IAX: Independent Associations Championship 10 [EVERYTHING]

[Megistos]

Megistos 1-0 Hopal

Megistian Scorers,

Robertson 42: A powerful, driven shot in the bottom right corner

Megistian Cards

Lukovic 34 Yellow

Hopal Scorers

None

Hopal Cards,

None

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

Devonta Devastated: an Encouraging Start
Salwan Mynhier, Romainbourg, OME

Hitting the field for the first time on matchday two, the Black-and-Reds knew they had work to do, with two teams in the group already on three points after matchday one victories. They would also have been keenly aware of their own team's recent history as regards the opening matches of tournaments. In the opening matches of the past five tournaments entered by the Confederacy, the Black-and-Reds have earned a total of two points. Five matches, two points. Most recently, the Black-and-Reds had, to be honest, a respectable result in drawing our current hosts at Cup of Harmony 77. Prior to that, the wild ride through Group 2 of World Cup 85 qualifying began with a definite thud, as the Black-and-Reds allowed five goals at home in a loss to Torisakia. At the disastrous IAC9, they opened with a 3-4 loss to Juvencus, while a bad 1-3 defeat at the hands of Hampton Island set the tone for their failure to advance from the group stage at Cup of Harmony 76. At World Cup 84 qualifying, where the Confederacy was favored by many as a dark horse to qualify, the terrible start that would see manager Bethany Donnell sacked less than halfway through began with a scoreless draw against Flavovespia. To find the last Black-and-Reds team that started off a tournament with a victory, you have to go all the way back to the Donnell-led team that fought its way to a third-place finish at IAC8 in Reçueçn. Their opening match was a tight 1-0 win over Kurovija. O, halcyon days. Then ranked 36th, the Black-and-Reds were a rising force tabbed by many as likely to qualify for the following World Cup. Ah well, we all know what happened next, no sense dwelling overmuch on the past.

The present, as it turns out, has a glimmer of hope for even the most jaded of Confederate fans to hold onto. Operating like the proverbial well-oiled machine, the Black-and-Reds absolutely overpowered the (literally) unheralded team from Devonta, blasting four goals past their opponents while dominating possession, and refusing to concede even one. Goals from Takala and Vladcik bookended a pair from Ajao. It was an impressive display of attacking prowess, but perhaps more impressive than the simple statistics is that someone who tuned into the match for just five or ten minutes likely wouldn't have been surprised the learn of the final score. Naqvi's switch to the right wing appeared as seamless as could be asked for, Vladcik brought every ounce of the form he's found in recent years with Admiral Storevik, and if I hadn't already known that Hagaz had spent five years away from the international game, I'd never have guessed. The back line held firm, with Krieven easily able to handle what shots were allowed. In all, it was very nearly a perfect performance. Even Groothuis, who is fast becoming known in the Confederacy for the demanding standards to which she holds both her players and herself, could find little to frown at. "It's always satisfying when you're able to see the team execute what they've worked on in training on the field when it counts." If this was her theory in practice, Confederate fans can expect that their team's tactics going forward will be built from the back out, but transition from a sturdy defensive structure to a creative fluidity on the attack. With the personnel employed yesterday, Takala and Lomidan became twin pivots at the center of the attack, with Hagaz hanging back a bit. Imagining a midfield trio less set in their roles though, it's easy to see how Groothuis's formation could quickly become very difficult to pin down for opposing defenses, with the point of attack shifting to wherever the back line is weakest.

We shouldn't allow ourselves to get carried away after one good result though, as Groothuis reminded everyone at the presser. "This is a very good result, especially against the second seed in the group, but there's a lot of football still to be played. We'll have to put this behind us the same way we would a loss and prepare for Woryand. They're ahead of us in the standings, so it's a crucial match, no matter what their ranking might be." Indeed, Woryand have been playing well thus far, earning full points in their opening match against fellow unranked side, the Calculator, and then stealing a point from Kriegiersien in the only upset result of Group G to this point. Woryand play in a formation and style somewhat familiar to Confederate fans who remember when Traal Athletics manager Lopal Daror led the team to the quarterfinals of Cup of Harmony 73 in its debut cycle, employing his time-honed 5-4-1. Our next opponent's tactics, from what little data is available on the young team, are somewhat more conservative than those employed by the Black-and-Reds under Daror, employing a flat back 5, and relying almost entirely on counterattacks. We can expect that the Black-and-Reds will once again enjoy the majority of possession, though the numbers held behind the ball by the opposition will mean attacking players will have less space to work with, and must be more precise and decisive. So, while it's tempting to jump to conclusions, proclaim the dark times over, and crown Groothuis the savior of Confederate football, perhaps lets wait just a bit longer, and simply take this win for what it is. A win. Meet you at the bar, first round's on me.

Squornshelan Remnant States IAC Schedule:

MD1: BYE
MD2: SRS 4-0 USD @ Stade de la République, Romainbourg (cap. 73,000)
MD3: WOR  v  SRS @ Trailblazer Park, Sassari (cap. 60,000)
MD4: SRS  v  CAL @ Trailblazer Park, Sassari (cap. 60,000)
MD5: KGS  v  SRS @ Stade de la République, Romainbourg (cap. 73,000)

[Kayangan]

Group E
Kayangan 0-2 Poafmersia @ Stade International, Bayonnette, New Vaucluse
Goal scorer: Shakira Handris & Pete Carisa

Kayangan once again failed to create a victory in IAX: Independent Associations Championship 10. But this time they lost to the stronger team, Poafmersia with a score of 0-2. Kayangan basically played 4-4-2. The inclusion of Tengkolok Samperan initially expected Kayangan to play with the 4-4-1-1 system. But it is clear that Tengkolok Samperan and Lanti Laanting became the no.9 twins in the classical system.

Poafmersia also came out with 4-3-3. Maintain their trio of fast attacker Haodao-Handris-Carisa. Kayangan is faced with the issue of creativity again. In this match, Poafmersia is clearly not too aggressive to press (press) or turn off the threat when Kayangan has the ball. However, Kayangan seemed to lose his mind when he arrived at the ‘final third’. Although Kayangan often attacks in these matches, they face the issue of a lack of combination games on the offensive side. It must be admitted that their attackers carried out their duties despite struggling to create more goal opportunities. But the aspect of variation needs to be improved again. Kayangan has many talented players, will not only rely on the cross delivery system to target men only.

Megat Temiang is one of the weakest links in the Kayangan team. He struggled with the inverted winger. If before - faced with Squidroidia, he controlled the opposing winger, Megat Temiang just had to push him to a far corner. This is a situation where he tries to impose 'pressure' or body charge, but hesitates, whether it needs shadow marking or physical pressure. Eventually, he was defeated without being able to make any decision. But when faced with players like Carisa, Megat Temiang needs to improve the technical aspects while defending. He found it difficult to turn off Carisa's movement when the player changed the direction of the ball to the left foot or 'cut inside'.

Next, Kayangan's defensive structure is fragile and unstable. They at one point were too down and not parallel to trap offside opponents. In the middle, Payung Garang Merbawi and Agus Rajawali failed to protect the four defenders better. They basically survive in 2 ‘schemes’ namely 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. This defense organization is lacking in discipline. They panic easily. Next 2 their wingers were lazy to ‘trackback’ the defensive side defender of Poafmersia.

Trio Haodao-Handris-Carisa can be said to be in its own class in this match. Poafmersia emphasizes ball control. They are not fast enough to move the ball and are not too intensive. But when the ball arrives at the feet of their three strikers - Poafmersia will be able to get something. But the relationship between the midfielders and their attacking trio is not too intensive or fast. But every time this attacking trio receives the ball in the best zone, they will present a threat. It can be said that Poafmersia did not play at the best level as a team with 11 players. But their three strikers are very sharp.

They have a very high quality of anticipation. All Poafmersia goals involve the second ball (follow-up action). They are in the right place and time. The quality of Handris linking up and poaching is indeed the biggest difference between the two teams. In this match, Poafmersia emphasizes stability in the middle. Gisiik Moonar and Ftiks Wariq are very good at switching roles immediately. It is also clear how Gisiik Moonar and Ftiks Wariq actively changed roles, and Daas Taisg was freer to focus on the offensive.

Next Game
Abanhfleft v Kayangan [MD3: Tuesday, 11 August]
Stade Olympique, Syracuse, Republic of South Provence | Capacity: 49,000 |

[Woryand]

Excerpted conversations from FM 104.9, the main sports radio channel in the area around Capitol, Woryand, around the time when the World Cup match was taking place:

T-10 minutes
Kambōr: With just ten minutes until kickoff, I'd think it's time to switch exclusively to match commentary in the upcoming international game. As our listeners are likely well aware, this is only our nation's second game on the international stage, having pulled a 1-0 win in their first win to give them a much-deserved win and a bolstering of their reputation. I'm Lois Kambōr, and I'm here to commentate on this hopefully exciting match. Our nation is supposed to be the big underdog here against Kriegierstan, but as many of you know, I doubt that we are as bad as the international plaudits love to suggest. And besides, if it comes to it, our players have become experts at the counterattacking style and should be able to grind out a 0-0 draw.

0'
Kambōr: And we're off! Woryand are in their usual Red and Green, Kriegierstan in their Black. Woryand begin with the ball, but for now are passing it around without any real attempts to go forward; trying to conserve energy for an attack later on, I gather.

13'
Kambōr: Kriegierstan with a free kick from a fairly long distance outside the box. So is here to take it, with a nice cross over into the gathering of players. It comes to Alsman AND THAT'S JUST OVER THE BAR! What a great attempt; we're lucky that it didn't go in. So to take the corner, with a nice long run up. It comes in, but it's easily collected by Grēnwā.

36'
Kambōr: Woryand now on the attack, one of the first we've seen from the red-and-greens this game. Mōrix has it, passes it up to Plançā. He crosses it in to Loz, who takes a shot from long-distance...WHAT A SAVE! THE SHOT WAS EXPERTLY PLACED IN THE TOP-LEFT CORNER, BUT THE KEEPER SOMEHOW GOT TO IT! The ball rebounded to Benko, who got an easy clearance.

45'
Kambōr: And it's halftime. Been a fairly good game so far; although neither side has broken the deadlock yet, both sides have had one great opportunity and plenty of smaller ones. I'm looking forward to seeing what the second half may bring.

