World Cup 90--RP Thread

by **Sharktail** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 8:33 pm

WCQ 90 Matchday 1
written by Nazri
SFA media officer

Matchday 1

Farfadillis - 3
R. Çídh
Alxìkì
Çè Quîrîjá

Sharktail - 3
Nazmi Shafiq
Win Aziz
Wan Qairil

Rating:
Maxter ( 6.8 )
A. Fazrul ( 6.4 )
Afifi ( 5.6 )
Hidawi ( 6.6 )
Izz ( 6.5 )
Azaim(c) ( 7.1 )
Nik Akif ( 6.6 )
Nazmi ( 7.5 )
Mokhtar Aidil ( 7.0 )
Shahrul ( 6.7 )
Win Aziz ( 7.3 )
Maqri ( 6.8 )
Twin Zairo ( 6.6 )
Wan Qairil ( 7.2 )

"One point is more valuable than going home empty -handed." That was a brief comment from Sharktail's manager, Carol regarding last night's match.

Quoted from poss press by Carol, he said the draw in last night's match had made him happy. Faced with a strong team like Farfadillis, it was a satisfaction to at least steal points from them.

"For this part, I will not say we have to look on the positive things. You know, we being able to tied them is good enough. So I will proudly say I am satisfied."

However, Carol did not rule out comments regarding the lackluster performances from some key players. Quoted from the comments of the fans, many questioned the actions of Afifi who likes to send the ball back as well as doing a messy clearance which is the cause of the mess up in Sharktail defense.

"I have take a note on what happen in this match. Its kinda messy a bit in our defense. I will have to come up with some resolution before our second match. Whether we come up with change or whatever, i have to discuss with my assistant and other staff member. "

In the match that took place at the La Fantás stadium, farfadillis, Sharktail who went down as the visiting team beejaya tied with a score of 3-3. Farfadillis first opened the scoring with a goal from R. Çídh as a result of a Gallegas cross. Sharktail's team equalized in the 32nd minute. Nazmi Syafiq's header from a corner kick failed to clear Ibrelaná. Sharktail once again took advantage of the set piece when Azaim was pushed by the goalkeeper but the ball was caught by Win Aziz for Sharktail's second goal. As everyone mentioned about Farfadillis, they will quickly chase back when they lose behind. And this is the time Afifi come for them. He tap the ball passed by Amir Fazrul Syah but it is not strong enough and give Alxìkì a chance to cutt in and speed up toward goal and score. The score ended 2-2 at halftime.

Entering the second half, both teams were initially slow but the tempo changed entering 5 minutes of the second half. Sharktail defense look more solid in second half but a minute later, all of that praise turn into a lie. This match is gonna be a worst memory for Afifi. Miscommunication with Maxter ended up with both of them colliding and opening up space for striker Farfadillis, Çè Quîrîjá added another goal for Farfadillis. Angered by Afifi’s silly mistake, Carol enters Maqri. Seeing that Nik Akif and Shahrul were exhausted, Twin Zairo and Wan Qairil were brought in. Carol wanted to use Wan Qairil’s height and aim for chances from a corner kick. After two corner kicks were prepared, Wan Qairil finally did his job, heading in the third goal in the 85th minute. At the end of the game, both teams shared one point.

Sharktail collects one precious point. This is arguably a good start for Sharktail. Ahead of the home action against Takeshwar and traveling to Ancherion for the away action, Sharktail is seen to have a chance to collect a full 6 points. The Sharktail team needs to stay focused and not get carried away with predictions or titles as the team of choice.

by **Pemecutan** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 8:37 pm

Part 3.1

It's a lovely morning today just like ordinary morning in any Pemecutanian town. People are busy with their morning routine. The workers prepare for their works. The housewives preparing the breakfast. And the school childrens and college students prepare for their study. This also happens in one house near the center of Pemecutan Puri, the capital city. Suryajaya's wife is busy at the kitchen preparing the meal. Not for breakfast but instead for her children's lunch. While Suryajaya and his two children are having breakfast. They are talking about the day when the door bell ring loudly. Suryajaya and his wife look at each other.
"Let me get that," say Suryajaya who already standing.
He walks to the front door. In front of the house, there's this postman. Suryajaya is quite confuse. He is not expecting any mail today. But he still receive the brown envelope.
"Who is it?" ask Ratih, the wife. Suryajaya placed the envelope at the table. Ratih then take the envelope and examine it. "The court?" Ratih look at her husband.
"Probably about the case," answer Suryajaya while sipping his tea.
Ratih sighing and seat next to her husband. She reach out and squish her husband. Suryajaya smile lightly while patting his wife hand. "Don't worry. It will end soon."
"I have to be worry. He stabbed you," exclaim Ratih.
"He won't be charge just for the stabbing but also for the fire incident and planning to sabotage the association," Suryajaya explain.
"I know. I just worried," Ratih exhale deeply.
"It's okay. I understand. We can get through this," encourage Suryajaya. Ratih then put up her smile.

It's Begin

Suryajaya walks in the PFA headquarters building which is now located in the country's national stadium. Everyone greet at him as he walks by. After the stabbing incidents which happen at the start of 1782 season, Suryajaya have to stay at hospital for several months. And when he comeback, everyone is relieve. Suryajaya enter his office where Kusumawardani have waited him. Kusumawardani is the vice president and was an acting president during his absent. Kusumawardani put a brown envelope at the desk as Suryajaya take his seat.
"You get it too?" ask Suryajaya. Kusumawardani nodded.
"It's for Artha Guna's trial," explain Kusumawardani.
"Seems like we will face two back to back trial," says Suryajaya as he also take his own brown envelope.
"I thought it will be interconnected," wonders Kusumawardani.
"I hope not though."

Both of them then shift the conversation to other topic. The clubs meeting which will determine the change in the country's football league system. About the trial, it is connected to series of incidents happened last year. From the PFA fire incident (which makes them have to move to the current place), Suryajaya's stabbing incident and lastly the death of Agung Darma, the director of Tambangan Local Football Association, after his car was blown up with him inside. Those incidents comes to one person, Ngurah Artha Guna. He is the son of Ngurah Teja Paksa, former Pemecutan football player who have to retired early in his career because of an injury incident. His son, Ngurah Artha Guna, get revenge to the association because he feels that the association have neglected his father after the incident. The case however connected to the scandal inside GRFA, one of the regional association in the country. The scandal involved Agung Darma and also Ngurah Arthajaya, the former GRFA director.

A middle age man walks in a jail. He is Ketut Wirama, a lawyer, and here he will meet his client. After being checked by the officers, he is escorted to the interrogation room. Wirama waited there patiently. He put his note and all that he needs before he meet his client. Not long after, the room door is open and the officers take a young man with them. He is the client, Ngurah Artha Guna.
"Good morning, Mister. We meet again," greet the young man.
Wirama smile lightly. "Good morning to you too. You seem calmer today."
"Am I?" Artha Guna grin in a mischievous looks.
Wirama froze. He already knew about this strange looks of his client. He seems to have some psychopath side. But Wirama still try to uncover this thought. Although he has to be careful about this.
"Yes, you are. Have you heard some news?" ask Wirama carefully.
Artha Guna nodded. "They say my trial have been scheduled. And I'm so excited about it," he smile again.
"What are you excited about?" Wirama become curious.
"I want to see their faces," He then laugh loudly. There's a glimpse of mockery and satisfaction in the laughter.
"But you realize that you have to ready for the trial, right?" ask Wirama full of investigative tone.
Artha Guna silence for sometimes. He then lean forward. "I thought that is your duty to prepare everything. I just present myself just the way I am," whisper him.
Wirama feel the chill in his tone. "Yes, that's true. But..." He stop his words as Artha Guna seat back and shrug off.
"I want everybody see how bad the association is. They have to be gone. Forever," Artha Guna say in a flat tone. No emotion is seen. And that send chills to Wirama. He feels like he is face to face with a cold blooded murderer.

"So the invitations are sent?" Suryajaya ask his secretary.
"Yes, sir. I just finished sent them all through email. The official invitations are delivered by post. And it's just taken by the postman," explain the secretary.
"Good. All 300 of them, right?" Suryajaya reassuring.
"300?" the secretary seems to be confuse.
Suryajaya looks at her directly. "How many did you've sent?" ask him.
"Around 140, Sir. For the main clubs," answer the secretary.
Suryajaya sighing. Seems like there's a miscommunication here.
Send again the invitation to the rest of the clubs that labeled professional and semi professional. There are around 300 of them. I want all of them to be involved in the new league system. All the clubs except the amateur. You got that?" pressed Suryajaya.
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry," the secretary bowing lightly for her mistake.
"It's okay. Please make sure all of them get the invitation today by email. The letter can be deliver after that," tell Suryajaya.
"Noted, Sir."
"Good."
The secretary walk out of his room. Suryajaya exhale heavily. He hope that the grand meeting is not disturb by any other issue. The incidents in the past year were still lingering in his mind. He reach for his stomach. The stitchess are still there. The produce of the stab that nearly kill him. He exhale once again while looking through the window in his office. Hoping the future is on his side this time.

by **Zwangzug** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:08 pm

"Hey, so," said Corey. "If you were a chess piece, which would you be?"

Ketevan blinked. Being the third goalkeeper afforded her a lot of downtime, and Lissa had said that if Corey started opening up to people, it was important to reciprocate and make sure he knew he was included. But that didn't explain the non-sequitur. "Uh...a rook?"

"Why?"

"Cause I'm tall."

"You could say that about a lot of people."

"Yeah, and? A lot of people are tall."

Corey blinked. "I guess."

"Everything all right?"

"Just thinking about, uh, something I heard somewhere. Can't remember. Trying to...to draw parallels between chess pieces and football positions."

"That analogy doesn't work," said Ketevan. "Otherwise you know the announcers or someone, like way back in the day, would have come up with it and never shut up about it."

"Maybe," said Corey. "But like, Esther works as the queen, right? Cause she's in the middle of everything, and can be super-powerful, and stuff. And she's a woman."

Ketevan gave an extremely unimpressed stare.

"And the rooks would be...well, Simon's real tall. And Kausalya's amazing, she won the Champions' League and stuff. And Lissa's been around for a while, she's a leader."

"So now we have three rooks?"

"It's an analogy, I didn't say it was perfect. You can be a rook, too, if you want."

Ketevan shook her head. "Lurking in the corners, moving in straight, methodical lines, usually straightforward but occasionally jumping around whimsically. Half the country is a rook."

"Yeah, it used to be in our pretitle. The Rookdom of Zwangzug. Because we don't really like monarchy, and all that...cultural stuff."

"Huh," said Ketevan. "That's fun. Why did they change it?"

"I guess they thought the chess stuff was too overdone."

Ketevan rolled her eyes. "Their loss."

"So maybe we're the pawns--us benchwarmers, I mean--cause we can come in late and turn into whatever."

"Who's the king in this analogy?" asked Ketevan. "And don't say Akhil just cause he's a man."

"I was thinking Fedya. Not just because he's a man, but because he has special rules. A different uniform, gloves, a demarcated box--the rules of the game revolve around him."

"That," said Ketevan, "might actually be a good analogy if you were making it with any other team, but Zwangzug?"

"What about it? Fedya's maybe not a Galactico, but he's pretty good. The way the king can be an attacking piece, boxing people in, at the end."

"I mean, we're chess nerds, we understand that the king has to be defeated and can never really be captured. But goalkeepers...it took the country long enough, the first time, to realize we wouldn't all shatter under the pressure. Trying to play chess without a king isn't chess anymore. Trying to play football without a goalkeeper is stupid, but you can see why people might think it was the lesser of two evils." Corey was a midfielder; he wasn't about to be challenging Ketevan for her job. But in the way Lissa talked to him and talked around him, Ketevan could start to see how wanting to protect a fragile teammate might lead to treating them with kid gloves, then thicker gloves, until all the gloves were gone.

"I guess," said Corey. "And besides, then backup goalkeepers wouldn't be anything, since pawns can't promote to kings."

"They used to be able to in some of the joke problems," said Ketevan. "Those were always my favorite. Not the actual 'how to mate in three,' but the 'what's going on here' that turns out to be some loophole in the castling rules."

Corey grinned. "You did those too, huh?"

"Not well," said Ketevan, "but I did them."

"Well, that's more than I've heard from anyone else so far."

"You've been having this conversation with everyone else?" No wonder Lissa could get fed up with him.

"Well, yeah," said Corey. "I mean, you know about Todd Forneris and Shawn Zimmerman, right? If the Elephants challenge us, we've got to be ready."

Ketevan was at once very afraid of what she had gotten herself into, and also realized it was very unlikely she could claim a prior engagement to get out of it. Truly, the travails of a third goalkeeper never ended. But it was still better than being the zeroth goalkeeper.

The Kerlagrad Courier

Odamia, the largest city in Cugio, is a thriving urbanity. While it may not be as well-known as some of the megapolises that have produced sports teams, it's densely built and technologically advanced like the rest of the country. And its road cyclists enjoy the scenic views of the Rackham Range as they speed over hills on the latest and greatest bicycles.

