ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Boromir88]

FRIENDLIES - ROUND 4

The Ost-in-Edhil Stadium was chosen to host the friendly between Angband and Inter Beleriand. It was an interesting decision to play the game in Middle-earth, but both teams agreed it was the best. Since Angband would be playing their games at Michel Delving, and Inter Beleriand would travel to Weathertop, both agreed to make the trip to Middle-earth early and play their final friendly at a neutral location.

It was fairly well attended friendly, since the locals were interested to see two Beleriand teams play, especially since one had Morgoth himself, and the other Maedhros and Fingon. Also, many supporters of the teams wanted to get to Middle-earth early, and buy up the group-match tickets when they went on sale.

The match was hardly fought and contested, with both sides going for the win, but neither tried deception. Without creativity in the teams' attacks, both defenses were up to the task of shutting them down. Eventually, the agility of Telivildo, and dominating presence of Ancalagon, freed Ulfast to give Angband the lead in the 38th minute.

Angband came out of the break looking to showcase their defense even more, and Inter Beleriand found it very hard to break down a defense organized by Morgoth. The pure skill of Maedhros and Fingon did create some quality efforts, but those efforts were too few, and Carcharoth was never truly tested in goal.

Angband 1-0 Inter Beleriand
tot shots 11-10
on target 4-3
GOALS:
*38, 1-0 Ulfast (Telvildo)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Ulfast, Ulwarth
*InterBel- Haldad

Isengard and Minas Tirith, squared off in a full tournament effort at the Hornburg Stadium.

Isengard dominated the first half, particularly Saruman, who scored both of Isengard's goals. But Wormtongue's midfield also played well in the first half, feeding passes to the up front goal-scorers.

Isengard pulled back the offense in the 2nd, which allowed Minas Tirith to create a couple chances. Mardil was able to pull the White City to within a goal, but it required bringing defenders up as extra attackers, to finally bbeat The Mountain & The Tree defense. After cutting the defecit to 1, Isengard played a couple counter attacks, just to keep Minas Tirith on its toes and not able to focus entirely on equalizing. In the end, Saruman looked more likely to grab his 3rd goal of the match than Minas Tirith did at equalizing.

Isengard 2-1 Minas Tirith
tot shots 13-10
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*22, 1-0 Saruman (Lugdush)
*44, 2-0 Saruman (Quickbeam)
*74, 2-1 Mardil (Cirion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Isengard- Freca, Wulf, Mauhur
*MTirith- Ostoher

A very clean game played amongst friends, but still a competitive one. Eriador, in particular, showing you did not need heavy bruisers, or intimidation tactics to play a solid defensive game.

Although it started out shaky for Eriador's defense, as the BarrowWight and Bombadil were up to their usual performance, making it hard on defenders, and simply being annoying with never ending dancing and terrible poetry.

It's no insult to concede a goal to those two players, since they are one of the best combos in Arda, and have scored on any defense (even on Melkor and the mighty Valimar in the 2009 Cup!) But somehow Bombadil's self-indulgent celebrations were viewed as an insult by the Noldor, and Gil-galad made it his mission to shut Bombadil out for the remainder.

But shutting down Bombadil was not at all a troubling task in the 2nd half, since no one seemed to know where the annoying little man was. And thus Eriador was able to take firmer control of the game. Thrice Eriador scored, and it was a total team effort involving 5 different players. After Gil-galad's goal, making it 3-1, Eriador defended to close out the game. With no Bombadil, Shire-Bree was unable to make a game of it, and so nothing of note happened in the final 10 minutes.

Eriador 3-1 Shire-Bree United
tot shots 12-14
on target 6-5
GOALS:
*24, 0-1 BarrowWight (Bombadil)
*43, 1-1 Glorfindel (Arveleg)
*61, 2-1 Witch King
*78, 3-1 Gil-galad (Arahael)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eriador-
*SBreeU- Bandobras

[the phantom]

With the ban on games in Valinor, Mordor wanted to snare a western foe to host. They made a great pitch to team Valimar, but when the westerners rolled in they found the host stadium at the Morannon to be less than hospitable.

Any lodging that wasn't already filled with Mordorians was crawling with pests and wasn't just dirty but appeared to have been actively wrecked. Not to mention most of the rooms looked as if they'd once been regular size but had been recently divided with hastily erected walls.

Packs of orcs lined the streets and heckled the Valinoreans as they checked into their insufficient lodgings. To escape the sickening cramped quarters the Elves and Ainu went out to find a good pub. What they found were ramshackle joints next to luxurious orc-only establishments. The places of business they were allowed into served only muddy water- or at least they hoped it was only mud.

