Independents Cup 18 - Everything [Grand Finale 2/6 10pm SST]

[Saterun]

Saterun Squad for the 18th Independents Cup

Nation Name: Saterun
Trigram: SAT
Demonyms: Saternalian
Nickname: The Claws

Staff
Head Coach: Abbas Yousafali
Assistant Coach: Lisa Lleget
Offensive Coordinator: Kandice Soyt
Defensive Coordinator: Sebastián Vecenes
Goalkeeping Coach: Landon Petrov

Starting XI
GK|Ralf Abiatti #1
RB|Saveli Holst #4
CB|Alojzy Addams #22
CB|Timothy Shannon #3
LB|Avishai Demare #18
LM|Hans-Jürgen Becker #13
LCM|Andrei Coiro #8
RCM|Glenn Lundquist #15
RM|Kaka Sarabola #44 Captain
LF|Thiago Esparza #9
RF|Bjorn Dubicki #14

Substitutes
GK: Rajani Holgersson, Rahul Marković
DF: Claudio Pavic, Cipriano Dalca, Ayaan Toole, Jonathan Post
MD: Gage Keegan, Ndidi Tamaro, Orlando Otxoa
FR: Mitzinho, Maksymilian Bates

Style Mod: +1.5

My Opponents, if they RP first. Can do the following:

Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes, but contact me first
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but contact me first for approval
Godmod other events: No

[Sudilia]

Sudilia National Football Team

Goal Song
Style: +1.5

Squad:
Goalkeepers-
#1: Eliot Boulay
(30 Years Old) (1.80 m)
#12: Kelly Tassé
(18 Years Old) (1.78 m)
#23: Cameron Wood
(22 Years Old) (1.83 m)


Defenders-
#2: Josephine Smith-Olson
(30 Years Old) (1.75 m) (CB)
#3: Jordan Brockhouse
(21 Years Old) (1.83 m) (CB)
#4: Ophidia Barrette
(18 Years Old) (1.66 m) (LB-RB)
#5: Aléandre Beaulieu
(20 Years Old) (1.76 m) (RB-LB)
#12: John Macdonald
(17 Years Old) (1.72 m) (LB-RB)
#15: Jessica Logan
(17 Years Old) (1.65 m) (RB-LB)
#16: Isabelle Giroud
(31 Years Old) (1.68 m) (CB)
#18: Liam Phaneuf
(21 Years Old) (1.80 m) (CB)

Midfielders-
#6: Sara Carbonneau
(30 Years Old) (1.65 m) (DM-CM)
#8: Michael Clarkson
(19 Years Old) (1.80 m) (DM-CM-AM)
#10: Joshua Beauvais
(31 Years Old) (1.75 m) (CM-AM)
#14: Alice McIverson
(32 Years Old) (1.68 m) (DM-CM-AM)
#19: Jordan Dumont
(19 Years Old) (1.78 m) (DM-CM)
#22: Amanda Chen
(18 Years Old) (1.65 m) (CM-AM)

Attackers-
#7: Ariane Mongrain
(20 Years Old) (1.70 m) (LW-RW)
#9: Luca Dubois
(17 Years Old) (1.82 m) (CF-ST)
#11: Jordan Lyle
(30 Years Old) (1.78 m) (RW-LW)
#17: Marc-Antoine Barrette
(20 Years Old) (1.80 m) (LW-RW)
#20: Alice Pearson
(31 Years Old) (1.65 m) (ST-CF)
#21: Gabriella Grant
(30 Years Old) (RW-LW)


Head Coach:
Oliver Thompson (52 Years Old)

Assistant Coaches:
Melodie Leboeuf (47 Years Old), Joel Paiement (50 Years Old)



Starting XI:
1 Grant
5 Williams, 2 Olson, 3 Grant, 4 Lee
6 Carbonneau, 8 Latour
11 Lyle, 10 Beauvais, 7 Labelle
9 Ouiment

Roles-
Captain:
Vice-Captain:
Free-Kicks:
Penalties:
Corners:

RP Permissions
Choose my goal scorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but nothing severe
Godmod Injuries to my players: Yes, but nothing severe
Suspend my players: Yes, but be reasonable
Godmod suspension events: Yes, but be reasonable
Godmod other events: Yes

[The 14 Stars]

Arriving and adjusting

As the air pressure starts changing a faraway sound can be heard and within a few seconds it arrives from a high speed until it lowers speed a huge dark blue with dark red aircraft belonging to the Starsians.
With new technology they do not need a runway and can just land wherever they want, as the aircraft thats hypersonic touches the ground it comes to a standstill as the door opens.

As the players step out of the plane a soft afternoon breeze hits them, the Starsian nation is alot larger but for a small country it certainly was modern and well developed unlike the Starsian nation with its more then 8 billion citizens.
A private bus was waiting from them to bring them to their place, without Kira Blade the mood wasn't as good as it usually was but the team was in high spirits after a good run in the tea-cup earlier and expected have a tough game here.
Calvin Princeton who was currently the captain in Kira Blade's abscence had a moment for the press on behalf of his team before heading back to the team as they would not eat in any of the fancy restaurants.

It was good old self made Starsian food brought from home ofcourse, Starsian food is known to feed you well but also lack spice and usually contain alot of vegetables and a lower amount of meat.
Starsians arent really into environmental laws and things but the team tries to do their best to adjust, this can't be said for the fans they don't because at home they do not have to anymore either due to a new technology that solved the issues they were struggling with and they'd view this a bit .....as back in time perhaps?
Ten years ago most Starsians might have recycled themselves, now they just rely on their technology.


In any case as the team arrives and gets settled in their daily training sessions are to be held in private as they do not want to be disturbed during the teams practice and preparations and upcoming matches.
It is estimated that atleast 10 to 25 million fans may travel to Poafmersia from the Starsian nation and every day you see planes full of them arriving which is on one side good for business but also a bit busy.

[Delaclava]

"Thank you for your patience. Next up for the Delaclava pre-Independents Cup press conference, the team manager, Elidyr Lyndainium."

"Thank you. Uh, yeah, back there."

"Coach, welcome back. This is the first chance we've gotten to speak with you for a while. Can you tell us what it's like to have the national team back together?"

"It's been great. This is a very talented, clever, hard-working group of guys, most of them have the experience with each other and I have had the opportunity to coach them before. We'd been waiting for this opportunity and I think, so far, it's been smooth sailing. We're ready to compete and we're happy to do it."

"Now, it's true that you were not permitted to speak with us last year?"

"That's correct."

"But you were willing to?"

"Oh sure, of course. I don't think there's any reason to hide anything about what was going on."

"So then, in your view, what was going on?"

"I don't think this is anything new to you, but sure, the way I see it. This team had had a pretty brilliant run of form, right? They qualified for their first World Cup in, I forget the number, but decades. Lost three very close games in the World Cup. Then they slumped a little bit but once I came into the fold they seemed to figure things out again, made it to the playoff, had a great Cup of Harmony. So we all believed there was a lot of promise ahead. The players wanted terms and conditions, things that would facilitate future success. But this federation, I need to be diplomatic here, but clearly there has been some disagreement in the past to how to proceed with this team. Players lost some years and some tournaments because of that. So we got to this last cycle and it was starting to feel like that was happening again. I think the performance at Seven Nations wasn't ideal because this was weighing on the guys. They were upset and sad, and I think they felt the pressure to prove that they deserved respect. It ended up kind of going the opposite way. And so it was actually the players who made this decision not to play in the World Cup."

"Were you a part of that decision?"

"No, I am a different role in all of this. They are the team. There is no team without the players."

"Did you support their decision?"

"...I'm not sure I can say. I know they believed that they weren't being set up for success. I can't really comment on whether that's true. But I know these guys. These guys aren't willing to give up prime years over petty squabbles. If they all came to this decision, I am sure they had a reason."

"What changed that facilitated their coming back?"

"Time, I think. I think, both sides really hurt from not being in a World Cup. Both sides were willing to make some concessions to pave the road for the return. I am sure on both sides, there might be some regret about how things proceeded."

"So, you are here now, in Poafmersia. This is really the first time a full Delaclav team will be at the Independents Cup. What do you make of it?"

"This is a nice tournament. I think it's more meritocratic. It brings together many very good teams from different styles. I don't know if the level of competition is as strong, but I think, you play football one way in Rushmore, you play football one way in Atlantian Oceania. With so many influences, you have to be adaptable and find many ways to win."

"How do you rate your team's chances?"

"I don't think any of us are thinking on that level. We're just here to play and to see where we're at. I think, obviously we're better than our ranking, but either Squidroidia or Abanhfleft is a tough out, and we've got to get points in one or both to get any further. But, we can't be too results-oriented. This is a process, and if there's an end goal, it's getting back to a top-four or top-three position in qualifying."

"Do you have any surprises up your sleeve?"

"Not particular. Many of these guys are very familiar to you and to everyone else. One thing is that I know Alibek Khautov is stepping up into a greater role this time. I think he's a fascinating, creative player who's frustrating to deal with. He can generate chances and work well with Meyer and free him up. And I think everyone should be prepared for this team to go ninety minutes. The cardio and the fitness is very good. Perhaps they might have some game rust, but they are all in fantastic shape. They're ready."

"One last question. Can Sonnel break through here?"

"That would be a hell of a trick."

"...that's all the time we have. Thank you all. Thank you Coach. Good luck against Muralos and in the rest of the tournament!"

[Archalit]

"Now this is familiar," Damien said. He was certainly right, too. Archalit, with it's booming public transport industry, beautiful environments, and equitable policies and ideals, matches quite well with Poafmersia. Crossing through Ramadau Trish, on the way to the stadium, Damien Looke and Jasper Penner sat together in a train and watched as the outside sceneries passed by. Farms and agriculture as far as the eye could see, with plentiful animals roaming the fields and very few farmhands managing massive plots of land. Closely watching, Damien saw an older man slowly milking a cow, and a young boy behind him running up from a building. The scene flashed past the two, as more scenes of farming flashed by them.

But it didn't work. Damien threw his head into his hands, elbows on his thighs, and sighed. "I can't start tomorrow," he said, already looking exhausted. Having never started a game in his international career, his debut was looking mighty terrifying to him. He was the goalkeeper, the last line of defense, the ONE person who makes the difference between a save and a goal. Pressure was mounting ever high, and impostor syndrome was undoubtedly kicking in.

Jasper could see it in his eyes. Damien was struggling so immensely. Jasper simply let him vent, took on his frustration, and re-assured him. "Damien, you and I both know how much you've been training for this, right?" Damien nodded in agreement, throwing his head back and letting it down on the window behind him. "We don't care about how you do tomorrow. This isn't the World Cup, and we're not expecting to win."

"Yeah, but..."

"Let me rephrase that." Jasper spoke in a soft but assertive voice. "We're not gonna win tomorrow. You're gonna do your best and whatever happens, happens." The bus came to a crawl as the two got up from their seats. "So," Jasper began asking, "are you ready?"

[United Adaikes]

The United Adaikes Football Association has decided that the National Teams sent to international competitions shall have a separate Head Coach, not from Head Coaches of teams in the Adaikes Professional Football League system. All domestic head coaches heralded this decision and are looking forward to the performance of the next Head Coach of the National Team, which will focus on building the National Pool and other responsibilities of a National Team Head Coach.

