World Cup 80 • EqueStar • Roleplay Thread

[Equestrian States]

Matchday Fifteen Cutoff

Good evening, everyone. Here's some music while you wait for results.

Results.

[Jeruselem]

Princess Cassie holding an iPad ...

This is Princess Cassandra Elise Dallas of Jeruselem for Naked News Jeruselem. I'm in The Liamese Empire for the World Cup 80 for another qualifying game. A full report on this will be done later today. That's because we don't want broadcast that early in the morning in Jeruselem. Anyway, we managed a draw 1-1 with local team. We actually should have won but the referee decided each team had a quota of one goal and that's it. And we're having trouble getting footage of the game due to dodgy Internet here.

Anyway, people have been sending in questions. Including foreigners who find strange things about Jeruselem, yeah we're weird in a good way.

A lot of foreigners find our flag quite strange. Considering I'm on the flag in the photo with my sister and a friend on Naked News Jeruselem. We had a public submission of possible flags from citizens, and committee of some people which I don't know how they were picked made the the final choice. All the ones deems rather inappropriate or just completely stupid were screened out. I submitted the final flag, as joke actually. I don't expect it make the final stages. I didn't expect to win either. So the committee decided on the final list of candidates and mine somehow got though again. The final flags were put to a public vote and it seems a lot of people out there have weird sense of humour, guess who's flag won.

Some folks mistake my sister, that's Chloe or correctly Princess Chloe Elsa Dallas of Jeruselem, who's the actual manager and coach, for just one of the staff. I suppose she is very young for a coach, and she hasn't even played a single game for the national team. She instead of starting as a player, actually took up coaching from the beginning. That's because she broke her knee when she quite young it's never healed properly. So it pretty much wrecked her playing career. I'm not in the team because I'm just not good enough.

There's general note the team is quite young, relatively, to other teams. Football is sport for young people generally. It's really bad on the body, and there's lot of injuries one can get over time. It's a short playing career really. Coaching on the other hand, you can be pretty much physically disable but if the brain hasn't gone to jelly then you can keep on working. So we would like to keep mature players with experience but if the body can't cope, what to do?

There's questions whether you know the sister of the coach should be reporting on the football, you need some someone more impartial and someone more independent for transparency in reporting. Well Naked News Jeruselem fully owned and run by the Dallas family who happens to be one branch of the Royal family. And well, a lot of people who work there are ... member of the same family. So we don't even pretend to be impartial.

Just a reminder, it's not me having a baby. It's my sister Chloe.

Speaking of babies, younger folk ask me about what is the policy with pregancy and players. OK, staff are fine to be pregnant because they aren't playing on the field. Players can't play while pregnant due to concerns about getting injured in a bad way. Males don't have babies this pretty much applies to females, or female transgender ... you know.

People do ask about what's banned during the world cup. Nothing special really. If it's illegal it's banned. You go to other countries, don't do illegal stuff. So is there anything in particular to the Jeruselem team? Not really. Compared to some other countries, we're really lax. I mean we don't have strict code of behaviour, we're badly behavaed as it is so our players aren't expected to be angels either.

There is rumours staff work for ... free during the World Cup. I have no idea where that comes from. Us Princesses don't need to get paid, we have access to billions. Others work for money just like anyone else wouid. Or crypto.

Is the world cup Jeruselem a close circle? Well, not completely close but it is a particularly close community. Everyone knows each other pretty much. Saying that, the community is a mixed lot. We're all not the same, football players come from a rather mixed pool from society. We're not an exactly reflection but we're not a bunch of elites either. I have friends who attended cheapest public schools in the shadiest areas of Jeruselem.

People think football players are all rich too. It's not the case either. The top players maybe but most aren't rich people. They have money but it doesn't mean they are rich because they have families, home loans, debts, and other things. These things cost money. On average, the average football player is pretty much just like the middle class. A select few make the big money. Eh, I won't bore you with that stats. Yes, I did work that out myself.

I get asked about them free stadium tickets that sometime go around. Actually they aren't really free, it's just the person who gets them doesn't pay for them. It's just sponsors sometimes pay for those tickets and give them away, that's why they have weird conditions attached to them. It's paid advertising by sponsors. So they are actually .. free to some but stadium gets paid by someone.

People still want them tickets, how to do get them. Off the sponsors web sites, which are in limited numbers as we don't want a stadium full of advertising and people would complain .. alot.

People also ask about permanent passes into our stadium, the one in Jeruselem. The ones in other countries no idea. Us Princesses don't need them, our family own the stadium and the football team who lives there. For the record, you can buy these from the web site. You get access to domestic games as well as world cup games too. You can then renew for a reduced price next year. No you can't pass it on to someone else.

You can buy alcohol in Dazza Dallas Stadium, as some don't know. A lot know. You can't bring any into the stadium. If you get drunk we throw you out too. So don't get carried away with this.

Now, do we stop independent news outlets reporting on the World Cup? No we don't. Naked News Jeruselem does official report. But you can come on over to cover our games. We don't care. Just don't violate any copyright of the World Cup organisers, and steal our coverage. We don't care really, it's football for everyone.

And last thing to answer, are you allowed to be naked in Dazza Dallas Stadium? The answer is YES! All you need is a permit of you can. Doesn't cost much either, I get mine ... free because I can.

[Abanhfleft]

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 80 QUALIFIERS: COPPER CUPRUM VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


The Abanhfleft women's national football team celebrate Dawn Jackson's goal against Copper Cuprum in the World Cup 80 qualifiers. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

BED DEG, COPPER CUPRUM - Abanhfleft's quest for a rousing second half comeback in the qualifiers of the 80th World Cup continues as the Lady Revolutionaries took home all three points from the Princess Hawana Stadium in Bed Deg, Copper Cuprum.

The revitalization of the women's national football team under North Prariean manager Ginny Katesmar continues onwards, and the Lady Revolutionaries certainly took a step in the right direction when Chelsea Stuart side-footed home the first goal of the game just ten minutes in; the Arsenal de Releinthi Ladies forward pouncing on the rebound off of Allison Torres' saved shot.

Stuart would get the goal that was both her second and the second for Abanhfleft just about eleven minutes later, this time as the product of a thundering solo run in which Stuart collected the ball from her Ladies' Premier League teammate Lea Choi from almost the halfway line and then ran with the ball at her feet, evading a number of Copperite defenders before finally slotting past Enera Temoyo.

Tyrone Zudazet was almost able to score a goal for the home side when he was the quickest to react to a loose ball inside the six-yard box, but a goal-line clearance from Claire Osgood ensured that Copper Cuprum would go into the break goalless.

Things then took a turn for the worse for the Copperites as Enera Temoyo conceded a penalty and also received a booking for his trouble after his attempt to get to the ball before Chelsea Stuart resulted in the goalkeeper from Athletic Wa Deg practically gridiron-football-tackling Stuart at the knees. Temoyo did make amends for his mistake by saving the penalty that would have given Stuart a hat trick, but he was similarly unable to stop Abanhfleft getting a three-goal advantage as Alexandra Rousseau smashed home the rebound after nipping past the young Copperite defender Ziketsy Tukuku.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for Copper Cuprum though as Opatop Lazarovski was able to score the first goal for his side and make sure that the Lady Revolutionaries wouldn't be too dominant coming into the home stretch of the second half, the 32-year-old Sheriff Tiraspol winger bamboozling Lea Choi with a neat turn and leaving her behind while Lazarovski unleashed a shot on goal that just managed to squeeze underneath the crossbar.

Things settled down by quite a bit for the next thirty as both sides appeared content to keep possession with themselves and only going for goal when they were in or near the so-called attacking third. Arguably, Fleftic substitute Kelly McGinnis came closest to scoring in those thirty minutes as she applied the final touch to fellow substitute Merida Vance's free kick but McGinnis could only hold her head in shame as the ball flew over the crossbar.

But Abanhfleft would not be denied a fourth goal as Dawn Jackson headed home her first goal of the current qualifying campaign by jumping highest to plant her forehead on the ball from Lillian Prescott's cross. And while Ziketsy Tukuku did pretty much the same thing at the other end for Copper Cuprum, the game was by then very much in the bag as far as Abanhfleft was concerned.

Abanhfleft women's national team manager Ginny Katesmar: "Only three games left to play... As long as we don't screw up and drop points in any of those three games we may still stand a chance at qualification. And who knows, maybe there is still more than enough fight left in this team to carry us to a trophy finally. Everyone has their hopes up, but everyone's also got their fingers crossed. It's such a delicate situation that we're in right now that even the smallest mistake could prove costly. But we always strive to keep improving."

   COPPER CUPRUM 2 - 4 ABANHFLEFT
LAZAROVSKI (51')       STUART (10', 21')
    TUKUKU (86')       ROUSSEAU (49')
                       JACKSON (82')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Carter
RB: 2 Osgood (Warren █ - 84')
CB: 4 Jackson
LB: 3 Valentine
RM: 5 Maynard (Vance █ - 68')
LM: 6 Choi
RW: 7 Prescott
CAM: 10 Torres
LW: 8 Singh
RS: 9 Stuart
LS: 11 Rousseau (McGinnis - 76')

COPPER CUPRUM
GK: 1 Temoyo █
RB: 2 Batuba (Itoro - 59')
RCB: 20 Tukuku
LCB: 5 Chidagi
LB: 3 Denisov █
RM: 6 Toroto
CM: 7 Zuniga
LM: 8 Tofodo (Haroba - 84')
RW: 10 Lazarovski (Maginoo - 71')
CF: 12 Todeyet
LW: 11 Zudazet

MATCH STATS
Possession
Abanhfleft: 51%
Copper Cuprum: 49%
Shots
Abanhfleft: 12 (6 on target)
Copper Cuprum: 10 (5 on target)
Corners
Abanhfleft: 7
Copper Cuprum: 1
Fouls
Abanhfleft: 20
Copper Cuprum: 24

[Zwangzug]

The Guariday Guardian

News you can leaf through!

A glorious display of principled and inoffensive football was held at the Janaki Gardens! Through great efforts in subsuming themselves into a higher consciousness, the defenders of Zwangzug put on a most impressive performance and collectively recorded a shutout against AL-Hind Indus! Despite their relative inexperience on the international stage, AL-Hind Indus were nearly as committed to this righteous cause, lining up in a 1-4-4-2 steeped in tradition and lore! They nearly accomplished a clean sheet of their own, a statistic only marred by Spencer Gleason's goal eighteen minutes into the match! Despite his blatant audacity in attempting to achieve success as an individual, this was a worthwhile endeavor, as it allowed Zwangzug to come away with a win from the encounter! Therefore, the match led to the production of all "three points" (as reckoned by distant and impetuous overlords) available, with none being wasted in an internationally-scorned draw!

"I'm very pleased with our [commitment to responsible sport that respects the rights of indigenous localities!]" exulted Shoshana Birla, of Namiri Forest, while quizzically wondering why disreputable journalists had the nerve to faithfully record every word she spoke! "I think Al-Hind Indus was a match for [Janaki Gardens] in many ways [considering their evident pride in their own home region], but we [benefited from our experience playing here, myself in particular!]"

Elsewhere in the qualification rounds, South Covello conceded a goal to the returning Rockets of Newmanistan! Despite this defeat, they are assured at minimum a place in the playoffs, and their net has only been penetrated five times through fifteen matches, a record which other teams must envy!

With the victory, Zwangzug climb to sixth place in their group, their highest position to date! They somehow remain eligible to qualify for the World Cup!

Elsewhere in this issue:
Build your own sustainable, ethically sourced va'karela'ny: D5
Devangari Cryptic Crossword: C8
Post-sub-meaning-less-ness, a pointed editorial: A15
Neoliberal shills fail to heed call of grassroot movements: A2-A14

[New Gazi]

The small, coastal West African nation of New Gazi was once again buzzing with talk of association football. It had already been a long season, one where fortune had not completely eluded the Gazilians. The results on the field pointed to limited success. The season already had a classic game in the form of a 3-3 draw with Mercedini.

It was Carmen Jarlsdottir who proved herself an effective engine in that game. She added one goal to the Gazilian tally. More important were the two assists she created from the center attacking half of the field. The Gazilian offense relies on a lot of movement off the ball and creative passing.

The counterpoint to Jarlsdottir in the center is often Uffe Diya from the left wing. The veteran has had a solid year, leading New Gazi in scoring with 14 goals up to this point of the season.

