Yes, intergalactic zombie space pirates. Though apparently some of them are still just normal intergalactic space pirates, over half of the Holy Empire's team has been zombified since their decisive 5-2 victory over the Equestrian States. Despite assurances from the Holy Empire Football Association that the contagion would not spread to humans bitten while in the Dreamed Realm, Equestrian authorities - not willing to fully trust the Imperials' word - decided to discourage their human fans from travelling to the match with the rest of the Equestrian contingent. Pearly White also took the precaution of declining to select any human players to her squad for the match, despite the fact that the absence of key players like Brix Hamilton and Andrea Molovi would likely hurt the Ponies chances in a crucial match.

"I'm not willing to risk my players' health and safety on the word of the same organization that's allowed their own players to be infected with this virus," the Ponies' manager said before the match, "They might claim that the virus can't spread while in the Dreamed Realm, but I'm not about to have any of my players be the first exception to that rule."

Thus the Equestrian States went into the match with a less-than-full-strength back line, as Rumble, Nightshade, and Sunlight took the places of Molovi, Hamilton, and Bailey, respectively. The Ponies were made to suffer for this glaring weakness early, when one Quasar Beard Teach stole the ball away from his own shambling teammate, midfielder and acclaimed helmet thief Benjamin Hornigold, then broke past the inexperienced Sunlight and just barely beating the diving Gentle Breeze with a shot deflected in off the far post, putting the Holy Empire up 1-0 with less than five minutes on the clock. The Imperial lead was then doubled before the half-hour mark when two of the intergalactic space pirates not yet zombified, Leigh Ashworth and Alexander Dalzeel, combined to score off of an Ashworth cross headed home by Dalzeel, triggering flashbacks amongst Equestrian supporters of their 5-2 defeat by the Imperials earlier in the campaign.

The Ponies needed to rally in the second half or their already slim chances of qualifying for the World Cup would be effectively reduced to zero. A defeat against The Holy Empire combined with Abanhfleft's probable victory at home against the Alpine Union would leave the Equestrian States 11 points back with just seven matches left, an insurmountable deficit by any estimation. But a overcoming a 2-0 Imperial lead on the road would be no easy feat, not without something out of the ordinary happening anyways. Fortunately, this was a match between a team of intergalactic zombie space pirates and a team of magical technicolor talking miniature horses that even some residents of the Dreamed Realm have found a bit unusual, so something that could be considered strange was bound to happen eventually.

And happen something did, just three minutes into the second half of play, when the zombified Galaxy Legs Greaves decided that he wanted a taste - literally - of Equestrian defender Sunlight. The Imperial midfielder chomped down on the unicorn right-back's neck, earning himself a swift red card from Mriinian referee Chandra Nalaar, selected for the match by the WCC as a non-human invulnerable to the virus afflicting the Holy Empire's team. Ignoring suggestions from her Imperial counterpart, Juan Tzimisces, that Sunlight would be perfectly fine, Pearly White replaced the defender with Crimson Mesa as a precaution to have the Ponies' medical staff and mages brought along by the Hoofball Association take a look at the bite to make certain that nothing would become infected.

However, the Ponies' numerical advantage would not last long. In the 52nd minute, Benjamin Hornigold dragged himself towards Krystal, apparently also wondering how unicorns taste. Krystal, not interested in becoming Hornigold's dinner, powered up her horn and unleashed a quick burst of pure energy straight through the midfielder's torso, knocking him to the ground with a six inch wide hole in his abdomen. Despite protests from the Equestrians that the act had been in self-defense and hadn't seemed to really hurt the zombie anyways, Krystal was sent off by Chandra Nalaar. With her formation now left unbalanced, Pearly White pulled Stardust for Luminesce, conveniently restoring the Ponies' right flank and keeping a unicorn on the pitch to deal with any further attacks from the Imperial players.

The Equestrian States' man-advantage was gone, but the visitors had been re-energized with the excitement of the previous six minutes and the Ponies' skill, dormant for much of the qualifying campaign, finally began to show. Taking full advantage of their opponents' inferior speed, the Equestrians pressed the Holy Empire's fully-zombified back line, forcing a number of quality saves from goalkeeper Calico Sirius Rackham. With no relief coming from his teammates, Rackham was doomed to eventually concede. Rainbow Blitz would be the first Ponies player to find the net, played through by Apple Cobbler, the pegasus deftly skated past the Imperial goalkeeper and casually flicked the ball home to draw the Equestrians within a goal.

Though the Ponies continued to besiege the Holy Empire's goal, an otherworldly performance from Calico Sirius Rackham kept the Imperials ahead by one. It was the game of a lifetime for the space buccaneer, which, it should be noted, doesn't seem likely to last much longer given his teammates' insatiable hunger for brains. Then, with just over ten minutes left to play, as referee Chandra Nalaar signaled a Ponies throw-in, Black Hole Sam determined that now was the time for a slice of satyr and bit the referee's outstretched arm. For his efforts, poor Black Hole Sam received a roundhouse kick to the face and a red card, reducing the Holy Empire to nine men.

Their advantage in numbers now restored, the Equestrians combined it with their superior speed to run circles around the Imperials at will. Just minutes later, Pristina Shine rifled a shot from the edge of the box by the diving Rackham, driving the visiting Equestrian supporters from their seats and onto their hooves. As the Holy Empire's defenses crumbled, the Ponies pushed for a winner, no longer content to draw with their heavily-favored opponents.

It seemed that the Imperials might hold out for a point on the back of Rackham's stellar performance as William Space Captain Kiddddddddd'd cleared an Apple Cobbler out from danger, when - out of nowhere - the Ponies' 19 year-old left-back Nightshade took the ball on a bounce and volleyed a strike between a couple of Imperial defenders and past a flat-footed Rackham into the top right corner. Wild celebrations immediately broke out among the Equestrians in the stands and on the team's bench, manager Pearly White embracing her assistants.

Two minutes later, Chandra Nalaar signaled the end of the match and the Ponies' players raced onto the field. The Equestrian States - at least for the moment - was still alive in the battle for a ticket to Ceni and Drawkland and finally had a win against a team ranked ahead of them in their group of death.

   GROUP 10                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts        MD11 Results:
 1  Abanhfleft             11    9   1   1    34   16  +18    28         Mercedini 3–2 Bjornoya Islands 
 2  The Holy Empire        11    9   0   2    34   21  +13    27        @ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium in Zoloroni, MRC
 3  Mercedini              11    8   1   2    38   19  +19    25         Indusse 3–4 Lisander 
 4  Equestrian States      11    6   2   3    17   16   +1    20        @ Unknown Venue in Unknown City, IND
 5  Alpine Union           11    4   5   2    19   17   +2    17         Abanhfleft 1–0 Alpine Union 
 6  Lisander               11    5   0   6    26   28   −2    15        @ Monsanto Stadium in Releinthi, AFT
 7  South Toronto          11    2   3   6    21   29   −8     9         New Doltania 1–2 South Toronto 
 8  Indusse                11    2   3   6    15   26  −11     9        @ Unknown Venue in Unknown City, NDL
 9  Bjornoya Islands       11    1   2   8    10   22  −12     5   E     The Holy Empire 2–3 Equestrian States 
10  New Doltania           11    0   1  10    12   32  −20     1   E    @ Imperial Hippodrome in Imperial City, THE
   South Toronto (−8) ahead of Indusse (−11) on goal difference

Elsewhere in Qualifying Group 10, there were no upsets to be found. Abanhfleft seized on the Holy Empire faltering against the Ponies and took the group lead with a 1-0 victory over the Alpine Union. Meanwhile, the Bjornoya Islands were officially eliminated from contention with a 3-2 defeat against Mercedini, the second team to meet that fate after hapless New Doltania was sent packing last week. Lisander and South Toronto also picked up wins against lower-ranked opponents, the former earning their three points in a seven-goal thriller against Indusse.

Up next for the Ponies after their stunning upset of the Holy Empire is poor New Doltania, who currently sit bottom of the group with just one point and without a single win. Though neutrals will sympathize with the Doltanians, the Equestrian States will need to be ruthless as they need to continue winning if they're to have any chance at qualifying for the World Cup. Pearly White will likely start a strong team to run up the score on the Doltanians, and the rested human players should return ready to do their part to bring the Ponies back to the multiverse's grandest stage for sports.

---

Match Report :: Match Day 11

 THE HOLY EMPIRE 2-3 EQUESTRIAN STATES 
The Imperial Hippodrome (cap. 150,000) in The Imperial City, The Holy Empire

Scoring:
 Quasar Beard Teach '5 (Hornigold)
 Alexander Dalzeel '27 (Ashworth)
 Rainbow Blitz '64 (Apple Cobbler)
 Pristina Shine '81 (Rainbow Blitz)
 Nightshade '90+3 (Unassisted)

Starting XI:
GK - Gentle Breeze
LB - Nightshade
CB - Flitter
CB - Rumble
RB - Sunlight
CM - Cloudchaser (C)
CM - Apple Cobbler
RW - Stardust
CAM - Rainbow Blitz
LW - Krystal
ST - Pristina Shine

Substitutions:
 Crimson Mesa in for Sunlight '49
 Luminesce in for Stardust '52
 Rose Petal in for Rainbow Blitz '90+4

[Vilita]

Vilitan National Team Shines through First Half

3rd Ranked Jungle Cats Comfortable atop Group 13 after 9 Matches

.   Group 13                  Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Vilita                      9    8   1   0    23    8  +15    25
 2 Starblaydia                 9    6   1   2    26   13  +13    19
 3 Filindostan                 9    6   1   2    11    9   +2    19
 4 Islana Lunigo               9    5   1   3    10    9   +1    16
 5 Red Blackiland              9    4   1   4    20   14   +6    13
 6 Cosneolta                   9    3   2   4     7    9   −2    11
 7 Savojarna                   9    3   1   5    10   13   −3    10
 8 The Steel Coast             9    2   1   6     8   14   −6     7
 9 Jabok                       9    2   0   7    11   22  −11     6
10 Undarat                     9    1   1   7    10   25  −15     4

Tivali-Ring Stadium, Alikki-Corra, Vilita ::
After reaching the halfway point of World Cup 79 Qualifying the Vilitan National Team had done everything they were charged to do, putting forth a near-perfect first half qualification campaign to build a 6-point cushion atop the Group 13 table.

After starting the campaign with a statement win, powering past Red Blackiland by four goals and a Star of the Match performance from Turoki Tide superstar Polaox Torerun, the Jungle Cats kept up that momentum with a string of six consecutive victories to open up the campaign, three of which were shutouts including the 4-0 win over Red Blackiland and a pair of 1-0 victories over Jabok and The Steel Coast. Mako Canopii, Nikki Tzimas and Jungrii Canopii all recorded shutouts for the Jungle Cats. in those matches.

The Vilita National Team's first slip up came against Starblaydia on Matchday 7 in an epic and classic clash at the Lonngeylin Coliseum that saw a both sides equal to the challenge the other posed, exchanging goals and ultimately playing out to a 3-all draw.

The Jungle Cats rounded out the first half with a pair of solid 2-0 victories over Filindostan and Cosneolta, securing their place atop the Group Table at the halfway mark and, incredibly, also ensuring that five different Vilitan goalkeepers had contributed the five first-half of qualification shutout performances with Cilamara Issah recording the shutout against Filindostan and Maratopa Inita-Arua getting the golden glove against Cosneolta.

While the six point cushion gives the Jungle Cats some room for uncertainty in the second half they will have to be careful not to fall prey to their own position in the table. With return fixtures in Starblaydia and against second placed side Filindostan still to come in the second half, there is no certainty of gliding through to Ceni and Drawkland at this stage in the game. Every point will still be up for grabs and Vilita will have to keep the momentum up if they want to avoid a tense placement battle over the final three matchdays.

---

Vilita [4] - [0] Red Blackiland

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 41' Polaox Torerun :: 49' Jirijii Januaa :: 53' Linkat Cjinder :: 74' Polaox Torerun

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Possession: 54% :: Shots on Target: 9 :: Corner Kicks: 17

:: Red Blackiland Statistics :: :: Possession: 46% :: Shots on Target: 3 :: Corner Kicks: 3

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Red Blackiland ::
[GK] Mako Canopii, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Jurzen Devmiko, [MR] Polaox Torerun, [FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Tenziki Kulakao
BENCH::
[FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Nuola Brenzil, [M] Va'a-Rio Kiwavn, [M] Tinjus Mngomeni, [U ] Serabi Chamya, [D] Rintala Sekagaya, [GK] Maratopa Inita-Arua

---

Vilita [1] - [0] Jabok

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 1' Va'a-Rio Kiwavn

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Possession: 60% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 3

:: Jabok Statistics :: :: Possession: 40% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 7

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Jabok ::
[GK] Zelkki Milake, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [D.] Monner Vileai, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [ML] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Polaox Torerun, [MC] Jurzen Devmiko, [MC] Serabi Chamya, [MR] Va'a-Rio Kiwavn, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [FC] Fishtii Blikala
BENCH::
[FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Linvoi Warazil, [M] Karisto Monafog, [M] Cywrenta Vlintejni, [U ] Lboaisa Akarelm, [D] Tlikao Muratai, [GK] Nikki Tzimas

---

Vilita [5] - [2] Undarat

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 31' Berali Tzufarei :: 48' Jirijii Januaa :: 53' Sipke Tarala :: 64' Linvoi Warazil :: 67' Jirijii Januaa

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Possession: 47% :: Shots on Target: 6 :: Corner Kicks: 8

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Undarat ::
[GK] Upsin Ajaara, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Polaox Torerun, [MC] Westii Yahaya, [MR] Tripate Falcon, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Linvoi Warazil
BENCH::
[FC] Fishtii Blikala, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [M] Karisto Monafog, [M] Vliela Lianksa, [U ] Tenziki Kulakao, [D] Rintala Sekagaya, [GK] Cilamara Issah

---

Vilita [1] - [0] Islana Lunigo

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 80' Purapal Eskiiy

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Possession: 58% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 5

:: Islana Lunigo Statistics :: :: Possession: 42% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 7

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Islana Lunigo ::
[GK] Nikki Tzimas, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [D.] Inbekira Ajhabekk, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MR] Cywrenta Vlintejni, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [FC] Linvoi Warazil
BENCH::
[FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [M] Jurzen Devmiko, [M] Westii Yahaya, [U ] Altimo Ueboa, [D] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [GK] Upsin Ajaara

---

Vilita [3] - [2] Savojarna

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 53' Jurzen Devmiko :: 72' Mileke Drokasorna :: 84' Berali Tzufarei

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Corner Kicks: 11

:: Savojarna Statistics :: :: Possession: 43% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 9

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Savojarna ::
[GK] Mako Canopii, [D.] Monner Vileai, [D.] Jirak Trikala, [D.] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [ML] Jurzen Devmiko, [MC] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Karisto Monafog, [MR] Purapal Eskiiy, [FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Sipke Tarala
BENCH::
[FC] Tenziki Kulakao, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [M] Serabi Chamya, [M] Polaox Torerun, [U ] Endur Rotropii, [D] Arocki Tadalek, [GK] Upsin Ajaara

---

Vilita [1] - [0] The Steel Coast

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 37' Cavuna Aquafek

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Possession: 54% :: Shots on Target: 6 :: Corner Kicks: 10

:: The Steel Coast Statistics :: :: Possession: 46% :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 1

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. The Steel Coast ::
[GK] Upsin Ajaara, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [D.] Endur Rotropii, [ML] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Karisto Monafog, [MC] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Serabi Chamya, [MR] Westii Yahaya, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Tenziki Kulakao
BENCH::
[FC] Sipke Tarala, [FC] Fishtii Blikala, [M] Polaox Torerun, [M] Jurzen Devmiko, [U ] Linvoi Warazil, [D] Arocki Tadalek, [GK] Cilamara Issah

