We were now entering the second half of Group A with only 3 points separating all 5 teams. Every match was going to be vital in the teams' quest for Cup and Plate qualification. Next up were Beijing Rockets versus VTF Reserves.

Beijing Rockets had a great record in the group phase of our events with 6 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat from 8 games. Over that period they had scored 16 goals and conceded only 3. With 4 points from 6 so far today they were looking good for a second successive Cup qualification.

VTF Reserves were looking to put their second win on the board. If they could they would leapfrog their opponents (and AFC Blue Boys) and climb from third to first in the table. When the first half ended in this one we were no closer to knowing the destination of the points as the teams were still level at 0-0.

The deadlock was broken after the change of ends though and it was Tom Paxton the man on target for VTF Reserves. It was the first time Beijing Rockets had been behind today but as they sought an equalizer they conceded again. Louis Totovan scored his second of the tournament to seal the 3 points for his team. VTF Reserves were top of Group A with just one game to go.

Up next was Trojans playing their third game against VTF Reserves playing their final game. As things stood, VTF Reserves were a point behind AFC Blue Boys with a chance to move back to the top of the table. A win here would guarantee them a top two finish and therefore Cup qualification.

Trojans had moved up to 4th place without playing due to Los Guerreros's plummeting goal difference in the match. A win could move them up to joint third position and put them in pole position to claim a Plate qualification place and an outside chance of reaching the Cup.

We'd seen so far in Group A that the team scoring the first goal had yet to lose. So, it would have been disheartening for Trojans to see VTF Reserves go ahead through Dominic Yates. VTF Reserves forged further ahead and took a 2-0 lead into half-time. There was still hope for Trojans who had recovered from 2-0 down against Los Guerreros to secure a 3-3 draw but they were unable to perform another rescue act here.

VTF Reserves got stronger and stronger as the game wore on. In the end, there was a brace for Louis Totavon, Dominic Yates and Alex Wood as the men in orange ran out comprehensive 6-0 winners.

80% of Group B games were now completed with just 2 to go. We turned our attention to Beijing Rockets versus Los Guerreros. If we were running odds at the start of the tournament we'd have had Beijing Rockets as odds on to reach the Cup but recent results had put them bang up against it. They needed to win this game and hope for AFC Blue Boys to slip up in their final game in order to make it into the top two. After AFC Blue Boys had won 7-0 last time, goal difference was firmly against Beijing Rockets too.

From a Los Guerreros perspective, Plate qualification was still within their grasp. They had to better the result of Trojans (who were due to play in the final group game) to continue their progress in this tournament.

The first half came and went with no score between the two teams but the deadlock was to be broken in the second half. Lee Liquorish, who had scored in the 3-3 draw against Trojans, was on target to put Los Guerreros 1-0 up. Beijing Rockets, with 1 defeat in 8 group games in our events, were now facing the prospect of two on the bounce. Immediate disaster was averted as Steven Hutt levelled the score at 1-1. Could they go on and find the winner? In short, no. When the referee blew the whistle for full-time the two teams were still tied at 1-1 and had to settle for a point each.

The result saw Beijing Rockets guarantee third place in the table. They would go through to the Plate but would Los Guerreros be joining them? They currently had a one point lead over Trojans.

We went into Game 10 of Group B with AFC Blue Boys due to host Trojans. Let's have a look at what was at stake for the two teams going into this encounter:

AFC Blu Boys: A win would see them secure the Group A title and secure a Cup Semi-Final against the runners-up in Group B. Cup qualification was assured even with a draw or defeat. However, it would mean second place and a theoretically tougher game against the Group A winners.

Trojans: Defeat would see them finish bottom of the table and eliminated from the tournament. A 0-0 draw would see them finish joint fourth with Los Guerreros on 2 points and a penalty shoot-out would be needed to split them as they would have identical goal difference and had drawn in the head-to-head fixture. A score-draw would see Trojans progress on goals scored. A win would see them progress to the Plate in fourth with a big confidence boost for the knockout stage.

Trojans would have a monumental task on their hands to prevent AFC Blue Boys winning their group for the second year in a row at the Mallorca Veterans. The Polish team had already scored 11 in 3 games and they were on the scoresheet again early in this one. Artur Sukiennik scored for the third game running to give AFC Blue Boys a 1-0 lead. Tomasz Sieradzan added a quick second and at half-time the destination of the points looked clear.

It was a result that naturally suited AFC Blue Boys but also would have been cheered on by Los Guerreros who would finish fourth with a Polish victory. The result was rubber-stamped after the break with a Marcin Zaluga goal to complete a 3-0 win. There was also a third clean sheet in four games for Mariusz Kupisiak and his defence to celebrate.

Congratulations to AFC Blue Boys on the match and group victory. We offer our commiserations to Trojans who bowed out but thank them for their participation in this great event.

Veterans

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