Independents Cup 5 Everything Thread (Final Result Up)

[Adab]

KickTheBall.com
Bringing you the latest in Adabian football news

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Adab triumphs 7-3 over Neo-Romanum in Independents Cup thriller

In perhaps the most thrilling match of Independents Cup 5 so far, Saad Kaykali and the Adabian team achieved their first international victory, triumphing 7-3 over Group E rival Neo-Romanum to second place in the group, reviving hopes that the nation might make it to the round of 16.

Adab went into the match with its usual flexible 4-3-3 formation, devised by manager Kaykali and assistant manager Inimabakesh Thulus. The Adabian team went on the offense from the beginning of the match and drew first blood in the seventh minute, as a corner kick by Adanirari Uhwan was converted into a goal by Enlilbani Yargab, barely escaping the clutches of Neo-Romanum players converging on him.

The Adabian team appeared to control the flow of play for much of the first half, relying on a mixture of short and long passes alike to confound the Neo-Romanum defense. Yargab was by now establishing himself as the opposition's foremost danger, a situation which was further enforced when he increased the Adabian lead in the 19th minute with a strong kick from the penalty arc straight to the net.

Now down by two goals, the Neo-Romanum players were suddenly inspired to launch a counterattack, zigzagging their way through Adab's half of the field and planting the ball in Mohammed Marramzi's post in the 28th minute. Yet this seemed to be an aberration, as Adabian right winger Shamsuiluna Zambiya scored the nation's third goal in the 35th minute, thanks to a timely pass from Ephraim Orlev. Neo-Romanum responded with another raid onto the other half, forsaking defense as they executed a series of daring, if sometimes risky, long passes and scoring their second goal with less one minute left of the first half.

With the score now at 3-2, Neo-Romanum opened the second half aggressively, eager to seize on this opportunity and equalize. This they achieved in the 53rd minute, as a direct free kick flew over the wall of Adabian players and was promptly converted into a goal, going right past Marramzi's hand.

From the sidelines, perhaps sensing the initiative slipping away, manager Kaykali was seen shouting a series of instructions and encouragements. The players responded mightily, as Uhwan scored in the 59th minute, courtesy of an assist from Enmerkar Abdulmahrim. The 68th minute saw the ball rapidly passed in succession from Malik Aminuddin to Orlev, Zambiya, Yargab, and finally Uhwan, who created his second goal of the day by dribbling all the way to the opposition's post as the goalkeeper was distracted by Zambiya and Yargab. Orlev's turn came in the 73rd minute; receiving the ball from Taymour Frangieh, he proceeded to run roughshod over Neo-Romanum's defense along with Uhwan and Zambiya, sprinting across their half of the field and scoring with a strong kick from just outside the penalty area.

With the Neo-Romanum players apparently demoralized thanks to the sudden deluge of goals, the Adabian team pressed on and al-Muntar secured victory for the nation in the 80th minute, as his header was too fast for the opposition goalkeeper to intercept.

Thulus: "A great and amazing victory."

Manager Kaykali did not attend the post-match press conference, as he had "private business" to attend to, and was represented by assistant manager Thulus, who praised his team for their teamwork and perseverance.

"What can I say? It's a great and amazing victory," Thulus said. "We dominated the first half, but then the opponent began to counterattack. Honestly, when they equalized, I thought we had thrown away our chance at a victory."

"But the team held on and did not give up," he continued. "They were very strong and solid, scoring goal after goal, attacking and attacking. What a great performance. I'm proud of them."

Ever the gentleman, Thulus did not neglect to offer his commiserations to the beaten opponent. "Neo-Romanum played very well today and I was impressed at the level of their playing. They did not back down, they did not give up," he said.

CORRECTION: The article originally said that Inimabakesh al-Tikriti was the assistant manager of the Adabian team. He was actually the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The assistant manager was Inimabakesh Thulus.

See also:
Why the suspension is a good thing for Adabian football
The amazing rise, fall, and rise of Saad Kaykali
Why the footballing world is moving away from 4-4-2, and why it might make a comeback

[Karulicja]

One doesn’t need experience when it concerns a football talkshow. No fancy graphics or intricate salon to seat the guests. All you need is a disgruntled former manager, an extravert has-been of a footballer and someone who… Well, we’re not sure how he merited his spot, but a host helps a bit as well.

“It was disgraceful, I feel,” Apouris stated, fumbling on a tie that seemed to choke him, judging from his red cheeks, “Our players simply refused to raise the pressure on Aggrey-Fynnland.”
“But they did grab a point,” host Giuseppe Valori countered.
“A landmark,” Djordje Umas agreed, “and so vital in the minds. Whatever happens next, we will avoid that shame and I…”
“Shame? Wasn’t this about shame,” Apouris fulminated, “we barely dared to cross the halfline!”

With each word, one could swear to see little puffs appear from his nostrils. Nothing much had changed since his playing days, when he collected enough cards to survive all remaining Christmas celebrations. It was a shame the camera man didn’t zoom in on him, the nervous finger clicking and the sweaty forehead.

“They had a plan and stuck with it, I think that’s…”
“It was an awful plan!” Apouris cut the other one short, “This Aggrey-Fynnland isn’t at its best. Kavagrad demonstrated the glaring spaces on the wings and instead of letting Kunstelj break them apart, Azzini puts Micallef on the wing. Micallef!”
“He did play quite good,” Valori tried to keep the volume down.
“But on the wing!” so far for that effort.

Umas attempted to downplay it all, “adding De Angelis for balance made sense after the Free Republics. Do know that Aggrey-Fynn was second in…”
“They’re piss poor and we should’ve known it. Azzini should’ve known it,” Apouris decided to say things as they were, “if we brought in Khalloufi and Kunstelj earlier than the last five minutes – and if Prigidar starts to score – we would’ve won.”
“And that’s the target against Kavagrad,” Valori rounded up.

At least they agreed for once.

“Absolutely.”

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It wasn’t clear whether the proximity of the red lights district had been the reason for their pub choice, or rather had been the consequence of the hour, which had seen most places serving hard liquor close. Two men, clad in light blue and white, couldn’t care less.

“Tomorrow, we’re gonna win, Karim,” the tallest one stated, confirming his words with a loud bang of his glass on the table.
“We should’ve already today – that sucker of an Azzini was just too afraid.”

Ryan, whose puffy face only showed vague hints of the paint that had worn off already during the game, shook his head.

“It could’ve been so good. That one cross of Kunstelj to Prigidar should’ve been a jackpot.”
“On to Kavagrad then,” Karim sighed. It was clear that whether or not they would ever make it back to the hotel was all in his hands. “They’re not to be underestimated – that Bonne is a crafty fellow.”
“We’ll beat them!” Ryan yelled, loud enough to make the last few other drinking fellows turn their heads.
“There, there, they’ll have to be…”

Karims tactical ideas were cut short quickly.

“We’ll beat them!”

Oblivious of the stares from everyone else, Ryan started to search on the floor and after a few second he pulled up a jacket. Upon closer inspection, the third member of their party who had been sleeping off tomorrow’s pain was enclosed within.

“Isn’t it Youcef, we’re gonna beat Kavagrad?”

Just awake, it took him a few seconds to regroup the few thoughts who hadn’t marinated too much in brandy.

“Only if the little one plays.”
“Kunstelj?” Karim added, quite playfully, “we’ll need his infiltrations and…”
“Anis,” Youcef spoke. The force in his words made clear the point was not to be debated.

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“Roberto, you’re fine?”

With a slow and calm gesture, Roberto Moscardelli opened a single eye in the direction of the door. The goalie had enjoyed his afternoon nap. Surprisingly, it wasn’t his junior roomie Bonnici who stood there, shuffling a bit with the doorknob in his hand, but Danijel Prigidar, the bulky striker.

“Rob?”

The look on Danijels face, a mixture of fear to get caught and excitement, encouraged Roberto to make a small gesture to wave him in. Even though they had crossed on many pitches, he felt he needed to keep up a certain dignity assigned to him with the captain’s ribbon.

“What I wanted to talk to you about – well, if it’s not a problem at the moment because…”
“Get on with it, Dani, and speak up, damned,” Roberto wasn’t the man to have patience with it. And seeing how the tall man who should be leading out their side acted like a twelve-year old who has eaten all the cookies wasn’t the reassurance he needed one day ahead of the clash with Kavagrad – to his assessment a definitive must-win game.
“It’s…” Danijel scratched his head, “it’s about the tactics.”
“What about it,” Roberto replied, involuntarily speaking a bit more muffled as well.
“Are we going to do that 5-3-2 again?”

There it was, the peddle in the shoe of the whole selection for a few days now. Azzini, after an expected, deserved but honourable loss against the Free Republics, had for some reason decided to shift back a few gears. Roberto had been consulted but the goalie knew well enough that the mind of the gaffer had already been made up – it was just about fleshing out details. The result was a defensive line-up which seemed to reap results… And made everyone feel uncomfortable enough to focus on their defensive duties. Even Trevisan, in theory the creative centre, remained too often in the centre circle.

“I… Well, Mauro and I… We worked our asses off. Just to rush after some lost balls into space and get nothing out of it. That’s just not gonna work. You know we can do stuff, stuff in the box but like this. No.”

Roberto knew he wasn’t a born speaker and that only his on-the-pitch authority had forced him, probably as a spokesperson for more guys who liked to hide behind his broad shoulders, to speak up. It had started out hesitant but the last ‘no’ made clearer than all the other ones that he needed change.

And deep down, Roberto agreed. The launches up front, time and time again, just to see it come back again – he didn’t believe that worked either. Like a wanderer crossing the desert needs water, this side ached for the dribbles of Kunstelj, the spark of Khalloufi.

But Azzini had spoken with him already. With fire in his eyes over the point won – forgetting the two points lost, Roberto fell – the manager had seen it already as a risky affair to put Micallef back as a defender and Pajic, a runner with dedication but not a creator, on the wing. Keeping it tight and focus on that one chance, seemed to be the idea. And Moscardelli had thought about the ribbon around his arm, and had nodded.

“Just think about it, Roberto,” Danijel nearly begged.
“I’ll talk to Dusan,” the keeper spoke – deliberately using the first name basis with the coach.

And at that moment, he actually believed what he said.

[Abanhfleft]

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

INDEPENDENTS CUP 5: BLANEU VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Irina Babarushchik celebrates her goal against Blaneu in the 5th Independents Cup. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

BOROTIA, IODARA, FREE REPUBLICS - Abanhfleft secured top spot in Group D for the moment as the Lady Revolutionaries helped their nation secure its first ever international victory over Blaneu in the sport of association football with a 3-1 win in FreedomCola Stadium.

Old clashed against new as one of the oldest average sides in the tournament squared off against each other on matchday two of the 5th Independents, and on that day it was the boisterous exuberance of Abanhfleft's youth which prevailed over the cautious experience of Blaneu.

Blaneu's veteran forward John Hartson was rendered practically anonymous for the entirety of the game, and Catarina Soler and Miranda Sullins barely broke a sweat while defending against the 43-year-old, only having to occasionally stretch out a leg to intercept the ball whenever it got to within a few feet of Hartson.

