[Boromir88]

Group H

Match 3 - Lothlorien vs Minas Tirith
Yet again, everyone seemed surprised that Lothlorien was the attacking team at the start of the game. Although, again after Minas Tirith had possession for a few minutes, Feanor stole it away and then played keep away. The Minas Tirith players were running around like headless chickens, with no idea how to steal the ball back. Realizing they would run themselves out of the game within the first 10 minutes, they really had no choice but to stay back and doggedly defend. They couldn't get the ball from Feanor, they couldn't keep it away from him for long, what else could be done?

Minas Tirith was able to hold off the goal everyone knew was sure to come until the 28th minute. That was because for the most part, it was just Feanor and Legolas up front, and while the White City defenders could not get possession, they were lordly men and a horse, they knew how to handle trouble. Also, Boromir II was actually staying back with Gimli as a defensive MF, saying he could not raise a boot against his home city. Lothlorien didn't need Boromir's offensive ability in this match however, because seeing how much fun Feanor and Legolas were having, Haldir and Nimrodel decided they wanted in the action. Once they came up for the attack, it really unbalanced the game to Lothlorien's favor. Nimrodel was able to feed the ball to Haldir, who got into point blank range, so all he had to do was taaaaap it in.

After creating that goal, Haldir and Nimrodel both seemed content to be a part of the scoring, and pulled back to defend. Legolas and Feanor also relaxed some, but like with Minas Morgul, Minas Tirith was having no success getting it passed Lothlorien's 1st wall of defense, Feanor. It's like Feanor was saying, you can hold the ball you want in your half, but once you come into my half, I'm taking it. And so when Feanor stole possession from Tarnodor the counter was on. Feanor and Legolas were able to complete 10 consecutive passes to eachother, until Feanor made it 2-0 and got his first goal of the tournament.

Up 2-0 now, Lothlorien became really defensive, since now Legolas and Feanor just seemed happy to kick it around in their own half for the remaining few minutes. Minas Tirith just wanted to get into the locker room, without being down any more so they didn't pressure and just let Lothlorien pass it around as if it were a practice.

Lothlorien seemed to just want the match over already, but Minas Tirith came out to start the 2nd half with a new spirit and fire. They were actually able to make up some pressure and get a couple shots. It was nothing that Galadriel couldn't handle, and more than anything Galadriel actually seemed to be getting annoyed that Minas Tirith hadn't folded yet. So she threw a long pass out to Feanor, some say he winked and smiled. Feanor boomed a kick downfield, and still onside, Legolas sprinted through White City defenders, and scored his 2nd goal in just as many games.

That goal looked pre-planned, as if to tell Minas Tirith, see what we can do, sure you still want to try for a goal? There was a new swagger and confidence which seemed to be contagious in the Lothlorien team. Although, you also have to admit, they haven't been tried by a serious championship contender yet.

Lothlorien 3-0 Minas Tirith
tot shots 15-7
on target 8-3
GOALS:
*28, 1-0 Haldir (Nimrodel)
*36, 2-0 Feanor (Legolas)
*73, 3-0 Legolas (Feanor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Lothlorien- Nimrodel
*MTirith- Elfhelm, Eowyn, Grimbold

Match 4 - Dunharrow vs Minas Morgul
The evening match was going to be wild and rowdy. The Rohirrim had won their first game, and had a chance now to knock out one of their old enemies if they could just beat the Minas Morgul team. Most Rohirrim were cautiously hopeful, knowing that task was easier said then done. Especially since Dunharrow fought out a hard 2-1 victory against Minas Tirith, but they just saw Minas Tirith get obliterated by Lothlorien. Still Minas Morgul, looked like a beatable foe, and anything is possible when we're talking about rivalries.

Also the Dunharrow fans wanted to win this game, knowing they had Lothlorien next while Minas Morgul would be heavily favoured to beat Minas Tirith in round 3. So, now would be their best chance to advance and knock out their enemy. Although, it would be hard to enjoy a huge home-field advantage since the Minas Morgul host had invaded the Rohirric mountain refuge, and the stadium was nearly half the crowd clothed in black and ghostly green and half in green with gold trim.

The Dunharrow crowd wanted a win, so perhaps were disappointed from the start seeing that Minas Morgul was the team attacking more, or maybe the Minas Morgul attack really was strong and just couldn't show off their strength against Lothlorien's superior athletes? Whatever the answer, Minas Morgul found themselves up 1-0 in the first 10 minutes, as Castamir line up for the free kick, the Witch-King wanted a goal immediately so they could take a firm grip on the match. So, he brought forward his entire team for the free kick, except the 2 central defender, Angamaite and Sangahyando. It was a risky play, because any failure could lead to a big Dunharrow counterattack.

