Games 26, 27, and 28 (FCLR-MOS, DIG-ACA, ARM-WES) 10-08-298

Game 26 - FCLR-Mosquitia (Commemoration Cup of the Free Confederacy):
 
IVEFA announces the results for todays Group A match held at the
Commemoration Cup of the Free Confederacy, played Thursday, October 8,
298, in Gloria Libertatis:
The final result is FCLR 4 - Mosquitia 0

The Technical Information:

Final score: FCLR 4 - MOSQUITIA 0
Played in: Gloria Libertatis, FCLR (Lendian National Arena), attendance:
54,200
Referee: Wehart Atankutnat (Acarina)
Goals: Munies (FCLR, 13.), Linitencatoriel (FCLR, 35.), Munies (FCLR,
41.), Dalista (FCLR, 57.)
Yellow cards: NONE
Substitutions: Sidi for Menrtto (MOS, 36.), Dalista for Martiano (FCLR,
45.), Lombriga for Slisch (FCLR, 45.), Muurtiin for Szbnuy (MOS, 46.)

Match commentary:

Mosquitia chanceless against a much improved FCLR!

The FCLR showed that they have more then recovered from their shocking
loss to Sylvian in the early rounds of the Vex Cup, and came back with a
solid all-around performance to declass the inexperienced Mosquitians,
who were a little overwhelmed by their strong opponents.  The game was
very fair, as could be expected.  Both teams experimented with lineups
and made the maximum number of exchanges allowed.  Mosquitia got a
better grip on their defense in the second half, and were able to keep
the damage to 'only' four goals.  Their attack however, was all but
ineffective against the strong FCLR.

IVEFA announces the results for todays Group B match held at the
Commemoration Cup of the Free Confederacy, played Thursday, October 8,
298, in Gloria Libertatis:
The final result is Dignania 2 - Acarina 2

The Technical Information:

Final score: DIGNANIA 2 - ACARINA 2
Played in: Gloria Libertatis, FCLR (Freedom Field), attendance:
31,200
Referee: Abel Fratsch (FCLR)
Goals: Palliser (DIG, 24.), Chatham (DIG, 41.), Gutnaktrukkat (ACA,
62.), Okot (ACA, 73.)
Yellow cards: Kratnetkat (ACA, 41.)
Substitutions: Okot for Pektukfat (ACA, 45.), Nitketkanut for Akatkat
(ACA, 45.), Raoul for Stewart (DIG, 45.), Kermadec for Egmont (DIG, 51.)

Match commentary:

Dignania opens the door and pays the price!

Digania was clearly the better team, and dominate early on, taking a
comfortable lead into the break.  However, in the second half, they were
a little too sure of themselves, and promptly Acarina came back at
them.  Dignania did not seem to take their opponent seriously after they
were in the lead by two, and even after Gutnaktrukkat scored for Acarina
to close the gap to only one, Team Dignania made little effort.  Until
Okot scored the equalizer that is!  This shook the Dignanians awake, and
from there on, they were back in charge.  However, their draw ended up
to be lucky for them, because Acarina actually had the chance to score
through a penalty in the 70. minute.  Incredibly, though, keeper North
was able to deflect the shot by Gutnaktrukkat over the goal.

IVEFA announces the results for todays friendly match held, played
Thursday, October 8, 298, in Ailati:
The final result is Armatirion 4, Westria 3

The Technical Information:

Final score: ARMATIRION 4 - WESTRIA 3
Played in: Ailati, Armatirion (National Stadium), attendance:
72,100
Referee: Nicolas Jousfrippe (Africablue)
Goals: Vraseydenhout (WES, 25.), Theunissen (WES, 35.), Cunliffe (ARM,
37.), Virr (ARM, 50.), Hallsetter (WES, 57.), Milward (ARM, 68.),
Cunliffe (ARM, 83.)
Yellow cards: Bell (ARM, 35.), Waschbrecht (WES, 42.)
Substitutions: Latta for Bell (ARM, 37.), Hallsetter for Salamanta (WES,
45.), Galt for Boyle (ARM, 45.), Alkentorff for Yoghurt (WES, 57.)

Match commentary:

Home team narrowly prevails in suspense-filled match!

The fans in Ailati saw an action packed 90 minutes that showcased two of
the strongest teams of Vexillium.  Both teams were convincing
technically as well as physically, and must be considered favorites for
the coming Cup.  Westria pulled ahead two goals, which initially shocked
the home crowds, who never before had seen their team two goals down
anywhere.  The dynamic duo of the 22-year-olds, Vraseydenhout and
Theunissen collaborated on both goals.  Vraseydenhout headed in a flank
from Theunissen in the 25. minute, past keeper Fern, and Theunissen
elegantly slid the ball into the near corner after Vraseydenhout faked a
direct free kick shot after a yellow-card foul by Bell, who was
substituted shortly thereafter.

Armatirion was down, but not out, and they showed why they are
considered perhaps the strongest team on the planet.  In a superhumen
effort they succeeded in scoring the very important connection goal
before the break, after a nice combination between Boyle and the superb
Cunliffe, who excited the crowd for the full 90 minutes.

Coach Schrey brought in Hallsetter, the Westrian playing in the AFA
league, at halftime.  But it was again Armatirion to score after a
standard corner, and a brief lack of concentration in the Westrian
defense, which was otherwise pretty immaculate.  But even brief
disconcentration is not allowed against an opponent like Armatirion, and
Virr equalized 2-2 via heel shot, after the corner by Kelso was
undeflected by two Westrian defenders.

Only seven minutes later, however, "the spy" Hallsetter managed to score
a goal in his first ever game, after fooling defender Gillick into the
wrong direction.  Goalie Fern deflected, but not enough, and again the
hopeful Westrians were in the lead.  But Armatirion was hardly shaken,
and kept their concentration.  The 20 minutes that followed showed true
Vexillium-class soccer by a team that has been called 'a sure bet' to
win the Vex Cup.  Defender Milward found himself in the right place at
the right time after a long kickoff by Fern, and he dribbled his way
past Voyden to leave Hasenpfeffer no chance.

The game was once again all even, but 7 minutes before the end, Cunliffe
delivered the final blow in a long shot into the upper right corner, to
the great delight of the crowd.  Westria however kept pushing, but time
eventually ran out, and Armatirion masterfully kept the situation under
control and did not allow any more goals, despite Westria's efforts.

Both teams appeared pleased with the game.  Armatirion had fought hard,
and were glad to get away with a win in front of the home fans.  Westria
knew  they had played excellent, held up well against a Vexillium-class
opponent, and nearly pulled off a draw or even win.  Both teams looked
extremely strong, and surely the Cup community will have taken notice.
Bookmakers have now considerably upped the odds of both teams to win the
Vexillium Cup.