KT Laranjauzia
(Luja Stadium, Laranjauzia)
1. Iker Saucedo (35, G , AUD)
2. Kemen Arenaza (31, D R, AUD)
3. Fortun Ansotegi (35, D L, AUD)
4. Estebe Antxustegi (32, DM C, AUD)
5. Edorta Mondragon (19, D C, AUD)
6. Ixaka Lizarzaburu (18, D C, AUD)
7. Inácio Castro (19, M RC, AUD)
9. Galin Alejandro (32, F C, AUD)
10. Domeka Zabala (31, M/F CR, AUD)
11. Zorian Linazasoro (25, M LC, AUD)
12. Diego Parrilla (34, M L, AUD)
13. Kieran Lorenzen (22, D L, AUD)
15. Xabat Urrestilla (22, D/M RL, AUD)
16. Nicolò Scarpaci (26, DM C, AUD)
19. Zorian Ytuarte (18, G , AUD)
20. Álvaro Valdovinos (34, F C, AUD)
21. Satordi Bastida (33, F C, AUD)
22. Michel Saint François (18, D R, AUD)
mng. Ramon Goicoechea (62, D C, AUD)
Newly promoted KT Laranjauzia are the only National League team with an all-Audioslavian line-up, and are another team who have been defying expectations this season. Favourites to go back down, the side have instead pulled themselves up to tenth place this season, with young winger Inácio Castro the highlight. They go into this week’s game hopeful of a point against reigning champions Cazadores…
Matchday 20
KT Moreazerua 0–0 Bombarralense
Oljestaden IF 2–2 1830 Cathair
KT Koroatuz 0–2 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
KT Laranjauzia 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
Shamrock Cathair 1–0 KT Itzalovalle
…and get so much more. Castro’s fifteenth minute cross finds the head of experienced striker Galin Alejandro who powers home for 1-0, and scoreline stays as such until the final whistle. Rook Cathar is furious with his side, who are looking far off the pace compared to last season.
Cazadores Cathair
(El Ruedo, Cathair)
1. Hardcheese (34, G , DAI)
2. Jerquaad (24, D CR, DAI)
3. Aurelio Saez (30, D L, AUD)
4. Bryton Menheniot (26, DM C, APX)
5. Salvador Monterroso (28, D C, AUD)
6. Inteali Koranjo (19, D C, VIL)
7. Creidne Lindauer (28, F C, BRE)
8. Dane Pridgeon (22, M C, COS)
9. Aranha (30, F C, DAI)
10. Olimpia Vidal (27, F C, CMT)
12. Aloha (24, F C, DAI)
13. Cristos Harding (30, D C, EFL)
14. Francis Sutherland (21, M L, HVY)
15. Giorgio Gucci (24, M L, MRC)
16. Christian Armani (23, M R, MRC)
17. Guifré Menez (21, D/M R, AUD)
18. Azaim (21, M C, SHT)
19. Gaizka Etxenoz (27, M RL, AUD)
21. Mikhail Gerardo (23, F C, MRC)
22. Iago Cacho (22, DM C, AUD)
23. Theold Bracewell (29, G , NPH)
25. Jirijii Januaa (39, D LC, VIL)
28. Claudio Casimiro (17, M C, AUD)
Mng. Rook Cathar (49, F RLC, NPH)
Colours: Dark red shirts with black and gold trip, dark red / black shorts, black socks.
Audioslavian Champions: 2
Audioslavian Cup Winners: 1
Line-up
So where has it gone ‘wrong’ for Caza (for a given value of ‘wrong’, they’re firmly in contention for one of the league’s four IFCF spots)? Well, although Rook Cathar has made signings in the transfer window, the purchases have largely been to add depth to the squad. Azaim and Harding are improvements on previous backup players, but the first team remains unchanged since last season, and the rest of the league has figured out the Caza playbook by now, which Cathar has failed to update.
They were exploited by Laranjauzia last week, who shut up shop and cut off the supply line to Vidal and Lindauer. Surely this week, against bottom-of-the-league Koroatuz, they’ll fare better?