Head Coach	Charley Woods		 M	41	
Asst Head Coach	Dylan Burke		 M	55	Gasple Dynamic	
Asst Coach	Brittny Dennis		 F	47	Bridlo Riddles	
		Baldomero Dickson	 M	41	Steskia Kings	
GK Coach	Edweena Hathway		 F	53	Gasple Dynamic	
Position	Name			Sex	Age	Team				Nr	Remarks
GK		Esme Johns		 M	23	Bridlo Riddles			 1	
DF		Leta Delgado		 F	35	Bridlo Riddes			13	Captain
DF		Mimi Yoxall		 F	32	Perthdoches Hyenas		14
DF		Jaymes Padilla		 M	23	Steskia Kings			 4	
DF		Charo Borja		 F	28	Wrarnerbadshot Watchers		 5
MF		Mariano Gallego		 M	25	Fort Bloom Crocodiles		 6
MF		Jake Gaines		 M	35	North Shil Silent Vipers	10	Vice-Captain
MF		Gypsy Campana		 F	24	Gasple Dynamic			 7
MF		Terri Lacy		 F	25	North Shil Silent Vipers	 8	
FW		Krystina Greenwood	 F	31	Bridlo Riddles			 9
FW		Sadie Skeates		 F	27	Wrarnerbadshot Watchers		11	
GK		Booker Outterridge	 M	31	East Fairdesshield Eagles	12
FW		Frank Sherburne		 M	32	North Shil Silent Vipers	19
DF		Eutropio Bridges	 M	27	Gasple Dynamic			15
MF		Liv Torres		 F	32	Gasple Dynamic			27
DF		Kermit Salvage		 M	27	Gasple Dynamic			21
FW		Alivia Quincy		 F	33	Steskia Kings			22
DF		Arin Scriven		 F	32	East Fairdesshields Eagles	28
MF		Chelsea Haley		 F	32	Perthdoches Hyenas		30
MF		Jericho Fields		 M	26	Perthdoches Hyenas		16
MF		Wilfredo Whittemore	 M	32	East Fairdesshields Eagles	18
DF		Dusty Chambers		 M	28	Fort Bloom Crocodiles		17
GK		Geoffrey Babcock	 M	26	Gasple Dynamic			20

This is the official roster of the United Adaikes National Football Team for the World Cup 94 Qualifiers, where the Independents Cup 18 happened in between.

Style Mod: +1.7


Kits with the United Adaikes National Football Team logo on the white sleeve of the uniform

Home Stadium:

The Main Football Stadium is located in the New Thraproy Sports Complex, where all main stadiums and venues for sports (both outdoor and indoor) are found. It has a seating capacity of 70,000, including multiple press boxes and three VIP boxes.

RP Permissions:

If my opponent RPs our match first, they may:
Choose my scorers: Yes.
RP injuries to my players: TG me here in NS/DM me in Discord first.
Suspend my players: TG me here in NS/DM me in Discord first.
Godmod scoring events: No.
Godmod injuries to my players: No.
Godmod suspension events: No.
Godmod other events: Yes, but TG me here in NS/DM me in Discord first.

[HUElavia]

Just Win Baby!

HUElavia returns to Poafmersia looking to make yet another deep run in a very stacked IAC edition.

It's been a rough two years for HUElavia. A disappointing elimination from the Cup of Harmony saw an end of an era with Cassadaigua sending Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos out with a 3-0 loss in a must-win game. Coach Aveiro was sacked and in came Lester O'Reagan from Quebec and Shingoryeo, the nation of HUElavian Coaching Legend Leonardo Conavacio, to lead a new generation of HUElavian players. The team played different tournaments with a weaker squad in hopes to find players for the IAC 18, which resulted in some early exits, but valuable data and information on prospective players.

Now, HUElavia arrives to Poafmersia, who was the lone host bidder with two unique formats for the tournament, looking to pick up the pieces on a promising roster. Four years ago in Quintessence of Dust, HUElavia had much promise to make a deep run, but had to take on familiar rivals Abanhfleft in the Round of 16. A tense, scoreless match resulted in a Penalty shootout, where Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos were eliminated, 4-3, ending the back-to-back Championship Runs, as well as the team falling in the Round of 16 for the 2nd time in their IAC history. Today, despite the relatively early exit in IAC 17, the team is ranked 3rd in the rankings, making them a Pot 1 team. The goal for this tournament is at least a Quarter-FInals run, but the ranking and expectations suggest a deep run is to be done. Coach O'Reagan waives away these beliefs, stating in a press conference "While HUElavia is a team rich in football history, especially in the IAC, we cannot be grasping for the very top when the tournament hasn't even begun. We need to take it a game at a time in order to win our matches and get as favorable of a run as we can. The players, the staff and I have a strong desire to make it another memorable tournament for the fans coming in to Poafmersia and for the fans back home."

A relatively young squad was selected, with some veterans from the Championship Runs still selected, but it seems this may be the last hurrah for those select few, while a chance to make a name for themselves for the more novice players. Mok was named as the starting goalie for the tournament, taking over under the sticks since Ignacio Casillas had retired. Gounelle was surprisingly named the starting left fullback for the team throughout the tournament, over veteran Vargas. A more attacking formation was selected, where Navarro-Hamada seems to be the shadow striker of the team, while Amezcua, Rossi-Rigoni and Aveiro are pushed forward to attack.

HUElavia (3) was drawn into Group B of the first Group Stage, along with the likes of Toluiwa (70), Cakranegara (26), United Adaikes (42), and Valentine Z (17), which was seen as a decent and favorable group for Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos. HUElavia will play against Valentine Z for Matchday 1, followed by Toluiwa on Matchday 2, the Bye on Matchday 3, against Cakranegara on Matchday 4, and against United Adaikes on Matchday 5. Matty Horis Stadium (52,000) in Dury will host HUElavia's matches on Matchdays 1 and 5, while Bikarish Stadium (48,000) in Bikarish will host Matchdays 2 and 4. HUElavian fans have bought many tickets as they normally do, and are expected to take up their usual endzone to cheer on the team throughout the tournament.

The time has come for another tournament in the Independent Associations Championship, where the theme is Just Win Baby! Here's to hoping for a deep and memorable run.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Montana Verde]

Nation: Montaña Verde
Trigram: MVE
Adjective/demonym: Verdean
Team nickname: Condors

Coach: Tobías Dávalos (78)
Assistant coach: Iahan Alphand (60)

Another managerial change after another dismal World Cup qualifying and a relatively modest return at the IAC. Édgar Arboleda may have taken the Junior Condors to the Di Bradini Cup semifinals but he couldn’t do much at the senior level and has been jettisoned. If you’re keeping count (you’re not) that’s the sixth Condors coach in as many World Cups.

After looking to youth, the FMVdF has gone in… the other direction. Not that a few gray hairs stopped Dávalos taking unheralded Scunthorpe de Puyevier to back-to-back Campeanato titles! He might not be sprinting the touchlines but the tiny wizened ancient is full of wisdom. Not afraid to try inventive new formations and never a slave to big egos, his appointment should mean that qualifying will at the very least not be boring.

Iahan Alphand of Secuaz de la Muerte [Oberour Ar Moro], whose 10 years of management experience have seen him go from the highs of taking Hibernus to the A-Division championship in his very first season, to most recently being fired from B-Division Naucratis, remains in role as assistant manager.

Squad: It can generally be assumed the players number 1 – 11 will start, 12 – 26 be matchday squad reserves; but there will be a certain amount of rotation. So long as you’re sensible and unless I’ve RPed otherwise, you can RP my team lineup with some variation.

• Men and women play together in Montaña Verde. To avoid pronoun confusion, female players are marked in pink.
• The league is fairly new as a result of restructuring following independence, but many of the clubs date back decades and have entrenched traditions and rivalries.
• Fútbol is a tremendously popular sport in the country, rivalling Catholicism for the national religion, but limited overseas exposure means the standard is not especially high.
• Speaking of not being especially high, Montaña Verde is one of the shortest [human] populations in the world. While there are one or two tall players, in general men and women are very short.
• Players are not egregiously dirty in terms of violence or deliberate fouling, but enjoy a good tactical dive now and then.
• The bolded name or “nickname” should be used when referring to players and staff.
• All players are domestic unless otherwise stated. While I normally conduct transfers through the Transfer Window, if you wish to sign one of my players they are usually available, especially if it links to an RP arc. Send a TG/DM to ask.

Goalkeepers:

1. Moises Luque (25) – Deportivo Zaracas
12. Benito Venegas “Ingeniero” (24) – Santa Margarita Riopel
23. Nora Paz Yepes (25) – Olimpia La Limana

By far the biggest call made by Dávalos is his jettisoning of Dolfo, long considered the automatic numero uno, after one too many tournament marked by sloppy errors and poor ball skills. Neither Moises nor Ingeniero have Dolfo’s height or reach, both being modestly sized by international standards, but both are superior with the ball at their skills and adept shot-stoppers. They will compete to take over, although fans will no doubt be crying for Dolfo’s return should it not work out.

Right backs:

2. Oscar Taciano Oquendo Alcalá (31) – Universidad de Montaña Verde
14. Maximiliano Rasgado Palau (25) – Schudvík

The seismic changes don’t stop with Dolfo. Roberto Dylan was meant to be the future of Verdean fútbol; instead, after his “auto-pen” controversy, the wing-back finds himself banned, and in his place, Dávalos has turned to the workmanlike Alcalá, long a NT fringe/reserve but never considered a serious contender to start. Solidly built and a capable defender who can cover either full-back role, but lacking the pace and skills of traditional Verdean wing-backs. “So I’ll bid farewell and be down the road,” Roberto Dylan gruffly reflected on his ban, but there may be a way back if the FMVdF repeals their decision. Maximiliano is a more attacking option with some flair, but is quite raw.

Left backs:

6. Juan Diego Lucián Juderías (30) – Olimpia La Limana
16. Adriana Monserrat del Pozo (23) – Scunthorpe de Puyevier

…and the changes keep coming, and a big one at that, as Justin – long considered one of the best players in the team if perhaps never quite living up to that billing through a mixture of recurrent injuries and disciplinary issues makes way for the next generation. Juderías has actually got quite a lot of experience, having frequently had to fill in during Justin’s absences; he’s not an exciting player, but he can get the job done at both ends of the pitch, for now. Adriana is a little more creative and exciting.

Center backs:

3. Sebastián Gayoso Cambeiro (27) – Calequén
4. Armando “Mandito” Curbelo Rodríguez (28) – América de Santa Margarita de Yacuija – Vice-Captain
13. Mercedes Fernandino (30) – Olimpia La Limana
21. Juan Diego Venegas (32) – Requista Boys
26. Valentín “Tíntín” del Pozo (25) – Olympique Isbècque

Another interesting call as there’s no place for vice-captain Arquímedes. This change is a little less dramatic, though, as it had been widely anticipated that the DBC pairing of Cambeiro and Mandito would eventually be reunited. Neither are skyscrapers and by international standards really short, Cambeiro especially, but both have excellent ball skills and can bring the ball up as capably as midfielders, while both are fit and relentless tacklers. So long as the ball’s on the ground they’re a solid pairing. Tíntín is a more typically aggressive bruiser, and quiffs his hair up with gel, but is too short to worry about messing it up with ever reaching a header. Mercedes and Juan Venegas are slightly surprising call-ups as neither was massively on the national radar, but reflect Dávalos’s faith in the Campeanato as an incubator of talent.

Holding midfielders:

5. Marcos “Coco” Fernán (28) – Kingsbury United
8. Naomí Schutzán (25) – Chenoworth Harriers
15. Cristobal Elizondo “Cristo” Díaz (31) – Ezriquay United FC
24. Israel Pardo Ureña (23) – Santa Margarita Riopel

At last some reassuring permanence, as there’s no sign of shifting Coco and Schutzán. Even their back-ups, Cristo Díaz and Abi, are the same (though young phenom Israel is new). Of the two, Coco is a more traditional defensive midfielder though he’s very capable with the ball at his feet and isn’t just an enforcer; Schutzán is a fabulous long deep-lying playmaker with wonderful vision and passing ability. Cristo Díaz is a hard working presser who’ll run himself box-to-box offloading short passes and putting in the physical touch needed. Abi is a more traditional defensive midfielder, tough-tackling and very fit, less skilled at distribution.

