[Boromir88]

Despite the qualifiers in this group already being known before the start of the matches, and the host's having been eliminated we are still expecting relatively big crowds for games where there wasn't much at stake. And both matches the crowds were simply desiring to continue seeing good games-manship and good football.

Match 5: Gondolin vs. Gondor
If this was a sign of how the 2nd match would draw than it was a good sign indeed as Menegroth was at near capacity. Tens of thousands of Gondolin fans made the trip to Doriath and were impressed by Gondolin's 2 shut out wins over Doriath and Wold. They were certainly more pleased with their team this year, than the debacle of last year. And while many would admit that Gondor would probably be toughest obstacle, they were expecting a solid victory from their team.

Only around 5,000 from Gondor had come to Doriath, simply because Gondor is such a vast, diverse land, and they have the biggest representation in the tournament (Ithilien, Pelennor, Minas Anor. As well as individual players like Boromir II who some Gondorians wanted to support for Rivendell). Long story short, the Gondor fans were spread to the ends of the Ea for the Arda Cup this year and Doriath was quite a distance. However, despite this, Wold fans came to the first match to support their fellow brothers. Also, the locals who normally were more neutral, vastly supported Gondor now, being fond of the "underdog" story and also hopefully just to stick it to Eol.

So, in truth, fan support was predicted to be heavily in favor for Gondolin, but at the start of the game it was virtually 50/50. In the minds of many in Doriath, Gondor had played well and earned their support. And if they could upset Gondolin the Great that would almost make up for Doriath's elimination.

The match seemed to be played more like one you would see from the Group A teams, which was kind of unexpected, but it was by no means boring. Gondolin fans were getting upset with their team through the first 30 minutes, as it seemed like they were trying to play a defensive-minded game today. Since, all they had to do was not lose and they'd remain in 1st place.

Gondor on the other hand had nothing to lose. It was simple for them, win and they take 1st, lose and they remain at 2nd. Since it was simpler, they were pushing the attack more than usual, and as much as Gondolin fans were grumbling about putting Gondor out of the match early before you give them opportunities to beat you, the fact is Gondor was forcing Gondolin to play good defense.

Good defense is something that isn't foreign to Gondolin, because that is exactly what they played. The great eagle and horses were on top form tonight, rarely letting anything passed them, and the playoff experienced goalie in Huor continued to be a wise signing for Gondolin. Their strategy also became clear during the later half of the 1st period. Win the battle of attrition by having the defense wear down Gondor's attackers and then allow the skill of their FWs to take over. For as worthy as Gondor's defenders were, I think everyone would agree Gondolin's skill at FW is going to be too difficult of a challenge for most defenses. However, Gondor was not an easy one to break, particularly Romendacil who seems to be a man on a mission to not let anything passed him after giving up that goal to Wold.

However, in the 41st minute he did not get help from Ondoher who made a regrettable mistake. Gondor's defense was finally starting to show signs of tiring. Eol chipped the ball beautifully over the defense and Fingolfin broke towards the goal. Ondoher was beat, and did what most anyone does after getting beat, react late and commit a foul. It wasn't a dirty foul and everyone was surprised to see the ref pull out a yellow, as Ondoher helped Fingolfin up and shook hands to assure there was no malicious intent. It was a foul nonetheless and having occurred inside the penalty box, Fingolfin was going to get a free penalty kick.

Romendacil did not look intimidated but he definitely looked puzzled, trying to figure out how Fingolfin was going to utilize this opportunity. Would he go for the risky blast to one of the corners or something safer? A free kick at this close of a range, not only must the goalie react quickly but guess correctly. Romendacil reacted fine, and while Fingolfin struck the ball well it wasn't at all placed beyond the GK's reach. Had Romendacil dove right he probably would have saved it, but he guessed wrong and dove left. It was 1-0 Gondolin.

Both teams went to break rather pleased with the effort so far. Gondolin had the lead, and Gondor wasn't being embarrassed by any means. There was still an entire 2nd to play, they just needed to find a way to beat Gondolin's roc[sic]-solid defense. Easier said then done, but perhaps resting and regrouping would provide the answers.

With the lead now, Gondolin seemed even less interested in pressing the attack than at the start of the game. Or maybe they were just trying to stick to what worked in the 1st. Play shut out defense, wear out Gondor's attackers, and then put the game in the hands of Maeglin and their FWs. This time though, Huor and the defense could not keep Gondor off the board. As proven time and again if you allow Gondor to keep pressing, they will find a way passed your defenses. In the 75th Eldacar did just that getting his 2nd goal of the tournament and assisted by the Good Steward.

