[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

Third Place Match
10/12

1 LRL v GAC 0
The name of the game is redemption. 16 teams want it, two have the opportunity to compete for it, and only one will achieve it. Emotions always run high during third place redemption matches, and the Laeral v Greater Acadia clash was no exception. The stadium was packed. A lively mix of Laeralite and Acadian supporters, locals, and even many fans of eliminated teams, eager to witness the tournament’s second biggest spectacle, came out to experience what shaped up to be one of the most exhilarating redemption matches in IDUFC history. Despite only a single goal on the scoreboard at the final whistle, both Laeral and Greater Acadia played exquisitely. The beginning of the match even seemed to favor the Acadians, who played their most aggressive opening minutes this tournament and nearly landed a goal at minute 22. A chip shot kicked by Brodeur missed just wide of the goal. Although it did not result in a shot on goal, just minutes later, Acadian player John Hood managed to intercept a throw-in from Fuhai, who then unsuccessfully rushed the Laeralite goal, only to lose the ball to an expert tackle by Song. In the second half, the Snow Leopards dug in, matching the Maple Leaves’ aggressive strategy with their own all out offensive drive. This gambit ultimately paid off. Jiang scored on the Acadian goalkeeper in the 61st minute of play, finally alleviating the match’s score drought. Jiang’s goal was met with a resounding roar of approval from the Laeralite section of the stands and a decidedly meeker round of forlorn booing from the Acadians. As the game wound to a close, the Acadians were unable to match Jiang’s goal. The final whistle blew and the Acadians left the pitch with no goals to show for their efforts. "Runner up to third place" is not the title the Maple Leaves hoped to earn in this tournament, and many fans left the arena with a look of melancholy about them, but they should find solace in the knowledge that the Greater Acadian national team has proven this year that it cannot be underestimated. A number of particularly enthusiastic (and probably inebriated) Laeralite supporters, on the other hand, wasted no time in rushing the field, whooping and cheering for their team. Following two quite average performances in past IDUFC tournaments, a place on the podium has finally confirmed what many sports fans have postulated for years, that Laeral is and remains one of the most formidable national teams on the planet.