Matchday 21
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 KT Laranjauzia
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 KT Koroatuz
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 1–2 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair 3–1 KT Moreazerua
AC Izotz Zubia 3–1 Osarese Marcadia
Nope. Though Caza take the lead, two goals before half-time stun the champions and they trudge back down the tunnel to be treated, no doubt, to Cathar’s hair-dryer. Casimiro and Azaim take the field in the second half over Cacho and Menheniot, and it’s the former who supplies Olimpia Vidal with the equalizing goal. Caza go off in search of a winner that they fail to find, and the side fall into sixth place behind Oljestaden, victorious over Calcio Sicurezza Elfi.
Elsewhere, Mozi continue to struggle, dominated by 1830 Cathair. A side of Mozi’s stature should really be in the top eight, but they emphatically aren’t. You know who are?
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
(Stadio Oromë, Trentina)
1. Ibrahim Mathisen (33, G , VAL)
2. Pablo Maia (29, D C, AUD)
3. Naim Nabhani (31, D LC, AUD)
4. Santiago Canez (31, D/M C, AUD)
5. Gustav Marinussen (33, D CR, VAL)
6. Fredrik Pettersen (24, D C, VAL)
8. Ethan Floch (32, M C, AUD)
9. Dennis Våge (27, F C, VAL)
10. Qamar Wardak (32, F C, AUD)
11. Indra Söderström (18, M L, VAL)
12. Havelock Hennings (31, F C, AUD)
13. Elijah Magri (26, M C, AUD)
14. Fredrik Skotnes (27, M RL, VAL)
15. Karsten Carullo (30, D/M R, AUD)
16. Dylan Bain (26, D C, AUD)
17. Sergi Cambra (29, M/F C, AUD)
18. Yvete (33, M/AM C, DAI)
20. Santino Romero (32, F C, AUD)
21. Archald Aguilar (26, M C, AUD)
22. Tober Nijboer (29, G , AUD)
Mng. Axel Tufte (52, VAL)
Colours: White shirts with sky-blue trim, white shorts, black socks
Every year, pundits project CSE to go back down to the second tier, and every year they’re made to look very silly. As Sicurezza take to the field against struggling KT Moreazerua, they’re eighth in the table and just three points away from the ChC spots.
Matchday 22
Osarese Marcadia 2–0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
KT Moreazerua 1–1 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
Oljestaden IF 0–3 Cazadores Cathair
KT Koroatuz 0–0 KT Itzalovalle
KT Laranjauzia 1–4 Shamrock Cathair
The side more than match Mozi and are unlucky not to take victory after Hennings’s scuffed attempt at a finish in the dying moments of the game.
1830 Cathair
(Arena Kirola, Cathair)
1. Goran Stroud (20, G , AUD)
2. Andries Nijland (29, M R, AUD)
3. Minne van Schelven (24, D C, KOR)
4. Stani Gröss (24, DM C, ZRH)
5. Jack Menard (19, D C, EUR)
6. Niko Szubanski (34, D C, BRE)
7. Steve Erickson (29, AM C, HAP)
8. Liam Armstrong (32, M C, EUR)
9. Pristina Shine (33, F C, EQS)
10. Thorsten Kramer (26, M/AM C, STL)
11. Rickson Marañón (31, AM LC, AUD)
12. Leona Rafford (31, D R, NPH)
13. Tucunduvá (35, G , DAI)
14. Aymeric Fortin (25, F C, VLD)
15. Tryfon Vlahilades (25, D L, VDR)
16. John Lomax (34, D RC, AUD)
17. Ainsley Gibson (32, D L, AFT)
19. Puristina Shinra (27, M C, HIN)
20. Dean Sharp (33, F C, EUR)
21. Shakira Handris (30, F C, PFA)
22. Alessio Roda (18, D LC, AUD)
23. Michael Jensen (20, D R, AUD)
24. Armand Cariou (16, M C, AUD)
27. Xaime Medal (22, AM L, TEQ)
Mng. Lee Sharp (70, F C, EUR)
Colours: White and blue striped shirts, white shorts, white socks
Domestic Honours:
Audioslavian Champions: 12
COCANEFA Honours:
COCANEFA Champions: 5
CopAnaia Winners: 1
International Honours:
UICA Champions Cup / IFCF Champions League: 2
UICA Super Cup / IFCF Super Cup: 2
AOCL: 1
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1
Tropicorp Super-cup: 1
Audioslavia’s most successful team, 1830 Cathair have come back stronger after their disappointing third-placed finish last cycle. Vlahilades, Fortin and van Schelven are welcome additions to the first team, while young Euran centre half Jack Menard has forced his way into the first eleven and goalkeeper Goran Stroud has proven worthy of the number one jersey foisted upon him by manager Lee Sharp.
