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After four years of waiting, and a closely contested hosting bid election (again), the 18th Atlantian Oceania Championship of Association Football is upon us once more. This time, the United Isles came out on top in the hosting bid voting, bringing the region's premiere competition to Myrtannian shores at last. Now, old favorites and new challengers arise as the battle for the AOCAF Cup resumes once more. |
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The Bazacubs left Drago flying on a BazAir plane over to Halosen, Myrtannia for the 18th AOCAF tournament. Feeling abit of presure from the success of the adult soccer team by qualifying in the world cup, from the Dribbling Bazalopes success in the AORBC. However what was most on their mind was the dissappearance of the BFSA president James Gaines.
In a press conference the coach of the BazaCubs responded thusly to question about the Bazacubs performance.
"Yes, all of these things will be on the players mind, I can't really see how it won't be. t's just a matter of how the players funnel the energy from it. From my point of view I hope the team will play for Mr Gaines in the lines of thinking it will be a good present when he gets back. We have to think positive, if we do. We'll be a force to be reckoned with."
In the same press conference he was asked about the group and he replied with
"Lamoni, Nedalia, Manhatten Prime and Ereeland. This will be a tough tournament Lamoni and Nedalia are good and unless we are at the top of our game this matchup is going to be extremely hard. As for Manhatten Prime and Ereeland. Well It's going to be even harder for them against the top 2 teams. Though you can never afford the luxury of discounting your opponent, but if I'd have to guess I'd say Ereeland has the biggest job of all, if they can't get theirselve together then I'd have to predict an early exit for them." |
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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Nephi Times
Reporting from AOCAF XVIII host nation Myrtannia
Marvin Godlevsky
Pre-AOCAF XVIII group predictions
Before we begin with these early Pre-AOCAF group predictions, I must first mention that all research done for this article was done by unpaid interns who think that they are getting "Work experience" for this.
First, we start with Group A:
Bettia Ah yes... this is one of the three teams that the Hawks defeated in the knockouts of AOCAF XVII to win the cup. We predict that they will finish second in their group, behind the hosts.
Myrtannia Our good Myrtannian friends have been placed into a group where they will be likely to win. Provided that they manage to defeat the massively attacking Bettia squad, of course. The Myrtannia-Bettia match will likely be a highlight of AOCAF XVIII.
The Lowland Clans This is a team that has not been living up to it's AOCAF potential for some time now. On their best day, TLC is good enough to defeat anyone in this group, but we think that they will make third.
Quakmybush We think that QMB will give Delesa a good show, but ultimately finish dead last in group A.
Delesa Delesa will either contend with QMB for the dubious honor of not finishing bottom, or ending up in third place. It is all up to how well this side perfoms in AOCAF XVIII.
Now for group B:
Starblaydia The Purple Peril will only face a real challenge from allies Hypocria in this group. Expect the Blaydi's to finish atop this one.
Hypocria This team has a history of being a steamroller. We expect that trend to continue, but for the Hypocrians to end up in second place after a loss to Starblaydia.
Milchama Famed for having a horse as a player, this sqaud will likely finish either third or fourth in this group.
Demot This side will contend with Milchama for third place in the group, and has a good shot at making third.
95X Will this side's AOBC success translate into the AOCAF? Probably not. This team will need to pull a rabbit out of it's hat to avoid last place.
Here is our group C:
Lamoni We are now third place in the region. Expect us to top this group, with Nedalia and Bazalonia being the 'serious' opposition.
Nedalia Our Nedalian allies will give us a run for our money in this group, but we expect that they will fall short, and end up in second place.
Bazalonia Could place anywhere from third to last depending on how they play. Though, this side hasn't been doing so well in the last few AOCAF's.
Manhattan Prime This side will place either third or fourth in the group. It all depends on Bazalonia.
Ereeland The new democratic version of SUNA will have a bad time in this group. We actually feel sorry for them. Last place.
Finally, here is group D:
Vilita & Turori We beat them for the cup in AOCAF XVII. Expect them to place either first or second in this group. Their KPB ranking is just a little above ours.
Pacitalia They will give V&T a run for their money, and might even take first if V&T falters. We will be rooting for them.
Aurendia This side will likely end up third or fourth. It all depends on how they play.
Nojika This team is one surprise away from NOT finishing last.
