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CHACORMAKER
Krytenia 1
Chacor 1
THE picturesque Akani Sands was the backdrop to an interesting encounter, as Ari Smith's Jacks ground out a one-all draw with the Chacorians. Both sides fought well, and perhaps the inexperience of Krytenia's young squad showed, but the game was a rip-roarer nonetheless.
It was Chacor who took the lead, with Skows putting the side in front twelve minutes in after a defensive error from young Levell Sanders. The Krytenians continued to attack, however Lausano's blank form from the "A" squad in WCXXIV continued here as he missed a trio of excellent chances.
It took a dead ball to level the match, and it was Stanton and "B" captain Xander Mehrtens who managed it, curling the ball in from a 25-yard free kick.
Honours even, but still all to play for as the Jacks take on Pastorville back here at Shubunkin Park. See you there! |
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Krytenia |
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Now With Added Bekk! |
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Posts: 661 |
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SAINTS SUFFER THROUGH OPENER
The Pastorville Saints must have done something that made God angry because they were severely punished by Vilita 0-5 in their AOCAF debut. The Saints were not expected to take any points from Vilita, but they were supposed to manage to keep the match closer than they did. It is widely believed that the aggressiveness of the Saints defenders led to the ridiculously high goal total for Vilita in the match. The Saints can't possibly do worse in their next match...can they? |
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Sea Dragons Come UP Short!
Good and bad news made its way to the fans of ASMV today. Bad News - The AOCAF squad followed the pattern set by the WC25 squad with a 1 point loss. Good News - This match was against Starblaydia, so the score could have been much more one sided. More Good News - The squad is just 1 point out of second place in Group 2, as both other matches ended in draws.
The two goals for ASMV were Carrie Sessom (17th minute) and Jan Slavik (83rd minute). The best news for the squad was that the new "Tidal Surge" style was effective.
"I am very pleased with the result today" said Commandante Presidente Viastormin Vega, who made the trip to Bettia. "Now that we have established that we can be competitive here, I look for great things from this team."
Next up - Sarzonia. The squad hopes to at least come away with 1 point, but that alone is an enormous task.
Group Two
Starblaydia 3-2 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Sarzonia 1-1 Nojika
Lamoni 1-1 The Lowland Clans
| CODE |
Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Starblaydia 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
2 Sarzonia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
3 Lamoni 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
4 The Lowland Clans 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
5 Nojika 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
6 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0 |
Code box fixed - Star
This post has been edited by Starblaydia on Nov 28 2005, 08:04 PM
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Age Proves Unreliable Against Dragons
At least we're not as decrepid as Bedistan
Discounting the young and volatile Right-Back Francisco Ibanez, as well as Centre-Back Heider Stefansson, the average age of this Starblaydi starting eleven is a gnat's whisker away from being thirty years old.
Now, thirty year-old legs and lungs tend not to work as well as those of the youth. So, when Starblaydia found themselves gaining or losing the ball against Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, they were quickly overwhelmed by the Sea Dragons in 'transistion'. Many times did we see Ernesto Fortuna or Juan Aguilera having to hot-foot it around the middle of the park, chasing after or escaping from Sea Dragon players.
"I'm bloody knackered," said Joe Kippenberger after the match, "I know football's meant to be partly about athleticism but that's just taking it too far. I nearly had a stitch in that match."
Thankfully, though, the Starblaydi bench did have some players with speed and stamina on their side, and once Georges Blanc (20), Oswald Perheira (23) and Rabindrah Singh (22) had come on in place of Fortuna (30), Justin Hawke (31) and Aguilera (32) respectively, Starblaydia were back in the swing of things.
A politically-testing match against the Hawks of Lamoni comes next, though where else in the world would you see Lamonians and Starblaydis competing on a level playing field but in football? As today's 3-2 and other slightly-shocking results show, almost anything can happen in the AOCAF. Even a 5th Starblaydi Championship.
Starblaydia 3 - 2 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
(Diaz-Arca 25, Macia 31, Singh 68) - (Sessom 17, Slavik 83) |
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Four way tie?
So far, competition in AOCAF Group two has gone to the birds with Lamoni, Sarzonia, Nojika, and The Lowland Clans all involved in a four way tie for second place, with one point each. Not only that, but all four teams scored only one goal in their first AOCAF XI match. Notwithstanding, the Lamonian goal came from Forward James Rusby with a bicycle style kick in the 40th minute.