53'
Kambōr: Alsman has it. Alsman, with a great dribble to get past two defenders! Just Amin to beat, now, as he reaches the final defender...WAS THAT A TRIP? ALSMAN'S GONE DOWN! THIS COULD VERY WELL BE A PENALTY! Let's see what happens...THE REFEREE'S GIVEN IT!

55'
Kambōr: And we've finally gotten to the penalty kick, despite the many protests from the Woryandian players and fans. Yellow cards have been given to Amin, for the trip, and Canīr, for dissent. Wilschut steps up to take the penalty...AND IT'S SAVED! THE GAME'S STILL 0-0! WORYAND IS STILL WELL IN IT! Wilschut is in shock; it was a great penalty, but an even better save. Grēnwā's been an amazing goalie today; he fully deserves man of the match should the game remain 0-0.

82'
Kambōr: So with another great opportunity for a free kick, just on the edge of the box. He whips the ball in for a direct free kick, BUT IT'S SAVED, AGAIN! Grēnwā is showing why he deserves to be the starting goalkeeper for this team; ball after ball has been saved by him.

90+2' (out of 3')
Kambōr: Woryand, looking to make one final attack before the end of the game to snatch a victory. Loz to Crodaru. Plança. Back to Crodaru. Loz again. Lobbed down to Canīr, who makes a great dribble and crosses it up to Malyōr, who is waiting at the near post, but that's a good save from Kamber.

Full Time:
Kambōr: And that's full time! Both sides will be dissapointed with a draw on the night, as it will strike a blow to hopes of reaching the knockouts, but it's not a terrible result nonetheless. Woryand played surprisingly aggressively for a team with a flat 5-4-1 lineup, but it unfortunately didn't show in the scoreline. That's all for tonight; I'll see you all next week for our toughest challenge yet: a game against Squornshelan, the number one seed and likely winner of our group.

Match Statistics:
Goals: None.
Yellow Cards: 53' Amin, 55' Canīr.
Red Cards: None.
Shots: 21 Kriegiersien, 15 Woryand.
Shots on target: 11 Kriegiersien, 6 Woryand.
Fouls: 14 Kriegiersien, 25 Woryand.
Corners: 5 Kriegiersien, 4 Woryand.

[TJUN-ia]

By Peter Davis

It was a bye for the Jaguars in Brétolles, but that didn't mean there wasn't some interest in MD2. A chance to scout our future opponents was certainly something David Seems was going to take, and so the team pulled up the TVs and watched both Schottia vs Space and Hwiccemark vs Omerica.

Hwiccemark's first game in IAC play was not easy at all, as the hosts looked to overpower them. In a battle of future opponents, Omerica won 2-0. MD5 will definitely be an important game to try and take points from, but the game against Hwiccemark must also but accounted for.

But the most important fixture was going down in Falconbarrow as the team TJUN-ia will face in MD3 (Schottia) took on the team we beat in MD1 (Space). A 3-1 victory for the side in green tells us all - the team returning from missing WC85 will certainly be a tougher opponent than Space (no offence to Space, of course).

The meeting between the Jags and the men in green will be the 4th overall and the first since CoH76. They were in our WC84 group when we were making our debut in international affairs, and our 2 games with them were spectacles. The first game was a tight 1-0 victory for Schottia, via a 73rd-minute goal by Jack Avelione, and then a 6-goal thriller in TJUN-ia City was also won by Schottia 4-2.

But the last meeting was one when dreams seemed possible. In the Wolf's Den of Busembe, Banija the Jaguars beat Schottia for the only time thus far. Joe Green in the first half, Avelione with the equaliser but then Archer Andrews, in his first tournament since the fall of Galar, scored the winner in the 79th. It would put the Jags tied-top of their group before...that game against Sarzonia. The game that forever tarnished TJUN-ia's opinion of Xannarian referees, and of Xannaria as a state. To this day, people still think that the game was rigged after we went 3-1 up.

Now, after all this time, Schottia is back to look for a 3rd win over the Jaguars. Schottia may have the experience but due to them missing WC85, TJUN-ia has the advantage in ranking - both IAC and WCC. We also have knowledge of Schottian football and their tactics, not only through our 3 games against Raven Cullen's side but though Gylfisson's and Donaldson's experiences in the SPL - for Port James Athletic and King's Park respectively. We are, apparently, "the better team". But are we? I guess that is a question David Seems will be hoping to answer at the Stade Saint-André. GO JAGS!

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SCHEDULE (Group A)
MD1: vs Space (UR-WCC/21-IAC) - Stade Saint-André, Brétolles (50,000) W 1-0 (T-1st)
MD2: BYE (3rd)
MD3: vs Schottia (108-WCC/UR-IAC) - Stade Saint-André, Brétolles (50,000)
MD4: vs Hwiccemark (UR-WCC/UR-IAC) - Revolution Park, Falconbarrow (41,000)
MD5: vs Omerica (45-WCC/10-IAC) - Revolution Park, Falconbarrow (41,000)

[Kohnhead]

A lackluster performance against Fleuronordicia as Rallyton goes down



Coming off of a 3-0 thrashing of Juvencus the team many were predicting would be our main competition for second place in the group we would play Fleuronordicia who lost to Blotropolis 1-0 in their first match. We were pretty confident heading into this match but there were a couple of key reasons why we failed to score and drew them at 0.

There were two main reasons for the draw. The first one was an early red card for new starter Audrey Henderson. In the 12th minute after missing a one on one with the keeper Henderson was a bit frustrated and took her frustration out on an opposing player. This is never a good idea and it was a straight red and with it a one game suspension for Henderson. This hurt our offense as Henderson plays the CAM role and with only 10 men the trio of Rallyton, Laker, and Cogginter had to play more defense.

Despite this we still got a good chance in the 29th minute as Rallyton got through the defense but a late tackle on him in the box prevented a goal. A completely clean tackle turned into Rallyton lying on the ground in severe pain with his IAC possibly over. When your at 10 men and your best player goes down it never looks good.



Al Torgan came on in place of Rallyton and while we like Torgan, he is nowhere near Linus' skill level and for most of the second half it was Fleuronordicia who were on the attack for most of the time but they couldn't ever get that goal. In the end it was a 0-0 draw which muddies what used to be a clear path to the round of 16.

Here is the current table. We are in first although Port Ember the heavy favorites in the group had a bye in the first set of matches.

Group F                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Kohnhead                       2   1  1  0    3   0  +3    4
2 Port Ember                     1   1  0  0    4   3  +1    3
3 Blotropolis                    2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
4 Fleuronordicia                 2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1
5 Juvencus                       1   0  0  1    0   3  −3    0

We will return to our old formation 4-1-3-2 with Horsford in for Henderson at defensive mid and Torgan in for the injured Rallyton ahead of the all important Port Ember clash. A win here and we are basically into the next round. If we lose well then we have a difficult path to the next round.

[HUElavia]

Game 3 Cold Intro

Nobody said it was going to be easy. "HUElavia's hard-fought match ends in a 1-1 draw!" We knew this from the start. While we may have struggled against Terre Septentrionale, we managed to get a valiant point. It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done.

Now, we take on a new opponent: Tequillo. A team that pundits claim that can put up an upset in our group. Well, so be it. If they want to attack us, we're more than glad to attack back.

Tonight, we look to put a commanding position in our Group. Tonight, we place faith in our players, some making their debut in the IAC. Tonight, we show once again the HUElavian might.

It's time to come together once again. It's time to pray and hope for our team to have an excellent game. With them on the pitch, and us in the stands and crowds giving support, nothing is impossible.

Game 3
HUElavia vs Tequilo

[Tequilo]

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CITY of FOOTBALL
1. The Pitxi Plan

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If you take the Tonorobos Rápido expressway out toward the suburb of Quezaldad, in the sprawling capital city of Tapalupé, Tequilo, you will eventually come upon the massive construction site of La Ciudad del Pitxi - The City of Football emerging from the mud and rubble of this once poor and crowded district. It is not much of an appealing site right now - but then Quezaldad never was much, and knocking most of it down has certainly been an improvement; but one day, a shining monument to the ambition of the Unión de Pitxi Tequilo - that’s the FA to you and me - will stand proud on this site; 2.5 square kilometres of prime football development location including the brand new national stadium. But why? And who is funding this masterplan? Who is the mastermind behind the masterplan? What will happen when the masterplan is accomplished? What about all the people living in Quezaldad’s 2.5 square kilometres of rubble - where are they now and what do they think? Speaking fo rubble, what about the rumours about… things… unearthed during the demolition phase? So many questions, so little time - in this episode (because this is an episodic piece) we spoke to Señor Lepe, El Presidente of the Unión about his vision and ambition for pitxi - football - in Tequilo.

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SEÑOR LEPE’S PITXI PLAN

“It’s quite simple really,” says Señor Lepe, “we just have to win everthing and dominate everyone.” Well, that’s easy for him to say - it was his philosophy as a player and he did find that quite simple really: in Tequilo, he won everything, beat everyone. But Lepe is talking bigger now. He is talking about The Multiverse. At club level, at international level. And especially, at player level. He wants the best of everything, he’s willing to spend to get it, and he has the backers. To some, maybe, it’s a pact with the devil, or devils: The Oroboros Cooperative, a seemingly limitless resource - the investment arm based in Taxhavn, financiers of the former rise to footballing power of Tamarindia, of Wight, of Bonesea (albeit briefly, and with… uncomfortable… endings: “don’t worry about that,” says Lepe, “we will be different”); and with Satélite Boldsport, some foreign media company with preposterously deep pockets and connections to the underworld. Well, Wight, again. Same same. But more about the complex financial deals Señor Lepe has signed off on another time - with all that cash in their pockets, what are the UPT planning - apart from world domination?

