World Cup 90--RP Thread

by **Soldera** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:50 pm

The first World Cup qualifying campaign for the Solderan national football team may not be going quite as well as everyone who packed King Anthony Stadium in Branwen for the team's 1-0 defeat to the group's top ranked team Jeruselem may have hoped, but Soldera manager Norm Carriker has managed expectations for his team.

"They're one of the oldest powers in this sport," Carricker said of Jeruselem. "They've been at this for a long, long time regardless of how you observe time."

The home defeat to Jeruselem after a 1-0 away victory over The Gothanita Isles gives Soldera an odd distinction as part of its 2-1-2 record through five matches. The Snakes have earned both victories away from their new national stadium and only have a 3-3 draw against Darmen and their 1-0 loss to Jeruselem to show for their two matches at home. Soldera are 2-0-1 in road contests.

"We had to be mentally ready to play on the road," midfielder and team captain Joey Westway said of his team's record. "We've done that, but now we need to start getting some results at home in front of our fans."

They'll first have to contend with Mercedini away before they wrap up the first half of qualifying with a home match against Kyzhurkistan that will be just their third home match thus far in qualifying. However, Carricker chose to look on the bright side.

"That match against Kyzhurkistan will be the first of three consecutive home matches for us. It'll give us time to get our fans used to seeing us at the new stadium." As for the stadium itself, engineers have completed construction on the second of four parking garages they expect to add space for an additional 1,000 vehicles total. Construction of two additional parking garages is expected to be complete in time for the final home game of qualifying, which will be against Mercedini on Matchday 13.

Branwen Mayor Sheila Ransom and City Council Chairman Leomont Jordan announced their intentions to construct a public transit service that they hope will include a terminal near King Anthony Stadium and Prince Francis Stadium, which is where the Snakes baseball team plays its games. Jordan announced the City Council voted unanimously to contact Banija's Regional Transit Corporation to explore possibilities for public transport options to include the stadiums.

"We hope to provide additional options to all Branwenians to be able to attend matches, both for our national teams and for domestic clubs once we have those leagues established," Ransom said. "It's been a challenge to establish the infrastructure, but we feel confident that we'll have something to be proud of before very long."

by **Krytenia** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:58 pm

“Ugh,” groaned Minister of Foreign and Regional Affairs, Sarah Finch, as she rubbed her temples, “this business with Plainfields is giving me a migraine.”

It perhaps wasn't surprising that Plainfields was causing Sarah issues. Having found out the land was, thanks to a legal technicality, actually sovereign territory of the Ochre Islands, MORFA had been looking for options to make the problem Just Go Away.

The door to Sarah's office opened, and a suited man in his thirties walked in. He was Adam Horton, a civil servant working for the Treasury.

“If you'll excuse me, Ms Finch, I may have a solution for you.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sarah finished reading through the dossier.

“So, Adam, what you're saying is that there isn't a payment gap?”

“Correct, Ms Finch. Given the various costs, levies, and duties owed from one side to each other through not knowing about this loophole, the government of the Ochres owes us the grand total of ten argentals and ninety-three cuprals.”

“I see.”

“There's something else, too. I believe we've been having problems with the High Consulate in Bellflower?”

“Well, it's not the High Consulate, so much as who we share the building with...”

Sarah rubbed her temples again. For whatever reason, the Krytenian High Consulate in the Ochres' capital was operating from a bijou apartment above Crazy Craig's Krytenian Takeaway. It didn't cause any issues with the central government; however there was an ongoing dispute with Bellflower City Council over the bins. And the smell. And the environmental health committee. Essentially, the Consulate staff and their Council counterparts were in the middle of a pissing contest as to who could cover the other in the most red tape.

“I assume you have a potential solution, Mr Horton.”

“I do indeed. Let the Ochres build their embassy – in the services – and put them fully in charge of the entire service area, taking in all the profits from rent and such on the concessions therein. We won't miss the argentals in the grand scheme of things. In exchange of them settling their debt as a symbolic transfer. In return, we get the freehold on the rest of the Consulate land, and get the Housing and Communities department to sort out the red tape with Bellflower City Council. They're used to dealing with local governments, they'll sort it in no time.”

“Can we keep this quiet, Adam? We're trying to paint ourselves as somewhat competent, you know.”

“Of course. Worst comes to it, this was a problem when Reform were in, we can always blame it on them. Shall we pass this through the PM?”

“You have my blessing Adam. I'm sure Ms Baker will be happy for a solution that doesn't make us look too ridiculous, after all...”

by **Cabo Azure** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:07 pm

Cabo Azure 0-2 Lathamford
Pos. Name 
GK   Antunes
LB   Branco
RB   de Lima
CB   Mendes
CB   K. Brandao
RM   Ferreira
LM   Serra
CM   Medeiros
CF   Montenegro
LW   Silveira
RW   Dantas

Gouveia 65'
Brandao 70'
An attempt by Paulinho to field a conservative, blue-collar side at home instead leads to a sluggish, rather boring loss at home. The gaffer attempted to shore up Cabo Azure's weaknesses by replacing dynamic playmakers with quiet, solid performers, but the resulting lack of umph subsequently sunk the team further into its quagmire. In seeking to replace the green Moniz with someone more experienced, Paulinho gave the job to the elder Brandao brother, who failed to close down Lathamford's attacker fast enough and was at least partly culpable in both goals. In the midfield, he reunited the Lagostim pairing of Serra and Medeiros that lit up the LHP back in 2013, but it's no longer 2013, and this damn sure ain't the LHP. The replacement of Carrico with Dantas was a similarly well-intentioned blunder, as the experience Villa Silva striker might have been the only player with a chance to keep Cabo Azure in this game.

Nor were the substitutes any better; young Vasco Gouveia ran around a lot, but failed to score the late-game bangers we've come to expect from him, while Donato Brandao managed to spare his elder brother another twenty minutes of misery, but failed to perform any better. All in all, a lackluster performance that leaves little doubt as to why the Macaricas are still hunting for a win nearly a third of the way through qualifying.

Euran Oceanian Territories 0-0 Cabo Azure
Pos. Name 
GK   Antunes
LB   Branco
RB   Carneiro
CB   Mendes
CB   Moniz
RM   Ferreira (off 55')
LM   Serra
CM   Alves
CF   Montenegro
LW   Gouveia
RW   Carriço

Santos (on 55')
A hard-fought draw against a superior, though not dominating, opponent. In likely his best start to date, Vasco Gouveia showed why he is the future of this team by producing the majority of the Macaricas' chances on the day, including a few which tested the keeper. The old guard also reasserted themselves, with Ferreira and Alves keeping the EOT attack well bottled up, and even Santos putting in a solid shift off the bench. Though Cabo Azure remains in the hunt for its first points, it has notched impressive draws against two favored opponents, possibly portending better things ahead for the Macaricas.

Requiem for a Queen, pt 2

The island of Portelo is not the largest in the Azurean archipelago, nor the most populous. Both those distinctions go first to Avo, the flat, sprawling landmass dominated by the capital city of Sao Simone, and second to Dulce Muerte, the unfashionable agrarian island in the east, named for the smell that wafts up from its agricultural fields. Portelo is the third-most populated island after the big two, and somewhere around the fourth or fifth largest by land area. Its importance is greatly inflated, however, by the presence of three institutions in close proximity on the Colina Real in the center of the island: the Royal Palace, the Maritime University, and the Azurean National Guard headquarters and barracks.

Her Highness Queen Abigail, the Queen Mother, has spent most of her life on the island that bears her family’s name, though her primary residence is now in Sao Simone. Her first stint on Portelo was as a princess, sequestered in the highest towers of the palace. After spending the tumultuous years of 1972-1977 at school in Cassadaigua, Abby returned to Cabo Azure as a commoner, said to have lost the crown twice; once in 1974 when her half-brother disinherited her, and again after her return in 1979, when that same brother, Reinaldo II, was overthrown, ending her family’s dynasty. Some say she lost the throne a third time in 2012 when, newly crowned, she abdicated in favor of her eldest son Manuel.

Abby Portelo entered the Maritime University in the fall of 1977 on a scholarship, her royal heritage kept a secret from all but her closest confidants. One such was a young associate professor of political science, the quiet but handsome Dr. Luis Fonseca, who would remain Abby’s academic advisor throughout her course of study. Nor did their relationship end at the professional; in Abby’s final year as an undergraduate, the two began a slow, methodical courtship that ended with their marriage in 1982. Abby’s eldest son, the future King Manuel, was born in 1983, followed by two daughters, Alexandra and Maria, in 1989 and 1994.

Academia proved to be Abby’s entry back into Azurean political life. As Dr. Abigail Fonseca, she was a respected voice in political science and a member of the “Maritime Mafia”, an informal think tank which both advised and criticised the government under the Gang of Seven. Other members of the “Mafia” included Dr. Victor de la Cruz, chair of economics at Maritime; his protege Joaquin Sequeira, founder of the telecomms corporation Zul and the most successful self-made Azurean businessman ever; and Mario Borges, future prime minister, military leader, and prolific midfielder at the Cidadela football club.

by **Chartistan** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:31 pm

The second seeds were sewn in a "rivalry" with StrayaRoos in Billboard as those hopping kangaroos made their trip back to Billboard for Matchday 4 of World Cup qualification, having completed a 3-3 draw in the Eagle's Cup Newcomer's Group. But in this home tie, one thing was made clear as Chartistan didn't get the ball in the net... They went just a tiny bit up.

CROSSBAR
A parody of Light Switch by Charlie Puth

[Plasticium Amphibia]
Yeah...
Are we playing for the 90
When they're out here playing dirty
We've gone hit them back
Give them the old that-that yeah
Why they always wanna act in trouble
But they never wanna go up double
He says "Don't look back"
But we look right back and
All of a sudden, we're far ahead
This is a goal that we can't deny
But when we go and put the shot away
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
Now we don't wanna lose this (No)
They know how to just make us drop
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
They got us in a tight grip (Yeah)
They know how to just make us drop points baby

[Air Latte]
Do they love it when they keep us guessing (Guessing)
When they get it they get us stressing (Stressing)
But we can't stay mad when they run like that, no
Why they always wanna act in trouble
But they never wanna go up double
He says "Don't look back"
But we look right back and
All of a sudden, we're far ahead (Far ahead)
This is a goal that we can't deny (Can't deny)
But when we go and put the shot away (Yeah)
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
Now we don't wanna lose this (No)
They know how to just make us drop
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar (Bar)
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
They got us in a tight grip (Grip)
They know how to just make us drop points baby

[Plasticium Amphibia]
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on and show us how they do (They do)
They want, they want, they want, they want, they wanna keep us losing too (Us losing too, man)
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on and show us how they do (How they do)
They want, they want, they want, they want, they wanna keep us losing too
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
Now we don't wanna lose this
They know how to just make us drop

[Air Latte]
The ball goes up, hits the crossbar
StrayaRoos moving us around and around
They got us in a tight grip
They know how to just make us drop points baby

[Plasticium Amphibia and Air Latte]
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on and show us how they do (How they do)
They want, they want, they want, they want, they wanna keep us losing too (Wanna keep us losing too, man)
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on and show us how they do (They do)
They want, they want, they want, they want, they wanna keep us losing too

by **Saterun** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:58 pm

The Saterun National Team was back for more in the next phase of the group stage matches, this time facing off against Vdara and Takeshwar. It was, once again, mixed results. Story of the team. Anyway, previous performers put in some good, well, performances, and Saterun got away with a win and a loss, putting them at a 2-1-2 record and 4th place and on 7 points. The team also seems to be chronically stuck at a zero goal differential, neither good nor bad. Story of the team. Anyway, both performances were better than expected, and Head Coach Freeberg had only good things to say about his team.

Saterun 1-2 Vdara

On matchday 4, Saterun came up against their toughest opponent yet, Vdara. The Claws were at home, playing in front of a sold-out crowd in the Adam Antwerp Stadium, and Martin Freeberg was looking for a good result. The Claws were back in white, and proud to be representing their country. The game started dull, with the score still being 0-0 at halftime. Martin didn't really know what to say to his team, so he just made a substitution (Claudio Pavic -> Saveli Holst) and left it at that. The second half started. Vdara started to dominate the possesion, and Saterun was clearly falling apart. Martin Freeberg couldn't do anything. The Vdara team started down the wings, and it took but a simple cross to get it in the box. There was a flurry, and somehow the ball got to the back of the net. It was later discovered that it hit Ralf Abiatti off the post and then bounced into the goal. It was the 74th minute. 10 minutes later, the same general thing happened, but this time Chirstoforos Lazelis hit it clearly from the top of the 6-yard box. Ralf couldn't handle it. Saterun got their only consolation goal at the 89th minute. It was a clear and easy shot from Thiago Esparza. "Against a team that good, it was a goddamn decent result." -Thiago Esparza

Takeshwar 1-2 Saterun

Matchday 5 came for the Claws. They were just off the back of two losses to the two highest teams. This was a game the entire team was hoping to win. The were driven to a shoddy, 1000-seater ground after arriving in Takeshwar. It was far from the Adam Antwerp Stadium they had just been in a day before. Saterun players also had no idea the names of their opponents, just the numbers that they wore. Both teams filed out onto the field and started a dismal game. It was opened early by a goal from the hosts in the 7th minute, with #14 celebrating wildly in front of 500 home fans. Saterun players could tell who the hell this was, but they did know to look out for him. The Claws soon equalized with a banging freekick from Andrei Coiro in the 34th minute. The teams were back on level terms. It would stay that way for the rest of the half, and Martin Freeberg did have some things to say this time around. "We are tactically better than them and technically better than them. We got this. Thiago, I want you to shift up more, and Mitzinho can cover you. Andrei, good freekick, go more defensive now." With this said, the team left the benches and headed back out for the second half. Mitzinho got close to putting Saterun in the lead, but it hit the outside of the post and was cleared. With time winding down, Thiago Esparza burst out from the Takeshwar defense. Glenn Lundquist threaded a perfect through-ball and Thiago picked it up, clear in front of goal. The condescending grin was on his face even before he chipped the goalkeeper and wheeled away celebrating. Saterun had taken the lead in the 82nd. The game ended with the Saterun players celebrating the win and the return of their GD to a neutral 0. "I really wasn't expecting Thiago to know what I was planning!"- Glenn Lundquist

by **Jeruselem** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:17 pm

Naked News Jeruselem's Aidra Nene (aka Just Aidra) in Soldera for qualification match day 5

Hello, this is Aidra Nene for Naked News Jeruselem once again covering live the World Cup 90 qualification.
As you can see, I'm not home back at Dazza Dallas Stadium but we're away in Soldera for the 1st time.
We've never been here before, might be the last time as well but nevermind that.

