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Demot Daily ~ Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
While celebrations spark throughout the nation with the Dynamo's first ever win in an AOCAF knockout match, the squad itself is counting their blessings and preparing hard not to get humilated in their next match. Despite the success of the squad up to this date in the tournament, and the high praise it has been recieving from foreign media outlets, this squad is indeed not high on itself. Perhaps this is a a reflection of their manager's modest and humble attitude taking over the squad, or simply that this squad does not truly believe in their capibilities. Whichever the case, they have been hard pressed to sing their own praises, as has the home grown media. I had predicted that the Dynamo were to crash out of the AOCAF KOs with a bang, saying the Gnomes of Az-cz would tear out the heart of the Dynamo with a resounding five to two defeat. Instead, the squad whacked the Gnomes a close three to two affair in regulation. Their reward for the triumph is not a very enviable one, with the hosts of Myrtannia as their elite eight opponents.
The squad was fortunate to knock off the Pink and Green of Az-cz, with a late strike from the timid reserve midfielder of Edmund Vorca in the eighty-seventh minute to seal the deal. Even that didn't come too easy for the Dynamo, bouncing off one upright, rolling across the line, knocking off the other, before finally angling into the netting. The Dynamo have had luck on their side this entire tournament, for some reason or the other, and that strike right there was the epitomy of it. However, how the squad got to that point does need the telling.
The game started off quite testy, each squad taking it to the other with everything they had, each squad nearly putting one past the other in those opening minutes if not for some extraordinary work from the keepers. Both sides seathed with energy, ready to get that final push that would break their oppisitions back and allow them that one great scoring chance that comes in the game. It would be the Dynamo to crack first, with the Az-cz attack finally wearing down the backline around the twenty-sixth minute. Ho-Lee Chung gingerly worked past Sans and then was able to turn Hostra inside out. With Fe-Do making their run, Chung put a perfect through ball in front of Fe-Do, who launched the shot on contact. Orien guessed right with his dive, but the ball hit his elbow and flew over him and into the net.
The Az-cz attack would not let up afterwards, however this proved to be their downfall as masteron stripped the inexpienced youngster Zk-Rv at the halfway line. Flanked by Argonot and Unitus, the trio broke down the pitch on a perfect counter, leaving Bu-Ru and Pu-Go in their dust. The poor exposed Za-Rv had little chance when he deflected the intial shot by Unitus right back at Masteron, who had little problem volleying the ball into the back of the empty net to eqaulise everything in the thrity-seventh minute.
The Dynamo would find the back of the net once more before the half was through, as they began a methodical attack in the forty-third minute, and really put the pressure on the Az-cz back four to step up. They would not prove up to the challange as the orange clad squad worked it in deep into the Gnomes half, with Masteron holding it in the corner. Weighing his options, he dished it back to Allison Lucas who was waiting unmarked at the top of the box. The lass calmly collected the ball, and feigned a hard shot to the right, spun left, and launched a corner seeking missle past a fray of bodies in the box. Za-Rv was unable to even get a glimpse of the shot before it went into the far corner's netting, and put the Dynamo up as they headed into the locker room.
The two squads came out fighting once more in the second half. The physical play finally unnerved the ref who showed a yellow to Nikalas Gooden in the 63rd minute for a sliding tackle from the side, his second of the tournament, and a red to EE-Or for taking down Pamelia Dwight from behind after she had stripped him of the ball in the 70th minute. However, the restart would prove disasterious for the Dynamo as Masteron shanked it right to Chung. The Az-cz attacking midfielder needed no invitation and fired a sharp, hard, and swerving shot from 28 yards out that curved away from Orien as he dove for it, and skipped into the back of the net, leveling the things once more in the 72nd minute.
However, with the loss of their captain, the Az-cz side was exposed both in numbers and in spirit. Dogood realized this, and brought on the young Vorca in place of the older Argonot. With the fresh legs, the squad began to pound the midfield and backline of the Gnomes, when Ysman would finally find Vorca in the eighty-seventh minute for that amazing game winning goal. After shaking hands and exchanging jerseys, the Dynamo were on the team bus heading back to the hotel, not to celebrate, but to begin watching film on their upcoming oppenents.
With the dominance that the hosts have shown throughout the tounament, Dogood has decided a switch in the line up is called for. The changes are easily spotted, with him exachanging the expierence of some of the older players, for the zeal and youthful enthusiasm some of the unexpierenced players have. A few of these players are looking back to avenging their loss to the Myrtannians back in the inagural AO-U21 championship match. The line-up for the match will be as follows:
GK - Alexander Orien - 24 - Ropper FC
GK - Polymus Indol - 32 - DS Assegai
DF - Pamelia Dwight - 28 - Cathedral Spooks DC (Assegai)
DF - Roger Thorax - 24 - Santa Rosa FC
DF - Julian Mataios - 25 - Ropper FC
DF - Nikalas Gooden - 30 - Bellwater Tidal Wave
DF - Arnold Hostra - 33 - Skyhaven FC
DF - Allison Lucas - 34 - DS Assegai
DF - Slyvester Wright - 27 - Freestone FC
DF - Jorge Morsa - 28 - Bellwater Tidal Wave
MF - David Masteron- 30 - Skyhaven FC ©
MF - Christi Sans, 24, Maracruse Typhoon
MF - David Argonot - 30 - Santa Rosa FC
MF - Edmund Vorca - 23 - Santa Rosa FC
MF - Kendall Smith - 31 - Freestone FC
MF - Ashley Hughes - 31 - Mirria United
MF - Jason Alvarez - 34 - Ropper FC
AF - Samantha Black - 30 - FC Longview (ESF)
AF - Sarah Ysman - 29 - AC Leà Monde (Assegai)
AF - May Maryweather - 25 - Skyhaven FC
AF - Winchester Unitus - 25 - New Mirria Patriots
AF - Gregory Corin - 24 - Santa Rosa FC
AF - Justin Frontson - 33 - Skyhaven FC
One only hopes that these changes will indeed stone the Myrtannian attack while not taking away from our own. As far as the other elite eight matches go, most teams advanced as was expected, apart from The Lowland Clans falling to the Nojika Panthers.
