2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
You've joined us just at the right time, Requiao! The opening match of the tournament will be broadcast tomorrow, which should give you a good idea of how we do things around here
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
OPENING CEREMONY (SUMMARY)
The opening ceremony started two hours before the opening match of the tournament.
A big spherical spaceship-looking object was situated in the middle of the pitch and birgesh television presenters Cumhur Köprülü and Gizem Qelhatojka entered the stadium supported by the ovation of the spectators. However,they looked confused after noticing the "spaceship". Cumhur told the crowd that actually he and Gizem where supposed to go in the middle of the pitch. So they approached the "spaceship" cautiously while keep telling that they had no idea where the big object came from,even though it looked familiar.
When they reached the airstair,the spherical object suddently opened up to reveal a platform where the official (costumed)mascot,Tutandroidmon flanked by a 65 years old scientist (Prof. Gæripeyin,meaning "screwball") were on.
Pleasantly surprised,Cumhur and Gizem greeted the android child who waved a friendly hello to everyone in the stadium while holding a football.
Cumhur climbed up onto the platform followed by Gizem,and he shook hands with Prof. Gæripeyin asking if he was the inventor of Tutandroidmon and the spaceship. The man responded affirmatively while laughing for no apparent reason and,as his name suggests,he looked quite a nutty person. Cumhur noticed it and comedy sketches followed since it was an arduous task to ask him questions and have proper answers without all those random laughs: was the Professor just overly enthusiastic for his creations?
Gizem tried to save the ceremony by starting to ask questions to Tutandroidmon instead. Unfortunately,the android child can't speak and Cumhur blamed Prof. Gæripeyin for this. Tutandroidmon,however,gave answers with gestures and while Cumhur didn't guess a thing,Gizem found it easy to express what Tutandroidmon had to say.
Tutandroidmon welcomed everyone to Birgeshir saying that he's excited for the tournament. He also reiterated that he loves football very much and wants to play for the "android Birgeshir national team" when he'll grow up because he trusts that androids will play football in the future.
When Gizem asked Tutandroidmon which footballer is a role model for him,he said that he hopes to become "the droid version of Will Zóma".
Cumhur,then,challenged Tutandroidmon to a 1 vs 1 match because he didn't believe that the android child will be a player,let alone a good player like Will Zóma. Two mini goal posts where brought up onto the platform and the challenge began.
Needless to say that Tutandroidmon defeated Cumhur 5-1. Gizem told Cumhur to forget about his challenge and stop the match,saying that Tutandroidmon looks a promising player.
Cumhur and Gizem finally told Tutandroidmon and Prof. Gæripeyin that there was supposed to be a concert for the opening ceremony of the FMF World Cup and asked them for permission to use the platform of the "spaceship" for that purpose. Prof. Gæripeyin and Tutandroidmon agreed and the two presenters introduced to the crowd the first song performed,leaving the stage along with Tutandroidmon and Prof. Gæripeyin.
After this,dancers dressed in the colours of the 20 partecipating national teams and holding their flags entered the pitch accompained by the unveiled World Cup anthem*.
Following the anthem,other songs were performed by birgesh and international singers,with the dancers and spectators enjoying the concert and turning the pitch into an explosion of colours with their choreography.
The opening ceremony started two hours before the opening match of the tournament.
A big spherical spaceship-looking object was situated in the middle of the pitch and birgesh television presenters Cumhur Köprülü and Gizem Qelhatojka entered the stadium supported by the ovation of the spectators. However,they looked confused after noticing the "spaceship". Cumhur told the crowd that actually he and Gizem where supposed to go in the middle of the pitch. So they approached the "spaceship" cautiously while keep telling that they had no idea where the big object came from,even though it looked familiar.
When they reached the airstair,the spherical object suddently opened up to reveal a platform where the official (costumed)mascot,Tutandroidmon flanked by a 65 years old scientist (Prof. Gæripeyin,meaning "screwball") were on.
Pleasantly surprised,Cumhur and Gizem greeted the android child who waved a friendly hello to everyone in the stadium while holding a football.