Attacking midfielders:

10. Thomás “Primitivo” Ceballos Cantú (31) – Nakdong Athletic – Captain
11. Aramis Navarro Najera (28) – CSKA Quebec
17. Camilo Galán Muñoz (29) – AS Samita
19. Absalom Covarrubias (22) – Universidad de Montaña Verde
20. Tatiano Zayas Díaz (28) – Clayton City SC
25. Voltaire Hernandez (20) – Liria Prizren

The spine of the midfield also remains the same. Aramis will tend to drift into a central role, distributing and bringing the ball forward to open up rapid attacks, and is capable of playing a physical role, slotting in just behind Primitivo. There’s nothing “primitive” about the play of the midfield general, who after some decent years in Chromatika has moved on to The Licentian Isles. Bigger than most of his teammates, his strong physicality can be deceptive as he has a silky touch off both feet. And watch out for his wicked curling strikes if there’s a free-kick in the vicinity of goal. Camilo is mainly a winger, and Covarrubias is another wide player with speed and energy, if not always direction on his crosses, while Tatiano is an excellent playmaker who lacks a really good finishing touch. The most exciting talent on the roster is the mysterious Voltaire Hernandez, an enigmatic talent who’s burst onto the scene only in the last season.

Forwards:

7. Hector “Halcón” Alarcón (23) – AOPIC Greens
9. Clementino Ezequiel “Tino” Velásquez Casares (28) – Straton FC – 3rd Captain
18. Inhué Fernandino Indiano (31) – Sporting Mabar
22. Semarias “Monaguillo” Veliz (26) – Olimpia La Limana

Of all the changes Dávalos has wrought, none are bigger than this one: dropping Osito. The all-time leading goal scorer for the Condors, and not just the most famous and popular player on the team, but probably the most famous and popular person from the entire country. Of the other forwards, Halcón is a fearsome poacher; Indiano is a small, scrappy fighter; Tino a more complete forward than either but primarily a goal-scorer without much interest in assisting others; Monaguillo is a pacy winger.

Feel free to deviate!

Free-kicks: Primitivo, Schutzán, Tino
Corners: Schutzán, Aramis
Penalties: Tino, Aramis, Primitivo

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

• Choose my goalscorers: Yes
• Godmod scoring events: Yes
• RP injuries to my players: Yes, I determine severity
• Godmod injuries to my players: Yes, I determine severity
• Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes, no more than 4 per game
• Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, no more than 1 per game without contacting me
• Godmod other events: Yes, but preferably shoot a TG if you have something in mind

Please do not use photographs and say they’re my players, or have my players or fans responsible for violence without contacting me.

Despite the above I am very open to collaborating on any RP storylines.

Style modifier: +2.7

[United Adaikes]

It's now Leta Delgado's 3rd World Cup Qualifiers Cycle.

The first two were when she was still a backup defender in the readily-available substitutes. She had no problems with that as long as she was present in the matches and stepped up when her number was called.

But this time, not only is she one of the starting defenders, but now she is also the Captain of the National Football Team of the United Adaikes.

Talk about luck; she always thought whenever it came to her head, being the Captain of the National Team. Well, ten other players are in the Starting XI, and the Coach had to pick her. Or is it luck?

Not only were the head coaches receptive towards the United Adaikes Football Association's announcement about having a specific Head Coach for the National Team, but almost all players in the Adaikes Premier Football League system. It removes bias for their players if a domestic head coach is put at the National Team's helm.

Charley Woods was Delgado's assistant defensive coach in college during their time together at Panorama University when the University Athletics Association of the United Adaikes (UAAUA) was still in its formative years.

It was thirteen years ago. Delgado was still 22, and Woods was newly promoted to the assistant defensive coaching role at 28 when Panorama University won the UAAUA Football Championship for the third time during Delgado's five-year stint with the University.

Eight years forward, Woods was the head of the Committee of the United Adaikes Football Association on deciding the next steps for United Adaikes Football after the massive reconstitution and reorganization of the United Adaikes Sports Commission down to the setups of the different National Sports Associations after the infamous corruption scandal of the United Adaikes Sports Commission.

Myron Lillakis, Head of the United Adaikes Football Association, was not affected by the reconstitution and reorganization as there was no evidence pointing at him as being involved in the corruption scandal.

Lillakis then formed a huge Committee of UAFA and NFT Policy and Process Reorganization, which consisted of football names (club owners, club and collegiate coaches, pundits, etc.) cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman in the scandal.

Will this current setup bring a new form of energy and competitive spirit for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers and Independents Cup? Only the results will tell if the reorganization successfully gets wins based on strategically bringing in players and employing tactics during matches.

[Sajnur]

Sajnur National Football Team: IAC 18

Full Roster

Core players in bold

Player                  Age  G  Position       Club

Natasha Kirai           35   F  GK             Capitals Javoser
Siana Avordyn           26   F  GK             Javoser Pirates

Silja Jorse             32   F  RB/RW/LB/LW    AFC Treason 
Nelson Baziru           31   M  RB/CB/RM       Stormers FC
Hatu Raglan             35   M  CB/RB          Canalave Dragons 
Kabas Verjez            36   M  CB/CDM         Rivers Roskjepa
Olah Pracia             31   M  CB             FK Khadur
Kahala Murje [vc]       34   F  CB/LB          AFC Treason 
Hela Isarghie           36   F  LB/LM          Latrobe Athletic 
Layla Shinwar           35   F  LB/LM/LW       Stormers FC

Toljo Latvala           33   F  CDM/CB         Stormers FC
Aurora Merelu           22   F  CM/CDM/CAM     Stormers FC
Tatiana Pavlov          35   F  CM/LM/LW       Ciarkhan City
Jessica Siafik [c]      38   F  CM/CAM/CF      Kingsgrove 
Tia Parci               34   F  CM/CAM/CF      Stormers FC
Cristiano Karaji        35   M  LM/LB          Marinos Metropolis 

Parjazu                 36   O  CF/RW/RM/ST    Sarim Potato FC (Poafmersia)
Ella Ciuru              33   F  CF/LW/ST/LB    Branvon CD 
Indigo Taylor           27   F  ST/CF/RW/CAM   Stormers FC
Andre Naulo             40   M  ST             FK Khadur
Elyudi Samiryan         26   O  ST             Rivers Roskjepa
Violet Valera           25   F  LW/CF/ST/CAM   Stormers FC

Manager: Chloe Saukanen
Typical Formations: 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-3-3
Style Modifier: +4
Free Kicks: Siafik, Jorse, Parci
Corners: Siafik, Jorse, Levici
Penalties: Anyone on a hattrick, otherwise whoever wins the penalty

I Give My Opponent Permission To:
=================================
Choose My Goalscorers:        Y
Godmod Goalscoring Events:    Y, but TG me for FIFA style bullshit
Injure Players:               Y
Godmod Injury Events:         Y, but I decide severity
Red Card Players:             Y
Yellow Card Players:          Y
Godmod other events:          TG me
=================================

Jerseys, by Brusseldorf

[Abanhfleft]

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ABANHFLEFT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL TEAM - MEN'S

So much for not embarrassing the entire country. The national team couldn't even get into the Cup of Harmony this time around too! This truly is one of the lowest points in the history of the Revolutionaries. Even the Brevity Challenge Cup was a bridge too far at the end of the day. What hope do these boys have of winning the Independent Associations Championship in the face of all the evidence to the contrary?

BASIC INFORMATION
Name of nation: Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft
Demonym: Fleftic
Team colors: Blue, orange, and green
Style modifier: +3
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Head coach: Levi Baak (65 y/o, Abanhfleft)

STARTERS
GK: Guildenstern CARDEW 33 y/o, Sporting Ceneisis , captain
Under Vaughn Palladino, Guildenstern Cardew has turned into the clear number one choice between the sticks for Sporting Ceneisis. He may not be the player who shipped the least goals in the Premier League this season but he stopped enough shots to help the Blues to their fourth FPL title. Now it's time for Guildy to do the same for the national team.

RB: Masakazu CHIBA 30 y/o, Riuwiee United
Masakazu Chiba is one of an ever-growing number of football players in the Democratic Republic who trace their lineage back to the Japanese nations such as Flardania and, in Masakazu's case, Aji No Moto. Although he was never capped for any of Abanhfleft's youth teams, Ranulph Bustamante is apparently convinced that Masakazu will be able to handle being a bench option for the senior national team for the current World Cup qualifiers. Chiba-san will now get the chance to show his stuff under Levi Baak.

RCB: Elias THONET 24 y/o, Wanda Island Wanderers
People might say that he's a bit short for a central defender (even if he is 5 feet 10 inches), but that isn't really what Elias has been doing there ever since he first grabbed the attention of Fleftic fans while playing for Garufaloe F.C. He's already a good defender right off the bat, but his real strengths lie in his passing and technique. Wanda Island signed him to be a ball-playing center back, and Levi Baak expects him to do the same for the Democratic Republic.

LCB: Chris BELLINGHAM 23 y/o, Arsenal de Releinthi
That old joke of one inch of height making all of the difference between one's perception of how tall another person is compared to another is making rounds all over the Fleftic football fandom once again thanks to the new partnership of Elias Thonet and Chris Bellingham in the Fleftic backline. Bellingham really does look like a mountain next to Thonet, but in all seriousness, his height is only secondary to what he actually does on the pitch. His main job is to defend, defend, defend, and thanks to his height and incredible jumping ability, Bellingham is also a threat on the set piece.

LB: Gary SAGUN 28 y/o, General Santos FC (Sultanate of Oontaz)
Even Gary Sagun himself thought that he was very far away from getting a call up for the Revolutionaries, but here he was now. It would seem like he's a strange choice for the left back position, but Levi Baak himself has said that he fits exactly the profile that he's looking for in his current Abanhfleft setup for the Independents Cup. Sagun is a veteran no-nonsense left back who is a solid defender on his side of the pitch, and while his pace is perhaps average at best, if Baak is to be believed then that is good enough for the Abanhfleft team.

RM: Şəmistan BABUROV 26 y/o, CSKA Tiraspol (Pridnestrovia), vice-captain
The fact that he's only getting a call-up to the senior team now is criminal, to say the least. Some would even hazard to say that four years of his career was wasted while the Revolutionaries struggled to remain competitive in the World Cup qualifiers with a bunch of older players, but at least he's in the team now, and he's just hitting his prime as well. Baburov, also known as Sam to make it easy for everyone else, is pretty much this new-look team's midfield engine, distributing the ball when he is on it and going box-to-off while off the ball. He's also good at set pieces, but he's better off finding a target instead of actually going for goal himself.

LM: James CARMICHAEL 33 y/o, Xemlice Rovers
Carmichael does a little bit of everything here and there such as breaking up attacks in the middle of the pitch and pinging in those diagonal passes. He's usually well disciplined, but when he goes in for a tackle, boy does he go in for a tackle. Now that he's getting a little bit long in the tooth, he's leaving most of the midfield orchestration stuff to the young'uns and take on the role of enforcer.

RW: Roberto CARLOS LADO 23 y/o, Athletic Wa Deg (Copper Cuprum)
Carlos Lado doesn't really look like he fits the mold of a winger: he's big, he's tall, and he's not really that fast. Well, he could definitely beat the average football fan in a foot race, but there are definitely other wingers and even fullbacks who will leave him in the dust in the blink of an eye. In fact, Lado is probably more suited to being a support striker, and Levi Baak's tactics might actually allow him to do that. But as far as being a winger goes, he does have the technique to whip in an inviting cross, and he can and does score the occasional free kick.

CAM: Sven FAHRNI, 22 y/o, Ludogorets Markovsky
Fahrni has that no-nonsense attitude wherein he only needs to be told what to do once, and then he will do exactly that until someone tells him to stop. This attitude however has also given him a blunt personality wherein he says exactly what he thinks, and if he thinks that someone else is preventing him from doing his job quickly and effectively then he will tell that person to get out of his way, usually in less polite terms. That hasn't earned him a lot of friends, but because he's good at what he does, everyone else tolerates his presence on the pitch and off it. And Sven Fahrni wouldn't have it any other way.

