The friendly match between Doriath and Gondolin, covered exclusively by TENT, has been touted as the battle between the last two champions (although the two squads have fallen in quality from their championship years.) This time no mishap occured that threatened the broadcast of the game from the Song of Stone Stadium, Gondolin, and TENT viewers were able to follow the action from the warm-up to the final whistle.
The last game played in that stadium was the Deathless Champions League finals between Eldar United and Taniquetil, also covered exclusive by TENT. Gondolin GK Rog is the only player from that match to be playing now.
The two hidden kingdoms were on cordial terms with each other, but their teams played competitively for the entire ninety-plus minutes, not giving away possession or alternating attacking with defence, but playing with a tournament-level intensity (though with none of their tactics on display).
The Gondolin front line, deemed 'overpriced' by various sportwriters, seemed to have entered the game with a chip on their shoulders, as Maeglin scored two and Gothmog delivered a beautiful cross to Duilin after drawing defenders away from the midfielder. Meanwhile, Doriath's offence found itself buoyed by Daeron's surprising emergence as an orchestrator. The minstrel has assisted in all of Doriath's three goals so far.
Despite the offensive excellence shown by both squads, their defences struggled to find form. Sports analysts have pointed out that Gondolin's defence looked out of sync, allowing seven shots on target, and GK Rog made matters worse, allowing two goals in. He needs to regain his 2010 form if this team wants to find success beyond the group stages.
As for Doriath, Melian faces the difficult task of plugging holes once filled by all-star defenders. Galathil, Nimloth, and Saeros were playing half a step behind at times, especially during the sequence of events that led to the first goal. After Elemmakil dispossessed Nellas, Melian ordered her defenders forward to leave Maeglin offside, but Saeros remained in front of the Sharp Boot when Elemmakil booted the ball forward. Maeglin then dashed past the courtier and controlled the long pass before converting his one-on-one opportunity with Doriath GK Dior.
Doriath 2-3 Gondolin
GOALS:
18, 0-1 Maeglin (Elemmakil)
34, 0-2 Duilin (Gothmog)
55, 1-2 Lúthien (Daeron)
69, 1-3 Maeglin
82, 2-3 Beleg (Daeron)
Total Shots
14-17
On Target
7-7
YELLOW CARDS:
3-2
Doriath: Galathil, Saeros, Beleg
Gondolin: Salgant, Aranwë
In other games not televised by TENT:
Nargothrond vs FC Valinor
Pre-tournament favourites FC Valinor has proven once again that the hype surrounding it was not undeserved after their convincing defeat of the vastly improved Nargothrond squad.
Curufin was red-hot during the first twelve minutes of the game, scoring first and then assisting Yavanna. After the two quick goals, FC Valinor went on the defensive, allowing Nargothrond possession for the rest of the half. After a few attempts have been repelled, Glaurung finally beat the defence and put a spectular tailer past the Hound of Valinor.
A few minutes after the half Celegorm went streaking down the wing, drawing the defence to him before passing a perfect cross to Argon, who had an easy time nudging the ball past Nargothrond GK Bëor. After regaining the two-goal lead, FC Valinor went full-defence mode once more, and again the Nargothrond squad took a while to score, despite the best efforts of Finrod, Glaurung, and Gwindor.
It was a slight defensive mistake from FC Valinor that gave Nargothrond its second goal. Nahar failed to clear Orodreth's weak corner kick completely, and it landed on Gwindor's foot, who had no difficulty converting from short-range.
After Gwindor's goal, FC Valinor contested possession of the ball once again, and they were rewarded when Curufin's long-range shot found the net. That proved to be the last goal of the game.
FC Valinor has proven their quality from top to bottom, while Nargothrond, despite all its talents up front, was, once again, hoping for its defence to find groove come tournament time.
Nargothrond 2-4 FC Valinor
total shots 20-15
on target 8-8
GOALS:
*7, 0-1 Curufin (Idril)
*12, 0-2 Yavanna (Curufin)
*39, 1-2 Glaurung (Gwindor)
*49, 1-3 Argon (Celegorm)
*71, 2-3 Gwindor (Orodreth)
*83, 2-4 Curufin (Irmo)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Nargothrond- Baran, Mîm
*FCVal- Nahar, Argon
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Angband vs Anfauglith
Morgoth arranged for his two squads to play a friendly game in the Angband Arena. At first spectators expected a choreographed game, with both teams alternating attacking and defending roles, but it was a surprisingly fluid match, played at an almost tournament-level quality, though not in intensity.
Though there wasn't much of the muscling that most baddie-laden squads excel in, there was an incident in the first half where Uldor grabbed Thuringwethil's wings as she jumped up in attempt to head in a Balrog #3 corner. This resulted in an Anfauglith penalty and the only goal for the first half.
After the break Morgoth's squad came in with a determination to equalise, and the Anfauglith squad was equally determined to deny them. But after Ancalagon tailed in a perfect Morgoth through-ball the two squads agreed to keep the scoreline and played the ball in the midfield for the remainder of the match.
Angband 1-1 Anfauglith
total shots 11-8
on target 4-3
GOALS:
*26, 0-1 Thuringwethil
*78, 1-1 Ancalagon (Morgoth)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Lorgan, Uldor
*Anfauglith- Gorgol