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Leon Green , was with every Rightist that crowded around a television screen to see, to hope for a Darwinist win. However it was not to happen despite a very close game where somehow the Darwinists very closely pulled off the upset of the century. The Pacitalian Blue Foxes, the nations only neighbour, and AOCAF perenial had everything over the Darwinists, skilled players, experience and a good media outlet.
Wether it was because of slightly stunned response to nudist Jacob Hunt or perhaps an item created is unknown and people were staying tight lipped. Just how Miller managed to be in the exact mathematically perfect location for the shot is anyones guess but, you can be certain that the nudist factor played a large role this match with a Hunt assist and a Hunt goal.
The nation almost as one, which has never happened before were in a state of shocked celebration at half-time. Exact details are not exactly available of how they celebrated but records would show 9 months down the track a sudden increase in the nations birth-rate.
However this was only short-lived as the Blue foxes came right back. (it was only a small sudden increase) We could continue to bore you with the report but the 2nd half happened as well as another lot of extra time. At one point it looked like the Darwinists would win but finally the experience, and fitness of the Pacitalian Blue foxes won out and the team lost. However they still managed to come out with a point due to the Bettians "wonderful" bonus point system.
...
Meanwhile Dark forces inside Atheistic Right were stiring.
"You think they believe we are not homocidal maniacs? I think so. There has been no sporting related death, and their won't be."
"Good, but what do they think of us now?"
"Unsure, Hopefully they will think of us as the crazy cousin who they just ignore."
"We need to know! NOW!" this person stated.
"Okay... How a questionaire.. A survey." Ask people what they think of AR.
"Great Idea... see to it that it is done."
The next day the following survey was floating around Bettia.
If you had to use a few words that described the Darwinist team, which of the following would you use? Weird, Crazy, Insane, Diabolical, Up-to-something, Harmless, Dangerous, Quirky
Compared to when "The Great Lion" was in charge Atheistic Right is now more...
(A soace was left for people to enter their own opinion.)
Do you believe that Rightists are terrorists now? (Y/N)
and a few other questions that focus on peoples thoughts. As well as their opinions on the actual team and the players as well. |
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RP cutoff for MD2
This post has been edited by Bettia on Mar 23 2007, 10:26 AM |
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Bettia |
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We don't do defence |
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ooc: Az, if this RP is not to your liking, feel free to ignore it, but this angle fits perfectly with my previous RP so I'm running with it 
Eel Cat Things gift Ulzaxid first point
Vilita & Turori wasted little time getting on the board against upstart Ulzaxid during the second match of the AOCAF XIX Qualifying. Naming an unchanged side from that which defeated Krytenia, despite the relative weakness of the opposition, Ricky Ezis started with a lineup consisting, quite evenly, of five Vilitans, five Turorians and one player who claims both nationalities. The Vilitans dominated the midfield, with Moltuai Valjariia, Damian Adeshina and Resaie Kentiak joined by Turori's Ceika Mlaka. Vilita was also represented in goal by Jimmy Jaded, and in defense by Viliiama Kikarai. Alongside Kikarai were Turorian defenders Jircao Nutaha and Kiako Liamala, while the attacking trio consisted of Turori's Zemloi Amafaira and Seu-Riaula Vinaviia and superstar youth prospect and dual nationality Vilita & Turorian Kristofer Kilpter.
At a very young age, Kilpter made a name for himself in the AOCAF Competition as Vilita & Turori lifted the title in the 16th competition and, despite being held without a goal in the opening match, made up for it by netting just 38 seconds in against a shell-shocked Ulzaxid side who seemed to still be downloading the dna enhancers from the players who's identity they were looking to steal.
As only irony can produced, Vilita & Turori sat back on their lead for the opening half hour and were stunned when a player who copied the name of Vilitan legend Callum Banda netted an incredible shot from nearly 40 yards out, catching Jimmy Jaded off his line and resulting in the first ever goal for the Ulzaxid squad, and shockingly, the teams would go in tied 1-1 at the half.
