Runner Cup 2 ~ Everything Thread

[Schottia]

The Daily Worker Sport.

This weekend, with the Runner Cup entering its second week, we feature a an interview with Schottia player Gary Corsie. Gary spoke to our reporter Marian McFadden after team training yesterday.

'Growing up in Marionville I always knew I wanted to be a footballer, it was just a matter of what level I would play at. I think my father was of the same mindset, and he pushed me to follow my dream.

When I was eleven I was accepted, with a full scholarship, into one of the National Football Academies and moved to live with my Aunt in Handon. I think it made it easier for my parents, neither of whom could drive at the time, but of course as a young child it's extremely difficult, the upheaval and leaving one's home.

I was sixteen when I made my debut for Handon South Academy, and I will always remember running out onto the pitch, of course we had a really good team that year, we came second in the league. That in itself is no mean feat when you consider you are playing against older professional players.

The season after, however, I was signed for Port Sebastian and was pretty much thrust into the first team. I was delighted to sign for a team that I knew had a policy of investing in youth. It was somewhere I knew I would get my chance. We had a good season, finishing 4th, which for us was an achievement.

I think I realised that we had something special as a team, when we finished 2nd in the 20012/13 season. It was a hard fight, and a lot of the players such as Jack and Paul really came to the fore that year.

Being called up to the Schottia squad we a dream come true, let alone, becoming established in the starting line up. Obviously the disappointment of the world cup was hard to deal with, but I think we will come out the other end a stronger team.

What gives me hope most of all is not the fact that we have taken points off of the top seeds in the Runner Cup, it's the fact that every game we have been in contention. It's about competing the best we can, all the time trying to build up our ranking, and peoples confidence in us as a team that doesn't just come to tournaments to make up the numbers.'

[Carialus]

Behind the Curtain
Part 4

Johan Yidka, a leading member of the now disgraced Socialists Party, was in hiding along with the other party members that had survived the "Midday Scuffle." Bruised and battered, they stayed there for a couple of weeks, plotting what they could do next. Eventually, they struck an idea. Like the People's Party had done, Yidka would first get the approval of the populous. Thus, every night, for the next couple of weeks, Yidka and his followers would go out on "midnight meetings" and spread the word of the Socialists Party.

At these secret meetings, Yidka would explain the principals of his ideals. He talked of a perfect communism, or a Utopian society, where everyone was equal, everyone had the same items, and everyone would work the same amount. At first, only a couple of people attended these meetings, but soon it began to grow. Soon, hundreds of people would meet in a barn in the country side and learn from Yidka. The hundreds grew to thousands and a new secret society was formed.

While this was going on, Hans Kovalcik was attending to his own agenda. Quickly, Kovalcik declared himself the leader, as "the people needed guidance in their fledgling years." Even more quickly, several key members of the People's Party "disappeared" or were declared traitors that had ran away. Almost over night, Kovalcik was the only major People's Party member left and was the undisputed leader. With his new gained power, Kovalcik declared official sanctions on Chiata and made anti-capitalists laws. However, instead of looking at foreign threats, Kovalcik should have been more concerned about the ones happening beneath his very noes.

[Greater Watford]

Reserve squad lose out
In their first game, the reserve side of Greater Watford lost 1-0 to Total n Utter Inanity. With the main squad travelling to Valanora to play in the AOCAF 44, a reserve side was fielded. Initially the game started slowly, as neither side knew what to expect. In the 11th minute however, a relatively tame shot from Total n Utter Inanity caught out Ivor Reynolds, who conceded in his first international appearance, making it 1-0. Determined to fight back, the front line of Serven and Rastersson tried to pile on the pressure, but couldn't score.
Into the second half, and Total n Utter Inanity seemd to play to not concede, rather than extend their lead. The Hornets found their space limited, making it difficult to create opportunity. In the 66th minute, Rastersson struck a volley onto the crossbar, and Tommy Deer narrowly missed from the following header. However, no more goals came, and it finished 1-0. The reserve side must improve, if they are to get a result against Sargossa.

[Ceni]

Here's your cutoff. Results will be posted here shortly.

EDIT: Here they come!

Group 1
The Fair Republic 3–2 Mastille
Hutt River 2–1 Svengarda

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutt River              6    6   0   0    20    8  +12    18
2 The Fair Republic       6    4   0   2    11    9   +2    12
3 Svengarda               5    2   1   2    12   11   +1     7
4 Mastille                6    1   0   5     4   12   −8     3
5 Rarungan                5    0   1   4     6   13   −7     1

Group 2
New North Aqmuland 1–1 Schottia
Lymantatia 1–2 Sandwich Territories

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sandwich Territories    5    4   0   1    11    5   +6    12
2 Lymantatia              6    3   1   2     7    6   +1    10
3 New North Aqmuland      6    2   2   2    10   10    0     8
4 Itanpavia               5    1   2   2     6    8   −2     5
5 Schottia                6    1   1   4     9   14   −5     4

Group 3
McKleigh 4–0 North Arabia
Crystal Empire 0–0 Carialus

                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 McKleigh                       6    3   2   1    11    6   +5    11
2 Crystal Empire                 6    2   4   0     9    6   +3    10
3 Carialus                       5    3   1   1     6    5   +1    10
4 North Arabia                   6    1   3   2     9   12   −3     6
5 The Greater Vakolicci Haven    5    0   0   5     1    7   −6     0

