World Cup 84- RP Thread (IC)

[Mriin]

"What are you doing on this line?" Laars Vontriir deadpanned at the visage of Don Mizzet, who seemed to be calling from the MNL headquarters for some godforsaken reason.

"You know damn well what I'm doing here. The council determ--"

"Whatever the council determined was NOT worth making me run through another burner. The situation is under control and talks are proceeding, don't worry your pretty little scales."

The screen briefly went grey as Don involuntarily let out a snuff of smoke. "You ambassadors are always so full of yourselves. Thinking you're the ones pulling the strings. Keep in mind who financed the campaign that got your little excursion approved."

Laars jawed a bit as he glanced around the bare square of a room he'd commandeered as an impromptu office within the Chromatik City governmental complex. "The interests of your party and the others who came to my aid are in no danger of being forgotten. But I may caution you that it'd be wise to see through the stable establishment of a government before trying to pry trade open. This is my area of expertise, and you came to me for a reason. Let me work."

Don's gaze seemed to drift slightly above the screen with a scowl, before returning to the ambassador. "Very well. All we wish is to stress that such impudent incidents putting these relations into danger would be a great shame."

Laars felt three sarcastic responses fly through his head but skillfully kept them from both his lips and his eyes. "Thank you for the reminder, Don. Good bye." He flipped the screen closed and it promptly short-circuited, pocketing it with a sigh. There was enough to worry about without these corporate dipshits overstepping their bounds. And would he ever get the smell of rotten egg out of his nose...

[Brusseldorf]

It’s our first bye of the tournament and some fans are saying bye bye to any hopes of qualifying. Some may call them plastic, but here at Golazo we merely call them pessimists. They aren’t without total logic however, it is Los Alrededores’ worst start in recent memory. It would seem that our moderate world ranking has attracted the ire of more defensive sides, who are able to smother Fozzie’s famous attacking style. Whilst there is very little chance that the manager will change said style, a formation change is on the cards, if rumours are to be believed.

So here at Golazo, we thought we could do the hard work for Fozzie, and give a few suggestions on tournament-winning formations.

1-5-4-1
Some of our readers may immediately eye-roll, but hear us out. This formation depends on your striker being an absolute beast, and it’s safe to say that Teddy Wolfenden fits this slot perfectly. A more solid back line will surely be able to assist Providence in closing down opposition attacks, and the packed midfield should contain the counter-attacking style that has been the downfall of Los Alrededores’ clean sheets.

1-4-4-2
An old classic, but reliable and widely remembered for a reason. Perhaps the gorgeous attacking football we are used to would have to give in some areas of the field. But the newfound ability to hold the ball high in the attacking third would still grant the front two multiple chances at goal, if executed properly.

1-8-1-1
Look, if we hadn’t conceded so many goals, we might have had a fighting chance in this first leg. Sounds obvious, but an absolutely packed backline would certainly cut down the opposition scoreline. I think they call this one ‘parking the bus’ in pub-league. If it works for oldmate Steve and the Norfolkland Town team on a Sunday 1-0 up at the 80th minute, then it’ll work for Los Alrededores. Right?

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ The Gauntlet

All the last month, the Wanderers and the fans and even the media have been talking about how the last four matches of the first half of the Qualifiers were a guauntlet that the side was going to have to run in order to truly figure out where they were in the pecking of the group. It would be the most important four matches of the campaign, at least until the reverse fixtures at the end of the qualification campaign where the stakes are going to be even higher than what they already are. Then the final table will matter, as there will obviously be no more matches to play, no more points to pick up or hope that your rivals are going to drop in order to gain on them or put further distance between the two squads. Truly whoever it was down at the World Cup Committee headquarters that devised this group's qualifying schedule is something of an evil genius, at least in so far as the Wanderers' schedule goes, with the third and first seeds to end the campaign. Being stuck in between them as second and running a three squad race, four if you count fourth seed Polkopia, though they may have had the air taken out of their sails a bit with the victory that the Wanderers had in their place three weeks ago, for two spots has been a very stressing proposition.

However the Wanderers have ran this half of the qualifiers and the first two games of the gauntlet as if they were going to never see anything but the full three points from the matches and to not be left in another fruitless campaign like that which transpired last cycle. With the performances that the side was able to put up in the Copa Rushmori, even if it was with he added benefit of being held in the dual islands, coming off that disappointment, perhaps this run of amazing form and the sort of style that has seen the Wanderers produce the results which were not coming to them last cycle. The side is clearly determined to right what has been perceived as a massive wrong and restore the honor and glory of the Pasargan national team. That is no easy feat, especially with a group that is as formidable as the one that the Wanderers were placed in and yet they have done so every international weekend that has come up, answering the call from the staff, from the fans, and from the media to show everyone what their mettle actually was.

It was another brace for Alexander Jager, with his excellent play being a big contributing factor for the Wanderers in their pursuit of a qualification place. Being able to play in a slightly deeper role and allowed to attack opponents or to find that killer through ball for his teammates has seemed to make a world of difference and for many people, particularly those in Apox and Eura, an example of promise that the lad has shown from such an early age but at times had had difficultly in doing in the senior national team shirt. Also getting on the score sheet in Polkopia was Mária Vöröss, with the midfielder lifting some of the burden that the strikers have felt in the first half of qualifying with an exemplary effort from just inside the left edge of the box. The defense did bend once but was able to hold firm in the second half and keep the hosts from getting any more than what they had already attributed to their account and enabled the side to run out a deserved winner with the final scoreline of three to one being quite fair for the balance of the play.

The Wanderers now get to welcome Drawkland to the Stade de Torgos, as the third seed looks to put our side into the third position and leapfrog the Wanderers into the qualifying spot. It is a monumental affair and a match up that has not occurred that often in our history, making it a bit of a wild card to try and call. The biggest question in the match is whose defensive line will be able to slow down or limit the others prolific attacking options the most, as both sides are having great offensive outputs, but the Drawkland defensive unit has been a bit for steely than that of the Wanderers with just a mere six goals conceded to their name. It is a strength versus strength match up, given the attacking talent that the Wanderers have in Jager, Vöröss, Gere, Berecz, and Müller, who have all been in exceptional form. Can the side find a little magic from the capital and continue their magical run through the first half and this gauntlet that has been thrown or will Drawkland prove to be a hurdle too high to overcome in what has been a first half marathon?

[Valanora]

Transitions

Life is a cruel game to play
Challenges tearing us down day by day
The wind constantly blowing sand in our face
Making it impossible to see the way
To the end of this twisted game
And yet still do we play.

I have been at the deepest of lows
Come to know how deep blues gradually become black
My scars evidence to the way that was dangerous to begin with
A body proof of the perilous sea of life
While a mind that scratches at reality
To make sense of what is real
Folds upon itself and traces outlines for something more.

Friends and loved ones move on
New tasks, new lives, and new responsibilities
Creating and crafting their own places
While I struggle to define what is mine
Standing motionless and confused
Hoping somehow I can awake to save myself from chaos.

Lost amongst myself and imperfect designs
I stumble on and gradually open my eyes
Speaking words of wisdom I never thought were mine
And come to realize that I am not left behind
I have survived.

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 10 is now cutoff!
What do you want from it?

scores

[Kelssek]

KELSSEK'S HOME FOR SPORTS > INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

Kelssek 4
Custworth 15', McDonagh 44', Taleb 61', Ó Tuathil 76'
Appalachia 3
Fuller 22', Bubba 51', Cletus 84'
Andrea Crowe's first match in charge was a hard-fought win that met the approval of a capacity crowd at Exhibition Place.

Kelssek: Poirier, - Liadon, Arbour, Pokorný, Douglass, Ó Tuathil (Champetier 81'), Demetriev, Tremblay-Fillon, McDonagh (- Clinton 68'), Custworth, - Langelier (Taleb 55')
Appalachia: Throckmorton, Winecroft, - Farmer, Washburn, - Drew (- Wassad 59'), Hawkins, - Fuller, - Pearson, Cletus, Robert, Bubba (Bogart 77')
Player of the Match: Brayden Custworth
Attendance: 37,855

Five Cities 3
unknown
Kelssek 6
Douglass 3', Custworth 22', 83'; Champetier 30', Langelier 56', Wylten 62'

Champetier bossed the midfield, Custworth scored the goals, Demetriev got two yellow cards, and the players could be somewhat forgiven for switching off at the back with a late five-goal lead.

Kelssek: Gallagher, Bowler, Pokorný, - Arbour, Sostreso, -- Demetriev, Champetier (Clinton 77'), Ó Tuathil, Canning-Meagher (McDonagh 66'), Langelier (Wylten 59'), - Custworth
Player of the Match: Patrice Champetier

Upcoming matches
Kelssek are now in third place after two wins in a group where three points separates third and ninth. But the positions that really matter, first and second, have a 9-point gap and that's what Kelssek are left trying to make up. The margin for error has shrunk dramatically - even if you think Ethane's winning run has to end some time. Kelssek will be without Matt Lister and Gabriel Lapierre due to injuries, and Rusland Demetriev will be suspended for the Xanneria match.

Xanneria While they've lost four straight matches they're a quality side that is itching for a bounce-back. Especially with Demetriev suspended, this could be a potential landmine and a professional performance will be required to see them off at the Wharf. Rank: 56 Form: WLLLL Venue: Kingswharf, Breton (Partly cloudy, light winds, -1°C) NSN2, 7pm Coastal

Bears Armed A team that's been performing above expectations, but showing the lack of recent international experience despite their sporting pedigree. Should be an intriguing contest. Rank: unranked Form: LDLWD Venue: Wimbley NSN2, 5:30am Coastal

Ethane This is the team Kelssek’s chasing for second place, so this will be a crucial match and one that Kelssek needs to win. But it’s not looking good: Ethane are steamrolling all opposition right now. Rank: 36 Form: WWWWW NSN2, 11pm Coastal

[Chromatika]

MD10: Bloing 2-3 Chromatika
Goals: Vidal '22, Kelly '49, Mora '72
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Williams; McBee - Ibex - Friedman - Rowles; Anisov - Avis; Kelly (C) - Gail - Han; Vidal.
Substitutes: Will -> Ibex ('39), Mora -> Gail ('59), Dias -> Avis ('69)
Projected Starting XI vs. Zealandiana: Tioux; McBee - Rondeau - Baugh - Austic; Ingalls - Limones; Thorben (C) - Bird - Conrad; Sierra.

---

Football Part 10: @ Bloing

Jillian Nier, Football Correspondent

My least favorite part of the game is injuries.

When you lose, and have a key player out, it sucks because there will always be a voice in your head going, "Do you think you would've lost if Player A hadn't gotten hurt?"

When you win, and the opponent had a player out, it adds an asterisk. Sure, you beat them on the day, but did you really beat them with their best personnel? Beating someone with an off day isn't bad - it is their fault for not being ready - but injuries really mess people up, and teams up.

I have been one of the biggest critics of Yeri Ibex and his form. That being said, I wish the best for him after the grotesque way he fell to the ground during the game in Bloing. They say it's a compound fracture in his ankle, and that it looks rather grim; he will be flown to the best physicians in Chromatik City, and if there isn't one that is good enough in Chromatika, probably Cosumar. Anomalies players were saying afterwards that there was a lot of blood and when he went down, the sound was sickening. Believe them.