Quick recap of qualification match day 4
Ochre Islands continued the misery for Darmen, beating visitors Darmen 3-1 at home.
The Gothanita Isles put up a fight but went down to visiting Soldera 1-0. Brave effort by the home team.
The Princesses back home were back on the winners list beating visiting Pluvia and the Saxean Isles 4-2.
Top seed Mercedini were at home but Kyzhurkistan held them to 0-0 draw. They should have won really.

So match day 5 beckoned.
Group 10, had all teams losing games and all teams had one win. It is not one of one-sided groups!
Jeruselem are usually put in this type of group because ... err ...

Kyzhurkistan were back home and faced the Ochre Islands team who were winning games.
From recent results, given Ochre Islands beating Darmen 3-1 ... it was expected Kyzhurkistan win this too.
But Kyzhurkistan caused an upset winning 1-0! This team held us to a draw, so have respect for Kyzhurkistan.

Pluvia and the Saxean Isles, smarting from getting smacked by Jeruselem 4-2, had to back home.
But ... the opponent was Mercedini who had beaten us 5-2 at home.
Mercedini had drawn last game so they weren't in the best form and Pluvia and the Saxean Isles held their nerve
Fighting hard, they held on for 2-2 draw. Well done, I wish we had 2-2 draw instead of losing.

Darmen finally got that win, beating The Gothanita Isles at home.
Well they can be a great team it's just they've been pretty awful so far.
But they got 3 points and got off the bottom of the group too.
You don't want to be there ...

So that left Peko, no not Princess Peko of Pekoland, our own Pekora Dancer. And her team to face Soldera.
Soldera's first game was 7-3 so it was a game we kind of feared in case, Soldera tried that again.
Well instead of 10 goals, it was only just one goal for the whole game.
Jeruselem scored the only goal for the game despite the best efforts for the home team.

So how does that leave Group 10?
It's still early days being game 5 of 14. So past the quarter point now! On the way to halfway.
The Gothanita Isles are sadly, last with the 3 points from their one win.
Pluvia and the Saxean Isles are 7th with Darmen both on 5 points. 1 win and 2 draws isn't too bad.
Soldera alone in 5th on 7 points with two wins and a draw, but they do have +3 goal difference.
Kyzhurkistan and Mercedini have 8 points due to two wins and two draws but Mercedini are 3rd due to goal difference.
Ochre Islands despite the recent loss is 2nd spot with 3 wins and two losses with 9 points.
Wait I haven't mentioned Jeruselem yet ... so where are we?
OMG we're topping the group with 10 points with 3 wins and draw! 10 points! Well, considering where we were on match day 3, you didn't expect that.

Don't get too excited though, Soldera is like 5th and 3 points behind us so it doesn't mean much at this point.
At least we have topped the table for once this cup.
Next up is Darmen visiting us and then we got The Gothanita Isles for the halfway point.
Darmen won recently and expect them to be better than they have been.

I would just like clear up a few things that visitors confused about when going to Jeruselem

Jeruselem has a rather confusing currency system, no multiple currencies.
We have our old currency which got hyperinflated out of existence somehow people have those banknotes.
But hey we got the new replacement fiat currency which is ... not hyperinflated out existence yet.
Gold and Silver are actually legal tender here, well ... as long as it's real that is.
And we're happy to for you spend your crypto currency here too!
I take crypto on my vtuber page!

People may see women with uniforms wandering around with sniffer dogs.
Well they aren't looking for bombs or drugs, which is what most people think.
Unfortunately there's a virus we wish would go away but it hasn't, they are looking for infected people wandering around.
Some people are irresponsible and wander around infectious knowing they are infectious.
Yes, the girls are armed in case there's the few who want violence.

Anyone who travels to Tel Aviv, maybe notice the home football is the Tel Aviv Sharks.
It is owned by the Jeruselem Dallas royal family but they don't play World Cup games there.
The Shark was chosen as mascot because the coast there is full of ... Sharks. Swimming at the beach can be ... err ... dangerous.
A lot of tourists go there because it's actually a nice place to party than Jerusalem which is further inland.
And the women wonder around with very little clothing too ...

Well, that's all I got for the day. I better get moving so I'm not stuck here. Eh

by **Hapilopper** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:00 pm

Capital Stadium, Hapilopper City
World Cup 90 Qualifying Match 4: Hapilopper v. Kimi-Suomi
Ernie and Wendy Stevenson hadn’t planned on attending any Hapilopper qualifying matches in person. But it had been quite some time since the two had gotten to enjoy a day all to themselves, what with their twin children, Patty and Nate Stevenson. They gave the twins to Drake Stevenson and Taylor Henderson to babysit, and traveled to Capital Stadium to watch the match.

Not only that, but Ernie had half a mind to point and laugh at Nathan Ellis if things went wrong. After giving Nathan a piece of his mind for all the emails and all the stupidity that had happened in the last week, he knew who to blame if Kimi-Suomi could best the Haps. And truth be told, everyone felt the same way. Ernie had grown tired of the *beedle beedle* on his phone, which seemed to happen every hour on the hour, regardless of what time it was. And he could even hear it when he was in the plush Owner’s Box that the Stevenson family had used when Ernie played. Even over the loud roar of 66,000 fans loudly screaming the lyrics to “The Sun Always Shines on Hapilopper,” the Hapiloppian national anthem. Even when that sleazy-looking lounge singer type walked right up to him.

“Hi, I don’t think we got the chance to meet,” Ernie said. “I’m Ernie Stevenson. I used to be the striker on this team.”

“Yeah, I know who you are,” the man said. “I’m Myrone Rhule. I’m going to be taking over as assistant manager in a few days.”

Ernie did a double take and immediately realized who it was – a decently popular individual in Hapiloppian sports, surprisingly.

“The guy from Xanneria? Great to meet you, pal,” Ernie said, offering a handshake.

“Great to meet you too,” Rhule said.

As the match went on, Ernie swore he could still hear that *beedle beedle*, regardless of how loud Capital Stadium was. Even as the crowd lustily booed Nathan Ellis getting sent off for picking Hannu Koivu up and slamming him into the artificial turf.

It was the 29th minute, and Koivu had the ball. Nathan was fuming over something, and nobody was really sure. Or perhaps he woke up in a poopy mood. Or perhaps he felt like the Haps needed to be inspired for some reason. Either way, he rushed over towards Koivu, picked him up by the shoulder and drove him right into the turf, in a move similar to what some pro wrestling experts call a “Rock Bottom.” The crowd, being Hapiloppians, loved it, cheering the cheap shot wildly. The screens at Capital Stadium showed a super slow motion shot of the slam, just before Nathan was sent off.

Not that it impacted anything negatively. The Haps were strong on this evening, scoring three – two from Toby Bryson and one from Peter Robson, in the 7th, 31st and 38th. Their play on this evening, and one week later when they easily handled Dispertag 3-1, seemed to indicate that the worst of Hapilopper’s issues were behind them. They were five years removed from the situation at World Cup 85. Situations where the Haps would fail to even show up for a World Cup cycle appeared to be in the past. If they could just keep playing like this, if they could just keep up with this kind of play, game after game, week after week, year after year, their chances of a World Cup qualification would improve by the day.

The only thing getting in their way, at this point, would be their idiotic antics. Things like Shitting Bull. Things like the email storm. All they needed to was just keep their head down, work hard and get the job done. And they needed to work hard on this week, just as much as any other. Coming up was Tikariot, one of the finest squads in international football, the 23rd-ranked team in the multiverse. But while Hapilopper and their coaching staff, now led by Thom Perkins, Nate Ellis and Myrone Rhule, set out to get a proper hold of how to defeat the Owls, Ernie Stevenson was trying to figure out who he had met after the match.

Drake Stevenson and Taylor Henderson’s house, Poplar Prairie, Hapilopper City
After World Cup 90 Qualifying Match 4: Hapilopper 3-2 Kimi-Suomi
It was clear that neither Drake nor Taylor had a lot of experience with toddlers. When Ernie and Wendy arrived at their house, they were greeted with two screaming children, an absolute mess in the house and an extremely annoying toddler’s show on the television. Some guy in blue and orange that Ernie absolutely despised but the twins loved. Either way, Drake and Taylor looked absolutely exhausted from chasing the twins around the house and were utterly thrilled to see Ernie and Wendy come back.

“You see the game at all?” Ernie asked.

“Let me tell you something dude, I tried turning the game on and the second I did, both your kids started screaming bloody murder,” Drake started, visibly agitated. “The only thing I saw was Nathan Ellis slamming that poor dude into the ground, but other than that, your little children refused to do ANYTHING but watch that Trippi character. Trippi the blue and orange menace, I ever see him I’m gonna deck him one.”

“Oh god, you had to watch Trippi, huh?” Ernie asked, chuckling at Drake’s plight, because he had been down that road.

“Yeah. Like, driving go-karts and dancing like a dumbass and visiting the zoo and jumping around with animals,” Drake continued. “I swear to god I wanted a lion to come out and eat him alive.”

Drake took a deep breath.

“Sorry. How’d the match go?” Drake asked.

“Went well, we won, as you saw, Nathan gave somebody a Rock Bottom, he’s suspended for the next match, and he’s still sending me emails…”

*beedle beedle*

“…there’s another one,” Ernie continued. “Either way, I met an interesting person after the match, he gave off the impression that he knew you and Taylor. His name was Daniel Marx, you know the guy?”

“Name sounds familiar, can’t say I’m familiar with him,” Drake suggested.

As Taylor walked into the room, Ernie asked her as well if she knew a Daniel Marx.

“Kind of, oh right! That’s the guy that tried giving me dumplings!” Taylor replied, chuckling. “I figured he’d be in prison by now.”

“Prison?” Drake and Ernie asked in unison.

“Well, he gave off that vibe,” Taylor responded. “I figured they would have locked him up for something heinous. Either way, meh. Why was he there?”

“Hell if I know,” Ernie said. “I think he’s a racing guy. I want to say he’s running a NSSCRA team. I don’t know.”

Drake and Taylor chuckled.

“Well, looking forward to seeing him,” Drake said.

by **Wrecker** » Thu Jan 20, 2022 9:39 pm

THE END OF WRECKERIA – PART V

Wreckerian Association of Soccer offices, Halsted
The day after World Cup 90 Qualifier Match 5: Wreckeria 2-0 Gyatso-Kai
Marvin Byrnes figured every other football executive in the multiverse had a better office than his. Instead of overlooking a pristine pitch in a state-of-the-art, spacious office, Marvin Byrnes had a cramped, wood-paneled office in the 4th floor of an old office building, while his coaching staff had small offices just down the hall. There was just enough room in Marvin’s office for a television near the door, his desk and a couple of seats. The coffee maker looked like it wanted to set on fire at any moment. The computer looked like it wanted to crash for good. It seemed almost impossible to believe that in this office was the head coach of a team that had a real possibility of qualifying for the World Cup proper.

And as Marvin went over data from last couple of matches, when Wreckeria ran over both Omerica and Gyatso-Kai to put the Wreckerian Bulldogs second in their group. And Marvin was still having trouble getting that around his head – Wreckeria was second in their group? And only three points behind the leaders?

It seemed like all of Wreckeria had rallied around their team. For the first time in forever, it seemed like they had something they could cheer for. Wreckeria was a serious force, not a punchline for once, and Wreckerians all over could brag that their fellow countrymen were actually doing something great. They had beaten Kelssek, a win that seemingly put them on this wave of momentum. They went to Omerica and left as winners. And now Gyatso-Kai had come and left without a point. And now, nearing the halfway mark of the World Cup qualifying campaign, it actually seemed like Wreckeria had a chance to do something truly special.

As Marvin had gone through Halsted doing his daily routine, he could see that people were happier, more excited, and hopeful – which was something that Wreckerians were certainly not used to being. Not in 60 years, at least. He thought about that as he turned around and looked out the window of his office, and he was reminded that hope could only get him so far. Wreckeria was still in a very bad way. Money was running out, and rumor had it that in one week, the government would default on its debts and that Hapilopper would start seizing assets and land.