Cumhur climbed up onto the platform followed by Gizem,and he shook hands with Prof. Gæripeyin asking if he was the inventor of Tutandroidmon and the spaceship. The man responded affirmatively while laughing for no apparent reason and,as his name suggests,he looked quite a nutty person. Cumhur noticed it and comedy sketches followed since it was an arduous task to ask him questions and have proper answers without all those random laughs: was the Professor just overly enthusiastic for his creations?
Gizem tried to save the ceremony by starting to ask questions to Tutandroidmon instead. Unfortunately,the android child can't speak and Cumhur blamed Prof. Gæripeyin for this. Tutandroidmon,however,gave answers with gestures and while Cumhur didn't guess a thing,Gizem found it easy to express what Tutandroidmon had to say.
Tutandroidmon welcomed everyone to Birgeshir saying that he's excited for the tournament. He also reiterated that he loves football very much and wants to play for the "android Birgeshir national team" when he'll grow up because he trusts that androids will play football in the future.
When Gizem asked Tutandroidmon which footballer is a role model for him,he said that he hopes to become "the droid version of Will Zóma".
Cumhur,then,challenged Tutandroidmon to a 1 vs 1 match because he didn't believe that the android child will be a player,let alone a good player like Will Zóma. Two mini goal posts where brought up onto the platform and the challenge began.
Needless to say that Tutandroidmon defeated Cumhur 5-1. Gizem told Cumhur to forget about his challenge and stop the match,saying that Tutandroidmon looks a promising player.
Cumhur and Gizem finally told Tutandroidmon and Prof. Gæripeyin that there was supposed to be a concert for the opening ceremony of the FMF World Cup and asked them for permission to use the platform of the "spaceship" for that purpose. Prof. Gæripeyin and Tutandroidmon agreed and the two presenters introduced to the crowd the first song performed,leaving the stage along with Tutandroidmon and Prof. Gæripeyin.
After this,dancers dressed in the colours of the 20 partecipating national teams and holding their flags entered the pitch accompained by the unveiled World Cup anthem*.
Following the anthem,other songs were performed by birgesh and international singers,with the dancers and spectators enjoying the concert and turning the pitch into an explosion of colours with their choreography.
Spoiler!
Deniz Yürük, Tsaloj of Birgeshir
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
A fantastic celebration, Deniz! Unorthodox, funny and a great idea. So glad you've given us our first ever proper opening ceremony
And now, this...
And now, this...
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 12th July*
Group A
Birgeshir vs. Talenore
Hoenn vs. Lamantia
Group A
Birgeshir vs. Talenore
Hoenn vs. Lamantia
Group standings can be found here!Senya wrote: Hoenn and Lamantia shaped up against each other in both nation's World Cup debut in Giriş Holü. Greeted by an intense and deafening atmosphere with both team's fans belted out their respective national anthems.
Hoenn were the side to start quicker though, with Higashi Masamichi's glancing header from a Nagano Taro cross requiring a quick reflex save from Sebastian Rheine. The Lamantians struggled to contain Hoenn's attacking threat, with Matsushina Chojiro's low driven shot clipping the post before another header fell Masamichi's way, again requiring a magnificant save from Rheine, sprawling down to his bottom left to glove the ball round the post. Lamantia's resilience, though impressive, was not destined to last for long, and Hoenn took the lead when Kawano Satoshi was hauled down about 25-yards from goal, with the full back arrowing the resulting free-kick into the top corner, managing to get the ball up and over the wall and down again into the top-right of the net, leaving Rheine no chance. With that goal, the Lamantians were sprung into action, and almost equalised from kick off, with Jörg Schwarz's cross just being ahead of the lounging Sven Ebersbacher. Hoenn held off though, as the game began to be played in the midfield, with both sides having seemingly adapted to contain the other and neither side could muster any real chance of note until the break.