The coldest of you would say "Hey, at least it makes it easy to not utilize Ibex again for the rest of qualifying." Grow a heart, people. These players are humans who play the sport as their job, and because they love it. Just like you'd have concern for a construction worker when he falls off a ladder, at least send the man your positive thoughts and well wishes.

As for the game? Another narrow escape. Look at the group around you, though. Busoga lost to Lons. Main Nation Ministry drew against Plane of Possibility. Suddenly, Chromatika and Mriin have a six point cushion nearing the halfway mark. This group still has the potential to go down to the wire, but Chromatika can breathe a little easier heading into the four-game stretch.

Hermaeus Mora's free kick was a beauty, wasn't it? High-arcing, upper left corner, no chance for the keeper. Just like it's supposed to be.

Zealandiana is the very last opponent for the Chromatiks before the brutal four game stretch. It seems that Evans & Everdeen want some momentum to carry over with the personnel they've put in for this one against the 153rd ranked team in the world. McBee, Thorben, Conrad, and Sierra aren't the types you field against a minnow. No, it's good to get points when you can.

---

Part 9: The Response

Part 10: The Summit Written with input from Banija

As she was led up to the highest floor of the Chromatik Capital Building, Xollie Lubabalo couldn't help but be amused at how much her life had changed in the last twelve hours. She had been cautiously optimistic at the parade, a show of goodwill between nations and commitment to the free election of Chromatika. Then, things moved too fast. Lighthoof leaped to one side, and before she could react, a rotten egg had marked her gomesi. The gomesi that she had inherited from her grandmother. It was currently with the best fabric cleaner that the Premier of Chromatika knew with specific details on the materials that made up a gomesi and how they were usually treated. With luck, it'd be salvageable. She still seethed a little bit at the smell of that egg on her gomesi.

The elevator mercifully made the routine chime as it arrived at the penthouse level of the building. There was a wooden double door awaiting them, with a modern security system. The Chromatik personnel that had brought her went up to knock, but before he could do so, she couldn't help but hear the conversation going on in the office:

"Are you sure, Marco?" came the voice of a woman, one of decent pitch, not quite high, but not low either. The voice exuded a force and confidence that made it very clear to Xollie that it belonged to Alina Krasnikova, Premier of Chromatika. She wasn't aware of a Marco, but perhaps that wasn't relevant.

"This is the truth, Ali. They've been playing both sides for all this time! We can't trust them, not really. Maybe her, but only because she's detached from them. And I'm not quite sure if she should know about it, either," came the answering voice, a thick, gruff tone that sounded like it came from deep inside a cave.

The young man that had brought her up coughed nervously at the fact that she was privy to the conversation. She smiled to try to get him to relax, and shrugged a little.

He then knocked three times, pushed his badge to the lock, and after a second, stated, "I have Ms. Lubabalo here, Premier."

There was a brief pause, and then Marco said, "Should I leave?"

Alina Krasnikova answered, "No, stay. She is now a part of this, whether she likes it or not. We'll just have to trust her discretion."

"You trust people far too easily," replied Marco's voice, "but it's your call. Very well."

"Please usher her in," came Alina's voice through the intercom.

The door clicked open, and the young man held it ajar for Xollie to enter.

Initially, Krasnikova's office looked very plain - scant furniture, not many things hanging on the walls, a single large window looking into the night sky of Chromatik City - but there was a pattern to it. All the dossiers that the Banijan foreign embassy had on Chromatika's first Premier made her out to be a sensible, hard-nosed, stubborn woman who was a champion of the people but a stickler first and foremost on making sure that policies were followed and no corners were cut. It was this adherence to law and tradition that made her an easy target for her opponents to pick away at her, but that was all that they could ever do, because to try to get Krasnikova to give up anything that she considered worthwhile was nary impossible. This was apparent in how the room was made up. Simple, practical, completely good for business.

The Premier - an angular woman of medium height, pale-white skin, blue eyes, and black hair - was in her usual black suit with a purple shirt, her shoulder-length hair tied in a single ponytail. She now came up to Xollie, offering a hand.

"Ms. Lubabalo, welcome. I was slated to meet you officially during the parade, but now that that has been hung out to dry, I hope this makes as decent enough compensation. You have been subjected to a brutal attack, and I want to personally apologize," Krasnikova's words were measured with just enough sympathy but not enough to symbolize pity. Her tone shifted a bit when mentioning the attack, becoming like hard steel. It was very apparent that she was taking the attack personally.

"Premier Alina Krasnikova," replied Xollie, bowing slightly, "Thank you for inviting me up to discuss the matter in person. I was not personally hurt - I am okay. The gomesi will hopefully be able to be repaired, but even my grandmother would say that a nation's right to a fair and just election is worth a garment. Wouldn't you say so?" she smiled slightly, trying to let Alina know that things were okay between them.

A visible amount of tension released from the Premier's shoulders, and she let out a slight sigh.

"We have apprehended the assailant. His ID says he's George Hermes, but a George Hermes was reported missing from the Chromatik City Courier three weeks ago, and the photos we have of him do not match the man that we've caught. So, we don't really know who he is. We've got our best interrogators on him now - don't worry, their methods are humane - but we have an inkling to who motivated him to carry out the attack, and thought that for the sake of cooperation, we would keep you informed of our findings."

Alina motioned to the other figure in the room. Standing was a man of considerable height - six feet, six inches at least - who was bulky but not heavy set. He was wearing a simple black suit with sunglasses and a black hat.

"This is Marco Ni," introduced Alina, "He is one of my best agents on figuring out what is going on - and one of the masterminds behind the Rainbow Revolution. Marco, Xollie Lubabalo."

Ni nodded rather slightly, as if he was measuring Xollie up and down. Xollie curtsied slightly, and motioned as if to continue.

"Ms. Lubabalo," came the cave-dwelling voice of Marco Ni, "What we are about to tell you is of highest secrecy to the matters of the Chromatik State. We understand that as a representative of the Kingdom of Banija, your allegiance is to the Kabaka and the Kingdom first and foremost. We will not ask you to do or say anything that will compromise that allegiance. However, we ask you for your discretion in who gets to know the following things that will be revealed to you. Can you promise us of that?"

Xollie's brows furrowed.

"Who gets to make that decision, Mr. Ni? You? The Premier?" she asked timidly.

It was Alina that answered immediately before Marco could say a word.

"You do, Xollie. You. In order for the election to be successful, we need things to be held close to the chest. We are hopeful that our foreign emissaries wish to be our allies and are with us in hoping that the election will happen without a hitch. However, after that, you can give a full report on what caused Chromatika to be what it was, and has led to it being what it is. In fact, I plan on sponsoring the writing of a book after this is all over."

Xollie looked at Alina, a bit shocked. Suddenly, the Premier looked fifteen years older, with a faraway look on her eyes.

Nodding slowly, Xollie chose her words carefully.

"Very well, Premier Krasnikova, Mr. Ni. Tell your story. Banija and I will help where we can. I will convey as much as is deemed necessary to the Kabaka and our government. You have my word that I will take everything you say seriously and give it the attention that it deserves."

"Thank you," stated Alina, "Thank you."

She then sat, and pointed for Xollie to sit, starting:

"How familiar are you to separate planes existing? What does the Kingdom think of the Monks from the Dreamed Realm, and other such entities?"

Xollie blinked furiously, not ready for such a line of questioning.

Clearly, this was going to be a tale...

---

Rainbow League System Preview

10. Miners

Nickname: Miners
Fans: MFC, Coalhands
Location: Z’ai’ai, Mountain District, Chromatika
Stadium: Miner Field (7,205)
History:

League Chromatiks Season 1: N/A
League Chromatiks Season 2: N/A
League Chromatiks Season 3: N/A
League Chromatiks Season 4: N/A
League Chromatiks Season 5: N/A
Chromatik League Season 1: N/A
Chromatik League Season 2: N/A
Chromatik League Season 3: N/A
Chromatik League Season 4: 2nd Second Division
Chromatik League Season 5: 6th Second Division

Manager: Farrione Larrianne. 260
Formation: (4-1-2-3)

Background: Z'ai'ai is located in the southeast corner of Chromatika, and seated by Mt. Kùrn, the highest point in Chromatika, with elevation of 17,254 ft. It is a rare place where you can experience the mountain and the ocean at the same time within an hour's drive. Prounounced "Zee-aye-aye", it is also the cuisine capital of Chromatika as well as the headquarters of the logging industry. Miners FC is a small team located in the eastern part of Z'ai'ai, owned by the Meteo Mining Company, Chromatika's leading producer of coal and other minerals. They use their small field as an advantage to limit the noise that opposing squads can make, and play a rough, physical kind of football.

Preseason Grading: brought to you by ChromatikBet.com

Fanbase: 7/10: Though small, Miners' fanbase is rabid and rather crazy. A very difficult place to play at.
Manager: 9/10: If trading of Managers were allowed, Larrianne would've been snatched up by a better squad already. An expat from Yeopalitha, Larrianne has the people skills to bring players to her and the smarts to deploy them correctly.
Keepers: 7/10: Donatienne Tardivel has started to come into his own, and if he's made progress during the two years off, he could be one of the better keepers of the league.
Defenders: 6/10: Isidora Lowe's swan song will be this coming year, and she has the important job of schoolng one Shanon Yawn that will be the face of this backfield for years to come.
Midfielders: 5/10: Larrianne will be looking to get younger players on this portion of the field during the offeseason. All over thirty, they're decent but not remarkable - though Kyung is still worth mentioning.
Strikers: 8/10: Maricela. Ashleigh. Throop. A domestic dynamo. Look for her to maybe make it to the Chromatik National Team sometime.
Greatest Need: When the Chromatik League disbanded, all foreign players were let go. Miners didn't have any, but could be looking. As a team without too much of a budget, Larrianne will be looking for people worth more than their price tag.

Next: Myana

[Taeshan]

"An incredible display on the road after a shocking home loss. 4-0 over Geektopia. What does this result mean for your side Miles"?

It's a good result for us. We were rather disheartened by the result against Schottia. But there is always another game. With Free Republics not tripped up in our style, we now have a 5 point lead on qualifying. One game remains at home against Galar before the halfway point."

"How do you prepare for a weaker opponent like Galar"?

"Same way we always prepare. We don't see weak opponents. We need 3 points no matter what. We started off with a week result in TJUN-ia, and failed to score against Schottia at home. We still visit Schottia, Free Republics, and Savojarna. They are all fighting for the same thing we are. We can't afford to brush aside small opponents."

"Do you fancy your chances of qualifying yet"?

"I won't fancy our chances until I see Taeshan in green."



"Wilhelm. Your first hat-trick in the national shirt. 20th international goal. What does this mean to you"?

Big day. Big result. Got out the bad air from Schottia. Now must finish the first half at home against Galar."

"Lot more goals this season than last."

"Well when you have a striker known more for scoring, than for assisting you score more goals."

"Defense has lacked this season."

"Not much I can do about the defense, or the goalkeeping."

"Do you still think Florian is struggling"?

"I mean another clean sheet. But we've let in more goals this year than last, and in less games. It's a longer campaign, but we could use more saves."