Myrtannia (5-0-0) vs. Demot (3-1-1)
The hosts continue to do quite well in the events that they host, and look on great form to continue that trend. While our squad looks to be the best it has been and in excellent form, the luck has to run out eventually, and this is going to be it. You just can't take away how much home field adavantage. Myrtannia 3-2 in a thriller.
Pacitalia (4-1-0) vs. Bazalonia (3-1-1)
The Blue Foxes look to be the clear favorites here on paper, espicially since the Bazalonia side is not indeed the regular national team, but instead the Bazacubs. However, we like squads from Bazalonia here in Demot, and while we have lots of respect for Pacitalia, we pick the Cubs to pull an upset of the score 2-1.
Hypocria (4-1-0) vs. Vilita & Turori (3-0-2)
Our group winners continue to roll through their compeition, with little standing after they are done with them. The combined forces of Vilita and Turori will be looking for their parts after this match, and be completely shocked by the force of the Hyprocia squad. Hyprocria rolls 4-1.
Lamoni (4-1-0) vs. Nojika (3-1-1)
Our allies get to take in the sweet taste of victory once more as they take on the suprise advancers of Nojika. This should be lopsided, and the Hawks should soar to victory, leaving the panthers blinded in their wake , 3-0.
Article by Jasmine Olyvander
This post has been edited by Demot on Jan 22 2007, 10:20 PM |
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AIR 4 Presents: A Citizen's View - Quarterfinal Predictions
As a new feature for the continuning AOCAF XVIII coverage, AIR 4 - Myrtannia's foremost sporting network - has taken to the streets. We wanted to know what an average citizen thought about the upcoming Quarterfinal fixtures. The main predictions here were made by one Brigette Azer, an 22 year old student at the University of Halosen. She is in Myrtannia on a student visa, and plans to return home to Yihsrael once she completes her degree in communications.
Pacitalia vs Bazalonia
"Bazalonia's done well, but not having the big boys now will hurt them against the full Pacitalia national team. I think the Blue Foxes will come out early trying to score, and if they do, this match will be over early. Regardless, the Bazacubs will unfortunately head home early. Pacitalia wins."
Hypocria vs Vilita & Turori
"I think the Lamoni media called Hypocria a 'steamroller' recently, but even steamrollers can be stopped. Nobody gave the Jungle Cat.. Eel... things... much of a chance in the last round, and yet they won. Kilpter and their horrible uniforms will stop the Hypos dead in their tracks. Vilita & Turori wins."
Lamoni vs Nojika
"I'm honestly impressed by how well Nojika has played so far. They're really one of the bright spots of this tournament. They're also in virgin waters. No Nojikan team has ever gotten this far, and they're playing the defending champions. As much as I'd like to say Nojika has a chance... it's not going to happen. It will be very close, but Lamoni wins."
Ms. Azel refused to comment on the Myrtannia/Demot match, citing a need to catch a bus before it left its stop. However, AIR 4 also went so far as to ask several citizens who they thought would win the Cup, if Myrtannia was not an option. Here's what we found:
Lavina Sida, 17, a high school student - "It'd be totally awesome if Lamoni won it again."
Yong Nitchals, 44, a steel worker from Damascos, - "Because they've worked so hard for it, Pacitalia deserve the Cup if we can't get it."
Fritz Flosi, 31, a 'venture capitalist' from Blackheart, - "In my line of business, we take lots of risks, so I'm going to say Demot or Nojika. Why not? Let someone unexpected win it all."
Deon Wielock, 50, a police officer from Portland, - "I'm gonna be unpopular and say that Hypocria is my pick. They're playin' too well right now for anyone to stop 'em, whether that's V&T, Lamoni, Pacitalia, or anyone else."
Kyung Dahlhauser, 26, 'Combat Fashions Model' for Northern Arms Manufacturing in Fergot Province, - "Well.. gee... I guess Vilita & Turori because they've made the Final twice in a row... and they've got those fabulous uniforms."
So no one can quite agree on who they think will win the whole shebang. That's public opinion for you. For now, and as long as Myrtannia's still in it, though, the Dryads Army's numbers seem likely to continue swelling. Reports are coming in that the Army will fill at least half the stadium, possibly as much as 60% of it, for the Quarterfinal match against Demot. We shall see if those are correct or not in less than 24 hours.
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Dear all,
It has recently come to our attention that a number of articles have been published correcting certain mistakes and errors that appeared in AOCAF media articles. Well while we’re on the subject it should be noted that our great and magnificent nation is known as Hypocria regardless of what Ms Olyvander of Demot thinks. In fairness, in her three variations of the name featured in her last article, one of them was actually right. But the Hyprocia and Hyprocria that spring up in remarkably quick succession in her article are not.
Now let me tell you about the Hyppo. The Hyppo is a river dwelling animal unique to the Autocracy. It is that uniqueness that led to the public overwhelmingly voting for it as the national side’s nickname when the Football Association looked for a name to replace the hugely unpopular, and wholly unsuitable, Titans. That is way the Autocracy’s national side are known as the Hyppos. Not the Hyypos as the Associated Press of Nojika believe or the Hypos as the media of our host nation like to think.
