|
 |
|
|
|
Elite Eight Preview and Predictions
Turori v Starblaydia
Despite stumbling through the group stages (including a suprising 2-0 loss to ASMV), Starblaydia shook off the rust and finished off strong, defeating Nojika 5-2 to grab the 2nd placed slot in Group B. They scored 12 goals, tied with Hypocria and Sarzonia for most in the group stages, but uncharacteristically conceded 6 goals, with careless play leading to opponents scoring. Against Turori, the AOCAF Cup's most illustrious team is going to have to take care of that problem if they wish to advance. Scoring 8 goals and conceding only 2, Turori were ruthlessly efficient in the group stages, topping Group A ahead of other heavyweights such as Vilita and Bettia. They're only loss came to Vilita in a tightly contested 2-1 affair, and outside of that match, they managed to keep 4 clean sheets. While it remains to be seen if they can stop the impressive Starblaydi attack, they will be ready and willing to pounce on any careless play their opponents might throw at them. A tough match, but Starblaydia will come out on top simply due to the sheer class they possess in their squad.
WINNER: Starblaydia
Hypocria v Vilita
The champions from Verdena are on a quest to retain their title, but they will have to get past one of the most accomplished teams in the universe, nevermind the AO. An impressive group stage run (save for the 3-0 loss to Starblaydia) saw the Hyppos qualify top of Group B, scoring an impressive 12 goals and conceding 4, with 3 of those from the Starblaydia match. The champs look in great shape, finishing off with a 3-1 victory over disappointing Fmjphoenix on the final matchday. Theyve been on top of their game offensively, but have shown an ability to choke against a big team, something which Vilita is. Despite coming in 2nd in Group A, we consider them the top team, along with Bettia, in that respective group. They defeated group leader Turori, but inconsistency across the board led to 2 draws. They scored only 4 goals, but conceded only 2. They did not lose in the group stages, and their stingy defence is going to give Hypocria problems. That being said, the Hyppos look champions, and after a very close encounter, will find their way to the semis.
WINNER: Hypocria
Sarzonia v Krytenia
Mouthwatering tie. SDL vs. SAAS. The Sarzonians topped Group C, garnering 12 goals and conceding 4, and also managed to defeat Nedalia 2-1 in the process. The Stars have been looking sharp, smart, crisp, and efficient under their new management, but face what is, so far, their toughest competition in the tournament thus far. Despite the close call against the Lions, the Stars have looked all-together convincing, with talk being that they could be the ones who will lift the trophy at the end. Before that happens, they need to get by Nedalia's northern neighbor and SAAS member, Krytenia. Despite losing 2 matches, Krytenia qualified with ease, coming in 2nd in the controversial Group D, behind Druida. Their offense was on point, scoring 8 goals in 4 games, but their defence was a little on the mediocre side, conceding 5 goals. They finished off with a great 3-1 victory of Bedistan, so they are heading to the Quarter-Finals with the right attitude. Despite the favorites being Sarzonia, we think Krytenia will pull off an upset in this one, and head to the Semis, despite them being with that "other" crew.
WINNER: Krytenia
Druida v Nedalia
The amateurs from Nedalia have looked anything but that. Coming in 2nd to Sarzonia in Group C, they conceded 4 goals and scored 11 in 5 games, with their only loss coming to the Stars. Outside of their loss, they have been hugely impressive, with fans all over Nedalia favoring them over their "superstar" team that just barely got past Collonie in their first CoH match. Nedalia were runner-ups in AOCAF 10, losing to Starblaydia in the finals, and the B-Lions are looking to emulate that run. With the way they have been playing, and taking into account their record against Druida, they would appear to be the favorites, on paper, to win this match. Druida cruised through the group stages, topping Group D with a 100% record, including a big 2-1 victory of Krytenia. They only conceded 1 goal and scored 10, and statistically, they were the most impressive team in the group stages. However, despite our head telling us otherwise, we cannot possibly go against the B-Lions on this one, and we are giving them a victory, opening up the path to the Semi-Finals
WINNER: Nedalia
This post has been edited by Nedalia on Feb 13 2006, 07:24 AM |
 |
 |
|
Nedalia |
|
Emperor in Training |
 |
|
|
|
Posts: 486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
, |
 |
|
|
|
Hyppos Through
Going into the final round of group games the Hyppos needed a win over bottom side Fmjphoenix to be assured of a place in the quarter finals. Without it there was still a change that both Andossa Se Mitrin Vega and Starblaydia could overhaul the champions.