"It was a tough game", Diya said after the draw. "Neither team wanted to give an inch. It felt like we went shot for shot. The pace picked up towards the end and we saw some rough tackles. But we shook hands at the end. It was quite the match."

Diya scored one goal off one of Carmen's touches. Nweke Chiemeka scored from Jarlsdottir's second assist. She set up a lob cross of a through ball that Chiemeka was able to send forward with his head.

It was a spirited effort from a Gazilian team that was fighting for its spot in the top two spots of the conference. The game did seem to fatigue a lot of the Gazilians, many seeming exhausted towards the end of the match. This may have been part of the reason for their lackluster performance in the following match.

New Gazi would fall to Ko-oren 1-0. The Gazilians lost the battle of possession by a large margin, 57-43. New Gazi was beaten swiftly, also giving up more attempts at their goal. The Cannoneers only managed two shots on goal, both of which sailed wide.

Carmen spoke on one aspect of the loss. "I just couldn't get anything going. Part of it came down to the tough defense the Dragonflies put up tonight. I mean, we couldn't even trouble their keeper. That's because of their marking on D. But it was a game we can learn from."

Baako Iwu, the team's starting LB, spoke on whether exhaustion played a role in the defeat. "It played a part. Players like myself stepped up when we already felt drained or sore. There was just a lackluster feel about our play. But we're here to play now."

There is a tight competition for the two playoff spots in Lucky Group 13. Two points separate four teams. New Gazi is lucky to lead that pack with 30 points. New Gazi holds no firm grip on that lead though and will need a massive boost in effort to keep in the playoff run.

"At this point we need to fight through this late end of the season. If we can get into the playoffs, we should be able to make some noise from there." He was asked if he feels his team has given their best effort so far. "There are ways we can improve. It's something we'll work towards in the future. Our players have a lot of heart and a few people stepped forward to carry us this far."

New Gazi looks to find a second wind strong enough to carry them into the playoffs and beyond.

[Ko-oren]

Ko-oren Stays Alive

Group 13                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts  H    A
 1 Farfadillis                       15   14   0   1    58   21  +37    42  2-4L 3-4W
 2 New Gazi                          15    9   3   3    36   22  +14    30  0-3L 0-1W
 3 Acronius                          15    9   2   4    36   23  +13    29  1-0W
 4 Mercedini                         15    9   2   4    32   25   +7    29       1-0L
 5 Ko-oren                           15    8   4   3    26   20   +6    28  ---- ----
 6 Octinstine                        15    5   1   9    25   33   −8    16       0-3W
 7 Stegosauristan                    15    4   1  10    19   32  −13    13  1-0W 1-1D
 8 The Sherpa Empire                 15    3   2  10    16   29  −13    11  3-3D 0-2W
 9 Cathaldonia                       15    3   2  10    20   43  −23    11  3-1W 0-1W
10 Austenesia                        15    1   3  11    19   39  −20     6  2-2D 2-2D

Home record: 3-2-2, 11 points, 12-13 = -1 goal difference
Away record: 5-2-1, 17 points, 14-7  = +7 goal difference

There was only one thing that could save the Dragonflies after a 2-2 draw at Austenesia. Wins, in all vital games left to play. A chance to take revenge for the 3-0 loss to New Gazi, and games against Acronius and Mercedini still in hand, as well as a game versus best-of-the-rest Octinstine.

The first of those games has been played, and Ko-oren is still alive. Still fifth, though. The most important thing is that the gap with second place is reduced to two points.

With a result that fits the home-away tendency, the Dragonflies won the absolutely vital away game at New Gazi. The final score was 0-1, but that is enough to put the Dragonflies back at only two points behind second place. This now means that the Dragonflies have secured 17 points in eight away games, but only 11 points in seven home games. The difference in goal difference is even larger. In order to secure a place in the World Cup, turning home into a castle is a necessity, with the remaining home game against Mercedini in mind.

Winning out would mean victories over Mercedini and Acronius. That implies Ko-oren will leapfrog them into third place at least. Any loss from this point forward will most likely keep Ko-oren out of second place for good. Chances are slim, but not nonexistant. While the Dragonflies don't control their own fate 100%, they do 'control' third place at the least. New Gazi also has Farfadillis left to play, which means that Ko-oren isn't out yet!

---

"LISA, have you finished analysing?" Katanmak Rilasthaunden asked. "I have, but it does not seem time for the staff meeting yet," LISA responded, leaving it to the listener whether her response was meant as a question. "I know, we have about twenty minutes to go," Katanmak replied, "But, I have been suspicious of the merits of having AI analyse everything we do and prepare us for matches. At the start, I was curious how this would go. Then, I felt it inhibited the team. Now... Well, now I feel like it's not so bad. Can I ask you, well, how you come up with your decisions about upcoming games? Is everything decided by numbers?"

"You sound unsure. You shouldn't be, it is a good question. It needs to be asked. And yes, all of my evaluations are eventually decided by numbers."

"Is football a game that can be analysed in such a way?"

"No. At least, not yet. That's what I'm trying to do. As for your first question, I make my decisions for the next fixtures by looking at our statistics, then their statistics, and then find mismatches. I start with basic formations, whether they have many players in midfield or not at all. Whether there is a star player who defines their formation, and what their defensive and offensive formations are. Then, I look for physical mismatches. Do we have a 6 foot plus player that we can pit against a small player? If so, that might be a start. I analyse quite a few possibilities, from height, to passing percentages, to aggression."

"But what about your basic approach to the game? Can you decide on tactics without having a basic understanding of the game? I mean, that might sound inconsiderate. Can you decide on a strategy without being able to see the game... like humans do?"

"I do not need to see. At least, I think I can see the game. I might not feel anything while watching it, though. But I definitely see the match unfold."

"And your basic tendency? Are you defensive? Offensive? Counterattacking?"

"Tables of 50 top divisions of different nations across a 10-year span indicate that a conceded goal correlates with losing more points than scoring a goal gains points. In other words, scoring a goal is not as important as not conceding a goal. Keeping a clean sheet guarantees at least one point. I think, by your standards, I would qualify as defensive."

"I can see why they've chosen an AI like you to coach this team... Is there something like an offensive-minded AI?"

"Sure, depends on what data you feed it."

"That makes sense..."

"It seems it is now time for the staff meeting. Can you carry me there?"

[Darmen]

As Predicted: UL earns most votes, MND wins most seats
MND-led Grand Coalition expected

SCOTT CITY - Napoléon Cockburn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, announced the results of yesterday's election at 3pm today. As had been predicted by polls conducted earlier this week, the United Left did indeed best the Movement for a New Darmen in total votes won, however, the MND remained the largest party in Parliament, despite losing 13 seats. The results were received by both parties rather sedately, neither party claiming victory and both acknowledging that they will likely work together as a "Grand Coalition" if negotiations are successful.

Turnout was up slightly compared to the 2036 elections, 48.84% this year compared to 47.39% four and a half years ago. The increase has been attributed to a number of different reasons, most likely among them the warmer temperatures and lack of rain.

National Results
Party                                   Votes      Percentage Swing    MP's +/-  CA/MM's +/- MLGA's +/-  EV's  +/-
United Left                             1,185,881  37.20%       6.84%   59     9   6       0  203     -1   701   43
Movement for a New Darmen                 883,019  27.70%     -15.63%   65   -13  25      -1  231    -24   787 -113
National Civil Liberal Democratic Union   359,061  11.26%      -1.84%   14    -7   0      -1   74    -14   218  -63
Fascist & Ultranationalist Union          221,903   6.96%       2.26%    9     5   0       0   35     10   115   45
Green Party                               168,447   5.28%         New    4     4   0       0   28     28    76   76
Royalist Party                            144,647   4.54%       2.40%    4     4   0       0   13      0    46   20
Pan-Rushmori Party                         84,616   2.65%       1.72%    3     2   0       0    6      4    27   18
Lista de Valladar                          54,027   1.69%      -0.31%    3    -1   0      -1   13     -4    41  -13
People's Party                             44,292   1.39%      -0.37%    3     0   1       0   12     -2    39   -4
Islamic Union                              35,279   1.11%       0.67%    2     2   0       0   10      6    30   22
Darmen Libertarian Party                    6,109   0.19%       0.06%    0     0   0       0    0      0     0    0
Direct Democracy Now!                         311   0.01%         New    0     0   0       0    0      0     0    0
Anarchist Group                                33   0.00%      -0.01%    0     0   0       0    0      0     0    0
No Overall Control*                             0   0.00%        #N/A    0     0   4       3    0      0     0    0
TOTAL                                   3,187,625  48.84%              166     4  36       0  625      0 2,080    5

Swing:   As measured compared to the results of the 2036 General election
MP's:    Members of Parliament
CA/MM's: County Administrators and Municipal Mayor's, heads of Local Government Authorities
MLGA's:  Members of Local Governing Authorities
EV's:    Electoral Votes, MP's votes count as 5, MLGA's votes count as 2
*Four Local Governing Authorities have 5-5 splits in their membership and were unable to agree on a County Administrator.
They are: Cleveland (UL/MND), Super-Mare (MND/IU), Kingswood (MND/IU) and Cialis (UL/MND).

To view full results, please go to: www.darelecom.dar/2041-election/results

The MND suffered most of its losses in the capital, Scott City. The center-right coalition lost 41 of its seats in the Municipal Council, the losses come following a scandal involving several MND MLGA's that was only resolved by the intervention of President Tor Tong Lee. The United Left won 47 of the 110 seats in the Municipal Council, 9 short of the 56 needed for a majority. The local leader of the UL in Scott City, Christoffer Drummond, announced that he would seek to form a "Grand Coalition" at the local level as well, involving the MND and the Green Party.

Scott City Results
Party                                     Votes    Percentage Swing    MP's +/-  MLGA's +/-
United Left                               544,028  41.46%      19.51%  24    12   47     23
Movement for a New Darmen                 278,875  21.25%     -35.86%  12   -21   24    -41
Fascist & Ultranationalist Union          121,606   9.27%       3.15%   5     2   10      4
National Civil Liberal Democratic Union   117,476   8.95%      -0.50%   5     0   10      0
Royalist Party                            109,448   8.34%	7.29%   4     4    9      8
Pan-Rushmori Party                         79,840   6.08%	3.85%   3     2    6      4
Green Party                                53,141   4.05%         New   2     2    4      4
Darmen Libertarian Party                    4,015   0.31%       0.02%   0     0    0      0
Islamic Union                               3,661   0.28%	  DNC   0     0    0      0
TOTAL                                   1,312,090  66.78%       4.64%  55     0  110      0

Swing:  As measured compared to the results of the 2036 General election
MP's:   Members of Parliament
MLGA's: Members of Local Governing Authorities
DNC:    Did Not Contest

Four Counties have evenly split Local Governing Authorities, and will likely leave their County Administrator positions vacant for the next four years. This is the exact same situation that Northern Chuckio County has faced for the last four years, although that County now finds itself under MND leadership.

Alex Quinn, member of the MND from Western Chuckio County, is expected to be reelected to the position of Speaker of Parliament in two days time when Parliament meets for the first time. The Electoral College will gather together the next day, where it is expected to reelect Tor Tong Lee as President for a second term. President Lee is expected to replace Vice President Donald O'Donahaue with the leader of the UL, Yoram Nash, if indeed the two parties join together in the "Grand Coalition." O'Donahaue will likely replace the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Joshua Rademacher, who has fallen out with the President over the issue of Darmeni membership in the Common Rushmori Community.

[Sargossa]

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport


Consistently Inconsistent



Blanco Borrayo reports;

We are now fifteen rounds into qualifying for the eightieth World Cup and Group 4 hasn’t yet lost its capacity for the topsy and indeed turvy. When fans at home were toting up potential points it’s likely that they skipped over the trip to Brenecia. The Patriots have been in peerless form, quickly establishing a stranglehold on the group and never letting go. But since securing their ticket to the big show in Starblaydia and The Equestrian States there have been small signs that the Brenecian contingent are now happy to sit back and enjoy the rest of the ride. First Juvencus went to Rozelle and came home with all three points. Then Sargossa went and did much the same thing.

Alonzo Zevallos pulled out a man-of-the-match performance at Kingsgarden, proving to be a ball of trickery on the right-hand side. It was his low cut back after just four minutes that clattered off the heel of Niko Szubanski and trickled passed the stranded Mathis Woodgate to give the Corsairs an early lead. And it was he who took full advantage of the home side pushing ever forward in search of an equaliser, released down the flank by Alejandro Vecino and unselfishly squaring the ball for an unmarked Miguel Marí to slot into the corner. To slot in a goal that wrapped up Sargossa’s best performance of the whole campaign.