Many thanks.
Stay tuned for Brian Cahill's evening report from Myrtannia, featuring all the action from another thrilling round of matches. |
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It was the first practice that Manager-Select America McNany had attended as part of the Hawks organization. For the most part, she was pleased with what she had witnessed after the film study of their upcoming Nojikan opponents.
Manager Riyall had taken control of the starting eleven, and was observing them as they ran around the warming track. After the eleven had done their twenty laps, they then swam laps in the pool until lunchtime. After a half hour long lunch break, it was out to the field. The starting eleven was going to portray themselves (with Manager Riyall acting as himself), while the Reserve eleven ("coached" by Manager-Select McNany) portrayed themselves as Nojikans.
From what McNany had seen, the Hawks had the better form of the two teams; and the "win or go home" mentality of the knockouts was helping to keep the team's mind on the match against Nojika. She had already known that this group was ready to take on AO; and they had done a marvelous job against Starblaydia that most of the region was happy about.
Then the team split into groups of their positions, and started running down the parts that each position would play. America let her eight year old son Matthew McNany (named after former Lamonian President Matthew Stone) run around on the pitch under the watchful eye of her fiancee; Myrtannian ex-AORBC player Jerome Young. When she glanced over in that direction she smiled as she saw her lover teach her young son how to kick around the ball. The young raven haired child was trying to discover just how hard that he could kick the ball.
When he managed to kick the ball over to where the Lamonian goalkeepers were practicing; young Matthew's kick JUST made it past the GK coach, who tried to block it (humoring the child). It was thought that young Matthew might just be in the AOCAF one day; setting up the possibility that the youngster might face his own mother on the other side of the pitch. While the child was eight, America was 47 years old, and had coached the MAFC's Dryads, and Mari City Maulers before getting maternity leave during AOCAF XVI. Even at 47, America McNancy would still be called attractive; but that did not distract the Hawks, as they continued with their training exercises.
Yes, McNany thought; this team would eat Nojika for Breakfast. |
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Tame Lions
Brian Cahill reporting from Vanhaanen, Myrtannia.
It’s a good job these Verdana derbies don’t happen too often because when the Hyppos line up against Nedalia or Bettia the entire Autocracy seems to grind to a halt. The Second Round tie of AOCAF XIII against the Lions of Nedalia was certainly no exception. Families clustered around their televisions, pubs and bars around the nation filled, 100,000 fans squeezed into the Hyppodrome to watch the match in Myrtannia on the four big screens installed in the national stadium and nearly 4 million crowded into Imperial Park to enjoy the game on the screens there. And none of them could surely have anticipated such a straight forward win.
As the teams lined up for the national anthems you could see nerves on the faces of the Nedalian players, feeling the pressure after a less than impressive run in qualifying, while the men in blue and white looked relaxed. Any danger of the side suffering a hangover from the soul destroying nature of the defeat against Starblaydia was destroyed by the pure anticipation of a local derby.
The very different stances of the two teams during the anthems was reflected in the early exchanges. The men from the Autocracy showed drive and purpose while the Lions looked directionless and even a little lacklustre. Young forward Vardanyan forced the first save of the game with a snap shoot from twenty yards but it was straight at the keeper. Morinas too had a try from distance but it drifted harmlessly over the bar. The Nedalians offered little in reply and Lomaia was a virtual spectator for large swathes of the half. The same could not be said of his Nedalian counterpart and after thirty two minutes the Hyppos’ scored the goal they deserved. Fallback Teale burst down the flank, exchanged passes with Bassano and drove the ball into the near post where it was bundled in by Razin.
The Lions managed to survive the remaining minutes of the half unscathed and after a poor first half there were probably delighted at going in at the interval only one goal down.
The Lions came out for the second half with much more purpose and Lomaia was forced into a save after a mere eighteen seconds. But after the collapse against Starblaydia Marcus Baxter had been putting his defenders through extra training and it seemed to be paying off. Four times in the next ten minutes Nedalian attacks came to nothing as the well drilled backline stepped up to catch them offside. As the Lions pushed forward the Hyppos caught them with a sucker punch. Right back Hunter showed wonderful vision to pick out Morinas in the box with a fifty yard pass and the big man controlled beautifully before hitting a fierce drive. The keeper managed to get a hand to the effort but, such was the power, he couldn’t keep it out. It was a landmark goal for the in form target man, his fourteenth AOCAF goal which took him level with Carlo Molinari and Alex Sousa at the top of the nation’s scoring charts.
The second goal really deflated the Nedalians and they looked a beaten side. It was no surprise when Razin added his second and the nations third after a flowing attacking move in true Verdana style. The final whistle blew and several billion Hypocria fans roared their approval from all around the region. Marcus Baxter clapped the blue and white clad fans in the Vanhaanen Sporting Complex and they showed their appreciation to the coach who had led the team to the quarter finals for the third time in his three tournaments in charge.
Hypocria 3 - 0 Nedalia
Razin (2)
Morinas
As the dust settled after the second round it became clear that Nedalia weren’t the only big name to be sent packing. In the tie of the round top seeds Starblaydia and reigning champions Lamoni battled to a 1 - 1 draw after 120 minutes of play. But it was the Hawks who kept their nerves to dump the five time AOCAF holders out of the tournament on penalties. They’re joined on the plane home by former champions Bettia who fell victim to Vilita/Turori in the round’s other huge game, by four goals to two. Elsewhere the hosts made it five wins from five after a narrow victory over Aurendia and Pacitalia cruised through 3 - 0 against Delesa. Bazalonia and Demot also advance after wins against Milchama and Az-cz respectively. Nojika complete the quarter final line-up with a 2 - 1 win over sleeping giants the Lowland Clans.