At half time, things changed, as Lamantia went in for an equaliser, Reuben Frederiksen finally forced Jerry Rivera into action, with a dipping over-hit free kick from 40-yards almost catching the Lavaridge keeper out, as he spilt the ball for Stephan Bayer to tap into the empty net, but luckily for Hoenn the referee adjudged that Michi Schniester had fouled the keeper in the process. Lamantia were starting to force their way into it, but the game was starting to also get a bit rough, and Ochi Fujio was perhaps lucky not to see red for a late tackle on Matthias Sagner, as Ochi caught the shin of Sagner with his studs, but the referee opted to only show a yellow, despite the protestations of the Lamantians, as Sagner left the field on a stretcher. The resulting free-kick was hurled into the box, where Ebersbacher managed to flick his head on it, forcing Rivera to spill it over the bar for a corner, which finally allowed Alex Krebs to come on in place of the injured Sagner, the resulting corner was whipped in low, took a deflection to the back post, where Krebs, with his first touch of the ball, poked home to level the tie. Hoenn were once again had to find the lead, with their own substitute Hamada Umanosuke attempting a bicycle kick with his first attempt that skimmed the crossbar, before another chance where he played in Sato Naoki, who could only guide his shot narrowly wide of the far post past an onrushing Rheine. With the game starting to wind down, both sides had chances to win it, but a golden oppurtunity was presented to Hoenn when Florian Kluge caught Higashi Masamichi in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot, but Rheine denied Sato Naoki from the spot, with the forward then tamely punting the rebound back into Rheine's arms. Lamantia attempted to counter from it, but Ebersbacher hit the post after a fast flowing attacking move. But with the game in its dying moments, Sato Naoki made up for his penalty miss by firing into the bottom right corner after spinning Kluge, sending the Hoennese fans behind that goal into a frenzy. Lamantia protested that the goal was offside, but replays showed that Naoki was just onside after being played in by Nagano Taro. Lamantia then had to throw everything forwards, but Reuben Frederiksen's late free kick hit the bar, the fans began to accept their defeat, which was confirmed moments later when the referee blew the full time whistle.
An opening day win for Hoenn will be a major confidence boost ahead of their next game against the hosts, whilst Lamantia will already feel as if they will have to beat the Florian Republic to have any chance of progressing, though they do receive a break ahead of that clash.
Spoiler!
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 13th July*
Group B
Passas vs. North Antarctica
Shireroth vs. Kingdom of Coria
Group B
Passas vs. North Antarctica
Shireroth vs. Kingdom of Coria
Group standings can be found here!Senya wrote: Shireroth came into their first World Cup in four years up against a Kingdom of Coria team they gained four points from in last year's Confederations Cup. Whilst there had been large scale riots following their game in Grendbej, there had been no such fights in the stadium by kick off, with a large riot police presence to keep the seperate fans apart, though both fans were in a raucous mood, as the Corian fans welcomed their team with a giant choreography and pyroshow at their end of the ground.
And it was the Corians who started the better team, perhaps the show from their fans giving them courage, as they forayed forwards early on, with Saša Pešić shooting from outside the box in the opening seconds, with his effort going narrowly wide of the upright. Moments later, Niko Jeglič threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Aleksandar Mileusnić who slid the ball under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to send the Corian fans up the other end of the pitch wild. Shireroth were stunned, and could have been two goals down inside ten minutes when Nemanja Ahčev found space inside the box, but his effort was cleared off the line by Fjalar Stefánsson. Eventually, Shireroth found their way into the game, but found breaking down the Corians' stern defence difficult. The game was turning scrappy, and as rain started to fall both teams, tackles started to fly in, but just before the break, Shireroth finally managed to get in behind the Corian defence, with Jóhann Viðarsson beating the offside trap after Rranr Kikksta had launched a ball over the top of the defence, squaring it for Kurt Lamberti to tap into the net.
