[Boromir88]

Gorgoroth had constructed a rather small stadium, and since the East doesn't get to see many Arda Cup matches, tickets sold quickly, prices skied through the roof as there were sure to be big crowds of support for both Mordor teams. The orcs had to be more select in what team they supported, and which matches they should go and watch. The wealthier Numenoreans had the luxury of watching both Barad Dur and Gorgoroth to support Sauron and Castamir, respectively.

It was no secret that Bree and the Barrow-Downs did not like how the tickets were alotted. Gorgoroth and Barad Dur fans would be allowed 20,000 tickets if their team was playing, where the Barrow-Downs and Bree were only alotted 10,000 per match their team was playing in. Then 6,000 each went to the clubs who were not playing in the current match. Standing room tickets were sold at the Black Gate hours before the game began, insuring Gorgoroth (and their brethren from Barad Dur) would get a massive advantage in fan support.

Sauron didn't see an issue: "There has been a long-standing bias against Eastern teams in this tournament. Mordor has a large, untapped fan-base and it's about time the West accepts us. I'm here now, and things are going to be run a little differently then in the past. My servants, coming to the stadium, are going to see some quality football, not treat it as an assassination attempt for petty revenge. This is what my team symbolizes this year, giving fans Arda Cup football, petty violence will not be tolerated."

