[Nogrod]

Angband vs. Pelori

The air was thick with anticipation as Manwë’s and Morgoth’s teams would clash on round 3 of the friendlies. To all those looking forwards to aggressive fighting for every ball, dirty tricks and sheer force when the greatest powers of Arda would be settling the matters for real, the game sure was a disappointment. But the first half was a disappointment to any football fan as both teams played it very carefully not willing to take the initiative. There is a good chance the teams will meet again in the play-offs and that would be a game of life and death, not this one.

Happily the game started to become alive on the second half as little by little, after a few close calls on both ends, it seemed neither team was actually willing to lose the game to their nemesis. So in the end the crowds enjoyed some top quality football.

Both defenses played well but the sheer talent in both teams’ offence tested also the goalies. And in the end the game was decided by the quality of the goalies: while Manwë managed to frustrate Ancalagon with a couple of beautiful saves, Ungoliant was forced to surrender to Eonwë’s tough header following a corner by Oromë.

Finding themselves one goal behind with twenty minutes to go Morgoth did ramp up his attack to go for an equalizer, but Manwë called Pelori to go into high gear lockdown mode thus managing to keep the waves of attack at bay and securing the win.

Angband 0-1 Pelori
tot shots 14-9
on target 5-5
GOALS:
*69, 0-1 Eonwë (Oromë)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Angband – Balrog#1, Ulfang, Tevildo
* Pelori – Gwaihir, Nahar


Beleriand vs. Numenor

Beleriand and Numenor made it quite a walking-paced match between what looked like two more or less equal teams, and both seemed pretty happy with the draw. Numenor was a bit sharper on the first period while Beleriand had a slight edge on the second.

Beleriand is in such a tough group that it looks clear it has no chances of advancing into the play-offs with this kind of game – even if it is quite decent. But looking at how Tol Eressëa and even Mithrim are clearly making some progress as the friendlies go on one must make a little questionmark also after Numenor’s name as one to qualify from their group.

Beleriand 1-1 Numenor
tot shots 11-8
on target 5-3
GOALS:
*36, 0-1 Tar Miriel (Tar Ancalimon)
*60, 1-1 Marach (Aegnor)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Beleriand – Gamil Zirak, Belegund
* Numenor – Tar Ciryatan


Gondolin vs. Nargothrond

Two hidden realms, great deeds and tragic fates… and both teams have suffered a lot in the exchange-market this year losing many of their most illustrious players to other teams. Looking at both teams’ performances thus far in the friendlies it has looked like Nargothrond has taken the heavier blow of the two – and this game was no different. But due to the very different level of the groups the two teams play in, one could say that Nargothrond is nearer to qualification this year. Although it needs to play really well to do that.

The game was friendly but in no way bad or slow, actually both teams made an effort to win – even if they avoided rough play and any unnecessary injuries. After Gondolin had taken a two goal lead Nargothrond really went for it but in the end it was Rôg in Gondolin’s goal who secured the win for Gondolin picking up seven shots from eight. At the same time he seems to be showing the football community why he was the best (well, shared best with Ungoliant) goalie in last year’s tournament – and even if his first game this year wasn’t that flashing, he’s warming up just in time for the real games. Sadly in such a strong group.

Gondolin 2-1 Nargothrond
tot shots 15-13
on target 6-8
GOALS:
*18, 1-0 Duilin (Idril)
*35, 2-0 Turgon (Egalmoth)
*74, 2-1 Emeldir (Finduilas)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Gondolin – Turgon, Meleth
* Nargothrond – Glaurung, Mîm, Gelmir


Hithlum vs. Mithrim

Hithlum’s start has not been the most promising one thus far for a team with ambitions. And the star-players openly whining after the matches that the rest of the team playing lousily and that the captain is choosing the wrong tactics has not looked like a mark of a team that is pulling its act together. But lo and behold. What has happened in their locker-room or practice-field no one knows, but there was a totally new look to team Hithlum – and the brothers were on fire!

This time Hitlum was sending the ball up from every chance they got and Celegorm (2+0) and Curufin (1+2) showed why that is indeed good tactics with them in a team. At the same time the Fëanor’s sons cut off the emerging speculation that they would be great players only in defense.

