The 44th NationStates World Cup: RP Thread

[Candelaria And Marquez]

Apes. Monks. Elves. Whores. Bears. Ruskies. Diplomatic Incidents. Murder. Aggravated Manslaughter. Your Worst Nightmare. Taeshan.

And football, on occasion. It’s…

The



RP Thread

Handy Links
Pre-Cup RP Thread
Roster Thread
Baptism of Fire 31
World Cup Discussion Thread
KP/C&M Bid Thread (will contain finals stadia and whatnot at a later date)

World Cup 44 Qualifying Draw

GROUP 1
1 Alversia (83)
2 AruthKandageLand (127)
3 The Doobie Brothers (NR)
4 Bostopia (4) (roster)
5 Kosovoe (44) (roster)
6 Ad'ihan (15) (roster)
7 Yafalonia and Bazor 2 (28)
8 The Bostopian Empire (70) (roster)

GROUP 2
1 Daehanjeiguk (11) (roster)
2 West Zirconia (42) (roster)
3 Sarzonia (NR) (roster)
4 Dariusville (76) (roster)
5 Liventia (54)
6 Valanora [Elves Security Forces] (1) (roster)
7 Taeshan (34) (roster)
8 O Ale Ale (NR)

GROUP 3
1 Bazalonia (24) (roster)
2 Bactrian Camels (NR)
3 Wentland (16)
4 Koseli Cumhuriyetler [formerly K&TT] (62) (roster)
5 Solenial (152)
6 Demot (2) (roster)
7 Syktyvkar (98)
8 Arroza (49) (roster)

GROUP 4
1 Jeru FC (26) (roster)
2 Googlewoop (87) (roster)
3 Cassadaigua (53) (roster)
4 Deep South Sopia (127)
5 Kenavt (47)
6 Capitalizt SLANI [Commerce Heights] (9)
7 Sorthern Northland (21) (roster)
8 Oiseaui (NR) (roster)

GROUP 5
1 Peisandros (84) (roster)
2 Lovisa (17)
3 Tynelia (8)
4 Rymeria (NR) (roster)
5 Terreiro de Ogum (32) (roster)
6 Euro Federations (NR)
7 Green wombat (40) (roster)
8 Secristan (60) (roster)

GROUP 6
1 Rennidan (27) (roster)
2 Qazox (18) (roster)
3 St Samuel (NR) (roster)
4 Akbarabad (120) (roster)
5 Operata (143) (roster)
6 Kelssek (35) (roster)
7 Dancougar (3) (roster)
8 Colbourne (65) (roster)

GROUP 7
1 Jaseuyeon [Commerce Heights JSY] (22)
2 Draistania (NR) (roster)
3 Jeruselem (13) (roster)
4 Starblaydia (6) (roster)
5 Greal (58) (roster)
6 Chutnusak (86)
7 Idanno (147)
8 Urna Eletrônica (50) (roster)

GROUP 8
1 Docky (80)
2 Krytenia (29) (roster)
3 East Pocono (NR) (roster)
4 Lecland (126) (roster)
5 Universitus University [Jey] (56)
6 Quakmybush (40)
7 The Archregimancy (12) (roster)
8 Vephrall (7) (roster)

GROUP 9
1 The Holy Empire [Alasdair I Frosticus] (20) (roster)
2 Quintessence of Dust (NR) (roster)
3 Septentrionia (31)
4 Newmanistan (36) (roster)
5 Miroxia (81)
6 Milchama (10) (roster)
7 Nethertopia (63) (roster)
8 Alex Ruined Hallelujah (NR)

GROUP 10
1 Brightonburg (NR) (roster)
2 Iseerussiafrommyhouse (136)
3 Myedvedeya (55) (roster)
4 Blouman Empire (39)
5 Yafor 2 (14) (roster)
6 Prux (30) (roster)
7 Bears Armed (84) (roster)
8 Cafundéu (5) (roster)

Fixtures

MD1: 1v2, 3v4, 5v6, 7v8
MD2: 3v1, 4v2, 7v5, 6v8
MD3: 1v4, 2v3, 5v8, 6v7
MD4: 5v1, 6v2, 7v3, 4v8
MD5: 1v6, 2v5, 3v8, 4v7
MD6: 7v1, 8v2, 5v3, 6v4
MD7: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5

MD8 to MD14, fixtures reversed

Calendar

Jan 2nd ~ Pre-Qualifying Friendlies
Jan 3rd ~ MD1
Jan 4th through 9th ~ MD2 to MD7
Jan 10th ~ Mid-Qualifying Friendlies
Jan 11th ~ MD8
Jan 12th through 17th ~ MD9 to MD14
Jan 18th ~ Post-Qualifying Friendlies & Group Draw
Jan 20th ~ WC44 MD1 [1v2; 3v4]
Jan 21st ~ Rest Day
Jan 22nd ~ WC44 MD2 [1v3; 2v4]
Jan 23rd ~ Rest Day
Jan 24th ~ WC44 MD3 [1v4; 2v3]
Jan 25th ~ Rest Day
Jan 26th ~ Second Round scorination
Jan 27th ~ Rest Day
Jan 28th ~ Quarter-Finals scorination
Jan 29th ~ Rest Day
Jan 30th ~ Semi-Finals scorinatioin
Jan 31st ~ Third-Place Play-Off scorination
Feb 1st ~ WC44 Final, Shanvley Stadium, Trilan

[Rymeria]

Chris Hannan fidgeted as he waited for the cameraman to signal it was time to begin. The Rymerian national soccer team was now in the stages of preparing for its inaugural trip into the World Cup proper.

"And you're on in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ..."

