mercedinisportsdaily.co.md | Sports Newswire for Mercedini

by **Mercedini** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:43 pm

Play-offs & Lower Leagues

MPL Playoff A
Ignavi Borough 2-1 Denby Town

Denby Town 3-0 Ignavi Borough

Denby Town win 4-2 on aggregate and are promoted to the MPL. Ignavi Borough are relegated to NL1

MPL Playoff B
Coral Island 2-2 Plympton Town

Plympton Town 1-1 Coral Island

Plympton Town tie 3-3 on aggregate but retain their place in the MPL due to away goals. Coral Island remain in NL1

National League 1          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mercedini Armed Forces      38   19  13   6    53   29  +24    70
 2 Zholvi Athletic             38   19  12   7    44   26  +18    69
 3 Denby Town                  38   18  10  10    48   32  +16    64
 4 Coral Island                38   17   8  13    32   30   +2    59
17 Inablidak                   38   10  16  12    39   36   +3    46
18 Risa                        38   10  14  14    39   47   −8    44
19 Sutsik Chernomorets         38   10  11  17    33   50  −17    41
20 AFC Monmouth                38    9  10  19    26   39  −13    37

National League 2          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ali Mercedes Casserai       38   20   7  11    48   38  +10    67
 2 Project Olimpo Mercedini    38   16  14   8    37   32   +5    62
 3 Dorchester United           38   17   9  12    42   40   +2    60
 4 East Kilbride United        38   16  10  12    38   33   +5    58
17 Sanzana Celtic              38   14   6  18    37   39   −2    48
18 OFR Ozzaya Agranka          38   12  12  14    40   47   −7    48
19 Colton & Dorvin Albion      38   11  10  17    31   43  −12    43
20 Lonek Town                  38   12   5  21    37   52  −15    41

National League 3          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CFC Esson                   38   21   8   9    51   33  +18    71
 2 Inter Peruscia              38   20   7  11    60   40  +20    67
 3 Naral Volvania              38   19   8  11    40   23  +17    65
 4 Bravajetti Athletic         38   19   7  12    38   26  +12    64
16 Langtree South Down         38    8  17  13    34   38   −4    41
17 Rainworth Miners' Welfare   38    9  14  15    25   36  −11    41
18 AFC Santo Davide            38   10  10  18    28   39  −11    40
19 Zoloroni SC Youth Academy   38   10  10  18    24   42  −18    40
20 Conista Church              38   10   9  19    37   47  −10    39

Promoted from LigaRegionale

Southsolden (East)
New Cassandra United (East)
Acoflosa Olimpico (West)
Monastir (West)

by **Mercedini** » Mon May 25, 2020 7:42 am

Mercedinian Super League
Season Seven Results

   Mercedinian Super League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts  
 1 Zoloroni City Icers               18   10   4   4    51   39  +12    24
 2 HK Dynamo Shebchetsik             18    9   5   4    44   36   +8    23
 3 Acoflosa Penguins                 18    9   3   6    41   33   +8    21
 4 Ozzaya Agranka Synthesis          18    7   6   5    40   37   +3    20
 5 AHC Langtree                      18    8   4   6    42   43   −1    20
 6 Orga HC                           18    8   3   7    41   35   +6    19
 7 SKK Ogdenagorv                    18    8   3   7    37   37    0    19
 8 Blue Strike Zoloroni              18    5   5   8    47   53   −6    15
 9 Carlgrunik Metropolitan Rangers   18    6   0  12    37   50  −13    12
10 Rafelonia Gold Stars              18    1   5  12    26   43  −17     7
   Green = HCL Qualification, Orange = Relegation Playoff, Red = Relegated

One of the closest seasons of recent memory, but it was the familiar faces of the Zoloroni City Icers who lift a second consecutive title, just edging their bitter rivals by a single point. After giving a strong performance in the previous Hockey Champions League, they will be back for another edition with the hope of becoming the first team to reach the semi-final stage. They will likely begin in the group stage, a more advanced starting position than the rest of the teams in the league. The Icers have always been strong attack-wise, and continued that trend with a league-high of fifty one goals, even if they only finished with a plus twelve goal difference. With the league income, merchandising and HCL income coming in, the Icers are likely developing a league dynasty as the biggest team in the league that keeps getting bigger.

HK Dynamo Shebcketsik will be back in the champions league for another season, but it is likely the narrow margin they lost to which will define the season. A single point stood between themselves and pipping their rivals to the title. Spirited and resolute performances were quickly snuffed out by surprise defeats and spirited performances from the other side, which cancelled each other out. Fan attendances are still high, team spirit is still high. They are currently the closest team to challenge the Icers for the title next season.

Rounding out the HCL positions are Acofloca Penguins who qualify once again, even if their track record at the HCL isn't stellar. The club has been on a seemingly continuous decline since this season, where they have come from nowhere to finish in a respectable third place. A qualifying round spot will almost certainly present itself to Acoflosa, where they can break the curse and actually earn a spot in the HCL group stages. With Acoflosa returning to a competitive state, the MSL as a whole could pick itself up as a high quality league across the board. In their first season back, Ozzaya Agranka confirm another season of HCL hockey, with the first season phenomenon returning to the MSL with Ozzaya Agranka. Just pipping Langtree to the fourth spot on goal difference, the income that they will receive could likely bankroll the company for years to come.

At the other end of the table, Rafelonia Gold Stars will return to the MDL after one season in the nation's top flight, the jump in quality proved to be too much for the small, northern team. They boosted their ranks with several good signings with their new found wealth, but it was always going to be a struggle as the smallest team in the league. The MDL will beckon for them next season, but an immediate return isn't off the cards for this side, as moments of brilliance did record at least some victories in the league. After claiming an HCL spot last season, Carlsgrunik now find themselves in the relelgation playoff, with fixture congestion proving a problem for a team that was always going to be too small to keep up, while it would be a surprise, we saw one of those last season when Rafelonia hit seven past Zholvi in the second leg to go up.

## Mercedinian Development League        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Darlaston Wolves                       18   10   5   3    54   23  +31    25
 2 Arkenton Rams                          18    9   7   2    42   26  +16    25
 3 Exton Islanders                        18    9   4   5    28   21   +7    22
 4 Trivotex Hockey                        18    8   4   6    33   27   +6    20
 5 Yushek Island Yetis                    18    6   6   6    24   27   −3    18
 6 Zholvi HC                              18    6   4   8    26   30   −4    16
 7 Armed Forces Kirkenton                 18    3  10   5    18   23   −5    16
 8 Monmouth Seagulls                      18    5   5   8    22   27   −5    15
 9 ZSCYA                                  18    5   3  10    29   37   −8    13
10 Zoloroni International University      18    3   4  11    17   52  −35    10

In Mercedinian hockey's second division, it was a close season to decide who went up to the top division, and it was the Darlaston Wolves who finally broke free of the pack to make a return to the MSL, but only just. Themselves and the Arkenton Rams, tied on 25 points, were seperated by Darlaston's much better goal difference to see themselves through to the end. Darlaston were always considered to be a safely mid-table side until their surprise relegation, where they were always pipped by another side who went up instead of them. Alas, this was their time, and a final day win in Kirkenton combined with Arkenton being held to a draw at home to Zholvi was enough for them to leapfrog their rivals into the top spot. For Arkenton, heartbreak at the death, they will play against Carlsgrunik in the playoff.

Promotion/Relegation Playoff: Carlsgrunik Metropolitan Rangers vs. Arkenton Rams
Carlsgrunik Metropolitan Rangers 3-0 Arkenton Rams

Arkenton Rams 0-2 Carlsgrunik Metropolitan Rangers
Carlsgrunik Metropolitan Rangers win 5-0 on aggregate and remains in the MSL. Arkenton Rams remain in the MDL

Into the P/R Playoff and it was a comfortable victory for Carlgrunik, as they won both legs without conceding a goal. They will return to the Super League for another crack at their first title, while Arkenton will simply be left to rue what could have been if they scored one more goal against Zholvi. Their attack simply wasn't on form in either leg with only a handful of shots combined from the Rams, whereas Carlsgrunik's clinical finishing gave them a three-goal win at home, before going to Arkenton and finishing the job with a double. 5-0 on aggregate, a comprehensive performance from the capital side.

by **Mercedini** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 3:00 pm

Season 8 | Part 1

Cup Winners Cup Preliminary Round
Boma Bombers (CCG) 4-0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0-1 Boma Bombers (CCG)

Boma Bombers (CCG) win 5-0 on aggregate

With no Super Cup from the previous season, the new Mercedinian camapign officially began in Chinese Congo with the MFA Cup winners from two seasons ago, Dynamo Shebchetsik, invited back to the Cup Winners Cup. However, their pandemic hangover was still in full force as the two-legged tie was done and dusted in 90 minutes with Boma Bombers netting four at home to effectively seal the tie the and there. Back in Shebchetsik, a small crowd in the Razrabotka Stadion witnessed a much closer affair, but an early away goal for Boma put any doubts to bed. Shebchetsik didn't score in their match, sealing a miserable return to football for the Shebnatsiya side. 5-0 on aggregate, their CWC camapign already over.

Challenger's Cup First Preliminary Round
Dury FC (PFA) 3-0 Acoflosa United

Acoflosa United 0-4 Dury FC (PFA)

Dury FC (PFA) win 7-0 on aggregate

Apparently if Shebchetsik can do something badly, Acoflosa are always there to do it worse. That's right, the surprise fourth place finishers at the end of last season never had a sniff in the match against Dury, where the match was once again done and dusted following the first match. A 3-0 away loss was topped by a 4-0 home defeat, with audible boos ringing out around the stadium at full-time. Things aren't looking good for Acoflosa if their matches end up a lot like this performance. Ultimately, Dury FC advanced with a comprehensive 7-0 aggregate win, with Acoflosa United returning back to league and cup football.

Liga B Champions Cup First Preliminary Round
Rygge Athletic 5-2 FC Terranova (WRL)

FC Terranova (WRL) 0-0 Rygge Athletic

Rygge Athletic win 5-2 on aggregate

Meanwhile, down in the Liga B Champions Cup, Mercedinian teams found their first overall win as Rygge Athletic overcame FC Terranova of the Whirl Islands following two stellar performances. Things were looking up following the team's third place finish in the nation's second division, but no promotion was awarded due to the league's early finish. However, they made a mends with a 5-2 first leg win, which was a goal fest for the watching fans in Rygge that evening. The two away goals from Terranova gave them a chance, but a professional performance from the Mercedinians ensured they did enough to go through. A goalless second leg saw Rygge through to a historic second qualifying round for the club.

MFA Cup Qualifying Round
North Dajaiina (5) 2-0 Yikulf Heights (5)

Zoloroni Southern Lights (5) 2-2 Rainworth Miners' Welfare (5) (3-2 AET)

Monte Cascantum (5) 4-0 AFC Santo Davide (5)

Helledin 98 (5) 1-3 Sarpsa Guild (5)

South Dajaiina (5) 5-1 Maleo United (5)

Plympton Royals (5) 3-4 Atletisk Svobodna (5)

Lombardia Athletic (5) 1-1 Conista Church (5) (1-1 AET, 3-1 PKs)

FK Shebardiagrad (5) 2-0 Daekin Wood (5)[/b]

Krakenberg Town (5) 0-4 Askesund Town (5)

Manfredonia Union (5) 6-1 ExtoGas Industries (5)

Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) 0-0 Sevaston Dockyards (5) (0-0 AET 4-3 PKs)

Cosneoltan Capitals (5) 1-0 Ryenna Town (5)

Forzosabla (5) 2-1 Malma Town (5)

Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) 4-4 Sevnitz Ravnaya (5) (6-5 AET)

Yakadnik Shebatov (5) 1-5 Carlsgrunik Metropolis (5)

Ansav Town (5) 3-0 Yushek Island (5)
Askesund Town (5) vs. Irstfjord (4)
Velvyn Garden City (4) vs. Sanzana Celtic (3)
Etruria-Sul-Mare (3) vs. Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5)
Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) vs. Manfredonia Union (5)
Moorland & Tersham (3) vs. Naral Volvania (3)
Ansav Town (5) vs. FC Carshalton (3)
East Kilbride United (3) vs. Lombardia Athletic (5)
FK Shebardiagrad (5) vs. Zoloroni Southern Lights (5)
Atletisk Svobodna (5) vs. Stonbridge Town (4)
Gordonia (3) vs. Langtree South Down (4)
Solsid Makhan-Varna (4) vs. Alania United (3)
Wilton Barrow (4) vs. Sutsik Chernomorets (3)
Monte Cascantum (5) vs. North Dajaiina (5)
Acoflosa Olimpico (4) vs. Risa (3)
Sarpsa Guild (5) vs. South Dajaiina (5)
Colton & Dorvin Albion (4) vs. Bravajetti Athletic (4)
Lonek Town (4) vs. Yate Town (4)
Inter Paruscia (3) vs. Kirkenton Rovers (3)
Chapter Anston (3) vs. Centre for Excellence (4)
Darlaston Town (3) vs. AFC Monmouth (3)
Forzosabla (5) vs. New Cassandra United (4)
Shebchetsik City (3) vs. Osset Town (4)
Cosneoltan Capitals (5) vs. Lamenstock Island (4)
Acton Town (4) vs. Monastir (4)
East Coast Mariners (3) vs. Carlsgrunik Metropolis (5)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) vs. Lena Brava (4)
Southsolden (4) vs. CFC Esson (3)
Colmorvia (3) vs. Real Vozë (3)

Preseason also means the MFA kicks off in earnest with the thirty-two non-league sides battling for the sixteen remaining spots in the MFA Cup proper. At the moment, teams at this stage are two stages away from potentially facing a Premier League side and bankrolling the team for seasons to come. At the next stage, teams from the third and fourth tiers join in for their taste of glory, we are a long way from the Sports City Stadium just yet, but with a third tier side making the semis and a second-tier side making the finals. Anything is truly possible.

MD1

Sporting Rafelonia 2–0 Plympton Town

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–0 Elspachia

Denby Town 0–1 Zholvi Athletic

Langtree United 3–2 Mercedini Armed Forces

Exton Oilers 0–2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–2 Orga City

Carvi Albion 0–1 Acoflosa United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni
MD2

Plympton Town 2–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Acoflosa United 3–3 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Orga City 5–2 Carvi Albion

Zoloroni City 2–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Mercedini Armed Forces 3–5 Exton Oilers

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Langtree United

Elspachia 1–0 Denby Town

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town
MD3

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Plympton Town

Denby Town 1–4 Sporting Rafelonia

Langtree United 1–2 Elspachia

Exton Oilers 3–1 Zholvi Athletic

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–0 Mercedini Armed Forces

Carvi Albion 5–5 Zoloroni City

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–0 Orga City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–0 Acoflosa United
MD4

Plympton Town 0–0 Acoflosa United

Orga City 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni City 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Mercedini Armed Forces 1–1 Carvi Albion

Zholvi Athletic 1–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Elspachia 3–2 Exton Oilers

Sporting Rafelonia 0–2 Langtree United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 5–2 Denby Town
MD5

Denby Town 2–2 Plympton Town

Langtree United 0–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Exton Oilers 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–1 Elspachia

Carvi Albion 2–4 Zholvi Athletic

Dynamo Shebchetsik 6–4 Mercedini Armed Forces

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–1 Zoloroni City

Acoflosa United 1–1 Orga City
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dynamo Shebchetsik            5    3   2   0    12    7   +5    11
 2 Sporting Rafelonia            5    3   1   1     7    3   +4    10
 3 Zoloroni Metropolitan         5    3   1   1     9    6   +3    10
 4 Elspachia                     5    3   1   1     7    5   +2    10
 5 Zoloroni City                 5    2   3   0    10    6   +4     9
 6 Langtree United               5    3   0   2     7    6   +1     9
13 Orga City                     5    1   2   2     8    8    0     5
14 Carvi Albion                  5    0   2   3    10   16   −6     2
15 Mercedini Armed Forces        5    0   1   4    10   18   −8     1
16 Denby Town                    5    0   1   4     5   13   −8     1

The MPL has made a triumphant return with the original sixteen teams that were supposed to have made it through last season, but the word had other plans, so here we are back where we were, about to begin a new season. Zoloroni City enter as the defending champions, and Denby Town are undoubtedly the minnows after their stunning promotion back to the Prem through the relegation playoff. In the first five matches, it's surprisingly Shebchetsik and Rafelonia who lead the way in the league with three wins an piece, but Dynamo are leading with their singular draw to their name. At the other end, it's two of the three promoted teams who went up last season who prop up the rest, with only one point to their name after five games. It's a long route until the end of the season, and it is far too early to figure out who will be in the IFCF next season and who will be playing in the National Leagues.

MFA Cup First Round
Askesund Town (5) 1-2 Irstfjord (4)

Velvyn Garden City (4) 2-4 Sanzana Celtic (3)

Etruria-Sul-Mare (3) 1-0 Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5)

Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) 2-3 Manfredonia Union (5)

Moorland & Tersham (3) 0-0 Naral Volvania (3) (0-2 AET)

Ansav Town (5) 0-4 FC Carshalton (3)

East Kilbride United (3) 5-1 Lombardia Athletic (5)

FK Shebardiagrad (5) 2-2 Zoloroni Southern Lights (5) (3-2 AET)

Atletisk Svobodna (5) 1-0 Stonbridge Town (4)

Gordonia (3) 3-1 Langtree South Down (4)

Solsid Makhan-Varna (4) 0-2 Alania United (3)

Wilton Barrow (4) 3-6 Sutsik Chernomorets (3)

Monte Cascantum (5) 0-2 North Dajaiina (5)

Acoflosa Olimpico (4) 2-1 Risa (3)

Sarpsa Guild (5) 0-3 South Dajaiina (5)

Colton & Dorvin Albion (4) 2-2 Bravajetti Athletic (4) (2-3 AET)

Lonek Town (4) 1-1 Yate Town (4) (1-1 AET, 5-4 PKs)

Inter Paruscia (3) 4-0 Kirkenton Rovers (3)

Chapter Anston (3) 0-0 Centre for Excellence (4) (0-1 AET)

Darlaston Town (3) 3-3 AFC Monmouth (3) (4-4 AET, 5-6 PKs)

Forzosabla (5) 1-3 New Cassandra United (4)

Shebchetsik City (3) 5-0 Osset Town (4)

Cosneoltan Capitals (5) 1-0 Lamenstock Island (4)

Acton Town (4) 2-3 Monastir (4)

East Coast Mariners (3) 0-2 Carlsgrunik Metropolis (5)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) 3-1 Lena Brava (4)

Southsolden (4) 1-4 CFC Esson (3)

Colmorvia (3) 0-3 Real Vozë (3)
Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) vs. Irstfjord (4)
Gordonia (3) vs. Rygge Athletic (2)
St. Austell Town (2) vs. Sutsik Chernomorets (3)
Brampton United (2) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Etruria-Sul-Mare (3) vs. Inter Paruscia (3)
Alton Swifts (2) vs. Coral Island (2)
Saabham Forest (2) vs. Shebchetsik City (3)
Sanzana Celtic (3) vs. New Cassandra United (4)
Naral Volvania (3) vs. Mercedini Armed Forces (1)
Civittanevosa (2) vs. Alania United (3)
Plympton Town (1) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Zoloroni Park (2) vs. Denby Town (1)
Sporting Rafelonia (1) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
East Kilbride United (3) vs. Humber Valley (2)
AFC Monmouth (3) vs. Centre for Excellence (4)
North Dajaiina (5) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Acoflosa Olimpico (4) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)
Kingfisher Invictus (2) vs. Exton Oilers (1)
Ignavi Borough (2) vs. FK Shebardiagrad (5)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Project Olimpo Mercedini (2)
FC Carshalton (3) vs. Zholvi Athletic (1)
RFK Ogdenagorv (2) vs. Cosneoltan Capitals (5)
Lonek Town (4) vs. Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)
Bravajetti Athletic (4) vs. Orga City (1)
Dorchester United (2) vs. CFC Esson (3)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) vs. AFC Langtree (2)
South Dajaiina (5) vs. Slavjoni Town (2)
Carvi Albion (1) vs. Carlsgrunik Metropolis (5)
Monastir (4) vs. Atletisk Svobodna (5)
Elspachia (1) vs. Manfredonia Union (5)
Real Vozë (3) vs. Inablidak (2)
Langtree United (1) vs. Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)

It's a straight knockout from now, with the final twenty eight teams joining those from the first and second tiers in the second round for what is an interesting second round draw for most teams. Seven teams from non-league made it through to the second including both sides from the city of Dajaiina, which will likely be a big occasion for the populace living there. It's fifth tier Carlsgrunik Metropolis who has been given the best reward of all, with an away trip to Premier League Carvi in the second round. The draw has been kind to many teams, as teams from the second, third and fourth tiers have mainly been drawn against teams either in their league or only a league above of below. There's plenty of toss-ups in these upcoming matches, with upset potential in Denby as the Premier League debutantes host Zoloroni Park from the second tier. We will see who comes through the toughest of rounds and make it through to the Round of 32 in the coming weeks.

MD6

Plympton Town 0–1 Orga City

Zoloroni City 2–3 Acoflosa United

Mercedini Armed Forces 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zholvi Athletic 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Elspachia 1–1 Carvi Albion

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–1 Exton Oilers

Denby Town 0–1 Langtree United
MD7

Langtree United 0–0 Plympton Town

Exton Oilers 3–2 Denby Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Carvi Albion 0–3 Sporting Rafelonia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–0 Elspachia

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–2 Zholvi Athletic

Acoflosa United 6–4 Mercedini Armed Forces

Orga City 4–2 Zoloroni City
MD8

Plympton Town 0–0 Zoloroni City

Mercedini Armed Forces 1–1 Orga City

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Acoflosa United

Elspachia 3–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Sporting Rafelonia 2–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Hoventon & Corlington Town 4–3 Carvi Albion

Denby Town 1–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Langtree United 2–2 Exton Oilers
MD9

Exton Oilers 4–2 Plympton Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–2 Langtree United

Carvi Albion 5–2 Denby Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Acoflosa United 1–0 Elspachia

Orga City 1–1 Zholvi Athletic

Zoloroni City 3–1 Mercedini Armed Forces
MD10

Plympton Town 0–1 Mercedini Armed Forces

Zholvi Athletic 2–3 Zoloroni City

Elspachia 2–1 Orga City

Sporting Rafelonia 1–0 Acoflosa United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Denby Town 0–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Langtree United 3–0 Carvi Albion

Exton Oilers 0–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              10    6   2   2    15    9   +6    20
 2 Dynamo Shebchetsik           10    5   4   1    19   13   +6    19
 3 Sporting Rafelonia           10    5   3   2    14    7   +7    18
 4 Zoloroni Metropolitan        10    5   3   2    14   10   +4    18
 5 Acoflosa United              10    5   3   2    16   13   +3    18
 6 Elspachia                    10    5   2   3    13   10   +3    17
13 Plympton Town                10    2   4   4     8   12   −4    10
14 Carvi Albion                 10    1   3   6    19   29  −10     6
15 Mercedini Armed Forces       10    1   2   7    17   29  −12     5
16 Denby Town                   10    0   2   8    10   24  −14     2

We're a third of the way through the season and the long time off since football stopped in Mercedini has certainly effected some teams in the Prem, some positively and some negatively. It's now Langtree who lead the table after ten following a stellar run of form, winning three and drawing two of their past five matched to take them to the summit. They edge out Shebchetsik by a single point, after they dropped points in most of their five matches, ensuring they stay in the hunt with plenty of teams around them. Rafelonia and Zoloroni Met keep up their good form to stay within the IFCF spots for now, their lack of IFCF football could mean they outlast those around them when it comes to match fatigue later in the season. The teams expected to top the table this season, Zoloroni City and Blue Strike, are nowhere to be seen, they simply haven't got going thus far, with one eye on the Champion's Cup Qualifying Rounds.

At the bottom, the relegation spots have been cut adrift from the pack as Carvi, the Armed Forces and Denby sit at least four points from safety in their fight to beat the drop. With Carvi playing in the Taca Das Confederacoes over the coming weeks, their fixture congestion has come at the wrong time for the small club as they aim to hold their place in the Premier League. It could be an immediate return to the second division for the Armed Forces and Denby if their poor form continues. Although, as stated before, it's a long way to go until we find out for sure.

Champions League Second Preliminary Round - Non-Champions Path
Blue Strike Zoloroni 4-2 Maal Angels (MRN)

Maal Angels (MRN) 0-0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Blue Strike Zoloroni win 4-2 on aggregate

Blue Strike put their league woes behind them with an historic 4-2 aggregate victory over Mriin's Maal Angels over two legs. With Blue Strike finishing in second place at the conclusion of the league, they entered the non-champion's path of the second qualifying round. This meant their path would be much tougher on their road to the group stages compared to their capital counterparts, Zoloroni City. Their draw against the Angels meant they could test themselves against the best of them in the multiverse's premier footballing tournament. Their first leg couldn't have gone any better as youngster Adrian Talisky netted a hat-trick in his team's 4-2 first leg victory in Mercedini. Back in Mriin, the home side knew their away goals could take them through, and unleashed a barrage of shots and attacks onto the Blue Strike goal. The team held firm, and held out for a goalless draw, prompting wild celebrations between the players and coaching staff. A big moment for the club, and their first ever overall win in the Champion's League!

by **Mercedini** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 7:49 am

Season 8 | Part 2

Challenger's Cup Second Preliminary Round
Marthorpe City FC (FVA) 3-1 Mercedini Armed Forces

Mercedini Armed Forces 0-2 Marthorpe City FC (FVA)

Marthorpe City FC (FVA) win 5-1 on aggregate

The Armed Forces simply cannot escape their league blues as they go two-and-out in the Challenger's Cup, cementing their miserable run of form, despite it being one of the biggest moments in their club's history. Following their promotion to the Premier League, they seemingly lucked out at the start of the season, finishing in fourth position at the league's conclusion and bagging them a shock position in the second qualifying round draw. That didn't help them though, as they quickly wet 2-0 down to Marthorpe City, as team they were expected to beat on paper. MAF steadied the ship somewhat to net an away goal, but they still had a mountain to climb back in Kirkenton. Their faint hopes soon evaporatied, as Marthorpe delivered a professional performance to win 2-0 in Mercedini, sealing a 5-1 aggregate win. The Armed Forces can now concentrate on their domestic form, as they brief stint internationally comes to an end.

Liga B Champions Cup Second Preliminary Round
Rygge Athetic 1-3 Anubis Kairi (HIN)

Anubis Kairi (HIN) 0-0 Rygge Athletic

Anubis Kairi (HIN) win 3-1 on aggregate

Saabham Forest 0-3 Williams Isle (TAE)

Williams Isle (TAE) 2-1 Saabham Forest

Williams Isle (TAE) win 5-1 on aggregate

Over to the Liga B Champions Cup. with both Mercedinian sides knocked out of contention. After their heroics in the previous round, Rygge couldn't last the distance with Anubia Kairi as they bowed out at the second preliminary round. All of the damage was done int he first leg as Kairi netted three away goals to take the first leg 3-1 in Mercedini. Over in Hinode, Anubis knew all they had to do was hold firm against the Mercedinains, and that is exactly what they did, in style. It finished 0-0 in Hinode, with Rygge at least finishing their tournament with a hard-fought draw against a rising Hinode power.

