[Boromir88]

Group B

Match 5 - Anduin vs Esgaroth
It was a cloudy day at Gladden Fields but for the Anduin supporters in the crowd, they were not going to let the weather prevent them from coming to the stadium and supporting their team. Even if Anduin needed to clear Esgaroth confidently and hope Wilderland could beat the Misty Mts by at least 2 goals in order to have a chance of advance. Fram, took a few questions before the game, "Yes, our fate is not completely in our hands, but we can't concern ourselves with the late match. If we don't beat the task in front of us, then we're out no matter what happens in the late game. We are focused on winning Esgaroth, we have to be."

Anduin was also in desperate need of goals, so the crowd was expecting heavy pressure by Anduin, and hopefully several goals to applaud. They would sure have the majority of the crowd behind them, as less than 1/5th seemed to have the Esgaroth colors and banner. And Esgaroth was likely to even have less support, since the Dwarves who had come with King Dain, were now getting behind Durin. If their team was eliminated, then better to have Anduin with the great Durin go through, then have to see the vile orcs and their Balrog.

The first 45 was completely dominated by Anduin. They were passing it all around Esgaroth's half the field and while Esgaroth would do just enough to clear the ball away before anything dangerous materialized, they could not build any attacks of their own. So, as Anduin kept working for opportunities, Esgaroth was just trying to hold out indefinitely. You always pay when trying to hold out indefinitely, and it was no shock to see Anduin get on the board first.

Leod received a pass from Durin and no one knew if Leod was just trying a speculative long ball to test Brand or if it was a serious attempt on goal. Not even Brand knew, as he was caught napping on Leod's long-bomb projectile, giving Anduin a 1-0 lead. No one could seem to answer what Brand's struggles were, was he playing injured? Did he just not have any confidence after a poor friendly performance? Was he not happy goal-keeping? Whatever it was, it is the worst showing of any GK in Arda history, and Brand is much better than this.

Anduin was still in need of goals though, so they kept attacking, and again Esgaroth was having trouble trying to keep possession to build attacks of their own. In the 35th minute, Leod was involved in the scorig again, this time Moneybags knew he was about to take a shot and was able to get in front for the block. But the ball squirted away from the Esgaroth defender, and Earnil shot a screamer to the top post that Brand honestly had no chance to stop.

It was intermission and the Anduin fans were getting drunk (but still remaining about as civil as drunk fans can be). "If we can get another goal or two, and keep Esgaroth off the sheet, we just may be able to pull this off!" And they were right, if Esgaroth conceded defeat and just folded, than Misty Mts would be under a lot of pressure in the night match.

But it turns out that there was still a scrap of dignity and fire in Esgaroth, particularly the Men of Dale who wanted to show they would not hand over the match so easily. Maybe with a 2-goal lead the Anduin team decided to relax some, but Esgaroth was now able to keep most of the action in the Anduin half now. And in the 62 minute Girion showed he still has quality, by threading a pass between the two Elven defenders to Bard, who kept his shot on the ground and it squeezed under Fram's arm.

It was a 1-goal game again, and the few Esgaroth faithful cheered the goal. Although one would have to say there was more sarcasm to the cheers than approval of their team's performance. And the Anduin faithful knew that 1-goal probably would not be good enough to advance, but once Fram tightened his defense and Anduin started getting control of the game again the crowd began urging their team on again.

Leod was playing like a man posessed and determined to give his team the best hopes of advancing. With 15 minutes remaining Leod gave Anduin a 2-goal lead again. You woud think after the game he had so far, there would be closer defending on him, but he was released free by Telumehtar and pounded it into the net. Anduin was looking to furthering their lead even more, but it was not to be thisnight. With only few minutes remaining Leod found Earnil with a pass, Brand was clearly beaten on the play, but Earnil shot it wide! And so it ended a 3-1 victory for Anduin, and they would be anxiously anticipating the end of the Wilderland - Misty Mts game.

The team from the Long Lake had been eliminated before their last match, and afterwards Girion and Dain talked about their horrid showing in this years Arda tournament and started looking ahead to next year:

Girion: "We are disgusted by how we've played these 3 games as all our fans are just to be disgusted as well. Yes we lost a lot of our star talent from last year, but there is no excuse. None. It was a bad team effort all around."

