World Cup 86: Roleplay Thread

[Riennic Isles]

The Riena Sentinel

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Riena to play at the Radiant Sands Arena
RFA fiat to move Riena's remaining home fixtures invites controversy

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The Riena Football Association has today announced that the national team will play all their remaining home fixtures for the World Cup 86 cycle at the Radiant Sands Arena.

Speaking at a hastily-convened press conference at the RFA headquarters in Nagato, RFA president Tamaki Oda confirmed the controversial move to the new stadium, insisting that the unprecedented decision was taken in order to preserve Riena's challenge for Finals qualification. The controversy over the switch revolves around the nature of the Radiant Sands Arena. As its name implies, the stadium does not have a conventional pitch of natural or artificial turf, but instead has a surface covered in fine-grained sand taken from the pristine beaches of Nagato.

Given that Riena is well-known for its love of and prowess in the sport of beach football, which is normally played on a sand surface, the RFA's move would undoubtedly confer an unfair advantage upon the national team in its forthcoming home fixtures. The decision, which was leaked online an hour before Oda was scheduled to speak to the press, prompted horrified critics to decry RFA leadership and insist that it was knowingly violating ethical norms and compromising the integrity of multiversal football in a cynical attempt to boost the national team's performance at home, and by extension its qualification prospects, while simultaneously disadvantaging opponents by thrusting them onto an unfamiliar surface.

The RFA's move is all the more perplexing given that Riena is fresh off hosting a Campionato Esportiva in which it made use of sixteen different stadia - including the Wavelet Arena - all featuring conventional pitches. Given the WCC's lax standards for venues, it is highly probable that any one of the remaining fifteen stadia would have been able to host Riena's remaining home fixtures. Asked as to why the RFA did not choose any one of those fifteen stadia, Oda cited safety and logistical concerns, claiming that the influx of foreign fans for WCC-sanctioned fixtures would pose a problem for the security and hospitality infrastructure in Riena's less developed prefectures. But his argument was quickly dismantled by commentators, who noted that the Funami Metropolitan Stadium, located in the Nagato metropolitan area, is just a fifteen minute journey by subway from the Wavelet Arena.

In the wake of outrage over the decision, Oda was unwilling to engage with his detractors, giving their claims short shrift during his press conference. "The fans will know only too well how the team have struggled badly at home during the first half of these qualifiers, and we thought that a change in venue for home matches would be of benefit to the team's performance. Having seen the team play to a much higher level against more difficult opponents on the road, the inescapable conclusion to be drawn is that our choice of home venue is unduly affecting the team's performances. The decision was of course taken after detailed consultation with our coaching and playing staff. We expect the team to turn in improved performances at the Radiant Sands Arena and hopefully give our fans something to cheer about."

Riena's woe at home has of course been extensively documented. They played all three matches of their short-lived Campionato Esportiva campaign at the Wavelet Arena, losing to Vdara's under-eighteen national team before suffering a comprehensive thrashing at the hands of Ancherion. A meaningless win over San Jose Guayabal offered scant solace. The team's inexplicable lack of form at home has continued well into this qualification cycle. The team opened their qualification campaign at the Wavelet Arena with a stalemate against unranked Springmont, which was followed by a reverse against Ziwana and a thoroughly unconvincing 4-3 defeat of Savigliane. Matters came to a head after Riena's latest setback at home as they contrived to lose 0-1 to Fluvannia, who are ranked 350th in the multiverse, prompting swift and decisive action on the part of Oda and the RFA board.

The Radiant Sands Arena is expected to welcome Trolleborg for the start of the second half of World Cup 86 qualifying, and will play host to a number of Group 12 heavyweights over the coming months, including the Hinodejin Empire and Taeshan.

[Xanneria]

FAX Head steps down!
excerpt from http://www.xtrasports.xan/nationalteam

XANNERIA - Amid the hubub of a 5-3 thrashing of Quakmybush, there was bigger news in terms of Xannerian football. FAX head Jeb Gyjorko will step down effective immediately. Jeb had been under some pressure since the main roster had been revealed. While big stars like Richard Presintino and Devon Laymore are still on the team, it was thought be many that Jeb put names over skill as those players while legends in their own right, are aging and faster younger players could helped out more as the team has had some injury concerns with the defender position, making it easier for their to be goals scored against. Jace Cunningham will be the new head of FAX, the 38 year old who had a 12 year career mostly with Myrtle Wanderers and East Rowe has been in the player-relations head of FAX for three years now and will take the spot of Gyjorko. Despite the Campianato Esportiva win last, it's been dreadful for the Maroons in the first half of Qualifiers so far. The team is struggling, with a record of 4-0-5 it gives many fans head aches to see the team go so long without a draw, when in the last qualifiers they couldn't get out of a draw situation to save their lives. Cunningham will be able to see his full reach after next year's Cup of Harmony as he will take over control of the roster by then.

Meanwhile the Xannerians hosted Quakmybush on a cloudy and thankfully dry air of a late summer day. The game ended in a huge 5-3 victory for the Maroons as Laymore the younger of the big two strikers and Bray Feltzer did the heavy lifting with two goals each. Also the midfielder Doby Bunkirk saw an opportunity to add on and got his second goal of the qualifiers. QMB was once a powerful team in International Footballing history and a prior host many years ago of many big tournaments. But mismanagement and various other ills has cost the QMB team a lot in the long run and the quality just hasn't been there. The Matchup went favorably even with mild rain in the forecast. Up next is a return game trip to Blouman as they will sure to be receptive of coach Rhule and the kids after a major quote came out of ol' Myrone's mouth. So it will be a fiercely contested game.

XANNERIA - 5
Laymore 18' 66'
Feltzer 37' 51' 
Bunkirk 90+1

QUAKMYBUSH - 3
??? - 19' 77' 
??? - 29''

[Brenecia]

Pemecutan 4 - 5 Brenecia
(4-3-3) 20 - Wright; 2 - Bravender, 22 - Giltanan, 6 - Mathers, 19 - Roscommon; 8 - Matheson (c, 21 - Parrish 61'), 23 - Ondrejko (s/o 24'), 14 - Caitiff (13 - Ridenton 53'); 15 - Waters, 9 - White, 16 - Fletcher (4 - Townsend 26')
Goals: Caitiff 3', Waters 12', White 49', Parrish 75', Giltanan 89'

Brenecia 1 - 0 Ethane
(4-3-3) 20 - Wright; 18 - Lonergan (2 - Bravender 80'), 5 - Leadbetter, 6 - Mathers, 19 - Roscommon; 8 - Matheson (c), 4 - Townsend, 14 - Caitiff (13 - Ridenton 72'); 7 - Cheney, 17 - Lindauer, 16 - Fletcher (11 - Pace 72')
Goals: Lindauer 38'

The Fortem 2 - 5 Brenecia
(4-3-3) 12 - Finnan; 18 - Lonergan (2 - Bravender 58'), 5 - Leadbetter, 22 - Giltanan, 19 - Roscommon; 8 - Matheson (c, 21 - Parrish 71'), 23 - Ondrejko, 13 - Ridenton; 7 - Cheney (15 - Waters 61'), 10 - Hazeldean, 16 - Fletcher
Goals: Matheson 21', Roscommon 33', Ridenton 41', Cheney 43', Fletcher 58'

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Patriots Qualifying First-Half Review
Diarmuid Henderson

We have reached the midway point of qualifying! And suffice to say Brenecia are doing... fine. There have been a few poor performances which Brenecia have got away with, but by and large the Patriots are doing enough. They have drawn 1-1 with the sides currently ranked second and third in the group, and beaten the rest. There's a five-point gap at the top. Would you really want to reroll the dice on that?

The friction hasn't just been on the pitch, either. Off it, Cass Farrell - a mild-mannered, dour figure - walked off when Scathach Wright, whose naked ambition was at fault for a couple of goals against Pemecutan, regardless retained her place against Ethane. Farrell openly slammed the 'lack of a competive atmosphere' within the side, mostly as it pertained to her being able to play.

Well, Farrell's out, but Wright went on to have a superb showing against Ethane and bailed out the Patriots' poor finishing. Bluntly, as a top-class goalkeeper, Wright offers more. Anthea Finnan has made a couple of unremarkable starts; a good goalkeeper, but her best days are ahead of her. The third-choice coming into the most recent break was Opal Cairncross. A solid goalkeeper with a smattering of caps if an emergency happens. It would take an emergency. More importantly, one suspects, she knows her place.

The defensive situation is set in stone, for better or worse. Finn Leadbetter is the best centre-half we have, and it isn't close; perhaps in a couple more years it could be, but Casey Giltanan has not yet really laid down a claim to start over the stifling 7/10 reliability of Keane Mathers. Similarly, Bravender is just a little too open at the back to make a compelling case to start over the steady Sorcha Lonergan against the best opponents, while the luckless Morwen Prentice, it seems, has been usurped by Roscommon, club and now country successor to Gethin Quill.

The other Finn, Townsend, is also in the Keane Mathers mould. He is predictable, reliable, sturdy and proven at a high if not world-class level. He knows his role in the team. He does not, as Tethys Ondrejko did against Pemecutan, leap into a header leading with the elbow half an hour into the game and get sent off. Nevertheless, Brelk-Xeral has kept the faith with Ondrejko, whose performances have to be fair been strong otherwise. Nevertheless, the prospect of sending a young Twin Saints midfielder to be our anchor against the likes of Eura and Banija is a little scary.

Further forward there is a little more promise. Matheson remains the uncontested leader in the field, and has looked especially dangerous linking with Mhacha White up front; Dreigiau Parrish impressed in a couple of recent showings after being handed a belated debut, offering similar qualities of drive, vision and determination; Gaheris Archer never could replicate her ability to penetrate. Who will be the water-carrier? Caitiff and Ridenton remain, it is almost certain, the two on the plane.

The wings remain the domain of Lauren Cheney and Ceridwen Fletcher, though Tricia Pace has laid a thus-far ignored claim to the left wing that Union fans maintain is somehow part of a greater conspiracy. Pace has plenty to offer, but perhaps in this side offers it best as an impact player, an unforgiving and direct opponent against tired legs. On the right flank, Nuada Speaker's lack of concrete assists and goals despite a general tidiness has left her open to a challenge from Linoan Waters, who by contrast scored a hat-trick on debut last cycle and has scored again on her return against Pemecutan. It feels like this change will stick.

Which means, of course, the greatest potential for change is up front as there continues to be a lack of anyone really seizing the day up front. There are apparently now four options in the running, as Kitty Hazeldean managed a lively but goalless debut against the Fortem; realistically, though, it will in some order be Ciogach, Lindauer and White. White has looked promising and offered a more complete game, but when it came to the match against Ethane, it was Lindauer who started and Lindauer who scored the only goal. "Difficult to ask more of a striker, huh," she said after the match, passive-aggressively.