Amazingly this was the very same side that went to unranked Stetzra and were turned over. And this time there were no red cards to blame, no unseasonal conditions to point the finger out. It was simply a sub-par performance from the world’s thirty second ranked side, coupled with a inspired showing from the hosts, roared on by fifty thousand fans at the Royale Stadium. We couldn’t even feign surprise, after Stetzra did much the same thing in Maturín several rounds ago. That was a result that cost coach Rafael Barrios his job, this time they ended the unbeaten record of his replacement Rodrigo Defederico.

Embarrassing defeat to unranked minnow aside, the Corsairs’ recent form has seen them slowly claw back ground in the Group 4 table. A handy draw between Tobiasia and Juvencus meant Sargossa hurdled Tobiasia and moved into a playoff spot. Something that has taken fifteen rounds of matches to achieve. Next up is the visit of former group surprise package North New South Wales, whose early form seems to have deserted them. They visit the mountain fastness of Torreón, where the Sargossan record is formidable. Although home form in this campaign has been ropey at best. Then it’s a potential winner takes all trip to Tobiasia. But, in a group in which eight teams can still mathematically reach the playoffs, we can surely expect a further twist or two as the campaign hits its home straight.

   Group 4                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Brenecia                          15   12   1   2    36   13  +23    37   Q
 2 Juvencus                          15    7   4   4    32   25   +7    25
 3 Sargossa                          15    6   5   4    24   19   +5    23
 4 Tobiasia                          15    6   5   4    31   28   +3    23
 5 Stetzra                           15    5   5   5    17   20   −3    20
 6 North New South Wales             15    5   4   6    26   22   +4    19
 7 New Lusitania and the Algarves    15    4   5   6    23   25   −2    17
 8 Indusse                           15    3   7   5    26   34   −8    16
 9 Lochario                          15    4   3   8    22   34  −12    15
10 Olastor                           15    2   3  10    15   32  −17     9

[South Toronto]

Chapter 12: Just Dreams

OOC: Exzapan is spoken, the english translation will be in brackets.

Continued from here.




"It was all a dream, qualifying for the World Cup. D'you really expect us to get into third in our group if we end up losing 2-1 to Kita-Hinode? And, our next match is against the Commonwealth of Bakerpark, who if we don't fix up they will consume our fuckin' arseholes," complained Bryan as he tore into the sandwich he was eating. "Well, our rank's gonna skyrocket, and if we get a point of the whole 3 points, we can get ahead of Kita-Hinode and Bakerpark and maybe secure third. By the way, they're doing really well for a team that just came out of the BoF," replied Jamal. " Yep, they are I wish we were like that when we came runners-up to Filindostan in the BoF final. Oh well, it's not like we're staying 99th in the world forever," said Bryan. He took another monstrous bite into the sandwich and chewed obnoxiously. "Aye bruh, why are you fuckin' eatin' ya sandwich like that, are you a wolf?" asked Jozy with an angry tone. "Allow me, I haven't eaten a chicken mayo sandwich in forever, I'm enjoying myself. Matter of fact, I might as well go out enjoy myself, it's not like the coach is picking me anyway," muttered Bryan as he gulped down the remains of his chicken mayo sandwich.

Quinque and Jay-Jay carried their trays and sat down at the table Jozy, Bryan, and Jamal was sitting. "I don't think I'm gonna be playing in the midfield again. Let's be real, none of us here are gonna get selected for the next game 'cause of yesterday's game. It was not even that bad of a game, we just conceded a late goal. Only two goals were conceded and now all of us are not playing. For fuck's sake bruh," moaned Quinque as he slurped up his juice. Jamal indicated to Jozy if he should talk about the 'thing' and Jozy nodded. "Hey uh, I'll pay you 50 raicyans if you slap Kelechi's head!" said Jamal with a convincing voice. "A'ight, watch this yeah!" replied Bryan. He got up hastily from his seat and ran towards Kelechi, who was talking to Kayla. Suddenly, he lept up and smacked Kelechi's head, and a huge clap was heard. The squad cheered and laughed until their stomachs hurt, but it stopped when Kelechi collapsed to the floor. "Oh shit, someone call 422!" shouted Kayla as she rushed to Kelechi to see if he was breathing. Bryan had a startled expression on his face and put his hands on his cornrows. He then joined the rest of the squad who were huddling around Kelechi's unconscious body.

Four paramedics burst into the cafeteria and checked all Kelechi's vitals. "Okay, get the stretcher, we'll take him to the hospital to check for any further injuries. By the way, how did this happen? Did he collapse or..?" inquired the paramedic. "Erm, he was accidentally hit on the head and he then collapsed on the floor. If there are no issues, when is he likely to come out?" asked Kayla. "Probably midday tomorrow, we'd have to monitor him in the hospital if he develops any further symptoms," said the paramedic as he gestured for his colleagues to come and lift the stretcher. All four paramedics grabbed a corner and lifted Kelechi. They then walked out the cafeteria and put him in the ambulance. It zoomed off into the distance, with it's flashing orange and yellow siren blinding the squad. "Well, it looks like I'll be your manager today. Finish eating and come back out to the pitch. And Bryan, you'll have to work really hard to even be a sub," said Kayla with a harsh voice. Bryan looked worried but really, why even bother if he wasn't likely to be selected in the first place? He answered back: "Yes Kayla," before he turned back to his table. Now that Kelechi would be safe, the rest of the squad returned to their places.


Elsewhere, in the Lordanon Mountains...

Althoquin soared through the mountains, looking for where his companion, Kuertze, was buried. Kuertze helped him become Althoquin and was right by his side right until he was sealed up. Kuertze was killed by the inhabitants of South Toronto at that time and was buried in what is now known as the Lordano Mountains. Althoquin spotted a small fire, where several men huddled around. He dived down and landed swiftly on the ground. "Wawa ono come rirret nolle?" (Where are we right now?) rumbled Althoquin fiercely. The men all looked around for a source of authority and finally, someone spoke."Er, this is Kuertze's burial ground, h-h-h-he was my a-a-ancestor. W-w-why d-d'you want to know?" asked the man, who squinted up at Althoquin. Once he realised he was speaking to a huge, intelligent phoenix, the man guessed that maybe this thing was Althoquin. "It's Althoquin, RUN!" screamed the man as he started running.

Althoquin already had the information he wanted, so he decided it would be good practise to terrorise these people. Besides, Kuertze wouldn't have cared anyway, why would he if his children reproduced all the way down to these pussies? Althoquin struck one person with his tail as the small man desperately wanted to escape. The man fell down, crying out in agony and screaming: "Please spare me, please, please, please! I-I-I promise I won't tell nobody you have awoken!". Althoquin simply glared at the man, and thrust forward, as he swallowed the man whole. " One done, four more to go. thought Althoquin as he took flight. Althoquin was the 'legendary' type of phoenix. Only legendary ones were large in size, sapient and could breathe blue fire. Blue fire can burn anything, and if used on humans it could cook them and they could do absolutely nothing about it. He gathered all the fire in his throat and burst it all at the fleeing men, who were all set ablaze by the blue fire. He watched the inferior humans in delight as they screamed and struggled desperately to put the fire out on their bodies, but it was pointless. Soon, the screams faded slowly and Althoquin could now be satisfied that he has still got it. He flew back to where the men were huddling and rested before the burial ground.

"Oh Kuertze, why did we not leave this land when Aredi and his minions were marching up to us?" said Althoquin as he sighed. " It is of no concern now, you must awaken and help me. I will help, and I expect you to help me. But it is too bright now, I can be spotted and sealed back up for a further 2,000 years. Once it is darker you will awaken, and we'll rule these inferior being's land whether or not they request it. Hopefully the awful football team this nation likes to boast at any opportunity will distract the foolish, and then we'll see if a new Aredi tries to prevent us from our goal. By the way, they are only fifth in their group. How pathetic!" roared Althoquin.

[Mercedini]

World Cup: State Of Play
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Good evening and welcome back to qualification for the 80th World Cup. We're back with our coverage of he long and arduous campaign for qualification in Starblaydia and the Equestrian States. We're down to the final five matches in qualification which teams beginning to secure extensions in their campaigns thus far, but no one has crossed their name and but their name in the draw for the group stage at the moment. At the other end of the scale, teams have began to be eliminated from the competition after a series of results has lead them to be too far away from the top three to claw back. As of the 13th match day, six nation are confirmed to be eliminated from proceedings (with one coming from out own group), meaning it leaves a field of 144 nations still in the race for 30 spots which are still to be claimed in the World Cup. As we know, sixteen spots will be claimed by the auto-qualifiers while the final sixteen will be contested by thirty-two teams who finished second and third in their respective groups in the playoffs. Anyway, let's see the state of the race for those position in Group 13, with five games still to play.

   Group 13                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   H    A     
 1 Farfadillis                       15   14   0   1    58   21  +37    42  0-3  2-4
 2 New Gazi                          15    9   3   3    36   22  +14    30  3-3  3-3
 3 Acronius                          15    9   2   4    36   23  +13    29  NXT  2-3
 4 Mercedini                         15    9   2   4    32   25   +7    29
 5 Ko-oren                           15    8   4   3    26   20   +6    28  1-0   -
 6 Octinstine                        15    5   1   9    25   33   −8    16  3-2  1-0
 7 Stegosauristan                    15    4   1  10    19   32  −13    13  1-2  5-2
 8 The Sherpa Empire                 15    3   2  10    16   29  −13    11  1-0  2-0
 9 Cathaldonia                       15    3   2  10    20   43  −23    11   -   5-2
10 Austenesia                        15    1   3  11    19   39  −20     6  2-1  2-1

Three matches left to play, nine points left to claim. That is the state of play as we head into the final series of matches which will decide who is in with a shot of going to the World Cup. There have been plenty of developments since we last reported on the World Cup with a series of nations sealing their fate one way or another, with the walls closing in on those nations wanting to make a last gasp sprint to the World Cup. Now is the time where playoff rivals directly face off in Group 13, meaning these matches could have significant ramifications on those teams around them, potentially meaning the difference between a playoff spot and being eliminated entirely from the competition.

In Group 13, we finally had closure on the one and only auto-qualifying spot with Farfadillis finally sealing their overall group win after leading from essentially the start. They wrapped up their World Cup Qualification with a win on the fifteenth match day, giving them an overall 14-0-1 record with three matches to go. The win provisionally meant they only needed a point from their three matches to qualify on their own work, but Ko-oren's victory against New Gazi meant the team in second place slipped twelve points behind the team ranked this in the world, meaning Farfadillis put their name in the hat with three matches to spare.

That leaves the playoffs the only positions left in contention, and it's sure to be an extremely close race fought by the teams from Pots 2 to 5 who all have a chance to claim one of the two playoff places still available. Teams ranked from 2nd to 5th in the table are separated by a poultry two points, meaning one slip up or a series of mediocre results could mean they fall out of contention and hand the advantage to their main rivals. Mercedini currently sit outside the top three spots on goal difference following their narrow 1-0 win at home against Octinstine giving them a goal difference much smaller than those teams around them. Matches against Acronius and Ko-oren await them, it what will be make or break matches for both teams involved, Acronius at home is neat for the Golden Eagles, with a win putting them three points ahead of the visitors with two matches to go. Cathaldonia at home is the third match left to play which is expected to be an easy three match, the easiest of the lot. It will be interesting to see how the Golden Eagles will react under pressure, lose one or both of the six-pointers and they can kiss goodbye to their chances at the World Cup.

With five nations still in contention, it means five have been eliminated from proceedings in the World Cup, with a further two to follow them over the next three days. Mercedini only has to play one them again until the end, with Cathaldonia providing an important break between the two more important games in the calendar. With form between the eliminated five teams patchy at best, Mercedini hope that they will prove to be a banana peel for their group rivals and take points off New Gazi, Acronius or Ko-oren which will give them some rest bite and breathing room should they falter in one of their own matches.

So plenty to digest as the curtain is beginning to close on the first phase of qualification, only 45 nations will be left standing after the opening eighteen matches with 15 of those safe in the clutches of qualification. For the remaining 30, it's a home and away slog to the line with half of those knocked out with the other half joined the aforementioned group into qualification. It's a macrocosm of Group 13 as a whole, with Farfadillis already qualified, while four nations are fighting for two playoff spots which is surely going to head into the final day. We're running out of fingernails to bite, so we hope you'll be able to join us for the final three matches. From the Sports City Stadium, sweet dreams!

