ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The TENT-exclusive friendly encounter between Gondolin and Nargothrond was held in a location nostalgic to both teams. Since both the High Faroth Arena and Song of Stone Stadium were undergoing renovations (for group stage hosting and bidding for quarterfinal hosting, respectively), the two hidden realm squads jointly decided to hold the tie in the Twilit Meres Stadium, Aelin-uial, where the founders of both kingdoms received the idea from Ulmo to build realms hidden from Morgoth's eyes.

Despite the geniality between the two most enduring Noldorin realms in Beleriand, some tension was raised when Finrod commented on the situation regarding his cousin's 'banishment' from Gondolin. 'No ruler should be barred from joining his own kingdom's squad,' he said during the post-game press conference. Maeglin replied, 'With all due respect to Lord Felagund, I think he should just mind his own business. I'm sure his own kingdom agrees with me.'

So the seeds of resentment have been planted between the two, but the only way they would meet in the Arda Cup was if one of them won their group and the other finished second--a tall order, considering that Gondolin and Nargothrond have giants Eriador and AC Beleriand in their respective groups.

But on to the game. Nargothrond was leading two-nil thirty minutes into the game before Gondolin got on the scoreboard. Finrod scored his second goal early in the second half to restore the two-goal lead before Maeglin's double put the two teams even. The last half hour of the match proved to be a treat to football fans as the two teams fought for the win. Six minutes before full time Nargothrond got their winner when Orodreth headed in Gwindor's left-wing cross.

Gondolin 3-4 Nargothrond
GOALS:
13, 0-1 Finduilas (Glaurung)
34, 0-2 Finrod
38, 1-2 Gothmog (Duilin)
46, 1-3 Finrod (Barahir)
59, 2-3 Maeglin (Elemmakil)
66, 3-3 Maeglin (Gothmog)
84, 3-4 Orodreth (Gwindor)

Total Shots
17-21
Shots on Target
8-10

YELLOW CARDS:
3-2
Gondolin: Maeglin, Elemmakil, Pengolodh
Nargothrond: Orodreth, Guilin

In other games not televised by TENT:

Anfauglith vs Doriath

Thuringwethil and Lúthien, who had been friends ever since their squads faced each other in the Silmaril Invitational Tournament, helped arrange this friendly tie before they knew that they would be in the same group. As such, the two teams didn't display much in the way of offensive tactics, and none on the pitch had sufficient individual skills to unlock the defences the two teams arrayed in front of their goals, especially that of Ungoliant and the Balrogs. Doriath had more possessions (hence more chances at goal) due to Anfauglith's weak midfield, which underscored their offensive woes. But the few chances Thuringwethil and company created were more dangerous than the ones Doriath had, which pointed out the continuing defensive difficulties of the Fenced Land. It required all of Melian and Lúthien's effort to keep the side from the Gasping Dust scoreless, as the rest of the defence were often left wrong-footed by the agile vampire's ball-handling and passing skills.

Anfauglith 0-0 Doriath
total shots 7-10
on target 2-2
GOALS:
*
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anfauglith- Gundor, Balrog #3, Borlach
*Doriath- Nimloth, Daeron

__________________


AC Beleriand vs The Havens

Despite the fact that much of the media's attention has been on the two Valinor squads, AC Beleriand made a statement today about their earnestness to win the Cup with their dismantling of the struggling Havens side. Dubbed by the local media in the Falas as a repeat of the first Kinslaying, Fëanor and Eöl made short work of the mariners, who had only Aegnor's goal to console them. In the post-game press conference Feanor said, 'It's lucky for Real and FC Valinor that they're in the wrong group; otherwise one of them won't even make it to the semis.'

AC Beleriand 3-1 The Havens
tot shots 15-15
on target 8-6
GOALS:
*10, 1-0 Fëanor (Ulrad)
*26, 2-0 Eöl (Fëanor)
*63, 2-1 Aegnor (Eärendil)
*78, 3-1 Eöl (Beren)
YELLOW CARDS:
*AC Bel- Ecthelion, Denethor, Imlach
*Havens- Andreth, Aegnor

[the phantom]

Minas Morgul played host for the final friendly for Barad-Dur and The Sea. It was easier for visitors to reach than any of the arenas within Mordor itself, and so would get a better mix of fans. A couple ships worth of mariner-types sailed up the Anduin and made the trek east for the match, and even more Gondorians showed up to support their Numenorean forefathers.

