ARDA CUP Football 2012

[Nogrod]

The Valinor-based teams took the trip south to play their second last friendlies at the great stadium of Gondolin, carrying the Angband team with them – and well, the secret was lost anyway so there seemed to be no problem with that. But the organisers were at the tip of their toes and scheduled the Angband match the first in the afternoon to avoid any troubles a late game might bring about.

Sadly team Angband and team Valimar were nowhere near to give it a go but passed the ball around – getting all the more careful as the clock ticked on. From the audience’s pov Angband’s sudden awakening 15 minutes before the end of the game was a happy thing, and Valimar reacted to it furiously, like a premeditated deal had been broken. So the last fifteen minutes offered the spectators some real drama and serious game, but nonetheless the game ended in a draw 0-0.

Angband 0-0 Valimar
tot shots 11-9
on target 3-3
GOALS:
*
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Uldor, Balrog #1
*Valimar- Amras, Celebrian


But if the first game was a disappointment, the second one really made everyone forget about it. The beginning of the game between the two top seats Real Valinor and FC Valinor looked to be more of the same but slowly the match-ups started to ratchet up competitive fires. Caranthir, the Dark-brother, was trying to shut down his older and younger brother, while at the other end Maglor kept shadowing his mother and Indis was rivalling her husband’s ex- wife Miriel. And soon it was clear these were real match-ups.

It was the cousin to the Fëanor’s sons, Argon, who really made the impact in this game with his individual performances. FC Valinor cranked up the game on the latter half of the first period and Argon scored from a solo-run (after a nice freeing pass from Yavanna). And when he scored again quite early on the second period – this time with a decent header after a corner by Curufin – Real Valinor really had to step up to play for the victory even if they had started to play quite seriously already before that...

It was clear FC Valinor wished to win and Real Valinor wished to at least draw. After Arien reduced the FC Valinor’s lead to one goal the last ten minutes were just dazzling football with both teams playing it for real.

After the game Indis summed it most appropriately: “You know these family-affairs… there are always these emotions… I mean depending on a family…”

Miriel was not willing to make a clear reference to that, but stressed the fact that both teams would meet again at the group-stage in Númenorë and then everything would be open once again – and she quite happily cast the coat of the favourite to the FC Valinor team. “We don’t yet have our game as organized we’d wished it to be, but we’ll play better the next time”.

FC Valinor 2-1 Real Valinor
tot shots 16-11
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*34, 1-0 Argon (Yavanna)
*61, 2-0 Argon (Curufin)
*83, 2-1 Arien (Nessa)
YELLOW CARDS:
*FCVal- Penlod, Idril, Irmo, Indis
*RealVal- Nienna, Miriel


~*~


The Sea sailed south and harboured their vessels to the shores of Númenor and went to play a friendly there against the upcoming hosts of group D, Armenelos.

It was all friendly and courteous, and in the first half more of a walk-through than a competitive game. But both teams made it more competitive on the second half. After Ulmo scored on the 66th minute, The Sea tried to shut Armenelos down, but that only made the home team try more. Ar Adunakhôr evened the score ten minutes before the end and the draw was very well earned.

Armenelos is facing the toughest competition any team could fear for, but their captain Ar Pharazôn was confident – even if he himself hasn’t scored yet: “The friendlies have shown the Valinor teams are not only good on paper but in reality as well, but these have just been the friendlies… when the real games begin, we will show our qualities with our home crowds behind us. And before you ask me, no, I’m not worried about my scoring… I’m going to score when the goals are needed.”

Tar Minastir was there to speak for The Sea: “We have played even with Tirion so there should be no reason why we couldn’t beat Hithlum and qualify. Yes they come on you like a hurricane but we have a tough defence seasoned for that kind of onslaught – and their defence is vulnerable indeed. So we’re confident we’ll go through.”