At the other end of the pitch, the returning Annamarie Sabado, put into the starting eleven in place of Princess Gonzales, was the recipient of numerous forward passes from her midfield and wingers, and it was almost inevitable that she would convert one of her chances in front of goal, in this case an almost casual lob over the Blaneu goalkeeper that nestled into the bottom right corner.

Three minutes later and Amelie Rusev secured Abanhfleft's place in the driver's seat of this particular match after her curling attempt at a cross for Sabado ended up nestling into the far post instead, doubling the Lady Revolutionaries' advantage.

In truth, Abanhfleft could have won this game by a bigger margin as the Lady Revolutionaries were practically running past their opponents on their way to goal but, after having been beaten twice already, Robert O'Brian was not in the mood to let his opposition score any more against him and he turned into a veritable fortress, keeping Abanhfleft from scoring any more goals in the first half and channeling the spirit of some of the best goalkeepers the multiverse has ever seen.

But Abanhfleft would not be denied a third goal, and substitute Irina Babarushchik slotted home from point blank range three minutes after coming on for Annamarie Sabado to secure all three points for the Lady Revolutionaries, but Blaneu would have the last laugh through their youngster Ojo Navarro, who had enough in his tank left to bamboozle the Fleftic defense and firing at Ursula Qatintiki's bottom left corner.

Abanhfleft women's national team manager Ginny Katesmar: "It's not the best game we've ever witnessed, but it's also far from being the worst. To score three goals against any side is still an achievement, no matter if it's against Starblaydia or a team like Blaneu. But we want to keep our focus on the next games. And I would also like to wish good luck to the under-21 team in Valanora for making it to the final of the Di Bradini Cup. The nation stands behind you."

       BLANEU 1 - 3 ABANHFLEFT
NAVARRO (83')       SABADO (9')
                    RUSEV (12')
                    BABARUSHCHIK (63')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 13 Qatintiki
RB: 2 Walker
RCB: 4 Soler
LCB: 5 Sullins
LB: 3 Riddles
RM: 6 Winter-Slaughter (Sibusizwe - 82')
LM: 7 Erin
RW: 8 Liner
CAM: 10 Woodward (Britt █ - 70')
LW: 11 Rusev
ST: 9 Sabado (Babarushchik - 60')

BLANEU
GK: 1 O'Brian
RB: 2 Vernon
CB: 4 Bowen
LB: 3 Hollands
RWB: 6 French (Driscoll - 70')
RM: 5 Starkey █ (Jones - 54')
LM: 8 MacDai
LWB: 7 Sparks
RW: 11 Navarro █
CF: 9 Hartson
LW: 10 Davis (Evans - 80')

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Blaneu: 41%
Abanhfleft: 59%
Shots
Blaneu: 5 (3 on target)
Abanhfleft: 12 (7 on target)
Corners
Blaneu: 5
Abanhfleft: 10
Fouls
Blaneu: 22
Abanhfleft: 16

[Adab]

A Dance with Football
A look into the lives of the people involved in Adabian football and those associated with them

Chapter 3: Saad and Aida

Present day
Campground occupied by the Adabian team

Night had long fallen over the campground and most of the players, after so raucously celebrating their first international victory, had gone back to their tents, though still some lingered on the field between the tents, eating, laughing, and thinking about their triumph over Neo-Romanum and the challenges that still lay ahead. Even assistant manager Inimabakesh Thulus, who usually kept to himself, appeared to have a good time celebrating this victory with the players. He, too, had gone back to the tent to rest.

But Saad Kaykali had not, and tonight he was joined by his daughter Aida, who had just completed that student exchange program in Purgatio. She returned to Adab first, where she then changed flights and flew off to the Free Republics. She arrived at a fortuitous hour: right after the final whistle was blown in the match over Neo-Romanum. With victory assured and the pressure off his shoulder, Saad picked her up at the airport personally, accompanied by Inimabakesh. Nothing could describe Saad's joy at seeing his daughter again after what seemed to be months, or his daughter's happiness and relief when she was reunited with her father. As happy as she was there, she was happier to be with her father. In a personal sense, with Maria long gone, they only had each other.

Now they were standing at the end of the campground, where the open field gave way to the forest. Saad leaned against a tree, gazing at the stars. The good weather allowed the whole expanse of the universe to be so clearly laid out across the sky. In the background was faintly visible what Saad called "the great cloud" in his mind; no expert on astronomy, the Milky Way was not a part of his vocabulary. Leaning on the next tree was Aida, texting something to one of her friends back home. She gets a signal too, Saad thought. Maybe Inimabakesh should really get a new phone.

"You know," Saad said, turning to his daughter, "I still can't believe that so much time has passed. I remember carrying you on my arms, and you and your mother singing along to Chopin or a Disney tune or whatever it was. Sometimes I still think of you as our little girl, who once joked that she would one day overdose on ice creams." He let out a laughter, which echoed into the wilderness. "How do I still remember that joke? Even at the age of, I don't know, eight, you already had a twisted sense of humor."

"It's in the blood, Pa." Aida smiled, looking at her father for the first time in some twenty minutes, her fingers still dancing on the virtual keyboard. "I mean, I got it from you and Momma." She went back to the keyboard, noticing that she had made a few misspellings when not looking and letting out an "oh, come on" under her breath.

Saad sighed, and leaned harder against the tree. "You know, sweetheart, I really should thank you for standing by me even after all this time. When..." At this point, the memories came back flooding in, his speech halted, and his breathing became somewhat labored. "When... when I went to prison, and your mother and I separated, and you went to live with your aunt, and your mother... when everything became upside down, you were still a child. Yet you never complained, and you took everything that hit you with patience and..."

He took a brief glance at Aida. She was still looking at her phone, though her smile had disappeared and her face had taken on a grimer expression. "...well you know what I'm talking about. I was in prison and everyone thought I was guilty, and your mother died, and... you were so strong and you just took it all."

"Are you gonna say something like 'you're the strongest woman I've ever known'?" Aida finally interjected, this time not even bothering to take her eyes off the phone.

"But you are," Saad continued. "You went through so many things so early in your life, things that you did not deserve, and you went through it all. And after all that, even after I disappeared into prison for two years, you still acknowledged me as your father, and after I was released you still came back to me even though you could continue living with your princess aunt, and for that I thank you. I really do."

"You're the only one I have, Pa. You're my family, and I've always known you're not guilty," Aida replied. What she didn't say to her father, though it was obvious, was that the subject was too painful for her; as painful as it was for Saad, it was doubly so for his daughter. "Have I told you this before, Pa? I wanna go on another student exchange program."

"You just came back from Purgatio," Saad said, astonished. "You really wanna go again that quickly?"

"This program sounds great, Pa." Aida turned to her father, putting the phone in her pocket. "Besides, you're the one who told me it's important to learn more about foreign cultures and such and make friends from all over the world, maybe learn a few languages."

Saad couldn't help but laugh. She was right. The girl had always been better when it came to turning people's words against themselves, much better than he himself. That skill she inherited from her mother. "Can't say you're wrong there, Aida," he said. "Fine, you can go if you want to, but you gotta go home first, take some fresh clothes with you."

"Aww, thanks Pa, you're the best," Aida cooed, running to her father and smothering him in her hug. "I love you."

"I love you, honeypie." Saad looked up at the stars, and the Milky Way reigned still in the night.

[Mercedini]

Independents Cup MD2 Review
Mercedini vs The Orion Islands
@ Soccer Palace - Petrograd, Free Republics

Hello and welcome back to the Free Republics for yet another day of sporting action. It has been coming thick and fast over the lest couple of weeks or so with the Di Bradini Cup and Independent's Cup all kicking off around the same time, and with the World Cup of Hockey in Anthor just around the corner, it's set to be a big summer of sport for the respective national teams of most if not all of the big sports Mercedini currently compete in. The Di Bradini Cup run came to an end as they lost to Abanhfleft following a mammoth penalty shootout in Artani resulted in a heart-breaking defeat, they will now compete for third place in Capri against Kita-Hinode. Now, focus switches to the senior national team for the regional tournaments, with Mercedini in full flow following their opening match day win against Central Shaneville. The Orion Islands is the next nation on the list, another unranked nation who won their opening match against fellow Novapaxers Britonisea by an impressive score line of 5 goals to 2. Let's see whether Mercedini could edge ahead in the group and keep their good run of form going at the fourth regional tournament.

Independents Cup: A Double Of Doubles

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FINAL SCORE

IAC | MD2

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MERCEDINI 2
Billic 3', Dostalok 45+3'
THE ORION ISLANDS 0

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Petrograd, Free Republics

The Golden Eagles continue their unbeaten streak in international football with another 2-0 win at the Independents Cup, meaning the team go three points clear at the top with two wins from the two games that they have played at the tournament so far. After two matches in the group, Mercedini are the only team to have a 100% record in the group with a couple of 2-0 wins to start of their group stage on the right note. Every other team has lost once so far during the group stages, including both Britonisea and Northwest Kalactin, who have both moved pas their BYE rest days, having also lost their only match played so far. It paints a good picture for the Golden Eagles in their return to international football, with two matches left to play before we know their fate at this tournament. Hopes are high for another group stage berth, with all of the big names performing well for the team before the domestic season comes to the forefront in Mercedini.

Lyndainium made a couple of changes to the line-up which opened the tournament with a victory, with Toivonen making way for Ossun and Dostalok getting the nod ahead of Alotic due to a suspected minor thigh strain during pre-match training. It was back to the Soccer Palace in Petrograd where the Mercedinians had made the stadium their own following their opening match, with plenty of Mercedinian flags still present around the arena following their victory against Central Shaneville a couple of days earlier. In an interview before the match, Lyndainium knew they had to be wary of the day's opposition with their scoring tally from their last game, putting five past Britonisea. Mercedini were defensively astute in their opening game and are currently the only team to hold a clean sheet in the group from the opening set of games, so it was potentially a case of an unstoppable force versus an immovable object in the second game for both these teams.

Mercedini got the match off to a fast start when they opened the scoring with less than 200 second on the clock with Billic showing he still had the golden touch, converting from the edge of the box to once again open the scoring and lead his team from the front. Dostalok did most of the leg work as he met a long ball forward from Dosic down the centre of the pitch, he originally was muscled off the ball but a suspect shove was allowed by the referee, which meant the Handon United striker was free to run down the wing into plenty of space close to the by-line. There, he was caught up next to two defenders who cut off most routes into the box, but he laid the ball off to Presic who sent in a low cross to a waiting Billic on the edge of the box. The captain of the national team took a touch to steady himself before blasting an uncontested shot into the top far corner with his left foot for a rather decent opening goal. The Orion defenders made the fatal mistake of laying off Mercedini's record goal scorer, which allowed the Myrmidon man the freedom to steady himself and send the blue and black into a 1-0 lead almost straight off the bat.

