Game 164 (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99) 06-09-299

IVEFA announces the results for todays matches, in the Losers' Bracket
of the IVEFA Masters, with the losers today eliminated from the
competition.
 
Game 164: Westria-Armatirion  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99)
 
IVEFA presents the result from today's second-round bout in the IVEFA
Masters played in Islandia:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTRIA 5 - ARMATIRION 4, in overtime
Played in: Myri Stadium, Bjargeyar, Islandia
Attendance: 59,090
Referee: Richard Cordieira (Ordland)
Goals: Parker (ARM, 22.), Vraseydenhout (WES, 25.), Gillick (ARM, 40.),
Zeschgl (WES, 43.), Cunliffe (ARM, 49.), Zeschgl (WES, 54.), Parker
(ARM, 77.), Guydenvaldt (WES, 83.), Salamanta (WES, 109.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Latta for Boyle (ARM, 45.), Dunlop for Dodds (ARM, 45.),
Umsatz for Nyddenva (WES, 45.), Vergrimmelt for Voyden (WES, 59.)

Match commentary:

Another thriller, another 5-4 win in overtime!

This match was very anticipated and a trye clash of the giants...
Westria was itching to play Armatirion again after their narrow loss to
them last year in an away friendly, and indeed once again, the game was
very close.  Armatirion showed great class, and managed to pull ahead no
less than four times in the match, but every time, Westria was able to
equalize, and they were never ahead in the match, but in overtime, they
took the lead for the first time, and when it mattered most after all.

Armatirion was strong in the beginning, and tried to send a clear
message, which they did with the 1-0 by Parker, finally after 22 minutes
of intense pressure.  Westria quickly bounced back, though, and
Vraseydenhout scored a nice header after pass from Voyden, who took a
more offensive role today, and did a lot of running.

Once again, ARM went ahead, this time after a great free kick by
Gillick, that completely caught even the otherwise solid Hasenpfeffer
off guard!  But newly "stolen" (from Ras Lanarch) striker Ottwald
Zeschgl (nickname: "Hamstrings") was there not only to equalize for the
2-2, but also for the 3-3, in the second half, and after Cunliffe had
bombed one in, just 4 minutes after the break.

Armatirion would pull ahead for the last time in the 77. minute, as
Parker once again scored, this time after a mistake in the Westrian
defensem, and a resulting nice solo!  But, this time, it was another new
arrival in the Westrian squad, Guydenvaldt, who impressively scored his
already second goal in two games, again evening out the score.

Perhaps it was that Armatirion had been pushing hard all game long, and
become a bit frustrated as Westria always found a way to tie them, even
after they scored 4 goals, but as they went into overtime, it seemed the
Diamonds took more charge, and in overtime, Armatirion never really
quite looked as convincing as they did in regulation.  Thus, Westria
managed to sneak one by in a tricky play by Zeschgl, in which he bunted
the ball by heel to Salamanta, who turned and left a defender looking as
he twisted a real slicer into the net, barely missing the Armatirion
goalie, to for the first time put Westria ahead, 5-4.

It would remain at that score, Westria winning this very close one by
the skin of their teeth.  They must be admired for their tanacity, not
losing their nerve against such an intimidating opponent.  In fact, the
preparations by the Westrians for this one match were so intense, coach
Schrey did not even give his customary pre-game statement for the fans.
He was reported to have remarked that this is the most important game of
the year... what a great friendly rivalry between these two nations
sharing so many ties, and sharing such excellence in football!

Armatirion is not out, though, they will now get a re-match with their
first round opponents Bowdani!  Should they win, they will then go on to
meet the winners of Eastern Zartania-Whitlam in the semifinals, and
should they win that, and should Westria make it to the finals, there is
still the possibility of a Armatirion-Westria rematch in the final!

Intriguing possibilities, but we must take it one at a time.  Westria's
next opopnent will be either Davenport, or the losers of Eastern
Zartania-Whitlam.  Anything can still happen here at the exciting IVEFA
Masters Islandia '99!!

IVEFA