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Developers World Championship: Match Report - USA v India (Group C)

Doodle Jump (USA) vs Mystic Emporium (India)

Developers World Championship: Match Report - USA v India (Group C)
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USA Doodle Jump (Lima Sky)

VS INDIA Mystic Emporium (99Games)

Greg Rusedski and his white towel. Mike Atherton and a pocketful of dirt. Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley. John Terry and...well, just about anyone.

In times of great sporting need, it’s always reassuring to see a familiar face in the crowd, on the bench, or, in the USA’s case this afternoon, directly above.

Lima Sky’s monster iPhone hit, Doodle Jump, sailed up the App Store charts upon release and hasn’t really dropped since. With 3 million (and counting...) sales, this more-addictive-than-crack jumping game represented the Americans’ last throw of the dice in Group C.

Looking to bring Doodle the Doodler down a peg or two this afternoon was Mystic Emporium, a time management sim. by Indian developer 99Games.

This sublimely talented studio from the subcontinent wasn’t making its debut at the Pocket Gamer World Champs, having already check-mated Austria in an earlier group game.

Would the magical Indians cast a powerful spell over Doodle or could the inimitable (but much imitated) bouncer spring once again to the top?

On three points apiece at kick off, these two questions were of even greater relevance in the race for qualification...a victory for either side would clinch it.

Kick Off: 3pm, 23rd June

The critical view: Andy Murray may currently be occupied somewhat by a certain tennis tournament at SW17, but inbetween matches he is known to Doodle Jump with the best of ‘em. Serving up a storm in the opening set then, Lima Sky’s pride and joy hammered down an ace after four minutes.

A neat combination between the Apple Design Award 2010 and the prestigious PG Silver Award created space in the D for a half-volley into the net.

Lilly the witch had barely recovered from that setback before the Americans’ precise accelerometer controls had tilted the match even further in their favour. As the Indian defence seemed to collapse beneath him, Doodle sprang highest at a corner to make it 2-0 and a potential rout was looming.

Fortunately for the talented sorceress, help was at hand. Three hours prior to the game in her dressing-room cauldron, the enchantress had concocted a love potion, which she surreptitiously slipped into her opponent's isotonic drinks.

Following a refueling session after a set-piece, the US side was immediately smitten, switching off long enough to allow Mystic Emporium’s broomstick-flying winger to conjure up mayhem for the rest of the half.

Ultimately, though, the magician on the wing couldn't find a striker sharp enough to convert the chances and so the 99Games team went into the dressing room with a mountain to climb.

Half time: USA 2 – 0 India The Fans’ 45: For the third match in succession, the Indian supporters were in full voice, knowing that a draw wouldn't be enough to progress to the knockout stages in light of their inferior goal difference.

Inspired by the testing predicament, vociferous fans, and Mystic Emporium's 24 levels, the subcontinent's finest came out all wands blazing in the second half.

With the effects of that cynical love potion still evident, the Indians charmed their way to two quickfire goals, both courtesy of their free-kick wizard. First up, she slotted an unstoppable curler in off the frame of the goal, then five minutes later fired in an awkward drive that, somewhat ironically, beat the American keeper on the bounce.

Game on then at 2-2 and things were well and truly heating up in the afternoon sun. Indeed, the Indians might well have gone on to take the lead, had the US coach not discovered the cause of the lethargy and rapidly unleashed his medical team with an antidote.

The medicine plus a double substitution did the trick, though, as Doodle Jump's Facebook and Twitter integrated brilliantly into the frontline to rouse the fans and seize the initiative once more.

Chance after chance rained into the Indian box until, equipped with a hidden mini jet pack, the US centreforward soared to meet a corner perfectly on the forehead and send the US into a crucial lead.

The Indians, unsurprisingly, surrounded the referee to complain, but, having got wind of their earlier antics he seemed to decide it was dishonours even and allowed the goal to stand. Just minutes later, the final whistle blew and the Americans punched the (Lima) Sky in celebration.

Full time: USA 3 – 2 India Latest Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - Squads

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Richard Brown
Richard Brown
With a degree in German up his sleeve Richard squares up to the following three questions every morning: FIFA or Pro Evo? XBox 360 or PS3? McNulty or Bunk?