Mercedini controlled the match from then on out, with The Orion Islanders holding back and limiting the damage as much as they can and then try and catch the Golden Eagles on the counter to try and nick a goal. Aside from that, Mercedini were in full control of the game in all areas of the field, they could afford to take their foot off the gas after they amassed that early lead. Their fans waned them to make the game safe with a couple more goals, and the Mercedinian team wanted to do that when it was safe and didn't invite a counter attack or a risky passage of play which would leave them exposed on the pitch. After several close attempts from the marquee names, it was ultimately Daniel Dostalok who put clear daylight between themselves and their opponents with a scrappy goal on his return to the national team. It came from a long ball down the wing once again which Presic collected and proceed to send another long cross to Billic on the back post. Billic's athletic leap met the ball with a plomb and beat the dive of the goalkeeper, but the hard header sent the ball sailing onto the connection between bar and post and back into open play, but Dostalok was their to sweep up and tap the ball into the open net for a crucial second goal in first half stoppage time. It proved to be the last kick of the first half with Mercedini two up after the first 45 minutes.

Following those two opening goals, it was clear that Lyndainium asked his players to drop into a lower gear for the second half, and to have fun more than anything. Chances weren't being faceted as quick as before, but possession was key for the team in blue and black as they attempted to close out the game in style. Dostalok did have a big chance to score his second and Mercedini's third of the game when he was let loose with a long ball forward from Karlovic. Dostalok got the right side of his defender and used his pace to rush clear with the ball, the goalkeeper came out but didn't get anywhere near the ball as the Handon striker went round the goalkeeper and looked poised to shoot. However, the Orion goalkeeper looked to have clipped Dostalok as he went over the goalkeeper, meaning the inevitable shot was hit off balance. The ball rolled agonizingly wide of the mark, clipping the outside post as it went out for a goal kick. Subsequent penalty appeals were waved away by the referee, keeping Orion within two.

That missed chance proved to be the biggest chance of the game as Mercedini closed out the game with relatively little danger to the Polasic goal. After a relatively stress-free ninety minutes or so, the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game in Petrograd. Mercedini are making their way through the group stage with little resistance as they record their second win on the bounce. Next up is region-mates Britonisea, with the Golden Eagles looking comfortable in their group to qualify for the knockout rounds.

After that, all they had to do was see out the remaining fifteen minutes or so without a hitch and they were well on a victory on opening night. Mercedini nearly grabbed a third when Billic pounced on a risky back pass from the Shaneville defence, but the talismanic striker couldn't control a rushed shot and lashed it well wide of the mark. It was a speculative chance but it proved to be the last real chance of the game as the referee blew his final whistle for the end of the match. Mercedini went the long way round at times, and they were given a number of big scares in the first half, but they saw the match through with a plomb, securing an opening victory in the 5th Independents Cup. Final score in Petrograd finished Central Shaneville 0, Mercedini 2.

[Kavagrad]

6:35am

”Oh Bonney, Oh Bennie...”

Uhhh, you okay there pal?

“In our colours, red...”

I think he hit his head...

“Oh Bonney, Oh Bennie...”

Shane, can you here me?

“Go out, knock ‘em dead!”

SHANE!

9am

INTERVIEWER: So, going into your match against Karulicja tonight, do you feel that your squad is suitably prepared?

VALENTINE: Of course. Allow me to explain something very quickly...

Valentine’s Match Day Press Round was always a favourite for sports fans. His demeanour, his eloquence, his confidence, always inspired the team to get results, or at least that’s how it seemed.

VALENTINE: ...we’ve beaten Aggrey-Fynn Land, a former Semi-Final side, 2-0. Our opponents tonight, why they only managed to get a draw. Not only that, but our boys have had their rest since the last game, a rest that our opposition haven’t had. We’re unbeaten, not only here, but in all competitions. I expect the lads to get a win here. We’ve got Free Republics, defending champions and tournament hosts, next, and we’ll need all the momentum we can get going into that match. Fail here, and our next match is a lot harder. That makes this game crunch time, make-or-break, whatever headline works for ya. Point is, the boys need to perform to their full potential tonight. If they manage that, we’ll win.

INTERVIEWER: Louis-Henri Bonne has torn it up over recent weeks, clearly your main man up front and a huge fan favourite. How much does this team need him?

VALENTINE: I’ll put it this way: Bonne scores goals that no other striker can. You saw his diving header in the last match, right? World. Class. The goal, and the player behind it, amazing. We would not be where we are without Bonney, I’ll put it that way.

INTERVIEWER: Okay, just one more question: Shane Dalton. Do you feel that he’s been underwhelming in his role so far?

VALENTINE: If that was the case, he wouldn’t be starting. It’s that simple.

INTERVIEWER: Well, that’s quite telling. Thank you very much for being here, Mr Valentine.

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 3 Cutoff, brought to you by Nicholls Hotels! Nicholls Hotels: The Place to Stay in the Free Republics!

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Results

Group A
North Prarie 5–0 Ashkam
Funky Fresh Beats 1–1 Nicana

  Group A                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 North Prarie                                3   3  0  0    8   0  +8    9
2 Acronius                                    2   0  2  0    4   4   0    2
3 Nicana                                      3   0  2  1    4   5  −1    2
4 Funky Fresh Beats                           2   0  1  1    1   3  −2    1
5 Ashkam                                      2   0  1  1    1   6  −5    1

Group B
The Orion Islands 0–2 Northwest Kalactin
Britonisea 1–3 Mercedini

  Group B                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mercedini                                   3   3  0  0    7   1  +6    9
2 Central Shaneville                          2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
3 Northwest Kalactin                          2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 The Orion Islands                           3   1  0  2    5   6  −1    3
5 Britonisea                                  2   0  0  2    3   8  −5    0

Group C
Platerdam 0–1 United West Indic States
ThePenguinLand 1–3 Alpine Union

  Group C                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Alpine Union                                3   3  0  0   10   2  +8    9
2 United West Indic States                    2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
3 ThePenguinLand                              2   1  0  1    3   4  −1    3
4 Platerdam                                   3   0  0  3    2   5  −3    0
5 United States of Devonta                    2   0  0  2    0   7  −7    0

Group D
Abanhfleft 5–3 Thunisia
The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario 2–1 Blaneu

  Group D                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                                  3   3  0  0   11   5  +6    9
2 Omerica                                     2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario      2   1  0  1    3   4  −1    3
4 Thunisia                                    2   0  1  1    4   6  −2    1
5 Blaneu                                      3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group E
Neo-Romanum 1–1 Juvencus
Maryloupe 3–5 Adab

  Group E                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nurwiji                                     2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Adab                                        3   2  0  1   12   7  +5    6
3 Neo-Romanum                                 3   1  1  1    6   8  −2    4
4 Juvencus                                    2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
5 Maryloupe                                   2   0  0  2    3   7  −4    0

Group F
Aggrey-Fynn Land 0–0 Darkmania
Kavagrad 0–1 Karulicja

  Group F                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Free Republics                              2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 Karulicja                                   3   1  1  1    1   2  −1    4
3 Kavagrad                                    2   1  0  1    2   1  +1    3
4 Aggrey-Fynn Land                            3   0  2  1    0   2  −2    2
5 Darkmania                                   2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

Group G
HUElavia 2–5 Space
Drawkland 4–2 Savalen

  Group G                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Space                                       2   2  0  0    6   2  +4    6
2 Drawkland                                   2   2  0  0    5   2  +3    6
3 Yanghoon                                    2   1  0  1    4   2  +2    3
4 Savalen                                     3   1  0  2    5   9  −4    3
5 HUElavia                                    3   0  0  3    3   8  −5    0

Group H
Unified Hispania 3–5 Petroslavania
South Caleblan 2–3 The Frozen Forest

  Group H                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The Frozen Forest                           3   2  1  0    9   5  +4    7
2 Flardania                                   2   1  1  0    3   1  +2    4
3 South Caleblan                              2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
4 Petroslavania                               2   1  0  1    5   5   0    3
5 Unified Hispania                            3   0  0  3    5  12  −7    0

Won Group
Clinched Knockout Rounds
Mathematically Eliminated

[Darkmania]

ÖRKENDREM PAPERS

"I Have Never Seen Darkmania Play This Lazy"

Discustion article written by: Unamed Citizen

With the IC V being in full play and it's being used by Darkmania as training before the what my wife says "is a yet a non-qualifying to the world cup". I have been a supporter of both my local team and the darkmanian national football team. And in my 50-ish years of watching football, there is one thing I have to say. I have never seen Darkmania play this lazy. Like how the flying f*** did Ërim miss his massive change at `35?!? After that massive miss that the ball missed by like the length of a blue whale, Darkmania just gave up. If the "third time the charm" thing is real, then I am soon losing hope. I'm glad that Darkmania isn't mathematically eliminated yet, `cause they need to improve their play. Pronto.

[Blaneu]

The Blaneu Broadsheet

Blaneu Capitulate

In their second two fixtures of the Independents Cup Blaneu have conspired to capitulate, being easily dispatched by Abahnfleft and then managing to throw away a one-nil lead over Lochario to ensure they would fail to progress out of their group.

In their fixture against Abahnfleft Blaneu found themselves severely out-gunned, with their performance clearly underlining their status as a footballing minnow, for the time-being at least. The Fleftic attack easily overran Blaneu's backline, two goals coming in the first 15 minutes put the game to bed before it really began. After this point Abahnfleft didn't relent, keeping the pressure up and moving the ball in a way that Blaneu could only dream of. On Robert O'Brian managed to decorate himself at all, making a series of key saves, including a superb diving effort up against Woodward just after half-time. After the third goal, Blaneu suddenly seemed to perk up, Driscoll especially seemed to help them pick up their performance a bit despite playing slightly out of position. This worked to his advantage, giving Blaneu some extra movement along the wing, two of the three on target attempts came in the spell, with Ojo Navarro eventually securing a consolation goal with a length dribble through opposition territory and a peach of a shot.

However, whilst the defeat against Abahnfleft was expected, Blaneu managed to disappoint in their next fixture, where an early lead against Lochario was thrown away to see Blaneu go tumbling out of the tournament. This game saw a somewhat changed starting lineup, with the wing-back converted into wide-midfielders and the back three became a back-four, with Vernon and Hollands moving out to the side and Bowen being joined by Peterson in the centre (forward Hartson made way for him). Driscoll was also bought on for French and Davis and Navarro moved slightly towards the centre to cover for the absence of a centre-forward. These changes seem to have paid off, Driscoll made a run down the wing, played it in to Starkey who put a pass in front of Davis, who dinked it past the keeper. Finally, Blaneu had taken the lead for the first time in the tournament in the 11th minute. Blaneu continued to press until the halfway point, at which point they turned off and conceded a free kick, subsequently converted by Sassi. Blaneu reorganized to defend, which paid off until a corner was conceded in the 90th minute, tussling in the box by MacDai conceded the penalty, buried by Ghittin, along with Blaneu's hopes of progression.

Blaneu now have a rest fixture before a dead rubber match against Thunisia, who depending on their next result, will potentially be eliminated at that point as well. Snellbridge has hinted that he is likely to persist with wing-backs after the defeat against Lochario, but may consider moving Aaron Starkey to Central Midfield and may replace Hartson with Evans.

