[Nogrod]

Group F


There were two things in the minds of the home crowds for round 2. Could Westernesse beat Tol Eressëa as confidently as they did to Tuor’s Mithrim – which in the end meant asking the question, how good Ulmo’s team actually was, could they even challenge the Dúnedain-heroes? The second one naturally concerned the chances of team Númenor to still qualify. To keep that hope alive they had to beat Mithrim, but even a confident win today wouldn’t let them off the noose which had been tied around their neck when they lost their first game against Tol Eressëa.

Especially the yellow papers speculated wildly with different scenarios. For if Westernesse won Tol Eressëa they could afford giving away just a big enough win to their brother-Númenorians on the last game as they would by then know the end result of the earlier match and thus secure two Númenorian teams to qualify. In the game day press-conference Ar Pharazôn, who was representing Westernesse because Elros was having a family-lounch, understandably denied the existence of any such plans – or that they would try to make as big numbers today as they could to make Tol Eressëa’s goal-difference worse. But he did it also in quite strong terms, saying the pride of the Númenorians would never give in fighting half-heartedly, even if against their own brothers and sisters. Some people thought that was kind of an odd remark and a little off to say the least, but no one could deny the truth of it.


~*~

The second match-day saw similar kind of festivities the first had. The families and parties had once again filled the Armenelos Stadium to the last bench for hours before the referee would blow his whistle to signal the first match started. They were having their food, wine and music under the slowly cooling afternoon sunlight enjoying each other’s company and the general carnival athmosphere – and of course behind all of it, the suspense and excitement of the games they would be witnessing today.

The crowds were not forced to stay under suspense for long though as the power-duo Elros – Ar Pharazôn made a beautiful combination-play outwitting the revered Ulmo’s defenses with some flashy passing. In the end Ar Pharazôn gave the final freeing pass to Elros from between Salmar’s legs and left face to face with Amandil on roughly at the penalty spot there was no way Elros would miss. And he didn’t. The crowds cheered wildly for the early lead when only 14 minutes had been played.

After the goal the game turned into a kind of war of attrition. Westernesse is known for it’s flexible and balanced game and with one goal ahead they naturally took their defense a tad more seriously – and as Tol Eressëa is a team that lives from defense whether in the lead or behind – the outcome was some very cool devensive play the coaches around Arda would have loved to watch hour after hour, but which in the eyes of a common football fan started getting a bit boring after a while.

But it was a solid fight. Both teams were earnestly trying to score but because of the rock solid downstairs both teams displayed most of the shots were shot from too far and from under too hard pressing by the defenders. Towards the end of the game it was getting clear though that Westernesse had more imaginative variations on their attack and well, just more quality, and they were able to slowly start asserting more pressure towards the Tol Eressëa backlines. Even the crowds woke up demanding a second goal.

And what was to come, was to come. A fair ten minutes from fulltime Tar Aldarion was forced to tackle Elros against the rules to deny him sprinting past him freely for a nice pass by Mardil. Elros thanked Mardil for the nice pass and asked him to give the ensuing free kick. While Ulmo’s defenses held Elros, Ar Pharazôn, Tar Minastir and Ar Adunakhôr tightly guarded close the goal, Mardil passed the ball sideways to on-rushing Hyermendacil who booted his heart out from 25 meters banging the ball into the back of the net leaving the unprepared Amandil no time to react. It was 2-0 and the Gondorians had scored for Westernesse, showing the homeside fans that the brothers were no pushovers but solid parts of team Westernesse. The Gondorian fans were just overwhelmed singing “Gondor, home of the brave” –hymn the rest of the match.

Tol Eressëa 0-2 Westernesse
tot shots 8-11
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*14, 0-1 Elros (Ar Pharazôn)
*78, 0-2 Hyarmendacil (Mardil)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Tol Eressëa- Salmar, Ossë
*Westernesse- Tar Palantir



After Westernesse had given Mithrim a bashing on the first round many Númenorians hoped team Númenor would ignite similar kind of fireworks. But the older the first half became the weaker that hope became. Mithrim managed to force Númenor’s forwards to shoot from afar and were actually able to build up a few decent attacks themselves keeping the game pretty much even.

The second half seemed like a copy of the first at start, but then, like in the first game, it looked like the heavens deserted the Númenoreans again. It was a neat and slow build-up Mithrim gathered together moving the ball to and fro on the Númenorean half of the pitch looking for any holes in the defenses. And it took only a second’s lapse of concentration from Tar Calmacil – and the keen eye of Androg to notice it: Morwen sneaked off from her guard slipping behind him and Androg delivered the ball surgically accurate to her boot at the exact right moment giving her a chance to make a turn-around one-timer shot totally taking Silmariën unawares. And the visitors were in the lead! The stadium was silent, except the few thousand men (and some elves) from Beleriand who were shouting their throats sore from happiness and pride.

But the Númenoreans weren’t beaten yet. With the rallying call of Inziladûn’s daughter, the queen “fairer than silver or ivory or pearls” the Númenoreans started attacking stronger than before and the crowds were aroused into an ear-banging cheer and song to encourage their team. The minutes ticked away and Mithrim cling to their lead. The suspense!

Finally, when there was less than fifteen minutes to go, the stadium exploded. Tar Surion equalized with a header from a great corner by Tar Miriel.

And Númenor was not done yet! The craze of the crowd and the almost manic boldness of the great Númenorians was alight now – and even if Mithrim offered a stiff defense the waves of attacks roamed towards their goal And just four minutes before fulltime Tar Miriel hammered the ball in after a beautiful individual effort. Númenor would win! Númenor would win after all! The crowds were going nuts. The dream they had feared lost still lived on.

Mithrim 1-2 Númenor
tot shots 9-12
on target 4-5
GOALS:
*55, 1-0 Morwen (Androg)
*77, 1-1 Tar Surion (Tar Miriel)
*86, 1-2 Tar Miriel (Tar Ancalimon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Mithrim- Sador, Asgon, Aerin
*Númenor- Ar Gimilzor


Group F (after 2 rounds)
1. Westernesse, 6pts. (+6)
2. Númenor, 3pts. (+-0)
3. Tol Eressëa, 3pts. (-1)
4. Mithrim, 0pts. (-5)

Last matches:
Tol Eressëa vs. Mithrim
Númenor vs. Westernesse


Westernesse has secured the qualification and practically also the peak position in the group (unless they lose to Númenor with 6 goals or more). The second qualifier is most probably either Tol Eressëa or Númenor. Tol Eressëa looks like favourites as they meet Mithrim in their last game while Númenor has to take on the impressive team Westernesse. Unless Westernesse plays too relaxedly as they don’t have anything at stake any more – or unless those unsportsmanlike allegiations are true and Westernesse wishes to aid their brothers and sisters to qualify.