Az-cz This side, Nojika, and Aurendia will all be attempting to NOT finish last. Any of the three could even ascend to third place. These three bear watching. |
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Krytenian Mix Up Mars Group Draw
Representative Kiaula Miabla is expected to be proposing a new legislation to the Atlantian Oceania Regional Council at their next meeting, requesting that a greater level of education be forced upon the people of Krytenia. This reform has spurred from the realization that, without the notice of much of the apathetic community, the Krytenian's were apparently unable to add 1's and 3's during their hosting of the previous AOCAF tournament. As a result, the final published group standings submitted to the AOCAF Ranking Committee in Alikki-Corra, Vilita had gifted Manhattan Prime 3 points for their performance in AOCAF XVII, despite only achieving a single draw, while The Lowland Clans was demoted to just a lone point, despite achieving a win and a draw in the competition.
Naturally assuming that Krytenian's could add 0+1 and 1+3 and achieve logical results, the AOCAF Ranking Committee published the new rankings late last night based off the data originally received from the Krytenians. However, it did not take long for the more educated nations of the region to pick up on the oddity, and the committee promptly published updated and accurate rankings this early this morning. However, the unfortunate circumstance has cost Az-Cz a position as a #4 seed in the cup, as due to the time difference, the group draw in Myrtannia just happened to take place in the period between rankings publishings. It is not known yet whether Az-Cz and Manhattan Prime will swap places in the draw, whether no changes will be made or whether a new draw will take place, but the AOCAF Ranking Committee suggested that the decision was entirely up to the tournament hosts.
Preliminary reports suggest that a bill requiring higher education standards in Krytenia would largely be supported by the Regional Council. |
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Az-cz Scroll
Az-cz City
Nw-Fys
Gnomes recieve unfair treatment in AOCAF draw
The Az-cz Football Federation just recieved confirmation that they in fact had been placed on a seed line that was out of place with their actual rankings due to an error in the information delivered to the people arranging the rankings. Because Manhattan Prime had been thought to have earned three points last cup, when in fact they only earned one their ranking was miscalculated and they earned the last four seed, a spot that should have belonged to Az-cz.
Az-cz Football Federation president Noz-Tf has declared that he finds the situation to be unfortunate and would like to see it rectified in some way, but understands that it might be to late to do so and won't lodge a formal protest if nothing occurs as the error seems to be accidental rather than malicious.
However the Pink & Green fans are not as forgiving. We spoke with one rabid Slimes fan, Jn-Dr, who felt it was a conspiracy. "This is clearly Myrtannia's way of getting revenge on us for having the nerve to bid against them. The Vilitans are claiming it was accidental but we think the Myrtannians tampered with the data. Look at the group we ended up in, with known powers like Aurendia and Nojika. Wait, those teams are actually not that renowned. But they definitely hosed us by putting us with Starblaydia. No wait, that was the other two cups. But the defending champs are here. Or not. So maybe the draw isn't too difficult, but it's still a conspiracy. Myrtannia just doesn't know what they're doing".
Accident? Conspiracy? Irrelevant? Only time will tell on those accounts. |
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Manhattan Herald – 9th January 2007
MFA pours oil on troubled waters
The Manhattan Football Association has stated today they are completely unwilling to benefit from recent mistakes made with the AOCAF rankings, which adversely affected seeding for the forthcoming AOCAF 18.
These mistakes in the point totals (erroneously claiming that Manhattan Prime won 3 instead of 1 point in AOCAF 17) resulting in Manhattan Prime being awarded the final 4th seed place above rightful claimants Az-cz
Sources inside the FA say that despite the team's poor showing the last AOCAF, Manhattan Prime would infinitely prefer to play a fair tournament and lose, then gain any advantage from cheating, however accidental.
The MFA have stated that in order to see justice done they are willing to support a re-draw, or the swapping of places with the nation of Az-cz, who suffered most from the decision.
It remains to be seen what action, if any, current hosts Myrtannia will take.
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We All Know The Target
Once more, for the sixth, dear friends
Yet again the AOCAF has come around for another competition and yet again Starblaydia send a squad of youth and experience to compete - this time in Myrtannia. Though the AOCAF roadshow nearly went to Myrtannia four years ago, they narrowly lost the bid to Krytenia. This time they've just shaded it ahead of an Az-Czzer bid and twenty teams will converge on Myrtannia to take part for the ultimate regional football glory.
Starblaydia, of course, have taken that glory more than any other nation, a record five times. They're still looking to extend that record, ever onwards and upwards, and are particularly anxious to win it back now that Lamoni somehow claimed the title in Krytenia. Antonis Kouvas, 46, has been given the chance to lead this team forward for their record-breaking title, and seems to be basing his title drive on youth over experience. Still, he's retained such names as Balin Grimzabar, Tabitha Di Bradini, Matteo Prizzoni and Charles Barron, who are all in their thirties - in Grimzabar's case, forties - to make sure that even the greenest youngsters like Crystallee Galindez and Parkin Riiklik have hands to guide them.
