I mean lossing to Bettia is ok i guess under normal curcomstances, but man that game against Mil?
I donno what to do..... 
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| AO Forum :: > AOCAF - The AO Regional Soccer Tournament > AOCAF 17 - The Roleplay Thread |
| Posted by: Krytenia Nov 24 2006, 09:11 PM |
| Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the seventeenth AOCAF tournament! RP's go here; the official opening ceremony will be held on Sunday (IRL). |
| Posted by: Az-cz Nov 26 2006, 08:42 AM |
| Az-cz press conference with Noz-Tf. Az-cz reporter 1: Why did you choose to let coaches Khim and Hawdon coach the AOCAF? Noz-Tf: Last time we changed coaches because the AOCAF and Cup of Harmony were concurrent. But with that not being the case now I don't see any reason for them not to coach. Az-cz reporter 2: Do you think they should have put more young players on the side? Noz-Tf: I don't really want to get into specifics about the roster, but we are pretty young to begin with, so I don't have any real concerns, no. Az-cz reporter 3: What are your goals for this tournament? Noz-Tf: Well of course we'd like to win but our more realistic goal is the knockout rounds. We have to remember that this is Atlantian Oceania. More than half of these teams were in the world cup proper and a number of them have great sides, but choose to only compete regionally. This is by far the toughest region in the world. Az-cz reporter 4: What about kits? Noz-Tf: Same as always. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Nov 26 2006, 06:02 PM |
| Youth And Experience As Usual Starblaydia looking to meet expectations They're still by far and away the best team that is sent to the regional competition - Starblaydia's AOCAF side contains, almost exclusively, over-thirties and under-twenties. This mix of Starblaydi youth and experience is something every AOCAF save the inaugural tournament has seen. Even way back in AOCAF2, where Starblaydia's front line consisted of http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Guylain_N%27Dumbu-Nsungu (35), http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/List_of_minor_Starblaydi_footballers#Christian_Kabeya-Mbaya (31) and http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/List_of_minor_Starblaydi_footballers#Steve_Owens (32), there was a succession of young players like http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ceri_Salisbury (21), http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/List_of_minor_Starblaydi_footballers#Vladimir_Tsarev (18) and http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/List_of_minor_Starblaydi_footballers#Simon_Hill (19). Now Starblaydia's over-thirties have something to shout about, with AOCAF and World Cup championships to their name. Starblaydia's highest-ever goalscorer is looking to add to her tally, too, the thirty year-old http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jacqueline_Maitland hoping for a sixtieth goal in her international career, being on the record total of fifty-four so far. From sixty-one caps, that's an incredible goals-to-games ratio. At the other end of the scale, Betanii Marrones will make her senior début at the age of eighteen in central defence alongside Herge Costa, a man who won the World Cup itself as a nineteen year-old substitute defender. Look also for débutantes Jiino Graikalonii , twenty, in goal and a whole host of players twenty years of age and under as they come on as substitutes to make their first international bows. Graikalonii is already touted as the future of Starblaydi 'keeping, and even at the tender age of twenty is already the number-one at his club side, FC Farça. Another man making his first ever appearance, this time in a suit in the technical area, is http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Markko_Rakkinen, a former Starblaydi full-back turned coach and manager. Markko was never afraid of a challenge in his playing days and with this appointment, and this squad, he's obviously not changed since he retired from kicking balls for a living. Now he'll be yelling at others telling them how to a kick those balls, and woe betide anyone who doesn't listen to this former World Champion. Whatever happens with Starblaydia's group in the official draw later this evening, they'll certainly be looking for the Semi-Finals at least, if not a record-breaking sixth regional title. Watch out Atlantian Oceania. |
| Posted by: West Pasco Nov 26 2006, 08:53 PM |
| Interview on Krytanian TV with TMMK's AOCAF Cup manager N'dagada D'vida Bebe. Reporter: The first thing I'm shure people want to know about is the formation. Why 8-1-1? N: We'll the philosophy of Footy in the Kingdom. Always attack. I mean the game is simple get more goal's and you win. Reporter: How are your chances? N: I wouldn't be coaching, if I didn't think we can win,But honestly I don't really know what our realistic shot is Reporter: After the Tragidy in Casari, How will you guys try to Push on. N: Obviuosly We would like to do good for them, I mean they were members of the World Cup squad. Reporter: and For the last question in this bit. What would you say the Philosophy of TMK Footy is. N: I Answered that already You Dipweed Now Shut up and stop asking STupid questions! N leaves the builing in a huff |
| Posted by: Delesa Nov 27 2006, 01:08 AM |
| X-Treme Delesa Sports News Rick Fox: "Ladies and Gentlemen, today we have good news, and several special guest. The big news? The national Delesa team will be competing in there first regional competition. In this one region, many of the teams are top 10 contenders in the world cup play here. Delesa United is in for a hard time, but the Manager Paul Lejeune, is here as well as Head Coach Liam O'Rielly and new Asst. Coach Cahan Fionn who joined the Delesa team last year, are here to tell us the game plan. Hello guys." Paul Lejeune: "Morning." Liam O'Rielly: " 'Ello" Cahan Fionn: "Hi." Rick Fox: "So whats the plan?" Liam O'Rielly: "Well we have cranked up personal training in the gym, as well as time on the field one on one with the ball. We reallyu focused on the single game. But in the past month the team has started to do drills more focused on team work, it has really worked. Drills are really amazing to watch, players have really put that seconf effort in. I think the team has played enough times together that they are comfortable playing with each other. We have had reasonable victories." Paul Lejeune: "We have also told the players there will be... bonuses. *chuckles* Yeah but that those come with victories." Cahan Fionn: "But we try not to let that be the encourager in this well greased machine. In my year working with the team, the players had improved as single playes, which makes their team work stronger, as they learn without each other, they fall or fail. Like the national motto states." Rick Fox: "So who durring practice has really shown leadership?" Liam O'Rielly: "Clare for sure. I would have to say he is the back bone of the team as well as the other older players like McShane, Fernando and Olivier." Cahan Fionn: "Also Topper has shown great leadership. But thats not really what the team needs, almost every player is a possible great leader, which means if one player like McShane has a bad game, or any of the older players, guys like Tison and even Keogh are willing to take the step up, and help out the team." Rick Fox: "So whats the goal to start of the new tradition?" Paul Lejeune: "Umm... well i really want the national club to get known as a top fighter. I am hoping for victories against top teams, even if we dont come close i want to win some hard games, and let the other nations of the region know that Delesa in ever aspect isnt a push over. We have major suport from the population. Even the government has funded some aspects of the team, like new shoes for the entire team. And several Delesa companies like the West Delesa Trading Co. has donated several thousand kredits, that has allowed the team to purchase a team plane, complete with small rooms onboard for each member. As well as new merchandise, coming out after the opening cerimonies in every corner store. Half the funds will go to the team, and the other half to the St.Myhre Children's Hospital Charity. So people go out and buy the team's stuff." Rick Fox: "Yes and im and holding out the new Delesa United teams new football, just wonderful, signed by every team member, am I correct?" Liam O'Rielly: "Yes ye are Mr. Fox." Rick Fox: "And I have some notes here saying the team will be at the St. Myhre City Hall to sign autographs two days before they leave." Cahan Fionn: "Yes we will all be there. Its will be great fun, we have several popular bands and hot dogs and other such goodies. Kind of like a Good Bye and Good Luck party." Rick Fox: "Well I hope to see you there! Good bye and good luck you guys." Paul Lejeune: "Thank you and see you later." Rick Fox: "Well you saw it here everyone, now everyone cheer your team on and go team the heros at the City Hall in St. Myhre. Go United go!" |
| Posted by: Lamoni Nov 27 2006, 02:46 PM |
| Hawks out for revenge in AOCAF 17 With the devastating 1-4 loss to the combined Vilita/Turori team in the AOCAF 16 finals in Lamoni; the Hawks will be even hungrier for the AOCAF cup this time around. AOCAF 16 forwards Christian Ludlow (Captain of the team), and Guy Tomes will be returning to the AOCAF to provide veteran leadership for the squad, which features the best Forwards that Lamoni has to offer, as well as expert defense and goalkeepers. The team will be managed by Kevin Riyall, who is making his second appearance at this position; after leading the Hawks to a second place finish last time around. The group draws have yet to be made, but we can be sure that the Hawks will be ready to face whoever, whenever. There is another aspect to this AOCAF's squad, however. For every goal that the Hawks have in AOCAF 17, one hundred million Rushana's will be donated to the charity of the goalscorer's choice. Manager Riyall instated this new program, as well as autograph sessions in selected Lamonian cities in an effort to inspire people back home to be more generous to charities in their own communities. |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Nov 27 2006, 11:05 PM |
| Dyrads Ready To Take On Region Again KRYTENIA - After just barely losing out on the hosting bid for AOCAF XVII, the Myrtannia Dryads have come to Krytenia looking to prove themselves to Atlantian Oceania once again. Four years ago, Myrtannia went to Lamoni ranked 20th in the region, and looking to get some respect as they continued their gradual transformation from doormat to being a competitive side. Rachell Gabino became the head coach after America McNany had to step down due to pregnancy. Gabino instituted a new offense, and the Dryads never looked back. In one of the most unlikely runs since Fmjphoenix won its solitary AOCAF crown, Myrtannia drew with the combined Vilita/Turori squad that went on to win the whole shebang. After that, Myrtannia dominated its remaining opposition, including two shutouts - something no Myrtannian side had ever done before. They also had another first - they won their group for the first time, beating out Vilita/Turori on a tie breaker. After an extra time win over ASMV, the Dryads finally fell in ET to their perrenial boogeyman - Pacitalia. Still, finishing 5-1-1 in AOCAF brought new hopes and expectations from the Dryads Army, who feared the regional footballing body wouldn't boost Myrtannia enough to reflect their outstanding play. Those fears were unfounded, as the Dryads popped up eleven slots to #9, entering the top ten for the first time in history. Now, they're out there to prove they're legitimate contenders. "AOCAF XVI was our coming-out party, but now we've got to prove we belong in the top ten of the best footballing region in the entire NS world," coach Rachell Gabino told the Halosen News-Times, "We've got to build on what we did in Lamoni, and play better defense in knockout matches. First, though, we're going to focus on each opponent, one at a time. Any one side can toss a wrench in our gears if we're not careful." Dania Figary returns once again to lead the Dryads attack, fresh off of becoming the nation's top scorer in international play. She's simply gotten better as she gets older and matures as a player, providing sorely needed leadership for the Dryads in AOCAF XVI. The highlight of the tournament was her hat trick in extra time that sunk the tenacious ASMV Nyriads. It was the first hat trick by a Myrtannian player since Deeann Massetti did it in AOCAF XIII against Dorian & Sonya. Added to the 'Strikers Squadron' this time around is rising star Hettie Miyagishima, who figures to simply make the potent offense even stronger. Miyagishima was the driving force of Myrtannia's AOU-21 Football Cup win four years ago. "As much fun as it was to play for the Nymphs, starting for the Dryads is really every little Myrtannian girl's dream. To someday be out on the pitch in the orange and blue, playing the best in the region. It's a real honor to be given a starting spot this time," Miyagishima stated. Myrtannia's AOCAF XVII experience will be in Group A, which features three prominent contenders. First off, the group is spearheaded by the tournament hosts, Krytenia, who beat out Myrtannia for hosting duties. On the pitch, this could be a very heated battle, though in their last meeting (AOCAF XVI in Lamoni) the Dryads ultimately triumphed by a final tally of 3-1. Figary scored two and Roz Gabino one as the Dryads downed the higher ranked Krytenians. The men in blue have homefield advantage this time, but the Dryads Army has traveled to Krytenia in record numbers to support their side. Their match could be the big showdown of Group A. Also in the group are our good friends, AOCAF XVI hosts, and two-time runner-up Lamoni, whose Hawks will be looking again to claim their first AOCAF crown. A usual suspect in the top ten, they could be big trouble for Myrtannia if they can slow the Dryads down. The only AOCAF level meeting between the two was a 3-0 Lamoni win in Myrtannia's first AOCAF (XIII). The most recent meeting was at the U-21 tournament, when Myrtannia shut out the junior Lamonians 3-0. Myrtannia should be able to steal a closely contested win against the Hawks, especially if the Figary/Gabino/Rollock combination can get into the Lamoni back third often enough. Then come the other two nations in Group A - Nojika, who haven't done much in AOCAF play for a while, other than beating Starblaydia in the group stage four years ago, and Manhatten Prime, returning to AOCAF after a hiatus. Nojika and Myrtannia might end up being a good match, but Myrtannia has the momentum, and ultimately the Dryads' attacking offense might prove too much for their defense to handle. MP and Myrtannia have never clashed in football, but they might have a difficult time against the Dryads as well. Another probable victory, though they are Myrtannia's first opponent in AOCAF XVII. "We're not counting anyone out - Manhattan Prime is definitely a team that could sneak into the knockouts when nobody's looking. We'll just have to go out there and score early to make sure we assert control in the first half. We do that, and we should be able to handle them," commented assistant coach Tocarra Khat. It's AOCAF time again, and the Dryads will be playing for all the marbles - and to be considered legit contenders for the first time. |
| Posted by: Lamoni Nov 28 2006, 12:58 AM |
| Group Draws out! The group draws have been released, and they put Lamoni in group A with some serious competition. KRYTENIA The AOCAF XVII hosts, Krytenia did poorly in AOCAF XVI. Will this trend reverse itself in the face of their home crowds? We shall see. They could send this into a three way race for first in the group if they saddle up and get down to it. MYRTANNIA Our friends and allies will likely be our stiffest competition for the group A crown, especially if they can keep up their highly offense based winning streak. Our match against them will likely be one of the best in AOCAF XVII. NOJIKA The perennial sleepers, their only notable accomplishment in AOCAF XVI was a shocking 2-0 win against Starblaydia. They'll be going against MP in the race to not finish last. MANHATTAN PRIME This team is going to be in a race with Nojika to NOT finish last in group A. It will all come down to which team does better with the footballing basics. ----------------------------------------- As for the group of death, there is no clear cut contender for that role; the closest would be group D, and that is if Bazalonia can rise up from the lows they had in the last AOCAF. Of course, group C can also be a contender for group of death. We will leave you with our predictions on who will finish where in the other three groups: GROUP B 2nd Bettia 1st Pacitalia 4th Milchama 3rd Demot 5th Delesa GROUP C 2nd Nedalia 1st Vilita & Turori 4th The Lowland Clans 3rd Aurendia 5th The Mushroom Kingship GROUP D 1st Starblaydia 2nd Hypocria 4th Bazalonia 3rd Az-Cz 5th Quakmybush |
| Posted by: Hypocria Nov 28 2006, 05:00 AM |
| Sweet FA In the four years that have passed since the last AOCAF the Football Association headquarters in Hypocrium has been even more chaotic than usual. The Hyper League’s governing body has never been a stranger to sweeping changes in personnel but this time there were two notable differences. Firstly national coach Marcus Baxter, normally the first out the day on occasions such as these, kept his job. Secondly Alex Scott, the previously untouchable head of the HFA, didn’t. Scott had been running the show for almost as long as anyone could remember and it was quite the shock as he stood down in the wake of talk of gross financial mismanagement. Championing the cause was none other than former HFA employee Matthias DiMarco, one time Under-21 coach who also had a brief stint with the senior side. DiMarco spoke out against the years of corruption embedded within the Association and called for an inquiry. Whether motivated by a genuine need to clean up the game or by the desire to get one over the man he believes curtailed his international coaching career will have to remain a mystery. Either way DiMarco got what he wanted. The minions of the Association, tired of years of Scott’s autocratic rule, were quick to jump on the band wagon. Eventually Scott, seeing which way the wind was blowing, jumped before he was pushed and announced his immediate retirement. DiMarco was installed as his successor and, perhaps unsurprisingly, all talk of investigations were forgotten. The new Chairman announced a series of not exactly groundbreaking changes, seemingly just because he could. Most notably, and perhaps most pointlessly, he re-branded the Association itself, the Hypocrian Football Association became the Football Association of Hypocria. Talk of financial mismanagement seemed a long time ago as who knows how much was spent changing headings, logos and insignias from HFA to FAH. He also abolished the role of Director of Sporting Development and fired it’s incumbent Zvonimir Roeder, another who potentially helped stall DiMarco’s career within the national side. Instead the new, and eerily similar, post of Director of Elite Football was created. Unveiled to fill the new role was Starblaydi World Cup winner Javi Chavez. Chavez (41) helped the Men in Mauve to the top prize at World Cup 28 and later went on to win the Liga Starblaydia as a coach with Corinthian Spirits. Whether this changes at the top of the nation's football hierarchy have any effect on the national sides chances in Krytenia remain to be seen. |
| Posted by: Az-cz Nov 28 2006, 08:56 AM |
| Az-cz Scroll Krytenia Il-Lur It's that time again The start of another football tournament has come which means it's time for me to make a bunch of predictions that will probably only marginally intercept with reality. It also means that it's time for us to complain about once again being paired with the best team. In two world cups and two AOCAFs we will have met Bedistan in both World Cups and Starblaydia in both AOCAFs. We'd really like to not have to constitently face the two best teams in the world. Not to say there any group is easy, just that we'd like to be done with the top teams. Now on to the predictions. Some have said that our group might be the group of death, but that label would seem to be clearly erroneous. Yes Starblaydia headlines the group, but after that the group gets weak. Hypocria is listed as the second seed. Although they are a decent Atlantian Oceania side they are not a huge threat and have given up on global football, so who knows. The other three sides, Bazalonia, us and Quakmybush have made a splash on the world cup scene but have yet to translate that to AOCAF success. Sources say that our coaches home nations are the sides the carry the day. Followed by Hypocria, then us, and Quakmybush bringing up the rear. Next up is the group I feel is the most difficult, group B. Bettia is just one cup removed from a semifinals and two removed from a championship and Pacitalia, similarly is an AOCAF power who was in the semifinals last cup. Milchama is an established AO side, if not a regional power and Demot and Delesa are both young up and coming sides. While perhaps not as good as us and Quakmybush at the bottom, the top three are all strong and Milchama will have a tough road to get out of the group stage. I don't think they can find revenge against a Bettia team that beat them three times in WC31. Pacitalia falls in behind them, Milchama in third, Demot and Delesa, with the group holding to form. Group C features both hosts of WC31, which also means they've got the defending AOCAF champions. Nedalia looks to recover from their disappointment in the world cup and Aurendia looks to improve on their great showing. The Mushroom Kingship is just there to make numbers. I'm going to call this my big upset group. Expect the champs to rise to the top and Aurendia to slip in behind them. TLC stays in third with Nedalia dropping all the way to fourth. And TMK stays rooted firmly to the group bottom. Last and also least is group A, where the hosts gave themselves a favorable draw.Yes Lamoni was a finalist last time, but that was in large part due to home field advantage. Myrtannia is certainly active in AO, and are a decent side, but nothing overwhelming. Nojika seems to be slipping, despite a win over Starblaydia last AOCAF, and Manhattan Prime is a total unknown. You could imagine someone from the top three slipping down, except for the fact that it's hard to see the bottom moving up. Krytenia ought to win the group based just on the home field boost. Myrtannia will move past Lamoni who will stay in third. Nojika and Manhattan prime probably won't shift on the bottom. So that means the 8 advancing teams are Krytennia, Bettia, Vilita & Turori, and Starblaydia on top and Myrtannia, Pacitalia, Aurendia and Bazalonia as the runners up. Are assumption of quarterfinal matchups would then be Krytennia v Pacitalia, Bettia v Myrtannia, Vilita & Turori v Bazalonia, and Starblaydia and Aurendia. I'd say that the Pacitalians knock off the host, Bettia moves on from that group as well, Vilita & Turori keep thier title defense alive and Starblaydia easily handles Aurendia. Then the semis would match Pacitalia and Vilita & Turori and Bettia & Starblaydia. The Pacitalians end the run for Vilita & Turori and the Bettians extend Starblaydia's title drought. In the finals the Pacitalians get revenge for the group stage and bring the AOCAF title to another set of new hands. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Nov 28 2006, 09:19 AM |
