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SAAS vs. SDL?
Gabalfa, Bettia - You know you cant resist it. Two quarter-final matchups, two SDL nations lining up against their SAAS counterparts. While Krytenia will be battling one of Nedalia's closest allies, Lamoni, the B-Lions will be facing off against the favorites, Starblaydia. Quite the intriguing match-up.
Starblaydia have not proven any of the experts wrong, performing admirably through the group stages and defeating the home squad in a nail-biter, 4-3. But now they face Nedalia, who advanced to the Finals last competition before falling to champions Fmjphoenix, 3-1. They overturned that defeat, however, in the group stages this time around, defeating the champions 1-0 in a hotly contested game.
While the B-Lions stumbled through the group stages, they managed to defeat their long-time allies and favorites, Sarzonia, in the 2nd round. Caretaker boss, Garson Bostolk, commented by saying, "Its always an amazing experience going up against Sarzonia, and even if we lost, it would have been a good time. Theyre a great squad made up of some amazing personalities. Theyre simply right up as one of the squads we always look forward to watching or facing."
Since the Nedalia Lions exist from World Cup 28, manager Brent Vent, who officially handed in his resignation as he promised, has been helping Bostolk, not coincidentally resulting in Nedalia's change of form. In fact, a bunch of players from the World Cup, including Nene and Constantine, have made their way to Bettia to help support their understudy team on the bench.
"Its great what those lads did," suggested Vent. "Its exactly that type of attitude we need if we want to defeat one of the greatest teams in the world. Starblaydia is an unbelievable team. Forget the politics, they simply demand respect every time they take the pitch. But our lads are capable, and hopefully theyll show those bloody 'bladis a thing or two before its over."
Here's hoping they will. Afterall, imagine the SDL getting one over the SAAS and the fit Tiberius would go through. Indeed. |
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Emperor in Training |
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Starblaydia To 'Dictate' Play
Evans not confusing politics with AOCAFs
It's not some kind of AOvision song contest, it's a football match, the Quarter-Final of the AOCAF, no less. After a Second Round involving all but four qualifying teams, some Nedalian pundits are depicting the Starblaydia/Nedalia and Krytenia/Lamoni matches as the two major alliances with AO going head-to-head in the sporting arena.
"This isn't about what we call our heads of state," said manager Geraint Evans, "this is about who puts the most goals in their opponent's net. It always has been."
Evans, a key component in Starblaydia's AOCAF4-winning side when he scored the winner in the Final against NEWI Cefn Druids, has led the AOCAF side - unsuccessfully as far as championships go - for the last few tournaments but feels this time his side have the potential to go all the way.
"We've got some truly excellent young players in this side, both men and women, and blended with our experienced players I think I have the perfect combination to take the AOCAF for a record fifth time."
| QUOTE (Sven Motsonsson - Starblaydi Commentator @ 4th AOCAF Final) | 61 minutes:
"Evans, the Half-Druidish midfielder for Starblaydia, taking the ball inside, around Leicester. Here's the shotttt... Oh my! Where did he get that from? Geraint Evans has put Starbladyia back in the lead after just five minutes with a peach of a strike. At Hallad Reavers he could have had a Goal of the Season competition all on his own, but none of them were with his left foot! A thirty-yard wonder-goal!! |
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Hawks defeat Krytenia, face Pacitalia again
With a bicycle kick that landed in the upper right corner of the goal, Lamonian forward Julio Sarabia scored the goal that knocked Krytenia out of AOCAF XIV. Of course, there was more to it than that. Sarabia also faked the Krytenian goalkeeper 'out of his shirt;' with a fake kick to the other side of the goal before passing it to 'The Monk' Abbot, who passed it back high enough for the bicycle kick.
The Lamonian defense was then able to ensure that the lethargic looking Krytenian offense couldn't score a goal during the entire match. This can be seen as a good warm up match for the Hawks as they face Pacitalia next in the Semi Finals. This makes only the third time that Lamoni has made it this far, and there is only one major obstacle to a Lamonian AOCAF cup win. That obstacle (Starblaydia) will be facing Myrtannia in the Semis, and we hope that Myrtannia will be able to pull a rabbit out of their hat again. It would be interesting to see either a Lamoni-Starblaydia or a Lamoni-Myrtannia AOCAF cup match; doubly so if Lamoni were to win said match. However, you can trip over your own boots by looking too far ahead, so we will concentrate on the here and now.
