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by Robert "Pennywise" Gray

Insmouth received a less than favorable draw for the Brazilian Cup Quarter-finals with an away game to Red Onions (3). We were always destined to meet manager bigtyksen_2nd for any local trophy but we had hoped to avoid this clash until the latter stages.

Insmouth Gazette pundits were divided in their predictions for this mammoth derby but 7 of them considered home advantage vital and backed Red Onions while 4 thought Insmouth would make it through.

The Onion Field was at full capacity as the 10,000 crowd geared up for a match worty of a Final.

Red Onions went for a 5-3-2 formation. It was impossible to pin-point key players in a team that was literally brimming with quality.

Insmouth made a tactical change and went for a 5-4-1 formation. Keeper Giacomo Feriani (58.) was asked to fill in as a RB and fullback Michael Leitz (49) started as a LB.

The two lineups were evenly matched. Red Onions had a slight advantage in defense and midfield while Insmouth enjoyed superiority in attack.

Our changed formation allowed us a bit more security at the back however it also cost us in midfield. It quickly became evident Red Onions were able to hold the ball for long patches of the match and Cheetahs striker Leo Furtado was often isolated up front.

Red Onions were able to deliver many more balls to their strikers and definitely looked much sharper in the first half.

We always expected a physical battle and neither team backed off a challenge. There were a lot of fouls but nothing too shocking. It took more than half an hour for the referee to pull the first card. Insmouth central midfielder Atílio Silveira (59) was on the receiving end.

32' - Yellow Card! Atílio Silveira (Insmouth Cheetahs)

Insmouth seemed content with playing second fiddle in this half and the gameplan nearly worked. But we allowed Red Onions to make their midfield advantage count and we were made to pay for it near the end of the first half.

Red Onions defensive midfielder Miro Bujas (64) showed tremendous vision to pull a great through ball and striker John Nowell (67) escaped the offside trap to burst one on one with Insmouth keeper Rosewarns. Nowell rounded the goalie and put the ball in the back of the net to deliver the all important opener!

43' - GOAL!!! 1-0 - John Nowell (Miro Bujas assist)

Cheetahs started the second half brightly but were limited to a couple long-range efforts from midfield. Despite his lively movement off the ball, our forward Leo Furtado was still isolated.

The one time Furtado got the ball in a good position he was stopped with a tactical foul from Red Onions sweeper Joao Paulo Veloso (60). The yellow card was a small price to pay for the home defender.

56' - Yellow Card! Joao Paulo Veloso (Red Onions)

This early second half spell quickly evaporated and Red Onions regained possession and control over the match.

Furthermore the hosts crafted some good chances on the counter and Insmouth were fortunate to remain in contention. Rosewarns pulled some quality saves but his colleagues were unable to take advantage of this.

Insmouth made a strange substitution by bringing hole player Shubham Tendulkar (32) on for fullback Michael Leitz when there were arguably better options on the bench.

72' - Substitution (Insmouth Cheetahs): LB Michael Leitz (49) off; hole player Shubham Tendulkar (32) on

Whatever this sub was intended to do, it didn't work. Red Onions held their control over the match and simply allowed no chances in front of their goal.

The referee assigned 5 minutes of added time but it only prolonged Insmouth's misery. We were completely and utterly unable to even pile chaotic pressure in the end. Red Onions patiently waited for the final whistle and greeted themselves with a well deserved victory and a place in the Brazilian Cup Semi-finals.

Final score: Red Onions (3) - Insmouth Cheetahs (4) 1-0 (John Nowell 43)
Man of the Match: Andrew Partridge (Red Onions)

Brazilian Cup Quarter-finals:

Peregrinos (7) - The Rockets (21) 2-1 FT
Tox1cbeasts (74) - Alexandra County (41) 1-2 FT
Pennyroyal FC (512) - CF Andorinha de Penhasco (78.) 0-2 FT

Insmouth Gazette Pundits

Time for our pundits section. The cup clashes were a good opportunity for them to improve their standing. colins70 nailed three precise scores and was able to extend his lead at the top to 9 points. Things are getting heated for third position but the only change in positions is Tstuff leapfrogging ozzymac in tenth. Let's see how the leaderboard looks after Brazilian Cup Quarter-finals:

1. colins70............139pts
2. andyoz.........__ 130pts
3. wally............__ 110pts
4. scotty1962..___ 109pts
5. ironpsycho....__ 108pts
6. mackfishy......._ 105pts
7. AberdeenAngels 100pts
8. jpjjpj................. 94pts
9. lawtons11.....___ 88pts
10. Tstuff............... 82pts
11. ozzymac........... 78pts
12. aknight2000..... 74pts
13. Njidda..........__ 35pts
14. taoheedovic_ww 33pts
15. tellofrosh........_ 27pts

Next up is the Inter Cup Platinum Cup Round 2 roundup so stay with us to see what happened there:

Inter Cup Platinum Cup Round 2:
Insmouth Cheetahs (4) - James Town FC (12)
Black Sails (72) - Beijing Niubi (46)
Demonic Snowmen (16) - Red Onions (3)
Manama AFC (10) - Inter Milan (26)
Norfolk Enchants (6) - The Rockets (22)
Tectonic Mango (15) - Oldcastle United (14)
Turtlesim FC (31) - La Sombra del Viento (11)
Warham (17) - Minor Threat (25)