Games 323-329 (Friendly Matches), 06-22-300:

IVEFA is pleased to announce the results of the friendly matches played June 22,
300:

Game 323: Baben Bay - Westria::

The Technical Information:

Final score: BABEN BAY 0 - WESTRIA 1
Played at: Joszef Nirgens Memorial Stadium, Keddesveering, Baben Bay
Attendance: 31,200
Referee: Devon Whytman (Ras Lanarch)
Goals: Gramiller (WES, 19.)
Yellow cards: Igles (BOB, 11.), Voyden (WES, 41.), Häusegreel (BOB, 77.)
Substitutions: Muvriak for Wadroblis (BOB, 45.), Zimroe for Yoghurt (WES, 45.),
Spock for Dülingen (WES, 45.), Lutziffer for Vladimirs (BOB, 75.)

Westria experiments with lineup, still bags win:

This was Baben Bay's first international A-match, and the Sentries succeeded in
inviting the world's best team for their debut... and they ended up with a pretty
respectable result.  Although, Westria was better than the 1-0 suggests.  The
Diamonds experimented with their less experienced players, leaving the stars such
as Theunissen and Vraseydenhout on the bench.  Still, they comfortably controlled
the match, despite some good flashes of skill from the enthusiastic, yet
technically inferior hosts.

The Technical Information:

Final score: NIOKOLO KOBA 3 - RAS LANARCH 0
Played at: Arena of the Tribes, Dianamalary, Niokolo Koba
Attendance: 59,900
Referee: Wilfried Astnehmer (Westria)
Goals: Dourane (NIO, 25.), Edwahi (NIO, 44.), Bachir (NIO, 66.)
Yellow cards: Kaolack (NIO, 32.), Gerthz (RAS, 79.)
Substitutions: Boubacar for Diop (NIO, 45.), Allbright for Leixnitz (RAS, 45.),
Kellers for Sourstoff (RAS, 61.), Kipsu for Edwahi (NIO, 67.)

Ras Lanarch no match for re-invented Niokolo Koba:

The Nuarmians last suffered a painful and humiliating defeat at home against Aros
in what was supposed to be their final preparation match before the Vexillium
Cup.  The huge loss that followed forced Niokolo Koba to embarrassingly withdraw
from the Vexillium Cup as uncompetitive.  But now, the "Warriors" are back, after
some serious soul-searching - a new Phenixian coach, and nine new names on the
roster, and the initial test was a full success.  Ras Lanarch tried at first, but
after the first 20 minutes, they were mostly trying to keep the NKers away from
their own goal, and seldom crossed the center line.  The new strikers Edwai and
Dourane both scored, the other new guys did good too.  Clear win for NK, hopefully
on the way back to becoming a respectable opponent on the world stage of soccer.

The Technical Information:

Final score: KALESTHESIA 3 - UDAN-WOO 3
Played at: Knisper Allee, Blauhavn, Kalesthesia
Attendance: 35,600
Referee: Vaghel Faltuunhe (Eastern Delgamia)
Goals: Tregikuan (WOO, 9.), Teritehau (WOO, 21.), Qarza (KAL, 48.), Grooph (KAL,
60.), Qarza (KAL, 69.), Tungatalum (WOO, 90.)
Yellow cards: Dogge (KAL, 33.)
Substitutions: Soverastin for Kefir (KAL, 52.)

Close match ends in a lucky draw for Udan-Woo:

This was a riveting match between two teams towards the basement of the rankings,
but you wouldn't be able to tell from today... Udan-Woo pulled off the shockers of
the match, pulling ahead 2-0 early, leaving Kalesthesia scrambling to catch up.
The hosts did a great job of that, playing a fast game that brought them the lead,
only to have the Wallabies steal a point in the last minute after a deflected
corner kick somehow snuck into the goal.

The Technical Information:

Final score: SANX 0 - WESTERMARC 1
Played at: Cliff Stadium, Hrexall, Sanx
Attendance: 21,900
Referee: Ingemar Hatt (Brolecia)
Goals: Fang (WMC, 30.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Kraz for Brexx (SNX, 45.), Luiki for Rhadjneej (WMC, 62.),
Engelsplaas for Kvagenbengt (SNX, 73.)

Tour of duty for Westermarc not as impressive as hoped!

Sanx is a nobody on the international soccer arena, and yet Westermarc was unable
to pull off a clear win, instead eeking away with a mere 1-0.  Flow of play was
not optimal at all for the Serpents, partially due to the substitutes making their
entry in this match, their lack of match experience playing together showing at
times with misunderstandings and dead plays that led nowhere.  Towards the end,
the guests began to play better, but it wasn't enough to embellish their margin of
victory.

