Cup of Harmony 77 - everything thread

[Kandorith]

Kanyori Football Association:
National Football Team Roster for the 85th World Cup
Nation Name: The Empire of Kandorith/Kanyori
Demonym: Kandorese
Team Nickname: Bushi Narehiko (Lotus Warriors)
First Appearance: World Cup 67
Best Result: Quarter Finals CoH 76

Kit
Kits provided by NNS

Style Modifier +3.21
Formation (3-2-3-2 and adaptive 4-2-2-2),

STAFF
Manager: Ken Hayabusa - Age 43
Assistant: Toshi Fujiwara - Age 33

GOALKEEPERS
#1. Hideyo Kiyotada - GK - Age 30 - Hayazawa Vissel
#12. Koide Hikomasa - GK - Age 32 - Imakazawa Ravens
#28. Michinori Tamatsuki - GK - Age 21 - Higashu Frontale

Defenders
#5. Ando Masatake - LB - Age 23 - Higaku Antlers
#20. Hideyoshi Takahashi - CB - Age 24 - Hayazawa Vissel
#4. Munemori Miyake - RB - Age 24 - Imakazawa Ravens
#6. Fuji Kagetame - CB - Age 24 - Ginza Victory
#13. Tetsui Hisagushi - RB - Age 23 - Imakazawa Ravens
#29. Mori Takayama - LB - Age 19 - Imakazawa Ravens

Midfielders
#7. Hiro Tanaka - DM - Age 25 - FC Tenkyo
#28. Hikoshige Matsushita - LM - Age 19 - Takamoto
#8. Hisakane Hayashi - LM - Age 23 - Hayazawa Vissel
#21. Kanetoki Hirano - RM - Age 21 - Imakazawa Ravens
#22. Yukitaka Yamaguchi - RM - Age 20 - Ginza Victory
#9. Arihiro Hoshi - AM - Age 26 - Imakazawa Ravens
#10. Takamoto Ishibashi - LM - Age 19 - Higaku Antlers
#17. Yori Hisegawa - RM - Age 20 - FC Tenkyo
#18. Hideto Muri - LM - Age 25 - Higashu Frontale
#16. More Tamura - DM - Age 24 - Higaku Antlers

Forwards
#15. Toki Matsuda - SC - Age 25 - Hayazawa Vissel
#23. Takayama Nakajima - SC - Age 21 - Higashu Frontale
#11. Masada Katano - SC - Age 20 - Higashu Frontale
#19. Hirohiko Nakajima - SC - Age 24 - Hayazawa Vissel



Captain: Hiro Tanaka
Penalty taker: Takayama Nakajima
Corner kick taker: Hisakane Hayashi
Free kick taker: Kanetoki Hirano
Best players: Hideyoshi Takahashi, Kanetoki Hirano, Hiro Tanaka and Takayama Nakajima

Tactics

Empress Masumi Stadium at night

Ken Hayabusa is a controversial character in the Kandorese sporting world next to being one of the youngest managers in the nation. Even though Kandorith was eliminated during the last days of the qualifying campaign for World Cup 85 he remains in charge of the Lotus Warriors. Hayabusa's national achievements and reputation speak for themselves as the previous coach of the very successful Imakazawa Ravens which he led to be national champions 4 times in a row. Hayabusa believes in "total football" to make sure the team has players available to cover for each other in almost any situation and any position. The Kandorese team is looking to play a more aggressive football and rely a lot on quick, successive passes and counters. But, when in doubt the team will hold back to eventually mount a mass assault from the midfield positions. The midfield is the most important terrain for this team; this is where the most important and strongest players control the entire play. The strikers for Kandorith are something different, the team has no traditional style strikers but rather extremely fast and pacey runners; who will take their opportunity to run at the goal at any chance they get; while the midfield will close down the area behind them to ensure the team's dominance on the opponent's half.

The midfield is not only the engine behind the team, but also very capable at scoring goals. The strikers are mostly wingers and runners who are supported by a capable and pacey midfielders who all have a talent for finishing. In defense the Kandorese team is cautious and pressure absorbing. The entire team will do their very best to tire out opponents and strike when they are off-balanced with quick and long passes the Kandorese defense can switch to a full-out offense and get the ball in the opponent's half within two passes. Unlike many teams, this team does not have a set formation but more a guideline in what their responsibilities are. According to Ken Hayabusa winning is the responsibility of the entire team, therefore the entire team should be able to play in complete synergy with the rest.

The home stadium for the Kandorese National Team is the Empress Masumi National Stadium, named after the current Empress in honour of her coronation. The rather new stadium is designed as a multi-purpose sports complex with the possibility of completely changing the venue's layout for almost any sport. When the stadium is not used for sports the large complex is used to host concerts, large events and even traditional markets. The Stadium is the home of the Kandorese first division team FC Tenkyo who are one of the "big four" teams of the nation. With a total capacity during football matches of 90,000 attendants the stadium is a symbol for a new era of the Kandorese nation and its people.

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==RP Permissions==
Choose Scorers: [Y]
Godmod Goalscoring Events: [Y]
Injure Players: [Y]
Godmod Injury Events: [Y]
Godmod Cards: [Y] (If not outrageous naturally)
Godmod Other Events: [Y] (but make sure to send a TG first)

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[Mercedini]

Manager: Sam Billic • Formation: 4-4-2

In what has been one of the more turbulent cycles for the Mercedinian National Team, it's all change at the top for the Golden Eagles as former talisman and U18 Gaffer Sam Billic returns to senior national team duties, as interim manager for the tournament. As he attempts to steady the ship following the departure of Cenian Elidyr Lyndainium following the conclusion of the most recent qualification cycle. Rumours are swirling about who will be the permanent fixture as the manager of the national team, with Billic one of the key figures in the race to secure the position, a good performance here could solidify that decision.

What is known by some as the 'loser's cup' is now in it's 77th edition, with Mercedini participating in their second successive campaign. Dini have enjoyed some decent success at this tournament in previous editions, winning the tournament once and finishing fourth in it's most recent iteration. The Cup of Harmony now heads to Kelssek and Zwangzug, as a combined host bid between four countries to host both the World Cup and Cup of Harmony. With so many top teams missing out on World Cup Qualification, it will be a hotly contested edition, with no clear standouts like last edition (with Pasarga and Mercedini). A good performance here will keep Dini in the running for an easier time of it next edition, with a solid handful of nations currently below Mercedini holding crucial World Cup berth spots (where the big KPB points lie).

GOALKEEPERS   Name                    	   Age	          Club	
GK            Daniel Hosset                29           Zoloroni City
GK            Ibrahim Elaani               22           Dynum City Wanderers
GK            Anders Vorsini               20           Kiaono Locals

With his lack of experience in managing this team, Billic has opted to make only minor teaks to Lyndainium's blueprint, with the only alterations being the thinning of the squad to ensure a streamlined team mechanic going forward. Poyek was the unlucky candidate to be pruned from the CoH roster, leaving Hosset and the two youthful new kids on the block. This will be another experiance for Hosset, as he retains his #1 spot on the goalkeeping roster. This will be the first major international tournament at senior level for both of these younger goalies, whether they will be up to the mark remains to be seen. It may be a cycle of transition for the national team, but change has to start somewhere, and it will likely start here.

DEFENDERS	
LB            Anzor Kuznetsov              30           Dynamo Shebchetsik
LB            Preston Aristaros            27           Zoloroni Metropolitan
CB            Jordan Brindliev             23           Jhanna City
CB            Liam Dosic                   33           Gwinevra Barbarians
CB            Liam Toivonen                26           Goldstaff City
CB            Lyon Dalamai                 23           Langtree United
RB            Lucas Stretovsky             23           Blue Strike Zoloroni
RB            Thomas Di Sansev             23           OAS Royal FC

Billic has once again opted for the enthusiastic inexperience of his younger players, in their first run out in a tournament of this format. Many of the new additions would have previously played for their country at youth level, but would have never played against any of these sides present in these kinds of tournaments. The kids have all grown up, but have already been knocked down by lower ranked sides throughout qualification. Another shocker like that could be fatal for this team, with the margin between success and elimination so fine. Grit and determination will be required if they are to have another deep run here. That will be put to the test with their opening group matches, where they will play teams from across the footballing spectrum.

MIDFIELDERS 
LM            Crp. Tim Crasic              27           Mercedini Armed Forces
LM            Lawrence Garzallo            25           Zoloroni Metropolitan
CM            Adam Kraljic                 28           Olask Islanders
CM            Johannes Nymark              28           Zoloroni City
CM            Johan Karlovic               23           Spartangrad
CM            Dino Santa-Corvani           25           Langtree United
RM            Ross Presic                  29           Loconstead United
RM            Leon Kulap                   25           Zoloroni City

Once again, only a handful of changes to the midfield roster as they take the reigns for the national team. It is unclear what style of football Billic will bring to the table, however many are expecting much of the same when it comes to the quick and energetic style the Dini have become so famed for. In this cycle so far, the midfield have been left wanting, service to their attackes has been lacklustre to say the least, while they have been as leaky as a sieve to allow balls over the top and through balls to be made. More of the same could result in an early exit from the tournament, which will do none of the players any good in their quest to reinvent the national team in their own image.

STRIKERS 
ST            Daniel Dostalok              25           Starling
ST            Ben Chillotov                24           Lajuno
ST            Adrian Talisky               18           Blue Strike Zoloroni
ST            Feliks Alva                  23           Elspachia

Finally, an area where Billic has bags of experiance, the attacking roster. Billic knows many of these players personally, with the younger members looking up to Billic as an icon and a role model. Chillotov and Dostalok, who used to be the two young guns, are positively archaic compared to their the new arrivals, Alva and Talisky, in a dynamic spectrum in the roster which has been mirrored time after time by successive iterations of the national team. The formula seems to have been sussed out by opponents, so the race is on to re-invent the roster in a different way. A way that keeps the attacking force effective while consistently evolving to keep the secret code-breaker under wraps for as long as possible.

[Timuria]

Cup of Harmony Squad Announced

Quick summary by the editors

Kits (Home/Away/Goalkeeper):

Coaching Staff:

Manager: Bekir Altingunes
Age: 50
Bio: Bekir Altingunes is a man running out of time, at least if his contract situation is to be taken at face value. He has so far led the Red Wolves to a record of 42-20-30 (W-D-L) in his time as the Red Wolves inaugural manager. A record like that would surely have led to at least an offer of extension, but for Mr Altingunes that seems to be just out of his reach with the Football Federation wanting to maximise their leverage in negotiations. For this tournament he faces unusual expectations, as the side has yet again failed to qualify for a World Cup, but they enter it as the side who had the best record in the qualifiers who failed to qualify meaning there is a little bit of weight on him. How he responds to this challenge may make the difference between him getting his new contract early or him looking for the exit before his contract runs out.

Assistant Manager: Senol Tarimcioglu
Age: 65
Bio: A statistician turned Director of Football at Super League side Hisar, he has turned out to be an essential part of Bekir's staff, with his personnel insights proving invaluable in providing the national team with the best talent available now an easier task with development of players improving across the board and international success for individual players. An often underrated element of his role is the tactical insights he provides the manager during the matches with several of the best substitutions and tactical shifts being accredited to him by the manager. While his age is certainly advanced he has not indicated at all that he'd look to leave either his club or his national team role and is said to be on the pushing hard for staff to be hired as the national team seeks to expand its operation.

Goalkeeping Coach: Hasan Kocaeli
Age: 45
Bio: The former national team goalkeeper and current Devlet-Bira Fabrika Takimi player has been asked to lend his expertise to the national team and offer specialised training to the three goalkeepers in the squad. His excellent performances in the Super League as well as his time as third goalkeeper where he effectively fulfilled the role he is currently filling will stand him in good stead as he begins his coaching career. Wth a talented group of three goalkeepers to coach, two of whom he competes against in the Super League it will be interesting to see how the decisions he helps the manager make with regards to the often fluid goalkeeping situation is taken.

Players:

Goalkeepers:

1. Iskender Nur (Tihon (CMT)) Caps: 46
Age: 24
Positions: GK
Bio: The talented keeper has now become something of an undisputed number one, with his performances in the qualifiers being generally solid and him showing off his capability. There have of course been questions asked of him as the team's number one issue yet again seemed to stem from the defence not being able to keep up with the offence in terms of quality, but he wasn't by and large the problem and so will be going into this as the number one keeper.

12. Murat Yigithan (Uryanspor) Caps: 29
Age: 31
Positions: GK
Bio: Murat Yigithan had been the national team's top keeper for a short while but now he's relegated to first backup duty. He's perhaps the most acomplished goalkeeper on the squad in terms of how he handles himself, but he's not been producing at the same level as the number one keeper Iskender Nur. He'll be ready to step in as always if the worst should happen to Iskender.

23. Saban Inekci (Hisar FK) Caps: 15
Age: 34
Positions: GK
Bio: Saban Inekci has had a good season in the Super League so far and is one of the bright spots on a floundering reigning champion side Hisar, with masterful performances. He will be the Red Wolves' third keeper as they try to qualify for the World Cup, but can consider himself very unlucky to not be in contention for starting, bested by two superb keepers. If things go very wrong he will step in, but he will provide a set of eyes for the coaching staff and his fellow keepers, adopting a mentor role as the eldest in that room.

Defenders:

2. Ozbek Sarikaya (Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ)) Caps: 75 Goals: 3
Age: 36
Positions: DL
Bio: Ozbek Sarikaya is a player firmly in the sunset phase of his career, but that doesn't mean that he has nothing to offer and isn't clearly the best full back the team has to offer. He has found a measure of success abroad after his time in Timuria seemed to come to a natural end and many wondered if he would be able to be as consistent as he has been previously. Regardless it appears he has produced sufficiently good performances to justify his starting role and has the trust of Bekir Altingunes, a rare commodity in this defence.

3. Kemal Colak (Miners FC (CMT)) Caps: 25 Goals: 1
Positions: DC
Age: 21
Bio: The young centre back made his way abroad due to a lack of appropriate Super League team for him to feed into from his youth side, he went to Chromatika like Iskender Nur and found himself a solid contributor to their campaign which led to them staying afloat. The Arhavi native is a lightning fast player for his age and surprisingly mature in his decision making, both attributes and the way he's demonstrated it in the qualifiers means that him and Berker will likely be the primary centre back pairing for the Red Wolves for a long time.

4. Berker Balkan (Uryanspor) Caps: 42 Goals: 0
Positions: DC
Age: 24
Bio: The young centre back has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is now considered the centre back of the present and the future for both his club and his country. Now he took his chance at the AOCAF and followed that up with an excellent series of performances during the qualifiers and is now seemingly a permanent fixture in the defence. A part of Uryanspor's famously strong defence and famously ambitious and talented, he may be putting himself in the shop window for a move, esepcially with Uryanspor failing to achieve any significant success domestically.

5. Gokdeniz Dag (VC) (Uryanspor) Caps: 75 Goals: 0
Positions: DR
Age: 29
Bio: A regular and solid performer for the national team he will work opposite his good friend and former teammate Ozbek Sarikaya on the opposite flank, however he is known to be a professional and positive influence across the squad he will be relied upon to provide more of the same solid play that has lead him to be the first name on the teamsheet almost every match at both international and club level. His reliability and leadership will be key to a defence that has had more than its fair share of troubles at inconvenient times.

