---
title: "Karjanian National Football Team"
nativeTitle: "Karjanmaan Jalkapallomaajoukkue"
type: "organization"
nation: "karjania"
infobox: (17 rows)
---
The Karjanian National football team have represented [[karjania]] in international football competitions since their foundation in 1886. It is part of the Karjanian Football Association (KAF), which in turn is part of the Karjanian Ministry of Sport. The team's biggest achievement came in 1904, when they won the AFA Football World Cup, defeating the Holy Evrian Empire in the final. Outside of their victory, Karjania have played in two other finals, in 1912 and 1930. They have also finished 3rd on three separate occasions, most recently in 1933. They have also made appearances in the EUFA Championships and the AFA Nations League.
## History
The team was founded in 1886, originally made up of only Routan players. Their first ever international game was a 3-5 loss to [[rudania]], played in Kämyrvi. Before that, the team played 8 friendlies against Karjanian football clubs, the first being a 4-2 win over Pietari FK. Their first ever international victory came in a 5-2 win over Kulanmaan in 1888, the colony's first ever game. Less than a year later, Karjania achieved it's biggest win, defeating the Frederikka Islands by 18 goals in Shompolahti in their first ever international. Almost exactly ten years later, [[skjarnland]] defeated Karjania by 8 goals in Åulot, which is to this day Karjania's largest defeat. A year later, in the inaugural Football World Cup, Karjania finished 3rd in their group with 4 points, behind Skjarnland and [[cortesia]], and ahead of Arunya. In 1904, at the third AFA world cup, Karjania won all three of their group games against East Astriya, Guandong and Calveria. They started their knockout campaign with a 4-2 win, and then defeated Calveria in the quarter finals on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Karjania won their semi final over Arverne 3-1, and qualified for their first ever World Cup Final. Their opponents were reigning champions, the Holy Evrian Empire. Karjania started with 2 goals inside the first 10 minutes, and held on until the 79th, when the trailing side got one back. In the 93rd minute, a counter after a cleared H.E.E. corner resulted in a goal for the underdogs, setting the final score at 3-1. This game is widely considered the greatest in Karjanian Football History. In 1908, Saamit and Esti players were officially allowed to join the national team. During [[great-war]], National Team players were given exceptions from conscription. After the Karjanian Civil War, the national team was rebranded, it's colours changed from blue to white and red. Karjania lost the 1930 final to [[nichirin]], and finished 3rd in 1933.
## Team Image
The team have been nicknamed "The Lions" since 1920, but before that, they were known by a variety of names, such as "The Crowns", "The Blue Wolves" and "The King's men". They play in white shirts, with red shorts and socks. Their away kit has a blue shirt with white shorts and socks. Their equipment and kits have been supplied by the State Owned KRV since 1921. The team, coached by the Skjarnish Vilhelm Appelgren since 1934 play an attacking style of football, and were known for their above average chance conversion during qualifiers for the 1935 AFA world cup. Karjania were eliminated in the group stage by [[varahmehr]] and Vicily in the 1934 World Cup, and later sacked manager Anton Asikainen. They play their home games at the Punainen Areena in Pietari, the largest stadium in Karjania, with almost 50,000 seats.
## Rivalries
Karjania's most notable rivalry is with Skjarnland, their neighbours. Their games were especially heated after the Great War, when several incidents of clashes between fans were reported. Their games are referred to as "The Arctic Derby". Other rivalries of Karjania include "The Red Derby" with Rudania and "The Southern Derby" with Livonia. Karjanians often consider games against Nichirin derbies after their defeat in the 1930 World Cup final. The games between Cahaya and Karjania have been called "The Frederikkan Derby", but neither side consider the other as rivals.
## Honours
AFA World Cup
- Champions (1904)
- Runner Up (1912, 1930)
- Third Place (1908, 1918, 1933)
Karjanian Royal Shield
- Champions (1886)
## Records
The most capped player in Karjanian history is Juhani Korpelainen, who played 97 games between 1889 and 1907, including 6 at the 1904 World Cup. Second is Taito Vaastela with 68, and third is Konsta Yrjöla with 54. The top scorer is Tim Pukki with 62 goals in 53 games including Friendlies. Karjanian manager Eesto Vaikonen holds the record for longest managerial career, having coached the team for 209 games between it's foundation in 1886 and 1911.
