July Challenge Teams [WINNERS: JAPAN; GA: Agent 86]

[jonofperu]

Apparently there was some confusion, but I can confirm that Cooldeals and Tenbar were looking for 2 more in the clan forum, Pershy and BK joined them and Pershy did indeed intend for them to all join as a team...
Anyway, chose a country guys!
We're now full with 8 teams and wes.jackson24 & kentong as reserves. If anyone doesn't accept the first invite to a game they will sub in for that team.
Waiting on privileges. I'll randomize and set up the Groups.

[cooldeals]

We'll be Spain I guess. or 'Merica. Don't care

[pershy]

Yes, thanks for clearing that up guys.
Yes - in for either of those teams. Don't mind either

[pershy]

Let's choose USA cause they got farther than Spain

[jonofperu]

Updated Groups and the matches are all laid out - see first post.
Soon as I get privileges everyone will be invited to 3 games.

[notyou2]

Game 14656276 Game is screwed. Won't let me select the legal attack I want to make. Major glitch.

[jonofperu]

Sorry to hear that notyou2. Any response to your bug report?

In other news...

Switzerland takes a 1-0 lead over Colombia as Shady-Jim dribbles past defender lokisgal to score!

[jonofperu]

* notyou2 is about to cross the ball in front of the net when he collides with the ref and loses the ball.
* The Cameroon fans are incensed. Boos rain down, along with cups, hats, shoes, etc.
* Unfortunately the ref is part of the field...
* Australia recovers the ball and moves it down the field.
* Dub312 scores an amazing shot from beyond the penalty area to put Australia up 1-0.

[jonofperu]

*Endgame422 scores a second goal for Switzerland giving them a commanding 2-0 lead over Colombia as they go to the half. Switzerland will surely rack up at least 3 points in their group stage.
*In Australia's 3rd match, DukeHazzard puts them ahead of the United States 1-0 at the 12 minute mark.
*Jonofperu scores for Greece against the United States in Match #2.
*The day 2 matches for Group B are in halftime.
*The USA appears to be in trouble as they are trailing in two of their group stage matches.

*In the Golden Boot race, 5 players have scored a goal each so far.

[denominator]

I must say I am really enjoying this tournament thus far. Thanks for the effort in running this.

[jonofperu]

Thanks, denominator! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm having fun!

All matches are into the second half with just 8 more goals to come in the Group Stage! The competition is fierce! 4 games outstanding in each Group.
* In the last minute of stoppage time Agent 86 scores to put Japan ahead of Colombia 1-0. Can they hold on and win it??
* On the same Match Day, Switzerland struggles to hang on to a 1-0 lead over Netherlands. What will the second half of these games bring?
* Agent 86 also has a goal in Japan's game against Switzerland, securing the win with a score of 2-0 and only one more goal to come in Match Day 2.

* In Group B Australia has clinched 2 games and 6 points!

* Agent 86 joins 3 other players tied at the top of the Golden Boot competition with 2 goals each.

[jonofperu]

Click image to enlarge.

EDIT: fixed bracket image - the standing of the bottom two teams was inverted.

Match Day 2 is finished for Group A, Match Day 3 for Group B.

* Minutes after Agent 86 gave his team some insurance (clinched the match actually) and put Japan up 2-0 over Switzerland, Shady-Jim came back with a pride-saving goal for 2-1. Not enough, but very impressive since Shady has now scored in every one of his matches and leads the Golden Boot!
* Colombia defend tenaciously through a scoreless second half and pull out a 1-0 win over Netherlands.

* cooldeals saves face for USA with a goal against Australia, but the Aussies hang on for a 2-1 victory and first place for now in the group standings.
* Cameroon manage to defeat Greece 1-0 and also have 3 points!
* Seconds? In Australia's second match, DukeHazzard scores his second goal of the tournament as the second half winds down against Greece. It's a close one! 1-1 with 1,020 seconds left in regulation!

[cooldeals]

In normal world cup doesn't Goals Scored serve as the tiebreaker after Goal Differential?

[jonofperu]

Yes, same here. See "Tiebreaker" spoiler in the first post.
I just mixed up the last two spots in each group on the last standings graphic... sorry!
I'll fix it as soon as I can.

[jonofperu]

Click image to enlarge.

Match Day 2 has drawn to a close for Group B.
* With only 13' left in regulation BlackKnight_6 scores for the USA! Unable to hold on to the lead, the Greeks have to settle for a draw. Both teams now have only one point with two games played. Their chances of advancing depend on catching up to Cameroon on the last match day.
* Australia puts in a convincing win over Cameroon 2-0. The Aussies are through to the Knockout Stage and sit comfortably in first place atop Group B.

