Baptism of Fire 72 - Everything Thread

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Life in Twicetagria

We edited our logo to make it look fancier

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What's on with all the goal-scoring bazookas?
By John Suh

If you hadn't been listening to our BoF campaign, let me just tell you the results: Twicetagria 5-6 Tequilo. This is the most amount of goals scored in a match we've been in, even surpassing the AOCAF.
This leads to a question: Is Kim focusing too much on the attackers?
This high scoring affair, which we ended up losing, led many fans to ponder and discuss about this question. If Kim had focused equally on defenders, we could have prevented Tequilo from scoring more goals. We could also have had a more imposing win over Krytenia and Xannerian AO Territory in the AOCAF 60.
While the goalkeeper isn't always to blame for this kind of situation, we could also question Han's choices after some sloppy work throughout yesterday's game.
I guess we could say the defenders are back to the training area.
OOC: My reports will be fairly short and I apologize for that. This only happens if my contestant already wrote an RP about the match.

[Alba and Cymru]

From Tuesday,

Fear, Fluster, and Frustration gripped the athletes from Alba and Cymru as they struggled through a sluggish match against Ottoman Syldavia, only to result in the team's first tie. The Celts achieved an early 1-0 lead and seemed to start their engines for an intense battle, but a strong Syldavian defense proved to be a tough match for the front players from Alba and Cymru. Very little was achieved in the first half besides the initial goal by Conchúr MacGregor. In the opening of the second half, Ottoman Syldavia answered with a goal of their own with a corner kick, making the score 1-1. A series of possessions would ensue in the second half, with creative plays from tactical dives and free kicks producing no goals. The game flew through overtime and was then decided by a shootout, with Not Lionel Messi representing Alba and Cymru. Each kicker earned one goal for their respective teams, ending the game at 2-2.

"Not the outcome we wanted, but we have to make a recovery," said team captain Conchúr MacGregor. "I think we stayed too long on our high horses, and we didn't expect this sort of fight from the Syldavians. Great match, but a painful outcome. Going into the break tomorrow, the team needs to refocus on our next opponent."

"Nobody is satisfied with a tie, especially in the World Cup," said Carlos Meireles. "The motivation wasn't present today, and it got the better of us. We're going to have to step up if we want to tackle G.U."

Team Stats for Ottoman Syldavia (0-2-1)

Group rank: 6th
Shots: 11+5
Goals: 2 (48:01, 90:00+30:00)
Possession: 62:33
Saves: 12+4
Fouls: 15
Yellow: 2
Red: 0
No notable injuries

Team Stats for Alba and Cymru (2-0-1)

Group rank: 1st
Shots: 14+5
Goals: 2 (Conchúr MacGregor, 5:49; Not Lionel Messi, 90:00+30:00)
Possession: 57:27
Saves: 9+4
Fouls: 12
Yellow: 3 (Conchúr MacGregor, Jarquín Ramos, Francesco Persico)
Red: 0
No notable injuries

Both teams will be back in action on Thursday. Ottoman Syldavia will take on Qvardax (0-2), while Alba and Cymru will move on the face the undefeated Grearish Union (2-0).

[Mavinet]

© Dai Hoa Times
Baptism of Fire 72: Another draw as Mavinet head into long rest
by Lam Manh Hai, Senior Sports Editor

The Dai Hoa Times welcome readers across the nation to its special series covering the Mavinese national football team's participation in the 72nd Baptism of Fire and 85th World Cup qualifiers. Our dedicated and experienced sport editors will provide information before and after each match, as well as comments and opinions from the experts as we accompany the national team in this journey.

--------------------------

Mavinet's second match in the 72 Baptism of Fire against Villablanca ended in a draw as both teams were unable to convert chances. Unlike the first match with Lake Esper, Mavinet approached the second match with Villablanca more cautiously. Head Coach Nguyen Minh Quan did not present many changes to the starting line-up, swapping only a few players for rotation purpose. Central defender Hung Dung was replaced by Van Be after a disappointing performance in the first match. Young star Ho Vu Thanh Hoang was picked as a starter after an explosive display in the second half against Lake Esper.

Villablanca enjoyed a bye in the previous round so they went into the match a bit more fresh than Mavinet. In the first few minutes, this physical advantage was shown in the way Villablanca conducted their offense: quick, aggressive and relentless. The match started in the same manner as the match against Lake Esper: the opponent enjoyed more possession and attacked in number, while Mavinet focused more on defending and keeping compactness. Lessons from the first match proved to be beneficial, however, as Mavinet's defense kept their composure and good distance to limit the space Villablanca's attackers can exploit. There are still several dangerous shots from the striker pair Roberto Mangas and Luca Martinez, but overall, the amount of chances for Villablanca was limited.

Despite being on the defensive for most of the first half, Mavinet was the first team to break the deadlock. In a 31st minute counter attack, central midfielder Quang Khai passed a good through ball for Thanh Hai to rush down pass the defense before crossing to Thanh Hoang, who put the ball in the back of a wide open goal.

An advantage before the half-time whistle helped Mavinet to play a more open game in the second half. Head Coach Minh Quan seemed to aim for a second goal to ensure Mavinet's first 3 points. The Water Buffaloes conducted more attacks and created more chances up until the hour-mark. Thanh Hoang, Thanh Hai and Tien Linh each came very close to scoring the second goal, but were all denied by good defending from Villablanca's goalkeeper and defenders. Then, unexpectedly, Villablanca were handed a good opportunity after Quang Khai lost the ball in the midfield in the 62nd minute. Alex Silva passed to Felipe Sanchez, who accurately picked out the sprinting Andres del Toro down the right flank. A cross from del Toro met the right foot of Luca Martinez and Hoang Trung was beaten at close range. The score was leveled again.

The rest of the match saw cautious build-up from both teams when in possession. Both Mavinet and Villablanca wanted to get point from the match, but the risk of falling behind with a loss seemed to be big enough to prevent all-out attacks to get goals. The match ended without any more significant chances created.

Mavinet currently only have 2 points after 2 rounds. Speaking to the media after the match, Head Coach Minh Quan said: "We wanted to get more out of this match, but the reality is we still have a lot to do in terms of defending and keeping the opponents from scoring. I think we did well for the most part and offensively we looked solid. Defensively we were doing better than the first match and the chances conceded statistic proved that. Going forward we will need to improve on all aspects, and of course we all need some luck in sport tournament like this to go far. We look forward to the rest and will now shift our attention to the next opponent."

That opponent is Shokpos, currently sitting at 6th with only 1 point from 2 rounds. The next match is expected to be easier than the first two rounds, but there is no room for complacency, especially when Mavinet really need to start getting 3 points to keep our hopes alive in the Baptism of Fire.

MAVINET - 1
31' Ho Vu Thanh Hoang

VILLABLANCA - 1
62' Luca Martinez

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LINEUP AGAINST SHOKPOS

[Riennic Isles]

Kanata Shiranami leaned back in her seat and sighed wearily. She pulled out her phone and began to fiddle with it as her Multiversal History professor - a fossilised troglodyte if there ever was one - continued to drone on and on at the lectern. The ancient don clearly loved the sound of his own voice very much. Not so the class he was supposed to be teaching, half of whom appeared to be nodding off. The rest had simply given up on trying to follow the dreary lecture and were either staring blankly into space or swiping at their phones behind their massive Multiversal History textbooks.

'What a bloody pain this is ...'

Soldiers poking each other with sharpened sticks, snooty aristocrats getting defenestrated in the acrobatic style, fusty old kings going at it with their nubile cousins like rabbits ... none of it mattered very much to Kanata, who had not the least bit of interest in the subject. She would have jumped at the chance to have a more interesting elective, like Bonsai Pruning for Beginners or Mechanics of Paint Drying. In a pinch, she might even have settled for something as utterly soul-destroying as An Introduction to Jeckish Cuisine, an elective infamous for its vague syllabus, half-hearted references to a mythical chicken dish, and the highest failure rate of any subject in the entire University.

Kanata was idly entertaining the thought of smashing her textbook across the old kusojiji's face, just to make him shut his blabbering trap for a damned second, when she felt her phone vibrate in her palm. She unlocked it with her finger and saw a message pop up on her screen. It was from her academic coordinator.

Good day, Kanata. There is an urgent matter that I need to discuss with you. Will you be available in an hour's time?

Kanata shoved her Multiversal History textbook into her backpack, scurried to the front of the class and asked to be excused. The professor didn't even bother looking at her, but Kanata really could not care less. As soon as the wizened dinosaur gave a perfunctory nod, Kanata took off running and was out of the door in a matter of seconds.

---

Fifty minutes later, Kanata was to be found kicking her heels in front of her academic coordinator's office. She had spent the better part of her precious time off getting a bite to eat at the nearest university cafeteria. Eight hundred and fifty rin for a beef bowl and mini parfait was a bit of a stretch on her rapidly emptying wallet, but Kanata figured she deserved a bit of a treat after spending a whole double period in Multiversal History. She ended up picking listlessly at the parfait while worrying about the looming specter of plain rice mixed with soy sauce for dinner. Kanata did some quick mental calculations as she scooped up one last mouthful of melting ice cream, and decided that her favourite mapo tofu was definitely a bridge too far for dinner.

Right on the top of the hour, the door to her coordinator's office creaked open. Kanata slung her backpack across her shoulder, gently knocked on the door, and swung it open. She smiled as she saw the familiar, kindly face of her coordinator; but the smile froze on her face as she realised that they weren't the only people in the office. Sitting on the dilapidated couch in the corner, with his arms crossed and his posture ramrod straight, was a fierce lion of a man. Kanata fancied she could see the hard lines around his mouth tighten as she sidled into the room and stood next to her smiling coordinator. Kanata noted the pair of horn-rimmed spectacles perched on an aquiline nose, the streaks of grey and white dappling his mane, and instinctively knew that this was an impressive customer. Definitely not someone you ever, ever wanted to get on the wrong side of.

'I apologise for the short notice, Kanata, but this gentleman was quite anxious to meet you in person as soon as was convenient. This is Mr Tamaki Oda.'

Tamaki Oda ... now where have I heard that name before?

The man rose from his seat. In a standing position, he towered over both Kanata and her coordinator, his figure dwarfing everything else in the office. He rubbed his stubbled chin contemplatively as he studied Kanata, who couldn't help but take a step backwards under the man's intense gaze. Eventually, the man decided that he'd seen enough. His stern countenance gave way to a rigid attempt at a smile as he proffered a massive paw.

'It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Shiranami-kun. My name is Tamaki Oda, and I am here to conduct business on behalf of the Riena Football Association.'

The Riena Football Association!

The pieces of the puzzle began to make some semblance of sense to Kanata. Of course, this was the legendary national team head scout, and the current de facto head of the Riena Football Association, Tamaki Oda. Kanata remembered reading about his extensive work with the national set-up - he was, apparently, the man who was almost single-handedly responsible for the development of grassroots football in Riena. But what sort of business could someone important like this have with little old Kanata?

'... please, call me Kanata.'

'Very well, Kanata it is.'

Trembling slightly, Kanata extended her own hand, and quickly found it engulfed in an iron vice. But just as quickly as he clasped Kanata's hand, Oda let go, and gestured to her to take one of the chairs in the office as he resumed his own seat on the couch.

'I apologise for making free with your office, Madam, but I am a busy man, and cannot afford to waste my time on trivial formalities.'

Oda fixed Kanata with a piercing gaze, his dark, brooding eyes boring into Kanata where she stood.

'I will get straight to the point. Kanata, I want you to be the Riena manager.'

Kanata spaced out for a moment, her mouth hanging slightly open. She stared incredulously at Oda as her brain tried to process what he had just said. Riena manager? Huh?

Ignoring Kanata's reaction, Oda continued, his tone matter-of-fact throughout.

'Rest assured that you have not misheard me, but for the sake of clarity, I shall repeat my words once more. You are my first choice to be the manager of the Riena national football team.'

It took Kanata a good minute before she could stammer out a reply.

'M-me? Riena manager? Why? Surely there are other, more qualified candidates out there ...'

'I do not need qualifications. I need your name.'

Oda stared unflinchingly at Kanata as he spoke, his mouth a hard line in his weather-beaten face.

'Kanata Shiranami. Twenty-four years of age, coaches amateur football in her spare time, and the only daughter of Riena's darling, the legendary goal-scoring midfielder Mia Shiranami.'

The instant the name passed Oda's lips, Kanata's mood darkened, and her lips curled into a snarl.

'If you know that much about me, you'll also know that I don't want to be associated with her. In any way.'

Oda let out a rasping laugh that echoed in the silence of the office.

'I see you are a feisty character. Of course I know that. It would be remiss of me not to have done my homework before paying you a visit. Despite your rather unique circumstances - or should I say because of it - you are my choice for the position of Riena manager. I assume you have been keeping up with the football news.'

Kanata simply nodded mutely in response.

'In that case, you will know that no Riennese manager worth their salt will chance their hand at being Riena manager. Not while the situation is as uncertain as it is. An internal promotion is off the table as well. It is regrettable, but I find my hand forced by the prevailing circumstances. I have no other option but to recruit you for the position.'

Kanata opened her mouth to protest, but was immediately silenced by a regal paw.

'The RFA is operating under a cloud right now. We do not have any sort of political capital with the government of the day, nor do we have public sentiment behind us. Not after what happened. Make no mistake - the RFA's influence is diminished to the point that it is utterly negligible as an institution. The senior coaching set-up has been given notice of termination. The entire RFA is in a state of turmoil right now. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is desperately clinging on to life. And that is exactly why we need you to lead the national team.'

Oda leaped to his feet and began pacing the room, agitation causing the mask of composure to slip with every stride he took.

'At the rate things are going, the government will cease all funding for the RFA, and it will be disbanded by executive fiat. That is unthinkable. I cannot in good conscience allow the work of the good people in the RFA to go to waste because of the poison of a few bad apples. Neither can I countenance children and teenagers struggling in poverty when football could have saved them from destitution and delinquency. To stop that from happening, I need you to be the public face of the RFA. The public will rally behind the Shiranami name. The government will not dare intervene once we have popular support from the people. And the RFA will be saved.'