Saabham will join them back in National League 1, after they went two-and-out in the second qualifying round to Taeshan's Williams Isle. An established team is always difficult to come through in these qualifying round, and it was the Taeshani experience which came through in the end. Once again, it was the first leg which decided the tie, with Williams Isle running riot in Saabham with a 3-0 first leg victory which made the second leg in Taeshan merely a spectacle. Williams Isle ultimately did the double over the Mercedinian side with a 2-1 win at home. They sent the Mercedinians home with a 5-1 aggregate loss, as they seek promotion back to the Prem.

MFA Cup Second Round
Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) 4-0 Irstfjord (4)

Gordonia (3) 2-3 Rygge Athletic (2)

St. Austell Town (2) 1-2 Sutsik Chernomorets (3)

Brampton United (2) 0-1 Acoflosa United (1)

Etruria-Sul-Mare (3) 2-2 Inter Paruscia (3) (2-3 AET)

Alton Swifts (2) 2-0 Coral Island (2)

Saabham Forest (2) 3-4 Shebchetsik City (3)

Sanzana Celtic (3) 3-1 New Cassandra United (4)

Naral Volvania (3) 0-2 Mercedini Armed Forces (1)

Civittanevosa (2) 3-0 Alania United (3)

Plympton Town (1) 1-4 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

Zoloroni Park (2) 1-1 Denby Town (1) (2-1 AET)

Sporting Rafelonia (1) 2-5 Zoloroni City (1)

East Kilbride United (3) 0-0 Humber Valley (2) (0-0 AET, 4-3 PKs)

AFC Monmouth (3) 0-1 Centre for Excellence (4)

North Dajaiina (5) 1-6 Cannock Chase (2)

Acoflosa Olimpico (4) 0-5 Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)

Kingfisher Invictus (2) 0-3 Exton Oilers (1)

Ignavi Borough (2) 6-2 FK Shebardiagrad (5)

Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 4-0 Project Olimpo Mercedini (2)

FC Carshalton (3) 2-2 Zholvi Athletic (1) (2-2 AET, 4-5 PKs)

RFK Ogdenagorv (2) 6-0 Cosneoltan Capitals (5)

Lonek Town (4) 2-7 Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)

Bravajetti Athletic (4) 0-2 Orga City (1)

Dorchester United (2) 1-1 CFC Esson (3) (1-1 AET, 2-4 PKs)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) 1-0 AFC Langtree (2)

South Dajaiina (5) 0-0 Slavjoni Town (2) (0-0 AET, 6-5 PKs)

Carvi Albion (1) 9-0 Carlsgrunik Metropolis (5)

Monastir (4) 2-1 Atletisk Svobodna (5)

Elspachia (1) 13-1 Manfredonia Union (5)

Real Vozë (3) 2-0 Inablidak (2)

Langtree United (1) 4-2 Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)
Zoloroni Park (2) vs. East Kilbride United (3)
Inter Paruscia (3) vs. Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)
Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) vs. Langtree United (1)
Centre for Excellence (4) vs. Real Vozë (3)
Alton Swifts (2) vs. Sanzana Celtic (3)
Orga City (1) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Elspachia (1) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
South Dajaiina (5) vs. Monastir (4)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Shebchetsik City (3)
Carvi Albion (1) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Ignavi Borough (2) vs. Zholvi Athletic (1)
RFK Ogdenagorv (2) vs. Civittanevosa (2)
Sutsik Chernomorets (3) vs. Rygge Athletic (2)
CFC Esson (3) vs. Mercedini Armed Forces (1)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) vs. Exton Oilers (1)

The MFA Cup Second Round features teams from up and down the leagues of Mercedini, and is a spectacle of football with thirty two matches played over four days with drubbings and shocks guaranteed with so many teams in action. The Premier League teams ruled the evening as is so often the case, with 13 of the original 16 teams advancing from the second round. There were two all-Prem fixtures so we were always likely to lose at least two, but minnows Denby Town were also taken out by second-tier Zoloroni Park. There were no fairy tale endings for our two fifth-tier sides drawn against Premier League sides, as Carvi brushed Carlsgrunik aside by 9 goals to nil. While Manfredonia went wild when they scored at the Sevada Stadium against Elspachia, regardless of the act that they conceded thirteen in the process. We will have a non-league side through to the third round, as South Dajaiina delivered the shock of the third round by beating Slavjoni Town on penalties.

Over to the draw and South Dajaiina have a perfectly winnable tie against Monastir of National League 3, while the main chunk of the draw is dominated by all-Prem match-ups. We are guaranteed to lose three more Premier League sides from those, although it looks as if we are heading for an all top-tier final with shocks being few and far between this season.

MD11

Zoloroni Metropolitan 6–2 Plympton Town

Carvi Albion 2–2 Exton Oilers

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–3 Langtree United

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Denby Town

Acoflosa United 6–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Orga City 5–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni City 2–2 Elspachia

Mercedini Armed Forces 0–0 Zholvi Athletic
MD12

Plympton Town 1–1 Zholvi Athletic

Elspachia 3–1 Mercedini Armed Forces

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Zoloroni City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–0 Orga City

Denby Town 1–1 Acoflosa United

Langtree United 4–4 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Exton Oilers 2–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–2 Carvi Albion
MD13

Carvi Albion 0–0 Plympton Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Blue Strike Zoloroni 5–3 Exton Oilers

Acoflosa United 1–2 Langtree United

Orga City 3–4 Denby Town

Zoloroni City 0–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Mercedini Armed Forces 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zholvi Athletic 1–1 Elspachia
MD14

Plympton Town 3–2 Elspachia

Sporting Rafelonia 2–2 Zholvi Athletic

Hoventon & Corlington Town 7–3 Mercedini Armed Forces

Denby Town 1–1 Zoloroni City

Langtree United 0–0 Orga City

Exton Oilers 4–3 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–3 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Carvi Albion 1–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik
MD15

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–2 Plympton Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 4–1 Carvi Albion

Acoflosa United 2–4 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Orga City 1–0 Exton Oilers

Zoloroni City 6–3 Langtree United

Mercedini Armed Forces 2–1 Denby Town

Zholvi Athletic 0–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Elspachia 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         15    8   4   3    28   19   +9    28
 2 Langtree United              15    8   4   3    27   22   +5    28
 3 Hoventon & Corlington Town   15    7   4   4    33   23  +10    25
 4 Zoloroni Metropolitan        15    7   4   4    29   22   +7    25
 5 Dynamo Shebchetsik           15    6   6   3    28   23   +5    24
 6 Sporting Rafelonia           15    6   6   3    18   14   +4    24
13 Zholvi Athletic              15    3   6   6    17   21   −4    15
14 Carvi Albion                 15    1   7   7    25   38  −13    10
15 Mercedini Armed Forces       15    2   3  10    23   41  −18     9
16 Denby Town                   15    1   4  10    17   32  −15     7

Half way through the league season and it's now Blue Strike Zoloroni who take the lead on goal difference with a recent rise in form to take them above the original front runners who were having a mid-season lull at this point in the season. Blue Strike have been investing in their flagship teams ahead of the new season, and have clearly been performing well as they prepare for their Champions League outing. They are backed up by Langtree in second, who will also be in action as they enter the Challenger's Cup at the third preliminary round. Three more surprises further down the table as Hoventon, Zoloroni Met, and Dynamo round out the IFCF spots, a near total change from the landscape of previous seasons. Rafelonia could pick up another international spot, as they are lined up for a Taca Das Confederacoes spot by occupying sixth place. Notable clubs not shown in the current table is Zoloroni City in 7th and Elpachia in 8th.

At the bottom, it is the same bottom three as previous with Denby, the Armed Forces and Carvi all propping up the rest. Neither team has really for going this season and have a combined four wins between them which is as much as Plympton, only two places above. This season is teeing up to be one of the closest in a long time, with only six points separating sixth and ninth.

Champions League Third Preliminary Round
Admiral Storevik (SVJ) 2-2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 1-1 Admiral Storevik (SVJ)

Match tied 3-3 on aggregate. Zoloroni City advance on away goals

Blue Strike Zoloroni 0-4 Turoki Tide (VIL)

Turoki Tide (VIL) 2-2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Turoki Tide (VIL) win 6-2 on aggregate

Champions League activity resumed in Mercedini, with two teams involved in third preliminary round action for the first time ever in Mercedinian football. Both teams were from Zoloroni , but neither could mean each other as they were going down differant routes. Zoloroni City entered at this stage, and faced a tough challenge in Savojarna's Admiral Storvik, with both teams evenly matched from the get go. Things were finely poised in Storevik as Zanzala and Baudelio netted for the Mercedinian side to grab two away goals and leave it all square going to back to the City of Zoloroni Stadium. Those away goals proved to be crucial, as they proved to be what took City through. A 1-1 draw with Kulap scoring from a free kick late in the game meant the match was tied, the aggregate score was tied, but City went through by virtue of their two away goals to Storevik's one. A big moment, it meant Mercedini was guaranteed Challenger's Cup Group Stage football.

In the other match, Blue Strike Zoloroni's fairytale quest for success came to an end as they ran into the brick wall which was Turoki Tike, which proved a step to far for the debutantes. In the Blue Strike Arena, Turoki ran riot and sealed the tie from the start with a 4-0 thrashing to take back to Vilita. Blue Strike may have been effectively eliminated from proceedings, but that didn't stop them from giving as good as they got in Vilita. With Adrian Talisky netting late on to earn a draw on the night, even if that goal didn't mean much in the scope of the fixture. It will be the Challenger's Cup next for Blue Strike, where they will need two more overall wins to make it to the groups.

Challenger's Cup Third Preliminary Round
CF Bondstad (TSA) 0-2 Langtree United

Langtree United 2-1 CF Bondstad (TSA)

Langtree United (TSA) win 4-1 on aggregate

It was the turn of Langtree to begin their camapign in the IFCF, as they returned to what is becoming a familiar place for the team. This was the fifth and sixth time these two teams met in two cycles, with these two playing three times in last season's Liga Da Vencadores. Langtree beat them once in the group stages and in both legs of the Round of 16, and they quickly resumed where they ended last season by beating Bondstad in both legs. Langtree's Zeigenhorn and Talla both scored a goal each in Bondstad to take a two goal lead back to the LMS. There, they went behind to a Bonstad opener in the first half, but that was paid back with interest as Vorthik scored twice in the second half to put the tie beyond the visitors. Langtree go through 4-1 aggragate, they seem to love the Challenger's Cup qualifiers as a way to escape the league.

MFA Cup Third Round
Zoloroni Park (2) 2-0 East Kilbride United (3)

Inter Paruscia (3) 1-4 Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)

Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) 0-1 Langtree United (1)

Centre for Excellence (4) 0-5 Real Vozë (3)

Alton Swifts (2) 1-1 Sanzana Celtic (3) (1-2 AET)

Orga City (1) 0-2 Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)

Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) 3-1 Acoflosa United (1)

Elspachia (1) 1-0 Zoloroni City (1)

South Dajaiina (5) 3-4 Monastir (4)

Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 5-0 Shebchetsik City (3)

Carvi Albion (1) 0-0 Cannock Chase (2) (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)

Ignavi Borough (2) 0-2 Zholvi Athletic (1)

RFK Ogdenagorv (2) 3-0 Civittanevosa (2)

Sutsik Chernomorets (3) 2-4 Rygge Athletic (2)

CFC Esson (3) 1-2 Mercedini Armed Forces (1)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (4) 2-3 Exton Oilers (1)
Zoloroni Park (2) vs. Rygge Athletic (2)
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) vs. Langtree United (1)
Real Vozë (3) vs. RFK Ogdenagorv (2)
Ali Mercedes Carassai (2) vs. Monastir (4)
Sanzana Celtic (3) vs. Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)
Mercedini Armed Forces (1) vs. Exton Oilers (1)
Zholvi Athletic (1) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Elspachia (1)

We now have out final sixteen teams as the third round played out over the weekend. There is to be no happy ending for South Dajaiina as they couldn't edge past fourth-tier Monastir in a seven goal thriller, Dajaiina took the lead twice in the match but three unanswered goals from Monastir put them 4-2 up with ten to go. It was a grandstand finish as Jonas Caria scored for the non-league side, but it wasn't meant to be as it was Monastir secured an historic spot in the fourth round as the only fourth tier side remaining. Real Voze could also be the story of the cup this season as they thrashed youth academy Centre for Excellence 5-0 away from home, they now face second tier RFK Ogdenagorv for a spot in the quarter finals. Eight Premier League sides remain, with at least three of them going home due to all top-tier sides. These teams can now see the Sports City Stadium in their sights, with three matches to go until the final for those left standing.

Champions League Playoff Round
Montreal Koreana (QUE) 1-2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 0-1 Montreal Koreana (QUE)

Match tied 2-2 on aggregate. Zoloroni City advance on away goals

It's the Champions League Group Stage for Zoloroni City as Zanzala's late strike in Quebec was enough to give them the edge over Montreal Koreana. It was set up to be a big clash between two teams who could very well go deep in the tournament, with this final barrier between themselves and the group stages. The first leg was a tight tussle, with an Angelica header cancelling out an MK opener before half time. Chances were few and far between until Zanzala's low drill beat the Koreana goalkeeper with minutes to go in the game. They took that goal advantage back home to... Siovanija and Teusland? That's right, due to restrictions by the Quebecois Assocation, Zoloroni's home tie was played in Borograd, the neutral venue agreed to by the two clubs, which was a strange setting for such a big match. Zoloroni were effectively playing two away matches, but their advantage from the first leg paid dividends, as they held on. An MK goal in the second levelled the tie on aggregate, but they still needed another against the Mercedinians to advance. The final whistle blew with the players collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Borograd was the location of Mercedinian delight was they edged past Montreal Koreana on away goals.

Challenger's Cup Playoff Round
Blue Strike Zoloroni 3-2 Lonngeylin Coast (VIL)

Lonngeylin Coast (VIL) 2-0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Lonngeylin Coast (VIL) advance 4-3 on aggregate

Patrons (OAM) 3-5 Langtree United

Langtree United 3-1 Patrons (OAM)

Langtree United win 8-4 on aggregate

Blue Strike fans will be sick of seeing the sight of Vilita at the end of this cycle as not only did a Vilitan team knock them out of the Champions League, one also took them out of the Challenger's Cup aswell, although it wasn't for the lack of trying. A 3-2 lead in Mercedini was a big moment for the fans present in the stadium with the club rising from the depths of non-league to now beating some of the multiverse's best teams. Sadly, they couldn't make it last as a 2-0 win for Lonngeylin Coast in Vilita turned their goal deficit into a goal advantage, which was enough to take them through to the playoff round.

Meanwhile, Langtree's already bloated campaign just got longer as their form in IFCF qualifying rounds continued with a solid 8-4 aggregate win over Oberour's Patrons. Langtree has made this tournament their own as they netted five away goals against a team they were always likely to beat. Audioslavia's Lagrange scored a hat-trick in the return leg for another in in front of the home fans in Langtree. 3-1 on the night and 8-4 overall, they are going through to another playoff round.

Liga B Champions Cup Playoff Round
SC Myrkan (PAS) 4-1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1-0 SC Myrkan (PAS)

SC Myrkan (PAS) win 4-2 on aggregate

Ali Mercedes were one step away from the group stages, but they couldn't make it stick as they were taken out by SC Myrkan of Pasarga. Despite winning the second leg in Mercedini by a single goal, they needed three times that much to overcome their deficit, as the Pasargan side made their home advantage count by taking a whopping 4-1 lead into the second leg. Ali Mercedes are favourites to return to the LBCC as they are leading the second division at the moment, they will likely return for another crack at a deep run.

MD16

Plympton Town 1–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Elspachia 4–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zholvi Athletic 1–0 Denby Town

Mercedini Armed Forces 1–2 Langtree United

Zoloroni City 3–1 Exton Oilers

Orga City 1–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Acoflosa United 3–2 Carvi Albion

Blue Strike Zoloroni 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik
MD17

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Plympton Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Acoflosa United

Carvi Albion 2–3 Orga City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 Zoloroni City

Exton Oilers 1–3 Mercedini Armed Forces

Langtree United 3–0 Zholvi Athletic

Denby Town 1–4 Elspachia

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia
MD18

Plympton Town 1–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Sporting Rafelonia 3–0 Denby Town

Elspachia 4–2 Langtree United

Zholvi Athletic 2–3 Exton Oilers

Mercedini Armed Forces 1–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zoloroni City 3–0 Carvi Albion

Orga City 3–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Acoflosa United 3–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni
MD19

Acoflosa United 4–1 Plympton Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–1 Orga City

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–5 Zoloroni City

Carvi Albion 1–1 Mercedini Armed Forces

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–0 Zholvi Athletic

Exton Oilers 0–3 Elspachia

Langtree United 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Denby Town 1–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town
MD20

Plympton Town 4–2 Denby Town

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–2 Langtree United

Sporting Rafelonia 3–3 Exton Oilers

Elspachia 2–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Carvi Albion

Mercedini Armed Forces 0–3 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni City 3–4 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Orga City 0–0 Acoflosa United
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Elspachia                    20   11   5   4    38   22  +16    38
 2 Blue Strike Zoloroni         20   10   6   4    35   26   +9    36
 3 Langtree United              20   10   6   4    36   29   +7    36
 4 Zoloroni City                20    8   9   3    44   31  +13    33
 5 Hoventon & Corlington Town   20    9   6   5    42   31  +11    33
 6 Acoflosa United              20    9   5   6    40   33   +7    32
13 Zholvi Athletic              20    4   7   9    20   28   −8    19
14 Carvi Albion                 20    2   8  10    31   48  −17    14
15 Mercedini Armed Forces       20    3   4  13    29   51  −22    13
16 Denby Town                   20    1   4  15    21   47  −26     7

Ten matches to go in the Mercedinian Premier League and we are still no closer to finding out who is going to win the title. It's Elspachia who is now top of the table, with a clear margin of two points now separating themselves and second placed Blue Strike. The Elspa natives have seemingly come from nowhere in the title race and have crept up the standings to now find themselves at the summit. If it were to end now, they would be joined in the Champions League by the aforementioned Blue Strike who keep up their good run and are now considered a major power in Mercedinian football. Zoloroni City, following their absent start to the league, now find themselves in the hunt for a second successive title, while Hoventon & Corlington Town are in fifth and are looking for their first international appearance since the very first season. At the other end, it's looking more and more bleak for Denby with each passing matchday, they sit on only seven points from twenty matches and simply haven't been able to compete with the qualify and finances of the Premier League teams. Further up, it's getting tighter with Carvi now cutting the margin of safety down to five points for Zholvi, who must be looking over their shoulder.

We are now on countdown with IFCF places and relegation spots now close to being confirmed as the number of points available begins to tick away!

by **Mercedini** » Sat Jul 11, 2020 11:07 am

Season 8 | Part 3

Challenger's Cup Qualifying Round
Advance Alara (KOR) 2-0 Langtree United

Langtree United 0-0 Advance Alara (KOR)

Advance Alara (KOR) win 2-0 on aggregate

It's close, but once again it's no cigar for Langtree United as Advance Alara live up to their name and... uhhh... Advance. It was another two legs between teams which could go deep in the tournament, but this time, there was no safety net if their team lost. The team from Ko-oren dug deep in the first leg to earn a big 2-0 win which denied Langtree an away goal to take home. Back in Mercedini, Alara withstood a barrage of attack from the home side, but the Mercedinian side simply couldn't break the deadlock. Goalless on the night, and over the two legs, it was the Ko-oren who probably deserved to go through.

MFA Cup Fourth Round
Zoloroni Park (2) 2-0 Rygge Athletic (2)

Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) 2-3 Langtree United (1)

Real Vozë (3) 0-3 RFK Ogdenagorv (2)

Ali Mercedes Carassai (2) 7-0 Monastir (4)

Sanzana Celtic (3) 0-1 Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)

Mercedini Armed Forces (1) 1-1 Exton Oilers (1) (2-1 AET)

Zholvi Athletic (1) 1-3 Cannock Chase (2)

Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 2-2 Elspachia (1) (2-2 AET, 5-4 PKs)
Langtree United (1) vs. Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)
Cannock Chase (2) vs. Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)
Zoloroni Park (2) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)
Mercedini Armed Forces (1) vs. RFK Ogdenagorv (2)

We are down to the final, and we are down to the top-two tiers when it comes to represenation as teams from the third and fourth tiers of Mercedinian football were all wiped out in the Fourth Round. The lowest remaining team, Monastir, were shown no mercy in their match against Ali Mercedes as the second-tier side ran riot at home and came out the other side as 7-0 winners. The same fortune fell of National League 2 sides Real Voze and Sanzana Celtic, who were taken out by RFK Ogdenagorv and Hoventon, both from higher leagues. The only real surprise fell to Cannock who went to Zholvi from the league above and beat them 3-1, ensuring there were 4 top-tier sides and 4 from the second tier.

In the draw, we are guaranteed one Premier League side and one team from National League 1, with the remaining two fixtures facing a mix of teams from the two leagues. The Sports City Stadium awaits for the final two teams remaining, with the remaining teams only two wins away from there.

Champions League Group Stage
Zoloroni City 3-1 Crissbless (NPH)

Fontvielle Impact (VLD) 1-2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 2-1 Scott City FC (DAR)

Scott City FC (DAR) 1-5 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 2-1 Fontvielle Impact (VLD)

Crissbless (NPH) 0-0 Zoloroni City (MRC)
IFCF Champions League Group G                                    MRC    NPH    VLD    DAR
1  Zoloroni City            MRC   6  5  1  0  14   5   9  16      -     3-1    2-1    2-1  
2  Crisisbless              NPH   6  3  2  1   9   6   3  11     0-0     -     4-2    2-0  
3  Fontvielle Impact        VLD   6  2  1  3  11   9   2   7     1-2    0-0     -     5-0  
4  Scott City FC            DAR   6  0  0  6   4  18 -14   0     1-5    1-2    1-2     -

Is this the moment that Mercedini enter the top tier of domestic football. Zoloroni City twice squeezed through qualification on two occasions, but there was no squeezing through when it came to the group stages as City went undefeated throughout the Group Stages against the multiverse's best. Double wins over Fontvielle Impact of Valladares and Scott City from Darmen was enough to take them through, but the icing on the cake came from a win and a draw over Nepharim side Crissbless. Sixteen points, fourteen goals for, only five goals against, and the group's top spot to send them through to the knockout rounds as the seeded team. The investment into the club has finally paid off.

Taca Das Confederacoes Round of 16
City of Light (QGP) 3-4 Carvi Albion

Carvi Albion 2-0 City of Light (QGP)

Carvi Albion win 6-3 on aggregate

Elsewhere in the world of Independent football. Carvi Albion's major positive of the season has come from the Taca Das Confederacoes where the team struggling in the Prem has gone 6-0-0 in the Group Stages, and have made the tournament their own. They move on to the quarter final stage following a 6-3 aggregate win over City Of Light. Carvi did the double over their opponents, with this tournament likely to be a nice little earner for Carvi if they go down this season. The quarter-final awaits against Advernians.

MD21

Orga City 0–1 Plympton Town

Acoflosa United 0–2 Zoloroni City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Mercedini Armed Forces

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Zholvi Athletic

Carvi Albion 1–1 Elspachia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Exton Oilers 2–4 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Langtree United 4–0 Denby Town
MD22

Plympton Town 0–1 Langtree United

Denby Town 1–2 Exton Oilers

Hoventon & Corlington Town 5–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Sporting Rafelonia 2–0 Carvi Albion

Elspachia 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zholvi Athletic 2–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Mercedini Armed Forces 3–3 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni City 2–0 Orga City
MD23

Zoloroni City 4–2 Plympton Town

Orga City 2–0 Mercedini Armed Forces

Acoflosa United 2–1 Zholvi Athletic

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Elspachia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–3 Sporting Rafelonia

Carvi Albion 3–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–0 Denby Town

Exton Oilers 0–3 Langtree United
MD24

Plympton Town 2–2 Exton Oilers

Langtree United 1–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Denby Town 3–1 Carvi Albion

Hoventon & Corlington Town 4–5 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Sporting Rafelonia 1–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Elspachia 1–1 Acoflosa United

Zholvi Athletic 2–2 Orga City

Mercedini Armed Forces 1–3 Zoloroni City
MD25

Mercedini Armed Forces 2–1 Plympton Town

Zoloroni City 2–0 Zholvi Athletic

Orga City 1–3 Elspachia

Acoflosa United 4–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Blue Strike Zoloroni 5–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Denby Town

Carvi Albion 1–2 Langtree United

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 Exton Oilers
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zoloroni City                25   13   9   3    57   34  +23    48
 2 Blue Strike Zoloroni         25   14   6   5    49   31  +18    48
 3 Langtree United              25   14   6   5    47   32  +15    48
 4 Elspachia                    25   12   8   5    43   28  +15    44
 5 Zoloroni Metropolitan        25   11   8   6    42   34   +8    41
 6 Dynamo Shebchetsik           25   11   8   6    48   41   +7    41
13 Zholvi Athletic              25    5   8  12    26   37  −11    23
14 Carvi Albion                 25    3   9  13    37   56  −19    18
15 Mercedini Armed Forces       25    4   5  16    35   63  −28    17
16 Denby Town                   25    2   4  19    26   57  −31    10

This is gearing up to be the closest title races ever. Five matches to go, and the three teams at the top are separated by goal difference, and that could be a difference between a berth at the Champion's League and the Challenger's Cup. Zoloroni City, who were nowhere at the start of the season, are now at the top of the table with a great run of form which has taken them past their rivals and to the summit. Blue Strike and Langtree are there with them, with Elspachia lurking in the distance, but not with any realistic chance to grab the title.

At the bottom, it remains at is was with Denby and the Armed Forces in the relegation spots, while Carvi remain precariously in the relegation playoff spot, still five point behind safety. This could turn into whether the Armed Forces or Carvi stay out of the direct relegation spot. A point lies between them at the moment, so it could be going down to the wire with this one.

Taca Das Confederacoes Quarterfinal
Advernians (HVY) 0-1 Carvi Albion

Carvi Albion 2-1 Advernians (HVY)

Carvi Albion win 3-1 on aggregate

Carvi through to another round, more money in the kitty, but another two matches which they may not necessarily what they want. This time it was Advernians who had previous experience with Mercedinian sides. Carvi seem to be having an easier time with this tournament, winning every single match they have played so far. It's ten-in-ten as they move to the semifinals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Liga da Vencadores Round of 16
Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ) 2-4 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 0-3 Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ)

Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ) win 5-4 on aggregate

Never underestimate your opposition. That was the fatal mistake that Zoloroni made in their Round of 16 fixture against Zwangzug's Bassabook. the first leg was all too easy for the Mercedinian side as they took a two-goal lead and netted four away goals in the process. Back in Zoloroni, the crazy decision was made to send the team's second side out to see out the fixture. However, Bassabook took this as an opportunity to seize the day, winning 3-0 which was enough to overturn the deficit and send them through instead of the Mercedinians. Zoloroni were out, but they had bigger fish to fry coming up.