But, as far as performance goes, that would be as close as the Rangers would come. Seeming to have trouble controlling their morphing powers, Ulzaxid played much of the second half at less than full strength with players frequently running over to the touchline for assistance in controlling themselves. Vilita & Turori looked to have no sympathy, as Ricky Ezis himself exclaimed following the victory over Krytenia, Vilita & Turori would take no prisoners, if goals are what earns the points than Goals are exactly what the Eel Cat Things were going to produce. Seu-Riaula Vinaviia linked up with Kristofer Kilpter in the area to completely out-wit Ulzaxidian keeper Adam_Venazaara who was left frozen on the line, and Kilpter returned the favor with 20 minutes to play setting Vinaviia clear with only the keeper to beat, and the Turorian international made absolutely no mistake putting his side up 3-1.
The Eel-Cat things continued to press, and twice hit woodwork when Kristofer Kilpter found some space for a simple attempt that rolled casually under the body of the Ulzaxid keeper putting Vilita & Turori up 4-1 and cruising to collecting all three points with Kilpter completing the Hattrick.
That, however, wasn't enough for head coach Ricky Ezis. Absolutely livid to find out that the Bettian system rewarded goals in games you dont win more handsomely than a lack of them in goals that you do, Ezis took a page out of the sporting handbook and ripped it straight in half, screaming at his players with a set of, what appeared to be, pre designed match orders. After winning the ball in the center circle with around five minutes to play, substitute Ereuau Nubaua dribbled back towards the Vilita & Turori net and played what appeared to be a back pass to goalkeeper Jimmy Jaded. However, with the pass on target to meet Jaded's foot at center of goal, Jaded then stepped away from the path of the ball as the own goal was registered in Ulzaxid's favor, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Realizing what was going on, Ulzaxid decided to attempt to get a proper goal of their own, but "Simeone Di Bradini"'s shot attempt from just 9 yards out may have reached the upper atmosphere before finding its way into the stands. It was no big loss for Ulzaxid however, as Jimmy Jaded's resulting goal kick only went as far as defender Juricao Nutaha who tapped in the second own goal of the match for Vilita & Turori on 90 minutes.
Not looking to really on the shooting prowess, or lack there of on the part of Ulzaxid, it was once again midfielder NUbaua winning the ball for Vilita & Turori and with fine form, sent a 30 yard ball back towards Jimmy Jaded which took two hops before finding its way into the back of the net, levelling the score at 4-4 just moments before the 90 minutes were up.
Vilita & Turori scored quickly in the extra session to give themselves a 5-4 advantage, but, the extra time on the pitch also seemed to allow the Morphs of Ulzaxid to get more comfortable with the control of their abilities, and despite a pair of chances from Seu-Riaula Vinaviia in the dying moments of the game, Vilita & Turori could not record the 6th goal to give themselves a 2nd extra bonus point, but walked out with 4 points none the less from the result.
At the press conference after the match, head coach Ricky Ezis had little to say to the media, other than making a few snide remarks about the system, stating "Hell, I said that if we're not going to get penalized for not winning the game in 90 minutes then why win it in 90 minutes? We gave ourselves an extra half an hour to try to get that 2nd bonus point and we gave it a real shot, we just came up a bit short. I don't know if we'll use the same tactic again in the future, perhaps if we are sitting on 2 goals or on 5, of course we'll consider it, but perhaps if we're on just 3 it will depend how the flow of the game is going as to whether or not we'll bother with the extra time being played or not."
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This scene occurred in the lounge at The Woodstock Daily Mail.
"Downie! What in the flying dickens are you doing sending that kid to Bettia to cover the Stars?"
Assistant Managing Editor for Sports Marcus Downie's hair stood on end when he heard that voice. It was the executive editor, a shrew named Brian Kapp who was about as cantankerous a man as Downie had ever met. Downie had always referred to Kapp as "the human buzzkill" because of the tension the big boss would bring to the newsroom just by walking in.
