[Nogrod]

With the actual tournament quickly approaching the teams have had to take every opportunity given to them to glue their teams and tactics together. With such a short time to build up a team in rehersal-fields the friendlies are worth gold to the them allowing teams to see how they play in conditions resembling the competitive matches. And the AFA has clearly been cunning in building up the pairs meeting each other in the friendlies; not only giving the audiences some outright classics to enjoy but also making sure the teams get to play challenging match-ups.

With only two rounds of friendlies this year the results from this second round will then be all the teams as well as Phantasy Game –players have in their hands before it is time to delve into the tournament itself. With the Phantasy players in mind the AKM will make a few general notes on the teams’ we are reporting on this round – and will then provide a fuller analysis of the different groups as a whole before the games really begin.

But now it is time once again to give the electric pen to our Arda Cup chief-correspondent Ugr Nogrendale.

~*~

Valimar vs. Real Valinor

Even if the game between Gondolin and Hithlum is a classic in many senses it must be said that this match must be the queen of the round. The always oddly underperforming team led by Manwë against last year’s champions – and of course Arien the Bright meeting her sisters in glory on the opposing side. And most players in the field out-age the whole of the Middle-Earth. It would be a clash of some venerable spirits of old among whom the Vanyar and Noldor themselves can be considered as the inexperienced youngsters.

Valimar lost to the Sea on the first friendly 0-1 – last year they draw 1-1 in the group-phase in the most even (and deadliest) group there was (which The Sea went to win in the end leaving Valimar the last). No one can deny that Ulmo’s team is a worthy one, one of the very best indeed, only being knocked out of the tournament last year by the champions Real Valinor. And they haven’t exactly weakened since last season.

But what worries anyone following Valimar’s efforts is exactly the effort they seem to need to make for scoring even once in a game. They have always defended well and kept the scores low with any opponent but scoring… the scoring.

It has been widely rumoured that Manwë’s teams only draw with “goodie-teams”, or win with one goal difference the highest, but then they are a bit more tougher against teams of baddies. It may be Manwë has his own ways – or with his closest Mandos he interprets the visions of Ilúvatar also in the football field?

Now buying Arien to his team Manwë looks like he would have been serious in trying to hire some scoring-power into his team. But with them scoring zero on the first friendly, one needs also to take into account a possibility that he just interpreted Ilúvatar’s vision in a way that Real Valinor must be weakened…

As we speculated about things with Real Valinor already in our earlier summary and match report we will not go into any more speculation on them here.


The game: a synopsis

Well it was a butchery. Real owned the field from the very beginning and rolled their attacks as they wished. Nerdanel scored already on the 11th minute and assisted Tilion again after half an hour’s mark for a two to nil goal. After getting a two-goal lead Real pulled back somewhat giving Valimar some chances of counterplay but the numbers didn’t change from there even if the “High King of all the Elves” Ingwë and Lórien made some nice shots in the end of the first period.

Valimar showed some stamina in the beginning of the second half and periodically got Real Valinor into trouble. And twelve minutes into the second half Arien finally scored for her new team from a nice releasing pass by Lórien. An interesting little scene was then wittnessed by a full stadium as Miriel, Nerdanel and Nessa all came to hug their former comrade after Valimar players had congratulated her enough for the goal. It was clearly an emotional moment for all the four and the crowds cheered, quite a many with tears in their eyes.

But Valimar’s drive was also over by that goal as Real Valinor tightened their game and started to take the initiative once again. And Miriel’s beautiful 3-1 goal from just under Manwë’s nose sealed the game fifteen minutes before the end. There was no way Valimar would come even and both teams knew it – so they kicked the ball around the last minutes to avoid any injuries or unnecessary fatigue.

General notions:
Real Valinor continues their strong performances and will most definitively qualify from their group unless miracles happen – and only the Sea would seriously put their going forward into the quarterfinals in question. Don’t read us wrong here: both Tirion and Nargothrond seem to be in top shape this year and it will not be easy for Real to beat them – but easy or not, in the end they should win.

Valimar in turn has some soul-searching to do (unless Manwë and Mandos have already decided everything). Both Armenelos and The Havens are tough teams and it is not at all clear Valimar will qualify – unless of course Arien finds her game, which in turn depends a lot on if there is anyone to feed her in the offence.



Valimar 1-3 Real Valinor
on target 6-8
tot shots 14-18
GOALS:
*11, 0-1 Nerdanel (Miriel)
*35, 0-2 Tilion (Nerdanel)
*57, 1-2 Arien (Irmo)
*75, 1-3 Miriel (Nessa)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Valimar- Irmo
*RealV- Nahar, Quennar



Gondolin vs. Hithlum

The comeback to Gondolin by Húrin and Húor surely was rousing great interest in the hidden city – as well as the company in which they arrived. Many shivered with the comeback of yet another creature, a huge balrog, but the fear was soon overcome by excitement when such great names as Hador, Túrin or Beleg also marched into the city. And there was even the interesting meeting of the namesakes when Galdor of the House of the Tree welcomed Galdor the lord of Dor-lómin into the town.