MFA Cup Quarterfinal
Langtree United (1) 2-3 Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)

Cannock Chase (2) 0-2 Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)

Zoloroni Park (2) 2-1 Ali Mercedes Carassai (2)

Mercedini Armed Forces (1) 3-0 RFK Ogdenagorv (2)[/b]
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Zoloroni Park (2)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Mercedini Armed Forces (1)

It's the final four, with the shocks now much harder to find, the only minor surprise came from the match featuring two second division sides, with National League 1 leaders Ali Mercedes knocked out by their league counterparts in Zoloroni Park. Elsewhere, the potential double from Langtree has now gone with Hoventon going strong in the cup.

In the draw, second-tier Zoloroni will travel to Hoventon for their match which will decide the first finalist. While, the Armed Forces, who are fighting relegation, will battle Zoloroni Met, who are fighting for a spot in the IFCF. It's coming together nicely.

Champions League Round of 16
North Hall (BRE) 1-2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 0-2 North Hall (BRE)

North Hall (BRE) win 3-2 on aggregate

Champion's League knockout rounds...wow! This was new ground for Mercedinian clubs, with Zoloroni City going into their match against Brenecia's North Hall as the seeded team following their stunning group win earlier on. Their stellar run continued as they won in Brenecia by two goals to one with Zanzala scoring a big goal in the second half to hold the lead going back to Zoloroni. Sadly, it all came crashing down from there as North Hall's firepower and experience ensured they did enough to go through. A 2-0 away in at the City of Zoloroni Stadium turned the tie on it's head, with North Hall going through as 3-2 aggregate winners. Zoloroni now being knocked out of two international tournaments in as many weeks.

Taca Das Confederacoes Semifinal
Arlington City (ZWZ) 2-3 Carvi Albion

Carvi Albion 1-4 Arlington City (ZWZ)

Arlington City (ZWZ) win 6-4 on aggregate

How typically Mercedinian. Tying up all the loose ends is Carvi Albion who just fell short of the TcD final. Of the two Mercedinian sides that made it through to the knockout rounds, both were knocked out by Zwangzug teams, and both lost the tie overall after winning the first leg. This time it was Carvi versus Arlington, where the Mercedinians were 3-2 up after the first leg, only for two red cards to appear in the second leg, which gave Arlington the chance to snatch the final spot away from Carvi with a 4-1 scoreline. Albion out by six goals to four, they can now focus on their league survival.

MFA Cup Semifinal
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 3-1 Zoloroni Park (2)]

Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 5-0 Mercedini Armed Forces (1)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)

We have our finalists, and there were two comprehensive results to settle it aswell. Zoloroni Park couldn't become the third second-tier side to make it to the final as they bow out following a 3-1 loss to Hoventon. The National League 1 took the lead in the opening five minutes, but that brief period of momentum was a flash in the pan with Hoventon then assuming control of the match and turning the score around. In the other semi-final, it was a lot simpler for Zoloroni Met who breezed past the Armed Forces by 5 goals to nil, in a tie you wouldn't expect to be featuring two Premier League sides.

The two teams will meet at the Sports City Stadium at the end of the season, to fight for the MFA Cup and the spot in next season's Cup Winners Cup.

MD26

Plympton Town 1–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Exton Oilers 2–2 Carvi Albion

Langtree United 0–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Denby Town 1–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–2 Acoflosa United

Sporting Rafelonia 2–1 Orga City

Elspachia 2–0 Zoloroni City

Zholvi Athletic 0–2 Mercedini Armed Forces
MD27

Zholvi Athletic 1–0 Plympton Town

Mercedini Armed Forces 3–3 Elspachia

Zoloroni City 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Orga City 1–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Acoflosa United 2–0 Denby Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–2 Langtree United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–1 Exton Oilers

Carvi Albion 1–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan
MD28
Denby Town 1–4 Orga City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–3 Zoloroni City

Sporting Rafelonia 4–0 Mercedini Armed Forces

Elspachia 4–0 Zholvi Athletic

Plympton Town 0–3 Carvi Albion

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Exton Oilers 7–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Langtree United 2–1 Acoflosa United
MD29

Elspachia 1–0 Plympton Town

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Mercedini Armed Forces 4–6 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni City 5–2 Denby Town

Orga City 3–5 Langtree United

Acoflosa United 5–1 Exton Oilers

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Dynamo Shebchetsik 4–2 Carvi Albion
MD30

Plympton Town 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Carvi Albion 2–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–1 Acoflosa United

Exton Oilers 2–1 Orga City

Langtree United 2–1 Zoloroni City

Denby Town 2–3 Mercedini Armed Forces

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–3 Zholvi Athletic

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Elspachia
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              30   18   6   6    58   39  +19    60
 2 Zoloroni City                30   16   9   5    67   41  +26    57
 3 Elspachia                    30   16   9   5    54   31  +23    57
 4 Blue Strike Zoloroni         30   15   7   8    56   43  +13    52
 5 Zoloroni Metropolitan        30   13  10   7    50   39  +11    49
 6 Dynamo Shebchetsik           30   13  10   7    54   47   +7    49
13 Zholvi Athletic              30    6   9  13    30   47  −17    27
14 Carvi Albion                 30    4  12  14    47   65  −18    24
15 Mercedini Armed Forces       30    6   6  18    47   78  −31    24
16 Denby Town                   30    3   4  23    32   71  −39    13

At the end of it all, we ave our winners and losers. It's Langtree United who claim their second MPL title after a final day extravaganza. Their winner against Zoloroni City meant the team from the second city leapfrog the capital side into first place, and ultimately win by a margin of three points. In the end, Zoloroni City barely scrape second and will claim the final Champion's League spot by only three goals. They will fly the flag at the multiverse's premier footballing tournament next season with hope that they can reach the group stage of either the Champion's League (where City have reached) or the Challenger's Cup (where Langtree reached when it was called the Globe Cup. After missing out on IFCF football last season, Elspachia are back in third place in what ended up as a brilliant run towards the end of the season to comfortably qualify.

Contrast that with Blue Strike, who only picked up four points from their remaining five games to fall away from the title race early and drop into fourth place and a Challenger's Cup spot. They had chances to win their first ever title, but that will have to come in the future. Rounding out the IFCF spots, and there will be three teams from Zoloroni who will play international football next season, as Zoloroni Met finished in 5th to claim the final Challenger's Cup spot. They have been fairly absent following their shock title win, but the hope to be back in the action next season. Dynamo Shebchetsik were just edged out on the IFCF spots, but they will nominated for Mercedini's Taca spot as the sixth placed finisher.

At the bottom, it was a short stay in the Premier League for both Denby and the Armed Forces as they last one season before going back down to National League 1. Carvi barely stave off relegation on goal difference, they will face the third placed finisher of NL1 in the Pro-Rel Playoff.

MFA Cup Final
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 1-1 Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) (2-1 AET)
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Rounding out the season, it will be Hoventon & Corlington Town who win their second MFA Cup with an extra-time winner against Zoloroni Met. It means that Hoventon will be hosting international football for the first time in eight seasons when they play their opening Cup Winners Cup match. Fans will likely be the Hoventon Community Stadium when the new season kicks off. For Zoloroni Met, they will have to stick with their Challenger's Cup spot for next season. Although their season wasn't too bad at all.

by **Mercedini** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 3:00 am

Playoffs & Lower Leagues

MPL Promotion-Relegation Playoff
RFK Ogdenagorv 2-1 Carvi Albion

Carvi Albion 0-0 RFK Ogdenagorv

RFK Ogdenagorv win 2-1 on aggregate and are promoted to the MPL. Carvi Albion are relegated to NL1

With all of the fixture pile-up this season, it seemed to be two matches too far for Carvi as they valiantly fought to stave off relegation, only to be relegated anyway. It will be RFK Ogdenagorv who make a quick return to the MPL and make it a three promoted teams in total from the second division. The first leg in Shebnatsiya was a tight match-up with two sides who both had MPL experience, but it was edged by the home side with a header from Bolgolomov proving to be the difference. Carvi did take an away goal back to the Arena di Carvi, so only needed one to turn the tie around and go through. It was one way traffic throughout most of the game with Carvi desperately searching for an opener. You couldn't say Ogdenagorv didn't deserve it in the end, as they hung on for the eventual win. It finished goalless in Carvi, with the final whistle met with silence in the stadium as Ogdenagorv won promotion back to the Prem.

National League 1          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ali Mercedes Carassai      38   21   7  10    61   34  +27    70
 2 Kingfisher Invictus        38   18  14   6    45   26  +19    68
 3 RFK Ogdenagorv             38   19  10   9    52   34  +18    67
 4 Saabham Forest             38   18  10  10    52   42  +10    64
17 Dorchester United          38   11  11  16    40   50  −10    44
18 Project Olimpo Mercedini   38   11   7  20    30   47  −17    40
19 Humber Valley              38    9  12  17    37   49  −12    39
20 Brampton United            38    9   7  22    32   51  −19    34

We saw Ogdenagorv win promotion following their third place finish and eventual playoff win versus Carvi, and they will be joined by two debutantes to the Premier League, winning automatic promotion to the nation's top-tier. After missing out on potential promotion last season, it will be Ali Mercedes who win the league and get promoted as the dark horse to do well. Three promotions in a row has led the team to this point, where they will play the big dogs on their own turf. They have done will in the cup as of recent years, this financial boost could propel them to heavy heights.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. Kingfisher Invictus have learnt this the hard but have now edged over the top with a runner-up spot which takes them into the MPL for the first time. They will become the second Islander team to hold a spot in the Prem after the Exton Oilers, the Island derby will return for another season.

At the other end, it was a shock relegation for Brampton as they finish bottom of the table and go down to National League 2 after spending do many years in the top-tier. They will be joined by perennial flip-floppers Humber Valley and youth academy Project Olimpo in the third-tier of Mercedinian football.

National League 2          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Etruria-Sul-Mare           38   19   8  11    45   27  +18    65
 2 Shebchetsik City           38   18   8  12    46   35  +11    62
 3 Kirkenton Rovers           38   16  14   8    47   40   +7    62
 4 Risa                       38   18   8  12    43   36   +7    62
17 Naral Volvania             38   11  12  15    42   49   −7    45
18 Sanzana Celtic             38   12   9  17    44   52   −8    45
19 Gordonia                   38   12   8  18    23   33  −10    44
20 Alania United              38   12   8  18    34   48  −14    44

Three solid teams earn promotion to National League 1, with financial stability and team spirit being the aim of the game for these three. Etruria have put their cup money to good use from lat season, and ultimately go up as champions. Shebchetsik City and Kirkenton Rovers also go up. Because the Armed Forces and Rovers play in Kirkenton, both teams will play in the same stadium on different days if they are drawn at home.

At the bottom, Naral Volvania survive by the skin of their teeth at the bottom as Sanzana Celtic drop to National League 3. They will be followed by Gordonia, who won on the final day to give themselves some sort of hope, and Alania, who could only draw their final match and ultimately finish bottom of the league.

National League 3          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Irstfjord                  38   19  15   4    43   19  +24    72
 2 Osset Town                 38   21   8   9    45   29  +16    71
 3 Stonbridge Town            38   18   8  12    48   28  +20    62
 4 Monastir                   38   16  11  11    43   29  +14    59
16 Lena Brava                 38   12  10  16    39   47   −8    46
17 Solsid Makhan-Varna        38   11  12  15    38   35   +3    45
18 New Cassandra United       38   12   9  17    47   48   −1    45
19 OFR Ozzaya Agranka         38    8  11  19    40   59  −19    35
20 Colton & Dorvin Albion     38    7  14  17    32   57  −25    35

Promoted from LigaRegionale

Carlsgrunik Metropolis (East)
Yikulf Heights (East)
South Dajaiina (West)
Askesund Town (West)

National League 3 is normally difficult league to predict, but it was Irstfjord who was a cut above the rest to win NL3, the money they earned from their cup match against Zoloroni City was enough to tip the balance. They won on their final day, but Osset could only draw at they lose the top spot in the final day, but go up none the less. Stonbridge have been yo-yoing up and down the leagues in recent seasons, and here they are again going back up. At the bottom, we lost four teams to non-league, but they will be replaced by the top two of LigaReginale East and LigaRegionale West.

by **Mercedini** » Fri Aug 28, 2020 12:21 pm

Mercedinian Super League
Season Eight Results

Procedural Change: With the Mercedinian league structure changing next season from 10-10 to 12-12, the pro-rel playoff has been scrapped for the season. Only the last played MSL team will be relegated, with all of the top three MDL teams being promoted to next season's top tier.

Only five matches gone in the league and it's already gearing up to be a classic season with so many surprise results giving the early table an interesting complexion. It's Ogdenagorv who lead with eight points from five games (3W, 2D, 0L), taking points away from their main rivals in mid-table and claiming points of the perennial big dogs. Their most notable result so-far would be their 1-1 draw against neighbours Dynamo Shebchetsik, with Ogdenagorv becoming a pseudo-feeder club in recent season with so much young talent coming out of the club. Shebchetsik lie in second meaning it's an all-Shebnatsiya top two after five games. Carlsgrunik, who won the relegation playoff las season, sit in third, while former champions Acoflosa Penguins are fourth and would claim the final HCL spot if things stay the same.

We're officially midway through the season and it's all change up and down the board as it's Acoflosa Penguins who sit top of the tree following the first round of ties. The second quarter of matches had less to do with Acoflosa excelling themselves, but rather that their closest rivals fell away. Shebcketsik and Ogdenagorv, after their blistering starts, couldn't last the course of this opening round, with both dropping outside of the top four in a mere four games. The Penguins sit one point ahead of minnows Carlsgrunik, who are probably the only Zoloroni team that want to win a title this season. Elsewhere, Blue Strike and the Icers have finally got their engines going after a dismal start to proceedings. They sit third and fourth respectively, on ten points, with Ogdenagorv just nudged out of the HCL spots on goal differance.

At the bottom it already seems to be a two-horse race for the one relegation spot, with Synthesis and newly-promoted Darlaston Wolves cut adrift at the bottom on five points. Due to the changes in procedure this season, one of them will be safe while the other will miss out on the inaugural twelve-team MSL.

Have we ever seen a season this close, in any Mercedinian sport? All of the top four of 16, the next two on 15, and 7th & 8th on 14. Eight teams separated by two point with only four games to go, four games which could mean HCL berths and funding which could sustain a club for seasons to come. The Icers are back on top but are by no means out of the woods with so many names waiting for them to slip up. Blue Strike Zoloroni, Ogdenagorv and Acoflosa make up the top four, but it is almost certain that things will change come the end of the season with so many big matches featuring teams in contention with each other.

At the other end, it could very well be Synthesis that go down as they are four points adrift to the Wolves, they will need a near perfect run to give themselves a chance at surivival. The crucial match was a 4-2 Wolves win over Synthesis which cemented their advantage over their relegation rivals. All will become clear over the coming match days.

   Mercedinian Super League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts  
 1 Zoloroni City Icers               18   10   3   5    55   38  +17    23
 2 Blue Strike Zoloroni              18    9   5   4    61   46  +15    23
 3 Acoflosa Penguins                 18    8   6   4    53   49   +4    22
 4 SKK Ogdenagorv                    18    8   4   6    51   49   +2    20
 5 AHC Langtree                      18    8   4   6    49   48   +1    20
 6 Orga HC                           18    8   3   7    36   41   −5    19
 7 HK Dynamo Shebchetsik             18    6   4   8    42   42    0    16
 8 Carlgrunik Metropolitan Rangers   18    6   4   8    32   39   −7    16
 9 Darlaston Wolves                  18    4   4  10    48   56   −8    12
10 Ozzaya Agranka Synthesis          18    3   3  12    41   60  −19     9
   Green = HCL Qualification, Red = Relegated

It certainly wasn't a clean win for the Icers, but they do it again as they win another MSL title, but only just. In the end, it was only two goals which seperated the Icers from Blue Strike, their capital rivals, but everything seemed to go the Icers' way en route to their victory this season, even if it took a while for both teams to get going. The end result will ultimately seem standard, with all four qualifiers already veterans of the HCL and are no strangers to juggling HCL and domestic league hockey in the same season. The two Zoloroni sides will be joined by Acoflosa and Ogdenagorv, all hoping to become the first Mercedinian club to list an HCL title.

At the bottom, it was no fairy tale escape for Ozzaya Agranka as they go down to the second tier. After securing HCL hockey, the simply couldn't keep up with the league developments, and spent a lot of money to simply throw off the balance of their squad. They will have to regroup and are almost certainly the favourites to go up next season with the squad they have, but they will have to face two more sides than last year with an extra four spots in the league structure up for grabs.

## Mercedinian Development League        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zholvi HC                              18   11   2   5    40   18  +22    24
 2 Monmouth Seagulls                      18   10   4   4    43   30  +13    24
 3 Arkenton Rams                          18    9   4   5    41   21  +20    22
 4 Exton Islanders                        18    8   5   5    44   29  +15    21
 5 Yushek Island Yetis                    18    9   3   6    48   35  +13    21
 6 Rafelonia Gold Stars                   18    5   8   5    30   36   −6    18
 7 Armed Forces Kirkenton                 18    5   7   6    28   29   −1    17
 8 Trivotex Hockey                        18    4   6   8    18   27   −9    14
 9 ZSCYA                                  18    5   3  10    24   40  −16    13
10 Zoloroni International University      18    1   4  13    16   67  −51     6

In a season where three direct promotion spots are available, it was always going to be a fight between the second-tier's ten teams to get into the extended MSL before the new teams come in to potentially ruin the party. Zholvi will be back after a small absence from the MSL, but they will be joined by the Arkenton Rams and Monmouth Seagulls, who will both be making their debuts next season, to fight for an HCL spot.

No surprise that perennial last places ZIU fail to put up a fight and finish with six points and only one win (a 1-0 result at home to Exton). With a relegation spot to the amateur leagues potentially in the offing, they will need to step up their game if they are to avoid losing their league accreditation. The pressure is beginning to turn up on all teams, with the league getting bigger and the money flowing in bigger and bigger amounts. It was only logical for the worst teams to drop out and keep the standard high season upon season.

by **Mercedini** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:44 am

Season 9 | Part 1

Challenger's Cup First Preliminary Round
Cintamata (KNC) 1-1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1-3 Cintamata (KNC)

Cintamata (KNC) win 4-2 on aggregate

Tyvania (RCN) 3-0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1-1 Tyvania (RCN)

Tyvania (RCN) win 4-1 on aggregate

A common occurrence for Mercedini is that the season starts outside of Mercedini, and this season was no different with the First Qualifying Round for the Challenger's Cup setting the stage for the new season, instead of the Cup Winner's Cup, where the MPL teams received a bye. What is normally fertile ground for early wins became a nightmare for the Dinian sides, as both Blue Strike and Zoloroni Met fell at the first hurdle to their opponents, with only a draw each to their names.

Zoloroni Met were all but done for the tournament following their match against Rucuecn, where they fell by three goals to nil versus Tyvania. The reverse leg was much closer with the home side opening the scoring to give them some sort of life, but a Tynanian away goal quelled any chance at a remarkable comback, knocking the capital side out 4-1 on aggregate. For Blue Strike, a similar result but they were competitive for much longer. A draw against KNC's Cintamata looked good, but all that work was undone in the Blue Strike Arena as they lost 3-1 at home, giving Cintamata a big win as underdogs in the tie. For both sides, it's back to the drawing board for the new season.

MFA Cup Qualifying Round
Zoloroni Southern Lights (5) 0-4 Zenit Dezhynsk (5)

Yushek Island (5) 1-2 Sarpsa Guild (5)

Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) 3-1 Lombardia Athletic (5)

Krakenberg Town (5) 2-4 Evolutionaries Emolese (5)

Atletisk Svobodna (5) 2-2 FK Shebardiagrad (5) (3-2 AET)

Monte Cascantum (5) 5-3 Cosneoltan Capitals (5)

Ansav Town (5) 1-4 North Dajaiina (5)

Forzosabla (5) 0-0 AFC Santo Davide (5) (0-0 AET, 3-4 pens.)

New Cassandra United (5) 0-1 Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5)

SCP Piocchi (5) 2-0 Manfredonia Union (5)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) 3-0 Ryenna Town (5)

Conista Church (5) 0-1 Veritas Toligntino (5)

Daekin Wood (5) 1-1 Sevaston Dockyards (5) (2-1 AET)

Helledin 98 (5) 2-3 Malma Calcio (5)

Sevnitz Ravnaya (5) 0-2 Maleo United (5)

Yakadnik Shebatov (5) 6-3 Solsid Makhan-Varna (5)
FC Carshalton (3) vs. Carlsgrunik Metropolis (4)
Zenit Dezhynsk (5) vs. Lena Brava (4)
Velvyn Garden City (4) vs. Alania United (4)
Irstfjord (3) vs. Sanzana Celtic (4)
Yate Town (4) vs. Acton Town (4)
Project Olimpo Mercedini (3) vs. Osset Town (3)
Darlaston Town (3) vs. Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5)
Real Vozë (3) vs. Naral Volvania (3)
Acoflosa Olimpico (4) vs. Monastir (4)
CFC Esson (3) vs. Humber Valley (3)
Evolutionaries Emolese (5) vs. Inter Paruscia (3)
Bravajetti Athletic (4) vs. East Coast Mariners (3)
SCP Piocchi (5) vs. Malma Calcio (5)
Risa (3) vs. East Kilbride United (3)
Sarpsa Guild (5) vs. Lamenstock Island (4)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) vs. Colmorvia (3)
Chapter Anston (3) vs. Langtree South Down (4)
Centre for Excellence (4) vs. Wilton Barrow (4)
Monte Cascantum (5) vs. AFC Monmouth (3)
Maleo United (5) vs. Gordonia (4)
Dorchester United (3) vs. Yakadnik Shebatov (5)
Yikulf Heights (4) vs. Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5)
Southsolden (4) vs. North Dajaiina (5)
Daekin Wood (5) vs. Stonbridge Town (3)
Brampton United (3) vs. AFC Santo Davide (5)
Askesund Town (4) vs. Lonek Town (4)
Atletisk Svobodna (5) vs. South Dajaiina (4)
Moorland & Tersham (3) vs. Veritas Toligntino (5)

Preseason also means the MFA kicks off in earnest with the thirty-two non-league sides battling for the sixteen remaining spots in the MFA Cup proper. At the moment, teams at this stage are two stages away from potentially facing a Premier League side and bankrolling the team for seasons to come. At the next stage, teams from the third and fourth tiers join in for their taste of glory, we are a long way from the Sports City Stadium just yet, but with a third tier side making the semis and a second-tier side making the finals. Anything is truly possible.

MD1

Langtree United 3–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Acoflosa United 0–0 Zholvi Athletic

Elspachia 1–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

RFK Ogdenagorv 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–3 Plympton Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni City 3–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Orga City 3–0 Exton Oilers
MD2

Kingfisher Invictus 2–1 Exton Oilers

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–1 Orga City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–5 Zoloroni City

Plympton Town 0–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Elspachia

Langtree United 2–4 Acoflosa United
MD3

Acoflosa United 3–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Elspachia 2–3 Langtree United

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–0 Zholvi Athletic

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni City 2–1 Plympton Town

Orga City 4–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Exton Oilers 0–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai
MD4

Kingfisher Invictus 1–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–2 Exton Oilers

Plympton Town 0–0 Orga City

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zholvi Athletic 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Langtree United 4–0 RFK Ogdenagorv

Acoflosa United 1–5 Elspachia
MD5

Elspachia 2–0 Kingfisher Invictus

RFK Ogdenagorv 0–1 Acoflosa United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–2 Langtree United

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Zholvi Athletic

Zoloroni City 2–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Orga City 1–2 Sporting Rafelonia

Exton Oilers 4–2 Plympton Town

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zoloroni City                 5    4   1   0    12    6   +6    13
 2 Langtree United               5    4   0   1    14    8   +6    12
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni          5    3   1   1     7    3   +4    10
 4 Ali Mercedes Carassai         5    3   1   1     8    5   +3    10
 5 Acoflosa United               5    3   1   1     9    8   +1    10
 6 Elspachia                     5    3   0   2    11    6   +5     9
13 Hoventon & Corlington Town    5    1   0   4     9   14   −5     3
14 Exton Oilers                  5    1   0   4     7   12   −5     3
15 Kingfisher Invictus           5    1   0   4     6   11   −5     3
16 Zholvi Athletic               5    0   2   3     0    6   −6     2

The MPL has made a triumphant return with another sixteen teams vying for the MPL title, along with five international spots up for grabs for those lucky enough to get that far. Fivematches in and it's Zoloroni City who unsurprisingly lead the pack, the only team unbeaten with four wins and a draw. They are one point ahead of Langtree United, who both have Champion's League campaigns to run, so it is great for them to hit the ground running before it all comes to ahead later on in the season. The surprise package of the league so far is Ali Mercedes, who sit fifth and have already picked up wins over Exton, Hoventon and Kingfisher Invictus on route to their blistering start. Overall, the promoted sides (that's Ali Mercedes, Kingfisher Invictus, and Ogdenagorv) have all preformed well on their debut/return to the league and look to stick around, at least on the evidence on the opeing games.

There is still planty of runway for teams to rise and fall in the table, the typical front runners have already announced themselves, but there is plenty of time for a new challenger to announce themselves, or for a former giant to fall further than we thought possible.

MFA Cup First Round
FC Carshalton (3) 5-0 Carlsgrunik Metropolis (4)

Zenit Dezhynsk (5) 2-0 Lena Brava (4)

Velvyn Garden City (4) 2-3 Alania United (4)

Irstfjord (3) 1-1 Sanzana Celtic (4) (2-1 AET)

Yate Town (4) 0-1 Acton Town (4)

Project Olimpo Mercedini (3) 3-2 Osset Town (3)

Darlaston Town (3) 6-0 Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5)

Real Vozë (3) 2-1 Naral Volvania (3)

Acoflosa Olimpico (4) 4-2 Monastir (4)

CFC Esson (3) 4-3 Humber Valley (3)

Evolutionaries Emolese (5) 0-0 Inter Paruscia (3) (0-0 AET, 8-7 pens.)

Bravajetti Athletic (4) 0-3 East Coast Mariners (3)

SCP Piocchi (5) 1-1 Malma Calcio (5) (2-1 AET)

Risa (3) 3-0 East Kilbride United (3)

Sarpsa Guild (5) 1-5 Lamenstock Island (4)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) 1-0 Colmorvia (3)

Chapter Anston (3) 2-0 Langtree South Down (4)

Centre for Excellence (4) 2-2 Wilton Barrow (4) (2-2 AET, 3-1 pens.)

