|
 |
|
|
|
The team sat around the room in shock. Their capitol had been bombed while they were in Vilita, and they knew of it only on news reports flashing across screens. Muffles remarks were made across the room.
Coach Maxelli stood up and walked to the middle of the room to address the team. "Another obstacle has been put before us men. We have to rid this of our minds and take the fight to the feild. I know you don't want to hear this, but atleast we won't have the government gunning for us anymore. Some of you might see that as a reason to slack off, but you have to realize how great of an opportunity you have hear. We can give something to our people now. We can give them hope." Not quite sure how to finish his speech, and feeling quite uncomfortable giving it, he decided to leave the players to themselves. Before he walked out and finished his night off at the bar he remarked, "Atleast kick Sarzonia's ass. I hate those bastards."
The team roared in laughter and for a moment forgot thier troubles. Cy Maxelli left the room while the team discussed the upcoming events. |
 |
 |
|
Xile |
|
Punch-Drunk Psychosis |
 |
|
|
|
Posts: 358 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
, |
 |
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
POSTERS TO MISS REST OF AOCAF
By Wayne Ottgunn-Irwin
NEWI Cefn Druids winger Bill Posters is out of the rest of the AOCAF Cup due to his ongoing trial for the murder of former Druids boss Tim Welsh. Posters, who was playing at the time of the shooting, seems an unlikely suspect for the crime, but the Cefn-Mawr police must have reason to believe it was Posters, otherwise they wouldn't have taken things this far.
Trevor Welsh, son of the late ex-manager and team mate of Posters, said, "I know I should be angry that Bill has been taken to court over such an issue, but it's all come as a bit of a surprise. Bill is one of my best friends in hte squad, and got on very well with my dad, I'd be very surprised if he did it, especially as he was on the pitch with me at the time, but it's down to the courts now. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Crystils prepare for Starblaydia
The Crystilakere National Team arrived in Crosaibi knowing that they must perform better than they did in their last match against Xile if they are to advance past Starblaydia into the Semi-Finals of AOCAF II. The Crystils sat pretty on the top of Group A after a Matchday 1 victory over Rivals Vilita. A draw with eliminated Krytenia on matchday 4 kept the Crystils from clinching the top spot in the group, and with the Jungle Cats sitting one point behind, the Crystils broke down in the 0-1 defeat to Xile. If it were not for Emmilliano Addis' penalty save in the 78th minute of the Xile match, The Crystils may have been as low as third in the table, edging out their South-Western Counterparts only by goal differential.
Starblaydia is relatively new to the Footballing world, but the Crystils will not be taking them for granted. Natives of two World-Cup Qualifying efforts, Starblaydia is competing in it's first AOCAF tournament. The 2-2 draw on the last matchday with Turori was enough to secure Starblaydia's 3rd place in Group B. If the four top seeds all win their matches, than the Crystils would once again meet Rivals Vilita in the semi-finals. However, If either NEWI-Cefn Druids or Vilita is upset in the Quarter Finals, than a Crystils Victory would likely see them up against the Winner of the Xile v. Sarzonia matchup.
This post has been edited by Crystilakere on Aug 16 2004, 02:12 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Starblaydia shot down by Crystils
Ol-wairain gets fourth in six games but to no avail
As Ahmed Ol-wairain dispatched a second-half penalty, Starblaydia were left with a mere consolation goal and stared defeat in the face in the AOCAF Quarter Finals. Starblaydia were left rueing the oppurtunity to have brought a ful-strength squad to this tournament, but glad of the experience for the not-so-big names of the squad, which can only strengthen the national game. The 'discoveries' and 'revelations' of Ahmed Ol-wairain, Ceri Salisbury, Rene Griffiths and even young Simon Hill will all add to the strength of future Starblaydia squads.
Crystilakere now go on to face hosts Vilita in the Semis, while Xile play NEWI Cefn Druids.
