Games 58, 59, and 60  (LEX-ACA, ISL-WWW, and ANC-MOS) 11-06-298

Game 58: Lexicon Islands-Acarina (Vexillium Cup CD'98)

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 6, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 1 - ACARINA 0
Played in: Royal Pines, Christiana (Westchrist Stadium)
Attendance: 42,000
Referee: Gerard Lustin (Northern Phenixia)
Goals: Dibris (LEX, 77.)
Yellow cards:  Lexico (LEX, 61.)
Substitutions: Filentoz for Liller (LEX, 45.)

Match commentary:

Lexicon somehow manages to squeeze out a win, as Acarina misses big
opportunity!

The Lexicon Islands had entered this cup with high hopes, and the
bookmakers gave them quite good odds, in fact their odds were 2:1 for
making the second round!  But in their first two games, they were not
very convincing, first just barely beting Wwww, and now, in a mediochre
game where Acarina should really have won, again they somehow managed to
capialize.  Lexicon is not a bad team at all, but in these last two
games, they have not really lived up to the expectations which were high
against these two teams which both were much lower estimated than the
Vikings.  One must give them credit, though, they managed to shut out
their opponents, and after all, they DID win their both games, which of
course means, they will go on to the next round, no matter what happens
in the match against Islandia to come.

Fotonaro, one of the pillars of play in Lexicon's first match, and their
only scorer there, was closely monitored my Acarinan defender
Maktraknat, and was almost no factor in this game.  Goalie Munstasi
again had a good day - he had to!  Acarina came ready to win, and they
by all means should have, as they played up about three times as many
goal chances as Lexicon.  The first half, Acarina was in posession of
the ball 35 minutes out of 45.  Bikfatnat and Okot caused some havoc in
the Lexicon defense, and Gutnaktrukkat also proved to be a great
addition to the lineup, as he was in the action many times.  Acarina
however did not manage to score in the first half, despite all the
chances.  Komp's defense held together allright, and Munstasi took care
of the rest, both with a healthy portion of bad fortune for Acarina, who
came oh-so-close several times!

After the break, Lexicon brought in Filentoz, who seemed to bring some
positive changes.  From then on, Lexicon, no doubt also after a verbal
lashing from their coack during the break, did better, and the two
teams  sparred relatively equally the rest of the way.  Acarina, who
remained unchanged the entire game (and why change a team that is doing
well?), still had the better chances.  Okot caught the ball untidy, and
what was meant as a bomb from close range turned out to be  harmless
hopper, held by Munstasi.  Bikfatnat headed one almost into the goal
twice, first the pass from Tritnatketkat, which hit the crossbar, and
then the rebound off the crossbar, which went just over the goal!

Then, all of a sudden, Lexicon had their best chance of the game, a
short pass through the midfield, Kilaffis dribbling into the Acarina
half, pass to Komp, Komp turning around, and finds Filentoz, Folentoz
pushes forward, attacked by a defender, flanks to the other side to
Dibris, short hand off to Fotonaro, back to Dibris, who decides to go
for it, leaves Kitkat looking, and shoots left, into the lower far
corner, unreachable for keeper Truktruknat!  Incredibly, Lexicon had
done it again, and they managed to hold on til the end, despite two more
great chances for Okot and Gutnaktrukkat!

Although Lexicon got away with one today, they will not be easy cannon
fodder for Islandia.  Acarina can only ask "What if...?", as they had
all the chances to win this one, but the last bit of execution and luck
were simply missing today.  Their controlled play certainly gained them
some new admirers today, that's for sure.
 

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 6, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ISLANDIA 6 - WWWW 0
Played in: Port Celt, Christiana (Great Southern Stadium)
Attendance: 68,900
Referee: Alexi Verbatim (Northern Gronk)
Goals: Petursson (ISL, 33.), Hjalmarsson (ISL, 40.), Eyjolfsson (ISL,
49.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 59.), Hallgrimsson (ISL, 72.), Tordarsson (ISL,
85.)
Yellow cards:  Johansson (ISL, 31.)
Substitutions: Tipulura for Munkara (WWW, 45.), Palipuamini for Apuatimi
(WWW, 45.), Steindorsson for Petursson (ISL, 56.), Sigurdsson for
Fabiansson (ISL, 60.)

Match commentary:

Wwww can't quite keep up this time, as superb Islandians show no mercy!

Islandia is considered generally the top favorite in this group, and
even a candidate for late playoff action - tonight, they showed why, and
did their reputation all honor.  Wwww had been surprisingly strong in
their previous two international games, very effectively playing their
technical defensive, and, as always, totally non-physical style.
However, Islandia seems to have found the recipe to overcome this, as
they scored no less than six times in this game.

Islandia took a little rougher approach - although most of the time
fair, it seemed to intimidate the Wwww players a little, and referee
Verbatim did not necessarily have the attitude to set a clear sign that
a more pronounced physical play is unacceptable.  So Islandia was coming
on strong, with a bit of pushing and shoving thrown in.  Nevertheless,
at first, Wwww held up to the constant pressure.  But eventually their
luck ran out in the 33. minute.  Wwww's dilemma was this time, that they
simply could not keep up with the superbly conditioned Islandians -
thus, their style of technical defense did not work as effectively,
especially later in the game, where physical conditioning became more
important.  To effectively defend against a team that is faster than
you, some fouls are a necessity, but Wwww, of course, will not hear of
such things!

Thus, as the game progressed, Islandia was having an increasingly easier
time, and eventually came away with a very impressive, and not
unmerited, 6-0 win.  Petursson slightly strained an ankle when he landed
on the wrong side of the foot after a high header, and as a precaution
the star striker was removed from the game later.  Eyjolfsson again
scored twice, now joining Monaigh of Christiana on top of the scorers
list.  Reserve goalie Sigurdsson had a chance to taste some VexCup
action later in the game, as he was put in for Fabiansson.  Sigurdsson
did a fine job as well, but he was not exaclty tested too much.   Wwww
forward Tipulura had a good game, as did, again Wonamini.  Goalie
Mungatopi, the discovery of the first two matches, had a bit of a
nighmare match, as he had to retrieve the ball from his goal six times -
perhaps with a better performance by him, the damage could have been
less... but not everybody can have a great day.

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 6, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ANCALDA 3 - MOSQUITIA 0
Played in: Norseton, Christiana (Jorgensen Memorial Stadium)
Attendance: 34,800
Referee: Wehart Atankutnat (Acarina)
Goals: Weyland (ANC, 17.), Leikovic (ANC, 40., penalty), Leikovic (ANC,
78.)
Yellow cards:  Menrtto (MOS, 31.)
Red card: Menrtto (MOS, 40.)
Substitutions: T'kat'kentok for Ynos Young (MOS, 45.), Brune for M. Gren
(ANC, 45.), McKlewny for Weyland (ANC, 66.), Sidi for Afonik (MOS, 67.)

Match commentary:

Ancalda finally gets it together, and wins over ten-man Mosquitia!

Ancalda had been the laughing stock of the international football
community after their embarrassing losses to Coceira and Northern
Phenixia at the WHCON, in which they played in their home stadium, and
then another defeat at the Vex Cup vs. Niokolo Koba.  This team, which
was much hyped-about before WHCON, has simply not shown anything
impressive, asides from the occasional glimmer of skill, and of all the
ranked teams, Ancalda could be found at the very bottom of the list!
Tonight then, they finally lived up to their potential, and despite the
fact that their opponents were one man down for more than half the
match, they can honestly say that finally some things fell into place,
and they played well to earn their victory.

Mosquitia came with high hopes, and dominated the early part of the
game, almost scoring through Ynos Old via head.  but is was Weyland, who
brought Ancalda ahead through a counter in just the 17. minute.  This
goal gave Ancalda the needed spark, and this Frankenstein finally seemed
to come alive.  From the 20. minute on, Ancalda seemed transformed from
the previous games, all the nerveous mistakes, that had been so
prevalent bafore, vanished, and they started to take more control over
the game.  Not too many goal chances came for either team, but in the
31. minute Menrtto received a yellow card for arguing with the referee
about a free kick given to Ancalda - this seemingly insignificant card
should have grave implications just 9 minutes later!

In the 40. minute, Ancalda started another fast counter, and Leikovic
and Perez were storming towards the goal in a flurry.  Menrtto was there
to defend, and at the last minute, he decided to prevent a very possible
goal shot by Perez, with a foul from behind, just on the penalty line!
The whistle went off, and the Acarinian referee came running - the foul
from behind, and that so near the goal meant a yellow for sure, except,
Menrtto had already received one for arguing, so ref Atankutnat had no
option other than to show the RED!  Furious protests from Menrtto did
not help, and the referee ended up yelling, and threatening the player,
who stormed off the pitch furious!  For a while, it seemed they might
come to blows!

The Ancaldan players, who before the match had some reservations about
the game referee coming from another FCLR associated country, were
visibly relieved when the whole scene was over.  They now had a penalty
kick as well, as Atankutnat decided, the foul was just inside the
penalty area.  Leikovic converted easily, as Szbnuy fell to the wrong
corner.  Now things were easier for Ancalda.  Mosquitia did not give up,
however.  But with only ten men, they now had it very difficult.
Despite that, they had some more good chances, but no score.  To top it
all off, Leikovic was again successful in the 78. minute, after a free
kick from Perez!  After that, the game fell into a lull, as Ancalda
tried to run out the clock, and Mosquitia seemed to resign.

Things in group F might get interesting.  Although Coceira looks strong,
the advancing positions are still very much up for grabs.

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