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Stars off on right foot, 3-0
by Ryan Calvin
Woodstock Daily Mail Staff Writer
A dramatic turn of events led former Stars and Hypocria national team coach Dave Wilson back to the fold as Sarzonia's national team coach. The controversy that led the Incorporated Football Federation to be placed in government receivership saw the resignation of coach Barry Owens after former IFF chairman Terry Mangione fired him and the move was rescinded by Sarzonian Vice President for Health and Athletics Jimmy Marshall.
While Wilson is listed as the head coach, the man calling the shots on the sidelines will likely be the man who led his team to an unlikely finals appearance: Forty year old coaching wunderkind Brett Hancock's team struggled through the groups stage, winning one and drawing four of the five matches in Group 2 before playing some of its best football of the tournament leading up to the 1:2 loss after extra time.
"Brett was a major reason this Stars team did as well as it did last time," Wilson said. "He got that team ready to play against us and really put in a great effort. We were fortunate to earn the result in that match. Sarzonia were an excellent team."
The team said they would name forward Kyle Mason their captain after Ettore Salivani's "unfortunate display" against Starblaydia in a 2-2 result remarkable more for the hostility between the teams than for the quality of football. Saliveri said he was "done" as a national team captain, though he would still be looked on as a leader.
"He's going to be influential," Hancock said. "He's a scrapper. He's still going to be the role model for what we hope the Stars are going to be as a group. You could do much worse than to have a team of 11 Ettore Salivanis."
For the Stars to return to the championship match and hoist a AOCAF trophy for the first time in their history, Wilson said they will have to be more consistent and follow Hancock's instructions "to the letter.
"The devil is in the details," Wilson said. "Brett and I will be working closely together throughout AOCAF and the World Cup finals. I may be the coach according to record, but in a sense, I'll be assisting Brett with this team while he helps me out with the senior team. Hopefully, we'll find a way to make this work."
If the first match were any indication, they got that off to an impressive start after Sarzonia put the finishing touches to a 3:0 win over Hiiraan. Forward Brian Williams (Partisan Drissa, Hypocria) scored two goals and Mason notched a 85th minute penalty that seemed to douse the spirit of the Hiiraanese players after a valiant effort came up short.
"We have to make sure we execute this well consistently," Hancock said. |
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Starblaydis left shaking their heads in draw
Pacitalia's senior squad shows surprising good form
Pacitalian football fans were not expecting the greatest of finishes, especially having the nation's first-ever AOCAF match against powerhouse Starblaydia, but a 2-0 Starblaydi lead ended up erased at full time as the Pacitalian national squad came into the second half refreshed by the encouraging words of manager Lindifeu Zentrescu.
"He just told us, 'Nobody is expecting you to win, so go out there and shock them'," captain Veranace d'Amantano said. "He told us to make a game of it in the very least."
That they did, as d'Amantano pocketed a superb goal in the 67th minute and saw it followed up by the equaliser, a Simone Perrotta header off a corner kick ten minutes later. The Blue Foxes held on for the 2-2 draw to the chagrin of their Starblaydi opponents. The national squad sits tied with the Starblaydis, mid-table in Group B, with one point.
The Pacitalians looked sluggish and nervous in the first twenty minutes, making costly mistakes that allowed Zhorin Tumunzahar through for the deadlock-breaking first goal of the match. The Starblaydis continued their ferocious onslaught on the Blue Fox defence, breaking through a second time with Lazaro Rivera in the 40th minute on a solid give-and-go that put the "purple, gold and white" ahead in what looked to be a commanding lead.
But it was apparently not so, for the Pacitalians returned from halftime with visible determination. Their efforts paid off, as Andreos Charisteas redirected a Mario Camoranesi pass, feeding Veranace d'Amantano, who, seconds later, lifted it past the shoulder of a charging Starblaydi keeper, Nicholas Mathias and into the top right corner of the net. The mostly-Starblaydi crowd fell silent while a substantial contingent of Pacitalian fans went absolutely wild at the thought of Pacitalia's first-ever AOCAF goal coming against an opponent widely tipped to search and destroy the Blue Foxes.
