[the phantom]

--GROUP H--

As the second round games in Angband prepared to begin, the fans of the various teams had a lot on their minds.

Valimar fan: Well, we're in control right now, but we still have to play Angband in the final match, and most people think they're the best team in the tournament. Ah, but we can't overlook Annuminas. They must be pretty good to have tied Angband. This is a tough group.

Angband fan: I can't believe we had to settle for a tie. Now we might have to beat Valimar to advance. Not that we can't- but it'd be nice if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Annuminas was better than I thought. This is a tough group.

Annuminas fan: Wow, we played great in that first game. I figured it'd be tough advancing when they stuck us in this group, but we've put ourselves in good position. We just can't let Valimar blow us out, though that's easier said than done. This is a tough group.

Brethil fan: We played Valimar, and now we have to play Angband? This group sucks.

As the first game between Annuminas and Valimar kicked off, the Angband crowd cheered against both enthusiastically. They wanted Annuminas to lose because of the way they had spoiled Angband's opener, and they wanted Valimar to lose because they were sitting in first place and were likely to be Angband's toughest test.

But the wishes of the crowd did not seem to impact the game as both teams played smart and solid football to start off. At 20 minutes Earendil made a beautiful longshot off the pass from Orome and Valimar took the 1-0 lead. For the next twenty minutes they traded shots, but none of them were particularly threatening. But then at the 43 minute mark Tilion made a sudden move behind the defense on the left side and Eonwe crossed to him perfectly for the header to make it 2-0 Valimar going into halftime.

The Angband crowd buzzed loudly during the intermission. Annuminas was not playing poorly- Valimar just looked a bit better and they weren't making any mistakes. "Boy- I'm not looking forward to our next game," said one orc to the other. "If this team can paste the team that tied us, we're in trouble."

As the second half progressed it was more of the same, with the two sides playing solidly but Valimar still getting better chances. But then at minute 67 the game changed when Valimar finally made a mistake. Alatar made an ill advised pass from deep in his own zone and Argeleb intercepted it and sent it forward to Arantar who had alertly charged forward. Arantar outfought Ulmo for the ball, put a move on Pallando and placed a kick just out of Ungolient's reach to bring the score to 2-1.

The Angband fans felt better after that, perceiving that Valimar was not invincible. As the clock ran down Valimar controlled the ball well and didn't attempt to stretch their lead. Annuminas began pressing them intensely and at minute 79 it nearly paid off as Valandur stole the ball away fairly deep in the zone and rocketed a shot that Ungolient barely pushed aside.

After that Valimar decided it would be wiser to stretch the field and put the ball in the offensive zone. But at minute 85 Annuminas shocked the world for the second time in as many games. The goalie Arvedui caught a rocket from Tulkas and immediately boomed it down the field. Valandur beat Valimar to the ball and took off right around Orome and passed it to Araphor. Araphor split through Radagast and Alatar, somehow maintaining control of the ball, and passed it back to Valandur who had run past Pallando. Valandur controlled the pass without ever breaking stride and forced Ulmo to commit to him and passed beautifully back to Araphor for a one on one with the goalie.

The Annuminas section of the stadium exploded as Araphor forced the ball in past Ungolient to equalize with under five minutes left, while the Valimar fans threw up their hands in frustration. The game ended as a tie, with both teams still in the hunt for the playoffs.

Annuminas 2-2 Valimar
shots 11-11
on target 5-6
GOALS:
*Valimar, 20 (Earendil- Orome)
*Valimar, 43 (Tilion- Eonwe)
*Annuminas, 67 (Argeleb- Arantar)
*Annuminas, 85 (Araphor- Valandur)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Annuminas- Arveleg
*Valimar- Orome

After seeing Valimar and Annuminas pick up only one point, the supporters of Angband were eager to see their team pick up 3 points in the standings and hold their destiny in their own hands.

As Angband took the field Uldor and Ulfast were glaring, Ancalagon and Carcharoth were roaring, and the Balrogs looked murderous. Everyone knew that Melkor had given the team a tongue lashing after the last game and it appeared that the team had taken it to heart and were determined to produce a good result in the game.

During the first half it was obvious that Melkor had focused on defense during his pregame pep talk. Angband at times seemed to give the ball to Brethil purposefully just to showcase their defense. By the half Brethil had only managed two weak shots on goal and two off-liners. Despite the lack of scoring the crowd seemed pleased and trusted Melkor to get it done in the second half, and Angband didn't disappoint.

Straight out of the locker room Angband went on the attack and started firing shots at the goal. At minute 52 Balrog #6 sent in a corner and Gothmog kicked it in off the goalie's hands and the crowd screamed its approval.

Angband kept the pressure up and Brethil was unable to counter, though their defense put up a stiff fight. But it wasn't enough as in minute 78 Angband scored again- this time it was Ulfast punching in a rebound from Melkor's shot off the post.

As the clock ticked down and Angband continued to shut down Brethil, the crowd went into full celebration mode. They were no longer worried in the least about the final round of games. Their team was awesome, capable of playing perfectly when the situation called for it. Angband was the force to be reckoned with in the tournament.

Angband 2-0 Brethil
shots 15-6
on target 7-3
GOALS:
*Angband, 52 (Gothmog- Balrog #6)
*Angband, 78 (Ulfast- Melkor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Balrog #5, Uldor
*Brethil- Dorlas