AOCAF 67: Eternal Chaos (Everything Thread)

[Mlima Kijani]

Mlima Kijani – 2 (1)
Mũthĩnji; Watene, Bingamu, Ngigi; Njerũ, Nyama, Ciugũ (74’ Ogweyo (79’) (86’)), Obama; Opondo (65’ Mũrĩranja ), Odikinyi (12’ pen.), Mũrũngarũa (64’ Abong’o (82’))

Banija – 3 (2)
Wesoloski-Okafor (10’), Sowe (24’), Dione (74’)

Selection of articles from Kijani news media.

Kings claim huge loss, huge draw all that’s needed to complete the set

At the Battleground in Raynor City, Banija handed out a 3–2 thrashing that has put the Kings’ hope of reaching the AOCAF Cup playoffs in doubt. Absent an unlikely upset for Banija, Mlima Kijani would need to beat Tropicorp in order at advance, a tall ask against a team that beat them 3–2 at the 65th AOCAF Cup. The defeat against Banija was never as close as the scoreline suggested: the Kings had only one really solid chance on goal, Jubal Ogweyo heading in a consolation effort, while their other goal came from a deeply dubious penalty shout. The Kadongo Kamu, by contrast, peppered Kĩng’Ori Mũthĩnji’s goals with chances throughout the 90 minutes, and dominated possession. They led for the bulk of the game after Tijan Sowe’s thunderous strike put them 2–1 up, and were unfortunate not to stake out a bigger win. Abel Wesoloski-Okafor had given them the early lead, getting onto the end of a cross from Lolong Bokate, and Kausu Dione made sure of things when he jumped in to stab in a rebound after Mũthĩnji bravely parried Wesoloski-Okafor’s close-range blast into his path. Captain Taamiti Bingamu denied his team were “overawed” but admitted they were “probably outclassed”, but said they were still hoping for a good result against Tropicorp. “Miracles can happen!”

President announces aid deal with Banija

President Chane Njuguna has warmly welcomed overtures from Banija towards addressing the security situation in the south of the country. Recent attacks by a group calling themselves the el-Masri Network in Mlima Kijani (MNMK) have seen homicide bombings at churches and reports of kidnappings of girls from Christian villages. President Njuguna has stated that he will accept Banijan assistance in the form of advisors who will help the Kijani Army train in counterinsurgency tactics, as well as financial aid. “There is no shame in turning to a friend in our hour of need,” said the President, who denied that the Army was incompetent but said that “the new threats of today are like nothing we’ve ever known before”. “Banija is a trusted and responsible member of the international community and we can be sure they will be respectful of our sovereignty while providing us with assistance in rooting out the demons who terrorize our people,” said the President. The precise terms of the arrangement are yet to be finalized but President Njuguna is said to be very keen to include economic aid alongside any military assistance, which could prove important with the Kijani economy undergoing heavy inflation.

Scholars argue over return of artifacts

“Invaluable archaeological finds of interest to the international community”? Or “sacred Kijani art”? The perplexing question of what to do with the Kijani Coppers has reared its head again as Mlima Kijani has found support in its campaign for the return of the Coppers. Mlima Kijani has always claimed that the Coppers were looted by Græntfjaller colonizers and are being held illegally in Græntfjall’s National Museum of Ethnography; Græntfjall insists the works are being displayed in public, and are being protected from destruction or theft should they be returned to the “unstable” Mlima Kijani. Græntfjaller ethnographer Friedrich Ásarsson says: “If these works were returned to Mlima Kijani, these historic and valuable treasures would likely be looted or destroyed.” He pointed to increasing acts of defacement of non-Islamic art by radical Islamist groups in the south of the country, as well as the high levels of corruption reported by international observers. “Many Kijani treasures have turned up on the international art market and risk falling into the hands of private collectors or being stripped for their precious metals and jewels content, and our housing them in a public museum is an act of cultural benevolence,” said Ásarsson. His comments were dubbed “insulting and patronizing neocolonialist bunk” by Gathogo Kĩmotho, President of the Kijani Heritage Association. Kĩmotho argues that Græntfjall’s current unpopularity within Atlantian Oceania may help the cause of arguing for the return of the Coppers. “We think we’ll have a more sympathetic audience from the rest of the region now,” he said.

[Tropicorp]

Hamonii critical of AORDO Response as Tropicorp threatened by Akhdar Actions

Tropicorp Headquarters, Tropicoast, Tropicorp :: Dr. J. Hamonii was outspoken this week comparing Atlantian Oceania's Regional Defense Organization to "a floundering sea horse" as the formerly powerful alliance struggled to align its efforts in the wake of growing conflict surrounding the nation of Jabar Akhdar.

Hamonii would further go on to state that had they been elected AORDO General instead of Siovanija & Teusland's Field Marshal Reinhard Drachmann, that "Such Terror would never have been allowed to emerge within a stonesthrow of AOIsle".

Of course, while Jabar Akhdar is one of the closest nations to the AORDO Headquarters and regional diplomacy center on AO Isle, it is also the closest non-aligned nation to Tropicorp itself which is likely one of the driving forces behind Hamonii's statements. The technology focused quasi-governmental entity is sure to remain focused on the events unfolding just south of them on the outskirts of the Great Calanian Desert and Hamonii has not ruled out using technology to not only defend their land but to push back against any aggressors should they threaten Tropicorp's research campus and resources - either intentionally or unintentionally.

Hamonii also decided to put their money where their proverbial mouth was and announced their own candidacy for AORDO General / Lieutenant General after the Regional Defense Organizations first move in response to conflict in the region was, apparently, bureaucracy.

Position: AORDO General / Lieutenant General
Nominee: Dr. J. Hamonii
Nationality: Tropicorp

Qualifications:

• Chairman Emiritus of the Tropicorp Quasi Governmental Agency
• Director, The Hamonii Foundation
• Sponsor, Cocoabo Enrichment and Enhancement Project (CEEP)
• Author: "How to Win a War without People"

Elevator Pitch: Dr. Hamonii enters every endeavor with the best intentions of maintaining the common goal of improving the world, improving life for citizens and in general doing good. Of course, running an entity as large as Tropicorp there are always distractions from the goal. As an example, while clearing transitional forests to build the Primary Tropicoast Campus, Hamonii's team discovered the unique properties of Calanian Rubber which the team diverted into a new product line, the Tropicorp Sifaka Racing Tire. Initially conceived as a way to reuse the losses from the necessary deforestation in the buildout of Tropicorp's Primary Headquarters, the success of the "Sifaka Project" resulted in a large cash flow for the quasi governmental agency which Hamonii and his sub-leads could re-vector into other research projects that they felt had the opportunity to do good for society. The need to maintain the cash flow from the Sifaka Racing Tires however led to continued impacts to the local ecology due to the growing scale of Calanian Rubber collection. While it shows Hamonii's shrewd ability to capitalize on the opportunities presented to them, it also shows the Corporate Leader can at times lose sight of their short term goals for the sake of an individual project.

Now, Hamonii is just pissed that AORDO has allowed conflict to creep on the doorstep of their precious Calanian Rubber Reserves and will do anything to protect them, even if it means selfishly using AORDO forces to protect Tropicorp's Trees.

[Jabal Akhdar]

Valanora – 2 (2)
Hawk (24’), Ludwig (36’)

Jabal Akhdar – 0 (0)
el-Abdul; Zaman, el-Saladin (37’), al-Idris (68’), Kassis (78’ el-Karim ); el-Basha; el-Moustafa (68’ el-Saidi (76’)), el-Afzal, Hakimi, Akram (68’ el-Ali (90’)); el-Fadel

Article from news magazine The New Week National Atlantic News Spectating Economist Time Man.

In An Ancient Open Region, Unusual Alliances Flourish

Jabal Akhdar has seen better days on the football field. At Sabinal, they were thoroughly outplayed by the skilful Vanorians, if not outright humiliated. Some more clinical finishing could have led to a losing margin of 3 or 4; the Green Falcons were lucky to escape with just a 2–0 drubbing at the hands (or, rather, feet) of Ludwig and Hawk. Perhaps the Marauders went easy on them out of a sense of charity towards a nation facing an external threat, but if they did, Jabal Akhdar did not repay the generosity with much sense of regional solidarity: they were equally lucky to escape with just four bookings and no red cards as they took to crude, petulant fouling in the second half, taking out their aggression in ways they couldn’t manage with the ball at their feet. Afterwards, the players once more quickly left the field to try to phone home. Jabal Akhdar has seen better days off the football field, too – and that, this time, those calls failed to connect, suggests it is the latter that may now take greater prominence in players’ minds.

Viewing parties for AOCAF 67 were disrupted as Jabal Akhdar City faced sweeping power outages; given the Green Falcons’ performance, perhaps it was a service to the country to knock out the feed. Or perhaps it was a sign of sabotage. Mus’ab Nawaar el-Mustafa, Information Minister, blamed the situation on “foreign saboteurs” but would not directly confirm that Græntfjaller operatives are already inside the country. The intelligence community believes that overnight, a deployment of High Aptitude Military Specialist Tactical Expeditionary Rangers (HAMSTERS), Græntfjall’s unconventional warfare special operators, entered southern Jabal Akhdar from amphibious landers, and have made their way north to the capital. There were reports of firefights and explosions at key infrastructure sites, with resulting disruption to power, cellphone and internet networks. However, it would be deeply humiliating for the prideful Akhdari regime to admit to such, so el-Mustafa’s message was, ironically, lacking in much information about the exact details of the situation.

Codenamed “Operation Night’s Blood”, the second phase of the Græntfjaller plan is clearly intended as a prelude to invasion, but that’s an invasion whose plans have stalled as the White Winter Queendom has met massive resistance and opprobrium from virtually all corners of Atlantian Oceania. “A colossal misjudgement,” “a terrible diplomatic blunder that risks geopolitical humiliation,” “monumental arrogance swiftly skewered by a strong show of regional pride”: media judgements on Græntfjall’s foray into Atlantian adventurism have been uniformly damning. But for a country still smarting from the loss of hundreds of their citizens and with the public overwhelming behind military action, it may be difficult to claw back from the brink and avoid open confrontation. “Græntfjall is a bully, and like all bullies wanted to pick on someone small and weak,” says defense analyst Siraaj Sufyaan. “But hadn’t reckoned on the fact that even bullied kids can have friends – lots of friends.” Sufyaan credits “an astonishingly clever” bit of international politics by Rebecca Schoenlein of the Commonwealth of Baker Park, who invoked the Euran naval blockade – which Græntfjall opposed and considered illegal – as an example of a transgression of norms similar to that now being undertaken by Græntfjall themselves. “Pointing out their hypocrisy has undermined their actions.”