Group 4
Gloriax 0–1 Bonticello
Patistan 2–4 Eastfield Lodge

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eastfield Lodge         5    4   1   0    13    6   +7    13
2 Dainer                  5    3   1   1     9    6   +3    10
3 Patistan                6    1   3   2     9   10   −1     6
4 Gloriax                 6    1   2   3     5    8   −3     5
5 Bonticello              6    1   1   4     4   10   −6     4

Group 5
Ceni 5–2 Zwannswijik
Kitsunia-Deesse 2–3 Boring Paradise

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Ceni                    6    5   0   1    18    9   +9    15
2 Boring Paradise         5    3   2   0    17   12   +5    11
3 Kitsunia-Deesse         6    3   1   2    13   11   +2    10
4 Zwannswijik             6    1   1   4    12   16   −4     4
5 Agrincourt              5    0   0   5     4   16  −12     0

Group 6
Vettrera 5–2 Espandaea
Kericia 2–2 Mizuyuki

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mizuyuki                5    3   2   0    14    6   +8    11
2 Kericia                 6    3   1   2    13   11   +2    10
3 Vettrera                6    2   2   2    11   12   −1     8
4 Hicana                  5    1   4   0     8    7   +1     7
5 Espandaea               6    0   1   5     8   18  −10     1

Group 7
Usjekhipstahf 4–3 Wesleyia
Nova Anglicana 1–1 Starblaydia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Usjekhipstahf           6    4   1   1    14    9   +5    13
2 Starblaydia             5    3   2   0     8    3   +5    11
3 Nova Anglicana          6    3   2   1     8    7   +1    11
4 Darvale                 5    1   1   3     5    8   −3     4
5 Wesleyia                6    0   0   6     6   14   −8     0

Group 8
Perlasilangan 3–1 Total n Utter Inanity
Greater Watford 2–3 Sargossa

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sargossa                 5    3   1   1    15   11   +4    10
2 Perlasilangan            6    3   1   2    11   10   +1    10
3 Razul                    5    2   3   0     9    7   +2     9
4 Greater Watford          6    2   1   3    13   11   +2     7
5 Total n Utter Inanity    6    1   0   5     8   17   −9     3

[Greater Watford]

Sargossa edge out Hornets

Sargossa got the better of Greater Watford in a match that could’ve gone either way. In the opening minutes, both teams attempted to get the ball forward, with limited success. On 11 minutes, a through ball by Sargossa fell to their strikers, after some poor defending, and they capitalized on the mistake to make it 1-0. It took 20 minutes before Rastersson set up Serven on the volley, to give the Hornets the equaliser they needed. More chances came in the first half, but finishing was sloppy.

Into the second half, and Sargossa retook the lead, after a corner was curled in at the far post, and headed past Reynolds. 5 minutes later, and a direct free-kick saw the shot deflect off Singh’s shoulder, and into the net, giving Sargossa a 3-1 lead. The Hornets went to 3-4-3 to try and rescue the game, and Pip Roberto got one back on 82 minutes, after forcing his way past Sargossa’s defence to rifle a shot home. Sargossa tightened up at the back, denying the Hornets another goalscoring opportunity, and it finished 3-2 to Sargossa.

[Vettrera]

Cecil Mathews' first stint as coach of Vettrera's national soccer squads was not going over well. 2-2-2 in the Runner Cup? A cup that contained no powerhouses more or less...This really wasn't a good sign for the future of Vettreran athletics, especially considering the fact that PUSH would have to allocate their sporting budgets after the Runner Cup, and soccer would not be getting high funding if things did not turn out well. PUSH already had to shore up money so that Oakbrook and Calvarie could host the International Baseball Slam and so that Vettrera could compete in the upcoming WBC. Vettrera also had to return to the IBC, and they'd continue to be involved with the World Bowl...at least that was what PUSH had said.

Well regardless, Cecil had inherited a bad situation. The team was in flux after Beatrice Parker quit in a fit of rage halfway through qualifying for the world cup, and many were begining to wonder if soccer was even worth the trouble. There was still no united soccer league, and attendance wasn't really high enough to warrant a large system. The results weren't there, so the support wasn't there. And breaking even at a minor competition didn't help matters....

The start of an era.

[Ceni]

Cutoff. Results should be here soon.

EDIT: Duh, duh, duh duh duh duh....