---

Vilita [3] - [3] Starblaydia

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 12' Jurzen Devmiko :: 31' Cavuna Aquafek :: 73' Berali Tzufarei

:: Vilita Statistics :: :: Corner Kicks: 11

:: Starblaydia Statistics :: :: Possession: 44% :: Shots on Target: 8 :: Corner Kicks: 8

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Starblaydia ::
[GK] Zelkki Milake, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [D.] Monner Vileai, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Polaox Torerun, [MC] Serabi Chamya, [MR] Jurzen Devmiko, [FC] Linvoi Warazil, [FC] Berali Tzufarei, [FC] Sipke Tarala
BENCH::
[FC] Tenziki Kulakao, [FC] Lboaisa Akarelm, [M] Karisto Monafog, [M] Tripate Falcon, [U ] Nuola Brenzil, [D] Kwuimekii Hentetii, [GK] Cilamara Issah

---

Vilita [2] - [0] Filindostan

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 38' Arocki Tadalek :: 81' Purapal Eskiiy :: Possession: 57% :: Shots on Target: 8 :: Corner Kicks: 16

:: Filindostan Statistics :: :: Possession: 43% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 3

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Filindostan ::
[GK] Cilamara Issah, [D.] Monner Vileai, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [ML.] Polaox Torerun, [MC] Westii Yahaya, [MC] Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [FC] Linvoi Warazil, [FC] Fishtii Blikala, [FC] Tenziki Kulakao
BENCH::
[FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Nuola Brenzil, [M] Jurzen Devmiko, [M] Cavuna Aquafek, [U ] Sipke Tarala, [D] Monner Vileai, [GK] Maratopa Inita-Arua

---

Vilita [2] - [0] Cosneolta

:: Vilita Goalscorers :: :: 69' Sipke Tarala :: 71' Berali Tzufarei :: Possession: 58% :: Shots on Target: 7 :: Corner Kicks: 16

:: Cosneolta Statistics :: :: Possession: 42% :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 2

Vilita Jungle Cats Lineup v. Cosneolta ::
[GK] Maratopa Inita-Arua, [D.] Arocki Tadalek, [D.] Jirijii Januaa, [D.] Linkat Cjinder, [D.] Rintala Sekagaya, [ML] Cavuna Aquafek, [MC] Va'a-Rio Kiwavn, [MC] Tripate Falcon, [MR] Polaox Torerun, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [FC] Berali Tzufarei
BENCH::
[FC] Kiliko Riazen, [FC] Fishtii Blikala, [M] Cywrenta Vlintejni, [M] Kamarul Zaman, [U ] Tenziki Kulakao, [D] Endur Rotropii, [GK] Cilamara Issah

---

[Nephara]

Natanians and Nosts 0 - 4 Nephara
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Tsattalios; 18 - Brymora, 5 - Konoval (c), 6 - Scharner (22 - Steelhenge 84'), 3 - Lohengrin; 23 - Chilmark (4 - Rowland 60'), 15 - Klein; 13 - Fanaiyan, 21 - Gosforth (c, 14 - Rowan 71'), 11 - Strongbow; 17 - Stavanger
Goals: Strongbow 32', Stavanger 47', 82', Fanaiyan 66'

THE HERALD
CHENOWORTH SIDES AIM TO FORCE THEIR WAY BACK TO RELEVANCE
Markus Carney

It used to be one of the keystone rivalries of the early Premiership... albeit usually from the ground level. Between them, Chenoworth Harriers and Chenoworth Rovers have been relegated from the top flight seven times. Of late, though, the Rovers have struggled to get out of the Second Division as the Harriers, once considered the slightly smaller of the two, managed to compete in the Champions Cup. It represents a remarkable turnaround, for both sides.

Chenoworth is not traditionally one of Nephara's more interesting or relevant cities. Situated vaguely in the southwest, it historically managed to avoid being embroiled in the civil wars of the city-state period, and became known as something of a financial centre. Culturally, it's the centre of Nephara's Hellenic community, as well as commanding a substantial Jewish minority. It's this ethnic divide that is at the heart of the Chenoworth derby, one that has gone uncontested for too long.

The Harriers, in the city's northwest, were set up by Greeks and has always had a strong Hellenic connection. Originally set up by the small Hellenic Nautikos family back when the Greeks were still a scattered minority, they became a source of great cultural pride and remain at least the second side of almost all the Hellenic diaspora. "We've always valued family and culture," says Dimi Nautikos, former Chairman of the Harriers, "and we've always felt that's what's set us apart from other, more commercialised clubs."

Commercial reality, however, did eventually bite. After their fourth relegation, it was time for the Nautikos family to admit that they did not have the financial clout to keep up with a rapidly-evolving Premiership. They sold the club to a consortium of investors from across the country who believed they could convert a club that regularly packs out its 35,000-capacity stadium. The consortium was right.

A policy of slow, steady growth was put in place and almost immediately torpedoed when Aidan Brosque, a young manager and former hard-nosed defender from the Vale, took a modestly talented squad into UICA in his second top-flight season. They haven't let go since. Unfortunately, after this whirlwind of results, Brosque did leave, but not before the influx of funds from these successes allowed the Harriers to bring in quality internationals such as Airik Ruhl, Markus Sheffield and Steven Rexmont. Many of the funds have gone to the academy, as well, and top-class talent is starting to walk through these doors. Under new manager John Sedder, they look a prospect to be reckoned with for next season.

Chenoworth Rovers, on the other hand, will just be happy to consolidate. Playing in a white and blue contrast to the Harriers' red, and traditionally priding themselves on a defensive, disciplined style, the Rovers have an unfair reputation as the 'club of accountants' with a more white-collar image. In reality, they are as attuned to the Jewish minority of Nephara as the Harriers are to the Hellenics, and share similarly humble roots.

They enjoyed a period of genuine success in the Premiership, albeit without taking any titles - this is largely due to Gethin Ramsey, whose club career ended and managerial career began with the Rovers before the modern era. Even so, they were on the slide as the modern era began and were, like the Harriers, soon relegated. It is only recently that their fortunes have diverged - even as the Harriers were promoted back to the top flight by winning the second tier at a canter, the Rovers came eighth. As the Harriers consolidated in the Premiership with a respectable 13th place finish, the Rovers had slipped to 23rd in the First Division and slipped to the Second.

After the expected immediate return did not materialise, the Rovers found themselves stranded in third-tier purgatory for a second season, and attempted a morale-boosting coup. Gethin Ramsey, freshly departed from Cosumar, had successfully been coaxed into a sentimental return to the club he'd done so much with... but an extreme coughing fit in his second match of pre-season revealed that all was not well. Ramsey would, of course, tragically die of lung cancer later that year, and the demoralised Rovers could not escape without him.

It took another doughty Northwesterner with Cormorants experience to lift the Rovers out of the doldrums. Catheline Harper, after her valiant but doomed attempt to grant Maximum Rovers yet another stay of execution, dropped down two tiers and immediately set about creating a winning atmosphere, having the side play assertive, physically dominant football and giving confidence to a team that had seemed to have lost it. The title came down to the wire - the Rovers were denied only on goal difference after a dramatic final matchday - but promotion was easily secured.

Now, with investments made, the Rovers look ready to take on the second tier. Seasoned internationals in Felix Shaw and Lasse Hummels sharply increase the quality at either end of the pitch, while Adino Eliot and Mona Gentile have also played abroad. There's youth mixed seamlessly with experience and while the depth isn't that strong, and the side may struggle for goals outside of Hummels, they are expected to stay up. And then they, too, can consolidate, grow, and make a push back into the Premiership, where the Harriers are likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

And then hostilities will be resumed in one of Nephara's most colourful derbies.

[Somecoldwetislands]

The Island Shrieker
Talking Points From Draws Against KyrBojasjikmarkstan
By Suave Katie

Two games, two opponents we could expect an even contest with, two uninspiring draws and some injury and discipline issues. All in all the last two games probably count for the team as a let down, any chance of a late tilt at the qualifying positions has effectively evaporated against two teams that proved a fairly even match. Here are my three talking points:

1. Red Peter is a hazard in defence. The big, nude, red striker has proven himself a bit of a super sub, with a brace against Dunnes,
   as well as the equaliser against Kyrjasmark after coming off the bench. However, at the back he has proven to be a liability. His mistake against Bojikstan, spilling the ball to an opposition striker allowing them clear on goal has quite possibly cost the side 2 additional points. His tendency to fall to the floor screaming and writhing about after losing the ball may well have an effect on his effectiveness going back. This creates an additional headache for the selection committee, they need more bodies back to plug the leaky defence, but can they afford to keep such an attacking threat on the bench?
   
2. Old Granny Sherry needs to do more to avoid conflict. After receiving a total of 5 yellows in the last 6 games, Old Granny Sherry is going to have to sit out the next match. She's already missed out once due to a red card earlier in the campaign. For Old Granny Sherry it hasn't been her tackles, which are largely precise and fair, but her acid tongue. Her conflict with Bonesean forward Ogma Codd was documented in the press but didn't cause a booking, other referees however have made fewer allowances for the slip of the tongue of an old woman. Consequently we must hope that in future she bites her tongue more often.
   
3. Qualification is effectively over. At this point us Islanders can play only for pride, as while qualification is mathematically still possible, there are essentially no routes left to victory. The Islanders have effectively squandered 4 vital points by not picking up wins against their last two opponents as all of the groups top five teams remain on our fixture list, including the trio of Qasden, Spaam and Bonesea. The squads main ambition now most likely lies in giving a good account of themselves in preparation for any future tournaments.

***

The Island council had convened in an emergency session, the topic of discussion was the very future of the Islands, as well as the all engulfing business of the FOOOTBAAAALLLL. Friar Johnathan took the chair to preside over the meeting, with Suave Katie as Secretary, Daddy Dave as treasurer and Cuddly Samantha as Vice-Chair.

Friar Johnathan (FJ): "Good evening all, please take a seat, I am calling this meeting of the village council into session. Now, I know that as the qualification campaign comes to an end we all remain full of questions. We have seen places we would otherwise never have seen and have considered possibilities that until now we knew little of. This of course has thrown up questions as to how we want our future to look like. I would like to pass over to Samantha for the first item of business."

Cuddly Samantha (CS): "Thank you Friar, I have taken up the task of outlining several plans for our future and what they entail. Option 1 represents a fairly minimal change, we shall attempt to sell more goods abroad in order that we can import more. I know we have all seen things we have never seen before..."

Woman Dave (interjecting): "LIKE THAR STUFF IN THE 'OTEL ROOMS ABROAD!"

CS: "What stuff from the hotel rooms?"

WD: "The smelly stuff, goes in yer 'air. What were it be called... CONDESHSHONAR! Yeah, we best be getting somes of tha'. And wine! Tha white stuff, whas it called? PINE NUT GREG GO!"

CS: "Well, I can certainly add those two to the import list, I too wash impressed by that conditioner stuff, even if it didn't taste all that good like our soap does. Now obviously option 1 depends on how much we export, wind power could be one option, as could tourism given how un-spoilt and unique the islands are."

FJ: "Indeed this option represents only minor changes and could well aid us in having a more varied, fulfilling lifestyle."

Suave Katie (SK): "Obviously it means more outsiders would come here."

Old Granny Sherry (OGS): "They wouldn't be... LOCAL?"

SK: "No, they would be from elsewhere."

OGS: *SHRIEKS* "OUTSIDEEEEEERSSSS!"

SK: "Indeed, and wine."

OGS: "Oh well that's OK then."

CS: "Now, we have also highlighted a second option that would represent a bigger shift. We could invite outsiders to come to the island full-time. This has the benefit of bringing new and interesting people to the community, as well as allowing more of the island to be developed, for example there's room for two new farms and probably about 20 houses. We could increase, per person, the amount of fish, potatoes, and maybe even herbs we produce, as well as them bringing in other skills that we could export. Now, there is a final benefit, we would be able to harvest their talent to support and maybe even play for the football side. We could finally get a run of form together!"

*Murmuring spreads around the room*

Daddy Dave: "Is it not better to fail on our own terms than to import others? I have no objection to newcomers, but couldn't this lead to turmoil in the squad? Why not rise or fall off our own backs, I know all of us in the squad have given it our all, this team was built on hard work and we have a lot to be proud of so far. This feels like importing mercenaries, people who have no love for the team but enough talent to earn a place, we should never be a good team that does just enough to coast, I'd rather remain crap and punch above our weight!"

*Applause*

FJ: "Well that is one war cry I can get behind. Perhaps it can be settled then, we allow in new outsiders so long as they're crap at football, all in favour?"

*Shouts of aye.*

FJ: "All opposed?"

*Silence*

FJ: "Motion carried, I'll draft an advert."

***

WANTED: OUTSIDERS

Tired of the modern world? Fed up of the nine to five? The bustle of city life and the stresses? Come join us on Somecoldwetislands. We may not have a great climate or exotic foods, it's a simple life. But we have things the modern world does not; community, kinship, warmth and enough moonshine to kill a horse. We currently have vacancies for 10 households, including two farms. Beyond farmers we also require fishers, and people with experience running import/export based businesses, with an understanding of international corporate law or the ability to connect an entire island to wi-fi.

Those talented at football need not apply.

[Schottia]

CMB

Part Two.

Still not winning.

Connie could not have been further from match-fit, as she prepared to train with the rest of the Schottia squad at their pre-qualifying get together. She hadn't trained with Polaris yet this season, and had last kicked a ball at the Eagle's Cup. Why was she even here..? Well she had to start somewhere, and an informal meeting like this was as good as any. She needed to confront the rest of the team at some point, and they would all have their own ideas of what had happened to her over the summer. Luckily Ross Renshaw was a blabbermouth - bless him - and he would have hopefully got news around that she at least wasn't in a straightjacket. Perhaps more importantly, however, she knew that if she missed this meet, it would be a long way back into the national team once she did get herself fit. Lionel Mah would be looking very closely at these performances, and a quick glance around new faces had told Connie that there was going to be some stiff competition for places within the qualifying pool.

Everyone assumed Connie was confident, but in truth, there was no one more riddled with more doubt and self-loathing. The walk up from the car park had been utterly excruciating, like walking barefoot across shards of glass. There had been a couple of the new recruits just ahead of her on the path, and she had caught herself dragging her feet to avoid having to catch up with them. For all the time she had spend ridiculing Ross and cursing his unwanted attention, she would have given her right arm to have seen him then - just to take the burning spotlight off of her.

The first half hour of the training session had been spent stood outside the managers' offices, watching and waiting to see what transpired. There had been more than a few eyebrows raised (not least amongst the coaches) when Gary Corsie had arrived in hippy gear. In fairness, Connie actually thought he had retired. The players loved a good gossip, and there was some serious jostling, as they all stood pressed to the glass, trying to find out what was going on. Connie stood at the back however - or rather she slouched against the wall of one of the outbuildings. Her dislike of Gary Corsie was only matched by her utter disinterest in anything involving him. The fact that she disliked him had been irritating her in itself recently. She had absolutely no good reason, other than that she knew Hazel van Robben had it in for the guy. However, there was having a mentor, and then there was just hero worship - the latter wasn't healthy. She needed to at least make her own enemies for fucksake - given her track record, it should be hard.

Connie looked at the players stood in the shorts and training tops, comparing their limps to her own. She was thinner, yet at the same time had more of a layer of fat than they did. Her thigh muscles and washboard stomach were long gone, and it felt like they might never return. Three months without so much as lifting a finger, and eating reheated hospital crap, hadn't been the ideal preparations for this weekend.