Now, Kapp was directing his ire at sports. For an executive editor who probably should know better, he had scant appreciation of sports. In fact, one of Kapp's first moves as executive editor was to eliminate the sports section entirely. After a flood of phone calls and e-mails, Kapp finally relented. But he wasn't happy about it and he made sure everyone knew he wasn't.
"What do you mean?"
Downie regarded the question -- which more closely resembled an accusation -- with the same sort of enthusiasm he would have with the instructions to lick the underbelly of a cockroach. He was sure he knew what Kapp was coming in to say. And frankly, it was getting on his nerves.
"You shouldn't send that kid to Bettia to cover such a huge event. Haven't you got more experienced writers who can cover the team? You don't want some kid fresh out of college to screw up the stories when you've got millions of people who read this paper."
Finally, Downie snapped.
"Have you read his copy," Downie said, his voice raising in volume as he enunciated each word.
"I don't have time to read every word that goes in this paper! C'mon, will ya," Kapp said, punctuating his trademark phrase with a dismissive motion of his right hand. It usually meant discussion was over, but Downie wasn't having it.
"If you'd effing read your own damn paper," Downie said, now speaking loudly enough for even the people off in accounting to hear him clearly, "you'd see West's copy is plenty good enough for him to cover the Stars." Downie physically moved himself in front of Kapp and glowered, raising his right finger for additional emphasis.
"I wouldn't send him on this assignment if I didn't have confidence that he could do the job well," Downie said. "You of all people ought to know that much." Then, Downie turned and walked back to his office and slammed the door shut, making sure to lock the door so Kapp wouldn't barge right in. He sat down to check the copy from West and he saw that the Stars lost their first match to Lamoni in extra time, 2-1. He grimaced, then he noticed that Reese Nichols only got two shots on goal and that Portland's Matt Lynch scored Sarzonia's only goal in the 89th minute to force extra time.
At least the Stars gave the Hawks all they could handle, Downie thought after he read West's story on the match. Now they've got another tough one against Delesa.
He heard Kapp banging on his door but decided he'd give himself blissful relief and just ignored the incessant pounding. Besides, that could easily have been the sound of his own head pounding out its misery from the ever-increasing headache he was feeling. |
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Sarzonia |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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Blue & Yellow get Historic Victory
Bettia-West pasco got it's first Victory in compitition today after beating Arementhe 1-0. This game was played in much better weather than the Hypocria game. Playeing in the sunny skys and mild tempurture's really helped the Blue and Yellow's as they were able to defeat Arementhe witha quick gol by Alex Fort in the 5th minute. the game then almost instantly tuned into a defensiveslugmatch as neither team could even take a shot at the goal.this would change at the beginning of the second half when an unkown Middie for Arementhe almost got one by WP's Goalkeeper. other than that this was a rathere uneventful game for WP and hoopefully the next one-will go smoother.
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Etoka Journal-Tribune
“Now with larger print for those hung-over mornings”
Youngsters strike first, still fall to Schiavonia in opener
PORTHBALFA, BETTIA – It didn’t take long after the national anthems were finished on Matchday One for the youngest Aurendian starters to make an impact in AOCAF play. During the tenth minute, the first sustained attack by the Raptors found midfielder Nikki Vitalia in possession of the ball and successfully behind the Schiavonia defense. Vitalia’s first international shot found the post, but fellow 19-year old rookie Kara Campbell continued the family tradition with a blistering point-blank goal off the rebound.
Following this initial shock, the play of Schiavonia’s defense, particularly keeper Jim Brenton, improved dramatically, stifling multiple attempts by the Raptors to widen the lead over the next half-hour. In the thirty-ninth minute this translated into a game-tying score, as Graham O’Connor’s’ steal at midfield set up Winston Hurst just inside the box.