The masterplan is already visibly underway and undeniably promising: unifying the six states of Tequilo to produce a national team for the World Cup and other tournaments? Check. And with a Baptism of Fire semi-final, a top half group finish in WC qualifying, reaching the knockout rounds of their debut Cup of Harmony - initial results are promising. Next - build a commercialised national league for the country that can generate serious revenue as well as getting recognition for Tequiloan club teams on the wider stage? Check. Liga-TQ enters it’s second season already a success in the eyes of the Tequiloa, and what’s more, clubs have not generally made a complete ass of themselves in IFCF and IFF international club competitions this season. In fact, one or two have done remarkably well. Next - concentrate on the kids? Check. Liga-J provided excellent competition for the under-19s, and let’s not forget a very acceptable bronze medal finish in the Under-18 World Championship. The kids are alright. Add in a development under-21 team for the Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy (oh dear) and under-23 for the Independent Association Championships (gulp), with developmental coaching as part of the package, and you have age pathways for all the best players. Next - start bidding for international hosting duties to further the profile of the domestic game? Check. Voting? Well, let’s not get into that now, it’s mere detail…

All you need now is a unified coaching philosophy taught at a bespoke centre to further advance the quality of football in Tequilo, a place to play and learn, and a national stadium to be proud of. And that is where the City of Football in Quezaldad suburb, Tapalupé comes in. Forty pitches; two junior stadiums; the 100,000-seater national stadium; full training facilities; hotels and admin centres; a host of innovations to assist in the innovation of the game and the grand plan to rule the world. Today it may be a very large hole in the ground. Tomorrow it’s the future… said Señor Lepe at the end of our interview. But who is paying for all this? And what was here before Pitxi? Should we care? Read up next time to find out.

TAPALUPÉ, Tequilo - So much football, so little time… don’t worry, when you don’t have time for the big read (and we don’t have time for the big write) let the GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL-a!!! Daily take the strain - all your analysis, in numbers, with our unique and exclusive* Copametro…

SKITTLES BOWLED OVER
Tequilo 2-1 Hsowa HT: 0-0

Location: Seafoam Athletic Park, Saint Anne, Seafoam Islands
Attendance: 47 locals, the Tequiloan Ultra-Mariachis (8+dog) & 12 skittles with balls

Scorers: Ito 69’ Milan Lucio 79’ | Bird-9 48’
Booked: Xaime Medal, Ecuador, Martín Colon | Birds 3, 4, 6 & 7 (two yellows, sent-off)

Tequilo Player Ratings: Mecatl-Rubio [6.5] Bertendona [7.3] Tavia [8.5] (sub. Gallo [8.9]) Chicote [6.3] Caira [6.2] Vergara [5.6] Medal [6.2] Lucio [6.8] Ito [6.7] Ecuador [8.8] Colon [6.9]
Player of the Match: Ecuador (Tequilo)

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Starting Line-Up for TEQUILO vs. Opponent:
Nícer Fiallo | Ostando Bertendona, Ephraïm Kanyinda, Tol Chicote, Camilo Caira | Tomás Alemán | Xaime Medal (Capitan), Milan Lucio, Martín Colon | Firmino Vale & Ecuador

VENUE: Stadium of the Occident, Westhaven, Republic of West Calaverde

* Kep’s Gangsta Copy & Pasta Shop notwithstanding

[Trolleborg]

Greetings, compatriots! It’s TTV from Omerica.
Today our team enters the field for the second time at this tournament. Let's hope that players spent their free day not just by grinding her teeth and depressing how bad the game of our team looked on the field, but for a more productive activities. For this game, our fans will not have to travel far, it will take place at the same field where we lost miserably to Lusitania. Only then do we leave Saint-Cristophe and move to play the other two games in another city. The responsibility on the team is very big: in fact, in case of defeat, you haven’t, really, any reason to make this travel. Although the country's sports leadership has not yet announced its conditions for the preservation of the team in the future, it’s clear that such result will have a very negative responses.

The opponent of our lads today will be team of Nacrad, a country that recently hit all the news programs in Trolleborg with its bold but very strange offer to buy our flag airline. Actually, not so long ago, the representatives of the country made a shopping spray attempt, making public offers to buy a number of large businesses from around the world, and it remains a mystery what all this means. The national team of Nacrad is a mystery also in our group at the tournament, and again, like Lusitania, well disguised itself. We can only draw some conclusions about the style of play and the formation only on the basis of what we see on the field.

And results are quite decent for a national team that is starting their way in world football: an unexpected victory over Sharktail, and three times the players hit the bars, and, as we had a chance to notice from the reports, team managed to impose her game on the “Blue predators” team, one which was far from timid. Then Nacrad receive a defeat from the favorite, New Lusitania, with a score of 1:3 - it should be noted, one goal less than we conceded.

All in all, it’s important junction for our team and our sports at large.

[Sajnur]

Another youth tournament, another group stage exit: Sajnur at DBC48

Sajnur 4-4 Baker Park

Sajnur

Lineup
GK: Kursiev
CB: Baziru
CB: Belkolle [Niuca 84']
CB: Pracia
CDM: Kolarov
RM: Jorse (c)
CM: Matlaba
CM: Moranici [Mollish 66']
LM: Toro [Kalu 75']
ST: Makazole
ST: Turei

Goals
Jorse: 39', 60' (Matlaba), 88' (Makazole)
Turei: 84' (Jorse)

Baker Park

Lineup
GK: McCormick (c)
CB: Allen
CB: Walker
CB: Jorgensen
RM: Logan [Slater 62']
CM: Boyle [Wiley 66']
CM: Shanahan
LM: Ryan
CAM: McFairlane
ST: Baum
ST: Mack

Goals
Baum: 15' (p), 40' (McFairlane)
Mack: 27' (Ryan), 55' (Logan)

Sajnur 2-5 Kita-Hinode

Sajnur

Lineup
GK: Anzoroi
RB: Jorse (c)
CB: Pracia
CB: Belkolle
LB: Toro [Mollish HT]
CDM: Kolarov
CM: Matlaba [Sivivatu 80']
CM: Moranici
RW: Makazole
ST: Turei
LW: Niuca [Valera 80']

Goals
Turei: 30' (Niuca), 71' (Jorse)

Sajnur 1-0 Sylestone

Sajnur

Lineup
GK: Kursiev
RB: Jorse (c)
CB: Pracia
CB: Baziru
LB: Kalu [Toro 70']
CDM: Moranici
CM: Matlaba
CM: Sivivatu
RW: Makazole [Shamrani 79']
ST: Turei [Niuca 63']
LW: Valera

Goals
Jorse: 45' (Valera)

Sylestone

Lineup
GK: Barrett
RWB: Stevenson
CB: Finnigan [Middleton 67']
CB: White
CB: Damasekara
LWB: Lang
CM: Smith [Fleetwood 79']
CM: Jones (c)
CM: Lawson
ST: Umbridge
ST: Keyes

Sajnur 0-2 Huelavia

Sajnur

Lineup
GK: Anzoroi
CB: Kirikesi
CB: Belkolle [79']
CB: Pracia (c)
RM: Baziru
CM: Matlaba
CM: Kolarov
LM: Moranici [Toro 77']
CAM: Mollish [Sivivatu 84']
ST: Makazole [Valera 64']
ST: Turei

Huelavia

Lineup
GK: Rossi
RB: Fernandes
CB: Fernandez
CB: Mendieta
LB: Leite
CM: Furtado [Shi 64']
CM: Colombres
CM: Beaudin
RW: Villca [Belleza 81']
ST: Hamada
LW: Rocha

Goals
Hamada: 37' (Beaudin)
Beaudin: 80' (p)

Sajnur 0-3 Sarzonia

Sajnur

Lineup
GK: Kursiev
RB: Jorse [61']
CB: Baziru
CB: Pracia
LB: Toro
CDM: Kolarov [Taider 61']
CM: Matlaba
CM: Moranici
RW: Makazole [Valera 74']
ST: Turei
LW: Niuca [Kirikesi 61']

Sarzonia

Lineup
GK: Baker
CB: C Taylor
CB: McKinley
CB: J Taylor
CDM: Ross
CDM: Kemp
RM: Campbell [Benignati 61']
LM: Rhys
CAM: Hadley
ST: Calderon [Raiden 78']
ST: West

Goals
West: 20' (Calderon), 61' (p)
Rhys: 50' (Calderon')

[Omerica]

|omerica| |politics| |region| |world| |sport| |culture| |science| |lifestyle| |video|

---

Central Omerican premiers commemorate Avon Flood victims as Omerica hosts IAX
Nearly a decade on, Grand Avon and the Provence are seizing IAX as an opportunity to celebrate Omerica’s recovery and remember those who were lost

Historic rainstorms in Grand Avon and the Provence caused devastating flooding during Omerica’s run to the IAC-6 Grand Final.

Port-des-Saints — Omerica’s unlikely run to the Grand Final of IAC 6 is not remembered in the United Republics as fondly as one may expect. The penalty shootout that handed Drawkland the title—the first and (to date) only in a Grand Final—has instead largely been overshadowed in central and southern Omerica by the dramatic flooding that took place back home during the quarterfinal.

The republics affected by the flooding eight years ago.

Rainstorms from the north battered Omerica over the course of several days, with only the Lallands given respite from the weather. Up to 900 millimetres were recorded at weather stations in Strathavon and the River Avon—Omerica’s longest and most important river—crested on the Strathavon-Westavon boundary at about 10 metres, 1.7 metres above the previous record.

The first sign of disaster was a dam near Pharoah’s Falls in Enford County, Strathavon breaching under the strain of the water. Breaches upriver in four more dams across Terreneuf and South Provence, plus the topography of Grand Avon and the Provence, spread the flooding across seven republics.

Advance warning from the Federal Flood Alert System meant that most people were able to evacuate before flooding hit their homes, while federal, republican and local authorities’ cooperation enabled the rescue of the fifty-seven people who went missing in the disaster—thirty-nine of whom were found alive. In the aftermath of the flooding, the United Republican Soccer Federation auctioned off memorabilia of the nation’s ultimate run to the Grand Final to raise money for rebuilding efforts and pledged half of Omerica’s prize money to relief efforts.

Fast forward eight years, and four of the republics hit by the flooding—Port-des-Saints, Strathavon, Westavon and South Provence—are hosting matches at the IAC. The two Group A venues—Falconbarrow’s Revolution Park and Brétolles’s Stade Saint-André—were almost totally underwater during the worst of the flooding, while RS Amphitheatre in Port-des-Saints and the Stade Olympique in Syracuse suffered significant damage.

“It would have been a miracle for us to host even a single game if we’d won a bid for IAC 7 or 8,” Port-des-Saints Governing Mayor Caitlyn Lindsay told SFRD. “We’re still not totally through the rebuilding process, but we’ve bounced back tremendously to be able to be part of the first major tournament in Omerica. It makes it all the more meaningful to be putting on a special tournament to the world.”

