Hattrick 2 - 3 Firebats (219194369)

Dark skies made the crowd of 49995 at The Royal Palace a little nervous, but the rain held off. Gene Cortez was the appointed referee with assistance provided by José María Pérez de Guzmán and Francisco Unzaga. Hattrick started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: bin Shahdani - Racknitz, Piringer, van der Helst, bin Omar - Ting Lai, Mouhi, Hauenstein, Puertollano - Tranberg, Ballester.

Firebats tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Starters: Bassani - Karlsson, Krammer, Sparneck - Quero, de Araoz, Barroso, Spieler - Padilla, Pizarro, Tambero.

Hattrick used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. Firebats mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. Hattrick's C. Tranberg proved that he's been around on a football pitch before, when he took advantage of a few moments of confusion in the opposition's defensive line and elegantly scored for 1 - 0. The pressing tactics used by Hattrick were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. 31 minutes into the game Firebats's M. Padilla found a gap in the home side's central defence and scored with a fabulous shot, making it 1 - 1. A. Racknitz sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from C. Ballester after 34 minutes of play, making the score 2 - 1. Firebats had a chance to level the score as M. Tambero suddenly found himself free in the middle of the box with only the keeper to beat, but he misjudged the finish, and only managed to hit the bar. Coming through the middle M. Tambero almost scored the equaliser for Firebats after 37 minutes, but H. bin Shahdani made an excellent save, tipping the awkwardly curled shot past the post. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 1. Possession in this half belonged to Firebats, who controlled the ball 63 percent of the time.

The Firebats players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. The bench was restless, and with 46 minutes passed Firebats's coach gave A. Günbey the opportunity the player had been hoping for. M. Bassani reluctantly left the field. The coach of Hattrick was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 70 minutes, O. Dúró came on for T. Ting Lai. Firebats tied it all up, 73 minutes in, after a spectacular goal by M. Padilla, who miraculously broke through the home side's central defence, making it 2 - 2. With 77 minutes played, K. Hauenstein of Hattrick fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. 78 minutes into the game, A. Quero almost gave the visitors the lead, as he clipped a delicate lob over the keeper, but the ball glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. After 81 minutes Hattrick's O. Dúró had to be carried off on a stretcher in agony. G. Ralea came in to replace him. After 82 minutes, Firebats's I. Pizarro swiftly ran past E. van der Helst and nutmegged the keeper! 2 - 3. With 86 minutes played, M. Tambero nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through in the middle and fired from just outside the box, but his shot passed just over the bar. Possession in this half belonged to Firebats, who controlled the ball 64 percent of the time.

Hattrick's top performer was clearly J. Puertollano. On the other hand, H. bin Shahdani's play was disheartening. Firebats's best player was J. Barroso. B. Karlsson was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 3.