The draw would be preserved into the intermission and through most of the second half. It wasn’t until the 77th minute when Schiavonia was able to break the game open by capitalizing on an Aurendian defensive miscue. Following a routine save, Raptor keeper Kevin Sullivan bobbled the clearing pass, leaving the ball at the feet of Schiavonia’s James Hogan. Hogan’s quick strike would prove to be the deciding score, giving Schiavonia the 2-1 victory.
Scoring:
1. A (K. Campbell 1) 10th (Assist: N. Vitalia)
2. S (W. Hurst) 39th (Assist: G. O’Connor)
3. S (J. Hogan) 77th
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OOC: I'm assuming that '2-1 AET' is minus the results from the first 90 minutes, correct me if i'm wrong, Bettia
IC: Lamoni defeats Sarzonia AET, gives them proper welcome back to AOCAF
It wasn't the decisive 90 minute blowout win that Lamonian fans might have hoped for, but an Extra Time win against one of the former AOCAF powerhouses is not a bad way to bounce back from a surprise loss to Nojika.
It wasn't all fun and roses for the Hawks in today's match, though. Sarzonian Forward Matt Lynch scored first, at twenty minutes. It would be thirty more minutes until Lamonian Forward Drugah Farani nailed a kick to the left side of the goal that went past the stretched fingers of the Sarzonian Goalkeeper. With the score tied at 1-1, the teams went into a defensive slug match with Sarzonia trying to stop the Hawks everywhere.
Lamoni didn't make it to the top of the AOCAF rankings without learning a few things, and they knew that it would only be a matter of time before the Sarzonians started to get fatigued. It didn't happen until the extra time period, but it did happen; allowing Drugah Farani and Kendrick Zingg to score two quick goals to put the Hawks up 3-1.
Reese Nichols was able to pull one back for the Sarzonians during the extra time period, but it wouldn't be enough as the Hawks won 3-2 in extra time.
After the final gun sounded, the Lamonians were gracious to the team that they had just defeated, and congratulated them on a fine game.
The Hawks face off against Manhattan Prime next, and fans are hoping that this match will feature Lamoni again showing the other AOCAF teams why they should be feared and respected as they smash the Manhattanites. We would just be satisfied with another win. |
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Democratic Maniac |
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Atheistic Right - Schiavonia, battle of the underdogs. That was what this match was built up as in Atheisitic Right and a few people in Bettia. Atheistic Right, new to AOCAF for the second time and the Schiavonian AOCAF 19 Squad. New to the AOCAF for the first time.
The match showed just how much the Darwinists wanted to get into the knockouts, their attack didn't stop throughout the 90 minutes knocking up a decent 4-2 win over Schiavonia. From Pacitalian Blue Foxes to Schiavonia a big leap but the results for the Darwinists are the best they could hope for getting. A win within 90 minutes PLUS n extra bonus point for scoring more than 3 goals, a feat that even in Extra Time defeat to the Pacitalians, the Darwinists managed to acheive.5 points in two matches, thats the best they could hope for and the nation was extatic. Though with still 4 games to play everything was still up in the air.
---
Somewhere in Atheistic Right shadowy figures once again held a meeting.
"So, whats going on with the survey. How are people responding?"
"They aren'y, apparently everyone is so caught up in seeing how their team is doing that no one has any time."
"**** them!" excalimed one of them.
"We still need to get an idea how other nations feel about Atheistic Right. We need to know if it is time to start enacting our plans."
"Just do it and **** them!"
"What are you stupid or something?! No, we need to have patience. That's why The Great Lion attracted all the attention he did. He had no idea about international politics. We need to do these things through subterfuge and backdoors not go in with guns blazing. He was a thug pure a simple. That's how come we've been so successful at demonising him. We didn't really have to do much at all. He did it all for us."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying give it time before we reveal The Green Lion. Alright? Good."
"What do you want me to do about the surveys. Keep trying to get them out... SOMEONE, will pay attention. Eventually. |
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The score flashed by on a ticker for a Bazalonian sports news website. WebSports.com.bz
The forums of the website had a topic called. Baza-Krytie AOCAF.
