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Kecker Impressed by Path to Final
----------------"Well needless to say, Jawz must have been a little bit rusty in the first match against Nova Britannicus giving up that first half equalizer before we came back and won the game fairly convincingly. Some of the lads remember that horrible match back losing out to Nova Britannicus to snap the 30 match unbeaten run, I know Carmine does, so he must have been thrilled to net the first goal just five minutes in. But of course I have to be proud of the effort the young guys put in, Tika Massa and Kris Wrice both scored and Brent Obwinyi even shocked himself when he put the clincher in five minutes from time."
----------------"Next up for us was Spruitland, and I know Jawz really had his game going though and he kept our lead in place off Malovar Stokks' early goal before Tika scored to put the game away. This was a good momentum boost into the game against Bedistan, because we knew this was one team that had a chance of putting one over on us. Carmine got us off to a dream start with his lucky goal in that one, but after that it looked for a bit like we were chasing ourselves as Bedistan controlled most of the action. We held on until the dying moments of the game when Mauro Capuano stole that awkward back pass and made that defender for Bedistan look a complete fool. I think they gave up about then so Carmine was able to net the third that really flattered us, but we weren't going to complain. "
----------------"Carmine really took it upon himself to get us the three points over Sarzonia which locked us in with the best record in the tournament in every category. Carmine had a brilliant double, but Jawz kept another clean sheet which always helps especially in tough games like that one. That set up the big clash with Druida that we all know about, what a match that was. The unlikliest of players opened it up I'd say when Dene Shaw popped in that goal, and then Thierry Columbo, great player and very tough to defend against when the pitch is a little damp he just digs right in and makes no notice of it. Carmine may be pushing for a return to the full squad with all the goals he's scoring here, though, yet another to cap off the game against Druida which was just incredible."
----------------"I don't really know what happened to the favorites but when we got to the Semi's, Starblaydia, Turori, Krytenia, Crystilakere, Fmjphoenix, none of them were anywhere to be found. We ended up getting drawn against Nedalia, which was a match we were all excited about. the Lions play a very exciting game and some thought they might be able to pull off the upset. Fortunately we defended well and Jawz was brilliant yet again, finally Carmine scored the winner in the second half and we defended the rest of the match well to get back to the final. Some of the lads were pulling for a matchup with Lamoni in the final, as it would be the ultimate clincher for the long rivalry we've had with them in this competition, but Hypocria are a great up and coming side who knocked out the blades, so it will be a good test for the squad, and hopefully they can come out on top."
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It’s The Final Countdown
Twenty teams entered the AOCAF tournament and now only two remain in contention to lift the trophy. Amazingly Hypocria is one of those two sides.
It’s been a remarkable run. Points came from Crystilakere, Pedriana and Turori in the group stage as the Hyppos eventually finished second in Group A. The second round match went to extra time but Fmjphoenix were finally beaten 3 – 1. The quarter game was even closer but champions Starblaydia eventually succumbed in the penalty shootout and a narrow semi final win over Lamoni has put debutants Hypocria within touching distance of lifting the AOCAF trophy at the first attempt.
The semi final was always going to be a tight game. Nobody wanted to make the mistake that might deny their side a place in the final. It was a game of few chances, Shirko had a snapshot well saved by Goggins in the first half and Dospel’s goal bound header was well parried in the second. The Hawks (not Eagles) had the majority of the chances, Ted Kubik in particular was a threat throughout, but they could find no way past an in form defence and an inspired goalkeeper.
The decisive moment came just after the hour mark. The dangerous Ashley Marshall cut inside from the right but was brought down twenty five yards out. The free kick was awarded by the referee. Midfielder Marcus Baxter took aim and curled his kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner, just out of reach of the diving Goggins. The Hyppos held on to the narrow lead to earn a place in their first ever final.
Hypocria 1 – 0 Lamoni
Baxter
Hypocria have reached the final but standing in their way is mighty Vilita, who beat Nedalia 1 – 0 in the other semi. Vilita were beaten finalists in the last tournament and lifting the trophy this time around would be the perfect way to eliminate the memories of that defeat. History is on their side too as the Jungle Cats lifted the AOCAF trophy in the sixth edition of the competition, played right here in Cockbill Street. It’s going to need one last tremendous effort but maybe, just maybe, the Hyppos can deliver one more shock result.