That was all the first half had time for, but the second half began in the same hair raising tempo, with Nemanja Ahčev and Mileusnić spurring great chances in the first five minutes for the Corians, before Lamberti missed an open goal to give Shireroth the lead moments later. The game was opening up, but just before the hour the game turned, when Sori Thiation attempted an audacious shot from 25-yards-out, which should have been a simple save for Sašo Fornezi, but who spilled the ball right into the path of Talsin Llwrran, who punted the ball home to put his side 2-1 up. This riled the Corians up attempting to find an equaliser, which they soon found when Andraž Kim whipped a free-kick into the box, and Martin Ćorluka came in at the backpost unmarked to stab his side level. As the game creeped towards its end, both sides made changes in search of an equaliser, but instead a flash point happened with 25 minutes to go, when Niko Jeglič swiped out substitute Tor Svensson off the ball, which the fourth official informed the referee of, who had no choice but to show the Partizan Averna player a straight red card. Coria were suddenly on the back foot, but Shireroth missed a great chance to clinch the win moments later, when Kurt Lamberti and then Jalal Akwá both failed to finish off guilt edged chances before Fornezi could eventually keep hold of the ball during a goal mouth scramble. But with Shireroth looking like the team that would win it, the 10-men pulled off the surprise, with Fornezi collecting an over hit cross, throwing the ball out to Saša Pešić, who ran into the Shireroth half, before a long cross field ball expertly found Aleksandar Mileusnić, who chested the ball and then thumped the half volley across the keeper and in off the far post, to grab an unlikely winner in the dying moments of the match, sending the Corian fans into raptures.
The referee blew his whistle minutes later, with the Corians able to celebrate a first ever World Cup victory, though needing to find a replacement for Jeglič in time for their next match, whilst Shireroth will now be up against it in the race to progress from the group.
Spoiler!
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 14th July*
Group C
Craitland vs. Nova England
Natopia vs. Senya
Group C
Craitland vs. Nova England
Senya wrote: Craitland and Nova England began their World Cup campaigns having both struggled in the competition in recent years compared to past successes. The four time champions Craitland haven't been to a semi-final since 2014, whilst Nova England have failed to advance from the group ever since their final appearance ten years ago.
The game started off quite lethargically, as both sides settled into their rhythm, as both teams looked quite cautious. However, eventually the sides were able to protrude forwards more, and Craitland took the scruff of the neck when Alexis Pellegrino's mazy run got him through the defence, only to fire his shot wide from the edge of the box. But the Craites were starting to dominate, and they found themselves infront after Hänä Zensen let fly from range, but whilst Nicholas Harfield was able to punch it clear, it only found Juan Pellegrino on the side of the box, who crossed in for Will Zóma to head, forcing a save from Harfield, but the rebound fell kindly for Ĵulian Ólsen, who smashed the ball into the empty net. The Craits were creating chances but Harfield was pulling off a string of super saves to deny them, including an acrobatic sprawl to deny a bullet head from Zóma and another long range strike, this time from Adám Perryman.
Half time came and went, and whatever was said during it seemed to wake the Nova English up, as Paul Gimbel's effort from the edge of the box minutes in forced Jamie Vallensen into a save. However, the Nova English energy soon faded again, as Craitland regrouped defencively and looked to see the game out. Despite the lack of urgency, Craitland almost doubled their lead when Alexis Pellegrino played in Zóma, but once again Harfield pulled off a good saved to keep the score at 1-0.
And that was how it ended. Craitland will be satisfied with the win however it was far from a convincing performance, whilst Nova England will be dissapointed that they never got going themselves and may rue not taking advantage of a poor Craitish performance. Craitland will play off against the Natopians next, whilst Nova England face off against Jingdao in a match that could decide who finishes third in the group.
Spoiler!
Natopia vs. Senya
Group standings can be found here!
Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
Senyan manager frustrated by opening draw
Senyan coach David Morter was left frustrated by his team's 1-1 draw with Natopia in their first game at the 2019 World Cup. Speaking after the game, Morter said "we were poor, there's no hiding from that" before continuing "we'll face much harder teams this tournament, but if we play like that we'll be turned over handsomely".
