Games 137 and 138 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-27-299

Game 137: Islandia - Bowdani (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

NOVEFA announces the result for one of the first-leg quarterfinal games
in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ISLANDIA 3 - BOWDANI 3
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 55,600
Referee: Valter Burschnwackl (IWK)
Goals: Hund (BOW, 10.), Killehal (BOW, 17.), Petursson (ISL, 49.),
Salengar (BOW, 62.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 69.), Hjalmarsson (ISL, 90.)
Yellow cards: Jonsson (ISL, 17.), Gudmundsson (ISL, 50.), Marn (BOW,
77.)
Substitutions: Olafsson for Jonsson (ISL, 45.), Hjalmarsson for
Andersson (ISL, 64.), SanGerins for Killehal (BOW, 64.), Dandoon for J.
Moran (BOW, 70.)

Match commentary:

Islandia fights back to salvage a home draw!

Armatirion-killers Islandia faced off with the recently most improved
team, Bowdani, in what promised to be an outstanding match in front of
an Islandic capacity crowd.  After the narrow overtime win against IWK,
Islandia was looking for a confidence-booster at home versus a so far
very impressive Bowdani team, who recently defeated Whitlam, Eastern
Zartania, and Northern Gronk, among others.

However, for the home team and fans, the beginning could not have gone
worse:  after a defensive blunder from Jonsson, with a misjudged
backpass to goalie Fabiansson, which landed directly in front of Chris
Hund, Hund took full advantage, slamming it past the scrambling goalie
to bring Bowdani up 1-0.   The stadium fell deadly silent just 7 minutes
later, as Killehal bombed a direct free kick into the near corner,
leaving the blindsided Fabiansson looking.  The free kick was brought
about by a hard foul from Jonsson, who really didn't have a very good
day, more or less responsible for the first two goals!

Islandia had to quickly regroup, and they managed to prevent losing
their composure, and allowing Bowdani to slaughter them in front of
their home fans.  The penguins somehow saved themselves through the
first half remainder, and were visibly relieved to go into the break,
interrupting the Bowdanian momentum spurt, which was evident all first
half.

With Jonsson out of the game, Islandia seemed resurgent in the second
half, and went into the offensive right away.  Petursson and new man
Olafsson set the tone in the beginning, and it was Petursson bringing
the fans back to life with a nice header-goal four minutes after the
break.  However, the enthusiasm was reduced considerably as Salengar
once again made the difference two goals with a converted corner kick
from Powell... 3-1 Bowdani.  Now, Bowdani changed their strategy;  they
brought in more defense, and clearly played to kill time.  Maybe this
wasn't the best strategy, though... Islandia, now without having to
emphasize their own defense too much, could play freer, and were now
clearly on the go.  They began to build up tremendous pressure, and the
Bowdanians had all their hands full in holding them off... however, in
the 69. minute, star striker Eyjolfsson scored another of his many
international goals, connecting the score 2-3... now, there were 20
minutes to go to score for Islandia.  What followed was a tremendously
exciting sequence, with Islandia pressuring Bowdani, who would not
crack.  The fans really loved it, cheering on their desperate heroes,
who were now in such firm control of the game.  But time seemd to be
running out, as Bowdani did not make a single mistake.  Just when it
seemed that Islandia would lose at home for the first time, all of a
sudden, the crack in the Bowdanian defense appeared: Coleman fumbled the
ball trying to pass off, and Hjalmarsson made short process, taking it
from him, and scoring a very nice solo goal, to the ecstatic outbursts
of the Islandian crowd!  The game was all tied!

Injury time begun, and the Penguins kept pushing very hard, trying for
that illusive fourth goal that woul dbe winning them the match, but the
three extra minutes were not enough, and Bowdani held them off to tie
the match 3-3.

Considering their predicament, the Islandian team seemed sufficiently
pleased with the score, although they surely were planning on winning,
originally.  It now leaves them the difficult task of having to beat
Bowdani away, or tie the game at a minimum of 4-4 to advance.  But then
again, stranger things have happened.  Bowdani is still looking very
good.

NOVEFA announces the result for one of the first-leg quarterfinal games
in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 2 - WATTS AND MEALING 0
Played in: Sensation Cola Stadium, Califax, Lexicon Islands
Attendance: 58,600
Referee: Devon Whytman (Ras Lanarch)
Goals: Fotonaro (LEX, 21.), Eckin (LEX, 70.)
Yellow cards: Komp (LEX, 55.)
Substitutions: Kean for Coyle (WMT, 60.), Appleyard for McClelland (WMT,
71.)

Match commentary:

Lexicon is challenged, but not beaten!

The Lexicon Islands, hands down co-favorites for the Copa Vexanova, and
numbers three in the Satosan rankings were certainly considered the
clear favorites in this match against a still relatively new WMT side.
However, the Lions have roared impressively in their group matches,
beating Armatirion-killers Islandia in a match that raised a few
eyebrows.  Today again, WMT showed class, as they did by no means make
it easy for the Vice-Vex Cup champions Lexicon to win their three
points.  WMT played respectless, and unintimidated by the big names, and
in the first quarter, it seemed as it they actually had more goal
chances.

Lexicon did not mess around much longer thaoug, and firmly set their
minds to score, which finally happened in the 21. through the incredible
Fotonaro.  Nevertheless, WMT tried to bite back, and the two sides kept
exchanging good blows until the end of the first half!

After the break, it was much of the same:  WMT wanted to steal at least
one point, an impossible seeming task, but they were motivated, and
their game darn near made it happen.  No less than 13 shorts on goal by
WMT in the early second half came up without result, however, and the
Vikings just had about enough.  However, it was Lexicon who scored
again, in a very quick counter that saw WMT too slow in withdrawing back
to their own half... Eckin was successful after a five-on-three play by
the home team's 4-man offensive lineup, with Filentoz tagging along.

>From then, it was Lexicon with the upper hand again, WMT a little shaken
from the fast counter that cost them dearly.  The Lions' pressure
subsided gradually, however, Lexicon, regardless of a big final attack
thrust, was unable to score again, but finally won, rather deservedly
2-0, to the great joy of the home fans as well as the team.

WMT must now foot the tall bill of beating LEX by 3 goals in the return
leg played in WMT... Lexicon only needs a draw or to score a goal while
losing with no more than two goals difference.