Games 50-52  (SYL-SOL, NGR-FCLR, COC-MOS) 11-03-298

Game 50: Sylvian-Solelhada (Vexillium Cup CD'98)

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 3, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: SYLVIAN 1 - SOLELHADA 2
Played in: Royal Pines, Christiana (Westchrist Stadium)
Attendance: 41,800
Referee: Nasser Al-Sudhin (Mauretanie)
Goals: Delpuog (SOL, 55.), Haverhill (SYL, 69.), Langles (SOL, 79.)
Yellow cards:  Buou (SOL, 40.)
Substitutions: de la Mar for Portal (SOL, 45.), Karavan for Dement (SYL,
59.)

Match commentary:

Red Devils outlast feisty Sylvians!

Sylvian's win against the FCLR in June at the Davenport beginnings of
the Vexillium Cup was dismissed by many as a fluke, and despite their
good play at the time, Sylvian did still not get a lot of respect.
Today, however, they proved these critics wrong, as Solelhada, one of
the more respected sides of Vexillium, had their hands full to come away
with the victory.

Overall, both teams were very equal in chances and ball posession.  The
game could have gone either way, but ultimately Solelhada probably
prevailed due to the better nerves in the end.

The game was fresh and fast in the beginning, and both teams seemed
enthusiastic to play.  In the 12. minute, Langles had the first good
chance for the Red Devils, but missed just high.  Minutes later, Darcon
headed the ball into the arms ofo Solelhada keeper Delmas.  Yet another
few minutes after that, Arrat found himself before the goal
unchallenged, but missed the ball in an embarrassing stab, and the
leather harmlessly bounced to Sylvian defender Trevizant, who cleared.
So when it was all said and done, despite good chances, neither team
managed to score in the first half.

After the break, sub de la Mar brought additional impulse into the
Solelhada attack, and after controlling the game for a while, Delpuog
managed to finally score from a corner kick by Fabre.  This did not sit
well with Sylvian, who now threw themselves into the offense.  Karavan
was brought in, and they pushed hard for the next 15 minutes.  After
being stopped by foul in the 69. minute, Haverhill converted a long free
kick himself, as it was slightly deflected, and hit confused goalie
Delmas on the shoulder, before entering the goal for the 1-1.

>From then on, both teams played wait-and-see, as neither wanted to take
any unnecessary risks that might lead to a sudden mistake.  The tension
was high at this time of the game, the teams were literally beleaguering
each other.  Finally, Sylvian started an offense, but after a mispass
from Halper, Solelhada launched a quick counter.  Langles and de la Mar
were at the forefront, and together they tricked Sylvian defenders, and
finally goalie Tsuruoka - Langles scored the winner for Solelhada with
an elegant heel shot after a final assist by de la Mar.  From then on,
Solelhada defended with 10 men, and they managed to hold on to the
narrowest of wins.
 

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 3, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: NORTHERN GRONK 1 - FCLR 0
Played in: Port Celt, Christiana (Seaswept Stadium)
Attendance: 89,700
Referee: Jaques Jeanfranc (Davenport)
Goals: Rimlahim (NGR, 35.)
Yellow cards:  Vebaste (FCLR, 66.)
Substitutions: Cramero for Slisch (FCLR, 45.), Albrecht for Carina (NGR,
45.), Sadface for Doma (NGR, 61.)

Match commentary:

Rimlahim again the sole scorer to send Gonk victorious!

This was a much anticipated game of this cup, as two of the biggest
soccer powers, and indeed the two most powerful nations on the planet
clashed in a critical group match.  Millions and millions of Confederate
and NG citizens followed this game on television, and the staduim, which
had been deliberately chosen as the larges one in the cup, was crammed
full.  Unfortunately, the game was not the super-exciting shootout that
had been expected, but was more of a tactical one after the Hurricanes
took the lead, because they did their very best to preserve said lead
until the very end, and successfully so!

The first half hour saw the best action of the match, as FCLR and Gronk
both played freely, and had several chances through quick counters.
Linitencatoriel was an absolute standout for the Confederates, it seemed
he was all over the field - where ever the ball was, Linitencatoriel was
no far from it.  Two chances by himself, and two more by Munies, and the
also strong Himero, went without reward.  Gronk captain Sinisterfoot on
the other side also conducted his men well, and they were almost the
match of the charging FCLR in the first 30 minutes.  Then, out of
nowhere after a long pass from goalie Vratar, Radimir Rimlahim surprised
the Confederate defense, who had moved up considerably during the last
attack, and without much challenge, he overcame defender Slisch, and
shot the ball underneath FCLR keeper Candene into the goal for a roaring
1-0!

>From then on, Gronk began to play human wall:  Their strategy obviously
now was to delay the game, and try to preserve the lead until the end.
It now was quite agonizing to watch, as all the excitement of the first
half hour was followed by another hour of defensive tactics by Gronk,
and the fans at times were quite vocal at their dismay of the
situation.  Meanwhile, the FCLR's offensives became more desperate.
FCLR really needed to win this game, after the upset loss to Sylvian in
the first leg, and they tried their best to break the Gronkian lines of
defense.  Linitencatoriel in the mean while was well covered
person-to-person, and could not play the role he did earlier.
Eventually, due to the many futile tries, the FCLR team seemed to tire
out, and in the last 15 minutes, neither team seemed to add any
excitement to the game.  The crowds were quite restless, and some
whistling was heard even when the game was over and the Gronkians waved
to the crowd.  But the Hurricanes had achieved their goal - literally!
The FCLR will now have to win big over Solelhada to still have a chance,
provided that Gronk will beat Sylvian.  Should the FCLR not advance to
the next round, it must be considered a huge surprise of this Cup!

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 3, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: COCEIRA 2 - MOSQUITIA 1
Played in: Norseton, Christiana (Jorgensen Memorial Stadium)
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Trevor Speaks (Bowdani)
Goals: Stivan (COC, 27.), V. Rek (COC, 40.), Painpeapisa (MOS, 69.,
penalty)
Yellow cards:  Menrtto (MOS, 26.), J. Rek (COC, 56.)
Substitutions: Kutsch for J. Rek (COC 75.)

Match commentary:

Coceira continues to impress and cruises to win over Mosquitia!

The friendly rivalry between the two FCLR associates entered a new
chapter today, as Coceira and Mosquitia met.  Coceira had impressed in
the WHCON earlier this year, and they were considered the favorites -
sure enough, it did not take their best efforts to stay in control of
the game almost all throughout.  The close score is a result of a
penalty given after a marginal hand play by Coceiran defender Marat.
Otherwise, Mosquitia had little chances to score, despite good
progressive play.  Their execution skills simply were not there today.
Coceira coasts to the win with their typical meticulous play.  Another
good collaboration between buddies V. Rek and S. Gore.  Also impressive
or Coceira Uhlan Bomorave midfielder Kurvan.  Mosquitian goalie Szbnuy
prevented a worse result with some remarkable reflexes.