2022 Benacia Cup

[Craitman]

This is the official thread for the 2022 Benacia Cup, which will take place in Sanama between July 30th and August 13th.

With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:

Group A
Cisamarra
Mishalacia
Sanama
Tellia

Group B
Craitland
Shireroth
Sovereign Confederation
Unified Governorates

Teams have until Wednesday July 27th to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), lest they be chosen for them by the FMF Executives after that deadline!

[Craitman]

Fixtures

30th July
A: Sanama vs. Tellia
A: Cisamarra vs. Mishalacia
B: Craitland vs. Shireroth
B: Sovereign Confederation vs. Unified Governorates

3rd August
A: Mishalacia vs. Tellia
A: Sanama vs. Cisamarra
B: Unified Governorates vs. Shireroth
B: Craitland vs. Sovereign Confederation

7th August
A: Mishalacia vs. Sanama
A: Tellia vs. Cisamarra
B: Unified Governorates vs. Craitland
B: Shireroth vs. Sovereign Confederation

10th August
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A

13th August
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2

[Senya]

Group A

Sanama vs. Tellia

Spoiler!

Sanama 1-2 Tellia
50' Mariolino Sonetti
73' Sezer Özker
88' Isaac Mahler

Hosts Sanama welcomed Benacia to their nation with an impressive opening ceremony, before their national team walked out onto the pitch alongside rivals Tellia to contest the opening game of the 2022 Benacia Cup. The first half of football though didn't leave much to be shouted about though, as neither side seemed to take the initiative, with the best half of the half falling to Tellia's Gianluca Salmoiraghi, but the Biulya äqi Jedu forward could only loop an awkward effort from the edge of the box onto the crossbar, before John Hammonds was able to prod the ball back over his own bar for a corner, that ultimately came to nothing. Despite, a drab opening half, the second half produce fireworks, especially early on after a defensive mistake allowed Mariolino Sonetti to find himself bearing down on goal, slotting the ball under the keeper as the hosts found the lead of the match. However, this goal only served to spur their opponents, and in the last 20 minutes, Tellia spun the game on its head, first levelling through a clinical Sezer Özker finish after a lovely passing move, before Isaac Mahler snatched a winner in the dying moments after Hammonds flapped at an Armando Uggè header, spilling the ball into Mahler's path, with the striker tapping the ball into effectively an unguarded goal.

Cisamarra vs. Mishalacia

Spoiler!

Cisamarra 3-2 Mishalacia
20' Mario Andrettoni
24' Pjetro Gampanelli
37' Tomi Maruško
84' Gjanluca Totti (pen.)
90' Niko Barišič

71' OFF Sveto Brečko

Cisamarra and Mishalacia made their major tournament debuts in Soli as both sides were eager to get points on the board if they had any hopes of overcoming two-time World Champions Tellia and hosts-come-reigning champions Sanama in their group. And it was the ex-Sanaman nation of Cisamarra who started brightest, with Gjanluca Totti testing Sašo Fornezi in the Mishalacian goal with some fizzing shots in the opening stages. But it was his teammate Mario Andrettoni to open the scoring, making a late run into the box before finding the touch to turn a fizzing cross home at the back post. Cisamarra gained confidence from that goal, and doubled the score minutes later, with Pjetro Gampanelli rising highest in the penalty area to double their lead. Mishalacia struck back through a low fizzing shot from Tomi Maruško, but could only find themselves at half time. In the second half, Cisamarra started to rest on their lead, as Mishalacia tried to search for an equaliser, but Andrea Gjuseppe looked tough to beat in the Cisamarra goal. Eventually, Mishalacia were given a major blow when Sveto Brečko was dismissed for a second yellow card in ten minutes, first hauling Luigi Calone down as he turned past him, before sliding in late on Romeo Arnoldi as the Romero Sport man went off for an early shower. With Mishalacia's hopes of a way back into the game dwindling, Cisamarra sealed the win with a spot kick late on, with Totti burying the penalty following Tin Horvat dragging down Osmondo Gasparro as the Acquecalde Calcio forward beat his man. Mishalacia did regain some respectability when substitute Niko Barišič headed home to reduce the deficit, but it was too little too late as Cisamarra held on for a first ever tournament win.

Group B

Craitland vs. Shireroth

Spoiler!