For her seventy caps, Tabitha Di Bradini has been named as the captain for this tournament. The grand-daughter of Starblaydi great Roberto Di Bradini, she is one of the better right-backs Starblaydia have produced in in the last seventy years, and she even has an AOCAF Winner's medal to her name, winning the 14th Cup as a fresh-faced eighteen year-old, a back-up for Francisco Ibanez, who managed just four appearances before the inevitable red card that allowed Tabitha to claim a place in the starting eleven. How apt that she is the Captain of this side, as Tabitha Di Bradini was the woman who won Starblaydia's fifth AOCAF title. In extra time of the final against Lamoni, who else, Tabitha scored the winning goal to make the score 2-1 and to give Starblaydia the best record in the region.
Starblaydia must once again take the Cup from Lamoni if they are to be taken seriously as consistent title-winners in this post-Golden Age in Starblaydi football. |
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Let the games begin
Miscue in point tallies by previous hosts mangle group draw and ranking processes
HALOSEN (PSN) -- The eighteenth incarnation of the Atlantian Oceanian Cup of Association Football has commenced, and the tournament itself has once again succeeded in its seemingly entrenched endeavours to start the cup off each time with a major controversy. This time, the Krytenians are involved, and this time, it's a point-fixing scandal that has the Vilitan-Turori football association and the country's government up in arms, alongside numerous other states' football teams who have aired similar complaints.
Kryt-ergate. The next scandal in regional football.
The Federazione di Futaboli Pacitaliana declined comment on the issue at hand, in which the Krytenian hosts from the previous cup reportedly did not give a sufficient amount of points for round-robin efforts to a handful of teams while overcompensating with three points to the Manhattan Prime squad, when that team had failed to secure victory in any of its matches, drawing only once. The missteps by the Krytenian hosts have put somewhat of a stain on what was a great AOCAF17, and managed to mess up the overall AOCAF squad rankings as well as the group draw for AOCAF18.
The host Myrtannians' football association were quick in rectifying the problems, redoing the group draw in tune with updated rankings released today by the AORFA. The reassignments put the Blue Foxes in Group D with 16th champs and 17th runners-up Vilita & Turori.
Here's how we stack up the groups:
Group A
Bettia - The group's top ranker, the Aroras have fallen from glory, but only slightly. Despite winning AOCAF15 in Bazalonia, the roaring 'Roras have dropped from a perennial top three ranking to a less-than-pleasing fourth, for that team at least. It'll be up to Bettia's squad and fans to prove they're a serious contender; though, on paper the team still looks outstanding.
Delesa - Sophomore AOCAF contenders, the Delesa United have improved their squad a bit but still stand timidly in the face of stronger competition in their group, especially from Bettia and Myrtannia, and to a lesser extent, from The Lowland Clans and Quakmybush. This is not to say that Delesa will dwell in the basement for the entire round-robin stage but if they play their matches at any level less than absolutely superb they will find themselves just where we predict they'll be.
The Lowland Clans - Perennial mediocrators, the Stars are bound to, at least, get lucky once in this tournament. Apart from the Blue Foxes, their knockout stage luck is probably the worst in the tournament among veteran competitors. We're rooting for them in the sense that we hope they finally reach the semifinal at the very least. But judging from past competition, the Stars are likely bound to end up nowhere better than middle of the table when all is said and done.
Myrtannia - The most offensively stylish and exciting team in the group, the hosts seem to lack solidity in the back line when compared to their group rivals. Perhaps the talents up front will serve to negate this weakness in the Dryads squad but new manager, former Blue Foxes boss Lindifeu Zentrescu, will be concertedly trying to lead the blue-and-orange to laying the smackdown and claiming the group.
Quakmybush - Quak, quak, quak. That will be the sound emanating from the support base in the stands after yet another disappointing finish at the tournament. With the Stars' now-standard mediocrity in front of them they could very well make a run for a knockout berth but, as said, it's the Lowlanders' time to shine, plus there are two other teams in the group more talented than Quakmybush. Conceivably, all they have to do is be better than Delesa and they're off to the big show.
Group verdict - The interesting thing in this group won't be seeing who wins it. It'll be which of the five teams doesn't earn a knockout berth. Four teams can earn a ticket to the last sixteen, one team will fail. This group will likely be the Group of Surprise, but not the Group of Death.
Group B
95X - One of two rookie participants in this AOCAF, the small nation hopes to show its talents to a broad range of fans in Myrtannia, but it has to deal with the strength of Starblaydia and the fortitude of Hypocria. Not the best group to have your debut, but they can sure try.
Demot - Back for their third AOCAF attempt, Demot is going to make a serious attempt at a knockout berth. And this is the cup to do it; with a rookie team in the group with them, they are likely assured of at least the final knockout berth in Group B.