'Connie!' Ross was the first person to clapped eyes on her who wasn't either scared of her, or just didn't give a toss. As could have been predicted, he was right at the front of the gaggle, and as a result, hadn't seen her arrive. He forced his way through the mass of bodies like a lolloping retriever, making a beeline straight for her.

'Hallo...' Connie did her very best to pretend she wasn't relieved to see him, rolling her eyes, and angling her shoulder in the other direction. Why was she so uncomfortable with returning any of his genuine affection? She could even just be friendly to him; for once. That stinking cup of coffee she had made for him in the hospital was probably the nicest thing she had ever done for Ross.

'That guy is, like, hardcore!' Ross said, as he stood along side her. Connie tried not to cringe at the wording.

'Wait...' She shook herself out of autopilot. 'Hardcore? Who is?'

'Corsie!' Ross' words could have bowled her over. 'The guy just rocks up here in a shirt, shorts, and sandals, and is just like: I'm here to play.' Ross shook his head in quiet awe. 'No one even invited him... What an absolute legend! See if I were the Gaffer... I'd have just been like: That's the guy for me!

The tectonic plates of Connie's world were currently realigning. She had never seen it like that before. She had always been so busy ridiculing her ascribed advisory, that she had never stopped to think how others might view his antics. The fact that she probably weren't as insane as he was, was something she had always consoled herself with - now she had to make a rapid reassessment. Ross was actually impressed by him. Then again, Ross seemed to like her, so maybe he just had a thing for wilder character.

'I've never seen anything like this in my life.' Ross added with a slow shake of the head, his bottom jaw hanging slightly open.

'I dunno about never,' Connie frowned. 'After you've played football against a team of bears, nothing really seems wonderful and magical ever again - but I know what you mean.'

After another fifteen minutes the crowd were encouraged to disperse, and Corsie cut a forlorn figure as she marched towards the exit, carrying himself with an air of discomfort.

'Look at him,' Ross insisted. 'He just doesn't give a fuck about anything.' Connie watched the Chatswood man, until he disappeared from sight. His mass of hair and beard clearly visible until the last.

Maybe Ross was right, maybe finding happiness was a case of finally accepting who you were, and that - no matter how much they throw at you - you'll never change. Corsie was winning now; he had finally ground the world down. Maybe that was the trick. Perhaps everything was relative. Connie wasn't there yet, and right now one look at her stomach, and the initial beginnings of an overhang, told her that the world was very much still winning. Maybe another decade and she would be the one on top, turning up to training overweight, pissed, and off her face on drugs - gaining the respect of some future Ross Renshaw. They'd send her on her way, but she wouldn't give a shit. She would head back into the city, have sex with the first person she met, then curl up under a blanket outside the church with a bottle of whisky.

...Okay, that's all a bit extreme, but if going with the flow had taken Corsie his end destination, then what the fuck was hers?

'Do you want to..?'

'What!?' Connie accidently cut Ross off too quickly, as he startled her out of her daydream once again.

'Doesn't matter.' Ross said, looking away bashfully, as he started some thigh stretches. It must have been that thing where you force someone to repeat themselves, and accidently added too much gravity to the words they were about to deliver.

'Do you want to have a coffee when we get back to the hotel?' Connie asked, guessing that it might have been what he was about to say, but doing her best to disguise it as her own original thought. It didn't seem to take very much for Ross to try and ask her out - to the extent that it was almost incessant. Connie knew she should probably be heading straight for the gym when they got back, but as much as she needed to build up her muscle mass, her mental wellbeing undoubtedly needed Ross' attention more.

'Oh.' Ross blushed horribly, his lips pursing to form a tiny like circle. 'Eh, sure. Only if you want, I suppose.' His attempt to not seem overly keen was poor, and to be fair, maybe they just both knew the other one was pretending. Conversation was just like a game - you had to beat around the bush all the time, because if you just came straight out with what you really felt, everyone would think you were a crazy cunt.

'Yeah, whatever...' Connie shrugged, as the players fell back into line with the rest of their teammates, following the coaches out to the training pitch. Word had it that they were going to be doing a little five-a-side for warm up. 'I don't drink caffeine - I'm not really supposed to, it makes me a little twitchy and weird.' She offered him a faint smile. 'But I'll happily sit and watch you drink one. It will likely be better than that cup of shite I made you a month ago.'

'Goodness... goodness no, that coffee was fine.' Ross brushed off her apology. 'Given that you don't drink coffee, I think you did a really good job.' Connie had noticed that she literally couldn't do anything wrong in Ross' eyes. She could have said to him that she though the sea was pink, and he would have replied: Yeah, I suppose it is. Weirdly, she kind of liked it though, as it became a bit of a game.

'Caffeine has just never brought out the best in me.' Connie said quietly, as they gathered round to hear the Gaffer's initial team talk. Lionel Mah was one of those bosses who commanded respect - when he spoke, the players were expected to listen. 'I remember,' she whispered. 'When I was six, I broke into my parent's cupboard, and ate a whole jar of instant coffee, my mum and dad never kept the stuff in the house after that.' Ross was doing his best to appear like he was listening to both Connie and his manager, which was a difficult challenge. Connie stood on her tiptoes and cupped a hand to his ear. 'I got so hyper, I ran outside and punched my neighbours' pet rabbit to death!'

'Jesus Christ!' Connie looked away, smirking with delight at the reaction she had managed to draw from her friend.

'Is everything okay Ross?' Asked the assistant manager, Colin Donaldson, looking a little bewildered by the player's outburst.

'Yes.' Ross answered with a nervous grin, as he realised all eyes were upon him. 'I was just saying... Jesus Christ, that's a... bloody good idea..!'

[Cassadaigua]

Let’s Get To It,
by Brittany Byers, Team Captain

The group is so competitive right now, that even losing just your second game in 11 matchdays, and having a total of 25 points, would not be good enough to punch a ticket to Ceni or Drawkland. There are plenty of more games for us to redeem ourselves. There’s no help coming from below in this group, it’s going to be about which team at the top does the best amongst the other teams at the top, and then which does the second best. I’ll start this off by talking about the Valladares match because that is on everyone’s mind and I know people have been waiting for me to post something to see if I’ll beat around the bush about what happened in the 68th minute, or if I will just face the music. Obviously, pretty much everyone knows about the play, but there could be some people reading who have not had the chance to see it yet. In the 68th minute, the Valladares forward had a great opportunity, and had a slight step on Jessica Curran. He seemed to know that, and was being patient before putting a shot on Kristen Speller, knowing how awesome she has been. He was not my responsibility, technically, but I had to make the last gasp effort to prevent the opportunity. In my dash and eventual lunge at the player, I got too much of his back leg to the ref’s liking. The forward still got a shot off, but was far less then ideal, and Kristen made the play.

I knew as soon as I got that leg, that I might be trouble. When I could see that he did not get a good shot on net, I knew what might be coming, but did not want to look at the official. I didn’t really have to, as the roar of their home crowd told the story. I then looked at the ref, saw the yellow card, and saw that the penalty kick was being awarded. I tried to argue briefly that it was incidental contact, but you know, that’s just part of being an athlete. Deep down, I knew the card was deserved, the upcoming penalty kick was deserved, and that I was glad the player was ok. For everyone who does not think the right call was made, imagine if the jerseys were reversed and it happened at the other end. It just really stinks, because you know that this was a big game, and now the opponent has this amazing opportunity. Unfortunately, he took advantage of it and scored the goal.

After the game, I asked Kristen if she thought I made the right play, or if I should have just let the forward take the shot on her right then and there, even though it would have been in close. She was compassionate as she is a great player, but you have to realize that she has been in such a zone throughout qualifying. Her answer was great actually, because she did not tell me a yes or no. She simply said that if I am that situation again I need to do what my instincts tell me to do, and not to take a split second to think about it. The goal on the penalty was the difference maker in an evenly played match. We had a few chances, but some of you might also be concerned with Hannah Ranucci, who was substituted out in the 78th minute while limping a little bit. It turns out everything is fine, it was just a stinger, and she will be back for our next game.

That next match, is against Coldfield, the only nation who had defeated us before last night, and are still responsible for 40% of the goals that have been scored on Kristen Speller during qualifying. It was not our best effort, but things will be a lot different as we play in Brattleboro for this match. Hope you haven’t forgotten about that, but this is the one match that will not be played in Concord Heights, as CASE determined that they wanted Coldfield to play in our warmest climate. Not that there’s some amazing huge difference between Concord Heights and Brattleboro, but CASE wants to see how we can get any bit of an edge.

In conclusion, I want to thank everyone that participated in my e-mail contest here for the free trip to watch us play in Valladares. While it was not the outcome that you wanted, hopefully you were able to have a good time. Those who did not win any of the prizes, fear not, because you have another chance today. Another 50 people, selected at random by my husband, will receive free Cassadagan World Cup team swag by sending me an email which includes the name of the nation that we co-hosted World Cup 54 with as the subject.

[Soltsteed]

|national football | club football | basketball | rugby | volleyball | sevenball|

OUR OPINION: soltsteed’s campaign is about laying a foundation for the future
if they want to qualify soon, the stallions cannot flinch in their current uphill battle, especially in the next match to come

ESWELLE — The Stallions’ victory in Kecrazia has confirmed one thing: Soltsteed cannot finish last in the qualifying group. It is, in theory, possible for the eliminated St Wilhelm to overtake De Hingsten, but the constellation of events required to for them to do so are so unlikely as to be effectively impossible.

Today’s match is critical to deciding if Soltsteed has a hope and qualifying prayer. Hovering around fourth for the entire qualifying process, Soltsteed has wasted several chances to get ahead of potential rivals, the African micronation of New Gazi included. Now, as Soltsteed host a nation that isn’t, the Stallions must emerge victorious or accept that their campaign is doomed to failure.

Defeat would put Soltsteed in a definitively unenviable position: effectively eliminated with no hope of catching up to the top of the pack. Victory would be the first step on the road to catching Tumbra and snatching second from under their noses.

Of course, this is not to say that victory in Eswelle will instantly save the Soltsteedish campaign. Maintaining our winning streak will be essential; victory against Mattijana will be crucial. The game against Farfadillis is almost certain to be a loss—a draw is the unlikely best possible hope for the Stallions against the second-best team in the world—, Mattijana will be hungry to snatch six points off an inconsistent Soltsteedish side and Tumbra will provide a stiff challenge to visiting Soltsteed in a must-win match. The rest of the field is a veritable landmine of potential draws and losses that really ought to be wins.

“We are under pressure,” manager Jan-Peter Wietdal admits. “We didn’t perform to our expectations in the first half of qualifying and it’s our own fault for doing so, but now we have to pay the price for that. Qualification is still possible, but it will be immensely difficult.”

Optimism is admirable and we believe that the Stallions can succeed where others are destined to fail (#bofchampions), but Realpolitik—or should we say Realfußball—is much more controlling of our opinion. As the adage goes, anything that can go wrong will. This is not to say that we ought to lie down and surrender to inevitable failure, but that we must continue to fight on to better our position for future draws.

At this moment in time, Soltsteed’s KPB rating—the official World Cup seeding system—cannot do anything other than rise thanks to both the mathematics of the ranking system and Soltsteed’s failure to put together a non-stillborn entry until the last World Cup cycle. Each point on the table puts us one step closer to better seedings in future qualifying draws, which will give the Stallions easier paths to qualification. And more immediately, more points equals a higher seeding in the upcoming Cup of Harmony that Soltsteed will likely be partaking in, which presents an easier opportunity for the Stallions to rise further up the ranks and become potential outside qualifiers for future draws, if not favourites.

And just as it is almost impossible for St Wilhelm to overtake the Stallions, it will take a massive earthquake like that which toppled the Greg régime to propel the Stallions to the World Cup finals. New Gazi, Mattijana and Tumbra must all fall to the might if Emma Gryndhout and Emmet Ferdinand. Farfadillis have to waste an easy three points. The rest of the field need to to roll over and surrender. The squad that clawed their way back into the Baptism of Fire face a much more difficult task if they want to qualify for the World Cup in just two attempts.

Make no mistake: Aferstannen yt ruinen will be proudly blasting at a finals match soon enough, but the nation must be patient. The Stallions are still in the mix for a trip to CREDRAWK if they can produce a near-perfect run in the return leg of qualification, but matching or bettering our quarterfinal Cup of Harmony finish is a more immediate and realistic goal. The most immediate: crush the micronation standing directly in our path. If we don’t, we may lose our chance to qualify for the next cycle to come. •

---

In other news:
Football: Mästerheid clubs discussing qualification changes and foreign players in the league
Port Michael: Michaeltown indoor market closed down by police after rat invasion
#SoltPoli: Indigenous deputies walk out after National Alliance stonewall family reform
Co. Stanness: Unannounced power cut to the county spark protests

[Darmen]

Isadore Albert, Chief of the Metropolitan Police, was shown into the office of the President of the Republic by Chief of Staff Mitchell Hellewege. Isadore had just passed Tigernán Mac an Aba, the local leader of the Darmen Teachers' Union, on his way into the office.

Isadore sat down at the desk across from Tor Tong Lee. Lee was busy shuffling papers, but was wearing a wide grin as he did so. "Welcome, Isadore," said Lee.

"Good afternoon, Mr. President," responded Isadore.

"You are probably wondering what I've called you here for, aren't you?"

"Well, yes. That and everybody else who has visited your office today."

"Well," started Lee, his grin growing, "I'm bringing Scott City to its knees."

Isadore choked a bit. "Sorry, what?"

"I'm creating a temporary gridlock in municipal services to bring about a situation which will allow me to declare a State of Emergency in the city."

"Why?" asked Isadore.

"Well, as you know, the Mayor and District Attorney of this city have been pitted against each other in a political and personal rivalry. This rivalry has led to the Municipal Council becoming completely dysfunctional. Its time we put an end to this," Lee circled around the desk, before continuing, "I've already secured promises from the teachers, sanitation workers and bus drivers that they'll go on strike this coming Monday. I need you to go on strike the next day. Think you can do that?"

"Ermmm..." Isadore was shocked. The President of the Republic was asking him to have the Metropolitan Police Department go on strike to remove a handful of politicians from office. "But..."

"No, no buts," said Lee, leaning against the desk and facing Isadore. "The State of Emergency is going to be declared, with or without your participation. Mr. Kruse and Mr. McCune will be forced to resign, with or without your participation. The municipal government will become functional again, with or without your participation. Now, on Tuesday, will the police go on strike?"

Isadore contemplated his options. He didn't have long to do so, as Lee snapped, "Well Mr. Albert, what is it?"

Isadore stammered, "Ye... yes, um... yes. Yes we will."

"Very good," said Lee, showing Isadore out of his office. "My Chief of Staff, Mr. Hellewege, will provide you with the relevant details on your way out. Have a good evening." The door to the office shut quickly behind Isadore.

---

From the Office of the President of the Republic

DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

In response to the situation in the Municipality of Scott City

Pursuant to Article II-Paragraph 16 of the Constitution of Darmen, a State of Emergency is hereby declared within the boundaries of the local governing area which is the Municipality of Scott City.

The following reasons are recognized:

1. The failure of the Municipal Council of Scott City to pass a single piece of legislation since Tuesday, January 3rd, 2040.
2. The strikes currently underway by the police officers, sanitation workers, teachers and transportation workers of the city.
3. The improperly investigated accusations of Sexual Harassment against the Mayor of Scott City, Gundisalvus Kruse.
4. The improperly investigated accusations of Nepotism against the District Attorney of Scott City, Alexander McCune.
5. The general decay of social and political institutions in the city.
6. The growing unrest amongst the city's population.