Oda stopped in front of Kanata, staring into her eyes for a few seconds that felt like an eternity to her.

'The necessary arrangements have been made for you to step seamlessly into the role. I have retained a number of key senior staff; they will assist you in any tactical and coaching matters. For my part, I will do anything and everything in my power to support you from behind the scenes. You can be sure that you will have all the help you need as Riena manager. Meanwhile, I will personally negotiate your release with the chancellor of the University; you will, of course, be able to graduate successfully. As for matters of remuneration, I will see to it that your needs are taken care of, and that you will not want for anything.'

Kanata opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat before she could verbalise them.

'Think of it as your chance to leave your legacy on Riennese football, Kanata. In any other time, the chance to manage their national team on the multiversal stage would be an opportunity that many other managers would kill to have. But these are not normal times, and these are not normal circumstances. If you turn me down, you may never get the chance to manage the Riena national team again.'

Oda placed his hands on Kanata's shoulders. In that instant, Kanata felt the weight of the world crushing her slender frame.

'I am counting on you to do the right thing. Do right by us, and we will do right by you.'

[South Newlandia]

ELEPHANT VALLEY MAIL
Sports -> Soccer
Break Day with release of squad against Twicetagria, 4 changes

As there are no games to report on today, this will be shorter than usual, but we have some news for you anyway.

Roster against Twicetagria


This is the official roster for the game against Twicetagria.
There are multiple notable things to discuss about this.
First of all, Team captain and goalkeeper Mikhail Trischuk, the two Centerbacks Jack Schroeder and Karl Meyer and Left Back Dhruv Roy kept their starting slot. Right Back Kendell Wagner, who performed poorly in the first two games, loses his start, and will be replaced by Barnaby Hastings.
In Midfield, Defensive Midfielder Johan Dorsey, who had been playing badly in both games so far, will be replaced by Kevin Mohamed. We also see Corban Green not being back in the starting eleven yet. The injured Left Midfielder will be on the bench, so it is not impossible that he might come back as a joker against Twicetagria. He will be replaced by Faisal Harworth. Both other midfielders from the first two games, Patrick McMora and Finnley Wallis, will be back.
Ricardo Rayner, who played horribly in the first two games, is finally replaced by Bjorn Cohen. The 18-year-old youngster played well when we came into the game against Havynwilde, and will receive his first start. Liam Miller, the teams other usual striker, will be back in the starting formation.

Many experts thought Tommy Anderson might get a start as Centerback as well, but Coach Robert Wolverine is giving Schroeder and Meyer the starts again. Most experts expected Donald Lancaster would get the start in Left Field, as he was the replacement in both games so far when Corban Green had to be replaced. Brandon Irving is another player notably not on the list, as the 20-year-old talent was thought to have good chances for a start.

Long story short – Wagner, Dorsey, Green and Rayner will be replaced by Hastings, Mohamed, Harworth and Cohen, respectively.

[Muradil]

“The coach has been killing us with the training lately” mumbled the younger of the Môrnengi brothers under his breath. He was already tired from the long day of practice. It was their day off, so he didn’t really expect training. He wanted to relax.

“Yeah, he’s been pretty harsh on us after the tie.” Boñil replied.

“I blame it all on the Farves. They’ve brainwashed him, man.” Eçrüsmén wasn’t really fond of foreigners, and even less on his team. Something that didn’t help was their clash before last match. They tried to rough him up, but Xarlí was willing to start a fight if that meant going against their wishes. And so they did. It wasn’t a fair fight, and Xarlí accepted his defeat. That also made them earn his respect. His childhood hadn’t been the best one, and he repeated the same behaviors that his parents had with him, and what he had to do to earn his father’s respect.

Some might say that the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, but in Muradil they say “when they beat you up, it’s because they love you. If you want respect from someone who loves you, beat them up. Also, if you dislike someone, beat them up.” That lead to a great amount of misunderstandings between teenagers, who couldn’t differentiate friends from foes; nor when they were in relationships, if it was love or hate, and, despite the government best efforts, that mindset is still there to this day, so Xarlí was forced to tell the Farves that he didn’t love them, he was fighting them because he disliked them, which, to be fair, was obvious for anybody outside from Muradil, that’s why they were caught off guard when he said that, and he managed to sneak some more punches while they were trying to make sense of what he said. That mindset also has lead to

Yup, Muradil was a country full of contradictions. Despite that, they knew they were the best nation, and that was more than enough for them, because everybody there wanted to win. Winning was part of their nature. As much as being chaotic is a part of Farves’ nature, or losing was a part of Audioslavians’ nature, or being murderous was part of Nepharim’s nature, or only getting to semi-finals was part of Krytenian’s nature, or having bad taste in flags was part of the Xannerian’s, being winners (or at least die while trying, usually literally) was part of Muradilians’ nature; it was as if they were created by someone with those flaws, this argument wasn’t liked by the atheists, but those people were so up on their ass that the inhabitants of Muradil called them Muradildos.

Xarlí didn’t go as far as dying, but he was willing to die in that fight. Obviously, the Farves didn’t want to kill him, so he insulted them, their parents’ and alluded to female genitalia. Nevertheless, the Farves just left him in the floor, and told him to “play better or else…”. Now he was torn between playing really well, or doing awful, just to fight with them again and see what that “or else…” meant.

Xarlí was that one weird uncle you had, the one who is sometimes an awesome person, very insightful and very strong, but he took everything seriously, so if you told him a joke he didn’t like, you’d soon realize how strong he was. Actually, you wouldn’t want Xarlí to be your uncle. That wasn’t because he wasn’t affective or compassionate if his brain wasn’t short-circuiting and he was ranting or destroying stuff, but because all of his family was dead. Every person who had at least some blood ties to him died. Some in mysterious circumstances, others in not-so-mysterious, but Xarlí wasn’t even considered a suspect. Maybe it was because the police feared him, and how effective he was, or maybe it only was because he was innocent. But Muradil’s justice system was bad enough that nobody truly knew. Some people also thought that he was on the team because of that, but he was decent enough that maybe it was only the rampant nepotism within Muradil’s national team. And the people who ventured to question it, were somehow found to be relatives of Eçrüsmén and shortly after, they died.

“Hey, you three, split up.” Jan saw the trio talking, and he didn’t want the practice to end up in groups of people talking while they jogged. And so he ended the conversation.

Still, Xarlí wanted to keep talking. And so he found another victim in the other Xarlí: Gòbüen. He was nicknamed Charles Good, because he was a really nice person, a good player, and also his last name started the same way as good, and so his nickname was born. He was so good that he thought he was somehow a relative from Eçrüsmén and reported it to the government, given that they both shared the same name. That gave the Leader some ideas, but he was quickly dismissed, because sharing the name isn’t reason enough (in this case at least) to be considered a relative. He wasn’t also very bright.

Eçrüsmén ended on the middle of the field, without anyone nearby. Still, Jan saw his lips moving. He was now ranting alone, but that didn’t please him, because the training could’ve gotten disrupted if someone saw him talking to himself and thinking he was talking to them, and then everybody would gather around him to listen to his rants because they were funny.

He sent the Farves to duct tape his mouth, knowing that this would cause a fuss. It was a vulgar display of power, but it had to be done. After all, he was the coach, and Eçrüsmén was only a player who wasn’t related to him in any way. And so another fight began. Luckily, this wasn’t a matter of life and death, so he stopped the fight early, after Eçrüsmén managed to land a punch. He couldn't stop it before, it wasn’t something honorable.

After that, the training continued. Those six hours were hard on the players, but they knew they had a full hour of rest before the next match.

[Adyatin]

Adyata River Bank, three kilometres east of the Savojar border

In the far distance, the lights of the town were shining over the horizon. Taras Matvinin was lying in the mud, probably for nothing. God knew why they couldn’t use a protected mail server like normal people, but his contact person had asked for this rather ridiculous method. Apparently it was supposed to be safer for Matvinin. He cursed the moment when he had gotten into this whole mess, but here he was, at a riverbank deep in the bushes. There was a farmhouse at the other side of the river, and he could see an old TV set turned towards the window. As long as it was there, it would be clear that he was safe, as he could see the farmer’s head in the light of the TV and a green surface. Like the entire nation, he was watching football. The Baptism of Fire had, thus far, been kind to Adyatin. Two victories of two games was surprising to Matvinin given his knowledge of the AVL, but apparently the findings he had made didn’t actually bother the team, or the state of the game, all that much.

Finally, he had dug the USB stick out of the little bag he was carrying. Now, taking out a little pouch that his contact had given him, he enclosed the stick and made sure it was water-tight. Then, he dug out a little toy, made for children to play with on the water. He blew it up. It was a good concealment for summer, he had to admit, as if some child from the next town up the river had lost its toy, but he still thought of it as profoundly ridiculous. His contact, however, had insisted that the cyber security of Adyatin was good enough that it would be dangerous to send the files on the stick by mail. Then, finally, Matvinin had finished his little exercise in crafting a tiny boat to sail across the border. He murmured a little prayer and finished with “God protect me, God protect Adyatin, and God may forgive me for my Treason”. He knew full well what he was doing as he tossed the little toy into the river.

Taras Matvinin was certainly not risking his life for a quick few Savojar Kronor. They’d be mostly worthless in Adyatin anyway. Like most Adyatinians, regardless of their political conviction, he actually believed in the good graces of his country. But also like most Adyatinians, he had always been deeply convinced that their government was probably corrupt. As a journalist, Matvinin knew a lot about how other nations saw him and his countrymen, and it saddened him. Adyatinians weren’t all fervent adherents to the regime’s idiocy, nor were they fools who didn’t realise what was going on or sheep who didn’t dare to speak. Most of them were just utter cynics who believed that of course Svetanov was corrupt, but so were the opposition leaders, and it was smarter to just keep your head down and get by. Probably they were right. Matvinin’s problem was that it was a lot harder to keep quiet when you actually knew all of the corruption. In this case, treason wasn’t treason against his people. It was treason against a government led by a corrupt Prime Minister.

The drive was slowly floating down the Adyata while Matvinin changed back into more normal clothes, leaving the muddy rags where they laid on the ground. In the window he still saw the farmer watching the football, as a flash drive full of incriminating information on all of them drifted down the river. Svetanov was a pig, Matvinin concluded from all his researches. A worse pig than the rest of them. He hadn’t just used a position to get some work for his companies like everyone knew all of Adyatin and their mother had. No, he had taken blatant cash bribes and spent tax money on his pet project up in Staraya Vetry, buying up the nation’s best players and building a strong football club on stolen cash. Then, he’d sell his players and pocket the money himself, while not paying taxes on his investments in “youth football”; of course, only after he’d run half of it by the nation’s referees. As an Adyatinian football fan, after sifting through his findings, the one thing he liked less than Svetanov was FK Staraya Vetry. In the TV of the farmhouse, he saw the man jumping up in celebration. Apparently, Adyatin were winning.

[Donnacona]

[Ethane]

Refreshed, the teams regather again. Raring to assert themselves in their groups. This match is the half-way point in the group stages. Those who are winning are best-placed, but it is not too late to gain a qualifying position even if you're in last place. So get out on to that field and play to your very best. And we'll see who is staying in the BoF.

Cutoff for MD4, groups D-F

Group D
Xuzaqiy 1–2 Drunk People at the Local Tavern
Atheist Democratic Freehold 0–1 Great Lausitz
The Mann Clan 4–2 Lo Santano

Group D                                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Drunk People at the Local Tavern             3   3  0  0    9   4  +5    9
2 Xuzaqiy                                      4   2  1  1    8   6  +2    7
3 Great Lausitz                                4   2  0  2    7   7   0    6
4 Atheist Democratic Freehold                  3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
5 The Mann Clan                                3   1  1  1    6   5  +1    4
6 Lo Santano                                   4   0  2  2    5   9  −4    2
7 Necosia                                      3   0  1  2    1   5  −4    1

Group E
Lake Esper 4–1 When U Die
Villablanca 3–2 Donnacona
Mavinet 4–0 Shokpos

Group E                                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Lake Esper                                   4   2  2  0   13   6  +7    8
2 Villablanca                                  3   2  1  0    9   5  +4    7
3 The Appraisal To The Allmighty MR TAYTO      3   1  2  0    2   1  +1    5
4 Donnacona                                    4   1  2  1    7   7   0    5
5 Mavinet                                      3   1  2  0    8   4  +4    5
6 Shokpos                                      4   0  1  3    3  14 −11    1
7 When U Die                                   3   0  0  3    3   8  −5    0

Group F
Simpralia 5–3 Jerauuk
Sankt Konrad 1–0 Soracana Islands
Riena 7–3 Monglechabagd

Group F                                      Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Riena                                        3   2  1  0   12   5  +7    7
2 Sankt Konrad                                 3   2  1  0    7   3  +4    7
3 Caelapes                                     3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6
4 Simpralia                                    4   1  2  1    8   9  −1    5
5 Soracana Islands                             4   1  1  2    6   6   0    4
6 Monglechabagd                                4   1  1  2    7  13  −6    4
7 Jerauuk                                      3   0  0  3    3   8  −5    0

[Appalachian Nation]

Cutoff for MD4 Groups A-C

Group A
Floyssau 3–1 Res Publica Nova -AFK Outdoors - Fuller Family Stadium - Blacksburg
Southern Esportiva Union 2–4 Jamestownnnn - The Charlie Dome- Charleston
Adyatin 1–0 Sylestone - Bank of Carolina Stadium - Charlotte

Group A                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Adyatin                       3   3  0  0    3   0  +3    9
2 Jamestownnnn                  4   2  2  0    9   6  +3    8
3 Sylestone                     4   2  1  1    7   5  +2    7
4 Pangurastan                   3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
5 Floyssau                      4   1  1  2    6   7  −1    4
6 Res Publica Nova              3   0  1  2    1   4  −3    1
7 Southern Esportiva Union      3   0  0  3    5   9  −4    0

Group B
Balaslandia 0–1 Porticalia - Randall Cobb Memorial Stadium - Lexington
Muradil 4–3 Sanctanus - Ohio Valley State Fairgrounds Stadium - Louisville
Bushkrub 6–2 EGM - Coastal Waters Stadium - Erie

Group B                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Muradil                       3   2  1  0    8   6  +2    7
2 EGM                           4   2  1  1    8  10  −2    7
3 Khazajamal                    3   2  0  1    7   6  +1    6
4 Bushkrub                      3   2  0  1    9   4  +5    6
5 Sanctanus                     4   2  0  2   12  12   0    6
6 Porticalia                    3   1  0  2    5   6  −1    3
7 Balaslandia                   4   0  0  4    0   5  −5    0

Group C
Valentine Z 4–1 Kuriko - Knox Global Stadium - Knoxville
Sabalonia 0–3 Daskel - Bland Foods Stadium - Pittsburgh
South Charlia 0–3 Maccian - KiHi Stadium - Greenville

Group C                     Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valentine Z                   4   2  2  0    9   5  +4    8
2 Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom      3   2  1  0    2   0  +2    7
3 Daskel                        4   1  3  0    6   3  +3    6
4 Maccian                       4   1  2  1    5   3  +2    5
5 South Charlia                 3   1  0  2    6   9  −3    3
6 Sabalonia                     3   0  1  2    4   8  −4    1
7 Kuriko                        3   0  1  2    3   7  −4    1

[The Grearish Union]

Lt. Col. Adams: The Pursuit of the Past

EP 3: Murder in the Caves
Conflict rose as the soldiers fell...

