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Match 3: Taniquetil at Hithlum

The curse of the Noldor was the talk of the town ahead of the third match of the knock-out stages of Arda Cup between Hithlum and Taniquetil. Was the Doom of Mandos still in effect? Some said yes, other no and not a few said yes and no, meaning that yes the Noldor would remain dispossessed of jewelry and kingship, but no, not of football trophies. Some also remembered the words the herald of Manwë had spoken to Fëanor in Tuna ages ago: “For none of the Valar canst thou overcome now or ever within the Halls of Eä”. Were these words applicable to football? Those who believed they were, meant that Hithlum had no chance to win of course. Others felt that the only way the passive and complacent Valar could beat Hithlum was by divine intervention, which was clear breach of the AFA regulation. When asked about it, Mandos remained enigmatic, saying “Ye shall know when the time appointed cometh!” The reporter went on to ask if he felt worried that Fëanor, Fingolfin and company would run them over, especially given the Vala team’s lacklustre performance so far in the tournament. “Nay, I already know the final score”, was the Taniquetil keeper’s short answer. Fëanor was less courteous. “The time of the Valar is over” he said. “They should have stayed in Aman behind the safety of their mountains. Here they have nothing to gain and empty-handed they shall return.”

The eagles of Manwë were soaring high over Lake Mithrim when the game finally commenced. Judged by the previous matches played, Hithlum were the favourites, and as they came out it was clear that they were pepped up not only to play well and win, but also to try to really rub it into their old mentor’s faces that they no longer were students but masters of the green field. But the old demiurges showed what experience counts for, and although Hithlum certainly did play masterfully, they could not easily break down the Taniquetil defence. Fëanor took it upon himself to win the game, and he tried every trick in the book, but if he beat one Taniquetil player, another one came to covered up the space, and Hithlum were only given half-chances to shoot from bad angles or long distance. Taniquetil were far from harmless too, and although they lacked the pace and movement of Hithlum, their close control and passing skills were divine giving first Lorien, and then Osse decent shooting opportunities that could have resulted in a goal.

However, Just as the Valar looked to have weathered the storm and started to take over the match a piece of brilliant skill from Fëanor and his oldest son Maedros changed the game. Fëanor spun past Varda, and accelerated towards the Taniquetil box, then played a hard diagonal ball across the box that Maedros met first time with his deadly left boot, and although Mandos moved early, as if he already knew where the ball was heading before it was struck, he was still powerless to stop the rising thunderbolt from finding the top corner. Hithlum were one up and that was the half time score.

Taniquetil were forced to play a little bit more offensively now while Hithlum gained in confidence. Not long after half time the Noldo scored again, and all the talk about curses seemed to run out of steam. Once again Fëanor lived up to his reputation as one of the greatest footballer to have kicked a leather ball, by scoring a goal out of nothing. Picking up the ball in his own half, he made some amazing dribbles in the mid-circle to create space and accelerated towards the Taniquetil area. When he saw how the defenders backed off he took the shot from 30 metres, and hit it with such power that Nessa instinctively ducked to avoid getting hit, and although Mandos did try to block it, he was a moment to slow and Hithlum was two up.

Now Hithlum started to play on the result, and given Taniquetil’s difficulty scoring goals that was a sound tactic. The home fans were jubilant, already celebrating the advancement to quarter-finals with thirty minutes left of the game, but it was too early it proved. For the Valar were still in the game, and in term of possession and goal-scoring opportunities they had matched the Noldor tonight. In order to win matches one needs to score goals though, and this was Taniquetil’s problem once again. Huan stood firm, protected by his two-star defense, and time was ebbing out. But suddenly, with seven minutes left, Thorondor came up with the spark that the Valar needed. Varda sent in an inviting cross, and the great eagle rose high between the Noldo centre-backs and headed the ball past Huan. Now the nerve was into the game, and Tanquetil was looking to push for an equalizer. They did come close as Manwë got a great shooting opportunity in the centre of the penalty area, but a heroic block by Caranthir saved the day for Hithlum. The final whistle went and Hithlum had defeated the Valar, regardless of what the ancient prophesies said. The crowd rose to their feet and gave their team a standing ovation. But the real difference between the two sides tonight was Fëanor, his was the glory tonight. Had he played for Taniquetil and not Hithlum, chances are the result would be different altogether.

Hithlum 2-1 Taniquetil
shots 12-9
on target 5-4
GOALS:
*28, Hithlum (Maedhros, Feanor)
*52, Hithlum (Feanor, Aredhel)
*83, Taniquetil (Thorondor, Varda)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Balrog #1, Fingon
*Taniquetil- Este, Manwe