Not only was money running out for the government, but it didn’t seem like there was much to go around. Halsted, especially this part of Halsted, looked particularly shabby. The building across the street, another office complex, was abandoned. There had been all sorts of businesses there just a few months ago. The population was shrinking, leaving to go elsewhere, anywhere there was jobs to be found. The streets were falling apart. And there was still a good bit of crime. Wreckeria needed something beyond their national football team performing well if they were going to get themselves out of this slump.

But at least they had their football team. In a few minutes, Marvin would leave the office and head over to a nearby park to work on training for the Wreckerian team. Their next two opponents, Jeeves Land and Damukuni, were not doing particularly well in their efforts, running 8th and 6th respectively in the qualifiers. Theoretically, Wreckeria had a real chance of entering the halfway break leading their group, but Marvin wasn’t thinking about that. He was thinking about getting the correct tactical book for the Jeeves Land match, and getting his players ready for two matches that they had to take seriously, regardless of who it was.

The President’s House, Halsted
An hour later
It seemed like all President Arnold Martin, his staffers, and party leaders were doing these days were going over scenarios. The best case scenario. The worst case scenario. Possible situations involving a Wreckerian handover of assets to Hapilopper. Plans of succession. Ways Wreckeria could stay independent. It was wearing on everyone at the top level of Wreckerian government, and Arnold was getting sick of it.

He slumped in a chair in a corner of his office, away from his desk as a True Wreckerian party leader walked in with the Wreckerian Director of Finance. The two had discussed for an hour ways to repay money borrowed, and how Wreckeria could maybe buy a little extra time. Arnold didn’t want to hear it. He looked out the window, thinking about walking out of the President’s House and towards a park. He figured he could get his music player, put on his headphones and try to block the rest of the world out.

“Mr. Martin?” the party leader asked. “I was wondering if I could get your attention on something. The Finance Director and I were going over some things and we think we found something… Mr. Martin?”

Arnold’s attention had been captured by an incredible sight just down the road. Buchanan Park – pronounced “BUCKanan” – was full of people. One of the few picturesque locations left in Halsted, Buchanan Park was a place to go for a nice jog, a game of tennis or to go walk the dog. And on this afternoon, it seemed like there were thousands of people crowded in the park. Arnold looked closer and it looked like a game of soccer – no, wait, soccer practice.

Arnold’s eyes got wide. It was the Wreckerian National Soccer Team, and they were practicing.

“Y’all, excuse me a second. This can wait,” Arnold said.

“Time is of the essence here, Mr. Martin,” the party leader said. “What’s the issue?”

“Come with me. You’ve got to see this,” Arnold replied.

So, Arnold Martin, the True Wreckerian party leader and the Wreckerian Finance Director rushed over to Buchanan Park to see, indeed, the Wreckerian National Soccer Team practice. They were surrounded by what had to be 40,000 people. And better yet? The team looked like they were playing good football. The people watching were enthralled by this training session as they stood around and watched their favorite players get ready for the Jeeves Land match.

“See why this is important?” Arnold said to the government officials. “Let’s fight for this. This is the first time Wreckeria has been excited for something positive in a long, long time. I wasn’t trying to brush you guys off. We’ve been going over these scenarios for days and weeks now and frankly I’m at my wit’s end. It makes me just want to break down and go away. But I see this, and you know something? This could be the start of something. This could get our people excited enough to start working to make this a better place. We’re past fighting each other. Let’s fight the world and win together.”

The True Wreckerian party leader nodded his head and smiled. He got it.

“Let’s do it,” he said. “Maybe we’ll get out of this in one piece.”

“Have to,” Arnold replied. “And if not, at least we’ll go out trying. But that, I see that being the start of something, man. We need to get that spirit and god damn it, we need to make something out of it.”

by **Pemecutan** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:56 am

Part 3.1 || Part 3.2

Part 3.3

The situation at the PFA Headquarter today is so hectic. Everyone seems to be busy. And from early morning, several cars have come and go in the office. The security greet the people that are coming to the office with respect. While the President's secretary privately escorted the guests to the meeting room where the grand meeting will be held. Yes, a grand meeting. The meeting today is between PFA officials and all the clubs manager except amateur clubs.

"I can't believe you really done it," exclaim Kusumawardani.
Suryajaya grin sweetly. "I just want to make everything clear at once," he say.
"I think smaller group is better," comment Kusumawardani.
"Nah. It will take a lot of time if we do that. And there's a possibility of a different opinion between national clubs and regional clubs. Meeting them in separate time won't unite the differences in their opinion," explain Suryajaya.
"Hhmm. Okay, you have a point there," Kusumawardani agree.
Suryajaya smile sweetly. He checks everything at the meeting room while also greet the club managers or owners that already coming to the office today.
"I wonder if we can get all of them before noon," say Kusumawardani suddenly.
"Well, we have around 300 pro and semi pro clubs. Let be patient," ask Suryajaya.
"I heard you are also invite clubs from Rarungan and Cakranegara. Is it true?" ask Kusumawardani.
Suryajaya nod. "I just don't want them to be left out. They are also our overseas states and they have never been involved before. I think it is time for them to get involve," explain Suryajaya.
"Hhmm."
"What?" Suryajaya demand explanation from Kusumawardani comment.
"Nothing. Just feels that the enlargement is too large. From 139 to around 300, that's a lot," concern Kusumawardani.
"I believe we can handle it. And no cases will halt that," says Suryajaya in confidence.

Kusumawardani can't argue anymore. She know and well understand that Suryajaya is a visionary person. He has been success in merging 2 separate leagues in Pemecutan with the birth of Kasa and Karo League. And now he wants to spread the opportunity to all of the country's area. Soracana has been involved from last season and now he aim for Cakranegara and Rarungan. He also rapidly encouraging professionalism in the clubs. This fact which makes the number of clubs involved nearly doubled.

Reshaping for a Better Future

The meeting room have quickly become crowded with the coming of managers and club owners from all over Pemecutan. Suryajaya and Kusumawardani are busy greet everyone that have come. It's almost noon and most of the owners and managers have came.

"How many left to come?" ask Suryajaya to his secretary.
"3, Sir. 2 from Rarungan and 1 from Cakranegara," answer the secretary.
"Okay. Is there any news if they will come or not?" Suryajaya ask again. He feels hesitate.
"Only from Tejapura. Their flight were delayed so maybe they will late to come. No news from the other two," explain the secretary.
"Hhmm. Okay then. It's already lunch time. We push back the meeting after lunch. Does everything ready for lunch?" decide Suryajaya.
"Yes, Sir. The lunch is ready," say the secretary.
Suryajaya nod in understanding. He then make a speech.
"Good day everyone. First of all, I'm very happy with all of you who already giving their time to come to our important meeting. It's such an honor to have such trust from all of you. But it's already lunch time, so we will take a lunch break first before we start our meeting. Hope it is okay with you all," greet Suryajaya in a speech.
Everyone murmuring their agreement to Suryajaya's idea which delighted him.
"Thank you. So please enjoy your lunch. And our staff will help you there," Suryajaya continued.

The secretary then direct the guests to the next room where the lunch is already prepared. Suryajaya still standing in his position while seeing everyone go. A few of them once again greet him as they pass him by.

Artha Guna is seating in his cell. He can't do much things while being in the police custody. He wait day pass by until his trial day. It's not that long but Artha Guna is not thinking about it at all. Then the cell door is being open. Artha Guna still not move.
"Your lawyer wants to meet you," inform the guard.
Artha Guna just put a little smile. He walks slowly to the door and let the guard escort him to the interrogation room. The place where he usually meet his lawyer.

Wirama wait there anxiously. He can't find the direct explanation from Artha Guna just like what he wants. Everytime they meet, the conversation are never touching about the case. Very very rare. It give him a headache.

Artha Guna seated in front of him. Wirama wait for the guard to leave the room before he start the interrogation. But Artha Guna cut him first.
"Are you afraid? You look tense," ask Artha Guna with a flat tone.
Wirama froze a little. He can't believe what's he hear and see. Does Artha Guna care about him now?
"Don't be too stressed. We both know that I won't be able to escape this case. I'm guilty, right?" added Artha Guna.
"And you're not afraid?" ask Wirama somewhat curious.
Artha Guna grin then lean forward to him. "Why would I?" Everyone will be dead after all. We're just waiting for our name to be call," answer Artha Guna in a soft tone.
He lean back to his chair and looking at Wirama with a mischievous smile. That smile remind Wirama about his meeting with one of Artha Guna's football school classmate.

"There's something wrong with him. One night, I saw him kill a dog who disturb our field practice that day. He did it with his bare hands. Then bury it. He knew that I saw what he's doing. But he just smile at me and pass me by after buried the dead dog. After that, I don't want to be near him again."

"What are you thinking?"
Artha Guna's voice snapped Wirama back to reality.
He shake his head and say, "Nothing."
"Okay. Then what do you want to talk about today?" ask Artha Guna.
Wirama then try to connect their conversation to the case. Although Artha Guna never make a clear statement. He always talk in riddles which makes Wirama give up.

The meeting room at PFA headquarter is packed with club managers and owners. As promised, Suryajaya open the meeting after they are having lunch.

"Thank you for your presence here. I'm very glad with the positive response and feel honor your trust so we all can make our domestic league better and better." open Suryajaya.
There are some clapping sound from the guests.
"As everyone knows, this meeting is a continuation of our previous private meeting with all the regional associations leader. Except from Rarungan and Cakranegara unfortunately. And we are agree for another change in our league system. And today and for several days ahead, we will discuss about this matter further. We will get into detail about how the league will look like. And which system is all of you prefer. I'm hoping that this meeting will run smoothly and at the end of the meeting, we will have an agreement for a complete league system."

The room is crowded with claps and shouting voices. They are eager to start the meeting and Suryajaya's welcoming speech is really encouraging them.

"You are really a show stealer," comment Kusumawardani.
Suryajaya smiles happily. "Just seat back and enjoy the show," he whisper.
"I will," answer Kusumawardani with a bright smile.

Artha Guna is being escorted back to his cell after the meeting with Wirama. He walks slowly then suddenly stop in front of a TV that is placed hanging above the wall in front of the jail guard office. There is a news about the PFA's meeting on the screen. And the reporter is interviewing Suryajaya. Artha Guna look at the TV screen intensely.

"So you're still alive," he whisper. A mischievous grin comes to his face.
"Move!" command the guard.
Artha Guna walk again but the grin on his face stay still.

by **Nephara** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:13 am

Pekoland 1 - 0 Nephara
(4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2) 1 - Provost; 2 - Schrader, 5 - Clevinger, 6 - Turnbull, 3 - Lind; 4 - Timekeeper (22 - Bruhn 79'), 8 - Cromwell (23 - Kvasina 79'); 13 - Reed, 14 - Fletcher (9 - Gjasula 70'), 11 - Considine (16 - Marinca 67'); 21 - Basilisk

Nephara 6 - 3 New Zhengguo
(4-2-3-1) 20 - Arrowsmith; 17 - Soeringer (2 - Schrader 67'), 18 - Warden, 6 - Turnbull, 19 - Page; 15 - Sauber, 23 - Kvasina (22 - Bruhn 56'); 7 - Koerner, 14 - Fletcher, 16 - Marinca; 10 - Harper
Goals: Marinca 3', Harper 16', Koerner 32', Sauber 39', Harper 49', Harper 54'

VARAKOULA DELEGATION:
Medina KLOSE, Minister for Foreign Affairs [Nationals]
Monika LINDBECK, Head of NSIA
Jade HORVATH, Head of DoTFA
Emmeric BUNDSCH, Chairman of the Electoral Commission
Brigadier Claudia LARCHWOOD, military liaison

Day 2, 8.31pm
There was encoding. There were protocols. There was a secretary who said terms like 'patching through'. But at the end of the day, communication between five of the most important figures in Nepharan politics and intelligence with their head of state came down to 'Medina Klose's phone, on the middle of the table, put on speaker'.
"We're here, boss."
"Alright. Give me some good news."
"I won't even have to lie. Had a productive meeting with Rutherford, after hours."
"And what did Bastion have to say?" Was that a touch of weariness? Frustration, at Nephara's continued reliance on their partner? Nyowani Kitara had, in large part, been a test of Nephara's ability to act on a regional level. The results were in: they were a major player, but their best asset remained and likely would always remain their alliances. It was not a surprising result, nor even one Lindt was particularly opposed to, but the need to work so closely and the constant dancing of their dynamic had put a strain on pretty much all parties.
"They'll help us get what we want. With caveats," Klose conceded. "We've agreed the CRC will run the electoral process, as suggested by our generous hosts--"
"That isn't--"
"-- and the CRC will turn to expertise, as they - we - always do. Now, which CRC members have the expertise on the situation on the ground in Nyowani Kitara? We do. Which CRC members have the security presence and the relationship with the local military? That's us, again. And... look, honestly, everyone in the know will realise what's up. It's a better look for us, we're no longer so blatantly neo-imperial about the whole deal..."
Lindt sighed. She understood, though she wished she did not. "It's how we build something that lasts. And it crafts a better legacy. And we give up a lot less leverage."
"Precisely. Bastion will back us in that, and in reconstruction, and, most importantly... what happened tonight."
A pause. "Don't make me tease it out of you, Dina."
"Fine. Look, if anything, it proved him right." Klose shook her head. "All this time things have been treated like there's some need for compromise. Two days of just... us fretting, as more and more of the KFF's allies get a seat at the table despite having nothing on the board. There's a Chromatik delegate there who I swear to God just takes whatever the Banijans have said and parrots it with a slight rephrase! It's become an exercise in sucking off a monarchy for upholding democracy by backing a fascist uprising." Klose sipped some water. Her throat was getting shredded.
"Well?"
"And Rutherford rises towards the end, silent for most of a day and a half, puts out some proposals nobody can really possibly oppose to throw money at the place, then just says directly what we've had to hint at the whole time. These peace talks are nothing more than a negotiated surrender."
"It's been clearly true the entire time," chimed in Horvath, the head diplomat. "But from us it would have looked like bluster, posturing. From Bastion--"
"From the world's largest military," muttered Brigadier Larchwood, who was 48 hours into her diplomatic career and thoroughly tired of the whole enterprise.
"-- people start to sweat. Now, that's the thing with narratives, Margravine, it's too easy for the dedicated centrist to look at two countries of about a hundred million people, each backing a murderous psychopath, and say, ah, yes, the truth must be somewhere in the middle."
"But we're right," said Bundsch, not exactly a political animal so much as the stager of political arenas.
"Yes, but a murky kind of right all the same. Eura can shape a narrative more effectively--"
"And it has had an effect, I gather?" A trifle hasty, from the Margravine. She knew better than anyone Horvath loved to talk.
Klose sipped at her water once again. "Nobody expected this from Rutherford. People expected it from us. They would have dismissed it from us. I think... it's clear, now, where everyone stands. All the real work's been arranged behind the scenes: Malik out, the dissolution of the KFF, CRC-run elections that we all agree actually means us, an independence referendum about three people even care about, an end to hostilities. Now it's all over bar the photo ops and prawn sandwiches..."

NEPHARAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 4
Goalkeepers: 1 - Aranea Provost (Spartangrad, EUR), 12 - Raluca Garamond (Sabrefell Athletic), 20 - Tanith Arrowsmith (Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, SVJ)
Defenders: 2 - Ophelia Schrader (AFC Treason), 3 - Radeka Lind (Jinja City FC, BNJ), 5 - Reniira Clevinger (Herzegovina City FC, BNJ), 6 - Reina Turnbull (Kingsgrove, BRE), 17 - Pristina Soeringer (Stein-los Turkish, PAS), 18 - Gawain Warden (Marinos Metrpolis, VLD), 19 - Caracal Page (Starling), 22 - Shosanna Bruhn (Soldarian FC, VAL)
Midfielders: 4 - Rook Timekeeper (Sabrefell Moths), 7 - Anselm Koerner (1830 Cathair, AUD), 8 - Lothaire Cromwell (AC Izotz Zubia, AUD), 11 - Kendra Constantine Ramsey (AFC Treason), 13 - Severine Reed (Raynor City United, VAL), 14 - Thalassa Fletcher (La Nueva Avenida, FFD), 15 - Tasha Sauber (Sabrefell Athletic), 16 - Lili Marinca (Chromatik, CMT), 23 - Lindse Kvasina (Sabrefell Athletic)
Forwards: 9 - Ruby Gjasula (Bastion, EUR), 10 - Bravura Harper (Ulsa, EUR), 21 - Latona Basilisk (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD)

SCHEDULE
Indusse 2 - 4 Nephara
IA Quebec 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 7 - 2 Milchama @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Pekoland 1 - 0 Nephara
Nephara 6 - 3 New Zhengguo @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Barunia vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Natanians and Nosts @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Indusse @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. IA Quebec @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Milchama vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Pekoland @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
New Zhengguo vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Barunia @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Natanians and Nosts vs. Nephara

by **Sharktail** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:12 am

WCQ 90
Pre Matchday 6 & 7
by Nazri

"This script may be the same as WCQ 85 when Baker Park and Zwangzug totally outclassed everyone. But this time, we won't let that happen. Surely, from next match, we will chase them.*

That was the reaction of Sharktail manager, Carrol ahead of the next meeting against Saterun and Garbelia to close the first round action of the WCQ 90 qualifier.

Vdara and Farfadillis are seen comfortably in positions 1 and 2, of which Sharktail’s position in third place is 6 points different from them. Undoubtedly, if these two teams are not deterred, the Sharktail team’s dream of qualifying for the WC for the first time once again finds a dead end.

As for Carol, he didn’t expect Sharktail’s defeat to Ancherion. Wins over Takeshwar and Cheetah and Reptiles Coalison were as expected, but defeats to Ancherion stifled Sharktail challenging the top 2 in the league.

"I dont see anything could go wrong that time. No matter how i look at my selection, it one of my best possible line up here. But we let them get us and cause our 3 point vanished just like that. I think i gonna have a heartattack just watching that match. "

The same tone was also voiced by Sharktail captain, Azaim. He insists that they are confident to defeat Ancherion over the course of the day, yet it looks like they may be too confident.

"I feel sorry to all for that match. I do think we don't do anything that really different from our match before. Maybe they know how we operate and they properly cut us and push us until we collapse. I have my part in this lose and i gonna have a responsibality too. I tried clear my mind for awhile, glad we back on track on the next match. i have to be more carefull from now on. "

Sharktail now occupies third place with 7 points from 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. Sharktail will go through the last two matches against Saterun and Garbelia.

ILIAS REZAL ASKED FOR A SECOND CHANCE.

National striker, Ilias Rezal asked to be given a second chance after he up as the hot topic being criticized by fans for failing to complete a penalty kick and hardly to see helping Sharktail in the match against Ancherion that cost Sharktail losing 3 points..

Speak to media, Royal Daulapura's striker is seen in a desperate situation to grab back a place in the main squad. After Win Aziz started to break the starting line -up, it was a bit difficult for him to regain the spot. The failure of the match clearly added another obstacle for him.

"I know what everyone is talking about me. I kinda can know even if i dont read or see it with my own eyes. I do feel heavy now. I work hard to be here. It mistake that i cannot prevent it. I can prove it, so hopefully i got the chance back later. "

However, his comment with media get a critic from former Sharktail striker, Virman. He stated, it rather pointless to go talking with media over something like this. For him, media is one of the thing he is afraid no matter he play good, no less if he play badly.

"He should just shut up and regain his form again next time he got a chance. Rather than go talking to media. He's not even first choice striker, and who knows what to go right or wrong. If he go boast himself, then fucked up against next time, who know whether his name still on call up list or not. "

As the media try to get Carol on this question, he refuses to give any comment.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:32 am

By Peter Davis

After a blowout in TJUN-ia City and a tight one in the United Adaikes, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia were 3-0 and certainly on track to be a potential contender for the Top 2 spots in this group. Both David Seems and Li Xiu Ying felt that they had seen a brilliant atmosphere surrounding this team and their play certainly helped boost that feeling of footballing prowess, but they also stressed that tougher opponents were certainly on the way and they will certainly be the true tests of how good we can be over the next 4 games.

That sentiment would certainly be felt in Tiankong when #67 Ranoria came to town. Traditionally, this contest should've been favourable to us on two counts: Tiankong Stadium's knack for hosting TJUN-ian wins across multiple WCs, and TJUN-ia's history as a "bogey nation" for the Krauts in general. But this game would turn out to be our toughest home test thus far and this one wouldn't turn out to be a fun time at all. If Mark Tilmann had someone to thank passionately for today's game, it would be GK Vincent Emilia - who singlehandedly was MOTM without question with some superb saves across the game and who would become our chagrin for the entire game. All this frustration due to that GK meant it was all the more painful when Barry Chlorid scored in the 82nd to end our unbeaten run and claim to the top spot just like that. It certainly was a frustrating contest and a reminder that we still have a lot to learn when it comes to football at a Top 50 level and beyond.

Ethane would go top after that performance, but a draw at home to HUElavia meant that we could retake the group lead with victory at the Nätionaljë Stëduÿm in Örkendrem against a sneaky-good Darkmania side. Both Seems and Li was looking for a bounceback performance before the impending first-half crescendo while Rëubens Gälmanga was looking for a big win to inspire the new era of Darkmanian football. This game was tight, but more like UA tight - where both teams had credible chances and TJUN-ia won in the end. Fair play to Darkmania though, they were brilliant hosts and opponents tonight and Captain Tålberg certainly was a nuisance throughout, but of defence regrouped and certainly came out with a clean sheet in mind. Our offence also regrouped and Kepo Ulawaya would be the one to find the eventual winner past Lÿngeman in the 47th minute. Despite losing for the first time, TJUN-ia would lead undefeated Ethane by 1 for now.

But both teams are meeting up soon, a showdown in Szensky that will most likely see the best that both Beregozera and Krasnaya Stena have to offer. After that fate-deciding match, we have another big one against HUElavia at the Estadio Nacional in Curumba that kicks off a 3-game road trip that may well end up deciding our outlook entering the run-in. This period may end up being the most important in our history and with dreams of a date with the WC still on the clock, we need every point we can get if we want to make the big dance after all. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group 15)
MD1: vs United States of Great America (UR) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City W 4-0 (1st)
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD2: vs Aut-Ves-Nat (142) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City W 4-2 (1st)
MD3: @United Adaikes (244) W 1-0 (1st)
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD4: vs Ranoria (67) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong L 0-1 (2nd)
MD5: @Darkmania (104) - Nätionaljë Stëduÿm, Örkendrem W 1-0 (1st)
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD6: vs Ethane (14) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
MD7: @HUElavia (41) - Estadio Nacional, Curumba
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD8: @United States of Great America (UR)
MD9: @Aut-Ves-Nat (142)
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD10: vs United Adaikes (244) - Tiankong Stadium, Tiankong
MD11: @Ranoria (67) - Smith Field, Richardson
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD12: vs Darkmania (104) - Beregozera Stadium, Szensky
MD13: @Ethane (14)
----------------------Boot It!----------------------
MD14: vs HUElavia (41) - National Stadium, TJUN-ia City

by **Natanians and Nosts** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:58 am

To:Whoever it may concern,the Government of Pekoland and the Organizing Committee for WCQ90

It came to the attention of the people and leaders of this nation,that in the squad who represents Pekoland,lies two beings that are forbidden in this nation:the big evil and its ambassador.
Although freedom of religion is a constitutional right granted by the State in Natanians and Nosts,and the team being able to play against them,the government must care for the well-being and the security of its people!
So we kindly request that if you decide to play here in Natanians and Nosts,the big evil (that the Lord forgive me for writing this,but,a maou) and its ambassador must not enter the country!If your majesty,the princess Usada Pekora finds essential that such beings need to play on her majesty's team,The Republic of Natanians and Nosts humbly and gently asks for help to find a stadium in a friendly nation to host the game.If it is so necessary,Natanians and Nosts asks for help from her majesty's government in addition to the WCC and the organizing committee responsible for the realization of the Qualifiers for the 90th installment of the World Cup.
With best regards to her majesty and the organization leaders,besides everyone who comes to read this message,in name of this nation who serves the God of Israel.

-Ų. D. Plomata - Minister of the Foreign Office

by **Atheara** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:01 am

Planning
Atheara is confronted with a serious issue about the team. Is it time for the next generation?

FULL TIME RESULTS
Atheara 3 - 2 Kingdom of Voidstania
Peter Jeronataski (12'), Edgar Faltier (55'), Chris Leslen - Odwell (79') / Gilberto Wise (23'), Hugh McBride (39')

FULL TIME RESULTS
Valladares 3 - 1 Atheara
Thibault Benezet (34' ; 56' ; 90+3') / Riana Tresselhouwe ((65^) 72')

Kevin Laycent - Nuzel was sitting in his office, clearly in very deep and thorough thought. Atheara lost against Valladares by a score of 3 - 1 away, while Atheara was only able to barely scrape a win against the Kingdom of Voidstania at home by a scoreline of 3 - 2. It was clear that the first team was struggling. And it was for very plainly foreseeable reasons. Mugel Krygorf couldn't carry the team alone with Zimmerman Brusteric, Frederic Van Lieser, and Toriff Hicosia Algeer as a true captain and leader, and everyone in the team is aging. Many of them although supposed to be in their prime, in Atheara, prime footballing age is considered to be around 27 years old. Many of these players were quite past that mark by quite a bit.

"What do i have to do..." Kevin has considered dropping some of the players from the national team, especially the older ones to give the younger players a larger chance at making a breakthrough in terms of skill level and ability. It was certainly a pressing matter that made Kevin put his head around it, especially considering that Atheara is currently 1 - 2 - 2 through the first five days of the World Cup 90 Qualifiers at 6th place. Atheara's plan was to make at least at 4th place in this World Cup Qualifying group. Especially that all the groups had only 8 member nations because of the format chosen.

"Yoohoo Kevin! There has been some news!" Klee walks into Kevin's office without even taking a second to knock on the door, which Kevin thought he had locked. "Ugh, what is it Klee? Also how did you get in? I thought i locked it. Also, it probably doesn't even regard Atheara at all." Kevin said and asked, clearly showing annoyance because of his thoughts. "Woah easy there! The door wasn't locked tight enough so i was able to plow through it, speaking. And it's my job to keep an eye on what foreign news that may sound interesting for us! Basically Natanians and Nosts made a specific request for their match against Pekoland be played in a different nation if the beings on the Pekoland team finds it essential that they play! At least that's what i heard."

