1945 Western Beleriand Time:
Good evening, and welcome to the first ever Tar-Eldar Network Television double minute-by-minute coverage.
1945:
We shall be covering the final Group B games in Gondolin: AC Beleriand vs Dwarves United at Tumladen Park, and Inter Beleriand vs Gondolin at the Stadium on the Rock.
1947:
Both stadiums are packed, and have been so for hours. As expected, the home supporters outnumber the Inter fans almost two-to-one at the Stadium on the Rock, and AC Bel fans own slightly more than half of Tumladen Park.
1948:
For fans who weren’t able to buy tickets, a giant screen has been set up just outside the old Ondolindë Stadium, displaying both games. Over a hundred thousand viewers of various sympathies have already set up camp before it.
1948:
What could happen in this group? Well, anything. The most unlikely scenario is AC Beleriand being eliminated, but it is still possible, if Dwarf U beat them by three or more goals and Inter win the other tie.
1950:
An Inter win would secure their advance, unless they win narrowly, Dwarf U win by two goals, and AC Bel score at least once to give them more total goals scored. They can get top seed if AC Bel lose by two or more goals, and they beat Gondolin by the same (or greater) difference.
1951:
Dwarf U’s advance is more fraught; they have to win, and hope Inter don’t win, unless they can win by two or more goals.
1951:
Any positive Dwarf U result would end Gondolin’s hopes. A Dwarf U loss and a Gondolin win would secure their advance.
1952:
With everyone expecting the Dwarves to be hammered by Fëanor and company, most eyes will be on the Stadium on the Rock. Tuor was right; there is still all to play for. But, of course, some have underestimated the Dwarves before, too, and it has led to grief for Wilderland and Anduin.
1954:
The projected formation sheets for both games:
[
AC Beleriand in red and white; Dwarves United in black and white.]
~*~*~
[
Gondolin in blue and white; Inter Beleriand in blue and yellow]
1955:
All four teams walk into the pitch and were welcomed by a deafening roar, sure to be heard outside the Encircling Mountains. Fëanor looks totally focused as he shakes hands with Aulë. Maeglin’s facial expression is unreadable as he shakes hands with Maedhros.
1957:
The stadiums are now rocking; chants, cheers, and drums reverberate within the walls. Blue and white banners flutter around the walls of the Stadium of the Rock.
1959:
It’s a minute before the opening whistle is blown. All four teams take up positions on their respective pitches.
1’ The opening whistle is blown.
3’ Tumladen Park
AC Beleriand seem to be breaking out their patient passing game in preparation for the knockout stage. They set up camp outside the Dwarf U penalty box, but they are in no hurry to breach its defences, probing for weaknesses with quick passes from wing to wing.
6’ Stadium on the Rock
Meanwhile, Gondolin have already created the first chance of the evening—Elemmakil beat Haleth and Baragund to the byline and sent in a cross, but Haldad and Gorlim bodied Tuor and Maeglin well, and Turgon claimed the cross easily.
10’ Stadium on the Rock
That was almost disastrous for Gondolin. Salgant dallied too much in possession, and Beren took the ball from him. He got as far as outside the penalty box before firing narrowly over.
16’ Stadium on the Rock
Goal Tuor! (1-0 Gondolin)
Maeglin managed to distance himself from Forweg’s dogged marking and played the ball to Tuor near the arc. With the Inter defenders and Turgon expecting Tuor to pass back to the Sharp Boot, he surprised everyone by turning on Haldad and smashing it home past a rooted Turgon.
17’ Stadium on the Rock
Inter might be regretting sitting deep and allowing Tuor a foothold close to the box. They’ve never played against a target man like him before.
25’ Tumladen Park
Yellow card Celebrimbor.
The other game is heating up. Aegnor created a bit of space between himself and Celebrimbor, and the crafts-Elf extended an arm to block his low cross for a breaking Eöl. Aegnor took the free kick, but Aulë managed to head it clear.
30’ Stadium on the Rock
Baragund came close to grabbing the equaliser for Inter! Beren played in Fingon, but Galdor managed to recover and come between him and the goal. Unnoticed by everyone, right-back Baragund advanced deep into Gondolin’s half and took Fingon’s backheel pass just outside the box. His dipping drive had Rog beat but sailed just wide.
31’ Tumladen Park
Gimli almost scores the opener for Dwarves United! Azaghâl intercepts an Eöl through ball and sends a long pass behind Imlach and Rochallor, who were just a few metres behind the halfway line. On comes Legolas to claim the pass, but Marach rushes out of his box to head the ball clear—towards the feet of Gimli! The Dwarf’s shot from near the halfway line sails just inches above the crossbar. A bullet dodged by AC Bel, and a missed opportunity for the Dwarves.
