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Stars go home losers
After a World Cup qualifying campaign that saw Sarzonia show flashes of its form from the glory days, the Stars played three matches during the 25th Atlantian Oceania Cup of Association Football that served as a stark reminder of how far they still had to go.
An offence that scored four goals against O Ale Ale in a World Cup qualifying match and three away goals against world No. 1 Valanora could only muster an own goal against Nojika in a 1:2 loss. Sarzonia finish the tournament 0-0-3, scoring one goal and conceding six.
"We got a rude reintroduction to AOCAF play," said manager Brian Wilson. "As I've said all along, we knew the road wouldn't be easy."
Nojika's Marcellus Alson scored both goals for Nojika in the 25th and 39th minutes, while Sarzonia's goal came when goalkeeper Atilio Van's attempted clear caromed off the rear end of a Nojikan defender and into the goal in the 66th minute. Despite Sarzonia again playing with a three forward lineup, Sarzonia couldn't equalise.
Now that the Stars are eliminated, their players have said they will support Pacitalia.
"Now that we're no longer playing and the Chippers are also out, we intend to cheer for Pacitalia," said forward Matt Lynch. "Perhaps this will finally be the tournament that sees the Blue Foxes win the title they have long deserved." Pacitalia's next match is a quarterfinals battle against longtime Stars rivals Krytenia. Forward Reese Nichols joked about the Aces and their usual tradition of losing in penalties to Sarzonia.
"Maybe we can pass along some of our mojo to the Blue Foxes," he said.
Fidelia lost a shock 0:6 result to Bazalonia, whom Sarzonia held to a lone goal at the Iron Bowl in Portland. Fidelia dominated the Stars 3:0 in Manhattan in Sarzonia's first match of the tournament. |
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It's all about the Navy. |
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Panthers Advance to AOCAF Quarter Finals
Nojika will face Demot in Quarter Finals, Panthers are confident of success
WAP -- Media outlets around the region are still in doubt over the talented Nojikan side that has outplayed all of its opponents thus far. Having only managed a draw against Bazalonia, two wins against Fidelia and Sarzonia were enough to secure Nojika's place in the Quarter Finals. This victory over the Stars of Sarzonia was underpinned by the creativity and perseverance of star winger Jonathon Frusciante and brought to fruition by the finishing power of Marcellus Alson. Nojika will continue it's AOCAF campaign with a match against Demot (3-0-0) in the Quarter Finals.
Their 2-1 victory ensured they would advance to the Quarter Finals, something that has proved elusive in prior competitions, and seemed impossible after a bore draw against Bazalonia on match day one of the group stage. Once again, Greeves was indebted to Alson, who 2nd and 3rd goals this competition fired Nojika to a 2-0 lead before half time. Then again, they wouldn't have needed two goals if their hadn't been a defensive lapse that had Atilio Van bounce a clearance off defender Hersh Costin and into his own net late in the second half.
Once again, it was Jonathon Frusciante that was the heart of all of Nojika's best chances, underlining his pivotal role in the side. While he struck one free-kick wide and Madura and the increasingly confident Jasper Betance, the best early chance fell to Marcellus Alson, whose control and touch let him down. But, despite some early misplaced passes, Bartol's tackling ability came to Nojika's rescue on several occasions in his experimental role as a holding midfielder.
Without a doubt, Nojika did not play to their full potential, but they seized the lead on 25 minutes when Frusciante's corner fell to Marcellus Alson on the edge of the penalty area and he instinctively sent his shot into the far corner and out of reach of the opposing keeper. That goal seemed to serve as a cue for the Panthers to step up the pressure. The Stars' keeper pulled off a number spectacular saves in the following minutes, but it was once again Marcellus Alson that broke through and gave Nojika a 2-0 lead with six minutes left in the first half. The Panthers poured through the midfield and when Frusciante sent an inviting ball forward to Alson, he thrashed his volley into the net.
