AOCAF LVIII Everything Thread

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Stelburger Zeitung

Sports

Goldhorns, Marauders Fight to 4-4 Draw

Siovanija and Teusland’s national football team opened up the AOCAF tournament with a 4-4 draw against last tournament’s 3rd place finisher and group favourites Valanora.

The build-up to the match saw the usual cautious optimism from the Goldhorns’ camp. “Of course it’s going to be a tricky match, but we are looking forward to it and we certainly believe in ourselves,” commented Thorsten Kramer. Asked if the result of AOCAF 57’s Quarterfinal, a 1-0 defeat to the Marauders, would have any bearing on the Goldhorns’ preparations, Kramer answered: “Only as motivation, yeah. I know we felt on that day that we could’ve won had we put in a strong performance, and so there’s a bit of regret there. It can only be an inspiration for us, though.” Captain Raphael Klopfer added, “I think we’re all looking forward to it, not just because of that but also to test ourselves against one of the greatest teams in world football. Preparation for this one has been excellent.”

Gavin Hughes’ first team-sheet for the tournament saw some of the largely expected changes made. Yanko Zhelyaskov earned the start in goal, wearing the number 1 shirt for his country for the first time at a major tournament. The back four lined up as Lyubomir Dimitrov, Raphael Klopfer, Karl-Heinz Jager and Lutz Daschner, nothing unexpected there. In midfield Paulus Leistner, Thorsten Kramer, Vladimir Kostov and Ivo Romanov get the start, while Krasimir Kynev and Michael Ribbeck played up top. The obvious omission here was Viktor Dimitrov, whose absence was explained by Hughes: “Obviously Viktor is a great player, one of the most important players on the team, and he’ll have a part to play in this team. Against a team like Valanora, though, we want the options that Vladimir (Kostov) brings to the lineup, gives us a bit better protection at the back.” The bench was Venev, Helmke, Thierse, Kogler, V. Dimitrov, Heiden and Reichwein.

The anthems played and whistle blown, and Valanora kicked off to begin each team’s AOCAF campaign. The Marauders held the early advantage, maintaining pressure on the Goldhorns’ backline while Siovanija and Teusland attempted to hit them on the counter. Vanorian pressure, however, was better early on and Zhelyaskov was forced into a strong save. The Goldhorns’ best chance early came from a strong break forward, with Ivo Romanov’s cross just missing the head of Ribbeck. It seemed Valanora, however, were likelier to score.

The goal would come for the Marauders shortly after. A great through ball saw a Vanorian forward beat Jager and get a shot just below the diving hand of Zhelyaskov, making it 1-0. Minutes later, Valanora would get a corner after a clearance by Dimitrov. The cross was whipped in and found an open player, who headed it in past Zhelyaskov and made the score 2-0. A bit of a breakdown defensively from the Goldhorns over the 5 minute period, and the backline huddled up after the goal, seemingly to discuss what went wrong.

Siovanija and Teusland would not sit down and take this result, however, and pushed forward trying to get themselves back into the match. Paulus Leistner brought the ball down the left flank before leaving it from Lyubomir Dimitrov, who fired a cross into the box. It was headed away by the Vanorian defender, but fell to Thorsten Kramer. Kramer blasted the ball right back to the net, and beat the keeper to the top left corner. 2-1 now, Kramer with a brilliant goal, and the Goldhorns right back in it.

Just before halftime, however, Valanora would give themselves a bit more of a cushion ahead in the match. Siovanija and Teusland had been the better side in the last 10 minutes of the first half, but a dangerous Vanorian counter came forward and caught several Goldhorns out of position. A series of quick passes saw a Vanorian midfielder with an open shot, and that shot was tucked past Zhelyaskov to make the score 3-1. The halftime whistle came soon after, and Siovanija and Teusland had it all to do in this match.

A slight tactical adjustment came in the second half, with Thorsten Kramer sitting a bit further forward while Krasimir Kynev dropped down a bit to play in a second striker position, Ribbeck leading the line. There was clear attacking intent now from Gavin Hughes’ side, who were determined to get a result on the day. It was only a matter of time before Viktor Dimitrov was introduced to the fray, the Energija Chernovets dynamo warming up on the sidelines alongside Thorsten Helmke and Mario Kogler.

The Goldhorns’ still looked strong in the early stages of the second half, and started to more often threaten the Vanorian goal. Then, a massive moment came. Michael Ribbeck ran into the box with the ball before being brought down. A roar went up from the Goldhorns’ fan section, and almost instantly the referee pointed to the spot. While Krasimir Kynev was the usual penalty taker, Ribbeck grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot, Kynev willing to defer in this circumstance. Ribbeck would make no mistake, blasting the penalty into the bottom left corner to make the score 3-2.

Paulus Leistner took a knock a few minutes later to his right ankle, making him the first man to come off on the day for the Goldhorns. Teussen winger Mario Kogler came onto the field in his 3rd cap for the national team, the fiery winger eager to make his tournament debut. And Kogler would have an impact almost immediately, as he made a brilliant run to beat the Vanorian defender assigned to him, then sending in a cross that reached the head of Ribbeck but pinged off the crossbar before seemingly being cleared. The clearance wouldn’t go all the way out, however, and it fell to Ivo Romanov. Romanov used every trick in his bag to beat 2 defenders before finding himself alone with the keeper, chipping it into the bottom right corner. One of the best goals you’ll see, and Romanov’s incredible marker had now evened things up.

With the game becoming much more open-flowing, it was the perfect time to bring in the maestro, Viktor Dimitrov. Vladimir Kostov came off with Dimitrov going in, bringing more still attacking intent to the midfield. Dimitrov was influential from the get go, with strong balls forward combined with responsible defending when needed. Valanora came alive again here, and they looked much more like the team that had so easily cut open the Goldhorns in the first half. They would take the lead again with a goal coming from a direct free kick just outside the box, and Siovanija and Teusland were once again left chasing the game.

This time, the chase would be much quicker. Minutes after Valanora had taken the advantage, Dimitrov brought the ball forward and made a well-timed pass that met the run of Krasimir Kynev. Kynev struck the ball immediately and beat the keeper, his first of the tournament good enough to bring the score to an even 4-4. The final chance for the Goldhorns came in injury time, with a direct free kick awarded just outside the box as the last action of the game. Viktor Dimitrov’s effort was oh so nearly perfect, in the end hitting the crossbar and going over. The whistle blew, and Siovanija and Teusland had managed a 4-4 draw with Valanora.

“We’re proud of the effort we showed today. We were down 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3 and we fought back every time. That’s a testament to the character of all the lads out there, and it’s a massively important result for us,” commented the manager Hughes on the performance. “There’s a lot of positives we can take from this, like the gaffer said, we’ve got great character and that always seems to come through when the pressure is on. But there’s things to build on as well, I know myself and Karl-Heinz weren’t too happy with ourselves in the first half and we’re going to have to fix some things,” added the captain Klopfer. His young backline partner added “I’m glad we’ve scored four, obviously, but I’m thinking more about the four we gave up. I’m not too worried, Rafa and I have a great chemistry overall and we’ll be fine.”

Next up for the Goldhorns are Sticiano, who were defeated 2-0 by the Euran Oceania Territories on the first day of the tournament. The newcomers will be hungry for their first goal and first win of their history, and so Siovanija and Teusland must be prepared for a fight. The Goldhorns have struggled against lower-rated sides in recent history, defeats to the E.O.T and Spokane coming to mind as well as 3 0-0 draws with underdog sides in World Cup 82 Qualifiers. It’s a chance to break that mental block here as the Goldhorns return to Star Field, a familiar spot for many in the squad.

We’ll have complete coverage from AOCAF 58 from Herzegovina City, Banija, as the Goldhorns prepare for match 2 of the tournament.

Match Report
Siovanija and Teusland 4-4 Valanora, @ Kabonero III Field

Lineup: Zhelyaskov; L. Dimitrov, Klopfer (c), Jager, Daschner (Helmke 81'); Leistner (Kogler 54'), Kramer, Kostov (V. Dimitrov 66'), Romanov; Kynev, Ribbeck
Goals: Thorsten Kramer 38', Michael Ribbeck (pen) 49', Ivo Romanov 60', Krasimir Kynev 77'

[Ko-oren]

A proposition from the Ko-orenite Football Association

Presenting... AOCAF Division 1 and AOCAF Division 2

Division 1: a division for champions, challengers, contenders, and Ko-oren

Division 2: a division for rising stars, tomorrow's giants, and Audioslavia & Krytenia in one group

Division 1
Group 1: Cosumar, Banija, Eshan, Saint Emelie
Group 2: Farfadillis, Baker Park, Starblaydia, Ko-oren
Group 3: Valanora, Mriin, Tropicorp, Qasden
Group 4: Vilita & Turori, Equestrian States, 95X, Siovanija & Teusland

Division 2
Group A: Audioslavia, Krytenia, Freeport, Sticiano
Group B: Saltstead, Busoga Islands, Geisenfried, Third Asopia
Group C: Oontaz Dert Li Ng, Lochario, Iskandervale, Rabastorian Union
Group D: Euran Oceania Territories, Anthor, Aji No Moto, Greater Spokane

A double round robin within the division - and then the bottom ranked Division 1 teams go down to Division 2, while the Division 2 group winners fill the spots in Division 1. Of course, the four Division 1 group winners get to play a single semifinal, followed by a single final.

Every game is meaningful, competitive, and involves teams of roughly the same level. Doing well as a smaller nation is rewarded immediately. A slow ascent to the top is still possible.

Another great idea from the KFA, representing a team which is totally a Division 1 squad. #15th seed, but Division 1 nonetheless.

[Euran Oceania Territories]

EURAN OCEANIA TERRITORIES
"The Expats"

AOCAF LVIII Squad

National Introduction

Kit: Blue with combination livery of Euran gold and Syndicatian white. Alternative kit is the same colours are Syndicatian or "Revolutionaries" green.
Stadium: Flynn Arena, 96,500
Style Mod: +4

The Incorporated States of Euran Oceania Territories is a parliamentary federal dominion of Eura, formed of the Euran zone of the former Inevitable Syndicate and the Whittorian Islands. It has a population of just under ten million people which is quickly rising, making it a beacon of diversity home to Syndicatians, Whittorian refugees, Euran migrants and others. It has possibly the world's largest artificial crater, which dominates the landscape west of what is now New Fligsive, the capital of this new entity. Its home stadium is the The Flynn Arena, where Eura beat Polar Islandstates 4-2 in the famous 66th World Cup final. Few would have predicted that the colours of red, blue and gold would become permanent there but its happened, and the stadium is now back in good condition after an expensive refit to return it to the 96,500 capacity it held previously. Previously a wooden stadium, the current iteration of the Flynn Arena was rebuilt after a great fire destroyed the stadium during a game between Fligsive FC and Magnaeus City. Nowadays, it's a little more robust, having been the subject of many refurbishment projects over the years. The stadium was easily reachable on the Fligsive Metro before the violent overthrow of the Corvidae regime and the associated disaster in Fligsive. It now sports a combination of the old paint job as well as Euran blue and gold while the local club Fligsive FC are still in existence despite drawing lower crowds after the Mertagne exodus, though they do not play in the hastily cobbled together amateur EOTLeague.

Euran Oceania Territories formed a national football team not long after the founding of the political entity, a project conjured up by the Euran government Ministry of Sport to imbue a sense of cohesion among the diverse population of EOT. They played a series of friendlies against other "Eurasphere" sides from Endemia and Rushmore in a lengthy state subsidised tour. Their first games were defeats against Daera, Itor and the Ferguson Islands, before an unexpected 4-3 victory against Helving, despite their Euraleague star Scott Barnes scoring a hattrick. They then entered the 50th AOCAF full of excitement despite having a mostly amateur team, including serving military personnel, but were promptly demolished in the group stages by several teams. Now, with the citizenship laws relaxed to allow the growth of the Territories, the "Underdogs" as they have come to call themselves are suddenly confident that they might be able to pull off a shock or two. Their first manager was of top class pedigree - Tolgus Tregajorran, a footballing hero in Apox who is also well known on the international scene.

Tregajorran managed to persuade some former Apoxian internationals, playing in Eura and with no international allegiance following the temporary dismemberment of Apoxian professional football, to sign the relevant papers and make the surprise switch to EOT, as well as Euran's and other international exiles. After several years of bit part competition EOT competed in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time and in turn the Baptism of Fire, after the Sameban national team withdrew from the Endemian International Sporting Agreement and international football. They performed poorly at the Baptism of Fire, going out at the group stage, but put on a respectable showing in their qualifying group for the 80th World Cup. Tregajorran's unexpected departure and a chaotic period followed, ending with the controversial appointment of Euran footballing legend and cult icon Skorji Oslograd halfway through World Cup 81 qualifying.

Immediately applying Oslograd's "Skorjiball" approach - best summarised as an extremely aggressive and fluid attacking game interrupted sporadically by the manager doing something inappropriate - the team secured some noteworthy results but remains very much an underdog competitor. Oslograd's dream is to turn them into the living embodiment of "the way of the warrior" and to qualify for the World Cup. His first AOCAF was the first tournament where Olsograd was able to demonstrate his own approach to the game in full but the results were mixed. Then he led the side into World Cup 81 qualifying, but a dreadful start to the campaign snuffed out any hopes, although a later revival ensured a semi-respectable finish. But the team did lose a bit of its soul, playing more conservatively than previously, a trend that Oslograd is expected to reverse at this AOCAF.

The Squad
Shirt number. Name - Age - Position - Caps - Goals - Club (Nation)

Goalkeepers

1. Bart Jones - 35 - GK - Burdoc Ridge (Audioslavia)
13. Tammy Barton - 28 - GK - Fligsive FC

The same keepers as usual, because this is all the Expats have right now. Jones is decent enough, but Barton is not good enough at international level.

Defenders

2. Timwise Gerduns - 28 - RB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
5. Kurt Strong - 29 - CB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
6. Freddie Law - 26 - CB - Foxhampton (Eura)
3. Jesus Moreno - 28 - LB - Dangerford (Eura)
15. Marvin Walsh - 21 - RB - Holdenberg City (Eura)
19. Alex Charlton - 34 - CB - Brigham (Eura)
21. Jason Potts - 21 - CB - Ulsa (Eura)
23. Danny Lawrence - 30 - CB - Ulsa Rovers (Eura)
25. Jack Ream - 27 - RB - Fligsive FC
26 - Ewan May - 34 - LB - Lemmitania State FC (Audioslavia)

Oslograd continues to insist on a back three of Gerduns (playing as a centreback), Strong and Freddie Law, who has come in for the aging Alex Charlton. They lack pace but are strong and experienced. Jeusus Moreno’s career is undergoing a recovery that sees him back in the side when Oslograd opts to switch to a back four, while Jason Potts and Marvin Walsh are knocking on the door of the first team.

Midfielders

4. Samuel Freeman - 32 - CM - Farrenton Athletic (Eura)
7. Peter Chadwick - 31 - CAM - Holdenberg City (Eura)
8. Willem Ajax - 33 - CM - Bastion (Eura)
11. Kasey Fuller - 21 - LW - Bastion (Eura)
16. Louie McKenzie - 30 - AM - Callodown (Eura)
17. Edward Pollard - 32 - LM - Lajuno (Eura)
20. Joel Conway - 24 - RW - Creed United (Nephara)
22. Peter Brooks - 28 - CM - AFC Whittorians
24. George Richards - 23 - CDM - Pascal Mashu (Hinode)
26. Mark Little - 25 - RW - Fligsive FC

As was the case at the most recent World Cup the midfield is EOT’s strongest area despite a relative lack of depth (they are so short on squad players that the roster is unchanged in midfield from the World Cup). Samuel Freeman, Peter Chadwick and Willem Ajax are all in their early thirties but trusted immensely by Oslograd (for now at least) and are the backbone of the squad. Kasey Fuller and Joel Conway are the exciting pacey youngsters. Louie McKenzie, Edward Pollard and George Richards may all get game time. Mark Little and Peter Brooks are unlikely to feature against anyone other than the weakest sides. This will probably be the last tournament where the midfield core remains unchanged.

