Games 124 and 125 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-18-299

Game 124: Ordland - Lamb's Cove (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

NOVEFA announces the result of the Group B game of the first round of
the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ORDLAND 3 - LAMB'S COVE 1
Played in: National Stadium, Newton, Ordland
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Valter Burschnwackl (IWK)
Goals: Limoneira (ORD, 15.), Castanheira (ORD, 37.), Ondash (LAM, 58.),
Alfarrobeira (ORD, 60.)
Yellow cards: Costa (ORD, 33.), M. Greene (LAM, 60.)
Substitutions: none

Match commentary:

ORDLAND WIN THROUGH IN GOOD ENCOUNTER.

Well the Ordlandic coach predicted it well, calling the game a 3-1
result, and he was correct. The Ordlandic team were simply too polished,
with far too much experience over the amateurs from Lamb's Cove. The
Covians played good, solid football, but were simply outgunned by the
Ordlandic squad.

With the Covians coming out with the plan of simply trying to match the
Ordlandic team to gain the respect of the crowd and the international
footballing community, they simply were out maneuvered by the Ordlandic
squad, who managed to draw the Covian defensive line up then chipping
over to forwards running onto the ball. The first time this tactic was
used, Limoneira recieved the ball ran through, and pushed the ball past
the 'keeper, sending the local crowd into rapture, and the score 1-0
after 15 minutes.

The Covians then fought back hard, but again fell victim to experience
in the 37 minute, with the same Ordlandic tactic of drawing the
defensive line up for a chip over to players running onto the ball, with
the ball this time going to Castanheira, the Ordlandic captain, who
drilled the ball past the hapless Covian 'keeper, putting the score at
2-0. That's how it stayed at half time.

In the second half, the Ordlandic players again tried to chip over, but
this time the Covians were prepared, after strong words from their coach
at halftime. The Covians saw the leadup play, and ensured that the
Ordlandic forwards drifted onside every time the Ordlandic squad tried
the tactic. After this the Ordlandic team began to move back to
constructive football, which quietened the locals down, who had
witnessed good attacking football in the first half.

In the 58th minute, Ordland was caught by suprise by an aggresive
movement from the Covians, coming through Ondash, while an Ordlandic
defender was down recieving treatment from cramp from a trainer. Ondash
pushed down the flank and struck true at goal. Pinto was caught out of
position, and dived helplessly, missing the ball as it rocketed into the
back of the net, making the sore 2-1 Ordland.

The Covians sniffed the chance of an upset, and seemed to find a second
wind, driving in hard from the kickoff, however, their rhythm was upset
by the Ordlandic team who seemed prepared for the onslaught. In an
attacking duel lasting about 5 minutes, Ordland's experience paid off,
with the Dukes' defence lapsing with the tried and true Ordlandic tactic
catching the Dukes by suprise, allowing Alfarrobeira to score. A
frustrated M. Greene was then carded for dissent after arguing with the
Linesman, cliaming Alfarrobeira was offside when the ball was delivered.
A review of video evidence after the game proved inconclusive. The score
sat at 3-1, and the Dukes' spirit for attack seemed snuffed out. The
game wound down with neither side willing to press further. The Dukes
seemed satisfied with the result, gaining valuable experience, and
drawing the second half 1-1.

Ordland win through to the next stage of the competition.  The Dukes must hope
for a wild card chance!

NOVEFA announces the result of the Group F game of the first round of
the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 6 - AFRICABLUE 2
Played in: Municipal Stadium, Brahe, Ordland
Attendance: 37,700
Referee: Brad Barkley (Lamb's Cove)
Goals: Siliston (LEX, 8.), Ohenen (AFB, 17.), Raxxon (LEX, 33.), Dibris
(LEX, 44.), Fotonaro (LEX, 55.), Fotonaro (LEX, 64.), Estonarios (LEX,
71.), Iroha (AFB, 92.)
Yellow cards: Oben (AFB, 8.), Simo (AFB, 22.), Etchi (AFB, 41.), Ohenen
(AFB, 64.)
Substitutions: Ongandzi for Oben (AFB, 45.), Zoalang for Ngobe (AFB,
64.), Billertz for Fotonaro (LEX, 64.), Vanossi for Munstasi (LEX, 65.)

Match commentary:

AFRICABLUE WHIPPED AS DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS OCCUR AGAIN.

Discipline has proven to be Africablue's greatest problem yet again in
their 6-2 loss to the Lexicon Islands. A talented attacking team,
Africablue has constantly been let down by poor discipline, and this was
again the case today, with Oben dropping Raxxon near the box in the 8th
minute. The resulting free kick was a high long cross to the waiting
head of Silistion, who lept up and headed the ball into the back of the
net, giving LEX the early lead.

As usual, Africablue fought back hard, and with constructive, and
controlled football, clawed back to make the score 1-1 after a goal
through Ohenen, however, this control was not to last. The intensity
slowed midway through the second half, but was broken with an unexpected
goal from Raxxon. In an almost nothing kick, Raxxon casually lobbed the
ball towards goal, making it look like he was just trying something
half-heartedly. However, the Africablue 'keeper was caught unaware, and
could only watch the ball sail over his head and into the back of the
net as he was caught hoplessly out of position.

Africablue then seemed to shut up shop content to go into the sheds down
a few goals. To be quite frank, the Africablue team didn't seem to want
to be on the field, seeming as though their thoughts were back home
considering the current turmoil in their nation. A lazy Africablue team
were caught unawares by a strong Lexican drive, which resulted in a goal
to Dibris in the 44th minute, putting the score at 3-1 at halftime.

The Africablue tale of woe continued in the second half, with goals to
Fotonaro in the 55th, and 64th minutes combining strong leadup play with
poor defense and discipline from the Africablue team. Estonarios then
scored, bashing further nails into the Africablue coffin, with a
consolation goal to Africablue's Iroha deep into injury time making no
real difference to the magnitude of the 6-2 score.

Africablue now return home to their strife torn country, where deep soul
searching must be done to repair football in that nation.