After working hard to overcome their seven point deficit to Zozi over the course of those three games before the halfway stage, while fighting it out on the Cup Winners Cup and Champions League fronts at the same time, Cathair have to sit and watch their rivals pull ahead again, with a fallow period of three matchdays without having a ball to kick. Lee Sharp’s squad will get some well earned rest and get their calculators out. They will need to fight back all over again come the end of the season.
Matchday 23
Shamrock Cathair 5–1 KT Koroatuz
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Oljestaden IF
Cazadores Cathair 1–2 KT Moreazerua
KT Ferramendiak 0–1 Osarese Marcadia
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0–4 AC Izotz Zubia
Matchday 24
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 KT Ferramendiak
Osarese Marcadia 3–1 AS Marcadia
KT Moreazerua 0–0 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 1–2 Shamrock Cathair
KT Koroatuz 0–0 KT Laranjauzia
Matchday 25
KT Laranjauzia 1–2 Oljestaden IF
Shamrock Cathair 0–1 KT Moreazerua
Bombarralense 1–1 Osarese Marcadia
AS Marcadia 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Ferramendiak 1–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 18 13 3 2 38 15 +23 42
2 1830 Cathair 16 12 2 2 39 13 +26 38
3 Shamrock Cathair 19 12 2 5 42 19 +23 38
4 KT Itzalovalle 19 10 5 4 19 14 +5 35
5 Oljestaden IF 20 10 2 8 33 30 +3 32
6 Cazadores Cathair 18 9 3 6 35 23 +12 30
7 KT Moreazerua 20 5 7 8 16 22 −6 22
8 Osarese Marcadia 19 6 4 9 29 41 −12 22
9 Bombarralense 16 5 6 5 17 21 −4 21
10 KT Ferramendiak 17 4 6 7 24 29 −5 18
11 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 17 5 3 9 16 22 −6 18
12 KT Laranjauzia 19 5 3 11 15 25 −10 18
13 Isle of Kjeligsted FC 17 4 4 9 11 22 −11 16
14 KT Koroatuz 19 2 7 10 19 40 −21 13
15 AS Marcadia 16 2 5 9 16 33 −17 11
Six points is the gap at the top, with Cathair having two games in hand and a slightly better goal difference. Behind them, Shamrock are level on points but, having played three more games than their city rivals, have realistically fallen out of contention for now. Itzi are chugging away in fourth, with Oljestaden in the dizzying heights of fifth place largely due to the exploits of Spijkers, who has become the season’s breakout star. Caza continue to fall off the pace, but who are those teams in joint-seventh place? Despite gaining only five wins over the course of twenty games, Mozi are somehow up into the Challengers’ Cup spots, with Osarese Marcadia having turned things around just behind them, but to their rear are a train of clubs that have played fewer games and are within reach of both Mozi and OM.
At the bottom, AS Marcadia have played the fewest games, and it’s perhaps for that reason that they lie behind Koroatuz, but all the same thirteen place is looking increasingly beyond I Marchetti’s grasp.
Bombarralense
(Estadio das Trevas, Bombarral)
1. Uolleys (30, G , DAI)
3. Muuna Kentar (36, D L, MRN)
4. Mario Valentini (36, D/DM C, AUD)
5. Szescõ Erôss (18, D C, PAS)
6. Beck Clayborn (30, D C, BRE)
7. Leon Davis (26, F C, HVY)
8. Tray Mohaupt (26, M C, SPM)
9. Jinpachi Mishima (27, G/D/DM C, HIN)
10. Martí Calderon (26, F C, TEQ)
11. Jordi Valeri (26, M LC, AUD)
12. Daczibog Ketadzic (31, D C, SRS)
13. Vanessa Way (34, D LC, BRE)
14. Cody Fraser (31, M C, AUD)
16. Maxil Girou (34, D C, MRN)
18. Victor Collar (30, F C, AUD)
19. Ambrosia Chance (35, M CL, BRE)
20. Craig Harris (22, D C, HVY)
21. Benjamin Beffa (33, F C, AUD)
23. David Africa (23, G , AUD)
Mng. Guillem Rodas (39, AUD)
Eletti Valligiani and Artiglieria are two teams that exploded up to the top flight of international football and reached UICA/IFCF football in their first season. After a few years, their exits from the top flight were similarly spectacular. Bombarralense had a similarly bombastic (if you pardon the pun) entrance in season ten, finishing seventh and pushing for an IFCF spot until the very end, and followed on with another similarly impressive seventh placed finish last season, but are wary of following the same path as EV and Artiglieria. They don’t look in danger of being relegated this season, but will need some special performances to propel themselves into the IFCF spots for the first time.