The posts in it where done before, during and after the results of the match and displayed an interesting look into the mind of many Bazalonian footy fans.
First post..
AOCAF 19
Bazalonia vs. Krytenia (Stamping Ground, Lorshill)
Not long until kick off now, What do you think of the teams chances and coverage so far?
Your voice - Make it clear!!
Second post...
This is going to be one of the closest matches for the Bazalopes... Anything can happen. This is going to be SOOOOOO Exciting!
14th Post (10 minutes to kick off)
Coverage so far is good, the anthems are just getting underway. I can't wait. I think it's been balanced. They both pro's and cons. Though come on... the Kryties are a full 4 ranks below us... cakewalk/
16th post (6 minutes to kick off, in reference to Post 14)
Dude. You think this is going to be a cakewalk because we are ahead of them in a purely theoretical ranking system?You need to have your head read. And 4 ranks isn't all that much. It's since points man.
17th post (in response to 16th)
6 points "not all that much"?! What are smoking? because that's a nearly a third of our total points 6 points IS a big deal. We should win this one!
24th post (in response to 25th)
Yeah, that goal was slightly dodgy, but dude calm down. Preverbially -explicitive removed- happens and you are going have to deal with it. It's disappointed but no need to cry "F1xx0R3D" every second a decision goes the wrong way. Just Get over it."
EDIT: Stupid Timewarps
25th Post (23rd minute Baz-Kry AOCAF match)
HE WAS OFFSIDE!!!! STUPID REFEREE HE WAS BRIBED BY SOMEONE I"M SURE!!!
DIE! DIE! DIE!
Bazalonia 0 - Krytenia 1
(Moderator Action -> Post -> DELETED
27th post (30 minutes into the game)
Ah.. good the come-back.. About time
Go Everret!!! Go Yunns!!!!
31st Post (40 minutes in)
GOOOAAAALLL!!!!!!1
Go you good thing! Ricky! Your my hero. Great setup and that header was perfect!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
34th Post (44 minutes in)
ANOTHER ONE... GREAT.. 2-1 to BAZALONIA! To Everret!!
We're Gonna win this one!!!!
35th Post (45 minutes in - Halftime)
HALF-TIME!
Boy Everret just made that in on time, a few seconds later and they would have been called in. But Still 2-1 a close game. It's not over yet.
<skip forward in Time...
79th post (2 minutes after the game had ended)
Stupid, I can't believe we let those goals in, We should have had a tighter defense and WTf is with Krytenia scoring 2 unanswered goals! *sigh* oh well. V&T next, after a bye, we should be able to do better this time... *should* being the operative word.
80th post (8th minute after the game)
Bad luck guys, Just calls went against them that probably shouldn't but still Krytenia still did very well. Just one of those bad days I guess.
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Eating A Bazalope Burger |
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The Ulzaxids were very confused about what had just happened on the pitch during their game against Vilita & Turori. Somehow they'd gotten into extra time before they lost the match.
The game started off poorly for the Ulzaxids as they had no real idea of tactics and the Vilitans cut through them like a hot knife on butter quickly moving up one goal. Through a sheer display of the awesome physicalness, Callum Banda, who was a morph containing the monkey, ferret and slime parts kicked in an incredible goal making history in Ulzaxid becoming not just the first player to score an international goal, but the first Ulzaxid to score any kind of points in any kind of non native Ulzaxid sport in recognized competition.
For you see, this was the first time that any Ulzaxids had ever played a competitive match of football. Of course the team had played some practice scrimmages but no one really knew how it worked. So often in the flow of play they would stop as they listened to the telepathic instructions of their coaches on how formations and tackles and things were supposed to work. Of course the Eelcats were quite familiar with such things and quickly racked up three goals in the second half while the Ulzaxids were figuring things out.