Forwards

9. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier - 26 - ST - Farrenton Athletic (Eura)
10. Tom Duffy - 28 - CF – Ulsa (Eura)
14. Garret Ramsey - 25 - ST - Harkdown (Eura)
12. Paul Hooper - 25 - ST – Dartmoor (Eura)
18. Ulysses Zimmer - 29 - ST - Hornchurch (Eura)

Inexplicably EOT have a Champions Cup winning starting striker among their ranks. Tom Duffy's unanticipated glory with RGS Athletic has made him an undroppable centreforward despite his arguably modest talents. He’s even earned himself a move to Ulsa to play second fiddle to the far superior Romikk Valgard. But Zimmer and Hooper are unquestionably down the pecking order in the new front two which features Le Tonnelier, a fan favourite with a rebellious personality and noticeable beer gut but the ball control and flair of Craig Sinclair, and Oslograd's pet - sorry, we mean prodigy - Garret Ramsey as the first choice substitute. This is Ramsey's third national team. Yes, you read that correctly.

Preferred starting lineup
Formation is...good lord, who knows. Really depends what side of bed Oslograd wakes up on. But the absolute madman will likely play a 3-4-3 of sorts, but really it’s more like a 3-2-5. If they are losing and need to score, they tend to stick with that. If they need to defend a lead Oslograd tends to be rather all or nothing, and will throw on the most defensive formation possible at short notice.

GK - 1. B Jones
RCB - 2. T Gerduns
CB - 5. K Strong
LCB - 6. F Law
RCM - 4. S Freeman
LCM - 8. W Ajax
RW - 20. J Conway
CAM - 7. P Chadwick
LW - 11. K Fuller
RS - 10. T Duffy
LS - 9. P-L Le Tonnelier

Responsibilities

Manager: Skorji Oslograd
Head Coach: Skorji Oslograd
Father figure: Skorji Oslograd
Spiritual guru: Skorji Oslograd
Sexual counsel: Skorji Oslograd
Chosen One: Garret Ramsey
Captain: Alex Charlton
Vice captain: Tom Duffy
Free kicks: Peter Chadwick (Direct right foot), Willem Ajax (DIrect left foot), Samuel Freeman (Indirect)
Corners: Peter Chadwick (Right inswinging), Willem Ajax (Left inswinging)
Penalties: 1. Peter Chadwick 2. Tom Duffy 3. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier 4. Samuel Freeman 5. Willem Ajax. All other penalties will be taken by Skorji Oslograd himself unless officials prevent him doing so.
Most likely to be found down the pub: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Biggest snake: Peter Chadwick
Least likely to win a quiz: Kasey Fuller
Most overrated: Tom Duffy
Most underrated: Joel Conway
Most likely to do something utterly inappropriate: Skorji Oslograd
Most likely to commit a crime: Skorji Oslograd
Most likely to look you get the point, the manager is unhinged all right?

I Give To My Opponent The Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events: Y. Le T will score bangers only. Ramsey will score flukes only. Most own goals likely to be the fault of the plucky but unlucky Timwise Gerduns. Chadwick, Fuller, Freeman all likely to score. Strong deadly from corners.
Injure Players: Y, however I'll decide the severity. As for your own players, with Oslograd as manager. EOT players will deliver career ending injuries on command.
Godmod Injury Events: Y, however I'll decide the severity.
Red Card Players: Y
Yellow Card Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: Yes, but give me some warning/ask for advice unless its Skorji Oslograd doing something absolutely batshit in which case go for it. I reserve the right to contradict you in this case because he is a man who can bend reality with his sublime words after all. This is an unorthodox team, so feel free to be creative.
=================================

[Banija]

As AOCAF LVIII kicks off, Royal Banijan Soccer Association prepares for Leadership Elections behind the scenes


The longtime Executive Chairman of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association, Adama Sowe

BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- AOCAF LVIII is in full swing, and the tournament looks likely to be a success. Held in Banija and Baker Park, it is a resurrection after a solo bid to host AOCAF LVII after a World Cup that was co-hosted on Banijan soil was aborted at the final moments by the Royal Banijan Soccer Association. The attention of the country, of course, is now on the tournament. But the long-time Chairman of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association, described by some as ‘the most powerful man in Banijan sport’, Adama Sowe, is in his swan song. The Banijan Co-Chairman of the AOCAF LVIII host committee, as well as the Executive Chairman of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association, and of course, the RBSA”s member of the Executive World Cup Committee, will be retiring from all of his roles at the conclusion of the tournament. He was originally going to retire at the end of World Cup 81, but was persuaded to stay on for another cycle and a half, and with the conclusion of AOCAF LVIII, his time will be up.

He has been at the helm ever since the beginning of qualifying for World Cup 79- that is four full World Cup cycles, and then some, steering the direction of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association. He has been responsible for much of the game’s growth within Banija since that time, and more importantly, much of Banija’s growth into the game. He has a laundry list of accomplishments. He hired two managers- Randolf Cherry, and Marcus Waters, both of whom proved to be fantastic hires, especially the latter. HE led the charge to recommend Randolf Cherry to league owners as the Commissioner of the Banijan Soccer League, mending fences very quickly with the manager that he had just fired. And, of course, he has kept Marcus Waters, a manager who has seen his star both rise and shine brightly with the Kadongo Kamu, at the helm and given him security. All the growth in the national team from Marcus Waters, the rapid growth of the BSL both on and off the field, a lot of it can be attributed to Adama Sowe ensuring that the right people were in the right place at the right time.

And yet, Adama Sowe’s Chairmanship started off on a bumpy ride. In his first ever job search, he interviewed a female from the Equestrian States to coach the Kadongo Kamu, which would have been illegal at the time due to Banija’s sporting gender segregation laws. And, of course, an ill-fated bid to solo host Baptism of Fire 66 was a disaster and embarrassment for the RBSA. Out of 13 votes from members on the Executive World Cup Committee, 0 members voted for it as their first choice bid. It was a terribly embarrassing moment for the RBSA, and combined with the cumbersome coaching search, many thought that Adama Sowe’s Executive Chairmanship was on the ropes. But after those mistakes, he was able to right the ship. Maintaining a firm grip on the RBSA, as the national team began to perform well, and BSL sides made progress in the UICA, people were no longer going after his head. A quarterfinal appearance in their first ever AOCAF certainly helped things on that front as well.

And then, in the World Cup 80 cycle, the RBSA’s Executive Chairman was after it again. He told members of the RBSA, in a speech, that Banija should continue to aspire to the top, and to be the home of the sport’s greatest events. “This country, while not the richest, certainly has the ability of being host to the sport’s greatest events.” He told members at an annual meeting, when the RBSA was voting on whether or not to officially sign onto the bid to co-host the Baptism of Fire with their GSW neighbors, Qasden. “While the last Baptism of Fire bid was soundly rejected by the Executive World Cup Committee, look at what our country has done since. That inspired us to host the World Lacrosse Championships successfully, inspired us to host the World Bowl Successfully, and co-host the silver edition of the International Basketball Championships. The country has shown that it can host the biggest events in sports like basketball, like lacrosse, like gridiron football- why not in soccer? We are more than the organizers of soccer in this country. We have a responsibility to serve as ambassadors for the country. And what better way to do so than bringing the biggest events to Banija? We are more than capable of winning this bid. And think of what it will do for our country’s prestige, for the prestige of this Mormon, Black nation in the Southwestern corner of Atlantian Oceania?” The RBSA, still smarting, of course, after their horrible failure in the previous cycle to win the bid, narrowly voted to support it. They won hosting rights with Qasden uncontested, and it went from there.

Then, he had a far more ambitious project, one that will likely define his legacy- bringing the World Cup Finals, the biggest event in all of sports sans the Olympics, to Banijan soil. Working with leadership from the Federation of Free Republics, he was able to convince the World Cup Committee, for the first time, to bring the World Cup to Banijan soil. The Kingdom of Banija, a quickly rising nation in the sport, had now vaulted into the status of one of those few nations to host a World Cup Finals, as the junior host for World Cup 81. He was able to get the Stadium of the Restoration rebuilt by a Siovanijan & Teuslander engineering firm, and the tournament was wildly regarded as a success. He, of course, had to deal with crisis management- specifically, a scandal regarding the goats who mowed the fields and South Covello protesters. And now, of course, the swan song- bringing the regional championships to Banijan soil, meaning that in the last three World Cup cyles, at least one major tournament has been held on Banijan soil.

He will have quite the legacy, and quite the shoes to fill. How does the elections to the RBSA Executive Chairmanship work? There are 100 votes in total. While there are 68 member clubs of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association, the 62 in Banija each get one singular vote, meaning the 6 Islander clubs do not get a vote. Now, there are other votes. The BSL Players Union, if they can agree on a candidate, get 25 votes, awarded proportionally through a vote of all players. This, of course, is because Banijan law requires national governing bodies give at least 25% of the vote to the players. The BSL Commissioner gets a vote, which puts one at 88. The Banijan Collegiate Sports Group gets 5 votes, also awarded proportionally after a poll among the Athletic Directors of all 59 member institutions, which puts one at 93. The Chairman of the Olympic Committee of Banija, the Patriarch of Herzegovina, and the Isebantu(Crown Prince) all get a vote, which puts it at 96. And lastly, the Commissioner of each regional league gets a singular vote, which puts it at 100 votes.

It will certainly be quite the interesting saga to follow- who are the candidates clamoring to fill Adama Sowe’s shoes? In our next update, of course, we’ll go through the major candidates with a chance of winning 51 votes at the annual meeting, which is going to take place exactly one week after the AOCAF LVIII Final, and their visions about where to take the RBSA specifically, and the sport in Banija in general, next.

AOCAF LVIII Roundup

In their opening match of Group E, the Banijans and Iskandervale played a thriller at the Stadium of the Restoration, with the Kadongo Kamu coming out on top, by a score of 4-3. The Banijans put a lot of pressure on Iskandervale, but the visitors countered with ferocity and intensity. Iskandervale striker Kurtis Samarqand, who is a club teammate of Ensa Camara’s, opened up the scoring in the 14th minute to allow the country to take a 1-0 lead over the co-hosts. The Banijans were in excellent form, however, and both Ablie Kah and Assefa Yitebarke scored in the first half to allow the co-hosts to take a 2-1 lead at halftime. Yitebarke added a second goal early in the second half to make the score 3-1, and the Banijans looked to press their advantage. However, 33 year old Sabrefell Athletic striker Sinan Uzunlar had his moment, scoring on a header in the 57th minute to make it 3-2, and then crushing a volley for a stunning equalizer in the 72nd minute. The Banijans, having lost all momentum, had to try to create it from nothing, and push forward for a winner. Chibuzo Afolayan, the captain, became Banija’s all-time leading goalscorer when he scored what would turn out to be the winner in the 83rd minute. He was assisted on that goal by none other than Namakula Kawesa, who had came into the game for Okonkwo Okparro shortly after the Iskandervale equalizer.

Marcus Waters told reporters after the game that the team’s capability of responding to adversity was ‘high’. “Iskandervale took a 1-0 lead against us, and we responded well in front of our home fans. And then, we blew a 3-1 lead. You have to give all the credit in the world to Iskandervale, for staying resilient in front of over 90,000 fans cheering for the other team, at a major tournament. They kept their heads, and kept their cool, by being able to battle back from a 3-1 deficit. But our boys showed mental toughness, in going out and getting a winner after going from 2 up to a tied ball game. Now, of course, we need to be able to close out games stronger- as the stakes get higher in this tournament, we can’t afford to be blowing 2 goal leads. However, we’ll happily take the three points we’ve earned here. We’ll go to Hoima to take on an excellent Saint Emelie squad, who is dangerous- they beat Eshan in AOCAF LVII en route to the quarterfinals of that tournament. We’re going to need pristine focus to beat them, though I’m sure that the first international match in that new behemoth of a stadium will mean quite the huge crowd. We’re going to work on improving, especially in the back, to be prepared for what Saint Emelie will throw at us.”

He the said that he would not make changes to the starting XI for the Saint Emelie, saying that he believes he still has the best combination possible of players in the pool for a deep run at the regional championships.

Look on pages 4-7 of the magazine for a full analysis, and Banijan player ratings, for Banija's opening match of AOCAF LVIII

[Geisenfried]

Geisenfried Königlich Fußball-Verband proudly presents:
THE OFFICIAL GEISENFRIED NATIONALMANNSCHAFT AOCAF LVIII ROSTER

Team Nickname: Die Steinadler / The Golden Eagles
Style Modifier: 0
Formation: 4-4-2 (Diamond)

---

GOALKEEPERS:
GK 1 Benjamin FUCHS (23) - Königs FC
GK 12 Albrecht BAUER (22) - VfS Königseifert
GK 23 Dominik NOWAK (19) - August Gründer

---

DEFENDERS:
RWB 2 Hannes KRÜGER (24) - SV Silbern Sileväl
LWB 3 Peter FISCHER (25) - FC Alster Alba
LCB 4 Oskar LINDSTRÖM (28) - Heimüller SC
RCB 5 Hector OSTMARK (28) - 1.FSV Dözel
LDF 13 Edmund DELBRÜCK (23) - Eintracht Rödis
CDF 15 Sigmund KRAUSE (24) - Königs FC
RDF 22 Filipp HOLTZMANN (19) - Kapetägien Verein

---

MIDFIELDERS:
DMF 6 Paul BERKHOFF (28) - Heimüller SC
RWM 7 Mariusz JAEGER (25) - Kaiserstadt Altien
AMF 8 Alexander RIESZ (27) - VfS Königseifert
LWM 11 Rudi LÖWENTHAL [*] (27) - Königs FC
DMF 14 Willem RICHTER (20) - Königs FC
LMF 16 Daniel VOGEL (22) - Gryphons FC
RMF 18 Rolf KIRCHNER (19) - HvH Heirhein
AMF 20 Alfons KOCH (21) - Lüthessien Sportlich

---

STRIKERS:
RS 9 Andreas EMMERICH (24) - VfS Königseifert
LS 10 Luis PENT (25) - Königs FC
RS 17 Frederick AMSEL (23) - Club Kalffe
CF 19 Rutger DEBRUYNE (21) - Gryphons FC
LS 21 Roderick KLEIN (22) - August Gründer

---

RP Permissions:

Mostly, just be reasonable. Don't kill or maim anyone on or off the field, keep cards and injuries reasonable unless cleared with me first, and mostly just keep things within the realm of realism, and you should be good.

[Qasden]

Original crest courtesy of Krytenia and kits courtesy of Kita-Hinode

---

For eons, the Qasdonian National Football Team suffered defeat after defeat in Atlantian Oceania's prime regional tournament, the AOCAF. While performing well in the 55th edition (landing them a 4th place finish), the Vans have since suffered humiliating torture that would cost them the likes of both Boulevard Drucati and Cralt-Nirlo Fox in the managerial front. Despite this, many administrators within the association (not the fans, the fans are always pessimistic) are keeping hopes high for TQ under the likes of Mercedinian madman, David Bjarnasson. During his initial stint with the team, at the time competing in the 82nd World Cup, Bjarnasson suffered no defeats during the entirety of the qualifiers. Not only that, but despite being in a group with both Cosumar and Nephara, the Blue-Reds took 6 points and a ticket to the knockout phase, a region unheard of in prior eras, where the Qads finally met their end against Apox.

Can David Bjarnasson win over the fans' trust? Or will the trial end the same way as it had for Cralt-Nirlo? Tune in to find out right here, right now, at the 58th AOCAF, co-hosted by Banija and Baker Park!