The anchorman sitting next to Hannan smiled and looked directly into the camera. Hannan grimaced slightly as he saw the guy look entirely too smooth and at ease. He had no way of knowing the anchor had large ovals of sweat around the armpits of his dress shirt.

"Good afternoon everyone and welcome to SoccerWeek. I'm Darius Wilson. Here with me is Rymerian national team coach Chris Hannan. Chris, the World Cup draw has taken place and Rymeria is in Group 5. What can you tell us about the teams in there?"

Hannan looked at the camera and tried to sound as matter-of-fact as he possibly could.

"Well, Tynelia is the eighth ranked team in the world, so we know they're going to present a lot of problems for many of the teams in our group," Hannan said. "Lovisa we don't know a lot about, but we do know they made a run to the semifinals in World Cup 43. After that are Terreiro de Ogum and Green wombat, teams that could make a run to the final 30.

"After that is Secristan and Peisandros. We know Peisandros lost the finals of the Baptism of Fire Cup, so we expect them to be pretty tough, especially for us. After that is a fellow unranked side, Euro Federations. We don't know anything about them."

"What do you project for Rymeria in the World Cup?"

"Hard to know, Darius. We're facing a couple of quality sides and we're extremely green. Hopefully, our guys will give a good account of themselves and work hard."

"How do you expect to play this World Cup?"

"We're going to have to be disciplined and play tough defense. That's the bottom line. Hopefully, we won't have a lot of space lag flying between Rymeria and Earth."

"You've had a lot of complaints about the Rymerian Soccer Association and the way it's organized this World Cup team. What do you think the RSA should have done differently?"

Hannan drew in his breath.

"Well, I think we should have waited until World Cup 45, when we might have had a better opportunity to get a soccer program in place. Be that as it may, we're going to have a lot of work to do to even be competitive. We know that."

"All right, that's all the time we have. Thank you, Coach."

"Thank you, Darius."

[Sarzonia]

Sarzonia Manager Brian Wilson was checking his e-mail in his office after a practice session.

"Hmm ... more junk. Weekly meeting with the IFF. Group draw."

Wilson clicked on the group draw and immediately groaned.

"We're in group 2," he said. "And we get ... Valanora. Shit. Fuck."

Wilson grabbed a coffee mug full of hot coffee and slammed it against the wall behind his chair.

"I can't fucking believe it," he snapped to no one in particular. All of a sudden, a loud siren started wailing. He'd forgotten that the building's security alarm was on.

After he'd swept up the remnants of the coffee mug and mopped up the coffee, he heard his phone ring. He thought it'd be the alarm company.

"Wilson."

"Coach, this is Brad Clark of the Sarzonian News Network. Got a minute?"

Wilson looked up at the clock in his office anxiously.

"Hey, can I call you back?" Not waiting for an answer, he hung up the phone. No sooner than he did that, the phone rang again.

"Wilson."

"Hello Mr. Wilson, this is ADT. We received a report of activity in your area. Is everything all right."

"Yes, everything's fine. The code word is ... " Wilson thought for a second. Had he used the code word Chucky, it would have sent Woodstock's finest to his office asking questions. He remembered that and said, "Joey."

"Very well, Mr. Wilson, thank you very much. You have a great day."

"Thanks." He hung up the phone. Some day, he muttered. Also facing the world's 10th ranked team Daehanjeiguk was not going to be much fun either. Then there was the matter of the pre-qualifying friendly against Starblaydia in the Mike Sarzo Memorial Cup.

Being a manager was not going to be fun for Wilson. He wished he could return to wearing his hit and playing.

[West Zirconia]

An investigation has been ordered into which member of the Valanoran FA is having what kind of affair with which member of the West Zirconian FA. There can be no other explanation for the fact that the two teams have been drawn together yet again in World Cup Qualifying.

The rest of the draw makes grim reading, as Taeshan, who beat West Zirconia in the Cup of Harmony, and high-flying Daehanjeiguk are placed in the same group.

The qualifying campaign sees the first West Zirconian international to be held in Markham, following on from the successful Cup of Harmony games at Birchfields. Sarzonia will be the visitors. Another ground being given its international début is Redwood Forest's Marc Edwards Memorial Stadium, which will host the pre-qualifying friendly with Newmanistan.

West Zirconian coach Roy Hazell would not be drawn into assessing West Zirconia's chances. Captain Ben Phillips said of his side's chances, "Well, any eleven men can beat any other eleven on the day. Whether we'll be able to do it fourteen times is another matter, but we'll give it a go."


The full fixture list is as follows: (Home fixtures in bold)

Pre-Qualifying Friendly:
Newmanistan (at Marc Edwards Memorial Stadium, Redwood)

Matchday 1: Daehanjeiguk (at Munhwa Football Stadium, Hanseong)
Matchday 2: Dariusville (away)
Matchday 3: Sarzonia (at Birchfields, Markham)
Matchday 4: Valanora (at Hatire Memorial, Capri)
Matchday 5: Liventia (at STORMGroup Stadium, Mort Park)
Matchday 6: O Ale Ale (away)
Matchday 7: Taeshan (at KPM Stadium, Snaith)

Mid-Qualifying Friendlies:

Myedvedeya (at Williamson Park, Banks)
Candelaria And Marquez (at Estadio Arrigo Nacional, Arrigo)

Matchday 8: Daehanjeiguk (at Manchester Street, Moorcroft)
Matchday 9: Dariusville (at Williamson Park, Banks)
Matchday 10: Sarzonia (at Bryan Marshall Memorial Stadium, Woodstock)
Matchday 11: Valanora (at Manchester Street, Moorcroft)
Matchday 12: Liventia (away)
Matchday 13: O Ale Ale (at City of Houghton Stadium, Houghton)
Matchday 14: Taeshan (at Docktown Memorial)

[Taeshan]

Group Draw Announced For World Cup 44

It's time for yet another foray into the world of soccer, for the Purple Knights of Taeshan. The Knights are entering there seventh cup, as marked by there first entrance into the World Cup Player Hall Of Fame. That player would be there coach for the past few years, and there second highest goal scoring player in the history of the program. For the Seventh time the Knights will try to make the World Cup, they've only made once before in the 41st cup hosted by there biggest competitors, and an unlikely team Ad'han. Know they will hopefully make it to there second cup behind there team leader Tad Montague, and there highest scorer ever Brian Ying Uing.