[Gyatso-kai]

...:Business Tarmac 18, Keldabe International Airport, Kelita Autonomous Province, Gyatso-kai:...
0014 hours Western Time (UTC+6), 23 December 2019.2

I cannot believe it... We have only won two games...

As Head Coach Kad'e Tay'haai stepped out onto the tarmac at Keldabe International Airport. he could not help but think of the team's current record. Starting off the tournament with a solid win over North Eastern Asia, The Bisons would go on to take two very hard losses against Melbergia and Pasarga - who no one honestly thought the young Bisons could beat, watching that goal differential take a nosedive; from +1 to -6. Over the next six games that magic number, which often times the deciding factor in ties for advancing, went down even further, to a -7. Which, when you looked at the rest of the group, was not as bad as one would believe. Haran, Yttribia was sitting at -13, and Libonesia was at -10. On the opposite end of that, you had Farfadillis and Pasarga - more than likely the top two teams and the ones advacing into the next stage of the World Cup, were at +21 and +17, respectively.

Barring absolute disaster on their ends, and a postively unimaginable miracle on ours, this group is done for.

Really though, did it matter? Tay'haai looked back to the very first World Cup he had ever played in - World Cup LVII - where The Bisons lost or drew three friendlies and five matches before managing to pull out their first victory of Kelssek, who now after so many years was sitting at third in their group, albeit a distant third. Even then, The Bisons went through eight tournaments - one Baptism of Fire, two Cup of Harmonies, three World Cups, and two invitationals - before they made it out of the Group Qualifying stage and onto the World Cup Proper. Honestly, the more Tay'haai thought about it, the more he realised it might just be a good idea to test out some of the less-seasoned players on the team with some play time out there on the multi-verse stage. Tay'haai's mind drew back to the first time his team had played on the world stage - an impressive 3-1 victory over all-but-forgotten Tal Vararr - all the way to his last game - a 2-1 defeat against Nexxus Draco - and could not help but wonder to himself...

I wonder how far we would be today at it not been for The Silence...

"The Silence" was what many in the Avatarian Sports Community called the complete withdrawal of all Avatarian athletes and teams from any and all foreign leagues and competitions which had lasted from 2015.1 all the way until 2019.3; there were many reasons for The Silence, one of which was mass corruption within the National Sports Council. Another was simply the need for the nation to focus on more internal problems, as opposed to multiverse showboating in the forms of World tournaments; regional contests, subversive politics that had threatened to plunge Gyatso-kai into another Civil War. The Avatar even had to institute Martial Law back in 2017.1, when a large group of Earth Kingdom cities had formed up a coalition and threatened to overthrow the Republic...

Of course, The Silence came to an end with the entrance of the National Football Team into AOCAF LIX and the Ice Hockey Team into World Cup of Hockey XXXVIII. Neither of which tournaments saw the acquisition of notoriety for either teams; The Bisons went 3-6-1 and The Ice Bisons went 2-1-1, missing the playoffs to a one regulation win team.

I still remember sitting with Ishii when he went off about the format of the tournament.

Tay'haai knew that the next leg of the tournament, set to occur after The Bisons faced off against Libonesia. He had no idea what the team would do over the break, given that today was the national holiday of Avatar Aang's Birthday and they would be playing abroad. After the 23rd came Christmas on the 25th, a secular holiday for most of the team and most of the Republics. There were not a lot of Christians in Gyatso-kai; with the last census only recording 5% of the population as Christian, mostly concentrated in the Earth Kingdom Cities of Yesucheng and Yidushan both in the southern Earth Islands. However, as most of the Christmas festivities lined up with winter festivals by both the Mandalorians and many of the Avatarian people, they were celebrated in the Republics, just secularized.

Maybe we should practice all day on the 24th...

[Trolleborg]

Although the qualifying tournament for Trolleborg goes awry, the FA decided to announce a competition for the best project to build a new stadium for a national team that meets all the latest requirements for modern stadiums.

We looking for offers from construction companies around the world, post them here if you interested.

Even if we decide not to build, we nevertheless will award three prizes for the best projects and give every competitor due sertificate for their portfolio.

[PotatoFarmers]

Monso 3
Player #9 29', 59', 82'
Poafmersia 0

Starting 11 against Monso
Sandi Jaliaha;
Alex Pickford, Danzik Hoboson (captain), Pasits Rikachz, Bolsto Nelison
Dargis Walshor, Gisiik Moonar, Jessie Mchargarita
Joel Haodao, Bytia Hisel, Pete Carisa

Substitutes
Alex Hoboson (for Pasits Rikachz 59')
Shakira Handris (for Bytia Hisel 67')
Daas Taisg (for Gisiik Moonar 73')

Unbelievable.
That was the headlines of Poafmer Times' back cover and on the front page of the Sporting Daily, the first time in history did both major sports newspapers use the same headline for their sports issue. 8 yellow cards and the use of a heavily defensive 5-4-1 formation helped Monso to keep a clean sheet and stop Poafmersia from scoring a single goal for only the 2nd time in history of Poafmersia's international career, and make it the first time in a WCC-sanctioned match. Not only that, they inflicted Poafmersia's heaviest defeat in a WCC-sanctioned match by scoring 3 unanswered goals from their main striker.
Having chosen to play most of the main starting lineup again to ensure that the players are able to get together in preparation for the big match against Nephara, head coach Adnan has believed that the players would easily get some points off the unranked side who have not been performing as well, with 4 points in 8 games as compared to Poafmersia's 12 points.
But lightning struck twice again.
It is pretty ironic that for every win and draw the team gets, Poafmersia must get a loss. And the loss could not have came at a worse time, against an opponent who does not deserve any point for their behaviour.
First is the way they treated the visiting side. Having prepared no place for training nor gave them a single hotel to accommodate everyone, the coaches and the players was forced to split up and live in separate hotels that was an hour apart. The lack of training venue also made it difficult, so the players had to kick balls in the hotel lobbies, which were small and not suitable for much practice. Secondly, the stadium was also very small and the local authorities refused to give visas to the visiting fans, so no fans could come at watch. Thirdly, the opposition was particularly intimidating, playing very physical football and tackling the players real hard. Although the players were used to quite physical football, this level of physicality is unexpected, as they rake up 8 yellow cards throughout their match, and made 30 tactical fouls. That, by football standards, is ridiculous. Head Coach Adnan refused to give a press conference, choosing to return home with the team immediately and decided to prepare for the next match.

But going ahead, Poafmersia would return home to play Nephara. As the supreme underdogs, the Red Panjias would be competing against a side who is looking for a nice little win to return them to the summit. Statistics wise Poafmersia has little hope of winning, but they can look towards their recent friendly against Qasden away, where they won 6-4 by playing really fast paced football. Poafmersia certainly would want to play like that and hope to bamboozle the opponents.
However, the funny thing is that the team has failed against opposition who parked the bus and scored goals based on counter attack and set pieces. First it was The Macabees. Then against Lochario they almost failed if not for a late rally. Now it is against Monso, which gave many indirect free kicks but Poafmersia never took any use for them. Maybe the team is not as strong as they think they are. Maybe they need to sit down and reflect on their terrible performance. Regardless, Poafmersia has a large mountain to climb next Wednesday evening, when they play top seeds Nephara. Can the impossible happen? After the nation recently won the regional art lottery with two separate draws giving them valuable pieces of artwork (OOC: here and here), Poafmersia may sincerely hope that they continue to have the luck for the match. Maybe the Group 1 leaders will give them some of their luck.

Poafmersia
KPB Rankings (Pre-WC84): 175th
Form: DWDWL
Record in WCQ 84: 3-3-3
Goal Ratio (GF-GA): 16-15 (+1 GD)

Nephara
KPB Rankings (Pre-WC84): 16th
Form: WWWWD
Record in WCQ 84: 7-2-0
Goal Ratio (GF-GA): 25-11 (+14 GD)

Past Meetings: None

Expected line up for Poafmersia: Sandi Jaliaha; Alex Pickford, Danzik Hoboson (captain), Pasits Rikachz, Denise Pickford; Dargis Walshor, Gisiik Moonar, Jessie Mchargarita; Joel Haodao, Shakira Handaris, Pete Carisa

Time and Location
Kick-off time: 7.30pm
Date: (translated to Georgian calendar) Wednesday, 20th December 4038
Location: Libira National Stadium, Poafmersia.

[Nephara]

Nephara 0 - 0 Lochario
(4-4-2) 1 - Mercator; 18 - Longship, 22 - Lockheed, 6 - Brosch, 19 - Katarec; 7 - Kuepper (13 - Saroszi 76'), 4 - Shone, 8 - Chalk, 16 - Deventer (11 - Staunton 70'); 9 - Thornwood (17 - Bastable 58'), 10 - Metzger

Some matches are just... they're just shit. This was one of them. Certainly Nephara had the weapons to break down their opposition. They just... didn't.
Daniella Strauss looked on. She was reminded of the ill-fated Hellenic hero Sisyphus, and his terrible wheel. Every time he got the wheel close to the top - every time the Cormorants seriously threatened a goal - it slipped and fell, or the final ball--
"Fuck's sake, Marisha!"
-- was spooned into orbit.
This was not a good day.
It was seventy-two minutes in, but the new fresh substitute, Crisisbless regular, assist specialist, had just... just done that. Lochario had managed precisely no shots on target, so, yeah, it seemed like a good time to wave dismissively for Saroszi to warm up and focus on what takes to feed the media.
What takes to feed the medi? Well, Lilith Thornwood, belated debutant striker! She was, to all appearances, a pretty good and reliable Premiership striker - nothing to sniff at by any means, would walk into most nations - but unsurprisingly, something Nephara had access to a lot of. If these ninety minutes were her opportunity to stand out from the pack, she had... not. She ran about a lot, but didn't quite seem on the level with Metzger, and there was a preference from the midfield and fullbacks to supply Metzger, because they were used to playing alongside him and he was better at football. And... where was she now? Oh, right, she'd subbed her off like ten minutes ago and literally forgot about it. She'd say that she showed potential.
Gabriel Lockheed and Ilyana Brosch were comfortable with everything they'd been challenged with. Lockheed was now, and Brosch remained, front-runners for the plane. Neither had particularly excelled the other to stand out as Roxelana Thorn's defence partner. She'd say that they showed potential.
This was Staunton's big shot at remaining in the picture through circumstances that didn't involve Rowena Strongbow's legs being sawn off in a tragic stage-magic accident. She would not say that she showed potential.
Stride... oh, fuck, hadn't come on. Right, because this was another opportunity for the faintly desperate Valeri Longship to prove she was definitely over that year or so of being kind of terrible and overwhelmed by everything. Cedella Verlander also continued to not get on the pitch, but, hey! Looked good in training. Foot in the door. Look, she was trying to make a club atmosphere here. You had to have more than two feet and two lungs to get on the pitch for her. Not like some, Michael, though also shout-out for the hint with the pin.
And hey, speaking of the pin, give her some credit. The players were backing her. Backing her enough to have a punch-up in a tunnel. Yeah, that was the old Nepharim grit back! The Godhead was satiated!
The Godhead will never be satiated without the silverware it craves.
Haha, yeah, and she was getting weird intrusive thoughts during home matches now, that was pretty cool! Her therapist was really earning her corn. Fuck. Good thing the NFA paid through the nose for the best, ever since the Tveidalen Incident and the effect that had had...
Those days are over. Now the Godhead watches personally. All will be well, so long as all is well. The Godhead must be fed.
Haha, what the fuck! Anyway!
Alright, fuck, fine. There weren't many silver linings here, for once. The three wins over the weaker opponents early on, then full points from the difficult stretch of their direct rivals... she'd take that any day. But that didn't stop today from being pretty bad for everyone concerned, even Lochario - they needed wins to be relevant - and especially for Malachi Chalk, whose misery she refused to end tonight.
Saroszi came on. Swansea Reach, practically vibrating in her seat for her debut, choked down a scream.
Actually, no, especially for the neutral fans. Any of those poor bastards chiming in to see this, and... ugh.
Long have you endured famine. The good times must roll again. The Godhead accepts not failure.
Oh, shut up!