[Kita-Hinode]

Vilfredo Corsi walked in circles inside his room. He was restless, angered and in some ways heartbroken. He was the first foreign manager to be granted a job at a football team inside the Hinodejin Empire, barely missing out on the full record under van Caan. There was just one problem, he was granted a job by the Basque University.

The Bulls, one of the inaugural teams of the Intercollegiate Top League, were one of the four institutions involved in the tournament that happened to be very specific towards their students. Hylia had the Hylians, Zora was self-explanatory and Minaduki, named after influential teacher of many Nekojin Shigure Minaduki, was a Nekojin-only University. The Basques... well, they had Basque University, which meant that Audioslavian Corsi, having spent a couple of seasons out of a job after last playing for Eletti Valligiani, had to deal with a recruitment process that was limited to the few, isolated grandchildren of those that hailed from the former Northern Sunrisian territory of Son Vasco.

Needless to say, Corsi tried all sorts of tricks to justify some names to the recruiting committee. Even if he wasn't capable of convincing any of the top five ranked prospects of the nation, he didn't give up on trying... only to be constantly blocked by the Basque University recruitment committee. He managed to get some prospects, having scouted the local high schools to find anyone that didn't commit to another University.

Thankfully, the Bulls were notorious in their home state and as such managed to snub the other big local institution, Nashihana University, bringing in some notable pieces but not enough. Manami Arruti-Ueno, a farmer girl from Hirose, the back end of Nashihana, was offered a spot via her mother's family, the Arruti. Luiza Beata Sasaki came from a nearby Catholic high school and Mao Joan Inoue was a walk-in from the English-Basque course. Andoni Suzuki was the only noteworthy player up to that point, having arrived from almost being signed up by Project Olimpo a couple of years ago only to refuse out of disinterest towards living at Jutsii.

And then there were the two in front of him. The Tachibana twins, Eneko and Ander. History wasn't kind to the Tachibana family as far as the Basque University goes. Their grandfather, Jon Erenguer, was the much-maligned keeper of Basuku University in the early days of the Nashihana State League, a tournament that the Bulls were founders of. Their uncle, Manu Erenguer managed to get them relegated from the Nashihana State League for the fourth time in their history. And of course, the legendary incident that their father, one Jon Marcus had for their team, taking down uni star Aduriz Shizuko caused the team a drop to the third tier of the same state league.

Alas, the two brothers were very keen on changing the family's fortunes. Eneko, a former track athlete for one of the many high schools of Basuku-Hitoshi, found himself playing for his high school team under requests of his brother, Ander. By the end of the season, the two terrorized the Basuku-Hitoshi High School Tournament, guaranteeing an invitation to play the Youth Cup preliminaries where they found themselves knocked out by eventual shockers West Mashu Corona Girls HS. The boys were persistent and, by this point, all Corsi needed to know was if the University president would accept them in.

The door opened, a mere thumbs up sign was shown. The two smiled, bumping their fists. Corsi smiled.

"Alright, boys. Show me what you can do." He said, muttering afterwards. "We'll need it."

[Banija]

Kabaka - King
Luguba - Queen Consort
Sarauniya - Queen Mother
Isebantu - Crown Prince
Omugabe/Omugaba - Prince/Princess
Omulangira/Kyabazinga - Duke/Duchess
Kagere/Kiweewa - Lord/Lady
Katikkiro - Prime Minister
Waziri - Foreign Minister

Busukuma International Airport, Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija

The Katikkiro was at Busukuma International Airport, with a couple of his own security guards. He was attempting to keep a low profile- he had managed to ditch the press pool back at his residence, and he was attempting to not be seen. He was coming to greet this man personally, sent personally by The Leader himself. After reading the briefing provided to him by his own men, however, he felt that things were going to be a little bit dangerous with this child.

A child- with the code name of Shell. Travelling commercially, of course, on a plane full of tourists from the Main Nation Ministry. And the kid, of course, knew what the Katikkiro looked like. Could he really put the kid out there, like this, to fight this harsh battle on his behalf? That'd look even worse than this move already looked, presuming that somebody found out about it, of course. But, of course, the kid walked off of the plane, and walked towards the Katikkiro. He took a quick glance at the picture, and knew it was him. What a moment, the Katikkiro thought. This kid walking out, straight towards him? Well, he had asked for help, and this was who came.

The kid walked close enough, and, as previously agreed upon, they wouldn't acknowledge each other until they got to their cars. Once they made eye contact and gave the thumbs up, the Katikkiro turned around and walked towards the exit doors. Shell followed, and two security guards stood, one at each side, and walked with him as well. The Katikkiro walked out of the double doors, and got into his own car, driven by his security officials. After a 5 minute wait, another black car pulled up, and Shell, alongside, the Katikkiro's security officials, walked into the car.

They drove off, towards the Katikkiro's residence. A 40 minute drive due to the capitol's poor development, and the drive was smooth. They drove through the back entrance- not visible by the camera of the press. The Katikkiro was standing outside, waiting, when Shell arrived from the Main Nation Ministry. Shell arrived, and the Katikkiro bent down to shake his hand. Hatabu Danso, who was waiting inside, would love to see this. But alas, here the kid was.

The Katikkiro led the kid into the basement, and then four people were scheduled to attend this briefing. The Katikkiro himself, Matthias Mutebi, the Minister of Defense, Hatabu Danso, the Head of his own Security Forces, Charles Zapito, and Shell, the kid sent from the Main Nation Ministry. When the Katikkiro and the kid entered the room, Danso and Zapito rose, and were shocked. Neither of them had been briefed, but a boy? They were both surprised, to say the least.

Hatabu Danso was a bit surprised, but decided to roll with it. If the Katikkiro was okay with it, then at this point, he would have to be as well. "Welcome, Shell." Said Hatabu Danso. "We send our personal thanks to The Leader for sending you here. You are... An unusual recruit. How did you-" and the Minister of Defense was cutoff by a glare from the Katikkiro. "Ah, I apologize. How the Main Nation Ministry works their own intelligence services... Is their business. But please- it is an honor you are here."

"Let me take you through the briefing, Shell." Said Matthias Mutebi. "This is our target". And he pointed to the big screen in the room, and a picture of Ebrahim Razav was pulled up. "His name is Ebrahim Razav. He is pulling this country apart, and putting the Busoga Islands into a state of absolute despair and frenzy. This man, is the regional premier- the man in charge of that region's government. He has openly defied this government here in Busukuma, contributing to the fall of law and order by breaking Banijan law. Attempting to make a domestic airport an international one. Attempting to circumvent our distribution of aid within the country, that will help us alleviate this crisis. Riling his people up towards violence, and forcing me to declare a state of emergency on the islands."

"Shell, it is my responsibility, as the Head of Government, to take charge and make sure we do what is best for my people. Now... I am asking quite a lot of you. You are quite young, after all. We have a mission- we need to neutralize the target, and we need Banija's fingerprints to be away from this. Something to restore peace on the islands. His goal all along has been to split Banija in two, and he feels as if this will be his successful effort to do just that. That is where you come in. You will have the full support of my own staff, and my resources. We must eliminate this menace, and unite this country again." Finished Matthias Mutebi.

"Are you in?" Asked Charles Zapito. It was a simple question- but one that could finally eliminate the biggest threat to his own political career atop this country. "If you are, as I presume, we can immediately start getting you ready and preparing you transport to the Busoga Islands. Let's finish this." And they looked at him, waiting for what kind of answer he would give...

Mujaguzo Palace, Busukuma, Banija - Taking place around the same time as the above scene

Kabaka Albert III was sitting in his palace. Another visit from a foreign head of state, but this one, a secret visit- he had successfully hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government/Heads of State meeting in this country, of course, but this was much different. This wasn't a state visit- they would not be wining and dining in the formal sense, there would be no cameras, the Royal Family would not be there, it would just be a one on one- between The Leader, and Kabaka Albert III.

He was extremely stressed. He was going back and forth on the decision on whether or not to declare martial law on the islands. He knew that Matthias Mutebi was messing it all up- and allow him to go much longer, and it might mean the permanent split of Banija. But that was not what he had to consider. How would Banija's neighbors react if the Kabaka took direct rule over a region? It would certainly stabilize things, as Matthias Mutebi was determined to make things worse, but of course, he would be upending the democratically elected government of Banija, even though this would be an entirely constitutional act.

He had to make sure that Banija wouldn't be subject to anything like sanctions. And, of course, now he was meeting with The Leader, who had requested a private audience. He was sure that they were going to talk about the ongoing crisis with Banija, how it had spread to a regional crisis, with the military buzzing Baker Park's ships and the sinking of the Harmony International ship. He was sitting there, contemplating this, when a guard approached.

"Your Majesty!" Said the guard. "Your guest has arrived. We are leading him to this room as we speak." The Leader was scheduled to arrive via the back, away from the cameras and the prying eyes of the press. And Kabaka Albert III stood. He waited until The Leader arrived, and they walked up to each other and shook hands, and exchanged greetings. After offerings of food and drink, they sat down to get to business.

"Thank you for the honor of this visit, sir." Said Kabaka Albert III. "What brings you to Banija?"

[Valanora]

"So this is what it is like to have everyone gunning for you because of the crest of your kit..." Yusuf Norberg muttered to himself, as the young Ibini FC winger sat dejected in the locker room, alongside the rest of the squad following one of the worst losses in all of Marauders history. The qualifying campaign had been going so well in the first half but the second half had seen a few more bumps along the road and this defeat at home to Damukuni was leaving both the team and the fans a little bit nervous.

"There is a reason why Valanora is synonymous with success, it is those five stars that are blazoned upon the crest. While it has been some time since the last time that the national team has added a star to the crest or really been a threat to win the World Cup itself, there is still a huge mark of pride and sense of accomplishment for other teams to get one over on one of the best teams to have ever participated in the competition. If you play long enough, you get used to being the team that everyone loves to beat, that even if they are otherwise having an awful cycle or group stage that they will give it all to get that victory against the legendary Marauders. Starblaydia, The Holy Empire, and in a way even Schottia now with how good they are all have the same issues, you are not allowed to have a single off day or you will be taken advantage of, something we all just had the unfortunate pleasure of experiencing." The captain spoke, having a hand resting on the younger player's shoulder before walking over to his own locker.

"The captain said exactly what I was going to say to all of you. We have gotten a bit restless, a bit stagnant as it had become clear that we were the best team in the group and now we have paid for it with a game where it was clear that all of our effort and attention was not being putting into it. I have seen it time and time again, it is a problem that plagues the top teams, especially towards the end of a campaign, when it feels like all the group is about to get wrapped up. You get lulled into a false sense of security, you stop putting your foot down on the gas pedal, and that slight lack of effort is the exact bit of opportunity that teams like 95X and Damukuni need in order to make you look silly. You have to give it your all or nothing, as if you hesitate, you not only don't play up to your potential, but you risk injuring yourself in the process. Trust me, I know, I have gone through it with the Wanderers both as a player and a manager and I would hate to see this magnificent team go through the same." The gaffer was looking serious and his assistant was looking quite pissed off, having seen her home country just wreck the defense that she thought she had whipped into shape.

"Listen, no one thinks this team really has a chance at winning the World Cup. The excuses are out there, with that there are too many different personalities, that the elves can not get on with the human players, that there is not enough experience at the highest levels in key areas. Yet on the same token, they would love to tarnish the legacy of the Marauders by getting one over on the former five time champions, just like what was done. Not all of you were born in Valanora and I sure was not either, I wore the kit and managed for a rival national team, but here now we are all a single unit and we represent this great collective of people, races, and ideas. If sport is all about bringing people together and having them sample and enjoy one another's cultures without the baggage of diplomacy, then the Eternal Empire and this national team is the culmination of that idea with all of you coming together to wear that crossed sabers crest. There's three games left and we have the playoff secured, but the Marauders of old would not settle for just playoffs, they would go out and take the group by its throat and win it, just to spite all the doubters. If you want to earn the right to wear that kit, to uphold this legacy, then go and do what they would do if they were here in your shoes."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

OOC: you don't necessarily need to read these extra chapters, but if you want to.

