World Cup 60: RP Thread

[Cassadaigua]

As long as you score more,
by Breanna Hawkins

As long as you score more then your opponent, then everything is okay. I’m not quite sure if that is true, because giving up too many goals is never a good thing, even if you are getting a few more on a given day, because you can never depend on having a big day on offense, to where in order to win, you need to score four goals. This topic wasn’t previously covered by me in the qualifying, but it was the focal point in a for/against debate between Brittany Lawton, and Jessica Behnke, after four games. That came after our 3-2 win over Elstrom, who will be meeting for the second time in the next game. The parallels are obviously there, though, to the first leg. We beat Stachland 3-2, and then beat Camwood 5-3. The exact thing as now happened again, following our second 5-3 win over Camwood during qualifying, after our second 3-2 win over Stachland. The question is being raised again, now, obviously: should things be changed up defensively?

The topic itself, died off, in the first half. As we closed out our perfect half, we became a much better team in the back end, so the worries began to seem a little premature, and there were no changes. Now, the voices that were calling for Zoey Anderson to start in goal have attained a fresh set of results in which they can criticize. There are others, if not much of the same people, who want to see more back end changes as well. The concern is that while we are getting away with it during qualifying, and that while the group title seems closer to becoming a reality (knock on wood); that we can’t depend on scoring five against the top teams of the world. Ashley Barrett will disagree with that though, probably, as she played an amazing game against the Blue Jays. The crowd at the Olympic Centre were rooting for the upset, and thought it might be possible when Alec Taber scored just four minutes. All that goal served to do, is provide a spark for the ladies in pink and black. We were able to find our way through their midfield and through their defense pretty well in the first game, so we weren’t really concerned about going down early. After about 10-15 minutes of feeling them out, and getting comfortable in that they didn’t seem to make much of an adjustment in how they were going to defend us, we got quite aggressive in the attack, and scored three by halftime. I didn’t realize until someone told me after the game that I got an assist on all of three of these goals. Now, I knew I had one on the first Barrett goal in the 20th, and the Marchant goal in the 28th, but didn’t think I would get credit for one on Ashley’s second of the game in the 40th. Unfortunately, our desire to go for another knockout punch before halftime got the best of us and we were caught upfield, and Camwood capitalized just as injury time was beginning. This goal is one that Erika Payton will tell you she stops 99 times out of 100, and it is one that will feed the voices of those who want to see us make a goaltending change. In the second half, we remained the better team, and Ashley finished off her hat trick on a header from the corner in the 55th, to put us back up by two goals. In the 73rd, substitute Emily Gray picked up her first ever goal in World Cup qualifying (congratulations Emily!!), and we were able to put the game away, and the third Camwood goal, scored in the 85th, didn’t do much more then give additional fuel to those who want Payton to sit.

With the win, and some help from Teria Terio, we have opened up an eight point cushion on second place Stachland with just four games remaining. That is good news for us, as we have the toughest opponents in the group now already played twice. It could be easy to say we have it in the bag right now, but if you have read enough Cassadagan blogs, then you know us better then that! Coach Bateman was asked if she would start Anderson if we clinched early, and of course, in typical Dagan-style, her response was simply, “I’ll worry about that if and when we have mathematically clinched.” Though she smiled, knowing that we probably have punched our World Cup ticket now and that she is going to begin thinking about giving others some playing time in the final games. We’re not there yet. But we can see it coming in the distance.

[Octinstine]

Octinstine go top!

It was a momentus win for the national team last night as they won against rivals the Cowardly Pacifists to two points clear at the top of group five.
The match was a tense a a nevous event with both teams tied level points neither side could affored to lose, and thankfully for the phanthers they didn't.
The atmopshere though in the stadium that night was something else with the Pacifist crowd knowing what could happen with a win, neadless to say they were pumped up. It as quite fourtunate then that Octinstine managed to get an early goal to slience to crowd and force the chinkens onto the offense, which as is not their strongest attribute.

The goal came in 7th minute from centre half Murphy after pouncing on a Greg Jones strike that was well saved from the keeper, what our center half though was doing that far up the pitch in open play reamins a mistery but i dont think any of the 5,000 travelling fans particulary cared at that point. Once they had the early goal it seemed the team were quite content to sit back and and play on the counter, this approach paid off in the 55th minute when the team got thier second.

Tom Trent who has been brillinat so far in qualification used his pace to burst past the Cowardly Pacifists defense chasing down a loose ball after a hopefull Mark Hoof up field. With the ball at his feet burst into the box beofre shooting high and to the keeps left to bag Octinstines second. For the remaining game time the team sat back quite content with what they had and altough the oppersition had the majority of the ball the phanters goal was hardley threatened. Until the 88th minute when Nuetralle scored a nice curling effort into the top left, fortunatly the was not time left for the Cowardly Pacifists to press the adavntages so Octinstine took all three points to go top of the group

[Cambazooty]

17-6-2012

RadioSportler
Live In Saint-Germaine's City With A Stadium That Allows Us To Get On With This Match

Today's Commentators: Ëdrin Bishop, Gene Hennig, Jaime Baartmans

---

Post-Game Transcript

ËB: ... And the match has been put into rest! Saint-Germaine nil; Cambazooty one. The Comets now find themselves-
JB: First!?
GH: Dead last!?
ËB: ... staying at fifth out of eight nations.
JB: No, that can't be right.
GH: Yeah, haven't they been losing the past nine games?
ËB: That dubious honour belongs to Saint-Germaine, Gene. And Cambazooty just defeated them minutes ago.
GH: Oh... what eva...
JB: If you don't care for this result, Hennig, you might as well stop bothering to join us in the chamber for the rest of the month.
GH: Haha! Look at Baartmans, Ëdrin! He thinks he's the boss of me.
*sound of wood tearing apart*
ËB: Sit down, Jaime. Let go of that block and sit down.
JB: I want to teach that filthy bastard a lesson!
ËB: You can do that at the end of the show. And you, Gene, go stand in the corner until you learn to stop taunting other people. *sighes* So uncivilised...
*2-second silence*
JB: So we'll talk about the goals at this point, right?
ËB: Just the one goal tonight: A textbook corner from Faroukh Nijam to be headed into the net by Stephen Munro.
JB: Wasn't Angel Jung returning for this match?
ËB: He did.
GH: Did he get sent off again?
ËB: Not at all, surprisingly. Just one yellow card for a silly challenge, but I fear this attitude won't last for long.
JB: No, it's probably going to stick. He must already be quite fed-up with all these match bans and I think he might be toning down his act to avoid another ban.
GH: You never know; He might shiv some Liventian in the head.
ËB: Which brings us to our next match: Cambazooty against Liventia at the Astrus Nationalstadion.
JB: We've got the home advantage. Comets to take three points.
GH: I actually agree, mate. We genuinely could win this.
ËB: ... and that's all we have to offer you tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Stay tuned for Martina Diederich's Updates, up next on RadioSportler.

---

Unavailable For The Next Match
Chino Macdonald, Hanz Schumacher, Bintang Sankarno, Harris Mackenzie

[Licentiapacisterra]

An absolutely thrilling game in West Angola today, with the Licentiapacisterran side pulling off a major shock as they extend their win streak to two, and get a road win that could catapult them towards qualification.

The West Angolan side started well, with Isaac Warren putting a beauty past Alex Stewart in the first five minutes. The Cyan-and-Gold then replied ten minutes later, with Jack Kerr tipping Ben Miller’s free kick past Jacob Kerys. The West Angolan lead was restored mere minutes later, as Luke Parrish headed Levi Darnel’s cross past Stewart. Christopher Thorpe added a third for West Angola on the brink of half time, with a curled free kick that was way out of Stewart’s reach.