The Knights will have to face seven teams in fourteen games to make there second appearance. Fitting since the team is in there seventh attempt at the most famous tournament in the world. Tese seven teams are those very same competitors the Daehanjeiguk team, the team we beat to win the Cup Of Harmony just months ago West Zirconia, a young squad from the Nethertopian protectorate of Dariusville, the number 1 team in the world Valanora, the young team from Liventia, the young Sarzonians and another young team from the land of O Ale Ale. It will not be easy as the group will be toughly contested by the Knights, the westerners, the han and the Elves. It will be a toughy to get through, but the two that do will have had the best preperation possilbe to make the finals.

Schedule
Taeshan Vs O Ale Ale @ X Island Metropark 200,000 Seats
Taeshan VS Liventia @ Docktown Memorial Stadium 499,000 Seats
Taeshan @ Valanora
Taeshan VS Sarzonia @ Docktown Memorial
Taeshan @ Dariusville
Taeshan VS Daehnajeiguk @ Atlantea Colliseum 599,000 Seats
Taeshan @ West Zirconia
Taeshan @ O Ale Ale
Taeshan @ Liventia
Taeshan VS Valanora @ Atlantea Colliseum
Taeshan @ Sarzonia
Taeshan VS Dariusville @ X Island Metropark
Taeshan @ Daehanjeiguk
Taeshan VS West Zirconia @ Docktown Memorial Park

[Jeru FC]

From: Lady Dazzarina Handiskya Dallas of Jeruselem
To: Count Mikhail Ilyevitch Fedorov of Myedvedeya

I am writing to you to confirm you have been selected as the coach of Jeru FC. We had an excellent contender from Nethertopia as your rival but in the end the selection panel selected you. Due to timing, you will not be able to take over the team for the friendly against Bears Armed but will be taking over the first official games in qualifying.

Your first week in Jeruselem will be spent completing the mountains of paperwork required. I've asked my daughter Princess Marie-Antoinette Dallas to help you out here, and yes she is still single but definitely not a virgin. There's no time to waste!

PS - As a first time visitor to Jeruselem, it's easy to get mixed up between Kate Dallas, Kate Sallad and Marie.

President of the Jeruselem FA
Lady Dazzarina Handiskya Dallas of Jeruselem

[The Bostopian Empire]

The Bostopian Empire's F.A. Headquarters, Adoros City, Adoros.

Kulvir Singh, manager of the Empire's football team put the phone down in a state of disbelief.

“I can't believe it.” He said, turning to his assistant manager, Rajinder Dhaliwal.

“What's up?” Rajinder asked.

“We're being blackmailed by Bostopia.”

“Not for the first time though, Kulvir, we've got through before.”

“But have we been blackmailed by three ministers at the same time? The Ministry of Empirical Affairs, the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Sport are on our backs!”

Rajinder looked up from the computer screen, with a look on his face that knew bad news was coming.

“Wha'? What do they want of us now?”

“Well, they've decided that unless we agree that they get final say on where our home game against Bostopia is played, they'll pull all funding, political support, everything else and basically ban us from entering qualifiers for World Cup 45.”

“You had no choice then?”

“No.”

“And where exactly do they want to play this game my friend?”

Kulvir told Rajinder. Rajinder didn't like the answer.

---Fifth Floor, Fort Boston Castle, Fort Boston, Bostopia---

The Emperor looked out of his back window across the lawn at the rear of his Castle, hoping against hope that no-one put the ball in his petunias.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Bostopian Empire's F.A. is pleased to announce it's fixture list and stadia to be used during Qualifiying for World Cup 44, hosted in Kura-Pelland and Candelaria And Marquez.

FRD1:
MD01: Yafalonia & Bazor 2 -v- The Bostopian Empire
MD02: Ad'ihan -v- The Bostopian Empire
MD03: Kosovoe -v- The Bostopian Empire
MD04: Bostopia -v- The Bostopian Empire - Fort Boston Arena, Fort Boston, Bostopia (87,093)
MD05: The Doobie Brothers -v- The Bostopian Empire
MD06: The Bostopian Empire -v- AruthKandageLand - Workers Stadium, Vladigrad City, Vladmiristak (132,664)
MD07: Alversia -v- The Bostopian Empire
FR02:
MD08: The Bostopian Empire -v- Yafalonia & Bazor 2 - National Field, Adoros City, Adoros (64,745)
MD09: The Bostopian Empire -v- Ad'ihan - Sygon Stadium, Sygon City, Outer Sygon (76,962)
MD10: The Bostopian Empire -v- Kosovoe - The Skinner of Chikoo Stadium, Leprechaun Goldmine, Chikoo (23,633)
MD11: The Bostopian Empire -v- Bostopia - TBA
MD12: The Bostopian Empire -v- The Doobie Brothers - Byrne Field, Poundland, Rental Save (63,000)
MD13: AruthKandageLand -v- The Bostopian Empire
MD14: The Bostopian Empire -v- Alversia - Victory Stadium, FIDA City, FIDA Isle (47,332)

[Bostopia]

There was nowhere else the Emperor wanted to be at that moment than cuddled up in bed next to the Empress. He nuzzled his head deeper into her shoulder and smiled as the sun punched it's way through the curtain.

