World Cup 88- Roleplay Thread

by **Sendhang** » Wed May 12, 2021 10:59 am

DAY 3 - MONTH 3 - YEAR 6

Savojarna 3-2 Sendhang

Sendhang lost its first match of the 88th World Cup qualifying campaign 3-2 away at Savojarna. The Rushmori nation is ranked 29 in the KPB ranking and is the huge favorite for the match.

Although coming into the match as an underdog, it was Sendhang who scored first through Gusti Sing Nggawe in the 12th minute with a thunderous shot from outside of the box.

Unfortunately, the lead only lasted for 5 minutes after an equalizer from Sergey Nweke who dribbled past the 2 Sendhangite center backs; Putra Lumipada and Teuku Muhammad Bari before lobbing the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper.

Savojarna controlled the match from then on and Nweke finally gave them the lead in the 44th minute. The 25 years old striker proved to be too quick for the Sendhang center backs as he was the first to pounce on a low cross from Mikhail Jashkin.

Nweke scored his hattrick 10 minutes into the second half. This time after he was sent 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper by Victoria Maersk with a defense breaking through pass which caught the Sendhangite off guard. Nweke had no problem putting the ball into the back of the net after dribbling past Albertus Wageo, the Sendhang captain and number 1 goalkeeper.

But Sendhang did not give up easily. They closed the gap again in the 82nd minute through commanding center-back, Putra Lumipada. The goal came from a corner kick where Nanang Wirajuda sent the ball to the far post where Putra was waiting to head the ball into the back of the net.

The goal sets up a thrilling ending of the match especially for the home side as Sendhang continues to push for an equalizer. But time was running out for Sendhang and the match ended in a 3-2 victory for Savojarna.

Sendhangite can be proud of the national team performance.

by **Srednjaci** » Wed May 12, 2021 11:29 am

PRESENTATION OF HOST CITIES - MELARIT

HISTORY

The history of Melarit dates back to ancient times. Melarit was an important city for trade.
Trade meant a lot to the city, where in addition to trade, shipbuilding, production of oil, wheat, salt, stone and shellfish also developed.
There are records that the production and export of shellfish was a very lucrative business. Melarit was proud of his navy, they were excellent sailors.
All this leaves a lot of room for the development of the city in education and science.
Melarit has developed over the centuries and today is one of the most beautiful cities on the coast. It is the second largest city in Srednjaci.
In recent history, Melarit is the largest port in DR Srednjaci and one of the largest in the region. The cargo port carries an enormous amount of cargo. Apart from being a large port, Melarit is also a tourist destination with a large number of hotels and resorts. The rich historical and cultural heritage attracts millions of tourists every year.

SPORTS

In Melarit, the most popular sports are women's handball and men's water polo. The winners of the Master Handball League Cup come from Melarit. And the Melarit Sharks water polo club are two-time state champions and regional champions.
Almost 80% water polo national team members of the DR Srednjaci team ,come from the Melarit Sharks.
An absolute record holder in the 100m and 200m, Margareta Li Cua was born in Melarit. And basketball, volleyball and swimming are also sports in which Melarit athletes have notable results.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE

The city abounds in ancient buildings and heritage. One of the largest museums in the state is in Melarit.
Although it can be said that almost half of the city is a museum.
The old part of the city abounds in preserved ancient buildings and forums.

antic main city Forum

city museum

Valasa - The first female senator in the history of antiquity and the first female noblewoman

GASTRONOMY

Gastronomy in Melarit abounds in diversity. First of all, the menu includes Morse specialties, but there is also a strong influence of continental food.
Wines are the main trump cards of the place and along with the wine, hard cheese from the island is offered, which are scattered along the Melarit coast.
on the islands grow various herbs that are grazed by animals whose milk is used to make amazing cheeses with divine flavors.

VACATIONS AND HOLLIDAYS

Melarit has a large offer of hotels, resorts, camps and private accommodation for everyone's pocket.
City offers a large selection of content for families as well as for crazy nightlife.
It abounds in high quality beaches but also Aqua Parks, amusement parks and amusement parks. Over 120 galleries attract attention with their exhibitions.

TKON ISLAND near Melarit

CITY TRANSPORT

The city has several public transports. One of the best ways is the city overhead railway. It provides a lot of possibilities. The city has over 40 bus lines.

Melarit will host two games from the qualifying cycle.

BLUE VOLCANO STADIUM

MD3 : Srednjaci vs Oberour Ar Moro , MELARIT- Blue Volcano Stadium
MD18 : Srednjaci vs Banija , MELARIT- Blue Volcano Stadium

by **Bollonich** » Wed May 12, 2021 11:32 am

Bollonich Today

Hello and Welcome back to Bollonich Today. People have taken to the streets, in disdain for the electoral win of Bretuno Bruto in the ASG (Appointed States of Gredonia) Legislative Assembly as evidence pointing to voter fraud is on the increase. Tim Brew has more news on this matter, as he joins us from ASG’s capital city Fermont.
So Tim, what is the current state in Fermont?
Well looking at matters here protests have been highly violent and need of police intervention has also been needed. The win of Bretuno Bruto from the Scialist/Marxist Party. surprised everyone as they hadn't come to power here in nearly 40 years. And the dislike for Socialist policies have been in the rise in Fermont as more and more business leaders flock to Fermont. After his victory reports started to emerge pointing to voter fraud and now with a party leader coming out with a statement to the Police that votes were manipulated resulted in an all Tim high of riots.
So, Tim what is the current damage considering there have been lots of violent riots?
Here in Fermont, shops have closed there has been destruction of some buildings, stores and cars. There have also been workers strikes and with such events even the economy has taken a hit. It is being hoped that with some police intervention the matter can be resolved peacefully, however we expect The Central Government to confirm the legality of the elections.
Tell us more about police intervention and how much has been needed.
Currently the Police has been needed today and yesterday especially to contain violent riots, with tear gas or batons if has been needed. Peaceful protests however have gone unhindered.
On a different topic but related to the present issue, The Bollonischian National Football team is to play their first home game of the World Cup Qualifying against Sannyamathland. This match is to be held in Fermont, do you think the match will go through with the current situation, what is the latest news?
Well the match will obviously go on, and it will be held in Fermont most likely, however the current possibility is that there might be a need to play the game behind closed doors. Also the requirement for extra security for a foreign team travelling here.
Thank you for joining us at Bollonich Today, that will be all from our side today.

Riots in Fermont

by **Yue Zhou** » Wed May 12, 2021 11:55 am

There was a tradition in the Wen clan that stretched back for decades. The eldest child of each generation became midfielders, combining creativity and athleticism to star in a foreign league; the rest insurgents, fighting for Sangauese freedom against their Yue oppressors. Wen Xiaoli had been a national team star and Lotus Park captain for years in the late-70s; Wen Xiaowei had died attempting to assassinate a Yue politician, leaving behind an infant daughter. Wen Xiaoli had become a father figure of sorts for this infant, who would grow up to become CASK Thorsborg midfielder Wen Xiaohui. But when it came to Xiaohui's younger cousin and Xiaoli's biological son, Wen Xiaoyong, nature had won out over nurture. The teenager had disappeared days before an attack in Lemaiyi, and although their worst fears had not come to pass, Xiaoyong was still awaiting trial and an almost-guaranteed life sentence.

The fact that Sangauese Liberation had been relevant for long enough for this to become a trend was slightly ridiculous in itself. Yet, ever since the mountainous kingdom had been annexed into Yuezhou decades prior, cultural and ethnic tensions had ensured that they would never truly accept Yue rule, whether it came from Beian, Yincheng, or now Nangang. Generation after generation had already risen up against the Yue oppressors, and although they were usually crushed by the superior technology and economy of the central government, their usage of guerrilla warfare ensured that Yuezhou could never definitively stomp them out. The modern situation, though, was slightly more promising, even if the separatist Free Republic of Sangau remained outmanned and out of resources. The United Republics had yet to fully consolidate, with a third of the country resisting integration and another third only resigning themselves to Nanhai dominance after losing the civil war. Sangau would still need a miracle, but if they could just find friends, perhaps in the other “Renegade Province”...

“Absolutely not,” replied Wen Xiaohui into the phone.

“Come on, Xiaohui,” cajoled her uncle on the other end of the line. “It’s just a meeting, and if relations with the People’s Federation could be thawed…”

“Yeah, it’s just a meeting, with someone who represents everything we stand against. If that Ren Qiang bootlicker wants to talk to me, he can apologize for the years of harassment first.”

“He doesn’t represent that anymore. Did you see his interview in Mytanija? The People’s Federation aren’t our enemies anymore - at least, they don’t have to be. We’re fighting for a similar cause, here, and say what you’d like about Wang Jiahui, but he does have connections.”

“Connections that we don’t need, because Ren Qiang is never going to let us become free even if he does somehow get off that island. And how are you the one trying to make friends with them, Uncle? You had to fight the People’s Federation just to stay on the national team, or to move abroad. All because of the Ren regime, and because of people like Wang Jiahui who enabled it.”

Wen Xiaoli sighed. “You’re idealistic, Xiaohui, I get it. And your aunt and I respect that about you. But it’s always the young who harbor their people’s grudges the longest. But the People’s Federation is no longer the threat. They’ve been defeated already, scattered, sent on a desperate retreat to Xilindao as they try to cling to relevance. Ren Qiang has no power over you. What stands between your country and its liberation is the United Republics - that’s what you’ll have to focus on if you want to continue using your influence for this goal. Heaven knows it’ll be hard enough for you as is without this extra challenge you’re imposing on yourself.”

“That’s not what it is. It’s just that Wang Jiahui and all of his friends at the FA made my life a living hell for so long. I had to fight just to stay on the national team, and it was traumatizing - you know what happened after the Alba and Cymru incident. Why should I be the one to make amends?”

“You don’t, Xiaohui. He’s only asking for a meeting. And he knows how you feel about him.”

“...I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all he’s asking for. I’ll give you his number.”

Yuezhou 3 - 4 Farfadillis
summary to come

Lineup to play @ Arklanda (3-4-2-1): Lu; Ren (C), Li Jianguo, Zhu; Kang, Yang, Li Jing, Reeve; Liu, Wen; Huang
Lineup to play v. Tolanka (3-4-2-1): Lu; Ren, Han (C), Zhu; Jiawei, Yang, Chen, Reeve; Liu, Wen; Luo

by **Mercedini** » Wed May 12, 2021 12:17 pm

88th World Cup Qualification MD1
Mercedini vs. Jeruselem
@ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium - Zoloroni, Mercedini

Good evening everyone, welcome back to the Sports City Stadium for the start of another World Cup campaign. We are under lights tonight as Mercedini kick off their group with a match against Jeruselem, with both teams hoping for lift off in Group 10. Last time round, a mixed campaign for Mercedini with a fifth placed finish in their group and a Round of 16 exit in the Cup of Harmony. Now, with another campaign on the horizon, it is up to Billic and his new look team to rise up and try to claim one of the thirty spots on offer at the World Cup. If Dini were successful in their quest for qualification, it would be their first appearance in seven editions, a long time to wait for a nation which qualified for three of it's first six tournaments.. Enough chit-chat, let's see whether Mercedini could get off on the right foot and claim all three points versus Jeruselem, or whether the Sports City woes continue.

World Cup Qualification: Work Need To Be Done

FINAL SCORE
WCQ | MD1
MERCEDINI 1
Gucci 71'
JERUSELEM 2
Dallas 15', Kitsume 73'
Zoloroni, Mercedini
Attendance - 74,293

The qualification misery may have already begun in the 88th World Cup cycle as the Golden Eagles lost their opening game at home in a closely fought 2-1 defeat to Jeruselem. Dini may have had the possession, the territory and the chances, but they simply couldn't take their chances as the visitors netted two of their four shots on target in the game. Following the newly released World Cup anthem, a packed crowd in the Sports City Stadium went home disappointed and deflated, with points already dropped to one of their key rivals. While they have plenty of matches to play, the team in blue and black will likely be playing catch-up for the rest of the cycle as the group begins to form into the challengers and the no-hopers. As of now, Dini are in the latter group, but a solid run of games could see them notch up win after win to see them step back into the frame for qualification.

