Games 304 through 307 (WZ'99 Vexillium Cup), 01-28-300 thru 01-30-300 (QUARTER FINALS):

Game 304: Lexicon Islands - Allacoa:
 
The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 3 - 1 ALLACOA
Played in: King Bruno Stadium, Imperial City
Attendance: 110,000
Referee: Giodo Vavan (Dascunya)
Goals: Fotonaro (LEX, 17), Filentoz (LEX, 33) van Has (ALC, 76), Flisher
(LEX, 87)
Yellow cards: Killafis (LEX, 35), Filentoz (LEX, 56), Bin Tlacoltia
(ALC, 67).
Red cards: None.
Substitutions: Qede for Smats (ALC, 45) Hampel for Palontar (LEX, 55),
Liller for Lexico (LEX, 75), Steele for King (ALC, 75).

LEXICON ISLANDS FIRST THROUGH TO SEMIS.

The Lexicon Islands today became the first team to win through to the
Semi-final round, knocking Allacoa out of the competition by 3 goals to
1.

With both teams claiming to be playing a subdued defensive game for the
first half, waiting for the other team to crack, the crowd came in
expecting a lot of passing, and not much scoring, but got into the swing
of things whenever there was the chance at a counter attack. The Lexicon
coach came into the game claiming his team would absorb all of the
Allacoan passion, and would then strike when they had the chance, the
Allacoan coach saying basically the same thing, whilst talking his
team's chances up.

The first goal came from a counter attack, scored exactly in the way
described by the Lexicon coach, through a swift counter attack, and
searching cross. Assuming the Lexicon Islands team was going to push the
ball slowly up field, the Allacoan side quickly pressed their opponents,
attempting to keep the ball in the Lexicon half. However, as they pushed
forward, they were caught unawares from a long ball from Estonarios,
which quickly found its man in Fotonaro, beating any Allacoan attempt at
an offside trap to put the forward at a one on one with the Allacoan
goalkeeper, who had successfully shut down Fotonaro twice previously.
Fotonario drew Eldawi off his line, and put in the most delicate chip
shot to put the Vikings up 1-0.

This goal put the Allacoan defence on alert again, and they ensured that
they were monitoring Lexicon play much more closely from that point on.
Raxxon wasn't himself today, marked tightly by the Allacoan defence,
though he did manage to get a few good shots off, but was denied by the
crossbar on one occasion, and Eldawi on another, tipping the shot out
past the near post.

The second Lexicon goal suprised everyone, including the scorer. In a
near-immitation of the previous goal, but on the other side of the
field, the midfielder attempted to cross over to his man in space,
giving him a near-free shot on goal. Filentoz put in a searching ball,
looking for Raxxon, who had moved himself into position well. Filentoz
completely mis-timed his kick, instead of lofting the ball high and
fast, catching it with the outside-top of his left boot, sending it
goalwards. With Eldawi hoplessly out of position expecting the cross,
the ball floated into goal, evading Eldawi's half-strenghted leap,
thanks to him being put completely off balance. Filentoz was seen to
watch the replay intently during the celebrations, shrugging his
shoulders repeatedly at his team-mates when they asked him what had
happened. The goal put the Vikings up 2-0, and they began to shut up
shop for the half, continuing with their gameplan.

The Panthers replaced Smats at half time, who had been completely out of
sorts, replacing him with Qede, who managed to improve the Allacoan
response to swift attacks in the second half. The Allacoans shifted
their gameplan in the second half, shifting their midfielders to a more
attacking role, attempting to pull the scoreline back, with the defence
staying well back, attempting to stop the scoreline getting any higher.
The Lexicon defence was up to the occasion though, thwarting several
good chances, with the most heart stopping moment when Komp used all of
his experience to hoof the ball off the line when it beat his
Goalkeeper.