13. Eyup Mustafa (Almat JK) Caps: 62 Goals: 1
Positions: DC, DR
Age: 32
Bio: Capable of playing both as a full back and a centre back, Eyup has now been asked to take a step back in favour of a gifted pair of centre backs and is now handing off to them. That being said he still has a lot of talent and experience to offer the squad and his 55 caps will be a valuable resource off the bench. He has struggled at club level as Almat have moved to a new system, but he can still deliver and Bekir Altingunes is nothing if not loyal to players who have delivered for him in the past.

18. Zeynel Abidin Birkan (Hisar FK) Caps: 7 Goals: 0
Positions: DL
Age: 22
Bio: The young left back has been performing very well since he came onto the scene this year, replacing Beyhan Enver though he's less versatile than the two footed left back. He's been a bright spot on the slightly reduced defence of the reigning Super League champions. He'll be gaining critical experience behind a talented and experience starter in Ozbek Sarikaya who will need a successor and clearly Bekir Altingunes and his assistant have found the man they think can fulfil that role in the coming years. His limited appearences have given life to the idea that he is the obvious successor to Ozbek Sarikaya and is getting closer to his time to shine.

20. Yildiray Sabuktiginoglu (Marianopolis (DCA)) Caps: 24 Goals: 0
Positions: DC, DL, DR
Age: 30
Bio: A gritty, determined player who has not seen very much of the field for the national team, but has shown large amounts of leadership and flashes of quality as he's played across all defensive positions at club level. Yildiray is the ultimate depth player and after the relegation of his side Kilicspor from the Super League he decided that he should play abroad a move which will tested his abilities and was made with the intention of getting him a larger role in the national team. This is a gamble that has led to him being a priority substitute not quite a starter, but he remains in and around the squad when others may not have.

Midfielders:
6. Reza Karaduman (Wirr Tsi (CMT)) Caps: 29 Goals: 1
Positions: MC, DM
Age: 21
Bio: A young player who was forced by the lack of appropriate Super League side to take his services abroad, he has found himself a key player in the midfield for Wirr Tsi in Chromatika. An Arhavi native who has shown an exceptional well of talent. Having built on his early experience at the AOCAF, he is now a true starting calibre player at the age of 21 and will be expected to be a leader on this team. He will now be expected to work alongside the much more experienced Ertan Renda and give him the freedom to roam upfield while he effectively acts as a holding midfielder and a screen for the defence.

7. Caner Turan (Northshore FC (XAN)) Caps: 81 Goals: 20
Positions: AML, AMR
Age: 28
Bio: Considered the most gifted player on the team, he is a two footed winger who operates both as an inside forward and as a traditional winger. He and his new partner on the opposite flank will be able to switch freely if they find themselves unable to breakthrough against their particular opposite number, indicating Altingunes' confidence in his attackers. He will now be expected to use both his raw talent and the experience he's gained to truly lead the offensive side of the team now he's entering what should be the peak of his career.

8. Ertan Renda (C) (Elektriklestirmespor) Caps: 82 Goals: 25
Positions: AMC, MC
Age: 30
Bio: The diminutive, often lethargic looking player always takes opposition players by surprise. He isn't particularly fast, nor is he especially technically gifted and he doesn't really show any particular flair in general open play, but he's shown flashes of brilliance and genius throughout his international career and his career at club level. He is a very technical player who shows that his main talent is getting the job done. His determination makes him a valuable asset in such an intense and high pressing system. He has had to adapt to his new primary role as a central midfielder a bit deeper than he'd like at both club and international level, but he's shown that he's more than capable of playing the role perfectly if given the right support.

9. Volkan Ayhan (Advernians (HWY)) Caps: 28 Goals: 3
Positions: AMR
Age: 30
Bio: He was part of an attacking side who scored more than 100 goals in his final Super League season and was a key, if underrated player in that side. He has leveraged this and Manat's tactical realignment to propel himself abroad in order to showcase his skills without being overshadowed by his teammates and become a noteworthy player in his own right. He has been invisible at times, but with little in the way of acceptable long term alternatives he finds himself the top right winger yet again.

10. Vatan Ercetin (Jinja City FC (BNJ)) Caps: 79 Goals: 56
Positions: ST, AMC
Age: 26
Bio: The supremely talented Vatan Ercetin drops back into the number 10 role that he fills at his club side in neighbouring Banija. He's formed an excpetional partnership with his teammates at club level and Bekir Altingunes has taken note, hoping to maximise the firepower the side puts on the pitch at any one time, by ensuring him and Ismail Burhan both start. He wont be used to being a number 10 at this level, but his vision in the role and his ability to be a goal scoring threat, evidenced by his absurd return of 56 goals in 79 appearences, but he will now be hoping to replicate some of his best moments and get his teammates on the score sheet.

15. Yerkebulan Suyumbayev (Advernians (HWY)) Caps: 10 Goals: 5
Positions: AML
Age: 23
Bio: The young winger made his way abroad after a lack of acceptable club to take him on from youth level. He went on to have an exceptional season, to the point that he is now looking to move on after playing so well. Bekir Altingunes clearly noticed, bringing him into the squad to porvide cover for arguably the most talented player on the team in the form of Caner Turan, who he is often compared to. Expect to see him thrown on to try to change matches with his energy and flair.

16. Metin Aytacoglu (Elektriklestirmespor) Caps: 14 Goals: 1
Positions: AMC
Age: 30
Bio: Metin showed himself to be a talented and capable player when he was called upon in relief of Vatan Ercetin, while he isn't likely to see a lot of action the team can be assured there is a solid backup option. He may have been a more gifted player technically than the previous occupant of the starting role ahead of him, there's no argument that can be made to put him ahead of Vatan Ercetin who is a supreme talent, even compared to a player who shows bright flashes like Metin.

17. Atilla Acar (Zvezda Vlaikograd (STL)) Caps: 59 Goals: 3
Positions: MC
Age: 31
Bio: Easily recognisable with his long flowing black hair and long beard, both of which flow as he endlessly runs up and down the pitch in the role of a box-to-box midfielder. Very capable of delivering pin point passes over long distances. He has moved on from Demirspor to ply his trade abroad and he brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable from the bench, rumoured to have taken his relegation to the bench well he will be an important mind on the team whether on or off the pitch.

19. Tekin Yavuz (Devlet-Bira Fabrika Takimi) Caps: 47 Goals: 10
Positions: AMR, AML, AMC
Age: 36
Bio: The aging star Tekin Yavuz has been running amok at his club DBFT, but his advanced years means that the national team has moved from him as a starter and are now leaning on his experience and versatility to be a factor from the bench. He will provide immense technical ability off the bench as well as a wealth of insight and intelligence on the pitch. His physical decline has been undeniable as he reaches his mid-30s, but all good players find a way to contribute as their gifts fade and he is undoubtedly a good player.

21. Sabah Tanriseven (Devlet-Bira Fabrika Takimi) Caps: 11 Goals: 2
Positions: MC
Age: 22
Bio: The young midfielder has been a revelation in the first half of the Super League season as his DBFT side make a shocking challenge for the title. He has been both an exceptional defensive screen and a great creative playmaker. He will probably be a priority substitute in matches when the Red Wolves need a bit of extra energy and enthusiasm, this is a player who delights in being on the pitch and may even be one of the best players on this side. If he's tempered with experience and gets enough time from the bench he could well become a start midfielder for a side that at times looks like it needs a good balance for Ertan Renda.

Attackers:

11. Ismail Burhan (Manat FK) Caps: 47 Goals: 34
Positions: ST
Age: 29
Bio: Ismail took his chance to be the starting striker after his (friendly) rival Vatan Ercetin was moved to the number 10 slot, with a fantastic AOCAF tournament. He is a prolific finisher in the Super League and has delivered a fantastic return at international level. He has well and truly made the starting striker spot his, with none of the other candidates really showing enough in extended periods to usurp him, yet. He will be looking over his shoulder at the fantastic Omer Tameroglu who has been electric in his opportunities on the pitch.

14. Omer Tameroglu (Devlet-Bira Fabrika Takimi) Caps: 12 Goals: 9
Positions: ST
Age: 28
Bio: Ismail Burhan's former teammate who got out of his shadow and went on to become his main rival for the top scorer position in the Super League with half the season gone. He has yet to surpass his former teammate at either domestic or international level, but his performances have drawn the attention of the national team and he will now be given a few chances from the bench to show he is every bit as good as Ismail Burhan. The belief that he's a better fit for the system than Ismail Burhan is still up in the air, with many wondering if there is a chance that Omer could leapfrog Ismail.

22. Bayram Tansu (Elektriklestirmespor) Caps: 4 Goals: 5
Positions: ST
Age: 30
Bio: The third choice striker who has also been something of a revelation at club level with an impressive return of 9 goals in 18 matches in the first half of the Super League season. His rise from Amateur League player who spearheaded a surprise cup run to a Vizier's Cup final to national team striker is complete. A true cinderella story. He's unlikely to take the final step and seize the mantle of starting striker, but his fantastic return in his limited time on the pitch has meant he's become a fan favourite.

Expected starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Iskender Nur
DL: Ozbek Sarikaya
DC: Kemal Colak
DC: Berker Balkan
DR: Gokdeniz Dag
MC: Ertan Renda
MC: Reza Karaduman
AML: Caner Turan
AMC: Vatan Ercetin
AMR: Volkan Ayhan
ST: Ismail Burhan

OOC Stuff:
Trigram: TMR
Style Modifier: +3
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (but maximum of 2 players, with only one missing a maximum of one game)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (maximum of 4)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes (Maximum of 1)
Godmod other events: No (soft no, please TG me or get a hold of me on Discord)

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

FEDERAÇÃO LUSITANA DE FUTEBOL
77ª Taça de Harmonia

OOC: Will make it better later, wanted to make my entry absolutely official in the meantime though

GK Rui Patríce (Sporting CL)
GK António Lopes (Sevilha)
GK Carlos Ramos (CDA Elvas)
LB Rúben Vinagrete (OF Académica)
LB Rafa Guerreiros (Sevilha)
CB Diogo Leiteiro (Porto)
CB Fernão Ferradura (Bemfica)
CB José Nogueira da Silva (SCUT)
RB João Cancelo (Sevilha)
RB Ricardo Peralva (Vitória Guimarães)
CDM Rúben Nevais (OF Académica)
CDM Sérgio Azinheira (Porto)
LM Jorge Mário (Sporting CL)
LM Rui Horta (Sp.Bracarense)
CM Bruno Fernando (Sporting CL) (C)
CM André Moreira (CF Belém)
RM Francisco Gama (Sevilha)
RM Pedro Santos (SCUT)
CAM Bernardo Veiga (Sevilha)
ST André Silveira (Porto)
ST Daniel Jota (Porto)
ST Guilherme Paciência (Vitória Guimarães)
ST Fernando Trincão (Sp.Bracarense)
BACK-UP PLAYERS
DF Tomás Vilaça (SCUT)
DF Armando Nogueira (Elvas)
MD Gonçalo Guerra (Vitória Guimarães)
MD Domingos Armilar (S.Miguel)
ST Ivo Cavalariça (OF Académica)
NT COACH: Victor Santa Cruz

[Maccian]

Breaking News: Insurgents Seize Ruitawaden!

This is truly a terrifying day for the Motherland. A terrorist group by the name of the "Maccian Revolutionary Army" or 'MRA' has seized the scared city of Ruitawaden, just hours before the King Karcermarskásagusson announced that a monarchy would be established. Just over 56,000 MRA members seized the city and demanded that the King abdicated his throne and Maccian be returned under a democracy. Foolish plebes! How dare these earthworms to go against our glorious King and demand that HE leaves his throne? Utterly preposterous, when these thugs posing as Maccians are found every single one should be hung, drawn and quartered to discourage from any heinous attempts at destroying the progression this nation has been making.

Democracy has shown its inherent weaknesses and under a democratic government, unemployment reached rates of 20% and was the poorest it had ever been. Now under strong rule from the King, the economy in Maccian has soared exponentially and unemployment has fallen to just 5%. His Royal Highness has achieved this through creating the "Zaxstarger", or National Motorway in English and has created an interconnected railway system across the whole country. Maccians are leading the most prosperous lives we could have only dreamed of when our nation was founded. So why would the MRA want to destroy all the progress we have made?

Emmanuel Pizzí and Matthew Mussa-Cheoid are the two leaders of this terrorist group. Pizzí and Mussa-Cheoid were both university students at the University of Samburg, a town in Ruitawaden, who were brainwashed by this so-called "political correctness" that is preached by liberal university lectures. Obviously, these Marxists have never worked a day in their entire lives because they are advocating for COMMUNISM! Yes, you heard that right! The MRA is a rebellious terrorist and communist organisation which only seeks to dismantle Maccian. Seizing all privately owned properties for the state!? The destruction of the Bourgeois!? It's as if it's a foreign nation invading Maccian, how can these people wake up and look at themselves in the mirror without feeling great shame?

Anything to do with the left on the political spectrum breeds insanity. We must quash this rebellion by these terrorists and mass execute the whole lot! 185,536 people currently reside in Ruitawaden so the immense loss of life, albeit worthless in the eyes of Maccians everywhere, will surely be felt. This is why His Royal Highness is planning to abolish states and have a central government around Karcermarskásgussongrad. Nothing good comes from devolution of power. A law shouldn't go for just one state. It should go for everyone.

Maccian Army soldiers in Ramafluora, Dolblin preparing for retaking of Ruitawaden

Such a shame, Maccians will die in this failed attempt at a civil war all because some whiny university students can't man up and get jobs so they can become wealthy. There is no personal responsibility, everything is always the elite's fault. This could not have come at a worse time. Maccian has put in a host bid along with the Royal Kingdom of Quebec for the World Lacrosse Championships 34. Which teams and their fans will want to come and participate in a country that is in civil war? This rebellion needs to be suppressed harshly

King Karcermarskásagusson is undoubtedly and understandably furious. The 33rd Infantry Division, 17th Infantry Divison, 9th Armoured Division and 77th Calvary Division are being deployed to Ruitawaden to fight the rebels there. Civilians are urged to leave the city so that the collateral damage is decreased. 68,565 soldiers in total are being deployed, with the 25th Armoured Division, 10th Infantry Division and 69th Airborne Division on alert in case any more rebellions pop up. I have no idea why His Royal Highness has not introduced conscription yet, because our 118,000 soldiers on active duty may not be enough to prevent more uprising. 34,000 in the Maccian Army Reserves will not be that much of a help.

Now the Maccian National Team has to leave the nation immediately for the Cup of Harmony. This is truly a dangerous situation for Maccian, but hopefully, we will squash these commies and publicly hang them just in time for the Riflemen to come back. Even though practising religion in Maccian is banned, I must say:

God Save The King! God Save Us All!

[South Newlandia]

ELEPHANT VALLEY MAIL
Sports -> Soccer
South Newlandia announces roster for the 77th Cup of Harmony

South Newlandia is still new in the worlds of international soccer, as this Cup of Harmony is only the third international soccer competition for the Elephants. After an quarterfinal appearance in the Baptism of Fire, the team finished fourth in Group 13 of the qualifiers for the 85th World Cup a year ago. This was enough to be invited into the Cup of Harmony, and South Newlandia will now send a team to Kelssek and Zwangzug.

