EMU 2020
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EMU 2020
This is the official thread for the 2020 EMU Championships, which will take place in Sanpantul between August 1st and August 15th.
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Nova England
Phinbella
Sanpantul
Talenore
Group B
Lostisland
Mercury
New Sussex
Passas
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Wednesday July 29th to avoid FMF player selection!
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Nova England
Phinbella
Sanpantul
Talenore
Group B
Lostisland
Mercury
New Sussex
Passas
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Wednesday July 29th to avoid FMF player selection!
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Re: EMU 2020
Fixtures
1st August
A: Sanpantul vs. Phinbella
A: Nova England vs. Talenore
B: Mercury vs. Lostisland
B: Passas vs. New Sussex
5th August
A: Phinbella vs. Talenore
A: Sanpantul vs. Nova England
B: Lostisland vs. New Sussex
B: Mercury vs. Passas
9th August
A: Nova England vs. Phinbella
A: Talenore vs. Sanpantul
B: Passas vs. Lostisland
B: New Sussex vs. Mercury
12th August
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
15th August
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
1st August
A: Sanpantul vs. Phinbella
A: Nova England vs. Talenore
B: Mercury vs. Lostisland
B: Passas vs. New Sussex
5th August
A: Phinbella vs. Talenore
A: Sanpantul vs. Nova England
B: Lostisland vs. New Sussex
B: Mercury vs. Passas
9th August
A: Nova England vs. Phinbella
A: Talenore vs. Sanpantul
B: Passas vs. Lostisland
B: New Sussex vs. Mercury
12th August
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
15th August
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
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Re: EMU 2020
*Played 1st August*
Group A
Sanpantul vs. Phinbella
Mercury vs. Lostisland
Group A
Sanpantul vs. Phinbella
Nova England vs. TalenoreFollowing a colourful opening ceremony, the hosts kicked-off the ninth edition of the EMU Championships with a fixture against fellow tournament newcomers Phinbella. In a tough group with two further opponents of considerable pedigree to come, getting a result in this match could be key to their chances of advancing to the knock-out stages. Buoyed by their home crowd's support and potentially looking to avenge the defeat they were handed in the Noka Cup semis last month, Sanpantul started brightly and used that to their advantage by taking the lead. A quick Akibara Keitaro turn down the right led to a chance to move inward before squaring the ball to Wakamatsu Saionji as he cut in between the Phinbellan centre-backs and turned home with ease from close range. While the strike was the half's only goal, Phinbella worked tirelessly to bring themselves back into the match and forged a couple of their own chances before the break that, while not testing the 'keeper, were a sign of optimism.
Phinbella were on top for the earlier stages of the second 45, with Ri Kae-hwan their most dangerous outlet. A fizzled shot past the post was a warning to the Sanpanese defence that they could be punished after a couple of slightly awry passes were just beyond the striker's reach. Sanpantul heeded the warning, however, as the game progressed and ultimately extended their lead's margin with around 15 to go; Akibara again cut through the defence like a knife, and this time pulled the ball back for midfielder Tanigawa Toyokuni to stroke it into the net from the "D" beyond the outstretched Gopal Kumar. Phinbella were unable to find a means to reduce the deficit in the final stages, but did have Kumar to thank for keeping the score down to just 2-0 with an acrobatic tip over the bar in time added on from an Asaka header. In the end, a solid win for the host nation that could be so important in a few days' time as they face Nova England; Phinbella take on dark horses Talenore next.
Spoiler!
Group BHaving met in 2018's group stages and both having failed to advance therefrom, these two teams were hoping to return to the kind of form that saw them reach the semi-finals in 2016 and restore some lost regional glory. A much-changed Nova English side, a sign of their usual reliable players' advancing ages, struggled against what is becoming a well-oiled Talenorian outfit that was unfortunate to be eliminated in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup. If it weren't for two very good saves from Nicholas Harfield, it is unlikely that Nova England would have gone into half time level.