"Wait what?" Natanians and Nosts, Kevin doesn't know much about this nation, but what he does know is that they serve a sort of god. "I think it's for religious reasons, but Klee isn't knowledgable about this kind of thing... Usually i let the staff analyze what the news usually say." Klee says back, still confused about the piece of news herself. "Thanks for telling." Kevin says as he sits back on the chair, still stressed about the national team. Should he trust the overwhelming experience the team has or should he drop some of the players for next cycle? It's difficult to think about it, especially considering that he has to think of this by himself, most of the time. "Is Kevin alright? Kevin seems to be in a lot of thought about something." Klee asks. Klee was in fact correct, Kevin was deep in thought. "Yeah..." Kevins word's trailed off until...

"Klee, what do you think of Atheara's national team right now?" Kevin asked Klee, it took a while but Klee was able to give an answer. "Honestly, everyone just seem so good at what they do. They all play like they are world class. Why are you even asking this question?" Klee asks Kevin back, kind of being unsettled by this sudden question. "It's just many of the players are getting old, and i wonder... Should i drop some of them next cycle or should i trust their age and experience? I know we got some younger players on the second team, but i'm not very sure." Kevin answered. He was just nervous, and worried about how Atheara's cycle will turn out this year round. It was reasonable afterall, he is the Minister of Athletics and Sporting.

"You're the Minister of Athletics and Sporting in Atheara! I'm sure you'll find a solution. Maybe replacing the older players with younger ones does seem like a good idea though. But that's just my two cents." Klee said as when Kevin sootd up, she gave him a hug. "Anyways, se you later!" Klee said as she ran off somewhere else, not forgetting to close the door again. Kevin took a sip from his mug on his office desk, still thinking about it. This was truly a dilemma and situation that Kevin had to face and deal with, with precision and efficiency. And no mistakes must be made. No mistakes.

by **Mytanija** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:12 am

MYTANIJA SQUAD FOR MATCHES AGAINST ERAMAN (A) & PYAZHNAYA (H)
Goalkeepers: 1. Semir Besak (Mipojoseon [QUE]); 12. Pedja Kasun (Ararat Severyan); 23. Dragisa Lazarevic (Litala ’93)
Defenders: 13. Ermin Urankar (Anomalies [CMT]); 3. Grigorij Savicevic (AC Izotz Zubia [AUD]), 4. Bigger Mbala-Ekakia (Wirr Tsi [CMT]), 5. Amar Kovacevic (Ituraitz FC [ASG]); 6. Patrik Odonelec (CA Paulinthal [PAS]); 2. Damir Milcic (Anomalies [CMT]); 26. Mahir Kapetanovic (Liria Prizren), 25. Dino Racic (Libertas Bergheim [SVJ]), 16. Adnan Sulejmanovic (Atletik Thessia); 17. Antun Spiridonovic (Litala ’93)
Midfielders: 7. Mersudin Smajic (Stahlburg City [NPH]), 8. Alen Hrdaljko (CA Paulinthal [PAS]); 20. Omer Kuhar-Arh (Atletik Thessia); 18. Dordo Urbanc (Spartangrad [EUR]), 30. Gavril Atsev (Atletik Thessia); 31. Maks Shishkin (Maethoru SC [KOR]); 28. Zijad Kurtcehajic (Crossroads [CMT]), 37. Bruno Ozmec (Liria Prizren)
Forwards: 9. Jezdimir Ocokoljic (Energija Chernovets [STL]), 11. Damien Gannot (Sabrefell Athletic [NPH]); 22. Vido Mehic (Ararat Severyan), 32. Zlatan Andrijasevic (Z’ai’ai [CMT])

Let's take a look at Gazeta Mytanija's lead story:

“I HOPE THE TALKS GO WELL BUT WE’VE GOT AN ELECTION TO WIN”
PREMIER’S FOCUS IS FIRMLY ON DOMESTIC AFFAIRS AS NYOWANI KITARA TALKS CONTINUE

by Avdotia Dzotsoeva

Ana Mecava-Catic has declared that she has ‘high hopes’ for the Nyowani Kitara peace talks, offering her support to Nafuna Akongo and the KPWC. Some of her backbenchers are reportedly dismayed that the Jedinstvo leader has not attended personally, despite the ongoing election campaign in Mytanija, with some seeing it as an opportunity to roll-back what they perceive to have been a right-wing coup against Akongo and the Kitaran people. Meanwhile some fringe MNK representatives have criticised the Premier for her ‘lack of ambition’ in failing to attend, arguing that it demonstrates how far Mytanija has fallen on the international scene and in projecting influence under Mecava-Catic’s leadership. Former MNK leader Radovan Stefanovic also branded the Jedinstvo-Ekologija governing coalition as ‘hypocrites’ for their support of Akongo and the KPWC, claiming that it cannot be reconciled with their demands for heavy punishments of those who are found guilty of human rights abuses during the Mytanar Conflict back home. Ironically the new MNK leader Krsto Gojkovic is not one of those who has made a comment on the government’s approach to the peace talks.

The Premier came under fire from her old rival Stefanovic after saying that she ‘hoped the talks went well for my great friend Nafuna Akongo and for the Kitaran people’, adding that she expected ‘the talks to be just and fair in delivering the correct result’. Some within her own party were dismayed that she didn’t use the opportunity to try to support a fellow left-wing leader, an anonymous backbencher commenting that ‘we have a dwindling supply of those in Rushmore at the moment’. It is the first real disquiet Mecava-Catic has faced as Jedinstvo leader, although it isn’t expected to be a major issue with the party in election mode and focused on trying to increase their number of seats. Ekologija have remained extremely quiet on the issue with pacifism and diplomatic neutrality more or less written into their party’s rules. Radenka Kovacevic and Mecava-Catic have been kindred spirits in coalition, but there is a feeling that Ekologija would like to equalise the power dynamic between the two parties if they can and any weakness could potentially be exploited. Jedinstvo will want to remain as disciplined as possible in the run up to election day.

On the MNK side of the debate there seems to be two or three warring factions. Former leader Stefanovic and his older heads want to focus on the Premier’s supposed hypocrisy, saying that the government’s attempts to hold those who committed human rights abuses during the Mytanar Conflict responsible cannot possibly be squared with their support of a regime accused of human rights abuses. Stefanovic and company want Mecava-Catic to be tarred by the accusation that she is happy to turn a blind eye to this if it is a left-wing leader in charge wherever it is happening. There have been some ‘pink-green terror’ posters released over the past few weeks suggesting that the Jedinstvo-Ekologija coalition want retribution instead of reconciliation regarding the Mytanar Conflict, playing on the old ‘red terror’ slogan. Some in the MNK have argued that the coalition government’s support for the courts in bringing cases against those accused of human rights abuses during the Conflict is ‘vexatious’, though Jedinstvo and Ekologija representatives have said that it is a major part of the reconciliation process – particularly given that some of these human rights abuses are still celebrated in certain regions of the country, usually represented in the House by the MNK or Spasenje. The government policy might raise concerns in those parts of Mytanija but for many it is seen as an integral part of the reconciliation process they have supported throughout their time in power.

Meanwhile right-wing hawks in the MNK have bemoaned the ‘lack of ambition’ in failing to attend the peace talks, saying that the Premier has missed an opportunity to project Mytanar influence, even if they wouldn’t necessarily agree with how she would be doing that. They have argued that it demonstrates the Premier is uninterested in thinking of the long-term international standing of Mytanija and is only bothered about whatever is electorally expedient for her at the time. Mecava-Catic was typically scathing in response to both this criticism and Stefanovic’s:

“I know the MNK would prefer a return to international adventurism in Mytanar foreign policy, but my government have been wholly focussed on improving the day-to-day lives of our citizens ever since they elected us. MNK politicians are not the ones who have to go overseas to fight wars or to engage in diplomacy and yet they have been encouraging the government to intervene militarily earlier on in the crisis and now to try to drive peace talks ahead of those they affect the most. They aren’t interested in what is best for the Kitaran people in the same way that they are not interested in improving the lives of the Mytanar people. The Jedinstvo-Ekologija coalition are focused on the reconstruction of Mytanija, we have started that process and we want to get re-elected so we can complete it. The MNK would set us back a long time were they to be elected, they are more interested in playing soldiers overseas than in domestic infrastructure projects. They would rather protect their friends than see a proper reconciliation process put people behind bars for their crimes during the Mytanar Conflict.”

Interestingly the new MNK leader Krsto Gojkovic has remained pretty quiet throughout. Where Mecava-Catic has not had to put up with too much internal drama in her party, Gojkovic is already well-versed in the dark arts of balancing competing internal interests. He was not a universally popular new leader with some – including Stefanovic and the party’s older wing as well as the right-wing hawks featured in this article – but he was still elected leader and that was posited to be because of his refreshing approach to politics. He has largely been uninterested in designations of left and right, preferring to accept some of the socialist analyses of the economy whilst more or less agreeing with the traditional far-right Spasenje on immigration and social issues. The only intervention into the Premier’s handling of the Kitaran crisis that Gojkovic has made was to criticise her acceptance of around 500,000 refugees. Gojkovic argued that Mytanija could be accepting ‘all sorts of criminals, lowlifes and good-for-nothings’, saying that their cultural norms are ‘inherently incompatible with the Mytanar lifestyle’ in an echo of his controversial Pero article about the changing face of the Mytanar national football team. He does not seem interested in critiquing her approach on a pro-intervention or increasing influence basis; nor is he particularly interested in showing Mecava-Catic to be a hypocrite on human rights abuses. This latter subject is something MNK veterans despise, with Gojkovic’s line that he does not want to ‘re-establish a Zentrian hegemony which does little to improve the lives of ordinary [Mytanars]’ being anathema to them.

Whilst MNK veterans moan about Mecava-Catic doing what is ‘electorally expedient’, Gojkovic’s stance appears to be helping his party more tangibly. The opinion polls have seen the MNK vote share creep up with former Spasenje voters seeing some appeal in the new MNK leader’s fiercely anti-immigrant stance. Usually, the MNK might be a bit squeamish about taking votes off Spasenje, a party which has had something of a cordon sanitaire drawn against it since the Provisional Government drew up plans for fresh democratic elections, but Gojkovic is unbothered by the connotations of those votes coming to his party. This could be more dangerous to Ana Mecava-Catic than MNK veterans wanting to re-establish Zentrian dominance of Mytanija; or the more extreme militaristic end of the same party bemoaning Mytanija’s waning influence on the international scene. Gojkovic’s politics – economic left and sociocultural right – evade traditional categorisations and may well grow MNK appeal across Mytanija’s regions in a way which Stefanovic (an old-school Zentrian politician) could never hope to.

TOP STORIES:
pg. 4 - Policija investigate businessman using charity as cover for illicit dealings
pg. 18 - Local Zentrian Orthodox Church renovation goes awry after congregation spot ‘newly phallic’ windows
pg. 25 - A guide to jazzing up your borscht from Magev TV chef Olya Laskutina
SPORT: Draws hinder Mytanar hopes; Eraman and Pyazhnaya games become must-wins

by **HUElavia** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:34 am

HUElavia 0-1 Darkmania
(Tålberg 66')
(Estadio Acuático, Bello Mar, HUElavia)

Ethane 1-1 HUElavia
(Palmer 88' | Sol 33')
(King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum, Ethane)

XI at United States of Great America: 
Folliero, Andreade, Chyke, Lavezzi, Valentinovna, Ferreiro, Espina, Braz-Bitencourt (C), Leupold, Rego, Fidanza

XI vs TJUN-ia: 
Lettmann, Mitarte, Coentrao, Pujals, Vogt, Doisneau, Fonseca-Mantovani (C), Yamane, Torrisi, Sol, Nascimento

A Chef's Voyage

Savoring Sega

"Hi, my name's Antoine Brousseau. For several years, I've been a chef for many years, working in various restaurants throughout HUElavia. The sights and smells of cuisine have been a part of my life since I was very young. But now, it's time for a new change in my life. It's time to travel throughout the country and sample the various dishes this country has to offer. I don't know what's ahead for me, but I got the appetite to find out. This is 'A Chef's Voyage.'"

In this world, the Kingdom of Fujima is known as the Land of the Rising Sun. home to over almost 190 Million Yamoto. All the way on the other side of the world, the city of Sega in northwest HUElavia within the state of Costa da Mar is known as the Land of the Falling Sun. Part of three major cities and ports in the Northwest, Sega is a major city within the country. Being a port of entry and home to the Yamoto who immigrated to the country in the late 19th century looking for work, Sega has become a technological and cultural capital within HUElavia. Home to 14.3 Million people, Sega is home to most technological companies within the country, which makes the Information Technology in the country among the very best in the Multiverse. It's also the main city that creates video games and one of the major cities that produces animated shows and movies within HUElavia. A city that is a mix of Modernist and Yamoto architecture, filled with businesses and cultural landmarks, Sega is a great place to see and admire.

I'm here today at a popular chain restaurant in the state, Oriental Sunset, where they are very well known for making a great serving of Sushi. While it is a popular dish throughout the multiverse, for those not in the know, it is a staple rice dish with cooked rice flavoured with vinegar and a variety of vegetable, egg, or raw seafood garnishes and served cold. Time to take a bite! *Dips sushi in soy sauce and takes bite* Mmmmm, very tangy taste, it's mild and nice. The Maki roll tastes very sweet and salty and it just combines nicely with each bite. *Takes another bite* Mmmmm, the Nigiri is also very good, has a slight sweet and savory taste. Finally, the last piece of the set, Spam Musubi. *Takes bite* Mmmmm, very salty and savory, really has a mix between the delicacy of cooked rice with the fried goodness of the slab of Spam meat. Really, this one here is good to take on the go. Ultimately, these small bits can really combine into a great meal. At the end, this is a nice way to go about your day having a nice meal.