It was one way traffic early on for the Mercedinians as they seemingly attracted the ball to their feet as they moved forward to attack an already peppered Jeruselem goal. Dostalok and Chillotov were out there once again to get Mercedini rolling in the same way they started against many teams throughout last cycle's qualifcation run. Their experience and synergy on the pitch proved to be the edge for the Golden Eagles early on as they linked up with their supporting wingers to rush forward as a single four-man bloc. An early warning sign was sounded from Dostalok's left foot, as he turned quickly to fire a low shot towards his near post. Keiran Biden got down low to quickly parry the ball past the post, proving the quality of the Jeruselem goalkeeper. The Golden Eagles were on the front foot in the game with a quarter-hour on the clock and looked to score early from the resulting corner. However, their fortunes would turn within thirty seconds. The in swinging corner was caught by Biden who instigated the perfect counter attack. Epstein was rushing forward and had the perfect touch to leave his adversaries for dead. Dallas was the perfect accompaniment to Epstein's skills as his long ball forward found the Jeruselem attacker in a one-on-one. Dallas simply curled the ball over the advancing Hosset to open the scoring with fifteen minutes on the clock. 1-0 Jeruselem, and Dini were living the high life for only a quarter of an hour.

More of the same stories were emerging for the Golden Eagles in their first game. They used to be so clinical at home in past cycles, but that threat has now dwindled to the point where some fans fear home games more than they do away games. Jeruselem were a goal up and they made sure to hang on to it through thick and thin., as time was ticking away in the first half as Dini tried to grab an equaliser before the break. Dostalok looked to be the main source of chances in this game as he found the key to unlock the defence on multiple occasions. His final chance of the half came from a through ball from Karlovic which was weighted perfectly to find the Starling player on the edge of the box. Dostalok took a touch and tried to fire the ball toward the far post, but he shanked it too far away from the goalie as the bit hit the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.

It proved to be the final major action of the half, and it was the third seeds Jeruselem who led the second seeds Mercedini by a goal to nil in a tightly contested opening game of the group. The tens of thousands of fans were now mostly watching in hope of a goal, rather than anticipation of a win.

The second half soon found it's way back into the Sports City Stadium, as the players made their way back onto the pitch... oh to be a fly on the wall of the Mercedinian dressing room. The players in blue and black came out all guns blazing to try and cut the deficit that Jeruselem had made for themselves against the run of play in the first half. Plenty of pressing play from both sides ensured no one could hold onto the ball for too long before they were forced into a mistake or a clearance. One team would have the ball before a rush of players lead to a turnover, and them giving the ball to their opponents to start the cycle once again. An insurance goal was what the Jeruselem players wanted to make the points safe in their column, and ensuring that Dini's column was empty following the opening matchday.

Dini finally got the goal they so desperately craved with less than twenty minutes left on the clock. A dogged performance from Giorgio Gucci was capped off with a goal from a corner, after a long scrap inside the box. It was Presic who took the corner and swung it in, straight onto the awaiting head of Lyon Dalamai. A brilliant reflex save from Biden denied Dalamai a certain goal from the head on target, but the ball could only be parried back into the mixer. Several players from both teams went for the ball, but it was Gucci who muscled the ball away from his opponents to poke the ball into the net for an equalising goal with time ticking away. The Sports City Stadium erupted, you could feel the air being collectively exhaled from the crowd.

However, Jeruselem weren't to be denied, as they re-instated their lead barely two minutes after they lost it. A long goal kick from Biden found Kitsume as she raced forward to meet the ball. Everyone thought the whistle would have gone for an offside infringement against the midfielder, but Kitsume kept going with only the goalkeeper to beat and no players around her. Mercedini had switched off following that goal and that was exploited by the long kick from Biden to find the Jeruselem midfielder. All eyes were on Hosset and Kitsume as they went face-to-face for the match, but the midfielder kept her composure and lifted the ball over the sprawling body of Hosset, and strolled the ball into the net for her team's second of the game, and for their second lead of the night. Dini could not get back into the game following that crushing blow, and they would fall at the first hurdle in their attempt to get back to the World Cup. The Golden Eagles will be hoping to grow from tonight's performance in Zoloroni as they go forth for the rest of the qualifying campaign. Billic will be under the kosh straight away following that defeat, but they now have a run of games which could see them chalk up to hefty points before their run in with Valladares and Siovanija. In the end, in Zoloroni, it finished Mercedini 1, Jeruselem 2.

Following that, Mercedini will now travel to face San Ortelio which will place us face-to-face with the team who became the surprise package of the qualification cycle. San Ortelio won their first game of the campaign, so a win for Dini would only but them on level terms. The side ranked 109th in the world could go six points clear of the group's second seeds if they can win at home, a position which could break the mentality of the visitors and put them bottom of the group after two games played. It is going to be one of the more hotly contested matches in the group given the history of the two teams. With San Ortelio's national team on the up, and while the Mercedinian side have been relatively stagnant in recent cycles, it's a game which could shape the group early on. So, don't you miss it as we round up the coverage and reaction from that one, plus all the goals from around the grounds of Group 10. Andiamo!

by **Montana Verde** » Wed May 12, 2021 1:21 pm

Montaña Verde – 1 (1)
Mateo; Castiglione (62’ Roberta ), Edelberto (55’), Jairo, Justin (60’ Mallén ); Ana-Ximena; Cristo Díaz, Kristjana (49’ Bregmann ); Primitivo (30’); Naomí Berrocal, Osito

Baker Park – 4 (0)
Jairo (o.g. 47’), Ngoba (56’), Wiseman (61’), Westmoreland (90+3’)

For 15 glorious minutes, Montaña Verde was united in delirium. After a battling half hour of deadlocked tactical exchanges, a silky goal from creative maestro Primitivo had given them the lead in their first ever home international. Ranked 253rd in the world, they were beating Baker Park – ranked 13th. The Estadio Metropolitano Máximo Encarnación roared in unison to every five yard pass, every doughty tackle, every touch of the ball by a Condors player. The ugly scars of the recent civil strife were temporarily forgotten. Families divided by politics and tribalism cheered together as one, celebrating their soaring Condors. 15 of the best minutes the little Rainforest Republic had ever enjoyed. And then it all came crashing down.

If it’s every boy’s dream to run out wearing his national kit and send the ball flying into the net, then what unfolded for Jairo was closer to every boy’s nightmare. The connection was sweet alright, the little defender outjumping his much bigger opponent with a majestic leap, and there was no problem with the direction of the header. It just happened to be the wrong goal. And it seemed to break the spirits of a defense that had stood strong for the first half. 15 of the worst minutes of Condors fútbol unfolded that saw the visitors rake in two more goals, Castiglione play so wretchedly that Enriqueta had no choice but to haul her off, and two of the team’s best players, Kristjana and Justin, go down injured. All that was left to complete the rout was for Annabeth Westmoreland to cap her wonderful game with a fine strike.

Squad update: Justin has suffered an ankle sprain and will miss the next 6 games; Iñigo Olmo Mallén will start in his place. Kristjana’s knee injury is more serious and is season-ending and she is unlikely to play again for the team in this campaign; Emma Narváez is called up to the squad as cover for Kristjana. Based on their respective performances, Roberta is likely to regain her starting role from Castiglione.

by **Starblaydia** » Wed May 12, 2021 1:34 pm

The Sleeper of N'kai, the great and powerful Tsathoggua, one of the many horrific entities that comprised the Great Old Ones, yawned, opening his gullet and revealing the depths of mind-torturing infinity within himself.

His slavering, prehensile tongue lolled out of a wide mouth barely contained by fat lips that seemed almost full to bursting, dripping primordial slobber over the floor of the Holy Empire's dressing room. With heavy lids half-lowered over his globular eyes, he turned a baleful gaze at Simeone and opened his toothy maw once more, gesturing to it with a long, bulbous finger at the end of an unnaturally long and unhealthily thin arm. Simeone leaned over and tossed Tsathoggua one of the uneaten half time orange slices. Tsathoggua grinned happily, chomping down on the citrus fruit with a squelching sound that went through Simeone's spine like a rusty knife, and promptly went back to sleep. It had been a routine clean sheet for the rotund toad in the heart of the Frostican defence as they thumped Siapa ya 4-0. As he started to snore softly on the bench, framed by his bright golden shirt hanging behind his obese form, Simeone patted him softly on the shoulder, feeling the short dark bat-like hairs of the creature react to his presence, seeking out his touch as if to consume his very essence. Deep from within his ever-hungering throat, Tsathoggua chuckled happily at the touch of the human spirit, and carried on snoring gently.

Simeone took the opportunity to step outside the Imperial Hippodrome, walking slowly along the purple stone walls; the colour continually reminding him of his home in the mundie world. It naturally drew his thoughts to Starblaydia's 4-1 win at home to Darmen - not quite as routine as the victory of his charges over Siapa ya, but still a simple case of 'job done'. It was an especially good result when taking into account that the Darmeni side were the third-best team in the group. That win, coupled with the pre-Qualifying friendly result away in Tikariot, pointed to Ázëwyn Fëanáro's side securing an easy route to the World Cup Finals.

"Easy" was, of course, a relative term. Simeone had watched, played and coached more than enough football to know that the tedious cliche of 'there are no easy games in international football' was a case of trite reductionism at it's most banal, yet still contained an essential and inescapable truth: anything could happen. No result was truly impossible, no team utterly unbeatable, and no cause entirely without hope. One set of eleven players could beat any other set of eleven players, given the right circumstances, and when you took into account just how many games were being played across the multiverse, those circumstances were bound to come up eventually. It would be guaranteed, in fact, that the mighty would fall and the minnow reign victorious - if only on one day. Simeone just hoped when that particular day came around that it would not be Starblaydia or the Holy Empire would would be toppled from their perches by a team from the lower reaches of the international rankings.

He took up the newspaper that was delivered like clockwork to his front door. He'd never had a newspaper delivered while he was alive originally in the mundie realm, so quite why the administrators of the Holy Empire who's job it was to subtly warp reality around him so that he'd be both blissful and blissfully unaware of their interventions insisted on this particular delivery method of mundie realm news, he couldn't quite fathom. It was as unfathomable as the deep eldritch thoughts of Cthulhu, really, so Simeone made an active choice to stop thinking about it, lest he sink into some dark underworld of cyclical reasoning from which he would never return. Wibbly-wobbly and all that. The picture on the front was one of Ázëwyn Fëanáro, one arm outstretched in a pointing motion as she barked an order to some player or another. It was doubtful this was taken during the Darmen game itself, more likely on the training ground, but such was the depth of field on the photo he couldn't tell what the background was supposed to be other than 'dark'. It reminded him for a moment of Nyarlathotep, who's inky blackness lurked in the shadows, ready to blast one's psyche and sanity to a million shattered pieces of shrapnel in the blink of an eye. He also made a lovely apple tart for the whole coaching staff, which had been a joyous surprise.

'Another Ázë-WIN' shouted the headline, declaring the Starblaydi manager's 185th win in 305 games. This one must have been from the Daily Llama, as there was no way The Jhanna Chronicle would have outlined their pun in the headline quite so abruptly. It was at that point that Simeone was struck by the sheer enormity of the numbers that the Starblaydia national football team had racked up over the years. After nearly three centuries of play - one of the longest on record and only behind Valanora and The Holy Empire in terms of appearances in the World Cup Finals - the historical records that could be churned out would make any statistician drool. Ázëwyn herself stood on a win percentage of 60.66, which was better than average - literally - as Starblaydia's all-time record in all competitions under all coaches was winning 60.617% of their matches. It outshone the period (World Cups 34-57) in which the side won three World Championships, too, at just 60.06%.

1,912 matches had been played by the team in white and purple, with their goal difference at a healthy 1,986 in the positive column. Match number 2,000 was not coming up any time soon, but over a number of competitions it would surely only take three or four cycles, if the team continued to perform well. They'd played 371 games in the AOCAF Cup, for example, victorious on 225 occasions and having scored 801 goals in their time in the premier regional tournament in existence. The first team to win five World Cups, with seven AOCAF Cups in their cabinet along with Olympic Gold among the eighteen championship trophies in the cabinet, twelve of them being 'majors'. How was it possible to keep pushing on when you were one of the best in history? How was it possible that a team and a nation could be inspired to meet and exceed the deeds of the heroes of so long ago? The claim of absolute best at football in history is a disputed one, but the choice of Valanora is not argued against with any particular vigour no matter where you go in the world. Starblaydia could count themselves as "one of" the greatest nations in football history, and that was no mean feat. The history, however, was getting further and further in the rear view mirror, while more and more nations had stopped looking over their shoulders into the past, instead firmly fixing their eyes on the future.

