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