ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Boromir88]

Eriador - Minas Tirith @Lothlorien

The stadium was nearly split even in terms of who it would be rooting for. As fans from both realms flocked to Lothlorien. Some of the Orcish media got word that there was no group of orcs or wraiths in Lothlorien to cheer for the Witch-King. He in fact, seemed like a fish out of water, amongst the droves of Elves and living Men. They grumbled "Is this not why there is a ban on games being played in Aman?" Although, truth be told, in those situations civilian ticket-holders were mysteriously dropping out of all existance. Where here, honestly no Orcs wanted to bother purchasing tickets to Lothlorien, just to see the Witch-King, for their disdain for Elves and the Rangers on Eriador was greater.

Lothlorien did not have a team in the Arda Cup, and Galadriel and Celeborn had both been eliminated, so they were back home. They were anxious to see football again, and had no reservations about watching these two teams play, a clean and disciplined game. There might be a slight home advantage to Eriador, since the Lorien elves were more behind Elrond, Gil-Galad, and Glorfindel than the lords from Minas Tirith. They would, however, be respectful toward Minas Tirith, of course.

A few hours before the match, the captains of the teams addressed the media in a press conference.

Elrond, as calm as ever, you would hardly be able to know a trip to the semi-finals rested on the next match by looking at his face: "We're going to keep playing the game that got us here, it's that simple. The best defense isn't a top goal-keeper, it's having possession of the ball. The opponent can't score if you have it. That does not mean we are going to play a boring game of keep away. Our defenders and mid-fielders have to move the ball up to Glorfindel, who I have full confidence in to score, if we give him the opportunities."

Faramir, almost as if he was a mirror image of Elrond, expressed the same wisdom and serenity: "Eriador is not all that different from Angband. I mean, their defense is based on foresight, intelligence, and team-work. Angband's is more strength and intimidation, but their styles are essentially the same. They both thrive on possession and low-scoring games. It will be a difficult challenge scoring on a keeper of Elrond's reknown, but not even Morgoth could keep us shut out. I also believe, in the Angband match, my father showed a gift of foresight worthy of Elrond even."

Many in the room looked around, feeling that was very high praise, perhaps too much even, given by Faramir. But no one challenged the man with a follow-up, because there is no denying Denethor entered Angband, and was arguably the most vital player in Minas Tirith's upset win. The captains shook hands and then departed for their final pre-game rituals and preparations with their respective clubs.

The stadium was buzzing with excitement, this was really the locals first major football experience of the year. And while there were no goals in the first half, it was proof that simply because a match did not have 3, 4, and 5 or more goals does not mean it's a snooze-fest. Lothlorien was excited to see a good, clean match again. As Elrond promised, with possession, there was nice flow and movement, from Eriador's defenders up to their mid-field players and forwards. Both sides were creating several chances and moving it forward when they had possession. It was just, both defenses were doing an excellent job of getting in the way time and time again.

Minas Tirith appeared to be pressing and playing a bit more risky than Eriador, in order to try to grab a lead. However, it was as if Eriador's defenders practiced and played with Minas Tirith all the time, because they were arranged perfectly every time. Never out of position and always close to a Minas Tirith player. Faramir was being frustrated, as he would look to option A, only to find it taken away. It was the same story for B, and C, and D. There was just nowhere to go with the ball. So Minas Tirith's attempts were even further from goal, and became further off-target that never seemed to trouble Elrond in the least.

On the other end, Eriador built their attacks a bit more slowly, but they were able to be more patient with it. Even if Cirion and the MT defenders were playing very well, there were a couple quality chances because Glorfindel and the Witch-King's creativity were too difficult to handle at times. The Witch-King got 2 nice cracks on goal, but Denethor rose to the occassion when his defense was beaten. The Witch-King was frustrated that he was indeed, being hindered by a man, and as halftime ended 0-0, perhaps Faramir was right to give his father such high praise.

