|
 |
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
ARE WE TAKING THIS TOO SERIOUSLY?
By Björn-Trevor Frederiksson
After beating Turori to keep their 100% record intact, NEWI Cefn Druids have earned themselves a quarter-final match against Pedriana. But as the Druids' dominance of the AOCAF Cup seems to continue, the people of NEWI Cefn Druids are asking the question "Are the Druids taking the AOCAF too seriously?"
A lot of the evidence seems to point that way. The Druids play a full strength side every time, starting with their first-choice World Cup starting 11 in every game so far. The combination of Law and Gessemschmitthaagen-Po up front seems to scare everyone witless, Bill Posters and Dan Northfleet on the wings have full-backs quaking in their boots, Mo Leicester will stop anyone, and the McDonald Brothers at the back are usually just too strong.
Compare the Druids in this competition with some of the other top teams in the region. Vilita are considered internationally to be about as good as the Druids, but their team, however strong it may be, has often disapointed. But they seem to be more of an exception to the rule. Starblaydia, for example, are good enough to beat anyone on a given day, especially on their own back yard. Sarzonia have done alright historically, but a "B" team this time out might not be quite as good. Pedriana and Lamoni will see the AOCAF as their best way of winning something. Then there's Crystilakere, who seem to have lost their way recently.
So are the Druids taking the AOCAF to seriously? Of course not! All competitions are there to be won, and you've got to remember that anything can happen in this game. Look at Druida in the World Cup qualifiers. No-one can afford to rest on their laurels. If you want to win, you've got to do your best. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
, |
 |
|
|
|
Aquiliana Reaches Playoffs
Yay
Xile was the first team to defeat Aquiliana in the AOCAF qualifiers. So naturally, they were the last team to fall.
The Falcons came in and convincingly defeated Xile, 4-1, to knock out the Xilean team and propel themselves powerfully into the finals. Aquiliana's forwards were just too much for Xile's exhausted defensemen, with Lega scoring 2 goals and Adiuntua scoring another off the bench.
Aquiliana is coming into the finals with a huge amount of momentum, and should be favored somewhat in their quarterfinal matchup against Turori. A huge majority of the 85,000 seats should be filled by Aquilians, who only have to cross the channel to reach Starblaydia. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Lamoni loses to Starblaydia, is knocked out of playoffs
Nephi Times (Starblaydia)
Taking a 3-1 loss, the Lamoni Hawks were knocked out of the AOCAF playoffs today.
"While we are disappointed by the way that things turned out in this game, we will do what we have always done, and use what we have learned in order to make our team better for the next time. Our ranking will likely place us in either 7th or 8th place, so we can't really complain about that." said Assistant Coach Stepanovich.
Indeed, this continues the Lamoni AOCAF tradition of getting ever higher rankings with each AOCAF. Until the next AOCAF! |
 |
 |
|
Lamoni |
|
Democratic Maniac |
 |
|
|
|
Posts: 1952 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars shocker: Cats declawed 2-0
Hallad, Starblaydia -- The Sarzonian second choice national team ended up taking the field against Vilita in spite of machinations by the Incorporated Football Federation that they might send the first choice national team coached by Dave Wilson against the Jungle Cats. The Federation decided to keep the "A" team in the Cup of Harmony and have the underdog "B" teamers face the powerful Jungle Cats.
Coach David Bostwick oversaw a brilliant game by goalkeeper John Bartlett and goals by Anton Gregor and Bruce Badger and the Stars sent shockwaves through the Atlantian Oceania region by posting their first-ever victory over Vilita, 2-0, to advance to the semifinals of the AOCAF tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
"That was one of the biggest highlights in Sarzonian football history," Bostwick said after the game, still wet from a Gatorade shower as the stadium clock shut off and the referees began keeping official time on the field. "It goes to show you that a little commitment and a little determination can go a long way."
The Stars played almost the entire first half in their end of the pitch, allowing 12 of the 17 shots they would give up in the first 40 minutes of the match. The Stars finally got their chance when midfielder "Dix" Porter stole the ball from a Vilitan defender and sprinted nearly the length of the pitch to set up Gregor for the first goal of the match as the three minutes of first half stoppage time started winding down.
The goal was more than just the first in the match. It was the first time in three matches that a team wearing the white and navy Sarzonian kits scored a goal against the Jungle Cats. The goal sent the team into the locker room with momentum that they would not relinquish.