---

KPB: 11.23 (16th)
Style: +3.125
Formation: 4-4-2
Nicknames: The Turkish Vans/Vans; The Blue-Reds; The Qads

---

David Bjarnasson (MRC)
•Manager•
Age - 52

Mason Ryburn
•Assistant Manager•
Age - 36

---

1- Macron (Brickwall) Abbott
•GK• •Raynor City United (VAL)•
Age - 24
2- Ixton Blight
•LB• •Real Qad City (QAD)•
Age - 27
3- Petro Rees
•RB• •Taxson Rovers (QAD)•
Age - 25
4- Akland Miacaro
•CB• •QC Onyx FC (QAD)•
Age - 24
5- Lloyd Tokobo
•CB• •Club Stein-Los (PAS)•
Age - 26
9- Chariot Hero
•M• •Destiny FC (QAD)•
Age - 21
10- Icarus Darsten
•M• •CAPTAIN• •T.V.F.C. (QAD)•
Age- 24
11- Terry Foxtrot
•M• •AC Bornice Italia (QAD)•
Age - 28
12- Ryan Xandreas
•M• •Pelethas United (COS)•
Age - 23
15- Jerry Bostun
•F• •Eastern Athletic (QAD)•
Age - 28
16- Onyx Foster
•F• •Strat City (AVN)•
Age - 22

---

~BACKUPS/RESERVES~

---

17- Kai Metre
•GK• •AFC Euphoria (QAD)•
Age - 23
52- Jason Atari
•GK• •N/A•
Age - 19
18- Destin Teague
•D• •Elder Wanderers (QAD)•
Age - 32
19- True Articado
•D• •Brunswick Fury (QAD)•
Age - 24
20- Bristol Knix
•D• •AJ Auxiliary (QAD)•
Age - 24
21- Tex Preston
•D• •Lightrock FC (CCN)•
Age - 23
24- Dakota Rosden
•D• •QC Onyx FC (QAD)•
Age - 27
25- Tomakelo Romano
•D• •AC Bornice Italia (QAD)•
Age - 33
26- Tyken Iter
•M• •T.V. City FC (QAD)•
Age - 22
47- Milkface
•M• •University of Taxson (QAD)•
Age - 19
33- Valentijn Munson
•M• •Gallant Cross (BRE)•
Age - 23
29- Roberto Milanoa
•M• •La Nueva Avenida (FFD)•
Age - 22
31- Raz Temew
•F• •N/A•
Age - 24
32- Owais Lumiere
•F• •East Fyre FC (QAD)•
Age - 27

---

I Give My Opponent Permission To
<><><><><><><><><>
Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events: Y (The wackier the better!)
Injure Players: Y (tg me first)
Godmod Injury Events: Y (tg me first)
Red Card Players: Y (tg me first)
Yellow Card Players: Y (tg me first)
Godmod anything else: Sure (but no killing my players!)

---

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

BP open with win, head to Shirley
Frank Armitage
Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

Reporting from Belle Haven:

The Commonwealth National Team got past their first hurdle at Keller Field, getting past the Busoga Islands 2-0 in front of nearly 57,000 on the opening night of the AOCAF.

Jamari Bozeman got the scoring underway in the first half with an excellent strike off a set piece set up by Annabeth Westmoreland, and DeAngelo Simmons got his first senior team goal in the 71st minute after coming on for Alex Sandoval, who suffered a slight knee sprain.

Next up, the team will travel to President's Park to face Third Asopia, who dropped a 1-0 defeat in their opening contest, before they return to the capital to finish Group A play against Ko-oren.

Tourney notes:
--All of the matches on Day 1 were played in front of capacity crowds at the eight host venues. The FAC report that the matches at Collins Park and Rogers Stadium are sellouts for matchday 2, and that fewer than 1,500 tickets remained for the Audioslavia-Geisenfried match at Sportsmens Park.
--Scoring was far behind the pace of the Banijan half, as there were only 14 goals in the first 8 contests, compared to the 29 scored in groups E-H
--Busoga Islands President Ebrahim Razav was a guest of the Prime Minister in the VIP suite for the match.

[Saltstead]

stallion.stable.co.ha
All Saltsteadish! All football!

---

FAIL

After a dismal match against bottom-seed Greater Spokane, you would be forgiven for calling Saltstead’s AOCAF campaign over right here. Facing two higher-seeded—and just plain better—teams in Făŗfāďįllïŝ and Qasden, Saltstead need more than a couple of miracles to bounce back from the embarrassment we were subjected to. Saltstead need to actually start playing a competent game from the start of the game.

Tlanx-Nulzk Hal came in as a head coach with a mission to transform Saltstead from a side that has been described as “dourly defensive” and “depressing” to one with attacking potency. But they’ve now been accused of changing too much too quickly. The majority of players in this squad have never had experience at this level and players are being forced to work within an entirely unfamiliar system. The Blame Game is whirling around for Round Umpteen, folks.

This is not to say that teams cannot make a system like Tlanx-Nulzk’s work; Anne-Sophie Groothuis’s Omerican side is an example of a team that can make this tactical system work. The key is that the two listed defensive midfielders have differing roles: while Elise Bianchi (or Sean Tester) is assigned to control the tempo of games and shield the defence, John Soares (or Alex Rodrigues) plays box-to-box and serves as either the sixth defender or fifth attacker as the situation requires. Furthermore, captain Red Bolton (or Robin van Tyn) coordinates the attacking contingent and works to keep the team operating as one cohesive, flowing unit which can transition from defence to offence and vice-versa without issue.

As of now, it’s unclear if Ann-Claudie Uristssen or Constantinė van Bleck know which of the defensive roles they’re supposed to play. Both Uristssen and Van Bleck stubbornly laid back in front of the back line and that worked about as well as a lead flotation device. Zacharias van den Slåp, a new addition to the Saltsteadish side, looked lost out on the field, appearing to be unaware that he was supposed to be directing the attacking lines and preventing the team from being cleaved in two. Then, in what is ultimately a very minor nitpick, fellow newcomer Natasħa Aħterop was completely out of sync with Ann-Elisabeth Smid on the right side of the field.

Greater Spokane used the weakness of the Saltsteadish personnel to their advantage, took control of the first half and were (arguably) unlucky not to run off with a win. For a while, Saltstead did not look like a serious threat to score, whereas Joe Wellesley and Taylor Trent made a lot of work Robert-Jan van Daal and the defensive back line, which no one who knows anything about Saltsteadish football will be surprised to hear did the best out on the field. Greater Spokane’s midfield operated as a more coherent unit than Saltstead’s—at least during the first half—ensuring that Haråud Haråudssen could rarely threaten at the end of the park.

The good news is that Tlanx-Hulzk has a head on their shoulders and took Uristssen and Van Bleck off at halftime, putting Nicholas Tiberius and Benjamin Sħåul on in their place. Whether their roles were clearly set out by the coach or their newness in the squad means they are not wedded to the always-lie-in-the-back mentality that has taken over Uristssen and Van Bleck, the substitution was effective. Sħåul emerged as the box-to-box player that Saltstead needed, whereas Tiberius had more control of the pace of the game than either Uristssen or Van Bleck ever did. It didn’t translate into an improved attack thanks to a lack of coordination from Van den Slåp, but it was improvement nevertheless. When Van den Slåp came off for Adelaide de Jong, the team clicked better, but it was too little, too late: Saltstead could not find the goal they needed.

The virtue of the Omerican tactical system is its flexibility. The Incorrigibles open several lines of attack and can exploit an opposing team if they fail to close them all down. The Incorrigibles can track back to defend a lead or put more personnel forward to chase a result. The Incorrigibles can play the ball down the middle or slaughter a narrow-playing team on the flanks. It doesn’t always translate to a result, but they have the tactical acumen to play their game and play it respectably.

The Stallions are learning the ropes of this system on the fly all while Tlanx-Nulzk is learning which players can hack it in his system and the match against Greater Spokane demonstrates that. If there is one good thing to say about this new-look Saltstead, it’s that they’re all learning: AOCAF has always been a struggle for Saltstead, so maybe it’s not a bad move to use it as an opportunity to experiment. After all, it’s not like AOCAF has ever been much use to us before.

██ Saltstead predicted starting XI: Robert-Jan van Daal; Otto Frederickssen, Emmet le Duc, Maxime Crabshaas, Anne-Elisabeth Smid; Nicholas Tiberius, Benjamin Sħåul; Ann-Marine Crabshaas (c), Adelaide de Jong, Natasħa Aħterop; Haråud Haråudssen
██ Fåřfäđíllîş predicted starting XI: Íüé Tgô; Kósa Bajnok, Ezequiel Marchiondo, Moisés Fermández; Groaré Sasca, Sürgân t’Öéséné, Lüi Wçêil, Faragó rue Cazade, Lázár Eleonóra (c); Oskar Holsteiner, Xix Êns
— Aleksander Mathiassen from Shirley, Baker Park

---

[Third Asopia]

Note:I did this in a hurry so it will be shabby.

Manager: Tim Hollows
Formation: 5-4-1
Style: -3
Nickname:The Potato Wedges
Goalkeepers:
XI: Anthony RUSHMAN
Subs: Tom HILBERT
Jan SHÉMBERT-OCON

Defenders:
XI: John BEAUMONT
ŠKAČIN
Wendell BIRGHIT
Killiney Birghit
Paul HAMILTON
Subs:
Tom CAYMAN
Jack DARZHOZHVOT
Tialla AWAUDENNIN

Midfielder:
Fraser JOULES
Florian MIAZGA
Temotheus XABIR
Rakoundu ELIZABETH
Subs:
Timoue ALESSIANA
Cori HEVOZH
Hisham MAHMUD

Forward:
Andrew BUNTING
Subs:
Dieney CARLYON
Qīķreqki HÖENTIQE

Subs:
Goalkeepers
RP Permissions
Choose my scorers: Yes
Choose my scoring events: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but minor ones
Godmod Injuries to my players: No
Give Yellow Cards to my players: Yes
Give Red Cards to my players: Yes
Godmod other events:Yes

[Valanora]

From the Offices of the VSC does the Marauder information come

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod Scoring Events Y
RP injuries to my players Y (no more than three weeks out)
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out Yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out Red cards to my players N
Godmod Other Events Y

What is the name of…

…the five time World Cup champions?
Valanora (known prior to World Cup 37 as Elves Security Forces)

...the other nations involved in Valanora?
Sabine and Caddonia ,Vyinta and Dark Templara

…the nation in which this Commonwealth play their home matches?
Elves Security Forces (sometimes ESF in shortphrase)

…people from the Commonwealth?
Vanorians or Vanors

…the person who created this mess?
Elves Security Forces

Style Modifier: +2

Kits

Home Away

Manager
Tobias Möller
Age: 56
There are few managers who would have had the mental fortitude to endure what the Marauders endured last World Cup cycle and still decide to stay on to the job and even keep on after the World Cup. The Marauders really lucked out to get a man as loyal and as driven to prove his doubters wrong as they have in the Pasargan Tobias Möller, with the former international striker looking to guide this hodgepodge of players into true World Cup contention, so long as the hero quartet can continue to live up to their name

Assistant Manager
Wisdom Tracey (F)
Age: 38
Tracey is far more defensive minded than what Vanorians are used to and would much prefer to see the side playing in a diamond midfield, but with the VSC saying that she will be considered for the job once Möller resigns from the position, she is content to be patient and help sure up the Marauders notorious backline faults in an attempt to build up her own profile.

Keeper

1 Sean Smørdal, Starling
Age - 26
Sex - M
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 181 lbs
Tall, athletic, and with reflexes that would make a cat proud, Smørdal is thought to be the solution to the Marauder's question between the pipes and solution to what has been an age old problem for the side. Deciding to leave the Eternal Empire's shores for that of Nephara is a decision that will be heavily scrutinized back home for years, but if the young keeper can come up good for the national team shirt, the Navy Wave will embrace him with open arms all the same.

Defenders

2 Iben Fjørtoft, Raynor City United
Age - 26
Sex - F
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 158 lbs
Iben is a quick defender that typically plays on the right side for her the Rockers but can play more centrally if needed to. She is a quiet force that doesn't like to get forward unless she absolutely needs to, preferring to be that agile cover defender that allows the more offensive minded midfielders to get into the attacking area.

3 Seve Vásquez , Mar Sara FC
Age - 30
Sex - M
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 175 lbs
A former Sunrisian, Vásquez has been in Valanora for over seven years and was quick to answer the call when the Marauders were in desperate need of professional players for the World Cup Finals after the Calling happened. He has fairly good pace for a man of his size but his main strength is battering opposing attacking players out of the box with the force of a rampaging oxen, though he is not quick to temper, making him well suited to the Marauders' style of play.

4 Lauritz Soltvedt, SC Rinaldi
Age - 30
Sex - M
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 173 lbs
Another one of the stalwart defenders from a long line of them being produced by the Gunners. Soltvedt is deceptively fast for his size and has a good acumen for the game as well, making him a well rounded defender that should do the job quite well when called upon.

Midfield

21 Espy va Drake, 1830 Cathair
Age: 775
Sex - M
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 159 lbs
After becoming a folklore hero for the lower class of the world, va Drake has made himself one of the living legends of the game after help leading the side to a title in World Cup 53. He has traveled far and wide while plying his trade, donning kits for no less than five countries clubs. Seen as the driving force in the middle of the park alongside Hawk, it is up to the opposition to try and figure out how to deal with the brilliance the winger and his other attackers have rather than them to create magic.

6 Yuki Hatsune , FC Capri
Age -26
Sex - M
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 147 lbs
This young midfielder was born in the Sunrise Islands but came to Valanora at an early age and has really blossomed over the last three seasons to a versatile midfielder, though he prefers to play a little further up the pitch in a more attacking role. He's got an accurate shot from long range and can mix it up with most other players in the middle in those fifty-fifty balls, though he would prefer to leave that part of the game to the defenders and more defensive minded midfielders.

10 Laborious Hawk, AC Izotz Zubia
Age - 739
Sex -M
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 213 lbs
Words do not even begin to define his talent, his talent defines words. He was awarded one of the spots that the Vanorians have in the World Cup Hall of Fame, with it being very well deserved, as he has and continues to earn everything he has been given every single day. Hawk simply strives to be the very best footballer, captain, and teammate that there can be, with the hunger for perfection driving him forth on and off the pitch.

8 Ilglerdiriel Lithvathar, Raynor City United
Age - 745
Sex - F
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 149 lbs
Lithvathar is much like va Drake, a floater who is dynamic in attack but with enough speed and sense of the pitch to make up on any sort of defensive lapse. Yet unlike her flankmate, she is not nearly as skilled, but do not let that fool you, in a moment of magic she can undress an entire backline and set up more prolific scorers with easy chances.

7 Faeron Soldarian, 1830 Cathair
Age - 653
Sex - M
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 163 lbs
Soldarian continues to live in the shadow of more well known players both on the national team and with his club. Despite this, Soldarian is seen by all on the squad as the emotional leader and the linchpin the in the middle that allows the more attacking minded midfielders being allowed to play their game.

Strikers

9 Allandren Fresco, Ibini FC
Age - 528
Sex - M
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 167 lbs
Fresco continues to lead the line of the attack, being the tip of the spear that is the Marauders offensive movement. By now most teams know of the striker's pace and near laser guided shot, however the striker still somehow finds ways to bring in the goals.

11 Marie Skaar, Mar Sara FC
Age - 30
Sex - F
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 148 lbs
A break out season with the Flames, being the third leading scorer in the Premiership as she helped lead them to an unexpected title sees this little lass nab the starting position after not being part of the pool at all two years ago. Her speed and agility is her greater asset, able to both outmanuever and simply run past her defenders with relative ease. What she has in speed though, she lacks in shot power, with the majority of her goals coming from inside the six.

Subs
13 GK Brynjar Eide, age 28, Ibini FC
23 GK Jakob Stensrud, age 31, SC Rinaldi
15 LB Aleksandra Landro, age 30, AC Valanari (F)
16 CB Eivind Strømmen, age 25, Eastal Lunar FC
17 RB Jouri Salverda, age 26, Mallox
18 LW Yusuf Norberg, age 26, Ibini FC
5 RW Caninde , age 31, Corinthian Spirits
20 MC Leon Berg, age 29, Mar Sara FC
16 MC Gabriel Bakken, age 30, Soldarian FC
22 AMC Mikkel Jønsson, age 25, Raynor City United
14 ST Olivia Nygård, age 26, Newrook City (F)
19 ST Russell McGeouch - age 31 - Club ESF



Captain: Laborious Hawk
Set Piece Taker: Laborious Hawk
Penalty Taker: Allandren Fresco
Right Corner: Espy va Drake
Left Corner: Espy va Drake

[Vilita and Turori]

Milaaso Nets late winner in Baker Park

The Vilita and Turori Eel Cat Things left it late in the AOCAF 58 opener against veteran underdog nation Geisenfried. Ultimately Vilita and Turori survived thanks to an 85th minute tally from substitute superstar Nii'arala Milaaso. The Eel-Cat Things came out with a mixed roster including Vilitan World Cup heros Jirak Trikala and Limu Katarakhna; famous veterans in the form of Purapal Eskiiy and Tripate Falcon and then a slew of future talent including Turorian youngsters Nua'oma Aikiki and defender Lohani Riiyaaw.

As Vilita and Turori failed to score, Kiiarana City's Vernasa Sanamun held serve between the posts to keep the match level and keep the Eel-Cat Things in position to take the three points with their second half heroics. It was set up when the Eel-Cat Things increased their attacking posture introducing Kiidallen Aeroluzzi in the place of Lohani Riiyaaw at half time. After a like for like swap between Rojara Tiones and Amakli Inuro'o the change that made the impact in the game came with twenty minutes to play when the veteran Tripate Falcon made way for Nii'arala Milaaso and it was the Eastal Lunar FC forward that ultimately secured all three points for the Eel-Cat Things.

