[Boromir88]

@ Angband

Tens of thousands of Orcs and servants of Angband packed into the mighty caverns of Morgoth's iron stadium. Since the match was to be played underground, there was no natural light, but it was still bright enough do to the fires of Angband (although this also made it very hot underground). For those who remembered, Morgoth was obviously hoping to deliver to Angband a repeat of the 2009 first-round playoff match against Minas Tirith, where Angband easily dispatched the White City 3-0. Many pundits had been predicting the same, that Minas Tirith, while playing well, came out of a very weak group and would be no match to the deadly power and talent of Angband. Morgoth was trying to set up the same atmosphere and conditions in 2009, and in this way intimidate Minas Tirith off the pitch.

Very (very) few Minas Tirith fans braved the journey to Morgoth's Iron Hell, and those who did were definitely taunted and jeered at, but their courage was admirable and they never felt their lives were at risk. To go from Minas Morgul in one week only to then be sent to Angband, must be admired indeed. And, in truth, the people of Minas Tirith were quite different from their Rohirric allies. It is known the Rohirrim like their spacious, open fields to run their premier passing game. While the sturdier, grimmer, Minas Tirithians do not mind the tight and dark conditions so much. Although, the White City would be tested today like they have never been tested before.

The first half was an extremely defensive affair. The Orcs of Angband began as loud and raucous as ever before, but slowly as the half was drawing on became quieter and quieter. And when the stadium had turned dead silent, it soon became restless and anxious (probably not at all helped by how cramped everyone was). For they saw the grim determination of Minas Tirith to resist to the end. And with each passing second that the score remained 0-0, Minas Tirith was actually growing more confident and determined, not showing signs of wearing down, or breaking, at all.

The half quickly came, and there was really neither team had a significant chance to break the deadlock in the first half. And when the teams went to the lockers, Angband became stirring and growing ever louder again. It was as if the new half, would bring new life to Angband's fans. Afterall, they had seen Morgoth's strategy before, to cleverly prod and test the abilities of the opponents, before confidently putting the match away in the 2nd. Even if Minas Tirith was stubborn in resistance, they posed almost no scoring threats in the 1st, and it appeared to all Morgoth never lost control. He was yet again, the Maestro on the pitch, composing every rythym and outcome.

And so the 2nd began, again to the unnerving beats of the Orcs. The 50th minute passed, and the drums stopped beating. The 60th passed and the crude songs stopped. Then the 70th and the humming died out. It was still 0-0. When will these weak Men realize their efforts against the Might of Morgoth was fruitless? But now, Minas Tirith was even getting possession and starting to threaten Angband's goal.

But Morgoth had a key interception in the back-line and as sudden as the flames had poured out over Ard-Galen, Morgoth launched a counter. So quick and furious was the counter, it took Minas Tirith by complete surprise. Angband poured forward and the the Balrog defender fired in a powerful shot. It was bravely blocked by Cirion, but Telvildo pounced on the loose rebound and knocked the ball passed the diving fingertips of Denethor II. The creatures of Angband never doubted their master for a minute, or so they would have you believe. But now the wilfull stubborness of Minas Tirith had been broken, and they were confident Minas Tirith had been beaten down for good.

They were not, however. Feeling like they had absolutely nothing to lose, the 1-goal defecit did not break their spirits, and forgetting all caution they pressed for an equalizer. Morgoth seemed not too concerned, but actually confident they could shut this weaker age of Men out, quite easily. It was this over-confidence that cost him yet again. Never under-estimate the brave resolve of men like Faramir, Cirion, Boromir I and Mardil. In the 86th minute it was the purest display of teamwork, effort, and courage between Boromir I and Mardil which leveled the match at 1. With only mere minutes remaining it appeared Morgoth decided to resolve this fight in overtime, as the ref signaled the end of regulation.

After a small break overtime periods ended without any goals and so this one would have to be decided on penalties.