“Falconbarrow was in a dark place during the floods,” Strathavon Premier Lana Passerini said in a press conference on Revolution Way—the street that leads up to Revolution Park—when Omerica was announced as the IAC hosts. “It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Strathavonian and Omerican people that we can stage the opening game here in the Birthplace of the Republic. The people of Falconbarrow prove time and time again that this is a city which can overcome anything.”

In addition to the expected nods to the Siege of Falconbarrow—the event which served as the catalyst for the second of Omerica’s Revolutionary Wars—and the eight IAC title-winning nations, the IAC opening ceremony included nods to the floods that had devastated the host city. “We knew the tenth IAC would be special and we knew we had to honour its history,” artistic director Séan McClellan told SFRD in an interview after the ceremony. “And to us here in Omerica, the floods are intimately connected to that history. We couldn’t pass over that.”

For Omerica’s upcoming off day, the premiers of the seven republics affected by the flooding, as well as Prime Minister Julie Thibault, URSF President Casimir Paquet and Omerica manager George Kostas, will gather in Falconbarrow for a tribute to the floods. “We had a lot to mourn and have a lot to celebrate,” Westavon Premier Marisa Gauthier stated on twii.tur. “We are dedicating this IAC to those who couldn’t be here today to see. All of them can and would be proud of what we achieved in these last eight years.”

But more pressingly, history has come repeating itself. The day of Sylestone’s first-ever IAC match, an intense tropical cyclone hit the coastal town of Marbury, with severe winds experienced in multiple inland cities. In response to the news of the disaster, the United Republican Soccer Federation pledged its share of the gate receipts for Sylestone’s game against Drawkland to aid in relief efforts.

“This is the least we could do,” URSF General Secretary Natalie van Rompaey said in a press conference announcing the decision. “We know the pain of the Sylestone people all too well. Our donation is, in no small part, a tribute to the memory of the Avon flood victims.”

Omerica take an off day before returning to IAC action in Brétolles against Space, all on SFRD1. ⚜️

---

For your reading pleasure
▶ Hwiccemark 0-2 Omerica: The IAC hosts comfortably take an earthquake-delayed match in Brétolles
▶ Three HSOWA supporters arrested in Saint Anne for violating the republic’s stadium alcohol ban
▶ Newmanistan and Drawkland win the right to host the 86th World Cup Finals over three other bids
▶ Saltsteadish Prime Minister Alexander van den Hågen set to visit Omerica to sign a “friendship treaty”

[Omerica]

Someone would probably track me down and give me a stern talking to if I didn’t cut off with this song at some point

---

MATCHDAY THREE CUTOFF

---

The Results

Teams in red have secured advancement to the knockout stage.
Teams in grey have been eliminated from the Championship.

Group A
Space 2–2 Hwiccemark @ Revolution Park, Falconbarrow, Strathavon
TJUN-ia 1–2 Schottia @ Stade Saint-André, Brétolles, Westavon

Group A                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Omerica                        2   2  0  0    3   0  +3    6
2 Schottia                       3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 TJUN-ia                        2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Hwiccemark                     2   0  1  1    2   4  −2    1
5 Space                          3   0  1  2    3   6  −3    1

Tiebreakers: Omerica ahead of Schottia on head-to-head points (OME 3, SCT 0); Hwiccemark ahead of Space on goal difference.

Group B
HUElavia 0–1 Tequilo @ Stadium of the Occident, Westhaven, West Calaverde
Natanya 3–4 Terre Septentrionale @ Seafoam Athletic Park, Saint Anne, Seafoam Islands

Group B                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Terre Septentrionale           3   2  1  0    6   4  +2    7
2 Tequilo                        2   2  0  0    3   1  +2    6
3 HUElavia                       3   1  1  1    6   2  +4    4
4 Hot Skitty on Wailord Action   2   0  0  2    1   3  −2    0
5 Natanya                        2   0  0  2    3   9  −6    0

Tiebreaker: Hot Skitty on Wailord Action ahead of Natanya on goal difference.

Group C
New Lusitania 3–0 Havynwilde @ Stade Just-Cartier, Charlescourt, Charlescourt
Trolleborg 2–0 Nacrad @ Stade de l’Indépendance, Saint-Christophe, East Calaverde

Group C                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 New Lusitania                  3   3  0  0   10   2  +8    9
2 Trolleborg                     2   1  0  1    3   4  −1    3
3 Nacrad                         3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3
4 Sharktail                      2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
5 Havynwilde                     2   0  1  1    1   4  −3    1

Tiebreaker: Trolleborg ahead of Nacrad on head-to-head points (TRO 3, NAC 0); Sharktail ahead of Havynwilde on goal difference.

Group D
Drawkland 3–0 Gekkeom @ Stade Rue de la Victoire, Éternare, Alleos
Darkmania 0–1 Sylestone @ Arena la Rouge, Port Alexandre, Mespalia

Group D                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Drawkland                      3   2  1  0    8   4  +4    7
2 Sylestone                      3   2  1  0    6   4  +2    7
3 Silver Beach                   2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Darkmania                      2   0  0  2    1   3  −2    0
5 Gekkeom                        2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Tiebreakers: Drawkland ahead of Sylestone on goal difference; Darkmania ahead of Gekkeom on goal difference.

Group E
Poafmersia 0–0 Sajnur @ Stade International, Bayonnette, New Vaucluse
Abanhfleft 2–2 Kayangan @ Stade Olympique, Syracuse, South Provence

Group E                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Poafmersia                     3   2  1  0    6   1  +5    7
2 Squidroidia                    2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Sajnur                         2   0  2  0    1   1   0    2
4 Abanhfleft                     2   0  1  1    3   6  −3    1
5 Kayangan                       3   0  1  2    2   5  −3    1

Tiebreaker: Abanhfleft ahead of Kayangan on goals for.

Group F
Kohnhead 3–2 Port Ember @ Stadium of Great Arden, Lisbon, Great Arden
Juvencus 2–3 Fleuronordicia @ Londonderry Court, Londonderry, Coleraine

Group F                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Kohnhead                       3   2  1  0    6   2  +4    7
2 Fleuronordicia                 3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
3 Port Ember                     2   1  0  1    6   6   0    3
4 Blotropolis                    2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
5 Juvencus                       2   0  0  2    2   6  −4    0

Tiebreaker: Port Ember ahead of Blotropolis on head-to-head points (PEM 3, BLO 0).

Group G
Woryand 1–0 Squornshelan Remnant States @ Trailblazer Park, Sassari, Braganza
The Calculator 0–2 Kriegiersien @ Stade de la République, Romainbourg, Romainbourg

Group G                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Woryand                        3   2  1  0    2   0  +2    7
2 Kriegiersien                   3   1  1  1    2   1  +1    4
3 Squornshelan Remnant States    2   1  0  1    4   1  +3    3
4 Devonta                        2   1  0  1    1   4  −3    3
5 The Calculator                 2   0  0  2    0   3  −3    0

Tiebreaker: Squornshelan Remnant States ahead of Devonta on head-to-head points (SRS 3, USD 0).

Group H
Indusse 0–0 Megistos @ Azure Stadium, Nassau, Free State
Reçueçn 0–0 Fujai @ RS Amphitheatre, Port-des-Saints, Port-des-Saints

Group H                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Reçueçn                        2   1  1  0    6   1  +5    4
2 Indusse                        3   1  1  1    3   7  −4    4
3 Megistos                       2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
4 Fujai                          3   1  1  1    2   2   0    4
5 Hopal                          2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0

Tiebreakers: Reçueçn and Indusse ahead of Megistos and Fujai on head-to-head points (RCN 4, INS 4, MEG 1, FJA 1); Reçueçn ahead of Indusse on head-to-head points (RCN 3, INS 0); Megistos ahead of Fujai on goal difference.

---

EDIT: Correcting Group E tiebreaker; Hwiccemark are not eliminated (five points back with two games to play).

[Drawkland]

Richard Swiss: Sulsu Wrangler
Season 1, Episode 2
"First Contact"

[The camera fades in, showing a peaceful tropical sea with a jungle-filled island in the background. The camera bobs up and down slightly, as if on a boat. The shot stays there for a few seconds, before a man in a safari outfit and a wide-brimmed hat enters the shot and sits down on the left.]

"Hello, my name is Richard Swiss. You may not know me right now, but I'm just a simple traveller. I've conquered seas, forests, deserts, mountains, and tundras all over our beautiful planet Sonnel. There's one place I haven't yet mastered, though ... the stunning and chaotic Sulsuland. I'm Richard Swiss, and I'm going to become the first Sulsu Wrangler."

[The camera slowly pans to the right until Swiss is out of the frame and more of the island is seen. The logo appears on screen as the theme music fades in: an aggressive blues riff on an acoustic guitar backed with hand drums and other tribal timbres. The background becomes a sequence of clips and images of the island and some Sulsus.]

[The camera fades in, focused on the surface of bright blue ocean water. After a few moments, Richard Swiss breaks from the surface in swimming attire and a spearfishing gun. He's holding a single medium-sized fish in his hand.]

"Finally! Welcome everyone to my show ... I am Richard Swiss, and I've just caught a fish with my own hands! Sort of. Unlike the sulsus that live here naturally, I'm not skilled enough to catch fish with my bare hands, so I had to use this nifty contraption to help me out. Hopefully over the coming weeks I'll be able to dive and snatch like the rest of them."

[The camera starts zooming out to show the island behind Swiss, a beach bordered by a thick jungle.]

"Today I'm going to attempt to make contact with a sulsu. The original Sulsu is probably somewhere in these islands, but it's impossible to tell them all apart, so I'll settle for any of them. It's possible that I could succumb to Sulsuitis on first contact, which would be unfortunate, but I suppose if you're watching this on cable TV and not LiveLeak, then I at least last long enough to tape a season's worth of content. Exciting times!"

[The shot fades to Swiss in his more usual safari-like outfit and hat standing in a flat grassy area on the boundary of the jungle and beach. As he talks, he lays a large map on the ground, which the camera zooms in on.]