And these fans were pleased indeed, as both Veantur and Tar Minastir made it into the scorebook, one of them off a nice find from Tar Aldarion. They were displeased when longtime foe Sauron scored just before the half, but even with the talented Sea defense playing fairly top level Sauron is going to do that from time to time.

In the second half the high level of play continued and The Sea was able to play their style and suffocate Barad-Dur in the final 25 to hold on for the win.

Barad-Dur 1-2 The Sea
tot shots 14-13
on target 4-7
GOALS:
*17, 0-1 Veantur (Tar Aldarion)
*42, 1-1 Sauron (Beruthiel)
*75, 1-2 Tar Minastir (Ulmo)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Castamir, Fuinur, Mouth, Herumor, Sauron
*Sea- Tar Aldarion, Osse, Ulmo

The match between group foes Dwarves United and Wilderland wasn't terribly well attended, even though it took place in Dimrill Dale- close for both the Dwarves of the mountains and the Elves of Lothlorien.

But the Elves were split with their attentions- Rumil and Orophin were with the Misty Mts, Celeborn and Haldir were with Anduin, and Galadriel was with Wilderland, so they simply couldn't get behind one team full force.

The Dwarves on the other hand- they were certainly behind their squad, but many of them were busy with preparations, as the Dwarven Halls of Moria would be playing host to Group C. Not to mention that this particular game would be played again- only when it mattered.

So a half-empty stadium got to see a rather low-effort game. The natural athleticism of Wilderland was on display, and Aule's squad refused to counter with physicality, either for fear of injury or because they wanted to save their energy and plans for the group stage.

With Wilderland playing loose too the Dwarves did get a few looks at the goal, but the Great Warg made several nice saves to keep the opposition at bay. In the end only a pinpoint surprise drive by Celebrimbor kept them from being shut out.

Dwarves United 1-4 Wilderland
tot shots 14-18
on target 7-7
GOALS:
*35, 0-1 Galadriel (Orome)
*57, 0-2 Scatha (Elwe)
*69, 1-2 Celebrimbor (Telchar)
*79, 1-3 Scatha (Galadriel)
*83, 1-4 Elwe (Fimbrethil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*DwarvesU- Gimli
*Wilderland- Oropher, Galion

[Nogrod]

Hithlum had invited team Tirion to visit them at Dor-lómin’s cosy forest-stadium and the attendance was excellent regarding that there were two other quite a crowd-pleaser games taking place in the vicinity around the same time.

The game was an interesting one in many respects. Both teams went for ball possession and short-pass tactics – probably trying to save energy just before the tournament by not running to and fro through the field all the time after long openings. But that didn’t mean the ball was just moved over the midfield. On the contrary, the teams offered the spectators real value for their money with a display of some nice individual skills, well played combinations and in the end seven goals. Tirion got four of them, Hithlum three.

Tirion has been high on the different rankings published in the media and Hithlum has done pretty well too. But the problem both teams face is the super-high level of competition in both of their respective groups.

Asked about that in the post-game press the answers were these.

Aredhel: We just keep scoring more than the opponents do, and to help that we tighten our backline a little bit… You know, even if they would never admit it, the Númenorians are wetting their pants looking forwards to meeting us as they know they have to score at least three or four to even draw with us – and they just don’t score that much, sorry guys. And the Valinor-teams? They are the pre-tournament favourites and they are under pressure to qualify, so we’ll keep on scoring and see whether they can answer that. They will freeze, I will tell you. They will freeze.

Húrin: Valimar and The Sea play the defence-game. The medicine against that is playing offencive – and you know where the talent of our team lies… And the Havens, you ask? Well I wouldn’t count on them to be contesting for the qualification anyway. Tuor is a good lad and his offspring are valiant, and Cirdan is a great person, but they just are not up to the challenge this time.