We have discussed the general news about Hithlum in our earlier article concerning group C so we’ll only comment here shortly on their fist game.

So they drew 2-2 with Angband which is always a great performance, for any team. It is clear the house of Húrin has quite a many grudges with Melkor and would have seriously wished to win the game – and one could read the disappointment from their faces after the final whistle. But there were positive news from that game as it showed their midfield can score if and when the father and son are under special guard by a strong defence (Morgoth naturally guarded Húrin and the Balrog Túrin).

Now Gondolin hasn’t reached its former glory in the Arda Cup in years. They have been good every year but just lacking the last inch of effort or luck to prevail. Last year they ended up playing their first qualifying game against AC Beleriand which ended their story there.

This it year it will be no easier as they will meet both AC and Inter Beleriand already in the group phase – and even if Dwarves United most probably will not qualify – their panzer-defence will make any team sweat for their goals, and may possibly have an impact to the general results if they manage to force some of the other teams into a low-scoring draw.

Now Gondolin has in a sense strengthened from last year: they’ve lost Gothmog but gotten in his stead a tough pair of Tuor and Idril to aid Maeglin in offence. Especially Tuor was convincing last year playing for The Havens – but one needs to remember Idril had a good season at FC Valinor as well. Penlod in turn brings firmness, stamina and air-playing power to the defence of the team.

That said, they lost their first friendly against Tiron in no uncertain terms 0-2, which proved that at least their game isn’t ready yet. Whether there are some more serious problem in the team or it’s tactics will be seen later. Starting this evening.


The game: a synopsis

To the disappointment of the homecrowds Hithlum took the control of the game from the start and left Gondolin doing more or less the thing they were famous about aka. defending their own. But with the constantly raining shots and chances it was almost inevitable the defence would fall at one point or another. And at 25 minutes Beleg scored from a nice through-pass from Túrin.

With the goal Hithlum’s greatest urge and energy seemed to settle a bit and Gondolin managed to do some nice counterplay. But they never got nearer the goal than Idril hitting the post some ten minutes before the halftime.

But Gondolin came to the second half with high spirits and full of determination – and it took Maeglin less than five minutes to equalise. And even better was on it’s way for the homeside fans. A fair ten minutes later Tuor himself sent the crowds into exstacy by giving Gondolin the lead with a power-header from between the brothers Galdor and Gundor trying to deny him.

But if someone thought the game was over, then that one was wrong. Hithlum added the revvs in their engine and started pounding Gondolin defences with a newly found rigor. And it was Hador Lórindol who finally equalised the game from a smart chip from his grand-grandchild Túrin.

Both teams were keen to win the game and the crowds could enjoy (and fear) for all their money’s worth to the very end of the game. And it was a game of some stunning football with two great teams playing for a great audience.

General notions:
Everyone looks forwards to Hithlum to perform miracles – and the huge pile of money they have invested weighs ever more heavily over their shoulders unless they start to produce those results. Two draws most certainly are not “results” in that sense, even if played against quality-sides like Angband and Gondolin.

Every football fan would like to see Gondolin coming back to the center of the footballing world and before the season it has seem like they would be doing just that. And even if a word of caution is always needed, the draw with Hithlum is a great result. The team they need to beat though will be Inter Beleriand.


Gondolin 2-2 Hithlum
on target 6-8
tot shots 14-18
GOALS:
*25, 0-1 Beleg (Turin)
*49, 1-1 Maeglin (Duilin)
*62, 2-1 Tuor (Idril)
*76, 2-2 Hador (Turin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondol- Egalmoth, Galdor
*Hithlum- Gundor, Balrog#5



Erebor vs. Mordor

Mordor is outing a 51 million team to the field this season – which means that even if they are left into the group stage the investors will make a neat 9 million profit (of which Sauron will personally collect around 4 million to himself). What more do you need to know to see that this is a forsaken team? Well, you might get one confirmation from the fact that they lost to Gondor 1-3. Kind of tells the rest.

Like we have reported earlier, Erebor faces an upward struggle to make anew their last year’s success as Thranduil was a key part of their offence and Gwaihir the leader of their defence. Winning Minas Tirith only 2-1 in the first round of the friendlies shows just how much weaker Erebor looks like to be this season. So unless they beat the pathetic Mordor by a convincing numbers it might forebode a bye-bye to them this year. And the irony of course lies in the fact that Thranduil plays for Wilderland and Gwaihir for Misty Mountains – both teams that are in the same group with Erebor…

But the AKM has discussed Erebor enough already earlier, so a few words on Mordor are in order.

Firstly it needs to be noted that they totally rebuilt their defence from last year (no wonder, though). They have sold Fellbeast #1 and Grishnak and moved the two lesser Nazgûls into the midfield. In their stead they have hired two lesser Fellbeasts, a Mumâkil and Gothmog the orc. It doesn’t look like a good deal – but it is a lot cheaper one. On the offencive midfield they have lost both their Nazgûls (especially #4 - scoring 2+1 in three games – will be missed this year). On the positive side they have gotten the Mouth in, who actually scored their only goal against Gondor in the first friendly game.