Group 1
Svengarda 2–1 The Fair Republic
Mastille 0–1 Rarungan

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutt River              6    6   0   0    20    8  +12    18
2 The Fair Republic       7    4   0   3    12   11   +1    12
3 Svengarda               6    3   1   2    14   12   +2    10
4 Rarungan                6    1   1   4     7   13   −6     4
5 Mastille                7    1   0   6     4   13   −9     3

Group 2
Sandwich Territories 4–2 New North Aqmuland
Schottia 3–2 Itanpavia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sandwich Territories    6    5   0   1    15    7   +8    15
2 Lymantatia              6    3   1   2     7    6   +1    10
3 New North Aqmuland      7    2   2   3    12   14   −2     8
4 Schottia                7    2   1   4    12   16   −4     7
5 Itanpavia               6    1   2   3     8   11   −3     5

Group 3
Carialus 3–2 McKleigh
North Arabia 0–1 The Greater Vakolicci Haven

                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Carialus                       6    4   1   1     9    7   +2    13
2 McKleigh                       7    3   2   2    13    9   +4    11
3 Crystal Empire                 6    2   4   0     9    6   +3    10
4 North Arabia                   7    1   3   3     9   13   −4     6
5 The Greater Vakolicci Haven    6    1   0   5     2    7   −5     3

Group 4
Eastfield Lodge 3–5 Gloriax
Bonticello 1–0 Dainer

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eastfield Lodge         6    4   1   1    16   11   +5    13
2 Dainer                  6    3   1   2     9    7   +2    10
3 Gloriax                 7    2   2   3    10   11   −1     8
4 Bonticello              7    2   1   4     5   10   −5     7
5 Patistan                6    1   3   2     9   10   −1     6

Group 5
Boring Paradise 2–1 Ceni
Zwannswijik 2–3 Agrincourt

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Ceni                    7    5   0   2    19   11   +8    15
2 Boring Paradise         6    4   2   0    19   13   +6    14
3 Kitsunia-Deesse         6    3   1   2    13   11   +2    10
4 Zwannswijik             7    1   1   5    14   19   −5     4
5 Agrincourt              6    1   0   5     7   18  −11     3

Group 6
Mizuyuki 2–1 Vettrera
Espandaea 1–0 Hicana

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mizuyuki                6    4   2   0    16    7   +9    14
2 Kericia                 6    3   1   2    13   11   +2    10
3 Vettrera                7    2   2   3    12   14   −2     8
4 Hicana                  6    1   4   1     8    8    0     7
5 Espandaea               7    1   1   5     9   18   −9     4

Group 7
Starblaydia 0–0 Usjekhipstahf
Wesleyia 4–3 Darvale

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Usjekhipstahf           7    4   2   1    14    9   +5    14
2 Starblaydia             6    3   3   0     8    3   +5    12
3 Nova Anglicana          6    3   2   1     8    7   +1    11
4 Darvale                 6    1   1   4     8   12   −4     4
5 Wesleyia                7    1   0   6    10   17   −7     3

Group 8
Sargossa 2–2 Perlasilangan
Total n Utter Inanity 1–0 Razul

                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sargossa                 6    3   2   1    17   13   +4    11
2 Perlasilangan            7    3   2   2    13   12   +1    11
3 Razul                    6    2   3   1     9    8   +1     9
4 Greater Watford          6    2   1   3    13   11   +2     7
5 Total n Utter Inanity    7    2   0   5     9   17   −8     6

[McKleigh]

McKleigh happily finds themselves atop group 3 after a 4-0 thrashing of North Arabia. There was much substitution around the 75 minute mark after the 4rth goal was made. It was great to get some playing time in for our younger players according to William Bruce. McKleigh is only one point ahaead of both Carialus and Crystal Empire and all three teams are still very much in the hunt to win the group. The Gingers are very much in control of their own fate as they face both Carialus and Crystal Empire in their final two matches. Carialus has already beat us at home and statistics idicate good chances they will win at home. Crystal Empire however we show a statistical advantage over at home after playing to a draw in their home stadium.

Speaking of Crystal Empire it is our understanding that per them, Equestrian States and Karditan there are no official missing persons reports filled inany of the three nations. There have however been reports from unofficial sources in those nations that after the Glue and Adhesive Manafactuers Guild of the Multiverse, the Sweedish Meatball Makers Association of Jennifer Government, and Les Professionnels Culinaires de la Cuisine Française purchased every visiting team seat in the stands for McKleighs away games that sapient equines went missing in each location. McKleigh would like to once again clarify that they have had no part in the reports, the sale of the tickets to these groups, nor are any of the groups McKleighvian. In fact no McKleighvian citizen is a member of any of these groups.

We assure all equestine nations that McKleigh is a safe location for them to travel to. Also Mckleigh is working on solutions to avoid this type of event in the future. While we are still unclear if we were victums of an elaborate hoax or if the groups were indead involved in foul play, we as a nation would like to prevent either from occuring in the future.

McKleigh 3-2-1 Runner Cup Schedule
W 1-0 10-May vs. The Greater Vakolicci Haven
D 2-2 11-May @ North Arabia
L 0-1 12-May vs. Carialus
D 2-2 13-May @ Crystal Empire
14-May bye
W 1-0 15-May @ The Greater Vakolicci Haven
W 4-0 16-May vs. North Arabia
17-May @ Carialus
18-May vs. Crystal Empire
19-May bye[/quote][/quote]

[Schottia]

The Daily Worker Sport.

Despite a win and a draw, Schottia are left prying for a miracle if they wish to qualify for the knockout stages.

After Gary Corsie's late goal savaged a point against New North Aqmuland, and a stunning Gaston Avelione hat-trick saw off Itanpavia, it is still mathematically, nearly impossible for Schottia to go through.

Corsie's goal in the seventy-fifth minute, just as most Schottia fans were probably thinking of packing their bags, gave the nation a glimmer of hope. The always impressive Colin Donaldson won the ball on the edge of the box and was able to release the Port Sebastian man to slot home his second international goal.

