It was another TENT exclusive broadcast between teams that have been covered before: Doriath against Inter Beleriand, playing in the beautiful Menegroth Stadium.
Had Elu Thingol been on this year's squad, he would have been reticent to host a friendly match with the Noldor, especially one co-captained by a son of Fëanor, but Melian had no such qualms. In the post-game press conference she said, 'The Arda Cup should be instrumental in helping heal the wounds of the past.'
That did not prevent Maedhros from dealing a wound to the Doriath defence. Fifteen minutes after the opening whistle he took a cut back from Haleth and fired a shot just below the crossbar that Dior couldn't get to in time.
After the goal Inter fell back to defend, as was norm in friendly friendlies. A slick one-two by Lúthien and Beleg gave Doriath the equaliser sixteen minutes later, and a sublime Daeron through ball to Beleg put them in lead heading into the break.
After the restart Maedhros converted Fingon's cross from the right wing. Inter then gave its back line time to shine, but were unable to stop Lúthien from poking in the rebound from Nellas's speculative shot. Chances for an equaliser were hard to find for Maedhros and company, and ten minutes before the end they hung it up, content to have done their best.
Inter Beleriand 2-3 Doriath
GOALS:
15, 1-0 Maedhros (Haleth)
31, 1-1 Lúthien (Beleg)
39, 1-2 Beleg (Daeron)
56, 2-2 Maedhros (Fingon)
66, 2-3 Lúthien (Nellas)
Total Shots
11-20
Shots On Target
5-9
YELLOW CARDS:
2-2
Inter: Brandir, Forweg
Doriath: Saeros, Galathil
In other games not broadcast by TENT:
Anfauglith vs AC Beleriand
Had he accepted Morgoth's offer to help fund his squad, Fëanor could've been teammates with some of the Balrogs and/or Ungoliant. Instead, their two squads face each other in anticipation of their group stage meeting.
Dubbed as the rematch of Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the scoreless tie was anything but boring. Despite playing at half-speed and with no tactics, the two teams played with a determination to walk away with a win.
It was indeed reminiscent of the Second Battle, with the Fiery Boot taking on the Balrog defenders all by himself. Despite his ball-handling skills that left one, and sometimes two of his markers in the dust, in the main the Valaraukar phalanx was up to the task of denying him his goal, sometimes through physical means.
There was one time when Balrog #4 brought Fëanor down five metres in front of the penalty box. His resulting free kick curled past the wall and towards the goal but Ungoliant snuffed the ball easily.
AC Bel's best chance at goal came late in the second half when Fëanor, after a left-wing incursion, sent a cross towards the unmarked Fingolfin, whose header whizzed just past the far post.
The Fingolfin-led defence was also up to the task of physical intimidation. In fact, Rochallor was lucky not to be sent off after his late challenge on Thuringwethil early in the second half.
Anfauglith 0-0 AC Beleriand
total shots 7-9
on target 2-3
GOALS:
*
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anfauglith- Balrog #4, Borlach, Balrog #2
*AC Bel- Fingolfin, Bregolas, Rochallor, Imlach
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Hithlum vs Nargothrond
There was an unexpected twist to this meeting. Before their squads were complete Hador arranged for a friendly match with Felagund, whose team had players from the eldest Edain house, but also Gwindor and Finduilas, who were familiar with Túrin, as well as Glaurung, the tormentor of Húrin's family, and Mîm, betrayer of Túrin and slain by his father.
The tie was played with the urgency of a tournament game. With Glaurung quiet for most of the match, as urged on by Finrod, Gwindor was the aggressor during the first half hour, racking up the third hat-trick of the friendly round (and the second for Nargothrond) in that time. But Nargothrond might have tired itself out in the effort, as the famed father-son tandem of Hithlum went to work afterwards, scoring a goal each on both sides of the interval. Desperate for an equaliser, Finrod finally gave Glaurung free rein, and in a quick counterattack the Worm of Angband shot the final goal of the match.
Hithlum 4-4 Nargothrond
total shots 20-15
on target 11-8
GOALS:
*8, 0-1 Gwindor (Finduilas)
*17, 0-2 Gwindor (Finrod)
*28, 0-3 Gwindor (Orodreth)
*35, 1-3 Húrin (Morwen)
*41, 2-3 Túrin (Nienor)
*49, 3-3 Túrin (Húrin)
*58, 4-3 Húrin (Hador)
*69, 4-4 Glaurung (Barahir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Androg, Arroch, Gethron, Nienor
*Nargothrond- Barahir, Mîm, Arminas