Day 6 (6/24) Moral Draws

GROWING SAGO PALM, HOME, CA - #12 D3-Chelsea scored twice in two minutes of first half stoppage time to deflate #101 D2-Esperance de Tunisie's chances (who needed to win) en route to a 3-0 victory to finish 2nd in Group D.  #17 C4-SL Benfica scored an early goal and held on to beat #2 C1-Bayern Munich (who already qualified), 1-0, to win Group C.  

Two minnows managed to secure their first goal and their first point of the tournament.  D4-LAFC, who were held without a shot on goal until the 90'+4 last game, waited until the 84' for their first SOG but made it count.  However, two minutes later #27 D1-Flamengo (who had already won Group D) tied it and prevented LAFC with a moral victory, just a moral 1-1 draw.

#163 (or 4,971 according to Opta) C2-Auckland City's goalkeeper Nathan Garrow did everything with 10 saves (most of the spectacular variety) and even scored (on himself for #95 C3-Boca Juniors' only goal) in securing a point (and the $1 million that comes with it) in the 1-1 draw.  BOC had 39 shots with 10 on goal but didn't score (again, an own goal was their only goal).  Christian Gray will etch himself in the record books with a great header goal, AKL's first of the tournament. 

AKL's goalkeeper has seen 102 shots come his way with 43 of those on goal, making 27 saves.  With no real competition, the semi-pro/amateur side will likely qualify for 2029's CWC.

16 picked CHE but just 3 picked LAFvFLA tie and only Mauihammy (16th (last), 24 pts) picked SLB.  No one could imagine AKLvBOC ending in a draw.  All 16 had BAY and CHE making the Round of 16 while 14 had FLA and 11 had SLB.  Only four got 2 of the 4 games correct while 9 got all 4 R16 teams right.  Mancitymania got 14 of the 16 pts today to from a tie for 7th to a tie for 3rd (33).  8 others got 13 pts today.  Sweet Futbol Fabone only got 11 pts today but remains in first with 35 pts followed closely by PoolraiderPSG (34).  5 lost BOC in their R16 bracket.  12 got only 1 match correct while 7 got 3 of 4 R16 teams correct.  Four got 10 of 16 pts.

One of our sago palms just doubled in height this month, its newest leaves shooting skyward.  I wore my 2023-24 SL Benfica home jersey, which celebrates 120 years.