[Boromir88]

It was only mid-day, but the sun was being blotted out by a heavy overcast. It put the Mordor orcs in good spirits, since they never liked the nasty brightness of the sun. The atmosphere before first kick was thick with tension, there was definitely no love loss between these two enemies, but the situation could have been much much worse. Or so the MEFA (Middle-earth Football Association - the official governing body in charge of discipline and safety) authorities believed.

Group H @ Minas Morgul

The largely pro-Mordor crowd also had a lot to be pleased with by the way Barad-dur started the match. Barad-dur had a very disappointing friendly performance, but the fans soon forgot that with Barad-dur's positive, attacking strategy to begin. Minas Tirith was putting up the walls and playing a stiff defense, but the chants rising steadily louder, and louder still made a goal for Barad-dur seem inevitable.

It was just so in the 18th minute, when Sauron as he had done so many times before, threaded a perfect ball to Castamir who only had to slightly deflect the ball's path to get it beyond Denethor. And again in the 34th minute, Minas Tirith's defense couldn't hold of the ceaseless wave of Barad-durs attack. This time, Sauron found himself as the goal scorer after, Beruthiel, Castamir, and the pirates were wreaking havoc around Minas Tirith's box.

The half-time whistle came and Barad-dur found itself up 2-0. The crowd was rowdy, but in good spirits (which meant the most threatening they got was jeering the Gondorian fans about having a superior team). It must be said, that while Minas Tirith didn't create many chances in the 1st, while they were in possession, the attack looked dangerous, especially on counters when Barad-dur looked a little sleepy on defense. However, if they didn't start playing more positively in the 2nd, then even neutrals would have to agree Barad-dur looked the more deserving.

It appears Minas Tirith did not want to be embarrassed on this day, since they began the 2nd more aggressive. They were awarded with a quick score, only 7 minutes after the break. A power strike from Earnur made it 2-1.

The orcs taunts and jeers stopped for a brief moment, as the match got a little more nervous for them. But soon they were back to supporting their team, as Barad-dur responded by attacking even more, hoping to regain the 2 goal lead and put the match away. However, a bit of misfortune would force Barad-dur to change strategy. Just as it looked like they would break Minas Tirith's defense again, Ecthelion II poked the ball away from Beruthiel and started a counter. Herumor had no choice but to bring Faramir down from behind. The crowd was livid with the referees decision to send Herumor off, handing the Black Numenorean his 2nd yellow. But truly, they had no stance to complain with the ref's decision.

Barad-dur couldn't put everyone towards the attack now, without risking the defense. Angamaite and Sangahyando dropped further back to fill the hole left by Herumor, and the game began being played mostly in the mid-field. With more possession, Minas Tirith was looking more dangerous, but they still weren't creating enough chances to perturb Sauron. The White City was still too talented to stop when they have a 1-player advantage. Barad-dur defended admirably, and stopped most of Minas Tirith's attacks at the mid-field. However, with time winding down, and Barad-dur's midfield getting worn out, they became less and less effective on the attack.

Minas Tirith put one final attack together in the closing 5 minutes. Faramir got open down the right wing and sent a great cross into the box. Boromir I met it with a beautiful header. The Minas Tirithians let out brief cries of joy, before realizing they were in Mordor and facing a larger, possibly hostile crowd. They dared not press their luck.

It would end 2-2, and after some time to cope Mordorians turned their attention to the night match. For Barad-dur had clearly been the better team, and it took one of their own being sent off for Minas Tirith to just squeak out a draw. Surely, Mordor would beat the pathetic Tarks in the 2nd match.

Barad-Dur 2-2 Minas Tirith
on target 7-4
tot shots 18-9
GOALS:
*18, 1-0 Castamir (Sauron)
*34, 2-0 Sauron (Beruthiel)
*52, 2-1 Earnur (Mardil)
*86, 2-2 Boromir I (Faramir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Fuinur, Herumor
*Minas Tirith- Earnil II, Ostoher
RED CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Herumor (62, second yellow)

The Mordorians were getting quite aggressive at the sight of thousands and thousands of Gondorians. It was as if Gondor was trying to re-stake it's claim of ownership to Minas Morgul, by a show of force. Fortunately, instead of showing up with swords and clad in full-mail, the Gondor fans came with banners and silver trumpets, or else it may have been perceived as a declaration of war!

The crowd was less enthusiastic to begin this game, in part because of the Barad-dur's disappointing draw, but also in part because Mordor came out less aggressive then Barad-dur. In fact, the pace of this game was a few steps slower than the 1st, as they appeared to be testing eachother out. But Mordorians would prefer seeing the style of play they got from Barad-dur. Gondor was on their turf, any sign of passivity, is a sign of weakness!

Gondor put a first strike into the high spirits of Mordor in the 21st minute. Anarion scoring the opening goal was salt in the wound, since it was only the last few Cups that Anarion was playing for Barad-dur. Mordor definitely let Anarion know what they truly thought of him, while Gondorians soon remembered Anarion's skills. Whomever he played under in the past did not matter anymore, he was playing under his home banner now.

The crowd wasn't kept silent for long though, since Mordor quickly pulled it together to even the match after 8 minutes went by from Anarion's goal. Shelob tunneled her way through the defense and with one of her 8 legs, flicked Nazgul #5's pass into the back of the net.

The remainder of the half was rather unexciting since it went to becoming a fight in the mid-field and there were no more serious threats made on goal, by either team. The Mordor fans were beating their drums all through intermission, believing if their team was more spiritted to start the 2nd then their boys would be victorious.

The exact opposite happened, however, as Mordor apparently came out of the lockrooms asleep. Poor marking by the defense left Falastur open, and the lordly Ship-King had the strong boot to break the Silent Watcher's will in front of the net. Mordor was in shock, but there was still time left. Yes, still lots of game to be played.

Mordor would not go down without a fight, but it must be said Gondor did not go into a defensive shell. They kept Mordor constantly on guard, with some good pressure created by Anarion and Eldacar. The teams traded chances, but Gondor was able to just hold on. Whether that be because Hyarmendacil had a masterful performance saving 5 of 6 shots on target, or Mordor lacked the quality in their shots, Gondor ended the 1st round as sole leader of Group H.

At this outcome, the Gondorian supporters could not contain their joy and blew their trumpets proudly, and loud. This would surely stick in the craw of Mordor, but how they would handle the results was yet to be seen.

Gondor 2-1 Mordor
on target 6-6
tot shots 15-15
GOALS:
*21, 1-0 Anarion (Romendacil)
*29, 1-1 Shelob (Nazgul #5)
*48, 2-1 Falastur (Eldacar)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Earnil I, Turambar
*Mordor- Fellbeast #1, Grishnakh, Shagrat