Transvaal Cup IV

[Subtleknifewielder]

'We are proud of our team's first showing, no matter the outcome here. A well-played game to [b][color="#006400"]MLW worldwide[/color][/b]."

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]SATURDAY MARCH 20 – PLAYOFFS[/b]

[b]Articuno Islands 2, J Andres 1[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Staatspresident Botha Stadium, Pretoria

GAME STATISTICS: ART 6; JAN 6; Shots: ART 6; JAN 6; Shots on target: ART 4; JAN 4; Tackles: ART 6; JAN 5; Fouls: ART 0; JAN 0; Bookings: ART 0; JAN 0; Corners: ART 1; JAN 2; Offsides: ART 0; JAN 0; Passing: ART 94%; JAN 91%; Possession: ART 49%; JAN 51%

GOAL SUMMARY: ART Ewethon (F) 10; JAN Diego Alonso (F) 62; ART Tomáš Rosický (MF) 68

[b]Cataduanes defeated Sarnungian Republic 3-0[/b] (3-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CAT 4; SAR 3; Shots on target: CAT 3; SAR 1; Tackles: CAT 20; SAR 9; Fouls: CAT 0; SAR 0; Bookings: CAT 0; SAR 0; Corners: CAT 2; SAR 0; Offsides: CAT 0; SAR 1; Passing: CAT 95%; SAR 90%; Possession: CAT 50%; SAR 50%

GOAL SUMMARY: CAT Arnold Åbom (F) 8; CAT Arnold Åbom (F) 38; CAT Agustin Romero (F) 45

[b]Tahoe 2, Arcadian Empire 1[/b] (2-1 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: TAH 2; ARE 5; Shots on target: TAH 1; ARE 2; Tackles: TAH 9; ARE 13; Fouls: TAH 2; ARE 2; Bookings: TAH 1; ARE 0; Corners: TAH 2; ARE 1; Offsides: TAH 1; ARE 0; Passing: TAH 88%; ARE 85%; Possession: TAH 47%; ARE 53%

GOAL SUMMARY: TAH Aiden McGeady (F) 6; ARE Caleb Monkhouse (F) 36; TAH James McCarthy (F) 45

[b]Transvaal 4, Killallippies 1[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: TRA 7; KIL 5; Shots on target: TRA 6; KIL 2; Tackles: TRA 9; KIL 15; Fouls: TRA 0; KIL 3; Bookings: TRA 0; KIL 0; Corners: TRA 1; KIL 0; Offsides: TRA 0; KIL 0; Passing: TRA 88%; KIL 89%; Possession: TRA 52%; KIL 48%

GOAL SUMMARY: TRA Detlef Botha (MF) 29; TRA Kees Wattereus (F) 49; TRA Jamie Alcott (MF) 78; KIL Marlon Harewood (F) 83; TRA Kees Wattereus (F) 86

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2dkwarn.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Ewethon scores the opening goal for Articuno Islands[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/zoe4qf.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Arnold Åbom scoring second goal for Cataduanes versus Sarnungian Republic[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/315nx50.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Tahoe (green stripes) and Arcadian Empire take to the field in Bloemfontein[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/24fcy2v.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Thurston Alderton, Liga Mundo star goalkeeper for Transvaal Springboks[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/skzvxw.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Kees Wattereus scores for Transvaal off a cross pass from Detlef Botha[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/6hlqaf.jpg[/IMG][/color]

[Botha]

[quote name='Subtleknifewielder' date='20 March 2010 - 12:15 PM' timestamp='1269116128' post='2231471']'We are proud of our team's first showing, no matter the outcome here.[/quote]

[color="#006400"]For a first year team, you did remarkably well. You and NTR lucked out with getting strong sides for entry-level competitors.[/color]

[V The King]

The Vinilandese are happy to have been much better placed this time around but are sorely disappointed at its offense's performance. It seemed as thought as it could've done a much finer job.

