Games 55, 56, and 57  (CHR-ORD, WMC-LAM, WHI-BIL) 11-05-298

Game 55: Christiana-Ordland (Vexillium Cup CD'98)

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 5, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: CHRISTIANA 6 - ORDLAND 5
Played in: Port Celt, Christiana (Great Southern Stadium)
Attendance: 71,000
Referee: W. C. Benzhin (Westermarc)
Goals: Andersen (17.), Limoneira (22.), Castanheira (34.), Monaigh
(36.), Monaigh (49.), Castanheira (55.), Limoneira (60.), Nolan (66.),
DaGama (72.), Harrison (79.),  Monaigh (87.)
Yellow cards:  Cale (ORD, 36.), Brigidson (CHR, 69.)
Substitutions: NONE!

Match commentary:

Incredible shootout finally gets Christiana revenge - but just barely!

Here we have another much-anticipated match between two old rivals:
Christiana had lost a friendly in Ordland earlier this year, shortly
before the relations between these two countries cooled considerably for
a while, and the loss did not sit well with the Knights - they wanted a
rematch on home soil, and today they finally got their chance!

And what a game it was!  This sets the new record for goals scored in an
international "A" match.  The crowds screamed themseves hoarse, as no
less than 11 goals were scored, some in spectacular fashion.  There was
literally not a dull moment in the game.  Andersen finally managed to
score in international competition, and brought Christiana up 1-0.  But
Ordland was on its toes today, and a double strike brought them ahead.
Notable the beautiful long volley bomb by captain Castanheira for the
2-1!  Just two minutes later, it was the Knights' turn again, this time
Monaigh, who would score twice more, was there by head, after a yelow
card foul on Andersen produced a free kick, executed by Padraig.

Ordland first played a little defensive, but after the first Christiana
goal, they changed their strategy, and the team, which had many
"substitutes" as starters today, played fearless and with abandon.
After the break, Monaigh surprised Arrows goalie Vinha with a
backflip-shot from about 30 meters out - Vinha was just trying to
organize the defensive layout, when all of a sudden Monaigh's ball came
out of nowhere to again put Christiana ahead.

Shortly thereafter, however, and within five minutes, Ordland had
another double-strike, this time again Limoneira and Castanheira, except
in opposite sequence.  Limoneira was successful after a nice solo, and a
good lay-up via chest perfectly onto the left foot, and Castanheira
shortly before was in the right place after a corner kick by DaGama.

Again the lead had changed, now for the fourth time!!  The Knights,
however, did not waste any time, and Nolan converted a shot rebounding
off the crossbar from Harrison, to put the two sides even again at 4 a
piece.  However, Ordland was not impressed, and DaGama again put the
Arrows ahead, this time after a defensive error by Bolton, whose
back-pass came up too short, and ended up directly in front of DaGama,
who was actually already on his way back to his own half - the goal was
only a formality, as Christiana goalie Jorgensen was too surprised at
the bonehead pass by Bolton to react effectively!

There was a tremendous buzz in the crowd - they had gone from ecstasy to
agony, and again to ecstasy, and again to agony...  some spectators were
probably as exhausted as the players!  Christiana now had only 12
minutes left, and they were one down in front of their beloved fans and
King, so they needed to make something happen - and they did!  The King
rose from his seat, and enthusiastically fired on the crowds, conducting
them like an orchestra, and they responded with songs and the "wave" -
the whole stadium was full of energy, willing their team on!  The King
then left the Royal box, and was then seen on the sidelines, as he did
in the finals of WHCON, running up and down, screaming...  but this
time, it seemed to work!  Star striker Harrison broke through in the 79.
minute to tie the match.  Excitement now mounted even further.  Could
Christiana win after all?  Indeed Monaigh, who was the declared hero of
the game, with his hattrick, scored the glorious game winner in the 87.
minute!!! The celebrations were incredible!!!  The King was reported to
have tears in his eyes.

Both teams played superbly.  Christiana got their revenge, but Ordland
really impressed, even with the rearranged team.  The match was
exciting, and football and the fans were the real winners tonight!
 

