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On the green fields of Ard-Galen, right next to the point where the mighty Sirion springs from its source of many noisy mountain streams falling from the higher reaches of Ered Wethrin, the fair Stadium of Eithel Sirion had been erected long ago by the crafty Noldor. In springtime this was an ideal site for football and excitement was at its fullest. From inside the stadium, the players on the pitch could look up and descry the impregnable stone walls of Barad Eithel high above the level ground and much loftier still the ice-capped peaks of the Mountains of Shadow. From the walls and pinnacles of that the great fortress and from the stadium the blue and silver banners of the home team fluttered in the breeze under clear blue skies.

Eithel Sirion was the big favourite to win this group with their proved and awe-inspiring wealth of talent, athleticism and experience. The home crowd was therefore in a buoyant mood ahead of the opening matches of group, believing their team to be vastly superior to their opponents Gelion and well able to steamroll them in a feast of goals and entertainment.

Game 1 of Group D: Dale vs Rohan
Before the hosts were to enter, Dale was up against Rohan in the opening match of group D. Rohan was a team who according to captain Eorl the Young felt right at home up here in the North with the wide and flat fields of green grass, with the majestic mountains in sight with its clear streams of cool, crisp water. "I feel like I've come home, or maybe, like I've been here before" Eorl explained for an appreciative local paper. And as the game got underway, the feeling was almost as if this was a home game for the Rohirrim, because the neutral crowd had gotten right behind the noble horsemen and was now cheerfully spurring them on to attack, something which quickly forced Dale to rely on rare counter-attacks as the sole offensive threat.

The audience was to witness a wonderfully entertaining match with plenty of goals, goal scoring opportunities and fiery tackles. Rohan took the lead several times and throughout the game, the neutrals always had the feeling that the Rohirrim was one number to big for the Wilderland team who appeared to be lacking in organization and team-spirit. Still Dale managed to peg the Rohirrim back twice which speaks volumes of the quality some of their players do possess. Thranduil and Smaug in particular showed some jaw-dropping individual flare but like the rest of the team seemed to have trouble communicating with each other on the field. More so, Dale’s appalling disciplinary record from the friendlies continued with another ugly dismissal and four bookings.

Yet, when Smaug made it 2-2 in the 68th minute with a powerful shot it was anyone’s game, and had Thranduil’s free kick moments later gone in instead of clipping the post, we might have been discussing this game in a very different tone. As it was, Rohan got their well deserved winner with ten minutes left of the clock and got three very useful points on the board. The crowd exploded in a deafening cheer as Eomers well-struck free-kick found Eorl, who climbing high above his marker at the far post headed home for his second goal of the night. Man of the Match Eorl was very good tonight.

Dale 2-3 Rohan
tot shots 8-15
on target 4-8
GOALS:
*30, 0-1 Eorl (Cirion)
*39, 1-1 Thranduil (Carc)
*61, 1-2 Cirion (Helm)
*68, 2-2 Smaug (Thranduil)
*79, 2-3 Eorl (Eomer)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Dale- Carc, Roac, Moneybags, Dain
*Rohan- Frumgar, Helm
RED CARDS:
*Dale- Roac (72, second yellow)

Game 2 of Group B: Eithel Sirion vs. Gelion
Later that evening the moment finally arrived, the moment the brave soldiers posted at Eithel Sirion had waited for throughout the long and cold winter. It was now time for the proud hosts to enter the field for their first match of the Arda Cup and they were accompanied by a blissful home crowd singing songs as fair as were they sung by the Ainur themselves. No one gave Geilion any hope of containing their famous counterparts and the home supporters had already fixed their plans of how to celebrate the easy victory to come. However, as the game progressed it became clear that Gelion – not a bad side by any means - had read a wholly different script and was in no intention to give this up easily. Gelion played a very tight and aggressive defensive game, putting stress on the Eithel Sirion players whenever possible yet keeping many men behind the ball at all times. And just as the home crowd grew started to lose steam, Gelion took a shock lead and silenced them completely. Luthien broke away on the left and crossed for Haldad who headed home from ten yards. The crowd was stunned and so was Eithel Sirion. For the remainder of the first half they pushed and pushed but always with the same result, always there was a toe or a body or three to stop them at the last minute, and well into the second half Gelion’s lead stood.

When Eithel Sirion finally did equalize, it was with a good sprinkling of luck and the neutrals in the stadium felt sorry for Gelion at that point. Aegnor took a speculative shot from well outside the area and mi**** it completely, but it became a perfect pass for Hador instead who collected and finished with ease right in front of goal. The relieved home crowd broke out in a thunderous roar while Hador grabbed the ball from the back of the net and quickly brought it back to the mid circle. Only a win was good enough now.

If Hadors goal was mainly the result of luck, Maedros winner was pure quality. The one-handed genius collected a Fingon pass on the edge of the area, turned on a nickel and sent an unstoppable rocket beyond the reach of Dior in the Gelion goal. Now the crowd’s belief in their heroes was restored and three points were in the bag as Gelion’s energy-intensive play had begun to take its toll. But some still pointed out that Gelion had given Eithel Sirion real trouble tonight and could well have won with better luck. This was far from a championship-winning performance from the hosts.

Eithel Sirion 2-1 Gelion
tot shots 10-5
on target 5-2
GOALS:
*34, 0-1 Haldad (Luthien)
*62, 1-1 Hador (Aegnor)
*75, 2-1 Maedhros (Fingon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eithel Sirion- Aegnor, Nienor, Gwindor
*Gelion- Azaghal, Amlach, Denethor, Lenwe

So, summarizing the night, the question-mark whether Dale had managed to galvanize and unite their squad ahead of the tournament still stand underlined after their less than impressive team-performance tonight. Dale will have to get their act together quickly or start packing to go home.

With three points in the bag Rohan has a good chance of advancing but can not afford to underestimate Gelion which will be their key opponent and an interesting team to follow in the matches to come. Opponents of Dale must also beware, because on a good day they can bang in several goals despite disciplinary issues. Dale of couse also have Smaug who can put the fear in any defence.

Eithel Sirion did not impress much tonight but that will likely not bother them at this point. Three points in the bag is priceless for the hosts and they can relax more now and focus on improving their performance as the tournament progresses.