Whatever Thompson and Gardiner said in the Eagles’ dressing room at half time, it certainly pumped them up. Dylan Knight powered a shot from twenty yards out past Kerys, and wheeled away in celebration. The Cyan-and-Gold had to wait until the hour mark for the equaliser, with Kerr placing a shot just out of Kerys’ reach. And then, as time began to tick away, Jack Kerr completed his hat trick, after beating Pardor Jaxton in the air to power a header into the roof of Jacob Kerys’ net, before wheeling away to dive on Gardiner and Thompson on the sideline.

All in all, an amazing win for the Eagles, and a shocking loss for West Angola. Fans on all sides were in disbelief, and Licentiapacisterra still have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

[Michael VII]

Man on a Mission: WC60 with Steven Mcswain...

Every match is crucial now. That last gasp 4-3 thrilling loss to Liventia nearly derailed the campaign. Sure, I thought we played incredibly well, but just couldn't come away with a point, which would have kept us to a handy 5 point lead over Liventia with 4 to go, and a win would nearly assure us pod qualification. Jeru FC losing also made it harder, as now we could easily fall to 4th in the group, and well away from the coveted 2nd spot. Jeru is assured of their spot in the WC proper pretty much, but it's all on for the second round of qualifying, and it's typical M7 time to stuff it all up! Come on boys, we can do this, let's actually come close to qualifying this time and hope for the CoH for just the 2nd time! (Well, that is if we're screwed in the pods!) Key word: IF. Believe boys, believe! You've made a believer of me, and I never believe.

This loss was hard, but we played well as a group. 4 goals is never good enough to let in, and 3 is usually enough, so it's disappointing, but Liventia earned the win, and the crowd made it tough for us to pull off a win. Their first over us actually, their first of many. Hopefully this can become a good rivalry match! Especially as they're now just trailing us by 2 points. Braxil and Bloodbath should be easy wins, and they're gonna have to be, because even a draw can ruin us now. Eastfield Lodge will be another critical match, as anything but a 3 pointer can, and likely will, derail us. And Jeru FC may as well be written down now as a loss, but if we can fight for a draw there, I'll be confident about our qualifying chances.

Why am I talking like this? I'm happy, I'm confused, I'm worried about everything, but just loving the feeling! Let the international season stay open, because Mayfield is gonna be sad and long year of doom! So long as this part of the year is prolonged, I'll be happy, so we'll just try take them as they come! 2 point lead with 4 to go, LET'S DO THIS!

My mission now: To qualify for the WC! No longer just a pipedream!

[Ancharmunn]

"PUT YOUR HANDS UP! IT'S A RAID!"

From what seemed to be all sides windows were smashed in and doors forced open. Within moments the large warehouse within the dockyards district of Cap Nordique was flooded with swarms of police. Right in the middle of smuggling in the latest group of youngsters from across the Sea of Victory, the group had been caught red handed. For the local police this was to amount to a massive victory, particularly as their raids would lead to the arrest of two National Assembly members.

The consequences for others if caught would be dire too. Perhaps not the fall from grace of Guillaume Duberry and Michel Marceau-Dupuis, but enough to be seeing several years in prison. Some though were safe, “Léonard Le Mével” the undercover police officer had been given prior warning, but to keep his cover couldn't back out of the gang.

“Shit. Léonard, what's going on?” he heard Yannick shout out.

Yannick was a young kid, about seventeen or so. Reasonably smart, though somewhat naïve “Léonard” had taken a shine to him, enough so that his broke his heart to see him being involved in the smuggling gangs he'd gotten himself involved with.

“Shit Yannick, shut up for fuck's us. You'll give our location away.” replied the undercover cop.

“Fuck, yeah, sorry.” whispered Yannick in response, “This way, there's a way out of the back.”

Of course! The service door, with something approaching a nod and a wink “Léonard” had been informed that the unit blocking off the service door would be 'delayed' slightly. Long enough say for someone in the know to make an escape. Bursting through the door and out into the cool night the scale of the raid could finally be appriciated. Sirens were ablaze all other the docks, whilst a swarm of helicopters circled overhead with their searchlights illuminating the area whilst police dogs barked in a frenzied chorus. For Yannick the scene was breathtaking, indeed it was for “Léonard” as well though he was more aware of the situation whilst Yannick merely stood mouth ajar taking it all in.

“Fucking 'ell Yannick! We can't hang around here, we need to get away.”

“Oh shit yeah, 'ere, I know a way through the sewers.”

The life of an undercover police office certainly hadn't proven glamorous for Detective Inspector Logan Watt, but he'd at least been able to keep his cover for now, and proved a valuable tool to the operation he was part of.

[Gyatso-kai]

Boba Vhett, Head Coach, National Men's Football Team
Team Report 2012.2.06.16

Right Honourable Zhao Fuyen:

I am submitting this report as of 16 June 2012.2 at 1130 hours, Republic Time. As we board the bus to head towards the airport for our next match against the Hans, I cannot help but wonder where this tournament will take us.

On one hand, should we return to our former glory in the first half, we see automatic quailification and get to enjoy six days of rest in preparation for the long-haul of the World Cup Proper against the best teams in the world. During those sixe days, the coaches and I will have to work out whether we stick to the 4-3-3 or revert to the 4-4-2, or even come into a new formation all together... Time will tell.

On the other hand, should we maintain our current heading, we may face the Playoff Pods or, even unimaginably, we face elimination... I will not address this even as a possibility.

On to the Hans. We have seen them recently facing a fate very similar to our own. Specifically, the 2-nil beating from the Archregimancy yesterday which was preceded by a 4-nil smashing of Achtervolging, which was then catalysed by the 1-all draw with Daedric Stellar Empire; while we cannot expect a repeat of last round's 2-1 defeat by our men, we can expect a very similar match to be played by the Hans; from video observation, little change has been noted in their performance, with the same formations being used time and time again. We have not noticed any change through this half, and we hope that we can ride the wave of our 1-nil defeat of Virabia into a strong performance against the Hans.

Looking forward, depending upon tonight's result, we have to face Daedric after the Bye day. Daedric has been doing terrible ; a record of 1-2-4 before this half, they drew the Hans on day one 1-a-piece before going on to lose against the Lions 3-2 and then facing Bitternea poorly 4-1. This, combined with our own draw against them last round, we need to send a message that we are not to be underestimated for the remainder of the PreQual stage. We need to build the momentum needed to ride a wave of victories onto the rest of the matches....

Also, something I would like to see next round if I am chosen to continue my position here at the end of my contract, is the addition of travelling players; most of whom will be young teenagers fresh into the University system or even those from our development leagues who will travel with the team to begin learning about the international side of Bisons football. By allowing these travelling players, we can increase the pool of players which we can pull to fill the ranks of the Bisons.

Just an idea I had.

I look forward to speaking to you upon my return to Gyatso-kai.

[Polar Islandstates]

Journal Entry 1
1pm, three days before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
This is a stupid idea. Writing a journal to try and get around my stress levels blah blah blah. I don't thin kit will work and I don't really see the point in it. But, Sofia insists, so here I am. Writing in my journal. I'm supposed to talk about my feelings in this thing, but I could do that now and just close it. Is that how it's meant to work? I get the sense I would be cheating the system somewhat were I to do that.

How are you meant to get going with these things?

Just spoken with Sofia, and she says I should explain the situation I'm under that is causing me stress. Well, where to start? My star striker is hellbent on self-destruction, or so it would seem. The press want me to drop him, but I've got his reputation tied up with mine now and if I drop him then ban goes my credibility. And why am I even being called under questioning in that respect anyway? I won them a bloody Copa Rushmori! My chairman hasn't said a civil word to me all campaign, and on top of all that my agent called me today saying the papers were about the breka the story that my contract is up for renewal at the cessation of this cycle. I told him that was rubbish and to get my lawyers to sue them for libel, but apparently it's true. So I don't even know if I can trust my agent to do the job I pay him to do competently anymore, as well as everything else.

All of which means I've got the spend pretty much zip all time with my first grandsom. How depressingly. Thor's beard I hate this job sometimes. I'm married to it, and I love it, but I also hate it.

