[the phantom]

--GROUP F--

The first game upon Taniquetil between Armenelos and Helm's Deep sparked little interest among the local football fans. Armenelos was already assured a spot in the playoffs, and Helm's Deep had already bought their tickets for a swan boat back to Middle Earth.

The game everyone was waiting for was the finale between the host Taniquetil and the scrappy patchwork team from Amon Rhud. No one expected Taniquetil to have much trouble with their opponent, but as many pointed out no one expected Taniquetil to have such a close game with Helm's Deep, and certainly not lose 3-0 in their second game. And so it was that though they held a great advantage there was a splinter of fear in the minds of the Taniquetil supporters.

The first game was poorly attended. A very small group of travelers from Rohan was there to cheer on Helm's Deep, and the few Numenoreans who had been allowed into Valinor were cheering for Armenelos. Most of the several thousand Numenoreans who made the trip were denied entry, and thus were on their tall ships gathered around the palantir to watch the contest.

But it wasn't much of a contest at all. After Helm's Deep got off a surprising flurry of shots right in the first couple of minutes, Armenelos took firm control as Ar Pharazon rocketed in his fourth goal of the tournament. Only minutes after that he threatened to score again, only this time after he had drawn everyone to him he chipped it over to Tar Minastir who tapped in the point blank shot for a 2-0 lead. After that Armenelos pretty well coasted through the rest of the game. The only other score was at minute 62 when a Helm's Deep defender mishandled a pass and Tar Minastir pounced on it and banged it home for the final 3-0 tally.

The final whistle sounded and the Numenoreans left the stadium chanting loudly. They had swept the group. They had conquered the blessed realm.

Armenelos 3-0 Helm's Deep
shots 15-7
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*Armenelos, 8 (Ar Pharazon- Tar Ancalimon)
*Armenelos, 20 (Tar Minastir- Ar Pharazon)
*Armenelos, 62 (Tar Minastir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Armenelos- Tar Atanamir, Tar Telperien
*Helm's Deep- Helm, Goldwine, Fengel

As the start of the second game approached the stadium filled like a water bowl, till the fans were practically spilling over the top edge. Everyone was quite anxious. "We're Taniquetil!" said one. "We shouldn't be playing for our lives in the final match! What's wrong with us?"

But the game kicked off and the fear was dispelled as Taniquetil took immediate control of the ball and began working it systematically around the pitch, looking for the perfect opening. The boys from Amon Rhud had been trained well and had big game experience from their days playing for titles with Turin and Beleg, and they were able to do just enough to keep Taniquetil from getting what they wanted.

But at minute 20 there was a small opening, and Varda rifled a pass to Lorien who tried to redirect it in, but it missed just wide. And then at minute 31 there was yet another golden opportunity, but Manwe's well placed shot was barely saved by Ebor. The crowd groaned collectively. "Convert already!" screamed a drunk Maia.

And he didn't have to wait long. At minute 40 Thorondor swooped down in front of the goal and Lorien found him with an accurate pass and suddenly it was 1-0. The Taniquetil crowd, who had had so little to cheer about the previous game, roared thunderously. It was impossible to hear anything else the rest of the half.

During the break the fans made their way to the concession stands and restrooms, and the mood was festive with much high-fiving and chest-bumping. For the first time in the tournament everyone was feeling good about their team. As the second half started those feelings grew stronger, as Taniquetil's smothering defense lived up to its billing and shut down Amon Rhud completely, giving them no good chances to equalize.

At minute 65 Taniquetil nearly took a two goal lead, but Ebor got a fingertip and Varda's header and it bounced off of the sidebar. As time wound down the crowd started singing the praises of the Valar, and all over Valinor Elves and Ainu wore broad smiles.

And then at the 87 minute mark- disaster!

Amon Rhud was awarded a corner kick, and Algund boomed the ball and curved it away from the goal and the massed defenders, directly to Androg who had started in close to goal but ran out to meet the ball. As the ball sped towards him Androg, whose back was to the goal, left the ground and kicked the ball violently over his head and backwards towards the net. The ball passed directly between the heads of two Taniquetil defenders and past the reaching Mandos and straight on into the goal!

The Amon Rhud players went wild and their celebration could be heard throughout the silenced arena. Play restarted and Taniquetil tried desperately to score, but quick scores were not their forte and the game ended at 1-1.

Taniquetil's goal differential for the group was -2. Amon Rhud's was -1.

It was over. Taniquetil was eliminated.

Amon Rhud 1-1 Taniquetil
shots 6-8
on target 3-4
GOALS:
*Taniquetil, 40 (Thorondor- Lorien)
*Amon Rhud, 87 (Androg- Algund)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Amon Rhud- Forhend, Gethron
*Taniquetil- Este, Thorondor