"That goal was absolutely huge," Gregor, the team captain who is coming back from an ACL tear in the previous AOCAF tournament. "We finally proved we could score on these guys."
The Stars took that momentum from the first half and began dominating the second half. Badger made the margin 2-0 when he won a loose ball near the end line and sent a one-time cross toward Gregor. When Gregor wheeled and fired, the shot was parried aside by the Jungle Cats' keeper, but Badger pounced on the rebound and poked the ball into the net above the sprawled keeper and into the net for the 2-0 lead in the 66th minute.
From there, Vilita scarcely threatened again and the Stars rushed the field when the referee's whistle signalled the end of the match and the Jungle Cats' dominance of Sarzonia in football.
"We've got a tough one against Starblaydia," Gregor said, looking ahead to the semifinal match against the host country. "They swept us in group play, so we're going to try to get our revenge in the next match."
The Stars have never advanced to the finals of the AOCAF tournament. If their 2-0 shocker against Vilita is any indication, the team would probably say there's a first time for everything. |
|
|
 |
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Progression to the Semis
Left Side Destroys Lamonian Dreams
Home advantage at Foundation Road really got Starblaydia going as they opened up the Hawks' right-wing with some fancy play.
Vladimir Tsarev proved just why he's in his ninth tournament for Starblaydia as his neat interplay with youngster Jose Tirado resulted in two goals. Tsarev, 26, went on a rampaging, overlapping run that allowed him to smash the ball in-between the 'keeper and the near post. Fans had to wait for a Geraint Evans corner in the second half for the second goal, as Captain Spike Martin rose high in the box and bulleted the ball home with a great header. Just six minutes later Tirado got a goal of his own from the edge of the box.
Lamoni's lack of obvious talent down their right wing should really be leading to a lot of questions in the Free Republic. Jhanna City's Benjamin Fullbright is the only Lamonian playing in the Starblaydi Leagues and, guess what? He's a right-sided midfielder? Could he have handled Tirado and Tsarev? Possibly.
Now Starblaydia face Sarzonia, who along with the Druids, constitute the top-three performing teams in the Competition. This will be only their second meeting in the AOCAF in three competitions, since an aging Christian Kabeya-Mbaya and a youthful Ceri Salisbury netted in a 2-0 win for Starblaydia in AOCAF2.
Final Score From Foundation Road:
Starblaydia 3 - 1 Lamoni
(Tsarev 18, Martin 51, Tirado 57) - (Sims 64) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars face familiar foes in semis
The Sarzonian second choice national team, fresh off a stirring 2-0 win over Vilita, began training for a semifinals match against host nation Starblaydia with memories of two one goal losses to the Blades fresh in their minds -- and more inaccuracies by the Starblaydi media staring them in the face.
Starblaydia's media outlet incorrectly reported that the match would be only the second meeting between the teams in AOCAF history, leaving the Stars bristling.
"We just played them twice in group play," Coach David Bostwick said. "Not to mention playing them twice in [World Cup 17]."
The Stars lost their first-ever meeting to Starblaydia, 2-0 but won both World Cup 17 qualifying matches against the higher-ranked team. Starblaydia returned the favor and swept the Stars in qualifying. The last four matches have been by 2-1 scores.
"I guess we know the score's going to be 2-1," Bostwick joked. "It's just some crazy coincidence that the last four matches against this team have ended up with that score."
Despite the fact the Stars lost both matches against Starblaydia in group play, the team is confident they can overcome their streak of three straight losses in the semifinal round and defeat Starblaydia for the first time in the tournament's history.
"It's very hard to beat the same team three times in a row in the same tournament," forward and team captain Anton Gregor said. "You've gotta think the odds will be in your favor at some point. Besides that, we might be due to beat them since the series is 3-2 them."
Starblaydia has scored six goals to Sarzonia's four in the five previous meetings. Some pundits are suggesting that a 2-0 win by the Stars would be "poetic justice."
"I don't care if it's 1-0 after penalties," goalkeeper John Bartlett said. "A win's a win, especially in the knockout stages." |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Starblaydi Journalists hope to increase literacy
Re-reading of Report Signals Rolled Eyes in Starblaydi Team Camp
'Now Starblaydia face Sarzonia...This will be only their second meeting in the AOCAF in three competitions...