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1024341

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1024906

Jonas and the boys had made a few low key trips to the Busoga Islands loaded with supplies for relief. Although their ship was small, any little bit might make a difference, and Gabriel Ndume had paid them the same amount as they had received originally for every trip they made. It had been pretty easy work, and didn't cut into their fishing time too badly.

Ndume had also been keeping his ears open to the more militant nationalists who were Matthias Mutebi's base of support. He had one particular delivery driver--Fredrick Omobenubu--whom he suspected might be a bit radical in his support of the Defiance Coalition. Gabriel thought it was time to see who might be willing to do something brave for the sake of the Katikirro.

Fredrick's daily routine was to run up to Herzegovina City and back with a delivery of Chappy Cola and other BCEL products. Gabriel chose to ride along on this morning, as he wanted to get some insight into Frederick's thinking. "Oben, do you actually drink this stuff? I cannot believe how these people actually think that they are selling something Banijans would like." Frederick nodded in agreement. "It is about like drinking fizzy gasoline if you ask me. Why do the whites think they can come and exploit us with their terrible soda and their filthy beer?"
"I know you think that because I am a manager that I actually like working for these scum. I cannot believe they have the nerve to park their navy off our shore."
Frederick hadn't really gotten to know Ndume very well, but he was seeing the local distribution manager in a whole new light. "I think we showed them our true measure when our planes chased them away. Now they know the Katikirro will not be intimidated."

Gabriel continued to direct the conversation towards subtle suggestions and little bits of "inside" info; they had made their delivery and were returning with a load of barrels of O.V. Export Ale and once they reached the outskirts of Istria, Gabriel tossed out his baited hook once more. "I have some men who have a fishing boat. The company has me using them to ferry water and food to the islands for aid, but they can't really make an impact. But, if we could use their boat for something a bit more....", he trailed off, feigning an introspective pose. Frederick was quite interested now. "A bit more what? More proactive? more dangerous?"

Gabriel suddenly looked at Frederick with a grin. "Yes, proactive. Something that would send a message that Banija is not afraid of the world."

Frederick pondered what his manager had just said. "What do you think we would need?"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Captain Carr had received a directive from Fleet Command in Newport, the main operational base of the Naval Service of the Commonwealth. And he had not quite understood, nor did he want to understand exactly what is was supposed to really entail.

He sent a coded secure message to Belle Haven, bypassing Fleet Command. Within 90 minutes, he received a replay. His request was approved. The PM would contact him via video message within the hour.

Carr began by getting right to the point. "You told me to speak up, and I'm speaking up. I don't get this order I just received to move the squadron closer to the Busoga Islands, what is this all about?"

The Prime Minister knew this was going to be a delicate road to travel. "Two-A has requested this. They have come up with an op that needs us to have the squadron closer to shore. Within the next 12-18 hours, once you've moved, you will get the word as to what exactly your role will be." Two-A was shorthand for the CIS and this was now part of the plan that the PM had completely dismissed just a few days earlier.
"Does this have anything to do with the use of one of my commanders as a cutout?"

Rebecca Schoenlein nodded. "Yes Jon. That was not my decision, but that info has pulled this together into something workable. The risk factor is pretty low when weighed against the potential upside."

Carr thought for a moment. "We'll move, although doing it under darkness poses issues. Fleet says 15 miles out, are we still under your previous rules?"

"Yes Jon, no repeat of last time. Destroy all aerial threats that come within one square mile."

"Thank you ma'am, for taking time out for me."

"No problem Jon, be safe."

__________________________________________________________________________________

Jonas and his men on 'Desdemona' were still making early morning runs from Istria to Nezrouch, where they were offloading their cargo at a small pier and then heading right back out to the sea to lay out their nets. One this particular run however, they had an extra crewman.
Wilifred Omobenubu--cousin to Fredrick--rode along for the purpose of observing the route traveled and the distance from Nezrouch to where the Baker Park naval squadron were now anchored.
Wilifred was not a welcome guest, but Jonas and the others had been told by Matt Mahoney--the young man they first encountered at the BCEL building on that first visit--that they should just allow him to do his task and tolerate him as best they could.
Mahoney had taken over the liaison activities with Jonas and the others from Gabriel, and Jonas had found the young man from Baker Park to be honest and accommodating. They had established a good rapport with the white gentleman and Mahoney had in fact grown to trust the crew and respect their hard work and honesty. He even told them that he'd like to come and spend a day with them just to see how difficult it was. Eddie Rusike had also taken a particular shine to Matt, just as Miss Marie had captured his attention; Mahoney handled Eddie with the same patience and calm as the NSC officer had.

Gabriel felt like he needed to keep himself separated from the two sides of the street he was playing, hence his delegating the 'Desdemona' boys to Mahoney.

Wilifred briefed the others who were now in Gabriel's employ to make a strike at the Baker Park naval squadron--Frederick, a sort of jack-of-all-trades named Dusembi Okiniposi, and Kanemala Sonokiso, who was the official contact with the ruling DC party. Willi laid out his observations. "The ships are anchored about 80 meters apart from one another. The two larger ships are at right angle to one another and the two smaller vessels are outside of those two. We sailed pretty close to the second biggest ship, within a few hundred meters while it was still dark. I would say that is the one we should target."

Kanamela asked the most pointed questions. "How many fishing boats pass by? How close can we get the boat before they get suspicious? How far away should we leave the boat and let it continue unmanned?"

They discussed the variables and the contingencies. They decided that towing a small boat behind with an outboard motor was the best means of getting away once they locked the steering onto a course aimed at the rear third of the ship. The fuses should be set for 5 minutes and they should be at least 200 meters within the ship once they began the routine.

Frederick asked, "what about the others? how will we get rid of them."

Gabriel didn't want any harm to come to Jonas and his crew. He felt that if they were overpowered, there might be a chance someone would be hurt. He had an idea. "We will tell them to take Sunday off, so they will not be inclined to go out. We've made a spare set of keys to the boat, All we need to is load it up and go. And it will be the best time, no one will be up early on a Sunday morning."

They seemed to come to the consensus that they had the plan down. Frederick had used a company truck to bring some explosive materials and some barrels of oil in from Busukuma, thanks to contacts that Kanemala had pointed him to. The money was not an issue; the party man had arranged for an advance to do some "campaign work" and that had been approved without question.

Gabriel had made sure that he was paying his "marks" out of funds that were not from Baker International. At this point, 'Piranha' was looking like it was going to bite right where it was aimed.

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ The Two Alexanders

With Ingþór Auðbjörnsson suffering with a lingering ankle injury, Mór Császár had to figure out what to do with his main striker out of commission for an indeterminate amount of time. He needed it to be figured out fast as the Wanderers were coming off one of the worst games where they had played at home in recent memory and the strike force looking bleak, the manager had a riddle to solve. Galindo was starting to lose her pace and had been a streaky striker at best, Taj Zayn Bazzi was a relatively late bloomer and no one could really know if he could be countered upon to get the job done with the squad having a difficult stretch of games ahead of them, while Mücahit Aardenburg had the potential but had only just earned a starting spot at Club Stein-los, even if they had shown quite the attacking flair when given the chance to play for both their club and for the country. That left Kárpáty, who had already managed to earn the starting spot after a pair of golden boots in the Cosumar domestic league, and Alexander Jager who had all the promise and intrigue due to becoming a starter at Dwile and leading the Young Wanderers to a DBC title and earning a big money transfer to Eura in the process, but some wondered if he had the right attitude and if starting a twenty year old in some of the most stressful games for the national team was a wise decision.

Twenty-two goals in the five games since seems to justify the manager choosing to go with the two young strikers, as the Alexanders have looked very much like a pair of formidable strikers that are really going to dominate for the next decade, if they continue to play in the form that they have shown in the last two months. With the sort of form that the two strikers are in, one has to wonder if Thor will be able to reclaim a starting spot once he has fully healed from his ankle injury, with the medical team saying that he should be cleared to play for the last two matches of the qualifying campaign. This leaves Jager and Kárpáty one more game to showcase their skills as well as the sort of partnership that they have developed over these last few matches. Kárpáty has shown all his pace and lethal finishing ability, able to play off the more build up play that the taller and stronger Jager prefers, though the younger striker has shown his own scoring touch, having netted a goal in all five of those games, with Kárpáty having eight goals, including a pair of hattricks, in those five matches, only not scoring in the game against Makhnovia in the last game, coming off at half time after the side already had a three to nil lead.

Kárpáty has to feel quite good about how this has all gone, having built himself up to one of the premier strikers at such a young age, that his club in Mallox has to wonder if they will honestly be able to hold onto the striker moving forward. The thing that seems to be playing in Mallox' favor however is that Tas Danko is also plying his trade at the club and is one of Alexander's best friends, after Danko helped recruit Kárpáty to the Cosumarite club following his time in Ceni. The young striker has shown flashes of ambition but also a good amount of loyalty, when you consider the current culture of players constantly moving on to greener pastures and looking to improve their own profile rather than that of the clubs. However is it known that Kárpáty wants to consistently be in the UICA competitions and with Mallox' inconsistent form, there leaves a little bit of doubt and worry for those would like to see the twenty-three year old striker to remain at the club, despite having lead the team to the title two years ago in his first campaign of winning the golden boot. Now that he is applying that lethal touch to the national team, you have to think the Wanderers might be able to become a darkhorse for the next few cycles to actually win the title.

That is doubly so when you consider that Jager is only twenty himself and has already looked to be one of the world's top thirty strikers and still has a ton of room to grow, which you would expect to see now that he has moved to a more difficult league in Eura while also getting playing time with the national team. The two Alexanders seem to be carving out the opposition like one would carve out a new kingdom from nothing and these two young strikers are well on their way to making the opponents tremble in fear as if they were leading an army. This is what the beginnings of a good team is made of, young, ambitious, and talented players that want to go out and take the world like a storm. If Mór Császár can put the pieces in around them and get Thor the playing time he needs as well, which may be possible with Jager able to play in a more withdrawn role the way that Jörg Feierabend does, then he could have the makings of an capable squad that will be a difficult out for even the likes of Schottia and Farfadillis, despite the former's title as the title holder and the number one team in the world.

[Petroslovania]

World Cup Edition

The last game was rough for Petroslovania as they were shut out by Vilita, a team they had been lucky enough to beat their first go around. To add salt to the wound Vilita scored an additional two goals. This unfortunate victory has made it impossible for Petroslovania to win the group stage, however Petroslovania is only 2 points behind the third place Abanhfleft. Prior to their humiliation to Vilita, Petroslovania was able to pull and 3-0 win against Sevmenika. Against Sevmenika Jędrzej Abdullaba, Lei Makaio, and Hermes Boehler were able to sneak the ball into the net.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Coldfield 0-1 Commonwealth

Frank Armitage
Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

Reporting from Crownsville, Coldfield:

Following a spell of poor defensive play, the Commonwealth National Team posted their fourth clean sheet of the World Cup Qualifying and earned their first victory in five starts as the completed the sweep over Coldfield here at the Crownsville Palace Colossus. With the win, BP moved 4 points clear of 4th placed Kita-Hinode and 5 points ahead of the next opponent, South Toronto. While it is still possible to overtake Darmen for the runner-up spot in Group 6, the priority seems to be not dropping points in any of the final three matches, and securing a place in the playoffs.

Erica Shaw provided all the offense that Baker Park required on this night when she calmly slotted home a goal in the 50th minute, giving the Commonwealth a lead it surely deserved on the basis of play upto that point. The hosts were profligate in possession, and a much better organized defense by the Bees did not allow any of the surprising breakdowns that have plagued the side in this second half of the campaign.

Meanwhile, despite the single goal, the offensive rhythm appeared to be solidly in hand over much of the 90 minutes; aside from Shaw, Matt Villareal and Ian Coverstone put in full veteran efforts in controlling the tempo and involving all of the forwards and midfield. At the final whistle the stats showed BP with 654 passes, with an 83% completion rate versus only 279 passes for Coldfield, at a 73% clip.

Faith Enzikomibo has been recalled into the squad for the final three contests in this competition, with the next 2 at home and a final day trip to North Dajao. Baker Park control their own destiny, as victories over their 2 closest pursuers, who also happen to be their next 2 opponents, will see them in a good position to qualify for WC80 on their very first attempt.

