Official Game Statements:

Game 165 (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99) 06-10-299

IVEFA announces the results for todays matches, in the Losers' Bracket
of the IVEFA Masters, with the losers today eliminated from the
competition.
 
Game 165: Eastern Zartania - Whitlam  (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: Eastern Zartania 2 - Whitlam 0
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 66,660
Referee: Randie Stickx (Armatirion)
Goals: Faulkner (KTZ, 70., penalty), McBride (KTZ, 90., penalty)
Yellow cards: Parkin (WHI, 11.), Racine (KTZ, 40.), Cross (KTZ, 59.),
Franklin (WHI, 70.)
Substitutions: Al-Dhabi for Ouagadougu (WHI, 45.), Wolff for Franklin
(WHI, 71.)

Match commentary:

Deadlock ends, as Eastern Zartania wins!

This was again a very anticipated match between two great rivals, who,
to add even more suspense, had never beaten each other in competition,
drawing each time they have met before!  But today, there had to be a
winner, in this elimination-style competition!

Both teams were itching to play each other as it was, but the additional
day's delay due to a gas leak yesterday, which moved the game to today,
further adding to the anticipation!  But then, it finally was kickoff!
At first, Whitlam tried to play rather aggressively, while KTZ seemed to
take it a little easier.  As they had planned, they launched a few quick
attacks to feel out the Whitlam team, and "took notes" so to speak.  On
the other hand, the Zartanians also made good on their plans to contain
the "dynamic trio" of Walford-Armstark-Blacklock of the Whitlam
attacking front line - despite the best efforts by the Dragons to
utilize their powerful striker lineup, Eastern Zartania was able to
thwart much of their momentum, and to the greatest part due to the
surprise of the match, and true reveletion of this tournament so far:
rookie defenseman Wystr!  This young chap, playing for the first time
for the national squad, not only single-handedly neutralized Armstark,
who he covered like a shadow, but also sent plenty of offensive impulses
with precise passes to the front!

Despite the game see-sawing with both teams playing up chances a plenty,
returned goalie Jenkins, and Zaytseva both had outstanding games, and
kept the intresting game only missing the goals!  They went into the
break in a scoreless tie, and the fans were kept guessing even longer,
as no team seemed to have an advantage, and anything was possible even
now!  Whitlam brought in Al-Dhabi once more.  Zartania seemed very
comfortable with their lineup (which would not change until the end).

The second half saw a furious first ten minutes, in which both teams
apparently sought to surprise each other with a quick attack goal of
some sorts, but while both were pouncing, neither still managed to
score!  After the pouncing period, things began to slow a little more,
and once again it seemed as if the match might end in a draw... except
it could not!  But it took a penalty shot by Faulkner in the 70. minute,
after a relatively nasty foul from Franklin in the box (some KTZ players
demanded the red card from goalie Stickx!), and now, Whitlam was down
0-1... despite the match being so even, finally one team was ahead.  The
Dragons then brought in Wolff, as time was getting shorter, despite
wanting to let him rest originally, and although he set some good
impulses, it wasn't enough... time was running out for Whitlam, and KTZ
now did their utmost to keep the ball in possession.  Wystr once more
shined in his capacity as defenseman, as he could hold the ball in
possession for minutes at a time.  Whitlam still had a few chances, but
Jenkins was on the mark.  Unfortunately sealing the Dragons' fate was a
freak penalty in the 90.minute, after an inadvertant hand play in the
box by Al-Dhabi... McBride made sure to score the gift from Whitlam, and
the air was out of the Dragons, who had lost despite being their
opponents equals on the field.

What happens next?  Whitlam gets to meet their first-round rivals
Davenport once again - that match has been pushed back to Saturday
instead of friday due to the match that was postponed to today- , this
time it's all or nothing, with the winner there having to face Westria
in the semifinals!  Eastern Zartania will play the winner of
Armatirion-Bowdani in the other semifinal.

IVEFA



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