AOCAF XIV SEMIFINALS PREDICTIONS:
Pacitalia vs Lamoni
While Pacitalia has come this far, Lamoni has more experince than Pacitalia. We also think that Pacitalia making it this far has a lot to do with luck. We feel that Lamoni will be able to change Pacitalia's luck. Winner: LAMONI
Starblaydia vs Myrtannia
The winner of this match will be the team that we will face in the finals (provided we win, of course). While Myrtannia did pull off impressive upsets against both Starblaydia AND Vilita, one has to wonder how long that Myrtannia's luck can hold. Still, we favor them over Starblaydia. Winner: Myrtannia
Lamoni - 1 Julio Sarabia (30)
Krytenia - 0 |
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Final Four Beckons Again
Starblaydia face conquerors Myrtannia
"Bloody hell, what's next?"
Three goals in Extra Time, that's what! Just when you thought that Jackie Maitland's brace was enough to win the game, some guy in a Nedalia shirt comes on and equalises.
But, Starblaydia haven't scored four, five and four goals in their last three games respectively without reason, and when Nedalia quickly went ahead in Extra Time there was little panic in the Starblaydi ranks. So little, in fact, that Cherry Garcia was able to lead her troops up the pitch and score five minutes later to end the first half of Extra Time level at 3-3.
Old stager Roberto Vega couldn't help but upstage last time's losing finalists with a goal three minutes before the dreaded penalty shootout. Having won 4-3 in the previous match against hosts Bettia, Starblaydia's goal tally for the tournament reached a massive twenty from six games. Top scorer for the tournament so far is eighteen year-old Jackie Maitland, an incredible scoring sensation with a tally of six goals in six AOCAF appearances, her first for the national team.
Next up... the dreaded Myrtannia, the only team to have beaten Starblaydia this cup by holding them to a single goal in the Group Stage. Will their incredible run of luck continue all the way to the Final, or will Starblaydia have learned from their first defeat and show no mercy against the team in their second tournament?
Final Score from the Stamping Ground, Lorshill
Nedalia 3 - 4 Starblaydia (AET, FT 2-2)
(62, 89, 92) - (Maitland 34 & 71, Garcia 98, Vega 117) |
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Dryads Throttle Bazalopes, Advance Again!!
GRAPENHALL, Bettia - It was the second ever playoff match in football for the Myrtannia Dryads, as they looked to continue their strong play. Already the Dryads had exceeded all expectations, advancing to the knockouts for the first time in only their second AOCAF, then surprising longtime high-place finisher Vilita by a resounding 3-0 tally. Today's match, then, would be their first trip to the quarts, and they would face a familiar rival in Bazalonia.
Myrtannia's team sent chocolates to Bazalonian writer Nev Gould, who wrote that he enjoyed them, so there are more friendly relations between the two parties. At least off the field. Last time the two sides clashed, the Dryads and Bazalopes battled to a 2-2 draw, all goals scored in the first half. This time, things would turn out a little differently.
The fans turned out in large numbers for Myrtannia, wearing replica jerseys, novelty t-shirts, and waving Sun Burst banners like there was no tomorrow. A loss would've made sure there would be no tomorrow until AOCAF XV for Myrtannia, but the Dryads looked very determined not to let that happen. After the national anthems and player introductions, the Dryads stormed the field and controlled the tempo of the match from the opening whistle.
Only five minutes in, Dania Figary found some daylight and took a difficult shot on the goal, which went into the bottom left corner, just barely past the Bazalonian goal keeper. Up 1-0, the Dryads didn't let up even though they managed to score first against the talented Bazalopes. Myrtannia didn't have much room to breath in the first half, either, as Bazalonia got their own back with a goal just before the half by "Wolfie" Hobble. At the break, the teams were tied at 1-1.
"They're not an easy bunch to knock off, and they're playing with a lot of determination out there. Should be interesting to see the result in the second," coach McNany told a reporter on the way to the locker room.
As it so happened, Bazalonia couldn't keep up with a renewed and determined attack by the Dryads in the second half. While the first ten minutes or so was a position battle on the field, the Dryads gradually started forcing the Bazalopes back, and then found another opening. September Rollock found her way through the Bazalonian defense, and an open shot at the goal, which she booted into the upper right corner to put Myrtannia up 2-1. The already excited fans grew even louder with the goal, and seemed to annoy some locals seated nearby. Myrtannia's fans didn't seem the least bit concerned with that.
But the Dryads weren't done yet, as the all-female front line continued to dominate, even after Lenna Elhaj left the game early with a toothache. Fifteen year old Rozalynn Gabino stepped in, and showed why she is a favorite to go early in the MAFC draft next season. Three minutes after Rollock scored, the younger Gabino put one in the net to put the Dryads up 3-1, and the fate of the Bazalopes was sealed.