38’ Tumladen Park
Goal Balrog #4! (1-0 AC Beleriand)
The two AC Bel full-backs, who have never been on the scoresheet in 2013, created this goal. Fingolfin easily beat Telchar and sent a float cross into the Dwarf U box. With Eöl, Fëanor, and Angrod in the penalty area, Dwarf U’s defenders didn’t notice Balrog #4 dash in from the other wing to volley in Fingolfin’s cross past Galadriel.
39’ Stadium on the Rock
A cheer echoes around the stadium as they hear the news of the other game. As things stand, Gondolin would advance due to their head-to-head advantage over Inter (since they are tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored.)
41’ Stadium on the Rock
Yellow card Egalmoth.
Lúthien Tinúviel was too fleet-footed for the Leader of the Heavenly Arch. She easily dribbled past Egalmoth and was about to get to the byline when she was tackled from behind by the Gondolin right-back.
42’ Stadium on the Rock
Goal Maedhros! (1-1 Inter Beleriand)
Beren took the free kick. His dangerous inswinger had Rog and company focused on the near post action, but a simple cushioned header from Maedhros redirected the ball into the net off the far post.
45’ The halftime whistle is blown.
AC Beleriand were comfortable in their game—Dwarves United managed only 31% of possession and two shots in the first half. In the other game both teams were as patient in possession as they possibly could, considering their situation—Inter tried to run their attacks through Beren, while Maeglin was the creative hub of Gondolin. Neither team has played long balls to their target men yet, but with Inter abandoning their deep defensive line and challenging the midfield, expect both teams to try to bypass the increasingly crowded centre of the pitch.
46’ The second half begins.
47’ Stadium on the Rock
Yellow card Gorlim.
The Inter centre-back is penalised for a studs-up challenge on Maeglin. Tuor won a long ball from Salgant and knocked it down for Maeglin, who dribbled away from his marker Haldad. Gorlim slid in to try to stop Maeglin’s forward run, but the referee adjudged that his tackle was dangerous. Gondolin gained a promising free kick near the penalty arc.
48’ Stadium on the Rock
Maeglin failed to get sufficient dip on his free kick and the ball sailed harmlessly over Turgon’s goal.
51’ Tumladen Park
Look at Legolas go! Aulë cleared a Fingolfin cross, and the ball landed near Gimli, who played a perfect through pass for a sprinting Legolas. But with Rochallor quick to recover and Marach covering the angles, the Silvan Elf elected to make the ball bounce off the horse’s hoof and past the byline. Corner kick Dwarves United.
52’ Tumladen Park
Superb Aulë header, and impressive Marach save! Gamil Zirak took the corner and the Vala rose highest to thump the ball into the net, only to be denied soundly by Marach. Imlach was first to the clearance and booted it as far from the penalty area as he could.
58’
Both games have calmed down right around the hour mark. AC Beleriand patiently keep possession around Dwarf U’s penalty area, looking for that open lane or patch of space through which to deliver a fatal blow, and Dwarves defend grimly, knowing that they won’t see much of the ball and must make every chance count. Meanwhile, at the Stadium on the Rock, the game turned into a midfield slog of pressing, failed through balls, tackles, and errant passes. Rog and his defenders remain hopeless at sending an accurate long ball towards Tuor’s head, while Maedhros is well marked by Penlod, who challenged him to every header.
61’ Stadium on the Rock
Yellow card Forweg.
Maeglin is all over the pitch, helping in the midfield battle then dashing forward in possession. Forweg and Hunthor are unable to deal with Maeglin and Duilin’s pressing, playing errant passes and conceding possession too easily.
In one such sequence, Maeglin got between Hunthor’s pass to Forweg, and the latter tugged on the Sharp Boot’s arm as he attempted to dribble forward. The free kick was conceded from middle of the pitch and is of little consequence, but with Forweg less able to tackle with abandon for fear of a second booking, Gondolin will slowly gain advantage in the centre of the pitch
66’ Stadium on the Rock
Goal Maeglin! (2-1 Gondolin)
Duilin’s perfectly weighted pass, Maeglin’s exquisite volley, and Tuor’s intelligent dummy run—it seems that everything’s clicking in Gondolin’s offence. Duilin took on an increasingly timid Forweg, forcing Haldad to advance from the defence to stop him. Tuor then made a run towards the near post as if to receive a cross, dragging Gorlim away from the centre. Maeglin then had a clear path to make a run and volley in Duilin’s chipped ball over the defence, with Lúthien arriving too late to stop him.
70’ Stadium on the Rock
While the other game seems to have settled into a lull, Inter almost immediately replied to Maeglin’s goal. Beren dribbled almost the length of the field before Salgant closed him down. He fired a lateral pass to a charging Lúthien, who dribbled her way past Idril and cut inside just as Egalmoth stepped up to challenge her. With Maedhros and Fingon occupying the centre-backs, she found space to shoot a curler that Rog managed to bat away.
