Games 44-46  (LEX-WWW, ISL-ACA, WHI-AFB) 11-01-298

Game 44: Lexicon Islands-Wwww (Vexillium Cup CD'98)

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 1, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: LEXICON ISLANDS 1 - WWWW 0
Played in: Royal Pines, Christiana (Westchrist Stadium), Attendance:
41,900
Referee: Ion Salaat (Mosquitia)
Goals: Fotonaro (LEX, 66.)
Yellow cards: Flisher (LEX, 22.), Liller (LEX, 71.)
Substitutions: Dibris for Flisher (LEX, 45.), Tipulura for Tipungwuti
(WWW, 45.), Babui for Wonamini (WWW, 70.)
 
Match commentary:

Wwww plays superb defensive game to just narowly lose out to Lexicon!

Wwww had surprised many cynics in their previous match against
Africablue, in which they proved that they were by no means inadequate
for international competition, and today, they reinforced that point
with a very interesting defensive style seen today.  It seems
inconcivable how a team can be effective playing defensively without the
use of physical attacks, but the tactical exercises, and technical
tricks practiced by Wwww surely paid off.  Rarely did they venture into
Lexicon's half, and the Vikings certainly had full control of the ball
most of the game, but Wwww was able to prevent any score until late in
the game, and that proved to be the only one goal!

Lexicon played strong nevertheless, although surely they wanted to win
higher, but tactically their strategy paid off, and they preserved their
lead well to score the maximum 3 points, as was pretty much expected.
Fotonaro again was the scorer for Lexicon, although Kilaffis and
Filentoz really were the standout players of the day.  On the Wwww side,
the defensive coordination of Penieli Puantulura impressed.

Overall, Wwww only had two real chances to score, but both times goalie
Munstasi was prepared.

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 1, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ISLANDIA 5 - ACARINA 2
Played in: Williamsport, Christiana (WillWest Stadium), Attendance:
59,800
Referee: Wilfried Astnehmer (Westria)
Goals: Bikfatnat (ACA, 4.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 20.), Eyjolfsson (ISL,
35.), Hjalmarsson (50.), Watkatnat (ACA, 51.),  Gudmunsson (ISL, 72.),
Petursson (ISL, 81.)
Yellow cards: Kitkat (ACA, 50.)
Substitutions: Okot for Tritnatketkat (ACA, 45.), Gudfinnsson for
Tordarsson (ISL, 45.), Kjartansson for Eyjolfsson (ISL, 73.)

Match commentary:

Islandia plays up a storm despite defensive efforts by Acarina!

Much was made of Islandia before the cup, and they are certainly
considered the favorites to win this group, and today, they showed why:
in a convincing fashion, the Penguins, despite a surprise fast break
goal by Acarina in only the 4. minute, clearly were the boss on the
field, and came away with a clear victory.  Acarina's strategy was
defensive, and they indeed did a good job covering Petursson, but the
offensive wing play by Islandia proved a little too much for Acarina's
defense.  Eyjolfsson scored twice, each time after passes from
Hallgrimsson in the first half, and was instrumental to the team's
success before being substituted later in the game to preserve his
energies for the next match.  Hallgrimsson was outstanding today, as he
was the driving force behind the attack wings.

Acarina, after their quick goal in the very beginning, had their hands
full to try and contain their superior opponent, but at times, they were
able to play quite handsomely, and managed to score again thru
Watkatnat, just one minue after Islandia had scored, in a quick surprise
tipoff, much like the starting goal in the 4. minute.

Petursson was finally able to break free from his close guards, and
score the final goal late in the game.  Rookie player Gudmunsson was
delighted as he scored also in his first game.

IVEFA announces the result from today's match played in the Vexillium
Cup CD'98, November 1, 298:

The Technical Information:

Final score: WHITLAM 6 - AFRICABLUE 1
Played in: Norseton, Christiana (Jorgensen Memorial Stadium),
Attendance: 35,600
Referee: Eric Voucheve (Sylvian)
Goals: Walford (WHI, 15.), Armstark (WHI, 33.), Ouagadougu (WHI, 44.),
Walford (WHI, 55.), Wolff (WHI, 60.), Blacklock (WHI, 70.), Iroha (AFB,
93.)
Yellow cards: Ngobe (AFB, 12.), Mboma (AFR, 50.)
Red cards: Ngobe (AFB, 25.), T. Gueye (AFB, 39.)
Substitutions: Ibanez for Armstark (WHI, 40.), Hassan for Bayamba (AFB,
45.), Biafra for Hickey (WHI, 45.), Tchoutang for Mboma (AFB, 53.)

Match commentary:

Whitlam shooting gallery after Africablue is cut to nine!

Without a doubt, team Africablue's thoughts were with the difficulties
their country is facing currently, regarding the troubles occuring with
native kiltenscots, because clearly, the team was unable to focus.  To
make matters even much worse, not one but TWO red cards for AFB really
shifted the odds in favor of Whitlam, who took full advantage!
Observers of AFB in the game vs. Niokolo Koba had warned that the
physical style apparent in that game might come back to haunt the team
in the VexCup, and sure enough, Ngobe had to go after a second yellow
foul, and T. Gueye was ejected after a mean foul from behind, that left
striker Armstark limping, and he had to be substituted with Ibanez.  His
condition is unclear at the moment.

After the second red, AFB toned down the physical play, but of course
the damage had been done, and the already unfocused team had not much
recourse to prevent the Dragons, who were well-prepared and motivated,
from scoring big.  Special standouts of the game for the Dragons were
Ricky Walford, who scored twice and assisted two other times, defender
Storry, who was instrumental in keeping AFB scoreless until the end, and
keeper Zaytseva, who held everything that came his way!  AFB's strongest
sides came from Iroha, who scored a goal of honor in injury time, as the
Dragons were already in thought in the showers...