Armenelos 1-1 The Sea
tot shots 13-12
on target 4-5
GOALS:
*66, 0-1 Ulmo (Tar Aldarion)
*83, 1-1 Ar Adunakhor (Tar Ancalimon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Ar Zimrathan, Tar Telemmaite
*Sea- Tar Cirytan, Osse, Tar Aldarion

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Everyone’s favourite manic biased sports blog[*] is back! Now, the rules of Arda Cup team-building may have changed, but the rules of football haven’t, so we’ll leave the discussion of the effects of Eru’s decree to those who care more about it, and let’s get down to discussing the game!

First up, let's have a look at those who'll advance from the group stage, those who'll get their die-roll's chance, and those who won't have a chance in Menel, Cemen, or the seven levels of Minas Anor.

GROUP A
Advance: Angband, Tol-in-Gaurhoth
Dark Horse: Shire-Bree United
Out: The Downer

A winning tradition will push the two into the bracket stage, but this group is so boring it brings me to tears (from all the yawns). The only bright spot this group has is Bombadil, and you know how it is with that enigma . . .

GROUP B
Advance: Eriador, Gondolin
Dark Horse: Arnor, Inter Beleriand

Elrond will have a hard time keeping a clean sheet with the offensive talents in this group. But if anyone can do it, he could.

GROUP C
Advance: Wilderland, Erebor
Out: Anduin, Dwarves United

A Vala with a dragon trumps a Nazgûl with a dragon anytime. The others, obviously, won’t stand a chance.

GROUP D
Advance: Armenelos, Real Valinor
Dark Horse: FC Valinor, Tirion

Tar-Míriel and Arien will lead their teams to get past this most epic of groups.

GROUP E
Advance: The Sea, Hithlum
Dark Horse: Valimar
Out: The Havens

After making it all the way to the semis last year before choking, Manwë will choke earlier than usual this time around.

GROUP F
Advance: Rohan, Imladris
Out: Misty Mts, Isengard

What’s a cavalry without horses? Rohan must have learned that lesson last year, and now they can trample the opposition in the mud.

GROUP G
Advance: Nargothrond, AC Beleriand
Dark Horse: Anfauglith, Doriath

Finrod > Fëanor >>> Everyone else. Nuff said.

GROUP H
Advance: Gondor, Mordor
Dark Horse: Barad-dûr
Out: Minas Tirith

Sauron sucks. We’ve known it for some time, and now everyone else will, too.

__________
[*] According to a comprehensive survey of one sports blog follower.

[the phantom]

All the inter-dimensional wights and wolves were packed into the haunted arena in the Barrow-Downs for their friendly against Gondolin. It was the third round of friendlies and TIG supporters were hoping to see their team roster begin to solidify, and perhaps the team would be looking to find its tournament form.

And indeed they were, and the same went for their opponent- Gondolin. Both squads came out giving good effort and trying for the win. But they both failed at that, as they each scored a goal in both halves for a 2-2 draw.

NilpWolf did an excellent job containing Maeglin, but the Wights were not able to counter both the keen-boot and the Lord of Balrogs at the same time. Gothmog scored twice on the day, both on feeds from Elemmakil.

At the other end TIG also managed to put 8 shots on goal. Gondolin had trouble with the Werewolves at the front, and when they tried to compensate it left the witty wights with too much room to operate. But thanks to Rog they managed to preserve the draw.

Gondolin 2-2 Tol In Gaurhoth
tot shots 15-18
on target 8-8
GOALS:
*13, 1-0 Gothmog (Elemmakil)
*38, 1-1 NogWolf (SallyWight)
*67, 1-2 NerWight (PhantomWolf)
*75, 2-2 Gothmog (Elemmakil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Galdor, Gothmog, Pengolodh
*TIG- DF Wight #2, MF Wight #3

Tirion came into their match against the Downer weirdos nicely focused, while Hookbill's minions were a bit sloppy to begin. Tirion took advantage by building a three goal lead. Only a spectacular ranged rocket from Saucepan Man saved the half for The Downer.

The second half started the same, but The Downer did begin to find better focus as things moved along. After Finwe's penalty at 68 minutes Tirion fell back to defend and managed to keep The Downer at bay until the very end when captain Hookbill tapped it in on a heads up scramble play.