Græntfjall’s stance that this is a purely bilateral matter has not had much traction with nations in AO

An indication of the next phase of Græntfjall’s operation – codenamed “Operation Unhallowed” – can be found in a new unit, deployed for the first time as part of the Second Fleet. The Stormsveipur is a landing helicopter deck (LHD) amphibious assault ship. Normally bristling with attack helicopters, the Stormsveipur, part of the Second Fleet currently dawdling off Jabal Akhdar’s coast, now boasts a large complement of Qandran X-3 “third generation” drones, unmanned aerial vehicles capable of ship launch and landing. Multiple Atlantian nations have announced their intention to enforce a no-fly zone over Jabal Akhdar, a situation that could lead to direct combat. But if it is Græntfjall’s intention to launch unmanned drones to bomb targets in Jabal Akhdar they would avoid losing pilots – and, more arguably, avoid a situation of clear open combat – in any confrontation. “It’s probably not a decided question of international law yet,” speculates Sufyaan. “But it’s true that while Græntfjall wouldn’t want to risk forcing the issue by sending in a fighter pilot, they might be more willing to ‘test the water’ with a drone.”

Jabal Akhdar for their part remain defiant, or at least, the Crown Prince does. Having once again refused to hand over his cousin Prince Hakim el-Masri, he issued a withering statement decrying Græntfjall as a “racist colonizer regime” and stated that “Akhdaris would fight to their last breath to resist”. The situation on the ground is more in flux. There are already reports of defections with some Akhdari army units allegedly throwing down their weapons and leaving their uniforms, and attempting to flee the country. Græntfjall has also been linked to a psychological warfare campaign that has seen Akhdari twii.tur flooded with injunctions to surrender and promises of fair treatment for all those who do. But while desertion in the far reaches of the underpaid army may be rife, among the devoted and religious observant populations of Jabal Akhdar City’s densent suburbs, sentiment is far stronger. Græntfjaller politicians and Cardinal Jannik Eyjarsson were burned in effigy in street protests last night while a large rally chanted anti-Græntfjaller and anti-Ha’Yaroki slogans. Few were left to cheer for the beleaguered football team.

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

After practice on one of the off days between their second and third matches, a few of members of the Confederate team were gathered in the players' lounge at their practice facility in Farfadillis. It wasn't exactly up to the standard some of them were used to, bearing half-scrubbed smoke marks from a recent fire and the various scars from bullets, shrapnel, and the other typical airborne wildlife of the Outlandish Lands. Still, Aodaghan Stern, somewhat more at home than the others after a few season in the S-FPL, had managed to tune in a Confederate station, though he couldn't quite explain how he'd managed it in a way the others could understand. The important thing was, President Dosun was about to speak about the Akhdari-Græntfjaller crisis.

Still crouched by the TV set in case it required further coaxing, Stern grinned uncertainly at his teammates. "The Græntfjaller's have to back down, right? They can't possibly expect to fight AORDO all on their own, or that we'd let them just occupy a region member like this."

"War's rarely that logical, or that simple." Tonje Bakken was a sobering influence on the dressing room, to put things charitably. A dour, dark-haired woman of expressionless face and voice, she was what many people imagined when they pictured a native of the former Imperium. Alone of the players who'd been born on the Isle of Squornshelous prior to its admission to the Confederacy, she had played her entire career there, and lived in Vogsphere, where some of the fiercest fighting in the Revolution had taken place not even a decade ago. "The only thing you can really count on in a situation like this is that people will make mistakes and other people will die because of them."

"Is optimism such a terrible thing to you Tonje?" Caitrain Ness, the team's eldest often found herself exasperated and at odds with the unsmiling fullback.

"I'm a realist, Cait. Nothing more and nothing less. I've seen this kind of thing before, that's all. Go call your boyfriend if you don't like it," Bakken's rare grins were all too often the toothy and unpleasant sort she now wore.

"Quiet," Tyra Volam, another player who knew from personal experience what atrocities authoritarian governments were capable of sighed loudly, "she's starting."

---

"Citizens of the Confederacy. Tonight I want to talk to you about a very serious matter for our nation, our region, and for the world as a whole."

President Jelena Dosun's image was immaculate as usual. Her short, cropped hair swept straight back, every strand in place. Not a speck of lint on the lapels of her jacket, nor of dust on the white shirt beneath. Her voice was even and steady. This was a leader to inspire confidence. It was all a carefully crafted presentation of course. Her words composed by a team of writers, checked over by batteries of analysts and polished down to the syllable, her wardrobe carefully selected, the placement of ever pen, paper, and paperweight on her desk carefully considered. It was the work of a whole apparatus of political professionals, but damn they were good at it. Every now and then you had to give the bureaucrats a little credit.

"As you know, some weeks ago, a heinous and unprovoked attack was carried out in Steinaux, Græntfjall, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocents, and many more injuries. Intelligence suggests that attack was planned and carried out by an organization with ties to the royal family of Jabal Akhdar, here in Atlantian Oceania. First and foremost, I speak for our entire nation tonight as I wholeheartedly condemn this attack. While desperate peoples at risk of annihilation by overwhelming force may justifiably turn to extreme measures, that is not the case here, nor can it ever be acceptable to target innocent civilians in any attack, state sanctioned or otherwise. The perpetrators of this attack must, and will be brought to justice."

"In the wake of this attack, and toward that end, Græntfjaller military forces have entered Atlantian Oceania. Their fleet has positioned itself in position to strike Jabal Akhdar, and has carried out an aerial campaign. While we uphold the right of the people of Græntfjall to seek justice for the wrongs done against them, the Confederacy must object to the methods they have chosen. Drone strikes against alleged terrorist targets will inevitably result in unacceptably high rates of civilian casualties. Further, unilateral military action within Atlantian Oceania cannot be tolerated, however righteous the professed cause."

"Therefore, the Confederate government has taken the following steps. First of all, I have directed the Department of Foreign Relations to establish humanitarian missions in Græntfjall and Jabal Akhdar to aid the victims of this conflict, as well as in Mlima Kijani, which has also been the victim of el-Hasri-associated terrorists. As important as bringing the guilty to justice is, as much as possible, healing the wounds they have caused. Second, we have detached a naval expeditionary force, consisting of the aircraft carrier Vigilant and its escorts to be transferred to the Jabal Akhdar region and temporarily placed under AORDO command for regional defensive purposes. To the people and government of Græntfjall, we do not seek conflict with you, but the wrongs done against you cannot be used to justify further wrongs. Finally, I have urged the Confederacy's current representative within AORDO, General Per Arlberg, Deputy Chief of AORDO Air Forces, to put his name forward for one of the vacant posts of AORDO General or Lieutenant General. A delicate situation such as this is not a time to be without certain leadership, and General Arlberg has proven his mettle during the revolution, standing up against his Imperial masters, but seeking a peaceful solution as quickly as one was possible."

"It is a peaceful solution that we continue to hope and work for. Given time for diplomatic processes to work, we believe that we, the greater international community of Atlantian Oceania, can prevail upon the Akhdari government to do the right thing, and give up the terrorists currently sheltering on their soil. But that is a conversation that must be had across the negotiating table, not from either end of a loaded gun. Citizens of the Confederacy, the coming days and weeks will not be easy. Our morals and our resolve will be tested, but we will pass this test, as we have those in the past. I am honored and humbled to have been entrusted with the leadership of this nation in this difficult time, and I will always do my very best to live up to your trust in me. Good night."

---

"Like I said. Mistakes and death."

"Tonje can you for once try something other than fatalism?" Ness was glaring now.

"She sends out a battlefleet while talking about peace. She's either a liar or an idiot, like most politicians."

"You're impossible."

Fortunately for everyone involved, the argument was cut short by a loud clap of hands from across the room, and the loud, clear voice of Anne-Sophie Groothuis. "Team dinner in ten, let's go. Big match tomorrow, I don't care if they're unranked. Why?" She pointed, seemingly at random, but her finger seemed to indicate the space between Bakken and Ness. The two looked briefly at each other, then back at their manager, whose eyes flickered between them. Groothuis waited.

"No such thing as an easy match," the two recited in unison.

"Right. Now get a move on, all of you. I'm not having any stragglers getting mugged."

[Qasden]

IC Crest
Kits courtesy of Siru (Home) and ZSports (Away) of Tikariot and Ziwana respectively

---

The Region is in complete disarray. Baker Park steals a second star away from us, what's left of Farfadillis is being allowed to co-host another major tournament, and that hot-ass sandy place up north is facing military threats from that cold-ass place in Rushmore that just won the World Cup. You gotta help save Popstar, Kirby! No, wait, wrong digital amalgamation.

It's time for AOCAF 67, and a team that hasn't taken us back to the World Cup since their arrival is being left completely in tact. Why? Budgeting and scheduling reasons, probably. Hell, I don't think they still play with half of those clubs down there...0h well. The Dashing Darsten Dream is long dead in the big dance. and last season proved it deceased with another shanty-less run into the ground. Hope is frail, but if there's one thing QAFA's good at, it's leaing us to believe consistency is key! Cool and all, but where does that key even go to? Did they just hand me a blank key and say "Believe us, we're key doctors"? Is that even a thing?

Damn, off track. Regardless of the shameless return of a near-disgraced squad, the Vans of a soon-to-be yesteryear are returning once again to capitalize on their one saving grace from the last adventure into Jabal Akhdar. Victories over Demot, Tropicorp, and Banija, fueled what could've been a dastardly dash for glory, squandered only by the one national team that can beat us by simply approaching the stadium. A big win over Valanora secured the Blue-Reds a nice third hue in bronze, which sounds like an ugly gradient, but it's the first one we've seen in awhile so we'll take it. With travel costs being more/less expensive than last time, the team ventures back to the Glorious Southwest to make due in the Vanorian convention circuit before being actually capable of winning a title there. Can McCracken and Co. hold the longest queue at the Quebecois-owned motel meeting hall? Or will they actually kick a ball for once and make Qads give a damn again? Stay tuned, stay updated, and stay fresh with whatever chaos the news is gonna bring, with AOCAF 67 live in the background of warfare nonsense not in Valanora and Farfadillis!

---

KPB: 19.57 (6th)
Style: +3
Preferred Formation: 4-4-2
Nicknames: The Vans | Calcio Calico (Used for Away Matches) | The Blue-Reds

---

---

Icarus Darsten

---

Age: 40|Position: Manager|Last Known Affiliation: Qasden NT
The former captain of Qasden, Darsten has been involved with the club from its very conception. As a hard working player whose honor and respectability could shatter diamonds, Icarus wasn't ready to part ways with competition after Sylvia's overhaul of the old team, and was enlisted as an assistant manager in her new administration. In the wake of World Cup 89, however, the association decided to ditch Zimari to pursue other names, leading to the promotion of her heir apparent to the job. Like Sylvia before him, Icarus will be put to the test in order to truly decide if he's fit for a proper replacement.

---

Ryan Xandreas

---

Age: 37|Position: Assistant Manager|Last Known Affiliation: Qasden NT
In the aftermath of "The Great Refresh", Xandreas, like many of the now declared "OldVans", stayed within the association as a mentor for future NT prospects. Co-leading the National Academy's midfielder program alongside Valentijn Munson, Ryan was introduced to managerial duty following the departure of aloof Cavernite, Gaston Rolf. This strange interaction led to the formation of the X-Squad, a fancy term given to the academy's foreign-foraying team competing at the then ongoing Mike Sarzo Memorial Trophy. Despite a quarter-final exit, the release of Sylvia Zimari from the association brought about a new need for a co-manager at the top; and with no other viable candidates around (save an elderly Zachary Sols and a less-so Osmer Kerrison), the academy director/manager returned to the national spotlight once again.