Craitland 6-0 Shireroth
11' Alexis Pellegrino
56' Will Zóma
73' Will Zóma
78' Jamie Mälent
82' Will Zóma (pen.)
87' Jan Tórsen

Craitland and Shireroth renewed acquaintances in Fatehpur Sikri, with the Craites looking to build off of their Confederations Cup win and add some more silverware to their already expansive trophy cabinet. Once again, it was the team in white who dominated, and grabbed an early goal when Alexis Pellegrino cut in from the flank, broke into the box, before curling a superb effort past Alejian du Nigrad to put his side in front. Shireroth struggled to break down the Craitish back line, who looked particularly resilient, though equally du Nigrad, despite the opener, was making some brilliant saves to deny both Zóma and Juliaĵsen from adding to the scoreline. However, that resistance only lasted for ten minutes after half time, when a mistake from Aslan Leijonið presented the ball to his club teammate Alexis Pellegrino, who whipped in a menacing cross that Zóma was able to meet with his boot on the stretch, guiding the ball past du Nigrad and doubling his side's advantage. But just as Shireroth fans thought things couldn't get much worse they did, as the floodgates poured opened in the last twenty minutes. First, Alexis once again made a great run down the flank, whipping in a mean ball that eluded everyone but Zóma, who in a manner similar to his first buried the ball home to make it three, before substitute Jamie Mälent flicked the ball home after Shireroth failed to clear their lines from a corner. And when Lucien Maresby inadvertently handled the ball in the box, Zóma took the resulting penalty to claim his hat-trick, rifling the ball into the top-left corner, beating the keeper with so much power, despite the fact that du Nigrad has guessed correctly. And Shireroth's greatest defeat was confirmed minutes from the end, when another sub, nabbed his 12th international goal with a strike from the edge of the area that du Nigrad made a mess of. The resulting scoreline sends a statement of intent from Craitland, where as Shireroth will now need to somehow pick themselves up ahead of their remaining two games.

Sovereign Confederation vs. Unified Governorates

Spoiler!

Sovereign Confederation 1-2 Unified Governorates
31' Artur Segler-1
44' James Kalian Lutheris
75' Aurangzeb Majeed

The Sovereign Confederation met fellow Benacian Union member the Unified Governorates in their debut tournament fixture in Boomwatch in search of a shock result. But despite a lively start in which Jemry Wheathouse looked lively, the Sovereign Confederation couldn't find a way through. The UGB looked assured, displaying their world renowned aggressive and tough tackling style, as they showed little mercy towards their fellow countrymen. And indeed it was the UGB who would make the opening breakthrough, with Lur Greenstock and Klaus Tanner combining well in the box, before the final ball was stabbed home by Artur Segler-1. But despite falling behind, the Sovereign Confederation didn't give in, and equalised just before half time, with Jemry Wheathouse's initial effort spilled by the keeper into the path of James Kalian Lutheris, who smashed the ball home to give the Sovereign Confederation their first ever goal at a major tournament. The second half however saw the UGB come out strong, searching for a winner. And despite some good defending, they could not stop the UGB from finding a way through, which eventually came with 15 minutes to spare from substitute Aurangzeb Majeed, who headed home from a corner.

[Craitman]

*Played 3rd August*

Group A
Mishalacia vs. Tellia

Spoiler!

Mishalacia 1-1 Tellia
13' - G. Vrhunc
64' - M. Zajc

After Group A's opening matches were both close affairs, Tellia faced Mishalacia knowing a win would more or less put them through, while the Mishalacians hoped to avoid a second consecutive defeat that could have eliminated them for good. An early goal gave Mishalacia a great start, with Tellian-based Goran Vrhunc being found in acres to head home from a Jan Zeljković cross. The Tellians were otherwise the dominant side in the fixture, but found few attempts to really challenge the 'keeper's goal. In the second half, one decisive move was forged, culminating in Marko Zajc scoring against his kin as the winger scythed inside, taking it past two tackles, before slotting inside the near post to leave Fornezi stumbling the opposite way. The tie would ultimately not be broken, putting Tellia top of the group by a narrow margin and keeping Mishalacia alive until the last round of games.

Sanama vs. Cisamarra

Spoiler!

Sanama 3-1 Cisamarra
22' - M. Sonetti
36' - M. Sonetti
52' - C. Lombardo (o.g.)
78' - G. Totti

