NOTE: Don't change the past posts, just make a swing out of it and adjust now
NOTE #2: In the World Cup, all matches are played in the host nation.
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| AO Forum :: > AOCAF - The AO Regional Soccer Tournament > AOCAF X RP Thread |
| Posted by: Fmjphoenix Sep 1 2005, 03:15 PM | ||
Welcome to AOCAF X. Without wasting any time, lets get into it. Here is the group draw:
(Tenetitive Schedule) Match orders: Matchday 1: 1v4, 2v5, 3v6 (Monday) Matchday 2: 1v3, 2v6, 4v5 (Tuesday) Matchday 3: 1v2, 3v4, 5v6 (Wedensday) Matchday 4: 1v6, 2v4, 3v5 (Thursday) Matchday 5: 1v5, 2v3, 4v6 (Friday) 1st place team auto qualifies for quarter-finals, 2nd and 3rd place teams will play a second round as follows: (Saturday) A1: 2nd place in Group 1 plays 3rd place in Group 2 A2: 2nd place in Group 2 plays 3rd place in Group 1 A3: 2nd place in Group 3 plays 3rd place in Group 4 A4: 2nd place in Group 4 plays 3rd place in Group 3 (Sunday) QF1: 1st place in Group 1 plays winner of Match A1 QF2: 1st place in Group 2 plays winner of Match A2 QF3: 1st place in Group 3 plays winner of Match A3 QF4: 1st place in Group 4 plays winner of Match A4 (Monday) SF1: Winner of QF1 plays winner of QF2 SF2: Winner of QF3 plays winner of QF4 (Tuesday) Finals: Winner of SF1 plays winner of SF2 3PPO: Loser of SF1 plays loser of SF2 There is an RP Bonus, and it will based primarily on two things. Quality and length. Lots of RPs with little quality will not do you good. Most importantly, have fun with it! I know I will! |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 1 2005, 07:54 PM |
| Hawks ready for AOCAF X The Hawks have been cast into group 4 this time, and quite a group it is, featuring Spruitland, Falcania, Starblaydia, Pedriana, and hosts FMJPhoenix. The Hawks did pretty well in the last AOCAF, but they are going to need that kind of intensity again to make it to the knockouts. This squad has some fearsome offensive weapons, and the midfielders should help the defense as much as possible. Even the goalkeeper has been picked by the Lamonian footballing fans as the best in Lamoni. Predictions: Spruitland - Should be a winnable match for the Hawks Falcania - This is the first time that Lamoni will face these FLMS allies, but the Hawks should win Starblaydia - The team to beat in this group, Starblaydia has constantly been the team that gives Lamonian coaches fits; everyone is looking forward to this matchup Pedriana - This should be another winnable match for the Hawks FMJPhoenix - They have talent, but the Hawks should still win this one |
| Posted by: Falcania Sep 1 2005, 09:35 PM |
| Jake Papas strolled up and down the locker room, looking through the documentation. This would be Falcania's first entry into any international football event, and indeed, competition. Fortunately, although inexperienced, strategy would be on the Falcons' side, Papas himself having been an experienced military tactician, and an expert in psychological warfare in particular. One match he was not looking forward to playing was the Starblaydia match, although it would be interesting to see how his tactics play out in front of the premier team in the group. |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 2 2005, 09:38 AM |
| Stars give Trautwig a try In eight previous tries, the Sarzonian national team has never won a AOCAF championship despite five trips to the semifinals and one championship match, but in recent years, the team has sent a second choice side. This time, the team is turning to World Cup assistant coach Chris Trautwig to serve as the team's manager during the Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football tournament. "We wanted Chris to have some genuine match experience coaching a team at the national level," Incorporated Football Federation Chairman Terry Mangione said. "With [national team coach Dave Wilson] moving on to Hypocria and Barry Owens coaching the team after he leaves, we wanted to have Chris get some solid experience." Wilson said he was courting Trautwig to serve as one of his assistant coaches with the Hyppos, who will be among Sarzonia's Group 3 opposition in this 10th AOCAF, though Owens said he would ask Trautwig to remain with the Stars as his top assistant. Trautwig hasn't committed either way, but agreed to coach the Stars in this tournament. "Either way, I'm going to get some solid experience," Trautwig said. "Vilita's an excellent side and will be a great measuring stick for us. We've developed a fierce rivalry with Bedistan over the years, especially since World Cup XXII. Hypocria is an up and coming side in my book. Bettia won a Baptism of Fire Cup, and we can't count Jastica out of anything." Trautwig said he would employ a more defensive-oriented system than previous coach Bryson Juergens, but midfielder Jenna Raven "will play a prominent role" in the team. "Raven's a genuine star on this team and she belongs on the senior side," Trautwig said. "I think she's going to be there one day. As it is now, we're fortunate she's playing on this team." Trautwig said forward Kevin Wilson, who is appearing as a late match substitute in the World Cup, will retain his spot in the starting 11 for this Stars side. "Kevin needs to get minutes," Trautwig said. "He's not going to get enough in the Finals." |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 2 2005, 03:36 PM |
| AOCAF X - Group 3 Preview It’s AOCAF time again and Hypocria, surprise finalists in the last tournament, have a tough draw in Group 3 alongside reigning AOCAF champions and former World Champions Vilita, former World Champions Sarzonia, former World Champions Bedistan, western neighbours Bettia and new boys Jastica. The coach from the last tournament may have gone but six of his side remain and will be looking to achieve similar success, particularly after a dismal World Cup qualifying campaign. It’s not going to be easy though and here’s why . . . Vilita Current AOCAF holders, two time champions, twice runners up, current number one team in the region, what more needs to be said? Hypocria’s first match is against Vilita and it was the Jungle Cats who ended the Hyppos dreams in the final in Cockbill Street last time. They will be expecting a similar result again as they look to retain their trophy. Definitely a good match to get out of the way early. Sarzonia Another former World Champion and a side that has reached the AOCAF semis five times. Hypocria’s first ever international fixture was against Sarzonia in an Under-21 tie. That day the Star’s midfield maestro Jenna Raven, a member of the current AOCAF squad, ran rings around the Hyppos. The senior side have fared little better since with 3 - 0 and 4 - 0 defeats to their name during the World Cup 23 qualifiers. Hypocria’s players may be looking to impress Star’s coach Chris Trautwig who could be joining the Hyppo’s backroom staff in the near future. Bedistan The third side in the group that once lifted the biggest prize of them all. Despite their formidable reputation in the World Cup Bedistan have yet to really establish themselves in the AOCAF. But that could easily change and the Lions will be looking to improve on a second round defeat to Nedalia four years ago. A 7 - 1 Hypocrian win over Bedistan in an Under-21 match has little bearing on this upcoming game but we’ll mention it anyway. Bettia Ask any Hypocrian who his or hers second favourite national side is and they will say Bettia. Ask a Bettian fan what their favourite competition is and they are unlikely to say the AOCAF. The Aroras have never won an AOCAF game and have managed a mere two points from their two campaigns. But this poor form won’t last forever and they too have a winning record over the Hyppos thanks to a 1 - 0 victory at Cup of Harmony 15. Jastica Never underestimate the new boys. That’s something Hypocria fans have learnt in recent years. Some truly dreadful defeats to unranked sides in the World Cup qualifiers means that Hypocria will be approaching the game against Jastica as if they were playing seasoned veterans rather than tournament debutants. |
| Posted by: Bettia Sep 4 2005, 05:30 AM |
| The Secret Diary of Chris Hutton Dear diary... So close and yet so far. We've arrived in Fmjphoenix low in morale after their devastating loss to Oglethorpia in the World Cup playoffs, and on the back of a poor run of form that has seen us fail to win in seven games. And to cap it all off, we've been placed into a rather tough group. Indeed, Bettia haven't enjoyed the best of times in this regional tournament. A cursory glance at our http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Bettia_National_Football_Team#AOCAF_IX shows a rather dismal set of stats:
We've been joined over here by a few of our fringe players, whilst some of us first-teamers (myself included) are rested for any Cup of Harmony action that might come our way. Of course, I've been lumbered with looking after my little sis Silli, so I guess that leaves me free to do a bit of sightseeing whilst the lads are busy training. I wonder what there is to see apart from some top quality stadiums. Or is it stadia? Ah well. I've just been emailed the fixture list for our group. First up for the Aroras are Sarzonia, who have sent what is essentially a second XI. However, they have an excellent record in this competition and we will be hard-pushed to get a result. After that we have our dear eastern neighbours Hypocria. They'll probably thrash us, but their performance in the last AOCAF gives us hope. If we can string a few good results together here... who knows? And then we face Jastica, the only team in the group ranked lower than us, and thats only because they're new. They may be good at flag-making, but if we pull ourselves together maybe it'll be them waving a white one instead of us for a change. And then, fresh from doing the double over us in the WC qualifiers, come Bedistan. I don't expect to get anything from this match - but at least that guy in the blond wig won't be playing. And lastly we have Bilita - never heard of them... so obviously these guys are no good and will be a total pushover. What? Silli seems to think it's Vilita. Well, thats different then - we're gonna get thrashed. At least I'll be able to impart some advice to the team on some of their players. Must've been a typo - perhaps I ought to suggest that those clowns in the FAB get some keyboard lessons. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 4 2005, 07:01 PM |
| "...Lord Rikaard Van Honjiik, Minister for Sport, was announced today by the SFA as the manager for Starblaydia's AOCAF team. Lord Van Honjiik, who co-managed Starblaydia's World Cup 22 squad with Nikola "Laser" Lazerevski, was said to be 'very excited' by the prospect of managing the most successful current nation in the regional tournament's history..." "That sneaky lil' bugger," Khim said, muting the TV, "e's tryin to make imself untouchable, like that Elliot Gould guy." "Ness," Robb corrected, "Elliot Ness." "Nah," Khim dismissed the correction, "he wasn't in 'A Bridge Too Far', ye wazzock." Robb decided not to take the discussion any further and carried on writing his Group 4 preview article for the Jhanna Chronicle. Even ex-footballers had to pay the bills for their fourth homes and private jets somehow. Few Tests On the Way to Quarters Starblaydia to cruise through Group 4 by Roberto Di Bradini Starblaydia have, of course, one of the finest records of any team in this competition; only bettered by a bunch of Druids who don't exist any more, save in a toned-down, largely inebriated form. The Starblaydi team this year looks a little younger than usual, but with the inclusion of Cherry Garcia it certainly looks a lot brighter from the males' point-of-view. Seasoned campaigners, especially in the form of Captain Dimitri Steliopolous, will add steel to this side's backbone but the rushes of youth will attempt to prove themselves against the second-best teams of the nations in this region. In Group Four, though, Starblaydia should have a free run to the top of this Group. Lamoni, as always, will provide the sternest challenge on paper. Familiar names such as Pedriana and Spruitland will be the second tier of teams but the real one to watch are hosts Fmjphoenix. The Vikings have certainly met the challenge of Starblaydia at Under-21 level, with the Junior Vikings actually being more successful than their Starblaydi counterparts, but on the world stage Starblaydia are streets ahead. Never underestimate, however, the power of a home crowd in a tournament Oh and don't forget Falcania, either. They eat lots of fast food, apparently. Robb's Prediction: 1st: Starblaydia 2nd: Fmjphoenix 3rd: Lamoni 4th: Spruitland 5th: Pedriana 6th: Falcania |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 4 2005, 11:39 PM |
| Location: in a home in Marra, Jastica (the capital) Wife: Get to bed will you Husband: Can't gotta watch the game. Wife: What game, it's capitalism day tomorrow, wait. *checks the time* Wife: Actually it is past midnight so today it is capitalism day so there are no games, no sports, it is a day off you... Husband: See what you know, there is a football game later today and I am getting ready to watch our national team play. Wife: Are they actually gonna win? Husband: Silence woman, don't you jinx them now. *Wife rolls her eyes as she leaves the room* |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 5 2005, 01:20 AM |