Hypocria - The Hyppos are still yet to match their AOCAF11 title let alone finish in the top three since then, but they will be counting on the fact that the only team really better than them in the group are their allies, the Starblaydi.
Milchama - When you have a horse as your team, anything goes. Even a knockout berth. There's something rotten in the state of football tonight...
Starblaydia - While the Purple Peril whine about not having their hands on championship title number six, many teams are still out to get even one. Lamoni finally accomplished the task in the last cup, for example. There is no doubt the Starblaydi squad is a contender for the cup this time around, but perhaps this somewhat conceited attitude of entitlement will come back and bite the mauve men in the buttocks in AOCAF18. Expect a very strong finish.
Group verdict - Starblaydia takes it, as usual, in a tough battle with Hypocria. Third place will go to Milchama or Demot with 95X showing up on the regional stage but not putting up much of a fight.
Group C
Bazalonia - The Bazalopes are hoping to realise, at the very least, their first top-three finish in AOCAF competition in the 18th installment. Short travel time might help the team out in the group stage; the hop across the Fauxhan Sea was one of the shortest of any participant nation. But they face a defending champion and a team that happens to have enjoyed an even shorter travel distance -- and it just happens to be the same team, Lamoni. A knockout berth is assured if their play remains solid through all four group matches and they get down low for those gritty victories.
Ereeland - The "other other fresh meat" in AOCAF18, Ereeland rose from the ashes of its predecessor state, the Socialist Union of Neu Amerika. Ereeland will try to prove that political upheaval does not injure their chances, but like 95X they have a hell of a lot to prove and their squad leaves a bit too much to be desired.
Lamoni - The defending champs. Stating their goal in this tournament would probably qualify as some sort of rhetorical statement, so, we'll stop there, except to add that the Hawks are still yet to learn that a great team on paper does not necessarily equate to excellent results on the pitch. They must pray most of all that this does not affect their chances at defending their title.
Manhattan Prime - After being involved, though innocently, in Krytergate, the point-fixing scandal of AOCAF17, they'll surely be out to prove they can rise above such follies and realise their goals. This time, the Manhattanites can consider themselves contenders for a knockout berth, but it's safe to say a first-place finish in a group like this is still years away. However, it doesn't hurt to be optimistic.
Nedalia - The Lions are back, and back in full force. Despite relatively mediocre showings in the knockout stages (save for two runner-up positions in AOCAF13 and AOCAF15), the Lions are still riding comfortably in eighth - though suspicion had been building after the Lions had managed to hold a third-place ranking despite poor showings in AOCAF16 and AOCAF17. But expect them to try to unseat Lamoni and take the group.
Group verdict - With three very solid teams and a fourth up-and-comer, this is as close as we'll get to the Group of Death in AOCAF18. If you thought the battle between Starblaydia and Hypocria for the Group B title will be fierce, do yourself a favour and wait until the Lamoni v Nedalia match before you make a decision.
Group D
Aurendia - Who? Seriously. Though this is not their first time in the regional competition the Aurendians have remained extremely quiet while involved, leaving some to wonder whether or not the team was taking it all seriously. But they've entered once more and their sights are set on a knockout berth.
Az-Cz - A contender for a knockout berth, even if, due to Pacitalian language conventions the country's name is near impossible to pronounce for three-quarters of the Democratic Capitalist Republic's population. Blue Fox fans will get a lot of practice, though - this is their group. Oh, well. Best of luck to the Az-Czers.
Nojika - Like The Lowland Clans, the Nojikan standard issue in AOCAF tournaments is mid-table mediocrity. But also like their Stars counterparts, the Nojikans now have a chance, on the "best-4-of-5-make-it" system, to reach their first knockouts since... well, for a very long time. They'll be trying to finish top three in regional competition, like the Bazalonians, for the first time in club history.
Pacitalia - That's us. No comment. Well... one comment. Statistically speaking, we have to like our chances, but that's all we can say.
Vilita & Turori - The Blue Foxes' strongest opposition and defending runners-up. A sure lock for a post-group-stage berth.
Group verdict - A battle between Kitties and Foxes, and possibly Panthers, for top spot in Group D. Whether Aurendia or Az-Cz claim the four-spot in the group is up to them, really.
Best of luck to all teams this AOCAF! |
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The best place on earth. |
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The Delesa National
St.Myhre - To start the competition, many-a-things have changed, even before the presure of the spot lights on the pitch. First, with our very own news paper, the X-Treme Delesa Sports was bought out by the ever growing Delesa West Trading Co. (DWT), and renamed the The Delesa National, and adopted a more professional style, set down by the new editor.
