Games 114 and 115 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-13-299

Game 114: Mauretanie - Libra (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

The Technical Information:

Final score: MAURETANIE 3 - LIBRA 0
Played in: The Carroussel, Galilei, Ordland
Attendance: 36,200
Referee: Wilfried Astnehmer (Westria)
Goals: Durand (MAU, 22.), Escartefigues (MAU, 55.), Ben Chemoul (MAU,
71.)
Yellow cards: Arouch (MAU, 34.)
Substitutions: Escartefigues for Fernandez (MAU, 45.), DeBoer for Gomez
(LIB, 57.)

Match commentary:

Mauretania opens with a solid win.

In the 2nd game of O'99 played in the Caroussel Stadium, Galilei,
expectation was high of a tight game between these 2 LSA allies. Whilst
Libra is the newer of the teams, they benefited well from their
experience gained during the LSA tournament, and many hoped they would
spring an upset against their much fancied rivals, the 15th ranked
Mauretania.

With intensity high in the first half, and with Libra playing hard to
gain the support of the Ordlandic crowd, who eventually swung around to
the underdog, play gravitated between the respective defensive lines,
with attacking chances at a minimum, thanks to solid play within the
midfield. When it seemed as though neither side could get on top,
Mauretania's experience stood out, with their forwards capitalising on a
rare Libran mistake, in which 2 defenders both left the ball to the
other, only to have Durand burst through with the ball, with only the
'keeper to beat. A professional chip kick later, and the ball drifted
over the goalie's head, as he slid toward the striker attempting to get
himself over the ball to cover it. With the ball falling over the line
and bouncing into the back of the net, the score clicked over to 1-0,
Mauretania. Play seemed to slow down after this, back to the dour
defensive battle, with Libra pushing forward, and Mauretania repelling
their attack. Apart from a yellow card to Mauretania's Arouch in the
34th minute for holding a player off the ball, which led to the ball
sailing high over the crossbar after the miscued free was taken. 1-0
Mauretania at half time.

After half time the Librans came in with the same squad, changing the
tempo of the game, attempting to push forward a lot harder, to climb
back into the game. This concentration led to forgetting the defensive
elements of the game, allowing Mauretania to capitalise, turning defense
into atack, with a huge burst down the left flank that caught the
'keeper unaware, as the ball was passed to Escartefigues who ran the
ball into goal, to make the score 2-0. After this, Gomez, the player
that had missed his attempt at the ball, and had had a very ordinary
game was replaced by De Boer.

With the score at 2-0, Mauretania shut up shop, pulling back defence,
permitting only one striker up front should an attacking chance come up.
This style of football was frustrating to Libra, who attempted
everything to break the defensive line of the Mauretanians, without
success. The final nail in the coffin came when Ben Chemoul took a
half-hearted shot at goal from the middle of the half, which sailed over
the 'keeper's head to his amazement. It was questionable as to who was
more surprised, the Libran 'keeper, or Ben Chemoul, who fell to his
knees in suprise!

After that, the game slowed down even further as the Mauretanians
continued to spoil, keeping the Librans completely out of the game. It
remains to be seen as to whether this tactic will continue to serve them
well in further games, or if Libran inexperience was the reason for the
display. The game ended with the scoreline of 3-0, but both teams will
continue to play one more group game each.

The Technical Information:

Final score: WATTS AND MEALING TERRITORY 4 - WANG CHUNG 1
Played in: Municipal Stadium, Brahe, Ordland
Attendance: 34,600
Referee: Nando Zelan (Otago)
Goals: Bao (WCG, 20.), Whitby (WMT, 38.), Whitby (WMT, 42.), Thayill
(WMT, 53.), Macghileagh (WMT, 90.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Appleyard for Sykes (WMT, 45.), Kay for Hicks (WMT, 45.),
Tay for Chow (WCG, 45.), Ing for Chang S.-O. (WGC, 56.)

Match commentary:

Watts and Mealing Lions roar away the disorganized Talons!

These two newcomers to the internaitonal football scene were two of the
most anticipated arrivals at the Copa Vexanova - the Lions had already
shown in their two previous matches that they knew how to play, and
gathered some valuable experience in the SS'99 and a friendly in
Whitlam, and the Talons are by far the best-liked underdog team, with
their very colorful amalgamation of characters, both on and off the
field!  Coach Yam is a great character himself, having predicted that
their squad had a chance to win it all, and they certainly had the
energy to do it, but alas, not the organization.  The Chungese team got
all A+ grades for their great physical effort, they never stopped
running.  However, some cynics remarked that they were running like
chickens with their heads cut off...

Indeed, all the effort, chasing after each ball with abandon, did not
help them in the end.  WMT was well prepared, and they let the Talons
run...and run... And although Bao brought the WC side up 1-0 in the 20.
minute, the Lions kept their cool, and just waited for the inevitable
backlash... later in the half, the Wang Chung side had visibly tired
from their action, and without any further goals they were just ever so
slightly weary - then, the Lions began to prowl, and in a blitz-double
strike by the brilliant Brandon Whitby, all of a sudden the WC team that
had been all ove the field the entire half, and provided most of the
action, was down 1-2!!

After the break, WMT came out with two fresh defenders, determined to
fend off the "running chickens" and hold on to their lead, deliberately
taking their chances.  Again, it was Wang Chung all over the place in
the early going, but the WMT defense and goalie Bragg capitalized on the
lack of continuous passing and combination play that was evident from
the, after all, still very fresh and inexperienced Talons... they did
not manage to score in their opening frenzies.  Instead, it was a fast
break by WMT, with defender Thayill taking a surprise wild run on the
outside, surprising the Chungese defenders who had been keeping an eye
on the midfielders instead.  Thayill never let the ball go, and went all
the way in a sensational charge... even spectacular goalie Fong Lo-Yat
could not stop the defender run amok, and it was 3-1 WMT!

That goal really deflated the good spirits of the Talons, and they grew
increasingly tired as well.  The addition of Ing did not bring the
desired effects either.  Wang Chung had shown some good promise, Tzeng
was brilliant as ever, but closely guarded by Blackmore all game long,
Bao of course scored eaarly, Mak and Fong impressed at times, and
Mendrick did well in neutralizing Macghileagh - but what was missing was
the cohesion, and sometime, so it seemed, the step back to size up the
situation, and plan the next move - instead, usually the Talons jumped
right into the middle, and tried to outrun their opponents, who made it
difficult with their deliberate change of pace in the game.

Macghileagh finally DID score, as Mendrick and the others were pooped at
the end, and the dangerous striker finally got the breather he did not
get all game - promptly he scored, to seal the victory, an impressive
4-1!

WMT will now play Armatirion-killers Islandia next on the 16th, and they
sure have put themselves in a great position after this match!  Coach
Ringo Yam will need to evaluate the situation, and hope for a victory
vs. Islandia to have a chance to advance to the next round!