In those futures, Starblaydia was not a force to be reckoned with.

Sure, they were a top-ten side in the rankings with a great history. But what had that history done for them lately, except burden them with unrealistic expectations and the pressure to live up to the deeds of old in what was now unquestionably the most competitive environment in this, or any other, universe? No Starblaydia team could ever match the deeds of the team that denied Rejistania a fifth World Championship, or come close to the only team to defeat Valanora in the space of five glorious cycles, most notably in the 47th edition of this competition's storied lineage.

Simeone had literally no idea how Ázëwyn was able to motivate these players, year after year, tournament after tournament, knock out defeat after agonising, inevitable defeat. He was just a coach; he worked on skills, tactics and occasional motivation of whatever weird and wonderful cavalcade that the Frostican side was made up of for that tournament. The variety gave him comfort that things were changing and updating, rather than staying exactly the same from season to season. Picking yourself up with the same old goal for the same old reasons with the same old challenges was a management style that he couldn't possibly imitate; for that he was all the more impressed by Ázëwyn's skills and, undoubtedly, her dogged determination in pursuit of success.

Something about the situation had to change, that much was clear to Simeone. In a landscape that was forever changing, he had come to find comfort in the new and exciting, in the strange and unknown. Perhaps his old country needed a bit of change along the way to spark the greatness that he knew - or at least he hoped - was still present in the players that wore white and purple.

by **San Ortelio** » Wed May 12, 2021 3:08 pm

“And he kicks it to the right. Kicks it forward. A guy tries to stop one of ours. As does another guy. (long pause) They managed to.”

Valerio uttered it with the enthusiasm of someone listing the casualties of a particularly gruesome accident. Even Elisa had trouble to remain focused as his monotone monologue drifted into no man’s land. In his defense, they had not found any substantial information about the opposition – making it difficult to distinguish the Fujai eleven apart from their shirt numbers. But his lack of knowledge about the game and its players shimmered through painfully. Elisa would not call herself a fan but even she knew Il Buffalo – the wardrobe-sized powerhouse up front which went by the name Carmine Garofalo. The top scorer and figurehead of Catrallo Calcio sported enough first pages to get picked up and every once and a while, he even made an appearance in the gossip segment. But when Garofalo controlled a cross from Gagliano before powdering it just under the crossbar – equalizing the score in the process – Valerio had limited himself to.

“And the number nine of our eleven hits the ball. He hits it correct. And the number nine has scored a goal.”

About four minutes into the game, the first phone call had come in. True, the population of San Ortelio is exceptionally connected to its football team, its Spada – even if you wouldn’t say it by hearing Valerio babbling on – so most people tried to nest themselves in front of the television set or, even better, into Il Olimpico. But for many, the radio formed the lifeline to keep their heartbeat connected with the faith of the national eleven. The first caller was a trucker who reinforced every swear about the miserable quality of the commentary with a toot on his horn. The next one worked in the kitchen of a fast food restaurant and tried to keep up in between flipping hamburgers. But Elisa cracked when a woman called in, saying that she was forced to use the radio for being blind. After tonight, I wish I had been deaf as well. From that point onwards, she had simply unhooked the phone and prayed for it to end.

After forty-five of the longest minutes of her life, Elisa at last could start a short block of advertisements.

“So, not that hard after all,” Valerio walked out of the studio for a quick smoke. It baffled her how he kept his stupendous grin after such a debacle, “but I almost missed a… What’s it called?”
“A name,” Elisa uttered, amazed by such a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face.
“No, no… When the ball goes out near the goal, behind that line, but we did it ourselves?”
“You mean a corner?”
“Yeah, yeah that. Cor-ner.”

Valerio pronounced it as if it were a delicacy in an exotic territory. She knew she had to thread light here.

“Valerio – can I… What I’m going to say now is constructive criticism, just to shave off a few rough edges upon your style.”
“Of course, of course! I’m great with criticism!”
“It’s… There is no need to be an encyclopedia about the sport and its artists but…”
“I know, but I’m more a man of the sciences: biology, chemistry, … I’ve never really focused on sports.” he duly admits, “There was very little time to prepare and I did spend quite some time on reading through an intriguing set of papers of the digestive organs of swordfishes, so…”

Elisa nodded in the hope it would cut him off – only her workings had ensured that the first phone call come after the first whistle. Just in time, she had switched to the live version of the national anthem whilst he babbled on about the existence of tapeworms for the species. At that point, she sighed in relief when his stream of swordfish trivia died down by the first whistle – now, she’ld kill for some more info on his breeding pattern.

From the swordfish, of course.

“Yes, yes – I fully understand. But people also listen for a bit of expert knowledge, you know? A sense that you can… Guide them through the game. Use some more technical terms, rather than just ‘kicks it’, you know, use a nickname – like the ones I have written on the preparation.”

Elisa nudged as unsubtle as she could to the still unused stack with the Ortelian player information.

“So… More expert terms, nicknames, huh,” Valerio nodded as if he was given the worlds hardest riddle to solve, “I think I see what you mean.”

As he still stared into the distance – for the occasion a poorly-lit grey hallway with dark-green doors, because nothing says ‘great radio station’ like the atmosphere of an atom war bunker – the red light turned on, indicating they would be back in the air in ten seconds.

“Welcome back for the second half of this international confrontation between our beloved San Ortelio and the visitor from Fujai. The crowd roars in anticipation as they hope that our eleven will ki-… Will hit the ball even better in the second half!”

For half a second, Elisa considered simply switching the music on again, hoping the tormented listeners would agree that it was the more humane option.

“And there Fujai goes, with one guy kicking it to the other guy. The ball soars over the grass and well, our stadium has – as so many across the multiverse – been planted with a very interesting type of the diploid grass family, namely the lolium arundinaceum,” he winked to her through the glass window which connected the studio with the producer’s room and repeat that same action a second later as he continued, “often known as, or nicknamed, ryegrass. However, this is not to be confused with actual rye or secale cereale which obviously is part of a different genera, being the…”

It probably was unethical to murder someone on your second day of work, so Elisa bowed her head and tried to ignore the enthused nudges whenever he used the scientific term. Her only hope was that Bernardo had drawn the next short straw and was chalked in to present the key fixture against Mercedini.

“… Indeed, in some places the lolium multiflorum or annual ryegrass has managed to be a real-life pitch invader, making its way through human or animal contact – or simply the wind. In the meanwhile, the number nine kicked the ball in the goal again – our number nine, that is. Speaking of kicking, the best way to kick out this annual ryegrass is to…”

There probably were ways to save RODEO – but Elisa doubted those ran through this man.

by **Pratapgadh** » Wed May 12, 2021 3:16 pm

OOC Notes

The starting eleven for the next two matches against Wight and Gouvanarch are at the bottom

Pratapgadh Starts Off With A Win Against Garifunya
Written By Rajeev Chauhan
Football
Pratapgadh made a terrific start in the qualifying stage with a win against Garifunya. It was some good offence from the Pratapgadhi side which lead to a 3-1 victory for the Guns of Pratapgadh. The defence was also up to standards with today's match, so there are some good signs for this team. Pratapgadh is now third on the table along with Tikariot who've defeated Gouvanarch 4-2. Pratapgadh will now be facing Wight at the Chittorgarh National Stadium and hoping to get one over with the support of their fans.

Let's talk about the match between Pratapgadh and Garifunya first. Pratapgadh decided to go with their usual starting eleven. Gautam Sakarkar won the toss for his side and Pratapgadh decided to start with the ball in their possession. Just three minutes in and Shafe Ansari had the chance to score the match's first goal, but the ball missed the goal by just a few inches. An opportunity came later at the 15th-minute mark, with Chetan Dandekar going for the goal but Stijn Kruit did a good job at stopping the ball. At the 20th-minute mark, Garifunya opened their account with Sonel Augustine scoring the match's first goal. Pratapgadh were trailing by one goal at this point, so Sakarkar brought his boys in for a quick talk. For the next few minutes, we could see the Pratapgadhis playing a more aggressive game. Just four minutes before half-time, Sakarkar levelled the score being assisted by Dandekar. The teams left the field for their half-time break with the score being 1-1. At this time, this could've been anyone's match. The second half started with Garifunya on the attack. Boudewijn van der Weide went for the goal but Purshottam Mahanta showed his greatness as his surname suggests. In the 61st minute, Kaval Visariya was substituted by Jaywant Kulkarni and Ravi Upadhyay was off the field with Lohit Dholkaia in to replace him. A fresh midfield helped Pratapgadh get the ball to the forwards. The game was fairly even, but Garifunya weren't ready for what was about to come. On the 67th-minute, Gautam Sakarkar scored his second goal and the Pratapgadhis were now one goal ahead of Garifunya. The Garifunyans had a chance at levelling the score, but Suman Gupte was able to stop Sonel Augustin's advances. Eight minutes before full time, Sakarkar scored his first hat-trick on the international stage. With that, it was somewhat safe to say that the Pratapgadhis were the clear winners here. The Guns played a more defensive game for the rest of the match and the score was 3-1 at full time. The Guns of Pratapgadh grab their first win after returning to the World Cup.

During my post-match interview with captain Gautam Sakarkar, I got to ask him about how he felt after his first hat-trick on the international today. He answered, "Truly delighted! I am known for both my leadership and football skills. It was my teammates who pushed me today to make it my day, I am so glad they gave me the chance to do it." I also asked him about his next match against Wight, he answered, "It is going to be a tough match, they are really good. Well, at this stage, everyone seems to better than us. But I assure you, we will do our best to keep up against them and won't back down from a fight." He then mentions the old team that died in a tragic plane crash, "Something our footballing legends are known for." I also asked him which teams is he looking forward to facing, he replied "Looking forward to facing Starblaydia, Kohnhead, Darmen and Tikariot without a doubt. They are the top teams in our group and we'd love to show them what we're made of." Leaving the match behind us, I asked him what he thinks about the development of football back home, to which he answered, "We are doing quite well in the rebuilding process, but there is a long road ahead. The PFA is planning to make a pyramid-based system with the Pratapgadh Super Cup being at the top. So there are some exciting developments to see, so don't miss out on those."

The Guns of Pratapgadh would be happy to return to Pratapgadh to face Wight next. Wight is another unranked team in Group 11 and has played their first game against Lorrana, which ended with a draw with no side scoring any goals. The Guns are high right with their 3-1 victory against Garifunya, so this match will show whether Pratapgadh can perform consistently or not. Wight plays a much more aggressive game compared to the Guns, so it will be interesting to see if the Pratapgadhi defence can handle the rapid gunfire from Wight. It seems that the Pratapgadh starting eleven would remain the same with 19-year-old Vijay Malhotra, Nimash Bhuta and Neelamjit Gulati still out of the eighteen-man playing squad. I really hope Vijay Malhotra at least gets to play one game as he is quite young and can improve a lot with some experience. Purshottam Mahanta is someone to watch out for as he one of the best keepers in the All India Football Cup and also quite influential in the team. Ramesh Gadkari, head coach of the Pratapgadh national football team, might make a few changes to the defence for the match against Wight.

Pratapgadh has made a great start, now they need to show some consistency. We did see them perform well in every match they have played in the All India Football Cup. However, the All India Football Cup is a minor event and the teams aren't on the same level as the teams Pratapgadh will be playing in this qualifying stage. I won't be taking anything away from Pratapgadh as they have put in a lot of effort into saving football from the brink of extinction. So enjoy your time boys and play well. Same to you guys reading this article, enjoy the World Cup and as always, rally around Pratapgadh.
www.firesports.com/home

vs Wight
STARTING XI
1. Chetan Dandekar ST
2. Shafe Ansari RW
3. Gautam Sakarkar LW (C)
4. Atashban Aaryamehr CM
5. Kaval Visariya DM
6. Ravi Upadhyay CM
7. Dev Kamble RB
8. Jagdip Rajawat CB (VC)
9. Suman Gupte CB
10. Abhisekh Patodia LB
11. Purshottama Mahanta GK

SUBSTITUTES
12. Manas Kumavat ST
13. Washid Noorani LW
14. Lohit Dholakia CM
15. Jaywant Kulkarni DM
16. Pratik Surana GK
17. Rahet Zardari RB
18. Dharamveer Wairar CB

vs Gouvanarch
STARTING XI
1. Chetan Dandekar ST
2. Shafe Ansari RW
3. Gautam Sakarkar LW (C)
4. Atashban Aaryamehr CM
5. Kaval Visariya DM
6. Ravi Upadhyay CM
7. Rahet Zardari RB
8. Jagdip Rajawat CB (VC)
9. Suman Gupte CB
10. Abhisekh Patodia LB
11. Purshottama Mahanta GK

SUBSTITUTES
12. Manas Kumavat ST
13. Washid Noorani LW
14. Vijay Malhotra CM
15. Jaywant Kulkarni DM
16. Pratik Surana GK
17. Dev Kamble RB
18. Dharamveer Wairar CB

by **West Zirconia** » Wed May 12, 2021 4:01 pm

The Daily Herald

for all your World Cup news

Price WZC2.40

MARC EDWARDS - REMEMBERED

The next step of West Zirconia's qualifying campaign sees them face St. Trinian's at the serene setting of the Marc Edwards Memorial Stadium, home of Redwood Forest.

