Games 41-43  (CHR-LAM, WMC-ORD, KTZ-BIL) 10-31-298

Game 41: Christiana-Lamb's Cove (Vexillium Cup CD'98)

IVEFA announces the result from today's OFFICIAL OPENING match played in
the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, October 31, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: CHRISTIANA 3 - LAMB'S COVE 2
Played in: Christianshaven, Christiana (Royal Christiana Stadium),
Attendance: 74,900
Referee: Nick Islander (Dignania)
Goals: Monaigh (CHR, 12.), Nolan (CHR, 23.), Ellison (LAM, 44.),
Harrison (CHR, 48.), Bass (87, penalty)
Yellow cards: none
Substitutions: Farley for M. Greene (LAM, 30.), Kraft for Ondash (LAM,
45.), Tara for Jorgensen (CHR, 45.), Edwardson for Monaigh (CHR, 45.)

Match commentary:

Christiana cruises to victory before King and home crowds to open CD'98
in style!

The Knights were heavily favored in this match against the colorful
assembly of Lambs Cove amateurs, and, despite the close result,
Christiana never really was in danger of losing any points on this game,
as they took an early lead, and scored again soon after the break.
Lambs Cove was a positive surprise in that they exhibited some great
fair play and fighting spirit, and were physically quite adept, however,
the technical aspects were ultimately the difference.  The lack of
experience in international competition, and for some players indeed
soccer itself showed, and the Knights were able to control the ball at
will most of the time.  Superb game by Monaigh, who scored, and defender
Padraig.  Coach Snyder even dared to gamble with the substitute goalie
Tara in the second half, who did a good job as well and may be starting
sometime.

Lambs Cove surprised the CHR defense shortly before the break
(apparently the Knights were already looking forward to halftime, and
did not pay attention!), as Ellison scored the first ever goal for this
young team.  A penalty briefly before the end, converted narrowly by
baseball star Bass, gave LC a remarkable total of 2 goals against one of
the favorites to win the Cup - but don't be fooled, CHR seemed well in
control at most times, and was apparently trying to preserve some
energies for the tougher games to come against ORD and WMC.

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, October 31, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTERMARC 4 - ORDLAND 0
Played in: Aurora, Christiana (Borealis Stadium), Attendance: 68,600
Referee: Biko Ulunde (Niokolo Koba)
Goals: Fang (WMC, 2.), Foit (WMC, 44.), Cirrus (WMC, 60. penalty),
Bulunghia (WMC, 82.)
Yellow cards: Lunn (WMC, 21.), J. Vinha (ORD, 60.)
Substitutions: Alga for G. Pereira (ORD, 45.), DaGama for Alfarrobeira
(ORD, 45.), Vanok for Fang (WMC, 45.), Koon for Singhraj (WMC, 64.)

Match commentary:

Strong Westermarc overcomes unlucky Ordland!

The result of four goals difference really does not do the Arrows
justice, as they had a lot of bad luck in a fast paced game that saw
Westermarc emerge as a very organized and lethal squad.  Ordlands
strategy to attack early unfortunately backfired, as in a quick counter
Westermarc pulled ahaed in only the 2. minute to the great shock of the
Arrows!  But they recollected themselves, and from then on had many good
chances which resulted in narrow misses, and saves by the superb goalie
for WMC, P. C. Nuur, who was voted MVP of the game later!  So Ordland
did not manage to score despite the many chances, and to make matters
worse, Westermarc scored another quick counter just one minute before
the break, which was psycholocically very important!

After the break, and with some subs, Ordland again came out charging.  A
free kick just from outside the penalty box hit the side pole for
Ordland, and later, a goal was disallowed due to offsides by Koban
referee Ulunde, despite heavy protests by Ordlands coach Oliveira!

To continue the string of bad luck, J. Vinha was penalized for stopping
the ball by hand in the penalty zone in the 60. minute, which resulted
in an easy conversion for Westermarc, and brought J. Vinha a yellow
card.  At this time, the Arrows were visibly dismotivated in view of the
3 goal deficit, and their play became more listless.  Westermarc, in the
mean time, fed off the bad fortunes of their opponent, and sealed the
triumph in the 82. minute with a nice goal by head from Bulunghia.

Ordland had two more superb chances shortly before the end, but one was
whistled off due to offsides, and the other only hit the outside net.

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, October 31, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: EASTERN ZARTANIA 5 - BILLA 0
Played in: Easton, Christiana (Sunrise Stadium), Attendance: 49,300
Referee: Randie Stickx (Armatirion)
Goals: Fouberg (KTZ, 11.), Faulkner (KTZ, 15.), Fouberg (KTZ, 35.),
Fouberg (KTZ, 53.), Rees (KTZ, 77.)
Yellow cards: Staton (KTZ, 14.), McBride (KTZ, 51.), Shelton (KTZ, 60.)
Substitutions: Baucom for Leonard (BIL, 20.), Alderman for Ericson (BIL,
45.)

Match commentary:

Overwhealming Zartanians declass Billa with intimidating attack play!

This game was not pretty to watch, because Billa clearly was not
prepared for what hit them in the KTZ team.  KTZ executed their usual
offensive blitz style, with a healthy portion of physical efforts and
rougher play, and the Billa team seemed at a loss to respond to this
recipe.  After just 35 minutes, the lead was 3, without a trace of any
sort of counteroffensive by Billa, who were in their first international
game.  Only later in the game, as KTZ was easing up the pressure, Billa
began to recoop, and play up a few chances, albeit without results.
Fouberg was the star of the game, as he scored an impressive hattrick,
which puts him on top of the scorer's list!  KTZ is certainly sitting
pretty now, and after taking the TKT earlier this month, they must be
considered heavy co-favorites for the big Cup!