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]SUNDAY MARCH 21 – PLAYOFFS[/b]

[b]Nos Tre Rebublic 1, The Children of Odin 1 (2-1 PK)[/b] (0-0 at half, 0-0 at regulation)

VENUE: The Khomasdal, Windhoek

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: NTR 4; ODN 7; Shots on target: NTR 2; ODN 3; Tackles: NTR 16; ODN 23; Fouls: NTR 0; ODN 1; Bookings: NTR 0; ODN 0; Corners: NTR 0; ODN 0; Offsides: NTR 0; ODN 0; Passing: NTR 93; ODN 94; Possession: NTR 48%; ODN 52%

GOAL SUMMARY: NTR Aliaksandr Hleb (MF) 101; ODN Bengt Sæternes (F) 108

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: NTR (2) 1-0-1-0-X; ODN (1) 1-0-0-0-0; winning goal (F) Kevin Kurányi

[b]The Cheeselands defeated Deutschland 2-1[/b] (2-0 at half)

VENUE: Gaborone Civic Field, Gaborone

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CHL 6; DEU 4; Shots on target: CHL 3; DEU 3; Tackles: CHL 10; DEU 15; Fouls: CHL 0; DEU 0; Bookings: CHL 0; DEU 0; Corners: CHL 1; DEU 1; Offsides: CHL 0; DEU 0; Passing: CHL 90%; DEU 90%; Possession: CHL 59%; DEU 41%

GOAL SUMMARY: CHL Emmental (MF) 39; CHL Gruyère (F) 44; DEU Roy Makaay (F) 90

[b]Adeptes Mechanicus 1, Costa Libertad 1 (5-4 PK)[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Maputo Stadium, Maputo

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ADM 9; CLD 2; Shots on target: ADM 5; CLD 2; Tackles: ADM 26; CLD 19; Fouls: ADM 0; CLD 0; Bookings: ADM 0; CLD 0; Corners: ADM 2; CLD 1; Offsides: ADM 0; CLD 1; Passing: ADM 93%; CLD 92%; Possession: ADM 53%; CLD 47%

GOAL SUMMARY: ADM David Villa (F) 30; CLD Dés Cavaní (F) 55

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: ADM (5) 1-1-1-0-0-1-1; CLD (4) 1-0-1-0-1-1-0; winning goal (D) Agustín Aranzábal

[b]Mac Land 2, Disparu 1[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Salisbury Municipal Field, Salisbury

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: MAC 3; DIS 4; Shots on target: MAC 2; DIS 1; Tackles: MAC 16; DIS 17; Fouls: MAC 0; DIS 2; Bookings: MAC 0; DIS 0;Corners: MAC 0; DIS 0; Offsides: MAC 0; DIS 1; Passing: MAC 91%; DIS 90%; Possession: MAC 57%; DIS 43%

GOAL SUMMARY: MAC Danijel Ljuboja (F) 16; DIS Frédéric Piquionne (F) 65; MAC Danijel Ljuboja (F) 72

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/1zn7vuq.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Lois Luis – the greatest fullback ever in CN football[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2d428k.jpg[/IMG][/color]

Edited March 21, 2010 by Botha

[Sir Keshav IV]

Articuno Islands fans are celebrating entering the quarter-finals.

[Mechanus]

The streets of Astartus were filled with the cheering citizens of Adeptes Mechanicus as the national football club went on to beat out Costa Libertad through pens. Agustín Aranzábal was the man of the match as he put the deciding kick well past the defending keeper and sent the traveling supporters into a frenzy at Maputo Stadium. ADM will travel to face Tahoe in the Quarterfinals.

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]MONDAY MARCH 22 – CONSOLATION 9th to 16th[/b]

[b]J Andres 1, Deutschland 0 [/b](0-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium, Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: JAN 5; DEU 1; Shots on target: JAN 4; DEU 1; Tackles: JAN 29; DEU 26; Fouls: JAN 0; DEU 1; Bookings: JAN 0; DEU 1; Corners: JAN 0; DEU 1; Offsides: JAN 0; DEU 0; Passing: JAN 76%; DEU 91%; Possession: JAN 50%; DEU 50%

GOAL SUMMARY: JAN Diego Alonso (F) 60

GAME NOTES: An extraordinary upset as an anxious and scrambled J Andres squad played desperation football to complete success as they bagged a timely goal against the highly-favoured champions of Transvaal World Cup III. With both teams playing hard for the ball on the ground, much of the second half of the match entailed J Andres gaining trying to gain possession to simply boot the ball back down the field deep into Deutschland’s zone as they played a game of ball denial to kill time off the clock and defend their threadbare lead.