Starblaydia has participated in AOCAFs 2, 3 and currently 4. This is a total of three competitions, with details shown below.
STARBLAYDIA IN AOCAF2
| CODE | Group 2
Team Score Scorers
Stralphi 2-2 Owens, Ol-wairain
Nojika 2-1 Ol-wairain, N'Dumbu-Nsungu
Sarzonia 2-0 Kabeya-Mbaya, Salisbury
NEWI Cefn Druids 0-3 None
Turori 2-2 Ol-wairain, Hill
Quarter-Final
Crystilakere 1-2 Ol-wairain |
As you can see, just the one game against Sarzonia here, with Christian and Ceri getting the goals.
STARBLAYDIA IN AOCAF3
| CODE | Group B
Team Score Scorers
New Manhattan 3-0 Berisha, Matranga, Jakkinho
Chacor 4-1 Robertson, Berisha (2), Benson
Crystilakere 0-2 None
Abattoir 3-1 Torino, Robertson, Naoki
New Manhattan 4-1 Naoki (2), Berisha, Moore
Chacor 2-1 Jakkinho, Robertson
Crystilakere 1-1 de Souza Lima
Abattoir 2-1 Robertson, Naoki
Quarter-Final
Vilita 6-1 Robertson, Naoki, de Souza Lima, Matranga (2), Montefalcon
Semi-Final
Xile 4-0 Cole, Naoki, Torino, Owens
Final
NEWI Cefn Druids 3-4 Naoki, Robertson, Matranga |
Yep, no mention of Sarzonia there, so that's One match in Two Tournaments.
STARBLAYDIA IN AOCAF4
| CODE | Eastern Group
Team Score Scorers
Crystilakere 1-0 Robertson
Sarzonia 2-1 Jakkinho, Piper
Triagunation 2-2 Hill, Jakkinho
Crystilakere 1-2 Doukas
Sarzonia 2-1 Robertson, Tirado
Triagunation 0-0 None
Quarter-Final
Lamoni 3-1 Tsarev, Martin, Tirado
Semi-Final
Sarzonia TBA TBA |
Look, Look! Twice in Group play and once more for this Semi! That's gonna be the fourth time in three compeitions!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
BELMORE HAT TRICK SEALS FINAL SPOT
Björn-Trevor Frederiksson on Aquiliana 0 NEWI Cefn Druids 4
After changing the entire team following the almost embarrasing exit at the hands of Pedriana, the Druids went into their AOCAF semi-final with a completely different starting eleven to their previous game. This meant that young Druidish sensation Alan Belmore, son of former Druids star Trevor Belmore, would be starting for the Driuds for the first time.
He didn't disappoint. He and strike partner Rhys Owens blew away the Aquiliana Falcons with some sublime attacking play. Belmore scored a stunning first half hat-trick before manager Simon Greaves decided to take him off at half time for some bizarre reason. Owens also got his goal in the first half, from a rebounded Belmore effort. It meant that by half time, the Druids were so far aheaad that they could take it a bit easier in the second half.
Of course, Aquiliana didn't just give up. The battled away for the rest of the match, but as Greaves had switched the Druids to a 6-3-1 formation by this time, they just didn't have enough to break them down.
And so, after scraping into the semis on penalties with the first team, the Druids soared into their fourth consecutive AOCAF final with their second string team. Perhaps there is something in this tactic of not playing the first team, after all. The other semi-final is tonight*, so we shall wait and see if we will be having a repeat of the last AOCAF final or if Sarzonia will make it to the last stage for the first time. My money is on Starblaydia to do it again, but then I have a little inside information...
Final score:
Aquiliana 0
NEWI Cefn Druids 4 [Belmore 3, 26, 44, Owens 27] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Great Scriptwriter Pulls of Fantasy Final
Biggest AO Football rivalry spills over into scuffles
At half time in this match, with Sarzonia 2-0 up, the huge Starblaydi majority in the stands were looking rather depressed. With the Sarzonians going wild in their seats thanks to Harry Epstein's screamer a few minutes earlier, Starblaydia were getting a real ear-bashing from the manager in the dressing room.
The ineffective Jakkinho was substituted for young Stefanos Stantzos who, though only 16, is built like an Ox and doesn't mind throwing his weight around. Slotting into the ineffectual midfield he backed up Simon Hill and denied Sarzonia the room or time to manouevre.
