Printable Version of Topic Click here to view this topic in its original format

AO Forum :: > AOCAF - The AO Regional Soccer Tournament > The 23rd AOCAF Cup: RP Thread

Posted by: Krytenia Jun 29 2008, 09:25 AM

Post your RPs here.

Posted by: Starblaydia Jun 30 2008, 05:00 AM

Once More Tilting At Windmills Starblaydia aiming to slay the sixth giant AOCAF Fifteen. AOCAF Sixteen. AOCAFs Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty. Twenty-one and twenty-two, thrown in just for good measure. Starblaydia have been trying to extend their record of Five Regional Titles far longer than many nations have actually been playing football. The Fourteenth championship was the last time they lifted the trophy, when they made their own record of five times champions of Atlantian Oceania, top of the tree of this particular Confederation of Association Football. They are, still, the most successful team in the history of the largest and longest running regional tournament in the world and this will be their twenty-second attempt at the title, a challenge that they have been successful at a record five times. Now, as they cross the Bekk to the closest thing to a Home tournament since AOCAF4 - their first championship victory and also first international trophy ever - Starblaydia prepare with renewed vigour and enthusiasm having fought their way to a victorious Third Place last time around. Now, back up to a relatively high ranking of fourth in the Region, Starblaydia can offer a relatively good case for a genuine title challenge once more. Though knocked down to the pot of second seeds thanks to West Starblaydia being placed into the top pot as hosts, Starblaydia will be making it their number-one aim to leapfrog 3rd-ranked Pacitalia and qualify in first place from a group that also contains debut nation Oceaniaus and lowly Kosovoe. In fact, it could well be the final Group Stage match - where Starblaydia face Pacitalia - where the Group Winners are finally decided. It should be a simple case of these two nations going through, but in which order? Kosovoe may present some form of challenge, while the presence of Oceaniaus is really a complete unknown. Starblaydi fans will be expecting two wins and a draw, at the very least, if not a total of nine points from the Group stages. Pacitalia, of course, will be Starblaydia's greatest test of this initial stage, but should Lex Panarii's young side - with just three players aged thirty and none older - overcome the Blue Foxes there will be further dangers in the next few rounds. So, to see who and what Starblaydia may face in the following rounds, we present our totally unofficial, seemingly at-random predictor for the 23rd Atlantian Oceania Confederation of Association Football Cup... Group A Demot Lamoni West Starblaydia Septentrionia Our first upset in the first group, as we think that West Starblaydia will have a role to play in denying Lamoni a place as the A1 side, handing Demot the position of Group Winners. The plucky westerners, however, will ultimately lose out on a qualification place, though not without a tense and exciting fight to the last. Group B Starblaydia Pacitalia Kosovoe Oceaniaus Not quite by the numbers here, Starblaydia should be able to make the smallest of upsets by overcoming the minor difference in the rankings and top the group over Pacitalia, with Kosovoe and Oceaniaus nowhere. Group C Hypocria Bazalonia Milchama West Pocono Here it is by the numbers, though Bazalonia may find it tricky to out-pace Milchama for the second qualification spot. This may come down to who takes the most points from West Pocono, but former champions Hypocria should breeze this group. Group D 95X Manhattan Prime Bettia Kereca Again, going with the rankings as defending champions 95X storm through, with Manhattan Prime holding off the usual healthy challenge from Bettia's Aroras. This, however, is the group where some super-unlikely conditions may well end up rearing their heads, so if Manhattan Prime and Bettia go through because 95X couldn't hit a Kerecan cow's arse with a banjo, then don't come crying to us because your bookie has taken your money from you. Quarter Final Predictions Pacitalia to beat Demot Starblaydia to beat Lamoni Manhattan Prime to beat Hypocria 95X to beat Bazalonia Semi Final Predictions Starblaydia to beat Pacitalia 95X to beat Manhattan Prime Final Prediction Starblaydia to beat 95X How, of course, could a Starblaydi paper predict the final outcome as anything other than a victory for the white-and-purples? With the position that Starblaydia find themselves in, surging back up the regional rankings and cementing their place among the top twenty nations in the world, there is evidence to be optimistic for the first time in a good long while. Starblaydia should make the Semi-Finals as their target - the same target they had always set themselves during the glory years of Starblaydi football when the AOCAF had barely reached its teens. Hope, as always, springs eternal, and Starblaydia could well make it into a reality.

Posted by: Krytenia Jun 30 2008, 04:30 PM

Please note, for RP purposes, AOCAF Cup XXIII takes place before WCXLI. Go West, Young Men Westerners search final once more AOCAF Eight. AOCAF Nine. AOCAFs Ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen (at home), fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen (here again), eighteen, nineteen and twenty. Twenty-one and twenty-two, thrown in just for good measure. And you think it's hard to be a Starblaydi fan?!? Fifteen competitions have passed since the West's last AOCAF Cup final appearance, beaten by their eastern rivals in the long dead nation of South Osettia. Fifteen abject failures. And, let's face it, it's unlikely to be a sweet sixteen. Given top seeding by dint of being tournament hosts, the West face an uphill struggle against Demot and Lamoni for a place in the quarter-finals. Manager James Flynn is expected to name his squad tomorrow morning.

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 1 2008, 04:13 PM

OOC: This should be taken completely in jest, as I've been guilty of breaking the fourth wall on more than one or two occassions - witness my first WC squad having the very RL-based David Bentley and Samir Nasri in it, to name just the famous ones... Fictional Characters Named in Foxes Squad Online game goes too far in Pacitalia LIFE, they call it, said to be the Lame Imitation of Fair Existence, though no-one seems to really know what the acronym stands for or even if it indeed has a meaning. Sometimes referred to as 'RL', though it is beyond this reporter to tell you what that means either, it is a game which has taken up the lives of far too many residents of our nation. In Pacitalia, however, the online geekery disease has even spread to the national football association. Let me elaborate a little. LIFE, to explain properly, is an online game in which players from around the world, especially in Atlantian Oceania, imitate sovereign nations, guiding them through the perils of elections, wars, diplomacy and even sports, crazy as that sounds. One nation in this game is known as the Netherlands (a quick check of http://www.nationstates.net/Netherlands reaveals that even among the 75,025 nations in 9,163 regions on our little mudball there is no such nation as Netherlands), and they appear to be some sort of ex-colonial power with a highly liberal parliamentary democracy and a keen interest in football, with orange also being their national colour. Looking at the Blue Foxes roster brings few surprises: Giurimano, Bordellatta and Zolà being among the names we would have expected to see. Seeing a new Manager's name, one M. Van Basten, is unusual, but nothing too unlikely until we see what nation he is supposedly from. Then, it gets worse, we find that two Pacitalian players supposedly come from fictional clubs within a fictional nation! One sounds like a cleaning product and the other was at the front of the queue when they were handing out the letter 'e'. Perhaps these are all players of LIFE, and have banded together in some sort of joke at our unknowing expense. Either that or there are some hefty sports-minded internet geeks out there who want to mess with our minds. Whatever the reason, it's best left unmentioned by the rest of us.

Posted by: Lamoni Jul 2 2008, 12:55 AM

Lamoni starts the AOCAF with a bang The Hawks are off to a good start in their 20th AOCAF competition; defeating Septentrionia by a scoreline of 4-1. While the scoreline was pretty much what everyone who has had AOCAF experience would have expected (an experienced team crushing a new...ish team), for the Hawks, it is business, not personal. Three more points, and a chance to prove the Starblaydi prediction of a second place finish in Group A wrong. Group A should be interesting, with Septentrionia, W. Starblaydia, and Demot rounding out the group. Lamonian bookies see the Hawks finishing at the top of the group, with W. Starblaydia and Demot slugging it out for the second place finish; while Septentrionia might finish third if the Western version of the 'Blaydis or Demot were to fare worse than expected. In any case, this match was also the debut of the new Lamonian 'home' kit that was designed by Ediraf. Having observed them for the first time today, we must say that they look especially well done. During the practice sessions, no members of the press were invited, and there was rampant speculation of a new kit for our AOCAF squad, but no one had been able to confirm the rumors until the team came onto the field for the match. So far, the Hawks look to be in good shape for their next match against neighbors Demot, one of the higher ranked teams in Group A. This should be a good match, but end up with a Lamonian victory. After that, a final match with the AOCAF hosts will determine if Lamoni retains the top spot, which we are expecting that they will. Demot has been fairly mediocre during past AOCAFs, and W. Starblaydia should not be able to produce much of a challenge. Lamoni - 4 Septentrionia - 1