Matchday 26
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0–0 AS Marcadia
AC Izotz Zubia 1–2 Bombarralense
Osarese Marcadia 1–4 1830 Cathair
KT Moreazerua 2–0 KT Laranjauzia
Oljestaden IF 0–0 KT Koroatuz
And how’s that for something special? Tequilo striker Marti Calderon smashes a late winner to silence the home crowd, whose lead over 1830 Cathair at the top of the table is halved. The Bombers may not be as high in the table as last season, and still have a strange little squad, but they are proving that they can be more than a match for any team on their day.
At the bottom of the league, AS Marcadia’s drab draw with Isle of Kjeligsted puts the light-blues in further trouble, and there’s more on the way for the eastern side.
AS Marcadia
(Stadio di Via Montegrappa, Marcadia)
1. Fortune Cammers (20, G , EFL)
2. Erik Silberg (30, D R, AUD)
3. Amarzi George (24, D L, MRC)
4. Lance Bensom (23, D C, BRE)
5. Antonio Dragutin (24, D C, MRC)
6. Vega Lage (30, D/M RCL, AUD)
7. Simos Arvanitakis (20, AM RL, FHU)
8. Davide Lauri (27, M C, AUD)
9. Caceres (34, F C, DAI)
10. Menderchuk (31, F C, DAI)
11. Corey Aonen (31, F C, VLZ)
12. Giovanni Fanara (31, D C, AUD)
14. Minka Kranevitter (32, M R, NPH)
15. Adão Monserrate (34, D C, AUD)
16. Francesc Monzo (22, M LC, AUD)
17. Jarrod Di Virgilio (29, M/F RL, AUD)
18. Mattia Cicale (22, M C, AUD)
20. Salvatore Del Pozzo (36, AM LC, AUD)
21. Edoardo Del Conte (22, M C, AUD)
Mng. Mauro Bianchi (61, M CR, AUD)
Colours: Sky blue shirts with a black circle on the chest, white shorts, white socks
Audioslavian Cup Winners: 1
Matchday 27
KT Koroatuz 0–1 KT Moreazerua
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 1–3 Osarese Marcadia
1830 Cathair 0–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Bombarralense 2–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
AS Marcadia 0–1 KT Ferramendiak
Marcadia are awful in defeat to KT Ferramendiak, and will have to double their win-count for the season so far in order to make up the points in their two games in hand. The strike partnership of Menderchuk and Caceres simply hasn’t been working, and Corey Aonen’s injury is preventing Mauro Bianchi from making any useful changes. The manager’s time at Marcadia will be up unless he can turn things around quickly.
Elsewhere, AC Izotz Zubia bounce back to crush 1830 Cathair at the Arena Kirola in a hugely important game at the top of the table, with Baume and Butler combining for both goals.
Matchday 28
KT Ferramendiak 0–1 Bombarralense
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1–1 1830 Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
Osarese Marcadia 3–1 Cazadores Cathair
KT Moreazerua 4–2 Oljestaden IF
Matchday 29
KT Itzalovalle 2–2 Osarese Marcadia
Cazadores Cathair 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 0–0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
1830 Cathair 2–1 KT Ferramendiak
Bombarralense 2–1 AS Marcadia
Matchday 30
AS Marcadia 1–2 1830 Cathair
KT Ferramendiak 0–1 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1–2 Cazadores Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 2–2 KT Itzalovalle
Osarese Marcadia 1–4 Shamrock Cathair
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 23 16 4 3 46 19 +27 52
2 1830 Cathair 21 15 3 3 48 19 +29 48
3 Shamrock Cathair 20 13 2 5 46 20 +26 41
4 KT Itzalovalle 21 10 7 4 23 18 +5 37
5 Cazadores Cathair 21 10 3 8 38 28 +10 33
6 Oljestaden IF 22 10 3 9 35 34 +1 33
7 Bombarralense 20 9 6 5 24 24 0 33
8 KT Moreazerua 23 8 7 8 23 24 −1 31
9 Osarese Marcadia 24 8 5 11 39 53 −14 29
At the top of the table, neither Cathair nor Zozi can afford any slip-ups, but both manage just seven of the possible nine points over these three games, with Cathair still feeling the pain of their derby defeat as they succumb to a dreadful 1-1 draw against Isle of Kjelisged. Zozi, three games later, are held by rivals KT Itzalovalle as their lead is reduced to just four, with Cathair having two games in hand on the men in salmon and silver.
