Jeriga, Aizcona, Weinam and hosts Khas-Kirati Republic enter UAFA Cup 2021 final four
TAPU SAHAR
The first match of the quarterfinals between San Montagna and Jeriga took place during the day on Khas-Kirati Republic National Stadium. Quite a sizable number of Khas-Kirati fans came to cheer for the San Montagnan Aquile and Chathaese players like Samir Sathak.
"We are proud of our brothers like Samir Sathak who have proved themselves in anther country." A Tapu Sahar local whose face was painted blue said.
"Samir Sathak should win the UAFA Cup Golden Boot." A woman waving the San Montagnan and the Khas-Kirati Republic's national flags shouted. Many Khas-Kirati Republic citizens and San Montagnans, despite the hostility between the their governments, have a friendly rivalry when it comes to the beautiful game. Both are considered strong teams from Argus and have always performed well in other tournaments like the Isles Cup, with the Khas-Kirati White Tigers even being the runners-up in the Isles Cup 2021 earlier this year. However, the hopes of San Montagnans and quite a many Khas-Kirati Republic citizens to see their two teams clash in later games was shattered after the unexpected 1 - 0 defeat at the hands of Jeriga's Los Campeones.
In the 35th minute of the match, Jeriga's defender Alfonzo took advantage of a corner-kick to easily find the net with after the Aquile goalkeeper Francesco Garibaldi was confusingly dived in the wrong direction. There were attempts made by the Aquile in the second half but it turned to be fruitless and the match ended with the Los Campeones securing their place in the final four while shocked San Montagnans players and fans now had to head home.
The quarterfinals match between Aizcona and Zephyrisia took place at Sinja Stadium during the night. The Celestes of Zephyrisia were looking confident with their striker Abram Gallo being the Top Scorer of the tournament but the match proved why placing your team at the hands of one star player is not a good idea. The Celestes started strong with shots fired mostly by Gallo but Aizcona's goalkeeper Teokrito Zumeta made brilliant saves. The Bloodied Falangek of Aizcona then went on the counter-attack and in the 26th minute, Estral midfielder Bittor Yharce found the net. In the 72nd minute, the Bloodied Falangek doubled their lead with an Arato Varrutia goal. The fate of both teams was sealed when Estral midfielder Ezekel Hormazabal made the score 3 - 0.
In what is now being dubbed the most thrilling match of the tournament so far by pundits, Weinam battled against the Tsunterlands at Newa Stadium earlier during day-time. In the 32nd minute, the Tsunter Sons of the Sea fired the first shot with a goal from defender Stifer Talktalk Chae’La Arbeg. Weinam's Blue Dragons equalized in the 52nd minute through midfielder Dai Jingyi. Just three minutes later, the Tsunters were in the lead again from a James Gaunty Chae’La Ganguard goal. In the 71st minute, the Blue Dragons were neck and neck against the Sons of the Sea again after forward Lang Zhong struck the net. The game entered extra time and Blue Dragons players Hwang Qiang and Zhen Zedong added their goals to lead their team into victory and to the final four.
Later that night, the final UAFA Cup 2021 quarterfinals match between Segentova and the Khas-Kirati Republic took place at the Tapu Dome. The White Tigers left winger Fau-doh Armaja dribbled his way past several Segentovan defenders and scored in the 21st minute. Just two minutes later, Khas-Kirati attacking left-back Kaji Man Iwahang decided to perform a rainbow kick to confuse Segentovan players in front of him but he instead sent the ball back towards his team's net. White Tigers captain and goalkeeper Ankit Maharjan had no time to react and the Segentovans equalized through this own goal, the third own goal of this tournament so far. Three minutes before half-time, Iwahang redeemed himself in front of his teammates and fans by performing a spectacular bicycle cross from Samir Gurung cross and firing it pass Segentovan goalkeeper Robert Lémieux. The second half of the match went uneventful as the White Tigers tried to maintain possession of the ball and keep the score intact. While both teams did indeed made attempts to score, both Maharjan and Lémieux made excellent saves. In the 83rd minute, White Tigers defensive midfielder Miraj Rajbansi was shown the yellow card for tackling down an opponent. When the final whistle was blown, the hosts were in the semifinals while the Segentovans were headed home.
Upcoming Semifinals Fixtures
- Jeriga v Aizcona (Khas-Kirati Republic National Stadium)
- Weinam v Khas-Kirati Republic (Tapu Dome)