The following measures shall be exercised in response:

1. The policing of Scott City shall be assumed jointly by the 2nd Infantry Brigade and 1st Military Police Regiment of the Darmeni Army, as well as the 1st Gendarmerie Regiment.
2. The President of the Republic may remove any member of the Municipal Council for any reason. Vacant seats will be filled by the relevant political party which is entitled to fill it.
3. All workers currently striking against their employers are hereby ordered to return to work within three days. Workers who fail to do so may be arrested and fined at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Labor.
4. All criminal cases involving current or former members of the Municipal Council will be handled by the District Attorney of County Newberry.

Ordered: Tuesday, June 26th, 2040
For the Period of: 30 days

Signed: Tor Tong Lee, President of the Republic; Alex Quinn, Speaker of Parliament; Napoléon Cockburn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

[Ko-oren]

"Katanmak, listen to me, you've got to change things. You've proven enough. Yes, the Dragonflies rely on the older players too much. But you have to stop playing without a plan."

"Actually, I think I do have a plan. Haven't I, Katherine? Really, every single match I've been systematically attacking the opponents' flaws with tactical football. Swapping out a defender here, having a midfielder drop back there, making good calls during the match in terms of man-marking dangerous players. And you know as well as I do that a lot of those teams have more dangerous players than we can follow around all day."

"See, I get that. I really do. Your calls are good. Your substitutions are good. Really. But there are so many situational adjustments that, well, umm, I don't think us players are settling into any system. We are a 5-3-2 on paper, but I don't think we've ever had the players to pull that off on the field at all.-"

"But-"

"Hey, I get that. But if only we'd have the same kind of system every time... The team has become great on the basis of a steady gameplan, always prepared and defensive, not letting the opponent decide for us what we're going to do on the field. I just said to change things, but maybe, just, not change everything all the time? Less change?"

"I just think I've got this, Katherine! Everything's showing we're going places!"

"Like?"

"Like!? We barely allow goals in the first half. My gameplan is solid. I don't want to say it, but maybe we just don't have the players that can execute it-"

"And maybe you're overfeeding the players with irrelevant facts! Like before the Eura game... and I quote, '70% percent of the time, when John Talbot has the ball, his first instinct is to pass to the outside of the field', really! And he didn't even start against us! In fact, he didn't start at all yet this cycle! Right now, I've got more materials to study before a game than, well, ever, really. What's going on? You were a student of the game, always have been, but what's with the statistics?"

"Well, were the statistics wrong?"

"That's beside the point."

"I'll ask again, are my statistics wrong? Talbot, after he was subbed on, played over three quarters of his passes to the outside of the field, exactly as I said he would. And if those had been picked off, we might have taken a 0-0 draw out of this. Against Eura! A draw! It's possible, you know. I'm telling you now, next one against Thibaea, put pressure on Barbet all the time if they're looking for a build-up. He can't do it. He's always looking for Deniau to do it. And then trap Deniau. Oh, and Lafaille's acceleration is pretty good, but his top speed is awful. If he gets past you, just turn around and chase him, you'll catch up to him in seconds. José Milhaud, striker, always looking to get a shot in in the close corner."

"Ok, and what about the 80% of times we can't force these kinds of situations? I know I'm not playing next game, and that's alright! But for the sake of the other guys, how are we supposed to put this into action?"

"Katherine, I get your point. You want to play football, you don't want to study. But please meet me even halfway in the middle. These kinds of things take away the favoured action of our opponents 25% of the time, and that's often enough to sway something in our favour."

"But that's not working! We're in pretty much the toughest group, and we've only once managed a goal against the other big nations! That was Taeshan, in an insane 3-2 win shootout. All other ones, Eura, Apox, Nephara, you name it, whatever, zero goals. I get you need time, I understand the team needs time with all the new players. But come on, we can't apply this stuff to every situation!"

"Can you get the players to meet me halfway? I'll look for a way for you to apply the information to a game. It might not happen next game, it needs some setting up, alright. But I get it."

"You better!"

[Banija]

Banija picks up 5th straight win on home soil with 3-1 victory over Bostopia


Team celebrates Toyuwa Okafor's completion of hat trick in win over Bostopia

BUSUKUMA- The Kadongo Kamu wanted to keep pace with their Group 3 rivals for world cup qualification, which were Eshan, Chromatika, and Eastfield Lodge. The fact that we can even talk about this reasonably with this team is a great success in and of itself- there wasn't a single pundit, in Banija or outside, who could have made a reasonable prediction that Banija would be where it find itself today. Having defeated three top 60 teams already in qualifying, 3rd place in the group 10 games in. Of course, they are four points behind the second automatic qualification spot, and as there are no playoff spots, it's 2nd or nothing in terms of Qualifying.

The Kadongo Kamu knew that this game with Bostopia was a must-win if they had any ambitions, as far-fetched as they are, to reaching Drawkland/Ceni when it's all said and done. There are a number of reasons why we think they will ultimately end up in the Cup of Harmony, with the point gap between them and Eshan simply too great to overcome, but for now, they are firmly competitive. But of course, this would require a victory at home over unranked Bostopia. But it wasn't even the grander scheme of things that would provide extra motivation. Revenge was on the minds of the hosts.

Bostopia defeated them in front of the Kabaka in Fort Boston, all the way back on matchday 2. Adam Fletcher, the veteran of the squad, scored a game winning header off of the substitute's bench in the late stages, and Banija wanted revenge for that loss. Banija would need to do whatever it could, and take their opponents apart from the word go. In this game, Banija wanted a clean, nice, simple win. They would want to gain a stranglehold on this one early. For one, to show that this team was indeed, for real, and secondly, to prevent another heartbreaker like last time.

Banija was able to do exactly that. Toyuwa Okafor, the team's starting striker, had been criticized entering this game. Going into this game, he had scored only 3 of the team's 27 goals through 10 matchdays. He needed a breakout game. Players like Matthias Muhumuza were clamoring for his spot in the starting lineup. In limited minutes, with just a few appearances off the bench for each, Muhumuza and Bagin had each bagged a goal- while the clamoring continued louder for his replacement.

For now, however, it seems that Toyuwa Okafor has shut down the doubters. Banija took a stranglehold on this game, the very first at the National Stadium, early on in the game. Okafor himself was fouled in the box on a corner kick, as he was taken down by 18 year old Robert Princes in the box. He calmly stepped up to take the penalty, and the keeper went the wrong way as Okafor buried the ball into the corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. But he wasn't done.

Okafor would not take long to get onto the board again. He received the ball at the 18, and tried to make space with the dribble. He could not, and passed the ball onto Mavuto, who fired from 25 yards. While the shot was saved, the rebound bounced to the center to Okafor, and he slotted the ball home in the 19th minute, as he already had a double and the Banijans had a 2-0 lead. This team was rolling through the competition, and Banija was up by a score of 2-0.

It was Okafor who would score Banija's final goal, just before the stroke of halftime. It was clear that Banija was dominating this game, and Okafor completed the first hat trick for any member of this squad during this World Cup Cycle. Okafor headed in a corner kick in the 44th minute, and with the team up 3-0 going into halftime, they went into cruise control for the remainder of the match. The only bad thing Banija took away from this match was a harsh red card for Wasa Jawo.

A very intelligent player, he now holds the record for largest sale of a BSL player and the largest sale of a Banijan player, as the defender was sold for $7.5 million NSDs to Petroslovakia United, in the Petroslovanian Soccer League, the defending league champions. The move was made official when he landed in Banija after their game with Boring Paradise. His hands, while they were not behind his back, were not exactly flailing either. Regardless, it hit his palm, and he was shown a straight red by the referee. He was sent off, and will miss the next game. Ernest Gosford converted the penalty, which gave the game a final score of 3-1 to the hosts.

Banija's next game is a visit to Reuss-Lippe. Randolf Cherry told reporters that he while he was disappointed Jawo was shown red, that he would be in a decent place for the next match. "We figured this out in the last half- you can't have the same starting 11 for all 18 qualifiers. You need to give guys breaks. We were gassed by the time we arrived in Buyan, and we need to be fresh for our qualifiers after Reuss-Lippe." And Cherry is right. After their visit to Reuss-Lippe, who is in dead last in the group with only 4 points from 11 matches, the two following matches will likely decide the fate of their qualification campaign- hosting Eastfield Lodge, who is just a point behind Banija in the standings, then a visit to Eshan, who Banija upset 3-2 on home soil.

The regular starting eleven will all get a break, so they can rest up for those two huge qualifiers against the other competitors for the 2nd qualification spot out of the group. Chromatika, 7 points clear of Banija, won't be caught by Banija. That team is way too good to be passed by the Banijans. This 2nd team will have to get a win. Of course, things are tight, so this is a risky move for Cherry. If they do not get 3 points away from home, the criticism will be harsh, considering Banija has never been to the World Cup Finals. However, he's confident that the depth in the squad can get the job done, so that the starters are fresh for the two huge matches looming afterwards.

Starters: 3-2-3-2
GK #13 Alan Namara. Age 36.
LB #27 Berihu Abeselome. Age 21.
CB #18 Yafet Fekadu. Age 31. Plays for Herzegovina Phoenix in the BSL.
RB #13 Marbue Okeke. Age 34. Plays for Busukuma AC in the BSL.
RDM #14 Flomo Osei. Age 31. Plays for Hoima Warriors in the BSL.
LDM #15 Boimah Ba. Age 30. Plays for Herzegovina City FC in the BSL.
CAM #23 Girma Asmelash. Age 27. Plays for Istria City FC in the BSL.
LM #20 Sia Fall. Age 21. Plays for Jinja City FC in the BSL.
RM #12 John Katumba. Age 33. Plays for Hoima Warriors in the BSL.
ST #24 Nega Bazin. Age 29. Plays for AC Ikeland in the Abaja Premier League.
ST #17 Matthias Muhumuza. Age 29.

All eleven players are making their first starts of the cycle, though Muhumuza, Bazin, Osei, and Ba, have each contributed a goal off of the bench during this campaign. This team will still be favored to take care of business, even if it's not the normal team, and if they do, it will provide a much needed rest for the starters as they prepare for the biggest pair of games in the history of the Kadongo Kamu.

[Ceni]

Here's your cutoff for today.

[Kita-Hinode]

CHAPTER XI - REFORM

Sunrise's House
Friday, 4:00 PM

[Sunrise] - Are you sure you don't want any help to get home or something?
[Katsu] - No worries, sir. I walked here by foot. Figures I should do the same.
He sighed, but still showed enough desire to do so.
[Katsu] - If my sister calls or anything of the like, tell her I'm on my way.
[Qasden] - Dad.
The girl stopped Katsu, looking at her father.
[Qasden] - I don't think it'd be fair if we let him go on his own, he might stumble against some bad person out there. Those XD guys.
[Katsu] - I... I don't really need any-
[Qasden] - I insist.
[Kitsunia] - Don't forget to wear your hoodie.
She handed her a bright red hoodie with an ornate cat head design over the hood itself.
[Qasden] - U-uh... It's not that cold outside...
[Katsu] - Now, now, we don't want to get a cold or something, isn't it?
She looked at her erstwhile rival with clear disdain.
[Qasden] - OK.
[Katsu] - Well... I-I will be going now. Thank you, sir... madam.
He bowed before leaving.
Qasden facepalmed.
[Qasden] - ...Yeah, I'll be back soon.

Qasden barely took four or five steps before looking at Katsu.
[Qasden] - OK. Spit it out.
[Katsu] - Spit what?
[Qasden] - You kept crying up about your sister, you're all polite with my parents...
[Katsu] - Y-Yes...
[Qasden] - And now you're all willing to be a hero? There's something in this, I know it.
[Katsu] - Uh...
[Qasden] - So spit it out, I don't have all day!
Katsu looked to the side, adjusting his scarf.
[Katsu] - You look kinda cute with that coat.
She blushed slightly, before quickly turning into anger.
[Qasden] - SPIT IT OUT!
Katsu sighed, taking a picture out of his pocket.
He handed it to the girl.
[Katsu] - Look at it.
She picked it up, examining the picture.
It had two children carried up lovingly by a couple.
They all looked like a family.
[Katsu] - That's the last picture ever taken of my family together. The Asakawa.
She looked at him, curious.
[Katsu] - A couple of days after we took that picture, we were visiting a museum our company funded. A disgruntled worker somehow obtained a Z-Crystal and unleashed a powerful attack that shook the museum's structure.
She gave him the picture back.
He clutched the picture towards his own heart, holding back the tears.
[Katsu] - H-Han-Myeong's father was able to take us out of the building but... Mom and Dad perished.
He looked down, shaking.
[Katsu] - I... I know I won't get revenge for my parents but... if I can prevent the same happening to others, then I'll do my best to do so.
At last, he simply walked on his way, alone.
It seemed like he didn't want to talk anything else.
Didn't matter if she understood it or not.
[Qasden] - Wait!
She rushed up to him.
[Qasden] - I still think this is way too fishy, but my parents did tell me to take you to your house.
[Katsu] - You don't even know where that is...
[Qasden] - Oh, please. As a kid, I found where my parents lived. Do you really think I can't find my way to a big mansion?
[Katsu] - U-uh...

Qasden kept a good eye around, making sure to take Katsu through the streets.
[Qasden] - Look, did you never ever walk your way around?
[Katsu] - We have a driver... It wouldn't be nice to him if we did so. I left on my own because he was sleeping.
[Qasden] - You're so... weird.
[Katsu] - I'm... I'm not used to a couple of things.
[Qasden] - How did you even find my father's place?
[Katsu] - I... I tried to remember the path my driver took. I might've stumbled at a couple of questionable places, though.
[Qasden] - Huh. Well, I think we're near there and... wait.
[Katsu] - What is it?
She pointed towards a little girl encircled by two skateboarders, as noted by the skateboards on their backs.
[Skateboarder 1] - I'm sorry, little girl. But you're clearly not radical enough for this lollipop of yours.
[Skateboarder 2] - Dude... Should we really do this?
[Skateboarder 1] - Yes! Otherwise, we won't improve our ranks in the organization.
The girl started to cry loud as soon as the first skater took the lollipop out of her mouth.
[Skateboarder 2] - Oh, jeez!
[Skateboarder 1] - Ugh... You'd think joining the Xtreme Destroyers would've been less painful to our ears and-
[Katsu] - Stop!
Katsu stood in front of the two henchmen.
[Skateboarder 1] - Heh. Like you'd be able to do anything to stop us. You're small.
[Skateboarder 2] - I don't... agree with this crime, but we're two and you're one. Leave.
[Katsu] - I'm... I'm not alone
Qasden now sided with him, taking out a Pokéball.
[Qasden] - We challenge you to a tag battle!
[Katsu] - And if we win, you'll give the girl her lollipop back.
[Skateboarder 1] - And if we don't accept your challenge?
Katsu smirked.
[Katsu] - Then I'll tell that guy behind you two that he can beat you up until you spit out any info about the Xtreme Destroyers while also giving the lollipop back.
They turned around.
Han-Myeong waved.
[Han-Myeong] - How are you, gentlemen?
He cracked his fists.
[Han-Myeong] - All your teeth belong to us.
[Skateboarder 2] - We... We'll take the battle option.

Ten minutes later.
Both skateboarders ran away, ignoring the fact they had skateboards.
[Han-Myeong] - They ran away!
[Katsu] - Damn. Yes.
Katsu sighed, before handing the lollipop back to the little girl.
She bowed, before running away.
[Qasden] - Hold on...
She picked up a note with an adress.
[Qasden] - That's probably their headquarters.
[Katsu] - Hmm...
[Han-Myeong] - Should I go get the limo, sir?
Katsu looked at the note.
He smiled.
[Katsu] - I believe it won't be needed. I'll go on foot.
Qasden looked to the side.
[Qasden] - Uh... this is literally on the other side of the city.
Silence.
[Katsu] - Yeah, I think it would be good, thank you.
She facepalmed.