***

Opinion: Time to Cut The Deadwood

With Blaneu's Independents Cup campaign petering out to an ignominious conclusion, now is the time to reflect on the side and what can be done to ensure a better performance at next years Baptism of Fire.

From the outset in this tournament it has been clear that Blaneu didn't have what it takes. With one of the oldest squads in the tournament, they have lacked pace and dynamism, how often have we seen players like Mark Bowen or Lloyd MacDai easily beaten by a younger forward? With this, it is clear that a lot of members of this squad will have to soon make way for those coming through the youth setup.

It may be easier to first name those who deserve to retain their place in the squad. Robert O'Brian first, a solid shot-stopper who has performed admirably given the lack of cover he has received; whilst Tudur Aled will soon give him a run for his money, for this cycle at least he remains safe in his position. Red Vernon has also proven his defensive prowess, although he's suffered from his team-mates lack of quality. Of the other players, Navarro has impressed at time on the wings but has a tendency to disappear at times, Starkey has sometimes proven his worth, but lacks some of the key defensive abilities of a central player. Leslie Driscoll, meanwhile, has perhaps been the surprise of the tournament, his initially was on the bench, but he has proven himself very capable at wing-back and may make for a decent replacement for French.

However, whilst a handful has proven their worth, plenty have given Snellbridge reason to replace them. Hartson, in particular, has been of little use, so slow and stately, whilst he can be helpful in coordinating attacks against inferior opposition, one suspects Blaneu will not face many of them. The issue is that it is difficult to envisage his replacement, the under-21s John Pottinger has many of the same issues, and the promising Gethin Powell is still too young to fill the position. Another area of difficulty is Lloyd MacDai, who plays the second holding midfield role as somewhat of an anchor man. However, his lack of pace and occasional lapses of position awareness have led to questions over whether or not it would be better to replace him with an attacking-midfielder.

Overall, the issue in Blanuean football at present is a dearth of talent, the first XI lacks it, and the U21s are also a long-way off ready, and none of them look like world-beaters. it may well be a sad truth for Blaneuan football that a talented first XI is something that remains at least a decade away, when the products of the new youth system finally break through. Until then, the key will be ensuring the squad is well drilled, well organised and is able to squeak results against superior opposition.

[Central Shaneville]

THE RETURN TO PETROGRAD
Tonight marks Matchday 4 of 5 in the Group stages of the fifth Independents Cup which of course means we are over halfway into this round of the tournament and with a three way battle for second place seemingly well and truly underway in Group B between Central Shaneville, Northwest Kalactin and The Orion Islands. Todays games in Group B could prove very crucial indeed especially in terms of points scoring.
------
TONIGHT IN GROUP B
Northwest Kalactin vs. Britonisea - Soccer Palace
Central Shaneville vs. The Orion Islands - PetroDome
------
Of course The Orion Islands being an unranked side makes Central Shaneville very much interested in this match as for the first time in this tournament they feel like they are playing on a level playing field in terms of experience with both teams being unranked. Jay Bucks commented saying that: "A win here is what we want but not neccessarily what we will get but im staying positive."

Another thing to point out is the absence of group leaders Mercidini, they have a bye on this matchday much like Central Shaneville a few days ago meaning that they will surely be watching from the sidelines and around the stadiums to see who comes out on top in tonights games even though they have already essentially qualified however this is not set in stone yet as the group remains pretty much open.

As for Central Shaneville they go back to their potentially strongest lineup being the same lineup for their win against Northwest Kalactin which was at first an experiment with the team but it clearly worked when the team came out with a 2-0 win. The Orion Islands team remains a mystery to Jay Bucks and the Central Shaneville side.

STARTING LINEUP
GK - Jordan Berry
LB - Ben Thomas
CB - George Flower
CB - Liam Apps
RB - Brandon Ekins
CAM - Daniel Cutting
CAM - Shane Wray
LW - Taylor Anderson
RW - Tommy Vance
ST - David Vujanic
ST - Josh Smith

RESERVES/SUBS
GK - James Penford
D - Anthony Wessels
D - Stephen Reynolds
D - Nathan Morris
M - Sam Wray
M - Danny Staniar
M - Olly Kenyon
M - Matthew Flaherty
M - Jeff Shreeves
M - Spencer Owen
F - Owain Cottam
F - Seb Owen
-------------------------
CENTRAL SHANEVILLE STATS FOR THE INDEPENDENTS CUP 5
Appearances: 1 (2018)
Biggest Win: 2-0 vs. Northwest Kalactin (Independents Cup 5 - 2018)
Biggest Loss: 2-0 vs. Mercidini (Independents Cup 5 - 2018)
Record: 1-0-1
-
Central Shaneville Goal Scorer Leaderboard
1. David Vujanic - 1
2. Josh Smith - 1
-------------------------
And with all that being said we hope you will join us for kick off for both games tonight where we will be live and uninterrupted for both games we will also be showing highlights for the other games in our highlights show after the matches.

[Adab]

KickTheBall.com
Bringing you the latest in Adabian football news

---

Adab ekes out 5-3 victory against Maryloupe in Independents Cup

The Adabian team had to break a sweat and fight hard the entire match, having given away an early lead, but their efforts were rewarded with an epic 5-3 victory against Group E opponents Maryloupe, ensuring that they retain second place in the group.

Meanwhile, Neo-Romanum and Juvencus fought to a 1-1 draw, as first place remains in the hands of Nurwiji, which has so far handed Adab's only loss in the group.

Maryloupe opened the match with a concerted attack on Adab's side of the pitch, eager to seize the momentum as soon as possible. But it was Adab that found the goal first, a swift counterattack culminating in a goal by rising star Enlilbani Yargab in the 10th minute.

Adab once again scored in the 19th minute, with Salman al-Muntar and Adanirari Uhwan passing the ball past the hapless Maryloupians before leaving it to Shamsuiluna Zambiya to put the finishing touch with a kick from inside the penalty area.

This setback seemed to inspire the hitherto lethargic Maryloupians, who now unleashed nearly their full force on the Adabians. In the 27th minute, a Maryloupian shot from just beyond the penalty area found the back of the net, launched so fast that goalkeeper Mohammed Marramzi did not even have time to react.

Still up 2-1, Adab then proceeded to give away their lead in farcical fashion. In the 35th minute, the Maryloupians catapulted the ball far above the goal. Marramzi, attempting to perform the goal kick, nearly slipped. He regained his balance, but in the process had accidentally nudged the ball backwards past the goal line. A visibly stunned Marramzi fell to his knees afterwards as the Maryloupians celebrated his accidental contribution.

In a brief moment of emotion, manager Saad Kaykali was heard shouting at his goalkeeper from the dugout and ordering him to stand up, which Marramzi duly did.

Adab regained their lead in the closing seconds of the first half, with Zambiya's cross converted into an Uhwan header which found the back of the net in the 45th minute. Another shot at the Maryloupian goal was beaten by the referee's whistle.

The Adabians opened the second half with an unrelenting attack on Maryloupe, seeking to secure their regained lead. This they managed to do, after breaking through Maryloupe's tightened defense, in the 55th minute. With Adabian and Maryloupian players alike converging on the penalty area, a header by Yargab found the head of al-Muntar, who delivered his own header into the goal.

Maryloupe appeared to be closing in on the Adabians in the 73rd minute, as a cross was successfully turned into a direct shot past Marramzi and to the back of the net. But any hopes for a victory by the Maryloupians were crushed for good in the 88th minute, as Ephraim Orlev, trapped by three Maryloupian players, passed the ball to Yargab directly ahead of him, who then catapulted the ball beyond the goal line, with the Maryloupian goalkeeper distracted by Uhwan.

Goalkeeper crashes press conference to apologize

Mohammed Marramzi, whose own goal nullified Adab's early lead, barged into the after-match press conference - where manager Kaykali had been speaking - and delivered a tearful apology to the cameras.

"I'm sorry. I made a mistake there, and I apologize for it," Marramzi said after taking over an empty seat next to Kaykali's. "I was about to kick the ball, but then my knees just buckled and I almost lost my balance."

Kaykali, for his part, extended his arm around Marramzi and comforted the keeper. "No one is perfect," he said. "We all freeze sometimes, we all fail sometimes. What is important is that you get back up and prove that you have what it takes to overcome the obstacles."

The Adabian manager praised his team's tenacity and ability to perform under pressure, calling it "incredible", and offered words of encouragement to the defeated side.

"Maryloupe played very well and their players are top-notch," he stated. "I look forward to meeting them again on the pitch someday."

[Union of Socialist Alpine Republics]

The Alpine Union defeats ThePenguinLand

Foaktu, Republic of Falatulu, Free Republics - (NAP) After barely winning against Platerdam, the Alpine Union played against ThePenguinLand in a stadium named Coconut Coliseum. It's cool that the Free republic has a stadium named after our american football star, Coconut Riddick. The Alpine Union attacked at the 7th minute against ThePenguinLand when Krzysztof Januszkiewicz passed to Sarah Schroffenegger who dribbled and made a short pass to Amelia Zalwowska. Zalwowska shoots but Bogodin stankovich deflects the ball behind the net and it's a corner kick. Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz takes the corner kick, he kicks the ball and it sneaks into the net, it's a goal for the Alpine Union! The score remains at 1-0 until the halftime.

The Bisons attacked again at the 58th minute when Przemyslaw Tkocz passed to Pawel Wawrzynkiewicz who dribbled and made a cross to Jean-François Kleineheismann who shoots. Bogodin stankovich makes the save but doesn't control the ball. Shidlern Proskazy takes the loose ball and passes it to Mattinas Gonzalodin but Amelia Zalwowska intercepts the pass and gives the ball to Zbigniew Zajaczkowski who shoots and scores! The score is 2-0 for Reprezentacja Alpejski! ThePenguinLand attacked at the 82nd minute when Nowac Strezelny passed the ball to Matias Gonzaleherna who dribbled and passed to Leopold Dinawsci. Dinawsci made a header pass to Martinas Edmunsonowivic who heads the ball right into the net and the Alpines lead is cut at 2-1. The Bisons attacked at the 90+2 minute when Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz passed to Jedrzej Kosciukiewicz, who entered in the game at the 72nd minute, who dribbled with the ball and made a cross to Zbigniew Zajaczkowski. Zajaczkowski shoots, the ball hits Rosamin Hidercky's leg and goes into the net, it's an own goal for Rosamin Hidercky and the Reprezentacja Alpejski is leading 3-1! And this is the final score, the Alpine Union defeated ThePenguinLand 3-1!

The Alpine Union is first in group C with 3 wins in 3 games with one game remaining against the 2nd placed team, United West Indic States, who has 2 wins in 2 games. We can say that whoever wins this game has a good chance to win group C as I believe the tie break will be head to head results. We can even have a triple tie if ThePenguinLand beats United West Indic States on matchday 4, UWIS beats us on matchday 5 and ThePenguinLand wins again on MD5. Before playing against UWIS, the Alpines has a bye on matchday 4.