Nii'arala Milaaso was a surprise to start on the bench after having earned a starting position for the World Cup Champion Vilita Jungle Cats and scoring one of the Jungle Cats three goals in their World Cup 82 Final victory over then rivals and now-teammates Turori. Milaaso led Vilita and Turori in goalscoring during the Football Competition at the Olympic Summer Games. Vilita and Turori will be disappointed with their poor showing in the opening match having only narrowly defeated the lowest ranked team amongst their Group C opposition. From there, Vilita and Turori will now face their toughest Group C opponents, 95X. Of course the history between Vilita & Turori and 95X is long and massive ranging from the bus-toting upsets from the two-time tournament champions to the Vilitan domination such as the famous 7-0 result. While Vilita and Turori would have come out disappointed with their 1-0 opening matchday victory over Geisenfried, they would likely be happy with such a result against 95X as they will look to secure their place in the knockout rounds as they make a run at re-claiming the AOCAF Title.

Vilita & Turori [1] - [0] Geisenfried

:: Vilita & Turori Goalscorers :: :: 85' Nii'arala Milaaso

:: Vilita & Turori Statistics :: :: Possession: 55% :: Shots on Target: 4 :: Corner Kicks: 8

:: Geisenfried Statistics :: :: Possession: 45% :: Shots on Target: 2 :: Corner Kicks: 4

---

Vilita & Turori Eel Cat Things Lineup v. Geisenfried ::
[GK]Vernasa Sanamun, [D.]Lohani Riiyaaw, [D.]Jirak Trikala, [D.]Rojara Tiones, [ML] Daliora Toru'u, [MC] Limu Katarakhna, [MC]Purapal Eskiiy, [MC] Intikko Kuhilana, [MR] Tripate Falcon, [FC]Enzoril Alabonni, [FC]Nua'oma Aikiki
BENCH::
[FC]Mirana Gotuai, [FC]Nii'arala Milaaso, [M]Lati'ala Giaoka, [M]Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, [U ]Kala'a Yuliizala, [D]Amakli Inuro'o, [GK]Timaala Hualtia

---

[Euran Oceania Territories]

If he was being honest with himself, Skorji Oslograd had to admit that his first World Cup campaign as manager had not gone to plan. The Euran Oceania Territories, the Expats as they were known, had started very poorly and only recovered later in qualifying to a mediocre position, below expectations. Most of their best players were now past their peak and looked it even more so with each game that passed. The gamble on Oslograd had, so far, failed, and to boot the exciting football that defined his opening AOCAF campaign had been absent during the failed attempt at World Cup qualification. There had been some impressive results later on against the like of Siovanija & Teusland (remember the name!) but something was missing. His men had been supposed to adapt the way of the warrior, and yet instead they more closely resembled cattle. Timid. Chubby (Le Tonnelier really had ate all the pies). Easily tipped over. Oslograd was displeased. He'd been forced to start to contemplate a dreadful turn of fate - that his unorthodox methods were not quite as groundbreaking as he thought.

No. No, how could I think such a thing? Oslograd allowed himself to think as he lay there on the hard floor of his contemplation yurt. It had been a week since the end of World Cup qualifying, and he now had to plan ahead into the future for the next test, AOCAF LVIII. His usual spiritual routine of a pipe smoking session in a traditional Mertagne fishing tent like this one, followed by a cheeky bit of alone time, had not gone to plan. Nothing inspirational was coming to mind and to quote the man himself his "trouser snake remains uncharmed". This was a disturbing thing for Tom Duffy to hear but hey, when you're a Champions Cup winning centre forward, why wouldn't you want to hear your manager talk about his sexual frustrations? 'Boss, I'm not being funny like, but this is getting a bit surreal.'
'Surreal? Hah. Oh Tommy, you are but a boy. There is no real but the touch of a man's foot against the rubbery goodness of the football. Or the touch of a woman on his body. Or the touch of his hand on his truncheon!'
'Wooaaah-kay, I think you need a bit of a rest gaffer, I'll just be outside yeah?'
'Tommy.'
'Yes boss?'
'I told you to call me Papa Bear.'
'...right. Cool. I'll see you in a bit.'

Oslograd was distraught. He had to start planning for the AOCAF yet he was supposed to do so amidst disloyalty and disrespect from players like Duffy. What kind of manager could be expected to lead in such conditions? He'd briefly considered writing a number one single to inspire himself, but apparently the vision he'd had of a man with sunglasses talking about not being able to find what he was looking for and what a lovely day it was actually covered existing material. When he tried to make a song or two of it the intellectual property office were litigating against him so quick they could've been mistaken for his bitch of an ex-wife. That was the only solution he'd been able to come up with, hence the need for this failed session of trying to force ingenuity out of himself. Rhea Fianchetto, his assistant and lover, swanned in to the yurt. 'Skorji, the Governor's office called again. They've said that while they appreciate your service as Expats manager, you do indeed have to pay income tax.'
'What?! This is an outrage. Let me talk to that fucking bureaucrat, I'll set him straight!'
'He said that after last time you can't talk to him by phone unless you're sober. Are you?' Skorji went to say something but unusually stopped short, scrunching his face up like a stroppy toddler. 'Fine. Whatever. Fuck sake. I'm struggling at the moment Rhea. Me, struggling!'
'Come on, let's go to bed. I've sent Tom home before his balls freeze off out there. We can work on getting you out of that funk in the morning. Think through it from the ground up, yeah?'

They went to bed in their retreat, which weirdly was situated in the city limits of Fligsive. The city had been built up following previous disasters and was now the pride of Euran overseas nation building. Unfortunately this meant Skorji's formerly rural campsite had now become a suburban park. As they cuddled up under the moonlight, a blueish white light flickered above Fligsive through the smoke-hole at the top of the tent. 'Wow, isn't that beautiful?' Skorji opined in an uncharacteristically twee voice. 'I love the stars you know. To me they represent endless potential. Billions of them, each one with its own story to tell many trillions of miles from us. Fascinating!'
'Love, that's a police helicopter.' The star zipped away in the direction of gunshots and dead crims.
'Oh. Literally nothing in my life right now is allowed to be mysterious and full of possibility.'
'Was it ever?'
'It was supposed to be. Isn't that the point of building up this country from nothing?' He paused reflectively. 'Damnit, I think I might be going soft. Let's just go to sleep.' Rhea gave him a little smile and turned over. As he tried to fall asleep, something she had said kept coming back to him in his head. "Think through it from the ground up". There was something about it...yes. Yes! 'Skorji, you're yelling "yes" again.'
'SILENCE WOMAN!' He leapt from their bed like a salmon, but with hair and a World Cup winners medal. 'Wake up the boys. We begin tomorrow.'

----------

By the time the AOCAF had swung around, Skorji was in a far better mood. More importantly, he was inspired. His plan was a bit crazy but hey, what could he come up with that wouldn't be somewhat deranged? Following the night in the yurt he'd summoned a team meeting and, after some phone calls to select contacts in the right places, arrangements had been made for a development experience his team would never forget. The squad had been split up into groups and sent on a series of daring adventures to give them motivation, drive and a desire to win, a comprehensive spiritual backbone for their mastery of Skorjiball. This would feed up to Oslograd, from ground to the top of the Expat mountain, creating a pyramid of passion, or "reverse funnel morale system" as he liked to call it. After getting some domestic football out of the way they had embarked on these quests, to regroup later. It was truly a reunion for the ages. 'All of you, welcome back. Goalkeepers! I trust you enjoyed your stay with my Polarian relatives?' The veteran Bart Jones and his backup Tammy Barton nodded their heads frigidly, perhaps still recovering from the sub zero temperatures they had been exposed to in the Valhallan Union.

It had been a dispiriting experience what with the frostbite and seal attacks but Jones and Barton were stronger for it. 'Y-y-yeah, we had a great time, really fucking great. I didn't need my little finger anyway.'
'If you can't save with four digits Tammy then what help would a tiny extra be? No excuses. Defenders! I trust you now have an even better understanding of the way of the warrior?' Oslograd had been disappointed by the lack of defensive fortitude in his side in recent times, so he decided the only reasonable course of action was to send them to Sameba for two weeks to undergo an accelerated training course and a week's voluntary service in the Euran bloody Army. Despite the protests of their clubs at highly paid young footballers being sent to what remained almost-a-war-zone, he felt vindicated by what he saw before him. Kurt Strong actually looked strong. Jesus Moreno's Sunrisian sunny-ness had been eradicated in place of a hardened edge. The most profound change came in Timwise Gerduns, the bookish Revolutionaries fullback who had once been bullied by Nephara like he was a schoolboy. 'Timwise, did you have a good time?' His narrowed eyes didn't budge.

He lit a cigarette, and smoked as black and white movie stars once did (minus coughing like a miner). 'A good time...what is "good"? Was it good that I had to dig trenches and pile up bodies? Was it fine that I survived three days in a forest watchtower with nothing but biscuits and women's sanitary products? Is it acceptable that I took out a Sameban hardliner's skull and beat him to death with it?'
'Abso- well, thinking about it I'm not sure how that's physically possible, but fuck it, it'll do. Point is you're a terrifying little bastard now and that's EXACTLY WHY I SENT YOU THERE! HUH! Tim?'
'I'm not Tim anymore. I've become one with the forests.'
'Sure you have kiddo! See? Told you he was fine.' Rhea shook her head disapprovingly while Oslograd ruffled his hair. 'Needless to say lads, if this one of all people has come back from that experience with some balls then the rest of you better have done so too. And after ducking snipers I will be deeply unhappy if any of you refuse to commit to a header while playing for me!'

He moved on to the midfielders, who didn't seem frozen or mentally disturbed. They'd been split into two groups, one comprised of the older guys and one the youngsters. Neither had been told that they were being entered into a snowboarding tournament against one another the far off mountain regions of Valladares to bring out their competitive side. After many hijinks and a brief cameo by Oslograd himself as their former World Champion trainer (his Orean Olympics gold medal was actually a chocolate coin, but he insisted it was real), the older guys won convincingly. Unfortunately the whole thing had turned some of them into preening wankers. 'Yo boss I know like, you didn't really believe in me but, I was like, I'm gonna' prove to you I got spirit man, and I did, you saw my turnpike brah it was so sick, hey do you want a cold one?' Oslograd strongly considered dropping Louie McKenzie at one point, but his embracing of a stereotype had warmed the manager's sterile heart. 'Yes I do, Louie. Hey, why don't you get everyone a cold one?'
'All right brah! Oh by the way, its Wade now.'
'Wade McKenzie?'
'No, Wade Power the Third.'
'Glorious. Strikers! Strikers?' He looked around and went momentarily quiet. The forwards seemed to be late to the meet up.

An hour later they showed up in a state that could only be described as near-comatose. Tom Duffy and Garret Ramsey carried each other into the room with bags under their eyes and green gills. Paul Hooper yawned as loudly as humanly possible. Ulysses Zimmer tried to walk in normally but then paused, wobbled, staggered to the right slightly and promptly vomited into a bin. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier actually looked ok somehow. 'Tonny, what is this? Why haven't you been drinking?'
'Oh, but I have been drinking boss. Since I was about ten. This wasn't that hard. How we all doing?' Pierre-Louis got the little cheer a hero of his calibre deserves from the rest of the squad. He was apparently the only whole survivor of the brutal booze cruise that the small group of forwards had been sent on. Oslograd had never quite articulated why this was a good idea, other than something here and there about having perfect balance being easier if you've got used to a hangover on a moving ship. They were home safe now anyway. 'Did any of you get laid?' They all shook their heads. 'Good. That's what I wanted you to learn - how to resist temptation and greed. By resisting the lures of siren women at sea, you have proven you have the patience to pass across to each other rather than put it into row Z!' Everyone mumbled back at him in some kind of affirmation, which was all he needed to tick that whole debacle off as a job well done. 'It seems then that our grand learning experience has been a success, has it not? We've got a bit of a gap before our first game. That's plenty of time to recover, find your energy, inflate your balloons...' A collective groan went around the room. 'I said, you WILL inflate your balloons. The balloons inside yourselves that is. Let's get to work!'

----------

A whistle blew, and with it came a chance to wrap things up. 89th minute. 1-0 in the opening game of the AOCAF. With a vital win on the line, would Peter Chadwick choke now? Would he fuck. The Holdenberg City man buried the penalty high and in the corner. After Duffy's earlier goal Sticiano were dead and buried. Shortly after the final whistle blew Oslograd's jubilant players celebrated a rare group stage win, knowing tougher tasks lay ahead. He joined them on the pitch in thanking the fans for their support, before retreating to the dressing room. Before long they were in another dressing room. But this time their opponents could not be accurately described as "random dudes". Valanora lay in wait. A mystical nation, nearby in Atlantian Oceania, populated by well-ageing weirdos with pointy ears, and crucially five times World Champions. Understandably the lads were nervous. 'Bloody hell, look at the squad!'
'So many combined caps between them...'
'Look at the clubs they play for!'
'Is no-one else going to say it? Several of them are literally eternal. ETERNAL.' Negativity would prove toxic. Oslograd was having none of it.

The Expats manager pointedly played a video of Valanora's recent footballing history. It wasn't the stuff of nightmares, but there was no hiding that they were not the same force they once were. 'Tell me what you see lads.' Samuel Freeman piped up right off the bat. 'A bloody good team.'
'On paper. In reality, do you know what I see? Bottlers. Frauds. I'm pretty sure at least one of them thinks they're playing field hockey. In short, they are nothing for us to fear.' None of the team looked convinced but Oslograd was not done yet. 'Do you remember when we played Nephara? Sure we lost, but the mentality we must proceed with remains the same. This lot were only fearsome legends yesterday. We were only scrappy underdogs yesterday. This is today, you see? We've fucking time traveled. Today you can be the legends. They can be the calamitous morons watching the ball hit the back of their net, again and again! On the football pitch they are mortals like the rest of us, a bunch of prissy jumped up dickheads who are due a good beating!'
'Gaffer I don't mean to be a pain but actually several of them aren't actually mortals?'
'That's beside the fucking point!' Mark Little had guaranteed his spot on the bench once more with that comment, so he wasn't too bothered when the flying boot Oslograd lobbed in response practically concussed him.

'Look boys, when you go out there in a few minutes time, just remember; when it comes down to it, football is a simple game. Remember what I've taught you all and you shall succeed. And if you don't succeed, then you should try, try, and try again. Or take steroids. Maybe don't tell the WCC I said that. ONWARDS! Also, we've got something up our sleeves. Top men are handling it.'
'What exactly are they going to do?'
'You're about to find out.'
For quite some time the Valanora side awaited alone in the tunnel. Clocks turned and the match referee, drawing the ire of the sponsors and media people, ordered the Valanora side to go out by themselves while he went to find Oslograd's team. As they lined up on the pitch, the stadium's PA system suddenly fizzled out. Then the lights dimmed. Had the Banijan national grid dropped out or something? It had not. This was all part of the plan. In a control room somewhere, Rhea finished tying up the security team and put on the music. Finally, the time had come. Oslograd and his team marched out to the beat, the manager punching the air and bowing to the crowd amidst confusion from the media. His players sprinted onto the pitch, ignoring the offer of handshakes from their opponents. Laborious Hawk looked baffled, and slightly perturbed by Gerdun's staring at them with what looked like a shiv tucked into his boot.

On the touchline, Tobias Möller offered Oslograd a handshake. 'Good to see you again, Skorji. Any idea what all that...stuff, was about?'
'The fact you're asking me that shows it worked.'
'Wait, what?'
'You've been bamboozled my friend.'
'I don't follow.'
'BAM. BOOZE. ULD.'
'Ok, I'm not even going to ask. Just please don't do the antics you did with Brandon. Its lucky the head injury wasn't worse.' Oslograd turned away and straightened his tie, ignoring that bit of worthless advice from an old rival. Moller? More like. Err. He couldn't really thinking of a relevant pun, so Oslograd skipped the thought and focused on the game. Every bit of self doubt that had briefly captured him all those months ago had now faded. His side were ready to go and could not be any better prepared for the tie. Even the subs were practically bouncing off the walls. He decided to give them one last motivational nugget. 'LADS.'
They all stood to attention.'
'Its Valanora.'
It was indeed.

[95X]

In celebration of “Change the Channel” in Forum 7, it’s:
Change the Channel: 95X Edition!