[Mriin]

It was immediately clear the team that showed up to Haven was a stark difference from the one that had visited Kahali National Stadium all those moons ago. Both teams were hungry--it's always on Don's agenda to make sure they're never settling, not until they've won the whole damn thing--but one was fueled by the raw adrenaline of toppling the top seed in their first tie, that was messy and ugly. For the return leg, even the joys of sweeping the matchup that couldn't prevent the cold, hard sobering realization of the next morning: things had never been less over. The dramatic away win in the Capitalizt Dome wasn't the climax of qualifiers--it wasn't even the penultimate moment. That win merely allowed them the chance to compete, and now, in the home stretch, the real tests came.

Facing the one side that had held them to a draw so far, the next-best side both a priori and in the standings, with a home loss still in recent memory? The Mriinians, for perhaps the first time all qualifiers, brought a level of organization that equaled their passion to the pitch. Joren was finding a hookup every time they surged forward, Hilda made sure her passes always had a warm body at the other end, Uhlon made it the entire game without as much as a foul. And, with the eyes of the nation on her, Zilia battened down the hatches against the team that had driven her from the starting lineup for the first time in ages. Three consecutive clean sheets from the Angels stopper has re-cemented her prominent role in the squad and justified Don's continued faith.

The game was well in-hand throughout--from Solara's stately finish of a corner courtesy of Joren fifteen minutes in to Aldo crushing a shot past a sluggish Ulusu Mtanda just before the half the Mriinian goal was only assaulted twice, both fairly routine saves. Piet Von Kruger would have a few better chances in the second half, as he learned to navigate the shortcomings in Uhlon's more restrained play, but a fresh Zilia was more than able to pick up that slack. At the other end Solara would nab a second to seal the game away proper, a scrappy flick that buried itself in the top netting.

"We're not settling for anything until we're on the plane to Starblaydia or Equestrian States," Don snapped off after the game, denying a full press conference. "We're bringing our full strength to Aji No Moto."

[Main Nation Ministry]

Katikkiro's Residence, Basement, Busukuma, Banija

Shell maintained his cool and acted professional. The suitcase he was carrying at his tools, which he explained to the Katikkiro when they arrived. "It's ok. It doesn't matter what age us spies are. It just our experience and skills that we have that matters. Now, could you proceed with briefing, please." Shell said, in a voice of an average schoolboy. It was strange for the Ministry to allow someone as young as a kid to be a spy, but it was clearly to avoid suspicion. "It will take some time, though the reminded course of action is to make look like an accident. Which is why I have a couple of questions, before we get started. I will say yes, though I need some more and also detailed intel before I can get started." Shell said, as a way to stall time.

Shell knew that if he had eliminated the wrong target, things wouldn't go well. He clearly waited, till his idol, The Leader messaged him for information.

Somewhere Onroute Towards Busoga Islands

Emmanuel Jones waited in the rental truck, as the cargo was already inside. His men that were accompanying him were trying to find a ferry to reach the Busoga Islands. "You see anybody you can lend us their help?" Jones demanded to his fellow soldier, dressed in clothing too tacky, even for a tourist to wear. "Negative, so far. Can we try to go for the bribe approach? We are offering food to the starving." the soldier said to Jones, as he was at the passenger seat, leaning over through the open window. "Get a sample from the cargo. Let them taste a drop to get them interested." Jones said, as he let the soldier get a paste tube of the food.

The food, in general, wasn't actually fresh food, like produce. Instead, it was ingredients specialized made into paste form, similar to what astronauts would eat in space. It came in different recipes, though the one that the soldier used for free samples was the traditional snakefish flavored. A while later, the soldier ran back to the general with news. "We might be able to have the truck be transported onto a ferry! Hang on, it going to take a while!"

"This is going to be a long day.." Jones remarked to himself, as he let his men did the work.

The Briefing

The Leader remembered Banija. However, the memories he had here weren't the pleasant of ones, as he knew of the events that transpired before. Now, he returns again this time to attempt to stop a crisis from impeding on itself. He let the Kabaka speak first, then he explained. "Well, Kabaka. If I may call you that. I will let this letter explain everything, even if it will give you more questions than answers." The Leader took the letter out of his pocket and neatly placed it on the table in front of the Kabaka. "That letter was from the Katikkiro Matthias Mutebi, who wants the Premier dead. Of course, I can't justify the Premier's own actions, as he is fueling the public's rage at the Busoga Islands."

"And you may remember the foreign aid that was attempted by Equestrian States to deliver aid via overseas that got sank by Banija's own navy. We are aware of this mayhem that is happening and we need to know...", The Leader paused for a brief moment, so he can fully get the Kabaka's attention. "If we are going to stop this crisis, some major action is going to be needed." Then, in a pose he made that even the Leader felt a strong sense of deja vu, he calmly said, while leaning in towards the Kabaka,



"Don't you agree?", those words erupted from the Leader, where he knew had became arc words at that point. "Now you probably have a solution, but let me offer some few suggestions.
1. We can simply have the Katikkiro kill the Premier off.
2. We can do some divine intervention and have the Katikkiro die, instead.
3. This is my favorite opinion, since it's a lose-lose or win-win solution. How about we simply kill both of them? Sure, there are reasons to let them live, but there are still the reasons to have them die. Or.. You might agree with this one, though I find it the most boring.
4. How about we officially let foreign aid from every nation imaginable help Banija? We just be muscle to ensure that no one is being denied the health and plenty that every citizen in this nation needs."

"You still have your choice, though. Your choice might be one of the suggestions I offered. You might think something like this is going to fix itself, but it's your choice. If you need a minute or more to decide, go ahead. I'll wait." The Leader said to the Kabaka.

[North Prarie]

Erick Amerigo sat in Stonebridge Simbacat International, watching the live Esmerelian Grand Prix on his phone and drinking Starlucks, a popular coffee chain in North Prarie. Then, he got a call from his agent, Steve Makzuko.

"Hey Erick. Wescott City just agreed to a transfer."

"Excuse me, what?"

"Yep. A top 7 side in the United States of Devonta wants to pay 2 mil for you."

"2 mil?"

"Yep. Funny thing is, though, they say they have a better league than us, even though they aren't on the UICA coefficients."

"So I won't be playing internationally?"

"You weren't going to play internationally for Wescott anyway. 13th in the league! They can't break the top 4 bloc, nobody can. And if someone can, it's going to be Charmcenter."

"Well, it is a better league, right?"

"Yep, but not technically. They do have a better league, but not officially."

"So what's my benefit?"

"For one thing, you're gonna be playing on a side that can win. And you're getting paid a lot. 67K to be exact. And, this gives you a chance to play in, let's say, Liga Starblaydia. Or the Audioslav Premiership. Or maybe Brenecia. You probably aren't going to be put on 1830 Cathair, but you, along with T-Miller, are going to be the Prarieans playing for the best sides abroad."

"Ok, sure. What's the side called?"

"Mandiana FC. Top 7 side."

"And how do I get there?"

"Okay, when Qualifying is done:
Take a flight to Government Island.
Then take a TSP Airways flight to Vancouvia, The Western Isles.
Finally, take a flight to the Devontan capital on TWI Air. They will have someone taking you the rest of the way."

"Okay, good."

Erick Amerigo was starting a new chapter of his, and North Prarie's, soccer life.

[Equestrian States]

Matchday Sixteen Cutoff

Three days remain, we're in the home stretch now. Will your team catch on fire at just the right time or will they burn out?

Results.

[Banija]

Kabaka - King
Luguba - Queen Consort
Sarauniya - Queen Mother
Isebantu - Crown Prince
Omugabe/Omugaba - Prince/Princess
Omulangira/Kyabazinga - Duke/Duchess
Kagere/Kiweewa - Lord/Lady
Katikkiro - Prime Minister
Waziri - Foreign Minister

12 mile territorial limit of Banijan territory off of the Western Busoga Island shores

Captain Mabonga was patrolling again, on his ship. In the same area where, a few weeks ago, he had led the patrol that had sunk the ship from Harmony International. Mabonga was leading yet another patrol, with orders that had, yet again, been revised. Banija's navy was a brown-water navy- a decent navy, one capable of operating well within its 12 mile zone of territorial waters, and not much operation in the open sea beyond that- though some ships sailed through before the crisis. They knew, of course, that the situation was extremely on edge.

The sinking of the first Harmony International ship had been a major international incident. They had technically been successful, but there was an uproar in the Equestrian States over the issue, as a war of words started between Canterlot and Busukuma. The move had thrust Captain Mabonga into the spotlight- he testified in front of a committee in the Lukiiko, and he even had a press conference with the Katikkiro, where the elected leader had strongly criticized what he considered to be 'lack of respect for Banijan law' by the Equestrian States, and other foreign countries. Things were heating up, but Captain Mabonga was here simply to do his job.

The Equestrian States response had a number of demands of the Banijan government, many of which were rejected by the Katikkiro outright. They had wanted reparations for all victims families, reparations for cost of ship and cargo, access to area of the incident for investigative and recovery purposes, supervising control over any and all Equestrian foreign aid in Banija, an end to the Naval patrols controlling access to the islands(though the Equestrian States called these a blockade), with access granted to Equestrian and other foreign aid ships/planes, and a full independent investigation of the incident and prosecution of any wrongdoing found. Needless to say, outside access to the area for recovery purposes, the Katikkiro had rejected all of these proposals. Negotiations were not going well.

Captain Mabonga was happy, then, that no other ship from Harmony International had visited since then. While tough words were being spoken, and the Banijan patrols were being increased, the lines were not being crossed. Of course, Banija's Navy was not large- that said, Banija's Navy wasn't normally challenged in and directly around Banijan waters like they recently have been. Which is why, of course, each patrol always had a pair of attack planes with them, as well as recon planes flying around. They wanted to always be sure of what was going on. Regardless, he was in charge of this patrol, and for a long time, saw nothing.

At about Midnight, however, something popped up on his radar. Three different objects. He radioed up to the recon plane to go investigate, who flew away and then flew back towards them, and radioed down what he found. it was what Captain Mabonga feared most- three Equestrian ships. From the photos being sent down towards Captain Mabonga, it appeared to be one Harmony International ship, as he recognized the Harmony logo across the side of the ship. A freight ship, of course. That said, it was escorted by two ships of the Equestrian Navy, their Naval standards flying high, instantaneously recognizable for any Banijan Naval serviceman.

Captain Mabonga swore. "Son of a gun!" He said. "They're back, now? With an escort? Get in position, everybody. We have our orders- we have a job to do. As we do this, we need to make sure nothing more is coming over the Horizon, right?" And he had the recon plane fly past the oncoming Equestrian trio of ships, over the open sea. Not something Banijan military forces did very often. But the news reported back, was good. The task force patrolling the Terrenean Sea was staying in the open sea, for now. This trio of Equestrian ships was alone. That made Captain Mabonga feel a little bit better.

He knew, of course, the dangers of what might happen. Every Banijan sailor knows- there is one country who is the dominant Naval power of the region, and that was the Equestrian States. Massive fleets of ships, often pointed outward, away from Atlantian Oceania, and a country that tends to fight to win. Battle-hardened from previous pony wars, they were always fierce. Generally, the Banijan Navy tried to avoid Equestrian Naval ships- but now, it seemed as if, for the first time, they could meet head-on. Captain Mabonga knew that this would easily be the most daunting challenge of his own career.

"Somebody! Get Hatabu on the phone! This time, we MUST involve the chain of command. It is absolutely crucial." And his staff scrambled to get the Minister of Defense, Hatabu Danso, on the line. This time, the Minister was actually available. "Minister, sorry for waking you up." Began Captain Mabonga. "But we needed you in crisis command for this. We have sight of three Equestrian ships- one from Harmony International, two from their Navy. A destroyer and a cruiser. We are about to put you in on the call to listen, but we are about to verbally engage the ships as the approach the 12 mile territorial limit."

"Captain, I am wide awake. I will listen in on the call, but I will not be heard. I am hoping that this can be handled on the ground, without someone speak to them from Busukuma." Replied Hatabu Danso.

The Banijan ship began to radio in towards the Equestrian ships, until one ship picked up. "Captain Lightning Twister speaking of the Equestrian Royal Navy!" She said. By the way she spoke, there were two things immediately clear- one, that she was a pony, meaning that the Equestrian States wasn't here to mess around. The second thing clear, of course, was that this could get confrontational, and quick.

"Captain, This is Captain Mabonga of the Banijan Royal Navy! I am here to ask for what purpose are your ships about to cross into Banijan territorial waters? There is no scheduled freight to Nezrouch or any Busogan ports at this time."