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 2 2008, 07:13 AM

Seven-Up! Starblaydia throw down the guantlet One more and it would have been a joint-record, equalling Starblaydia's 8-0 defeats of Obsidianus and Krytenia. That, however, is just about the only thing that can even approach 'disappointing' for Starblaydia about this match. Goals were shared rather neatly around Starblaydia's forward line, with one grabbing a hat-trick, her strike partner and also their newly-installed captain both bagging a goal each, too. On came Diamontii Di Bradini to nick herself a goal too, as well as an unlikely seventh from a Right-Back making his debut for the senior side. Daymon Callind found himself free in the box after just four minutes, stepping away from a defender who had his eyes on the incoming ball, from debut player Ricky England, and not on where the Starblaydi striker was. Callind, with a small leap, headed the ball down and into the net: welcome to international football, Oceaniaus. Defensive frailties were exposed a few minutes later as Lubii expertly turned past a defender to break free into the box and slot the ball under the body of the 'keeper diving at her feet. Starblaydia were already cruising, the five-time AOCAF champions showing all their experience and desire against a side playing their first international match. Starblaydia were fairly lucky at the beginning of their international adventure, as they only lost 2-1 in an away match to a vibrant Vilitan side. Here, however, the difference in class was obvious and Lex Panarii is not a man to let his side perform at anything other than 100%, so Starblaydia kept on harassing the newbie team and showed them no mercy. Lubii, in particular, had her skills on razor-sharp form as she netted two further goals to mark an excellent hat-trick, though the second and third made a sandwich of Batou Nakamura's free kick. Lubii took a right-footed volley for her second goal from a high Kuu cross, while she had to switch to her left to squeeze the ball in at the back post after a header from Callind had been saved by the goalie, palmed across the face of goal for the speedy striker to get her foot to first. The hour mark came and went and Starblaydia were five-nil up. Kuu brought out the showy tricks to keep the crowd excited, while new player England put cross after cross into the box to test the Oceaniaus defence. This proved fruitful for Di Bradini as she came on after sixty minutes for the hat-trick hero Lubii and scored after being on the pitch for just twelve minutes. Even substitute defender Peter Movalinen got on the scoresheet, making a big splash as he stabbed home a loose ball in the box that resulted from a corner. Few players - defenders especially - start their careers with a goal, but young Movalinen is one of them, and that can only help in his charge to dislodge the veteran Chang-hwa and the versatile Carlito Di Bradini in the Right-Back spot. Whatever the future, the present is Starblaydia thumping seven goals past a nation and putting down a challenge to the rest of the teams who have come to West Starblaydia to take the 23rd AOCAF Championship. Final Score from Draconium Arena: Starblaydia 7 (Seven) - 0 Oceaniaus (Callind 5, Lubii 12, 31 & 53, Nakamura 38, Di Bradini 72, Movalinen 79) - (None)

Posted by: Bazalonia Jul 2 2008, 10:13 PM

The Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football, better known as AOCAF, is well underway in 'West Starblaydia' or 'Krytenia'. I never really know what to call it now especially with Krytenian rebels starting to take various action against the West Starblaydian government. But who really cares? we're not here for the politics we're here for the soccer. The Bazacubs, the team being sent to the AOCAF while the Bazalopes face of in the 41st World Cup saw in their first match a strong performance. Demolishing new comers West Pocono at Bromham 4-0. The only other team to better this result was the Starblaydi RAWRCRUSH Machine lead by manager Lex Panarii with a performance so strong this report has run out of adjectives. A 7-0 performance, luckly for the Bazacubs the Purple Menace is in a different group. So now it's an excuse to have a look at how the various groups are going, starting with the hosts. Group A - West Starblaydia Lamoni Demot Septentrionia The only thing for certain in this group is that Septentrionia will not qualify, but even that is still possible as Lamoni and Demot drew in their first match, Western Starblaydia, Lamoni and Demot are all expected to be fighting fiercly to take the 2 spots. Although West Starblaydia is at home and is the higher ranked side (and so are obviously favourites) You can never count against the figting spirit of the Lamonian or Demotian squads. Group B - Pacitalia Starblaydia Kosovoe Oceanious It's the battle of the big guns, to be honest this group is basically already decided Pacitalia and Starblaydia (the original, and perhaps the best) will go through, the only question is, who's on top, my money is on Starblaydia. With Kosovoe and Oceanious battling to avoid the wooden spoon. Both Pacitalia and Starblaydia showed why they are amung the best in the region with strong shut-out wins. The only question is will the Blue Foxes hold out against the Purple Onslaught or will they just be road kill? Group C - Hypocria Bazalonia Milchama West Pocono In this group it's projected that Hypocria and Bazalonia will progress to the finals, however no one can rule out Milchama as a real challenger, and once again West Pocono is seen as being the whipping boys of this group. Coming up on the next matchday for the Bazacubs will play against Milchama. In which both Bazalonia and Hypocria are expected to clinch births in the Quarter Finals. The Bazacubs greatest challenge will be on the last match day of the group stage facing Hypocria, no one is sure how this will end but you can never discount the Bazacubs. Group D - 95X Manhattan Prime Bettia Kereca Another group where the last seed is not expected to have much impact on the group at all, but where it could be anyones from the top 3, Bettia, the 3rd seed have already gained 3 points from the top seed 95-X which has blown the group wide open, who knows what's going to happen in this group but it is certainly going to be exciting.

Posted by: Manhattan Prime Jul 3 2008, 01:19 AM

Manhattan Prime 2-0 Kereca Dreygo 54mins, Takamura 79mins The Chippers have got off to an excellent start in their opening game in Group D, defeating Kereca 2-0 in the first international match between the two countries. Lining up in their usual 442 formation, and eager to show off their new kit, the Manhattanites played a crisp passing game in the Stanton sunshine, and looked fresh and in good shape. Felix DeSilva was soon testing the Kereca defense, whipping a dangerous free kick into the box from just outside the area, only to see it plucked from the air by the grateful opposing goalkeeper. It is a tribute to the hard work put in by the Kereca back line that the newcomers to AOCAF were able to keep the score at 0-0 for so long, against a former champion no less. It took until the 54th minute for the Chippers to pull ahead, when Vykk Dreygo was pulled down in the penalty box in an over vigorous challenge, and promptly converted the spotkick. A second goal was added 11 minutes from time when midfielder Takamura headed in a rare goal to put the game beyond doubt for Manhattan Prime. In the other game in Group D, champions 95X were defeared 3-2 by Bettia at the Munitis Stadium in Norton.