He thought of the blue skies that awaited him and the sun that would be shining brightly on his face as he started a new day full of optimism.

But that reminded him of the day Bostopia lost to Dancougar on penalties.

“I HATE DANCOUGAR!” He yelled, jumping up out of bed. He stormed over to the window and drew the curtain, exposing his naked form to a few pigeons and a middle-aged lady on a trip from Sorthern Northland who was admiring the architecture of the building with a pair of binoculars; she promptly fainted.

The Empress turned over to face him and surveyed the scene. Her immortal husband – a side effect of bringing him, her and the Prince back to life was that they were immortal – was standing buck naked in front of a window, and from the voices she'd overheard outside the room, security was currently fishing a foreign lady out of a boating lake.

“Come back to bed,” she said, pulling up a bit of quilt.

“But.. but Dancougar..” the Emperor stuttered back. “They ruined my career.”

“Oh sweetie, you still have me!” She replied, putting on her best “shut up and get back into bed you naked idiot” smile.

“I know.. but.. I wanted to commentate some more.” he said, while the Empress moved across the bed and held his arm, gently guiding him back toward the bed, and away from the window.

“I know,” she said, wrapping her arms around him as he finally lay back down. “But sometimes there's nothing you can do.”

“All those press-statements out of the Dancougar camp must have put the players off..” he sighed, taking hold of one of her arms and pulling it tighter round himself.

“You could always play your favourite trick on a foreign head of state” she said reassuringly.

“Putting an angry animal in a box and sending it to them?”

“Yep!” Came the enthusiastic reply. “Remember the reply we got from Mr. O'Bagels that time?”

“It was all covered in blood and feathers” he said softly, with a smile on his face.

“Yeah.” Her voice quietening as she spoke. “You could always do that again.”

“Maybe later on.” The Emperor yawned, and fell back asleep with a smile on his face. The Empress, meanwhile, was disappointed. She hadn't had to hit him with a frying pan in a week.

---F.A. Headquarters, Hartwick House, Fort Boston---

The F.A. is pleased to announce the fixture list for the Bostopian National Team in the upcoming WC44 qualifiers. The stadia used for home games is also supplied.

FRD1:
MD01: The Doobie Brothers -v- Bostopia
MD02: Bostopia -v- AruthKandageLand - Bostopia Stadium, Fort Boston (103,499)
MD03: Alversia -v- Bostopia
MD04: Bostopia -v- The Bostopian Empire - Fort Boston Arena, Fort Boston (87,093)
MD05: Bostopia -v- Yafalonia & Bazor 2 - Ortega Field, Henrikstad (38,532)
MD06: Ad'ihan -v- Bostopia
MD07: Bostopia -v- Kosovoe - Junker Stadium, Prussingberg (67,390)
FRD2:
MD08: Bostopia -v- The Doobie Brothers - Brian Marne Stadium, Rolida (37,728)
MD09: AruthKandageLand -v- Bostopia
MD10: Bostopia -v- Alversia - State Stadium, Drangmorie (57,821)
MD11: The Bostopian Empire -v- Bostopia - TBA
MD12: Yafalonia & Bazor 2 -v- Bostopia
MD13: Bostopia -v- Ad'ihan - Bostopia Stadium, Fort Boston (103,499)
MD14: Kosovoe -v- Bostopia

[Draistania]

"Coach Dastrin," Frederick Dawner said as he entered the office, "I see that you finally have our results for our match-ups. Where are we?"

Sean sighed as he replied, "It could be a lot better, Fred. We are in group 7. We have to play Jeruselem and Starblaydia. Those teams have been in this game a lot longer than we have."

"Yes, they have," Fred said as he took a seat, "but that is not at all a guarantee that they will beat us. Just an advantage."

Sean sat back and laughed a little as he asked, "Are you always this optimistic?"

"Yes, of course," Fred replied smiling back. "How do you think that we managed to get further than you in the tournament last year?"

"Oh!" Sean yelled out as he laughed more, "now that hurts! I still recall you losing to Draistania in the final round."

"We'll get em' this time round!"

"Well, you can worry about that later. Right now I just need you to get all the relevant information on these teams." Coach Dastrin handed the sheet of team names to Frederick Dawner. "see if you can't find a weakness by game day. I'll be doing the same."

"I'll see what I can do coach."

"You do that, and Fred."

"Yes coach?"

"Don't be to hard on them. We don't want to embarrass them too badly on game day. We want them to come back next year."

With that Fred walked away howling in laughter. There was still a chance though. Aside from Jeruselem and Starblaydia, they had just as much chance as anyone else, and it was very possible that one of them would be a little off this year.

Draistania Schedule for Qualifying Round

Match 1 @ Jaseuyeon
Match 2 @ Starblaydia
Match 3 vs. Jeruselem
Match 4 @ Chutnusak
Match 5 vs. Greal
Match 6 @ Urna Eletrônica
Match 7 vs. Idanno
Match 8 vs. Jaseuyeon
Match 9 vs. Starblaydia
Match 10 @ Jeruselem
Match11 vs. Chutnusak
Match 12 @ Greal
Match 13 vs. Urna Eletrônica
Match 14 vs. Idanno

[Qazox]

QSPN WORLD CUP 44 Coverage

After a very disappointing World Cup 43, Qazox dropped a bit in the rankings and now face a tough road to return to the World Cup, as they were drawn into Group 6. A group whic includes: Dancougar, Kelssek, Colburne and Rennidan, teams Qazox is very familar with, albeit in the World Bowl, WBC, WCoH and the Olympics.