| "And you're on in three, two, one." Mort Tunney, host of Football Today: Hi, everyone, Mort Tunney with you on [i]Football Today, your exclusive source on Sarzonian national team happenings. With me is Sarzonia's world cup assistant coach and AOCAF head coach Chris Trautwig. Chris, good to have you on the show. Chris Trautwig: Thanks for having me Mort. MT: Okay, let's get right to it, shall we? CT: Sure. MT: Let's talk about Sarzonia's Group 3 competition, starting with Vilita. CT: They're perennially one of the toughest teams in AO and the world. Our record against them hasn't been too promising, if I remember correctly, we only have one win against them. If we're going to be able to win this group and not have to play a second round game, we have to beat the Jungle Cats. Defensively, we're going to have to remain sound the whole game. MT: The Cats certainly are on the prowl. Let's talk some more Cats, namely the Bedistan Lions. CT: That's most likely going to become the new big rivalry for us in the future. We've played since World Cup XXI, I believe when we were in the same qualifying group with Bedistan. Very even rivalry, and a lot of bad blood between our teams. That should be a very entertaining match. It will be 90 hard-earned minutes regardless of which side gets a result. MT: Tell me about Hypocria. As you know, your soon to be former boss is taking the manager's job over there. CT: Dave Wilson asked me to evaluate the Hyppos to see what system he should employ with the team. I'll give him that report before his tenure with Sarzonia officially comes to an end. He and I both have great respect for the talent and potential on that Hypocria side. We're not going to take anyone for granted in this group and least of all Hypocria. MT: Okay, what about Bettia? They won the Baptism of Fire Cup recently, didn't they? CT: That they did. They've shown a lot of potential as well. They're going to be a football side to reckon with. This isn't going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination. MT: Last team in our group, Jastica. CT: They're the great unknown. That's what makes these guys so dangerous. We don't have the game tape on them we do on the other teams in our group. We're going to have to work hard and hope we're doing things the right way. MT: Any special preparations for this tournament as head coach after being an assistant so long? CT: Well, our purpose here is to evaluate our players for future World Cups, but we also want to get in there and win one of these. We need to see some of these players in game situations and see how they handle them before they get promoted to the full World Cup side. I'm going to be part of that process too, the IFF wants to see me handle being a head coach. And Dave wants to see me get some good experience. This should be a challenge. MT: Wish we had more time, but we've gotta get going. I'm Mort Tunney, with Stars Coach Chris Trautwig. We'll be back after this. |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 5 2005, 08:02 AM |
| 2005-09-05 SHANT SPEAKS OUT! Veteran midfielder furious over not getting starting role in Jastica's AOCAF match today. Marra, Jastica - As the team flew out this morning for their match against Bedistan most of the players were unwilling to discuss much in relation to their upcoming match. One player however bucked that trend coming right up to our reporters and demanding an interview. Here is what transpired once we found a secluded place to conduct the interview: Reporter: I appreciate the time you have taken to grant me an interview Mr. Shant. Frank Shant (FS): It is Frank and actually I thank you. Reporter: Well, your welcome. So what specifically did you wish to discuss, I assume... *Frank cuts the reporter off* FS: The roster, have you seen the roster? Some 21 year old upstart with next to no experience gets a starting role on our roster. It is going to be difficult enough to beat a team like Bedistan however imagine some kid gets chosen over me! HE is from [the city of] Atlas for crying out loud at that. Since where have they ever had any football talent? Reporter: So you are saying you would be better at that position? FS: You better believe that is what I am saying! That is what everyone knows. I am the best midfielder in the game and coach Fart or Fisk or whatever wants to stick me as a substitute, the nerve! Reporter: Do you expect to get much playing time during the tournament? FS: Oh yes, of course, once they see how poorly this kid plays they will of course put me back in, just why do we need to suffer one or two mistakes that could cost us in goals by having me sit for the first game. Reporter: How do you think coach Fisk will respond when he learns of this interview, do you think... *Frank cuts off the reporter again* FS: You know what, [Coach] John [Fisk] can kiss my rear end you hear me! Quote that too! I want all Jastica to know that if we lose today's game it is because I never started... *Frank is distracted by the airport intercom system announcing that his plane is boarding* FS: Ah shoot I gotta go, make sure you print that story you hear! |
| Posted by: Vilita Sep 5 2005, 10:17 AM |
| --------------------Mitaroka set to lead Regional Cats ---------------------In the midst of a high-profile stumbling in the decision to choose the successor to Helmut Vilkaous in the post of Vilita Jungle Cats head coach, FA Vilita Chief Representative Rory Issah wasted little time selecting a leader for the Regional squad to compete as defending champions in the upcoming Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football. During a meeting with his assistant Elekim Cairns at the FA Complex, Inland Peaks FC of Vilita head coach Calaesa Mitaroka arrived to submit an appeal for a red card handed out at the end of the previous domestic season that he hoped to get overturned by the time the league started up again. Having just concurred that they could not risk having Santo Kecker, who led the regional team to the AOCAF IX title in Cockbill Street, set up the regional squad for competition, and then, as seemed an ever more likely scenario, ditch the regional squad to take the reigns of the senior Jungle Cats in the World Cup Finals. -----------------Needing a break from their thoughts, Calaesa's entrance was a welcome repriese, and the two welcomed the former Yeaddin Owls midfielder into the room. "We'll have a good look at this appeal later in the week pal, we're quite in the middle of this National Team coach bit at the moment as I'm sure you know" Cairns took the papers from Mitaroka, and the Yeaddinite acknowledged the duo, and turned for the door. 'Oh, by the way, Caeli" Rory Issah called out, "How would you mind taking your family out for a nice vacation to Fmjphoenix?" Mitaroka turned around, a bit confused. "Yea" Issah continued, "And hey, if you take a couple weeks out and coach our boys in a few AOCAF matches, we'll even cover all your expenses" Issah and Cairns chuckled politely to themselves before Mitaroka, with a slightly expanding grin, accepted the task. |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 5 2005, 03:51 PM |
| Team captain named as Hawks draw with Spruitland Now that the first AOCAF match is over, the Hawks have chosen their team captain. The Lamonian team captain for AOCAF X is Julio Litz, who coincidently scored on the the Lamonian goals in the AOCAF match against Spruitland. The Hawks seemed almost too relaxed for their own good in this match, and it was a lucky thing for them that the new team captain scored his goal at 89 minutes in, or they would have lost. This has everyone involved with the team worried. However, Coach Emilio Vargas of the Nephi Bears (who was tapped to coach the AOCAF team this time) is a former football player himself, and will whip the team into shape before the next match if he sticks to his form card. The Hawks scored first at 20 minutes in, seeming to have the momentum in the match until Spruitland scored two goals two minutes apart at 50 and 52 minutes. Lamoni didn't score again until the 89th minute, when Julio Litz shot one into the upper right corner, just making it past the other team's goalie. The Hawks will face FLMS allies Falcania next, and the people who come up with the AOCAF match odds tell us that Lamoni is VERY HEAVILY favored, as Falcania makes it's AOCAF debut. It is even rumored that President Stone might make a bet with King Falcon over the outcome of this match, but information on this is sketchy at best. Lamoni - 2 Erik Wirtz (20), Julio Litz (89) Spruitland - 2 (50,52) |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 5 2005, 08:37 PM |
| Location: aboard airline flight from Bedistan to Sarzonia Coach John Fisk sat in his seat on the flight to Sarzonia for the Jastica National Team's second game. He was still ticked about losing the first one. The goal by the Bedistan forward in the early stages of the second half was all the excitement in the game on the field at least. Thankfully the Bedistan fans were entertaining as they pelted his players with projectiles from time to time though he smiled as he thought of the one fan he drilled at the end of the game with a full cup of beer. Shame to waste the beer he thought to himself but man was it worth it as he waved while the fan was restrained by police from attacking Fisk on the field after being hit. Fisk sat relaxed in his seat as he noticed Frank Shant in a seat on the plane a few rows up. Fisk called out to him, 'Hey Shant!' Frank Shant turned and looked at his coach, Shant's nose covered in bandages from the punch Fisk had thrown prior to them getting on the plane. Fisk smiled. 'Tell you what, that interview you had this morning finally won me over, you can play tomorrow assuming your nose heals in time'. Shant glared at his coach angrily then turned back as Fisk howled in laughter still remembering the shock on Shant's face as he gave him an uppercut breaking his nose prior to the flight. |
| Posted by: Bettia Sep 6 2005, 08:46 AM |
| Dear diary... Wow... one match in and we're still unbeaten! All in all, our boys gave a pretty good account of themselves considering our general recent crapness. Spent most of the morning in the city centre just taking in some of the sights whilst trying to keep Silli entertained and Tiddles on her lead. We got a few wierd looks from the locals - I guess aroras aren't that common over here. We started with our usual 4-2-4 formation, with Rosensteihl, Harding, York and Teague up front, and a few high balls over their five-man midfield caused a few early problems. A long diagonal ball from Omar saw Judson bearing down on goal - unfortunately for him Comstock made up some good ground and managed to nick the ball away before he could shoot. Still, that didn't deter us and we scored about ten minutes before half-time. It came after Rosey had a shot parried away for a corner, from which the ball was floated to the far post. John Harding headed the ball down for Husni who was lurking around the penalty spot, who blasted the ball through the crowd of players to make 1-0 to the Aroras. Nicely done... and it was his first goal for Bettia too. So half-time came, and I took it upon myself to sample some of the tea. Big mistake - the people here must have leaden stomachs if they drink that stuff regularly. At least the crisps took the taste away. Sarzonia's half-time tea must've been much better cos they were by far the stronger team at the beginning of the second half. Roy Spencer and Steve Sanderson both had a few good chances which Amir just about managed to save. Unluckily he couldn't do much about their equaliser, a cheeky 30-yard lob courtesy of their lone striker. Things looked to get even worse late on when we conceded a penalty thanks to a clumsy tackle by Michael Ryder. Thankfully Amir was well on top of his game and he saved Spencer's penalty rather easily. Ah well, next up are Hypocria. They got beaten for the second time in a row by Vilita, although that probably won't help us much. An early goal might do the trick. It seems the FAB took notice of my suggestion about taking keyboard lessons... they called me after the match just to play the piano down the phone. Ha-di-bloody-ha. Sarzonia 1 (Spencer 62) Bettia 1 (Teague 36) MD1: Sarzonia 1-1 Bettia MD2: Hypocria vs Bettia MD3: Bettia vs Jastica MD4: Bedistan vs Bettia MD5: Vilita vs Bettia |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 6 2005, 10:11 AM |