The rain progressively ceased to fall as the clock ticked on toward sunset. Lt. Col. Adams could not believe what he had witnessed with his own eyes, but the approaching darkness meant that he would ask his troops to shelter in for the night. The inclement weather outside made it impossible to move, for his battalion, and Adams had to acknowledge that, for the overall safety of his troops. Darkness came sooner than expected, though, as dark clouds reigned over the neighbouring skies. It was pitch black in a matter of moments, with the only exception of a few energetic souls who sat around the fire for a chat while the other tired ones were fast asleep, oblivious to the surroundings.

Pvt Jennings hadn’t heard from Pvt Hoover in what seemed like hours, now, and the entire thing seemed to be an ordeal for her mind to wrap itself in. An entire person went missing! Into thin air? “You’re overthinking, May.” She heard herself whispering with intent as she proceeded to smack herself on the head, as if to say to herself that she needed to hold it together. This wasn’t the time for mental weakness. Yet, her mind wandered. Without any further ado, she proceeded to blow out the torch that burnt near her on the wall, and settled in for a damp night.

It seemed to be a pleasant morning, as Pvt Jennings woke up. There seemed to be sounds of birds chirping at a distance, when the sun rays first fell on her face. Putting in what seemed to be a mighty effort right after waking up, she could proceed to the mouth of the cave. Letting a yawn out, she stepped outside. Seemed splendid, except that…
“Yes, the valley is dead.” The voice of LtCol Adams resonated from behind her.
“How can this be possible? Just back there we had-”
“Lush wildlife, yes. Looks like somebody has been living on this side, though.” The LtCol coughs out as he hands over the binoculars to Jennings.
“There’s a house. So this is the murderer?”
There was a long pause as Pvt Jennings kept looking out through the binoculars for what seemed like an eternity, as if to tell herself to mark the area where the killer of LCpl Griffiths had been. Her breathing intensified like how a hunter’s would, while she squinted her eyes, the binoculars trembling with the strength of her grip. “We should move in, sir!” She muttered through her teeth, shaking in anger. No reply followed up. She took her eyes off the binocular to look to the right where LtCol would be standing, and there was nobody there. Her heart sank.

That was short-lived, however, when she turned round to see the LtCol still standing tall and upright, as grand as he could be. The safety of the Commanding Officer (CO) is said to be tantamount to the morale of the battle group, and now Jennings could feel it happen to her. The Army ways were finally getting to her. Right then, however, something rather disastrous caught her eye.

The CO, LtCol Adams was infact talking to the chief of the medico team who seemed to be frantically asking him questions about what to do next. It still didn’t register, she tried to figure it out harder, but to no avail. The entirety was probably due to the fact that her head was still in fight mode, and it was only natural, it seems. It was then that the bloodstains struck her. It was then that the hundreds of bodies strewn around, and put on stretchers caught her attention.

“How did they all die?!” The question lurked around in the air for a long time, as she looked towards their CO. He was visibly suppressing an entire stream of tears, but had to remain outwardly strong for the morale of all his soldiers. The 15th Highlanders were now reduced to almost less than half of what they were. How could they let this attack go unanswered?

She could not feel anything for the first time in many years… This numbness was never felt before. As she ran towards the mouth of the cave structures, the radio walkie-talkie dislodged from her belt and fell to be jammed into the rocks. The impact somehow tuned it into one of the local radio stations that blared on…

…The Grearish Union football team will now have to take on table toppers, Alba and Cymru who look poised for what should be a cracker of a match with Not Lionel Messi being a prolific scorer for them throughout the tournament, and in the previous game, as they drew 2-2 with an Ottoman Syldavia side. The Grearish will look to capitalise on this opportunity, give the lapse in the opponent’s form…

The Grearish will look to capitalise.
The Grearish will look to avenge.
The fallen Highlanders shall not be forgotten.

[Delaclava]

We hope all the players, staff, and fans had an enjoyable break period in the provinces of Verceola, Firinsymnia, and Senzymnia. Residents have said that everyone seemed to be having fun. The police departments have told us a few people had a bit too much fun... but anyway, now it's time for your teams to stagger back onto the pitch. Elimination looms, and the twenty-four worst teams will see their road end in a matter of days. Get your matters in order and continue on to greater glory, or instead enjoy a few rounds of golf before World Cup qualifiers.

Matchday 4 cutoff!

Group G
Havynwilde 4–2 Revatnagar
Tequilo 3–0 Kohnhead
South Newlandia 0–1 Twicetagria

Group G                            Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tequilo                            3   3  0  0   11   6  +5    9
2 Kohnhead                           4   3  0  1    6   5  +1    9
3 Havynwilde                         4   2  0  2    8   7  +1    6
4 Twicetagria                        4   1  1  2   10  11  −1    4
5 South Newlandia                    3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
6 Baggieland                         3   0  2  1    5   6  −1    2
7 Revatnagar                         3   0  1  2    5   9  −4    1

Group H
Ottoman Syldavia 0–2 Qvardax
The Grearish Union 1–0 Alba and Cymru
The Veiled Islands 3–3 Audiasania

Group H                            Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The Grearish Union                 3   3  0  0    7   2  +5    9
2 Alba and Cymru                     4   2  1  1    8   6  +2    7
3 Audiasania                         4   1  2  1    5   6  −1    5
4 The Veiled Islands                 3   1  1  1    8   7  +1    4
5 Independent Athletes from Quebec   3   1  0  2    3   5  −2    3
6 Qvardax                            3   1  0  2    3   3   0    3
7 Ottoman Syldavia                   4   0  2  2    3   8  −5    2

[EGM]

EGManians in awe of National Team

The first National team in their first International competition and what a start. So far they’ve played 3 matches against Khazajamal, Balaslandia, Muradil. Such wonderful team spirit and it seems like everyone is having a good time.

Just before their first match, however, there were some tensions in the group as personalities clashed. It became obvious that Louis Water, owner of Gym Deluxe, was jealous of Shane Thomas’ natural ability to judge people’s intentions. So much so that he ended up storming off the night before the match and threatened to quit the team altogether. Luckily Tyzer Giston was there to cool the situation. Tyzer organised a celebratory meal to bring the team back together and remind them of why they were in the competition, to display EGM’s unknown wonders to the world. The evening involved tasting Appalachian’s traditional fried chicken and waffles and some singing of traditional EGM beats. Reports from the players were very positive and recommended everyone try the delicious fried chicken and waffles. When talking with Grece Gillo, she said “the waffles were just perfectly crisp and having that in your mouth with the fried chicken was just so … unbelievable”.

The team were set the next morning to play, with spirits high and tension low. As the nation watched in anxious excitement, the national team played extremely well and tried extremely hard. As the final whistle went a mighty roar could be heard in every house on every street in EGM. The first ever match for EGM was a WIN! They won 3-2 and the excitement was unreal. The tiny argument the day before now was a faint memory and Louis Waters had acknowledged the unimportance of it. “Nothing can compare to this feeling and I’m so glad Tyzer is here to keep us all in good spirits” said Louis.

That night they all sat around and shared moments of the match that were particularly significant to them. Henley Michal shared a moment when she felt exhausted and terrified. She ran across the field with the ball and there seemed to be no possible way forward towards the goal. All felt lost as she struggled to keep the ball going and then from the corner of her eye she caught the sight of fellow shooter Wallie Kold, who just shouted at the top of his voice “Jango nimio” which doesn’t translate well but means something along the lines of ‘you got this’ but with a deeper personal meaning. This gave her the strength, knowing she had the support from her teammates, to push the ball further up the field and pass it on to Freddie. It was a beautiful evening after an incredible day.

After the success of the first match, the team were eager to go into the second match. This time against Balaslandia. Unfortunately, they had lost their first match but that did give the EGM team a sense of optimism. Before the team went on to play, they shared some words of encouragement to raise people’s spirits and give them a sense of community and support before heading into another match. This really helped the team function and released any anxieties or tension between the group meaning they performed better on the pitch. The EGM national team really is one of support and friendship, despite the tension before the first match.

A tough game but the roar of EGManians rang out again as the team WON 1-0. This made the team shoot up to 1st in the group and the future of the team looked hopeful. The whole nation of EGM was in awe as they all stayed up to watch the match and everyone seems to be talking about it (even with random strangers in the street). During the match a few adjustments were made to the players as Freddie Modrick was replaced with Joel Frinch and Shane Thomas was replaced with Janist Himlo. These changes were exactly what the team needed for the final push to score the one and only goal. This match was an emotional journey for the team and the nation as they came across many challenges but pushed on and succeeded in the end. Tyzer felt the team was worthy of a celebratory treat. He bought the team (those over 18) some Appalachian Corn Liquor to try. “What a day” said Ela Patice, who summed it up simply.

So, the team realised they were in the competition and felt hopeful that they could do well if they continued to support one another and keep spirits high. Going into the third game, they were tense but also excited. Playing against Muradil, who had proved to be quite competitive in previous game, the team knew they had to bring their A game to this match. Unfortunately, just before the match some sad news was received as Simon Jerenque’s father had fallen ill. This came as a shock to many and the news was felt throughout the nation as he had helped to introduce the sport. Still the team looked onwards towards the pitch with a different spirit in their eyes. Simon Jerenque refused to pull out the match, despite the support from his team and that might have cost them the win.

The team played hard but just lacked the strength to kick in the goal they truly needed. They came away from their third match with a draw, which was not a complete disappointment but still hit the team hard emotionally. It did mean they finished top of the group again, which gave them some hope for the future, but the news had really blinded their perspective. The game was a tense one with emotions of rage taking over at times, but the team tried hard and pulled through, not losing focus too much. To cheer the team up after the game, they all went on a hike through the beautiful Appalachian landscape. This really bought the team back to earth and gave them time and freedom to let their emotions run wild ready for their next match.

The day following their third match, steams and streams of letter, emails, pictures, drawings, videos, etc came flooding into Niel Oscar’s and Ian Mcvill’s inbox in support of them. It really gave a boost to the team and gave them a restored sense of hope and pride. It also shows just how supportive and awestruck the nation of EGM are at their national football team.

Recent news on the fourth match to be released shortly (And oh what a game changer)

[Alba and Cymru]

ԬԬԬ The Celtic Times ԬԬԬ

Solemn hopes replace what was once high pride in the hearts and minds of the people of Alba and Cymru as their national football team suffers their first loss to the Grearish Union in their fourth match here in Delaclava. A feeling of dread envelops the Celtic players as they leave the field scoreless. Alba and Cymru's defense played an excellent game, intercepting many passes as the Grearish players attempted to maneuver down the field. However, the Celtic offense was unable to provide anything in return. The Celts had 10 opportunities to land the ball in the goal, but not one shot was able to fly past the Grearish defense. The tense match erupted late in the second half, where a series of fouls led to a red card being drawn on the Celtic vice-captain, Not Lionel Messi. With their best offensive player out of the match, Alba and Cymru had no choice but to fall back and defend the onslaught of the Grearish offense. Unfortunately, the Celts could not hold their opponent in passive play, and the right foot of Willis Kline found a hole in Alba and Cymru's backfield, lifting the Grearish Union to its third straight win.

"I'm not really in the mood to talk right now. We have our suspicions on string-pulling and behind-the-scenes scheming," said Celtic team captain Conchúr MacGregor. "But what can I say? They were better prepared than us. We didn't come prepared today, and it bit us in the back. I can't say I'm disappointed, because I'm always proud of my team, but this is not how we play. We're struggling for a playoff berth right now, and this is not how we earn it."
MacGregor declined to answer what he meant by "suspicions on string-pulling".

"It's a good game. We did what we needed to do," responded Joanna Rodriguez, team captain of the Grearish Union. "I'm happy with the results for today, and I'm proud of how the team handled the game."

"That's the beauty of football," said Celtic head coach, Coinneach MacDunn, adjusting the sunglasses he threw to the ground earlier in the game. "You win some and you lose some, but today wasn't the day to take those chances. I feel like we could've handled the ball better. We gave up the ball too much and shot when the shot wasn't there. There were opportunities that we just didn't take. However, I think this will be good for us in the long run. They'll wake up tomorrow ready to prove what we didn't today. I'm still confident that we can go all the way and so are my players."

Game stats for The Grearish Union (3-0):

Group rank: 1st
Shots: 10
Goals: 1 (Willis Kline, 81:11)
Possession: 49:39
Saves: 10
Fouls: 11
Yellow: 1 (Fergus Sloan)
Red: 0
No notable injuries

Game stats for Alba and Cymru (2-1-1):

Group rank: 2nd
Shots: 10
Goals: 0
Possession: 40:21
Saves: 9
Fouls: 13
Yellow: 2 (Not Lionel Messi, Diarmuid MacNab)
Red: 1 (Not Lionel Messi, 75:20)
No notable injuries

Alba and Cymru will take on the Veiled Islands (1-1-1) tomorrow, seeking one more win to secure a tournament spot. The Grearish Union will attempt to remain undefeated as they move on to Qvardax (1-2).