Today, however, a dangerous enemy from across the seas threatens this progress. What is this distant realm? Vilita, host of the 90th World Cup--and more important for our purposes, the "Mountain Games" that feature competitions of brute strength, tree-felling, and spear-hurling. While Zwangzugians might not be what you first visualize when seeking the world's finest caber throwers [what even is a caber? -ed], locals worry that this event could put them on the map--for all the wrong reasons.

"Look, just because I'm from the mountains doesn't mean I'm tinkering with cuckoo clocks and little music boxes all the time," complained Stephanie Groves, wielding an electric guitar threateningly. "When people think of Namiri, they think of trees and stuff. And now when they think of Cugio, they're gonna think of mountain villages where people think it's funny to roll cheese, which is not true because Cugio barely had a regional identity before the Consolidators carved it out."

"It's true that some of us like to yodel and stuff," admitted Rhys Kalbor furtively. "But like, to find a fire-dancer they picked a guy named Chowdhury, which, at the risk of being problematic, he probably had a great-grandfather from Namiri or somewhere too."

"Yea, verily, I shall do my utmost to display my prowess in the realms of womanly virtue," said Irene Dinadan, the jousting delegate. "But forsooth! As it would be most unfitting to wear only a sigil given to me by a so-called admirer, so too is it lamentable to compete merely for the honor of a colorless flag. Thus I joust only for myself, not for Zwangzug and certainly not for an imagined district-level identity."

Eric Llawcae, from Odamia, is more optimistic about his chances. "I mean, while standing upright and preventing pillars from falling down might sound like a grudging, tedious chore, I've seen worse. If you want a real test of endurance, try watching a football match for ninety whole minutes."

(Waugh 26)

by **StrayaRoos** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:24 pm

MD1-Richmond,StrayaRoos
StrayaRoos 0
Southwest Eastnorth 0
StrayaRoos-Yesak-Okuna,Poalian,Ganmb (Forsberg 6),Turean
Fitzsimmons,Bale (Loapai 1),Hazard,Guala
C.Kaiplo,Cahill
SWEN-Bolen-Harnett,Bruce,Warnbush,Arnold
Sternes,Davidson,Bravo
Roth,Houten,Barnett

StrayaRoos started The road to Vilita and Baker Park with an 0-0 draw with Southwest Eastnorth in Richmond but the Clash was heated with VAR Disallowing an late Kaiplo Wonder Strike that would’ve put StrayaRoos 3rd in Group 20 and the Home Crowd made it known to the World with the Pound (Richmond Town’s Ultras group) Attempting to trash the Pitch-side monitor and Burn it ,they have since been arrested and fined,but this puts an bad look for StrayaRoos ahead of the Upcoming Liga B Champions Trophy Final to be Held in Pale and The World’s Laziest Footballer Eden Bale subbed of in the First Minute
(MD2-3 Squad is the same except Leo Juric is replaced by Luke Kaiplo and Eden Bale Starts on the bench)

by **Geektopia** » Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:56 pm

Categorium: Work (Curated by Migueis in Geektopia) edited by Atham Tasasubsil in Burur cak Noaqsi)
Automobiles (Curated by Naumovic in Geektopia) edited by Christoffer Cappuyns in Chica Saw)
Amusement (Curated by Zahharov in Geektopia) edited by Corion Icepis Samarneta in Aimena)
Household (Curated by Palime in Geektopia) edited by Kalijat Hink in Unimon)
Good Physical Condition (Curated by Blard in Geektopia) edited by Edtacio Bezerra in Campo de Ervas)
Government (Curated by Podjasek in Geektopia) edited by Eskanova Singleton in Sponsertivity)
Faith (Curated by Nke in Geektopia) edited by Taire Ah Oak Guru in Sainterris)
Branch of Knowledge (Curated by Rehnström in Geektopia) edited by Aguilḻar Mendoza Sanafan Ţluknaṟbire in Islas Cardinales)
Competitive Games (Curated by Rifiño in Geektopia) edited by Andreika Rararch Sigi in Aimena)
Technology (Curated by Tschšppeler in Geektopia) edited by Shuan Zawadkun in Aimena)
Travel (Curated by Courtieux in Geektopia) edited by Tamir Tater in Aimena
Popular Media & Economy (Curated by Sulkumški in Geektopia) edited by Margharita Abbate in La Fiorita) <======= You are here.
Multiverse (Curated by El Baraka in Geektopia) edited by Eva Mariska II Purrlicious Chowder Chocolate in Islas Cardinales)

And in more collaterally important news; a terrorist organization with no plans of disbandment guested on a talk show?! More still, both parties had a peaceful discussion?!

Officials in the Military Association of Public Guards in Purple (MAPGP) don't like to talk about the Alphabet Association in similar ways as to how they don't like to talk about how only two men out of twenty six having code names in the form of Echo and November whooped a number of their special forces at a small cafe in Isleshore, likely because talking about the Alphabet Association in the first place will lead to that question being asked.

The association also has sufficiently good reason not to. In the heat of the moment and when it came down to it, the terrorist organization's two members didn't deface any one guard out of six hundred's attack with a punch, kick or any known form of martial arts. What was seen, though, may have to be hidden by the public for fear of viewers making inferences about a number of technologies used by AA, as Echo and November dug a hole with unknown equipment through the floor of the poor establishment much quicker than average, the hole taking the form of a slant that eventually jettisoned out of the cliff face near where the coffee bar was situated. And, if that wasn't cause enough for these officials to hope their video and words fall on deaf ears, the whole group may try to fish out another excuse out of the matter, claiming that the terrorist organization denied it ever attempted to enter a coffee shop despite the evidence; instead, Echo and November's motives lay in their desire to rescue a criminal from a local prison.

As well as this, the MAPGP find themselves in a dire state of internal strife and dissolution after having gotten in a tussle with the Royal Government and Military on the subject of the former's dual-use technologies, that of which transform and shift the external properties of hand-held objects into weapons. The Royal Government and Military, which most people may have thought of as a loyal partner to the public military service (which isn't involved in most governmental affairs or attached), has some old hands who've held former experience in the MAPGP being in a relative state of concern when it comes to how well MAPGP guards confidential information given to it by Geektopian government. Of course, this just goes to show how the government is desperate to share their secrets with anyone, however, as the MAPGP held no distinct lack of clarity when it came to what the organization does and who it recruits, most of their members having known they were just ordinary citizens a few years before.

The problem, for one old hand in Bog, who holds two jobs, both of which are in the Geektopian government and MAPGP, is that at current, there's no penalty for quitting in both jobs whenever one happens to stumble across government utilizations that are designed to rearrange any choice household item into one which gives that choice person an astounding offensive advantage, and in it not being known that this is critical in the workplace, folks are laid off quite frequently of their own request. Paired with the military's hand-to-hand combat techniques, one could turn themselves into a well-oiled machine and even have some revolutionary ideas of their own, even still, making a guild with twenty five other people in a plan to utterly depose the country's government which they may or may not have worked for formerly!

While the MAPGP is shy when it comes to this discussion, the folks at iTalkwitU were completely having it regarding the idea of them speaking to an organization which the government has evidence of them saying were going to let loose huge undomesticated cats that certainly had the intentions of tearing Isleshore citizens who had goitre apart. Even worse still for the government and MAPGP, the television network which iTalkwitU is held up by saw no PR problems with this program being shown on air. You know, a few Alphabet Association representatives being asked questions about their plight, ideologies, execution methods, and toying with the government at the same time while answering these questions, the representatives figured it would make great figures for CCD!

It isn't oft that any government can say it's country was put in the balance by the decisions of some overtly offensive talk show in a remote place like Isleshore, but for the next few hours, it was really like that when it came to whether or not their secret methods could have been leaked on television, which could have sent Isleshore into anarchy even if most on the bay weren't hoping for a complete overhaul on the topic of Geektopia's government, it's ideology, and it's economical game plan. With just a few weeks of strength training and the government-exclusive combat methods acquired, maybe even only a hundred people could paint the town numbering two and a half million red with efforts from the Alphabet Association. Truly, it's not an idea that far off from reality. Fortunately, only information asked of the terrorist coalition were of their execution methods, the rest of the podcast was blathered in talks about who the next king could be and what the thought process was behind former king and revered god of Geektopia Osemwenkhae not settling for a wife in the place of queen and what asexually reproducing during the start of half-life among Geektopian women really said about his character, the ability to think on his feet, and his indifferent disposition on the back of political pressure after making revolutions and protests close out in the region of Mukladrue after three months (mind you, most a Geektopian king would only take three weeks. If these were revolutionaries, they must have been feisty indeed. Much more formidable than what's in the country now asides from the Alphabet Association).

The pot isn't close to boiling over quite yet though, as the same old hand by the name of Bog who we've just talked about is also disembodied that research funds in the MAPGP are not being carried out in a way most would find beneficial for the economy or military, despite the MAPGP being a military organization which should make step-by-step improvements when it comes to their economical standing, too. In recent hours, most a Geektopian folk are starting to call these funds which partition off from the commercial market "punitive funds" if you count the ones on Twii.tur.

The Karodin Tetrarchy 3-4 Geektopia <> 11,608 @ Park Genidik, Porzhbihan, The Karodin Tetrarchy
Goals: 26' by #23 Rebimbas (assisted by no one | GEE | free-kick), 38' by #13 Julio (assisted by #4 Livengood | GEE | right-footed shot), 45+5' by Tréphina Hascoet (assisted by Gwennaig Morvand | TKT | right-footed shot), 49' by #11 Zalie 'amquk (assisted by no one | GEE | penalty), 52' by Alanez Le Bourhis (assisted by Maelle Debeauvais | TKT | header), 68' by Gwennaig Morvand (assisted by Tréphina Hascoet | TKT | left-footed shot), 80' by #11 Zalie 'amquk (assisted by #4 Livengood | GEE | right-footed shot)

Substitutions: 14' | #16 Witrago in for replacement of #26 Gerking
14' | #17 Rolke in for replacement of #30 Ponti
14' | #24 Ringwald in for replacement of #3 Autianna 'ardiquswaa
29' | #11 Zalie 'amquk in for replacement of #7 Abdill
29' | #9 Shammami in for replacement of #20 Rinnert

Player's Marks:
SWADLEY: 7.0
AUTIANNA 'ARDIQUSWAA: 7.0 ↓
PITTER: 7.0
LIVENGOOD: 8.0
REBIMBAS: 8.0
MATKOWSKI: 7.0
PONTI: 7.0 ↓
JULIO: 8.0
GERKING: 7.0 ↓
ABDILL: 7.0 ↓
RINNERT: 7.0 ↓
----------------------------------------------
WITRAGO: 7.0 ↑
ROLKE: 7.0 ↑
RINGWALD: 7.0 ↑
ZALIE 'AMQUK: 9.0 ↑
SHAMMAMI: 7.0 ↑
LERTORA: 7.0
NANKERVIS: 7.0
OGRODOWSKI: 7.0
JAKIUS KRUTIQAYIR TARUN: 7.0

by **Southwest Eastnorth** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:36 am

The game against StrayaRoos was played in a bright sun, a blinding light if you must call it that.

A sunny day usually was a good sign for the SWEN national team. The Pioneers are a team used to the heat and sun. A majority of the populace live either on warm sunny coastal territories or live on towns that hug rivers, that pierce the bland sands and rocks of the dry desert terrain that Southwest Eastnorth is known for. Coach Rox was excited to get the game underway, nothing gives a team or a person more nerves than a first game in a new qualifying cycle.

As the game went on the Roos were playing a physical game, he noted that towards the early stages they had a rougher team.

Coach Jayson Rox felt confident though as the ref was Gordon Lacy, a known commodity from Xanneria. Given that Xannerians and SWENs were both descended from the Tonissians, Jayson had presumed that the ref would be more lenient towards the Pioneers. It was a big talking point leading up to the match, given what was known about the two nations history with each other. Little did Coach Rox know he was in for a surprise.

Only 15 minutes in to the first game trouble arose for young Coach Rox. Jessica Roth got pushed around by defender Samuel Jedinak, the only player Roos had that was even close to the age of the elderly striker corp.

Rox looked at it and in a fit of defence for the Ripken River AA striker called out the ref.

"Hey Man! You saw that!"

It was just typical coach banter, as you know. Coaches will always do catcalls at the ref asking them for favors. This didn't work out for coach Rox. He called out the referee again

"I thought you were a Xannerian! Why not look out for your Brothers!"

Those two lines annoyed the ref enough.

"Red Card for Manager"

Suddenly coach Rox's eyes got big. He tried saying a few things but the words couldn't get over the shock he felt. Before the ref sent him to the stands, coach Rox ran to the locker room. An aid found him sobbing next to a small plastic trash can. He was scared. he knew he had been on thin ice, but now his job was likely over.....

.....or was it. The game ended with a 0-0 draw after a review by VAR called off the best chance StrayaRoos had at scoring. Needlessly there was a ton of talk after the match. What about the VAR was it a make up for the Red Card? Likely not, as two days later Gordon Lacy was banned from international refering. He was discovered to have been drunk the entire time he reffed the match in StrayaRoos. Extrmely weird given it was a 1:00pm starting time.

StrayaRoos - 0

Southwest Eastnorth - 0

by **Indusse** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 4:13 am

IFA NEWS NETWORK
Bad or Good?