"At that point, we knew that the Bazalopes were done for. We just wanted to see how many times we could score, I guess. They played well in the first, but they just collapsed in on themselves in the second. We were happy to take the goals they let us have," Dania Figary told the press, a big smile on her face.
Myrtannia would score one more time, this time Deeann Massetti capping the scoring with a header off a pass from September Rollock. As the final whistle sounded, the Myrtannian fans were elated, jumping up and down in a frenzy. What was supposed to be a close match, predicted by the Bazalonian press to be an extra time or penalty kick game, was blown wide open by the relentless attack of the Myrtannian offense.
"We just wanted it more, and we took it," assitant coach Rachell Gabino said, "Now we have to worry about what we do next. We hadn't planned on going this deep into the AOCAF on our second try, but now we're determined to see the thing through."
That next factor, is what Myrtannia's media is dubbing the 'ultimate re-match of AOCAF XIV': a date with destiny against the four-time AOCAF champion Starblaydis, who have been very dominant so far. The Starblaydi team is rolling after a 4-3 extra time win against Nedalia, last AOCAF's silver medal team. Despite some youth on their team, the men and women in white and purple look almost like a lock for a berth in the AOCAF XIV title game, maybe even for a record-breaking fifth AOCAF title.
However, in the face of this machine, the Myrtannia Dryads have one ace up their sleeve. Starblaydia's only loss so far, back in the round robin stage, was at the hands of the Dryads. It was a close-fought 2-1 affair, but Myrtannia pulled out the upset in the end. Now, the stakes are much higher, and Starblaydia is certain to pull no punches. But Myrtannia is still soaring after knocking Vilita out 3-0, and now Bazalonia 4-1, and its youthful forwards have been surprisingly effecient in only their second (in some cases first) AOCAF.
Starblaydia should win, but Myrtannia will put up a very tough fight if nothing else. The Dryads have accomplished a lot getting this far, but now have to battle the spectre that all Myrtannian teams so far have succomed to - that of losing in the semi-finals. It happened to the curling team, the Suns in the last AO Bowl (though on a very questionable call), the Suns in AORBC I and II, and the Dryads in AORBC II.
"At this point, we don't believe in the Curse. Maybe we're too thick-headed to fear it, but we've come a long way from AOCAF XIII. We're simply happy to have the opportunity this time. We'll try our best to beat them again, but that might take a miracle," September Rollock told reporters, grinning after the win against Bazalonia.
Whatever happens, the win against Bazalonia gaurantees the Myrtannians have a chance to play for a medal (or top three finish at least). That in itself is an astounding accomplishment for the team that finished 1-0-4 in AOCAF XIII. Now, the Dryads stand at 3-3-0, and can finish no worse than fourth in only their second AOCAF. Congratulations to the Bazalopes for their great run, but luck just wasn't with them.
Once more, the final from Grapenhall:
Myrtannia 4 - 1 Bazalonia
(Figary 5, Rollock 60, Gabino 63, Massetti 80) (Hobble 44)
This post has been edited by Myrtannia on May 24 2006, 04:31 PM |
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A random conversation overeard during half time between two Bazalonian fans
"Wow... I didn't think Hobble was able to get that goal." fan 1
"IF it wasn't for that great pass from Benny Boy, I doubt he would of." fan 2
"Oh, yeah the team has really started to play like a good team." Fan 1
"DRYADS RULE, BAZALOPES DROOL!" random Dryad Fan in replica kit
"anyway... What do you reckon about the 2nd half." Fan 1
"Well a certain Dryad fan might have to be careful but really I can't predict." fan 2
"Mrytannia have dramatically improved this cup, they went from a team not able to get into Round 2 their first AOCAF to a team that's in the quarters. All I know is that both sides will be having a hard time determining who the winner is." Fan 1
"Exactly, But I think the Bazalopes will make it." Fan 2
"Are you sure?" Fan 1
"Yes." Fan 2
"Well, lets make this interesting, At the Semi-final If the Bazalopes do win then I have to streak at half-time of their match with who-ever they are playing. If Mrytannia then you have to." Fan 1
"Alright, Ahh, a good laugh., you'll be sorry." fan 2
"DRYADS RULE, BAZALOPES DROOL!" the same Dryad fan...
"Wait till the match is decided!" exclaimed fan 1 annoyed
"Well... Sorry" replied the Dryad fan who after that shut up
Anyway it was now the end of half-time...