| Stand Up If You've Won The World Cup Khim? Javi? What are you two doing in this group too?! There aren't many players in the world today who have a World Cup Winner's medal to their name, and all of them who are appearing in this AOCAF are Starblaydi - but they're not all working for the Starblaydi Football Association. One of those men is http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Javi_Chavez, the number-eleven in Starblaydia's second World Championship reign, and he's in the position of power 'Director of Elite Football' in the Hypocrian side who are drawn in Group D alongside Starblaydia. The other is a Dwarf, Khim Azanulbizarn, who won World Cup 25 (playing in the position of left full-back that Rakkinen would later make his own) and also managed Starblaydia to their World Cup 28 victory. He is, of course, the 'Director of Football' for Az-cz who are, of course, also drawn in Starblaydia's group. Starblaydia's AOCAF manager, the World Cup winning Markko Rakkinen, simply has the title of 'Manager'. It doesn't seem to bother him that he is now facing the Dwarf who placed him in the Number-Three shirt for over twelve years. "I'm just facing another Starblaydi left-back in a different job further down our careers," he said, "Jaime Oberlander played at left-back too, for some of his distinguished career, and we've all managed our national team at some level or other since. It's quite a statistic. "It's an interesting challenge to face your old mentor, for sure, never mind a great friend and team-mate. But I'm confident in my players, and surely will see us to the Semi-Finals at least. We're obviously looking for the win, but the Last Four is my first aim, the Final will come later." Rakkinen is expected to field his strongest side for the opening game of the tournament against Azanulbizarn's Az-cz, and will include Dwarven striker Durin Bazrimar, who plays for a Az-Czzer club, Burlock Jesters. He may be the key to knowing how to unlock the Gnomish defence, but Azanulbizarn's knowledge of the core of World Cup 28 Winners that make up Rakkinen's side will surely give him an advantage. All in al, though, Starblaydia are expected to sweep the gnomes before them, before moving through the rest of the group. |
| Posted by: Delesa Nov 28 2006, 08:43 PM |
| Groups Drawn GROUP B (Avidia, Aigburth, Davisham) Bettia Pacitalia Milchama Demot Delesa St.Myhre- Yes the groups have been drawn and 'experts' from Lamoni havenot even bothered to mention group B as a death group. But who cares what they say? I mean we live in Delesa, and we have our own 'experts' in this sport. And this little editor from the St.Myhre Times got a interview with him. He says he looks at it a different way and says that each nation has its own death group, the one that the nation is in. As each nation has the posibility of being knocked out. Even a strong team like Starblaydia plays a team like Nojika, Starblaydia was defeat it what must have been a huge upset in Starblaydia, 2-Nil. Starblaydia wasnt able to score and beat the unknown Nojika national team. But in group B, Delesa will most likely be labeled a weak team, due to the low ranking in the world cup when the Commonwealth signed up, but didnt bother to show because of the issues in several peacekeeping missions around the globe. But with the team that made it far in its first ever international competition, BoF, did well enough, qualifing for the final stages of the compatition. But due to lack of records from the government, no stats can be provided. Big surprise coming from the government. It was a "real difficult time, trying to get the nation on its feet". Yeah thats the government for you. Well why should i be complaining, I havent been conscripted... yet. Schedule stands as; Milchama vs. United - Are horses legal? Bettia vs. United - Crap Pacitalia vs. United - Never heard of you, bring it on, just not too hard! Demot vs. United - Hey remember you from BoF, we where back and forth, Good Luck! Good luck to all and may the best.... man gnome, bird, female, and anything else I missed, win. Go United Go! |
| Posted by: Demot Nov 28 2006, 09:45 PM |
| Demot Daily ~ Here We Go Again Once again the valiant national squad from our beloved nation will go forth into the stiff competition of the AOCAF. The roster isn't changed from that of the one that pulled off the amazing trick of qualifying for the World Cup proper just a year ago. However, the team knows that its' success outside of the region doesn't neccassarly mean that it will have success inside the region. Unlike the World Cup, the AOCAF is played with a pride and a passion that isn't seen between non-regional rivals. This tournament is more than just a simple game between footballers, this is nations putting it all out on the line for bragging rights and the pride that comes in being the best in this amazing region. These players are representing the whole country, and when they go to play their matches, it's like sending off troops to war, with the hopes and prayers of the citizens resting on their heros of the pitch. These matches are their battles, and the victory is their glory, and let that be enough to motivate these grand soul and elevate them to their rightful victory. Schedule MD1: Bettia v Demot MD2: Bye MD3: Milchama v Demot MD4: Demot v Delsea MD5: Pacitalia v Demot Article by Jasmine Olyvander |
| Posted by: Vilita Nov 29 2006, 04:40 AM |
| Vilita & Turori In search of Kit Enemies past Allies for now Bettians smell Really fowl In Lonngeylin There is no teal In Az-Cz The athletes steal Lost on a boat Somewhere unknown The Jungle Eels clothing Still has not shown In a rush V&T need a kit But, MD1 is now! Oh -explicitive removed-. This is not all Vilita & Turori need however. They need crackers. And Cheese. It has now been revealed that his was all the players ate before each match in the last AOCAF, which was won by Vilita & Turori. The team will once again be coached by Lorenzo & Malaino Mumamba, but along with their kits, they lost their shipment of crackers. And cheese. The Vilita & Turori Football associations are now desparately in need of outsourcing their kit manufacture and acquisition of crackers and cheese, and any interested parties should begin production immediately and a check will be mailed! |
| Posted by: Bettia Nov 29 2006, 02:30 PM |
| AOCAF 17 - it's haiku-tastic! In Krytenia Bettia arrive in style Come on you 'roras! We like coming here Food's good, people nice, but the Weather's a bit shît Confidence is high Putting seven past those darn Vilitans was sweet Those guys are crackers But what do you expect from People who like red? But to dwell on that And on glorious past wins Would be a foolish thing We come with one aim To regain the AOCAF That we lost last time And so Bettia Must now get down to business First up is Demot Fellow Takilans Well, sort of... what to expect? Perhaps lots of goals? Fans, many thousands Travelled from the Blessed Realm To roar on our boys Will Bettia win? Or will they bollocks it up? We will soon find out! |
| Posted by: Delesa Nov 29 2006, 07:35 PM |
| ooc: i lost to Milchama?? god you have to be kidding me |
| Posted by: The Lowland Clans Nov 29 2006, 10:15 PM |
| GRAHAM CITY SUN - AOCAF Coverage Novas Tumble Against TMK Rachel Masters KRYTENIA - After an incredibly successful World Cup, everyone had high hopes for the U-21 squad and their chances in the AOCAF. Well, after today, those expectations have to be dampened a little. After playing an excellent first half, the Novas got a little lazy and two incredibly lucky TMK shots managed to get past keeper Gary Rackham. After the game, manager Casey Dellet was at a loss. "I don't understand what happen to our players out there. It's like someone tied an albatross to their legs. It's far below any expectation I have for them." The game began well for the Novas after taking an early lead in the ninth minute. Attacking midfielders Jon Perry and Illia Mjenki swept down the wings on a counter attack, with Perry crossing the ball in the middle to Oliver MacGilvernock who shook the post. But Mjenki picked up the rebound and placed it expertly into the back of the net. The Novas cemented their lead in the thirty-first minute with midfielder Tomas scoring off of a freekick about twenty yards away, curling it around the wall and into the net. But in the second half, it all just fell apart. The first blow came off of a chip into the box by a TMK midfielder that knuckled as it flew in and bounced off defender Julian Tanguay and into the net. After that bizarre goal, the life was sucked out of the Novas. The pace was gone, the life of the game, the flair normally provided by Tomas and Mjenki was simply gone. The final nail in the coffin was the punch out by Rackham which ricocheted off of an attacking TMK striker and into the net. When asked about the line up for the next game, all Dellet at to say was, "It will change." The Lowland Clans ..:: 2 - 2 ::.. The Mushroom Kingship |
| Posted by: Az-cz Nov 29 2006, 11:02 PM |
| Az-cz Scroll Krytenia Il-Lur Gnomes fall just short of stealing points from Starblaydia In a very difficult way to open the AOCAF the Gnomes played their coaches host country and close football rivals, the powerful Starblaydia. The Gnomes were basically the equal of the Starblaydian side. But the Purple Power showed it's composure and skill in finding a way to slip past the Gnomes in a close 1-0 loss. The Gnomes came out quickly. Their insider knowledge of the Starblaydian squad looked to be paying off. Pizelkaxrovsky was dissecting the Starblaydian defense and Kn-Dg, Levesque and Stanleyinho all had great chances to put the Pink & Green ahead, with Kn-Dg even putting one off the post. But Jiino Graikalonii was up to the challenge and really held the Gnomes attack at bay while the rawrcrush was adjusting. After the opening thirty minutes they game really evened out with both teams making great plays in all three parts of the field. Despite the lack of goals it was a great match of two strong teams feeling each other out. Things went to the half even and neither coach decided to make any subs. And things continued at a blistering pace in the second half. Despite the pace of the game neither set of players seemed to be particularly troubled and no Az-cz subs needed to be called in. Finally in the 83rd minute the Starblaydian familiar with the Gnomes struck back to send his league mates away disappointed. Durin Bazrimar, a star forward for Pizelkaxrovsky's Burlock Jesters. Sneaking through the defense he just fired a shot past Gn-Lg to give the win to Starblaydia. After the game both teams mingled in a very friendly manner befitting the interweaved relationship of the two countries. Despite the result neither team has much reason to be disappointed. Starblaydia was the better side and deserved the win, but the Gnomes really put the pressure on. Stats Score Az-cz 0 Starblaydia 1 Az-cz Scorers Shots Az-cz 13 Starblaydia 17 Possession Az-cz 52% Starblaydia 48% Corners Az-cz 2 Starblaydia 3 |
| Posted by: Delesa Nov 30 2006, 01:03 AM |
| X-Treme Delesa Sports News Krytenia - What happened? It was one of Delesa United's worst games in history after only arriving on the international scene only recently. A defeat this is sure to take a nasty blow to the numbers expected to watch the next United game. Milchama defeated United 2-1. Reporters questioned the Head Coach as the General Manager fleed the building with 5 minutes to go in the game. "Well what can I say, Milchama didn't have more skill out there, but it was evident that the team didnt play to its full potential. Ummm. All I can really say is that the team had better show up in the next game, or I swear on my mothers grave, god bless her soul, I'll resign as Head Coach from United. BUT I will NOT take the fall for the team. I'm not the one playing out there with the ball, all I can do and did was show the players how to play and improve." After that Liam stormed off to the locker room and the screaming he made was heard clear right through the door and was clearly scene on the players faces as they left to the awaiting bus. The game was a let down from the very begining. The Milchama horse men crushed United midfielder #2 Joseph-Marie Turpin, shattering his left leg, and was replaced by #18 Gerard Guillemot. But it didn't stop after that. The team continued to commit fouls that went uncalled by the blind and elderly referee, that looked more like he belonged in some old graveyard, 5 feet under. But no he was on the pitch and calling nothing. Soon enough in the 17 minute the bloody calvary of Milchama blasted past the regular human-being defence and drilled one past the keeper, Javier Topper. Well it was either that or suffer the same fate as Turpin and spend the rest of the competition in a hospital trying to save your leg, so that you might be able to play soccer again in 2-3 years. But then again, to no surprise in the 43 minute, the Milchama attackers sped past the United defence and sent another ball zipping past Javier. But that was it for Coach Liam. At half-time, the United defence came back out on the field armed with what seemed to be broom stick handles. In the 63 minute the Milchama horsemen attempted to once again, make there way past the defence, but Jason Clare led the counter attack and beat the legs out from underneath the horses but took it no further and lofted the ball up field where the quick strikers made swiss cheese of the Milchama defence, with Micheal McShane sent a lofted pass to Gerard Guillemot who volleyed a rocket into the top right hand corner, scoring his 3rd international goal for United. But the defenders quickly adapted to the United offence and cripled the operation, every time a striker recieved a ball he was either to give it up, or recieve a hoof in the face. But the Milchama forwards were unable to get past the armed and ticked CDU defence. May the United players never be forced to pull out the broom sticks again. As for #2 Joseph-Marie Turpin, he is being flown back to the Delesaian doctors in St. Myhre, where his leg wil most likely be saved, but never returned to full strength, forcing him to retire from professional football. Maybe one day we might see him back on the international stage as a coach. CDU(Commonweath Delesa United) Game Review; brought to you by Delesa West Trading Co. 11th Min - #2 Joseph-Marie Turpin Injury 11th Min - #2 Joseph-Marie Turpin sub off for #18 Gerard Guillemot 17th Min - Milchama Goal 43rd Min - Milchama Goal 63rd Min - CDU Goal #18 Gerard Guillemot Final Score: 2 - 1 Milchama |
| Posted by: Az-cz Nov 30 2006, 06:03 AM |
| Jo-El: Joining us to talk about todays match our coach Hawdon and captain Nerazzuri. Hawdon: Well it's a tough loss. To play with a team as good as them and lose near the end hurts, but we can't complain. It was a fair result. They showed their heart and ability. Losing the opener hurts but it's not the end of the road for us. Az-cz reporter 1: Did you miss Zax-Im out there? Hawdon: I want to say we didn't but of course we did. But that's not why we lost. Az-cz reporter 2: Nerazzuri, how was being captain of basically the full squad. Nerazzuri: Fine. It's not a big deal. Just went out their and played to the best of my abilities. Frank Dee: Were you suprised by the Bazalonia score? Hawdon: Of course some, but they're a fine squad. Quakmybush losing by five goals to anyone is a suprise but Bazalonia winning isn't. Az-cz reporter 3: How does this loss effect your chances? Hawdon: Well it does any with any margin of error. We basically need full points here on out. We just have to hope Starblaydia runs away with the group. Az-cz reporter 4: What are your plans for the day off? Hawdon: Relax and scout the opponents. Nothing much. Az-cz reporter 5: Are you worried about your inability to score against Starblaydia? Hawdon: Nope. It doesn't concern me. I've got faith in our ability to score. We just ran into a strong game from their keeper. Az-cz reporter 6: Any plans for changes for the match against Bazalonia? Hawdon: Nope. Az-cz reporter 7: Are you ready to coach against your old team? Hawdon: Yeah. Coach Khim handled it today and all be fine coaching against my old players. It's not an issue. Az-cz reporter 8: Were you suprised that it was the -Leaguer who found the goal? Nerazzuri: No. He's a fine player. He scores a lot in league with Pizelkaxrovsky in support. But him with talent surrounding and he's very dangerous. |
| Posted by: Manhattan Prime Nov 30 2006, 08:58 AM |
| Manhattan Herald – 30th November 2006 Lloyd Hunter reports from AOCAF 17 AOCAF 17 Kicks Off; Manhattanites hold Dryads Group A – Manhattan Prime 1:1 Myrtannia L. Thompson - 80mins 15min Manhattan Prime have kicked off their AOCAF 17 campaign in Krytennia with a gritty and determined draw against highly fancied Mrytannia. Drawn in an tough group that includes the hosts Krtyennia, Mrytannia, Nojika and Lamoni, many pundits have already tipped Manhattan Prime to be on the first plane home, but the team have given themselves a valuable point in a tricky opening game. The game started brightly, and the Dryads, known for their very attacking play, had an early goal inside 15 minutes, with a thunderous shot beating Hilton in the Manhattanite goal, who got a hand to it, but only succeeded in palming the bal into the net. Myrtannia kept up the pressure, but conceding seemed to have spurred on the Manhattan players, and they fought doggedly – John Clarke was the hero of the first half having cleared the ball from the goal line with the Manhattanite keeper beaten. The first half ended 1-0, and the play seemed to be all one-way. Manhattan Prime seemed revitalised by the half time break, and started putting together some clever moves of their own. Felix DaSilva made a mazy run into the opposing box on the hour mark, only to see his shot saved by the Dryads’ keeper. Manhattan Prime were to get their reward for their determined play however, as right back Lucas Thompson netted a dramatic equaliser in the 80th minute of the game, rising above the Mrytannian defense with a powerful header from a Donavan corner. This late equaliser seems to demoralise Myrtannia slightly, and although they strived for a late winner, Manhattan Prime was able to hold on for the vital point and the match ended 1-1. The other game in the group saw the hosts beat Nojika 4-2 in Everton City. Manhattan Prime Team: Clive Hilton (GK) Lucas Thompson (RB) John Clarke (CB) Karl Heinze (CB) Hitoshi Akita (LB) Tobias Rauss (MC) Michael Donavan (MC) Felix DeSilva (AML) Mashashi Takamura (AMR) Karl Brandt (S) Yos*ito Katakana (S) No subs used. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Nov 30 2006, 11:17 AM |
| Jino Catches Gnomes Fishing "Feed Durin and he will score!" Though Starblaydia's veteran defence was largely picked apart by a Gnomsh attack instigated by Khim Azanulbizarn's direction, the two youths charged with helping out the oldies - goalkeeper Graikalonii and defender Marrones - performed admirably to keep Az-cz's most talented squad at bay for ninety minutes. At the other end of the pitch it was a Dwarf who out-foxed Azanulbizarn's defensive plans, the -League's own Durin Bazrimar - of Burlock Jesters - breaching team-mate Pizelkaxrovsky's defensive line with seven minutes to go. It's an opening day win for Starblaydia yet again in the AOCAF, a tournament they haven't won for twelve years. Not that twelve years without a win in something is a foreign concept to Starblaydi players, of course, but in the AOCAF's sixty-eight year history Starblaydia have five victorious championships to their name, more than anyone else. This tournament, under a new manager, is their first step towards extending that record with a magical sixth regional title. Durin Bazrimar's seventh goal of his international career provided Starblaydia with their victory. Though all-time leading scorer Jackie Maitland was the player most defenders kept their eyes on, the markers she drew allowed Bazrimar to make some space for himself and found himself free in the area when her clever flick-on bounced at his feet. Bazrimar made no mistake and slotted it past the lunge of Gn-Lg for the first and only goal of the match. Starblaydia had allowed Az-cz a surprising amount of possession up until that point and though they strived for an equaliser, the white-and-purples held them off with excellent defending by young Betanii Marrones. Rakkinen has made note that, if Starblaydia are performing well against Quakmybush on Matchday Two, some of the substitutes brought on will be the young players winning their first cap: Tiberius Costello (16), Lori Alvarez (17), Tommas Coalville (17) and Yuri Janizak (18) are all in the frame to make their senior débuts. Everything at the moment points to a top-of-the-table clash with Bazalonia on the final day of the Group Stage, though Hypocria will surely have a say in the final tally. Final score from Mercia Stadium: Starblaydia 1 - 0 Az-cz (Bazrimar 83) - (None) Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Quakmybush, MD2 |
| Posted by: Hypocria Nov 30 2006, 02:36 PM |
| The Big Kickoff Members of the Autocracy’s media corps descended on the Hyppos’ training camp outside Dereapolis in the hope of catching some sign of conflict between national coach and the nation’s new Director of Elite Football. But Javi Chavez was in Bromham, catching up on old friends as he scouted the match between Group D rivals Starblaydia and Az-Cz. While Marcus Baxter led his charges in a series of fairly relaxed training sessions as the men in blue and white enjoyed a rest day. And an extra day’s preparation ahead of the tournament getting under way could be essential in what looks set to be a tough old challenge. In previous competitions the top three, or even four, in the group have advanced into the knockout rounds. But here in Krytenia there are just the two places up for grabs. And although the Hyppos are well placed as second sides there are some tricky opposition to overcome. Group D First up it’s Bazalonia. The BazaCubs have never really set the AOCAF alight but this year they're clearly out on a mission, as shown by their astonishing 6 - 0 opening day demolition of Quakmybush. They are a side with a losing record against the chaps from Verdana with one win to the Hyppos two in previous AOCAF meetings. But Bazalonia did record their win at AOCAF XIII, in Krytenia. And the group's early leaders are bang in form. Then it’s the group’s bottom seeds Quakmybush, a side with which we’ve had no previous experience. But with that second place potentially going down to the wire three points against the unfancied Sharks is essential. Because three points from matchday four can almost be ruled at from the get go. It’s ally against ally as Hypocria takes to the field against Starblaydia for the fourth time in the AOCAF. The record stands at two wins apiece but is possibly a little deceptive. Both Hyppo victories came courtesy of penalty shootouts while the Purple Peril enjoyed fairly comprehensive 3 - 0 and 4 - 1 wins. But the last time the sides met, at the Invitational in Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, the Men in Mauve scored five but the Hyppos replied with a shocking six! Which leaves a nasty final day fixture against the Gnomes of Az-Cz, who have Starblaydi World Cup winning coach Khim Azanulbizarn masterminding their campaign. Perhaps Chavez, a member of that World Cup side, can shed some insight on his former national coach’s tactics. Any advantage would be good as this final group fixture could well decide who advances to the quarter finals. And as they showed against Starblaydia, the Gnomes are no pushovers. |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Nov 30 2006, 07:24 PM |