Having finished second in AOCAF Group B, behind Bazalonia only by goal differential, Nojika have advanced to the Quarter Finals where they will face Group A's first place winners, Demot. The two sides have only ever met twice before, and each have come away with a win. In AOCAF 19, both Nojika and Demot were in Group D where Demot finished 6th and did not qualify for the Quarter Finals and Nojika finished 2nd behind the Lamoni Hawks. In their group match, Nojika were the victors, beating Demot 4-3 before being knocked out of the Quarter Finals by Bazalonia. And more recently, in AOCAF 22 Nojika found themselves the losers of a 3-0 thrashing in Group B at the hands of Demot. Demot were eventually knocked out by Hypocria in the Quarter Final. "We will not be changing our tactics drastically," said Nojika's manager Rudy Greeves, "We've watched [Demot] play and our style will surely give them problems and I expect us to go up early and hold onto the lead. We'll advance, and they won't. I have no doubt about that."
What the team is saying:
"They play with just three midfielders and with three forwards. They tend to favor attacking, where we are more balanced. We've got the best goalkeeper in the NPL, we've got strong, notable defenders that play for the best clubs in Nojika, and midfielders that are experienced and know how to put the ball where our strikers want it, and they know how to put it past the keeper." - Chad Smyyth
"Sure we're confident. We've watched them play and looked at their strategies and we know what we need to do to close them down and keep them from getting the ball into the back of the net." - Jonathon Frusciante
"We'll win. End of story." - Jerrold Madura
Nojika: 2 - 1 Sarzonia
(Alson 25' & 39') - (OG Costin 66') |
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Associated Press of Nojika Releases Quarter Final Predictions
Once again Nojika advance to the Quarter Finals, and we predict the outcome
ROZIER, NOJIKA -- The Panthers have advanced into the quarter finals of the AOCAF. The 2-1 victory over Sarzonia secured a Group B second place finish and an appearance in the playoffs for Nojika. The APN has taken into consideration only past and present form as well as historical team strength.
Pacitalia (2-1-0) vs. Krytenia (1-0-2)
Pacitalia, without a doubt look to be the stronger of the two sides, but Krytenia have looked more comfortable on the pitch. This will not be a fight to the death. We expect both sides will start out looking only to defend their own net, and it will be the Blue Foxes that will make the offensive push that forces Krytenia to defend more and more before they let a goal through. Prediction: Pacitalia wins 2-1
Bazalonia (2-1-0) vs. Lamoni (2-0-1)
The match of the round without question sees Bazalonia and Lamoni face off in what is sure to be an epic and historical match. Should Bazalonia do the impossible and defeat Lamoni, they may have what it takes to go all the way. Lamoni however, have the experience and talent to see off the Bazalopes. A match to close to call, but we expect Bazalonia to continue their winning form. Prediction: Bazalonia wins 1-0
Starblaydia (3-0-0) vs. 95x (1-2-0)
It's a mystery how a team like 95x have made it to the Quarter Finals of one of the most prestigious football competitions in the world. The only team 95x managed to defeat in the group stage was unknown Sorthern Northland. The only hope that 95x has to advance is that they manage to hold off Starblaydia in the same fashion they did Pacitalia and get lucky in a penalty shootout. Prediction: Starblaydia wins 3-0
Demot (3-0-0) vs. Nojika (2-1-0)
It goes without saying that the Panthers are the underdogs of this matchup. The two sides have only faced one another twice before and each have won once. We expect however, that Nojika will prevail having already faced tougher opponents Bazalonia, Fidelia, and Sarzonia in the group stage. Nojika has the talent and experience to defeat Demot, and Demot's only goal will come from one of their 3 strikers. Prediction: Nojika wins 2-1
This post has been edited by Nojika on Jan 25 2009, 01:38 AM |
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Pacitalia captures group C with simple play in final match
Blue Foxes find themselves group winners, will face Krytenia in quarterfinals
Wapahkoneta (PSN) — Pacitalia's national football squad ended up atop their group at the 25th Atlantian Oceanian Championship of Association Football, following a 1-0 win over Sorthern Northland on matchday three.
