Game 141 (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99) 03-29-299

Game 141: Bowdani - Islandia (Copa Vexanova Ordland '99)

NOVEFA announces the result for the second leg in the quarterfinal
matchup in the Copa Vexanova Ordland '99:

The Technical Information:

Final score: BOWDANI 4 - ISLANDIA 2
Played in: Sky City Stadium, Sky City, Bowdani
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Peter Claris (Morania)
Goals: Hund (BOW, 9.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 17.), Punneratau (BOW, 29.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 34.), Killehal (BOW, 55.), Powell (BOW, 77., penalty)
Yellow cards: Gudmunsson (ISL, 14.), J. Moran (BOW, 31.), Powell (BOW, 49.), Hallgrimsson (ISL, 77.)
Substitutions: Williamsson for Danielsson (ISL, 56.), SanGerins for Hund (BOW, 56.), Steindorsson for Jonsson (ISL, 68.), Dandoon for Marn (BOW, 80.)

Match commentary:

Bowdani impresses again, eliminates the Armatirion-killers!

Islandia knew they had a very tough match ahead of them, having to either win or tie with scoring 4 goals after Bowdani had come away with a strong draw in the first leg in Snaeffellstadir a few days ago, but they were unhampered, and began attacking freely with a very offensive strategy that was supposed to surprise Bowdani and confuse them into letting the game get away from them.

However, Bowdani was not too impressed, and in fact dealt a first serious blow to the Islanders as Hund took full advantage of a very fast counter with the Islandian defense caught unawares... Bowdnani was up 1-0 in the ninth minute, anf things looked gloomy for the Penguins already.  However, brilliant Eyjolfsson restored hopes and confidence a few minutes later as he equalized with a powerful header that even keeper Hawk couldn't catch.

But it was yet another counter, eerily similar to the first one, that saw Bowdani go up once more, after midfielder Sanji Punneratau surprised the defense this time, and bombed the leather past Islandia's second goalie, after a nice chest-layup.

Now, Islandia was scrambling... they were in trouble and needed to make something happen... once again Eyjolfsson rose to the occasion:  the chapion scorer of the Vexillium Cup provided the highlight of the evening with a stunning solo attack that had him fake not one, not two, not three, but four Bowdanian defensemen, and untimately even the goalie, who stood on the wrong foot... in a beautiful goal, Islandia pulled equal once again!

After the break, however, Bowdani came more and more into the game, after being a little passive in the first half, despite the coaches announcement of total attack... basically Islandia was constantly attacking, and Bowdani did just fine with their quick counters.  Now, however, Bowdani went in for the kill, and increased the pressure very effectively.  Killehal brought them up 3-2, and despite several substitutions, Islandia bringing more offensive players, and Bowdani more defensive ones, the face of the game ultimately changed little.  Bowdani really impressed with their ball control, an area which they had many problems in the past.  Islandia tried hard to stay in the game and set offensive impulses, but ultimately they had to conceed to the better team that also had home field advantage.  The exclamation point was added by captain Powell, who safely converted a penalty in the 77. minute to erase any last doubts as to who would advance, putting BOW ahead 4-2.  From then on, Islandia ran out of time, and they finally had to give it up, after a good fight.

Bowdani goes through with an aggregate score of 7-5, and they will now have to face giants Westria in the semifinals... that should be a VERY interesting matchup!

For Islandia, it's goodbye, after a rather shaky tournament that saw them lose to WMT, draw at home, and now lose again vs. Bowdani... too bad for the Penguins, who were traded as one of the co-favorites of the Copa O'99.