Game 170 (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99) 06-17-299

Game 170: Westria - Whitlam  (IVEFA Masters Islandia '99 SEMIFINAL)

IVEFA presents the result from today's SEMIFINAL in the IVEFA
Masters, played in Islandia:

The Technical Information:

Final score: Westria 0 - Whitlam 1
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffellstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 66,960
Referee: Barry Vassiliev (KTZ)
Goals: Armstark (WHI, 53.)
Yellow cards: Nadeschney (WES, 22.), Parkin (WHI, 63.)
Substitutions: Guydenvaldt for Salamanta (WES, 55.), Al-Dhabi for Ouagadougu (WHI,
66.), Westwood for Franklin (WHI, 67.), Nyddenva for Voyden (WES, 70.)

Match commentary:

Whitlam triumphant in nervy strategic match!

Westria looked so invincible, after romping to the Copa Vexanova title earlier
this year, and cruising through the early rounds of the IVEFA Masters... the
Diamonds are not used to losing, but today they did, against a feisty Whitlamite
team, that mustered all its skills to defeat their difficult opponent!

Whitlam stuck to its guns and, although they knew that they had a very difficult
game ahead of them, they kept what worked in the past.  Most important of all,
they did not let themselves get unnerved against the reputation of their
opponents, something that has been the downfall of too many teams playing Westria
- getting to nerveous, and cramping up their own style in order to protect from
the skills of their opponent.

Instead, Whitlam played concentrated and with good cohesion.  Their number one
team lineup was on the pitch, and everybody did their part today.  Most notable
was the resurgence of the feared Dragons defense, featuring young superstar Matt
Hickey, and his no less impressive counterparts Storry, and most importantly,
Biafra and Rayner, who both play in the WSL, and apparently came up with the goods
as far as defensive strategy against the big guns of Westria.  Zeschgl played
fine, but Salamanta had an off day for Westria, losing several chances, and he was
subbed later.

The first half was a compact exchange of short passes, mostly.  The ball seemed to
stay in the midfield an awful lot, not to a small part thanks to the defensive
efforts by Whitlam.  Westria seemed to have a wait-and-see attitude, but
apparently whatever they were waiting for did not materialize, certainly not in
the first half.

After the break, the pace picked up, and Westria had two must-score opportunities,
however, they were both blundered away by Salamanta, who later publicly apologized
for his off day to his team mates and coach.  Breathing easier, having gotten away
with two certain seeming goals against them, Whitlam made the most of their
fortune, as again Armstark was there to score a crucial goal, like he did against
Davenport.  From a short pass by captain Walford, he let roll for Al-Dhabi, who
dribbled for a second, before handing back to Armstark, bypassing the
Marginot-line on the left center, with Stefan taking a hard shot that deflected
from Dülingen, and was unholdable for Hasenpfeffer... Whitlam up 1-0!

They could just as easy have been up 2-0, as just seconds later, just as Westria
was kicking off, Parkin burst into the circle, stole the ball from the stunned
Westrians and began a goal run that was barely stopped by a super reflex from
Hasenpfeffer... but it was close.  Nice try!

Now it was Westria who had to collect themselves, as the game had turned
considerably against their favor.  The crowds were now siding with the underdogs
as well, and Whitlam almost enjoyed a home field atmosphere!

Westria could not quite find the recipe against the strong Dragons defense, and
they, despite heavy effort, could not manage to pull even before the final whistle
blew, and Whitlam had defeated the planet's number one team, in a strong and smart
game, a deserved win!

Westria thus heads back home, slightly disappointed, since they nowadays expect to
win each tournament they enter.  Whitlam, on the other hand, will play in the
"Dream Final" for their fans:  a revenge match against Eastern Zartania, the
perfect rivalry - and this time, it's not just for the honor and bragging rights,
this time, it is for the IVEFA Championship Title!  Who will be the first
titleholder?  We shall find out this Saturday, again here in Sandur Giant
Stadium... Whitlam versus Eastern Zartania... be there!

IVEFA