[b]Sarnungian Republic 2, The Children of Odin 0[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: SAR 5; ODN 4; Shots on target: SAR 4; ODN 0; Tackles: SAR 17; ODN 15; Fouls: SAR 1; ODN 1; Bookings: SAR 0; ODN 0; Corners: SAR 0; ODN 0; Offsides: SAR 0; ODN 0; Passing: SAR 92%; ODN 83%; Possession: SAR 58%; ODN 42%

GOAL SUMMARY: SAR Marcelinho (MF) 68; SAR Fredi Bobič (F) 81

GAME NOTES: Although going into the match the weaker side, The Children of Odin started out quite well and looked to be the better team until Sarnungian Republic woke up in the second half and scored two impressive goals to extinguish the Odins’ hopes and efforts.

[b]Arcadian Empire 2, Costa Libertad 1[/b] (1-1 at half)

VENUE: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ARE 10; CLD 8; Shots on target: ARE 6; CLD 4; Tackles: ARE 18; CLD 14; Fouls: ARE 1; CLD 0; Bookings: ARE 0; CLD 0; Corners: ARE 1; CLD 3; Offsides: ARE 0; CLD 0; Passing: ARE 94%; CLD 92%; Possession: ARE 52%; CLD 48%

GOAL SUMMARY: CLD Leandro Avilés Rebiñho (F) 29; ARE Caleb Monkhouse (F) 34; ARE Dermott Kewell (F) 87

GAME SUMMARY: There are two types of matches which attract major fan attention during the TWC. First are the match-ups against the football powers which generally never meet. And then there are the classic derby match-ups, such as the legendary Arcadian Empire vs Costa Libertad card, which always guarantees the interest of the dedicated and serious footballing fan.

Originally scheduled for Vrystaat Stadium, once this match was determined and announced, venerable Loftus Verseld Stadium in Pretoria, home of the Liga Mundo Transvaal Springboks, was secured as a larger, more suitable venue. Loftus Verfeld has never hosted a Transvaal Cup match (with Staatspresident Botha Stadium used as the venue in Pretoria) – however the Liga Mundo Springboks offered up use of their stadium rent-free as this would satiate demand for tickets in what would be an obvious sell-out.

With tickets sold out in the first hour, the stands were full with traveling fans from Arcadian Empire and Costa Libertad, as well as vocal and partisan Springbok followers, normally bitter rivals in Liga Mundo with both Arcadian and Costa Libertadorian sides, who temporally chose respective sides to follow – with friends and family arguing over the finer details of which one of the otherwise rival opponents deserved the more support.

Although Costa Libertad played a tighter, calculated methodical system throughout, once Arcadian Empire was able to focus from their rather unusual surroundings (they were deemed the ‘home’ side in what have generally been hostile grounds for them) and regroup from some early defensive blunders, they became typically dangerous on the attack as Caleb Monkhouse and Dermott Kewell often crashed their way through the famed Costa Libertad defensive wall. Both sides seemed to throw defense to the wind as a total of eighteen shots were seen from both teams.

Both goalkeepers were up for the duel as Costa Libertad keeper Diogo Alegre was peppered with 10 shots while his opposite Cesar Olarticoechea stared down the 8 shots fired his way.

Leandro Avilés Rebiñho opened the scoring for Costa Libertad but the goal seemed to wake up Arcadian Empire as Caleb Monkhosue struck back five minutes later to tied it up 1-1. Then as rest of the match settled into a balanced midfield battle between two colossal powers, Dermott Kewell somehow broke through Lois Luis, Roc Taja, and César Véla to catch Diego Alegre napping in the 87th minute.

Regardless the outcome, a match that will go down in Transvaal Cup history as one of the legendary and most sought-after and anticipated match-ups of all time.

[b]Disparu 3, Killallippies 2[/b] (2-1 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: DIS 9; KIL 7; Shots on target: DIS 6; KIL 4; Tackles: DIS 17; KIL 12; Fouls: DIS 3; KIL 0; Bookings: DIS 0; KIL 0; Corners: DIS 1; KIL 0; Offsides: DIS 1; KIL 1; Passing: DIS 92%; KIL 80%; Possession: DIS 54%; KIL 47%

GOAL SUMMARY: KIL Teddy Sheringham (F) 7; DIS Le Tallec (F) 13; DIS Le Tallec (F) 21; KIL Nigel Reo-Coker (MF) 61; DIS Frédéric Piquionne (F) 77