The second half didn't take long to see the scoreline changed, however, as Harfield stood no chance with the goal that put Talenore into the lead. Michele Fambucci's burst down the right led to a cross into Kali Kalani which the stocky forward headed upward and onto the bar, but while the 'keeper's dive left him stranded, the rebound was tucked away by a first-time touch from Tanilo Wilamu as he charged in to get to the scraps. Talenore were the stronger of the teams for the remaining half an hour or so, but were uncharacteristically shy in front of goal and were unable to find the net once again. What wasn't uncharacteristic, however, was their defence which kept six clean sheets out of six in qualifying and added another at the final whistle here. While statistically the toughest game in the group is won, Talenore will not take their remaining two matches lightly as Phinbella come next, while Nova England will have to get a result against the hosts to stand any chance of progressing.
Spoiler!
Mercury vs. Lostisland
Passas vs. New SussexReigning champions and two-time EMU winners Mercury began their defence against a Lostisland team taking its first tournament bow after a narrowly - and arguably unexpectedly - successful qualifying campaign. In a match where one team could undoubtedly claim its biggest ever scalp, it fell to the favourites to really set a benchmark for the tournament and send a message with a dominant display. Despite pressure from the off, the Lostislandic defence lasted over twenty minutes before what seemed inevitable eventually happened; a through ball to Addey Hanbury was dispatched by the forward with an easy poke past the 'keeper. A second came less than ten minutes before the break, this time from a corner that wasn't cleared properly, leading to midfielder William Fresnel letting rip from outside the box and picking out the unguarded corner of the net with a strong shot.
The second half started disastrously for Lostisland who may have been hoping to keep the score down as, within three minutes of the restart, they gave away a penalty. A Fizeau-Blake cross attempt was blocked inadvertently by the arm of Rosilov and captain Joe Foxon was never going to miss from twelve yards as he smashed the spot kick home before the 'keeper could react. Damage limitations as an approach failed to succeed for Lostisland as Foxon again scored before the hour; a trademark lofty header from the striker bounced the ball inside the far post from a Rydberg delivery as he towered over the Lostislandic defenders prior to his substitution for Jack Partridge. A second Mercurian secured a brace with the final goal of the game as Hanbury was on hand to put Partridge's most notable involvement over the line; the pacy forward was put through and diverted the ball beyond Vinchenko but with little direction, so needed Hanbury's intervention a matter of yards from the line to convert it before a defender could clear. A tap-in, but they all count, and for Lostisland that one counted even more as a 5-0 defeat is now in the record books as their largest ever loss. Mercury have another former champion in the shape of Passas to deal with next, in the group's "big" match, while Lostisland may be able to save some face as they take on New Sussex, the team they finished above by a point in the qualifiers.
Spoiler!
The opening round's final match was a battle of the two teams that were victorious in the qualifying play-offs, having failed to top their respective groups. While New Sussex were complete newcomers to tournament football, Passas most certainly aren't, having lifted this very trophy on three occasions during their storied past. Although no longer the heavyweights of Micrasian football they were roughly a decade ago, Passas signalled their intent of aiming for a fourth title early on with a quickfire start; after a handful of shots peppered Wilford Winn's goal in the opening ten minutes, a resulting corner was turned in at the far post by unmarked scoring supremo Łukasz Dąbrowski. Corners were New Sussex's downfall in the opening half, it seemed, as Passas' lead was doubled from another as it looked like they were running away with it. A shorter one this time was met by the head of defender Dannis Pritchard at the near side of the area, and his glanced effort found its way through the air and inside the far post. New Sussex were struggling with the Passasians for the majority of the half but did grab a glimmer of hope right before the half-time whistle blew as Ambrose Wilson's turn of pace helped him beat the offside trap and get played through one-on-one with Malabour, whom he nutmegged with his finish after the stopper had delayed his attempt to close down.