Posted by: Pacitalia Jul 3 2008, 03:00 AM

AOCAF Match Report van Basten earns first competitive win as Blue Foxes boss Zolà makes incredible save to fire up Pacitalian attack in the second half WEST STARBLAYDIA (PSN) -- Abro Zolà made eight saves on a surprisingly deadly but ultimately unsuccessful Kosovoan attack, and a seemingly rusty Blue Foxes side got by their first opponents 3-0, delivering a first competitive win for new manager Marco van Basten. It was van Basten's first competitive match since joining the Blue Foxes last month. The FdFP announced his hiring following a four-year period at the helm of the Dutch side, and ironically, faced the Oranje in his first match as Pacitalian manager, playing to a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Amsterdam ArenA. The Pacitalian starting keeper (and new team captain)'s increasingly lightning-quick reflexes and his incredible punch save appeared to motivate the front four to drive the ball harder forward and deliver some results. Indeed, until the 59th minute stop of Kosovoan striker John Doe's rocket, Pacitalia generated three shots on target out of a total of five attempts. van Basten's half-time team talk appeared to have done nothing, at least for the next quarter-hour, to spur the 'Foxes to create more chances. One hour in, van Basten appeared to be fed up with the effort thus far. He took off left-side holding midfielder Giordano Muntefeora and left-back Angelo Bordellatta to attempt to cut down some of the manipulation on the right side of the Kosovoe attack. van Basten brought on usual left holding mid Ferdinando Imperino to take the place of Muntefeora, leaving fans to wonder whether the Pacitalian manager had been too hasty in giving the 23-year-old his first international cap. Muntefeora was profoundly sulky on the bench and was seen exchanging words with Marco van Basten and assistant manager Veranace d'Amantano less than five minutes after the substitution (but it appeared to be a positive conversation). In sharp contrast to Muntefeora's reaction, Bordellatta -- replaced with Tiberiu Manescu -- seemed to take the switch in stride. The offence was still clearly lacking and Zur'azuli supporters screamed for more effort. Six minutes after the double substitution they were finally rewarded with a hard-fought strike. Blue Foxes striker Ambrosino Giurimano, earning his 70th international cap for his country, put Pacitalia on the score sheet with his unprecedented 40th international goal. In his third attack of the match, he dribbled forward toward the left corner marker and into the 22-yard box, then, suddenly, effortlessly, switched back the other direction, throwing off Kosovoan defender Bill Smith and opening a hole in the defence. Il Sorcére, "The Magician", then let off a swift, richly spun missile - it evaded the desperate fingertips of the keeper and sailed into the top left corner of the net. Giurimano's finish was indescribably signature and finally gave the 'Foxes the lead they had craved for over an hour. After that, the Kosovoe defence seemed to crumble given its initial concession of the tournament. The match tempo quickly crescendoed and the Blue Foxes attack found itself with more pitch space and less pressure at the corners, allowing them to put in several well-aimed crosses. In the 73rd minute, just when it appeared he was going to be run out of bounds, Andolfabio Vunghiasso lobbed a killer cross from the left and met the foot of Giurimano, who redirected the streaking set-up low and to the right, past the keeper, to double the Pacitalian lead. Twelve minutes later, the match was put out of reach. Right-side attacking midfielder Massimo da Scupeta, enjoying only his fourth appearance on the starting XI for the senior squad since being promoted from the U21 system in 2006, bolted up field with five minutes to go and spotted central mid Michelangelo Mascagnano. Masca nailed down a true masterpiece, again fooling Smith to open up a wide space in the centre of the 22-yard box. Using Giurimano as somewhat of a shield, to block his shot intentions from the Kosovoan keeper, he fired just inches right of the Pacitalian striker's forearm. The Kosovoan keeper, John Smith, was no match for it, biting the other direction and leaving the net wide open for Mascagnano's finish, which hit its target with a satisfying flexing of the back mesh. With a victory under their belts and a share of the group lead with the always-dangerous Purple Peril of Starblaydia, who destroyed Oceanious 7-0, you would expect the Blue Foxes to be confident heading into the next match against that very same Oceanious squad. Perhaps they are. But there's nothing coming out of the dressing room but Marco van Basten's tentative disappointment with his side's effort. "For most of the starting side it was a forty-five-minute effort, and in this style of football, at this level of football, that's not acceptable," van Basten remarked post-match. "We have some things we need to address in the back four, and on the left side of our defence. Obviously we need to be more aggressive in releasing the ball from our opponents. We aren't being more forward and firm in our tackling, which worries me. Tackling someone does not guarantee a foul; that's the job of the defence. I think a lot of it comes from the fact that they are just afraid to be penalised for serious challenges, so we don't tackle, and that's how your opponent will create chances. We saw this today." van Basten continues to reject questions about his views on the state of the national squad, and what he inherited. He is especially careful to refuse to comment on his opinion of his predecessor, Sergei Saganyarov. Saganyarov left the post in May to take over at Unione in Timiocato. He also refused to comment on whether, indeed, he had prematurely placed Muntefeora in the starting XI -- but all indications point to the 23-year-old once again starting for his country on matchday two. From AOCAF 23 in West Starblaydia: Pacitalia 3 Giurimano 65', 73' | Mascagnano 85' San Sebastiano 41' ← Muntefeora (LDM), Bordellatta (LB) → Imperino (LDM), Manescu (LB) Kosovoe 0

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 3 2008, 06:24 PM

Making Records and Breaking Hearts Starblaydia annihilate Kosovoe In no way are these home matches. Despite the westerners having the name of Starblaydia in their nation, there is certainly some bitter rivalry swinging in both directions sides of the Bekk. In particular the growing numbers of Western Starblaydi wearing "AOCAF ABE" T-shirts: 'Anyone But Easterners. Though the ever-present contingent of white and purple-clad fans make their presence known at every opportunity, they are outnumbered massively by the Westerners in their home nation, and the mutual loathing is plain to see. Breaking down those barriers, mostly through sheer disbelief, is Starblaydia's goal-scoring record in the tournament so far. Sixteen for, Zero against. Four years ago Starblaydia couldn't even manage that many goals for in eleven matches as they clinched Third Place, never mind getting that number in just two. Their record in Bazalonia was an even 15-15 for and against, and Lex Panarii has described his side's current performances as 'Shock and Awe'. Shocking defences and Awesome Starblaydi attacking it seems. Starblaydia's fans seemed as dumbstruck as the rest of us, but they will be hoping for something more than the scoreboard-breaking antics we've seen so far: One more AOCAF trophy than they presently own. "Oh my God, we can't believe it, We've never scored this many goals before!" Final Score from Draconium Arena: Starblaydia 9 (Nine) - 0 Kosovoe (Lubii 10, 46 & 54, Callind 18, Kuu 24 & 31, Nakamura 57, Stafador 79, Myung-Bo 88) - (None)

Posted by: Manhattan Prime Jul 3 2008, 10:27 PM

Manhattan Prime 1-2 Bettia Katakana 19mins A dramatic end to a close game in the Harbour Stadium handed victory to Bettia yesterday, as they defeated the Manhattanites by two goals to one. After securing victory in their opening game, the Chippers were understandably confident going into their second, whilst their opponents had also opened with three points, leading to an open start of play, and a chance for both sides' flair players to strut their stuff. The Manhattanites were to open the scoring in the 19th minute, when Ethan Smith showed great vision and awareness to thread a dangerous through ball to Katakana, who promptly converted the chance, pulling the Chippers ahead. Bettia were quick to equalise, netting in the 26th minute from a freekick, when defender John Clarke was penalised for a rash challenge on a Bettian winger. After that, the game was entirely up for grabs and both sides had numerous chances. The Bettian side came closest, hitting the post just before half time, but the Chippers too pressed their opponents hard in search of a winner. Final victory was to go to Bettia however, when a winning gol was grabbed from a successful corner kick, mere minutes from time, lending the match a dramatic finish. In the other game in Group D, 95X thumped Kereca 5-2 in Norton to set up a dramatic final group game - with Bettia having securing their place in the next round, Manhattan Prime and 95X are both playing for the right to be the final qualifier from Group D.