...
After the end of the match....
"Ha looks like you'll be on the pitch come the Semis" fan 1
"Oh, very funny... don't you dare record it." fan 2
"I wasn't but now I'm going to have to" Fan 1
"Laugh it up why don't you. You'll have your come uppenace." Fan 2
"The Mrytannians certainly seemed a different side in the 2nd half... wow." Fan 1
"Yeah, they shut down Hobble very effectively and they didn't manage to give either James or Michal any lee-way at the same time." Fan 2
"4-1... wow. And people where predicting this to be a close game. I'm pretty sure that James Gaines is going to see what the coach has to say about this loss." Fan 1
"And what is he going to ask... The Mrytannians where just too good on the day. The Bazalopes just weren't ableto cope." Fan 2
"Well... See you at the Semi's..." Fan 1
"Yeah... Yeah..." Fan 2
"DRYADS RULE, BAZALOPES DROOL" Do you really have to ask who this is?
Fan 1 sighs as he heads back to his motel
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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AIR 4 - Myrtannia's Sports Authority - Presents: AOCAF XIV Scoring Stats
The following is a list of all goals attributed to players thus far in AOCAF XIV, and their relative position in the list of scorers. Compiled by our unpaid interns, who think this is giving them work experience. Goals do not include those scored in penalty kicks.
T-1. J. Maitland (STR) - 6
T-1. D. Massetti (MYR) - 6
T-1. P. Hobble (BAZ) - 6
T-4. R. Vega (STR) - 4
T-4. A. Giurimano (PAC) - 4
T-4. S. Rollock (MYR) - 4
T-7. J. Makuch (LAM) - 3
T-7. L. Zynda (LAM) - 3
T-7. J. Sarabia (LAM) - 3
T-7. Morales (HYP) - 3
T-7. K. Tribby (ASMV) - 3
T-7. B. Wallenstein (ASMV) - 3
T-7. M. Gaffer (D&S) - 3
T-13. G. Abbott (LAM) - 2
T-13. T. Niodanna (STR) - 2
T-13. d'Adamanto (PAC) - 2
T-13. Charisteas (PAC) - 2
T-13. J. Matranga (STR) - 2
T-13. C. Garcia (STR) - 2
T-13. D. Figary (MYR) - 2
T-13. J. Kantwell (BAZ) - 2
T-13. R. Pirieda (D&S) - 2
T-13. X. Ridge (SAR) - 2
T-13. Devanallt (BET) - 2
T-24. Donii (STR) - 1
T-24. L. Velaise (STR) - 1
T-24. M. Ruiz (STR) - 1
T-24. F. Ibanez (STR) - 1
T-24. Zomanali (PAC) - 1
T-24. R. Gabino (MYR) - 1
T-24. Dorigo (HYP) - 1
T-24. Al-Jahani (BET) - 1
T-24. B. Peters (BAZ) - 1
T-24. L. Tatu (D&S) - 1
T-24. D. Cummer (D&S) - 1
T-24. C. Clemens (D&S) - 1
T-24. M. Irchov (BAZ) - 1
T-24. S. Jenkins (HYP) - 1 |
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Twinkle Toes Taps a Triple
Giurimano earns his first int'l hat trick in QF defeat of Bedistan
GABALFA, BETTIA (PSN) -- Ambrosino Giurimano has the magic touch.
With the crowd once again mostly against the Blue Foxes, Giurimano and crew had another tough task - defeat Bedistan and make it to the semifinals for the first time. But this time they weren't about to sit back and make it hard for themselves. The Blue Foxes scored early and took the match with a solid 3-1 victory over the Bedistani squad in a hostile Bettian capital still smarting over seeing its team downed 4-0 by these same Pacitalians.
Bedistan came out swinging but the Pacitalian defence of Manzanotti, Nesta and Bandali was more than prepared after holding off a Hypocrian equaliser attempt in the last match, a 5-3 victory over the Hyppos. Ted Botello attempted to split Manzanotti and Nesta in the 9th minute but Nesta mounted a perfect challenge, flicking the ball out of Botello's control and to Manzanotti, who passed it forward to midfielder Simone Perrotta for Pacitalia's first offensive charge of the match.
The Blue Foxes' defence held off Bedistan for 22 minutes and 33 seconds before Giurimano pocketed his first goal for an early 1-0 lead. He advanced on Luther Beland and appeared to be passing to linemate Veranace d'Amantano who figured out Giurimano's idea and faked a look as though he was about to receive a pass. Beland moved right to cut Giurimano's pass off, but he continued with the ball into the 22-yard box. Beland thusly attempted to dive back left to steal the ball but Giurimano let the shot go a half-second ahead, watching it sail directly into the centre of the net for the lead.
