Games 214-219 (Smalik Shootout '99 II) Second Rounds, November 23-29, 299

IVEFA Presents all the results of the second round of the Smalik Shootout '99 II,
played in Bowdani and Caboteniasa:

Group A: Bowdani, West Uhlan, Caboteniasa
Group B: Westermarc, Lendosa, Djeriga

Group A Match: BOWDANI-WEST UHLAN, November 23, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: BOWDANI 3 - WEST UHLAN 0
Played in: Lief Stadium - Randolf Tech, Corning, Bowdani
Attendance: 42,600
Referee: Jacques Jeanfranc (DAV)
Goals: Manchoni (BOW, 11.), Killehal (BOW, 25.), Hund (BOW, 33.)
Yellow cards: Amalga (WUH, 33.)
Substitutions: Gnomela for Ming Do (WUH, 45.), Mazraldi for Gonzales (WUH, 45.),
Panskeli for Hawk (BOW, 45.), Carr for Killehal (BOW, 59.)

Bowdani made short work of the first round sensation West Uhlanians who scored the
upset of the year by defeating the newly refurbished Davenportian squad, knocking
them out of the tourney.  The West Uhlanians were lacking the lucky breaks they
had in their match against the Men in Royal, and in front of their home crowd,
Bowdani quickly exposed the weaknesses of the Percevejani team.  Hardly ever in
Bowdani's half, West Uhlan never looked like they could even trheaten for the win
or even tie the match.  The Smalikans just totally controlled the pace and scored
three easy goals in the first half, throttling back in the second half to preserve
their strengths for the next match.  Impressive display by Bowdani, and a clear
indication that West Uhlan's win over Davenport was a once-only fluke.  Perhaps if
the West Uhlanian team would go back and use some of the experienced players that
used to bring glory to Coceira, when it was playing a separate team, they would
have a better, more consistant chance to contend.  Players like Meridion, V. Rek,
Gore, etc. are not lightly replaced by Ming Do, who had a dismal day, and his new
colleagues representing West Uhlan today.

Group B Match: WESTERMARC-DJERIGA, November 23, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTERMARC 3 - DJERIGA 1
Played in: Teniasan Stadium, Portescuro, Caboteniasa
Attendance: 52,800
Referee: Alfredo Hugo (LEN)
Goals: J. Fooey (WMC, 33.), Shirazhoud (DJR, 40.), J. Fooey (WMC, 49.), Foit (WMC,
80.)
Yellow cards: Shirazhoud (DJR, 41.), Karawanserei (WMC, 65.)
Red card: Shirazhoud (DJR, 42.)
Substitutions: Isshalam for Al-Fhuli (DJR, 55.), Saabah for Fang (WMC, 80.)

The Djerigans were up to their usual hijinx again in this much anticipated matchup
between two of the most entertaining teams to watch on the planet.  The first half
was rather even, as the Djerigans played it seemed with divine guidance, and never
caught a wrong foot.  Despite the sterling play by Westermarc, Djeriga managed to
keep up and hold the game relatively even.  Although J. Fooey put the Serpents
ahead finally in the 33. minute, Shirazhoud scored a long shot that surprised P.
C. Nuur in the WMC goal.  However, the Djerigan's joy and subsequent prayer of
thanks was to be his team's downfall:  the Djerigans had been warned many times in
the past not to delay play by their praying and preaching, and referee Hugo was
visibly getting annoyed with the many interruptions caused by Djerigan players
trying to preach to their WMC counterparts about MOUN.  When the Djerigans all
fell to the ground to give thanks for their goal, Hogo picked them up one by one,
and commanded the befuddled players to carry on playing.  All complied after
varying degrees of resistance, except the goal scorer, Shirazhoud.  He would not
budge from his praying position, cowering on the ground, not even after a yellow
was given.  Hugo was furious, but the disciple of Moun would carry on in his
prayer of thanks, and the ref finally had no choice but to eject him.  Aides had
to be called onto the pitch to remove the scorer, who was still cowering even
after they placed him outside the sideline.

Needless to say, with only ten men, Djeriga had not too much to say in the second
half, and Westermarc finally lived up to their reputation.  The Serpents seemed
visibly tired however from their tough first round match against World Number Ones
Brolecia.  They would score a deserved victory nonetheless in this one.