---

12- Tommy Waluigi

---

Age: 28|Position: Goal Keeper|Last Known Affiliation: Baptists
Smart, loyal, and a skilled keeper who was vital to Qasden's success in AOCAFs 62 and 65. While serving as top keeper for Chromatika's Crossroads, the club breached IFCF qualification on two occasions (one at the start of his signing and one in the middle of it). Following the last campaign, Waluigi's occasionally blindspotted ego began to paint purple, moving forward with Sanford Falls' purplest squad, Baptists.

---

Substitute Goal Keepers
00- Cliff Rouge|21|Brenville Blue
25- Zinnia Thurstan|27|Hawthorne Kickers

---

5- Joanna Rigby

---

Age: 30|Position: Defender|Last Known Affiliation: Qasden NT
Her appearance and bubbly nature would entrance anyone into believing she'd be an easy opponent, but don't let that façade fool you. The second that first whistle is blown, her attitude takes a complete 180, and suddenly those who doubted her are suddenly running for the hills! She briefly played a starting role in Sanford Falls PREMIER, though how much we want to talk about that run is a story for another time.

---

8- Aristide Quickley

---

Age: 29|Position: Defender|Last Known Affiliation: Blue Mountain Range
Quickley's been a familiar face on the bench, rarely doing anything other than rooting on his teammates. The man's far from inferior to his comrades, of course, being an excellent fighter and tactic-savvy defender that's often sought out by newcomers for advice. While not too fussy about joining domestics, instead choosing to be a QAFA representative at various local charities, Aristide's agent felt otherwise, promoting him abroad and garnering a contract with Astograth's Blue Mountain Range.

---

4- Cora Varnham

---

Age: 29|Position: Defender|Last Known Affiliation: Stahlburg City
Skillful, fierce, and a smartass above all, Varnham was brought up from depths unknown and displays tremendous tenacity when it comes to letting opponents past her. She serves as a pivotal player in Zimari's push for a strong defense, though her gastronomy does serve as a strong plus.

---

2- Rufus Lester

---

Age: 32|Position: Defender|Last Known Affiliation: Qasden NT
A talented and agile defender in his own right, though his main rise to fame was a result of happenstance: having the insignia "DIX" when the new team once donned roman numeral kits. The long reigning funny man of the crew, Lester often tries to assume a now more 'mature' facade, with plans to even retire from football altogether following the AOCAF.

---

Substitute Defenders
3- Vance Justice|21|Dalton United FC
28- Slone Widovia|23
29- Khasan Kubo|24
31- Kaitlyn Cecil|24
7- Maria Vosswater|22|

---

---

11- Michelle McCracken (C)

---

Age: 28|Position: Midfielder|Last Known Affiliation: Brattleboro FC
By far the most dominant of the NewVans. McCracken was recruited as part of a shortlist of female players drafted by Zimari and Valentijn Munson, the first woman of the National Team. Michelle is professionally competitive, and was quick to assert herself as the commanding individual on the field, gaining Darsten's trust in her taking over as Team Captain. She's easily one of the bigger role model figures on the team, given her ability to mask the difficulty of balancing an intense work-life schedule as something with ease.

---

13- Uwu Lekoye

---

Age: 23|Position: Midfielder|Last Known Affiliation: Asbury Park FC
One of the more popular folk at the academy, Lekoye was found to be an exceptional midfielder throughout his play in interschool scrimmages and, recently, the Olympics. Wanting to make a name for himself beyond the school walls, Uwu became one of the most recent additions to the primary XI, courtesy of a contract with Asbury Park (though not directly).

---

22- Genivieve Orville

---

Age: 23|Position: Midfielder|Last Known Affiliation: Bruul Skewers
A will of iron in a body of bronze, Genivieve Orville's life was going to change forever the moment all that hard work-brand cereal started to reveal its prize inside. A member of the former Academy and Olympic squads, it was Orville's third adventure that would launch her social career like never before. While not immediately being admitted into the NT, Genivieve's successful captainship at the 2nd Jenna Raven Cup, paired with a stellar performance with Bruul Skewers, pushed her and a fellow Mrii-based teammate up the ladder tenfold as highly sought after prospects towards Qasden's future.

---

[Portrait TBA] 26- Scottie Kaestre

---

Age: 25|Position: Midfielder|Last Known Affiliation: Wyvernscrest
Scottie wasn't the likeliest candidate for the role of superstar, her absence from the international plane only disappearing at the last Olympics. Following a stellar performance at the Jenna Raven Cup, however, Kaestre quickly became a favorite among national officials to send abroad, joining Mriin's Wyvernscrest. One debut season later, paired with an exceptional domestic performance that awarded her the league's prestigious Polished Horn, Scottie Kaestre found herself at the forefront of promotion to the Starting XI. Off the pitch, she doesn't seem to interact all that much with her teammates, a complete 180 from her bombastic personality while in the kit.

---

Substitute Midfielders
15- Osmund Blackbourne|31
16- Marco Bruno|20|Sporting Ittuributa
17- Shug De La Fontaine|31

---

---

69- Ike Sexton

---

Age: 30|Position: Forward|Last Known Affiliation: Striterax
During the haydays of Zimari's grand adventure, this dastardly demagogue always found a way to add a little N to this SFW sport. Never anything arrest-worthy, but the jokes and gestures made him iconic in the country's meme world, especially when his name and kit number add dramatically to that festering fire. On the off hand he's not in a devious sort of mood, Ike can be a tolerable level of talkable, enough to keep busy with his fellow forward teammate, Jaylyn Bone.

---

20- Jaylyn Bone

---

Age: 26|Position: Forward|Last Known Affiliation: Algolia
Think Ike Sexton, but actually pleasant to be around. Jaylyn was brought about as a prodigy from Chevlin, an eastern city bordering Dogsmouth responsible for the subpar sporting organization, Eastern Athletic. Bone had grown fond of Ike as a friend, and the two occupy each other most of the time, much to the thankfulness of others around them.

---

Substitute Forwards
36- Lacey Lane|19|Hornchurch
33- Yvette Leatherbound|24
42- Lennox Dragoslav|23|Shirley Metros FC

---

---

I Give My Opponent Permission To

---

Choose My Goalscorers: Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events: Y
Injure Players: Y&N (get my ok first)
Godmod Injury Events: N
Red Card Players: Y&N (get my ok first)
Yellow Card Players: Y
Godmod anything else: No destroying/killing/harming my players, venues, cities, you get the idea. Other than that, it's fairly fair game.

---

[Farfadillis]

Riots erupt across Farfadillis after Cordian Isles loss
As measured in excess riots, which is the number of riots minus the number of expected riots given unremarkable circumstances

A tragically but hilariously ineffective La Vherderoja was unable to secure even one point against the up-and-coming Cordian Isles national team, despite playing at home with a full crowd cheering for and, towards the last few minutes, threatening them.

Vâásk Çêwé might very well be responsible for a triple-digit number of deaths as a result of his late miss on matchday two of the ongoing AOCAF Cup, as the striker's failure to do his damn job led not only to the Cordian Isles not going down, but to the visitors even scoring the winner after not being dealt a demoralizing blow late on. If Çêwé had a trace of a conscience (we know he doesn't, remember that time he refused to pass to an open teammate in order to get his name on the scoresheet?), he'd be haunted by this for all eternity.

As the game was played at La Gran Avenida, the riots unfortunately disproportionately affected our dear Farolera. The (very rough and hard to collect) numbers point towards Farolera having had almost half as many deaths as Ruland over this, and over five times as many as Szoirsia. Data on Ferdullaele is hard to come by because they are still under complete anarchy and probably have bigger worries right now.

Not all is lost, however. The scenario is simple: Farfadillis is now only three points and three-hundred and thirty-seven people down what they expected to be right now, but there's one match to go, and it's against complete unknowns Romsten. Logic dictates we should be able to go through easily, coasting past the inexperienced side. As we tend and like to throw logic out the window, however, there are plenty of reasons to be worried.

Another big concern is that, given current circumstances, Lele Manguele will likely be forced to rest no players, just in case, which would mean a looming potential match against Vilita & Turori with a team in need of rest... assuming we even get to that point. The average Farf should steel themselves and expect, once more, utter and complete disappointment while hosting tournaments. We don't want to get to four-digit death numbers yet. That hasn't happened since World Cup 85.

Today's Top Stories:
Faroleran police under literal fire, again
Manguele: "We will be underestimating Romsten"
Faroleran economy soaring due to unexpectedly competent kraken-hunting aid from Banija
Farfadillis riots: just a consequence of football or an indication of cultural superiority?
Disappointing la Vherderoja result once again sparks immigration debate in Banija

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2022
Delaclava stands in way of BP advancement
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Editor

After a dominant opening match in AOCAF 67, the Commonwealth National Team succumbed to a pair of second half tallies in dropping a 2-1 decision to Kimi-Suomi, leaving them in need of at least draw against Delaclava at the 'spiritual home' of the Under-21's in Valanora, The White Fortress in Gladerial.

A win or draw will see Baker Park move on as the second placed side from Group D while a loss will eliminate the holders in the group stage, which would be another embarrassing early exit for Jen Prescott's team.

"We know that Delaclava will be looking to knock the champions out of this tournament, and we'd best take that seriously as a threat. They're not nobodies and we can't just think '500 passes and go home with a W'. It's gonna take 90 minutes of hard graft".

Prescott will revert to the line that defeated Wreckeria 5-1, with the lone exception that Sam Harrison will replace Samuel Obodime in defense.

