GROUP G @ Anfauglith
The late match would be played in Anfauglith as the home team will battle Angband in hopes of securing a playoff spot (while also sending Morgoth's side away with no points in 2 games). But the earlier game was taking place in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, this time underneath the ghoulish dome of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
The wolf supporters of TIG were loud and raucous leading up to the game, still ecstatic over their convincing 2-0 win against Angband. Now they were licking their chops at the prospect of playing Imladris, "We'll slaughter them like the lambs they are!" laughed
AganWolf. "We already beat two elven sides in the friendlies, and they were both better than Imladris. We'll make it three out of three for sure!" said
LomWight.
As for the events of the match, there isn't much to tell other than only one team appeared to be playing on the field: Tol-in-Gaurhoth. The elven side, like Doriath were playing frightened out of their wits in the face of the TIG defensewolves. But they weren't only relying on strong scare tactics, they were playing an organized team game as well. Moving the ball smoothly from defense, to their mid-fielders and peppering Imladris' goal with shots.
Imladris' defense was playing well, but again without any ability by Imladris' offense to build up attacks it was only a matter of time before their defense broke to the relentless TIG attack. In the 33rd minute Thuringwethil simply stole the ball from Galdor and scored a cheap unassisted goal, as Valandil wasn't prepared when his defense turned the ball over.
The 2nd half was like a replay of the first, which didn't bother the wolves and wights packing the stadium at all. They could watch performances like this one all day long. After working the ball all around Imladris' box, with crisp passes and searching for an opening, NerWight spotted the opening, finding InzilWolf who put TIG up 2-0.
Imladris played the remainder of the game frustrated and angry, trying to play more physical against the wolves. But it wasn't successful in creating any offense to the biteless Imladris attack. All it did was make the ref hand out several yellow cards and leave the wolves laughing at Elladan's and Elrohir's feeble attempts to rough them up.
The party continued inside the stadium, and outside, well after the final whistle. TIG was 1st in their group and had yet to surrender a goal in group play. In fact, including the friendlies, TIG has only allowed 1 goal in 4 matches.
Imladris 0-2 Tol In Gaurhoth
on target 1-6
tot shots 8-14
GOALS:
*33, 0-1 Thuringwethil
*68, 0-2 InzilWolf (NerWight)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Imladris- Celebrian, Elladan, Elrohir
*TIG- LegateWight
Under the night skies in Anfauglith, the ancient coliseum was packed but split fairly even in terms of fan support. Angfauglith was the home team, but Morgoth still had a considerable influence in the area to beat his own fans into attending. Even if Angband was feeling rather disheartened by their first round loss to TIG. They had allowed themselves to be outplayed by the wolves, and that was unacceptable. Morgoth was going to have none of that against Angfauglith, or so he cursed.
Yet Angfauglith was feeling confident. Already with a win under their belt and behind Ungoliant, the only evil creature who had ever given trouble to Morgoth, they believed they could win again. There were hostilities in the stands, as well as on the field of play. One wouldn't be able to tell by the cards given, but the referee was probably intimidated by being in this atmosphere. I mean the orcs and evil men, breaking out into brawls could be scary enough to anyone, then having to call a game involving balrogs, Ungoliant, and Morgoth one can not blame the ref for swallowing the whistle. If the players wanted to bruise eachother up, let them have at it.
Morgoth was seemed relieved and happy the ref held a permissive line to not be the decider and it allowed both defenses to test the strength of the other. The first half ended without any goals, mostly because Morgoth was committed to playing lockdown defense after his team gave up 2 goals in the first game. But Angfauglith was also a mighty defensive team, although Ungoliant had to come up with a couple good saves, denying Ancalagon and keeping her goal clean.
The 2nd half started much the same with both defenses playing ridiculously rough and tempers in the stands ready to boil over. But both teams just kept battling and it was looking like a warzone upon the dry plains of Anfauglith. After 15 minutes passed, finally the game was broken open. Ulfang lobbed a high ball into the box, Ungoliant was anticipating the Angband dragon to try the on-goal header, but at the final second, Ancalagon saw that Oikeroi manuevered around his Balrog-marker and was open on the right post. Ancalagon hit it back on the ground and Oikeroi bumped the ball over the goal-line. And after over 150 minutes of actual game time, the Angband fans had something to truly cheer about.
Morgoth now renewed his efforts to play lockdown defense and protect the lead. This was allowing Angfauglith's offense to start getting a grip on the match as Gothmog and Ecthelion were starting to get some chances. There chances weren't particularly great, but they would have brought the game even if it wasn't for a couple fabulous saves by Carcharoth. Just when an Angfauglith goal seemed to be coming though, Gorgol made a terrible decision. Ulfast had intercepted a pass from the Angfauglith mid-fielder and Gorgol wickedly tripped Ulfast in an attempt to get the ball back. With Gorgol's 2nd yellow, he was sent to the showers early.
Now with the 1-player advantage, it was no surprise Morgoth was able to take advantage of the chaos and confusion. He thrives in chaos and Angfauglith was just desperately trying to hold onto the 1-goal defecit now. It didn't hold. In the 81st minute Telvildo weaved into Angfauglith's box, and drew the defense on him. He then skidded a pass out to Ancalagon who hit a rising thunderbolt off his tail that zoomed past Ungoliant.
Morgoth's team had recovered after the first game, and they now leap-frogged Angfauglith in the standings, based on a better goal differential. With Angband having Imladris in the final round, and Angfauglith against group leaders Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Angfauglith's prospect of advancing looked bleak indeed.
Angband 2-0 Angfauglith
on target 8-3
tot shots 19-10
GOALS:
*55, 1-0 Oikeroi (Ancalagon)
*81, 2-0 Ancalagon (Telvildo)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Oikeroi, Ulwarth
*Angfaug- Borlach, Gorgol
RED CARDS:
*Angfaug- Gorgol (75, second yellow)
Code:
Group G W-D-L Pts. GD
T-I-G 2-0-0 6 +4
Angband 1-0-1 3 0
Angfauglith 1-0-1 3 -1
Imladris 0-0-2 0 -3