[Bonesea]

.

[South Covello]

A Joint Speech from Louise Bennett and John Green

Louise Bennett and John Green, two opposing candidates for President of South Covello, are making a joint appearance giving a speech about recent developments.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of South Covello. We must speak to you tonight of an attempt to meddle in our democratic election, an attempt from a nation we thought was an ally. Revan Bernat, President of Eshan, has sent letters to both of us in an apparent attempt to undermine our democracy. Mr. Bernat, who seems to now only be going by his first name - we'll get to that later - has offered us unspecified assistance in exchange for us giving his nation economic benefits upon victory. We both reached out to the other to make them aware of this nefarious attempt, and we both interpreted it the same way - that President Bernat was offering to rig the election for each of us, either through deliberate sabotage or other malfeasance, in exchange for future considerations to his nation. This behavior is unacceptable. We will not be beholden to anyone, least of all a President who offered to rig our elections to the highest bidder.

"Furthermore, we have seen the way President Bernat is conducting himself in Eshan, and are very concerned. He is using the same tactics used by other soon-to-be-tyrants, like Reino Kulseth, Samuel Izmailov, Peter O'Reilly, and, oh yes, the man who called himself Lord Almighty Gregory, the very despot and tyrant we have just rid ourselves of after a thousand years of unspeakable horror. He is even using one name - Revan - like he is some sort of deity or other cult figure. We are highly concerned about developments there, and fear Eshan could soon fall into tyranny as well, much as we have, and much as other nations such as the Free Republics previously did on many occasions. We must not allow this to happen to anyone, least of all to a proud and grateful people such as the Echanis who just helped us rid ourselves of our own tyrant.

"Therefore, we are both declining all offers from President Bernat - no, we will not recognize your cult name - and call for his immediate resignation before the situation over there spirals completely out of control. Barring that, we urge the Echani people to vote Bernat out of office in the impending election, lest you become what we once were. If this trend continues, we will be forced to declare all Echani troops within our borders persona non grata, forcing them to either leave the country or face arrest as foreign agents. At this point, we are not doing that drastic step. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation overseas, and will take whatever steps are necessary to protect our democracy and our newfound freedom. I'll now turn it over to my colleague Dr. Bennett, who has some remarks of her own."

"Thank you, President Green. Let me say a line which has often been repeated throughout our short history, in many forms. A threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. Revan Bernat is a threat to freedom in his nation of Eshan, and by extension he is a threat to freedom everywhere in the Multiverse. We call upon the Echani people to take swift and decisive action to remove President Bernat from office, lest he become another O'Reilly, or Kulseth, or Izmailov, or even a Lord Almighty Gregory, where he proclaims himself to be Lord Almighty Revan and demands the people worship him 17 times a day. Can't you see the similarities? President Bernat is setting up a cult in Eshan and we must not stand idly by while he does so. President Bernat - neither of us want your help rigging this election, and your attempts to sell it to the highest bidder are nothing short of criminal. While we appreciate the work you did to rid us of our previous regime, we do not need you destroying the freedom we worked so hard to gain.

"Whichever one of us becomes the new President in a few short weeks, we will do whatever it takes to ensure President Bernat does not become a dictator, or, worse yet, an alleged deity and psychopathic maniac. We will not be your puppet. We will not give in to your meddling and futile attempts to rig our election. We have fought for our freedom, and will not let you destroy it. Go away, you are not welcome here. I am standing here tonight begging the Echanis to not let yourselves become what we once were. Revan Bernat is a tyrant waiting to happen, a cult leader waiting to happen. Please vote him out of office before it's too late. Recognize the warning signs. Please. I'll now turn it back over to President Green to wrap things up."

"Thank you, Dr. Bennett. We both share the same concerns about President Bernat's recent actions, and want to ensure you, the South Covellan people, that our election will be free and transparent. To that end, we will publish all documents related to the election, all communications either of us receive or send from anyone, and anything else related to this election. We will also publish a log of votes cast on the electronic voting machines, though rest assured there will be nothing to tie them to any individual voter - a secret ballot remains tantamount to freedom and democracy. Rather, the documents will simply show the time the vote was cast, which candidate in each election (or which option on a ballot measure) the vote was cast for, and which machine it was cast on. We are deeply concerned that President Bernat will attempt cyber warfare to undermine our elections, and are therefore using maximum encryption on the voting machines as well, and will allow their source code to be accessed by any citizen. However, to prevent Echanins such as President Bernat from gaining this information, only citizens will be able to access this document, at least until after the election. We will not allow President Bernat to continue his terror on our shores. Thank you, and have a great evening."

[Bojikstan]

The Rookies

Part Twenty Two. In which Rain breaks down.

It wasn’t long after the Bojikstani team arrived at the hotel for their next match, and Rain Delacruz was approaching her twin brother with a question that had been on her mind for weeks since the Blackmont trip. “Artem, you have a minute? I know you have that press conference with the others, but I wanted to ask you about something…” she started, letting her voice trail when she looked for a way to finish the sentence. “I wanted to ask you hypothetically. Don’t read too much into this, it’s just something that I’m thinking about for someone else. Again, don’t try to figure out who I’m asking for.”

Artem gave her a long gaze but nodded slowly, deciding not to push it even though it was somewhat obvious that she was asking from herself, from her tone and the warning not to dig into what she was saying. “Alright, then, that’s going on?” he asked cautiously. He wasn’t going to try to force an answer out of her and make her close up even more than she already was about this. After she had come forward to him for the first time in weeks about a problem, he was definitely going to be careful with how he handled it.

“Well, what would you do if… If you had wronged someone in the past and did something unforgivable to them? Something that you assumed that you had gotten away with, but it turns out that the person knows what happened and remembers it and now they’re trying to get revenge because of that. Does the person who committed the wrong deserve it? Or is the person from the past the one that’s in the wrong, because they’re trying to get revenge and threatening to fuck with that person’s life?” Rain asked, speaking quickly and barely giving Artem enough time to process what was being said.

It was becoming more clear that she was talking about herself, because that would explain the weird behavior in Blackmont that Artem hadn’t been able to identify the cause of. However, he remained silent for a moment and decided to continue with the analogy that they were talking about someone else rather than her. He also didn’t know exactly who she was talking about, and realized that this most likely dated back to before their football careers, and their time playing together in Selta. After all, Artem would know if Rain had wronged someone as a player for SC Selta, considering that they had been roommates for their time at the club. “More than one person can be wrong at the same time. The person who was wronged may be right to be angry, but I don’t think that necessarily justifies ruining someone’s life in revenge,” he replied, as they walked the halls and then entered her room. Rain’s national team roommate, goalkeeping coach Viktoria Ayala, was already inside.

Rain stayed towards the front of the room, making sure that her roommate wouldn’t overhear. “The person who wronged them broke some promises for stupid reasons and didn’t think it would matter in the long run, but now it’s coming back to haunt them. Should that person go to the police and try to put a stop to this before they get hurt, or should they try to talk to the person and make things better because they’re the one that betrayed them? Should they let whatever is happening happen because they deserve it and they had it coming for a long time because of their own selfish and stupid choices? Oh, and I forgot to mention that things are escalating quickly and that they’re going to have to make a decision soon.”

Artem paused again, studying the pained expression on his sister’s face. If he had the option to take over her problems for her and figure everything out, even if it brought those problems on him, he would take it. Unfortunately, however, he knew that there was no chance that she handed her personal problems away to someone else to figure out. That just wasn’t Rain’s personality, and it wasn’t even worth asking her to change. He already knew what the answer was going to be. “Rain… What’s going on? What’s going to escalate? I can’t help you if I don’t have any details, and I can’t read your mind-”

“This is not your problem, Artem! This is mine and mine alone to deal with!” Rain screamed, her outburst sudden and explosive. She turned and went for the door like she was going to leave, but she stopped herself, pressing both hands against it and closing her eyes as warm tears welled in them. Viktoria was looking by now but she didn’t care. Her face was twisted with raw emotion, with anger and sadness and something in between that Artem couldn’t identify. Whatever it is, whatever it was that had bothered her so much in Blackmont that she had felt the needs to throw up, it was something that she couldn’t bottle up much longer. “I did something with Mara that I shouldn’t have done and now someone else knows about it and has a picture, from that night when we were in the palace at Blackmont, and I gave up more and more to keep it from getting out… It’s been happening for weeks, and I was stupid enough to think that this is some crazy fan turned stalker that would go away if I gave him what he wanted, but it turns out this isn’t some stranger at all! Someone wants revenge on me, and he has everything that he needs to completely fuck my reputation…”

Artem wrapped his sister up in a hug, allowing her to cry into his shirt. “What are you afraid of? That people are going to find out that you’re gay? I hate to break it to you, sis, but people have been talking about that ever since you and Mara started getting a bit too touchy in public and on the pitch. I know that people from where we’re from can be traditional about that but… It’s not like it’s not already being talked about. It’s not like Mara didn’t add to all the talking by coming out, sort of. I guess I’m saying that there’s worse things that could happen than this, it’s not worth losing your mind over.”

“Yeah, and what about everything I sent to this guy to make sure that the first picture didn’t get out? It’s not just one secret of mine. He has enough shit on me to make sure that I can never visit the east again without getting strange looks on the streets. I can never go back to church if that gets out. And our family. They’re going to think that I disgraced all of us and they’re never going to want to talk to me again. I only just got them to warm up to the fact that I joined the military and then became a footballer afterwards. I don’t need them to see the dozen or so compromising pictures and videos that I sent because I thought it would shut this down,” Rain said. “I don’t know what to do. Even if I go to the police and get the guy arrested, all of the pictures will still be on the internet. There’s no way to take them down. People will save them. The news will report on it. Our parents will see before they take it down, or they’ll see the news and look it up. And even worse, I don’t know how to find this guy, because I thought he was fucking dead and it turns out he isn’t. Which really, is why there’s a problem in the first place.”

Artem was about to reply and say something about how they could work together to figure out the best solution for this, but he stopped and backed away when he heard shouting from the hallway beyond the door. Something was going on outside, and from the sound of it, it didn’t seem good. “Don’t ever talk to me like that again! I don’t care what our blood ties are, you talk to me like this and I’m going to beat your ass!” a feminine voice screamed, and that was followed by the sounds of what seemed like a fight. Artem nodded apologetically to Rain, and opened the door to see what was happening in the hall.

[95X]

From breakingnews.co.95x, a shortform headline-service news website:

Lynette Glenn, who started for the 95X National Soccer Team in place of sent-off Micah Morrison, scored all three goals in the 95X 3-0 win over Acapais.

---

Meanwhile, near Pacific City, 95X:

Xi Foureleven and her 95X Army of Cascade Island faced surprisingly little resistance on their way to Pacific City. Foureleven, despite being named President by Cascade Island-based interests, insisted the title was merely honorary while functioning cities and corporations continued to handle most of the actual 'ruling'.

"There is no honor in hiding behind a desk and declaring yourself a ruler," she commented.

The trek was actually beneficial, as like-minded fiefdoms realized Xi Foureleven represented a collective good. Those who wished to join the cause did so. There were a few hiccups along the way, but nothing notable.

It changed somewhere between University City and Pacific City, in an area between the two where the competing urban areas were growing into each other. There, Xi Foureleven was directed to a windowless industrial building on a dark, stormy night, under the premise that local like-minded interests would be found there. The building was vacant, empty to the walls, and her personal entourage sense something was up.

"We meet again," a familiar voice said in the darkness.

"I knew it would be you." Foureleven replied.

[Eastfield Lodge]

The Lodger Online Gazette

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Sport >>> Football

WC79 Qualifying: Halfway Round-up

15 groups, 150 teams, only 30 places in the World Cup finals. Eastfield Lodge have been drawn into Group 3 as the third seed, along with some big hitting names both above and below. 10 teams in the group means 18 matches that need to be played, without any bye rounds (thankfully). So as we reach the halfway point of qualifying (OOC: Shhh), let’s have a quick look back at the first 9 games.

After what was a dismal World Cup qualifying last time out in WC78, where second seeds Eastfield Lodge crashed out of qualifying in 4th place, a full 11 points off Eshan in second, and then a dismal group stage exit in the following Cup of Harmony, it was goodbye to Lowell Brown, who just a couple of years earlier had been taking all the plaudits for leading the country to only their second World Cup finals qualification, ending a 40 year period without qualification, the longest active barren spell in the history of World Cup qualifying. Out went Brown, and in stepped assistant manager and national team hero Shabeen Ahmad III. His mandate was to stabilise the team, build for the future, and at 66, he would rather unsurprisingly only be there for the short term. And what did he do to begin with? He just went and stunned the entirety of Rushmore by beating Eura in the semi-finals and then beating hosts Pasarga to win the country’s first major international footballing competition in nearly 60 years of competition.

The Eagles Cup followed, and despite a great showing in the group stages, the gulf in quality showed and the country were knocked out of the closest group stage in the competition on the final day. Nonetheless, it was a much improved performance compared what had been seen during WC78, so the future looked bright. With the build-up to World Cup 79 qualifying underway, the manager opted to make several changes to the depth of the squad, replacing some ageing legs with fresh younger ones - for example, Eastfield Lodge’s only Champions’ Cup medal holder Ali Asif announced his retirement from international football, replaced by the young ex-Sunrisian prospect and former WGPC driver Crimson LaRosso. Gavin Mintson left his role between the sticks in favour the up and coming Olympia FC keeper Thijn Persson. Malenna von Kraus and Werdickley Safadao also make the jump into the Eastfield Lodge national team after their respective nations disappeared. This is very much a makeshift squad, and it remains to be seen whether it will be a competitive one.

Matchday 1: Eastfield Lodge 7-1 Lambdasia (=285, 9th seed)
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Philip, Nagi, Siddique (<> Phal 78’) - Ilyess - The Doctor, von Kraus - Glibin, Berretti (<> Wadimu 68’), Drenas (<> Mohd 78’)
Goals (Assists): Ilyess (12’ - von Kraus), Drenas (19’ - Berretti, 39’, 56’ - The Doctor), The Doctor (47’ - von Kraus), Glibin (84’), von Kraus (89’ - Mohd); Unknown (70’ - Unknown)

What a way to start a qualifying campaign off - a 7-1 Taeshan’ing of some minnows in front of the your home crowd to get them pumped up for the upcoming campaign. Ahmad had opted for what many consider to be his full strength line-up, as a preparation for the visit of Eshan the following week. And with a few new players in the line-up, it was great to see the team firing together on all cylinders, and the gulf in class was apparent almost instantly. A free kick from Ulsa’s Hugh Ilyess started the goal rush, with perennial starter Tia Drenas quickly adding a second after heading in Berretti’s cross. Drenas added her second goal 20 minutes later from the penalty spot after the Doctor was brought down. The Time Lord would turn goalscorer shortly after half-time when he scooped von Kraus’ chipped through ball over the onrushing Lambdasia keeper, before setting up Drenas for the hat-trick and a 5-0 lead shortly before the hour mark. The game died down for a while, but the visitors managed to ruin the defenders’ day with a scrappy goal from a corner to grab a consolation. The last 10 minutes of the game saw the famous scoreline being completed, with Breta Glibin dispossessing a lazy defender and finishing calmly in the top corner, before von Kraus scored on her national team debut after two assists, sliding home a knock-down from substitute Kaiya Mohd.