As the second half, which started very quietly, drew-on the likelihood of New Sussex's goal being any form of catalyst seemed to decrease, with Passas dealing well with the few threats that did come their way. However, Passas themselves were also not finding any means to break their opponents down as easily as they had in the first half and the closest their lead came to being doubled once again was a poor Sa Pazi effort from deep. It wasn't until the final ten minutes that the game truly sprung into life again; New Sussex's patience eventually paid dividends as they pulled the score back level. Reynold Harpeden, who until this point had been more of a creator for Wilson than a goal threat, was in the right place at the right time to convert after a long free-kick forward was allowed to bounce in the area; missed by the defence, Harpeden swivelled to drag the ball towards goal and inside the post through a forest of legs to set-up a grandstand finish. An unlikely comeback was now on the cards and somehow became reality minutes later with Harpeden the hero again; with the Passasians spent, Ambrose Wilson broke free with the ball before unselfishly finding his strike partner for a simple finish into the unguarded net as Malabour closed in desperately. An arguably unexpected defeat for Passas was confirmed, from which they must now try and pick themselves up with a daunting test against a dangerous Mercury, as New Sussex will fancy their chances against a dispirited Lostisland in four days' time having drawn against them twice in qualifying.
Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2020
*Played 5th August*
Group A
Phinbella vs. Talenore
Group B
Lostisland vs. New Sussex
Group A
Phinbella vs. Talenore
Sanpantul vs. Nova EnglandPhinbella came into this match after a loss to the hosts in the tournament's opening game while Talenore sneaked past Nova England in their first fixture. The Talenorians were the better team for the entirety of this encounter as their superior experience showed above the youthful Phinbellan side. Michele Fambucci found the net with an impressive goal to open the scoring in the first half, after a cut-in from the right wing and a touch back around the challenge from Murad, the winger slashed home from the edge of the box. Kali Kalani was guilty of missing a clear chance before the break, but it wasn't too detrimental to the outcome of the game as a late second was scored at the end of a second half in which Phinbella failed to hit the target with any shots. Sub forward Samuel Montferrat overpowered his marker at a Fambucci delivery from the left and was able to direct a header past Kumar and into the bottom corner. The victory was secured as was Talenore's progression to the semi-finals, while Phinbella's back-to-back defeats meant that the other game's result decided their ability to advance ahead of the final round.
Spoiler!
Nova England desperately needed a result here to keep their chances alive, while Sanpantul's impressive opening victory was at worst a safety net and at best a springboard to continuing their good form. The Nova English were stronger in the first half and were cursing the saves of Kugo Chuichi from denying some good efforts from Paul Gimbel and Theo Sinclair, but ultimately did break the deadlock right before the interval. Gimbel found strike partner Graham Savoy with a lay-off that dissected the Sanpanese defence and he in turn found the net with a stubbed finish past Kugo one-on-one. The hosts were kicked into life after going behind, coming into their own in the second half and showing the confidence of their first match. Two goals in quick succession midway through the 45 turned the game on its head; Wakamatsu's reaction finish from a drag back was fired into the ceiling of the net for his second of the tournament ahead of an Ishido Higashikuni swerving a finish of his own into the net after being put through on the overlap. The midfielder opened his body to find the touch to direct the ball up and around Harfield and in under the bar. While Nova England weren't out of it completely, their most creative output was Coult, whose efforts were off-target on both occasions. The Sanpanese win at the final whistle guaranteed the hosts' place in the knock-out rounds, whilst putting out Nova England and Phinbella in the process.
Spoiler!
Group B
Lostisland vs. New Sussex
Mercury vs. PassasNew Sussex's surprise opening win contrasted with Lostisland's heavy defeat to the holders but track record between these two in qualifying meant that this meeting had the potential to be a close affair. While a close affair did indeed follow, it was also quite a tedious one. Neither side was particularly creative or consistent and a sole moment of ingenuity was all that affected the outcome of the match. A free-kick awarded toward the end of the first half saw Kostya Lukyanenko strike the ball powerfully past the wall, where Oleg Takanov managed to direct the ball back across the face of goal with an instinctive touch and find the net via the far post as Wilford Winn went the wrong way. New Sussex never looked likely to equalise, as Lostisland also never threatened doubling their lead, and the narrow victory was the end result. Both teams are now very much in contention to advance to the semi-finals.
Spoiler!