When it came time for the game the Valimar supporters discovered their seats were all in the top of one side of the stadium, and all the rear rows of orcs had over-sized hats and signs to block the view. And the play on the field that they couldn't see wasn't any less kind- Mordor was taking every opportunity to rough up Manwe and company.

Which, as those experienced with Manwe will tell you, is not a good idea. If an opposing team can keep Manwe and friends calm and playing their regular game, they'll be content to be defensive and, particularly in friendlies, sit on a 1-goal lead. But instead Valimar went up to full effort and tournament style play and didn't pull back to defense only until they had scored three goals, and Mordor simply didn't have an answer for it. The orcs were quite down about it, but as a consolation they knew they'd take it in shifts to scream outside Valimar's quarters that night.

Mordor 0-3 Valimar
tot shots 9-13
on target 2-6
GOALS:
*21, 0-1 Alatar (Ilmare)
*37, 0-2 Pallando (Vaire)
*72, 0-3 Pallando (Amras)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mordor- Grishnakh, Nazgul #2, Fellbeast #1, Gorbag
*Valimar- Amras, Alatar

The game between FC Valinor and The Downer on the foggy Downs field was a real letdown for the locals that braved the chill to see it. The Downer started off focused on the task, but began losing interest as the score held at 0-0.

FC Valinor finally broke things open at 32 minutes, but they did so in such a business-like manner that it didn't seem to stir The Downer much. Early in the 2nd half it happened again. FC Val fell back to play some defense, but The Downer seemed uninterested in asserting themselves, so the Valinoreans decided to get in a bit more offensive practice.

After the fourth goal FC Val gave away possession completely and The Downer took some half-hearted scoring attempts, but they never got close, and things ended in sad shape for the other-dimensionals.

FC Valinor 4-0 The Downer
tot shots 19-13
on target 9-4
GOALS:
*32, 1-0 Celegorm (Maglor)
*54, 2-0 Curufin (Yavanna)
*68, 3-0 Argon (Curufin)
*76, 4-0 Yavanna (Idril)
YELLOW CARDS:
*FCVal- Nahar
*Downer- John Fillis, Evil Mayo

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Quiet Argon uses Arda Cup debut to make a statement about his game
by Alice Holly

For many who were not born with talent or fame, suiting up to be on the biggest stage would be enough. It is, after all, something far more than they would have expected or deserved. Having the spotlight on them for a few fleeting moments would be enough of an experience to last them for the rest of their lives.

That clearly isn’t enough for Argon, son of Fingolfin, FC Valinor midfielder.

‘I came here to play winning football.’

And he certainly has. He has four friendly goals in four matches in a team laden with star power, a team on the path to winning it all. He had a double—the only goals his team had—in FC Valinor’s win against their toughest rival Real Valinor. Argon took his time in the limelight and used it to prove that he deserved to be among the elite.

It had been an long and arduous road for Argon—getting the call in the first place required divine intervention.

‘I don’t know anyone from Middle-earth, so my only chance for a call-up to an Arda Cup roster is through Blessed Realm teams. I knew I didn’t have much of a chance because there were only thirty-three spots—actually less, because I can’t play goalie. This year Tulkas and Yavanna built their own squads, after being together in team Valinor last year, so I had a few more chances to be called up. About a week into the preseason, I finally got invited by Yavanna to join her FC Valinor team.’

Argon is not a total unknown in the footballing world. After all, he did come from one of the best footballing families in Eä, the House of Finwë. His father and sister have won the Cup.

‘It’s just that I never got the chance to be on the news like they do, be it about football or anything else. But I guess I like being quiet. I’ve never been fond of war or politics—football’s been enough to get me going.’

He’s also the captain of the Tirion Sporting Club, far and away the best player in a middling team in the Elvish Premier League. They accomplished their best league finish this year at sixth, fully thirty points behind leaders Eldamar. And they have never progressed past the quarterfinals of the Elf A Cup.

‘The people I’m playing with now, I used to meet them on the pitch only twice, maybe thrice a year.’

And those people have nothing but praise for the Arda Cup rookie.

‘He’s a hard worker,’ said his half-cousin Celegorm.

His grandmother Indis concurs. ‘He’s usually the first on the pitch, working on his game—footwork, ball-control, his stamina, whatever he needs to improve on. He’s also usually the last to leave.’

‘He desires to know more about the game,’ said Irmo. ‘He reads up on strategies and tactics. And he’s watching tapes of past Arda Cup games, especially ones of teams we’d be facing. He says he doesn’t want to feel out the opposition only when he’s on the pitch against them—he wants to be ready for what they can do.’