One lucky Lamonian sports photographer just happened to be at the match with his camera, and caught the skillful shot. It'll probably make a nice shot for a Lamonian footballing recruiting poster. Unfortunately, no one has so far managed to obtain the name of said photographer.
The Hawks will be facing off against Starblaydia next, and will be hoping for a victory against them, as always. The Starblaydia 'news' outlets seem to think that this match will be filled with political tension on both sides. Well, they are only half right. While the Starblaydis might exhibit 'political tension,' the Hawks will just be out there playing their best against the Starblaydis; just as they would for any other match that they might play.
Lamoni - 1 James Rusby (40)
TLC - 1 (25) |
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Lamoni |
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Democratic Maniac |
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Posts: 1952 |
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Alexandria Times-Post-Gazette-Chronicle-Journal-Enquirer
Sports Section
Milchama get crushed in their first game
The Milchama Warriors got off to a horrible start in their AOCAF campaign today as they lost to the Nedalia Lions 3-0. Coach Jonathan Fairbanks said, "Well that was a bad start. I was hoping to get at least a goal against these guys. We are not expecting to do well this tournament but I was at least expecting to get a goal against these Nedalians." Also with us caring about CoH more than AOCAF Milchama now throws their B squad into the tournament:
Roster
Our standard 3-3-4 formation.
Gk Clay Finton
D Kent Littner
D Kyoga Marcazumi
D Mills Thompson
M Chuck Farenstein
M Antoine Sanchez
M Marin Keffer
F Aaron Kary
F Zar Johnson
F Floren Albentine
F Daveed Lintooney
Subs:
All Kevin Grensboro (again)
Gk Kyle Blard
F Bat Nackson
F Cap Anton
D Casey Stockholm
As for the match you can look at the Nedalian press they got it covered. |
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GRAHM CITY SUN - Sports Section
Clans Drawn in Tough Group, Morale Low
The Lowland Clans Stars were drawn in a horrible group today, consisting of some of the finest teams currently in the AO region and two of the new wave of talent, Nojika and ASMV. It is widely predicted that the Stars will finish in 5th or 6th place, not helping the beginning of new player-manager Westley Stjepan's reign. "It's getting bloody ridiculous the draws we're getting. I mean, it's bad enough for the World Cup Qualifiers that we got drawn with Rejistania, the Archregimancy, Svecia, Sqournshelous, and Brazillico, but look at this! It's a wonder the players even come to practice sunday morning."
The Sarzonian national team, ranked number one in the world, is largely expected to take the group by storm, with the dark horse challenge of the 'Blades. Led by captain Ettore Salivani, the other Star's defence is expected to be rock solid, and should be a fine example for all to follow in the years to come
The Starblaydian national is looking to repeat this year, and could very well do it. They'll probably finish second behind Sarzonia, simply because of the momentum the other Stars have from the World Cup and there number 1 world ranking.
Lamoni, along with ourselves, will be the perenial underachievers for this group, solely from the reason that Nojika is going to come out of the gate like no other. It's not that this team, led by the likes of John Towers and Marvin Boyd, is not good, far from it, it's just that Nojika will be better
Ah, us, the Allied States of the Lowland Clans. Probably the team around the longest without actually winning bloody anything, this AOCAF cup will be no different. Don't even expect us to qualify.
This brings us the Nojikans, the upstarts of this AOCAF cup. Seriously, these guys have some serious talent and momentum goin for them. With many of the international press picking these guys to qualify over us and Lamoni, expect them to do it. They have the skill set, the coaching, everything to make their international break, right here.
And finally, the other guys, ASMV. These guys will also be poised to make a dark horse run at the qualifying spot. While it could take them a couple of cups to get up to snuff simply for experience sake, these guys have the heart after coming off a dreadful World Cup performance.
Predicted Group Finish Order
1. Sarzonia
2. Starblaydia
3. Nojika
4. Lamoni
5. Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
6. The Lowland Clans
---------------------------------------------------
The Allied States Get Off to Expected Start
BETTIA - The Stars quite simply got what they expected. This makes the exquisitely painful loss to Nojika today simply more painful, considering our squads rather long history on the international football scene. While yesterday, player-manager and captain Westley Stjepan felt fairly confident after a 1-1 draw with Lamoni, the play of the Stars today was cause for serious concern. "You know," commented Rich Blythe after the loss today, "I think that whoever is on this team, who ever manages this team, it all matters for -explicitive removed-. This team is bloody cursed."