With centreback Marius Black suspended after his red card against Starblaydia Dynamo Rasium defender Ryan Steiner came in for his international debut.
The men in blue and white came out fighting and almost scored straight from the kickoff when Deucher headed Bercali’s leftwing cross onto a post. The fans didn’t have too wait too long for the opening goal. This time Deucher and Bercali reversed roles with the striker laying the ball off for the Vilita based winger to fire a low drive past the keeper and into the net. The second goal was all Bercali’s own work. The tricky attacker skipped past a defender, cut inside and curled a fine shot past the keeper for a majestic goal.
The half time interval came and went. Ten minutes into the second half the Hyppos seemingly put the result beyond doubt when Baxter’s long range effort was parried and Deucher was left with the simplest of finishes from the rebound. It was almost four when Baxter found Bercali unmarked in the penalty area but the hat trick chance thudded into the side netting. With the match all but over the Hyppos took their foot of the gas and the Vikings got on the score sheet after a quick counter attack in the eighty first minute. But it proved to be a mere consolation.
Hypocria 3 - 1 Fmjphoenix
Hypocria are joined in the quarters by Starblaydia who stuck five past Nojika. And spare a thought for the Sea Dragons who came within a whisker of qualification only to miss out by a single point after a narrow defeat against Pacitalia.
As mentioned three points was enough to wrap up top spot in Group B. The reward? A Quarter Final match against two time AOCAF champions Vilita. Twice before we’ve met the Jungle Cats in this tournament. A goalless draw is the best result so far with the other a narrow defeat in a rather high profile match, the final of AOCAF IX. In the other matches Starblaydia take on Turori, Nedalia face Druida and Sarzonia renew their acquaintance with Krytenia.
As for predictions, well I think those chaps over in Nedalia have probably called it right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars hope to come up Aces again
CANA, Chicanada (ASP) -- Sarzonia have had an excellent run against Krytenia's national football team almost from the very beginning. After Sarzonia's initial contest against the Aces finished 2-0 in favour of the Aces, the Stars have had an excellent run against Krytenia with two wins in World Cup knockout stages in penalty kicks and one in regulation. But their run started with a shock 3-1 win over Krytenia in the first-ever AOCAF third place match.
That history did little to bring comfort to the Stars braintrust heading into the AOCAF XII quarterfinals match between these sides, the first meeting in the AOCAF tournament since Sarzonia's victory 11 tournaments ago.
"You think the law of averages is going to catch up with you sometime," Coach Dave Wilson said after the team's final training session before the Stars and Aces prepare to kick off the knockout stages with their match at West Coast Stadium. "You can never get used to dominating anyone or being dominated by anyone. Eventually, they'll get one over on us. Eventually, we'll defeat the Evil Empire [Rejistania]."
The Stars aren't taking things for granted in spite of a 4-1-0 record that was the best in the groups stage and would have given Sarzonia a number one overall seed if the playoffs were operated in a full-on seeding format.
"You don't win trophies for the best record in qualifying stages or groups stages," assistant coach Brett Hancock said. "You win trophies by being consistent throughout a tournament. That's going to be our challenge."
The Stars to a man aren't worried that a Nedalian news outlet predicted a Krytenia upset.
"We're the underdogs now," Wilson said. "That suits us just fine. No one respects the second-choice Stars. We'll go out there and earn it."
