Arda Cup Football 2010

[Nogrod]

The Arda Kicker Magazine has been looking at the first two rounds of the friendlies and gives you it's take on the situation right now.

Group A

Aman
Winning Bywater was a must. Otherwise Aman would have been just rabble as Bywater is one of the lousiest teams in the competition. The draw with Misty Mts. wasn’t a good show either as that team takes all the cards – and seeing Misty Mts. making it through the group-stage would be a miracle indeed. So not bad, not good. Ar Pharazôn looks like he’s too lonely in the attack: without quality players like Sauron and the several Tars he has used to play with he just feels lonely out there and may need to humble in front of more talented teams. Bad move for him indeed –like reaching to Aman was in the first place? The midfielders will need to raise up to occasion or it will be “bye-bye” for Aman in the first qualifying round – unless Nienna makes a heroic effort on the goal (which is not impossible). They will proceed from the group-phase to be sure, as number ones. So lousy is the group that we can grant it.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Beleriand
Now why was this team formed in the first place? They have nothing but to lose. With that line-up one has no chance in a league as competitive as this. Okay, Halmir is a decent goalie but that’s it. He can’t save it all by himself. Now what these guys need is an effort in general and shots towards the goal in particular. Five shots on goal in two matches is just not going to be enough to face any decent team.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Ithilien
The rangers with their newlyfound aids can keep the losses at the minimum and they’re actually pretty good in defending. But that will not be enough for the play-offs. Losing 1-0 is losing. And that’s what they will face unless Faramir, Frodo and Beregond do not upgrade their game by a clear margin. The threat is that the team will make not even accomplish one goal in the tournament. To be fair though, they have had strong defences against them in the first two friendlies and they have a chance of beating Beleriand in the group-phase.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Vinyamar
Even if they just have two draws from the friendlies they seem to be the other decent team in the group. That is not saying their forwards (Tuor, Penlod) or attacking midfielders (Duilin, Idril) would get any free passes: they have been totally anemic thus far! A tight defence will not help if you don’t score and Rôg can’t hold it indefinitively. They are better than Ithilien though, not to speak of Beleriand. So a second place in the group.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Group B

Barad-Dûr
The good news are that both Gil-Galad and Isildur seem to have made themselves comfortable playing alongside Sauron. The bad news is that papa-Elendil walks in the shadows and most of Sauron’s aids seem to wander there too. The Mouth makes a decent goalkeeper but not an Arda Cup –winning one. Unless Elendil and the minions of Sauron rise up to the occasion Barad-Dûr will be left into the group stage. That is not to say that the trio Sauron, Gil-Galad & Isildur will not pose a major problem to any opposing team. And we know how well Sauron can play when he puts his effort to it: not only by way of scoring himself but making his comrades to shine…
(possibly going through)

Barrow-Downs
One could argue they’ve had two hard matches, but to be honest they haven’t. If they’re looking towards the arda Cup finals they need to do a lot better than this. Two draws, with Rohan and Gorgoroth, are not the marks of a possible champion this year. Only Wilwa and Nogrod (and Sally) have raised to their level thus far. Eomer’s goaling has been terrible, the phantom and Fea have totally disappeared (together?) and Nerwen is on -1 in phantasy points… Now this team needs some firing up. Otherwise they don’t mae it to the next round.
(possibly going through)

Breeland
They have lost both of their friendlies and everything seems to rely on whether Tom Bombadill is interested to play or not. Yeah, Strider does his best, but he seems to be a lonely rider here. Fex. the Old Man Willow is the second lousiest goalie thus far in the tournament (with save-percentages only Oropher of Dol Guldur is worse), most othersw are just well under the average. Unless Tom Bombadil awakens to some heroism, Strider manages to whip off the others and Old Man Willow pulls himself together the team is doomed. It is doomed.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Gorgoroth
Probably the most solid team in this group… which doesn’t say much. Despite them taking a huge number of cards, their defences seem to hold – and Shelob is one of the most intimidating goalies of this tournament. Castamir is deadly effective on the front but he will need some aids if the team will wish to continue from the first round of the play-offs.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Group C

Mithrim
Even if Turín is hiding flying low at the moment Mithrim is more or less 100% safe to qualify. They have one of the best goalies (Huan), a solid defence, capable midfield and dashing forwards. While Turín has been in the shadows, Hurín, Beleg and Aradan have risen to the occasion. They haven’t been flashing to be sure – and some fans seem to be bothered by it – but they have shown very solid game thus far and it’s hard to see them not going forwards. But how far? That’s the question. Surely not only the fans waited more from the trio Hurín, Turín and Beleg. Only time will tell…
(continuing to the play-offs)