The 2nd began and it was like a replay of the 1st. Neither team was changing their gameplan, but sticking to the ways they new best. And the crowd was still energetic, on the edge of their seats. The defenses and goal-keepers were playing absolutely flawless, so they knew whoever broke the deadlock, that would likely be the only goal of the match.

Eriador began more positive in the 2nd half. If you create enough quality opportunities, something is bound to go in your favor eventually, no matter how flawless the opponent's defense and goalie are playing. And in the 68th minute, Eriador finally broke the scoreless deadlock with superior ingenuity and skill.

Arveleg had possession on the left side and passed it, on the ground, towards the center. The Witch-King had a step on Cirion, and acted like he was going for the shot, but no! He let it through. Glorfindel had also made a run at goal beside him and Glorfindel slotted it into the open net, since Denethor had his attention on the Witch-King and did not anticipate the Witch-King's fake.

So, like in the Angband match, Minas Tirith found themselves a goal down and started throwing all caution out the window to equalize. They were confident they could hold Eriador to 1-goal and then perhaps get this to another shoot out where anything could happen. However, nothing had changed from the 1st half. Eriador's defense was perfectly executed, perfectly positioned, every time. Faramir got Minas Tirith's best chance in the 78th minute, when he finally beat his marker, Gil-galad. Only, that as everyone knows, is only the first difficult obstacle, as Elrond was right there to make a strong save and deny Faramir the goal.

It was over. Eriador was deservedly advancing to the Semis, and many of their fans planned to stick around to mingle and celebrate with the Lorien elves. The Minas Tirith fans were definitely disappointed, because they honestly believed they had a great chance to go to the semis, but Eriador was just too good for their team today. However, after upsetting Angband, and battling Eriador down to the very end, they could return to Gondor with heads held high, and with their honour.

Eriador 1-0 Minas Tirith
on target 6-2
tot shots 14-14
GOALS:
*68, 1-0 Glorfindel (Arveleg)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eriador- Arassuil, Arahael
*MTirith-

[Shastanis Althreduin]

As the fourth quarterfinal match got underway, the weather decided it wasn't going to co-operate. Rain had been threatening all day, and as the first minutes of the match began, the sky had finally had enough. The match between Rohan and Real Valinor would be played in the rain.

It wasn't a hard rain, but the players were wet and and irritable all throughout the first half. Horses especially are known for disliking being wet, and it may have been due to that that Arien was able to slip around the defensive Rohan line of sodden, mournful horses to knee in a linear shot from Nerdanel at around the sixteen-minute mark.

Having let in a goal so early, of course, meant the Rohan players went into the half with even less morale than normal. Nothing particularly changed for them in the second half, either. In comparison, Real Valinor was cheerful, but still anxious about the weather, as lightning flickered across the sky and thunder continued to cause spectators to duck in cover. Early on, some makeshift leather awnings were produced so that the fans stayed relatively dry, but no leather awning could stop the wind blowing torrents of water up under the covering. The end result was a group of spectators that weren't quite as soaking wet as the players, but only barely.

Real Valinor came into the second half ahead by one, but they didn't let that lull them into complacency. As the half started, Enerdhil had a bit too much enthusiasm in chasing the ball and slip-slid right into Rohan's King Dead, who, already down on account of the rain, was less than happy about an opposing player tackling him into the dirt. The altercation that followed was a bit blurred for some on account of the rain, but both players walked away with the only yellow cards of the match.

Sadly, that was the last real bit of spirit Rohan showed in the match. At just over an hour, it was again RV's Arien that scored for her team, this time off a hefty bicycle kick from Miriel.

The game basically fell apart after that, as both teams agreed to end it and get out of the weather. Rohan was saddened by their loss, but "on the bright side, at least we lost to a fantastic team like Real Valinor." (Gandalf was heard to say this to console a downcast Radagast, who was taking the loss a bit hard. There was ale involved.)

So, with a 2-0 victory against the horse lords, Real Valinor advances to the semifinal round!