Adrian Manoliu once again proved his status as an indispensable part of the squad and as the likeliest candidate to start at striker once Ambrosino Giurimano retires or the playing formation changes to a two-striker system. Manoliu stood in at striker for the second straight match in place of Giurimano, who is resting up for the knockouts after contracting a stomach bug.
Manoliu's goal, the lone one of the match, came in the 49th minute. The powerful striker gathered up a lead pass from left-midfielder Andolfabio Vunghiasso and broke through the Northlandian defence, launching a wicked cuff to the top-right corner of the net past the outstretched fingers of the SN keeper.
The goal held up, helped by a resilient back line and four excellent saves from Abro Zolà in the remaining 41 minutes of play. Pacitalia now moves on to play Krytenia in the quarterfinals.
Pacitalia topped group C with two wins and a draw over its three matches, earning seven points. 95X finished second with a win and two draws for five points. Sorthern Northland came in third with three points (1-0-2) and were eliminated, as were Koseli Cumhuriyetler. The Turkish squad finished 0-1-2 to end the tournament, gaining a single point. 95X will play six-time champions Starblaydia in the last eight.
Sarzonia's return to the world's premier regional competition was marred with its third loss in three matches. The Stars faced arguably the toughest group stage of the tournament, paired with Fidelia, Bazalonia and Nojika. Stunningly it is Nojika that advances with Bazalonia to the quarterfinal stage and not reliable powerhouse Fidelia. The Chippers were shellacked 0-6 by the Bazalopes on the final match day and crashed out of the tournament.
Once again, the quarterfinal matchups are: Demot (A1) v Nojika (B2), Bazalonia (B1) v Lamoni (A2), Pacitalia (C1) v Krytenia (D2), and Starblaydia (D1) v 95X (C2).
From Wapahkoneta
Pacitalia 1 : 0 Sorthern Northland
PAC — Manoliu 49'
SNR — None
Next up — PAC v KRY (QF), SNR v n/a (eliminated) |
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The best place on earth. |
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Demot Daily ~ Regional Success?!?!
For the longest time now, Demot has been somewhat of a conadrum in the regional tournament. They have been among the very best in the world, yet they have routinely done very poorly when it has come to the AOCAF competition. It had become such a routine amount of failure, that there has been a time or two when the DFA has sent an under twenty-one side, or the media has completely ignored the competition. However, in his last year in charge, David Masteron ordered the DFA to send a full stregnth side to the AOCAF, as many other nations were doing the same. Imagine then the shock of not only the Dynamo supporters, but the entire region when the Dynamo not only have found themselves in the Quarterfinals, but atop of their group with a perfect record. This includes a comprehensive three to one drubbing of defending champions and neighbors/allies, Lamoni on the last matchday to secure the top position.
Just as is the case with the national team in the world's foremost competition, one has to wonder if the Dynamo are now on the right track here in the regional game. The upcoming quarterfinal fixture against Nojika will surely either confirm that the Druid's position in the regional heirarchy is in the upward position, or if lady luck is merely playing games with the heart's and mind's of the Dynamo faithful once again. The sides have met twice before, both times coming in an AOCAF, with each side taking home a victory. The Dynamo are the most recent winners, and if form is anything to go off of, they are the slightly better side. Nojika is not a nation to underestimate though, as they have had their share of tests in the form of Bazalonia and Fidelia. While Sarzonia might have the history, they have been absent from the footballing scene for too long to be considered a true test of our oppisition's quality.
The injection of Iganci into the middle has been one of the best moves that the Cafundelense manager has made in his tenure as the Dynamo boss. The hard working and ball winning midfielder has made life difficult for the oppisition, as evidence by only the single goal against the side in the group stages. He can also get into the attack well, as his set up for Rotherwell's hattrick against the Hawks was suberb and well worth man of the match considerations if not for Julius' finishes. He will be the key if the Dynamo are indeed going to be able to play another two games in the competition or if they make the trip back home following the match against the Panthers. My gut tells me that the Dynamo supporters better be getting tickets for two more matches, for this force is becoming unstoppable.