The fans of the Allied States are sure feeling that curse today.
THE LOWLAND CLANS - 0
NOJIKA - 2
Follett 2 (23rd, 56th)
THE LOWLAND CLANS - 1
Park (35th)
LAMONI - 1
Rusby (40th) |
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Stars stuff Dragons 2-1
Ceffinton, Bettia (ASP) -- Predictions from media outlets in The Lowland Clans notwithstanding, the Sarzonian second choice footballers to a man are predicting that the 11th running of a AOCAF tournament that has not been kind to the Stars will be a struggle. After the team's 1-1 draw against Nojika, the team's worst fears were realised.
The Stars can breathe somewhat easier. They got goals from Brian Williams, who has just agreed to terms with a team in the Hyper League, and midfielder Roger Alvarez and watched goalkeeper Marty Tolliver make six saves and Sarzonia escaped Andossa Se Mitrin Vega with a 2-1 win that kept the Stars on pace to advance past the group stage.
"That was a tough match," Coach Brett Hancock said. "I don't envy Andossa Se Mitrin Vega at all having to play the two highest-rated sides in their first two matches. They played a very tough match of football against us."
The Stars (1-1-0, four points) are behind Nojika on goal differential for second place and are two points behind Starblaydia for first in the group heading into a match that marketing groups throughout Sarzonia are already billing as "The Battle of the Stars," as Sarzonia's team prepare to face The Lowland Clans in their third straight match at Heol Angharyd in Ceffinton. The only match Sarzonia will not be playing in these grounds will be their highly-anticipated match against Starblaydia, which some media are already looking ahead to.
Hancock dismissed talk of the Starblaydi team, telling reporters he wanted to concentrate on questions related to The Lowland Clans.
"We're not giving the Starblaydis any more attention than they deserve," Hancock said. "They put their pants on one leg at a time the same way we do. Even their Dwarves." While the Stars may be reluctant to discuss Starblaydia early on, they're certainly more eager to discuss Hypocria. After the Hyppos' 2-0 win over Hockey Canada, the Stars were hoping that the team whose senior side is coached by Sarzonia's former field boss Dave Wilson would be able to pull out another win and "bury [Vilita]," according to defender Ettore Salivani.
Unfortunately for Sarzonian players who looked barely distinguishable from fans of the Hyppos after they dressed and watched the match in the television in the locker room, the Hyppos couldn't get one behind the Jungle Cats goal and establish themselves as the early class of Group 3, but the Stars aren't worried.
"Dave Wilson's going to take that team far if their management will let him," Hancock said. "I have no doubt in my mind he'll lead them to glory." |
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Sarzonia |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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Turori Cheats the Falcons
The headlines were relentless today, after the barrage of shame brought previously upon Falcon frontman Silas Miller. Miller was placed on the bench of the latest loss, a controversial decision from Jake Papas, as many fans are calling for him to be dropped from the squad completely. In a change to the legendary 5-4-1 formation, Papas played a 5-3-2, dropping Tamplin from midfield and bringing on reserve strikers Gavin Pool and Tom Black.
Things were looking good for the new setup. We started the match well, with Guy and Pattison weaving their magic and flummoxing the opposing defence, subtly playing the ball to Black who volleyed it at the goal. It was an easy save for the keeper, but it rattled the opposition, as it occured only 15 seconds into the match.
The team were evidently locking solid in their role, although conceding a goal shortly after. The pivotal moment came around half-time, when a firecracker thrown from the crowd distracted the referee and the linesman whilst a desperate Turori midfielder fly-kicked James Guy in the head. This brought no cards, not even a free kick. The entire Falcanian population went beserk, including Guy's friend and fellow midfielder Joe Pattison, who promptly headbutted the offending midfielder. Guy was stretchered off, Joe Pattison sent off, although both did so with a hail of cheers from their fans. Faced with a tricky situation at half time, Papas used all three substitutions, changing the formation to 5-3-1. Injured Guy was substited for Rowan Clapp, Black was substituted for Max Suttcliffe, who fell back into midfield, and Poole was replaced with the legendary Miller, who promptly scored a cracking shot against a confuzzled Turori keeper.