This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Feb 13 2006, 03:15 PM |
|
|
 |
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Here We Go Again
A three-one win over neighbours (and World Cup second round opponents) Bedistan has catapulted the Jacks into the quarter finals. Their opponents? Yup, you guessed it. It's time for another grudge match against the Sarzonians; this time though, Krytenia are slight favourites with the bookies to go through. The wonders of the B-teams show a lack of depth in the Sarzonian squad, and there just might be light at the end of the tunnel for the side that reached the semis four years ago. |
|
|
 |
|
Krytenia |
|
Now With Added Bekk! |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 661 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
| QUOTE (Milchama @ Feb 12 2006, 09:29 PM) | | OOC: I just didn't want you to scorinate your own team I definitely did not want you to withdraw from the tournament. |
OOC: Eh, it was a misstep on my part and was rightfully remedied. Too many Cherry Cups hosted (ok, so 2) and scorinated my own while never doing well, I guess :-p Just don't expect your team to be welcomed admirably on Chicanadan soil  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars come up Aces, again
The last thing a team wants to do is get used to losing. For the Sarzonian national football team against Krytenia, they have fortunately not had that distinction, having beaten Krytenia in every senior national team meeting since their 2-0 loss at the end of the first AOCAF group stage. Their streak against the Aces continued thanks to Brian Williams' 19th minute goal and a stingy defence that limited Krytenia to nine shots while Sarzonia fired 14.
"We came up with precisely what we needed when we needed it," assistant coach Brett Hancock said. "Brian got up real high for that header and he was all over the pitch for us the whole match."
The win over Krytenia sets up a rematch of the bitter rivalry between Sarzonia and Starblaydia that had its ugliest match in the previous AOCAF groups stage. The ugly 2-2 draw saw several red cards, including resident Blaydes goon Francisco Ibanez. Of course, technically he plays defence, but where the Stars are concerned, he's nothing but trouble.
"We know that the match against Starblaydia is going to be nothing but a blood feud," midfielder Ettore Salivani said. "It's plain as the nose on your face. We don't like them. They don't like us. It's Sarzonia v. Starblaydia. It's SDL v. SAAS. Democracy v. tyranny. Good v. evil. It's all of that."
Stars' Coach Dave Wilson tried to distance himself and his team from the comments by the Stars' biggest hothead, saying "it's going to be a tense football match, but these matches usually are." But Wilson couldn't deny the intensity of a match that saw both teams finish with nine players a side and Sarzonia play the remainder of the match down 2-0 with its coach in the showers after Hancock was shown a red card.
"I'm going to make it clear to the team that we need to keep our composure no matter what happens," Wilson said. "We're a young team and we need to make sure they don't try to get under our skin." |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Starblaydia Face Rivals Sarzonia In Semis
Tumunzahar hits two milestones, AOCAF Greats in Final Four
Starblaydia not-quite-cruised into the Semi-Finals of AOCAF12, their tenth attempt at the AOCAF title, having had a joint-record four previous championship successes in the tournament.
So far, in this Cup, whenever Starblaydia have been faced with old friends or rivals, they have come out victorious. Jade Matranga and Christian Macia sank Fmjphoenix 2-0, while a three-goal margin over reigning champions Hypocria saw goals from Lazaro Rivera, Roberto Vega and young defender Antonis Kouvas. Even a seven-goal thriller against Nojika saw Starblaydia come out 5-2 victors, with two major records set for Starblaydi football in that match.
As for the records, we'll get into that later on. Starblaydia's 'new' opponents, Pacitalia and Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, both managed to put two goals past a not-so-watertight Starblaydi defence. It would be easy to blame the sending off of 'Cisco Ibanez, the inexperience of Kouvas or the age of Hernandez, but Starblaydia just didn't perform in the games they were expected to cruise to a win. Yes, Tumunzahar and Rivera bagged a goal each to save Starblaydia's blushes against Pacitalia, but against the Vegans not a single goal was forthcoming.
Starblaydia hadn't failed to score in a match in the AOCAF for twenty-four years, an impressive record, for sure, but since that AOCAF6 Final defeat to Vilita, 2-0, Starblaydia have scored in every AOCAF match since then. Until the Vegans came a-calling in Chicanada.
