Arda Cup Football 2009

[the phantom]

Spirits were high in Tirion and outside its walls where fans of the home team were camped out. Tuna was not only leading the standings, but with their four goal explosion they had gained an inside track on the tie-breaker, which was goal differential. "One more win and this thing is in the bag! Even a tie might do it!"

But the story was quite different in the midst of a jumble of eerie green tents to the north of the stadium, where dwelt the fans and supporters of the Tol-in-Guarhoth team. "We played a bad first game, but we'll destroy Brethil and show Tuna who's the real champ in the last match!" said McWolf to Nerwolf, and she agreed heartily. "Even after so little practice we tied Gondor, and I think they're just as good as Tuna," she added.

"Quite right, lass!" shouted Shastawolf. "We took the bronze medal last year! We're a great team, and our backs are to the wall. Brethil and Tuna are in for a stomping!"

But despite how eager the Werewolves were to see their team show up the home side, they wouldn't get that chance for some time. First they had to take care of their match against Brethil, who was certain to be looking to prove themselves after the debacle last week.

For the first quarter of the game, it looked like it could be anyone's game. Both were showing some good skill, but the defenses held firm and no goals were to be had. But at 28 minutes the Werewolves struck! SPMwolf sent it to Phantomwolf to the left of the goal along the sideline, and the Brethil goalie foolishly took a position too far over towards Phantomwolf, and he wasted no time in sending one of his trademark bends high and around the goalie into the top corner of the right side for a score.

Brethil tried to strike back, but they just didn't have legs left. The pace of the tireless Werewolves was beginning to take its toll, and before the half was over TIG struck again- this time the cloaked one was the provider and sent it to Nogwolf who made the defense look slow sprinting behind them and heading it in for the 2-0 lead.

During the half Brethil got their legs back under them and they attacked with great energy to open the second. TIG supporters were heard yelling for their team to allow Brethil to run themselves out of the game, and it appeared that TIG was indeed following that strategy. Unfortunately, before Brethil tired, Haldir found Haleth for a cheap goal at minute 55. It was unclear which TIG defender should have taken Haleth, but the TIG defenders obviously thought the mistake was not theirs and could be seen berating one another.

Mormwolf however took the defense in hand and growled at them to knock it off, and the defense turned their energy to shutting down Brethil, which they did with enthusiasm, even drawing a couple of cards for their efforts. But Brethil was definitely starting to wear out, and started trying to get physical themselves. But the only thing it gained them was cards, for the Werewolves were not easy to rough up or intimidate, and it wasn't long until Brethil found themselves down another goal. This time it was Borowolf taking a pass from Skipwolf and blasting in a long shot.

Just a couple minutes later TIG nearly scored again as Wereomer scraped it just over the crossbar, but Brethil at that point pulled their offense back to help on defense, perhaps just to avoid giving up four goals two games in a row. With the front of the field clogged, TIG contented itself to kick the ball around and watch time run down. The bronze-medalists from last year were back!

Brethil 1-3 Tol-in-Gaurhoth
shots 9-16
on target 4-8
GOALS:
*28, TIG (Phantomwolf, SPMwolf)
*40, TIG (Nogwolf, Phantomwolf)
*55, Brethil (Haleth, Haldir)
*74, TIG (Borowolf, Skipwolf)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Brethil- Dorlas, Haleth, Handir, Hundad
*TIG- Borowolf, Wereomer, Runewolf

The stadium noise grew slowly as the night game approached, and the Noldor, Vanyar, and even a few Teleri (there to support Finarfin) joined arms and sang, hoping to see another great performance from home team. And they got it!

Inside of 20 minutes Nerdanel worked her way into the box brilliantly drawing the defense to her and then sent it across perfectly to her dad who booted it in easily. And Tuna scored again in the first half- this time it was Finarfin who worked his way in close and found Miriel with a pass.

Coming out of the half Gondor played very well and took the initiative against Tuna, nearly scoring twice and sending a couple of shots wide as well. But then at minute 62, their attack backfired as Amras poked the ball away and Ingwe sent it quickly upfield to the forwards who all dashed madly at the goal. The defenders let Nerdanel keep it most of the way, positioning themselves to deny passing opportunities to Finwe and Miriel who were a bit ahead. But then when Anardil challenged her she sent it quickly to Miriel who had stopped abruptly at the top corner of the box, and Miriel deflected the ball on to Finwe who put it firmly into the goal. The fans from Gondor wanted an offsides call, but the refs ruled Finwe had not been behind Valacar when the ball was sent.

After that Tuna called off the dogs and cruised, though with under 10 minutes left Gondor broke the shut-out with a thundering shot from Boromir II. Tuna looked displeased about it, but it wasn't enough to ruin their night. They had clinched a spot in the playoffs, and their fans celebrated that night and the following night as well!

Gondor 1-3 Tuna
shots 7-16
on target 3-8
GOALS:
*19, Tuna (Mahtan, Nerdanel)
*34, Tuna (Miriel, Finarfin)
*62, Tuna (Finwe, Miriel)
*81, Gondor (Boromir II, Faramir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Atanatar I, Imrahil, Hirluin, Faramir
*Tuna- Finarfin

GROUP G STANDINGS

-----team------points----goal diff
Tuna..................6...........+6
Tol-in-Gaurhoth...4...........+2
Gondor...............1............-2
Brethil................0...........-6