Choose my lineup: Please use my starting lineup, unless I did not release one ahead of the game. Substitutions are no problem.
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes, within reason (TG or Discord first)
Give yellow cards to my players: Yes
Give red cards to my players: Yes, within reason (TG or Discord first)
Godmod other events: Yes, within reason (TG or Discord first)
RP about pandemics: Please do not.
Style modifier: -1.093 (as in between -1 and -2)

Complete squad for South Newlandia

Coaching team

Head Coach: Robert Wolverine (44)

Assistant Coach: Michael White (38)

Goalkeeper Coach: Matthias Boyle (40)

Athletic Coach: Josef Salazar (25)
All of the above have been on the team for 33 official games.

For all players and coaches, only games from official tournaments are counted, excluding friendly matches.

Regular starting eleven


GK: #1 Mikhail Trischuk (26 years old) (30 matches played, 43 conceded goals, 0 assists) CAPTAIN
Mikhail Trischuk is the captain of the team, and he is the reason the team is where they are today. His numerous saves have helped the team countless times, and his abilities as a captain are also in high regard. At 26, he is in the best years of his career, and he can frustrate entire offenses on good days. Even though he is second behind Patrick McMora in played games, he has him beat on played minutes.

LB: #2 Dhruv Roy (24 years old) (25 matches played, 4 scored goals, 4 assists)
Dhruv Roy is very different to Raphael Moreno. While Moreno focuses on defending, Roy can often be found in the opponents half. Especially after corners, his heading abilities can be dangerous. His long passes are also strong, but when it comes to pure defending against strong opponents, he isn’t as strong.

LCB: #17 Jack Schroeder (27 years old) (24 matches played, 1 scored goal, 1 assist)
Jack Schroeder debuted in the Baptism of Fire as well, but he played much better in the World Cup Qualifiers. He is arguably the best defender, and his well-timed tackles have saved the team quite a few times. At 27, he is on the peak of his career.

RCB: #30 Manuel O’Neill (31 years old) (19 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Manuel O’Neill is the oldest player of the squad at 31. He debuted in the World Cup Qualifiers, and he won the battle for the start against Tommy Anderson and Karl Meyer. He directs the defense, but he is often to slow to stop fast strikers. As he is ageing, he will probably retire in the next three years.

RB: #4 Raphael Moreno (30 years old) (22 matches played, 0 scored goals, 1 assist)
Raphael Moreno has also debuted in the World Cup Qualifiers, and he also took the start instantly. With his wealth of experience, he has made the right side saver, but he and O’Neill aren’t as fast. Because of that, the right side has problems against fast players on the left side.

DM: #6 Kevin Mohamed (20 years old) (28 matches played, 1 scored goal, 2 assists)
Kevin Mohamed is the player in Defensive Midfield for the team. While he isn’t the strongest player on the position, South Newlandia lacks viable alternatives. He is a solid defender, but he isn’t great at developing and starting plays for the offense, often slowing things down. At twenty years old, he also has a lot to learn still.

LM: #9 Corban Green (19 years old) (23 matches played, 1 scored goal, 10 assists) CORNERS
Corban Green is the youngest player in the starting formation at nineteen. His lack of experience is made up with fantastic amounts of talent. His shot isn’t as dangerous, while his flanks and corners are among the strongest ones in the country. Due to problems with his knee, he frequently missed games, but he seems to be fit right now.

RM: #13 Patrick McMora (22 years old) (31 matches played, 4 scored goals, 11 assists)
Patrick McMora is the player with the most matches for South Newlandia, having missed only two games. Despite being only 22 years old, he is already playing great. His passes and flanks can be deadly, and he leads the team at assists with eleven.

OM: #7 Finnley Wallis (25 years old) (27 matches played, 9 scored goals, 5 assists) FREE KICKS
Finnley Wallis is one of the most important players of the team. Depending on the situation, he can act as a third striker or even help out in defense. He debuted in the Baptism of Fire, and he is also responsible for free kicks. At 25 years, Wallis is well in his strongest years, and needs to be defended well.

ST: #11 Brandon Irving (21 years old) (28 matches played, 12 scored goals, 3 assists)
Brandon Irving was already part of the squad during the Baptism of Fire, and leads the team in goals at twelve scored goals. Despite his talent, he is largely inconsistent. If he plays well, Irving is hard to stop.

ST: #41 Simon McCabe (29 years old) (15 matches played, 9 scored goals, 3 assists) PENALTYS
Simon McCabe debuted in the World Cup Qualifiers, and he got a start almost instantly. So far, is is the most efficient striker at 2 goals for three games, on average. He is also responsible for penatlys. At 29 years old, he may already be past his strongest days, but he is a force to be dealt with.


Substitutes

GK: #33 Rufus Rigby (20 years old) (4 matches played, 6 conceded goals, 0 assists)
Rufus Rigby is the main replacement for Mikhail Trischuk. He debuted in the Baptism of Fire, and experience is the only thing separating him from Mikhail Trischuk. As time goes on, he will most likely get to be the main South Newlandian goalkeeper.

GK: #12 Abdullah Rowley (29 years old) (0 matches played, 0 conceded goals, 0 assists)
Despite being on the team for the Baptism of Fire and Wold Cup Qualifiers, Abdullah Rowley has never played an international match for the Elephants. Both Trischuk and Rigby are stronger goalkeepers than him, but in an emergency, he will be ready.

LB: #18 Marcos Pit (24 years old) (9 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Marcos Pit has joined the team for the World Cup Qualifiers, and he the main replacement for Dhruv Roy. He is a solid defender, but different to Roy, he is neither strong with headers nor long passes.

CB: #3 Karl Meyer (23 years old) (15 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Karl Meyer was already playing for the Elephants during the Baptism of Fire, but his relative inexperience and mediocre footballing abilities made him lose the battle for the starting positions.

CB: #8 Tommy Anderson (22 years old) (21 matches played, 0 scored goals, 1 assist)
Tommy Anderson has also been part of the squad since the Baptism of Fire, but he has lost his starting position. He remains a very possible alternative, possibly even ahead of Karl Meyer.

RB: #44 Gustafe Wright (27 years old) (0 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Gustafe Wright is the first of the three new players in the South Newlandian squad, as he is replacing Barnaby Hastings. Robert Wolverine seems to stick to his theme of using experienced defenders, as he is 27 years old already.

LM: #19 Donald Lancaster (20 years old) (14 matches played, 0 scored goals, 1 assist)
Donald Lancaster is one of the players that already played for the Elephants during the Baptism of Fire, and is the main replacement for Corban Green. He was not been very successful so far, and is still waiting for his first international goal.

RM: #24 Jarod Stuart (26 years old) (10 matches played, 0 scored goals, 2 assists)
Jarod Stuart is the main replacement for Patrick McMora since the World Cup qualifiers. He is frequently subbed in for McMora, but so far, he had little success.

OM: #16 Abdurahman Bishop (21 years old) (13 matches played, 2 scored goals, 2 assists)
Abdurahman Bishop joined the team for the World Cup Qualifiers, and he fought with Finnley Wallis for the start in offensive midfield. The 21 year old is still lacking experience, but he may be a solid alternative to Finnley Wallis.

OM: #21 Adam Weiss (18 years old) (0 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Adam Weiss is among the three new players as well, replacing Faisal Harworth. He is the youngest player of the squad at eighteen years old, and he is also the only player currently not playing in South Newlandia. He just got drafted in the Maccian Football league, and was selected as the thirteenth pick by Keva Rogianel 09. He will likely not play, as both the left and the offensive midfield are already filled with very skilled players.

ST: #48 Bjorn Cohen (19 years old) (17 matches played, 5 scored goals, 3 assists)
Bjorn Cohen has been part of the Elephants since the Baptism of Fire, but an injury made him miss quite a lot of games. He isn’t quite fit now, either, but always brings power from the bench.

ST: #50 Michael Glossman (24 years old) (0 matches played, 0 scored goals, 0 assists)
Michael Glossman is one of the three new players in the team. At 24 years old, he is in the prime of his career, but he only got selected now. He will replace Ricardo Rayner, who didn’t make the squad this time.

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

EXCITEMENT MINIMAL FOR CUP OF HARMONY

by Brianne Henry,

It is time for the Cup of Harmony to begin, a tournament that Newmanistan has won three times in its history. This is one of those hard to swallow ones, as there is absolutely no joy in being here. Finishing third, two points behind a relative non-existent nation in your qualifying group while you lost twice to Drunk People saps out all the interest in being here. In no way can this be a successful cycle. There will be other teams that come into this with a lot of excitement or might make projections on what will be considered a successful result for their nation. For Newmanistan, there are none. Not even if we win it. There is a very bitter feeling around the Empire right now that we did not make it to Mriin or Farfadillis. One day, perhaps, there will be a time where Newmanistanian officials can pull a Qasden and just announce their participation for a tournament and not do a single darn thing after that in a competition that experienced record participation otherwise, but that is the not the case. We can thank Drunk People At The Local Tavern for that. Everyone, give them a hand.

Will interest in the Cup of Harmony eventually pick up? Probably not, in Newmanistan. Pretty soon, Newmanistanian fans will be tuning their televisions or streaming devices to watch football instead, and by that I mean the World Bowl. Looming a little bit down the road is the International Baseball Slam, a competition that will have an assortment of teams. Newmanistan is sending a U16 team to that, so there is plenty of interest in watching our young stars play on the diamond. Watching the soccer team try to get 33rd place? Not as much.

While fan interest and ratings will be low within the Empire, this does not mean that within the team, this is an unimportant tournament. It is, in fact, essential for the careers of all of our players if they want to continue to represent the sky blue. Bringing in Michael Starre from Drawkland to manage the team will help. Under his guidance, the team performed better, but still dropped critical points at various times. They did manage to win in Vilita, but no one in Newmanistan was going to fall for that mental trick of thinking we could have a chance still, to qualify. When we lost to Drunk People, we were done. Everyone knew it at that point. When the games were absolutely meaningless (and it was well beyond that point for Vilita when we earned our fluke win over them), the Rockets did better, but no one is going to care about that. Now, Starre has a tournament where he can evaluate the team from start to finish. We thought there could be some personnel changes for the Cup of Harmony, but Starre is opting for the current lineup, saying that he has not fully been able to evaluate other players that could possibly represent the team. Perhaps, fan interest in the Cup of Harmony would have been better if there was a roster overhaul, but given that the lineup is the same, these players have already pissed off Rockets fans enough.

Eventually, maybe, the fans can start coming back if the team experiences success. That will have to wait and see. The Rockets will be in Group 12, where the most interesting opponent is West Pocono, given the amount of players on the Thunder that play professionally in Newmanistan. In general, it is a nation we have close diplomatic ties with, so it should be interesting to watch. Inevitable heartbreak will also be offered in games against Valladares, Barunia, and Geektopia.

Can we pretend to be excited? After all, the World Bowl isn’t starting yet.

[Geektopia]

Geektivities
*Be cool, be woke.
Reports done by Abdel-Dayem, our new Culture categorist and editor

Conlang enClave #001 - Nu

Ve'ne and it's similarities to "I'm"

'Ve'ne' is an abbreviation for the pre-existing words ve ne, and isn't actually an abbreviation at all as it leaves nothing out. It is used in sync with other words to tell someone about the gist of you or to describe something you might be doing at the time you use those words.

Some examples would be:

"Ve'ne ep vaostiedj" (translating to oneself being tired) | [] | "Ve'ne niesjemm" (translating to oneself being confused) | [] | "Ve'ne tètve" (translating to oneself being happy) | [] | "Ve'ne godji vsô cmoepe feuot" (translating to calling oneself twenty-three years old) | [] | "Ve'ne udset" (translating to oneself being hungry) | [] | "Ve'ne pioscjôtiedj" (translating to calling oneself nervous) | [] | "Ve'ne es côt" (translating to oneself being excited) | [] | "Ve'ne eh gêhêom ep djenqeot" (translating to oneself announcing themselves leaving campus) | [] | "Ve'ne vesv" (translating to oneself being thirsty) | [] | "Ve'ne û Isleshore" (translating to oneself originating from Isleshore)

You can also use words that heed description with "Ve'ne" as well, some people call these adjectives

"Ve'ne vjes cjiovj vaostiedj" (translating to oneself being extremely tired | [] | "Ve'ne ep tètve" (translating to oneself being very happy) | [] | "Ve'ne udset aegêtedj" (translating to oneself being horribly hungry) | [] | "Ve'ne es côt o pfèosôsi" (translating to oneself being really excited | [] | "Ve'ne super pioscjôtiedj" (translating to oneself being super nervous)

---

Conlang enClave #002 - Ud

Ve'ne otviedj/eh/es // Regarding "ve'ne" with prepositions such as at, on, and in

This can be helpful to describe something you're doing.

More practically, you'd utilize the word "otviedji" when entering a physical location of really any manner such as a building or stadium, but when paired with the Geektopian translation for "the", it suddenly changes into "te" or "tep", and when that same "the" is replaced by a commonly known "a" pairing with "otviedji", the "a" itself is a Geektopian translation for "o" when accompanying any nouns, which do exist in this language, fortunately.

Some examples would be:

"Ve'ne tep djovj" (translating to oneself being in a shower) | [] | "Ve'ne te tvudeosiedjv" (translating to oneself being in a lobby) | [] | "Ve'ne o hdess" (translating to oneself being in a car) | [] | "Ve'ne o fviedj" (translating to oneself being in a house) | [] | "Ve'ne o tduom" (translating to being in a school)

Utilizing the word "eh" helps tell someone where you are as of current. The difference between "eh" and "otviedji" is that the physical location described by "eh" is only closer to the speaker, meaning that they are not inside of it, like you would be a car.

Some examples would be:

"Ve'ne eh ep hsûteise" (translating to oneself being at the grocery store) | [] | "Ve'ne eh ep niemm" (translating to oneself being at the mall) | [] | "Ve'ne eh uogoh ep fudjvâse" (translating to oneself being at the doctor's office) | [] | "Ve'ne eh ep cqèosd" (translating to oneself being at the park) | [] | "Ve'en eh ep eisgusv" (translating to oneself being at the airport) | [] |

In some exceptions, these prepositions can be used interchangeably, because despite having absolutely no fucking chill, Geektopians are fine with non-native speakers mangling a part of their precious language. 'Tis why "eh" goes hand-in-hand with the more common translation of "in", "otviedji", and the terms are more likely to be confused.

Lastly, utilizing the word "es" is usually referring to a non-physical location, unless you are on top of said location, though it more directly translates to your time being used by something else.

Some examples would be:

"Ve'ne es ep gûp" (translating to oneself being on their phone/s) | [] | "Ve'ne es nu sôunjeosi" (translating to oneself being on their computer) | [] | "Ve'ne es cjat" (translating to oneself being on a bus)

This is all from Abdul-Dayem, and I hope I taught you some more about the Geektopian language with this article of what I'm sure is many to come. Thank fucking god our sports editor got fired, because now we get to focus on the beautiful language of this country while there's still a gap to fill in that category. Presenting you next will be how you say you are good at things in Geektopian. I'm sure it's even harder to do in the alphabet though 0_0

[West Pocono]

NEWMANISTAN MATCH HIGHLIGHTS SCHEDULE

It is time for the Cup of Harmony, and West Pocono is bringing their defensive and extremely unentertaining system to try and play spoiler. The Thunder did that pretty well, especially in the first half of qualifying where they registered draws against both South Covello and Taeshan. That was a common result for the team, with eleven draws in the 24 matches. However, it was pretty clear in the second half of qualifying that opponents, especially the better ones, had figured the Poconi out, and games that we drew become losses in the second leg. The team finished seventh, and that was one position higher then Eastfield Lodge, so not a complete wash.