Behind them, Shamrock and Itzi are off the pace for the title fight but are in the box seats for qualification to the Champions League, with Caza, Ojestaden and Bombarralense all on thirty-three points. Mozi and Osarese Marcadia may have played more games than most, but their form has turned around and both sides are fighting to get into contention for those Challengers’ Cup places.
Matchday 31
KT Laranjauzia 2–2 Osarese Marcadia
Shamrock Cathair 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 3–0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Cazadores Cathair 2–1 KT Ferramendiak
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 0–0 AS Marcadia
1830 Cathair 5–0 Bombarralense
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 24 16 5 3 47 20 +27 53
2 1830 Cathair 22 16 3 3 53 19 +34 51
3 Shamrock Cathair 21 13 3 5 47 21 +26 42
4 KT Itzalovalle 22 11 7 4 26 18 +8 40
5 Cazadores Cathair 22 11 3 8 40 29 +11 36
6 Oljestaden IF 22 10 3 9 35 34 +1 33
7 Bombarralense 21 9 6 6 24 29 −5 33
8 KT Moreazerua 23 8 7 8 23 24 −1 31
9 Osarese Marcadia 25 8 6 11 41 55 −14 30
None of the Cathair clubs are giving up just yet. Cathair obliterate Bombarralense by five goals to nil, with Thorsten Kramer scoring twice, Steve Erickson, Rickson Marañón and somehow Leona Rafford scoring the others. Caza overcome Feri via goals from Frank Sutherland and Olimpia Vidal, while Shamrock have the better of their game with AC Izotz Zubia but can’t find the winning goal. For Zozi fans, their lead may have slipped from four points to two, but the result is very much seen as one point gained rather than two lost.
Matchday 32
Bombarralense 3–2 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
AS Marcadia 0–2 Cazadores Cathair
KT Ferramendiak 0–0 KT Itzalovalle
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0–1 Shamrock Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 KT Laranjauzia
Osarese Marcadia 1–0 KT Koroatuz
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 25 17 5 3 49 21 +28 56
2 1830 Cathair 22 16 3 3 53 19 +34 51
3 Shamrock Cathair 22 14 3 5 48 21 +27 45
4 KT Itzalovalle 23 11 8 4 26 18 +8 41
5 Cazadores Cathair 23 12 3 8 42 29 +13 39
6 Bombarralense 22 10 6 6 27 31 −4 36
7 Oljestaden IF 22 10 3 9 35 34 +1 33
8 Osarese Marcadia 26 9 6 11 42 55 −13 33
9 KT Moreazerua 23 8 7 8 23 24 −1 31
AC Izotz Zubia make the most of 1830 Cathair’s day off and extend their lead at the top, but it was close. Zozi are knocked out of the Champions League in mid-week and it’s a makeshift side that take the field on Sunday evening to stumble over the line via a goal from Coridai. The other two Cathair clubs both play, and both are solid, with Thor Møller grabbing the only goal of the game away to Isle of Kjeligsted and Creidne Lindauer scoring a brace to defeat AS Marcadia.