Rohan 0-2 Real Valinor
on target 3-7
tot shots 13-15
GOALS:
*16, 0-1 Arien (Nerdanel)
*62, 0-2 Arien (Miriel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Rohan- King Dead
*Real- Enerdhil

[the phantom]

The Game Within the Game

Every year the Phantasy Competition is nearly as exciting as the play on the field, and this year is no exception. Here’s what the competitors had to say when we asked them for a brief quote.

Boro: In the upper ranks again, though too far back for my liking. If only my pre-tourney predictions would hit, maybe I could close the gap.
Eomer: I don’t know why I’m not allowed to field a team made entirely of Wargs. I’ll be appealing this.
Eonwe: TIG wouldn’t have been eliminated so early if SteveWight had been on the team. Just saying…
Galadriel: Only my second year, and I’m within easy striking distance of Eomer and Kuru. I’ll be finishing in the top half this year, and next year- winner.
Gwath: They’re going to have to seriously consider naming the Phantasy Championship “The Gwath Award”.
Inzil: Not going quite as planned, but at least I’m beating that blasted Legate.
Kuru: Whew- these several-week Phantasy contests aren’t exactly in my wheel-house. We Dwarves are natural sprinters, you see.
Legate: This noob is two up from the bottom and I’m about to pass that annoying Inzil. Watch out next year, because I’m seriously getting the hang of this.
McCaber: This is like golf, yes? Lowest score wins?
Morm: I maintain my faith in my squad members, whether they’ve been eliminated or not. That’s the sort of chap I am!
Nerwen: Curse those Cupkicks! I’m supposed to be the girl that challenges the boys every year!
Nilp: Gwath is a baby gazelle, and I’m a lion. I think we know what’s going to happen in this chase.
Nog: How can I continually come so close and not take the top?! Grrr… I’m getting there no matter what it takes!
Sally: Look at me way up here, hee hee. Poor little Boro and Shasta are going to be so annoyed when I beat them.
Shasta: Sally said what?! Oh, it is ON! I’m passing her up.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Bracket:



Power Rank:



(Teams in bold are semifinalists; teams in italics are eliminated.)

Greatest gain:

• +8 Real Valinor
• +1 AC Beleriand

Greatest loss:

• -12 Shire-Bree United
• -3 Rohan
• -2 Minas Tirith

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 per game throughout the matches. Ties are broken by a) greater number of shots made on target per game; and b) greater number of shots made per game.

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

Top Individual Performers:
(Players in italics are from eliminated teams.)

GOALS + ASSISTS

6+1
Curufin (FC Valinor)

4+3
Anarion (Gondor)

4+2
Fëanor (AC Beleriand)
Glorfindel (Eriador)

4+1
Gothmog (Gondolin)
Smaug (Erebor)
Beren (AC Beleriand)

4+0
Arien (Real Valinor)

3+3
Sauron (Barad-dûr)

3+2
Bombadil (Shire-Bree United)
Celegorm (FC Valinor)

3+1
Túrin (Hithlum)
Finrod (Nargothrond)
Witch-king (Eriador)

2+3
Maeglin (Gondolin)
Beleg (Doriath)
Míriel (Real Valinor)
Eöl (AC Beleriand)

1+3
Tevildo (Angband)
Eärendil (The Havens)
Thranduil (Erebor)

GOALKEEPING

1. Beorn (Erebor) - 23/27 (85.19%)
2. Théoden (Rohan) - 17/20 (85.00%)
3. Elrond (Eriador) - 21/25 (84.00%)
4. Marach (AC Beleriand) – 12/15 (80.00%)
5. Manwë (Valimar) - 12/15 (80.00%)
6. Ungoliant (Anfauglith) - 11/14 (78.57%)
7. Huan (FC Valinor) - 18/23 (78.26%)

[Nogrod]

GAME 1

B1 Eriador 10-4
5-0-0
34,5% 29 (71) – 25 (67) 84%

C1 Erebor 10-4
4-1-0
31,25% 32 (81) – 27 (70) 85,2%


Had we been asked before the tournament which team would win a crucially important match between Eriador and Erebor, we would probably not have hesitated too much to say Eriador would win. And we would have given at least the following reasons. First, while Smaug is a dangerous striker Glorfindel and The Witch King form a much more dangerous duo. Secondly Erebor may boast of the eagle defence but eagles has been proven shifty the earlier years – while Eriador has the best goalie aka. Elrond to whom you can’t even compare Beorn to.