Next would be the new roster. As we all remember, at least those in Delesa, the horrible upset durring United's first game against the horsemen of Milchama, when the riders crushed #2 Joseph-Marie Turpin's leg on a challange of the ball. United lost 2-1 in the end. Well he is out, never to return on the pitch as a player, but says he plans to coach, and earn his way up the ladder to one day coach the national team. Well to take his place, #13 Conor Kelly, a former regular substitute has taken the challenge. So it brings us to the newest member of the United team, #21 Tommy Osgood. He plays for the Riverbend Warriors who hold the Commonwealth Premier League Cup a total of 5 times, 1 of which saw young Osgood score a final penalty kick in shootout. Former Coach Liam O'Rielly notes stated that he was, durring his first tryouts for the team, was going to be selected but durring final minutes in a final practise game, messed up that ended with the other team winning, the goal scorer, #18 Gerard Guillemot taking the final spot. To this day Guillemot has only scored twice, which Osgood should easily pass.
Now to the more pressing issue, at the end of the last AOCAF Head Coach O'Rielly resigned, leaving the position open for the next man even woman to take his place. But even as the new AOCAF cup looms over the young struggling team, general manager Paul Lejeune has not made a choice. But we have here two possible coachs, straight from the manager himself. The two lucky men? Russograd FC's Coach Voncenzo Merlyn and Coach Brooks Roman of Cathibus FC. Paul is going to have to make a choice soon, as the team needs a leader to help and improve the team's rating and respect. Paul has announced that this cup run is all about respect and rating.
This runs group includes Bettia, from last cup a 2-1 loss to United. And the host of this AOCAF XVIII Myrtannia. The The Lowland Clans, not too much on them from Uniteds experiance, and Quakmybush former rugby competition, at the time the Delesa team was in first in the league, then the league was shut down. A good time in Delesian sports history. And in the number five spot? Delesa. Like last time, Delesa was in the 5th position, is this a cursed spot? Or can the team relight the victory torch and leave behind the disapointment from last time? Only time will tell.
As for upcoming games, United will sit out the first round but then the chase for victory takes off.
Commonwealth of Delesa United(CDU) Games;
Day One - CDU off
Day Two: Myrtannia vs. CDU
Day Three: Quakmybush vs. CDU
Day Four: Bettia vs. CDU
Day Five: The Lowland Clans vs. CDU
Let's hear the people scream and cheer for the Red and Black!
This post has been edited by Delesa on Jan 9 2007, 10:45 PM |
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Royal Scribe |
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AOCAF XVIII in Myrtannia, New Dryads Ready For Action
HALOSEN - It's that time again, football fans. The time that only comes around every four years, and stirs up emotions on a national scale like few things can in Myrtannia. That's right, the one and only Atlantian Oceania Championship of Association Football. In its eighteenth incarnation, the tournament has finally arrived in Myrtannia for the first time.
After narrowly losing out to Krytenia for AOCAF XVII, Myrtannia defeated Az-cz by one vote to gain the hosting rights to AOCAF XVIII. When the AOCAF authority announced that Myrtannia had won, there was massive celebration and relief in the streets of the United Isles. For a few hours. Then, they got back to work in preparing the nation's stadia for the region's largest sporting competition.
Already there has been some controversy, with the original group draw placing Az-cz in the incorrect seed due to faulty Krytenian calculations. As soon as the MAFC was notified of this, the group draw was mended to reflect the true ranking of the nation in question. The new rankings led to the switch of Az-cz with Manhattan Prime, but the rest of the seedings remained the same.
"We deeply regret the error in our group draw that was led to Az-cz's misplacement as a bottom seed. In accordance with the guidelines of the MAFC's special AOCAF governing board, they have been placed in Group C's fourth slot, with Manhattan Prime claiming their fifth slot in Group D," explained an MAFC official, whose name escapes us for the moment.
Apart from that, things looks promising for the first AOCAF to be held in Myrtannia. Years of planning have gone into the tournament, including the reintroduction of the Round of 16 that was last seen in Lamoni's AOCAF XVI. Meanwhile, Virtual Arts, a major sponsor of AOCAF XVIII, released the first official AOCAF video game, which is the top seller in the United Isles at the moment.
On the real pitch, Myrtannia will look to get through to the knockouts in a high position, most likely second in the group but possibly challenging for first. Helmed by new coach Lindifeu Zentrescu, the Romano-Pacitalian who guided the Blue Foxes to their best-ever AOCAF finish, the Dryads will look to put on a show for the home crowd. Many fans are excited enough about the new coach alone that nothing else enters into it.