The hosts and holders Sanama approached this game needing to avenge their opening day defeat, and faced familiar foes in the shape of Cisamarra, fresh off the back of a victory, with a number of former Sanaman international players in their ranks. It was to be the official Sanaman side that began the fixture on the front foot, and a Mariolino Sonetti first-half brace set the wheels in motion following his strike against Tellia a few days ago. The forward's first played to his silky strengths with an audacious first touch to bring a long ball forward into his possession being followed by a quick shot that caught Gjuseppe off guard in goal as the effort looped over him as he backpedalled and dipped into the far side of the net. Sonetti's double was a more bullish effort, falling from a free-kick from Jean-Pierre Picardie that hit the bar and bounced into the mêlée in the area, where Sonetti bravely surged to nod a low header into the goal from close range. Into the second half, Sanama's victory was sealed when they scored an arguably-undeserved third through an unfortunate own goal; Ciro Lombardo directing the ball into his own net while in the process of trying to clear the ball away after it had been tipped across the line by Gjuseppe with an otherwise smart instinct save from Picardie's shot. The game wasn't all one way, though, as a Cisamarran consolation was found by Gjanluca Totti as time ran away from the side finding a comeback, with the young striker being on hand to clip the ball past Hammonds with a first-time shot after an accurate break through to meet an Andrettoni pass through the defence. Sanama's blushes were saved as they now sit in a semi-final spot, albeit needing at least a point against Mishalacia next to guarantee it, as Cisamarra will need to overcome highly-ranked Tellia in Boomwatch to join them.

Group B
Unified Governorates vs. Shireroth

Spoiler!

Unified Governorates 2-1 Shireroth
40' - J. Roberts
82' - P. Halbedan
87' - M. Segler-1

After a sobering record defeat to Craitland, Shireroth were aiming to get back on track against the UGB, who have become one of the WMFA's dark horses in recent years and started this tournament with a narrow win last Saturday. In a game very much playing to the stereotype of being of two halves, Shireroth were the better side before the interval, while the UGB turned things around afterwards. While a notably more creative side in the opening 45, the Shirerithians could only convert one of the number of shots they had; Joey Roberts' first tournament goal came via his forehead as he sneaked between two defenders to meet a dipped delivery from the left and glance it into the net. However, having failed to build a stronger lead, they were punished after the break as the UGB overloaded their attacks and gave them no time on the ball. Shireroth had Alejian du Nigrad to thank for keeping the UGB at bay for as long as he did, with good positioning helping him to parry efforts from Artur Segler-1 and Johannes Talbot, but the damn eventually broke in the final ten minutes. Firstly, Paul Haldedan was on hand to tap home after an attack that saw their front line pass their way around the defence, leaving the 27-year-old to direct it in unmarked, before substitute Mattias Segler-1 hit the winner minutes later. Another passing move befuddled the Shirerithian defence and left the replacement striker available to poke home ahead of du Nigrad attempting to claim a ball across his area. Another collapse for Shireroth, albeit different from their previous match's, which left them unable to advance, detonated by a UGB side that guaranteed their place in the final four with their second win in a row.

Craitland vs. Sovereign Confederation

Spoiler!

Craitland 4-0 Sovereign Confederation
19' - J. Tórsen
26' - Ĵ. Ólsen
39' - W. Zóma
45' - Alexis P.

After an opening round thrashing of Shireroth that belied their warm-up friendly struggles, a buoyed Craitland took on Group B's lowest ranked team the Sovereign Confederation after a defeat of their own in their opener. The Craits' clinical form continued into this encounter, with a goal from Jan Tórsen opening the account after his scoring display against Shireroth; a strong header from the forward as he beat his marker went beyond Norman's dive and in. A quick second continued the trend less than ten minutes after, through a Ĵulian Ólsen shot from outside the box after Zóma had played the ball back for a powerful drive along the turf that Norman was again unable to stretch all the way for. The first-half whitewash was confirmed soon after with Will Zóma's fourth of the tournament being delivered on a plate as a ball from Juan found him with enough time and space to take a touch before poking into the far corner with his weaker foot. As injury time came, Craitland's ruthlessness was proven with yet another goal as a third player found the next in successive matches; Alexis Pellegrino overlapped Zóma to take the ball away and sliced a shot from a tight angle up into the roof of the net as Norman could only stick a hand hopefully skyward. After a huge first half display, Craitland did not add to their tally in the second 45, although not without trying, as Archibald Norman made some amends for conceding so many with a handful of solid saves to keep the score down. Despite being comfortably beaten, the Sovereign Confederation had hope in Jemry Wheathouse's performance as the striker had his nation's best opportunity, but saw his snapshot tipped over by Francis Hjansen. A big win for Craitland that gave them six points and a place in the semi-finals, with a match against the UGB up next to find who will win the group and who shall finish second, while the Sovereign Confederation have a dead rubber against Shireroth to look forward to, but with some pride to play for to take home on their early departure.

[Craitman]

*Played 7th August*

Group A
Mishalacia vs. Sanama

Spoiler!

Mishalacia 1-1 Sanama
25' - J.P. Picardie
47' - M. Ćorluka (pen.)