*Turns TV on*

News program.
“The Pacific City Fire Protection Corporation noted the apartment highrise failed to file for renewal of its fire protection, and let it burn to the ground—”

*Changes channel*

Commercial.
“…With text messaging from XT&T Wireless, you can reach out and touch someone without speaking a word! And at only one Transfer per message it’s never been more affordable!”

*Changes channel*

Commercial.
“If you’re watching this message, you’re not working—”

*Changes channel*

Court show titled “Lethal Blow”, which is in block letters on the courtroom set.
"—Because you were not selling a product or service, you are hereby found guilty of panhandling, and are hereby sentenced to a Lethal Blow!”
The bailiff raises his club…

*Changes channel*

“Next on AOSN, highlights from that huge win against Audioslavia! But first a few messages.”
“If you wish you or a loved one was as physically attractive as Xi Foureleven during her career, listen carefully to the following message…”

*Notes Xi Foureleven would be outraged by such an ad and changes channel*

Next is an interview show with a finely-dressed man, obviously owns something or other.
“There a bunch of ineducable morons! They should be happy we pay them anything at all!”

*Changes channel*

Commercial.
“Now, try our reformulated drinking water, made without seawater, added salt, or chemical elements!”

*Turns TV off.*

[Equestrian States]

-FOREIGN HOOFBALL - BANIJAN SOCCER LEAGUE-
Rosie Tyler Named BSL Season 9 MVP
Dominance of Equestrian players in Banijan league continues
by Newswire

HOIMA, Banija - Equestrian midfielder Rosie Tyler was crowned the most valuable player at the annual Banijan Soccer League Honors Ceremony after a stellar second season with Banijan giants Herzegovina City FC in which she helped the club defend their league title and reach the final of the Atlantian Oceania Champions League.

Tyler became one of the league's first female players last season when she joined Herzegovina City from Port Christopher's Willox Street Pirates for $10 million NSD, replacing recently-departed Equestrian international Aaron Aiza as the club's midfield superstar. It didn't take Rosie Tyler long to silence her neighsayers, as Herzegovina City claimed yet another BSL title. However, just winning the league wasn't enough for Tyler: like all great hoofballers, she wanted some individual accolades to add to her trophy cabinet.

And this season, she did exactly that. Rosie Tyler was the most important member of Herzegovina City's feared midfield, leading even the club's forwards with 25 goals and 8 assists. Jinja City's Qusmi striker Xilit-Zaxac Yol beat out Rosie Tyler for the Golden Boot by a few goals, but Tyler's greater contributions in the midfield gave her the edge in MVP voting. As such, Tyler becomes not only one of the first females to play in the Banijan league, but also the first female to be awarded the league's greatest individual honor.

Anyone who still had questions about if a woman could fill the void left by Aaron Aiza can now - as Tyler put it - "shut the hell up."

[Banija]

I don't know what you've been told but the cutoff makes you lose control!

Blue means clinched a berth in the knockout stages.
Green means team has won the group.
Red means team cannot advance to the knockout stages.

Group A
Busoga Islands 1–0 Ko-oren
Baker Park 1–0 Third Asopia

Group A                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Baker Park             2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 Busoga Islands         2   1  0  1    1   2  −1    3
3 Ko-oren                2   1  0  1    1   1   0    3
4 Third Asopia           2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0

Group B
Greater Spokane 0–3 Qasden
Saltstead 2–2 Farfadillis

Group B                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Farfadillis            2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
2 Qasden                 2   1  0  1    3   1  +2    3
3 Saltstead              2   0  2  0    2   2   0    2
4 Greater Spokane        2   0  1  1    0   3  −3    1

Group C
95X 0–1 Vilita & Turori
Audioslavia 0–2 Geisenfred

Group C                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Vilita & Turori        2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 95X                    2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
3 Geisenfred             2   1  0  1    2   1  +1    3
4 Audioslavia            2   0  0  2    2   6  −4    0

Group D
Eshan 2–0 Rabastorian Union
Krytenia 0–0 Equestrian States

Group D                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD   Pts 
1 Eshan                  2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Equestrian States      2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
3 Krytenia               2   0  1  1    0   2  −2    1
4 Rabastorian Union      2   0  0  2    0   3  −3    0

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

And for day 2, we'll do a proper cutoff
...just pretend this is a rustic scene from long ago Baker Park, specifically the hills of St Leon.

St Emelie 0–1 Banija
Oontz Dert Li Ng 2–0 Iskandervale

Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Oontz Dert Li Ng       2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 Banija                 2   2  0  0    5   3  +2    6
3 St Emelie              2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0
4 Iskandervale           2   0  0  2    3   6  −3    0

Sticiano 1–5 Siovanjia & Teusland
Euran Oceania Terr. 1–0 Valanora

Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Euran Oceania Terr.    2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 Siovanjia & Teusland   2   1  1  0    9   5  +4    4
3 Valanora               2   0  1  1    4   5  −1    1
4 Sticiano               2   0  0  2    1   7  −6    0

Tropicorp 1–5 Mriin
Lochario 4–1 Freeport Isles

Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mriin                  2   2  0  0   10   2  +8    6
2 Tropicorp              2   1  0  1    2   5  −3    3
3 Lochario               2   1  0  1    4   2  +2    3
4 Freeport Isles         2   0  0  2    2   9  −7    0

Cosumar 3–0 Aji No Moto
Anthor 2–4 Starblaydia

Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Starblaydia            2   2  0  0    7   2  +5    6
2 Cosumar                2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
3 Anthor                 2   0  0  2    2   5  −3    0
4 Aji No Moto            2   0  0  2    0   6  −6    0

qualified for knockout stage

[Banija]

Four candidates qualify for final ballot in the race for RBSA Executive Chairman


Left to Right- Kassa Iyasu, Kalu Bayissa, Kiggwe Mavuto, and Robel Ezera

HOIMA, ANKOLE- As the AOCAF LVIII continues on in both Baker Park and Banija, there is one matchday left in the group stages of the region’s most prestigious tournament. But, of course, like we said in the last edition of this magazine, at the same time as the tournament, the succession race to the Executive Chairmanship of the Royal Banijan Soccer Association is alive and well. Adama Sowe, what a tenure he has had, cannot run the show forever. His time in the spotlight will be over at the end of the tournament, and he’ll have quite a legacy. Shepherding the growing strength of the game, both of the national team and of the BSL, integrating the regional leagues into the pyramid structure, hiring Randolf Cherry(twice!), and, of course, bringing the Baptism of Fire, the World Cup Finals, and the AOCAFs to home soil. Just a few cycles ago, nobody had ever heard of this team. Now, of course, this is a nation that most countries recognize is certainly on the rise, and much of that is thanks to Adama Sowe. And, of course, let’s not forget about the checkbook- The RBSA’s bank accounts are in much better shape now than they were when he took over after the RBSA’s bankruptcy led them to not even compete in the World Cup 78 cycle. WE're going to go through the platforms of the four candidates- and platform who has the best chance of the four, we believe, of winning this race and becoming the RBSA's Executive Chairman.

Kassa Iyasu

This race, while four candidates, in reality, has three major candidates and one minor candidate. Unfortunately for Iyasu, he is seen as the minor candidate. He’s the ultimate outsider- a former executive at the Regional Transit Corporation, he’s been living in Eshan for about 10 years, only returning a year ago and now, using his own considerable monetary influence to make the ballot in the first place. But few observers give him a chance of winning, and the bookmakers have given him extremely long odds- only about 75:1 chance of winning.

What’s his platform? His platform is unique, as there are some fairly unpopular platitudes as a part of this platform. For one, he wants to establish a top four playoff at the end of the season to determine the champion of the Banijan Soccer League- something that most BSL clubs, and the BSL Commissioner himself, Randolf Cherry, has disavowed. There is almost no support from BSL sides or the players, and not a ton of support form the regional league sides either. HE got on the ballot due to some of the Buganda clubs wanting to put one of their own on this ballot, but of course, his chances of actually winning the vote are almost miniscule.

Kalu Bayissa

Biyassa is presently the Deputy Commissioner of the Banijan Soccer League, and is the preferred candidate of BSL Commissioner Randolf Cherry. He was one of the four candidates to receive the required five nominations to make the ballot. Randolf Cherry was his primary nominator, and he was officially supported by Bunyoro RSC, the Kitara Athletic Society, Corizova United, and Aissa United FC. He was hired to be the Deputy Commissioner of the Banijan Soccer League when Randolf Cherry was hired, as Randolf Cherry’s first hire. The 65 year old has had plenty of experience in the Banijan sportinhg system. A former marketing executive across the street at the Olympic Committee of Banija, as well as a former Athletic Director at Istria City College, means he’s spent quite a bit of time navigating Banija’s football structures.

Biyassa, of course, is seen as a prominent ally of Randolf Cherry, the two described as having an ‘excellent’ working partnership atop the league. What are his platform promises? Well, he believes that the RBSA should be focusing on developing the domestic game, especially the youth game, within Banija. He told reporters at his campaign launch that youth development is key, and that they should push the academy system and establish more academies throughout the country. His biggest, and most controversial idea, however, is in regards to the lower leagues. He told reporters that, in the modern day and age, Banija will never be able to climb the mountain with their regional league system, and called for it to be ‘radically altered’.

“There are 48 teams in our regional league structure.” He told reporters. “The Regional league structures are archaic- this is the modern day. If the second division is a bunch of regional leagues, the depth of quality football in this country is going to suffer. Look across the map- there is the CosumarLigan out in the northeast, which has Cosumar’s top 3 divisions. Big countries, like Nephara, like Brenecia, have 3 or 4 national leagues. Why do we only have one? Now that money is coming into Banija, with the recent oil discovery, we must go national. Abolish those 4 leagues, and put the 48 teams into two, 24 team leagues. One would be a second level on the pyramid, and the other would be a 3rd level on the pyramid. There would be promotion and relegation between all three leagues. That is how to ensure long-term strength.” Naturally, a seismic change this large is going to get a lot of pushback, and many regional league clubs have said a change like that could not work, financially. Regardless, Bayissa’s reached the final ballot, and by virtue of that alone, the idea will surely have to be discussed, won’t it?

Kiggwe Mavuto

The former captain of the national team, the man who brought Banija to their first ever World Cup Finals, the first Banijan to wear the armband at the World Cup- and doing all of this when Banija was in the midst of a drought, and then a war, that lost the country the Busoga Islands to independence. He’s from Askatasuna, and the former player has the strong support of the BSL Players Union. Of course, as the only candidate who is a former player, that was not exactly unexpected, but will riding the support of the players be enough to push him over the top in this race?

Mavuto says that the most important thing that the country must do is reinvest in the players. “Those on the pitch are the ones that make things happen.” He told reporters at his own campaign launch. “The players in the leagues, the players on the national team, we need to do these guys better. We need to ensure that they are guaranteed a higher percentage of league revenue, and make sure that guys are taken care of, even if they have things like injury troubles. This is about reinvesting in academy players, reinvesting in the wellbeing of players.”

Some of his promises have been deemed ‘impossible’ by sports economists within the country, including guaranteeing college tuition for those players who graduate from the academies but fail to land a professional job within two years. But there has been one of his proposals that has gotten some attention- reducing the gender gap within the sport. “It was just two seasons ago when the RBSA decided that they were going to break down the gender barrier. And yet, how many women do we have participating at the top levels? There was only 3 female players in the entire BSL last season- and only one was Banijan. We need to have campaigns targeted towards women. There are far more Banijan women who choose to ply their trade in the Equestrian States, rather than back home in Banija. We need to make the league more accepting towards women, and close the gender gap.” We’ll see, of course, how far he can get on a platform like that, but with the players behind him, that’s a significant portion of the vote. Could he be the first former athlete to lead his sport’s governing body in Banija?

Robel Ezera

Robel Ezera enters the race as the slim favorite. His nominations were from some of Banija’s biggest clubs- Herzegovina City FC and Jinja City FC both nominated him. He also has the support of many athletic directors within the Banijan Collegiate Sports Group, including the athletic directors of both Northern Moravica and Loyola-Istria. (Side note, have those two schools ever agreed on anything before?). Regardless, the 52 year old brings an interesting platform to the Royal Banijan Soccer Association. He, of course, per biographical information, has been involved with the RBSA for quite a long time. And, naturally, he has political connections. He is a former member of the Lukiiko, serving a single term as a member of the Lukiiko from Herzegovina City before Matthias Mutebi’s Defiance Coalition shockingly swept into power and he lost his seat. He presently serves as the President of the Herzegovina City Council, as well as a lay advisor to the Patriarch of Herzegovina.

He does not believe in radical, structural changes to the way that the game is played within Banija. “We have found something that works right now.” He told reporters at his campaign launch. “The idea of re-organizing the regional leagues, the idea of a playoff, those ideas are completely and entirely unnecessary. What matters, is one thing only- how can we continue the climb that we’ve started? One of the most important ways that we can do that is continued investment within the domestic leagues. And that, of course, means player development. There is much more the RBSA can do to improve player recruitment. Ensuring that our league maintains strength, can bring the best players over here. And when Banijans are competing against the best in Banija, that’s how we can ensure our league continues to grow.”

“To continue the national team’s growth, it is paramount that we continue to put our beloved Kadongo Kamu in the best place to win games. This means adequately supporting them- ensuring that the U18 and U21 squads get a chance to play in major tournaments. Ensuring that our players get enough games together to be able to compete in the major tournaments, like the AOCAFs and the World Cup. Investing in better facilities for players within the country. Investing seriously in the coaching academy with established with the Qusmi footballing authorities, as a lack of strong Banijan coaches is a direct threat to the quality of the game within our beloved country. Continue to host major events on home soil, and bring the game to Banijans. Rather than flashy, radical proposals that get headlines, it is that kind of thinking that will ensure the long-term success of Banija. It is a long and hard road to climb the tallest mountain in all of sport, and we cannot lose patience with our path. If members vote for me, they vote to continue that climb, rather than trying to jump ahead and fall off completely.”

With the four candidates, they will spend their time jockeying with clubs and other powerbrokers throughout the duration of this tournament, until they can get to the post-tournament elections. Set for a month after the AOCAFs end, we imagine that there will be a lot of politicking with men in suits and kanzus between now and then. We, of course, will provide any updates to the readership as they come, in what is certainly a pivotal moment for the sport in Banija.

[Ko-oren]

Intro
Kuzuyama pt 1
Kuzuyama pt 2

Larousse, pt 1

Cécé Larousse likes to say that she doesn't have political opponents. And she's probably right: no other political party outright challenges her viewpoints. "And that means no party disagrees with me," she often extrapolates, but that can't be right.

"I don't pick battles in parliament. I don't need to, I'm here to make sure I make good on my campaign promises, and continue to find support for my points. That support comes from many sides: the centralists, the decentralists. The democrats, the meritocrats. The socialists, and the liberals. Even the nationalists. I don't really mind where the support comes from, I think a lot of people agree with what I promise, especially among the parliamentarians."

Before you think Larousse is a central figure to Ko-orenite politics, or a populist trying to side with whatever viewpoint is most popular that week: she isn't. Larousse is the most prominent member of the International Party ('Parti International'), a party that aims to back any law that puts Ko-oren on the forefront of international issues. "Human history is always on a fork in the road, there is always a decision to make. In modern times, these decisions affect millions, if not more. It is of utmost importance that Ko-orenite diplomats, judges, scientists, are always there when these pivotal decisions are made," she summarises her party in a recent parliamentary speech. Her viewpoints are met with more and more positivity: she doesn't place herself on the political axes that fit nearly every other party.

Even outside of parliament (as the Ko-orenite parliament may only pass laws, not draft them), she makes herself heard as the spokesperson for an 'international Ko-oren'.

She does have opponents. The nationalists, who sometimes side with her when it comes to putting Ko-oren first on the global stage, often oppose her when it comes to solving local problems abroad. Larousse tends to take national problems to embassies - something the nationalist party (or parties) take offence to. She does that to circumvent the three traditional axes that define parliament: centrism to decentrism, democracy versus meritocracy, and socialism versus liberalism. She desperately tries to fall outside of these three spectrums, yet has to take a stance on all three of these occasionally to get what she wants. She's often seen talking to parliamentarians from all parties, trying to get more on her side to pass or reject a certain law. Even though her party is small (5 seats out of 144), the International Party is always involved, and her party might well be on a breakthrough election.

