Games 126 and 127 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-19-299

Game 126: Mauretanie - Djeriga (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

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

The Technical Information:

Final score: MAURETANIE 3 - DJERIGA 1
Played in: The Carroussel, Galilei, Ordland
Attendance: 39,900
Referee: Lenni Besecki (LEX)
Goals: Ahladdin (DJR, 20.), Khaled (MAU, 49.), Khaled (MAU, 56.), Khaled
(MAU, 65.)
Yellow cards: Ben Chemoul (MAU, 44.)
Substitutions: none

Match commentary:

After good start, Djeriga is overpowered by resurgent Mauretanie!

Almost 40,000 spectators had showed up for this match, featuring one of
Vexillium's best sides, and one of its most excentric one... after
Djeriga's first game, the tickets all of a sudden sold like hotcakes,
because people wanted to come and see the odd spectacle of Moun's team
for themselves.

Everything went as planned.  After their ode to Moun, which was once
again diligently sung before kick-off, Djeriga was immediately in
control.  They quickly built up good pressure, and there hardly were any
breaks in the game where they could even begin to lecture the
Mauretaniens about Moun, like they had done with the Librans!   Except,
nobody seemed to want to get close to Mauretanien player Khaled...
almost as if they were scared of him for some reason!

In the 20. minute, Ahladdin was the hero, after a pass from Kikbath,
with a beautiful volley shot that went straight past the onlooking
Mauretanien goalie!  1-0 Djeriga!

The spectators had just waited for this moment!  Sure enough, once
again, all the players rushed to the south side of the field, and began
their prayer of thanks, duly cowering on the ground!!  And the Djerigan
fans once again did the same, simultaneously...  And, yes, indeed, after
the prayer, the ball was "confiscated" by the Djerigans to be taken home
as a national trophy to be showcased!!  Only this time, the NOVEFA
officials were prepared, as they had brought another game ball to the
sidelines, and the match continued without further delay.  Not much
happened until the break, except the occasional lecture from a Djerigan
player that caused some irritation on the other side, but led to no
incidents.

After the break, the Disciples of Moun kept their style, except, this
time, Mauretanie seemed to be playing more fluid.  They had switched to
a 3-1-2-4 formation, pretty unusual, but it worked well against the
methodical play of Kapek's team.  Khaled first took advantage of the
fact that no Djerigan player seemed to want to be too close to him, and
broke through to equalize from a free kick--- everybody in the stadium
went quiet, in anticipation of what might happen when Djeriga RECEIVES a
goal... but the players did not seem to react in any unusual way, except
for some discussing amongst themselves, and pointing upwards a few times
in the process, and glaring at Khaled from a distance.

Khaled again was successful a few minutes later, this time from a
sweeping flank attack.  Again, there was much murmur and discussion
amongst the Djerigans, clearly centered around Khaled, who they now
seemed to regard with more and more distance.  Khaled then completed his
personal and team's triumph with a hattrick third goal, again a few
minutes later, to seal Djeriga's fate 1-3.  Now, the Djerign players
seemed to be almost afraid of the tall Mauretanien player Khaled!  Their
eyes seemed filled with distrust, and almost fascinated fear...  a
stranege spectacle, and Khaled himself seemed to become uncomfortable,
having 22 Djerigan players staring at him constantly!!

In any event, the game was pretty much over from then on.  MAU had done
their good job, and Djeriga did not manage to come back, especially with
the players obviously distracted by Khaled.  Mauretanie won the game
3-1.

After the match, some light was shed on to what happened on the field
with Khaled:  in the Djerigan language, "Khaled" means literally
"Demon"...  a very ominous name for the Djerigans!!  That was why nobody
wanted to be near him in the game - no disciple of Moun gets too close
to a demon, after all!  And when he began to score, that distrust and
fear only increased - what a strange spectacle this made for!  Another
incredible surprising insight into this Djerigan culture we all struggle
to understand!!

Mauretanie will now play the winner of group E, to be determined
tomorrow, with a possible rematch of the Vexillium Cup game that saw
Westria eliminate MAU in the second round.  Djeriga will be hoping for a
wildcard, with their match yet to be determined!

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

The Technical Information:

Final score: ISLANDIA 3 - WANG CHUNG 0
Played in: Municipal Stadium, Brahe, Ordland
Attendance: 36,600
Referee: Hajib El-Nussini (Djeriga)
Goals: Petursson (ISL, 13.), Petursson (ISL, 41.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 69.,
penalty)
Yellow cards: Mak (WCG, 13.), Hjalmarsson (ISL, 40.)
Substitutions: Ing for Kar (WCG, 45.), Yuen for Long (WCG, 70.)

Match commentary:

After the clear and rather devastating loss to WMT, Islandian coach
Sigurvinsson had made some drastic changes to the starting lineup.
leaving some of his stalwarts in the bench to think about their poor
performances in the last match.  Instead, Islandia came with a new face,
and new energy too it seemed.  They quickly went up 1-0 in the 13.
minute, after a sloppy mistake from the Chungese defense that sent coach
Yam into a fit on the sidelines, even prompting him to take off his
trademark dark glasses!

The Talons recovered and played rather well, as usual running a lot, and
thus keeping Islandia on its toes!  However, they still lacked the right
connections, and often kept running into nowhere, losing the ball
possession after a lot of physical effort.  Instead it was Islandia who
scored again, shortly before the break.

In the second half, WC brought in two fresh players, and for a good 10
minutes totally dominated the game.  They were just all over the place -
i suppose this is what perfect Chungese football would look like, their
strong running game, but with connections, and good opportunities to
take shots from dangerous positions.  It was a real nailbiter to see if
Islandia could hold off a goal against them.  But somehow they managed,
and after the Chungese rush was exhausted, the Penguins were back in
charge.  They were trying to slow down the pace, which did not suit the
WC team at all.  Out of rythm, they were cleverly tricked by Islandia,
and they never managed to get back into the game.  Eyjolfsson got
another goal of honor as he was asked to shoot the penalty Þórarinsson
earned after a hand play by Mendrick in the box.  Islandia went on to
win 3-0.

For WC, this means the cup is over, after a colorful display of running
prowess that perhaps lacked the football skills to go with it... but
they are a young team.  Islandia must be the top favorite to earn a wild
card now... their next match is to be determined.

A word about the Djerigan referee:  he did a good job, despite grave
concerns, and some who were expecting the same kind of antics that the
Djerigan team was up to... but he seemed very professional, and made
good calls.  Word has it that Coack Kapek personally trained a team of
referees for the purposes of international competition.