76’ Stadium on the Rock
Goal Fingon! (2-2 Inter Beleriand)
And we’re right down to the wire, folks! It was a standard Inter play executed at high speed. After dispossessing Idril, Beren and Lúthien passed their down the left wing, as if taking a stroll to Angband. Lúthien crossed for Maedhros, who managed to beat Penlod to the header. His knockdown connected perfectly with his best friend’s foot, and Fingon volleyed in a rocket past a frozen Rog.
77’ Stadium on the Rock
The Inter fans are taking over the stadium, making a lot of noise. The home supporters are nervous in their seats, snacking on their fingers. AC Bel still hold a lead over Dwarf U with little time left, so a goal scored by Gondolin could still turn their fortunes. Would it come in time?
78’ Tumladen Park
Yellow card Telchar.
A late challenge on Fingolfin three metres from the left corner of the Dwarf U box was deemed bookable by the referee. Telchar tried to help the Noldor High-King up and apologised gruffly for his dangerous tackle. Fingolfin patted the Nogrod smith in the back in reply.
79’ Tumladen Park
Goal Fëanor! (2-0 AC Beleriand)
It’s all over but the whistle for Dwarf U. Aegnor’s free kick hit the wall, but Fëanor had the alacrity to get to the rebound quickly as the wall scattered. With Galadriel unsighted, she was unable to get to his pinpoint strike and the lead now seems insurmountable for Aulë’s team with so little time left.
82’ Stadium on the Rock
Yellow card Penlod and penalty for Inter.
Is this the dagger for the home side? Beren’s drive from twenty-five metres ricocheted off Penlod’s knees and hit his arms. He then argued with the referee that he was trying to get his hands out of the way, but the referee would have none of it and pointed to the spot. If Inter scored here, Gondolin would need two goals to advance.
83’ Stadium on the Rock
Fingon took the penalty, but Rog guessed correctly and saved it! Fingon got to the rebound first but Rog managed to tip it away to Penlod, who sent a long ball forward.
84’ Tumladen Park
Goal Ulrad! (3-0 AC Beleriand)
AC Beleriand had enough time to add to their lead, with the outlaw taking Eöl’s backheeled pass after a solo run. Ulrad’s drive proved too fast for Galadriel to handle, and it’s all but certain that last year’s bronze medallists are advancing as first seed.
84’ Stadium on the Rock
Goal Tuor! (3-2 Gondolin)
Marvellous! Fantastic! It was footballing drama at its finest, as tears turn to jubilation before the home supporters! After Rog’s miraculous double save against Fingon, Idril took Penlod’s long clearance and dribbled the length of the pitch against a disorganised Inter defence. She crossed for her husband in the box, and Tuor rose to fire a thunderous header past his despairing father-in-law.
84’ Stadium on the Rock
The crowd goes wild! Tuor carried Idril in his arms and ran before the home supporters, who chanted their names in response.
86’ Stadium on the Rock
Inter pushed for an equaliser, but Gondolin was equal to them. Aranwë had got in the way of a Fingon long-range drive, and Penlod beat Maedhros to every header.
90’ The full time whistle is blown.
Gondolin advance! Inter are left behind once again by the closest of margins! Heartbreak for Fingon and Maedhros; joy and hope for Tuor, Idril, and Maeglin. What would Inter do in the long offseason ahead of them?
In the other game, it was a professional performance from the red-and-white squad, as Fëanor’s AC Beleriand stamp their domination on Group B. The Dwarves almost played spoiler to the home team’s hopes, but their losses against both Beleriand squads prevented them from repeating last year’s surprise.
Exit interviews shall be provided in
The Matchday episode next week.
AC Beleriand 3-0 Dwarves United
GOALS:
38, 1-0 Balrog #4 (Fingolfin)
79, 2-0 Fëanor (Aegnor)
84, 3-0 Ulrad (Eöl)
Total Shots:
16-7
Shots On Target:
8-2
YELLOW CARDS:
1-2
ACB: Rochallor
DWU: Celebrimbor, Telchar
~*~*~
Inter Beleriand 2-3 Gondolin
GOALS:
16, 0-1 Tuor (Maeglin)
42, 1-1 Maedhros (Beren)
66, 1-2 Maeglin (Duilin)
76, 2-2 Fingon (Maedhros)
84, 2-3 Tuor (Idril)
Total Shots:
17-21
Shots On Target:
7-9
YELLOW CARDS:
2-2
INB: Gorlim, Forweg
GDN: Egalmoth, Penlod
Code:
--------------- W-D-L Pts GD
[1]AC Beleriand 3-0-0 9 +6
[2]Gondolin 1-0-2 3 -1
Inter Beleriand 1-0-2 3 -1
Dwarves United 1-0-2 3 -4
W-D-L: win-draw-loss
GD: goal difference
[1]: team secured first seed
[2]: team secured second seed