The schedule for the Cup of Harmony was recently revealed, and West Pocono was drawn into the same group as Newmanistan. With many of our players playing professionally in Newmanistan, but for smaller teams in the ENSL, it could be a great opportunity for them in their own personal contract negotiations down the road if they perform well, or even defeat the Rockets. Fullback Manny Santos is one of the players that is thrilled, “Playing against people you know like that, and even a couple of teammates in that league, is a great opportunity for all of us on this team. We can show how much soccer talent there really is here, and I know that there are many guys who have not been picked up by their club who will love to have the chance to do so since there is so much more money in that league.” Due to very close ties between West Pocono and Newmanistan, transfers to the Empire are common and quick and easy when they occur. Santos also went on to say, “I know we want to beat them, but at the end of the day, I know that they will be hoping for us to be the spoiler on everyone else in the group for them.” However, striker Damian Golden, who does not play in Newmanistan, thinks differently, “We saw that they choked against many teams, so that can be something we look to do as well. Perhaps, we should play drunk, because that seemed to work for that one team.”

The Thunder’s campaign begins with Geektopia before the eventual thrilling showdown with the Rockets on MD2.

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

I'm so Glad We're not in Group 2
Or Pot 2, or Anything Having to do with the Number 2
Salwan Mynhier

The Curse of 2 has run it's course in qualifying, and once again on matchday 26, the team entering in second had a lackluster result. In this (hopefully) final instance of the curse, the Black-and-Reds had a deeply disappointing performance in defense, allowing three goals to visiting Lochario in a match they absolutely should have won. Drawkland also allowed three goals, but recorded five of their own to leapfrog the Black-and-Reds and qualify behind undefeated Kita-Hinode. It remains to be seen if the curse will stick around to haunt the Kick Corps in the World Cup. Despite the desired result not coming to pass, this qualifying run is a step in the right direction, with the team bouncing back from the abysmal WC84-IAC9 cycle to come within a single goal of qualification.

Qualifying Statistics:

Overall Record: 13-4-7
Goals For:      53
Goals Against:  39
Home Record:    6-2-4
Home GF:        33
Home GA:        23
Away Record:    7-2-3
Away GF:        20
Away GA:        16

The only trend that really emerges here is that the team's matches away from home tended to be significantly lower-scoring than those played in the Confederacy. There wasn't a particular difference in overall performance though, as their home and away records are nearly identical, and their overall goal numbers are very close to the teams near them in the final table. If there's one word you can use to describe the team, it's "inconsistent." Not only were their results up and down as far as points earned, but the way they have played has varied considerably. In any given match, the team seems they could just as easily play to a 0-0 draw as a nine-goal shootout. During qualifying, they scored 4 goals or more 4 times, but were also held scoreless 4 times. In short, I have no idea what to expect from this team at the Cup of Harmony.

SRS Goalscoring:

12 - Zoban Ajao
 6 - Lyzolda Petrov
 6 - Viordar Rebljeten
 4 - Kaalia Gerstlauer
 4 - Iuri Takala
 4 - Jzeovak Vladcik
 3 - Izoni Hocij
 3 - Demkjo Jzvanic
 2 - Jirar Lomidan
 2 - Lavanya Naqvi
 1 - Lumia Autenrieth
 1 - Rudi Dalso
 1 - Walda Harkhan
 1 - Jaylene Kazarov
 1 - Aatu Ruoho
 1 - Meaza Teklu
 1 - Jeska Verhulst

Goalscoring dropped off in the second half of qualifying. The one constant was continued excellence from Ajao, who notched five more down the stretch to bring his overall total to 12. Gerstlauer and Petrov continue to vie for the title of second striker, but the majority of the remainder of the non-Ajao goalscoring in the second half were supplied by the midfield, with Rebljeten, Takala, and Vladcik all adding more than one, and Lomidan, Hocij, and Ruoho also chiming in. It's pretty clear that without someone else stepping up their game in a big way, this team will be very dependent on Ajao staying in form, and healthy. If he can't, the supply of goals could dry up in a hurry.

For this, our fifth Cup of Harmony, Confederates will have the opportunity to explore the Fraternal Twin Cities of Merano and Bangkok in Zwangzug. Located in the west-center of the roughly rectangular nation, the FTC will play host to Group 9, where the Black-and-Reds will face off with four teams, only one of which they have ever played before. In descending rank order, they are Trolleborg, Omerica, Twicetagria, and Baggieland. The latter two are first time competitors in WCC sanctioned events, having each made their debut in Baptism of Fire 72, where both were drawn into Group G. Twicetagria would finish fifth, and Baggieland sixth, behind Havynwilde, South Newlandia, Tequilo, and now familiar foes Kohnhead. With such a stacked group, one can hardly fault either team for failing to make the last 32, and their strong performances in qualifying attest to their teams' quality. Baggieland finished 8th in Group 12 with 31 points, while Twicetagria made it all the way to 4th in Group 5 with 40 points, beating the Imperium twice along the way (cheers! but don't think you're going to do the same to us!). Omerica have a much longer history at the World Cup, and will be familiar to Confederate fans from their appearances at the IAC, though the two teams have never met on the field in that tournament. The sole meeting between these two teams was in the quarterfinal round of Cup of Harmony 75, where les Incorrigibles won by a narrow 3-2 margin in a tournament where they would eventually place third. This is not the same team as that. After missing Cycle 84 entirely, Omerica had a mediocre qualifying by their standards, placing 7th in Group 14 with just 30 points. Still, they're a team with some recent experience of success at this tournament, and shouldn't be overlooked. Finally, there is Trolleborg, whose qualifying campaign was broadly similar to our own, also finishing third in their group, two points behind the second qualifier. The Trolls have also been participants at the IAC, but as neither team made it out of their group at IAC 9, they have had no opportunity to play the Black-and-Reds there.
Group 9

Squornshelan Remnant States (43 points, 3rd in Group 2)
Trolleborg (43 points, 3rd in Group 10)
Omerica (30 points, 7th in Group 14)
Twicetagria (40 points, 4th in Group 5)
Baggieland (31 points, 8th in Group 12)

So there is the group: two promising teams of debutantes, a team fallen on hard times who played at a high level very recently, and a fast-rising second-cycle squad on the same quest for a first qualification we're on. Should be a doozy.

SRS Schedule

MD1:  SRS v OME @ Eglantine Park, Merano, ZWZ
MD2:  TWC v SRS @ Pallaci Pagoda Park, Bangkok, ZWZ
MD3:  BYE
MD4:  SRS v BAG @ Pallaci Pagoda Park, Bangkok, ZWZ
MD5:  TRL v SRS @ Eglantine Park, Merano, ZWZ

[TJUN-ia]

By Peter Davis

After the highs and lows of World Cup Qualifying, TJUN-ia finds itself (once again) formally invited to a Cup of Harmony. Kelssek and Zwangzug are the hosts and they have provided us with a draw to decide the best out of the unqualified. The Jaguars were put into pot 3 for the draw, due to their expected ranking of 92nd in the world (although the actual ranking will be determined soon). We were drawn into Group 6, meaning we will play in The East Pacific, but who are our 4 opponents?

---

GROUP 6
Pot 1: Jeruselem (42)
Straight from the get-go is a team many in TJUN-ia would find familiar. The Princesses were in the same group as the Jaguars in WC84, beating us in both games (1-0 in TJUN-ia, 5-2 in Jeruselem). They missed out on qualification after blowing a 3-point lead over Sarzonia, and are looking to get something out of this cycle. They play in a traditional 4-4-2 and are considered only slightly more attacking than the Jags. If you spot their famous news team at Naked News Jeruselem, don't be surprised if they turn up...actually nude. Apparently that's normal over there.

Pot 2: Eraman (60)
The team from the Kingdom of Eraman attack similarly to the Princesses, except these guys play in a 4-1-2-3 formation. They finished 3rd in their group but were 7 points back on Pasarga and only overtook South Newlandia on the final matchday. Their manager, Tun Sengalang Petara, is considerably wealthy while also being the actual Prime Minister of the entire Kingdom. I'm not sure how busy he must be, managing both a football team and a country, but I expect he doesn't get a lot of breaks in his schedule.

Pot 4: Sharktail (109)
The Blue Predator is certainly an interesting beast. They managed to finish "best of the rest" in a Group 5 dominated by the Commonwealth of Baker Park and CoH co-host Zwangzug. The 2nd team from the Melayu Archipelago in this group, these guys play similarly to Jerusalem both attack wise and information. The Blue Predator always hunts and we should certainly not rule them out at all.

Pot 5: Garifunya (156)
Finally is Garifunya, a puppet of Nova Anglicana. Not much is known about this Dutch-ish nation apart from the fact that the, like TJUN-ia, finished 9th in their group. They play in 3-4-3 diamond and are considered the highest attacking team in the group (with that Jags being the lowest). They are the lowest-ranked team in the group, but they could still cause shocks along the way.

---

SCHEDULE (Stadiums will be filled in as soon as we get them)
MD1: vs Jeruselem (42)
MD2: BYE
MD3: vs Eraman (60)
MD4: vs Garifunya (156)
MD5: vs Sharktail (109)

[Northwest Kalactin]

Group 2 Preview

Talamia
Summary: A team that showed they could go and punch with the big boys during qualifying, Talamia looks like a team that can definitely compete with the other teams in the group. All that remains to be seen is wether or not they will be able to put up god stats on defense. They gave up quite a few goals during the qualifying run, and that could show to hold true during the Cup of Harmony tournament also.
Projected Finish: 5th

Chromatika
Summary: A team that came out with one of the worst starts in the history of the World Cup, later came storming back to win a qualifying spot. It wouldn’t end up being enough though, as some losses including one to Northwest Kalactin would set them into the 5th spot in the group. By far the top ranked team in the group, they will be tested against some up and coming teams
Projected Finish: 2nd

Northwest Kalactin
Summary: After being shocked by the retirement of goalkeeper Wendell Jakerein, the Kalactanians received a spot in the Cup of Harmony. Being a pot 3 team, they could look to press some of the higher ranked teams, like Krytenia and Chromatika for the third place spot. A win against either fo these teams could definitely turn the odds in the Kalactanians favor. Jut like Talamia they will have to find a good touch on defense. The team plays very offensively, look for lots of goals in this group.
Projected Finish: 3rd

Krytenia
Summary: Maybe the best gam in this group, Krytenia is a team that probably has he most history in this group. With Jerome Jaffacake coaching the team, Krytenia has a great chance at finishing first in this group, and going far in the KOs. Krytenia will look to win every game in the group stage of the COH this cycle, as they could steamroll the group if they get past Chromatika.
Projected Finish: 1st

Blouman Empire
The Blouman Empire could very well be the weakest team in this group. However, they did put on a few good performances during qualifying, so we think that they can probably finish 4th. The game against Talamia will be very important for the team, as they could achieve much higher placing if they go on to win that game against them.
Projected Finish: 4th

[South Covello]

SoCo Goes Loco: A South Covello Soccer Podcast

Bozo Bryant: Hey, everyone! Weclcome to SoCo Goes Loco, a South Covello soccer podcast! I'm Bozo Bryant, joined as always by Jason St. Pierre, Shawn Burst, and Christina Archuleta. And we're going to preview the Cup of Harmony 77 today!

Christina Archuleta: Is that a pumpkin?

Shawn Burst: No, it's a tournament. A soccer tournament.

Christina Archuleta: Darn daggane it, I wanted pumpkins.

Jason St. Pierre: What is it with you and pumpkins?

Christina Archuleta: My husband is a pumpkin.

Bozo Byant: OK, then. If you say so.

Jason St. Pierre: Anyway, South Covello, ranked 16th in the world, 13 places higher than any other team in the Cup of Harmony, so at least we can take some consolation in that. Anyway, we're in Pot 3 along with The Sarian, Squornsheleous, Legalese, and Oberour al Mono. We'll discuss our group first, and then we'll play Who You Got with the other 11.

Bozo Bryant: So let's start with The Sarian. The Sarian is ranked 73rd in the Multiverse, and is also the top team in their pot, namely Pot 3. So they should be an interesting matchup. Not super tough, but tougher than any other Pot 3 team.

Christina Archuleta: What's The Sarian? Is that a kind of cake? I think it's a kind of cake.

Shawn Burst: What kind of cake do you think The Sarian is, Christina?

Christina Archuleta: A kumquat fried chicken cake with blueberry and pumpkin icing. I want it now! Can I have it now, please! Some of this delicious Sarian cake? Yummy, yummy. yummy!

Jason St. Pierre: No, you do not get cake until we are done with this podcast. We learned our lesson last time.

Bozo Bryant: So anyway, the next team is Squornsheleous. They're out of Pot 2 and ranked 71 in the Multiverse.

Christina Archuleta: Squornsheleous? That sounds like squishy! I want to play squishy with Squornsheleous. It can be my squishy!

Shawn Burst: No, Christina, a country can't be your squishy.

Christina Archuleta: Why not? I want a squishy country.

Bozo Bryant: Because it's a country, I think you know why, Christina. Or maybe you don't.

Shawn Burst: Yeah, you probably don't.

Bozo Bryant: Anyway, next up is Legalese, aka the walking lawsuit of a nation. Fun fact, and this may or may not be true but I'm going to say it anyway - Legalese is the frivolous lawsuit capital of the Multiverse. Why, just the other day, someone claiming to be Jonathan Lee Moneybags, King of Legalese, filed a lawsuit against this very podcast and The Leader of Main Nation Ministry for conspiring to subject him to microwave and nuclear testing.

Jason St. Pierre: Is he actually the King of Legalese, or is this just some nonsense claim he made?

Bozo Bryant: It's just a nonsense claim, he doesn't even live in Legalese, he lives here in South Covello, but he's filed over 15,000 lawsuits in our courts, including many against non-entities such as the moon and, my personal favorite, "all the pumpkins in South Covello."

Christina Archuleta: He sued pumpkins? How supremely evil. I will banish him from this podcast!

Bozo Bryant: Don't worry, we're not going to have him on this podcast. We don't want to get sued again.

Jason St. Pierre: Anyway, the final team in our group is Oberour al Moro, which I'm told is Latin for "abolish the morons" or something like that. I don't actually speak Latin, I'm just pretending.

Shawn Burst: Abolish the morons? Christina's in big trouble if they get their way.

Christina Archuleta: Uh-oh, spaghetti o's. Now I want spaghetti o's. Can I have some now, please?

Shawn Burst: No, no eating while we record. We discussed this already. You can have some when we're done if you want, along with your Sarian Cake.

Bozo Bryant: So anyway, it's time to play Who You Got, where we pick the winner and second place team on each group. We'll ignore the third place best teams for now because we don't have time. So too bad.

Jason St. Pierre: We begin in Group 1, with Ethane, The Jovaniac, Tequilo, Mercedini, and Euran Oceanic Territories, which apparently is not the same thing as Eura for God knows what reason. So, Who You Got?

Shawn Burst: Ethane and Mercedini run away with this group behind a large helping of dini-dini for dinner. The only question is who wins the group and who comes in second. I say Ethane wins the group because they sound like Eshan and I always get them confused but I don't like Revan so Ethane won't make me happy either.

Christina Archuleta: Well you know what? I think Euran Oceanic Territories is Eura, they're just in denial of the fact that they like cake! And Eura's a good team, so they'll win the group, and Tequilo will come in second because tequila is great and Tequilo is Tequila.