So Shelob and the Silent Watcher with Gorbag and Shagrat added with a few Nazgûls seem to form the core of the team. None of them flashing or special. Probably only Shelob or the new acquisition Mouth would fit any other team other than as a a last minute cheap fill-in.

All that said the homecrowds at Erebor were bloodthirsty. There was little love shared between the teams.


The game: a synopsis

It was a game of strong feelings but not so strong performances – and it was actually quite surprising only six yellow cards were dealt in the game by the easterling referees. An elven referee would have probably tripled the amount of cards. Like with the odd episode when Bard ran to defend Smaug from the foul tackling by the Fellbeasts! (Just go figure that!) And even if it ended up in a five minutes of pushing around in the field by about half of the players from both teams, no one got carded…

The game itself wasn’t anything to be remembered. Mordor defended way better Erebor had expected and Erebor-players seemed to be so surprised by that they never seemed to get over it. On the other end The Mouth and Shelob were dangerous everytime they got the chances – but with still two eagles keeping their home clean Erebor didn’t give them too many of them.

Especially Bard and Nazgûl #7 were the prodigal sons of the game wasting half a dozen great chances with shots either to the woodworks or just off the goal. Happily – from Erebor’s supporters’ POV – Smaug got up to play just enough to score in the early second half.

Smaug the Golden – like most of the dragons – are great players when they are going for it, but like Bombadill they can be kind of unpredictable, like whether they are interested or not.

Mordor-players seemed to be happy to lose only with one goal but Erebor’s players seemed a lot less happy about the result.

General notions:
In their group Erebor meets a lot tougher teams than Mordor – or Minas Tirith to that matter. They have won both their friendly games but there is no reason for complacency. They need to play better, a lot better, in the group phase to qualify – and they know it.

Even if the other teams in group H are no cup-winners either, Mordor will have a tough ride. But it must be said it played pretty well against Erebor and that must be taken as a good sign. How far that takes them is another matter altogether. For Mordor to qualify from their group would still be a miracle. Not to talk of any team from group H to be able to stand against the teams from group A for a minute.


Erebor 1-0 Mordor
on target 3-2
tot shots 12-9
GOALS:
*54, 1-0 Smaug (Bolg)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Meneldor, Brand, Dain
*Mordor- Gorbag, Shagrat, Mumakil



Isengard vs. Wilderland

As one of the teams that do not look forwards into qualifying Isengard has also gotten into some cost-cutting measures, although their budget of 66 million is still going to mean losses to the investors if – and when – they do not qualify. Saruman’s pride needs to be the only explanation to that state of affairs. It seems Gandalf has been right all along and Saruman is a fool.

Isengard plays only “regional” friendlies this year. They lost to Rohan 1-2, which was a lesser than expected loss and for the second friendly they will meet their other neighbours Wilderland. The going should be a lot tougher this time.

As the AKM has noted earlier, Wilderland actually looks a bit sharper a team this year even if it has cut their costs with 10 million. But the problem is that thus far it has only looked sharper – they’d need also to perform sharper. Even if Dwarves United is one of the toughest-defending teams of the tournament it is unexcusable that they didn’t score a single goal against them.


The game: a synopsis

On the first half it looked like there was only one team in the field and Wilderland did more or less anything they wished – fex. two neat goals by Thranduil and Scatha. That was a great relief for all the Wilderland fans: the team still knew how to score.

Whether they were just happy with the scoreline or plain overconfident is debatable, but the start of the second half was almost a mirror-image of the first and Isengard really pressed the game into the Wilderland half of the field. And being under a sudden pressure Wilderland seemed to have no medicine for it but when getting the possession were forced to just kick the ball as far away from their goals as they could.

And Isengard’s pressure did indeed produce results when Quickbeam finally scored from a cunning heel-assist by Saruman a fair twnety minutes into the second half.

With a goal conceded the Wilderland team seemed to wake up from something like a charm spelled on them (by Saruman one asks) and were back in the game – but not anymore with the sovereignity they had on the first half.

Even if the rest of the second half was much more even than the first half, it is fair to say that Wilderland sure was nearer to extend their lead than Isengard was to draw the game. And when the referee blew the final whistle both teams retreated from the field very unhappy with their performance.

General notions:
There were positive things in Wilderland’s game, especially the fact that Thranduil was able to score in his new team, but they will have to be able to keep up the pace for a full ninety minutes in the group matches where they will meet a lot tougher teams.

Despite the AKM’s dissing it, Isengard has shown some promising signs and could challenge Rohan and Barad Dûr for the other place in the qualifiers. Stress on the words “could” and “challenge”.


Isengard 1-2 Wilderland
on target 5-7
tot shots 14-17
GOALS:
*17, 0-1 Thranduil (Imin)
*39, 0-2 Scatha (Nazgul#3)
*67, 1-2 Quickbeam (Saruman)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Isen- Mauhur, Lurtz, Wulf
*Wilder- Iminye, Skinbark