| Dryads Reserves Struggle Against MP, Starting 11 Spend Day In Wrong City It was a frustating day in Krytenia for the Myrtannia Dryads, who once again were lost in Krytenia during an AOCAF. Back in AOCAF XIII, the Dryads weren't even listed in the schedule, and were late for their first two matches. This time, the Dryads were put onto the wrong bus, which took the starting eleven away from the city where their tournament-opening match was scheduled. This meant that the leaders of the 'Strikers Squadron' weren't present for the match. "What the *@#$# happened? It's like the Krytenians don't want us to be at our matches!" coach Rachell Gabino cursed as the bus driver helplessly attempted to get the team to the correct city on time. Meanwhile, the reserve eleven managed to be directed to the right bus by the Krytenian officials, and unexpectedly took the pitch against the Manhattan Prime starters. Only one starting striker, Myong Tuman, appeared in the match, the only member of the listed starters to actually start or take the pitch. And she would be the only Dryad to score, as the reserves tried to adapt to starting at the AOCAF level. Assistant coach Filiberto Nedina, a defensive specialist, took over duties as head coach. The usual Dryads fans were there, incredibly enthusiastic about the match, but seemed surprised at the starters' absence. When they finally were informed why, they booed and shouted some obscenities directed at those they held responsible for the transportation mixup. Meanwhile, things seemd okay when Myong Tuman led a slightly reluctant Dryads side deep into Manhattan Prime's back third, and set up a play that had succeeded against higher-ranked sides in AOCAF XVI. This wasn't the same side that won four matches and drew once in the group stage in Lamoni, however. Tuman had to do it almost all by herself, faking out two Manhattanites in the process. She struck it hard into the goal for Myrtannia's only score of the match. Seemingly encouraged, the Dryads pushed a bit more in the first half, but ultimately couldn't keep the pressure up. When the opposing side started to push back, defensive coach Nedina went back to what he knew best - defense. The Dryads spent the rest of the half and most of the second half playing conservative, ball-control defense rather than the Gabino attacking style. It cost the Dryads dearly, as eventually the starters of MP broke through. "We had a rough time out there, but that's because of our reserves not having as much on-field experience as the Manhattan Prime starters," Nedina grumbled. The Dryads were held to just eight shots on goal in the second half, and eventually the MP side found a way in. As Manhattan Prime pressed the attack, the Dryads' reserves seemed to regain their focus a bit, though, as they had some nice attempts on goal with those eight shots. However, it was on a play by Manhattan Prime's corner by Donovan that caught the reserve defense off-guard. It was not without controversy either - on the play before, the ball appeared to rebound off of a Manhattan Prime player. Despite a complaint by Nedina, the call stood, and Manhattan Prime took the corner. The ball soared into exactly the right spot for Lucas Thompson to put it in with a header. Another crescendo of boos came from the Dryads Army, half of whom left after the play. Whether they were frustrated by the absence of their favorite players, or simply at the officiating, it was a bizzare sight. It takes a lot to make the rowdiest fans we've ever seen simply storm out in frustation. Then again, it was a very frustrating day for the Dryads, who find themselves in position to gain the group's second seed in the Quarts, but without a win. Myrtannian fans should take heart to know that the MAFC has taken over transportation of the Dryads, and the starters will be present for the next match, against Lamoni. Coach Nedina, despite his frustration, did offer words of praise for the gutsy Manhattanites, though. "They rose to the occasion and played some very nice football out there. This side might surprise a lot of people in this group if they play like that for the rest of the tournament," he said. Myrtannia's match against the Hawks (0-0-0, 4th in Group A) will be their first at the AOCAF level since AOCAF XIII, also in Krytenia. Then, the Dryads lost 0-3 during their first AOCAF appearance. Now, led by the front line of Figary/Gabino/Rollock/Tuman/Miyagishima - AKA the Strikers Squadron, the Dryads look to reverse their fortunes after the frustrating draw with Manhattan Prime. "We're going to practice for this match like it's the knockouts - that's how serious this is now. If we can't draw or beat Lamoni, we may as well punch our ticket home after the match. That's how good the competition is now," coach Gabino said at a press conference once the team bus finally arrived back at the hotel, "We're going to press the attack and keep attacking until we secure a win. The Dryads will not go home early this time." She also reminded the press that Myrtannia started off each of the past three AOCAFs with draws, and made the knockouts in every one. Last AOCAF saw them draw and then win the rest of their matches to win the group. So drawing on day one is normal for Myrtannia. In a parting shot, she also expressed dissapointment that the Krytenian offiicials had done away with the Round of 16, "It's sad that they felt the need to do that. I think the Round of 16 is a wonderful opportunity for more nations to gain experience." Tune in tonight for what should hopefully be a win against our good friends, the Lamoni Hawks. AIR 4 has reported that over half of the seats in the stadium have somehow been procurred by the Dryads Army for the match, so it should get very loud. Final Score: MYR 1 - 1 MP (Tuman 3', L.Thompson 80') |
| Posted by: Delesa Nov 30 2006, 11:01 PM |
| I lost again??? argh, Krytenia how are you getting the scores? oh my god, im so glad this aint real life i would be off my rocker, I play alot of sports, biggest one is soccer, since I was a wee man... this is disappointing... I mean lossing to Bettia is ok i guess under normal curcomstances, but man that game against Mil? I donno what to do..... |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Nov 30 2006, 11:30 PM | ||
It's called scorination. Now give it a rest, you're annoying us. The reason you're losing would likely be the fact that you are unranked whereas Bettia is ranked 2nd in the region and Mil was 14th. Maybe if you actually posted something in-character you'd start doing better than abysmal. It's not that hard to figure out... |
| Posted by: Lamoni Nov 30 2006, 11:43 PM |
| Hawks reserve 11 lose by two to the Dryads In a wierd match that saw the Lamonian reserve 11 facing off against the first line of the Myrtannian Dryads in what turned out to be a very lopsided affair. The reason why the Lamonian first line didn't take to the field? More on that later. The match started off well enough for the Hawks, with Guy Tomes managing to score twenty minutes in on a deflection shot. The rest of the half was spent with each side attempting to feel out the other. Whatever the Myrtannians did during the half, it was effective, as the Lamonian reserve 11 were outplayed to the tune of three goals before the final gun sounded. This officially makes for the worst loss that the Lamonian AOCAF reserves have ever suffered. Now we get to the reason that the Lamonian starting 11 never made it to the field in time for their first match of AOCAF XVII. As was reported for the Myrtannian Dryads in their first match, the Lamonian starting 11 were put on the wrong bus. After a long and confusing journey in a bus half filled with young Krytenian men and women, the bus finally reached the gates of the largest Krytenian naval base (place name witheld for national security reasons), just in time for the Krytenian Navy's basic training. Star Forward Christian Ludlow takes it up from here: "It was very confusing. First we were taken to the naval base on that bus, and then there were lots of uniformed people making us run this way and that, waving forms in the air, and being very rude to us. I know that we weren't in our footballing uniforms, but this is ridiculous! We finally found out what was going on when we asked one of the people who had traveled with us on the bus; and then the confusion started to lift. When the Krytenians realized what had happened, they fell all over themselves in apology. I would like to think that they were embarrased that such a thing could happen. They managed to find us transportation back to the stadium, but by the time that we made it there, it was too late to do any good. The match had just ended by the time that we had reached the parking lot, but we didn't know it until we were met by Krytenian security gaurds who thought that we weren't part of the Lamonian AOCAF team. I'm surprised that we didn't get arrested for trespassing. The gaurds let us through when our reserve line spotted us, and allowed us through. I'm just hoping that something like THAT never happens to us again. We hit the local bar after this long day, where the news of what had happened to us was being spread over the newscast that we caught on the bar's television. I think that that was what motivated the barkeep to give us free drinks, but I can't be sure. You can bet that the team will file a complaint to the Krytenian footballing authorities about this incident. Something like this should NEVER happen." Lamoni - 1 Guy Tomes (20) Myrtannia - 3 (80, 83, 84) |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Nov 30 2006, 11:55 PM |
| Blue Foxes open latest AOCAF with solid victory over Warriors After bye day to open tourney, 1-0 win a 'motivating' result; senior squad prepares for the tilt match against Bettia DAVISHAM, KRYTENIA (PSN) -- The Pacitalian Blue Foxes opened their 17th AOCAF championship with a solid 1-0 victory over Milchama's Warriors, sending a collective wave of relief through both the squad and its fans following a disastrous effort at the Four Nations Invitational in Liverpool England. Interim head coach Sergei Saganyarov took over from the deposed Lindifeu Zentrescu in late August and, following an 0-0-4 start to the FNI, the team recovered with two wins and two draws. Saganyarov, known for his temper, gave a livid response that was certainly an eyeopener to the team. "I guess we'd gotten complacent with Zen," Foxes captain Veranace d'Amantano told reporters after tonight's victory, his 98th international cap. "He never raised his voice with us, it was more a quiet disappointment. And I suppose we responded to that with success, usually, but Sergei needed to state his position, that even if he's only here temporarily, you know he has to set the tone for this squad and keep us on the right track. It was definitely frightening to the younger members of the team, that's for sure." Sergei's bellowing seemed to spark the Pacitalians to a great effort that, while not reflected in the scoreline, was acceptable to the interim head coach. "These guys are well-known for saving their energy during the group stage," said Saganyarov, an Oceanian national, post-game. "They like to put in just enough effort to win so that, if they qualify, they don't get tired when the wins really count. I think the theory itself is sound, and it seems to have worked in practice. I'm glad my anger earned a response from the team but I would like to see some improvement on crossing and forward lobs." Andreos Charisteas scored the Blue Foxes', and the game's, lone goal at the 57th minute, when he received an unfortunate rebound off the nose of Milchaman keeper Marcos Ollins. Charisteas calmly pocketed the second chance, sending it right of Ollins for the 1-0 lead, an advantage that held through the rest of the match. The Pacitalians dominated the style and tempo of the play all evening, so it was no surprise that Saganyarov was shocked by the low score. "Well, they did play top-calibre football tonight," he added. "I was a bit surprised by the lack of goals tonight. We were all over them in much of the match's facets. Perhaps it was that ruddy horse, Rovers Return, scaring them off the box." No doubt there was a bit of pre-match concern, and perhaps outrage from the fans, that the organisers and hosts had allowed a horse to participate, but nobody seemed to mind when the final score was up on the board. The Pacitalian chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty says it will investigate the treatment of the horse and whether its participation violates any cruelty laws or conventions. Next up, the Blue Foxes face the Delesa squad, who are still currently unable to comprehend how, as an unranked squad with no previous regional experience, they could have possibly lost to the second-best team in the region. The Warriors move on to face Demot, who are in their sophomore AOCAF. From Davisham, Krytenia: Pacitalia 1 : 0 Milchama PAC: Charisteas 57' MIL: None NEXT UP: PAC v DSA, MIL v DMT |
| Posted by: Delesa Dec 1 2006, 12:14 AM | ||
I figured that out, I get it know and i do what do you think X-Treme Sports new is? So far apart from Demots single post and Bet's chant im the only one in my group and now you, so dont give me crap about posting IC, and I would go back and delete the post cause I dont care no more, I calmed down. I can be glad im not TMK who had a slip up, 6 - nil. |
| Posted by: Delesa Dec 1 2006, 12:29 AM |
| X-Treme Delesa Sports News Krytenia -"*%@*&@*&%@*!*!(@^@(@^@ those *&^@)@(!^@*@%^#@*@ players*&^@(!%!(*!^@*@& game *&@^!(*@!^@&%@%#%!)!)&@^# officals (&@^@#(*^@(*^" That was all that could me made out from Head Coach Liam O'Rielly. He stormed off the pitch in a mad furry and all that the press could get out of him as he walked past the reporters as he steped into his BMW and sped off right after the game. So instead we had to settle with the GM. "Well what I have in my hand at this very moment is the offical document of Coach Liam's quiting as Head Coach of the National Delesa United Football team. But he plans to finish the competition, then after for better or worse will be steping down. But he says he is going to remain the semi-sucessful head coach of the St. Myhre Saints, as they won the Commonwealth Cup last year but are off to a weak season this year so far. So there will be a large United meeting to begin the search for the new head coach. But that will all happen after the competition. Back to the game at hand. CDU got off to a quick start and scored in the opening 18th minute of play with a corner and a head to the left of the keeper, just out of hands reach. So from there one, the team slacked off and had it dished to them. In the 25 minute the Bettia offence came hard and fast, sweping past the CDU defence (notice speed is horrible to the defenders, something which the new coach might look at) and the offence scored top right hand corner, leaving no chance for the CDU keeper. In the 86 minute player #10 Dustin Lupton recieved a red card, when once again the stong offence of Bettia breaked past the CDU defence and talked the Bettia player from behind. From the kick the ball was lifted in the air, right onto a strikers head and flicked on to score, for which the United players couldn't come back from. "It was a loss that was to be expected from a team that puts all its talent and players on offencive mind sets. But maybe the players and the coach learned or saw something that might break past the no defence thoughts of Bettia and win. Lord only knows." Was the GM's comment on the game. After that little uninspirational speech, he took a swig from a flask that was conciled in the managers pocket and was walked to his awaiting limo to be driven back to his expensive suite at the resort. CDU Game Review; brought to you by Delesa West Trading Co. 18th Min - CDU Goal By #11 Fernando Kellett (Personal 29th Goal) 25th Min - Bettia Goal 86th Min - Red Card CDU #10 Dustin Lupton 87th Min - Bettia Goal Final Score: 2 - 1 Bettia |
| Posted by: Demot Dec 1 2006, 12:35 AM |
| Demot Daily ~ Keeping It Steady And so it began, the start of the AOCAF 17 for Demot, taking on what appears to be the strongest side in the group, the red haters of Bettia. The team knew it had to get out on the right foot, espicially with the other formidable oppenents waiting to take their shot at the still new nation. Coach Dogood tried his hardest to downplay the desperate need for at least a point to his squad in the training sessions leading up to the match, but it was easy to tell that the team was on pins and needles as they took to the pitch, and waited for the starting whistle. The well oiled machine that is the Bettia offence didn't take long to make its' presence felt out on the field, nearly netting their opening chance, only to see Orien making a diving save. Yet the team was soo out of wack, that Hostra overran the toss and the ball skipped right to the feet of Richards, who manuevered past the charge of Lucas, and slipped one out of the reach of young Orien. The squad was just about gaining their footing when another mental blunder cost them the goal. Smith had recovered a loose ball and was turning upfield to spring Black when he passed it right to Rogers, who in turn got it to a breaking Richards. He snuk past the backline of the Dynamo, and was able to get his shot off before Orien could come out and take away the angle. The heads hung low on the sideline and the squad needed something to snap them back into focus as they headed to the lockerroom, or else face the nasty proposition of being embaressed and having people wonder if their first AOCAF run was just a fluke. That spark would prove to be Ashley Hughes as she came on for the floundering Kendall Smith. As the second half got underway, the crafty veteran began to press the Bettia midfielders hard. With the added pressure, they began to make quick and rash decisions, and in the 51st minute Black would make them pay for it, by intercepting a pass from Scott, and moving past Harris and Foyle with a nifty little spin move, and firing from just beside the spot and into the corner, freezing Sulaiman. The goal began to shift the momentum, and the play started to stay in the Bettia half, with the Dynamo pressing hard for the equaliser, but Sulaiman refused to give them an inch. It was going to take something special to get another goal past him, and that came in the way of a Hughes drop pass for just inside the box, to a waiting Ysman, and the green fell became the latest victim of of her rocket foot, as it sailed into the netting, just scathing the crossbar on its way in. The teams would play to a stalemate in the last 20 minutes, each team unable to get that final pass that would provide the scoring chance. The keepers did have to make a few saves, but nothing that was taken as a serious threat on goal. Next up for the Dynamo is the talented Warrior squad from Milchama, whom the Dynamo are looking hopefully to stealing another point from, and trying to increase their odds of moving on past the group stage with the only other huge obstical being the Blue Foxes of Pacitalia. Delesa would be considered a threat, but their coaching staff has such an immature attitude, that they really are just now going to be the stepping stone Demot will need to get past this talent heavy group. Bettia 2 : 2 Demot BET: Richards 3' , Richards 21' DEM: Black 51' , Ysman 68' Article by Jasmine Olyvander |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 1 2006, 03:09 AM |
| Halosen News-Times: Dryads Throttle Hawks, Nojika next KRYTENIA - After a dissapointing, frustrating affair against Manhattan Prime on Day One, Myrtannia got it back into gear on Day Two. Thanks to privately operated busses under MAFC control, the Dryads starters were all present and correct for their clash with the Lamoni Hawks. Unfortunately for Lamoni, the same cannot be said of the Hawks' starting 11. Bus troubles once again scewed the efforts of one team, but this time in Myrtannia's favor. "It's horrible what happened to the Hawks, but we'll take the win and 3 points all the same," said coach Gabino after the match. At the stadium, the Dryads Army, resplendent in garish neon orange and blue, gave their starting eleven a standing ovation upon their being announced over the PA system. Amongst that starting 11, team captain Dania Figary was the only player who'd been present for the last Myrtannia-Lamoni match. That match, in Krytenia during AOCAF XIII had been a 0-3 thrashing by the exprienced Hawks. Sixteen years after that, it was payback time. In the first half, the Dryads looked a bit rusty, attacking off and on but not getting any real clear shots on the goal. Getting lost on a bus the previous day will do that to a team. Lamoni's reserves took advantage of that rustiness and the untested goalkeeper Rosario Zlotnik, finding a scoring opportunity early in the match. Twenty minutes in, Lamoni's Guy Tomes slipped one off the side bar into the net just past the first-time starter. "It was a little unnerving to have that happen, but you just have to get used to it. Starting for the national team is a lot different than starting for an MAFC side," Zlotnik expressed after the match. The rest of the first half went on as a see-saw battle with neither the Dryads or Hawks getting any open shots on goal. Both defenses played quite respectably in the first half, but Myrtannia wasn't going to accept a defeat just yet. In the second half, the attacking offense of Myrtannia would finally awake from slumber. From the starting gun, the Dryads pushed forward against the Lamonian reserves, looking for scoring opportunities. They got close several times, once on a header attempt by Myong Tuman off a Martignago corner. But up until the final ten minutes, the Hawk defense held. Something had to give, though, and it seemed almost as if the Dryads were toying with the Hawks' reserves at times. Several of their shots could've gone in if aimed just a little better, and their usual precision seemed missing. Then, after a signal by coach Gabino, the Dryads let loose the dogs of (football) war - a far more determined blitz into the back third. With the Hawks off-guard, September Rollock drove into the upper left corner of the box, then passed it through the legs of a Lamonian defender. Dania Figary recieved the pass, and struck it home with authority into the top left corner for the equaliser. Looking shell-shocked, the Hawks found themselves on the defensive again when the Dryads took possession after the next kickoff. Myrtannia charged forward again, this time led by Figary, who broke away from the pack, leaving only the keeper between her and the goal. At the last second, Figary passed it off to Roz Gabino, who landed a beautiful sliding kick into the net. Suddenly, Myrtannia led 2-1, and the showcase wasn't over yet. Another steal off of a kickoff left Hettie Miyagishima wide open with the Hawks just staring in disbelief. Not wasting a moment, she charged straight at the goal, and took a shot right at the keeper. It rebounded off of Nolan Delenick's chest, and Miyagishima nailed the ball on the ricochet with a scissor kick that gave her her first goal for the senior team. This was, of course, accompanied by loud chants of 'Banzai!' from the Myrtannian cheering section. All of this in just under five minutes of action. "It was crazy - we played around with different attack angles all game long, then coach Gabino gave the sign and we went after them. I feel sorry for the poor Lamonian reserves," Miyagishima expressed afterwards at a press conference, wearing her trademark pink knit cap, "But we're three points closer to the Quarterfinals, so we've gotta just keep on truckin'." The win puts Myrtannia more firmly in second place for the moment, as hosts Krytenia downed a pesky Manhattan Prime side 4-2. Next up for Myrtannia will be Nojika, losers of their first match as they fell to Krytenia by that same score. Despite the loss, Myrtannia will take Nojika very seriously. "Anyone can be a potential spoiler for our knockout round bid, so Nojika is most certainly a threat. We'll be preparing for them just as seriously as we did for Lamoni," coach Gabino explained. After the win, the Dryads starters went to the same local bar that the Hawks starters ended up at, and shared a drink with their footballing contemporaries. It was only one round, and the Dryads didn't consume any alcohol as per team doctrine. But the two sides seemed quite happy to chat and visit until the Dryads boarded the bus back to their hotel. Unconfirmed reports place the Dryads at an area school field for a closed intensive practice session in the morning, and another in the afternoon before their match with Nojika. So, the final score for Day Two: Myrtannia 3 - 1 Lamoni (Figary 80', Gabino 83', Miyagishima 84', Tomes 20') |