Bozo Bryant: If you say so. I agree with Shawn except Mercedini wins the group, followed by Ethane.

Jason St. Pierre: I'm going with Ethane and Mercedini in that order. This is an easy group to predict. Anyway, next up is Group 2, with Talamia, Chromatika, Northwest Kalactin, Krytenia, and Blouman Empire, aka the onion nation.

Bozo Bryant: I think Northwest Kalactin is a real sleeper here, they can win just by wearing down the opponent, so to speak and constantly going and going. They're like the Energizer Bunny that doesn't shut up. I pick them to win the group and Chromatika to come in second. Krytenia will live up to their name and go home crying. Or maybe be among the best third place teams. That's not for us to decide.

Christina Archuleta: Krytenia will make me cry once more by winning the group and killing my bunny, and speaking of bunnies, Talamia comes in second.

Shawn Burst: What does that have to do with bunnies?

Christina Archuleta: I just like speaking of bunnies.

Shawn Burst: Anyway, I'm going chalk here, because I'm boring. Chromatika wins the group, Kryties come in second.

Jason St. Pierre: Nah, you got that backwards. Kryties win, Chromatika second. Anyway, our group is next. We already discussed who's in this group so let's get right into it.

Christina Archuleta: We win this group because, like duh, and The Sarian comes in second because they're a tasty cake.

Shawn Burst: Christina's logic is idiotic, but she's actually right. We win the group as the far superior team, The Sarian comes in second in a mild upset.

Bozo Bryant: You're all wrong. Legalese comes in second, but yeah, we're winning because we're us, so of course we are. And I'm saying that so I don't get sued by Mr. Moneybags, the self-proclaimed King of Legalese.

Jason St. Pierre: I agree we win, but Christina's squishy of Squornseheleous comes in second. Quite a diverse set of picks. Anyway, on to Group 4. Filandostan, Kandorith, Vdara, Maccian, Delaclava, and we're running out of time so let's make these remaining groups the lightning round.

Christina Archuleta: All the teams get struck by lightning and die except Baklava and Varmit, or whatever they're called.

Jason St. Pierre: Do you know what Lightning Round means? Anyway, Bozo, your turn.

Bozo Bryant: Vdara and Delaclava in that order. Once again, Christina is stupid but right.

Shawn Burst: Filandostan and Vdara.

Jason St. Pierre: I have Vdara and Kandorith. Anyway, next up is Group 5. And from now on, Christina goes last because she's a moron. Alba and Cymru, Flavosepia, New Lusitania, Kohnhead, and Easfield Lodge.

Shawn Burst: Eastfield Lodge and Flavosepia in a reunion of our group but without us. So sad.

Bozo Bryant: I agree somehow.

Jason St. Pierre: Yeah, but reverse it.

Christina Archuleta: Alba and Cymru.

Jason St. Pierre: Who comes in second?

Christina Archuleta: Cymru.

Jason St. Pierre: Alba and Cymru is one country.

Christina Archuleta: Not if I say it isn't.

Jason St. Pierre: We don't have time to fight your stupidity anymore. Group 6 is Garifunya, Sharktail, Jeruselem, TJUN-la, and Eraman. I have the naked princesses of Jerusalem in first and Garifunya in second.

Bozo Bryant: Garifunya and Jeruselem in that order.

Shawn Burst: Nude princesses win, Sharktail in second.

Christina Archuleta: Baby Shark and Herman the Hermit.

Jason St. Pierre: I'm going to count that as Sharktail and Eraman. Anyway, Group 7. Huaymaraca, Astograth, Torisakia, Poafmersia, Port Ember. I have Astograth and Torisakia.

Shawn Burst: Astograth and Huaymaraca.

Shawn Burst: Huaymaraca and Poafmersia.

Christina Archuleta: Maracas and Assagrass, or Sassafrass, or Astrogas, or whatever.

Jason St. Pierre: Astograth?

Christina Archuleta: Whatevs.

Jason St. Pierre: Anyway, Group 8 time. Riena, Jeckland, Balqia, Cheergirls, and Darmen. I have Darmen and Jeckland.

Bozo Bryant: Jeckland and the cheerleading squad of Cheergirls.

Shawn Burst: Darmen and Jeckland.

Christina Archuleta: Jelly and Cherry. Or better yet, cherry jelly! I want cherry jelly!

Jason St. Pierre: You mean Jeckland and Cheergirls.

Christina Archuleta: Like I said, whatevs.

Jason St. Pierre: Group 9, Twietargia, Squorneshelian Remnant States, Baggieland, Trolleborg, Omerica. I have Omerica and SRS.

Shawn Burst: SRS and Omerica.

Bozo Bryant: Omerica and Trolleborg.

Christina Archuleta: Squishy Junior and Baggie Pants Land.

Jason St. Pierre: I'm not wasting any more time confirming who you mean. Group 10, Sylestone, Xanneria, Independent Athletes from Quebec, Busoga Islands, Varinet. I have Xanneria and Busoga.

Shawn Burst: Quebec and Xanneria.

Bozo Bryant: Xanneria and Sylestone.

Christina Archuleta: Diarrhea and Quebbles.

Jason St. Pierre: It's Xanneria, not Diarrhea.

Christina Archuleta: Whatevs. Do you have diarrhea?

Jason St. Pierre: No.

Christina Archuleta: Then what do you care?

Jason St. Pierre: Anyway, Group 11 time. Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, South Newlandia, Electrum, Timuria, Savojarna. I have Electrum and Savojarna.

Bozo Bryant: Savojarna and Electrum.

Shawn Burst: Electrum and South Newlandia.

Christina Archuleta: The Electric Rectum of Doom wins the group and Huggie Kingdom of Exalting or whatever the third one was comes in second.

Jason St. Pierre: Everything about that was wrong but I'm done dealing with you. Last and final group. Barunia, Valladares, West Pocono, Geektopia, Newmanistan. I have Barunia and Valladares.

Bozo Bryant: Valladares and Geektopia.

Shawn Burst: Valladares and Newmanistan.

Christina Archuleta: Nerdgeek World and Valley Girl.

Jason St. Pierre: That was such a stupid thing to say but thankfully we're done here. We'll be back after the first matchday!

[Kandorith]

Shinonome Kyoai - International
News From The Empire

---

What's Next For The 'Hayabusa Legacy'?

Manager Hayabusa speaking on returning as national coach

Tenkyo, The story of a shaky World Cup qualification campaign, the Lotus Warriors clinging to a last hope to qualify for the tournament. In the end the hope would be shattered by a two to two draw against Vdara and Kandorith would be eliminated as third ranked team in the group. It sounds like a recurring nightmare for the Kandorese national team but it nearly turned into a fairy tale. A group dominated by Equestria and HUElavia isn't the easiest group to stay alive in. In the first stages everything seemingly went wrong for the Kandorese team; draws where an easy win should have been the outcome and complete tactical mismanagement among the coaching staff. Eventually Hayabusa had to take a decision he apparently hates to make; step in and completely turn around the entire team. The Kandorese coaching staff was replaced, players were switched around and the tactics were completely changed to the old style the team used to play. The turnaround had immediate effects; Kandorith drew against Equestria and it was viewed as a massive victory. In time the team would shock the tournament by moving up the group at lightning speed and even dared to contest a number four spot. The hopes of qualifying became a daily topic again as Kandorith kept performing as a properly functioning football team and through that seized the third place in the group. Head to head against HUElavia who dropped points in several matches; the possibility was still alive. Until HUElavia won and Kandorith drew against Vdara. The dream for Hayabusa and many in the nation would end there, once again the national team failed to qualify.

Although the team failed to qualify, Hayabusa is still praised as a sort of national hero; he is once again called upon to lead the national team and this time in the prestigious Cup of Harmony. For Kandorith it is definitely not the first Cup of Harmony they compete in and of course, fresh in the nation's mind is Cup of Harmony 76. In the previous tournament Kandorith managed to survive the group phase against most odds and eventually started to gain speed and traction as they soared towards the quarter finals. The quarter finals were a heartbreak for the Kandorese team as they were crushed by a completely dominating Terre Septentrionale. However, for the Kandorese the tournament was much celebrated as they performed seemingly above their ability. All this was made possible under the capable management of Ken Hayabusa, who will soon celebrate his forty fourth birthday. Naturally fans hailed the news he would also lead the team in the upcoming Cup of Harmony. As social media completely filled with well-wishes and messages of good luck towards the team as they are preparing to face seemingly a tough group.

"Surprised? Maybe a little; but I think the decision was an obvious one." Hayabusa said on accepting his third term as the manager of the national team. "I honestly think I have brought the Kandorese football to a next level and not just internationally. I do have a great deal of respect for other managers and especially Miyazaki of FC Tenkyo although his team seems to lack a certain kind of finesse. A finesse I try to bring to the field with every match. Naturally I will lead the team as I did in the World Cup qualifiers and hopefully to even more greatness as the last Cup of Harmony. I truly believe we are capable of shocking the world of football once again; as many media outlets seem to be surprised every time we hold particular teams at bay. I truly believe we still fit the underdog role quite well and we can use it to our advantage. However, we need to be cautious because of the group we are in. Mostly Filindostan and Vdara will be the obstacles where we have to be careful as they are both outstanding teams who can shut matches down and make our lives difficult.

"I truly think we have the ability to top the group, but one off-day might lead to problems which is why we need to be careful with our play and make sure we are well rested and completely focused. I have decided to throw around the team a bit and use more younger players as they have truly proven themselves during the World Cup qualifiers. I see a very bright future in them for the Kandorese football and I also believe they will make the difference in the difficult matches we will face. I have always tried to achieve more with younger players as before Kandorith has always had an age problem when you looked at the national team. Many coaches simply stuck to what was the known format and the known players, while being too afraid of making sweeping changes even if it was for the good of the team. Because of sticking to the well-known old formula many young players never had a chance to play for the national team and in turn this caused a decrease in popularity for football in Kandorith. From now on the national team will function as a national team should function; if you do not perform properly according to the standards I lay down, you are out of the starting team or perhaps even off the bench."

The Kandorese team has a fairly balanced playing schedule with a rest day almost exactly in the middle of the week, which will be right after the match against Filindostan. The players surely won't mind a rest after playing the highest ranking team in the group, which is expected to be the toughest match to play. The team is expected to perform and is of course expected to cruise past the group phase. Looking passed the group phase is still a guess, but many fans are surely expecting Kandorith to reach the quarter finals once again, perhaps even the semi-finals this time. The young players in the team have gained much experience by playing during the World Cup qualifiers and now is the time to see if they can indeed bring the promised world class football to the field in Kelssek and Zwangzug. As expected many fans will travel to see their team play and there are even rumours of Her Imperial Majesty, The Empress taking the time to visit the occasional match too.

---

Group 4
Kandorith (48)
Filindostan (45)
Vdara (77)
Maccian (115)
Delaclava (134)

Playing Schedule:
MD1: Kandorith - Delaclava
MD2: Filindostan - Kandorith
MD4: Kandorith - Vdara
MD5: Maccian - Kandorith

[South Newlandia]

ELEPHANT VALLEY MAIL
Sports -> Soccer
Preview for Group 11 of the 77th Cup of Harmony

South Newlandia has been drawn into Group eleven of the Cup of Harmony, and will play their games in the eastern portion of Zwangzug in Bassabook and Trink. South Newlandia was drawn out of pot 4, and will play four matches against four interesting opponents in the Group Stage.

Pot 1 Team: Timuria (44)
Timuria is one of the lower pot 1 teams. They are playing their third world cup cycle, and have debuted in the 70th Baptism of Fire among such nations as Hapilopper and West Phoenicia. Just like South Newlandia, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals on penalties. Since then, they participated in three World Cup Qualifiers and will now participate in their third Cup of Harmony. Notably, they also Co-Hosted the 71st Baptism of Fire. Timuria is the big favourite to qualify for the Round of 32, it’s hard to see them missing second place. In the 85th World Cup Qualifiers, they finished 3rd behind Cassadaigua and Kelssek in Group 9 being nine points away from qualification.

Pot 2 Team: Savojarna (59)
Savojarna is one of the middle pot 2 teams. They are also among the well-known teams in this Cup of Harmony. Having been around since the 77th world cup cycle, they made the 80th World Cup. There, they missed the Round of 16 as 3rd place. Arguably, there biggest successes were in the Copa Rushmori. They won CR31, and finished second in CR34. South Newlandia and Savojarna will face in the first matchday already, and the result will have massive implications for both teams. They had a rather disappointing World Cup Qualifying, finishing only 7th in the highly contested Group 3, finishing six points below qualification. They will try their best to qualify for the knockout rounds, as failure to do that would make this a very disappointing cycle for them.

Pot 3 Team: Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom (98)
Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom is among the bottom pot 3 teams. They debuted in the last Baptism of Fire, and they were quite successful. They lost to Mavinet in the final, claiming second place. The team drew attention to them with a spectacular defense, only conceding their first goal in their semi-final match with Tequilo. In the qualifying for the 85th World Cup, they finished in an impressive 3rd place in Group 12 behind 95X and Starblaydia. They were twelve points away from qualifying. Since two thirds of the 3rd placed teams will also qualify for the knockouts, Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom will hope to finish at least there.

Pot 4 Team: South Newlandia (101)
The Elephants were part of pot 4, and they are the second highest team in this pot. After losing in the quarterfinals of the Baptism of Fire, we finished 4th in Group 13, nine points away from qualification. It will be a stretch to make the knockout rounds, but they will try their best.

Pot 5 Team: Electrum (128)
Electrum is one of the higher pot 5 teams, and despite being the weakest team on ranking alone, they are the team with the most history. They won the 78th world cup, and also co-hosted one. For some reason, they stopped entering after the 80th world cup, and now, they are back as an unranked nation. In the qualifiers for the 85th world cup, they did quite well for an unranked team, finishing 6th in Group 10, ten points away from qualification. We don’t know what to expect from them, but making the knockout rounds would be a huge success for them.


Full schedule

Here is the full schedule for Group 11, including all matches and locations.

Matchday 1
South Newlandia (101) vs. Savojarna (59) (Pacific Fields, Bassabook)
Electrum (128) vs. Timuria (44) (Kyogijo Concord, Trink)

Matchday 2
Savojarna (59) vs. Electrum (128) (Pacific Fields, Bassabook)
Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom (98) vs. South Newlandia (101) (Kyogijo Concord, Trink)

Matchday 3
Electrum (128) vs. Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom (98) (Pacific Fields, Bassabook)
Timuria (44) vs. Savojarna (59) (Kyogijo Concord, Trink)

Matchday 4
Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom (98) vs. Timuria (44) (Pacific Fields, Bassabook)
South Newlandia (101) vs. Electrum (128) (Kyogijo Concord, Trink)

Matchday 5
Timuria (44) vs. South Newlandia (101) (Pacific Fields, Bassabook)
Savojarna (59) vs. Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom (98) (Kyogijo Concord, Trink)

[Sylestone]

Sylestone
After a decent showing in the Baptism of Fire, Sylestone flunked out in Group Four and ended up last, after only winning one game in the tournament (against EFL in MD 4). They are well and truly down, but they have confidence that they can get a few points against the weaker sides in the group.