GAME SUMMARY: In what was expected to be a fairly neutral and uneventful game, an entertaining back-and-forth high-scoring game was a welcome and pleasant surprise for the fans which came out for the match. Tenacious sniping by Le Tallec of Disparu quickly reversed an earlt one-goal deficit. Killallippies would later even up the score at after Le Tallec was carded for a dangerous tackle a few feet shy of the penalty box. The resulting free kick was fed to a waiting and open Nigel Reo-Coker who made it 2-2 Reo-Coker came on as an injury substitute at the start of the second half and was an unstoppable force to quarterback the Killallippies midfield and attack – however he was unable to prevent a well-played and positioned corner kick which gave Disparu what would be the game winner.

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2dudvls.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]#22 Diego Alonso sneaking the ball past Deutschland’s keeper to steal J Andres’ lone, winning goa[/i][/b]l

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/21n2l4y.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Fredi Bobič going airborne on a crossed pass to score for Sarnungian Republic[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/16i762x.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Arcadian Empire (blue and black stripes) and Costa Libertad (white sweaters) enter Loftus Versfeld to the delight of a capacity crowd of 52,000 fans[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2qcijp2.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Leandro Avilés Rebiñho curls the ball past Cesar Olarticoechea for Costa Libertad’s only goal[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/14sh3mb.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]Two legends of Liga Mundo: Arcadian Empire star Caleb Monkhouse beats Costa Libertad keeper Diego Alegre as fullback legend Lois Luis looks on[/i][/b]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2m4ej5e.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Dermott Kewett scores the game-winner for Arcadian Empire after deftly beating Lois Luis, Roc Taja, and César Véla [/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/rsx5pl.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]Teddy Sheringham of Killallippies going in for the early kill to get his team on the scoreboard[/i][/b]

[b]NOTE I HAVE HAD TO RESCHEDULE MATCHES DUE TO RL/OOC TIME CONSTRAINTS[/b]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/jrqv75.jpg[/IMG][/color]

[Botha]

[color="#000080"][b]WEDNESDAY MARCH 24 – QUARTER-FINALS[/b]

[b]Articuno Islands 1, Nos Tre Rebublic 0[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ART 2; NTR 2; Shots on target: ART 1; NTR 1; Tackles: ART 14; NTR 13; Fouls: ART 0; NTR 0; Bookings: ART 0; NTR 0; Corners: ART 0; NTR 2; Offsides: ART 0; NTR 0; Passing: ART 95%; NTR 97%; Possession: ART 52%; NTR 48%

GOAL SUMMARY: ART Jan Koller (F) 60

[b]The Cheeselands 3, Cataduanes 3 (4-2 PK)[/b] (0-1 at half, 2-2 at regulation)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CHL 6; CAT 6; Shots on target: CHL 5; CAT 3; Tackles: CHL 16; CAT 20; Fouls: CHL 1; CAT 0; Bookings: CHL 0; CAT 0; Corners: CHL 0; CAT 3; Offsides: CHL 1; CAT 0; Passing: CHL 92%; CAT 95%; Possession: CHL 49%; CAT 51%

GOAL SUMMARY: CAT Arnold Åbom (F) 45; CAT Eduardo Begoña (D) 51; CHL Rochefort (MF) 63; CHL Gruyère (F) 85; CAT Arnold Åbom (F) 93; CHL Gruyère (F) 115

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: CHL (4) 1-1-1-1-X; CAT (2) 1-1-0-0-X; winning goal (MF) Provolone

[b]Tahoe 2, Adeptes Mechanicus 1[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium, Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: TAH 5; ADM 3; Shots on target: TAH 4; ADM 2; Tackles: TAH 13; ADM 14; Fouls: TAH 0; ADM 0; Bookings: TAH 0; ADM 0; Corners: TAH 2; ADM 1; Offsides: TAH 0; ADM 0; Passing: TAH 85%; ADM 93%; Possession: TAH 53%; ADM 47%

GOAL SUMMARY: TAH Cathal Whelan (F) 50; TAH Cathal Whelan (F) 60; ADM Savio (F) 67

[b]Transvaal 2, Mac Land 0[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Staatspresident Botha Stadium, Pretoria