Monte Cascantum (5) 0-4 AFC Monmouth (3)

Maleo United (5) 1-3 Gordonia (4)

Dorchester United (3) 2-0 Yakadnik Shebatov (5)

Yikulf Heights (4) 3-4 Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5)

Southsolden (4) 1-0 North Dajaiina (5)

Daekin Wood (5) 1-2 Stonbridge Town (3)

Brampton United (3) 7-1 AFC Santo Davide (5)

Askesund Town (4) 0-0 Lonek Town (4) (1-0 AET)

Atletisk Svobodna (5) 0-2 South Dajaiina (4)

Moorland & Tersham (3) 1-2 Veritas Toligntino (5)
Saabham Forest (2) vs. East Coast Mariners (3)
Zoloroni Park (2) vs. Etruria-Sul-Mare (2)
Exton Oilers (1) vs. Alania United (4)
Langtree United (1) vs. Risa (3)
Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) vs. Acoflosa Olimpico (4)
Stonbridge Town (3) vs. Orga City (1)
Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) vs. Zholvi Athletic (1)
South Dajaiina (4) vs. Veritas Toligntino (5)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Irstfjord (3) vs. Evolutionaries Emolese (5)
RFK Ogdenagorv (1) vs. AFC Monmouth (3)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Alton Swifts (2)
Plympton Town (1) vs. Brampton United (3)
Shebchetsik City (2) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
St. Austell Town (2) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)
Acton Town (4) vs. CFC Esson (3)
Gordonia (4) vs. Zenit Dezhynsk (5)
Lamenstock Island (4) vs. Chapter Anston (3)
Kirkenton Rovers (2) vs. Project Olimpo Mercedini (3)
Sutsik Chernomorets (2) vs. Denby Town (2)
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) vs. Rygge Athletic (2)
Cannock Chase (2) vs. Centre for Excellence (4)
Slavjoni Town (2) vs. Coral Island (2)
Elspachia (1) vs. SCP Piocchi (5)
Acoflosa United (1) vs. Inablidak (2)
Civittanevosa (2) vs. Southsolden (4)
AFC Langtree (2) vs. Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)
Real Vozë (3) vs. Ignavi Borough (2)
Askesund Town (4) vs. Kingfisher Invictus (1)
Carvi Albion (2) vs. Darlaston Town (3)
Sporting Rafelonia (1) vs. Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)
FC Carshalton (3) vs. Dorchester United (3)

It's a straight knockout from now, with the final twenty eight teams joining those from the first and second tiers in the second round for what is an interesting second round draw for most teams. Only five non-league teams made it through to the second round draw, with each of them handed increasingly difficult draws to face next, with the cream of the crop being found in Elspa as Premier League Elspachia host a mismatch against fifth-tier SCP Piocchi. With two top-tier sides guaranteed to go out with Rafelonia-Hoventon and Dynamo-Zholvi all taking place over the course of the weekend. It's geared up to be a storming three days of football in the MFA Cup.

MD6

Kingfisher Invictus 0–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Plympton Town 1–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Sporting Rafelonia 3–1 Exton Oilers

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–2 Orga City

Zholvi Athletic 0–0 Zoloroni City

Langtree United 5–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Acoflosa United 2–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Elspachia 5–3 RFK Ogdenagorv
MD7

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Elspachia

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–2 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni City 2–2 Langtree United

Orga City 2–0 Zholvi Athletic

Exton Oilers 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–1 Plympton Town
MD8
Kingfisher Invictus 4–1 Plympton Town

Sporting Rafelonia 3–4 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Zholvi Athletic 1–2 Exton Oilers

Langtree United 2–2 Orga City

Acoflosa United 4–5 Zoloroni City

Elspachia 2–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik
MD9

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–0 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zoloroni City 2–3 Elspachia

Orga City 4–3 Acoflosa United

Exton Oilers 2–2 Langtree United

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Zholvi Athletic

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Plympton Town 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia
MD10

Kingfisher Invictus 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 4–4 Plympton Town

Zholvi Athletic 2–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Langtree United 4–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Acoflosa United 2–1 Exton Oilers

Elspachia 1–1 Orga City

RFK Ogdenagorv 0–1 Zoloroni City

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              10    6   3   1    29   18  +11    21
 2 Zoloroni City                10    6   3   1    22   15   +7    21
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni         10    6   2   2    17   12   +5    20
 4 Ali Mercedes Carassai        10    5   3   2    14   11   +3    18
 5 Elspachia                    10    5   2   3    23   16   +7    17
 6 Orga City                    10    4   5   1    20   14   +6    17
13 Kingfisher Invictus          10    2   2   6    13   17   −4     8
14 Plympton Town                10    1   5   4    13   18   −5     8
15 RFK Ogdenagorv               10    2   2   6    10   17   −7     8
16 Zholvi Athletic              10    1   3   6     3   11   −8     6

We're a third of the way through the season and it's billed to be one of the closest season's in recent memory, a seemingly lacklustre showing from Zoloroni City combined with a resurgent group of challengers and well-performing group of promoted teams mean it certainly isn't clear who is going to come out on top and who drops down to National League 1. It's now Langtree United who are looking for a second successive title who top the table, but only on goal difference and only a point ahead of Blue Strike in third. Ali Mercedes remain in the hunt for an IFCF spot, although they look too far gone to stake a serious bid for the MPL title.

At the other end, it remains close but Zholvi are the first team to be cut adrift from the rest of the back, sitting two points back from safety and in need of results to claw back that margin. Up from there, the next three teams (Plympton, Ogdenagorv and KI) all sit on eight points and are separated by goal difference into their respective spots. It may very well go down to final day, but it is too early to tell as we only just approach the end of the first half.

Champions League Second Preliminary Round - Non-Champions Path
Club Stein-los (PAS) 1-3 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 2-2 Club Stein-los (PAS)

Zoloroni City win 5-3 on aggregate

Zoloroni City continued their good form from the league and translated that into the win in the Champions League, defeating Pasarga's Club Stein-los by five goals to three over the course of two legs to at least record a victory in the Mercedinian column. It was a competitive match-up between these two sides, with City edging themselves into the picture when it comes to these non-champions path matches against some of the best footballing nations there is. A big 3-1 win in Stein-los was the catalyst for a good result, with Zoloroni opening the scoring in the City of Zoloroni Stadium to all but confirm their win. CSL did score twice to bring them within one of extra-time, but Gaby rose highest to a head to equalise it on the night and confirm the advancement of last-season's MPL runners up.

by **Mercedini** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 11:51 am

Season 8 | Part 2

Cup Winners Cup First Round
Ousevale Borough (KRY) 1-1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1-0 Ousevale Borough (KRY)

Hoventon & Corlington Town win 2-1 on aggregate

With Hoventon getting a bye into the first round proper of the Cup Winner's Cup, it set them up with a tasty tie against Krytenia's Ousevale Borough, and for their first international tie in six cycles, they didn't display any lag in getting up to speed. The first tie was a tight and tense match with both sides in the mix for a win, but Kelly McGuiness's strike early in the second half equalised the game for the Mercedinian side to snag an away goal and a 1-1 draw. That good work ultimately paid dividends as the Abanhfleft striker doubled her money in the second leg by netting the eventual winner just past the quarter-hour mark to sign off on a 2-1 aggregate win which pushed the mid-table club into the CWC Second Round!

MFA Cup Second Round
Saabham Forest (2) 2-0 East Coast Mariners (3)

Zoloroni Park (2) 1-1 Etruria-Sul-Mare (2) (2-1 AET)

Exton Oilers (1) 4-0 Alania United (4)

Langtree United (1) 4-0 Risa (3)

Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) 2-5 Acoflosa Olimpico (4)

Stonbridge Town (3) 0-1 Orga City (1)

Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) 1-2 Zholvi Athletic (1)

South Dajaiina (4) 1-1 Veritas Toligntino (5) (2-2 AET, 4-5 pens.)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) 0-8 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

Irstfjord (3) 0-0 Evolutionaries Emolese (5) (0-1 AET)

RFK Ogdenagorv (1) 2-0 AFC Monmouth (3)

Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 3-2 Alton Swifts (2)

Plympton Town (1) 4-1 Brampton United (3)

Shebchetsik City (2) 1-6 Zoloroni City (1)

St. Austell Town (2) 0-3 Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)

Acton Town (4) 3-3 CFC Esson (3) (3-4 AET)

Gordonia (4) 1-3 Zenit Dezhynsk (5)

Lamenstock Island (4) 0-2 Chapter Anston (3)

Kirkenton Rovers (2) 5-0 Project Olimpo Mercedini (3)

Sutsik Chernomorets (2) 5-4 Denby Town (2)

Mercedini Armed Forces (2) 1-0 Rygge Athletic (2)

Cannock Chase (2) 3-1 Centre for Excellence (4)

Slavjoni Town (2) 2-4 Coral Island (2)

Elspachia (1) 9-0 SCP Piocchi (5)

Acoflosa United (1) 1-1 Inablidak (2) (2-1 AET)

Civittanevosa (2) 4-2 Southsolden (4)

AFC Langtree (2) 1-2 Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)

Real Vozë (3) 1-0 Ignavi Borough (2)

Askesund Town (4) 2-6 Kingfisher Invictus (1)

Carvi Albion (2) 3-0 Darlaston Town (3)

Sporting Rafelonia (1) 2-2 Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) (2-2 AET 3-2 pens.)

FC Carshalton (3) 1-0 Dorchester United (3)
Zoloroni City (1) vs. Zoloroni Park (2)
Sutsik Chernomorets (2) vs. FC Carshalton (3)
Exton Oilers (1) vs. Carvi Albion (2)
Acoflosa Olimpico (4) vs. Chapter Anston (3)
Orga City (1) vs. Coral Island (2)
Saabham Forest (2) vs. Sporting Rafelonia (1)
Kirkenton Rovers (2) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)
Zholvi Athletic (1) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Lokomotiv Arkenton (2) vs. Plympton Town (1)
Zenit Dezhynsk (5) vs. Evolutionaries Emolese (5)
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) vs. Veritas Toligntino (5)
CFC Esson (3) vs. Civittanevosa (2)
Elspachia (1) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Real Vozë (3) vs. Kingfisher Invictus (1)
RFK Ogdenagorv (1) vs. Langtree United (1)

The MFA Cup Second Round features teams from up and down the leagues of Mercedini, and is a spectacle of football with thirty two matches played over four days with drubbings and shocks guaranteed with so many teams in action. The Premier League teams ruled the evening as is so often the case, with major shocks seldom found throughout the days of action. However, the remarkable thing is that that three, count them, three, fifth-tier sides got through to the first rounds, beating teams of a similar stature to them and earning the win and the spot in the third round draw. Because of that, we are now guaranteed one of those teams in the fourth round, with Zenit Dezhynsk facing off against Evolutionaries in a historic match regardless of the result. Aside from that, it will be the MPL teams who have the chance to flex their muscles and put the cup increasingly in control of the top tier.

MD11

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Zoloroni City 0–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Orga City 2–2 RFK Ogdenagorv

Exton Oilers 2–1 Elspachia

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Acoflosa United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–1 Langtree United

Plympton Town 3–0 Zholvi Athletic

Sporting Rafelonia 0–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan
MD12

Kingfisher Invictus 5–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zholvi Athletic 1–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Langtree United 2–0 Plympton Town

Acoflosa United 0–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Elspachia 4–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai

RFK Ogdenagorv 4–3 Exton Oilers

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–0 Orga City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–2 Zoloroni City
MD13

Zoloroni City 4–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Orga City 1–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Exton Oilers 1–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Elspachia

Plympton Town 3–2 Acoflosa United

Sporting Rafelonia 1–0 Langtree United

Zoloroni Metropolitan 4–0 Zholvi Athletic
MD14

Kingfisher Invictus 1–1 Zholvi Athletic

Langtree United 4–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Acoflosa United 2–3 Sporting Rafelonia

Elspachia 4–1 Plympton Town

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–4 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Blue Strike Zoloroni 4–1 Exton Oilers

Zoloroni City 4–2 Orga City
MD15

Orga City 1–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Exton Oilers 0–2 Zoloroni City

Ali Mercedes Carassai 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Plympton Town 1–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Sporting Rafelonia 1–0 Elspachia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 4–2 Acoflosa United

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Langtree United
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              15   10   3   2    37   22  +15    33
 2 Zoloroni City                15    9   4   2    34   23  +11    31
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni         15    9   3   3    27   16  +11    30
 4 Elspachia                    15    8   2   5    34   24  +10    26
 5 Ali Mercedes Carassai        15    7   4   4    23   20   +3    25
 6 Orga City                    15    5   8   2    26   21   +5    23
13 RFK Ogdenagorv               15    3   5   7    19   26   −7    14
14 Kingfisher Invictus          15    3   4   8    22   28   −6    13
15 Exton Oilers                 15    4   1  10    23   35  −12    13
16 Zholvi Athletic              15    1   5   9     5   21  −16     8

Half way through the league season and it's now Langtree United who are firmly in the driving seat, now sitting two points in the clear with a goal difference advantage to boot, it certainly looks like a second title in a row for the team from the second city. Zol City and Blue Strike are both waiting in the wings if they slip up somewhere along the way, much like last season. Elspachia and Ali Mercedes are also in the mix for an IFCF, with the latter making a remarkable climb to the top of the Mercedinian tree.

At the bottom, it's looking bleak for Zholvi yet again against the battle with the drop. They are now five points behind their closest rivals, and they have played all of their opponents at least once, now they have to play them again and hope for a better result. Ogdenagorv, KI, Exton and surprisingly Acoflosa are all in the mix for relegation. However, it's far too close to call at this stage.

Champions League Third Preliminary Round
Langtree United 1-0 Asbury Park (CBP)

Asbury Park (CBP) 0-1 Langtree United

Langtree United win 2-0 on aggregate.

René Skaé (FFD) 1–2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 1-0 René Skaé (FFD)

Zoloroni City win 3-1 on aggregate

Champions League activity resumed in Mercedini, with two teams involved in third preliminary round action for the second time in succession. Both sides had decent yet contrasting draws, with Langtre facing teams which had already come through two round of qualifying, while Zoloroni faced Rene Skae from Farfadillis, a formidable league. What has been a difficult place to find results has turned into fertile ground for wins, and this round was no differance as both Langtree and Zoloroni City advanced fairly comfortably against their opponents. Four wins from four over the two two-legged matches, as Langtree overcame Baker Park's Asbury Park with a couple of 1-0 wins, while City claimed two away goals in Rene Skae before returning to the capital to round out a solid 3-1 aggrgate win.

There is major hope that a deep run could be made on the basis of these results, however, the lack of results from teams in the Challenger's Cup has left a gaping hole in the coefficient that Mercedini are expected to pick up.

Challenger's Cup Third Preliminary Round
Solbakken IL (FJI) 0-1 Elspachia

Elspachia 1-2 Solbakken IL (FJI)

Match tied 2-2 on aggregate. Solbakken IL (FJI) advance on away goals.

As mentioned previously, it's zero wins out of three for Mercedinian sides in the Challenger's Cup, with Elspachia the latest side to step up and go two and out in the tournament. This time, it was against the little fancied Solbakken IL who looked to be down and out following a 1-0 away win in favour of Elspachia. However, what was assumed to be a safe passage then became difficult, as Solbakken netted two away goals in the first half to completely turn the tie around for the visitors. A late consolation from Alva gave Elspachia time to bring it back, but it wasn't enough in the end as Solbakke recorded a major win to advance to the playoff. For Elspachia, they simply can't get back to that season where they reached the Champion's League Group Stage.

MFA Cup Third Round
Zoloroni City (1) 4-0 Zoloroni Park (2)

Sutsik Chernomorets (2) 3-1 FC Carshalton (3)

Exton Oilers (1) 2-0 Carvi Albion (2)

Acoflosa Olimpico (4) 2-3 Chapter Anston (3)

Orga City (1) 1-1 Coral Island (2) (2-1 AET)

Saabham Forest (2) 2-1 Sporting Rafelonia (1)

Kirkenton Rovers (2) 0-5 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 1-2 Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)

Zholvi Athletic (1) 0-2 Cannock Chase (2)

Lokomotiv Arkenton (2) 0-0 Plympton Town (1) (1-0 AET)

Zenit Dezhynsk (5) 3-3 Evolutionaries Emolese (5) (4-4 AET, 4-3 pens.)

Mercedini Armed Forces (2) 4-1 Veritas Toligntino (5)

CFC Esson (3) 0-2 Civittanevosa (2)

Elspachia (1) 5-3 Acoflosa United (1)

Real Vozë (3) 3-2 Kingfisher Invictus (1)

RFK Ogdenagorv (1) 4-3 Langtree United (1)
Zenit Dezhynsk (5) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) vs. Mercedini Armed Forces (2)
Zoloroni City (1) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)
Real Vozë (3) vs. Saabham Forest (2)
Chapter Anston (3) vs. Exton Oilers (1)
Sutsik Chernomorets (2) vs. Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)
Orga City (1) vs. Civittanevosa (2)
RFK Ogdenagorv (1) vs. Elspachia (1)

We now have out final sixteen teams as the third round played out over the weekend, and it will be Zenit Dezhynsk who have made it through to the fourth round of the MFA Cup as a fifth-tier side, they needed penalties to see off a spirited Evolutionaries side. Zenit will play against Cannock Chase in the fourth round, which will guarantee a non-MPL side through to the final eight for another season. There were plenty of shocks around the round, with Voze, Ogdenagorv, Arkenton and Saabham all picking up results against teams that were expected to beat them. It makes for an interesting draw as the remaining teams being to plant their name on the footballing map for this season.

Champions League Playoff Round
Pacific City (NFX) 1-1 Langtree United

Langtree United 0-1 Pacific City (NFX)

Pacific City (NFX) advance 2-1 on aggragate.

Rolalas FC (VAL) 3-1 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 2-2 Rolalas FC (VAL)

Rolalas FC (VAL) advance 5-3 on aggragate.

With two teams through to the Champion's Cup playoff round, we were guarunteed at least group stage football for one of these sides following this, and that is what we got. However, it was Langtree United who secured the group stage of the Challenger's Cup, as both teams lost at the final hurdle before the Group Stages of the Champion's League. For Langtree, it was close, but they were edged out in their own back yard after securing a draw and an away goal against 95X's Pacific City.

For Zoloroni City is was a lot more simple, Rolalas did all the damage in the first leg at home in Valanora, with Gaby netting the only away goal in a 3-1 loss. In the return leg, there were more goals to be mad, but they were equally shared throughout the teams which resulted in a 2-2 draw on the night and a 5-3 loss overall. Zoloroni have one more chance if they are to secure second-half IFCF football.

Challenger's Cup Qualifying Round
Elektriklestirmespor (TMR) 3-0 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni City 1-1 Elektriklestirmespor (TMR)

Elektriklestirmespor (TMR) advance 4-1 on aggregate

After looking so good earlier in the season, Zoloroni City have let it slip when they needed it most. Flailing in the league, and now dropping from the Champions League to the Champion's Cup, they now find themselves without IFCF football at all this season after capitulating against Timuria's Elektriklestirmespor. The underdogs have come through a gruelling schedule to qualify for the Challenger's Cup and the occasion belongs entirely to them, but for Zoloroni City to go from 6-0-0 in the Champion's League to falling out of the IFCF entirely in the following season it difficult to take if your a fan of the capital side. It means there will only be one Mercedinian representative left, as Langtree United will be the sole name in the Group Stage draw.

MD16
Kingfisher Invictus 1–1 Langtree United

Zholvi Athletic 0–1 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni Metropolitan 5–3 Elspachia

Sporting Rafelonia 2–0 RFK Ogdenagorv

Plympton Town 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–4 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Ali Mercedes Carassai 4–0 Zoloroni City

Exton Oilers 1–0 Orga City
MD17

Exton Oilers 1–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Orga City 2–0 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Zoloroni City 5–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Plympton Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Elspachia 2–1 Zholvi Athletic

Acoflosa United 2–2 Langtree United
MD18

Kingfisher Invictus 2–1 Acoflosa United

Langtree United 1–1 Elspachia

Zholvi Athletic 1–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Plympton Town 0–0 Zoloroni City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–2 Orga City

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Exton Oilers
MD19

Ali Mercedes Carassai 5–3 Kingfisher Invictus

Exton Oilers 3–5 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Orga City 4–1 Plympton Town

Zoloroni City 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–2 Zholvi Athletic

RFK Ogdenagorv 5–4 Langtree United

Elspachia 4–1 Acoflosa United
MD20

Kingfisher Invictus 2–0 Elspachia

Acoflosa United 5–3 RFK Ogdenagorv

Langtree United 2–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zholvi Athletic 1–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–1 Zoloroni City

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Orga City

Plympton Town 2–2 Exton Oilers

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         20   13   4   3    37   19  +18    43
 2 Langtree United              20   11   6   3    47   32  +15    39
 3 Zoloroni City                20   11   5   4    40   29  +11    38
 4 Ali Mercedes Carassai        20   11   4   5    35   26   +9    37
 5 Elspachia                    20   10   3   7    44   34  +10    33
 6 Orga City                    20    8   8   4    35   26   +9    32
13 Exton Oilers                 20    6   2  12    30   43  −13    20
14 RFK Ogdenagorv               20    4   7   9    30   40  −10    19
15 Plympton Town                20    3   9   8    24   34  −10    18
16 Zholvi Athletic              20    2   6  12    10   28  −18    12

Ten matches to go in the Mercedinian Premier League and we are still no closer to finding out who is going to win the title. However, it could very well be a first title for Blue Strike Zoloroni with their four point margin and plenty of momentum going towards the end of the season. Being knocked out early in the IFCF and facing easy opponents in the cup had freed up space for the manager to rest his players and play full-strength squads in the league week after week. Blue Strike don't necessarily have the pedigree in the IFCF to compete with the Langtrees and Zoloronis of the world, but they will have to book their ideas up if they claim the title to confirm a Champion's Path berth.

It's hotting up in the race for the second CL spot though, as three teams are going for the remaining spot. Ali Mercedes are yet to be moved from their fourth spot, but the race had tightened enough for them to state their case if the others split up, however, it will likely be another two horse race between LTU and ZCT for another appearance in the non-champions path.

Further down, and Zholvi already look to be dead and buried this season, only twelve point to their names and at least two wins behind their closest rivals, the perennial yo-yo club are at it again when it comes to their love affair with the MPL and NL1. The teams are beginning to spread out towards the bottom, with Exton, Plympton and Ogdenagorv looking likely to be the three teams taunting with the drop come the end of the season.

by **Mercedini** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:24 am

Season 9 | Part 3

Cup Winners Cup Second Round
Northern Union (BRE) 2-0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0-4 Northern Union (BRE)

Northern Union (BRE) win 6-0 on aggregate

It was always going to be a mismatch on paper one the draw came out for the second round, but Brenecia's Northern Union were simply unstoppable in their Second Round games versus Hoventon. Union turned up to the opening leg fully in fifth gear, but a stoic defensive performance only limited Brenecians to a two-goal haul, but that still was enough to but Northern Union firmly in the ascendancy. In the return leg, it was more of the same dominance in the Hoventon Community Stadium, as the Seagulls never got a look in. A 4-0 win in Mercedini gave Union a whopping 6-0 aggregate over the two games, but for Hoventon it was a great run which came to an end against of the multiverse's best.

MFA Cup Fourth Round
Zenit Dezhynsk (5) 0-4 Cannock Chase (2)

Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) 6-1 Mercedini Armed Forces (2)

Zoloroni City (1) 2-2 Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) (2-3 AET)

Real Vozë (3) 0-1 Saabham Forest (2)

Chapter Anston (3) 0-3 Exton Oilers (1)

Sutsik Chernomorets (2) 2-0 Lokomotiv Arkenton (2)

Orga City (1) 0-0 Civittanevosa (2) (2-0 AET)

RFK Ogdenagorv (1) 1-1 Elspachia (1) (1-1 AET, 7-8 pens)
Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) vs. Elspachia (1)
Orga City (1) vs. Saabham Forest (2)
Exton Oilers (1) vs. Cannock Chase (2)
Sutsik Chernomorets (2) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

We are down to the final, and we are down to the top-two tiers when it comes to representation as the remaining three teams from the third and fifth tiers of Mercedinian football were all wiped out in the Fourth Round. The lowest remaining team, Zenit Dezhynsk, bow out after a great run in the cup, they finally found an opponent above their grade and were knocked out by Cannock Chase by 4 goals to 0. The same fortune fell of National League 2 sides Real Voze and Chapter Anston, who were taken out by Exton and Saabham, both from higher leagues. The only real surprise fell to Ali Mercedes who went to the City of Zoloroni Stadium and came out the other end with a 3-2 win after extra time.

In the draw, we could see an all-MPL semi final draw, with Sutsik, Saabham and Cannock all drawn to face MPL sides.

Challengers Cup Group Stage
Langtree United 2-0 Tanrisal (PAS)

Herzegovina City (BNJ) 0-3 Langtree United

Langtree United 4-2 Anomolies (CMT)

Anomolies (CMT) 0-1 Langtree United

Tanrisal (PAS) 1-0 Langtree United

Langtree United 0-2 Herzegovina City (BNJ)
   Group G                      Pld  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD Pts     LtU    Anm    Tan    HgC
1  Langtree United          MRC   6  4  0  2  10   5   5  12      -     4-2    2-0    0-2  
2  Anomalies                CMT   6  2  2  2   9   8   1   8     0-1     -     4-1    0-0  
3  Tanrisal                 PAS   6  2  1  3   4   8  -4   7     1-0    0-1     -     0-0  
4  Herzegovina City FC      BNJ   6  1  3  2   5   7  -2   6     0-3    2-2    1-2     -

A Mercedinian team will see IFCF Knockout football for the second cycle in succession, and with Zoloroni City topping their Champion's League group last time round, Langtree United add their own success as they top a rather competitive group in the Challenger's Cup. Things were going swimmingly as Langtree went 4-0-0 in their opening four games of the group, picking up wins against Tanrisal, Herzegovina City and two wins against Chromatika's Anamolies.

A rotated roster for the team couldn't round out the group stage undefeated, as an away loss in Tanrisal and a home loss to Banija's Herzegovina City made the group look closer that it probably was, but Langtree go into the Round of 32 as the seeded team and looking pretty good internationally to go with their domestic fortunes.