| Posted by: Manhattan Prime Dec 1 2006, 11:02 AM |
| Manhattan Herald – 1st December 2006 Lloyd Hunter reports from AOCAF 17 AOCAF Day 2 - Spirited MP fall to hosts Group A – Manhattan Prime 2:4 Krytenia Y. Katakana - 50mins, 58 mins 15min, 20 mins, 43 mins, 84 mins (pen) In the 2nd day of AOCAF 17 saw Manhattan Prime, fresh from a draw against a weakened Myrtannia side, face off against tournament hosts Krytenia. Manager Ian Pierce brought in 3 changes from last game, and switched to employing 2 holding midfielders in an attempt to try and contain Krytenia – Ethan Smith was brought in for Rauss, and Enrique Costa replaced Donavan to win his 1st cap. David Williams also made his international debut today, replaced Brandt, who had had a very quiet game against Myrtannia. Pierce was clearly hoping the pace of the young striker would make up for his inexperience. The last and only time the two teams have met was in the Last 16 of AOCAF 15, where Krytenia defeated Manhattan Prime 4-1, and they looked like emulating their scoreline today. Manhattan Prime’s players were run off the pitch in a dismal first half that ended with the Manhattanites 3-0 down, and thankful that the score was that low. The hosts scored an opening goal on the 15 minute, piercing the Manhattan defense with some clever moves, before adding a 2nd 5 minutes later with an audacious bicycle kick that is surely a candidate for goal of the tournament. Disheartened, Manhattan fans were praying for the half-time whistle, but Krytenia grabbed a third goal just before the end. Manhattanite assistant manager Rob Gyles were heard tearing his players off a strip in the dressing room, telling Williams he “looked about as lethal a weapon as a fuzzy-felt knife” and lambasted holding midfielders Smith and Costa’s timidity, roaring that “the only thing you two were blo*dy holding out there was each other’s hands!” Manager Ian Pierce was seemingly better at keeping his composure, but appearing disappointed going in to the team’s dressing room and declined to make a comment to the press at half time. Seemingly fired up to prove themselves, Manhattan Prime seemed a completely different team in the 2nd half. Smith and DeSilva chased every ball, and in the 50 minute Katakana scored with a superb assist from Williams. Within 10 minutes Manhattan had a 2nd goal and were back in the game after star striker Katakana netted for a 2nd time with a thunderous shot from outside the area in the 58th minute of the game. Manhattan Prime continued to use their pace and press for an equaliser, but ultimately, none was forthcoming. Disaster struck just six minutes from fulltime, when Lucas Thompson, hero of the last game, brought down a Krytenian striker in the box, giving away a penalty. Thompson was swiftly sent off for the foul and stormed off the pitch in disgust, whilst the resulting penalty was scored, knocking the stuffing out of the Manhattanite team. The final score - Krytenia 4:2 Manhattan Prime. The other Group A action ended Lamoni 1-3 Myrtannia in Stanton, leaving Manhattan Prime in 3rd place. Manhattan Prime Team: Clive Hilton (GK) Lucas Thompson (RB) John Clarke (CB) Karl Heinze (CB) Hitoshi Akita (LB) Ethan Smith (DMC) Enrique Costa (MC) Felix DeSilva (AML) Mashashi Takamura (AMR) David Williams (S) Yos*ito Katakana (S) No subs used. TABLE PL W D L GF GA GD PT Krytenia 2 2 0 0 8 4 +4 6 Myrtannia 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Manhattan Prime 2 0 1 1 3 5 -2 1 Nojika 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0 Lamoni 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0 |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 1 2006, 02:58 PM |
| Bazas Beaten Brian Cahill reporting from the County Ground, Dereapolis. There was a sense of déjà vu as the Hyppos’ took to the field against Bazalonia on matchday 2 of the tournament. Four long years ago, far to the west in Lamoni, the Autocracy faced the same opposition at the same stage and recorded a thrilling 5 - 2 win. Here in Krytenia the winning margin may have been smaller but the victory was no less comprehensive. Capped by a marvellous man-of-the-match performance by midfielder Victor Razin. The left sider showed his class on seventeen minutes as he cut in from the flank and curled a shot past the keeper and inside the far post from the edge of the penalty area. It was a great strike, even more so considering it was with his weaker foot. Another ten minutes past before Razin doubled his and the nation’s lead. BazaCub defender Swift clipped Sousa twenty five yards from goal and Razin swung in the freekick, looking for one of the blue and white shirts within the mass of bodies in the Bazalonian box. But his cross eluded everyone and nestled in the same corner as his previous effort. Pure fluke but they all count. As the halftime whistle blew the eyes of the Autocracy’s media machine strained for any sign of dispute between Marcus Baxter and Javi Chavez but as the coach headed down the tunnel to the changing rooms the Director of Elite Football stayed in his seat in the main stand. The BazaCubs took to the pitch in the second after clearly receiving a rocket from their manager. As the half ticked on the group’s third seeds turned the screw more and more until their pressure finally told. The ball was lofted forward out of defence and young centreback Ocella showed he wasn’t quite on the same wavelength as the rest of the back four as he delayed in stepping forward to spring the offside trap. That hesitation allowed Kang to run through unchecked and slot a low shot beneath the advancing Lomaia. It was 2 - 1 and the Bazalonians sensed an equaliser but that dream was snuffed out with twelve minutes to go as the ever dangerous Razin played a beautiful cross into the box and Morinas rose highest to power a header past Kanga. In stoppage time the Hyppos won a penalty when Sousa went down under the challenge of Fjord. Razin stepped up with the chance to cap a wonderful performance with a hattrick but his effort crashed off the bar and was cleared. No fairytale ending but the 3 points was good enough. Hypocria 3 - 1 Bazalonia Razin (2) Morinas The win kept Hypocria in third place in Group D but now with some points on the board. Unsurprisingly the Purple Peril lead the way with a perfect record so far after a sound hammering of Quakmybush. The Sharks drop to the bottom of the group behind Az-Cz. Fans back home will be hoping the Quakmybush form doesn’t improve ahead of their game against the Hyppos on the next matchday. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 1 2006, 03:43 PM |
| Seven Up! Magnificent Maitland bags hat-trick The B Sharps. Sharks. Whatever. They played about as a well as a barbershop quartet and couldn't even single in tune. The only thing in harmony was a well-drilled Starblaydi football machine, crushing the poor Quakmybushians who attempted to have four strikers and play a defensive style at the same time. After being thrashed six-nil by Bazalonia on Matchday One, Starblaydia went one better and put seven past the 'B' Sharks. Jacqueline Maitland proved to be in red-hot form, fresh from setting up the winner against Az-cz she came into this match to score her 55th, 5th and 57th international goals. Mercia Stadium is obviously a good hunting ground for Starblaydia so far, with two wins from two matches. Maitland's came from two expert strikes within the box, as well as a penalty-kick. Though it took until the twenty-third minute for Jackie to get her and Starblaydia's first, by Half Time it was three-nil as first full-back Yattaro Serviché breezed onto a free ball in the area, then midfielder Tara Niodonna scored from forty yards out with an absolute peach of a strike. A second goal from Jackie Maitland made it four-nil even before Quakmybush made it onto the score-sheet. Forward Benjamin Holt became the first player to breach Jino Graikalonii's net in his senior career with a goal just past the hour mark. Quakmybush's glory barely lasted five minutes as Maitland was felled by Moreno in the area and then stepped up confidently to slot past Green for number five. Captain Fillipo Zinaldi made it six shortly after as Quakmybush crumbled. Though Sam Murphy fluked himself a goal for six-two, substitute Tommas Coalville - on for Bazrimar - made it a malevolent seven and a second thrashing in a row for Quakmybush. Starblaydia get to sit back and watch Hypocria and Bazalonia try to match their six point tally so far as they play Az-cz and Quakmybush respectively. Final score from Mercia Stadium: Starblaydia 7 - 2 Quakmybush (Maitland 23 & 58 & 67, Serviché 25, Niodonna 41, Zinaldi 71, Coalville 85) - (Holt 62, Murphy 81) Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Hypocria, MD4 |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 3 2006, 01:33 PM |
| OOC: I realize perfectly that this is a random scorination and such, and all that. I realize that it's all a matter of luck - but I fail to see how, despite outranking Nojika and posting something when Nojika did not, I could lose 1-3 to them. Something is fishy with this scorinator I think. That and the 1-1 draw with Manhattan Prime. Oh well, just luck I guess. End mini-rant. |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Dec 3 2006, 02:09 PM |
| OOC: Please stop complaining, guys. That's just it - it's random scorination. These things can happen, and yes, they can happen as frequently as they are happening right now. Besides, Myr, I don't see you questioning your defeat of Lamoni by the exact same score even though you're ranked lower than he. So, please, just enjoy the tournament, enjoy the RPing... because, hey, you win some and you lose some. Just to put this in perspective; if it were all about winning, do you think I'd still be doing this? I haven't placed better than third, let alone won a single tournament, in any sport, at any level of competition, in two and a half years of sports RPing. Yet, I'm still here. |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 3 2006, 03:27 PM |
| Not Worth The Wait Brian Cahill reporting from the County Ground, Dereapolis. Expectation is a dangerous thing and it’s fair to say that the Autocracy’s media representatives fully expected a win against lowly Quakmybush. Indeed “amusing” headlines such as “Quak My B*tch Up” had already been dreamt up ahead of surely an easy three points. You’d think we would have learnt by now. Although in fairness it was not entirely the Hyppos fault in this case. Not a claim that is often made. But with the players all lined up on the pitch prior to the kickoff one of the linesmen decided to do a little jogging routine as part of his warm up and promptly pulled a hamstring. And with no replacement available the two teams were marched back into the dressing rooms and were told to wait. The delay stretched to what seemed like days until one of the local K-League officials arrived as the stadium to fill the vacancy. By then the damage was done. When the teams emerged for the second time and managed to at last get the game started the men in blue and white looked considerably below par. The pre-match warm ups and preparation was too long ago and the players looked jaded because of it. And this contributed to the opening goal as Holt latched onto a misplaced cross field ball from Hunter and drilled a low drive past Lomaia from the edge of the box. The half meandered on with no side even troubling the keepers from that moment on. The halftime whistle couldn’t come soon enough. The thunderous look on the face of Director of Elite Football, Javi Chavez, told any onlooker exactly what he had thought of the first half performance but once again he stayed in his seat during the interval. Leaving coach Marcus Baxter to do the shouting. They may have been the same players but the blue and white shirted men that emerged from the tunnel for the second half seemed a different side. They came forward in waves and started to make chances against a defence that had leaked 13 goals in its last two games. They created chance after chance but could find no way past Green in the Shark’s goal. Morinas and Razin were both denied by excellent saves from the keeper and Sousa skied an effort when well placed. When Bassano cracked a long ranged drive of a post it looked like it would be one of those days. A goal did come eventually, in the 84th minute. A Razin shot was blocked by the defence but the ball run to Sousa on the left. The tricky winger cut the ball back and the experienced Molinari steered it home. Molinari then had a chance to win the match in stoppage time but the normally reliable forward dragged his effort wide. As the final whistle blew it was certainly a case of two points dropped instead of one gained. Hypocria 1 - 1 Quakmybush Molinari In the other Group D fixture Bazalonia beat the Gnomes of Az-Cz 3 - 1 in Ousevale. That win kept the Baza Cubs in second place in the group but now level on points with leaders Starblaydia on six. Hypocria dropped two points off the lead and, more crucially, that second quarter final place. Az-Cz have it all to do now, needing two wins from their final two games and for other results to go their way, while Quakmybush’s point wasn’t enough to prevent an early elimination with a game to spare. Up next for the Hyppos is the always unpleasant prospect of a match against group leaders and AOCAF juggernauts Starblaydia. In the last tournament the Men in Muave unexpectedly lost to Nojika. Perhaps here in Krytenia they’ll throw another of their allies a bone. Or perhaps not. |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Dec 3 2006, 03:42 PM |
| Spirited Blue Fox squad eliminates Delesa with massive offensive outburst Win catapults Pacitalia into temporary lead of Group B DAVISHAM, KRYTENIA (PSN) -- This particular regional cup has, even though still in its infancy, become notorious for negativity. First, the Myrtannian squad put their collars up when the Krytenian organisers failed to provide proper transportation from their hotel to the matches. Then, the same thing happened to the Hawks, leading to a touch of bitterness in that group over the Krytenians' organisation skills. Add that to constant complaints of match-fixing by the newcomer Delesans (and also a bit by the Myrtannians), and you've got AOCAF17: Krytenia. However, apart from those foibles the Pacitalian team feels the Krytenians have done a good job handling the tournament for the other seventeen entrants. "It's obviously frustrating to be locked out of a match in that sort of way," captain Veranace d'Amantano told PSN pre-match. "But I wouldn't really be so hasty to blame the hosts for that. It happens sometimes. Really, I mean, it even happened to my juniors development team back in the day - we were bussing to Mangadora Passo-Cepatta for a league match and the bus driver took us to Mandragora instead. Needless to say we had to forfeit because we didn't show up." After speaking to reporters, d'Amantano went on to win his 99th international cap and scored twice to lead the Blue Foxes to a 4-1 victory over the Delesa United. The Blue Foxes were on the board first via a penalty shot in the 16th. Delesan fullback Patrick Keogh kneed Andreos Charisteas in the thigh, just inside the box, as the Pacitalian midfielder attempted to circumferate him, sending Charisteas to the spot for an attempt. Charisteas was on the ground for at least two minutes, writhing in pain from an apparent charley horse. Keogh was carded but not sent off, to the jeers of the Blue Fox fans assembled in the stand, but, on replay, the act appeared relatively unintentional. After recovering from the charley horse Charisteas pocketed his second of the tournament to give Pacitalia a 1-0 lead. The Delesans were rather quick to equalise, however. Ten minutes later, captain Michael McShane found a rare seam between Ion Mihai Comanescu and Angelo Bordellatta, and put a dribbling shot past a diving Raduvani to level the score at 1-1. The teams headed to the dressing room at halftime with interim manager Sergei Saganyarov once again livid at the poor play that had allowed the Delesa squad to equalise. Legend has it that the Pacitalians play their best football "down the stretch", or between the 65th and 85th minutes, something that allows them to pull ahead to a victory where other teams are growing increasingly fatigued. Statistics show the Blue Foxes scoring about two thirds of their goals in that time frame. So should it have been any surprise that the winning three scores came in that period of the match? Of course. Perhaps the level of the offensive outburst was what shocked and delighted Pacitalian fans and disheartened and disgusted their Delesan counterparts. d'Amantano mirrored McShane's play in the 68th minute, finding a seam between Keogh (who was smartly keeping his knees in check) and Patrick O'Casey and rocketing a shot past Javier Topper to restore the Pacitalian lead. He was followed by a Michelangelo Mascagnano score off a corner by Andolfabio Vunghiasso in the 79th. The veteran Pacitalian captain then potted his second of the match and 57th of his career with five minutes remaining in normal time to seal the 4-1 victory for the Pacitalians. The teams are heading in opposite directions with this result. Delesa is eliminated with their third loss of the tournament while the Blue Foxes take hold of the top spot in Group B for the time being (the Aroras had an off day). The win was another good motivator for the Pacitalian squad as they prepare for their toughest opponents yet: those very same Aroras. "We played very well tonight, especially in the second half," Saganyarov remarked post-match. "We were falling off a bit there before halftime and it made us sloppy - I know Ion and Angelo do not make many mistakes like that so I'll let it go. Nonetheless, the play of these guys in the second half was spectacular. I'm confident we will go into the match against Bettia and do very well. These guys look and seem ready." Meanwhile, in coaching related news, the FdFP said it was still in the "process of accepting applicants for the position of U21 manager and senior manager", as Saganyarov is indeed interim. So far, according to FdFP insiders, two Starblaydis, two Vilitans, a Bettian and an Fmjphoenician have put their applications forward. The Russo-Oceanian national was noncommittal on rumours he was also seeking the senior team managerial position. From Davisham, Krytenia: Pacitalia 4 : 1 Delesa PAC (2-0-0): Charisteas 16' / d'Amantano 68', 85' / Mascagnano 79' DSA (0-0-3): McShane 26' NEXT UP: BET v PAC, DMT v DSA |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 3 2006, 05:59 PM |
| Starblaydia Ready for Hyppos Sit down, if you're Javi Chavez! With Hypocria somehow managing to score less than a hat-full against Quakmybush yesterday, Starblaydia are three points clear of their Hyppo allies and level with Bazalonia with one game in hand. Though both Baxter and Chavez were obviously furious at the loss of ground to Starblaydia and Bazalonia in first and second, they can still dream of progression to the knock-out stages should they take points off Starblaydia and see the 'purple peril' thrash Bazlaonia on the last Matchday. There's much respect for what Chavez can do with a team - even when wearing a suit and sitting alongside the people with more money than knowledge of the offside rule - Starblaydia will still be looking for a decent victory in this possible crunch-match in their run-in to Bazalonia on Matchday Five. Elsewhere the team with the best record so far are Nedalia, who have a goal difference of plus-seven thanks to victories over Aurendia and The Mushroom Kingship. It has to be mentioned, though, that anyone who didn't have at least a plus-seven goal difference after those two matches would be considered truly atrocious. Or called Hypocria. Bring it on. Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Hypocria, MD4 |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 3 2006, 06:44 PM | ||
I know, I was just in a bad mood when I posted this morning. Please disregard that last post by myself. I'll post a proper RP post once scorination for Day 4 has taken place, since I've got a bye date for today. Again, apologies for the complaint, let's get back to the tournament! |
| Posted by: Delesa Dec 4 2006, 12:15 AM |
Saying you would delete it does not seem to work here.... as I said it and are still getting heckled about it by Pacitalia, not that im worried, cause it's just a game of politics and a wee bit of luck. But yes, Myrtannia, let us get back to the... ah crap im out.... ahhh! he-he  |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 4 2006, 12:35 AM |