There, have I written enough? Can I go now?


Journal Entry 2
5am, two days before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
Sitting here at the airport now. Couldn't sleep last night for worrying about this contract situation. No word from the FPIFA as of yet that any of them are planning to bring me in for talks, and my agent just reminded me about this blasted TV show I have to do before the final matchday. How they snuck that into the contract without me noticing is beyond me. And my agent, apparently. Maybe I should get a new agent...

Amadeus isn't here. I'm not sure why. I'm hoping its just that he's running late, or something similarly innocent, but I have this feeling that he's just decided not to come. This is very disappointing. He's still meant to be here, you know? He's meant to be here to show solidarity wit the rest of his teammates. Well, I'm not pandering to him. If he wants to piss his international career up the wall then that's fine by me. He can do whatever he wants. To hell with him. Maybe I'll just drop him when the suspension is over, anyway. To hell with him.


Journal Entry 3
8pm, two days before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
Arrived at the hotel in Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug, very jetlagged, and very tired. Given the team the night off. Still no sign of Amadeus, who I hope never reads this journal. Man do I get grouchy at 5am in the morning without coffee. Regretting that rant slightly, but nobody will ever read this, except maybe for Sofia, hi Sofia, so it's okay, I guess.

Had a brainwave as I waited for my luggage to come through. Maybe I need to show better leadership. Morten always used to do my shouting for me, but that was when the press and the fans still trusted me implicitly. Now thinkgs are a little rockier on that front and I've still got Joachim doing the shouting for me. Well, maybe I need to tell him to shut up. I'm always telling Jorgen to lead by example out there on the pitch, I've even put Niko and Petter in touch with him before games so theycan impart their wisdom upon him. Or I used to anyway, he doesn't need the help so much anymore. In fact I'm sure he could probably teach them a thing or two, now. Maybe I should do what Jorgen does, and sream and shout a bit more. Remind people that I'm in charge. Maybe Amadeus' absence will be a blessing whilst we're here in Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug in that the issue of whether to play him won't come up at all. Of course, there's going to be an almighty shitstorm when we get back, win, lose or draw. That grubby little troll Uistella is probably rubbing his filthy chubby fingers together as I write this. Not looking forwards to that at all. But hey, for now I can focus on taking the team through tomorrow's session on the pitch. Nice easy ball session for the press then an intense afternoon fitness workout before I go through tactics.

Shit, tactics...


Journal Entry 4
2am, one day before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
Can't sleep. All I can think about is how many goals the Puhaluxians have scored so far in qualifying. They've conceded as many as we've scored, but they've scored more than we have, and yet they languish down in the bottom half of the table. I'm not sure I've ever played a side like that. Relentlessly attacking to the point of foolish abandon. I'm not sure what to do. This whole place is secretive and odd, and I just wish I was at home in bed if I'm honest, rather than lying awake here in the middle of... actually where on earth in Rushmore are we exactly? Just realised I have no idea. You kind of lose track with this job sometimes.

I'm proud of our defensive record so far this campaign. Currently, we're tired for the tightest defence across all qualifying groups, with only five goals conceded. Granted, there have been years in which the tightest team is awy in the lead having only conceded once or twice or something ridiculous like that, but nonetheless I'm proud of it. Should I seek to protect that at the match? Or just aim to beat them at their own attacking game?

Or, should I put this bloody journal down and try to get some sleep?


Journal Entry 5
3pm, one day before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
So we're just about to kick off the intense workout this afternoon after this morning's horrorshow in front of the press, all bad touches and nerves and the focus on me and and where Amadeus was... Or to be precise where he wasn't... And then someone does me a huge favour by letting it slip that Ragnorak will be at the game. Great. Just what I didn't need. Another photo-opp with the two of us in the same stadium and not talking. Will be come to see me this time I wonder. I can't go to him. I've got a full schedule. It came from his office in fact. Very tight, very full. That I have five minutes to write in this thing, hi SOfia, is stunning in itself, let alone finding the time to climb a stadium's worth of steps for a half hour chat with the man. Or longer. Let's face it, what we have to say to each other, or maybe rather 'at' each other, will probably take a little longer than a quick chat over a cup of coffee would.

Had chat with Joachim about him taking a smaller role on the sidelines tomorrow and leaving it to me. He seemed supportive and suggested that we start from this afternoon so that the players can get used to it. So that's what we're doing. I've sent him off on some fake mission to find the hotel manager or something nonsense like that, and the team can get used to me shouting without th e pressure of knowing it'll be mainly me tomorrow. Yet. Or at least, that's the plan, anyway.

Journal Entry 6
4.30pm, three hours before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
I missed Joachim a lot last night, and I think the players did as well. A few of them have twigged as to the plan, I think. Some of the younger members look a bit apprehensive but I'm not sure if that's the plan or just the away day atmosphere. Jorgen and Alexsandr and Lrs seem as cool as ever though. Just as well, because I'm not.

I don't normally get nrevous like this ahead of big matches, what's wrong with me? Nothing is at state. Nothing serious. Not yet, anyway. We want the three points, yeah, but we want the three points every match, so why am I shaking like a leaf before this one in particular? On hell, I'm nervous. ragnorak is due at the stadium already, Joachim has gone for a 'walk to clear his head', so I'm all alone with the team in our preparations. I've done this hundreds of times before, so why so nervous now? I should stop writing to be honest and get going on the team sheet, the referee will be wanting it soon, I'm sure. Gammel, Juul, Folke, Oyen-Spekke, Urfstadt, Lepka, Hauge, Kjaer, Berghaus, van Sorensen, Kvitchenko. Not Ellis, not this time. He had a chance, now let's have Diedrich have a go. I have full faith in the lad.

I wonder if Sofia's watching. I know the nation will be.

Journal Entry 7
6.45pm, forty-five minutes before the match against Puhalux Ezocafi Nzojug
Ragnorak arrived, apparently Amadeus is with him.

Cack.

[Alexanderburn]

Alexanderburn 2-2 Akbarabad
Alexanderburn draws yet again, anticipates win tonight

Alexanderburn rests tied with its new "mortal enemy" Akbarabad still as they fail to advance a place in the World Cup 60. Though the fans of the national football team are happy to not be losing any games, many are starting to feel troubled in Coach William Kingsley's ability to win a match.

The match, just like yesterday's tie, featured four goals that were less than stellar compared to precedent matches. Hopefully this match will 'draw the line' in the winless match game streak that the Blue and White has been riding for the past three games in a row. Just as in last night's game against the Wyverns, Alexanderburn displayed some poor defensive skills that left the Akbarabadian midfielders and forward the perfect opportunities to score.

"I'm personally not happy with some of the defenders' efforts," noted one fan who wished to remain anonymous. "Marcel Schroeder does not deserve to sport the captain's armband at this time, and I hope that [Coach] Kingsley will evaluate this."

Many fans expressed similar disappointment last night as they threw empty soda cans onto the field at their own home team as the Alexanderburnese players walked off. However, despite the heavy criticisms, it was Marcel Schroder, an attacking midfielder and the captain of the Alexanderburnese national football team (ANFT), who managed to score the first goal for his team that equalised the match just moments before the halftime whistle.

Unlike the match against Jedi8246, however, the goals and action of the game was split fairly evenly between the first and second halves, yet Akbarabad, being the superior nation in football, did claim more shots and shots on goal. Alexanderburn, who played a defensive game, were the masters of possession.

A mere twelve minutes into the math came the first goal. Akbarabad scored from a wonderfully planned "banana kick" more than 20 meters out - at this point, neither Alexanderburnese defence nor the goalkeeper had a chance at saving one of the most powerful kicks that the Blue and White has ever had to deal with. Akbarabad lead for the rest of the first half, but a grand surprise came in minute 45+2 as the home nation scored on a header and Marcel Schroeder (c) equalised the match at 1-1 just before the referee blew his whistle to end the play.