However, the Panthers did get back in it, through a goal to Jan Rudolf
van Has, a strike struck at a near-impossible angle with his right foot,
as the ball headed to the goal line. Striking the ball well, it just
managed to go past Munstasi, putting the Panthers back in with a shout,
and prompting changes from both teams, with both bringing on good
midfielders. Allacoa put on Steele in an attempt to inject some more
attacking strength, while Liller went on for the Vikings to shore up the
midfield.

Allacoa continued the pressure, but the Lexicon Islands looked
comfortable in stopping the attacking raids, putting the game beyond the
Allacoan reach with a fine strike from 20 metres out through Flisher in
the Midfield.

The Lexicon Islands win through, looking as strong as last year, despite
being only a small nation, and Allacoa go home with many positives to
look back on, appearing to be one of the better teams from Melania, with
certainly the brightest future.

The Technical Information:

Final score: DAVENPORT 0 - NAMURIA 6
Played in: Eddie Dean Field at Booster Park, Madisonia, Eastern Zartania
Attendance: 85,900
Referee: Randie Stickx (Armatirion)
Goals: Ebropa (NAM, 41., penalty), Aldai (NAM, 45.), Aldai (NAM, 60.), Salasarien
(NAM, 66., penalty), Salasarien (80.), Jaar (NAM, 91.)
Yellow cards: Druvolan (NAM, 21.), Worthington (DAV, 80.)
Red cards: Sherman (DAV, 40.)
Substitutions: Aldai for Vabasta (NAM, 40.), Mohran for Tzeng (DAV, 45.), Maccan
for Coughlan (DAV, 67.)

Mysterious stomach infection and bad breaks steer Davenport into disaster!

For all intents and purposes, this was supposed to be another superb matchup
between two high-flying teams which have already exceeded their expectations, the
Davenport Men in Royal, coming off a flattering win over the Westermarc Serpents,
and the Namurian Golden Eagles, who defeated host and top favorites Eastern
Zartania, ousting them from the competition.  However, this supposedly
interestingly close matched game turned into a sheer shooting gallery for Namuria,
with Davenport's stars taking a dramatic turn for the worst!

All members of the Davenport team, with the exception of Jean Harbour and Jeremiah
Dooley, were suffering from an inexplicable stomach irritation, or even infection,
ever since breakfast this morning.  It was never quite determined what may have
caused this phenomenon, and which food item it was that Dooley and Harbour did not
eat, but the others did.  In any event, foul play is suspected, although not
proven.  Food spoilage is another possibility.  The result was the entire
Davenportian squad severely dehydrated, despite their immediate treatment as they
began to fall ill.  The effects of the stomach irritation were not really seen
during the match, but they had certainly left their mark on the players, who were
battling to keep anyting down just hours before the match.

Despite this enormous disadvantage, the Men in Royal played like the Devil to keep
up with a buoyant Namurian team, which apparently had recovered rather well from
their marathon match with Zartania, in which they won in a penalty-shootout.  The
Davenportians, however, clearly showed more signs of physical exhaustion even half
through the first half, due to their health condition.  Nevertheless, Davenport
managed to keep the match scoreless, and to realise a few scoring chances.

However, their story was to take another unlucky turn in the 40. minute.  Vabasta
had broken through the Coughlan defense, and faced little opposition besides
Dooley for a clear shot, but ws brought down by a desperate Sherman from behind,
in the box, with an ankle-twisting crunch kick.  Referee Stickx decided the grisly
foul was not only enough to call the penalty, but also to send Sherman off the
pitch with the red.  Double whammy for Davenport!  Ebropa converted the penalty,
and Aldai came in to replace Vabasta, who could barely limp off the field with
assistance.

Aldai made an immediate impact as well, and dealt a further blow to the
Davenportians by scoring another goal just seconds before the break whistle, with
a clever assist from Jaar, who had faked a direct shot only to hand off to Aldai
at the last second.