Winning the ball time and time again he set up Karl Robertson twice in two minutes, which he promptly scored both of, levelling the scores. Robertson and, in particular, Stantzos' celebrations got somewhat out of hand, quickly turning into a 12-man fracas of pushing and shoving. Eventually the teams were pulled apart but there was still bad blood, so much so that the yellow cards were flying thick and fast, just like the tackles.
Eventually it was Stantzos that broke the 2-2 deadlock with a powerful bursting run and shot, though he was booked for 'foul, abusive, ungenltemanly and unprofessional gestures, language and celebrations..' Just the one yellow card, though. Sarzonia were unable to come back, as Jinal Cove's Gavin Thornley kept all-comers at bay with a string of magnificent saves.
Now Starblaydia meet NEWI Cefn Druids in the AOCAF Final for the second consectutive tournament, hoping to avenge their 4-3 defeat of four years ago.
'That was the greatest match I've ever been involved in,' said Midfielder Jerome Montefalcon, 'I mean, Four-Three? Incredible. Just incredible. I want revenge though.'
As do we all. As do we all.
Final Score From Foundation Road:
Starblaydia 3 - 2 Sarzonia
(Robertson 54 & 56, Stantzos 78) - (De la Rocca 21, Epstein 44) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Oh Well
Too Bad
Aquiliana faced the NEWI Cefn Druids. The same team that hasn't not lost a game in about the last 70 years of AOCAF competition.
So they lost.
In other news, the other semifinal loser, Sarzonia, has not not lost a game in the last 70 years of competition.
Well, that's a good start. Perhaps we can score on those guys.
I think it's time to stop adding so many paragraphs.
Yea. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Campeone! Campeone! Ole Ole Ole!
Starblaydia Crowned AOCAF Champions
Earlier in the day we had seen Sarzonia wrap up a convincing Three-One win in Penningworth to take the third-placed spot for the third time in four years. Now that's consistency for you. Almost as consistent, in fact, as the Druids who have racked up the much-mentioned Three Titles in Three Cups ™. Starblaydia, runners-Up last time, were hoping to use home advantage and a huge amount of purple-coloured fireworks to give them the title this time.
With Lord-Protector Tiberius Starblayde ready to present the trophy, albeit behind blast-proof screens with a large complement of bodyguards in tow, along with the entire Starblaydi World Cup 18 Squad, freshly back from their consolation victory over Druida. The stage was set, there was a sense of sulpher lingering in the air and the Vilitan refereeing officials got the game under way.
Though Starblaydia lost the toss, this time, for 'Home' shirts they kicked off and the sell-out ninety-four thousand-strong crowd cheered. We hand you over to Starblaydia's foremost Commentator, Sven Motsonsson, for the match highlights...
0 minutes:
Here we go, then, Starblaydia versus NEWI Cefn Druids for the second consectutive AOCAF final. Its a storyteller's occasion no matter who emerges triumphant tonight, though I'm sure the game of football itself will be the real winner.
3 minutes:
Piper, controlling it neatly at the back, rolling it back to... oh, and Law is in here! But Thornley is out quickly to smother the ball. Tommas Piper playan awful backpass and Trevor Law was like a rat up a drainpipe getting to that ball, but Gavin Thornley got his hands to it first, just.
39 minutes:
A lovely challenge by Tsarev, he's picked Posters' pocket there and releases it quickly! Jakkinho, sprinting down the pitch. He's tracked back, past McDonald, with the cross... Robertson with time! Scores! Karl Robertson with the first goal for Starblaydia! These teams have been neck-and-neck throughout this match and Karl Robertson has scored for a second, consecutive, AOCAF Final! One-Nil to the Home Team!
45 minutes:
There's the Half-Time whistle, and Starblaydia are One-Nil up against Three-Time Champions NEWI Cefn Druids, in the Fourth Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football Final. Surely the managers won't need to gee up their teams on this occasion.
46 minutes:
Tuncastle Rovers striker Rhys Owens is on for Trevor Law for the Druids, with veteran Moses Brown replacing young centre-back Tommas Piper, re-creating the Martin-Brown partnership that took Starblaydia to the World Cup Quarter-Final just four years ago. Is that something of an Omen, I wonder?