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: TRA 7; MAC 6; Shots on target: TRA 5; MAC 2; Tackles: TRA 9; MAC 21; Fouls: TRA 1; MAC 0; Bookings: TRA 1; MAC 0; Corners: TRA 2; MAC 4; Offsides: TRA 0; MAC 0; Passing: TRA 92%; MAC 93%; Possession: TRA 50%; MAC 50%

GOAL SUMMARY: TRA Detlef Botha (MF) 9; TRA Charles Brennan (F) 87

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/33jobxx.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Striker Jan Koller of Articuno Islands[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/11sywdf.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Arnold Åbom setting up for Cataduanes’ first goal versus The Cheeselands[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/214k6u.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Cathal Whelan scores for Tahoe[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2mo13dg.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Mac Land goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo steals the ball from Detlef Botha of Transvaal[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/denzix.jpg[/IMG][/color]

[Sir Keshav IV]

"Articuno Islands fans were celebrating the Quarter Final victory all over the streets."

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]SATURDAY MARCH 27 - CONSOLATION 9th to 16th[/b]

[i]Weird set of results today: 3 matches ended in shootouts and one was won seconds away from a shootout[/i]

[b]Arcadian Empire 1, J Andres 0 ET[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Staatspresident Botha Stadium, Pretoria

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ARE 7; JAN 2; Shots on target: ARE 4; JAN 1; Tackles: ARE 23; JAN 11; Fouls: ARE 0; JAN 0; Bookings: ARE 0; JAN 0; Corners: ARE 0; JAN 0; Offsides: ARE 1; JAN 1; Passing: ARE 89%; JAN 95%; Possession: ARE 54%; JAN 46%

GOAL SUMMARY: ARE Dermott Kewell (F) 120

[b]Sarnungian Republic 0, Disparu 0 (3-2 PK) [/b](0-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium, Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: SAR 2; DIS 5; Shots on target: DIS 0; SAR 0; Tackles: SAR 16; DIS 15; Fouls: DIS 0; SAR 0; Bookings: DIS 0; SAR 0; Corners: DIS 0; SAR 0; Offsides: DIS 0; SAR 0; Passing: SAR 82%; DIS 88%; Possession: SAR 46%; DIS 54%

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: SAR (3) 0-1-0-0-1-1; DIS (2) 1-0-1-0-0-0; winning goal (MF) Dándai

[b]Deutschland 0, Costa Libertad 0 (4-3 PK)[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: DEU 5; CLD 6 Shots on target: DEU 2; CLD 3; Tackles: DEU 15; CLD 22; Fouls: DEU 0; CLD 0; Bookings: DEU 0; CLD 0; Corners: DEU 0; CLD 0; Offsides: DEU 0; CLD 1; Passing: DEU 93%; CLD 92%; Possession: DEU 50%; CLD 50%

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: DEU (4) 1-1-0-1-0-1; CLD (3) 0-1-1-0-1-0; winning goal (MF) Torsten Frings

[b]The Children of Odin 1, Killallippies 1 (3-2 PK)[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ODN 2; KIL 4; Shots on target: ODN 2; KIL 2; Tackles: ODN 25; KIL 29; Fouls: ODN 0; KIL 0; Bookings: ODN 0; KIL 0; Corners: ODN 1; KIL 1; Offsides: ODN 0; KIL 0; Passing: ODN 94%; KIL 89%; Possession: ODN 55%; KIL 45%

GOAL SUMMARY: ODN Charlie Brown (MF) 52; KIL Teddy Sheringham (F) 82

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: ODN (3) 1-0-1-0-1; KIL (2) 0-1-1-0-0; winning goal (MF) Cato Guntveit[/color]
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2gt1yj7.jpg[/IMG]

Edited March 28, 2010 by Botha

[Sir Keshav IV]

"Facing Transvaal in the next game will be hard. We wish our opponents good luck ."

[Fizzydog]

NTR fans were screaming and breaking over 3 million dollars worth of cups, dishes, lamps and TVs. The latest lose left everyone felling like a fool with their pants on the ground.

[Sir Keshav IV]

[quote name='Fizzydog' date='28 March 2010 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1269791280' post='2239195']
NTR fans were screaming and breaking over 3 million dollars worth of cups, dishes, lamps and TVs. The latest lose left everyone felling like a fool with their pants on the ground.
[/quote]

"Articuno Islands is sorry to hear about this."

