Liga Starblaydia Season 5
Contents
Liga Starblaydia - Season 5
Before any competitive football got under way, Iskara Daii paraded the Champions League Trophy around Starblaydia's captial city, Jhanna, that they had won in Chicanada, cementing the place of Liga Starblaydia in the hall of great football leagues.
First Half
Iskara kicked off in varied form, thrashing Penningworth United 3-0 on Matchday One, but then swiftly losing 1-0 away to Sciapos. Montepool Waves held the longest unbeaten recrod from the start of the season, a mere three games before being thrashed 4-1 away to - you guessed it - Sciapos. The team who had only avoided relegation by the skin of their goal-difference teeth last season.
Once again Phraen Palace had rocketed out of the blocks from the beginning of the season and even topped the table for two Matchdays, as shown below. The frankly unique combination of Insane Inflation, Abysmalistan and Spruitland at the Starblaydi club was obviously paying some sort of dividend, if only for the first few weeks of a football season.
Liga Starblaydia - Matchday 5 Table, Season 5 Top Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Phraen Palace 5 4 0 1 11 2 9 12 2 Iskara Daii 5 4 0 1 10 4 6 12 3 Montepool Waves 5 4 0 1 11 6 5 12 4 Internashionale 5 3 0 2 9 5 4 9 5 Vecchio Victors 5 3 0 2 7 5 2 9 6 Basian Valley 5 3 0 2 10 9 1 9 7 Jhanna City 5 3 0 2 10 9 1 9 8 Tabeck FC 5 3 0 2 8 7 1 9 9 Sciapos 5 3 0 2 7 8 -1 9
Early Swings and Roundabouts
| MatchDay | 1st Place Team | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Iskara Daii | Phraen Palace | Montepool Waves | Internashionale |
| 7 | Iskara Daii | Montepool Waves | Sciapos | Phraen Palace |
| 8 | Montepool Waves | Iskara Daii | Sciapos | Internashionale |
| 9 | Montepool Waves | Iskara Daii | Sciapos | Internashionale |
| 10 | Montepool Waves | Tabeck FC | Iskara Daii | Sciapos |
| 11 | Montepool Waves | Tabeck FC | Iskara Daii | Internashionale |
| 12 | Montepool Waves | Tabeck FC | Internashionale | Iskara Daii |
| 13 | Montepool Waves | Internashionale | Tabeck FC | Iskara Daii |
| 14 | Montepool Waves | Internashionale | Iskara Daii | Tabeck FC |
| 15 | Montepool Waves | Iskara Daii | Internashionale | Tabeck FC |
| 16 | Iskara Daii | Montepool Waves | Internashionale | Tabeck FC |
| 17 | Iskara Daii | Montepool Waves | Internashionale | Penningworth Utd |
| 18 | Iskara Daii | Internashionale | Montepool Waves | Tabeck FC |
| 19 | Iskara Daii | Internashionale | Montepool Waves | Tabeck FC |
Once Sciapos and Phraen Palace were duly shoved aside by Tabeck FC and Internashionale, a familiar battle ensued. Iskara, Montepool and Tabeck are the three current footballing centres of the nation and it was no surprise they were trading places at the top of the league throughout the first half of the season. The one 'surprise', although hardly surprising to anyone checking the youth academy of a few years ago, Inter's young guns were finally starting to come of age and push for the Liga title, led, as always, by the irrepresible Giovanni Lopez who was looking odds-on for the Golden Boot this season.
At the bottom, however, Tuncastle Rovers were doing a fine impression of an awful team, their multinational stylings doing nothing for team togetherness with six different nationalities in their 'best' Starting XI. The language of football is obviously not totally universal, then. Hallad Reavers continue their inexorable slide to Liga Omega, perhaps only held up by their excellent NSFA Cup run of last year.
