Day 15- Berlin		Match 48	Group H
	UKRAINE	vs.	BELARUS

Unlike the way he stuck around for Latvia-Lithuania, Russia is safe and sound back in Moscow for this match.

Ukraine tries to smile at her sister. Belarus glowers back. It's on.

Despite an early Belarus push, Ukraine uses a steady attack to set up some interesting shots that Belarus has to step up to defend.

	Belarus starting to get things under control, but we've got an update from Taiwan already!
	Yes I do and yes we can! America wastes no time taking the offensive, evading China with a nice stopping move and a pass to set up the first goal of the night.
	Clearly, America knows he can't assume anything from our match and will add as much as he can to claim any tie-breaker over Belarus.
	I have no problem with this.

2' - GOAL (USA) - America 1, China 0

Even with an attack mentality, Ukraine does a great job getting back on defense to weather Belarus's storm. As a result, Belarus does not getting any real opportunities and is kept out of the box pretty consistently. Even when she gets midfield turnovers, Ukraine denies the counterattack with ease.

Belarus is pretty stout on defense as well. Even when Ukraine gets an open shot, Belarus commits defenders to get in front of them, giving her an extra line of defense and making her keeper's life a little easier.

	Ukraine header! Keeper punches it and it heads over for a corner kick.
	So far, Ukraine seems to have control over this one, but Belarus has been all right on defense so she'll hang in there.
	Corner's away, straight to the middle of the box. Ukraine chests it, delivers the kick... GOAL! Corner kick goal for Ukraine who shows some great ball control.
	When she chests it, the ball has a nice cushy landing pad and bounces off softly, seems to hang in midair and she just tees off on it with her left boot. Joke all you want, but she has some serious assets there that contributed to that goal.

15' - GOAL (UKR) - Ukraine 1, Belarus 0

Belarus rushes forward to strike back... and she's called offside. Ukraine gets it back.

	In the meantime, how's things in Kaiserslautern?
	Fantastic. Another charge from America leads to a hard shot. China's keeper got a piece of it but not enough as the ball still bounces into the net and America makes it 2-0.

17' - GOAL (USA) - America 2, China 0

Belarus continues to look for chances, but Ukraine uses a smart combo of zone tactics, pressure and a little bit of the offside trap to catch her sister off guard. Belarus is quickly frustrated.

	Ukraine stops another one, clears it to midfield, evades Belarus! Belarus dives, takes her down from behind and there's the whistle.
	None of that now. That's a booking!
	Eh, not the worst tackle in the world, but given the stakes of this one, the opponents and the fact that Belarus is playing, can't fault Seychelles for trying to keep things under control early.

Generally, Belarus is able to steal the ball at midfield quite well, but either she is too slow to get back on offense or too fast and called offside.

In the meantime, Ukraine's offense is having less and less success. She tries some long-range crosses from unusual angles, but Belarus stops those too. Combine that with her angry glare and Ukraine starts to get a little flustered. She too is booked in a hard foul minutes later.

Between Ukraine forcing Belarus offside and Belarus forcing Ukraine into bad shots, neither side is having much success on offense. For that, we have to go back to Kaiserslautern.

Looks like China's finally sick of being picked on. After denying America's attacks, he spots an opening, gets downfield and gets one goal back.

31' - GOAL (CHN) - America 2, China 1

Finally, Belarus is able to break through and at least get down the sideline.

	Let's see what Belarus can set up here. There's a cross, header knocked away by the keeper, heading out for a... no, Ukraine saves the corner, sends it back up. Belarus steals! Shoots! Saved! Dangerous play by Ukraine.
	Dangerous, but impressive. We've had a lot of goals coming off corner kicks, so it's good to avoid them whenever possible. She just barely stopped that one. Just gotta be more careful about it next time.

Belarus gets another chance a few minutes later.

	Belarus trying up the middle, passes forward... she's onside! Has a breakaway, into the box! Shoots! Keeper knocks it away but Belarus picks it up and scores! The sisters are all tied up!
	You knew it was a matter of time before she'd bust one of those and there it is. Ukraine's been playing great, but Belarus's defense was kept her in it and now she evens things up.

39' - GOAL (BLR) - Ukraine 1, Belarus 1

	And it looks like we have more from Taiwan as well.
	Wild twists here too, Australia. China really had the momentum going for him, tying things up on a corner kick that America defended, but let bounce free a little too long. But America responds immediately, going all the way down the pitch and finding an open striker to regain the lead!
	Good thing too, as America cannot afford a draw in both games.

40' - GOAL (CHN) - America 2, China 2

41' - GOAL (USA) - America 3, China 2

Belarus continues to pursue, but Ukraine does not make the same mistake again, and prevents Belarus from another breakaway shot. They go into halftime tied.

	So at the half, Belarus and China both really putting the pressure on, but everything is still shaping up for America to qualify.
	It is, but it's not set in stone. Ukraine-Belarus can clearly go either way and China's showing a lot more than he did against either of the sisters.
	It is nice to see China showing a little more game this time.
	It's good for ball. China's really determined to catch up with Japan and Korea in Asian football and until today, results from this tournament had been underwhelming.
	We forced Taiwan to get a halftime interview. Taiwan?