Double Trouble
A few days ago, just after the second round draw in fact, there was a rare sense of optimism running through the Hyppos’ camp. That draw had Hypocria, should they triumph over Nedalia, paired with the winner of the Demot/Az-cz tie. Which is something of a dream quarter final draw. But between then and now the draw changed. Now, having dispensed with the Lions, the Autocracy is up against the very last nation we wanted. If we had a bogey team surely this is them. It’s twice the trouble. It’s Vilita/Turori.
Against the side from the Tropics the Hyppos’ have a truly appalling record. A goalless draw at AOCAF XI in Bettia is our best result which, if you think about it, is fairly tragic. In four other games, three against Vilita and one against Vilita/Turori, the Hyppos’ have tasted defeat each and every time. There is a Hypocrian win over Turori somewhere back through the mists of time but it seems to count for little. Oh, and they’re the second best team in the region.
We’re also experiencing a strange feeling of having done all this before. Eight years ago in Lamoni the men in blue and white beat Nedalia in the second round only to be dumped out of the quarters by Vilita/Turori. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe.
And Then There Were Eight
Myrtannia (9) v Demot (17)
They made harder work of it then expected but the Dryads did eventually make it five out of five against Aurendia. Demot had a slightly tougher route, edging past the Gnomes of Az-cz by the odd goal in five. The Dynamos will really have to live up to that moniker to have any real chance of overcoming the hosts. A place in the final four is there for the taking for Myrtannia.
Verdict: Six out of six.
Pacitalia (5) v Bazalonia (11)
The Blue Foxes had by far the easiest second round game and never looked in danger as they overcame Delesa. Their reward, another good draw. Bazalonia may have done the tournament a favour by removing Milchama but here their run ends. Could this finally be Pacitalia’s year?
Verdict: Bazacub’s outfoxed.
Hypocria (7) v Vilita/Turori (2)
We couldn’t beat Vilita, we can’t beat Vilita/Turori and we can’t win quarter finals.
Verdict: You do the maths.
Lamoni (3) v Nojika (15)
They may only be in the last eight but the reigning champions must be feeling on top of the world after defeating bitter rivals Starblaydia. It’s all new for Nojika who have reached this stage for the first time in their history after a 2 - 1 win over follow underachievers the Lowland Clans. The Hawks are confident, perhaps too confident while the Panthers have nothing to lose. It may be SAAS bias but we’re tipping one big upset.
Verdict: Hawk’s have their wings clipped. |
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RP Cutoff for Quarterfinals |
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Dryads Outshoot Demot, Return to Semi-Finals
SALAHADIN CITY – It’s becoming a normal yet unusual feeling for the Myrtannian national side here at the Eighteenth Atlantian Oceania Championship of Association Football. Heading into both of their knockout matches, Myrtannia has actually been the favorite in foreign media predictions. This has been perplexing to some Dryads fans, who’ve become used to seeing their team as the underdogs. Now, Myrtannia is, for better or worse, beyond the perpetual underdog persona. At least for this AOCAF.
That was part of the backdrop for Myrtannia’s Quarterfinal match against the up and coming Dynamos of Demot. Still fairly new to the competition, Demot have shown signs that they may do fairly well for themselves in the near future of AOCAF. In their second-ever trip to the knockout stage, they’d already racked up an impressive 3-2 victory over the improved Gnomes of Az-cz. With both teams doing all they could in preparation, the Dryads-Dynamos match was set to be very competitive.
Before they went out to the pitch, the Dryads were once again given a pre-match strategy talk by Coach Zentrescu. While most of the details of his talk were, once again, not released, players said he stressed the need to deliver when they were expected to. It was an important reminder for a Myrtannia team that’s lost most of the old guard since its AOCAF XVII Semi-finals run.
“Keep your heads on your shoulders, and don’t ever take this for granted. There’s eleven Demotians on that pitch who’d be happy to take this away from you in front of your home crowd. Play smart, and execute the way we’ve practiced,” Zentrescu closed the talk, then sent the team out to the pitch.
For the second consecutive match, the Dryads made their way onto the field with cool, serious expressions on their faces. With only minimal pre-match acknowledgement of the crowd, they went through their warm up routines. When they lined up for the national anthems, they didn’t show any signs of stress, but one has to assume that the stress was there. After making the semi-finals four years ago in Krytenia, and being unbeaten in AOCAF play so far at home, there were certainly heavy expectations from the Orange and Blue cheering section for a return trip to the last four.
Demot, for their part, looked happy just to be still alive when the match got underway. The first possession made it look like this was going to be a very one sided match, as the Dryads took control and surged forward into Dynamos territory. Zora Leckington got the ball off the kickoff, and managed to maneuver into a prime setup position. Leckington quickly passed it off to Sheron Caffoso – who scored the winning goal against Aurendia two days ago – and Caffoso took a shot. Alexander Orien deflected the shot, but Hettie Miyagishima found her way past her defender and took her own sliding shot on the rebound.
Orien just barely got that one away too, but once again it ended up sailing over to a Dryads striker. This time, Zora Leckington lunged forward and struck it back into the net before Orien could recover for another save. Just a few minutes in, and it was Myrtannia with the lead, 1-0. Whatever stars the Dynamos had been seeing, they recovered quickly after the Leckington goal. Demot wasn’t about to go quietly into the night, not with their tournament hopes and dreams on the line.