Halfway Table
Liga Starblaydia - Halfway Table, Season 5 Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Iskara Daii 19 13 1 5 31 13 18 40 2 Internashionale 19 10 5 4 34 19 15 35 3 Montepool Waves 19 10 5 4 29 23 6 35 4 Tabeck FC 19 9 3 7 28 20 8 30 5 Hecia 19 8 5 6 33 22 11 29 6 Jhanna City 19 8 5 6 28 28 0 29 7 Basian Valley 19 8 4 7 24 25 -1 28 8 Penningworth United 19 8 3 8 24 28 -4 27 9 Veles 19 6 8 5 27 28 -1 26 10 Sciapos 19 7 5 7 26 30 -4 26 11 Hernsworth Cubs 19 6 6 7 23 22 1 24 12 Corinthian Spirits 19 7 3 9 28 31 -3 24 13 Widdrington Wolves 19 5 8 6 28 28 0 23 14 Phraen Palace 19 7 2 10 22 23 -1 23 15 Vecchio Victors 19 7 2 10 20 27 -7 23 16 Jhanna United 19 7 2 10 25 34 -9 23 17 Hallad Reavers 19 5 7 7 21 25 -4 22 18 Beverington Hawks 19 6 3 10 19 26 -7 21 19 Jhan Province 19 5 5 9 18 28 -10 20 20 Tuncastle Rovers 19 4 6 9 15 23 -8 18
Tiberius Cup
1st Round
Snowcroft City 1-3 Widdrington Wolves
Jhanna United 2-4 Phraen Palace
Hallad Reavers 0-2 Sciapos
Hippion Heartland 0-1 Hecia
2nd Round
Vecchio Victors 2-1 Penningworth United
Sciapos 1-0 Phraen Palace
Jhanna City 2-3 Iskara Daii
Basian Valley 0-3 Montepool Waves
Hecia 0-1 Beverington Hawks AET, FT 0-0
Widdrington Wolves 2-1 Tabeck FC
Internashionale 4-2 Corinthian Spirits
Veles 1-4 Tuncastle Rovers
Quarter-Final
Internashionale 2-0 Widdrington Wolves
Montepool Waves 1-2 Iskara Daii
Sciapos 2-3 Tuncastle Rovers
Beverington Hawks 1-0 Vecchio Victors
Semi-Final
Iskara Daii 2-3 Internashionale AET, FT 2-2
Beverington Hawks 1-0 Tuncastle Rovers
Final
Internashionale 3-1 Beverington Hawks
Defeated Finalists last season, Inter overcame their Daii-shaped daemons in the Semis to defeat Beverington in the Final for their first Tiberius Cup. Innit Point, Rowan Majara and Raymundo Hernandez with the winning goals, despite an Akira Jones equaliser in the first half.
Second Half
From the mid-point on Iskara were never out of the top spot, their lead ranging from one to six points throughout the entire second half of the season. While Inter, Montepool and Tabeck fought out second, third and fourth between themselves, no other team got a look-in on the top-four save a brief incursion into 4th spot by Jhanna City.
Even with every other team trying to have a pop at them, defending Nationstates' Champions Iskara Daii were supreme throughout the season as their veteran squad mixed with a pinch of youthfulness dominated over the rest.
The Final Matchday
Liga Starblaydia - Penultimate Matchday, Season 5 Top Half Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Iskara Daii 37 21 7 9 57 35 22 70 2 Montepool Waves 37 20 8 9 53 37 16 68 3 Internashionale 37 18 10 9 59 36 23 64 4 Tabeck FC 37 16 10 11 55 42 13 58 5 Vecchio Victors 37 16 7 14 50 44 6 55 6 Veles 37 14 12 11 52 48 4 54 7 Hecia 37 14 10 13 57 48 9 52 8 Jhanna City 37 14 10 13 55 57 -2 52 9 Beverington Hawks 37 15 7 15 40 45 -5 52 10 Basian Valley 37 14 9 14 46 51 -5 51
Once more, dear friends, Liga Starblaydia came down to the Final Matchday with a familiar question. Iskara or Montepool? Iskara certainly had the easier of their matches, going away to face bottom-half side Jhanna United. Montepool, on the other hand, had the unenviable task of hosting Inter, the team right behind them, knowing that third place was theirs and now they had pride to play for.