Posted by: Pacitalia Jul 4 2008, 02:25 AM

AOCAF Match Report Confidence trick High-scoring, high-flying Blue Foxes join Starblaydia in the knockouts WEST STARBLAYDIA (PSN) -- A top-class four goal effort from Ambrosino Giurimano led the Blue Foxes to their second win in the group stage, 7-1 over Oceanious, resulting in a berth in the tournament's last eight. Pacitalian manager Marco van Basten was noticeably much more pleased at his side's effort following a tentative 3-0 win over Kosovoe four days ago, and the Blue Foxes showed confidence and a strenuous, cagey commitment through the entire ninety minutes of play. van Basten started Tiberiu Manescu at left back in place of Angelo Bordellatta, who put in a sub-par effort at the position in the previous match. Unlike the previous match, where Pacitalia's offensive effort seemed to be spurred by a brilliant 59th-minute Zolà save, the Blue Foxes had their first chance just seconds after the opening whistle. "Giurimano, da Scupeta, Mascagnano, Vunghiasso, Mascagnano, Giurimano, Vunghiasso"... the passing was already sublime, already frank and direct, and just 115 seconds into the match, resulted in a goal for the Blue Foxes. Fabi -- as the fans affectionately call left attacking midfielder Andolfabio Vunghiasso -- crossed in, weaved through the right-side defensive gauntlet and peeled off a wide-angle shot that curved high around the outstretched fingertips of the Oceanious keeper to put the Blue Foxes up 1-0. The second-minute goal was Vunghiasso's 19th conversion for his country and the quickest score at the tournament so far. Three minutes later, with momentum already firmly on-side, the 'Foxes struck again as Giurimano entered the box and drew forward the Oceanious keeper. He flicked the ball left to Vunghiasso, who evaded the tackle of the right back, and, with mere centimetres left in-bounds, jammed the ball back to a waiting Giurimano, centred in front of goal. Il Sorcére potted his third of the tournament, redirecting the pass low to the back left corner of the net with the outside of his left foot. Calls for offside by a desperate Oceanious defence went unheeded by the referee, and Giurimano lifted his arms in triumph and jogged to the corner marker to celebrate the doubling of Pacitalia's lead. Five minutes in, the Blue Foxes already enjoyed a two-goal cushion. Perhaps two quick strikes and the euphoria of a rapidly established lead distracted the Foxes, as, not a heartbeat later, Oceanious were on the counterattack, the team's streaky left forward blasting past Chimano San Sebastiano, deking out Semih Mansur and, finally, pushing the ball into the corner behind Antonio Linguera de Sà. In what many observers of the match say was talent unlike anything they had ever seen from the Oceanious front three, a lightning-fast pass to the centre of the 22-yard box found its mark. The pass tricked the back four and put them on their heels, resulting in a poor challenge from Sergio San Cristobál to deaden the play. The referee was quick in awarding the penalty shot because of San Cristobál's poorly-timed and poorly-executed challenge, and the Oceanious left forward easily converted to halve Pacitalia's lead and put the country on the score sheet for the first time ever in an AOCAF tournament. It was remarkable attacking football; not even ten minutes in, already three goals between the teams, the Blue Foxes with the advantage. van Basten shouted for discipline and caution from the sidelines, but the Foxes continued to look visibly shaken by the sudden change in match momentum. However, the back four seemed to have taken to heart their manager's advice to tackle more confidently and challenge more often -- to free up the ball and create counterattacking chances. San Cristobál more than made amends for his seventh-minute folly, executing a flawless sliding tackle that jarred the ball free of the foot of the Oceanious central striker and sent it ricocheting forward to Manescu ahead on the left. The beautiful tackle did not directly result in anything significant but it was a heartening display of determination for the Pacitalian defence. As a result, the Foxes' attacking four seemed to feel more able to push up and start digging for opportunities at their opponent's end. With the re-energised Giordano Muntefeora and teammate San Sebastiano a buttressing bulwark at midfield, right attacking mid Massimo da Scupeta calmly scooped up an errant Oceanious passing attempt just past the half-pitch line, firing a 40-yard laser beam to Giurimano. The Pacitalian striker managed to collect the ball just as the Oceanious back three attempted to trap him offside; once again, the referee didn't bite, leaving Giurimano to approach the net unchallenged. He expertly sought and found his target with a whistling finish to the heart of the mesh as the keeper fell to the right, looking (incorrectly) for a low, soft attempt. Giurimano's second of the match and fourth of the tournament restored the Blue Foxes' two-goal lead; it was 3-1 in the twentieth minute. Nine minutes later, Giurimano once again found himself with an open pitch, ahead of the opponent's defence, thanks to an identical pass, this time a 55-yard rocket from Muntefeora. Giurimano collected the spoils, hastily gathering the ball after it bounced away from him, glancing off his left foot. But with no one to challenge him but the keeper, he simply had to run forward onto the ball. The Magician slid a shot low and to the right past the Oceanious keeper to put the Blue Foxes up 4-1; he was promptly mobbed by his teammates who dogpiled him in recognition of his third international hat-trick. The Blue Fox fans, in unison, chanted "Sorcére!", simply awed by the incredible display from the Pacitalian striker. Commentator Phil Morris remarked on-air: "I'd love to say this match is signed, sealed and delivered but, bless it, we're only half an hour in." True enough, just twenty-nine minutes into the Blue Foxes' second group stage test, the fans were enjoying the afterglow of a fifth strike from the two squads. It was incredible attacking football, but increasingly just from one side. The fans (pity them) would have to wait until the second half for more scoring. Marco van Basten used his team talk to push the Blue Foxes to be more cautious and continue pressing with crossing lobs and attacking into the corners. He substituted the exhausted looking Vunghiasso to start the second half, replacing him with the tenacious Diego Tomás. The Margherian native and emerging FC Athalone star helped reinvigorate the Pacitalian attack after their short halftime rest. It took seven minutes for the Blue Foxes to add to their lead; once again, Giurimano was up to take the tally, adding his fourth and final goal of the match and sixth of the tournament off a superbly executed Diego Tomás corner. In the 61st minute, following his incredible fourth effort, van Basten subbed off the Pacitalian striker for Adrian Manoliu, under the canopy of a roaring, deafening standing ovation. Giurimano waved and gestured with open arms to the crowd to show his appreciation and was greeted at the sideline by an ecstatic coach. Manoliu, a player widely tipped to become the next great Pacitalian striker, wasted no time trying to fill the shoes of Il Sorcére, whacking a shot off the bar seconds after coming on, then sending a second whistling just over. His third attempt, shortly thereafter in the 65th minute, was high and wide; the 23-year-old FC Marsa striker was undoubtedly keen to make a lasting impression at his first senior international tournament. Two minutes later, Diego Tomás' corner -- Pacitalia's eleventh of the match -- found the foot of a forward-surging Semih Mansur. The right back converted with an arrow-straight laser to the top right corner of the net, threading the needle past six leaping, desperate Oceanious defenders. A five-goal lead in the 67th minute, 6-1, seemed to finally suggest the match was drawing to a close, and, indeed, the tempo began to slow as the players on both sides began to show a bit of late-match fatigue. van Basten made his final substitution in the 70th, reversing his substitution from the first match. Tiberiu Manescu was removed in favour of Angelo Bordellatta, who proved once again how volatile he can really be. After putting in a poor performance against Kosovoe, Bordellatta shined under a fresh pair of legs and a better attitude, stuffing six different -- albeit feeble -- Oceanious attacking attempts. On the seventh attempt, Bordellatta formulated the start of a brilliant counterattack, shuffling the ball away from the Oceanious right forward and sending a lob straight to a streaking Massimo da Scupeta. The right midfielder curved forward into the 22-yard box, in the 81st minute, to collect the arcing missile, control it, and fire off a scorcher from 30 yards out, hitting his target to put the match to rest, seven goals to one. The strike was da Scupeta's third in five appearances for the Blue Foxes, following his promotion to the senior squad in 2006. Next up, the Blue Foxes face their first serious test of the tournament in Starblaydia, a squad that has been consistently above-par at AOCAFs and which plans to win a record sixth trophy this year at AOCAF 23. The match will decide the group B winner; both teams qualified for the knockouts, but both teams are 2-0-0 heading into the match and the result will determine who goes where come the quarterfinals. From AOCAF 23 in West Starblaydia: Pacitalia 7 Vunghiasso 2'; Giurimano 5', 20', 29', 52'; Semih Mansur 67'; da Scupeta 81' ← Vunghiasso (AM L), Giurimano (ST), Manescu (LB) → Diego Tomás (AM L), Manoliu (ST), Bordellatta (LB) Oceanious 1 LF 8' (p)

Posted by: Lamoni Jul 4 2008, 03:06 AM

Staying in first place Despite being held to a one to one draw with Demot, the Hawks remain in first place in Group A, with only the hosts to contend with. As long as the Hawks manage a draw at the least, then they shall be into the knockouts; especially since Demot would have to increase their goal difference by four goals (and Lamoni would have to fail to score) in order to surpass the Hawks. However, the Hawks will not be content to merely draw with W. Starblaydia, but will instead be looking for a win, which will solidify Lamoni's grasp on the first seed of Group A, if done by a large enough goal margin. The current political balance between W. Starblaydia and Starblaydia itself is nothing less than poisonous, and if there is a match between the two nations in the knockouts, then we would expect fireworks; as well as multiple red cards and injuries. We would also expect Starblaydia to win the match, but it will be hard fought, and close. In any case, the goal by Demot was scored in the first half of the match, and Lamoni retaliated with a goal of their own in the second half. While not as exciting as the initial 4-1 victory over Septentrionia, the Hawks will still take the single point that the draw gives them. In other news, both Pacitalia and Starblaydia have defeated their foes by margins of 7-1, and 9-0 respectively. This has certainly been one of the highest scoring AOCAF's in recent memory, perhaps in the AOCAF record. Either way, Lamoni is still very much in position for a first place finish in Group A, but at the moment, we do not know who their opponent would be if they remained so. Lamoni - 1 Demot - 1

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 4 2008, 04:43 PM

The flash bulbs of the many cameras were adding their luminosity to the already overpowering TV camera lights, leaving the Starblaydi players and staff at the press conference completely dazzled. "Lex, Lex!" Called one of the reporters, "how does it feel to have your team break a record that has stood since before World Cup 27?" "Amazing," he replied simply, "I've always known that the talent pool in Starblaydia is just as good now as it ever has been in the past. Looking at the players we've got coming through - the ones who are developing into true stars and the current stars at the peak of their careers, along with the experienced veterans there to guide and mentor the younger ones - then we're in as good a place now, coaching and player wise, as we've ever had before." "Does this prove you are potential AOCAF winners?" "There's barely been an AOCAF where Starblaydia weren't potential winners, son," Lex said with a smile before elaborating, "it has only been recently, around the hiatus, that we weren't in the top four teams in the region for the first time in nearly a century, and even then were were still nicely inside the top ten. Coming into this tournament, based on the 40th World Cup excitement and our previous Third Place in the last championship we were possibly one of the pre-tournament favourites. With these two victories, we may not be the best team in the region, but we're certainly in the top one." "Lubii, how do you feel to be the first Starblaydi to score a hat-trick in two consecutive matches?" "Amazing," she said, as all eyes turned to her, "it's not something you expect to accomplish at any time, but for every goal you score, you're always after another one." "Do you think you can win the AOCAF?" "Of course," Lubii replied, "especially after the performances we've put it, you can't think any other way. If we didn't think we could win, there'd be no point in turning up."