After a large opening win for Mercury and a Passasian defeat despite leading their match, the pair's fortunes ahead of this game were quite the contrast. Mercury's dominance continued into this match-up and an early Joe Foxon header from a corner opened the scoring and set them on their way to a comfortable performance. Despite not adding to their score until much later after the interval, Mercury were resolute and did not let Passas have a look-in at a leveller. The ever-reliable Wilmont Fizeau-Blake made it two in the final twenty minutes with a calm finish at the end of a rapid attack that tore Passas' defence apart. However, the age-old adage of being most likely to concede straight after scoring led to Mercury fouling their clean sheet; Passas countered through Dąbrowski's gallop forward and his lay-off to Danijel Đorđević saw the attacking midfielder slot home at the near post. Mercury were still in charge despite what could have been a kick-starter for a Passasian revival, and cemented their victory at the death through substitute Jack Partridge, whose late injection of pace punished the defence as he sprinted forward and stabbed past Malabour with ease. While mathematically not assured of their place in the next round, Mercury's considerable goal difference makes it unlikely they will finish outside of the group's top two, while Passas need a win and for the other match in four days' time to go their way if they want to keep the dream alive of winning a fourth EMU title.
Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2020
*Played 9th August*
Group A
Nova England vs. Phinbella
Group B
Passas vs. Lostisland
Group A
Nova England vs. Phinbella
Talenore vs. SanpantulGroup A's dead rubber was a fight for pride between Nova England and Phinbella; though neither side was able to advance, the possibility of ending the tournament with a win was a spur for both. Phinbella showed signs of competency that they'd lacked in the previous two matches and created a quality opener; Keita Amanoe rounded the defence down the right before crossing in for Ri Kae-hwan to fire in a low half-volley into the bottom corner for the team's first score of the finals. Nova England, on the other hand, were poor and deserved to be in deficit at the break, though their fortunes worsened midway through the second half after they failed to improve. Izraiwan Marɂdzukiɂ's moment of magic saw him receive the ball just outside the area before turning his marker Richards and hitting a blind shot across goal with his left, which evaded the 'keeper's clutches and glided into the far side of the net. A rapid attack down the other end suddenly gave the Nova English a spark of hope that a turnaround was on; Theo Sinclair and Paul Gimbel passed between them as they raced through ahead of the latter squeezing the ball home past Kumar, but the Phinbellans' short-lived two-goal lead had handily set them up for a solid hold. In fact, a Phinbellan third was correctly ruled-out for offside at the death, but had it not been, the score would not have flattered anyway. Although both sides' future was already sealed, a youthful Phinbellan side will leave Sanpantul with some achievement from this win, while Nova England and their rebuilding squad will be ruing missed opportunities for what may be some of their stars' last EMU appearances.
Spoiler!
With both teams confirmed of their semi-final spot, this match was the decider for top spot in the group and the likelihood of avoiding holders Mercury in the next round. While the hosts were in first by virtue of goals scored ahead of kick-off, it was Talenore that produced a dominant display to put their name into the hat as legitimate contenders for the title. Affording the Sanpanese little opportunity to create any meaningful chances, Talenore only got their first goal just before the break despite having a number of shots on target in the run-up. Peder Xvarts' pass dissected the defence and allowed Vernon Cristaldo through to rifle past Kugo with a first-time finish on the angle to set the team on their way. After the break, Talenore's attacks became more frequent as Sanpantul opened up slightly to try and claw their way back into the game, and the persistence paid-off within the half's first quarter-hour. Michele Fambucci's attempted delivery was deflected away by the arm of Shiraishi just inside the box and Kali Kalani's spot kick was placed beyond the 'keeper coolly. While the two-goal advantage drowned any chance of the hosts getting the win, their defeat was compounded in the final stages yet again from twelve yards. With Cristaldo breaking free, Yahiro Kazuo cynically brought him down in the area before he could shoot for his second of the afternoon, and instead Kalani dispatched his second with emphasis as he sent Kugo the wrong way. Ultimately a comfortable win for Talenore that takes them through with three wins from three, but which leaves the hosts with a potentially harder semi-final and the psychological hill of a heavy defeat to overcome in three days' time.
Spoiler!