The game had been a bit of a non starter, considering what was at stake for both sides. However after a couple of tight scorelines in a row the manager must be happier with his defenders, who seen to have cleaned up their act.

The Itanpavia game by contrast was back to the sides high scoring ways. Schottia had to come from behind twice in the game, first with a low Avelione drive from the edge of the area, and secondly when the midfielder headed home from a Jon Fontan corner. The mercurial winger then put the game beyond any doubt when he latched on to a Schwartz pass, to tap home from close range. the final score Schottia 3-2 Itanpavia.

Three positive results in four games have ensured, even failing to qualify, the fans will have had something to celebrate.

[Crystal Ponies]

The Crystal Courier
The Official Supporters' Newsletter of the Crystal Knights

MATCH PREVIEW: McKLEIGH vs. CRYSTAL EMPIRE

  Group 3                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Carialus                       6    4   1   1     9    7   +2    13
2 McKleigh                       7    3   2   2    13    9   +4    11
3 Crystal Empire                 6    2   4   0     9    6   +3    10
4 North Arabia                   7    1   3   3     9   13   −4     6   Eliminated
5 The Greater Vakolicci Haven    6    1   0   5     2    7   −5     3   Eliminated

Later today, our beloved Crystal Knights will take on the national team of McKleigh in a match that will likely decide who will advance from Group 3 of the Runner Cup alongside probable group winners Carialus.

The game, which will (presumably) be played at a venue somewhere in McKleigh (what the stadium's name is, its capacity, and its location remain unpublished at this time) pits the second and third place teams in Group 3 against each other. In the first leg of the group stage, the Crystal Knights and McKleigh fought to a 2-2 draw at the Crystal Empire's famed Imperial Arena. Head Coach Shining Armor recently voiced his opinions on his team's performances thus far at a press conference earlier this week:

"I'd say we've done alright. We haven't lost yet, which is - of course - quite an achievement regardless of who you're playing. However, we've also only managed to win two of our matches, and that's not at all good. Personally, I'd rather we have lost a match and won one more than we have at this point. We can't keep on getting all these draws and expect others to do our dirty work for us. Without a doubt, we showed we could do exactly that in that first win at Carialus, which was a fantastic result for us. But since then, we've really lacked that killer instinct that we'll need if we want to make a run for it. We need to take more chances if we really want to improve."

Right now, it is expected that Shining Armor will make a couple changes to his usual starting XI against McKleigh to try and get the three points from the match. Starshine, Sunshine Splash, Fleur de Verre, and Berry Splash are all rumored to be starting in place of Amberlocks, Castle, Karat, and Esmeralda respectively. Those changes would keep the team in its usual 4-4-2 formation, but add some more creative and aggressive players, as well as give a couple younger talents a chance to feature in a critical match.

As for the results, a win for the Crystal Empire would mathematically assure them of a place in the second round regardless of performance on the final day as this will be McKleigh's last group stage game (they have a bye next week). Should the teams draw, the Crystal Empire will remain a point behind McKleigh in the table, but with a match at home against the struggling Greater Vakolicci Haven in hoof, they would have control of their own destiny as a win would see them through to the next round. However, should the Crystal Knights fall to McKleigh, they still might have a chance to reach the next round, but would need to win against Greater Vakolicci Haven and would also need current leaders Carialus to lose their last two matches against the already eliminated GVH and North Arabia.

My prediction is that the match will end in a draw, but I could see either team winning the three points here. Either way, it should be a thrilling match by anypony's standards.

[Hicana]

Hicana began to disintegrate, never a good thing for a Republic to go through. But as man after man realized that staying in Hicana only meant terror and fear as the nation began to enforce Gregoryisgodistani rules, even going to make the word "coconut" punishable by death and beginning a new, Orwellian chapter in their admittedly short independent history.

After Sola's secession on June 3 2009 and the failed Secession of Ancinen (June 8-17, Culminating in the Battle of the Lord's Birthday, fought on Greg's birthday and the battle in which Ancinen fell), nations began to break away from the main government at a rapid rate. On July 3, a rapid torrent of declarations of independence began to stack up in the national capital, and Hicana's president Henry Lars Browne, merely wanting the infidels to go away, ignored them.

First came the north. All land north of Arcturi, which was really quite a lot, seceded to form the Independent States of Nacañerá on July 11, electing ex-mayor David Sanchez, a young chap of thirty-six, as their president. H.L. Browne shrugged and ignored it.

Next, on June 25, the south and west broke away. Gianos, Haban, and even the Greg-worshipping stronghold of South Ansilla broke off to form the United Republics of Hasillía. Hicana, once spanning four islands, now covered an area the size of Andorra.

On July 26, General Lincoln Herrera murdered the equivocating Browne, whose attempts to lock down the little land they had left were unsuccessful, with a knife and his own hands. Herrera took control and deftly steered the army towards Hasillía to reclaim it, forgetting that Hicaña was officially "heathen-free" and therefore eligible to remove themselves from the enemy list. This was brought to his attention in the last minutes of his life, after Brigadier General Harrison Marquette stabbed him, quite literally, in the back on the first of August. Marquette tried to take power, but the tattered ruins of the Senate gave it to Vice-President William Kershaw, who had been waiting ever since Browne died.