[Cosumar]

Cosumar National Team
AOCAF LVIII

National Information

Name: The Fiefdom of Cosumar

Gov/Culture: Cosumar has 21 historical "fiefs" that now function as provinces. We are an executive constitutional monarchy, which means the crown wields significant governing power but is limited therein by a constitution. Cosumarite society believes in complete civil freedoms, scientific discovery, space exploration and respect for all life. Cosumar has the highest HDI in AO according to the WA, and is in Top 1% of world's Most Cultured and Intelligent.

Region: Atlantian Oceania

Nicknames: Vanquishers (since WC 72) or, traditionally, Azure Dragons

Stadium: Farris Crowley Memorial World Cup Stadium at The Royal Palace (capacity 105,000)

Built specifically to host WC78 Final. Mouthful of a name aside (just call it "Crowley Memorial"), the stadium is a beacon of Cosumarite design. Sleek and simple, bathed in gold to match the King James' own palace a block away. The regular tenants are the club he owns: four-time HL champion OAS Royal FC. Namesake Farris Crowley, who managed the national team for 40 years, died just before its completion.

Ramusok itself? It's the capital city. Home of the royal family, King's Congress and 14 million others. Ramusok is our crown jewel, the pinnacle of 1000 years of Cosumarite civilization. Epicenter of historic dynasties. Bastion of knowledge and creativity. Young and eccentric, yet clean and elegant. Ancient libraries & museums everywhere, coexisting with stunning modern architecture in harmonic balance. Nightlife is extravagant thanks to a "hip" population (Ramusok Capital University contributes). People and species of all kinds congregate here, though Ramusok does retain a Swedish component leftover from the Albertsson dynasty, evident in many place names. Generally pleasant and moderate climate, with four distinct seasons.

FA: Fiefdom Soccer Federation (FSF). HQ in Kaldukosic. President Tomás Navarro (90).


Program History

Snapshot: Cosumar debuted in WC 51 and first qualified in WC 54. In WC 73, new manager Gethin Ramsey built on momentum from winning the preceding Cup of Harmony to qualify Cosumar for the first time since WC 62, ending a miserable 20-year drought. Since, the Vanquishers had advanced to seven consecutive WC knockout rounds (including four Quarterfinals) until the streak was snapped at WC 81. Cosumar is firmly re-established, but the unbridled optimism from Alexander Pearce's early tenure (hosting World Cup 78, winning AOCAF 54 and the Eagle's Cup) has subsided, casting doubt over whether this team is still heading in the right direction.

Expanded History: Cosumar qualified for six consecutive WCs (54-59) in its original "golden age", going out four times in the Round of 16. After WC 59, Cosumar reached a peak ranking of #7. The National Team began a gradual decline in WCs 60 & 61, eliminated in the Qualification Playoffs despite strong campaigns. They would qualify once again for WC 62, but the downward trajectory had already set in. WCs 64-66 were particularly bleak and our once-elite ranking dipped as low as the 80s. But the FSF stuck with Farris Crowley, manager since WC54, and Cosumar re-emerged around WC 68. A crop of talent (Sur Arora, Alexander Pearce, etc) now lovingly referred to as the "Renaissance Generation" started to make waves. They led increasingly competitive Qualifying and CoH campaigns...though never did manage to return to the biggest stage. The generation's swansong ended up being 3rd place at CoH 62. The next Qualifying, WC 72, was a rough transition, however. The worst campaign since Cosumar's debut, it saw EIGHT draws against low-ranked minnows. Crowley was finally sacked after 40 years and the momentum that had been building seemed eviscerated. Nephara legend Gethin Ramsey stepped in, salvaging Cosumar's dignity by winning the subsequent CoH. Ramsey then continued his savior's work up to his death, leading his "Vanquishers" to five consecutive WC Finals (73-77), including our best-ever finish (QFs)... thrice. The Cosumarite game grew more in Ramsey's wake. For the first time, Cosumar won the right to host (WC78) and new manager Pearce led the team, again, to the Quarterfinals. With a talent pool deeper than ever thanks to an established Harlighet Ligan, Pearce was then able to break Cosumar's curse in regional competition by winning AOCAF LIV. We've since collected two more AOCAF medals and another WC Quarterfinals appearance last cycle. The only thing left is to finally make a WC semifinal + medal game.

Recent Results:
WC 79 Qualifying: 1st in Group 9 (13-2-3)
WC 79: 1st in Group A (1-1-1), eliminated by Pasarga in Ro16
AOCAF 55: 1st in Group D (6-0-1), 3rd Place

WC 80 Qualifying: 1st in Group 15 (11-3-4)
WC 80: 2nd in Group F (1-1-1), eliminated by Vilita in Ro16
AOCAF 56: 1st in Group 2 (2-0-1), eliminated by Vilita in Ro16

WC 81 Qualifying: 1st in Group 2 (16-1-1)
WC 81: 4th in Group H (1-0-2)
AOCAF 57: 1st in Group G (6-1-0), 2nd Place

WC 82 Qualifying: 1st in Group 11 (10-5-1)
WC 82: 1st in Group D (2-0-1), eliminated in Quarterfinal by The Holy Empire
AOCAF 58: ???

Records:
All-time Record: 433-155-198

First International Match: Cosumar 0-0 Krytenia (WC 51 Qualifiers MD1)
First win: Cosumar 4-3 The Ursine Northlands (WC 51 Qualifiers MD3)
First WC match: Akbarabad 3-0 Cosumar (WC 54, MD1)
First WC win: Cosumar 2-1 Al Mumtaz (WC 55, MD2)

Largest win: Hladio Huggers 0-7 Cosumar (WC 57 Qualifiers, MD12)
Largest defeat: Cosumar 0-9 Valanora (WC 55 Qualifiers, MD11)

Most glorious moments:
Cosumar 1-0 Cotdelapoms - CoH 45 3rd Place Playoff - Late Rikki Varshney winner for our first medal.
Cosumar 4-0 Haginonia - WC 54 Interzonal - Showdown on the final day of Qualifying with both sides' first WC berth at stake.
Cosumar 1-0 Sarzonia - WC57 MD3 - Cosumar advances to its first Round of 16 at Sarzonia's expense.
Cosumar 7-3 Kagdazka & Pazhujebu - WC 60 Qual. Playoff - Revenge against K&P for ousting us on penalties in the Round of 16 last WC.
Cosumar 5-1 The Sarian - CoH 64 Final - Ramsey's newly-christened "Vanquishers" propel Cosumar to a first WCC title.
Valanora 2–2 Cosumar (3–3 AET) (7–8 pen.) - WC 73 Ro16 - After splitting the series in group play, we triumphed over the Elves to claim our first Quarterfinal.
Cosumar 2-2 Eshan (2-2 AET) (6-5 pen.) - AOCAF LIV Final - After three consecutive ET games, we win that elusive regional trophy with another helping of late drama.

Most heartbreaking moments:
Cosumar 1-1 (1-1 AET, 3-4 PKs) Churchma - CoH 45 Semifinal - Losing on penalties hurts, especially when it's to your first rival deep in a tourney.
Cosumar 0-3 Sorthern Northland - WC 55 MD3 - It came down to this for our first Ro16, and we got our asses kicked.
Cosumar 2-4 Sorthern Northland - WC 56 Ro16 - We finally make it to the knockout rounds just to be humbled by these guys again.
Cosumar 1-4 Jeru FC - WC 57 Ro16 - Another drubbing to fall short of Quarterfinals. This team had such potential...
Cosumar 0-4 The Babbage Islands - WC 58 Ro16 - New Cup, same story. Cosumar fall apart in the knockouts.
Cosumar 3-3 (3-3 AET, 2-4 PKs) Kagdazka & Pazhujebu - WC 59 Ro16 - THE match that haunts the dreams of every Cosumarite to this day. We'd rolled through our Qualifying and WC groups completely undefeated. It was a historic Cosumarite team, destined for new heights. We led the Urchins 3-0 late. The Ro16 curse seemed broken - celebrations had begun. But Chalia Sajid scored an unlikely hat trick in final 15 minutes. In the eventual shootout, we choked - missing the target twice. Numbing. Many wondered if Cosumar would EVER recover. It took nearly 30 years.
Cosumar 0-0 (0-2 AET) Unified Sunrise Islands - WC 75 Quarterfinal - Sunk by a Stabb ET brace on the brink of sealing the chance to play for a WC medal for the first time.
Cosumar 2-2 (2-3 AET) Chromatika - WC 76 Quarterfinal - Agonizingly close to semifinals again. We gave up two leads and fell in ET despite Chromatika going down to ten men and infamously moving a star attacker to goalkeeper in desperation. This match made Chromatika our biggest rival today.

Most Goals: 104 - Sur Arora (WC 63-72)
Most Assists: 77 - Irvinn Rincon (WC 51-56)
Most Caps: 228 - Jakk Winterfyll (WC 70-80)

Cap/goal tallies and more records HERE

Kit

Designed by ediraf, unveiled for the WC 82 cycle. The design was inspired by the beloved WC 54-69 classic kit by Meski, and includes inspiration from the Cosumarite Azure Dragon and the royal family's colors (green & gold).

HOME - AWAY - GK

Team & Tactical Information

In his fifth cycle, Alexander Pearce scales back the aggressive possession-based attacking approach that he initiated in the victorious AOCAF LIV but that backfired in World Cup 81, going from his trademark wide 4-1-3-2 to a 4-2-2-2 with a bit more meat in front of the back line. This team will continue to build upon the core of players that congealed in last year's experimental AOCAF following WC 81's defensive meltdown and returned Cosumar to the quarterfinals in WC82.

Style Modifier: +1.75

Pre-WC82 Ranking: #15 (KPB 32.30)

Usual Formation: 4-2-2-2 (see graphics below for other possibilities)

Tactical Breakdown: The play flows narrow, with chances being worked through the center rather than just channeling it wide and pumping in crosses. This is ideal because of Sibučić's instincts pulling strings. Top striker Valgard is also much better finishing with his feet than in the air, although VZR and Blaylock are strong headers. After the ball is won in the defensive half by the "magic box" formed by the two CBs and two midfielders in front of them, the onus is then on the two attacking midfielders to flow freely across the width of the pitch to provide most of the creativity and chance-creation for the two strikers. They must be alert and mobile enough to fulfill multiple roles on the pitch... as inverted wingers, as support strikers, and as conduits of defensive pressure. This could work since that "middle 2" will be Cosumar's best two players... Isla Sibucic and Bryger Tidesson. Both are dynamic attacking players that should thrive with this freedom, responsibility and license to play off each other. One of the defensive midfielders, especially Mokumdarian, is someone who can also drive forward to provide additional attacking support if necessary, restoring the 4-1-3-2 look for limited spells.

Vloo: 20 of the 23 squad players are human. The other four (defenders Va'Afaja and Na'Duha and keeper Na’Kefir) are of the Vloo people (homo cosumarensis), a humanoid race native to Cosumar. On average, two inches taller than humans, and must use different footwear and handwear. Vloo have a pale-blue tint to their skin, two small black horns protruding from their foreheads, and spiky spines visible on back of their neck. They're distinguished by their surnames, which typically begin with clan prefixes Na', Va' or Vu'. Since WC51, there has usually been at least one Vloo player in the squad, but never over four.



Roster

GK 	Shjegrzh Na’Kefir	29m	Crisisbless	        [NPH]
GK 	Hansi Weschler	        28m	Crawford City FC     	[COS]
LB	Q'orianka Va'Afaja	25f	Cassandra City  	[COS]
RB	Ville Pakkanen	        30m   	Newrook City 	        [NPH]
LB/RB   Mei Hamilton		29f	Coret Hawks		[NPH]
CB      Kadija Na'Duha      	27f	Aries Chariots   	[NPH]
CB      Horatius Chaumancer	24m	Northern Union		[BRE]
CB      Alfred Tidesson      	25m	Real Azuris 	        [COS]
CB      Eero Solari            	24m	Bastion      	       	[EUR]
DM	Stig Söderquist	        32m	Brinemouth 	        [NPH]
DM      Maia Abylon             24f	Olask Islanders         [COS]
CM	Dexter Tricklebank   	25m	Falourr	                [EUR]
CM      Harald Fireblade        26m	Herzegovina City FC	[BNJ]
CM	Kai-Kai Mokumdarian   	24m	Jungle Strike FC        [VIL]
LW/RW   Zoë Aedelbrandt       	26f 	Sabrefell Moths	        [NPH]
LW/RW   Elodie Sade		27f	Keenan Athletic		[COS]
RW/AM	Bryger Tidesson	        26m	Brinemouth        	[NPH]
AM	Isla Sibučić		26f	Cednia Beach AFC       	[TUR]
AM      Taka Masatoshi		22m	Mallox	         	[COS]
ST	Romikk Valgard       	31m	Ulsa                    [EUR]
ST	Vega Zeale-Riddick  	28f	Cassandra City	        [COS]
ST	Arden Lemons  	        24f	Hondo FC         	[VAL]
ST	Dakota Blaylock       	28m  	Northern Union          [BRE]

1ST FROM TOP LEFT: Attacking lineup
3-3-1-3 is likely to be used against vulnerable opponents, or when behind. It gets our best attacking options out there at the same time, with pacy wingers out wide and the ability to still carve through the middle with Isla playing into the feet of Valgard. The two shuttlers in the diamond can push forward to get involved in the attack. The high back three too with Solari's passing range and Na'Duha's ease on the ball.

2ND FROM TOP LEFT: Moderate lineup
This 4-2-2-2 is the default formation. Tidesson as more of a roving playmaker, two holding midfielders, and actual fullbacks up/down the flanks. There's still plenty of attacking firepower though, including two out-and-out strikers.

3RD FROM TOP LEFT: Defensive lineup
This 4-5-1 is used against elite attacking opponents, or when protecting a narrow lead. The fullbacks stay back, and physical specimens are loaded into the midfield, leaving a lone striker to apply pressure.





Player Bios - Ideal First XI

Goalkeeper - Shjegrzh Na’Kefir - 29 - Crisisbless
With his catlike reflexes, this Vloo became Keenan Athletic's first-choice goalkeeper as a mere 18-year-old. In the decade since, he has lived up to that initial promise, accomplishing much. With nimble leaps and strong hands, he guided the Checkers to promotion, top half of the Härlighet Ligan and even the SBCC Final. This earned him a move to Handon United, where he continued his noteworthy performances in the Schottic capital and earned Jakk Winterfyll's #1 shirt. Then, he arrived in the Nepharim Premiership with title contenders Crisisbless. Now at the peak of his powers and easily the best Vloo goalkeeper of all time. His #1 place isn't cemented beyond doubt, however, due to a stable of other Cosumarite goalkeepers also playing at a high level and lingering memories of his poor World Cup 80. Na'Kefir's pet peeve is mispronunciation of his first name. He once slapped a teammate mid-match when they forgot the 'g'.

Left Back - Q'orianka Va'Afaja - 25 - Cassandra City
Technically-adept Vloo defender who has been starting in the HL since she was 17. Not one of those flashy modern fullbacks, but gets stuck in and makes the responsible decision without fail. So quietly effective, in fact, that it took her starting all 34 games as Cassandra City smashed the points record in 1014 for her to finally get her first look in the national team at the AOCAF. Despite being involved with the national team at multiple youth levels. With Cosumar crying out for an overhaul of the back line and more defensive solidity, she used those first caps as a springboard to a regular place in Alexander Pearce's team for this World Cup cycle. Almost as quiet off the pitch as on it. In fact, some Cassandra City fans half-jokingly speculate that she might be mute.

Center Back - Horatius Chaumancer - 24 - Northern Union
Chaumancer's solid spot minutes were a silver lining of the defensive meltdown at World Cup 81, and now the well-muscled former DBC captain has established himself as an emerging leader on the senior team. Already deferred to by those around him due to his unerringly direct personality - he says what he means and what needs to be said, even when unpopular or uncomfortable. Just like he does what needs to be done on the pitch - never one to shy away from a tackle. Chaumancer's physique and fierce mentality first caught scouts' eyes in Sekundar Ligan at age 17 before moving to Centralis Heart and now the A-League champs.

Center Back - Kadija Na'Duha - 27 - Aries Chariots
Na'Duha has gradually grown into one of the standout defenders in Nephara under Cosumarite manager Isla Safarova -- the Vloo's development mirroring the Chariots' ascending prominence lately. In a handful of AOCAF starts last year, Na'Duha displayed her knack for anticipating attacking movements before they develop. With pace, quickness and skill on the ball (perhaps Cosumar's most comfortable defender in possession now), she's a modern defender who can slot into any defensive system. Her skill set is a big reason why Pearce may experiment with a three-man backline in Qualifying. And she's Vloo, so she's tall. Sorry, that was speciesist. The only thing still questioned is her physicality.