MD21

Hoventon & Corlington Town 4–4 Kingfisher Invictus

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–1 Plympton Town

Exton Oilers 2–2 Sporting Rafelonia

Orga City 2–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zoloroni City 1–1 Zholvi Athletic

Blue Strike Zoloroni 4–1 Langtree United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–2 Acoflosa United

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–1 Elspachia
MD22

Kingfisher Invictus 1–5 RFK Ogdenagorv

Elspachia 3–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Acoflosa United 2–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Langtree United 3–4 Zoloroni City

Zholvi Athletic 1–2 Orga City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 5–2 Exton Oilers

Sporting Rafelonia 0–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Plympton Town 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town
MD23
Plympton Town 0–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–3 Sporting Rafelonia

Ali Mercedes Carassai 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Exton Oilers 3–2 Zholvi Athletic

Orga City 2–3 Langtree United

Zoloroni City 1–0 Acoflosa United

Blue Strike Zoloroni 0–0 Elspachia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 6–2 RFK Ogdenagorv
MD24

Kingfisher Invictus 0–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Elspachia 3–3 Zoloroni City

Acoflosa United 5–1 Orga City

Langtree United 5–0 Exton Oilers

Zholvi Athletic 1–0 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Sporting Rafelonia 2–0 Plympton Town
MD25

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Plympton Town 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–0 Zholvi Athletic

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–2 Langtree United

Exton Oilers 3–4 Acoflosa United

Orga City 0–0 Elspachia

Zoloroni City 2–0 RFK Ogdenagorv

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–0 Dynamo Shebchetsiks
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         25   15   6   4    46   25  +21    51
 2 Zoloroni City                25   14   7   4    51   36  +15    49
 3 Langtree United              25   13   7   5    61   44  +17    46
 4 Ali Mercedes Carassai        25   13   6   6    43   32  +11    45
 5 Elspachia                    25   11   6   8    51   41  +10    39
 6 Orga City                    25   10   9   6    42   35   +7    39
13 Kingfisher Invictus          25    6   8  11    36   45   −9    26
14 Plympton Town                25    5  10  10    29   40  −11    25
15 Exton Oilers                 25    7   3  15    40   61  −21    24
16 Zholvi Athletic              25    3   8  14    15   34  −19    17

Blue Strike Zoloroni are five games away from their first MPL title, but have let a seven point lead slip down to two with some questionable results coming in as of recent, it still remains one of the closest title races in recent memory with Zoloroni City and Langtree United still in the mix with matches ticking down. Ali Mercedes are also in the mix, although their matches are very difficult, which could see them lose ground and eventually drop out in the race for a Champions League spot.

At the bottom, Zholvi are all but confirmed to become the first team to be relegated this season, with only three wins and a whopping eight draws, it simply hasn't been a good season for them, and with all the newly promoted sides performing well, it will certainly mean those at the bottom of last season will be edged out to rebuild once again.

MFA Cup Quarterfinal
Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) 1-2 Elspachia (1)

Orga City (1) 3-1 Saabham Forest (2)

Exton Oilers (1) 1-1 Cannock Chase (2) (2-1 AET)

Sutsik Chernomorets (2) 0-4 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) vs. Exton Oilers (1)
Elspachia (1) vs. Orga City (1)

It's the final four, with the shocks now much harder to find, the only minor surprise came from the match featuring two strong MPL sides, with Ali Mercedes falling to an Elspachia comeback in Carassai, meaning AMC can now fully focus on the remaining league games. Elsewhere, the potential double from Blue Strike is still going strong as they put Sutsik to the sword, their run to the semi-finals has been extremely easy, never facing a fellow MPL side, with their results approaching cricket scores in the early rounds.

In the draw, Blue Strike face their first MPL team, which is Exton, while Elspachia will go up against Orga City in a competitive second semi-final. It's coming together nicely with three matches to go until we find out next winner of the MFA Cup.

Challengers Cup Round of 32
Lokomotive Jarnstad (SVJ) 3-0 Langtree United

Langtree United 1-1 Lokomotive Jarnstad (SVJ)

Lokomotive Jarnstad (SVJ) win 4-1 on aggregate

Langtree's endeavour into the IFCF knockout rounds end as soo as it began as the final Mercedinian club in action fall to Savojarna's Lokomotive Jarnstad, bringing the IFCF season to an end for Mercedini. It was a match-up of two legs, with Jarnstad all but booking their spot in the Round of 16 with a comprehensive 3-0 in in Savojarna. In the reverse leg, Audioslavia's Athanasios LaGrange gave the home side hope of an unlikely comeback, but Jarnstad put the tie beyond the Mercedinians with an away goal, before the end of the first half. It's all over for Langtree, although they look pretty confirmed to return to the IFCF next season on the basis of the current league table.

Taca Das Confederacoes Semifinal
Zoloroni City 2-3 Jaglan Royals (SRS)

Jaglan Royals (SRS) 0-1 Zoloroni City

Match tied 3-3 on aggregate. Jaglan Royals (SRS) advance on away goals.

Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ) 2-0 Langtree United

Langtree United 1-4 Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ)

Bassabook Old Boys (ZWZ) win 6-1 on aggregate

How typically Mercedinian. Mercedinian sides have been so dominant in this competition with three sides in the final eight, Dynamo Shebchetsik bowed out at the quarter-final stage which left just Langtree and Zoloroni fighting for a spot in the final. No MPL side have made it through to the final, and this cycle was no different, despite Mercedinian teams making up half of what was left. Zoloroni City huffed and puffed but they couldn't blow the house down of Squornshelous' Jaglan Royals, and despite a 1-0 win in SRS, it was too little to late as the damage was already done with that 3-2 home loss.

For Langtree, it was a lot simpler, Zwangzug have made the tournament their own in recent editions, and this edition was no different. They ensured themselves of a representative in the final of the TdC by demolishing United 6-1 over two legs, including a big 4-1 in in Mercedini. This tournament will likely be the easiest place to pick up a trophy, although the teams have to get to that point to have a chance of lifting one.

MFA Cup Semifinal
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) 2-0 Exton Oilers (1)

Elspachia (1) 0-1 Orga City (1)
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) vs. Orga City (1)

We have our finalists, and there were two comprehensive results to settle it as well. Blue Strike have a shot at their second piece of silver ware with their final appearance, they beat Exton quite comprehensively, finishing with 2-0 scoreline. Orga City surprised many by making their way to the MFA Cup final, beating high-flying Elspachia in Elspa to set up that final versus Blue Strike.

The two teams will meet at the Sports City Stadium at the end of the season, to fight for the MFA Cup and the spot in next season's Cup Winners Cup.

MD26

Kingfisher Invictus 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–4 Zoloroni City

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–2 Orga City

Elspachia 4–0 Exton Oilers

Acoflosa United 3–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Langtree United 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zholvi Athletic 4–2 Plympton Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia
MD27

Zoloroni Metropolitan 4–5 Kingfisher Invictus

Sporting Rafelonia 4–1 Zholvi Athletic

Plympton Town 4–3 Langtree United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–1 Acoflosa United

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–1 Elspachia

Exton Oilers 0–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Orga City 3–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni City 5–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni
MD28
Kingfisher Invictus 2–3 Zoloroni City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–1 Orga City

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–0 Exton Oilers

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Elspachia 8–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Acoflosa United 0–0 Plympton Town

Langtree United 2–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Zholvi Athletic 3–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan
MD29

Zholvi Athletic 1–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 Langtree United

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Acoflosa United

Plympton Town 0–1 Elspachia

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Exton Oilers 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni
Orga City 3–2 Zoloroni City
MD30

Kingfisher Invictus 0–0 Orga City

Zoloroni City 1–2 Exton Oilers

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–2 Plympton Town

Elspachia 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Acoflosa United 1–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Langtree United 2–0 Zholvi Athletic
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         30   18   7   5    52   31  +21    61
 2 Zoloroni City                30   17   7   6    66   46  +20    58
 3 Langtree United              30   16   8   6    70   49  +21    56
 4 Elspachia                    30   15   7   8    66   44  +22    52
 5 Ali Mercedes Carassai        30   14   8   8    50   41   +9    50
 6 Orga City                    30   12  11   7    51   42   +9    47
13 Kingfisher Invictus          30    7   9  14    43   54  −11    30
14 Plympton Town                30    6  11  13    37   51  −14    29
15 Exton Oilers                 30    8   3  19    42   70  −28    27
16 Zholvi Athletic              30    6   8  16    24   42  −18    26

At the end of it all, we have our winners and losers. It's Blue Strike Zoloroni who lift the title on a massive day for for club and for the corporation, it's been a long time coming, but their 1-0 win over Ali Mercedes on the final day means that they win the title and claim the IFCF Champion's Path berth for the first time too. Their heartache last season has now transferred back to Zoloroni City, who had the title with thirty minutes to go, but an Exton winner in the 65th minute meant their loss was enough to hand the title to their capital rivals. City still secure Champion's League football once again, but they will have to go through the much tougher non-champion's path if they want to make it back to the group stage.

Langtree United finish in third with a bit of a whimper, while Elspachia snatch the higher Challlenger's Cup seeding over Ali Mercedes, but both of those will fly the flag for the MPL next season when they play international football.

At the bottom, and Zholvi and Exton were already confirmed to go down on the final day, so they were only playing for pride against the best teams in the league. Exton's massive win against Zoloroni City was only enough to lift them off the bottom, while Zholvi finished the season in Langtree, where they lost 2-0. Plympton barely stave off relegation by a couple of points, they will face the third placed finisher of NL1 in the Pro-Rel Playoff.

MFA Cup Final
Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) 1-1 Orga City (1) (1-2 AET)
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Rounding out the season, there will be no double for Blue Strike at they were pipped to the post in extra-time by Orga City, who earn a berth in the Cup Winners Cup and the Taca Das Confederacoes thanks to their 6th place finish in the league . Orga have played in the UICA Challenger's Cup once before, where they went one and out in their qualifying rounds. They will have a chance to lift two trophies next season, something which not many have the opportunity to.

by **Mercedini** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:39 am

Playoffs & Lower Leagues

MPL Promotion-Relegation Playoff
Alton Swifts 0-0 Plympton Town

Plympton Town 0-3 Alton Swifts

Alton Swifts win 3-0 on aggregate and are promoted to the MPL. Plympton Town are relegated to NL1

For the second season in a row, we will gave three teams promoted from the second tier with Alton Swifts stunningly winning the relegation playoff in convincing fashion to return them back to the Premier League for the first time in eight seasons. A third placed finish was always going to be good enough for Alton to extand their season, with Plympton their opponents, who have been a regular in the MPL for a while. the first leg was a drab affair with neither team flexing their muscles, however, Alton came alive in the second leg. Plympton were at home for a spot in the MPL, while Alton threw caution to the wind with nothing to lose.

A big 3-0 win in Plympton was potentially the shock of the season, with Alton not faniced to get anywhere this season, they will now have thirty matches next season in the nation's top tier, which could set them up as a club for a while.

National League 1          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zoloroni Park              38   24   8   6    65   26  +39    80
 2 AFC Langtree               38   18   8  12    42   30  +12    62
 3 Alton Swifts               38   18   7  13    51   36  +15    61
 4 Cannock Chase              38   16  12  10    41   24  +17    60
17 Inablidak                  38   11   9  18    32   43  −11    42
18 Civittanevosa              38    9  13  16    34   45  −11    40
19 Slavjoni Town              38    7  16  15    28   43  −15    37
20 Shebchetsik City           38    6  12  20    26   54  −28    30

We saw Alton win promotion following their third place finish and eventual playoff win versus Plympton, and they will be joined by one debutant and one returnee to the Premier League, winning automatic promotion to the nation's top-tier. After missing out on potential promotion last season, it will be Zoloroni Park who put last season's cup money to good use to win the league and get promoted as they become dark horse to do well. Three promotions in a row has led the team to this point, where they will play the big dogs on their own turf. They have done will in the cup as of recent years, this financial boost could propel them to heavy heights.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. AFC Langtree have learnt this the hard but have now edged over the top with a runner-up spot which takes them back into the MPL to give Langtree a second club in the MPL for the first time in two seasons (since Ignavi were relegated).

At the other end, no real shocks when it comes to those relegated, neither team have too much experience at the top of the table or in the MPL, they drop down to the other end where they will face the rest in NL2. It's an immediate return to NL2 for Shebchetsik City, while Civitta and Slavjoni drop into the third tier for the first time. This means they will enter the MFA Cup at the first round stage aswell.

National League 2          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Real Vozë                  38   19   5  14    46   38   +8    62
 2 Brampton United            38   17   8  13    41   40   +1    59
 3 Irstfjord                  38   15  12  11    44   38   +6    57
 4 Colmorvia                  38   17   6  15    34   31   +3    57
17 CFC Esson                  38   11  13  14    32   40   −8    46
18 East Coast Mariners        38   11  11  16    31   35   −4    44
19 Darlaston Town             38   11  11  16    36   46  −10    44
20 Inter Peruscia             38   10  10  18    44   48   −4    40

Three solid teams earn promotion to National League 1, with financial stability and team spirit being the aim of the game for these three. Real Voze have looked a force in recent seasons, and have used their cup money from the last two seasons to build a squad which will put them in with the regulars in NL1. Brampton immediately return to the second-tier, with Irstfjord experiencing their second promotion in as many season to propel them up the league system.

At the bottom, Esson survive by the skin of their teeth at the bottom as the East Coast Mariners drop to National League 3 on the final day. They will be followed by Darlaston, who are experiencing life in the fourth tier for the first time, and Peruscia, who have been yo-yoing around this level for a while now.

National League 3          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Alania United              38   20   9   9    58   44  +14    69
 2 Acoflosa Olimpico          38   18   9  11    50   34  +16    63
 3 Carlsgrunik Metropolis     38   17  10  11    55   45  +10    61
 4 Askesund Town              38   16  11  11    45   40   +5    59
16 Yikulf Heights             38   11  12  15    42   48   −6    45
17 Langtree South Down        38   12   7  19    41   47   −6    43
18 Lamenstock Island          38   11  10  17    43   58  −15    43
19 Bravajetti Athletic        38   10  12  16    43   54  −11    42
20 Lena Brava                 38    8   9  21    27   48  −21    33

Promoted from LigaRegionale

Vertias Toligntino (East)
Malma Calcio (East)
Evolutionaries Emolese (West)
Zenit Dezhynsk (West)

National League 3 is normally difficult league to predict, but it was Alania who was a cut above the rest to win NL3 and return immediately to the third tier of Mercedinian football. It was relatively safe for the other two promoted teams, as tey had already secred promotion by the final day, with Acoflosa Olimpico edging closer to becoming a serious rival to Acolfosa United, and Carlgrunik Metropolis being promoted to Tier 3 after being in Tier 5 last season. At the bottom, we lost four teams to non-league, but they will be replaced by the top two of LigaReginale East and LigaRegionale West, who are all looking good after having decent cup runs this season.

by **Mercedini** » Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:17 am

Mercedinian Super League
Season Nine Results

Procedural Change: With the Mercedinian league structure now changed from 10-10 to 12-12, the pro-rel playoff has been removed from the league. With both of the bottom two MSL teams being relegated, they will be replaced by the top two from the Mercedinian Development League.

Five matches into the season and it's surprisingly a closely fought season for everyone involved so far. We thought the expansion of the league would mean that the top-tier teams would begin to curb stomp the newbies in the league, but those debutants are proving to be a tricky group to get past. HK Dynamo Shebchetsik lead the way after the first five matches with four wins out of five, their only loss coming at the hands of s spirited performance from debutants Arkenton Rams, winning 3-1 in Arkenton!

Shebchetsik only lead on goal difference, with Orga HC the only undefeated team remining in the lead, their three wins and two draws may not be enough to edge them into the top spot, but their consistency when it comes to result could very well keep them in the hunt for a second title. Defending champions Zoloroni City Icers and former champions Acoflosa Penguins round out the top four, before we see the first of our newly promoted teams, the aforementioned Arkenton Rams. They have taken to Super League hockey like a duck to water, this could be a team that sticks around for a little while longer (or could be gutted by teams with deeper pockets). At the bottom, it's the teams from Monmouth and Darlaston who sit at the bottom, they have both picked up their first wins in the opening five games, although they haven't managed to get any further than that thus far.

We have officially hit the half way point in the season, with eleven games now being played by each team this season, rather than the usual nine in previous seasons. HK Dynamo Shebchetsik remain in the top spot, although they have now gone two points clear at the top following an accomplished six games which saw then win five and draw one, it would be the first title since the exhibition season for the northern behemoths who have been aching for a title to go with their six (yes, six) runners-up medals. Orga HC continue to challenge, and sit in second, but their is a bus load of teams behind them if they were to slip up. The margin between second and tenth is only two points.

At the bottom it already seems to be a foregone conclusion as to who we will see in the MDL next season. While the Rams may have cooled of since their blistering start, they still sit four points ahead of the relegations spots, while Darlaston Wolves are in the biggest pit of them all, picking up only two points from eleven games, TEN points from safety already.

With matches ticking down in the ninth season of the MSL, it seems as if Shebchetsik have one hand on the title already, as they need to defend a six point lead with twelve points left to claim for those in the chasing pack. They need pretty much two wins, or a handful of draws to win the title on goal difference, and that is if Ogdenagorv, now in second, can win all of their remaining games. It's all set up to be a Shebnatsiyan top two with the northern city of Ogdenagorv also in second and set to finish in second place. Zoloroni and Acoflosa also have skin in the HCL game, as they round out the top four. Although ten teams our of the twelve in the league still have a realistic chance of nabbing that HCL spot if they can set up a good run of form.

At the bottom, there's no helping the Seagulls and the Wolves and they look all but dead and buried at the bottom of the table. The Wolves are ten points adrift and are likely to be officially relegated by the next match day, while it looks to be an immediate return to the second division for the Seagulls, who have gien themselves a decent account of themselves in their first season in the top tier.

   Mercedinian Super League         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts  
 1 HK Dynamo Shebchetsik             22   16   3   3    74   50  +24    35
 2 SKK Ogdenagorv                    22   12   3   7    71   59  +12    27
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni              22   11   3   8    59   49  +10    25
 4 Acoflosa Penguins                 22   11   3   8    50   46   +4    25
 5 Carlgrunik Metropolitan Rangers   22    8   9   5    44   40   +4    25
 6 AHC Langtree                      22   10   5   7    55   53   +2    25
 7 Zoloroni City Icers               22   10   4   8    56   51   +5    24
 8 Zholvi HC                         22    8   4  10    58   56   +2    20
 9 Orga HC                           22    7   6   9    39   42   −3    20
10 Monmouth Seagulls                 22    5   5  12    53   62   −9    15
11 Arkenton Rams                     22    5   4  13    40   56  −16    14
12 Darlaston Wolves                  22    3   3  16    43   78  −35     9
   Green = HCL Qualification, Red = Relegated

In the end it proved to be very comfortable for HK Dynamo Shebchetsik who earn their first ever full-MSL title and retain their HCL spot in Mercedini, following a season which saw them make numerous signings from their academy, which worked to great effect. Their 74 goals is a league high for the team, even if their defence needs some work. We did end up with a northern top two with Ogdenagorv unable to catch their noisy neighbours, it is their best finish since their unexpected title, it's hopes that they can continue their upward trend to claim another title under the noses of their local rivals. Rounding our the top four is Blue Strike Zoloroni and Acoflosa Penguins, with the biggest story coming from Zoloroni, there will be no international hockey next season for five-time champions.

At the bottom is there the big drama came from on the final day. There was a great escape that was completed by the Monmouth Seagulls at the expense of the Arkenton Rams, they overcame that margin with three match days to go, and the Rams simply couldn't respond with the games they had left. A mammoth 6-6 Monmouth draw against Ogdenagorv coupled with Arkenton facing a touch final day against the Icers and falling 1-0 at home put the nail in the coffin for a team which had shown so much promise early on. Monmouth live to fight another day while Arkenton will go down with Darlaston into the MDL next season.

## Mercedinian Development League        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ozzaya Agranka Synthesis               22   10  10   2    44   24  +20    30
 2 Northern Zenith                        22   13   2   7    42   36   +6    28
 3 Rafelonia Gold Stars                   22   10   5   7    39   30   +9    25
 4 Armed Forces Kirkenton                 22    9   6   7    45   36   +9    24
 5 Exton Islanders                        22    8   8   6    42   33   +9    24
 6 Naral PHC                              22    8   7   7    32   26   +6    23
 7 Carassai Equinox                       22    7   8   7    36   27   +9    22
 8 Sutsik Krazhinarets                    22    9   4   9    28   25   +3    22
 9 Trivotex Hockey                        22    7   6   9    24   37  −13    20
10 Elspa Lions                            22    5   8   9    20   21   −1    18
11 Yushek Island Yetis                    22    5   6  11    36   47  −11    16
12 Zoloroni International University      22    3   6  13    22   68  −46    12

In a season where we returned to two promotion spots, we are guarunteed to have another debutant to the MSL next season, with another expected promotion along side them. Ozzaya Agranka were in the HCL and finished top four, but their relegation after finishing in last place was probably one of the bigger shocks in recent seasons. However, their efforts in the second division has given them a chance to re-write their wrongs next season now they have returned. Onto the their promotion, and it was Northern Zenith who bought the franchise spot from the Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy, and made an immediate jump upward to the top tier straight away. It's a new team with new players, but we will see whether of not Dezhynsk will fair with them being a complete dark horse in the running.

No surprise that perennial last places ZIU fail to put up a fight and finish with twelve points from twenty two games. Surprisingly, they finished with double points and two more wins than last year, although they did have four more games to play to get to that target. The new teams from Naral, Sutsik, Elspa and Carassai all finish in mid table, with good investment placed in the league thanks to this expansion.

by **Mercedini** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:15 am

Season Ten Rosters

Acoflosa United
Manager: Irwin Drost (Audioslavia)
Home Stadium: Coma Tudo Stadium (42,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Silas Young	32	Nephara
2	LB	Gianluca Alia	18	Mercedini
3	CB	Martijn Spence	31	Eastfield Lodge
4	CB	Costil Pryce	31	Nephara
5	RB	Edward Varligne	22	Mercedini
6	LM	Miles Taezhong	24	Mercedini
7	CM	Johnny Markus	24	Mercedini
8	CM	Kingsley Arini	27	Mercedini
9	RM	David Folyemi	30	Mercedini
10	ST	Jake Wesley	31	Super Llamaland
11	ST	Cody Graszeszak	22	Mercedini

AFC Langtree
Manager: Frederico Scutti (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: FLR Stadium (27,000)
Formation: 4-4-1-1

1	GK	Inyeze Anele	        31	Abaja
2	LB	Bor Cavanagh	        25	Eastfield Lodge
3	CB	Charles Viger	        29	Abanhfleft
4	CB	Emmanuel Udoh	        24	Abaja
5	RB	Carlton Abladenovich	30	Mercedini
6	LM	Frederico Nanalan	25	Mercedini
7	CM	Andre Fretana	        24	Mercedini
8	CM	Ricardo Grapagne	30	Mercedini
9	RM	Jon Panvelutti	        29	Mercedini
10	CF	Salvatore Pelucci	30	Fhulgamous Peninsula
11	ST	Dimitri Lamorka	        30	Mercedini

Ali Mercedes Carassai
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Carassai Orbital (30,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Abdullah Al-Faliq	22	Mercedini
2	LB	Brando Meucci	        17	Mercedini
3	CB	Liam Dosic	        33	Mercedini
4	CB	Boroslav Aniri	        20	Mercedini
5	RB	Gregory Colineri	17	Mercedini
6	LM	Anthony Mocca	        20	Mercedini
7	CM	Massimiliano Allegro	22	Mercedini
8	CM	Ruslan Badanyik	        21	Mercedini
9	RM	Costas Kyrak	        29	Mercedini
10	ST	Antonio Graanai	        22	Cosneolta
11	ST	Anna Sibucic	        31	Cosumar

Alton Swifts
Manager: -
Home Stadium: TeleDini Stadium (18,500)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Timothy Merlington	23	Fhulgamous Peninsula
2	LB	Gregory Leinzmann	22	Mercedini
3	CB	Johnathan Ansehelm	29	Mercedini
4	CB	Raymundo Ramos-Berardi	23	Eastfield Lodge
5	RB	Harrison Domacenti	23	Mercedini
6	LM	Romeo Gualtieri	        17	Mercedini
7	CM	Zackary Callisto	31	Mercedini
8	CM	Evan Kostov	        21	Mercedini
9	RM	Mitchell Graftolla	20	Mercedini
10	ST	Jean-Luc Estograd	19	Mercedini
11	ST	Elijah Krawford	        18	Taeshan

Blue Strike Zoloroni
Manager: Boulevard Drucati (Qasden)
Home Stadium: Blue Strike Arena (35,000)
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

1	GK	Frederik Wandai	        24	Mercedini
2	LB	Joaquim Santorino	20	Mercedini
3	CB	Joshua Saunche	        24	Mercedini
4	CB	Josh Reven	        22	Velestria
5	RB	Lucas Stretovsky	23	Mercedini
6	LM	Peter Vecchia	        19	Mercedini
7	CM	Daniel Chang	        24	Mercedini
8	CM	Franco Santos	        27	Mercedini
9	RM	Kian Berazzi	        23	Mercedini
10	ST	Adrian Talisky	        18	Mercedini
11	ST	Matt Lister	        28	Kelssek

Dynamo Shebchetsik
Manager: Belaj-Cynav Ixi (Qusmo)
Home Stadium: Razrabotka Stadion (22,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Tigo Hurst	        24	Eastfield Lodge
2	LB	Nelson Delamora	        29	Ethane
3	CB	Anzor Kuznetsov	        30	Mercedini
4	CB	Kyle Magdanovich	23	Mercedini
5	RB	Ezra Clay	        26	Mercedini
6	LM	John Goulding	        24	Eura
7	CM	Vadov Pavlek	        31	Mercedini
8	CM	Mario Hendrix	        28	Audioslavia
9	RM	George Antonov	        27	Mercedini
10	ST	Matthias Dawsell	25	Mercedini
11	ST	Dominik Bartosz	        30	Cosneolta

Elspachia
Manager: Conrad Keane (Brenecia)
Home Stadium: New Sevada Stadium (41,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Rainard Tatius	        33	Mercedini
2	LB	Avksentiy Hildebrand	31	Chromatika
3	CB	Artur Simonis	        30	Cosneolta
4	RB	Mykhail Susila	        31	Mercedini
5	CDM	Gene Cara-Morejon	31	Audioslavia
6	LM	Ixpo Zrnic	        22	Cosumar
7	CM	Judson Tripi	        26	Audioslavia
8	CM	Josh Johnson	        22	Eura
9	RM	Wilfred Thabo	        28	Mercedini
10	ST	Magnum Cerelius	        26	Eshan
11	ST	Feliks Alva	        22	Mercedini

Hoventon & Corlington Town
Manager: Euan Jersey (Cosumar)
Home Stadium: Hoventon Community Stadium (28,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Neil Keane	        30	Brenecia
2	LB	Curi Namba	        21	Qasden
3	CB	Harry Ossun	        26	Mercedini
4	CB	Dawid Maslanka	        31	Cosneolta
5	RB	Arcadious Conteffe	24	Mercedini
6	LM	Ora Espinosa	        27	Apox
7	CM	Manny M'foto	        23	Mercedini
8	CM	Wanderson Brahnica	23	Mercedini
9	RM	Carlton Pujanic	        30	Mercedini
10	ST	Kyle Ekryna	        22	Mercedini
11	ST	Kelly McGuiness	        21	Abanhfleft