Group B
Passas vs. Lostisland
New Sussex vs. MercuryAfter two opening losses and sitting bottom of the group, it was Passas' last chance to salvage anything from this tournament, but the closeness of the other teams still meant that it was possible for the former champions to advance still. In their way were Lostisland, whose goal difference was worse off but their points tally meant that even a draw here could see them through. Lostisland went ahead very early on, as Kostya Lukyanenko was on hand to finish off from Dmitry Takilov's assist after the striker had held up play well to invite the midfielder into the attack. The lead didn't last long, however, as Passas drew one back after twenty minutes; the reliable Alex Danelon finding the net with his head via Łukasz Dąbrowski's delivery from the left. With the score all-square, the remainder of the match played out very gingerly, with both sides wary of conceding and the detriment that doing so would have to their chances. But it was ultimately Passas that benefited from the level scoreline as the final few minutes saw a flurry of offence with the intention of scoring a late winner; substitutes combined three minutes from time as striker Edric Saunders laid the ball back to veteran midfielder John Nirimorf, and the 35-year-old's accurate hit from outside the area had the legs to skim off the ground and beyond Vinchenko who saw it late through the bodies in the box. A late winner to improve Passas' shot at advancing, albeit only if New Sussex failed to take anything from the group's other final-round match, while heartbreak for Lostisland at their début finals will outweigh any other feelings for now despite a fair account of themselves in their previous outing.
Spoiler!
Despite two comfortable victories in their prior games, Mercury still weren't mathematically assured of their place in the knock-out rounds, although even a defeat to New Sussex didn't look likely to scupper their chances thanks to their large goal difference. The probability of a New Sussex win soon became very slim after another impressive start by the Mercurians; the holders registering a considerable number of shots in comparison to their opponents. Addey Hanbury's third goal of the finals turned the early supremacy into a positive scoreline, with the forward finishing gracefully around the 'keeper with a first-time touch from Joe Foxon's pass. While maybe not floodgates, the first goal opened up the game for further finishes before half time; Stephen Charlton roamed forward at a corner and sent home a header from the centre of the box which Winn could have maybe dealt with better as it beat him very close to his body, while a third was scored before the interval to truly put the encounter to bed. Hanbury once more was on hand to direct the ball over the line with an instinctive touch, this time following a cut-in from the byline from Wilmont Fizeau-Blake which led to the talisman pick his domestic teammate out with a slot back. In a series of embarrassing events, Mercury even managed to add a fourth right before the break too; despite New Sussex taking the kick-off, William Fresnel's immediate pressuring of Carson Pratt won him the ball and the midfielder took it forward into space. Although Winn in goal started to close, Quincy Paul managed to get a boot in to make the tackle, only to see the ball ricochet off of Fresnel's knee, up and over Winn and into the gaping net. The four first-half goals really gave New Sussex no hope of ever finding a way back after the break, and, while they did not concede again, their lack of even finding a consolation goal resounded the misery of the scoreline. Mercury settled for the remainder of the match too, blooding some lesser-used substitutes and testing their possession keeping to see-out another heavy victory. Although New Sussex's first tournament ends with an early trip home, Mercury are well in contention for a third trophy and face the hosts in the semi-finals next.
Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2020
*Played 12th August*
Semi-finals
Talenore vs. Passas
Semi-finals
Talenore vs. Passas
Mercury vs. SanpantulUndefeated Talenore faced-off against Passas following the latter's fortune of scraping into the semi-finals, in an encounter that was a rematch of last summer's World Cup play-off round where the former were victorious. Despite their varying tournament form coming into this match, recent trends dictated no clear favourite with both teams effectively neck-and-neck in the pre-finals rankings and with only one goal separating them last summer. While the preface to the match indicated it could be a tense, tetchy affair, its opening exchanges soon put a stop to those expectations. The Talenorians sprung out of the starting blocks and caught the Passasians complacent with a high-pressing approach that showed real intent and ultimately led to the first goal being scored. Young Michele Fambucci harried Alfred Hicks into misplacing a pass back to his goalkeeper that instead trundled over the line and out for a corner, from which the winger delivered a peach to the front post where a training ground routine had led to Kali Kalani slipping his marker and being available to stoop forward and direct the ball into the top-right of the net with his head from close range. Talenore weren't done with their approach, however, and made Passas' life very difficult following the goal, restricting them to no shots taken in the first half-hour. Although what did happen before that half-hour was another moment of Talenorian magic to double their lead. Stemming from a rare move forward from Passas, Joonas Qerunor won the ball back with a meaty challenge on Sa Pazi and a breakaway attack ensued with Wilamu charging forward before squaring to Peder Xvarts who hit a first-time left-footed effort beyond Malabour's dive from the right side of the area. The two-goal lead acted as somewhat of a threshold for Talenore, whose breakneck offence relaxed after the second went in, and the approach for the remainder of the half was to make Passas do the work just to regain possession. The half ended directly after Passas' first registered shot; Łukasz Dąbrowski's frustrated effort from distance troubling the top tier more than the goal.