Serenity: Sunrise over the Marc Edwards Memorial Stadium

When Redwood Forest moved into their new stadium, then simply called the Riverside Stadium after its location, a young midfielder was about to make the leap into the first team squad. His name was Marc Edwards, and the potential that saw him break into that senior team led many at the club to believe that this youngster could be the first Redwood-born player to make the national squad. His first season saw him put in a creditable performance, scoring three goals and making twelve assists in the sixteen matches he played.

He missed the first three months of the following season through injury, but on his return the team's fortunes rallied. In their sights was a place in the Division Two playoffs, and by the last game of the season their place hinged on an all-or-nothing match away at fallen giants Moorcroft City. The mathematics could not have been simpler - win and the playoff place was theirs. Lose or draw and the season was over. The match itself was a classic, especially for the away side, and especially for Marc himself, who scored the deciding goal of their 4-3 victory with just three minutes of the game to play.

Marc and his elder brother Will, a member of the reserve team, were not travelling with the squad that day. They had been allowed to travel separately so that after the match they could go on to a family celebration taking place in Houghton that weekend. It was a journey they never completed. Their car was involved in a pile-up on the M1 motorway near Bradley; Marc died at the scene, while Will suffered life-threatening injuries, spending almost a month in hospital in Bradley. Will never recovered from the double shock of his permanent injuries and the death of his younger brother, and took his own life just six months later.

Marc's death shook the club, and the WZFA allowed them to postpone their playoff against East Snaith - which they eventually won 1-0, dedicating the result to their late teammate. However, to expect such a performance twice in such circumstances was possibly asking too much, and they lost their playoff final against Tîm Cymru by the same scoreline.

The club decided unanimously to rename the Riverside Stadium in Marc's honour, and a friendly is played there every year against Moorcroft City, their opponents on that fateful day. The funds raised by this match go to a local charity that specialises in supporting those affected by sudden bereavement. In addition, a statue featuring Marc and Will Edwards was subsequently erected outside the stadium and unveiled by their parents, who continued to be heavily involved in the club that was so dear to their sons.

by **Krytenia** » Wed May 12, 2021 4:05 pm

Cy'un offices, Emberton, a few days before MD1

Rami Niblick was sitting in his office, reading up on Valentine Z in preparation for Krytenia's opening match of the campaign. Taking a break from his screen to take a glug of fine Rejistanian coffee, he looked up to see his erstwhile assistant, Simon Kentley, heading down the corridor carrying a sizeable holdall.

"Hey Simon," he hollers, "usually when people get fired they stuff your things in a cardboard box!"
Simon turned on his heels and headed towards Rami's office. "You wish, Rami."
"Rami? What happened to 'boss'"?
"What happened, is I've been transferred. You are now looking at the chief reporter for the national team." Simon sighed. "...of Ibixa."
"Oof. Still, could be worse. At least you don't have to cover the Audioslavian National League. There's only so many Half Six Furball jokes you can make."
"....fair point."
"Plus the weather's nice."
"Well it would be, but their first game's away in Srednjaci. And it's not like Ibixa are going to win; they've got one good player and he's green as grass."
"Green as in 'inexperienced' or as in 'actually a sentient courgette'?"
"Wait, what?"
"Please don't tell me you haven't heard of Urk??"
"You know, unlike some people, I wasn't present at the Big Bang."
"Gave it a bad review, too." Rami gave a conspiratorial smile. "Over quicker than Jeremy Jaffacake on his birthday. One star."
Simon chuckled. "Speaking of unusually hued footballers, how's the Valentine Z article coming?"
"Well, they're big, and they're blue."
"Ah, but do they grant three wishes?"
Rami laughed louder than he probably intended to. "PHENOMENAL HEADING PROWESS!"
"Iiiiiiitty bitty football pitch."
"Probably best they're not playing the Quebecois. They wouldn't know what to do with themselves."
"They would be confused by the giant Smurfs, yes."
"Wouldn't know whether to tackle them or make the beast of three apples, I'd imagine."
Simon blinked rapidly as he processed that last sentence. "Dammit Rami, why do I speak to you?"
Rami said nothing, and simply raised his mug for another swig of coffee.

by **Newmanistan** » Wed May 12, 2021 5:57 pm

Playing football (gridiron), it was easy for Bryce Miller to tune everything out in terms of how everything around him was collapsing. He knew what he did to his girlfriend that night in Putnam Lake, but felt as though he was powerful enough to get away with it. It was just one time. He had never beat her like that before, but everything had gotten away from him. He should not have made the bet on the soccer game against Tikariot, especially knowing that Newmanistan has such bad luck qualifying for the World Cup. That angered him, because he was going to lose a lot of money in that transaction. Still, he expected Jessica Schaefer to react better than she did. After all, what would Jessica be without him, the rich superstar athlete? He said he was sorry, and she was supposed to say it was all going to be okay. But he was dumped, and then she had the nerve to go to the authorities about it.

He knew he could beat Schaefer in the court of public opinion, easily dismissing her claims of the assault in the hotel room as being a money hungry golddigger looking to get back at her ex-boyfriend. Miller played it as smart as he could, talking with the hotel front desk later that morning and asking them if there had been any guest complaints about the noise from the room. Staff told him that there were not any direct complaints, leaving Miller to hope that his wing of the hotel was pretty empty at the time. However, just in case that went south, Bryce provided the clerk on duty a financial incentive to keep quiet in the event that there were any complaints that came about the next morning. The clerk was more than happy to do this, because he too, was a man of very questionable character.

What Miller expected was friends to remain loyal to him, so when Lance Halterman made a quote to The Rocket Report’s Taylor Larson during the World Bowl in Chromatika, that is what angered him more than anything. Lance had been a friend of his since grade school, and they talked about a lot of things together, so a trust factor was created. Therefore, Miller did not shy away about talking about some of the wagers that he was making. He had a bookie that he felt he trusted, and never looked into whether or not he was involved with the Dover Bloodhounds. Why would he? He did not even know who the Bloodhounds were, because they were not really talked about all that much. Yes, this mafia style gambling ring was infamous back in the day, but they were supposedly eradicated from existence by the authorities. All he knew was that Vlady was a nice man who hooked up with favorable betting lines (or so he thought). Miller was good at what he did, too, most commonly betting on baseball and having a lot of success with it. Little did he know is that is exactly how the Bloodhounds suck you in. Give you good odds at things you are good at, to get your confidence up, and then dangle other fruit over your head that you are sure to lose money on. The World Cup bet was that bet. Still, he wasn’t going to go bankrupt over it. But Lance calling out his gambling addiction to The Rocket Report? That really pissed him off.

Eventually, the Rockets were eliminated in the World Bowl, and Miller was on his way home to Putnam Lake. There were not a lot of people that were happy with him, and this included the Empire of Newmanistan Football League who immediately wanted to launch an investigation on Miller and whether or not he was wagering on ENFL games. The league itself was going to let the authorities control the investigation on the alleged (as far as the public knew) assault of his ex-girlfriend. Vlady, his bookie, was not happy with him either, because of the comments made by Halterman giving the Dover Bloodhounds some more bad press. This would mean that within Dover, those authorities would be on the lookout for anything that they tried. Up to this point in their resurgence, the Bloodhounds had not committed any physical violence towards anyone, instead leaving any retribution to cybercrime antics, which they were really good at. Halterman would not talk to him, though he did not mind that. His coach with Putnam Lake, Bryan Moore, was very loyal to him but other players on the Eagles were not feeling the same love.

Then, there was this other accusation. Who the hell was this Hannah Ramsey chick? Not too long after Jessica Schaefer made the hotel room assault public, this broad came out of the woodwork and claimed he fondled her from behind while she was looking to get his autograph and a picture taken with them. Maybe he did, he had no idea. Ramsey was not the first attractive young woman to want her picture with him, and his hands would travel from time to time. After all, it’s not like their hands never did. He was not going to worry all that much about her, as her $5 million lawsuit would show her to be a golddigger and it would be impossible for her to ever win that case. Of course, Ramsey and Schaefer were now becoming allies against him, and he thought that would only make him look better. After the World Bowl, he could focus on playing with the Eagles, again. Everything would be back to normal.

Or, maybe not. Not to long after returning to Newmanistan, the ENFL announced that Miller would be suspended indefinitely. The Eagles announced they would withhold his salary. Was that even legal? According to the Eagles, it was. This was not going to go away so easily.

World Cup 88- Score Report - MD 1 @ Estádio Nacional de Arra, Arrachai Federal City

Newmanistan- 7 (Allister Levy 19', Garrett Sarniak 24', Levy 28', Sarniak 43'; Ryan Singletary 51', Parnell Addington 71', Paul Lombardi 76')

Acastanha- 5 (Manuel Thiel 12', Cezar Tipag 35'; Tipag 62', Oscar Hurula 66', Pedro Ustankar 83')

by **Eshialand** » Wed May 12, 2021 6:58 pm

Relaxation

You're standing in front of Starlight Airport, with your plane ticket in your hands. You almost can't believe what it says, so you ask Coach to confirm.

"Wait, this ticket is for Lisander. Aren't we going home?"
"No, since our next match is in only a week and it also happens to be in Esportiva, I figured that we had no reson to go back home rather than just fly to Lisander."
"What if some of us want to go home?"
"Do you want to pay for your own ticket?"

That comment is a bit funny when you think about it. You had no interest in paying for your own ticket, but there is one person who you would buy a ticket for...

On the plane, Coach announced the starting XI for the next two matches. The first match would use the same roster as the match in The 14 Stars, after all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The match against Vilita would have a couple of roster shakeups however: Christian would replace Alex in goal and Jacob would return to his position as striker. Alice did a good job holding down the fort, but Jacob's been itching to play again. Coach explained that the starting XI for the Vilita match may change depending on the result against Lisander, but this would be the most likely list. (OOC Note for Vilita: If I haven't posted an updated Starting XI for our match, assume I'm using this one.)

The night after you arrive in Lisander, you decide to call Rebecca. You're nervous as all get out, sure, but you need to talk to her, just to hear her voice.

"Hello?"
"Hi Rebecca..."
"Hi George!" How are you?"
"Great, how about you?"
"I'm doing fine I guess. Hey, I saw your goal in that last match, that was amazing!"
"Heh heh, thanks. I'm not sure how I scored it to be honest..."

An awkward silence takes over the call. It's only about 3 seconds, but you can feel it.

"Hey, I won't be able to make lunch this week, Coach has us here in Lisander until the match..."
"Oh, that's fine. You can miss a few lunches, as long as we're able to talk on the phone."
"I was wondering if you'd like to come over here? I could pay for your plane tickets and get you into the stadium..."
"Really? I'd love that! You know how much I love coming to your matches!"

Okay, that's the hardest part done... or at least, you think that's going to be the hardest part. Of course, it's never so easy.

You keep talking for a good half an hour, and for once, you finally feel calm. Everything just melted away. You didn't worry about what was going to come next, but rather only about what was going on right now. Right now, you were talking to your best friend. That part never seemed to change.

The next day, you're feeling great. You decide to go for a walk around Soria, and the smell of the air alone made you feel great. There was nothing like the smell of the seashore... too bad Eshialand didn't have any of that. Taking your walk by the waterfront, you shut your mind off, and simply... be. Being is absolutely indescribable, and letting it all go is one of the best decisions you've ever made. Going with the flow is the only way to keep your mind on track with everything around you being oh so stressful.