| Mauled by the Jungle Cats Hypocria started AOCAF X just how they ended IX, with defeat to Vilita. Four years ago the defeat came in the final. Hopefully this loss won’t be quite as costly. Hypocria 0 - 2 Vilita “They were better than us it’s that simple.”, Gregory Vidal, one half of Hypocria’s managerial duo, said later having watched his two game winning strike come to an end. And that pretty much sums it up as the Hyppos never really looked like avenging that final defeat four years ago. Kindelan was by far the busier of the two keepers over the ninety minutes and had to pick the ball out of the net in each half as the Jungle Cats started of their campaign to retain their title with a win. It was Danny West who wasted the Hyppo’s best chance when he shot straight at the keeper after being played through by Baxter shortly after the Vilitan opener. Baxter came close himself when his freekick went narrowly wide but they were the best moments of a largely one sided first half. The second half was slightly more even and debutants Ashley Deucher and Alex Rytter carved out Hypocria’s best chance after playing a neat one-two on the edge of the box which ended with Rytter forcing a good save from the Vilitan keeper. But after the Jungle Cats scored their second the win was never in doubt although substitute Dospel came close to reducing the deficit with an injury time header which hit the crossbar. “That defeat really puts pressure on for the Bettia match”, Vidal went on to say. “We probably go into that game as favourites considering the rankings and the Arora’s poor form in the competition but being favourites has done us no favours lately. But it is a local derby so it should be an exciting game and hopefully we can come out on top.” In the other Group 3 games Sarzonia and Bettia fought out a 1 - 1 draw while tournament debutants Jastica put up a creditable performance against Bedistan before eventually falling 1 - 0. |
| Posted by: Bedistan Sep 6 2005, 11:37 AM |
| bsd - the bedistan sports digest Not pretty, but we'll take it PORT LUSAMBO -- Akoki Stadium in Port Lusambo hosted Bedistan's opening match in the tenth Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football yesterday against Jastica. The final score in that match was 1-0 in the Lions' favor, which many think of as a rather narrow win against such unheralded opposition. Keep in mind, though, that Bedistan's best players are away in Druida competing in World Cup XXIV, leaving the B-squad to negotiate the AOCAF in an extremely tough group including Vilita, Sarzonia, and Bettia. Bettia is in fact a bigger threat here than would appear on paper, mainly because they didn't quite qualify for the World Cup, enabling them to field a somewhat stronger AOCAF side (though the effect may be negligible since they'll still be competing in the Cup of Harmony). All in all, expect this to be the most exciting group in this edition of the AOCAF, and definitely don't expect the Lions to run away with it. finalscore Bedistan 1 (Valentín 53) Jastica 0 |
| Posted by: Hockey Canada Sep 6 2005, 11:59 AM |
| Canucks get jump on Crystils The AOCAFX is going pretty good for the Hockey Canadians this year as they send their World Cup team as well as Mike Ko who was injured in the World Cup. Crystilakere played Hockey Canada in what was expected to be a blowout win for the Crystils. What people didn't expect was the massive threat of Evgeni Zimin who played brilliantly to get the win. Thomas played in the game but didn't seem to get much action between the pipes, nor the Canuck defense at all for that matter. Zimin began pressing right from the opening whistle when he took possession of the ball for what seemed like hours. Weaving his way through the Crystilakere defense making quick drives or passes when needed. His effort was rewarded in the 29th minute when he made a quick move on a Crystilakere defenseman to break in alone on the Crystilakere keeper. A punt to the left side of the keeper and the Canucks were up 1-nil going into the half. Zimin put the game away late in the second half when a penalty kick was awarded tot he Hockey Canadians when a hand ball that was questioned by the Crystilakere players and coaching staff but rejected by officials. Zimin was surprised to take the kick but didn't fail the team or the country when he nailed the ball high and hard into the top corner of the Crystilakere net giving the canucks breathing room and the surprise win. Hockey Canada- 2 (Zimin 29, 86 PK) Crystilakere- 0 Overview Crystilakere: A good, strong team that should advance to the next round. Other teams in the group could take down this Group 2 giant but we'll see. (Especially with Hockey Canada's surprise win) Krytenia: After suffering a draw to The Lowland Clans, Krytenia better get their act together if they hope for a next round berth or even a shot at the championship. Look for them to perform better and better as the tournement wears on. Nedalia: Off to a great start with a 2-0 win over Oliverry, Nedalia looks like the team to beat this early in the tournement. As the tournement continues, expect Nedalia to be the dark horse. The Lowland Clans: Not expected to do much this tournement but be bottom-feeders, The Lowland Clans will just have to hope for the bext in this AOCAF and hope for the best. Oliverry: Will be at the bottom and eaten up more than sturgeon, Oliverry can really pray for a few points to keep some dignity. It may come though; at a price. Predicted: 1- Krytenia 2- Crystilakere 3- Hockey Canada 4- Nedalia 5- The Lowland Clans 6- Oliverry |
| Posted by: Spruitland Sep 6 2005, 03:38 PM |
| Promising start Lamoni – Spruitland: 2 – 2 With a draw against Lamoni, AOCAF X started off much better for the Spruitland Wegional Wabbits than AOCAF IX did. In fact, already the Wabbits are doing better than in their debut regional tournament, where they only managed to get one point in total, and only scored one goal. This fine result is perhaps slightly surprising, since this year’s AOCAF team is hardly any more experienced than the team that participated in AOCAF IX. Ben Thorsen returns as team captain, and Asa Noegel was the starting left back for the Baptism of Fire and World Cup 23 Qualifying, but other than that, the team mostly consists of young up-and-comers with very few caps, or bench-sitters-if-they’re-lucky with very few caps. Still, the Spruitland B-squad battled bravely, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 1-2 lead in the second half with two goals in quick succession, one by Thorsen and one by right winger Carlo Nicols. A late Lamoni goal evened the score, but the draw is certainly a promising result. The next opponent will be Pedriana, and coach Pete Peeters hopes the team will be able to repeat this good performance. Peeters, who recently retired his playing career as left back for the Sativa Stoners, was a Spruitland international nine times, mostly as a substitute. He has only just been appointed as Cor Bensen’s assistant, and immediately got thrown into the fray, taking charge of the AOCAF team while Bensen and the Spruitland A squad are in Krytenia for the World Cup 24 Finals. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 6 2005, 03:40 PM |
| The 'Right' Way To Start Left-wing destroys Pedrian resistance Some astute tactical re-planning at half-time gave Starblaydia the edge over a nervy Pedriana side as both youth and experience scored for Starblaydia to set them off on the path to a shot at a fourth AOCAF title. Old stager (he is 31 now, after all) Dimitri Steliopolous surged his way down the left-hand side in a neat passing move that involved most of the Starblaydi midfield and left the captain with a simple tap-in just after half time. Perfectly to plan, it seemed, though not 'Lord-Manager' Van Honjiik's plan, apparently. Young Lazaro Rivera's goal, on the other hand - his first in senior international play - was rather special. From outside the penalty area he looked up and placed the ball perfectly out of the Pedrian keeper's reach, rippling the back of the net beautifully. The fact he'd missed a fair few chances before that didnt help either. Final Score: Starblaydia 2 - 0 Pedriana (Steliopolous 47, Rivera 58) - (none) |
| Posted by: Fmjphoenix Sep 6 2005, 03:42 PM |
| Sharp nets hat trick, Rams win opener with a shutout Bennie Sharp scored three goals in the second half to end a 0-0 draw and propel the Fmjphoenix Rams into a 3-0 victory over Falcania. During the first half, both squads seemed in disarray, as neither team got any movement. Bad passes lead to lots of turnovers that lead to more bad plays and just kept on going. Neither team looked liked they wanted to get anything going at all in the first half. But Sharp came out in the second half looking to dice things up. A header off of a rebounded shot produced the 1st goal in the 58th minute. An awarded penelty in the 73rd minute was sent home by Sharp with a powerful shot to the left. Finally, Sharp completed the day off with his third and final in the 86th minute. A cross from Laura Boyd found its way to the right side of the net for the 3-0 lead and victory. A good and solid victory by the Rams. Now Fmjphoenix gets to play Starblaydia in yet another matchup in the rivalry that all started in the U21WC. Fmjphoenix 3 - 0 Falcania Fmj: Sharp - 58, 73, 86 Fal: None |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 6 2005, 04:13 PM |
| Hawks 0 - Falcania 0 In a most abnormal result, the Hawks have scored their second draw of AOCAF X, and while they didn't score, their opponents didn't score either. Given the Hawks AOCAF rating, this is most abnormal indeed. Coach Emilio Vargas was livid at the result. "How could THIS have happened!! We had them outgunned, outclassed, and even outpracticed!!! This will not happen again on my watch!" Luckily, cooler heads prevailed, and the coach eventually calmed down. The Hawks face group rivals Starblaydia next, in what is expected to be a huge loss. The best thing for Lamoni would be to win it's final two matches against Pedriana and hosts FMJPhoenix. That MIGHT get them to the knockouts if Spruitland loses enough games, or if the goal difference in the Lamonian victories will turn out to be enough. Lamoni - 0 Falcania - 0 |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 6 2005, 06:57 PM |
| Hawks Running Scared! Vikings and Sprouts now Starblaydia's competition As Starblaydia drew One-All with the hosts of the tournament in a hostile stadium, the Group D Pretenders, Lamoni's Hawks, were drawing 0-0 with Falcania, of all places. At the top of the table sit Fmjphoenix, Starblaydia and Spruitland but, somehow, Lamoni and their two draws sit fourth after two matches and are now expecting to be trashed by Starblaydia when the two on-paper biggest sides in the Group meet tomorrow. Final Score: Starblaydia 1 - 1 Fmjphoenix (Diaz-Arca 32) - (Sharp 29) |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 6 2005, 07:02 PM |
| Location: aboard regional flight from Sarzonia to Bettia. Goaltender Luke Fields came up to coach John Fisk in his seat and started to talk, 'hey coach, sorry about today. Not sure what happened really, I never expected that Spencer guy to be so rough around the goal. Figured the ref woulda called him on his second goal on me when he pushed me off, but hey coach I stopped him 5 other times.' Coach John Fisk just looked at his goalie and then noted after looking away out the window, 'I told you to watch that guy. Instead you let the bugger score two goals in the first 15 minutes on you. Then the third goal by Sanderson before the 25th minute well I figure you know why you were pulled then. I shoulda pulled you earlier and given backup goalie Harry Colon a shot to win the game for us. He played brilliant for the rest of the match he was in though too bad it was over then.' Fields laughed, 'come on coach, he didn't have as much problems as me cause by then they played more defens...' Fisk cut him off, 'Colon stopped the goals he needed too. Just cause the score was 3-0 when we put him in at the 23rd minute isn't his fault, he did what he had to, you didn't. Next time keep alert to the situation around you, got it'. Fields walked off in disgust while noting as he walked away, 'I am always alert to everything around me' The rest of the his teammates giggled along with coach Fisk when Fields sat in his seat, since Fields had been oblivious to the fact that while he was talking to Coach Fisk, a few teammates had poured crazy glue on his seat. The rest of the flight was filled with laughter as Fields was cursing from his chair asking who did it, while his teammates would pipe up humourously on occasion, 'sorry Fields didn't see who did it, you are the most alert person here so figured you would see who did it.' |
| Posted by: Spruitland Sep 7 2005, 12:36 AM |
| Wabbits aim for second round Pedriana – Spruitland: 0 – 1 The Wegional Wabbits are setting an example which the World Cup squad will hopefully be able to follow soon. After a fine draw against Lamoni, they now managed Spruitland’s first ever AOCAF victory. The opponent, now immortalized in a paragraph in Spruitland’s sports history books, was Pedriana, one of the teams in the group that coach Peeters was determined to do well against. “Today’s win was vital,” Peeters says. “Obviously we’re not one of the favorites to advance to the next round, but that doesn’t mean we don’t stand a chance. We’ll need a bit of luck if we want to sneak into third place, but so far we’re on schedule. We held Lamoni to a draw, and Falcania just did the same. If we manage to beat Falcania, we have a decent chance of hanging on to third in the last two tough matches.” Sounds good in theory, but the Wabbits may have to raise their game a bit to achieve that, though. Despite coming away with three points, the win against Pedriana was far from convincing, and only a nicely placed direct free kick from Eduard Haacht made the difference. “We’ll be ready,” veteran striker and team captain Ben Thorsen says. “True, this wasn’t exactly a smashing win, but let’s not forget who we played here today. These guys have some Bedistani genes, and we all know what they can do on a football field once they’re passed 21. So if you really think about it, we just won from the former World Champions’ distant – and perhaps slightly backwards - cousins. That’s a pretty nice accomplishment. After this, Falcania, Starblaydia and Fmjphoenix should be a walk in the park.” Pedriana – Spruitland: 0 – 1 0-1 Haacht (73’) |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 7 2005, 09:42 AM |