"Captain, we have orders to escort this Harmony International ship to the Port of Nezrouch. Those orders will be followed. They will be delivering aid as part of the drought crisis, and via orders from Canterlot, the Equestrian States will be responsible for the deliverance of our nation's aid to this suffering region." Said Captain Lightning Twister.

"Captain, so you are aware. All aid is to be delivered to the Port of Istria. We request that your route redirects there- no unscheduled freight ships are to sail to the Busoga Islands without the explicit permissions of Busukuma." Said Captain Mabonga. "We wish you luck on your journey to Istria." He said that, hoping that if he put the idea in their head that they should actually go to Istria, they would. But that unlikely hope died, as Captain Lightning Twister replied again.

"Captain, we have orders to directly escort this ship, safely, to the Port of Nezrouch." Replied Captain Lightning Twister. "With all due respect, we will go through." And the tensions in the room immediately rose. Captain Mabonga hung up his radio, thinking quickly of what he should do. Hatabu Danso, the Minister of Defense, told him to order a flyover. The two Naval planes in the parade then decided to fly over the three Equestrian ships. They were hoping that this would deter the Equestrians, but the move did not work. Although it had worked once, it was not a move that would work a second time, as the Equestrians kept on going forward.

"Fire a warning shot, Captain!" Said Hatabu Danso. Captain Mabonga then issued the order to the rest of his team- the submarines would fire a warning shot. The submarines, at this point, were in place. On the side with the cruiser, the frigate was facing off, one on one. On the side with the destroyer, there were two submarines, waiting for orders. And as they were issued, they fired warning shots. One shot internationally behind the trio of ships, while the second shot in front of the trio of ships. Successfully, they hit their intended targets, and did not hit either Naval ship. However, the ship crossed the territorial limit and kept going forward, full-steam ahead.

"Captain, this is your last warning!" Yelled Captain Mabonga. "We have fired our warning shots and have explained politely- this is a violation of Banija's borders. We ask you, Captain, for the last time- turn your ship around." But the Equestrian ship continued to move forward. Captain Mabonga found himself in an unenviable position, yet again. Yet another week he'd have to attack an aid ship? And this week, of course, might be suicidal? He then decided to give the decision to the main at the top of the chain of command- the Minister of Defense, Hatabu Danso.

"Minister, the Equestrian ships have ignored both our verbal and actionable warnings." Said Captain Mabonga. "What are your orders?"

The Minister of Defense contemplated, for a moment, what this would mean. The demands from the Equestrian States were pretty steep- reparations, violations of sovereignty. He was risking a full-blown war if he ordered the Royal Navy to do its job. However, if he didn't, he would already be waving the white flag. Being able to simply ignore the orders of Banijan ships in Banijan territorial waters over aid to a traitorous place like the Busoga Islands, anyways? That was unacceptable. If Banija just allowed these military violations of Banija's borders, what was next? Any semblance of national unity. He knew what he had to do.

"Captain, do not let that ship dock." And the crew was docking. Captain Mabonga was barking orders, telling people to man the cannons and the guns. They had a real fight that was about to be on their hands, and they needed to be ready. And even though it was the Equestrian States, the Royal Navy wasn't totally screwed, right? They had numbers- three sea vessels to two, and that did not take into account the pair of attack planes that the Royal Navy had with them on this patrol. Captain Mabonga was confident that he would not be going straight into this own death.

He then issued the orders to the other members of his patrol- the pair of submarines, and the pair of planes. "Gentlemen!" He said. "This is a day of honor for the Kingdom of Banija! Your country calls upon you, via our elected officials, to fight for it. Fear not, for we will be with God!" And that is how it begun. The frigate he was on turned, as the submarines submerged. It was on. The communications would be off- hopefully, they'd be able to communicate after what was certain to be the upcoming battle.

The frigate then turned, and began firing on the cruiser. One missile was fired, and it just barely missed its target- just yards behind the ship. There wasn't much action atop the ship- and from what Captain Mabonga could see, standing on the deck, with water spraying in his face, the ship looked surprised that this happened at all. And Captain Mabonga heard the torpedoes fire from the submarines. The battle, of course, was on. The frigate fired another ship, as he saw four unicorns race atop the cruiser that his frigate was facing. The frigate had the early advantage- the element of what seemed to be surprise.

The Captain was floored by what he saw next. His missiles were slowing down in mid-air, and exploding before they hit their targets! "Lieutenant!" He barked, as Lt. Nyongo raced up to him. "What the hell is going on with our missiles?!?! Why can't we hit these ships? Why are they exploding 20 yards in front of those damn ships??!"

"Captain, I believe that the unicorns are using some sort of shield, or new fangled technology, or even magic, to stop the missiles from hitting these ships." And as the Captain observed, he saw that was continuing to happen. He ran back below deck, to his computers, to watch the battle happening on the other side. The people aboard the cruiser were not ready to attack, though these unicorns were throwing up what were now visible shields, that would explode on contact, alongside, whatever hit it. If that's what happened to these missiles, he certainly couldn't try to storm the destroyer.

What was happening on the other side? The destroyer, the larger ship, after the soldiers had gotten ready, was gaining the upper hand. These submarines were hard to hit, but once they were hit, it was over. Banija's submarines were not strong enough to survive more than a copule of shots from a destroyer from the Equestrian Royal Navy. The submarine torpedoes, even though they were being fired underwater, were not having any luck either. All of a sudden, a loud sound came from the second monitor, monitoring the second sub. It was hit, and it was hit badly. There were screams, people running around, before another loud sound and the screen going black. He knew that sub was a goner.

He looked back at the first monitor, and he knew that now there was one sub, they did not stand a chance. And bam, just as quickly, that submarine was gone. It would be the planes that would come next. They both dove low, similar to what they did when they buzzed the Baker Park ships, except this time, they did not buzz the ships- they straight up attacked the ships. They went, looking to drop bombs, and take out these ships. A bomb dropped on the Harmony ship itself was exploded by a mage right before it made contact with the ship itself, though the force of the explosion caused a few people to fall back.

The unicorns were dominant in this area. Two were able to team up to take both wings out of the first plane- and that could only mean one thing, and one thing only, for the pilot. Captain Mabonga, on the other hand, was floored. What was going on? Plane wings being ripped off? HIs missiles being exploded before they reached their targets? Captain Mabonga ordered his ship to continue firing. There was no way that they could keep this up, right?

But then, something stunning happened. An anti-aircraft weapon, brought along the destroyer, gunned down the second Royal Navy plane, so that it fell all the way into the deep, dark depths of the sea. Captain Mabonga, who had outnumbered his opponents, now found himself in a pickle. His fleet was getting routed- lost two planes and submarines already, alongside all those men. His frigate was still trying to make progress on the Equestrian cruiser, where the unicorns were able to hold off the Banijans.

Of course, the next sight was the most incredible sight that Captain Mabonga had ever seen. A lifeboat was prepared for Lt. Nyongo, his trusted deputy on the ship. He knew the odds he was facing- they needed to be able to make a full report to Busukuma. Lt. Nyongo had the instructions to search for a patrol vessel, one that could scoop him up and bring him right back to the islands, and then fly him back towards the mainland. But then, three of the unicorns shot purple beams into the air- three different shades of purple.

The beam looked like it could scorch the sky. The beam was turned towards the ship, and blasted straight at the ship. No ship, and especially not this one,was going to take what was just dished to it by the three mages. Almost upon contact, the entirety of the ship exploded- burst into flames, with bodies and objects flying everywhere. Lt. Nyongo looked in horror at the flaming wreckage behind him. But, of course, he had to go. Just like the Equestrian ships that would reach the Port of Nezrouch.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Jonas and Eddie, Leonard and Onis, were happy to host a Saturday night gathering for their extended family and friends from around their neighborhood. They had all prospered very well from their side work for the BCEL Company. In fact it almost seemed as if fishing wasn't nearly as profitable as taking early morning cruises to the Busoga Islands.

Matt Mahoney had accepted the invitation to be the guest of Jonas' family without second thought. He did have a real personal affinity with the 4 men and was quite curious to see up close how Banijans lived. He was in his 5th year working for BCEL and had volunteered to come to Banija to work in the operation when the company had negotiated the deal to name the stadium in Jinja City and to be able to have access to the country's market. He'd generally had positive experiences during the time he'd been in Istria; he found the country to be very interesting and of course very different to life in the Commonwealth.

Gabriel had left him a note on Friday afternoon. "no run to Busoga Sun. GN"
___________________________________________________________________________________

Soon after midnight Sunday, Gabriel texted Frederick to bring the truck to the wharf. Kanemala Sonokiso was already waiting at the slip where 'Desdemona' was berthed. He had brought along a couple of other men to help load the boat with the contents of the small box truck Frederick had hired. They estimated it would take about 70 minutes.

They loaded the hold of 'Desdemona' with explosive charges, barrels of oil, crates of dynamite and some surplus military ordinance that had come straight from the Banijan Military Arsenal in Busukuma. Gabriel had said he would provide the timers and detonators. He handed them to Frederick. "Look, you wire together all of the dynamite, put some of it near the main engine. Some of the barrels, forward and some close to the engine as well. The grenades and the other stuff, somewhere that when the rest of it catches fire, it will spread quickly and detonate all of the explosives within a 40 to 60 second range. Understood?"

Frederick nodded. He looked at Dusembi, who was well versed in how to produce big booms. "We will have a big bang before anyone knows what hit them."

They had stolen a small dinghy that had an outboard motor and they tied it off to the stern. Wilifred was going to steer the boat. They untied the ropes and the motor came to life. Willi backed the boat out of the slip and away the three of them went. Kanemala elected not to go at the last moment. And Gabriel was now a bit concerned.
___________________________________________________________________________________

"Eleanor reporting patrol launches in position. One off the port bow, one astern and portside."
"Achilles patrol launches to starboard of Reliant"
"Reliant patrol launches 200 meters to leeward of Odysseus"

"Reliant do you have target confirmed?" "Affirmative. approximately 3 kilometers at ESE and closing at 8 knots"
One of the extras provided on 'Desdemona' while it was in the care of NSC Reliant was a tiny GPS transmitter, attached to the underside of a panel where only someone looking for it specifically would ever think to check.

The squadron had kept watch on many of the small craft that maneuvered around it; without fail it was always small fishing boats similar to 'Desdemona' and they were usually always tracked until it could be determined they were not a danger.

___________________________________________________________________________________

"And so Gabriel, it is really underway. I am impressed." When Kanemala chose not to go on the boat, Gabriel had pressed his "panic button" in his pants pocket. "I wondered why you were so keen to make a big splash against the people who employed you. Maybe you did not intend for that at all?" He turned his head ever so slightly in the direction of the 2 men who had come to load the boat. It was just at the moment than they both collapsed from gunshots to the back. When he turned back to Gabriel he was looking at the barrel of a SigSauer P938. "You're just as dead right here as you would've been on that boat. Gimme your phone." Kanemala reached out and handed his phone over. "Start walking that way." Gabriel pointed the gun towards the shore. They had taken about 4 steps when Kanemala began to turn around to face Gabriel.

2 muffled shots and Gabriel snapped his fingers twice. Three men dressed in black from head to toe scrambled down the pier and drug Sonokiso's body back towards the truck that Frederick left behind and tossed him into the back alongside the other men who were now as dead as Julius Caesar.
___________________________________________________________________________________

"I want a message right now, to the Crown Prince. Within 2 hours he will have a report that a boat loaded with explosives was intercepted near one of our ships. And we believe (pending confirmation) that this was an attempt by the Katikkiro to commit sabotage. Get that through to Busukama ASAP!"
___________________________________________________________________________________

As 'Desdemona' continued on a track that was marginally different than the one they had been following to Nezrouch, and was within 1000 meters, the call went out to the patrols lying in wait.
"On command, close off target. Estimated Delta 150 seconds."

"Forty Seconds, to intercept."

"INTERCEPT! CLOSE TARGET! BOARD AND SECURE!"