Right Back - Ville Pakkanen - 30 - Newrook City
"Pacy Pakkanen" grew up blazing up and down the right for FC Kaldukosic up until age 25. He loved playing in Cosumar's biggest city and the partying lifestyle that it entailed, but FC Kal's repeated near-misses on getting back to the top flight (where he had already impressed as a teenager) eventually pushed him to move in the interests of his career ...To Newrook City, where he has been a leading part of their transformation into a UICA club under Cosumarite manager Andreu Bartolnicci. He had a spectacular World Cup 81 Qualifying as the starter, registering the second-most assists on the team and providing constant danger on the overlap, but was exploited defensively in the World Cup proper. Under immense pressure to restore defensive solidity, Alexander Pearce briefly benched Pakkanen for defensive fullback Thomas Uribe at the last AOCAF, but he seems to have won his place back with a strong WC 82.

Center Midfielder - Stig Söderquist - 32 - CAPTAIN - Brinemouth
A rockstar amongst tidy sharp-passing midfielders, Stig's best role - especially now that he's not quite as quick as he was a few years ago - is to cover for and feed a more forward-focused partner (Mokumdarian). He doesn't do much that pops off your screen, but he does all the little things that help a team succeed. Always finishes with extremely high pass completion and ratio of successful tackles. Easy to take for granted, as Pearce learned the hard way last cycle. Many fans pointed at Stig's diminished role at World Cup 81 as a reason for the undisciplined defensive performance. An excellent AOCAF last year as a starter once again underscored that he's still important to this team. Stig is a native of Azuris who joined Real's "El Faro" academy at age 11 and worked his way through all the ranks. With Söderquist efficient beyond his years as the beating pulse in midfield, a Real Azuris dynasty swept the rest of the HL aside for several trophies (and two UICA titles). He then joined the gradual exodus of that dynasty to Brinemouth, along with manager Lujendra Mescalin and now Bryger Tidesson.

Center Midfielder - Dexter Tricklebank - 25 - Falourr
Lithe midfielder who excels passing and moving in fast combinations. Can also play a nice long ball. Never stops running. Is it a coincidence that Tricklebank's first season as a starter for Eastweald produced their first HL championship? He buried himself in the heart of the midfield and did the connective work up and down the pitch (with such zeal!) that allowed Jo de Marisco and Mina Mordini to flex their creative muscles. Not the biggest nor strongest (he's actually quite small), but excellent positional understanding and closing speed. Relentless. A very capable dribbler and creator too when he wants to be. Now with Euran champs Falourr, Tricklebank used last cycle to truly establish himself as a NT regular and will now be given the keys as a first-choice starter for the first time in this AOCAF. Hails from the quaint oceanside town of Corrian in Hvalsey Fief. Easily the most prominent footballer with ties to tiny Hvalsey Fief since Brian Emerson, one of the original Golden Generation greats. Funny... Tricklebank's feisty yet smooth game eerily resembles Emerson's.

Attacking Midfielder - Bryger Tidesson - 26 - Brinemouth
Famously branded as the most expensive Cosumarite ever (following "The Move" to Nephara for an eye-watering $65 million), Bryger Tidesson has entered his prime and now takes the world stage ready to shine as perhaps (perhaps) the best overall player Cosumar has ever produced. The eldest Tidesson's accolades are already too numerous to list, from his record for youngest Champions' Cup goalscorer (at 16) to his Boldsport Young Galactico award to his domestic prowess (HL PoTY recognition and automatic for double-digit goals and assists). He has everything you want in a winger. He's fearless, creative, physically gifted to a rare degree, and has an eye for goal to boot. He even runs and works hard defensively for the national team, which he wasn't asked to do much for Azuris. The Tidesson train has taken off, and one gets the sense it hasn't quite reached top speed yet either. He is still honing the finer details of his technical skills. He could really explode globally if he can take his level up just one more small notch. Like, say, a World Cup title...

Attacking Midfielder - Isla Sibučić - 26 - Cednia Beach AFC
Take a look at this name and the one above. Tidesson-Sibučić will likely be Cosumar's creative engine for the foreseeable future. Sibučić is a petite lil' thing, but a gifted playmaker, proof size matters not in football. Watching her small blonde head zip around the pitch and bring a defense to its knees is... wondrous. Sure, she's staggeringly quick, but the main way she makes up for her lack of physical prowess is by simply being a one-in-a-million technical prodigy. Whether it's free kicks, dribbles fit for a circus, you-name-it... the ball is her best friend. All of that promise, forged on the rocky streets of subterranean colony of Fevelo, has translated against the odds into on-field production under the brightest Multiverse spotlights. Beyond her wildest dreams. First with Schottic giants Cornellians, where she was a title-winning inspiration for them and scored 25 goals in her best season. One Golden Boot, please. Then with Cednia Beach AFC, where she led the Turorian club to the AOCL title upon her arrival And now with the Vanquishers. She finally came into her own as a consistent star on this team last cycle with 8 goals and 5 assists. Hailing from the dark caves of Fevelo, Sibučić has very pale skin as well as rare purple eyes. She's part of an emerging trend of extraterrestrial-born players making bigger impacts in Cosumarite sport. Her idol was Paaron Petrov - hitherto the only capped Fevelian and still Cosumar's only colonial captain.

Striker - Romikk Valgard - 31 - Ulsa
Valgard is Cosumar's most complete striker. He can thrive maneuvering himself a window on goal in tight spaces, or run into open space with bursting acceleration and finish in a variety of ways. He's weak in the air for someone of his height though - factored into the narrow tactics. This cycle, he'll often line up as the more mobile second striker playing off of target forward Zeale-Riddick. Arguably Cosumar's most visible star ever since he willed us to the AOCAF 54 trophy, Valgard is iconic for his mohawk haircut, love of bananas, and headstrong self-belief. Valgard's rate of development was dizzying. His goal rate increased exponentially each of his three seasons at West Gundar after being scooped up from obscurity. Valgard then announced his ability to the whole multiverse during the WC 77 cycle. In six substitute appearances, he scored five dramatic late winners! Instant headlines! Many thought Ulsa would be too big of a jump from lower-table HL, but he found his footing at the Euran superclub thanks to a rare mentor in Kris Campbell. Valgard notched double-digit goals in his first season at Troutbridge, proving he was more than an one-off oddity from Qualifying. Now a 30-goal man and multiple-time EFA Golden Boot winner, Valgard has developed the touch, composure, two-footed ability (and ego) of an elite striker. Coming off a great World Cup in which he scored several big goals. His newfound ego subsided (somewhat) with the humbling experience of a yearlong injury recovery in his last 20s. Valgard is the first and only player from extraterrestrial colony Kalloroda to play for the NT.

Striker - Vega Zeale-Riddick - 28 - Cassandra City
The woman formerly known as Princess of the Plains, now known as Queen of Cassandra, VZR, or even just "V" deserves her copyrighted nicknames. With 124 goals in five HL seasons as a starter, Vega has already made her mark on the history books. Most notably, she broke Anders Engström's record for goals in a Härlighet Ligan season with 32 and then broke her own record with 33 en route to her first HL championship in 1014 -- also setting a new points record in doing so. Vega will never be a flashy technician, but she is extremely good at what she does. Towering over most players with springs for legs, she fits the mold of a prototypical target forward. She is a naturally gifted first-time finisher with head or foot. Don't dare stereotype her though. Vega is very nimble for her height and deceptively clever with ball underfoot. In City's high-press, she has shown she can run and defend too. While Alexander Pearce will primarily use her alone up top when he wants to adjust to more direct tactics, she has shown she CAN partner amicably with main man Valgard too, which is why she continues to get more opportunities than Ruhl. Valgard-VZR was the partnership used for most of the AOCAF 54 title run, after all. The public image of VZR is that she's something of a "spoiled princess", but in an endearing way. Off the pitch, she's into fashion design and runs her own "VZR" brand in the Cassandra runway circuit.




Player Bios - Rest of Squad

GK - Hansi Weschler - 28 - Crawford City FC
Weschler is a very vocal goalkeeper who can organize a defense well, but his best attribute is his natural ability to always be light on his toes and get down instantly to block low shots. Confidence in coming out to claim aerial balls is occasionally an issue. Weschler is a one-club man, coming up through the CCFC academy and earning the trust of decorated Nepharim manager Amethyst Fegelein when she arrived at Orangi Stadium six years ago. The last two years have been the best of his career. He played well on a deep Champions' Cup run and then won CCFC its first HL title last season. He will get opportunities in Qualifying to challenge Na'Kefir for the #1 shirt. Plays bass guitar as a side hobby, primiarly in a jazz-funk cover band during his off-seasons. Can occasionally be seen jamming on the Crawford night circuit.

LB/RB - Mei Hamilton - 29 - Coret Hawks
Hamilton is a feisty, energetic fullback who has always given her all and painstakingly honed her craft, even developing a left foot in recent seasons in pursuit of greater positional versatility. She deserves the uptick of recognition she has received this year, earning a move to UICA-bound Coret and now her first Vanquishers call-up. A product of the collegiate system, she joined Sekundar Ligan side Na'Ilee Mariners after graduating in Art History and helped them gain promotion. Her attacking contributions in the HL caught the eye of Premiership side Cypher Town, where she spent several good years before joining Hawks.

CB - Eero Solari - 24 - Bastion
Tall, athletic, composed on the ball and has the DNA of a natural leader. Earned the captaincy at fourth-tier Somberlain FC at only 17 and anchored their defense to promotion. Snapped up by Bastion after subsequent exposure at the U18 WC. After a couple seasons bouncing between their reserve team and the first team bench, he eventually carved out a role for himself and is now a regular starter at one of Eura's biggest clubs. With all of his intangibles and technique, there's not really a limit to his potential. Still raw, but growing before our eyes with every match at Bastion. Probably the best passing CB Cosumar has right now, he can really hit them between the lines. Still looks shaky against top opponents though. Hopefully that will improve with experience.

CB - Alfred Tidesson - 25 - Real Azuris
The younger brother of Bryger Tidesson has surpassed former Galctico finalist Kurt Wolff as the best defender for Real Azuris, so it makes sense that he has now supplanted Wolff here too. After all, Wolff was part of the Defense That Failed at World Cup 81. Alfred is known for being fiercely competitive, even to a fault. Product of growing up in the shadow of a perfect brother like Bryger and not having Bryger's effortless athleticism. Sometimes his aggressiveness gets him in trouble, as he'll rack up vengeful yellow cards or overcommit on developing attacks. But more often than not, his fiery drive serves him well, getting in opponents' heads and allowing him to make some spectacular defensive plays. Like Solari, a prime-age talent that Pearce is hoping will remain a mainstay for cycles to come.

DM/CM - Maia Abylon - 24 - Olask Islanders
Maia is blessed with ~pace~ and some of the quickest feet in Cosumar. She probably could've become a great winger, but why limit herself to one side? Besides, she has the mentality of a ball-winner. So instead, she uses her speed to be seemingly everywhere at once on the pitch, and uses her flashy feet to steal the ball from opponents and keep possession ticking. Notoriously wasteful in front of goal, but anywhere else on the pitch... she's dynamite. Near single-handedly propelled her local club IFK Sundsvall to consecutive promotions (fourth tier to second tier) before being snapped up by Olask Islanders. Was an instant phenomenon in the HL, likewise propelling Olask up the table. She's just a winner who seems to instantly make any team holistically better.

CM - Kai-Kai Mokumdarian - 24 - Jungle Strike FC
A center mid distinctly unlike the traditional Cosumarite mold (see: Söderquist, Tricklebank), Double K is tall, elegant, supremely fast, two-footed... not to mention his ridiculously elaborate and stylish haircuts. Mokumdarian is at his best winning the ball in the air and surging up through the middle at pace with the ball, seting things in motion. Good free kick too. He set Port Christopher alight after arriving as a touted prospect from Rexnor Colony, earning honors both domestic and international (Galactico Junior runner-up) and a move to Schottic giant Cornellians. However, he hasn't quite settled into life as a top-tier international footballer yet. Turmoil at Cornellians saw him move clubs again, and it took him some time to find his footing in Vilita. His performances for the national team over the last two cycles have also been up-and-down. He's old enough that these inconsistencies might just be part of who he is as a player instead of "growing pains". He'll still an important piece who will get some starts, but he's no longer relied upon by Pearce as an every-match starter.

CM - Harald Fireblade - 26 - Herzegovina City FC
One of the most athletic and physically intimidating players in the game, Fireblade is a tornado of a box-to-box midfielder. He has a reputation for being an unpredictable wild card, but legendary Cosumarite manager Brian Emerson has been trying smooth out his game in Banija over the last couple years. Everyone has noticed the progress. Fireblade played well in HCFC's run to the AOCL Final in his first season and has been one of the best players in Banija this season.

AM - Taka Masatoshi - 22 - Mallox
The former Galactico Junior finalist's best attribute is his quickness and evasiveness. He looks faster while dribbling the ball than without it -- and it's very difficult to take it off of him due to his close-control. He also doesn't seem to get fazed by big moments or stages. Can play as a pure #10 set-up man or as a floating secondary striker (as he does at Mallox alongside Griffin Riordan). The last HL campaign was a breakout one for him, as he scored 10 goals (almost all in the second half of the season) and registered 12 assists (helping Riordan win Golden Boot).

RW - Elodie Sade - 27 - Keenan Athletic
Sade is a pure goalscoring winger best known for her trademark move: using on-a-dime stops and sudden changes of direction/momentum to give defenders whiplash (and broken ankles). Could be cleaner with the ball, however, and offers about as much defensive resistance as a traffic cone. But her attacking prowess was apparently too great for Pearce to pass up - as evidenced by her 18 goals last season, spurring Keenan up into the top half. Daughter of Olask Islanders and former Real Azuris and Keenan Athletic manager Collette Sade.

LW/RW - Zoë Aedelbrandt - 26 - Sabrefell Moths
Extremely lively presence on the left wing who never stops running and trying to make things happen. Zoe's boundless energy and audacity to Try Things has the potential to turn a game on its head, which makes her an ideal super-sub here since she sometimes fades in and out when playing full 90s. Sometimes her first touch also lets her down... but her last touch usually makes up for it. Zoe fires a cracker of a shot. Also develops really good chemistry with the players around her and plays a mean one-two, like OAS Royal fans saw countless times with her best friend Sen Marsteller. Now she's part of a formidable Moths side, hand-picked by Sur Arora, her mentor and advocate as a youth at Royal.

ST - Arden Lemons - 24 - Hondo FC
Arden Lemons has arrived. We'd heard good things about "this girl from CCFC's academy" for years, but the 1014 HL season was the first time the masses saw her quality shine at the senior level. And what an impact it made. In the mix of 19 substitute appearances and rotational starts that Amethyst Fegelein gave her, Lemons scored 8 goals and at times looked like their most dangerous striker. Moreso than World Cup champions Hannah Alcouin and Kevin Stabb. Yet, unable to promise her the starting role she desired with Pasarga star Alexander Kárpáty arriving, the Elephants instead sold her to Hondo FC. She has immediately thrived in Valanora, helping Hondo to success in the Premiership AND internationally (a Globe Cup title and Champions' Cup semifinal). Lemons is a smooth, two-footed finisher. Not someone who will create her own chances with the ball, but she makes great runs. If you can find them, she'll usually find a way to maneuver something on-frame.

ST - Dakota Blaylock - 28 - Northern Union
Blaylock is an aggressive, assertive forward who seemed tailor-made for the Nepharim leagues. Always hungry to score goals in whatever manner possible, be it head, chest, kneecap, shoulder, face... Thus it proved, as he helped bruise Cranequin's way back to the top flight in a breakthrough year before a decent first season as a regular Premiership striker. His team was relegated, but he moved to Diamondqueen to stay in the top flight. The going was tough there, and he decided a change of scenery was needed before he became permanently typecast as a Scrappy First Division Poacher™. Not that that's a bad thing, but it implies a certain limitedness that Blaylock feels he can transcend. So far, so good at Northern Union, winning an A-League title and becoming the reliable, near-every-match goalscorer he always had the potential to be. He had been something of a pet project for Pearce, who used his connections in Schottia to set him up at Kirk Preston United between his stops at Diamondqueen and Union.