[Twicetagram and JYPe]

Life in Twicetagria

We edited our logo to make it look fancier

---

Finally a Win for the No-nicknamers

by John Suh

After a long drought without wins, we finally got a head in front when we won a mere 1-0 against South Newlandia. This is our first clean sheet in all of Twicetagrian football history, and also our first BoF win.
The game started off with plenty of chances, but no real opportunities to score. The defense of both teams did well to prevent the opposition from scoring. Kim probably threw the defenders some extra defending lessons, which worked, as they managed to clear(or tackle) any ball that came too close to the goal.
We had to wait 38 minutes before a real chance would show up. de Castro, one of past game's goalscorers, mistimed his tackle, and brought down Ricardo Rayner. After a heated debate whether it should be a penalty or a free kick, the referee granted us the lesser of both evils and settled for a free kick. Though Finnley Wallis did well the shoot on-target, from the spot, Han proved that he was Twicetagria's number-one goalie by saving that with ease.
Nothing much happened in the minutes which led to the half time mark.
Kim exchanged de Castro for de Lune, probably because she didn't want a penalty kick against us.
The second half started in our favour. We hogged the possession, and basically had infinite chances to score. However, that didn't happen until the 57th minute. After a somewhat awful clearance from the opposition defense, de Lune made no mistake in snatching the ball. With some sleek ball control he was able to storm through the defense, before setting one up for Hirai to score. Some people say that the assist is better than the goal, and how true was that.
After that goal, the game became boring again. South Newlandia had the ball, but never really looked like a goal-scoring team.
The match ended in a 1-0 win for us. With not a lot of chances to score, the team should be happy with this win.
Tomorrow is an off day for us, so we hope that games go in our favour.

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom Federativna Republika Zeta Reka i Hügeltaldom
Baptism of Fire 72 Recap Match Four Preview

---

After a long break, the Rekan team is refiled, refined and recharged. Three more matches are left on the schedule, and while the team has the highest points per game ratio of any team in Group C, the Rekans are statically only a point away from being eliminated early. Zeta Reka's next game see them matched up with group leaders Valentine Z. The two participants have similar records, with two wins and no losses. Valentine Z are a stronger attacking team, but their heavy tactics have caused them to give up five goals. The Rekans have scored less than Valentine Z's opponents, and that makes them the more solid team. The Rekan eleven must be careful however, if they fall behind they could be in too great of a hole to come back.Plans have been made to account for opposing players, who have been hard to draw on the whiteboard. "Exuberant Superintendent T-2000/2904-3 Surveillant Clarissa Alanis Star Breya « La Amoureux Chéri » Millie Taissa Butterfly Mélody Coraline Jolijn Trini Clementine Hollie Samantha Zeta Harumi," is a name that has amused observers. Nobody knew what the "Zeta" is for as that player's alleged cloud computational abilities were a more pressing concern to the staff. Most likely the Rekans will play using a 4-2-3-1 formation tuned to quickly change from offense to defense.

After resting some key players in match three, it is assumed that Coach Dusan's roster will be at maximum capacity. Rumors of Mullow Dorboslawić philandering around town are uncorroborated by legitimate sources. As far as anyone on the team is concerned, Dorboslawić has spent two days indoors and practicing. Without his performance in question, the starting eleven are all "a okay" according to Zeta Reka's top sportscaster. After Bogdan Rawić made a start, Stajkwon Hokwok will be returning to the front against Valentine Z. Rybki looked slow in match three. With rest the captain looked great in practice and will start as the team's central attacking midfielder. In separate roster news, Goalkeeper Radovlawić has been recovering at the expected rate from his accident and should be game ready by the knockout stage.

[Mavinet]

© Dai Hoa Times
Baptism of Fire 72: Big win for Mavinet ahead of Rushmori derby
by Lam Manh Hai, Senior Sports Editor

The Dai Hoa Times welcome readers across the nation to its special series covering the Mavinese national football team's participation in the 72nd Baptism of Fire and 85th World Cup qualifiers. Our dedicated and experienced sport editors will provide information before and after each match, as well as comments and opinions from the experts as we accompany the national team in this journey.

--------------------------
The Water Buffaloes registered their first win in the Baptism of Fire in an emphatic fashion as they defeated Shokpos. 4 goals scored to none conceded is, to this day, the biggest margin of victory in Mavinet's international footballing history. The whole team's excellent performance was characterized by wonderkid Ho Vu Thanh Hoang, who continued to impress football fans with 2 goals and 1 assist.

Coming into the match, Head Coach Nguyen Minh Quan kept the 4-2-3-1 formation with more changes this time to the starting personnel. Several regular starters were rotated out for this match, perhaps in anticipation of a much harder 90 minutes with Donnacona in the next round. Hoang Phuc Khang, Do Phuoc Long, Dinh Van Phat and 20-year-old Tran Le Nguyen Vu were handed their first appearance in the Baptism of Fire, while defensive midfielder Lam Tri Thong and winger Ho Vu Thanh Hoang continued to start after 2 impressive performances in the previous rounds.

Unlike the usual conservative and defensive approach of the first two matches, Head Coach Minh Quan employed a more open and attack-oriented tactic against Shokpos, a team that lack a solid defensive structure. Right from the start, the Water Buffaloes organized attacks down the flanks with two speedy wingers and overlapping fullbacks. Vu Tien Linh and Ho Vu Thanh Hoang, both are technical and quick wingers, found plenty of space to operate on the sides and threatened Shokpos constantly with their crossings. In the 4th minute, a high cross from Thanh Hoang found the head of Dinh Van Phat, who easily beat the Shokpos defenders in the air and headed the ball past the goalkeeper to open the tally for Mavinet.

The team continued to press for second goal after that quick start. Van Phat and Nguyen Vu fired another 2 shots on target before the 10th-minute mark but were denied by the goalkeeper. The ball was moved mostly on Shokpos' half of the field and pressure was mounted on their goal throughout the first half. There was no surprise felt when the second goal came in the 25th minute after Thanh Hoang picked up a loose ball on the right flank and moved on to score a brilliant solo goal from almost 20 meters away. Vu Tien Linh came close to adding another before the halftime whistle but the crossbar made sure the first half ended without anymore goal scored.

The second half started with Shokpos trying to push forward early and catch Mavinet off guard. They did manage to control the possession and tempo for the first 5 minutes but were again made to fall back after a successful Mavinet's counter attack in the 52nd minute widened the margin to 3 goals. Thanh Hoang was again the man of the moment, who quickly moved into the pocket of space created by Van Phat and calmly buried the ball in the far left corner.

With Shokpos then reduced to only try to prevent another goal, Mavinet were in complete control of the match. The 4th goal came to seal the final score in the 88th minute. Tran Hoang Minh, who got pushed up to play attacking midfielder in the late game, took a shot outside the box after the ball was headed out from a corner. The shot was slightly deflected when it hit the leg of a Shokpos defender and flied past the reach of the goalkeeper. The goal was given to Hoang Minh as the shot was on target.

With this win, Mavinet now have 5 points, tied with Donnacona but with 1 game in hand. This will make the next match against them more important as a good result would put Mavinet in a better position to qualify for the knockout stage. The fact that the next match will be a Rushmori derby in this group will make it all the more interesting to watch.

MAVINET - 4
4' Dinh Van Phat
25' Ho Vu Thanh Hoang
52' Ho Vu Thanh Hoang
88' Tran Hoang Minh

SHOKPOS - 0

--------------------------
LINEUP AGAINST DONNACONA

[Maccian]

Chapter 3: The Shielded Truth

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

After his antics in the match against Sabalonia where he knocked out Viktor Krum, Eries Kizerain felt that he was isolated from the squad. He missed out on Maccian's 3-0 win over South Charlia and will miss out against Daskel. Surprisingly, his teammates were understanding of his behaviour, acknowledging that he lashed out because of the great pressure to do well enough to earn their freedom. As Maccian weren't playing tomorrow as they had a bye, the Kidomasdipuetz decided that today would be one to relax and refresh the team to lose tension before their next matchup against Daskel. Kizerain pulled the curtains aside and basked in the amazing view that was the Appalachian mountains. Dwarfing the hotel, the sheer size of the mountains was insane. Above on the peak, a mass of snow protectively coated the mountains in a veil of mystery and intrigue. Kizerain's phone rang and he checked to see who was calling. It was Missi Sorrentingerclasen. He answered the phone.

"Hi, Eries! How are you holding up right now?" asked Missi.

"I'm fine, it's just a little suspension, nothing to be worried about. Why are you calling me now?"

"You won't believe this! I think you know that Appalachia has all of this beautiful food like the fried chicken with the waffle covered in maple syrup. Because of that 3-0 over South Charlia, the Kidomasdipuetz is going to get all of us a treat!"

"What kind of treat are we talking about?"

"The kind where we can drink alcohol!"

"Well, that's quite illegal, I think the whole squad has done more than enough crimes! If I recall correctly, the age at which you can drink alcohol here in Appalachia is 18. I'm not too sure though"

"No, no, no, Eries. It is only illegal if you get caught. You're a criminal like the rest of us, you should know that by now! So basically, the Kidomasipuetz and the staff who came along are going to get a couple of drinks and then give them to us. The locals here call it "Moonshine". You down for it?" enquired Miss. Eries considered the invitation and decided it would be a good way to earn his teammates' trust again.

"Why not? What time?"

"We're heading out for a team dinner in like 2 hours. Use that time to freshen yourself up and all. See you then!"

"See you there too. Bye!" said Kizerain as he hung up on the phone. He fell back onto his bed and looked up at the ceiling

The bed was a cloud which gracefully cradled Kizerain as if he were an infant. Sure, this was an immense difference from lying on that freezing cold prison floor but the pressure to perform well enough for his own freedom was accumulating. He pulled out his phone to pass the time and alleviate at least some stress. Someone knocked on his door. Kizerain exasperatingly breathed a sigh and then got up to go see who it was through the keyhole. A petit woman wearing a mask covering her entire face but two slits for her eyes glared impatiently at the door. Unsure of whether or not the mysterious woman could be trusted, Kizerain pretended as if he wasn't there and stealthily tiptoed back to the bed.

"Eries Kizerain, this is Malireikser Millo speaking. I demand you open this door now," she claimed, waving a government ID around. Reluctant, Kizerain opened the door slightly, but Millo pushed open the door and slammed it shut. The masked woman slowly slipped off her mask. All the colour from Kizerain's face suddenly vanished as he turned white, almost corpse-like. His jaw dropped to the ground. He somehow found himself in the presence of one of the most powerful people in Maccian. What had he done? Or was his visit by the Malireikser a direct result from his outburst against Krum? Was the Kidomasdipuetz so enraged with him that he decided to call the Head of the Reapers to come and personally kill him?

"Now, there's no surveillance here so this is a safe place to talk. I am Sierra Millo, you should already know who I am. I am Malireikser MIllo, leader of the elite counter-terrorism force known as the Reapers. I'll give you a chance to compose yourself. The mere presence of me is enough to make a boy like you shit his pants right where he stood."

"S-sorry, I-I think you got the wrong person. See I'm representing Maccian here in the Baptism of Fire so-"

"Not so fast," intervened Millo. "You're a fighter huh? I mean, considering you killed the President's brother, I'd almost expect for you to go down fighting a grossly mismatched fight against a 6'5" centre-half. Previously, you were fighting a mismatched battle in court with all the evidence condemning you to the electric chair. And look what it got you, no money, your freedom taken away and the constant mental torture of never truly knowing when you'll be executed. Of course, you luckily got bailed out and are now in this fancy hotel, but is there really a point if you are not getting any playing time? Seeing as you won't be used, would you care to indulge in some conspiracy theories?"

"I respectfully deny your request, Malireikser Millo. I feel I am not an individual that can be given confidential information and be expected to not blurt it out while being tortured. I heard that's how you recruit your 'Reapers' anyways?"

"I believe I left out the part where I said it was not optional. First of all, you'd be dead laying face down in a puddle of your own piss and shit if you attempted 15 minutes of my selection course. Shut the fuck up you cocky teenaged twat," began Millo, approaching Kizerain in a threatening manner. "Everyone is scared to death of you, the little kid who killed the President's brother in cold blood. Well, I'm not. You're a fucking coward, weak. You solve all your problems with violence first, and the plot second. Don't act up again. Understood?"

Kizerain was a statue, paralysed in fear. He turned to his bed and sat down, quietly answering "Understood."

"Good! Glad to know we're on the same page," begun Malireikser Millo Eries, please tell me. You were sleeping off the streets in Bisonua. I'm surprised you don't already have 4 children because of you Bisonuans breeding like goddamn rabbits. Anyways, some random guy approaches you and asks you if you want 500k for killing somebody, and you accept it because, well, who wouldn't? You were given a gun, an address and the instructions 'shoot to kill' for a large sum of money. No trace of the person who requested you to murder Sakei Mackay. Anything to say about that?" enquired Malireikser Millo. She glared observantly at Kizerain shifting awkwardly on the bed. Eries Kizerain shook his head slowly, with a solemn look on his face

"I don't like talking about that."

"Of course, no one talks about the people they've killed in immense detail. At least not sane people. This conversation is going to be very one-sided and vulgar in nature so that your little brain can comprehend it all."

"Sure, but are you going to sit down?"

"Declined. So. Eries Kizerain. Striker at the 72nd edition of the Baptism of Fire, albeit a shitty one," started MIllo, grinning at Kizerain. "It's a wonderful opportunity to announce your nation to the world and participate for the title of the best of the best. It's prestigious to get to the final, and even more prestigious to win it. Now, President Petchre Mackay is a relatively young guy, after all, he is only 37 years old right?"

"Where are you going with this? How is this relevant to the Baptism of Fire? How's it relevant to me?"

