
Page 1

Table of Contents

Welcome                     2

A Proud Club History        2

How to Maneuver Players     3

Joystick Control            3

Keyboard Control            3

Game Time Options           3

Tournament Selection        4

Main Control Menu           5

Playing a Game              9

Player Control              10

Kicking Techniques          10

Additional Play Features    11

To Exit Program             12

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Welcome to Action Sports Soccer

Football, European style! There aren't any gridirons here. No hash marks,
shoulder pads or helmets. Welcome to Microleague's version of the world's most
popular sport, soccer! This is the soccer game that puts you right in the
middle of world class action. By using either joystick or keyboard control,
lead the prestigious Manchester United Football Club against the world's best.
Guide them to prominence by advancing through your choice of several rigid
competitions: the European Cup, the European Cup Winners Cup, and the UEFA
(United Europe Football Association) Cup. If you succeed you will earn the
honor of representing Britain in the European Super Cup or the World Club
Championship in Japan. Game features include: formation selection, exhibition
or cup play, corner kicks, free kicks, penalties, substitutions, and
celebrations. Stats are compiled throughout the tournament so you may keep
track of your team's performance, as well as your opponents'.
The following pages hold all the information necessary for you to begin your
quest for the cup. We will walk through each step in a manner that you can
easily follow. Please read this entire manual before beginning play. A solid
understanding of the game and all its features will enable you to experience
hours of enjoyment.

A Proud Club History

The Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) is one of Britain's oldest and most
successful teams. However, this proud club has not always been the toast of
Britain. Originally, the team was called the Newton Health when they joined
the English Football League in 1892. They were first entrenched at the bottom
of the league for most of their early years. Then in 1908, they won their
first league title, and followed that with the UEFA Cup title the following
year. Throughout the 1930's and 40's frustration once again haunted the team.
However, prominence returned after World War II, when the years following
brought nothing less than the league title, the UEPA Cup, and runner up status
to the league title four times. The team gained much sympathy and support when
in 1958 they met with tragedy. After a victory in the European Cup semi-finals
, the team was heading home. Their plane was forced to stop in Munich for
refueling while Germany was being hit by a major snow storm. As the plane
attempted to takeoff it crashed at the end of the runway. Many were injured,
and half the team died in the accident. Since then the team has recovered
brilliantly, winning the league title in 1967, and the European Cup title in
1968. Four UEPA Cups have also followed. The pressure will be enormous and the
responsibility is large. Are you ready for the challenge of upholding their
rich tradition?

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How to Manuever Players and Cursor

You can play MicroLeague Action Sports Soccer either by joystick or keyboard.
We recommend the use of the joystick for maximum player control.

JOYSTICK CONTROL

Move the joystick to the desired position. Use the action key to enter a
selection, or to kick the ball. To kick the ball simply move the joystick in
the direction you want the ball to go and press the action key. For the
remainder of the manual, the "SELECT" means press the joystick fire button or
the keyboard spacebar. Also joystick "FIRE BUTTON" and keyboard "SPACEBAR"
will be generically referred to as "ACTION KEY".

KEYBOARD CONTROL

To play Action Sports Soccer by keyboard, press the keyboard key next to the
desired selection. The following is a list of keys and functions.

    Player 1                Player 2
    Z - LEFT                < - LEFT
    X - RIGHT               > - RIGHT
    R - UP                  { - UP
    D - DOWN                ; - DOWN
    T - FIRE                } - FIRE
    1 - SELECT SUBST. # 1   7 - SELECT SUBST. #2
    2 - SELECT SUBST. # 2   8 - SELECT SUBST. #2
    3 - SELECT SUBST. # 3   9 - SELECT SUBST. #3
    4 - SELECT SUBST. # 4   0 - SELECT SUBST. #4

Press the action key to enter your selections. Use the arrow keys on the
keyboard or move the joystick to control the soccer ball cursor on menu
selection screens.

Game Time Options

    F1 - Display this list
    F2 - Pause Game Toggle to Pause/Continue
    F3 - Anti-flicker OFF (default)
    F4 - Anti-flicker ON
    F7 - Player Map..............Toggle ON/OFF to view
                                 during play.
    F8 - Sound...................Toggle ON/OFF
    F9 - Game Speed..............Toggle Normal/Faster for
                                 slower PC's
    F10- Quit Game...............Remainder of game will
                                 be simulated
    Alt. F10 - Quit Game.........Remainder of game will be
                                 simulate, no conformation.
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Tournament Selection

Disk Icon * Restore Saved Game
Select the Disk icon to restore a previously saved contest. (How save contests
is explained in the Main Control screen section on page 5) You will then be
presented with 7 disk icons. Select the disk with the desired saved contest to
escape this screen without selecting a saved contest, select X.