LW: Sacit KÖZALMAZ 23 y/o, Sarvusdalamoive
Közalmaz isn't really the mirror opposite of Carlos Lado, but he does have qualities that Lado lacks. Those qualities include a better defensive mentality and the ability to dance and dribble his way out of trouble should the need arise. Pace, however, is one of Közalmaz's weaknesses, and he can't pass or cross the ball to save his life, but he does make up for it somewhat by being an actual threat in front of goal even if it isn't necessarily his job to take pot shots.

ST: Mustafa BENSOUSSAN 31 y/o, Bananas FC
Bananas may have been relegated from the Premier League, but if that's not making Mustafa turn his head then nothing probably will. The young man is dedicated to the cause of bringing Bananas right back up, but unlike some of the other sides to have been relegated from the league in previous seasons, Bananas don't look like they would be able to do it as quickly. Nevertheless, Mustafa is still scoring goals for fun, and will now fill in for the aging Kareem Dagen for the men's national team starting from this Independent Associations Championship.

RESERVES
GK: Howard ABAYAN 23 y/o, Niraza Rovers on loan from Riuwiee United

GK: Shaun SACE 22 y/o, Kimmirut Panhandle on loan from Ludogorets Markovsky

RB: Antonio GALINDEZ 23 y/o, All-Inclusive Haranguer on loan from Sporting Ceneisis
Remember the time when Abanhfleft's fullbacks played more like wingbacks and were constantly bombing up and down the flanks of the pitch even when the formation had actual wingers in it? It would seem like Galindez's fullback training was in direct response to that, since while he definitely has the pace to become a wingback, the art of defending had been drilled so deeply into him that it really looks like it hurts him when he crosses the halfway line. It's strange, but apparently it works for him.

RCB: APOLLOSCLEIYALI 36 y/o, Rosenpfelblatz City
Though he was brought into the Rosenpfelblatz City setup at the relatively young age of 16, Apolloscleiyali Rarlingson Crausileine still plays with that curious mix of Daineri and Sunrisian street football. The Citizens may not have been consistent challengers for the title ever since Abanhfleft integrated into UICA and now IFCF, Apolloscleiyali remains one of the constants of this team, almost never putting a foot wrong. Because of this he was given Fleftic citizenship via the Alternative Football Program as a candidate for the Fleftic national team, but this is only the first time Apollo will actually represent the Revolutionaries, strangely enough.

LCB: Paco MATUNDAN 33 y/o, Xemlice Rovers
Paco Matundan must have thought his footballing career was over when he was released by Malabon SC following the Ravens' shock relegation from the FPL at the end of the 2025-26 season. Luckily a club from Greythrone called Air Force Superstar decided to take a chance on him, but sadly the club did little of note other than gaining promotion once before Greythrone itself collapsed into anarchy. Paco was only saved from falling into obscurity by a timely move to Xemlice Rovers where he has now settled down and made a name for himself, even if it is choking on title races.

LB: Rick MANICAD 19 y/o, Porcusces Tsunamis on loan from Admiral Porcusces
It isn't always that a young player gets called up to the senior team before even taking part in their country's youth team, but apparently Rick Manicad is one of those players. At the moment, all that Manicad knows to do on the pitch is to defend, with all of the associated skills expected to be trained and drilled into him further down the line. He's never going to be the fastest kid on the block, but it is Levi Baak's belief that there is a technically gifted star in young Rick.

RM: Iraklis BABALIOUTAS 22 y/o, Marinos Thimpodopoulos
He is the beating heart of this young team in more ways than one. On the pitch, Babalioutas may only be an average midfielder at the moment but he's already got solid technique A few more refinements to his game and maybe putting on some more muscle and he'll be pretty much ready for the Fleftic Premier League and maybe even international football. Off the pitch, Babalioutas is a lad who wears his heart on his sleeve, and he's not afraid to be seen crying, whether it's tears of sadness or tears of joy. It's just so easy to gravitate to this young man and become fond of him.

LM: Audric DUBREUCQ 23 y/o, Malabon SC
Dubreucq is not the best young midfielder in Abanhfleft, not even by a country mile. But he pretty much makes up for his shortcomings by being the kind of guy who gives his all when it comes to either defending or attacking. That being said, he's best utilized as a counterattacking player. He's speedy and he's got a wicked left foot on him. That left peg of his is strong enough to turn a football into a cannonball, and if he existed in a cartoon world, Dubreucq would be putting holes into goalkeepers' chests every single game.

RW: Palmer HICKS 28 y/o, Locomotive Imgortur
In a team where the system doesn't have much use for a winger, how is one such right winger in one such team supposed to get game time? On loan to another club, of course! Palmer is entering the second year of a two-year loan deal to newly promoted Electric Yugal with an option to buy for the Bolts. He did well for Electric during their promotion campaign in Unang Liga, but can he do the same in the Premier League? Ranulph Bustamante believes Palmer can do it with the national team, so there's that.

CAM: Jayden SCHOLES 29 y/o, CSKA Tiraspol (Pridnestrovia)
Scholes is kind of a weird player: it looks like he has everything he could possibly want and need to succeed in playing football, but then and again there's an issue that pops up that seemingly puts a halt to all of that interesting potential. He could get injured one season and then go through disciplinary issues the next. Perhaps that's the reason why he's still kicking around in the Pridnestrovian Super League when almost any other player with the skillset that he has will have been sold to the FPL. Nevertheless, Levi Baak clearly sees something in him that the manager believes will be very helpful for the Revolutionaries in the long run. Hopefully it doesn't come at the cost of a more deserving player, but then that brings up an entirely different conundrum of who counts as a more deserving player. Sometimes, it really is hard being the manager of a national team.

LW: Drew ALONTO 26 y/o, South Ons Deg Rabbitohs A.F.C. (Copper Cuprum)
Levi Baak clearly has a type of winger that he favors above all else, and that is a winger who isn't always the quickest player on the pitch but does have enough technical ability to wriggle his way out of trouble if need be and also knows how and when to cross the ball. Alonto's problem is that while he does know when to cross the ball, he doesn't know how to cross it. At least he doesn't know how to cross the ball without hitting the first opposition player. But he does try to help out in the defensive side of things even if sometimes that creates problems of its own.

ST: Bradley AQUINO 24 y/o, Kimmirut Panhandle
People have always rated Bradley's older brother Braydon Aquino as being the future national team player, at least the one assured of getting consistent call-ups and starts. But once again, those people were wrong, and it is now Bradley who has seemingly nailed down a place in the starting eleven while Braydon is nowhere near the senior Revolutionaries team. It's almost carbon copy of the story of the Williamson siblings, Charlene and Gareth. Everyone also thought that Gareth would go on to do great things with the Revolutionaries while Charlene would fade into obscurity. Instead, the exact opposite happened. What a freaky coincidence, right?

FORMATION
First Team


KITS (by Adidulas)


SCHEDULE
TBA

RP Permissions
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but I decide the severity and length of time out
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes (maximum of 6 per game)
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but only 1 per 2 games
Godmod other events: Contact me via TG or Discord first before proceeding

Style modifier: +3.00 (Positive three point zero zero)

[Adab]

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

Chapter 75: The Boy Distant as the Sky

“I never quite realized that it would all turn out like this,” Samir Sinmuballit’s voice was as clear and ringing as Alu’s room was dark. There was no hint of disapproval, no sign of enthusiasm or joy either. Just a sober, neutral voice delivering what he said in a matter-of-fact manner. And on the other side, the listener was also in no mood for enthusiasm, either from himself or from his father’s end.

“It is what it is,” Alu said in a manner somehow even flatter than his father’s. “Everything that I’ve done, all of my decisions, it all has led to this.”

“You know I don’t want to pressure you into making any kind of decision,” Samir added. “And you know what your mother and I think of all this, but, well, you’re an adult now, and… even if we try to do anything I know you wouldn’t let us.” He allowed himself a quiet, almost suppressed chuckle. Not that it helped lighten the mood in any way.

“You don’t have to worry about all this, Dad. All the attention is on me. It’s all about what Alulim Sinmuballit has done. Nothing to do with his parents whatsoever. I make my own decisions.”

“I know,” the elder Sinmuballit acknowledged. “I just worry about you. Your mother too. No matter what, I would rather be the suffering one than my son. It… it just worries to see everything that’s going on.”

“I worry about everyone,” Alu stated, giving a nod that his father couldn’t see on the other end of the connection. “Which is why – and I don’t think I’ve told you before – I have made my decision. There isn’t a way back for me and Emma.”

And then silence. For a minute that felt like it lengthened to an hour, the world came to a standstill. No noise, no nothing, but two men reduced to silence.

“Well that… if I understand it correctly…”

“I’ve got to break it off with her. For the sake of everyone. If that is what must be done to save this whole city from burning, then I will do it. I’ve just to go find her, wherever she is right now, and tell that to her face, for the sake of courtesy.”

“I’ll have to be honest with you,” Samir replied, “I think this nation’s problems go way beyond you and her.”

“I know.”

“I mean, I won’t do anything to intervene here, because I know it won’t matter anyway, but I hope you are not feeling pressured, at least from my end,” his father continued. “If you feel-“

“Oh, no, no,” Alu cut his father off. “I don’t- I don’t feel pressured by you, if that’s what you’re thinking. But I am doing this for you, for our family, for… everyone else, really, in this country.”

“I fear that even that won’t stop this country from… going down whatever path it’s now going down on.”

“I know, but if this can help address the problem, even if just a little,” Alu replied. “Come on, I know you won’t be holding me back, right? Because… well, yeah…”

There was no immediate response from his father. For all his leniency and tolerance, both sides knew there was never any doubt as to Samir and her wife’s opinion on this matter, and the concerns that they had – and had been having for a long time.

“You’re always one of a kind, you know that,” Samir said. “Even when you were still a kid, people said there’s… something in you that will lead you to greatness, to become a great man and all that.”

“But the cost is that I will have to stand alone, and stand alone often. And today, not even she can be on my side,” Alu continued. “One of a kind, unique… so different from others.”

In a low voice, after a halt, he added, “So distant.”

[PotatoFarmers]

Poafmersia's squad for IAC18

Other name: The Red Panjias (Panjia is the Poafmerian equivalant of a horse)
Kit Colours: Red, Orange

Poafmersia will present the following 26 players for the 5th Brevity Challenge Cup

Num  Player Name         Age Pos(s)   Sex  Current Club                 Caps        Goals   Assists
1    Nicole Potts        33  GK       F    St. John's Arsenal (QUE)     125 (3)        0       0
12   Jessica Ardens      27  GK       F    Mancodas Athletic FC         2 (1)          0       0
23   Aleksandar Malloye  21  GK       M    Dalaris City                 1 (0)          0       0

2    Kilikina Lee        27  LB/LWB   M    Dury FC                      47 (1)         7       0
3    Xenophon Robson     28  RB/RWB   M    Fiskadaha FC                 38 (5)         1       5
4    Diamond Byan        30  CB       M    Bikarish                     63 (5)         0       2
5    Nacro Astro         31  CB       M    Bakartirla Buccaneers (ASG)  39 (5)         0       0
13   Lovise Zimmerman    29  LB       M    Bikarish                     5 (2)          1       0
14   Cindy Oriol         25  CB       F    Tihon (CMT)                  28 (6)         1       0
15   Kelefe Hans         29  CB       M    Mancodas Athletic FC         8 (8)          0       0
16   Jacqi Equine        29  RB       M    Mancodas City                14 (8)         0       0
24   Nikkita Alfaro      23  CB       M    Sarim Potato FC              11 (4)         0       0

6    Michael Jackson     31  CM, ACM  M    Mancodas City                100 (6)        10      45
8    Min Berg            32  DM, CM   F    Mancodas Athletic FC         56 (11)        1       3
10   Aapeli Shea         28  CM, AM   M    Dalaris City                 55 (9)         0       0
17   Magreta Rym         30  CM       M    Mancodas City                23 (17)        1       5
19   Sylvia Fusco        27  CM, DM   M    Fiskadaha FC                 13 (13)        0       0
21   Erle Sartini        26  CM       M    Adab United (ADB)            24 (20)        3       10
25   Lesia Astrauskas    31  CM       M    Trimidau Rukiya              9 (8)          0       1

7    Tessa Bjarnesen     25  LW       F    Lokomotive Jarnstad (SVJ)    23 (17)        11      3
9    Jordan Huerta       33  CF, AM   M    Sarim Potato FC              80 (12)        78      9
11   Leontiy Seet        29  RW       M    Mancodas Athletic FC         50 (4)         14      17
18   Taliah Alcock       23  LW       M    Kistina Galaxy               2 (8)          1       0
20   Dagur Lawrence      24  CF/AM    M    Serrapince FC (TMB)          22 (9)         16      11
22   Jackson Handris     29  CF, RW   F    KT Itzalovalle (AUD)         3 (4)          3       1
26   Agapito Murphy      32  CF       M    Emerald Coast (SRS)          10 (16)        9       2

Note:
*Player ages are as though the matches are held before the 14th IFCF cycle, as it is in our calendar.
*For this competition, while the same set of players are used, the coach would be more tempted to rotate players onto the mains squad. As such, please feel free to take players outside 1-11 to select them as starters.