Kingfisher Invictus
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Aves Stadium (18,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Leonid Tarnavo	        20	Mercedini
2	LB	Hartley Vinter	        30	Mercedini
3	CB	Matthias Tiana	        24	Mercedini
4	CB	Alistair Slaborodina	19	Mercedini
5	RB	Garth Subo-Seshar	22	Mercedini
6	LM	Matt Frozzalino	        22	Mercedini
7	CM	Erik Malinowski	        24	Cosneolta
8	CM	Eli Mandev	        27	Mercedini
9	RM	Oleksandr Anaktchaan	24	Cosneolta
10	ST	Jorge Aldenia	        24	Mercedini
11	ST	Oscar Bothwell	        24	Mercedini

Langtree United
Manager: Salah Wasil Kalb (Pasarga)
Home Stadium: Langtree Metropolitan Stadium (45,000)
Formation: 4-3-3

1	GK	Martin Hovek	        28	Mercedini
2	LB	Callum Aznelik	        31	Mercedini
3	CB	Don Barca	        26	Mercedini
4	CB	Lyon Dalamai	        22	Mercedini
5	RB	Dominik Dzudzev	        30	Mercedini
6	LM	Sawyer Rotan	        18	Delaclava
7	CM	Mason Windrip	        28	Cosumar
8	RM	Dino Santa-Corvani	26	Mercedini
9	ST	Thomas Vorthik	        24	Mercedini
10	ST	Athanasios Lagrange	19	Audioslavia
11	ST	Chase Zeigenhorn	26	Ceni

Orga City
Manager: Gene Cara-Morejon (Audioslavia)
Home Stadium: Partush Arena (32,500)
Formation: 5-4-1

1	GK	Hamad Carter	        31	Eastfield Lodge
2	LB	Kimothy Longacre	25	Cosumar
3	CB	Aran Durrie	        30	Brenecia
4	CB	Issac Gustinetti	24	Mercedini
5	RB	Juuso Jagoda	        25	Cosneolta
6	LM	Grant Forthern	        28	Mercedini
7	CM	Milos Guana	        23	Mercedini
8	CM	Frederico Quana	        23	Mercedini
9	RM	Hugo Grec	        31	Juvencus
10	ST	Jens Heisel	        27	Cosumar
11	ST	Charlie Alotic	        30	Mercedini

RFK Ogdenagorv
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Ogdenagorv Stadion Natsiya (9,500)
Formation: 4-4-1

1	GK	Viktor Polzin	        29	Mercedini
2	LB	Ruslan Kavlan	        24	Mercedini
3	CB	Artem Vasilyshin	31	Mercedini
4	CB	Maxim Bolgomolov	25	Mercedini
5	CB	Lazar Sokolov	        27	Mercedini
6	RB	Peter Vladikavkaz	29	Mercedini
7	LM	Nikolai Maksimov	24	Mercedini
8	CM	Stefan Kohut	        32	Mercedini
9	CM	Yasim Pesternak	        26	Mercedini
10	RM	Makar Gavrilyuk	        32	Mercedini
11	ST	Vitale Arrighi	        17	Mercedini

Sporting Rafelonia
Manager: Nigel Chauvella (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: Gavret Sports Arena (18,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Magnus Enderssen	31	Natanians & Nosts
2	LB	Caleb Fabron	        25	Mercedini
3	CB	Elfon-Ajark Zyn	        27	Qusmo
4	CB	Peter Patenkov	        32	Mercedini
5	RB	Charlie Lavoie	        31	Mercedini
6	LM	Jakob Vaselko	        33	Mercedini
7	CM	Charlie La Roi	        24	Mercedini
8	CM	Nathan Hallman	        28	Mercedini
9	RM	Frederick Garret	31	Mercedini
10	ST	Simon Danzek	        27	Mercedini
11	ST	Rodrigo Callac	        29	Mercedini

Zoloroni City
Manager: David Bjarnasson (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: City Of Zoloroni Stadium (48,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Daniel Hosset	        26	Mercedini
2	LB	Ben van Eyck	        26	Audioslavia
3	CB	Jonathan Harris	        29	Ethane
4	CB	Ally Dandic	        19	Mercedini
5	RB	Zacly Angelica	        22	Audioslavia
6	LM	Vanja Kuro	        28	Mercedini
7	CM	Johannes Nymark	        27	Mercedini
8	CM	Ernesto Mangsingco III	26	Abanhfleft
9	RM	Leon Kulap	        30	Mercedini
10	ST	Gaby	                29	Sharktail
11	ST	Anthony Baudelio	30	Eshan

Zoloroni Metropolitan
Manager: Rodin Vidal (Apox)
Home Stadium: MetroStadi (32,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Silver Charm	        26	Equestria
2	LB	Preston Aristaros	26	Mercedini
3	CB	Cruz van Gelderen	26	Audioslavia
4	CB	Kristian Trevasoni	26	Mercedini
5	RB	Noah Park	        33	Mercedini
6	LM	Lawrence Garzallo	24	Mercedini
7	CM	Ben Ross	        23	Ethane
8	CM	Aron Orlandi	        20	Mercedini
9	RM	Zia Nesci	        18	Mercedini
10	ST	Max Esthik	        26	Mercedini
11	ST	Lukas Rashford	        30	Nephara

Zoloroni Park
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Stadi Naturala II (14,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Lukas Poyek	        25	Mercedini
2	LB	Giorgi Kespa	        18	Mercedini
3	CB	Nico Petrosino	        18	Mercedini
4	CB	Ivan Septimius	        29	Mercedini
5	RB	Johan Juno	        20	Mercedini
6	LM	Jackson Eureska	        19	Mercedini
7	CM	Daniel Ishnegorvic	20	Mercedini
8	CM	Kristjan Kadilyik	20	Mercedini
9	RM	Alikhan Elah	        30	Mercedini
10	ST	Ricardo Spadenza	19	Mercedini
11	ST	Alessandro Spadenza	20	Mercedini

by **Mercedini** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:40 am

Season 10 | Part 1

MFA Cup Qualifying Round
Solsid Makhan-Varna (5) 1-2 Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5)

Sevaston Dockyards (5) 3-1 Lamenstock Island (5)

Olessandria (5) 2-0 Conista Church (5)

Langtree South Down (5) 1-1 SCP Piocchi (5) (1-2 AET)

Ansav Town (5) 3-4 New Cassandra United (5)

Helledin 98 (5) 0-1 Daekin Wood (5)

Ryenna Town (5) 2-2 OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) (2-2 AET, 3-4 pens.)

AFC Santo Davide (5) 0-0 North Dajaiina (5) (1-0 AET)

Ahla Flux (5) 4-0 Sevnitz Ravnaya (5)

Bravajetti Athletic (5) 2-5 Rorschach Odinnadsat (5)

Krakenberg Town (5) 1-0 Lombardia Athletic (5)

FK Shebardiagrad (5) 2-3 Cosneoltan Capitals (5)

Manfredonia Union (5) 0-7 Leviathans (5)

Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) 3-0 Lena Brava (5)

Zoloroni Southern Lights (5) 1-2 Monte Cascantum (5)

Yushek Island (5) 2-1 Atletisk Svobodna (5)
Zenit Dezhynsk (4) vs. FC Carshalton (3)
Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) vs. AFC Monmouth (3)
Askesund Town (4) vs. Gordonia (4)
Acton Town (4) vs. Civittanevosa (3)
Olessandria (5) vs. Monte Cascantum (5)
Risa (3) vs. South Dajaiina (4)
Monastir (4) vs. Carlsgrunik Metropolis (3)
Osset Town (3) vs. Naral Volvania (3)
Daekin Wood (5) vs. Project Olimpo Mercedini (3)
Slavjoni Town (3) vs. Cosneoltan Capitals (5)
Leviathans (5) vs. Shebchetsik City (3)
Centre for Excellence (4) vs. Lonek Town (4)
Sutsik Chernomorets (3) vs. Sanzana Celtic (4)
Chapter Anston (3) vs. Wilton Barrow (4)
Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) vs. Ahla Flux (5)
SCP Piocchi (5) vs. Malma Calcio (4)
Evolutionaries Emolese (4) vs. Velvyn Garden City (4)
Acoflosa Olimpico (3) vs. Yikulf Heights (4)
Humber Valley (3) vs. Krakenberg Town (5)
Sevaston Dockyards (5) vs. CFC Esson (3)
Southsolden (4) vs. Yate Town (4)
Veritas Toligntino (4) vs. East Kilbride United (3)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) vs. Moorland & Tersham (3)
Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) vs. Inter Paruscia (4)
AFC Santo Davide (5) vs. Darlaston Town (4)
Stonbridge Town (3) vs. East Coast Mariners (4)
Colmorvia (3) vs. New Cassandra United (5)
Yushek Island (5) vs. Alania United (3)

Preseason also means the MFA kicks off in earnest with the thirty-two non-league sides battling for the sixteen remaining spots in the MFA Cup proper. At the moment, teams at this stage are two stages away from potentially facing a Premier League side and bankrolling the team for seasons to come. Manfredonia Union who shipped thirteen against Elspachia last season in their biggest match, now go one and out to up-and-comers Leviathans by seven goals to nil. Elsewhere, it was a good day for the new teams in the league system, with Ahla Flux and Rorshach both recording convincing results to see them through. Sixteen teams made it through to the next round, with teams from the third and fourth tiers join in for their taste of glory. We are a long way from the Sports City Stadium just yet, but with a third tier side making the semis and a second-tier side making the finals in previous seasons. Anything is truly possible.

MFA Super Cup
Blue Strike Zoloroni 2-0 Orga City
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Super Cup time and it was second time lucky for Blue Strike who beat Orga City in the Sports City Stadium, in a repeat of last season's MFA Cup Final. With Orga City winning the MFA Cup last season, they got to face last season's MPL Champions, which just so happened to be the team they beat to lift the cup. Back then, Orga needed extra time to stop Blue Strike from winning the double, but things went differently this time. A goal in each half from Kelssek's Matt Lister was enough to put the Super Cup beyond The Forgers. and give Blue Strike the first piece of silverware for the season.

MFA Cup First Round
Zenit Dezhynsk (4) 1-2 FC Carshalton (3)

Ogdenagorv Red Stars (5) 1-4 AFC Monmouth (3)

Askesund Town (4) 3-0 Gordonia (4)

Acton Town (4) 0-2 Civittanevosa (3)

Olessandria (5) 1-0 Monte Cascantum (5)

Risa (3) 3-1 South Dajaiina (4)

Monastir (4) 1-0 Carlsgrunik Metropolis (3)

Osset Town (3) 0-4 Naral Volvania (3)

Daekin Wood (5) 1-2 Project Olimpo Mercedini (3)

Slavjoni Town (3) 0-1 Cosneoltan Capitals (5)

Leviathans (5) 3-4 Shebchetsik City (3)

Centre for Excellence (4) 2-1 Lonek Town (4)

Sutsik Chernomorets (3) 2-1 Sanzana Celtic (4)

Chapter Anston (3) 4-3 Wilton Barrow (4)

Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy (5) 2-6 Ahla Flux (5)

SCP Piocchi (5) 0-2 Malma Calcio (4)

Evolutionaries Emolese (4) 3-0 Velvyn Garden City (4)

Acoflosa Olimpico (3) 2-0 Yikulf Heights (4)

Humber Valley (3) 2-0 Krakenberg Town (5)

Sevaston Dockyards (5) 1-1 CFC Esson (3) (1-2 AET)

Southsolden (4) 5-0 Yate Town (4)

Veritas Toligntino (4) 0-0 East Kilbride United (3) (0-0 AET, 5-4 pens.)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) 1-0 Moorland & Tersham (3)

Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) 2-2 Inter Paruscia (4) (3-2 AET)

AFC Santo Davide (5) 0-3 Darlaston Town (4)

Stonbridge Town (3) 2-0 East Coast Mariners (4)

Colmorvia (3) 3-1 New Cassandra United (5)

Yushek Island (5) 0-4 Alania United (3)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Malma Calcio (4)
Project Olimpo Mercedini (3) vs. Inablidak (2)
Brampton United (2) vs. Alania United (3)
Askesund Town (4) vs. Zoloroni Park (1)
Denby Town (2) vs. Plympton Town (2)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) vs. Risa (3)
Exton Oilers (2) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Cannock Chase (2) vs. St. Austell Town (2)
Kirkenton Rovers (2) vs. AFC Monmouth (3)
Real Vozë (2) vs. Sporting Rafelonia (1)
Darlaston Town (4) vs. Humber Valley (3)
Rygge Athletic (2) vs. Acoflosa Olimpico (3)
Irstfjord (2) vs. Cosneoltan Capitals (5)
Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) vs. Colmorvia (3)
FC Carshalton (3) vs. Chapter Anston (3)
Ignavi Borough (2) vs. RFK Ogdenagorv (1)
Lokomotiv Arkenton (2) vs. Langtree United (1)
Monastir (4) vs. Elspachia (1)
Ahla Flux (5) vs. Dynamo Shebchetsik (1)
Acoflosa United (1) vs. Shebchetsik City (3)
Veritas Toligntino (4) vs. Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)
Coral Island (2) vs. Olessandria (5)
Etruria-Sul-Mare (2) vs. Saabham Forest (2)
Southsolden (4) vs. AFC Langtree (1)
Alton Swifts (1) vs. Centre for Excellence (4)
Zholvi Athletic (2) vs. Orga City (1)
Kingfisher Invictus (1) vs. Naral Volvania (3)
Sutsik Chernomorets (3) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) vs. Stonbridge Town (3)
Civittanevosa (3) vs. Dorchester United (2)
Carvi Albion (2) vs. Evolutionaries Emolese (4)
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) vs. CFC Esson (3)

First Round of the MFA Cup means that many of the lower ranked professional clubs begin to feed into the competition, with the question of 'How many Tier 5 teams will make it through to the second round?', the answer to that is 5, which is a solid number given the state of the league system at the moment. The result of the round went to a fifth tier side in Ahla Flux, who hit six past the youngsters of the Zoloroni Sports City Youth Academy. However, the shock went to the Cosneoltan Capitals, who went to Slavjoni Town, two leagues above them, and came out 1-0 winners to secure their passage through to potentially face a top tier side.

Over to the draw, and there will be some excited fans over the next couple of weeks, with some of the sides who made it through now in the sights of a handy windfall. Malma Calcio of the fourth tier head to the MetroStadi to face Zoloroni Met, while Askesund will play host to another capital side in Zoloroni Park. For their shock against Slavjoni, the Cosneoltans will go across the country to high-altitude Irstfjord of the second tier. Ahla Flux will likely have the tie of the round, going all the way up the Mercedinian pyramid to face Dynamo Shebchetsik of the Premier League. Olessandria will head to Coral Island in the second tier, while Sutsik may fancy their chances against a struggling Zoloroni side. All will be known in a couple of weeks time when the biggest day in Mercedinian football approaches us for another season.

MD1
Kingfisher Invictus 1–0 Orga City

AFC Langtree 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Sporting Rafelonia 2–5 RFK Ogdenagorv

Hoventon & Corlington Town 0–0 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Langtree United 4–1 Zoloroni City

Elspachia 1–0 Alton Swifts

Blue Strike Zoloroni 4–1 Zoloroni Park

Acoflosa United 2–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan
MD2

Orga City 4–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zoloroni Park 0–1 Acoflosa United

Alton Swifts 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni City 0–1 Elspachia

Ali Mercedes Carassai 3–3 Langtree United

RFK Ogdenagorv 4–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Kingfisher Invictus 1–0 AFC Langtree
MD3

AFC Langtree 2–0 Orga City

Sporting Rafelonia 4–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Langtree United 3–4 RFK Ogdenagorv

Elspachia 4–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–1 Zoloroni City

Acoflosa United 0–1 Alton Swifts

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–3 Zoloroni Park
MD4

Orga City 5–2 Zoloroni Park

Alton Swifts 0–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Zoloroni City 4–1 Acoflosa United

Ali Mercedes Carassai 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

RFK Ogdenagorv 6–3 Elspachia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–1 Langtree United

Kingfisher Invictus 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

AFC Langtree 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia
MD5

Sporting Rafelonia 4–0 Orga City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–1 AFC Langtree

Langtree United 3–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Elspachia 0–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Blue Strike Zoloroni 5–0 RFK Ogdenagorv

Acoflosa United 3–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–0 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni Park 3–0 Alton Swifts
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni          5    5   0   0    13    2  +11    15
 2 RFK Ogdenagorv                5    4   0   1    19   16   +3    12
 3 Langtree United               5    3   1   1    14    9   +5    10
 4 Elspachia                     5    3   0   2     9    8   +1     9
 5 Acoflosa United               5    3   0   2     7    8   −1     9
 6 Kingfisher Invictus           5    3   0   2     5    7   −2     9
13 Zoloroni City                 5    1   0   4     6   10   −4     3
14 Alton Swifts                  5    1   0   4     1    8   −7     3
15 Hoventon & Corlington Town    5    0   2   3     5    8   −3     2
16 Ali Mercedes Carassai         5    0   2   3     6   11   −5     2

What a first match day for the MPL, plenty of drama and goals for the fans to feast on when it comes to the nation's sport. Langtree United set their sights on another PL title, as they took care of the record champions with a big 4-1 win at home to Zoloroni City, which put the juggernauts joint bottom of the table with Zoloroni Park, who lost their capital derby against Blue Strike by the same scoreline. However, it was Ogdenagorv who topped the table, with a 5-2 win over Rafelonia edging them up thanks to Goals Scored. AFC Langtree marked their return to the MPL with a win, but it was a tough start for the other promoted sides (Alton & Park), who both lost.

Ogdenagorv's good run of form continued through a a rather difficult run of fixtures, beating Hoventon, Langtree and Elspachia to keep them to of the table through the opening for games, not bad for the northern side with the smallest stadium in the league. However, what goes up, must come down, and their bubble was burst by a rampant Blue Strike team, who ran out 5-0 winners in Zoloroni to put the defending champions three points clear of their nearest rivals.

At the other end of the table, it has been a shocking start for the rest of the Zoloroni sides, with Zoloroni City being the surprise package of the league, and that's not in a good way. A tricky opening set of games was in the offing for the four time champions. However, losses to Langtree, Elspachia plus capital derby defeats to both Blue Strike and Metropolitan mean it has been a less than ideal start for the perennial juggernauts. A comprehensive 4-1 win against Acoflosa means they are out of the relegation spots, and with most of the tough sides out of the way, there is hope that City can build up their points tally before the end of the half.

Rounding out the rest of the action. Acoflosa and both Langtree sides occupy the Challenger's Cup spot, while at the other end, it's Hoventon, Ali Mercedes and Alton who need to pick up results in order to avoid the drop. Looking at the promoted sides, it's clear that all three have had different fortunes in their opening five games. We have AFC Langtree who are challenging for a UICA spot, Alton who are struggling for survival, while Zoloroni Park sit safely in mid-table.

MFA Cup Second Round
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 6-0 Malma Calcio (4)

Project Olimpo Mercedini (3) 0-4 Inablidak (2)

Brampton United (2) 1-1 Alania United (3) (2-1 AET)

Askesund Town (4) 1-3 Zoloroni Park (1)

Denby Town (2) 1-2 Plympton Town (2)

OFR Ozzaya Agranka (5) 0-3 Risa (3)

Exton Oilers (2) 2-4 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

Cannock Chase (2) 2-2 St. Austell Town (2) (2-2 AET, 5-6 pens.)

Kirkenton Rovers (2) 2-0 AFC Monmouth (3)

Real Vozë (2) 0-0 Sporting Rafelonia (1) (1-0 AET)

Darlaston Town (4) 1-2 Humber Valley (3)

Rygge Athletic (2) 0-1 Acoflosa Olimpico (3)

Irstfjord (2) 7-0 Cosneoltan Capitals (5)

Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) 0-0 Colmorvia (3) (0-0 AET, 3-1 pens.)

FC Carshalton (3) 2-0 Chapter Anston (3)

Ignavi Borough (2) 0-4 RFK Ogdenagorv (1)

Lokomotiv Arkenton (2) 0-1 Langtree United (1)

Monastir (4) 0-3 Elspachia (1)

Ahla Flux (5) 3-5 Dynamo Shebchetsik (1)

Acoflosa United (1) 3-1 Shebchetsik City (3)

Veritas Toligntino (4) 0-4 Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)

Coral Island (2) 5-1 Olessandria (5)

Etruria-Sul-Mare (2) 2-1 Saabham Forest (2)

Southsolden (4) 0-2 AFC Langtree (1)

Alton Swifts (1) 2-0 Centre for Excellence (4)

Zholvi Athletic (2) 2-1 Orga City (1)

Kingfisher Invictus (1) 1-0 Naral Volvania (3)

Sutsik Chernomorets (3) 2-2 Zoloroni City (1) (2-3 AET)

Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) 4-0 Stonbridge Town (3)

Civittanevosa (3) 3-4 Dorchester United (2)

Carvi Albion (2) 1-0 Evolutionaries Emolese (4)

Mercedini Armed Forces (2) 4-2 CFC Esson (3)
RFK Ogdenagorv (1) vs. Zholvi Athletic (2)
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) vs. Dynamo Shebchetsik (1)
Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) vs. Zoloroni Park (1)
AFC Langtree (1) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
Langtree United (1) vs. FC Carshalton (3)
St. Austell Town (2) vs. Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)
Plympton Town (2) vs. Coral Island (2)
Carvi Albion (2) vs. Inablidak (2)
Risa (3) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Alton Swifts (1) vs. Elspachia (1)
Brampton United (2) vs. Dorchester United (2)
Kingfisher Invictus (1) vs. Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)
Kirkenton Rovers (2) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Irstfjord (2)
Etruria-Sul-Mare (2) vs. Real Vozë (2)
Acoflosa Olimpico (3) vs. Humber Valley (3)

It's a straight knockout from now, with the final twenty eight teams joining those from the first and second tiers in the second round for what is an interesting second round draw for most teams. Only five non-league teams made it through to the second round draw, with each of them handed increasingly difficult draws to face for their next match.

For Malma Calcio of the fourth tier, it was more of an experiance for their players and fans, they were promptly dispatched 6-0 in the MetroStadi by the Premier League team. Askesund did take the lead in their battle against Zoloroni Park, and were twenty minute away from claiming a big scalp, however, the fourth tier side ran out of steam and shipped three late goals. For their shock against Slavjoni, the Cosneoltan Capitals couldn't compete in the thin and frigid air of the Irst Highlands, beaten by seven goals to nil to the NL1 side. Ahla Flux had the tie of the round, and made a good account of themselves against a top side. They made it close, but Shebchetsik added a late goal to seal it in added time to round out a closely fought 5-3 win against the part-timers. Olessandria were thoroughly dispatched by Coral Island, but the did get a goal for their troubles. Sutsik couldn't finish the job versus Zoloroni City, with the Premier League side barely snatching victory with a goal in added time of extra time. The result of the round came in the north, where Rorshach Odinnadsat beat Colmorvia on penalties, knocking out a team two leagues above them. They are the final fifth tier side in contention, in a draw where all of the fourth tier teams are out.

Over to the draw and Rorshach have a tie at home against Zoloroni Park, with the capital team getting a rather easy ride of it in their early opponents. With the rest of the draw consisting of Tiers 1 to 3, they will be the one to watch in the third round draw. How is your team shaping up?

MD6

Orga City 2–0 Alton Swifts

Zoloroni City 5–2 Zoloroni Park

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–1 Acoflosa United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Kingfisher Invictus 1–3 Elspachia

AFC Langtree 0–0 Langtree United

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town
MD7

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–3 Orga City

Langtree United 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Elspachia 1–0 AFC Langtree

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Acoflosa United 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zoloroni Park 2–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Alton Swifts 1–3 Zoloroni City
MD8
Orga City 1–2 Zoloroni City

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Alton Swifts

RFK Ogdenagorv 6–3 Zoloroni Park

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Kingfisher Invictus 1–2 Acoflosa United

AFC Langtree 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 Elspachia

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Langtree United
MD9

Langtree United 4–3 Orga City

Elspachia 1–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Acoflosa United 1–0 AFC Langtree

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Zoloroni Park 2–5 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Alton Swifts 0–3 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zoloroni City 5–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai
MD10

Orga City 1–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

RFK Ogdenagorv 2–2 Zoloroni City

Dynamo Shebchetsik 4–0 Alton Swifts

Kingfisher Invictus 1–1 Zoloroni Park

AFC Langtree 0–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Sporting Rafelonia 0–2 Acoflosa United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Langtree United 1–1 Elspachia
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         10   10   0   0    23    6  +17    30
 2 RFK Ogdenagorv               10    7   2   1    32   22  +10    23
 3 Elspachia                    10    7   1   2    16   10   +6    22
 4 Acoflosa United              10    7   1   2    14   10   +4    22
 5 Langtree United              10    6   3   1    22   14   +8    21
 6 Zoloroni City                10    5   1   4    23   19   +4    16
13 Sporting Rafelonia           10    2   2   6    12   15   −3     8
14 Zoloroni Park                10    2   2   6    19   31  −12     8
15 Hoventon & Corlington Town   10    1   2   7    10   16   −6     5
16 Alton Swifts                 10    1   0   9     2   21  −19     3

We're a third of the way through the season and I'd love to tell you it's gearing up to be a close season, however we seem to have a runaway leader at this stage in the season. Blue Strike have had a flawless run so far this season, notching up ten wins out of ten and sitting seven points clear of second place. Right now, it is their title to lose, and could be the first team to successfully defend their title. Ogdenagorv have slipped back somewhat since MD5, although they remain in second place and are edging closer to confirming a spot in the UICA next season, which would be a great achievement for the club given their lack of domestic prowess.

Acoflosa, Elspachia and Langtree are breathing down the necks of the northern side, who are aiming to nab a place in the Champion's League next season to further their financial and international endeavours. They all seem to be secure in their top five spots currently, and that's because Zoloroni City have had a recent revival but still sits six points adrift of the UICA places.

At the other end, it remains close but Alton are the first team to put their heads firmly on the chopping block, picking up only one win from their ten games, they already sit five from safety with another tough list of matches ahead of them. Ali Mercedes have recorded some points which means they escape the bottom four, so it's now Hoventon, Zoloroni Park and Sporting Rafelonia who are most at risk of going down to the secod tier. Some of those are still in the Cup, so fixture congestion could be an issue as the matches begin to pile up.

by **Mercedini** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 1:21 pm

Season 10 | Part 2

MFA Cup Third Round
RFK Ogdenagorv (1) 3-0 Zholvi Athletic (2)

Mercedini Armed Forces (2) 2-2 Dynamo Shebchetsik (1) (3-2 AET)

Rorschach Odinnadsat (5) 0-2 Zoloroni Park (1)

AFC Langtree (1) 0-1 Zoloroni City (1)

Langtree United (1) 4-0 FC Carshalton (3)

St. Austell Town (2) 1-3 Ali Mercedes Carassai (1)

Plympton Town (2) 2-1 Coral Island (2)

Carvi Albion (2) 1-1 Inablidak (2) (1-1 AET, 4-3 pens.)