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Kecker Announces Final Lineup
-------------------Santo Kecker has announced his starting eleven for the final of AOCAF IX, where he will attempt to lead the Regional Cats to their second championship, and give the Tropics of Vilita their first repeat championship in sporting history on the National Level. The biggest question Kecker had to address is who would partner the incredibly potent Carmine Mbidzo up top. Kecker has answered that question with none other than his own domestic player, putting his faith in young 20 year old Tika Massa whom he coaches back in Lonngeylin for Strike FC. Jhanna City's Tulio Arizmendi gets the nod on defense in favor of Turoki United's Dene Shaw who moves to the bench.
-------------------Another player from Kecker's domestic club will lead the team onto the field, with 25 year old Strike midfielder Thierry Columbo taking the captains armband for the final. Columbo will be captaining a midfield amongst youth, with a teammate and a pair of Starblaydia-based Under 21 internationals along side of him. Tournetas' Contall Rumaoa has been in spectacular form throughout the cup and will play alongside Columbo in the center of midfield. Columbo's Strike FC teammate, budding wing prospect Esorijan Marelja will anchor the left wing while Basian Valley's former Arcticala Inlet trainee Toby Tzikas will take his place down the right.
-------------------Marine Coasts Kris Wrice and Mavaloiao's Bevan Holness will be Kecker's attacking options off the bench, with Terarokka Spirit's Winfield Karega, Internashionale's Rowan Majara and Sporting Mayo's Malovar Stokks joining defender Dene Shaw and backup keeper Alioum Mané, who will stand by if needed to replace the ever present Jawz Oaker of Inland Peaks FC.
vs. Hypocria - AOCAF IX Final, Vimesbairn, Cockbill Street
Vilita Regional Cats (3-5-2) ::
[GK] Jawz Oaker, [D] Tulio Arizmendi, [D] Ricata Tivalan, [D] Timmy Leaburn, [DMC] Mauro Capuano, [ML] Esorijan Marelja, [MC] Contall Rumaoa, [MC] Thierry Columbo, [MR] Toby Tzikas, [FC] Tika Massa, [FC] Carmine Mbidzo,
BENCH::
[FC] Kris Wrice, [FC] Bevan Holness, [M] Winfield Karega, [M] Rowan Majara, [U] Malovar Stokks, [D] Dene Shaw, [GK] Alioum Mané |
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Starblaydia Fall In Quarters
Those damn Streetians do it to us again
One wonders why we ever bother going to Streetian-hosted tournaments, as their referee's complete lack of proficiency at officiating at a match involving one team called 'Starblaydia' who wear a fetching combination of white and purple when playing against another team who have some sort of nomenclature and wear a football kit.
Consider Danzir Garahildim's short-lived appearance as a substitute, for instance. In the second half he is brought on for Iskara Daii's Jikiri Fuinbar, letting the fresh legs of the 18 year-old Dwarf come into play. Danzir takes to the field, utters a Dwarven oath of honour and is immediately sent off for repeated foul and abusive language coupled with gentlemanly behaviour. From stepping onto the pitch to the red card being shown, Garahildim's fourth AOCAF cap was earned in precisely seventeen seconds.
That was just the red card-shaped tip of the iceberg. Never mind the three unrealisticly-disallowed Starblaydi goals - perfectly good ones via the TV replay - nor the fact that Marshall's goal was not only debateably offside, but also the blatant foul as he 'skipped' past Martin Watt. With ten men (and now no Dwarf), Starblaydia did well to keep control of the match but when Guylain's Hypocria surged forward there was little Starblaydia could do with a numerical deficit.
When the match went to penalties - something most Starblaydis hate - there was little surprise that Hypocria's luck took them through.
Final Score:
Starblaydia 1 - 1 Hypocria AET
(Macia 29) - (Marshall 81)
| CODE | 1 2 3 4 5
Starblaydia O O O O X
Hypocria O O O O O |
Belizaire, Macia, G. Lopez, Lyku-Agbyani, Kovac
Baxter, Shirko, Marshall, Blake, Kindelan
In other news, Liga Starblaydia's teams will be well-represented in the AOCAF Final once again as four of Vilita's named starting line-up will be present, with two more on the bench. Yay for one of the best leagues in the world, if not one of the best national teams.
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Lyndon Banks, editor of one of Hypocria’s leading newspapers glared at the man standing in front of him.