However, many of the familiar faces from AOCAFs past are gone now, leaving only a handful of veterans to lead the Dryads into battle. Dania Figary, 36, returns as captain for the final time, hoping to do big things in front of the Dryads Army at home. In the front five, the Dryads are still very gifted, though without the big names like September Rollock and Roz Gabino. The Zora Leckingtons and Hettie Miyagishimas are considered Generation Next for the Dryads.
"They're young, but I think that we can do a lot of good things out there with this team. This team is playing to a home crowd every match, and that should help, but they can't get too full of themselves. It's the little things that win matches," Zentrescu stated, his first official statements since being hired as head coach four years ago, "And we've got to play defense better than this team did four years ago."
With a (mostly) new midfield and defensive unit, the Dryads will have their first match in the nation's capital at Halosen National Stadium. The opponent is to be Quakmybush, a team that Myrtannia defeated eight years ago in Lamoni. Just how the Dryads will fare this time will remain to be seen until the time of the match itself.
And now, the Halosen News-Times presents its traditionally incorrect predictions for the groups:
Group A - "Aroras Roar, Dryads Follow"
1. Bettia
2. Myrtannia
3. The Lowland Clans
4. Delesa
5. Quakmybush
Bettia is obviously the strongest team in the group, ranked up in the top five seemingly every tournament. For the first time, their all-out attacking offense will clash with that of Myrtannia. Coach Zentrescu says that the team has a special surprise for the Aroras when the two teams face, but declined to elaborate. Despite that, the Aroras will draw or beat Myrtannia and win the group, with the Dryads likely following in second place. TLC will display its traditional mediocrity and get through with wins over Delesa and Quakmybush, but that's about it. Delesa, an AOCAF sophomore, will be just good enough to be better than Quakmybush, sending the latter home with a wooden spoon.
Group B - "Starblaydis Dominate... What else is new?"
1. Starblaydia
2. Hypocria
3. Demot
4. Milchama
5. 95X
There's no question that Starblaydia will steamroll three of the teams in this group. Despite a spirited challenge from allies Hypocria, the Purple Peril will walk away with the group's top seed and move on to the knockouts with ease. Hypocria will continue to play strongly, and will beat everyone but Starblaydia, leaving the rest of the group fighting over the final two spots. Milchama used a horse as a player four years ago. Demot, we think, will surprise the Warriors and steal third place, but Milchama beats the new guys and ensures 95X that this stay in Myrtannia is a short one.
Group C - "Close Enough to a Group of Death"
1. Nedalia
2. Lamoni
3. Bazalonia
4. Az-cz
5. Ereeland
Lamoni, the defending champions (phew, we never thought we'd be using that term to describe our closest allies), will make a strong case for defending their title and becoming the first repeat champions since Starblaydia. However, they will stumble a little with a draw against Nedalia, who will also make a strong showing. Nedalia wins the group on goal differential, the champs take second, and an improved Bazacubs side takes third. Az-cz have more experience than Ereeland, and the former reds will go home with nothing more than an oversized wooden spoon.
Group D - "Blue Foxes rise to the challenge"
1. Pacitalia
2. Vilita & Turori
3. Nojika
4. Manhattan Prime
5. Aurendia
Now don't get us wrong. V&T's AOCAF XVI win and AOCAF XVII Finalist status is most impressive, especially to someone who's never won the darn thing. However, another nation that's never made the final - Pacitalia - will rise to the occasion and thrive in this group. We feel that V&T are the only threat to Pacitalia's winning the group - and that Pacitalia will outfox the group's top seed to secure the group for themselves. Nojika, much like TLC, will muddle along and pull off enough surprises to avoid going home early. Manhattan Prime will also improve on its less-than-desirable past performances and beat out the eerily silent Aurendian team. |
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Bazalonian's subject of Ridicule - What else is new?
The Bazalonian BazaB's or the Bazalonian Bazacubs never seemed to perform well in any AOCAF and even the Lamonians, Bazalonia's most closest ally does not seem to rate the Bazacubs a chance, however with a third seed this gives the Bazacubs a chance.
In anycase the acting BFSA president, as James Gaines had suddently dissappeared had many things to worry about and one of them was the mixup over the groups.
"It's amazing I can find anything in here." Andrew Coulter commented the acting President (Who also was the Vice president)
The secretary came in and commented, "James always had his own system of organisation, and I have yet to meet anyone that understood it." She put some more papers down, stuff about the WC and decided to hang for a moment.
"Oh, finally here it is." he said, around him was an absolute mess papers were all over the floor
"And it looks like you have your own too" she laughed and then walked back out to her desk.
He looked at it and it was a piece of paper from Myrtannia about what happened in regards to Manhatten Prime and Az-cz.
