Games 150 and 151 (Friendlies) 04-24-299:

Game 150: Maryport - Whitlam (friendly)

IVEFA announces the result for the Friendly Match:

The Technical Information:

Final score: MARYPORT 0 - WHITLAM 0
Played in: Pt Hawke Park, Maryportean Colony of Port Hawke
Attendance: 14,800
Referee: Enid Marcslow (Billa)
Goals: none
Yellow cards: Pi. Hakonsen (MAR, 32.), Storry (WHI, 55.), Westwood (WHI, 88.)
Substitutions: Mertz for Gadebirk (MAR, 45.), Al-Dhabi for Wolff (WHI, 45.)

Match commentary:
 

THE CURSE OF COACH SEPP STRIKES AGAIN!

Maryport have again been struck by the curse of their old coach, Boss
Sepp, remaining winless in recent history. Coach Sepp, was fired just
before the beginning of the Vexillum Cup for political comments back in
298. Some commentators are beginning to wonder whether Maryport has been
cursed!

Anyway, onto the game. This match can only be described as a bore, with
players unable, or probably more accurately, unwilling to try anything
new. Whitlam again ran with a basic "B" team, with John Gray seemingly
happy to give his substitutes more time on the field. In fact, several
big names were not even in the squad, staying home to play Domestic
League instead. The poor weather conditions kept the crowd down, and the
players in low gear for the entire game. A driving rain almost led the
game to be cancelled, but it went ahead anyway, it seems, to get the
game out of the way. More like a kick around the park, goal scoring
opportunities were only slight, and both 'keepers were up to the task,
seemingly happy to get the ball and to move just to keep warm! Crowds
actually declined as the game entered the second half, with fans going
home to get warm instead of sitting outside watching a game both teams
really did not want to play.

The game exhausted itself into a nil-all draw by full time, with both
teams more than happy to run into the sheds.

Whitlam themselves seem to have been slightly blunted recently, but it
remains to be seen as to whether this is because of team selections
(Substitutes are getting a run in friendlies instead of starters) or the
team itself getting stale. The Tom Koh Trophy will be the real test for
the Dragons. Maryport should be satisfied with the result, keeping the
Dragons tied down, and frustrating their usually dynamic midfield. A win
cannot be too far away, should the Leprechauns keep up international
standard competition.

An incredibly bored IVEFA representative.

IVEFA announces the result for the Friendly Match:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ANÇALDA 1 - IWK 1
Played in: Royal Palace Stadium, Ytzigard, Ançalda
Attendance: 56,000
Referee: Ovan Schlagk (Lendia)
Goals: Bennecker (ANÇ, 29.), Geigy (IWK, 72.)
Yellow cards: Witchowski (ANÇ, 22.), Christo (IWK, 60.)
Substitutions: none

Match commentary:

IWK fights back to a just draw in lively match!

Ançalda re-entered the international soccer scene with a brand-new,
albeit very talented, line-up, and with much anticipation in this
soccer-crazy country, especially now, after the dark months of the civil
war aftermatch, when people are yearning for a different focus and a new
beginning.  To celebrate the proclamation of the FSOD, and the Dascunyan
re-unification, two friendlies were arranged, tomorrow between O'99
Champs Westria and Dascunya in Danheim, and today, as a warm-up, Ançalda
versus IWK - a good and even choice of teams.

ANÇ began a little disorganized, and IWK played them just about against
a wall in the opening minutes.  Clearly the lack of experience and team
cohesion was a factor in the home team.  Eventually however, the hosts
gained more confidence, and as Bennecker converted a corner kick from
Manolo in the 29. minute, to go up 1-0, things really began to look up!
The rest of the half, the teams kept each other balance, and the home
fans had plenty of chances to cheer and bemoan as they were left
unceased.  IWK also had several good opportunities, but the defense
under Marenko proved quite remakable, and kept the Banana Warriors off
the score board in the first half.

After the break, more of the same:  the pace remained fresh, and there
was plenty of action in a very entertaining game.  The two best chances:
Lilian narrowly missed a long free kick high, and Tiaan's header in the
71. minute was barely reflected by Gouffe.  The resulting corner was
kicked by Bonbeto, very precisely, with two defenders missing by head:
Geigy, the smallest man on the field, somehow managed to jump the
highest, and slammed the ball into the net with a powerful header that
must have killed a few brain cells!  The game was tied at 1 each.

Still the pace remained lively, and both teams were trying to steal away
the victory... Rehew had two (!) short range opportunities, but stumbled
once, and did not quite catch the ball the other time... Huskvarna on
the other side played a good shot opportunity directly into goalie
Gouffe's arms... the game remained drawn at 1-1, a fair result seeing
the good play by both teams!

For Ançalda, a respectable return to the international scene, for IWK a
valuable notch in their first real away game, for which a draw really is
quite a good result.

IWK is rumored to be interested in playing a few more matches in the
Western Hemisphere, while they are over here - any offers will be
welcomed!