Once done, I decide to check out the highly praised Umganohara district, home to various stores and attractions dedicated towards Otaku culture. Shops dedicated towards Manga, Anime, and Cosplays line up the streets, with some dedicated towards niche interests. This tends to be very popular among young people and geeks and nerds throughout the country as many products from Fujima tends to arrive here to be sold to the HUElavian people. Passing along, I saw various Maid Cafes, where the food seems average, even if the maids write messages on it to make it more "magical." *Cringes* Geez, I can only imagine how weird and cringy it may be to experience that. Throughout the area, there's bookstores that have Mangas and Light Novels writien from both Yamoto and Yamoto-HUElavian authors lining up the shelves, with some having a backroom section dedicated to more mature customers. In the tall buildings in the area, I take note that some of the buildings serve as Anime Studios as an overseas branch for companies in Fujima, or straight up the headquarters for Animation Studios run by HUElavians. After all, due to stricter and high-quality work laws in HUElavia, many animators have made the move to HUElavia to work on various animes that are either sent back to Fujima or just HUElavian produced anime that is broadcasted in HUElavia and then to the world and multiverse. Due to the various cultures and languages in the country, dubbing is an easy thing to do within the country.

I also take the time to check out a Shinto Shrine in the area, where plenty of people will walk by to offer their prayers and even do a prayer for their ancestors. I could only do my part and offer some spare coins and a prayer myself. There were some nice museums as well, where it dedicated towards the history of the Yamoto in HUElavia and their contributions to the country, including the various people that have owned companies and been involved in the government, which includes the late former president Isabella Ramirez Nakayama, who was half Yamoto from her mother's family, and was one of the most remembered and well-liked presidents in the history of HUElavia.

In the evening, I'm down for some more food, and I'm off to visit a famous Ramen restaurant called Ramen Revolution, owned by one of the most prestigious cooks in HUElavia, Hayato Wakiya. As the name implies, I'm here to have a nice, hot bowl of Ramen. *Takes slurp and bite* Mmmmm, so delicious! The noodles are soft to eat and easy to slurp and chew, the pork is nice and tender that you can easily enjoy it, the chopped onion known as Negi is pretty delicious and adds flavor to it, and the Narutomaki is also delicious to take a bite in. The best part though is the broth, really tastes amazing to just drink it up. This kind of dish really would hit the spot during the winter when the temperature cooks down. All in all, a very fulfilling meal!

Finally, taking a walk towards my hotel, I find one of many street vendors selling Daifuku, a tasty treat that is popular among the Yamoto. *Takes bite* Mmmm, it's very sweet! It has a soft, tender, and chewy texture to it and the filling has a sweet and creamy flavor to it, with all the Anko Red Bean Paste. Honestly, this is a nice sweet to have while going about town, although some of the people choose to just part themselves from the other pedestrians and just having it on the side. This is a nice desert and I'm glad to have tried this out.

Ultimately, Sega is a very unique place compared to the rest of HUElavia. A city that while it proud to be HUElavian, it still retains much of their culture from Fujima and chooses to blend their culture with some aspects of HUElavian culture. They're a very proud group of people who are grateful to be HUElavian and look to continue to set trends and ideas forward within the country.

Join me next time as I travel to the cultural capital of Astellian Culture in HUElavia, San Rafael, one of the most iconic and famous cities in HUElavia, and enjoy the food, culture and history that the city has to offer. Until next time.

by **Acastanha** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:04 am

It's Getting Better

Acastanha men's national team seems to take longer to get steamer. Started the competition in a slower pace, 1 draw and 2 losses, the team start to make a better result on their fourth and fifth match.

First, they were facing Sannyamathland. Although they have a lower ranked than Acastanha, but they have a better result. They placed second in Group after the third match with 2 wins and 1 draw. These results makes Garbano didn't set any goal for the match. "A draw is already a good results." He said during the match practice interview. But playing loose with no burden at all, makes the players play better. The tactics that was set by the coach was well use. And the result, 2 goals were scored. Both by Arrachai striker, David Yushankar.

The result against Sannyamathland give a boost of confidence for Acastanhada players. They were ready for an away match against Huayramarca. Based on rank, Huayramarca is far higher than Acastanha. "We're ready for a loss. It's a tough game. But I wish my boys can hold them until the end of the match. I wish for a draw." said Garbano during an interview before the match. The match did went very tough and also very tight. But surprisingly, Acastanhada players were able to give resistance for Huayramarca squad. This fact surely give difficulties to them. Finally, Acastanha was able to scored a single goal by David Gothrado from an assist by Ivan Gutna. The single goal was lasted until the end of the match and add another 3 points for Acastanha.

With an additional of 6 points, Acastanha is now seating at 5 place with 7 points, tied with Krytenia in 4th place. And their next 2 matches will be the deciding factor. "A loss is inevitable when you will be playing against an unbeaten team," comment Garbano about their match against Valanora, the current group leader. They will welcomed Valanora at home ground in Amarelda. This will be tough match for them. Like the manager Garbano say, a loss is inevitable. It means they are ready for a loss. And after that, they will have an away match against Vietnamerium, the current last placement.

"I think we have more opportunity against Vietnamerium. It doesn't mean that we are underestimating them but we've saw their matches and we've also saw how Valanora wins every match. So it's like we are next (to loose)," say Jorge Vidshav, the team captain.

These two matches are crucial for Acastanha placement in the first half of the qualifying round. And the target to placed in mid-table is on the line. Could they placed better than before?

by **Estorvipa and Estorpiva** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:05 am

The battle between the True Pivan Protection Forces and the Blue Skulls militia outside of the boundaries of Feuerstadt Airport was still raging when Major Grigoriy Dmitriyevich Umalin emerged from the cabin of the private plane carrying the leaders of the State of Estorpiva. "How many more of them are out there?" he asked.

"You certainly brought a party with you along with President Fedorchuk and Mr. Ihorovych, Grisha!" replied Captain Mstislav Vladimirovich Andropov. Andropov was a close friend of Major Umalin, both having gone through GRU Spetsnaz training at the same time. “Look, Grisha, I don’t mind having the extra guests, but if they’re going to be as rowdy as this, what even is the point?”

“Oh, come on, Slava. You know that these people are gatecrashers!” Umalin said while he checked the chamber of his AK-12 rifle. “They’ll always ruin the party wherever they go! How are our Pivan friends dealing with them?”

“They’ve got them pinned down at the moment,” Andropov replied. “Stanislav and his PKP are doing most of the pinning down though, but I think they can handle it.”

“Good,” Umalin nodded. “We need to keep them occupied, make sure that they can’t do anything to stop our VIPs from getting out of here.”

Behind them, the private plane carrying the leaders of the State of Estorpiva, as well as the President of the Federation of Estorvipa and the Republic of Estorpiva, taxied out onto the end of the runway. Some of the Blue Skulls being kept at bay by the True Pivan Protection Forces and the machine gun from the Pridnestrovians attempted to get into position to open fire on the jet but the guerrillas did a good job of suppressing them. The private plane fired up its engines, speeding down the runway at a brisk pace before finally lifting off into the night sky. “Good, they’re finally out of here,” Umalin said. “Now we need to get back to the city hall and relieve Major Pavlov and the others.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Andropov nodded. “I wonder if the Skulls will let us through them to do it though.”

By the time that Umalin and Adropov got out of the hangar though,the gunfire had died down, and it looked like the TPPF had the situation under control. The bodies of the fallen lay in crumpled heaps around the cars that the Skulls had used to chase down the Pridnestrovians and their VIPs. Some of the TPPF fighters were going around the bodies and firing at each and every single one. “Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on here?” Umalin asked. “Why are we shooting their bodies now?”

“They do the same thing to us,” a TPPF guerrilla wearing lieutenant’s insignia replied. “We only return the favor.”

“I don’t mind it, actually,” Andropov muttered so only Umalin could hear him. “The less Skulls we have to deal with when we come back here again, the better.”

“I can’t believe I’m actually agreeing with you about something,” Umalin muttered back. And then he reached for his radio and called out, “Hotel-One, this is Alfa-One. Are you still there?”

“This is Hotel-One, Alfa-One. We’re still here,” replied Major Trofim Alekseyevich Pavlov at the other end. “Did you get the VIPs out? I heard you took a wrong turn down the back street.”

“Yes, the VIPs are out,” Umalin said back. “The plane just got off the ground. We’re coming back to relieve the city hall. How much longer can you hold on?”

“We’re doing good, actually,” Pavlov said. “I think you might have drawn away some of the Skulls with your escape. Their waves aren’t as big as they were at the start anymore, but they’re still coming. We’ll still need all the help that we can get.”

“Copy that, Hotel-One. We’re coming to you,” Umalin said, and then he turned to Andropov and said, “Find some trucks and some volunteers from the TPPF. We’re going back to the city hall.”

“Why? What’s the situation over there? Is it in danger of falling to the enemy?” Andropov asked.

“Not really,” Umalin shook his head. “The Skulls aren’t throwing as many men against them as they were doing at the start. That may be because they’re actually pulling back or because they’re building up to one massive charge to overwhelm them. In any case, we’ll still need to help them out as much as possible. So come on! Let’s go!”

Two trucks loaded with soldiers from the True Pivan Protection Forces as well as a few Pridnestrovian GRU operators drove out of the airport a few minutes later, their destination being the city hall of Feuerstadt. Major Umalin had wisely decided to leave the driving to the locals, who not only knew the city streets but also the quickest way to get to their destination. It wasn’t difficult to tell that they were getting nearer to the city hall; the gunfire was growing louder by the minute. They also passed by some signs of Umalin’s escape from the city hall pursued by the Skulls; one of the cars that had been wrecked during the chase was still lying in the middle of the road. Trails of blood indicated that at least one person had been dragged out of the car in the aftermath, but there was nobody around when the trucks passed by the wreck. “Fucking eerie,” Andropov muttered when his truck passed by the wrecked car.

The gunfire between the TPPF in the city hall and the Skulls attacking it seemed to have mostly died down by the time the two trucks arrived. The trucks were too big to get into the car park so the guerrillas merely dismounted outside on the street and ran into the building. Major Umalin went on the radio again and said, “Hotel-One, Alfa-One is at the back with reinforcements.”

“Copy that, Alfa-One,” Major Pavlov replied. “If you have the time, you might want to come up to the conference hall. There’s something you have to know.”

“Understood, Hotel-One. Alfa-One is on the way up,” Umalin said.

“What do you think that is?” Andropov asked him.

“Only one way to find out,” Umalin muttered. The two of them then went into the car park, walked up the flight of emergency stairs to the third floor, and went into the conference room where the leaders of the State of Estorpiva had just signed a peace treaty with the Federation of Estorvipa and the Republic of Estorpiva. Major Trofim Alekseyevich Pavlov of the Pridnestrovian Military Intelligence Directorate and Captain Gheorghe Ciprian of the True Pivan Protection Forces were poring over a map of Estorpiva that had been laid out on the table. Pavlov and Ciprian looked up when they heard the doors opening. “Ah, Major Umalin! You’re finally here,” said Captain Ciprian. “I see that you’ve brought Captain Andropov with you. But where is Major Glaser?”

“Major Glaser chose to stay behind at the airport with Lieutenant Grisenko and Lieutenant Shevtsova,” Umalin replied. “I brought Captain Bekchurambetov with me, but I believe he’s still downstairs coordinating your men for another defense against the Skulls. But I can contact Major Glaser by radio if you so wish.”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter,” Captain Ciprian shook his head. “You can just brief her later. But you need to know about this, while there’s still a lull in the fighting.”

“How important is this information that we have to know about it now, Captain?” Andropov asked.

“It’s actually very important to us,” Pavlov replied to Andropov for Ciprian. “It could very well be the thing that turns the tide of this war, not only for our friends in the TPPF but also for us.”

“Very well then. Let’s hear it,” Umalin nodded.

“Just a few minutes ago, I was contacted by the leader of a cell operating near the town of Durdenville,” Ciprian said. “Apparently, a few weeks ago, he was contacted by a policeman sympathetic to the cause who said that strange things were happening over in Durdenville. It would appear that the Blue Skulls had evicted the local police department from their home station, and then the Skulls had turned that station into a new base of operations. The policeman also told my colleague that the Skulls had brought in an entire fleet of concrete mixers into the town, and that they had turned the police station into a literal fort.”

“And how exactly is this information going to win us the war in Estorvipa and Estorpiva?” Andropov asked with more than a hint of impatience.

“I was just about to get to that,” Ciprian replied with some annoyance of his own. “Now, before I was interrupted by Captain Andropov, I was about to say that the Durdenville cell of the TPPF observed a large number of Skulls arriving at the town in the days leading up to tonight. At the same time that the other cell saw the Skulls flooding into Durdenville, my men saw that a large number of Skulls operating here in Feuerstadt were leaving. I told you before that I had no idea where the Skulls that were supposed to be in Feuerstadt had gone before the peace treaty had been signed, Major Umalin, but now with the information I had learned from my fellow Pivan fighters, I believe I now have all the pieces I need to finish this puzzle. The Skulls from Feuerstadt joined the Skulls from Durdenville, and together they decided to stage the attack on the city hall to prevent the treaty from being signed. They believed that the Skulls from one city was not going to be enough so they combined forces with the Skulls in the neighboring city in order to mount their attack.”