"Oh, you'll see. There's no point in me beating around the bush so I'll just crack straight onto it. I know exactly who offered you to kill Saiske Mackay. It was me. I sent one of my most trusted men to find a random kid off the streets and give them money in return for killing someone. I assume you know the rest?"

"Get the fuck out now or I'll-"

"Do what? I can make you disappear off the face of the earth like that. We both know you're not going to do jack shit, so let's cut the tough guy act. You must be pretty pissed off at me, but you still haven't let me finish. Anyways, moving on. Hooverprüdenstralton or Vice-President Matthew Shea Gray ordered Saskei's death, probably with Petchre's authorisation. He told me he didn't care how it was done but only required that we use a scapegoat such as yourself so that we could cover our tracks. Do you see how he's married to Petchre's twin sister, Jasmine Mackay? Please prepare yourself for this. Jasmine and Matthew went up to their room to "freshen up", and I was alone and relatively bored so I began snooping around. I came across a classified document which is weird because I'm usually entrusted with the knowledge these documents contain. I opened it. And I was surprised, to say the least..."

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy? Can't you be brought up on charges for this? Look, I don't really care for whatever bullshit this government gets up to. All I want to know is if I can be excused or something like that since you guys actually planned it"

"Ah, I wish it were that simple. 6 Baptism of Fire ago, there were two teams which reached the final that year. Filindostan, who ended up winning by a margin of either 5-2 or 5-3, one of the two, and South Toronto. I managed to photocopy some of the document. Now tell me, what is it you see here?" queried Malireikser Millo as she handed Kizerain the paper. Kizerain observed the document.

"Killerich, Kiese Theline, Middleton, Bergman, etcetera, etcetera. Seems like a really basic and rudimentary roster, did this nation even care about how it'd be perceived? ," said Kizerain. His eyes widened in disbelief as he pointed to the name on the document. "No fucking way. You're fucking with me. What do you actually want from me? You made this shit up, I guarantee it! If you were sent here to kill me, just do it already and stop telling me fucking lies. What is this, a form of torture you fucking Reapers use?" exploded Kizerain. Malireikser Millo cackled maniacally before she composed herself.

"That was my reaction as well. The same Petchre Mackay from there is the same Petchre Mackay who is our President. South Toronto actually ceased to exist some few years ago, and I can only imagine they'd be plenty of refugees running all over the place. This one and his family just ended up here. He somehow convinced everyone he was pure Maccian and united everyone as one. The bastard even named the nation after him. The document was in Saikei's hands and he was going to release it to the public telling the truth about the Mackays so that there'd be total transparency. Don't know why he made a mistake like that for as it'd be better to shut your mouth but hindsight is only 20/20. I feel as though I've butchered that phrase. Matthew probably acted on impulse and killed him to save his wife and the rest of the family The Eye of Providence on our flag has seen Petchre Mackay for what he truly is."

"A person who escaped a dangerous situation from a collapsing nation and sort refuge here is a terrible person just for doing so?"

"No, my child. He's poisoning the Motherland. He's slowly but surely stripping away all our rights until he establishes his own dictatorship with the people being oppressed. I've let it happen for too long. No one in Maccian, apart from Masdipuetz Juesmann can even challenge him, and even that's unlikely. I will probably have to get foreign aid in toppling this sprout of a regime before it has a chance to bloom. Eries! You are an orphan from birth, correct?"

"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Eries Kizerain, it seems the time allocated for our little chat has dwindled down to mere seconds. Before I leave, I'll tell you this. Petchre Mackay is your father, and I am... your mother"

[Sabalonia]

Match Day 4: Sabalonia vs Daskel

Sabalonian State News Agency.

After a mediocre performance against Maccian, and with Viktor Krum out for this match, we can only hope that the Sabalonian defence will hold up against the Daskel offence. Vladimir Arnetta comes in for Viktor Krum, while Jose esposito is replaced by Park Jung Yoon. Tens of thousands of Sabalonians flock to their TV screens, hoping to survive this match before Krum plays again. Now Follows the minute by minute match Update:


1" : And the match is underway, Daskel kick off and seem in real control of the ball early on, while Sabalonia seem like they've lost all hope of the game already.

17" : Zhukov takes a long goal kick, finds Gunderson in the midfield. Shamballa flanks around him, and gets the ball. Shamballa puts the ball through to Eduardo, who cuts back in the final third, Park jumps.....and misses the ball completely! beautiful buildup, but absolutely trash finishing!

29" : The Daskel offence seems to be making headways into the Sabalonian Defence, and here comes another Daskel attack. A cross from the right wing.......AND THAT'S A GOAAAAAAL! Sabalonia are already feeling the heat of Krum's absence, and Zhukov was completely thrown off guard by that close range header. The unmarked Daskel striker had no problem taking his time to find the sweet spot. Daskel 1, Sabalonia 0.

38" : Daskel with another menacing attack. Quick passes and chips, something Sabalonia are usually quick at culling, but today seems a rainy day for them. And a chip sees Shamballa taken out of the equation, and the ball is at the Daskel striker's feet. He shoots.... But Zhukov makes a top class save! he has brought hope into the game!

39" Daskel Corner, long ball into the box, the striker heads it.......GOAL! deflection off Vladimir Arnetta! and Zhukov was stuck in his boots! no one would have expected Arnetta to hang out a loose foot in front of the ball! We can now see Krum in the dugout screaming his head off. This is a total disaster for Sabalonia!


45" : Half time, and it could not have come sooner for the Sabalonian team. They need to pull it together, if they wish to qualify for the next round. There are sure to be heated arguments in the dressing room, but we can only hope that they come back more determined to turn this around.


45" : Second half begins, Sabalonia kicks off, and already they're showing an offensive formation, the wing backs running up the field! Arnetta to Shamballa, who passes it down the field to Khazanov. Khazanov puts one down the line to Duma, who seems to have beaten the entire Daskel defence! Duma Crosses.........GOAL!!!! GOAAAAAAAAL!! Park Jung Yoon for Sabalonia! A brilliant volley, top right corner! but whats this!? The Linesman has put up his flag!! This is the second time in two matches for Sabalonia! The players are distraught, and none make an appeal. The score still stands 2-0 for Daskel.


70" : Numerous Sabalonian attacks have failed to give any results, and now Daskel seem like they want to extend their lead. A beautiful clearance and a swift counter attack, Its three Daskel strikers against Arnetta, and he's easily beaten. Now its 3v1 against the keeper, and Zhukov charges in with a screaming "URA!". The Daskel striker is caught completely off guard as Zhukov dives at the striker's feet and collects the ball. Yet another fabulous save by the Great Wall of Sabalonia!

85" : The last few minutes of the game, and Daskel have another corner. Long ball to the far post...........the striker heads it in........GOAL! Another deflection by Arnetta, and this is the exact same carbon copy of the second goal! Arnetta has made things worse for Sabalonia, and his teammates look at him in disgust! The entire country looks at him in disgust! Sabalonia have well and truly lost this match! our hopes of qualification have now dimmed. the score reads Daskel 3, Sabalonia 0.

90" : The refree blows the whistle, and its full time. Sabalonia have made a mockery of themselves with this horrible performance, and now we await what the manager plans to do for the next match. We only hope that Arnetta is dropped, and we eagerly await Krum's return. That's all from the commentary team here in the Bland Foods Stadium in Pittsburgh. Over to the studio!

[Riennic Isles]

Sakurako

Good evening to one and all, and welcome to live coverage of the Baptism of Fire with Sakurako -

Himawari

- and Himawari! Today, all eyes will be on Riena's clash with Sankt Konrad in group F. The Reindeer, as the Sankt Konrader national team are known, are a bit of an unknown quantity to us, as they are yet to play a single match in multiversal competition. Riena will be their first ever opponents - and her's hoping we'll be able to give them a warm welcome to multiversal football.

Sakurako

Not too warm a welcome, mind. Sankt Konrad may be playing their first competitive match, but they are still Riena's rivals for a spot in the knockout rounds of the Baptism of Fire. And from the looks of it, they may well be the team who end up posing the stiffest challenge to our Wavelets in the battle for group F. We have started well with maximum points from our first match - now is definitely not the time to let up in any way.

Himawari

I'm inclined to agree. While information on today's opponents is relatively sparse - as is expected for most teams competing in the Baptism of Fire - most pundits are in agreement that the Sankt Konrader manager, Kalla, will set his stall out in a rather balanced manner in his favoured 4-3-3 formation. Meanwhile, we have been able to glean that the Sankt Konrader style of play emphasises technical skill and an industrious work ethic. Doesn't that remind you of another team in this Baptism, Sakurako?

Sakurako

Yes, it definitely does. Riena and Sankt Konrad appear to have quite similar approaches when it comes to football. One difference I feel may be worth pointing out, though, is the subtle tactical difference in the teams' width. On one hand, we have Sankt Konrad, with their wide wingers who are predisposed to crossing from the byline, while on the other we have Riena's preference for tricky, technical inside wingers capable of cutting infield to cause danger. This evening's match promises to be a fascinating showdown between two well-matched teams.

Himawari

The starting line-ups have just come in. Sankt Konrad's starters are as follows - the seasoned veteran and captain, 'keeper Fretterat plays behind a four player back line of Husch, Rede, Nilpa, and Rasmos. Iskko, Gappe, and Kreuzberg will keep the Sankt Konrader midfield ticking over, and in attack, Kalla has opted for Aksel, Nilse, and Lavo. Would you say this is a strong line-up?

Sakurako

It looks like Kalla isn't taking any chances for Sankt Konrad's first match. That looks like the Reindeer's full-strength starting XI. They have good players and decent depth throughout the squad, but if I were Shiranami, I would be paying special attention to the Reindeer forward line. I can definitely see the Riena defence getting ripped to shreds if Shiranami plays her usual 4-3-3, which would definitely leave the likes of Uruha and Himemori exposed against Aksel and Nilse on their respective flanks. Given that Riena's full-backs are at best shaky in defence, I imagine Kalla will be licking his lips at the prospect of sending his team out against a Riena side set up like that.

Himawari

It seems like Shiranami is one step ahead of you, Sakurako, as she should! She isn't playing a 4-3-3 at all - in fact, from the looks of this team sheet, Riena appear to be lining up in a 5-3-2 shape, which looks conspicuously like the formation Shiranami deployed against Zwangzug in the fourth and last match of their series of friendlies prior to the Baptism of Fire.

Sakurako

The Wavelets performed decently in that match, but were ultimately outclassed 0-2 by a Zwangzug side that just had too much for our callow players. It is an interesting ploy against these opponents, though; I imagine Shiranami is planning to play on the counter against what could be a dangerous Sankt Konrader forward line, and has set her team up to that effect. It is important to note, though, that this is a useful formation in terms of shape transitions during the match, as Shiranami could push one of her central defenders into midfield to provide an extra man. That would be balanced by an attack-minded midfielder playing on the wing in attack, with one of the two forwards moving out to the opposite wing.

Himawari

The starters for Riena, then - Minato in goal, Himemori and Igarashi playing as right and left wing backs respectively, Narita, Tsukamoto, and Amemiya across central defence. No surprises in midfield, with the tried and trusted trio of Sakuranami, Ishibashi, and Nakiri reprising their roles from Riena's last match, against Simpralia. In attack, Steiner and Kanzaki link up to form a classic big player, little player partnership. With that line-up, I imagine Minato will be afforded plenty of protection; Shiranami's selection of Igarashi and Himemori ahead of the more attacking-minded Uruha and Kagura reflects her intention to nullify the Sankt Konrader attack and play on the counterattack.

Sakurako

That makes a lot of sense against what is potentially a very dangerous attack. But there is just one thing that bothers me about this line-up - the inclusion of both Ishibashi and Nakiri in midfield. We all know Sakuranami is a dynamic midfielder who puts in the hard yards, and she normally gets through enough work for two players in her position, but if Shiranami is trying to play on the counter, surely she should have started the likes of the more defensively-minded Kawakaze ahead of either Ishibashi or Nakiri? Granted, it would sacrifice some of the team's attacking impetus for defensive solidity, but I can't help but feel that is a valid trade-off against today's opponents.

Himawari

That is a valid point you bring up. While Ishibashi and Nakiri can assert themselves on a game if they are given time and space on the ball, this isn't always the case, especially against hard-pressing opponents who might give the team a difficult day at the office. When that happens, the two of them can become somewhat of a liability in the Riena midfield - less inclined to track back and defend than their other colleagues, yet unable to do much to influence the match from an attacking perspective when in possession. We'll have to see if Shiranami has a trick or two up her sleeve yet, but for now I'm not convinced that starting both Ishibashi and Nakiri is a good call.

Sakurako

We will see how effective Shiranami's last-minute change of tactics ends up being as the match plays out. For now, the players have completed the pre-match formalities, and the referee blows her whistle to kick us off in this group F clash in the Baptism of Fire. Narita gets the ball from Kanzaki right away. She takes a couple of nice touches to dodge an incoming Lavo, looks up, and tries to send a booming pass for Suenaga to chase. It ends up being just a bit too long for the Riena winger, and Sankt Konrad will get the throw-in ...

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Himawari

We're about halfway through this first half, and so far our pre-match predictions have largely been borne out. The match is finely poised, with both teams taking turns to attack and defend. Sankt Konrad have perhaps had the better of the opening exchanges - there was a lovely, flowing move from the Reindeer forward line that would surely have resulted in a goal had it not been desperate lunging tackle from Tsukamoto. Aside from that one opportunity, though, Riena have been relatively comfortable as they work their way into the match. The Wavelets have had their fair share of possession; they're just not doing a whole lot with the ball when they do have it.

Sakurako

The Riena midfield will have to bear their share of blame for that particular shortcoming. The forwards have been making the runs, they're just not getting the service that they need. Nakiri in particular has had to resort to dropping deep to receive the ball, and when she does have possession, she ends up under pressure from the tenacious Kreuzberg. Ishibashi is also struggling to impose herself against the Sankt Konrader high press, and I'd think Shiranami has to look at rectifying that before too soon.

Himawari

It's a deep, swirling cross from Elias Nilse, who looks to give Minato a thing or two to think about ... the Riena 'keeper rises magnificently to the challenge, elbowing Lavo out of her way to claim the ball at the first attempt. The ball is immediately thrown out to Himemori, who has some space to run into. She tries to get past Aksel, who is bearing down on her - oh!