Results have been imperfect, performances still less so. There's the slight sense things are getting stale behind the scenes, and this has lead to tension, with Farrell - a fine goalkeeper - the first casualty. But Brelk-Xeral has kept the ship running, and the Patriots should be all rights be in the 32 come the end of qualifying. For a nation of nine million that has been through as much as we have, that can never be taken for granted.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 6
Goalkeepers: 1 - Scathach Wright (Raynor City United, VAL), 12 - Anthea Finnan (Brigham, EUR), 20 - Opal Cairncross (Marketville, EUR)
Defenders: 2 - Clovette Bravender (Ulsa, EUR), 3 - Morwen Prentice (Farrenton Athletic, EUR), 5 - Finn Leadbetter (Holdenberg, EUR), 6 - Keane Mathers (Northern Stallions), 18 - Sorcha Lonergan (Northern Union), 19 - Triss Roscommon (Revolutionaries, EUR), 22 - Casey Giltanan (Workers Union, EUR)
Midfielders: 4 - Finn Townsend (North Hall), 8 - Elysse Matheson (Hornchurch, EUR, c), 13 - Isla Ridenton (Jaglan Royals, SRS), 14 - Esther Caitiff (Southern Star), 21 - Dreigiau Parrish (Kingsgrove), 23 - Tethys Ondrejko (Twin Saints)
Forwards: 7 - Lauren Cheney (Spartangrad, EUR), 9 - Mhacha White (Farrenton Athletic, EUR), 10 - Kara Ciogach (Lajuno, EUR), 11 - Tricia Pace (Northern Union), 15 - Linoan Waters (Brookford Otters, NPH), 16 - Ceridwen Fletcher (Holdenberg, EUR), 17 - Creidne Lindauer (Cazadores Cathair, AUD)

SCHEDULE
Nethertopia 1 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Darkmania
Hampton Island 1 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 1 Lisander
Gyatso-Kai 2 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 4 - 1 Lo Santano
Pemecutan 4 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Ethane
The Fortem 2 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Nethertopia
Darkmania vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Hampton Island
Lisander vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Gyatso-Kai
Lo Santano vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Pemecutan
Ethane vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. The Fortem

[Rangers FC]

The Sleepy Rangers Fan Chronicle

Winning runs never last, do they? Well, especially when you’re ranked 330th in the world, but still. It’s disappointing when they end. Sleepy Guy was especially disappointed with the end to the... *checks notes* ...two game winning run.

Sleepy Guy: ”We lost? Again? Fuck, how are we going to brag about winning 2 games in a row now? Gah!”

Sleepy Guy proceeds to slam on the desk with both fists, and promptly receives a splinter in his hand. Sleepy Guy realises his mistake.

Sleepy Guy: ”AGH FUCK FUCK, I’VE GOT A FUCKING SPLINTER IN MY HAND! AAAAAARGH!”

Sleepy Guy is in pain. This splinter was big. He would need tweezers.

Sleepy Guy: ”COCKING NORA, WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF, WE ONLY LOST 1-0 TO THE JOVANNIC- AGH FUCK IT HURTS!”

Sadly for Sleepy Guy, the pain would only continue, as would the screaming. He eventually had his splinter removed, albeit with tweezers and while in a lot of pain. Sleepy Guy vowed to himself that he would never slam his desk again.

As a wise man once said, “Show more content...”
We shall not do that, but it is something to think about.

The following line is in reference to an offensive Rangers chant that says “No surrender, the pope’s a b*nder.” I’m not sure if this is of any significance to you, but I personally think it isn’t right. Hence, it’s censored.

NO SURRENDER, THIS MEAT’S QUITE TENDER

*intense meat beating*

[Vdara]

A Small Overview

Guntheris Steinerakis was a controversial man. For one, his catchphrase was the word “wanker”. He was also never sober, and he would somehow survive every single day with at least two bottles of alcohol flowing through his veins. He makes a damn good FA delegate, though!

Live Coverage from Vai Sports 1

Guntheris: ”Good evening, wankers! It’s me, your lovely host, Guntheris Steinerakis. Now, Vdara is now halfway through the wanker-stage, which means that we have 9 games worth of results to wanker about with! Let’s take a look at them, shall we?”

Matchday 1: Grand Quebecois
Guntheris: ”Personally, this match has to be one of my favourites so far. I mean, those wankers didn’t stand a chance against our wankers! I mean, we won 5-2! At their stadium! It’s bloody impressive, that’s what it is! My verdict? 9/10. Could’ve scored more.”

Matchday 2: Fujai
Guntheris: “Now, this is where we REALLY started to hit the ground running. Coming off the back of a 5-2 victory will always make fans hope for an equally good next match - and boy, did those wankers deliver. The Vdarans beat Fujai a whopping 4 goals to 1, which, quite frankly, was amazing. Still, can’t say it was a perfect performance, so I’m saying it’s an 8/10.”

Matchday 3: Drunk People at the Local Tavern
Guntheris: ”Now, this match was not our finest, was it? I mean, we drew 4-4 with a bunch of drunk wankers! Sure, our wankers scored 4 goals, but so did theirs! It’s not exactly embarrassing, but that scoreline implies that our players were wankering about for the entire match - and to be honest, it did seem like it at times. 6/10.”

Matchday 4: Vangaziland
Guntheris: ”In a match that turned out to be our second 5-2 victory of the group stage, we played quite well. I mean, just look at the scoreline, we outplayed those wankers extremely well! Definitely an 8/10 in my book.”

Matchday 5: Megistos
Guntheris: ”Ah, there it is, our first fucking clean sheet! I mean, it’s bloody embarrassing that those wankers in defence took five games to get a clean sheet against four lower-ranked sides, but hey, you can’t always get what you want. Nonetheless, our wankers beat them by three goals to nil, so this has to be an easy 8/10.”

Matchday 6: Acronius
Guntheris: ”Vdara definitely played okay in this match, but the performance was overshadowed by some wanker from Hapilopper who came and booted one of our players in the fucking chest! Like, what wanker does that? Anyhow, we still won 2–1, so I’d give this match a 6/10.”

Matchday 7: Timuria
Guntheris: ”Was this match a loss? Nope. Was it a win? Nuh uh. This match was a boring old draw. Sadly, this was only to be the start of a bad run of form. Granted, Timuria are ranked higher than us, but we could have scored a couple more goals than just the one, no? It’s a 5/10 in my opinion.”

Matchday 8: Eura
Guntheris: ”A complete and utter embarrassment. I mean, 4-1? I know that Eura are one of the best in the world, but come on! We need to do better than this, especially against the teams that are the favourites to qualify! This match wasn’t good to watch in the slightest, and we conceded far too many goals than we should have. 3/10.”

Matchday 9: Pasarga
Guntheris: ”Last, but certainly not least, we have the match against Pasarga. We did okay in the first half, but we got totally outplayed for the rest of the match. Our wankers stood no chance against theirs, at the end of the day. 6/10.”

Guntheris: ”Well, wasn’t that fun to look at, huh? Just to remind you - we still have another nine games to go, y’know? Our first matches back are against Fujai and Grand Quebecois, so expect to see lots of goals, preferably by Vdaran players! I’ll see you wankers later, cheery bye!”

[95X]

Jason Ninetyfivex would find himself in “the box”, a room at a police station used to interrogate suspects. Two detectives with stereotypical police detective mustaches were getting nowhere.

“What I want to know,” the one sitting across the table from Ninetyfivex asked while pointing at the piece of paper on the table, “is why you’d clean out your office yet leave the most damning piece of evidence that you knew something.”

“Because the email proves I didn’t know anything about it,” he replied.

Someone else walked into the room.

“He’s telling the truth,” they said; the narrator didn’t look to see who exactly that person was.

The detectives slightly sighed as they’re handed copies of signed testimony from another suspect that cleared Ninetyfivex of any wrongdoing.

He left the police station a free man, yet without the money to fly back to his in-character home. So he did a very 95Xer thing to do: found a barge headed there.

[Audioslavia]

Episode 4, Chapter 3
External link directly to YouTube

Original Script
In one corner, Eauz. The Emeritus Champions, inheritors of the title passed down from Crosshill to Brazillico, the one that will end up in the hands of Al-Qurija fifteen years later. In the other, The Eagles Nest, holders of the Interim Championship established after the retirement of Endray-Island. Their paths converge in the semi-final of World Cup 16, but their histories had always been intertwined.

Both had begun their tenures as World Cup nations as unlikely rivals of the famous Giant Zucchini. Eauz debuted first, way back in World Cup 6, and had started off with a fantastic upset victory over former champions GZ in only their second ever game. After four wins in their first six matches, Eauz’s luck would vanish in the second half of qualifying, finishing dead last, while Giant Zucchini would miss out on being one of the six third-placed qualifiers. Had Eauz not shocked them in the opening game, they’d have made it.

A measure of revenge would be taken in World Cup 12. Once again, the two teams were drawn against one another in qualifying. Eauz, now an established football nation that had appeared in the previous two World Cups, went into the final game stuck in fourth place and needing not only a win, but for rivals Creedence Clearwater to drop points in their deciding game against the already-qualified Giant Zucchini. The Zucchinis, with nothing to play for, strolled to a two-nothing defeat and consigned Eauz to the Cup of Harmony.

The opening matchday of World Cup 12 would see Giant Zucchini face The Eagles Nest, recounted here in gloriously banal style. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many cliches and mixed metaphors in one place before.

--

With four points from three games, The Eagle’s Nest failed to make it out of their group, but World Cup 12 could still be called an unqualified success. This was the Eagle’s *debut cycle*. Since World Cup 7’s introduction of the now-familiar format of seeded, double-round robin qualifiers, only a handful of sides can claim to have made the big dance in their first cycle. The Eagle’s Nest were the first. The proof it could be done.

They were a revelation in that debut cycle. Showing respect to veteran nations off the field without being overawed on it. That respect wasn’t always reciprocated. On the opening day of qualifying for World Cup 12, The first ever competitive match for The Eagles Nest, they faced Brazillico, whose fans refused to attend, instead focusing on watching their side take part in a competition called the Founding Nations Cup, a tournament created by the nation of Spaam as an attempt to ‘return to the glory days of the NS World Cup’. Whether or not The Eagles Nest took Brazillican disinterest as an insult is unknown, but either way, they got the last laugh, taking a point from the former champions and eventually sending a shell-shocked Brazillico into the Cup of Harmony.

Soon, the paths of Eauz and the Eagles Nest would begin to cross. They first met in the quarter-finals of World Cup 13, with Eauz taking a close game by two goals to one.

Les Bleus, ranked only 29th on the way into the tournament, would go on to win the World Cup, taking the Unofficial World Championship in the final by overcoming Spaam.

Forming a friendship after the game, Eauz and The Eagles Nest teamed up to co-host World Cup 15. Amazingly enough, the World Cup 15 website is still active on Angelfire. Perhaps even more amazingly, Angelfire *still exists*. Both nations were knocked out in the semi-finals, but would meet in the third-placed playoff, held here at the Stade d’Eauz.

The home side would take the spoils with another 2-1 victory.

After the final, the president of The Eagles Nest led the post-match festivities, celebrating the conclusion of a successfully run tournament.

The Unofficial World Championship match between Eauz and The Eagles Nest would be played in the semi-finals of World Cup 16. The third encounter in four cycles between the two teams. The winner will unify a title that has been split since Brazillico’s temporary retirement ten cycles previously.

With a resounding win, Eauz unify the interim and emeritus titles into one, definitive Unofficial World Championship. A few days later, they would go on to win their second World Cup. Undisputed champions of the world.

With their third straight defeat to Eauz, their second lost semi-final in a row, and the surrendering of their Unofficial World Championship to their rivals, something inside The Eagles Nest... malfunctions. In the aftermath of the match, the referee is kidnapped.

It is not an isolated incident. After a narrow defeat to EL CID THE HERO in the qualifiers of the next World Cup, the same thing happens, only this time with an even more uncomfortable outcome.

What happened to the nation that had been so respectful in their debut cycle? What prompted this giant left turn towards the dark side? And exactly how were they able to continue participating in World Cup football without being sanctioned by the World Cup Committee? How were they able to sweep all this under the carpet?

Trivia / Extras

• The two graphs from this video
• I’ve tried a few ways of presenting big football matches on TIP videos. The ‘scroll over the match incidents in roughly where they would have taken place on the field’ thing is the most time consuming, the least legible and the least interesting to watch.
• This is the second time I’ve finished a video by focusing on the words ‘Jeremy Jaffacake’ from an RP. The first was Episode 2 Chapter 3.
• I’m not sure if Giant Zucchini wrote that Cliches RP himself or amended it from something he found on the internet, but either way it’s very funny.
• Uses music from Andrew Huang, whose YouTube channel you should check out.
  Originally part of Chapter 2. The decision to split the chapter into two parts was made at the end of the editing process.

[Ethane]

Efficient but not good enough

The Red Kites may be efficient, but they're currently not doing too well for their qualification chances. We're 9 matches into the qualifying campaign now, and it's been an interesting set of matches so far. Or has it? Let's have a quick look...

We'll start back at the first game of the tournament. Perhaps one of the more campaign-defining games so far. It was against Hampton Island - the second pot side in the team, and the one The Red Kites would need to surpass to nab that desperately needed second-place spot for auto-qualification or playoffs. How'd it end? No goals scored. Nothing. A boring old snooze fest. Both teams were resolute in defence, and both teams were unhurried in attack. Perhaps that would define the campaign - so far, yes it has.

Now on to the second game. This one Ethane surely- surely had to win. A lower-ranked, average team with practically no chance of qualifying. No. The Red Kites, once again, were stuck. Solid and resolute in defence, but just unable to make anything up on the offensive. Stodgy, dull, and slow. Uninspiring is the best word to describe the offensive strategy. That's surprising, because Burgess - a solid striker - is at the heart of this team. But he just didn't get any service. Nil-nil. Really? Gyatso-Kai robbed us of two points.

Next? Why, it's another game we should be winning. Who was it against? Pemecutan - a promising team, but not up to Ethane's level. How'd it end? They just squeezed out a win - somehow. One goal scored. In ninety minutes. But also three games, no goals conceded, second in the group. Not bad at all. Except for the absolute inability to find the back of the net.

The Fortem Firebirds. We'd never heard of them before this match. Until they actually gave us a scare. While we are unable to decipher their roster and who was who on the field, we did know who that person was when he almost scored if it wasn't for a spectacular save. And then back at the other end. We score a goal. We win. One-nil. Again. 4 games, 2 goals scored - and somehow third with 8 points. What is going on?

Our story now takes us to Darkmania - we know them for their amazing songs in WorldVision. Not for football. Though the way The Red Kites played, you'd think they were actually good at football. What's the score? Why of course, we won ONE-NIL. Cause we can't score goals, but we can apparently defend them forever. Where does that put us? Third. Somehow with 11 points. Having scored only 3 goals. That's almost a goal for every 3 wins...

Tragedy strikes. At home. Against the solid Lisander. Apparently our defence fell asleep? We conceded our first two goals of the campaign. And we only scored 1 goal. That means, in 1 match, we conceded 1/2 the goals we had scored in 6 matches. Embarrassing. Still not as embarrassing as that 9-3 loss to Nephara though... But hope lay ahead - Brenecia was still to come. Perhaps we could win there?

Before that chance though, an easy game. Lo Santano. They had players. *Nods*. Well, it should have been easy to beat The Players^TM, considering even they didn't know who they were. But somehow, Mr. "I don't know who I am or what I'm doing" apparently managed to smash it past a top-50 ranked team's defence, which had only conceded 2 goals in 6 games, to beat them. Wow. So much for qualification.

But redemption at Brenecia? Possibilities awoke the imagination again. Even with the disappointing results so far, if we could just win this one game, we could pull back the leaders and give ourselves a chance. Heh. Sorry, win? Score goals? What is that thing - a goal? Never heard of it. Never seen it (well, that would be true because do the Ethani players even leave their half of the pitch. Like, where do they even play?). Oh, well the best team in the group just beat us.

8 games: 4 goals scored, 4 goals conceded. I wonder what it would be like to be a fan of Ethane, in the stadium, watching the games. I imagine it would be pretty boring. Constantly wondering, "where will that one goal come from this game. Will it be a goal for us or a goal for them?" There is a rule after all. It is first one to score wins when playing against The Red Kites apparently. Because once one goal is scored in the match, that's Ethane's weekly subscription to Football Goals^TM used up.

Yet there was one more match in the first half of the qualifying campaign. One shot at redemption. And oh boy did they take it. So spectacularly. It was a glorious thing. An event to be remembered. When The Red Kites found... Nevermind, they won One-Nil again. 9 games. 5 goals for, 4 goals against.

Welcome to the goal-a-game club. Who's next?

[New Lusitania and the Algarves]

STL|Serviços de Transmissão Lusitana
Sport | Football|
World Cup 86 Qualifiers

"LIKE THE OLD DAYS"
Matchday 9 Review:
Unimon 0-4 New Lusitania

The single qualifying round matchday in March the following week meant New Lusitania made its final trip of the round to Unimon. The main squad found its way back using it's 3-4-3 formation. The match was played in overcast weather, typical of early spring, showing chances of rain that would only start towards the end of the match. For once, New Lusitania seemed to be confident in a match that was important to maintain position and keep the fight going and the first goal took all of twenty minutes to appear. The ball seemed to have gone in due to a cross by Horta which led to a scuffle of the ball just before the net, despite three previous shots, Veiga had to Run in to score the goal to the delight of the away fans. Soon after, a second goal was marked on the tally when Silveira headed the ball in to the bottom of the net making it a complicated one to save.
The game from that point onwards became a lot more physical with the Unimon defence trying their best to keep the Lusitanian attack from entering the final third. However, this strategy led to third goal when Paul Smith was a bit too aggressive and got himself a booking for his actions with Paciência. The captain was taking this one and took it well, down the middle to make it three just before the whistle for halftime.
The second half had a few moments of Unimon attempting to strike back with Iol going so far as to putting it in before the pass was considered offside. Wood hit the post in what was being a positive match for him all in all. The final Lusitanian goal came as a final sentence at the end of the match with substitute and extended Call-up man Palhagueira making the ball fly past the keeper in what was a great win for the Selecção. Captain Fernando jokingly said that "it was like the old days, well, last qualifiers when we were doing well." but added on a serious note "it seems to me that the boss' tactics have to be credited now that the team is starting to gel together".
Whether it carries on to the second half of the qualifiers remains to be seen. In the new season, New Lusitania visit the Minarchist State seeking to overturn their first matchday disaster in Madeira and later host Terre Septentrionale in the squabble for second. In the meantime, New Lusitania remain fourth in the standings, after Mavinet and Terre Septentrionale also enjoyed good wins awat against Havynwilde (3-5) and the Minarchists (3-6). Unimon and Damukuni's defeats mean there's some added distance with Shaktail's goalless draw making up Hwiccemark's fourth point. Nephara of course lead, after beating Damukuni away comfortably (1-5) winning all first nine games, a feat only rivaled by Ko-oren and Banija who also boast impressive repertoires.
The battle for second places see Siovanija and Teusland (24 points) and Vilita (22) qualify for the World Cup as it stands, although the latter are ahead on goal difference of Qasden and Savojarna. A peculiarity would be the sixth best result done by Poafmersia and Audioslavia in group six with identical records meaning that will be one of the main battles coming into Round Two. Mavinet is currently the fourteenth best out of the eighteen but it's an extremely tight competition meaning a slip-up or a string of good results can change it all. Of course, New Lusitania hope to be on the list come the end of eighteenth match and can only play and hope for the best result possible in such an open group, in which their people and fans expect the runners-up spot while they can only wait and watch to keep their dreams of making it once and for all Alive...

Goals> Silveira (4), Veiga (3), Jota (2) Paciência (2), Fernando (2), Gama (1), Palhagueira (1)


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[Independent Athletes from Quebec]

The Reason

Can I?

That's all Asher Lundrigan had on his mind as he tried to think his best, before he's at Eileen's frontsteps again.

It was true that since his arrival in Quebec City, Asher didn't really want to stay in Quebec beyond the four years of Universite St-Croix. Being a well-known grandson of a baron, whose family has carved a particular name in the Royal Quebecois Nav, had meant that everybody would kinda know he was. Sure, he was long familiar with the homely, interlinked atmosphere of Quebec City and its scholar domains, but having everything material and eros that you desired did not mean that you had anything or anybody you could want as well.

Those tasks, which he had known very well as a history student at St. Croix, would require spiritual maturity or at least proper desire that goes beyond the animalistic calling for belonging. They would require something greater, and those weren't going to come unless he had really sought them out. Asher has never been the one to change himself out for the sake of other people. If he were a lower-class kid trying to break into somewhere higher like a social snake climbing up the ladders, sure. But he had name, pride and money, and so such would not be a case at all.

Of course, that may have been why he was even more stunned when it was Eileen who brought him that feeling back again, five years after his mistake. He, of course, knew very well that the divine being, high above, did not always bring the best ideas to his subjects, and felt like he shouldn't be the one going through this. The way they had just behaved, whether it be him irresistibly kissing her or her asking him to stay overnight, left him somewhat stunned. Was it right, for a man so broken and undeserving, to claim the woman who is deservingly not his? Maybe that's why he felt that all the guilt that transpired from this wasn't enough to forgive the man from his sins, and he knew that as well.

Perhaps he had understood the possibility of redemption, and he had secretly hoped for it. There was going to be no looking back no more. He had to make the decision, and it was going to happen before the VELO train arrived at Montreal Windsor station around 23:35.

Open Your Heart

The commuter train came out of the long course of zig zags and curves into the Maytime forests. The earth lay fresh and vibing under the sweet smell of the winter. The train stopped at the small town station.

Asher, who was watching the view from the narrow train doors on the one end of Car Two, opened the door and walked past the station’s only platform. The maytime mist poured in, covering his glasses with the remarkable coverage it held. Walking further and into the waiting hall of the old, brick station building, Asher felt no less stranger than how he was back in his familial seat of Bron-Yr-Aur.

Asher, in general, was fine with the idea of waiting at rural stations. They were usually not so packed, and had decent wifi for you to browse through wiki pages or watch live streams. Of course, that wasn't the problem this time. He, having forgotten to listen to Myeong-Shin's advice, accidentally arrived in Habpo Station too early and decided to take the first train, which was at 5:00 a.m., to Saint-John-Upon-Battersea.

And while that had made his journey a lot easier, especially with the low number of hours of sleep he had all the way from Montreal to here, he had eventually realised that this was a terrible mistake. Not only did Asher forget to tell the exact hour of his arrival to Eileen, but he also had forgotten to come up with a valid explanation. Sure, he had texted her when the train had departed and there was a clear sense of confidence he held, likely from whatever the divine presence possible, that she had read the text.

But still, Asher had not exactly figured out on how to explain the whole 'stranger from the southwest, however noble he may be, with no connection to the southwestern Acadie, visiting Coxwell Park'. However financially challenged or talked about the Lauzon house may have been, and how his parents looked down upon hers many moons ago, they were still one of the most historic baronies in Quebec. There would have to be a lot of explanation done.

[The Gothanita Isles]

Previous RP (TGI - Ch 2 Part 9)
Previous RP (Poafmersia - Ch 2 Part 10)

RP Series: Getting to the top
Chapter 2: A tale of 2 nations
Part 11: Turning the tide

Kartal couldn't understand why he wasn't getting in the goals, so much so that even when he was pulled out after 50 minutes, he felt that it was a reasonable decision.
4 goals after 9 games for the entire team was a far cry from what they did in the Baptism of Fire. It was as though the team is now scared of scoring, and to many others looking from outside, it looked like a team that has somehow forgot how to score.
The switch to a 2-men frontline with Kartal and Sadık was an attempt to inject more lifeline to the frontline. Against Tamgu, the player's chances at goal increased slightly, but nothing came through. The goals were all of too little power or not on target, and the opposition defence merely saw the ball through. Kartal didn't understand why the team wasn't scoring, and especially himself. It felt like his attempts on goal were really feeble, and that he couldn't explain why he couldn't get in a single goal after his heroics of the Baptism of Fire.
The coaches say that they saw "improvements". They told reporters that the players were starting to go more forward instead of feeling more scared to attack forward. They pointed out that they had 17 shots as compared to single-digit ones last few matches, just that finishing needed slightly more improvement. They agreed that there was a need to work on finishing over these 5 days, since they didn't have to travel anywhere else and they had no friendlies arranged over this break.
Tamgu was supposed to be the easiest opponent in this triple header. Banija is running riot at the top of the group, scoring 49 from 9 and had a goal difference of more than 30, meaning they were scoring 3.5 more goals than the opponents on average per match. Chromatika is also bouncing back really well, putting in nice performances to ensure that they stay in the running. Of course, the race for qualification includes surprise dark horses Blouman Empire, but surely Banija and Chromatika are most likely to be the group's top 2. Against both teams, The Isles will find out if they had really improved. Fans would not expect the team to pick up anything more than a point based on the current run, but deep in the players' hearts, they hope to get at least 2. Maybe a win will be even better. Kartal knows that very well, and he will try to ensure that he breaks his goal drought against the top 2 seeds in front of a packed stadium and the welcoming home crowd.

---

The Gothanita Isles 0

Tamgu 1
Player 60'

Starting 11: Thulile Bolkvadze; Jeanette Ross, Den Benjaminson, Adolf Stenger, Charlee Harel; Sardar Chaplin; Grigorii McCrory, Vladan Bloxam; Ladislava Tyler; Abdelkader Kartal, Salwah Sadık
Substitutes: Lola Katona (Kartal 50’); Chloe Brewster (Chaplin 73’)

[Huayramarca]

Part 1., Part 2., Part 3., Part 4., Part 5., Part 6., Part 7., Part 8., Part 9.

Rewind.

Part 10., Part 11., Part 12., Part 13., Part 14 A., Part 14 B, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19

Ñucanchi Ñan - Part 20.

Guayaquil, Guayas Department. - 18/04/1980 - 10:30 A.M.

Alan, an Huayramarcan Army colonel, Marta and Buendía drove from the Sierra to the sun-drenched Guayaquil. There were a lot of police checkpoints on that zone by orders from Mina, fortunately, he wasn’t stopped due to his range into the army’s hierarchy and well known reputation as one of the most “loyal” army members to the regime, something that was a clear misconception on what one could now see on Alan’s actions and also said how much was Mina focused on trying to achieve his Illimani project, to the extent that he wasn’t paying enough attention at the fact that Ñucanchi Ñan was mining his stronghold from beneath. An eight hours drive from Huaraz to Guayaquil and then begin some planning in order to get the “coup” underway, the idea was clear and they all knew it.

Part of the plan is to send the three most loyal-to-Mina brigades to the San Carlos Islands, a little archipelago located 12 hours (on boat) from the coast of Guayaquil, hence, enough isolation in order to send them to train during the period of time that they would be attacking Mina’s regime. They were missing a key detail there, because they would find it, sooner than later, that it was part of a plan to get rid of Mina, and those three battalions have a sizeable amount of personnel and equipment in order to counterattack, the situation wasn’t spotted until the wise person into Augusto Buendía said “How we will act when they receive the news of the coup?” Alan just said “Will they ever be aware of it?” Marta’s and Buendia’s face turned red, in mystery on what Alan was thinking to do at that moment. Alan said “I won’t send a boat for them until some months, I’ll let them die there” Buendía said “But, there’s more population aside from said personnel?” Alan said “I’ll send them to the westernmost of those islands, 4 hours away from the main settlement, I doubt they’ll be able to swim, there’s a quite deep trench there.” Buendía said “Oh, the Northern Trench!” Allan nodded.

In fact, a deep trench was between those islands, at least 8,500 meters deep into the ocean, a deepness enough to produce chickening even into the most valiant souls, also, the fact of continuous weather changes due to the arrival of winter, turns the mission to reach the settlement into something more than a simple adventure, it’s suicide. Alan had everything on mind, they arrived to the barracks and walked in disguise, since Buendía and Marta both had military apparel, they went to Alan’s office and locked it to talk. “So, this is the plan. They’ll be sent to a survival tactics exam, I guess they won’t be able to survive and, if they somehow manage to survive, they won’t have their weapons functional due to corrosion and other effects that salt water can cause to the shooting mechanisms, known as Galvanic Corrosion.”

“The weapons itself aren’t conceived for naval usage, something that it’s on our favor, hence, those doesn’t use sacrifice anodes (refer to the link for more info) and are prone to suffer from it.” Buendía knew that the plan itself was being somewhat like a masterclass rather than just a simple stint of good luck or something shady between his thoughts, he knew that Alan was being sincere, hence, he said “It does seem like a great plan indeed, but, how we will get Mina’s approval?” The need for a soft spot was present, but Alan had everything on mind, he replied “There’s a soft spot for Mina, if you say that the plan has the objective to make Huayramarcan sovereignty stronger, he will blindly accept.” Allan started to type, as fast as possible in order to send a request memo to Mina before noon, it’d be somewhat easy to explain: “Sovereignty enforcement of San Carlos Islands.” He showed the memo to Buendía and Marta for a check, they nodded and sent it via fax to Mina. They did it, it was received by 11:40 A.M.

Mina, located on the Illimani National Park was asked for an advisor for a little meeting, said advisor was carrying the faxed memo for request… Mina reviewed it and said “We need to project the world and, specially, in our nation a strong leadership, hence, I approve this mission.” He signed the memo for approval and was received by Alan at 12:05 P.M. Alan fist bumped when the memo was received, it had the infamous Mina’s signature. Buendía showed the middle finger to it while they moved out and sent the bulletin to Machala and Lima’s barracks in order to have the meeting ASAP in Guayaquil.

The units were displacing through the coast, two of the strongest battalions would be sent to a survival test, they knew that fact, but they ignored that it’d not be a simple test, it’d be a real survival test since they will be abandoned at the Madrigal Island, the most faraway one of the archipelago. It took some hours before they arrived and Alan spoke to them: “Today, it does begin one of the greatest projects that our leader has, expand our sovereignty across the strait, to show how strong Huayramarca is. The Motherland needs you all, be brave in this survival test, display your courage and love for this nation, this is your chance! May your family and everybody in this country reward your efforts for defending our nation!” Clapping was noisy and prolongated, there were some mixed feelings since some soldiers were doubting if they would survive. Deaths while testing is something that haunts the Huayramarcan army, it was more common than one would believe, people drowning while swimming, dying of exhaustion while doing cross country for an entire week over the Huayramarcan snowy peaks and more weird deaths due to uncooked animal preparing.

By the time the boat left Guayaquil, it was 7:00 A.M. they would arrive at 8:00 A.M. or so since they were travelling to the most faraway island of the chain, now, the coup was on march and Mina’s days were counted. Alan decided to call his units on Guayaquil in order to talk to them and begin the preparations to defend Huayramarca from Mina’s tyranny. He gathered all the soldiers and said “Your president doesn’t respect us, he has sent three battalions to an impossible-to-survive test to the San Carlos Islands” while pointing out to the wall, where a projection of the memo signed by Mina was being displayed. “See his signature? Well, if you do, I guess you share the same thoughts as I do, we need to get rid of him, he’s ashaming us totally, hence, we need to coup him” The people on the place was astonished, but somehow were entering into reason, by the fact of solidarity to their friends and colleagues.

“We urge you all to show him that we aren’t slaves nor toys, we need to clean Huayramarca from him.” People was now clapping but demanding for an answer about the operation. “We will head to the Illimani National Park on the 24th, at the morning, since we have detected that Mina is there, hiding at a mining prospect zone, we need to capture him and apply martial judgement on him, since he’s performing great treason on Huayramarca, we need to put this into one of the glorious pages of our history, Mina needs to be sentenced and punished. History will remember you all as valiant sons of Huayramarca, valiant people that decided to stop him from committing unjust acts and abusing of innocent people as if they were toys.” The people roared in support, there was some desire to pick up the guns, but people needed to be calm at the moment, hence, Buendía talked "I'm Augusto Buendía, you might know me, we need to remain calm and plan this in an extremely detailed way, we need to have a great mindset to pull this and win, since there's no other word in our vocabulary other than win."

Huayramarca's about to be into one of her most glorious days, as for now, since a tyrant was about to be kicked, but we are about to see if Ñucanchi Ñan could be a great solution, the best among the worst or a total mistake from the Huayramarcan people if they decide to act badly... Only time will tell.

[Farfadillis]

The Kamikaze
A site dedicated to Farf football
General Section
Mid-qualification Young Players Review
submitted just now

I've not paid my internet bills for months now, and I just got a notice that it'll be getting shut down in about half an hour, so I'd thought I'd get a quick article reviewing how some of our young players have been performing during the first half of qualifiers. Specifically, I'll be focusing on the ones that have shown the most promise. Without further ado:

Têrçêr Ànáxímane - 21 y/o - plays for Dí Maozöxê - Average Rating: 7.22
Têrçêr continues to hold down the starting spot fiercely, showing Pam's trust in him to not have been unfounded after all. More than a few eyebrows were raised last AOCAF Cup when he got the nod over Teijeiro, but he's shown to be considerably more solid in defense, while at the same time making some sparks fly on the attack, much like his predecessor. Yeah, he's not quite Teijeiro on the attack, and he probably never will be. But the game of football is constantly changing, and last World Cup we were severely punished for employing a wingback as suicidally attacking as Teijeiro. Overall, an extremely valuable player that no doubts must be on the radar of many world class teams.

Ígnîgo Çí Xôrí - 22 y/o - plays for Mâ Âlâmëomë - Average Rating: 7.56
This lad right here has been the biggest revelation of qualifiers, hands down. He had already displayed very impressive technique and tactical aptitude, but over the last half-year he has added a privileged physique to that. He's, simply put, an absolute terminator in the middle of the pitch and provides much-needed help controlling the midfield, freeing rue Cazade up more so that he can open up defenses with more ease. It appears we may have solved the whole we-have-no-good-CMs-to-go-with-t'Öéséné problem.

Tôsgo Alxíkí - 20 y/o - plays for Lâ Lüs - Average Rating: 7.35
Yes, it's true. Some of us expected Alxíkí to already be world class at this point. He is, after all, the current supposed best young prospect we have. That's a label that has a lot of tradition. However, at his age, Dandalleion, Kâí, Wínrôuge and Êns all were much better players. Might this just be a blip? Who knows. He is still, however, an extremely good player for his age, causing problems to pretty much all defenses with his tremendous pace and fantastic dribbling. It wouldn't hurt if he helped out in defense every now and then, though.

Röémün Çídh - 21 y/o - plays for Rülândéá Kôsta - Average Rating: 7.10
Certainly a strange one. All credit must go to Pam for this one: nobody in their right mind would've called up the less talented of the Çídh brothers last AOCAF Cup, but Röémün has made the most of his chances and genuinely deserves to be starting. Tall, strong, kind of fast, decent finishing. He links up well with his brother, which shouldn't be a surprise. And hey, most of them weren't hard to score, but you can't tell me seven goals in nine games is not an impressive ratio.

Loxjilo Exihosahar - 22 y/o - plays for Royal Rumiatzi - Average Rating: 6.89
Loxjilo had many of us asking “Who?” when he got his first call-up, it's true. But he's shown himself to be very solid whenever Pam feels like rotating Fermández. Yeah, sure, it's generally against low-tier opposition, and he struggled against Yue Zhou, but he has presented himself as a dependable-enough and... to be honest, astonishingly fast leftback. No, seriously, is he drinking Cocoabo or something?

Emiliano Gallegas - 22 y/o - plays for La Nueva Avenida - Average Rating: 7.17
Wìjìnì, you better watch out. If Gallegas played on the right, he'd be giving Alxíkí a hard time holding onto his starting position. He's a shorter, nimbler, two years older and ever-so-slightly less technical version of the Rulandese winger. So, hey, that actually means he's pretty great. He's helped open up a few games in this first half of qualifiers, so watch out for him in the second half, specially now that we appear to have a nice points cushion, which allows Pam to rotate more often.

Folgore Alaminos - 20 y/o - plays for Jungle Strike - Average Rating 7.04
A very interesting player, this one. Wise beyond his years on the pitch, he really is an extremely intelligent player. Not quite on t'Öéséné's level in that regard, but that could change with time. He is also very technical and great at assisting teammates, racking up no less than six assists in four games. He'll have a very hard time displacing rue Cazade, but he could prove a very impactful sub in the future. Plus, hey, rue Cazade ain't immortal.

[Mriin]

aintgottimeforthisshit.mrn

World Cup Qualifiers just hit their halfway point, which means it's going to be even more impossible to turn the water cooler conversation away from the topic of football. Here's your survival guide to get through discussion the matter of the Mrii national team.

Matchday 1 - Southern Palm Islands 3–5 Mriin
A weird start to the campaign, but as all the sportcasters and chuds will tell you "three points is still three points." Letting in this many to a team ranked into the 300s isn't a great look, but good on the Plascases (brothers?) in putting on a show against the top seeds.

Matchday 2 - Mriin 5–4 Tikariot
The game that had everyone talking. Bright, starry-eyed young national team coming into qualifiers with big plans and even bigger match reports. Coming out putting on a show in the first seed's back yard! A brutally back-and-forth affair that you could also describe as high-and-low, with the Reavers pressing their height advantage on the attack while the Snowy Owls kept things low to the ground for nearly the entire match. That a 4-3 game was up-ended into 5-4 off the back of a handball call on their keeper, of all things, rounded off a wild event.

Matchday 3 - Filindostan 0–0 Mriin
A boring but fine result for both sides. Most everyone has already forgotten this game happened, but it was a nice breather for Dinii Eduun (the Reaver keeper) after getting shellacked two games in a row.

Matchday 4 - Mriin 2–2 Se Vende Skooma
It's not quite The Incident levels, but this was not a result any of the bookies had in the cards. The Potato Cannoneers weren't chalked up for a whole lot, but one can't afford to underestimate their apparently legendary manager Mr. BARF. He had his players spewing all over the Mrii goal, and shamefully for Eduun--who's break did not last long--a second bumbled past her with seconds left on the clock to drop two points.

Matchday 5 - Natanians and Nosts 1–2 Mriin
The Reavers' second trip to Esportiva, which begs the question why the hosts couldn't have put them on the schedule one day earlier to save two separate flights into the region. The Natanians and their Nost friends put up a solid fight but came up just short, which is a solid allegory for their qualifiers performance in general.

Matchday 6 - Mriin 3–1 TJUN-ia
The first really solid win they'd gotten all cycle! Which was handy, what with the... Jaguars? That's their demonym? Alright. The Jaguars were sitting above the Reavers for first place on the group 11 table after MD4, and this win very solidly put us on top. Not to mention it featured Istria Saara's third brace of the campaign--if it weren't for her two first half finishes this would have been a hard-fought one-all draw.

Matchday 7 - Union Europae 0–3 Mriin
Routine win over the obligatory unranked side. The Union definitely aren't your typical unranked fodder--they're still in the top half of the group!--but even considering that, the Reavers should be capably of comfortably putting this sort of game away.

Matchday 8 - Port Ember 0–0 Mriin
The on-paper hardest match on the schedule, away to the second seed. You're always fine coming away from this with a point, especially with Port Ember's extremely slow (and draw-heavy) start to the campaign. A second half surge on their part isn't out of the question, but the sizeable gap we've built up over them should hopefully mean we can keep them at a safe distance going forward--just like our defense did in this game.

Matchday 9 - Mriin 5–4 South Newlandia
And that's the story of how Dun Mekeus got the starting keeper job. It's another barnstormer against a starry-eyed World Cup newcomer, although the Elephants are even more storied than the Snowy Owls what with their TWO victories over Valanora in their debut cycle. The Reavers also faced Valanora in their debut cycle! It was two dismal losses. But that was long ago--eighteen years jesus christ where does the time go--and now we're the big bad top seed trying to keep the newbies down. But unlike the elves, the satyrs were able to pull ahead when it counted and just barely keep the Elephants caged. Not even having their wunderkid Romleb Mada take an absolutely brutal injury from an unfortunate Maas Halder would stop the momentum as they pulled the game within one in injury time! But there just wasn't enough time to stage the full comeback, and now they may have to face the second half without their supersub (if he ever gets to play again. Seriously, that shit hurt to look at.)

[Eura]

emplor.eur/main/sport/football
THE REVIEW: HOW EURA PERFORMED IN THE FIRST HALF OF QUALIFYING
Report by our Euran international team correspondent Isabel Haynes

Pasarga 1 – 0 Eura @ Stade de Torgos, Torgos, Pasarga
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 21. S Fox, 4. C Roberts, 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns, 6. M Rowland (sub H Patterson 58), 8. V Robshaw, 11. D Bowman (sub A Woodman 70), 11. R Griffiths, 7. M Woakes, 9. B Bond (sub J Fletcher 76)

Starting qualifying away in Pasarga was a challenge to be reckoned with. Unfortunately it ended in defeat, with Brian Bond unable to capture the imagination as he marked his 100th cap for Eura. An encouraging but toothless first half performance from the Eurans saw them waste their best opportunities to score. Pasarga ruthlessly took advantage. Alexander Jager showed he still has the ability to score from nothing with a sensational thundering finish to win it despite Kevin Belgrave’s best efforts.

Eura 5 – 1 Megistos @ Bastion Arena, Bastion, Eura
Bond 12, 27, Bowman 45, 78, 85
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 21. S Fox (sub S Coles 90), 4. C Roberts, 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns, 6. M Rowland, 8. V Robshaw (sub C Ashton 81), 11. D Bowman, 11. R Griffiths, 7. M Woakes, 9. B Bond (sub M Fox 60)

Fielding the same starting lineup that lost to Pasarga, Eura upped their game against Megistos and ran out 5-1 winners. Brian Bond fired his side in front with an early brace – nutmegging the keeper for the first and scoring a rebound for the second, leaving them red in the face – before Robertson got Megistos back in it with a screamer. Bowman then put the game beyond the reach of the home side with a 45th minute header, a cheeky paneka penalty in the 78th minute, and a volley late on to complete his hat-trick.

Grand Quebecois 3–6 Eura @ a stadium in Grand Quebecois
Sutton 16, 28, Tomlinson 25, Ashton 68, Patterson 72, J Fletcher 90+4
Eura – 30. V Simm, 25. A Watts, 15. J Menard, 19. J Newton, 27. A Ingram (sub L Almwood 54), 28. B Malone, 29. C Ashton, 22. H Humphreys (sub H Patterson 66), 16. A Woodman, 14. T Sutton, 17. I Tomlinson (sub J Fletcher 81)

In a strange turn of fate, the same team that beat Royal Kingdom of Quebec was sent in to the fray to play their namesake Grand Quebecois. Despite the home side taking an unlikely lead Eura soon seized the initiative and scored three quick goals without response, two from Sutton and one for Tomlinson. In the second half Ashton and Patterson added further goals before Grand Quebecois got two back. John Fletcher brought an end to a chaotic nine goal affair with a powerful strike in stoppage time.