"Hah, with these changes some peoples predicitions are going to be a bit... off."
The gnomes where good and friendly but in soccer you couldn't let friends out. Infact with the new change every single team was at least friendly if not allied with Bazalonia as a nation.
"So what do our whizes at the prediction department have for us?" he said as he picked up another piece of paper. While the BFSA ddoes not have a prediction department. He was really refering to journalist Nev Gould. An expert on everything soccer...
Group A
1. Bettia
2. The Lowland Clans
3. Myrtannia
4. Quakmybush
5. Delesa
The Lowland Clans should just be able to climb a spot otherwise as seeded
Group B
1. Starblaydia
2. Hypocria
3. Milchama
4. Demot
5. 95X
I can't really see any major upsets in this group.
Group C
1. Lamoni
2. Bazalonia
3. Nedalia
4. Az-cz
5. Ereeland
Bazalonia may just have chance to knock up one slot but it is going to hard work which I think the Bazacubs are up for. Ereeland is going to be expecting an ultra hard workout if they want to progress through to the finals.
Group D
1. Vilita & Turori
2. Pacitalia
3. Aurendia
4. Nojika
5. Manhattan Prime
As seeded...
He put the newspaper down and said "Nv's got it wrong." and aand without further ado went and finished other multiplicity of tasks that James had to do
This post has been edited by Bazalonia on Jan 10 2007, 12:34 AM |
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Bazalonia |
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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Norumbega News
“Only seven libel lawsuits last year! That’s the lowest yet!”
Third time’s the charm, or so Raptors hope
LAHAR, MYRTANNIA – In AOCAF XVI Aurendia shocked the region by making an appearance in the knock-out round. AOCAF XVII saw the Raptors regress, as a disappointing qualifying campaign resulted in an early exit. As the region heads to Myrtannia for the 18th edition of the tournament, Aurendia’s football authorities hope this version of the Raptors can do better than their predecessors, and maybe even win a knock-out round match this time.
A tough qualifying schedule in Group D will make that a tall order for the Raptors. Among the nations Aurendia finds themselves placed with: Vilita & Turori, who came in second the last AOCAF after winning the one before that; Pacitalia, who will most likely lock up the other top-two spot with V&T; while Nojika and Manhattan Prime will battle it out with the Raptors for the third spot in the group.
As for the Raptors themselves, expect several changes this time. Following a disappointing and injury-plagued World Cup 32 qualifying, several familiar faces will be absent from the team, among them goalie Rick Baxman who will be taking over head coaching duties following his recent retirement as a player. Remaining veterans such as defensive anchor Bart Sheriff and captain Cassandra Campbell can expect reduced playing time as the youngsters are brought in to gain valuable big-game experience and give the squad some fresh legs.
All in all, this should be an exciting tournament for Aurendian fans. Play will open against Vilita & Turori at Lahar’s Locke Field on Matchday 1.
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Demot Daily ~ Growing Pains
With the regional tournament back in the swing of things, the Dynamo look to improve upon their previous successes and make the knock-outs for the second time in three tries. Yet that will be a bit harder said than done, with two regional powerhouses in their group. With both Starblaydia and Hypocria to face, it's likely the orange, red, and black will have to settle for third at best. However, it is not all bad news for the Dynamo and their faithful, as they also have the untested squad of 95x and Milchama as their other groupmates, both very winnable matches.
The Dynamo will face one of their tough battles right off the bat with Hyprocia on the first matchday. The team will have to battle hard for the full ninety, and make good on whatever oppurutunities present themselves. Against squads like Hyprocia, mental toughness will be the key, if they can keep their focus and know that they can play with the talented side, they will have a chance. Masteron and Sans are going to have to keep their troops in line as they did in the World Cup qualifiers, as well as try and slow down the pace of the game. A slowed down game favors the undertalented side, limiting the oppisition of their chances to attack. Get these objectives done, and they will have a very good chance indeed of bringing in the new tournament with a point or three.
Now for group outlooks...
Group A
Bettia
Myrtannia
The Lowland Clans
Quakmybush
Delesa
Bettia and the hosts are the clear favorites to roll through the group, though I have a feeling Quakmybush will have a say in the final positioning of the group.
Group B
Starblaydia
Hypocria
Milchama
Demot
95X
The Dynamo know how tough their group is, and they know that no one is going to take pity on them. So they just have to go out and take the points where they come from, and hope it will be enough to tag along with the Hippos and the Purple Peril.
Group C
Lamoni
Nedalia
Bazalonia
Az-cz
Ereeland
This is the group where I see multiple upsets happening. Lamoni will cruis through, but Bazalonia and Az-Cz will nudge out Nedalia, making the lions terribly frustrated.