Perhaps this isn't so bad. Lisander is one of the nicest places you've been to in a long time... it wouldn't be hard to take your mind off of everything going on in your life here.

by **Xanneria** » Wed May 12, 2021 7:40 pm

Heavyweight duel, turns into heavyweight draw
EXTRACTED FROM: http://www.xtrasports.xan/nationalteam.htm

NATANIANS AND NOSTS - It seems as if the World Cup people in Chromatika and Cassadaigua tried something different, with a regional based qualifier. But alas, it only feels that way due to the fact group 14 has 40% of its participants being Esportivan. With the Qualifiers being 18 games long, one third of the games will take place in National II or on Esportivan soil. The first test was Nantanians and Nosts. NTN as they are more commonly know has a reputation as a pest. The nation is known to play up to the competition at random intervals and todays game was no exception. A 4-4 draw isn't optimal but it is still points. With the aging corp of strikers its still good to see them pump out four goals though.

The game was a back and forth afair for the two Esportivan teams, and with the game showing off many players skills in the kicking department, the game was also fast paced. After slipping away for two goals and a 2-0 deficit, the venerable Carlton Brewer then managed to place the team on his back, he went off and in ten minutes he single-handedly tied up the game. Brower was using some fast paced dribbling to simply out pace the Natanian defense and get himself into some one on one situations with NTN Goalkeeper X.F. Probo. Needless to say Brower won both of those matchups. Sadly the games paced picked up and this would be the undoing, late in the game with a 3-2 lead, a goal from Natan Nínnio Gonçalo would bring it up to 3-3. A couple desperate attacks later and a bad pass saw Gabriel Ápio Silva get a kick by Xannerian Keeper Mookie Danube. Danube had issues all day with the defense playing out of position and in that case he did admirably. In the end Brower again with his team in mind took the team and carried them on his back, he streaked forward through the middle, but suddenly *POW!* he passed a sniper shot of a pass to Kyle Falcon, Flacon had snuck behind the defense and gracfully assisted the ball in to the goal with his foot.THe game finished at a an exciting for some, nervewracking for others, scoreline of 4-4. Next up for the Maroons will be Qasden, a popular side from the Atlantian Oceania region and next will be a trip to the Bigtopian Isles.

XANNERIA VS Nantanians and Nosts

11' 0-1 G Silva
20' 0-2 I Ademélsson
33' 1-2 C Brower
41' 2-2 C Brower
51' 3-2 K Falcon
67' 3-3 N Gonçalo
76' 4-3 A Silva
88' 4-4 K Falcon

FLOX ready for fifth tier?
EXTRACTED FROM: http://www.xtrasports.xan/nationalteam.htm

XANNERIA - Some rumors coming from the FLOX HQ have been indicating a fifth tier could be started as soon as 2042. While FLOX has historically had a closed system only expanding a handful of times when enough owners were showing interest, something that has been a hard process do to FLOX stating that a full league of 20 owners had to be found before the league expanded, but now with internationbal football taking off in Xanneria and the National team regularly pushing to qualify for the World Cup, another push may be made. The oddity may be how at least 15 teams may get in. FLOX has long been a supporter of the smei-pro independant circuit, The Pine League, but lately the league has been dealing with financial issues and skyrocketing travel expenses along with five of their teams jumping into what is now the fourth tier of Xannerian Football. Rumors now indicate that FLOX May merge it into their pyramid as a fifth tier and compensate owners on travel expenses.

by **Legalese** » Wed May 12, 2021 8:08 pm

“Welcome back, folks. That’s a 3-2 win on the road to start off qualifying for Legalese. Let’s send you back out to Aurimead, where Genie has Myles Woodworth with her. Genie?”

“Thank you Joel, for keeping that short and not that colorful. So Myles, a close result on the road, but still going home with three points. How do you feel about the performance.”

“You know something, Mean Genie? This was just a start. We came in here, before a crowd of Twenty-five thousand, two-hundred and thirty nine Ingrates, and showed them what it’s like to face the full press. I’ll give it to them, the Ingrates--”

“Igratians, you mean.”

“It doesn’t matter, Genie! They gave it their all, but everyone knows that when you face the Legal Press, you get squeezed!”

“You okay there, Myles?”

“Oh, I’m more than okay! I just can’t wait for our forty-five-thousand-plus fans to join us at Shoreline Park in Sptez-Tessah -- to lead the charge, to help us feel every scream, and every shout. This win, this effort, that’s who this is for, and they’re what powers us on, to press forward, and will help us show Eraman just what it’s like when the Legal Press squeezes the life out of your chances!”

“Any concerns that they’ll match you press-for-press? They did finish 3-3 in their opener.”

“I’ll tell you what, Mean Genie -- they can try, for sure, but we’ll be ready. Hey, Tun Sengalang Petara! Yeah, I know you’re really running things, and I have one question for you:"

"Whatcha gonna do, when the Legal Press comes down on you?”

by **Pemecutan** » Wed May 12, 2021 8:17 pm

CHAPTER I

The crowded sound can be heard loudly at the stadium in the capital of Brenecia as the first match between the home country with their guest, Pemecutan is happening. In this edition of World Cup, they are drawn into the same group in Group 17. Differ from the hype sound outside, the situation in the changing room is very quiet. Everyone seems to be focusing themselves for the match. After Coach Pramana give them briefing before the match, the players are busying themselves waiting for the match time. Satya Putra Laksamana, the team's captain, looking at his teammates. Some are involved in an intense talks. Some are make fun one and another. There is also one who's praying to calm himself. And as usual, Rama Karyadi become the center of attention. Even though there are 3 players that playing abroad but it is always him that getting the most attention.

Laksamana's attention comes to one player who is rarely looking alone. But tonight it seems that he become lonely. Agus Setiahadi is seating by himself avoiding contact with other players. He is so focused on his mobile phone with an earphone attached to it, seemingly hearing or watching something. His eyes looking intensely to his phone. This attitude which makes Laksamana's attention drawn to him. Something is different in that boy.

"Alright guys, it's time!" shouts Coach Pramana who is standing at the door. He is accompanied by a young man wearing an officials shirt.

Everyone attention divert towards their coach. One by one, they are standing and walking out of the changing room. Laksamana stopped midway as he is looking at Setiahadi who is still seating there. He approach him and tap his shoulder which makes Setiahadi a little startled.

"It's time", says Laksamana calmly. Setiahadi just shook his head and walk by behind Laksamana. They are ready to face their first match

THE TENSION BUILD UP

The first half of the match has ended. Both teams are playing tightly. As with the coach order, Pemecutan is taking more defensive approach in this match. It can be seen in the first half where most of the players are in the defensive line. Only a few times that they are initiating attacks towards Brenecian sides. Though all of their attempts are failed. Brenecia is looking very dominant in the first half. Making a lot of attacking attempt which sometimes overwhelmed Pemecutan defense. Luckily, the match is still with no goal. And Coach Pramana seems relieve.

"Well, it has been a great work for all of you. We have to keep using this approach," says Coach Pramana.

"Aren't we going to attack, Coach?" Arya Tungga Wijaya asked.

"Only if we have the chance. We try to settled for a draw this match as I said earlier. Understand?" Coach Pramana says with a firm voice. Everyone just nod in understanding.

Everyone then relaxing themselves waiting for the second half to begin. Setiahadi is approaching the coach. He seems to wants to talk.

"Coach?" Coach Pramana looking at Setiahadi with a questioning look. "Is there a possibility that I will playing tonight?"

Coach Pramana smiles slightly, "Yes, you will. Karyadi might get exhausted in mid second half. And you can replace him then. This defensive approach might making you all get exhausted. So, I hope the change will give a refreshment."

"Thank you, Coach. I will do my best. I won't let you down," Setiahadi says in an excitement tone. He is eagerly to play.

In the background, Laksamana just silently observed his teammates behaviour. And this Setiahadi's behaviour is rather different than usual. Laksamana take notes on this.

The second half goes smoothly at first. Pemecutan side is still able to defend their goal while Brenecia is looking for a loophole to at least scored a goal. In the 70's minutes, Coach Pramana begin to substitute his players. Afraid by them being exhausted. One of them is Rama Karyadi who is replaced by Agus Setiahadi. He go with the flow in the defensive style that being implemented. Setiahadi eagerly wants to show his playing style. He helps the defense and guard the midfield together with the other players. Laksamana also take notes on this behaviour which is rather unusual. It is truly good to give your best but seeing Setiahadi which seems to impress someone makes Laksamana thinking.

The horror come in the last minutes. When Brenecian making their another attempt, Setiahadi is being tricked so Brenecian player can run passed him. He chase them and out of nowhere tackled him down. The referee blow his whistle and pointed the penalty spot. Setiahadi wants to protest but it is no use. The penalty kick goes smoothly and Brenecia take the lead. Setiahadi is looking at the sad face of Coach Pramana. It is my mistake. My mistake. His thoughts mumbling the words over and over again.

The atmosphere at Pemecutan changing room become so gloomy. All the players seems so sad especially Setiahadi who is feeling guilty. Laksamana approach him.

"It's okay. Everyone makes mistake sometimes. You can't blame yourself. We understand that you just wants to save the goal," Laksamana say in a calming voice. Setiahadi just nodding helplessly.

"It's all his fault! You should've replace me," Karyadi shouts in anger.

"Rama!" Laksamana raise his voice. Everyone become silent.

"You think you can do better than me in that situation?" Setiahadi ask calmly.

"Of course I do. I'm not a reckless boy like you."

"What are you say?" Setiahadi standing besides Karyadi. He already loose his calm.

Karyadi stand up and seeing Setiahadi with his angry eyes. "Reckless boy! No wonder you can't play abroad. Who will wants to contract you if you are playing like this."

And suddenly, Setiahadi punch him in the face. Karyadi fall. Several players help him while the others guarded Setiahadi who is still in rage. Laksamana look shock with the sudden moves.

"ENOUGH!" The voice of Coach Pramana behind them makes them startled. He then give briefing to both Setiahadi and Karyadi. And as captain, Laksamana follow them to the coach's office.

"Hhmm. Honestly, I'm very dissappointed with both of you. All of you are a great players and this behaviour is unacceptable."

All 3 players are shame of themselves. Both Setiahadi and Karyadi are looking down, afraid to see their coach.

"Gus, I really appreciate your play back then. You're phenomenal. That one accident is a mistake that anyone can make. We understand that. I understand that. And I don't blame you on that," says Coach Pramana towards Setiahadi which only nodded lightly.

"Do I feel dissappointed with the result? Of course, I'm not gonna lie on that. But come on guys, it's just the beginning of our journey. There are still a lot of matches that we need to face. A lot of big countries that we need to handled. Don't let this one loss makes you give up hope. So cheer up. And take notes on what's happen today. Make it as your motivation to do better in our next match."

Coach Pramana take a sip of his black arabica coffee. "And for you Rama. I'm really appreciate your accomplishment by playing abroad. It is a great opportunity that not all of us got. Don't ruined it."

Karyadi is looking guilty for what he just did. He incite the anger inside Setiahadi. He is the one to blame in this situation.

"You have a greater task here. You have experience to play with foreigners. Spread that experience. Teach them. Give them the knowledge. But don't feel more superior than them. I hope you understand with what I say." closed Coach Pramana.

"I understand, Coach," says Karyadi.

"Thank you, Coach," Setiahadi added.

Coach Pramana just nodded and dissmised them both. They are shake hands while walking out of the room.

"I'm sorry Coach for not seeing this coming," Laksamana finally speak his voice.

"It's not your fault either. You have been a great captain for them."

"Thank you, Coach."

Laksamana then leaving the room behind. Coach Pramana exhale a heavy breath. He hopes nothing will happen in the next match. He has to think about the strategy that they need to use in the match against Sajnur. Thankfully they will be playing at home. But that won't make the match getting easier. At least, he is relieve to have Laksamana who can take care of the team. As the captain, he has been like a big brother to everyone. Coach Pramana is writing something on his note until a knock can be heard. It is time to go home.

by **Qzvarkian Qaz** » Wed May 12, 2021 8:52 pm

Bryan's Song: A Faustian tale
prior installment - viewtopic.php?f=7&t=504066&p=38638809&sid=0a86a7ccba3288e15906639c10c5353b#p38638809

Bryan lay on his back, drenched in the rain that had fell on a particular part of Qariq that was hosting football event. The back half of Bryan's head lay in the mud that the previously mentioned storm had turned the field into. Bryan was coming too. It was the 62nd minute of the first match in the group 11 world cup qualifiers. Ok so it wasn't the first overall game of the group, that was Thursday night's Tikariot/Gouvanarch match up, but for both teams the grey Saturday skies over Qairq were the first time this cycle they were playing group qualifier matchups.