GROUP 6:
Rennidan
Qazox
St Samuel
Akbarabad
Operata
Kelssek
Dancougar
Colbourne

SCHEDULE:
MD1: @ Rennidan
MD2: @ Akbarabad
MD3: vs. St Samuel @ Henrí Savagé Stadium, New Recife. Capacity: 73,000.
MD4: @ Kelssek
MD5: vs. Operata @ SaxerDome, SaxerVilla. Capacity: 85,000.
MD6: @ Colburne
MD7: vs. Dancougar @ Qazian Memorial Stadium, Qazox City. Capacity: 98,000
MD8: vs. Rennidan @ SaxerDome, SaxerVilla. Capacity: 85,000.
MD9: vs. Akbarabad @ Henrí Savagé Stadium, New Recife. Capacity: 73,000.
MD10: @ St Samuel
MD11: vs. Kelssek @ Champions Field, Qazox City. Capacity: 84,420
MD12: @ Operata
MD13: vs. Colburne @ Henrí Savagé Stadium, New Recife. Capacity: 73,000.
MD14: @ Dancougar

A full group and overall qualifying preview will be coming tommorrow. But at first glance, Qazox' history of winning on the road will play a very large part, as this group will be decided by a few points.

[Green wombat]

The Zito Zip

WC44 time is here.
Wombats try once again.
Group 5 has Tynelia, remember them?
Also has Lovisa and Secristan.
Do we have a chance? Yes.
Will we do it? Maybe.
What about WC45? NO.
WHAT?
Last Chance for Romance.
WHY?
The Economy...stupid.
No $$= No team.

Schedule:
MD1: Secristan
MD2: Terreiro de Ogum
MD3: @ Euro Federations
MD4: Tynelia
MD5: @ Rymeria
MD6: Peisandros
MD7: @ Lovisa
MD8: @ Secristan
MD9: @ Terreiro de Ogum
MD10: Euro Federations
MD11: @ Tynelia
MD12: Rymeria
MD13: Peisandros
MD14: Lovisa

[Daehanjeiguk]

World Cup 44 Qualification - Group 2
MD1: vs [42] West Zirconia (@ Munhwa Football Stadium - 65,000, Hanseong)
MD2: @ [???] Sarzonia (@ somewhere in Sarzonia?)
MD3: vs [76] Dariusville (@ Potala Palace - 34,000, Lasa)
MD4: @ [54] Liventia (@ someplace in Liventia)
MD5: vs [1] Valanora (@ Cha Beomgeun Memorial Football Stadium - 200,000, Hangyeong)
MD6: @ [34] Taeshan (@ Atlantea Colosseum - 599,000, Atlantea?)
MD7: vs [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ Gwangdong Imperial Sports Complex and Stadium - 80,000, Gwangju)
MQ: ---
MD8: @ [42] West Zirconia (@ Manchester Street, Moorcroft
MD2: vs [???] Sarzonia (@ Seobanya National Football Stadium - 50,000, Daebo)
MD3: @ [76] Dariusville (@ a monkey cage in Dariusville)
MD4: vs [54] Liventia (@ Silk Road Stadium - 56,000, Seoan)
MD5: @ [1] Valanora (@ depends on how well we play them at home...)
MD6: vs [34] Taeshan (@ Tae-majt Park - 69,000 - Pyeongyang)
MD7: @ [0_0] O Ale Ale (@ hopefully not in a beer bottle)

MBC World Cup Special Report

HANGYEONG - On account of a really bad solar storm, the entire Empire woke up to woeful surprise as the Han were placed into a group that includes the likes of West Zirconia, Liventia, Taeshan, and Valanora. Yes, they're all in our group, and we don't like it either. However, as the 11th ranked in the group, we're seeded for that coveted second spot, since most of our bookies are calling this one for Valanora. Yes, they've become one of those teams that just keeps winning. They're reached the semifinals of the World Cup of the past 6 editions, winning it 3 times, and reaching third place in all of their other appearances. So just what does it take to beat them? I haven't a clue, but if you want to ask anyone, don't ask your grandmother. She'll advise you to stop worrying about football, do your homework, and makes lots of money to make her children (i.e. your children) happy. And only Heaven wonders at this point if it really matters, since the nearest competition according to ranks will be coming for 34th ranked Taeshan. They'll be playing with 42nd ranked West Zirconia, followed closely by 54th ranked Liventia. And two teams that didn't participate in the recent BoF certainly will have their Baptism of Fire once they're through this group - one can only imagine if any of them would have as much success as the recently departed Catholic Church of MSS - but rest assured, they've not disappeared; some bishop in Gwangju told me that the Catholic Church was "reconsidering the spiritual ramifications of football and religion".

Anyway, our first match up will be against West Zirconia, a competent and talented side who beat the same Catholic folk in their own BoF tourney final, so two BoF champs facing on the field of pitch (or pitch of field... agh, English, I hate it!). Regardless, the IFA has slotted a home opener at Munhwa field in Hanseong. Citizens traveling to Joseon are advised to travel early and by sea, since the airways will be likely packed with WZ supporters visiting the lands of Han for potentially their first time. And be nice to them - if they need help, don't make it cost an arm and a leg (and to WZ supporters reading this report, I mean that literally).

After exiting the last cup in Valanora on account of penalties (kicks, not punishments, although the goalkeeper might make that assertion), the IFA has decided to stay on with Ioshido Toki and his management, noting that although "success has not been as expected, Ioshido has been making progressive progress to win the Cup and has - since WC43 - reached the Second Round consistently". I don't know about you, but in other countries, they'll sack the poor fellow if he loses the next match, and I'm being generous. I insist - we'll be looking for a new coach at the World Cup if Ioshido can't make it to the Semifinals this time around.