“Sit down Mark.”
Mark Wilmot, a young journalist hastily recalled from covering the AOCAF tournament in Cockbill Street, did as he was told.
Banks continued.
“I’ve brought you back because I wanted to talk to you about one of the reports you wrote. The quarter final report to be exact.”
“The boys did us proud that night.”
“Well yes. Your report describes a heroic defensive performance with us hanging on to claim a famous victory.”
Wilmot smiled.
“They really did us proud.”
“Except it didn’t happen quite like that, did it?”
The smile vanished.
“I don’t follow.”
“You clearly weren’t following the match. What about the disallowed Starblaydi goals you failed to mention? The Starblaydi media certainly didn’t forget about them.”
“Pssh, disallowed goals. Never happened.”
“You do know the match was televised don’t you? The entire nation saw it.”
“Well . . . I . . . oh. Now you mention it I do remember a disallowed goal, or two.”
“Three. And the red card. Something else you overlooked perhaps?”
“He was only a little fella. I didn’t think it would make much difference.”
“I see. Clearly we need to find you a new assignment more suited to your . . . talents.”
He rummaged through the papers on his desk.
“Ah, here we go. A woman in Southport believes she’s pregnant with a hyppo fathered on her by the pixie that lives in her wardrobe. That’s clearly more you area. Close the door on your way out.”
This post has been edited by Hypocria on Jul 25 2005, 06:10 AM |
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| QUOTE (Hypocria @ Jul 25 2005, 11:07 AM) | | “He was only a little fella. I didn’t think it would make much difference.” |
l.o.l. nice one  |
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| QUOTE (Starblaydia @ Jul 25 2005, 06:16 AM) |
l.o.l. nice one |
OOC: I thank you  IC: Hyppos Fall at the Final HurdleTwenty teams had started AOCAF IX and now there just were two. In front of a huge crowd in Cockbill Street’s national stadium and a record television audience back in Hypocria, Paul Blake and Vilita’s Thierry Columbo lead their sides onto the pitch for the final game of the ninth AOCAF tournament. On their way to the final the Hyppos had claimed a number of high profile victims. Reigning champions Starblaydia and sides the calibre of Turori, Fmjphoenix and Lamoni had all been defeated during the debutant’s shock run of form. But when one last effort was needed for the nation to claim its first piece of silverware the players fell just short. On the night Vilita were just too good. Just one goal decided the fate of the AOCAF trophy. That goal came in the 66th minute of the match. Vilitan midfielder Rumaoa played a beautifully weighted through ball to Massa who advanced on Kindelan. The striker hit a fierce drive which Kindelan blocked but the ball lopped into the air. Massa’s strike partner Carmine Mbidzo chested the ball down and fired low, beneath the despairing challenge of Kieran Drakes and out of reach of the diving keeper. It capped an excellent personal tournament for the experienced Iskara Daii forward. Even the most biased of Hypocrian fans couldn’t deny that Vilita had deserved the win. Before the goal Kindelan had been at his brilliant best to deny Mbidzo, Tzikas and a long range thunderbolt from Rumaoa in the first half. Only a narrow offside decision stopped Massa from getting his name on the scoresheet in the second half while Mbidzo remained a constant threat. While Kindelan was doing his best to keep the Jungle Cats out the Hyppos had chances of their own. In the first half a Burdali shot from the edge of the box and a Dospel header were both well saved by the excellent Oaker. In the second half Baxter shaved the post with a freekick and when Shirko pulled a good chance wide the writing was on the wall. Hypocria 0 – 1 VilitaAcross the city at the Vimesbairn Cricket Ground Nedalia scored an extra time winner to down Lamoni in the third place playoff after the match had finished 1 – 1 after ninety minutes. It was the end of an excellent first AOCAF tournament for Hypocria, a tournament that proved that we do produce some pretty decent footballers. Unsurprisingly it was goalkeeper Ricardo Kindelan who took most of the plaudits, in an interactive poll to find Hypocria’s player of the tournament Kindelan won 91% of the vote. The keeper was not the only success story. In the centre Marcus Baxter looked as good as ever, Andrei Shirko took his international goal tally to 12 in 28 games and debutant Ashley Marshall was a revelation. Hopefully the team’s good form will continue when the qualifiers for World Cup 24 begin. This post has been edited by Hypocria on Jul 28 2005, 05:12 AM |
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