On their first kickoff, the Dynamos came right back with their own charge, catching the Dryads off guard with their swiftness. After several stunning passes, Demot got the ball to striker Sarah Ysman, who found a wonderful spot from which to fire off her shot. The strike was well aimed and went sailing past Rosario Zlotnik for the 1-1 equaliser. It was apparent then that this would be no keepers’ duel like the Last 16 match against Aurendia; this was going to be a barn-burner, plain and simple.
With that in mind, any thoughts the Dryads had of playing defense in the first half were thrown out like free dialup internet service discs. Myrtannia was determined not to let the first Demotian goal go unanswered, and pushed forward again. Emboldened by the loud chants from the crowd, the Dryads found themselves in position to strike back just ten minutes after the first Ysman goal. Marti Gabeline took charge of the setup, seeming to be headed for the goal herself before passing it off to Caffoso on the left side of the box. Caffoso crossed it in, and in a moment of brilliant (or convenient) timing, Hettie Miyagishima was right there to strike it home. As the ball flew past Alexander Orien for the second time, it was advantage Dryads 2-1.
Not to be outdone, Demot returned the favor again, storming down the pitch to get their own back. Once again, the talented Ysman found a shot she couldn’t do without, and struck it home again, tying the affair at 2-2. As if that wasn’t enough scoring, the Dynamos got a crucial take away when David Masterson intercepted a pass by Sarita Longknife, which started up another attack. Demot came back down the pitch and, rather than going the Sarah Ysman route, crossed it to Edmund Vorca, who scored the Dynamos’ third goal. This gave Demot its only lead of the match at 3-2 with five minutes left in the first half.
It wouldn’t last long, either, as Myrtannia resumed the attack on their next possession, and moved back into the Demotian half of the playing surface. This time it was Jettie Cassetty who took the first shot, which Alexander Orien expertly knocked away. But once again the ball traveled right to a Dryads player – Miyagisihima – who was immediately double-teamed. In response, Miyagishima passed it off to the nearest open teammate. That would be Dania Figary. Figary struck it home with a choppy-looking but effective strike into the bottom right corner, and Myrtannia had its equaliser, tying things at 3-3.
That would be the halftime score, as once again a match went into the break with an even score. Myrtannia and Demot combined for six goals in the first half, which led many to wonder just how many more would be scored. Surely both teams were in fine form offensively, but just like the Aurendia match, someone had to get tired eventually. Coach Z made sure that his players knew how much was on the line in the second half.
“It’s not just a trip to the semi-finals. It’s the hopes and dreams of a nation – your nation – riding on your shoulders. Win and you’ll be heroes in front of your home crowd,” Zentrescu (repeating his speech at the post-match press conference) told them, “Lose and you’ll have four years or more where they’ll never let you live it down.”
If the first half was focused entirely on getting goals, the second was spent mostly trying to prevent any more from being scored. Where both sides had attacked without mercy in the opening 45 minutes, neither the Dryads nor Dynamos seemed interested in continuously charging now. Myrtannia fell into its proven routine of balancing attacks with ball-control football, though for half an hour the latter was king. Every time a Myrtannian or Demotian forward seemed to break away from the pack, a defender would come up and put a stop to their run quickly enough. The play of Amado Ugaitafa and Lenny Ditucci in the back third was better than they’ve been all tournament long. Credit must also be duly given to Nikalas Gooden and Roger Thorax of Demot, who also played admirably during the same period of time.
Finally, that ‘something’ gave, and a pass meant for Samantha Black was intercepted by Marti Gabeline. Without hesitation, Gabeline saw the opportunity and bolted forward with the ball. She passed it down the pitch to a waiting Miyagishima, who again found two Dynamos headed for her. Hettie again passed it, this time to Caffoso, who crossed it past Roger Thorax to a waiting Figary. Figary landed her signature scissor kick, and the shot went just past the reach of Orien, putting Myrtannia in the lead at 4-3.
With an ovation unlike anything heard from the Dryads Army since the victory on PKs over Hypocria in the Quarterfinals four years ago, Figary pumped her fist in the air as her only celebration of the goal. Myrtannia once more spent the remaining minutes of the match keeping the ball away from the Dynamos, and running out the clock. When the final gun sounded, history had been made. Myrtannia had secured consecutive semi-finals appearances for the first time ever, and just their third semi-finals appearance ever. Rather than celebrate the win too much, Myrtannia again shook hands with their opponents to keep things friendly, then jogged back to the locker room for Coach Z’s post-match talk.
The question shifted momentarily to whether Zentrescu’s Dryads would face his old team, the Blue Foxes in a semi-finals showdown. It would have been an amazing matchup as the host nation tried to finally beat its boogey foxes with their own former coach. A great new chapter in the Myrtannia-Pacitalia rivalry. Other factors put an end to such dreams.
Bazalonia pulled off a major upset by defeating the touted Blue Foxes, who again bowed out early in the Quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Hypocria got its first win ever against Vilita & Turori, winning relatively easily by a final tally of 3-1. Nojika, in the Quarterfinals for the first time ever, were duly eliminated too. Defending champion Lamoni truly ate the Panthers for breakfast, winning easily by a score of 4-1.
Now, it’s Myrtannia against the Bazacubs in the semi-finals. One will reach the Final for the first time ever, while the loser still has a chance for a best-ever finish in the Third Place Playoff. Myrtannia’s eyes will only be on Bazalonia, whose tremendous Quarterfinal win puts them in a prime position for another upset.
“We’ve come very far, and done very well already, but there’s still another match to play. Bazalonia didn’t get here by luck alone. They’re a good, determined side that’s going to be looking for another big upset. It’s our job to do everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Coach Zentrescu announced at the post-Quarterfinal press conference.
AIR 4 will be broadcasting both semi-final matches live across the United Isles, and has reached deals with undisclosed foreign outlets to broadcast them across the region as well.