| Stars get four out of six points Following the Sarzonian second choice national team's two matches against the teams expected to be the weakest of the six sides that make up Group 3 of the 10th Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football, Coach Chris Trautwig could be somewhat pleased at the results. His Stars earned four standings points out of a possible six against a tough Bettia side and a Jastica side playing for the first time in this tournament. However, Trautwig wasn't even slightly pleased. "We should have gotten the full six," Trautwig fumed. "We were caught off guard against Bettia and we let up after going up 3-0 on Jastica. We're going to have to do a heck of a lot better than that against Vilita." Somewhere, Dave Wilson must be smiling. His assistant coach for two World Cup bids was starting to sound more like him. Trautwig chose to ignore the 25 minute span that saw Sarzonia take a 3-0 lead over Jastica that could have been much more if not for major lineup changes by the Jastican coach. Instead, he focused on the team trailing to Bettia 1-0 until getting an equalising goal late in the match and on the fact Sarzonia misfired when they had opportunities to put the game away against Jastica. "We've got the top team in our group coming up," Trautwig said. "I can't overstate the importance of this match." After their battle with the Jungle Cats, the Stars (1-1-0, four points, second place Group 3) face Hypocria, then close out group play with archrival Bedistan. "We're now well into the meat of our schedule," Trautwig said. "This is where the lads have to earn their stripes. Vilita's not just going to hand us three points. We're going to have to go in and take them. Hypocria's going to be tough, and we're bringing the brass knuckles to the Bedistan match." Trautwig wouldn't confirm reports that the players were planning to don battle fatigues for their match against Bedistan, saying that "there's a real war going on right now. It'd be disrespectful to the men and women of our armed forces to pretend we're going to war when we're playing a football game." But he said the description that some Sarzonian media were painting the match against Bedistan, as "The Street Fight," was "rather apt. "That's possibly the new signature rivalry in Atlantian Oceania," Trautwig said. "Redskins-Cowboys was nothing like this," he added, referring to the old gridball rivalry between teams representing Washington, D.C. and Dallas. |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 7 2005, 10:21 AM | ||
| Bettia Beaten The pressure was on Hypocria ahead of the derby game against western neighbours Bettia following defeat to Vilita on matchday 1. The opening day defeat was not entirely unexpected but it left the Hyppos at the foot of the Group 3 table and in need of a good performance to kick start their AOCAF campaign. Fortunately the players delivered just that. Hypocria 2 - 0 Bettia West (2) Playing an attacking 4-2-4 formation Bettia made a number of early chances. John Harding, scorer of the winning goal the only other occasion the two nations have met, headed wide and Judson York was denied by a good save from his Pylos Reavers teammate Ricardo Kindelan. As the half progressed the Hyppos gradually got into the game and began to take advantage of the gaps left by the Arora’s attacking tactics. Danny West wasted the best change when he hit Marshall’s centre high and wide. Marcus Baxter, fresh from an excellent season in Bettia’s Apex League, hit a long range effort narrowly over the bar and Nalepka headed a Baxter freekick straight at Bettison as the first half finished goalless. The second half didn’t stay goalless for very long and the goal came thanks to a huge slice of luck. Rytter found West just outside the Bettian box, the Sporting Mayo striker turned and fired goalwards but the shot took a wicked deflection off Arora defender Redpath which helped it past the keeper. Deucher missed a good chance to double the lead before Harding came close to an equaliser with another header. Nalepka was doing a good job of keeping his club teammate York quiet but Teague broke through the Hyppo’s backline only to see his effort beat the keeper but hit the post. The second goal was a killer. Baxter released Marshall down the right and the talented winger drilled the ball across the face of goal for West to turn in and secure three points for Hypocria. In the other group matches holders Vilita maintained their 100% record with a win, by the odd goal in five, over Bedistan while debutants Jastica were given a stern lesson by Sarzonia, the Stars eventually winning 3 - 0. HFA Anger at Bedistan Snub Hypocria FA chief Alex Scott has reacted angrily to an AOCAF report that featured in Bedistani sports publication the Bedistan Sports Digest.
“Vilita, Sarzonia and Bettia? Aren’t they forgetting someone? Don’t get me wrong they’re three excellent sides but I don’t recall seeing Vilita, Sarzonia and Bettia or Bedistan for that matter in the AOCAF final in Cockbill Street. Actually, scratch that bit about Vilita, but the rest of my point still stands. And this part about Bettia being the bigger threat because they don’t have World Cup commitments. Sure Bettia didn’t qualify for the finals but we failed to qualify long before the Aroras, so there. And we’ve already beaten Bettia in this competition. Rest assured this article will be pinned to the changing room wall ahead of our match with Bedistan.” Strong words from the HFA there. Will they inspire the Hyppos to victory over Bedistan on matchday 3 or will they come back to haunt us? Our money’s on option two. |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 7 2005, 02:51 PM |
| Hawks see red at Starblaydi accusation of 'running.' After being implied as cowards, and actually being called 'pretenders' by the Starblaydi media, the Hawks released a scathing statement condeming the Starblaydi media. Legal action is being contemplated as well, the statement continues. It is hoped by many that these insults by Starblaydia will rally the Hawks to a win over the less intelligent, yet arrogant Starblaydi side. When interviewed Coach Vargas basically told us where the Starblaydis could stick their insults. For the sake of journalistic decency, we won't repeat what he said. Lamoni will be running a 3-4-3 diamond formation in this particular match, which is a departure from the typical Lamonian way of playing football. It is also one more sign that Lamoni will not give in to idle insults. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 7 2005, 04:08 PM |
| "That is, without doubt, the funniest Press Release I have ever seen," Lord Van Honjiik said, putting down the paper handed to him by an assistant, "I haven't seen a team so unnerved by a combination of bad results and mind games since... ever, in fact. We've won three AOCAFs to their none and we're 'arrogant', I love it." "What's your plan to deal with their odd 3-4-3 with a diamond?" Captain Dimitri Steliopolous was more concerned with the antics on-pitch than those off it. "Our 4-4-2 Diamond is equipped to deal with anything!" 'Lord-Manager' Van Honjiik - as the Starblaydi press had labelled him - didn't seem to know a whole lot about football. Dimitri blinked a few times and walked out, leaving the Minister for Sport to his pre-match gloating. Back out on the training pitch - somewhere he'd never seen the Minister before - he assembled the team. "Right," he said, "I want a solid defence and a white-hot midfield. Come at them hard and fast for the first fifteen minutes. Keep the ball, overrun their empty midfield and do whatever it takes to keep the ball away from their forwards. Keiran, you'll be crucial in this, so just to what you do best." The thirty-five year old terror of midfielders up and down Cockbill Street nodded. He was the cornerstone of the team, holding the midfield. "Laz, Cherry, Menny, Raul," Stelios turned his gaze to the younger, forward-minded players, this'll be tough. You keep your head and keep your feet. Anyone dumb enough to get booked early on from a rush of blood to the head and a two-footed tackle will have to answer to me. Got it?" The youngsters nodded. "Right, shuttle runs. Let's go!" |
| Posted by: Hockey Canada Sep 7 2005, 05:28 PM |
| Hockey Canada draw Lowland Clans In a game which saw absolutely no action on both sides of the pitch, Hockey canada and Lowland Clans ran to a boring zero-zero draw. The shots were even on both sides and saw hardly any good scoring chances. The Canucks even got a crossbar shot but so did the Lowland Clans giving Hockey Canada fans no real reason to cheer about. With the next game against fellow first-place ranked Nedalia, Hockey Canada will go for a win and to get three points up on the Lions. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 7 2005, 06:19 PM |
| Sweet Cherry Fells Lamoni Hawks overrun in opening minutes Boy oh boy did Starblaydia come out of the blocks with a vengeance against Lamoni in this match. Winning the coin-toss and electing to kick-off, the only Lamonian touches of the ball in the opening few minutes were panicky clearances and last-ditch tackles. The Hawk's new 3-4-3 Diamond was ripped apart for thirteen whole minutes, and they could count themselves lucky to only be down by a single goal before they got their collective finger out and played proper football. "That went exactly to plan," said the elated Garcia after the match, "we knew we could boss them around in our two-thirds of the pitch and we did, so it was only a matter of time before we scored. Luckily for me I was on the end of it." With Lamoni's replication of the traditional Starblaydi 4-4-2 Diamond yeilding little result so far for the Hawks, this 3-4-3 seemed somewhat of a desperate gamble but has led to snake-eyes for the men in red and blue, earning just two points from three matches. Winless and five points behind joint-leaders Fmjphoenix and Starblaydia, Lamoni will surely be hoping to try and bump Spruitland and Falcania for the third post in this group, qualifying for the knockout stage through the back door. Meanwhile Starblaydia's second-finest tie the Rams of Fmjphoenix on points but are behind on goal difference. Conceeding one goal in three matches is not enough to give Starblaydia the lead yet, as their four goals in three games pails in comparison to the home-team's self-confessed surprising tally of seven. Spruitland and Falcania are Starblaydia's next opponents and the men (and woman) in white-and-purple will be looking to better any results that the hosts have in their remaining games, to take the Group Winners berth and a free ride through the first knock-out round. Final Score: Starblaydia 1 - 0 Lamoni (Garcia 8) - (none) |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 7 2005, 07:17 PM |
| Hawks go up against Pedriana next After a 1-0 loss to Starblaydia, the Hawks have simply shrugged that match off and are really getting ready for the upcoming match against last place Pedriana. Pedriana has yet to do anything but lose, and if the Hawks can win this match, they will be able to carry the momentum against their final opponent, hosts FMJPhoenix. The Hawks will continue to use the new 3-4-3 diamond formation, which reduced the Starblaydi margin of victory to one goal; which is a noteworthy achievement indeed. The Hawks have always been good at come from behind (in the standings) rallies, and this will likely turn out to be just such a case for the Hawks. Lamoni - 0 Starblaydia - 1 (8) |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 7 2005, 09:38 PM |
| Location: Aboard flight from Bettia to Vilita Coach Fisk was watching the tapes in his airplane seat on his laptop of the game earlier in the afternoon. He then looked at the rankings and cursed. One of his players looked at him and asked waht was wrong. Coach Fisk without looking noted that, 'someone poured salt in my coffee when I wasnt looking and we play the top two teams in our pool tomorrow and the following day'. Both individuals were then interrupted by the sound of one of the players screaming as he ran out of the lavatory naked into the plane. Coach Fisk shook his head as the other player just noted to him, 'ah I see someone found the liquid heat I put on the toilet seats the hard way' As the commotion died down Fisk thought to himself that stunts like these might be why his team could not even score a goal during the games. |
| Posted by: Falcania Sep 8 2005, 02:38 PM | ||
| It's official: We don't suck as badly as we thought! Football Fans everywhere from the wilds of Jayla, to the educated superiority of Featbridge, to deepest darkest downtown Mathdon were astounded today as the matchday 3 standings were announced. It would appear that the rank outsiders in the region, our very own Mathdon Falcons representing Falcania, are currently ranked joint-third with Spruitland. This amazing state of affairs came about largely due to Falcania's excellent performance earlier today, against said team.