Liga Starblaydia - Penultimate Matchday, Season 5 Bottom Half Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 11 Penningworth United 37 14 7 16 45 55 -10 49 12 Jhanna United 37 14 6 17 47 55 -8 48 13 Phraen Palace 37 13 7 17 48 50 -2 46 14 Hallad Reavers 37 11 12 14 44 47 -3 45 15 Hernsworth Cubs 37 11 12 14 41 44 -3 45 16 Corinthian Spirits 37 13 6 18 52 62 -10 45 17 Tuncastle Rovers 37 11 11 15 44 49 -5 44 18 Jhan Province 37 10 11 16 38 52 -14 41 19 Widdrington Wolves 37 9 13 15 50 55 -5 40 20 Sciapos 37 10 9 18 44 65 -21 39
Sciapos Vs Hallad Reavers
For 'Sciapos, who had claimed the scalps of the two teams vying for the Championship
- Final Score: Sciapos 2-2 Hallad Reavers
Jhanna City Vs Jhan Province
Jhan Province losing is the only way that Widdrington had of being able to stay up, and in the first of today's local derbies, Jhanna City smashed their provincial neighbours. Itechton Matranga led the scoring, backed up by Contall Rumaoa.
- Final Score: Jhanna City 3-1 Jhan Province
Widdrington Wolves Vs Veles
Knowing that Jhan Province had lost, Widdrington surged forward to find a winning goal against Veles, Syku Isita providing their lifeline with the Wolves' second goal, keeping them in Liga Starblaydia.
- Final Score: Widdrington Wolves 2-1 Veles
Montepool Waves Vs Internashionale
The name Waves' fans curse most-often is that of Giovanni Lopez, and so they found a new reason to make up derogatory chants about him as he scored the only goal at the Bayside Stadium in a One-Nil defeat of Montepool. Iskara Daii knew they were champions.
- Final Score: Montepool Waves 0-1 Internashionale
Jhanna United Vs Iskara Daii
With the title won, the newly re-crowned Liga Starblaydia winners took it upon themselves to try and play in an exhibition match-style, full of tricks and passes. With Jhanna United certain of a mid-table finish, neither side was particularly inclined to give 100% effort, and a 1-1 draw ensued.
- Final Score: Jhanna United 1-1 Iskara Daii
Final Standings
Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts C Iskara Daii 38 21 8 9 58 36 22 71 2 Montepool Waves 38 20 8 10 53 38 15 68 3 Internashionale 38 19 10 9 60 36 24 67 4 Tabeck FC 38 16 10 12 56 44 12 58 5 Vecchio Victors 38 17 7 14 53 44 9 58 6 Jhanna City 38 15 10 13 58 58 0 55 7 Veles 38 14 12 12 53 50 3 54 8 Hecia 38 14 11 13 57 48 9 53 9 Penningworth United 38 15 7 16 46 55 -9 52 10 Beverington Hawks 38 15 7 16 41 50 -9 52 11 Basian Valley 38 14 9 15 46 54 -8 51 12 Jhanna United 38 14 7 17 48 56 -8 49 13 Corinthian Spirits 38 14 6 18 54 63 -9 48 14 Tuncastle Rovers 38 12 11 15 49 50 -1 47 15 Phraen Palace 38 13 8 17 48 50 -2 47 16 Hallad Reavers 38 11 13 14 46 49 -3 46 17 Hernsworth Cubs 38 11 12 15 41 45 -4 45 18 Widdrington Wolves 38 10 13 15 52 56 -4 43 RR Jhan Province 38 10 11 17 39 55 -16 41 RR Sciapos 38 10 10 18 46 67 -21 40
Season 5 Awards
Player of the Year
Giovanni Lopez - (Internashionale)
Being a twenty-one year-old with the hopes of an entire team resting on your shoulders must be a hard thing to cope with, yet Giovanni managed it wonderfully. Well-deserved Player of the Year.