"This is where me and the crew have decided to make camp. This is the middle of the seven main islands that comprise this archipelago. We picked this island since it's not too large, and it's in the middle of all the major isles so we won't have to make such long trips when exploring the others. Of course, there's dozens of tiny islands spattered about, but most of them are unremarkable. The three to the northwest of us are mostly desert islands, with minimal trees and rather rocky. The three to our southeast are mostly filled with impenetrable and unmapped jungles, which are nearly impossible to navigate. This island in the middle is the sweet spot, where the jungle isn't too difficult to deal with and there's still nice sandy spots all about."

[Swiss is now standing on the beach. As he speaks, he slowly strides along the sand and occasionally gestures to the jungle offscreen and the ocean behind him.]

"Of course, for the simple sulsu, the only concern they have for where they settle is the availability of fish. If you haven't caught on yet, Sulsu's only apparent desire in life is to obtain and consume fish. Any other motivations are fleeting at best and nonexistent at worst; the research is incomplete in any case. As I mentioned before, we will likely take short visits to other islands nearby to try and discern if there's any difference or pattern in the type of sulsus who settle on certain islands. I suspect, based on what research I've found, we will find no conclusive findings, but it's always nice to try and see what happens."

[Suddenly, the camera turns to face down the length of the beach. A lone figure is sitting on the beach, sitting in the sand. It looks like a sulsu. Murmurs of the crew can slightly be heard from off-camera.]

"Oh, I believe that's one right there! How exciting ... I think we'll try to get a closer look, yeah? As I said earlier, there's the risk of Sulsuitis, but from what I can tell, there's no precautionary measures to be taken. You either get it, or you don't. We'll just have to cross our fingers. Ready fellas?

[Swiss and the camera slowly approach the sulsu, who's still sitting in the sand. It appears to be messing with a large mound of fish that's piled on the sand. Swiss begins speaking in more of a hushed tone as they get closer.]

"My idea for communicating with Sulsus is to remain as casual as possible. If you act differently to a sulsu than you would to any regular person, then he'll notice you're acting strange and his behavior will become more erratic and chaotic. My theory is that if you go into an experience with a sulsu expecting a certain result, you're not going to achieve that result, because Sulsu does as he pleases. I'm thinking that if you come in with a more open mind, and more willing to roll with the punches, you'll have a much better experience. I think I'm going to give this a shot."

[The camera focuses on the Sulsu for a moment, who seems occupied with his pile of fish. Swiss tentatively sits cross-legged on the sand, a few feet away from the Sulsu's pile.]

"Hello there, sulsu! How are you doing this fine day?"

"huH? oH hI, SulSu FounD sOme FisH"

"That's a lot of fish! I have an extra right now actually, would you like it?"

"OH woW! ThaNk yoU friEnd!"

[Swiss extends his hand, which contains a single fish. The Sulsu arm moves almost too quick for the camera to catch, and the fish is gone from Swiss's hand. Sulsu instantly eats the fish.]

"My name is Richard Swiss, I just sailed in a few days ago."

[The Sulsu seems to ignore Swiss, content to focus on his somehow growing pile of fish.]

"I think I'll just sit here and relax a bit."

[The camera pans between Swiss and Sulsu. Eventually it pans back to Swiss, who pulls out another fish and begins talking.]

"That's the thing with a Sulsu. You can't count on them to act any which way. This is where I think past scientists and researchers have failed. Like I said earlier, there's no rhyme or reason to them. I don't think there is a real way to discover objective behavior of a Sulsu, if there is any. I can only hope that I can discover some interesting tidbits for everyone to see. Now I think it's time to-"

[Suddenly, the sulsu violently tackles Swiss from offscreen. The camera crew starts audibly panicking, and the camera itself starts shaking. Swiss drops the fish he was holding and attempts to stand up. The sulsu gets distracted and temporarily leaves Swiss be, who quickly stands straight up and extends his arms out.]

"Quick! Stand in this position! I think I was too careless flaunting the fish I had in my hand, and it caused this sulsu to lunge for it. Look now, he's just grabbing the fish. He'll probably come back and check if I have any more fish on me. Do this same position and he'll leave you alone once he realizes you don't have anymore ... I hope.

[The sulsu spends another few seconds checking the rest of the crew. The camera pans to follow the sulsu's progress. When the sulsu reaches the camera, his mask covers the entire shot until he leaves.]

"This is the dangerous side of interacting with the sulsus. This is why you can't let your guard all the way down. This isn't something anybody can do ... this is why I'm here filming it for you so you don't have to put your own safety on the line to see these wonderful, strange creatures. If they're even creatures at all! I think that's a close enough call for this episode. Thanks for tuning in to my show, and I hope you'll be back again. I'm Richard Swiss, Sulsu Wrangler. Goodnight!"

[The shot fades to black and an extended version of the theme music plays as the credits roll.]

[Woryand]

(OOC: Wōrēand is an alternative spelling for Woryand. It is most common in the Estrellan and East Maklovan provinces, the latter of which ANE is located in.)
The ANE Gazette

Wōrēand has further cemented its power in the footballing world with a 1-0 victory over Squornshelan Remnant States yesterday night, the nation that came into this tournament as the #1 seed in its group and heavy favourites according to outsiders.

A beautiful strike from outside the box was scored 8 minutes into the game by Malyōr, who put the ball away in the top-left corner for his second goal in three games this tournament. Malyōr stunning performances are not going to go unnoticed domestically, and it is rumoured that he will have his choice of clubs to join once his contract expires at the end of the next season. However, his stunner did not make him immune to other adverse effects, as he was injured following a horror tackle by Ystrad in the 63rd minute (which Ystrad was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for); it is hoped that he will be back in time for the next match, although the head coach concedes that such an outcome is unlikely.

Following the early goal, Wōrēand played on the defensive, allowing Squornshelan Remnant States over two dozen shots and 65 percent of the possession without conceding a single goal. Squornshelan Remnant States appeared to have equalized in the 82nd minute, with a through ball from Takala to Ajao, but that pass was later ruled to be offside.

This win keeps Wōrēand on top of their group with a healthy three-point margin over second place and a four-point margin over third place. It is now looking extremely likely that Wōrēand will qualify to the knockout stages, to the excitement of fans throughout the nation and dismay to the international pundits who continually underrated the national team.

[Sylestone]

Sylestone gets important victory to have a 99% chance of progression
The Appliances have recorded yet another win against a high-ranked side to move into second place on the Group H table of the IAC. A 1-0 win against second pot side Darkmania has assured this and has nearly secured their spot in the Round of 16. With Darkmania and Gekkeom out with 2 losses each from 2 games, only Silver Beach, four points behind Drawkland and Sylestone on seven points apiece. If Silver Beach lose their next game to Drawkland, which is highly likely, Sylestone and Drawkland will be assured of their progression. Considering Sylestone also managed to get a draw against Drawkland and both sides have played three games if Sylestone can get a huge win against Gekkeom then perhaps they might be able to clinch the first spot. A huge result for a pot four side.

Darkmania’s stocky defence proved good and the Sylestonean forwards couldn’t bring out any really good offensives until the 24th minute, where a Bar Stool header from a corner flew straight into the post and rebounded to a Darkmanian midfielder. This led to a shot at goal that the Brick Wall managed to stop in the 25th minute. Sylestone remained in possession for the next few minutes and a through pass by the Sofa to the Mixer led to a penalty when a Darkmanian defender minorly fouled the Tumble Dryer on the edge of the penalty box. The replays showed that the player and ball was just inside the box. The shot from the penalty rebounded off the post and went in and Sylestone were 1-0 up in the 32nd minute. Possession was passed back and forth with no shots for the remainder of the first half.
At the beginning of the second half, Darkmania got a corner but a diving defensive header from the Bar Stool kept the ball out of the goal to keep the precious 1-0 lead. Nothing else really happened until the 75th minute when the Fridge nearly scored a goal but only a brilliant save stopped the lead going to 2-0. The Darkmanian attacks began to get more and more desperate and when a last gasp shot from a Darkmanian forward went 5 metres over the crossbar. 1-0 it stayed and Sylestone seemed primed for the knockout stages.

The Category Five cyclone that hit Marbury earlier this week has stopped and the cleanup operation is underway. With 600 deaths, nearly 1% of the population was killed and 3000 were injured. 10,000 doctors have been employed from Betham and Dodle to help them. Over half the houses and buildings were destroyed, too. We hope that everyone will be alright.


SYLESTONE - 1
Fridge 32’ (P)

DARKMANIA - 0

[Indusse]

IFA NEWS NETWORK

"indusse 0-0 megitos" its another unlucky day for the team. The team plays well at the IAFA cup but not in IAF.
What happened in the IAFA? The long wait is over!!! The team has qualified into the IAFF World Cup!!! "We didn't qualify like that! Even if we are third in group, our captain scored the most goals in the group!!! 6 goals!!!! He's second behind the kavagradian striker." says Mathias Paulson former Player and the current Asst.Coach. "The coach has taken many decisions, many players are been kicked out of the camp and he's bringing someone new to the camp just like he bought Teen Star Djetson! This time it's a defender a Pakka Defender!" shouts Paulson with joy.

Later at the evening, The coach and the Mastermind Mr. Joseph Moteudi released the new lineup and there were 2 new players. 1 in the main lineup and other as a emergency substitute. The captain's brother Buvan Kumar was made the emergency substitute for striker and Midfielder and the new Pakka Defender got into the Lineup.Coach Joseph Moteudi of Indusse hurled encouragement to his players. The Game was an interesting one, full of penalties and more.The team is been rewamped again and again under the coach Joseph Moteudi. Let us see if they qualify Who is that defender? stay tuned to the news and the upcoming squad for the world cup.


Indusse 0-0 Megistos

yellow cards: Bechun Butea 76'

[Schottia]

The Very Best

Part Four

Fuckin' Shitty Weather

Ferguson felt like sleep was never going to find him as he lay, huddled up, staring at a ceiling which wasn’t the one in the cell he had occupied for the past four years. Alone in the darkness, paranoia had gotten the better of him, and every creak or groan from the aging building had put him on edge. He must have dosed off at some point though, because when he opened his eyes, it was to the sound of morning traffic on the road outside.

After shaking off some stiffness, he smoked a cigarette on the ledge before bidding the Murkrow farewell as he headed out into the December morning. The snow had stopped, but its slushy remnants made the pavements treacherous to negotiate. Still in his black leather shoes from the court appearance, Ferguson almost lost his footing twice, as he gingerly made his way down the road. Not much had changed in past four years, a couple of the smaller shops seemed to have gone out of business in the downturn, but other than that it was the same Port Patrick.