Matchday 33
Oljestaden IF 1–4 Osarese Marcadia
KT Koroatuz 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Laranjauzia 1–0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Shamrock Cathair 2–0 KT Ferramendiak
KT Itzalovalle 0–1 AS Marcadia
Cazadores Cathair 1–1 Bombarralense
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 0–1 1830 Cathair
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 26 18 5 3 50 21 +29 59
2 1830 Cathair 23 17 3 3 54 19 +35 54
3 Shamrock Cathair 23 15 3 5 50 21 +29 48
4 KT Itzalovalle 24 11 8 5 26 19 +7 41
5 Cazadores Cathair 24 12 4 8 43 30 +13 40
6 Bombarralense 23 10 7 6 28 32 −4 37
7 Osarese Marcadia 27 10 6 11 46 56 −10 36
8 Oljestaden IF 23 10 3 10 36 38 −2 33
9 KT Moreazerua 23 8 7 8 23 24 −1 31
Zozi are in a strange position. In any normal league, a side being five points clear at the top with two games to play would be pretty confident of taking the title, but Zozi have only two more games to play compared to Cathair’s five, and there’s no doubt as to whether Cathair can keep the pace. A workmanlike win over CSE is recorded, with Xaime Medal beating Ibrahim Mathisen at the near post for the only goal of the game. All Zozi can do is keep winning and hope their rivals slip up, and a tired AC Izotz Zubia defeat Koroatuz by a single Eurico goal to nil.
Shamrock, of course, aren’t out of it yet, and their new look side has only been stronger since bowing out of IFCF football. They sweep Ferramendiak aside with a cool first-half performance with Fergus Sloan and Yohan Miller tearing their opponents asunder down the wing.
In the battle for that final IFCF Champions League spot, Cazadores slip up, though in truth Rook Cathar’s side are fortunate to snatch a draw from Bombarralense, for whom Szescö Erôss, Maxil Girou and Muuna Kentar are in solid form at the back, and only a last-ditch equaliser from Giorgio Gucci is enough for a single point. Fortunately for Cathar’s Cathair, fourth-placed KT Itzalovalle fare worse. Much, much worse.
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 24 6 5 13 20 31 −11 23
11 KT Ferramendiak 24 5 7 12 27 37 −10 22
12 KT Laranjauzia 23 6 4 13 19 31 −12 22
13 Isle of Kjeligsted FC 25 4 7 14 14 32 −18 19
14 AS Marcadia 23 3 7 13 19 40 −21 16
15 KT Koroatuz 23 2 8 13 19 43 −24 14
AS Marcadia are still in the relegation places, but their victory over Itzi, via Simos Arvanitakis’s near-post finish, lifts them up to fourteenth and within striking distance of Kjeligsted.
Further up, neither Feri nor Sicurezza are safe despite having spent much of the season in mid-table. There is a definite divide in the league, here, with eight points separating ninth from tenth, yet only one point separating tenth from the Relegation Playoffs and five separating ninth from Challengers’ Cup football next season.
Matchday 34
1830 Cathair 2–2 Cazadores Cathair
Bombarralense 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
AS Marcadia 1–2 Shamrock Cathair
KT Ferramendiak 1–1 KT Laranjauzia
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0–1 KT Koroatuz
AC Izotz Zubia 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Osarese Marcadia 1–2 KT Moreazerua
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 27 18 5 4 50 22 +28 59
2 1830 Cathair 24 17 4 3 56 21 +35 55
3 Shamrock Cathair 24 16 3 5 52 22 +30 51
4 KT Itzalovalle 25 12 8 5 28 20 +8 44
5 Cazadores Cathair 25 12 5 8 45 32 +13 41
6 Bombarralense 24 10 7 7 29 34 −5 37
7 Oljestaden IF 24 11 3 10 37 38 −1 36
8 Osarese Marcadia 28 10 6 12 47 58 −11 36
9 KT Moreazerua 24 9 7 8 25 25 0 34
As with last cycle, Osarese Marcadia’s season ends earlier, having played all their twenty-eight games with four gameweeks still to go. Unfortunately for Le Fenice, they’re defeated at home to KT Moreazerua and will miss out on Challengers’ Cup football next season despite their heroics in reaching the quarter-finals this time out. The season ends on a sort of high, however, as the fans demand Fabio Mancini come and see them after the game, not to complain about the result, but to applaud their player-manager who, from now, will be known simply as ‘manager’. Just shy of his fortieth birthday, the legendary Mancini hangs up his boots for good.
Oljestaden’s win condemns OM to a season without IFCF football, and what a win it is. In front of an increasingly infuriated Izotzazubian crowd, they defeat the title challengers by a single Erwin Spijkers goal to nil. The weekend is ruined for Zozi fans, but Monday evening turns out better than expected. Title rivals 1830 Cathair host Cazadores knowing that a win would decrease the gap to two points. Aymeric Fortin’s brace before half-time looks to put the Capital Club on their way, but their city rivals aren’t done, and pull a goal back through a Cristos Harding header on forty-eight minutes. Cathair, typically fitter than their opponents, begin to tire through the sheer tension and Olimpia Vidal strikes late on to halt the Teatimers’ march.