Three Trophies * Start New Game
To start a new game select any of the three European trophies. When you choose
a cup, your team (Manchester United) will be scheduled to play in that
tournament. After selecting a trophy, the next screen verifies your decision.
To verify your selection select the check mark. To return to the trophy screen
select the X. Each trophy represents a specific tournament, each having the
same level of difficulty. You may choose to play any one of these tournaments.
The three trophies represent, from left to right:

UEFA Cup

This competition is not open to national or league champions. It is a
tournament for the "best of the rest". Each member association is allowed to
enter a certain number of teams on the basis of their success over the
previous five years. Clubs shall be entered by the national associations on
merit only. There is a limit of 64 teams that may compete in the tournament.

European Cup

The member associations of UEFA are entitled to enter their national champions
in the contest. The winner of the cup may return and defend its Cup title,
even if it does not repeat as its country's national champion. That country,
if so desired by it's national association, may be represented by both the
national champion and the defending cup champion.

European Cup Winner's Cup
This contest is for league and national champions of the upper divisions. A
team that qualified for this tournament cannot participate in the UEPA Cup.
After electing a tournament, you will enter the Main Control Menu. This screen
contains the following icons: Disk, Question Mark, Blackboard, Statistics
Page, and four Cups.

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Main Control Menu

Disk * Save Game

This icon allows you to save your current tournament position. To save your
position, move the cursor to an available disk icon and press the action key.
You may save up to 7 contests. When saving a game, it is saved to the current
directory on the default drive. If the game is run from floppy disk, the games
will be stored on the floppy. If the game is run from hard disk, the games
will be saved onto the hard disk.

Question Mark * Game Preferences

This icon allows you to select game preference. The following options are
available from game preferences:

Clock * Length of Match

Select the plus and minus symbols to increase or decrease the length of the
match. This is the total match length in real time. Regardless of length
selected, regulation 45 minute halves are simulated. The minute mark of each
half is posted in the upper left corner of the screen during game play.

Field * View Graphics

Use this icon to set whether you wish to play the arcade section of the game,
or to let the computer decide the result. Select this icon and X will appear
on the field. This signifies the computer will generate the outcome without
the use of graphics.

Manager * Name Selection

This is the icon of a gentleman dressed in a suit and carding briefcase.
Select this icon to activate the cursor after the manager's name, backspace
over the old name, and use the keyboard to type in a new entry. This allows
you to input your name as manager of Manchester United.

Players * Keyboard/Joystick/Computer Control

There are two player icons at the bottom of the screen. The player on the left
signifies the Manchester United Club, and the player on the right represents
the opposing team. Select either of these toggles between joystick, keyboard,
or computer control. The maximum number of human players is two. The goalie is
automatically controlled by the computer.

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When toggling through the player control icons you will notice that they are
accompanied by either the number 1 or the number 2. Choose the number 1 to use
the player controls on the left and choose number 2 to use the controls on the
right.

Check Mark

Select to confirm the choices you just made.

Blackboard * Formation and Player Selection

This icon takes you to the tactics section. Move the ball cursor between
Manchester United and the opposing team to view, formation, team selection,
and skill levels. The four slide bars on the right of the screen represent the
skill level of the Goalkeeper, Fullbacks, Halfbacks, and Forwards. Select the
plus and minus symbols to adjust the skills to the desired level. The two
double arrows at the top of the screen will allow you to view and select the
available formations. Move the cursor over any jersey to display the member of
your team currently picked to play that position. Select a player to replace
him with another player. After selection, your team roster will be displayed.
Use your joystick or up/down arrows to scroll through your roster. Press the
action key when the replacement player of choice is next to the indicator.
The player you have selected will now start in that position. Your available
substitutes for a match are shown at the top right on the field. Select the
check to exit screen.

Statistics Page

Monitoring your team's performance is essential in making sure that you have
the best available players on the field. The statistics feature allows you to
evaluate your team's play throughout the tournament. After selecting the
statistics icon you will be presented with two player icons. Each represents
the teams paired in the upcoming match. Select your team by selecting the
proper icon. This will display your team's statistics on the screen. The
statistical categories are represented by icons. These icons represent, from
left to right: goals scored (or goals allowed in the case of the goalkeeper),
stamina level (out of 255), skill level (out of 255), yellow and red cards
received, and games played in the current tournament.