He took his breakfast in a greasy spoon, occupying the only table in what was really more of a take-away. He washed down two ketchup laden bacon rolls with a mug of milky tea. He used to come in almost everyday before his incarceration, and had been on good terms with the wee man that owned the place. The man was a Port Patrick Milotics FC fan, and the two of them had normally chattered away about the football. Whether he still recognised Ferguson or not, he never let on. The stigma that came from spending time behind bars was something the former Gym Leader would need to adjust to.

With something warm in him belly, Ferguson walked down to the corner shop and bought a packet of cigarettes, a bottle of fizzy-juice, and new pay-as-you-go sim card for his mobile. Stocked up on supplies, he hailed a taxi outside the bus station, and was stood waiting outside the Pokémon Centre when it opened at eight.

‘Morning, Gail.’ He said to the woman behind the desk, whose jaw fell open in response. Ferguson acted casually, as he walked over to display rack, and began flicking through one of the magazines.

‘What are you doing here!’ The woman, Gail, asked after what felt like an entire minute.

‘That’s some greeting!’ Ferguson exhaled a laugh, as he placed the copy of The Schottic Trainer down on the counter, and removed the bank bag that was currently acting as his wallet. ‘How much are you wanting for this..?’

‘You…’ Gail was lost for words. ‘…When did you get out of prison..?’ She stared at him with a mixture of curiosity and disgust, but made no attempt to process his purchase.

‘They do let people out, you know…’ Giving up on waiting, he checked the price on the front cover, and began counting out the correct change.

‘I can’t believe the brass neck…’ She ignored the money laid out in front of her. ‘To show your face around here, after all you did..!’

‘Look, Gail, are you going to accept my money or not..?

She gave it some careful consideration, before sweeping it up and dumping it inside the till, as if it were contaminated.

‘Thank you.’ Ferguson scowled, rolling up his magazine and stuffing it awkwardly into his breast pocket before heading over to the PC in the corner.

Luckily he still remembered his trainer login. While he waited for his transfers to load up, he went to the coffee machine in the corner and purchased two double espressos, catching them in the same cup.

”You won’t believe who has just walked in…”

Gail was on the phone; her hushed voice nowhere near hushed enough.

”Ferguson… Yup… John… Mhm… Bold as brass…”

He caught the last few drips of black caffeinated beverage in his cup and walked back to the computer to see what progress had been made. The coffee was strong and grainy, leaving his mouth bitter and dry. After adding a few drops of the long-life milk that sat atop the vending machine (not before giving it a sniff), he sat back down at the screen, grateful that his back was to the counter.

”Mhm… Aye… Well, they must have let him… What..? Well, I don’t want to be the one who tells Janet… ”

Ferguson gritted his teeth and shook his head, realising quickly that he was meant to overhear all of this. He was fucked if he were going to feel uncomfortable. He placed his plastic supermarket carrier-bag on table, with a loud clonk, as the pokeballs made contact. After transferring in six Pokémon, he signed out, but stayed seated for a minute, intending to take advantage of the warmth, while he charged up on coffee.

”Is that John Ferguson..? There, at the PC..?”

Another voice. This time, a young voice.

”Who’s John Ferguson..?”

“Who is John Ferguson..? Really..? Call yourself a trainer..?”

“Just tell me..!”

“Oh my God… He’s, like, Schottia’s only Regional Champion – maybe, like, the greatest Champion ever…”

“Oh yeah, now I remember..!”

Ferguson had places to go and people to see. Pulling himself back to his feet, he threw the empty beaker into the bin in the corner. Then, plastic bag in hand, made his way towards the exit.

”Crap, he’s coming this way…”

The two young trainers, a boy and girl, pretended to look busy with the contents of their backpacks. They had a fresh, shinny enthusiasm about them. It was one Ferguson had seen a hundred times in the countless procession of young trainers who had passed through the doors of his Gym. They were probably hot from Professor Burn’s lab, starter Pokémon in their bags, tingling with nervous anticipation for their next encounter.

Ferguson gave Gail a wink and a smile on his way out, drawing yet another involuntary scowl, as she tried to look as if she hadn’t noticed.

”I heard that he lost his mind… Like, went totally mental...”

Back out in the street it was snowing again. Ferguson looked down at his suit jacket and shoes, quickly realising how inadequately dressed he was. ‘Fucksake.’ He snarled, pulling his phone from his pocket, and keying in a number as he headed to the bus stop across the road. ‘Fucking shitty weather!’


Port Patrick Street Gym

‘You seem like you’ve made a promising start…’ Lewis said, hands on hips, as she surveyed the progress made. The powersuit was gone, replaced with what was clearly her best attempt at casual. ‘Have these two been pulling their weight?’

Her two interns looked to Ferguson imploringly, desperate for positive feedback. ‘I suppose…’ He answered, winking for Lewis’ benefit. ‘If the law career doesn’t work out, dare say we’ll make decent cleaners out of them.’ Ferguson was stood holding a bin bag, heavy with detritus. He was still in the same white shirt, but it was untucked at the waist, and his sleeves were rolled up above the elbows.

‘I’ve made a couple of phone calls, and you’re electric and water should be reconnected Monday morning first thing.’ She said positively. ‘I’ve also called a glazer, who’s coming round to give you a quote for the windows later this afternoon.’

‘Cheers.’ Ferguson answered, genuinely impressed with her proactivity.

‘I’m just popping down to the yard to pick up some plaster board John.’ A young man who looked to be in his late twenties, tool belt round his waist, emerged from the side rooms at the back. ‘I’ve rehung most of the doors, but some of them will need replaced completely.’ He was closely followed by a Drilbur and Timburr, who looked as if they’d been getting their hands dirty.

‘Cheers, Tony.’ Ferguson acknowledged.

The joiner stopped dead, as he came face to face with Lewis. ‘Eh… hello.’ He blinked himself out of his stupor. ‘Anthony Wallace.”

‘Anna Lewis.’ She smiled, doing her best not to roll her eyes as she accepted his offer of a handshake.

‘Tony, this is the lawyer I was telling you about.’ Ferguson offered, before turning to Lewis. ‘Tony was one of the best kids we ever had at the Gym, but the silly bastard gave it all up to hammer in nails for a living.’

‘John’s exaggerating.’ Wallace said, in an attempt at modesty. ‘I’m much better suited hammering in nails. I hear you saved his skin last night.’

It was Lewis’ turn to blush. ‘There were a couple of arseholes chancing their luck…’ She didn’t want to do this in front of the interns, who had taken a keen interest in the conversation. ‘Anyway, Tony, you were going to pick up some...?’

‘Plasterboard.’ He clicked his fingers. ‘Thank you for reminding me.’ Then to Ferguson. ‘I’ll be back in an hour John.’

‘Take yer time, pal, and thanks again.’

‘Nae bother John, any time.’

‘He’s single.’ Ferguson said causally, putting the rubbish bag down so he could get a cigarette lit.

‘And that information is important to me because..?’ Lewis reddened a little, embarrassed to have been caught watching the joiner leave. Then, turning back to one of her interns: ‘Take that bag out to the bins! Make yourself useful.’

Ferguson exhaled a laugh, turning and heading through the back. ‘Come on, I’ll show you what we’ve done.’

Walking through to the back rooms on the first floor, it was clear that some progress had been made. Much of the rubbish left behind by the squatters had been removed, and indeed, the doors through to the kitchen and offices had been repaired. The steps up to the second floor had also been swept out, and a mop stood beside a bucked of water and disinfectant.

‘You’ve definitely made a start.’ Lewis said, pursing her lips.

‘Aye.’ Ferguson continued through to the kitchen, which was also slowly taking shape. ‘That pair of lackeys you sent have actually been working hard. Seriously, their skillsets are wasted on a law career.’

‘What’s this?’ Lewis frowned, as a copy of The Schottic Trainer was pushed into her hands, the spine bent open at the ads.

‘Read it.’ Ferguson prompted, leaning back against the kitchen worktop and folding his arms. ‘The yin I’ve circled.’

Lewis took a second to locate the advert. ‘The Lammerton Brewery Championships..?’

‘I think it’s a good one for you to cut your teeth on.’ Ferguson stubbed his cigarette out inside an empty paper coffee cup.

‘It’s next weekend…’

‘Look, if the pace is too much– ’

‘No.’ She replied defiantly. ‘No. Let’s do it.’

‘It’s a smaller tournament, but it’ll give me a chance to see you in a proper fight.’ Ferguson refused the offer of the magazine back. ‘Three Pokémon per battle, so we can work on your exact line-up, what you’re kicking off with, and where best to switch. How to read your opponents line-up.’ He removed his cigarette packet from the breast pocket of his shirt and considered sparking up, before remembering he’d only just put one out. ‘We can also work out where the gaps in your collection are.’

‘Good.’ Lewis replied with a short, sharp steeliness.

‘Right.’ Ferguson nodded, replying in the same tone.

Lewis folded the magazine and placed it under her arm. She was clearly excited, but was looking for a way to respond that preserved a modicum of composure. ‘It’s a good start. Maybe we can sit down later and discuss…’

‘…tactics…?’

‘Yeah.’

‘We’ll do that.’ Ferguson answered, professionally. ‘We’ll discuss what move sets your Pokémon have learned, and what we could tweak between now and then.’ He got to his feet, and motioned towards the door. ‘Why don’t we head down to the Bug Catcher’s Arms for a drink once we’re done here?’

‘Non-alcoholic...?’

‘You have my word!’

---

Stats up to date...

