Continuing my hobby of writing about games, I decided to write a series of match reports following the exploits of the fictitious Landgraff United in Pro Evolution Soccer 4’s Konami Cup.
Landgraff United – LGU for short – is a team my friend Sean put together in an online football management game called HatTrick. He used to write team news on a forum, and it inspired me to do the same. I edited one of the game’s fictitious teams to match the kit, stadium and lineup of Landgraff United, then entered them into the Konami Cup. How did they fare? Read on!
Konami Cup 1st round.
Landgraff United vs. Real Betis.
Landgraff United‘s Konami Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start today with a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss to visiting Real Betis.
After falling a goal down in the 27th minute to a spectacular Oliveira diving header, LGU threatened the opposition penalty area numerous times, coming closest with a Lewbrant thunderbolt just before the half-time whistle sent the visitors in a goal ahead.
Coach Miguel Trincado Settier must have rallied the players at half time, as within five minutes the hosts were awarded a penalty right in front of their loyal supporters. Marco Hoogstrate decided to take over from regular set-piece expert Steen Rud Risum, and would have been disappointed to see his spot kick saved by Contreras in the Betis goal. However, LGU kept the pressure on and, after a quick cross from the right William Pierce popped up in the six yard box to head the ball straight across goal and inside the far post. The Landgraff Arena exploded; LGU’s celebrations in front of their own fans were ecstatic.
After the restart the game was a very scrappy affair with neither side holding onto possession too well. LGU applied some pressure to win a series of corners but failed to make use of them, and when Betis broke to the other end the defence gave away a needless foul. A quickly-taken free kick saw Betis ace Fernando sneak in around the back to tuck the ball away and make the game 2-1 in the 87th minute. Landgraff United’s loyal fans, so buoyant after their team’s equaliser, were now solemnly silent as the small group of Spanish fans celebrated.
Still optimistic
Despite a late chance for LGU the final whistle blew on the game at 2-1 to Betis. A disappointed Miguel Trincado Settier told me he was proud of his players despite the result.
“I thought we showed tremendous heart to get back into the game at 1-1 when we could have given up. We were unlucky with some of our chances, and I think we gave away a sloppy second goal, but sometimes things just don’t go your way. It’s just part of the game. We’ll be better-prepared for our second game next week.”
LGU now face an uphill struggle to qualify from Group 1, but hopefully coach Settier’s enthusiasm will rub off on his players in time for their next match against tournament dark horses Somesterrine.
Next match: Landgraff United vs. Somesterrine
My name is James Newton, and this is my website - a collection of my writings about
videogames, music and all my other thoughts.