Eura 2–3 Acronius @ Bastion Arena, Bastion, Eura
Woakes 56, Griffiths 59
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 21. S Fox, 4. C Roberts, 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns, 6. M Rowland, 8. V Robshaw (sub F Bevan 82), 11. D Bowman, 11. R Griffiths (sub F Wright 68), 7. M Woakes (sub J Newton 68), 9. B Bond

The most frustrating performance and result of the first half of qualifying came against Acronius at home, where Eura threw away a two goal advantage in unacceptable fashion. Eura had worked hard without reward in the first half against a resolute Acronius defence and then broken through with two goals in a few minutes, one from Woakes and another from Griffiths. Then came the collapse – Pascale, Bautista and Tayeb scored three quickfire goals in a remarkable comeback for Acronius, all three benefitting from dreadful defending by Euran’s strongest team. It was uncomfortable viewing for all.

Fujai 0–2 Eura @ Nykanalstadion, Keiserholde, Fujai
Newton 37, J Fletcher 62 (pen)
Eura – 13. R Bull, 21. S Fox, 15. J Menard, 19. J Newton, 23. L Almwood, 24. F Bevan (sub C Ashton 53), 22. H Humphreys, 20. F Wright (sub B Malone 45), 18. H Patterson, 16. A Woodman (sub D Bowman 67), 10. J Fletcher

Eura’s second choice eleven had an opportunity to challenge for first team positions in this game against Fujai, especially after the players whose places they desire had just imploded against Acronius. Almost everyone impressed, bar perhaps Bevan and surprisingly Woodman. Newton was vastly improved from his disastrous substitute performance against Acronius and even got on the scoresheet, a fine redemption for the Pasarga-based defender. It then came down to John Fletcher to wrap up victory with a second half penalty.

Eura 2–0 Timuria @ Bastion Arena, Bastion, Eura
Bowman 71, Robshaw 77
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 21. S Fox (sub S Coles 75), 4. C Roberts (sub J Menard 69), 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns, 6. M Rowland, 8. V Robshaw, 11. D Bowman, 11. R Griffiths, 7. M Woakes, 9. B Bond (sub J Fletcher 65)

Bastion was a much happier hunting ground for Eura on their return as they cruised to victory against a talented Timuria side. The defensive fortitude of the visitors was undeniable though they lacked a cutting edge on this occasion, allowing Eura to control the game from midfield as they faced little pressure on their own back four. The breakthrough finally came when Bowman scored from range, and victory confirmed by Robshaw netting only six minutes later.

Drunk People at the Local Tavern 3–5 Eura @ "the Backyard"
Bevan 20, Wright 44, 57, Fletcher 52, Sutton 70
Eura – 13. R Bull, 21. S Fox, 15. J Menard, 19. J Newton (sub D Steele 60), 23. L Almwood, 24. F Bevan, 22. H Humphreys, 20. F Wright (sub C Roberts 60), 18. H Patterson, 16. A Woodman, 10. J Fletcher (sub T Sutton 64)

Eura redeployed their second choice side against the strangely named Taverners and, in spite of some poor defending, survived to win 5-3. There were goals for Bevan, Wright (twice), Fletcher and Sutton off the bench, but most Euran commentators will have been focused on Ryan Bull having a torrid time again in goal.

Eura 4–1 Vdara @ Bastion Arena, Bastion, Eura
Giannakos 6 (og), Griffiths 48, Bond 54, Bowman 59
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 21. S Fox (sub S Coles 80), 4. C Roberts, 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns (sub A Ingram 60), 6. M Rowland, 8. V Robshaw (sub F Bevan 64), 11. D Bowman, 11. R Griffiths, 7. M Woakes, 9. B Bond

Vdara have been the surprise package of Group 3 so far leading to a lot of excitement about a potential thriller in this fixture, with Eura under real pressure to win the game and assert themselves in the group. That pressure was significantly lessened by an early piece of luck as Rhys Griffiths’ cross was turned in accidentally by Giannakos. Vdara equalised through a sublime Tryfon Vlahiades free kick shortly before half time, which threatened to throw the Euran’s off mentally. Instead they recovered quickly and rediscovered their potential to destroy teams in the early stages of the second half, taking apart the visiting challengers with three goals in quick succession from man of the match Griffiths, Bond and Bowman, all top goals.

Vangaziland 0–7 Eura @ a stadium in Vangaziland
Rowland 7, Bond 11, 40, 62 (pen), 65, Woakes 34, Robshaw 73
Eura – 1. K Belgrave, 2 Coles (sub A Watts 56), 15. J Menard, 5. D Steele, 3. S Burns, 6. M Rowland, 8. V Robshaw, 11. D Bowman, 20 F Wright (sub B Malone 68), 7. M Woakes, 9. B Bond (sub I Tomlinson 87)

Eura ended qualifying on the road where they blew away Vangaziland. A strong but nevertheless subtly rotated team gave their opponents a thorough beating with Brian Bond racking up four goals, the first Euran to score four goals in an international game in a very long time, and certainly during the post-World Cup 66 era. Monica Rowland started the scoring with a simple tap in that didn’t do justice to the attacking firepower Eura were about to display. Bond then doubled the lead with his head before Woakes added a third; Bond got his second and Eura’s fourth, again with his head. In the second half Bond completed his hat trick from the spot after winning the penalty himself, then scored his historic fourth with a right footed drilled effort from outside the box just three minutes later. Vincent Robshaw added the icing on the cake with a seventh from close range.

[Newmanistan]

WORLD CUP 86 - NEWMANISTAN/DRAWKLAND

It's time for the second half.
Hopefully some of these will be in your future!

Scores

[Ziwana]

Part Two

HOW WE WON THE

4TH CMFA CUP

By Charles Payen, Jean Wilder and Abdulaziz Haqawi

JEAN WILDER

The CMFA is open to all national teams that exist in the Melayu region. Before each competition, national teams have to sign up. For the 4th CMFA Cup there were least number of clubs signed up for tournament. 12 team signed up in total. Ziwana were the best of the bunch with a ranking of a 3rd place in the whole region. The hosts Soracana were 4th. After seeing this I thought that this was an opportunity for the Akambuku to gain their first trophy.

CHARLES PAYEN

We were drawn into Group 4 alongside unranked Havynwilde and Sharktail ranked 21st. I honestly forgot about the ranks, I had seen Havynwilde players play, they were really talented and driven. Most of the players in their national team were multiverse tier players as they played in the largest clubs in the multiverse.

JEAN WILDER

The weeks leading up to the tournament what every one in the national team camp concentrated on was becoming a team. Most people hearing this will think I mean being a 23 man squad that can play together well on the pitch. I don’t mean that. In Ziwana we have a culture of community. We all work together for a better and stronger community. When everyone, about 70 people in camp focused on becoming a team, it meant everyone was subordinating their interests and giving their time to the national team for a common goal that united us. It wasn’t just a camp of players and stuff but a family of brothers,sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles and aunties.

ABDULAZIZ HAQAWI

The foundations of a strong community in camp was laid out from our camp in Ziwana. Everyday in the afternoon after morning training everyone would either play pool, darts or golf together. Our camp in Ziwana was in Zote at Mkango Lodge. That place was extremely beautiful, no lie. Camp can become pretty boring and the mood can easily become sour. These activities make things interesting in camp. I remember whilst in camp myself and Mohammed Al-Dossari had made a bet with the physios that who ever lost the next round of pool would have to train the next day in a skirt and also serve everyone meals in a skirt. I must say me and Al-Dossari weren't excatly the prettiest beer wenches the next day.

JEAN WILDER

The shenanigans in camp at Zote really lightened up the mood in camp. We played lots of silly games such as bend over, hit the knuckle and chicken. What you don't know what bend over is ? Okay its a game were those involved avoid bending over, if they do so other players in the game have a right to kick them in the bum. Such silly and high-spirited mischief made everyone in camp forget club rivalries and we not only became a team but a family.

The camp in Soracana Islands

PART 3 COMING SOON

[Springmont]

Group 12                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 The Hinodejin Empire                  11    8   2   1    26   12  +14    26
 2 Trolleborg                            11    7   3   1    29   17  +12    24
 3 Taeshan                               11    7   3   1    24   15   +9    24
 4 Ziwana                                11    5   1   5    17   12   +5    16
 5 Riena                                 11    4   3   4    19   18   +1    15
 6 Springmont                            11    3   3   5    20   25   −5    12
 7 ZSeparatists                          11    4   0   7    14   20   −6    12
 8 Savigliane                            11    3   1   7    20   30  −10    10
 9 The Grearish Union                    11    2   2   7    11   20   −9     8
10 Fluvannia                             11    2   2   7     9   20  −11     8

 (MD1) Springmont 0–1 The Hinodejin Empire
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

 (MD2) Riena 0–0 Springmont
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

(MD3) Springmont  3-4 Savigliane 
Coe
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: Waldo Miguel Stanley - 23', 45', 77'

 (MD4) Taeshan 3–2 Springmont
Auwaerter
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Delinois
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: McColsom - 43' & Crownfish - 76''

 (MD5) Springmont 1–0 Fluvannia
Kingbury
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Ravenbluff, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

Springmont Scorer: Mayfirth- 12''

 (MD6)  Trolleborg 5–2 Springmont
Kingbury (C)
Fogdream, Bloodsword, Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt
Mayfirth, Crownfish, Compton

Springmont Scorer: Farrowshard- 30';  Crownfish - 59'

 (MD7)  Springmont 2–1 ZSeparatists
Kingbury
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, Delinois, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Stanley

Springmont Scorer: Kaizer- 57';  Fjetland - 90'

 (MD8)  Springmont 2–2 The Grearish Union
Kingbury
Fogdream, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard
Fjetland, Delinois, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Mayfirth- 12';  Crownfish - 65'

 (MD9)  Ziwana 2–2 Springmont
Auwaerter
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Bloodsword
Ravenbluff, McColsom, Mohaupt
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Kaizer - 40';  McColsom - p. 77'

 (MD10)  The Hinodejin Empire 4–2 Springmont
Auwaerter 
Krepanovic, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard 
Fjetland, McColsom, Mohaupt 
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Crownfish- 80' & 88'

 (MD11)  Springmont 4–3 Riena
Coe 
Bloodsword, Heckbert (C), Wingstrom, Farrowshard 
Fjetland, Ravenbluff, Mohaupt 
Kaizer, Crownfish, Mayfirth

Springmont Scorer: Mayfirth- 25', 44'; Fjetland - 71'; Wingstrom - 90'

Next Game
MD12: Savigliane vs. Springmont
MD13: Springmont vs. Taeshan

Goalscorer
Name	    Total
Crownfish	5
Mayfirth	4
Stanley	           3
McColsom	2
Kaizer	            2
Fjetland	2
Farrowshard	1
Wingstrom	1

[Southwest Eastnorth]

SWEN Takes 3 Points from Rivals, but not 4 or more!
exceprt from http://www.swensport.swe/footy.htm

SOUTHWEST EASTNORTH - A fun game of footy was played between humans and appliances resulting in a come from behind victory for the Frontiersmen/Pioneers. A thrilling game that saw a game winning Penalty kick from designated taker Iva Johncock late. The game was a 2-1 lead for the appliances of Sylestone till about midway through the second half. At the 62 minute mark, Sylestones small but quick star striker Mixer had the ball and attempted to pass it to Stove. The ball though was partially intercepted by a sliding Gerrard Klattenberg. It bounced of Klattenberg's foot and back into the Mixer knocking him back and sending him tumbling around. He would be ok, but was taken out of the game for precautionary measures (No Pun Intended). This left the Appliances down an appliance and from there two goals went in and three points went to Southwest Eastnorth. This is the Third victory for the Pioneers/Frontiersmen. They've had a rough time of it since the death of coach Rox, but Jayson has done a great job and even got some playing time as a substitution versus Sylestone in place of .In the end the points were needed for the team, with fellow bottom dweller Silver Commonwealth coming up they can pull away from some of the teams at the bottom and push forward toward a decent mid table finish.