BOXSCORE
7th minute: Yannick Ksiezniakiewicz (corner kick)
58th minute: Zbigniew Zajaczkowski asssited by Amelia Zalwowska
82nd minute: Martinas Edmunsonowivic assisted by Leopold Dinawsci
90 +2 minute: Rosamin Hidercky (own goal)

YELLOW CARDS
ThePenguinLand: SLozmow Jedercik and Nowac Strezelny
Alpine Union: Zofia Kwietniewska and Pawel Wawrzynkiewicz

RED CARDS
ThePenguinLand: None
Alpine Union: None

[Kavagrad]

This was an RP for the wrong fixture, as I goofed and misread the fixture list. Ignore this. Thanks : )

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 4 Cutoff, brought to you by Nicholls Automotive! Nicholls Automotive: When You Have Car Troubles, Pay Us a Visit! We'll Fix Her Right Up for You!

---

Results

Group A
Ashkam 0–3 Funky Fresh Beats
Acronius 0–1 North Prarie

  Group A                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 North Prarie                                4   4  0  0    9   0  +9   12
2 Funky Fresh Beats                           3   1  1  1    4   3  +1    4
3 Acronius                                    3   0  2  1    4   5  −1    2
  Nicana                                      3   0  2  1    4   5  −1    2
5 Ashkam                                      3   0  1  2    1   9  −8    1

Group B
Northwest Kalactin 1–0 Britonisea
Central Shaneville 2–0 The Orion Islands

  Group B                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mercedini                                   3   3  0  0    7   1  +6    9
2 Central Shaneville                          3   2  0  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Northwest Kalactin                          3   2  0  1    3   2  +1    6
4 The Orion Islands                           4   1  0  3    5   8  −3    3
5 Britonisea                                  3   0  0  3    3   9  −6    0

Group C
United West Indic States 2–3 ThePenguinLand
United States of Devonta 1–0 Platerdam

  Group C                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Alpine Union                                3   3  0  0   10   2  +8    9
2 ThePenguinLand                              3   2  0  1    6   6   0    6
3 United West Indic States                    3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
4 United States of Devonta                    3   1  0  2    1   7  −6    3
5 Platerdam                                   4   0  0  4    2   6  −4    0

Group D
Thunisia 0–1 The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario
Omerica 0–3 Abanhfleft

  Group D                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                                  4   4  0  0   14   5  +9   12
2 The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario      3   2  0  1    4   4   0    6
3 Omerica                                     3   1  1  1    2   4  −2    4
4 Thunisia                                    3   0  1  2    4   7  −3    1
5 Blaneu                                      3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group E
Juvencus 1–0 Maryloupe
Nurwiji 0–0 Neo-Romanum

  Group E                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Nurwiji                                     3   2  1  0    2   0  +2    7
2 Adab                                        3   2  0  1   12   7  +5    6
3 Neo-Romanum                                 4   1  2  1    6   8  −2    5
4 Juvencus                                    3   1  1  1    2   2   0    4
5 Maryloupe                                   3   0  0  3    3   8  −5    0

Group F
Darkmania 0–1 Kavagrad
Free Republics 3–0 Aggrey-Fynn Land

  Group F                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Free Republics                              3   3  0  0    6   0  +6    9
2 Kavagrad                                    3   2  0  1    3   1  +2    6
3 Karulicja                                   3   1  1  1    1   2  −1    4
4 Aggrey-Fynn Land                            4   0  2  2    0   5  −5    2
5 Darkmania                                   3   0  1  2    0   2  −2    1

Group G
Space 1–4 Drawkland
Yanghoon 1–3 HUElavia

  Group G                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Drawkland                                   3   3  0  0    9   3  +6    9
2 Space                                       3   2  0  1    7   6  +1    6
3 HUElavia                                    4   1  0  3    6   9  −3    3
4 Yanghoon                                    3   1  0  2    5   5   0    3
5 Savalen                                     3   1  0  2    5   9  −4    3

Group H
Petroslavania 1–2 South Caleblan
Flardania 3–1 Unified Hispania

  Group H                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The Frozen Forest                           3   2  1  0    9   5  +4    7
2 Flardania                                   3   2  1  0    6   2  +4    7
3 South Caleblan                              3   2  0  1    6   4  +2    6
4 Petroslavania                               3   1  0  2    6   7  −1    3
5 Unified Hispania                            4   0  0  4    6  15  −9    0

Won Group
Clinched Knockout Rounds
Mathematically Eliminated

[Space]

Space doing ok but want to win another

The Space Astronauts are still in a chance to advance to the next round of the Independents Cup

In the next match the space team will be wearing a special uniform designed by Leivagre by No Nonsense Sportswear uniform team. In this uniform is all the colors of the galaxy and it would only make the Space team invisible if they were playing in a nebula unlike their normal kits which make them invisible only against the normal backdrop of space.




It has been four matches but only for huelavia who are already eliminated. The academy of Space has already win over huelavia and Yanghoon and only has Savalen to play. Savalen is the last place team in the group which is good news for Space. A victory would advance Space to the next round.

It will be much more complicated to determine second place if space loses as the result will also depend on the match of Drawkland. Drawkland have already advance to the next stage of competition and defeated Space 1-4 in Group G this matchday.

Space has competed before in the Independents Cup but does not have good results to show unless it changes with a victory on the next match over Savalen. Of course, there is not a ranking for Space and they won't be considered a possible to win the entire tournament but if they can win and make the next round it is possible they will get an opponent in the next round that is also unranked and can be defeated. If Space lose it will be sad but at least they will be the best looking team on the field.

[Adab]

A Dance with Football
A look into the lives of the people involved in Adabian football and those associated with them

Chapter 4: We All Fail Sometimes

Today
On the campground following Adab's victory over Maryloupe

Mohammed Marramzi was on the cusp of the greatest achievement of his life so far, and at the same time he had just undergone perhaps the greatest humiliation of his life. Before thousands of watchful eyes, he had fumbled his goal kick, almost slipping and in the process kicking the ball backwards beyond his own goal line. His team had been up by two goals to nil early in the match against Maryloupe, but then the Maryloupians cut into the lead with a handsome counterattack which he was not able to respond to in time.

And, at that accursed point in time, the lead was lost. 2-2. And it was his fault, his foolish fault.

He had fallen on his knees, onto the ground, in an instant reduced into a sorry figure who had seemingly doomed his team and thrown away any chances of a victory in the worst way possible. He believed that he could remember the world blacking out on him for a moment, the cheers of the Maryloupians and his own confusion lost into the abyss. The next thing that he could recall was the voice of the manager, Saad Kaykali, ordering him in unequivocal terms to get back up, which he duly did.

The rest of the match seemed to pass in a blur. Secluded in the penalty area, he focused on himself and replayed that episode over and over again in his mind. He did not pay much attention to the back-and-forth action between his team and the Maryloupians, except when they were dangerously close to him. He could not remember watching his teammates score three more goals, tried to suppress the memory of that additional Maryloupian goal, but did remember joining in the celebrations after his team secured victory with a final score of 5-3.

In his desperation he barged into the press conference after the match, where he delivered the most sincere apology that he could make in front of the cameras. As the journalists sat there, stunned and dumbfounded at the sight in front of them, the manager was kind enough to offer his support and encouragement, and Mohammed could do nothing but listen to him.

Now they were back on the campground, the Adabian team's headquarters for the duration of their stay in the Free Republics. Despite assurances from his teammates that they did not hold him at fault, there was something about that foolish own goal that kept haunting Mohammed. Something in that goal seemed so disgusting. Unforgivable, perhaps. Maybe it was the fact that he almost slipped while attempting a goal kick, or the goal itself, or how he reacted to it, or that it happened in front of thousands, or just the sheer ridiculousness of the entire thing.

Even after all that, the team still pulled out all the stops in celebrating their victory. A victory is a victory, after all. But Mohammed held himself back and did not partake in any of the food, nor the singing. Quietly he retreated to his tent near the end of the campground, which he shared with defender Eannatum al-Tikriti, who was still outside. He made for his sleeping bag and was just about to slip under the covers when that familiar voice called into the tent. "Mohammed, are you there?" he inquired.

"Yeah, I'm here," Mohammed replied, turning his head to see the entrance to the tent shaking and a hand reaching inside. "I'll come outside-"

"No need," the voice responded "I'll come inside." Mohammed saw another hand reaching inside the tent, and then the rest of the body, crouching as he entered the tent, the moonlight revealing the face of Saad Kaykali as he settled by the side of Mohammed's sleeping bag.

"Look, kid, there's something that we need to talk about, and perhaps we should have talked about it earlier," said Saad, and they both knew what he meant. Mohammed raised himself a bit, looking at the manager. "When you... scored that own goal, when you fell to the ground after that, what was that?"

"What do you mean?" Mohammed sighed. "Well, I just... couldn't make sense of it, and I guess I just fell apart."

"And that's where the problem lies," said Saad, his voice taking on a firmer tone. "I'll be frank with you here, Mohammed. I chose you to be the captain for a reason. You are popular with and trusted by everybody on the team and I saw that leadership potential in you, and during the previous matches you performed with great ability and dignity as befitted a captain.

"But in this match you just fell apart so suddenly. That own goal was already bad enough, but at least we can pin it down to the fact that you slipped. It's very unfortunate but it happens occasionally. The problem is that, having scored an own goal and erased our lead, you proceeded to collapse in despair and you stayed that way for God knows how long. If I hadn't told you to stand up would you have stood up?"

"Yes," said Mohammed meekly, trying not to stare into his manager's face, "but not that quickly, I suppose."

"I get that you were stunned, Mohammed, and that whole thing was ridiculous," Saad replied, his exasperation starting to show through, "but you are the captain, the leader of the team on the pitch, the one that everyone turns to for inspiration, and you managed to... do that in front of your teammates, the staff, and God knows how many people in the stadium. You just... broke under pressure, you know. Perhaps we should have trained you more on maintaining your composure while under pressure, but whatever. You are the captain, and I trust you to set an example to your teammates. When something terrible befalls you, you stay calm and get back up! Don't let your emotions get the better of you, and don't you ever show it in front of the public during a match."

"Understood, boss."

"I know that there's a lot going on your mind right now, Mohammed." Saad slowly rose to his feet as much as the tent allowed. "Don't get me wrong here, Mohammed. I still trust you, and I still believe in you. I know that you have great potential, Mohammed, and I don't want to see it go to waste. Trust me, I was once the captain of my club, I was in your position too once. I once screwed up so badly during a match and it messed with my team's playing for the rest of the match. Well I just hope that wasn't one of those fixed matches. But my point is, everyone looks up to you and in a way they depend on you. You are their inspiration, and you must continue to inspire them, when we're winning and when we're losing, through rain and shine, no matter what.

"Now look at the bright side: we won the match. Regardless of whatever happened with you, we managed to win the match, and that's a positive thing." He turned his back on Mohammed and crouched towards the exit. "We still have another match coming up against Juvencus, and I trust that you will make the right decisions as the captain. Now go get some rest. Tomorrow morning we practice. I'll get the other players to go back to their tents too."