The game had been rough for the poor Tri-Reds, they were down 3-0 and the bog water conditions of the field known as Cosmonaut Memorial and of course the people who had stuffed the bench seats of Qairq were not to enthused with the way it was. It was expected that QQZ may not show well versus a team like Kohnhead and pretty much every person in the organization that had any power knew that there were to many eyes on the game to ignore like they could do with baseball or lacrosse or any other merc driven sport the nation could cram 20 words in the corner of a city sports paper. They knew they had to lump together some hopeless bull-honkey about the team giving it their all and what not, but for a fleeting moment about an hour into the game Bryan Faust gave them a highlight that would appear world round. Sadly it was for all the wrong reasons. Faust had finally gotten behind the behind the defense, and Francois Giebber-Jabier had managed to find a dry path on land to dribble the ball. Ol' Frankie, himself the son of a merc, send a lob up to Bryan but placed it slightly behind him. Bryan figured adjusting his body in midair could work. It did as he made contact with the ball and changed its trajectory and just over the head of Kohnhead's keeper Bertha Sanders, who like many people in the stands thought the ball was gonna miss Bryan and fall to the ground.

There was a catch to this though. Bryan landed hard on his back and the only way this could happen was if a healthy (Ironic pun intended) bit of whiplash occurred. In scoring the first official WCQ goal in team history Bryan Faust knocked himself out cold. People in the nation all said he sacrificed his body where as people outside the nation called him dumb for trying that move. But as he came to even more bizarre was that he stayed in the game. Many people were shocked but it's Qariq after all, who knows what the sports doctors do there.

After the game Maxx came over to Bryan

"You ok Bryan?"

"No not really, adrenaline is wearing off and my head hurts"

"Well get better soon bud, we got Starblaydia comin' up!"

"Ah shit. Well I hope Stanford gets the start, I mean he's only on the team cause he paid to play right?"

"Dudes been an absolute dogshit even by our homelands standards, and he's playing in that lumberjack hicktown in East Anclare. Of course we'll have a shot if he's in goal."

QZVARKIAN QAZ vs KOHNHEAD
9' A Korkson 0-1
42' A Korkson 0-2
50' A Korkson 0-3
62' B Faust 1-3
80' I Connager 1-4

by **Legalese** » Wed May 12, 2021 9:30 pm

“No, seriously, he didn’t do that.” Abigail wasn’t sure if it was the laughter or the running that left her struggling for air.

She handed the phone back to her running partner.

“I’m not surprised. I know back when he was with the Cougars, the story on him was that he was fiery, but I haven’t seen him do that with the national team,” Julius shrugged. “It makes me like him more, really. I haven’t seen a game in years, and if I wasn’t going for work, I’d be all over this one.”

Abigail mulled over things for a moment.

“Why? He barely talked about the game itself, Jules. I’m not sure how I feel about how he treated the sideline reporter.”

“It was a little weird, but there was just something fun about it. The passion, the commitment to the tactic and the bit -- it just all came together. We just don’t see a lot of that these days.”

He looked over at his, well, what was she? he briefly thought. Boss, sort of, but at least a few levels up. Maybe a mentor or friend?

He let the thought pass as the Director-General spoke again.

“Maybe that’s what we’re missing. That’s what the Federation and their Project Legacy is about, really -- to drive a goal, and give a sense of purpose. Myles, by doing things like that report, is helping to serve that purpose.”

“It all just makes me wonder -- I know our job is to serve, to keep the trains running and the government going, but what is our nation’s purpose? What drives us to keep being what we are, and to bring that to the world?”

Julius thought for a moment.

“That’s a bit above my pay grade, boss -- I’m just here to help redesign the urban cores to maximize public transit, green space, and quality of life. Existentialism and purpose is definitely a leadership role. So, I guess that’s up to you.”

by **Gyatso-kai** » Wed May 12, 2021 10:45 pm

┤ A LOOK INTO GYATSO-KAI├
A Multi-Part Series

Written by Akaan BEROYA

”Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego. ”

Unknown Source

When I first graduated from Kyoshi State University back in 2021.1, I wondered where my life would take me. I had been fortunate enough to attend the Chou Zing College of Journalism, studied specifically in the field of sports journalism, and of course thought that when I graduated, I would land a job at whatever studio I wanted and would do nothing but write poetic pieces about the various sports within our nation. I am young, I was naive, and face it, at twenty-four, who doesn't feel invincible.

Especially a young mando, am I right?

Growing up, I played hockey and meshgeroya, which for those uninitiated, is a code of football played specifically by the Mandalorian people; it is a bit more physical than football, but is essentially the same code of football. Sports were a comfort, especially for someone whose father was the ever-traditional Mandalorian, and whose mother was ambivalent in her own culture; we spent my entire childhood moving between Grand Army bases — my father was a Master Sergeant and specifically trained non-clone soldiers — so the one constant I had was my ability in sports. We would move to a new town every couple years, and within days I would seek out the local meshgeroya club or in less Mando-friendly towns, the local football club, and I would immediately make friends. I always dreamed of writing articles about the big leagues, as I knew I was good at sports, but certainly not good enough to go professional. I dreamed of putting pen to pad and writing about Ishii Hakoda scoring the game winner in the World Cup of Hockey, or travelling with Vhett Boba as part of the press detail or when the Bisons would travel abroad, or even covering the hopefull return of Gyatso-kai to gridiron…

Instead, my first assignment undertaken was a cultural series for the Forty-Second Edition of the World Cup of Hockey, and instead of travelling to far-off Græntfjall, I wrote the entire series from the comfort of my apartment as well as my favorite tavern here in Sundari, the Iron Kneecap. The keep, a strong mountain of a woman named Pórdís, always saves my spot in the corner, and my ale is never below half.

This is not an advertisement… but damn, what I’d give to be sitting there right now…

As it stands, the first four parts of the series ”A Look Into Gyatso-kai” have been published by ASPN during World Cup of Hockey XLII, and the series as a whole is not a defined number of parts; it all depends on how long ASPN keeps the contract up and running. As it stands, I have planned out another six parts to the series, and they are as follows:

Emergence of Gyatso-kai on the Multi-verse Stage — The History of our National Teams
Political Institutions of Gyatso-kai — How politics shape the theocracy
Culinary History — Food; from what we eat to how we eat and everything in between
The Family — a breakdown of the Avatarian family system, specifically the Mandalorian Tradition
The Home Nations — a breakdown of each of the six Home Nations, as well as the seventh with the Republic Holdings.
Death — How we mourn, how we celebrate, and how we move on.

Of course, the numbers may change and so may the themes, but I just want us to know where we stand. The first installation of the series for World Cup 88 should dropo either tonight or tomorrow, and I am looking forward to the continuation of the series

Copyright 2021.2 Avatarian Sports Programming Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.aspn.com.gk/articles/general/23882801
© 2021 Avatarian Sports Programming Network

by **Garbelia** » Wed May 12, 2021 10:58 pm

Extract from the tactical diary of Lutra Otto

May 12th
It worked! My corner routine bought us a goal, and against none other than the mighty Drawkland. I did, however, notice that the players looked awkward, and out of position, which led me to think about unusual formations. My search brought me to the history books, and the teams of Brazil, from the 1940s, in particular, Flamengo in 1941. They played a diagonal, which vaguely resembled some sort of 4-1-2-3, similar to my 4-3-3, but allowing more space for players - particularly the midfield, to drift.

As you can see, it is a slightly left-sided 4-3-3, with McCat, Blisset, Otter and Goodotter on one diagonal of 4, and L. Vydra, Huron and Kawauso on another, to allow players into their preferred positions. Findus, Ottoman and L.Vydra are the only players not attached to a diagonal, but they will be important in linking the play between those diagonals. Once again, I have started drilling the players on this new structure, and plan to release the above lineup as the finalised version for the next match.

by **Savojarna** » Thu May 13, 2021 2:03 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Some patches, some good stuff: Savojarna beat Sendhang in difficult game

By Jaukka Halanen

Sjoedrhavn -- Savojarna’s initial game of the WCQ 88 qualifying campaign kicked off with some trouble, but an ultimately happy ending as they reversed score in the second half to a surprisingly dangerous Sendhang side. Offensively, Rangren’s experiment with a more aggressive 4-3-3 clearly worked, as emphasised by the Northlights’ three goals; defensively, some adjustments might have to be made. Overall, captain Virulainen summarised the nation’s feelings with expressing gratitude for three important points, and the importance to look forward to the games in the next month.

Savojarna’s WCQ88 campaign

October: Savojarna (29) 3-2 Sendhang (322)
November: Pluvia and the Saxean Isles (146) vs Savojarna (29) / Savojarna (29) vs Lisander (95)
February: Savojarna (29) vs Hebitaka (127) / Squornshelan Remnant States (60) vs Savojarna (29)
April: Savojarna (29) vs The 14 Stars (UR) / Eshialand (203) vs Savojarna (29)
---
Summer: Copa Rushmori 37
[OOC: From here onwards, Mikaela Rangren will be replaced as head coach by Daniella Strauss (NPH)]
---
September: Savojarna (29) vs Vilita (14) / Devonta (75) vs Savojarna (29)
October: Sendhang (322) vs Savojarna (29) / Savojarna (29) vs Pluvia and the Saxean Isles (146)
November: Lisander (95) vs Savojarna (29) / Hebitaka (127) vs Savojarna (29)
February: Savojarna (29) vs Squornshelan Remnant States (60) / The 14 Stars (UR) vs Savojarna (29)
March: Savojarna (29) vs Eshialand (203) / Vilita (14) vs Savojarna (29)
May: Savojarna (29) vs Devonta (75) / play-offs

3-2 against what some people on social media derisively called a minnow, due to Sendhang’s 322nd rank in the KPB rankings - the lowest of any ranked opponent in this campaign, with only the completely unknown 14 Stars team seeded below them. However, the side from the Melayu Archipelago proved to be a threat. With both teams lining of in a fairly offensive 4-3-3, there was spectacle to be expected - and the game did not disappoint. In the end, this might have just been the issue; too much spectacle for what turned out to be a skilled opponent to not sneak by once or twice. It has been an issue towards the end of the last qualifier, and it is one again; thankfully, there is plenty of time until the truly big hitters come around to Savojarna to potentially exploit such mistakes. How did we get to this position where we had to severely consider the possibility of Savojarna starting with a loss?

Two factors played the most important role in Savojar starting difficulties. First of all, Eino Kiivälä happened to simply have a bad day, and that allowed some dangerous attacks over the left flank, where Keylar Samoi was a continuous danger. Samoi’s pace caught out Kiivälä twice on an overlap, and while Iiro Pakanen and Polina Zirkova were doing their best to neutralise his passes and crosses, they couldn’t stop everything. The other issue was the weather, as a rainstorm had gone down in the early afternoon. While the pitch had been cleared dutifully, drizzling was still ongoing by 19:30 when the game was kicked off, and gusts of wind made it even harder to control the ball. While the conditions were of course equal for both teams, Savojarna tried to make the game and play creatively, which led to significantly more bounces and missed balls than the quick, direct counters by Sendhang. The wet pitch also clearly played a role in the surprising 0-1, where Gusti Sing Nggawe shot from outside the box and the ball skidded over the grass, catching out Pakanen a bit by surprise and setting the underdog up for a surprise.