In all fairness, we can't see anything wrong in any of Sauron's stated points. In fact, he has banned all weapons from the stadium. Before, in Mordor there were issues with enforcing the weapon ban, but not so this year. Sauron has fixed his Eye on the Gates and anyone trying to sneak in a weapon of any kind will immediately drop to the ground in searing agony. What a great atmosphere for football, wouldn't you say?

~~~~~
Match 1: Barad Dur vs. Barrow-Downs
At game-time it was clear with the eruption of applause for the Barad Dur team, that 3/4ths of the stadium was there to support them. However, the Barrow-Downs were not daunted, for when they entered the field, many long time supporters, now in human form, came and were just as loud as ever. Greenie, Agan, Lommy, and Rune were spotted. In fact, Agan was dressed in full wolf garb to support her keeper: "I'm glad they still have a warg on the team. I don't think I'd like them if Eomer wasn't on."

And right before they were ready to start play, Nogrod said to his team: "Look sharp today fellas, we're playing in the presense of the King." They turned to the stands and saw Aragorn, sitting in the front, next to him his faithful steed. It didn't matter that he was probably there just to scout future opponents, the King had actually shown up to watch them play!

The Barrow-Downs team came out with full energy, pushing an attack, trying to look for an early goal that would take the crowd factor quickly out of the game. However, Barad Dur's defense also showed up ready to play, and it was difficult to break. The Barrow-Downs had to ease up on pressure, as this was a marathon, not a sprint. What was the point in over-exerting yourself for 1-goal when you wouldn't have the energy to maintain the lead? They backed off slightly and focused on not allowing the ball anywhere near Barad Dur's most dangerous player, Sauron.

The strategy worked well, until Barad Dur proved in the 20th minute it had other players who can hurt you if you don't pay close attention. It was Aragorn's many-greated grandfather who broke the 0-0 game. It didn't matter to the Orcs that this was the spited Elendil, he just scored for THEIR team. They blasted their horns and shook the stadium with applause. Aragorn was seen politely clapping the goal, and the Barrow-Downs remembered his ancestors played for Barad Dur. He was probably there to watch them!

When the first period began winding down, the Barrow-Downs decided to up their energy. They still had the game within reach, but getting down 2-goals before the half would be devastating. They desperately wanted an equalizer and they got it. Barad Dur's defense seemed focused and energized by the crowd, but when the phantom sent a nice pass to center field, Nogrod found a little extra energy in his tank. He beat his Nazgul defender to the ball and drove a shot straight past The Mouth to tie the game.

Both teams looked worn from a hard fought half and play got a little sloppy the last 5 minutes. However, they would have the half to rest and recover. As the Barrow-Downs was heading into the locker rooms, Aragorn stood up and applauded them off the field. He walked out of the grand stands, followed by Roheryn, no doubt to get prepared for their upcoming match. Bombadil was left in control of the team, so who knows what they were doing, other than knowing it wasn't soccer.

The story in the 2nd half was much like the first. The Downs' came out energized, trying to establish a lead, but Barad Dur's defense was on top form tonight. Every shot was draining, and it cost the Barrow-Downs as Sauron finally broke out and put his team up 2-1. The crowd was ecstatic, they were sure Barad Dur was a lock for 3 points now. Their defense was suffocating all day, and there was no way these Downers' would be able to break it.

You would have thought they would have learned from the 1st half, never understimate the determination of the Barrow-Downs, especially when the phantom has his head in the match. He got a much needed equalizer, assisted by the gracious wilwa, in the 79th minute. The crowd deflated, and despite Sauron's efforts to send their fans away with a good win, they were too exhausted. The hard fought battle would end 2-2, and both teams were thinking they let a win get away.

Barad-Dur 2-2 Barrow-Downs
tot shots 10-14
on target 6-7
GOALS:
*20, 1-0 Elendil (Anarion)
*38, 1-1 Nogrod (Phantom)
*62, 2-1 Sauron (Nazgul #7)
*79, 2-2 Phantom (Wilwa)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Fellbeast, Ohtar, Elendil
*Barrow-Downs- Gwath, Steve

Match 2: Breeland vs. Gorgoroth
If the 1st game was a sign of things to come, the 2nd game would confirm all the matches in this group would be a ferocious battle. The Orcs were anxious for a win after Barad Dur drew in the first game, and several from the Barrow-Downs team showed up to reciprocate Bree's support in their match.

Breeland came out ready and firing on all cylinders. For as Barad Dur's defense looked ready, Gorgoroth's looked the complete opposite. Bombadil was running circles around them, as if taunting them with the fact he could score whenever he wanted, he just did want to at the moment. Apparently he did in the 14th minute. Grishnakh tried to slide in to knock the ball away, but Bombadil chipped it and hopped over Grishnakh, like the billiards trick you see and gave Bree the early 1-0 lead.

The crowd died down, but it was only 1-goal, they all knew how terrible Bree's defenses were. They just needed to get possession away from Bombadil. That didn't matter much, because a short 11 minutes later it was Strider who gave Bree the 2-0 lead. The stadium was completely silent. Bree was in complete control of the game, and Gorgoroth couldn't even hold the ball long enough to get it ahead to their attackers to pressure the poor defense.

At the start of the second Gorgoroth fans were just hoping the game would not turn into a route. With the draw in the first game, they could afford a loss, but could not afford to lose by 3 of 4 goals. They needed to come back and at least keep it a close game. What they received was a surprise they could have only hoped for. Whether it was because Gorgoroth's defense tightened up and shut down Bombadil, or Bombadil truly was no where to be seen, no one seems to know. However, it was apparent that Shelob was turning aside all of Bree's shots, and Gorgoroth was able to finally get the ball to their game-changers.

Not long into the 2nd they cut the defecit in half with some clever trickery by Gollum. Butterbur came up to try to steal the ball, but Gollum cowered down in fear. Butterbur was moved to pity the wretched creature, until a cold smirk appeared in his face. Butterbur was confused, and Gollum easily passed the ball onto the unattended Earnur who beat the Old Willow relatively easy. It was 2-1, now and there was still plenty of time left.

Then Castamir and the Dead King went to work, they controlled the ball just as effectively as Bombadil and Strider did in the 1st half. Bree's defenses had no chance. It relied on the skill of their FWs to keep possession, but with no Bombadil, who apparently also took the Barrow Wight with him, Strider couldn't do everything on his own. When the game tied 2-2, not only did the pitch tremble from the cheers, but some would say even the Black Gate shook. It didn't matter that their team couldn't get another goal for 3 points. The tie was more than they could have asked for, and they were completely even with the other 3 teams in the group. Strider led his team off, heads hanging, knowing they let a great opportunity at 3 points and leading the group get away. How would they respond in their next match, and where was Bombadil? What could he have possibly found distracting in Mordor?

Breeland 2-2 Gorgoroth
tot shots: 15-8
on target: 8-4
GOALS:
*14, 1-0 Bombadil (Goldberry)
*25, 2-0 Strider (Halbarad)
*67, 2-1 Earnur (Gollum)
*81, 2-2 Castamir (King Dead)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Breeland- Halbarad, Lumpkin, Harry, Barrow-Wight
*Gorgoroth- Gorbag, Gollum, Shagrat, Earnur, Angamaite