Dain: "We did not try hard enough in the off season to keep our best talent from Dale and Erebor on the team and hastily tried to fill holes. There will be a lot of changes, especially at the mid-field where we were dominated in all three games. But the Dwarves of Erebor have always stood firm with their Dale allies. We do not throw aside friendships at the first sign of struggle. I and any dwarf who chooses to follow, will be back with Girion next year."

The Esgaroth Esquire: You've mentioned changes at the mid-field, what about at GK? Surely you can't keep Brand back there with the performance he gave this year?

Girion: "Brand is loyal and valiant. Something was effecting him, but it's a personal matter and he's played through it. But you ask a fair question and I will discuss with him about a possible change in re-joining me in the midfield. In whatever capacity it is, I do not want to lose Brand."

Some things answered, but only more quesions will be asked. With the cotinued stress about the mid-field, we can only assume that Girion is going to rebuild that area, so that could mean bye-bye to the spiders. And what of Dain's statement about "any dwarf who chooses to follow [him]." Are some of the Dwarves not as enthusiastic about Girion's leadership and looking to move on else where if there is a sweeter deal?

Anduin 3-1 Esgaroth
tot shots 13-13
on target 6-4
GOALS:
*19, 1-0 Leod (Durin)
*35, 2-0 Earnil (Leod)
*62, 2-1 Bard (Girion)
*75, 3-1 Leod (Telumehtar)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anduin- Orophin, Telumehtar
*Esgaroth- Tomnoddy, Dain, Balin

Match 6 - Misty Mts vs Wilderland
With the 3-1 win by Anduin, Misty Mts did have a bit of breathing room, but they could not melt down and in the past the team has been notable for some big meltdowns. A 1-goal loss and they would still be through, a 2-goal loss and it would go down to a shootout between them and Anduin. A 3-goal loss was simly unacceptable and some may have been fearful of what evil could be awoken underneath the mountains if Misty Mts did lose by 3!

But as we talk of as it's assumed Wilderland would beat the Misty Mts, Saruman was singing quite a different tune; rallying his goblins out of Moria and propping up his rock-solid GK. Saruman would have everyone believing Misty Mts would win and steal the group away from Wilderland, as it would take an effort even beyond the will of Sauron to beat his new, shiny keeper. But, while a win, draw, or loss Wilderland was already through to the knockout stage, Sauron was not going to concede his grip of 1st place in Group B.

The stadium was jammed full of orcs and nameless, gnawing critters, who hid underneath he grand stands from the sun that was beginning to set. There was even a few dragons present, and one of peculiar interest was spotted, Glaurung who was there to watch Scatha and Smaug. Certainly the rumors and speculation would start, since Glaurung had trouble landing with a team in the off-season was h trying to make nice with Sauron or his former dragon-buddies for next year?

Had both teams not performed well so far, and both not be in good position to advance things between the orc factions may have gotten more violent. But thankfully there were only a few minor rows and taunts about which was the stronger, the Red Eye or the White Hand. There was also a small section of Anduin fans, with the team of the Great River present, watching, waiting, and fully supporting the Wilderland.

Sauron was quick o try and get even tighter control of 1st place in the group, and show Saruman that he was still inferior. And so Wilderland began with a flurry of shots. The Misty Mts defenders were doing their best to disrupt, without drawing cards, knowing they could not afford a player being sent off, or this could turn into a nightmare.

First Smaug and Scatha tried it, but their shots were stopped cold (literally!). Then Khamul tried it and his shot was pushed aside. Then Sauron himself tried the Mountain and his attempt was stopped. Saruman was right to brag about his Spirit, and maybe it was too powerful for even Sauron!

After Sauron's shot was stopped, with a mighty gust of wind Caradhras threw the ball out to Narvi. The Misty Mts also had a skilled attack, and were finally able to get pressure off their defense, which was thankful for the much needed break after 30 minutes of constant Wilderland attacks. Now was the Misty Mts turn to see what damage they could cause on the Wilderland defense and their keeper, Grimbeorn.

