[Nogrod]

Angband vs. Beleriand

Both Angband and Beleriand played very controlled game on the first half, even slow. But to the joy of the audiences the game came alive on the second when Angband started to play it harder and really went for a second goal. Beleriand showed some guts kicking it up a notch after getting two goals behind, and for about twenty-five minutes the crowds were served with really good football.

Finarfin’s sons actually brought Beleriand only one goal behind and they were pushing hard for an equaliser when Morgoth and Thuringwethil ended their efforts making it 3-1 just ten minutes before the final whistle. With that both teams pulled back and just kicked the ball around for the last ten minutes.

Angband had the game in their control ending their impressive series of friendlies into a nice win. But it must be also noted that Beleriand showed again that when really going for it they are a formidable team that should not be taken lightly even by the Big Teams. Sadly they’re facing two Big Teams (Pelori and Valinor) already in the group-phase – and when the fourth team of the group is the always dangerous side of Gondolin, the chances of Beleriand to qualify aren’t too high. But they’re not nonexistent.

Angband 3-1 Beleriand
tot shots 13-10
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*25, 1-0 Thuringwethil (Ulfant)
*54, 2-0 Ancalagon (Telvildo)
*78, 2-1 Aegnor (Angrod)
*80, 3-1 Thuringwethil (Morgoth)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Morgoth, Ancalagon, Balrog #3
*Beleriand- Daeron, Aegnor


Anfaughlith vs. Mithrim

There’s not much to tell one’s grandchildren of the friendly between Anfaughlith and Mithrim. The difference in the relative quality of the teams was clear and as there were many good friends and relatives in the field on both sides they played quite clean and easy.

No one in their right minds is going to bet on behalf of team Mithrim to qualify from their tough group F. Tuor just hasn’t enough talent around him to build a team that could compete at this level. Anfaughlith on the other hand is looking very strong and looks like qualifying from group C – but teams Hithlum and Downer are no push-overs so that is left to be seen.

Anfaughlith 2-0 Mithrim
tot shots 13-8
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*18, 1-0 Maeglin (Gothmog)
*31, 2-0 Maeglin (Ecthelion)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angfauglith- Rochallor, Azaghal
*Mithrim- Morwen, Grithnir, Brodda


Dorriath vs. Nargothrond

Even if it was a friendly game between teams Doriath and Nargothrond most people talked about it as a “rematch” between Túrin and Glaurung. But surprisingly Glaurung obeyed Finduilas’ orders not to get into it with Túrin – and on the other side Melian and Thingol had persuaded Beleg and Húrin to talk sense to Túrin as to take it cool. And to a great disappointment of many, there was no clash between the two – even if they both got booked from unsportsmanlike conduct using unsuitable language calling each other with some pretty harsh terms not suitable for this kind of a family-friendly site. Seeing their star-players were accepting not to run for each others’ throats (or bellies), the feelings relaxed and the two teams played a very friendly game indeed.

Doriath took a clean two-goal lead on the first half and then fell back playing low-effort team defense for the second half, but somehow it seemed Finduilas was not into making an effort to even the game. Being asked after the game about their reluctance to go for full attack when their opponents fell back on the second half Finduilas only said that they were already concentrating on the group-phase and needed to conserve energy to those matches.

Sadly one doesn’t qualify from the group-phase with concentration in the future only.

Doriath 2-0 Nargothrond
tot shots 13-7
on target 8-3
GOALS:
*27, 1-0 Eol (Melian)
*42, 2-0 Turin (Hurin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Mablung, Turin
*Nargothrond- Glaurung, Baran


Esgaroth vs. Valinor

Esgaroth hasn’t been the worst team what comes to scoring (even if it hasn’t been flashing either), but they have a real problem keeping their own sheet clean. The friendly game against Valinor was no different. Knowing it was their final tune-up both teams played straight up during the first half and went to their lockers for half time the scoreboard showing numbers 3-1 to Valinor.

The game practically over both teams eased up their game and more or less just kicked the ball around almost practice-style willing to avoid injuries and conserving their energies to the first games of the group-phase.

A clean win to Valinor from a side a few levels weaker: nothing flashing in their performance, but a good game. Arien’s and Yavanna’s good performances must have delighted Tulkas as thus far the scoring has been too much the responsibility of Miriel and Nerdanel alone.