Sakurako

Oh, that is a bad tackle and a half. Aksel went straight through the back of Himemori as she tried to turn him, and she's down in a heap on the pitch. That does not look good for the Riena wing-back ... meanwhile, the referee gives herself some time to think - and there we go, she's brandished her yellow card at Aksel. The Riena players are huddled around Himemori, it looks like she'll need the attention of the physios - and yes, Nakiri is frantically gesturing at the Riena staff, clearly concerned for her teammate's well-being.

Himawari

Himemori is still down on the ground. She's clearly in some serious discomfort. Down on the touchline, Shiranami leaped to her feet to protest that bad tackle, and right now, she's baying in the fourth official's ear, clearly livid at the decision. She thought that should have been a sending off for Aksel! Her assistant, Nao Tomori, is deep in discussion with Minami Kagura, who pulls off her tracksuit and slaps on her shinpads. It looks like Riena will be forced into an early substitution here ...

Sakurako

Confirmation of the substitution as the fourth official waves Shiranami away and holds up her board. Himemori, crying in pain, is gingerly helped to her feet by the Riena physios, and limps off the pitch. Kagura is on to replace her. Looking back at the tackle, Himawari, it certainly looks a bad sight - all the more so in slow motion. Do you think there was a genuine attempt to win the ball by Aksel?

Himawari

I thought the tackle was worthy of a red card at first blush, but seeing the replays, I'm inclined to revise my opinion. Aksel was stretching to make the tackle - you can see he's definitely trying to get the ball and not the player. It was just plain bad luck that he ended up crunching through Himemori and injuring her. In many ways, that was a forward's tackle - slightly reckless, definitely ill-timed - but no, not worthy of a straight red. The referee has made a solid call there.

Sakurako

Shiranami definitely thinks it's a red card offence! She's still remonstrating with the fourth official - oh, here's the referee coming over to sort out the situation. She has a word with Shiranami, who sarcastically applauds her. The referee shakes her head and reaches for her pocket - she doesn't have a choice but to book Shiranami! The manager stomps back to her dugout and sits down in a huff, clearly in a foul humour, as the referee blows her whistle to restart the game.

Himawari

That was a bad show from our manager. Perhaps the pressure of managing Riena at such a young age is getting to her ... and that won't have done anything to improve her mood!

Sakurako

It goes from bad to worse for Riena! From the deep free-kick, Minato tries to find Steiner, but only ends up giving the ball straight to the Sankt Konrader right-back Rasmos. He combines nicely with Husch and Nilse. Nilse charges down the flank and cuts infield - giving Kagura the runaround in the process - and his cutback is powerfully sidefooted past Minato by Lavo. The Riena defence went walkabouts for that one. Shiranami hurls her clipboard to the ground, disgust writ large on her face. It's been one disaster after another for the Wavelets - how will they recover from this double whammy?

---

Sakurako

With half an hour on the clock, Riena have slowly and surely worked their way back into the match. They had already been improving by degrees before Himemori's desperately unlucky injury and that Lavo strike. While they are still not threatening the Sankt Konrader defence as often as Shiranami would have liked them to, Riena have made several penetrative forays into the opposition half, and I wouldn't bet against the Wavelets pulling a goal back to level the match before half-time.

Himawari

Absolutely not. With the attacking talent the Wavelets have among their ranks, it would take a brave man to bet against them getting on the score sheet at some point.

Sakurako

Speaking of which, here are Riena on the attack again. They pass the ball patiently in midfield, looking for an opening in this well-drilled Sankt Konrader defence. Nakiri has the ball; she shuttles it out wide to Kagura. Kagura thinks for a second, looks up, and produces a quite wonderful through ball into the space between Gappe and Husch for Steiner to run onto. Riena are genuinely threatening the Sankt Konrader goal here - Steiner breezes into the area, brushes off the attentions of Simon Husch and crosses well for Kanzaki ... Kanzaki manages to wrong-foot Nilpa, lets the ball bounce, and absolutely larrups it past Fretterat with her left foot! Riena are level!

Himawari

Get in! A lovely goal to haul the Wavelets back into contention. Kagura and Steiner did exceptionally well in the build-up to that goal, while Kanzaki showed why she is Riena's first choice forward with an exemplary piece of center forward play. I'm particularly pleased for Kagura. She will have been disappointed in herself for her role in Sankt Konrad's opener - she allowed Nilse to beat her far too easily - but Kagura is a tenacious little player, and she has more than redeemed herself by playing an instrumental role in Riena's equaliser.

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Sakurako

With a quarter of an hour of the second half gone, it seems that Riena are firmly in the ascension in this match. After Shiranami's decision to push the wing-backs further up the pitch, in effect deploying a 3-5-2 shape, Riena have looked composed and in control, pinging the ball around the Sankt Konrader press. The extra bodies in midfield have certainly helped them dominate the center of the park. For their part, the Reindeer have retreated into their own half, and are resorting to trying to catch Riena on the break with their speedy players. Thus far, though, Riena have been relatively untroubled by their rare forays forward.

Himawari

Here's another Sankt Konrader attack. Receiving the ball from deep, Iskko twirls his way around Sakuranami, who just about misses him with a lunging tackle, and sends it on to Nilse, who has been at the heart of everything good the Reindeer have done today. He knocks the ball past Narita and tries to beat the Riena central defender in a footrace - but Minato is too quick for both of them, diving onto the ball and clutching it in her arms. A positive piece of goalkeeping from Minato, and her defenders will appreciate her for that.

Sakurako

Minato waves her players up the pitch. She places the ball down and sends a whopper of a clearance sailing downfield. It's a game of head tennis between the two teams - Kreuzberg, Sakuranami, Kreuzberg again, Ishibashi - but finally Mishiro Kawakaze manages to kill the ball and helps it onto her left-back Igarashi. She wastes no time in advancing with the ball, but ends up in a tussle for the ball with Rasmos, who stood his ground.

Himawari

Out of ideas, Igarashi tries to play her way out of trouble by backheeling it between Rasmos' legs. It bounces off his shin and breaks kindly for Steiner to pick up. She turns on the afterburners and dashes to the byline. Kreuzberg is back to defend, but that's a lovely dummy by Steiner to leave him marking thin air. The Sankt Konrader players are already back in numbers, but sensing an opportunity, Steiner plays a cutback to the edge of the penalty area - Kawakaze arrives late and hits it first time from all of twenty yards! Kanzaki hurls herself out of the way - and that's a goal for Riena! They are now in the lead for the first time in this match!

Sakurako

Steiner made hay down the right once again for that goal. Simon Husch must be tired of the sight of her by now. The goal was made by Steiner's movement, but you have to credit Kawakaze for an instinctive finish. We don't normally associate her with goals - or with long range efforts for that matter - but she spied an opportunity to score one today, and boy, did she take it brilliantly. It wasn't the most precise of finishes, but it was hit with so much power that Fretterat couldn't keep it out despite getting a hand to it. An absolutely smashing effort.

---

Sakurako

We're inching slowly towards the end of the ninety minutes here. Riena are still leading Sankt Konrad by two goals to one, courtesy of a couple of good efforts from Kanzaki and Kawakaze. Trying to preserve her team's lead, Shiranami has made her final substitution of the game, bringing on Kano Uruha for Kaede Igarashi, who went off with cramp after putting in an all-action shift down the left flank. For Riena, it's all about keeping themselves between the ball and the goal. Scenting blood in the water, Sankt Konrad have been piling on the pressure for the last fifteen minutes - can the Wavelets escape with all three points, or will there be a final twist in the tale?

Sakurako

And as we speak, Amemiya digs out a huge clearance to deny Lavo yet another tap-in. The ball sails downfield, and it's picked up by Fretterat, who immediately wallops it back into the mixer. Narita just about manages to climb above Iskko to head the ball clear. Rasmos stops it from going out for a throw. He takes a moment to size up the situation - oh, that's a lovely burst of acceleration to send Uruha crashing into the advertising hoardings! Amemiya scrambles across to close the Sankt Konrader right-back down, but Rasmos picks his spot and sends in a peach of a cross! Tsukamoto can't get there in time! Iskko can't miss - and he makes no mistake from close range!

Himawari

Oh, that is absolutely devastating for Riena. The players showed immense maturity of character to claw their way back into the lead after a catastrophic five minutes in the first half, but this late concession perhaps speaks to a lack of concentration. Which, to be honest, is to be expected from our incredibly young squad. They will learn and grow from this experience, and you'd hope that they'll be able to iron out their inconsistencies in a cycle or two's time.

Sakurako

The Riena players are crushed by the late goal, the dejection visible on their faces. Kanzaki places the ball down on the center spot and sends it back towards her defence. Narita tries a last-gasp attempt to send Riena on the attack, but Nilse does well to cut out the pass - and there's the full time whistle. The spoils are shared between Sankt Konrad and Riena, who both end up with a point apiece from this thrilling match at The Marianne Detreux Stadium in Southern Hampton; the final result is Sankt Konrad 2, Riena 2.

Himawari

On the balance of play, this was probably a fair result. Riena dominated large stretches of the game, particularly in possession, but Sankt Konrad had their chances, and they did very well to take them when they had to. Regardless, this will be a hard result to take for Riena's players. They will blame themselves for throwing away two points after conceding so late in the game, but as I said earlier, this will be an invaluable learning experience for Shiranami and her players. Hopefully they'll take this lesson to heart and kick on to win the team's next match against Monglechabagd on the next matchday.

Sakurako

Absolutely. My own take is that the Wavelets performed exceptionally well on the day, especially when you take into account the fact that Shiranami's tactical plans, and the team's rhythm, were disrupted by that early injury to Himemori. They showed great character to recover from that setback and to inch into the lead against a good Sankt Konrader side, but were ultimately let down by a brittleness in defence that has cost them two points on the day.

Himawari

Who was your player of the match for today?

Sakurako

I think today's outstanding performer was, without a doubt, Flare Steiner. She has been dogged in defence and effervescent in attack. The Sankt Konrader defender Husch never managed to contain Steiner, and she had plenty of joy running the channels and linking up with Kanzaki. She was also, of course, the player who provided the final pass for both of the Wavelets' goals today. Today, Steiner managed to ally her ability on the ball with grit and consistency, and the result of that has been a performance worthy of the player of the match award.

Himawari

As always, we will have a detailed analysis of the match with our experts back in the studio after the break. But for now, thank you for your company on what has been an enjoyable and enthralling evening in Hampton, Ethane. This has been Himawari -

Himawari

- and this has been Sakurako. We'll see you at the next game!

[Tequilo]

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La CASA TLALQUI
Nuevo Camino-220, Pueblo Chanco Cóndor, Distrito Norte de Huayna-Comitán, Guastanango

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On the dangerous bend passing the little adobe house toward the end of Nuevo Camino, next door to La Rosa Cantina, on the outskirts of the ramshackle village of Chanco Cóndor, Hernán almost loses the control of the little Withiel custom import motor as he guns it furiously toward town. The boys in the back, Anizeto, Febo and Iggi all whoop loudly with a mix of thrill and fright, while Lilián Tlalqui, in the front passenger seat, is curled up hidden well down in the footwell until they are clear of papa’s casa. She knows what her father thinks of these boys, “los bastardos”, when they zip past the house hooting and wailing and screeching, and she knows what he would think of her if he saw her in one of those motors. When they are well clear of the bend and back on all four wheels safely headed in a straight line toward Cóndor, she uncurls back into her seat and berates the fool, Hernán. “You really are a shitbeetle, Náni, just like my father says! I don’t know why I bother with you boys!”

The boys in the back find it most amusing when this hard and beautiful siren rips a piece off their nominal leader. She has a tongue in her head alright, and she can back it up with a good clobber too if anyone gets cheeky with her. And she can back that up too, with the family name and the old man Chuco Tlalqui, a famous bruiser in his day. No one crosses Chuco, at least not within range of his club hands. But beyond all that, her mother Nina is a terrifying sorceress in these parts and could certainly put a miserable palambra on you if you stepped out of line. Even more so than cruising with Hernán Galarza and his custom Withiel, it was both thrilling and frightening to hang out with Lilián Tlalqui.

“We’re the best boys in Cóndor, Lili,” laughs Febo, “we may not be much, but we’re all you’ve got!”

“Isn’t that the truth now, Febo,” she returns.

Hernán, smarting from a telling off, skirts upon the shore of dark waters. “Of course, there is always the pitxilero-superiorfrom far far away, if you don’t like us so much.” That put a little chill in the air, more so than the broken air conditioning in the old Withiel had ever managed.

“If you mention him again, escarabajo, I will punch you into the middle of next week.”

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the group, only punctured by the fizzing of the poor little Withiel’s laboured three-cylinder engine doing it’s very best to keep up with Hernán’s demanding right foot.
 

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Next up on ParaísoTV's Deportivo Valiente channel 4 tonight, Bautismo de Fuego - our magazine programme presented by the network's top sports anchor, Neizan Baztán, with expert analysis from ex-footballer turned pundit Haizinto. Right after these commercial presentations from our channel sponsors.

”Noynoynoy,” exclaimed Nina Tlalqui, a viewer from the North Huayna-Comitán district, to her daughter Lilián on the phone, “but you are missing some terrible commentary with that burro Haizinto, daughter - it is surely laughably awful. Come home soon, your father misses you, the big oaf!” Lilián laughed and nodded at her mobile phone, “yes mama, I will, soon, when you have prepared the ground for me.” Nina Tlalqui nodded her head sagely, “yes my girl,” she said, “I am working on that.”

Good evening pitxi fans of Tequilo, and welcome to our Baptism of Fire highlights here on your favourite sports channel, DV4! Tonight, Los Mextiqos hit the top spot with a win over the previously unbeaten Kohnhead^(transl.), and in some style, too. Joining me tonight, football’s beloved clown Haizinto will look at the highs and highers of this game. Let’s pull up the stats - well, Haize, what did you make of that tonight?