Posted by: Manhattan Prime Jul 5 2008, 03:29 PM

Manhattanites Confident Before Group D Crunch Game As the AOCAF champions 95X gear up to play former champions Manhattan Prime, confidence is high in the Manhattanite camp, with manager Sir Ian Pierce convinced that his team can achieve the victory they need to progress. He held a brief press conference at the team's training camp in West Starblaydia today and seemed in high spirits. Asked if he was hopeful of progression, Pierce replied "Absolutely. I've seen the lads train today and they're looking the sharpest I've seen them for a while. Team morale is very high, and I'm very confident we'll get the result we need against 95X" Pierce will have the luxury of a squad that is nearly at full fitness, and although the manager admitted that Takamura had picked up a slight knock in the previous game, he should be fit to play the defending champions. Everyone here at the Manhattan Herald will be fully behind our boys in West Starblaydia, and hoping that Pierce's men can drum up some hope for our shattered nation.

Posted by: Manhattan Prime Jul 5 2008, 06:12 PM

Manhattan Prime 0-0 95X Manhattanite manager Sir Ian Pierce has expressed his pride at the determination and team spirit of his side, as Manhattan Prime were cruelly eliminated from AOCAF 23 on goal difference, after a 0-0 draw with defending champions 95X. The game itself was very tight and cagey for the most part, with both sides seeming very anxious not to concede first. The Manhattanite defence performed admirably, with Lucas Thompson especially on form, looking as if every attempt on his goal was a personal insult. The match did open up considerably in the second half however. Enrique Costa, filling in for the injured Mashashi Takamura, looked comfortable in midfield, and had a hand in the Chippers closest chance in the 65th minute. Holding up the ball from midfield with great skill, Costa then turned inside crisply, loosing his marker, and threaded a ball up to Michael Donavan, only to see his Manhattan Phantoms teammate lash it against the crossbar. Despite all their effort, Manhattan Prime proved unable to wear down a resilient 95X defence, who were able to hold on for a vital point. Manhattanites heads visibly sagged as the final whistle blew, indicated that the team were well aware that a draw just wouldn't be good enough to ensure progression. This result means whilst Bettia emerge as winners of Group D, having won all three games, 95X and Manhattan Prime finish with 4 points each. However the champions' superior goal difference (+2 to the Manhattanites +1) is enough to see them through to the next round, and eliminate the Chippers.

Posted by: Pacitalia Jul 6 2008, 01:45 AM

AOCAF Match Report Fans vouch for "match of the tournament" Pacitalia down Starblaydia with thrilling late finish to capture group B WEST STARBLAYDIA (PSN) -- It was the only match of note for many in the twenty-third AOCAF Cup's group B, and it indeed proved to be a stunning example of top-flight football, especially in the final half an hour. In the end, the Blue Foxes emerged victorious on a mesmerising, signature finish courtesy Pacitalian striker Ambrosino Giurimano, propelling the Foxes to an incredible 3-2 victory over the always-tough Starblaydi side. The win handed the Blue Foxes the group despite media predictions that they would come in second behind Starblaydia, and sets up a quarterfinal matchup with West Starblaydia. Had the Blue Foxes lost their final group stage match, they would have, as runners-up in group B, faced group A winner Lamoni. With both sides having experienced rather large changes in their rosters compared to AOCAF Cups 21 and 22 -- Pacitalia have only five returning starters and 14 returning players from the previous championship -- the match commenced with a pronounced air of uncertainty as most of the starting XI on either side had never before played their opponent. Indeed, after about twenty minutes of rather slow-tempo back-and-forth between the Foxes and the "Purple Peril", the 22 players on the pitch seemed to become more comfortable with the other's style of play and began to seek some chances. First blood Pacitalia struck first, to the delight of the Blue Foxes' nearly thirty thousand supporters in the stands at Avidia's New City Stadium, and the estimated million more lining the streets in the AOCAF Fan Zone in Avidia (Pacitalia fans' so-called second home during the tournament's group stage). Diego Tomás, starting in place of Andolfabio Vunghiasso, streaked into the 22-yard box, capitalising on some confusion in the Starblaydi right-side defence. Carlito di Bradini and fellow back Vega Matranga appeared to mix up what they were supposed to be doing, allowing Diego Tomás to thread the ball between them and emerge past them unscathed. With only Starblaydi keeper Caleb Westwood between him and a goal, the 22-year-old looked right for the reliable Giurimano. Westwood, in a rare miscue, deemed a Giurimano attempt more dangerous and moved to cut the pass out, but left a big chunk of the goal undefended. Diego Tomás capitalised and wired off a simple, straight shot aimed for the heart of the netting and immediately sprinted for the corner marker, delirious with his early strike. The tally was Diego Tomás' first international goal for the Blue Foxes. But Starblaydia are not a team easily fazed -- on any normal day, it could take as many as six goals before they would even be close to admitting defeat -- and despite their initial stunned response to being down 1-0 rather early, picked themselves up by the bootstraps and answered heartily the Foxes' challenge. An eye for an eye Lubii, perhaps Starblaydia's greatest female player on the starting XI, up there with the likes of Jackie Maitland and Cherry Garcia, answered the call for her country, cleaning up a poorly spun San Sebastiano pass intended for Massimo da Scupeta. She reversed direction, left, right, left, right, then deked out Semih Mansur but allowed him to give chase. He aimed a tackle at the ball but was just a half-second off cue, incidentally tripping the Starblaydi forward and earning himself a yellow card. From the ensuing free kick, Starblaydi left midfielder Jaime Kuu lobbed a 30-yard attempt into the area and found Lubii, who redirected the ball past Abro Zolà with a glancing header. Raising her arms in relief and triumph at the Starblaydi reply, she left the post-goal mosh in the area and pointed gleefully at the purple-bedecked fans behind the corner marker. Fair game it was, 1-1, heading into halftime, a deserved result for both teams. Forty-five minutes were down and still there was no certainty as to which national side would emerge victorious to capture group B. To this point, the teams had been essentially equal save a lower goal differential on the part of the Blue Foxes. Starblaydia crushed both Oceanious and Kosovoe, while Pacitalia soundly routed the Oceanians but only got by the Kosovars 3-0. Who would emerge winner of the match and the group? A draw or a Starblaydi win would hand the group to the Purple Peril; a win for Pacitalia and the media predictions would be for nought. The teams exchanged yellow cards in the 62nd and 67th minutes, with Matranga and San Sebastiano, respectively, picking up the cautions. Jaime Kuu then picked up Starblaydia's second yellow, in an otherwise clean contest, following a poor challenge on Giordano Muntefeora with a quarter of an hour left to play. Attempting to lock it up The answer appeared to come eleven minutes from time, with momentum leaning the Blue Foxes' way and the 800,000 Pacitalian fans in and out of the stadium, and the billions more at home and abroad, urging on their side almost frustratedly. da Scupeta aimed a cross in for Giurimano on one of several as-yet unsuccessful attacking chances from the Blue Foxes. Instead of hitting its target it was a second or two behind the striker but, luckily, did not catch Giurimano offside. The ball glanced off Giurimano's heel straight to Michelangelo Mascagnano, who cleared himself some space to the left of a clumsy Arkady Kaneda and fired a volley that beat the fingertips of Westwood and sailed into the top corner to restore the Pacitalian lead. For a moment it appeared the Foxes' fans might jump the barricades in ecstasy at the late strike but the stewards lining the outer ring of the field kept the front row at bay. Not so fast All those celebrations would have been a bit premature; indeed, Starblaydia were not yet on the ropes, as no talented team ever is (or should be). And their determination to make this match a thrilling draw would succeed, at least temporarily, as Lubii crossed right, found fellow Iskara Daii striker Daymon Callind, and moved to set up Starblaydia's second equaliser. Indeed, Callind headed for the corner, attempting to draw Angelo Bordellatta out of the main play, and just barely succeeded, as, when he moved to switch direction back towards goal, was half cut out by the Pacitalian left back, who got a shoe to the ball. However, Callind's diamond-hard crossing attempt still had enough power to make it to a quickly realigned Starblaydi captain, and Batou Nakamura buried an instinctive goal only a yard from a diving Zolà to re-square the match in the 86th minute. This time it was the turn of Starblaydia's fans to jump emphatically in the stands, sure that their side had cemented a draw and kept the Blue Foxes at bay to win the group. Back on top for good Again, all that celebration was premature. Against all odds and all expectations, the final Pacitalian attacking attempt produced a result. The fresh legs of Manel Bernát i Lem, who was brought on in the 83rd minute to replace the diligent Massimo da Scupeta, and who would end up being Pacitalia's only substitution of the match, were instrumental in generating the speed and tempo necessary to trip up Starblaydi hopes of playing out a draw and capturing the group. With the match now into three minutes of stoppage time, Bernát i Lem charged up wide right, narrowly avoiding a solid tackle from Bazrador Drakkiborgo, and banked left, heading straight for goal. Sprinting forward, he was free of the back four for Starblaydia and found an equally swift Ambrosino Giurimano coming into the area from the middle of the pitch. Bernát i Lem showed veteran hesitation, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike, waiting just long enough to once again commit the keeper, Westwood, to making a mistake, one that, this time, would be fatal. Just before Westwood dropped to collect the ball off the right midfielder's foot, he fired off a low, skipping pass to the striker, leaving Giurimano free to tap the ball in gently and put Pacitalia on top for good. It was a thrilling, stunning end to a brilliant match, leaving fans on both sides to vouch that it was, for now, the standard for the tournament. No mixing politics with sport? Pacitalia appears to have, for now, ended any hopes of a politically-charged quarterfinals matchup between Starblaydia and newly bitter rivals West Starblaydia. However, if Pacitalia shocks the AOCAF watchers with an early exit and Starblaydia once again find a way to down struggling archenemies Lamoni, the semifinal will feature the group A and B runners-up. An interesting fact of this AOCAF Cup is that the Blue Foxes, for the third time in the tournament's history, finished as the best team in the group stage. Bettia also went three for three in their group stage matches, but the Blue Foxes' goal differential (+10) certainly helped in this regard. The Aroras, by comparison, scored four more goals than they conceded. Whether this excellence on the part of the Blue Foxes will give them momentum heading through to the quarterfinals remains to be seen, but given how well Marco van Basten coached his new side through the group stage, and the resilience and determination of the Blue Foxes, their fans have to be hoping that this is the year they finally break the duck and win the tournament. As mentioned, Andolfabio Vunghiasso did not start for the Blue Foxes at left attacking mid as Pacitalia coach Marco van Basten revealed he had a slight hamstring strain. The Dutch national said he was fully intent on "resting Vunghiasso" to allow him recovery time in preparation for the quarterfinal against West Starblaydia, and that there was "simply no sense" in risking further aggravation of the injury. Vunghiasso answered media questions post-match saying he was "feeling better", that his leg was no longer painful, and that he planned to participate in the light training session on the eve of the quarterfinal against West Starblaydia. From AOCAF 23 in West Starblaydia: Pacitalia 3 Group B winners: 3-0-0, 9 pts Diego Tomás 23'; Mascagnano 79'; Giurimano 90'+1 San Sebastiano, Semih Mansur ← da Scupeta (AM R) → Bernát i Lem (AM R) Starblaydia 2 Group B runners-up: 2-0-1, 6 pts Lubii 39'; Nakamura 86' Kuu, Matranga