54 minutes:
Northfleet takes the ball down the wing, shrugging off the challenge of Rigoberto, knocking it forward... first time cross, and it's in! Rhys Owens at the back post! He's done the same as Robertson! Tuncastle Rovers players are running rampant here with a goal each. Both Robertson and Owens have scored in two consecutive AOCAF Finals now! No wonder the Rovers are in the Starblaydi Alpha Division! Its Starblaydia one, NEWI Cefn Druids one.
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!!
90 minutes:
Desperate defence by Starblaydia, throwing ten men behind the ball, it's Po, but cleared this time by substitute Doukas, just trying to hit it as far out as he can... and there it is! Starblaydia are the Champions! NEWI Cefn Druids have been beaten for the first time in four AOCAF Finals by the new regional champions - STARBLAYDIA!
Final Score From the Jader Barbalho:
Starblaydia 2 - 1 NEWI Cefn Druids
(Robertson 39, Evans 61) - (Owens 54)
This post has been edited by Starblaydia on Nov 13 2004, 06:36 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars wrap up third place again
Sarzonia offers Starblaydi journalists 'remedial lessons'
With the first-ever tournament featuring a second choice Sarzonian national team, expectations were thrown out the window for Sarzonia advancing past the semi-finals for the first time. The Stars returned to -- and won -- the third place match again for the third time in four AOCAF tournaments with a convincing 3-0 win against Aquiliana.
"We were disappointed to be back in the third place match once again," Coach David Bostwick said. "But when you play in a third place match, you still want to do what you can to win. We did our jobs out there against Aquiliana."
The Stars got goals from midfielder John De la Rocca, defender Trevor Crenshaw, and forward Kevin Wilson and another clean sheet by goalkeeper John Bartlett and cruised to the easy victory.
"What this tournament did for us is to establish some depth on the national team," Bostwick said. "Bartlett was a major find and he'll really be able to push Troy Perkins for the starting job. Trevor Crenshaw and [midfielder] Dix Porter will be big helps to the team."
Host country Starblaydia became the first team to defeat the NEWI Cefn Druids in the finals, beating them 2-1, but Sarzonia's Sporting Life magazine noticed yet another error involving the Starblaydi media reports of a Sarzonian match report. The Starblaydi news report reported that the final score of the Stars win over Aquiliana was 3-1 instead of 3-0.
"We're willing to offer any member of the Starblaydi media a chance for some remedial lessons in journalism," magazine executive editor Cathie Graham. "Perhaps that will improve the accuracy of their reporting in the future."
[OOC: Please take this in the spirit I'm intending it... good natured ribbing.] |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
TIME FOR A NEW MANAGER?
Björn-Trevor Frederiksson on Starblaydia 2 NEWI Cefn Druids 1
NEWI Cefn Druids manager Simon Greaves was close to getting the bullet last night as his team came home from the AOCAF cup without the trophy. After playing what was, in effect, his second eleven to such success in the semi-final against Aquiliana, for some reason no-one else knows, he resorted back to the uninspiring first-choice eleven for the final. Big mistake.
The Druids lost their first ever match in the knockout stages of the AOCAF, and lost it without so much of a wimper. The Druids' man of the match was Rhys Owens, and he only came on at half time. Such a poor managerial decision as changing a team that wins 4-0 to a team that needs penalties to beat Pedriana is not a simply poor decision, it is something only an absolute idiot would do!
Yes Mr Greaves, you cost us the tournament, your poor management got us knocked out of the World Cup, it was your decision to apoint "no" man Amos Hinton to the post of defensive coach. Mr Greaves - YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!
Indeed, it is thought that if the Druids don't go home from The Eagles Nest with the trophy, then it will be the end for Greaves. Who will take his job? Well, Liam Gessemschmitthaagen-Po is retiring after the Eagles Cup, so his name will be thrown about. I'm sure that a lot of other names will also be put up for the job as well. For Greaves now, it's the Nest or bust. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
Track this topic
Receive email notification when a reply has been made to this topic and you are not active on the board.
Subscribe to this forum
Receive email notification when a new topic is posted in this forum and you are not active on the board.
Download / Print this Topic
Download this topic in different formats or view a printer friendly version.
[ Script Execution time: 0.0225 ] [ 14 queries used ] [ GZIP Enabled ]
|
Close Topic Options