[Fizzydog]

[quote name='Sir Keshav IV' date='28 March 2010 - 10:54 AM' timestamp='1269791642' post='2239201']
"Articuno Islands is sorry to hear about this."
[/quote]
"You better be."

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]SUNDAY MARCH 28 - CONSOLATION 9th to 16th [/b]

[b]Costa Libertad 1, Killallippies 1-0[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CLD 5; KIL 5; Shots on target: CLD 4; KIL 3; Tackles: CLD 23; KIL 10; Fouls: CLD 0; KIL 0; Bookings: CLD 0; KIL 0; Corners: CLD 0; KIL 0; Offsides: CLD 1; KIL 1; Passing: CLD 91%; KIL 94%; Possession: CLD 54%; KIL 46

GOAL SUMMARY: CLD Dés Cavaní (F) 45

[b]Deutschland 1, The Children of Odin 0[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium, Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: DEU 4; ODN 3; Shots on target: DEU 3; ODN 2; Tackles: DEU 8; ODN 9; Fouls: DEU 0; ODN 0; Bookings: DEU 0; ODN 0; Corners: DEU 1; ODN 3; Offsides: DEU 0; ODN 0; Passing: DEU 85%; ODN 88%; Possession: DEU 52%; ODN 48%

GOAL SUMMARY: DEU Claudio Pizarro (F) 62

[b]Disparu 1, J Andres 0 ET[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: DIS 2; JAN 4; Shots on target: DIS 1; JAN 1; Tackles: DIS 20; JAN 14; Fouls: DIS 1; JAN 1; Bookings: DIS 1; JAN 1; Corners: DIS 1; JAN 0; Offsides: DIS 0; JAN 2; Passing: DIS 90%; JAN 95%; Possession: DIS 48%; JAN 52%

GOAL SUMMARY: DIS Anthony Le Tallec (F) 100

[b]Sarnungian Republic 2, Arcadian Empire 1[/b] (0-1 at half)

VENUE: Staatspresident Botha Stadium, Pretoria

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: SAR 4; ARE 9; Shots on target: SAR 2; ARE 4; Tackles: SAR 14; ARE 12; Fouls: SAR 2; ARE 1; Bookings: SAR 1; ARE 0; Corners: SAR 2; ARE 3; Offsides: SAR 0; ARE 0; Passing: SAR 78%; ARE 83%; Possession: SAR 42%; ARE 58%

GOAL SUMMARY: ARE Charlie Purser (MF) 22; SAR Marcelinho (F) 81; SAR Fredi Bobič (F) 87

[b]Sarnungian Republic finished in 9th place[/b] (+33 from 42nd place in 2009) = Hertha Berlin
[b]Arcadian Empire finished in 10th place[/b] (-8 from 2nd place in 2009) = Inter Milan
[b]Disparu finished in 11th place[/b] (did not compete in 2009) = AS Saint-Étienne
[b]J Andres finished in 12th place[/b] (+9 from 21st place in 2009) = UNAM Club Universidad Nacional Pumas
[b]Deutschland finished in 13th place[/b] (-12 from 1st place in 2009) = Bayern Münich
[b]The Children of Odin finished in 14th place[/b] (-2 from 12th place in 2009) = SK Brann
[b]Costa Libertad finished in 15th place[/b] (+4 from 19th place in 2009) = Valencia CF
[b]Killallippies finished in 16th place[/b] (-11 from 6th place in 2009) = West Ham United

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2eahtgk.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Roy Makaay of Deutschland[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2nks7l1.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Lois Luis of Costa Libertad[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/rmtshh.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Goalkeeper Diogo Alegre of Costa Libertad[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2ivl7pj.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Nigel Reo-Coker of Killallippies trying to beat Diogo Alegre[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2ezha9e.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Claudio Pizarro scoring for Deutschland versus The Children of Odin[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2py5f2f.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Arcadian Empire and Sarnungian Republic take to the field in Pretoria[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2rfc2hi.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Sarnungian Republic keeper deflecting the ball for the save…[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2435j0h.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]…but then Charlie Purser heads the cornerkick for Arcadian Empire[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2wrjfwg.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Fredi Bobič beats Arcadian keeper Cesar Olarticoechea on a late corner kick[/b][/i]
[/color]

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]MONDAY MARCH 29 – CONSOLATION 5th to 8th[/b]