“What are you trying to say, Captain? That we need to attack Durdenville and that fortified police station of theirs?” Umalin asked.

“That’s exactly it,” Pavlov nodded. “Captain Ciprian believes that eliminating that Skulls base in Durdenville will be the key to liberating not only Durdenville itself but also Feuerstadt. And I do see his logic. Taking out that base eliminates any organized threat from the Skulls on both Feuerstadt and Durdenville. And we do have the equipment to go up against that fortified station. The only thing we don’t have is permission from the higher-ups back in Tiraspol. Our mission here in Feuerstadt was only supposed to be protecting Fedorchuk and Traianescu and then escoriting them and the State of Estorpiva leaders back to the plane so we can send them all back to Pridnestrovia. After that, we’re all expected to go back as well. Our mission does not cover potentially attacking a military base at all. For that, we’d need to get in touch with Colonel Chakulakov or maybe even General Birsakov himself.”

“You’re right,” Umalin nodded. "I have the satellite phone ready to go, but if I'm being honest, I don't know how General Birsakov will react to this. I know Colonel Chakulakov will want us to do it, but the final say on every mission has always been with Birsakov. If the General says no then I'm afraid we won't be able to help you retake Durdenville, Captain—"

"This is Hotel-Five calling for Hotel-One," the radios on the Pridnestrovians' plate carriers called out. "Come in, Hotel-One!"

"This is Hotel-One," Major Pavlov said back. "Go ahead, Hotel-Five."

"The Skulls are coming back for another bite, sir. But now it looks like they're going all in."

"Copy that, Alyosha. Stand by on that Pecheneg no matter what," Pavlov ordered, and then he turned to Umalin and Andropov and said, "This is it. Looks like the Skulls are going for one final attack on the city hall."

"All right. We can all worry about Durdenville later," Umalin nodded. "Right now we need to focus on not letting this place fall to the Skulls, or else initiating Phase Two will only get unnecessarily harder."

Major Pavlov ran back to his position on the roof after briefing Umalin and Andropov of the defense plan for the city hall. Hotel-Five, Sergeant Alyosha Damiric of the Estorvipan Defense Forces, was still sitting in his position behind his Pecheneg machine gun. He was surrounded by thousands of spent bullet casings ejected from the machine gun during the fighting with the Blue Skulls. Two bent and burnt gun barrels lay to the side, indicating that the Pecheneg was now on its third and final barrel, and because Pavlov had no idea when Damiric had swapped barrels, he didn't know how long that third barrel was going to last. "How are we doing, Sergeant?" Pavlov asked Damiric. "Everything still okay back here?"

"I'm still here, Major, if that's what you're asking," Damiric replied. "But the goddamn Skulls, they just won't stop coming!"

"I know that feeling, Sergeant," Pavlov nodded sympathetically. "But I need you to hang in there for a few more hours and beat back the Skulls one more time. This time, I am sure, once we have thrown them back to where they came from, they will finally stop attacking us. Can you do that for me, Sergeant?"

"Yes, I can, Major," Damiric nodded.

Right on cue, a loud cry rose up from the park across the street from the city hall. From the shadows emerged an entire wave of Skulls, those who had survived the initial attacks on the city hall. The Skulls were now carrying flags with them on their final charge, the gold and black flag of the Estorvipan Commune, the flag of the Blue Skulls militia (the flag of the Commune defaced by a blue skull with a knife going through the top) and, surprisingly enough, the purple and white flag of the Imperium. "No more hiding behind other people, I see," Major Pavlov muttered. "You know what to do, Alyosha," he told Damiric. "I'll go check on the others. When I come back, I expect you to be unleashing hell on those Skulls. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," Damiric nodded. He pulled back the charging handle and made sure that a round was loaded in the chamber, and then he waited for the charging mass of humanity to cross the street towards the city hall. And then once the first man, the one carrying the flag of the Skulls, crossed the street, Alyosha Damiric released the breath that he was holding and pulled the trigger.

 NAGORE 0 - 1 ESTORVIPA AND ESTORPIVA 
              PRASUTAGUSIC (16')

 ESTORVIPA AND ESTORPIVA 0 - 2 JUVENCUS        
                               ETXEBERRIA (7')
                               CAMPANA (40')

STARTING ELEVEN VS. BOLLONICH
GK: Shchetinin; DF: Kessler——Timnev——Ushkevich——Krastenkovic; MF: Vinogradovsky——Potritskij; Roberto——Lemish——Roberta; FW: Prasutagusic

STARTING ELEVEN VS. MONTAÑA VERDE
GK: Enin; DF: Kessler——Birkov——Krasnenko——Raileanu; MF: Atanackovic——Rodin; Roberto——Davydov——Roberta; FW: Prasutagusic

by **Barunia** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:19 am

Swan Song Pt3
World Cup 86 was still months away when Neville Swan was called into a meeting with the heads of the NFB. That wasn’t unusual; they were building the team, and contracts needed to be offered and signed. Neville went in to the meeting confident of securing a spot on the Suns squad for the upcoming tournament. But what transpired took him completely by surprise.

Initially the meeting went as expected, It didn’t take long for the panel to shake his hand and congratulate him on gaining the position. But then it took an unexpected turn. He could still remember the moment like it was yesterday. The NFB President looked him in the eye and said, “We need a new captain, would you consider the role?”

Neville was stunned. It took him a while to get his voice back. When he did, he could only ask a stupid question. “Why me?”

The panel spoke at length of his experience as a player, and of his time as vice-captain of the Tridents. But the biggest reason they gave was his impact with the fans. They liked Neville, and with a disillusioned and alienated fanbase, the NFB needed someone to bring the fans back into the game. They’d made that mistake with Tim Faulkner, who led the team in 85. Faulkner was unassuming and uninspiring, and he was not loved by the fans. He was once infamously booed by the Scarlet Army, the Suns loyal supporter group, after another dismal performance. The Scarlet Army’s praise of Neville was actually a factor in the NFB’s decision to offer him the job.

He asked for some time to think about it, but in the end he only needed half an hour. Then Neville marched into the office, shook the president’s hand, and signed the contract, making him captain of the Suns.

The next few months meant a lot of hard work. He was the fourth captain in as many played cycles, with Andre Azarola having been giving the captaincy in 83, claiming it from the great Hannah Miller. That move was touted as one for the future, but after it all went to hell in 84, Andre was one of those who didn’t return. He remembered fearing that he would be the third coach in a row to last just one season. Azarola and Faulkner were both unlucky to have faced situations that were out of their control, and Swan faced similar problems. The legacy of 84 still loomed large, and he also had to contend with a new coach, a foreigner unfamiliar with Barunian football no less, and a lot of new players. There had been a lot of challenging discussions between him and the Sargossan coach, Rafael Barrios, as they butted heads on playing styles. Those were long difficult months, and the task was almost overwhelming. Sometimes Neville wondered if he had made a mistake signing that contract. But there was no time for regrets. World Cup 86 was around the corner, and Neville was about to lead his country out for the first time.

by **South Newlandia** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:54 am

by **Kandorith** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:53 am

Shinonome Kyoai - International

Dragons strike for a double.

After winning a convincing 5 - 3 victory over Southwest Eastnorth, the Kandorese national team strikes again versus StrayaRoos to bounce back in the current qualifiers.
By Natsumi Miyasaki
Sports

^{SHARE THIS:}

 PGroup 20                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Kandorith                         5    3   1   1    12    9   +3    10
2 Squornshelan Remnant States       5    3   1   1     9    8   +1    10
3 The Sarian                        5    2   2   1    15   12   +3     8
4 Chartistan                        5    2   1   2    10   10    0     7
5 StrayaRoos                        5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7
6 The Republic of Western Sol       5    2   0   3     9   10   −1     6
7 Sendhang                          5    1   1   3     7    8   −1     4
8 Southwest Eastnorth               5    0   3   2     9   14   −5     3

With the shockingly efficient win over Southwest Eastnorth still fresh in the memory, we take a look at how the team has been performing in the last two matches. The protagonists of the 5-3 victory over Southwest Eastnorth were Michinori Tamatsuki, Yoshihiro Nakajima, and Hiroyuki Kaba, with a very important side role for substitute Shinji Matsunaga, who replaced Hamada after an injury in the 70th minute. With the match having a slow start, the first goal fell in the 21st minute by J. Roth with a brilliant shot just out of reach for Tamatsuki. Roth shot the ball with composure, hitting the bar and bouncing back into the net, leaving the goalkeeper unable to deal with it. For the fans, it would look like the Dragons were not in their element once again. However, in the 39th minute, Fujiwara answered the Southwest EastNorthern goal with a monster-volley, outplaying both the defending players and the goalkeeper, Mick Bolen. From here, it would become a quick succession of goals as Fujiwara was followed on the board by Nakajima in the 43rd minute.

We can only guess what was said in the locker rooms at half-time, as Kandorith was now looking at a 2-1 scoreline and was unlikely to want to give up the victory. As soon as the match was restarted, it was immediately a fast-paced rushing game with the Kandorese trying to get the ball forwards as quickly as possible. The quick succession of play, however, led to a few mistakes that eventually saw the ball fall back to the EastNorthern players, who were able to get Bravaro in front of the goal for an easy chip-in goal in the 50th minute. Once again, the game was level, and it was up to the Kandorese players to react to this. React they did, Fujiwara, Kaba and Honda rushed forwards in the 56th minute, and as Honda tried to position himself in front of the goal, Davin Warnbush decided to make an attempt at walking through them, shoving Honda to the ground. The referee immediately sounded the whistle and pointed to the spot as Warnbush was given a yellow card for his actions. Without much thought and with precision, Honda launched the ball into the right corner and the back of the net with a shot not even the most experienced goalkeepers would save.
The next Kandorese attack would see Hamada limp to the side of the field in apparent hamstring discomfort, asking to be substituted. Matsunaga would replace Hamada and play their very first minutes for the Kandorese side, immediately impacting the game. Shoving Bravaro off the ball and sending Nakajima forwards towards goal, ended in Nakajima passing the two defending players and launching the ball into the net just shy of the crossbar. With 4-2 being the scoreline already, the rain of goals would not end there. In the 88th minute, Fujiwara finished a brilliant attempt at goal, again assisted by Matsunaga, sending the crowd into celebration. Southwest Eastnorth would need a miracle to come back from this scoreline with only two minutes to go. In the last minutes of the game, Southwest Eastnorth would get another chance for Barnett, which they did place in the net in the first minute of added time, the Kandorese crowd applauding them for the consolation goal. The final whistle followed shortly after, and Kandorith was looking at a 5-3 victory in a very crucial statement to the rest of the group.

Sturdy StrayaRoos proves to be a speed bump for Kandorith.

After the 5-3 victory over Southwest Eastnorth, the fans were in a very expectant mood when it came to the next match. The fresh Baptism of Fire contestant would not be a match for the Dragons and would result in an easy victory. The truth was far from that, however. A somewhat sluggish Kandorith won the match easily, appearing more concerned with conserving energy than giving their all. With Hamada still injured, Ishibashi would be in the starting eleven while the forwards were switched out too, seeing Yoshida, Kanaga, and Totoro start instead of the normal three forwards. In defence, Hakimoto and Ishida were swapped with Toyoda and Takai. Michiyu was sure to give the players some well-needed rest and had already told the media that he believed the match would not be all that crucial to their standing in the group. A gamble for sure, but a gamble that did work out in the end, as Kandorith cruised to a 2-1 victory over the StrayaRoos.

While not the best performance, it does show that the bench players are also capable of holding their own when called upon. For Kandorith, the win meant that they would take the number one spot in the group, followed by the Remnant States, both on 10 points, with Kandorith enjoying the greater goal difference. For the Dragons, remaining in the top spot is a priority as Michiyu has set their eyes on qualifying back-to-back for the first time since World Cup 73. The Kandorese team had a weak start to the tournament as the ranked 12th team was having trouble finding their initial footing. With the last two matches, it seems that they are now ready to take on the next challenge and are not letting mistakes creep into the play, which in a few matches have led to disastrous results in the eyes of the fans. The next opponents for Kandorith will be Sendhang at home and the Republic of Western Sol away, which both should not be a problem for the Dragons to overcome. Sendhang could prove the more challenging team of the two as they play a very defensive style and this might disrupt the Kandorese preferred style of play a bit, but in the end, should prove no trouble for the midfield and forwards as on paper it looks like the Kandorese will leave the match victorious too. The Republic of Western Sol is another team freshly arrived from the Baptism of Fire and is ranked 292nd. The new team should prove no trouble for the Dragons, yet Michiyu has already said they would go into this match with caution. As with almost every match this campaign, the Kandorese face many teams that are unknown to them, and some of these have already surprised the Dragons in these qualifiers.