However, Savojarna managed to find their footing and got aided by the opposition. Sergey Nweke degraded Sendhang’s centre-backs to slalom poles, running between them with ease and being clearly helped by a badly timed tackle of Putra Lumipada where the defender basically put himself out of contention for the ball. Albertus Wageo in goal moved out and pressured Nweke, but appeared to hesitate for a moment - leading to the striker opting for an uncharacteristically elegant chip that stunned the opposition and made for a spectacular goal. Right before half time, Jashkin’s low cross found Lundell at the first post, but the Savojar playmaker was clever enough to let the ball go through and caught Wageo unaware. Nweke could score his second with a tip of the foot, just needing to nudge the ball over the line. With this late goal, Savojarna had saved face and got to the locker room ahead, but were still on the receiving end of a pretty formidable speech by Mikaela Rangren

Now having the lead, Savojarna played significantly more confident in the second half, and were increasingly profiting from Sendhang’s stamina dwindling as well as the pitch drying, making their play of quick, flat passes easier to execute. As a consequence, first Rajala found a pass through the opposition defence to Rika Lundell, but the Nephara-based playmaker shot high. Shortly after, Maersk found Nweke again with a through pass; clearly remembering the 1-1, Wageo rushed out confidently this time, but found himself duped by two quick 90° turns by Nweke, resulting in an open goal and the first hattrick in the national team kit in the half-Banijan’s history. After an hour, Savojarna almost ended the chase as a free kick opportunity was punched out narrowly by Wageo; the following corner had resulted in a header by Dmitriev that was stopped by the post before Edo Rungao swept it away. Savojarna reacted to the increasing clock by turning more towards defence, using a substitution to take off Lundell under standing ovations in favour of Otso Ilkkanen, and defend their lead. Nonetheless, Sendhang were trying a desperate last stance and did find some openings - once more over Kiivälä’s side, where Samoi found another cross but was denied by Dmitriev, who cleared for a corner. Sendhang managed to use that corner for the 3-2, but never got another good chance to actually equalise, leading to this ending.

Savojarna 3-2 Sendhang (2-1)
Nationalstadion Carl Gustaf Bjurman, Sjoedrhavn // attendance: 74’290

Goals: 5’ Sing Nggawe 0-1. 10’ Nweke 1-1 (Niskanen). 44’ Nweke 2-1 (Jashkin). 57’ Nweke 3-1 (Maersk). 82’ Lumipada 3-2 (Wirajuda).
Yellow cards: 16’ Bari, 54’ Niskanen, 73’ Wirajuda (all foul).
Remarks: 66’ Dmitriev hits post.
Best Players:*** Nweke (SVJ) -- ** Maersk (SVJ) -- * Sing Nggawe (SDG)

Following the match, the Savojarsk team was hesitatingly positive about their showing. Triple scorer Nweke stated: “It’s hard not to be happy after you’ve scored a hattrick, and I think I played well, but I’m not sure if I can say that about us as a whole. Defensively we need to pay attention, and I think that we could easily have scored four or five today with some more luck and cold-bloodedness. It’s a basis to work on, though; we’ll also be able to improve next time”. The much-criticised Eino Kiivälä was clearly aware of his shortcomings today: “I’ve struggled with playing on the right side, something I’ve not done in a bit, but honestly that is not an excuse. I’m a professional, I can play both sides, I shouldn’t let an opponent play through me like that. But also, hats off to Sendhang, they studied us well and prepared for it. We need to make more sure that we take those games seriously. I think it’s a problem for us, after playing Banija and Baker Park at the World Cup coming into a game against a new team we don’t know it felt like we didn’t have all the focus we should”.

Mikaela Rangren put some emphasis on the fact it was a new system that they hadn’t trained as much as her usual one, stating that it felt as if particularly on the wings players weren’t as comfortable with their positions and didn’t always appear to know where they needed to be in a given moment. They would need to improve that before playing Pluvia and the Saxean Isles as well as Devonta in the upcoming double header. The big question is whether they can walk away from that with six points, which would put them into a good position for the rest of the campaign. Rangren stated that any loss of points would be disappointing and a setback, but cautiously pointed out that both are pretty strong teams and fans should aim for four points, with a good chance of six - the ideal outcome for any side that wants to contest for the group victory.

Lineup vs. Pluvia and the Saxean Isles (4-2-3-1):
Starting XI: Pakanen - Pedersen, Zirkova, Forsberg, Viipuri - Ilkkanen, Maersk © - Voynov, Lundell, Jashkin - Jacobsen
Bench: Virulainen, Kiivälä, Dmitriev, Nymark, Skov, Evaldsson, V. Loeseth, Poulsen, Rajala, Nweke, Midtjaer
Lineup vs. Devonta (4-2-3-1):
Starting XI: Pakanen - Pedersen, Zirkova, Forsberg, Skov - Ilkkanen, Maersk © - Voynov, Poulsen, Jashkin - Nweke
Bench: Virulainen, Kiivälä, Dmitriev, Nymark, Viipuri, Evaldsson, V. Loeseth, Lundell, Rajala, Jacobsen, Midtjaer

by **Nephara** » Thu May 13, 2021 2:12 am

Nephara 5 - 2 Sarzonia
(4-4-2) 1 - Provost; 2 - Stride (17 - Soeringer 63'), 5 - Clevinger, 6 - Brabanzon, 3 - Muscadin; 7 - Koerner, 4 - Timekeeper, 8 - Cromwell (14 - Fletcher 54'), 11 - Considine (18 - Kalevi 77'); 21 - Basilisk, 10 - Lovelace
Goals: Considine 8', Lovelace 33', Timekeeper 36', Basilisk 45+1', Clevinger 68'

THE HERALD
CORVISTONE CALLS FOR SAMEBA INQUEST MOUNT
Luna Giesler

Layford MP Edmund Langkamp may have sparked more than he planned with a combative speech confronting Euran oversight of Sameba, as the Nationals are rumoured to be preparing to bring a proposal for an inquest into the occupation before the Common Rushmori Community.

Erika Weston, a prominent National representative of the Rushmori Parliament, told regional press that "the Sameban annex is a regional issue, and there should be nothing to fear from a process of impartial third-party oversight." Margravine Lindt has kept a steady hand over her party since taking control, so it can be assumed that this warning shot is deliberate, and intended to give the policy time to percolate and gain favour. It is, however, a gamble; Eura obviously holds immense power and influence within the chamber.

The catalyst for Langkamp's protests was the recent riots in Aspel, forcefully put down at the cost of civilian life. The incident was likely the final straw that snapped the autocratic but widely-admired Amy Yarley's control over her party, causing a coup that lead to the ascension of Ian Smith. However, Smith has not proved as astute a political mover and shaker, and recent polls have not been favourable with an increasingly strong opposition circling the waters.

Under Yarley, Bastion and Corvistone enjoyed a fruitful relationship that survived multiple Margraves under each major party. Yarley was a highly respected figure in Nephara, in both public and political spheres. "Amy [Yarley] was a winner," said one anonymous Nationals insider, "and if we are honest, had a hand in guiding Nepharan foreign policy; not through force, just through setting an agenda as a fellow southeastern social democracy."

"Smith isn't cut from the same cloth. I wouldn't go so far as to say the cabinet see him as a bit of a joke, but... well, these are uniquely challenging circumstances. They wore out the last of even Yarley's political capital, so it's a hell of an act to follow."

Regarding the stance of the other parties, Leader of the Opposition Nadia Crowell has remarked that timing is "cynical and opportunistic," but conceded that the Aspel incident "raised questions" about the current occupation effort. Brunnya Martane, leader of the non-interventionist Returners, would not be drawn into the debate, stating that "without Nepharan boots on the ground, it isn't our problem"; though this does under the circumstances constitute a stance in the debate regardless.

Even so, there is a growing and bipartisan appetite for some sort of inquest. 85% of those polled 17 months ago said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that "The Euran annex of Sameba was justified and has been executed capably"; a poll commissioned by the Nationals last week saw 57% agree or strongly agree with the statement "Eura's annexation of Sameba should not be prosecuted alone". Notably, in Corvistone itself - which holds a massive population of north Euran refugees - the figure was only 14%.

Bastion has been able to count on Corvistone's near-unconditional support for years, even tolerating some actions during the war which normally would have been cause for conflict, and while it is eminently possible the pressure goes nowhere in the face of Euran lobbying, it presents another challenge to the embattled government of a fractured nation.

NEPHARAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 2
Goalkeepers: 1 - Aranea Provost (Spartangrad, EUR), 12 - Raluca Garamond (Sabrefell Athletic), 20 - Fasolt Senninger (AFC Treason)
Defenders: 2 - Rovena Stride (AFC Treason), 3 - Vivica Muscadin (Sabrefell Moths), 5 - Reniira Clevinger (Sabrefell Athletic), 6 - Miska Brabanzon (Sabrefell Moths), 17 - Pristina Soeringer (Stein-los Turkish, PAS), 19 - Besart Sale (AFC Treason), 22 - Radeka Lind (Vermillion Rage)
Midfielders: 4 - Rook Timekeeper (Sabrefell Moths), 7 - Anselm Koerner (1830 Cathair, AUD), 8 - Lothaire Cromwell (AC Izotz Zubia, AUD), 11 - Kendra Considine Ramsey (AFC Treason), 13 - Severine Reed (Raynor City United, VAL), 14 - Exene Fletcher (Hellinic Rouge, PAS), 15 - Rashica Horvath (La Nueva Avenida, FFD), 18 - Chantal Kalevi (Stein-los Turkish, PAS)
Forwards: 9 - Bastet North (Jungle Strike, VIL), 10 - Konrad Lovelace (Revolutionaries, EUR), 16 - Danica Marinkovic (Royal Rumiatzi, ASG), 21 - Latona Basilisk (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD), 23 - Traudl Mrdja (Vermillion Rage)

SCHEDULE
Nephara 5 - 2 Sarzonia (97) @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Huayramarca (48) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Sonindia (322) @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Brookstation (247) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Central Shaneville (154) @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Squidroidia (76) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Quakmybush (109) @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. Togonistan (UR) @ Ludd's Hammer (Stahlburg)
Hampton Island (37) vs. Nephara
Sarzonia (97) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Huayramarca (48) @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Sonindia (322) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Brookstation (247) @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Central Shaneville (154) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Squidroidia (76) @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Quakmybush (109) vs. Nephara
Togonistan (UR) vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Hampton Island (37) @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)

by **Jeruselem** » Thu May 13, 2021 3:10 am

OOC

Princess Kate the virtual vtuber (aka Princess Katherine Annabelle Dallas) in front of a virtual stadium

Hello, this is Princess Katherine Annabelle Dallas for Naked News Jeruselem!
Yes, the World Cup 88 has actually started. There was some kind of weird delay ... nevermind.
Qualification match 1 day is done.
Sadly, our first game wasn't at home but nevermind that.
We're in Group 10, as just remind people which group to watch.

Yes this is Naked News Jeruselem so it's compulsary even virtual vtubers be naked too.
The fun thing is I can get dressed in seconds without actually getting dressed.
So I can looked dressed while not actually wearing anything.

San Ortelio was at home entertaining Fujai.
The home team delivered three points for their first win beating Fujai.
San Ortelio won 3-2, and they won't be sitting around on zero points.
Well done San Ortelio.

Seguidores de la grasas, geez that's a real mouthful.
They were at home when visiting Bluecliff League came around for their first game.
Sadly for the home team, it was visitors who went home with 3 points winning 1-0.
Nevermind, it's only the opening game fellas.

Talamia had to host visiting Siovanija and Teusland who were on paper the real deal.
But Talamia showed some fight and actually held Siovanija and Teusland to 4-4 draw.
I guess this group might be very interesting if results like this keep happening.
Talamia did their nation proud in their first game of the cup.

Istoreya had a home game but they had to host Valladares.
Not exactly the sort of visitors you'd want for the first game ... because you're expected to lose to them.
Turns out Valladares were a bit rusty or something because they ended up losing 1-0.
I guess we can't complain about this result, and well done Istoreya.

Now, it's time for us!
We travelled to Mercedini. Not our first choice to the first game but a game we'd prefer to get out of the way.
Peko and team have been working hard but we haven't played any real competitive games until today.
So what happened?
A good day out for the team!
We beat Mercedini 2-1 in a game where both teams looked a bit out of practice but clearly room for improvement on both sides.
Admittedly they were not at their best but we're taking 3 points against one of main rivals.
That's what we need to do for the rest of the cup.

The table isn't worth discussing as the state of the table in game 1 is rather moot
Bluecliff League, Istoreya, Jeruselem all have 3 points
Siovanija and Teusland, Talamia have 1 point
Fujai, Mercedini, Seguidores de la grasas and Valladares have no points. Yeah two of the top seeds have no points

What does this mean?
Probably not a lot.
Top teams often lose a few early games and come out just fine at the end.

Thanks for all the support, ignoring the usual trolls out there.
Eh just ignore my daughter in the background, you know that bunny rabbit.
She already wants to be on the Internet but she's bit young.
A replay of our game against Mercedini is up on our web site.
We didn't have anyone commentating live out there so put up the locals doing that.
No I can't speak Mercedini, but you can just watch it without the sound if you want.