Thus, Davenport went into the break, dehydrated, exhausted, two goals down and
with ten men... their downward spiral had begun!  The break afforded them some
much needed recooperation, but it lasted only so long.  Namuria now clearly
smelled the blood, and they seemed to take on wings.  Perhaps it only looked that
way, as the Davenportian players tired increasingly, and also only had 10 men.  So
it was in the 60. minute when again Aldai was successful, scoring from a corner
kick.  Just 6 minutes later, Davenport's fate was sealed with finality, as another
penalty given against them by Stickx, this time after a yellow foul from
Worthington.  Captain Salasarien did the honors, and again scored in the 80.
minute to make it 5-0.

Davenport's players were clearly hurting, not only physically, but also at the
torture they had to endure today, the proud team taking such a beating from an
equal opponent...  they just wanted to go home.  A goal from Jaar in injury time
added icing on the already richly decorated cake for Namuria, while it was another
stab between the ribs for the Men in Royal.  It was a sad day for the Defenseless
and unfortunate Davenport team, a stark contrast to their great win over
Westermarc.  Very unfortunate indeed.

Namuria, meanwhile, must think they are dreaming!  This is their biggest margin
win ever, especially away from home, and that against one of the best teams,
although they certainly can't take too much credit against this ailing and
luckless opponent.  But it is a big win, nevertheless, that puts the Golden Eagles
into the Semifinals against the winner of the biggest match so far in the Cup,
Whitlam vs. Westria, in what promises to be another supermatch!

The Technical Information:

Final score: EASTERN DELGAMIA 0 - BOWDANI 0 (E. Delgamia wins 2-0 on
penalties)
Played in: The Gazelle Ground, Fisher, Whitlam
Attendance: 80,000
Referee: Alfredo Hugo (Lendosa)
Goals: None!
Yellow cards: J. Moran (BOW, 5th), Ie (EDE, 14th), Numseinum (EDE, 29th),
Cinziento (EDE, 42nd), Dandoon (BOW, 48th), Constituissunhe (EDE, 57th),
McDouglas (BOW, 68th), A. Moran (BOW, 87th), Reunidos (EDE, 94th),
Beijocudabaca (EDE, 100th), Coleman (BOW, 114th)
Substitutions: Constituissunhe for Numseinum (EDE, 45th), Weher for
Punneratau (BOW, 80th), Beijucudabaca for Testodasertan (EDE, 90th), Bassen
for Ioe (BOW, 90th)

Eastern Delgamia Prevail in Off-Target, Aggressive Match!

Today was an absolute card-fest, the likes of which have not been seen
since about a month ago in Begral vs South Bay, when the Djerigan referee,
Hajib El-Nussini, handed out 13 yellows and 3 reds in 90 minutes. However,
this time, all the cards were deserved.

>From the start of the match, both teams were out to protect their net. The
motto of defence is the best offence ruled the day. However, the defence
was carried out with some vigour, it could be said.

Four yellow cards were awarded in the first half, three of them to Eastern
Delgamia. Alfredo Hugo had a hard time keeping the players in line, but the
players were smart enough on two things: the first was not to foul in the
box, and the second was not to foul twice.

The second half rolled in, with Eastern Delgamian Coach Jounhe Olibeireinha
making one substitution in the defence, Henri Constituissunhe for Zurhi
Numseinum in the half time break. And the game continued at its same slow,
but aggressive pace, with three yellow cards in the first thirty-five
minutes of the half, until Bowdanian Coach Dale Hetleker saw the end as
being in extra time and substituted Mike Weher for Sanji Punneratau in the
midfield.

Nothing major transpired for seven minutes, then the cruncher occured.

Bowdanian captain Andie Moran committed the cardinal sin: fouling a player
in the box, the player in question being Sother Testodasertan. Referee Hugo
pointed to the spot, and Balhaihe Abeiradela, the best and most experienced
Eastern Delgamian forward at this high level, walked up to take the
penalty. It was the perfect setting: one of the world's best forwards
pitted against one of the best goalies on the planet, Andy Hawk. It was the
one of the best goalies on the planet who prevailed, however. Abeiradela
lost his footing a tiny bit in the approach. It was barely anything, but it
caused the ball to take a totally different path once his left foot struck
it, the ball going middle height centre, hitting Andy Hawk in the chest and
staying there. Balhaihe Abeiradela knew that because of him, the teams
would have to play another thirty minutes of time. Little did he know that
it would be a prelude for the aftermath of those thirty minutes.