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 6
Goalkeepers: 1 - Hesterine Mercator (Eastweald, COS), 12 - Konrad Matheny (Cranequin Wanderers), 20 - Fasolt Senninger (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Rovena Stride (AFC Treason), 3 - Marcin Close (Brinemouth, c), 5 - Cedella Verlander (Crisisbless United), 6 - Ilyana Brosch (AFC Corvistone), 18 - Valeri Longship (Crisisbless), 19 - Sander Katarec (Vermillion Rage), 22 - Gabriel Lockheed (AFC Treason)
Midfielders: 4 - Tawny Shone (Sabrefell Moths), 7 - Marica Kuepper (Jungle Strike, VIL), 8 - Malachi Chalk (Falourr, EUR), 11 - Marisha Staunton (Crisisbless), 13 - Monako Saroszi (Ulsa, EUR), 15 - Ferena Rauch (AFC Treason), 16 - Morena Deventer (Brinemouth), 21 - Swansea Reach (Sabrefell Moths, COS)
Forwards: 9 - Lilith Thornwood (North Laithland), 10 - Aristide Metzger (AFC Treason), 14 - Kurtis Laiota (Crisisbless), 17 - Kurtis Bastable (Hornchurch, EUR), 23 - Konrad Lovelace (Revolutionaries, EUR)

SCHEDULE
Nephara 1 - 1 Bolgano @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Monso 0 - 3 Nephara
[Bye]
Nephara 2 - 0 Squornshelous @ Ludd's Hammer (Stahlburg)
Aquitlita 0 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 5 - 4 The Macabees @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Siovanija & Teusland 1 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 5 - 3 EOT @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Anthor 2 - 3 Nephara
Nephara 0 - 0 Lochario @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Poafmersia vs. Nephara
Bolgano vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Monso @ Ebony Lane (Cranequin)
[Bye]
Squornshelous vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Aquitlita @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
The Macabees vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Siovanija & Teusland @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
EOT vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Anthor @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Lochario vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Poafmersia @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)

[Jeruselem]

Kate: This is Princess Katherine Annabelle Dallas for Naked News Jeruselem. We're back home at Dazza Dallas Stadium. It's match day 10 in qualificatiom. I'm with one of our sponsors representing Fuzz Pharma, err Ray Fuzz.
Ray: Hello everyone, I hope you're good.
Kate: Fuzz Pharma supplies our team as well as supplying the domestic league the JPL.
Ray: We also supply the domestic market in Jeruselem but we work in the sports area rather than mass consumer market
Kate: Let's go over today's results which had top teams facing off with each other
Ray: We had an interesting day

Kate:
Savojarna had the bye today. Only Balqia have a bye left to they don't play next round.
Free Republics visited rival and threat Schottia and brushed them aside 3-1. We needed the republics to win that game, but then the Republics did not want to give points to Schottia.
Taeshan visited Geektopia and smashed the home 4-0. We're happy that happened too.
Welzat are moving on up! They went to Galar, and beat them 2-0. They are doing great of recent times.
Balqia got win number 3 beating TJUN-ia in TJUN-ia.
That leaves Jeruselem vs Nahkistan.

Ray: Not our best work today.
Kate: We had scoreless draw against a team we really should have one as per usual. Another draw, we're experts at draws when they shouldn't be draws.
Ray: Nahkistan did defend every well though, but then they spent all game defending.
Kate: Their game plan is quite defensive but there were no excuses for us not to score any goals
Ray: I have to agree with that, we're not too bad defending. We don't finish off teams

Kate: We did get lucky the top teams were on top form today
Ray: Well, Schotta lost 3-1 and Geektopia lost 4-0. We played the top 2 in two games and lost 2-1 and 2-0. Maybe it means we're could better than we are now in terms of capability.
Kate: We can do far better, we can score 5 goals in one game. I guess we need more scoring, we'd have more wins.
Ray: Still we're not in the tier of the top teams
Kate: Yes, they are better teams. They aren't invincible, they can lose as Taeshan had a loss recently.
Ray: We have hope

Kate: One game left, and we have break. Balqia have a bye to finish the 1st half and then we have a bye to start the 2nd half.
Ray: Byes make things interesting.
Kate: I'm glad we have ours first.
Ray: You don't want a bye last game.
Kate: Group 11 table had leaders Free Republics and Taeshan leading the way with Schottia still 3rd. Jeruselem 4th. Then we got a bit of queue with Balqia, Geektopia on 12 points just behind Jeruselem's 13 points.
Ray: What is with us and number 13?

Kate: Yeah that. TJUN-ia 7th on 11 points, Welzat 8th on 10. They are doing well of recent. Savojarna slip to 9th on 9. Nahkistan and Galar fill out the bottom.
Ray: There's not much between 4th and 9th is there?
Kate: Not much actually
Ray: We don't make things easy for ourselves ever
Kate: Nope, we don't make life easy for ourselves.
Ray: I guess life isn't boring here.

Kate: Now what's so special about your products?
Ray: You know drugs are derived from what mother nature created. We make products but they aren't of course in their natural form and you don't get the benefit of the original product.
Kate: So your products are still synthectics
Ray: Yes for commercial cost reasons. But we try to make everything as organic as possible. We grow our own crop when we can and make sure suppliers don't have high levels of unwanted impurities in their products.
Kate: Is it also true you've moving to Carbon neutral
Ray: We try remove unnecessary Carbon emissions from our processes. We have energy efficiency and move to self-sufficient power supply.

Kate: You don't need to do all that
Ray: We don't want poison our planet either, because pollution in the end affects our products too.
Kate: So you use the best quality plant extracts
Ray: Mother nature does things for a reason, we should learn at least why.
Kate: Well, that's it from me for now. In depth analsysis of the game later today and we discuss the lessons of the 1st half as we have one game left to play.
Ray: Don't give up, we're in there still.

Kate: Fuzz also make hair dyes too. This blue hair is one of their products
Ray: I did notice your blue hair
Kate: It's pretty only the only thing I'm wearing at the moment
Ray: You sure look like a real life Anime girl
Kate: I'm super Kawaii !!!
Ray: By the way, I know her mother so nothing surprises me with her.
Kate: I'm just a weirder version of Mum


Group 11
Jeruselem 0–0 Nahkistan
Schottia 1–3 Free Republics
Geektopia 0–4 Taeshan
Galar 0–2 Welzat
TJUN-ia 0–1 Balqia

[Brenecia]

Sarzonia 1 - 3 Brenecia
(4-3-3) 12 - Cairncross; 18 - Lonergan (2 - Broxham 63'), 5 - Horgan, 6 - Mathers, 3 - Quill (c); 8 - Matheson, 23 - Fallon (4 - Locke 63'), 14 - Ridenton; 7 - Cheney, 10 - Ciogach, 16 - Fletcher (11 - Ashvane 77')
Goals: Cheney 6', Ridenton 23', Matheson 60'

Opal Cairncross never expected to get this far.
Is what the cliche would say. Actually, Cairncross always knew this would happen.
Sara Fairhall never expected Opal Cairncross to get this far.
The Southern Star manager had been a goalkeeper herself in her playing days, one of no small renown, and for a short time she'd locked down a place as Brenecia's number 1. A few years back, she'd been building a serious reputation for herself as a rising manager, one of the lucky few to get her foot in the door of the closed shop that was the A-League. And right now, she was trying to convince her backup goalkeeper to stay on.
"Just another couple of seasons. I'm going to level with you, Opal, we all know careers don't last forever. Kyra..." Ferrant, the Cosumarite stopper just turned 33, who had locked down Star's place between the posts for years. "You know. She's getting on a bit. And if you stick around, your foot's in the door."
"My foot's in the door?" Cairncross chuckles. "My foot- sorry, my foot? Is in the door?"
Fairhall grunted, and shifted forward in her chair to clasp her hands around Cairncross'. She'd never been slim, even in her playing days, and had already significantly thickened now they were gone. Cairncross was lithe, almost vespine, all angles and sharp lines stretched over five foot eleven. It was part of her weakness, in truth. She could get battered around in the air. She could lose her footing in the terrible swamps of some of the more... bucolic teams in the league, and get trampled into the mud by some of its more agricultural strikers. And... she had a bit of a temper, and a bit of an ego. There was promise, but half a dozen players with promise got cut every week in Rozelle. A backup goalkeeper wasn't meant to be ambitious, or if she was, was expected to understand the timetable of their ascension.
"I have too much respect for Kyra, and for myself, to just wait for her career to die," said Cairncross stubbornly. "Farm me out on loan for a couple years if I have to, but I'm done here. You know, I've got interest from Eura."
"The first division, no doubt?"
Cairncross hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to bluff-
"Yeah, didn't think so. Look, we know you here. I know you. And we just want what's best for you."
"You obviously don't know what's best for me if you want to keep me chained here." Cairncross pulled back her hand, and Fairhall looked like she'd been slapped. "I'll have my agent call when talks solidify. I'm open to it being a loan. But neither she nor I have seen any contract put in front of me that's to our satisfaction."
"I don't have a head for money-"
"Then phone up someone who does, damn it!"
Fairhall looked at Cairncross, and saw, clearly, that this would be the end. Cairncross' contract was expiring, her heels were dug in, and she seemed confident in a safe landing - if the interest was fabricated, she'd have lied and said it was a top-flight club. Maybe even elsewhere int he A-League. And at this point, she was too stubborn to throw all that in and sign terms again, on terms that the club were willing to accept. She was just tired of waiting.
It was a tenacity she could recognise in herself, though it had manifested differently. Fairhall had broken through early for Saint Alexander, stayed there a long time. Standards started to slip, North Hall beckoned, she moved. Then, at 36, Hall showed no particular interest in holding on to a player whose best days they regarded as behind her, and wanted to ease her out of the picture, Fairhall jetted to Falkner, browbeat them into a contract and stuck it out, five years as the first name on the team-sheet, to retire at 40, just a couple of years ago.
The galling thing about it was that Kyra did start to slip in pre-season, and the club did shell out on a new goalkeeper, a Qusmi, seen as a surer bet. Nobody saw Cairncross hitting the ground running.
And it wasn't exactly that easy in little Marketville, either. Historically a yo-yo side, and hotly anticipating a strong upward yo this time around. Expectations were high, and she had the local stopper she'd displaced breathing down her neck. A couple of early slips, and even she'd started to despair in herself
It worked out, though. Even so, she - even she! - half-expected to be replaced in the big dance. The A-League lacked the strength in depth or intensity of the Goldleague, and plenty of standout players from one had fallen to pieces in the other. And yet, she wasn't. A patchwork team including journeymen from Audioslavia, Nephara and Kelssek and the shambling corpses of Sterling Rose and Joel Sutton was enough to stay up, and though they haemorrhaged goals, she was largely not blamed for it. And she was still young. For a goalkeeper, at least. She still had leaps and bounds to improve.
So here she was! Away at a fellow former world champion, though admittedly, that was a while back now. Entrusted between the posts during a potential banana skin and, three caps in, about to win a first clean sheet! And in the dying stages, fourth official already adjusting his board, defence looking comfortable, big margin, Jake Campos shaping to shoot from distance but that was fine, Keziah was after him, wait, shit, how's he slipped past to the edge of the b--
Were you fucking kidding her?
Still. Hey. Three caps. Regular call-ups. Nothing to sniff at. Were you watching, Sara?