After years of waiting, he’s finally shown Arda that he can play in the greatest stage. Argon’s time in the spotlight is just a stepping stone to greater glory.

‘It’s my first time to be here, and I already want to win it all. Sounds ambitious, maybe, but I know we can do it.’

Alice Holly is a Tar-Eldar Network Television football correspondent.

[Nogrod]

So dear friends, it is getting about time to bring the final rankings to the fore before the tournament begins. The AKM is proud to bring it's readers the first one - and one that looks a little bit different than some of the earlier rankings whether by the AKM or the other networks.

The reason for that is simple.

We have considered both the schedual of each team in the friendlies aka. how tough teams they have played, and more or less ignored those games where both teams have played for a draw.

We'll bring you some more elaborate statitistics & speculation on them when our "group by group" -analysis is published in the next few days.


In the following ranking-list you have all the teams ranked first of all into five different ranking-categories (which we have used to determine the toughness or easyness of their schedule - the end-result of course has been modified). Before a team name there is the ranking + the former ranking by the AKM in parentheses. After the team there is the letter for the group the team plays in.

Rank 1 (The Favourites)
1. (1.) FC Valinor (D)
2. (2.) Real Valinor (D)
3. (5.) Valimar (E)
4. (3.) AC Beleriand (G)

Rank 2 (The Contenders)
5. (10.) Angband (A)
6. (7.) Tirion (D)
7. (8.) The Sea (E)
8. (4.) Eriador (B)
9. (9.) Wilderland (C)
10. (6.) Armenelos (D)
11. (16.) Anduin (C)
12. (11.) Erebor (C)
13. (13.) Anfaughlith (G)

Rank 3 (Can challenge a good team)
14. (14.) Imladris (F)
15. (15.) Nargothrond (G)
16. (12.) Rohan (F)
17. (17.) Doriath (G)
18. (17.) Hithlum (E)
19. (19) Gondolin (B)

Rank 4 (Decent teams on a good day)
20. (21.) Misty Mts. (F)
21. (25.) The Havens (E)
22. (24.) Isengard (F)
23. (27.) Arnor (B)
24. (22.) Tol In Gaurhoth (A)
25. (23.) Shire-Bree Utd. (A)
26. (28.) Inter Beleriand (B)
27. (20.) Gondor (H)

Rank 5 (The Left-overs)
28. (30.) Mordor (H)
29. (26.) Minas Tirith (H)
30. (31.) Barad Dûr (H)
31. (29.) Dwarves Utd. (C)
32. (32.) The Downer (A)

[Shastanis Althreduin]

Anduin took on Imladris in what was to be one of the final friendly matches before the tournament began in earnest. And, to be frank, the first half of this game was pretty boring. It appeared the time of year was making Grimbeorn sluggish – he barely moved during the first half of the game. On the other side, Elladan could be seen juggling the ball at nearly every opportunity simply for practice, judging this game to be not worthwhile.

In the second half, though, he did stir himself to put the ball into the net courtesy of a strong punt from Arwen (later, a reporter heard her say she aimed at Elladan’s head deliberately, to wake him up.) However, this roused the Anduin team to play full-bore, and eleven minutes later Boromir II juked away from his defenders and equalized the game. Now Grimbeorn had had time to fully shake off his grogginess and rejoin the game, and it was the mighty bear himself that scored Anduin’s second goal in order to secure his team the win.

Anduin 2-1 Imladris
tot shots 12-10
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*49, 0-1 Elladan (Arwen)
*60, 1-1 Boromir II (Fram)
*81, 2-1 Grimbeorn (Haldir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anduin- Lenwe, Frumgar
*Imladris- Aranarth


Foul play abounded in the friendly between the physical teams of Erebor and Misty Mountains (who, in particular, has a history of using their brawn rather more than their brains.) Again, in what seems to have become a pattern, the objective of actually putting the ball into the net seemed to be sidelined for most of the game – shots were taken when possible, but it seemed both teams were more interested in getting a piece of their opponents. The crafty elf Rumil assisted both Misty Mountains goals, but was never carded for the sly fouls he committed against Dain. Enraged, Dain went straight after Rumil, but received his second yellow of the match and was sent off the field. Chief Wolf soon followed, thanks to a nasty bite he gave Gwaihir (who responded with a mighty wing buffet and received his own yellow for his trouble), and both teams finished out the game at a tie.

