Arda Cup Soccer 2008

[the phantom]

--GROUP C--

The arena in Doriath was largely vacant for the first match of the day between Formenos and Isengard. Formenos was already assured a spot in the playoffs and the residents of Doriath had no desire to see them finish off the group, which they were quite certain would happen against the winless Isengard who was already eliminated from the playoffs.

Isengard started off the match looking like they were playing to win a championship, with every player giving it every bit of effort they could muster. Formenos looked surprised, but not displeased, and proceeded to steal the ball away and work it right down the field to Feanor, who dribbled circles around a couple of Isengard defenders and last minute gave it up to Aredhel who nudged in an easy goal.

Isengard kept up the intensity, but Formenos handled it easily and forced them into a rushed long shot which sailed well over the goal. Formenos took the ball and sent it around and around the midfield while the Isengard defenders chased it, always well behind. Then Formenos started taking huge blasts at the goal from far out, almost as if they were having a fun day of practice. Maglor and Amrod both hit one of the posts, and the few Formenos fans applauded wildly as if they had actually meant to do it.

At minute 29 Aredhel appeared trapped in a corner but burst through the defenders towards the goal, looking like she'd take it all the way herself. But before reaching the sidebar she sent a high pass out front to Maedhros the tall, and he used his superior height to rise up and head the ball uncontested past Beechbone for the 2-0 lead.

After that Isengard seemed beaten and they allowed Formenos to coast into halftime. Coming out after halftime it was obvious that Formenos desired to continue coasting, but Isengard showed a bit of spirit and started trying to press again. Formenos appeared annoyed by this and Celebrimbor actually hollered at Saruman, "Knock it off- it's over!" But Isengard continued to defend doggedly.

Then Feanor began playing in earnest and calling for the ball. His grandson Celebrimbor sent one downfield for him and Feanor beat out two defenders for the ball, sprinted past another, and faked out the final defender and pounded it past the helpless goalie. He then ran over by Saruman and just stared at him, as if to say "Do you want us to do that again?" After that Isengard folded and allowed Formenos to boot the ball around the rest of the game, finishing up a dominating group play performance.

Formenos 3-0 Isengard
shots 15-4
on target 8-1
GOALS:
*Formenos, 7 (Aredhel- Feanor)
*Formenos, 29 (Maedhros- Aredhel)
*Formenos, 59 (Feanor- Celebrimbor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Formenos- Caranthir
*Isengard- Skinbark, Quickbeam

The stadium filled well before the start of the second game and the crowd buzzed nervously. It was a must-win game for the host team, and Alqualonde was no pushover. Both teams felt like they were a quality team worthy of advancing to the playoffs, and both came out playing their best.

The crowd screamed early as Doriath took the offensive and scored only 15 minutes in. But Alqualonde rose to the challenge and took it right at the host, and equalized just a few minutes later. The crowd did not grow quiet however, and began various chants in support of their team.

At minute 41 the crowd was rewarded as Dior intercepted a bad pass and fired a quick long shot which snuck into the top corner of the goal. After the half both teams played evenly for the first bit, but then Beleg made a deep run and Elwe threaded a perfect pass to him. Beleg proceeded to kick it beautifully at the far post beyond the reach of Olwe and Doriath was out to a two goal lead. The crowd screamed more loudly than ever, finally feeling safe for the first time.

But Alqualonde was not finished yet. At minute 70 the lovely Uinen led her husband beautifully and Osse converted to pull within a goal. But that was all the scoring they could manage, and the home crowd left the stadium singing, wondering who their opponent would be in the first round of the playoffs.

Alqualonde 2-3 Doriath
shots 12-14
on target 5-7
GOALS:
*Doriath, 15 (Mablung-Nellas)
*Alqua, 29 (Gil-Galad- Bilbo)
*Doriath, 41 (Dior)
*Doriath, 59 (Beleg- Elwe)
*Alqua, 70 (Osse- Uinen)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Alqualonde- Eriol, Osse
*Doriath- Elurin, Saeros