Then, ten minutes later, charging forward Ambrosino Giurimano was nearly awarded a penalty shot after a rather cheap tackle by a Franciso Ibanez. The incident happened literally centimetres outside the 22-yard box and had to be reviewed in video replay to decide whether or not to award a penalty shot. The video replay showed the incident occurred outside the box and the referee awarded Giurimano a free kick in a very dangerous position. However, the Starblaydi goalkeeper pushed it away to the right and the Pacitalians ended up with a corner kick.
Angio Fradelli curved the ball right into the six-yard box where Simone Perrotta dived forward and knocked the pass right into the heart of the net, past a scrambling Mathias who was expecting the ball to move further than it did. Starblaydi protests forced another review of the play when a defender claimed Perrotta had pulled a Maradona, handballing the ball into the net. However, from a behind-goal angle, this was disproved and the goal stood, to the chagrin of the Starblaydi team and fans.
The Federazione di Futaboli Pacitaliana (FdFP) calls the result "more than favourable".
"We are definitely pleased with the result and the effort on the part of our squad," Vice President of AOCAF Operations Mauro Maganofora said post-match. "We expect a tournament that will have tough opponents but an overall good result for our first try. Everyone knows we have the talent, but other teams have talent too. Zentrescu simply needs to strategise how to overcome that."
[Edited in some Starblaydi player names, as there was no Roster Thread up for you to find them before MD1 - Star]
This post has been edited by Starblaydia on Feb 8 2006, 04:30 AM |
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Group B
Starblaydia 2-2 Pacitalia
Hypocria 2-0 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Fmjphoenix 0-1 Nojika
ASMV entered the AOCAF12 knowing that they had but a small chance to do anything. Just look at the group. Defendinding champs Hypocria, Starblaydia, Fmjphoenix, Nojika, and Pacitalia. Loks as if we might contend for the doormat title again.
The opening match against Hypocria showed just that. Nobody on the ASMV squad did a freaking thing besides gather Hyppo Autographs. Hopefully they will show up in the next match. |
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Flipping The Bird
A less than thrilling, but functional start, for the Jacks of Krytenia as they defeated the somewhat avian Falcanian team by two to one. The Aces played the ball on the fllor well, negating the areal ability of the Falcons, and the three points put the national team two points clear of the field after just one game.
Evan Baxter and Clark Eji'a scored the goals, and the Jacks will be looking forward to their next challenge. |
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Now With Added Bekk! |
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HFA Unveil New “Dream Team”
At a press conference earlier today in Hypocrium Alex Scott, Hypocrian football's commander in chief, unveiled the three men who will hopefully lead Hypocria to sporting glory.
There was no surprise when former Pylos Reavers coach Alex Santoro was revealed as the man who will succeed Dave Wilson as national coach. Santoro’s more defensive minded approach was seen as the answer to the national side’s problems after the World Cup qualification campaign revealed a string of frailties in the Hyppos back line. He also becomes the first native coach of the national side after Starblaydia’s Guylain N’Dumbu-Nsungu and Dave Wilson of Sarzonia.
The Under-21 side is also under new management after George Burns was appointed as it’s new coach in succession to Boubacar Dragov of Crystilakere. Burns was the mastermind behind the success of little Kester Town in the Hyper League. Under his leadership the club was known nationwide for the quality of it’s youth setup. The controversial sale of Alex Rytter lead to his resignation at the beginning of last season but now he’ll be overseeing the development of the next crop of internationals.
The most unexpected appointment was that of Zvonimir Roeder. In nine years in charge of Hypocrium City Roeder led the club to five domestic league titles, including winning the inaugural Hyper League. It was after that Hyper League victory that Roeder stepped down to take a sabbatical from football. Roeder has been confirmed in a newly created post, that of Director of Football Development. As such he will be responsible for overseeing, and hopefully improving, football’s infrastructure in the Autocracy, from the Hyper League down to the school league’s.
Slaying the Sea Dragons
A first match in charge is never easy but when it’s in a tournament where your side are the defending champions the expectation levels get cranked up to a whole new level. Drawn in a group alongside AOCAF juggernauts Starblaydia, the attacking flair of Fmjphoenix and hugely talented squads from Nojika, Andossa Se Mitrin Vega and newcomers Pacitalia it will certainly be a baptism of fire for the new man in charge.