| Hawks defeat Manhattan Prime In order to avoid a repeat of the embarrasing trial of the Lamonian starting eleven during the Myrtannia match, the Hawks were provided with their own team vans for all of their transportation needs while in Krytenia. It is hoped that this will ensure that another boot camp trip is not in the cards for the Lamonian AOCAF squad. It seems to have worked for the match against Manhattan Prime, where the starting eleven took their rightful place on the field. It looked to be a good match when Lamonian Forward Brain Mckusker scored 37 minutes in, and an unamed Manhattanite scored two minutes later. The score would remain 1-1 until later in the second half when Lamonian Forwards Guy Tomes, and Christian Ludlow scored in the 70th and 83rd minutes, respectively. With the game seemingly in hand, the Hawks then ran down time until the match was over. The Hawks face hosts Krytenia next, in a match that will determine whether the Hawks will advance to the knockouts. You can bet that the Hawks will be doing everything in their power to make it; especially after the loss to friends Myrtannia that placed them in this situation. This is nothing that Lamoni has not faced before, and we shall emerge victorious. Our record against Krytenia shows that we have a good chance so long as we don't make major mistakes, and keep up the basics. Lamoni - 3 Brain Mckusker (37), Guy Tomes (70), Christian Ludlow (83) MP - 1 (39) |
| Posted by: Manhattan Prime Dec 4 2006, 07:15 AM |
| Manhattan Herald – 3rd December 2006 Lloyd Hunter reports from AOCAF 17 Lamoni 3:1 Manhattan Prime Group A – Manhattan Prime 1:3 Lamoni F. DeSilva (39) B. Mckusker (37), G. Tomes (70), C. Ludlow (83) The 3rd match of Group A pitted the Manhattanites again the Hawks of Lamoni, a team Manhattan Prime managed to hold to a 1-1 draw in AOCAF 15. Manhattan were to be less lucky this time around, being defeated 3-1 as Lamoni all but eliminated MP from the tournament. Manager Ian Pierce decided to keep faith in the team that started last game, and for a while it seemed to work, with both sides thrilling the crowd with confident and flowing attacking play. Lamonian striker McKusker opened the scoring in the 37 minute, with attacking midfielder Felix DeSilva grabbing his first game of the tournament to equalise for Manhattan Prime 2 minutes later. The first half ended 1-1, despite both team’s best efforts to break the deadlock. The Lamonian team began to pile on the pressure in the 2nd half, with Manhattan Prime forced back into their own half and rarely getting a chance to push forwards. However the defensive pairing of Clarke and Heinze put in an impressive display to keep the scores level. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute, when Guy Tomes made the score 2-1 to Lamoni, and, with the floodgates now open, Ludlow soon made it 3-1. The game all but over, Lamoni were happy to sit back and keep possession for the remaining few mins, and frustrate Manhattanite attempts to even the score. Routed at the bottom of Group A with only 1 point, it appears AOCAF 17 is all but over for Manhattan Prime, even if they beat Nojika in their final game. Manhattan Prime Team: Clive Hilton (GK) Lucas Thompson (RB) John Clarke (CB) Karl Heinze (CB) Hitoshi Akita (LB) Ethan Smith (DMC) Enrique Costa (MC) Felix DeSilva (AML) Mashashi Takamura (AMR) David Williams (S) Yos*ito Katakana (S) No subs used. |
| Posted by: Delesa Dec 4 2006, 10:58 PM |
| X-treme Delesa Sports News What a good for nothing win. But a win nonetheless. Delesa United will be able escape the brutal grasp of the no win (till this day) AO Regional Soccer Tournament with at least a single win. And a good win for offence, scoring 3 goals on the team that had defeated Delesa in the finals stages of the BoF. The teamed played like there was no tomorrow, cause really there wasn’t. Tonight the team will party and litter the streets with drunken United fans and players. It wasn’t a easy victory, even the resigning Head Coach Liam O’Rielly, knew the thoughts of every player in the United dressing room, there was a score to settle. And United served it. Scoring in the opening 6 minutes, McShane pulled the same stunt as in the last game and broke past the Demot defenders, and with his first shot hitting the crossbar, the ball came right back to him, and with a simple volley the ball hit its proper target on his second attempt, putting United out front like any other game. But it was in the 42nd minute when Demot defender Nikalas Gooden, slide tackled Florian Olivier who attempted to break past. Patrick Keogh took the shot that was a fair distance from the net, but that didn’t matter as Keogh redeemed himself from last game with a nice curl around the player’s crude wall and flirted with the side post but in the end it went in. Going into halftime the team was high of cockiness, and as a result in the opening moments, with a punt form the Demot defense, the ball landed in the feet of Justin Frontson, who burned the Delesa defenders in a flash of speed like all the other teams, and ripped a shot in the to corner of Javier Topper’s net, a huge upset to United fans, as the record shows Topper is having the worst luck this season as a injury had with held him for regular season for the first months, and now brutal playing as tender for United. But all was good, as it was still 2-1 in United’s favor. But that sure didn’t last long as a Demot corner kick smacked the head of female player Sarah Ysman, and a header that slipped under the arms of Topper. With that goal, Topper, enraged with anger punched the post, breaking several knuckles in his hand, now only if he used that power of a punch to knock the ball out…. So he was replaced by the relative unknown Clayton Dattilo. Who in his first couple of minutes faced 4 sniper shots aiming for the corners. His intense saves, kept it 2-2. But once again McShane at the last possible minute (83rd), out maneuvered the defense in a stunning us of his chest and feet, picked the bottom corner with a single shot. Putting United 3-2 with 7 minutes left to play. Dattilo saved the final attempt by Demot offence with a volley, a risky move for the situation, but maybe that’s why he sits on the side of the field in international games, cause he scares the…. Poop out of the coach. When the final whistle was blown, the United fans cheered to the top of their lungs, threw there team items on the field, and United took the victory walk around the pitch, shaking the hands of the die hard fans that followed the team to this most unsuccessful tournament. What's up next for the United team? Well this was the last game, as the next game day is a bye, which means the team has been elimanated, but will remain to watch and cheer on the best of teams. As for the team, the coachs will have to look at the slow defence and work on getting faster players, as well as stronger midfields. Only comments after the game was from Head Coach, saying that in a up coming press conference he will announce his retirement from international football, and his thoughts on the team’s performance as there was not time to loss as the team headed out for drinks. CDU (Commonwealth Delesa United) Game Review; brought to you by Armour Tech Industries. 6th Min – CDU Goal # 4 Michael McShane 42nd Min – CDU Goal #8 Patrick Keogh 48th Min – Demot Goal Justin Frontson 66th Min - Demot Goal Sarah Ysman 66th Min – CDU Substitution # 1 Javier Topper out for # 2 Clayton Dattilo 83rd Min - CDU Goal # 4 Michael McShane Final Score Delesa 3 - Demot 2 |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 5 2006, 01:45 AM |
| Reserves Crash & Burn vs Nojika, Dryads in Must-Win Against Hosts KRYTENIA - In what will probably go down as one of the dumbest moves in Myrtannia's AOCAF history, coach Gabino decided it would be a good idea to send the reserves out against Nojika. It was a match the Dryads should have won, but things don't always go as planned. The utlimate result was a shocking upset by Nojika to the tune of 1-3, and now the Dryads are on the ropes. After scoring once early, the Dryads reserves couldn't put together another scoring attack for the rest of the match. Nojika exploited holes in the defense to put three past reserve keeper Janey Lokan, and left the usually rowdy Myrtannain fans in a stunned silence. Things disintegrated rapidly after the first Nojikan goal, and spiraled after a questionable call by an official. The call came on a sliding tackle by defender Machelle Burzlaff, though it wasn't clear whether it was the right call or not. From the linesman's point of view, the tackle was a red-card offense, and Burzlaff was told to clear off the field. After arguing with the official, and attempts by fellow defenders Lenny Ditucci and Amado Ugaitafa to hold her back, Burzlaff vented her anger and frustration in an unexpected way. She took a swing and decked the official, before the other Dryads managed to force her off the pitch. Due to the offense, the Dryads sent Burzlaff home immediately after booting her off the team and fining her an undisclosed amount. Inside sources indicate it to be the highest amount the MAFC has ever slapped on a player. Along with the Massetti headbutting incident of AOCAF XV, it's among the most notorious deeds by a Myrtannian player. Coach Gabino issued a statement after the match. "What (Burzlaff) did out there was completely unacceptable, and she has no place on this team. I'd like to apologize from the bottom of my heart to the official involved in the incident, the Krytenian AOCAF authority, and the people of Krytenia on behalf of the Myrtannia Dryads. This kind of violent behavior is not going to be allowed on our team, or anywhere in the MAFC," Gabino announced at a press conference. The frustration of AOCAF XVII continued into the Dryads' day off, as Nojika stopped Manhattan Prime, leapfrogging Myrtannia and Lamoni into second in the group. Lamoni can still get into the knockouts with a win over Nojika, or a draw and a Krytenia loss. Myrtannia has no such luck. It has come down to a not-so-simple task - Myrtannia must win against Krytenia to avoid being eliminated before the knockouts for the first time since their first AOCAF. A draw won't cut it. Lamoni proved that the hosts are beatable, defeating Krytenia 1-0 today in perhaps their best match of the tournament. But the apathetic spoilers of Nojika threw a wrench into things with a 3-0 clobbering of Manhattan Prime, forcing the Hawks into a must-win situation of sorts as well. Myrtannia's is more dire, though, and coach Gabino expected this kind of a thing to happen. Their bye date was used for an all-day practice focused on all the known strategies of the Krytenian side. Any possible weaker points have been explored and strategies developed to exploit them. Once again, Myrtannia must play giant killer to keep its knockout hopes alive. The last meeting between the two sides was AOCAF XVI, where Myrtannia handily beat Krytenia 3-1. This time it's different. Krytenia needs only a draw to get into the next round - Myrtannia has only two options: win or go home. "We're going to be ready for them. We don't care if they're the hosts, we can beat them - we have before, and we will again. We're going to do some things differently against them to exploit spots where we feel we're stronger, and that, we hope, will translate into victory," coach Gabino stated with a grave sense of urgency, "If we can't get into the knockouts, I'll resign." That announcement came amidst rumors among the Dryads Army that Gabino might be on the way out as the Dryads' head coach. It's believed that she'll remain an advisor to the team, and help select members of MAFC clubs to the national team, but the opening at the head coaching spot might be open after AOCAF XVII. Rumors also mention that the MAFC has been negotiating with a potential replacement, regardless of what happens this AOCAF. But the rumors haven't penetrated into the Dryads camp, where the focus is still Krytenia, and how to defeat them. It's been a tough ride, but there's still hope either way: a win and they stick around for at least another match. In four years, though, the MAFC plans on bringing the AOCAF tournament to Myrtannia. Today, they announced their intention to submit a hosting bid for AOCAF XVIII after narrowly losing in their bid for this tournament. "We're going to have AOCAF in Myrtannia, and in four years, the Dryads Army will be cheering their home team in the comfort of the United Isles," MAFC commisioner Edie Linnertz announced at the press conference in Halosen. Meanwhile, Dryads Army fans have reportedly spent most of their downtime in area bars and pubs discussing the latest rumors about their beloved team. In an uncertain present, one thing is for sure: they are possibly the most dedicated fans in the region, and they have at least one more hurrah in this tournament before going home for four years. With all the preparation for the final match of the group stage, Myrtannia may well give them reason to cheer again. Final Score (MD3) MYR 1 - 3 NOJ (War 3', #11 23', #8 42', #9 77') |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 5 2006, 03:07 AM |
| Hawks staying alive, defeat hosts With all their knockout hopes on the line, the Hawks silence their pre-AOCAF critics in practically every other nation by defeating the hosts in order to keep their knockout hopes alive. Now Lamoni needs either a win against Nojika, or a draw against Nojika, and a Krytenia loss in order to advance. Another interesting possibility would occur if both Lamoni and Myrtannia were to win their matches. Such a result would place Lamoni and Myrtannia as first and second in the group, respectively. If Lamoni were to defeat Nojika, this would make the second time in a row that we will have defeated them after they have pulled off an upset win against a seemingly unbeatable teams (AOCAF XVI: Starblaydia, AOCAF XVII: Myrtannia). Lamoni also happens to have a good record against Nojika, but Manager Riyall will not let the Hawks rest on their laurels. After a decent night's sleep, the Hawks will be practicing for their match against Nojika. We wish them all the best. As for the match against Krytenia, both sides felt each other out until Lamonian Forward Christian Ludlow scored the only goal of the match at 30 minutes in. The rest of the match was a defensive standoff that allowed Lamoni to take the win, and keep their knockout hopes alive. Lamoni - 1 Christian Ludlow (30) Krytenia - 0 |
| Posted by: Nedalia Dec 5 2006, 07:41 AM |
| The Nedalia Lions "Lets get one thing straight, for anyone that's been saying we're on a downward spiral towards football mediocrity...I got one thing to say to all of you: You wish, bitches!" Those were the words of volatile and controversial new Lions manager Baddawi Fratta, who currently has his team on top of Group C with a record of 3-0-0, including an impressive 3-2 victory over Vilita. While saying that he has gotten on a few nerves is a gross understatement, he has gotten off the best start of any Lions manager before him, conceding only 3 goals and scoring 11 in 3 games. He was directly responsible for picking the squad, with almost the whole team exclusively U-21 stars of the NPL, excluding 2 of the biggest names in the league, Marcus Iopa (captain), and Julian Kassem. The latter has his 6 of the team's 11 goals, with 3 coming in the 6-0 victory over The Mushroom Kingship, while the former has added 2 of his own, along with 5 assists. While they technically haven't qualified for the 2nd round yet, realistically they are through. They need 1 point from their match with their underachieving allies The Lowland Clans to mathematically ensure of their advancement, but Fratta is having none of that. "It seems everyone has forgotten who we are. We're a Top 3 team in this region, dammit! And we're going to prove it, one game at a time!" Good news for an already impressed Nedalian fanbase, then. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 5 2006, 12:52 PM |
| Danger of Elimination! Starblaydia to not be in knockouts? Markko Rakkinen's side, with one Group match to go, lay below the Qualification line. An entire nation must face up to the possibility that, for the first time ever, Starblaydia might not progress to the knock-out stages of the competition. Ever since their inaugural appearance in the second tournament, Starblaydia have always made it through beyond the group stage, to Second Rounds or Quarter-Finals without exception. Now they require either: a victory over Bazlaonia; or a draw with the Bazalopes and a Hypocria loss to Az-cz. Rakkinen's first tournament in charge, with a squad packed with World and Regional champions that were seeded number-one - as per usual - before the competition started, may yet be eliminated by Hyppos and Bazalopes; not two animals you'd expect to come out on top over white lions. While every other major team has appeared to only lose a match because they send out the reserves to play (now there's an idiotic approach to a tournament with just four Group matches before the knockouts - Ed.), Starblaydia have seemingly become the first high-quality starting eleven to notch up a loss in the tournament so far - witness Myrtannia reserves versus Nojika and Lamoni reserves versus Myrtannia. Hypocrian wingers Alex Sousa and Carlo Molinari gave Starblaydia trouble throughout the match and proved to be the match-winners an only hour into the match. Tabitha Di Bradini had all sorts of trouble containing the effervescent Sousa, who came away with a Man-of-the-Match performance and two goals to his name. With the entire Starblaydi team only managing to put a single ball past Alexei Lomaia, it's not difficult to see who came away with three points from this match. Betanii Marrones provided Starblaydia with a glimmer of hope around the half-hour mark as her header from a corner slammed straight into the net and gave Starblaydia an equaliser. Earlier Sousa had given Hypocria the lead with a low shot to beat Graikalonii at the near post. Starblaydia's parity didn't las tlong, however, as again Sousa struck just six minutes later, blasting the ball into the top right-hand corner from around thirty yards with a dream of a volley. Both Starblaydia and Hypocria were going all guns blazing (pardon the pun - Ed.) to win themselves this match, with the victor gaining themselves a high chance of progression through to the knock-outs. However it was the Hyppos who profited in the second half, as winger Carlo Molinari scored on a lighting-quick counter-attack, chipping the ball deftly over Graikalonii with not a defender in sight. So, Starblaydia vs Bazalonia is on, and to the victor will go a place in the next round - it's as simple as that. With a draw, Bazalonia are certainly through, and Starblaydia must rely on Khim Azanulbizarn and his Az-cz side to bring home the Starblaydi bacon and let them qualify with a win over Hypocria. One Starblaydi coach will already not be seeing the next phase, but will Markko Rakkinen or Javi Chavez join Khim Azanulbizarn as a mere spectator for the rest of the tournament? Starblaydia versus Bazalonia, and Hypocria versus, Az-cz will decide their fate. Final score from Mercia Stadium: Starblaydia 1 - 3 Hypocria (Marrones 32) - (Sousa 16 & 38, Molinari 62) Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Bazalonia, MD5 |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Dec 5 2006, 02:14 PM |
| From fantastic to frightful Aroras hand Pacitalia shutout defeat; both teams still in knockout positions AVIDIA, KRYTENIA (PSN) -- Maybe it was the travel, after playing two matches in Davisham. Maybe it was just time for the Bettians to overcome the stigma of Pacitalia as their bogeyman opponents. Maybe it was the fact that captain Veranace d'Amantano was sitting out this match as a precaution against a potential knee strain he might have suffered against Delesa. Or maybe, just maybe, the Blue Foxes simply entered a match unprepared. Cristianu Raduvani was certainly not impressed with the defensive effort Monday, as he was forced to save 22 shots on goal in a 3-0 loss to the Aroras. Bettia scored all three of its goals in the first thirty minutes, then sat back and controlled the defensive flow preventing a comeback by the Pacitalians. The first Arora goal came in the ninth minute from talented veteran striker Gwarthen Rhydderch, who blasted past Francesco Manzanotti, entering the 22-yard box and deking out both Angelo Bordellatta and keeper Raduvani for the first goal of the match. Just three minutes later, it was Rhydderch again on a penalty shot as Bordellatta had to trip him up in desperation. Nonetheless, the powerful Bettian scored his second, this time from the spot, to put the match squarely in Arora control. Bettia's third goal came in the 27th minute, this time on the other side of the pitch as Owen Richards cut a clean pass through to a streaking Eurys Ffagan, past a stumbling and confused Ion Mihai Comanescu. Ffagan lifted a rocket past the outstretched hands of Raduvani for the 3-0 lead. The Blue Foxes' best chance of the night came from Pietrando Manovecchia, who was substituting for d'Amantano in the match. In the 56th he cut around the outside of Stephen Harris, dribbling a surprisingly veteran-like ball into the 22-yard box and then peeling off a shot to the top-left corner that was just saved in time by Aroras keeper Safwan Sulaiman. "It was poor play, left, right, and centre," a visibly irate manager, Sergei Saganyarov, said post-match. "I can't even believe it. I don't even want to watch the tape to see what went wrong; it was that bad. They had us cornered for all ninety minutes. It's hardly the kind of effort I want to see from these guys when a knockout berth is on the line." Fortunately, for the Blue Foxes, their destiny is in their hands. First place is still up for grabs if Pacitalia wins and Bettia either loses or draws their final match. If the Blue Foxes want to keep Demot from stealing a playoff berth, at the very least, however, they have the opportunity to do so against that very team in the final group match. Hopefully, Veranace d'Amantano will be back to seal a victory in his 100th international cap. From Avidia, Krytenia: Bettia 3 : 0 Pacitalia BET: Rhydderch 9', 12' / Ffagan 27' PAC: None NEXT UP: BET v MIL, PAC v DMT |
| Posted by: Bettia Dec 5 2006, 03:24 PM |