Matchday 2: Eastfield Lodge 2-3 Eshan (34th, 2nd seed)
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Philip, Nagi, Siddique - Ilyess - The Doctor, von Kraus (<> Bevan 68’) - Glibin, Berretti (<> Hansen 75’), Drenas (<> Alder 75’)
Goals (Assists): The Doctor (6’ - Glibin), Drenas (42’ - von Kraus); Baudelio (53’ - van Ciavatinni), van Ciavatinni (65’ - Cerelius; 88’ pen - Cernari)

The first crunch match of the qualifying group saw 2nd seeds Eshan visit the Lodger City Memorial Stadium - two years ago, the teams met in World Cup 78 with swapped rankings and seeds but it was the minnows that came out on top that time. This game was very much a game of two halves, as the hosts came out firing on all cylinders and largely scaring the AOCAF finalist visitors. And it didn’t take long for the intimidation to take effect, as a goal kick was quickly turned over by Hugh Ilyess, whose long ball out to the wing was collected by Glibin - a quick cross later and the Doctor was in the best position to slide home the opening goal. That more or less set the pattern of the first half, Eshan trying to press the Eastfielder backline, failing, and being hit on the counter. Drenas should have made it two shortly after the half hour mark as she was played through one-on-one by von Kraus, rounding Aurélian Gautier but her acute shot was slow enough for Darren Tran to recover and clear off the line. She made no doubt of the second chance 10 minutes later, again being played through by von Kraus but this time opting for a lob. 2-0 at half-time, and things were looking dire for the visitors.

As such, Erathi legend Alexio del Nieran changed things up at half-time, shaking up the front three and bringing on a crucial substitute in Magnum Cerelius. They came out in the second half almost a completely different team, and with a tactical setup that has not been seen before - a new entity for the Eastfielder defence to get to grips with. Eshan took advantage of the situation, scoring two quickfire goals around the hour mark - first it was Echani legend Marco van Ciavatinni who played through Baudelio for the first goal, before turning goalscorer when Cerelius’ ball control saw him fouled 25 yards from goal, and in all honesty it was a top drawer strike from the Myrmidon striker to beat Korbin Harvey. 2-0 to 2-2 in 20 minutes. The hosts rallied, tightened up and the game became attritional, with both sides wise to each other’s tactics. The hosts spurned their only clear cut chance of the second half with 10 minutes of normal time left when substitute Auguste Alder was unmarked and picked out by Breta Glibin’s cross, only for his shot to graze the crossbar on its way over, with Aurélian left stranded. And the hosts were made to pay for their poor finishing, as van Ciavatinni stepped up to fire home a penalty after substitute winger Alessio Cernari was brought down in the box. Full Time score was 3-2 to the visitors, and heartbreak for the hosts.

Matchday 3: The Kiaser Colonies (141st, 7th seed) 0-1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Carr-Ponce, Nagi, Siddique - Ilyess - The Doctor, Bevan (von Kraus 65’) - Glibin, LaRosso (<> Berretti 73’), Mohd (<> Alder 65’)
Goals (Assists): LaRosso (54’ - Glibin)

The first away tie of qualification saw Eastfield Lodge travel to The Kiaser Colonies, the seventh seed side ranked 99 places below the visitors. The hosts have had the better start, with 6 points from 6 but only having played teams ranked below them. A few changes to the starting line-up that played against Eshan, with Ahmad handing debuts to Ramusok United’s Tajo Carr-Ponce and Crimson LaRosso, amongst starts for Kaiya Mohd and Osbaldo Bevan. The Kiaser Colonies, clearly buoyed by their excellent start, opted to continue their attacking style instead of sitting back and defending for the point, and to be honest they gave a good account of themselves, as they challenged the Eastfielder back line several times and even broke through on a couple of occasions, with Adam Wanganeen kicking himself after missing the best chance of the lost, failing to beat Korbin Harvey in a simple 1-on-1. But in the end, it was a debutant that would be the difference, as Swift Curse did what Wanganeen couldn’t, beating the offside trap to collect a long ball forward and controlling it before calmly driving it into the bottom corner. For all their attacking intent, the hosts didn’t have the quality, and Eastfield Lodge were deserved winners.

Matchday 4: Eastfield Lodge 3-2 Banija (121st, 6th seed)
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Carr-Ponce, Rehman, Siddique - Abdalla (<> Ilyess 68’) - The Doctor, von Kraus - Glibin, Berretti, Drenas (<> Fransson 82’)
Goals (Assists): Drenas (11’ - Berretti, 18’ - Glibin), Ilyess (73’); Muhumuza (67’), Mavuto (90+2’)

A tricky tie against plucky opposition followed as Eastfield Lodge returned home to play Banija, with the sixth seeds smarting after a poor start. However, the home side started the brightest, and within twenty minutes it was Tia Drenas, who else, who grabbed the early brace, first heading in Charmine Berretti’s whipped cross and then positioning herself perfectly for Glibin’s cutback to fire into the roof of the net. 2-0 after 20 minutes, and the game already looked sunk, although Banija weren’t exactly out of the game totally - they eventually grew into the game and got a couple of chances before half-time, with their closest being Toyuwa Okafor’s header straight at Korbin Harvey five minutes before half-time. Drenas came close to a second hat-trick of the campaign as well before half time, but her free kick also managed to beat the far post as well as the goalie Kasakende. The second half was a bit more even, as Banija managed to carve out a couple more good chances in the first fifteen minutes, before substitute Muhuzuma managed to bumble home a goalmouth scramble to give the visitors some hope, quickly extinguished after 6 minutes when Hugh Ilyess fired home a 30 yard screamer. The game bogged down as Banija dug in to stop any more embarrassment, but in the end they did manage to score a stoppage time consolation to make the scoreline more respectable. 3 wins from 4 games, a good start.

Matchday 5: Chromatika (4th, 1st seed) 4-3 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Philip, Nagi, Siddique - Ilyess - The Doctor, von Kraus (<> Wallis-Iqbal 76’) - Glibin (<> Quazin 72’), Berretti, Drenas (<> Mohd 56’)
Goals (Assists): Victoriane (5’ - Montague), Kelly (15’), Andisori (70’ - Dragana, 85’); Drenas (23’), The Doctor (45+1’ - Glibin), Mohd (60’ - von Kraus)

The biggest test of qualifying, and quite possibly of the entirety of the World Cup cycle, came on the fifth match, as Eastfield Lodge travelled to the 4th ranked side in the world and the top seeds in Chromatika. All the stops were pulled out with the team selection, and it was a good game all around. Chromatika came out of the traps firing, scoring two early goals in much the same vein that Eastfield Lodge have been doing so far, a mixture of great passing and a sublime free kick. However, it wasn’t a one-sided affair, and after the initial shock, the visitors came into the game and managed to draw level before half-time, first through Tia Drenas flooring Luuk Aart with a bit of trickery before beating keeper Jillian Nier, and then on the stroke of half-time Breta Glibin’s determination saw her beat Erike Morningstar on the counter, whipping in a first time cross that the Doctor had little trouble converted with his head. 2-2 at half-time, and the visitors weren’t done - Drenas came off for Mohd in a bid to boost the defence, and she quickly completed the comeback, again on the counter as she beat Damjana for pace for the long ball over the top, one touch to control, and the second to finish.

3-2 to the visitors, and at that point the upset was really on the cards - Chromatika’s midfield was being swamped and couldn’t deal with the Eastfielder attack. And much like the Eshan game, Chromatika manager Silian Parker had an unconventional and radical Plan B. He put it into action with a couple of substitutions, and it immediately paid dividends as Dragana managed to slip the ball between Philip and Nagi for Keira Andisori to run onto, and it was an easy finish for one of the world’s best players. And it was Andisori who would grab the victory for Chromatika, in much the same vein as Eshan’s late winner, as a foul on Dragana in the box was almost given a penalty, if it wasn’t for Andisori one-timing the ball into the corner to win the game for the hosts, 4-3.

Matchday 6: Eastfield Lodge 5-4 Buyan (74th, 5th seed)
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Carr-Ponce, Rehman, Siddique - Ilyess - The Doctor, von Kraus (<> Wallis-Iqbal 73’) - Glibin, Berretti (<> LaRosso 79’), Drenas (<> Mohd 73’)
Goals (Assists): Drenas (21’ - Berretti), Glibin (31’ - The Doctor, 45+1’ - von Kraus), Carr-Ponce (57’ - Glibin), Wallis-Iqbal (89’ - LaRosso); Eklund (2’ - Haukland), Kaukenas (39’ - Eklund, 67’ - Eklund, 90+1’ - Isaksson)

A proper end-to-end game of football was played out at Parliament Stadium, as the national team hosted the 74th ranked 5th seeds in Buyan, a nation once feared in international football some time back and aiming to be so once again. Going by the scoreline, one could be forgiven for thinking that both sides through caution to the wind and went for it, but that sort of didn’t happen - Buyan came out with their usual defensive 5-3-2 setup, and were planning to soak up pressure. Except they had a collective off-day and were all awful at defending. At the same time, the front two worked exceptionally well on the counter - so much so that Route One was the only real Route they ever took. The opening goal was off a poor foul to concede, and one that was duly punished as Buyanese’s most expensive player in Emil Eklund headed home Simen Haukland’s free kick in just the second minute. Not that the fans were quiet for long, as Drenas easily wove her way through the defence to whistle a shot past the upright. She wouldn’t miss the second time however, and Berretti’s through ball was perfectly weighted for Drenas to run onto and slice across goal into the far post. The turnaround came just 10 minutes later when the Doctor’s long-range effort was deflected past Pawlo Marciak by an unsuspecting Breta Glibin. But Buyan wouldn’t lie down, and the first of the Route One goals levelled the match at 2-2, with Haukland’s clearance flicked on Eklund, and perfectly placed for Kaukenas to run onto, cannoning the ball home from 15 yards.

Parity didn’t last long however, and in the dying embers of the first half the tie was broken by Breta Glibin, as the CA Paultinthal winger played some intricate passes with the Doctor and von Kraus, ending up with an acute angle finish that Marciak should really have saved. 3-2 into half-time, and neither side were giving up easily. Not that they did, as shortly before the hour mark Glibin turned provider, with her whipped corner finding the head of Tajo Carr-Ponce, who doesn’t miss a header from 6 yards, putting the hosts 4-2 up. But not for long, as Carr-Ponce was at fault at the other end, as he completely misjudged the flick on from Eklund, which again allowed Kaukenas to bear down on goal, this time stroking it home after wrong-footing the keeper. 4-3, and both sections of the crowd were very nervy. On came the defensive-minded attacker for the hosts, as they tried to starve the game out, and it worked, as the long balls were being closed down at their source, but on the other hand the chances for the Eastfielders dried up and Buyan finally tightened up their holes. But there were still some gaps, enough for LaRosso to pick out a pinpoint ball across goal, one that Wallis-Iqbal gobbled up easily. 5-3 to the hosts, with less than a minute of normal time to go. Obviously, there was still time for a Buyan consolation, and it was a bittersweet moment for Kaukenas, as he rose highest to claim his hat-trick off Valter Isaksson’s corner, but only took the score to 5-4. 4 wins from 6 at this point for Eastfield Lodge, still two points off second and 4 off the top of the table.

Matchday 7: Boring Paradise (60th, 4th seed) 1-3 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Puppy - Philip, Bacon, Rehman (<> Nagi 83’), Siddique - Ilyess (<> Abdalla 74’) - The Doctor, Wallis-Iqbal - Wadimu (<> Glibin 74’), Quazin, Mohd
Goals (Assists): Unknown (87’); Mohd (5’ - Wadimu), Quazin (25’ - Siddique), The Doctor (58’)

The cardinal rivalry of Eastfield Lodge, a match against the breakaway states of Boring Paradise, who also happen to be the group’s fourth seed ranked 60th, and therefore a formidable opponent. In light of the leaky defending in recent matches, Ahmad opted to completely shake the team up, making 7 changes from the side that narrowly edged Buyan, and going for a more defensive line-up, including Wallis-Iqbal and Mohd after their good form off the bench, as well as a first start in the campaign for VLC’s Veronica Puppy. It was certainly a better defensive performance from the favourites, as they limited Boring Paradise to hopeful shots from range. The opening goal was a simple one within 5 minutes of the start, Wadimu beating the full back for pace, crossing in, and Kaiya Mohd beating the defender to the ball for the header. The visitors kept peppering the Paradisian goal, and before long they were rewarded with a second goal, as Fedrea Quazin, also starting after a while, cut in from the right wing after Siddique was tripped, and used the advantage to curl a 25 yard shot into the top corner.

Mohd wasted a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 before half-time, when she somehow managed to put a rebounded shot over the bar from 3 yards, and the two goal gap between the two sides remained at half-time. The second half started in much the same vein as the first finished, with the visitors dominant and the hosts toothless - the Eastfielder dominance was cemented shortly before the hour mark when the Doctor curled home a free kick from 25 yards after Wallis-Iqbal was unceremoniously upended. At that point, the game had been won, and the visitors decided to sit back and shut up shop. That did invite some much needed pressure from the hosts, who had been boring even by their own lofty standards up to this point. And in the end they got a slice of luck, ruining the clean sheet when a hopeful long shot ricocheted off Lucas Bacon’s outstretched leg, wrong-footing Puppy and giving the hosts a consolation goal. But the result was enough for the Eastfielders to overtake the Paradisians into second.

Matchday 8: Eastfield Lodge 3-2 Bostopia (Unranked, 10th seed)
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Puppy - Philip, Bacon, Rehman, Siddique - Ilyess - The Doctor, Wallis-Iqbal (<> Bevan 65’) - Glibin, Quazin (<> Berretti 65’), Mohd (<> Alder 83’)
Goals (Assists): Mohd (39’ - Glibin), Rehman (67’), Bevan (69’ - The Doctor); Lampsworth (51’), Sail (81’ - Gosford)

Don’t let the ranking fool you. Bostopia may be unranked, but they are a historic footballing nation with some serious pedigree, with two Cups of Harmony and two World Cup semi-final appearances under their belt. On the other hand, they aren’t what they once were, having been isolated from the world for years and years. But for a tenth seed, they are playing decently well, going into the game sitting 6th and only 3 points behind us in 2nd place. On the pitch, it was a tight and cagey affair to begin with, as Ahmad had opted for largely the same defensive side that easily beat Boring Paradise in the previous match. Bostopia on the other hand were a much more attacking outfit than the Paradisians, and they did pressurise the Eastfielder back line quite a bit, but to no avail in the first half - the only moment of quality was the goal, where Breta Glibin marked her return to the starting XI with a dazzling 50 yard dribble, only to be shepherded away from goal into a corner, only to backheel the ball through the pressing defenders for Mohd to finish, just over 5 minutes before half time. The second half was a bit more open, now that the hosts had sparked the game into life, and the equaliser came very much against the run of play, as Mark Lampsworth fired a free kick in off the bar following a trip by Hugh Ilyess.

Normality was restored a quarter of an hour later, as Abdur Rehman broke on the counter, running the length of the pitch with the ball, and despite all the runners off him calling for the ball, he decided not to play it to them, and in the end he somehow chipped the ball over Liam Waters in the Bostopian net. And if the visitors thought that they could come back from that, the sucker punch came less than 90 second later, as The Doctor intercepted a loose backpass, played the ball across the face of goal and there was substitute Osbaldo Bevan to roll the ball into the empty net. 3-1 with a shade over 20 minutes to go. Bostopia wouldn’t lie down however, and kept coming forward in their droves, despite the hosts repeatedly counter-attacking against them - only the heroics of Liam Waters and goal-line clearances by David Princes and Zach Spires kept the score respectable. It then became a whole lot more respectable 10 minutes from time as the two young strikers combined on the edge of the box, with Gosford flicking the final ball through for Cooper Sail to finish Despite more pressure, the match finished 3-2, and Eastfield Lodge were now a point off the top of the table.