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 5, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTERMARC 4 - LAMB'S COVE 1
Played in: Williamsport, Christiana (WillWest Stadium)
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Ovan Schlagk (FCLR)
Goals: Singhraj (WMC, 22.), Fang (WMC, 36.), Cirrus (WMC, 60.), Fang
(WMC, 69.), Ellison (LAM, 88, penalty)
Yellow cards:  Putnam (LAM, 31.), R. Greene (LAM, 60.)
Red card: Zhensen (WMC, 88.)
Substitutions: Barnes for Butler (LAM, 45.), Steissl for Saabah (WMC,
70.), Uishen for Fang (WMC, 70.)

Match commentary:

Westermarc never in danger, but amateurs score again!

Anything but a clear win for Westermarc would have been a surprise in
this game, and the Old Continent Westrians did not disappoint.  From the
beginningm Westermarc's snaking offense was in charge, and it can only
be attributed to bad luck that the 2-0 lead in the first half was not in
fact a 4-0 lead.  Westermarc's peculiar snaking style of attack has
prompted a few sportswriters to call the team "The Serpents", and more
and more this name is becoming popular amongst the players, officials,
and fans!

Lamb's Cove came well-prepared, but their more offensive strategy was
maybe not the best idea against such a strong team.  Coach Livingston in
fact brought back the defender he intended to bench for the game,
Barnes, during halftime for Butler, who could not convince today.
Ondash, Kraft, and Ellison were playing well for the Dukes today, but
they did not manage to score past the already notorious Singhraj
defense:  Singhraj, also known as "The Tree" for his enormous size, is
an intimidating sight for an attacker!

Fang scores twice this time, and was taken out to preserve together with
Saabah, who had a slightly irritated hemmorhoid anyways, in the 70.
minute.  Lamb's Cove greates chance came in the 87. minute, as in a
moment of carelessness Westermarc was not paying attention, and Kraft
sprinted past three others, outdribbling even goalie Nuur, and striking
at the goal.  Peculiarly, Zhensen, who was standing on the line all by
himself, out of a reflex action, jumped and grabbed the ball, which was
going to go into the goal without a doubt, with both hands!  Naturally,
such a blatant action had to be punished, and Zhensen, who later said he
himself was surprised by this reflex, was sent off with only two minutes
to go!  Ellison took the honors of shooting the penalty, and although
Nuur guessed the corner, he could only just reach with his fingertips,
and Lamb's Cove had their goal of honor!

Westermarc is looking strong, and playing well together as a team, which
is remarkable since the squad is still relatively new.  Lamb's Cove held
their own again, and have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Westermarc and Christiana WILL advance, who is number one will be
decided in the big game on NOV. 11.
 

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 5, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WHITLAM 6 - BILLA 0
Played in: Easton, Christiana (Sunrise Stadium)
Attendance: 49,600
Referee: Vaghel Faltuunhe (Morconia)
Goals: Rayner (WHI, 3.), Blacklock (WHI, 11.), Ibanez (WHI, 19.),
Walford (WHI, 33.), Blacklock (WHI, 55.), Storry (WHI, 61.)
Yellow cards:  Westwood (WHI, 22.)
Substitutions: Biafra for Walford (45.), Shring for Zaytseva (WHI, 45.),
Baucom for Leonard (BIL, 45.), Lambertson for Brown (BIL, 56.)

Match commentary:

Whitlam roasts Billa!

Billa has undergone a lot in their first two games - at first their 0-5
loss to Eastern Zartania, and now this 0-6 against Whitlam!  It was
extremely unfortunate for this still very inexperienced team, who had no
previous international match experience, to have to face two of the
planet's strongest sides, both in the top 10 rankings!

So it can not be seen as a surprise that Billa could not quite cope with
these two matches, and their Vexillium Cup experience can perhaps be
seen as a learning process.  Whitlam, much like KTZ before them, were
not really challenged by the Bombers, not for a lack of trying, though.
Whitlam was simply too superior to give them any chance, and they had a
relatively eventless game, that even allowed them to take out stalwart
goalie Zaytseva in the second half to give Shring some good experience,
in case he needed to take over one day.  Billa had a few good moments,
Mantell and Hartwell can be seen as promising talents.  Whitlam had not
much to prove, but their best today were Hickey, Blacklock, and again
Storry.  All is now poised for the big clash between the Dragons and
Eastern Zartania, who surely heard the Dragons' roar today!!

BACK TO RESULTS
BACK TO NOVEFA
BACK TO IVEFA
BACK TO MATCH CHRONICLE