Majatran Cup XV - Kafuristan 3258

[Hugh Green]

The XVth Edition of the Majatran Cup is coming to the Abadi Caliphate of Kafuristan! They've won this competition once before, but haven't fared well recently. As is the custom, the 13 signatory nations will now be drawn into groups, after being seeded based on their MC rankings (which take into account their last three performances in the Cup).

Pot 1
Kafuristan (11th - Hosts)
Barmenia (=3rd - Reigning Champions)
Badara (1st)
Beiteynu & Jutridan (2nd)

Pot 2
Deltaria (=3rd)
Kalopia (5th)
Cobura (6th)
Zardugal (7th)

Pot 3
Solentia (=8th)
Cildania (=8th)
Istalian (10th)
Selucia (=12th)
Jelbania (=12th)

[Hugh Green]

Group A
Kafuristan
Cobura
Jelbania

Group B
Beiteynu & Jutridan
Deltaria
Selucia

Group C
Barmenia
Zardugal
Istaliana

Group D
Badara
Kalopia
Solentia
Cildania

[Hugh Green]

2 - Kafuristan -V- Cobura - 0
4 - Cobura -V- Jelbania - 1
3 - Jelbania -V- Kafuristan - 3
2 - Cobura -V- Kafuristan - 2

If Jelbania lose to Cobura they are out. If they draw they would then need to win against Kafuristan to bring them level and hope goal differences goes in their favour. Even if they win against Cobura, Jelbania will have to get another point at Kafuristan to avoid the goal difference deciding their fate.

1 - Jelbania -V- Cobura - 4

With that result, the qualifying teams are decided. Cobura lead the group but Kafuristan have a chance to go top against the eliminated Jelbania.

2 - Kafuristan -V- Jelbania - 2

Team -- Pts ; W - D - L

Cobura -- 7 ; 2 - 1 - 1
Kafuristan -- 6 ; 1 - 3 - 0
Jelbania -- 2 ; 0 - 2 - 2

[Hugh Green]

2 - Beiteynu & Jutridan -V- Deltaria - 2
4 - Deltaria -V- Selucia - 0
3 - Selucia -V- Beiteynu & Jutridan - 3
3 - Deltaria -V- Beiteynu & Jutridan - 3

A strong showing for them sees Deltaria secure their passage to the next stage. The fate of Selucia and number 2 seeds Beiteynu & Jutridan will be decided in the final match. But first, Selucia can help themselves by beating Deltaria. If they manage that, then they will only need a draw against the UK (ooc: United Kingdom of Beiteynu & Jutridan) to progress.

4 - Selucia -V- Deltaria - 1

My God, what a victory! Deltaria clearly resting a few players in advance of the quarter-finals, much to the fury of Beiteynu fans.

2 - Beiteynu & Jutridan -V- Selucia - 2

The second draw between these sides sees Selucia stay in second place, level with Deltaria on points. Deltaria remain top on goal difference, however. Beiteynu & Jutridan a surprise casualty of the first round, drawing all four of their games.

Team -- Pts ; W - D - L
Deltaria -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1 (GD: +1)
Selucia -- 5 ; 1 - 2 - 1 (GD: -1)
Beiteynu & Jutridan -- 4 ; 0 - 4 - 0

[Hugh Green]

4 - Barmenia -V- Zardugal - 0
4 - Zardugal -V- Istaliana - 3
0 - Istaliana -V- Barmenia - 2
0 - Zardugal -V- Barmenia - 0

Having lost their first two games, Istaliana look to be in trouble. They must take four points in their last two games to level with or beat Zardugal. Reigning champions Barmenia have done well, with 7 points already.

1 - Istaliana -V- Zardugal - 0
3 - Barmenia -V- Istaliana - 0

A stunning performance by Barmenia overall, and its Istaliana who go crashing out, a point behind Zardugal. Barmenia still haven't conceded a goal. Bravo Barmenia!

Team -- Pts ; W - D - L
Barmenia -- 10 ; 3 - 1 - 0
Zardugal -- 4 ; 1 - 1 - 2
Istaliana -- 3 ; 1 - 0 - 3

[Hugh Green]

1 - Badara -V- Kalopia - 4
2 - Solentia -V- Cildania - 2
1 - Solentia -V- Badara - 2
0 - Cildania -V- Kalopia - 3

Top seeds Badara will be disappointed that it is Kalopia and not them who are guaranteed qualification at this stage. If Cildania win against Badara the door will be open either to them or Solentia to take the second spot.