Having seen first the friendlies and then the games that had a stake we have to say all the above is more or less rubbish now.

Let’s start with the forwards: Glorfindel (4+2) and Smaug (4+1) seem neck to neck in effectivity, but The Witch King has played a bit under the expectations (3+1, though). Meanwhile Bard the Bowman (3+0) has risen from nowhere while Thranduil (1+3) is their passing genius. So far from Eriador being stronger the numbers suggest the teams are quite even in their attack. And in the last two games Erebor’s attack has looked like the deadlier one indeed.

What comes to the defence, the talk about the Eagles being hazards in the defence has yet to materialize. Meanwhile they have done some pretty good work – and it would be shortsighted an stupid to say they wouldn’t match the defence of Eriador led by Gil-Galad and Malbeth. The most interesting detail on that is that even if Erebor played 120 minutes against FC Valinor (who made a dashing 9/23 shots against them) the numbers in the defence are still that even – meanwhile Eriador played Minas Tirith... So if there is an edge on one defence over anpther we’d say Erebor is in a sharper condition right now.

And the golkeepers then? Beorn just happens to be the sensation of this season! With numbers Beorn is better than Elrond himself – but especially his performance in the game against FC Valinor showed his qualities! So we can’t put Eriador ahead even with the goalkeeping…

Now the stats are so close and both teams are top quality ones, so it will not be an easy game to predict, but if forced to say which team has the edge we’d say it is Erebor. Eriador might have tougher defence than FC Valinor but they’re galaxies away from their offence – and if Erebor managed to keep FC Valinor at bay for almost 90 minutes, they should have no problem keeping Glorfindel fronm scoring.

The AKM predicts:

Erebor wins 1-0 (or 2-1 extra-time)



GAME 2


D2 Real Valinor 8-5
4-0-1
32% 29 (74) – 22 (62) 77,3%

G1 AC Beleriand 13-3
4-1-0
37,1% 35 (83) – 15 (50) 80%


The stats are pretty straightforwards: AC Beleriand is the favourite to win this game. AC Beleriand scores more and shoots more while allowing less goals and shots. But, and unsurprisingly there is a “but”: Real Valinor has had clearly a tougher schedule – even if it can be argued that AC Beleriand hasn’t had the easiest schedule either.

It is a no-brainer that getting oneself forth from group D and then from the first playoff round against the winner of group E was a far greater deed than to qualify from group G and beat the second team from group B. No-brainer or not, but many people tend to forget that when they get excited about the stats only – or that Fëanor plays for the AC Beleriand. So the stas might not tell the truth.

It is also interesting to note that the match-up favours both teams in different ways. Now both teams have won all their games except one. Real Valinor had problems with an especially strong attacking team (FC Valinor) and AC Beleriand sure is one. Then again AC Beleriand’s only point-loss came against a fairly balanced offencive-oriented team (Doriath) which Real Valinor seems to be.

That said, AC Beleriand’s defencive stats look pretty awesome even if they haven’t exactly met any offencive “powerhouses” – and Real Valinor has a full day’s work to get a decent amount of shots towards Marach to score.

But before declaring AC Beleriand the slight favourites to win the game we must add two disclaimers. Firstly, Real Valinor’s attack has been very efficient when they have needed to be that, and whatever some people say, their attacking trio is still one of the deadliest – and with a different schedual their numbers would be different as well. Secondly, we have both Fëanor’s mom and wife playing for the opposing side: what is their effect on his game?

The AKM predicts:

The game ends 1-1 or more probably 2-2, AC Beleriand wins on extratime.