Tirion 5-2 The Downer
tot shots 24-17
on target 11-7
GOALS:
*9, 1-0 Finwe (Aredhel)
*17, 2-0 Finwe (Mahtan)
*25, 3-0 Eonwe (Ingwe)
*42, 3-1 SPM (Lalwende MP)
*53, 4-1 Eonwe (Aredhel)
*68, 5-1 Finwe
*88, 5-2 Hookbill (Lalwende MP)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Tirion- Mahtan, Thorondor, Eonwe
*Downer- Alien, Burnt Bert, Peter Hampton, Hookbill, Morsul

[Shastanis Althreduin]

One of the most friendly matches (oddly enough), the friendly game between Isengard and SBU played out more like a training exercise or scrimmage rather than an actual game. The captains were so cordial that they even managed to agree that one team would play full defense and one team full offense in the first half, switching in the second half. Isengard won the coin toss, so they elected to be on offense first. A Wulf/Saruman duo accounted for two Isengard goals, with another being put through by Quickbeam with some nice root-work after being fed by Wormtongue. In the second half, Bombadil (having been napping on the sidelines during the first half) roused himself to score two goals against Isengard, with a third being knocked in by Khamul thanks to Strider. There appeared to be a bit of a raincloud over Bombadil's head after the equalizing goal, but luckily Caradhras was warned off with a yellow card and no untoward hailstones fell.

Isengard 3-3 Shire-Bree United
tot shots 18-16
on target 8-7
GOALS:
*31, 1-0 Wulf (Saruman)
*36, 2-0 Quickbeam (Wormtongue)
*44, 3-0 Saruman (Wulf)
*57, 3-1 Bombadil (Khamul)
*62, 3-2 Khamul (Strider)
*75, 3-3 Bombadil (BWight)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Isengard- Caradhras, Lugdush
*SBUnt- Golfimbul, Butterbur, BWight


In this friendly we saw a repeat of Misty Mountains's friendly strategy, to go for the win when behind and ease off when the score was drawn. This was fine with Wilderland, who matched them stroke for stroke. The Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel, proved herself quite a force on the offense, feeding both Elwe and the great dragon Scatha one goal each, while on the other side both Narvi and Azog scored one goal and one assist. However, to put a bit of a damper on things, Misty Mountains seems to still be one of the more brutish, physical teams, coming away with a total of five yellow cards.

Misty Mts 3-3 Wilderland
tot shots 13-18
on target 7-9
GOALS:
*12, 1-0 Azog (Rumil)
*24, 1-1 Elwe (Galadriel)
*39, 1-2 Scatha (Galadriel)
*50, 2-2 Narvi (Azog)
*58, 2-3 Orome (Fimbrethil)
*72, 3-3 Durin’s Bane (Narvi)
YELLOW CARDS:
*MMts- Bert, Tom, Watcher, William, Rumil
*Wilder- Elwe, Skinbark


The match between DU and Imladris started off lazily. Both teams were content to merely kick the ball around the pitch - it seemed a lot like no one really wanted to be there. However, the audience got some excitement during the second half; it appeared that both teams had gotten a stern talking-to from someone, as both teams came out at blazing speed and decided that they did, in fact, want to play. A lucky breakaway let Elrohir arrive at the DU goal just before the ball did, thanks to a high-soaring punt from Varda. Her kick sent the ball speeding towards the goal so fast from down the pitch that it very nearly went in by itself - instead it bounced off the top bar and bounced again off Elrohir's knee, careening into the net at such an odd angle that the goalkeeper couldn't stop it. After that goal, Imladris locked down their defense entirely, making it impossible for DU to get a decent shot on goal.

Dwarves United 0-1 Imladris
tot shots 14-6
on target 6-3
GOALS:
*60, 0-1 Elrohir (Varda)
YELLOW CARDS:
*DwUnt- Durin, Gamil Zirak
*Imladris- Lindir

[Nogrod]

The AKM has compiled a bunch of statistics once again to guide our readers through this competition. This time we present you a combined ranking of three different sets of stats that were more or less unequivocal.

After all the friendlies are done we will present a more detailed and explicit stuff, but this is our take on the teams after three rounds of friendlies.