The results were as it was expected, Indusse faced Nephara at the first match of the Ninethieth edition of the Nationstates World Cup and lost to them for a score of two against four. Nephara, being one of the teams in Top pots would be one of those teams that has a better chance of qualification than the rest out there. The goals for the national team were scored by Baskar H Kumar and Mersias at the sixteenth and fifty-ninth minutes respectively. After the match, players refused to meet the media and the manager, Shane Newman addressed the press; "I had expected to have a hard game for the team with such an established team like Nephara. I have no worries now and I am sure we can do better than this next game. The journey has just started, why have all these shouts?".

Taking the case of the rest of the matches in Group nine, we got to see a long time opponent Independent Athletes from Quebec defeating an unranked team of New Zhengguo in their first match for a score similar to that of Indusse versus Nephara (two against four). Barunia, a long time around team in the world cup lost to Pekoland for a score of one against three. The other match of the group was between Natanians and Nosts versus Milchama. Both the teams played well, gave a good fight to each other and had to end the match with a draw of one and all. So, with just a match done Independent Athletes from Quebec with Nephara and Pekoland tops the table. Followed by Natanian and Nosts as well as Milchama. At the bottom lies Barunia, Indusse and New Zhongguo.

Haven't you noticed the improvements in the Indussean National Team and its sporting products? The last few years saw the rise of Zedox, Indusse's largest native sports brand as well as the development of sports infrastructure which very much include the renovation and rebuilding of the New Hind City's Avenue of Sports. The Avenue of Sports is the largest sporting village in Indusse. Located in New Hind City, the capital of the nation; It is home to various sporting grounds including Indussean National Team's home ground. The Aditya Varma Kulashekara International Stadium, as it is called is Indusse's largest stadium and the home ground of the Indussean National Team. The Aditya Varma Kulashekara International Stadium was initially built by the Late emperor of Indusse and a fellow soccer player in the national team, Sriman HH (His Highness) Aditya Varma Kulashekara IV in the early years of his reign to replace The Darbar Avenue Stadium as the home stadium of Indusse. Darbar Avenue currently and from the beginning has been the home ground of Indusse's major soccer club called New Hind City FC.

by **Krytenia** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 4:31 am

Hellbergia
By Rami Niblick in Portvestir, Melbergia

MOVE over Sulsuland, step aside Omerica and the wet bog roll, Krytenia has a new Matchday One low point. Richard Valens' first World Cup game in charge of the national side ended in dire defeat as the Dragons put up a display in Portvestir that was more toothless than a retirement home after a visit from the denture thief. Melbergia weren't fantastic; however, the visitors played with such a lack of conviction and commitment that adequate proved quite sufficient for the men in golden brown.

To look for a scapegoat in this encounter would be unfair. This was a collective display - or more accurately, lack of one - and you would hope that each member of the squad should take a long hard look at themselves. That being said, though, there are some observations that can be made on selected individuals. Ross Okano has been a servant of the team for many years, but he's approaching forty and looks, quite frankly, cooked. Poor Fergal Finnan looked like he was trying to do the job of two men, and can be forgiven for the lapse in concentration that led to Teddy Lotterson getting a free header for Melbergia's third. The fact that he was taken off shortly after is more a reflection of just how knackered the Emberton Hibs man was than any performance issues.

The midfield, too, looked bereft of ideas. Admittedly, this was not helped by Max Snelders having to help cover defensively, but even so, the passing was predictable, the penetration was almost nonexistent, and neither Robert Reeder nor Carlos Senna looked up to their usual standards.

One player, though, that does escape the ire of this journalist. Cande Montalban was an absolute engine room, playing with an intensity that his team-mates lacked. His long range effort for Krytenia's only goal may have taken a fortuitous deflection, but it was no less than the Chromatik forward deserved for a display that put the rest of the team to shame.

Clearly, words need to be said and attitudes - and perhaps tactics - need to change. What the Dragons lack, though, is any time for navel-gazing. Next up is arguably the biggest match of the entire qualifying campaign, as an old rival steps into the cauldron that is the Isserson Olympic Stadium. Yes, Valanora are back in town, and whilst the rivalry isn't quite up to the intensity of either side's animosity towards Starblaydia, there will be no love lost on the pitch. Add to this the fact that these teams are meeting for the first time since Foxchester, and there are all the ingredients for an epic encounter. If the Dragons can't motivate themselves for this one, then quite frankly, they don't deserve to wear the shirt. Let's hope that's just me worrying too much. Onward!

MELBERGIA - 3
Trente 19
Monson 47
Lotterson 77

KRYTENIA - 1
Montalban 56

by **Brenecia** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 4:35 am

Lathamford 2 - 2 Brenecia
(4-2-3-1) 1 - Finnan; 2 - Bravender, 18 - Shrine (5 - Leadbetter 70'), 6 - Giltanan, 22 - Seeler; 8 - Conway, 4 - Schofield; 7 - Carpenter, 13 - Garrard (11 - Brind 70'), 10 - Byrne; 14 - Tristram (9 - White 79')
Goals: Tristram 13', Brind 74'

To be Brenecian was to develop a lifelong relationship with the colour grey.
That meant learning its intricacies. Grey came in many forms. There was the dour, omnipresent grey of overcast skies, the light, wispy greys of mist, the grey of sleet and sideways rain. There was the grey of gravel and the grey of asphalt, and the grey of smoke belched from the chimneys of disused factories.
In the crowd Brigid Locke was addressing, the Prime Minister could see plenty of grey coats and grey faces, to a backdrop of oppressive grey buildings. She'd seen speeches from her predecessor, Catherine Bardsley light those faces up, and for a while she'd managed to carry on the magic. She knew now it was nothing but Bardsley's residue.
In her more self-indulgently petulant moments, she thought about how it really was so unfair. Locke had risen up as a very capable politician, an excellent navigator of bureaucracy, someone who got things done. Just... getting things done took time, and the Brenecian people were running out of patience. And there were so many problems to paper over... !
In the past month alone she'd worked on securing further trade deals with Eura, carefully drafting bland statements to say Brenecia didn't really care about Nyowani Kitara, working on bills to help combat Brenecia's rampant obesity, extending healthcare coverage to teeth, working on restrictions on gambling, to say nothing of working a transition from the scrap that constituted the Brenecian pound into the potentially bright future of the Espo.
They'd done a lot in the last decade, a lot of good, sticking work to balance a shattered economy and ruined culture. The problem was, she had to front up and tell the Brenecian people she was doing things like 'introducing a five-year review of the effects of spending cuts to justify redirecting limited funding to education'. All Randall Kearney had to say was: 'Bring back the pick!' and the capite censi collectively creamed themselves.
Mining! Fucking mining! It had been the lynchpin of the Brenecian economy, back when it was fucking relevant. Everyone wanted to bring mining back. She was outflanked from every fucking angle. The CPP wanted to bring mining back because it made a lot of money, once, and hearkened to a vaguely better era. The NPD wanted to revive mining because it was descended from a party descended from trade unions, and because it was a way to cling to relevance. The party literally called No Compromise wanted to revive mining because its policies were chosen by a neural network aggregating social media posts from anyone under 30.
How precisely would they revive mining? Front up to the rest of Esportiva with their nonexistent army and force them to buy more coal and steel? And to get rid of any pesky climate considerations, while they were at it. Yes, there were far more skilled workers than posts. Locke, as the adult in the room, had brokered a number of favourable deals with renewable companies to try and coax them over. A solution with staying power. Concrete good for the economy.
But nooo. 'Bring back the' fucking 'pick'.
It all came down to money, and the none of it Brenecia had to work with. The big elephant in the room was Clarisse Ward, who mainly made bad press for blatantly authoritarian policies and the maintenance of a secret police to crack down on dissent, but little was made of her economic policies: to wit, slash taxes, drag all the remaining national reserve into the room and set it on fire. At least Brenecia had an approximately modern army now, giving them something approaching a military presence of its very own. Ward could maybe menace passing cruise boats. On the other hand, if aliens were to invade, Brigid Locke could simply pick up the phone to Bastion and ask nicely for them to be obliterated, and it would probably be so.
And, really, it was all down to Locke. Catherine Bardsley was an inspirational speaker and an icon of Brenecian anti-fascism. She'd managed the national team and survived years of torture in Sameba. People loved her. But she didn't know shit about balancing the smoking crater of the economy. That was all Locke. She didn't like to be too arrogant, but she quietly knew if she'd had five years as Eura's treasurer she could've turned a massive profit and solved world hunger as a casual side project.
But... she did not have the slogans. She did not have the momentum. Peoples' lives still sucked, and they looked to Parliament to see who to blame, and who was offering an alternative.
So Brigid Locke concluded her speech and looked out past the grey fog at the grey faces, and she saw a lost election and a country about to be in deep, deep shit.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 2
Goalkeepers: 1 - Anthea Finnan (Holdenberg City, EUR), 12 - Sorcha Tanner (Southern Star), 20 - Cairbre Dundalk (North Laithland, NPH)
Defenders: 2 - Clovette Bravender (Ulsa, EUR), 3 - Triss Roscommon (Revolutionaries, EUR, c), 5 - Finn Leadbetter (Holdenberg, EUR), 6 - Casey Giltanan (Workers Union, EUR), 17 - Felice Lovibond (Kingsgrove), 18 - Athelney Shrine (Southern Star), 22 - Mynah Seeler (Southern Star)
Midfielders: 4 - Ronan Schofield (Raynor City United, VAL), 7 - Kendra Carpenter (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 8 - Iseult Conway (Northern Union), 10 - Katua Byrne (KT Itzalovalle, AUD), 11 - Felicia Brind (South Laithland, NPH), 13 - Consaidin Garrard (FK Metropola Borograd, STL), 15 - Mathgamain Fife (Rozelle), 16 - Rhona Leonard (Kingsgrove), 19 - Kurtis Mikoliunas (North Hall), 23 - Skaidrina Briggs (Southern Star)
Forwards: 9 - Mhacha White (Farrenton Athletic, EUR), 14 - Danand Tristram (Kingsgrove), 21 - Jadwiga Lofthouse (Northern Union)

SCHEDULE
Lathamford 2 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. EOT
Oberour Ar Moro vs. Brenecia
Metherwoll vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Sangti
Banija vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Cabo Azure
Brenecia vs. Lathamford
EOT vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Oberour Ar Moro
Brenecia vs. Metherwoll
Sangti vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Banija
Cabo Azure vs. Brenecia

by **Kyzhurkistan** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:04 am

Aslan Sabaev made his way through the halls of the Topbati Arena. To international standards, it wasn’t huge but the architect clearly had been paid a little extra under the table to make the network of corridors as impenetrable as possible, just to give it a little extra grandeur. Sabaev himself was a man of few talents but a lot of contacts and in Kyzhurkistan, when combined with the right parents, this could land you a job as, say, vice-president of the national football organization. His superior always grinned that the ‘vice’ in his title meant Aslan needed to deal with the dirty work so here he was, trying to find the referee office in this maze. The whistle for halftime had just resounded, a few minutes after the Darmenians took the anticipated lead through a Darnell Hale strike. After some wandering, Aslan found the right door and grinned internally as he opened it. Contrary to most places, where the referee stall could easily be mistaken for the broom closet, Topbati made it luxurious with a separate small pool and marble details. No wonder most whistled favorable to the record champion although that could be related to the empty watch cases that were found left and right.
“My apologies, ma’am, I am Aslan Sabaev from the FA.”
The introduction barely led to any reaction from the referee, who had been delivering a flawless lead up to that point. She clearly had more international experience than the home nation and looked unphased by the mid-match visitor.
“I wanted to discuss something which could be… favorable to both of us.”
Now she did turn around, but with contempt on her face.
“Mister… Sabaev it was? As I know you are new to this tournament, I will let this one slide but do know that any further attempts for bribes will be marked and shared in my report to the WCC. That’s not how things are done around here.”
She had already turned back to her place to have an extra sip from her mid-time dehydration drink as Aslan continued.
“No, no, ma’am, you must be misunderstanding me.”
“That’s what most say - but it’s alright.”
“I was here to discuss the bill for your hotel room.”
Nearly carelessly, Aslan started to wave around some pages.
“Here’s the one for the two-night stay, this is for the well… apparently enjoyable conversation with the minibar.” (mumbling to himself) “I didn’t even know they stored full bottles of imported vodka in hotel rooms.” (out loud) “Then we have the add-on for the two massages with the, ahum, very happy ending and th…”
“The. What?”
“Well, ma’am, I would prefer it if you didn’t ask me to detail it out but…”
The referee ogled the man in front of her. Sabaev had the talent to look like an ordinary desk jockey, with a boring shirt and an uninspired tie under a bleak costume. Was this guy, seemingly bumblingly going through his phone, really trying to…
“But I believe that this video offers everyone with questions the right answers.”
The images were blurry, just enough so one who wanted could recognize the ref. Although someone with a calm and collected look couldn’t tell the difference between the referee and a Kyzhurki specialized actress. Otherwise, the images left little to the imagination.
“As you see, I am not here for bribing, ma’am. In our country, we call that blackmailing. By the way, aren’t those the email addresses of your partner and daytime employer?”
“What… What do you want?”
She could as well have waved a big white flag.

