Kim Jong-un(happy)

 

Today's opening match saw two teams with a loss each square off. The best case scenario for both teams would have been a draw. A second loss eliminates one team from the tournament. North Korea would start this game hot, like their lives depended on it (cough, cough). A fantastic play saw a pass, a shot, a save from Saudi keeper Waleed Abdullah that bounced out to Korea's Ryang Yong-gi in the 11th minute (the first North Korean goal in an Asian Cup Finals in 23 years). Things were looking good for the North side until the Kingdom came to it's senses. Momentum literally shifted with an errant pass in the midfield that would find Saudi Arabia attacking down the left, passing to the right, and result with Naif Hazazi tying the game in the 37th minute. Mohammed Al Sahlawi would make it 2:1 in the 52nd minute when a shot would bounce off of a Korean defender to his feet. A quick shot beat the keeper and the Green Falcons were flying high. Terrible passing by the defenders and keeper found Sahlawi scoring his second in a wide open goal just two minutes later. A fourth goal almost came later, but with the ball bouncing off the line and up, Korea's Ri Yong-jik would stick his arms up and touch the ball. That's a red card and a penalty kick. Nawaf Al Abid's strike would be saved by Ri Myong-guk, but would hit one post, roll across the line, strike the other post, and bounce out to a waiting Al Abid who would finally make it 4:1. Down 3 goals and 1 man, North Korea have one game left before going back home where life won't get any better.

DPR Korea 1:4 Saudi Arabia

IoannesNix: DPR Korea 1:0 Saudi Arabia

Artifex: DPR Korea 3:0 Saudi Arabia

Scriptor: DPR Korea 2:0 Saudi Arabia

Quaesitor: DPR Korea 1:2 Saudi Arabia

Praeceptor: DPR Korea 2:1 Saudi Arabia

In a rematch from 2011's Asian Cup group games, China was looking for some revenge against 4th place finishers Uzbekistan. A 2-2 draw at the last cup saw China eliminated from the tournament on the last day of group play. The White Wolves would strike first in the 22nd minute when Odil Ahmedov's shot would deflect way up high, and arc over a diving keeper into the top left corner of the goal. The Dragons found themselves 0:1 down, but not out. The tie would come in the second half as a Chinese ball would cross high over the face of goal. Uzbeki keeper Ignatiy Nesterov would jump and try to punch the ball clear, but miss. The ball would find a Chinese player, and with Nesterov out of position, two quick passes to a centered Wu Xi would lead to a goal. Chinese substitute Sun Ke would strike a fabulous goal from distance to beat Nesterov and give the Dragons the lead, win, and top of the group. China have now booked their spot in the quarterfinals with one game left against an eliminated North Korean side. For Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, life in this tournament comes down to their final game.

China PR 2:1 Uzbekistan

IoannesNix: China PR 1:0 Uzbekistan

Artifex: China PR 3:1 Uzbekistan

Scriptor: China PR 1:3 Uzbekistan

Quaesitor: China PR 3:2 Uzbekistan

Praeceptor: China PR 2:1 Uzbekistan **

North Korea's elimination means that Artifex and Praeceptor have lost one of their finalists, both choosing the side to finish second. Front runner IoannesNix picked the North Koreans to come out of the group, but not to advance past that. It shouldn't hurt her chances too much.

For correctly identifying the stuffed animal to be a Koala, IoannesNix was the recipient of the bonus bonanza point. However, as the question specified, identifying the animal's correct name would steal you the point. Therefore, Praeceptor has successfully named Koali and has stolen the bonus bonanza. ONTO THE STANDINGS!

STANDINGS:

15/5

12/3

9/1

6/2  YC

5/2   YC

Three teams have already been eliminated from the Asian Cup, but reigning World Champion Praeceptor is starting to make her move. She's closed the gap between 4th and 5th to one point. Meanwhile, a double wrong prediction has dropped Scriptor 6 points back of first, leaving a two player race that is separated by 3 points. Bonus Bonanza points may come into play. Good Luck Players.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca