[Boromir88]

Gondor vs. Numenor

Overall this was a pleasantly exciting game to watch. Both teams had great respect for eachother, and put up a good effort. It was evenly played, and at no point in the match did one team gain a significant advantage over the other. For a first-round friendly this was a nice treat.

Gondor left optimistic about how they performed. The Numenoreans are taller, stronger, and more experienced but Gondor had even shots on target, and only 1-fewer total shot. Even when Numenor grabbed a 2-1 lead, with under 10 minutes to play, Gondor made a few impressive efforts to try and get an equalizer. They were unsuccessful, but if Gondor can keep the intensity and level of play they showed today, for when it really matters, they are going to be stiff competitors.

I was able to catch up to Numenorean defender, Tar Telperien, after the match. She was obviously pleased with the win, but noted they had several things still to work on, particularly on the defense: "We gave Mardil and Eldacar too much space, they were able to take advantage getting off several quality shots, and even scoring on one of them. We got a few additions from Romena this year, and fortunately we have 3 more friendlies to completely gel as a team. We are going to have huge targets on our back, and in the group we're in this year we can't play like we did today and expect to win."

Gondor 1-2 Numenor
tot shots 9-10
on target 5-5
GOALS:
*32, 0-1 Elros (Tar Miriel)
*57, 1-1 Mardil (Eldacar)
*81, 1-2 Ar Adunakhor (Elros)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Narmacil, Ostoher
*Numenor- Ar Zimrathan, Tar Calmacil

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Other matches from today:

Gorgoroth 1-0 Nargothrond
tot shots 7-7
on target 3-3
GOALS:
*66, 1-0 Castamir (Nazgul #1)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gorgoroth- Sangahyando, Nazgul #1, Earnur, Grishnakh, Shagrat
*Nargothrond- Arminas, Boron

Match Notes:
*Gorgoroth aggressive on defense, but will have to try to limit the amount of cards they're picking up
*After Gorgoroth scored in the 66th minute both teams seemed content with the outcome. Gorgoroth stopped pressing the attack, and the ball pretty much stayed at midfield.

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Havens 2-1 Norbury
tot shots 13-7
on target 7-3
GOALS:
*25, 1-0 Earendil (Cirdan)
*63, 2-0 Earendil (Tar Minastir)
*78, 2-1 Araphor (Malbeth)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Havens- Ar Gimilzor
*Norbury- Tarcil

Match notes:
*Havens looked to be in mid-tourney form, but it could just be Norbury was completely unprepared.
*Arvedui made nice saves to keep the game close, but was clearly frustrated afterwards with his defense breaking down time and again.
*Norbury scored late, because after Havens got a 2-goal lead, Olwe pulled his team back to get work in for his defense.

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Ithilien 0-1 Valimar
tot shots 5-10
on target 2-4
GOALS:
*34, 0-1 Eonwe (Varda)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Ithilien- Faramir, Adrahil
*Valimar- Tulkas

Match notes:
*It was clear Valimar had the far superior athletes, despite winning only 1-0.
*Eonwe said of the Ithilien's defense: "just when you thought you broke free from one of them, another came in from nowhere to steal possession or disrupt the shot. It was brilliant."