Needing just a point to seal their progress, Sanama took on a Mishalacia side desperate for a win to help their case of advancing, though even three points couldn't guarantee it on their own. The holders, with home advantage, took the first 45 by the scruff of the neck, and went into the interval one goal up, but could have easily have had a three-goal lead if star man Sonetti hadn't hit the woodwork twice from distance. The Sanaman score was instead snatched by Jean-Pierre Picardie, with the young number ten creating a mature spell of play in which he held the ball up before lunging forward into space and hitting a shot with the outside of his right boot from just inside the area into the top-left corner. The Sanaman lead was immediately extinguished after the restart as a desperate tackle from Moreira gave away a spot kick which Martin Ćorluka tucked low and hard with Hammonds diving the opposite way. The leveller didn't have the desired affect on the match that the Mishalacians wanted, with momentum soon swinging back into Sanama's favour, and the better side calmly worked their way to the final whistle and a key draw. One of the exact results that would take Sanama into the semi-finals and send Mishalacia home, settling to sides' fates, but the remaining two had it all to play for in Boomwatch...

Tellia vs. Cisamarra

Spoiler!

Tellia 2-0 Cisamarra
66' - M. Zajc
90' - D. Moizini

A winner-takes-all encounter in Group A pitted two kindred spirits' national sides against one another in the shapes of Tellia and Cisamarra. A tie would favour the Tellians, as Cisamarra needed all three points for a first-ever semi-final appearance, and a stalemate in the first half very much portrayed the carefully-balanced situation with neither wanting to blink first. After the first 45 ended goalless, Tellia's experience slowly began to tell as the second half drew on. Cisamarra's resolve ended midway through, with Marko Zajc scoring his second of the tournament, sprinting through a gap in the back line with the ball before finishing to the off-balance 'keeper's left. Cisamarra struggled to find their footing again after going behind, and the very end of the match was the final straw as a second Tellian goal was scored by sub Daniele Moizini. The midfielder was on hand to finish with a guided chip into the open net after Gjuseppe had saved an Uggè shot and remained stranded on the turf as the loose ball fell to Moizini. A win that secures Tellia's place in the last four, and allows the reigning champions Sanama the chance to retain their title to boot, as Cisamarra head home after entertaining their fans.

Group B
Unified Governorates vs. Craitland

Spoiler!

Unified Governorates 1-1 Craitland
16' - P. Halbedan
86' - J.M. Juliaĵsen

With both teams already assured of their semi-final berths, all that this game could decide was who finished first and second in Group B; a factor in arranging which Group A side either would face next as well. Having played twice in the past, with 4-2 Craitish wins happening both times, the UGB wanted to make a statement in their performance in Tosha City and top the group, although the Craits had the advantage through a superior goal difference. Paul Halbedan made an early inroad to disrupt the Craitland party, however, and his header after peeling away from his marker was too accurate for Francis Hjansen and became the first goal that Craitland conceded this summer. The UGB found it difficult to hold onto the ball long enough to mount any further attacks, not just in the first half but the entire game, and could only kick themselves as a late change from Craitland was the key part in the equaliser late on. Jan-Morteņ Juliaĵsen redeemed his recent poor form with a clutch finish after controlling the ball in a crowded box and toe-poking in, just past the leg of Wolfgang Segler-1 in net. The match closed on a draw, making Craitland group winners after quite a scare tonight, lining-up a replay of the 2020 final against Sanama, while the UGB will play Tellia in three days' time.

Shireroth vs. Sovereign Confederation

Spoiler!

Shireroth 1-2 Sovereign Confederation
35' - J. Roberts
52' - J. Wheathouse
68' - T. Friendly

A complete dead rubber between Shireroth and former-vulture state the Sovereign Confederation lent itself to a stress-free, open game that saw a result that ultimately made no change on the Group B final standings. A first-half finish from Shirerithian Joey Roberts was the striker's second of the tournament; a deep cross in from the full-back was met with an instinctive jolted leg from the forward and the ball was diverted into the back of the net from beyond the back post. Shireroth have flattered to deceive in these finals and the fans' worry of a comeback were not entirely misplaced as, within minutes of the second 45 beginning, they had been pegged back to level. Jemry Wheathouse's touch and shot were of textbook composure, as he brought the ball under control under pressure before aiming an effort down to Du Nigrad's left which the stopper had no chance of readjusting to get a touch on it. The match rotated its momentum after the leveller, and the Sovereign Confederation found a second goal. Thomas Friendly was part of an overlap, and his control near the bye-line to bring the ball inside and maintain possession into a good shooting position was exemplary and also effective, as he picked an unorthodox spot by the 'keeper's front post into which he could put his deciding goal. Shireroth had the best chance of another goal with Peter Barenski, but a fingertip stop by Norman kept the result in tact, and a Sovereign Confederation third spot betters Shireroth being stuck at the foot of the table in 2022's Group B.