[Boromir88]

Match 3: Gondor vs. Wold
Unlike the first match of Round 1, Menegroth's stadium was packed to see Gondor and Wold. The locals in Doriath had become fond of the several Ents on Wold's team, and many of the higher Elves and Men were interested to watch the two from far away Middle-earth play. There was a lot resting on the shoulders of both teams today. A win for Gondor would virtually stamp a spot in the playoffs, while Wold would be fighting to keep their hopes alive. Doriath fans were cheering for Wold, because a win for them would mean they could lose to Gondolin and still have hope for the playoffs. If Gondor won today, than Doriath would have to beat Gondolin to stay in, and that's something most Doriathians didn't think their team could accomplish. This was a huge match, as reflected in the capacity crowd, and none of the neutral spectators were disappointed in what they saw on this beautiful day.

The first 10 minutes were pretty slow and uneventful as both teams tried to test the defenses, but nothing materialized. It would soon change however, and Wold would take Gondor by surprise. Usually Wold doesn't try to sustain attacks for long periods of time, however the importance of this match made Wold change their strategy. They needed a win to stay alive, and they began building constant pressure against Gondor's defenses. It paid off in the 20th minute, as two former servants of Saruman put Wold up 1-0.

The cunning of Grima and Ugluk caused Romendacil to make a big mistake at goal. Grima was pushing forward, and faked a shot which committed Romendacil to the right. Instead of taking the shot, Grima dropped it off to Ugluk who rushed in behind Grima and took a shot to the left side. Having been faked out by Grima, Romendacil dove the wrong way and looked foolish. The stadium erupted in applause, as it was a well designed scheme by Grima and Ugluk, but a win for Wold meant Doriath wouldn't have to do the impossible, and beat Gondolin, to keep playoff hopes alive.

However, it was bad news for Wold, as Romendacil proved his honour. He was not demoralized in the least bit. Some Keepers will completely self-destruct after giving a goal and being so easily fooled. Not Romendacil, it just made him more, alert, more ready, he put that goal behind him and stepped up in a big way for Gondor.

When the 2nd half began, Gondor really began stepping up their efforts on offense. They knew they were good enough to crack Wold's defenses and beat Hama. They did not want to lose today, and be in a must-win situation against Gondolin in the final round. This is where Wold fans might question Treebeard's strategy. He started focusing on protecting the 1-goal lead instead of sticking to what worked in the 1st half. Yes, Wold had a lead, but their 0-3 loss to Gondolin meant they also had a big goal differential to make up, and winning by 1-goal may not be enough. Treebeard seemed to want to absorb any pressure from Gondor, and then try a few counterattacks when the opportunity presented itself.

The problem is, this was a most un-wise strategy to try against a team like Gondor. Mardil, Eldacar, Beruthiel, Hyarmendacil, these names are no slouches when it comes to scoring goals. If you sit back and try to absorb their attacks, they will find a way to break it. And they did in 61st minute, with yet another display of fabulous teamwork between Mardil and Eldacar. It was all even, the crowd was at the edge of their seats, and there would only be more spectacular football to come.

Wold now tried to get back to what worked in their first goal, building and sustaining pressure. However, this time Gondor's defenses were more ready to handle it, and Romendacil was simply brilliant. Quickbeam launched a distance shot, but it was curving towards the upper-right corner, and certainly looked like it was perfectly place to go in. Romendacil though timed the jump perfectly and knocked it over the cross-bar. Wold would get a corner-kick, but it was a spectacular save on a ball that Quickbeam thought he placed out of the Keeper of Gondor's reach. Wold couldn't make their corner count either, as Romendacil jumped out to snatch the ball before it dangerously found the head of foot of a Wold player.

The game was winding down and it looked like it would end as a draw, which fans would have been perfectly happy with, since they had been watching some fabulous football. However, the end was perhaps the greatest end enthusiasts in Doriath have ever been treated too. There was under 5 minutes to go, Gondor was on the attack. Like the stealth and agility of a cat Beruthiel got past her marker and took a clear shot. But Hama dove in making a truly fabulous save! Lo he couldn't control it! The rebound got away from him, and Hyarmendacil smartly followed behind Beruthiel to easily knock it passed a helpless Hama, who was still on the ground after a great effort in stopping Beruthiel's shot. Gondor was now on top 2-1, with under 5 minutes until end, and Wold couldn't regather themselves to push for an equalizer. Wold were dis-heartened, their playoff hopes were dashed, and after getting out to a 1-0 lead.

Gondor was all but in, a Gondolin win or tie against Doriath would insure their spot, which also disheartened the Doriath supporters. However, they still cheered both teams off the field, because there was no doubt Gondor deserved this win. The sad part is, Wold also deserved to win, by how they played, but it was not to be. The clear deciding difference in this match was the goal keeping. Hama mad big saves for his team, but Romendacil was just a fraction better by being able to stop 1 more.

Gondor 2-1 Wold
tot shots 12-14
on target 6-6
GOALS:
*20, 0-1 Ugluk (Grima)
*61, 1-1 Mardil (Eldacar)
*85, 2-1 Hyarmendacil (Beruthiel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Ostoher, Hyarmendacil
*Wold- Lightfoot, Eomund

Match 4: Doriath vs. Gondolin
There was a tense, somber, mood in Doriath for the 2nd match. The home team had to win now to avoid elimination, and the team they had to beat was the dreaded Gondolin.

The 1st half was scoreless, but it wasn't a complete bore to the crowd. Although compared to the first match, it may have seemed that way. Doriath's defense was ready and able to stand up to Gondolin's attack, but Gondolin didn't seem all that interested to score. Particularly Eol who just looked like he was toying with Doriath's defense. And soon, the Doriath crowd would begin booing everytime Eol touched the ball. Eol seemed to love the attention, as he would gain possession, mess around for a minute or two, and then harmlessly pass it back behind him to one of defenders. Everytime the boos became stronger and louder.

But, in the 2nd, Gondolin finally decided to stop toying around and they got two quick goals within the first 10 minutes. On Eol's goal in the 49th minute, you couldn't hear anything besides a booming BOOOO! We are unsure if the cause was Doriath's play so far in the match, or if it was because Eol scored. My guess, it was both. It was even said, the boos echoed so loudly through Menegroth's 1,000 caves, they could even be heard from the forest of Brethil.

Gondolin was rather amusing to watch in this match, they were like a Komodo dragon. You know they can seriously rip you apart within minutes, but prefer just to give you a little bite delivering a deadly bacteria that prevents the blood from clotting. Then stalk you and taunt you for weeks, as they wait around for you to slowly bleed out, dying in agony before enjoying a delicious meal.

Doriath 0-2 Gondolin
tot shots 7-11
on target 3-5
GOALS:
*49, 0-1 Eol (Glorfindel)
*55, 0-2 Maeglin (Aredhel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Daeron, Nimloth, Saeros
*Gondolin- Rochallor, Salgant

Group G Standings
Gondolin 2-0-0, 6, (+5)
Gondor 2-0-0, 6, (+2)
Doriath 0-0-2, 0, (-3)
Wold 0-0-2, 0, (-4)

Final Matches: Gondolin vs. Gondor, Doriath vs. Wold

Gondolin and Gondor have already advanced to the playoffs. All that needs to be decided is who gets first place, which will be determined in their match of the final round. Gondolin gets 1st with a win or tie (due to their edge in goal differential), Gondor has to win to finish first. Doriath and Wold will be playing for nothing but pride and hope they can go home with some kind of consolation.