Group A Match: CABOTENIASA-WEST UHLAN, November 26, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: CABOTENIASA 5 - WEST UHLAN 0
Played in: Tessamio Stadium, Tessamio, Caboteniasa
Attendance: 26,300
Referee: Wolfgang Trithz (SCK)
Goals: Bohlin (CAB, 3.), Bohlin (CAB, 10.), Fjortskank (CAB, 19.), Saari (CAB,
28.), Mondei (CAB, 50.)
Yellow cards: Yi (WUH, 6.), Nom (CAB, 14.), Agora (CAB, 20.), Kautschucka (WUH,
21.), Santanelle (WUH, 41.), Mondei (CAB, 65.), Gueva (WUH, 77.)
Substitutions: Gnomela for Ming Do (WUH, 23.), Mondei for Fjortskank (CAB, 45.),
Larssen for Perdrup (CAB, 45.), Olivera for Yi (WUH, 56.)

Another clear indication that West Uhlan is not up to the task, the calls for the
return of the stars of the past Coceiran team are becoming stronger, as West Uhlan
suffers a 0-5 debacle against an immaculately playing and focused Caboteniasan
team.  The match was the most lobsided yet in this so far pretty balanced and
suspenseful tourney.  West Uhlan's fate was sealed early on, as Bohlin
double-struck within the first 10 minutes, and the Cabos never looked back after
that, while West Uhlan's play became more and more erratic.  West Uhlan has only
to thank the Caboteniasan strategy of preserving their energies for their big
match against Bowdani, otherwise a more terrible score such as 0-7, 0-8, or higher
would have been possible.  The match was rather rough between these two
politically tensed sides, and there were many cards, though no ejections.
Embarrassing for the Percevejanis, bring back Gore, Rek, Meridion, & Co.!  Great
morale booster for the Caboteniasans, who will face Bowdani in the big derby of
the Smalik powerhouses, and who will enjoy home field advantage for that match.

Group B Match: LENDOSA (DRINOMAR)-DJERIGA, November 26, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: LENDOSA 3 - DJERIGA 2
Played in: Little Field Stadium, South Watch, Bowdani
Attendance: 29,600
Referee: Trevor Speaks (BOW)
Goals: Olinheb (DJR, 17.), Nafudd (DJR, 24.), Linet (LEN, 31.), Asano (LEN, 66.),
Asaca (LEN, 82.)
Yellow cards: Zairul (DJR, 37.), Linet (LEN, 63.)
Substitutions: none

A close match sees Lendosa come from way behind to take the victory!  The Lendosan
team has not been blessed with success, not in its current incarnation, and
certainly not its predecessor, the FCLR team, but things may be looking up a bit,
as they squarely defeated the more disciplined Djerigan squad today.  Djerigan
coach Kapek had apparently had a stern word with his team regarding the on-field
praying and preaching, which cost them the last game through an ejection, and the
Djerigans seemed to be at least partially responsive to their coach.  In the first
half hour, it was all Djeriga, and the disciples pulled ahead 2-0, invoking
memories of the bad losses of the Lendosan/FCLR team of the past.  However, as
they seemed in control of the game, the Djerigans became increasingly cocky, no
doubt believing that Moun's Will was going to be done today, no matter what they
did... after all, they were 2 goals ahead, and their opponents had hardly put up
any initiative at all so far.  They were seemingly playing on wings.

However, their overconfidence in their divine advantage caused them to play
sloppily and without much focus.  They increasingly attempted impossible shots or
maneuvers, thinking that MOUN will guide the ball into the goal through divine
intervention.  But, obviously, this was not the case.  Instead, Lendosa smelled
their chance to bounce back, and they did.  Ever more taking control of the match,
they slowly gnawed away at the Djerigan lead, and in the last 10 minutes managed
to score the winner over a devastated Djerigan side, wo could not believe what had
just happened - they were seen cowering on the ground in fear long after the final
whistle had sounded, and some had to be removed by their Coach Kapek and the
janitorial staff.  Djeriga will head home with their good win over Namuria and an
at times very impressive display.  If they could only leave their hijinx behind,
they might become a real force in soccer.  Lendosa, meanwhile, will play
Westermarc for the berth in the finals on the 29th.

Group A Match: CABOTENIASA-BOWDANI, November 29, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: CABOTENIASA 2 - BOWDANI 1
Played in: Hammer Field, Våsthammar, Caboteniasa
Attendance: 31,100
Referee: W.C. Benzhin (WMC)
Goals: Fjortskank (CAB, 22.), Hund (BOW, 34.), Linitencatoriel (CAB, 72.)
Yellow cards: Nom (CAB, 34.), Morol (CAB, 69.)
Substitutions: Manchoni for Marn (BOW, 73.)

Relatively calm match ends in a rousing victory for the home team!  Bowdani was
surely favored to win this match, despite the away disadvantage.  Apparently,
Caboteniasa's motivating factors, the home advantage as well as their great 5-0
over West Uhlan, pushed them to new heights.  The match was not extremely
interesting, and rather medium-paced.  Both teams seemed to be waiting for
something to happen.  Bowdani also had a few dangerous glitches on their defense,
but the Caboteniasan attack could not capitalize.  Both goals in the first half
were scored from standard situations, Hund's goal was a short free kick after a
yellow foul by Nom.  The 1-1 at halftime was a fair reflection of the game.

After the break, it was more of the same.  Only in the last 25 minutes did both
teams finally speed up their act.  Bowdani knew that a tie would not be enough to
go to the finals, due to the high win by Caboteniasa over West Uhlan.
Subsequently, they began taking greater risks in their attempts to drive for the
goal.  Resulting from that shift in strategy, Caboteniasa found itself with
numerous counter-chances, and Linitencatoriel, re-patriated after a short stint in
the IWK national team (his wife is Kukurian), scored the winner after a fast break
counter attack when Marn lost the ball in an all-out attack from Bowdani.
Caboteniasa then played to protect their lead, and despite two close calls with
shots hitting the goal frame, Bowdani could not pull even, let alone score the
winning goal they needed to advance.  A great success for Caboteniasa, who now
holds high the Smalik representation, and will go to the final against the winner
of Westermarc-Drinomar.  Disappointing loss for Bowdani, once again a victim of
their own inconsistency.

Group B Match: WESTERMARC-LENDOSA (DRIMOMAR), November 29, 299

The Technical Information:

Final score: WESTERMARC 3 - LENDOSA 4
Played in: Mountain Field Park- BSU- Rockenfield, Rockenfeild, Bowdani
Attendance: 43,100
Referee: Piotr Klenk (WUH)
Goals: Singhraj (WMC, 12.), Natar (LEN, 17.), Asano (LEN, 19.), Fang (WMC, 55.),
Fang (WMC, 59.), Enra (LEN, 76.), Natar (LEN, 88., penalty)
Yellow cards: Lopez (LEN, 11.), Senene (LEN, 34.), M. Fooey (WMC, 44.), Salvex
(WMC, 60.)
Substitutions: Saabah for Foit (WMC, 45.), Nasa for Asano (LEN, 88.)

Lendosa stays on their comeback trail as they defeat the Serpents, but not without
some controversy!  Westermarc was a shoe-in to win this match against the
rebuilding Lendosans, and in the 12. minute, nothing seemed out of the ordinary as
Singhraj put them ahead after having dominated the beginning moments of the
match.  However, things would soon take a stunning turn, and after two subsequent
mistakes in the Westermarc midfield, Lendosa scored two bombs that hit hard,
within less than two minutes, to completely turn the momentum of the match
around.  Westermarc now seemed disoriented, and unsure of themselves.  Although
they did not repeat the mistakes that were made anymore, the spark of confidence
had been extinguished, and Lendosa took the surprising lead into the break.

In the second half, Foit had to stay on the bench due to an aggrevated knee, which
coach Chekkor did not want to risk with the upcoming TKT and VexCup.  Thus further
weakened, Westermarc nevertheless pulled ahead, albeit more or less through a
single effort by super striker Fang, who recently signed to play in the Holy
Imperial Championship in Namuria for astronomic sums.  Fang almost single-handedly
saved his team in the early second half, scoring twice.  Things were looking up,
as all WMC needed was a tie, and they played to protect their advantage.  Even
when Enra scored in the 76. minute, there was little cause for alarm.  The
Serpents were seemingly in cruise contol, accepting the draw and going on to the
final, UNTIL, in the 88. minute, Enra went down in a poking match for the ball
just appaently outside the Westermarc box.  TV replays show that there were some
theatrics involved, as Mickey Fooey cleared the ball without touching Enra, and
furthermore, that Enra was outside the box when it happened, but referee Klenk,
who is otherwise always solid, thought he saw a penalty, and gave it, despite
heavy protests by the Westermarc team, and loud whistling of the crowd.
Nevertheless, there was no arguing that could change his mind, and Natar safely
converted the penalty in the 88. minute, to give Lendosa the win and advancement
into the FINAL against Caboteniasa.

The incident has sparked controversy in the IVEFA, who will now consider
introducing video replay refereeing in all matches.  Referee Klenk later admitted
that if he had seen the video tape, he would have decided otherwise, and issued a
public apology.  No sanctions are expected against him.

So, the somewhat surprising final match of the Smalik Shootout '99 II is:
CABOTENIASA against LENDOSA, in what will surely prove to be a regional clash of
greatest proportions!  It will be played in Sky City, Bowdani.

The Final Group Standings:

Group A

Caboteniasa  2 0 0 +6 6
Bowdani      1 0 1 +2 3
W. Uhlan     0 0 2 -8 0

Group B

Lendosa      2 0 0 +2 6
Westermarc   1 0 1 +1 3
Djeriga      0 0 2 -3 0