Having equalised, the Falcons played an excellent game, but a header in the last minutes sealed an enraged Falcania's fate, as the Turori team returned to their hotels in an armoured bus.
"It was horrific." Said long-time Falcons fan Ollie Rae. "I don't think Turori will get away with that sort of tactic again. If they do, they'll get creamed."
Preliminary reports suggest that James Guy has severe cranial contusions, while Joe Pattison has been suspended for the next game. Papas has reported he will be playing Clapp and Suttcliffe in their places, but will it be a combination to break the defeats?
Final Scores:
Falcania 1 (Miller 47:04)
Turori 2 (Johnson 12:37; Burke 87:29)
Bookings:
Pattison (F) |
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Falcania |
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Winging It Since 2004 |
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Posts: 776 |
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AOCAF XI
Toothless Jungle Cats
Hypocria 0 - 0 Vilita
The Hyppos started the day joint top of Group 3 alongside Vilita and rather fortuitously ended the day joint top alongside Vilita too.
It was the third meeting between the sides in three AOCAF tournaments and the general consensus around the training camp was that this game would end in much the same way as the previous two, in defeat. But it would prove to be third time lucky. Well not quite, it was only a draw, but against the second best side in the competition I think we’ll take that.
In fairness there was only really one side in the match as the Jungles Cats out shot the Hyppos by fifteen efforts to six. Keeper Ricardo Kindelan rolled back the years with a string of fine saves, earning comparisons with the form that helped Hypocria to the final eight years ago. The Hyppos two best chances came in the same second half minute. Shirko’s low drive was turned around the post and from the resulting corner Kreska headed narrowly wide. Of course Hypocria’s goal scoring efforts weren’t helped by the total lack of any animal life in the Stamping Ground in Lorshill. Without a passing pigeon or perhaps even an unsuspecting mole to cause a repeat of the “avian assist” incident in a recent Champions League tie in Yeaddin and deflect some of those wayward shots towards the Vilita goal the deadlock was never going to be broken.
Picking up a point against Vilita surprised many Hypocrian fans, one of a number of surprises in Group 3. Hockey Canada would have been hopeful of their first points of the campaign against Chacor but the Chacorians clearly hadn’t read the right script, beating the Canucks 2 - 1. And it was by the same 2 - 1 score line that tournament new boys Pastorville toppled Krytenia in the other group game.
The results leave a three way tie at the top of Group 3 with Vilita, Hypocria and Chacor all on 4 points. After their win Pastorville are only a point further back while Krytenia have just a single point to their name in fifth. Hockey Canada prop up the rest after two straight defeats.
The top four teams in the group face each other on matchday 3. Hypocria stay in Lorshill to face Pastorville while across the city Vilita take on Chacor. After this next round of matches the question of which teams will qualify may come just that little bit clearer.
Matchday 2 Roundup
Group 1
Bettia are riding high in Group 1 after a second successive win, this time 1 - 0 over Oliverry., kept the Aroras in pole position. Their nearest challenges Druida were held 1 - 1 by Bedistan while Turori registered their first points after a 2 - 1 win over struggling Falcania.
Group 2
No question who came away with the bragging rights after rivals Starblaydia and Lamoni went head to head. The Purple Peril stay top of Group 2 after a comfortable 3 - 0 victory over the Hawks. Nojika are 2 points behind after a 2 - 0 win against the Lowland Clans and despite another spirited display Andossa Se Mitrin Vega are still looking for their first AOCAF points, Sarzonia edging past the Sea Dragons by a 2 - 1 score line.
Group 4
Crystilakere played their first game of the tournament and the rest on matchday 1 clearly did the Crystils no harm as they beat Fmjphoenix 1 - 0. Meanwhile the goalless draw between Milchama and Spruitland did neither nation any real favours. Despite sitting out matchday 2 Nedalia remain top of the group. |
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Gamman put the newspaper down, and took another sip from his freshly made, imported-directly-from-Southern-Nedalia-on-a-Nedalian-plane-in-a-box-which-had-the-Nedalian-flag coffee. He looked up just as one of his assistants was coming into the room.
"Ah, Harry, how goes ye? Our boys did well against Milchama back home. 3-0, it says here," commented Gamman.
"Yeh, I read about it on that internet. Didnt play last night, though," replied Harry.
"Still topping the table. Bettia doing alright themselves. 2 games, 2 wins. They rocked Bedistan."