Both coaches made substitutions in the full time break. Coach Olibeireinha
of Eastern Delgamia took off the young, inexperienced, but promising young
forward of Sother Testodasertan, and brought on the experience of Auxkihi
Beijocudabaca. Coach Hetleker of Bowdani took off midfielder Jake Ioe, and
sent forward Rich Bassen out of the tunnel, and shifting Robert Marn back
to defence. That brought them from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3 formation,
the same as Eastern Delgamia.

Three more yellow cards were handed out during the two extra time periods,
two going to Eastern Delgamia in the first period and the other going to
Bowdani in the second. But the teams were still no closer to getting goals.
So it came down to the shootout.

Eastern Delgamia was the first team up, and Auxkhi Beijocudabaca was
selected to take the first penalty. Beijocudabaca was no nerves, and
converted the penalty comfortably.

John Killehal came up next for Bowdani, ran up to take the shot, and...
slipped in the mud! He lost his footing and slipped feet first, hitting the
ball however. The ball then rolled towards Aioro Pensodeque in goal, and
was picked up and handed to the referee.

Oie Ie, the man of the short name, stepped up to the spot. He put the
penalty hard and low into the bottom right corner, but Andy Hawk saved the
shot, giving Bowdani some hope.

But that hope was dispelled in the captain vs captan match-up of Andy Moran
against Aioro Pensodeque, when Moran's shot struck the crossbar and went
right back to Moran's feet. Still, it wasn't over yet for the Bowdanians.

In fact more hope was given when Aioro Pensodeque (yes, the goalie was
taking the penalty) shot the ball right into the centre of goal, figuring
that Andy Hawk would dive elsewhere. Hawk didn't however, and the penalty
count was at 1-0 after 2½ sets of penalty kicks.

Rich Bassen was Bowdani's third penalty taker, and his shot well beat
Pensodeque and rebounded off the post... and rolled all the way to the
right-wing sideline. Still 1-0 Eastern Delgamia.

This was becoming a joke for the Delgamians, and for Bowdani, but they
plodded on as necessary. Julio Cinziento, all thirty-three years of him,
stepped up, let the shot go, and had it saved by Andy Hawk, once voted the
best keeper in the world. And it was shown he definitely deserved that
title, because the ball was only about a foot from the crossbar and a foot
from the goalpost when he saved it. Amazing.

Bowdani, for the fourth time, had a chance to draw equal with Eastern
Delgamia. Chris Hund stepped up to hopefully score. And this time, it
looked like Bowdani would. Hund shot the ball into the top right corner as
Aioro Pensodeque dived to the bottom right corner. But the most
coincidental and surprising thing happened. A flock of seagulls had
descended upon the stadium, and Hund's shot hit one of them, the seagull
ricocheting it to the ground, where Aioro Pensodeque grabbed hold of the
ball. Referee Alfredo Hugo went to confer with his linesmen over whether to
allow the shot as legitimate or give Bowdani another penalty kick. They
eventually decided that the shot would be regarded as legitimate, because
of Ingemar Hatt's ruling in the game of Dascunya vs Djeriga in the pool
stages. Eastern Delgamia was still up 1-0.

Balhaihe Abeiradela was selected to take the 5th penalty. And it was the
best choice. Despite the fact that Abeiradela had missed the crucial
penalty three minutes from the end of regulation time, Coach Olibeireinha
was convinced that he had made a mistake, and would be way too pissed off
at himself if he missed the second one. Because of Abeiradela's
convictions, he was elected to be number 5.

In a re-match of the crucial penalty, experience vs experience, talent vs
talent, professional vs professional, world class vs world class, world
class prevailed, as Abeiradela launched the shot, hitting the left post,
clipping the crossbar, and ending up in the top of the net, even though
Andy Hawk had picked the correct corner. The Delgamians celebrated like
never before, as they knew they were going through. They had found out from
Coach Jounhe Olibeireinha that they would be facing Lexicon Islands,
because the Lexicon Islands - Allacoa game had finished by the penalty
shootout. And the Eastern Delgamian fans partied into the night.