Santoro handed out debuts to three of his former Reavers’ charges and employed a defensive 4-5-1 formation in the opening game against Andossa Se Mitrin Vega. The defensive howlers of the World Cup qualifiers looked a thing of the past as the Hyppos produced a solid display to shut out the Sea Dragons. No one can doubt the talent of ASMV’s players but they seemed overawed by the occasion and goals from Ashley Deucher and Alex Rytter secured a fairly comfortable win.
Hypocria 2 - 0 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
It was a good day all round for the champions as both Starblaydia and Fmjphoenix dropped points in games they were both expected to win. Nojika could well prove to be Group B’s dark horses after beating Fmjphoenix 1 - 0. Pacitalia made their AOCAF debut against former champions Starblaydia and were widely expected to crash and burn. Surprisingly (and hilariously) the Blue Foxes came from two goals down to finish 2 - 2. Which leaves the mighty Hyppos top of Group B at this early stage. |
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Stop Takin' the Piss
Upon hearing that a B squad Lions team managed rack up a 4-1 victory against Legalese in the latest edition of the AOCAF Championship, the response around Nedalia was pretty much the same:
Get the f*** out.
The original Lions squad, led by all the best players the country can dish out, have failed to impress even the slightest in the last few tournaments they have participated in. The B-Team, made up of unknowns who dont even play in the Premier League, managed to rack up Nedalia's most impressive victory in quite a long time span. Even more shocking is how they did it.
The Lions starting lineup has barely changed the last few years, and each year they seem to sink to new lows, underachieving to degrees Nedalia could not imagine possible. A team that was supposed to be one of the most flamboyant and skillful in the region ended up being dry, boring, and unmotivated the last time we checked. In other words, the complete opposite of the team that went out and did the job against Legalese in Chicanada.
Nostalgia of when the Lions burst on to the international scene came pouring back as fans watched their "amateur" side play with the heart that Nedalia was once known for, scoring goals that were the livlihood of the team. Goal scorers Abbas Tahhan (2), Jim Smith, and Samer Ezzeddine all stated the same thing: they did it for the pride of wearing the black lion on their chest. If only the likes of Tim James, Nene, Innit Smith, Trent Hardman and co. were there to learn a few things. Perhaps then could actually be disappointed when fans start calling the so called B-Squad "the Original Lions".
This post has been edited by Nedalia on Feb 8 2006, 04:21 PM |
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Hawks lose 2-0 to The Allied Clans
In the first match of AOCAF XII, the Hawks got off to a bad start with a 2-0 loss against The Allied Clans. Even better from the perspective of the clans was that their captain, Ryley Bloudin scored the two goals of the match at 35 and 40 minutes. We can only hope that this particular Hawks squad wakes up from the curious lethargy with which they played this match, or we could be looking at competing for the doormat prize. With the likes of Sarzonia, TLC, Nedalia, Legalese, and Hiiran in Group C, the doormat prize is a real possibility.
Lamoni - 0
TLC - 2 Ryley Bloudin (35, 40) |
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Stars bag the Hawks 3-0
Just having Coach Dave Wilson returning to the fold in Sarzonia seems to be rubbing off on the second choice Stars team. After a 3-0 throttling of an overmatched Hiiraan side, the Stars faced a Lamoni Hawks side that played it to a 1-1 draw in last year's groups stage. With Wilson and Coach Brett Hancock watching closely, the Stars made sure Lamoni would offer no such drama, getting a hat trick from Brian Williams and an easy 3-0 win.
"We don't normally start out this fast," assistant coach Brett Hancock said. "We didn't hit our stride until the knockout stages began last time out. This time we've gotten off to a strong start in the AOCAF. We're just playing our brand of football and we're really playing well as a team."
The Stars (2-0-0) are behind Nedalia on goals scored as they defeated Hiiraan 3-0, driving the Hiiraanese into last place in Group C. The Lions have scored seven goals to Sarzonia's six, while the Stars have yet to concede. Both teams are level in points scored and goal difference (six each). The Stars face a reconstituted Legalese side whom Stars fans still remember defeated Sarzonia 5-2 during World Cup XVIII qualifying in a game henceforth known as The Shocker.