Scorers
Julius Rotherwell - 4
Jurian Mastaru - 2 |
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Hawks lose to Demot, still in the knockouts
We are still not sure of what happened out there on the pitch against Demot, but what we do know for certain is that the Hawks lost 3-1. Not even a furious halftime speech by the coach could turn the tide, as it was already 2-1 by that point. During the second half, Demot scored the third goal, which sank Lamonian hopes of dominating their group.
However, the Hawks only fall to second place in their group, and will be facing regional friends Bazalonia in their first knockout match of this AOCAF. If Lamoni wins this match, a spot in at least the 3PPO is assured. However, this is not good enough for the Hawks, who are still aiming to defend their AOCAF cup, and up their number of AOCAFs won to 4.
The Hawks have a fairly good record against the Bazalopes, and Lamoni will be making full use of this (as limited as it inherently is) in their upcoming match. This is truly a win or die match for Lamoni.
Lamoni - 1
Demot - 3 |
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I hope you'll forgive me for the extremely late RP cut-off... had some work to do...
But now that we're done with RL work, we'll head back to AO where WORK does YOU.
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(OOC: Apologies in advance, I had to go with Kry's AOCAF 24 roster.)
Pure magic
Classic performance from Pacitalia's "Magician" fires the Blue Foxes through to semifinals
Wapahkoneta (PSN) — A pair of goals highlighted star striker Ambrosino Giurimano's return to the Pacitalian starting eleven, as the Blue Foxes posted a 3-0 quarterfinals victory over Krytenia.
The result was arguably their performance of the tournament so far. Having conceded at least a goal in two of their group stage matches, the Blue Foxes focused their energy on defending in their final group-stage match and came away successful with a 1-0 win over Sorthern Northland. Squad captain and starting keeper Abro Zolà made it clear they would attempt to replicate that success.
The Blue Foxes played 4-2-3-1 as usual but employed a similar tight-back formation for their quarterfinal against Krytenia. Holding midfielders Giordano Muntefeora and Chimano San Sebastiano remained behind the half line after the first Pacitalian goal, creating an unusual but highly effective six-man back line.
Giurimano notched the opening tally 12 minutes in. The Pacitalian striker easily intercepted a poorly-timed pass from Krytenian left-back Gareth Nophelos to linemate Leon Ricard. The two highly regarded backs were caught too far forward leaving keeper Peter Mickelsen as the last defence for the Krytenian squad. Giurimano aimed left, pulling Mickelsen with him, then softly tapped the ball low and right with the outside of his foot to put the Blue Foxes ahead.
A subsequent Andolfabio Vunghiasso goal doubled the Pacitalian lead in the 35th minute. da Scupeta's corner arced into the penalty area and the Pacitalian left-midfielder scooped through a header which redirected off the shoulder of Mickelsen and into the top-centre of the net. Krytenia attempted to argue for a handball on the part of Vunghiasso — it appeared his right elbow had grazed the ball after it made contact with his head. The official ignored the calls and play continued. The failed challenge appeared to deflate the Krytenians heading into halftime.
In the second half, Krytenia's starting XI came out strong. Manager James Flynn replaced both starting strikers with their reserve counterparts to start the second forty-five. Spurred on by high-octane, repeated attempts by Dennis Spitteri, the Krytenians appeared to be regaining momentum and pulling back into the match. But the match was put out of reach of Pacitalia's quarterfinal opponents exactly an hour in, as Giurimano gathered up a lead pass and fired a rocket to the top right corner of the net past Mickelsen to extend the Blue Foxes' lead and secure a win.