Caption: The astounding table today. The match got off with a good start, with our keeper getting plenty of action, as the unsuccessful, yet painfully powerful shots of Harry Ooyevaar bounced off his body one after the other. The solid defence locked tight, and Ooyevaar and Thorsen were repulsed for long enough to get the ball into midfield play, where Jonathan Mayhew picked up the untended ball and passed it through to the Falcons' resident Goal Machine, Silas Miller, who promptly thwashed it past a flummoxed Tristan Verelst. The rest of the first half proceeded without incident. After a quick pot of tea, the Falcons were all set for what would become a sterling second half. At first, the Falcons had it a bit tough, with Torsten Prins landing a solid foot in the thigh of Falcanian midfielder Chris Tamplin, who was stretchered off. Rowan Clapp danced in to replace him on those magical feet of his. Those feet got good use, as he slithered around Noegel and Budts and tapped home the winner a few minutes before the final whistle went. FINAL SCORES: Falcania: 2 (Miller, 35; Clapp, 88) Spruitland: 0 |
| Posted by: Spruitland Sep 8 2005, 03:03 PM |
| Ouch Spruitland – Falcania: 0 – 2 With a painful defeat by what was before the start considered the ‘whipping team’ of the group, the Spruitland Wegional Wabbits more than likely blew their chance of advancing to the second round. The Falcanians out-ran, out-maneuvered and out-scored the Wabbits, and the two-nil final score was by no means undeserved. “We got cocky,” coach Pete Peeters explains it. “We were already looking ahead to the last two group games, and dismissed Falcania as an easy opponent. That was a mistake, their draw against Lamoni should have been a clear warning. Now we’ll have to try and take points against Starblaydia and Fmjphoenix, and that’s not gonna be easy.” Host nation Fmjphoenix is up next, leaving Starblaydia for the last matchday. In both cases a draw would be a good result, but the Wabbits do not intend to field a defensive squad. “It’s tempting,” Peeters says, “I was a defender back in my days, after all. But scoring goals is still the best way to try and get points. For a moment I considered trying something totally excotic to try and confuse the opposition, like Lamoni did with their 3-4-3 diamond, but I think it’s still best to stick with our standard line-up and just give it all we’ve got.” |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 8 2005, 03:36 PM |
| Bedistan Beaten Too Hypocria’s players have responded in the best possible way after the opening day defeat to reigning champions Vilita. Two wins in the next two games have lifted the Hyppos from sixth to second in Group 3. It means that qualification to the next round is now a real possibility but is no certainty as every other team in the group is still in contention. Vilita lead the rest with 7 points from their three games. The Hyppos are next a point further back. Sarzonia have 5 points, Bettia 4 and Bedistan 3. Even Jastica, who have yet to register their first AOCAF point, may have a chance in they win their two remaining games. Although with the champions up next that seems unlikely. Hypocria 2 - 0 Bedistan West Marshall There will be some smug looks in the offices of the HFA back in Hypocrium after this result after the Bedistani media had overlooked Hypocria in their AOCAF coverage. Perhaps that inspired the players or perhaps they simply played better than their opponents? Who can say? What is certain is that first half goals from West and Marshall and a strong defensive performance in the second half saw Hypocria move above Bedistan and matchday 4 opponents Sarzonia into second place. In the other group games leaders Vilita battled out a 1 - 1 draw with Sarzonia while Bettia finally got their first ever AOCAF victory at the expense of tournament newcomers Jastica. The results still leave everything to play for going into the fourth round of matches. Vilita look certain of 3 points against goalless Jastica, Bettia will be confident ahead of their derby game with Bedistan after their first win and Hypocria have a tough match against Sarzonia. No doubt the Hypocria players will be out to show Stars coach Chris Trautwig just what they can do as he could be joining the Hyppo’s backroom staff after the World Cup. |
| Posted by: Fmjphoenix Sep 8 2005, 04:31 PM |
| Rams put three past Pedriana, still on top by goal difference In what has been a plesant suprise, the Fmjphoenix Rams, the regional squad, has been playing at a high level. Bennie Sharp, Brian Dougood and Laura Boyd each scored a goal against the Bedistani colony, which was more than enough to cover the goal that Pedriana scored. Sharp put the Rams up in the 8th minute with his powerful kick that sailed past the keeper without any problem. 5 minutes later came the equalizer form Pedriana, but it would not be enough. Boyd would get her goal in before the end of the first half. A yellow card from a Pedriana challenge gave Boyd a free shot that she capitalized on in the 42nd minute. Dougood's shot didn't come until much later in the match. After a lot of running up and down the field a misplayed pass was gotten to by Dougood and he managed to fire one from 20 feet from the right side for the 3-1 in the 81st minute that would hold out until the match was finished. Next up for the Rams is Spruitland. Fmjphoenix 3 Pedriana 1 Fmj: Sharp 8, Boyd 42, Dougood 81 Ped: Forward 13 |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 8 2005, 04:42 PM |
| Stars tangle with Cats, 1-1 Before the 10th AOCAF tournament began, the Sarzonian second choice national team knew that it would have to earn a quality result against a Vilita side that has set a standard in the Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football. While other countries, namely NEWI Cefn Druids and Starblaydia have AOCAF glory, the Stars have one trip to the finals in spite of an early history of advancing to the semifinals in five straight trips. Sarzonia kept its hopes of advancing to the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw against a Vilita side that joined the ranks of teams Sarzonia has a strong dislike for with antics before the Cup began. The match saw more fouls (50) than usual in a Jungle Cats-Stars match, with each side losing a player to red cards, but Coach Chris Trautwig said the match was a statement. "Absolutely," Trautwig said. "We were embarrassed by not even advancing past the group stage in the previous AOCAF and we wanted to show the region we were serious about this tournament." Sarzonia showed it was serious in spite of a war that has dominated headlines throughout the nation. It showed it was serious, most likely, by its reaction to a report the Stars were being kicked out of the tournament in favour of a new country. The Stars set a team record by drawing 29 fouls, many of them aggressive fouls against the Vilitan skill players. "Several of their guys are going to be waking up with bruises tomorrow morning," forward Roy Spencer, who scored the team's goal in the 23rd minute after Vilita jumped on top in the ninth. "But we're going to be missing some guys." Spencer drew a yellow card for a hard tackle in midfield that he said was lucky wasn't a red card, but goalkeeper Margo Taglianetti drew the red card for punching Vilita's top forward. Tom Beneditti will get the start and assistant coach Troy Perkins will servre as the reserve goalkeeper. "Marco just didn't keep his head," Perkins said. "That may cost us a game against Bedistan." |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 8 2005, 06:18 PM |
| Class Proves The Difference Starblaydia leap to top of group Young star Raul Diaz-Arca and aging veteran Syku Lyku-Agbayani were both on the scoresheet today as Starblaydia defeated newcomers Falcania and took their place as Group-Leaders thanks to the Rams slipping up against Spruitland. Diaz-Arca opened the scoring on twenty-eight minutes as he met a beautifully-curled Cherry Garcia cross with his head and bulleting it past Callum Welch in the Falcons' net. Half-Rejistanian veteran Lyku-Agbayani came on as a substitute and scored the goal that put the game firmly beyond the Mathdon side as he broke through and converted a defence-splitting pass from Menecrates by rounding the 'keeper and tapping in from close range. Starblaydia now require just a draw in their final grouop match against Spruitland to ensure they go through as top of the group, though a win would signal their intent to take a fourth title back from the claw-like grasp of Vilita. Final Score: Starblaydia 2 - 0 Falcania (Diaz-Arca 28, Lyku-Agbyani 73) - (none) |
| Posted by: Jastica Sep 8 2005, 07:20 PM |
| OOC: What do I do, just was told that unlike World Cup games, here the host nation actually hosts the round robin games. Is it possible that they do not host mine? I would change the posts so that they all happened at a hotel or something but I cant even edit my posts so was hoping that is acceptable. *groans* NOTE: Don't change the past posts, just make a swing out of it and adjust now NOTE #2: In the World Cup, all matches are played in the host nation. |
| Posted by: Spruitland Sep 9 2005, 12:00 AM |
| Back in with a shout! Fmjphoenix – Spruitland: 0 – 1 The match against Fmjphoenix was an important one for the Wabbits if they wanted to stay in the running for third place, and they did not disappoint – though admittedly, they got a little help from the Rams. Perhaps the Fmjphoenix players had a bit of a heavy breakfast, or perhaps they were inspired by their Under-21 team’s new playing style – in any case, their attacks were surprisingly few and far between, which gave Spruitland enough breathing room to try and set up their own combinations. Those weren’t always successful – in fact, most weren’t, as the Fmjphoenician defense was more than up to the task. But occasionally the Wabbits managed to break through to create half a chance, and persistence eventually paid off. Substitute striker Edmund Kidder managed to pop up in the right place at the right time to put his foot against the ball and score the winning goal, fifteen minutes before the end. This slightly surprising victory gives the Wabbits a decent chance to advance to the second round, though not quite as decent as the standings might suggest at first glance. Spruitland now sits seemingly comfortable at third place – tied on points for second, even – with three points more than the number 4 with one match to go, but they still might come up just short. If the Wabbits lose against Starblaydia – which is certainly not inconceivable – and fourth placed Falcania wins against Pedriana – also not inconceivable – there’s a good chance Falcania will take third place on goal difference. Only if both matches end with only one goal difference could Spruitland hang on to third, in that case. So the task is simple, at least to put into words - executing it will be another matter entirely: get at least one point against Starblaydia. “It’s certainly not impossible,” team captain Ben Thorsen says. “We’ve done it before, we can do it again. We’ll be cheering for Pedriana just the same though.” Fmjphoenix – Spruitland: 0 – 1 0-1 Kidder (76’) |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 9 2005, 12:17 AM |
| Stars can't adjust to Hyppos, 2-0 Chris Trautwig wanted to make a statement to his future employers. With two potential employers watching the match between the Sarzonian second choice national football team and the Hypocria side that will be coached by legendary Sarzonian field boss Dave Wilson. Unfortunately, the only "statement" emanating from the Stars on the pitch was a thud. Sarzonia played "the worst game I've ever seen," according to Trautwig, and dropped a 2-0 decision to Hypocria, damaging the team's chances to advance to the groups stage in the 10th Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football. Sarzonia didn't do itself any favours in the match, as they were playing a reserve goalkeeper (Tom Beneditti) and several field players due to yellow card or red card suspensions). Even assistant coach Troy Perkins, a former Sarzonian national team goalkeeper, suited up as the reserve goalkeeper. But the team played like it hadn't even met each other before the match, let alone played together. "I don't think I've ever been around a football team that has played that poorly wearing the navy and white," Trautwig said. "That was an insult to national team football. I don't care whether it's first time or ninth team." Sarzonia must have known the match wasn't going to go their way when they lost possession of the opening kickoff and conceded a shot on goal just 45 seconds in. Three minutes later, Beneditto was caught unawares as West pounded home the first of his two goals and Trautwig was off the bench and pacing the sidelines. At the 32nd minute mark, West found the range again and Trautwig "seriously considered" pulling Beneditto in favour of Perkins. Beneditto eventually settled down and made six saves, but by then, the match had long since been decided. "We've got one game left," Trautwig said. "And we'd better be ready to play or some heads will roll." |
| Posted by: Bettia Sep 9 2005, 04:53 AM |
