GROUP D @ Dol Amroth
The group outlook before round 2 looked like FC Valinor had already taken firm control on towards sweeping the Middle-earth squads, while neither Gondor nor Barad-Dur were able to impress in their 1-1 draw. It was even bleaker for Isengard who got blown off the pitch by Curufin & co., but Saruman still kept up the morale of his team and supporters. Many were rightfully questioning though whether the fallen Maia had lost his powerful Voice.
Isengard maintained stronger sympathies from the crowd, not only because Barad-Dur was still a black name in Gondor, but Gondorians rationalized if Isengard could possibly steal a point, or beat Barad-Dur in this match, than that would basically eliminate Barad-Dur already (having to play FC Valinor in the final round). Then Gondor would have their fate in their own hands against Isengard in the final round.
The ref blew his whistle to start the match and it certainly appeared Isengard had not yet lost hope. Anxious to show they were better than the 0-4 debacle and that FC Valinor had just been a bad match up for them. In the 17th minute Saruman made complete fools of Alatar and Pallando, dribbling them out of the game and passing the ball to Quickbeam. The ent was just outside the box and wasted no time in shooting. The speed Quickbeam was able to pull his leg back and snap forward, like a rubberband, was remarkable and Grishnakh had no chance of stopping it.
Sauron could not have been happy about that goal, but you would not have been able to tell by his subdued and calm expression. Saruman was looking to take advantage and go up 2 goals, but Barad-Dur's defense fed off Sauron and quelled Isengard's attack. As the half minutes ticked away Isengard's forwards had ran themselves tired and Barad-Dur had an easier time controlling possession. Still Isengard's defenders were well prepared and held their lead.
It appeared they were going to hold it until half-time, if it was not for a Barad-Dur free kick. Sauron is absolutely deadly with free kick opportunities from dangerous positions. In the 39th minute he brought up practically his entire team, leaving only the two fellbeasts and Sangahyando behind Sauron when he took the kick. By bringing forward so many players, Sauron found the opportunity he hoped to create, a match-up problem as Wulf was marking Castamir and the Numenorean had no trouble beating the weaker dunlending defender for a close-range header.
Isengard began the 2nd period with renewed vigor to grab another early lead. Even if they weren't losing, it was generally the accepted belief Isengard needed another goal because Barad-Dur was too good (especially from set pieces, which they would surely get more chances in the 2nd half) for Isengard to hope for a 1-1 draw. So, Isengard came out as the aggressors but this time Barad-Dur's defense was able to handle Saruman's tricks and it wasn't long until Barad-Dur pressed for the lead.
This time it wasn't a set piece though, as Beruthiel simply weaved her way between and around the ent defenders, releasing Sauron, who broke on goal a few steps ahead of Mauhur. Ugluk laid out to try to cut off Sauron's angle, but Sauron didn't go for the quick shot, he got around Ugluk and passed the ball into the empty net.
Barad-Dur fans finally looked relieved after the shaky start to the game, and began working up to a cheer after seeing their team wasn't just sinking back to defend the lead. Sauron perceiving this group would be determined by goal differential was pressing for more goals. Isengard continued to defend bravely though and managed a few counter attacks that made Barad-Dur's fans nervous. But Isengard was lacking quality upfront to cash in on their chances and Grishnakh and the defense handled the counters securely.
Barad-Dur left Seaside Financial Field with the points lead (with FC Valinor still needing to play though) and Isengard was elminated.
Barad-Dur 2-1 Isengard
on target 5-5
tot shots 13-11
GOALS:
*17, 0-1 Quickbeam (Saruman)
*39, 1-1 Castamir (Sauron)
*70, 2-1 Sauron (Beruthiel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*BDur- Fellbeast#2, Sangahyando, Castamir
*Isengard- Lugdush, Lurtz, Mauhur
Gondorians were rightfully nervous before the start of their evening match against FC Valinor. Barad-Dur had won their game a few hours before, which meant Gondor could not get shelled by FC Valinor if they wanted to advance.
But Anarion, being a wise-king and knowing the hearts of his people, gave a stirring pre-game press conference that lifted fans' spirits:
"All we've heard leading up to this game is how does your team have any hope of stopping Curufin? Have you seen Curufin play? He can't be stopped. Curufin is a superb player, no doubt, and we have no one who can match up against him one-on-one. But the trap too many teams fall into is panicking and abandoning their strengths to focus on stopping one person. Gondor is team-centric and we'll continue to play the tactics the team knows best. Whether it's against Curufin, or Turin, Sauron, or whoever, we'll play organized and united around a team effort."
Anarion's words might have frustrated some Gondorians "team-play-shmeem-play, give me Curufin's talents anyday and it'll show you team-play is worth nothing." But most were standing behind their King. They were going to the stadium and were going to give their whole hearts to support Gondor. And it was Curufin and FC Valinor that were getting even more frustrated by Gondor's team-centric obsession.
They were having no success getting through Gondor's packed and over-whelming midfield. And the defenders instead of mindlessly trying to chase around Curufin, always remained in proper positioning, cutting off passes, and timing perfect offside traps. It must be said Gondor's offense was having just as much success against FC Valinor's organized defense. So, no success at all, but the Gondor crowd was enthralled and ecstatic over just how committed to "team effort" Gondor was, and how successful those tactics were in stifling FC Valinor's attack.
Curufin ever hungry for goals was getting evermore desperate, but his selfish play was playing right into the hands of the type of game Gondor likes to play. After another bad turnover by Curufin, in the 42nd minute, Gondor sprung a sudden counter attack. Anarion fired a quick shot between Maglor and Indis but Huan barely pawed the attempt away. Eldacar sprinted in to punch in a rebound, but it just went wide! The Gondorians had stood up to burst in song and cheers but had to swallow their jubilations, knowing you needed to convert on those opportunities when playing FC Valinor. But it would go into the half 0-0.
If the first half proved excellent team commitment can stop selfish (however great a talent) individual play. Then the 2nd proved that no matter how strong the the commitment to team-effort is, eventually superior skill and athleticism will win out. Whatever was said to Curufin during the break sunk in to the son of Feanor and he started getting teammates more involved.
It didn't take long, once other players were consistently involved, for FC Valinor to break the deadlock. 15 minutes after the break, Yavanna found Argon, and he hit a drive that snuck between the left post and the outstretched arms of Imrahil. Then in the 81st minute Argon turned provider, feeding Celegorm who scored his first goal of the tournament.
Gondor took a heroic and honourable fight to FC Valinor, but in the end it was still a 2-goal defeat. And deserved too because FC Valinor's defense had been dominant, once their offense worked out some kinks it was fortunate Gondor didn't lose by more.
So now, FC Valinor was already qualified (and with a win or draw against Barad-dur will take 1st place) and Isengard already eliminated. 2nd place was up for grabs between Barad-dur and Gondor.
Gondor 0-2 FC Valinor
on target 2-6
tot shots 8-14
GOALS:
*65, 0-1 Argon (Yavanna)
*81, 0-2 Celegorm (Argon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Earnil I, Meneldil, Calimehtar
*FCVal- Indis, Findis
Standings after 2 Rounds:
Code:
Group D W-D-L Pts. GD
FC Valinor 2-0-0 6 +6
Barad-Dur 1-1-0 4 +1
Gondor 0-1-1 1 -2
Isengard 0-0-2 0 -5
Round 3 Matches: (games played concurrently)
Barad-Dur vs. FC Valinor @ Pelargir Park
Gondor vs. Isengard @ Seaside Financial Field