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 6
Goalkeepers: 1 - Cass Farrell (Northern Union), 12 - Opal Cairncross (Marketville, EUR), 20 - Scanlan Pritchard (Marque)
Defenders: 2 - Keziah Broxham (Mallox, COS), 3 - Gethin Quill (Revolutionaries, EUR, c), 5 - Garrett Horgan (Northern Union), 6 - Keane Mathers (Northern Stallions), 18 - Sorcha Lonergan (Northern Union), 19 - Eliwulf Tambor (Northern Union), 22 - Ava Ramsay (Pikemouth)
Midfielders: 4 - Keziah Locke (Duke of the North, PAS), 8 - Elysse Matheson (Hornchurch, EUR), 13 - Corby Wheeler (Goldstaff City, COS), 14 - Isla Ridenton (Jaglan Royals, SRS), 21 - Riona Parker (Galatica, PAS), 23 - Ronan Fallon (Newrook City, NPH)
Forwards: 7 - Lauren Cheney (Kingsgrove), 9 - Niall Bremner (Unioneers, EUR), 10 - Kara Ciogach (Lajuno, EUR), 11 - Setanta Ashvane (Southern Star), 15 - Cail Coghlan (Pikemouth), 16 - Ceridwen Fletcher (North Hall), 17 - Creidne Lindauer (Kingsgrove)

SCHEDULE
Atlantic Republic 1 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 1 Terre Septentrionale
Casta Marina 0 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 2 Banija
Abanhfleft 2 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Trolleborg
Crystalline Caverns 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 3 - 1 Brigantii
Sarzonia 1 - 3 Brenecia
[Bye]
Brenecia vs. Sherpa Empire
Brenecia vs. Atlantic Republic
Terre Septentrionale vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Casta Marina
Banija vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Abanhfleft
Trolleborg vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Crystalline Caverns
Brigantii vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Sarzonia
[Bye]
Sherpa Empire vs. Brenecia

[HUElavia]

HUElavia takes down Magnaterra in an 8-goal thriller!

HUElavia once again got a good win against a weaker team in Magnaterrica as they played on the road, winning with the B-Team in their final game for the first set of Qualifiers.

HUElavia had a very strong first half, as they took a commanding lead, with Navarro opening the scoring with an excellent volley from a cross by Almeida in the 9th minute, followed by a header from Ramirez after a cross by a Suzuki corner in the 15th minute. Afterwards, Almeida would score a hat-trick with all of them being passes by Hamada to score with both legs and his head in the 30th, 33rd, and 38th minute to take a 0-5 lead by half time.

Magnaterra would get their chances, scoring goals late in the game, in the 80th, 83rd and 88th minute to finish the game at 3-5. HUElavia took a big win heading into their "bye week."

Heading into Matchday 11, HUElavia is in 3rd after Mercedini won their game and will play at home against Eastfield Lodge in a must win game to keep pace for the direct Qualification. This is especially important since HUElavia is 1-0-3 at home so far in these Qualifiers.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Gopnikea]

Gopnikea 0 - 0 Fetra

A very surprising draw between Gopnikea and Fetra. Many failed goals by Gronthell. This maych is by far the worst in Gronthell’s career. However, they will be sure to win the next match.

---

Narcysztol: Gronthell, what happened?

Gronthell: I don’t know, my leg suddenly had cramps. It was very random.

Narcysztol: Try not to have any cramps next game. We did very horribly this match.

Treyhon: Yeah, please don’t get any more cramps mid-game. That would give an advantage to the team.

Gronthell: Okay, I won’t have any more cramps. But I can’t help it if I do, though.

Narcysztol: I swear, if you have another cramp mid-game again, I will personally rip your leg off and goal it.

Gronthell: ..what

Narcysztol: I was just kidding.

Gronthell: oh

[Vilita]

So someone said "Why is your show thingy called Garbage Time" and I said because its pretty much Garbage, obviously. But then they said it wasn't garbage and anyway garbage is old fashioned and we recycle pretty much everything now in Vilita so maybe the show should be called Recycle Time.

Fine. Recycle Time it is. Welcome to Recycle Time!

It's actually kind of fitting to start off this episode with the Recycle Time name because as I told you last time, we're going to be going through and looking at some of the positive results the Vilitan National Team have had - and we'll do it together, live. I didn't even prep for this. We'll just see where it goes. We've got to do something to counter that Idiot Jaffacake and extended monologue highlighting the worst result in the history of the World Cup and we just want to put that behind us.

So lets see how we're going to do this. Jaffacake does this thing called Scorigami where anytime in history that there is a result that has never been had before, he claims its special. Well its probably not but maybe to someone. Of course, over here at RECYCLE TIME we actually like the Vilitan National Team. So we're not going to consider any games where the Jungle Cats lost. Only wins here. Maybe draws. Probably only wins.

Lets take it one step further though. Since we only care about wins for Vilita, why do we even care how many goals the opponent scored? We know it was less than what we scored right? Good Enough.

So lets just step through time and find all the games where the Jungle Cats broke their own goalscoring record. World Cup matches only; for now, the Regionals were a bit of an easy day for Vilita and we don't want to make the Turorian's watching feel bad, right Vilita 6-1 Turori during AOCAF I?

Alright. Lets get on with it. Of course, the Vilita National Team debuted in World Cup Qualifying during World Cup 13. Of course, as one of the great nations in the history of the World Cup - and all these newcomers now adays racking up scores of victories and sometimes even qualifying for the World Cup on their first attempt, surely things will progress quickly for Vilita...

Alright well let this be a lesson to anyone from a nation making their first ever attempt to Qualify for the World Cup: No matter how much you want your nation to win, they won't. They are terrible and they will lose. You will be lucky to even score a goal. Seriously. But don't worry, it can only get better from there!

Even for our terrible Jungle Cats, the overconfident regional champions of Atlantian Oceania making their first ever attempt to qualify for the World Cup, it would get better! Finally, at long last, after eight painstaking matchdays at the onset of the Karelan era without even scoring a single goal, Callum Banda happened. And speaking of Recycle Time...

Come on, this whole episode is about goalagami's - a quest through the history of Vilitan Sport and the goal-scoring barriers they would break down on their way to the ultimate goal scoring result. So what if we used that clip last time. Its the only first-ever-goal Vilita will ever score. By the Boots of Banda, we have a goal!

Of course it would be a magical and memorable moment for the Jungle Cats and the entire nation of Vilita, as told by the Vilita National:

Vilita [2] - [1] Compound Interest

....Santo Kecker inspired Vilita to their first win in the WCQ Competition with a 2-1 victory over Compound Interest in Lopinka, Vilita. After Vilita had fallen behind to a first-half Cal Culeator strike, Kecker set up Callum Banda for an equalizer before producing a cool finish for the home side's 74th-minute winner.

It was no less than an all-round team effort deserved - Vilita rode out a strong assault by the visitors in the opening period, during which Enzo Ahat also hit the bar with a header. Manager Helmut Vilkaus also came out with credit, tinkering twice with Vilita's formation in a bid to counter similar changes by his opponents. With CI backed by a 2,368-strong away following, Vilita made a jittery start - too often guilty of gifting their opponents ball. CI skipper Matt Matician hit the side netting with a 25-yard direct free-kick in the 10th minute and Culeator grazed the bar with a half-volley six minutes later after running on to a well placed through ball.

Vilita were being backed into their own half as CI - playing Culeator up front - made several surging runs from midfield and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening part of the half. The home side bounced back in the 24th minute as Ahat stole on to a Stott corner and hit the bar with a header. As CI failed to clear danger Banda forced The interest keeper to make a diving stop to keep out his downward header, and the CI keeper required a second bite to deny the advancing Salomón. The interest keeper was guilty of a part in a further Vilita chance in the 31st minute when he cleared the ball straight to Stott in midfield. After a short build-up, the young Vilitan helped win a corner before seeing his shot from the edge of the area deflected over the bar by Matt Matician.

But CI deservedly went one-up in the 34th minute as Vilita were caught unawares on a free-kick to the left of the area. The ball was flicked on for Culeator who finished a strong run into the box with a low drive into Massimo Corsi's left-hand corner. That goal saw Vilita switch to a 3-5-2 formation with Mark Price being switched to the right side of a three-man defense and Adika being pushed into the left side of midfield. That defense was again called into action when Price was guilty of a slip that let in Culeator in injury-time only for Ahat to make a goal-saving tackle on the edge of the box. The opening period suggested that it would be another tight half after the break but Vilita excelled in defense as their visitors were denied a single shot on goal.

Jonathon Baledrokadroka shot over the bar and the Interest defense had to intercept a Stott cross under pressure by Germán Salomón as Vilita made a patient start and were rewarded with a goal in the 52nd minute. Giacomo Adika released Kecker on the left and his looping cross was met at the near post by Banda who glanced a header past The interest keeper for the historic first goal for the team.

Kecker shrugged off a crunching challenge to shoot wide of the goal after a quickly-taken Stott free-kick. Vilkaus switched to a 4-4-2 formation with the introduction of Danilo Liguori and Alexander Östling and was rewarded with the winner in the 72nd minute when Kecker ran onto a Stott through ball to score with a cool finish past the interest keeper.

Vilita dug in and defended their lead and almost grabbed a killer third in injury time as Kecker broke on the left and crossed only for the ball to fall just behind the advancing sub Jim Vella.

Attendance: 14,294

Bookings: Vilita - none; Compound Interest - none.

Referee: H Webb (Audioslavia)

In fact, Vilita would score twice in that game with Santo Kecker getting the Jungle Cats first ever Game-Winning goal to peg the Jungle Cats up Two-Notches on the Goal-o-meter to Level 2 thanks to a 2-1 victory over Compound Interest on the eighth matchday of World Cup 13 Qualifying. Lets Check out the Meter:

As a side note we are giving credit for achieving "Level 0" to the Matchday 6 draw against Dance2Revolution since that is the first time the Jungle Cats didn't lose (A key criteria in this journey) - and also scored 0 goals in that game. From that point forward life would get a little better for our Jungle Cats and over the next nine matchdays of competition they would score another 2 goals. Wait. After 8 matchdays they scored 2 goals. Then over the next 9 they would only score 2 more? Are things really getting any better? They haven't even leveled up again. With 17 of 18 Matchdays in World Cup 13 Qualifying Complete, the Vilita Jungle Cats had scored just four goals and had been shut out FOURTEEN times. This was supposed to be an episode that made us feel better about being fans of the Vilita National Team in light of the Jaffacake incident. Not worse. Thank Goodness for Matchday 18.

