[the phantom]

The inns in the Shire were abuzz after the first round of games, and drunken hobbits everywhere could be heard loudly proclaiming the excellence of their team. "We tied Taniquetil, can you believe it? The powers of the world! Why, if we can do that then I don't see why we can't win the whole tournament!"

Fans of Taniquetil talked as well, but their conversations were as serene as ever. "What happens will happen, and it is not within our rights to change the course of the tournament. Our task is to play football, and the will of Eru will determine the results."

The supporters of Dorthonion however intended for their team to take their own fate in hand in their game against the Shire. "These hobbits don't have our height or weight. We ought to be able to manage them, so long as we play aggressively!"

And last of all, the fans of Edoras, thrilled with the first round victory over Dorthonion, jested with light hearts and exercised their horses in fields. "What is there to worry about? We only need to win one of the next two, or maybe even a tie will do it. We'll get through, I'm sure!"

But picking up a point in their first match did not look easy, as they were set to play Taniquetil, who had proven in years past that they were a force to be reckoned with.

Right from the start it was obvious that the game would be a defensive struggle. Neither side played risky ball, and the defenses were solid, and so it was that possession after possession was stopped cold before putting any sort of threat on the goal. Finally five minutes before the half Thorondor managed to get past the horses and kick one at the net, but Theoden went full stretch and batted the attempt aside to keep the scoreboard inactive.

Immediately after halftime Edoras got their best chance as Eorl found a sliver of an opening in the defense of Taniquetil and boomed it through, but Mandos had it played perfectly and caught it without a problem. The clock continued to run time off and the fans grew louder and louder. Fifty-five minutes... sixty... sixty-five... seventy... at this point a goal would likely mean a win, and the supporters of both sides urged their clubs on with great energy. And Edoras didn't disappoint.

At minute 72 Eorl showed some great moves and made his way into the box threatening to score, and Vana made a desperate attempt to stop him and was carded for her efforts. It would be a penalty kick! Eorl kicked a laser straight ahead, betting on Mandos to jump, but Mandos held his ground and blocked it! But the bounce came back out and to the right, and Eorl was first there and booted it to the right post, but Nessa running in to help laid out in a dive in front of him and deflected it down and to the left! But as the slow-rolling ball approached the left post, Eowyn beat the defenders to it and slid into the ball, poking it across the line and past the fingertips of Mandos! Edoras had earned the lead!

In the final 15 Taniquetil played as quickly and aggressively as they could, but as everyone knew, quick-strike offense was not their specialty, and the sound defense of Edoras easily weathered the storm. Edoras walked off the field heads held high, knowing they were going to the playoffs. The fans of Taniquetil sat quietly, handling the sad news as best they could. They were in real danger of being left out in the cold for the second straight year.

Edoras 1-0 Taniquetil
shots 11-7
on target 3-2
GOALS:
*72, Edoras (Eowyn, Eorl)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Edoras- Aldor, Elfwine
*Taniquetil- Orome, Vana, Lorien

As the second game of the day kicked off, it soon became apparent that the crowd was in for yet another excursion into the world of defensive excellence. Angrond and Aegnor were quick and tireless, and Barahir and powerful and fearless, but farmer Maggot, farmer Cotton, and the brothers Fili and Kili were sturdier than ever, and held the men and elves in check. On the other side of the field Bullroarer and Halbarad were having an equally impossible time against the defense that Beor arrayed against them. Yes, the sides gained a shot or two at the keepers, but they were prayers from a distance and the keepers had no trouble when they were actually on target.

During halftime the hobbits in the stands worked themselves into a frenzy. With the result from earlier in the day, a win here would practically clinch the playoffs for the halflings and friends, but a loss with Edoras looming would probably mean elimination. "Come on! Play like it's your last match!" they shouted at their team, and the home side took the words to heart and went at it with great vigor to begin the half.

Their efforts payed off in minute 56 when Halbarad and Bullroarer managed to hold possession far up front for long enough to receive support, and Nori broke through and received a pass drawing the keeper and two defenders but last minute sent it to the right side where Fatty beat his man for a header and the first goal of the game. The hobbits in the stands went wild and broke out the ale and began singing loudly, but it turned out that they were celebrating too soon. In minute 74 Aegnor sent one in from the corner and Andreth rose up above her smaller defenders and headed it expertly under the top post.

The Shire tried to strike back, but after nearly getting caught by a quick counter-attack, they pulled back in order to secure the tie and an extra point in the standings. The game ended at 1-1, and second place in the group would be completely up for grabs in the final round.

Dorthonion 1-1 Shire
shots 11-9
on target 6-4
GOALS:
*56, Shire (Fatty, Nori)
*74, Dorthonion (Andreth, Aegnor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Dorthonion- Angrod, Gorlim
*Shire- Fili, Nori

GROUP F STANDINGS

----team----points---goal diff
Edoras..........6...........+3
Shire............2............0
Taniquetil......1...........-1
Dorthonion....1...........-2