As for Esgaroth, they really need to find a solution to their classless defense. Being able to score once in every game is not going to help if you give up three goals.

Esgaroth 1-4 Valinor
tot shots 6-17
on target 3-10
GOALS:
*16, 0-1 Olwe (Nerdanel)
*23, 1-1 Girion (Bard)
*33, 1-2 Miriel (Yavanna)
*38, 1-3 Arien (Nerdanel)
*79, 1-4 Arien (Yavanna)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Esgaroth- Galion, Mayor
*Valinor- Olwe


Gondolin vs. Himring

Brothers Turgon and Fingon agreed that going into the tournament their teams ought to have a real test, so they played the game in near tournament form from beginning to end. And in that game Himring reminded the whole footballing crowds of Arda that it would be very unwise to forget them when doing betting on the results.

Fingon the Valiant aided by four sons of Fëanor led by Maedhros and supported by a bunch of easterlings showed some real quality football and took an earned victory. Why is it that big deal? Well, it is still worth reminding that the team Gondolin consist of half the team Vinyamar, last season’s silver-medalists, a few champion’s from last year’s team Gondolin added with Turgon himself. So it was no small feat, even if Gondolin has been somewhat underperformers in the friendlies thus far.

Gondolin 1-2 Himring
tot shots 13-11
on target 7-6
GOALS:
*36, 0-1 Maedhros (Fingon)
*52, 0-2 Bor (Maedhros)
*73, 1-2 Turgon (Thorondor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondolin- Thorondor, Egalmoth
*Himring- Uldor, Ulfast


Hithlum vs. Tirion

It seemed clear both teams had agreed on giving their offenses and keepers some real practice and thus both teams concentrated on attack – and what great fun it was for the crowds to watch six beautiful goals made in one game – and that despite the keepers performing actually pretty well.

Curufin and Celegorm were on top shape once again as Hithlum played in an offensive fashion. But Aredhel and Granpa’ Finwë shined as brightly, the latter showing his grandchildren that the old bones are still working.
Hithlum seems to have found a truly effective way to attack after the disasters of the first two games, but when they go on full forward their defenses suffer considerably. Somehow Hador should find a balance there if they wish to contest for a place in the play-offs.

Hithlum 3-3 Tirion
tot shots 16-18
on target 8-11
GOALS:
*8, 1-0 Curufin (Algund)
*12, 1-1 Aredhel (Finwe)
*15, 1-2 Finwe (Finrod)
*26, 2-2 Hador (Celegorm)
*43, 3-2 Curufin (Gundor)
*60, 3-3 Aredhel (Finarfin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Aradan, Gundor
*Tirion- Caranthir, Mahtan


Mordor vs. Westernesse

Everyone knows the relationship between Mordor and the Men of the West… and it did show. Even if officially named as one, this was no friendly game. Far from it.

Mordor went for it very aggressively from the beginning trying to rough their way through and scare their Dúnedain rivals. But that tactics was totally counterproductive as Westernesse played both a focused and disciplined game showing no fear whatsoever. More or less blinded by their wrath team Mordor wasn’t getting anything done while Westernesse put up three well-executed goals on the first half.

The intensity of the game did fall a notch for the second period until Grishnak roughed Elendil down in quite an ugly manner. Grishnak got his second yellow from that and was shown the red card. Westernesse retaliated the smart way pressing forwards the last minutes producing one more goal to them.

With one more sovereign performance on their belt team Westernesse looks even stronger than earlier while team Mordor clearly has a leadership-problem: they’d need someone to organize them and focus on playing the game. As said earlier, it seems Nazgul #7 seems not ready to fill the boots of Sauron and Shelob and Watcher are no team-minded persons anyway to take the lead.

Mordor 0-4 Westernesse
tot shots 6-16
on target 2-9
GOALS:
*19, 0-1 Ar Pharazon (Elros)
*31, 0-2 Ar Adunakhor (Tar Minastir)
*35, 0-3 Ar Pharazon (Tar Telperien)
*83, 0-4 Elros (Hyarmendacil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mordor- Gorbag, Grishnakh, Nazgul #4, Snaga, Nazgul #6
*Westernesse- Hyarmendacil, Elendil
RED CARDS:
*Mordor- Grishnakh (76, second yellow)