| Dear diary... It would've appeared that normal service had been resumed. Yes, Hypocria beat us thanks to a second-half Danny West brace, and they could've had more. Last time around we were the deserved winners, but this time they were well on top right from the kick-off. I guess they were fired up after losing to Vilita, and decided to take out their frustrations on us. So there we were thinking "Here we go again... Bettia = AOCAF whipping boys". But then the unbelievable happened... we won. That's right dear diary, our barren run has at last come to an end thanks to our very first win in this competition... the sky's the limit from here! We have Badr Warlow to thank for that - he's certainly a bit handy with a free kick, as Jastica's keeper found out. He was so busy marshalling his defence that he didn't notice Badr curl the ball around the wall until it was too late. A vicious little shot he has too... I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of that, I tell you. And so we went into the fourth match against Bedistan feeling rather confident that we could get some sort of revenge for their doing the double over us in the World Cuop. Our boys were soon brought back down to earth as the Lions B squad went in front after quarter of an hour. Still, to our credit our heads didn't go down as it has done so much recently, and the lads kept pluggin away. Of course, Bettians prefer the more melodramatic side of footy, and so true to form the equaliser came quite late in the game thanks to a blistering run down the left hand side by Judson York, followed by a shot from the corner of the box which somehow swung inside the near post. And so we come into our last game with an outside chance of qualifying for the second round. Unfortunately we have to get past Vilita first. Oh bugger. Hypocria 2 (West 53 87) Bettia 0 Bettia 1 (Warlow 21) Jastica 0 Bedistan 1 (Greene 15) Bettia 1 (York 76) MD1: Sarzonia 1-1 Bettia MD2: Hypocria 2-0 Bettia MD3: Bettia 1-0 Jastica MD4: Bedistan 1-1 Bettia MD5: Vilita vs Bettia |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 9 2005, 06:35 AM |
| Hyppos Qualify! If Dave Wilson, Sarzonia’s World Cup coach, had fancied watching a bit of football he may well have tuned in to Sarzonia’s AOCAF game with Hypocria. If he did he probably had mixed feelings about the result. He may have seen a performance from his nation’s B side that has been labelled as an “insult to national team football” but he also saw evidence that suggests the side he inherits after the World Cup should be in pretty good shape. Hypocria 2 - 0 Sarzonia West(2) Once again it was Sporting Mayo striker Danny West who was Hypocria’s goal scoring hero as he bagged another brace, his fourth and fifth goals of the tournament, to down highly rated Sarzonia and secure the Hyppos passage into the next round. There is still a chance that Hypocria could bypass the second round altogether and go straight into the quarter finals but that is dependant on finishing top of the group. To top the group the Hyppos will have to better Vilita’s result. Vilita have a tricky match up against Bettia who, despite their poor record in the competition overall, have only been beaten once this time around and still harbour their own hopes of finishing third. On paper Hypocria have a much more straight forward task against new boys Jastica. But considering the national side’s recent form against unranked nations, a trend the Under-21 side are continuing, victory is a long way from being certain. In the other games Vilita edged past Jastica by a single goal win to stay top. Jastica remain at the bottom with no points and no goals. Hypocria join Vilita in the later stages but third place is still up for grabs after Bettia and Bedistan drew 1 - 1. That leaves Sarzonia in third place with 5 points but only above Bettia on goal difference. Bedistan are still in the mix too being just a point further back. Expect real fireworks when Bedistan and Sarzonia meet tonight. |
| Posted by: Lamoni Sep 9 2005, 05:18 PM |
| Another loss In surprising bad run for the Lamonians in AOCAF X, the Hawks lost 1-2 to Pedriana, slipping to the bottom of the group. The Hawks are not expected to qualify, which would be a disasterous second for the Hawks. The Hawks will be facing hosts FMJPhoenix next, and will be playing for nothing more than pride at this point. Lamoni - 1 Julio Litz (80) Pedriana - 2 (20, 21) |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 10 2005, 12:27 AM |
| Stars slam Lions, set to face hosts The easy part of the Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football tournament is over for the Sarzonian second choice national team. The Stars clinched the third of three berths in the knockout stages by defeating Bedistan 2-0 in a continuation of a fierce World Cup rivalry and sent the Lions packing. Jenna Raven and Roy Spencer scored the goals for the Stars, one at the beginning of the match and one at the very end, and goalkeeper Marco Taglianetti looked sharp after his one match suspension, turning aside five Lions shots en route to the clean sheet. "It was important for us to respond after losing against Hypocria," Coach Chris Trautwig said. "We needed to handle adversity and we did just that." The Stars (2-2-1) did that despite being fouled 28 times by the Lions, who played like a team that was looking for revenge for yet another loss in the late stages of World Cup finals competition. The Stars committed only 11 fouls, choosing to heed their coach's advice to "let our play get our revenge for us." The Stars dominated possession against the Lions, holding the ball in the Bedistani offensive third for 42 minutes, while the Lions only managed 29 minutes in the Sarzonian third. The Stars face hosts Fmjphoenix in the second round matchup with the winners to face Starblaydia, a team the Stars have considered their bogey team in the AOCAF tournament. The Stars have never beaten Starblaydia in several tries in AOCAF play, but strangely, the Stars have never lost to Starblaydia in World Cup fixtures. However, Trautwig said his team was focusing squarely on Fmjphoenix. "They're the host nation and we'd be foolish to let ourselves get distracted," he said. "We've got a tough road to the championship, but if we want to lift the Cup, we've got to take that road." |
| Posted by: Falcania Sep 10 2005, 12:33 AM |
| Turns out we suck after all The performance of the Falcons today took a turn for the worse. We had been doing solidly in the tournament, and won our first ever game against Spruitland. However, the 2-0 defeat from Starblaydia shook us, and although victory against Pedriana was entirely possible, the shaken Falcons went down again this morning. It started out fairly level, with both sides playing well in midfield. Nobody seemed able to break through the Falcanian defence. Then, near the end of the first half, a lucky header managed to fly over the grasping hands of the Falcanian keeper, Welch. Galvanised by a pot of tea and some crumpets, the Falcons went back out in force, with another supreme goal from Silas Miller, for whom this has been a tournament to remember. After this much-needed goal, the entire Falcons side changed their formation, making 3 substitutions to make their team a 2-5-3. This heavily attacking formation would have made an impact, but an attacker broke through the midfield and recieved the ball. Screaming for offside, the Falcanian team could only watch as the referee made the controversial decision of allowing the ball, and as the attacker huzzed past the two defenders and thudded it past an oncoming Welch, Falcanians around the stadium knew they were going home. FINAL SCORES: Falcania: 1 (Miller, 52) Pedriana: 2 (41;85) |
| Posted by: Hypocria Sep 10 2005, 04:53 AM |
| That’s Jast Typical Hypocrian fans were once again left scratching their heads as they watched their side lose yet another game they should have won. They saw it in the World Cup qualifiers and they saw it in the Under-21 Cup, in which the Hyppos were number 2 seeds and still finished bottom below three unranked teams. Now they’ve seen it in the AOCAF too as, despite wins over Bettia, Bedistan and Sarzonia, goalless and pointless Jastica proved too good. Hypocria 0 - 1 Jastica You didn’t need to be a World Cup winning coach to see the problem. Hypocria registered 21shots at the Jastican goal but only 5 of those shots actually troubled Luke Field. At the other end Ricardo Kindelan was having a relatively quiet day during his fiftieth game for the national side until Jastica won a corner midway through the second half. Sandervessie whipped in a wicked delivery and defender Vasher rose completely unmarked in the centre to head past Kindelan and score Jastica’s first ever AOCAF goal. A first goal that helped Jastica to a first AOCAF win. “I had no idea who I was marking”, defender Karl Nalepka said after the match. “They don’t have squad numbers! Who doesn’t wear squad numbers? What are they? Communists?” Poor result yes but the Hyppos still finish second in the group, a mere 4 points behind Vilita, and now face the third placed team in Group 4 in the second round. That team are Spruitland. The Hyppos and the Wabbits once again renew the rivalry that started at the Baptism of Fire, continued into the Under-21 tournaments and now round 5 takes place in the AOCAF. Unfortunately it’s Spruitland who have the edge in the previous encounters with a shootout win in the BoF semi final and a 5 - 0 hammering in the final of Under-21 World Cup 18. The Hyppos managed an extra time victory in the third place playoff of U21 World Cup 17 and there’s a hard fought draw in the group stage of the BoF just for good measure. “There’s nothing the public enjoy more than a win over the Spruits”, co-coach Vidal said. “We’ve lost to them in two huge games and we’re going all out to ensure this will not be the third.” Second Round Predictions Druida v Crystilakere The Crystils surprisingly finished behind both Nedalia and Hockey Canada in their group. Druida topped Group 1 until the final round of matches when they were held by bottom side Nojika which let Cockbill Street take first place. Crystilakere to advance but not by much. Hockey Canada v Nova Britannicus The Canucks seem to like the AOCAF but the Starblaydi colony are no pushovers. This one could go to extra time and maybe penalties but the Bluebirds should just edge it. Hypocria v Spruitland You need to ask? Besides, it’s our turn. Move along. Fmjphoenix v Sarzonia The Stars would like nothing better than an AOCAF trophy to add to their list of honours. But, Fmjphoenix are on their home turf. With the vocal home crowd behind them the Vikings will advance to take part in a potenial game of the tournament against Starblaydia in the quarters. |
| Posted by: Hockey Canada Sep 10 2005, 02:46 PM |
| Thank you 'Verry much There were definately some doubts that Hockey Canada would even register a threat in Group 2 in this AOCAF, but it turned out that they could prove to be a threat to any team in this tournement. The next team on Hockey Canada's hit-list is Nova Britannicus, who finished in third place in Group 1 but not without a challenge. Nova Britannicus is a good team (Starblaydi colony at that) meaning Hockey Canada will celebrate a giant-killing or get knocked out of the tournement. Canucks- 4 Oliverry- 2 The game opened relatively smooth for the Hockey Canadians with three early goals from Vaughn, who was replacing an injured Ko. Kulkarni with two goals on a free kick. The game seemed to be pretty boring from the first half onwards except for an Oliverrian goal scored in the 23rd minute when a striker broke in on Marx beating him to the right side of the net. The second half was equally as boring but not for the drunken Hockey Canadian fans. Kulkarni got his hattrick on once again a feww kick as well as the Oliverrian striker who notched his second goal on Marx. Hockey Canada played rough injuring a few players on the opposition but nothing out of the ordinary. Hockey Canada fans streaked and streaked after the final whistle. Hockey Canada- Vaughn (2), Kulkarni (5, 14, 61) Oliverry- Francois (23, 76) Second Round Predictions Druida v Crystilakere Druida finished pretty good in Group 1 but have been known to drop the odd game. Crystilakere on the other hand even dropped a game to Hockey Canada. This game will be tight but we predict Druida will win in descisive fashion. Hockey Canada v Nova Britannicus Canucks and Bluebirds in this game. Some people asked "what the hell is a Canuck?" we can proudly say we have no freakin' idea. On the game however, we predict we'll win but just barely. Hypocria v Spruitland Hypocria predicted us to lose but we may not go down so fast. Them on the other hand with Spruitland will be yet another close matchup. We predict Hypocria to win barely. Fmjphoenix v Sarzonia Two very good nations against each other early in the competition means that the fans will want to watch this big game. Sarzonia has momentum but so does Fmjphoenix. We predict the hosts should win with high attack power. |
| Posted by: Fmjphoenix Sep 10 2005, 03:00 PM |