This reporter, however, is off to bed, but there's always the next tournament! And other beds! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Lamoni looses in playoffs to Vilita
Vilita (Nephi Times) -- With today's 0-3 loss to Vilita, Lamoni has been knocked out of AOCAF. Posting a record of 1-2-3, Lamoni is believed to have done well for a first time team. Coach Matthews has promised that the next Lamoni team will perform even better, as the measure of many of the region's teams has now been taken, and the Lamoni national team now has international experience. The Hawks will return to Lamoni in 2 days.
Lamoni - 0
Vilita - 3 |
|
|
 |
|
Lamoni |
|
Democratic Maniac |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 1952 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
'Grudge match' goes to Stars
The Sarzonian national team and Xile's national side played 88 minutes of nip and tuck football, and neither team could gain much of an advantage for long. However, midfielder Darwin Russell converted a penalty kick when forward Brian Wilson was fouled in the area and the Stars held on for a 2-1 win.
"Normally, Willsie takes that penalty but he was the one fouled this time," Coach Bryan Marshall said. "It was a brutal foul, like most of the fouls during this match, but Darwin did well to convert."
Each of the three goals came from the penalty spot as the teams combined for 43 fouls, 21 of them by the Stars. The countries' dislike for each other was well-documented before the match and was demonstrated during the match.
"We're always glad to win any match," Russell said. "But we're especially glad to beat those guys. We hate them and it showed out there."
"It was a grudge match, plain and simple," Wilson said. "They've said some nasty things about Sarzonia in the past and it was time to pay them back."
Anyone who doubted the hostility between the two countries before the match saw ample evidence when the team captains refused to shake hands before kickoff, choosing instead to stare each other down. The Stars drew a national record five yellow cards during the match, and after the match, Xile refused to congratulate the Stars.
"We're not surprised," midfielder and team captain Bobby Convey said, but added: "I don't think we would have congratulated them if they had won."
The Stars face the NEWI Cefn Druids in a rematch of the tournament opener for the Stars. The Druids beat the Stars 2-0 as Sarzonia's strategy to yell "Trevor" at random moments backfired due to a lineup change.
"We'll see who they start," Marshall said. "If they start a lineup of mostly players named Trevor, we won't rule out any options. But we need to be able to base our strategy on something other than a gimmick. I'm going to have the coaches holed up with Darwin to find out their tendencies and use his knowledge of the Druid players to our advantage." |
|
|
 |
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
| QUOTE (Sarzonia @ Aug 17 2004, 01:01 AM) | | QUOTE (Starblaydia @ Aug 16 2004, 05:25 PM) | | while Xile play NEWI Cefn Druids. |
*AHEM*
|
Well it just goes to show you can't trust Starblaydi Information Broadcasts  Oops  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
NEWI IN SEMIS AGAIN
Wayne Ottgunn-Irwin on NEWI Cefn Druids 2 Turori 1
An under strength Druidish team beat Turori to reach the AOCAF semi finals for the second time in a row. However, for the first time in the tournament, the side was not one of Simon Greaves' comical plots to confue the opposition, but as a result of the ongoing trial of Druids winger Bill Posters. For this match, the Druids were forced into fielding their second choice eleven, with only two substitutes on the bench.
Luckiny, the makeshift Druids had enough to overcome Turori. Goals from youngsters Trevor Law and Trevor McDonald saw off a plucky Turori side, as they just didn't have the quality that the Druids players had, even the second team. However, most of the first team (apart from Bill Posters) will be back in time for their match against Sarzonia in the semi-finals.
Final score:
NEWI Cefn Druids 2 [Law 11, T. McDonald 76]
Turori 0
NATIONAL IDENTITY CONFIRMED
By Ian Question Mark.
After years of not having a proper word to call someone from NEWI Cefn Druids (other than Trevor), the government of NEWI Cefn Druids have made it official that those from NEWI Cefn Druids, and, indeed, Flexsys Cefn Druids, shall be officially Druidish.