| "What ARE they playing at? Just what the hell is going on?" It was well into Bettia's third match, and the Pie and Pixie was all of a commotion. Sure, the Aroras were winning, and winning comfortably. Sure, the Aroras were in the process of dispatching the last of their bogey teams. Sure, they were on the verge of qualification to the next round... ...but the Pifton locals were far from happy. The natives were growing more and more restless as they watched events unfold in front of them. "Herman, are you seeing this? This.. this is unbelievable!" Ali said, almost choking back tears of anxiety and frustration. "I know, I mean... this is... man, George would be turning in his grave if he could see this!" "What are you talking about? I'm right here!" George piped up... but piping up to who? Ali and Herman certainly didn't seem to notice. Ali shook his head. "Allah rest his soul. I remember all the good times we had watching the Aroras over the years... all those times we used to rib him about turning up late for matches..." "What the hell are you on about? I'm sitting right behind you!" George cried. "...and what golden memories they were too! Hordes of green and gold sweeping forward at every opportunity, putting all sorts of pressure on the opponents, being yelled on by legions of Bettian fans. Oh yes, ol' George used to love that. But now this? Okay, the first half hour was brilliant - just the sort of Takilan footy we all know and love, but what is this now? The Aroras DEFENDING!? For almost an hour? What gives? Poor old George... I'm almost glad he's not here to see this." "But I AM here. Please, won't anyone listen to me?" George pleaded desperately. Ali and Herman exchanged knowing glances at each other. "I know what you mean. Seeing this near-Karelan tripe would damn well break his heart." "It IS breaking my heart!" "It only seems like it was yesterday he was here with us, enjoying our win over Delesa. It still hasn't sunk in that he's gone. Look, even Doris is still putting out his scones for him. They were his favourite." Ali said, looking over at a plate with three scones on it. "Aye mate, they were... and it would be a shame to waste them, wouldn't it?" "Yeah... we really ought to eat them." "Don't you bloody dare!" But it was no use. Ali and Herman, being the complete bastards that they were, each took a scone and held it up in the air as a toast to their 'departed' friend. "To George!" "George!" This was too much to bear for poor old George. He had to do something before his precious scones were half-inched, and so he grabbed Ali's arm and tried to snatch the cakey goodness from his hands. "Whoa! Herman! Look - a ghost! And it's trying to nick my scone!" "Bloody ghosts. They come over here, haunt our houses, frighten our cats, steal our scones - they oughtta send 'em back to Ghostland where they come from. Freeloading tossers." George groaned as Ali and Herman sniggered amoungst themselves. "Oh for God's sake, will you children just grow up!" "Sorry mate, we were just pulling your leg, you know? Come on, come and have the last scone - we left you one on the plate." A slightly-relieved George looked over at the plate and sighed - there was something on the plate all right. A nice floral design, a little chip on the edge, a shedload of crumbs... but nary a scone to be seen. "Right... so where is it then?" "It was right there on the..." Ali gasped as he looked upon the empty plate. "Great! Who nicked the last one?" he shouted glaring at everyone in the café... but everyone was still glued to the screen, hoping against hope that Bettia would mount an attacking move on the Pacitalian goal. Frantically he looked around - no crumbs, no telltale blobs of jam, no smears of butter - it was as though the scone had vanished into thin air. "Oh my... the scone... it's disappeared!" "Zoiks! You know what this means, don't you?" George asked. Herman nodded. "Perhaps the Pie and Pixie really does have a g-g-g-ghost!" |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 5 2006, 03:47 PM |
| Blades Blunted Brian Cahill reporting from the Mercia Stadium, Bromham. We may have been third in the group with two games left. We may have been facing an unpromising match against AOCAF juggernauts Starblaydia. But still hundreds of millions of televisions across the Autocracy switched onto HyperSport 1 for the clash between Group D’s big two. Despite the not entirely encouraging record against the five time regional champions, not one win from open play and all, a match against the Men in Mauve is still one of the biggest draws around for the fans back home, matched only by the local derbies against Bettia or Nedalia, and as kickoff approached the nation slowly ground to a halt. The run up to the game also saw the first real professional interaction between the national coach and the new Director of Elite Football. It had long been wondered in the media how well exactly the two would work together but in truth Marcus Baxter would have been a fool if he didn’t turn to former Starblaydi international Javi Chavez for some inside information. On more than one occasion the two men could be found deep in conversation at the training camp. And, as it turned out, to rather good effect. Bromham’s Mercia Stadium was packed to the rafters and a casual passer-by may well have mistaken the venue for the Hyppodrome, such was the support for Baxter’s troops. The blue and white army were out in force and they were joined by thousands of locals who, despite the not exactly cordial relationship between the Autocracy and Krytenia, never miss a chance to lay into the Starblaydis. And the noise rose to an almost deafening crescendo on sixteen minutes when Molinari drilled the ball across the box, Di Bradini missed her interception, and Sousa fired low past Graikalonii. The pandemonium in the stands was not matched on the bench. A simple clenched fist was the coach’s celebration, he knew there was still a helluva long way to go. When up against some of the best players around it’s important to do the basics well. Basics such as defending set pieces for example. Allowing the opposition centreback a free header from a corner is not the best idea in the world and certainly isn’t what all hose hours on the training pitch is meant to achieve. But that’s exactly what happened on thirty two minutes. Betanii Marrones was the beneficiary of lax marking as she rose unchallenged to power home a header to level the game. A shake of the head from Chavez showed exactly what he thought of the defending while the coach sent a water bottle down the touchline with a swing of his right boot. Alex Sousa has been the darling of the blue and white army for years. There’s little the three time Hyper League player of the year can do wrong in their eyes. After the thirty eighth minute of this match he could probably get away with murder. Espartero lofted the ball forward and the tricky winger let the ball drop over his shoulder before hitting it full on the volley from thirty yards out. He’d probably never contacted better and the ball rocketed past the keeper and ripped into the top right hand corner. It was a goal that would be replayed on every channel back home for weeks. The Purple Peril came out after the interval with intent and Lomaia had to be at his best to keep the Hyppos’ collective noses in front. As the half went on and the result hung in the balance Chavez left his place in the stand and joined Baxter in the dugout. Another Starblaydi attack was foiled and then, just after the hour mark, it happened. The ball was cleared long and with defenders struggling to get back Molinari raced away and deftly chipped the ball over Graikalonii. This time there was no holding back the celebrations as the Hyppos secured a two goal lead they would never relinquish. The final whistle blew, Baxter saluted the travelling support, Chavez exchanged a few words with his former international team mate Markko Rakkinen on the Starblaydi bench and the Hyppos had recorded a famous victory. Hypocria 3 - 1 Starblaydia Sousa (2) Molinari Elsewhere in the group already eliminated Quakmybush ensured the Gnomes of Az-Cz would be joining them on the plane home with a 3 - 2 win in Ousevale. Matchday 5 should be a real thriller with only Group B’s Nedalia assured of a place in the quarter finals. Here in Group D the Hyppos’ have overtaken both Starblaydia and Bazalonia to lead the group with one game to go. A win over Az-Cz in the final game would ensure we stay there. But all neutral eyes will surely turn to the massive match between Starblaydia and Bazalonia. The next ninety minutes will decide which two of the group‘s top three advance and which returns home in abject failure. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 5 2006, 07:43 PM |
| Last Eight Awaits Potential Greats Bazalopes eliminated by Starblaydi strike-force Arise, Ser Tommas! Starblaydia produced one of the greatest fight-backs in their sporting history to draw themselves back from the brink of utter humiliation and into the realms of Quarter-Final dreamland. Three-one down at half time, Starblaydia fought back to take the match by four goals to three, ensuring they keep their record of progressing to the knock-out stages of every AOCAF so far, as well as keeping Markko Rakkinen in his current state of employment. Had Starblaydia lost - or even drawn, thanks to Hypocria defeating Az-cz - today, it would have been the end of Rakkinen's career as a Starblaydi international manager, as well as a sorry note to finish the careers of players such as Tara Niodonna, Petyr Kaminsky and similar. This match, however, has probably kick-started the burgeoning careers of players like two of Starblaydia's goalscorers: Zamoskao and Tommas Coalville. Zamoskao, a young wide midfielder from southern Starblaydia, had one AOCAF16 appearance to his name before this tournament, won as a sixteen year-old in Lamoni. Now he has five caps and the first senior goal under his belt. His goal came after a quarter of an hour and provided Starblaydia with parity for a few short minutes. Bazalonian striker Everrett Kang had given the Bazalopes an early lead after just six minutes and Zamoskao's swerving shot from just outside the area found it's way in off the far post to make the scoreline 1-1. Starblaydia conceded two more before half time. Again Kang got on the score sheet, putting the ball beyond Jino GraiKalonii's despairing fingertips before the half hour mark. Starblaydia's defence was disintegrating under the three-man attack, just as it had done against Hypocria. However, Starblaydia's greatest ever goalscorer was, thankfully, on hand to give them a lifeline. After what must have been the very definition of a bollocking in the dressing room at the break, Rakkinen's team came out with a bang to rectify the three-one scoreline into three-two. Jackie Maitland, ever the supreme goalscorer, found time and space to rifle home a shot past Kanga within sixty seconds of the restart. Her Dwarven strike-partner, Durin Bazrimar, was not having the greatest of the twenty-four games he'd played for Starblaydia, but he managed a goal nonetheless before he was withdrawn in favour of young Coalville. In confusion from a corner with a bouncing ball in the penalty area, the stout legs of Bazrimar were quickest to react and he toe-poked the ball over the line for the equaliser. As Starblaydi players celebrated the equaliser, 3-3, there were angered shouts and shoves as Bazalonians claimed any number of fouls, handballs and offsides. What the referee saw through the crowd of white, purple and orange was simple: a Starblaydi goal. Bazrimar was soon replaced by the seventeen year-old Coalville and it proved to be a winning master-stroke. Either that or a great piece of group-luck on the part of Rakkinen, Coalville and the Starblaydia team in general. With less than a minute to go of normal time, Zamoskao whipped in a desperate cross, just saving it from going for a goal kick. Coalville sneaked in front of Henry Fjord and got his foot to the ball. The rest is lost in a sea of Starblaydi shirts and cheers. Starblaydia had won the match and beaten Bazalonia to qualification for the Quarter-Finals. Nedalia and their Lions await Rakkinen's team, and then perhaps a re-match with Javi Chavez, should all go well. The way Starblaydia needed to perform to get out of the mess they'd put themselves into, however, doesn't auger well for the remaining matches in the tournament. Final score from Mercia Stadium: Starblaydia 4 - 3 Bazalonia (Zamoskao 16, Maitland 46, Bazrimar 61, Coalville 89) - (Kang 7 & 28, Hampstead 35 ) Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Nedalia, Quarter-Final |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 5 2006, 10:49 PM |
| On To the Quarterfinals! Myrtannia Eliminates Krytenia, Returns to Round of 8 EVERTON CITY, Krytenia - It was the direst of circumstances that Myrtannia faced going into today's match in Everton City. Starting the day at fourth place in the group, with four points to their name, the Dryads were on the verge of elimination. A draw would only have given them 5 points and a trip home. Only a win in Everton City over the host nation would allow Myrtannia to remain in Krytenia for the knockouts. Complete secrecy surrounded the Dryads camp during their off day as they prepared for the climactic match with the hosts. Lamoni's win over Krytenia yesterday gave Myrtannia a chance to qualify for the knockouts, but it wasn't going to be easy. Krytenia still sat atop the group, albeit precariously, and was playing for the group title in front of their home fans. However, the Dryads intended to rectify the frustrating developments of the past days, no matter what their odds of advancing were. Speculation about the future of Coach Rachell Gabino's tenure in command of the Dryads have been abound in the Myrtannian camp. Rumors of secret talks with an undisclosed potential replacement have been circulating at home and in the bars of Krytenia that Dryads Army devotees have frequented. The MAFC has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, and told the media they were focusing on the present for now. At the stadium, the Dryads were all business as they took the pitch, encouraged by the sizeable Dryads Army presence there. Despite the reserves taking the pitch against Nojika, it would be the starters taking the pitch in this do or die match. If the Dryads were nervous about making a mistake that would send them home early, they didn't show it. At the start of the match, the Dryads let the Krytenians take the offensive, falling back into defensive positions. The normally attacking side in orange and blue played a fantastic defensive first half, limiting the home team to four shots on goal, only one of which came close to going in. That one was saved on a marvelous dive by Rosario Zlotnik, who held onto it after the stop. The defensive effort in the first half effectively kept the score even at 0-0 at the half, leaving both sides' futures very much in doubt. In the stands, the normally rowdy Myrtannian section was awash with a tense feeling. Coach Gabino declined to answer any questions at the half, clearly focused on the task at hand of her specially developed gameplan being put into use. "All I'm going to tell you is that everything's going according to plan so far," she stated breifly before heading for the lockers. After the stout defensive stand in the first half, the Dryads came out in the second and played another 25 minutes of defensive football. Defender Orpha Mega shined again as she stuck with any Krytenians who got too close to the goal, and won the ball back each time. The strategy appeared to have the desired effect - the hosts were tiring, and then came the signal to launch the attack. Orpha Mega stole the ball from a Krytenian forward, then passed it up to Daisey Martignago. Martignago got it to Myong Tuman, and the Stikers Squadron went into action. Tuman faked out one defender, then passed it with her off-foot to September Rollock, who spotted an opening for a shot. Rollock's strike was deflected by the Krytenian keeper at a high angle, and rather than go away from the goal, it ricocheted right to the waiting Dania Figary. The team captain obliged by landing a spot-on header that sent the ball back into the net. It broke the deadlock and put Myrtannia up 1-0. The Army went crazy, but the scoring wasn't finished yet, as the Dryads continued pressing the attack. Each time they got the ball, they pushed forward in a renewed assault on the opposing goal. Myrtannia's continuous blitzes finally paid off again when the Dryads got into position to score another goal. Here's the call from AIR 4: "It's 1-nil Myrtannia leading, and not much left to go. Krytenia looks flummoxed out there as the Dryads are suddenly attacking without mercy. That last shot by Gabino almost went in... what's this? The Dryads push up again, they've got five headed for the box and the goal, and have the man advantage... Gabino cuts left, around the defender... crosses to her right... Tuman waiting, and... she's got it! GOOOAAAL! A beautiful scissor kick and suddenly the Dryads are up 2-nil! What a story! Myrtannia has looked elimination in the face, and instead are close to eliminating the hosts!" Myong Tuman's kick put the Dryads ahead 2-0, and the rest of the match was spent playing keep away with the exhausted Krytenian side. As the final gun sounded, the Dryads stormed the field to celebrate their second consecutive trip to the Quarterfinals, and their third overall. A huge roar rose from the Dryads Army, and the Sun Bursts they'd brought along were finally waving proudly once more. For the second time in as many AOCAFs, Myrtannia had defeated Krytenia by two goals, this time ending the home team's bid for the knockouts. "It's a wonderful feeling to be back in the knockouts after the scare against Nojika. Right now, we're more relieved than anything.. we had a job to do, and we got down to business. That's all there was to it," veteran striker Dania Figary explained, smiling for the first time since the team's 3-1 victory over Lamoni. Qualification came with the victory over Krytenia and Lamoni's huge 5-0 blowout against the overachieving Nojikans. That put Lamoni into first in the group, and Myrtannia at second, sending both to the knockouts. It was a scenario that played out just as the Lamonian media had pontificated. Now, the focus for Myrtannia shifts from qualifying for the knockouts to their next opponent: Hypocria. A dangerous offensive side, Hypocria is the only nation with no losses in the group stage, including a win over Starblaydia. Myrtannia will be approaching the Quarterfinal match much in the same way they did the Krytenia match. The Dryads will be holding a closed-doors, top secret practice session to prepare specifically for Hypocria. Coach Gabino would not give any particular information about them, other than it would be aimed at the goal of taking the Hypocrians down and moving into the Semi-Finals. "We're going to focus on Hypocria now - they're a very good side, and we can't afford to make mistakes out there. Just like today, we win or we go home," she explained at the Dryads' post-match press conference, "If we can play our style of football, and keep the pressure on for 90 minutes, we have a chance to win this thing. Records count for nothing now - it's all about who's better for the one match - be it 90 minutes or beyond." In other MAFC news, rumors surfaced again about an unnamed Pacitalian manager meeting with the MAFC officials. No details have yet been revealed. For now, the United Isles will be on the edge of their seats watching exciting knockout matches, including their beloved Myrtannia Dryads. The final from Everton City: Myrtannia 2 - 0 Krytenia (Figary 73', Tuman 84') |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Dec 5 2006, 11:44 PM |
| Into the Century Club and the record books... and, yes, the knockies, too Blue Foxes captain d'Amantano enjoys victory in 100th cap DAVISHAM, KRYTENIA (PSN) -- Three wins, all in Davisham, and one loss, in Avidia. Perhaps the 'Foxes will be looking to play all their knockout matches in the former-mentioned Krytenian city after a 2-0 win over Demot that propelled the Pacitalians into the knockouts with the Group B title to boot. After watching the Aroras draw with the Warriors, 3-3, in Avidia, it was up to the Blue Foxes to secure victory to earn a berth in the knockouts. With a still-irate Sergei Saganyarov watching like a brutish black bear from the side bounds it was up to a slightly shaken Pacitalian squad to undo the damage of a 3-0 walloping at the hands of the Bettians. And, after forty-five minutes of nerves, the captain himself, returned to the starting eleven after concerns that he had suffered knee strain had passed, scored the go-ahead goal four minutes into the second half to produce victory. It was Veranace d'Amantano's 45th international appearance as squad captain, and his 100th international cap overall, putting him in the rare position as a member of the so-called Century Club, an echelon of players occupied by few and desired by many. Numerous players have come close to this mark but have never reached it, for example, Starblaydi great Paul Noble had 96 before succumbing to retirement. The question begs when d'Amantano will retire; at 44 he is no longer the spring chicken he used to be. Yet, he still produces as many goals as there are chocolates in a candy store; leading the Pacitalians all-time with 58 goals as of tonight. The Blue Foxes head to the quarterfinals to play defending champs Vilita & Turori in Aigburth; this is the Pacitalian squad's fourth-straight appearance in the last eight. Group rivals Bettia, who as mentioned, were left with a very bad taste in their mouths after drawing Milchama 3-3 and losing the group title at the last second to the Blue Foxes, will play Lamoni in Bradwell. From Davisham, Krytenia: Pacitalia 2 : 0 Demot PAC: d'Amantano 49', Vunghiasso 68' DMT: None NEXT UP: PAC v VNT (QF), DMT v n/a (eliminated) |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 6 2006, 03:41 AM |
| Hawks see knockout light at the end of H-bombed tunnel Today's match against the overacheiving Nojikans was a must win for Lamoni, and boy did they EVER deliver with a 5-0 blowout. Beyond being one of Lamoni's biggest AOCAF wins (both in terms of score, and in knockout implications); this will silence any remaining international critics who might be talking dirty about Lamonian footballing prowess. The Hawks needed two straight wins to make it into the knockouts, and they got them. It's as simple as that. The blowout win gives the Hawks the Group A title, and places them against Bettia in the knockouts. Lamoni hasn't played Bettia all that often in the AOCAF, but the Hawks will treat this upcoming match like they would any other important match... "Winning is the key." Taking a cue from the Myrtannians, the Hawks will be having a closed door practice session where they will presumably study ways to defeat the Arora offense. Unconfirmed rumors center around film study, having the reserves portray the Aroras while the starters play themselves, and other proven training methods. Will all of this work? No one knows. The most intense rumors fly around having the Hawks defense sit around their own goal in order to make it more difficult for the Bettian offense to wear them down. Still, we must emphasize that these are just rumors, and may or may not be true. Getting to the Nojika game, Lamoni looked confident and in control from the start. They knew why they were there, and what they had to do. Then, they did it. Forward Christian Ludlow started the Lamonian scorefest with a goal at 45 seconds into the match, with a stunned Nojikan defense looking on. While we all know that Nojika can play the spoiler, they can also do much better than they have been doing. It is all a matter of will. Who has it, and how much. They didn't have it, and Lamoni did. Guy Tomes scored the next two Lamonian goals, within a minute of each other. His first goal came on a header from a poorly blocked ball by the Nojikan keeper; it went off of the keeper's right shoulder, and shot back into play until Tomes headed it into the goal. The second came on a cross pass from Ludlow, which Tomes kicked into the upper right of the goal. The teams then faced each other off until the half, where the Hawks were feeling good about themselves. After the half, the Hawks picked right up where they left off, and a defensive 'keep away' was put in play by Lamoni. Tiring of this towards the end of the match, Christian Ludlow scored two more goals, which ended any hope of a Nojikan comeback. Rowdy Eyas (Eyas is the name for a young Hawk... in this case the Eyas are Lamoni's answer to the Myrtannian Dryad's Army) waved Lamonian flags, and sang the national anthem so loudly that you couldn't hear anything over the stadium's PA system. They only got louder when the final gun went off, and they knew beyond doubt that the Hawks were going to the knockouts. Now all hinges on whether the Hawks can withstand Bettia, and possibly face Starblaydia after that. Lamoni - 5 Christian Ludlow (45 sec, 80, 85), Guy Tomes (30, 31) Nojika - 0 |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 6 2006, 11:55 AM |
