Unread postby Kalah » 24 Aug 2007, 23:58
Expert 1: "Well, Jim, the first round had everything we expected, and some things we didn't..."
Expert 2: "You bet, Tom - our biggest news tonight, newcomers GInfo absolutely obliterating The Riddlemakers 4-0; an absolutely explosive match containing fourteen goals in the clash between the two teams that never gave up; and the Greenshirts losing at home to an effective team of Kumquats."
Laughing Leprechauns - The Bumbling Bunnies 4-6
This match turned out to be as even as predicted. It started out with a quick goal to the home team, but the fans' extacy was quickly dampened by the Bunnies' reply: two goals in quick succession. Then it was the home team's turn again, being given a penalty just ten minutes before the break. With 2-2 at half-time, both teams went flat out as the ref started the second half. In fifteen exceptional minutes, the audience got to see four goals, but then the last half hour turned rather dull. Both teams seemed satisfied with a draw, but when the Bunnies caught a break just five minutes from time, the home team rushed to equalize. That left their back door open, and Bunnies's striker Hopety Hop suddenly found himself alone with the goal. 4-6 the Bunnies, and three points they take with them.
Thundering Chargers - The Blistering Barnacles 4-2
No shocker here; the Chargers took charge (if you'll pardon the pun) from the get-go, and had the Barnacles on the run for the entire first half. Enthusiasm and verve were the words of the day, as the home team went to the locker rooms with 3-0 in the bag. When they made it 4-0 just after the break, the away team's fans started leaving. Strangely, it seems that just as soon as they realized they'd lost, the Barnacles started playing better. The Chargers seemed preoccupied when the first goal came, and star struck during the second. If it hadn't been for an alert goalkeeper, it could easily have been 4-3 and possible more before the end. The home team's coach applauded his strikers for their excellent finishing, but also said that their defenders would suffer a beating if the fell asleep like this again.
Frost Fighters - Assassins 2-3
Exactly as predicted, the Assassins' skilled midfield made trouble for the cold ones throughout the match. The home team's strikers were unable to break through in the first half, allowing the guests to go to the half time with a two-goal lead. Second half was a much more even affair. The Frost Fighters had been given a clear message from their coach: give up tonight, and they may as well give up the rest of the tournament. They came on with a lot more will, and fought their opponents closer and closer to home. Eventually, they reduced the lead to 1-2. Their increased attack mode eventually gave the fans what they were waiting for: an equalizer. The quality of the Assassins soon showed, however, setting up an easy ball to slot home for the oncoming strikers. With 2-3 and five minutes left on the clock, the Frosties ran out of steam. Nevertheless, the home team's coach praised his players for their way of fighting back.
Colourful Cyclops - Velvet Nightmares 1-5
"Well, this is rather one-sided, isn't it?" the Cyclops manager said at half-time, his team being under 0-3. What was supposed to be av even encounter slightly tipped in the Cyclopses favour, ended up being a walk in the park for the Nightmares. Our panel expert tagged the away team's goalie as being a possible ace-in-the-hole here, and with shutout at half-time despite immense home team pressure, he turned out to be right. In fact, the Cyclopses needed a penalty to break the O. Hammering home another two before the end as if just to prove a point, the Nightmares could go home celebrating a job well done. The Cyclopses need to go home and learn how to get the ball past the goalkeeper.
Unbridled Unicorns - Humongous Melonheads 3-2
In an even encounter, the Unicorns' coach was right in assuming three points were in the (feed) bag, beating their opponents tonight and taking second place in Group C after game one. The result reflected the match almost perfectly; the only thing that might give a better picture would have been a draw. The match waved back and forth, goals seeming to come as sudden as lightning, and just as unexpected. The total number of chances ended up 8-9, the Unicorns' goalkeeper turning out to have the better day.
The Rolling Furrymenaces - Nukular Turbo Toasters 2-5
The Furrymenaces were turned into toast after tonight, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of some turbo-boosted kitchen appliances. Starting well, gettin the first and second goal of the match, it seems the away team had to wait for their turbos to kick in. Once they did, there was but one team on the pitch. Throughout the second half, the Rolling Furrymenaces were only on the opposing half twice, and both times the ball was soon lost to the Toasters' hard-working midfielders. Their coach said after the match that he had never seen a team collapse so completely, and he praised the away team for the manner of their victory. The Turbo Toasters are quickly sailing up as the favourites of Group C.
