Game 143 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-31-299

Game 143: Ordland-Northern Gronk (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: ORDLAND 1 - NORTHERN GRONK 0
Played in: National Stadium, Newton, Ordland
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Nicholas Jousfrippe (AFB)
Goals: Folha (ORD, 71.)
Yellow cards: Oliveira (ORD, 34.), Onix-Gar (NGR, 40.)
Substitutions: none

Match commentary:

Ordland prevails in a battle of the wills!

After the draw in the first leg, it was still anybodys chance to
advance, and thus both teams took more of a cautious approach, a sort of
wait-and-see attitude, stalking each other, waiting for their opponent
to make a mistake.  After a while, however, Ordland made good on their
promise of an attacking strategy, and they began to put on the
pressure.  However, to their surprise, NG remained in their Wall mode,
not letting anybody through... obviously, the Hurricanes were hoping for
their quick counter chance, but during the first half, Ordland was
flawless, and the game remained scoreless.

More of the same after the break - Ordland still trying to make
pressure, but running up against the wall.  However, it was really NG
who needed to make something happen... after all they needed to win to
advance, a scoreless draw would have seen Ordland through on away goals.

They did not much change their strategy, however, waiting for their
opponents' mistake.  So this standoff continued for a while longer...
the fans became a little unrestful, after all, there was always the
possibility that NG might pull a quick one and score surprisingly, and
then wall Ordland out to win it like that.  However, their prayers were
heard in the 71. minute, as little heralded striker Charles Folha
releived the nation, and headed in a precise flank from Limoneira to put
Ordland up 1-0, finally, and become the hero of the day himself!

Now, NG was in trouble... their strategy had not worked after all... and
now, they needed to score 2 goals to advance.  They finally began to
open up their play, and actually dominated the remainder of the game,
but it was Ordland this time, who went into the ten-man defense, doing a
splendid job of preserving their narrowest of leads, all the way to the
end... he stadium erupted in relief after the final whistle was blown,
as Ordland had eliminated one of the very big ones, NG, with very fine
play in both legs, to reach the semifinals, and keep the Ordlandic fans'
dream of seeing their team win the final game in Newton, alive.

Northern Gronk exits the Cup with a combined record of 3 wins, 2 losses
and one draw, an overall respectable result... however, the Hurricanes
showed some weaknesses in this tourney, losing to Bowdani, and now
getting eliminated by Ordland, despite the mixed legs.

Ordland will now face Lexicon Islands, who knocked out WMT last night...
should be another good one!