First Coast Stadium on a quieter day

The game the week before was heartbreaking for the Frontiersmen/Pioneers but also comical. You see the game versus the Holy Empire was to be played at the First Coast Stadium. It was packed full of fans at full 40,000 capacity and even a few monks. But there was a problem. When the game was set to take place, it had been agreed that Southwest Eastnorth would wear blue uniforms and the Holy Empire (Also known as Aldisair I Frocitus in some circles) agreed to wear the famous golden outfits. But even though you could see in pregame that the Frontiersmen / Pioneers were wearing the blue uniforms, when they came out the tunnel, suddenly they were in yellow like their opponents.

This confused many, Chris Houton said

I blinked and my uniform changed color, it was a fever dream, but real!

Coach Tipoli when pressed on the matter said

I remember back in Tonissia, hearing about these guys, that they could manipulate the fabric of space and time, I guess what they really meant was that they could manipulate fabric!

While the game was allowed to be played onwards, the Frontiersmen/Pioneers did have blue shorts on compared to the red of The Holy Empire, it did eventually cost the poor Pioneers/Frontiersmen in the end. In the 82nd minute of play Chris Houton went to pass to a teammate, turns out that teammate was the Empirical player Andrew Palaeologo who had been subbed in for Alexander Ceraluso. Ceraluso got the assist on an earlier goal by Belmores, but was complaining of the humidity as it made his uniform turn blue at certain angles (That is a direct quote from him, we're as confused typing that as you are reading that.). Palaeologo was able to take advantage of a way out of position Miles Mikohaffer and scored the winning goal. But for the Pioneers/Frontiersmen it was still an amazing game and a show that the team is ready to play ball with anyone.

THE HOLY EMPIRE - 2
Ceraluso 33'
Palaeologo 83'

SOUTHWEST EASTNORTH - 1
Houton 61'

SYLESTONE - 2
Mixer 4' 50'

SOUTHWEST EASTNORTH - 3
Houton 20'
Austin 68' 
Johncock 76' (PK)

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Halfway Point marks tougher fixtures
Scott McCrae
The Mail on Sunday National Soccer Writer

As they are about to embark on the second half of World Cup Qualifying, the Commonwealth National Team will see the path get a little bumpier; they will face all three of the closest sides in the table--Savorjarna, Mercedini, and Twicetagria--away from home on the return fixtures, setting up the potential of Group 18 coming down to the final couple of matchdays.

Manager Ichi Tuzzio addressed the media ahead of the trip to TOTEL which will kickoff the second half of the campaign that presents five away fixtures.

"We have no reason to worry about away matches, Baker Park has very good record of success playing in other nations. Pressure will be upon the other sides, as they will need positive result against the first pot team. We believe that the squad are hitting their stride at the right time."

When asked about the movement away from utilizing the expanded player pool as was the norm, Maestro Tuzzio spoke of adapting to changing circumstances.
"There has been a serious discussion since qualifying has started about where we are in terms of squad preparation. We have made conscious choice to not draw from a large pool, because we want to make sure we are not giving up points in a group that is quite competitive."

The manager also remarked on a couple of issues he wanted to bring attention to.
"I would like to send out our wishes for a speedy recovery to the Springmont coach Brooks Thurmond, who is battling a diagnosis of cancer, and say we are sending good thoughts to our friend Jisseca Curran in Valladares, who has not had such good luck lately. To both of them we say Godspeed."

[Fluvannia]

DIVISION STREET JOURNAL

Sunday, September 13, 2020

1.50 Mark

FLUVANNIA IMPROVING IN WORLD CUP

ACQUI BOLLENTE, SAVIGLIANE -- While the Fluvannian national soccer team has not fared particularly well at the 86th World Cup, a definitive improvement is still seen. Whereas the Blueshirts have recently returned to the last place in Group 12 following a loss to Taeshan, they have managed to win two games and tie two more, with seven games remaining on the schedule. As the second half has begun, we have seen multiple losses by only a single goal, which, while still losses, show the team is continuously growing more competitive on the international level, especially taking into account the fact that their Baptism of Fire participation this go-round ended with a draw and four losses over five games played. It cannot be said that Fluvannian soccer players are experts at their craft, but by God they're almost done being apprentices at any rate.

Savigliane 1 - 0 Fluvannia

Gabriel Lefebvre's lone tally in the 62nd minute provided the Swans of Savigliane all the offense they needed as they hung on for a win in front of a partisan crowd of 59,000 at the Stadio del Piero. Try as they might, the Fluvannian squad were unable to get by Camillo Notari, though they began to generate better and better chances for themselves as the game progressed. While they had begun to solve the Saviglianan defense, there wasn't enough time for them to solve Notari as well, and another shutout loss awaited them at the final whistle. To their credit however, the Blueshirts are beginning to show substantial defensive prowess, and goaltender Tadamori Asahiko has had flashes of increasing brilliance in net.

The schedule for Fluvannia's group play is as follows:

Wed., Sept  2: vs. Savigliane            L 0 - 2
Thu., Sept  3:  @  Taeshan               L 2 - 3
Fri., Sept  4: vs. ZSeparatists          W 2 - 1
Sat., Sept  5: vs. Trolleborg            D 2 - 2
Sun., Sept  6:  @  Springmont            L 0 - 1
Mon., Sept  7: vs. The Grearish Union    D 0 - 0
Tue., Sept  8:  @  Ziwana                L 0 - 2
Wed., Sept  9: vs. The Hinodejin Empire  L 1 - 5
Thu., Sept 10:  @  Riena                 W 1 - 0
Fri., Sept 11:  @  Savigliane            L 0 - 1
Sat., Sept 12: vs. Taeshan
Sun., Sept 13:  @  ZSeparatists
Mon., Sept 14:  @  Trolleborg
Tue., Sept 15: vs. Springmont
Wed., Sept 16:  @  The Grearish Union
Thu., Sept 17: vs. Ziwana
Fri., Sept 18:  @  The Hinodejin Empire
Sat., Sept 19: vs. Riena

Catch all the Action on Arena!
If You Can't Be There, BE HERE!

---

[Indusse]

IFA NEWS NETWORK
Confidentiam, fides, Margaretam

---

Baskar H Kumar celebrating hat trick against EQS

It's the best second half start for Indusse. The Newmanistani half of WC86 is the best for the team till now. The team got a very interesting results.
Sultanate of Oontaz 1–2 Indusse
Equestria 3-3 Indusse

The team defeated Oontaz Sultanate who had tied the team in the first half. The match was won by the blue foxes for a score of 1-2. The goals were scored by Djetson 55' and BHK 76'. The Oontaz player scored the goal at the 66th minute. The second game was with Equestria who are the group toppers. Equestria is the best team of the group till now. The former WC Champions tied Indusse in the first match for a score of 0-0. The second match was also a wonderful draw. The team tied Equestria for a score of 3-3 where BHK scored a wonderful hattrick. "This is a wonderful moment for us! Our secret is Confidentiam,Fides,Margaretam" shouts Joseph Moteudi with Joy.

Goals Scored:23
Goals Conceded:21
Top Goal Scorers:
1. Baskar H Kumar 10 Goals
2. Mersiás 4 Goals
3. Djetson 4 Goals
4. Butea 3 Goals
5. Budjedtson 2 Goals

[Jeruselem]

Princess Kate in the Naked News Jeruselem Studio

Hello this is Kate San, Princess Kate for Naked News Jeruselem. It's World Cup 86 qualification time, for match day 10 and 11.
We had two games, away and then at home! As it stood at half way, we were 6th and a bit of a laughing stock.
And if anyone missed our last show, the Queen threatened to sack the manager ... well, in an indirect way.

As it happens, our first game of 2nd half of qualification was in Ko-oren!
Yes the team who NO ONE has managed to beat. Along come the bumbling Princesses who managed to lose to the last placed team.
You'd say well fuck, we lost again ...
Well, we knocked Ko-oren over 2-1 ... at their home!
Yes Ko-oren suffered their first loss to us, at home.
We won 2-1 and held on for a win which would shock other teams expections of us.
I guess threatening to sack people sometimes bloody helps.
It wasn't pretty or a game you'd like put up as a perfect game, but we scrapped our way to an epic WIN.

In other match day 10 games.
Quebecois Acadiana got beaten by visitors 95X 2-1 who would have cheered Ko-oren losing.
Tequilo were at home and brushed off Iles Rogieres 3-0 for an easy win.
Semarland continued the bad run of Sajnur, beating them 4-3 at home. Sajnur should have won.
Netop held up our rival Huayramarca at home 0-0.

You know what, that's the sort of start we wanted on match day 1. Pity it's match day 10 instead.
Match day 11, and we were back home with total of like zero wins at home.
Yeah losses and draws at home, not our best work.
We had a nasty rainstorm in the morning but it cleared up thank God.
Eh we lost of lights at the stadium due to a lightning strike. Great, nevermind.

Netop trashed Quebecois Acadiana, 4-0. Thank God we won last game.
Huayramarca at home caught Ko-oren on the rebound and Ko-oren beat Huayramarca 3-0.
Sajnur at home ran into hot Tequilo who won 2-1.
Iles Rogieres lost to visitors 95X 3-2.

Well, Semarland visited and we beat them 2-0. OUR FIRST HOME WIN
So, we got maximum points for the first time in the cup.
Yes given we're so far behind, it helps but we just need to keep going.
Yeah we play 95X in match day 4 in another big game.
Yes - good news this week! But don't get your hopes up because we got 7 more games and we need to win those.

Group 2 table has changed dramatically after this
Yes despite the loss Ko-oren has 30 points and leads with a 9-1-0 record.
95x are still 2nd with a 7-3-1 record on 24 points
Tequilo are challenging 95x on 23 points on 7-2-2. They are going be a problem for us.
Huayramarca fell away but hold 4th on 18 points. Their 5-3-3 record doesn't great compared to the top 3.

