Games 102 and 103 (Friendlies in Solelhada) 02-19-299 and 02-21-299

Game 102: Solelhada - Eastern Zartania (friendly)

The Technical Information:

Final score: SOLELHADA 2 - EASTERN ZARTANIA 1
Played in: Darsa Anglesa, Solelhada (Estadi Nou del Solelh)
Attendance: 24,490
Referee: Lenni Besecki (Lexicon Islands)
Goals: Langles (SOL, 22.), Paret (KTZ, 39.), Lavalada (SOL, 71.)
Yellow cards:  Buou (SOL, 11.), Cross (KTZ, 36.), jung (KTZ, 55.),
Malastre (SOL, 69.)
Substitutions: Malastre for Auguste (SOL, 45.), Rees for Shelton (KTZ,
55.), Racine for Gordon (KTZ, 65.) de la Mar for Langles (SOL, 73.)

Match commentary:

Tough but excellent matchup sees the home team come through!

A much anticipated matchup saw the underrated Los Diables Roges take on
the top-ranked Eastern Zartanians.  For both teams, this was the first
international action they saw since the Vexillium Cup last November.
However, both sides had also been working hard on their games in the
off-time.  Solelhada wanted to prove that they are one of the top sides
of Vexillium, and KTZ had a reputation to defend.  Both teams resolved
to throw more than usual into this friendly match.

And indeed, it was a hard-fought match all the way.  Solelhada adapted
well to the physical style of KTZ, and made it a point to turn up their
own rougher sides as well.  Indeed, they played as if there was no
second match against Libra on Sunday at all...  both teams seemed to
play on the limit for good portions of the game, and the fans loved it.
We got to see some top-notch football competition of two remarkable
teams.

The home crowd was on their feet most of the time, especially as their
national darling Langles shot the 1-0 from a standard free kick in the
22. minute, which was slightly deflected!  Solelhada was up in the game,
but KTZ fought back immediately.  The action almost never ceased - there
was a constant exchange of balls, great passing play on both sides, and
good attacks which were often stopped through equally good defense
work.  No team had the upper hand for any extended period of play.

KTZ finally scored the equalizer, which was well-deserved, however a
little lucky, as McBride benefitted from Auguste (who was a little beat
up from an earlier foul on him by Cross) mis-dribbling the ball, and
somehow stepping ON the ball, to fall flat on his belly.  McBride thus
took contol of the ball, and Paret was there to score from short
distance after a quick and precise pass that left the Devil's defense
mostly looking.  Auguste further slightly strained his ankle in the
maneuver, and had to be substituted during halftime.

The torrid pace of play continued right out of the box in the second
half, with both teams pushing hard for the victory goal.  Now, very
clearly, the home fans were united behind their team, and continually
cheered them on!  Several good chances on both sides went unrealized.
Solelhadan keeper Delmas was on his mark, and Tom Cross particularly
stood out in the KTZ defense.

Eventually, both teams began to tire a bit, and the pace seemed to slow
down.  It was clear that the physical game had taken some toll.  But
just when the action seemed to calm down a bit, the Devils stormed
forward in a sudden surge that had KTZ not fall back quick enough...
Langles of course was once again the catalyst, with him came Delpuog,
Arrat, and Lavalada.  They moved swiftly across the field, passing the
ball off between them, and Delpuog took a hard shot - but it was
deflected by new goalie Slicia in a great reflex!  However, the rebound
ended up with Langles!  He got ready to shoot.  Slicia was throwing
himself into his line of shot, just having gotten up from his great save
a second earlier.  Here Langles showed why he is one of the best:  he
coolly punted the ball sideways, and away from the charging goalie, to
find Lavalada, who was standing at the far corner, and who only slightly
had to tip the ball into the net, much to Slicia's despair.  But there
was nothing the goalie could have done!

The crowds went wild, and Langles, Delpuog, Lavalada and Arrat engaged
in a goal celebration that took well over a minute, until referee
Besecki issued a warning, that the game needed to continue on!  From
then on, Solelhada played to preserve their lead.  Langles came out for
a midfielder, and they did a good job holding off the late charges from
KTZ.  McBride once again seemed to get a good break as he got the ball
from a defense mistake, but his shot went wide on the left.  Solelhada
hung on to their victory!!

Both teams showed a lot today, and it is too bad that there had to be a
loser - ultimately, the home field advantage proved to be decisive for
Solelhada.  Although this is KTZ's second straight loss, there can be no
doubt that this team is one of Vexillium's best, as is, indeed,
Solelhada, who should improve their ranking after this win.

For Solelhada, it is now another match against debutants Libra, in the
same stadium on Sunday.  It is Libra's first international match, and
Solelhada is heavily favored to win this match as well.  KTZ might
travel on to Bowdani for another friendly there!

The Technical Information:

Final score: SOLELHADA 3 - LIBRA 0
Played in: Darsa Anglesa, Solelhada (Estadi Nou del Solelh)
Attendance: 24,225
Referee: Alexi Verbatim (Northern Gronk)
Goals: de la Mar (SOL, 9.), Lavalada (SOL, 22.), Szabo (SOL, 61.)
Yellow cards:  Peiracava (SOL, 33.), Gomez (LIB, 39.), Manucchi (LIB,
61.)
Substitutions: De Boer for Gomez (LIB, 45.), Dubois for Ngororo (LIB,
60.)

Match commentary:

High-flying Solelhada cruises past Libra!

Solelhada was definitely on a high after their win over KTZ two days
ago, and although many players were still obviously tired from that
exhausting match, they nevertheless were strutting full of confidence,
and things just seemed to come easy.  Libra was in their first ever
international game.  Their recently put together team shows some good
potential, but against the confident Devils, who seemed to float above
the ground somethimes, they were a little overstretched.

A fresh start from Libra almost caught them by surprise, though.  It was
apparently the Libran coach's plan to overrun the expectedly sluggish
Solelhadan side in the early going, and score a quick goal.
Unfortunately, their offensive backfired quickly, and de la Mar instead
scored the early one for Solelhada.  Libra kept trying their strategy,
but after a little while it became clear that SOL was on their toes
despite their fatigue.  When Lavalada scored again in just the 22.
minute, the Librans seemed to slump a little.

>From then on, the game was rather lackluster.  Solelhada had no reason
to force the issue and attack, so they mostly kept the ball in their
possession, and Libra was unable to take control of the game, and try to
make up their deficit.

After the break, Libra had brought two new players in, and things began
to improve for them.  For 15 minutes, they could put some good pressure
on their opponents.  Impressive forwards Desaix and Renard-Agile had
some dangerous moments in front of the Solelhadan goal, but second
goalie Mondin showed his worth today.  Usually on the back seat to
Delmas, today, he had the opportunity to shine, and he did with a
shutout of the Libran team.  Two times, Mondin stopped hard balls from
short range shot by Desaix, another by De Boer was neatly deflected over
the goal.

However, in the 61. minute, as Libra was still charging, it was Szabo
for Solelhada who scored the 3-0!  This really deflated the Libran
offensive mood, as now their task seemed unsurmountable... you could
sense some resignation.  Thus, the game once again fell into a rather
uninteresting slump, and until the end, not much else worth mentioning
happened.

This win however, reinforces the good performance from the game vs. KTZ
- Solelhada is definitely on the comeback trail.  They were able to win
clearly even with a limited strength team, and without the resting
Langles pulling the strings.  Granted, Libra was not the most formidable
opponent, but considering the Devil's fatigue, it still was a very good
win!  Libra has surely learned a lot from this match.  They will take
this valuable experience into O'99