Just before the end of regulation things took a turn for the bizarre. In a move mostly seen when adults play children, the Vilitans gifted three goals to the Ulzaxids. Confused about what was going on some of the Ulzaxids thought the match was over and they were having mixed scrimmages, which is what happened when Simeone Di Bradini thought he was making a clearance. Unfortunately the Ulzaxid's had no real idea what was going on and couldn't prevent the Vilitans from racking up two more own goals.
In extra time the team seemed more comfortable and nearly went ahead on a Pizelkaxrovsky free kick but then quickly gave up a fifth goal to the opposition. A few more chances were had by both teams but nothing much else occurred.
After the match coach Stuart Abdul-Rahim held a short press conference for the foreign media. "We're not really sure what happened out today. We apologize for our role in the mockery of sport that happened out there today. Believe you me, it was not our intention for our opponent to give us three goals. Still we learned a lot, and considering this was the first time we'd ever played football in an organized way, I'm proud of our work. Expect us to improve and provide a stronger challenge to our opponents. I'm looking forward to our next match against the reigning world second place team from Az-cz." |
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Scribe in Training |
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From The Pacific City Courier
95X Loses its Lunch As It Drops Its Second
Subarnas, Bettia - Starting goalkeeper Marco Adams knew he should've passed on the questionable food after the teams first game and first loss to Bazalonia.
Instead, minutes before the start of the game against Ereeland, Adams lost what was in his stomach on the field, causing him to be scratched off the roster for the entire game.
Coach Chris Crossman had reserve goalkeeper Angelia Carlson quickly take the field, which was the quickest thing she did for the entire game.
Ten minutes into the game, Ereeland scored the games first goal, going up 1-0. In the 36th minute, they scored again.
Meanwhile, up the field, a formidable Ereeland defense kept the ball from getting any further than 3/4 the way up the field for most of the first half. Claire Pomona had a good look but long-shot just before halftime, but that bounced off the goalpost. It would represent the only time 95X had a chance in the game.
At the start of the second half, Carlson was benched while an extremely talented, but very young Tai Doe took goalkeeper roles, with Tanika Holgate coming off the bench at defender position.
"He let one get away towards the end of the game," Coach Crossman said after the game, "but he looked like a real pro there for the first 40 minutes of the second half."
Ereeland scored its third and final goal in the 86th minute, as two players close to the box passed between each other; one quickly shooting for the goal.
This was the least of Crossman's concerns, as the team missed several easy scoring opportunites up the field in the second half.
Final score: Ereeland 3, 95X 0 |
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(OOC: continues to read newspaper... - never saw any actual RP of gameplay - if this isn't OK with anyone, especially Baz, please let me know.)
Due to a scheduling/editing error, a story about 95X's first AOCAF 19 game did not appear in any previous edition of the Courier. We apologize for the error. For the sake of completeness, we present a summary of the game:
Bazalonia 3, 95X 2
Subarnas, Bettia - 95X pulled ahead early in its first AOCAF 19 game, with joined twins Melissa/Michelle Mitchell scoring the first goal in the 23rd minute. Bazalonia tied things up in the 35th minute, with a goal by Ricky Yunn.
In the second half, 95X would again quickly take the lead, with Natalia Montara scoring a goal in the 61st minute. Bazalonia scored again in minute 72 with a goal by Everrett Kang.
With the score tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, the game went into extra time, where the Bazalopes' strength overpowered the young 95X squad. David Myfanwy scored for the Bazalonian win within a few minutes. |
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RP cutoff for MD3. |
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We don't do defence |
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Posts: 956 |
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Manhattan Herald – 23rd January 2007
Latest report from AOCAF 19
Chippers Defeated on First Day in Bettia
Group D – Manhattan Prime 1:3 Delesa
Manhattan Prime: Dreygo 29mins
Delesa : McShane 14, 80mins, Olivier 36mins
Manhattan Prime kicked off their AOCAF 19 campaign against Delesa, suffering a 3-1 defeat on the first day of play.