Risa (3) 0-0 Acoflosa United (1) (0-2 AET)

Alton Swifts (1) 2-0 Elspachia (1)

Brampton United (2) 1-2 Dorchester United (2)

Kingfisher Invictus (1) 2-5 Zoloroni Metropolitan (1)

Kirkenton Rovers (2) 0-3 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)

Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 2-0 Irstfjord (2)

Etruria-Sul-Mare (2) 1-1 Real Vozë (2) (1-2 AET)

Acoflosa Olimpico (3) 1-0 Humber Valley (3)
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) vs. Alton Swifts (1)
Real Vozë (2) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Plympton Town (2)
Dorchester United (2) vs. RFK Ogdenagorv (1)
Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) vs. Acoflosa Olimpico (3)
Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) vs. Zoloroni Park (1)
Zoloroni City (1) vs. Blue Strike Zoloroni (1)
Carvi Albion (2) vs. Langtree United (1)

Like with many seasons of the Cup, the fairytale finally comes to an end for the underdog. This time is was Rorshach Odinnadsat who flew the flag for the minnows of the footballing pyramid, making it to the Third Round in their maiden voyage in the cup competition. They were drawn against Zoloroni Park in their televised date with destiny, although the odds were stacked against them from the outset. For the fifth-tier side, it was all about keeping it close for as long as possible. They held firm for a solid sixty minutes at home, before their hopes were dashed by a Kristjan Kadilyik strike with thirty minutes to go. Ricardo Spadenza headed home from a corner five minutes from time to seal the result, but there was little celebrations from the Premier League as the barely scraped past a team four league below them.

Their baton is now handed to Acoflosa Olimpico, as they become the lowest ranked team remaining in the Cup following their narrow win against their third-tier counterparts, Humber Valley. Whoever won the game would become the underdog of the tournament, and it was the Acoflosa natives who won through to reack the final sixteen. Other shocks included the struggling Alton Swifts taking out Elspachia, who were pushing for a UICA spot, and Dynamo Shebchetsik who were knocked out by the Armed Forces, in front of zero away fans due to the politics included in the match.

Over to the draw, and Olimpico were handed a money spinner versus Ali Mercedes of the Premier League in the fourth round, with the team from Carassai the heavy favourites for victory. The juicy draw has given us two Zoloroni derbies to play, with Metropolitan playing Park, while Blue Strike will play City, showing just how dominant capital clubs have been. Aside from that, there are chances for upsets in all of the remaining five ties, featuring one team from the Prem and one team from National League 1.

MD11
Elspachia 3–2 Orga City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–3 Langtree United

Acoflosa United 3–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni Metropolitan 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni Park 2–2 AFC Langtree

Alton Swifts 1–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Zoloroni City 3–3 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Ali Mercedes Carassai 6–3 RFK Ogdenagorv
MD12

Orga City 1–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Kingfisher Invictus 1–2 Zoloroni City

AFC Langtree 1–1 Alton Swifts

Sporting Rafelonia 2–3 Zoloroni Park

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–1 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Langtree United 5–0 Acoflosa United

Elspachia 0–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni
MD13

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Orga City

Acoflosa United 2–3 Elspachia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–3 Langtree United

Zoloroni Park 2–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Alton Swifts 0–1 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni City 0–2 AFC Langtree

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–3 Kingfisher Invictus

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik
MD14

Orga City 0–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Kingfisher Invictus 4–3 RFK Ogdenagorv

AFC Langtree 1–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Sporting Rafelonia 1–5 Zoloroni City

Hoventon & Corlington Town 4–3 Alton Swifts

Langtree United 3–2 Zoloroni Park

Elspachia 0–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Acoflosa United
MD15

Acoflosa United 1–0 Orga City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni Park 1–7 Elspachia

Alton Swifts 3–3 Langtree United

Zoloroni City 3–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Ali Mercedes Carassai 3–0 Sporting Rafelonia

RFK Ogdenagorv 4–0 AFC Langtree

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–3 Kingfisher Invictus
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Blue Strike Zoloroni         15   12   1   2    27   11  +16    37
 2 Langtree United              15   10   4   1    39   21  +18    34
 3 Elspachia                    15   10   3   2    29   15  +14    33
 4 RFK Ogdenagorv               15    9   3   3    44   33  +11    30
 5 Zoloroni City                15    8   2   5    36   26  +10    26
 6 Acoflosa United              15    8   2   5    20   22   −2    26
13 Orga City                    15    4   1  10    22   26   −4    13
14 Hoventon & Corlington Town   15    3   4   8    21   28   −7    13
15 Zoloroni Park                15    3   4   8    29   47  −18    13
16 Alton Swifts                 15    2   2  11    10   30  −20     8

We have officially reached the halfway stage of the season and there are plenty of races still to be run in Mercedini. However, with all teams now having played each other once, we have a good indication of who is performing well and who needs to up their game. Blue Strike finally took the L this season, and had a rather dire set of five games at the close of the half. A draw to Elspachia and losses to both Langtree United and Zoloroni Met, means that they end the half with only a three point lead behind their main title rivals. Langtree United and Elspachia are the big movers, closing the gap substantially on the top spot and putting distance between themselves and the chasing pack. We could see three of the five IFCF spots decided already, but we have seen teams fall fast if the result don't carry on like that.

Ogdenagorv's good run of form seems to have all but ended, and so has their rather distant title chances. It seemed as if the occasion finally got to the small club from the north of the nation, but result have been good enough for The Independants to only drop to fourth, with Zoloroni City breathing down their neck. Ogdenagorv are the surprise package of the league so far, and they only need to secure a top six finish to secure international football next season, and that is entirely possible. Following their rough start, Zoloroni City have been on a revival as of late, and have ended the half in fifth place, now having an IFCF spot to hold onto and build upon. The perennial juggernauts and been found wanting, and are yet to show their dominance which has been so prevalent in previous seasons.

At the other end of the table, Alton Swifts are now odds on favourite to finish bottom, only picking up eight points from fifteen games, and now five points adrift of safety in the second half. Alton haven't been as bad as previous last-place finishers, although they are the smallest team to make it to the Prem, and it shows. Zoloroni Park are also a team which few expected to perform well, although they have given themselves a chance. Gaining 13 points may be decent, although their goal differance has taken a beating, compounded by their 7-1 loss at home to Elspachia in the most recent match day.

Hoventon & Corlington is a shock, a lack of progress has stifled their ability to compete in recent seasons. They have been a staple of the nation's top-tier, but time stops for no club, and we could very well see the club which developed Chillotov go down to the second tier.

MFA Cup Fourth Round
Mercedini Armed Forces (2) 2-3 Alton Swifts (1)

Real Vozë (2) 0-4 Acoflosa United (1)

Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 1-1 Plympton Town (2) (2-1 AET)

Dorchester United (2) 0-4 RFK Ogdenagorv (1)

Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) 5-0 Acoflosa Olimpico (3)

Zoloroni Metropolitan (1) 1-2 Zoloroni Park (1)

Zoloroni City (1) 0-0 Blue Strike Zoloroni (1) (0-0 AET, 6-5 pens.)

Carvi Albion (2) 1-0 Langtree United (1)
Alton Swifts (1) vs. Acoflosa United (1)
Zoloroni City (1) vs. RFK Ogdenagorv (1)
Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) vs. Zoloroni Park (1)
Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) vs. Carvi Albion (2)

It was close at times, but only one surprise was recorded throughout the eight games played over the weekend, and now we are getting down to the business end of the Cup. The one surprise came in Carvi, where the Albion knocked out the inform side of Langtree united to put their name in the final eight. In fact, all of the Prem's top three have been knocked out, with Blue Strike knocked out by Zol City in the second capital derby of the round, and Elspachia already eliminated. It's giving all of those teams a chance to solely focus on the league and a spot in the Champion's League which is a hefty cash injection into the club.

Rounding out the rest of the action, Zoloroni Park caused a light surprise in their match versus Zoloroni Met, they made the short trip to the MetroStadi and came out as 2-1 winners to put their name into the final eight as a newly promoted club. All of the Prem's bottom three will remain in the cup, with Hoventon and Alton beating their lower league opposition to advance. Acoflosa rounding out the action with
a professional performance versus their second tier opposition.

MD16

Orga City 0–0 Kingfisher Invictus

Dynamo Shebchetsik 0–0 AFC Langtree

RFK Ogdenagorv 4–2 Sporting Rafelonia

Ali Mercedes Carassai 4–3 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni City 3–0 Langtree United

Alton Swifts 0–1 Elspachia

Zoloroni Park 0–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–0 Acoflosa United
MD17

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–2 Orga City

Acoflosa United 3–0 Zoloroni Park

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–0 Alton Swifts

Elspachia 0–1 Zoloroni City

Langtree United 1–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–2 RFK Ogdenagorv

Sporting Rafelonia 1–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

AFC Langtree 1–0 Kingfisher Invictus
MD18
Orga City 1–0 AFC Langtree

Kingfisher Invictus 1–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Dynamo Shebchetsik 5–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

RFK Ogdenagorv 0–1 Langtree United

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–0 Elspachia

Zoloroni City 3–2 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Alton Swifts 0–2 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni Park 1–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan
MD19

Zoloroni Park 1–2 Orga City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–1 Alton Swifts

Acoflosa United 0–1 Zoloroni City

Blue Strike Zoloroni 0–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Elspachia 4–3 RFK Ogdenagorv

Langtree United 3–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Hoventon & Corlington Town 3–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Sporting Rafelonia 0–1 AFC Langtree
MD20

Orga City 1–1 Sporting Rafelonia

AFC Langtree 1–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Kingfisher Invictus 0–4 Langtree United

Dynamo Shebchetsik 5–2 Elspachia

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Ali Mercedes Carassai 4–2 Acoflosa United

Zoloroni City 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Alton Swifts 3–2 Zoloroni Park
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              20   13   4   3    48   27  +21    43
 2 Zoloroni City                20   13   2   5    47   30  +17    41
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni         20   13   2   5    31   16  +15    41
 4 Elspachia                    20   12   3   5    36   26  +10    39
 5 RFK Ogdenagorv               20   11   3   6    54   43  +11    36
 6 Ali Mercedes Carassai        20   10   4   6    45   37   +8    34
13 Orga City                    20    6   3  11    28   31   −3    21
14 Sporting Rafelonia           20    4   3  13    21   35  −14    15
15 Zoloroni Park                20    3   5  12    33   58  −25    14
16 Alton Swifts                 20    3   2  15    14   39  −25    11

We're now firmly on countdown for the end of the season as the games begin to countdown for both ends of the table, as teams manoeuvre themselves up the table to secure safety or international spots next season. It's all change at the top as Blue Strike's early advantage has now evaporated as we approach the key matches of the title race. They have dropped down to third after losing most of their key games against key rivals, but they still have a chance after they now play teams further down the table. They haven't managed to keep up momentum since their opening ten games, and so their focus may now be on holding onto a Champion's League spot.

The top spot now belongs to Langtree United who will be looking for another title after losing the title time and time again to a plethora of different sides. It could also mark their return to the Champion's League following near misses in the Challenger's Cup Qualification rounds. Also, following their tough start, Zoloroni City are back to being a key player in the title race, playing and beating their main rivals at the second time of asking to thrust them up the table. With Elspachia falling away, there is now a race for the final two IFCF spots, between themselves, Ogdenagorv who remain in fifth, Ali Mercedes and Acoflosa.

At the other end, it remains close but we now have a clear group of three who will battle it out for the one relegation playoff spot. Orga, in 13th, are clear of the playoff spot by six points, so that leaves Rafelonia, Zol Park and the Swifts to battle it out to stave off relegation for at least two matches. Nothing will be decided at the top or the bottom for the moment, but it's now or never for teams to make a move.

by **Mercedini** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:51 pm

Season 10 | Part 3

MFA Cup Quarterfinal
Alton Swifts (1) 0-2 Acoflosa United (1)

Zoloroni City (1) 1-1 RFK Ogdenagorv (1) (2-1 AET)

Ali Mercedes Carassai (1) 0-1 Zoloroni Park (1)

Hoventon & Corlington Town (1) 3-1 Carvi Albion (2)
Zoloroni Park (1) vs. Zoloroni City (1)
Acoflosa United (1) vs. Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)

So we are down to the final four. For the first time in a while we have an all Premier League line-up in the semifinals, as the light of the lower leagues was finally suffed out in Hoventon. Carvi were no strangers to the Hoventon Community Stadium as they had faced them in previous seasons in the MPL. They came as a second tier side, but were no slouches as they equalised in the second half to make a game of it. Sadly, the team which has seen a resurgence in the MPL to save them from relegation, stormed forward to score twice in the second half to knock out the only non-Prem side left in the Cup.

IT means that there are no easy games on paper from now on, although there are still more favourable draws compared to others. Zoloroni Park made it to their first semi in their club's history as they made the long journey to Carassai and came our narrow 1-0 winners in the Carassai Orbital thanks to a heroic performance by Lukas Poyek in the Zol Park goal, and a last gasp winner from Ricardo Spadenza to send their team through to the semis, giving a faint glimpse of triumph despite their league woes

We will have another Zoloroni derby in the Cup, with Zoloroni City becoming the second capital side to earn their spot through to the final four with a less than convincing performance against the surprise package of the league, RKF Ogdenagorv. The northern side proved their could hang with the best that the nation has to offer, equalising late on in the second half to force extra time in the City Of Zoloroni Stadium. However, financial might of the Cityzens proved to be the cutting edge as Sharktail's Gaby tapped home the winner to send City through, and leave Ogdenagorv to focus on their league position in these final games.

The final team to make it through is Acoflosa United, who advance after quickly dispatching Alton Swifts with a weaker side than usual to rest some key players. They will fancy their chances against Hoventon, but anyone could win it from here. Two matches stand between them and glory.

MD21
Alton Swifts 2–0 Orga City

Zoloroni Park 2–2 Zoloroni City

Zoloroni Metropolitan 2–3 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Acoflosa United 2–2 RFK Ogdenagorv

Blue Strike Zoloroni 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Elspachia 3–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Langtree United 3–1 AFC Langtree

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–2 Sporting Rafelonia
MD22

Orga City 1–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Sporting Rafelonia 0–2 Langtree United

AFC Langtree 1–0 Elspachia

Kingfisher Invictus 2–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–2 Acoflosa United

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Ali Mercedes Carassai 2–0 Zoloroni Park

Zoloroni City 3–1 Alton Swifts
MD23

Zoloroni City 1–1 Orga City

Alton Swifts 0–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Zoloroni Park 2–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–1 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Acoflosa United 2–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Blue Strike Zoloroni 2–1 AFC Langtree

Elspachia 0–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Langtree United 2–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town
MD24

Orga City 2–0 Langtree United

Hoventon & Corlington Town 1–3 Elspachia

Sporting Rafelonia 1–5 Blue Strike Zoloroni

AFC Langtree 1–0 Acoflosa United

Kingfisher Invictus 1–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Dynamo Shebchetsik 2–1 Zoloroni Park

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–1 Alton Swifts

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–2 Zoloroni City
MD25

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Orga City

Zoloroni City 2–2 RFK Ogdenagorv

Alton Swifts 1–2 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni Park 3–3 Kingfisher Invictus

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–3 AFC Langtree

Acoflosa United 4–2 Sporting Rafelonia

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–0 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Elspachia 2–5 Langtree United
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              25   16   5   4    60   34  +26    53
 2 Blue Strike Zoloroni         25   17   2   6    43   20  +23    53
 3 Zoloroni City                25   15   5   5    57   37  +20    50
 4 Ali Mercedes Carassai        25   14   4   7    53   41  +12    46
 5 Elspachia                    25   14   4   7    44   34  +10    46
 6 RFK Ogdenagorv               25   13   5   7    63   50  +13    44
13 Hoventon & Corlington Town   25    6   6  13    39   52  −13    24
14 Sporting Rafelonia           25    5   4  16    26   47  −21    19
15 Zoloroni Park                25    4   7  14    41   68  −27    19
16 Alton Swifts                 25    4   2  19    19   48  −29    14

Fromthe runaway leader to the two horse race, and now to the grandstand finish, there's nothing to separate the teams as we head into the final matches of the league. It it Langtree united who head into the final stretch with the slimmest of margins, they lead by three net goals over their nearest rivals, Blue Strike Zoloroni. It's been a season of teams rushing ahead, only to be pegged back a match later, and only Blue Strike have managed to get a significant margin ahead of everyone, but even that margin evaporated under enough pressure. Blue Strike's end to the first half was less than ideal, so it's advantage to LTU, but it's simply all about result from here on out.

Zoloroni City remains in the picture as well, but they sit three points back in third, so their destiny is not in their own hands if they want to lift another title this season. They also lack the advantage when it comes to goal difference as well, so Bjarnasson and his team of superstars can try their best, but it may not be enough in the end. They are pretty much guaranteed at least a Challenger's Cup place, although the club with so much ambition will want to edge themselves back into the big time.

It's also a three-horse race for the IFCF Challenger's Cup placements, with Ali Mercedes throwing themselves well into the mix to make it back-to-back appearances for the club. Their rise up the table has given Elspachia and RFK Ogdenagorv something to think about in their final five games. Ali Mercedes and Elspachia have already made appearance in the Challenger's Cup, but for Ogdenagorv, this is a golden chance for the small northern club to take the next step in their growth.

At the other end of the table, it's gotten close all of a sudden in the quest to stave off relegation. With Alton Swifts seemingly dead and buried, and Hoventon safely ahead of the drop, it's a race between Rafelonia and Zoloroni Park to edge into the relegation playoff. Even then, safety isn't confirmed as they need to face a second tier side in order to keep their place, but it's better to have a chance at safety rather then going down for sure.

At this point, as least some things would be confirmed, however, that isn't the case this season, and the tenth anniversary season could be one to remember as we approach the end fo the season.

MFA Cup Semifinal
Zoloroni Park (1) 2-2 Zoloroni City (1) (2-2 AET, 8-7 pens.)

Acoflosa United (1) 1-0 Hoventon & Corlington Town (1)
Acoflosa United (1) vs. Zoloroni Park (1)

After many matches, hundreds of goals and the odd shock here and there, we now have our final. It will be Acoflosa United playing Zoloroni Park for a chance at lifting the cup, and book a spot into the Cup Winners Cup for next season. Zoloroni Park, having made it through to their first semi, will now play in their first final as they came out at the unlikely winners of the Zoloroni derby, knocking out City on penalties in front of a packed Stadi Naturala II. The Spadenza brothers grabbed a goal a piece and converted both of their penalties to see off their more illustrious rivals. So while they need to avoid relegation, they also could lift the cup too. For City, they now can focus firmly on the league and confirming a Challenger's Cup.

Acoflosa came in a the slight favourites and confirmed that as they won in the Coma Tudo Stadium, even if only just. International football via the league may be out of reach, but they will be firm favourites for the Cup when the two sides meet in a couple of weeks' time.

MD26

Orga City 0–0 Elspachia

Langtree United 2–0 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–3 Acoflosa United

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Zoloroni Metropolitan

AFC Langtree 2–1 Zoloroni Park

Kingfisher Invictus 1–0 Alton Swifts

Dynamo Shebchetsik 3–5 Zoloroni City

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–1 Ali Mercedes Carassai
MD27

RFK Ogdenagorv 3–5 Orga City

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 Dynamo Shebchetsik

Zoloroni City 3–2 Kingfisher Invictus

Alton Swifts 1–0 AFC Langtree

Zoloroni Park 3–2 Sporting Rafelonia

Zoloroni Metropolitan 1–2 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Acoflosa United 2–3 Langtree United

Blue Strike Zoloroni 0–1 Elspachia
MD28
Orga City 1–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni

Elspachia 3–2 Acoflosa United

Langtree United 3–3 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Hoventon & Corlington Town 4–2 Zoloroni Park

Sporting Rafelonia 0–0 Alton Swifts

AFC Langtree 2–3 Zoloroni City

Kingfisher Invictus 3–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

Dynamo Shebchetsik 4–2 RFK Ogdenagorv
MD29

Dynamo Shebchetsik 1–2 Orga City

RFK Ogdenagorv 1–1 Kingfisher Invictus

Ali Mercedes Carassai 1–0 AFC Langtree

Zoloroni City 2–0 Sporting Rafelonia

Alton Swifts 2–1 Hoventon & Corlington Town

Zoloroni Park 2–2 Langtree United

Zoloroni Metropolitan 3–3 Elspachia

Acoflosa United 0–1 Blue Strike Zoloroni
MD30

Orga City 1–3 Acoflosa United

Blue Strike Zoloroni 3–2 Zoloroni Metropolitan

Elspachia 3–1 Zoloroni Park

Langtree United 3–2 Alton Swifts

Hoventon & Corlington Town 2–2 Zoloroni City

Sporting Rafelonia 2–2 Ali Mercedes Carassai

AFC Langtree 0–1 RFK Ogdenagorv

Kingfisher Invictus 5–3 Dynamo Shebchetsik
.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langtree United              30   19   7   4    73   43  +30    64   Champions League
 2 Zoloroni City                30   19   6   5    72   46  +26    63   Champions League
 3 Blue Strike Zoloroni         30   19   3   8    48   26  +22    60   Challengers Cup
 4 Elspachia                    30   17   6   7    54   40  +14    57   Challengers Cup
 5 Ali Mercedes Carassai        30   16   6   8    60   47  +13    54   Challengers Cup
 6 RFK Ogdenagorv               30   14   7   9    71   61  +10    49
 7 Acoflosa United              30   14   4  12    47   46   +1    46
 8 Dynamo Shebchetsik           30   11   6  13    53   49   +4    39
 9 Kingfisher Invictus          30   11   5  14    46   57  −11    38
10 Zoloroni Metropolitan        30    9  10  11    49   50   −1    37
11 Orga City                    30    9   7  14    41   44   −3    34
12 AFC Langtree                 30    8   8  14    24   33   −9    32
13 Hoventon & Corlington Town   30    8   7  15    50   62  −12    31
14 Zoloroni Park                30    5   8  17    50   81  −31    23   Relegation Playoff
15 Sporting Rafelonia           30    5   7  18    30   54  −24    22   Relegated
16 Alton Swifts                 30    6   3  21    24   53  −29    21   Relegated

It was close, but it's Langtree united who claim another MPL title, winning with 64 points, but only by a margin of a single point. They confirmed their title with a 3-2 win against a spirited Alton Swifts to lift them above Zoloroni City, who were initially at the top before the final round of matches. It means the Lumberjacks will head into the CL Champion's Path, and could very well qualify for either the CL or CC group stages, knowing their track record in previous IFCF competitions.

Langtree United will have to send a very special gift to Hoventon & Corlington Town, who are the reason why it isn't Zoloroni City who claim the MPL title. After the 29th game, it was the Cityzens who edged into first place, but they could only manage a 2-2 draw against the Seagulls, who barely escaped relegation themselves. A 79th minute equaliser in the Hoventon Community Stadium by Kyle Ekryna was the fatal blow to Zol City's title run, the two points that they dropped effectively handed the title across to LTU, Ekryna will be public enemy #1 in the eyes of the capital's biggest club. Blue Strike Zoloroni, Elspachia and Ali Mercedes all finished strong enough to earn a Challenger's Cup position, but it was heartbreak for RKF Ogdenagorv who couldn't get a maiden spot in the IFCF. They will gave to settle for the Liga Dos Vencadores next season, in the regional cup.

However, it was at the bottom where the drama unfolded as well. As Rafelonia, Zol Park and Alton battled it out to avoid relegation, at least for the moment. Everyone was still alive on the final day with Alton Swifts conjuring up some magical results to keep their head above water going into the final day. They had a tricky final day match against Langtree United, and despite taking the lead to potentially complete the great escape, they couldn't hang on against the eventual champions, and they lost to confirm their drop down to the second tier.

So it was a battle between Rafelonia and Zoloroni Park. Thanks to prior results, Park had the advantage by two points and so either needed to draw or hope Rafelonia didn't win. Despite Zoloroni Park going down 3-1 to Elspachia in their tough final day game, they were saved by Ali Mercedes, who held Sporting to a 2-2 draw to relegate them and give Zoloroni Park an unlikely second chance in the pro-rel playoff against 3rd place of National League 1.

MFA Cup Final
Acoflosa United (1) 2-0 Zoloroni Park (1)
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

They managed to stave off relegation at least for a little while, but they couldn't win the Cup as glory belongs to Acoflosa in the Sports City Stadium. It was a short trip from Zoloroni Park to the Sports City Stadium, but Acoflosa were simply too strong for last season's promoted side. Graszeszak and Taezhong netted in the first half to push the match beyond Park, they have two more games in their season to keep their place in the Prem.

by **Mercedini** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 3:49 pm

Playoffs & Lower Leagues

MPL Promotion-Relegation Playoff
Carvi Albion 0-2 Zoloroni Park

Zoloroni Park 2-0 Carvi Albion

Zoloroni Park win 4-0 on aggregate and remain in the MPL. Carvi Albion remain in NL1

Considering all of the stress that the Zoloroni Park fans have had to put up with this season, they finally get their happy ending as they win their relegation playoff in rather elementary fashion over Carvi Albion. Carvi have had the experiance from previous playoffs and MPL seasons, however, Zoloroni Park have the passion and enthusiasm of a new club and they challenged Carvi with everything they had. A Ricardo Spadenza double in the first leg, and a masterclass from Eureska and Elah never gave Carvi a look in. Park purely outclassed their opposition over the two legs and will get another season in the MPL to show for it.

For Carvi, they continue their sad run of form in the relegation playoffs and will remain in the second tier for another season. However, they will have hope, given their third place finish combined with their great Cup run this season. They have give themselves the best chance of going back up again nex ttime round.

National League 1          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Mercedini Armed Forces     38   21   9   8    44   28  +16    72
 2 Real Voze                  38   20  11   7    43   27  +16    71
 3 Carvi Albion               38   20   9   9    46   28  +18    69
 4 Saabham Forest             38   19   9  10    42   29  +13    66
17 St. Austell Town           38    8  15  15    25   34   −9    39
18 Exton Oilers               38   10   7  21    33   45  −12    37
19 Denby Town                 38    9   9  20    41   49   −8    36
20 Inablidak                  38    5  10  23    27   53  −26    25

The Armed Forces are back, baby! They were in a tight race for the NL1 title, but just managed to pip new boys Real Vozë to the top spot. The Armed Forces have been a yo-yo team in recent seasons, being too good for the second division, but never holding any consistency in the Premier League to warrant their inclusion every season. With them jumping back into the top tier, plus an IFCF campaign to run, they will have plenty of funds to develop their team, which brings the best of Dini's soldiers, sailors and airmen to the domestic and international stage.