…

“This damn labyrinth.”
Aslan muttered between his teeth as he retook his chair after a fifteen minute wander through the halls. The president of the FA smiled.
“Just in time, Zhuraev is about to kick a penalty.”
“Oh.”
“A small collision between Rakhimov and Abbey near the box and the referee called it a red card and a penalty. Funny how that goes, sometimes.”
“Quite funny indeed.”

by **Kimi-Suomi** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:36 am

VIHDIN OLEMME TAKAISIN! After a break filled with AOCAF memories and all that jazz, the time has finally come for Huuhkajat to return to the WC stage once again. Esko Laaksonen's side did pretty well on our debut with 6 wins in tow and making it through to the knockouts of the AOCAF, one of the toughest regional tournaments out there, was certainly great for our development as well. We may not be the flashiest team out there, but our unconquerable spirit means we can get the job done on our day. So with that in mind, and the mysterious Daniel Marx in tow one more time before NSSCRA 12, let's see how this journey goes, voisimmeko?

We began this journey...with a draw, on the road against new Baptism of Fire Champions Dispertag. Now, a draw can tell many different tales depending on how that draw is played out...and this draw was certainly a draw that showed some promise. Dispertag were certainly on a high as a footballing nation after that BoF triumph and Martín Galán Expósito was certainly determined to make an impact on the whole team's WC debut and this game would be all about our fightback abilities. Twice in this contest, the BoF Kings scored in front of their King, with both Ignacio Monrós Saldaña and Jorge Solís Suárez dealing the damage - but both Kimi Airo and Valtteri Nordström fought back with great ambition and determination and while 1 point isn't 3, this contest showed that we have that fightback attitude - an important attribute in a tournament such as this.

The long road will continue with our first home game of the campaign when Pesä in Kimi Kaupunki hosts debutants Rhubarbton, and then we're off to the National Sports Complex to play our first big team in Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom. NOSTA JUIN HUUHKAJAT!

by **Acastanha** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 7:14 am

Rough Start for Acastanha
The men's national team of Acastanha is excited to play in their fourth World Cup qualifying round. Although the management doesn't aim for qualifying but at least they can finished at the top half of the qualifying group. In the previous event, they were finished 7th which is lower then their result at 88th edition.

This time, the manager call a number of new players and some other players that have had a place in national team way a head. Jorge Garbano, the manager, is happy for the selection and have a high confidence for his current team. And their first match was against Talamia at home ground in Arrachai, one of the two capital of Acastanha.
Acastanha Line Up
S. Karba (GK)
M. Savalor (LB)
A. Gajhipar (CB) -- D. Erunde (57')
S. Urupao (CB)
J. Vidshav (RB) -- G. Tetan (71')
L. Turtapa (LM)
A. Samali (CM) -- M. Tiehl (77')
M. Gutrig (CM)
D. Gothrado (RM)
I. Gutna (AT)
D. Yushankar (ST)
Goalscorer
Yushankar (32' ; 64')
Gutna (80')
The players have a high confidence when they were facing Talamia. The confidence was also boost by the fact that they were play at home ground. The match was quite tight right from the start. Although Talamia is a better team on paper but Acastanha prove themselves that they can play on the same level. But in the end the team have to satisfied with a 3-4 lost.

"I'm happy with my boys overall result. They were playing confidently. No pressure whatsoever. Just enjoying the game. But I realize we still makes some mistakes which we can improve in the next match. All in all, I feel my confidence in them."
Jorge Garbano, Manager.

But the challenges are in their doorsteps. The next couple of matches, they will meet Melbergia and Krytenia. Even though Melbergia have a lower rank than Acastanha but their shocking win against Krytenia is something to be look for. There's a possibility that Melbergia will show a great play again just like how they beat Krytenia. And next is Krytenia, the first seed in their group. Acastanha might not be able to get a point against them. But surely, they don't want to lose a lot of goal from them.

by **The Karodin Tetrarchy** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 9:18 am

As one of the four leaders of the Karodin Tetrarchy, you might expect Steredenn Tangi, the Tetrarch of Nevezant, to be a particularly powerful person. Unfortunately (at least for her), that doesn’t take account of the huge disparities between the coastal and inland cities in the nation.

Nevezant and Havreg, the two major inland settlements of the Karodin Tetrarchy, had been welcome escapes at the nation’s founding. The group of Gouvanarchais people that founded the Tetrarchy were perhaps looking to move away from the coast of their new homeland, and these inland cities were the first major settlements of this loose confederation of city states. Over time though, power shifted. The coastal cities began to grow, largely based off the principle that they could ship Karodinian products back to their original home in Gouvanarch. After all, there’s only so much that an economy can grow within its own borders.

Whether it was based on believing naively that the Tetrarchs of Porzhbihan and Hirtraez had their best interests at heart, or on some political miscalculations, those who ran Nevezant and Havreg were happy to rely on the coastal cities for a long period of time. They were of the belief that there was no-one beyond the Argouez to trade with, so there seemed to be no other option. Practically, that meant that over time there was an economic drain towards the coasts, as money began to pool more and more in the ports of Porzhbihan and Hirtraez.

That meant that now, decades down the line from the original founding of these cities, Nevezant, and its Tetrarch, were relatively minor figures in the running of the confederation. Nominally, Steredenn Tangi had just as much power as Marc’haïd Moisan in Hirtraez, or Yannez Le Ho in Porzhbihan. In reality though, it was those two women who ran the country, with Tangi and Gwenael Quemere of Havreg as mere figureheads in political discussion.

Of course, this was something that Steredenn Tangi was not a fan of. She had never expected to reach a political office in her childhood as the daughter of a weaver, but now that she had, she expected that her voice would be far more respected than it was right now. As a result, she had long been looking for a way to grow her city’s importance, along with her own.

The day to day job of a Tetrarch, however, was relatively boring. While Le Ho and Moisan made the decisions that would decide the direction of the nation, she was left as little more than a feudal ruler, collecting tithes and passing judgement on criminals. That was what led Kon Nicolayic, one of her tithe collectors, to knock on the door of her small office in what passed for the centre of Nevezant on a crisp spring morning.

“Enter,” came the bored shout from the Tetrarch as she heard a knock on her door. “Ah, good morning Nicolayic. Should you not be out on your collection rounds?”

“Yes Madame Tetrarch, my apologies.” Nicolayic spoke as he took a short bow towards his superior.

“Well then, why aren’t you?” Tangi was yet to look up from the pile of papers on her desk.

“Well, it’s just that I had an interesting encounter while collecting tithes yesterday, and I thought it might be important that you know.” The Tetrarch offered no reply to this initial offering, so there was an awkward pause before Nicolayic continued. “You see, I was collecting from the Morvan farm yesterday, and it seems that they came into some money.” That was the sort of thing that would get the Tetrarch’s interest, and she looked up towards Nicolayic for the first time.

“How so?”

“Well, they had missed around half of their tithe last month, but this time around they managed to pay not only the full amount for this month, but to complete last month’s tithe too.”

“And this is unexpected?” The Tetrarch was beginning to get bored again, wondering if Nicolayic actually had a point here.

“Very. There’s been no deaths in the family, so no inheritances to speak of, and their neighbours are continuing to struggle to pay their tithes, so it’s difficult to see where this might have come from.”

There was another pause, but this time not as a result of the conversation being boring. Instead, the Tetrarch stood up from her desk, walking to the window and staring out of it, considering whether this was worth a further investigation.

“Do you think you can find out where this money is coming from Nicolayic?” She turned to Kon abruptly, staring at him coldly.

“Yes Madame Tetrarch.” The response was quick, with a hint of confidence.

“Then see to it. I give you permission to leave aside your other duties for now, I’ll have them covered. Go back out to the farm and see what you can find out. Be quiet about it if you can: if it is something illegal, we don’t want them stashing away their ill-gotten gains and hiding their transgressions.” She sat back down, and indicated towards the door.

“Yes, thank you Madame Tetrarch, it will be done.” Kon Nicolayic bowed once again, deeper this time, before making his way out of the building towards his horse.

As she sat back in her seat, Steredenn Tangi wondered what would come of this. Perhaps there had just been some misunderstanding that had led the Morvans to overpay. However, if this was money obtained through some illegal method, a crackdown would be necessary. She would enjoy that. At least catching some criminals would make her days a little more interesting.

by **Sendhang** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:23 am

DAY 14 - MONTH 3 - YEAR 8

3 things from Sendhang 4-2 away victory at Chartistan

1. Keylar Samoi's night

Keylar Samoi scored two goals in this match. He turned out to be Sendhang’s main threat, especially in the first half. His maturity in this match is remarkable. He showed his teammates the way to press, create chances, score, and most importantly wear the national team color with pride.

Fresh from winning the Liga Super Sendhang with KS Gunung Kayasu, Keylar Samoi scored the crucial equalizer for his side after Chartistan scored the opening goal. And then put his team in front before the break.

2. Sendhang dominated the midfield

Josua Beripeda became the king in the middle of the park on the night. He controls the midfield and made the opening match of the 90th World Cup qualifier like his training session. Deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Josua started every move from Sendhang impressing everyone with his passing range.

He also showed his defensive quality on the night as he made a lot of interceptions that actually didn't make sense. How can he break the opponent's attack so easily? He knew that this was his night to do something like this.

3. This is an exciting squad

If before this Sendhang often disappointed themselves. Always succumbed to fatigue in the second half after an all-out first half. This time they have a team that can maintain stamina longer. 3 seasons of competitive domestic football might have helped in that.

At the same time, the front three is also very exciting. It is made up of the top 3 goalscorers in Liga Super Sendhang. 2 goals from Keylar Samoi in the first half and a goal each from Teuku Salahudin and Ramon Kalbasi in the second half proved that they are truly threatening in front of goal.

Summary

Sendhang cannot feel comfortable even after winning over Chartistan who on paper is supposed to be stronger. The Chartistan that Sendhang defeated was not what we expected. Based on Chartistan's action in the match, Sendhang actually won over a Chartistan that is lacking in form.

by **The Licentian Isles** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:28 am

Cyan-and-Gold Observer

Isles lose by narrowest of margins in Saltstead

Saltstead 1-0 The Licentian Isles - Park der Fründens, Cersehorst
Saltsteadish Goalscorers – S. Withöüf, 13 mins
Licentian Goalscorers – N/A

Saltstead – R. van Daal/M. Aurelius, J. Åudenberg, S. van Middelkamp (J. van Tilborg, 83 mins), C. de Vriħt/N. Aħterop, C. van Bleck (B. Sħåul, 65 mins), Z. van den Slåp, T. Felicianus, N. Joxepħssen (A. Pascal, 71 mins)/S. Withöüf

The Licentian Isles – C. Fraser/S. Maartens (G. Turnbull, 61 mins), L. Allan, F. Watson, A. van As, S. Thomson/A. Mazereeuw, S. van Duuren (A. McGregor, 65 mins)/M. Louws, S. McKenzie (C. McMillan, 76 mins)/A. van Oers

Galeano’s first World Cup Qualifying match as manager of the Licentian Isles was somewhat of a damp squib, as two defensive teams played out a fairly dull fixture, with Saltstead coming out winners.

Both sides, close in KPB rank to each other, brought their full strength sides for this match at Park der Fründens, with Saltstead considered the favourites by most going in. It was the first real test of Galeano’s 5-2-2-1 tactic in a World Cup setting, after the quarter final run in the Campionato Esportiva. On the other side, the hosts seem to be focussed on “holding the line” this cycle, with manager Christiane van Åupħen focussing on delivering consistent results for the Stallions. There is a minor pressure for this iteration of the Cyan-and-Gold to somehow qualify in their third attempt, just as they did in World Cup 61, but it would take a lot for the Isles to surpass Saltstead, along with Poafmersia and Pasarga, and reach Vilita and Baker Park.

Things seemed somewhat positive in the early stages of the match in Cersehorst, with Anne-Linde van Oers going close early on for the Licentians. Mitch Louws swung a cross in for the 1896 Ebor centre forward to meet, but Robert-Jan van Daal comfortably collected it in the Saltsteadish goal. It was perhaps that early attempt that pushed the Stallions forward, with a set piece producing their goal after only 13 minutes had passed. Zacharias van den Slåp floated a ball in from about 40 yards out, with Stepħanie Withöüf climbing above Lucia Allan to head past Caitlin Fraser. That seemed to somewhat deflate the travelling Licentian support, but they were brought back into full voice as the Licentians challenged van Daal with two set pieces late in the second half. First, Mitch Louws forced van Daal into an acrobatic save with a curled free kick from 25 yards out, before the resulting corner, delivered by Louws, saw Arwen van As graze the crossbar with a header. Nonetheless, Saltstead would withstand the late pressure and maintain their lead at the break.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this performance from the Cyan-and-Gold is that it’s difficult to criticise much of what they did on the pitch. Saltstead were simply too strong defensively for the Isles to break down. Van Oers saw another opportunity go wide just after the break, but largely struggled to get away from the Saltsteadish centre halves. Galeano sent his side into a more attacking mood after 65 minutes, introducing Arlo McGregor alongside Arthur Mazereeuw, but even combining two attacking central midfielders couldn’t produce many opportunities for the Licentians. At the other end, Saltstead seemed fairly happy to just ride out their lead, with Withöüf and Aħterop both going close in the second half, with the latter just skimming the post with a shot that would have scored if it was a few inches to the left. There certainly won’t be many in the Saltstead camp complaining though, while the Licentians will be wondering if they could have done more to win this game.