Pacitalia now faces Nojika in the semifinals and is guaranteed at least another familiar fourth-place finish in the tournament. The Panthers squeaked past Demot winning 3-0 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw after regulation time. Starblaydia defeated 95X by a 3-1 scoreline and Lamoni edged out Bazalonia 3-2. The Starblaydia-Lamoni semifinal will surely be the one to watch in the penultimate round of play.
From Wapahkoneta
Pacitalia 3 : 0 Krytenia
PAC — Giurimano 12', 60' / Vunghiasso 35'
KRY — None
Next up — PAC v NOJ, KRY v n/a (eliminated)
This post has been edited by Pacitalia on Jan 26 2009, 05:14 PM |
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The best place on earth. |
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Once more...
It's those men again
Starblaydia and Lamoni will meet for the seventh time in six Cups as they face off in the Semi-Final of the twenty-fifth edition. A hundred years after some Krytenian called out for the region's football teams to come in the spirit of competition and friendship, one of the two big beasts of the AOCAF Cup will knocked out at the penultimate hurdle. Lamoni have three titles while Starblaydia have six, though Lamoni are the defending champions, of course, having beaten Starblaydia in their last meeting four years ago. In that Cup, in fact, Lamoni came away from three matches against Starblaydia with two wins and a draw and, though it wasn't enough to knock Starblaydia off the top of Group 2 that Cup, it gave them the momentum to go on and win their third title.
Momentum, however, is something Starblaydia know something about. Three top-three finishes in the last three tournaments - a first, second and third place - as well as being the first team that wasn't NEWI Cefn Druids to defend an AOCAF title. The other team to have done that? Lamoni. Another team finishing in the top three for three consecutive Cups? Lamoni, with two firsts and a second. The two sides are, without doubt the best in the region and have been for a number of years. One of them will not be able to make the final - which would be Starblaydia's and Lamoni's tenth and eighth appearances, respectively - and have a shot at extending their run of titles. Starlbaydia might make it a magnificent seven, while Lamoni would draw 'level' with Vilita & Turori's four. It should of course be two for Vilita and two for Vilita & Turori, but international politics evidently doesn't work that way and they have a total of four.
Starblaydia made it to the exciting Semi-Final clash with their arch-rivals thanks to a win over 95X. The 95Xers had evidently decided that they didn't think they could contain Starblaydia's youthful attacking potential, so it seemed as if their tactic was to park a bus in front of their goal. Two solid lines of four, with a withdrawn striker and one lonely man hanging around in Starblaydia's half in order to make vain attempts at a counter-attacking strategy. Starblaydia knew their task from the outset: break down this 95X side to progress to the last four. Though Callind was, as ever, a battering ram to the opposing defence, Ryu Jones found himself ineffectual, substituted at half time for the Elf Carnophin Narquelie. By then, however, Starblaydia found themselves behind as, despite the excellent marshalling of the lone 95X striker by Ignacius Sverus, the defender found himself in the wrong place at a rare 95X corner as 95X's main striker bulleted a header into the back of the net, putting the title-chasers in white behind.
Half Time came and went with everyone knowing that the longer Starblaydia remained behind, the more jittery they would become as the pressure would begin to pile upon young shoulders. Evidently the thirty-five year-old veteran striker leading the team knew exactly the right medicine for that, equalising from a low shot six minutes after the restart. Six minutes later and the substitute Elven striker had given Starblaydia the lead, bursting onto a pass from Johnson to flick it into the net. When Starblaydia were finally in front, 95X knew their task was now much, much harder. Not only did they have to get at least one goal back, they also had to keep Starblaydia out.
It was not possible to do both and, in the end, they did neither. Starblaydia were not threatened at the back and not stopped at the front. Gabrielle Johnson was the beneficiary with her second goal in four games to make the scoreline three to one, sealing the match for Starblaydia.