[dub312]

When are we going to start the knockout stage?

[jonofperu]

Sorry for the delay! Was gone to Argentina for a week and had really bad internet. (They are still REALLY sore about the World Cup final! LOL)

Click image to enlarge.

After a suspenseful last week the group stage has finally wrapped up!

*Japan courageously defends their 1-0 lead over Colombia. But the Cafeteros are fighting for a chance to advance and at 81 minutes Donelladan controls a desperate long ball and beats the keeper to tie it up!
*Switzerland seals their decisive 2-0 victory over Netherlands with a goal by Endgame422 at 85'.
*Greece has only one point in the standings so far and won't settle for a tie against the group leaders, Australia. The Greek's had been defending their lead until DukeHazzard scored an equalizer at 73'. Now they relentlessly press the Aussies until, with only a minute left in regulation, tokle splits the defenders and places a shot in the corner of the net!
*Japan has held on to another 1-0 lead in a close game against the Netherlands. The Orange push everyone up the field with time running out - but lose the ball! DoomYoshi breaks away and lobs a long ball over the keeper, who is frantically retreating toward his line. The ball goes in and the ref signals the end of the match at 90'+3. Japan wins a second game 2-0 and has first place in the standings with 7 points!

We move on to the Knockout Round. Winner takes all!
Games will be sent shortly.

[jonofperu]

* The Knockout Stage begins with a bang for Japan. In their match against Australia they control the ball superbly from kickoff, move it forward a couple times testing the defense, and then put together an amazing series of passes to the edge of the penalty where loutil puts it past the Aussie keeper who hasn't gotten a touch yet.
* The fans are stunned. Australia is stunned. The nerves affect their control and they quickly lose the ball. Before they can catch their breath DoomYoshi has connected with a perfect cross to score a header.
* 8 minutes in and already 2-0. Brazilian headlines are flashing in everyone's minds. Can Australia possibly come back?

show: Brazil loss headlines

*The ball rolls off midfield again and the nightmare only gets worse... Blinded by tears Australian player Tviorr kicks a Japanese player in the face and isn't even close to the ball! A red card sends him off and Australia is a man down (Tviorr eliminated from Game 14773471).

*It's looking pretty bleak for the Aussies. In their match against Switzerland dub312 has also been red-carded (eliminated from Game 14773471)!

Disclaimer: It feels like I'm picking on Australia, but these are the only results I have to report!
By the way, does anyone care about this "flavor"? I'm kind of depressed after writing this!
And I have no idea if it sounds authentic since I don't hear much English football commentary.

[Blitzkrieg Frank]

LOL I'm Aussie but playing under Jap flag bloody top stuff this tournie is gr8 you are doing a wonderful job.

[Agent 86]

Absolutely loving the commentating, look forward to the next post

[jonofperu]

Thanks for making some noise!

[jonofperu]

Match Day 1
*Agent 86 scores for Japan at 20' against Switzerland!
*Australia and Cameroon still scoreless in the first half.

Match Day 2
* Somehow the Aussies stop the bleeding and keep the ball out of their net for the rest of the first half. Desperate defense sends ball after ball off the pitch into the stands as Japan continues to press for more. But they have a comfortable lead, so they don't NEED to try too hard.
* At halftime the Australian coach gathers his players and courageously attempts to rally their spirits. Something has to change or this World Cup will end badly. Nobody wants this kind of fame!
* It's 90% mental, right?! Australia takes the field against Japan for the second half, but before the whisle blows something unexpected happens.

show: Unexpected Intervention

The fans feel better, the players feel better, maybe there is still hope.
Unfortunately all that yelling in their faces has awakened the Japanese.
They put a little extra flair into ball control as they lead the Aussies around the pitch until Frank blitzkriegs through the defenders to juke around the lonely keeper and score a THIRD goal. Nail in the coffin? This one's 6 feet under...
Conspiracy theories begin to fly around the internet.

show: Conspiracy Theories

* Switzerland and Cameroon are scoreless into the second half. Will one of them come through with a goal for 3 much-needed points in the standings, or will they settle for a draw?

Match Day 3
*loutil scores for Japan and they lead Cameroon 1-0.
*Endgame422 puts Switzerland ahead of Australia 1-0. Nice to see someone other than the Japanese can score... at least if they're not playing Japan!

Will Japan run away with this World Cup, or can anyone rally and stop them?!