Independent Athletes from Quebec
Another new side to the football world, Quebec is a side that didn't do too well in the Baptism of Fire and didn't even make it to the round of 32. However, brilliant performances in the World Cup Qualifiers made them end up in third. They will be a force to be reckoned with andf they are expected to go deep into the knockout stages in the Cup of Harmony

Xanneria
One of the best sides participating in the Cup of Harmony, Xanneria had a good run in their group and finished fourth. They are quite an experienced team, and Sylestone will be looking forward to playing them (and probably getting smashed).

Busoga Islands
A side relatively unknown to the Sylestoneans, Busoga Islands put up an alright performance in the WC qualifiers. It will be interesting to play them and they might hold one of Sylestone's best chances of success.

Mavinet
Rounding out the Group is another side from the Class of '72, this time the actual winners of the Baptism of Fire. However, am under-par performance in the World Cup Qualifiers has put them in a dangerous position in the Cup of Harmony. We can only wait and see whether Sylestone can beat them.

[Sharktail]

Na Na na...

All my viewer from all over the world, no matter where you are, what you do now, I hope you all doing great. Finally, after one year we separated, now we are back together. Of course, none other than your favourite streaming channel Nazri TV. With your host, Nazri. I kinda want to use my tagline handsome and cute but I will try to think another tagline after this. Hello, welcome back to all my old friends who still become my subscriber and follower even I not doing any streaming. This is really awesome. When I think to do stream today I just figure I may have to do something yo attract people back like the old-time but you know when I enter you alls have been here. So thank you very much.

If I refer back, the last time I stream before the final match Sharktail vs Vakolicci. Yup, do you guys remember it. (comment: "we remember, our cute little angle).(comment: Where's Fira).(Is she married?).(No don't take Fira. Nazri brings Fira to stream. Our cute little angle).Ah you guys, do you not miss me even a bit. You know I more cute than Fira. (Just daydream.No one can beat Fira cuteness).(Yeah that right.#bring back our little angel). Wah, your guys really aggressive now right. Sorry but Fira cannot join us. However, that not forever. She will join next time. You know she will not reject the invitation from her husband. (Wait, what, husband?).(Who husband). Hahaha, firstly I want to say congratulation to Gaby for his marriage, also for some other player who also has built their own family. Never expect anything less from me, i and Fira have taken more serious in our relationship. We getting married last month. After we have done with world cup qualifier, I kinda not know if I serious about us. I don't know what the reason me with her after all. So after the last stream with you guys, we still continue as a friend. I also cannot even imagine that someone that I just recognized as a friend that I always teased, joking around now is my wife. (congratulation to you. If you try to make her cry I will kill you).(Argh Dammit, how can you marriage first? By the way congrats. I will also getting married next month).Ahh, congrats to you too. I hope you're happy with your life and I will be happy with my life.

So today just a greeting for my comeback as streamer.So...(Hey Nazri, have you seen Cup of Harmony 77 draw?)Wait is Cup of Harmony nearly started. Damn, I think it next month. Is the group draw has been out? (Dunno, maybe).Ok, wait let me check out first. Ah, I found it. Cup of Harmony 77 Kelssek and Zwagzug.The group draw, where is Sharktail. Wait where is Sharktail. Is Sharktail join CoH 77. (Yes Sharktail join).Ah, let me check once again. Ah, I found Eraman they are in group 6. Wait, Sharktail in this group too. We have made some rivalry with Eraman in Tennis now we may be rival in football too. Hhahaha. Maybe I should go to Eraman and fo some crazy thing there. Ah, let see more, the highest-ranked team Jerusalem. Mmmm...I don't know them. We never meet their player so I cant keep on record for it. This will be the first time Sharktail facing Jerusalem. Other than them we have Garifunya and TJUN-ia. Quiet hard for us. But as always my advice, no matter who we face, what result we get, always go and support our hero. Let hope they do well. I always said that but well it okay to plagiarized our own word right.

That all for today. I hope we can stream more often. So wait up for more content, more setup in the future. You know like what I do in the past so just wait for it. Bye-bye.

---

Group 6 Matchday 1

[Jeruselem]

Daisy Cutter (nee Daisy Dallas) with Jeruselem manager Boris Lancaster

Daisy:
This is Daisy Cutter for Naked News Jeruselem.
We're at the Cup of Harmony, edition 77.
We're in Kelssek. This cup is being held in Kelssek and Zwangzug.
I'm with the Jeruselem manager Boris Lancaster.

Boris: Hello hello hello
Daisy: We're here because we obviously didn't qualify and this is another opportunity to win something
Boris: Yes yes, it's a lesser prize but it should be easier to win this one
Daisy: Jeruselem have never won the Cup of Harmony, we came 2nd once. Jeru FC ironically also made the finals as well.
Boris: Well, we can do for the country.
Daisy: Kate is now off on her new project and I've taken over.

Boris: I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job
Daisy: The important bit is will you do your job
Boris: Of course of course, that's why I have this job
Daisy: But we didn't qualify which was your job
Boris: Well well, we almost qualified. I almost did it.
Daisy: But that happens all the time for Jeruselem

Boris: Don't worry, we'll qualify next time.
Daisy: We're in group six, that's six not sex. And some teams we have met in the past. Garifunya, TJUN-ia from past world cups. Sharktail and Eraman as well.
Boris: They aren't Nephara, Sarzonia or Darmen.
Daisy: Please note Darmen are in this cup but in another group
Boris: I'm sure we can make proper rounds
Daisy: We have 5 group games, then round of 32 which starts the proper eliminations. Any comments about our opponents so far

Boris: I don't know much about them, we'll be doing our research
Daisy: But you don't know how to use a phone in the first place
Boris: Well I got my secretary for that job, she can research
Daisy: He doesn't do this own paperwork by the way
Boris: I don't need to, I have do my job. Managing
Daisy: Also here, we have Quebec! They are in Zwangzug, or the ZUG as we call them. Yes, I'm sure our friend Marco is there too.

Boris: We need him in our team
Daisy: I don't have much say over that Boris
Boris: He's what we need
Daisy: Well, I don't influence what royals do. He's happy over there in Quebec
Boris: Plenty of hot girls at home in Jeruselem for him
Daisy: Anyway, Quebec are in Group 10 with Sylestone, Xanneria, Busoga Islands and Mavinet. Jeruselem may have played Xanneria and Busoga Islands but I'm not sure.

Boris: I'm sure Quebec will do well
Daisy: Are you going to copy their style?
Boris: No no, we're not going to that. I'm sticking to my plan.
Daisy: But your plan doesn't look much different to ... other plans from the past.
Boris: I'm different from the other past managers
Daisy: Yeah, he's different alright.

Boris: I'm Boris, no one else like me
Daisy: Looking at the Group 6 ranks Jeruselem 42, that's us. Eraman 60, Sharktai 109, Garifunya 156, and TJUN-ia 92. Who's the biggest threat?
Boris: All of them
Daisy: That's true but who in particular
Boris: I guess Eraman being the next highest seed team
Daisy: Well that's it from me. See you all later when we play our first game here!


OOC

Group 6 (Kelssek)
Garifunya
Sharktail
Jeruselem
TJUN-ia
Eraman

Group 10 (Zwangzug)
Sylestone
Xanneria
Independent Athletes from Quebec
Busoga Islands
Mavinet

[Krytenia]

GROUP TWO
A Pinsticker's Guide

NORTHWEST KALACTIN
NSWC Ranking: 89
Krytenia's Previous: -no meetings-
Qualification Odds: 18/1
Matchday 1 Venue: Macquarie Docklands, Latrobe

A surfeit of draws is the reason Northwest Kalactin are on their way to Kelssek rather than the World Cup. Thanks to the "foresight" of the NKFA and kitmakers Infinite, who've supplied the team with a light blue home strip and white change, Krytenia will be wearing their second strip.

BLOUMAN EMPIRE
NSWC Ranking: 160
Krytenia's Previous: P1 W1 D0 L0 F2 A1 (most recent: Krytenia 2-1 Blouman Empire, AOCAF 49 Group Phase)
Qualification Odds: 50/1
Matchday 3 Venue: Stade Outineau, Outineau

A name from back in the day, Blouman Empire's return to the beautiful game has been rather forgettable. Kits made by ediraf are ugly as sin. Then again, ediraf.

TALAMIA
NSWC Ranking: 122
Krytenia's Previous: -no meetings-
Qualification Odds: 33/1
Matchday 4 Venue: Bowreach, Vickery

Never really stood a chance of qualifying in a group that contained the likes of 95X, Cosumar, and the Men In Mauve. With Osarius also in that group, Krytenia will be the fourth Anaian nation the Hoopoes have faced. Potential dark horse.

CHROMATIKA
NSWC Ranking: 30
Krytenia's Previous: P6 W2 D0 L4 F11 A11 (most recent: Krytenia 1-0 Chromatika, AOCAF 60 Group Phase)
Qualification Odds: 1/3
Matchday 5 Venue: Millennium Park, Redswyth

Favourites to win the group; hopefully the Dragons will have wrapped up qualifying by the time this game rolls around. Victory in the last AOCAF Cup was their first over the Anomalies since the historic 5-1 victory that gave Krytenia their only silverware to date.

[Euran Oceania Territories]

EURAN OCEANIA TERRITORIES
"The Expats"

Cup of Harmony 77 Squad

National Introduction

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

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

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

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

Immediately applying Oslograd's "Skorjiball" approach - best summarised as an extremely aggressive and fluid attacking game interrupted sporadically by the manager doing something inappropriate - the team secured some noteworthy results but remains very much an underdog competitor reliant on an aging core within its squad. Oslograd's dream is to turn them into the living embodiment of "the way of the warrior" and to qualify for the World Cup. His first AOCAF was the first tournament where Olsograd was able to demonstrate his own approach to the game in full but the results were mixed. Then he led the side into World Cup 82 qualifying, but a dreadful start to the campaign snuffed out any hopes, although a later revival ensured a semi-respectable finish. But the team did lose a bit of its soul, playing more conservatively than previously, a trend that Oslograd reversed at AOCAF LVIII.

The Expats excited fans with their performances and took the scalp of Valanora, easily the biggest victory in the young teams history before exiting in the knockouts against Banija. As a result the squad went into qualifiers for World Cup 83 and the following AOCAF largely unchanged, only to disappoint again, and then again at World Cup 84 and the 76th Cup of Harmony. Several retirements and the ageing of players left the squad looking weak for amidst rumours that Oslograd would quit, with his mind turned to helping grow the domestic game in the Oceania Territories - the launch of a new domestic league having now occurred. Oslograd, now 55, quashed these rumours by opting to extend his existing contract and undertaking some of the most radical changes to the team since its formation. Despite an above expectations performance at AOCAF 60, including a memorable 4-3 win over Audioslavia, it all came apart for the Expats in qualifying for the 85th World Cup, a huge step backwards on previous attempts at qualifying relative to expectations. An unchanged squad arrive at the Cup of Harmony in search of some kind of redemption - both as individuals and as a team, and of the entire Skorjiball tactical philosophy.

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

Goalkeepers

1. Charlie Ross - 22 - GK - Bakermouth
13. Tammy Barton - 31 - GK - Fligsive FC

Charlie Ross holds his place despite the vast number of goals conceded in World Cup qualifying. This has been blamed largely on the formation, tactics, and outfield players rather than the talented young Bakermouth stopper. There was talk of Real Oakwood's Toby Cross coming in for Tammy Barton, but for now the Fligsive man is safe.

Defenders

2. Timwise Gerduns - 31 - RB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
5. Kurt Strong - 32 - CB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
6. Jason Potts - 24 - CB - Ulsa (Eura)
3. Jacob Hayden - 21 - LB - Fligsive FC
15. Marvin Walsh - 24 - RB - Holdenberg City (Eura)
19. Freddie Law - 29 - CB - Carsby (Eura)
21. Danny Lawrence - 33 - CB - Ulsa Rovers (Eura)
23. Hans Cabel - 21 - LB - Brigham (Eura)
25. Jack Ream - 30 - RB - Fligsive FC
26. Patrick Spencer - 24 - CB - New Bastion

On paper the part of the squad with the most strength in depth, the Expats backline is in disarray. Every single one of them is out of form internationally, without exception. For the Cup of Harmony, Freddie Law is back in as a starter, but this time in place of Timwise Gerduns rather than Jason Potts. The scrappy Revolutionaries fullback will be sweating over his international future.

Midfielders

4. George Richards - 26 - CDM - Callodown (Eura)
7. Peter Chadwick - 34 - CAM - Fligsive FC
8. Peter Brooks - 31 - CM - AFC Whittorians
11. Kasey Fuller - 24 - LW - Bastion (Eura)
16. Nathan Harding - 20 - CAM - Bakermouth
17. Louie McKenzie - 33 - AM - Callodown (Eura)
20. Joel Conway - 27 - RW - Creed United (Nephara)
22. Mark Little - 28 - RW - Fligsive FC
24. Joe Irmine - 21 - CM - Crater
26. Nolberto Dravon - 19 - RW - Ulsa (Eura)

The Expat's midfield is its weak point overall and it shows.When any one of Chadwick, Fuller or Conway has been unavailable (which is often due to injuries this season), they have had virtually no attacking impact whatsoever - Nolberto Dravon occasionally shows some flair but that's it. George Richard's has struggled for form and taken a lot of criticism for the Expats shipping so many goals over twenty four World Cup qualifiers. In truth however they have no better options in reserve.

Forwards

9. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier - 29 - ST - Farrenton Athletic (Eura)
10. Tom Duffy - 31 - CF – Ulsa (Eura)
14. Garret Ramsey - 28 - ST - Ezriquay United FC (Baker Park)
12. Paul Hooper - 28 - ST – Dartmoor (Eura)
18. Justin Quibble - 20 - ST - New Bastion

EOT's forwards have performed okay recently considering how little support they've had from teammates. Even so its clear that the team are heavily over reliant on captain and star man Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier, with Tom Duffy only contributing a handful of goals recently, and the other three strikers virtually none.

Preferred starting lineup
Despite the absolute trainwreck that was World Cup qualifying, the Expats stick with their 3-4-3. If they are losing and need to score, they tend to stick with that. If they need to defend a lead Oslograd tends to be rather all or nothing, and will throw on the most defensive formation possible at short notice.

GK - 1. C Ross
RCB - 19. F Law
CB - 5. K Strong
LCB - 6. J Potts
RCM - 4. G Richards
LCM - 7. P Chadwick
RW - 20. J Conway
LW - 11. K Fuller
RS - 14. G Ramsey
CF - 10. T Duffy
LS - 9. P-L Le Tonnelier

Responsibilities

Manager: Skorji Oslograd
Head Coach: Skorji Oslograd
Father figure, spiritual guru, sexual counsel: Skorji Oslograd

Captain: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Vice-Captain: Kurt Strong
Free kicks: Peter Chadwick (Direct right foot), Joel Conway (Indirect)
Corners: Peter Chadwick (Right inswinging), Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier (Left inswinging)
Penalties: 1. Peter Chadwick 2. Tom Duffy 3. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier 4. Joel Conway 5. Garret Ramsey.

Manager's Chosen One: Garret Ramsey
Reality's Chosen One: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Most overrated: Tom Duffy
Most underrated: Nolberto Dravon
Most likely to be found down the pub: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Biggest snake: Peter Chadwick
Least likely to win a quiz: Kasey Fuller
Most likely to do something utterly inappropriate, criminal or generally unhinged: Skorji Oslograd

Please note that I am not participating in or recognising any kind of pandemic themed RP at this time. You are welcome to RP a pandemic impacting your own country or national team as you wish, but please do not extend this to my team or country.