The final from Al-Zataar Olympic Field:
Myrtannia 4 – 3 Demot
(Leckington 5’, Miyagishima 21’, Figary 45’ & 76’ ) (Ysman 11’ & 29’, Vorca 40’) |
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Nojikans get long delayed wooden spoon
This match was neighbor vs. neighbor; Lamoni vs. Nojika, north vs. south, SDL vs. SAAS... however you want to call it.
The match seemed to be starting well from the Nojikan point of view. It was scoreless until Wes Derenberger scored at 22:30. This caused the Nojikan fans to cheer loudly. Until; that is, the Hawks took the ball forward with speed, scoring with team captain Drugah Farani scoring thirty seconds later (23:00). The ball was deflected off of the hands of Monte Potempa, who couldn't quite keep the ball from going into the net. The Nojikan fans would mostly stay quiet for the rest of the match as the Hawks basically ripped up the Nojikan defense. Lamoni was to score again and again at 51:00, 63:00, and 89:00.
The goal at 89:00 was off a somewhat controversial header by Drugan Farani in which the Nojikans protested that it had hit his hands. The Myrtannian referee stood firm, and the goal stuck. The Nojikans went angrily back to their bench, and played out the rest of the match. It is our considered opinion that it would not have mattered even if the goal HAD been called back, the Hawks would still have won.
Lamoni's reward for taking down two straight SAAS teams? A match with the only remaining SAAS team in AOCAF XVIII. They call themselves the Hyppos, so you know who they are... Hypocria. This is the only team that the Hawks have not won against, even though their last match has not been for some time. While Hypocria have been doing well for themselves in a group that included Starblaydia, we feel that this is the match where Hypocria gets careless.
Lamoni - 4 Drugah Farani (23:00, 89:00), Zan Quest (51:00), Draze Aruru (63:00)
Nojika - 1 Wes Derenberger (22:30)
Nephi Times Predictions:
Myrtannia vs Bazalonia
Bazalonia has at best, a 1 in 20 chance of winning this match. It should be a multi-goal blowout for the hosts.
Hypocria vs Lamoni
Our match, we are going to cautiously say that Lamoni will win.
This post has been edited by Lamoni on Jan 24 2007, 04:01 AM |
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Democratic Maniac |
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"WE WON, WE WON FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE IN THE SEMI'S!" exclaimed Andrew Coulter... In fact this is the first time that Bazalonia in any of their soccer incarnations had been in the Semis for anything.
They were not in the Semis for the Baptism of Fire all that time ago, they never appeared in the Semis for the Cup of Harmony, had never came close to the semis for the world cup and this was evem the first time that the Bazacubs or any other Bazalonian team had even had a sniff of a semi-final.
And for once Andrew Coulter seemed to have everything under control.
"Okay... this is what I want you to do... keep up the training and practicing, ensure they know that they can win this but have to be at the top of the game and, I don't want them to sit on their tails and wait for the Myrtannians to make mistakes at this level we can't afford it. I want them to play their natural game with the Balanced Attack and Defense. We do that and we have a chance of wining this." he said barely taking in a breath. Of course he was talking to the coach in Myrtannia.
Irony, a strange thing, while Andrew Coulter enjoyed everything falling into place and the Bazacubs best ever AOCAF peformance, things where not going so well for James Gaines
"Blasted leg." he cursed "Come on, just one more." said a physio who was there leading James through Rehabilitation. Apparently the explosion had hurt is leg and had caused cronic pains in his lower back. The doctors where concered about him, both physically and mentally. "Good, that's it for today. We have made steady progress."
The only only question is how well will James recover? |
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Bazalonia |
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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AIR 4 Sport Center Presents
A Sort of In-Depth AOCAF XVIII Semi-Finals Preview
"Welcome back to the Sport Center, I'm Edgardo Bastura," stated the slightly oily looking middle-aged man with slicked back thinning black hair as the AIR 4 logo dissipated, "As anyone knows, the biggest sporting event in the region is in the United Isles this time, and the action has been amazing. Plenty of upsets to go around, and now the Semi-Finals are upon us. We thought it would be a good opportunity to give our viewers at home some background information and previews of each of the four remaining nations. The Final Four of AOCAF XVIII."
"Four years ago, we saw the elite of the region perform mostly as expected, with AOCAF XVI champion Vilita & Turori reaching the semi-finals along with five-time champion Starblaydia. Lamoni, an AOCAF XVI finalist, was also there. Myrtannia managed a minor upset of Hypocria to sneak in as well, continuing its rise on the AOCAF scene. This AOCAF has seen two of those elite nations fall early. Starblaydia was taken out in the Round of 16 by Lamoni, for the first time ever failing to reach the Quarterfinals. Back to back finalists Vilita & Turori? They're out too, eliminated by a strong Hypocrian side. Where does that leave us for the Final Four?"
"First, we have Hypocria. Winners of their group, and looking to return to the prominence of the Cup Final at last. They topped the AO footballing mountain with their AOCAF XI win, but haven't won the Cup since. For a while, the Hyppos were in decline, at one point considering dropping AOCAF altogether. But the past few tournaments have witnessed a resurgence in Hypocria football. AOCAF XVIII has seen them win their group once again, and have little trouble in the knockouts. Their first victim was Nedalia, a two-time finalist - Hypocria won 3-0. Vilita & Turori, the three-time AOCAF champions, were next... and Hypocria won 3-1. Could this finally be Hypocria's year to reclaim that long distant glory?"