Hithlum 3-4 Tirion
tot shots 13-15
on target 7-7
GOALS:
*8, 1-0 Turin (Hurin)
*14, 1-1 Finwe (Anaire)
*19, 1-2 Eonwe (Ingwe)
*31, 2-2 Nienor (Hador)
*40, 2-3 Mahtan
*70, 2-4 Finwe (Aredhel)
*81, 3-4 Hurin (Androg)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Morwen, Grithnir
*Tirion- Elenwe


~*~

Even if football is the number one sport in Arda, there still are pockets here and there where other sports take precedence. One of those is the great city of Dol Amroth by the sea. In an effort to spread the enthusiasm towards football the AFA (Arda Football Association) has been sponsoring the building of a beautiful Swan Arena just inside the New Port facing the Bay of the White Ships.

Gondor’s and Minas Tirith’s scheduals had sadly been locked down already before it was clear the stadium would be finished before this year’s Cup would begin, but the adminstrators of Dol Amroth were able to pick quite a treat for their citizens by getting four very interesting teams to the city to finish their friendly season.

In the afternoon game one of the great favourites and talk of the Arda Real Valinor – with all the powerful elves and Western-folk – met the media-favourite team of oddities, the one who can actually also play aka. Tol In Gaurhoth.

In the game Real Valinor showed why they are high in the speculations. Even if the T-I-G played their best football thus far and managed to offer some real competition, there never was a real question about which team was calling the shots here. Real’s ball-handling was just superb and their passes a level faster and wittier, their offencive-players’ manouvers a deal more creative and dangerous than those of their wight-werewolf counterparts. Looking at the shooting stats just tells it all.

Both teams played it all out and Real Valinor went on winning the game 3-1. That was a fair result.

Real Valinor 3-1 Tol In Gaurhoth
tot shots 19-11
on target 9-3
GOALS:
*18, 1-0 Miriel (Elemmire)
*54, 1-1 NerWight (NogWolf)
*72, 2-1 Nessa (Nerdanel)
*86, 3-1 Miriel (Tilion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*RealVal- Rumil, Tilion, Caranthir
*TIG- SallyWight, NilpWolf, DF Wight #2, DF Wight #1


But the game the audiences were really excited about was the “meeting of the brothers” – as the game was marketed (although some critical avant-garde & hipster media, like The Belfalas Guardian, called it “a senior-meeting of centuries old grandfathers and uncles no one living today should be interested more than a piece in the museum of oddities”). But most of the people were thrilled to see the great Númenorians and the Kings of Arnor clashing in a friendly battle on a football-field.

Both teams played respectfully but in a full tournament gusto. Even if Armenelos was the more controlling side, Elendil’s and Araphor’s nice teamwork took Arnor into lead in the first half. Ar Pharazôn’s intelligent pass that freed Tar Miriel one on one with Arvedui draw the game early in the second half.

Little by little Armenelos’ faster and more athletic game bore fruit and Ar Pharazôn scored a neat volley for Armenelos to take the lead on 72nd minute. After that Armenelos pulled back practising keeping the lead – and Arnor was not able to get past the defence any more.

Ar Pharazôn smiled widely in the press conference and praised team Arnor being a lot tougher their rankings by the “know-nothing media” show and suggested they should look and learn. He was also quick to mention that he had told the media already earlier that when the games start to be more real he will start scoring, and he did play a major part in both goals of Armenelos in the game so maybe he is correct.

When asked by Andunië Evening Standard, whether the Valinor-based teams they will meet in the group-phase are still too tough for them to qualify, Ar Pharazôn had only this to answer:

“Phffft!”

Armenelos 2-1 Arnor
tot shots 14-8
on target 6-3
GOALS:
*29, 0-1 Araphor (Elendil)
*55, 1-1 Tar Miriel (Ar Pharazon)
*72, 2-1 Ar Pharazon (Tar Ancalimon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Ar Adunakhor, Ar Zimrathan
*Arnor- Malvegil, Araval, Earendur