Thankfully, the Licentians will be able to look for a victory in their next game, as Havynwilde visit the Oval in St Bart’s with the Cyan-and-Gold firm favourites. They will be looking to build their confidence before another difficult away fixture a week later as they travel to Poafmersia to take on the second seed Red Panjias.

Cyan-and-Gold 23 player squad to face Havynwilde at the St Bart’s Oval, St Bart’s, the Licentian Isles:
Goalkeepers – U. Dow, J. Gibson (VC), A. MacGowan
Defenders – T. Bijvank, O. Buchan, A. Evers, T. Ferguson, L. Koster, S. Maartens, J. Russell, A. van As, F. Watson (C)
Midfielders – F. Buchan, D. Godijn, T. Harper, P. Hellemons, T. Hughes, A. MacDonald, A. Mazereeuw, C. McMillan
Forwards – L. Russell, A. van Oers, W. Wood

Cyan-and-Gold 23 player squad to face Poafmersia at the Libira National Stadium, Fiskadaha City, Poafmersia:
Goalkeepers – U. Dow, C. Fraser (C), A. MacGowan
Defenders – L. Allan, A. Evers, T. Ferguson, S. Maartens, J. Russell, S. Thomson, G. Turnbull, A. van As, F. Watson (VC)
Midfielders – F. Buchan, P. Hellemons, M. Louws, A. Mazereeuw, A. McGregor, S. McKenzie, C. McMillan, S. van Duuren
Forwards – S. van der Linden, A. van Oers, W. Wood

by **Nyowani Kitara** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:50 am

Note: This government owned media source is one of the most biased media sources in the entire country, so read this media source, especially the other news section, with a critical eye. Obviously, everything is strictly IC

The Kitara People's Free Press
The voice for the working people of Nyowani Kitara

President Akongo arrives in Tikariot for peace talks, says she "greatly looks forward" to rebel Surrender and the re-building of Nyowani Kitara

VARAKOULA, TIKARIOT- The world has finally admitted what the Kitaran people have known for four years- that there is no more need for civil war on our home soil. After the agreement of a ceasefire, peace talks are finally set to commence among major actors in Varakoula, the resort town in southern Tikariot. Both illegitimate, foreign-funded, and foreign-built, rebel groups, are being brought to the table, alongside their parent supporting groups in Tikariot. The Kitara Freedom Front and the DFLK would be represented by their leadership, as Banija, Nephara, Eura, and Græntfjall would also be represented at the talks. President Akongo, naturally, would be present at the talks herself, as her leadership puts the finishing touches on bringing this war to a close.

"This unnecessary civil war, brought upon by foreign actors coercing domestic forces into action, never needed to happen." President Akongo said to a throng of Kitaran media reporters at the airport in Varakoula. "Nations like Banija, Græntfjall, and their myriad of supporters elsewhere for my brother and Max Ulf, have brought devastation and destruction upon the Kitaran people. We have all seen the statistics- over 300,000 dead, over 2.5 million displaced out of the country entirely, and millions more displaced internally. The pain has been brought upon the people of Nyowani Kitara by the likes of Max Ulf and Malik Akongo, and they, alongside their benefactors in places like Busukuma and Háttmark sit with blood on their hands."

The President has been accused of using aggressive language, but her language, indeed, is true. The numbers have been fact checked internationally on both deaths and the number of foreign refugees. There is no way around it- the war has been punishing for the Kitaran people. But what the President said next, of course, also rings true.

"While they thought they could bring enough devastation to the Kitaran people to make us suffer under foreign subjugation once more, what they failed to understand was the resolve of the Kitaran people, and their desire to protect the revolution." She told the reporters. "I come from a long line of revolutionaries who have dedicated their live to the people, to tremendous results. My great uncle, Zelotes Akongo, took the country back when we were about to fall to the rising tide of corporate oligarchy that you see in places across Pavlova, like Yuezhou. My father, Boaz Akongo, protected that, and now it has fallen to me to protect it. But ultimately, it is not even about me- it is about the people. The people spoke, saying that they did not want the likes of my irresponsible brother, Malik, or Max Ulf, running the country. They would strip our beautiful nation bare of resources."

"Because of their resolve, our army, the Kitaran Revolutionary Forces, was able to withstand the onslaught. Our allies stood with us too in this hour of darkness- Eura, and especially Nephara, and now have helped us get to this moment where we are about to see the light. Fret not, Kitara. The night is darkest before the dawn- and the dawn is coming. Both the Prime Minister and the Margravine ought to be commended for the way they stood with us under pressure. They took heat from corporate conspirators, both inside their nations and abroad, for standing with the Kitaran people. But they both, especially the Margravine, chose to follow their moral compass. They have taken the risk, and it has been proven correct, as we have won this war."

Other News
- NYK national team stuns the reigning Rushmori champions in World Cup Qualifying, with 2-7 road win(see SPORTS; page 2)
-

SPORTS- Nyowani Kitara open World Cup Qualifying with stunning 7-2 road win over the two-time defending champions of Rushmore, Sargossa

Kitarans celebrate the team's opening goal on the road against Sargossa. Unknown to them, it would be the first of many

MATURÍN, SARGOSSA- Going on the road to face your region's champions in the opening match of World Cup Qualifying? This was certain to be a tough one for the Kitarans entering the match. "I knew that we were going to a place where the Sargossans would simply be loaded with confidence." Said Liang Wei, the team's Yue manager. "They just won the Copa Rushmori- so they stand here as regional champions. They've got talented players playing across their league, who always seem to unite to a level above when they are playing for their country. They've got a brilliant coach. And they are playing in a stadium where, I've been told, that they've only dropped points from 3 different times in their history. Otherwise- whenever else they have played World Cup Qualifiers here at Ciudad Deportiva in their long history, they have always come out as winners. They have it all worked out in their favor to start World Cup Qualifying with a win. But, of course, we fear nobody."

Despite taking their regional success to a dominant level, they have found that their ability to get to the World Cup Finals remains elusive. Alas, in World Cup 89, three major regional champions failed to reach the Finals- Sargossa, Banija(HA!), and Nova Anglicana's Esportivan territories(who, in fairness, do not enter World Cup Qualifying). But they were confident in their ability to get this home win. We actually have a decent amount of history against Sargossa, for only having been around for four cycles now. Copa Rushmori 37, Sargossa essentially blasted us into the Sun, as they beat us 6-1 in the opening match of that tournament. Copa Rushmori 38, which they won, saw us come back and get a draw against Sargossa, a 4-4 draw. A great result. Of course, since then, Sargossa's won two Copa Rushmoris.

But when the match started, Nyowani Kitara was our usual attacking selves. That's how we play- and it's a risky style, but we've done it to relative success. Copa Rushmori 39, our fourth Copa Rushmori, was the first time we were ever able to make the knockout stages at Rushmore's premier competition, as we saw ourselves eliminated in the Round of 16 by the host nation, Hispinas, in a brilliant close 4-3 game. We launched a big-time upset win over Pasarga, too at the tournament- who are, of course, former world champions. We had success at the Cup of Harmony as well, where we won our group before we fell in the Round of 16, on penalties, to Eraman. Liang Wei knows how to coach a team, an aggressive team, and even on the road, we play our aggression- which can lead sometimes to chaotic results.

A high press. Force the other team to play under pressure. Staying fit and forcing them to make mistakes, right? In the 11th minute, we had already had two attacks on goal, including a header off of a corner kick that the Sargossan goalkeeper had to make a diving save on. The early runs of the game, us taking the game to the opponent- not necessarily a surprise, right? Lower ranked teams on the road often try to get a quick goal or two in the early going before just retreating back into their shell. An errant pass from Sebastián Cáceres found, not his teammate, but Kitaran winger Johannes von Weber, about 35 yards from goal. When von Weber took the ball, he was ready for the counter-attack. He beat Cáceres on the dribble, and hit a perfect through ball to Odede Angonga. Angonga, who had beaten his defender, was in on the goalkeeper. As the Sargossan goalkeeper beared down on him, Angonga passed it across the face of goal, to his strike partner, Ownio Odede. Owino Odede tapped the ball into an empty net, and suddenly, it was 1-0 to the Kitarans.

We celebrated that goal heavily, of course. 1-0 road lead against the Rushmori champions? Long game ahead of us, of course- but the goal itself is significant. What happened after that, is the question? And that is the one that had the interesting answer. After that, Sargossa was able to control the match, and put Nyowani Kitara on our back heels. Of course, we have never been known for our defense. We've always tried to score a lot of goals and press high- we don't exactly do very well if we're sitting back, trying to defend. But we held for 10 minutes, as the Sargossans could not put the ball past us, although they had a couple of decent opportunities. Alonzo Bienvenida was able to get free on the back end of a cross and hit a brilliantly struck half volley towards goal, but hit the ball just over the cross bar. Maybe half a foot over? Our goalkeeper, Oduor Bigombe, did not have a chance, as he simply watched the ball sail.

But in the 22nd minute, we had a counter-attack of our own. This time, Vilgot Westermark at the center of it. Blitzing down the pitch on the right side, he had caught Tobías Figueroa out of position, as the wingback had come forward on an attack and then lost the ball. Unable to catch up, Westermark beat another Sargossan on the dribble, and was dribbling into the box. As he spun past the Sargossan captain and center back, Juan Esnáider, in the box, the opposing captain simply reached out his arm and pulled down Westermark. The Kitarans were about to protest wildly, but the call was an easy one for the Busogan referee- penalty. But the next resulting action, maybe, was the harsh one. Juan Esnáider was shown a straight red for his action- a yellow was what everybody thought would happen, and the Sargossan fans booed the referee heavily. But the captain was off, and suddenly, we were up a goal and a man, and we had Angonga at the penalty spot. He slotted the ball home, and it was 2-0.

From that point forward, with their leader and captain, Juan Esnáider, out for the game, and the team being reduced to 10 men, this Nyowani Kitara team was smelling blood- and Liang Wei was telling them to go for it. We put the hosts on their back heel for the remainder of the half, as a demoralized and handicapped Sargossa team simply could not keep up with Nyowani Kitara. Our players were going towards the goal, and it was only because of some excellent saves by Sargossa #1 Alejandro Martínez that the halftime score wasn't even worse. A 33rd minute strike by Arendt Sundin made the score 3-0, and in the 1st minute of stoppage time, just before the break, Tendenka Mutsekwa scored a debut goal for Nyowani Kitara by heading in a corner kick. This was possibly the most shocking score all around the multiverse on Matchday 1 of World Cup Qualifying. War-torn Nyowani Kitara, 4. Back-to-Back Rushmori champions, Sargossa, nil.

To say it was shocking was an understatement. What the hell was going on? Upsets do happen in World Cup Qualifying- but upsets with this scoreline almost never happen. And yet- Nyowani Kitara was running through a 10 man Sargossa like it was absolutely nothing. But Sargossa, despite being shell-shocked, down to 10 men, and being booed off the pitch by their own supporters at halftime, were still, arguably, the more talented team, man for man, on the pitch. And in the beginning of the second half, the first 15 or so minutes, they played like it. Despite being so far down at halftime, Brian McAllister's men were playing for pride, and it was the Kitarans, despite being one man up, who looked sluggish and disorganized. Sargossa was able to score a quick goal in the 52nd minute, and then again in the 56th- and suddenly, Sargossa was back in the game. The Nyowani Kitara was porous- but surely they were not porous enough to blow a game where we spotted ourselves with a 4-0 lead at the break?

That 52nd minute goal from Juan Pablo Montenegro was probably for pride's sake. But the 56th minute headed goal from Mateo Manzanares? When he raced into the goal to grab it and run it back to the center circle, you could see the belief in his eyes. The comeback, in theory, was well and truly on. And then things seemed to go from bad to worse for us, in the 63rd minute, when an inadvertent handball from Catarina Malmquist led directly to a penalty kick for Sargossa. They could climb 3 back in just 17 minutes? The crowd was into it- everything seemed to be falling apart for Liang Wei's men in red. But there's a reason that Odour Bigombe is one of just three Kitarans to play abroad, as he is playing in Mytanija. He's got a knack for making excellent saves at the right time. Bigombe made a big-time save, diving to his right to get a big hand to the ball and keep Mateo Manzanares out of the back of the net. All the energy from the stadium was simply sucked up from that point.

And just a few minutes later, the Sargossans comeback attempt would be dead. They an aggressive team, and Alejandro Gaich, who had been subbed onto the pitch at halftime, launched a seriously rough challenge on Arendt Sundin. As Sundin rolled on the ground in pain, Gaich did not have great form- with his right leg in the air. He hit Sundin around the knee, and unfortunately for him, VAR exists. The foul was easily given, but a check with VAR showed exactly how rough the challenge was- and Gaich was given a red card. Sargossa, of course, is the more skilled side, man for man. But down to nine men against 11? Even at home, when you're down two goals at this point, you are just holding on for life support. Nyowani Kitara, coincidentally, chose to use all three of our subs at that moment- as Liang Wei wanted to bring on fresh legs to go for the kill against the weary Sargossan legs.