In the second half, Alexanderburn went up 2-1 in the 72nd minute as a perfect shot from Eric Austerlitz saw the team take the lead. However, as one hardcore admirer of the team noted,

Alexanderburn's biggest weakness is the inability to hold onto a lead

"This must be the most honest and accurate piece of criticism that I have heard in my 12 months of coaching this team," noted assistant Mathiassen.

The Alexanderburnese fans cheered towards the end of the match, praying to claim all three of the points in the match, but despite the cries, defenders such as Doyle and Ebersberger could not seem to keep up with the high level and stamina that the opposition played with.

"[We] just couldn't do it. They were some of the most aggressive strikers that we have played against in the tournament thus far, and it's just something that we're going to need to adapt to," stated defender Maximilian Ebersberger in a personal interview.

Minute 87 was a gigantic crisis for the Blue and White. As Akbarabad managed to equalise the game with an easily preventable goal, the fans became unmotivated as they easily expected Akbarabad to summon up another wonderful shot and win the match 3-2. However, due to the few amount of injuries in this game, the whistle blew just five minutes later and the two teams tied. What a dull match!

STARTING LINE-UP (Alexanderburn vs. South Icemark)

-------------------- van der Pol ---- Massie -------------------
------ Frederiksen -------- Sirois -------- Austerlitz ------
-------------------- Holierhoek --------- Walker -------------------
--------- Rittenhouse ------- Hooper ------- Collett ---------
----------------------------- Nordaglio ------------------------------

Modification: -1

Good luck Alexanderburn

[New Montreal States]

RHÉAL SHOT FIRST

Early brace, controversial red, and a poorly parked bus give 'States a chaotic 2-1 win on the road in Megadia

MEGADIA - It was a long and confusing match here in yet another of these blasted nameless stadia, but the Paladins eventually won out and took three points back with them on the plane to Karditan, where they will face one of two other sides in Group 16 worth fretting about. And they'll do it without frontline striker Rhéal Ackersley, who combined a brilliant brace against Megadia with a double yellow card and a resulting two-match suspension under the most unusual circumstances in a multiverse renowned for its truly bizarre goings-on.

The Paladins came out firing on all cylinders, ramping their effort up from 110% to at least 125% and perhaps even 130% at a few points in the early going. Megadia were on their collective back feet from the opening tap, as the Paladin midfield swarmed forward, alternately trying to feed Ackersley and Wiseman in the box or taking their best shot from along the line. A combination of both approaches opened the scoring, as Ackersley headed in a rebound off the crossbar after a handsome curling effort from Gullaume Ouillemet ended up being a bit too high. Megadia coughed up the ball within 45 seconds of play restarting and the Paladins quickly re-established themselves in Megadia's half, pressing hard on their opponent's backline and patiently waiting for them to make a mistake. Eventually one of their faceless, anonymous defenders ended up a step and a half too far off of Ackersley, who knew exactly what to do when Donald Taylor fed him from the left flank. 2-0 Paladins after 23 minutes, and it looked like the floodgates were poised to open. But the only thing that opened was the heavens, and at the 33rd minute the referee sent both sides to the lockers until the worst of the abrupt thunderstorm had died down.

A small tornado had hit a fish market several miles distant, launching its contents into the thunderstorm's updraft, and a rain of fresh seafood cascaded down on the stadium and the pitch. Although the skies cleared up shortly after the rain of fish died down, play was further delayed for about a half hour as the grounds crew and janitors cleared out the field and stands respectively. The two hour, eighteen minute break took the edge off of the 'States momentum and allowed the Megadians back into the flow of play, even though a significant portion of their home crowd had given up and gone home after the rain of fish. Play went back and forth for a while, until Rhéal Ackersley suddenly took a tumble in the Megadian box. As he picked himself up from the ground, he was shown a yellow card for diving. After protesting that he hadn't taken a dive, but had instead slipped on a mackerel that the grounds crew had missed during the cleanup, the referee showed him another yellow for insubordination after Ackersley picked the mackerel up off the ground and began waving it around to prove his point. The referee was having none of it, however, and the Paladins found themselves down to 10 men on the road with a full half still to play.

What followed was a fairly boring display of defensive football, and not even an effective one, since Megadia managed five shots on goal, converting one of them in the 60th minute of play. A thoroughly tired and disgusted side refused all comment to the press, except for coach Jacques-Modeste Taschereau pointing out that the three points would still count in the final tally and that "maybe a decade from now, we'll be able to look back on this and laugh. Until then, I plan on hitting up a sushi bar and getting as much revenge as I can on these stinking fish."

[Camerania]

"Good evening, I'm Barry Norman, with a World Cup update. Last night was a loss, as expected, but we obviously did not want it. With this, we drop to fifth in the group, with almost no chance of recovery. While this is better than we've done in our previous runs, and we hope it'll be even better next time. But we can't start looking at the next World Cup just yet, because the Fightin' Commie have a few more brawls left before they're ready to be done. Stay tuned for an update on our next match. Until then, I'm Barry Norman, keeping you posted."

[Astograth]

From the Archives of RL Sports
World Cup 7

Chile: Thank you to everyone who voted for me!! This'll be a great World Cup, just tell me when to get started when you're all done qualifying!

England: WTF is that supposed to mean?

Chile: I mean tell me when qualifying's over.

England: You're supposed to organise qualifying! That's what WC hosts DO!

Chile: Oh. Oh dear. Sorry. I've only ever hosted the regional championships, and there's no qualifiers there, what do I do?

Argentina: Hand me the hosting rights, for one.

England: Now now, Argentina, let's act civilised. As FIFA President, only I have the right to call a vote on that and this isn't the case. Organising qualifiers is quite easy, Chile, just look at what Sweden did for the last one.

Chile: OK, thanks! Doesn't look too tough!

Italy:

Europe
The 30 teams have been divided into 10 groups. The groups have different rules, as such:

• Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 have 3 teams each. The teams will play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners will qualify.
• Group 7 has 5 teams. The teams will play in a knockout tournament, with matches on a home-and-away basis. The group winner will qualify.
• Group 9 has 2 teams. The teams will play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner will advance to the European / African Interregional Play-off.
• Group 10 has 2 teams. The teams will play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner will advance to the European / Asian Interregional Play-off.

Dafuq is this? You couldn't just divide 30 teams in 10 groups of three, could you? And what in the world is Ethiopia doing in Group 7? I think you're completely out of your depth here, Chile. Please reconsider.

Chile: a) Qualifiers have been weirder and b) Ethiopia just up and switched regions, what else could I do? You're not one to talk, either.

Czechoslovakia: BUUUURRRRNNN hahaha

Italy: That was low. Very low. Lowliest of low. I'll be waiting for you.

---

Mexico: So I beat the USA, home and away. Great. Get put in a group with Costa Rica and the bloody Netherlands Antilles. I win it. Get drawn with Paraguay, who hasn't played a single match. “Thank you, Mexico, but your World Cup is in another castle”? Might bid just to keep this stuff from happening again.

Costa Rica: At least you went through.

Honduras: At least you went through.

Mexico: There's always next time, guys.

Morocco: At least you won your playoff.

Mexico: At least Spain played somebody before you.

Wales: Tell me about it.

---

Czechoslovakia:

Semifinals

Czechoslovakia 3 - 1 Yugoslavia @ Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar (attendance: 5,890 lol)
Brazil 4 - 2 Chile @ Estadio Nacional, Santiago (attendance: 76,500 lol)

Hooray for Masopust! Knew I needed a “godmod” player haha.

Brazil: But... but this Masopust guy doesn't even score! He just passes it around, what is this madness?!

Czechoslovakia: Toying with the opposition is just so much more beautiful though

Brazil: Jogo Bonito?? You might be onto something.

Brazil:

WORLD CUP FINAL
Estadio Nacional, Santiago (attendance: 68,679)
Brazil 3 - 1 Czechoslovakia

lol nevermind

Uruguay: ((OOC: No way you're getting three. No way.))