GInfo - Riddlemakers 4-0
Surprise of the week, newcomers GInfo made light work of their first match, and gave the Riddlemakers a bit of a problem goal difference-wise. No goals after game one, and having to score quite a few the two remaining matches is the clue for the home team of the night, who were favourites coming out on the pitch. The GInfo defenders were unexpectedly able to hold off the Riddlemakers' attacks, as well as set up attacking moves. They played like champions, and lead Group D after day one. Still they have the Sparrows to beat next week, as well as having to keep the Riddlemakers behind them on the table - a team that will be looking to avenge this defeat in the coming matches.
The Phantoms - The Atomic Sparrows 0-3
Another match, another goal-less team. As expected, The Phantoms were having trouble on the attacking half - with an opposing goalkeeper who knew what he was doing, and an offensive line that didn't seem to know up from down. An away win surprised noone who saw the first half; the score being only 0-1, but with such a hapless attacking force heading the home team that not a single person we talked to during half-time believed The Phantoms would take the three points. The Atomic Sparrows could take their time building up their attacks, and although the home team defended themselves well, chances came eventually. And once the ball was in the net behind them, there was nothing to do to change it. This team needs to learn how to score if they're to have a chance in reaching the quarterfinals.
Aqua Rangers - Greystone Oaks 3-6
The Americans seem to think this game isn't about goals. This tournament begs to differ. A total of nine in this one, sending the Aqua Rangers to the bottom of Group E after day one. The key to their defeat lay in the efficient play by the Oaks' midfield, breaking down attacks and setting up plays in the same movement. One surprise was the effective strikers of the home team; being given only four major chances throughout the match, it leaves a rate of efficiency higher than any other team in the tournament. Still, it was never a real contest. The Oaks kept hammering the home team's goal. Shots from all ranges and angles kept passing the defensive lines, and the goalie could only do so much. If they continue their current form, there is nothing to stop the Greystone Oaks from reaching the quarterfinals.
Gravyluvn Cheesepotatoes - Monkish Monkies 4-2
"Shoot!", cried the captain, and the ball was in the net before a minute had passed. The first half was still to be surprisingly even, yielding another two goals - but not to the home team. Struggling to find the net, the Cheesepotatoes moved their team further and further up the field, leaving room for quick counter attacks. The fans cried in disbelief when the saw the second ball in the goal behind ther keeper; one was lucky... two, and their team must have fallen asleep. They demanded more in the second half, and they got it. Having learned their lesson from the first half, they didn't throw everything in attack this time. Biding their time, the goals were soon to follow. First one, then two, and the third coming in overtime. The home team's coach claimed victory of the group and may have done so a little early - the Oaks certainly won't give away anything for free.
The Snakes - Great Summoners 8-6
"This is insane!" the commentator shouted as the score went to 6-6 fifteen minutes from time. At that time, a 6-3 lead to the Summoners had shrunk to even score in ten minutes, after the away team captain had to limp off with an injury. That removed the only thing that had stood between The Snakes and victory thus far. Having taken an amazing - and unexpected - early lead, the Summoners had but hold on to it against the onslought of the home team's strikers. It didn't prove easy; The Snakes absolutely pummeled their guest's goal, slipping past the defences again and again, only being stopped by an increasingly agitated goalkeeper. Frustrated with his defensive lines' inability to stop the eager attacking Snakes, the volume of his voice grew steadily higher. As the captain had to leave the pitch, nothing was left to stem the tide of snake power overrunning the opposition. Five goals were neatly scored in twenty-five minutes, taking the home team to the top of table F, but with a slightly worse goal difference than expected. Surely if the same level of defensive prowess is displayed in the later matches, the group leader could soon change.
Greenshirts - Quantum Kumquats 3-4
This predictedly even encounter will be remembered only for one thing; a team in green defending themselves well, but in vein, against their opponents. Rushing in front to score an early lead, and given two penalties before half-time, the Greenshirts were ahead 3-1 as the teams headed for a much needed break. The second half was all about the physical fruits, bashing against the green defence like a hammer against an anvil. In retrospect one could say that it was only a matter of time, and that if the match had been ten minutes shorter, the Greenshirts might have been able to pull it off. Despite their excellent defending, however, the attacking skill of the Kumquats eventually wore down the walls. Had it not been for this defensive skill, the score would have been far greater in the Kumquats' favour. Pundits now predict an even match against The Snakes, as the Greenshirts have shown they can score in front as well as defend themselves against skilled strikers.
In War: Resolution, In Defeat: Defiance, In Victory: Magnanimity, In Peace: Goodwill.
We were almost burned by that as the opponent staged a spirited comeback. 