The hosts had to cover more and more ground being down to 9 men, and simply could not do it. 18 year old Josef Sparv had a debut goal off the bench in the 72nd minute for Nyowani Kitara, to make the game 5-2. Salem Lagum scored in the 77th minute to make it 6-2, and in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Lars Anders scored the final goal of the contest to make the final score a stunning 7-2, in favor of Nyowani Kitara. The team's newly minted captain, Armoni Okombo, spoke about the result. "This result... I can scarcely believe that it happened." Okombo said. "What a game. We have always believed in each other, but I never thought a win like this was possible, on the road, against an opponent of Sargossa's caliber. This will, surely, go down as one of the greatest standalone moments in Nyowani Kitara."

"But of course, this is just Matchday 1." Okombo said. "This scale of upset will always have its place in Kitaran history. But if we want to make it mean even more? We need to build upon it. We will compete against Al Qurija for 3 points on Matchday 2, and that is what our main focus must be." Of course, due to the ongoing conflict in NYK, even though there is a ceasefire, the KWFA has declared it 'unsafe' to play games on home soil, and will play their first three home World Cup Qualifiers at the Thunderome(cap. 66,000) in Tavoca, Tikariot. They hope, of course, to play on home soil in the second half of Qualifying- but that can only be done, according to the KWFA, "if a long-term peace agreement can be reached at Varakoula."

by **Adab** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:54 am

Sunday, October 5, 2036 / 14 Sha’ban 1458 / 14 Tishrei 5797
Tumbra 3-2 Adab
Riordan (13’, 49’), Harrison (84’) | Akaptaha (67’, 88’)

A Dance with Football
Snapshots of the lives of the people involved in Adabian football and those associated with them
For a full list of chapters click here. To read all the chapters in one go click here
For an (incomplete) list of major/prominent characters in this story click here and scroll down to the ‘Football’ section

Chapter 50: The Plan

October 11, 2036
Adab City
The night before the World Cup 90 qualifiers match against the 14 Stars

Shania Enmerkar and Tansu Altun shifted uneasily on the edge of the bed as Taymour Frangieh strolled back and forth across the room. At the far corner of the room, next to the window, stood Rebekah Yissakar, handling an unlit cigarette as she watched Taymour crisscross the room unendingly, appearing solemn and worried simultaneously. And leaning on the wall near the door was the center of the plot: Inimabakesh Thulus, co-assistant manager of the national team, carefully avoiding eye contact with everyone else, keeping to himself and contemplating what was about to happen.

“One, the AFA will fund and support the development of youth talent,” Taymour once again began to recite the plotters’ demands, breathing in and out at a quick, nervous pace. “Two, there will be no room for intervention by political institutions in the AFA’s operations. There will be no mixing of politics and sports. Three, the AFA will pay for renovations of Adab City Stadium, our national stadium, as well as other Premier League stadiums in need of upgrades. Four, Araqasdah will resign and the Board will choose a new chairman. Five, the AFA will fully back our national team and all Adabian football players and there will no discrimination in any form whatsoever-“

“Alright, alright, Taymour, we’ve heard enough,” Ini cut him off, raising his head off the wall and turning towards the frenzied defender. “Look, before we do this, are you sure you all are gonna go ahead with this now? You will lose your place in the team overnight. Araqasdah will just replace you with the young players-“

“Oh, he won’t dare,” Rebekah butted in in a low, almost darkly sensual tone, lifting the still-unlit cigarette off her mouth. “We are almost half the starting lineup.” She pointed at Shania over on the bed. “We have Shania, Tansu here with us, some of the most respected players in this team. I mean, look, we lost to Tumbra last week and that’s with our strongest squad. We still have these 14 Stars ahead of us, and then Starblaydia-“

“And if he sent in the younger guys,” Shania continued, looking straight at the wall ahead of her, “Starblaydia will destroy us.”

“He’s got no choice,” said Taymour, who had finally stopped near the corner of the room right across from Rebekah. “He fights us, we’d be the victims. Well, I mean we are the victims. People will go down to the streets for us. Years of absence from international competitions, broken-down stadiums, and now trying to intervene with Emma and Alu. Politics, politics, how about you fix our football first?”

Ini nodded silently, gritting his teeth. “Has it come to this?” he muttered, his face contorting into a dark frown as he ran one hand over his white hair. “Well, I know the risks, and I think you all know the risks. It’s just… nobody has done something like this before.”

“Then we’ll be the first ones, Mr. Thulus. For Emma and Alu,” Taymour declared, turning towards his assistant manager and laying a hand on his shoulder. “For our football. Every Adabian footballer must be assured that there is a place for them in this country, in Adabian football. Your family life, your private life doesn’t matter. In fact it already doesn’t matter to the people.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Tansu chuckled, putting her arm around Shania and pulling her close, tapping her. “Why are we even doing this?”

“Because we have to,” Taymour answered simply. “You want football to move forward? We must do away with this bureaucracy. Destroy this goddamn structure.”

Then there was a knock on the door. Or so they thought. There was a soft tok-tok sound that seemed to come from the door. Being the one nearest to the door, Ini sauntered over to make sure, but he didn’t have to. Just as he took his first step forward, the door creaked open, sending him stumbling backwards as the man behind the door began to reveal himself. Rebekah moved off the wall; Shania and Tansu instinctively leapt to their feet.

The door finally fully opened. The man stepped inside, wordlessly closing the door behind him as all eyes fell on him. For a few seconds that seemed to extend a lifetime he took in the sight of the people congregated in this bedroom, shaking his head. No one dared to speak before him. “Well,” the man began, turning to Taymour, “I came. I’m here.”

Taymour nodded, a slight smile forming on his lips. “I know you’d come, boss.”

“You’ve all lost your fucking minds,” Saad Kaykali said almost flatly, shaking his head again, scanning the room from left to right. “This is bigger than I thought.”

“Now you know,” Taymour said.

“If this plan actually works, you might have chaos your our hands,” Saad stretched his arm, touching the wall. “Protests. Riots. And you’d all be responsible for this. So much for not mixing politics and football.”

“Will you stop us?”

“Do you know what you’re getting into?”

“We do,” Shania declared.

“You’d be doing this anyway even without my support,” Saad said, approaching Ini and tapping him on the back. “I am, well… powerless in this. You’ve overtaken me. The events have overtaken me. I don’t take any offense. You’re not rebelling against me, but the AFA. I understand.”

“But you won’t stop us,” Taymour continued.

“How can I stop you? I am only one man,” Saad replied. He released his hand from Ini, then walked over to Shania and Tansu by the bed, “and you’re a mass movement.” He nodded at the two women, turned his head for a moment to acknowledge Rebekah, then sat on the bed. “Half my team are rebelling,” he smiled, casting a reflective look at the furniture and the ceiling in front of him, “and I was kept in the dark. But I wouldn’t have made any difference anyway.”

“Boss, join us. We need you,” urged Tansu, looking down beside her at the manager.

“No you don’t,” Saad answered, glancing up at her. “You’d be better off without me. Everything seems to be going according to your plan. I don’t really have any contributions to make. And you have Taymour and Ini leading you. So go do what you want to do.”

“We’re removing Araqasdah,” Ini finally spoke. “I have my own fears, but this is our best chance.”

“Even if it results in riots?” Saad countered. “You’re utilizing the public anger over Emma and Alu’s situation to further your cause. Our nation is already badly divided. I don’t know what will come next. Riots, clashes, that sort of stuff. But you’ve made your plan and you know the risk, and there’s nothing I can do to stop you. Do Emma and Alu even know about this?”

“Yeah, I’ve been talking to them,” Taymour said.

“Me too,” Rebekah added. “They’re not opposed to this. They have their worries-“

“But they don’t approve?”

“They need time to think, boss. They’ve been through a lot.”

“But this isn’t just about Emma and Alu,” Taymour insisted. “This is about all of us, and even if Emma and Alu don’t want any part of this we must move forward. The wheels of history are turning. Future generations will thank us for what we did for this godforsaken country.”

“Well you better hope they agree to this. You know if this happens the media will be coming after them,” Saad said. “You put them in this situation, you better protect them, ‘cause God knows I can’t do that. Look, all I can do is just… do what I’ve been doing, manage the team. I can’t stop you, but I probably won’t be on the streets supporting you, I don’t know. Besides I’d probably get fired with the rest of you when the time comes. But for now I can only carry on. You’ve spoken to Rashid?”

“Yeah,” Ini answered. “He won’t intervene. That’s all he said.”

“He’s got to take care of his father,” Saad nodded. “Or maybe he’s setting himself up for manager once we’re all fired. I don’t know, I won’t hold it against him, though.”

He raised himself off the bed, staring rather emptily at the wall. “Well, when the time comes, I’d either be fired or I’d just tender my resignation. We’ll see what comes next. For now, though, we still have a fixture to fulfill. The 14 Stars tomorrow, Starblaydia next, but I don’t know if we’d even still be here by that point. But you do what you must do.”

“Boss,” Taymour urged, “I know in your heart that you understand us. Come with us. You don’t have to let yourself get carried away by the waves. You can, well, sail with us, lead this-“

“Taymour? Are you there?” came a call from the other side of the door, accompanied by a series of rapid knocks. Saad jerked his head towards the door, his mind scrambling to recall whose voice it was. It didn’t take long for him to remember. “Oh look,” he commented, “you've got another guest, I believe.”

Taymour rushed to open the door. The man came in pinching his nose and frowning.

“Oh, you came, finally,” Taymour greeted his less-than-enthusiastic guest, as if not expecting him to come at all. “I thought you’re stuck in a traffic jam or-“

“By God, Taymour, when was the last time anyone used the guest toilet? It’s fucking clogged and smelly and I had to flush it like seven times.”

“What do you mean it’s clogged?” Taymour said, clearly taken aback as he closed the door. “It’s still working when the neighbor used it this morning.”

“Well it’s clogged, or, well, it was before I flushed it with great difficulty, so you better look into it. I don’t know, call the plumber.” The man moved forward, but then stopped in his tracks as he noticed all the people in the room. “Shania? Bek?” As he scanned the room, he quickly noticed one particular person. He squinted his eyes, mouth falling open. “Boss? Is that you?”

“Eni,” Saad acknowledged the figure of Enlilbani Yargab, who obviously had not expected anyone else to be in the room.

The latter glanced back over his shoulder at Taymour. “Why didn’t you tell me there’s the boss and Mr. Thulus and-“

“Well you just suddenly called me and told me you wanted to come. I forgot to tell you,” Taymour shrugged, shaking his head rapidly. “What brings you here anyway?”

“I feel like you know the answer,” Enlilbani Yargab said. “I’m in.”

Adab lineup for MD2 and MD3
Starting lineup: Chandrasekar, Altun, Enmerkar, Issou, Frangieh, Arthur (VC), Sinmuballit, Orlev, al-Kufa, Yissakar, Yargab (C)
Substitutes: Shulgi, al-Tikriti, Sharkalisharri, Akshak, Thomas, al-Muntar, Samanu, Emmita, Uhwan, Zambiya, Akaptaha, Barzani

by **Savojarna** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:07 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
Gylfi starting out with a win, ready to come home

By Jaukka Halanen

Gylfi Haukason, the new Northlights coach, looked relaxed as he took the stage in Osarius, lending a smart look to the new Savojar national team with a white shirt and a dark blue jacket evocating the colours of his players. The relaxation also appears to have extended to the team, with an optimistic and playful air around the team in its press events and its trainings in Osarius, as well as in the stadium itself during the warmup. Laughter after a missed trick by Rika Lundell, and a healthy dose of competitive ribbing as Lars Alvesen was the only one to have his penalty saved by Iiro Pakanen, did their part to establish the relaxed atmosphere in the team and a relief among fans. The relaxed, playful attitude does not extend to the tactics, apparently: Relying on a double pivot of Klaebo and Ilkkanen, and Morten Poulsen as a more physical and pedestrian counterpart to the creative, flashier Lundell, the system spelled pragmatism from the start.

It also played out that way at first, with solid defence and not too much drive forward, Savojarna were letting Osarius do the work in front of their home crowd while still solidly controlling the game and not letting them getting too close to their own goal. Hyde still managed to get a dangerous cross in as Nymark knocked the ball on past his own goalkeeper towards Vergara, but before the Osarian could convert, Pedersen knocked it away into a throw-in for the Firebirds. The first real chance belonged to the Northlights, as a long ball from Klaebo was knocked forward well by Morten Poulsen, landing on the foot of Voynov and from there on towards the goal. The ball ended up flying high over the crossbar without any contact from the keeper, however; it still seemed to be a call for the Savojar offence. Jashkin in particular managed to get his mark onto the game, scoring two great chances, but neither Ehlers nor Poulsen managed to convert his passes into a goal. Still, Savojarna dominated the game in most metrics by half time despite Osarius holding on well.