Looking at Hithlum’s situation for the group stage their newly found joy of the game and efficiency in scoring is promising. Sadly they’re still having a bit sloppy defense (letting the opponent shoot a bit too much in every game) and Imlach may just not be the man for the job of taking them to the play-offs.

Much has been talked about Tuor and his decision to run his own team Mithrim, especially the poor performance of the team and the wisdom of Tuor letting down an offer to play for Gondolin as a goalscorer. It might be said that Mithrim has had on average a bit tougher opponents than some other teams, but now as Mithrim’s offence shows some signs of awakening, the heart of their problems shines even brighter. Their defense is full of holes and Tuor is one of the worst goalies in these games so far letting the opponents to score almost every other shot on target they take. Mithrim has allowed eleven goals in three matches. There’s no way to qualify with those numbers, even if they had forwads of solid gold – which they haven’t.

Hithlum 4-2 Mithrim
tot shots 18-15
on target 10-6
GOALS:
*6, 1-0 Celegorm (Curifin)
*24, 2-0 Hador (Aradan)
*40, 2-1 Nienor (Annael)
*47, 3-1 Curufin (Gloredhel)
*55, 3-2 Androg (Morwen)
*79, 4-2 Celegorm (Curufin)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Hithlum – Lorgan, Baragund
* Mithrim – Asgon,Brodda


Tirion vs. Tol Eressëa

In any other arena but the Arda Cup a match-up between Aulë and the great elves against Ulmo and his gang would have been the event of the year the whole Arda would have followed holding their breath. But in Arda Cup friendlies it was just one event and far from being the most interesting one of the round. Although there is one interesting thing to remark on, and that is that Ulmo’s Tol Eressëa is gearing up to fight for the second place with Numenor in their group.

It was a decent game, fair and friendly, but played seriously enough to provide real excitement. It was also a game of totally opposing strategies: while Tirion was going dashingly forwards all the time, Tol Eressëa was pulling their attacks down trying to use the few chances it created itself to its advantage.

And Tol Eressëa was rewarded on 65th minute when Uinen managed to put the ball behind Orodreth from a nice steal by Eärwen who immediately passed it to Elwing who in turn noticed Uinen’s clever run towards the goal. After taking the lead Tol Eressëa tried a real lockdown but Tirion’s strong push brought them the equalizer ten minutes after the lead-goal. Neither team was willing to press it after that.

Tirion 1-1 Tol Eressëa
tot shots 12-7
on target 6-3
GOALS:
*65, 1-0 Uinen (Elwing)
*76, 1-1 Finrod (Finwë)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Tirion – Aredhel
* Tol Eressëa – Eriol


Valinor vs. Westernesse

One of the most looked for games on this round of friendlies was naturally the meeting of the mighty Numenorians under the banner of Westernesse and team Valinor led by Tulkas united in more attacking and aggressive football Manwë’s teams had allowed. And even with seeing only one goal in the whole game the crowds were given value for their money.

It was clear that many influential members of both teams had memories of clashing together in different circumstances – and adding to that the high possibility the teams would meet later in the tournament in a “life and death” –match – they both seemed to hide their cards as to systems of offence or defense. So it was a game of just individual skill all around as the players were ordered to just play as well as they could but without an organized playing-system. And they made it both an interesting match as both sides really tried to win, but the freedom also made room for some dashing shows of individual talent, as well as nice combinations between players who were more used to each others’ company.

The main reason for the low score was once and for all the quality of the defenders and the goalkeepers. The only goal of the game was actually more or less an accident. Ar Pharazôn made a pass to Tar Minastir inside the box but it was a bit too high and Tar Minastir couldn’t take control of it but the ball deflected from his shin and took a totally unexpected direction heading to the other end of the goal from where Ingwë was rushing towards to save a quality shot from Tar Minastir. The ball hit just inside the far post and swerved inside to the goal.

Against all expectations Tulkas didn’t call his team to a full frontal organized attack to even the game whatever the cost, but it was still clear Valinor tried a bit more seriously to even the game the last twenty minutes, but Westernesse held their lead to the end, not the least honours for that going to Tar Atanamir at the goal who saved a few tough shots in the end.

Valinor 0-1 Westernesse
tot shots 11-11
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*68, Tar Minastir (Ar Pharazôn)
YELLOW CARDS:
* Valinor – Nessa, Arien, Vairë
* Westernesse – Ar Adunakhôr