"Being just a Druid was kinda... well... boring. It made us less nation-like ithout an ending. Now we hope to clear up any confusion, we are not Druidian or Druidi or just plain old Druid. Druidish it is. Unless anyone says anything else." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars set for rematch against Druids
Fresh off their revenge match against Xile, the Sarzonian national team began preparations for a rematch against Group B champions NEWI Cefn Druids, who beat the Stars 2-0 in the opener of the AOCAF II tournament.
The Stars tried to confuse the Druids by yelling "Trevor" at key moments in the match, but it backfired when coach Simon Greaves started only one player with the first name Trevor. This time, the Stars will look to more conventional ways to beat their Druidish opponents.
"We believe we learned a couple of things from our 2-0 loss to them," Coach Bryan Marshall said. "Plus, Darwin [Russell, a midfielder who plays in the Druidish top league] has been feeding us information about their players, some of whom he plays with or against in their league. That can only help us."
"I've been reminding the lads about tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of all the Druid players," Russell said. "Since they played a second team, I've given them as much as I could about every player they could conceivably play. We have to be ready for anything, including a start from Bill Posters."
Posters is currently standing trial for the murder of former Druidish great Tim Welsh. However, the Stars have decided not to leave any stone unturned in their preparation.
"We're going to do everything we can to be ready for this match," forward Brian Wilson said. "We weren't ready the last time. We're not going to make that same mistake again."
The Stars hardly need any extra motivation to play their match besides their 2-0 "embarrassment," as midfielder and team captain Bobby Convey called it. But they decided to use pregame comments from Druid analysts as additional fuel.
"They disrespected us and said we'd be fodder for them," defender Mike Coyle said. "Even though they were referring to the first match, that kind of comment never completely goes away. We'll be ready to play them this time."
This post has been edited by Sarzonia on Aug 17 2004, 09:29 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Rejuvinated Linuao Leads Regional Cats
The Shultis, Lonngeylin, Vilita - -37 Year Old Goalkeeper Jutaoi Linuao was rewarded for years of service the the Vilitan National Team with a starting role against Lamoni in the AOCAF Quarter Finals. The 37 year old had never before been selected for a Non-Masters Vilitan Side. Interim coach Baron O'Toole indicated that with Rory Issah concentrating on the Masters, Massimo Corsi on the World Cup and Jimmy Kater on the Under-21's, Bryan 'Pop' Duiker's thigh injury was enough to keep him out, O'Toole more than happy to hand the role to his good friend Linuao. Linuao repayed his country by shutting out the newly elected Delegate Nation throughout the 90 minutes and sending his team through to the AOCAF Semi Finals against Rivals Crystilakere.
----------------The First 45 minutes were pretty even in front of 65,000 at The Shultis, with both teams getting 3 shots on target. It looked to end scoreless before Hluali Mijatos shone through for his second career regional goal just as the half time whistle went. Coach O'Toole inserted himself at the start of the second half, being joined by the experienced Jim Vella, with Umberto Melli and Goalscorer Mijatos stepping off the field. It took the Regional Cats just 3 minutes in to double their advantage, Vella sending Carmine Mbidzo one on one with the keeper, and the Cednia Beach Striker made no mistake with his second goal of the competition. The introduction of free kick specialist Nigel Chapman on 65 minutes gave instant rewards, with the 31 year old Yeaddin Owls Midfielder sending a 30 yard free kick into the area, where Mbidzo rose well to beat the keeper and head home the third and decisive Vilitan Goal.