Captain: Aapeli Shea
Vice-Captain: Nicole Potts
Penalty Taker: Jordan Huerta
Free Kick Taker: Tessa Bjarnesen, Leontiy Seet
Corner Takers: The prevailing LB/RB (in the case of a 4 at the back formation) or LM/RM (in the case of a 3-4-3)

Head Coach: Lu Jialan (YZH)
Assistant Head Coach: Jabik Henderson
General Playing Style: With a new nation, comes new strategies. While Lu intends to keep the Poafmersian attitute of relying on mistakes by the opposition to counterattack, and being aggressive in getting back the ball, he has indicated an emphasis on defence being key to the team's successes in the Cup of Harmony and beyond. Preferring a strict 4-3-3 formation with the fullbacks playing wider up the field, Lu will stick to a 4-3-3 formation for the tournament. Utilising the team's strengths in counter-attack, the team will make a focus on defending the ball and keeping the possession before catching opponents napping during their break.

Formations: 4-3-3
Style Modifier: -3

Recent International Records
Overall Record: 385 games played. 215W, 80D, 90L. 919GF/628GA.
Cup of Harmony 82: Quarterfinals. 4W, 1D, 1L. 17GF/11GA.
IAC15: Ro16, skip Ro24. 4W, 1D, 1L. 24GF/17GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 91: 4th in Group 1. 12W, 6D, 2L. 48GF/27GA.
Cup of Harmony 83: Ro32. 2W, 2D, 2L. 12GF/10GA.
IAC16: QF, skip Ro24. 3W, 1D, 2L. 9GF/8GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 92: 2nd in Group 5, PO Loser. 11W, 6D, 5L. 54GF/38GA.
Cup of Harmony 84: Ro32. 3W, 0D, 2L. 9GF/8GA.
IAC14: Ro24. 1W, 3D, 1L. 11GF/9GA.
World Cup Qualifiers 93: 3rd in Group 12, PO Losers. 13W, 7D, 4L. 55GF/29GA.

First Match: Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
First Win: Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
Biggest Win:
(Only WCC-sanctioned) Poafmersia 8-2 Barfleur, BoF 71 Group Stage @ Zwangzug
(All) Poafmersia 8-0 North Alezia, IAC 12 @ Almuzahara
Heaviest Defeat:
(Only WCC-sanctioned)
Farfadillis 5-0 Poafmersia, WCQ 87 @ Farfadillis
Pasarga 5-0 Poafmersia, WCQ 90 @ Pasarga
(All)
Poafmersia 2-8 Commonwealth of Baker Park, International Friendly @ Poafmersia
Baker Park 6-0 Poafmersia, International Friendly @ Baker Park
Highest Scoring: Lionsroar 4-8 Poafmersia, World Cup Qualifiers 93 @ Lionsroar

Fans
Poafmersian fans are crazy about football, and their loud cheers ring about in the stadiums they visit. They are very willing to disturb the peace in the area to celebrate their win after matches, so matches are best held in the afternoon or early evenings. You can spot Poafmers booking large meeting rooms in hotels, going to bars in groups. Apart from that, they do pick up after themselves, and prevent causing much trouble apart from celebrating. You can be assured, however, that they would be travelling around to support their team, so do reserve half the spots in stadiums for them because they would pack it to the brim.

Home Stadium
For the entire duration of the qualifiers, Poafmersia will be playing their home games at the Libira National Stadium. To accommodate a rising interest in football, there was a slight layout change and stand refurbishment being done prior to the qualifiers, and as such, the stadium capacity has been increased to 70 thousand seated pax. The stadium is located in Fiskadaha City, capital of Poafmersia. To travel to the city, direct flights are provided from many major capital cities around the world. Within Poafmersia, however, public transport, such as trains and buses, are the preferred mode of transport, and there are rail lines available between Fiskadaha and many major cities in the country.

RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers - Yes
Godmod scoring events - Yes (Realistic events only, such as long range shots)
Roleplay injuries to my players - Yes (You determine what happened, I decide the severity.)
Godmod injuries to my players - Yes (As above)
Hand out yellow cards to my players - Yes
Hand out red cards to my players - Yes (1 more than what you give yourself)
RP any pandemic-related events - No pandemic exists in Poafmersia, or on Poafmers.
Godmod any other events - Yes (TG/Inform me before hand)
Note: If your RP permissions are more restrictive than mine, then I will take your RP permissions. (With the exception about the pandemic events)
I am very open to cooperative RPs, such as joint press conferences, match-side drama, out-of field events, etc. Do drop me a Telegram in-game (to this account or Poafmersia) or a DM on Discord (You can find me on the NS Sports Discord - Freg#0420).

[PotatoFarmers]

And...cutoff for Matchday 1/2.

Some notes:
1) Group Stage MD5's cutoff will be delayed by 24 hours to Wednesday, 17th May. As for the remainder of the schedule, I will finalise it on Wednesday, but for now it can be assumed that the remaining cutoffs (up till the Upper Bracket Finals/Lower Bracket QF & SF cutoff) will be delayed by 24 hours.
2) Aust Scor, Kriegiersien, and The 14 Stars did not indicate a style mod prominently and was assumed to be of 0 style mod. If the style mod is later added, please TG me on Poafmersia so I can update the style mod accordingly.
3) The Spartan Dominion's RP below was counted for this cutoff.
4) I will update the OP with the links to roster tomorrow. Sorry for not working on them for the past few days.
5) To get the results out as soon as possible, I will not attempt to tabulate elimination permutations for the next cutoff. We invite users to RP the permutation tabulation for their own team as part of their RP.

1. Points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw)
2. Head-to-head points among tied teams
3. Head-to-head goal difference among tied teams
4. Goal Difference (I realised, post-host vote, that I missed this criteria out. This was intended to be in the List of Criteria)
5. Wins
6. Coin Flip (Match scored using only RP bonus)

6) Sorry for the freak results, I spent a long time making sure the coefficients were entered correctly, and checking that I didn't make some error, but apparently my scorinator is high on drugs again

---

Group A
Matchday 1
TJUN-ia 0–0 Hopal
Aust Scor 1–1 West Barack and East Obama

Matchday 2
Hopal 0–1 Aust Scor
Trolleborg 1–0 TJUN-ia

# Group A                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Aust Scor                         2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
2 Trolleborg                        1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 West Barack and East Obama        1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
4 Hopal                             2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1
  TJUN-ia                           2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1

Group B
Matchday 1
HUElavia 3–2 Valentine Z
Cakranegara 1–0 United Adaikes

Matchday 2
Valentine Z 1–1 Cakranegara
Toluiwa 0–0 HUElavia

# Group B                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 HUElavia                          2   1  1  0    3   2  +1    4
  Cakranegara                       2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
3 Toluiwa                           1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
4 Valentine Z                       2   0  1  1    3   4  −1    1
5 United Adaikes                    1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group C
Matchday 1
Muralos 2–3 Delaclava
Squidroidia 1–0 Archalit

Matchday 2
Delaclava 1–0 Squidroidia
Abanhfleft 2–1 Muralos

# Group C                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Delaclava                         2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Abanhfleft                        1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Squidroidia                       2   1  0  1    1   1   0    3
4 Archalit                          1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 Muralos                           2   0  0  2    3   5  −2    0

Group D
Matchday 1
Montaña Verde 2–2 Space
Sajnur 1–1 Germenia

Matchday 2
Space 2–2 Sajnur
Indusse 1–1 Montaña Verde

# Group D                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Space                             2   0  2  0    4   4   0    2
  Montaña Verde                     2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
  Sajnur                            2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
4 Germenia                          1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1
  Indusse                           1   0  1  0    1   1   0    1

Group E
Matchday 1
Adab 5–2 Harry Islands
Poafmersia 1–0 Srubnaya culture (Scorinated by South Newlandia)

Harry Islands 0–0 Poafmersia (Scorinated by South Newlandia)
The Spartan Dominion 2–0 Adab

# Group E              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Poafmersia             2   1  1  0    1   0  +1    4
2 The Spartan Dominion   1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Adab                   2   1  0  1    5   4  +1    3
4 Harry Islands          2   0  1  1    2   5  −3    1
5 Srubnaya culture       1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0

Group F
Matchday 1
Geektopia 2–4 Stevencousin
Kriegiersien 1–0 New Master

Matchday 2
Stevencousin 0–1 Kriegiersien
Saterun 4–1 Geektopia

# Group F                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kriegiersien                      2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Saterun                           1   1  0  0    4   1  +3    3
3 Stevencousin                      2   1  0  1    4   3  +1    3
4 New Master                        1   0  0  1    0   1  −1    0
5 Geektopia                         2   0  0  2    3   8  −5    0

Group G
Matchday 1
Juvencus 1–0 Katten en Kittens van de Wereld
Ile de Richelieu 2–0 Sannyamathland

Matchday 2
Katten en Kittens van de Wereld 0–0 Ile de Richelieu
Eshialand 2–6 Juvencus

# Group G                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Juvencus                          2   2  0  0    7   2  +5    6
2 Ile de Richelieu                  2   1  1  0    2   0  +2    4
3 Katten en Kittens van de Wereld   2   0  1  1    0   1  −1    1
4 Sannyamathland                    1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
5 Eshialand                         1   0  0  1    2   6  −4    0

Group H
Matchday 1
Sudilia 1–1 The 14 Stars
Drawkland 0–1 Belnegau

Matchday 2
The 14 Stars 1–0 Drawkland
Snow And Ice Caps 0–0 Sudilia

# Group H                         Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 The 14 Stars                      2   1  1  0    2   1  +1    4
2 Belnegau                          1   1  0  0    1   0  +1    3
3 Sudilia                           2   0  2  0    1   1   0    2
4 Snow And Ice Caps                 1   0  1  0    0   0   0    1
5 Drawkland                         2   0  0  2    0   2  −2    0

[The Spartan Dominion]

The big day
Its the first day of the independent cup and Spartan fans are going crazy the team has been training for this day for the past 3 weeks and they know who is winning this cup and its them. in the stands there are booming sounds of people from the spartan dominion yelling " I belive that we will win! ". the people of the spartan dominion are very exited for what this event might bring.

[Delaclava]

"...and that's another shot well off the mark, Earl James doesn't even have to move for that one."

"That's just impatience, Jim. Squidroidia really doing a nice job of steadily building up an attack, and then they just pull the trigger a bit too early, and yeah, that's kind of been the story of the second half."

"Now, that's not to take away anything from what the Phoenixes have managed today..."