The Technical Information:

Final score: SOLANCHATKA 4 - LOMBRIGA 3
Played at: Longerath Majestorium, Samsarini, Solanchatka
Attendance: 104,600
Referee: Jacques Jeanfranc (Davenport)
Goals: Traidrignon (SCK, 11.), Cigret (LOM, 29.),Duran (SCK, 38.), Vrupiz (SCK,
55.), Snappafuë (LOM, 58.), Cigret (LOM, 70.), Traidrignon (SCK, 78.)
Yellow cards: Edrassie (LOM, 10.), Flautenge (SCK, 14.), Rizzezoul (SCK, 62.)
Substitutions: Dizaka for Van Zaandt (SCK, 45.), Stivan for Hrendy (55.)

Cliffhanger has Solanchatka hang on for their first win!

A very varied match, the fortunes here seemed to change many times, both teams had
phases of total domination, and were evenly matched all around.  The hosts went up
first, but Lombriga was unimpressed.  The Rams' finest hour was in the second half
where they pulled even from two back, and looked all like they were about to score
a winner, but Solanchatka took heart and fought back, scoring another and fending
off the charging guests in a nailbiter til the end!

The Technical Information:

Final score: IWK 1 - DJERIGA 1
Played at: Chanachur Snack Foods Bowl, Chanachur, IWK
Attendance: 22,200
Referee: Ivan Chernyenko (Ulanova)
Goals: Bonbeto (IWK, 37.), Shirazhoud (DJR, 91.)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Isshalam for Olinheb (DJR, 88.)

Divine intervention gifts Djeriga a point!

This was another Djerigan classic:  IWK was in control in the first half, playing
freely against the squeamish seeming Djerigans who could not quite get organized
after their usual pre-match prayer was rudely interrupted by the impatient
Ulanovan referee.  Some Djerigan players seemed to complain to the Seagull about
it, gesturing to the sky and the referee - what the...?

IWK was on the mark, and gave their guests all hand full to handle, eventually
scoring a deserved goal though Bonbeto in the 37. minute.

Djeriga was a changed team after the break, word having it that they were able to
finish their prayer in the locker room, and then some.  They came out charging
hard, and this time it was IWK who had their hands full.

But the Djerigans would not succeed in scoring.  IWK was also not out of it,
playing well, and coming up with several good chances.  All seemed over for
Djeriga just 2 minutes before the end, but coach Kapek then called for a
substitution, interrupting the match:  the Djerigan players used the opportunity
to sing some sort of ode to the Seagull... this time, they didn't let the Ulanovan
ref interrupt them, despite his threat of disciplinary action.  After about a
minute, the spectacle was over, and the match could continue.  The IWK players
were visibly anry at this interruption and the ref's inability to put an end to
the singing.  They were unconcentrated resuming the game.  Then, all of a sudden,
the Djerigans got the ball, and Shirazhoud went for it... he bombed the leather
forward, slicing it considerably... almost unbelievably, a real banana shot,
causing two IWK defenders to miss the ball, and totally surprising goalie Issel...
the ball banana'd onto the side pole, rebounded from there onto the back of
Issel's heel, bounced back to the goal, and seemed to stop just before the goal
line... just then, the ball took another revolution, rolling over the goal line,
just before Issel could reach for it... a goal for Djeriga!!!

Video tape reviews still have experts arguing whether the degree of spin put on
the ball by Shirazhoud was humanly possible, and whether the ball actually came to
a complete halt before reaching the goal line, only to inexplicably jump forwarf
accross the line a second later... from different camera angles, the events look
different each time.  Many of course attributed the goal to the doings of the
Seagull, and MOUN himself... looks like the Ode to the Seagull worked!!??  The
Djerigans thought so, anyways, as they fell into a long prayer of thanks after the
final whistle!  Another bizarre match, but great entertainment!!

The Technical Information:

Final score: DEUCOLAND 2 - OOST-OTAGO 0
Played at: Aytona Int'l Speedway Arena
Attendance: 90,000
Referee: Willy Corniff (Aros)
Goals: Evangelista (DEU, 33.), Sandoz (DEU, 54.)
Yellow cards: Wiegel (DEU, 9.), Schußlich (OOO, 41.), Duez (DEU, 81.)
Substitutions: Salvator for Inglis (DEU, 56.), Iqueon for Flenthz (OOO, 58.),
Torrent for Maulpeck (OOO, 70.)

Ray of hope for Deucoland!

After the basically embarrassing performances by the Deuco team in their first few
international games, the team many call the greatest underachivers in the game
today had reason to cheer and be hopeful that brighter days are ahead.  For the
first time, the Gargoyles seemed to work together as a unit - with their new head
coach and a new beginning after the horrendous debut, Deucoland showed solid play
against a very legstrong Oost-Otago team.  But all the running would not help the
Desert Rats in the end.  Deucoland was technically and physically on the mark and
never looked in too much danger of losing, although the Rats had their moments,
and plaenty of chances to score.  A somewhat predictable result, and a much needed
boost for Deucoland!