Ancalagon stepped up first for Angband. The dragon had been held in check all game, but stopping a penalty shot off the tail of Ancalagon is another matter completely. The dragon wasted no time in blasting a thunderbolt into the net, that Denethor had no chance of reacting to. 1-0 Angband.

Boromir I was first to shoot for Minas Tirith. And nearly matching the power of Ancalagon, and Carcharoth having reacted slightly sooner, nearly was able to poke it away. Yet, not quite, it zipped passed the wolf, and everything was level.

Telvildo came up next, and how effective can a cat be at a penalty kick? Telvildo was known for agility and an ability of sneaking through tight spaces, unseen, but not at all a powerful leg. The feline would have to rely on clever deception to beat Denethor II. Yet the son of Ecthelion was known for perceiving the thoughts of others, even the thoughts of great wizards such as Gandalf. He was not fooled and caught the cat's weak effort.

Mardil shot next. Carcharoth dove left, for that's where it seemed Mardil was going to shoot for it, but at the last instant he shot for the right post. After 2 shooters each, Minas Tirith had a 2-1 lead.

Morgoth, ever reliable and able to calm the doubts of his team and fans down, did not bother trying to trick Denethor. He simply overpowered the Steward's will and forced it in the back of the net.

2-2, but Minas Tirith still had their 3rd player to send up. Earnur, with a strong finish shot it to the right corner, out of Carcharoth's leap. 3-2 Minas Tirith.

Balrog #1 was up for Angband, and like Ancalagon and Morgoth before him...the Balrog over-powered Denethor, who simply had no time to react to the thunderous shot.

Faramir stepped up for Minas Tirith, and Carcharoth putting the past 3 attempts out of his mind, reacted perfectly this time, to knock Faramir's shot away from goal. After 4 rounds, Angband had leveled the shoot out at 3.

Ulfang was next, and with the recipe of the way to beat Denethor was through sheer force he put as much power behind his leg as possible. But too much, way too much and the Easterling over-hit it, sending the ball flying over the top cross bar. He had missed and the crowd groaned.

It was all in the hands of Cirion now, make this and Minas Tirith would advancing. If not, the teams would continue to just shoot in pairs until it was no longer tied. Cirion tried a similar trick to Mardil's penalty, but with the confidence of the prior save, Carcharoth was not fooled and the hound made the biggest save of his career. Remained 3-3 after 5.

So, now Ulfast was to shoot and the crowd, being spiritted after Carcharoth's heroic saves, fully got behind the son of Ulfang. Only this time, Denethor again perceived the thought of Ulfast well and punched the shot out of harm's way. The crowd groaned again, why this much trouble over penalty kicks? 6 attempts and only 3 goals?

Tarandor would take the next on for Minas Tirith. Like Cirion, it was his chance to end it. Here and now. Make this, and he would be immortalized in the annals of Minas Tirith sporting lore. Angband's wolf was stomping and howling, trying to rattle the mid-fielder. The ball was hit, Carcharoth leapt the right direction, but it rocketed just beyong the wolf's reach!

That was it. It was all over. Minas Tirith had won on penalties, 4-3. Angband and Morgoth had been defeated. A weak 3rd Age force of Men, came to the Iron Hells and were not daunted. Minas Tirith was onto the quarter-finals and Morgoth experienced his earliest exit from the Arda Cup...ever.

Angband 1-1 Minas Tirith (MT wins on pens. 4-3)
on target 4-5
tot shots 12-13
GOALS:
*73, 1-0 Telvildo (Balrog #1)
*86, 1-1 Mardil (Boromir I)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Ulwarth, Ulfast
*MT- Earnur

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT:
Ancalagon (goal)
Telvildo (save)
Morgoth (goal)
Balrog #1 (goal)
Ulfang (miss)
Ulfast (save)

Boromir I (goal)
Mardil (goal)
Earnur (goal)
Faramir (save)
Cirion (save)
Tarandor (goal)