Bahia 5 - 2 Hospitalet (382887194)

It had rained all day, but 51259 hardy fans still made it out to Bahia Estadium. Freddi Endt was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Evan Morrissey and Steve Annis. Bahia tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. They fielded: Barrio de Cascalla - Vargas, Sifontes, Giménez - Stazić, Kincaid, Strumpis, Liñán Rubio, Dücius - Moreno, van Eendenburg.

A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Hospitalet. Starters: Savan - Fischbach, Pilhall, Sepik - Nascimento, Fjær, Schneekloth, Vangheli, Alemán Pardo - Mughini, Dollinger.

After 11 minutes, Bahia sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached F. van Eendenburg, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 1 - 0. Bahia's H. Moreno saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 15 minutes. Hospitalet tied it all up, 16 minutes in, after a spectacular goal by E. Alemán Pardo, who miraculously broke through the home side's central defence, making it 1 - 1. R. Fischbach spent most of the time in a heap on the ground today, his normally rapid movement hindered by the slippery pitch. Bahia took the lead 34 minutes into the game by 2 - 1, as I. Dücius elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. Bahia's I. Liñán Rubio got himself booked for a foul. The muddy pitch made the game a gritty affair, which seemed to suit F. van Eendenburg just fine. B. Dollinger tied the game at 2 - 2 after 42 minutes, when he converted an incredible pass from the right. 43 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for Bahia to take the lead after a good cross from the right found J. Vargas alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. Bahia had a magnificent opportunity after 43 minutes as J. Vargas hit the ball hard from the edge of the penalty box. However, the shot went wide. 2 - 2 was the score after the first half. Bahia had most of the ball, with 57 percent of possession.

After 64 minutes, the Bahia coach made a sign to V. Stazić, who soon changed positions with I. Liñán Rubio. F. van Eendenburg gave Bahia the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 3 - 2 After 83 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by G. Strumpis might have resulted in another goal for Bahia. However, M. Savan made a spectacular save. 84 minutes into the match Bahia's J. Vargas viciously shoved another player from behind while going for a loose ball and was sent off the pitch with a red card. J. Kincaid was the new captain of Bahia - handed the armband by the departing player. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Hospitalet's E. Alemán Pardo was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 85 minutes. G. Munder was given a chance to change things around. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Bahia's F. van Eendenburg increasing the lead to 4 - 2. At that, F. van Eendenburg was noted down for a hat trick! The Bahia players could smell victory in the air. F. van Eendenburg wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for L. Mejías after 87 minutes. Things were deteriorating for the away team as Bahia scored another to make it 5 - 2 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for H. Moreno after 88 minutes. The bench was restless, and with 89 minutes passed Hospitalet's coach gave S. Cilaurren the opportunity the player had been hoping for. M. Sepik reluctantly left the field. Possession in this half belonged to Bahia, who controlled the ball 58 percent of the time.

H. Moreno performed admirably for Bahia. L. Mejías turned in a dismal performance, however. Hospitalet's top performer was clearly B. Dollinger. However, G. Munder made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 5 - 2.