| Ez-Pz Brian Cahill reporting from the County Ground, Dereapolis. I think it’s fair to say that certain demons from the past have now been exorcised. Back at AOCAF XIII, also in Krytenia, the Autocracy suffered a truly embarrassing tournament and eventually finished at the very bottom of the qualifying group. Several years on the experience in Krytenia has been considerably better as the Hyppos’ topped Group D with an undefeated record, a feat only Bettia in Group B could equal. In fact our tally of 10 points is higher than any other nation in the competition. The group stage came to an end with a fixture against the Gnomes of Az-Cz. In their tournament preview some ignorant gnome labelled Hypocria as “not a huge threat”. Strange considering our record of only once failing to advance beyond the group stage, the aforementioned AOCAF XIII being that single failure. I wonder what that gnome now thinks looking at the Group D standings with the Hyppos at the top with a points tally of double figures and Az-Cz at the bottom with a big fat zero to their name. So who’s not a real threat now? But as a nation we are incredibly generous so it was only right to give our already eliminated opponents something to cheer. And that’s exactly what defender Ryan Hunter did with a horribly short, ironic considering the opposition, attempted header back to the keeper and Stanleyinho nipped in and slotted the ball beyond the diving Lomaia. But the men in blue and white prevented a stern halftime telling off from the coach with two goals in the last four minutes of the half. The side from the Autocracy were always going to have a height advantage and they made it count when Morinas headed home Sousa’s corner to level the game. Two minutes later the second went in and again it was a set piece. Sousa won a freekick twenty five yards out and he rolled the ball across to Bassano whose shot through the crowd was deflected past the keeper. The height advantage paid dividends again midway through the second half when young centreback Ocella beat the keeper to Razin’s inswinging corner and nodded into the empty net. But the blue and white army have been around long enough to know that their side always offer up chances to the opposition. At times the Hyppos’ defence can be as reliable as an Ashes batting lineup from a certain island nation and they showed their frailties yet again. Once more it was Stanleyinho who profited. As the defence backed off, the striker picked his spot and drove the ball past Lomaia. That goal set up a nervous end to the encounter but the Hyppos’ came through it to book their place in the knockout stages once again. Hypocria 3 - 2 Az-Cz Morinas Bassano Ocella In the other group game, the game that decided the second qualifier, Starblaydia and Bazalonia fought out a seven goal thriller. Inevitably it was the Purple Peril who pulled back from the brink to secure second place. The win over Az-Cz ensured Hypocria’s passage into the quarter final as group winners and an encounter with the Dryads of Myrtannia. And it’s a prospect that the coach no stranger to. “This is my third AOCAF as part of the coaching set-up and this is my third successive quarter final”, he told reporters. “We’ve gone out at this stage i the last two tournaments so I know just how horrible an experience that can be. It’s not something I want to experience again.” Quarter Final Preview Despite calls from some media’s concerning results in this tournament the final standings are pretty much as you’d expect. Indeed the eight remaining nations are in the region’s top nine sides. The most surprising absentee is the host nation Krytenia. Atlantian Oceania’s 6th ranked nation lost out after losing their final two group matches. Lamoni (7) v Bettia (2) The Aroras were the only other side to come through the qualification group stage undefeated. The all out attacking nature of the Verdana side saw them lift the trophy eight years ago in Bazalonia and finish third at the last tournament in Lamoni. The Hawks started off slowly in the group but finished with a real flourish to top Group A. The side from the Free Republic have been runners up twice in the last three competitions and will be looking to finally break that elusive duck this time around. But when they spout wisdom like “winning is the key” you have to wonder how they even got here in the first place. Prediction: Hawks crash to earth. Pacitalia (4) v Vilita & Turori (5) The Blue Foxes generally looked strong in their group but were totally outclassed by Bettia in Group B’s big game. The defending champions had a similar record with only Nedalia taking points off them. But the Pacitalians have been going from strength to strength in recent tournaments whereas retaining a trophy is the most difficult challenge in football. Prediction: Champs outfoxed. Nedalia (3) v Starblaydia (1) Now here’s a mouth watering match up. The Lions blew a 100% record in Group C with a surprising loss to the Lowland Clans on the final matchday. The Men in Mauve finished second in their group, having been outclassed on matchday 4, and were in genuine danger of missing the cut. But love them or, as is more common, loath them the Blaydis are a class act and came through. The Nedalians are three time beaten finalists while I think we all know the Starblaydi record and rumour has it, after several failed attempts, the Purple Peril are going all out to secure title number six. Prediction: The Lion’s tamed. Hypocria (8) v Myrtannia (9) The Hyppos’ come into the quarter finals with the best record of any of the teams in the tournament and they face the lowest ranked side remaining. The Dryads on the other hand looked unlikely to make it this far and need an impressive win over the hosts to a secure their place. The sides have met once before, at AOCAF XIV in Bettia. Then the pundits couldn’t hide their smiles at the prospect of facing a team of girls but they and everybody else connected with the side came down to earth with a bump when the lowly Dryads held the Hyppos to a 1 - 1 draw. This time they’ll be taken much more seriously. And the Dryad camp seems a little chaotic at the moment with players sent home and a coach seemingly on the brink of unemployment. Although given the idiotic decision to play their reserves against Nojika she probably deserves it. All in all the Hyppos have a great chance. Now watch them throw it away. Prediction: ? |
| Posted by: Manhattan Prime Dec 6 2006, 01:30 PM |
| Manhattan Herald – 4th December 2006 Lloyd Hunter reports from AOCAF 17 Nojika get revenge to send Manhattan Prime packing! Group A – Manhattan Prime 0:3 Nojika 22 min, 28 mins, 80 mins Manhattan Prime’s final Group A match saw them face Nojika, a team Manhattan Prime defeated 2-1 in their only other professional game. Nojika got the ultimate revenge in Bradwell tonight, not only defeating the Manhattanites 3-0, but also eliminating them in bottom place from AOCAF 17. With the only change to the team being the return of Michael Donavan for Enrique Costa in midfield, the Manhattanites started brightly with a very attacking formation, having after all, nothing to lose. The lack of pace in defense however made them vulnerable on the counterattack, as the Nojikan quickly exploited, scoring in the 22nd and 28th minutes. That all but killed the match and nothing the Manhattan Prime team tried proved that affective – Williams hitting the bar in the 2nd half was the closest MP came to a goal, and when Nojika added a 3rd 10 minutes before time, it was all over. Unable to match their exploits of AOCAF 17, Manhattan Prime find themselves going home this time with just the 1 point. However don’t worry Atlantian Oceania, we’ll be back next time to try again! Manhattan Prime Team: Clive Hilton (GK) Lucas Thompson (RB) John Clarke (CB) Karl Heinze (CB) Hitoshi Akita (LB) Ethan Smith (DMC) Michael Donavan (MC) Felix DeSilva (AML) Mashashi Takamura (AMR) David Williams (S) Yos*ito Katakana (S) No subs used. |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 6 2006, 10:33 PM |
| Dryads Upset Hypos in PKs, Champions Next OUSEVALE, Krytenia - The last time Myrtannia played football on Krytenian soil, the Dryads went 1-0-4 in their inaugural AOCAF. In the years since, Myrtannia's been on the rise, gradually getting better with more experience. AOCAF XIV saw the former doormats go all the way to the semi-finals, after posting a respectable group stage record. That tournament also saw the last meeting between Hypocria and Myrtannia, a gritty 1-1 draw. Hypocria may have exorcised the demons that had plagued them in group stages past, but Myrtannia wasn't going down without a fight. After bowing out to Pacitalia in Extra Time in AOCAF XVI, the Dryads were in danger of not getting to the knockouts at all this time. It took an impressive 2-0 win over host Krytenia to get the Dryads to the Quarterfinals, but their veteran leadership did the job. Today, there were a lot of question marks about the Myrtannian side, and whether their startegy of closed practices in preparation for a specific opponent would work. Hypocria came into the match riding on a 3-1-0 record and a +5 goal differential. However, the Hypos were looking to reverse the fortunes that had seen them bow out in the Quarterfinals in each of the past two tournaments. Myrtannia was looking to reach the Semi-Finals for only the second time, and the first time since AOCAF XIV some 12 years ago. The stands at Denbigh Park were packed, and the Dryads Army was there in full force to root for their team. Clad in their orange jersey kits, the Dryads looked very much focused on the task at hand. Having faced one do or die match, the Dryads were thrust into a second in a row against Hypocria. "I won't lie, we were a bit nervous out there - it's not the easiest path in the knockouts to play a Hypocria side," midfielder Daisey Martignago told the press. On paper, the match looked like a potential offensive duel, and that's not exactly what fans got. Myrtannia began the match as they did against Krytenia, falling back to defensive positions in order to try and wear down the Hypocrians. It didn't seem to work at first, as the Hypos cut through early and got a clear shot at Rosario Zlotnik and the goal. Carlo Molinari put it in to put Hypocria up 1-0, and it seemed like maybe the Hypos' fortunes might finally be turning around. Yet after that, the strategy started working, as the Dryads defense shut the door for the remainder of regulation. While the Hypos would take more shots on goal, they wouldn't get any more of those in during the initial 90 minutes. Orpha Mega, Tamar Ristaino and Charolotte Marrington confounded the opposition by making excellent tackles, intercepting passes, and generally making life miserable for the Hypocrian strikers. The defensive stand continued until half time, and Hypocria led 1-0 going into the lockers. Coach Gabino didn't seem the least concerned by the scoreline, and even expressed confidence in the Dryads' ability to get back into the swing of things in the second half. "We're going to turn this around, just wait," Gabino said before heading to the lockers. The second half opened with the same defensive mindset that the Dryads employed against Krytenia in a 2-0 QF bid clincher. Gradually, the Hypos seemed to lose their grip on ball control, and twenty minutes into the half, the signal for the Dryads blitz was given. Taking possession from the Hypos, Myrtannia charged forward with all of its strikers, and began to assail the Hypocrian goalkeeper. It didn't take long for the equaliser to go in. September Rollock fired off a shot from the left corner of the box, which Alexei Lomaia dove to keep out of the net. After sucessfully deflecting the shot, he didn't have time to recover as Roz Gabino connected on a diving header that put the ball in the net. To the background sounds of a roaring ovation, the Dryads had pulled equal at 1-1. For the rest of the half, neither side was able to get the advantage, as both defenses performed admirably. Full Time ended with a 1-1 scoreline, so it was on to Extra Time, a place Myrtannia had only been twice in their AOCAF history. The first was in the Ro16, a win over ASMV in AOCAF XVI in which Dania Figary scored an Extra Time hat trick to get the win. The second was a loss in the Quarterfinals to the boogey foxes of Pacitalia, sending Myrtannia home early. Now, it was a second Quarterfinals Extra Time thriller, in which both sides tried their hardest to get the lead for good. Myrtannia kept up its attack in the first period of Extra Time, pushing all five members of the Strikers Squadron up the pitch. When they were joined by Martignago, the Dryads finally found their opening. Myong Tuman got the ball from Martignago, then passed it off to Gabino, who spotted team captain Dania Figary open on the other side of the box. A well aimed cross later and Figary launched one of her trademark sicssor kicks at the goal. The ball sailed past Lomaia, and Myrtannia went up 2-1 in Extra Time, looking like they might win an extra night's stay in Krytenia after all. After the next break, Hypocria came back with a vengeance, looking desperately for an equaliser to avoid being sent home after the Round of 8 for a third straight time. Myrtannia fell back into defensive positions, but Hypocria was too determined to be stopped this time. The Hypos got a close call when a shot nearly got into the upper right corner before Rosario Zlotnik knocked it away and out of bounds. Hypocria got a corner kick, and made the most of it with a beautiful corner that resulted in a header slipping past Zlotnik. This tied the match again at 2-2, and the remaining few minutes of play in Extra Time wound down with Myrtannia charging again, trying to get a winner. After the Hypo defense held, it was on the Penalties for the first time in Myrtannia's history. Rosario Zlotnik, new to the starting keeper position for the national team, would be tested in a way Flo Krabel never had. First up for Hypocria was Alex Sousa, who got one into the upper right corner after faking out Zlotnik. Myrtannia sent up September Rollock, who booted one past Lomaia to even the Penalties out. Then, Carlo Molinari stepped up and scooted another past Zlotnik, making it 2-1 Hypocria. Myong Tuman responded with a penalty of her own, then Victor Morinas (HYP) and Roz Gabino (MYR) followed suit. It sat at 3-3 in penalties. That was when Zlotnik slammed the door, neatly knocking away Adam Bassano's shot to keep the score even. Daisey Martignago had her shot blocked by Lomaia, and it was still 3-3. Hypocria's final shooter, Nicky Baxter, took a shot that was deflected on a miraculous leap by Zlotnik, which sent the Dryads Army into a frenzy. All the hopes of the Dryads rested with their captain, Dania Figary. The most expreienced Myrtannian striker took a couple deep breaths, then approached the box. As the Army quited down for her, she faked to the right, then sent the ball left - here's the AIR 4 call: "Figary steps up to the top of the box. The Dryads captain and all-time leading scorer now has a simple duty - convert and she wins it for Myrtannia, miss and we're headed to more penalties. It's deathly silent in the Dryads Army.. they want her to focus... Figary motions right, kicks left - IT'S IN!! Dania Figary has won the match for Myrtannia! The Dryads are headed for the Semi-Finals!" After converting the penalty, the entire Dryads team stormed the pitch and mobbed Figary, celebrating the biggest win since AOCAF XIV for Myrtannia. It punched their ticket to the Semi-Finals for the second time ever. After 12 long years of waiting, the Dryads Army will finally see their team compete in the last four. "It's an amazing feeling right now, to be this deep in the tournament. Now we've got to shift our attention to the defending champions," Dania Figary explained at the post-match press conference. That leads us to the big news beyond the win - Myrtannia's semi-finals match is against defending AOCAF champion Vilita & Turori. It's a tall order to face the team that not only won the cup against Lamoni on the Hawks' home turf, but also defeated the talented Blue Foxes of Pacitalia 3-2 in their Quarterfinal match. Yet history may give the Dryads a chance - Myrtannia has only faced a Vilitan team twice, and only once in a knockout environment. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in the group stage of AOCAF XVI. Their only knockout meeting was a huge 3-0 upset by Myrtannia over the Vilitans in the Round of 16 in AOCAF XIV. Despite that, the team intends to approach this match with a strategy specifically tailored to Vilita & Turori. The Dryads will practice in yet another top secret, closed doors environment, and watch video of this AOCAF's V&T side. Their practices will focus on ways to exploit any chinks in the champions' armor, and on finding a way to turn that exploitation into a win. Whatever happens, it should be a very good match. Meanwhile, our friends Lamoni defeated the Bettia Aroras surprisingly easy, to the tune of 3-0. They will face Starblaydia in the Semi-Finals, as the Purple Peril knocked Nedalia out in their Quarterfinal match, 1-0 . Lamoni has a dubious record against the Men in Muave, but might this be their chance to win? History seems to suggest not. But anything might happen when you're talking about the Semi-Finals. For now, Myrtannia will be focusing only on their Semi-Final, readying themselves with their showdown against Vilita & Turori. The final from Denbigh Park: Myrtannia 1-1 Hypocria (2-2 AET, 4-3 PK) (Gabino 65', Figary 101', Molinari 10', Sousa 117') |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 7 2006, 04:03 AM |
| Jinx Strikes Again Brian Cahill reporting from Denbigh Park, Ousevale. The quarter finals have been and gone so naturally the Hyppos (note that second ‘p’) are on the plane home. The men in blue and white haven’t got past this stage for twenty something years and that bad run wasn’t destined to end against Myrtannia. It was 1 - 1 after ninety minutes and 2 - 2 after extra time before the lottery of a penalty shootout loomed large. In the end the coach’s son Nicky was the villain of the piece as his missed kick sent the nation crashing out. Hypocria 2 - 2 Myrtannia (aet) (3 - 4 on penalties) Molinari Sousa It’s a third straight quarter final exit for the Hyppos (there’s that second ’p’ again) but there were some positives. The side performed admirably in the group stages under the new Chavez/Baxter coaching partnership, culminating in the win over Starblaydia, and Carlo Molinari signed off his international career with a goal against the Dryads, his 14th AOCAF goal. Who knows, perhaps AOCAF 18 (XVIII for roman numeral fans) will see an end to the quarter final hoodoo. |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 7 2006, 04:15 AM |
| Hawks defeat Bettia, face Starblaydia Marvin Godlevsky Nephi Times Krytenia For possibly the first match between the Hawks and Aroras, Lamoni defeated Bettia 3-0 in what the 'experts' were calling a sure win for Bettia. The win; while VERY impressive on the regional stage, also brings Lamoni into the Semi-finals to face boogeymen Starblaydia. This is the one top ten rated side that Lamoni has yet to have a victory against (with the exception of Hypocria, we might not have faced them... our records department went up in flames, so we can't be sure. OOC: That was a joke, just so you know.). However, Lamoni will be doing the same thing that it did for the last match; and holding a closed door training session designed to focus on the weaknesses of the Starblaydi's. Granted, the Starblaydi team doesn't have that many weaknesses, but they are there. The Starblaydi's almost did not make it into the knockouts, and had to rely on their "RAWRCRUSH" offense to take them to the next level. In fact, the Starblaydi's share a lot of simularities with the Bettian team that the Hawks just defeated. Both teams are heavy on offense, though Starblaydia is somewhat more defensively minded than the Aroras (which Lamoni used to it's advantage in the Bettia match). We are also certain that Lamoni's mostly red shirts also rubbed Bettian nerves raw during the match. Our Myrtannian friends also made it into the knockouts, with an exciting penalty kick duel against Hypocria. The Dryads face Vilita & Turori; the same team that stole the AOCAF cup from us in AOCAF XVI. Myrtannia stands a good chance of defeating V&T in this match, and we'll go with them to make it to the first place match. We think that it would be VERY exciting to see a Lamoni v. Myrtannia rematch; only this time, it would be for the AOCAF cup. Only one thing stands in the way of such an outcome, the semi-finals. Now we shall get to the Bettia match. In the first half, the Bettian offense had the run of the field, but superb play by both the Lamonian defense and goalkeeper kept the Arora's from scoring. At the half, it was still tied 0-0, but you could tell which side was doing their jobs. As it happened, it would not be until late in the second half that the tempo of the match would tip towards Lamoni. The Bettian players were finally getting tired, while the Lamonian offense was still fresh. This, and other factors combined to allow the goalkeeper to kick the ball to Forward Guy Tomes, who took it the rest of the way while juking the Bettian defenders. His perfectly aimed low shot rushed just beyond the looming fingers of the Bettian keeper, and into the net. It was now 1-0 in Lamoni's favor. The Eyas went wild, waving Lamonian flags, and cheering as loudly as they could. The Bettians would never regain control of the match, and soon Guy Tomes had put another one past the Bettian keeper. Two to nothing Lamoni, and it didn't stop there. A few minutes later, another Lamonian goal was scored by Tomes, who got the hat trick. The Eyas really went wild with jubilation as the game was put out of reach for the Bettians. When the final gun sounded, you needed earplugs due to the noise that the Eyas were making. It doesn't surprise this journalist that many of the Eyas received noise complaint tickets from the Krytenian police officers in the crowd. The final score: Lamoni - 3 Guy Tomes (70, 75, 80) Bettia - 0 |
| Posted by: Hypocria Dec 7 2006, 04:27 AM | ||
We’re never ones to miss out on a chance to wave statistics around so for the benefit of Lamonians everywhere . . .