Posted by: Lamoni Jul 6 2008, 03:46 AM

Hawks go into the knockouts in first place; face Starblaydia With a 3-1 victory over the AOCAF hosts, the Hawks retained the top slot in Group A; which would ensure that they faced the loser of the Pacitalia-Starblaydia match. The Hawks were determined to not let the Starblaydi AOCAF prediction of something less than a first place group stage finish, and after the draw against Demot, they came out onto the pitch ready and determined to do what had to be done in order to defeat the hosts. When the match was over, not only did the Hawks win, but they did so in such a was as to reduce the host's goal difference to zero. In the meantime, the teams from Pacitalia and Starblaydia played an exciting match to determine who would get to play Lamoni in the knockouts. It was close, but the Purple Peril lost the match, and so have to face the Hawks in the knockouts. There was a time when Starblaydia came to represent a symbol of futility for Lamoni, but since the first time that we have defeated them, it has become a MUCH more even contest. The Hawks are still on the prowl for their third AOCAF Cup win, and defeating the team of "RAWRcrush" along the way, wouldn't be a bad way to do it. Though relations between Lamoni and Starblaydia are better now than they were during the comparative "Dark Ages," there is yet to be a team to replace the Purple Peril as Lamoni's AOCAF rival. Even if a lot of the rivalry's sharp edges have been disposed of now. Either way, expect an exciting hard fought match, and one which the best team will win. Lamoni - 3 W. Starblaydia - 1

Posted by: Milchama Jul 6 2008, 11:40 PM

Milchama News-Today-Tommorow-Chronicle-Telegraph-Journal-Update -Register-Sun-Enquirer-Post-Gazette-Times-Picayune-Herald Sports Section Dead Guys Make Quarters In a change of pace from our usual day to day life the governmental competence and want to actually focus on issues that matter (i.e. the running of Milchama) they decided that to choose a "B" team to represent us at AOCAF wasn't important so someone legislated an already picked team. Unfortunately nobody told our fine Knesset that the team was the Great Alexandria starting lineup from approximately 100 years ago, or about the time Milchama started competing internationally. This means of course that all the players are dead and we, literally, have a team full of dead guys and the field is always strewn with corpses. What is shocking though is that this hasn't actually hindered the Milchamians progress through the group stage. With 2 wins and a draw the Warriors easily advanced through the group stage finishing second in their group (Group C) only on goal difference. How the Warriors accomplished this feat nobody is quite sure. Least of all the coach, who we do not have information of who it is and who is dead also. Assistant coach, Ben ben Ben (which is of course Hebrew for Ben son of Ben), who is alive, said "When you look at this squad you see a lot of former internationals like Billy Timmons, Spot Nielson, Yoni Pieleon, and Quentin Myler. These were quality players and they maintain this quality even if lifeless and motionless." Some have suggested that the Warrior team becomes zombies during the game but video footage of the tournament has denied this rumor. What video footage has suggested though is that other teams seemed to be creeped out of the Warriors and leave the field allowing the assistant staff to get the ball and score. Therefore we hope that teams keep on leaving the field early after going one goal up in future games because that might be our only hope.

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 7 2008, 03:44 PM

Whatever result we got against Pacitalia, it would have been a comedown from the 9-0 record against Kosovoe. As it was we came back down to earth with a bump. Despite first Lubii and then Batou Nakamura equalising, we couldn't keep the Blue Foxes out and conceded three goals, the last of which a gutting stoppage-time winner from Ambrosino Giurimano. Lubii is just two goals away from equalling the long-standing record set by Simeone Di Bradini and equalled by Dasha Tolkacheva of nine goals in a single AOCAF tournament. Surely with seven already she is destined to finish not only as Starblaydia's top scorer but also as the tournament's highest marksman. Batou himself is doing well with his captain's burden, finding the net once per game to hit three so far. In fact he's now in the famed Rapaii 15 Club, having notched fifteen goals in his sixty-one appearances for the national side - not a bad ratio, either. And he's only 25. The mark of centurion, set by Leandro Perheira, is surely within his reach too. Starblaydia must be getting back to where they belong, evidently. Lubii could make the Rapaii 15 club three times over already, as at the age of twenty-six she has forty-seven goals, leaping into jpoint-third place on the all-time scorers list alongside Johan Keifner. One more and it'll be the top three strikers in Starblaydi history are women - something for those of us with a Y chromosome to think about. Both Perheira and Alfonso Di Angelo have broken the all-time appearance record - 97 set by Paul Noble around the time when Starblaydia were still a name to make every team in the world quake in their boots. All-time records don't just get broken every day of the week and for this Starblaydi side, coached first by Betanii Marrones and now taken on to the next level by Lex Panarii, the pantheons of achievement now have new names to honour among their aged hallways. A new record victory - set in a few years after a new record loss - shows how cutthroat international football has become. No stealing a goal and holding on for the one-nil is good enough anymore, it has to be 100% effort 100% of the time. In the aftermath of Under-21, Baptism of Fire, World Cup and Cups of Harmony being hosted in Starblaydia the national game has taken on a new verve and vigour, a shot in the arm that has propelled a once down-and-out nation back into the top twenty in the world and the top five in the region. After a third place at the last AOCAF and a Quarter-Final in just their second World Cup back in the international fold, Starblaydia's reputation as one of the foremost sporting nations in the world has surely gone most of the way to restoring itself. Reputations, however, are not made from breaking internal records, they are made from taking international trophies; regional and world. Starblaydia have to start here by overcoming their defeat to Pacitalia, who are probably now installed as favourites for the titles, and kick on to deafet Lamoni yet again in the knock-outs. Lamoni, then Pacitalia, then the Final itself? As always, it will be a tough road to the gold medals and silverware, but when in Starblaydi history have we had things easy? Starblaydia will play as they always do: with pace, power and commitment, along with all the other intangibles that make up their style. Fair play, passion, desire, determination and a sense of adventure and destiny that no other nation in the world seems to take hold of with quite the same enthusiasm and endless love of opportunity. These are the qualities that have gained Starblaydia more international trophies than any other nation still competing today, and these are the reasons why they will once more regain their place as foremost in the world. Starblaydi always strive to be the best, to prove the grass is greener on their side of the fence, making the world step to their beat. It has been done before, and the Gods know that it will happen again. Is West Starblaydia the place for it to begin? Only the next match, and perhaps the two after that, will be able to tell us.