Meanwhile, Miklandia and Sola both voted to unite under a single flag, that of the Free Solian Republic, and then voted to annex Hasillía.

[Ceni]

Sorry for the late cutoff today folks, but here it is.

Group 1
Rarungan 1–2 Svengarda
The Fair Republic 0–0 Hutt River

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutt River              7    6   1   0    20    8  +12    19
2 Svengarda               7    4   1   2    16   13   +3    13
3 The Fair Republic       8    4   1   3    12   11   +1    13
4 Rarungan                7    1   1   5     8   15   −7     4
5 Mastille                7    1   0   6     4   13   −9     3

Group 2
Itanpavia 0–0 Sandwich Territories
New North Aqmuland 0–0 Lymantatia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sandwich Territories    7    5   1   1    15    7   +8    16
2 Lymantatia              7    3   2   2     7    6   +1    11
3 New North Aqmuland      8    2   3   3    12   14   −2     9
4 Schottia                7    2   1   4    12   16   −4     7
5 Itanpavia               7    1   3   3     8   11   −3     6

Group 3
The Greater Vakolicci Haven 0–2 Carialus
McKleigh 0–0 Crystal Empire

                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Carialus                       7    5   1   1    11    7   +4    16
2 McKleigh                       8    3   3   2    13    9   +4    12
3 Crystal Empire                 7    2   5   0     9    6   +3    11
4 North Arabia                   7    1   3   3     9   13   −4     6
5 The Greater Vakolicci Haven    7    1   0   6     2    9   −7     3

Group 4
Dainer 2–3 Eastfield Lodge
Gloriax 2–1 Patistan

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eastfield Lodge         7    5   1   1    19   13   +6    16
2 Gloriax                 8    3   2   3    12   12    0    11
3 Dainer                  7    3   1   3    11   10   +1    10
4 Bonticello              7    2   1   4     5   10   −5     7
5 Patistan                7    1   3   3    10   12   −2     6

Group 5
Agrincourt 2–6 Boring Paradise
Ceni 2–2 Kitsunia-Deesse

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Boring Paradise         7    5   2   0    25   15  +10    17
2 Ceni                    8    5   1   2    21   13   +8    16
3 Kitsunia-Deesse         7    3   2   2    15   13   +2    11
4 Zwannswijik             7    1   1   5    14   19   −5     4
5 Agrincourt              7    1   0   6     9   24  −15     3

Group 6
Hicana 4–4 Mizuyuki
Vettrera 2–1 Kericia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mizuyuki                7    4   3   0    20   11   +9    15
2 Vettrera                8    3   2   3    14   15   −1    11
3 Kericia                 7    3   1   3    14   13   +1    10
4 Hicana                  7    1   5   1    12   12    0     8
5 Espandaea               7    1   1   5     9   18   −9     4

Group 7
Darvale 2–3 Starblaydia
Usjekhipstahf 0–0 Nova Anglicana

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Starblaydia             7    4   3   0    11    5   +6    15
2 Usjekhipstahf           8    4   3   1    14    9   +5    15
3 Nova Anglicana          7    3   3   1     8    7   +1    12
4 Darvale                 7    1   1   5    10   15   −5     4
5 Wesleyia                7    1   0   6    10   17   −7     3

Group 8
Razul 3–4 Sargossa
Perlasilangan 1–1 Greater Watford

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sargossa                 7    4   2   1    21   16   +5    14
2 Perlasilangan            8    3   3   2    14   13   +1    12
3 Razul                    7    2   3   2    12   12    0     9
4 Greater Watford          7    2   2   3    14   12   +2     8
5 Total n Utter Inanity    7    2   0   5     9   17   −8     6

Red = Eliminated from Contention
Blue = Clinched Round of 16 spot

[McKleigh]

McKleigh and Crysatl Empire left everything on the field last night and both nations left disapointed. A scoreless draw. Now the fate of both teams rests on the results of tonights match between Crystal Empire and The Greater Vakolicci Haven. A TGVH victory or draw would advance McKleigh while a Crystal Empire victory would send the Gingers home. With that in mind McKleigh would like to say to The Greater Vakolicci Haven, GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT!

McKleigh 3-3-2 Runner Cup Schedule
W 1-0 10-May vs. The Greater Vakolicci Haven
D 2-2 11-May @ North Arabia
L 0-1 12-May vs. Carialus
D 2-2 13-May @ Crystal Empire
14-May bye
W 1-0 15-May @ The Greater Vakolicci Haven
W 4-0 16-May vs. North Arabia
L 2-3 17-May @ Carialus
D 0-0 18-May vs. Crystal Empire
19-May bye

[Ceni]

Cutoff. Also, tomorrow's cutoff will be an hour and a half or so later than today's.

EDIT: Formatting.
EDIT 2: Formatting.