England: I concur.

[Valanora]

"Lemons?"

"No not lemons, lemonade, though they are made with the fruit of lemon."

"So lemons."

"Are you suggesting that sentient fruit of the lemon variety was of use in this assault?"

"Mayhaps."

"That is not even a word you fool. Speak plainly of what you assertion into this lemony inquisition is."

"Fruit throwing assailants of a demon origin that made use of the yellow projectile of lemons."

"That is the most ridiculous theory I have ever heard."

"Seems legit to me. More so than Valanora CHAMPION! Or Valanora FAIL! Or Valanora ALMOST MADE IT I SWEAR!"

"This is moving beyond the ridiculous into the extraordinary. You my friend may very well need to be institutionalized in a building of medical profession dealing with the cranium and diseases and ailments in relation to such."

"Marauders won, that is good yus?"

"Displaying a cognitive function of concern and inquiry over the morality of a team's success or failure shall not distract me nor convince me of your sanity."

"And what if I were to draw out complex graphs that explained each and every scenario in which the Marauders advance from their group despite the amount of troubles they suffered during the intial stages of qualifying in this world cup cycle, the sixtieth of its name. Would such empirical evidence suffice?

"I would take that evidence and let you be."

"If only I could do it then."

"How unfortunate for you that this is not the case. Now come along, I have a nice white sweater jacket for you to try on."

[Falconwhereveryouare]

The Eagle's Eye
Falconwhereveryouare's #1 News Source!
SPORTS
Storm the Beaches

By Otis Birmingham

In a tight, emotional game, our Boys in Blue and Yellow managed to (sort of) avenge a first-time loss with a home tie against Silver Beach. The Falcon Fans in Falcon Stadium had an awful deflating feeling when a nameless, faceless, personality-less striker put one past Vladimir early in the match. A banger off the crossbar hit just low enough to slam into the ground behind the Umber goalkeeper; a terrible stroke of luck for the Falcons, though the defense really tightened up afterward. Stowe, Halth, and Tarbell joined forces and formed a cement wall that kept the Beaches from even getting a shot on goal for the rest of the half. The midfielders didn't do as well, however, and a lack of back-to-front communication made any counterattacks fall apart before any serious pressure built on the Beech defenders. Halftime ticked around with Silver Beach ahead 1-0, but the Falcons appeared to be on the rise.

You always have to remember, football is a game of two halves. The Falcons really exemplified that when they stretched their wings and soared; some arguably terrible (or brilliant, it's hard to differentiate) rainbowing passes managed to find the marks in a quickly advancing attack right out of the gates. The Beaches could do nothing but watch as Kouzmanoff launched the ball halfway down the field to Key, who then one-timed it across the pitch to a waiting McClain. The attacking midfielder had managed to sneak down the line relatively unnoticed, with only a Beech defender loosely covering him a few feet away; but the passes had moved downfield so quickly, said defender had no shot to contest McClain's shot that slammed into the back of the net at the 47' mark to tie up the game. The Falcons would continue to press the attack, but Dempsey and Marrero familiarized themselves so much with the woodwork you might mistake them for carpenters; the final minutes elapsed and a 1-1 draw kept the Falcons at a 1-point-per-game clip.

[Civil Citizenry]

The Best Modern Football Clubs: 40 to 31

The Citiz Football Administration is commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the Champions' Cup, and the establishment of the Union of International Club Associations, by recognizing the fifty best club football teams of the past decade (Champions' Cups 31-40). The CFA has painstakingly compiled results and coëfficient lists from the last ten years, and have neatly organized it into a list of fifty. These clubs will be unveiled ten at a time over the coming days. There are summaries of teams whose nations have sent information on them. Who will be crowned the best modern football team? Find out here!

---

50. Ousevale Borough * 49. Mountbatten Junction * 48. Alianza Ciruelas * 47. Medoria Löwen * 46. CA Condadore
45. Polar Zenith * 44. Árgos LP * 43. Atlético Jutense * 42. Casuals Osteria * 41. Mapabore Juventud

40. FIREWOOD CITY (Osarius)
It may be a little hard to believe that one of the most successful clubs in the world has grown from its humble beginning, when it was formed by former students of a local technical college. That is the reality for the Osarian team Firewood City, decidedly the winningest club in the nation. We're talking about six consecutive King's League titles, the first league championship in national history, and twenty championships in total. That can be attributed to the many Osarian legends this club and its ultra-prestigious youth academy have produced, including great names like Benedict di Corradi.

When the decade began, the Fire, as they are informally known, were relatively small fry outside of Osarius. It won two straight King's League titles to start the decade, but made little fanfare in the UICA competitions (including an embarrassing 0-1-5 record in the Globe Cup 28 group stage). Then it started to slip, and it seemed the Firewood era of dominance was collapsing, finishing in second or third in three consecutive seasons and making no notable gains on the international stage.

Firewood's streak of relative mediocrity was broken by a run to the final of the Cygnus Cup, and from there it was off to the races. Under the guidance of Eastfield Lodge manager Ronald Caesar, it won the next King's League, and then after its first appearance in the Globe Cup (Champions' Cup 36 cycle) knockout rounds in several seasons it journeyed to Aéropag and won that city's prestigious football invitiational. Another league championship, and with the momentum firmly on Firewood's side it made a surprising run to the Globe Cup final. This was an enormous feat for a team that had never progressed further than the round of thirty-two of that tournament. The Fire knocked off several greats - Atlético Jutense, Mapabore Juventud, Qidade Savana, and Navel Sharks - on its way to the final, where it heartbreakingly lost to Santos Luega on penalty kicks.

The Osarian club suffered a major embarrassment in the AFI, losing the kindoff match in the same tournament they had won a year prior. Then the league took a year off for unknown reasons, allowing Firewood City to rejuvenate itself. It won the King's League once again, and then rampaged through Champions' Cup 39 on its way to the quarterfinals, by far the team's best showing ever in the world's premier competition. Then it won the Cygnus Cup, avenging its loss in the final several seasons earlier. Though Firewood disappointingly lost to Dunboor one round before the Champions' Cup 40 group stage, this team has made a lot of progress, and it seems will continue to do so in the coming seasons.

39. SANTOS LUEGA (Pasarga)

38. BILLIARD (Zarbli)

37. ELDORADO (Cafundéu)

36. ZHEVASSI ZL (Pazhujebu)
It is not terribly easy for a club to participate in a league with a Champions' Cup title-holder and still be called the country's best team. That is the distinct honor of Zhevassi, whose recent struggles have not overshadowed their great success early on in the decade. They won their first of three consecutive KPFA League First Division titles before Champions' Cup 31, and although they were surprised by Mallox two rounds before the group stage, it was off to the races for Zhevassi, already twice league winners.

You certainly can't say Zhevassi didn't work hard to attain success during these years. Their nickname, the Galacticos, is based off of the enormous sums of money spent on the team. Perhaps it also comes from their Stadium of the Planet, a 99,000-seat behemoth. Zhevassi also has the advantage of a massive fan base, because it plays in an area of Pazhujebu, Fajr Island, where there are no other major teams to root for.

Zhevassi continued its dominance of Kagdaz/Pazhujebi football with a Round of Sixteen appearance in Champions' Cup 32. It lost just two games in the next league season en route to a third straight title, though spirits were dampened by an early Champions' Cup exit at the hands of Liventian side Talbott. Surprisingly, it was only when the Galacticos slipped to fourth in the First Division that they asserted themselves on the international stage. Zhevassi swept its way to the Globe Cup semifinals, where only penalty shots by Mountbatten Junction could deny the Pazhujebi club a chance at a cup.