"oh, absolutely not. Delaclava has come out here and done their job. They pushed from the beginning, they got that goal in the 27th minute from Alibek Khautov after just kind of wearing down the Squidroidia defense. And since then... this is one of the favorites to win this tournament, and they very much are still in play for that, but right now they're getting more and more desperate to salvage a point from this game and make things easier on themselves."

"Well, this won't make it easier, James is being veeery deliberate in getting that ball back into the field of play, starting to draw protests from the Squidroidia squad, but there we go, James lays it short off to Toby Barker, and Barker's not going to rush this at all... We have the word from the fourth official, ninety minutes is up and we will have just three more."

"It's been a clean, efficient half. It's going to be now or never for the top seed."

"Barker plays it back to James.... James will now play it long. Bartoš is in the area and he is not quite going to get up for that one, so Squidroidia is going to take back possession here. And now they're going to go! Back up the left wing, challenging Barker. Barker turns around, he's not going to let him cut to the middle but he's hanging with him down the line. He cuts back now... that was careless! Martin steps to it and boots it up the field. That's Khautov! All alone! He's got one and he's looking for a second. But he's got company behind him, Khautov can't back and he has to rush the shoooooooot!! Oh, that's off the bar! That was very nearly a game clincher for Alibek Khautov!"

"You just cannot leave him unattended, I know Squidroidia is pushing for their own goal and it's do-or-die, but then they make a poor decision, a soft pass to the middle, and you see how dangerous Khautov is in an open field. The center back has just a little more speed and yet Khautov still manages to get off a very threatening shot at the last second and that was almost game there. But, we continue on."

"The keeper has a little trouble getting ahold of a ball there and time is running really short now. This would be a massive victory for Delaclava and they just need to hold on for another forty-five seconds or so, the keeper boots up high and into the middle of the field and he's going to join the action himself to try and get that tying goal for Squidroidia. Kazuo Martin's going to get up for that and put a little bit of contact, and that'll pin their right wing against the side, the little wonder Vangelis Anagnakis, such an offensive firepower, but he's holding firm on the defense now, Gouin holding behind him. The wing's trying to make some room, now he gets a little, he's going to take the cross in and that's a bit shallow into the box. Barker uses all of that 6-foot-3 frame and with the header he punches that well out of danger."

"Ha, they don't have a lot of aerial power on this squad, but Barker's kind of their one guy who can make those plays and he makes a huge play there."

"The referee is looking at his watch, is there time for one more attack? The right back's going to boot it in, nobody's there but Earl James, he's going to catch that and I think that's going to be it. James is going to bounce it a few times and let everybody clear out. He punts it, and... that's the long-short whistle and that is all! Delaclava is two for two in their return and that is a big one."

Jim Rose and Tyler Cartledge let the DSGN broadcast breathe as the cameras took in the scenes of a jubilant Delaclav celebration. The captain, Lukas Meyer, ran up to the game's hero Khautov and, in a rare emotional display, grabbed him by the shoulders before embracing him tightly. The two hadn't played much together but were already looking like a formidable front pairing. Earl James, who came up with a huge clean sheet after an embattled couple of years, turned to the fans behind him, beat his chest and roared, pointing to the name on the front of his kit. On the sideline, Elidyr Lyndainium clapped his hands together, reserved yet clearly impressed. And the Squidroidia team stood there, shaking their heads in disbelief, utterly unsettled and beaten on both ends of the field.

"Two games, six points. Delaclava moves to the front of Group C. But you can see it's bigger than that. This was a must win game. And they won it indeed. You can tell they have not taken a step back. This is a World Cup qualifying, world-beating squad."

[Harry Islands]

Start of the Harryan team in IAC-18

Harry Islands, despite the support and strong presence of the crowd, lost to Adab by a humiliating 5-2 (Two goals from Artur Santos) and a draw against Poafmersia.
Fans are still confident that the team will redeem itself. Meanwhile, the players will try to strengthen their emotions and resistance, bearing in mind that it was fatigue that got in the way in the game against Adab.
Earlier today, fans in Harryville, in front of a bar where they were watching the game, fought among themselves over an argument, and there were also protests against the poor performance of the team, but nothing that could have disturbed the noise and chants endless matches in the game against Poafmersia.

[HUElavia]

HUElavia 3–2 Valentine Z
(Aveiro 9', Rossi-Rigoni 62' (P), Tarragona 90+3' | Konstantinovich 18', Zofia 80')
Matty Horis Stadium, Dury, Poafmersia

Toluiwa 0–0 HUElavia
Bikarish Stadium, Bikarish, Poafmersia

Opening Dramatics!

HUElavia earns a late win against Valentine Z and saves a late penalty for a draw against Toluiwa!

After much anticipation, the Independent Associations Championship had returned, and HUElavia was already looking forward to their opening game, against main opposition Valentine Z, followed by a match against a recent newcomer in Toluiwa. HUElavia opted for their traditional Home Uniform for the first game, along with the A-Team playing, while the Alternative Uniform was selected with the B-Team playing, along with Bares in goal. The stadiums were sold out, with the HUElavians dressed in yellow and blue for their games, taking an entire endzone to cheer on the team.

The opening game was a thriller, where in the 9th minute, a corner taken by Bellerose went into the box, where Aveiro jumped over Johnstone to head the ball past Yohannes into the goal to make it 1-0, sending the HUElavians into great joy. In the 18th minute a blistering shot by Konstantinovich looped over the reach of Mok into the goal, tying it at 1-1, sending the Valentines into delirium while Konstantinovich was mobbed by their teammates for the great goal. In the 62nd minute, a foul by Roselyne over Amezcua in the box gave the referee no hesitation to brand a yellow card and point to the penalty spot. Rossi-Rigoni sent Yohannes the wrong way as he blasted it into the top left corner of the goal, making it 2-1 and Rossi-Rigoni was mobbed by his teammates while the HUElavians were jumping and clapping in joy. In the 80th minute, a pass from Konstantinovich got past Valdovinos (in for Ardance) reached Zofia, who gave a low shot that deflected off the fingertips of Mok into the goal, making it 2-2, with Zofia being mobbed while the Valentines were jumping for joy. It seemed there would be a draw on hand, when in the 90+3rd minute, a corner taken by Koga (in for Bellerose) went into the box, where Tarragona jumped to the air and headed the ball past the reach of Yohannes into the goal, making it the definitive 3-2 scoreline, with Tarragona being mobbed while the HUElavians jumped around to make the stadium rumble from their cheering and jumping. First game ended in a first victory.

The second game was much more dull, with chances being taken here and there by Toluiwa and HUElavia, but the lone major highlight came in the 86th minute, where a corner was taken by Candra went into the box and Wakai had her hand up where the ball hit her hand, which left Toluiwan players calling for a penalty. The referee had to consult VAR, and not only awarded a penalty kick, but brandished Wakai with a yellow card. Siswantyo stepped up to take the kick, and took the shot, but a leaping dive from Bares sent the ball out for a corner kick, where the HUElavians erupted from the save to a loud roar and cheer while Bares was mobbed by her teammates for the spectacular save. Despite some chances in the dwindling minutes, HUElavia held out and got a point, which was a slight let down, but after a dramatic ending, it was enough to tolerate.

Going into their bye, HUElavia leads Group B with 4 Points (1-1-0, +1 GD), followed by Cakranegara in 2nd place with 4 Points (1-1-0, +1 GD), Toluiwa in 3rd place with 1 Point (0-1-0), Valentine Z in 4th place with 1 Point (0-1-1), and United Adaikes in 5th Place with 0 Points (0-0-1). After the bye, HUElavia is hoping to maintain the good results and possibly punch their ticket to the Round-of-16 with a game to spare. But, that will come with results from the other games, should the opportunity arise. Coach O'Reagan was quoted as saying "We're enjoying our time in Poafmersia, but still training hard and studying film to give it our best in our games. There's a good attitude in this team and I'm sure with our strengths and teamwork, we can make a deep and memorable run for us to fondly enjoy." Fans are enjoying the culture and cuisine of Poafmersia up to now, some fondly remembering how HUElavia used to be like prior to changes in the society where some of the positives in Poafmersia are more frowned upon in HUElavia nowadays. Either way, here's to hoping for good results and a steady march in this tournament!

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Snow And Ice Caps]

SNOW AND ICE CAPS DRAW IN FIRST IC MATCH!!!!

The Snow And Ice Caps Football team played Sudilia and had a fairly impressive performance. They geared up their uniforms, had a pre-game practice, sang their anthem, "Ach, Bittrer Winter" on the pitch, and were led out onto the field by their esteemed Captain, Sabastian Nørgård, in a very tight defensive struggle of a game. Both countries had some chances, but overall, the ball was unable to cross the line at any time. We interviewed Manager Joseph Jensen after the game to get his thoughts on the performance.

Joseph Jensen:Sitting at the press conference table, with Alex Larrson to his right, joined by Sabastian Nørgård, and on his left sat Harold Hogg."They played great. Both Countries, our's and their's. Alex played phenomenal in goal, when the ball actually came close to him, and our defence was able to counter their attack, which, in all honesty is our main goal every game. Completely shut down our competition. Unfortunately, they were able to shut us down as well, but thankfully, we didn't lose any points in this game."

As noted by Jensen, the evidence in his choice of words comes from the two men sitting to his right. Goalkeeper Alex Larrson, who stopped all eight of the shots on target, including a screamer from the tip of the box by Sudilia's Michael Clarkson.

Alex Larrson:"It was a tough shot. Clarkson was able to hit the center of the ball, and thankfully for myself and my team, I was able to punch the ball over my net."

On the referenced attempt, a corner was attempted after, in which Marc-Antoine Barrette caught the ball with his foot for another attempt, only for Sabastian Nørgård to tackle it away, and lob the ball deep into the midfield of the pitch. That, along with his other tackles made for four total tackles in the game for him, as he went off, defensively.

Sabastian Nørgård:"Barrette was right next to me, so I did what I could, knocked the ball away and launched it out of the zone as quick as I could. Thankfully I found Harold Hogg, who was able to help get the ball onto their side of the pitch. Sadly, like most of our attempts in this game, there were no goals, but I'm content with the fact that as a team we were able to avoid a loss and keep the ball from going into our net.... For now. He laughs at this, Moreso, I do think we played excellently and I look forward to our game against Drawkland.

In addition to Sabastian Nørgård, we also asked Harold Hogg about his, and his fellow attackers' play on the pitch today.

Harold Hogg: "It's really unfortunate we didn't score today, because we had some great chances. On the play that Sabastian mentioned, we almost had one too. I got in close, made a move around Jordan Brockhouse, and with only Eliot Boulay to beat, I shot just wide. It was a hard miss, but that's life."

With these statements, it seems The Snow And Ice Caps are eager to play their next matches. On Day Three, they face Drawkland, who have amassed a No win, No Draw, and Two loss record to start the tournament. For The Snow And Ice Caps, they have never won a match. They had a draw in a friendly, and now the first tournament match ended in a draw as well. On Day Four, they face The Knights Of Belnegal, a team with One win, No Draws, and No Losses. The Snow And Ice Caps team, and their supporters are excited for these matches.

[Archalit]

Day One Loss

---

This was quite a frustrating night, as although the players put their all into this game, there was simply no way through Squidroidia. The worst part? Squidroidia was evidently not even trying. The Archalitians had hoped to gather some momentum in their opening match, but they found themselves trailing after just seven minutes when Squidroidia’s striker scored a stunning volley from outside the box. Despite some intense pressure from the center-forward Lyndon Nightmare, alongside a well put together midfield led by Duke Sondas and Terry Yang, Archalit was simply outmatched and the experience difference showed. However, this may be a blessing in disguise for Archalit. The loss exposed some weaknesses in their offense that they need to work on before their next match against Delaclava. Krystol Mays, the Archalitian coach, will have some homework to do with her staff and players, as they look to bounce back from this setback and secure a place in the knockout stage.