Group 1
Hutt River 4–1 Rarungan
Svengarda 0–0 Mastille

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutt River              8    7   1   0    24    9  +15    22  Q
2 Svengarda               8    4   2   2    16   13   +3    14  Q
3 The Fair Republic       8    4   1   3    12   11   +1    13
4 Mastille                8    1   1   6     4   13   −9     4
5 Rarungan                8    1   1   6     9   19  −10     4

Group 2
Lymantatia 0–1 Itanpavia
Sandwich Territories 2–0 Schottia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sandwich Territories    8    6   1   1    17    7  +10    19  Q
2 Lymantatia              8    3   2   3     7    7    0    11  Q
3 New North Aqmuland      8    2   3   3    12   14   −2     9
4 Itanpavia               8    2   3   3     9   11   −2     9
5 Schottia                8    2   1   5    12   18   −6     7

Group 3
Crystal Empire 0–0 The Greater Vakolicci Haven
Carialus 4–3 North Arabia

                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Carialus                       8    6   1   1    15   10   +5    19  Q
2 McKleigh                       8    3   3   2    13    9   +4    12  Q
3 Crystal Empire                 8    2   6   0     9    6   +3    12
4 North Arabia                   8    1   3   4    12   17   −5     6
5 The Greater Vakolicci Haven    8    1   1   6     2    9   −7     4

Group 4
Patistan 1–0 Dainer
Eastfield Lodge 4–3 Bonticello

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Eastfield Lodge         8    6   1   1    23   16   +7    19  Q
2 Gloriax                 8    3   2   3    12   12    0    11  Q
3 Dainer                  8    3   1   4    11   11    0    10
4 Patistan                8    2   3   3    11   12   −1     9
5 Bonticello              8    2   1   5     8   14   −6     7

Group 5
Kitsunia-Deesse 4–2 Agrincourt
Boring Paradise 2–0 Zwannswijik

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Boring Paradise         8    6   2   0    27   15  +12    20  Q
2 Ceni                    8    5   1   2    21   13   +8    16  Q
3 Kitsunia-Deesse         8    4   2   2    19   15   +4    14
4 Zwannswijik             8    1   1   6    14   21   −7     4
5 Agrincourt              8    1   0   7    11   28  −17     3

Group 6
Kericia 2–4 Hicana
Mizuyuki 3–3 Espandaea

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Mizuyuki                8    4   4   0    23   14   +9    16  Q
2 Hicana                  8    2   5   1    16   14   +2    11  Q
3 Vettrera                8    3   2   3    14   15   −1    11
4 Kericia                 8    3   1   4    16   17   −1    10
5 Espandaea               8    1   2   5    12   21   −9     5

Group 7
Nova Anglicana 3–1 Darvale
Starblaydia 1–0 Wesleyia

                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Starblaydia             8    5   3   0    12    5   +7    18  Q
2 Usjekhipstahf           8    4   3   1    14    9   +5    15  Q
3 Nova Anglicana          8    4   3   1    11    8   +3    15
4 Darvale                 8    1   1   6    11   18   −7     4
5 Wesleyia                8    1   0   7    10   18   −8     3

Group 8
Greater Watford 1–0 Razul
Sargossa 2–1 Total n Utter Inanity

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sargossa                 8    5   2   1    23   17   +6    17  Q
2 Perlasilangan            8    3   3   2    14   13   +1    12  Q
3 Greater Watford          8    3   2   3    15   12   +3    11
4 Razul                    8    2   3   3    12   13   −1     9
5 Total n Utter Inanity    8    2   0   6    10   19   −9     6

[Ceni]

Your Round of 16 Draw can be found below:

Hutt River vs. Perlasilangan
Svengarda vs. Sargossa
Sandwich Territories vs. Usjekhipstahf
Lymantatia vs. Starblaydia
Carialus vs. Hicana
Mizuyuki vs. McKleigh
Eastfield Lodge vs. Ceni
Gloriax vs. Boring Paradise

[Gloriax]

The Pistons Up Against Boring Paradise in the Ro16

The official Gloriax soccer team nick: The Pistons

After a so-so performance in the Group stage, the Pistons go up against Boring Paradise. Much more of an experienced team as they are, BP topped their group, against the likes of Ceni and Kitsunia-Dessee, both good teams, nonetheless. "We'll do it!" says Hunter, the Pistons coach, who seems highly inspired at the moment, and is confident of a vicory. BP, being of a higher rank (55) is threatening enough for the Pistons, (106), but Hunter is adamant. It is quite sure the Pistons might be thrashed, but the Gloriaxians are hoping for a miracle. Somehow if they can pull off the unthinkable - beat one of the greatest of NationStates multiverse - Boring Paradise.

Still nothing can stop the patriotic Gloriaxians. The tiger will make us win - we're sure.

[McKleigh]

After finishing their last two games in scoreless draws Crystal Empire finds themselves headed home and likely very disapointed. Meanwhile these "chumps" of the McKleighvian team will play on. There are some concerns about this match against Mizuyuki, mainly the fact that the team is all female. In the past the somewhat savage and primitive minded gingers have found themselves overly distracted against female teams. Also, Mizuyuki is a much higher ranked and more experianced team than are we. However McKleigh has overcome the experiance, rank, and gender issues before. I refer of course to the 3-2 victory over Starblaydia in the second stage of qualifying during WC68. We are still playing with the same roster and are even more seasoned now. But we will have to play our best game to win as we are sure Mizuyuki is eager to win after a disapointing WC68 performance and failing to recieve a Cup Of Harmony invitation.