| Dougood puts lone goal in, puts Rams into second round With only a few minutes left on the clock, Brian Dougood knew his team needed a boost. And he knew just how to give it to them. With only 1 minute remaining on the clock, Dougood dove down and headed the ball over the Lamoni goalkeeper to put the Rams up 1-0 and a 3-1-1 record in the qualifying round. But the Rams are now focusing on the important matchup against Sarzonia. The Rams have never gotten past the second round of the AOCAF yet, and they would like this to be the first time. "We are playing home, and that makes it all the more important. Sarzonia has a great team, but we wanna prove that we have a great team also. This is only the first step." Laura Boyd told reporteds after the match. Lamoni 0 Fmjphoenix 1 Lam - None Fmj - Dougood 89 |
| Posted by: Nedalia Sep 10 2005, 06:36 PM |
| Undefeated Lions Cruise to Quarters, Draw Nova Britannicus Having to juggle time between the World Cup and the AOCAF Cup is no easy task, but manager Randy Gamman has managed to accomplish that goal with resounding success. Granted, players are inevitably rested, but Gamman has been able to put out most of the Nedalian starting eleven without complaints of being overworked by the players. The results have been better than expected. The Group Stage looked to be a difficult one, with Krytenia, Crystilakere, Hockey Canada, Oliverry, and The Lowland Clans all accomplished (and in some cases, downright legendary) teams. However, it was the Lions that topped the group, winning 4 of their 5 matches, with the only draw coming against Crystilakere in a 1 - 1 match that saw substitute Bader Tayarra score a blistering shot that has to go down as one of the goals of the tournament. The group stage was capped off by a sensational 1 - 0 victory for the Lions over their northern neighbors, Krytenia, with the winning goal coming in the 73rd minute enroute of the wonderkid Tim James. After cruising through a difficult group stage, the Nedalians now have their eyes firmly set on bringing home their first AOCAF Cup, to go along with their U21 World Cup championship and their Cup of Harmony champion title. A difficult task indeed, but not one the Lions feel is out of reach. |
| Posted by: Fmjphoenix Sep 11 2005, 03:15 PM |
| Rams get luck against Sarzonia, prepare to play Starblaydia again It couldnt be finished in normal time. Extra time could not solve the struggle. But when the penelty kicks came, the Rams luck continued, Sarzonia's didnt. Bennie Sharp netted the lone goal for the Rams during normal play, and the penelties made by Kayla Mik'ala and Karin Shelia made sure that the Rams get at least one more match out of this. Next up is Starblaydia. They played Starblaydia during the group stages and the teams drew 1-1. This time though, no draw will be available. Its up to the young players on the Rams to step up and produce. Sarzonia 1 Fmjphoenix 1 1:1 AET 2:3 APK Sar: Roy Spencer 13, PK Fmj: Bennie Sharp 74, Kayla Mik'ala PK, Karin Shelia PK |
| Posted by: Vilita Sep 11 2005, 03:24 PM |
| Stokks Challenges League Mates Vilitan midfielder Malovar Stokks has challenged his Spruitish league mates ahead of their Quarter Final clash in the AOCAF X tournament in Fmjphoenix. The Vilitans are defending champions of the tournament, having had an arguably easy path to the title last time out, defeating Nedalia and Hypocria to clinch the title. Last cups finalist's Hypocria have since gone out of the tournament at the hands of the bunnies who will try and pip the defending champions and break the big three's stronghold on the tournament title. "I think they're going to be fired up for the match, in fact, they'll probably be hopping around, being bunnies and all. But I know a bunch of them, I've played with some of them and know them from the dressing rooms, then theres a bunch of others i've marked and come face to face with from time to time'' Stokks said about his counterparts. "So I think it's been helpful in prepartion for the game, we've got a bunch of leaders on the squad, in fact, a real bunch of them, Calaesa Mitaroka, Jaloey Afrikka, Mauro Baraza - your not gonna find a more experienced bunch to lead us to the title here and I think that experience is something a bunch of the other teams are lacking. Calaesa and Jaloey know the game real well being head coaches in the Vilitan league, so they can really take a look at it from both sides of the ball. I don't know how much of a look I'll get in the match if any, but I know I've been able to help the guys at least by telling them what to expect when they come up against certain players." |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Sep 11 2005, 10:26 PM |
| Hosts slip past Stars in penalties For Chris Trautwig, the ending couldn't have been any harder. His second choice Sarzonian national team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Roy Spencer's penalty kick, but Spencer missed a chance to keep his team alive in penalties after his team played 120 hard-fought minutes and sent the Stars home after coming on the short end of a 3:2 scoreline in the penalty round after regulation and extra time both ended 1:1. "What can you say," Trautwig said after his team dominated possession and outshot the hosts, by 71 minutes to 49 minutes of possession and 19-12 in shots. "We fought our guts out the entire match but they were just a little bit better than we were in the penalties round. Sometimes, the better team doesn't walk away with the win." Whether the Stars were the better team or not could have been debated, but what couldn't was the team's tiring during the last 20 minutes of the match. Fmjphoenix seemed to find its legs during a brief 10 minute flurry that culminated in Bennie Sharp's 74th minute marker for the Rams and Trautwig had already used his three substitutions for defensive players. "I told the guys to start playing more attack-minded football at the beginning of the first overtime," Trautwig said. "We had to change our formation with Roy getting a little tired and we played a 4-4-2 with guys who aren't suited to that formation. That was probably a rookie coaching mistake on my part." Regardless of where the blame could be cast, whether on Trautwig or on the boot of Roy Spencer, the team is heading home empty-handed in a tournament that used to be kind to them. Outgoing national team coach Dave Wilson said he didn't think the team should send its first choice team to compete in AOCAF, even during a long layoff, calling the experience the players earn "vital." "If we sent our first choice side, those lads would be dragging during the World Cup and during AOCAF. We can't afford to do that to our lads, especially without a Under 21 national team." Trautwig said after the game that he was joining Dave Wilson in Hypocria to serve as one of the Hyppos' assistants. He also dropped a bombshell: Former Under 21 national team coach Cal Trottier would come out of retirement to join Barry Owens on the sidelines as the new Stars' assistant. "Cal's been itching to get back into coaching, and I nearly had him with me coaching this team," Trautwig said. "He's going to work with the seniors now." |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 12 2005, 08:07 AM |
| Teal and Purple All Over Starblaydia face Vilita in Semi There are a lot of shades of green in this competition to play Starblaydia. Pedriana, Fmjphoenix, Spruitland and now Vilita. Two regular-greens, a flourescent-putrescent green and now a teal green. If only Starblaydia had as many white kits with purple, mauve and magenta trim to give a graphical artist who knows his colour wheel a field day. Alas, for them, Starblaydia's white-and-purple are off on at least one more adventure. Three times out of nine, Starblaydia have won the AOCAF. NEWI Cefn Druids, of course, have four, while Vilita have two. With the demise of the Druidish nation, the second AOCAF 10 Semi-Final will be between the the most-successful current nations in the competition's history. That's a helluva prospect. So what if its not for the title, like it has been twice before. Starblaydia versus Vilita at anything is an enticing prospect, one of the great moments in sport. And not only from a kit-design perspective. The mutual, er, lets say 'respect' between the nations gives Starblaydia-Vilita (or, for the sake of neutrality, Vilita-Starblaydia) matches some of the highest viewing figures in the world, never mind the region. Don' forget, of course, the other Semi-Final. Druida, the successors to NEWI Cefn Druids, are always lurking in the shadows, while AOCAF9's second-most surprising team, 3rd Placed Nedalia, are there too. One would expect the AOCAF 10 Winner and Third-Placed team to come from this side of the draw, but you never know when there's a va'takil around. Whatever they are. Final Matchday 5 Score: Starblaydia 2 - 2 Spruitland (Reynaldo 56, Diaz-Arca 72) - (Ooyevaar 13, Noegel 47) Final Quarter-Final Score: Starblaydia 2 - 1 Fmjphoenix (Menecrates 6, Garcia 50) - (Cordova 62) |
| Posted by: Vilita Sep 12 2005, 10:21 AM |
| (Somewhere inside the magic Vilitan press building...) "Akalinai! Where the flying hell are my stats!!!" Some important looking guy started screaming at the top of his lungs, "Look at this you incompetent nimcumfrat we're already in the damn semi-finals of the frigatin regional tournament you blasted noob swaggler and i dont even know who scored the first damn goal of the damn freaking tournament. WHERES MY STATS TROUT WANKER!" Mr. Akalinai was a reserved fellow who had been hired just a few months earlier with the promise of upgrading the entire operating system at the press national. Once the upgrades were complete, things were supposed to run as smooth as water over a young jungle kitties tail. However, things weren't going so smoothly for Akalinai at the moment, being pressured to get the system online as matches were being played and not getting reported by the press national. "Akalinai!" the important looking guy screamed again, "Stats Akalinai!, STATS!" Finally, Akalinai had enough. This guy had been screaming at him for days on end, and Mr. Akalinai had begun to wonder whether it was really a man at all, instead contemplating the odds that this important looking guy was simply a robot programmed to scream 'stats akalinai, stats!'. Akalinai approached the questionable figure who once again insisted on receiving stats. "You know what" Akalinai said in a calm voice, "I don't have your bloody stats, and do you want to know why I don't have your bloody stinking stats? Because someone in this bloody brilliant place didnt install all the correct bloody software on the new bloody servers, and you know what else? Since they decided to order the servers from freaking Bob's Island to save on labor, all the bloody software is still in bloody Bob's Island. So guess what? Until someone gets their fat ass over to Bob's Island and gets me the bloody freaking software I need to get the bloody freaking servers working right, we aren't going to have any bloody freaking stats, got it robot?" The important looking guy looked confused, likely at being called a robot which it was now clear he certainly was not, but he then looked at Akalinai in a more sociable manner. "Akalinai, you got some nerve. You really got some nerve. I'll check on that software, but until then, what do we do about the stats?" Akalinai did not like the end of that sentance. In fact, he told the important looking guy to pull the stats out of his ass for all he cared, and then he walked away. |
| Posted by: Nedalia Sep 12 2005, 12:51 PM |
| Lions in Second Straight Semi Appearance While many Lions fans would suggest that the World Cup victories are what counts, you would be hard pressed to find someone in Nedalia who isnt excited about the prospect of winning the AOCAF Cup. Of all the teams in the Semi-Finals, it is Nedalia that is least favored, a role the Lions are quite used to. "We've been overlooked over and over again. Last time around, we placed 3rd in the competition, not an easy feat considering the outrageous amount of talented teams in this region. This year is no exception. You got Starblaydia, Vilita, and Druida. The road to the championship doesnt get any tougher than that. We got to come out with all Nedalian guns blazing like we did last match if we want to stand a chance," commented manager Randy Gamman. Indeed, the Quarter-Final matchup against Nova Britannicus showed Nedalian attacking prowess, flair, and efficiency at near its best. The defense didnt make one mistake, and the two goals were scored quite flamboyantly by the ever impressive Nene. They also happened to be the only goals of the match, with Nedalia sealing off the win in style, with the scoreline reading 2 - 0. So now the Lions face the World Cup hosting Druidian national side. One of the most storied teams in the region. Heavily favored to win. Which has many Nedalians thinking that the edge belongs to their side. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 12 2005, 06:35 PM | ||||
| Black and Blue All Over All that brawling and a football match broke out Did someone give us tickets to watch the annual Vilita/Starblaydia punch-up with a side order of football-kicking? This game was brutal, to put it mildly, and we're lucky there was no obvious access to weapons, it was that bad. Every player, let me say that again with some emphasis, EVERY PLAYER was yellow-carded. Not a single one of the 21 men (and Cherry Garcia) escaped a caution from the referee, nary a one.