Golden Boot
With Japan's impressive showing this World Cup loutil and Agent 86 have jumped into the 4-way lead in the Golden Boot contest. Shady-Jim hangs on with his impressive Group Stage record and Endgame422 has scored to join the lead as well.

[jonofperu]

Match Day 1:
* Japan's dominant performance has everyone else reeling. Can Switzerland turn the tide?? After a goal at 20' from Agent 86, Japan appears to be comfortably in control. Time is up and a whistle sounds. Several Japanese players including the keeper start to walk off the pitch... BUT WAIT! Ziggy62 has controlled the abandoned ball and is heading for the empty goal!? Bewildered players realize too late that the ref is running along, following the play! Stoppage time must be nearly over... The ref glances at his watch. Just to be safe, Ziggy shoots from 20 meters and scores. This time the real whistle signals a goal AND the end of the half. What just happened?! Who blew that early whistle?! A slow motion replay shows the Swiss coach slyly tucking something into his pocket! This will be the headline tomorrow.
* Japan and Switzerland are tied 1-1 at the half. Australia - Cameroon are scoreless.

Match Day 2:
* By this time the stadium is half empty as the Australian fans sneak away with tear-streaked faces. But there's no mercy from Japan as Agent 86 places a header off the left post to score a FOURTH goal. He's now in the lead for the Golden Boot with 4! This match will live in infamy or fame, but will never be forgotten.
* Match Day 2 ends with Switzerland and Cameroon gaining a point each for the 0-0 draw and Japan taking a strong 3-point lead in the standings.

Click image to enlarge.

[jonofperu]

Match Day 1:
* Australia and Cameroon are desperate for points, but both teams are playing superb defense. A draw won't be enough to give either of these teams much hope of victory and the CUP. Bad luck for Australia: a second yellow sends Eternal Shadow off and they are down a man (eliminated from Game 14773475). The Socceroos struggle to hold Cameroon off, but at 65' a relentless attack eventually gives Denominator an open shot from 15m and he doesn't miss! Australia can't overcome the disadvantage and Cameroon brings home a 1-0 victory and a shot at catching Japan.
* The second half of the Japan-Switzerland match looks like a different game. The Japanese look sheepish, but they are determined not to let this end in humiliation + defeat. The Swiss have gained confidence. Both sides are playing well. Stellar defense thwarts inspired attacks on one end, then the other. Finally at 77' Shady-Jim leaps higher than the defenders to connect with a well-placed corner. Switzerland is up 2-1 over Japan and the crowd goes wild. Can they hang on to the upset? They do.
* The standings have changed drastically with these results. Japan doesn't lead any more with both Switzerland and Cameroon earning 4 points.
* It all comes down to Match Day 3! Cameroon or Switzerland can win the cup with a victory, depending on the scoring margin. The Swiss have a slight advantage in goals scored. Japan now needs to defeat Cameroon and hope for Australia to win or tie against Switzerland.

Click image to enlarge.

[jonofperu]

Match Day 3:
It all comes down to this. 3 teams are within arm's reach of claiming the World Cup!
* loutil has scored for Japan giving them a 1-0 lead over Cameroon going into the second half.
* Endgame422 put Switzerland up 1-0 over Australia at the end of the first half.
If these scores hold, Switzerland will take the cup with 7 points!
* Time is running out for Cameroon. A draw might still earn them the cup. With time expiring everyone moves up for a corner, even the keeper. Japan's keeper punches the ball clear toward the sideline. A Japanese player slides at the last minute and keeps the ball in bounds lobbing it toward the empty end of the field where Blizkrieg Frank chases it down and sends the ball into the net to seal a 2-0 victory at 90'+1. Japan now have 6 points and only Switzerland can catch or pass them!
* Switzerland can taste victory. The 90 minutes are nearly up and the fans are electrified. Camera flashes sparkle in the stands as everyone savors the moment. Australia feels like they are standing in the shadows. It can't end like this with no points on the board after 3 matches!
A poorly timed tackle earns a yellow card and a free kick for Australia from 25 meters out. Only 3 minutes left on the clock.
... suspenseful pause ...
Eternal Shadow takes the shot... it brushes past the keepers fingers and hits the net!!
Australia has stolen victory from the Swiss! The 1-1 draw gives each team a single point and leaves Japan on top for the tournament.

show: Results

* The closing ceremony begins, but something has happened to the trophy!

show: Trophy

Golden Boot
With his goal in Japan's rout of Australia Agent 86 took the all-out lead in the Golden Boot competition with 4 goals scored.
But Shady-Jim came back to score a 4th as well in Switzerland's 2-1 upset of Japan!
We have a tiebreaker for the Golden Boot!