Vilita [4] - [2] Aserjin

Some new names would get on the scoresheet for our Jungle Cats and Callum Banda would record their first ever Game-Winning goal as the Vilita National Team would Level up twice more to Level 4 on the all-time goalagami meter. Not only did they double up on the meter but in just one single game Vilita doubled their entire internationstatal goals output. At the conclusion of World Cup 13 Qualifying - a Qualifying campaign which the Jungle Cats were quite easily no where close to advancing to the World Cup Finals, they finished with 3 home victories, two away draws and thirteen defeats. Perhaps the one positive takeaway at the end of the campaign was that up until this point in their history, the Vilita National Team had never lost a game they'd scored a goal in. Lets check out the meter one more time.

With that excitement, maybe we'll be able to climb the meter a few more pegs during World Cup 14 Qualifying. Lets check that out next time. Recycle Time out.

Part 1: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=475859&p=36553641
Part 2:
Part 3:

[Free Republics]

Sporting World

Free Republics win 3-1 in Schottia with Full Strength Squad to Take Commanding Lead
By: Rachelle Rocher

Throughout the first half of qualifying, Soccer General Rule Theriault has relied heavily on his team's backups and youth prospects. So far, the Free Republics have been coasting toward another World Cup finals appearance. That's why it was such a surprise when the starting lineups came out for the match in Schottia. Schottia used to be the #1 ranked team in the multiverse but slid down the rankings after taking a couple years off. Last year, they looked really rusty, finishing tied for last in their qualifying group. This year, though, they've looked like a contender again. After the match, Soccer General Theriault told me that, "We weren't taking any chances against them. They used to be the best team in the multiverse and you just know that its a matter of when, not if, they return to that form. Just as the Free Republics returned to form in our second cycle back and haven't looked back since, Schottia could do the same this time. They're a nation that has produced elite talent in the past but we're not going to let them return to the World Cup at our expense."

Schottia's great striker Corinne Martel-Burns, whose temperament and talent would make her a classic Republican soccer superstar, quickly proved that Theriault had made the right call with a strike just seconds into the match. Schottia led 1 goal to nil. The Republican lineup showed a good deal of rust in this one. Early on, Johnny Smith blew a cross to Love Holm. Later on, Holm would take a low percentage shot instead of passing to Kalervo Peltola who would have likely converted to a goal. At halftime, Schottia was still clinging to that 1 to nil lead.

As the hour mark approached, Theriault's team appeared to be headed toward a shocking road defeat. Then, they finally got into sync. After a spectacular Taras Sergeyev save on a Martel-Burns shot, the Republicans went on a rapid counterattack against a Schottia team that had pushed too far forward, going for the kill. Sergeyev launched a long kick in the vicinity of Usman Eldarkhanov near midfield. Eldarkhanov charged forward and passed to Johnny Smith, who immediately took a shot at goal and just barely got it past a diving Ed Lorrey. The Free Republics had tied the match at 1 goal apiece as the officials had missed the fact that Smith was slightly offside.

It didn't take the Free Republics long to obtain the next goal. A really bad pass by Reay Cnocstanger gave the ball away to Zak Josef and the Republicans marched up the pitch, relying on short precision passes. The team that had been out of sync in the first half now looked to be completely in sync. Finally, Lecha Arsanukayev found Porbergur Lydsson and Lydsson delivered a goal to put his team in the lead.

After the second Republican goal, Schottia went on the attack. Sergeyev faced a barrage of shots from the likes of Martel-Burns and Jack Avelione but kept swatting them away to give Schottia another corner kick. Finally, Camila Soria Luna's 7th corner ended up going off the head of Maxim Izmailov and to the feet of Amy Ashbolt, who had just come on as a substitute for Lydsson. Ashbolt, by far the least tired player on the pitch, was able to outrun everybody to secure a 1v1 chance against Lorrey. She took advantage of it to put the clincher in the back of the net. The Free Republics now led 3 goals to 1 in the 80th minute. That would be the final score.

With the win, the Free Republics are now 7 points ahead of 3rd place Schottia in the table and 11 points ahead of 4th place Jeruselem. There are 11 matches to go but as long as the Republicans don't suffer any setbacks against the minnows of the group, they should coast back to the World Cup. With the top 2 seeds jumping out to a commanding lead in Group 11, it appears that this group may be over by the middle of the second half...

Rachelle Rocher is Sporting World's new international soccer correspondent. Rachelle is a recent graduate of Petrograd Republic University and was a high school soccer star for Petrograd Christian. After tearing both of her ACLs in a game during her freshman year at Petrograd Republic, she realized she'd never be the same player again. Realizing that she would have to give up her dreams of becoming a professional player, Rachelle became the chief soccer correspondent for the Petrograd Republic Chronicles, the official newspaper of the university. Her coverage of Petrograd Republic, Petrograd Christian and Petrograd United matches brought her to the attention of Nova Hellstrom-Hancock, who recommended her to Sporting World's new editor Gloria Trentini.

[Ziwana]

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

A PERFECT TEN

by Brianne Henry,

Somewhere, someone at the top has to break. If you look around all of the groups, you’ll see many examples of top seeds having a tough draw or even an upset loss along the way. That is the World Cup qualifying goes. At the start of the campaign, we like to make predictions, and in those predictions, we usually expect the top seeds to steamroll those from say, pot 5 down, unless those nations have displayed promise. In Group 1, there has been none of that. Audioslava and Sargossa have very much been “by the book”. Audioslavia has beaten everyone, including Sargossa, until we managed a draw with them. For Sargossa, they have quietly (without much homeward press given to it) also been perfect except for their loss to Audioslavia. In their most recent game, they came into Jessicaville and handed our Rockets a 1-0 defeat. In order for Newmanistan to be a threat in this group, they need a little help. But as these days went by, it didn’t seem as though that help was ever going to happen.

The match between Sargossa and Islas Aaland occurred a few hours before Newmanistan’s game in Greater Cebu. I wasn’t thinking much of it as I prepared myself for our own game, going through my daily routine and talking to the players. There was a match on in the background as I conducted interviews with many different players, and the team in general was not paying much attention to it, at least at first. As I began wrapping up these interviews, I started noticing increased interest in the game, and thoughts of “it’s still close” or “you don’t think they might do it, do you?” Manager Miguel Hernandez came up to me and told me that they were going to begin their team personnel only meeting in five minutes like he normally will. However that meeting would be delayed. The atmosphere in the locker room became one filled of more hope, showing that soccer players themselves will have the same reactions as the die hard soccer fan when they are hoping for a certain result. This lasted until the final whistle of the match, when it became official: Islas Aaland had shocked Sargossa! For the first time, we got a little help in this group. The locker room cheered as the 110th - ranked team in the world pulled off the upset.

In many ways Islas Aaland could have been a stronger contender in this group, but the lack of information about the team has prevented them from contending. They aren’t too much further down the ranks then we are, and for this day, they had their day. Now for the Rockets, the only thing left to do was to take care of their business. Greater Cebu, somehow, has mustered a decent overall record, and playing at home, they certainly were hoping to get a win over our Rockets, as that could show themselves to be a serious threat, or at least that pesky spoiler. Hernandez did a great job making sure the emotions of seeing the upset before this match were contained in the right way. Use them to your advantage, but do not lose focus on the match. Greater Cebu, after all, is only two points behind us on the table despite their lack of many key things that are needed in qualifying.

From the start of this match, it was very clear that the gameplan for the Rockets would be to take it to Greater Cebu early. No, actually it was probably to completely dominate the early moments with an aggressive attacking mindset. This could have backfired, but the home side were unable to launch a successful counter attack during these moments. After scoring the first two goals of the match (Jorge Cortez in the 9th minute and Jerome Beyer in the 14th), the Rockets relaxed some of this initial pressure and focused more on the defensive side of the ball. The home side of the nation that was surprisingly in fourth place were quickly deflated. However, I must say that it was disappointing to see a lot of empty seats at this game. Greater Cebu has become one of those nations that had early ambitions to try and make a name for themselves in qualifying. In fact, Greater Cebu was initially active in competitions they signed up for. They started with Rugby, and even the World Baseball Classic. Lacrosse, Futsal, Basketball, even the Di Bradini Cup. Heck, even the Wonder Cup, which was another soccer tournament. A few competitions even saw them provide a roster, but over the last little while, there has been no sporting activity from Greater Cebu. Whatever happened to those ambitions to sign their country up for all of these tournaments. Perhaps, a lack of fan support had a lot to do with it, as they soon realized that success in sports at the international level requires far more then submitting your initial application to participate. In qualifying, they have shown potential, but were unable to carry that into this game. Two goals by Derek Schaefer (29th and 41st minutes), gave Newmanistan the big 4-0 lead at the break. In the second half, Jerome Beyer (58th) and Antonio Cruz (81st) scored goals that sandwiched the only Greater Cebu tally. Final score: 6-1 to the Rockets. Still third on the table, back to within two of Sargossa.

AN “URBAN” EXPLORATION

by Taylor Larson,


Good morning, it’s Taylor, and I am glad to be a part of your morning read as we celebrate Newmanistan’s 6-1 destruction of Greater Cebu and hope for the good vibes of this tournament to continue into the final game of the first half where the Rockets battle it out with Brusseldorf, the nation with the third best rank in the group, in Putnam Lake. Obviously a big game for our players, but I think we can take them. With them coming late on our schedule, hopefully some of the intangibles that get incorporated into a World Cup qualifying campaign have seen us rise to a level to where we are pretty much even with them, or close enough to it where playing at home is a positive for us.

In the meantime though, I was fascinated with Greater Cebu. Here you have a nation that was initially very ambitious in sporting activity. The stadium was about 70% full, and there were not many traveling Rockets supporters for the game. Naturally, they favored going to other places for a road trip or two for the qualifying campaign. We spent some time going around the nation and found ourselves in Thanatus, the city where they played their home games during the World Baseball Classic.

It was quiet around the stadium. I had my camera crew with me and we were wandering around. The baseball stadium itself was a nice facility, but a mile or so down the round we noticed what appeared to be an abandoned building. It was blue and white, the colors of the national baseball team, and the windows were boarded up. We got out of our vehicle, and noticed that there was an unlocked door. Slowly, we walked inside, first making sure that there was no one there.

“There’s no power in here.” My camera man pointed out immediately, but fortunately we had some lighting equipment in the rental van that we could use that was battery operated, so we could have some visibility as to what was inside. The building itself was not in terrible condition, it had just been left unattended too. The water damage on the ceiling was significant, and the biggest sign that there was no one making immediate use of this building. Suddenly, one of my cameraman almost tripped.