To catch up on some stats in the Runner Cup Sean Robertson and Luke MacMillan have each scored one goal, Wallace O'Ryan, Lincoln McKleigh, and captain Donovan McNeil have all scored twice, and teen star Jonah MacGrough has hit the net four times to lead the Gingers in scoring. We hope to see more from all of them before their run in the cup ends.

[Ceni]

Sorry for the late cutoff, but here it is. Who will advance? Who will not? Wait and see!

Round of 16
Hutt River 4–2 Perlasilangan
Svengarda 0–0 Sargossa (0–1 AET)
Sandwich Territories 1–0 Usjekhipstahf
Lymantatia 2–2 Starblaydia (2–3 AET)
Carialus 0–0 Hicana (2–0 AET)
Mizuyuki 3–0 McKleigh
Eastfield Lodge 2–1 Ceni
Gloriax 0–1 Boring Paradise

[Ceni]

The rest of the finals draw is found below:

QF1 - Hutt River vs. Sargossa
QF2 - Sandwich Territories vs. Starblaydia
QF3 - Carialus vs. Mizuyuki
QF 4 - Eastfield Lodge vs. Boring Paradise

SF1 - Winner of QF1 vs. Winner of QF2
SF2 - Winner of QF3 vs. Winner of QF4

Final - Winner of SF1 vs. Winner of SF2
3PPO - Loser of SF1 vs. Loser of SF2

[Boring Paradise]

Yeah well, this sounds fun

After the bad run in the World Cup, we had two tournaments hosted at the same time, the CEX which which didn't bither trying with our fatigues levels and focused on this edition's Runners Cup, the second of its kind). With our team drawn with the hosts, Ceni, Kitsunia-Deesse, Agrincourt, Zwannswijik. We were the top pot, as you may have noticed. In this edition we may be facing the likes of Eastfield Lodge (Nobody likes them), Starblaydia and Mizuyuki. But we won't meet them just yet.

Runners Cups II Group Stage
MD1: BYE
MD2: 3-3 Kitsunia-Deesse
MD3: 2-0 Ceni
MD4: 5-3 Agrincourt
MD5: 4-4 Zwannswijik
MD6: BYE
MD7: 3-2 Kitsunia-Deesse
MD8: 2-1 Ceni
MD9: 6-2 Agrincourt
MD10: 2-0 Zwannswijik

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Boring Paradise         8    6   2   0    27   15  +12    20  Q
2 Ceni                    8    5   1   2    21   13   +8    16  Q
3 Kitsunia-Deesse         8    4   2   2    19   15   +4    14
4 Zwannswijik             8    1   1   6    14   21   −7     4
5 Agrincourt              8    1   0   7    11   28  −17     3

Ro16: 1-0 Gloriax
QF: vs Eastfield Lodge (We all hate them)

Well, this seems fun, 9 matches with 28 goals, meaning we have been scoring 3.1111 (1s forever) goals per match and only conceding 1.6 (6s forever) goals per match, which we look forward to get improved if we are stay high and on top of our game. With our record set for our Runners Cup with us progressing to the Quarter-Finals, even though we are the sixth best team in the competition, we are sill proud to be their.

From the matches results, it has seem that Raiyaan Malik has scored at least one goal so far while Sameer Jaklim has scored at least one and assisted at least one goal per match. This a very strong bond between the two players. The manager, has kept his mind on a fair play game with the players only accumulated two yellow cards and no reds in our currently 9 matches played.

[Sargossa]

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport


Ceni One Watching?


Blanco Borrayo reports from Ceni;

There are an awful lot of footy fans back home in our mighty and imperious archipelago. Ruddy loads. But not many of them have been paying much attention to events over here in Ceni. It’s nothing against the Runner Cup specifically, but rather a reaction to recent events in Alianza Albos. Because losing in the Copa Rushmori is a painful experience. And losing to the Polarians in the Copa Rushmori is excruciating. But losing twice to the Polarians in the same Copa is a whole new world of hurt. So forgive us if we’ve briefly fallen out of love with the not-so beautiful game.

Which is a shame as, slight wobble against Perlasilangan aside, the Corsairs have sailed pretty confidently through the opposition so far. Greater Watford, still looking for an elusive win over Sargossa, Razul and Total n Utter Inanity were all knocked aside in the unusual double round of group games. A thrilling 4 – 3 win over Razul secured a place in the knockout rounds with a group game still left to play before victory over Total n Utter Inanity saw the group stage end with the Corsairs sitting pretty on top, five points clear of nearest challengers Perlasilangan.

With all due respect to our group mates it was the round of sixteen fixture with Svengarda that provided Sargossa with a first real challenge. They may have finished some way behind Hutt River in Group 1 but the one time Baptism of Fire champions are certainly no mugs. And it showed in a painfully tight encounter which was decided by one magic moment in extra time, Federico Noyola sending Flavio Freitas’ low cross beyond the reach of the impressive Vanja Albertsen. That’s what it took to break Svengardan hearts and edge through to the final eight.

