ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Nogrod]

The friendly game between Angband and Doriath was played on the stadium of Eithel Sirion and both sides had ample crowds of followers to attend the game. To the disappointement of many, there never was a real fight even if the line-ups might have promised a more heated game between the old rivals.

After some careful kicking the ball around Mablung scored for the Doriath team at half an hour’s mark. With that Melian called her team to retreat into defence. But Morgoth was not applying any real pressure, but went on as they had played their game so far. That sure turned the game a little on the team Angband’s favour but neither team seemed to be playing it for real. Fifteen minutes before the end Ancalagon finally scored it even. Then both teams looked like happy with the result and kicked the ball around for the last fifteen minutes.

Angband 1-1 Doriath
tot shots 9-9
on target 4-5
GOALS:
*31, 0-1 Mablung (Daeron)
*75, 1-1 Ancalagon (Ulfast)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Ulwarth, Lorgan, Ancalagon
*Doriath-

~*~

Because of the ban on playing Arda Cup games in the west, the teams made up of mostly western players were forced to travel east to play the friendlies. To that matter Cirdan offered a nice solution offering to host two games at the Grey Havens.

On the first one The Sea led by Ulmo played it even with team Tirion led by Finwë. The game looked like a draw from the very beginning and it ended like one as well. That doesn’t mean the teams were just walking around the pitch, but they were clearly rehearsing both atttack and defence, taking their turns. So none was surprised the game ended 2-2. The only news one might call for would be Eönwë’s passivity, but when the real games begin there is no reason to think he would not rise to the occasion.

The Sea 2-2 Tirion
tot shots 14-14
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*21, 1-0 Tar Minastir (Tar Meneldur)
*39, 1-1 Aredhel (Finwe)
*59, 2-1 Tar Aldarion (Tar Minastir)
*81, 2-2 Finwe (Ingwe)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Sea- Tar Meneldur, Osse
*Tirion- Thorondor


At the late-game the crowds were finally given some value for their money as the home team The Havens and the visiting FC Valinor produced some real game on the first period – and even if the pace of the game fell down on the second half, the crowds were treated with two nice goals on that half as well.

Eventually FC Valinor won the the game and no keen onlooker could have missed the dynamics of the game: FC Valinor made a goal and then pulled back until The Havens equalised. And then again they scored and pulled back… in the end, after Curifin’s 3-2 goal, the game kind of settled down as the home team felt no urge to fight the last ten minutes for real.

The Havens 2-3 FC Valinor
tot shots 15-12,
on target 6-7
GOALS:
*9, 0-1 Celegorm (Yavanna)
*38, 1-1 Earendil (Andreth)
*43, 1-2 Curufin (Maglor)
*73, 2-2 Tuor (Andreth)
*79, 2-3 Curufin (Idril)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Havens- Aegnor
*FCVal- Irmo

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Tar-Eldar Network Television's first ever Arda Cup friendly broadcast was almost cancelled when a freak thunderstorm struck the Ever-Cold Arena in Himring, shorting out TENT's broadcast tent. But after a few minutes and some Húrinean effort from network technicians it was restarted in time for the kick-off of the friendly match between AC Beleriand and Inter Beleriand.

It was to be expected that the match would be a friendly in every sense of the word, what with Fëanor and his eldest son being captains of the opposing squads. However it still turned out to be a competitive game between the two, at least during the first half. After getting their two goals AC Beleriand went purely defensive in the second half. Inter Beleriand tried their best to get a goal, but after a few tries they realised they were going nowhere against the Fingolfin-led back line and were content to play shut down instead.

AC Beleriand 2-0 Inter Beleriand
GOALS:
15, 1-0 Beren (Eöl)
32, 2-0 Fëanor (Ecthelion)

Total Shots
12-14
Shots On Target
6-5

YELLOW CARDS:
2-3
ACBel: Ulrad, Rochallor
Inter: Balrog #5, Haleth, Gorlim

In other games not televised by TENT:

Anduin vs Valimar
Despite being forced to play in unfamiliar surroundings, it seems that nothing much has changed in the minds of Manwë and Mandos, abiding once again by their one-goal-win strategy that they have mostly stuck to in the past. This was not a particularly high-energy match, with both squads going through the motions before Valimar finally scored. After the first (and eventually only) goal both teams became even more conservative and Anduin figured it wasn't worth the effort to try and equalise against the Valarin defence.

After the game none from the Valimar team sat down for the post-game interview.

Anduin 0-1 Valimar
total shots 9-10
on target 3-5
GOALS:
*55, 0-1 Pallando (Ilmare)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anduin- Léod, Borondir
*Valimar- Amrod, Alatar

__________________


Nargothrond vs Shire-Bree United
This was perhaps one of the gems of the first round of friendlies, especially for those who like daring individual plays, fancy passing, and high scores. Glaurung and Bombadil lit up the scoreboards, and the Barrow-Wight and Finrod both got a couple of assists. The Barrow-Wight was quite familiar with the two who converted off his passes, having played with Bombadil and Strider before in the 2010 Breeland squad (and re-teaming with the Ranger in Eriador last year), but the Friend of Men immediately connected with the Father of Dragons despite not having played with him in four years. After the game Glaurung commented, 'Finrod's passing is sublime, and his ability to read defences is unparalleled. He's not just a friend of Men, he's a friend of anyone who wants to score.'

Despite the competitiveness this was a very carefree affair. At first both squads tried to grab the lead, and then whoever scored fell back to allow the other team a chance to tie. Mistakes were made here and there, especially in the defensive end, but the teams weren't bothered by it. After Strider's goal the teams mutually decided to leave the scoreline be, and just passed the ball around in the final seven minutes. Said Strider after the game, 'It's just fun to be on the pitch once more, and I think both our teams showed it. Sure, we have a lot of things to improve on if we want to go far in the Cup, but for now, after the uncertainty of the off-season, just having the chance to play again is a treat.'

Nargothrond 4-4 Shire-Bree United
total shots 21-18
on target 10-9
GOALS:
*10, 0-1 Bombadil (Barrow-Wight)
*16, 1-1 Glaurung (Gwindor)
*28, 2-1 Gwindor (Finrod)
*39, 2-2 Khamûl (Strider)
*51, 2-3 Bombadil (Bandobras)
*60, 3-3 Glaurung (Finduilas)
*68, 4-3 Glaurung (Finrod)
*83, 4-4 Strider (Barrow-Wight)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Nargothrond- Arminas
*SBU- Nazgûl #6, Strider