---

The National Sport

---

Particularly unique to Archalit, its national sport is chess. There is an extensive history of Archalitian Chess and the skill ceiling in Archalit is sky-high. This was made apparent in the Elephant Chess Cup 6 where Archalit, a debuting team, won the whole tournament. Why is this relevant, I hear you asking. Well, with the whole team staying in the same hotel in Poafmersia, of course they've somehow found themselves involved in chess. Specifically, Terry Yang and Ethan San, two legitimately high-rated players with tournament experience, were playing an exposition in the lobby of the hotel, and they gathered a crowd. Beyond a large amount of the team watching, many spectators had gathered around to watch the game. With jerseys on, Ethan and Terry were attracting in attention as they pondered the board. Devolving into a time scramble, a chaotic mess left Terry Yang with an outside passed pawn that was simply unstoppable, and Ethan San resigned. Hopefully, a fun game of chess would boost the teams spirits during their off-day while they rejuvenate and recover for matchday 3.

---

[Geektopia]

Geektopia Independents Cup Eyk Information

ǂ Each WC cycle now seniors a Geektopian person by 306.36 years, instead of a ludicrous, uncalculated 300 (meaning that what comes between World Cups, such as regional competitions, tax on a further 153 years). Minimum and maximum ages for footy players from the country are 1,656 through 4,140. These minimums and maximums lie roughly between 4,232 and 6,440 regarding managers (this meaning that Dingledine in WCQ88 was as old as Australia iirc). ǂ

ǂ Recent Happenings (current year: 8101) | A theme of slight instability arises with Julio's maintenance of things with the attacking pass formation, or WGR (wheel going round), and longevity of individuals in the national team, the two favored aspects in the country's football scheme. These two were originally brought up to be and maintained by Dingledine and his influential compatriot friends in each part of the Geektopian state. As Julio now recognizes how to tame who fires him and stray off from tradition somewhat, he has only gone ahead to change the latter part and implement an RDS (revolving door system) that represents each individual's recognized efforts with a football club, either in the Geektopian R.K.C. pyramid or in someplace else. In 7800, this change was stated by a decree which Julio will tell anyone very proudly he wrote. This decree is very polarizing, as the values which have an individual be comfrortably fit into Julio's 3-4-3 system nearly completely have been abandoned. This makes for less compatability between call-ups and the tactical situations which call for their familiarity with the Attacking Pass Formation fitting in a back three, midfield four, and front three, when their familiarity is already with an almost completely different tactical system at they club they're contracted to.

Manager: Julio (4,590 years)

RETURNING/DEBUTANT (+29) | [1T] = Starting player, [i] = Injured, [LC] = Low Confidence, [2T] = Regularly Plays as a Substitute, [3T] = Reserve Team, [NP] = Noted Player, [c] = Captain, [¢] = Vice Captain, [1tF] = Fringe First Team, [3tD] = Regularly Played as a Reserve, [2tD] = Regularly Played as a Substitute, [1tD] = Started, [AIM] = Raised in Aimena or partly Aimenan, [UNI] = Raised in Unimon or partly Unimonite, [BCN] = Raised in Burur caq Noaksi or partly Noaksian, [KAR] = Raised in Islas Cardinales or partly Cardinnic, [W >1] = Competing against more than one person to be fielded
• #24 Ann M. Gusdee Tiller (Goalkeeper, 3614 years) [W >1] {Meticulous, Polished, and Pharissical}
• #90 Thullen Kaeun (Goalkeeper, 2456 years) [3T] {Venal, Slow, and Inoffensive}
• #20 Hortensia Qilhamfayln (Goalkeeper, 3774 years) [3T] {Astigmatic, Honorable, and Stolid}
• #92 Jayniah Pentpi Sbht Slchs Dirmaea (Goalkeeper, 2215 years) [3T] {Solid, Felicific, and Grand}
• #40 Traeshaun Rayits (Goalkeeper, 3190 years) [3T] {Stylish, Obsessive, and Escapist}
• #44 Ruaa Frupreeei (Defender R, 2849 years) [W >1] {Quirky, Precise, and Intense}
• #7 Amolika Stllea Aot Entbemv (Defender C, 3714  years) [W >1] {Haughty, Predatory, and Charismatic}
• #82 Ritzema (Wing-Back L, 2549 years) [W >1] {Determined, Freethinking, Sharing}
• #73 Abdulhamid Lunjisrat Eay Fadtat Ah (Defender L, 2792 years) [W <1] {Sweet, Discreet, Fraudulent}
• #56 Felise Niliusadib (Defender C, 3115 years) [W <1] {Exciteable, Wishful, and Tractable}
• #66 Hudelson (Midfielder C, 3473 years) [W <1] {Adventurous, Cooperative, and Cynical}
• #52 Sanţiago R. 'abayisun (Midfielder BtB, 3268 years) [W <1] {Uncooperative, Reliable, and Sly}
• #88 Infante Ehtsreehnrtsis (Midfielder Att., 2885 years) [W <1] {Artful, Airy, and Resentful}
• #8 Koron 'uwbmarsin (Midfielder C, 3015 years) [W <1] {Stiff, Systematic, and Heroic}
• #13 Heike Liqadtayih (Midfielder Wd, 2423 years) [W <1] {Inhibited, Outspoken, and Disloyal}
• #57 Ruey Igllaylts A (Midfielder DLP, 1999 years) [W <1] {Balanced, Charmless, and Colorful}
• #76 Genelda Rrsvieere (Midfielder C, 2108 years) [W <1] {Apathetic, Frugal, and Restrained}
• #10 Dudziak Nuzhizani (Midfielder C, 2482 years) [W <1] {Suave, Desperate, and Ignorant}
• #5 Alaattin Eiri Katuhibsisan (Midfielder Att., 2766 years) [W <1] {Pure, Rowdy, and Shortsighted}
• #35 Arroe Pscelelegnletae Ga (Midfielder BtB, 2463 years) [3T] {Spontaneous, Disconcerting, and Deceitful}
• #15 Dolley Qaljaeskirinyu 'iithirl (Midfielder Def., 2902 years) [3T] {Moderate, Efficient, and Unpolished}
• #16 Jobyna Nfepmfiheaf (Midfielder Def., 2888 years) [3T] {Challenging, Good-natured, and Prejudiced}
• #58 Carin Sakathut (Midfielder C, 2937 years) [3T] {Crafty, Serious, and Argumentative}
• #11 Marts Yislp Gea Nroar (Forward C, 3497 years) [W <1] {Fiery, Anxious, and False}
• #12 Nayţhon 'uwfinrlika (Forward L, 2702 years) [W <1] {Elegant, Submissive, and Superficial}
• #38 Elissia Jarḻus (Forward C, 2627 years) [W <1] {Blunt, Expedient, and Shrewd}
• #18 Maylea 'unhiafib (Forward C, 2221 years) [W <1] {Moralistic, Uncreative, and Ungrateful}
• #97 Carmena Eilifbikzww (Forward L, 2671 years) [W <1] {Crass, Troublesome, and Incorruptible}
• #77 Almae Qufl Thrqlaan Sinusa (Forward C, 2177 years) [3T] {Humble, Abrupt, and Extraordinary}

CURRENT (6) | [1T] = Starting player, [i] = Injured, [LC] = Low Confidence, [2T] = Regularly Plays as a Substitute, [3T] = Reserve Team, [NP] = Noted Player, [c] = Captain, [¢] = Vice Captain, [1tF] = Fringe First Team, [3tD] = Regularly Played as a Reserve, [2tD] = Regularly Played as a Substitute, [1tD] = Started, [AIM] = Raised in Aimena or partly Aimenan, [UNI] = Raised in Unimon or partly Unimonite, [BCN] = Raised in Burur caq Noaksi or partly Noaksian, [KAR] = Raised in Islas Cardinales or partly Cardinnic, [W >1] = Competing against more than one person to be fielded
• #1 Aadish Lieesslolg (Goalkeeper, 2308 years) [W >1] [NP — Swadley is dropped for the young, better-positioned, Aadish. By being better positioned, this means he's less likely to save theatrically, as Lertora has as well as Higginbottom. This is a useful asset, as for one, Hojnacki can bring him out against nations which have produced as far as goals are concerned, while when playing low-block assortments, he'll (Hojnacki) be likely to start over either Higginbottom or the much favored Lertora] [UNI] {Inert, Questioning, and Focused}
• #9 Jayleanna Lnepzsloal (Midfielder/Forward, 2959 years) [W >1] [AIM] {Profound, Ritualistic, and Rigid}
• #16 Witrago (Midfielder Def., 3990 years) [3T] {Sensual, Seraphic, and Prudent}
• #17 Gulcan 'iirţasdaṟi (Defender C, 3987 years) [3T] [KAR] [NP — Gulcan is a notable replacement of Rolke via his similar movements and exaggerations. Him doing as as he would for Rod Guafre and Sheriff Bragremeightre would be massive for Geektopia, as even with his getting caught out a few times, can't say he isn't expendable, for how can you contest that sentiment with his five goals and six assists in eighteen match weeks?] {Mawkish, Unfathomable, and Many-sided}
• #22 Lertora (Goalkeeper, 3909 years) [NP — Once said, "Imagine being a goalkeeper with the jersey number 1 and still not having dick to say in who picks you.".] [W >1] {Self-denying, Upright, and Constant}
• #28 Ogrodowski (Defender, 3396 years) [W >1] {Providential, Articulate, and Hesitant}

