Lirai Asku Castle, Yeaddin, Vilita :: After scoring just one goal in their opening three matches of the World Cup 87 Qualifying Campaign, the Vilitan National Team have now scored two or more goals in twelve consecutive matches as they look to rebuild their World Cup 87 Qualification Hopes under the guidance of new manager Cavuna Aquafek. When the Jungle Cats hosted the nation of Khytonya, however, for the first time as Manager Aquafek also put on the uniform as a registered member of the substitutes bench for the Vilitans.
There was some question as to whether Aquafek - who appeared just once as a substitute for the National Team in the first half of World Cup 87 Qualifying, would still be available for selection from the National Player Pool after taking on the role as the teams head coach for the remainder of the Qualifiers and those questions were finally answered against Khytonya. While Aquafek did not call their own number from the bench at any point during the match, they did make a call to another veteran in the swan song of their playing career. Eastal Lunar netminder Zelkki Milake, famous for helping lead the Jungle Cats to the World Cup 68 title, was a surprise inclusion in the squad after having not appeared for the Jungle Cats since the start of the 85th World Cup cycle. Milake would become one of the oldest players ever to appear in a match for the Jungle Cats when they relieved Jungle Strike FC's Vernasa Sanamun with 23 minutes left to play in the match, after Turoki Tide midifielder Polaox Torerun scored to give Vilita a 2-0 lead. The match was being played at Lunar Park in Seraai and Milake was brought in for a ceremonial bench appearance that turned into active participation when Vernasa Sanamun appeared to pull a muscle about 8 minutes before Torerun's goal. With a seemingly comfortable advantage in the match, Aquafek made the call and sent the veteran Astronaut's goalkeeper into the match much to the adoration of the home crowd who had already seen one of their own score the eventual winner through Nii'arala Milaaso's 25th minute opener. Milake had little to do in their time on the pitch but held the fort to protect the shutout and secure the three points for the Jungle Cats.
Vilita [2] - [0] Khytonya
GOALS: Vilita :: 25' Nii'arala Milaaso:: 77' Polaox Torerun
STATS: Vilita :: Possession: 57%:: Shots: 7:: Corners: 7 Khytonya :: Possession: 43%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 4
Lineup: [GK] Vernasa Sanamun, [D.] Lohani Riiyaaw, [D.] Jirak Trikala, [D.] Rojara Tiones, [ML] Intikko Kuhilana, [MC] Limu Katarakhna, [MC] Lentali Purama, [MC] Jyuola Mtalata, [MR] Kudii Davasarii, [FC] Clarana Refiami, [FC] Nii'arala Milaaso
Bench: [FC] Linvoi Warazil, [FC] Enzoril Alabonni, [M] Polaox Torerun, [M] Cywrenta Vlintejni, [U ] Cavuna Aquafek, [D] Monner Vileai, [GK] Zelkki Milake
The biggest match of the round, however, would come at the Lirai Asku Castle in Yeaddin when now second-place Vilita would host table-topping Tikariot in a match with the fate of the World Cup 87 Finals on the line. One of the sides would leave the match with a foot in the door of Taeshan and Ethane with just three matches to play while the other would be left in the clutches of Newmanistan and the rest of the Group 17 competitors looking to steal the second spot and their own path to the World Cup 87 Finals.
It was a much tighter affair that saw the twilighting Poloax Torerun on the scoresheet for the second consecutive match and fifth time of the qualification campaign, though Tikariot was able to come back and equalize after a mistake from surprise starter Striitca Virahat who got the position after Mako Canopii was deemed unfit to play at match time.
Ultimately, however, the Jungle Cats would outlast their opponents with second half goals from Jyuola Mtalata and Sipke Tarala to claim a vital three points and propel Vilita atop the Group 17 table for the first time all campaign. It was the deepest into a campaign that the Vilitan National Team had gone without leading the Group table before finally taking over spot #1 in modern recorded history. Now, under the leadership of Cavuna Aquafek, they had accomplished Goal #1 (Taking over the top spot in Group 17) and would be moving on to Goal #2 - Keeping the Top Spot in Group 17 all the way through the final three matches and the end of World Cup Qualification in order to secure a spot in the World Cup 87 Finals - with still just two points separating the Jungle Cats from missing out on the Top 2 places entirely..
Vilita [3] - [1] Tikariot
GOALS: Vilita :: 15' Polaox Torerun:: 69' Jyuola Mtalata:: 84' Sipke Tarala
STATS: Vilita :: Possession: 51%:: Shots: 7:: Corners: 9 Tikariot :: Possession: 49%:: Shots: 2:: Corners: 5
Lineup: [GK] Striitca Virahat, [D.] Jirak Trikala, [D.] Lohani Riiyaaw, [D.] Mileke Drokasorna, [ML] Lentali Purama, [MC] Kudii Davasarii, [MC] Limu Katarakhna, [MC] Polaox Torerun, [MR] Jyuola Mtalata, [FC] Nii'arala Milaaso, [FC] Enzoril Alabonni
Bench: [FC] Tenziki Kulakao, [FC] Sipke Tarala, [M] Cywrenta Vlintejni, [M] Jurzen Devmiko, [U ] Intikko Kuhilana, [D] Inbekira Ajhabekk, [GK] Vernasa Sanamun