Lineup vs Delaclava:

Kelley; Bruce, Wiseman, Harrison (C); Rizzo, Wiley, Myers, Altman; Moorman; Harris, Gibson

[Valanora]

Matchday 3

Group E
The Cordian Isles 1–1 Gyatso-kai
Romsten 0–5 Farfadillis

P Group E                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The Cordian Isles                3   2  1  0    7   5  +2    7
2 Farfadillis                      3   2  0  1    8   2  +6    6
3 Gyatso-kai                       3   1  1  1    5   6  −1    4
4 Romsten                          3   0  0  3    6  13  −7    0

Group F
Busoga Islands 0–1 Vilita & Turori
Milchama 1–0 95X

P Group F                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Vilita & Turori                  3   2  1  0    4   2  +2    7
2 Milchama                         3   1  2  0    2   1  +1    5
3 Busoga Islands                   3   1  1  1    2   2   0    4
4 95X                              3   0  0  3    2   5  −3    0

Group G
Pluvia and the Saxean Isles 2–3 Oontaz Dert Li Ng
Squornshelan Remnant States 3–1 Heller Turn

P Group G                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Squornshelan Remnant States      3   2  1  0    4   1  +3    7
2 Oontaz Dert Li Ng                3   2  1  0    5   3  +2    7
3 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles      3   1  0  2    8   6  +2    3
4 Heller Turn                      3   0  0  3    4  11  −7    0

Group H
Fort McKinley 1–1 Sarzonia
Hapilopper 4–1 Al-Tamazgha

P Group H                        Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Sarzonia                         3   2  1  0    9   3  +6    7
2 Hapilopper                       3   2  0  1    9   7  +2    6
3 Fort McKinley                    3   1  1  1    6   6   0    4
4 Al-Tamazgha                      3   0  0  3    3  11  −8    0

Round of Sixteen Fixtures
The Cordian Isles v Hapilopper
Vilita & Turori v Oontaz Dert Li Ng
Squornshelan Remnant States v Milchama
Sarzonia v Farfadillis

[Farfadillis]

Matchday 3

Group A
Jabal Akhdar 1–1 Canadian Dominion
Equestria 0–2 Valanora

- Group A              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Valanora               3   2  0  1    4   1  +3    6
2 Canadian Dominion      3   1  1  1    3   3   0    4
3 Equestria              3   1  1  1    3   4  −1    4
4 Jabal Akhdar           3   0  2  1    2   4  −2    2

Group B
Banija 3–1 Sea Dome
Tropicorp 1–3 Mlima Kijani

- Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Banija                 3   2  1  0    6   3  +3    7
2 Mlima Kijani           3   2  0  1    9   5  +4    6
3 Tropicorp              3   1  1  1    4   4   0    4
4 Sea Dome               3   0  0  3    3  10  −7    0

Group C
Verceola 3–3 Demot
Qasden 0–0 Efnakia

- Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Qasden                 3   2  1  0    3   1  +2    7
2 Demot                  3   1  1  1    9   7  +2    4
3 Efnakia                3   1  1  1    7   6  +1    4
4 Verceola               3   0  1  2    4   9  −5    1

Group D
Delaclava 2–4 Baker Park
Kimi-Suomi 2–1 Wreckeria

- Group D              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kimi-Suomi             3   3  0  0    7   3  +4    9
2 Baker Park             3   2  0  1   10   6  +4    6
3 Delaclava              3   1  0  2    6   7  −1    3
4 Wreckeria              3   0  0  3    3  10  −7    0

Round of Sixteen
Valanora v Baker Park
Banija v Demot
Qasden v Mlima Kijani
Kimi-Suomi v Canadian Dominion

[Gyatso-kai]

.:: The Office of The Avatar, Liangzhonghai Complex, Zhongyang District, Republic City ::.
0845 hours, 3 August 2022.2

August Third… Founding Day.

Avatar Aang sat in his office, going over the various military and civil plans for the day. It was one of the holidays Aang didn’t exactly regret, but then again, he never really enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance that came with celebrating holidays in the public light: Sure, he loved meeting all of the every day people who lived under his protection, and he loved all of the religious ceremony that surrounded certain days, but the speeches and parades and just having to stand in a balcony watching it all…

I’d rather carry gravel up a thousand steps for nine hours than sit through one more parade.

Founding Day was a bit of an unnecessary holiday, that further broke down the establishment of Gyatso-kai following The Great War into four distinct holidays. First, on 29 April, was Avatar Roku’s Day, in which the life of Aang’s predecessor was celebrated. Avatar Roku was the man who saw the end of the Great War, the defeat of the imperialist Fire Nation, as well as the formation of the Avatarian Republics. Avatar Roku’s Day was also the start of “Golden Week”, which was a period where four holidays happen all in the same week; this would often result in a week off school for students, most businesses would have limited hours, and Aang would have an incredibly full itinerary of travel and ceremonies. Following that holiday came Constitution Day, which celebrated the writing and implementation of the Constitution of the Avatarian Republics; this holiday would usually see Aang having to travel to the National Archives, looking over the original constitution, and ‘admiring it’ before giving speeches on how ‘incredible’ it was, and how it ‘shaped our democracy for generations to come, after the sacrifices of generations before’. Then came the double-header of Founding Day on the 3rd of August, followed by Republic Day on the 8th of August.

I mean… When I was a kid, I loved all these holidays… but now…

ringringring

The sound of his office intercom went off and brought Aang back from his thoughts. He looked down to the screen, a green light blinking, and he extended a hand to activate it. Once on, the shining smile of his secretary – Zhuli, his favorite – greeted him with a smile.

Your Holiness, Lieutenant General Xiong Honaka is here.

“Excellent, Zhuli,” Aang sighed. ”Send her in.”

A quick nod from his secretary, and the screen cut off. Aang stood, adjusting his robes and stretching slightly as the main door to his office opened. A lone trooper – CL-32-1149, or “Havo” as he was called – held the door, as Xiong walked by, followed by her assistant. The service dress uniform of the Republic Air Force – three-button coat in dark blue with silver-color buttons, each adorned with the bendu symbol of the Avatarian Republics – always caught Aang a bit off-guard with how aggressive it was to be addressed by someone in a suit, especially one as sharp as a military suit. Her cap in hand, Xiong came to within a few metres of Aang before stopping to bow. Aang tilted his head, before extending a hand.

”General, good to see you.” Aang spoke, a smile on his face. He had known Xiong – or ‘Hono’ as he nicknamed her whenever the two were alone – since he was a small child and not even announced as Avatar yet; her parents were Air Acolytes, a sect comprised of people from all over the Four Nations, yet chose to adopt many of the practices of the Air Nomads. The group her parents belonged to lived outside of the Southern Air Temple where Aang lived, and as such, they would make trips to the temple. Xiong had worked hard to climb the ranks of the air force, having served multiple tours in Gaoling and throughout the Separatist Crisis in the 90s. She was as battle-harden as any general came, and though time had taken its toll on her – as Aang was fond of reminding her that ‘everyone gets older’ – she still bore a vigor for service that few could match.

”A pleasure as always, Avatar.” Xiong smiled back before handing a large black folder to Aang. ”I believe these four airfields will do nicely for the Pluvian detachment scheduled to arrive today.”

“Four airfields?” Aang was taken aback. ”I thought their Ministry was only sending over a single wing?”

“Yes, Avatar,” Xiong spoke, gesturing to the folder. ”However, given the nature of this incident, I thought it best to present multiple options to their commander so as for them to make the best choice strategically.”

Aang nodded, before opening the folder. The map on the front page should the selected airfields, one on each of the four most eastern landmasses, and Aang was familiar with each. Beiguang, located on the northern most island of Gyatso-kai, was home to not only the airfield, but also the Grand Army of the Republic’s Fourth Mountain Brigade, who trained extensively in the Lhotselu mountain range found nearby. Stationed at Beiguang was the 318th Fighter Wing, as well as two Air Rescue Wings that served the island’s mountain-based tourism economy.

Haolin to the south of Beiguang, was the eastern most airfield in the Earth Kingdom. Home to several Commands – Air Research & Development, Strategic Air, as well as the fledging Space and Space Operations – Haolin was one of the largest airfields in the Republic Armed Forces. Home to several missile test sites, as well as space launch facilities and multiple support groups, Aang thought Haolin would be best suited should more than just a single wing from Pluvia need to be stationed.

Ashiya was a training facility located on the Fire Nation’s Home Island. Significantly smaller than both Haolin and Beiguang, Aang thought it would be the best choice, not only because of the closeness to Jabal Ahkdar – well, as close as you could get from Gyatso-kai – but also due to the facilities past usage as host to other nation’s militaries. Home to the 17th Flying Training Wing, as well as Air Rescue Wing West, the base would be significantly less stressful on foreign soldiers experiencing Gyatso-kai for the first time.

To the far south, at the second furthest south military base in Gyatso-kai, was the Mandalorian station Ka’ghat’aap. If the two glottal stops in the name didn’t scare off the Pluvians from choosing this base as their home for the duration of this operation, the Mandalorian town of Ka’ghat’so’pek would certainly be an experience; with the ancient beskar walls of the city looming on the cliff edges, the town felt right out of the early 1800’s and was just as wild to be in. Ka’ghat’aap was also a naval base, and home to several Reserve units in both the Navy, Amphibious Deployment Corpr, and the Air Force. Bustling with activity, Aang figured if the Pluvian unit wanted excitement, he’d put this in the recommendation.

”Quite the assortment of bases, each with a different style,” Aang laughed as he closed the folder and placed it on his desk. ”Thank you, General”

“Of course, Avatar,” Xiong said, giving a shrug of her shoulder. ”Seeing as how I will personally be greeting the Pluvian forces upon their arrival, I figured my top four favorite bases to visit would be an acceptable option.”

Aang nodded, before looking to his watch. ”Xiong, would you care to ride with me to the Founding Day ceremony? I want to talk more with you individually before the joint Council meeting tonight.”

“Of course, Avatar,” Xiong bowed slightly before motioning to her assistant. ”I have to wait to hear back from PSI before I know which base I will head to, but that won’t be until this afternoon before I have to travel back for the meeting.”

“Excellent,” Aang said as he turned back to his desk. As he walked to grab his overcoat, he could not help feel this was the beginning of something much larger than simple scabbard rattling.

Welcome to the multi-verse, I guess…

[Canadian Dominion]

Canadian player Killian Davidson celebreting as Canadian Dominion manages to qualify for the nations first AOCAF Cup

Today we are witnessing history for the Canadian football department, we will see the first ever qualification for Canadian Dominion in the AOCAF Cup, one of the oldest and a very brutal tournament for new teams.. we can see the heavy hitters in the group stages in Valanora, Jabal Akhdar, Equestria. The team has beaten Valanora with a 1 goal lead, managing to seed first for a time being until being knocked to third by Equestria in a 1–2 loss, The team tried too keep the momentum into the next game with Jabal Akhdar and it ended with a draw with the score of 1-1, but due to Jabal Akhdar's negative one Goal Differential the national team managed to advance into the final 16 in the AOCAF Cup. Its next game will be August 5th against Kimi-Suomi's Eagle-Owls, coming off of 9 point's in the group stage, it will be a tough game but the people will start to show and cheer on the countries best players!


Back in Toronto, Canadian Dominion
A man would shift in his seat with the news paper in his hand, he could watch it on the news but he didn't feel like waiting for ads to finish, this mans name was Corbin Olson a 54 year old man who was the General manager for the International Canadian Dominion team, and he was proud of the team but he knew that it was only going to get worse, they cant just skip by and that they would have to power they're way through and win games not by draws or just by one goal. There is going to be a need for more offensive plays and a decent amount of risk and he hopes that the team understands that and they wont take this final 16 lightly, and he hopes the coaches understand that as well.

[Sarzonia]

The Sarzonian national football team nearly proved to the AOCAF field why they believe in pushing for a win when all they need is a draw.

Ft. McKinley took advantage of a poor clearance attempt by veteran defender Charlie King to put the underdogs ahead by a goal in the 18th minute and it took Holly Cambrio's spectacular 89th minute bicycle kick with the LED display of a three signifying how much stoppage time remained for the Stars to emerge with a single point in the Group H table. It would prove to be the only point they'd need to go through as Group H champions with Hapilooper going through to the knockout rounds as the runners-up.

If the current AOCAF were seeded by points and goal differential, the Stars would be the No. 2 overall seeds, but with the format set to have them face the Group E runners up, it meant they would face the atmosphere of a full-on away fixture. Yes, Farfadillis are the next opponents for the Stars. A draw for Gyatso-kai in their Matchday 3 battle against Cordia, combined with the Farves curbstomping hapless Romsten 5-0 ensured the co-hosts would face off against the Stars. The Haps will face Cordia in their Round of 16 contest whilst Vilita & Turori square off against Oontaz Dert Li Ng and Squornshelous Remnant States will take on Milchama.

As thrilled as Sarzonian supporters are with their own team's results, many of them expressed consternation at the fates of their southern neighbours. Baker Park defeated Delaclava 4-2 in Group D, leaving the Phoenixes on the outside looking in during what might potentially be their final AOCAF. Also in Group D, Kimi-Suomi remained the only side without a draw or a defeat as they knocked off winless Wreckeria 2-1. Despite the record, Sarzonia have the higher goal differential at plus-six to Kimi-Suomi's plus-four.

For Brady Reynolds, the task remains to prep his side for a battle with the Farves and what he anticipates will be a hostile crowd.

"They've got home field advantage," he said of Farfadillis. "It's a tough matchup for us right out of the gate."

Publically, Reynolds reserved comment on the future plans of Delaclava after this AOCAF. Privately, however, he kept "doom scrolling" through his mobile in hopes of finding out the latest.

Turning to assistant manager Eric Dent, he said, "Hey, have you heard anything?"

"Brady, you have the contacts in Catherina. I don't."

"Don't you have a fiancée from Rextaria?"

"We broke up two months ago," Dent said. He noticed the look on Reynolds' face at the news. "Long story. Have you heard anything from the IFF?"

"They're still deliberating last I heard," Reynolds said. "I don't know shit."

A few hours later, the team boarded the buses to the hotel before their trip to face the hosts. Before he got back to his room, he saw a text from Incorporated Football Federation Chairman Zack Wilson. He looked at the contents of the text before he opened the door to his hotel room. He pulled out the mobile phone charger from his briefcase and plugged it into the wall, then he turned off and plugged in his mobile phone.

Sarzonia's future in football had been settled, but now it was Reynolds' task to make sure that future wasn't leaked to the press at large. It was just another thing to add to figuring out tactics against the Farves for Reynolds to think about.

[Kimi-Suomi]

Kimi-Suomi on hyvä jalkapallossa ja se on kaikki mitä minun tarvitsee sanoa. Our shocking win over Baker Parkin Kansainyhteisö is still reverberating around the AOCAF world it still felt surprising to many in the Huuhkajat fandom even after a few days to mull on it. The fact that Kimi-Suomi could end up going 3-0 in an AOCAF group, one of the toughest regional competitions out there, was indeed a position we haven't been in before...ever. Esko Laaksonen knew that getting into that position of being a group winner could help us out in the knockouts to come and as such, the final day was going to be all about them.

Their opponents back at Hellgate in Raynor City would be Tuhoajainen, better known by everyone as Wreckeria, a team from a recently-integrated region of Happiloper that has its own distinct identity, history and sporting teams. We shall encounter a team under a Wreckerian flag in the NSSCRA coming up in due course, a team with Taylor Henderson leading the charge, but that is for then...now is all about the football. This game against a very determined opponent was always going to be a bit of a slog and it certainly proved that way until the 42nd, when Valtteri Nordström finally broke the wall and headed home. The Bulldogs would get one back in the 66th, an eliminated team looking for a great farewell, but Mika Noronen didn't like that and would score the winner in the 72nd to secure the 2-1 result. Kimi-Suomi, the Rogue Kingdom who is still finding their feet in the AO in general, were going to be the only 3-0 team in the AOCAF67 Group Stage. What the fuck is this timeline?!

And so...onward we go into a major unknown for us as a sporting nation. Kriketti did show us that we can win games in a playoff format, but can we actually replicate that in jalkapallo? I guess we will find out as we move into a Round of 16 fixture against an unexpected foe. We call this nation "Kanadan Dominio" but to everyone else, they are simply the Canadian Dominion - The Goose is certainly loose and this squad, managed Nolan Cairns in a slightly-attacking 4-2-3-1, managed to scrape into this position by GD alone - but they certainly deserved it all the same. Both teams will be aiming for a debut AOCAF Quarter Final, so expect fireworks in whatever stadium this ends up being played at. NOSTA KUIN HUUHKAJAT!

---

SCHEDULE/AJOITTAA (Group/Ryhmä D - Valanora)
MD1: vs Delaclava - Hellgate, Raynor City W/V 2-1 (2nd)
MD2: vs Baker Parkin Kansainyhteisö [Commonwealth of Baker Park] - Sabinal Stadium, Sabinal W/V 3-1 (1st)
MD3: vs Tuhoajainen [Wreckeria] - Hellgate, Raynor City W/V 2-1 (1st/3-0/+4GD)
--------------------------------
R16/K16: vs Kanadan Dominio [Canadian Dominion]

[Banija]

Kabaka - King
Luguba - Queen Consort
Sarauniya - Queen Mother
Isebantu - Crown Prince
Omugabe/Omugaba - Prince/Princess
Omulangira/Kyabazinga - Duke/Duchess
Kagere/Kiweewa - Lord/Lady
Katikkiro - Prime Minister
Waziri - Foreign Minister (role ALWAYS goes to the Isebantu)
Lukiiko- Parliament
Mkiiko- Member of the Lukiiko
Kiongozi- Leader of the Opposition

The Floor of the Lukiiko, in a fierce debate over the deployment of Banijan Special Forces to Jabal Akhdar

"Just a few days ago, this Government came to the Floor of this body, and told us that the no-fly zone would be a surefire war to avoid a war!" The Leader of the Opposition thundered. It had been a rough week for the Government in regards to the rapidly escalating crisis in Jabal Akhdar. "And yet, the exact opposite of that has happened. The White Winter Queendom is already causing chaos in the Emirate, and now we are being asked to support a land force deployment. This shows the incompetence of this Government- instead of leading, they are flat footed, and now on the brink of a disastrous war."

Solomon Kayozi, the Minister of Defense, stood up. "As every member in this Chamber knows, and as we all should have learned with the Nyowani Kitara Civil War, sometimes foreign policy crises simply rapidly develop. There is no nation that can simply dictate as to other nations how to behave. So to say that this Government is, in any way, responsible for the escalation of tensions in Jabal Akdhar... Is simply outrageous. There is one nation responsible, and they are Rushmori. But we, as we have said before, are open for working with them. We are no supporters of Hakim el-Masri, or of cowardly terrorist attacks against civilians. But there is also the principle that, here in Atlantian Oceania, we take care of our issues. And an attack from outside the region is hostile. We can do both."

"Alright." Said the Leader of the Opposition. "I move to amend the motion by adding the following language." The Speaker had to get the opposition benches to calm down. "That the 'Kingdom of Banija does not support the el-Masri Network, and that Hakim el-Masri should not be harboured. Furthermore, that Hakim el-Masri, and any other suspected terrorists, should stand trial for their role in the Steinaux attacks'. There you go- if the Government is serious, then this amendment should soar through this House, on a voice vote- like the aid passed for Mlima Kijani."

"DIVISION!" The Leader of the House yelled, as he stood up.

"There shall be 15 minutes- and then division. So ordered." And the speaker banged his gavel. Members would have informal conversations with each other for the next quarter of an hour, before the Speaker would call for a vote. This caused government leadership to huddle- the Minister of Defense, the Katikkiro herself, the Leader of the House, and the Government Chief Whip.

"So, what do you think- can we defeat it?" Said the Leader of the House.

"It doesn't look like it, to be frank." The Chief Whip said. "Our majority is thin as is- and there isn't exactly wide spread support across the country for an open war, and, for obvious reasons, there is wide support for bringing Hakim el-Masri to justice. Obviously, hard to poll everybody, but it seems as if this would pass, our backbenchers would push it through."

"Yes, but this amendment is going to tie the hands of the Government, diplomatically." The Minister of Defense said. "We need to give His Majesty some room to breathe, room to negotiate. We're tying our own hands here."

"We need to do what we can to tank this amendment." The Katikkiro said. A few more deputy whips had wandered over. They had 13 minutes. "We need to whip everybody, hard. Start texting, throw in the group chat- big line whip." And the team broke, and they started wandering around to ask their colleagues, vote against the amendment. Give Banija's diplomats as much space to breathe as possible, ensure that the regional response could stay united.

But when Division happened, and the Speaker announced the results, the Katikkiro was crestfallen. "The Ayes, 272, the Nos, 225. The Ayes have it- I repeat, the Ayes have it." It wasn't even close. 30-40 defections- the first major vote loss for her Government, over 2 years into the term. No frontbench resignations fortunately, but still- brutal. The rest of the debate was not as interesting. Mostly, Mkiikos stood up and spoke about the importance of sticking with Prime Minister Schoenlein who, by a long shot, is the most popular foreign politician in Banija.

Talking about how the friendship between Baker Park and Banija must remain strong, and how Banija can never leave Baker Park on its own when we are capable of helping them. Words of praise for the long-time Prime Minister, as the amended bill passed with a rousing 2/3s majority.

Major Legislation Passed by the Lukiiko This week
- Economic aid given to Mlima Kijani, specifically aid for food and fuel (passed by voice vote)
- Special Forces deployment to Jabal Akhdar approved by the Lukiiko, alongside amendment(that the Government opposed) that explicitly states that the Banijan Government should not 'participate in the harbouring of Hakim el-Masri in any way' and that 'Hakim el-Masri, and any other suspected terrorists, should stand trial for their role in the Steinaux attacks'

Major Executive Actions from the Banijan Government
- National Security and Military Advisors sent to Mlima Kijani to advise the local government in their fight against the el-Masri Network of Mlima Kijani.
- Special Forces deployed to Jabal Akhdar, and confirmed to be traveling via Hapilopper to get to the country.

[Oontaz Dert Li Ng]

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

NOTED OONTAZNIK JOURNALIST MISSING IN COPPER CUPRUM
By Ramadan Dharmawijaya


The embassy of the Sultanate of Oontaz in the Copperite capital of Wa Deg was where Abbas Mahmoud bin Bdeir was last seen last Tuesday. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network/Felipe Severino)

WA DEG, COPPER CUPRUM - The family and relatives of Abbas Mahmoud bin Bdeir have expressed concern for his well-being and whereabouts after the Oontaznik journalist, who fled his country ten years previously after a failed assassination attempt, had not been seen or heard from for three days already.

Bin Bdeir was last seen entering the Oontaznik embassy in Wa Deg, capital of the Chiefdom of Copper Cuprum, last Tuesday. Sources close to the journalist claim that bin Bdeir had gone to the embassy in order to meet with a potential source for one of his investigations.