Morter, despite his team's performance, was curtious towards his opponents. "I think our team went in thinking they'd already won, but the moment you do that, you lose the game. Natopia showed how good they can be today and all credit to them for that. I felt we were lucky to come away with a point in the end, and they were unlucky not to punish us."
Morter's criticism comes ahead of Senya's rest week, with the side now having a full week of recovery ahead of their next game against Jingdao.
"I think the main concern will be to win that match. And we can't afford for complacency, they beat us last summer and so we know we have to be at the top of our game to beat them. Thankfully we have a bit of time to recover whilst they have a match. We need to put our heads together though for it, it'll be a tough few days".
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
I can feel Morter's frustration while I congratulate Natopia. I didn't expect that result.
Also,I think Craitland could have done better against Nova England. However,we can never be 100% sure that stronger teams will always dominate of course,so I just value the win.
Also,I think Craitland could have done better against Nova England. However,we can never be 100% sure that stronger teams will always dominate of course,so I just value the win.
Deniz Yürük, Tsaloj of Birgeshir
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
I'm happy with any win over Nova England - with a rivalry as storied as our two teams', you never know what to expect!
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*Played 15th July*
Group D
Freeland vs. Zandarijn
Krasnarus vs. Mercury
Group D
Freeland vs. Zandarijn
Senya wrote: Zandarijn and Freeland faced off in the latter's World Cup debut. With Zandarijn back at the tournament having missed out on 2017, both sides were hoping to make a challenge for a knock-out spot, and as the teams entered the field, both sets of supporters were in full voice to will on their respective teams to victory.
The game started slowly, with both teams seeming quite tentative going forward, but eventually Freeland found their flow. With Zandarijn seemingly quite content to soak up pressure, though Robert Demel was rarely called into action in the Zandarijn goal. Freeland couldn't seem to find the spark to break through, with Jonas van Cruyningen and Joris Leeuwenhaarlem performing well together at centre-back, denying Robert Laskowski space up top, as they successfully isolated the Polonia Viten forward. Zandarijn too struggled to create chances, with Dieter Maritzburg and Tom de Zyla seemingly both having off days with several heavy touches, and even when they did find a chance to shoot, Cyryl Wieczorek was equal to their efforts in the Freeland goal.
The dull first half drew to a close, but the second struggled to get going too. Even some fresh legs off the subs bench failed to make a significant impact, though Robert Laskowski did hit the crossbar with an audacious attempt from 30 yards out. However, around halfway through the second half, the deadlock was broken, when Tomasz Kaźmierczak's through ball split the centre backs, allowing Laskowski to run in, round the keeper, and roll the ball into the empty net to score his nation's first ever World Cup goal and give them the advantage in this match. Suddenly, Zandarijn were spurred into an almost response, with Maritzburg firing just wide from a tight angle before a dipping strike from Jón Dannehl forced Wieczorek into an acrobatic save. However, the Zandts struggled to find any headway, and eventually the referee blew his whistle to end this drab contest.
Freeland though will be delighted with the result, as it gives them three valuable points in the race for a knock-out place, whilst Zandarijn will now be up against it in the remainder of their group games if they wish to qualify.
Spoiler!
Krasnarus vs. Mercury
Group standings can be found here!
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 16th July*
Group A
Birgeshir vs. Hoenn
Florian Republic vs. Talenore
Group standings can be found here!
Group A
Birgeshir vs. Hoenn
Florian Republic vs. Talenore
Senya wrote: Having lost their opener narrowly to hosts Birgeshir, Talenore were hoping to bounce back against a much fancied Florian Republic side who, after having their bye last matchday, were finally playing in their first ever World Cup finals match.
But it was Talenore, eager to make amends for their defeat four days ago, who started brighter, coming close early on when Peder Xvarts beat the offside trap before crossing the ball in for Kali Kalani, but the striker's header was straight at Florian goalkeeper Tom Ward. Talenore were looking much stronger than they had in the opening match, with wingers Xvarts and Tanilo Wilamu seemingly able to get past the Florian back line at ease, but the crossing sadly didn't live up to the build up, and Kalani was struggling to get on the end of them. The Florians weren't looking like the side that had beaten Senya in the warm ups, and almost found themselves behind when Kalani received the ball deep, allowing Wilamu to run in behind and lob the goalkeeper, but the linesman adjudged Wilamu to have been offside, so the goal was chalked off. Talenore though were all over their opponents, though Kalani missed several headers to give his side the lead, and by half time, the Talenore fans could not believe that their team weren't one-nil up.