Group D
Vilita & Turori
Pacitalia
Aurendia
Nojika
Manhattan Prime
The most predictable group, final standings will be as seeded.
Article by Jasmine Olyvander |
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Demot |
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Royal Scribe |
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Who's Looking Dangerous?
AOCAF Preview from the Jhanna Chronicle
Group A
| CODE | Bettia
Delesa
Myrtannia
Quakmybush
The Lowland Clans |
As always, Bettia will be the ones to attack like their lives depend upon it, and any one of their stable of strikers can make the difference, but don't count out the hosts, who will be equally as forward in going... forward. Hettie Miyagishima will likely be their main threat now and in years to come, taking the mantle from the frankly aging Dania Figary. Rosario Zlotnik will need to keep his wits about him in the Dryad goal. Watch out for leading scorer Fernando Kellett of Delesa, as he'll likely chime in with some key goals over the Group Stage, but probably no further.
Group B
| CODE | 95X
Demot
Hypocria
Milchama
Starblaydia |
As ever, keep your eyes on Starblaydia for the tournament championship, Julio Cruz and Charles Barron being their main threats, with starlet-to-be Indigo Liileiko sure to make a statement for the future. Sarah Ysman looks to be the main threat from Demot, the Assegai-based forward likely to make a name for herself. Alex Sousa surely can't do it for Hypocria against Starblaydia again, but Victor Morinas is our top tip for goals here. Finally jockey Zar Johnson is sure to be the difference between a horse in a field and a two-man-one-animal football team that is Milchama.
Group C
| CODE | Az-cz
Bazalonia
Ereeland
Lamoni
Nedalia |
Bazalope Ricky Yunn is likely to be their main threat to Lamoni's domination of this group, of whom Drugah Farani is the player to watch for sure as they drive for defence of their title. EE-Or or Az-Cz kicks like a donkey and the Gnomes will surely be livened up by rising teenage star Zk-Rv. Ereeland have made sure there are no Marxists in their squad, and Scarlett Gorychka appears to be the main non-leftie threat.
Group D
| CODE | Aurendia
Manhattan Prime
Nojika
Pacitalia
Vilita & Turori |
Aurendia's triumvirate of Barrett, Steele and Campbell must be their only chance to progress from a tough group, with Michelangelo Mascagnano of Pacitalia likely to be the driving heart of the Blue Foxes' challenge, along with Andreos Charisteas. Many nameless Vilitans and Turorians will drive them to the top of this Group. The walking swear-word of Manhattanite forward Katakana is always good for a laugh, while watch out for their youngster Felix DeSilva. Nojika's best and brightest are now old and faded, coaching the team, so their new talent such as the Greeves Brothers (we presume) need to fill the gap left by players such as Alson and Amoa.
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Here We Go Again
The eyes of the nation have turned towards Myrtannia as AOCAF fever hit’s the Autocracy for the tenth time. Despite the heartbreak and disappointments of previous tournaments expectations are as high as ever. Maybe this will be the year. Just like maybe the last tournament was “the year” and the one before that. But a nation can dream. And the men who will be out to ensure those dreams actually come true this time are largely unchanged from four years ago. Although the retirement of record AOCAF scorer Carlo Molinari is a loss Sousa is as good as ever and the coach expects high things of young Vardanyan. And one thing the side does have is an excellent recent record in their group games. Baxter has won six and drawn one of the nine group fixtures he has overseen and his side have hit the back of the net 28 times in those nine matches. Which is something the fans would like to see continue against the other residents of Group B.
First up the Hyppos travel to Mitchell Technologies Field in Blackheart for the opening match against seventeenth ranked Demot. The Dynamos are something of an unknown quantity to the blue and white army but with four teams advancing from the group you can bet serious money that they’ll be in the mix. Past form and current ranking suggests a Hyppos win but it’ll be tricky. Next it’s the group’s whipping boys 95X. Anything short of three points here would be a disgrace. Twelfth placed Milchama are another side we’ve not faced in past AOCAFs. But there is certainly history between the two nations. Many moons ago the Warriors beat the Hyppos in a World Cup qualifying playoff and since then there are few opponents the fans back home relish trouncing more. And don’t even get me started on the horse. Finally, and after a deserved rest day, it’s that seemingly inevitable meeting with those damned Men in Mauve. As the world and his wife surely now knows they’ve won this tournament umpteen times in the past and they are the number one side in the region. But in the head to head the Hyppos have three wins to the Purple Peril’s two in the AOCAF so a victory is not totally unfeasible. But it would be nice to have a whole load of points on the board before this fixture looms into view.
A top two finish should be on the cards.
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