“I just want to know where he is and if he is safe and sound,” bin Bdeir’s wife Fatimah said while speaking to the media on Friday. “He was afraid that there would come a time that he might stop reaching out to me whenever he is away, and now I’m scared to know what could have happened to him.

Bin Bdeir was a noted critic of the Oontaznik royal family and has criticized both Sultan Kudarat and his son and heir apparent Crown Prince Farooq bin Kudarat in numerous articles and publications for their “repressive, autocratic, and authoritarian governance of the Sultanate,” but bin Bdeir only came to prominence after a gunman tried and failed to assassinate him while bin Bdeir was making a speech at the Islamic University of Omidinabad fifteen years ago.

Bin Bdeir was also a leading figure in the discovery and exposure of massive khat plantations in the Fudukwan Emirate owned and operated by what he called the "Khat Cartel," an organization which reportedly sold the harvests from said plantations to fund Islamist rebels against the secular transitional government of Gharbambiyah as well as both sides of the civil war in the Red Sand Islands.

The report also implicated Crown Prince Farooq as a member of the Khat Cartel, which has played a major role in the resurgence of the khat addiction epidemic in the Sultanate, though the Crown Prince has consistently denied any involvement in the aforementioned controversies.

Bin Bdeir was eventually forced to leave the Sultanate since he believed that his life was in danger so long as both the Sultan and the Crown Prince were in power, and has since taken up residence in the city of Reyes in Abanhfleft's Dorfdifving Province, although he claims to never stay in the same place for more than two weeks at a time as "a security precaution."

His latest investigative reports covered irregularities in the salaries of high-ranking officers in the Royal Oontaznik Armed Forces, and co-workers stated that bin Bdeir had traveled to Wa Deg to meet with what he claimed was a “highly placed source” within the ROoAF.

If you liked the previous article, here are some more that might interest you:

• Manitogoro LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade organizers arrested for "crimes against public health"
• Atlantian Oceania tensions rising over continuing Akhdari-Graintfjaller standoff
• Oontaznik national football team qualifies for Ro16 of AOCAF 67
• Crown Prince Farooq approves "mobilization and deployment" of HOoMS Abubakar bin Wadi task force

---

 PLUVIA AND THE SAXEAN ISLES 2 - 3 SULTANATE OF OONTAZ 
              GOLDBERG (20')       MARBUN (39')
             STRICKLER (45')       ARIYADI (68')
                                   ABDILLAH (81')

[Delaclava]

Statement from the President of
The United Republic of Delaclava

Dear citizens, residents, and foreign nations,

We, the government of Delaclava, want to make you all aware of some changes that'll be happening soon.

Delaclava has always been at the forefront of scientific and academic elements, yet certain retrogressive attitudes towards technology and innovation have provided a certain barrier to our potential. Soon, we will absolutely smash that barrier.

At the next full moon, the United Republic of Delaclava will move to the planet of Sonnel.

Our Parliament and executive branch chose this as the best course of action. It will provide opportunities for collaboration and growth that we have never seen before and again put us at the vanguard of innovation and progress. We have also determined a manner to do this that will create the maximum new opportunities while having the lowest possible impact and negative consequences on the daily life of our citizens.

There exists, in Catherina, a portal from Delaclava to Drawkland that was constructed in anticipation of a co-hosted 77th Cup of Harmony. Although, in suspicious circumstances, that Cup of Harmony was not awarded to our nations, it began a fresh thread of diplomacy and now provides the mechanism for this next step forward.

When our task force activates the sequence, the lands and waters of Delaclava will tear away from the plane of the earth, fold up and in through the Catherina portal, and then transplant into a new location in the form of a geographic spiral. Imagine the surface of our great nation, twisted up like a cone or a spiral staircase or a barbershop pole. The experience on the surface for each person will be completely unchanged, but the topography of our nation will take advantage of vertical, horizontal, and multi-dimensional space.

At the center of this cone will exist the "mainframe", which will in time become the new center of government as well as a futuristic mega-community that will become the new, transformed Delaclava.

Our physicists have deduced that in order to perform this tear, fold, and spiral, there must be something to tear away from. Therefore, as Delaclava folds through the Drawkland portal, we will unzip from the surface and leave behind a landmass of identical two-dimensional shape to present Delaclava, which will constitute the Past Lands of Talannua, as we close the portal behind us. Some communities and individuals may have the option to "anchor" themselves to the earth so they do not fold along with Delaclava, but instead remain at the present location in Atlantian Oceania, with Talannua. These communities do this at their own risk of success as well as safety, and we wish them the best.

I understand how this development may be shocking, even terrifying to our faithful citizens. I understand your concerns. I assure you that our nation's best experts have taken every measure of due diligence and scientific review to ensure that this process will be as safe and seamless as possible, and that for the time being, daily life as you know it will remain uninterrupted. For that bit of nerves that remain... use it, hold onto it, and let it drive you forward, for that is the true measure of excellence and courage.

Now, more than ever, Forward and Upward!


Anna Voss
President

---

Voss gave the go-ahead to her communications director, Hedy Dons, to transmit the statement. Her Chief of Staff, Martin Fisher, leaned to Voss and muttered:

"So... how safe is this really?"

Voss, with a gaze cold as death, yet mildly amused, replied:

"It's safe for those we want it to be safe for. For the rest... we'll see, won't we?"

[The Cordian Isles]

The Cordasfjord Daily

---

Cordia to Support AORDO in Jabal Akhdar Crisis

---

Cordasfjord, CORDIA- The past weeks have seen some debate as to whether the Cordian Isles, a relatively newly-minted member of Atlantian Oceania, would support AORDO, with the bonds between AO and Cordia having gone untested thus far as the government elected not to participate in the crisis in Nyowani Kitara, and though its decidedly heavy-handed reaction to the Abovelandian colonization of Nykiflugpuu drew a lot of criticism, it was not an incident of concern to much of the broader AO region. The Graintfjaller invasion of Jabal Akhdar, despite allegations that Jabal Akhdar is helping to hide a terrorist group that has carried out attacks on Graintfjall soil responsible for the deaths of hundreds, is viewed by most AO governments as meddling in AO affairs and the reaction has been strong, with several well-known nations committing their support to AORDO and its decisions during the crisis. Many Cordians have looked to the First Representative, currently Asgeir Rigmor, to follow in the footsteps of their fellow Oceanians and pledge support to AORDO, especially given the powerful Cordian navy and a strong air force that could each assist in the maintenance of a no-fly zone over the Vilitan Cove and western Calania, a move proposed by the Commonwealth of Baker Park and backed by several AO nations.

Yesterday came word that the Cordian First Minister had an important statement to make, and the buzz immediately commenced, with the assumption being that the Minister would be making a statement on Jabal Akhdar. Come three p.m. Eastern AO time, the front of the Capitol was buzzing with journalists and spectators, and a podium had been set up, though the topic of the First Minister's speech was yet to be known. Rigmor soon walked up to the podium, set down his notes and began his speech. He opened with a strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks on Graintfjall, stating that "those unprovoked attacks, the murder of hundreds of people just like you and me, cannot be ignored nor forgotten". Taking a line similar to many other Oceanian leaders, though, Rigmor also condemned "the aggression of Graintfjall and its eagerness to directly attack another nation" and, finally, committed the Cordian Navy and the Cordian Air Force to AORDO and maintenance of the no-fly zone proposed by Baker Park.

Rigmor went on to describe in more detail the terms of Cordia's commitment. One fighter wing and "several" electronic warfare aircraft will stand by to be deployed by AORDO to wherever they are needed, with potential for a further fighter wing to be added. The Cordian Expeditionary Fleet, consisting of an aircraft carrier, a pair of amphibious assault ships, and their escorts as well as an unknown number of submarines, will stand by for orders from AORDO but "will take up positions well north of the Vilitan Cove in order to be in position to support the no-fly zone without risking the initiation of naval combat with Graintfjall".

The general reaction amongst the Cordian people was positive, as the move solidifies support for AORDO that has gone untested for years since the Isles officially joined the Atlantean Oceania region. However, even as they celebrated the support, many Cordians also questioned the move, including Varholm Larsen, a member of the National Assembly. "If a member of Jabal Akhdar's royal family is a terrorist, I'm amazed that the family has not turned him over and the decision not to seems questionable to me," said Larsen. "Then again, war against the whole nation for the actions of a very few seems equally questionable if not more so, so I ultimately support the First Representative's decision, though I expect an effort to be made, too, to bring the terrorists to justice before more damage is done to the nations of the world." Much of the National Assembly nodded or spoke in agreement with Larsen's words.

OOC: Pretty new to this, if anything seems questionable, tell me and I'll go back and rework things.

[Pluvia and the Saxean Isles]

His Majesty's Air Force Base Rohrmann, Roslina, Northern Highlands, PSI

Squadron Leader Major Otto Stromberg was sitting outside the office of the Base Commander. He'd been informed that his No.3 Fighter Squadron was to take up residence in Gyatso-Kai for the duration of the potential conflict between Græntfjall and AORDO. The door swung open and the aide-de-camp beckoned him to come in. Inside were Base Commander General Adam Mannheim, Air Chief Marshal and HMAF Chief of Staff David McIntosh, and Minister of Defense (Lord Commander) Peter Baker. He stopped short, saluted his superior officers, and bowed to the Lord Commander.

"Sit down, Stromberg," said Mannheim. "No need to stand on ceremony. Too many bloody high rankers in here, you'll be here all day."

The Lord Commander spoke next. "Major Stromberg, we're here to give you the details of your visit to Gyatso-Kai. Do you know much about them?"

"I'm familiar with their capabilites and tactics, milord," said Stromberg.

"Quite," said Baker, with a wry smile. "Well, I'm here to talk with you a little about how to approach the Avatarians. Their leader, the Avatar is not only a political figure, but a spiritual one. Their relationship to the heavens has to do with the four elements and will no doubt be strange to you and your men. Nevertheless, refer to the Avatar with the utmost respect. "His Holiness" will do in formal conversation, as I doubt you'll have the need to actually meet him. Your contact there will be Lieutenant General Xiong Honaka. Please refer to her as "Lieutenant General Xiong", as the surname precedes the given name in their culture. She is a battle-hardened warrior and a patriot. A good friend to have."

Here McIntosh cut in. "We've got to get these Avatarians on our side, Stromberg. They've been isolationist before, but are incredibly powerful and we could use some of that power. Training, joint exercises, technology, et cetera, et cetera. This is an opportunity, Stromberg. We need Lieutenant General Xiong as a contact and as a friend. You're not authorised to make any kind of deal or participate in any kind of espionage, but you want to be friendly with her. There's advancement in it for you if we can make good with the Avatarians."

"Yes, sir," said Otto, his head spinning. He'd thought this was merely a saber-rattling mission, not a spy novel.

