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Maraqua Knocks Virtupets Out of Top Spot


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Obligatory disclaimer: This news report was written to inform you all of the latest Altador Cup results in as entertaining a manner as possible. The rest of its content is largely fictional, composed from various fan comments and the whims of our imagination in an attempt to inspire a sense of realism through our reporting. While we do our best to keep things reasonably neutral, this report is in no way intended to be a completely bias-free listing of the day's results, nor does it claim to provide critical analysis of past and potential outcomes from qualified Altador Cup experts. Please note that the opinions formulated in this report are from a full team of different reporters, and in no way represent the views of only a single faction. If you're looking for 100% unbiased performance data, take a look at our standings page. If professional analysis tickles your fancy, you want our predictions pages (global/daily).

 

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Hello once again ACers! We're now moving into the last quarter of this year's second round, and for once I'm going to forgo my usual opening preamble and just say this: the endgame is ON!

 

Indeed, it was all about the endgame for Team Maraqua in their match against the Virtupets Robots, as Virtupets blasted ahead of the Maraquans with several early goals, able to hold that lead for most of the match. Slow-starting as usual, the Maraquans took a while to get their defence in order and ready to repel the Robots' well-calculated onslaught, leaving both teams in a deadlock for much of the game. It was only during the final minutes that Maraquan forward Elon Hughlis, supported by defender Lamelle Turow, succeeded in slipping past Virtupets defenders Weldar Xupenfarb and Sela Pretore. The improvised forward team barely managed to equalise the score before a defensive shift from the Virtupets field players, and some sharp saves on the part of Goltron Mk I, shut them back down. For a moment, it seemed like the Robots were going to be able to edge ahead, surprising Maraqua's defence with a sharp flank from the lower field, but one brilliant save from Maraquan keeper Tonie Plessix kept the Mermaids' hopes alive. In the closing seconds of the match, a clutch cross-field goal from Maraquan defender Oten Runeu finally broke the tie, allowing the Maraquans to slip ahead and take the Yooyuball win for the day.

 

Debate still rages among analysts and fans as to whether Runeu's match-winning goal was a matter of untapped skill or sheer luck, and that debate ended up carrying over to Make Some Noise, leaving Team Virtupets well ahead in the decibel tally by the end of the day. The Robots were also able to take Slushie Slinger, but Maraqua countered with a win in Shootout Showdown, coming away with a convincing overall victory.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/popups/shenkuu/logo.png" alt="Shenkuu Logo" style="float:left;margin:5px;" />The Shenkuu Ninjas also managed a decisive victory over the Haunted Woods, with supporters and players for both teams going strong across the board. While Team Haunted Woods was able to make short work of the Ninjas in Make Some Noise, the two teams remained relatively even in Shootout Showdown. Meanwhile, Slushie Slinger and the all-important Yooyuball went to the Ninjas by storm, allowing them to vault up past the Lost Desert into tier three.

 

And on the subject of Team Lost Desert, let's go to Lydia, who's been keeping an eye on the match between them and their opponents for the day, Team Meridell.

 

“-knew the Murphy idea was a bad one. I hope they tear him into scrap. Whoops and I’m on. Thanks AA!

 

Well I’m back in the field after the disastrous results from Murphy. I’m reporting live from section 2 - or B I guess - where the Lost Desert is wrapping up its match with Meridell. After their astounding sweep of the Haunted Woods just two days ago, the Mummies are holding up well against much higher ranked teams. Though they lost the Yooyuball game today, they were able to nearly side sweep the Knights, only giving up Shootout Showdown.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/meridell_0.gif" alt="Yoris Obbles" style="float:right;margin:5px;" /> Yoris Obbles, the goalkeeper for Meridell, was available for comment briefly after the game. “I was pleased with the way the Yooyuball match went - we played our hardest but Lost Desert was a tough nut to crack. I don’t think I’ve seen so many Yooyus come my way before. My proudest moment was when someone got the strength power-up while holding a fire Yooyu, and I was able to score a goal - my first this tournament!”

 

Leera Heggle, captain and goalkeeper of the Lost Desert, kept his team unavailable for comment, though the fans were vocal about their disappointment. “We’re going to have a really hard time getting back into third tier,” said one, “but I think we can do it - we’ve done crazier things before!” He also very kindly gave me a slushie!

 

Not all was lost within the Lost Desert, as they took a solid win in both Slushie Slinger and Make Some Noise - fans just weren’t showing up for the Knights. Shootout Showdown went to Meridell by a narrow margin, though the fan turn out was low for that as well. One of the few fans that turned out said that they were hoping for third. While Darigan Citadel slipped back into fifth place after today’s bout with Roo Island, the Minions could still easily knock the Knights into second tier if they aren’t careful.

 

With both teams sitting on the brink of a tier, the next few matches will really make a big difference. The Knights going up against the Lakers could secure their spot in the first tier, especially if the Darigan Citadel does poorly in their match against the Dinos. The Lost Desert needs to do well against the Robots in order to move back into the third tier, and their fans seem confident they can do it.

 

In other news, a fight broke out behind my cameraman, and it wasn’t my fault! I’m not going to cause a riot every time I come out here! I bet Murphy started more fights than I did... Anyway, this is Lydia, signing off. And now back to you AA!”

 

Thank you Lydia, and, uh, enjoy your slushie while pointedly avoiding that fight.