[b]Nos Tre Rebublic 1, Mac Land 0[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: NTR 2; MAC 3; Shots on target: NTR 2; MAC 1; Tackles: NTR 8; MAC 12; Fouls: NTR 2; MAC 0; Bookings: NTR 1; MAC 0; Corners: NTR 2; MAC 2; Offsides: NTR 0; MAC 0; Passing: NTR 88%; MAC 97%; Possession: NTR 51%; MAC 49%

GOAL SUMMARY: NTR Kevin Kuranyi (F) 52

[b]Cataduanes 0, Adeptes Mechanicus 0 (3-2 PK)[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CAT 4; ADM 3; Shots on target: CAT 1; ADM 0; Tackles: CAT 16; ADM 16; Fouls: CAT 0; ADM 0; Bookings: CAT 0; ADM 0; Corners: CAT 0; ADM 1; Offsides: CAT 1; ADM 1; Passing: CAT 90%; ADM 89%; Possession: CAT 57%; ADM 43%

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: CAT (3) 1-1-0-1-X; ADM (2) 0-1-1-0-0; winning goal (MF) Unax Sena

[b]SEMI-FINALS[/b]

[b]Articuno Islands 1, Transvaal 0[/b] (0-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: ART 7; TRA 2; Shots on target: ART 3; TRA 1; Tackles: ART 14; TRA 18; Fouls: ART 0; TRA 1; Bookings: ART 0; TRA 1; Corners: ART 2; TRA 2; Offsides: ART 0; TRA 0; Passing: ART 90%; TRA 80%; Possession: ART 57%; TRA 43%

GOAL SUMMARY: ART Tomáš Rosický (MF) 51

[b]The Cheeselands 3, Tahoe 1 ET[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Greenpoint Stadium - Kaapstad (Cape Town)

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CHL 10; TAH 5; Shots on target: CHL 7; TAH 1; Tackles: CHL 21; TAH 18; Fouls: CHL 0; TAH 0; Bookings: CHL 0; TAH 0; Corners: CHL 1; TAH 0; Offsides: CHL 0; TAH 0; Passing: CHL 90%; TAH 95%; Possession: CHL 51%; TAH 49%

GOAL SUMMARY: CHL Gruyère (F) 24; TAH James McCarthy (F) 84; CHL Gruyère (F) 113; CHL Gorgonzola (MF) 120

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2lcbgid.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Kevin Kuranyi scores for Nos Tre Rebublic against Mac Land[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2utlp9x.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]Cataduanes (in blue and white) and Adeptes Mechanicus (in red) take to the field[/i][/b]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/335h5r5.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]Tomáš Rosický’s goal against Thurston Alderton of Transvaal puts Articuno Islands into the championship final[/i][/b]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/6gcw0l.jpg[/IMG]
[b][i]Gruyère scoring his second goal for The Cheeselands against Kasey Keller of Tahoe[/i][/b]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/n3qd6x.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Kasey Keller is beaten again by The Cheeselands attack[/b][/i]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/1zx0f4o.jpg[/IMG]
[/color]

[V The King]

Transvaal and Tahoe out of the finals?

[Sir Keshav IV]

Articuno Islands made it to the finals?

[Botha]

[quote name='V The King' date='29 March 2010 - 10:42 PM' timestamp='1269931331' post='2240955']Transvaal and Tahoe out of the finals? [/quote]

[color="#006400"]The Tahoe-Cheeselands tilt was bound to be a colossal match-up regardless - and it was a lot closer than the scoreline tells although Tahoe was playing catch-up for much of the game. Tahoe had its chances to bury the match but a goalpost made all the difference.

As for Transvaal-Articuno Islands, the Springboks simply played horrible and had no offensive finish. It was more a case that they defeated themselves rather than Articuno really dominating them at all. Detlef Botha was unable to penetrate through the centre midfield and this forced a lot of deep wing crosses through the goal box which the Articuno Islander left and right backs were able to disrupt with relative ease. But while Articuno played well in their own end, most of their chances were wild attempts from far outside with a few balls sailing high over the Transvaler goal. Their lone goal came as a result of an unfortunate defensive turnover by #4 Anthony Davids, the best fullback in the Nordreich Liga.

My predictions now are The Cheeselands wins the Cup (with the Islands getting silver) while Tahoe takes down Transvaal in extra time or shootout for the bronze. The Bronze Medal game should be close - but I'm smelling a walk in the park for The Cheeselands.