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| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 7 2006, 04:50 AM |
| Can Starblaydia Win It All? Lions tamed by Captain's strike Of the four Quarter-Final matches played yesterday, three of them resulted in the 'underdog' emerging victorious. Based on rank alone, you would have expected the following: Bettia (2) to beat Lamoni (7). Actual result: Hawks smash Aroras 3-0. Pacitalia (4) to beat Vilita & Turori (5). Actual result: Jungle Eel Cat Things win 3-2. Hypocria (8) to beat Myrtannia (9). Actual result: Myrtannia wins 4-3 on penalties. All of these matches produced very interesting games. Hyppos/Dryads was probably too close to call from the outset, so a shoot-out win for one of the more active teams in the competition is not a huge upset. Defending champion amalgamation Vilita & Turori defeating a team who doesn't even play on the world stage is no big upset either. 'Lowly' Lamoni brushing aside former champions Bettia by such a high scoreline can certainly be called an upset, though. Starblaydia versus Nedalia, though, was a tricky one. They topped Group C over Vilita & Turori, setting them a date with the runners-up of Group D. That's where Starblaydia come in, thanks to their loss against Hypocria, they finished second in their Group and faced the mighty Lions. Perhaps not giants in the sense of victorious tournaments, but a consistent high performing team who have been Runners-Up twice and Third-Placed once in their AOCAF history. Even with just a single loss in the Group Stage, the shock of nearly missing out on knock-out stage place has led to the media classing this Starblaydi side as 'underperforming'. Rakkinen is not seen to be a particularly good international manager, but, considering his second match in charge was a 7-2 victory, he can't be that bad, surely? One of the greatest footballing nations in the world (... ever!) wouldn't be dumb enough to appoint a fool to coach their national side in regional play - we hope. There was just a single goal in this match, scored by Starblaydi Captain Fillipo Zinaldi early in the second half. It set up a meeting in the Semi-Finals between Starblaydia and their bitter rivals Lamoni; the team Starblaydia defeated in the final of their most recent AOCAF victory, way back in number 14. Starblaydia have, famously, never lost to Lamoni in their entire history of AOCAF play, defeating (or ocassionally drawing) the Hawks in Group play, Knock-out stages and, of course, a Final. This is yet another record that Rakkinen will not want to break. The one he's truly after, however, is a sixth AOCAF title. Pundits predict that this AOCAF's title decider will either be a sixth for Starblaydia or a fourth for Vilita (and Turori, of course). A first for Lamoni or Myrtannia? Unlikely. Final score from Walton Gardens: Starblaydia 1 - 0 Nedalia (Zinaldi 48) - (None) Next Match: Lamoni Vs Starblaydia, Semi-Final |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 9 2006, 12:44 AM |
| Lamoni defeats Starblaydia!!!!! After Lamoni's thrilling 2-1 victory over Starblaydia, the scene on the streets of cities all over Lamoni is one of jubilant chaos. Lamonian flags were waved, confetti flew everywhere, people were buying Lamonian AOCAF jerseys, and Starblaydi flags were being burned everywhere. There were those who went over the line, but they were quickly dealt with by local police. More important than the fact that the win places Lamoni in the finals against the same Vilita/Turori team that beat them in the finals in AOCAF XVI is the fact that the Hawks had finally emerged victorious against their most hated regional rivals. Is this the end of the Starblaydi curse? Time will tell; but Lamonians are content to celebrate their win for now. As we have already mentioned, Lamoni was defeated (in Lamoni/AOCAF XVI) by this same Vilita/Turori team 4-1 in the finals. With Bettia and Starblaydia out of the way, there is talk that Vilita/Turori is nervous. Either way, the Hawks will do what has worked for them in the past, and hold another closed door practice session devoted entirely to the Vilita/Turori team that they will be facing. The Hawks (and their loyal Eyas fans) were fired up by the Starblaydi comment that Lamoni was "lowly," and it showed when Guy Tomes scored the first Lamonian goal at twenty minutes, and then scored again at forty minutes. The match then devolved into a defensive "feelout" until the eighty first minute when Durin Bazrimar made the lone Starblaydi goal of the match. As excited as the Eyas were when each of the Lamonian goals were scored, they nearly trashed the entire stadium when the final gun sounded, and the Hawks had won. The red faced Starblaydi players were rushed off of the field to the (VERY loudly sung) Lamonian national anthem. Lamoni - 2 Guy Tomes (20, 40) Starblaydia - 1 Durin Bazrimar (81) |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 9 2006, 10:16 PM |
| Myrtannia's Curse Lives, Consolation Match Next KRYTENIA - Whatever it was that got Myrtannia to the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years, it wasn't there for their semi-finals match this time either. We won't go into the details, but the defending regional champions outplayed a tired Myrtannian side on both sides of the pitch. Now, focus shifts to the Third Place Playoff, a match they haven't appeared in since losing it 1-2 to Pacitalia in AOCAF XIV. Their opponent in the match will be a team they haven't seen since that AOCAF - one of the most feared sides in the region, and the NS World as well. They have many names - Purple Peril, RAWRCRUSHers, Men in Muave - but one word says it all: Starblaydia. Yes, for the first time in 12 years, the Dryads have a match with Starblaydia, the second in the series to take place in the knockouts. The overall series record for Myrtannia stands at 1-0-2, slightly better than regional neighbor Lamoni, who finally won a match against their football boogeymen. In the first Myrtannia/Starblaydia match, in Krytenia for AOCAF XIII, the Starblaydis won in the group stage, 2-0. That was actually one of the better matches Myrtannia played that AOCAF, the defense holding the opponent to 2 goals instead of getting REALLY blown out - like the 0-5 loss to Pacitalia two days afterwards. So far, the only knockout match between the two was AOCAF XIV, when Starblaydia won handily in the semi-finals en route to their fifth AOCAF title. Myrtannia's only win was a huge 2-1 upset during the group stage, when the then Massetti-led Dryads knocked off the region's top ranked team. It was also Starblaydia's only loss of the tournament. You can be sure the Dryads Army will be doing whatever they can to help the team repeat that kind of result in the Third Place Playoff. Meanwhile, it may be the final match for at least two people connected with the Dryads. Firstly, coach Rachell Gabino has been under fire all tournament long, and she is believed to have the intent of stepping down after its conclusion. MAFC officials have stated that a press conference regarding the coaching position will be held after the final matches. At the same time, 32 year old striker and team captain Dania Figary may be retiring after this AOCAF. She denied these rumors when asked about them. "I'm still in good health, and I can still play hard out there, so no, I have no intention of retiring," Figary said, "Right now, we're only worried about Starblaydia, and how we might be able to beat them." The focus for now, as Figary stated, remains Starblaydia, the AO power who have won more AOCAF tournaments than anyone else. It has the potential to be a great match, as two premier strikers - Figary and Starblaydia's Jackie Maitland - face each other for perhaps the final time. Myrtannia has undergone rigorous preparations for the match, using ideas from the Lamoni strategy that beat the Starblaydis in their previous match. In addition, Figary said this, "It was a really great win for Lamoni, and I hope this time around their Final against Vilita & Turori goes differently. I'd love to see the Hawks finally lift that cup." |
| Posted by: Vilita Dec 9 2006, 11:55 PM |
| Clash of the Ultimate Predators :: Round 2 The incredible work of brothers Lorenzo Mumamba and Malaino Mumamba has led the Vilita & Turori Jungle Eels to the regional final for the second time, and like the previous edition, the final will be contested against the Hawks of Lamoni. The Hawk, long believed to be atop the food chain, was deposed at the last attempt by a 4-1 scoreline. The Mumamba brothers are back for more, taking no prisoners en route to a return meeting with their obvious rivals from the west. It was not all smooth sailing for the Mumamba's crew, though. A pair of opening victories against The Lowland Clans and The Mushroom Kingship were negated by a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Nedalia Lions 3-2 on Matchday 4. The Jungle Eels were able to rebound with a 3-1 victory over Aurendia, but it was not enough to retake Nedalia atop the group standings, leaving Vilita & Turori with a difficult matchup against up and coming AOCAF force Pacitalia. The Eels travelled to ArenaWest in Aigburth to square off against a very strong Pacitalia side and barely ran out victors. Undecided wunderkid Kristofer Kilpter was the hero for the Teal and Royal Blue netting the third and deciding goal to send Vilita & Turori through to a very quick Semi-Final placement. A classico matchup was in the making as both Vilita & Turori and rivals Starblaydia advanced to the Semi-Finals, with the Jungle Eels squaring off yet again with Myrtannia, and the Purple Aardvarks testing their nostrils against the Hawks of Lamoni. However, the classico was not to be. Vilita & Turori ran out easy 3-0 winners over Myrtannia, avenging an early jinx against the Dryads and asserting their position in the mini-rivalry with the Myrtannian nation. A fine matchup in Secklow saw Lamoni run out 2-1 winners over Starblaydia, setting up a rematch between Vilita & Turori and Lamoni in the competition final. Lamoni will be one competition stronger than the last meeting of the two sides, however, some of Vilita & Turori's players will be two competitions stronger, after some players have had the chance to prove themselves in the finals of World Cup 31. Despite all of the paper talk, all bets are off for this final between two Ultimate Predators. If skill does come in to play, however, Vilita & Turori will be hoping to improve on their competition record by adding the AOCAF 17 trophy to their repertoire at Isserson Stadium in Everyon City. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 10 2006, 05:32 PM |
| Markko Breaks One Record We Wanted To Keep Third place the best to be hoped for as Starblaydia play Dryads When was the last time we wrecked a stadium? When was the last time you saw rioting fans in the streets of the capital? When was the last time you saw a Lamonian able to exchange money for goods and/or services? Plus, and perhaps most importantly on our list of questions, when was the last time you saw Starblaydia lose to Lamoni? The answer to all those many and varied social, culture, geopolitical and sporting questions is, of course, "never". Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've just seen the fourth on that list happen for the first time ever in a football arena, and allegedly the third happened across Lamoni too. With what seems to be the best, or perhaps the luckiest, Lamonian player ever scoring a first-half brace, Starblaydia's only allowed effort was from Durin Bazrimar ten minutes before time. The least-cultured fans in the region tore up the stadium as they bellowed their pitiful jingle that passes for an anthem, with a police escort required for the Starblaydi players to protect them from flying debris, bottles, coins and similar. Rakkinen, along with every other Starblaydi in the stadium, called the behaviour of the Lamonians 'disgraceful and disgusting' and made note that the result of the match - played in a surprisingly friendly manner - would be overshadowed by the actions of Lamonian 'supporters' in the stadium. A great result for the paupers of the region tarnished by their awful behaviour. Starblaydia, who's aim is always to make final-four placing in the AOCAF, will face Myrtannia for the first time in twelve years. Jackie Maitland was present in that match as a fresh-faced eighteen year-old, scoring the fourth in a four-one win over the Myrtannians in the Semi-Final before Starblaydia went on to make regional sporting history. Also present as a goalscorer was Will Soperra, now thirty-four, who will be looking to make his final appearance for his country and come on as a substitute in the consolation match. Final score from The Mound: Lamoni 2 - 1 Starblaydia (Tomes 20 & 40) - (Bazrimar 81) Next Match: Starblaydia Vs Myrtannia, Third-Place Play-off |
| Posted by: Myrtannia Dec 10 2006, 11:39 PM |
| Dryads Fall Short VS Starblaydia, 'New Era' of Myrtannia Football Announced With New Coach KRYTENIA - It was too good to be true; Myrtannia in the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years, and they collapse against Vilita & Turori, a side they'd never lost to before. Of course, their Third Place Playoff Opponent also suffered that kind of fate. Starblaydia was defeated for the first time ever by Lamoni, in a closely contested semi-final match. Today, those same Starblaydis played a fine match against a tired but determined Myrtannia Dryads side. Maybe it's the penalty kick win over Hypcoria, followed by the disastrous and exhausting loss to Vilita & Turori that did the trick. Or the uncertainty surrounding Dryads coach Rachell Gabino. Whatever the case, the Dryads put up a valiant effort against the top ranked team in the region, but it just wasn't enough. In the matchup between Jackie Maitland and Dania Figary, neither came out on top individually. On the team level, Maitland and the Starblaydis ultimately won. Maitland scored the match's first goal half an hour in, followed ten minutes later by Figary's goal on breakaway shot. It was all even 1-1 at the half, and the second half opened with a defensive stalemate. Myrtannia tried to charge forward again, but the opposing Starblaydi defense was simply too tight for any goals to go in. The closest shot was a Miyagishima header that just barely missed the goal, bouncing off the side bar instead. With time wearing down, the Starblaydi machine struck once more to secure third place. This time, it was Bazrimar, the player who scored the Purple Power's only goal against Lamoni, striking it past the still inexperienced Rosario Zlotnik. The goal was enough to lift Starblaydia to yet another top three finish, while Myrtannia tied its best overall finish at fourth place. As opposed to Lamonian fans who went nuts, the Dryads Army was unusually civil during the whole match. After the match, Figary made a remarkable getsture by going over to congratulate the winning side. All in all, it was a very sportsmanlike affair for the whole match. After a dissapointing finish to an otherwise remarkable run, the Dryads are still sure to move up in the regional rankings. Now, perhaps, they can be considered legitimate contenders rather than outsiders. The MAFC today announced a move made to improve the future outlook as well. At their final press conference of the tournament, the MAFC officials announced the rumored resignation of Rachell Gabino as head coach for the senior national team. "It's been an amazing run, and the Dryads are coming into their own. We're in the top ten to stay, I think," an MAFC official said, but added, "But ultimately, we need to move forward, and contend for a top four finish every time. We sat down with Rachell (Gabino) and discussed the future of the national team with her. She felt that someone else could better guide the Dryads into the future, and rendered her resignation. We have accepted this resignation." The man selected to replace Gabino, and the fourth coach of the Myrtannia Dryads, leading them into AOCAF XVIII, will be one whose selection might seem odd to Myrtannian fans. At least a little. He's a man that has actually coached against the Dryads, winning three times in three tries. A man who, after failing to make good on very high expectations, was released as coach of the very team that has been Myrtannia's boogeyman. That man, as the MAFC announced today, is former Pacitalia Blue Foxes manager Lindifeu Zentrescu. It's been reported that the MAFC is paying him an approximated 6 million Sohnners a year on a 6-year contract. This would make him the highest paid coach in MAFC history, but it's a move most fans seem to be embracing from their first reactions. "I think it's a great move by the MAFC. Zentrescu's a great coach, and I think we're going to be all the better for it... The Cup comes to Myrtannia in AOCAF XVIII!" a slightly intoxicated Dryads Army member stated. Meanwhile, Zentrescu was strictly business as he appeared for the first time in an orange and blue jacket bearing the MAFC shield, making no major statements for the time being. The MAFC chairman made a more official statement about the move. "What we have now is the foundation for a real drive at the Cup in the future. A new era of Myrtannia football is about to begin, and Mr. Zentrescu is just the man to lead the Dryads into that new era," the chairman explained, "We're very excited about his decision to accept our offer, and will work with him to the greatest extent possible to ensure that Myrtannia remains a contender in the region." Zentrescu, 58, is a very, very solid manager, having led the Blue Foxes to their best AOCAF finish ever - third place in AOCAF XIV, when they defeated the very nation he now will coach for. Will this move improve Myrtannia's chances of consistent late-round knockout appearances? Only the future will tell, though that future includes players like Hettie Miyagishima, Nidia War, and Khulmey, all stars at the U21 level. For the present, the day belongs to Starblaydia, the third place nation in AOCAF XVII. Meanwhile, in a story that cheered many Myrtannian fans up, the overachieving Vilita & Turori side recieved its comeuppance from the Lamoni Hawks. Four years after a humiliating 1-4 loss in Lamoni, the Hawks blasted the Jungle Eel Cat Things 3-1 to finally win the AOCAF Cup. Jubilant fans in Myrtannia, many of them Lamonian immigrants or with Lamonian family, took to the streets in largely peaceful celebrations. That's all for AOCAF XVII. See you in Myrtannia for AOCAF XVIII!! Final Score: MYR 1 - 2 STB (Figary 40', Maitland 30', Bazrimar 82') |
| Posted by: Lamoni Dec 11 2006, 12:45 AM |
| The cup is ours!!!!! Marvin Godlevsky Nephi Times Krytenia Making waves in both Lamonian Footballing Association (LFA) and AOCAF circles, the Hawks have finally won the AOCAF XVII cup. The cup win came on a 3-1 victory over the same V/T team that defeated Lamoni at home during AOCAF XVI. The Eyas were out in full force for the match, which few outsiders expected Lamoni to win. That was just fine with the Hawks; they came to win, and didn't care about other opinions. Even the standard insults from Starblaydia had no effect. Manager Riyall put it a little more tactfully, "I know that our victories over Starblaydia and V/T, and the cup win are great moments in Lamonian AOCAF history, but I have nothing but contempt for those who break the law. Please do celebrate, but don't do something illegal." Whether those words will have any effect on a jubilant Lamonian citizenry is not known at the time of printing. This AOCAF has two aforementioned firsts; the first Lamonian AOCAF victory over Starblaydia, and the first Lamonian AOCAF cup win. It will also go down as the greatest Lamonian AOCAF in history; to the point of being memorialized in a movie that will air on LBC 2 at a yet to be determined date. Christian Ludlow scored all three Lamonian goals, and an unknown Vilitan scored their lone goal. Lamoni will be defending their shiny new AOCAF cup in AOCAF XVIII! Lamoni - 3 Christian Ludlow (30, 40, 50) Vilita & Turori - 1 Unknown (20) |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 11 2006, 11:47 AM |
| Third Place, B+ For Rakkinen Starblaydia get medals but the wrong colour Though billed as a battle between two great strikers in Myrtannian circles, Starblaydia's greatest-ever striker Jackie Maitland extended her tally of goals to a new record of fifty-nine, along with picking up a Third-Placed medal at this AOCAF to go with her Winner's medal of twelve years ago. This was an attempt by Rakkinen's Starblaydia to atone for their shocking first-ever defeat to Lamoni by getting back to winning ways, and win they did thanks to Durin Bazrimar's goal ten minutes from time. Earlier Jackie Maitland had made it fifty-nine goals in sixty-eight games after slotting past Zlotnik after thirty minutes. It was the Maitland we've all come to know and love, and will miss sorely now she has retired from international football. With pace and power she strode past the defence and rocketed a perfectly-placed shot into the bottom-right corner. Ten minutes later, however, Myrtannia's best striker pulled one back as he raced away on the counter-attack and chipped the ball over the onrushing Jiino Graikalonii. The sides were level at half-time and for most of the second half too, before Bazrimar popped up again, just as he did ten minutes before the end of the Semi-Final match, to score a goal and win the match and the Third Place for Starblaydia. Final score from New City Stadium: Starblaydia 2 - 1 Myrtannia (Maitland 30, Bazrimar 82) - (Figary 40) |
| Posted by: Pacitalia Dec 11 2006, 03:56 PM |
| AO's poorest country claims football cup Pacitalian side extremely disappointed after quarters exit; Zentrescu named Myrtannia coach EVERTON CITY, KRYTENIA (PSN) -- Lamoni defeated Vilita & Turori in a rematch of the last AOCAF cup final, exacting revenge and soundly beating them, 3-1, at Everton City. A hat-trick from Christian Ludlow helped seal the deal for the Hawks, who are now enjoying their first-ever championship title. They accomplished this feat in front of a sellout crowd, and, at home, a television audience of 31.7 billion viewers, one of the highest ratings ever for this tournament's final match. The win marked not only Lamoni's first AOCAF title but their first major sporting tournament victory. Lamonians, among the poorest members of the region with an average yearly income of about 35 doura, celebrated madly in the streets as their players jubilantly hoisted the cup. The Hawks coach urged fans to celebrate heartily but to obey the law in kind. The rematch came as Vilita & Turori eliminated the Blue Foxes in quarterfinals action, 3-2, before stunning Myrtannia to reach the final. On the other side, Lamoni walloped Bettia in a huge 3-0 upset before narrowly edging out archrivals Starblaydia for a 2-1 win, in what was probably the most anticipated match of the 17th AOCAF cup. In other news, Myrtannia's football association named deposed former Pacitalian head coach Lindifeu Zentrescu to manage the Dryads. Zentrescu, 58, of Caponera dell'Inferno, Pomentane, was 40-14-11 as head coach of the Blue Foxes and took them to a third-place finish in AOCAF XIV and a second-place finish at the inaugural Puntafora Football Invitational. However, he could not reach the finals of either tournament despite his efforts, and when players started to tune him out, he was let go. The MAFC chairman was all smiles at the press conference announcing Zentrescu's hiring. Zentrescu appeared already emblazoned with an orange-and-blue manager's jacket. "What we have now is the foundation for a real drive at the Cup in the future. A new era of Myrtannia football is about to begin, and Mr. Zentrescu is just the man to lead the Dryads into that new era," the chairman explained, "We're very excited about his decision to accept our offer, and will work with him to the greatest extent possible to ensure that Myrtannia remains a contender in the region." With files from the sportswire |