1. (D) FC Valinor
2. (D) Real Valinor
3. (G) AC Beleriand

4. (D) Armenelos
5. (B) Eriador
6. (E) Valimar

7. (D) Tirion
8. (F) Rohan
9. (C) Erebor

10. (C) Wilderland
11. (E) The Sea
12. (F) Imladris

13. (A) Angband
14. (E) Hithlum
15. (G) Anfaughlith

16. (G) Doriath
17. (B) Gondolin
18. (A) Tol In Gaurhoth

19. (A) Shire-Bree Utd.
20. (C) Anduin
21. (G) Nargothrond

22. (H) Gondor
23. (F) Misty Mts.
24. (B) Arnor

25. (E) The Havens
26. (H) Minas Tirith
27. (F) Isengard

28. (C) Dwarves Utd.
29. (H) Mordor
30. (B) Inter Beleriand

31. (H) Barad Dûr
32. (A) The Downer


~*~

And as no network has yet given the readers these stats, let us publish them then...


Top-scorers.


1. Finwë (Tirion) 5+2=7
Gwindor (Nargothrond)

3. Bombadill (Shire-Bree) 5+1=6

4. Curufin (FC Valinor) 4+2=6
Húrin (Hithlum)

6. Aredhel (Tirion) 3+3=6

7. Arien (Real Valinor) 5+0=5
Glaurung (Nargothrond)

9. Oromë (Wilderland) 4+1=5
Túrin (Hithlum)

11. Strider (Shire-Bree) 3+2=5

12. Miriel (Real Valimar) 2+3=5

13. The Barrow-Wight (Shire-Bree) 0+5=5



Top-Goalies.

1. Elros (Imladris) 94,1%

2. Ungoliant (Anfaughlith) 90,1%

3. Elrond (Eriador) 90%
Manwë (Valimar)
Marach (AC Beleriand)

6. Beorn (Erebor) 81,8%
Carcaroth (Angband)
Theoden ( Rohan)

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The second friendly round issue of the ArdaCup.com Stats Report brings little change to the top ten teams (just one new face), but with lots of activity bubbling underneath.

Power Rank:

Legend:

Team name (win-draw-loss)
Offence (goals per game) [rank]
Defence (goals allowed per game) [rank]
Goalkeeping (save percentage) [rank]
Adjusted Goal Differential [rank]

1. Real Valinor (2-0-1)
   3 [5]
   1.67 [18]
   72.22% [16]
   +2.00 [1]
   

   They manage to hold on to their top spot due to their previous impressive performances despite their loss to the other Valinor team (it took that win for FC Valinor to equal Real’s offensive and defensive stats), but certainly the gap between Real and the others have narrowed appreciably.

2. FC Valinor (3-0-0)
   3 [6]
   1.67 [19]
   72.22% [17]
   +1.83 [2]
   

   FC Valinor is the only team with three friendly wins. Their last win over Real Valinor pole-vaults them over the other teams and into an extremely tight race with their brethren for the top spot. The way the two are going, they would probably meet two more times in the Arda Cup.

3. AC Beleriand (1-2-0)
   1 [26]
   0.33 [2]
   90% [4]
   +1.58 [3]
   

   Despite a scoreless draw with group rival Anfauglith, AC Bel doesn’t budge from its spot.

4. Rohan (1-2-0)
   1.33 [20]
   0.67 [9]
   81.82% [6]
   +1.08 [4]
   

   A lazy draw one-all with Minas Tirith moves Rohan down two spots. They could have won the game, though, had they shown a little more aggression, so there’s still some separation between them and surging group rivals Imladris.

5. Eriador (2-0-1)
   0.67 [29]
   0.33 [1]
   90% [5]
   +1.0 [7]
   

   A one-goal loss against the Lonely Mt squad drops Eriador, but since Erebor is also a high-ranked team, they fall just a spot. Elrond should really address his dragon problems, though—last year his Eregion squad dropped out of the tournament due to an Ancalagon goal, and this time a Smaug goal breaks his save streak.