Newcomer alert! Real Vozë will be newcomers to the IFCF and the MPL next season when they take to the nation's top tier, and it has been a fast rise to the top for this team who were outside of non-league just over five seasons ago. With a profitable footballing programme and sensible business decisions, the owners have built the club from the ground up and have ample funds to bolster their squad to not just stay in the league, but to challenge for the higher places! However, as we saw earlier, there will not be three promotions to the MPL since Zoloroni Park defended their top tier spot against Carvi Albion.

At the other end, it was a shock relegation for Exton as they finish in 18th and go down to National League 2 after spending time in the top-tier barely a couple of seasons. They will be joined by another former MPL side in Denby Town, and minnow of the league, Inablidak in the third-tier of Mercedinian football.

National League 2          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 AFC Monmouth               38   20  10   8    44   20  +24    70
 2 Shebchetsik City           38   19   9  10    61   38  +23    66
 3 Naral Volvania             38   19   9  10    51   33  +18    66
 4 Risa                       38   19   9  10    40   30  +10    66
17 Moorland & Tersham         38    9  11  18    35   53  −18    38
18 Osset Town                 38   10   5  23    28   52  −24    35
19 Project Olimpo Mercedini   38    7  11  20    29   48  −19    32
20 Stonbridge Town            38    7   8  23    27   57  −30    29

Three solid teams earn promotion to National League 1, with financial stability and team spirit being the aim of the game for these three. Monmouth have finally put their pedigree to good use and go up as champions. Shebchetsik City and Naral Volvania also go up. Both teams have had wildly differant fortunes, with Shebchetsik City flip-flopping between the second and third tiers, whereas Volvania will be experiancing National League 1 football for the first time.

At the bottom, Project Olimpo will go straigt back down after going up last season. They will be followed by Osset and Stonbridge, who have filed to develop and advance with this new breed of football club, which is rising up the leagues and taking the place of other small town clubs.

National League 3          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Centre for Excellence      38   20   9   9    53   32  +21    69
 2 Veritas Toligntino         38   18  12   8    47   34  +13    66
 3 Inter Paruscia             38   19   7  12    53   32  +21    64
 4 Darlaston Town             38   18  10  10    43   30  +13    64
16 Southsolden                38   10  12  16    35   48  −13    42
17 Malma Calcio               38    9  13  16    31   43  −12    40
18 Lonek Town                 38   10  10  18    30   48  −18    40
19 Askesund Town              38    8  10  20    33   52  −19    34
20 Yate Town                  38    3  13  22    24   56  −32    22

Promoted from LigaRegionale

Leviathans (East)
Ahla Flux (East)
OFR Ozzaya Agranka (West)
Rorshach Odinnadsat (West)

National League 3 is normally difficult league to predict, but you certainly couldn't predict an acaemy team would win it all and get promoted in fairly dominant fashion. They won the league by three points, and with POM's releation, they now become the highest ranked academy team in the footballing pyramid. Two strong teams also go up in Veritas and Inter, with the former securing two promotions in a row since emerging from non-league. At the bottom, we lost four teams to non-league, but they will be replaced by the top two of LigaReginale East and LigaRegionale West, who all could go far given their cup results this season. All four will be ones to watch next season, and will be challenging for the upper reaches of the league to get their hands on promotion.

by **Mercedini** » Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:39 am

Season Eleven Rosters

Acoflosa United
Manager: Irwin Drost (Audioslavia)
Home Stadium: Coma Tudo Stadium (42,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Silas Young	33	Nephara
2	LB	Gianluca Alia	19	Mercedini
3	CB	Rwe Hn	        25	Chromatika
4	CB	Costil Pryce	32	Nephara
5	RB	Edward Varligne	23	Mercedini
6	LM	Miles Taezhong	25	Mercedini
7	CM	Johnny Markus	25	Mercedini
8	CM	Kingsley Arini	28	Mercedini
9	RM	David Folyemi	31	Mercedini
10	ST	Eli Tshabala	24	South Newlandia
11	ST	Cody Graszeszak	23	Mercedini

AFC Langtree
Manager: Frederico Scutti (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: FLR Stadium (27,000)
Formation: 4-4-1-1

1	GK	Craig Costanza	        29	Mercedini
2	LB	Gregory Leinzmann	23	Mercedini
3	CB	Charles Viger	        30	Abanhfleft
4	CB	Alexander Ytandev	26	Mercedini
5	RB	Carlton Abladenovich	31	Mercedini
6	LM	Frederico Nanalan	26	Mercedini
7	CM	Andre Fretana	        25	Mercedini
8	CM	Ricardo Grapagne	31	Mercedini
9	RM	Jon Panvelutti	        30	Mercedini
10	CF	Salvatore Pelucci	31	Fhulgamous Peninsula
11	ST	Dimitri Lamorka	        31	Mercedini

Ali Mercedes Carassai
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Carassai Orbital (30,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Abdullah Al-Faliq	23	Mercedini
2	LB	Brando Meucci	        18	Mercedini
3	CB	Liam Dosic	        34	Mercedini
4	CB	Boroslav Aniri	        21	Mercedini
5	RB	Gregory Colineri	18	Mercedini
6	LM	Anthony Mocca	        21	Mercedini
7	CM	Massimiliano Allegro	23	Mercedini
8	CM	Ruslan Badanyik	        22	Mercedini
9	RM	Costas Kyrak	        30	Mercedini
10	ST	Antonio Graanai	        23	Cosneolta
11	ST	Anna Sibucic	        32	Cosumar

Blue Strike Zoloroni
Manager: Boulevard Drucati (Qasden)
Home Stadium: Blue Strike Arena (35,000)
Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

1	GK	Frederik Wandai	        25	Mercedini
2	LB	Joaquim Santorino	21	Mercedini
3	CB	Joshua Saunche	        25	Mercedini
4	CB	Josh Reven	        23	Velestria
5	RB	Lucas Stretovsky	24	Mercedini
6	LM	Peter Vecchia	        20	Mercedini
7	CM	Daniel Chang	        25	Mercedini
8	CM	Franco Santos	        28	Mercedini
9	RM	Kian Berazzi	        24	Mercedini
10	ST	Adrian Talisky	        20	Mercedini
11	ST	Matt Lister	        29	Kelssek

Dynamo Shebchetsik
Manager: Belaj-Cynav Ixi (Qusmo)
Home Stadium: Razrabotka Stadion (22,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Tigo Hurst	        33	Eastfield Lodge
2	LB	Nelson Delamora	        30	Ethane
3	CB	Anzor Kuznetsov	        31	Mercedini
4	CB	Kyle Magdanovich	24	Mercedini
5	RB	Ezra Clay	        27	Mercedini
6	LM	John Goulding	        25	Eura
7	CM	Vadov Pavlek	        32	Mercedini
8	CM	Mario Hendrix	        29	Audioslavia
9	RM	George Antonov	        28	Mercedini
10	ST	Matthias Dawsell	26	Mercedini
11	ST	Dominik Bartosz	        31	Cosneolta

Elspachia
Manager: Conrad Keane (Brenecia)
Home Stadium: New Sevada Stadium (41,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Rainard Tatius	        34	Mercedini
2	LB	Avksentiy Hildebrand	32	Chromatika
3	CB	Artur Simonis	        31	Cosneolta
4	RB	Mykhail Susila	        32	Mercedini
5	CDM	Gene Cara-Morejon	32	Audioslavia
6	LM	Ixpo Zrnic	        23	Cosumar
7	CM	Judson Tripi	        27	Audioslavia
8	CM	Josh Johnson	        23	Eura
9	RM	Wilfred Thabo	        29	Mercedini
10	ST	Magnum Cerelius	        27	Eshan
11	ST	Feliks Alva	        23	Mercedini

Hoventon & Corlington Town
Manager: Euan Jersey (Cosumar)
Home Stadium: Hoventon Community Stadium (28,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Neil Keane	        31	Brenecia
2	LB	Curi Namba	        22	Qasden
3	CB	Harry Ossun	        27	Mercedini
4	CB	Dawid Maslanka	        32	Cosneolta
5	RB	Arcadious Conteffe	25	Mercedini
6	LM	Ora Espinosa	        28	Apox
7	CM	Manny M'foto	        24	Mercedini
8	CM	Wanderson Brahnica	24	Mercedini
9	RM	Carlton Pujanic	        31	Mercedini
10	ST	Kyle Ekryna	        23	Mercedini
11	ST	Kelly McGuiness	        22	Abanhfleft

Kingfisher Invictus
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Aves Stadium (18,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Leonid Tarnavo	        21	Mercedini
2	LB	Hartley Vinter	        31	Mercedini
3	CB	Matthias Tiana	        25	Mercedini
4	CB	Alistair Slaborodina	20	Mercedini
5	RB	Garth Subo-Seshar	23	Mercedini
6	LM	Matt Frozzalino	        23	Mercedini
7	CM	Erik Malinowski	        25	Cosneolta
8	CM	Eli Mandev	        28	Mercedini
9	RM	Oleksandr Anaktchaan	25	Cosneolta
10	ST	Jorge Aldenia	        25	Mercedini
11	ST	Oscar Bothwell	        25	Mercedini

Langtree United
Manager: Salah Wasil Kalb (Pasarga)
Home Stadium: Langtree Metropolitan Stadium (45,000)
Formation: 4-3-3

1	GK	Martin Hovek	        29	Mercedini
2	LB	Callum Aznelik	        32	Mercedini
3	CB	Don Barca	        27	Mercedini
4	CB	Lyon Dalamai	        23	Mercedini
5	RB	Dominik Dzudzev	        31	Mercedini
6	LM	Sawyer Rotan	        19	Delaclava
7	CM	Mason Windrip	        29	Cosumar
8	RM	Dino Santa-Corvani	27	Mercedini
9	ST	Thomas Vorthik	        25	Mercedini
10	ST	Athanasios Lagrange	20	Audioslavia
11	ST	Chase Zeigenhorn	27	Ceni

Mercedini Armed Forces
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Kirkenton Memorial Centre (16,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Edin Bacari	        25	Mercedini
2	LB	Henri Dublasie	        22	Mercedini
3	CB	Petros Dionisio	        34	Mercedini
4	RB	Vilhelmas Amato	        30	Mercedini
5	LM	Tim Crasic	        27	Mercedini
6	CM	Saulius Laukkanen	28	Cosneolta
7	CM	Thomas Stef	        28	Mercedini
8	RM	Ramadan Dragomir	31	Mercedini
9	ST	Alfred Ernesto	        30	Mercedini
10	ST	Jordan Destardi	        21	Mercedini
11	ST	Taylor Granelli	        23	Mercedini

Orga City
Manager: Gene Cara-Morejon (Audioslavia)
Home Stadium: Partush Arena (32,500)
Formation: 5-4-1

1	GK	Mikael Jovanen	        24	Savojarna
2	LB	Kimothy Longacre	26	Cosumar
3	CB	Aran Durrie	        31	Brenecia
4	CB	Issac Gustinetti	25	Mercedini
5	RB	Bengt Johansson	        24	Savojarna
6	LM	Grant Forthern	        29	Mercedini
7	CM	Milos Guana	        24	Mercedini
8	CM	Frederico Quana	        24	Mercedini
9	RM	Rowan Cowley	        20	Eura
10	ST	Jens Heisel	        28	Cosumar
11	ST	Charlie Alotic	        31	Mercedini

Real Vozë
Manager: Mimi Cannastratta (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: DiniLink Stadium (17,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Mario Merlo	        20	Mercedini
2	LB	Gianni Donini	        21	Mercedini
3	CB	Sugoi Urenia	        25	Astogarth
4	CB	Florentino Rua	        30	Mercedini
5	RB	Nicolo Strinati	        25	Mercedini
6	LM	Raul Pinto	        28	Mercedini
7	CM	Benjamin Trevisan	20	Mercedini
8	CM	Enzo Albano	        26	Mercedini
9	RM	Rafaele Caffaro	        22	Mercedini
10	ST	Lorenzo Fallaci	        25	Mercedini
11	ST	Antoni Mancini	        19	Mercedini

RFK Ogdenagorv
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Ogdenagorv Stadion Natsiya (9,500)
Formation: 4-4-1

1	GK	Viktor Polzin	        30	Mercedini
2	LB	Ruslan Kavlan	        25	Mercedini
3	CB	Artem Vasilyshin	32	Mercedini
4	CB	Maxim Bolgomolov	26	Mercedini
5	CB	Lazar Sokolov	        28	Mercedini
6	RB	Peter Vladikavkaz	30	Mercedini
7	LM	Nikolai Maksimov	25	Mercedini
8	CM	Stefan Kohut	        33	Mercedini
9	CM	Yasim Pesternak	        27	Mercedini
10	RM	Makar Gavrilyuk	        33	Mercedini
11	ST	Vitale Arrighi	        18	Mercedini

Zoloroni City
Manager: David Bjarnasson (Mercedini)
Home Stadium: City Of Zoloroni Stadium (48,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Daniel Hosset	        27	Mercedini
2	LB	Ben van Eyck	        27	Audioslavia
3	CB	Jonathan Harris	        30	Ethane
4	CB	Ally Dandic	        20	Mercedini
5	RB	Zacly Angelica	        23	Audioslavia
6	LM	Vanja Kuro	        29	Mercedini
7	CM	Johannes Nymark	        28	Mercedini
8	CM	Ernesto Mangsingco III	27	Abanhfleft
9	RM	Leon Kulap	        31	Mercedini
10	ST	Gaby	                30	Sharktail
11	ST	Chandra Mack	        26	Baker Park

Zoloroni Metropolitan
Manager: Rodin Vidal (Apox)
Home Stadium: MetroStadi (32,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Silver Charm	        27	Equestria
2	LB	Preston Aristaros	27	Mercedini
3	CB	Cruz van Gelderen	27	Audioslavia
4	CB	Kristian Trevasoni	27	Mercedini
5	RB	Noah Park	        34	Mercedini
6	LM	Lawrence Garzallo	25	Mercedini
7	CM	Ben Ross	        24	Ethane
8	CM	Aron Orlandi	        21	Mercedini
9	RM	Zia Nesci	        19	Mercedini
10	ST	Max Esthik	        27	Mercedini
11	ST	Lukas Rashford	        31	Nephara

Zoloroni Park
Manager: -
Home Stadium: Stadi Naturala II (14,000)
Formation: 4-4-2

1	GK	Lukas Poyek	        26	Mercedini
2	LB	Giorgi Kespa	        19	Mercedini
3	CB	Nico Petrosino	        19	Mercedini
4	CB	Ivan Septimius	        30	Mercedini
5	RB	Johan Juno	        21	Mercedini
6	LM	Jackson Eureska	        20	Mercedini
7	CM	Daniel Ishnegorvic	21	Mercedini
8	CM	Kristjan Kadilyik	21	Mercedini
9	RM	Alikhan Elah	        31	Mercedini
10	ST	Ricardo Spadenza	20	Mercedini
11	ST	Alessandro Spadenza	21	Mercedini

by **Mercedini** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:40 pm

Season 11 | Full Season

.  MPL Table                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Zoloroni City                30   19   9   2    87   50  +37    66   Champions League / League Of Victors
 2 Langtree United              30   16  10   4    78   59  +19    58   Challengers Cup / League Of Victors
 3 Zoloroni Metropolitan        30   15   6   9    65   54  +11    51   Challengers Cup
 4 Elspachia                    30   13   9   8    44   32  +12    48   Challengers Cup
 5 Blue Strike Zoloroni         30   13   9   8    34   34    0    48   Confederations Trophy
 6 Ali Mercedes Carassai        30   13   6  11    52   46   +6    45
 7 Orga City                    30   12   8  10    56   50   +6    44
 8 Dynamo Shebchetsik           30   11   9  10    48   46   +2    42
 9 Real Voze                    30   10   8  12    52   58   −6    38
10 Acoflosa United              30   11   4  15    45   46   −1    37
11 Mercedini Armed Forces       30   10   7  13    29   37   −8    37
12 AFC Langtree                 30   11   3  16    37   41   −4    36
13 Zoloroni Park                30    9   6  15    56   69  −13    33
14 RFK Ogdenagorv               30    7  11  12    61   67   −6    32   Relegation Playoff
15 Kingfisher Invictus          30    6   6  18    32   55  −23    24   Relegated
16 Hoventon & Corlington Town   30    4   9  17    53   85  −32    21   Relegated

You just can't keep them away for long. Zoloroni City will return to the IFCF Champion's League, this time in the champion's path, after they won their fifth title in the MPL. It was ultimately smooth sailing for the nation's most successful club as they won the title by eight points ahead of their main rival Langtree United, with the two clubs seemingly dominating the Mercedinian footballing landscape as of late. After winning Mercedini's first ever international club trophy in the League Of Victors, Zoloroni City took that momentum and ran with it, notching up win after win to secure berths in both the Champion's League and the League Of Victors, to try and claim another piece of silverware. The most impressive stat of all was that their two losses came against newly promoted Real Voze and recent powerhouse Ali Mercedes Carassai, with the Cityzens going unbeaten in the second half of the season to stroll to another title.

With Mercedini's recent performances lacking on the international stage, it means that the MPL lost their second Champion's League spot to other nations. It means that Langtree's second placed finish will not turn into a Champions League Non-Champions Path spot. Instead, they will return to the Challenger's Cup as the nations first seeded team in the tournament. With Mercedini sending four strong teams, it is hoped that the MPL can rebound back into the Top 32 and reclaim their second Champion's League spot. With that, it is likely that the Langtree Metropolitan Stadium will host matches somewhere in the realm of the second or third qualifying round, so the Lumberjacks will still need to win at least a couple of two-legged ties if they are to secure group stage football once again.

Another team returning to IFCF football after a long time away will be Zoloroni Metropolitan, who ensure that there will still be two capital sides to play football on the international stage. It has been a while since Zoloroni Met put in this kind of performance, but with a newly built side and some exciting young players, they managed to put in shift after shift to keep them in the mix for a while. It could ignite another boom in Zoloroni Met's fortunes, as the one-time title winners aim to return to the IFCF with a bang, which should set them up brilliantly for future seasons. As the second seeded Mercedinian side, they will almost certainly have to go through the gauntlet of a full qualifying phase, but if they can produce performances like they did this season, there is certainly a chance!

Rounding out the IFCF spots is Elspachia who are another side to return to the IFCF after multiple seasons away from the big stage. As Mercedini's first Champions League Group Stage qualifier, the side from Elspa certainly has pedigree in tournament's like these, but it has been domestically where they have struggled. The one-time MPL winners also have hopes of expanding and dominating league just like their noisy neighbours in Zoloroni have done. Their move to a new stadium has bought with it mixed results, as teams beneath them have developed at a faster pace, causing them to lose out on international spots and domestic trophies. For now, Elspachia are back, and they hope to return to winning ways in the IFCF as they begin their journey next season in the First Qualifying Round of the Challenger's Cup.

...but it's not just the IFCF we are talking about we also have the Independent's affiliated tournament, where Mercedini are the current reigning champions! Zoloroni City's heroics in the League of Victors gave us our first piece of international silverware in club tournaments, and with Zoloroni City and Langtree United booking their spots in the League Of Victors, there's only one more spot left to decide in the league. Mercedini decides their place in the Confederation's Trophy by determining the highest placed team not yet qualified to an IFCF competition. Due to Mercedini losing it's second CL spot, it means that the CT's place would go to the fifth placed MPL team, rather than sixth place like in previous seasons. So after winning the title last season, it would be Blue Strike Zoloroni who clung on to an international berth after claiming fifth place and that final spot in the Confederation's Trophy. It is a downgrade compared to previous seasons, but they were pipped to the post by Elspachia for the last Challenger's Cup spot, so Blue Strike at least have something to diversify their season with next time around.

As for our promoted sides, well for the first time in a while, they both survive, and in convincing fashion too! That's right, both Real Voze and Mercedini Armed Forces FC both made it through their first season back in the MPL (and for Real Voze, their first season ever!). Neither team really lit up the league with their performances, but there were some cracking results which both teams managed to record, one of them being Voze's 6-5 win over Zoloroni City, doing something only one other team could do in the league this season, and that was to beat the new champions. Voze finished 9th and the MAF finished 11th, so we will see them back again next season for more matches at the DiniLink Stadium and the Kirkenton Memorial Centre.

At the other end of the table, it all ends in a shock departure from the league by Hoventon & Corlington Town, as they finish bottom of the table and are relegated for the first time. Chillotov's boyhood club looked to have been bankrolled by his transfer to 1860 Azoth and his subsequent move to Lajuno, but it seems that the money has run out and the club was no longer able to keep up with the advancements of teams beneath them. The founder club will now compete in the second tier next season, which will look strange considering they have been a part of the MPL since it's founding eleven seasons ago. They will be joined by Kingfisher Invictus, whose short stay in the MPL comes to end after they battled hard but ultimately fell away towards the end of the season. They are known as the kings of the second tier, but let's see how they do with so many former MPL sides in contention for those two auto-promoted spots. RFK Ogdenagorv will fight for their spot in the MPL against third place in National League 1, which will be Naral Volvania, and if they are successful then they will be in the MPL for the maiden season. Lots to be excited about and to anticipate if you are a fan of Mercedinian domestic football!

by **Mercedini** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:57 pm

Playoffs & Lower Leagues

MPL Promotion-Relegation Playoff
Naral Volvania 1-0 RFK Ogdenagorv

RFK Ogdenavorv 4-0 Naral Volvania

RFK Ogdenagorv win 4-1 on aggregate and remain in the MPL. Naral Volvania remain in NL1

Considering it was a surprise that RFK Ogdenagorv found themselves so low in the rankings with their amazing run in the Confederations Trophy, it was a relief to their fans that they were able to secure MPL football for another season following a thumping second leg victory over Naral Volvania. Naral came into the playoff knowing that they were two games away from securing an MPL debut after rising up the Mercedinian league season in spectacular fashion. They have been tipped as a future power in the league, and have already shown their metal with a series of good runs in the MFA Cup. When it comes t their first game in the playoff, it was a timid affair with both teams knowing what was at stake. A singular goal in the second half was all that was needed to give Naral the lead going into the second lag at the OSN.

There, the MPL side came up trumps for the second season in a row, with two goals in each half cementing a thorough comeback, RFK Ogdenagorv earned their spot back in the Premier League, while for Naral Volvania, they are sent back down the the second tier of Mercedinian football. They should go back with their heads held high, and with firm knowledge that they are one of the up-and-coming teams in the league, following in the footsteps of Real Voze who held their place in the MPL rather firmly

National League 1          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Sporting Rafelonia         38   23   6   9    52   23  +29    75
 2 Lokomotiv Arkenton         38   18  10  10    41   29  +12    64
 3 Naral Volvania             38   15  13  10    43   31  +12    58
 4 Saabham Forest             38   16   9  13    51   41  +10    57
17 Brampton United            38   12  11  15    37   44   −7    47
18 Cannock Chase              38   12   9  17    37   47  −10    45
19 Kirkenton Rovers           38   11   9  18    32   42  −10    42
20 Rygge Athletic             38   12   5  21    40   48   −8    41

It's an immediate return to form for Sporting Rafelonia as the northern side won the National League 1 title by eleven points, to take them back to the top-tier after only one year out. Their 75-point haul is one of the strongest we have seen in recent seasons, with the team not losing too many players in the transfer market. By all means, it was an MPL side that turned up each week, and it certainly showed in the results.

Real Vozë came in as newcomers last season, and now it will be the turn of Lokomotiv Arkenton from central-Mercedini who will test their metal in the nation's Premier League next season, as they finished in second place to earn themselves a maiden appearance. It was a topsy-turvy affair in NL1 this season, but it was the club born out of train operators from Arkenton which won the second spot to the MPL next season, what an achievement. As we know, Naral Volvania won the right to contest the relegation playoff, but they couldn't get past RFK Ogdenagorv, and they will play NL1 football once again next season.

At the other end, it was Cannock Chase, Kirkenton and Rygge who fall out of the second tier after continued poor performances this season. They will drop into the third tier of Mercedinian football, where all three teams should be more comfortable in.

National League 2          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Inablidak                  38   24   8   6    48   22  +26    80
 2 Carlsgrunik Metropolis     38   22   5  11    46   32  +14    71
 3 Risa                       38   19   8  11    45   33  +12    65
 4 CFC Esson                  38   19   7  12    42   34   +8    64
17 Colmorvia                  38   11   9  18    31   43  −12    42
18 FC Carshalton              38    9  12  17    25   33   −8    39
19 Centre for Excellence      38   10   6  22    33   57  −24    36
20 Moorland & Tersham         38    5  12  21    22   44  −22    27

It's an immediate return to the second division for Inablidak who took the pain of relegation and turned into the fire required to dig in and secure promotion. They struggled last time round, but they have the momentum of promotion this time around to carry them a bit further. They will be joined by Risa FC who have been floating around the second and third tiers for a while, and also by Carlsgrunik Metropolis. The side from central-Zoloroni will be competing in the second tier for the first time, and with sides from the capital doing remarkably well this season, we could see even more sides from Zoloroni move up nd dominate the upper tiers of Mercedinian football.

At the bottom, the remote town of Carshalton, the Centre of Excellence and Moorland & Tersham all saw their teams drop from National League 2, meaning they will be playing fourth tier football next season. Their drop means that they will be into the draw for Round 1 of the MFA Cup. rather than Round 2 like in previous seasons.

National League 3          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Sanzana Celtic             38   21   9   8    66   35  +31    72
 2 Darlaston Town             38   20   9   9    53   32  +21    69
 3 Project Olimpo Mercedini   38   18  14   6    50   28  +22    68
 4 Velvyn Garden City         38   19   9  10    41   32   +9    66
16 Acton Town                 38   10  11  17    35   38   −3    41
17 Osset Town                 38    9  10  19    33   49  −16    37
18 Southsolden                38   10   7  21    35   54  −19    37
19 Yikulf Heights             38    8  12  18    26   46  −20    36
20 Wilton Barrow              38    8   7  23    31   62  −31    31

Promoted from LigaRegionale

SCP Piocchi (East)
Olessandria (East)
Monte Cascantum (West)
Ogdenagorv Red Stars (West)

National League 3 is normally difficult league to predict, but it would be the two favourites who get promoted from the bottom of the Mercedinian league's pyramid. Sanzana Celtic and Darlaston Town are both teams who have benefitted from MFA Cup money in recent seasons, and they have used that to good effect as they inch up to the third tier of Mercedinian football. They will be joined by Project Olimpo, who retake their place as Mercedini's highest rated academy, after themselves and Centre of Excellence swapped places last season. SCP Poicchi, Olessandria, Monte Cascantum and Ogdenagorv Red Stars all get promoted into the league system, as they knock four other clubs out of the league and into LigaRegionale. It will be interesting to see how NL3 shapes up next season, with three promotion spots handed out between the 8 or so teams which are tipped to be the next generation of Mercedinian clubs.

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