Nargothrond
They have lost two games only 0-1 but still one can’t betray one’s feeling of disappointment. Somehow this team just doesn’t seem to work. The defence is okay (not spectacular or great, but okay), but the midfield is so empty and Mablung as alone striker just looks homeless there. Now we can say their opponents have been tough and that is probably right – they lost to mighty Numenor only 1-0! But if the Nargothrond team wishes to qualify, not to talk of getting themselves further in the tournament, a lots of things need to happen. The midfield is their weak spot: from the five midfielders two have -1 pts. and three have no points at all.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Norbury
All the due respect to the mighty descendants in the north but please, this is football. One of the most pathetic teams in the tournament. Thangorodrim and Havens are both good teams and that will burst up their performance of losing only in small numbers (if 3-1 can be called small numbers). Arvedui does his best in the goal but if the team cannot score or the defence deflect the shots, then his efforts are in vain.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Pelennor
Well it all depends on how good the favourites Utumno really is and how bad Doriath is in turn. Losing and winning 2-1 to those teams makes it hard to rank the team as Utumno doesn’t look that solid right now and Doriath looks like big-time losers. King Theoden has clearly underperformed thus far and only Legolas has risen to the occasion. But with the aid of his fangirls he might lead them into the second round at least. I wouls require an awakening of Eowyn, Imrahil and the whole midfield to carry them further though.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Group D

Dale
One of the great disappointments of this tournament. Somehow they just don’t seem to be able to pull their act together. They’ve had two tough matches to be sure but so many cards talk of confusion and the lack of a game-plan. The discussion around Mr. Moneybags is right into the spot of things. Where’s the flare of Smaug or Thranduil from last year, where’s the solidity of Bard’s midfield? Oropher is a quality goalie but behind a weak defence even he looks bad.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Eithel Sirion
One of the few positive surprises – if it was a surprise at all. They were no pre-elected favourites but now it looks like they could go a long way in this tournament. Doriath and Breeland are no real measures to any competitive team, but they have nevertheless cleared them easily and confidently. And that promises good for the future. If Fingon and Maedhros find their form Eithel Sirion wil be hard to beat but unless they do the team is vulnerable in the drop-off games. But it’s hard to see them not qualifying to the next round anyway.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Gelion
The black horse of the group. Dior has organised a solid defence in front of him but saldy it seems only Beren is able to score. Unless he gets help from others it will be bye-bye to Gelion, but if the team comes together they might go forwards. It would be tough for them in the first drop-out round though and few would bet on their behalf there.
(might go through)

Rohan
No one can say Rohan isn’t trying their best. The shots reign down on the opponent’s goal from wherever they can shoot. Cirion, Helm, Eomer and Eorl have proved to be a terror of the opposing side for a reason. The bad thing is that the defences are not so mighty. They played a wildcard trying to copy the succes of the Edoras team last year by appointing horses to their backline but it hasn’t worked out yet: four goals allowed in two matches tells the story clear enough. It might start to work though – as has been seen momentarily already – and anyway the team has quality enough to go forwards in front of team Gelion.
(continuing to the play-offs, probably)

Group E

Misty Mountains
They’ve really had it tough in the friendlies and their performance has been better than the numbers tell. But that doesn’t make away the fact that they are a) much too mediocre team to go forwards for long in the tournament, and b) they are too card-ready to be any decent bet for a phantasy-game player. A serious re-birth is needed if they’re going to fight for a place in the final four – or eight. The trolls need to step up also on the scoring board and Gwaihir should be ashamed of itself.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Numenor
A lot has been said about the team Armenelos breaking down and taking on a new name – even if most of the players are the same. But the loss of forwards / attacking midfielders like Ar Pharazôn, Sauron and Tar Minastir is bound to make a difference. And it is seen in the quality of the shots thus far. The former trio would never had ended up with a mediocre 14,5% scoring percentage from the overall shots they made. The magic is gone, the sovereignity is gone. But on the other hand, even if they are not winning every match with at least two goal's difference, they are winning and the defences work as well as they did last year. And Tar Atanamir is one of the best goalies of the tournament this year as well (continuing with the astonishing 87% saving ratio he had for the whole tournament last year). They will go far, but how far?
(continuing to the play-offs)

Rivendell
How many times people have asked whether it was time for Elrond to step down – and how many years in concerto have they seen him coming to tend the goal of his team with quality? It’s nothing new this year. They have faced Gelion (draw) and Utumno (0-1) so it has been a tough ordeal thus far. But somehow it feels like the team Rivendell is struggling this year. Their performance has been a good one but still they seem to lack the fire and passion for the game. They’re old and they’re experienced but maybe the critics are right: ones like Bilbo and Elrond should just retire for their own sake? And they do have a serious lack of effective strikers (sorry Boromir II)…
(falling off after the group-phase)

Utumno
One of the favourites to win the tournament hasn’t been as dominating as many of the fans would have liked. It would be a miracle if they would not qualify, but are they the favourites to win the whole tournament? Looking at the numbers they are one of the best teams and their defence especially looks like a solid thing indeed. But where’s the flare of Gondolin? Where’s the evil talent of Thangorodrim? Where’s the cool professionalism of the Mithrim? Thus far it looks like Utumno has played it safe and easy. Ungoliant has shown how great a goalie it is, the defence collects a host of phantasy points in every game, but something is still missing; the magic that would make them the champions this year. They have time though.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Group F