2 - Kalopia -V- Solentia - 4
1 - Badara -V- Cildania - 3

The top seeders Badara go crashing out of the competition in the first round, with just 3 points!! Wins for Solentia and Cildania means it comes down to goal difference for them... and Solentia take the quarter-final place with their magnificent GD of +1.

Team -- Pts ; W - D - L
Kalopia -- 6 ; 2 - 0 - 2
Solentia -- 4 ; 1 - 1 - 1 (GD: +1)
Cildania -- 4 ; 1 - 1 - 1 (GD: -1)
Badara -- 3 ; 1 - 0 - 3

Quarter Finals Draw

Cobura -V- Solentia

Deltaria -V- Zardugal These two have played each other several times in recent cups, with Deltaria coming out on top every time.

Barmenia -V- Selucia - The last face-off between these two was a quarter final in the XIth Majatran Cup. Selucia won it 1-0.

Kalopia -V- Kafuristan - these two have played each other 3 times in the Majatran Cup, Kalopia winning once and the other two being draws.

[Hugh Green]

Quarter-Finals

1 - Cobura -V- Solentia - 0
After Extra Time

1 - Deltaria -V- Zardugal - 0

1 - Barmenia -V- Selucia - 1
3-3 after penalties. After 2 rounds of sudden death penalties, Solentia win 5-4.

1 - Kalopia -V- Kafuristan - 1
2-2 after penalties. After 1 round of sudden death penalties, Kalopia win 3-2.

Semi-Finals

1 - Cobura -V- Deltaria - 4

Cobura can be proud to once again be playing semi-final football, following disappointing results in the World Cup and the 3252 Majatran Cup. This was not their finest hour, however. Deltaria always looked like the better team, and were truly magnificent at breaking through Cobura's midfield and - at times - their rather static defence.

4 - Selucia -V- Kalopia - 1
After Extra Time

Selucia grabbed the early lead in this one, and then seemed to put eleven players behind the ball for the remaining period of normal time. Extremely conservative play made for a frustrating game but Kalopia would grab the equaliser with minutes to go. In extra time, Selucia seemed to come back to life. Their slow game had clearly tired the ever-chasing Kalopia, and Selucia made no mistake this time in taking ful advantage of the situation. They go through to face fellow Group B qualifiers Deltaria in the final.

Third Place Play-Off

2 - Cobura -V- Kalopia - 2
Kalopia win 3-2 on penalties

Preview: The Grand Final

Both of these sides already have one Majatran Cup under their belt: Selucia won it in 3222 and Deltaria in 3246. Both teams have also been runners-up once. They know what its like to win on this stage, and they'll know stories from older compatriots of what its like to lose. Contrast this with their performances in 3252: neither made it through the first round. These teams both have the potential to either light up the pitch or show themselves up terribly.

They traded victories against each other this year in Group B, and this exchange would ensure that they both qualified ahead of group favourites Beiteynu & Jutridan, with whom they both drew every match. Their varied luck has meant that these two have often very nearly met each other in previous Majatran Cups, but not since records began (MC X) have they faced each other in the knockout rounds.

Their seedings tell a story too. In joint 3rd in the MC Rankings it is no surprise to see Deltaria in the final. Selucia meanwhile are the joint-worst seeds in the competition, sharing joint 12th with Jelbania. For them to pull off this victory will be a legendary result. For either team though, to take a second Majatran Cup will elevate them to an exclusive club of nations with Badara, Cobura, Zardugal and Vanuku. Who will the 5th member of that club be? Find out in the Grand Final!

[Hugh Green]

Federal Republic of Deltaria -V- Imperium Selucianum

First Half
0 - Deltaria -V- Selucia - 1

Second Half
0 - Deltaria -V- Selucia - 2

Full-Time

0 - Federal Republic of Deltaria -V- Imperium Selucianum - 3

Congratulations to Selucia on their magnificent victory! Once again a surprise finalist takes the prize! There'll be much imbibing tonight, I'll wager.

[Leonardo222]

Seluica is only too blightful, that we have won the prize.
We also say thank you to Kafuristan for the well-organized cup and of course Deltaria for the fair game.
It is a glorious hour for our nation and for the whole world.