Then FKM became the dominating force in the First Division, and everyone else was powerless to stop it. Zhevassi was forced to accept consistent top fives from there on out. On an international scale, they managed improve on that one Globe Cup run. In the Champions' Cup 36 cycle, after a weak fifth-place league finish, they knocked off several major teams (Firewood City, Atlético Jutense, Psychiatrists, Polar Zenith) and finally got its shot at the Globe Cup championship. They lost by a disappointing two goals to Bradley Hornets, but their second big run in three years really put Zhevassi on the map.

Since then, it's been sort of a mass exodus on Fajr Island. Immediately after making the Globe Cup final, they fell to twelfth, then thirteen, then twelfth again, flirting with relegation every time. Most recently, they advanced up to tenth in the league, but the Galacticos are no longer the powerhouse they once were. However, considering its legendary past, there's no reason to believe it won't make a glorious rise again soon.

35. CR SUBMIRIA (Cafundéu)

34. OJEDO CERRO (Aguazul)
I don't know what Ojedo Cerro means in English, but it probably means "boring". This team is about as much of a snoozefest as it gets. Its neutral style of play puts fans to sleep; once there was a promotion to get fans where the team actually gave away blankets and pillows. (Editor's Note: Factcheckers are on this.) Even the players don't want to play at Ojedo Cerro: though there have been some who have gone on to play internationally, they've all left. And the club's only won the Aguazuleño first division once, so it's definitely not at the echelon of other Aguazuleño teams.

So what's propelled Ojedo Cerro to the position of the decade's thirty-fourth best team? Well, their success started when they won that very first domestic title before Champions' Cup 32. Earning an automatic berth into the Champions' Cup, the silver and white reached the group stage before losing. Then they did it again the next season, although finishing second in the league. All that was impressive, sure, but nothing eye-popping. Just another batch of good seasons for Ojedo Terra Cotta or whatever they're called.

Ojedo Cerro kept slipping in the league standings, and only barely qualified for the Globe Cup in the Champion's Cup 35 cycle. So no one could have foreseen a shocking run to the semifinals. Though Mar Sara romped over them in that round, it was still quite a feat for an Aguazuleño squad that never really stood out for anything. Two seasons later, it continued to progress with a second-place league finish and an appearance in the Champions' Cup quarterfinals, farther than any other Aguazuleño team, including the unstoppable Unión de Ciudagua.

Then, in their domestic league. they finished eighth. And then tenth. And then ninth. And that's where they are today, mired in mediocrity once again. Is there any hope for a resurgence from Ojedo Cerro? Maybe after your lifetime, once they've bored you to death.

33. BATTLE (Zarbli)

32. CLUB ESF (Valanora)

31. BRADLEY HORNETS (West Zirconia)

[Pasarga]

"I AM SPARTACUS!"

"No."

"That's what they said in the television show."

"Why are you watching that bloody and guts show instead of the Wanderers. Hurry up, switch it over, we might still get to see some of the match."

"... fine."

... and here we are with three minutes left to play and stoppage time. The Wanderers have played quite negatively, absorbing all the pressure that Audioslavia has thrown their way and kept the Slavs off the scoresheet. Another few minutes and they will escape with a point in hand, though a full three is surely what they would have been hoping for. A corner for the Slavs now, and it's punched out by the keeper, and Cole collects it. There is only a single defender ahead of him ... and he just turned him inside out with that spin, no one between Cole and the opposing keeper now. The keeper rushes out and Cole instinctively chips... GOL!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!! GOL! GOL! GOL! Goal for Pasarga, goal for Cole! In off the bottom of the crossbar as the Slavs protest it didn't cross the line but the replay clearly shows it bouncing completely on the other side of the line before rolling out. An improbably ending to this match! Just a simple minute of injury time to be played.... And that's it, the Wanderers leave Audioslavia broken hearted for the second time!"

"Hahaha, we're one step closer to qualification."

"Bad news, the Polarians won as well."

"It's okay, we'll just beat them on the last matchday and take the group right from underneath them. As long as there are no slips up between now and then of course."

"Great, now you jinxed it."

[Karditan]

Ivory clicked his hooves together, laying on his back and staring at the stars. "So... we beat Okwe."

Korzado laid next to him, reading from an electric book with a built-in backlight. "Yes."

"An' Okwe tied En-Em-Es, twice, right?"

"Yes."

"Does t'at mean we're betta than En-Em-Es?"

The zebra sighed and turned off his book. "No, head-to-head ranks above 'how we did versus other teams in our group'."

"Damn. Still, a win's a win. Watch'a readin'?"

Flipping the light back on, Korzado stuck a hoof in the ground and showed the electric book to Ivory. "It's an int-"

"Ack, man! Tlat's too bright!" Ivory covered his eyes and turned away. Korzado pulled the book back and the Ibex slowly rubbed the sense back into his eyes. "Just tell me about it."

"Alright. It's an interesting piece by Franz Romanov, the second mayor of Sinsinatti who almost seceded the city from Karditan."

"I like t'a sound o' him already." The Ibex was used to revolutionary movements himself, of course.

"Well... eh, it's too nice a night to be talking about stuff like this. Just look at all those stars."

Ivory finally got his eyes straight and looked back up. "Yeah... yer right. Dun't get much nicer t'an t'is."

[The Babbage Islands]

World Cup 60 Qualifying

Today's match results are presented by . . .



Goldwell Energy of Darmen:
"Keeping the World Golden!"

MD11 scores

REMINDER: The next scorination (for MD12) is in about 48 hours, not 24, as announced in the schedule. Enjoy the extra day!

[Liventia]

To be fair to the manager David Thompson, he wasn't always described as a "tactical genius" by the Liventian press. So, when after an immensely thrilling—and unexpected—4–3 victory over Michael VII resulted in such headlines, he could be forgiven for shying away.

It had been an inspired substitution to bring on James Clarke for the struggling vice-captain Paul Garner, still feeling the effects of an old injury. Clarke scored the 3–3 equaliser before putting in a brilliant through-ball for Reece Wilson to secure his brace and complete the comeback from 0–2 down, after earlier goals from George Bowler and Roger Baines.

Team: Ramsden, Wade, Hodge, Bowler (capt) [41'], Davis, Byford, Buzzeo (Coburn 79'), Grant, Baines [60'], Garner (Clarke 65' [83']), Wilson (88')

[OOC Daily word count: 100]

[Edit: OOC: Oh, for crying out loud.]

[Taeshan]

X Island Inquirer

In a stunning turn of events it's snowing in Taeshan and as usual i'm nowhere near my house in a warm and strange place. To be fair United Gordonopia is not that strange of a place, in fact this is not the first time that a Taeshani team has stepped foot in this land. Yet like all other lowly ranked countries in the footballing world their is an aura of the unknown about them. Their is always the possibility of losing in these far off lands and thereby hindering your chances of qualification for the world's biggest stage. Thankfully the Knights did not lose last night. They are now closer one step closer to qualifying for the world cup thanks to the victory.

It was a beautiful day for a game, well if your one for the sun to shine and the birds to be....well alive and singing. Coming from Taeshan of course your not so i doubt you care, and i dont know why i'd even mention it. To be honest about the the game it was quite boring save the corner that led to Anderson Patton's goal. The captain once again led the team by example to victory. The Purple Knights controlled the play throughout and really the only reason it, a 1 nil affair, was due mostly to the defensive work of the Knights, the passing play, and the captain's work from Goalkeeper Ludwig Strauss on the opposite side. In the end though the Knights were the better side and earned the three points.

Three games now remain for the Knights. Basically the race for qualification is down to three horses, The Knights, The Marauders of Valanora and the Cyborh Holland team. Hakkland mathematically speaking is still in it, but they are pretty much incapable of advancing bar a miracle, or perhaps dreamed realm interference. The Knights still have to play Hakkland, Valanora, and Osteyon. With a lone point keeping them above second place the Knights will have to pull full points from the first and the last. The next game sees Valanora play Cyborg Holland and as such the team will still have a lot to wait for in looking at the future games to come.