Speaking of scoring, in the 5-2 against Nojika, two major landmarks were arrived at by Starblaydia's famed Dwarven striker Zhorin Tumunzahar. Firstly, his first goal - the opener - was Starblaydia's 600th goal in all senior international competitions. Then, the fifth and final Starblaydi goal of the match, to make it 5-2, was Zhorin's forty-fourth goal, equalling World Cup Committee President Simeone Di Bradini's tally of 44 for his country.
Zhorin, of course, still has two games to go before he thinks about retiring, so what chance a 45th and a new record? Sarzonia await in the Semi-Final, thanks to a Rabindra Singh goal in the Quarters against Turori. Starblaydia's line-up against the very vocal and rather insulting 'Stars' will surely be that listed below, with Ibanez returning up against his nemesis Ettore Salivani.
All Ibanez had to say on the matter was: "I'm Eeeeeeeevil." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
3rd is Best Hope For Starblaydia
Sarzonia victorious for first time in AOCAF meeting
Starblaydia, as their AOCAF victories, Under-21 title and World Cup Championship proves, have always had strength in depth. Particularly over their world and regional rivals, Sarzonia. In the entire history of the AOCAF, stetching back nearly 50 years, this is the first time that Sarzonia's Stars have defeated the Starblaydia Reserves.
Though they needed Extra Time to accomplish a 3-2 victory, Sarzonia advanced to their second AOCAF final in a row, their third overall. Without a win in their two previous Finals, Sarzonia have been defeated by the last of the great NEWI Cefn Druids sides, along with surprise Champions Hypocria. Now the Stars will face a Vilitan side who are undefeated in the competition, as are the Stars themselves.
As for the Semi-Final, Kyle Mason opened the scoring, shortly pegged back by Lazaro Rivera as he punched through the centre of Sarzonia's defence follwed by a well-taken chip past Tolliver, the keeper. Starblaydia put themselves one up through, of all people, 'Cicso Ibanez. After a goalmouth scramble from Jade Matranga's cross, Ibanez was quickest to react at the far post, throwing out a leg and knocking the ball home. His reaction to his goal, quite predictably, involved whipping his shirt of and generally abusing the closest Sarzonian players and fans. For this 'celebration' he was quite rightly booked by the Chicanadan referee.
Ibanez was taken off shortly after, replaced by wing-back Ricardo Almeida, just to ensure that Starblaydia didn't finish with 10 men. Sarzonia, however, pulled back level at 2-2 through little substitute Ryan Palmer - which turned out to be the goal that took the match to a decisive Extra Time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
STARSHOCK
Sarzonia's national football team have had many accomplishments in the time they've been in existence. The senior national team has won a world championship, a Cup of Harmony trophy, and the Baptism of Fire Cup. The now-defunct Junior Stars under 21 national team appeared in the finals of World Cup VI. But one thing the second choice Stars have never accomplished was defeating Starblaydia in AOCAF play.
That ended last night. Sarzonia's winning goal came with injury time winding down and penalties looming, courtesy of their biggest star of the AOCAF tournament, Brian Williams. He exploited a hole created by right back Ricardo Almeida overplaying Williams to the right side. Almeida's position was the one vacated by Francisco Ibanez after he was substituted out of the match. Williams fired a shot past the Starblaydi keeper seconds before the final whistle signalled a 3-2 win for Sarzonia.
"We were desperate to avoid penalties," Williams said. "I just wanted to get a good shot on net and hope for the best and when it went in, we just felt relief more than anything." The final whistle meant Sarzonia's 3-2 win in extra time was the first time the Sarzonian "B" team defeated Starblaydia, but the Stars reacted as calmly as they could be expected to considering the circumstances.
"We have one more match against Vilita and we need to win that game," assistant coach Brett Hancock said. "Dave [Wilson, the senior team's head coach] stressed the importance of focusing and winning this last match to bring the AOCAF trophy home. He said he didn't want the Stars to be the AOCAF version of the Buffalo Bills. For us to avoid that, we have to win the whole thing."
Ibanez wasn't sent off for anything he did on the field as his coaches substituted him before that happened, but as forward Kyle Mason lined up a free kick 100 minutes on, he was sent off after screaming at the referee's assistant for failing to call Williams offside. The Chicanadan referee showed Ibanez a second yellow, then red and Ibanez caused roughly $15,000 Sarzonian in damage to the area around the team. The Chicanadan football association is expected to send Ibanez the bill for the damages and if he or his football association don't pay, they're expected to file a lawsuit.
