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