By Owen Morgan
FIFA’S Nations League Draw held in Amsterdam couldn’t hold a candle to the DAIsolate Cup – even if the names for the second round were being pulled out of a Tupperware tub!
Fronting the draw for the Ammanford AFC-inspired virtual FIFA football tournament were S4C’s Sgorio favourites, Dylan Ebenezer and Nicky John.
As the draw was streamed live on YouTube from living rooms at different ends of Wales, Ebzy commented: “They’ve even shaken the Tupperware box – fantastic! FIFA have got nothing on this.
Then he asked his S4C colleague: “Nicky, you were in Amsterdam for the Nations League draw, how does this compare?”
“It had nothing on this. Absolutely nothing,” replied Nicky, sitting in her freshly painted kitchen, crossing off the team names on her handwritten list.
Ebzy, sporting a rather natty earphone/microphone headset combo, said: “I feel like I’m in a call centre with these headphones. I might be if football carries on being cancelled!”
But while traditional football is postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, the DAIsolate Cup is providing some much needed sporting entertainment for the nation.
Despite the banter, the makeshift props and separate venues, the draw went smoothly, even overcoming the fact that Nicky mis-read Swansea Senior League team Maltsters as “Maltesers”!
— Nicky John (@NickyZJohn) November 15, 2019
Trebanog, the biggest winners in the first round thanks to a thumping 23-0 win from their representative Sam L’Homme, were the team everyone wanted to avoid in the second round.
The unlucky club to be drawn out of the Tupperware this time round were Penrhiwceiber Rangers AFC, who themselves enjoyed a 5-1 win in the first round thanks to Declan Hansen Spure.
One of the stars of the first round – which produced 557 goals in 64 games – was Pontyclun’s Jonny Davies, who became something of a social-media sensation when he was interviewed by his dad after his victory.
In an impressive 22-second video interview, Davies managed to cram in such soccer staples as “early doors”, “squeaky bum time”, “park the bus” and “onto the next round and into the hat”.
Davies was the special guest for the second round draw, but Sgorio presenter Nicky had a warning for him – “Leave the post-match stuff to me. I don’t want to be out of a job when this is all over!”
In the second round, Davies will face a tough challenge against Joe Todd, of Chuck Bastian FC, who enjoyed a 6-2 win in the first round.
As well as providing some light relief from the serious news of the global pandemic, the tournament is also raising funds for the Welsh NHS and a foodbank of the winner’s choice.
Some players wasted no time getting into action after the draw, Crickhowell’s James Davies booked his place in the third round in a nine-goal thriller against David Davies, of Llanelli’s Evans and Williams.
We caught up with @JonnnyyyyyyyD to get his thoughts, following tonight’s 4-2 win against @dafenwelfarefc in the #WelshFIFATournament @AFCAmmanford @AllWalesSport pic.twitter.com/YXGukjwaey
— Pontyclun FC (@PontyclunFC) March 25, 2020
Organiser Jason Pocock, of Ammanford AFC, said he was delighted with the response the tournament has received.
“It’s been brilliant,” he said. “The social media support has been outstanding.”
All second round matches must be played by Sunday night 10.00pm. Once again, selected matches will be streamed live. The next draw will take place on Monday.
You can keep up with all the latest news on Ammanford AFC’s twitter account and also All Wales Sport.
@AFCAmmanford
@AllWalesSport
You can also donate towards the fundraising drive at Ammanford’s Justgiving page.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ammanofrdfifa