TEQUILO  3-0  KOHNHEAD  	 

Loc: Amphitheatrum Virtutis, Portarubea, Delaclava  	H/T: 2-0
Att: 79,644						Player of the match: Oscar Bienvenida

TEQ: Zambo 2' Tafalla 9' Apeiztegui 67'  
KHN: 

Player		Rating					Match Stats	TEQ-KNH
Oscar Bienvenida[8.9]					Possession (%)	53/47	
Patrick Zambo	[7.6]	goal: 2'			Shots		15-9
Haize Apeiztegui[7.9]	goal: 67'			On target	7-3
Huracan		[7.9]					Pass Compl (%)	78-72	
Huachalla	[6.7]					Corners		4-5	
Callañaupa	[7.0]YY 		  		Fouls		10-11
I.Artechevarria	[6.2]					Yellow cards	2-2
Tutayan		[8.3]			 		Red cards	0
Mateo Tafalla	[7.1]	goal: 9'	     
Agustin de Leon	[5.9]				
Roxelio Toran	[7.7] 	    	   					
							Injuries	Severity		
Ixtub Tün	[8.1]	sub: Callañuapa 72'		None		
Noxochinoch	[8.1]YY	sub: Apeiztegui 72'				
							
Statistics generated by the Bonesea QuickStatter v1.1

Evening Neizan, good to be back - and what a victory. A blistering start with a two-goal lead inside ten minutes as the boys get close to the magical ten point target that should take us through; we overtake the group leaders with a sound beating and must look favourite for the knockout rounds, although after a lot of complaints about my overoptimistic predictions, I caution against complacency. Tonight, when we watch through the highlights, we’ll see Patrick Zambo really finding his goalscoring touch with another goal from the back barely two minutes after the kickoff; captain marveloa Mateo Tafalla running the show, and an astonishing debut from 17-year old keeper Oscar Bienvenida, keeping a clean sheet and winning the man of the match of award. What a performance there!

Indeed Haize, he rewarded coach Nores’ faith in him with a brilliant game, particularly in the second half when The Brains looked to strike back against out lead - but I understand he’ll be back on the bench for the game against strugglers Revatnagar who really haven’t turned up at this tournament yet. The coach is still selecting his strongest available line up, clearly not seeing this as a done deal yet, and that also means a return for striker Narciso Cora, with only Tutayan rested after three strong appearances. He drops to the bench in favour of Ricardo Bailén making an overdue start to the game. And lets reserve a special mention for another youngster - Ixtub Tün coming off the bench tonight and looking very comfortable at the tender age of sixteen. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him.
 

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MUSEO de PITXI
1, Plaza Pitxi, Camino Recto, Distrito Socrates, Tapalupé

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And here we step down into one of the basement areas of the old Palacio de Familia Aratinco, and this particular one we stand in was the infamous prison cell operated by the General during the War of The Cacti. Let me, Exidio Coyopa, Assistant Curator of the Museo de Pitxi, reassure you that no bad spirits linger here any more, although certainly it is cold and brooding in this dark pit of the house. Many of the museum staff will not come down here alone, and certainly, that picture up there of Médico Stan does seem to fall down a little too often for comfort. But fear not! My mother was a bruja and I have strong protections against bad magic in my blood!

In here today we see the shameful story of the rotten doctor, Señor Gregory Esdios Stan, who claimed to be el Médico but of course was an imposter. He is often still remembered as Médico Stan but we prefer to call him by the pharmaceutical brew he brought with him from some awful country that is now thankfully consigned to history. Here, my friends and dear turistas, I present to you the exhibition on Botularío - the bad science, the corruption, and the great matchfixing scandal of Season 72. So shameful was that ignominious year in pitxi, it was decreed upon the opening of this museum that we must never forget about Botularío, and so a permanent exhibition was made, and it was agreed it should be arranged in the worst part of this otherwise magnificent palace. (Please excuse the smell).

RAQ: Err, Botularío?

Good question, chubby Audioslav tourist with the offensively bright shirt. I can see you are a technical man, so it won’t raise any eyebrows with you when I say Heptanescial Trichalcibdirdocin-Pentabroncoflid, or ‘735’ as brevity chemists might say. But in Tequilo, we call it Botularío - a performance-enhancing drug widely used in the wicked old country where Médico Stan came from, contributing to the insane and altogether manufactured proactive-patriotism of said rotten state. But that is a sociology and geo-politics lesson for another cutoff. Now, performance-enhancing drugs are nothing new in the multiverse of course - everyone has heard of RP-inen for example - and even in the Wide Enness Ocean of the Costelloan Ideology there was the Wight-invented Dickinson-50 formula that produced the Platinum Generation of football world-beaters; but nothing so insidious as Botularío.

Nobody is quite sure exactly when - or how - Médico Stan arrived in Tequilo, but it is clear now, to the everlasting shame of certain club executives and state championship officials, that many people in the pitxi business soon had introductions to the fake doctor, who brought with him half a million ‘735’ tablets smuggled in a container load of tinned alubias - that’s baked beans to you, Señor Chub. Médico Stan set up in a hotel in Tapalupé City and one after another sold his wares to the club doctors of a string of ambitious clubs wanting to get one over on their rivals, not knowing their rivals had been through the hotel reception not thirty minutes before them. Each club official had come out the other side of that meeting one hundred thousand chélinpesos lighter, with enough pills to last a season and surely to the dogs secure a state championship. After six weeks during preseason, the new multimillonario fake doctor bought a hacienda out in the hills of Antivador and quietly watched the ’72 season unravel.

Since everyone had the advantage, no-one had an advantage. Purely in terms of outcomes, things proceeded as usual with the average share of dominating big clubs, unforeseen smalltime challengers, shock results, predictable results, flops and triumphs, sops and giants. But the manner in which games proceeded - the audacious creativity, the hilarious tricks, preposterous tactics; the endless chattering on the field of play, random acts of violence, the on-field riots and new balletic goal celebrations, the nonsensical post-match interviews; the midweek depressions, the great big black staring pupils of manic coaches and players in press conferences, the large number of off-the-field public interest stories, the players in nightclubs inventing new and a-rthymic dance routines… the sheer hallucinatory sheen of pitxi in season 72 was astonishing. It didn’t take any genius long to work out something was very amiss, but it took almost the whole season to identify Botularío in the blood system, and then a couple months more to track down the mysterious foreign hidalgo up in Antivador who told the locals he was a former doctor somewhere ‘out east’. Médico Stan was busted.

At first, top authorities declared that any team testing positive for the drug would have any honours stripped for the season - but testing soon discovered that every team tested positive to some extent; even hapless Reyes Católicos of Tacranza, surely one of the most proudly rubbish teams in pitxi history and avowedly puritan in their outlook to sporting integrity, had seven players proven to have used Botularío supplied by their own club priest. Everywhere the authorities looked, Médico Stan had a hand in things. At this point the authorities were minded to call the season null-and-void, but an intervention from the President of the day, Maria Batista Aybar, changed matters. She appealed that, since no-one technically gained an advantage, the sporting integrity had been just about upheld; it was a level playing field (one, to quote Aybar, that was admittedly a playing field set in a sewage farm). Her considerable sway won the day for the six state champions and one Copa Tequilo winner, as the UPT reluctantly upheld the final results and standings across pitxi that season whilst strongly condemning virtually everyone involved in the sport; no-one even mentioned that President Maria was, of course, an avid Unuiĝinta supporter, who had won the Puezan state championship that year.

RAQ: And what of Médico Stan?

Indeed, what of him?! Many theories surround the conspiracy of Operation Bookmark, an unproven global operation to take some rather unsavoury characters from the collapsing rotten state from where Señor Gregory Esdios Stan harked, and secretly incorporate them into their own state programmes for dubious and furtively guarded progress. It is suggested that Médico Stan was identified as part of this plan after his involvement in the 735 scandal, and he was coopted by the government, on threat of life imprisonment, to work in the Chemistry & Biology Department of the army - one can only imagine to what end. But of course, Médico Stan was not a real doctor. He was gone from his farmstead in Antivador for three years, during which time, it is speculated, he managed to blag his chemical background for quite some time before being thrown out for incompetence. By then knowing enough about state military secrets to make quite a mess of things, he was bribed to keep quiet by being given his farm back, and an insanely generous state pension on top of the riches he still had banked from selling Botularío tablets. Estimates claim he only sold about a third of his stock of ‘735’ - and the rest were never recovered. For the rest of his life the press called him ‘Botularío’ and spent an inordinate amount of time and money trying - unsuccessfully - to uncover his past prior to arriving in Tapalupé city. He never spoke to them. In the town close to his farm in Antivador - San Anreso - he remained a familiar and well liked figure, where they ever called him Médico Stan. He died five years ago from deep vein thrombosis, and took with him the secrets of his previous life and the location of the remaining ‘735’ pills - which were not recovered from the farm.
 

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Colección Stiki-Stiki^TM brings you another complimentary sticker for your Bautismo album, and this time, we introduce the youngest player in the squad, and one of three or four really bright hopes for the future - 16 year old Índigo Huayna attacking midfielder Niño Pinto. Just look at him in all his youthful vitality! Coach Mauricio Nores raised quite a few eyebrows and drew a not insignificant amount of criticism for the youthful focus of his back-up players, with an average age of just 20 years old outside of the expected starting XI; including 17-year olds Oscar Bienvenida (currently the youngest player to start a game for Tequilo) and Urrués Gironella; and 16-year old Ixtub Tün, the second youngest squad member after Niño. Only keeper Bienvenida has made an appearance so far in the Baptism of Fire tournament, but surely we will see this youngblood soon after bursting onto the domestic scene last season for Índigo as they placed second in the Guastanango state championship and reached the semi-final of the Copa. Niño played twenty six games in his first season and didn’t look the slightest bit worn out by the end of it, scoring eight goals and impressing with a further nine assists.

A Mextiqo of mixed huayna-lateqo heritage, the impish midfielder has already secured several modelling contracts and looks set to be quite the heartthrob of young Tequiloan society. Declining the approaches of more successful Huayna-Comitán cross-town rivals Acacoyagua, the lad signed for traditional Huayna people’s favourite Índigo before his tenth birthday, and has been watched intently ever since by envious rival clubs. A hit at every level of youth football, he joins elder club mate Vilca Hualla, 20, on the tour to Delaclava, and will be hoping to put in a good appearance or two before World Cup qualifying comes around.

[Kohnhead]

Kohnhead lose the important one to Tequilo

Tequilo and Kohnhead had both won all of their matches heading into this game with Kohnhead going 3-0-0 whereas Tequilo went 2-0-0. Kohnhead had been the only team to reach 9 points after the third match day and may have been feeling a bit too cocky heading into this one. In their last game Tequilo beat Twicetagria in a match for the ages 6-5. I had no doubts that our offense would be scoring today as if Twicetagria scored 5, I was sure we could score a few. I mainly had questions about our defense but they had stepped up in previous games-they didn't step up today. But overall it was the lack of goals or opportunities and shots that let the team down but I have confidence this team can rebound.

When Tequilo showed their lineup I was shocked to find that they were putting their trust in 17-year old keeper Oscar Bienvenida in his debut. The decision seemed to pay off big time, and could have been one of the reasons why Tequilo won. They were willing to adjust their starting lineup to fit our team as Bienvenida was a better fit to go against us so Tequilo put him in. Kohnhead having won their first three games didn't want to make any changes but if I'm correct I think changes are coming before the next game.

Kohnhead have been known to have slow starts throughout games but usually they are never punished for it. Well Patrick Zambo punished them big time with a goal in the 2nd minute as it looked like Dylan Vargas was jogging out there and Zambo a defender easily scored. This was a huge morale loss for Kohnhead and they would never recover from it. Then to add even more bad news in the ninth minute Mateo Tafalla scored another goal for Tequilo this one coming off of a mistake from Claire Corton. Newcastle wasn't even bad in this game. He wasn't at his best but he was still saving some shots it's just the defense appeared to give up on him.

Kohnhead managed one good chance the entire game and it came shortly before halftime. A goal right before half would have been huge for Kohnhead and it could have possibly changed this game. Kohnhead won a corner due to a bad play by Tequilo. The ball was lifted into the box and Maltos headed it toward the goal but a brillant save from the 17 year old kept it out of the goal where it was cleared as far away as possible by Zambo.

The second half included another goal from Tequilo this one by Haize Apeiztegui another defender. The big thing in this game was Kohnhead putting only three shots on goal as opposed to Tequilo who put 7 on goal. Kohnhead walked off of the pitch in disappointment and I can't blame them. The best thing this team can do is win their next game as they are still probably going to make it to the next round. Tequilo and Kohnhead sit atop the points with nine and Havynwilde sits behind with six followed by Twicetagria at four. In this game Laker and Prius-Leonard both picked up yellows, but no one picked up a red from the ref fortunately.


Match Ratings:
Nicholas Radison 7.5/10
Miranda Atkinson 7.1/10 (Subbed on)
Charles Laker 6.5/10
Ida Cogginter 6.2/10
Jackson Newcastle 5.7/10
Griffin Phoenix-Anderson 5.5/10 (Subbed on)
Erin Maltos 5.2/10
Aaron Korkson 5.0/10
Linus Rallyton 4.9/10
Harry Richman 4.6/10 (Subbed off)
Caroline Prius-Leonard 4.2/10
Claire Corton 3.7/10
Dylan Vargas 3.5/10 (Subbed off)

Hopefully better results will happen today.

-Lillian Barter KNN

[Riennic Isles]

Nao Tomori leaned back in her chair and took a sip of lukewarm tea from the cracked mug on her table.

She felt the throbbing vein in her temple recede somewhat as the strong tea trickled down her throat. She had been at her desk since seven in the morning. Nao stole a quick glance at the wall clock quietly ticking away in a corner of the cluttered office; the hour hand had almost made one full revolution since then. Even though she was nowhere near finishing all the work she had ended up with, Nao promised herself that she would clock out after she finished reading through the final pages of the dossier she was working on. She would hop on her sputtering scooter, be home in ten minutes, have a cup of instant noodles for dinner, and pamper herself with a hot bath. She deserved as much after slaving away at the office for a whole day. Nao knew that she would have to make up the work tomorrow, but the dual temptations of food in her rumbling stomach and a nice, relaxing bath to ease the stiffness from her muscles were just too hard to ignore.