Half the stadium gave a standing ovation for the goal. They couldn't believe Gondor just pulled even with the favorites and there was still over 20 minutes of play remaining! The other half, looked a combination of worried and frustrated. Worried because Gondor seemed to have the stronger will to win and frustrated that Gondolin did not. The fans might be expecting too much from their team though, because it's not like Gondolin was playing lazy and trying to lose. They wanted to win the group and bring at least one playoff game home to their fans. Gondor was truly and all around competitive opponent.

Also, their strategy to win the battle of attrition was working, Gondor had to work themselves to exhaustion just to get that equalizer, trying to get a 2nd against this defense was too difficult of a challenge. For the last 15 minutes, yet again, Gondolin's skill players took over and pressed into Gondor's half the field trying to take the lead again. Only this time, they couldn't get a 2nd against Romendacil who just continued to be stellar at saving goals. You could see too he was even frustrating Gondolin towards the end, as their shots became more wild and desperate. In fact, had it not been for Fingolfin's penalty kick, Gondor very well might have pulled off the upset in this one.

But as it stands, the draw means Gondolin gets to go home to play Barad Dur and Gondor would be heading to Tyrn Gorthad to face those dynamite 'Downers.

Gondolin 1-1 Gondor
tot shots 13-11
on target 6-5
GOALS:
*41, 1-0 Fingolfin
*75, 1-1 Eldacar (Mardil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Thorondor
*Gondor- Beruthiel, Ondoher

Match 6: Doriath vs. Wold
Pretty much everyone from the first match stayed in Menegroth to watch Doriath and Wold play. The Gondor fans departed with much thanks to Doriath's hospitality and support, but since they trekked out to Doriath only to now have to head almost the entire way back to follow their team to the Barrow-Downs they decided to leave. Wold fans travelled just as far as Gondor, and since there was still a game to be played, they figured to make the best out of a long trip. And even though this game was meaningless, Melian still had a lot of sway over her realm. She guaranteed the Doriath fans they were going to see a spectacular performance and they would not be disappointed by the match tonight. She also allowed the Gondolin fans from the first match to stay at half-price. But some who didn't want to do that reported that Melian then made threats about her girdle still being up until the games were completely finished and forbade them from leaving.

Melian guaranteed and delivered, as the game could simply be called "The Melian show." Doriath could not get much accomplished offensively the entire game. It was actually Wold who went into the all out attack mode, outshooting Doriath by quite a bit. The Gondolin crowd which was forced to say grumbled about how Melian staged it this way just so she could show off and put on a performance for her admirers. With each save the Doriath fans went nuts, but her critics would roll their eyes because she was obviously reacting late on purpose to try and make the saves look more spectacular than what they really were. Whatever the case, you have to congradulate Melian on being able to fire up her fanbase in a game that meant nothing. (And when they had plenty of reason to be upset with the team's bad performance in the tournament!)

After getting up 2-0 early in the 2nd, none of the past performances seemed to matter to the Doriath crowd. This was great, just being ahead and on the winning side for once! Hama seemed to still be troubled by the loss to Gondor, because his defense played strong for him, but he was now really struggling. He had to stop a mere 4 shots on target, but only managed to come up with 2 of them.

When he gave up the 2nd, Quickbeam tried to lift his team up with a consolation goal, because his blast was a screaming liner. I think Quickbeam put all of built up rage from the 3 games into that one shot, because judging by the defeaning boom of the ball ripping through the air and tearing straight through the net, I think it broke the sound barrier. If you blinked, you missed it and Melian didn't even have time to stick up a hand. Not that Melian wanted to get in the way of that one anyway.

Doriath 2-1 Wold
tot shots 9-13
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*26, 1-0 Haldir (Nellas)
*52, 2-0 Haleth (Thingol)
*61, 2-1 Quickbeam (Eomund)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Saeros, Haldir, Elurin
*Wold- Elfwine, Grima, Quickbeam

Group B Standings
Gondolin 2-1-0, 7 pts, (+5) Q
Gondor 2-1-0, 7 pts, (+2) Q
Doriath 1-0-2, 3 pts, (-2)
Wold 0-0-3, 0 pts, (-5)