Pacitalian keeper Cristianu Raduvani was on his game just like his defence, repelling a Botello-led offence into the 30-minute range, with three spectacular saves on the Bedistani midfielder in a span of four and a half minutes. He continued to be watchful all the way into the 39th, where he repelled a shot by Cameron Brown, picked up the ball and kicked it forward to Andreos Charisteas, who avoided a charging Bedistani defence and flicked the ball sideways to Giurimano. The Pacitalian forward charged past the defence alone and slid a shot below Beland for a 2-0 lead.
Halftime came and went and the Bedistani team, surprised at their solid run into the quarterfinals, mounted attack after attack, their intensity never wavering until a tired Alessandro Nesta was forced into making a sloppy tackle on Botello in the 55th just outside the 22-yard box. The resulting free kick was awarded to the Bedistani midfielder, who expertly curved the ball past an outstretched Raduvani to cut the Blue Foxes' lead in half, ten minutes into the second 45.
Manager Lindifeu Zentrescu substituted an exhausted Nesta five minutes later for Giuseppe Mancando, who relished the opportunity and plugged the central defensive hole well for the Blue Foxes, allowing the forward units to once again concentrate on putting the match away. And that they did, with d'Amantano feeding Giurimano a spectacular arcing pass in the 69th minute. The ball landed on the inside of his foot and redirected straight through, low under Beland once more for a 3-1 lead which held true to the end of the match.
Now, Pacitalia is faced with two firsts. The first first, as it were, is that they are in virgin territory, having advanced to the semifinals for the first time in their three-cup AOCAF history. The second first is that they must face and get past the Hawks for the first time in their AOCAF history for a trip to the finals. Lamonian media is painting the contest as an absolutely easy win for the Hawks but the cockiness of both reporters and players is astounding to the Blue Foxes, who are taking the match very seriously and are committed to going 150 percent to earn a win where it matters.
"The winner goes on, the loser goes home," captain d'Amantano said post-match. "While we aren't surprised at the attitude of the Lamonians against us, the fact remains that we are a talented team that wants that finals spot more than one would think. The Hawks are underestimating us, and we'll see what they think of us after the next 90 minutes. We won't make it easy on them."
Lamonian media has repeatedly stated the Blue Foxes are "lucky" to be in the semifinals, knocking the Blue Foxes as having no experience in pressure situations and questioning the team's talent base while confidently proclaiming the Hawks will easily win.
"We may have lost that last match to them, but it was only 1-0," Giurimano said. "We were just as good as them, if not better, during that match, and if anything was luck-induced during this tournament it was their goal against us. I'm surprised they have time to play football, because off-the-pitch they must be checking their hair constantly."
Pacitalia-Lamoni is shaping up to be one of the biggest rivalries in AOCAF, mostly because of the trashtalking that comes with it. We will not make a prediction this time but we are confident that the Blue Foxes are more talented than lucky and that they will make the semifinals match a good show, even if they do bow out. The winner goes onto face either a hot Myrtannian team, which has exceeded expectations and has been nothing short of a thrill to watch, or their opponents, the Starblaydis, who made it to the final four rather unsurprisingly.
From Gabalfa, Bettia:
Pacitalia 3 - 1 Bedistan
PAC: Giurimano 23', 39', 69'
BDS: Botello 55'
This post has been edited by Pacitalia on May 24 2006, 09:55 PM |
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The best place on earth. |
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OOC: N.B. Bazalope Fan 2 will streak in the Mrytannia/StarBlaydia match... do what you want to the streaker |
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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We're in the finals!
With a 2-1 victory, the Hawks gave Pacitalia the old heave-ho from AOCAF XIV. Not only that, but we get to face Starblaydia in the finals (as Starblaydia defeated Myrtannia 4-1). The Lamonian victory was the classic tale of two halves with the reserve squad out. The Lamonian reserve 11 did not play so well the first half of the match, letting the score at the half become 1-0 with Pacitalia in the lead. The halftime talk by Coach Boldman must have done wonders however; because the Lamonian reserves came out with a passion that the Pacitalians couldn't stop.
Forward Julio Makuch scored both Lamonian goals in the 50th and 55th minutes, and Lamoni never looked back from there. Lamoni-Pacitalia is certainly turning out to be a quickly created AOCAF rivalry, with lots of trash talk on both sides; even though Lamoni has won more of the resulting matches thus far. Lamoni might have won both AOCAF XIV matches against Pacitalia by one goal each so far, but a win is a win; no matter how you look at it. Lamoni has more wins, thus it is the better team.