6. The Sea (0-3-0)
   1.33 [18]
   1.33 [12]
   73.33% [15]
   +1.08 [6]
   

   Another draw against a top-tier team moves Ulmo’s squad up a notch. Take note, though, that it was them who scored first in their match with Armenelos, who still had Tar-Atanamir and Tar-Telperiën. This team looks ready for the main event.

7. Wilderland (1-2-0)
   2.33 [8]
   2.00 [23]
   68.42% [21]
   +0.65 [10]
   

   A draw where Wilderland conceded too much goals to middling Misty Mts drops Oromë’s squad a notch.

8. Erebor (2-0-1)
   1 [24]
   0.67 [8]
   81.82% [7]
   +0.83 [8]
   

   A win against top-tier Eriador bumps Erebor up two spots. Group C looks more and more like a battle between the Lonely Mt and Wilderland for first place.

9. Imladris (2-0-1)
   1 [27]
   0.33 [5]
   94.12% [1]
   +0.58 [11]
   

   The squad from Rivendell enters the top ten less due to their steady win over cellar-dwelling Dwarves United, and more due to an Arnor win this round (which made Imladris’s win over Arnor in the first round look good.)

10. Armenelos (1-2-0)
    1.33 [21]
    1 [10]
    78.75% [10]
    +0.5 [12]
    

    Gondor’s loss to Arnor this round makes the Kings’s first round draw with them look bad.

Dropped out: Valimar.



Greatest gain:

• +13 Imladris
• +11 Doriath
• +8 Arnor

Greatest loss:

• -16 Gondor
• -7 Hithlum, Inter Beleriand
• -5 Mordor

The Power Ranking is based on the aggregate of offensive and defensive ranking, combined with the adjusted goal differential rank of each team. The listed offensive and defensive rankings are from the actual numbers by the teams, and not adjusted. Ties are broken by the win-draw-loss record.

The offensive ranking is based on the goals scored throughout the friendly matches. Ties are broken by a) greater number of shots made on target; and b) greater number of shots made.

The defensive ranking is based on the goals allowed throughout the friendly matches. Ties are broken by a) least number of shots allowed on target; and b) least amount of shots allowed.

Please note that the above ranking is based on the three rounds of friendly matches played by the teams, and does not reflect actual tournament performance.

Top individual performers:

GOALS + ASSISTS

5+2
Finwë (Tirion)
Gwindor (Nargothrond)

5+1
Bombadil (Shire-Bree United)

5+0
Arien (Real Valinor)
Glaurung (Nargothrond)

4+2
Curufin (FC Valinor)
Húrin (Hithlum)

4+1
Túrin (Hithlum)

4+0
Sauron (Barad-dûr)

3+3
Aredhel (Tirion)

3+2
Strider (Shire-Bree United)
Oromë (Wilderland)

3+1
Gothmog (Gondolin)
Eärendil (The Havens)
Aegnor (The Havens)

3+0
Maedhros (Inter Beleriand)
Eönwë (Tirion)
Argon (FC Valinor)
Durin's Bane (Misty Mts)
Lúthien (Doriath)

2+3
Míriel (Real Valinor)

2+2
Hookbill (The Downer)
Tar-Ancalimon (The Sea)

1+3
Elwë (Wilderland)
Nienor (Hithlum)

0+5
Barrow-Wight (Shire-Bree United)

0+4
Daeron (Doriath)

GOALKEEPING

1. Elros (Imladris) - 16/17 (94.12%)
2. Manwe (Valimar) - 10/11 (90.91%)
3. Ungoliant (Anfauglith) - 10/11 (90.91%)
4. Marach (AC Beleriand) - 9/10 (90%)
5. Elrond (Eriador) - 9/10 (90%)

[Boromir88]

TWO TOWERS NETWORK
Boromir the 88th

Two Towers Network had already gone into today, planning on not previewing the Round 4 friendlies. Feeling like most teams will dramatically reel the intensity back so they can go into group play with fresh legs.

Having said that, we were still going to add our opinion, and defense of where teams were ranked after Round 3. Yet, as we were writing in commentary for 27th rank Havens, a wrong key was hit, wiping out all previous information. We had only saved the new Power Ranking list, and not any of the analysis. Needless to say, TTN is frustrated with it staff, because our readers deserve and expect better, than to get no analysis because of getting it wiped out by one swift stroke (yes, apparently there is a Death Star button on computers, blowing up an entire planetary analysis).