"Yes, boss. Thank you boss," Mohammed said almost tonelessly as Saad made his exit, leaving the keeper to take in his manager's words in the solace of the tent.

[Central Shaneville]

THE PRESSURE PILES ON FOLLOWING CENTRAL SHANEVILLE WIN
Last night the fans of Central Shaneville and The Orion Islands descended onto the PetroDome for Matchday 4 of Group B. It seemed that even before kick off the fans were constantly trying to see who the noisiest could be as the national anthems played with both sets of fans seemingly singing them at the top of their lungs. The stadium then fell silent as the clock counted down, its was very tense and then Central Shaneville kicked the match off.

MATCH REPORT
Central Shaneville started the game at a high tempo, a similar start to the first game against Mercidini but the first genuine chance fell to The Orion Islands as one of the orion islands midfielders lost his man at a free-kick before shooting the ball over the crossbar and out of play.

In a combative and physical match, Central Shaneville then went even closer than The Orion Islands to breaking the deadlock and scoring the first goal when Taylor Anderson's header was tipped onto the bar by The Orion Islands goalkeeper, a corner would soon follow but no one got anything onto it and the ball loosely rolled out of play which ended a goalless first half.

Half term had concluded roughly fifteen minutes after the first half had ended and things soon heated up as The Orion Islands decided to go all out attack on the tenacious Central Shaneville, The Orion Islands themselves had many chances of scoring but they just couldn't finish it and break the deadlock as Central Shaneville were seemingly on the backfoot, the hour mark arrived and it was still goalless with the fans hoping for some action instead of just shooting and hoping for the best.

This is when Central Shaneville basically from out of nowhere came into form, a similar form to that of when they played Northwest Kalactin as David Vujanic weaved in and out of The Orion Islands defense but was denied by the post. The Orion Islands keeper booted the ball up field as the clock ticked to 70 minutes but a poor touch from The Orion Islands attackers sent Central Shaneville's Josh Smith running with the ball with blistering speed, The Orion Islands were caught of guard which allowed Josh Smith to continue his pace and shoot one into the back of the net from outside of the box which gave Central Shaneville the lead.

As The Orion Islands heads dropped with nerves, Central Shaneville continued to push forward in the dying stages, and Taylor Anderson surprisingly made it 2-0 as he nodded in a Daniel Cutting cross to give Central Shaneville an important 2-0 win.

See all the post match gossip and the preview for the next Central Shaneville match tomorrow afternoon right before the final group games get under way but for now its see you next time and thanks for watching the match tonight with us. Goodbye from the PetroDome.

[Karulicja]

Dusan ogled his watch once more. Ten o’clock sharp, he had said, and there was no time to be wasted. Kavagrad might seem to kick off with the best hand dealt but there’s a major difference between facing a host with well-grounded title ambitions and a side struggling for their best pace which had been eliminated far earlier than expected. A win could conclude a string of games which had astonished the casual bystander. It was the kind of occasion that required a special plan. Most movies would include a compilation of Dusan, toiling in poor light over a tactical ploy, tossing away papers into a filling basket until finally, with the first rays of sun gleaming through the hotel room, he would be standing in front of a board with a masterplan so cunning and unsuspected, it was bound to blow away any competition.

It was possible to make such a compilation of the night of Dusan Azzini – but without the satisfactory pointe. He had struggled, he had toiled and honesty abided to say, now they were all sitting there and he wasn’t entirely sure yet.

All. Well, all apart from Ciro. Ciro Piccini, the lofty striker who had been kept out of the picture for the longest part of three games. With the last few minutes already creeping closer against Kavagrad, he had been ordered to warm up. Two sprints, one up and one down, and then he returned to the bench. ”I’m bloody ready, boss, bring me in.” He had always been cocky as hell and if Azzini would’ve been the kind of man for it, he would’ve sent him back to his seat. Azzini didn’t. Three minutes and forty seconds later, Ales Kunstelj took on Oscar Maguire on the wing. His dribble wasn’t perfect but it did swing in front of the goal – a little too far, to be honest. The central pairing of the red-and-white defence, their eyes on Prigidar, had already stopped running but a few metres behind them, Piccini popped up. How he hit it… It wasn’t marvellous, it wasn’t aesthetic. But it was perfect in that it disappeared in the roof of the goal, past a hapless Calvin.

And now, that Ciro Piccini was late. When he arrived eventually, ten minutes in, he strolled to the seat nearest to the front and didn’t spoke a word. Just a little nod of the head, as if indicating that with him arrived, ‘yes, you’re allowed to start’. Azzini’s blood boiled but he also knew one raw truth. Ciro might be a lazy, arrogant twat, he’s a lazy, arrogant twat that can score out of nowhere, even when there’s ample chances.

The whole night he had been moving back and forth between choosing Pagliarulo or Ciro. Hardworking or efficient? Someone who makes sure that all tasks are handled or someone who gets the scoring job done? Someone who ensures that the game of others can be more fluent or someone in whom the guys trusted? The fact that he had scored such a key winner made him so vital. Darkmania wasn’t a side to be taken lightly – the shots would be few and missing one could make all the difference…

Bit by bit, Azzini started to call the shots. With less pressure on the wingers than against Kavagrad, he could revert back to his regular 3-5-2. Pajic, whose pace had left Mohammad Marrash out of the game returned to the bench over Kunstelj – the man of the assisting pass. It all made sense until… Two more empty spots. Three strikers. A lot of question marks.

“Well,” Dusan started hesitantly, “Danijel, you pick up from the right side. I need more pressure on their defensive duo. They’re a bit static, use that to your advantage and…”

As Dusan paused, Ciro turned around and yelled at his colleague-striker.

“Mauro, you soften them up for me again, right?”

His laughter sounded a bit far-off – as if he had been dubbed in a spaghetti western. But bit by bit, the others joined in, up to the point where he and the otherwise so silent Mauro Pagliarulo started exchanging quips.

“So,” Dusan completed it, not without a sigh of relief, “Mauro on the left.”

Afterwards, he calmly explained the roles and what he expected. Ciro remained silent all the way through and as the others left the room upon conclusion, he simply walked to Azzini.

“Good choice, coach... But don’t wait till minute 85 to bring me in this time, will you?”

Dusan couldn’t but nod, standing perplexed.

[Central Shaneville]

THE BATTLE FOR SECOND
Tonight is of course the final match of the group stages and most if not all of the teams competing for qualification will definitely be under a bit of a pressure, the talking point of this matchday would probably be Group B simply because of how close it is between Central Shaneville and Northwest Kalactin with both teams on the same amount of points and not much in the way of goal difference so there really is no separating them at this point as both teams would obviously like to advance to the next round. Central Shaneville will be hoping because of all of this that things go there way and a win or even a draw against Britonisea would go a long way but thats only if Northwest Kalactin lose to Mercidini.

Several TV channels around Central Shaneville have seemingly picked up on the fact its affectively winner takes all in Group B, so much so they have extended the time slots to show both matches tonight. Which was apparently a big decision to make according to the Central Shaneville Sports Organisation.

Jay Bucks commented on this outcome of the group stage by saying this: "Its really gone down to the wire, the lads know theres pressure on us to get the result and once again we face another virtually unknown side who, despite being basically out of the competition now, are still capable of bringing a shock result."
---------------------------------------------------
TONIGHT IN GROUP B:
Central Shaneville vs. Britonisea - Soccer Palace
Mercidini vs. Northwest Kalactin - PetroDome
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As for the Lineup that Central Shaneville will battle Britonisea with, the unranked side have chosen the following players: The defence goes through a major shakeup with Brandon Ekins staying at Right back whilst Nathan Morris, Anthony Wessels and Stephen Reynolds make their debut. The Midfield remains unchanged whilst Seb Owen comes in for a tired Tommy Vance, whilst Central Shaneville's striking duo of David Vujanic and Josh Smith have Taylor Anderson behind them in formation to make chances for the unranked side.

STARTING LINEUP
GK - Jordan Berry
LB - Nathan Morris
CB - Stephen Reynolds
CB - Anthony Wessels
RB - Brandon Ekins
CAM - Daniel Cutting
CAM - Shane Wray
LW - Taylor Anderson
RW - Seb Owen
ST - David Vujanic
ST - Josh Smith

RESERVES/SUBS
GK - James Penford
D - George Flower
D - Liam Apps
D - Ben Thomas
M - Sam Wray
M - Danny Staniar
M - Olly Kenyon
M - Matthew Flaherty
M - Jeff Shreeves
M - Spencer Owen
F - Owain Cottam
F - Tommy Vance
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CENTRAL SHANEVILLE STATS FOR THE INDEPENDENTS CUP 5
Appearances: 1 (2018)
Biggest Win: 2-0 vs. Northwest Kalactin (Independents Cup 5 - 2018)
2-0 vs. The Orion Islands (Independents Cup 5 - 2018)
Biggest Loss: 2-0 vs. Mercidini (Independents Cup 5 - 2018)
Record: 2-0-1
-
Central Shaneville Goal Scorer Leaderboard
1. Josh Smith - 2
2. David Vujanic - 1
3. Taylor Anderson - 1
-------------------------
Central Shaneville look to continue their tenacious run as they look to continue forward in their Independents Cup debut, but can they make it out of the group? Find out tonight.

And with all that being said we hope you will join us for kick off for both games tonight where we will be live and uninterrupted for both games we will also be showing highlights for the other games in our highlights show after the matches.

[Northwest Kalactin]

Sports Kalactin studio
Dave Watson: hello this is Sports Kalactin here we will be talking about the independents cup today right Wayne.

Wayne Johnson: that is correct Dave the kalactanians are doing pretty well so far even though our next match vs mercedini we’ll be challenging.

DW: that is correct Wayne I’m fact some people think Northwest Kalactin May get beat pretty bad in this game.

WJ: yes that is true the kalactanians the kalactanians have a great defense only allowing two goals but their offense is bad.

DW: as much as that is true do you think the kalactanian defense can hold of mercedini

WJ: maybe but we are going to have to work hard.

The kalactanians come into this game with a 2-1 record they will be facing the hardest team in the group mercedini who will probably win although there is a chance the kalactanian could pull off a win here.

Independents cup round-up
Nurwiji is just going insane there goal difference in 2-0. Even though the host the free republics has already made the playoffs will they win the group.

[Mercedini]

Independents Cup MD3 Review
Britonisea vs. Mercedini
@ PetroDome - Petrograd, Free Republics

After a short break during the Mercedinian bye match, we are back with further coverage of the 5th Independents Cup, here in the Free Republics. Mercedini haven't had a chance to explore the vast reaches of this nation so far with the entirety of Group B being held solely in Petrograd for the group stages. Mercedini have had a near perfect run so far at the tournament with three wins out of three and only one conceded goal, which came in their most recent match against Brintonisea. Despite all of those wins, their fate in the tournament still hangs in the balance with both Central Shaneville and Northwest Kalactin both waiting to pounce during the final match day. Mercedini do play Northwest Kalactin in their final group match, meaning a Kalactin victory combined with a Shaneville victory over Britonisea means the three would be ties on nine points, resulting in tiebreakers being instigated. So, let's relive Mercedini's 3-1 win over fellow Novapaxers Britonisea at the PetroDome in Petrograd.