=== === ===

"Name and Identification."

"Pak Seongil." He gave his identification number.

"It says you're a resident of Daejeon," the agent said. "What's your business in Ulsan, Mr. Pak?"

Pak pulled out a football from a bag and showed it to the agent at the booth. The agent smiled. "You must be one of those amateurs coming to town today. The Joseon Amateur's League, eh?"

"We're not amateurs," Pak asserted. "We're professionals without a club."

"Yeah, well explain it to the magistrate. That's the third time this week I've caught you hooligans disturbing the public order. You're only too lucky that you're not drunk as hell. The last guy," the agent explained, bending on his knees to face Pak directly. "I had to haul his ass to the public detention center because he was puking his dinner at some fancy gala. You know how the corporate officials are like - they want some nice seaside resort town, they come here, and they meet some dumbass who can't add 1 and 1 for his own life. Why shouldn't I take you into the center right now?"

"Because I have a game tomorrow evening."

The agent sighed. He turned to his little pad card, with the citizen details. "It says that you have Level 6 Education in Electrical work. Is this true?"

Pak nodded. The agent smiled. "Can you do something for me then?"

"What?"

The agent stood up and went to his car, turning on the lights. Immediately, Pak could see the problem. "One of the flood lamps isn't on."

"I think there's a bad circuit, because the bulb is just fine. If you fix that, I'll let you pass with just a warning." Pak smirked at the thought of that. He turned to the car and took a look into the fuse box. He pulled out a fuse, and turned to the officer. "That's your problem. Broken fuse. Give me five minutes and I'll get you a new one." He turned to the nearest car station. It was only a block down the road, but Pak could manage the trip. After all, he had only drunk one beer that night... and about 4 shots of soju. Nevermind that, he was going to fix the flood light. He came into the store, which was in the midst of being robbed.

"Hey, you! Put your hands up!" The gunman turned his rifle on Pak. Pak ughed. "Come on, I need to get a fuse for that car outside."

"Hands up, dumb-ass! I'll kill you!"

As the gunman was being distracted, the clerk behind the counter pulled out a giant cricket bat and whacked the gunman on the hand. Immediately, he fell to the floor, scattering the gun on the floor to Pak's feet. The clerk came out from behind the booth, gazing at the gunman on the floor knocked unconscious. He turned to Pak with gratitude. "If you hadn't come in at that moment, he would have robbed my store! Thank you! I'll give you anything!"

"Well, all I really need right now is a fuse for a car..."

The man immediately shot to the counter and pulled a fuse out. "Not that kind. A blue, class 5."

"Ah," the clerk said as he reached for the proper fuse. He handed it to Pak, who simply smiled. Perhaps he should have asked for a drink too. He came back out, as the elderly clerk did his best to restrain the gunman and his gun. The police looked at his watch as Pak came nearer. "That was longer than five minutes."

"Yeah, there was a line at the shop," he said, heading immediately to the fuse box. A few simple clicks later, he flicked on the lights, and the police agent was elated. "It's amazing how something so simple can cause so big a problem."

"Well, I'm surprised that they use just one fuse for each of those flood lights. It's pretty wasteful, I'd imagine. But I don't make cars. In fact, I rarely work with cars in the first place."

"Well, you've earned my respect, Mr. Pak. Just remember, keep your anger under control. Sometimes alcohol does that to people, so just be cautious about that."

"Yes, sir. Thank you very much, and you have a wonderful evening."

The agent smiled as he headed away. "I hope so too." As the police car strolled away, Pak smiled in admiration as he listened the radio call for a dispatch to a local car service station for an attempted armed robbery. Pak, carrying his ball in hand, walked down the street, past the bar out of which he was recently ejected for causing a ruckus with the locals. More specifically, the Ulsan Great Pearls Football Club - the local football club of pearl fishers. It was a rough encounter between the two, and of course the local bars were more supportive of their own city kin than they were of the "foreign" team. Hence, he bashes some pretty chap on the nose, and he gets blamed for "hooliganism" at large. Not that it mattered now. He was out and getting back to the hotel, where the rest of the team was staying.

Pak himself was the captain of the Daejeon Great Lightning Football Club, the semi-official team of electricians working at the Samsung SDS Center. It was a recent experiment, since most of his comrades were in fact great players, but not great enough to get on a professional team. So like millions of people passionate about the sport, he turned to an amateur league, with people in his profession - an electrician. Truth be told, he hated the job, but it was the only useful skill that he had to offer in contribution to society. He'd rather be out on the pitch all day with his friends, playing for the thrill of the game, but he simply wasn't that good. He had tried a number of alternative jobs, but he couldn't shake off his talent for handling electrical circuits. And since all amateur teams lacked official coaches, he acted as the official team captain and coach. It was a tough challenge to manage the team and play on the pitch, along with the other responsibilities entitled to him by his co-workers, but fortunately, they got along very well.

Bae Choelgwan met at the door of the room. "The police were nice..."

"The guy wanted me to fix his light," he replied with a slightl smirk.

Bae Choelgwan was his one of his assistant coaches. When Pak was unavailable, Bae would take the spot as the head of the team. And when Bae wasn't around, there was Yang Cheonhan. After him was Kim Shinyok. After him... well, they were kinda screwed up if it got to that. But Bae was a reliable person, and someone who didn't mind sitting out the whole match if it meant winning a game.

"Tomorrow is going to be a big game, you hear?"