"We're not thinking about that," Wilson said. "We're thinking about playing the match ahead of us and getting three points. That's all we're thinking about. We can't afford to obsess about what happened in the past. That's why it's in the past."
Even with that disheartening loss in the past, the future looks bright for this team. Just don't tell Hancock.
"One game at a time," he said. "We can't take it any other way." |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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Shock! Horror! Lions Win Another One!
Apparently this "B-Lions", as they have become known, don't know about the traditions of Nedalian international teams. They dont seem to comprehend they are actually supposed to be incosistent, hugely impressive in one game and turn around to be come hugely disappointing in the next. That lesson seemed to have been skipped.
Led by unknown and obscure manager Frank Territs, the B-Lions continued their impressive form, defeating Hiiraan 3-0 after running past Legalese 4-1 in their opening game, leaving them with 6 points from 2 games. They have scored 7 goals and conceded 1, putting them top of the group, ahead of Sarzonia.
Led by striker Abbas Nehmeh, who nailed in a fabulous hat-trick, the B-Lions looked sharp from the get-go, with the so-called "amateurs from Nedalia" playing more professional than the A-Squad Lions. Calls from all around the country are increasing, asking the NFA to bring back the superstar team and sack them all together, replacing with these players who have the hunger and grit, and most importantly, the pride that was one the lifeline of the Nedalian squad.
Up next for the B-Lions is The Lowland Clans, who defeated Lamoni on Day 1, but lost to Legalese on Day 2. They have not shown any offensive consistency so far this tournament, but their defence has remained sharp and able to stop any attack. They remain a threat to any team that faces them, so the B-Lions have to come out ready to give it their all. This will be the 4th time Nedalia faces The Lowland Clans: they faced them twice during the World Cup 22 qualifiers (both losses for Nedalia), and once in the AOCAF 10, during the Group Stages. Nedalia came out on top, 1-0, thanks to a Mattan goal that game. They will be hoping for more of the same this time around. |
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GRAHAM CITY SUN - SPORTS SECTION
B-Stars Open Campaign With Upset Victory, Loss
CHINCANADA -- The B-Stars, coached by Westley Stjepan, opened up the AOCAF with a seriously surprising win over Lamoni, whose B-team hads been around for much longer and is by all accounts quite a bit better than the B-Stars. But what a performance put on by the B-Stars captain, Ryley Bloudin, the only B team member currently on the Stars national team. His skill with the ball has only deepened in his time with the national team and with Castle of Lisbon, his club team. He had two beautiful plays that simply showe dhis skill with the ball, dancing in from outside the box to blast the balls home.
Illia Krosti also played a great game at center midfield, making several beautiful long balls to Bloudin and Truchiev, who got the start for Kevin Naign, whose sill feeling under the weather from the bout flu. The Markoff brothers also played an outstanding game, which helped hold Lamoni to only a few chances all game.
Against the newly reformed nation of Legalese though, the B-Stars didn't play exactly their best game. Bloudin showed why he's still on the B-team with his inconsistent play throughout the match, and was pulled for Martinez, as the stars switched to the unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation. "I played a horrible game, and he was right to take me off," said Bloudin after the game. The Stars were in a moment of confusion about the system when Legalese scored their goal on a bad pass from Chuck Foster.
The offense, minus their best player was unable to get the spark needed for the tie. Given the strange performance of this group, the group that was once thought closed is now wide open. If the B-Stars can continue their surprising start with a tie against Nedalia and a win at Hiiraan, the Stars could be looking at a third place finish. "I believe our squad can do it," said Stjepan confidently. |
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Blue’s Out Foxed
After victory over Andossa Se Mitrin Vega the Hyppos went into the second match hopeful of another three points against unranked opposition. Unfortunately this particular unranked side happened to be Pacitalia whose players were full of confidence after holding mighty Starblaydia to a draw on matchday 1.
Alex Santoro’s side started slowly, struggling to get to grips with the Blue Foxes unorthodox formation. Unsurprisingly, considering the balance of play, the underdogs took the lead after just twelve minutes. Clearly our unfamiliarity with the “Retracted Forward” position was to blame as Andreos Charisteas burst unmarked into the penalty area and beat Kindelan with a coolly taken low drive.