Independents Cup: Hanging In The Balance

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FINAL SCORE

IAC | MD3

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BRITONISEA 1
Grimes 5'
MERCEDINI 3
Chillotov 45+2', 90+4' (P), Kraljic 73'

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Petrograd, Free Republics

The Golden Eagles were given their biggest scare in the tournament so far as they went behind early before clawing back the deficit to ultimately win 3-1 at their first match in the PetroDome. Chillotov scored twice on his return to action in the national team, scoring in both portions of added time to first equalise following an early Britonish opener, and then coverting from the spot in the 94th minute to confirm the victory and to all but mathematically send Britonisea packing after a short tournament. For many of the players on the pitch, it was their first run out in the tournament, with the team combining well to give them plenty of momentum going into their crucial final match against Northwest Kalactin. A point will do to top the group, but plenty of eyes will be on the match, with rumours of Central Shaneville airing both matches so their fans can follow along with all of the action and the drama.

As for the match, it was two hours of drama with plenty of ups and downs for the national team. This was the first compeititve match between two nations from the region of Novapax, so it was unsurprising that this was the biggest turnout for a Group B match so far, with the PetroDome only a couple of thousand light of it's over 82,000 capacity in Petrograd, with the match between The Orion Islands and Northwest Kalactin finishing only a couple of hours ago inside Soccer Palace on the other side of the city. Both teams lined up next to each other with Mercedinian Prime Minister Dimitry Larmée in the stands for a brief visit to the Free Republics before returning to Mercedini for a big general election for him and his party, but for now, he was watching the national team perform on the world stage once again.

Mercedini didn't have it all their own way in the opening exchanges and surprisingly went behind to the side ranked in the 200s, when Raphael Grimes, currently playing for Togonistan's Tushlark Superstars, converted from a scrappy corner to open the scoring and score the first goal against Mercedini in the tournament. It was sent in from the far side with pace and aimed straight for the penalty spot, where Polasic and Dosic both went for the same ball. A tame punch from Polasic ricocheted awkwardly off the head of Dosic, allowing the ball to remain in the box and bounce several times before being pounced on by Grimes. The Britonish forward took a touch to control it before slotting the ball past the defenders on the line and into the empty net, giving his team a rather unexpected lead in the match. The fans in the stands went mental as the third goal scored at the tournament by Britonisea, a silver lining to a tournament to forget for Mercedini's long time friends.

That opening goal seemed to kick the Golden Eagles into gear to try and find an equaliser to get themselves back in the game as quick as they could. Britonish defending was stoic at first with the back line keeping out chance after chance as Chillotov and Billic combined as of old to create chances for each other and for the team's wingers who were causing all kinds of havoc as they used their pace and quick feet to break free of their markers. Chillotov had the best chance of the half when he linked up with Billic to create a bit of space for the 1860 Azoth striker, who is rumoured to be leaving the tea for greener pastures after the Terranean League hit some turmoil about it's potential future. Chillotov curled a shot but rolled just wide of the mark, with some fans frustrated that the young striker didn't pass to other teammates in more fruitful positions.

After three quarters of an hour of great defending by the Britonish teams, it finally gave way in the second of three minutes of stoppage time when an early diagonal ball from Presic found the advancing run of Chillotov into the box. The Mercedinian striker broke free from his marker and needed to slide and stretch to flick the ball toward goal. For Britonisea, the ball rolled agonisingly inside the near post as it beat the dive of the goalkeeper and into the net for a very late equaliser in the first half. Following the celebrations, it turned out to be the last kick of the half as Mercedini went into the interval all square against Britonisea, with everything to play for in the final 45 minutes of the game.

After a short break and a little sing-song between the Britonish and Mercedinian fans in the stands, the teams came back out for the second half with Lyndainium still muttering words of advice to his players as they entered the pitch for the second round of action. The fans were getting all hyped up, and if it was anything like the first half, they will have almost certainly for their money's worth in action and drama. The beginning of the second half was much more even than the first with Britonisea holding their own in midfield and creating a number of small chances which were snuffed out before they had a chance to materialise into something dangerous for the Britonish front line. Meanwhile, it was proving to be a bit more difficult for Chillotov and Billic up front with the midfield finally being pulled back from their relative dominance they experienced in the first half. Passing play was the big theme early in the second half with Mercedini opting for more of a tiki-taka playstyle rather then the more direct route they were taking in the first half.

Mercedini finally got the goal they were after with less than twenty minutes to go in the match as an opportunistic shot from Adam Kraljic spectacularly found the top corner of the goal to give Mercedini an unlikely but deserved lead in the match, to practically put one foot into the knockout stages, barring a run of extreme results from there on out. It may not have been a goal that would them a trophy, but the team piled on top of the midfielder in front of the Mercedinian fans as they celebrated a 2-1 lead in their third match of four in the group stages. That goal put a spring in the steps of the Mercedinians as they looked to close out another match, they had been given an almighty scare early in the match but their quality shone through in the end and now they were just waiting for the seconds to tick down until the final whistle.

Into four of six minutes of added time, Mercedini were holding steadfast in the corner as Billic hoped to see out the match comfortably. Chillotov had different thought though, and rushed into the box to try and grab another last gasp goal. As he ran along the by-line, Chillotov was shoved off the ball, causing the referee to blow his whistle for a blatant foul on the striker. The 1860 Azoth striker stood up to take the penalty himself and made no mistake as he nonchalantly rolled the ball down the middle for his second and Mercedini's third of the match, finally adding certainty to the result as the referee finally ended the match keeping the Mercedinians' perfect run going. It all goes down to the final day as it ends in Petrograd: Britonisea 1, Mercedini 3.

[Kavagrad]

The Kavagrad Sportsman
Kavagrad's Most Trusted Daily Sports Leaflet Since 1961

ALV - Failure "not an option, despite the odds"

Alex-Louis Valentine, manager of the Kavagrad national football side, has made it clear before his side's IAC-5 closing group stage match that his team "can't and won't" rest on their laurels ahead of their match against defending champions, Free Republics.

Kavagrad currently sit second in their group on 6 points, ahead of Karulicja on 4 points. A draw will likely be enough to see Kavagrad through to the Second Round on goal difference, but Valentine is wary of his team letting up, stating: "If we slip up, if we lose our focus, even for a second, we'll be punished for it. If we go down here, our fate is no longer in our hands, and we should not be putting ourselves in that spot. Karulicja are capable of beating Darkmania, and they're capable of doing it by enough goals to overtake us on goal difference if we can only get a draw. We can’t and won’t sit pretty with a draw. We need this win.”

"This is why we need our defence to be perfect. Absolutely airtight. We keep them at bay, and then, when they slip up, we punish then mercilessly for it. Any stray ball, poor touch, wayward pass, we use them to get that ball up the pitch and do the damage. I cannot be more clear when I say this: Failure simply is not an option, despite the odds against us, and I'm talking about very literal odds. If some foreign bookies want to put us down as 25/1 to win this match, and I'll tell you, I've seen those odds offered in the past couple of days, then we'll go ahead and make some crazy men a bit of cash. This squad has the chemistry, the youth, the sheer willpower to come out of this on top. If they play at their peak level, if we are as flawless as I know we can be, then we can slay the giant."

"And if we do that, it suddenly becomes a hell of a lot harder to stop us."

Free Republics vs Kavagrad can be seen live on KTVS1 at 10pm KST. International visitors should check their local listings.

[Flardania]

Opening Theme

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Bonjour et Ohayōgozaimasu Kirishima. Welcome ladies and gentleman back to the 5th Independents Cup edition of the Kitsune Report, brought to you by the Nagatomo Sports Network (NSN), sponsored by Air Pacifica, and Pocari Surge. Here at the Kitsune Report, it's all about Kirishinan sports. With the fourth match day of the group stages in the books, the Kitsunes emerged from a match day 3 bye seeking to extend their form following their match day 2 victory against Petroslovania. The question was whether the Kitsunes could pull it off or not. I'm your host, the fan you can count on the most, to bring you Kitsune news, Keitaaaaaaa Woo! Without any further delay let's get grooving to some Independents Cup football!

Kirishima 3–1 Unified Hispania Review:

The Kitsunes entered the match following a bye which followed a confident 2-0 win against Petroslovania back during match day 2. Despite their draw against the Frozen Forest on Match day one, the Kitsunes have been undefeated in Independents Cup Group Matches something that the Kitsunes have been keen on maintaining in the lead up for World Cup qualifiers. The opposition was looking at a mathematical elimination should they fall to Kirishima.

The Kitsunes made good use of their Matchday 3 rest day as they drew first blood off of their first shot attempt in the 7'. Ako Izumi delivered an accurate pass out in front of Renée Guidice who fired a low driven shot past the opposition goalkeeper for the GOAL! The Kitsunes would keep up the pressure with shot attempts in the 10' 11', 13' and 17' minutes. The opposition would have their first attempt on goal in the 21' but it was saved by Hojo. The 34' and 37' minute saw two off target shots but the Kitsunes who wanted to capitalize on their advantage but were failing. The opposition had a shot on goal in the 42' which was saved by Hojo, she would also save the resulting corner attempt.The two teams entered the half with the Kitsunes up 1-0.

In the second half contained more of the same, the Kitsunes knew they were favorites and thanks to the early lead, made sure to keep up the pressure. The ambitions of Kirishima would be rewarded in the 58' minute when Ichikawa delivered a cross to Yabuta in the box for a GOAL! to put the Kitsunes up 2-0. The game would slow down at that point until a defensive error by the opposition led to Rin Mizoguchi breaking away from his man in the 73' minute and scoring the third Kirishinan GOAL!It seemed that Hojo would get yet another clean sheet but the opposition manage to score off of a corner in the 81' for the goal. Final score Kirishima 3, Unified Hispania 1.

Following the match, a pleased Yong In-Kwon, had this to say in his post match interview. "We played much better compared to how we started this tournament. We were able to play our brand of football, make the right passes, keep up pressure, create opportunities, and most importantly, capitalize on those chances. It is still too soon to say that Kirishima is back. It is early and we are facing opposition that we must defeat. We need to keep our heads in the right place especially since advancing is not guaranteed at this point. So long as we stay focused we should be able to do just that."

Kirishima 3-1 Unified Hispania 
R. Guidice(7')      TBA(81')
J. Yabuta(58')
R. Mizoguchi(73')

Post by: Keita Woo

[Free Republics]

This is your Matchday 5 Cutoff, brought to you by Nicholls Air! Nicholls Air: The Airline that Puts Passengers First!