Vilita Jungle Cats (3-5-2) ::
[GK] Jutaoi Linuao, [D] Esemar Aliana, [D] Sibusiso Azaïez, [D] Ricky Ezis, [DM] Nicoló Alicicco, [M] Umberto Melli, [M] Marasent Sioane, [M] Tanner Nerni, [M] Teariki Mané, [F] Hluali Mijatos, [F] Carmine Mbidzo
BENCH::
[F] Jim Vella, [F] Mauro Baraza, [M] Baron O'Toole, [M] Nigel Chapman, [U] Alexander Östling, [D] Jaloey Afrikka, [GK] Jimmy Kater |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars returned to consolation match, 1-0
The Sarzonian national team swore it would be ready to play the NEWI Cefn Druids. They said they would not be flat-footed against the team that was the best in the group and was defending their AOCAF tournament title. They were right, but the Druids were a little bit better, getting a goal against the run of play from Trevor Law in the 87th minute to send the Druids through to the finals.
"That was heartbreaking," Coach Bryan Marshall said. "We played a great game of football. More importantly, we played Sarzonian football, but give that Druidish team credit. They are deserving of their AOCAF success."
The Stars applied constant pressure almost from the opening kickoff and were unlucky several times. Their best chance in the first half came off the boot of reserve forward Barry Alphonso, who came in when forward Brian Wilson took a shot off his right shin and hobbled off the pitch in the 33rd minute. Alphonso's right-booted drive just hit off the crossbar and was cleared out of danger after a brief scramble.
The Stars continued to apply pressure as the team shifted to a 3-5-2 formation with midfielder Antonio Bresco coming in for defender Bryson Juergens. The change in formation led to chances by Trevor McDonald in the 63rd minute that goalkeeper Kerry Tanner was able to clear toward the defense.
Law stole the ball from midfielder Jeff Conley and split a surprised Stars defense to drill a shot past a diving Tanner into the top left corner of the net. Marshall then substituted Tanner for goalkeeper Troy Perkins and sent him forward in a desperate attempt to score the equalizer, but the final whistle sounded just as Perkins fired a shot that hit the woodwork. Marshall said Perkins would start in the third place game against Vilita.
"I'd like to have that goal back," Tanner said. "Other than that, we played a great match but it wasn't to be. We're going to have to focus on Vilita and beat them for third place."
"I feel bad for Kerry, but I'm glad to get another chance to get into the starting 11," Perkins said.
"I'd like to stay in there, but it's the coach's decision and I respect it," Tanner said. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
The Daily Druid
STARSTRUCK
Wayne Ottgunn-Irwin on NEWI Cefn Druids 1 Sarzonia 0
The Druids are getting good at this. Playing out 85 plus minutes of games, then scoring late goals against opponents that consider themselves unlucky. The most famous time they did it, of course, was in the final of this competition last time, when Liam Gessemschmitthaagen-Po sealed victory with just seconds to spare. It was similar again here tonight, this time bright young thing Trevor Law breaking away with just a few minutes left to stun the Stars
Afterwards, joint-manager Trevor Kallins said, "We had a full strength team out there today, and we were second best for the most part. But we're through, and we wish the Stars all the best with their third placed match and Cup of Harmony campaign. They've come on a lot in the last four years, and if there's a side I'd be least happy to get one over, it would be them."
Final score:
NEWI Cefn Druids 1 [Law 87]
Sarzonia 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Crystils Prepare for AOCAF Final
The Crystilakere National team has put it's Cup of Harmony and Under 21 Championship Campaigns in the back seat after unexpectedly overcoming Regional Giants Vilita for the second time in the competition, and the second time ever. This time the Crystils needed Penalty Kicks to overcome their arch rivals. The match would go down as the most exciting ever in the history of the two teams.
Vilita took an early lead when Jim Vella scored after a defensive error by the usually stout Filippo Ferraro. Ferraro made amends for his mistake when he scored off a Darren Whelen corner kick 15 minutes later. The score would be 1-1 going into half time.
The Crystils started out strong in the second half, and soon starlet Toader Pold would put Crystilakere in front with a great goal which left the underperforming Jungle Cats in shock. Vilita had no choice but to make a substitution, sending in veteran star player Jonathon Stott for one of the more inexperienced players. The Crystils were unable to contain Stott, and with 10 minutes to play, they finally gave in. Stotts cross into the area was met by Serge DuPont who returned the scores to 2-2 where they would end after 90 minutes.