YAY, Jeruselem moved to 5th! Yes, it's shitty 4-4-3 record. But it's 4 wins!
Netop are 6th on 12 points, with 3-3-5 record. They would be 5th if we screwed up.
Sajnur plunged to 7th, on 11 points with a 3-2-6 record. They were way up there at one point.
Iles Rogieres on 11 points with 3-1-7 record. They haven't been doing well lately.
Semarland avoid being last on 7 points with 2-1-8 record.
And Quebecois Acadiana are still last on 4 points, with 1-1-9 record ... that win being against us.

I actually have to idea what brought about the sudden change, two wins after that win away in the 1st half.
Mind you Netop has won 3 from 4 games, the one loss was to us.
There is still 8 points between us and 95X and 7 to Tequilo. So we have lots of work to do!

I haven't seen following the football as much as I've been playing Fall Guys lately.
I'm not very good at the game, Princess Bella keeps kicking my ass.
I'm that annoying Pink Fox.

And we have more random stuff about our country.

People see a lot of female police around. In some countries, they might be like token efforts for equality.
Not here, those girls aren't there for their looks. Although we do have some of best looking police women around.
And yes some are members of my family.

People have complained about our very nosey immigration officers when foreigners first arrive.
Well they are just doing their job.
It's not funny how many times people think I'm a sex worker so just stop complaining.
We do get a lot of people of dubious character trying get into our country.
Especially old men escaping their country after doing bad stuff to kids ... ahem

I think I might have woken someone up at our rival network.
They finally had a show about our campaign and defended the current manager - blaming everyone else.
Seriously, if a woman had such a bad start to this cup, they'd blame her.
For some reason, that web site runs erectile dysfunction ads everytime I watch it ...

An interesting general comment about our women, from foreigners.
We're kinda short.
I can't speak, I'm short.
Well yes the average height of our girls is lower than averages in other places.
My family is particularly afflicted this way, we rarely have tall females.
Which is why people think our football team is short, compared to other due to the girls being a little shorter on average.

OK everyone, if visitors have our worthless banknotes in their wallets when they get home.
I'd turn into something more valuable immediately, like ... Gold or Bitcoin.
I'm a Princess of Jeruselem and I'm saying our money is worthless.
I'm not saying anything new, the locals know our money isn't worth much either.

One last thing.
Yes, alcohol is cheap in Jeruselem ... compared to water.
Water is rare resource here but ethanol is cheap it's not taxed as much.
We do use it add to our petrol and well it's needed if you want pick up that girl at the bar.

That's it from me. A great day for us, with two wins after our 2nd win. All we need another 7 wins!
OK, that's not being realistic but if we can beat Ko-oren we can beat anyone.

OOC

MD10

Quebecois Acadiana 1–2 95X
Tequilo 3–0 Iles Rogieres
Semarland 4–3 Sajnur
Ko-oren 1–2 Jeruselem
Netop 0–0 Huayramarca

MD11

Netop 4–0 Quebecois Acadiana
Huayramarca 0–3 Ko-oren
Jeruselem 2–0 Semarland
Sajnur 1–2 Tequilo
Iles Rogieres 2–3 95X

[Springmont]

Basilsome Athletic FC Post League Report - Part 2

MD8
Basilsome Athletic FC 3–1 Penfirth City FC   @Wilford Street (3,301)
[I. Parax x3 | A. Cabon]

Parax scored more and more goals, it was like a goal machine for Basilsome, a hat-trick from him, completing a 3-1 Basilsome-style victory over Penfirth City. Rumors are circulating that some super league clubs are planning to bid for him at a high price next season, but Grover Ty Snyder denies it.

MD9
Rowanwood FC 3–4 Basilsome Athletic FC     @FerryWorld (11,209)
[A. Verdoorn, E. Moltenforge, R. Teraa  | I. Parax x3, R. Summerpeak]

In the ninth match, Parax once again scored a hat-trick and an extra goal from Summerpeak caused 11,209 spectators at FerryWorld to thunder with a goal party that day, Rowanwood 3, Basilsome 4

MD10
Vigness City FC 3–1 Basilsome Athletic FC     @Lesston Stadium (994)
[P. Reyes x2, N. Gloryhorn  | R. Summerpeak]

Luke Sheppard (Vigness City FC Manager) had to use three DMCs to chain Parax and it turned out that the trick was successful, not only that, Vigness City FC secured victory in the match with Basilsome's only goal scored by Summerpeak.

MD11
East Cherrywine FC 2–3 Basilsome Athletic FC   @VitoPark (2,076)
[O. Roston x2  | I. Parax x3]

The Athletic got a touch of victory, as did Parax, returning to their favorite, which is to make a hatrick, their victim this time, none other than their former team manager, East Cherrywine FC. Basilsome won 3-2 but, obviously their defensive line needs to be strengthened because it is so easy to miss, this is acknowledged by Athletic defender Jarvis Torres.

MD12
Basilsome Athletic FC 1–1 Gloswood FC    @Wilford Street (3,301)
[B. Meadowmantle  | Azha]

Gloswood FC managed to tie them at home 1-1, which Parax certainly did not play in this match due to injury and his place was taken over by Lucas Gregory.

This article bought to you by

[Graintfjall]

Hjörleifursson to retire after World Cup

Veteran national center back Vilbjörn Hjörleifursson will retire from all football following the conclusion of the World Cup qualifying campaign, he confirmed last night, having already given notice of his intention to retire from domestic football following Molding’s penultimate game of the GPL season. The Molding captain has helped the Gold Shrews secure fourth place and IFCF participation next season, and his retirement will extend to the Snow Wolves, for whom he is the joint-most capped player, following the completion of the World Cup qualifying period. The decision was “both incredibly easy and incredibly hard,” said Hjörleifursson in remarks after the 2 – 0 away win in Alba and Cymru.

Hjörleifursson is the only outfield player to have played every game in Græntfjall’s (brief) international history; frequently voted captain by his teammates, the 38 year old has formed the heart of the Snow Wolves defense alongside Ralf Álfarsson in all but one of his appearances. The two most recently starred in the 1 – 0 victory over Farfadillis, a side currently ranked 12th in the world, as the Snow Wolves put on a superb defensive effort to blunt the pace and complex attacking formations of the World Cup 84-winning Farf. He then played in the Alba and Cymru game with the issue of his future unresolved, after news of his announcement to Molding teammates was released, and thus said he was clarifying matters now so as “to resolve uncertainties and allow for forward planning.”

The defender was stoical about the timing of his decision meaning he will miss out on representing Molding in international club football for the first time ever, and on potential Cup of Harmony participation by Græntfjall. “I’m very lucky to have had the opportunities I’ve had to continue playing to the age of 38,” he said. Most players of his generation missed out entirely on international and world club football, having played in the era of Græntfjall’s self-enforced isolation from world affairs; indeed, professional football itself was unknown when Hjörleifursson was the same age as Snow Wolves teammate Jason Þórhallursson, who scored the winning goal against Farfadillis. “When he was 21, the GPL didn’t exist, there was no national team, there wasn’t even really a Græntfjall,” said Þórhallursson. “He’s seen some big pretty big changes in his life, I can’t even imagine.”

Inevitably, the demands of competitive international football now give away quickly, from appreciation of Hjörleifursson’s legacy, to succession planning for his replacement. Given his dependability alongside Álfarsson, who himself has missed one game (through suspension), Hjörleifursson has not given prospect center backs much chance to blood themselves at international level. In this GPL season, the outstanding central defenders have been Steinaux’s Hjörleifur Reynarsson and Altendalur’s Tom Ernestisson; both are yet to win their debut caps for the Snow Wolves, while Hilmar Farmansson, who plays with Platinastigrade in the Federativna Liga Football Zeta Reka i Hügeltaldom, has made only a handful of appearances, mostly as a garbage time defensive substitution. He saw the field against Farfadillis in such circumstances as Sigtryggur Brynjólfursson showed his characteristic caution, shifting to a 6–4–0 formation in the second half in order to protect a 1 – 0 lead.

“I think there’s probably a question to be asked about how well the Snow Wolves have planned for the future, given Hjörleifursson is 38 and Álfarsson 35 [36],” said veteran football journalist Olle Tobiasson. “Now isn’t the time for that – we should be appreciating all they’ve done for the country. But it’s not going to be long before the national team is going to have two untested center backs in defense.” While Álfarsson himself has committed to play next season with Folte, questions over his age and fitness will doubtless increase in the wake of his partner’s retirement. Such questions were, admittedly, put to one side against Farfadillis as his superb defensive showing led the team, and his relentless marking of Farf playmaker Faragó rue Cazade, the creative force behind their prior victory over the Snow Wolves, frustrated Pamela Scott into hauling him off at the hour mark.

Steinaux striker Petter Erlingsson himself stopped short of criticizing Brynjólfursson. “Given how well Vilbjörn and Ralf have played for the national team, no one can fault Sigtryggur for going with them,” he said. “But Hjörleifur has been the best defender in the Premier League this season, so it’s a shame he hasn’t earned at least a cap off the bench.” Erlingsson indicated he would like to see players like Farmansson and Ernestisson, but especially his teammate Reynarsson, start to gain playing time in national colors to help “ease the transition”. “We don’t want to begin Copa Rushmori 36 or World Cup 87 with an untested center back pairing.”

Erlingsson added his appreciation for Hjörleifursson as a “stalwart giant” of the game and indicated he hoped that KG would given him an appropriate “send off” during the national team’s final home game, against Northwest Kalactin. That seems unlikely, with KG having been generally unwilling to indulge in extravagant ceremony and Brynjólfursson insisting on a rigid competitive focus. Hjörleifursson himself said he “wasn’t expecting any banners or bunting”, and Álfarsson said that he was “sure the focus would be on getting three points”. Hjörleifursson is in any case expected to make the trip to Nagore for what would be his final international match.

Græntfjall – 1 (1)
Leonardsson; Vilbertsdóttir, Hjörleifursson, Álfarsson (41’), Vernerisdóttir; Aunosdóttir (31’) (70’ Farmansson ); Raphaelsson, Guttisdóttir, Jvarsson, Franklínsson (58’ Svennsdóttir ); Þórhallursson (20’) (86’ Bjørnsson )

Farfadillis – 0 (0)
Ibrelaná; Fermández, Ûsêtêrnìx, Ànáxímane (26’); Wìjìnì, t'Öéséné, Çí Xôrí (30’), Alxíkí (45’ Pueyrredón ); rue Cazade (61’ Quîrîjá ); E. Çídh (63’ de Zúñiga ), R. Çídh

---

Alba and Cymru – 0 (0)
unknown (12’) (57’)

Græntfjall – 2 (1)
Leonardsson; Vilbertsdóttir, Hjörleifursson, Álfarsson, Vernerisdóttir; Bjørnsson; Raphaelsson (14’), Guttisdóttir, Jvarsson (73’ Aunosdóttir ), Franklínsson (52’ Noahsdóttir (61’)); Þórhallursson (54’ Antoninsson )

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