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Results

Group A
Funky Fresh Beats 0–1 Acronius
Nicana 0–0 Ashkam

  Group A                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 North Prarie                                4   4  0  0    9   0  +9   12
2 Acronius                                    4   1  2  1    5   5   0    5
3 Funky Fresh Beats                           4   1  1  2    4   4   0    4
4 Nicana                                      4   0  3  1    4   5  −1    3
5 Ashkam                                      4   0  2  2    1   9  −8    2

Group B
Britonisea 1–2 Central Shaneville
Mercedini 3–2 Northwest Kalactin

  Group B                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mercedini                                   4   4  0  0   10   3  +7   12
2 Central Shaneville                          4   3  0  1    6   3  +3    9
3 Northwest Kalactin                          4   2  0  2    5   5   0    6
4 The Orion Islands                           4   1  0  3    5   8  −3    3
5 Britonisea                                  4   0  0  4    4  11  −7    0

Group C
ThePenguinLand 0–0 United States of Devonta
Alpine Union 4–1 United West Indic States

  Group C                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Alpine Union                                4   4  0  0   14   3 +11   12
2 ThePenguinLand                              4   2  1  1    6   6   0    7
3 United West Indic States                    4   2  0  2    6   7  −1    6
4 United States of Devonta                    4   1  1  2    1   7  −6    4
5 Platerdam                                   4   0  0  4    2   6  −4    0

Group D
The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario 2–4 Omerica
Blaneu 0–0 Thunisia

  Group D                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                                  4   4  0  0   14   5  +9   12
2 Omerica                                     4   2  1  1    6   6   0    7
3 The Authoritarian Republic of Lochario      4   2  0  2    6   8  −2    6
4 Thunisia                                    4   0  2  2    4   7  −3    2
5 Blaneu                                      4   0  1  3    2   6  −4    1

Group E
Maryloupe 1–1 Nurwiji
Adab 4–1 Juvencus

  Group E                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Adab                                        4   3  0  1   16   8  +8    9
2 Nurwiji                                     4   2  2  0    3   1  +2    8
3 Neo-Romanum                                 4   1  2  1    6   8  −2    5
4 Juvencus                                    4   1  1  2    3   6  −3    4
5 Maryloupe                                   4   0  1  3    4   9  −5    1

Group F
Kavagrad 4–6 Free Republics
Karulicja 2–0 Darkmania

  Group F                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Free Republics                              4   4  0  0   12   4  +8   12
2 Karulicja                                   4   2  1  1    3   2  +1    7
3 Kavagrad                                    4   2  0  2    7   7   0    6
4 Aggrey-Fynn Land                            4   0  2  2    0   5  −5    2
5 Darkmania                                   4   0  1  3    0   4  −4    1

Group G
Drawkland 1–1 Yanghoon
Savalen 0–5 Space

  Group G                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Drawkland                                   4   3  1  0   10   4  +6   10
2 Space                                       4   3  0  1   12   6  +6    9
3 Yanghoon                                    4   1  1  2    6   6   0    4
4 Savalen                                     4   1  0  3    5  14  −9    3
5 HUElavia                                    4   1  0  3    6   9  −3    3

Group H
South Caleblan 1–2 Flardania
The Frozen Forest 0–1 Petroslavania

  Group H                                   Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Flardania                                   4   3  1  0    8   3  +5   10
2 The Frozen Forest                           4   2  1  1    9   6  +3    7
3 South Caleblan                              4   2  0  2    7   6  +1    6
4 Petroslavania                               4   2  0  2    7   7   0    6
5 Unified Hispania                            4   0  0  4    6  15  −9    0

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Round of 16

North Prarie v. Central Shaneville @ RepublicSoft Stadium, New City, Orlandiana, Free Republics
Alpine Union v. Omerica @ Milne Stadium, Samstown, Nessex, Free Republics
Adab v. Karulicja @ Podvez Field, Yellow Bay, Vorita, Free Republics
Drawkland v. The Frozen Forest @ National Organization for Men Stadium, Estonopolis, Keronama, Free Republics
Mercedini v. Acronius @ Nejan Stadium, Oldston, Nejax, Free Republics
Abanhfleft v. ThePenguinLand @ RayDome, Doranto, Contoria, Free Republics
Free Republics v. Nurwiji @ Kountry Bank Stadium, Albertope, Roxawa, Free Republics
Flardania v. Space @ Church of Technicology Stadium, Tarita, Quartona, Free Republics

[Drawkland]

Be Drawkian
In With The New

After 4 long and eventful cycles with the original Meski kits, it was time for the Drawkland national team to move on. They'd created ripples in the multiversal soccer community, being likely one of the only teams to always qualify for the World Cup, and on a streak 4 cycles strong as well. Truly, no other nation since the ancient days of the World Cup could claim such a feat. And yet, Drawkland was doing just that. The slick Kick Corps in their black and reds scoring across the multiverse were becoming a household name. Kinda.

See, despite the initial success of the team, they never really accelerated beyond this level. Qualifying every cycle is great, but it's not the best. To be notable, you have to do something that makes a statement to the nations at the top. In a way, this is the same as the Kick Corps' original uniforms from Meski. Sure, they were amazing designs, something to be proud of, but they weren't the best out there.

There needed to be an upgrade. After the fourth straight cycle with a group stage exit, there needed to be a few changes, to make sure the team can have even more success in the future. In the same way, it was time for new kits. 3 cycles is the general lifetime for certain kits, and after 4 cycles, it was time to go upwards in the kit world. Luckily for Drawkland, the forges at ediraf had just been rekindled and were ready to make a new generation of kits for a new generation of nations. Thus, the design lords in Starblaydia took what they had from the old kits, DISC's suggestions, and their own ingenuity to create the next generation of Drawkland on the pitch.

Now that these kits have been officially unveiled by DISC to be broken in at the Independents Cup, let's take these designs and analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and how they compare to the now retro Meski kits.

The black and red is back once again, and boy is it beautiful! The original design of the Drawkland home kit remains the same in spirit for the next generation. The all-black with relatively simple red trim, the city skyline watermarked on the front and back ... such a design is synonymous with Drawkland now. ediraf did an amazing job of keeping with the spirit of the original while managing to put a new and sexy spin on it.

The primary difference (besides the different design origin and fabric used and such) is the skyline watermark itself. Instead of containing the coastline and skyline of Archifel Capital, as it is on the Meski kits, the ediraf kits instead take a section of the Drawk City skyline on the banks of the river, a scene which is seamlessly cropped to show an infinitely-long cityscape as the uniform is rotated. Truly a good design choice, as well as an artistic statement on the infinite sprawl and achievement of Drawkland itself. On top of this, the watermark is also a more noticeable white, rather than a barely-perceptible shade of black, so the watermark will be more visible from a distance and on camera.

Some minor improvements and notes: the placement and coloration of the crest was better. The full-color version of the crest is just objectively better, and it's good to have it not on the same side of the body for the chest and shorts. The DRK on the back of the shorts is also a nice touch. Overall the use of the shorts for the number, various logos and such is a good decision to give the bottoms some personality. The socks aren't the most unique, but damn they look sleek. The cleats are the same way. The font is also larger and bolder, and I think it sticks out a bit more, which is good.

This is a classic example of taking a good thing and making it even better. In the last generation, the home kit was far-and-away the best one, but with this new ediraf batch, there is much closer contention for the title of "Best Kick Corps Kit." In our hearts though, the black and red will always be the best.

The ediraf and Meski away kits, unlike the home kits, are actually vastly different. I guess DISC had decided that after 4 cycles, the Meski design concept wasn't up to snuff. It definitely had some promise ... but it really suffered a lack of execution and thus was never a fan favorite. Thus, DISC decided that ediraf should go in an entirely different direction with the away design this time.

Drawkland itself possesses a large empire that spans across many systems and is the focal point of Sonnel. No matter where you live though, if you're a Drawkian, you carry a little bit of Drawkland with you, in your heart, and in your soul. Everybody has a little slice of home in them. This parallels with ediraf's coming back spiel. With their reopening line claiming that ediraf has come home, it was decided that the Kick Corps' away uniform should evoke those feelings of homeliness and unity. Even in the far-off lands the World Cup brings you, there's always the people at home ready to cheer you on.

This is why the away kits, rather than having a generic sash with the Drawkian Pentad upon it, now proudly hold a silhouette of Drawkland's continental landmass. The landmass begins with the western Callagardet end of the continent on the front before wrapping around the player's left side and featuring the Kanyoet and Ellzidanet eastern ends on the back of the jersey. Also new to these away kits is the color scheme. The original Meski away kit was a light grey with navy blue trim. This was decidedly too boring and bland, thus a bright pure white and the same crimson as the home jersey was used for the ediraf away kits.

The trim color, location, and type are pretty consistent with the home kit. The only difference from the home kit are the ends of the sleeves for the shirt and shorts alike, as well as the ends of the sock: rather than having one large solid line, there are two smaller stripes in its place. In my opinion, this is a good move as it greats a little bit of distinction between the two kits' template, and creates a little bit of movement on the otherwise pretty clean and featureless field of white.

Overall, the execution of this kit is much better than its last iteration. I would say that it gives the home kit a run for its money, but it's just not enough to be truly considered "the best" yet. I give it a solid second place in this generation. No offense to the Keeper's kit, of course.

Finally, we come to the third and final kit of the first ediraf generation of Drawkland kits. Ultimately, the keeper kit for the Meski generation weren't too bad, I actually ranked them second in that generation. Its pitfall was the total lack of originality. Pretty much all of Meski's keeper kits are identical, the only difference being the colors used. This was a staple of their brand and since the template is good it's not a tragic loss, but it's nice to have something setting your kits apart.

Because of this, DISC and ediraf had to start back at square one for this kit. DISC never had to consider a design for the Keepers kit originally, since Meski was just going to use their generic design, so now there was more going on behind the scenes. Ultimately you don't want to reinvent the wheel, as it is just a keeper's kit, but Drawkland fans always enjoy a little variety in things.

This keeper's kit was decided to be a hybrid of both the away and home kit as far as format. The same template edges as the others (besides the collar and sleeves, since they're different on the keeper unis) was used, with the top of the socks being in the away kit fashion of two stripes while the rest were like the home kit or both with solid lines. Finally, a simple chevron tessellation pattern was watermarked onto the kit. Not enough to be noticeable from far away, but enough so that the kit isn't just a solid field of navy blue. It's also worth noting that the Kick Corps crest is slightly recolored to prevent the red and black from really clashing with the blue/gold concept, but it was just a slight recolor rather than a solid paint over like the Meski kits employ.

Overall this kit is solid and still looks great, but it's just not as eye-catching as the home and away kits. Amazing kit, and it's sad it has to get last on the list.

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Now the past is in the past, and what was the future is now the present. ediraf will now be responsible for outfitting for the next who-knows-how-many cycles, and we couldn't be more excited to see what these next 4 cycles have in store for the team. With these new kits being trialed at the Independents Cup (now in the playoff stage), it would be fantastic to break the new unis in with a big win for the first time. In any case, they're sure to be a crowd favorite.

So you may now know what it means to represent Drawkland in clothing colors across the stadia of the multiverse, but what about the other symbols of Drawkland's power and glory? Next time we'll be looking at the iconic and one-of-a-kind flag that Drawkland flies everywhere its citizens go, and what makes it truly special. Stay tuned, and On Corps!