The Crystils again took the lead just moments into the second period of added time, after a goalless first 15 minutes. Carlo Romano was the hero of the moment for the Crystils giving them the lead with just over 10 minutes left in added time. Vilita would strike back with Strike FC forward Serge DuPont again evening the scores at 3-3. This goal would set up a tense Penalty Kick shootout, the first ever between the two rival Nations.
Danilo Liguori of Vilita would be the first to take the Penalty kick. Liguori's kick was tipped onto the bar by Emmiliano Addis, who pointed to the sky after denying the first Vilitan attempt. Filippo Ferraro then stepped up and converted easily sending the Vilitan keeper the wrong way. Calaesa Mitaroka, Marasent Sioane and Jonathon Stott all successfully converted for Vilita, while Carlo Romano, Giuseppe Zucco and Darren Whelan all converted for Crystilakere, putting the score at 4-3 in favor of the Crystils.
Jan Christiansen stepped up for Vilita, knowin that he would have to convert his penalty and hope that Donato Arrigoni missed for the Crystils in order to keep the Jungle Kitties in the match. Christiansen shot was parried, bobbled then clutched in by Crystili hero Addis who pumped his fists in the air as the Crystilakere support stormed the field.
Crystilakere 3-3 Vilita (AET)*
*Crystilakere Win 4-3 on Penalties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
|
Stars prepare for 'Cats, 3rd place match
The Sarzonian national team would prefer not to be here. They were tantalizingly close to overtime against a NEWI Cefn Druids side that is the defending AOCAF tournament champions, but a Trevor Law goal has the team preparing for another third place match, against the Vilita Jungle Cats.
"We're going to fight it out," Coach Bryan Marshall said. "Vilita's a tough side as they've proven all along in international play. They're leading their World Cup group and they have a strong chance to go through to the next round, and they're the 15th ranked team in the world, so this will be no pushover."
The Stars last match against the Jungle Cats ended in golden goal overtime with Vilita scoring just minutes before penalty kicks. However, many observers point to that loss as the match that propelled the Stars from being a "ragtag bunch of weekend footballers," to a legitimate national team.
"That comment in the newpapers made us angry," forward Brian Wilson said. "We blew it up and we plastered it all over the locker room walls."
"The team was organized at the last moment," the columnist who wrote those words said in a recent interview. "The league was barely off the ground and we were suddenly trying to create a national team from scratch.
"The team has been an incredible success, there's no doubt about it," he continued. "They have beaten some outstanding sides and they made their presence felt in every tournament they've played in. They're definitely not a ragtag bunch of weekend footballers now," he said with a grin. "I'll gladly eat those words."
The Stars were holed up in their training facility watching tapes of recent Vilita matches trying to gain an edge on their competition.
"We're going to be playing in front of a hostile crowd, no doubt about it," said midfielder Darwin Russell. "We're probably the only other national side who's familiar with Vilita. If we were playing any other team, we might have home field."
The Stars announced after the loss to the Druids that goalkeeper Troy Perkins would regain his starting assignment for the team and Kerry Tanner would return to the bench.
"Nothing against Kerry, he did a great job for us, but Troy's the future of this team," defender Mike Coyle said. "He had one bad match the entire time he's played for the national side and he got benched? I didn't agree with the move, but that's the coach's decision."
"I'd feel a lot more comfortable turning to Kerry now that he has some national team playing experience," assistant coach Barry Owens said. "Before this tournament, if Troy had gotten hurt, we'd be panicking. Now we know we have two world class goalkeepers. The future of Sarzonian football is bright."
Sarzonian fans and team officials hope the future begins Friday. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarzonia |
|
It's all about the Navy. |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts: 577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
, |
|
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: 0.0175 ] [ 13 queries used ] [ GZIP Enabled ]
|
Close Topic Options