Bright Klieg lights and shrill horns broke the tranquility of the calm, dark Sunday early morning. The patrol launches closed the distance and commands from P.A.'s echoed off the hulls of the silent gray ships. "HANDS IN THE AIR! NO SUDDEN MOVES!" For the second time, 'Desdemona' was intercepted by a high sea interdiction. This time, the consequences would be far different.
___________________________________________________________________________________

TERRORIST ATTEMPT AGAINST SQUADRON OFF BANIJA--WIRE REPORT <<<URGENT>>> (SECOND UPDATE)
(CPA) Belle Haven--An attempted terrorist attack against the Naval Service of the Commonwealth squadron currently anchored near Banija was foiled early Sunday morning. Unconfirmed reports place the responsibility on a group of Banijan nationals loyal to Prime Minister Matthias Mutebi. A search of the suicide boat uncovered ordinance marked as having come from the Royal Banijan Arsenal.
Prime Minister Rebecca Schoenlein has drafted a formal complaint to the Government of the Kingdom of Banija. "We cannot abide by the actions that are seemingly given tacit approval of the elected government of a democracy which constitute an act of war. We will ask our friends and allies among the AO to stand with us after this violation of our rights while our ships are peacefully situated in International Waters."

[Nephara]

Cereal Isle 2 - 4 Nephara
(4-2-3-1) 12 - Swoboda; 2 - Rafford (18 - Brymora 80'), 5 - Konoval, 6 - Theuer, 3 - Lohengrin (vc); 4 - Rowland (23 - Misidjan 72'), 15 - Rosenthal; 13 - Fanaiyan, 21 - Gosforth (c, 14 - Webster 72'), 11 - Strongbow; 9 - Hawke
Goals: Hawke 8', Rosenthal 13', Fanaiyan 22', Rafford 63'

Nephara 4 - 2 Flardania
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Tsattalios; 2 - Rafford (18 - Brymora 88'), 5 - Konoval, 22 - Bruyne, 3 - Lohengrin; 4 - Rowland, 8 - Klein (15 - Rosenthal 75'); 7 - Szalai, 21 - Gosforth (c), 11 - Strongbow (16 - Aspenwood 75'); 9 - Hawke
Goals: Klein 18' 47', Gosforth 44', Szalai 73'

THE HERALD
CORMORANTS CUT IT KLEIN AS QUALIFICATION SEALED IN SABREFELL
Karin Rietveld

With two goals and one assist, and a fourth goal witnessed, Rusalka Klein was the unanimous POTM winner as Nephara cruised beyond Flardania and into the World Cup, qualification sealed with two matches to spare.

The Cormorants knew that the odds were always in their favour of reaching the World Cup, but only victory could ensure their place on superior head-to-head results. Flardania, on the other hand, came hoping to take back a playoff place, with the second seeds suffering a dismal campaign so far and winning less than half their matches in what has been, top two aside, a very even group.

Flardania were up for the occasion, and came out unintimidated by the sold-out Farham Arena. Klein would later say that "they clearly came here to see us seal first, and credit to them, they helped pull us along the line." They also helped ensure that the stadium was a cauldron of sound, choked in green pyro, and refused to quiet down when Ichikawa rattled an early shot against the post with Tsattalios beaten.

Brandon exhorted his team to do better, and they promptly did, Hawke twice coming close and Hojo denying Szalai at the far post with a scrambling save. But the physicality and determination of the Cormorants didn't take long to shine through, flowing wing play down the left capitalising on a Tamayo slip before Lohengrin slipped the ball back for Klein who, shoulder-to-shoulder with Son, hammered her shot into the underside of the bar and in from just outside the box.

It was very quickly clear that Klein, one of the world's hottest properties at the moment (though seemingly content to keep her head down and stay at Crawford for the time being), was going to pull the Cormorants across the line. Hojo was blameless for Flardania despite the final scoreline, and denied Hawke and Gosforth before the break but when Flardania downed tools for just a second it was Klein who put the right pass through the centre for Gosforth to come cantering down on it, beating Nguyen to it and chipping it over the stranded goalkeeper.

The second half was somewhat more chaotic, as Nephara's near-perfect defensive effort began to tire and the pace of the Flardanian front three began to pay dividends. The truth was, however, the game was likely sealed when Klein swept home an assertive passing move just after the second half began. Playing fearlessly, without pressure, Flardania started to play like they had for the first ten minutes again, responding quickly through a long strike from Mizoguchi that cannoned low and hard beyond Tsattalios.

Ultimately, however, it was too little, too late. Even as Klein began to tire, her influence muted somewhat, Adnan Szalai did what he does and picked up the slack, his pace and power storming down the line diagonally, cutting inside and firing underneath Hojo who for once could have done better, to make it 4-1. Substitute forward Fujioka clipped in a clever little volley past Tsattalios in the 83rd minute and raced to pick the ball from the net, more in hope than expectation. Indeed, Ichikawa probably should have scored in injury time, set up brilliantly by Fujioka but tired legs snatched at the chance, and 4-2 it would remain to clinch top spot for Nephara.

With qualification sewn up and Audioslavia ensconced in second place, four nations can nominally secure the final playoff berth but realistically it will come down to Lisander or, a point behind, the Foxes. Nephara will face Dance 2 Revolution and Kopyk in the final two matches, with a whole sheaf of fresh faces expected to be picked to rest Nephara's best for the tournament proper.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 9
Goalkeepers: 1 - Hesterine Mercator (Tihon Tide, CMT), 12 - Andreas Swoboda (1860 Azoth, CEN), 20 - Anthoulis Matraxis (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Anyta Sanger (Creed United), 3 - Isidra Jeurissen (Cornellians, SCT), 5 - Esther Vannatter (Alnio Union, CMT), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Ruon Asante (Foxhampton, EUR), 19 - Marcin Close (Brinemouth), 22 - Dragora Steelhenge (Cornellians, SCT)
Midfielders: 4 - Helmut Chilmark (Holdenberg, EUR), 7 - Monako Saroszi (Ulsa, EUR), 8 - Tawny Shone (Sabrefell Moths), 11 - Marisha Staunton (Crisisbless), 13 - Roxana Coffey (OAS Royal FC, COS), 14 - Josie Webster (North Laithland), 15 - Circe Rosenthal (Marionville, SCT), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Chimera Moxham (Port Patrick United), 23 - Laura Carrow (Marionville, SCT)
Forwards: 9 - Methuselah Tregajorran (Lonngeylin Coast, VIL), 10 - Nevaeh Cathar (Avenida Leal, FFD), 17 - Aristide Metzger (AFC Treason)

SCHEDULE
Lisander 1 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 0 Audioslavia @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Tinhampton 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 0 Dalmat @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Frozen Forest 0 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 2 - 4 Cereal Isle @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Flardania 1 - 2 Nephara
Dance 2 Revolution 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 3 - 1 Kopyk @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Nephara 3 - 1 Lisander @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Audioslavia 2 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 Tinhampton @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Dalmat 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 5 - 1 Frozen Forest @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Cereal Isle 2 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 2 Flardania @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Dance 2 Revolution @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Kopyk vs. Nephara

[Brenecia]

Brenecia 0 - 2 Sargossa
(4-1-4-1 / 4-4-2) 1 - Woodgate; 2 - Marquess, 18 - Heneghan, 6 - Szubanski, 3 - Quill; 4 - Gryphon (c); 7 - Crowther, 21 - Case (13 - Wheeler 80'), 8 - Hartsdown (10 - Carrick 68'), 11 - Ashbrown (16 - Keohane 71'); 9 - Riordan

Stetzra 0 - 1 Brenecia
(4-4-2) 12 - Calhoun; 2 - Marquess, 18 - Heneghan (5 - Beath 75'), 22 - Varney, 19 - Cattalock; 7 - Crowther (15 - Garrard 75'), 14 - Drover, 23 - Alweather, 11 - Ashbrown; 17 - Bannion, 10 - Carrick
Goal: Carrick 48'

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Qualifying history overview: have we ever seen the likes of this before? - Part Three
Laura Mulholland

While the qualifying campaign appears to be going out with more a whimper than a bang, at least the Patriots have qualified both in comfort and style. With Reid hoping to rest a handful of key players before the tournament itself in the dead rubbers to come, here's hoping that Brenecia doesn't leave these shores with something of a damp squib...

76: After sealing Brenecia's second-ever regional victory - including an anemic 2-1 shootout win over Anglatia and, more convincingly, a 3-1 win over Nephara in the final - Raven Cullen managed to oversee a relatively breezy qualification process, though with a couple of hiccups along the way. Beating the Equestrian States 6-1 on aggregate, however, showed they had teeth. The World Cup saw the Patriots take another step towards prominence, yet again taking seven points from a group including Ceni and Osarius before Brenecia's first ever World Cup knockout win in emotional circumstances. Catheline Purrington's swansong for the national team came as she arrived off the bench, rattled home an extra-time winner from a free kick over Krytenia. Audioslavia were next, however, and presumably piqued at being denied a chance to beat their ancient rivals, bounced Brenecia out of the tournament a second consecutive time. Still, surely things could only get better from here?

77: Er, no. This is undoubtedly the most disastrous cycle in Brenecian history. Faced with an admittedly tough group, Brenecia opened up with four wins in a row, against Turori, Mattijana, Savojarna and Kaisaru. They would do the double over all four teams. They would win only two other matches, ultimately slid into fourth and, unsurprisingly, it cost Raven Cullen her job. This was, perhaps, not entirely her fault, as the cycle overlapped with the match-fixing scandal breaking, the A-League missing a UICA cycle and Northern Union, which held many of Brenecia's players, busted down to the fourth tier. In came Catherine Bardsley for a second crack at the job, and she ensured a respectable performance in the Cup of Harmony, but things looked bleak. As did, all of a sudden, Brenecia's playing style.

78: Despite Brenecia doing the traditional Brenecia thing of drawing a lot, the Patriots more than made up for it. Coming into it on the back of another regional victory, Catherine Bardsley presided over an undefeated cycle, easing through qualifying, getting seven points (yet again) in the group, before being edged out on penalties by the Electrum side that would, ultimately, become world champions. What could have been?

79: This time, the Patriots were awful in the Campionato, but at least they were convincing in qualifying as they secured first yet again. Once more, they secured seven points in the group, one of those weird traditions that doesn't look like a tradition until you stack them up in a row like this. This feat was even more impressive by being the odd ones out in the Group of Death, also containing Vilita (beaten 2-1), Pasarga (drawn 1-1) and Sargossa (beaten 1-0). Hopes were higher than ever, but, yet again, they were beaten by Turori after 90 minutes, an extra time goal sealing the deal.

80: And here we are! Despite tough opposition in the group, and the traditional stumbling block of Tobiasia cropping up for a third time in four cycles (Brenecia having only beaten them once before), and a spectacularly dismal Campionato, the Patriots were the first team in the entire world (discounting hosts) to qualify. There's just one question on everyone's lips (discounting that of who starts at rightback); "where to from here?"

To be continued... in the World Cup!

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 9
Goalkeepers: 1 - Mathis Woodgate (Spartangrad, EUR), 12 - Rostyn Calhoun (Wexax United, VAL), 20 - Rosalind Buchanan (Lunas FC, PAS)
Defenders: 2 - Fiona Marquess (Willox Street Pirates, PCR), 3 - Brigid Levein (Marque), 5 - Keziah Broxham (Mallox, COS), 6 - Russ Linvoy (Kirk Preston United, SCT), 18 - Cheney Heneghan (Ernesse Stahl, BYN), 19 - Siri Cattalock (CA Paulinthal, PAS), 22 - Garwyn Varney (Soldarian FC, VAL)
Midfielders: 4 - Matt Ruffan (Holdenberg City, EUR), 7 - Sherry Griffiths (Lotus Park), 8 - Roisin Staunton (Kingsgrove), 11 - Sander Balliol (Tanrisal, PAS), 13 - Corby Wheeler (Goldstaff City, COS), 14 - Elsie Drover (OAS Royal FC, COS), 15 - Cu Roi Garrard (Rene Skae, FFD), 16 - Isidra Corvey (Kingsgrove), 21 - Claire Ruskin (Southern Star), 23 - Cathal Keynes (Snowden River)
Forwards: 9 - Fox Charnwood (Hellinic-Rouge, PAS), 10 - Vesuvia Carrick (South Laithland, NPH), 17 - Niall Bremner (Westpike United)

SCHEDULE
Brenecia 2 - 1 New Lusitania
Lochario 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Indusse
Juvencus 2 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Olastor
Sargossa 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 0 Stetzra
Brenecia 1 - 0 North NSW
Tobiasia 1 - 4 Brenecia
New Lusitania 2 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Lochario
Indusse 1 - 6 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 3 Juvencus
Olastor 1 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 2 Sargossa
Stetzra 0 - 1 Brenecia
North NSW vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Tobiasia