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Position the highlight bar on a player by using the up/down arrow key or
joystick movement. By moving the joystick to the left or pressing the left
arrow key you will come to the "Player Overview" screen for that player. Here
you will get mor detailed statistics for the selected player on your roster.
This screen has two rows of statistics. The top row is the same as displayed
on the first screen: goals scored/allowed, stamina level, skill level, yellow
/red cards received, and games played in current tournament. The second row of
icons represent, from left to right; fouls committed, likelihood of a player
drawing a foul, likelihood a player will commit a foul, players tendencies to
argue with the referees, and how many times th the player has been fouled. To
return to the first statistical screen, press the action key. To return to the
Main Control Menu press the action key a second time.

Two Players Shaking Hands * Exhibition Play

This function allows you to set up and play a single exhibition game
(Friendly Match), at any time, against any team in the game. Scroll up and
down the list of teams. Select the team you desire to play against when it is
aligned with the cursor. To exit after selection, move the cursor left or
right. To confirm your selection select the check. Be sure to chose your
options for player control, your team formation, the length of game, and skill
level beforehand.

Four Cups * Monitoring Tournarnent Play

Tournaments are arranged to include a home and away series between teams in
each round, except for the finals for the European Cup and the Cup Winners
Cup, which are one game finals. The first game in a round is called the first
leg. The second game is the second leg. Winners of the European Cup and the
European Cup Winners Cup advance to the World Club Championship or the World
Super Cup. These cups consist of a one game final. The fourth cup on the Main
Control Menu is the European Super Cup and World Club Championship icon. It is
not present in the Tournament Selection screen because these are not open for
competition until the other tournaments have been completed.

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European Super Cup:

European Cup Champion vs. European Cup Winner's Cup Champ

World Club Championship:

European Cup Champion vs. So.American Champ

Notice that you can qualify for both the European Super Cup and the World Club
Championship if you manage to lead Manchester United to win the European Cup.
You may also qualify for the European Super Cup by winning the European Cup
Winner's Cup. Your opponent will be computed for you through each stage of the
tournaments. In tournament play either one team will win both games or they
will split the round, one leg each. In this case, the "away goal" rule
applies. This rule states that after a home and away series between two teams
that have split or tied both games, the team which has scored the most away
goals will be determined the winner.

Example:            HOME        AWAY

Result of Game 1 -  Team A      Team B
                      3           2

Result of Game 2 -  Team B      Team A
                      1           0

The outcome of this round will allow Team B to advance to the next round
because they scored two away goals to Team A's none. If the result of both
games is a draw and both teams have the same number of away goals then a
penalty shootout takes place. In a penalty shootout each team takes 5 penalty
shots. The team who converts the most shots into goals is determined the
winner. If after 5 attempts the result is still a draw then each team will
begin to take turns taking shots. The team to first make a shot without being
matched is declared the winner.

NOTE: An overtime period always takes place before a shootout in all Cup
Competitions (not sudden death).

To check on the results of other tournaments, select the desired cup icon on
the Main Control Menu. The home team is displayed on the left half of the
screen, away team on the right. If no games have been played, the schedule
will be displayed. Notice that Manchester United is scheduled in the
tournament selected at the Tournament Selection screen (with the three cups
and a disk at the top) as discussed on page 4.

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If games have been played, selecting a cup from the Main Control Menu will
enable you to see results of all previous legs and rounds played. The first
screen will show a schedule if no games have been played, the goals scored in
the first leg if one leg of a round played, or the the total goals scored in a
round if both legs have been played. The teams on the left are visitors. Home
team is on the right. Manchester United's uniforms are red (away) and light
blue (home). Move the joystick to the left or press the left arrow key to take
you to previous game. From the End-Of-Round Results, you will see the Second
Leg Results. To the left of the Second Leg Results is the First Leg Results.
Continue to proceed to the previous round result until eventually arriving at
the first round, first leg results screen. The Second Leg Results screen has
two sets of numbers for each team, one is in parentheses and the other is not.
The non-parenthesized number is the goals scored in the second leg, and the
number in parentheses is the total away goals scored. This number is used in
the tie-breaker situations discussed earlier.

Playing a Game

Press the action key to return to the Main Control Screen. To proceed to the
match section, select the check from the main control menu. You will proceed
to the presentation screen for your cup match. Select the check to continue or
select the X to escape. To proceed with your next match, press the check
again. To quit the current season and start again, press on the X icon while
you are on the main icon screen. To gain results when playing simulation
(non-graphic) mode or after you have been eliminated, go to the Main Control
Menu and select the check icon. This will advance the season by one leg. To
view results, select the relevant cup icon upon returning to the Main Control
Menu.

NOTE: Matches are not played every week, so it may be possible to advance a
week and find that no matches have been played. You may also get a message
that the season is over for you. This occurs after you have been eliminated
from a tournament. Press the action key to proceed past these screens. Idle
results you want will be available in the cup icons.