---

TJUN-ia 1–2 Schottia @ Stade Saint-André, Brétolles, Westavon
Line-up: Lorrey, Kiefer, Meyer zu Heide, Hare, Koller, Loweson, Roxel, Arneston (Avelione), Cnocstanger (Larsen), McInnes, Martel-Burns (Simonsen)
Goals: Hare, Cnocstanger

---

---

[PotatoFarmers]

Poafmersia 2
Hansel Tang 18'; Pete Carisa 61'

Kayangan 0

Starting 11: Sandi Jaliaha; Alex Pickford, Danzik Hoboson (c), Nasri Sanchez, Natalia Abbott; Gisiik Moonar, Ftiks Wariq, Daas Taisg; Joel Haodao, Hansel Tang, Pete Carisa
Substitutes: Woden Sweet (Wariq 78')

---

Poafmersia 0

Sajnur 0

Starting 11: Sandi Jaliaha; Nasri Sanchez, Danzik Hoboson (c), Konile Trasa, Natalia Abbott; Gisiik Moonar, Ftiks Wariq, Daas Taisg; Hansel Tang, Shakira Handris, Pete Carisa
Substitute: Emma Conner (Taisg 58'); Alex Hoboson (Trasa 74'); Joel Haodao (Tang 85')

Poafmersia's path to the knockout rounds remains clear as they secure a win and a draw to ensure that nothing is left to chance.
First it was against Kayangan. A very posession-based side, they focus on midfield control in order to score on the counter-attack. Their emphasis for safety means that goals don't show up as easily, and they went for a tight knit defence to ensure that Poafmersia fails to score. Knowing just that, Adnan Suliaha put on Hansel Tang, who has put in really nice performances in Ko-oren for Advance Alara. Her ability to break tight defences came in the 18th minute, where she slipped past Mendung Gelisah in a blink of the eye to get the cross from Daas Taisg, and she exhibited excellent ball skills to fake the keeper and went straight for goal. In the 61st minute, she made a fine through pass to find Pete Carissa in the right side, and Pete Carisa could tap in the ball to give Poafmersia a 2-0 lead.
Against Sajnur, the match between 2 really fast-paced and attacking sides became a battle of...defenders. Abbott and Sanchez's presence in the defence has given the side a fresh look, and Poafmersia's ability to deal with counter-attacks have really improved. Though Handris, Tang, Carisa, and later Haodao tried to break the defence, Sajnur put up a really heroic performance to stop the frontline from breaking.
The two matches have calmed fans. For many Poafmersian fans, they were scared that Poafmersia's peak came too early. Considering that the nation is making progress on the international front and domestic front, the fans are worried that the team has not made much progress. The manner the matches were played has however convinced Poafmers otherwise. "Everything seems well," says a Poafmer who posted on social media. "The team has matured to the point that they are able to deal with different styles. The international exposure of our key players may have contributed to it, but surely they have been able to push that limit. I think that achieving our target of taking 12 years to qualify for a World Cup is very possible. This marks our 4th year going into the 5th year. If our domestic clubs can progress further, surely our crop of players can be found easily."

Starting 11 for MD4: Sandi Jaliaha; Alex Pickford, Danzik Hoboson (c), Nasri Sanchez, Natalia Abbott; Gisiik Moonar, Woden Sweet, Daas Taisg; Joel Haodao, Shakira Handris, Pete Carisa

[Squidroidia]

The last of Squidroidia's pre-IAC friendlies was against Poafmersia. I think you might have heard of them before. They haven't won the "best of the rest" tournament before but clearly are one of the best teams outside of the usual 3 regions. The North Pacific power is regarded as one of the premier teams for a reason. Squidroidia were going to lose, but you know what they say. The journey is better than the result. So how did a game that thought like an easy blowout for Poafmersia turn into an 8 goal thriller in Inkopolis?

Kick off came at its usual time, after the national anthems of both countries were played. Poaf would strike first blood in the 12th minute with Audioslavian club star Shakira Handris (Otherwise known as Shakira Shakira to the Squidroidians for whatever reason) getting the ball to the bottom of the net after a cross by Moonar. 1-0 Poaf, like that. The Inklings knew they weren't playing around with Nephara's C team or something, this was bloody Poafmersia, the best of the Independents! Their light attack clearly wasn't ready for Poaf's +1.787 skill yet. And I mean, you really do wanna win with a skill like that.

Light attack aside, the Inklings would actually tie the game just 7 minutes later in the 19th. Arinori would cross the ball onto the foot of Shiko, who with a dribble here and a fakeout there, got the ball to the 32 year old Nariaki. A sprint up the wing turned into a short pass to Hideo, now playing in South Newlandia, as the youngster and Squidroidian wonderkid got the ball past Sandi Jaliaha to tie things up. 1-1. And that would turn into 2-1 for Squidroidia in the 35th off an Hoshi penalty.

Of course, I did say that this was an 8 goal thriller, so where are the other 5 goals? I'll tell you - In the second half. Poaf came back strong, and by strong I did mean strong. By the 50th minute a Haodao screamer tied it up. In the 59th it was Shakira Shakira again to get them the lead. Then Alex Pickford had an assist to Pete Carisa, it was now 4-2. The 70th minute saw super sub Amagawa Katsuyoshi score off a corner kick, so Squidroidia was at least 4-3 down. But of course, Poaf's Daas Tasig had to make it 5-3 in the 81st. And that's how it ended. A thriller that ended in a Squidroidian loss.

Let's see how it goes this time around.

[Kriegiersien]

The Calculator 0–2 Kriegiersien. Now big clash coming up against Squornshelan Remnant States

After scoring two goals and winning against The Calculator, who until now haven't scored any goals, there is still a chance for Kriegiersien to get out of the by all experts in the Galaxy seen as worst Group of all times and before Football was created. A win against Squornshelan is a must for that.

the philosophical mathrobots were beaten by staggering two goals. Their soccerskills may be behind, but they could be able to calculate how much more goals in percent that is for Kriegiersien

Both goals were scored by Imogen Wu, who has been called up as late replacement for Gerben Wilschut, who had missed a penalty against Woryand and got a sooner flight to Istrea as vanguard at the Olympics. Wu should have played at the Global Cup for the Kriegiersien Football Association (KFA), but the tournament was canceled under suspicious circumstances, so he got his chance at the IAX. A lucky pull.
Kriegiersien, also called Kriegerstan in Woryland, has still the chance to reach the next round, but they don't have it in their own hands (or feet). For now, they can lean back and await the results from the next matchday, where they have a bye.

[TJUN-ia]

By Peter Davis

Our final match in Brétolles, Omerica was expected to be one of importance for our fate in IACX. Both sides entered this matchup tied on 3 points, though Schottia have played one more game than the Jaguars. Still, the first competitive meeting between these sides since CoH76 was always going to be interesting: the Jaguars have more experience of international football than they did back in Banija, while Schottia missed WC85 completely under mysterious circumstances. Still, it was nice to have them back and the duel between David Seems and Brenecia's Raven Cullen (who was double the age of Seems) was set to be very entertaining.

The first half was very tight, as two developed nations on the international scene duel for the bragging rights in MD3. 3 points were a must for both teams, but Schottia was strongest from the off. Their starting front 3 of Jack Avelione (who loves to score against the Jags), Corinne Martel-Burns and Reay Cnocstanger were finding opportunities all the time but Harold Gylfisson, who plays his trade in the SPL for Port James Athletic, was strong in the TJUN-ian net. But it wasn't any of the attacking 3 who scored the opening goal for Schottia - that honour goes to vice-captain John Hare, who headed in a Bonnie McGillivray corner just before half time. The game was tight, but our opponents had the advantage at half time.

Seems railed his men in the changing rooms and the 2nd half saw better football from the Jaguars, as our front 3 were starting to put some pressure on Ed Lorrey. The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute, as a David Johnson corner was headed in by the other SPL player in the side - Captain Jeff Donaldson himself. But Schottia weren't just going to let TJUN-ia have a chance of victory, and Cnocstanger retook the lead for our opponents in the 73rd. The rest of the games was fast and furious as the Jaguars tried to tie the game up for the 2nd time, but Lorrey was having none of it and Schottia secured its 2nd win in a row once the final whistle went.

A disappointing loss for Seems' side, but that doesn't mean we're out of contention just yet. As mentioned previously, Schottia have played one more game than us - they still need to have their bye. In order to be in the best position to take 2nd away from our opponents, we need to take points in both our games at Revolution Park in Falconbarrow. Thus, the match against Hwiccemark will hopefully see TJUN-ia an important 3 points to level ourselves with Schotia come the final matchday. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Group A)
MD1: vs Space (UR-WCC/21-IAC) - Stade Saint-André, Brétolles (50,000) W 1-0 (T-1st)
MD2: BYE (3rd)
MD3: vs Schottia (108-WCC/UR-IAC) - Stade Saint-André, Brétolles (50,000) L 1-2 (3rd)
MD4: vs Hwiccemark (UR-WCC/UR-IAC) - Revolution Park, Falconbarrow (41,000)
MD5: vs Omerica (45-WCC/10-IAC) - Revolution Park, Falconbarrow (41,000)

[HUElavia]

Late Mistake Puts HUElavian Run on Life-support!

HUElavia 0–1 Tequilo
(Medal 90+1')
Stadium of the Occident, Westhaven, West Calaverde

HUElavia came into Matchday 3 looking to rebound off their 1-1 draw against Terre Septentrionale. A win or draw would look very good for Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos, who were facing off against Tequillo who were coming off a 2-1 victory over Hot Skitty on Wailord Action in Matchday 2. The teams were healthy, but HUElavia opted to start some of the backups in order to give some rest to some of the starters. The stadium was sold-out with HUElavians taking up a little over 50% of the stadium. The anthems were played and the crowd was pumped for the match. The ball rolled and the match was underway.

The match as a whole was very difficult for Los Amarilos/Os Amarelos. Despite the attacks from Sissoko and Hamada, along with Rossi, Cristiano, and Conti making moves in the midfield and the wing, shots were stopped left and right by Mecatl-Rubio. If it wasn't the goalie, it was the defense putting blocks in or shots hitting the goalposts or going wide. The players were surprised at the lack of putting the ball into the goal, and the crowd began getting restless with the match going nowhere. Halftime came and passed with the scoreline reading 0-0. Despite this, the team continued to push and push looking for a goal. Sissoko, and Conti went off for Navarro and Ramirez respectively, looking to get a goal in to possibly win the game. It looked as if the match would end 0-0, but Cho received the ball and tried to get it away, but Colon dispossessed her and ran towards Vallares, where he took a shot and Vallares stopped it, but the rebound landed to Medal, who shot the ball low and out of Vallares reach to go into the goal making it 0-1. The captain celebrated with his teammates while the HUElavians were stunned with the goal. Despite two or three attacks done, the team fell 0-1, and the team was staring at possible elimination.