"I know," Pak said. He sat down at the chair, across from the bed where Yang was already apparently asleep. "We should try to get some rest," he remarked, pointing at Yang. He thought a little longer and added as an addendum, "and I think it's in order that we should also avoid the local bars."

"I'd agree," Bae replied, knocking on the door to the bathroom. "Kim! What are you doing in there? Taking a shit? Living in a sauna? Other people have to go too!"

A squeal came from inside. "I'm busy!"

Bae shook his head, returning to the beds. "He's been saying that for the past hour!"

"Hour?" Pak said.

"That little pipsqueak... he's probably in there with a magazine right now!"

"Magazine?"

Yang spoke while keeping his eyes closed. "You know how he takes breaks all of the time at work? He spreads it all masturbating in the bathroom. It's a wonder he manages to keeps his pants all dry."

"Right now?" Pak laughed.

"You know he would," Bae said. "He needs to find a girl instead of hogging this %$#^ %$#^ %$#^ BATHROOM!" He yelled that very part rather excessively that the people below knocked on the floor, with an even louder shout, imploring them to shut up and go to sleep. Bae ruffled his hair.

"Why don't you go next door to Kim's (Yongsan) room?" Yang suggested, still eyes shut.

"I think I will," Bae said, rushing out of the door. Pak smiled, somewhat amused by the flurry of activity over a single bathroom. He turned to Yang. "Speaking of Kim (Yongsan), have you talked to the others?"

"Yep. I've talked."

"Good." Pak brushed his hair and reclined on the bed. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day."

"First fixture outside of Daejeon in over a year now?"

"Yeah," Pak said, laying on the bed now.

"Yeah... a big day." After a few minutes, just as Pak began to feel drowsy himself, he could hear Yang's distinctive snoring. A big day...

[Prux]

Pruxton Globe

After stunning the world by qualifying for World Cup 42, what did our zombies do for an encore? Qualify for World Cup 43. But both trips were very short lived, as the team didn't advance past the first round either time. But now Prux won't sneak up on anyone, qualifying for back-to-back Cups kinda raises the profile, don't it? Now instead of being a hunter, the Zombies are among the hunted.

The Qualifying Draw took place yesterday and the Zombies were placed in Group 10. The toughest competition in the group seems to be Yafor 2 and Cafundéu, bith multiple-time qualifiers. The Zombies are, on paper at least, the 3rd best team in the group and will have to stave off challenges from Myedvedeya and The Blouman Empire, who are just about equally matched with Prux.

All home games this qualifying cycle will take place in Pruxton at the new International Prux Football Center, which has a capacity of 73,542.

The schedule is this: (along with our Predictions for the Zombies)
Game 1: @ Yafor 2 (Loss 1-3)
Game 2: vs. Cafundeu (Loss 2-3)
Game 3: vs. Bears Armed (Win 4-1)
Game 4: vs. Iseerussiafrommyhouse (Win 3-0)
Game 5: @ Brightonburg (Win 3-1)
Game 6: vs. The Blouman Empire (Draw 2-2)
Game 7: @ Myedvedeya (Draw 1-1)
Game 8: vs. Yafor 2 (Draw 1-1)
Game 9: @ Cafundeu (Loss 1-4)
Game 10: @ Bears Armed (Win 2-1)
Game 11: @ Iseerussiafrommyhouse (Win 4-2)
Game 12: vs. Brightonburg (Win 4-1)
Game 13: @ The Blouman Empire (Loss 1-2)
Game 14: vs. Myedvedeya (Win 2-1)
PREDICTED RECORD: 7-3-4 24pts 3rd in Group.

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

GROUP DRAW ANNOUNCED

Pocono City, Newmanistan- Stop me if you’ve heard this one. The official group draw for World Cup 44 qualification was held this evening and it looks very familiar to what we saw the last time. Ten groups, top three qualify and Newmanistan is the 4th ranked team overall in the group. Such was the story in World Cup 43. And World Cup 42 qualification efforts. In those last two Cups, it came down to the very last matchday for the Empire, only to find the teams that had the better rankings take care of business and for Newmanistan to be knocked out at the very end and be sent to the Cup of Harmony. So if the group draw makes you start singing the song, “Same ol’ Situation”, it would be understood. What Newmanistan has to do is crack the top three. Starblaydia and Dancougar are the likely locks, and they’ll have to find a way by Lovisa, more then likely. No wait, that was last time. This time, Az-cz and Jasi-yun are the locks and they have to find a way by Sorthern Northland. No, that was the time before that. Alright, enough kidding around. The locks are Milchama and the Holy Empire. The team we have to get by is Septentrionia. Doable? Most definitely. So was Lovisa and Sorthern Northland. Then of course, there’s no time for missed opportunities against the other teams. Newmanistan had one big draw against the Bostopian Empire in the last qualification, and missed out by qualifying by two points.

Alright, so let’s take a deeper look at this group, and the first nation that immediately strikes out at you is Milchama. Oh, do we remember those Warriors. We met them twice in our Baptism of Fire year and got beaten by the combined score of 13-4. But we’re better now, and we should be able to make it closer. That’s what we thought when we scheduled a pre-qualifying friendly against them prior to World Cup 43 and they beat us up again, winning 6-2. There was also that Oxen Cup 6 final meeting between the countries that was much closer, but still the same end result. Milchama wins. That by the score of 2-1. The Warriors are one of the top contenders to win the World Cup,assuming someone can knock Valanora from their throne. Like a certain baseball team, though, Milchama underachieves when it gets to the World Cup, having never won. Perhaps, the Rockets can use those past scores as motivation, but the reality is that any kind of points against the Warriors have to be considered as “stolen” points. Still, you have to go into these games thinking you can win, and with Newmanistan’s horrid history against the top seeds against the group (we have still never earned a single point against the top ranked team in our qualifying group, ever), you have to think that we are due, right? One can hope.