Matchday 9: Reuss-Lippe (=235th, 8th seed) 1-1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Puppy (3’) - Lacombe, Bacon (32’), Rehman, Phal - Abdalla (<> Wallis-Iqbal 63’) - The Doctor, Bevan - Quazin (<> Towers 33’), LaRosso, Alder (<> Drenas 63’)
Goals (Assists): Schuster (4’ pen - Gerste); Drenas (82’ - LaRosso)

You know, there has been one thing really strange about this qualifying campaign so far. The results for the first matches had all gone by the form book for Eastfield Lodge. They beat all the teams ranked below them, and lost to all of the team ranked above them. It’s odd for most teams to have, in all honesty - most teams drop points where they shouldn’t and then get points against teams they shouldn’t. Of course, the karmic balance of the multiverse has to be restored, and thus it had begun in this match, where the hosts, 8th seed side Reuss-Lippe, shocked the stadium, including their own fans, into silence when Gerste played a pinpoint through ball for Schuster to run onto - Puppy, not expecting to be tested this early, rushed out, and a clever touch from Schuster took the ball away from Puppy, meaning that she had to concede the penalty. She didn’t even wait for the verdict, just handed her gloves over to the Doctor and began walking off the pitch even before the ref had shown her the red card. Schuster stepped up and fired the penalty past the Doctor. Down by a man and a goal after just four minutes, it was going to be a tall order for the side to get back into this game.

They did try though. Despite being a man down, they still had the superior players, but Jens Kappel in the Reuss-Lippe net was also having a blinder of a game, pulling out top drawer saves left, right and centre. And then came the big turning point - Lucas Bacon, who had been playing well in his run of starts in the national side, slipped on a loose bit of turf, and as a result, went into Anzor Jalagonia studs first and high, catching the attacking midfielder at a horrid angle in the knee. Whilst purely accidental, it was a crunching tackle, and Jagalonia had to be stretchered off the pitch, escorted by Bacon as he too was sent off. Now with only 9 men on the pitch, the situation seemed hopeless for the visitors, and Quazin had to be sacrificed to plug the hole in the defence, with Emely Towers coming on. Despite the two man advantage, the hosts were somehow struggling to get past the makeshift Eastfielder defence, and it held up well despite the barrage of pressure. At the other end, Kappel was still having a fantastic game, racking up the saves as his defence also seemed to crumble around the lack of attackers to mark. 1-0 at half-time, a big shock on the cards, and the second half was again more of the same - the hosts struggling to break the defence, the visitors struggling to break the goalie. Tia Drenas and Wallis-Iqbal both came in a desperate attempt at more attacking play, and it eventually paid off when La Rosso’s cross was missed by a tiring Kappel, giving Drenas ample time to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. The minnows tightened up at that point, and the two extra defenders across the park was enough to secure them the draw, Eastfield Lodge’s first of the campaign. It was enough for Eshan to draw level on points, ahead by virtue of head-to-head.

 # Group 3                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Chromatika                        9    7   1   1    24   12  +12    22
 2 Eshan                             9    6   1   2    29   18  +11    19
 3 Eastfield Lodge                   9    6   1   2    28   18  +10    19
 4 Boring Paradise                   9    5   2   2    18   16   +2    17
 5 Banija                            9    5   0   4    23   18   +5    15
 6 Bostopia                          9    4   0   5    17   22   −5    12
 7 Buyan                             9    3   2   4    14   15   −1    11
 8 The Kiaser Colonies               9    2   1   6    12   15   −3     7
 9 Reuss-Lippe                       9    1   1   7     5   16  −11     4
10 Lambdasia                         9    1   1   7    14   34  −20     4

---

MD10: Lambdasia 1-1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Philip, Nagi, Phal (<> Siddique 75’) - Ilyess - The Doctor, von Kraus (<> Bevan 63’) - Glibin, Berretti (<> Quazin 69’), Drenas
Goals (Assists): Drenas (16’ - Glibin)

MD11: Eshan 2-0 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (4-1-2-3): Harvey - Towers, Carr-Ponce, Nagi, Siddique - Abdalla - The Doctor, von Kraus (<> Soria 71’), Glibin (<> Rathun 65’), Berretti, Drenas (<> Mohd 59’)
Goals (Assists): N/S

Line-up to play The Kaiser Colonies (4-1-2-3)
Persson (debut) - Philip, Carr-Ponce, Nagi, Garner (debut) - Ilyess - The Doctor, King - Glibin, Hansen, Safadão (debut)

[Cosumar]

SPECIAL FEATURE: Meet the Tidessons! (Part 1)
How five teen siblings won Real Azuris two Youth Cups, Cosumarite celebrity status

The freezing concoction of snow and rain was visibly cutting through Dr. Steve Lime like a scythe. His little orange umbrella was merely decorative in the face of the indeterminate precipitation blowing at us head-on. Steve pointed it straight into the wind and forged on, flexing his stiff pink fingers with a grimace to make sure they hadn't frozen. Apparently, no one in Azuris owned gloves.

Bundled cozily in winter accessories next to him, I sheepishly apologized for his discomfort for about the fourth time. If he hadn't agreed to assist with my feature, after all, Dr. Lime could be enjoying a nice, warm Saturday by the fire in the penthouse he shared with his wife, Runa Tidesson. Instead, he was walking through downtown Azuris during what counted as an apocalyptic weather event for the sunny South Klydian city. In shorts. Just to meet his wife and youngest daughter, 14-year-old Tilda Tidesson, at the pre-arranged site of our interview: Real Azuris' youth facility a few blocks away.

Ever the gentleman, he waved off my apology.

"No one could have seen this coming," Steve said, gesturing around us at the astounding visual evidence that Azuris does, in fact, have winter. "Besides, 1°C isn't real cold. I certainly faced worse in my days at U-Parougan. Azuris must've made me soft. This is actually the first time I've seen even a hint of snow in the six years since we moved down here."

Steve Lime, a primary care physician with strong ties to the Samotath community, and Runa Tidesson, a professional climber & Dragon Reserve guide with strong ties to the area's land itself, gave up a lot when they uprooted themselves six years ago. They moved as close to the Real Azuris youth academy as possible for the sake of their five kids. By that point, it was clear that all of them needed the most rigorous developmental environment Cosumar had to offer. Between shivers as we hid behind his rather useless umbrella, Steve told me of how difficult the transition was. Besides the obvious differences in terms of weather, geography and overall culture from Samotath to Azuris, he and Runa had to find new sources of meaning and fulfillment in life to ensure their kids didn't completely define them.

"I took up abstract art, and an unhealthy obsession with puzzles. Not jigsaw, mind you, but more complex spacial quandaries," Dr. Lime said. "My work began to fill our house, which absolutely grated on Runa, but I needed that mental stimulation to stave off the worry. The kids would be gone for days or weeks on end with the academy - even Tilda when she was just nine. That competitive demand can completely make or break a person. Fortunately, they have my wife's genes. They're strong, fierce, determined."

Dr. Lime still worries about his kids. Even though it seems they all received Runa's physical attributes (and surname - "Tidesson is a definitively better name than Lime," Steve often jokes) as well as his strategic and inquisitive mind, that worry never goes away.

At the time of this story, his eldest Bryger (19) is in faraway Turori for the Cygnus Cup Final against Romikk Valgard's Ulsa, fresh off a domestic campaign in which he cemented himself as the new Real Azuris poster-boy and became the Härlighet Ligan's youngest-ever Player of the Year. The next three - Alfred (18), Edith (17) and Birgid (16) - are all away with the youth squad for the UICA Youth Cup tournament. All still so young and childlike through his fatherly eyes and yet, as a result of their prodigious success, already dealing with more pressures and "human bullshit", as Steve calls it, than most adults do in a lifetime. Birgid was already starting to become jaded to it all despite her gifts and Alfred cared for little but dogged competition.

Yet, as he spoke of his concern for his kids through shivering breath, another emotion shined through in Steve's voice like a beacon of warmth.

Pride. The immense pride of a man speaking of his life's greatest work.

It made me all the more appreciative of this chance to get to know his family. With each of Bryger's trailblazing milestones and each Youth Cup success, the "Tidesson Five" has become a bigger story and the Tidessons have become increasingly private. Now, with multiple Tidesson siblings rumored to be up for Boldsport Junior Player of the Multiverse honors, the phenomenon may be about to expand even further in scope. The Tidessons are a story just beginning to unfold, and that makes this an opportunity to create a three-dimensional portrait of Cosumar's next great sporting family at a unique time: the precipice of their true stardom and potential.

It also made me even more curious. Who are these kids, really? How have they all unlocked such talent at such young ages? What role did Real Azuris and their parents play? What makes them different? How are they different from each other? Who are they as people, as personalities? That's what I set out to discover as I sat down with Steve, Runa and Tilda for nearly four hours to make the most of my exclusive access.

Finally, Steve and I turned a corner and came within view of the Real Azuris youth compound where his kids had spent most of the past six years. Even from the outside it was eminently impressive, giving off a certain shine despite being covered in frost. Steve barely seemed to look at it, waddling away from my side to hurry up to the main entrance and out of the elements. I watched, bemused, as he struggled with the door while fumbling with his frigid hands to close that little orange umbrella. The stubborn thing refused and snapped back open in his face, knocking his glasses onto the concrete.

Um... Add another question to the list. How did this man produce FIVE of Cosumar's most gifted young athletes? I shook my head and followed him inside under a large glass Real Azuris logo to meet his better half and youngest daughter.

Come back next week for the ensuing chapter of this Courier-exclusive feature on the Tidesson Family.

by Michael McKlurg
Courier Soccer Columnist

---

Cosumar 1-2 Ceni
Sibučić 45'
Assisted by Zeale-Riddick
Selection: Letbridge; Na'Kale, McNessa (da Silva), Svensson, Chisenhall; Söderquist; Serafino (Yilmaz), Sibučić (Heher), Kvanderwyk; Zeale-Riddick, Valgard
Pre-Qual Friendly | @ The Amphitheatre, Cassandra

Cosumar 1-2 Juvencus
Targaryen 88'
Assisted by Heher
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, McNessa (Royannais), Svensson, Chisenhall; Söderquist; Serafino, Heher, Kvanderwyk (Tidesson); Targaryen, Valgard (Zeale-Riddick)
Pre-Qual Friendly | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok


...


Octinstine 0-1 Cosumar
OCT own goal 65'
Assisted by Na'Kale
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Svensson, da Silva, Chisenhall; Söderquist; Neptune (Varghese), Heher, Kvanderwyk (Ruhl); Zeale-Riddick (Tapp), Valgard
Matchday 1 | @ Octinstine

Cosumar 3-2 Osarius
Targaryen 2', Cooper 22', Neptune 72'
Assisted by Targaryen (22') and Sibučić (72')
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Svensson, Wolff, Cooper; Söderquist; Sigler (Royannais), Sibučić, Tidesson (Neptune); Targaryen, Valgard (Brill)
Matchday 2 | @ Fire River Arena, Ramusok

Barunia 0-4 Cosumar
Serafino 18', Serafino 24', Tidesson 31', Targaryen 77'
Assisted by Targaryen (18'), Valgard (31'), Elam (77')
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Svensson, da Silva, Chisenhall; Söderquist (Elam); Serafino, Heher, Tidesson (Simmons III); Targaryen, Valgard (Ruhl)
Matchday 3 | @ Sun Stadium, Porthaven, Barunia

Cosumar 3-0 St. Saratoga
Tidesson 16', Sigler 76', Sigler 82'
Assisted by Ruhl (16'), Tidesson (82')
Selection: Lethbridge; Brill, McNessa, Jorgensen, Bale; Söderquist; Tidesson (Marshall), Heher, Simmons III (Kvanderwyk); Targaryen, Ruhl (Sigler)
Matchday 4 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

Jeckland 2-4 Cosumar
Tidesson 17', Ruhl 51', Ruhl 57', Serafino 86'
Assisted by Na'Kale (17'), Na'Kale (51'), Tidesson (57'), Söderquist (86')
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Wolff, Svensson, Chisenhall; Söderquist, Horvat; Serafino, Sibučić (McNessa), Tidesson (Hemeyer); Ruhl (Valgard)
Matchday 5 | @ Jeckland

Nekodemus 1–1 Cosumar
Valgard 3'
Assisted by Tapp
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Loredan, Svensson, Chisenhall; Elam (Marshall), Tapp; Serafino, Tidesson (Kvanderwyk); Stabb (Targaryen), Valgard
Matchday 6 | @ Nekodemus

Cosumar 6-1 Isula Reale
da Silva 29', Valgard 30', Valgard 37', Valgard 50' (p), Targaryen 86', ISL o.g. 90'
Assisted by Varghese (29'), Targaryen (30'), Tidesson (37')
Selection: Lethbridge; Lechjakr, Svensson, da Silva, Bale; Söderquist (Royannais); Serafino, Varghese, Tidesson (Simmons III); Targaryen, Valgard (Zeale-Riddick)
Matchday 7 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

Free Republics 1-1 Cosumar
Tidesson 45'
Assisted by Valgard
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Wolff, Svensson, Chisenhall; Marshall; Serafino, Sibučić (Kvanderwyk), Tidesson (Neptune); Targaryen (Ruhl), Valgard
Matchday 8 | @ Gem of the Oceans Stadium, Republica, Free Republics

Cosumar 2-0 Olastor
Sibučić 46', Zeale-Riddick 72'
Assisted by Zeale-Riddick (46'), Culbreth (72')
Selection: Na'Kefir; Brill, McNessa, Wolff, Cooper; Söderquist; Serafino (Elam), Sibučić, Kvanderwyk (Tidesson); Culbreth (Jorgensen), Zeale-Riddick
Matchday 9 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

Cosumar 2-0 Octinstine
Ka. Kvanderwyk 58', OCT o.g. 90'
Assisted by Serafino (58')
Selection: Lethbridge; Brill, McNessa, Svensson (Söderquist), Cooper; Serafino, Royannais, Ki.Kvanderwyk (Sigler); Sibučić; Ka.Kvanderwyk, Valgard (Heher)
Matchday 10 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

Osarius 1-0 Cosumar
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, da Silva, Loredan, Cooper; Yilmaz (Tidesson), Horvat, Royannais (Tapp); Sibučić (Varghese); Sigler, Ruhl
Matchday 11 | @ Osarius

Cosumar 2-0 Barunia
Tidesson 22', Valgard 54'
Assisted by Serafino (22' + 54')
Selection: Winterfyll; Na'Kale, Wolff, Svensson, Chisenhall; Söderquist (Hemeyer); Serafino, Sibučić, Tidesson; Targaryen (Elam), Valgard (Stabb)
Matchday 12 | @ Crowley Memorial WC Stadium, Ramusok

...