That's all from me! HAACHAMA!

OOC

San Ortelio 3–2 Fujai
Mercedini 1–2 Jeruselem
Seguidores de la grasas 0–1 Bluecliff League
Talamia 4–4 Siovanija and Teusland
Istoreya 1–0 Valladares

by **Sylestone** » Thu May 13, 2021 3:32 am

HALPENLEY, SYLESTONE - It was a sell-out crowd in Halpenley, one of those with a sweeping atmosphere fully behind the home side. The temperature may have been at 38C, but the home fans didn’t care; it was the desert, they’d experienced a whole lot hotter.
The Talkasans boasted a very young squad, the oldest player of the eleven being only 24 and the youngest at 21 years of age. The side had only played a few previous matches, all in the corresponding Baptism of Fire, where they recorded two wins and three losses, the third of which in the round of 16 to eventual fourth-placers Sahuarita. As such, they were not expecting to be coming up against a side of sapient household objects in their first qualifying outing. Welcome to the World Cup, bitches.
However, they would have to get used to it. When the away side first arrived at the ground two hours before kickoff at 7:15pm Central Time for warm-up, the Sentients were already at the ground. For a full ten minutes, the players and coaches simply stared at them before they put aside the weirdness and began to prepare. While an occasional glance and a shake of the head occurred from the away side, they were more than happy to go about their business in the sweltering heat as the crowd began to stream in.
The Sentients kicked off first, just as the sun was setting behind the flat, sandy horizon of Halpenley. They immediately began their traditional buildup of play, passing the ball around the defence while slowly working their way up the field. It was a classic Sylestonean trend, with the ball not being given away in the entire first three minutes of play. Yet, Talkasa had to intercept sometime. It occurred when the Toilet made the resulting cross into the box, but missed the Bar Stool by about two foot and fell onto the head of centre-back Jan Bronte, who managed to successfully deflect it along the left wing up to Terry Hart.
The first chance either side really got was actually to Talkasa in the 11th minute when right-midfielder Joseph Franc managed to bisect the Washing Machine and Sofa in the defensive line and get the ball up to centre-forward Cain Horthy. With only the Dishwasher and the Brick Wall to get past, Horthy seemed destined to score but some good jockeying by the defender meant that Horthy’s shot went wide of the goal.
The Sentients’ first chance came in the 27th minute when a brilliant piece of goalkeeping from Talkasan goalkeeper Feodor Williamson managed to deflect a shot at goal from the Tumble Dryer aimed at the top left over the crossbar. The Stove took the resulting corner and managed to kick it perfectly onto the Bar Stool standing upon the Fridge, but Williamson was prepared. Diving to his left, he managed to keep the “header” out of the goal and even better, deflected it out to midfielder Dewey Smith to help break down the Sentients’ push forward.
The next opportunity for the Sentients came in the 38th minute when Alfredo Moreno fouled the Mixer a metre or so outside the box. It was determined that the Fridge would take the resulting free kick, but instead of kicking it over the defensive wall, passed it back to the Toilet who took a long shot directed to the Tumble Dryer. Unfortunately, the Talkasan goalkeeper was ready, diving in front of the star Sylestonean forward to prevent an almost certain goal.
This began a strong push by the Talkasans as they attempted to open the scoring before half time, but they didn’t really seem to take into account that there was a literal Brick Wall in goals. They had three shots in the final five minutes, but all of them were deflected easily. They would have to try much, much harder if they wanted to come out of the game with three points against the pot four side.
Half-time came and went, with both sides coming out ever-more determined to make a game of it. The Sentients had the first opportunity, with an accurate cross by the Stove to the Bar Stool putting the ball in the box. The sneaky Sentient dribbled around Talkasan centre-back Jan Bronte before dissecting Victor Arnolds in a pass to the Mixer. However, the star forward had to take an immediate shot with a recovered Bronte as well as Terry Hart advancing towards the ball. It meant that the Mixer had to hurry the shot and ultimately only managed to kick it right at Williamson, who caught the ball with no effort.
The scoreline remained 0-0 for the next but the Sentients slowly began to dominate after the half-time break, having far more chances at goal than the Talkasans. Yet, the away side’s defence held strong against the might of the Sylestoneans as Arnolds, Bronte and Alfredo Moreno continued to keep the Mixer and Tumble Dryer, alongside the Sylestonean midfield, at bay. The game slowly began to get dirty with the Dishwasher being yellow-carded in the 72nd minute before being substituted out two minutes later for the Nokia. Then, seven minutes later, Moreno was very nearly red-carded when participating in a harsh slide tackle of the Fridge. Fortunately, the Sylestonean captain was fine and played the final fifteen or so minutes, but was still not at its best.
Talkasa were given their best opportunity yet in the 87th minute when a foul by the Ironing Board inside the box gave way to a penalty. Cain Horthy, Talkasa’s best forward, stepped forward to take the kick but the pressure was on. And with only five international games under your belt it will get to you. And it did. The Brick Wall was an imposing presence in goals, but a good kick will always defeat the Sylestonean mastermind. But Horthy couldn’t do it. He shot it at the left post, but missed by a metre as the ball ran wide, much to the delight of the home crowd. All Horthy could do was put his head in his hands, knowing that he had almost stuffed up a perfect start.
He had. Talkasa received no further opportunity for the remainder of the game, but it didn’t stop it from being a thrilling end. After ninety minutes, five minutes of injury time were added on as Sylestone’s defenders slowly worked their way up the field, knowing that a single mistake would cost them a victory. The TV commentators were getting bored of saying, minute after minute, the five Sentient defenders names as they passed it around, completely tiring the already weary Talkasan forwards. Finally, with a minute of injury time left, the Washing Machine finally crossed the ball into the box for the Fridge to deflect in. It almost did it but yet another masterful piece of goalkeeping from Feodor Williamson kept the ball out of the back of the net. The ball dribbled back out to the Bar Stool and realising his chance, crossed it into the Mixer alone in front of the goal, with only the goalkeeper and defender Jan Bronte to get around to score. Deceiving Bronte was easy; Williamson not so much. Yet, in a one on one, the star striker will notch up a goal 99 times out of 100. But it was the intensity of the moment that got the Mixer - hundreds of games of experience all weighing down to nothing. The shot went wide and as the referee blew the whistle for full time, it lay on the ground as the crowd sat there, speechless. It was as good as a loss - a 0-0 draw at home to the Pot 9 side. Things don’t get much worse at the beginning of qualifiers.
Up next is an away match against the Pot 2 side in Group 6: 25th ranked Trolleborg. Not much can be expected in this match, especially as they have begun on a hot streak with a 1-0 away win against Pot 3 Tequilo. Following this brutal matchup is North Japan in Pesfield, another game with the Sentients should be able to win. So, naturally, they’ll lose. Just you wait and see.

Schedule:
MD1: Sylestone 0-0 Talkasa @ Sunlife Stadium, Halpenley (cap. 52,000)
MD2: Trolleborg - Sylestone @ 1th December Stadium, Trolleborg City, Trolleborg (cap. 100,000)
MD3: Sylestone - North Japan @ The Trees Stadium, Pesfield (cap. 62,000)
MD4: Bollonich - Sylestone @ John Lennon Football Stadium, Vreton City, Bollonich (cap. 100,000)
MD5: Sylestone - Rangers FC @ Sentient Oval, Kirkham (cap. 29,275 toilet seats)
MD6: Al Qurija - Sylestone @ Petro Mohammed Stadium, Al Qurija, Al Qurija (cap. 98,000)
MD7: Sylestone - Sannyamathland @ Ground of Dunkirk, Dunkirk (cap. 43,000)
MD8: Tequilo - Sylestone @ Home of Los Pitxileros, Tapalupe, Tequilo (cap. 81,810)
MD9: Sylestone - Zwangzug @ Chamberley Institute of Sport, Chamberley (cap. 109,300)
MD10: Talkasa - Sylestone @ TBC
MD11: Sylestone - Trolleborg @ Carson Stadium, Cleorough (cap. 80,000)
MD12: North Japan - Sylestone @ TBC
MD13: Sylestone - Bollonich @ The Bay Reserve, Betham (cap. 68,420)
MD14: Rangers FC - Sylestone @ Stadio Ibrosikis, Rangers FC (cap. 50,800)
MD15: Sylestone - Al Qurija @ The Furnace, Dodle (cap. 37,500)
MD16: Sannyamathland - Sylestone @ The Big Bowl International Stadium, Rowling City, Sannyamathland (cap. 100,000)
MD17: Sylestone - Tequilo @ Avondale International Sports Stadium, Avondale (cap. 99,000)
MD18: Zwangzug - Sylestone @ Wayr Stadium, Rackham Range, Zwangzug

SYLESTONE - 0
-no scorers

TALKASA - 0
-no scorers-

by **Barunia** » Thu May 13, 2021 4:37 am

JK: Hello and welcome to the Sports Report! I’m John Kelly, and let’s meet our guests tonight. Joining me tonight we have star forward for the Porthaven Piranhas, Nina Cotton is with us! Nina, welcome to the show.

NC: Great to be here John.

JK: There is exciting news in the Premier League, and we’ll get to that, but first let’s talk about football. The World Cup qualifiers got underway for the Suns with a match against the unranked Communist Republic of North Yorkshire. Let’s have a look at the result.

JK: A draw will not be the result the team was hoping for at home against an unranked opponent. Well, Sam Hobson will be our correspondent with the Suns for this qualifying campaign, and he joins us live now from Northport. Sam, what’s the mood like in the dressing room?

SH: Hi John. It’s fairly sombre down here at the moment, despite the fact we had a draw. I spoke to coach Barrios after the game, and he had this to say.

RB: We didn’t take the opportunities that we had to close out the match, and we allowed them to come back in the game. It is only the first match though, so we’ll go back and have a look at how we can improve for the rest of the campaign. At this stage, a point is still a decent result, although obviously not what we wanted.

SH: The Suns had dominated the match with an early goal to Emmanuel Carter, but as you heard from the coach there, they didn’t take the opportunity to score more. A few good chances went begging, and a defensive mistake late in the game let North Yorkshire equalise.

JK: Thanks Sam. Just quickly before we let you go, tell us what’s happening next for the Suns?

SH: Okay, so the next game in qualifying will be an away game against Delaclava. Now we have ten teams in the group, group 8, and as normal it is a double round robin, so there will be 18 qualifying games. Our next home game, which will be directly after the Delaclava game, will be against another unranked team. I’ll try and pronounce it, Txakhaxi, hope I said that right.

JK: That sounds like a tough one Sam.

SH: Sure is. I’ve only just learned how to say Ko-oren right. But as I was saying, Txakhaxi, or however it is said, will be playing Barunia at Bayview Stadium in our third match of the qualifiers.

JK: Thanks Sam, and we look forward to hearing more from you as we move closer to the World Cup. Now onto hockey, and Nina we have some exciting news.

NC: The Premier League is back! Starts in a month or so. It was only announced a few days ago so I’m still a bit hazy on the details, but really excited to get back into it.

JK: So as a player, when you get that announcement, what happens? Do you start training then, or what?

NC: No, we’re always training, even in the off-season. At least certainly in the professional leagues, because I mean, this is our career. We don’t have normal jobs to go to, so training is our job and that’s year-round. Certainly it will pick up, probably be more focused as we get the schedule, find out who we are playing in the first couple of games. Also the staff will look at the schedule and see where they can have rest periods and the travel requirements, that sort of stuff. So a lot of work to be done, but training is business as usual.

JK: Ok, so let’s talk predictions. How do you think the Piranhas will go this year? Whose the team to beat, do you think?

NC: Ah, the team to beat? The Newland Bulls, no doubt. They’re the best team in the league. Edwardton are also good. Who else? The Broncos are probably on par with Porthaven in terms of ability. But it’s a long season, and anyone can win it. But there’s probably four or five teams who you’d think would be challengers at this stage.

JK: So those teams would be the Bulls, the Broncos, ah who else did you say?

NC: Edwardton Eels. And I’m biased but I have to say the Piranhas.

JK: Alright, well we’ll chat to you some more a little later on, but for now, let’s check in with the world of judo.

World Cup 88- Roleplay Thread

A Look Into Gyatso-kai, Part V - Mid-Season Intro and WC88

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