The next match may well decide the fate of the tournament, in that Starblaydia or Lamoni would both be considered favourites for the title, whoever they played, especially after having just defeated their greatest opponents. Whether it be the surprise package of Nojika or the old chokers of Pacitalia in either the Final (or even the Third Place Play-off) Starblaydia will be confident of defeating any opponent.
One thing at a time, though. Lamoni first, then assess the situation afterwards.
Final score:
Starblaydia 3 - 1 95X
(Callind 51, Narquelie 57, Johnson 74) - (#10 42) |
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Despite my late RP cut-off for the most recent matchday period, I feel confident that no one will bite me if I end the cut-off at your regularly scheduled Jiffy Lube commercial... reminding that keeping your car in top notch state is easy if you schedule your oil change with Jiffy Lube! They'll do your tire rotation and 482,443,654,319,924 point inspection with you, all complimentary with purchase of a new squishy stress-reliever ball.
Oh, and scores will be up in a little bit. |
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Destiny Calling
Starblaydia face Pacitalia in Final
No matter what the outcome of the Final match in Wapakhoneta, history will have been made. Not only in that Starblaydia and Pacitalia have never faced each other at such an advanced stage of the competition as this, but also that either a new name will be added to the list of champions, or that a very familiar one will be engraved onto the trophy for the seventh time. Starblaydia's record in this, the world's premier regional football tournament, is second to precisely none. In a tournament that knocks the Heartland Cup, Haven Cup, Dienstad Cup and every other regional tournament into a cocked hat, Starblaydia have been the most powerful force in shaping the fortunes of the AOCAF Cup.
Bar their debut tournament, the second AOCAF Cup, Starblaydia have never once been ranked outside the Top Eight nations in Atlantian Oceania. The three-time World and record-breaking six-time Regional champions will make their tenth appearance in the final, yet another record extended. It sometimes makes you wonder why anyone else bothers to enter, but looking at it a different way, explains why the AOCAF Cup is so popular.
Atlantian Oceania has some of the greatest athletes in the world, evidently a higher proportion of the friendly, sporty and competitive types are to be found within our landmasses. Those who think they are the best in the world come to play here, to prove themselves against the gold standard that Atlantian Oceania provides. Starblaydia, Vilita, Bettia, Vephrall, Sarzonia, Krytenia, Bedistan, Casari, Kura-Pelland, Bedistan, Demot, Bazalonia, Dancougar, Capitalizt SLANI, Nedalia. They all have their homes here and we all know their deeds in the footballing arena. Some, of course, do not play on the world stage, like Lamoni, Pacitalia and Nojika, but here they compete with the best in the world. The AOCAF Cup is something to be treasured, nurtured and continued. Whichever crazy Krytenian it was who came up with the idea and the oft misquoted acronym - which Starblaydi journalists are as guilty of as any - has surely done the world a great service.
The Atlantian Oceania Confederation of Association Football is the glue that holds the region together. No matter who is in charge of the nations, who's fighting who or what's going on where, the football teams come together to simply play. Though it gets a little heated at times, it's better that we have it than not.
Starblaydia defeated Lamoni by three goals to one, thanks to the two strikers Callind and Jones, along with a supplementary goal from the Orthodox Apprentice, Juan. It was Callind's thirty-eighth goal for his country, putting him solidly ninth on the all-time list of Starblaydi strikers. Ryu Jones' goal was his fourth in five appearances and the twenty year old, who is expected to lead the line at the eighth Di Bradini Cup, is getting his career off to a great start. This entire midfield, in fact, are proving the saying that 'if you're good enough, you're old enough'. Barring the near six millennia old Elf, of course, the three human midfielders have yet to reach twenty years each.
The two Finalists last met in the 24th AOCAF Cup in Bazalonia, the Semi-Final in fact. Daymon Callind was there that day, wearing the number five shirt. So was Bazrador Drakkiborgo, there playing as Left-Back rather than wearing the suit and yelling from the touchline. Starblaydia went on to lose the final to Lamoni, while Pacitalia lost the Third-Place match to hosts Bazalonia. As per usual, Ambrosino Giurimano is expected to be the Blue Foxes' leading threat, while Daymon Callind is the main man for Starblaydia.
