Games 447 and 448 (Friendlies) 01-10-301:

Game 447: Western Zartania - Eastern Zartania:

IVEFA is pleased to announce the results of yesterday's games,
Wednesday, January 10, 301:

The Technical Information

Final score: WESTERN ZARTANIA 0 - EASTERN ZARTANIA 4
Played at: VexStar Field, Castle Brinth, Western Zartania
Attendance: 52,186
Referee: Delmar Nuava (Achenar)
Goals: Faulkner (KTZ, 14th), Fouberg (KTZ, 31st), McBride (KTZ, 56th),
Fouberg (KTZ, 80th)
Yellow cards: Cross (KTZ, 38th), Wystr (KTZ, 64th)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: none

KTZ RETURNS TO OLD FORM

In their first international soccer game since losing both their TKT and
IVEFA titles in October, Eastern Zartania soundly trounced the
neighboring Western Zartania Rifles in what many soccer analysts see as
a return to Eastern Zartania's "classic" form.  The game was the Eastern
Zartania show from beginning to end.  It was clear to everyone present
that the team as a whole, but especially head coach John Hefter, was
still smarting from the lashing that they had received in October's
Empire Cup and Tom Koh Trophy tournaments.  Rumor has it that Hefter
drilled the team extremely hard following those rough October days.
Drills, practices, and team meetings frequently lasted into the
evenings, and some practices were even held under the lights of King
Bruno Stadium.  And all of the hard worked seemed to have paid off
yesterday, as the Eastern Zartanian's played as a cohesive unit through
the entire game.

Eastern Zartania was in solid control of the game from the beginning.
The team's front five kept control of the ball, and kept the Rifles on
their heels.  Striking deep on a pass from midfielder du Cron, Faulkner
drew first blood with a shot that rocketted past Rifles' goalie Slicia
and into the net.  Next was Fouberg's turn, capitalizing on a free kick
due to a hand ball penalty just minutes before halftime.  After the
half, Eastern Zartania continued its roll, dominating the poor Rifles
like the world-class team Eastern Zartania has proven itself to be.
McBride nailed another goal with a header off a corner kick by forward
Henrickson.  And Fouberg got his second goal of the game just prior to
the final gun by simply out-maneuvering the Western Zartanian defense.
In the end, Eastern Zartania picked up its first win of the new year,
and helped set itself up for a solid run in the upcoming VexCup.

The Technical Information

Final score: CALEDON 3 - ALBION-MERITÉ 3
Played at: Arena of the Clans, Donaldville, Caledon
Attendance: 41,895
Referee: Ulf-Ingar Kundursson (Islandia)
Goals: McLeod (CAL, 12th), Hohenzoln (ALM, 25th), McCormick (CAL, 48th),
Peplau (ALM, 56th), Cameron (CAL, 69th), Lenderval (ALM, 83rd)
Yellow cards: Barclay (CAL, 56th), Voultz (ALM, 77th)
Red cards: none
Substitutions: none

CLAYMORES BEGINNING TO MAKE THEIR MARK

The Caledon Claymores, playing only their second game at home since the
liberation of the former Thistland, have proven once again that they may
be a team to be reckoned with internationally.  Having already forced
two very close games against Eastern Zartania in October's Empire Cup,
the Claymore's completed their push for international recognition by
nailing a 3-3 tie against the rising star of Albion-Merité.  The
Imperial Eagles, for their part, played a rather lackluster game,
seemingly believing that their win was a guaranteed thing.  Only when
the Imperial Eagles found themselves down 3-2 with just 21 minutes left
in the game did they seem to come alive.  The defenses on both sides
were severely lacking in both drive and determination, allowing several
strikes to penetrate deeper than they should have.  But, to give credit
where it is due, Caledon's offensive unit played as a cohesive group,
and their passing game was unparalleled.  Their strategic passing
abilities and determination led to their three goals against
Albion-Merité's power defense.  Albion-Merité's three goals came off of
a penalty shot and two corner kicks, showing just how easy it is for the
Imperial Eagles to capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents.  In
the end, most spectators agreed that the 3-3 final score was completely
justified and showed the closeness of these two teams as they head into
the VexCup.