“What was that?!” he exclaimed as he looked down. He reached down and picked up what looked to be a head of some sort of costume. “What the hell is that thing?”, we all exclaimed and wondered until we saw a sheet of paper on the floor. “Piffy’s In-Game Responsibilities”. Who the heck was Piffy? Soon, it became pretty clear as we read the responsibilities that Piffy was the mascot, the mascot of their World Baseball Classic team that participated in the Classic, but never was given any media coverage for that effort. “Piffy The Magic Dragon”. Creative. Creative, indeed. There has not been any frolicking for Piffy lately, as for whatever reason, part of the costume sat here in this building. There were a couple computers still in this building, but they were covered in dust, and the lack of power meant that we could not get into them, even if they weren’t password protected, which they probably would be.

A binder next to the computers entitled, “Football” certainly got our attention. In it, we saw the listings for their Di Bradini Cup team. “Look at this stuff,” I said to my cameramen, “look at this detail they went into for their Di Bradini Cup team. At first, they didn’t believe that, but became astounded at the detail that was provided. “Oh my,” one of them said, “this was a nation with a plan. These graphics. They are incredible.” The other looked, “Stunning, yes. They knew their stuff in here. All of these intentions. What happened to them?” Stunning, indeed. You look at this initial stuff that Greater Cebu provided for their Di Bradini Cup roster, and you have to think that there was a ton of potential here. Maybe that potential is part of the reason that their actual soccer team has been pretty decent, given their actual rank, at least before getting beaten badly by the Rockets. I looked for more information about the Di Bradini Cup team. But there was nothing. After this initial great bit of paperwork and the listing of the players that were going to participate, there is nothing. It just, somehow, someway, it just. Stopped. Why? Why, did it just stop? The football binder appeared to have a section set up for the Sporting World Cup as well as the World Cup and Baptism of Fire. However, nothing was in those sections.

After certain point, all communications out of this office ceased, almost with the flip of a switch on a certain date. The government itself has not ceased. It has had very recent activity at all, but this building. This building, once a beacon of hope of sporting success and once showing the potential that Greater Cebu may have had in sports just sits here. Sits here, abandoned. What are the plans for this building? It is not in such bad shape where it cannot be restored. Will it once again be active and return to be a part of Greater Cebu’s potential in sports, or will it rot away and be a short lived memory of another nation who swam in the waters of international sport for a brief moment of time, only to never return?


(OOC: In the event Greater Cebu sees my post and asks me to change or take stuff out of this RP, I will. In reading the sports where they did provide a roster, they also had RP Permissions where they said “do anything you want, just no killing”, so I am under the impression that a couple of the liberties I take here would be ok).

[Timuria]

Convincing Win Eases Pressure

North Eastern Asia 1–3 Timuria
NE Asian #11 (50);Tekin Yavuz (21), Vatan Ercetin (40), Altan Seyfi (78)

by Tufan Nursultan

The Red Wolves have recorded their second win in a row after a convincing and assured performance against North Eastern Asia. The result has helped create a sense of optimism around the team that has been lacking up until now, with a feeling of momentum beginning to build and the hot seat Bekir Altingunes was on seems to be beginning to cool, though he has no room for complacency and neither does the team going forward.

The early stages showed that the Red Wolves were keen to pick up where they left off after an exceptional second half against Libonesia, with early chances falling to Vatan Ercetin and Ertan Renda with both being dealt with well by the host's goalkeeper. The first goal would come as Ertan Renda passed to Tekin Yavuz who was in space and rounded the goalkeeper slotting into the empty net. Caner Turan would have a chance for himself clattering off the bar in the 29th minute.

A chance would fall to the host's striker, Murat Yigithan comfortably dealing with the effort, the resulting counter attack lead to a chance for Vatan Ercetin in the 33rd minute, the host's keeper palming the ball into the path off Yusuf Ihsanoglu who failed to turn the ball into the open net in a fairly embarrassing moment for him. Vatan's moment would come, Tekin Yavuz's cross found its way to the feet of Vatan in the box who placed the ball into the top corner with ease. The host's would have a final chance in the first half, with a free kick almost wrong footing Murat, who recovered well to claw the ball out of the top corner.

The second half began with the Red Wolves clearly intent on sitting on their 2-0 lead, inviting the host's to put pressure on them. This strategy quickly proved fruitless with the opposing striker eventually finding his way past both Yusuf Ihsanoglu and Metin Boz on their way to slotting the ball past Murat who looked furious at his defence. The Red Wolves then deciding to return to the front foot, a chance falling to Ertan Renda again, forcing an excellent save from the host's goalkeeper. The resulting corner saw an Eyup Mustafa header clip the bar on its way over.

Altan Seyfi came on later in the match, showing off his silky passing skills and rounding off the scoring in the 78th minute with an astounding long range effort that whistled into the top corner securing the win for the Red Wolves. They would have one final chance with Tekin Yavuz scuffing his shot just wide of the post the host's goalkeeper looking grateful that it did so.

The result has contributed to the feeling of positivity that is returning to the Red Wolves, leaving them in fifth place seven points behind Polkopia.

What They Said After the Match:

Bekir Altingunes: "I thought it was a really good performance, we clearly need to resolve some of the tactical adjustments we make during the match, but on the whole the players did the job and we're beginning to pick up some momentum."

Player Ratings:

Murat Yigithan 6/10

Ozbek Sarikaya 6/10

Eyup Mustafa 6/10

Metin Boz 6/10

Gokdeniz Dag 6/10

Atilla Acar 6/10

Yusuf Ihsanoglu 6/10

Tekin Yavuz 8/10

Caner Turan 7/10

Ertan Renda 7/10

Vatan Ercetin 7/10

Substitutes:

Altan Seyfi 7/10

Berker Balkan 6/10

Man of the Match: Tekin Yavuz - Played an exceptionally complete match, including an excellent and well taken goal.

Schedule and Results:
MD1: @ Pasarga W 2-0
MD2: vs Yttribia D 1-1, Halkın Güneş Çiftliği Stadium
MD3: @ Polkopia L 1-0
MD4 vs Drawkland L 3-0, Genel Sendika Stadium
MD5: @ Farfallidis L 7-0
MD6: Bye
MD7: vs Fujai, Madenci Stadium D 2-2
MD8: @ Gyatso-Kai D 1-1
MD9: vs Libonesia, Dev Halk Stadium W 5-3
MD 10: @ North East Asia W 3-1
MD11: vs Melbergia, Halkın Güneş Çiftliği
MD12: vs Pasarga, Dev Halk Stadium
MD13: @ Yttribia
MD14: vs Polkopia, Genel Sendika Stadium
MD15: @Drawkland
MD16: vs Farfaillidis, Dev Halk Stadium
MD17: Bye
MD18: @ Fujai
MD19: vs Gyatso-Kai, Madenci Stadium
MD20: @ Libonesia
MD21: vs North East Asia, Madenci Stadium
MD22: @ Melbergia

[Xanneria]

Xanneria on slide, Alton under scrutiny.
By Steve Stevenson

BURNABY,KELSSEK - With one year down on a tough year long slog in the qualifiers, the first half is almost over. But for the Maroons the first ten weeks have been a mess, and Amos Alton is under fire. The 62 year old from just outside New Arch has lead the Maroons in international competition for 8 years, but as the second half of summer qualifiers takes place, he's being looked at under a microscope more and more. While losing in Kelssek to the home team is somewhat expected its the four game slide that has people worried. Yes Kelssek, and Valanora are superior teams in terms of talent, but when an unstable country with an unproven domestic team like Ouna beats you, you have to take a closer look at something within the team. Most people working with the FAX are looking into this matter.

Meanwhile in the game, it was Kellssek all the way 4-2 looks semi close but let it be known it was 3-0 at one point early in the game. Dom Brabham did try his hardest but even he had issues given the amount of early PKs given out. On the other hand Kai Porier did well up until the end, and in the end he got a chance to partake in the unfortunate new Xannerian tradition of accidental goalie injuries. in the 48th minute an attempted shot by Richard Presintino hit Porier in the face while Kai was diving for the ball. when he got up it was immediately apparent he had taken a direct shot on the nose. While the goal didn't count, Porier would be substituted out and Marc-Henri Normand in. Normand played ok, but did give up the two goals to the Maroons, but it was to little, to late for the Maroons as the more seasoned veterans at Kelssek held on 4-2. Congrats though to Leon Faulk, the 25 year old scored his first international goal after substituting in for Deveon'elle Laymore who fell hard earlier in the match.

Xanneria - 2
Glenn Hailey 61'
Leon Faulk 82'

Kelssek - 4
Custworth 13'
Taleeb 29' 77 (Both on PKs)'
Tremblay-Fillon 37'

Xanneria co-bids on Cup of Harmony

In what is almost certainly the tournament that the Maroons will be heading off to in the next year, they FAX decided it would be best to host the tournament itself. THats right the Football Association of Xanneria in association with the Royal Banijan Soccer Association have announced a full on bid for the 76th Cup of Harmony. Given the success of last years Campianato Esportiva XXV, the FAX wanted to host again using all their stadiums and then some. Its a touch ironic to given that Jeb Gyjorko had been one of the biggest critics of the Banijan bid for the World Cup but after the RBSA gave them a tour of the facilities the minds of the FAX changed drastically. Hopefully there will be more to this partnership in the coming ages too.

[Sarzonia]

These days, the football has become the distraction for the Sarzonians.

A team still grieving over the loss of their manager to suicide with a defender still seething over his benching for non-football-related matters in a home fixture against a former World Cup champion welcomed the chance to get away from it all, both figuratively and literally, with an away match to The Sherpa Empire.

Shortly before Sarzonia's charter flight taxied on the runway prior to taking off, midfielder Ernie Mabree sang, "I think I'm going to Katmandu!" fully affecting the classic Bob Seger rasp and playing air guitar in a way that would have made longtime Stars striker Matt Lynch proud. Fellow midfielder Erik Swann very quickly picked up on it and joined in for the next line, "That's really, really where I'm going to," then a couple more players picked up where the two middies were going by pitching in with, "If I ever get outta here!"

Kevin Connelly rolled his eyes as a couple of the Stars players would need a spotter to carry a tune in a bucket, especially Mabree, who was on the team for his considerable football talents but was definitely not the best singer in the world by any stretch of the imagination. Still, Connelly recognised it for the bonding experience -- for the POSITIVE bonding experience -- the team so desperately needed with all the geopolitical machinations going on and the still present mourning by his team, seeing the team enjoy each other's company by doing something fun, even if it was totally off-key singing, warmed the otherwise curmudgeonly manager's heart. He put in his ear buds and started playing music that was more in keeping with his own tastes.

Assistant manager Kevin Wilson grimaced. Not at the poor singing by the majority of the players, although he heard Carlton Sandt actually sounding damn good. Like not "damn good for a footballer." More like "stop what you're doing and give this kid a recording contract and a band and send him out there to open for the Rolling Stones on their last tour of Sarzonia" good.

He was irritated more because he wanted quiet time on the flight to Kathmandu. But then, Sandt's singing voice when the other players let him take over lead vocals was just too good.

"Carlton!" Wilson called out.

"Yes, coach?"

"I didn't know you could sing."

"Uh, I guess so," Sandt said with a look of embarrassment.

"Why are you so embarrassed? You're really fucking good!"

"Uh, I dunno." Sandt for his part didn't think of his singing as anything special. He got rave reviews the one time he went out with his club team and sang two songs. The problem was, his parents told him he was a terrible singer. It wasn't until later that his older brother Horace found out it was because they wanted him to pursue football rather than singing.