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 7 2008, 05:31 PM

RAWRCRUSH Still in Effect Starblaydia recover from Foxes to beat Lamoni It began ninety-one years ago in the Fourth AOCAF Championship when Starblaydia defeat Lamoni 3-1 in the Quarter-Finals, going on to overturn Sarzonia in the Semis and then denying the incredible NEWI Cefn Druids a fourth successive regional title. They had been the only team capable of stopping the legendary Druidish side in a generation and it was that first AOCAF title that set Starblaydia upon a road to four more at a regional level, two at a World level, along with numerous other trophies. Fast-forwarding through those ninety years provides a lot of Starblaydi footballing highlights, including this latest Quarter-Final against age-old rivals Lamoni. Though not previously having been noted for their footballing prowess, Lamoni have, over the years, become a force to be reckoned with as they have found a national symbol of success to gather around. One thing they have never consistently got the knack of, however, is defeating Starblaydia. Of course, it happens from time to time, AOCAF18 and 21 being good cases in point when Lamoni have dumped Starblaydia out of the world's premier regional footballing tournament. The figures, though, point strongly to Starblaydia over the years, most notably the Extra Time win in AOCAF14 to give Starblaydia their most 'recent title', now over half a century ago. Four years ago Starblaydia eliminated Lamoni at the Quarter-Final stage by a goal to nil with a twenty-three year-old Lubii scoring the only goal of the match. Now, at twenty-seven, she found the back of the net again, separating the strikes by youngsters Ricky England and Diamontii Di Bradini. Lubii now has eight goals in the tournament, just one away from the joint-record of nine held by both Simeone Di Bradini and Dasha Tolkacheva, set in AOCAFs 5 and 15 respectively. Could 23 be the time for a new record? The Semi-Final and whichever match that follows it - Final or Third-Place match - will be the stage upon which any new record will be set. Starblaydia opened the scoring with their eighteen year old right-sided midfielder Ricky England scoring his first goal for is country in just his fourth appearance. His inclusion was derided by some with calls for either Fenny Bentley or Lee Il-Ajun to take his place, but a string of solid performances in some record-breaking matches have shown that yes, it was the right decision to pick him. Certainly the right decision when, after the twenty-five minute mark passed, he lifted a shot into the top right hand corner from twenty-three yards that Kurt Bormann simply had no chance of stopping. England was quickly mobbed by his team-mates and the Starblaydi and anti-Lamonian home fans quickly took up the chant of his name, though it came out as an accent-enfused 'Ing-er-lund' moreso than 'England'. Quite where that surname comes from, we'll never know. Sounds like a made-up country or something. After the interval it was Lubii who doubled the lead by toe-poking the ball past Bormann from a low, fizzing Kuu cross across the face of goal. The veteran female Starblaydi striker - now third on the all-time goalscoring list - had nipped in front of Briski and diverted the ball into the net. The lead was soon made unassailable as, after coming on for Callind, Diamontii i Bradini produced an audacious backheel flick to seal the game in Starblaydia's favour. After Nakamura had unlocked the Lamonian defence and released England into open space, the youngster crossed into the area and Lubii dummied the ball, leaving Di Bradini just inside the far post. Running perpendicular to the goal-line, she allowed the ball to pass behind her standing left foot and used the inside of her right to knock it into the goal. She ran away towards the travelling Starblaydi fans pumping her fists in joy having scored both her fourth international goal and Starblaydia's third, confirming beyond all hope for the Lamonians that the game - and the third championship they had come to win - were beyond them. Starblaydia's path to the final is now blocked by their Bekkside neighbours and technical vassals, West Starblaydia. But we all know who they used to be. Only because of international leaders marriage are they not Krytenia - if Volleyball had never been invented, this would still be Cyan against Purple. This time, however it's Navy against Purple. Though the colour has changed slightly, the fire in the matches between these two nations has not. Starting out at roughly the same time on the world stage, with only minor differences in their calendar measuring systems now only a piece of water separates them from each other - even less in this tournament. Blades of grass and breaths of air will be the only thing in between the two teams come the Semi-Final in Avidia. One thing is for certain, it will be a nervy game. Starblaydia are by far the best team on paper left in the tournament and West Starblaydia the worst. That didn't stop them overcoming Pacitalia, though, who - lest we forget - put one over on the eastern Starblaydi. Expect some fireworks in Avidia. At least ediraf will be happy, though. Final Score from The Mound: Lamoni 0 - 3 Starblaydia (None) - (England 26, Lubii 61, D. Di Bradini 74)

Posted by: Milchama Jul 8 2008, 10:01 PM

Milchama News-Today-Tommorow-Chronicle-Telegraph-Journal-Update -Register-Sun-Enquirer-Post-Gazette-Times-Picayune-Herald Sports Section A Feat of Red for Feet of Reds Try saying that headline 10 times fast. I bet you can't but it's a very true statement today as the Dead Man Milchama Warriors advance to the semifinals of the AOCAF tournament. Winning our other games through sheer dumb luck and good fortune was nice enough but pitching a 1-0 shutout to go through to the semifinals, as far as any Warrior team has gotten at this tournament, is no little feat. Having a roster made up entirely of dead men has apparently not been a hassle for this Warrior squad that has done the most when it needs too. Yesterday being a perfect case and point. The Warriors came dressed out from head to toe in red, red shoes, red socks, red shorts, red shirts, red headbands, everything. While that may not normally be a big deal, the opponents being Bettia the color red had to be in large supply. The Bettians obviously knew the Warriors were coming out in some red and were quite ready for our normal kits but the straight red sent them into a panic. They kept on kicking the ball randomly and just seemingly trying to get out of the stadium. While this netted a total of 40 shots on both nets, only three were on target. This was all in the first half and at the end of this crazy first half the Bettians ran off the field but not before accidentally sending a ball crashing into their own net as their goal keeper ran away scared from the strikers situated at the half field line. The second half was a much more boring affair as the Bettians refused to come out and the Milchama team just decayed all over the pitch leading to the ball going nowhere and it being rather boring to watch. With no Bettian players on the pitch though the game turned sour and defensive the Warriors moved onto the next round to face Bazalonia, a team they drew with in the first round.

Posted by: Krytenia Jul 9 2008, 03:39 PM

West Meets East. Again. WE'VE been here before. In a different guise, in a different life, perhaps, but it seems that the rivalry between those on the West of the Bekk and those on the East of it is eternal. This particular game, however, is the most important between the two sides since the AOCAF Cup VII Final in the long-since dead nation of South Osettia. With that in mind, let's have a look at our Top Five Picks of football's greatest rivalry. 5. "You Beat Us, We're Still Better" Krytenia 3-0 Starblaydia, Emberton, Krytenia World Cup XIX Qualifying Matchday Fourteen The Starblaydi football adage seems to be "you beat us, we're still better than you" - they have a tendency of losing unimportant matches against sides, but still coming through in the end. This was the one that started it all. In this, the last game to be played at Fu-Gee-La Field, the Aces won by three goals to none, but it was Starblaydia who put their noses in the World Cup Finals. 4. "Eight Past Ibanez" Starblaydia 8-0 Krytenia, Jhanna, Starblaydia World Cup XXXIX Mid-Qualifying Friendly Up until a few matches ago, this was the Starblaydi side's biggest ever win in international football; it's still the most impresssive. The crushing victory saw the end of Samuel Duffy's tenure in charge of the national team; it was also the end of goalkeeper John Ibanez' international career. 3. "Two Nil, In South Osettia" Starblaydia 2-0 Krytenia, Ts'khinvali, South Osettia AOCAF Cup VII Final The final of AOCAF Cup VII saw these two teams play for it all. in the end, the Men In Mauve swept through to seal their second AOCAF Cup; it's taken sixteen tournaments for their opponents to get this far. 2. "Episode Two" Krytenia 2-0 Starblaydia, Graham City, The Lowland Clans World Cup XXXI Quarter-Final Quite possibly the best Krytenian side ever. The Starblaydis, twice World Champions, were never at the races, and but for some inspired goalkeeping and wayward finishing, two was lucky. The Aces, however, failed at the next hurdle. 1. "The Casaran Job" Krytenia 2-1 Starblaydia, Bromham, Krytenia World Cup XXIX Quarter-Final This game still rankles with Starblaydi fans everywhere. The problem is not the result; it's the accusations of bias from those who prefer the purple to the blue. Pedro Rujano was sent off, the Krytenian winner was offside, the Casaran ref was colluding with the co-hosts...you name it. Winger Tejai, meanwhile, carved his name in history for said winner.