The Technical Information:

Final score: WHITLAM 4 - WESTRIA 3
Played at: Hawke Bitter Stadium, Gough, Whitlam
Attendance: 120,000
Referee: José Miguel O'Gorman McGurk (San Patricio)
Goals: Zeschgl (WES, 10th), Blacklock (FRW, 30th), Salamanta (WES,
34th), Walford (FRW, 48th), Walford (FRW, 73rd), Wolff (FRW, 82nd),
Zeschgl (WES, 88th)
Yellow cards: Zimroe (WES, 47th), Storry (FRW, 66th)
Substitutions: McGaw for Parkin (FRW, 45th), Schilla for Voyden (WES,
45th)

DRAGONS SLIP PAST DIAMONDS, INTO SEMIS

Whitlam Dragons head coach John Gray made it very clear in his pre-game
press conference that today's game would not come down to homefield
advantage.  But, events conspired under the lights to make Coach Gray a
liar tonight, though a happy one, as his Dragons just barely beat the
Westria Diamonds by a score of 4-3 in Gough.

Hawke Bitter Stadium in Gough was packed well beyond its officially
listed capacity of 120,000 a good two hours before kickoff.  This game
was billed by the media to be the biggest in Whitlam's history despite
the valiant efforts of Coach Gray to play down its significance.  Both
of these top teams knew what was at stake in this game, and so did their
fans.  The cheering by the fans was deafening as the two teams were
introduced and made their way onto the field just prior to the beginning
of the game.  Both teams' coaches had declared beforehand that they
would not deviate from their usual style of play, and their players kept
to that credo throughout the game.

Westria opened the game in their usual cautious manner, taking the time
to control the ball and probe their opponent's front line for weakness.
And just minutes into the game, they found that weakness.  Whitlam's
midfielder Parkin tripped and fell, knocking fellow midfielder Armstark
down with him.  The Diamonds, always alert and looking for
opportunities, grabbed this one for everything it was worth.  Westrian
forward Salamanta quickly darted through the hole with the ball, as
Westria's other offensive players sprinted forward.  The Dragon defense
seemed to be caught completely off-guard, and weren't able to gather
their wits fast enough to stop Salamanta from centering the ball to
Zeschgl, who powered it right past goalie Zaytseva for the lead.

The Westrian fans went wild with the goal.  The shouts of the fans could
be heard several blocks away in Gough, the city having practically shut
down for the big game.  And their was noise too from the Whitlamite side
of the stadium.  Sitting right behind the Whitlam bench in the front row
was none other than Coach Gray's equally-firey and successful Zartanian
cousin, stock car racer Merton Gray, visiting from Eastern Zartania, and
making sure to give his cousin's team an earful throughout the game.

But something clicked into place for the Dragons.  On the ensuing
kickoff after Westria's first goal, Blacklock let the ball get away from
him.  It was recovered by Westria's alert midfielders and fired upfield
for a chance at a second goal.  But those hopes were quickly dashed by
the retiring defender Didier Genzmer.  Counted out by most critics as
having "lost a step," Genzmer threw himself at the incoming ball and
slammed it back up the field toward his own forwards.  Blacklock and
Walford raced toward the Westrian goal, and weaved their way through the
defense to tie up the score at one a piece.  Now it was the turn of the
Whitlamite fans to make their pleasure known.

But the half wasn't finished yet.  With five minutes left in the half,
Whitlam's Zaytseva was forced to deflect a shot over the goal, setting
up a corner kick.  The Diamonds, known for the calculating precision on
corners, did not disappoint their fans.  The kick by Dülingen landed
just on the far side of the goal, right at the feet of Salamanta who
brushed the ball into the corner.