While proceeding through the check icons you may encounter an offer to play a
friendly match. Simply select X if you do not wish to play.

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Player Control

At the start of a match, Manchester United will always appear on the left side
of the field. They usually will appear in their home (light blue) uniforms. On
occasion they will appear in their road uniforms, which are red. On offense
and defense, the player closest to the ball is highlighted. This changes as
the ball is moved around the field. By using the joystick, or the keyboard
controls, the highlighted player will move in the direction you control. A
player can steal a ball by running into an opponent when he has possession.
You may also challenge an opponent by use of a slide tackle. Press the action
key as you run to tackle for the ball. A successful sliding tackle will result
in you gaining control of the ball; an unsuccessful slide tackle may result in
a foul and a caution (yellow card) from the referee.

Kicking Techniques

Kicking control is very important. There are different kicking techniques you
can use to shoot or move the ball fluidly down the field. If you can master
these kicking techniques, it will allow you to create scoring opportunities.
The better you move the ball, the more likely you are to have a man open for a
shot on goal.

Quick Shot

This is a good kick to use when you are close to the goal or attempting to
pass the ball to a nearby player. Simply press the action key and a power shot
in the direction you are traveling will occur.

Controlled Shot

Controlled shots allow you to do different things with the ball,such as back
kicks.

    1. Hold down the action key

    2. Move the joystick in any direction you wish to kick.

    3. Return joystick to neutral position and release action key.

You can control the strength of your kick by holding down the action key.
Holding down the button longer making the kick stronger, and vice versa. The
same concept applies when using the keyboard. Hold down on the key for the
direction you would like to kick the and press the action key. You may notice
that holding down the action key will prevent your ability to change the
direction your player is traveling. This will not prevent you from kicking the
ball in any direction, including back kicks.

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After Touch

This feature will allow you to emulate a curl shot that a talented player in
real-life might produce when kicking. This feature is only possible to use if
you use controlled shots. After releasing the action key, you have a short
time to elect the after touch feature. Immediately move the joystick in the
direction listed below:

    Up          Keeps the ball on the ground
    Up Right    Shot on ground with a curl to the left
    Up Left     Shot on ground with a curl to the right
    Right       Power shot with a left curl
    Left        Power shot with a right curl
    Center      Power shot
    Down Right  Chip shot with a left curl
    Down Left   Chip shot with a right curl
    Down        High chip shot

Additional Play Features

One Touch Play

If the ball is airborn you can play "one touch soccer." Simply run in the
direction of the ball and then hold down the action key. This will produce one
of three actions:

    1. Volley Shot      if the ball is waist high
    2. Power Header     if the ball is head high
    3. Sliding Shot     if the ball is on the ground

These features allow for spectacular goals or passing shots!

Corner Kicks

Use the joystick or keyboard to move the indicator, which will appear on the
field, to where you want the ball to go. Then press the action key to make the
shot. You may also use after touch to control the ball.

Free Kicks

Use the same procedure as for corner kicks.

Throw-ins

Move the circle target where you would like the ball to land and press the
action key to throw.

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Penalaty Kick

If you have been awarded a penalty kick, you can move the joystick into a
number of positions to take the kick. While keeping your joystick pressed in
the selected position, press the action key and the player will run for the
ball. You may use the after touch to control the ball after kicking it. Press
the joystick to the left or right to direct a shot towards the respective
corners of the net. Pull diagonally down to chip a shot, where as diagonally
up will kick a low ball. Keep the joystick in a neutral position to result in
a straight kick.

Substitutions

You may substitute a maximum of two players in any game. You have four players
on the bench from which to choose. To warm up a substitute use keys 1-4 for
player 1, or 7-0 for player 2. The substitution will take place at the next
break in play. If you change your mind before a break in the game, select the
number again and the player will return to the bench. It is advisable to take
note of the substitutes you have available before the start of each game. This
is done through the Formation and Team Selection function (Blackboard Icon)
from the Main Control Screen. As explained earlier in the Formation and Player
Selection section, page 6, your substitutes are shown at the top right of the
screen. Up your keys to determine which one to put in. The number 1 key being
the phyer on the left, the number 2 key being the second shown, and so on. At
a break in play, a coach from the team will hold up a card. The cards will
have player numbers of those on the field. Using your joystick, cycle through
the numbers and press the action key to confirm the player to come off the
field. If you are substituting two players at once, press up and down with the
joystick/keys to change the numbers for one substitute. Left and right will
elect the numbers for the other substitute.

To Exit Program

To exit this program return to the Main Control Menu. If desired you may save
your tournament by entering the Disk Icon. To exit to DOS, simultaneously
press the control and escape keys.

Good Luck in your quest for the cup!