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 9 2008, 06:04 PM

Advance, Starblaydia Fair! Final showdown with Bazalopes Do you remember the last time Starblaydia played in the final of this particular tournament? You do? Well you're either a liar or drawing your pension. Or living in the Holy Empire, or a Giant Zucchini, or... well you get the idea. Though a few Third-Place matches have come their way since, Starblaydia have been playing the same tune for half a century and, frankly, it's getting old. 'One more trophy to set a new record', 'Can we extend our run as the best team ever?', 'Let's bask in our own nostalgic greatness for a while and pretend we're still the best'. You know the drill, it's been going on for years. To sum the situation up in a nutshell: Starblaydia used to be phenomenal and aren't any more, but no-one since has been good enough to match them for titles. Some have come close and some are in danger of coming close, but record-wise, they're still the best. Now, to re-gain some sort of football-based national pride, they're trying to repeat the feats and make new chapters in the legacy. But, enough of that and back to the real news, Starblaydia's penalty win over West Starblaydia. After two hours of hard-fought football, nothing could separate the two teams, which is a remarkable testament to the support this West Starblaydi crowd have given their boys in navy blue. The ranking difference should have, on paper, given this as a win to Starblaydia almost automatically, as even Kose and The Turkomans would have been given better odds on getting this far. As white lined up against navy, Starblaydia knew what they were in for and it wasn't going to be easy. Though without being overly hostile, the crowd defeinitely knew which team they wanted to win. Despite the usual large cadre of purple-clad support that seemingly pops up everywhere when Starblaydia play away from home, they were completely outnumbered by the navy- (and some cyan-) clad home fans. The noise level was generally too high for the Starblaydi supporters to overcome, but even so at certain points in the match all you could hear were voices from the East of the Bekk. Usually it is insults are traded between these sides more freely than a USC Simoleon, but this game saw shots on target as the stable currency. Either nobody told the defenders the match had started, or each team was trying their best not to give away any early free kicks in case of causing some sort of ruckus. Katoru and Kinkel went close for the Westerners, while East saw Kuu, Lubii and Stafador denied by either the goal frame or the attentions of Peter Mickelsen in the West Starblaydi net. There was nothing to choose between the two sides for the first fifteen minutes, but then West hit East with a swift counter-attack, getting men forward and turning up the pressure on Starblaydia. Yambeki laid the ball off to Kohler, who burst into the penalty area. Instead of trying a shot at the near post he cut it back for Katoru, who slid in ahead of Arkady Kaneda to knock the ball spinning into the Starblaydi goal. Starblaydia composed themselves and pulled one back just after the half hour mark from their Right Back, Carlito Di Bradini. As Starblaydia charged up the field, both Kuu and Nakamura came inside to overload a direct attack to the penalty area. With the Western defenders concentrating in the middle, Carlito stole up the right-hand side and received the ball in the six yard area - though looked possibly offside - before jinking around the dive of Mickelsen and tapping the ball into the net. One-One, game on. Half time arrived, though much to the disappointment of the crowd who had been enjoying a great game up until then. Just after the resumption, West Starblaydia took the lead for a second time, the central midfielder Yambeki again charging down the middle of the park. Stafador couldn't cover two players at once and Matranga was too slow in coming out to close the Westerner down, so he sidestepped the challenge of the Jhanna City defender and blasted the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner past the diving hand of Caleb Westwood. Twenty-five minutes later it was all level again, however, as Starblaydia's top scorer Lubii equalled the all-time record for Starblaydi goals in an AOCAF, netting her ninth of the tournament. Kuu did his magic down the left, knocked it in to Nakamura, who played a one-two with Callind to get through the defence. Starblaydia's captain fired a stinging shot against Mickelsen which rebounded off the 'keeper. Lubii was directly in the path of the rebound and bundled the ball in off her thigh. Katoru again went close later on but was denied by a fingertip save from Westwood. The resulting corner was headed off the top of the bar by Jonathan Tharenz and West Starblaydia were despairing at the high number of chances they were spurning. Starblaydia's defence rocked, but held firm over the next quarter of an hour as the two teams naturally looked towards Extra Time to settle things. Evidently neither side wanted penalties as they both pressed on for a winning goal. The first goal came Starblaydia's way right at the end of the first period of Extra Time as Starblaydi substitute Diamontii Di Bradini's acrobatic volley saw the ball thundering into the net from Ricky England's high, hanging cross. East Starblaydia were finally ahead for the first time in over one hundred minutes of football, and in fifteen more minutes they would be in the Final for the first time in fifty years. The men in Navy had other ideas however. Though it took them fifteen minutes, just seconds before the final whistle, they managed to bring it back from the brink via substitute striker Robbie Percival. As the two hours of football came to an end, there was only one end in sight: That of the Bazalonian TV commentator in front who had been standing up all bloody game. The match, however, went to penalties. Final Score from New City Stadium: Starblaydia 2 - 2 West Starblaydia (FT) Starblaydia 3 - 3 West Starblaydia (AET) (C. Di Bradini 32, Lubii 75, D. Di Bradini 104) - (Katoru 17, Yambeki 51, Percival 119) West Starblaydia won the toss and elected to take their penalties first, to strike while the iron was hot. Harrison quickly stepped up and blasted the ball to the right of Westwood, who half-dived the wrong way. One-nil. Starblaydia's top scorer took to the penalty area and barely even looked at the goalkeeper as she placed the ball perfectly in the top left corner, though Mickelsen's dive was too low to have a chance of saving the excellent equalising penalty. Winger Kinkel shaped his body to kick the ball left, fooling Westwood, but sent the ball straight down the middle for Two-One. Starblaydia's captain was next. Nominally right footed, his run up was curved and he stabbed at the ball with the toe of his left foot. Not knowing what to expect from Nakamura's left-footed penalty, Mickelsen conceded the Two-Two goal. Up stepped the opening Western goalscorer Katou. Westwood read his strike all the way into his palm and it remained at Two-Two, the first miss of the shoot-out. Starblaydi substitute striker Diamontii Di Bradini, on for Daymon Callind, slotted home a low shot into the corner and Starblaydia had the lead at three-two. Lada came next, but with a roar from the Eastern crowd his shot flew high, high over the bar. Young Starblaydi winger Ricky England follow, but a great debut tournament up until now quickly went downhill as his weak shot was pushed away by Mickelsen, still Three-Two to Starblaydia, with West Starblaydia to take their fifth penalty first - Gilardino had to score, and duly did so with a calm ease. Starblaydia's fifth penalty. Three-Three in the shoot-out. Score and Starblaydia win, miss and West Starblaydia were back in it at sudden death. Jaime Kuu, star winger of perhaps the whole tournament, stepped up, placing the ball deliberatly. Stepping back, he stood for a few moments as the referee made sure Mickelsen stayed vaguely on his line. The whistle blew and Kuu jogged forward. An absolute screamer of a shot later and Starblaydia were through to the Final, their first for half a century. Their opponents: Bazalonia. West Starblaydia: Harrison, Kinkel, Katoru, Lada, Gilardino Starblaydia: Lubii, Nakamura, D. Di Bradini, England, Kuu Starblaydia Win 4-3 on Penalty Kicks

Posted by: Starblaydia Jul 13 2008, 03:05 PM

Six Pack! Starblaydi Victory in AOCAF 23 Tomorrow morning, the countdown to World Cup 41 will begin. Tonight, however, the celebrations will go on long into the early hours of that morning as Starblaydia celebrate winning the world's premier regional tournament for the sixth time, extending their record of championship wins. Finally, finally, they have done it and the rest of the football-going public in the region will stop having to put their collective fingers in their ears for the nth time when Starblaydia talk about extending their title. Barring the Pacitalia loss and the West Starblaydia penalties marathon, Starblaydia have cruised through this tournament with hatfuls of goals and important victories. A new record victory with nine goals over Kosovoe, seven over Oceaniaus and a lovely three over Lamoni - perhaps the sweetest of the bunch. The penalties win over West Starblaydia gave them the Final they knew they could win. Within five seconds, direct from the kick-off, Daymon Callind had signalled Starblaydia's intent by dropping a shot from the half-way line onto the crossbar, gathered by the Bazalonian goalie at the second attempt. The young, brash Iskara Daii striker would later open the scoring in the middle of the first half with a great left-foot drive that sailed into the net. Starblaydia's title would only be confirmed towards the end of the second half as, with fifteen minutes to go, Lubii raced away from the defence, latched on to a through ball from Nakamura and used the outside of her right foot to delicately chip the ball past the onrushing Bazalonian goalie. She raced away with her arms out, having just broken an individual record for the most number of goals scored by a Starblaydi player in an AOCAF. The new record stands at ten, achieved in just six games. To round things off and confirm that Starblaydia were once again the driving force in the greatest sport in the greatest sporting region in the world. Diamontii Di Bradini netted with four minutes to go and Starblaydia went mad, the Regional title was theirs, the perfect preparation for World Cup 41. And the first person to mention 'Magnificent Seven' for AOCAF24 will be shot in the back of the head, twice, with no questions asked. Final Score from Isserson Stadium: Starblaydia 3 - 0 Bazalonia (Callind 26, Lubii 74, D. Di Bradini 86) - (None)

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)