 

<img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/rooisland_4.gif" alt="Gordo Gunnels" style="float:left;margin:5px;" /> <img src="https://images.neopets.com/altador/altadorcup/2011/teams/darigancitadel_4.gif" alt="Tandrak Shaye" style="float:right;margin:5px;" /> With the rioting and general violence that's become an almost everyday occurrence during the Altador Cup, it was a pleasant surprise to see fans of Teams Darigan Citadel and Roo Island displaying excellent sportsmanship during their clash, especially since both Yooyu sports were tied by the end of the day, an outcome which would normally have incensed even the most level-headed supporter. Good sportsmanship didn't keep the Citadel from battling their way to an overall win however, as they scored victories in Make Some Noise and Slushie Slinger, leaving them just a fraction of a point behind fourth place.

 

It was business as usual for Altador, Kiko Lake, and Moltara, as all three teams managed to spar their way past much stronger opponents in one side game, with Altador taking Slushie Slinger from Krawk Island, Kiko Lake scooting past Kreludor in the penalty shootouts, and Moltara also managing a clear Slushie Slinger victory over Mystery Island. Unfortunately for Team Faerieland, they had a much tougher time getting past side gaming powerhouse Tyrannia, eventually conceding a sweep to the Tyrannian Fossils, despite their best efforts.

 

Taking another look at the unrelenting contention for positions in tier three, Team Brightvale seems to be well on its way to securing its own place in the bracket, coming away from their match against Terror Mountain with wins in Yooyuball and Slushie Slinger. The Terror Mountain Chillers managed to win the remaining side games however, claiming enough points to hang on to their tier two spot, at least for the moment.

 

The Chillers won't be able to rest easy for long however, as Team Haunted Woods remains hot on their tail, trailing by just over a point. The Zombies have a tough time ahead today though, crossing guards with the Brightvale Wizards, a team which will be eager to prove their worth and consolidate their tier three position. Most analysts have picked Team Brightvale as the favourite to win this match, but while they may still be smarting from a string of losses, it's hard to forget just how incredibly strong the Haunted Woods have proven themselves to be this season - whatever the outcome, chances are this will be a match to watch.

 

Top tier contenders Darigan Citadel and Krawk Island also have tough opponents to take on today, as they'll be facing Teams Tyrannia and Roo Island respectively. Tyrannia might not be especially strong in Yooyuball for a higher tier team, but the Fossils have a side game punch that few can match, and even fewer can beat. Meanwhile, the Roos compensate for their relatively unimpressive side game record with Yooyuball performance on par with many of this year's finest top four candidates. Two of the tournament's strongest mid-tier teams facing off against top powerhouses with vastly differing approaches - once again, these matches will probably be well worth keeping an eye on.

 

And with that, I'd better wrap up this report and start keeping my eye on said matches! This is AA, reporting for The Daily Neopets, signing off. Good luck!

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Awesome report AA and Lydia. :)

 

SK is doing well.

We should be able to advance even higher if we won't let Moltara catch us off guard today.

 

I'm hoping Roo Island would reach Tier 2 and Terror Mountain would join Haunted Woods in the 3rd tier.

 

Why you ask.?

 

Well, My pet's a Blumaroo so I know he wants Roo Island to do good. And Roo Island was my AC I Team.

 

Strategically, Terror Mountain and Haunted Woods are weaker in Yooyuball than Roo Island. (not to be mean!)

 

And Lost Desert should be in Tier 3 instead of Brightvale. So Shenkuu would not have a difficult time in Yooyuball a.k.a. the Finals!

 

Hahahaha. Just Kidding. But It would be awesome If It happened. ;)

 

Don't hate me please. I'm just well.. eager for Shenkuu to win Tier 3. ;)

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Finally Shenkuu is waking up especially in SLS !!! great job guys ... and let's play as hard today as before ... I agree with you Jonathan but I don't want DC to be in Tier 3 with us .. they're stronger than us really :worried:

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Finally Shenkuu is waking up especially in SLS !!! great job guys ... and let's play as hard today as before ... I agree with you Jonathan but I don't want DC to be in Tier 3 with us .. they're stronger than us really :worried:

 

DC? I believe I didn't mention DC in my comment/reply/post. Maybe you mean HW? TM? LD? Those are the teams I want. And statistically, we're better or having almost the same record in YYB.

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*facepalm*

I played record amounts of YYB and SOSD yesterday only to have my team lose for those two games. :grrr: Wow, what luck.

Oh well. @any Maraquans reading this topic: Congrats to your team for winning YYB and SOSD. At the end of the day, I really do love you all. ^_^

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DC? I believe I didn't mention DC in my comment/reply/post

 

I was definitely hallucinating lol !! ... I had just woken up ... my apologies ... yes I don't mind playing any of the teams you mentioned :)

 

 

I like how this topic has been taken over by Shenkuu supporters!

 

we always sneak up on topics .. NINJAS FTW

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This dance is starting to put me on edge. Rising and falling out of place everyday by fractions of points, grah! And certainly it must be no better up between first and second tier either. I commend your patience.

 

I want to predict an upset for Moltara. It'll be good for both our teams. biggrin.gif

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Yet again we beat a higher up team than us, and we still can't move out of 6th! :grrr:

Maraqua's positioning right now doesn't matter so much as the fact that they are now only a fraction of a point away from reaching tier one. Slacking off early in the second round cost the team heavily, which is why it's taken them so long to get enough points to close in on fourth and fifth place, but they've finally arrived and should have a good shot at climbing in the coming days. :)

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Yet again we beat a higher up team than us, and we still can't move out of 6th! :grrr:

I feel bad for Haunted Woods...they do pretty well in YYB and sidegames but can't seem to climb out of 9th each year.

 

But anyway...Brightvale beat us, but we're still hanging in there at 8th. So long as we land in Tier 2 after July 4th (the 34th and last day of the Double Round Robin), we still have a chance of placing as high as fifth. Let's go Terror Mountain!

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