"Ahem, yes," said the Lord Commander. "You'll be heading to Ashiya, a small base on one of their islands. It's the closest we could get to Jabal Akhdar. It also has training facilities and quarters suited to foreign militaries - they've hosted some before. The Avatarian Republic is quite different from what you are used to, so this area will minimise the culture shock for you and your men. You may also find the opportunity to learn from the Avatarians there, given that it is a training facility. As for your order, the Prime Minister has tentatively given the order to follow the no-fly zone decreed by Baker Park and followed by Banija and other AORDO nations. You'll largely be operating with the Avatarians, but you do have the authority to bring down Græntfjaller drones, helicopters, and other aircraft if necessary. Follow the Avatarians' orders unless it seems to contradict proper procedure or Pluvian interests. We'll be in contact every day and more as necessary."

McIntosh spoke up again. "See here, Stromberg. We had hoped this wouldn't be a combat mission, but we picked you because you're our best fighter squadron leader. You've got the guts to shoot down enemy planes and the know-how to bring everyone back safely. You've got twelve planes and a couple of hundred men. We expect most of them to come home, all if all goes well. Take care of them, but take out the enemy. You might be called on for reconnaissance, dogfighting, missile work, infantry support, or even using those new anti-ship missiles we've gotten. You've got to be ready for anything, and so have your men."

"Yes, sir," said Stromberg, realising the depth of the situation.

"Before we dismiss you," said the Lord Commander, "there's one more thing. All of your men need to be on their best behavior. We cannot afford any slipups here. If done right, this will mark our nation as a key ally and partner in the region, and not just for the Avatarians. You'll need dress uniforms for official functions and you'll need to maintain decorum at all times. We can't afford to be sloppy. Professionalism is your watchword. Thank you, Major Stromberg."

Stromberg saluted, bowed, and departed. He was going to have to get Martin Davis, his chief flight lieutenant, to help divvy up all the responsibilities. This was the most consequential mission of his life, no doubt.

His phone buzzed. Mannheim. "Baker's a politician. Be professional, but show those Avatarians that you and your men and all Pluvians are warriors. They'll respect that more than a bunch of buttoned-up rulebook jockeys. And watch out for spies. I wouldn't put it past Baker to have eyes and ears in your squadron." He put his phone away. A difficult mission indeed.

[Milchama]

"Hey mom! Can I see the morning paper?"

"Sure Thomas, here you go"

"Thanks!"

Alexandria Times-Tribune-Sun-Moon-Sky-Picayune-Courier-Post-Pre-Forward-Current-Reader

Milchama to Deploy Troops

As a part of the continuing response to Jabal Akhdar Milchama has just approved it's first ever foray into foreign lands. Well, if you don't count our invasion of the ashes of Nedalia after the country ceased to exist, but we don't in the history books so that doesn't count. Anyway, Milchama has approved some Special Forces to go onto AO Isle to help with the overall AORDO troop deployments near there to stop any potential Graintfjaller invasion into Jabal Akhdar. Working with troops from Gyatso-Kai, Pluvia and the Saxean Isles, Banija and others the new Milchamian troops hope to show that all the military spending is not junk.

President Ra'am Barack said...

"Ugh I think I'm going to be more like Earl Warren and just look at human's accomplishments through the sports section. I don't need to read about this. I'm sick of all this anyways"

"Well, also, this isn't a big deal, it's like 100 men and it's not like we're actually doing that much more than usual"

"Yeah we send troop allocations to AORDO all the time I don't understand the big deal"

"Anyway, what's the sports page say?"

Sports Section

Warriors Advance to Octos

A crucial 1-0 victory over 95x combined with a Busoga Islands loss to Vilita and Turori has put Milchama through to the octofinals in AOCAF for the first time in a long time. The Warriors, typically a mediocre regional team, even during the good World Cup years, have had a rebirth recently as they went undefeated in the group stage, drawing two and winning one over 95x. Darryl Lamarein said, "This is where we want to be, in the outrounds at major tournaments."

The Warriors have a tough game against Squornshelan Remnant States who look to be back to their World Cup winning form in a way that the Warriors can only envy...

"What time does the game start?"

"Look at the bottom"

"Oh there it is"

"Yeah"

"Cool do you want to watch the weird sacrifice?"

"Not really but I do want to do the chant"

"OK let's go"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Mlima Kijani]

Tropicorp – 1 (1)
Kojici (8’), Anhary (42’)

Mlima Kijani – 3 (2)
Theuri; Nyang’au, Watene (79’), Ngigi, Ibulaim; Njerũ, Ogweyo (33’ pen.); Mũrĩranja (49’) (69’ Muhammad ), Orombi, Opondo (30’) (64’ Nyamu ); Mũrũngarũa (20’, 74’) (51’) (82’ Abong’o )

Kings into playoffs for first time after historic victory

Two goals from striker Kĩoi Mũrũngarũa and a penalty from Jubal Ogweyo were enough to send the Mlima Kijani national football team to their first ever AOCAF Cup Round of 16 game, where they will play Qasden. The 3–1 win over Tropicorp was a huge breakthrough, coming back from going down a goal early on in a busy first half hour that saw the teams trade three goals. After Kojici scored for Tropicorp following poor defensive miscommunication from the Kings’ back line, they rebounded through Mũrũngarũa, whose header found the net from a corner. When he won a penalty, Ogweyo duly converted, blasting high and true, and Tropicorp were further set back by going down to 10 players before half time with the loss of Anhary to a booking for a rash challenge on Kajwang Orombi. Calm prevailed in the second half as the Kings began to sense victory and played more conservatively, with Ngina Njerũ holding the ball up well, and Mũrũngarũa sealed the win by stabbing home another corner that the Tropicorp defense failed to deal with. Njerũ said after the game that “the boys have done really well” and that win or lose, the match against Qasden represents “a historic achievement”. “But obviously we want to go further, do better, we think we can keep this train running!”

First aid shipments arrive

The first planes ferrying food aid have landed at President Chane Njuguna Airport, Ntukabanda, as Banija begins to supply the beleaguered Republic of Mlima Kijani with economic assistance in the wake of the country’s devastating economic plight. A prolonged drought has seen food prices spiking amid public tumult over reported corruption, but the Banijan aid shipments promise relief. Fuel aid is expected to arrive by truck in the coming weeks, further helping the economic situation stabilize. Finance Minister Julius Njuguna welcomed the Banijan investment. “As the desperate agents of monopoly capital and the sinister hand of internationalist globalist finance tries to strangle us off, we are cheered by our regional friends and neighbors coming to us with temporary help in our time of need.” However, international anti-corruption charity Opacity Transnational urged the government to commit to ensuring that all of the aid goes to the genuinely needy Kijani poor and is not hoarded by the government. “We’ve seen past aid shipments diverted to fill government coffers, previous aid investments leading to the President’s villas getting rebuilt while his citizens starve,” said Logan Taylor. “The Banijans won’t be taken for fools and we hope President Njuguna understands that if they see aid being diverted then he will likely be cut off and be back in a worse situation than when he started.”

First southern offensive a success as Banijan advisors on hand

The Kijani Army claimed success in a major counterterrorism operation, pushing south into rebel-held areas and liberating a number of captives being held by the el-Masri Network in Mlima Kijani. Banijan military special forces advisors were said to have helped with the planning of the operation, though direct combat operations were conducted by Kijani forces. Defense analyst Ariana Cruz questioned whether the Banijan presence had led to novel tactics. “This was no great work of tactical brilliance, the Army just overpowered a group of very poorly armed rebels,” she said. “The real difference the Banijans are making is simply being on hand as third party observers, which means corrupt army chiefs can’t siphon off supplies or report ghost operations: they have to be accountable to their new Banijan friends and put on a good show.” MNMK released a statement taking credit for a recent grenade attack in Ntukabanda that left 2 civil servants dead, and called on Banija to withdraw their support for the “corrupt Njuguna regime”. The Southern Kijani People’s Congress, the political wing of the Southern Kijani People’s Front organization, said they welcomed the offensive but were concerned about the potential to President Njuguna to jail political opponents under the cover of military special operations. “Rooting out the vile MNMK bastards must not be used as cover for President Njuguna to further oppress the people of southern Mlima Kijani,” said spokesman Hezekiah Ochola.

[Valanora]

The tournament did not get off to the right start for the Marauders, upstaged by the debutant nation of Canadian Dominion despite having thoroughly dominated the match. Being upset by the lowest rank ranked team going up against the highest ranked team in the tournament and the cohosts as well, the debut team was able to take their chance when it was present and was able to shock the entire region with their one to nil victory over the Marauders. It was a shock to the entire system, a game that the Marauders were not only supposed to win but to win in fashion by multiple goals, to put on the sort of performance that would have sent the fans home quite entertained. It also turned the remaining two games against foes who on paper were far higher quality than the opening fixture into must win fixtures for the Vanorian outfit, something that was definitely an unsettling situation for the team and fans. If the alleged best team in the region faltered even a little bit in the remaining two fixtures, they would not be making the knockouts in a tournament they hosted for the first time since World Cup 56.

Fortunately that was not to be a new record, as the Marauders went into Sabinal against Jabal Akhdar and completely dominated them, much the same was as they had in the opening fixture against Canadian Dominion, but this time that domination was able to be converted into goal and thus a victory. Their foes also likely were a bit distracted and angry with the world, with the apparent military action hanging over the heads of the nation and thus their loved ones. That frustration and anger was definitely seen in the second half of the fixture, as they were many flagrant, belligerent fouls that came out against the Marauders, forcing the Manager to make some key changes in order to keep the key players fit and healthy for the group finisher against Equestria. With the victory well in hand, there was no reason to risk the health of the key players, especially as it was a must win game against a rival who was looking for their own advancement out of the group following a win and a draw in their opening two fixtures. Nothing less than a victory would secure the Marauders advancement.

Equestria is the closest neighbor to the Eternal Empire on their northeast coast, with the two Empires being close enough that ferries can be used to transport people from one nation to the other in a relatively quick fashion. Equestria had rocked back up into the international game with a World Cup and regional titles before in the last few tournaments having fallen off the edge a little and into mediocrity. Yet with four points from their first two matches, they looked primed to advance, needing only a draw against the Marauders in order to secure their advancement out of the group while the cohosts needed a victory. Elias Hammer, starting in place of Jutta Palminger due to a need for rest, was quick off the scoresheet for the Marauders, putting one underneath the crossbar just past the twenty minute mark. It was a goal that seemed to ease a lot of the pressure on the team and they generally started to improve as the game went on. Heike Schoß's strike in the fifty-sixth felt like it had been inevitable and it secured the victory for the Marauders, while a surprise draw in the other match saw Canadian Dominion earn their way into the knockouts.

If the group stage was a bit of a tricky situation to deal with, the knockouts look to be even more so, as the side gets the Commonwealth of Baker Park to open up the knockout stages. The winner of that match then gets to take on the winner of Banija or a resurgent Demot, neither of which look to be an easy fixture for whoever does advance. Like Valanora, Baker Park suffered a surprise defeat, to Kimi-Soumi who ended up being the only perfect side in the group stages, and thus finished second in their group. Putting four goals past Delaclava and ten in total in the group stages really highlights how potent their attacking force is and how much it is likely to test the surprisingly stalwart defense of the Marauders. It may be a case of where the possession style approach of the Vanorian side will be the edge needed, suffocating the Baker Park attack by denying them the chances they will need to get going. While the midfield battle is always a key one, it looks to be even more so in this heavyweight fixture here in the first knockout round.