OUTGOING (+18) | [1T] = Starting player, [i] = Injured, [LC] = Low Confidence, [2T] = Regularly Plays as a Substitute, [3T] = Reserve Team, [NP] = Noted Player, [c] = Captain, [¢] = Vice Captain, [1tF] = Fringe First Team, [3tD] = Regularly Played as a Reserve, [2tD] = Regularly Played as a Substitute, [1tD] = Started, [AIM] = Raised in Aimena or partly Aimenan, [UNI] = Raised in Unimon or partly Unimonite, [BCN] = Raised in Burur caq Noaksi or partly Noaksian, [KAR] = Raised in Islas Cardinales or partly Cardinnic, [W >1] = Competing against more than one person to be fielded
• #3 Sistek (Defender, 4101 years) [1tD] [NP — Even though the problem in and of itself is seen in how close he is to retiring, Sistek has been scoring buckets of goals and made up for what he thought was the mediocre price tag of two hundred and twenty two thousand cryptos by solving Corinthians Bashi's inefficiencies in other areas (like emptiness of trophy cabinet). The most attractive aspects of his game are superior technical ability, and he especially is seen at his best shooting from distance or passing. Mentally weak (especially when it comes to how determined he is at periods as well as his trying and failing to be a threat off of the ball) and physically good enough to sustain the national team's standard, but what has been seen certainly isn't glamorous. {Thorough, Messy, and Narrow-minded}
• #4 Livengood (Defender, 3990 years) [1tD] {Playful, Loquacious, and Unceremonious}
• #6 Upson (Midfielder [L, R], 2423 years) [3tD] [NP — Youngin who didn't graduate high school, but, as we've seen in league play, can easily and should break up oncoming runs as fringe to backup midfielder. This, and Julio feels that he needs a little less pressure from the media in order to be brought up from where he is now to a frequent starter.] {Tolerant, Self-sufficient, and Busy}
• #7 Abdill (Midfielder/Forward, 3909 years) [3tD] {Considerate, Insincere, and Chummy}
• #8 Matkowski (Midfielder, 3615 years) [NP — Went to a training camp because of self-confidence issues and is now the primary choice for throw-ins. From Matkowski's impressive progress, he unknowingly coerced Dingledine that the more powerful a throw-in was, the more important to know who threw it in the first place. Looking into Matkowski's personal record, it's thirty five yards, at least ten more than the second longest distance by another countryman, Julio.] [1tD] {Teacherly, Caring, and Sophisticated}
• #10 Nankervis (Midfielder/Forward, 3765 years) [3tD] {Political, Undisciplined, and Scornful}
• #11 Zalie 'amquk (Attacking Midfielder, 3180 years) [1tD] [UNI] {Reactionary, Exciting, and Foolish}
• #13 Jerykah Dhubthaeiruh (Midfielder [C, R,], 2018 years), [NP — Jerykah, like most of every other footballer that shares similarities with Germaine Sophie, had unsuccessfully invested their time in another career before 1715 years old, but unlike most other footballers, he had done it for a sizeable portion of his life and just last cycle had, for the first time ever in his life, went to a training camp led by Hojnacki and was so impressed with his tactics that he decided to quit on pursuing career as a race car driver and do so in football. Jerykah is known to be friends with Nankervis, but a major problem with him according to Julio is that, "No matter how much I've tried, I just can't bring up the subject of my wanting him to wear better shoes than what he has now without him getting uncomfortable. I mean, suit yourself, Jerry."] [1tD] {Vacuous, Dirty, and Unimpressive}
• #20 Rinnert (Forward, 4065 years) [2tD] {Money-minded, Debonair, and Hypnotic}
• #21 Higginbottom (Goalkeeper, 3309 years) [3tD] {Flamboyant, Pompous, and Sarcastic}
• #23 Rebimbas (Midfielder, 4059 years) [1tD] {Reflective, Generous, and Romantic}
• #24 Ringwald (Forward/Midfielder, 4134 years) [2tD] {Frivolous, Solitary, and Insouciant}
• #25 Vert (Forward, 3290 years) [2tD] {Kind, Disruptive, and Assertive}
• #29 Diminno (Midfielder/Defender, 3696 years) [NP — Isn't as mouthy as before, but Diminno's teammates and colleagues miss the whimsical, childish motivational advice he gave to others as if a talking jokebook. An element of happiness was taken from the team when newly appointed manager and workout expert Hojnacki told "Dimi", as his compatriots call him, to "straighten up".] [3tD] {Idiosyncratic, Driving, and Popular}
• #30 Ponti (Midfielder, 3621 years) [3tD] {Fatalistic, Barbaric, and Tense}
• #32 Dameţrice 'iidayfib Ṟath Eadjani (Goalkeeper/Midfielder, 2894 years) [NP — Had mental breakdown at end of WC92 over what position he wanted to further his development in. Excellent when blocking runs on the final third, almost acts as a defender in these moments, and production is undervalued as a substitute.] [2tD] {Passive, Hard working, and Provocative}
• #33 Pitter (Midfielder, 4071 years) [NP —  Still up one file from a ball-sweeping defender to a ball-sweeping midfielder.] [1tD] {Insensitive, Cautious, and Self-indulgent}
• #38 Lierin Minilinsirtaytfah Y Nayj (Defender [Full-Back], 3371 years) [2tD] [NP — Lierin gets a start for the national team bench after leading O.K. Rod Guafre, and for some time, the division in goal involvements. Though he is not considered by himself or others to be at home yet in the national team, the fitness coach and manager Hojnacki plans to make his intentions known by kicking off his second long-term fitness project: making it so that Lierin maintains healthy blood pressure levels via carefully stabilized strength training and cardio hybrid workouts, lays off the artificial sweeteners, and maximizes fat loss without hindering gains. This is off the back of Project Swadley, where he diagnosticated Swadley into a well-oiled machine over the WC89 cycle, making it so that he is only slightly more athletic than Lertora and Higginbottom and more likely to challenge Lertora for a spot in the eleven.] {Responsive and Original}

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Taking up a seat at Place of Valence
Moved from Chiseled Cheddar Bay, Isleshore, Geektopia to 6969 Cocaininho Way, Mukladrue, Geektopia
Owner: Foxi Bancorp and Intellectual Affairs
Record Attendance: 45,896 (Geektopia 1-0 The Holy Empire (World Cup 92 Play-offs Leg 1)
Field Size: 105m x 70m
Surface: GrassForBall™
Goal Anthem: Jcieyawciehsz - Ngyawir Yiyar Bīnow (transliterated)
Built: August 31st, 6478

Style Modifier: +2.793

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: TG for permission
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: TG for permission
Godmod other events: Yes

Geektopia play an Attacking Pass Formation variant for every different fixture there is. What we have here is a tactic that facilitates passing patterns so as to look limited to a 3x3 grid, resulting in an organized "pass and wait your turn for the ball" style of play. It's affectionately called the "wheel going round" by fans of the Platons.

Taken from this, transformed with uni•q.

*kits are subject to change this any cycle

[Drawkland]

DRAWKLAND NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM

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NATION INFO
Region: Sonnel
Trigramme: DRK
Leader: Iarocav
Currency: Lolad
Capital City: Metropolon
Largest City: Drawk City

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TEAM INFO
Manager: none
Formation: 3-3-4
Style Mod: +4

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THE ELITE ELEVEN

Starting Lineup
=================================================================
##   Pos   Name              Age
7    GK    Septimus Xander    ??
10   LB    Elias Keys         ??
8    CB    Nicholas Kingston  ??
16   RB    Craig Bakker       ??
22   LM    Trevor Garnet      ??
0    CM    Dominic Southers   ??
2    RM    Richard Hanson     ??
17   LF    Roger Apollo       ??
11   WF    Mike Rodney        ??
1    RF    Jaxon Madison      ??
5    CF    Ross Hunter        ??
=================================================================

PENALTY SHOOTOUT ORDER

1. It doesn't matter, they're all good at shooting.
2. Just choose 5 at random.

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FIELD FORMATION

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TEAM HISTORY
This is the official roster, featuring the Elite Eleven, an independent squad of Drawkians who have played all sports at a professional level for a confusingly long time. The old Kick Corps has been essentially removed, the players let go, and replaced by this squad of ridiculously skilled, annoyingly arrogant, and possibly immortal sportsmen. Nobody knows where they came from, or why DISC decided to replace the Kick Corps with them, but here they are. Just don't ask the baseball fans about them.
Drawkian soccer, and indeed, sporting in general, is mostly offensive-minded. This is reflected in the style indicator and in the formation. Drawkian soccer has not really been exposed to outside influences, and thus may look or feel strange to those used to "normal" football. Nevertheless, the Eleven are still good at what they do, and prize in an enduring game, moving the ball around nearly constantly and keeping energy going, aiming to tire out the opposing team. Of course, Drawkians aren't humans, but you can read about that elsewhere. Despite the fact that usually soccer is a female-only sport in Drawkland, the Elite Eleven have overturned that caveat as the higher-ups deemed them a suitable replacement in the interim as the real Kick Corps hides away for a few cycles and gets their shit back together.

OVERALL RECORD: 293-119-106
WC Sanctioned: 199-80-70
Non-WCC: 94-39-36

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TEAM KITS
Beautifully Crafted by ediraf.
From Left to Right: Home, Away, Goalkeeper.

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My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my Scorers:              Yes
Choose Scoring Events:          Yes
Godmod Scoring Events:          Yes
RP Injuries to my Players:      Yes
Godmod Injuries to my Players:  Yes
Yellow Card my Players:         Yes
Red Card my Players:            Yes
Godmod Other Events:            Yes

As far as these go, I'm fair game for anything. You should know what is and isn't drastic RP, and if you think your RP is on the drastic side, TG me first. But I'm still basically up for anything.
I'd like to request that injuries or cards don't do anything outside of the scope of a single game or maybe 2. Don't want anything tournament or cycle-ending. Red cards should be limited to late knockout stages, and I'd probably think that there should be no more than 2 players red carded per tournament.
The Elite Eleven are sorta oddballs. I mean, they're a group of 11 dudebros, but they're supposedly immortal or something. Keep that in mind.

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Disclaimers of various sorts:
I don't know very much about soccer. If I RP something weird, it's because I have little to no experience with this sport. But whatever.
If you have any questions about anything involving me, this team, my nation, this competition, life, etc., feel free to telegram me.

[The 14 Stars]

Flying start for the Wolves leading the group

It was finally here the IAC, the Tea Cup had been a good training for the team to get used to eachother and become a close knit team led by a few experienced players and also new young players getting a chance.
However this challenge is more serious, given the Starsian team is the only team in their region entering this tournament they have to represent their region well and that was hard given the Poafmersian culture.

During the early trainings the team displayed good skill and a pretty good spirit, they had looked forward to this competition but also the World Cup later which only a few of them had experience with.
In the meantime also without the team knowing a special guest had arrived, it was nobody less then Kira Blade who hasn't been able to play this season due to her pregnancy but recently the 29 year old star player gave birth to a little baby boy.
Her child was named Daemon, he currently is with the father back in the Starsian country while Kira after recovering took the first plane to Poafmersia to visit the team and give them a little morale boost for their matches, Kira herself will not be playing.

When she arrived at the training complex the team was delighted to see her, especially Princeton, Nolan, Bernard and Zaratti who had already seen her in action live on the field and had become good friends with her.
Holly Moonlight liked it less, she saw Kira a bit as a....rival not someone she hated no in fact they were really good teammates but Holly did not like it how Kira seemed to have everything she wanted including all the luck and she never had any luck.
In fact even her spot as a starter was taken in favor of Fourseasons, for the first time back then she had felt herself a bit old but in her head she was still that strong and fast 22 year old girl though physically nearly a decade had passed.

Match 1

Sudilia 1 - 1 The 14 Stars (Villegas)

Match 2

The 14 Stars 1 - 0 Drawkland (Fourseasons)

[TJUN-ia]

After falling out of the group stage in our 3rd World Cup in 4 cycles, the Jaguars of TJUN-ia are now in Poafmersia for the 18th IAC - our 10th as a competing nation. A lot has changed since the last time you saw these Jaguars, with the entire defensive line retiring and new players here to take their place in this starting lineup. Kim Choi-ya, the vice-captain at the World Cup, is now the obvious new Captain - while Chelsea Bluewood, who became the first woman to start for the Jaguars during this tournament, is now the new VC as the Women's Revolution is certainly being felt across this team. Both David Seems and Li Xiu Ying was back and ready to go once more, in charge of a program that is certainly feeling like a dark horse for qualification every season - but how would things go here in IAC mode?

We would begin at the Stadia Cochin in...Cochin as we took on #34 Hopal in a game in which...pretty much nothing fucking happened. Like, both teams certainly did have chances - with all 3 of Yomakaji Shimigatsu, Malhrani al-Kalhrani and Jackson Smith-Scott certainly knocking on the door - but the Hopal GK held firm and Sputnik Brykilawa wasn't letting anything past him either and so - the stalemate maintained itself. Not the best in terms of action, but certainly a tough one overall - and so a 0-0 draw seemed fair on the day.

Then we headed out to the Theatre of Light in Kistina in order to face the #1 team in this region - good ol' Trolleborg. We certainly have a history against Morten Troghil and his Trolls and this game would certainly be a clash of two IAC regulars, with both Brykilawa and Morten Kerr certainly busy bees in this game. The deciding factor would end up being in the 56th when a beautiful strike from Morten Kroonquist sliced past Brykilawa to give the Trolls the lead. It was tough going from here on out and in the end, the Trolls would end up holding on for the win - and send us into our bye with only 1 point from a possible 6.

This has not been a good start...but hopefully, we still have time to make things right in the games to come. Next time, we do have our bye - but we also have another game in Kistina against Aust Scor. We hope that by then, our fate has not been sealed - and we can rise into the IAC once again. GO JAGS!

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SCHEDULE (Group A)
MD1: vs Hopal (34-IAC) - Stadia Cochin, Cochin D 0-0
MD2: vs Trolleborg (1-IAC) - Theatre of Light, Kistina L 0-1 (T-4th)
----------------------------------Boot It!----------------------------------
MD3: BYE
MD4: vs Aust Scor (62-IAC) - Theatre of Light, Kistina
----------------------------------Boot It!----------------------------------
MD5: West Barack and East Obama (20-IAC) - Stadia Cochin, Cochin

[The Spartan Dominion]

The Training
After the opening match of the tournament and team captain scoring the first two goals of the game that would, later on, be the last goals marking the defeat of Adab.