[Qazox]

World Cup 60 Qualifers
MD11 v. Phoenigetuzstha

Despite the pre-qualifying predictions, Group 9 has offically become the GROUP of DEATH. 3 teams are now tied for first with 3 games left, and Phoenigetuzstha, despite the 2-1 loss to the Eagles tonight are still in the hunt. Mithridates Tauras' 17th minute goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead; but goals from Greg Shaw (35th) and Doreen Dobbs (59th) gave Qazox the lead. Both teams had players recieve a yellow card late for a scuffle, as Hannibal Gisgo and Issac MacDonald shoved each other after both went after a corner kick in the 83rd minute.

With 3 games left, Qazox is still in a tough spot, as their next two games are against the two teams they are currently tied with atop Group 9, Cotdelapoms and Legalese. Qazox is ahead on H2H points over the other two at the moment. With wins in both games, Qazox would clinch the group, while losses to both would eliminate them. A split, the most likely scenario according to numerous simulations of our NSWC simulator, would all but force Qazox to win their final game and hope that the team that beat them loses on the final day.

[Mapletish]

World Cup 60,The Mapletish Journey

On Route to Mapletish's first World Cup Qualification.

Draw at Gyatso-kai save the Lions a top spot,but point difference closed at 1 point.

--- Before the match against The Archregimancy,Mapletish had a warm-up match against the Mapletish U-19.

Mapletish 9
19′ Alero Junio
22′ Alero Junio
41′ John Davis
62′ Peres De Oliver
65′ Di Natile
68′ Irwan Shah
73′ Alero Junio
84′ Glena Johnson
88′ (OG) Shahrul Azhar Ture

Mapletish U-19 0

The Lions thrashed the cubs 9-0 before a game with The Archregimancy as a warm-up game for the Lions before they travel to the Dreamed Realms for the match against The Archregimancy.

The Lions were in need for a fast physical game and the Cubs are a pretty eager team in every match,despite their indiscipline in play,they made it up with their fast passing mentality,and made sure that they go for a few hard tackles.


On the 18th minute, Junio found space and time on the right wing and he delivered a delicious searching cross which was met by the onrushing Irwan Shah but he failed to direct his header goalwards. The subsequent clearance eventually found Morison whose vision allowed him to thread a through ball to Irwan Shah but yet again, the end result was disappointing.

A series of corners soon followed and on the 20th minute,the Lions was eventually rewarded as Glena Johnson won the initial header which was eventually helped across goal by Junio.The cubs continue their physical gameset,to give the Lions problems at their flanks.

The cubs were unaware that the need of marking Glena Johnson in set piece situation was important and on the 23th minute, the towering centre-back yet again won another header off a corner which was saved by the goalkeeper. But the ball eventually reached Junio who volleyed into an empty net.

Glena Johnson was at it again as his dangerous crosses from almost everywhere threatened the defenses of the Cubs,but their one-touch football begin to sink in to cover his threat.This was again on show on the 42nd minute as after receiving the ball on the edge of the area, Davis raced past a static Cubs backline before arching his body and expertly dispatching the ball past Irwin for the third goal of the match.

As the game went on,the Cubs would fully well appreciate that the second-half would be nothing more than an exercise in damage limitation,as the senior side sank in to their quick passing methods.

For the first twenty minutes, they kept to their task well as they defended higher up the pitch and limited the amount of clear-cut chances for the senior side.

Aware of the constant threat of Glena Johnson,the defenses were all out to mark Glena Johnson,but their negligence of marking the attack leave the defensive holding midfielders on their toes.

A moment of individual brilliance undid their initial resolve as Junio’s lofted cut-back was chested by Peres De Oliver who then proceeded to nonchalantly lob the ball over the despairing dive of Irwin.

From there, it all went downhill for the Cubs,despite keeping their quick passing methods and on the 66th minute, a quick break saw Glena Johnson cut in from the left flank before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Junio to unselfishly cut back across goal for Di Natile to record his goal for the match.

Three minutes later,Irwan Shah ensured a large margin of victory against the Cubs for the Lions as he sidefooted home yet another inviting cross from the impressive Glena Johnson.

Despite going downhill in their defense from their mistakes,the cubs started to increase their intensity of their game running around madly in the senior side's defence.

Buoyed by the goals,the senior side continued to push on and on the 73th minute, great interplay down the left wing saw Glena Johnson cut back to Junio and he duly obliged to record his hat-trick and the seventh goal of the night.

The senior side was not done however, and on the 84th minute, Glena Johnson got one to his name as he headed in a free-kick courtesy of Junio’s trademark left peg.

To further rub salt into the wound, there was still time for an own goal as Sharul Azhar’s desperate slide was only successful in helping to divert Irwan Shah’s cut-back into his own net.

As the referee blew the whistle for full-time, all the fans roundly stood up to applause the players for their tremendous performance as the Lions prepare for their match against the Dreamed Realms.

---

After the match,the Lions went onto the Dreamed Realms for their match.

The Archregimancy 3
Fr. Euthymius the Great 52' 84' 87'

Mapletish 2
Junio 27'
JH.Morison 34'

The Archregimancy continue their quest for World Cup Qualification as they defeat the Lions 3-2 at home.The complete Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom which last for 2 hours,before the Maplish anthem which last for another 15 minutes.

The Lions looked to be defeated away to The Archregimancy as they looked to be on a lack of quality.Junio and Morison took the double lead before the second half,but a hattrick by Fr. Euthymius the Great gave The Archregimancy a comeback win.

The Archregimancy fed off the atmosphere in the opening stages of the game and fuelled the crowd with some enterprising early play, particularly from Fr. David the Candlemaker and Fr. Maximus the Confessor who was fouled right on the edge of the box.

Despite their efforts,they lack the real danger in their attacks,and the Lions punish them severely.Junio defending from Fr. Lucillian the Bold saw him out jumped by Morison, whose header picked out Junio. The winger had wandered too easily away from Fr. Anthony the Sleepless and finished well from a difficult angle.

Morison would add a second only seven minutes later, tapping in easily from close range as Junio escaped the attentions of the sleeping Fr. Peter the Non-Martyr down the Lions’ right flank.

The first half was a disappointing one for the Dream Realms despite having lots of chances in the first half.There were signs before the break, though, that their forwards were starting to gel, but Fr. Laurence MC Monky L-Man skewed their best opening wide after good work from Fr. Euthymius the Great.

Immediately after the break,the Archregimancy go for a change as their attack start to pay off from the efforts of Fr. Stephen the Wonderworker as he give the on-coming Fr. Euthymius the Great chances from his own style of free play.

Within minutes the Dream Realms had drawn themselves back into the match through the unlikely source of right-back Fr. Saturninus the Pensive, whose willingness to attack was finally recompensed when a ball broke kindly to the hosts in the box, allowing Fr. Euthymius the Great to easily slot home and give themselves a goal difference.

What followed was very nearly a tale of frustration for the Dream Realms as the Lions defended well with countless efforts blocked off from the edge of the box and preventing the Dream Realms getting a clear sight of goal.Fr. Euthymius the Great perhaps had The Archregimancy’s best opening again but his best efforts to create space was wasted as he shot just wide.

The Lions could have give themselves another goal,as an effort by Morison was saved by the skillful Fr. Dodo the Venerable,as The Archregimancy's defence was again nowhere to be seen.

They would live to regret this miss as the Dreamed Realms launched their salvage mission to score a goal, Fr. Anthony the Sleepless whose deft pass to Fr. Euthymius the Great set up the midfielder for a lofted finish. Moments later, the midfielder helped secure the turnaround with a wonderful header whose first-time finish won the game and give him a hattrick.