Looking upon Starblaydia, Lamoni faces it's biggest AOCAF struggle yet. Starblaydia is the only team that Lamoni has not as yet won a match against (that we've played), but most of the matches between the two teams have been close. The resulting rivalry between Lamoni and Starblaydia will give the Hawks a motive to take that potential 5th AOCAF cup out of the hands of the Starblaydis. That is why the starting 11 got rested for the match against Pacitalia... so that they could use the time for practice. It is hoped that the advantage of the Lamonian starting 11 being rested might give the Hawks that slight advantage that will be all that they will need against the AOCAF powerhouse Starblaydis.
This will also be another so called SDL vs SAAS match, and lots of eyes from all over AO will be there to watch the match. Even President Stone will be flying down to Bettia in order to watch his team defeat Starblaydia. AOCAF parties are being planned all over the Free Republic, and they will be popular. Lamoni is also expected to garner support for being the underdog in this match, with odds of a Lamonian victory low enough that a Lamonian victory would make someone financially set for life.
We would also like to take this time to express our support of the Myrtannians as they face Pacitalia in the third place match.
Lamoni - 2 Julio Makuch (50, 55)
Pacitalia - 1 (30) |
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Myrtannia Put In Their Place, 4-1
Lamoni given Fairy Tale final with Starblaydia
As Starblaydia got a certain little orange-and-blue coloured monkey, they gave the scriptwriters - and members of the Lamonian Gamblers Anonymous - something to drool over.
Starblaydia Versus Lamoni. Yup, it's the Final. For god-knows-how-long Lamoni and Starblaydia, Starblayde and Stone, have been metaphorically at each other's throats for years. They met before in the AOCAF more than a few times, but never at such a crucial stage as the Final Here's the full match history between Starblaydia and Lamoni:
| QUOTE | AOCAF4 Quarter-Final, Starblaydia
Starblaydia 3-1 Lamoni
AOCAF6 Quarter-Final, Cockbill Street
Starblaydia 3-1 Lamoni
AOCAF7 Semi-Final, South Osettia
Starblaydia 3-1 Lamoni
AOCAF9 Group Stage, Cockbill Street
Starblaydia 2-0 Lamoni
AOCAF10 Group Stage, Fmjphoenix
Starblaydia 1-0 Lamoni
AOCAF11 Group Stage, Bettia
Lamoni 0-3 Starblaydia
AOCAF13 Group Stage, Krytenia
Starblaydia 2-2 Lamoni
Total
Wins
Starblaydia - 6
Lamoni - 0
Draws - 1
Goal Difference
Starblaydia 17-5 Lamoni |
Starblaydia, quite obviously, have the upper hand in meetings between these two sides, but their last meeting - four years ago - saw the Hawks 'best' result. Whether you're pro-Defense League-minded enough to believe that the tables are starting to turn in Lamoni's favour or not, this will be the most important match Lamoni's side have ever played. Bar none.
Whatever happens, history will be made in the Final - either Lamoni's first victory that will mark the first ever by a nation that doesn't send its squad to the World Cup too - or Starblaydia will take a record-breaking fifth AOCAF trophy and become the most successful nation in the history of the greatest regional football tournament in the world.
Starblaydia are only there, of course, because they overcame Myrtannia in the Semi-Final. Myrtannia, the only nation to give Starblaydia a taste of defeat in the seven games so far, had been on a dream-like run throughout the entire competition, despite many observers labelling them as 'regional doormats'. Effectively the game was all over by the time Myrtannia scored their consolation goal, and this was still in the first half.
Cherry Garcia, captain in her final international tournament, led the side out like a rocket to prove to the whol region that Starblaydia could destroy teams like Myrtannia at will. Twenty-four goals they have now scored in seven games, an average of nearly three and a half per game. Four were blasted past Flo Krabel, three of them in a first half that saw the white shirts of Starblaydia appear more like a collective whirlwind. An early brace from Garcia quickly set the tone that was soon followed up by Will Soperra, who has been quiet but dependable throughout AOCAF14. The twenty-two year old's first international goal in his fifteenth appearance put Starblaydia three-nil up and effectively ended the Dryads' opposition.
