Two groups of 11 teams and you all play each other once. The top four from each group qualify for the quarter-finals. Teams are separated by points, but if teams are level, then goal difference decides. If points and GD are the same, then it is the head-to-head result which decides position.
Quarter-Finals are as follows:
Winner Group A vs 4th Group B
2nd Group A vs 3rd Group B
2nd Group B vs 3rd Group A
Winner Group B vs 4th Group A
Semi-Finals:
Winner Q1 vs Winner Q3
Winner Q4 vs Winner Q2
Final:
Winner S1 vs Winner S2
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As there's no option for extra-time and penalties, knockout stage matches will be replayed until there is a result (this is how the FA Cup used to be run!).
There will be a 7 day window in which you can organise the match with your opponent. It is down to the home team to contact the away team in the first instance. I'm not sure what to do if a match is not played, as there's no way I can prove that each player didn't try to contact the other. Any suggestions? I don't think a 0-0 forfeit is a good idea, as it may encourage players to purposefully not show up in order to get the point they need in order to qualify. What does everyone think?
Matches shall be 3 mins, otherwise players of lesser ability will end up losing 10-0, and that's not encouraging - there will be less upsets the longer the games go on, and upsets is what makes this game fun, right? We all want to see Dudley nick a 1-0 win over Cadmium Lemon, for example (no offence Cad).
You are allowed to have as many warm-up games against each other, but you MUST both verbally agree before you load up the match that this one is the one that 'counts'.
As quite a few people prefer playing on a certain type of pitch, the home player gets to pick which pitch type they want; thus giving a slight advantage. The knockout rounds are played on 'random' to simulate a neutral ground as otherwise it'd be unfair.