Other Nominees: Itechton Matranga, Carmine Mbidzo
Young Player of the Year
Menecrates - (Corinthian Spirits)
There's a pretty damn good youth academy at the Spirits and Menecrates is the best of the bunch, able to take control of a game in midfield and begin the seige of any opposing defence.
Other Nominees: Raphaelo, Danzir Garahildim
Striker of the Year
Carmine Mbidzo - (Iskara Daii)
Twenty-six goals and all-out supremacy at the Daii, equalling the second-highest goalscoring total in Liga Starblaydia as he blasted his way to a third Liga Winner's Medal.
Other Nominees: Florencio Zaragoza, Trevor Bent
Midfielder of the Year
Innit Point - (Internashionale)
An excellent all-round performance for Point, increasing his goal tally for this season and driving the Vics forwards at all times, still getting back to do his defensive duties when needed.
Other Nominees: Antonis Ratuva, Menecrates
Defender of the Year
Quentin Phillips - (Iskara Daii)
Did this kid actually need any more honours to add to his mantlepiece? Well, he does now, being Defender of the Year in the Title-winning Nationstates' Champions. When there's only three at the back you need to up your game, and Quentin certainly has done, commanding the back line all of his own.
Other Nominees: Raymundo Hernandez, Danzir Garahildim
Goalie of the Year
Nick Cavaletti - (Iskara Daii)
Certainly deserving of this award over his career, but particularly this season. With the Daii surging forward at every oppurtunity, the defence needed to rise to the occasion, none more than Nick 'the Cat' Cavaletti.
Other Nominees: Jeremy McFarland, Elwood Deangelo
Goal of the Season
Innit Point - (Internashionale) (Jhanna City 1-1 Internashionale, Matchday 18)
A move started and finished by Point, as he won the ball from Matranga, allowing Majara to spray it out to Lopez on the wing. One cross later and an overhead-kick from Point saw the ball soar over the goalie and into the top-left corner.
Golden Boot
Golden Boot Top 10
Player Goals Team Carmine Mbidzo 26 Iskara Daii Florencio Zaragoza 25 Tabeck FC Itechton Matranga 25 Jhanna City Trevor Bent 24 Vecchio Victors Giovanni Lopez 22 Internashionale Robbad I Asay 21 Hecia Innit Point 19 Vecchio Victors John Pompey 18 Montepool Waves Syku Isita 17 Widdrington Wolves Akira Jones 16 Beverington Hawks Inivailati Yen 16 Phraen Palace
Other Players in Double-Figures
Player Goals Team Menecrates 15 Corinthian Spirits Isiah Sodek 15 Tabeck FC James Chitterling 14 Jhanna United Raul Diaz-Arca 14 Corinthian Spirits Rabindra Singh 14 Penningworth United Sikey Vanataraselidene 14 Tuncastle Rovers Darryl Carpenter 13 Hallad Reavers Arthur Peacock 13 Hernsworth Cubs Toby Tzikas 13 Basian Valley Dickie Barker 12 Widdrington Wolves Darius Belizaire 12 Iskara Daii Contall Rumaoa 12 Jhanna City Waldo Gelmer 11 Phraen Palace Larry Brown 10 Widdrington Wolves
Foreigner Report
Abysmalistan
'Squu was like his team, Phraen Palace: Started Starblaydi, turned out Abysmali. Fifteenth place for Palace who desperately need recognised internationals.
Bedistan
No wonder the Bedistanis dumped the Starblaydis out of World Cup 23 if their players are all like Quentin Phillips. Quite rightly Defender of the Year, too, after so many seasons as an 'other nominee'.
Cockbill Street
14 goals for James Chitterling kept Jhanna United afloat in mid-table, though a real strike-partner for Season 6 will help his game.