Though Myrtannia's sole surviving AOCAF13 player, Dania Figary, pulled one back before the teams went in at half time, Starblaydia were definitely a cut above their opponents. Jackie Maitland scored her seventh goal of the tournament - giving her the edge over Deeann Massetti and Peter 'Wolfie' Hobble in the unofficial Golden Boot race - just after half time to allow Starblaydia to spend the remainder of the half winding down into what effectively became a training match.
Though Myrtannia will still be playing for third place and there best sporting finish ever, they have Pacitalia to contend with, relative AOCAF newcomers themselves, but pushing for their best-ever finish too.
Starblaydia, however, have bigger fish to fry.
Final Score from The Gasworks, Gabalfa:
Starblaydia 4 - 1 Myrtannia
(Garcia 8 & 12, Soperra 33, Maitland 54) - (Figary 38)
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Dryads Follow Myrtannian Tradition, Collapse in Semis
Well, we all knew it would come to this, so it's not really any surprise to be reporting now that Starblaydia handily defeated Myrtannia in the semifinals of AOCAF XIV. This was to be expected, not only with Starblaydia's recent dominance in the knockouts, but Myrtannia's own Curse - the curse that has brought down all Myrtannian teams to advance this far into an interregional tournament. It was obvious that despite the brave words of September Rollock, the more veteran members of Myrtannia's squad had the Curse on their minds. How else to explain this complete defensive collapse?
After outscoring opponents 7-1 in the KO round, Myrtannia allowed four goals to Starblaydia, which really wasn't all that surprising. After the one setback at the hands of the Dryads in the RR phase, Starblaydia have been rolling. Myrtannia's one goal, in the first half, was scored by Dania Figary, just her third of the tournament.
That mattered little, as the more experienced Starblaydis ended the Cinderella story of the Myrtannia Dryads. Our congratulations to the men and women in purple and white on reaching the Cup final. Now, the Dryads still have a chance to take a place on the at least metaphorical medals stand. A third round match against Pacitalia, who lost to the soaring Lamoni Hawks.
"We just flat-out got outplayed today. That streaker was about the most interesting thing that happened out there," coach McNany remarked, alluding to a man later identified as Bazalonian in nationality who took to the field stark naked at the half.
Pacitalia is looking for it's best finish ever, and until the Lamoni match had been playing on talent as much as luck. The last time the Blue Foxes and Dryads clashed, Pacitalia handed Myrtannia its worst defeat ever: 5-0. That was a different Mytannia squad, too. Mytrannia is no longer the doormat it was then, and has not been held scoreless in all of AOCAF XIV.
"Unlike the Hawks, we know exactly what Pacitalia can do when they're very determined. Getting trounced like that certainly does make an indelable mark on a young team's mind. It's been four years, and we'd certainly like some revenge," Dania Figary told the press, "We'll just see if the Dryads don't have a little more magic left."
Myrtannia's attacking offense needs to be supported by a strong defensive stand, like the ones that shut out Vilita and held Hobble-led Bazalonia to just one goal, if it hopes to gain the victory. The Dryads were seen drilling at an area practice field in preparation for the third place match.
"We're working very hard to not walk away from this thing empty-handed. While we are happy to be here, we want to win this one and bring some nice bronze medals home to show the folks in Halosen," Filiberto Nedina, the team's oldest member added at the postgame press conference, "Pacitalia's talented, but we're hungry for this one last win, and no Blue Fox is going to stand between us and third place."
Our best wishes go out to the Lamoni Hawks, our regional neighbors, as they go for their first AOCAF cup title against the Starblaydis. While Starblaydia has dominated the matchup thus far, there's a first time for everything, right? Forgive us for sounding biased, but Go Hawks! Maybe if the Starblaydi press hadn't referred to us as a 'blue and orange coloured monkey', we would be more impartial.
Vice President Robert Jett is expected to arrive in Bettia for the third place match, while President Holton was reported to be seen wearing a Lamoni jersey around the office. No confirmation yet on that.
The final from the Gasworks:
Starblaydia 4 - 1 Myrtannia
(Garcia 8 & 12, Soperra 33, Maitland 54) (Figary 38)
This post has been edited by Myrtannia on May 26 2006, 01:43 AM |
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OOC: As a sign of goodwill, Myr, I think you deserve the win more than I do. So, I will hold off on RPing this one to give you a better shot at the victory. Great job this cup  |
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Pacitalia |
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The best place on earth. |
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Posts: 505 |
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Massetti and co. Myr-tamed once more
Blue Foxes take third place at AOCAF14 with edgy victory
GABALFA, BETTIA (PSN) -- Well, we can't seem to beat the Hawks but we can sure put on a good show when we need to.