Next up is Hutt River, who looked pretty damn good throughout the group stage (seven wins from eight games with twenty four goals scored in the process) and confidently dispensed with our own group mates Perlasilangan in the last sixteen. But the Hutts have still leaked goals at a rate of more than one a game so there is certain fragility at the back that Ernesto Farías’ boys will be looking to exploit. Around the other quarter final ties the clash between old stagers Eastfield Lodge and Boring Paradise is probably the pick of the draw while elsewhere the Starblaydis unquestionably steal the (purplish) limelight as the glamour side of the tournament but its second seeds Mizuyuki who could prove to be the dark horses. As much as a second seed can be anyway.

[Ceni]

And cutoff.

Quarterfinals
Hutt River 1–0 Sargossa
Sandwich Territories 1–2 Starblaydia
Carialus 3–2 Mizuyuki
Eastfield Lodge 3–0 Boring Paradise

[Carialus]

Behind the Curtain
Part 5

At last the time had come. It was time for Johan Yidka to lead his uprising. For five long grueling months, Hans Kovalcik had ruled Carialus. His ruling was once soft, but his fist quickly turned to iron. The common man was oppressed while Kovalcik's followers were given special treatment. The farmers toiled all day in the heavy midday sun while friends of Kovalcik lived a life of luxury. The people were fed up with their leader's hypocrisy.

Like other great men before him, Johan led his people to freedom. In "The March on Kovalcik," 20,000 farmers, workers, and peasants marched to Kovalcik's estate. Quickly and decisively, the mob bypassed the security and stormed unto the estate. With glee, the mass shattered windows and plates, ripped apart furniture, and topled tables and chairs. With a triumphant shout, the mob charged up stairs to find Kovalcik and company cowering in hiding.

A jury of ten was immediately picked from the crowd. After a short 30 minute trial, Hans Kovalcik was found guilty of treason, manslaughter, and fruad by a vote of 10-0 by the Jury. Hence, Kovalcik was sentenced to death by shot to the head. The sentence was carried out within the minute.

At last, true communism had been reached. Everyone was equal and Carialus was free of corruption, but how long could it stay this way in such an unstable environment?

[Hutt River]

Apathy reigns supreme in Runner Cup coverage
Hutt River in semi-finals after good performances

by Andy Morrison

It came as a surprise to me that the Runner Cup even existed, more so that there had been one before. In obviously came as a surprise to the editors as well as they had sent no-one there to cover it. It's also obvious that it's not that high on their radar as they sent me, a trainee reporter whose only experience is writing template articles on unimportant transfers and occasionally reporting on some Regionalliga matches to cover it. Other outlets must've had similar thoughts, as they too have had no coverage. All of which is a bit of a surprise, the national team has many devoted fans, a few hundred of whom have travelled to Ceni to watch them, and it provides good readership reporting on it, especially when they are succeeding like they are now.

It's also a bit of a shame. I like tournaments like these, they give you a chance to see some of the lesser known World Cup nations, with names like Zwannswijik and Usjekhipstahf, which is pronounced somehow, playing against each other, which often produces some exciting football between two evenly matched teams, something that these teams don't often see during World Cup qualifying.

The Runner Cup is a tournament for teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup, as well as not being invited to the Cup of Harmony. This group includes quite a lot of teams, 40 of whom are competing, including the hosts Ceni. Most of these teams barely register on the radar of even the most knowledgeable fan, but there are a few familiar faces, such as Svengarda and Sargossa, both of whom Hutt River have played during the tournament. The FA sent a full strength national side to the tournament, clearly hoping that they would have a good chance of winning it.

So, how are they doing. They're doing well. Very well, in fact. Hutt River topped their group unbeaten, 8 points ahead of 2nd place, with 7 wins in 8 games, only drawing with The Fair Republic 0-0 while fielding a second-string side. Runners up Svengarda, which, no offence to the other groupmates, were the only possible threat, were soundly beaten twice in the odd double round robin format, while Mastille and Rarungan were seen off with relative comfort. Pherick Kermode has done well for himself during the tournament, his first as first choice striker, contributing 13 goals to the tally of 24, as well as 3 assists. He was again on form in the Round of 16 game against the runners-up of Group 8 Perlasilangan, scoring a brace in a comfortable 4-2 win, Bexley and Jacobson scoring the other two, both from set pieces.

The team entered the quarter final match against Sargossa high in confidence, but there was still a nagging problem of a sometimes leaky defence. This was exemplified in the first group stage match against Rarungan, where Hutt River conceded 4 goals in the last 15 minutes to reduce what should've been a very comfortable win into risking 2 points being dropped against a poor side. Although the defensive record since then has been better, this still represented a worry manager Müller to deal with.

Fortunately, the fears weren't alleviated and Hutt River gave another solid performance to get a 1-0 victory and progress to the semi-finals, where the Hutts meet Starblaydia, another familiar name to most people. They've had a similar run to Hutt River, topping their group unbeaten and winning both knockout matches with relative ease. Starblaydia should provide a good game, but on the run of form the Hutts are in, they should progress to the final.

[Ceni]

Sorry for the late cutoff folks, I forgot that I had an extracurricular event this evening!

Results shall be up in a bit.

Semifinals
Hutt River 1–1 Starblaydia (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Carialus 5–3 Eastfield Lodge

With that, the final shall be Starblaydia vs. Carialus, and the Third Place Playoff shall be Hutt River vs. Eastfield Lodge.