Game 142 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-30-299

Game 142: Watts and Mealing - Lexicon Islands (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

NOVEFA announces the result for the second leg in the quarterfinal
matchup in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WATTS AND MEALING 0 - LEXICON ISLANDS 1
Played in: Hibernian Field, Glen Innes, Watts and Mealing
Attendance: 33,200
Referee: Wilfried Astnehmer (Westria)
Goals: Fotonaro (LEX, 40.)
Substitutions: Raxxon for Lexico (LEX, 26.), Cook for Boyle (WMT, 45.),
Stephenson for Blackmore (WMT, 45.), Billertz for Dibris (LEX, 53.)

Match commentary:

Despite resistance, Lexicon wins again to go through to Semis!

In a fast and interesting game, heavy favorites Lexicon made sure to
advance to the semifinals today, as they beat the heavily resisting WMT
Lions 1-0.  Both teams came ready to fight for the win - Lexicon would
have liked to have a little more comfortable cushion than the two-goal
difference from the first leg, and WMT had nothing to lose, as they had
to win convincingly tonight to stand a chance.

Both teams immediately began to push, the Lions probably a little more.
Great chances by Kean and Whitby went unused, as sub goalie Vannossi was
on the mark, doing a good job for the injured star keeper Munstasi.

On the Lexicon side, Fotonaro missed another chance with a sliced bump,
not quite having hit the ball fully, that just bounced to the outside
pole, narrowly missing.

As planned, without having scored after 20 minutes, Lexicon brought in
raxxon to liven things up even more.  WMT now had their hands truly
full, as Lexicon put on some serious pressure now.  However, the Lions
fought bravely, and kept the ball out of their goal.  In fact, two very
dangerous counters by Macghileagh damn near put the WMT team ahead,
which would have been ironic considering Lexicon's efforts.

Just when it seemed that LEX was sitting back a little, and coast into
the break, a quick combination by Raxxon and Filentoz brought the
Vikings ahead: a nice flank by Raxxon, coming off a pass from the
midfield orchestrator Filentoz, was headed in smoothly by Fotonaro, who
once again was in the right place at the exact right time, having shed
his "bodyguard" from WMT... Lexicon went up 1-0 into halftime.

WMT came back out heavily reinforced offensively... they now knew they
had to score... no less than FOUR (!) goals to stay in the Copa, and
boy, did they ever try!  In a great spectacular second half, the Lions
put up a real show, trying desperately to score... equally impressive
was the Lexican response, playing some of the finest defense ever
seen... it is a great credit to the Lexican team that they managed to
keep the charging Lions scoreless, especially in the second half!  The
fans pretty much knew that all was lost, but they nevertheless fired on
their fighting heroes, who tried so hard to at least score a goal of
honor in front of their home fans... alas, Lexicon showed clearly why
they are ranked in the top 3 on the planet, and the score remained 0-1
for LEX!

Lexicon thus goes through with an aggregate of 3-0, and they will face
the winner of Northern Gronk-Ordland tomorrow, in another matchup that
promises to become a classic thriller!  For WMT it's goodbye after a
real impressive romp through their group, including a great win against
fellow QF eliminee Islandia.  At least, they won't have to make a long
plane ride back home...