The first half ended with Diamonds up over Whitlam 2-1.  It was a
precarious lead, but one that gave a feeling of confidence to the
Westrian team and their fans.  After all, they had defeated this team
once before, on a neutral field, and now they were leading at halftime
at their opponent's home field.  The Westrian fans were absolutely
ecstatic, and practically cheered themselves hoarse through the halftime
period.  Both coaches made a single substitution at the half.  Gray
brought in McGaw for Parkin in the defense after it was found that
Parkin's fall at the beginning of the first half and his subsequent 40
minutes of play had strained his ankle.  On the Westrian site, Schilla
was put in for Voyden in the defense when Coach Schrey decided that a
fresh body was needed in the backfield.

The teams emerged back onto the field to a roaring ovation from all the
fans.  The second half began much as the first did, both teams playing
cautiously and probing to see just how tired their opponents were.  The
Diamonds could feel the strength beginning to ebb from the Whitlamite
team, and let loose with a couple quick barrages that were handled by
the Dragon defense.    The Whitlamite fans felt their team's anguish as
well, and responded in true soccer style.  During a throw-in by
Whitlamite midfielder Armstark, a chant began in the crowd: "Dragons!
Dragons!  Bring us the Cup!"  The hopeful chant ringing in their ears,
and words of "encouragement" shouted from the cousins Gray, the Whitlam
Dragon offense came to life.

The "Dynamic Duo" of Walford and Blacklock took the ball and sprinted
downfield with it, two midfielders in tow behind them.  The charging
Whitlamite midfielders seemed to add some confusion to the Westrian
defense, and allowed a few brief seconds for the two forwards to weave
their way through the defenders.  A pass from Blacklock to Walford set
up the tying goal, and Walford actually bounced the ball off goalie
Hasenpfeffer's beg and into the net.

The Whitlamite crowd went wild again, and the players could feel their
energy returning.  The excitement level shot up in the stadium.  But the
Diamonds refused to roll over to the awakening Dragons.  For the next
twenty minutes, Westria's offense and midfielders somehow managed to
keep control of the ball and keep it out of the hands of the pumped-up
Dragons.  In the end, though, it was the retiring defender, Genzmer, who
brought the Dragons back.

Genzmer, taking up the challenge of the hard-charging Westrian forward
Vraseydenhout, made a textbook slide tackle, stealing the ball away and
sending it up the field to Whitlam's waiting forwards.  The resulting
goal was all but decided already, as Walford and Blacklock passed the
ball consistently back and forth and around the Westrian defenders.
Outnumbering Whitlam's forwards seemed to be a mixed blessing for the
Diamonds, as they were able to concentrate on an individual at times,
but allowed the other to slip around them.  Walford made quick work of
it all, though, scoring his second straight goal of the game.

With the Dragons now up 3-2 and with less than 20 minutes remaining in
the game, the tempo increased!  Whitlam drew blood again, a short nine
minutes later, as midfielder Wolff headed in a beautiful corner kick by
Blacklock, putting the Dragons up 4-2.  Now the pace of the game became
positively frantic!  The Diamonds knew that they had less than ten
minutes to score at least two goals.  Their fans cheered them on
mightily, but Whitlam's fans added their cheers and chants to the fray,
inspiring the Dragon defense to greater glory.  Westria moved within one
as the half wound to an end, Zeschgl slipping a quick one past a
distracted Zaytseva.  Westria tried quickly to get the ball back in the
hands of their offense, and succeeded.  With less than a minute to go in
regulation, Westria's full offensive might was charging through the
Dragon's defense and setting up the tying goal for an overtime bout.
But Whitlam's defender Storry dived in front of the ball, knocking it
away to Genzmer, who booted it far enough down the field to run out the
clock.

So the Whitlam Dragons barely squeak out a win over a very determined
Westrian squad.  It's a real shame to see such a fine team be
eliminated, but both teams played with a level of class unimaginable in
such an important game.  The Whitlam Dragons will move on now to face
the Namuria Golden Eagles in the semifinals.  This was a truly great
game for all that played today!!