[Demot]

"So we are off to... Sabinal? Where the heck is that, I do not recognize the name at all. Are you sure we are not being moved over to Farfadillis and out of the Eternal Empire, Sabinal just does not sound like a city in Valanora."

"Well then you have not been paying attention to geopolitics in the last few decades. Sabinal is the largest city in the island subcontinent that the nation of Sabine and Caddonia resides on, the island of Vircais back like a century or so ago. It was home to Kura Pelland and Vephrall before their governments both fell into dissaray and the Vanorians had to send in peace keepers to maintain order in the former nations. The people and culture over time changed, with many different settlements rising and falling, before the former integration into the Eternal Empire a few decades back. Sabinal is the capital of Sabine as well as the de facto capital of Sabine and Caddonia as a whole, though those in Caddo would disagree."

"Sounds a bit complicated and boring, no one really cares about history."

"If that is so, then no one would have cared enough about the Dynamo to have the team start to reenter the AOCAF and get the team to where they are today, nor would they have cared at all about the Pride League. If they did not care about the Pride League, then all of those investments from the foreign businesses and such would have never came and the league would not have been allowed to prosper and become a professional domestic league once more, thus once again cratering the ability of the national team to perform. It is careless to say that no one cares about history or that it is boring."

"Okay, fine, history is important I guess, but the present is more so. Which is going to be difficult to see a future in which the Dynamo are still playing after the first knockout round, they are taking on Banija since the team was unable to get a result against Qasden. I suppose we should be thankful that the team rebounded and found their scoring boots against Verceola, but it was a bit nervy with the team unable to defeat Qasden. It does not bode well for playing against a team as talented and with as much depth as the Banija side. It feels like if the Dynamo are to have any real chance at getting a victory and advancing to the next round, it will have to be a game where they simply throw everything forward and hope to out chance their foes, a risky proposition but it seems the best chance we might have."

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

Position: AORDO General / Lieutenant General
Nominee: General Per Arlberg
Nationality: Squornshelan Remnant States

Qualifications:

• Co-Deputy Chief of Staff, AORDO Air Forces
• Commander in Chief of All Squornshelan Armed Forces under the Provisional Government (former)
• Chief of Staff to Chief Air Marshall Maxim Vityaz, CinC of Imperial Squornshelan Air Force (former)
• Commander, Tkachov Air Base (former)

Elevator Pitch: After an eight-year career as a pilot, Arlberg moved to a staff position, and began rapid advancement through the ranks thanks to an aptitude for logistics. His tenure as Chief of Staff to the Chief Air Marshall was marked by efforts to eliminate waste and corruption. In the lead-up to the overthrow of the Imperium, Arlberg took an active role organizing the large scale defection of service members across the armed forces, and took command of the pro-revolutionary military during the fighting. Without his organizational skills, it seems quite probable that the revolution might have failed, or at least have led to a protracted civil war. During the rule of the provisional government, prior to the various Imperial provinces being admitted as states of the Confederacy, Arlberg repeatedly refused promotion, insisting that such an action should only be taken after free and fair elections had established a permanent government. Once the Imperial military was incorporated in the Confederate armed forces, he did accept a promotion to the rank of General. Arlberg also disavowed attempts to nominate him as head of state of a military government over Squornshelous, opting instead to join AORDO and avoid influencing the civilian government unduly. His time with AORDO had been largely uneventful, up to the abrupt eruption of the Jabal Akhdar situation.

After their first two matches saw only a single goal scored, the Black-and-Reds attack finally broke loose, albeit against Group G's lowest seed, Heller Turn. Perhaps carried away in their exuberance, the team also conceded a goal for the first time in the tournament, but still advance to the second round tied for the best defensive record in the field alongside Qasden, Milchama, and Valanora. For the attack, it looks as though the red-hot Snorre Fridtjofs will take over starting position. Caitrin Ness struggled to find her stride in the first two matches, and was brought off in the 30th minute against Heller Turn. Fridtjofs opened the scoring less than ten minutes later, and doubled his tally late on to put the match beyond doubt.

In the round of sixteen, we anticipate a low-scoring match, as two of the tournament's stingiest defenses will meet as Black-and-Reds and Warriors clash. Hopefully the shot in the arm that Fridtjofs provided against Heller Turn will help push the Confederates into the quarterfinals and onward.

[Hapilopper]

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM EAST HAMPTON, NORTH HAMPTON AIRPORTS GENERATE CONCERN

By Ron Russell, the Hapilopper City Herald

EAST HAMPTON – An announcement from both the East Hampton and North Hampton International Airports on Thursday evening generated concern among Hapiloppian travellers.

The two airports announced on Thursday evening that priority would be given to defense equipment and personnel from the Atlantian Oceania Regional Defense Organization. In other words, military traffic would receive first priority to land and park in the two airports ahead of civilian traffic.

While the announcement stressed that the arrangement would be temporary and would cease with the end of the crisis in nearby Jabal Akhdar, it was enough to cause panic among commuters in the Hampton Cities and across Hapilopper.

“I’m supposed to travel to Banija today,” said East Hampton native Tommy Whittington. “My flight’s been delayed an hour, and who knows if it’s going to be delayed again because we might have military planes. Hapiloppians don’t fight wars. I don’t know what any of this is supposed to mean. Are we going to be fighting some war out in Jabal Akhdar?”

That sentiment was shared by fellow East Hampton native Maggie Peterson, who said that news reports have made her nervous, especially as she intends to fly out to Hapilopper City for work.

“I keep hearing about flight delays and planes getting diverted out of here,” Peterson said. “I’m supposed to get to Hap City because I’ve got a job interview tomorrow. What if I miss that job interview? I don’t want to lose this job because some military types are trying to take care of something in a nation we’ve never been to.”

The announcements from both airports came in the wake of an announcement from Hapiloppian President William Mathis that Hapilopper would be open to allowing AORDO equipment to use Hapiloppian airfields, as well as a development that Banijan special forces traveled through Hapilopper to get to Jabal Akhdar.

The Hapiloppian government has declined to comment on what airports were targeted for the AORDO deployment, and neither airport in East Hampton and North Hampton stated that AORDO equipment would for certain be located in those airports.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Ministry of Defense Secure Conference Room, Belle Haven

The Joint Select Committee on Intelligence were gathered together for a briefing on the Jabal Akhdar situation from the Defense Intelligence Command, the branch of the Commonwealth Intelligence Service that aggregated sources for the military. The JSC was the most exclusive group in Parliament, as it consisted of just the leaders of the six political parties in both the Assembly and the Council of State, the Minister of State for Defense, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State.

The Internal Affairs Minister, Chris McGee, was nominally the chair of the committee, since the CIS was under his purview but in general the PM set the tone and guided the group.

"Start us off with the latest Sam".
Sam McInnis was the Second Deputy Chief of Security, the civil servant in charge of the DIC and pulled up the visual information on the screen.
"Operation Winter Solstice has moved into the second phase, as we've got approximately 16 operatives inside JA at the moment in addition to the 12 we had previously. The reports from JA about Graintfjall commandos or special forces on the ground are false as we've had Q-824, Q-825, P-612 and T-311 patrolling the channel continuously for six days. The 'widespread' desertions from the military are overplayed as the military are not losing that many soldiers, and they don't really have that many to begin with.

The civil service & bureaucracy of the government are the ones fretting the most right now as they can see the that the Royals are trying to buy time with our protection in order to get the leadership of the el-Masri network out of the country. Problem is there is not really anywhere to send them to at present.

SOF have identified the positions they want to concentrate on, based on the current force numbers they are projecting from other AORDO allies. They've sent two OPLANS from Casebook Brown for revision, and NSC Fleet have formed the Task Force they will be deploying within 48 hours--Prince Frederick, Commonwealth, Falcon, Agamemnon, Persephone, Juliana, Black Hawk, Reformation, and Isabelle."

"Who's commanding that Diane?" The Prime Minister interrupted the report.
"Boyce" Diane Dixon-Howard was the Minister of State for Defense and was highly regarded by much of the command and rank & file; she'd served in the Air Force as an enlisted rank, took 3 years off to earn an associates degree then returned to the service as a Technical Sergeant before leaving as a Master Sergeant, the first and only Defense Minister ever to be an enlistee/non-commissioned officer.

"I wanna talk to him before they leave Newport. By phone or video is fine." Rebecca Schoenlein liked speaking with the commanders of forces being deployed, whether it was for peacekeeping or for other purposes. She wanted to make clear her personal orders on rules of engagement and get input from that commander on their thinking. She was the Commander in Chief, instead of the Head of State and she took the role seriously knowing that lives were at stake.

McInnis resumed the briefing, relating the other aspects of the classified information surrounding the Jabal Akhdar situation. There were three specific intel operations in play: the whereabouts of the el-Masri network leadership, the Graintfjall 2nd Fleet and their movements & operations, and internal political situation inside JA.

"Chris, I was wondering...do we have an official OPS Report on that...what was it called. Piranha? spec op mission?"

________________________________________________________________________________________

BP, Marauders familiar foes in AOCAF
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail Chief Soccer Writer

After a return to form against Delaclava in the final Group D match, Baker Park secured a second place finish to advance to the knockouts of the 67th AOCAF Cup with a 4-2 victory at The White Fortress in Gladerial in front of 65,000 who added a bit of political energy to the proceedings. Delaclava have made a decision to leave the region and transport to Sonnel--a choice that is not controversial in the same way that the Foxchester Declaration was--but joined in with the overt pro-Atlantian Oceania pageantry during the National Anthems, as much of the crowd waved the regional flag during both nation's recognition.

Allan Wiseman opened the scoring, heading home a sublime corner kick from Max Rizzo on 14 minutes, followed by Hayley Gibson getting her second tally of the tournament just 6 minutes later.
The Phoenixes clawed back to make it a one goal deficit at half time before Isabelle Wiley restored the two goal advantage in the 58th minute.
A poor clearance from captain Sam Harrison saw Delaclava reduce the margin once again in the 75th, but Quinton Harris iced the game with 7 minutes remaining to ensure the Commonwealth advanced from the group stage for the 11th consecutive time.

Valanora and Baker Park will meet for the eighth time and the sixth encounter in The Toughest Tournament in the World that is Not the World Cup™; it will be the third time in the last four regionals and pits the top two ranked sides against one another to determine a quarterfinalist.

Angelotic Temple in Longview will host the matchup, as it did in the semi-final of the DiBradini Cup 53, where the BP Under-21's escaped with a 2-1 en route to their first DBC crown.

Lineup vs Valanora:

McCormack; Hardwick, Finnegan, Bauer; Rizzo, Syzmanski, McFairlaine, Boyle; Vuckovic; West (C), Coleman