Half-time seemed to give the Florian coach the chance to rile his players up, and the Florians came out much stronger. Their first major chance of the game came in the fiftieth minute, with Llewelyn Wyn-Jones holding up the ball and playing in Cristiano Ramirez, but Ramirez's shot went a whisker wide of the upright as he shot across the keeper. Shortly afterwards, Wyn-Jones again found himself in space, but this time elected to shoot himself, forcing Bohemian Rhapsodies keeper Taki Tolâso into a sprawling save. Talenore had to try and wrestle possession and territory back, but as the game turned into a midfield battle, tackles started flying in, with both sides receiving yellow cards for mistimed challenges in the space of five minutes. But neither side seemed able to wrestle control completely in their favour, and both sides decided to try and go for the winner late on, with first the Florian's Andrew Lycett attempting a bicycle kick that forced a brilliant save from Tolâso, before Talenore went down the other end and Kalani hit the crossbar with a header. However neither side were able to find a winner, and had to settle for a draw, in a result that could really open up the race for play-off spots in Group A.
Spoiler!
Group standings can be found here!
Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
Red Army throws flares and boos off national team at full time
It didn't take long fans of the Florian national football team to show their anger and frustration after a poor performance in their first World Cup finals match in history. A lacklustre performance in both halves of the led to flares being thrown onto by Florian ultras and intense booing at the final whistle. It is believed that the Florian national side had to be escorted by police back to the hotel in threat of injuries to the players.
Russel Jordan, has promised that he will be more stricter in team selection and tactics and hopes results get better for the latter stages of the tournament.
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Re: 2019 FMF World Cup - official reports and broadcasts
*Played 17th July*
Group B
Passas vs. Shireroth
Tellia vs. North Antarctica
Group standings can be found here!
Group B
Passas vs. Shireroth
Tellia vs. North Antarctica
Senya wrote: Having suffered a humiliation at the hands of Passas on the opening day, North Antarctica were seeking some reprieve against a Tellia side that had been out of shape in the warm up friendly.
Although this game may have promised to be a low key affair, that didn't really happen, with the Tellians seemingly smelling blood from the off, hitting the post inside five minutes when Sezer Özker played in Gianluca Salmoiraghi, who saw his effort strike the upright and go out. The North Antarcticans meanwhile still didn't look like they'd gotten over Saturday's result, and the Tellians were piling on the pressure. But whilst the Tellians were finding lots of the ball around 30 yards from goal, they were struggling to penetrate the North Antarctican back line, When they did however manage to get a shot away, Quentin Markhams was looking unconvincing, and was eventually found out just before the break, when Isaac Mahler beat two defenders before squaring the ball for Salmoiraghi to tap home.
The goal before half time seemed to kill the Napian spirit, and when they came out for the second half they once again found themselves on the wrong end of an onslaught. But whilst the Napians were able to ride out the initial moments of the second half with relative success, they were eventually undone when Riccardo Ganau was brought on as a substitute, as he was able to find the gap moments after coming on that let Armando Uggè get in behind, squaring the ball back for yet another Craitish-based player to tap home, this time in the form of Marko Zajc. With the Napians growing tired, more gaps began to appear, and it became almost a training game for the Tellians, who grabbed a third ten minutes later when Isaac Mahler hammered a loose ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box. The rout was complete with five minutes to go, with Sezer Özker rising up to head home a free-kick past the keeper to cap a resounding victory.
The result meant that North Antarctica's chances of progressing are all but mathematically over, whilst Tellia at last have a good performance under that belt which could instil confidence in their key players.
Spoiler!
Group standings can be found here!