Nevertheless, Caza lose sight of fourth place as KT Itzalovalle edge past Bombarralense in an equally tight encounter. Taeshani striker Wilhelm Nkitilina Tray Mohaupt’s early strike and sets up Gabirel Zozaia for the winner.[/pre]
Matchday 35
KT Moreazerua 0–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 0–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
KT Koroatuz 0–1 KT Ferramendiak
KT Laranjauzia 0–1 AS Marcadia
Shamrock Cathair 3–2 Bombarralense
KT Itzalovalle 0–1 1830 Cathair
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 28 19 5 4 52 22 +30 62
2 1830 Cathair 25 18 4 3 57 21 +36 58
3 Shamrock Cathair 25 17 3 5 55 24 +31 54
4 Cazadores Cathair 26 13 5 8 46 32 +14 44
5 KT Itzalovalle 26 12 8 6 28 21 +7 44
6 Bombarralense 25 10 7 8 31 37 −6 37
7 Oljestaden IF 25 11 3 11 37 39 −2 36
8 Osarese Marcadia 28 10 6 12 47 58 −11 36
9 KT Moreazerua 25 9 7 9 25 27 −2 34
It’s a huge day at both ends of the table. AC Izotz Zubia finish their season with a victory, and a very hard earned one at that over local rivals KT Moreazerua, who themselves are chasing Oljestaden for that final ChC spot. Thomas Butler is in fine form once again, crossing for Carrick to score the first and drawing a penalty after Marwyn Asterisk grabs two handfulls of his shirt as the young Northwest Kalanian darts into the penalty area. Wilfried Baume converts the penalty, and Zozi will finish the season on sixty-two points. Since the start of the fifteen-team top-flight era of the National League, no championship winning side has ever scored more than fifty-nine. If Cathair can close the gap it’ll be a bitter blow for the men in salmon and silver.
Cathair, though, show no signs of slowing down, and Thorsten Kramer roars his team to a one-nothing win over CL-chasing Itzalovalle to maintain the gap at a surpassable four points. With three games still to play, this is already Cathair’s second best season of the fifteen-team era. All they need is a win, a draw and to not be battered too much in defeat in order to claim yet another title.
In defeat, Itzi lose out to Cazadores in terms of the race for the Champions League, with Caza’s Olimpia Vidal again on target as they beat Calcio Sicurezza Elfi.
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 KT Ferramendiak 26 6 8 12 29 38 −9 26
11 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 25 6 5 14 20 32 −12 23
12 KT Laranjauzia 25 6 5 14 20 33 −13 23
13 Isle of Kjeligsted FC 27 5 7 15 15 33 −18 22
14 AS Marcadia 25 4 7 14 21 42 −21 19
15 KT Koroatuz 25 3 8 14 20 44 −24 17
It’s an enormous day at the bottom of the table, too. AS Marcadia’s fans chant we’re staying up after defeating fellow relegation candidates KT Laranjauzia, but their party is urinated on that afternoon as Isle of Kjeligsted do something they barely ever do: Beat their local rivals. Challengers’ Cup-chasing Oljestaden are overcome in their own stadium, with fans vehemently booing a poor performance.
Elsewhere, the writing appears to be on the wall for Koroatuz, who lose out to Ferramendiak. Their fans are informed that they should ‘enjoy Tout-Puissant Hasiera away, you *****s’. They are unlikely to enjoy that.
Matchday 36
Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
1830 Cathair 1–2 Shamrock Cathair
Bombarralense 6–2 KT Laranjauzia
AS Marcadia 3–0 KT Koroatuz
KT Ferramendiak 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0–1 KT Moreazerua
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 28 19 5 4 52 22 +30 62
2 1830 Cathair 26 18 4 4 58 23 +35 58
3 Shamrock Cathair 26 18 3 5 57 25 +32 57
4 KT Itzalovalle 27 13 8 6 29 21 +8 47
5 Cazadores Cathair 26 13 5 8 46 32 +14 44
6 Bombarralense 26 11 7 8 37 39 −2 40
7 KT Moreazerua 26 10 7 9 26 27 −1 37
8 Oljestaden IF 26 11 4 11 38 40 −2 37
9 Osarese Marcadia 28 10 6 12 47 58 −11 36
…”AND THE TITLE RACE HAS BEEN BLOWN. WIDE. GOD. DAMN. OPEN” goes the commentary. Shamrock fans are utterly delirious, with long-time hero Alexander Crewe coming off the bench and kerblamoing a rocket of a shot past Goran Stroud for a last-minute winner. Not only does this hinder their city rivals a lot going into the last two games, it puts Shamrock in the title fight themselves. Two wins would see the men in green leapfrog AC Izotz Zubia into first place, but they need 1830 Cathair to slip up again.