It will be a tense, exciting, skillful and determined match in Wapakhoneta, with football fans from around the region able to pin their hopes on either blue or purple. Nojikans, at least, will be pulling for Starblaydia, but expect Lamonians, Sarzonians, Krytenians and more to be supporting the Foxes. It is ever thus for Starblaydia, who expect to be out-numbered in the stadium despite large number of fans taking a trip to the centre of the region.
All we know at the moment is that this one will make history - for someone.
Final score:
Lamoni 1 - 3 Starblaydia
(Lipford 58) - (Callind 15, Jones 27, Juan 74) |
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Predator becomes prey
Blue Foxes nail down decisive win over Panthers to meet Starblaydia in the final
Wapahkoneta (PSN) — The scoreline clearly disagreed with the Panthers' efforts in the tournament or the Nojikan squad's depth. Pacitalia registered three excellent goals in the first half to deflate the Panthers, soundly defeating them 4-0 at full time to set up a classic AOCAF showdown with Starblaydia.
It will be the Blue Foxes' second final appearance. In their first appearance in the championship match, the Pacitalian squad posted a heartbreakingly close 1-2 loss in AOCAF 19 to Vilita & Turori. And by facing Starblaydia, the Blue Foxes will be looking to exact revenge, not only for the loss in AOCAF 19's final, but also for a knockouts loss to the Starblaydi squad in the AOCAF 24 semifinals.
In a nod to history, fans on both sides will be looking to the thrilling group stage match between the Blue Foxes and the Purple Peril in AOCAF 23. Pacitalia emerged victorious, 3-2, after the two squads potted three goals in the final quarter of an hour. The win leapfrogged Pacitalia into first on the final matchday to capture the group and face West Starblaydia rather than Lamoni. However, the Blue Foxes were eliminated in a shock quarterfinals loss and the Starblaydi went on to capture their sixth title.
Starblaydia, having defeated bitter archrivals Lamoni 3-1 in the other semifinal, are now looking for their unprecedented and unmatched seventh title in their equally unprecedented and unmatched tenth appearance in the AOCAF final. Conversely, if Pacitalia come away winners in the final match, it will mark their first capture of the regional football trophy, and the country's first ever major championship victory.
But, given the Blue Foxes' history of failure in key moments of past tournaments, can we really expect more than just a humble second place finish again? Either way, Pacitalian fans seem to be happy to have blue meet purple in the final — the general mood of public opinion indicates Starblaydia are viewed as a friendly rival. The football is consistently exciting and free of controversy or pre- and post-match vitriol.
Massimo da Scupeta was scratched for the semi against Nojika — he endured a minor sprain on a lower vertebra and chose to sit out to ensure health for the final. Manel Bernat i Lém thus earned his first cap for the Blue Foxes; his most notable contribution to date was indeed against Starblaydia in the AOCAF 23 group stage, helping set up the winning Giurimano strike.
Bernat i Lém wasted no time to the delight of the raucous crowd of around 45,000 Pacitalia supporters in the stadium. Five minutes in he crossed the plane into the 22-yard box, skipping past Jesse Mirko, and fired off a seemingly harmless shot that evaded a misdirected Atilio Van. The early strike steeled the Blue Foxes, who excitedly but quietly celebrated at the corner marker.
Indeed, the fans clad in cerulean and white had to do a double-take and rub their eyes. Right off the Nojikan kick-off, striker Ambrosino Giurimano raced forward and pinned the ball, shovelling it to a waiting Michelangelo Mascagnano. Masca then darted for the corner with Panthers right back Hersh Costin in hot pursuit and midfielder Dana Costella lagging sharply behind. The Pacitalian centre-mid crossed the ball to the centre in a high arc where Bernat i Lém took a rocketing swipe at the ball. It missed barely, glancing off the post and high into the air. The ensuing mosh below hampered Van enough to force him back and, with a stroke of luck, the ball came back to earth right above Giurimano.