"Aye, I actually caught that on the telly. Anyway, the lads reckon-"
"Dam Starblaydia got one over the Lamonians again. I was hoping the Hawks would teach them a thing or two."
"Yes, sir, but the boys are waitin-"
"And Sarzonia drew? Thats a shock. Who's coaching our boys again?"
"Um, I think its the Rappor FC manager."
"Whatever, he better not be aiming for my job." |
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Nedalia |
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Emperor in Training |
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What Eats Hawks? Starblaydis!
Lowland Clands in Ranking Gaffe
It would seem that pictures of the four AOCAF Trophy-lifting captains are better for creating enthuasiasm around football than a simple photo of a guy scoring with an overhead kick. The result of Lamoni Vs Starblaydia on Matchday Two would tend to confirm this, as a brace from Augusto Diaz, sandwiched a strike from Christian Macia.
"Whether its white hawks, silver stars, navy stars or even silly blue Dragons on someone's shirt, we just take each game as it comes." Said Starblaydi Captain Kippenberger, though when asked about Clannish predicitions that the 'Best-team-in-the-world would top the Group, he had other things to say. "I'll freely admit that when Sarzonia put out their number-one team, they are able to beat any football team in the world, if I didn't recognise that then I'm either blind or deluded. The thing is, this is the AOCAF, not the world. The B-Teams get sent here, as is only right, and when the B-Teams play, Starblaydia tend to come out on top. Sarzonia may have the strength, but we certainly have the depth, moreso than any nation in the world, I believe."
But what of the Lamoni match itself? Were any of the so-called political tensions tangible to the players on the pitch?
"The fans were a little more... hostile than usual, but as for the match itwas like any other. I went to shake the hand of the Lamonian captain afterwards, so for the players on the pitch it was just another high-pressure game."
Lamoni 0 - 3 Starblaydia
(None) - (Diaz 12 + 62, Macia 39) |
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SAINTS SURPRISE KRYTENIA
The Pastorville Saints were blessed with a surprising 2-1 upset of Krytenia in their first ever AOCAF home match. Krytenia took an early lead before the Saints equalized in the 39th minute, when Reverend King took a pass from Reverend Douglas, and found the bottom left corner of the net to even the match. Most of the second half proved to be a defensive struggle, as neither team could mount a serious sustained threat. Then in the 88th minute, the Saints counter-attack struck again, as Reverend Carlson took a pass from Reverend Johnson and converted the resulting breakaway for the upset. The Saints now travel to Hypocria, where they likely will get blown out of the water again, but we hold out hope that they will fare better on the road this time than they did in the opener. |
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VICARIOUS VICARS
Krytenia 1
Pastorville 2
AKANI Sands is not a place that the Jacks appear to be enjoying. After the non-result against Chacor, fortune surely favoured Krytenia to defeat an inexperienced Pastorvile side. And, to be fair, the first act seemed to be going according to the script as Evan Baxter put the men in sky blue in front on twelve minutes, latching on sweetly to a pinpoint Sherington cross.
Pastorville, however, hadn't read the script in question and had decided on some dramatics on their own. First, they levelled the scores before half-time as King drilled home the equaliser from range, then stifled the second half into a scrappy stalemate. The curtain call, however, came two minutes from times as Carlson got the break and scored a shock winner.
The Jacks are now second from bottom, with a single point from arguably the two easiest games of the five. With Hockey Canada next (at Akani Sands again, oh dear) followed by Vilita in Lorshill and ANOTHER game at the Sands against Hypocria, Krytenia are, in short, completely screwed at this point. Wonder if we can get one of those Pastors to lift the curse on this ground? |
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Krytenia |
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Now With Added Bekk! |
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Posts: 661 |
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Hawks lose to Starblaydia
The Hawks got handed a disapointing 3-0 loss to Starblaydia today, placing them fifth in group two. Some losses are to be expected in a tough grouping like this, but we expect that the Hawks will bounce back to defeat Andossa Se Mitrin Vega in the next match. Although, everyone that I know will be looking forward to the Lamoni-Sarzonia match, which will help to determine how far the Hawks make it in this particular AOCAF. The expected win against ASMV will improve the strategic outlook for the Hawks, as well.
Lamoni - 0
Starblaydia - 3 (12, 39, 62) |
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Lamoni |
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Democratic Maniac |
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