The Azog, Saruman, and Durin's Bane combo was too hot to handle and in the 41st minute Durin's Bane rocketed a shot that was heading straight towards Grimbeorn. It looked like Grimbeorn was going to stop it, but at the very last instant Saruman stuck his leg out to deflect it, and it was too late for Grimbeorn to adjust. Misty Mts would go into the half with a 1-0 lead! A result that would see them in 1st place, and Wilderland in second. The Moria orcs were singing songs of praise for Saruman the White. Saruman the Wise. Saruman the Great. The orcs under Sauron just muttered and grumbled.

As the 2nd half began, it was clear Sauron was not going conceding the game without a fight. And like the 1st half, Wilderland was keeping the pressure on. With the lead, the Misty Mts defenders started getting more aggressive though, not as fearful to lose a player early and thus began drawing cards.

After Landroval's foul, latching onto Smaug's tail, Wilderland was awarded a free kick. Sauron figured now was a time they needed a goal and brought every attacking player up front. Khamul usually takes the corners and free kicks, but this time Pallando came up and Khamul was on the front line with the dragons and Sauron. When Pallando delivered a pass into the congested box, Khamul had scared off his Chief Wolf(pup) defender and headed it in. The will of the mountain had been beaten and Wilderland was level.

Much to the surprise of the Misty Mts crowd, Sauron kept pressing the attack. A 1-1 result would still assure Sauron's team 1st place, so why was he pressuring with this much intensity? And in the 77th minute, Sauron passed the ball to Scatha, and with a mighty whip of its tail, it was a 2-1 lead for Wilderland. What a display of sheer power, it looked as though the Caradhras spirit had it stopped with one of it's strong blasts of ice, but it ripped right through the ice.

The Anduin fans were now more alert, another goal by Wilderland would mean it would go down to a shootout, between their team and the Misty Mts for runner up in the group! However, to their first confusion, and then anger, they figured out the treachery at work. With 13 minutes remaining, it appeared Sauron and Saruman had reached an unspoken arrangement. Sauron was displeased with Saruman's arrogance in the pre-game, and with Misty Mts having the lead in the 1st half. Sauron had wanted to prove to Saruman, that he was still the Mightiest. And he displayed his dominance by pushing all out for the win, but once grabbing the lead, that was it. As long as Saruman folded, and didn't show any desire to equalize the match, Sauron would call it off, and thus allow Saruman's team to advance as well.

Thus after 70+ minutes of some of the most exciting football yet seen in this years cup, the last 10 minutes was a complete dud. Saruman did not want to test Sauron's grace, and Sauron was content that he taught Saruman his lesson. Don't try to challenge him again.

*~*~*

That result would mean the Misty Mts was going through to the knockout rounds, while Anduin team would be going home. They clearly showed disappointment in their eyes when the Misty Mts crowd swarmed onto the field to celebrate with their team, but Fram and the other leaders of Anduin were keeping their heads held high. They had not been embarrassed by anyone in this group, and if they could have held out another 10 minutes against Wilderland than they'd be the ones going through. 1-goal, Misty Mts gave up 1 less goal, that was all the difference.

Fram: "For being a spur of the moment idea between a group of friends at a late night gathering, I thought we put on a good show to build on for next year. Obviously our goal at the start of the tournament was to go through to the round of 16, but we have the right spirit and mentality within the team. Now we just need to get an earlier start recruiting, there's a lot of talent to be found along the Great River."

Leod: "There's no reason we can't be back with a greater Anduin team next year. I will do all that I can in Rhovanion and we are lacking royalty amongst the Rohirrim."

Fram: "Indeed and we can even expand our efforts beyond what we were able to do this year. With how late recruiting started, Earnil, Beorn, and I stayed basically within our own lands, but we can definitely go father north and south to get players. There is a lot of untapped talent in the ancient haven of Pelargir."

Misty Mts 1-2 Wilderland
tot shots 13-16
on target 5-8
GOALS:
*41, 1-0 Saruman (DBane)
*62, 1-1 Khamul (Pallando)
*77, 1-2 Scatha (Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Misty Mts- Saruman, Azog, Landroval, William
*Wilderland- Smaug, Great Warg, Alatar

Final Results: Group B
Wilderland 9p. 8-2(+6)
Misty Mts 4p. 5-3(+2)

Anduin 4p. 5-4(+1)
Esgaroth 0p. 1-10(-9)

Wilderland will face the runner-up of Group G. Misty Mts will play the winner of Group G.