Taiwan is clearly thrilled.

	Okay, let's just be professional and get this over with.
	Fair enough.
	So China, it's safe to say that you pretty much stunk it up in your first two games. Things seem to be going less crappy today.
	Yes Taipei, I'm much more satisfied with my effort today. Once I determined the best way to contain America, I ventured out to get a couple goals. Hopefully there's more where that came from.
	How much of a consolation would a point be?
	My goal was to qualify for the group stage and since that won't happen, I can live with a point... or three.
	So if you were to equalize, you would try to beat America?
	Of course. Always aim for victory!
	Right.
	Me. Not you. You're still mine.
	And to think, we were afraid they wouldn't get along.
	It is a little dangerous for America being up against someone with nothing left to lose. Look at Korea, who ended a terribly disappointing tournament by preventing England from winning Group C.
	But all that means nothing if Belarus finds a way around Ukraine.
	Let's get back to Berlin for the second half.

The second half starts out about the same as the first.

	Ukraine taking it to the outside, Belarus in hot pursuit. Crosses midfield, there's the slide, trips her up and there's another whistle.
	*holds up yellow card* Tone it down, please!
	Please Belarus, it really hurts when you do that.

Belarus just glares at her sister, ignoring Seychelles completely. Seychelles fills in her book, keeping an eye on things and ready to step in. Ukraine is really uneasy about this escalation.

She is careful with the ball, still looking for chances, but not quite as aggressively. Belarus is able to turn her away at the box.

Neither side is perfect against the long ball, giving up breakaways that require good play from their keepers.

For a while, things really heat up as both sides are able to get downfield to set up good scoring chances and really test each other's defenses. It feels like a hotly contested match.

	Looks like this one could blow up at any time. How about you, Taiwan?
	Not so much over here. Both sides have had a couple chances, but neither seems to be dominating right now.
	That's a win for China. He's hanging in this one and not letting America put it away. America really needs another goal to feel comfortable.

Over the course of the second half, Belarus seems to be fighting more aggressively for goals. Ukraine is attacking, but at a more measured pace, allowing plenty of time to get back on defense.

	Ukraine passing around the box. Looking for another opportunity. Belarus putting a wall around the box. Ukraine kicks it in, stopped by Belarus and it's a turnover.
	Stopped again! And Belarus is on the move.
	Trying to turn it around quickly, Belarus dribbles up, heading to midfield. Ukraine running after her, catching up, dives, takes her out! Belarus goes down hard and this'll be a booking for sure.

After Belarus faceplants, she pops back up, turns around, and takes a long, lunging step at Ukraine. Seychelles steps between them.

Stop it right there! That's enough, girls! Calm down!

Belarus continues to glare at Ukraine, but steps back to let Seychelles take care of the rest.

She turns to Ukraine and pulls out a red card.

Enough of that, now. You're off!

Ukraine is stunned, and tears up as Belarus turns and walks away.

	I'm sorry!
	And the official runs out patience and Ukraine gets the red card!
	Wow! That's a development! You might say that Belarus has been trying to draw the worst out of Ukraine all game and finally succeeded. With three in the book already, a tackle like that could easily put her over the top. Belarus now has an advantage. Stay tuned...

It's not so much the player advantage as it is how flustered Ukraine gets by the whole thing. She has far less punch to her attacks and loses the sort of confidence that had been building up.

Belarus, meanwhile, smells blood. She subs in an extra attacker and goes for the kill.

	Belarus down the sideline, crosses in, but Ukraine is there and heads it right back. Right back to Belarus, who volleys it back into the box! Ukraine can't react, Belarus with a header, GOAL! Belarus takes the lead with a spot of volleyball!
	If at first you don't succeed... what a play by Belarus, lobbing the rejected cross right back into the box where she heads it to the far post. This kind of momentum shift could bode well for her and badly for America.
	It's still 3-2 in Kaiserslautern and Belarus has the goal differential advantage over America. If she wins, she might be through!

72' - GOAL (BLR) - Belarus 2, Ukraine 1

Belarus isn't content with 'might.' She wants in, and will show no mercy.

	Belarus into the box, dribbles past two defenders, takes a shot, blocked right back to her and she finishes up! Make it 3-1!
	She knows when to turn on the after burners. Two goals in quick succession and the closer we get to full time, the more she's likely to make it. America now needs to really pour it on and China's just not letting him.
	It gets better for Belarus. One more goal and she will have the advantage over Ukraine even. She has a shot at winning the group!

77' - GOAL (BLR) - Belarus 3, Ukraine 1

Fool, don't give her ideas. Ukraine tries to get things back together on offense but Belarus is just to aggressive for her to try it.