Having taken down the defending champions, Tahoe and Arcadian Empire were really the only other squads I thought would give Cheeselands any serious trouble heading into the playoffs. Tahoe removed that threat of Arcadia, so all that then remained in The Cheeselands' way was to get past Tahoe - which they have done. That said but Cataduanes, which should have been an easy match-up for them, gave them a real scare. Should the Pinoys have had advananced, smart money would have then been on Tahoe to get past Cataduanes and find themselves in the final.

A Tahoe-Transvaal final - a battle on the pitch between two very close allies - would have been rather interesting. I wasn't really expecting it would be the opposite, as Articuno Islands have a good team but not particularly outstanding team - after all, they only just barely made it out of Pool D (what did I say about the preliminary stage being the hardest part of the tournament?) I really did not envisage them making it into the semi-finals, let alone the finals. I actually though for darkhorses, the team to watch was Nos Tre Rebublic because of their strong showing in both qualification and preliminary. [/color]

Edited March 30, 2010 by Botha

[Sargun II]

The Sarnungian Republic improved 33 spots.

[Sir Keshav IV]

We've improved 22 spots. Now if we can make that 23.

[Fizzydog]

Nos Tre Rebublic 1, Mac Land 0

Heh heh hehe.

[Botha]

[color="#006400"][b]TUESDAY MARCH 30 – CONSOLATION 5th to 8th[/b]

[b]Mac Land 1, Adeptes Mechanicus 1 (4-3 PK)[/b] (0-0 at half, 0-0 at regulation)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: MAC 1; ADM 4; Shots on target: MAC 1; ADM 2; Tackles: MAC 22; ADM 23; Fouls: MAC 0; ADM 0; Bookings: MAC 0; ADM 0; Corners: MAC 0; ADM 0; Offsides: MAC 0; ADM 0; Passing: MAC 91%; ADM 92%; Possession: MAC 52%; ADM 48%

GOAL SUMMARY: ADM David Villa (F) 96; MAC Edouard Cissé (MF) 109

PENALTY-KICK SHOOTOUT: MAC (4) 1-1-1-0-1; ADM (3) 0-1-1-0-1; winning goal (MF) Branko Bošković

[b]Cataduanes 2, Nos Tre Rebublic 1[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Vrystaat Stadium, Bloemfontein

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: CAT 5; NTR 4; Shots on target: CAT 4; NTR 2; Tackles: CAT 7; NTR 10; Fouls: CAT 2; NTR 1; Bookings: CAT 1; NTR 0; Corners: CAT 0; NTR 2; Offsides: CAT 0; NTR 0; Passing: CAT 88%; NTR 88%; Possession: CAT 55%; NTR 45%

GOAL SUMMARY: CAT Arnold Åbom (F) 33; NTR Aliaksandr Hleb (MF) 53; CAT Nbeko Yebga (F) 87

[b]BRONZE MEDAL GAME[/b]

[b]Transvaal 1, Tahoe 0[/b] (1-0 at half)

VENUE: Jake Felan Stadium, Johannesburg

GAME STATISTICS: Shots: TRA 6; TAH 12; Shots on target: TRA 2; TAH 5; Tackles: TRA 24; TAH 17; Fouls: TRA 2; TAH 3; Bookings: TRA 2; TAH 1; Corners: TRA 0; TAH 2; Offsides: TRA 0; TAH 1; Passing: TRA 81%; TAH 95%; Possession: TRA 56%; TAH 44%

GOAL SUMMARY: TRA Ricardo van Deinsen (F) 45

[b]Transvaal finished in 3rd place[/b] (+1 from 4th place in 2009)
[b]Tahoe finished in 4th place [/b](+23 from 27th place in 2009)
[b]Cataduanes finished in 5th place[/b] (+20 from 25th place in 2009)
[b]Nos Tre Rebublic finished in 6th place[/b] (did not complete in 2009)
[b]Mac Land finished in 7th place[/b] (+7 from 14th place in 2009)
[b]Adeptes Mechanicus finished in 8th place[/b] (did not compete in 2009)

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2vrygph.jpg[/IMG]
[i][b]Ricardo van Deinsen scoring versus Keiren Westwood of Tahoe to give Transvaal the bronze medal[/b][/i]
[/color]

Edited March 31, 2010 by Botha

[Sir Keshav IV]

Today's the final!