[Boromir88]

Group H @ Minas Morgul

Minas Morgul's stadium was barely half-full for the 1st match of round 3. Gondor had already won the group, and the locals had no desire to see their rivals finish off the group, especially when they were to play the "other" Gondor team. Mordorians stayed underground and in local watering holes in preparation for the later match. Many were waiting for an excuse to riot, which had MEFA on high alert. Mordor fans were convinced since Gondor had nothing left to play for, they would throw the game to Minas Tirith. If Minas Tirith won then the Barad Dur-Mordor match would be irrelevant, since both would be then eliminated.

Minas Tirith began in an opening flurry looking to take control of the match, but Gondor defended admirably. The orcs watching in the pubs scoffing that Gondor was just doing enough to look as if they were making an effort to play and avoid charges for purposefully rigging matches. But on a quick counter finished by Anarion, Gondor grabbed a shock lead. It appeared the Minas Tirith fans were under the same impression as Mordor and assumed Gondor wouldn't play this game; not for real at least. Also, surprising, Anarion is having one of the best performances amongst mid-fielders this tournament, already with 3 goals and 2 assists.

Minas Tirith upped the pressure for the next 15 minutes and it paid off right before the halftime whistle. Faramir shot a precise snipe from the left-side, right outside the penalty box and it dipped below the crossbar. This of course gave the Mordor supporters much to grumble about throughout the break. "It's 1-1 now, but we see the plan clearly now. Put on a good show and effort in the 1st, but just watch, they will give the 2nd to their disgusting friends."

What Mordorians believed would happen didn't matter, because again Gondor surprisingly won the lead back within the first several minutes. In the 53rd a poor pass by Ostoher that Eldacar intercepted and quickly passed to the unmarked Falastur. And Falastur had no trouble rocketing a shot past Denethor II. Granted it the goal was due to a defensive mistake, but the fact that Gondor so quickly pounced on it to capitilize should put to any rest theories that they would tank the match.

Gondor though did not want to work themselves too hard, afterall they were guaranteed of 1st place already, so Minas Tirith had little problems possessing the ball after Gondor's 2nd goal. And if Gondor did win possession, they would simply try some classic time-wasting tactics before booting it back to Minas Tirith's end.

Minas Tirith still had a difficult time working the ball past Gondor's mid-fielders, but as the match was winding down Cirion and Ecthelion II stepped up from their defensive positions to aid the attack. Some thought they waited too long since Gondor was clearly not interested in expanding their lead at this point. In the 79th Earnil II blasted in a shot of his own, beating Hyarmendacil. It was all level again.

The final 10 minutes was quite an interesting battle, with Minas Tirith pressing for a win would guarantee advancing, but Gondor still defending admirably. Mordor spectators were all the ready to riot at the first sight of an "inconvenient mistake" that would happen in the final minutes, to give Minas Tirith the win. But it was not to be, for seemingly Hyarmendacil did not appreciate anyone questioning his honor, or his team's and he made some final key saves to preserve the draw.

As it stands Minas Tirith remains in 2nd with 3 points, but if one of the Mordor teams won in the 2nd match, that team would advance with Gondor. If it ends in a draw, Minas Tirith would advance.

Gondor 2-2 Minas Tirith
on target 7-8
tot shots 16-18
GOALS:
*29, 1-0 Anarion (Romendacil)
*44, 1-1 Faramir (Tarandor)
*53, 2-1 Falastur (Eldacar)
*79, 2-2 Earnil II (Mardil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Calimehtar
*MT- Faramir

The 90%+ orc crowd (with some Corsairs, Khandans, and other men sprinkled in) were quite rowdy before kick-off. The situation was pretty ideal for them, even though they would have obviously liked it if both of their teams could make the playoffs, at least one of them could go through...if one of them could win today. They couldn't imagine a scenario where this would end in a draw, the situation was set up perfectly, whichever Mordor team wins would knock Minas Tirith out of the playoffs. Many believed this would be Sauron's team, since he appeared to have the better squad, plus he was their ruler. It would seem very odd for Sauron to miss out on the playoffs. In the end, though, it didn't matter. The entire stadium could get behind both teams, hopefully watch a thrilling Mordor-styled match (of rough play and many goals), and continue supporting the winner for the playoffs.

The game started out very open with both teams playing fast and attacking football (the ref was also swallowing his whistle, just letting them make daring, hard challenges that may have been whistled foul if it were other teams). Barad-dur looked a little more haggardly in defense, and it cost them early in the match. Shelob was an intimidating presense, even Barad-dur's defenders seemed frightened the great spider would sting them and feast on them afterwards. So it was in the 6th minutes, when Nazgul #2 led Shelob to an open area, and the spider flicked it underneath the Mumak's large girth.

Barad-dur regathered themselves defensively, but the match's pace still was not slowing down. Both defenses were pressed and forced to play at a high-level, the difference in the first half being the Silent Watcher was doing a much better job tending the net than the Mumakil. As in the 40th minute, off the boot of the 4th Nazgul Mordor grabbed a 2-0 lead on a shot the Mumak did horrible on trying to save. It was not the team they had expected, but it didn't matter, after 45 minutes Mordor had a 2 goal lead and it looked like they would be the Mordor team going through.

To the crowds' immense delight more goals were to come, this was the football they liked watching! Goals and excitement! This time it was Sauron though putting Barad-dur on the scoreboard, in what truly was a wonderful display of striking skill. It was clear Sauron was the best player on the field, and he was not shy to show it.

But Mordor did not let up, as the game became even more then at any other point previously. 10 minutes after Sauron's goal, the team of Nazgul working in perfect sync put Mordor back up by 2 goals with 30 minutes remaining. And there was still yet another goal in the 73rd minute, headed in by Castamir after Sauron's free kick.

Goals galore in Mordor and as the match was coming to an end the entire stadium was rocking wildly, with Mordor sure to advance. Since after the wild pace, the match finally started slowing down in the final 10. However, another free kick in the 84th minute led to disaster.

As usual, Sauron took the kick and made a rather lazy effort that deflected sideways off the Nazgul wall and then ping-ponged off Herumor's foot...over goal line! Where was the Silent Watcher, it seemed to just be statued to its spot. And why would Barad-dur make that kick at that time, or even have people in the box where freakish ricochets can often happen? Nooooo! It was all over, both of their teams now eliminated, which soured what had been a wonderful display of Mordor-styled football.

Barad-Dur 3-3 Mordor
on target 8-7
tot shots 18-17
GOALS:
*6, 0-1 Shelob (Nazgul #2)
*40, 0-2 Nazgul #4 (Grishnakh)
*49, 1-2 Sauron (Angamaite)
*59, 1-3 Nazgul #4 (Nazgul #5)
*73, 2-3 Castamir (Sauron)
*84, 3-3 Herumor (Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*BDur- Gothmog II, Fellbeast #2
*Mordor- Fellbeast #1, Shagrat, Shelob

Standings (after 3 matches)
Gondor, 7pts (+2) Q
Minas Tirith, 3 pts (0) q
Barad-Dur, 2 pts (-1) e
Mordor, 2 pts (-1), e