The risk paid off though as Castamir chipped it into the crowded box, the Minas Morgul defenseman, Nazgul #3 rose above the rest, and got his unseen head to the ball, heading it past Aldor. Being down 0-1 in the 1st 10 minutes is not what the Rohirrim hoped for, and were dampened even more after hearing the roar of the Minas Morgul crowd, present on Firienfeld. They were taunting that at this rate, Minas Morgul would destroy the weak strawheads 4 or 5 to nil.

The Dunharrow players are proud bunch though, they would not be so easily riled by the taunts of Minas Morgul, and knew if they could just bunker down, keep this only a 1 goal defecit, the Witch-King's over eagerness would eventually be his team's undoing. So, Dunharrow dug in deep and halted the waves of Minas Morgul players trying to break through the stronghold of men in front of the goal.

And then Dunharrow got exactly what they hoped and planned for. Beruthiel lost the ball in the Dunharrow box, and within a blink of the eye, Theoden passed it to Theodred, who sent it on to Helm and the break was on. Earnur looked nervous between the posts, because Helm is known as Hammerfoot in these parts, and he has a reputation of injurying players with blasts off his foot. But, the Hammer also has a reputation for being poorly inaccurate, so when this rocket launched off well above the goal posts and into the stands, Earnur and the Minas Morgul fans breathed a sigh of relief.

Now the Witch-King wisened up a bit, and he still would push an attack to increase their lead, but would keep back more than just his 2 central defenders, to prevent Dunharrow from having such an easy break. With the 1st half winding down, Dunharrow's defense would falter again. Last game King Dead had a poor touch that led to a turnover and costly goal, but this time there would be no mistaking it. The King of the Dead made great contact, after receiving a pass from Herumor and made the score line 2-0. The ghouls from the Dwimorberg joined in the celebration with the Minas Morgul orcs, and Umbarian pirates.

When the half ended, Dunharrow knew they were in trouble. They needed several goals to come back, and goal scoring is not their strength. At the same time they needed some way to keep Minas Morgul from scoring, before the game got really out of hand. So, Dunharrow actually began the 2nd more aggressive than usual and 15 minutes into the 2nd, Brytta got his 2nd goal in his 2nd game. It was suddenly a game again.

Now Dunharrow could return to their usual style, playing rock-solid defense and finding a chance to counter against the hyper-aggressive Minas Morgul. However, the Witch-King also made an adjustment. He knew with Dunharrow having Lothlorien in the last round, all the pressure was on Dunharrow to win this match. So, while he did desire to have a little breathing room and expand the lead, he wasn't going to let Dunharrow get an easy goal from a counter.

He saw that since Dunharrow was hoping to counter attack, there would always be enough Minas Morgul players back to make it hard. Thus, unlike the 1st half, Minas Morgul had totally shut down Dunharrow's ability to counter. And it looked like still Minas Morgul would make it a 2 goal game, instead of Dunharrow equalizing. Aldor tried to re-adjust, his team's strategy, but it was too little, too late, and too rushed and frantic. Minas Morgul had won this rivalry and now Dunharrow would be hard pressed to have to beat Lothlorien, while Minas Morgul had the cellar-dwellers Minas Tirith.

Dunharrow 1-2 Minas Morgul
tot shots 12-14
on target 4-8
GOALS:
*9, 0-1 Nazgul #3 (Castamir)
*36, 0-2 King Dead (Herumor)
*61, 1-2 Brytta (Walda)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Dunharrow- Thengel, Brego
*MMorgul- Herumor, Castamir, Angamaite

Group H (after 2 rounds)
1. Lothlorien, 6 pts, (+4)
2. Minas Morgul, 3 pts, (0)
3. Dunharrow, 3 pts, (0)
4. Minas Tirith, 0 pts, (-4)

Round 3 Matches:
Minas Morgul - Minas Tirith
Dunharrow - Lothlorien

Lothlorien's advanced, and with a win or draw against Dunharrow will win the group. Minas Morgul wins they advance. Dunharrows wins, and Minas Morgul loses or draws, Dunharrow advances. Minas Tirith is still not eliminated, even if they need a lot of help. MT must beat MM by at least 2 goals, and Dunharrow has to lose to Lothlorien by at least 2 goals.