	Down the sideline once again, sets up another cross. Ukraine's on this one, heads it over the bar, no- off the bar! Drops down and bounces in! It's an own goal! The nightmare continues for Ukraine!
	Since her red card, Ukraine has completely lost control of this game. Totally dominated, thoroughly defeated and an absolute wreck. Even clearing a header seems to be too much for her now as the own goal now puts Belarus on top of Group H.
	Looks like stormclouds in Kaiserslautern as well. Taiwan?
	China's didn't let America pull away, and now China's pulled even. A bad clearance after defending a shot gives China a second chance. He connects and it's all even 3-3. The whole group's been flipped upside-down now.

81' - GOAL (BLR) - Belarus 4, Ukraine 1

81' - GOAL (CHN) - America 3, China 3

Ukraine manages to get her head together long enough to push onward and get that goal (and the group) back, but Belarus puts her defenses up and weathers it long enough to run out the clock.

	Time expires in Berlin and with the help of a red card, Belarus turns it around late, storms back and is the surprise winner of Group H!
	This wasn't a case of taking it easy like Sweden did. Belarus was more prepared mentally for this game, knew how to handle Ukraine's offense and struck when the iron was hot to get a result nobody expected.

Ukraine is left exhausted physically and mentally, but she forces herself to find Belarus before she can get back to the locker room. In tears, she throws her arms around her sister. Belarus stops, freezes for a moment, then exhales.

	Good game.
	I'm so happy for you... congratulations.

They walk back to their locker rooms together.

Day 15- Berlin		Match 48	Group H
	UKRAINE	1:4 FT	BELARUS
17'	Voronin	Referee SEY	Hleb Bulyga Bulyga Nesmachny (OG)	39' 72' 77' 81'

Day 15- Kaiserslautern		Match 47	Group H
	CHINA	3:3 FT	AMERICA
31' 40' 81'	Hao Zhang Zhang	Referee CMR	Donovan Donovan McBride	2' 17' 41'

Wy finds an emotional Ukraine.

	A tough, heavy loss for you drops you to second in the group. What is going through your head?
	All sorts of things. But the important thing is that I lost my composure, Belarus won and she deserves to take the group.
	After the red card, everything seemed to fall apart for you.
	I should never have gotten a red card in the first place. It was a bad foul and I feel awful for letting things get too intense out there.
	Belarus certainly seemed to be guilty of that as well.
	She plays the game her way, and by the end of it I was also playing it her way. It should never have come to that. I still love my sister and I wish her the best in the next round.
	Same to you, Ukraine.
	Well, it was good TV, at least.
	And at the end of the day, Ukraine still qualifies. She now has to go up against Sweden instead of Iceland, but at least she has a chance.
	Ukraine has a good shot against Sweden. It's not the worst place to be. But hats off to Belarus. She wins the game, wins the group and it'll be a pair of underdogs as she and Iceland will square off next.
	On the flip side of that is America, who not only failed to qualify despite a top seed, he failed to finish off China and only managed a point. Taiwan's with him in Kaiserslautern.
	America, despite the hot start to your night, it ends in a 3-3 draw and so does your World Cup campaign.
	Wait... we're done? There's no overtime?
	No, it ends in a draw, you got one point and that's not going to be enough to advance.
	That sucks! Here I was all set to go back out there and kick some more butt.
	If it makes you feel any better, there's overtime starting tomorrow.
	I should hope so. Ties are for losers!
	Can't argue with that tonight.
	Can we have a shootout or something?
	Nope.
	Home run derby?
	Wrong sport.
	So how are we supposed to figure out who's better?
	Well, if you look at the final numbers, you had four points and China only has one. It's not a stretch to say you're better than China.
	All right! In your face, China!
	Works for me. I'll just leave it at that. Guys?
	Muting Cuba's mic because he's too busy laughing, what it boils down to is that Belarus and Ukraine both had dominating wins over China, and America didn't.
	It's a problem he always runs into. No matter how good he starts out, he can't quite finish the job. As a result, America joins Holland as top seeds on the outside looking in.
	And with that, the final group table is all set to go:

One last time before the fun starts:

	So with that, the group stage comes to a close and the Round of 16 is set.
	Yep, we weren't sure if these last two groups would provide any surprises, and they ended up with a bunch of them. Ukraine falls to second, Poland and America are knocked out and Sweden somehow stays on top despite not really showing up today.
	It's no time to admire the handiwork though as Knockout Round action kicks off tomorrow!
	Yep, two nations will advance to the quarterfinals and we'll say goodbye to two more.
	Host Germany will lead things off against surprise Group B survivor Canada.
	And some old rivals get back into the swing of things as Austria faces off against Turkey.
	And yes, America, there might be overtime. G'nite!

Every so often, a simulated match gets a bit out of control early- a keeper forgets how to do his job, an underdog scores four goals in twenty minutes against a powerhouse, etc. There has occasionally been a couple matches that I've halted and started over because the action is just completely unfeasible. Under other circumstances, the Iceland-Sweden match might have been one of them, but the already-established storyline of Sweden resting starters and giving Iceland a boost made this a keeper.

It's true: due to international pressure from China, very few countries officially recognize Taiwan as a nation. She treated like a country in many regards, including international sports like the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic (under the name Chinese Taipei), but when it comes to official recognition, she's not a whole lot better off than Sealand.

To Be Continued!

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