Zwangzug's semifinal victory over Nyowani Kitara last cycle was not only a seven-goal thriller, but it was also a rematch of their group stage meeting, in which the Kitarans had won 2-0. Could it happen again? Though obviously we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, the two sides will meet in Pria with their places in the knockout stages already clinched, as Nyowani Kitara defeated Tikariot (albeit by slimmer margins than Zwangzug managed), and Zwangzug edged out Pasarga, eliminating the Wanderers after a pair of cruel 1-0 defeats.
After the side's dominating performance against Tikariot, Kate DiMarini had an enviable problem on her hands. A group stage is short; matchday two is no time to play the kids for experience's sake. But given the headiness the players might have been experiencing, getting them to calm down and take Pasarga seriously was no easy task. As a result, Zwangzug seemed jittery the first half, allowing the Wanderers to have plenty of possession in midfield and dropping back to solidify the defense. Gillen Madrigal López, the Raynor City midfielder, had the best chance of the half, getting the best of a Cynthia Fairfax-Hazy misplay in minute 28; only an off-balance lurch from Ketevan Igreli denied her, and the ensuing stoppage of play to make sure Igreli hadn't broken anything important in another awkward landing killed momentum for both sides.
After the half, Zwangzug emerged somewhat more solidified, perhaps a rare case of time pressure stirring them to demonstrate the form they know they're capable of rather than stir up anxiety. It was midfielder Jordan McKinney who capitalized, poking in a pass from Evan Dewey in minute 70. "Yeah, you know, sometimes you just got to go out there and give a hundred and ten percent," McKinney said. "That's a lot of percents, but like, there's actually more than ninety minutes in a game, right? If you can have nine minutes added of stoppage time, then you can give a hundred and ten percent. So anyway, that was what we did."
While there's a chance that DiMarini and/or her counterpart, the Yue Liang Wei, could get cute with substitutions for the group finale, it's anyone's guess who they'd face out of group E; no one has yet clinched or been eliminated. This group is, on paper, somewhat more open than the others, as Chromatika are first seeds based on their hosting responsibilities rather than their KPB rank. "It's commendable that they've shown unease about the possible appearance of bias in such a system," said Kirsten Jackson. "I've gotten to speak with some of the home fans and they're extremely proud of their team, but they're not afraid of anyone, they know they can hang with the pot one sides. But also, like, of all the things to be uneasy about on a national level, this is a pretty good problem to have, right." Zwangzug's Rushmori opposition in Group H would likely agree.
In tangential news, annoying journalist Ígnîgo Xôjálá has been called in yet again to translate Farf chants that have gone viral on social media. "I mean, in the rest of the world, normal places, people do really cry because of the blood that flows through them. Very sad. And not just relating to football, either, although I wouldn't expect you coddled socialists to understand," he claimed. Xôjálá also explained that la Vherderoja have more than one infamous chant, and that this particular anthem is completely distinct from ruder classics making hurtful stereotypes about the ethnicity and/or sexual practices of one's opponents, although lots of those are well-known, too.
Meanwhile, Saroj Kinnar has agreed to play in the Vilitan league, although she is still waiting to be assigned to a club. "People gave me a hard time when I graduated," she said, "assuming I had to go back to play for one of the Namiri teams since I grew up there. But no, there's a whole nation at my feet--with the Rovers I was able to play in every city. And now, seeing that someone from across the world wanted me enough to take a chance on, even though I wasn't sure about testing the waters--that's an incredibly flattering feeling, and I look forward to being able to represent somewhere completely new."