After the flight landed in Kathmandu, Stars players checked into their hotel and soon decided to go out for a night on the town. They figured Sherpan media wouldn't have much, if any, coverage of the growing row between Sarzonia and Squornshelous. However, Connelly grimaced when he saw a news report showing an interview with Sarzonian Vice President for Health and Athletics Carter Marshall giving a statement in front of Sarzonian and international media in which he very specifically said he would have discouraged Connelly from suspending King for his comments on Squornshelan politics.

"Oh geez, not this shit again," Connelly said to himself before he quickly regained his composure and turned back toward the team. They would spend the rest of the night simply enjoying each other's company talking about anything other than politics or grief. Or football, for that matter.

The next day, a third minute tally from Lakpa Mehta suddenly awoke the Stars from their jet lag-induced figurative slumber, though it would take a 87th minute goal from Clayton Wilson, the grandnephew of the assistant manager, on a beautiful feed from Mabree, to level the score.

It would mark one of the first times the Stars basically controlled the run of play in the match, holding onto possession for 56 minutes to 34 for the Sherpans.

The result would see the Stars celebrate their result as if they'd won, even though they only had one standings point to show for their proceedings. They were essentially level with two other teams at seven points, and they were set to face the only other unranked side in Group 2 in their lone match scheduled for tiny Nottingham Pavilion in Woodstock.

"Yeah, we would have loved to have had the full three points," Carlton Wilson told the assembled media. "But we'll take the results we can get. It's only going to get more difficult from here on out."

[Bears Armed]

Firstly, the scene featuring ‘Discord’ that I had to cut short yesterday, unfortunately, due to time.

Location: the distant cave that was mentioned in a couple of my earlier RPS during this tournament.
Time: very shortly after the Bear-Belles’ players were mysteriously transformed into ‘Pony’-like beings while en route for their match against [& in] Valanora.

_______________________________________

Discord — for the ‘draconic’ figure briefly revealed to you before was indeed him — giggles, rubs his hands together in glee, and does a shuffling little dance. He drops a porcelain bowl containing various lengths of both Ursine and Equine furs onto his pile of used stuff, and goes back over to the pile of un-used stuff. Just as he reaches out to lift a tuba from this, he is surprised by a voice from within a dark corner of that cave.

“You go too far!"

(new material starts...)

Discord whirls around to behold the speaker… who has a basically-Ursine form, but with a covering of black feathers — including a line of longer plumes down the back of each arm — instead of fur. Anybody seeing this visitor would know by instinct, as Discord does anyway due to previous encounters ⁽¹⁾, that this is none other than the powerful spirit ‘Raven’ — who is sometimes a teacher, sometimes a psychopomp, sometimes a trickster, and sometimes even a messenger of ‘The GREAT BEAR’ — himself.

[size](Raven) “Causing the group draw to be reshuffled? That was just petty mischief, and basically harmless.
“Blurring the appearances of certain visiting teams’ members, to make playing against them more confusing? More annoying, but still — as you initiated that change before those teams had actually entered ‘Bear-home’, instead of attempting it after they had crossed the borders — just about within the scope of your role as a manifestation of Chaos-within-limits…
“But this, though? Transforming these Bears, not just in appearance but in their actual bodies… ?
“You. Go. Too. FAR!
“Return the Belles to their true forms,… Now.”

Discord actually looks a bit embarrassed, as well as annoyed, for those of you who can read his expression.
(Discord, sulkily) “Can’t.”

(Raven) “What? You did this, so you can reverse it.”

(Discord) “But I did it before they entered Valanora, “hrright”? You know the rules, I can’t do things like this there without consent from the Goddess of that land… and She doesn’t trust me, for some reason…”

He giggles, again.

(Raven) “Hr’rmm, I don’t know who is more aggravating, you or King Bua of Wight .” ⁽²⁾

Discord actually looks pleased.
(Discord) “You flatter me.
“Anyhow, maybeso the tutelary Goddess of Valamnora would let you reverse the changes — which should be within your power to do, if she allows you to act there — instead?”

Raven shifts form one foot to the other, now also looking slightly embarrassed.

(Discord) “Oh, that’s right, she doesn’t trust you, either… Dropping the Moon into the sea, wasn’t it?” ⁽³⁾
“Yes, that was it.
“Now, you’ve had your say, and I’ve answered you more fully than the rules required me to do, so unless you want to turn this meeting into a fight I suggest that you get out of my cave and just fly away home!”

Raven grunts angrily, but shifts into avian form as a gigantic raven, takes to the air, and vanishes in a multi-coloured burst of light... which is not the same sort of “lighting effect” that occurred during the Belles’ transformation.
Discord laughs loudly, and does another little dance, then turns back to his heap of unused stuff… only to see all of this vanish too, as the members of a flock of normal-sized ravens whose arrival he’d been too distracted to notice grab all of the items involved (yes, even the tuba) and follow their Archetype out of there…
He actually laughs LOUDER at this.

(Discord) “Hah! Well-played, old bird. You win… this time.
“But just wait until next year!” ⁽⁴⁾

(Your view of this discussion, as an observer from beyond the ‘Fourth Wall’, fades to black…)

_______________________________________

OOC Footnotes

1. Previous encounters between Discord and Raven are a presumption on my part, not something (as far as I know) that has actually occurred in either NS RP or any RL works of fiction before now.

2. ‘King Bua of Wight’… A prominent character from some past RPs — including ‘World Cup’ RPs — by Wight. his name actually includes one or two diacritical marks, but Raven isn’t bothering with those.

3. Reference to an incident [i](from this version of Raven’s [unpublished] back-story) paralleling a tale from the RL mythology of at least one Native American cultural group.

4. “next year”… i.e., as I’m RPing the passage of time for the Belles, the second half of the qualifiers.

_______________________________________ _______________________________________

And now:

Bears Armed vs. Valanora
Venue: Hatire Memorial Stadium, Capri, Valanora.
Score: 1-5.

Goals
Bears Armed (1): Sunbird (#34) @ 42’ (assist: Brent [#11]).
Valanora (5): Laborios Hawk (#10) @ 13’ (assist: va Drake [#21]); Nygård (#9) @ 39’ (assist: va Drake [#21]); va Drake (#21) @ 42’ (assist: Laborios Hawk [#10]); Nygård (#9) @ 52’ (penalty [‘handball’ decision against Lurrsee Fame, for her use of wings to block a shot…]); Lithvathar (#8) @ 88’ (assist: Laborios Hawk [#10]).

Red Cards
(none)

Substitutions due to Injury
(none)

(Sunbird [#34] was used as a substitute Midfielder, and was brought on early after Harroya O Sarrndale experienced problems with playing in Equine form: Her own Equine form was as a Pegasus.)

_______________________________________ _______________________________________

Location: aboard the airplane that’s carrying the Bear-Belles’ ‘first team’ line-up, and about half of their accompanying staff, home from the match against Valanora; currently still a little way inside Valanoran airspace.
Time: the night immediately after that game.

_______________________________________

The co-pilot is speaking, from the cockpit, over the intercom:
“…and leaving Valanoran airspace… now.
“Heyyuh?!? Hwhat’s that coming towards urrs? Some kind of GIGANTIC bird? It looks as though it’s going to fly hrright past urrs…”

A few instants later, a multi-coloured burst of light sweeps along the plane: In its wake, the Belles are returned to their true forms. Marra Moon, who was looking out of a window and saw the ‘gigantic bird’ as it flew past, exclaims:
[/color] “Raven! That was RAVEN!”

Behind this[/i[] plane, Raven flies onwards towards the team’s [i]second one. Above them, the stars in the night sky seem to have changed positions….

(co-pilot, in a rather shaken voice) “We are now entering Bear Armed’s airspace.
“I repeat, we are now entering Bear Armed’s airspace.”
“Urrgah! I need a drink…”

( Steffannne Bruin) “Well, that was interesting, for true!”

(Your view of this discussion, as an observer from beyond the ‘Fourth Wall’, fades to black…)

[Timuria]

Difficult Week for All Parties as First Regional Projections Shocks

by Yilmaz Ibrahim

A shock projection from İlerleme taking into account regional trends has shown that TIOC, despite being ridden with scandal and a Constitutional Court case hanging over their head are on course for a stunning majority of 160. All major parties have had a hard time, with the public generally growing more sceptical of each party's top figures and a general dislike of the conduct of the parties, almost without exception in the wake of the Sajnuran spying scandal. A majority of the size projected would be a stunning turn for TIOC and would mean that they would be able to pick whoever they pleased for President following the election.

The projection has a large error range, but shows that TIOC is thus far on track for the majority they have been seeking, with a significant gap between them and their nearest rivals and the support for the party on the two party preferences being far ahead of all opposition parties other than BAHP. Every party has seen a decline in their poll ratings, except ALTI who have seen a modest rise, SC have been the biggest victims with a scandal emerging about the leader Alparslan Timurtas and alleged ties with the Sajnuran incident that has hovered over the election.

Sabuktigin Imamoglu remains the choice for Prime Minister among the public, with every leader taking a hit except Ulku Guzelhayat. This election could be a rare case where every party sees their leader toppled for underperforming, but at particular risk is Naz Dogancay and if he fails to deliver the kind of victory predicted in the poll Mr Imamoglu.

The poll has attempted to model regional differences and account for them which may mean there are significant inaccuracies, but it indicated TIOC support on preferential votes in most regions is very high. The only exception is Rahim Muhadow's BAHP taking a hefty 69 out of 82 seats in the regions of Arhavi and Goynuk, his party the only one consistently beating TIOC in two party preference polls, his impressive performances this election giving his party a real chance at being a power broker after the election. The SC will fall out of parliament entirely based on this model, a total rejection of Mr Timurtas' party, while ALTI are also projected to lose all eight of their seats by narrow margins in the preferential vote. The TKP will be left with a lone MP, with leader Kemal Macaoglu projected to lose his seat. OK are projected to gain 17 seats, but that will not be enough to see them even close to the TIOC total. One independent candidate is expected to win in Goynuk.

With a poll ban now in place until the eve of the election, there will not be significant coverage until they are released, with İlerleme planning to do a seat by seat projection.

First Preference Voting Intention:

TIOC 31.6% (-0.2%)
OK 25.6% (-0.3%)
ALTI 12.5% (+0.6%)
TKP 11.4% (-0.4%)
BAHP 8.5% (-0.5%)
SC 5.7% (-2%)
Oth 4.7%

Two Party Preference Poll:

TIOC 51.6% (+0.1%)
OK 48.4% (-0.1%)

Preference for Prime Minister:
Sabuktigin Imamoglu 25% (-1)
Naz Dogancay 19% (-1%)
Rahim Muhadow 18% (-1)
Ulku Guzelhayat 11% (+2)
Kemal Macaoglu 8% (-1%)
Alparslan Timurtas 3% (-3)
None of these/Other 16%

Current projected Parliament (Changes with last election):
TIOC 340 (+55)
OK 139 (+17)
BAHP 69 (+52)
TKP 1 (-8)
Ind 1 (-1)
ALTI 0 (-8)
SC 0 (-107)

Changes with the last election.

TIOC Majority of 130