Staff

Manager: Alexander Pearce
Alexander Pearce, 56, is a Cosumarite legend in defense, and the 5th person to manage the NT - the first former player to do so. He has large legacies to live up to. Before him, Nepharim icon Gethin Ramsey made five WC knockouts and won a CoH. Before that, Farris Crowley held the post for decades and took Cosumar to its first seven WCs. What will Pearce's legacy be? Well, he's already quite gifted at building legacies. Just look at what he did with Cornellians: overseeing the club's transition from the MPL to SPL and dominating Schottia with five consecutive titles. No one expects him to win five WCs, but it's reasonable to expect great things - especially after winning AOCAF LIV and Eagle Cup in one cycle. Pearce possesses a well-rounded managerial skillset: studious tactical acumen, eye for new talent, elegant motivational speaking, effective org management and even shrewd with finances. Known for his ability to coordinate and command others without condescension or volume. Pearce comes from a family with deep roots in the sport and takes great pride in representing his name and country. In his playing days, a rangy, mobile defender at center or left back for OAS Royal and Cornellians. Also ruggedly handsome. Full bio.

Assistant Manager: Casey Brind
Pearce brought his Cornellians assistant and ex-teammate with him. Casey Brind, now 48 years old, was a well-traveled midfielder, including stops at Iron City, Vermillion Rage and others, ending at Cornellians. Pearce/Brind is a well-oiled machine, proven through their glories at Cornellians. Brind will be hoping that the success translates to the international level, inspired by filling the void of Nepharim legend Ramsey. Maybe she'll have a storied managerial career of her own.

Goalkeepers Coach: Robert Sieuwerd

Defenders Coach: Artis Thomas

Midfielders Coach: Vareza Na'Noni

Forwards Coach: Vladimir Lewin

Head Trainer: Yvette Carson

[Geisenfried]

Routing of the Bulls
Golden Eagles give themselves chance at qualification with surprise upset over Audioslavia

Geisenfried's international sporting record has a long history of ups and downs, but throughout its efforts in competitions, the Golden Eagles have never seen very much success at the regional level, mostly struggling at the prestigious AOCAF tournament. It's not something to be particularly ashamed about, given Atlantian Oceania's long and storied history, filled with all sorts of powerhouses among its neighbors, and more World Cup champions than any other region by some margin. But even with it being a secondary target of the GKFV, it hasn't been a particular point of pride, with most attempts ending with three group games, and knockout appearances being more the exception than the rule. Going into this 58th edition of the regional championship, no one would have been particularly surprised if it was more of the same. Not only was Geisenfried drawn in a group containing the two-time reigning World Cup champions Vilita, as well as last World Cup's runners-up, Turori, combined into one composite team, but Geisenfried's historical record against Vilita has been one of futility - the founding fathers of the regions consistently getting the better of the Nationalmannschaft time and time again. Adding to this, their other competition in Group C were Audioslavia and 95X, both also holding regional championships to their name - Audioslavia with three, 95X with two. Geisenfried was clearly the odd man out in the group, and little could be expected of them, especially after a subpar World Cup 82 qualifying campaign and missing out on the 74th Cup of Harmony. The team going in had been shown many changes, and who knew what sort of team would come out of this gauntlet?

But against all odds, this Golden Eagles squad has shown a surprising tenacity, especially on the defensive end, not letting the combined World Cup finalists squad into the net until the late substitution of Nii'arala Milaaso, one of the heroes of World Cup 82 finals, managed to knock one past Benjamin Fuchs at long last. Still for 90% of the game, the Golden Eagles were competitive with one of, if not the best squad in the world today, and almost stole a point from them. Their follow-up match proved that it might not be a fluke either. Despite still being heavy underdogs to the Bulls of Audioslavia, the Geisen defense showed up once again, and this time Fuchs managed to keep a clean sheet as the Golden Eagles put up a shock two-nil victory to take 3 points and keep the chances of reaching the knockouts here in Baker Park alive. Both goals came off indirectly from set pieces - the first one, a foul in Audioslavian territory led to a free kick just past the quarter-hour mark. Team captain Rudi Löwenthal found Alexander Riesz just outside the box for a header in - but while the Bulls keeper got a mitt on it, the rebound bounced out to waiting Geisen forward Luis Pent, who quickly pounced to make it 1-0 to the underdogs in the seventeenth minute. The Bulls tried to regather themselves, but throughout the first half found themselves pushed back again and again, the Golden Eagles stifling chances before they could even develop, despite long stretches of possession for the Audioslavians. In the second half, a little bit past ten minutes after the hour mark, the Bulls pressed forward on a free kick of their own, hoping to equalize matters with a sterling opportunity. Pulling everything forward left them vulnerable, however, and after stuffing the attempt, the Golden Eagles quickly built up a counter attack before the Bulls could regroup, and soon it was Luis Pent again with the ball and not many Bulls left to beat. He'd make the most of it, finding himself the brace and giving the Golden Eagles insurance at 2-0. Stunned by the turn of events, Audioslavia struggled to make another solid effort at goal, and Geisenfried walked away with three points and, presumably, a lot more respect.

Despite the solid effort, the Golden Eagles still are in the outside looking in - despite being even on points with 95X, the tiebreakers favor their opponents with equal goal differential and higher goals scored. Can Geisenfried continue to defy expectations and pull through this win or go-home situation? There is recent history between Geisenfried and 95X, as they were in the same qualifying group for World Cup 81, where they split the series, each winning at home. The second was a 3-2 match for Geisenfried that was the first international match in the storied Königskronestadion, home to the World Cup 32 and AOCAF 37 finals, in nearly 20 World Cup cycles. The Golden Eagles can only hope they can manage a repeat performance.

Geisenfried 2 - 0 Audioslavia
Pent (17', 72')

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2026
Final Day still in play for many
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Writer


Let's look at how the groups are shaping up headed into the third and final day of matches before we eliminate 16 and 16 will move on:

Group A: The Commonwealth are top with 6 points, and will need just a point against Ko-oren at Sportsmen's Park to go through. The Busoga Islands win over the Dragonflies means the sides are level with 3 points, and the final day matchups are intriguing, as Third Asopia have been no pushovers in either of the losses.
Group B: All four teams are still in the hunt, as both previous matchdays saw a win and draw. The Saltstead-Qasden match at St Warren seems to be the more interesting of the pair, but Farfadillis should be on upset alert.
Group C: Vilita & Turori have clinched their spot, so it's a heads-up showdown for the other berth in Hamilton between 95X and Geisenfried.
Group D: This is the only group with a team that is mathematically eliminated, Rabastorian Union, who will face off against Krytenia while Eshan will look to sweep the group when they face the dangerous Ponies from Equestria at Rogers Stadium.

Over in Banija, things are a bit more cut and dried, but still there are some tasty treats on tap.
Group E: The co-hosts and Oontaz Dert Li Ng have both advanced and will face off to determine the group winner; a draw would be devastating for the home team, as it would put them into a more difficult knockout round matchup.
Group F: The team in danger here is Valanora, due to their draw against Siovanjia & Teusland and shock loss to the Euran Oceania side; they need an EOT win when those two meet, while the Vanorians will need to build up a decent goal difference against newcomers Sticiano.
Group G: Lochario faces off against Mriin, looking for a win that might get them through as runner up, while Tropicorp will need to turn around a huge goal differential in beating Freeport, or hope for a Mriin victory.
Group H: The only group that has followed form, as Starblaydia and Cosumar will face off to decide the order at the top of the table.

On balance, it's clear why many say that the AOCAF is a more difficult tournament to win than the World Cup.

[Siovanija and Teusland]

”And he’s pointing to the spot! Things have gone from bad to worse for the Goldhorns here, already down 1-0 just 5 minutes in and now the newcomers Sticiano will have a penalty!”

It was not the start Yanko Zhelyaskov was hoping to have in the second match of the AOCAF tournament. This was finally his time to take over, he’d been handed the number 1 shirt after years of waiting for it. Headlines had called him the ‘best goalkeeping prospect in the nation’ for years, and that promise seemed to be met when he led his Olympia Borograd side to the title two seasons ago. His $5 million tolar transfer to Euran side Ulsa Rovers made him the second most expensive Republikaliga player of all time, and he felt as if a new era for his career was just beginning with his national team coronation.

The first match against Valanora had been slightly shaky - but hey, what do you expect against 5-time world champions? - and Zhelyaskov had shipped four goals. It wasn’t exactly his best game, and now Yanko was hoping to have a steadier hand against Sticiano. His pre-game routine was the same as always: breakfast, then a call with his dad to discuss the game, before checking a note on his phone. The note was a quote from a coach at FK Metropola Borograd’s academy, who had rejected a 9-year-old Yanko: ‘Not quick enough, poor hands, unlikely to succeed at a higher level.’ It was the classic ‘I’ll-show-you’ response: he went down the next week to Metropola’s hated rivals Olympia, was accepted to their academy, and the rest was history.

The routine hadn’t helped early on today, however. Siovanija and Teusland had the first chance of the game, but underdog Sticiano were eager to prove themselves. They pushed forward on the break, the ball landing on the boot of the striker. A powered shot was hit well within distance for Zhelyaskov to stop, but he’d made a mess of it and it slipped through his hands and into the net. Not quick enough, poor hands. It wasn’t a good look, at all, and when he’d made a save a minute later, even the Goldhorns fans had engaged in some sarcastic cheering. The Goldhorns looked deflated, it was the earliest the national team had ever given up a goal. Now, however, Zhelyaskov had a chance to redeem himself.

”The forward steps up here, with a chance to make it 2-0 for Sticiano. That would certainly be a surprise so early on, and the Goldhorns would have to do well to salvage something from this one.”

Zhelyaskov pulled out a few tricks from his book on this one: the obvious arms extended, jumping in the net. There were Goldhorn fans behind the net as well, doing their best to throw the taker off. Then one he’d learned in his old academy days: a little piece of paper tucked in his sock. In reality, it had either nothing or a quick tactical note on it, but of course the shooter didn’t know that. And a few glances from the paper to the shooter this time seemed to cause some nerves.

”Zhelyaskov doing his paper routine, it has worked from time to time in the Republikaliga, as much as any of these tricks goalkeepers play do. The Sticiano forward begins his run up….

Zhelyaskov’s best guess was the bottom right corner. This was the forward who had scored the goal earlier, and that was where he’d attempted to place it. The shot, the dive….

”Saved! Zhelyaskov stops the penalty! Suddenly the tables have turned for the Goldhorns. It’s a corner to Sticiano, but they’ll be oh-so disappointed it wasn’t 2-0, and Yanko Zhelyaskov’s save gives the Goldhorns a breath of fresh air early on.

“Come on!” Zhelyaskov yelled to his defenders.

“That’s it lads, Yanko’s got our back, let’s help him out!,” added Raphael Klopfer.

Zhelyaskov had to admit it felt pretty good to redeem his error earlier. He felt even better when Michael Ribbeck put 2 past Sticiano’s keeper while Krasimir Kynev, Ivo Romanov and Karl-Heinz Jager also scored to give the Goldhorns a 5-1 victory. Most 5-1 wins don’t count the keeper as one of the most important factors, but today, the Goldhorns certainly had were thanking Yanko Zhelyaskov.

Match Report
Siovanija and Teusland 5-1 Sticiano, @ Star Field

Lineup: Zhelyaskov; Schorner, Jager, Klopfer (c) (Martz 75’), Daschner; Kogler, V. Dimitrov, Kramer (Brotzmann 61’), Romanov; Ribbeck, Reichwein (Kynev 61’)
Goals: Michael Ribbeck 9’, 16’, Ivo Romanov 25’, Karl-Heinz Jager 55’, Krasimir Kynev 82’

[Equestrian States]

Low Expectations
The Realistic Fan Site for Equestrian States Sports

Ponies Attempt Murder via Boredom in Sleep-Inducing Draw
by Downtrodden Crankyface

Sweet Celestia, that was honestly one of the most boring Ponies matches I've ever had the displeasure of witnessing. I mean, it's fucking Krytenia, they're ranked 30th in the region, it shouldn't be that hard for the supposedly eighth-best team in the multiverse to score on them. But noooo, all we get is a scoreless draw with a team that hasn't been relevant in about 40 years or so.

Anyways, the first half was a total snoozefest, as every single Equestrian attack amounted to nothing. Pristina Shine rattled the crossbar a couple times, the Krytenian keeper - whatever his/her/its name was - made a couple saves on shots from Rainbow Blitz and Rosewing, but otherwise there just wasn't anything interesting going on. Gentle Breeze could've laid down and taken a nap for all that the Kryties did, they made it into the Equestrian half about as many times as I can count on my horn: which is to say not at all, because I'm not a unicorn.

I'd make some comments about the second half here, but I fell asleep around the 49th minute. Judging from the scoreline though, I didn't miss anything at all.

Equestria's third and final group stage match will be against Eshan, who won their own first two games in Group D. A win would see the Ponies finish atop the group, while a draw would mean they finish second. The Equestrians could advance even with a loss, but they would need the result of the Rabastorian Union-Krytenia match to go in their favor. With how poorly the Equestrian offense has performed thus far, however, I'm not optimistic. At least the defense and Gentle Breeze have done their job as well as could be expected, though.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Cutting off for the final Group Match Day and and a flashback to the richest game in Football History, circa 2011 https://youtu.be/2hZ00TFUgpA

Group E
Iskandervale 1–4 St Emelie
Banija 2–0 Oontz Dert Li Ng

Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                 3   3  0  0    7   3  +4    9
2 Oontz Dert Li Ng       3   2  0  1    3   2  +1    6
3 St Emelie              3   1  0  2    4   3  +1    3
4 Iskandervale           3   0  0  3    4  10  −6    0

Group F
Valanora 0–0 Sticiano
Siovanjia & Teusland 2–1 Euran Oceania Terr.

Group F              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Siovanjia & Teusland   3   2  1  0   11   6  +5    7
2 Euran Oceania Terr.    3   2  0  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Valanora               3   0  2  1    4   5  −1    2
4 Sticiano               3   0  1  2    1   7  −6    1

Group G
Freeport Isles 0–1 Tropicorp
Mriin 2–0 Lochario

Group G              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Mriin                  3   3  0  0   12   2 +10    9
2 Tropicorp              3   2  0  1    3   5  −2    6
3 Lochario               3   1  0  2    4   4   0    3
4 Freeport Isles         3   0  0  3    2  10  −8    0

Group H
Starblaydia 1–2 Cosumar
Aji No Moto 0–0 Anthor

Group H              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cosumar                3   3  0  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Starblaydia            3   2  0  1    8   4  +4    6
3 Anthor                 3   0  1  2    2   5  −3    1
4 Aji No Moto            3   0  1  2    0   6  −6    1

Round of 16 matchups:

Banija vs Euran Oceania Terr. @ The Wolf's Den, Busembe
Siovanjia & Teusland vs Oontaz Dert Li Ng @ Hangaza Unified Stadium, Aissa
Mriin vs Starblaydia @ Albert III Stadium, Dodona
Cosumar vs Tropicorp @ BCEL Stadium, Jinja City

[95X]

95X Head Coach (would be considered "manager" most places) Katelynn State is interviewed at the press conference following the 1-0 loss to Vilita and Turori. Questions are those from the press, answers are her responses.

Q: 95X, while on a youth movement, was defeated by an opponent with a better-funded and more comprehensive youth movement. What does that say about the quality of your program?
A: I believe I do the best with the team I have. Every match you play with the team you have, and this was a match where the progress was not on the score sheet.

Q: The only 95X substitution during the match was replacing Carlton Eightyseven for Micah Morrison, who is playing like he's past his prime. Would it be time to perhaps move on from Morrison?
A: That's a personnel move that isn't entirely my decision. I will not comment on the individual performance of my players in this context.

Q: Very well, is it time to move away from the 4-3-3?
A: It's working quite well. We were playing against an opponent that won the most recent World Cup and a unified team with another worthy competitor, and held them to one goal.

Q: That "one goal" was scored by eighteen-year old Rojara Tiones.
A: Well we congratulate our opponents for playing a great game and the player in question scored on a great play and has a bright future ahead of them.

Q: Any truth to the rumor that Xi Foureleven is truly ageless?
A: I'm sorry, where did that question come from? I'm not about to head that direction.

A flamboyantly-dressed man known only as "Nosy Pencilneck" of the Pacific City Inquirer somehow made his way into the press conference. That's who asked that question. At this point they'd stolen the focus of the press conference despite attempts to remove them from the room.

Q: Better yet, is there any truth to the rumor that Sarah Foureleven tried out for the team?
A: I will not comment on rumors. I'm done here.

Katelynn State leaves the room in disgust.