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

[Chromatika]

Chromatik City Courier
Jordan Lawless, Sports Columnist

Cup of Harmony Preview

So, after a disastrous qualifying campaign where the Anomalies actually started 0-0-4, the team ended with a record of 12-5-9. This resulted in Chromatika not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in eleven cycles (not counting World Cup 82 which the Chromatiks didn't attend).

Thus, public sentiment is very low for the Chromatiks heading into this Cup of Harmony. With the Anomalies being the third highest seeded team in the entire tournament (South Covello and Darmen being the only two more unlucky than Chromatika), expectations will be high.

In order to change the mood, Chromatika played a bout of friendly matches after qualifying, with these results:

Chromatika 3–2 Farfadillis @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City
Delaclava 2–4 Chromatika
Chromatika 5–1 Mriin @ The Island Dome, Myana
Quebec 1–2 Chromatika
Chromatika 2–2 Baker Park @ RCK Field, Alnio

These results are amazing for Chromatika, who have never actually defeated Farfadillis nor Mriin in an official match. Some are saying that it's a shame that the team didn't perform like they did during these friendlies during qualifiers.

Chromatika's group mates in the Cup of Harmony will be the following:

Talamia - First meeting, Ranked 122nd
Northwest Kalactin - 2-1-1 - Group mates in World Cup 84 and World Cup 85, finally defeated Chromatika in the second leg of World Cup 85. Apparently, they're just destined to play each other again. Ranked 89th
Krytenia - 4-0-2 - Handed Chromatika a defeat in the AOCAF 52 Final. Chromatika has avenged the loss since, but did lose in the group stage of the last AOCAF. Another team fated to continue to be Chromatika's opponent. Ranked 62nd
Blouman Empire - 1-0-0 - Have played them once in the past. Ranked 160th

Chromatika's schedule will be:
Matchday 1: Chromatika vs. Blouman Empire @ Kingswarf, Breton, Kelssek
Matchday 2: Chromatika vs. Talamia @ Stade de la Pacifique, Langlois, Kelssek
Matchday 3: BYE
Matchday 4: Chromatika vs. Northwest Kalactin @ Stadium of the Stars, Ulyanof, Kelssek
Matchday 5: Chromatika vs. Krytenia @ Millennium Park, Redswyth, Kelssek

The plan will be to take the six points from the first two matches and seeing how things are by the time they run into the likes of Northwest Kalactin and Krytenia.

Anything other than a Quarterfinal berth or further will be unacceptable after such a disastrous qualifying campaign...

[Omerica]

blogdefootball.co.or
All the football news that’s fit to print!

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Omerica v Brusseldorf: The Incorrigibles’ Most Enduring Failure
By Anastasia Saint-Martin — Disclaimer: This is a personal opinion piece. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the blogdefootball.

“If you finish fourth, your failure will eventually be forgotten. If you finish third, it is instead canonised for the rest of human history under the false pretence of ‘honour’.”
— Anne-Sophie Groothuis ahead of The Most Pointless Game in Football: the Cup of Harmony third-place playoff

Third-place playoffs are a farce. The concept of the knockout stage in an international tournament is that you win or you go home, but lose a semifinal and you are subjected to one more game for some reason. Not all of them are made equally, however. Some third-place playoffs are more farcical than others.

A World Cup third-place match is undoubtedly the least farcical playoff in the WCC: you’ve had to successfully navigate a qualifying campaign (which is a Herculean achievement nowadays) and fend off five of the most threatening teams in the multiverse, so to get a second chance to walk away with a prize is understandable. A Baptism of Fire third-place match is also a forgivable waste of time; teams only get one shot at the title, so to give a team that fell at the penultimate hurdle a second bite at the medal cherry—knowing they will never get this opportunity again—is a perfectly fine impulse to indulge in. Even at a regional or the Independent Associations Championship (or whatever it’ll be bloody called tomorrow), a third-place playoff is a waste of everyone’s time, but it’s far from the most embarrassing game to play in.

On the other hand, a Cup of Harmony third-place match is the consolation match of the consolation tournament, i.e. the ultimate waste of everyone’s time. A Cup of Harmony bronze medal isn’t “the participation trophy of international football”, as Anne-Sophie Groothuis called it ahead of the most pointless game in football. Truly it is worse: it is the most shameful badge of failure. You have not just failed in your quest to qualify for the most prestigious tournament in football—if not all of sport—, you have failed in your quest for redemption. Not just that, your failure is never forgotten, but rather recorded in the history books for future generations to sneer at. To lose this match is the ultimate mercy.

In retrospect, we’ve been learning just how much everyone involved on the Omerican side wanted to not be at the Lodger City Memorial Stadium. According to striker Édouard Bouchard, Groothuis was eager to get the chore done quickly: “We’d all rather be home right now, I know,” the former manager allegedly said in the changing room before the match. “Let’s just get this over with,” she has confirmed herself saying before the team walked out into the tunnel.

“I was very clear with the local staff ahead of time that we didn’t want to be there,” captain of the day Alphonse Fontaine said after the fact. “We didn’t want any kind of ceremony, we just wanted to play the game for Brusseldorf’s sake and leave. I was surprised how respectful the Eastfielders were of that and I want to thank them for understanding why we’d just want to get it all over with as little fuss as possible.”

On the pitch itself, when the instrumental track of L’Avonnaise blared through the audio system, the stadium was quieter than usual. In contrast to the usual proud, boastful singing of the national anthem, many lips that would normally be blurting out the lyrics were jammed shut. Those who were singing were, as a rule, much less enthusiastic than normal.

“I don’t think anyone gave a damn what the result was,” goalkeeper Jean-Robert Tosi said of the game. “[Noah] Clement would usually be fuming with himself about giving up an own goal, but he almost shrugged it off. That was just how we all saw it: nothing mattered.”

At the end of the day, the affair took a depressing two hours to resolve, ending 3–2 to the Incorrigibles. Out of mercy, the wishes of the Incorrigibles were respected: no stage was set up and no ceremony was held. A simple announcement came through the PA system that the medals would not be accepted “at this time”. Omerican players would stay on the pitch to console dejected Brusseldorfen counterparts, but didn’t look much happier themselves.

The reason for that? They all knew that we did not succeed at our last Cup of Harmony. They knew, more intimately than anyone else, that we failed more than any other nation. The shame of teams like Brusseldorf, Saltstead, Krytenia and West Squornshelous will eventually fade from memory, while our failure will live on through generations. Brusseldorf may have been the losers on the pitch, but they were the real winners of that game.

On the bright side, some suckers got the chance to pick up a memento for a few thousand florins. Ahead of another World Cup Improper, here’s hoping they’ll never get another opportunity like it. ◇

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Other Football News:
• Robin van Tyn’s sealed bronze medal parcel sells for nearly ƒ40,000 at a charity auction in Kingsmouth
• CoH 77: Incorrigibles will land in Zwangzug to face a tricky, but manageable group for the consolation cup
• Malavan 3–1 Républicains: Gold Division leaders lose for the first time this season in the Romainbourgeoise derby

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Uniting Omerican sport fans across the United Republics — blogdefootball: a proud member of the Gryphon Pride network

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United Republican Soccer Federation
6 Jacques la Rouge Road
Port Alexandre, MS 18-A40
UNITED REPUBLICS OF OMERICA

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Squornshelan RS v Omerica
Cup of Harmony 77 group stage — Matchday One
Eglantine Park, Merano (FTC), Zwangzug
Omerica lineup (4–3–3): Valentine Augustin; Fernand Michelakakis – Charity Kayode – Aristide de Felice – Jet Sneyders; Red Bolton (captain) – Élise Bianchi – Thom Magalhães; Jessie Beckett – Jean-François Fernand – George Palmeiro

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[Legalese]

About Legalese

Legalese is a gargantuan, cultured nation in the hallowed Northeast of Atlantian Oceania. It consists of two landmasses - the continential mainland and the adjoining Karin Islands - and is located on the eastern side of the Calanian continent, between Lake Bekk on the west, Audioslavia to the east, Starblaydia to the north, and New West Guiana to the south. It’s been roughly 32 years since Legalese’s fourth place finish in World Cup 69, and after barely avoiding the wooden spoon, head into the Cup of Harmony with the consolation of closing out qualifying on a high note, with a draw to Vilita. The last time Legalese played in the Cup of Harmony was 59, but 55, another double-number cup is better remembered, as that one went pretty well. What does their first CoH in decades hold?

Full Nation Name: The People and Government of Legalese
Short/Common Use Name: Legalese
Three-Letter Designation: LGL
Denonym: Legalite
Governing Body: The Federation of Assocation Football, simply referred to as The Federation


The Team
Order is shirt number and name. Per typical Legalite naming conventions, the family name is the last word(s) in the person’s name.

Keepers
1 Karter Lindamood
18 Linus Heckaman
22 K. Bynum Olveda

Defenders
2 Gus Cestero
3 Preston Everet
4 Freddy Cauthon
5 Grover Flett
16 Ole Youngberg Tade
18 Malcolm Oakman

Midfielders
6 Dale Ree
7 Kamari Osofsky
8 Lannon Kaai
10 Edd Shill
14 Jerry Mcgilvery
15 Rafe Senechal
17 Mitch Oyston
19 Al Debuse

Forwards
9 Skyler Mandella
11 Fredrick Charlot
12 Trace Coursey
13 Ray Borgella
20 Jayden Korman
21 Tim Erminatno

Manager: Hardy Bolder. Bolder, originally from Francis City -- a port on the strait side of Legalese’s main land -- like his side, this is his World Cup debut. His recent work has included player-manager of Numalian side Draig Goch FC, as well as a fine crafter of wooden utensils.

Coach: Myles Woodworth. Woodworth joined Bolder’s coaching staff as qualifying came to a close to manage the team’s training efforts and assist on the touchline during matches. He hails from Comunas -- a port on Legalese’s adjacent Karin Islands, running down the Legal Pass.

The Eleven/Playing Style
The lineup is flexible, but the closer to 1, the more likely a player is to start/see some time.

Legalite football is attacking/possessive in its style; to this end, they will play with a +4 modifier.

The Kits



RP Permissions: You are permitted to apply any and all RP permissions that you have posted for yourself to my side, if you have posted first - this also includes the clause that if you've not posted a roster and/or permissions, you shalt not be permitted a damn thing, and that you keep all ejections/injuries/deaths to a reasonable amount. The only additional note I’ll add is that I do not intend to participate in any pandemic-related storylines, and regardless of the above, will more or less ignore/come up with an alternative explanation to any action taken along those lines.

[Legalese]

Oh, Canada (Stadium)! Group 3 awaits the NT in Kelssek

Brandy Brocato with her preview of Cup of Harmony 77 and what lies ahead for Legalese

Forty-four years ago, Legalese National Team Manager Stan Thate, at a press conference celebrating what remains the most-significant trophy held by Legalese to date (with apologies to the Jeremy Jaffacake Jamboree II -- also won with Thate at the helm. Hoping that’s not a trend that stays, given that he passed away a decade ago) said about the Cup of Harmony, “...we’ll be enjoying the celebration tonight, and I hope that we’re not back to defend it.”

The former was true, per legend. The hangover was so bad, the resulting trip to the AOCAF was a disaster. So was the latter, though -- this will be the first trip back to the Cup of Harmony since hoisting the trophy on penalties over four decades ago. It was so long ago, that 17 year old callup Tim Ermintano -- who was obviously not alive the last time Legalese made the Cup -- has to go back to his grandparents to find someone in his family who was.

That won’t stop the matches, however. The national team was drawn into Group 3, containing the likes of South Covello, The Sarian, Squornshelous, and Oberour Ar Moro. The final name may sound familiar -- a pair of matches with OAM ended in two draws, a total of six goals per side between them -- but the biggest concern may be that where Legalese finished twelfth out of thirteen teams in their qualifying group, the remaining sides all were much stronger -- South Covello finished third, and nobody was worse than sixth.

For manager Hardy Bolder, this didn’t bother him.

“Well, it’s a shorter competition, so where we weren’t consistently good in qualifying, here we just need to catch lighting in a bottle. And we’ve made some adjustments to see if we can keep up the momentum.”

The “momentum”, as you may recall, was proof that there is such a thing as a moral victory -- or at least a morale victory -- this time in the form of a 2-2 draw with World Cup contenders Vilita on the road.

As for the “adjustments”, enter Myles Woodworth, joining the National Team as Coach and Technical Assistant. Woodworth left his post as the training supervisor for the Comunas Cougars to take on the role of putting together and executing a training plan to better prepare the National Teamers for the Cup of Harmony. Despite the lack of a league to play in for multiple decades now -- at least until the Leaguealese started play last fall -- Woodworth brings something that pundits have been saying was missing from this team: professionalism.

Woodworth put it more delicately when speaking to me. “It’s a difficult transition to go from soccer being a pastime to a profession. Not everyone could devote the time they needed to really develop those skills, and it’s put us at risk of losing a couple of generations of greats. Fortunately, the last decade has changed so much -- everyone has the time to develop their talents, to pursue their passions -- and that’s let us take a tack in training with the Cougars that brings back that professional feel. That’s what I hope to bring to our National Team, and serve the country that’s tackled scarcity the way that we have and created a better life for all.”

[Tequilo]

Cup of Harmony 77

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Tequilo National Team
Los Pitxileros

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Team kits by GuileTeq
Home - agave blue shirts with charcoal & white trim; agave blue shorts; white & agave blue hooped socks
Away - desert gold shirts; gold shorts & socks - all with agave blue & white trim.

 
In the sprawling, continent-spanning country of Tequilo - more formally the Allied States of Tequilo or PAT, Patrias Aliadas de Tequilo - football was traditionally a matter for the regional sports authorities. So large and geographically interesting is Tequilo, that it once was formed of nine nations - six Latinique former colonies and three Indigo city-state empires - who clubbed together as jolly good friends and neighbours to gang up on their dreadfully superior and bossy neighbour to the north, a place they prefer to call Horizonte Oscuro. Anyway that is a history lesson for another cutoff, but in terms of football - or Pitxi in the local dialect - like most things it remained governed on a local basis by the nine football associations. But recently, in an effort to improve the quality of the pitxi on offer (and not at all to make more money, nonono) the nine associations formed one national association, the Unión de Pitxi de Tequilo; and the UPT has formed a national play-off system - Liga TQ - to decide it's country's annual champion. Ambitiously, it also entered the new national team - which had never existed in all the time pitxi was played across the PAT - into the coming World Cup and it's shortform pre-entertainment event, the Baptism of Fire.

Cycle 85 - The Road To Kelssek & Zwangzug

Inexperienced in such matters, the UFT has appointed foreign type Dik ten Beuenk, 88, as Team Director. Ten Beuenk oversaw the entry of the tiny Principality of Mustardy into the last World Cup, where an unremarkable campaign exploded into life with an away victory in South Covello, one of the modern giants of the game. That, and the fact that the Red Herrings were not thrashed pillar-to-post through qualifying, won the UFT over when looking for an experienced head to guide this inexperienced nation through a World Cup campaign.
 