They are joined in celebrations by Zozi fans, but the Izotzazubians know that, chances are, one of these teams will finish with their noses ahead.
Elsewhere, Caza’s day off means that Itzi can steal a march on their opponents with a win, which they duly get via Moses Moxey.
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 KT Ferramendiak 27 6 9 12 30 39 −9 27
11 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 26 6 5 15 20 33 −13 23
12 KT Laranjauzia 26 6 5 15 22 39 −17 23
13 AS Marcadia 26 5 7 14 24 42 −18 22
14 Isle of Kjeligsted FC 28 5 7 16 15 34 −19 22
15 KT Koroatuz 26 3 8 15 20 47 −27 17
AS Marcadia thrash KT Koroatuz by three goals to nil to finally, finally propel themselves out of the relegation places and all but condemn Kozi to the second tier.
Their cause is helped by Isle of Kjeligsted who, playing their final game of the season, are defeated by KT Moreazerua, whose near-namesake Morea Zozetua volleys home on fifty minutes. IoK are all but doomed. They now need AS Marcadia to lose their final two games in order to stay up on goal difference.
A point for Marcadia in either of their final two games would relegate Kjeligsted but, technically, not yet Koroatuz…
Matchday 37
KT Moreazerua 0–1 KT Ferramendiak
Oljestaden IF 2–2 AS Marcadia
KT Koroatuz 2–1 Bombarralense
KT Laranjauzia 1–2 1830 Cathair
Shamrock Cathair 2–0 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Cazadores Cathair
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 KT Ferramendiak 28 7 9 12 31 39 −8 30
11 Calcio Sicurezza Elfi 27 6 5 16 20 35 −15 23
12 KT Laranjauzia 27 6 5 16 23 41 −18 23
13 AS Marcadia 27 5 8 14 26 44 −18 23
14 Isle of Kjeligsted FC 28 5 7 16 15 34 −19 22
15 KT Koroatuz 27 4 8 15 22 48 −26 20
Marcadia’s hard-earned draw with Oljestaden relegates Isle of Kjeligsted, but Kozi’s miraculous win over Bombarralense puts Kozi technically within sight of thirteenth. They will need a huge victory - and/or a huge defeat for either Calcio Sicurezza Elfi, Marcadia or Laranjauzia - to stay up. Who do they play on the final day? 1830 Cathair. Away. Speaking of Cathair…
The National League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 28 19 5 4 52 22 +30 62
2 1830 Cathair 27 19 4 4 60 24 +36 61
3 Shamrock Cathair 27 19 3 5 59 25 +34 60
4 KT Itzalovalle 28 13 9 6 30 22 +8 48
5 Cazadores Cathair 27 13 6 8 47 33 +14 45
6 Bombarralense 27 11 7 9 38 41 −3 40
7 Oljestaden IF 27 11 5 11 40 42 −2 38
8 KT Moreazerua 27 10 7 10 26 28 −2 37
9 Osarese Marcadia 28 10 6 12 47 58 −11 36
Zozi fans know that defeat for Shamrock and 1830 Cathair would give them the league title this weekend. Okay, only the most optimistic of Zozi fans. Both sides win, although the Teatimers leave it late before Pristina Shine pops up in the area to side-foot the winner home for all three points.
Shamrock’s two-nil defeat of Calcio Sicurezza Elfi, with Thor Møller scoring either side of half-time, ensures it will be a three-way battle for the league title on the final day. They will require all three points, and for Cathair not to win, in order to take the title.
In fourth place, Cazadores Cathair play KT Itzalovalle and fail to win, but taking all three points in their final game will certainly put them back into the Champions League for next season.
So. Caza and Shamrock both desperately need a win.
Guess who they’re playing on the final day?