"That's just inexcusable," Coach Dave Wilson said of Ibanez's actions. "We knew he was a dirty player and he just proved it to the nth degree after that." Ibanez's ejection means he will be unavailable for the third place match. But for Sarzonia, the win means they'll face Vilita for all the marbles.
"We've been here before," Wilson said. "We've come up short twice. Now it's time to end the streak once and for all."
This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Feb 18 2006, 01:22 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Tumunzahar Denied!
No solo record for Dwarven great
Zhorin Tumunzahar, who officially retired from international football following the third-placed play-off against Druida, will forever have to share his place as Starblaydia's Number-one marksman with Simeone Di Bradini. Both of the two great players finished their careers on 44 goals. Simeone getting them from 84 appearances, with Zhorin netting his in 91 games. So ZT has the record for appearances, but must only joint-hold the record for goals.
The 0-0 scoreline did nothing for anyone's scoring records, though it took Starblaydia to a nervy penalty shootout, something that every player should experience at least once, just in case it happens again. Starblaydia, going second, smashed in all five of their penalty kicks, with Tumunzahar, Vega, Matranga, Ibanez and Santiago all hitting the back of the net.
So, Starblaydia pick up more medals for their AOCAF trophy cabinets, though missed out on a fifth, record-breaking, title. Four years time, you never know what might happen. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
STARS SHINE BRIGHTEST, 3-1
Ever since the Sarzonian national football team played its inaugural match in the very first AOCAF tournament, the Stars had never won a AOCAF tournament title in two previous attempts even though the team won a World Cup trophy. There's a first time for everything. Forward Brian Williams gave his supporters among the Partisan Drizza faithful in the Hyper League something to cheer about as he scored a hat trick to lead Sarzonia to its first-ever AOCAF title as the Stars downed Vilita 3-1.
"This trophy is for Dave Wilson. Point blank," assistant coach Brett Hancock said in a jubilant locker room following the trophy presentation and the gold medals for the championship win. "He's been here and he's had a hand in winning the last two AOCAF championships."
Wilson disagreed.
"This was Brett Hancock's doing," Wilson said. "I only addressed the team once, at his request. He was the one calling the shots for Sarzonia throughout this tournament. The record may show that I was the coach, but this was Brett Hancock all the way."
Regardless of who should receive credit, the man or men responsible for training the Stars can look at AOCAF XII with considerable pride. The team had only one draw during group play and beat the Starblaydi national team for the first time in AOCAF play en route to their championship, though they needed extra time to do that. This time, they dominated from start to finish against a team that had been their nemesis in the Jungle Cats.
Williams scored each of his goals in the first half as the Stars built a 3-0 lead heading into the halftime locker room, where Hancock delivered a stirring speech, according to now-retired forward Brian Wilson, invited into the locker room to give inspiration to the second choice Stars.
"He was exorting them to play the best 45 minutes of their lives," Brian Wilson said of Hancock. "He said, 'you never know if this is going to be your last game as a football player. You never know if what happened to Krytenia's national team is going to happen to you. If you never play another game of football, let these 45 minutes be your legacy'."
Whatever becomes Dave Wilson's legacy in his second go-round with the Stars after one world championship and a Cup of Harmony trophy with Sarzonia and a AOCAF title with Hypocria still has yet to be decided. But even if he's content to give credit to Hancock for coaching the team while being listed as an assistant coach, he can at least add an elusive AOCAF title to the team's laurels.
This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Feb 20 2006, 01:34 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
Track this topic
Receive email notification when a reply has been made to this topic and you are not active on the board.
Subscribe to this forum
Receive email notification when a new topic is posted in this forum and you are not active on the board.
Download / Print this Topic
Download this topic in different formats or view a printer friendly version.
[ Script Execution time: 0.0226 ] [ 14 queries used ] [ GZIP Enabled ]
|
Close Topic Options