With the qualifiers almost at the halfway point, the table of the group is beginning to take shape, and surprisingly, group 20 could still go every way possible, even for the currently last placed teams. With Kandorith currently leading the group, there is no room for errors or easy matches on the horizon, as every match could be the crucial game to directly qualifying for the World Cup. Michiyu himself has already stated that they want the team to be at one hundred per cent performance in every match, to make sure the team does not drop points in all upcoming matches until the very end of the qualification campaign. For now, the Dragons seem rejuvenated and ready to take on the upcoming challenges to go into the halfway point victorious and leading group 20. Expecting good results and achieving those results would lead to more confidence and a boost in morale for both the team and fans as the Kandorese are looking to take a hold of the top spot in Group 20.

by **Legalese** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:46 pm

Fit to be tied, again
Wombats draw in Inktopia caps pair of draws to favorites

Going into the pair of matches with Savojarna and Squidroidia, this reporter thought the Legalese’s current fourth-place form analogous to a young kid playing well in the schoolyard, at least until the big kids got out of school. Instead, the kiddos were able to kick up some sand in the face, and deny the full three points to both sides, completing the effort with an impressive 1-1 road draw to Squidroidia in Inkopolis City.

The result marked a match where the counter-pressing style of the visitors had little effect, thanks to a solid defensive stand from the back four, able to play keep-away from the forward press.

Thus, it should seem as no surprise that both goals came from the midfield. Henriette Brooks found her way through the defense in the 27th minute, catching Timmy Thompson going the wrong way. Legalese’s response came in the 64th minute, from about 25 yards out. Pedro Vasquez, in one of only a few touches he had north of the center line, managed a hard shot by the host’s captain, Takemoto Shingen.

Adam Johnson’s bizarre rant after the match -- claiming centuries of experience for a side that’s barely eligible to vote -- hints at a manager possibly in over his head, but with this the only blemish on the Squidroidian record so far, it’s difficult to see how the Mighty Wombats (as the youth have taken to calling themselves) get back into the qualifying mix. A trip to the mysterious Finntopian Empire offers hope, but following it up with a home showdown with St Trinians -- a side expected to beat up on the hosts no matter what the scoreline says -- could prove a Sucker Punch that keeps the kiddos down and out of the World Cup.

That said, if we’re playing by sandlot rules, you never know what can happen.

“Gooch! Gooch!”

Kerry Kawaguchi ignored the eye-roll from his sister and turned in the direction of the voice.

“What’s up, Pedro?”

“How long have we been playing together?”

“About thirteen years, I reckon. Never did get to win that big shiny trophy, but it’s been fun. Why?”

Pedro never took his eyes off the TV. “The Squid manager seems to think we’ve been playing together for over 250 years, and he’s really mad about it. Any idea what he’s talking about?”

Kenny looked at the screen.

…”THEIR NAME IS LEGALESE! They're pulling legalese on all of us and I don't know why or how or even what they are doing with this! Okay? Will this make you shut up about Legalese?"

“Eh, he’s just mad about the loss. Don’t worry about it, buddy. Nice goal today, by the way!”

Pedro brightened. “Thanks! Thought a long shot might work, since they were keeping us from getting any off up close. You’ll get them next time.”

Kenny walked back to the locker. World Cup 90? Must be a typo.

Lucien awoke -- at least, he thought he was awake -- and bolted upright in his chair. The room slowly came into focus.

He turned to the right, and saw Arthur slumped in a similar chair, oblivious to their sudden change in location.

“Lucien Banks, Corporal, Legalese Armed and Mounted Police. Is this correct?”

Lucien blinked and nodded, attempting to make out whatever was producing the voice.

“We must apologize; the process used to extract beings out of their place to here can be… disorienting. It is our understanding that you are not used to instantaneous travel between different planes of existence.”

“The only thing more surprising to me would be if you told me the kiddos somehow beat both Squidroidia and Savojarna.”

“Then you shall remain surprised -- both matches will be a draw, as it technically has not happened to you yet. Do you know why you’re here?”

Lucien grumbled. “Let me guess, it’s the blue guy -- what did you do with him?”

“First off, that’s not polite. Second, ‘blue’ is really a matter of perception. But more importantly, our associate is continuing his mission, of which both you and your friend are a part.”

Friend is a bit strong, Lucien thought.

“Whether or not you think of him as a friend is irrelevant. What is relevant, however, is that we need your help. Our role, for lack of a better explanation, is to help identify when reality is broken, and needs our help to keep things from spiraling out of control.”

“How is it broken?”

“Time is moving in your area in odd patterns. The flow wasn’t causing much in the way of concern, and in fact multiple versions of your reality had come to terms with it. However, a fracture occurred by some other unexpected events led to a shift that, for lack of a better term, had consequences.”

“What sort of fracture?”

“It seems to have started with a button.”

by **Adab** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:03 pm

Sunday, November 2, 2036 / 13 Ramadan 1458 / 12 Cheshvan 5797
Adab 4-3 South Covello
Adab scorers: Yargab (29’, 45’), Akaptaha (71’), Yissakar (80’)
Sunday, November 9, 2036 / 20 Ramadan 1458 / 19 Cheshvan 5797
Alezian Union 1-2 Adab
Adab scorers: Arthur (59’), Yissakar (75’)

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 52: The Demands

We, the undersigned, believe that the following steps need to be made by the Adab Football Association for the advancement of Adabian football:

The AFA will commit to the development of youth talent to ensure our continued success in international competitions.
The AFA will preserve its independence from any other institutions in its day-to-day operations. There will be no mixing of politics and sports.
The AFA will contribute funds for renovations and upgrades to Premier League stadiums.
The AFA will not intervene in nor violate the personal lives of players.
The AFA will declare its opposition to discrimination in any way, shape, or form within Adabian football and commit to supporting and protecting our country’s footballers against any and all forms of discrimination.
President Naram-Sin Araqasdah will stand down and a new President will be chosen to lead the AFA who has the support and confidence of the public.

The public has been long demanded that reforms be realized within the body of the AFA. As we look forward to qualifying for the World Cup, it is only right that the AFA should listen and that new leadership should be installed over this body, one that connects with and commands the support of our country’s football fans.

We understand that we are taking a radical, perhaps even audacious, action, but we know that we are right and we believe have the support of the public. We are prepared for any and all consequences that may arise from this action, and we will not back down.

Taymour Frangieh
Shania Enmerkar
Tansu Altun
Rebekah Yissakar
Enlilbani Yargab
Alulim Sinmuballit
Emma Arthur

Adab lineup for MD6 (November 16, 2036)
Starting lineup: Chandrasekar, Altun, Enmerkar, Issou, Frangieh, Arthur (VC), Sinmuballit, Orlev, Akaptaha, Yissakar, Yargab (C)
Substitutes: Shulgi, al-Tikriti, Sharkalisharri, Akshak, Thomas, al-Muntar, Samanu, Emmita, Uhwan, Zambiya, al-Kufa, Barzani
Adab lineup for MD7 (December 7, 2036)
Starting lineup: Chandrasekar, Altun, Enmerkar (VC), Issou, Thomas, al-Muntar, Samanu, Orlev, Akaptaha, al-Kufa, Yargab (C)
Substitutes: Shulgi, al-Tikriti, Sharkalisharri, Akshak,, Emmita, Uhwan, Zambiya, Barzani

by **Ko-oren** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:28 pm

The Eternal Table

Ten years of the current Top League format! That calls for celebration and words of gratitude - for the clubs, the players, the administration, making it all work, every year, and creating a structure that is actively helping Ko-orenite football advance. Most of all, this will be celebrated by Maethoru, the club that has dominated the league in that timespan, and perhaps less celebrated by the clubs that have found out that the KFA instated relegation about halfway through this period.

#  Team                   GP   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD PTS
 1 Maethoru SC           320 152 77 91  427 313 114 533
 2 Straudum VV           320 130 86 104 240 208  32 476
 3 Schemerdrecht SVV     320 125 86 109 323 281  42 461
 4 Miradela GD           320 124 84 112 479 458  21 456
 5 Advance Alara         320 119 87 114 534 498  36 444
 6 Aminey CS             320 116 94 110 396 384  12 442
 7 Bruncester United AFC 320 115 88 117 272 264   8 433
 8 Katashi-Kanatsu       320 110 90 120 450 456  -6 420
 9 Branvon CD            320 115 72 133 329 387 -58 417
10 Tanques AOE           224 86  57 81  294 285   9 315
11 Maynard AFC           256 76  62 118 253 352 -99 290
12 Cirelbourne United    224 64  62 98  181 250 -69 254
13 Couziers-Olympiques   128 40  30 58  180 202 -22 150
14 WSR AFC               96  36  26 34  121 126  -5 134
15 Castelo e Calvente CS 32  10  3  19  48   63 -15  33

Even the short intro has probably betrayed that the capital club of Maethoru would top this chart - just not by how much. They turn out to lead the league in almost every positive category: wins (by 22), goal difference (by 69), and the most important one; points (by 57!!). Strangely, it's the small northern overperformers of Straudum VV in second, leading a tight pack of contenders and IFCF-goers, keeping their rivals of Schemerdrecht SVV behind them. Straudum VV have conceded about as many goals as 13th placed Couziers-Olympiques despite playing about 200 games more than them! Miradela GD, now 'relegated' to a spot in the midtable or worse, is still 4th because of two dominant title-winning seasons. Then we get another surprise: Advance Alara, the league's highest scoring team (and it's not close) is up next, still ahead of Aminey CS by two points (something the francophones are likely to rectify next season).

Three further clubs have played in every season of the Top League: Bruncester United AFC, who have been to several IFCFs but largely have suffered under the new format. Katashi-Kanatsu is a huge suprise down at 8th, given their intention (and matching results) to consistently put them top 6. They're also the first club on the list with a negative GD. At the same time, they're just 24 points behind their huge Alaran rivals at 5th, so two good years could see the Katashi club 'up there'. Branvon CD is the only other club with 320 games at the highest level (10 years of 32 games a year) and have not really impressed their fans in that span, fighting relegation but never actually going down.

Six clubs have played part of the 10-year span in the highest division. Tanques AOE is the best among them, having played fewer games than Maynard AFC but still outperforming them, such as by getting a title two years before getting relegated... Maynard AFC is still a household name but unfortunately (and unavoidably) went down. At the bottom we find Castelo e Calvente CS with their single season - but at least they're on the list.

The KFA will spend some time to complete the list so it features all seasons going back to the mythical season 1 and 2 of Ko-orenite football - which should only give the top 12 of this list a massive lead over the rest. We'll also see some famous names make a comeback!

by **Kyzhurkistan** » Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:16 pm

The ball from Gibson was not particularly hard but it targeted the left bottom corner like a top-notch stealth rocket. Chyngyz Halikov stretched himself and even before he hit the ground, he knew he would be sore in the morning. It didn’t matter. With an outstretched tip of his oversized gloves, he caressed the ball just enough to divert it towards the right side of the post which, incidentally for the Kyzhurki, was the left side of the post in this case. It was that much of a daze that he couldn’t tell which of his central defenders picked him up and screamed in his ear.
“Three more minutes, Chyng, we’ve got this!”
The poor lad had to as in any other case, he wouldn’t have gotten over the bloody racket created by the crowd. Every fortnight since the day it was constructed, Chyngyz Halikov positioned himself between these posts and well, he had lived through some memorable moments in the Topbati Arena. From title celebrations up to last minute penalty stoppages, he could make a scrapbook from all the great moments and still. This.
The corner found Cummings nearly unmarked and the Stangtons man could put a lot of power behind. Yet, a reflex, or rather a flinch, saw Chyngyz push it over the bar. More than twenty thousand people roared like one giant. None of them had ever heard of any Ochre Islands one month ago, bar some geography buffs. And now they rejoiced over their bad luck as if they themselves, and not Attokur Rakhimov, had lifted the sole big Kyzhurki chance against the net. Confused, Chyngyz lifted a fist and the cries started again. Everyone was on edge, even the eternally collected Tamirlan Atabaev couldn't contain himself. He was a man who seemed to have transported from childhood to adulthood in a blink, both in his bald patch as in his soothing gestures, but now he rattled Halikov.
"It's fucking happening! Two more."
The standard expressions would say that the tailend of the match swooped past the veteran goalkeeper like a dream. It sounds good, but it didn't feel like it. In fact, the previous ninety had been that for Chyngyz, realizing the unanticipated second home victory, against a strong opponent. They were not here to be the minnow, they could show their pride and values.
But the last two minutes, they were… Nothing for Chyngyz. A black fog.

…

Chinbayev, the manager, scratched his head. In his line-up, Halikov was one of the uncontested figures.
"There is really no chance?"
The doctor hesitated a second. Sometimes, it is good to put up a clear message.
"We're putting him in danger. The concussion protocol is clear... Chyngyz has got three kids, let's make sure he'll be able to play with them in the garden."
"His oldest is rumoured to be g… Yes. Yes, you're right."
With a blank stare, Kadyr Chinbayev overlooked the city of Kartash. The handful of skyscrapers were intended to give it more grandeur, but their positioning among elderly dwarfs of buildings gave the skyline a certain sadness. Kadyr looked as if one had just collapsed.
"You don't give tactical advice, next to medical, doc?"
Kadyr had seen a fair share of sports movies. If he knew one thing about veteran staff members, then it was that could defuse and resolve a tricky situation with an off-hand yet effective remark. The elderly statesman shrugged.
"Meh. Temerov, Mamazhanov, … They're both kind of shit."
So far for that, Kadyr thought, and continued staring.

World Cup 90--RP Thread

Boot It!: A Stumble And A Rebound

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