Druida
Rhys Owen's final season of football playing for Tuncastle ended quite miserably compared to his previous performances, describing himself as 'bloody knackered'. A great servant to club and country, however. Glynn Davies faired little better as Rovers slid down the table to 14th. Better things expected next season. Twenty-four goal Trevor Bent was the best Druidan in the Liga by a country mile, scoring Vecchio Victors to fifth place. Huw Richards and Craig Gawain at Jhanna United were very average, much like United themselves.
Fmjphoeinix
Angelus Lugio is obviously no Henry Tuckworth, judging by his first season at Tuncastle, though the lack of two decent strikers hampered their efforts. Larry Brown and his Takilan stylings didn't quite gel at the very-Karelan Widdrington Wolves, as they avoided relegation by just two points. Perhaps a re-think by Manager Bob Richmond would help them.
Insane Inflation
Inivilati Yen sneaked into the top-ten scorers list in the race for the Golden Boot alongside joint-tenth Akira Jones with 16 goals, useful reward for the successor to the legendary T.I. Yen.
Liverpool England
Carlos Parr had a solid season for Montepool, but ten losses for the Waves sunk their title hopes. Employed as a winger, Jacob Becker tired himself out trying to keep up with Britannican winger Harry Fletcher at Tuncastle this season, his stamina failing him. A return to regular right-sided midfield will certainly help him next season. Defensive duo Glen Schultz and Bobby Muniz helped lift the Vics to an excellent fifth place in the Liga with a very-healthy goals-against column. Fred Pounds was very solid alongside Starblaydi Virgil Ernesto, though pushing up every so often would help his game immeasurably.
Nedalia
The only Nedalian in Liga Starblaydia, Innit Point, proved to be the best midfielder in the Liga as the youngsters of Inter meshed together to provide Player and Midfielders of the year. Superb.
Rejistania
Known to all and sundry as 'Zikey', Sike~nni~l Vanataraselidene failed to take the full burden of goal-scoring from strike-partner Rhys Owen, though 14 goals is a good return for a bottom-half team. Syku Isita perhaps rescued Widdrington from relegation to Liga Omega with his goals, 17 of them lighting up their play, nearly one in every two games.
Spruitland
Robbad I Asay had to be the main goal-getter for Hecia and he certainly managed it in his debut season, banging in an incredible twenty-one goals. Waldo Gelmer bagged himself eleven goals at the Palace, showing more Dead-eyed Spruitlander shooting.
Turori
Hong Knapko in the Vics three-man midfield did well alongside two Starblaydis, as Vecchio seem not to mind the retirment of Jarod Dreaka. Nikki Inostraza has decided to continue his Jhanna United career as a player-coach, and will surely only come onto the pitch with his metaphorical zimmerframe when absolutely necessary.
Vilita
Carmine Mbidzo had his best season in Liga Starblaydia yet, top-scoring, winning the championship and being named Striker of the Year. Antonis Ratuva has signed a one-season extension to his contract but will retire from playing at the end of next season, while Rueben Laberge, youngest of the Daii Vilitans, had another excellent season but this time was eclipsed by midfielders from other teams. Sixth-placed Jhanna City had a Zero Goal Difference, partly down to an off-season by Tulio Arizmendi, though he wasn't helped by the constant lack of Brandon Bonilla, injured in the defensive-midfield berth. Contall Rumaoa once more had the duty of getting forward to support Itechton Matranga, well rewarded for his efforts with a dozen goals over the season. Clayton Smeuk was released from Hallad Reavers as they look for players who know what a clean sheet looks like. 'Keeper Alioum Mané's Season 5 was far better than his debut as Hecia climbed to eighth, a good striker would help them no end. Tyrone Amaan and Toby Tzikas continued their profiable partnership at Basian Valley, almost breaking into the top-half for the first time in years. Rowan Majara was the keystone in Inter's five-man midfield, the rest of the team flowing effortlessly around him. K'van DeAngelo's seeming non-presence in the Penningworth back-four saw them let in a lot of goals, hampering their drive for the top and leaving them eighth.
| Preceded by: Liga Starblaydia Season 4 |
Liga Starblaydia | Succeeded by: Liga Starblaydia Season 6 |