The Hyppos levelled the scores five minutes before the break thanks to a large slice of luck. Bercali won a freekick twenty five yards from the Pacitalian goal. The position favoured a left footer and fullback Ricky Poskas stepped up. He struck the ball hard and it took a wicked deflection off a player in the defensive wall to totally wrong foot Cristianu Raduvani and nestle in the back of the net.
Halftime gave the coach the chance to use some choice words and the players emerged after the interval with real fire in their bellies. The Blue Foxes defended stoutly but their resistance was finally broken in the seventy eighth minute. Baxter played a beautifully weighted ball through to Deucher. The striker held the ball up before laying it off to the onrushing Rytter who drilled in his second goal in two games.
Hypocria 2 - 1 Pacitalia
Three more points keeps Hypocria on top of Group B. Starblaydia move into second place after overcoming Fmjphoenix by two goals to nil. And the Hypocrian media has seemingly put the kiss of death on Nojika. After describing the Nojikans as potential dark horses they promptly went and lost to Andossa Se Mitrin Vega. With Nojika up next hopefully that curse will last just a little longer. |
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Hawks lose to Sarzonia
So far in AOCAF XII, it looks like the Hawks squad has not even been there. We have yet to score a goal, we have yet to win a match; but at least we aren't in last place in the group. Hiiraan has the dubious honor. However that is the only good thing that can be said for this Hawks squad as they lost 3-0 to Sarzonia after forcing them to a 1-1 draw in the group stage in the last AOCAF. Brian Williams scored all three Sarzonian goals, giving him the hat trick.
Lamoni - 0
Sarzonia - 3 Brian Williams (25, 30, 35) |
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Milchama News-Today-Tommorow-Chronicle-Telegraph-Journal-Update -Register-Sun-Enquirer-Post-Gazette-Times-Picayune-Herald
Sports Section
A win and a loss
The Milchama Warriors have gotten off to an ok start in the AOCAF so far. They tied the Bedistan Lions before losing a 2-1 nailbiter to the Krytenia Aces. Coach Patrice Thibault said, "We had two good games. It is unfortunate that we were not able to pull out a win in either of these games. I think that next game we will be able to get a win."
Now would normally be the time for the daily rendition of how they scored but unfortunately it is now very close to the Milchamian elections. So we're lucky to have a report at all. Soon we might be able to provide a more detailed match report, hopefully.
This post has been edited by Milchama on Feb 9 2006, 10:32 PM |
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Hypocria comes from behind to edge Blue Foxes
Pacitalia leads early but fails to hold on
The Blue Foxes came into today's match against Hypocria feeling nothing but confidence following a 2-2 draw against powerhouse Starblaydia, but came out with a narrow 2-1 loss to defending champs Hypocria. An Andreos Charisteas goal early set the pace but the Hyppos were able to come back and score two quick goals, leading bookmakers to a collective sigh of relief.
Pacitalia drops to fourth at 0-1-1 (1 pts, 3GF, 4GA, -1GD), much better than the 0-0-2 stumblestart most fans and bookmakers were expecting. The next game comes against the Blue Foxes' top U21 sporting rival, Fmjphoenix, as the two teams attempt to pull respectable finishes off in AOCAF XII. |
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The best place on earth. |
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Milchama News-Today-Tommorow-Chronicle-Telegraph-Journal-Update -Register-Sun-Enquirer-Post-Gazette-Times-Picayune-Herald
Sports Section
Milchama apparently have played a third match
In our friendzy of election coverage we at the Milchama News-Today-Tommorow-Chronicle-Telegraph-Journal-Update -Register-Sun-Enquirer-Post-Gazette-Times-Picayune-Herald have apprently forgot a matchday. In the second matchday the Milchama Warriors beat the Falcania Falcons 2-1.
This suprising win puts the Warriors at 4 points with 2 game to go. The Warriors only trail hosts Chicanada by one point and we think they need to be in the top three to advance so we are close. Our next game is key. Just ask Coach Patrice Thibault. |
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