A highlight of qualifying will be our first ever visit to the Dreamed Realm. That’s right, the Holy Empire is on the schedule as well. This is rarely a vacation for the opponent as this underachieving nation often fields some very interesting rosters. Who could forget their team of man-eating blancmanges? We don’t know exactly what kind of roster they will be fielding, but rumors are that it’s not going to be pretty, having only been told it will be our worst nightmare. Uh oh, worse then the blancmanges huh? Certainly the intimidation factor will be working for them during the match against not just us, but for our opponents as well. This is an experienced entity as they’ve actually been doing this from the beginning. It is the only country that participated in the very first World Cup that is still active. In all that time, they have won a total of, no wait, they have never won the World Cup. Guess that’s their worst nightmare. Of course when they come here, they’ll play at Tundra Falls. Will spirits collide?

Septentrionia is the year’s Lovisa. It is the team that we will have to pass in order to qualify for the World Cup. They are the third ranked team in the group, and the most probable one for us to overtake. There’s really no reason to think that we couldn’t. While we respect what they have achieved, they moved up the rankings quickly due to the fact they were able to co-host World Cup 42. There has only been one international meeting between the two, and it was quite an entertaining affair coming in Cup of Harmony 32. Both nations were new to the international scene then, and they played to 4-4 draw. It was this club that kept the Rockets from advancing to the knockouts in that particular Cup of Harmony which just seems like so long ago now. The nations actually have a much better history with one another in the World Cup of Hockey. The Pistachio lovers have yet to release a roster, but that is probably going to change. We are cautiously optimistic that we can overcome them, but then again, we were that we could do it against Lovisa, too.

Now for the teams ranked lower then us, and you can’t overlook these opponents. Nethertopia, a nation in which Newmanistan has built somewhat of a history with in the international transfer market (though that has slowed down recently) looms as the biggest threat to take points away from of us of those ranked below. We have met them twice, once in a friendly, and once in Oxen Cup 8 and came away with victories in each encounter. But the World Cup in their home region, expect Nethertopia to be heavily inspired for success. After returning to the international scene for World Cup 43, they have shown promise, and actually claimed our “Di Bradini Cup runner-up” spot that we had reserved in the previous two cups, this year. Also in our group is Miroxia. Known more for their Handball prowess, the football program of the country has improved recently as evidenced by their taking the Rockets to extra time in Oxen Cup 9, a match that Newmanistan did win by the score of 1-nil. The Rockets have won all three meetings against them, and have actually never allowed a goal against them. The combined score of the three meetings is an astounding 9-nil in our favor. Maybe we are their Milchama. Nonetheless, having recently played us close, the Mountain Goats should be coming in with confidence and we will need to be prepared for that. The nation of Quintessence of Dust, we are told, isn’t a debutant nation (OOC: correct me if I’m wrong), but actually a country making their return to international play after a long layoff. We wish them good luck, when they play Septentrionia, that is. Newmanistan cannot afford to lose points in those two games, and recently the Empire has done a better job in taking care of business against opponents like this. Finally, we have Alex Ruined Hallelujah. This is a country making their first ever appearance, and we don’t really know much about them besides their interesting name. As long as we get six points against them, we don’t need to know anything about them.

This has got to be our time, right? Despite being in a similar situation as we have been in before going into qualification, it seems a little better for us. Let’s just hope we break away from this ball and chain that has kept us from the World Cup Proper so far.

The Official Schedule reads as such:
Pre-Qual Friendly: vs Dancougar @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Pre-Qual Friendly: at West Zirconia (Redwood)
MD1: @ Septentrionia (the big one right off the bat, ‘eh?)
MD2: vs Quintessence of Dust @ Olympia Field
MD3: @ The Holy Empire
MD4: vs Alex Ruined Hallelujah @ Putnam Lake Stadium
MD5: vs Nethertopia @ Dover Field
MD6: @ Milchama
MD7: vs Miroxia @ Centralia Stadium
MD8: vs Septentrionia @ Loudon Stadium
MD9: @ Quintessence of Dust
MD10: vs The Holy Empire @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
MD11: @ Alex Ruined Hallelujah
MD12: @ Nethertopia
MD13: vs Milchama @ Pocono City Stadium
MD14: @ Miroxia
Post-Qual Friendly: at Nethertopia
Post-Qual Friendly: vs BrightonBurg @ Loudon Stadium

[East Pocono]

EAST POCONO TELEGRAPH

East Pocono in the World Cup? The nation has decided to give it a shot, and the roster was just released. Even though the country will likely get beaten up in most of its games, there’s something to be said about at least trying to do something at this level? Or perhaps they were just helping making up a number. Anyway, here is the official East Pocono schedule. How bad will it be? Well, we will soon find out. Predicted results in ( )

MD1: vs Lecland (D, 2-2)
MD2: vs Docky (W, 1-0)
MD3: @ Krytenia (L, 3-0)
MD4: @ The Archregimancy (L, 5-1)
MD5: vs Vephrall (L, 2-0)
MD6: @ Universitus University (L, 2-1)
MD7: @ Quakmybush (L, 3-1)
MD8: @ Lecland (L, 2-1)
MD9: @ Docky (D, 0-0)
MD10: vs Krytenia (L, 4-1)
MD11: vs The Archregimancy (L, 3-0)
MD12: @ Vephrall (L, 6-1)
MD13: vs Universitus University (W, 1-0)
MD14: vs Quakmybush (L, 2-0)

Projected Record: 2-2-10