We will only be publishing the rankings (and how many spots gained, or lost from the previous ranking. We will make up for this next week, as well as adding offense, defense, and goal-keeping stats into our point-system formula. This way, teams are measured by their results, strength of schedule in the friendles, but also overal statistics.

Again, we are extremely disappointed with ourselves at this happening, and can already see the AKM and TENT vultures circling above on our amatuer error. But, our methods will be proven to be more accurate, in the end.

Key: (Rank. Team. (w-d-l) - Points).

Power Rankings

01. FC Valinor (3-0-0) - 43.6
(Last Week: #2)

02. Real Valinor (2-0-1) - 39.1
(Last Week: #1)

03. Tirion (2-1-0) - 26.9
We will still make note here, look at how tightly bunched #3-7 are...wow, very very close to call. Almost impossible, even for a computer (No. You can never have too many SW references )
(Last Week: #8)

04. AC Beleriand (1-2-0) - 26.6
(Last Week: #4)

05. Eriador (2-0-1) - 26.5
(Last Week: #3)

06. Valimar (1-2-0) - 26.4
(Last Week: #5)

07. Erebor (2-0-1) - 26.3
(Last Week: #12)

08. Wilderland (1-2-0) - 24.4
We will note here, Wilderland might be a bit too high (yes even though this is TTN's formula, that does not mean we have to agree with the numbers ). Conceding 3 goals to Misty Mountains is concerning, and they're really benefitting from Erebor's continually winning.
(Last Week: #11)

09. The Sea (0-3-0) - 22.5
(Last Week: #10)

10. Imladris (2-0-1) - 22.1
(Last Week: #13)

11. Armenolos (1-2-0) - 22.0
(Last Week: #6)

12. Angband (0-3-0) - 21.2
(Last Week: #9)

13. Rohan (1-2-0) - 19.6
Concerned they seem to want to play like Valimar, when you pull back entirely for defense you're just asking for trouble, and inviting "bad luck" to beat you.
(Last Week: #7)

14. Anfauglith (0-3-0) - 18.4
(Last Week: #14)

15. Gondolin (1-1-1) - 18.1
(Last Week: #17)

16. Hithlum (1-1-1) - 15.7
(Last Week: #15)

17. Doriath (1-1-1) - 15.2
(Last Week: #18)

18. Nargothrond (0-2-1) - 13.9
Conceding 4 goals in every match so far? Where is the careful and "tough as nails" strategy wise-Finrod is known for?
(Last Week: #16)

19. Arnor (1-1-1) - 13.2
Shot up the most this week, but it's deserved. Gondolin and Eriador can not underestimate this Arnorian team.
(Last Week: #31)

20. Shire-Bree (0-3-0) - 13.1
(Last Week: #21)

21. Anduin (1-1-1) - 12.7
(Last Week: #22)

22. Gondor (0-2-1) - 11.9
(Last Week: #19)

23. Tol-in-Gaurhoth (0-3-0) - 11.3
(Last Week: #23)

24. Misty Mountains (0-3-0) - 11.1
(Last Week: #28)

25. Minas Tirith (0-2-1) - 9.1
(Last Week: #25)

26. Isengard (0-2-1) - 7.9
(Last Week: #27)

27. The Havens (1-0-2) - 6.8
Despite beating Barad-dur, how did the Havens still lose spots? This is what we mean by winning consistently will be the most beneficial to teams. Havens were hurt by their previous losses, and only beats #31 ranked Barad-dur, 3-2. Hence, they still fell a few places.
(Last Week: #24)

28. Inter Beleriand (1-0-2) - 5.1
(Last Week: #26)

29. Mordor (0-2-1) - 5.1
(Last Week: #29)

30. Dwarves Utd (0-1-2) - 4.1
(Last Week: #20)

31. Barad-dur (0-1-2) - 3.5
(Last Week: #30)

32. The Downer (0-0-3) - .5
(Last Week: #32)