After the break, Passas had an air of focus about them more than the first 45, and began playing some nice football that belied their predicament through its lack of urgency. Although met by a now-compacted Talenore defence, Passas did earn themselves a number of opportunities after breaking down the barricades, but had Taki Tolâso keeping them at bay at the last with fine form. Talenore still forged chances of their own, but with less intensity than before, and their closest came through opening scorer Kali Kalani who scuffed a shot just wide of the upright when he should have done better. Passas' frustration grew as the game drew closer to its conclusion as they picked up a few bookings and were incensed late on when they thought they had been denied a penalty when an accidental Farrokhzad handball was called outside of the area correctly. Following another Tolâso save from that very free-kick awarding, no further Passasian shots were created and Talenore saw-out a fourth successive clean-sheet victory - a fact that has gone under the radar slightly but is highly impressive at any tournament finals - to seal their place in a first ever final. Passas still have third place to play for, as they did in 2018, but Talenore are now guaranteed their best ever finish and an improvement on 2016's fourth.
Spoiler!
The tournament's two automatic qualifiers came face-to-face with the holders Mercury dominating Group B while hosts Sanpantul earned second in Group A with two wins from three. Having won their three games so far by a comfortable margin, Mercury were overwhelming favourites against a Sanpanese side that, while playing well with home advantage, conceded three in their last match. The Mercurians started the better side quite clearly, creating a handful of good chances throughout the first quarter of the match, but lacked a cutting edge that could have legitimately opened-up a lead akin to their previous match; Joe Foxon was guilty of uncharacteristic poor heading, while Stephen Rydberg tested Kugo from range but could have made the stopper work harder for the tame save. Sanpantul worked their way back into the match after the game had begun to settle into a more even tempo, and registered a strong effort on goal with five minutes before the break but Wakamatsu Saionji curved it wide of the post as he aimed for his third of the tournament. Perhaps surprisingly, based on this pair's tournament so far, the first 45 ended both goalless and level.
The hosts were arguably the more dominant side after the break, with some good work being produced across the midfield as they used possession to erode the Mercurian defence before trying to exploit any fissures. Wakamatsu was caught offside on a promising through ball, but some mislaid passes were the hosts' frustrating trademark during these exchanges. As an hour's game time was fast approaching, the deadlock was broken and Mercury were the team to go ahead. A pacy attack focused on the right wing as Rydberg set Wilmont Fizeau-Blake free before he laid the ball inside to Samson Yatesby, whose close control saw him jink past Shiraishi and Aihara, then slide the ball under Kugo's legs and in. A goal to potentially open the floodgates that we've witnessed this tournament from Mercury? Not according to the hosts, who immediately made an impact of their own thanks to Asaka Yoshimatsu. From the restart, Akibara Keitaro charged forward and gave the ball to Ishido Higashikuni who found an excellent pass over the top of the defensive line to meet Asaka's onside run, and the forward's extended right boot got enough on it to direct it past Foster and inside the far post. However, despite levelling the scores in an impressive way, Sanpantul struggled to build on any kind of momentum as the Mercurians took to the final quarter as well as they had the opening one. James Phillips replaced Fizeau-Blake while Jack Partridge was a surprised replacement for captain Foxon, but the injection of speed from the duo added something to the Mercury attack as the game aged. Phillips would be the one to have the biggest impact with around 15 to go, as a cheap free-kick gave him the opportunity to strike; in the absence of the team's usual set piece specialists, Phillips lined-up to hit the ball over the near end of the Sanpanese wall and into the unguarded side of the 'keeper's net from a few yards outside the box with a finish suited to the occasion. Sanpantul weren't dead yet and created a good opportunity for Asaka, but the forward's header to try and score his second of the evening was looped just over the bar. An eventful second half was ended after Mercury had controlled play for the final stages, and another EMU final beckons for the team; interestingly, this marks the first time Mercury have made the EMUFA's showcase match in consecutive editions. The holders have every chance to keep holding onto the trophy now, while the hosts will fight for the bronze medal on Saturday in what could be a decent reward for a strong summer showing in front of their own fans.