With poise and precision, the Pacitalian striker redirected a glancing header that lobbed neatly mid-height into the left side of the netting. With Pacitalia's lead now to two goals less than ten minutes in, there was a newfound sense of urgency among the Nojikan eleven to equalise... and quickly. A couple of outstanding chances for Panthers striker Marcellus Alson in the 14th minute and the 20th minute did not materialise further than a regrettably misguided pair of attempts. Jerrold Madura's crossing attempt from right up against the end line in the 24th came brutally close to beating Abro Zolá at an impossibly wide angle but Alson could not meet the arcing ball in time and Angelo Bordellatta swiftly cleared.
The spectators watched in absolute shock as the Blue Foxes converted a third goal not even a half-hour into the match. Were they about to witness an offensive blowout? Entering the penalty area, Giurimano hooked left at the goal box, evading Mirko, and lobbed a light pass that was brushed away by Van. The ball reached Costin, who attempted to clear, but it glanced off Andolfabio Vunghiasso's knee and remained in play. Vunghiasso curved left to the goal line to keep Giurimano on-side, and fired off his own volley as the clock turned over to the 26th minute. Van once again repelled the attempt but directed the ball straight to the feet of Giurimano. The striker had little problem tucking the ball past the smothering Van and putting Pacitalia up 3-0.
As Marco van Basten screamed to his Foxes to switch to a defending and counterattacking style, and played Chimano San Sebastiano and Giordano Muntefeora back in the increasingly familiar 6-3-1 formation, Nojikan scoring chances correspondingly became fewer and further between. After the Madura crossing attempt in the 24th minute, the Panthers registered not a single attempt on goal in the remainder of the first 45. In fact, a poorly taken corner, by the usually reliable Jonathon Frusciante in the 39th minute, stood up as the only offensive production generated by the Panthers the rest of the way in a highly lopsided first half.
The tempo and style of play became neutral, reserved and somewhat uninspiring to start the second half. For a full half-hour, only five chances materialised between the two sides, with Pacitalia creating three of them. Out of the five chances, only Michelangelo Mascagnano's blast from long range had any threat behind it. Alson's attacking chance in the 72nd was stuffed by Sergio San Cristobál just as he attempted a volley.
As time ran off the clock, the Panthers looked haggard and increasingly fatigued. Manager Rudy Greeves substituted both Alson and Madura in the 74th, replacing them with Antony Kedis and Jeramy Larcom. The shake-up did nothing except to perhaps weaken the confidence of the Nojikan back four, as Kedis and Larcom appeared completely distant from the match itself and unable to use their chemistry to create chances.
Giurimano's natural hat trick was complete two minutes later. A Bernat i Lém corner met the foot of Mascagnano. The centre-mid promptly shovelled the ball right to a waiting Giurimano, who stepped up and fired off a howling strike that evaded Van's fingertips and put the Blue Foxes up by a dominant, lopsided 4-0.
Nojika moves sideways to the third-place playoff to meet a Lamoni side reeling from an equally-lopsided scoreline. The Hawks fell to Starblaydia 1-3 and will not defend their title from AOCAF 24. That means the tournament will either have a new champion, or Starblaydia will hoist the cup for a seventh time in ten tries. Time will tell, but as the Starblaydi media report so aptly, "one [team] will make history".
From Wapahkoneta
Nojika 0 : 4 Pacitalia
NOJ — none
PAC — Bernat i Lém 6' / Giurimano 7', 26', 76'
Next up — STB v PAC (F), NOJ v LAM (3P)
This post has been edited by Pacitalia on Jan 28 2009, 08:41 PM |
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The best place on earth. |
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The latest AOCAF 25 RP Cutoff EVAR! EVAR!!!
*runs back into the infirmary*
EVAR!!! |
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OOC: 13-0? Is that really realistic?  |
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