[Boromir88]

Match 3: Barrow-Downs vs. Breeland
The Gorgoroth officials may be regretting not allowing more BD or Bree supporters to purchase tickets, because the stadium was looking pretty empty. There wasn't much more than 20,000 who showed up, all being fans of the two teams playing. Some Numenoreans came to watch Strider, but their number was only a few hundred. The real story is not an orc, troll, or beast ensnared was in sight. Here we are in the middle of Mordor, and no Mordorian creature could be seen.

At the nearby popular pub, The Iron Teeth, Snaga told a reporter for The Carchost: "The brotherhood between these outlanders is nauseating. They've been stinkin' up our favorite bars for weeks with their merry songs and dancing. If this hadn't become such a police-state before the games me and a few trusty lads would 'ave booted 'em out long ago." It appears the locals will all be hiding underground, pre-gaming for the much more anticipated Barad Dur and Gorgoroth match later.

In the match at hand, it was a lop-sided affair. The Barrow-Downs were not slowed by Bree at all. No one seems to be able to answer what Bree's problems were this game, but overall they looked sloppy. Even attacking, they couldn't build anything, as when was the last time we saw Bree only muster 7 shots all game? Defensively, they were beyond poor, it was an outright lazy effort. They gave the Barrow-Downs countless amounts of free throw-ins by not chasing down the ball.

Midway through the second, you can tell Bree was out of it, by the look on their captain's face. I wouldn't say Strider was frustrated, that's not his character, but he definitely looked tired, and almost defeated. And on The Downs' side, the phantom seemed to think his play against Barad Dur rewarded him this game off as he mingled with admirers. But his efforts weren't required in this game. It looks like Breeland has rejected Strider's leadership and would rather return to the former ways under Bombadil.

There was some controversy after the game when Fea was given player of the game honors. She definitely had an impact on the game, but most believed Nogrod, with a goal and pass, or Steve for his pass and defensive efforts in shutting down Bree were more deserving. After the match, all Fea would say about the honor was: "I get all of my skills from watching the movie Bend it like Beckham on loop. And I think the poster of that Tony guy that I have hanging above my bed talks to me in my dreams and gives me tips on how to win all things sports related."

Barrow-Downs 3-1 Breeland
tot shots 15-7
on target 8-4
GOALS:
*36, 1-0 Nerwen (Fea)
*54, 2-0 Nogrod (Steve)
*71, 3-0 Wilwa (Nogrod)
*80, 3-1 Barrow-Wight (Roheryn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barrow-Downs- Fea
*Breeland- Strider, Harry

Match 4: Barad Dur vs. Gorgoroth
If there was a problem with filling the stadium for the 1st match, there wasn't one for this match. At least 10,000 Mordorians were turned away at the gates, because they had completely maxed out capacity. In fact, between the games, Gorgoroth's building crews hastily constructed stands at the ends of the field, to try and accommadate more people. They, of course, were not built to code so fortunately there were no accidents with the stands collapsing.

There were more than 50,000 crammed into the Gorgoroth stadium. And since the Orcs in the stands, had been restrained all week from fighting with the foreign teams, it seemed like they were drunk and ready to take it out on eachother.

"Who does Sauron think he is?" complained Radbug. "He thinks he can come back to Mordor and declare himself Lord now that he won some shiny trophy? And not only that but mock us by harbouring our greatest enemies? It's a slap in the face to any loyal Mordorian!"

"You will hold your toungue when speaking about the Great Eye!" shouted Ufthak, sitting a few rows below. "Sauron will bring us something we've never had to Mordor before! He will make us winners!"

"Ha. What has Sauron ever won for us!? Ever!"

There were many more spats and petty fights like this throughout the match, but Mordor has seemed to crack down on security than in the past. All fights were isolated between a few intoxicated orcs and easily dealth with by being booted out of the stadium. They were definitely drunk in Gorgoroth, but ready to watch a good game, between teams they can claim both were theirs.

And what a game it was, through about 2/3rds of it. The two teams from Mordor traded shots, their goalies traded key saves. The quality of play was dead even, which also showed on the scoreboard in the 59th minute when Castamir and King Dead hooked up for a goal in the 2nd straight match. Only this time it was Castamir with the assist and King Dead banging it in.

Then suddenly, and rather unexplainably, Barad Dur's attitude change. Sauron knew if he wanted match up to Barrow-Downs win earlier he had to beat the "other" Mordor team. When he began flexing his dominance over Gorgoroth his servants and the rest of his team followed. As just when Gorgoroth got their crucial equalizer, Shelob gave up on a shot she definitely should have saved, off the boot of the 7th Nazgul which put Barad Dur back with a 1-goal advantage.

This did not stop Sauron from attacking, because Barad Dur would need another goal to stay even with the Barrow-Downs win. The goal in the 85th minute, orchestrated by Sauron, finished by Elendil, was not only crucial, but proved great football can even bring together the oldest enemies.

As disappointed as Gorgoroth's supporters were with the end, they still left relatively in good spirits. That is to say, they only tipped over a few trash cans and might have knocked out a few innocent bystanders. For they realized one of their teams was in great position to advance, and also take 1st in the group, but their other team still had an outside chance to advance if they could just beat those hated 'Downers in the final match.

Barad-Dur 3-1 Gorgoroth
tot shots 13-11
on target 7-5
GOALS:
*39, 1-0 Isildur (Gil-Galad)
*59, 1-1 King Dead (Castamir)
*67, 2-1 Naz #7 (Fellbeast)
*85, 3-1 Elendil (Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Naz #5, Isildur, Elendil
*Gorgoroth- Sangahyando, Earnur, Grishnakh, Angamaite

Group B Standings
Barad Dur 1-1-0, 4, (+2)
Barrow-Downs 1-1-0, 4, (+2)
Breeland 0-1-1, 1, (-2)
Gorgoroth 0-1-1, 1, (-2)

Final Matches: Barad Dur vs. Breeland, Barrow-Downs vs. Gorgoroth.

Group is still open to anyone, but Breeland and Gorgoroth have a tough climb to advance. They must not only win, but win by more than 2 goals. Both BD's assure advancing with just a draw, but should go all-out as 1st is still completely up for grabs. There is even a possibility, because of the way the matches have mirrored eachother, we get a 4-way tie at the end! Drama and tension in Gorgoroth!