Spoiler!
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Re: EMU 2020
*Played 15th August*
Third-place play-off
Passas vs. Sanpantul
Talenore vs. Mercury
Third-place play-off
Passas vs. Sanpantul
FINALThe "almost final" pitted former champions Passas against hosts Sanpantul, with the latter taking the spoils at the death after what was, perhaps surprisingly for a third-place play-off, a rather drab affair. Asaka Yoshimatsu's far-post finish from a wayward cross gave way to Araya Genpaku breaking through the Passasian defence five minutes later to put the result beyond doubt. An impressive victory to seal bronze for Sanpantul on home soil, but the abject Passas side on the field today may not be a true indicator of their overall tournament performance with the pain of missing-out on the final likely still fresh in their hearts.
Spoiler!
Talenore vs. Mercury
First-time finalists Talenore met with Mercury, one of Micras' most successful sides, as underdogs in the EMU 2020 showpiece, but with just ninety minutes potentially between them and a historic first piece of silverware. The Mercurians' successes, on the other hand, rarely seem to go to the players' heads, and consistent showing at every international competition each year makes them formidable in big games. Talenore lined-up showing no fear in their eyes having truly earned their spot in this match and their intent was made clear almost directly from the kick-off, from which a ball through to Michele Fambucci ended with the winger slicing his shot across goal just past the far post. However, the Mercurians were also aiming to make their mark on the match early and and instant reply attack caught Talenore's back line off guard; Fizeau-Blake's tremendous cross-field ball found the forehead of the repositioning Joe Foxon and his nod inside dropped to Addey Hanbury who had time to control the ball before taking his shot, which grazed the fingertips of Tolâso as it skidded low along the turf and in for his fifth goal of the finals. Despite going one down, Talenore showed more guile and creativity after the opening goal with Fambucci and Wilamu on the flanks a persistent thorn in Mercury's defence's side. Fambucci's eye for goal let him down on occasion with speculative shots that may have been more dangerous as deliveries into the man in space, while Wilamu set Kali Kalani up for a good opportunity that was hit straight into the grasp of Jonathan Foster. Prior to the break, Mercury struggled to find the kind of spark that created the opener again and did not look at all likely of doubling their lead.
Talenore found the back of the net shortly after the second half began, racing an attack forward as in the first half after gaining possession, with Fambucci being allowed space to cut inside and direct a through ball to Kalani to finish with a powerful first-time hit, only for the celebrations to be cut short due to Kalani's marginal offside starting position for the would-be assist. The risk of losing their lead now feeling very real, Mercury stepped their game up and threatened Tolâso's goal twice in quick succession, but found the stopper in the kind of form that had seen Talenore not concede this competition ahead of the final, with a full-stretch tip around the post following a point-blank block with his shins. Mercury had their own goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score as it was soon after, with Foster punching a dangerous corner away right off the head of Kalani. The end stages of the match were considerably tense as Mercury chose to sit on their lead, and allowed Talenore the chance to bring the pressure, but the important cutting edge was missing as the Mercurian defence organised itself expertly. Upon a long clearance setting Fizeau-Blake free downfield for a counter, the final whistle blew and a narrow margin gave Mercury a retained EMUFA title, becoming only the second nation to lift back-to-back trophies. The Talenorians' last-hurdle fall was a kick in the teeth for a team that has performed brilliantly this tournament, especially defensively, but in hindsight these silver medallists will deserve all the plaudits they get after the immediate disappointment of losing to one of the FMF's best ever sides.
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