With the loss, HUElavia drop to 3rd Place, especially after Terre Septentrionale winning 4-3 over Natanya. HUElavia can no longer win the group and need to win their next match against Hot Skitty on Wailord Action along with have Tequillo lose their remaining two games, or Terre Septentrionale to lose their last match against Tequillo after their break in order to advance out of Group B. The team is no longer in control of their own destiny, and are obligated to get a win and get some help. The main XI will play for the next match. All we can do is hope and pray that we have a miracle to advance.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Abanhfleft]

Lochario vs. Abanhfleft
Miner's Haven
Goldsan, Valanora
Matchday 5 of the 48th Di Bradini Cup

"You're kidding me! You have got to be kidding me!" Tatiana Tos, a 21-year old midfielder from the Fhulghamous Peninsula who was contracted to the academy of Xemlice Rovers Football Club, shouted at the Vanorian referee when the latter pointed at the penalty spot. A Locharian player was rolling around inside the penalty area, too dramatically in Tatiana's opinion, but the referee didn't appear to be taking that possibility into account. Tatiana went in to get the ball from behind the Locharian, the Locharian went down, and then the referee was already pointing at the spot and reaching into their pocket for the yellow card.

One might wonder why one of Abanhfleft's players would seem to be on the right edge of sanity and madness over such a simple penalty call. One would be quickly proven to have only watched this one small part of Abanhfleft's hellish campaign through the 48th Di Bradini Cup, because one would only need to know about the numerous dubious calls and fouls, as well as the fouls not called and calls not made in favor of the side flying the blue, orange and green banner to know that this was the latest in a string of calls that have, for lack of a better word, absolutely fucked up Abanhfleft's chances of progressing through to the knockout stage of the DBC. It had happened many times before, always in Valanora during the Di Bradini Cup and always at Abanhfleft's expense. Rare and few were the times Abanhfleft had benefited from the decision that followed the blowing of a whistle, and in this particular tournament, no decisions whatsoever had gone the way of the Young Lady Revolutionaries. The Samahang Futbol ng Abanhfleft, the governing body for association football in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft, had already refused to participate in two previous editions of the Di Bradini Cup by way of forfeiting every single qualification match they had to play, and truth be told the only reason why Abanhfleft was once again back in Valanora to "compete" for the honor of being the best under-21 team in the multiverse was because somebody in the SFA had forgotten that there was a boycott going on and they ordered the under-21 team to play their qualifiers. Unsurprisingly, Abanhfleft made it through despite the massively expanded field, and unsurprisingly they had been screwed over in Valanora once again. The coming boycott was now expected to stick permanently judging by the results that the under-21 team had turned in.

Lochario originally were unable to convert the penalty kick thanks to an incredible save from Mihaela Hristova, but then the referee blew their whistle and ordered the kick be taken again because apparently Hristova was off her line before the Lochario player moved towards the ball. The Fleftic fans, at least the handful that still stayed in Valanora despite their country having next to no chance at all of making it to the next stage, booed the decision. This time even the Fleftic coaching staff protested the decision. Even they sensed that their team was getting royally screwed over. There was no angle at all that showed that Hristova was anywhere else other than standing on the goal line when the referee blew their whistle to allow Lochario to take the penalty, no angle apart from one right in front which made the case a little bit more 50-50, and obviously the refereeing team went with the decision that would impede Abanhfleft from potentially salvaging one more win in Valanora.

"This isn't fair," Deanna Herring, starting goalkeeper for the Fleftic under-21s until this particular game, said to er fellow substitutes after Lochario finally converted the penalty they had been made to retake. "This isn't fair at all!" she said to their manager Kate Bernanos. "They're doing it right in front of the whole multiverse now! They don't care if everyone sees what they're doing to us; they want everyone else to see it and know that they're proud of it!"

"I know, Dee, I know," Bernanos assured her goalie. "But there's nothing we can do without evidence. We'll just have to take it in the chin once again and hope that by some miracle we're able to get something out of this shitshow."

There did appear to be a little hope remaining for the Young Lady Revolutionaries as Hiroko Kellerman, after at least half a dozen attempts at goal without success, finally managed to find the back of the net after a clever passage of play where things finally seemed to go the Fleftics' way. Their passes finally connected with their teammates instead of falling right into the grateful feet of the Locharians, and for once their attack managed to slice through the opposition's defense. But even as the half-Hinodejin striker was making her way to the corner flag to celebrate, the officials had already signaled offside; the goal wouldn't be counted.

"NO!" Bernanos screamed, the first time that she finally let her thoughts about the whole situation show through. "That's impossible! There's no way she was offside! Surely you can't chalk off that goal! Surely not!"

But the offside stood, and they even had the nerve to not even bother showing what the VAR saw, if they even saw anything at all. Or bothered to make an act of trying to show if they saw something.

And apparently this was the final straw for the SFA representatives, because one of those aforementioned representatives went down from the executive box to have a short word with the team staff. The conversation was barely a minute long, but whatever was said between the representative and Bernanos, the manager didn't seem to like it one bit. Nevertheless, when there was a break in the proceedings, Bernanos called Tos over.

"It's obvious that we're not going to win this game now, Tatiana," Bernanos told the midfielder. "The bosses have spoken. We're going to burn this bridge and never look back. But we're going to leave these elven fuckers a reminder that we're not going to go without a fight. When you have the chance, take out the referee. Make them know we won't forget about this. And spread the word. The linesmen must be made to remember too."

A frown crossed Tos's face. "Are you sure about that?"

Bernanos grimaced. "I don't like it either," she admitted. "But that's what the big wigs told me to tell you girls to do. In his words, 'they've fucked us over for far too long.'"

"Okay," Tos muttered, nodding her head. "Okay."

Word spread throughout the team about what the SFA people had told them to do. None of them liked it, but given how much they had been hard done over by the officiating staff in this game, some of them (at least two or three) had more than enough reason to carry out their "extraordinary" orders.

And with ten minutes of the ninety left to play, Tatiana Tos finally had her chance. She knew that she was going to most probably get sent off for what she was about to do, but in her eyes the recipient of her future action was more than deserving for what they had done to the team. Tos waited until the ball was rolling in the general direction of the referee, and then she went in for a classic slide tackle that would have made a hard man of football like Roy O Briain proud.

Yes, Tatiana Tos did get sent off, along with two other Fleftic players for barging into both linesmen, but hopefully the message they were trying to send was clear: Abanhfleft may have been fucked over, but Abanhfleft are going to fuck right back.

[Kohnhead]

The Brains defeat Port Ember to win the big one



After a disappointing draw against Fleuronordicia that saw Audrey Henderson our starting CAM get a red card, and a suspension as well as Linus Rallyton our best player go down for the potential rest of the tournament it was not looking good heading into the biggest match of the tournament so far for us. We would be taking on Port Ember the heavy favorites to win our group and a team that some said could win it all as they were ranked 6th in the IAC rankings heading into this.

Heading into this match we knew we couldn't really afford a loss especially considering we still haven't had our bye yet. I did expect us to lose this match especially with the new starting XI and formation that we had to come up with going back to the 4-1-3-2 with Horsford in for Henderson, and Torgan in for Rallyton.

It didn't take long for Port Ember to get on the score sheet. Horsford attempted to pass it back to CPL but a bad pass was intercepted by the Port Ember attacker who went the distance to slide it past Sanders, and just like that in the 14th minute we were down 1-0. Was this a sign of more to come or were we better than everyone thought?

We would equalize in the 43rd minute off of a free kick. Ida Cogginter will be shooting the free kicks now that Rallyton is injured and Charles Laker will take the corner kicks when they occur. This was actually a pretty long kick as Korkson's jersey had been pulled during a breakaway which gave a yellow card to the Port Ember defender. Cogginter put the ball in an excellent position and the keeper was no match for it and The Brains tied the game at 1.

Port Ember showed off their class by taking back the lead in the 64th minute as they scored a nice header which bounced and went into the far corner out of Sanders' reach. Just like that they were back in the lead but we were not about to be deterred.

Aaron Korkson scored the equalizer in the 79th minute. Maltos passed it over to him on the side of the box and he dribbled forward before putting excellent touch on it to slot it in past the keeper into the other corner of the goal tying the game at 2.

We could have settled for the draw, after all Port Ember is a very quality side and we were down two starters yet we felt we had the momentum, and we wanted the win. The Brains are a talented side and this game against Port Ember could go down as a signature win if we manage to pull it off is what Christopher Kohnhead was thinking. Sophie Johnson in for Horsford as we switched to a 4-4-2 showed off this thinking.

In the end who else could it have been but Al Torgan to score the winning goal? Laker attempted to shoot but completely whiffed and the ball got sent right to Torgan who buried it in the 84th minute to beat Port Ember 3-2 coming back from a goal deficit twice. This is quite possibly our biggest win ever in team history.

If we look at the table, while we haven't officially clinched a round of 16 spot we are extremely close to doing so.

Group F                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
1 Kohnhead                       3   2  1  0    6   2  +4    7
2 Fleuronordicia                 3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
3 Port Ember                     2   1  0  1    6   6   0    3
4 Blotropolis                    2   1  0  1    4   4   0    3
5 Juvencus                       2   0  0  2    2   6  −4    0

Our next match is against 4th place Blotropolis who surprisingly defeated Fleuronordicia in their first match. While they are well rested coming off of a bye, I think we will be able to beat them especially with Audrey Henderson returning from her suspension.

[HUElavia]

Game 4 Cold Intro

Agony. Despair. Anxiety. These are the feelings swirling around the minds and hearts of HUElavians in the Multiverse. We didn't expect that ending against Tequillo. Inexperience made us pay the ultimate price of that match. Now we have to play our hearts out to keep our dream alive.

Tonight, we play against Hot Skitty on Wailord Action with our best players. In what should have been a game for us to play with ease, we have to play well to stay alive. All while depending on other scores to hopefully secure our spot in the Round-of-16.

Tonight, we play for a win. Anything less is unacceptable. Tonight, our players don't just play the match on the pitch. We play the match in the stands, singing, cheering, and jumping for our team.

So pray to your deity. Have faith and hope for our team. Tonight is going to be a long 90 minutes, but we can make it happen. We can have another miracle run, just like we did 8 years ago. Together, nothing is impossible.

Game 4
Hot Skitty on Wailord Action vs HUElavia