---

Group 3
The Han Empire 0–0 Gyatso-kai
The Archregimancy 3–2 Mapletish
Achtervolging 1–1 Bitternea
Daedric Stellar Empire 1–3 Virabia

-  Group 3                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mapletish                            11    7   2   2    29   19  +10    23
2 Gyatso-kai                           11    6   4   1    18   14   +4    22
3 The Archregimancy                    11    6   2   3    23   15   +8    20
4 The Han Empire                       11    5   3   3    13    7   +6    18
5 Bitternea                            11    4   3   4    17   15   +2    15
6 Virabia                              11    4   1   6    17   16   +1    13
7 Daedric Stellar Empire               11    1   3   7    14   26  −12     6 E
8 Achtervolging                        11    1   2   8     9   28  −19     5 E

The Lions go into their next match against The Han Empire in danger of losing their automatic qualification spot.Gyatso-kai's draw against The Han Empire kept their hopes to qualify automatically alive as they are now one point away from the Lions,and so is The Archregimancy who is just 3 points away from the top and anything can happen.Despite that the Lions hold a significant foothold onto the slightest details,which is the goal-difference in the event of a tie-breaker.However that is not enough as the Lions would have to win their last 3 matches and take the full 9 points to have a record 32 points,the highest since World Cup 57.The Lions look on into the next match against The Han Empire with a target of earning 3 points.

---

[Cassadaigua]

Second-string doesn’t produce (but maybe they did),
by Breanna Hawkins

If you go back to my blog prior to the Elstrom match, I probably gave you the impression that coach Bateman was not going to change anything up and that she was not yet ready to go into a mode of “resting key players” to prepare for the World Cup, since our qualification seems all but officially wrapped up. As it turned out, she surprised all of us when she announced a “B” lineup would play against Elstrom. Zoey Anderson would get the start in net and Katelyn Danielson, Amanda Sirkin, Bella Bailey and Julie McCarthy would be the defenders. For all but McCarthy, this start was something new to them. McCarthy, as I don’t have to tell any of my Dagan readers, but foreigners might not immediately realize, was a starter from World Cups 57-59. At 35, Julie has remained on the team, but in a lesser role. The midfield saw Holly Sanders, Emily Grey, Valerie Middleton, and Jackie Van Camp start; Sanders being the only regular starter in that group. Up front, we were very raw with Kacie Kennedy and Lauren Moore starting. This led to myself watching the game from the sideline, although I was active as a midfield substitute if needed.

None of us starters were demoralized by this, as most of us have been there before. By that I mean, we were all reserves or substitutes, myself a reserve in World Cups 57 and 58, so I know, and we all know, how special this playing time was for them. And getting a chance to get a little rest in the process? Well, there’s nothing really wrong with that. As I observed, staying close to coach Bateman, I could see the excitement in my teammates as they were out there. This led to great plays, and silly errors, as that enthusiasm got the best of them. Kacie Kennedy’s brilliant 16th minute opportunity sailing wide of the left post got her down quite a bit. “I hit it too hard,” Kacie told us at halftime. She probably did that because of that extra bit of excitement, and in wanting to make the great play. Were it on target, it is highly probably she would have scored. At the time, we might have thought more brilliant chances would be forthcoming, but they never panned out. Mistakes were made, leading to chances the other way, but when Zoey was needed, she was there to get the big save. Unfortunately, we sealed a tough fate for ourselves in the 54th minute when Valerie Middleton was given a red card for a very rough tackle. Down a player, we couldn’t get into the proper groove for the second half. We got away with not getting a second red card in the 70th minute when Bella Bailey sucker-punched an Elstrom forward after what she said was him “deliberately stomping on my foot. That’s what should have been red-carded”. Though coach Bateman has advised Bailey that she cannot be rattled like that and retaliate in such a manner. Although she was probably effective in delivering a message that she should not be messed with again.

The game, therefore ended without a goal. It will seem as though we squandered a chance to get three points that we should very easily have attained. It will seem as though our second string players did not get the job done. But in a way, maybe they did. We still got a point. Our magic number was four coming into the game. Stachland failed to gain any ground, by getting a draw of their own. Camwood has therefore found their way into second. The combination of these results now leads to our magic number being two points, with three games to go. In the process, us regular starters got to rest up, and the second string got valuable experience to play in a meaningful game of qualifying.

We didn’t HAVE to win today. Stachland did.

[Filopines]

presents:
FILOSTATS|WORLD CUP 60

MATCHDAY ELEVEN
Ancharmunn 1-1 Filopines
Old Chicken Ranch - Ballymairead
Goalscorers: Fernando Martinez
Position: 5th

After Matchday Eleven:

Group 10                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mytannion                            11    8   2   1    20    7  +13    26
2 Ancharmunn                           11    7   3   1    29   13  +16    24
3 Rhodesiah                            11    6   3   2    26   13  +13    21
4 Osarius                              11    4   3   4    20   21   −1    15
  5 Filopines                            11    3   4   4    16   19   −3    13 E
  6 Vettrera                             11    2   5   4    11   20   −9    11 E
  7 The Islands of Qutar                 11    1   3   7    14   31  −17     6 E
  8 Unbreakable                          11    0   3   8     8   20  −12     3 E

Online Poll:
Blah blah blah?
Results:
Bleh 51%
Bluh 49%

[Ko-oren]

Can anyone tell us what just happened?

Ko-oren lost their first points in the second half of WC 60 Q – against O-Damn. Yes, the team that is stuck at last place in the group kept Ko-oren to a goalless draw at a home match (in Ko-oren, that is). KFA officials are still trying to figure out how the Greenblues did not score versus a team that failed to show up (they haven’t RPd) and that still shrouds its players in mystery (no roster posted). (OOC: I’ve got a roster, I’ve RPd every day, seriously how did this happen? RAND>>>>>RP?)

The Qualifying stage is drawing to a close, and Ko-oren still lead Group 14. However, the upcoming three matches are all matches that could be potential losses, and after yesterdays drama, we don’t know what to expect anymore. We gave O-Damn their second point total, and Bears Armed beat Civil Citizenry 3-1, which means that Ko-oren have 5 points more than Civil Citizenry. AKA: if Ko-oren plays a draw against Civil Citizenry, and get 2 more points OR stay above CC concerning GD, Ko-oren will finish at a second place (or first, depends on BA). IF Ko-oren wins against CC, we are at least second. CC’s maximum point total is 31, BA’s is 35. Ko-oren have 27 points, so our maximum is 36. Tomorrow, Allamunnic States wait to play Ko-oren. We’re not the only team going into this match with a minor problem: AS also had a goalless draw against Unified Falcon.

In other groups, there are a few teams that have secured a place in the WC or at least in its Playoff round: Dorian and Sonya will at least be second, Valladares have qualified already (with their 11 point gap), New Montreal States know that they will at least be able to qualify via playoffs. On the other hand, there are many teams that already know that they will have no chance for the World Cup proper. In Groups 22, 14 (Ko-oren’s group) and 7 there are five teams that have no chance anymore.

As far as perfect teams are concerned: Valladares hasn’t given up a point yet. For lucky teams: Jedi8246 are the worst team in the lead of any group. While Valladares has 33 points, Jedi has 21. It’s hard by default to see what team has the best chances in that group, group 5. It has Octinstine, Cowardly Pacifists, Akbarabad and Alexanderburn as teams that are rapidly getting better, but apparently they are so evenly matched that they keep everything in balance.

Cassadaigua (19) and Astograth (group 20) have the best offensive record: both have scored 34 goals. Astograth are doing a little better, as they have conceded 16, versus Cassadaigua’s 17. For defensive records, look at Carpathia and Ruthenia (2nd in group 21) and Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (group 2) that both conceded only 5 goals. Honorable mention goes to group 13, where the top three all only conceded 6 goals. Lastly, a list with all unbeaten teams: Swartaz (2nd, g7), Dorian and Sonya (1st, g11), Bostopia (1st, g12), Valladares (1st, g13), Ko-oren (1st, g14), Sargossa (1st, g15), New Montreal States (1st, g16), Cassadaigua (1st, g19), Astograth (1st, g20) and Queer Poco el Mono Ara (1st, g21).