Delesa came out strongly, with the team’s quick pass and move game outfoxing the Manhattanites to start with. It took only 14 minutes for McShane to put Delesa ahead, but with their opponent’s defense getting cocky, young Vykk Dreygo was able to beat two defenders, and slot into the bottom corner to equalise just before the half an hour mark.
Delesa struck back through Olivier 7 minutes later, slotting past Clive Hilton in the Chippers goal. With the half time whistle blown, the Manhattanite manager clearly tried to fire his team up, and they came out for the 2nd half raring to go.
Katakana came close with a header laid off from Donavan, and DeSilva too had a good chance from a corner. However it was Delesa who scored next, with McShane grabbing a 2nd goal 10 minutes from full time, and the game was to end like that, with the Manhattanites on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat, as the Delesan defense shut up shop.
This is clearly not the best news for their under-pressure manager, and he must hope the team can raise their game for the next match.
Manhattan Prime Team:
Clive Hilton (GK)
Lucas Thompson (RB)
John Clarke (CB)
Karl Heinze (CB)
Hitoshi Akita (LB)
Ethan Smith (DMC)
Michael Donavan (MC)
Felix DeSilva (AML)
Mashashi Takamura (AMR)
Vykk Dreygo (S)
Yosh¡to Katakana (S)
This post has been edited by Manhattan Prime on Mar 24 2007, 05:45 PM |
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Reese Nichols had seen better days. Sure, he scored the winner in penalties for Sarzonia as the Stars earned their first victory after the team's reemergence from the national period of isolation. Sure, Nichols scored his first goal at the international level to give the Stars a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute against Delesa.
But Nichols gingerly edged the pack of ice that cradled his right knee gingerly. He'd gotten the injury in a collision with United fullback Patrick O'Casey as both men were going for the ball deep in United's end. Nichols had to be helped off the pitch, all the while listening to Sarzonian coach Alan Whittsig screaming at the referee because O'Casey wasn't at least booked for his aggressive tackle.
"I don't know how many more matches I can take like this," Nichols said quietly in response to reporter Travis West's question about the match. "First, we're running around for 120 minutes and we're banging with a physical side. Football is meant to be played in 90 minutes plus stoppage, not 120 minutes plus stoppage, plus penalties."
Timbers forward Matt Lynch, Nichols's frontline mate in these matches in AOCAF XIX, eyed his teammate sympathetically. Even though Lynch's tall, lithe frame made him look like an inviting target to some burlier fullbacks, he was able to dish out his own share of punishment to any back who dared to try his luck. However, Lynch didn't have Nichols's sense for when to do so with the officials not looking. Thus, Lynch drew a yellow card for his retaliation against O'Casey. The match briefly was interrupted by a scuffle that led to yellows against sweeper Jason Clare and Sarzonian enforcer Cody Seager.
"They're a dirty team," Lynch said when West made his way to his locker room. "Uh, could you make that off the record?"
"I don't know if I can," West said, aware that his editor likely would have a problem with it. "I'd have to check with my editor."
"Forget it," Lynch said. "United seemed to play like a team that would rather injure our lads than win a football match. Print that."
Young midfielder Pete Taylor walked over to the scene with West and said, "if Matt won't say it on the record, I will. United plays dirty." Taylor scored the equaliser in the 24th minute, answering Michael McShane's third minute tally. McShane scored the other Delesa goal in the third minute of stoppage time to spoil Sarzonia's chance to win the match outright, but goalkeeper Erik Conyer got his revenge on the Delesan striker by parrying aside his poorly-struck shot in the fifth round of penalties to give Sarzonia the win.
After the ball bounced harmlessly away from the outstretched glove of Conyer, the Daily Mail's photographer was able to capture the moment that encapsulated the feelings the two teams had: McShane with his hands covering his face as a small sliver suggested a tear-stained chin while Conyer's right fist punctured the air above it and his open mouth seemed to let out decades of frustration and months of uncertainty.
Sarzonia were back. Damn it felt good to be a Star. |
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Sarzonia |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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