Hence, it seemed like a question of time only as Ilkkanen won a ball in midfield and let Klaebo play a ball to the right, which was headed back to the overlapping Flemming Skov. The right back found a cross to the centre, where Sven Ehlers’ shot was cleared to a corner, but the following cross landed right on the head of Morten Poulsen, who scored the first goal of the game for Savojarna. It would remain the only goal of the game, leading to a 1-0 victory for Gylfi’s debut and even more relaxation on his face. The win made him the fourth coach to win his debut for the Northlights, after Viljansson, Jurtanen, and Rangren. All three figure among the top four in points per game (together with Lise Asbeck, who drew her first game), a good omen for those inclined to superstition. Gylfi himself clearly is not one of them, as he reacted with surprise to the revelation of the fact at the post-game press conference: “I wasn’t aware of the statistics, but of course, I think it’s a great way to start a new job. It can lead to a great dynamic in the team, we’ll try to take that dynamic further into the next two games”.

The two next matches will be played in November, when the Northlights will travel to the Finntopian Empire, a must-win against one of the lower ranked sides in the group. This will, however, be a blip on the radar before the biggest one for the first half of the campaign: Gylfi Haukason’s first home game in the Nationalstadion Carl Gustaf Bjurman, facing off top seed Squidroidia in what will likely be a difficult game for both sides, with the weather likely being an additional factor: it is frequently rainy, windy and cold in late year games in Savojarna, something that SFS players can attest to. Likely, it will be a duel for the lead in the group, and potentially a game that sets the tone for the whole rest of the campaign.

Savojar selection for Weekend 2:
vs. Finntopian Empire: Pakanen - Viipuri, Zirkova, Forsberg, Skov - Klaebo, Niskanen - Hartikainen, Poulsen, Gyldenström - Alvesen; Bench: Virulainen, Sharin, Pedersen, Nymark, Dmitriev, Strid, Tedenby, Ilkkanen, Voynov, Lundell, Jashkin, Ehlers
Starting XI vs. Squidroidia: Pakanen - Pedersen, Zirkova, Nymark, Skov - Klaebo, Ilkkanen - Voynov, Poulsen, Jashkin - Ehlers

by **Flavovespia** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:11 pm

OOC: With apologies to the 14 Stars and anyone else reading my roster, the team nickname, “The Hornets” was supposed to be metaphorical, and the introduction in references to the hornet population wasn’t intended to imply my players are some form of hornets. They’re supposed to be normal humans.

Seafront Stadium, Langmere Green
4:44pm

The minutes were ticking ever closer to the 90 minutes, and the game was tied 2-2. In a sense of irony, the 2 Flavovespian goals were scored by players from Loxthorpe Rovers, Steven Hall and Robert Totten. But twice now, The 14 Stars had equalised, and this game was on a knife edge. Mistakes at the back had already allowed goals at both ends of the pitch, and there were nerves in the air and on the pitch.

One minute before stoppage time, and The 14 Stars had a quick break downfield. Dashing forward with the ball, Holly Moonlight had Tony Gardner guarding her closely, but Moonlight had eyes on scoring a second goal, and a sensational winner. Poised, she took the shot on, getting it just past the outstretched Tony Gardner. The pace of the shot was decent, but it was well within reach of Aarif Muhammad, who got his arms out to block the shot and gather it. Or so was the plan.

Almost in slow motion, the ball seemed to bobble off of the hands of Aarif Muhammad. Quickly realising what had happened, he dashed forward in an attempt to regather control of the ball. But he wasn’t quick enough, as he saw Maximillian Flare rushing into the box. A deft chip of the ball saw Aarif Muhammad able to do nothing but watch the ball sail over his head, past his flailing arms attempting to block the shot, and the ball rolled into the net.

The mood amongst the defenders was one of frustration and fury. “Why did you let her get a shot away!” yelled Aarif Muhammad at Tony Gardner, “and where were you when he came charging in”, he continued his rant, this time Daniel Lansdell the recipient of the goalkeeper’s frustrations. “That goal was your fault, not ours!” shouted an exasperated Tony Gardner. “Well the second was definitely your fault, so you can’t complain” was the retort from Aarif Muhammad. On the touchline, Rinaldi was urging his players to launch one final attack to salvage a point, but even he could sense that was wildly optimistic.

The final whistle went, with The 14 Stars and their contingent of travelling spectators ecstatic, but for Flavovespia it was an all too familiar feeling of a poor start to a qualifying campaign. The players trudged off the pitch, a sense of malcontent sinking in. In particular, the row between Aarif Muhammad, Tony Gardner, and Daniel Lansdell still seemed to be continuing, with some animated hand gestures to try and direct the blame.

Back in the dressing room, and it was time for the post match debrief. A exasperated Rinaldi stood in the centre to take the talk. “Well I have to say it was not the result we wanted. And again, I have to say this everytime, keep your focus at the back. You cannot switch off no matter the level of the opponent! They cannot win if we have a clean sheet. We created plenty of good opportunities, but it goes to waste if we keep conceding. And do not argue with each other on the pitch like that again, come on your all adults here.”

Rinaldi then continued on “We do have some positives though, it was one game of the fourteen, and there is a lot of time to recover. Steven, that was a real solid performance by you again. Robert, great work in the midfield, and a good goal too. I think this team can win the next two games definitely, but you need to put in more effort, more focus and less mistakes.” Rinaldi turned and left, to talk to the media and then debrief with his coaching staff. His defensive setup hadn’t worked this game, and he had some choices to make for his next lineup.

by **Krytenia** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:14 pm

To help the SFA commemorate their tercentennial, JMC offer this special kit and badge:

by **Audioslavia** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:45 pm

J'heth Flaaque had found a way to itch his left tentacle by vibrating gently against the lining of his lifesuit, but it would only serve to stave off the annoyance of it until he and the rest of the ground crew could get back into the spaceship and remove this helmet so he could give the area a proper scratch. He tried to put thoughts of finally getting back to breathing fresh methane and scritching that itch at the back of his mind. Until this scavenging mission was over, he'd be stuck down here. There was more to explore of the underground of this weird-smelling oxygen-filled tomb.

After another burst of his grinding laser, he finally managed to create a hole big enough for him to squeeze through. Doing so, he marveled at the room he'd uncovered. Good lo-oarth, this race liked white walls didn't they? Every single room on this floor was enormous. White walls and white stone everywhere.

The room was not dissimilar to the previous one he'd broken into. Eighteen clithks wide and about twenty-four long, with more of those strange symbols on the floor - a long line with a triangle on the end - and more plinths with *bizarre* things on them. In the previous room he'd nabbed two gold plated spheres and a few bits of silver here and there, leaving those weird cow-hide spheres and shiny brightly coloured clothes where they were.

In this new room there were more inflated cow-hide spheres. More gold and silver plated trinkets. More writing on the walls, more disgustingly sibilant audio files playing when he tripped a sensor. He listened for a second. 'Thmiusimvodyoslavianfutbolinheritdthispisfrum…'. Nonsense. J'heth turned to his left and narrowed his eyes. What on *fl'erth* was that?

The Cow must have been some sort of religious symbol for this race. Not only did crude monochrome pictures of it adorn the walls, not only were those spheres made from its skin, not only were their *chairs* covered in its skin, there was also, here, a large and apparently *mechanical* statue of one, with a saddle on top and some brown goo leaking out the back.

J'heth stared, and wiggled his tentacle against his suit some more. Behind the statue was an image. A member of this race was sat atop the statue, dressed in blue and green and black and apparently riding it into an arena. Beneath him, a bald little humanoid with a whistle was pointing at him. In the background were more of these little pink men, wearing the same red/green clothes as in the pictures in the other room.

The more he scavenged from this place, the less sure he was what this place was *for*. The science bods had been trying, and failing, to translate the word 'museum' for years without really getting a grip on it. 'sport' for even longer. J'heth was no closer to being able to help them out, unless it turned out 'sport' meant 'cow slaughter'.

In the centre of the room, J'heth noted another item of clothing, this one bigger and in a more advanced state of decay. It smelled like someone had hidden some space cheese in a South Islander's wasteflap for half a sidereal tumble. For a minute, as he marveled at its frayed limb-tubes and stained thorax cover, he wondered as to why it seemed to have decayed more than the things around it, until seeing the photograph behind it showing the clothing item in the same state of disrepair millennia earlier. What kind of a humanoid could have worn this?

The smell was beginning to seep in, even through the suit. J'heth took a step back and clumsily knocked a cow-sphere from a plinth. It bounced once, then again, before coming to a rest in front of him. Gingerly, he extended a limb and propelled the sphere forward, watching it bounced off a wall with a dull *thud*.

Huh. Why was that satisfying?

by **Tikariot** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:39 pm

Good evening and welcome to "Tikariot Tonight". I'm Winston Curtis.

The world is looking at Tikariot as the commencement of the Nyowani Kitara peace talks is drawing nearer. After four years of bloody fighting, vicious political whip-swinging and diplomatic uproars throughout the multiverse, the hopes of finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the reeling nation will be centred on the city of Varakoula in the Cardannon Archipelago, which has been chosen as the site for the negotiations between the warring factions and their respective allies. Kyria Stevenson in Varakoula, how is the situation right now?

The picture cuts to a woman in a business dress standing at the edge of a long, sandy beach stretching towards a group of buildings and palm trees and other vegetation in the distance, dark clouds behind her over the ocean with some occasional lightning flickering along the horizon.

Kyria Stevenson: So far quiet, but busy. I am here at the outskirts of Varakoula, not far from the Vaiomala Beach Resort, which is kind of visible at the far end of this stretch of beach behind me.

Winston Curtis: I understand that Vaiomala has been chosen as the facility, where everything is going to happen?

Kyria Stevenson: Correct. The resort has been put under the highest security alert as final preparations are under way and it is its unique setup that makes it an almost perfect location to hold the talks.

Winston Curtis: How did Varakoula as a whole get chosen as the Archipelago has not really seen a lot of political attention in the past?

Kyria Stevenson: Well, that fact in itself played a major role in the selection process as there were several criteria on the list. The absence of political radicalism together with the Archipelago's remoteness and insular state were very high on the list to ensure efficient security protocols could be put in place for the summit as a whole to minimize the potential of potential outside factors interfering with the negotiations or safety of all participants. Also from a strictly logistical standpoint the island is proving to be an ideal location with Varakoula International Airport big enough to accommodate all incoming international dignitaries and diplomats regardless of the plane size, including facilities independent from the main terminal building for added security.

Winston Curtis: Now the Vaiomala Beach Resort also was specifically chosen for the talks due to its structure, I understand?

Kyria Stevenson: Yes, Winston. For starters it is close to Varakoula in case of any emergencies, but at the same time still with enough distance to the city to have a distinct no man's land that makes it easy to monitor against any potential attempts to break through the security perimeters around the resort. But it is the resort's rather unique structure that lends itself as an almost perfect location. The way it is set up, it has a central cluster of buildings that has a grand ballroom that has been converted into the main conference room as well as several other rooms set aside for breakout sessions. It also has a hotel area that will be accommodating the majority of attending diplomats and other staff, but what makes it so interesting is that it also has a very distinct cellular structure that can, and will, be used as separate compounds for the warring factions to have their own security details as far away from each other to avoid any potential frictions boiling over just due to the main protagonists of the crisis getting too close to each other.

Winston Curtis: This actually raises a related question in terms of security. How does one set up a security cordon around a whole, somewhat decently sized island?

Kyria Stevenson: For starters a strict no-fly zone. Any flights going in and out of Varakoula International are subject to strict and stringent security and authorization protocols, beginning with flight plans having to be authorized before the respective planes leave their origin airports and up to airspace patrols via two aircraft carriers by the Tikariotian Navy stationed around Varakoula Island. There are also several supporting navy vessels patrolling the waters around the island and the relatively shallow waters aid the surveillance from a marine standpoint.

Winston Curtis: Thank you Kyria. Meanwhile the chief negotiator has also been announced by the Tikariotian government in Anson Coltrane, a long-standing member of the Tikariotian diplomatic community who has been part of the Ministry for Rushmori Affairs for many years. Here is a brief portrait.

Anson Coltrane has been a veteran member of the Tikariotian diplomatic community for over 45 years now and is one of the most respected figures in the nation and beyond. His diplomatic ambitions started at an early age when he decided to read about peace missions and negotiations when other children were reading comic books and graphic novels, a predilection that continued on when he chose to study Political Sciences at the University of Morannon. His decision to enter the diplomatic service was just a logical next step and during his long career he spent time at several consulates and embassies across Rushmore before joining the Ministry for Rushmori Affairs.

After it was announced that Tikariot would be hosting the NYK peace talks, it did not come as a big surprise to see his name as one of the driving forces and his official appointment was greeted very favourably due to his history as very level-headed and analytical mind that even when faced with heated discussions and increased pressure does not rush into any hasty conclusions or decisions. Despite his advanced age, Coltrane is still as active as ever and has now served as one of the chief foreign relations advisors to three Tikariotian premier ministers.

Winston Curtis: Earlier today, Mr. Coltrane has given a brief statement in Varakoula concerning where he sees his role in the peace talks.

"I have seen my fair share of strife and war during my life and career, the war in Nyowani Kitara has been one of that struck close to home, however, and I am not just saying that because it literally is happening next door to us. It also serves as a reminder of what could have happened here in Tikariot after the fall of Communism and that thankfully could be avoided. That being said, it is high times to put an end to the bloodshed and enmities in Nyowani Kitara and give Kitarans what they really want and need: Peace, a chance to return to their homelands and with that safety and most of all a future to build on and thrive, without having to fear for their lives every single day.