"Standing in their way is Lamoni, one of the longest-running participants of the AOCAF tournament. The Hawks' first major success in AOCAF was way back at AOCAF VII, where they finished third. From there, frustration was the main word that could be used to describe their experience in the region's top sporting competition. Not until AOCAF XIV would they finally appear in the Final, and that saw them lose to bitter rivals Starblaydia. Lamoni hosted the tournament eight years ago, made the Final again... and got slaughtered by Vilita & Turori. Four years ago, the returned to the Final and exacted their revenge, beating V&T 3-1 for their first ever AOCAF Cup win. Is Lamoni the new powerhouse of AOCAF? With their Last 16 win over the dreaded Men in Muave - their second in as many meetings after losing every matchup previous - and a drubbing of Nojika in the Quarts, the Champs are certainly making a case for it."
"But Lamoni has yet to top Hypocria. Both nations have one Cup win apiece, and both would love to lift it for the second time in Myrtannia. We're not making any predictions, other than this could be the best match of the tournament yet."
"Elsewhere, we have the surprise entry into the Semi-Finals: Bazalonia. A team that had never gotten farther than the Quarterfinals now finds itself in position to make history. The Bazacubs have traveled farther in this AOCAF than any other side in their nation's history - not even the great Peter Hobble saw the AOCAF semi-finals. While it's easy to write them off as a fluke or just plain lucky, the Bazacubs definitely have lots of talent. They did us all a favor by sending the Milchaman horsemen home. Then they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in an AOCAF full of upsets - eliminating Pacitalia in Extra Time in the Quarterfinals. Now the Bazacubs face new territory - whatever happens to them, they will have secured the best finish in national history. Congratulations to Bazalonia."
"Then we have.. us. Myrtannia, backed by a fervently devoted home crowd, returns to the Semi-Finals. It's only the third time in history that the Dryads have accomplished a Last 4 appearance, and the first in which they've had consecutive Semi-Finals appearances. For someone who's covered the national team since the early days, it's hard to imagine the team that was shut out every outing except one in their first AOCAF is now a contender for the Cup. Growing pains have molded the Dryads into a top ten AO side, and they now have another chance to make their first Final. A new coach has given them what amounts to one of the best national sides in history. They find themselves in an unusual situation again - favorites in the Semi-Finals. Can they deliver?"
"This is another close matchup. Bazalonia will be determined to prove their run is no fluke, and to give the fans at home something to really cheer about. Myrtannia will be equally determined to produce the biggest win in national history - one that would at last send the Dryads to the Cup Final. One that would ensure the nation's first top three finish, and defeat The Curse. Myrtannia/Bazalonia will be closer than you expect, and is already projected to be the most watched match in United Isles history."
"That's all the time we have for now. Tune in tomorrow for our complete Semi-Finals wrap up, and a preview of the final two matches of this amazing AOCAF XVIII." |
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This day had started as any other practice day for the Hawks in AOCAF XVIII had. They woke up, showered, shaved, got dressed, and had breakfast. After all that, they took their private team vans (which came from Krytenia in AOCAF XVII) to the practice facility in Halosen, Myrtannia.
Once past the security gaurds that helped to make the Lamonian practices secret from any curiousity seekers, they settled into their practice routine. They swam, ran on the warming track, did calisthenics, and had a practice match with the reserve eleven acting as Hypocria. We won't talk about the things that were planned to be used against Hypocria, and they aren't even relevant to this story anyway.
After all of the preliminaries were out of the way, the strategy session began. This in itself would not be newsworthy if not for the fact that some devoted follower of the old Atheistic Right "government" had slipped past the Lamonian security gaurds (they were later found to be frozen in time as well); and ran into the strategy session. Now, Manager Riyall was making some point to the reserve eleven when the rabid AR runner burst into the room. As Manager Riyall started to ask what the man was doing in the Lamonian practice facility, the un-named AR man produced a odd looking device, and pressed a button on it. A blinding white flash came from the device (as well of the sound of a broken camera bulb); and the Righter made his escape after doing so.
When the starting eleven and Manager-Select McNany were finally able to see again after the blinding flash, they saw that Manager Riyall and the entire reserve eleven were not moving... not even breathing. Curiousity eventually overcame team captain Drugah Farrani, and he attempted to get close to the non-moving people. When he got close enough, he ran into what felt like a brick wall, and looked like a mass of lightning. He rebounded back towards his teammates; and the breath had been knocked out of him.
After several hours of trying to figure out what was going on, a general call was placed to all AO scientists to attempt to figure out what had happened to Manager Riyall and the reserve squad. At the same time, another reserve eleven was being rounded up in Lamoni so that the Hawks could field a complete team. Manager-Select McNany was given the go-ahead to Manage the team in their match against Hypocria, and any other matches until whatever had taken hold of the twelve men had been undone. |
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Democratic Maniac |
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The head of the Atheistic Football Association(AFA) the new FA in Atheistic Right, which has no known connections at all with Lion, Lioness, the Great Lion nor ARFA, Ed Jalapojas was the first head of a regional Football association to make a comment about the Atheistic Right man, which had a condor blazened on his jacket to perform such an atrocity.
"This act is appauling and we condemn the action taken against the Lamonian Hawks manager Riyall and the reserves of the team. We can tell you we have nothing but appreciation for the Lamonian Hawks as football team and the nations of Lamoni, Bazalonia, Starblaydia and the many others that freed the region and the people of Atheistic Right from that crazed despot that took the Moniker of The Great Lion, despite there being nothing great in him. It was also an open secret that this disgrace of humanity was also ran extremely secret and his tech research facilities, while from what we can tell they are all now destroyed by the allied forces we can not be sure just how many of these deranged followers of a false god there are and neither can we know what levels of depravity they will sink to bring about his perverted will."