Erebor 2-2 Misty Mts
tot shots 15-15
on target 7-6
GOALS:
*13, 1-0 Smaug (Bard)
*30, 1-1 Durin’s Bane (Rumil)
*44, 1-2 Narvi (Rumil)
*57, 2-2 Thranduil (Dain)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Erebor- Nazgul #7, Gwaihir, Meneldor, Dain, Smaug
*Misty- Azog, Chief Wolf, Bert, Orophin, William
RED CARDS:
Erebor- Dain (63, second yellow)
Misty- Chief Wolf (66, second yellow)


The most exciting thing about the Gondor/Rohan friendly was the explosive start, as both teams had apparently decided to treat this game just like a real, tournament-style play. Not very many shots were taken (8 for Gondor, 10 for Rohan), but the ball changed hands (or, rather, feet, or hooves, or what have you) like lightning, never remaining in possession of one team for very long. A little over half an hour in, Anarion fired off a shot at the Rohan goal, but Felarof intercepted it with a well-timed rear, coming down on top of the ball. The pressure Felarof’s hoof applied to the ball popped it into the sky and across the pitch, nearly going into the net of the Gondor goal. However, it bounced off the crossbar and back onto the field, where Eomer picked off the clean goal.

Rohan pulled back their offense a bit after that, letting Gondor try to equalize. And equalize they did, in the second half, as Anarion tried again and Falastur caught the rebounding ball square with a high knee, firing it into the back of the net. After that, the game exploded into full-bore play again, but both teams’ defenses held firm and the game ended in a tie.


Gondor 1-1 Rohan
tot shots 8-10
on target 3-5
GOALS:
*37, 0-1 Eomer (Felarof)
*65, 1-1 Falastur (Anarion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Calimehtar
*Rohan- Shadowfax, Eomer

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

For this edition of ArdaCup.com Stats Report, we go into an in-depth analysis of the status of the groups heading into the tournament proper.

Power Rank:



Greatest gain:

• +10 Isengard
• +9 Anduin
• +7 Valimar

Greatest loss:

• -14 Tol-in-Gaurhoth
• -11 Mordor
• -10 Imladris

The Power Ranking is based on the aggregate of offensive and defensive ranking, combined with the adjusted goal difference rank of each team. The listed offensive and defensive rankings are from the actual numbers by the teams, and not adjusted. Ties are broken by a) win-draw-loss record; and b) goal difference.

The offensive ranking is based on the goals scored throughout the friendly matches. Ties are broken by a) greater number of shots made on target; and b) greater number of shots made.

The defensive ranking is based on the goals allowed throughout the friendly matches. Ties are broken by a) least number of shots allowed on target; and b) least amount of shots allowed.

Please note that the above ranking is based on the four rounds of friendly matches played by the teams, and does not reflect actual tournament performance.

Top individual performers:

GOALS + ASSISTS

7+2
Finwë (Tirion)

5+3
Curufin (FC Valinor)
Húrin (Hithlum)
Gwindor (Nargothrond)

5+2
Bombadil (Shire-Bree United)

5+1
Túrin (Hithlum)
Glaurung (Nargothrond)

5+0
Arien (Real Valinor)
Sauron (Barad-dûr)

4+3
Míriel (Real Valinor)

4+2
Gothmog (Gondolin)

4+1
Aegnor (The Havens)

4+0
Maeglin (Gondolin)
Eönwë (Tirion)
Argon (FC Valinor)
Durin's Bane (Misty Mts)

3+4
Aredhel (Tirion)

3+3
Oromë (Wilderland)

3+2
Strider (Shire-Bree United)
Eärendil (The Havens)

3+1
Tar-Minastir (The Sea)
Saruman (Isengard)

2+4
Elwë (Wilderland)

2+3
Galadriel (Wilderland)
Tar-Ancalimon (Armenelos)
Yavanna (FC Valinor)
Nienor (Hithlum)
Finrod (Nargothrond)

1+5
Barrow-Wight (Shire-Bree United)

GOALKEEPING

1. 92.31% - 12/13 - Manwe (Valimar)
2. 92.31% - 12/13 - Ungoliant (Anfauglith)
3. 87.50% - 14/16 - Marach (AC Beleriand)
4. 86.67% - 13/15 - Elrond (Eriador)
5. 85.71% - 18/21 - Elros (Imladris)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

A team of TENT and ArdaCup.com sports analysts will now bring you the most comprehensive and most accurate analysis of the Arda Cup groups.

After the team’s name is a list of the top three phantasy performers for the team (with their points per game and positions given).

GROUP A

Here we have two teams gutted after last year’s final four appearance, a team clearly improved in the offseason, and a bunch of jokers whose improvement or lack thereof cannot be quantified on the pitch.