Mauricio Nores was appointed head coach of the new national team, and he brought two of his backroom staff with him from his domestic club, Motozintla of the Maranco state capital city Tirinto. Nores, along with coaches Isaac Martí and Juan Manuel Botín, were all on part time secondments from Motozintla for the duration of the Baptism of Fire. In a stunning display of attacking intent, Los Mextiqos as they dubbed themselves, were unbeaten through the tournament, scoring and incredible 45 goals but tragically being eliminated at the semi-final stage on a penalty shootout after a thrilling 4-4 draw against Zeta Reka & Hügeltaldom. The team went on to win the ‘losers final’ 3-0 to finish third overall, as Mavinet triumphed in the final against ZRH. Going into their inaugural World Cup qualification cycle, the team had achieved top rank of the BoF entrants, placing 185th on the world scale.

Mauricio Nores has stunned the multiverse - well the world, anyway; ok, he has stunned Tequilo - by deciding that he will return to club football and his Motozintla role to concentrate on their rebuilding programme, ‘Make Moto Great Again’, leaving an opening for the task of World Cup qualifying. Stepping up from his role as coach for the national team, and leaving his post as Assistant Manager at Moto alongside Nores, Isaac Martí became the first permanent manager of Tequilo. Juan Manuel Botín, the young Moto coach, stayed on in his role as part time coach for the national team, whilst doing the same at his club as a part time coach for Mauricio Nores. So, with Mateo Tafalla maintaining el capitan’s armband, The Moto connection at the national team remains strong. Mustardo Dik ten Beuenk maintained his role as Team Director whilst Luka Entenza, former coach at Argón, joined the coaching team for World Cup Qualifying.

In a marathon campaign, Coach Martí’s target was a top half group finish - and that was achieved in a rollercoaster fashion. A thrashing in the first game was followed by a strong recovery and a great run, taking points off the expected - and confirmed, eventually - top three including a famous victory in Ko-oren and a draw in the Dreamed Realm. A quarter of the way through qualifying, Tequilo were in touching distance of a qualification place. But a turn of poor form followed, with talk of pressure on the manager, and a drop as low as 9th at one stage. The low point certainly was a heavy home defeat to some girls clad in cheerleading outfits. But form improved in the second half of qualifying and was particularly strong in the closing stages - while qualification chances had long gone, coach Martí led Los Pitxileros to an impressive fourth placed finish, a sort of ‘best of the rest’ behind the top three. An invite to the Cup of Harmony followed, and a very satisfactory first qualifying campaign put the Agave-Blues inside the world top 100, in 90th place; equal second now of the class of ’72 with Reina, after an impressive campaign, jumping to 80th place.

For the purpose of media marketing, the PR company attached the UFT has decided the national team will take the nickname Los Pitxileros - imaginatively, ‘the footballers’. Much of the local media also uses the name The Agave-Blues after their kit colour, which does seem to have caught on - but will the marketing accept the public knows best? Unlikely. For now, the terms remain interchangeable.
 

BACKROOM STAFF
Head Coach: Isaac Martí, 55, formerly Mauricio Nores’ assistant for the Baptism of Fire and previously at Motozintla FC.
Team Director: Dik ten Beuenk, 89, Mustardo advisor, a professor in a tracksuit.
Coach: Luka Entenza, 47, former coach at Argón Tacranza. Intense sort of fellow.
Coach: Juan Manuel Botín, 36, recently retired player for Motozintla, learning his trade with Isaac and Luka, apparently destined for moderately good things.
Team Captain: Mateo Tafalla, 31, possibly the best midfielder in Tequilo; completes the Motozintla trio running the show for the new national team.
Vice Captain: Haize Apeiztegui, 32, of Puezan state; a fearsome defender who plays his football at top club Unuiĝinta in Iragartze
 
PLAYING STAFF
Though tempted as he may have been to select an all-Motozintla squad for his first national team (they are certainly up there with the best of them, in Tequilo at least) Mauricio Nores was careful to select a diverse squad for the Baptism of Fire that crossed the racial and provincial spectrums in such a massive country; with all six regions represented, all three Índigo (indigenous) city states, and all seven ethnic groups present in the country. With a massive 24 games for qualifying, Isaac Martí named a large 40-man squad that continues to select from across the Tequiloan diaspora. Now, narrowing back down from that pool for a tournament team of 23 players, the squad stays loyal to the strong tournament team from the BoF, reflects the rise of a couple of players through qualifying, and introduces two potential new debutants.

In terms of the indicated starting line up, Isaac will not make major changes but keeper Oscar Bienvenida looks like being the main beneficiary, moving to the top of his selection list after strong showings in qualifying replacing Ferran Teixidó, who drops into the reserve list.

Veteran striker Urlegi Gorostola holds his place in the squad after a strong showing in qualifying, replacing BoF starter and national favourite Narciso Cora, who’s international form never really sparked in the way his domestic game does. Coming in as a reserve striker, and potentially a new debutant, is 18-year old CF Frantxizko-A forward Alexandro Calvoecheaga, following his breakthrough season at club level; while 19-year old Acacoyagua keeper Davide Sandino also gets a seat on the plane as number three reserve - the place where starter Oscar Bienvenida, 18, also started before his astonishing rise to first choice.
 

Tequilo Starters

#	Name			Pos.	Age	Cps/Gls	Club			Personality

1.	Oscar Bienvenida	GK	18	22/6*	Tumuloa Xico		leader
2.	Patrick Zambo		DL	31	27/4	Resplendiente		reliable
3.	Haize Apeiztegui	DC	32	33/4	Unuiĝinta		professor
4.	Huracan			DC	23	30/5	Jaguar Itxacomitán	dynamo
5.	Chicchan		DR	30	24/2	Pitxi-Pitxi 77		flamboyant
6.	Callañaupa		DMC	34	26/3	Equipo Caimán		introvert
7.	Isidoro Artechevarria	AML	20	23/7	Urbo Ibaeta		bulldozer
8.	Mateo Tafalla		AMC	31	22/11	Motozintla		eccentric
9.	Tlacolotl		ST	19	28/23	Pitxi-Pitxi 77		warhorse
10.	Roxelio Toran		ST	25	16/10	Ciupa Azul		resilient
11.	Tutayan			AMR	28	26/3	SC Raití		cavalier

Team Pool

12.	Garaitz Minha		DL	29	14/-	CF Frantxizko-A		grafter
13.	Noxochinoch		DC	27	19/1	Xicoans			grafter
14.	Vincent Okila		DC	20	 5/1	Benemérito		unpredictable
15.	Huachalla		DR	24	11/1	Acacoyagua		flamboyant
16.	Ixtub Tün		DMC	17	15/2	Pitxi-Pitxi 77		beast
17.	Vilca Hualla		AML	21	12/1	Índigo Huayna		leader
18.	Niño Pinto		AMC	17	15/8	Índigo Huayna		predatory
19.	Urlegi Gorostola	ST	33	13/3	Polibio			assassin
20.	Alexandro Calvoecheaga	ST	18 	  -	CF Frantxizko-A		professor			
21.	Ferran Teixidó		GK	25	11/1*	Galaxía			leader
22.	Ricardo Bailén		AMR	21	 9/5	Fábrica Tapalupé	eccentric
31.	Davide Sandino		GK	19 	  -	Acacoyagua		grafter			

*clean sheets

ONES TO WATCH

8. Mateo Tafalla
AMC | Motozintla FC | Age 31 | 22 caps, 11 goals | Team Captain
The great hope of Tequilo, captain of Motozintla, of the Maranco state representative XI and now of the new unified national team. The famously eccentric midfielder was the driving force of the most successful attack in the Baptism of Fire; in Tequilo and to some extent abroad, Mateo has accumulated wide admiration for his audacious play, cunning tricks, vision, and ability to control the pace of a match. He had his footballing education in Dolores, Tamarindia, variously with city clubs Bayona Cadíx, Piratas and Universitario before returning home to join the ‘Make Moto Great Again’ campaign under Mauricio Nores.

2. Patrick Zambo
DL | Resplendiente | Age 31 | 27 caps, 4 goals
A marauding full back, Patrick was part of the 112th Maranco state season title winning campaign with the team from the city La Conon. A reliable and intelligent fullback, Zambo has made 48 appearances for the Maranco state Seleccion, scoring 3 goals, and was an obvious first choice for coach Mauricio Nores for the first ever unified Tequilo national team at the Baptism of Fire where he chipped in with four goals in ten games from the back. A tall and strong defender, he has a good turn of pace, doesn't mind getting forward a bit to link up with attacking wingers, and is comfortable on the ball. He can tackle too and has strong positional sense, with no real weakness to exploit in his play.

4. Huracan
DC | Jaguar Ixtacomitán | Age 23 | 30 caps, 5 goals
Another of Tequilo's classy defenders, who really impressed in the Baptism of Fire tournament. The young centre back Huracan, of the Ixta people, is only 23 and a surprisingly slight fellow for a player task with holding up the last line of defence. But don't be deceived; to the pitxi fans of Tequilo, this talented defender seems to have already been around for an age, having made his league debut for Jaguar Itxacomitán at only 15 years old. Full name Patzin Cihuacoh Xihuidira-Nogue, Huracan has won three state championships; his needle-point tackling and boundless energy made him a fans favourite early on, and with more than 150 appearances for the team already, he is well on the way to being a club legend. He also looks set to become a fixture in the new unified national team.

9. Tlacolotl
ST | Pitxi-Pitxi 77 | Age 19 | 28 caps, 23 goals
One of 77os prodigios, striker Tlacolotl went to Delaclava as an untried reserve and finished leading the line into the semi-finals and third place playoff of the Baptism of Fire. Full name Hunaphu Ah-Kuhmix-Unicob Tlaco Xumucane, Tlacolotl is a striker in the old-fashioned hooligan mould, a fearsome competitor, never afraid to mix it up, physically and mentally able to intimidate much bigger defenders through sheer force of will, and also technically competent. No-one will match him in the air and if you put him down on the ground - no mean feat, well done - be warned he will never stay down for long and when he gets back up, he will be coming for you. Having now spent two seasons at Pitxi Pitxi he has made the number 10 shirt his own, and looks set for a glittering career scoring goals and busting noses.

10. Roxelio Toran
ST | Ciupa Azul | Age 25 | 16 caps, 10 goals
The first player to score a brace and then a hattrick (plus one) for the nation, the gifted striker is garnering plenty of attention from Tequilo’s big players, SC Pedregal and SC Raití among others - and let’s be frank, Ciupa Azul haven’t won anything for 70 years and don’t look like doing so any time soon. He may not be a man to make a hasty decision, but surely as he reaches his golden years, he will want to be winning things? His appearances in Delaclava, cut short at the end of the group stage through injury, suggest that he could be gone sooner rather than later. A piece of useless trivia on Roxelio - if you think he looks a lot like famous Tequiloan comic poet Bermúdez (full name Iago Bermúdez), well, you would be right - they are cousins!

1. Oscar Bienvenida
GK | Tumuloa Xico | Age 18 | 22 caps, 6 clean sheets
The rise and rise of baby goalkeeper Oscar Bienvenida, who had barely been heard of outside of his club Tumuloa Xico but today stands on the brink of international stardom thanks to his cat-like exploits for the new national team in the Baptism of Fire! Tumuloa, spotting a great young talent, have been concentrating on a bulking-up diet and although still something of a streak of pipí, he has strengthened up considerably and more than holds his own in the box. As was seen in his performances in Delaclava, not only can he stand up to overbearing forwards, he also marshalls his box confidently and has all the ingredients to become a natural captain for club and country.

16. Ixtub Tün
DMC | Pitxi-Pitxi 77 | Age 17 | 15 caps, 2 goals
One of Tequilo’s undisputed great prospects of our time, the young man they call El Tren - The Train: Ixtub Tün. Second youngest in the squad after Niño Pinto, at sixteen the Pitxi-Pitxi 77 defensive midfielder is still a baby but you wouldn’t call him that if he was stood in front of you - at 192cm and weighing in at 107 kilos he really is a beast already. On the field of play he is no slouch despite the weight he has to pull, and it takes two men to knock him down. He is a giant. But it is not all about his physique and throwing his considerable weight around - Ixtub is an impressive reader of the game already, calm on the ball, he does the simple things well and his presence is reassuring both to the defence behind him and to the attackers in front.

 

18. Niño Pinto
AMC | Índigo Huayna | Age 17 | 15 caps, 8 goals
Holding the records for youngest debut, youngest starter and youngest goalscorer for the national team, all before his 17th birthday, 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 broke into his club’s first team at 15 and has not looked back. A stylish midfielder with an eye for goal and a great reader of the game, he looks like the natural candidate to replace Mateo Tafalla once his reign at the top comes to an end.

3. Haize Apeiztegui
DC | Unuiĝinta | Age 32 | 33 caps, 4 goals
Holding the record for the most consecutive internationals for Tequilo (23) and presently the most capped player in the early days of national football, Haize Apeiztegui has risen in the public estimation from ‘decent defender’ at Unuiĝinta in Puezan, to ‘most admired’ national hero, within the space of one world cup cycle. Having spent his whole career at Los Rojos where he has won an impressive four state titles, Haize is certainly enjoying widening his horizons as a veteran and leader in the national team, and seems to have a new spring in his step. Outstanding in both the Baptism of Fire and World Cup qualifying, he has assured the nation he can go for at least one more cycle, if the coach will have him: there is no worry on that front - a fearsome unit with the highest footballing intellect, what he lacks in pace he makes up for in spatial awareness. No-one in Tequilo can match him for reading the game, and he looks set to develop into a decent coach once his playing days are done.

 

6. Callañuapa
DMC | Equipo Caimán | Age 34 | 26 caps, 3 goals
Equipo Caimán’s quietly confident defensive midfielder, Callañuapa, 34, is one of the veterans and natural leaders of the squad, and has taken the armband on a couple of occasions. Full name Quxtlán Calla-Calla Huamuy de Machacunga, the Mextiqo of Guastenangan and Huayna-people mixed heritage grew up in the city of Yoriloma, Guastenango, and began his football career with local lower-tier team Insurgentes Nísa before appearing for Acacoyagua, Correcaminos and finally Caimán, winning two state championships along the way. Known as ‘El Mayor’ both at his club and now with his international team-mates, he has been cited as an inspiration to younger players including Ixtub Tün and Niño Pinto. Callañuapa has announced he will retire from international football after the Cup of Harmony.

RP Permissions & Other Notes

Have fun. Maybe don't kill everyone. At least not all at once.
 

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
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Do Absolutely Anything: Y
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RP Pointers
 
Most likely to get…
 
Poacher's tap in: Roxelio Toran
20-metre screamer: Mateo Tafalla
Applauded for fancy panenka: Urlegi Gorostola
Laughed at for bungled panenka: Tutayan
Jeered for over-exuberant celebrations: Huachalla
First minute booking: Isidoro Artechevarria
Last minute winner: Tlacolotl
Early bath for handbags: Garaitz Minha
Stretcher to the tunnel: Vilca Hualla
Blood-covered rag around head: Huracan
Tackle of the season: Haize Apeiztegui
A packet of sweets, a pat on the head, and excused from doing his homework for the night: Niño Pinto
Early nomination for legend status: Ixtub Tün
 
The average Tequiloan has an exceedingly high SQ (shambolic quotient) meaning they are really very good at creating and thriving in chaos… they get things done, in a very roundabout and often nonsensical way, usually with an unbelievably high portion of luck. They are happy to lose, as long as it is in chaotic fashion - it's all about the journey, not the result. Apparently.

Always happy to collaborate - drop me a TG; and any player is available for transfer to decent IFCF clubs in well RPed domestic leagues.