This post has been edited by Atheistic Right on Jan 25 2007, 04:16 AM |
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The reaction to the incident with Lamoni and the response made by the Atheistic Right was mixed, while officials in the Bazalonian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade applauded the statement made by the head of the AFA, the very same officials were very uncertain wether this new government in Atheistic Right or this Ed Jalapojas, head of the new Football association in Atheistic Right could be trusted to tell the full truth and wether or not this was a stunt. Either way what concerned the people in DFAT was that obviously old-school rightist nutters had their hands on some very advanced technology.
However in the response to the Lamonian reserves and the manager of the team being "frozen" A team of 11 leading theoretical physics scientists left Bazalonia on the short ride to Myrtannia to inspect and try and find a solution.
Once they arrived they wasted no time and spent the next hour just wondering in between the reserves talking readings and closely examining the frozen people without touching.
One of them pulled out a calculator that he had in his pocket and typed in some numbers, a very large number appeared on the display.
"Precisely what I thought!" Proffesor Albert Horonzo. "The device in question, emitted a large but directed burst of energy approximately 10 Terrawatts, it emitted this energy in such a way that it formed a miniture alternate universe which dragged everything in it's path of effect into this alternate universe. However this miniature alternate universe is not really an alternate universe in the traditional sense... It's like a universe within a universe... This Universe however does not have a time dimension and until we can drag them out of the universe within the universe they will be stuck like this. O, and it would be normal for residual energy to hang around for quite some time after. It won't be safe to touch these guys for according to my calculations 12 hours 10 minutes, 12 seconds 241 Milliseconds of course ot goes into more decimal places but I rounded up."
The other ten looked on, nodded in appropriate places and seemingly understood everything that he just said, however no one else did. When later asked what could be done. he replied "I dunno, we are theoretical physcist, we only deal with theorys and not practice."
Of course they soon started theorise how one can bring back the reserves and the team from this universe within the universe however no one is able to answer when they would be able. Partly because they had a very poor concept of practical time, theoretically they were down pat but those that knew them thought it was amazing that they all made the plane on time. |
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Bazalonia |
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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Posts: 774 |
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Reserve eleven frozen in time!
Marvin Godlevsky
Nephi Times
Halosen, Myrtannia
(OOC: Giving his observations to LBC, which is being broadcast across AO.
OOC2: Myr, Baz wants to start the terrorist thing in Yihsreal again)
The picture changed to display a "breaking news" picture before changing to a close up of Nephi Times reporter Marvin Godlevsky being interviewed by the un-named LBC reporter.
"Standing here in the 'strategy room' of the Lamonian AOCAF XVIII practice facility;" Godlevsky said, "this reporter is astounded to see the Hawks reserve eleven and Manager Riyall all completely unmoving. One is almost tempted to wave one's hand in front of one of them to see if they are really alive, or just statues meant to fool everyone."
Marvin pointed to one of the non-moving people. "If they are statues, however; they are very good ones. The facial expressions, and the way that the fabric of his clothes is draped indicate that this is in fact a real person.
From what we have learned so far, it appears that a demented follower of Atheistic Right's old Great Lion has invaded the Lamonian practice facility, and produced a strange effect which has 'frozen' these men. With us now is the Bazalonian Professor that has finally deduced what has happened to our men. Professor Albert Horonzo is a Theoretical Physicist from Fauxhan National University in Bazalonia. Professor, what do you think has happened to these men?"
A man of medium height with greying brown hair and average looks turned to face the camera. "These men have been subjected to an energy burst of approximately ten terrawatts. While this would normally kill a person, it appears that this energy burst was altered somehow to create a miniture alternate universe which dragged everything in it's path of effect into this alternate universe. However this miniature alternate universe is not really an alternate universe in the traditional sense... It's like a universe within a universe... This Universe however does not have a time dimension and until we can drag them out of the universe within the universe they will be stuck like this. Forever."
Marvin Godlevsky (who had had some physics classes in university) looked at Professor Horonzo, and asked, "Does that mean that our reserves and manager have been taken into some kind of pocket universe that has no time?"
"Exactly," replied the Bazalonian. "We also have no idea as to how to reverse the effect. We are theoritists, not practitioners."
Before anyone could say something that they would later regret, the screen cut to a plane taking off from some airport. A voice over from another LBC broadcaster was speaking. "We are now witnessing a second reserve eleven taking off from Nephi International Airport en route to Myrtannia for the remainder of the AOCAF. Most of this reserve squad come from the Lamonian team Lemnos FC, which has suddenly done well for themselves after slumping for many years. Stay tuned to LBC for continuing coverage on this desperate situation."
<screen goes to commercials>
This post has been edited by Lamoni on Jan 25 2007, 05:38 AM |
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Democratic Maniac |
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<6 hours, 40 minutes until game time>
The original reserve eleven and Manager Riyall were still frozen, the team could see as they did their pre-game workout. You could also see those Bazalonian scientists hovering over them like vultures, attempting to find a way to free them. They had been unsucessful thus far, mostly due to a lack of information surrounding the device that had dragged the people into the timeless pocket universe.
It was decided that the strategy refresher session would take place out on the practice pitch, as watching the horrible plight of their teammates made the unfrozen members nervous. They would be fine when the match started, McNany thought.
The new reserve eleven were doing their workout, even though most of them would not see action in this match, if everything went as it should. They had film study, strategy sessions, and their own workouts to get through before the match; and they might forget something important during the rush.
Later on, the team was taken to the real pitch, and went through some final practices on their 'half' of the pitch. These would slowly continue until an hour before game time, just so they could do the dramatic "coming out of the locker room for the start of the match" routine that the fans all over AO seemed to love. |
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