It didn't take long for the referee to start wearing down the graphite in his pencil as Alex Vidal was booked for the very first challenge of the game. He brought down Mitaroka after 40 seconds, and the referee decided he was having none of that and promptly carded the Starblaydi right-back. Obwinyi then got in on the action with a revenge-tackle on Vidal that earned the first Vilitan card of the game, immediately followed by Joey Afrikka's explosive four-letter-strewn outburst for his reaction to the card. Three bookings inside three minutes, and it was only going to get worse. Starblaydi defensive-player Keiran Rabalais scythed down the advancing Contall Rumaoa. The Starblaydi was booked for the challenge, as was the Jhanna City player for requesting a card for his opponent with an unsporting gesture. Then a small scuffle kicked off, involving Rumaoa and Ncube 'versus' Isiah Sodek and Menecrates. Thankfully for Vilita, the Liga Starblaydia Midfielder of the Year Season 6 was not to blame, just the other three players. No prizes for guessing they were all booked. 8 bookings and no shots-on-target in the first half was not a good start. For observers of the game like us, who have watched and commented for many years, you can see where this was going. The referee, unfortunately, could not. Isiah Sodek, now knowing the Final or Third-Placed match would not feature him due to his second yellow of the knock-out part of the tournament, decided that he should try to make a simple defensive clearance into a 50/50 ball. We shan't go into the details, but Sodek got his marching orders for a second yellow and Vilitan defender Alfieri was shown a yellow card for some reason too. Then, then, after 24 minutes, the first clear-cut opportunity for either side. Raul Diaz-Arca received an excellent pass from Menecrates and laid it off to the advancing Lazaro Rivera. Laz, unfortunately, thought it better to pretend he'd just been on the end of some kind of sniper fire, and went tumbling along the grass after a vague challenge from Hinds. Rivera was booked, and also was resigned to missing the next Starblaydi match. Hind's over-use of 'you cheating little so-and-so' was also worthy of a booking, despite 'so-and-so' not being one of the 'Ten Words You Can't Say On Phoenician TV'. Perhaps it was for intent, who knew? Sugar! Ten minutes later, Vilitan great Thierry Columbo was shown a yellow card for asking the referee "Are you on crack?" Great detective work there, Thierry, you're in the book. Ten minutes to go in the second half and only nine players had not been booked. At the sound of the half-time whistle, there were four less of that number. Jhanna City's Vilitan offensive starlet Rumaoa was again involved, as he broke through the Starblaydi offside-trap and into the penalty area to be tugged back by Terrenson. Booking for Terrenson. Beleiving a Rumaoa dive, Starblaydi players surrounded and intimidated the card-happy Ref, and he was only too happy to dish out some more. Diaz-Arca, Jaegar and Steliopolous - rather uncharacteristically for the Starblaydi and Veles Captain - were all in the mix and so all received cards. Of course we're forgetting the penalty-kick. Well, as Vilita's scoreline was '0', it wouldn't take Theirry Columbo to figure out that it was missed - an excellent save low down to his left from Lai Ncube. Thankfully the Starblaydi celebrations were subdued and no further bookings - or shots, mind you - occured during the First Half. After hoping that the half-time break had been given over to calming down the players, it only seemed to be a fifteen minute hyping-up session for the Managers and the two rivals came out with even more venom in their play than before. Unfortunately for Vilita's defensive lynchpin, Sanou, his venom appeared to like to live in his elbow. As he took the play down the right he lashed-out at the challenge from Rivera, felling the starblaydi. The Referee immediately brandished a yellow card but his attention was then drawn by his linesman on the near side. The Referee's Assistant flag-waver commented that the elbow was a deliberate attempt to injure 'White Eleven', so a Red Card was now forthcoming, and duly shown. Ten versus ten for the next forty-or-more minutes, Starblaydia's attack was blunted but the Regional Cats' defence was now in trouble. Of the players on the field, only the two goalies, Mitaroka, Holness and Garcia remained without-caution. That didn't take especially-long to remedy, though, as Cherry Garcia and Mitaroka got themselves into hot water, in more ways than one. Unable to stop a fine Mitaroka run, Garcia decided the best way to get her tackle in was to get her, um, sports bra out. A quick lifted-shirt and Garcia was away with the ball, not before a swift tackle from behind - 'Oo-er!', as they say in bad Britannican comedies - felled and injured Garcia. One card for ungentlemanly conduct, and another for unladylike conduct. Tits and tackle? Where could this game go next with only three players not on yellow cards? The answer was, quite blatantly, to Extra-Time, but not without a good-old 19-man brawl. It would have been 22, of course, but for the two sendings-off and the woman on the pitch. She was still involved, however. As the players threw punches and slaps and aimed shoves at each other, the remaining two Vilitans were booked - Shelton and Holness, that is - so that left only Starblaydi 'keeper "Crazy" Corominas without a booking as the 90 minutes came to a close. Extra Time came and nearly went without a goal or a yellow card, but good-old Corominas provided both. As Cherry Garcia probed down the right wing, suddenly she found a new player to pass to. Corominas had - unbeknownst to some - overlapped her on the right wing and received the ball forward. He dribbled around Jaloey Afrikka and crossed for the substitute Raphaelo. Ade Hinds, however, put the ball out for a corner. Starblaydia made it an all-or-nothing 9 vs 10 in the penalty area, and guess who the ball fell to? Got it in one, Corominas. At the near post he leapt higher than anyone else and used his head to marginally-deflect Garcia's cross into the far corner of the net, in off the underside of the bar, winning the game with no time left for Starblaydia. He was then booked for an over-exuberant celebration. You just can't win, can you? Final Score AET (FT: 0-0): Vilita 0 - 1 Starblaydia (None) - (Corominas, 120) Much more interesting, however, is the list of cautions: Bookings: Vidal (1) Obwinyi (2) Afrikka (2) Rabalais (7) Rumaoa (7) Sodek (11) Menecrates (11) NCube (11) Sodek (19) Alfieri (19) Rivera (24) Hinds (24) Columbo (34) Terrenson (41) Diaz-Arca (42) Jaegar (42) Steliopolous (42) Sanou (50) Garcia (61) Mitaroka (62) Shelton (88) Holness (88) Corminas (120) Sent Off: Sodek (19) Sanou (51) |
| Posted by: Nedalia Sep 13 2005, 06:36 AM |
| Lions Face Rumble Kings Starblaydia in Final Perennial football powerhouse vs. perennial football underdog. This is being hyped by the Nedalian media as a David vs. Goliath story, calling it one of the most enticing finals in recent AOCAF history. They do raise a valid point about the reputations of the two teams, however. Considered perhaps one of the strongest teams in the universe today (sadly, almost as famous for their lack of semi-final action in the World Cup as they are for their remarkably talented players), Starblaydia is one of the few teams that can call themselves an elite squad without much debate, if any. Their road to the Finals has not been an easy one, but they have overcame all challenges along the way, the latest victory coming in an allout brawl against Vilita, the team that has knocked Nedalia out of the last two AOCAF competitions. The Lions are a different story all together. Rapidly gaining a reputation as a team no one wants to face, their attacking power has done wonders for this squad. They are not void of championships either, having won the Cup of Harmony 15 title in a 2 - 0 victory against Hockey Canada. In fact, if it was not for their talent going forward, they would have not made it past Druida in the other Semi-Final of this competition. After Nene put two goals past Nova Britannicus in the Quarters, you would think that the player would be more respected by opposing defenses. Instead, he was given the space to roam, and he utilized it to the max. Both goals were scored by the 23 year old Inland Peaks left winger, and coupled with the continuous Nedalian offensive pressure, they pushed the game to the end, all the way to penalties. From there, Derell Lynch saved 2 penalties to book the Lions a place in the Finals of AOCAF 10. What was worrying, again, was the inconsistency of the defence. Mohammed Khadra and Cole Zenith have not clicked the way they were supposed to, despite some truly wonderful games together. They always seem to find ways to give people hope and dash it away the very next game, and this was no exception. After shutting Nova Britannicus out in grand fashion, their mistakes nearly cost Nedalia the victory against their more illustrious AO counterparts. Regardless, it will be a Nedalia vs. Starblaydia matchup in the Finals. The U21 teams know each other well, and it seems like the national sides will get to know each other a little better as well. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Sep 13 2005, 05:29 PM |
| Campeone! Campeone! Ole, Ole, Ole! Starblaydia equal Druids with Fourth AOCAF Title "I've never been more nervous at a football match before," said Starblaydia's now-victorious Manager Lord Rikaard Van Honjiik, the Minister for Sport, "it was incredible, if you could bottle that feeling you'd make a lot of money." He seems to have enjoyed himself, we should get people who have never been involved with football in their life before to manage Starblaydi teams more often. It does seem, though, that his Lordship had rather little to do with Starblaydia's triumph other than to take some of the media attention off the players and take it himself. So at least he was useful for something. Most of the actual management seems to have been taken care of by Captain Dimitri Steliopolous, Elwood Deangelo and Syku Lyku-Agbayani, the veteran players in the team. Thankfully the 'Slani' nickname of Syku is now purely ironic, as the Half-Rejistanian forward opened the scoring in the first half to give Starblaydia the lead. Nedalia's best player, Nene, drew the game level half-way through the second half but it was Starblaydia who finally emerged victorious. Though Extra Time was needed to separate these teams, it was Starblaydia's own incredible attacking youth - Menecrates - who won Starblaydia's Fourth AOCAF title with an excellent goal. Menecrates, Captain of the Under-21 side in their World Cup 19, scored the goal that thrust Starblaydia into the joint-record books, a goal that saw him buried under every other Starblaydi player on or off the field at the time. Final Score AET (FT: 1-1): Nedalia 1 - 2 Starblaydia (Nene 61) - (Lyku-Agbayani 37, Menecrates 117) |