St. Saratoga vs. Cosumar
Matchday 13 | @ St. Saratoga

Goals
Romikk Valgard (5)
Bryger Tidesson (5)
Ragnar Targaryen (4)
Bellerophon Serafino (3)
Mauricio Sigler (2)
Airik Ruhl (2)
Isla Sibučić (2)
Tug Cooper (1)
Lorelei Neptune (1)
Corella da Silva (1)
Vega Zeale-Riddick (1)
Kathryn Kvanderwyk (1)
Own Goal (3)

Assists
Bacary Na'Kale (3)
Ragnar Targaryen (3)
Bryger Tidesson (3)
Bellerophon Serafino (3)
Romikk Valgard (2)
Vega Zeale-Riddick (2)
Alora Heher (1)
Isla Sibučić (1)
Tiffany Elam (1)
Airik Ruhl (1)
Stig Söderquist (1)
Denton Tapp (1)
Rowan Varghese (1)
Elena Culbreth (1)

Appearances
Tevreness Bale (2)
Alexis Brill (4)
Mortimer Chisenhall (8)
Tug Cooper (4)
Elena Culbreth (1)
Tiffany Elam (4)
Alora Heher (6)
Ivan Hemeyer (2)
Robard Horvat (2)
Torbjörn Jorgensen (2)
Kathryn Kvanderwyk (1)
Kit Kvanderwyk (8)
Berk Lechjakr (1)
Cormak Lethbridge (4)
Taddeo Loredan (2)
Peter Marshall (3)
Deirdre McNessa (6)
Bacary Na'Kale (10)
Shjegrzh Na’Kefir (1)
Lorelei Neptune (3)
Warren Royannais (5)
Airik Ruhl (6)
Bellerophon Serafino (10)
Isla Sibučić (8)
Mauricio Sigler (4)
Corella da Silva (5)
Corey Simmons III (3)
Stig Söderquist (11)
Kevin Stabb (2)
Peter Svensson (11)
Denton Tapp (3)
Ragnar Targaryen (8)
Bryger Tidesson (11)
Romikk Valgard (11)
Rowan Varghese (3)
Jakk Winterfyll (9)
Kurt Wolff (5)
Tamer Yilmaz (2)
Vega Zeale-Riddick (5)

[Chromatika]

Matchday 11: Chromatika 2-0 Boring Paradise @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City, Chromatika
Chromatika: Vidal '55, Hellion '79
Starting Lineup: Joy; Ilya, S. - Stef - Damjana; Thorben - Hellion (C) - Mora - Liam; Rien - Vidal - Niro. Subs: Kuzami -> Mora '66, Kelly, W. -> Rien '81, Ria -> Joy '88
Summary: A definite feel-good win at home on multiple levels that gives the Chromatiks a seven point cushion at the top of the group, this match will be remembered as one that definitely has set the tone in the second half of qualifying. Boring Paradise had shocked the Chromatiks by becoming the first team to take a point away from them this Qualifying Cycle; the team, and the crowd, weren't going to let them have the same satisfaction at the friendly confines of the Capitalizt Dome. Although Silian Parker had suggested the idea that Mia Ria would be making her first start since the disastrous accident, public opinion and professional expertise from doctors dissuaded him from actually going through with the plan, instead turning to Sherlyn Joy, the keeper who had allowed the loss to Bostopia and had a hard time against Lambdasia.

The Tihon keeper redeemed herself with her best match of the qualifying cycle, stopping all seven shots on goal, including a wicked bender that she palmed away at the last second. It helped to have the second string back line play in front of her, as Severin Ilya, Lucjusz Stef, and Aysu Damjana would be starters for most countries at this World Cup. Though Boring Paradise did keep the Chromatiks away for a half, Olimpia Vidal breached the goal for the first time after a heavy cross from Rachel Hellion, and then Hellion put the game away off of a set piece as she is often capable of doing. After Sandra Sybill has come into the lineup, Hellion has quietly turned in one masterful performance after another, and made an argument to be the starter once again. It is a great headache to have for Parker, but he seems to be handling it rather well as Sandra, Rachel, and Alyss all seem to be getting along.

Parker seemed to be holding back a substitution for something special, putting the second one in around the eightieth minute. Sure enough, at the end of the game, the stadium went into a roar as Mia Ria jogged onto the pitch, exchanged high fives with Sherlyn, and went into the goal. The Chromatiks did their best to make sure Ria wouldn't have to face a shot, and maybe the players from Boring Paradise were being nice as well, but it was a great sight for the fans and the players to see.

Matchday 12: Bostpia vs. Chromatika @ Bostopia
Potential Starting Lineup: Justus; An - Sorendai - Anderson; Thorben - Kuzami - Mora - Liam (C); Kelly, W. - Gail - Metod.
Chromatika will try to stay ahead of the pack in a match away in Bostopia, an unranked nation that is trying to play spoiler and has for a few times this cycle. Nika Justus makes the start in goal and will try to continue the trend of Chromatik backups playing well; Olivian An, Otis Sorendai, and Cierra Anderson will be in front of him. The young Anderson has really impressed the brass, beating out Severin's cousin Valence at this point to be the backup once Zlastica retires and Aysu becomes a full time starter. In the midfield will be Molly Thorben, the unequivocal second string right midfielder; Mimi Kuzami and Hermaeus Mora are exciting young players, and Carrol Liam has all the experience in the world. Whitney Kelly, Miranda Gail, and Stefan Metod round out the lineup, with Xi Xe and Lin Moon likely on deck to replace them in the second half to press. Bostopia plays a highly offensive style of football, and if needed, Hellion is likely to come in to have a more defensive presence. Bostopia 0-2 Chromatika.

Elsewhere in the group, the most intriguing matchup is the one between Buyan and Boring Paradise. Eshan goes away to Lambdasia, Eastfield Lodge against the Kiaser Colonies, and Reus-Lippe hosts Banija. Eshan and Eastfield Lodge should both grab the three points, meaning Chromatika needs to not miss a beat.

---

Opinion: Chromatika Should Switch to a 3-5-2
By: Neoko Torres, Staff Reporter, Chromatik City Courier

Have you ever noticed that Rachel Hellion, Alyss Montague, and Sandra Sybill are in their prime? I think Silian Parker is wasting their potential. Let me explain.

Currently, the Chromatik midfield and forwards play like this: Sybill is the more playmaking one, Alyss the holding one, with Jazmin and Meagan providing side support. Niro and Victoriane play half-midfield and half-attack, while Andisori is the true striker. I think this is a waste of the current personnel and talent.

Instead, Hellion should be the holding defensive midfielder, and allow Montague and Sybill to play more as attacking midfielders. Dragana and Kelly should play as true side players that roam at will, and Victoriane and Andisori should both play as strikers. This fits the bill for Kaytlyn better as she is a striker at Lammerton, and it also fits the backups better as Xe is also a true striker for Alnio.

It's true that Parker likes to be fluid in transition, and have multiple options. However, with the current personnel? A 3-5-2 would be much better. It'd be more like a 3-5 (3-2) -2, but it'd suit the players, suit the scheme, and give no confusion to what the team is about.

Do you agree?

[Cassadaigua]

Getting It Done In Brattleboro,
by Brittany Byers, Team Captain

Last night, we took on Coldfield in a key World Cup qualifying game that represented an opportunity for us to avenge what was our only loss during the first leg of the tournament. CASE (Cassadagan Association for Soccer Excellence) opted to play the game in Brattleboro instead of Concord Heights. The reason was because they felt it would be advantageous for us to play that frigid nation in the most warmest climate that Cassadaigua has to offer. It was kinda silly, really, because Cassadaigua as a nation does not have much temperature variation overall unless your going up to Grande Mountain. But in that instance, it would be colder temperatures. Technically, though, the average temperature in Brattleboro is warmer then it is Concord Heights, so that decision was made. All of that forethought though went out the window, because the jet stream proved to have other ideas yesterday. Because of a passing low pressure system, it was actually seven degrees colder in Brattleboro then it was in Concord Heights yesterday. Ah well, it was the thought that counts.

That’s about the only thing that wrong with any planning for the game. Personally, I enjoyed having a qualifying match in Brattleboro. From time to time, CASE has held qualifying games throughout the country and not just focusing on Concord Heights, but this year was not one of those years. For us, playing in Brattleboro was not about any gamesmanship with the Coldfield team but a chance to play in front of a different group of fans. Brattleboro is different then Concord Heights as it is a much younger demographic in our second largest city. It’s a place that I always like to play in during the domestic season. For now though, it was time to take on Coldfield and make amends for our loss to them earlier. They are still in fourth place, and needed to win this game if they were going to have a chance to crack the two. See, not only do they have to do what we need to figure out, and crack a hole by either Valladares or Ethane, they also need to get by us.

We started this match very well, and needed just eight minutes to score the opening goal of the game, coming off the foot of Hannah Ranucci. It was gratifying to see her get back on the scoreboard, as it had been a couple games since she scored, and you never like to see streaks like that get too prolonged, as then it starts getting to your head. Just look at what happened with original starting strikers of Ethane. Coldfield began to get aggressive right away to try and tie the match, and for about five minutes or so Kristen Speller showed them how dominant of a keeper she had been ever since she left Coldfield the first time. Her save on #17 in minute 17 was pretty special, leaving Dean Murray feeling as though he was robbed of all of his soccer talents. A little after, we struck in the counter attack, and went up 2-0 in the 24th minute, when Miss Ranucci scored her second goal of the game. Yeah, that mini slump is officially over now, as James Miller had no hope to make the save. That was the score into halftime, for much of the second half, but in the 61st minute on a corner kick, Nathaniel Balogh was able to cut our lead in half. Fortunately, we did not allow them to get any momentum on that, and coach Sweeny subtly reminded us on the sideline that a two-goal victory secures any possible tiebreaker over Coldfield in the event that it could be necessary. In the 82nd minute, Rachel Brenner made it 3-1, and that would be your final.

The victory, coupled with an Ethane win over Valladares puts in a second place tie with Valladares, and two points behind Ethane. It’s important to keep in mind the order of tiebreakers here, and that the first tiebreaker is not head to head record, it is overall goal difference. That could be key here, because if it was head to head, Valladares would have the tiebreaker on us. Because it is not, this tiebreaker can go either way. We’ve been slightly ahead of them with it, but one blowout can change everything. Valladares, however, has their two toughest games of the second half out of the way now, and there’s no reason to think that they can’t run the table in their final six games. Meanwhile, we still have to play Ethane, on the road, and they have finally figured out how to score goals (ie: change the strikers). It will be a much more difficult contest for us. Somewhere along the line, you just feel like someone is going to have to help us with Valladares. It can stink not controlling your own destiny with that, but I can’t look too far ahead. The next focus is on Dainer, a nation that’s beaten Ethane.

[United States of Devonta]

Devontan Sports Central

---

Devontan's continue to move up in the standings
Devonta defeats 188th ranked Great Pie 4-2 at home
Toby Watson (@Toby_Wat)
^{11/07/2017, 7:00 PM | Devonta City, United States of Devonta}

---

    United States of Devonta 4 - 2 Great Pie
         Adams (6', 28')                 Unknown (42')
         Edwards (39')                   Unknown (69')  
         Johansen (76') 
         Owens (90+2')

Great Pie
UNKNOWN* (31', 55', 82')

United States of Devonta
GK: Brandon Kowalski
LD: Jose Alvarez (Johnson Brooks - 65')
CD: Martin Benton
CD: Daniel Kindred
RD: Brayden Liam (55')
DM: Isaiah Russel
LM: Mohamed Abdullah (Tony Phillips - 65')
RM: DeMonte Edwards
OM: Tyrell Owens
ST: Gerald Johansen
ST: Lamar Adams (Noah Hill - 85')

---

Match Statistics:
Possession
Devonta: 59%
Great Pie: 41%
Shots
Devonta: 16 shots (11 on target)
Great Pie: 10 shots (6 on target)
Pass Accuracy
Devonta: 89%
Great Pie: 83%
Corners
Devonta: 12
Great Pie: 5
Offsides
Devonta: 3
Great Pie: 1
Fouls
Devonta: 8
Great Pie: 12

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 4-2 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                            11    8   3   0    27   11  +16    27
 2 Pasarga                          11    8   3   0    21    7  +14    27
 3 United States of Devonta         11    7   1   3    23   16   +7    22
 4 Kel Assuk                        11    6   3   2    30   17  +13    21
 5 Port Christopher                 11    5   4   2    17   13   +4    19
 6 The Great Pi                     11    4   0   7    19   25   −6    12
 7 Maryloupe                        11    2   2   7    16   27  −11     8
 8 Darkmania                        11    2   1   8    20   35  −15     7
 9 Moorish Land                     11    1   3   7    14   26  −12     6
10 Razenthuria                      11    1   2   8     5   15  −10     5

Author: Toby Watson

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Comments:

By Sarah049 - Just now

Maybe WC 79 will be the lucky charm!

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1,531 Likes | 45 Dislikes

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By Maxy - 3 mins Ago

Can't wait to see Lamar Adam's back in action with the U-21's!

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675 Likes | 47 Dislikes

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By Kerry_Boyce - 10 min Ago

Kel Assuk will be a true test tomorrow.

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Likes 456 | 16 Dislikes

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By Manuel124 - 28 mins Ago

These teams should not even be scoring goals on us! C'mon!

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234 Likes | 123 Dislikes

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[-Anthor-]

WCQ: Rigsby Marks Defiant Return to First Team
In his first senior cap in five games, Rigsby nets his second international hat trick

^{SHARE THIS:}

Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus (@Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus)(TH)
^{Baltha 13, 602AE 11:00 AM | Vaumort, Anthor}

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Vaumort, Anthor(Herald) — In his first senior cap since Game 5 of the Warriors qualifying campaign for the 79th World Cup, national team captain Jason Rigsby returned to the starting lineup of manager Adrien Darby's sheet, and he marked it with one of his brightest international performances, putting on a show for the crowd of 70,000 strong in Royal Athletics Stadium, as his second ever international hat trick, as well as goals from Nicholas Stark and Jennifer McKenzie helped propel the Warriors to their largest win in this campaign yet, a 5-1 win over ASMRland, who remain with just two wins so far for themselves.

Jason Rigsby wasn't the only alteration to the starting eleven; manager Darby also had mentioned earlier this week that this game Byran Kimball would be rested in favor of the up and coming youngster Kirk Hackshaw who has made many good impressions with his play down in the Secondary League that helped earn him a spot as a rotational player on the national level. Alistair Dolan also remained the starting right winger, as John Stone's lower leg injury has appeared to not have healed as quickly as Darby and the physios originally anticipated; Dolan certainly didn't mind, he had a wonderful night contributing with two assists and also with some spectacular defensive work in the form of eleven tackles and five interceptions.

If the beginning of the match appeared different to the more then casual fan who has been observing and critiquing Darby's tactics all campaign long, that's not a mistake - it was definitely much more noticeable how fast paced the squad was playing. Instead of opting to have Cartwright and Wardell pose the first defensive challenge, with any leaks getting caught up by Sampson or Stacks and then playing it forward off of short, direct passes from the rear defense, any balls won were flung directly over to the flanks, either on a lob pass forward to Wardell and Bissette who would then try to cross it in for a Rigsby-Starks-McKenzie attack run, or possibly even play the ball from the goalkeeper to Stark, and then Stark making an dribbling run towards the box before a back peddle pass. This particular maneuver helped Wardell get a rapid fire cross into a awaiting Rigsby who pulled the trigger at eleven yards out; his next two goals were much more indicative of a healthy Rigsby, with his second goal coming off of a blasted power shot from halfway into opposing turf, and then the third one that marked the incredible half trick coming in from the left corner of the box.

Jennifer McKenzie was also eager to not let Jason overtake her goal tally all in one game, managing to meg a shot through one of the ASMRLand defender's oncoming challenge after Thorvald Padmore fed her the ball in a no-look pass that looked just as glittery as the strike and goal it ended up resulting in. Overall, this formation and tactics used were much more aggressive then previous set ups, and Darby even commented as much in a post-match interview "I've noticed that the players, especially Jen, are really eager to play a much more explosive front end, and I realize my older setup was more emphasized on a methodical play out, and I think at times our opponents especially in some of our losses were able to predict where our next move and assault was going to be, so I therefore decided to try out a new stance this evening and I'm pleased to see it play out so nicely."

When asked if he would retain the new tactics against the upcoming match against Sargossa, Darby stated "You know, we have to remain absolutely totally focused and performing at our absolute best, or this hunt for the qualifying spots is going to be over; we're in a very competitive group, Flardania and Electrum are extremely tough opponents and I'm going to utilize anything and everything I think can help us pull one over on them."

Gnaeus Tanicus Vopiscus contributed to this article.

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