We will tirelessly work on finding a workable solution between all parties that will bring stability and long-lasting peace across all of Pavola."

Winston Curtis: We do not have an exact date when the peace talks will commence, but diplomatic delegations have already started to arrive in Varakoula, so it is just a matter of time before everything will officially be kicked into motion and "Tikariot Tonight" will continue its coverage in our regular time slot, but in the case or breaking news we will update our schedule accordingly to keep you at home abreast of anything happening concerning the NYK Peace Talks.

by **Graintfjall** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 2:07 pm

Bollonich – 0 (0)

Græntfjall – 1 (1)
Björnólfur; Michelle, Grímúlfur (45’ Stefan (66’)), Hjörleifur, Emeli; Álfar; Tinni (55’) (66’ Arinbjörn ), Amanda, Sara; Eiríka (11’), Lara (73’ Jason )

Excerpts from GBC Two [radio] coverage of the first match.

just

Squad for MD2/3: 1. Björnólfur, 2. Michelle, 3. Emeli, 4. Hjörleifur (c), 5. Grímúlfur, 6. Vigfús, 7. Sara, 8. Amanda, 9. Jason, 10. Lara, 11. Lana, 12. Gabríella, 13. Jasmijn, 14. Johanna, 15. Arinbjörn, 16. Ari, 17. Kjárr, 18. Tinni, 19. Álfar, 20. Röskvi, 21. Vanessa, 22. Ásvarður, 23. Mikkel

by **Kandorith** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 2:22 pm

Shinonome Kyoai - International

Sloppy Kandorith drops points in first match.

The Kandorese national team failed to win their first match in the qualifiers.
By Natsumi Miyasaki
Sports

^{SHARE THIS:}

 PGroup 20                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sendhang                          1    1   0   0     4    2   +2     3
2 Squornshelan Remnant States       1    1   0   0     3    2   +1     3
3 Kandorith                         1    0   1   0     3    3    0     1
  The Sarian                        1    0   1   0     3    3    0     1
5 Southwest Eastnorth               1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
  StrayaRoos                        1    0   1   0     0    0    0     1
7 The Republic of Western Sol       1    0   0   1     2    3   −1     0
8 Chartistan                        1    0   0   1     2    4   −2     0

Winning the first match of the qualifiers This was the goal of Kandorith before starting the match against The Sarian. In this case, a disappointing start to the campaign for the Dragons would have been avoided. The truth after the match showed a different picture, though. Michiyu's Kandorith would not take control of the match against The Sarian and finished with a 3 to 3 draw against the 88th ranked team.

A disappointed captain, Yoshihiro Matsumoto is standing in the rain and peers at the field one last time as the match ends. The first match of the empire would go down in history as one of the Kandorese their many disappointing season starts, and another match that should have been a win for them. Matsumoto knows that the team should have performed better, and they squandered chances, while the defence was more of a speed-bump than the wall it should have been.

Other than the disappointment, it was an evening of wonder for the few fans who travelled with the team. As is customary, the Kandorese national team begins their World Cup qualifying campaign on a night filled with tension and expectation. On a night when both Takeshi Honda and Matsumoto were the heroes of the team, running from side to side without seemingly getting exhausted in order to push the attack for the Kandorese. On the sideline, the same was happening as Kaya Michiyu was running from side to side screaming instructions at the players, eventually turning into panic football rather than showing the splendour the fans have known for a while now.

Fans in the stands, had multiple large banners and slogans to encourage their favourite players. Along with the constant cheering and songs, they were not the reason why the team just could not seem to get past The Sarian. For the fans, this start of the season was extra painful as, of course, in World Cup 89, their heroes were playing outstanding. The dragons playing here appeared to be from a different universe than their usual counterpart.

In the struggle for control, the unit of Michiyu just could not get off the ground, and for every goal scored, they would fall apart when needing to defend dangerous plays. In the attack, the midfield repeatedly failed to reach players like Honda, Nakajima, and Fujiwara. Kaba was nowhere near the normal brilliance they've shown this season at Higaku Antlers. In the end, a draw is preferable to defeat, of course, although there won't be a feeling of happiness, but rather one of relief and contemplation.

For Michiyu, this is already the first headache of the season. The young manager has to figure out where it all went wrong and why the team could not get into their usual form in front of the goal. Their answer was short but understandable. "This is the first match for us in international football and I think that we just need a bit of warming up." For Michiyu, the task at hand is getting the team together and making sure we will be in top form for the next games we play, and I want to assure the fans that this is just a little hiccup on the way back into international football.

The Kandorese will be interested in the next few matches as they face the Remnant States and Chartistan. Michiyu knows that both these teams have a good chance to be direct contenders for qualifying against Kandorith. The Dragons will be aiming for wins in both these matches, and that would put them right back into the game. For the manager, it is important to try to stay at the top part of the table to keep sight of qualifying from the group directly.

More cases of psychosis reported.

Large increase in cases of Cyberphage in recent weeks, what is it and why does it happen?
By Hiromi Sugihara
General

^{SHARE THIS:}

As emergency teams move in, the crime scene is unsettling. One of the reports from one of the members of unit 021, who were among the first ones to witness these gruesome crime scenes, is reproduced below. Another member of the team says, "It is unlike anything I have seen before, and it is very hard to stomach." These reports are becoming more common as an unknown condition, now dubbed "Cyberphage," is becoming more prominent in crime scene reports all across the nation.

First response medics define this condition as a collective name for psychotic and anxiety-related disorders caused by hardware implants in the body combined with behavioural and characteristic modification mods, including software and virtual reality-based sudden changes in an individual's behaviour and daily life.

In the last few months, more and more people are telling the story of a friendly neighbour who took modifications a little too far, left their home with a weapon in an intoxicated or anxious state and decided to commit mass murder in a public space. Another example is the good neighbour who didn't want or couldn't afford a proper state-licensed ripperdoctor, so they began to suffer from nightmares, schizophrenia-like symptoms, and other psychological problems. Once the hormone blockers started working, the phage kicked in, and they completely lost it.

Many people believe the dysfunction is the outcome of the empire's vast social and financial inequity. Others argue that this is the cost of our daily lives being saturated with gadgets, social media, a love of electronica, and all the implants and other changes that come with it. Many people claim that Cyberphage does not exist. That is, until they are the ones on the phone with STAT because their neighbour is smashing through the door with an arm-blade while on a rampage.

Those who are inflicted with this disorder are referred to as "phages" or "psychos". These individuals, in general, have pre-existing psychological disorders that have been exacerbated by cybernetics and modifications, and they appear to have lost all sense of identity and comprehensive thought, either to themselves or to those around them. Due to their psychosis, they often view other living things as inferior or weak. With enhanced abilities due to their modifications, they have lost all regard for life. These phages are extremely dangerous to anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path when they do snap. Medical science presses that anyone with cybernetics can be affected by Cyberphage, but the less empathy or mental stability the individual has, the more likely it is for them to fall prey to the disorder.

The symptoms are gradual, ranging from loss of control for self-preservation, distancing from family and friends, impulsive outbursts, or random violent acts. The person in question will start to lose the connection to the human psyche, start identifying more like a machine than a human being, and gradually stop engaging in normal human activities that used to be a part of their lives (eating, sleeping, socializing, etc.). According to recent research, human interaction becomes irritating to them, and this irritation eventually becomes disgusting and finally fuels violence towards living beings. However, not all of them are violent; some are deceivers, thieves, or even spiral downward into having fragmented personalities. But violence towards living beings, mostly humans, is the most common result of Cyberphage.

For now, there is no cure for this disorder, though experimental treatments are available at a very high price. The effects of a few modifications do not cause Cyberphage. A single replaced eye, a few modifications to the brain or face, is unlikely to interfere with the mental health of the person at all, but replacing all limbs, both eyes, or even part of the brain is the start of the very slippery slope towards utter madness.

At this moment, multiple implant manufacturing companies such as Hiyashi, Kaito Corp, Ronin Assemblies, and others are under the scrutiny of the independent research committee from the National Consumer Safety and Protection Agency. Speakers from both Hiyashi and Ronin Assemblies have both responded already and insist that both corporations have never broken the law nor disregarded safety concerns when it comes to manufacturing implants and cybernetic enhancements. Nor do either of them claim to have any black market dealings. Kaito Corp and RDD have refused to comment thus far.

by **Yue Zhou** » Mon Jan 17, 2022 3:30 pm

It had been a while since Wu Zhongsheng had entered the Zheng Zhoulun Memorial Conference Room, which he preferred to leave for more important policy matters. The past few months had become somewhat routine, as it had become clear that neither Malik Akongo nor Ren Qiang would hold the line for long. Some variation of "step on their throats and don't let the Nepharans wipe you out" had been the command at the past few meetings, and it was hard to blame them for the complacency. Sure, the United Republics would've preferred that Nyowani Kitara be freed, but they had finally eradicated socialism in Yuezhou, and had the firm backing of other nations in the subregion. No longer would Yueren have to look over their shoulder for foreign invaders; no longer would civil war split the country in half. For the first time in decades, not only was Yuezhou free, but it was safe.

So, as President Wu gathered his advisors to plan the United Republics' strategy for the upcoming peace talks in Tikariot, he did so with a sense of pride. He had finished Zheng's legacy and brought Yuezhou into a new age, which would be solidified with their inclusion in the upcoming negotiations. Now, it only remained to send a delegation to Varakoula, and confirm Yue policy in the area.

"Look," Foreign Minister Zhen Qiang started, "if we want to send the message that this is a new Yuezhou, we need to act like it. We need to proactively unite our subregion and make sure that Corvistone and Bastion recognize the needs of a free, democratic, and capitalist Pavola. It's clear that we're on the losing side of this war, and that Nafuna will take control. But laying the framework for a de-Akongoization of the government and long-term transition into democratic rule will be essential towards solidifying our position. And if there are accountability measures, they should be enforced by fellow Pavolans, rather than simply Rushmoris. I can contact Græntfjall and San Ortelio to align our priorities, and there are plenty of rising stars in Foreign Affairs who will cherish the opportunity to visit Tikariot with me."

"I agree," noted General Kong Aiguo, to Zhen's surprise, "but our newfound security gives us the ability to go further. We must force them to recognize that a democratic Nyowani Kitara is the only way to reduce ideological tension in the reason and that the continuance of the government will destabilize the region. One red flag in a sea of blues? Ridiculous. We need a show of force."

"What will that do?" Zhen countered. "Nephara knows what level of force we can bring against the KPWC - and the answer is pretty clearly 'not enough'. The position when Nafuna was forced into ceasefire was conclusively lost. The only way forwards is to reassert our sovereignty as a subregion through diplomatic means."

"The position was not lost!" said a standing General Kong, indignant. "The KPWC had an edge, sure, thanks to the backing of two Rushmori superpowers. But Nephara will not always be there. One intervention was unpopular domestically; repeated interventions would be an outrage. Yuezhou and its allies hold the power in local affairs - now, we must project it!"

Exasperated, Zhen turned to President Wu for a response, and the President reluctantly provided one. "General Kong, don't worry - there will be a military presence in our delegation. It is only right that we honor the sacrifices your men have made to free Nyowani Kitara. But nobody who fought directly for the KFF, as a symbol of peace. This is a new Yuezhou - Minister Zhen is correct. We must approach things differently than the tyrannical Premier Ren, so that the world knows that we have truly, fundamentally changed. I will leave Minister Zhen to supervise overtures to those with similar interests as us in the sub-region. Perhaps a brief conference prior to Tikariot can be arranged, for the solidarity between neighbors. And I will also leave Minister Zhen to dictate our policy in Nyowani Kitara, in accordance with what has been said."

Liang Ziyou, leader of the Liberation Army right-wing group, stood in outrage. "We can't abandon Malik Akongo like that! We promised him freedom for his people. If [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] had pulled their support at the last second to go talk to Ren Qiang - maybe we wouldn't be here!"

Wu stood to meet him. "You wish to fight all of Rushmore during a ceasefire? After all that we have built - no, you weren't there, after all that Governor Zheng and I built? We have brought Yuezhou from the ashes, saved it from socialism, and delivered it to freedom! We have ushered in the Golden Age of Yuezhou! Governor Zheng Zh-Governor Zh-Zh-"

Then, the First President of the United Republics of Yuezhou's legs gave out beneath him, and he slumped to the conference room floor.

Eshialand 2 - 3 Yuezhou
Lineup: Lu; Jiawei, Yuan (Li JG 55), Zhu, Reeve; Wen, Wan, Li (C) (Yang 67); Luo, Liu (Zheng 72), Huang
Goals: Luo 23, Huang 55, Zheng 84

Lineup to face Brookstation (MD2) Lu; Jiawei, Guo, Yuan, Zhu; Wen, Wan, Li (C); Jiang, Liu, Huang
Lineup to face Textentuck (MD3): Lu; Jiawei, Yuan, Li JG, Reeve; Wen, Wan, Li J (C); Luo, Liu, Huang

World Cup 90--RP Thread

ThreeFourThree MD1 Group 20 Match Report

How Should We View This Draw?

Who is online