Bywater
After the first round of the friendlies many were thinking of giving their sympathy to the Bywater team with all the little hobbits, a nice Saruman, Gandalf and Shadowfax reunited. But to advance in the tournament they need to do more than gather sympathy-points. Their draw with Beleriand looked good in the beginning but losing to Aman straightforwardly 2-0 put the fans back to the square one. It will take a lot from this team to qualify to the next round. Facing Thangorodrim and Valimar the task looks insurmountable indeed – and even Lorien might be too tough for them.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Lorien
Competes seriously for the second place in the group even if they are placed the underdogs by the betting agencies. Galadriel leads the team with a firm grip and she knows how to make the males play – even if they don’t understand it themselves. A little more efficiency from the forwards and Rivendell could be through this group. But that’s a big if.
(has chances to continue to the play-offs)

Thangorodrim
The reunion of the dragons has just scattered the adversaries and sent a shiver into all of the ME. And the re-emergence of the Durin’s Bane (absolute phantasy-point leader) then? Now here’s the team to beat. They have a maximum talent at every position; Carcaroth on goal, Glaurung on defence, Durin’s Bane in the midfield and Scatha & Ancalagon in the offence. Who could stop them? Not anyone on the group – unless Valimar really stands up for it, which is not believable.
(continuing to the play-offs)

Valimar
The mightiest of all are back – but not with a vengeance as it is a team of Manwë. Now how will they tip-toe themsleves this year between the honour in football and being gracious gods ready to to let the little ones to prevail – like mothers and fathers playing with their children? That is the question all Arda is asking. They have politely won their two friendlies by just one goal to nil. Would that be their new strategy after last years bad performance: just winning it nicely leaving the other side a space for being proud of themselves? What if they win all their matches 1-0?
(continuing to the play-offs)

Group G

Doriath
One of the major disappointments thus far. Even with a talented team they have been the sack every team has been throwing around as they wish. Can they rise up from the two first matches? Melian hasn’t been up to her level quite yet and all the other parts of the team have messed around even worse. Any chances?
(falling off after the group-phase)

Gondolin
A pre-tournament favourite that has really stood up the challenge. Eight goals in two games, 36 shots in two games (goal percent 22,2, second highest after Thangorodrim’s 23,3) Superb performance on a wide front. The only thing bothering the fans is the goal-keeping. Huor’s saves percentage is only 60% and that’s not even the average but less. So how will they manage with more forceful / talented / wittier forwards later on? Can Thorondor and his mates rise up to the occasion then? Will the White City fall or prevail?
(continuing to the play-offs)

Gondor
They have suffered one of the hardest friendly-games programme anyone has had so far; they’ve played Numenor and Mithrim – and they have escaped with one goal losses both times (1-2 to be exact). So even if they have lost both their first games one should allow them more credit. It’s hard to say whether their defences are as bad as the statistics tell you, or whether their opponents have been such great teams. They’ll fight for the place in the play-offs with Wold.
(has chances to continue to the play-offs)

Wold
The greatest defence on ME? The idea of putting the ents in charge of the defence was masterful. And not only that, but putting Hama in the goal was another piece of ingeniunity as he has gathered the minimum of three saves in both games they have played. No one has scored against them yet. Let’s see how the spell will work in the actual tournament. But to make it further in the tournament, Quickbeam & co. need to start scoring as well.
(probably going through)

Group H

Dol Guldur
One of the major questionmarks thus far. The Witch King and Khamul have played well but the others have just fallen short against really tough opposition (Thangorodrim, Gondolin). So Havens and Minas Anor will have tough times with them even if they have lost their two first friendlies. Oropher is actually a quality keeper, but the defences need to step up a bit in the future if the team is wishing to go forwards. Anyway the team is not so bad as the numbers indicate.
(has chances to continue to the play-offs)

Havens
A solid performance but against weaker sides. Midfield is the questionmark here. Eärendil and Tar Minastir know how to score and the defence lead by Olwë on the goal should stand for comparison to any other team… but the midfield is clearly inferior unless some characters start to show their qualities.
(has good chances to continue to the play-offs)

Minas Anor
These guys have never really got their game to work thus far. Losing to Mithrim 2-0 is not such a big deal but losing Lorien 1-2 is. If one thinks of getting forwards from the group-phase that is. Echtelion II does what he can in the goal but it clearly seems the team is without a clear leader and a clear unified goal.
(falling off after the group-phase)

Tirion
With the frontline of Miriel, Feänor, Finwë, and Nerdanel everyone thought Tirion would just walk over any adversaries they faced. They actually did that to both Lorien and Beleriand but somehow one thinks something is missing here. In two games Miriel has one goal, Feänor has one pass, Finwë and Nerdanel have one pass as well. It is great to have Ingwë with two goals and Mahtan with one… but still one wonders how that quartet has only made one goal and three passes in two games (and the whole team making only four compared to Gondolin’s eight goals or Thangorodrim’s seven goals). No one questions the talent and skills of Feänor or Miriel; they have been the top scorers the last two years, but is there something in the dynamics of the team as they finally play together – or is it just laziness in regard to friendlies? But whoever makes the goals, Tirion wil go further, probably a lot further.
(continuing to the play-offs)