• Angband

  4.5 GK Carcaroth
  3.75 DF Morgoth
  2.75 DF Balrog #1

  Angband has lost Ungoliant, Thuringwethil, and Tilion, but they have retained Morgoth, Ancalagon, and Tevildo. They have also been rejoined by Carcaroth after winning a title with Doriath—by the way, why is his wolvish partner-in-crime Draugluin not playing this year? Despite the loss of one of the greatest goalkeepers in Arda, they remain as stingy as ever in the friendlies, conceding only two goals in four games. But with the loss of midfield anchor Tilion they have struggled to score themselves, with only three goals in four games. Will they find the shooting touch come tourney time? It probably won’t matter soon, especially in this lousy group, but once the knockout games begin it will.
  
  
• Shire-Bree United

  6.5 FW Bombadil
  4.75 MF Barrow-Wight
  4.25 FW Strider

  Clearly one of the most improved teams from last year’s cup—only Nargothrond could rival them in that aspect. They’ve gained Bombadil, Khamûl, Barrow-Wight, another Nazgûl, and Strider in the offseason, and lost nothing of consequence. The new additions have proven themselves, especially their forward line-up, as they average almost three goals per game. They’ve been doing it mostly against lousy defences, though, and when they faced a good one in Eriador, they failed to deliver. Worse, their terrible defence from last year hasn’t been remedied, averaging more than three goals conceded per game. Clearly, they don’t have enough to beat Angband, so their tie with Tol-in-Gaurhoth will decide the group’s runners-up. That being said, we think they’re still on the outside looking in.
  
  
• The Downer

  3.75 MF Hookbill
  2.25 MF Lalwendë MP
  2 GK Bubble Buddha

  Nothing to see here that would interest a football fan—if you like slapstick antics and injuring pranks, then go ahead, watch their games. Otherwise move along.
  
  
• Tol-in-Gaurhoth

  5 GK ShastaWolf
  4.25 MF PhantomWolf
  3.5 FW NerWight

  For this team, the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts, so the biggest offseason loss for the Wolves was not any of their players, but their Wight-Wolf forms and seven of their Werewolves. ShastaWolf, one of the best GKs last year, is back between the posts, and so are PhantomWolf and NogWolf. But how will this disparate disjointed team of Wolves, Wights, and a Lion mesh? Unlike Angband, they have a chance of not making it past the group stage, so finding groove sooner is imperative for them.

Projected finish:
1. Angband
2. Tol-in-Gaurhoth
3. Shire-Bree United
4. The Downer

GROUP H

The token laughingstock group. None of the teams here will last long past the group stage, except perhaps Barad-dûr, but that’s only because of Sauron’s (distant) championship pedigree.

• Barad-dûr

  4.75 FW Sauron
  2 GK Mûmakil
  1.5 MF Berúthiel

  Sauron has always led a prolific offence—that’s what some of the GMs and team owners have said of him in the first ArdaCup.com Stats Report, and we agree. With Castamir and Berúthiel on his team, there’s the expectation that this will continue to hold true, their dismal friendly performance notwithstanding. If there’s anything about the Black Tower that worries us, it’s their defence. But that won’t matter yet, not in this group.
  
  
• Gondor

  4 MF Anarion
  3.5 GK Hyarmendacil
  3.25 MF Falastur

  Gondor had the best pre-tournament showing of the teams in this group, with three draws and one loss. Two of their draws came against Armenelos and Rohan, which might say something about their talent, if it weren’t for the fact that the two played friendly friendlies with their descendants/brothers-in-arms. When the games were serious they drew with Isengard (meh) and lost to Arnor (haha). Despite that, the fail in this group is so strong that they have a serious chance to qualify past the group stage.
  
  
• Minas Tirith

  3.75 MF Mardil
  3 GK Denethor
  2 DF Cirion

  In the two serious games Minas Tirith played in the friendlies, they lost to decent Anduin and even middling Isengard. Sure, this group is also full of decent to middling squads, but we’re betting Minas Tirith won’t beat even one of them.
  
  
• Mordor

  3.25 MF Nazgûl #4
  2.5 GK Silent Watcher
  1.5 FW Shelob

  They played seriously in all their friendly games, so at least their performance can be an accurate gauge of their skill level. They got demolished by Valimar (as expected), lost to Anduin, drew with Arnor, and was leading for a while against Minas Tirith. Happily, none of the teams in this group are as good as Valimar or even Anduin (which is number ten on our pre-tournament power rank), so they have a shot to play in the knockout stage.

Projected finish:
1. Barad-dûr
2. Gondor
3. Mordor
4. Minas Tirith