Group C @ Menegroth
If the relations between the players and the media were not the warmest possible the crowds just adored the players and the players enjoyed the cheers to the fullest. The Cave was full already for the afternoon game and the visiting crowds were yelling madly for their favourites – mainly to Hithlum, even if there was a small and loud fan-compartment for Shire-Bree supporters.
The locals were biting their nails to see how Hithlum would play after the embarrasing 1-3 defeat to Real Valinor – for it was this team they realized their own team should beat if they were to entertain any hopes of qualifying. And thusly many Menegrothians cheered for the Shire-Bree – just hoping that the team their own draw with would be good enough to challenge also the mighty heroes of Hithlum.
But as the game started everyone could see Shire-Bree was in no way able to challenge their opponents. Hithlum brought their attacks from left, right and center – they also took comfortable mastery of the midfield and contained any efforts Shire-Bree had towards their goal with some confidence – especially the Balrog took the Nazgûls away so neatly even the Shire-Bree supporters had to acknowledge his virtuosity.
Meanwhile the whole Hithlum attack was in flames.
It took Túrin only seven minutes to break free from his guards at the edge of the box and break in to score 1-0 from a neat cross by Morwen. A fair ten minutes later it was time for Beleg to score from a corner sent millimeter sharp into his head by Húrin. Ten minutes before the half-time Aradan made it 3-0 with a beautiful far-shot volley (from a full run!) fed by Balrog #5’s long-range forward-pass.
At the half-time it seemed the game was over. Hithlum was just that impressive and there was nothing Shire-Bree had done to give anyone an idea they’d bounce back. Hador’s sons Galdor and Gundor had made Gandalf mostly invisible at the first half following him like shadows and the Balrog had took care of the Nazgûls more or less single-handedly. Meanwhile Hithlum attack was making results on a wide front – for the three goals five different players were credited either scoring or assisting.
And when Hador then made the score 4-0 when only four minutes of the second half was played it was the end of the game.
After the fourth goal Hithlum clearly loosened it’s game and that in turn gave Shire-Bree some chances of counterplay – but it was clear the Shire-Bree understood well enough the hopelessness of their situation and didn’t go for any extravagant effort, just not to tire themselves.
Gandalf did flash his skills at 73rd minute leaving the brothers to bite the dust while ducking between them and heading Nazgûl #6’s neat pass in to the back of the net past Húor who had no chance to even react to the wizard’s sudden move.
But there was no serious come-back after the goal as Hithlum just pushed a bit stronger denying Shire-Bree of any opportunities for the last fifteen minutes.
A confident victory for Hithlum then – and a show of how dangerous team they can be when their game really rolls forwards.
Hithlum 4-1 ShireBree United
on target 8-4
tot shots 18-10
GOALS:
*7, 1-0 Túrin (Morwen)
*19, 2-0 Beleg (Hurin)
*34, 3-0 Aradan (Balrog#5)
*49, 4-0 Hador (Túrin)
*73, 4-1 Gandalf (Nazgul#6)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum-
*SBUnt- Bandobras, Fellbeast#5
The first game of the day was a sad reminder for the Doriath fans of the toughness of the team Hithlum they’d need to beat if they’d wish to qualify. But maybe they could stand against Real Valinor? Winning that game would make such a difference in the group. Elwë and Melian, supported by Mablung and Dior and all the other heroes – why couldn’t they do that?
Well because of the quartet of the Valar: Tulkas, Nessa and her brother Oromë, and Nienna.The two iron-firm “Fëanorians” (like Miriel and Nerdanel were called by some) and well the whole team of pure magnificence…
But the home team did put up a fight indeed! And many sighed on just why they didn’t seem to get this effort on when playing against Shire-Bree the first round – a team they had just witnessed drawn to pieces by Hithlum just a moment ago.
To be honest it must be said that even if they were defending bravely – and even smartly closing any routes from Oromë, Miriel and Nerdanel to break through – they were not especially dangerous in their own attacks and the few shots they had went mostly over or wide from the posts. Meanwhile Real Valinor had a half a dozen chances to score, but they were most of the times denied by skill – at others with luck and chance.
The teams withdrew to their lockers for the half-time with 0-0 on the scoreboard and the home-fans cheered wildly for the great achievment. Now they’d have to stand only another 45 minutes and a valuable draw could be theirs – or who knew if they could actually score and win?
Real Valinor came to the second period with a twist. They started mixing their formation a little every now and then – with fex. Miriel falling down to the defence while Ingwion would leap to spearhead an attack – or Oromë switching to the bottom of the midfield letting Quennar leap forwards. Adding to that the always unpredictable Tilion with his free role the Doriath defences were soon totally lost.
And it took Real Valinor ten minutes to score. Elwing was in charge of keeping Miriel off the ball and followed her a bit too far away from the box when the noble Ingwion leaped forwards to fill her in. Enerdhil the smith had just changed places with Nerdanel and while receiving the ball from Oromë from the midfield Nimloth was just that second late that Enerdhil had time to pass the ball diagonally forwards – meeting the onrushing Ingwion – and it was such a boot from roughly ten meters that Dior stood no chance.
With one goal behind Doriath needed to risk some more openly forwards game and Real pulled back to their normal positions playing a hugely effective counter-play. And it did bring results as well.
While Doriath was pushing their heads against the wall of defence led sovereignly by Tilion this time, Real actually carried out the more dangerous attacks – and in the end the familiar names stood on the scoreboard.
Tilion nicked the ball from Daeron’s sloppy pass and sent it fast to Quennar who in turn passed it forwards with one touch to Miriel in full speed on the right – outrunning Elwing she crossed it from ten meters from the corner, and Nerdanel had known exactly where to run (after passing Nimloth) and volleyed the ball in from close quarters from in front of Dior.
Hugging each other after the goal both Miriel and Nerdanel bowed towards the lighting-tunnel up on the roof from where the sunlight was shining in. The gesture didn’t pass unheeded. The media was of course all buzz around it but one can only figure what Arien felt seeing that…
The second goal basically killed the game and the last fifteen minutes were more like academic tossing the ball around – even if during that time Mablung manged to make Doriath’s second shot on goal over the whole game – while Tulkas had no problems picking it. That kind of is the image of the whole game: the home team had a valiant effort but they were just given no chance by their superiors.
Doriath 0-2 Real Valinor
on target 2-7
tot shots 8-15
GOALS:
*55, 0-1 Ingwion (Enerdhil)
*74, 0-2 Nerdanel (Miriel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Daeron
*RealV- Oromë
Code:
Team W-D-L pts. score
Real Valinor 2-0-0 6 5-1
Hithlum 1-0-1 3 5-4
Doriath 0-1-1 1 1-3
Shire-Bree Utd. 0-1-1 1 2-5
Last games:
Real Valinor vs. Shire-Bree United
Doriath vs. Hithlum