She skimmed through the dossier, which seemed to contain nothing more important than running stats compiled by the youth development department for the last under-18 match. Nao scanned the figures disinterestedly. Nothing particularly stood out to her among the rows and rows of figures. She flipped through the last several pages she had yet to read, decided that there was nothing there to keep her at work, and stood up, grimacing as her body protested loudly at an entire workday spent huddling over an office desk. Nao made one last round of the department, checking under the tables to make sure no unfortunate soul had fallen asleep beneath their workstations, and flipped the light switch, plunging the department into darkness.

As she passed through the open courtyard on her way out, Nao noticed that the light was still on in the director's office, shining brightly against the backdrop of the RFA building, which had long since been cloaked in the inky darkness of twilight. Nao contemplated popping into the director's office to report on her progress, but quickly decided against it. It wasn't exactly as though she had anything mission critical to report. Besides, it was rare for the director to be in this late in the day. He probably chose to come in at this hour so that he could work in peace and quiet, instead of having the petty bureaucrats invading his office for the most inconsequential matters.

Nao clocked out at the rear staff entrance, retrieved her helmet, and swung herself onto her scooter. The ancient machine coughed wearily into life, and Nao slowly chugged off into the night.

Man, she was looking forward to taking her bath.

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The Riena Sentinel

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Riena 7-3 Monglechabagd
Riena put rivals to the sword in thrilling fashion

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• Riena: Kanzaki (7', 55'), Nakiri (30'), Igarashi (45+2'), Samukawa (64'), Steiner (75'), Tsukamoto (88')
• Monglechabagd: Luisin (35'), Schneider (70'), Sakuranami own goal (85')

Riena made light work of rivals Monglechabagd in today's Baptism of Fire clash to regain top spot in Group F, albeit on goal difference, ahead of Sankt Konrad. Kanata Shiranami's team were the better team from first whistle to last, marking their superiority over their opponents with an astonishing seven goals - a new record for the national team. On the other end, they did not deserve to concede three times against what was in truth a relatively poor Monglechabagd side, who now lie second from last in the Group F standings, ahead only of pointless Jerauuk.

Suenaga served up a warning of what was to come in the second minute, when she robbed a dawdling Themu of the ball and blasted a powerful effort which Sokolüb did well to tip around the post. The Monglechabagd 'keeper was kept busy from the ensuing corner, reflexively stopping a goal-bound Nakiri header before valiantly diving at Kanzaki's feet to prevent the Riena forward from tapping into an empty net. Kanzaki would not be denied for long. Just four minutes later, Kanzaki picked up a brilliantly disguised reverse pass from Nakiri and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner from twelve yards to open Riena's account for the game.

Scenting blood in the air, Riena swarmed forward in droves and overwhelmed the Monglechabagd defence with impunity. Nakiri had a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Fritz, and Narita was unlucky not to score with a thirty-yard piledriver that cracked against the angle of the upright. The Wavelets' were dominant in possession and rapier-like in attack, threatening to add to their one-goal lead every time they surged forward, and only some desperate defending on the part of the Monglechabagd defenders prevented Riena from running riot. It was perhaps a surprise to observers that Riena did not double their lead until the half hour mark, when Nakiri's long-range drive was spilled into the Monglechabagd net by Sokolüb.

Luisin pulled a goal back for Monglechabagd via a twenty-yard free kick, but from then on Riena put their collective feet on the pedal and left their opponents gasping in their wake. Igarashi cut in from the left and hit a powerful effort that left Sokolüb flat-footed via a wicked deflection off Fritz to make it 3-1 to Riena on the cusp of half-time, but by then, Steiner and Suenaga had both had sharp strikes well saved by the 'keeper, and Matsukai's twenty-yard curler beat Sokolüb all ends up only to end up ricocheting off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

The second half was a case of more of the same. Monglechabagd manager Martin Reiss had rejigged his team at half-time by introducing Patrick Perisic for the struggling Alsaud, but it proved to be ineffectual in the face of the Riena onslaught. Kanzaki scored a fine poacher's goal in the fifty-fifth minute, expertly finishing a one-on-one opportunity after being slipped clear by Matsukai, while Kanzaki's replacement Samukawa opened her Baptism of Fire account by slamming a well-hit Steiner cross into the roof of the net from close range. Schneider provided some relief from regularly scheduled programming in the seventieth minute, sending Minato the wrong way from the spot after Igarashi had felled Vits in the area, but five minutes later Steiner embarked on a wonderful solo dribble past three Monglechabagd defenders before rounding Sokolüb and rolling the ball into an empty net.

The eighty-fifth minute saw a Monglechabagd free-kick deflect off Sakuranami for an own goal as she tried to clear the ball from danger, and helped restore some semblance of respectability to the scoreline for Monglechabagd. However, one last twist of the knife remained for outclassed Monglechabagd. Two minutes from full-time, the ball fell kindly for Tsukamoto from a Riena corner, and the central defender had no problem tucking home an instinctive finish from the edge of the six-yard box.

Despite the razor-sharp attacking performance and the crushing win to go with it, Kanata Shiranami will want to iron out the defensive issues running through the team that contributed to the Wavelets' three concessions against Monglechabagd today. The Wavelets' opponents on the next matchday will be fifth-placed Soracana Islands. The team from the Melayu Archipelago slumped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Sankt Konrad on matchday 4, and will be looking for three points to jump-start their push for advancement to the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Riena will have their sights on securing a second consecutive win to consolidate their position at the top of Group F.

Riena (3-4-3): Minato; Narita, Tsukamoto, Amemiya; Igarashi, Sakuranami, Nakiri, Matsukai; Steiner, Kanzaki, Suenaga
Substitutes: Kugimiya, Uruha (72'), Kagura, Kawakaze, Kirimiya (67'), Akamatsu, Samukawa (58')

Monglechabagd (4-4-2): Sokolüb; Themu, Fritz, Venger, Batie; Veteurkers, Alsaud, Vilkaum, Luisin; Schneider, Vits
Substitutes: Berner, Kerter, D. Kurth, Perisic (45'), Voltär (60'), Veltël, Reus (72')

[Muradil]

The one-hour-long rest seemed to fly by to the players. Some crafty observer might note that it was because they were on a plane. They were on their way to the Ohio Valley State Fairgrounds Stadium, located in Louisville. It was also known as the green concrete rectangle, because that was what the field was. Actually it was some early astro turf that the tournament organizer threw on concrete, with a green layer of paint on top of it, to hide the roughness. Obviously it complied with the international rules, and had some white lines, even if some players swore that in some places there weren’t even lines, just that there were lines cut out off the turf. Nobody cared if that was true, obviously nobody even bothered to check if the field complied with the rules.

The Muradilians never cared about rules, so the playing field, that was a field in the same way a concrete jungle is a jungle, a thing that might resemble the original, but with concrete, was a blessing for them. A team that likes playing rough, tackling their opponents, and dragging them on the floor after they fall, literally and metaphorically, has an enormous advantage. Or they would have had an advantage if they had been able to rest.

They didn’t sleep that night, and they also weren’t notified about the delay when building the Louisville’s stadium, so an emergency one was made. And so they went there by plane.

The one-hour-long rest seemed to fly by to the players. Some crafty reader might note that this is the same sentence as the opening one. That’s because the players felt they were on a déjà vu, drifting in and out of a slumber that kept repeating. If they knew who Stephen King was, they would’ve related with his short story about the purgatory. While the narrator was rambling about Stephen King, they got to the airport and into the cars that were waiting for them. It was a five-minute drive. The first one to arrive was, obviously, the Buick Roadmaster, carrying the coach, the assistant, and three other players. The Farves were on the trunk, with two other players also there, who said there was room for more people, but they didn’t want to bother the people who lived in there. An old Ford Pinto was the car that got the remainder of the team to the stadium.

Both captains shook their hands, Carlson representing Sanctanus, Xädétu representing Muradil, because he was the strongest on the team, and you should always begin a match trying to hurt your adversary and the referees, it’s the only moment they won’t yellow card you, or so they say. Being only half-awake, he couldn't make heads or tails of the situation he was in, so he lost the coin toss. It was determined, Sanctanus would start the game.

The game itself wasn’t interesting by Muradil standards. An early play by Zach Arley left the defense misplaced, and that allowed Wyatt to score a goal, opening the score for the game. Meanwhile, Tolver was leaning against a goalpost, because he was tired. In the middle of the game he chose to take a nap, and he managed to save a goal, because he was laying on the floor, right in the path of the ball. Most would call that luck, but he knew exactly what he was doing. Sấutér told him how he should lay on the floor, given the shooting patterns of the offense for Sanctanus. And he was right. The one-hour-long rest seemed shorter for Tolver this time.

“Oh, fuck. I’m not in the plane anymore” thought Nürm after waking up. He looked at the luminous board, but got blinded for some seconds because he actually had looked to the stadium lights. Suddenly he also became deaf. Sanctanus had scored a second goal in extra time. After that, the referee signaled the end of the first half.

Desperate, Mnęrotï took charge of the situation: he managed to wake up all the players and still had five minutes left, so they could receive orders

“Wow guys, great job out there. You didn’t even get a yellow card. I’m proud of you.” Jan said. Obviously this was sarcastic. “You bunch of idiots, you have to wake up, we need to win this match. They’re already 2-0, they aren’t scared of any of you… This can become a disaster” He was shouting while he ran outside of the locker room.

“Obviously you know that drinking coffee wakes you up, right?” he said, after running back with a keg in his hands. “RIGHT?” Now he was shouting.

The players, a bit scared this time, all said “Yes” timidly.

“But you know what’s even better for waking up?” He looked each player directly into their eyes. Not at the same time, obviously; that’d be impossible for human-like people. Even more, if they weren’t human like, they probably wouldn’t be considered people. And Jan was proud of being a person, so this applied to him. Ahem… As I was saying, he looked each player into their eyes, waiting for an answer. After waiting, expectantly, and getting visibly disappointed after nobody answered, he said “Dropping coffee on your pants” and he showered the team. They all screamed. But it worked. Now they were awake.

They ran into the second half, trampling on their rivals. Two goals on quick succession made the game more interesting. A yellow card for Hó-Ih marked that the team was back on their usual selves. A red card for Gòbüen, who had replaced Muçúa, was the final nail in the coffin: Muradil were going all-in. After that, the game became a clusterfuck. They had managed to drag their rivals down to their level, and each player from Sanctanus spent quite a lot on the floor rolling, but no laughing this time. If anything, they had tears of frustration.

A good pass by Smith into Carson, allowed him to put the ball exactly into the penalty point, where Isaac Strong scored an awesome header. He probably broke some records with that jump. And he also broke one of Dóca’s nails. Now it was time for Muradil to fight back. They fought tooth and nail to get the control of the game back. Well, not everyone. Dóca couldn’t fight nail-wise. But he did find a rusted nail laying in the floor, which he threw to one of the players. Luckily for him, the ref didn’t see him.

After some suffering, Bruĉï found himself face-to-face with the goalkeeper and he tried to do a delicatessen, only to fail miserably. Immediately after that he got tackled. The referee thought it was someone from Sanctanus who did that, but actually it was Boñil Môrnengi, who became angry with him after missing that easy goal. That broke a fight, but only between Muradil’s national team.

Yeah, the game was a clusterfuck.

With only ten minutes remaining, Bruĉï had a chance for redemption. This time he scored, but didn’t celebrate the goal. Just calmly trotted back to the starting point. The game was 3-3 and it could end any way. Quite literally any way. Dóca was looking for the rusty nail, just in case. Some Muradil fans were looking for anything that could hurt people. A midget that was passing nearby the stadium became a dangerous projectile that was thrown to the fans of Sanctanus. For the first time in his life, the adjective big was used to describe him. He was a big projectile that hit around 6 people.

Meanwhile, the game had 5 extra minutes. And that was when the Bruĉï-Sấutér duo showed why they deserved to be on the national team. This time the roles were reversed: a great pass from Bruĉï left alone on the penalty area, and Sấutér managed to score. After that, the guys played to stall, and that’s when the game ended.

Obviously, chaos ensued, some players fainted due to sleep deprivation, but a win is a win. And that’s why Muradil fans’ chose to destroy stuff from Sanctanus fans’, and not their own players. There was this rogue soul who set stuff on fire to appease the Farves god.

And so ends match day three. Two wins and a tie.

[Southern Esportivan Union]

Demyan Borisov Recovers from Vicious Beating
Will make BoF debut against Res Publica Nova Roma

CHARLESTON, APPALACHIA - Demyan Borisov returned to training for the first time since he was viciously beaten shortly after the SEU national team's arrival in Appalachia for the Baptism of Fire. It is believed that his assailants have ties to the Vasilyev crime family which has recently risen to prominence in Tanamera.

Investigators have yet to determine just why Borisov was targeted by the Vasilyev crime family, but Borisov has offered his own theory. "Gambling. My bet is that they've bet against us, since we were the favorites in most of our opening matches following our excellent Campionato performance. Needed to insure their profits, so they tried to take me out. They'll need to bet on us now, because I'm back and I'm hungry."

Team officials have not confirmed whether security has been increased for the team, but it seems like the most likely course of action for the team's management to take.

Borisov suffered several cuts to his face, a bruised thigh and a cracked rib. The cuts to his face have left him scarred, making him look rather fearsome. Borisov has stated that he hopes the new look, "strikes fear in the defenders and goalkeepers I face."

It is assumed that the cracked rib has yet to fully heal, but that isn't stopping Borisov from getting back out onto the field of play. Borisov made it quite clear, "I came here to score goals for my team. That hasn't happened yet and look where we are."

The SEU sits at the very bottom of Group A, having lost all three of its matches so far. Having scored five goals without the services of Borisov, the SEU's defense has allowed nine, the most in Group A and tied for sixth worst in the Baptism of Fire. Borisov's ability to not only score goals but maintain possession of the ball for extended periods of time will be a significant relief to the overwhelmed defense.