That's the edict from manager Lindifeu Zentrescu after the Blue Foxes stepped aside in the race for glory at AOCAF14 to play a shocking Myrtannia side in the third-place playoff. The Blue Foxes emerged to take that third place with a 2-1 victory over the Dryads in an excellent offensive showdown over 90 minutes.
"We cannot be truly satisfied with the result, but it was a massive improvement over AOCAF13," Lindifeu said in comparing this squad with the squad of the last AOCAF, which suffered a quarterfinals loss in penalties to host Krytenia. "We were more than capable of taking that trophy but we let the fact we rarely down Lamoni take control of us. That is why we're sitting here enjoying third place instead of first."
The Blue Foxes controlled the first half of the match, shutting down the potent Myrtannian offence led by captain Deeann Massetti and strong striker Dania Figary, holding them to just four shots in the half. It allowed Ambrosino Giurimano to notch his eighth of the tournament off a free kick in the 35th minute. The score remained 1-0 at halftime and the team talk seemed to spark both sides to more action.
Massetti almost equalised in the 52nd, 54th and 59th after three consecutive Myrtannian offensive charges but keeper Cristianu Raduvani was more than up to the challenge, thwarting all ten Dryad shots he faced in the first 20 minutes of the half. He even made a spectacular kneecap save on Figary in the 67th while lying flat on his back, a save which sent the fans at the Alice Street pitch into an absolute frenzy.
"There is no doubt he deserved the clean sheet," Giurimano remarked post-match. "He was absolutely crucial for us this entire tournament, but he knew he couldn't do everything without a solid defence and potent offence. That is something we did not realise until right before the knockout stage started."
Unfortunately, Raduvani's clean sheet was out of his hands as Rodrigo Bandali unintentionally redirected a Figary rocket off his right calf. Raduvani had been positioned properly to make the save but the ball caromed too far to his right for him to correct in time. The ball jumped past to give the Dryads an equaliser in the 74th.
The Blue Foxes' play, luckily, stepped up dramatically in the last 15 minutes, with a remarkable 20 shots on goal in that time. One of the shots was good as gold, as d'Amantano earned his third of the tournament with a perfect set up by Andreos Charisteas and Ambrosino Giurimano for the 85th-minute go-ahead score.
Rumours the team may look slightly different, with the reported departures of Cristoferi Zomanali and reserve midfielders Angelo Sassoni and Geronimo Falgamanazzo, were neither confirmed nor denied by team staff or the players. Massimo da Scupeta, the rising star in Pacitalian football who recently became ineligible to play in U21 World Cups, may make his debut as a retracted forward in AOCAF15.
From Gabalfa, Bettia:
Myrtannia 1 - 2 Pacitalia
MYR: Figary 74'
PAC: Giurimano 35', d'Amantano 85' |
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Pacitalia |
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The best place on earth. |
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Posts: 505 |
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Five-Star-Blaydia!
Record-breaking fifth title
It was one for the script-writers: Starblaydia, the AOCAF giants, versus Lamoni, their perennial regional rivals. It was the Strategic Alliance versus the Defence League, white and purple versus red and blue.
And Starblaydia came out on top.
To see the names of the Starblaydi goalscorers would warm the heart of any Starblaydi fan: Matranga and Di Bradini. One can almost wind back in time to the days of Aiden, Nick and Itechton Matranga, Simeone and Roberto Di Bradini, but this was Jade Matranga and Tabitha Di Bradini - Aiden and Roberto's grand-daughters.
Even when Erik Coale gave Lamoni the lead after half-time, Starblaydia were unworried. After the hour mark, Jade Matranga slipped past the marking of Lonnie Bourquin, exchanged a one-two pass with Jacqueline Maitland and blasted the equaliser past Neil Metro in the Hawk's goal.
That was how it remained - somehow - until the end of the ninety minutes. Everyone thought that penalties would come until Tabitha Di Bradini - who replaced Francisco Ibanez mid-tournament at Right-Back and never let him have the position back - burst onto a through-ball from Will Soperra, surged past Allan Revard and toe-poked the ball past Metro, who had nearly closed her down. As Di Bradini hurdled the Lamonian, the ball was in the net and, with three minutes to go, Starblaydia had won the game.
Starblaydia had won the fourteenth AOCAF.
Starblaydia had won their fifth AOCAF.
Starblaydia had won the World Cup and AOCAF double.
Final Score from the Stadiwm Bettia, Gabalfa
Lamoni 1 - 2 Starblaydia (AET, FT 1-1)
(Coale 52) - (J. Matranga 66, T. Di Bradini 117) |
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