Starfighter 1 - 2 Maltenese (301701833)

2637 punters turned up at FC Starfighter Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Roberts Cielavins was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Dominique Buisson and Günther Adam. Starfighter decided to use a 5-4-1 set up. They fielded: Kettenburg - Kneuss, Ulvert, Nocon, Misetich, Tenikis - Kuoni, Munoz, Schönenberger, Subileau - Ciubotaru.

Maltenese tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Herman - Zenker, Eikema, Djurhuus - Mazzotta, Gatti, Frisenna, Caiçara, Morreale - Heggli, de Dorlodot.

Pressing was the tactic of the day for Maltenese. F. Subileau received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 20 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. The visitors grabbed the lead after N. Djurhuus's free kick succeeded, resulting in a score of 0 - 1. Having just succeeded in blocking a dangerous counter attack, the defending team was outwitted by the follow-up Starfighter free kick. The routine was expertly executed as the ball was shifted quickly to one side of the box, then back to the other. K. Nocon appeared on cue near the post, and steered it past the goalie. 1 - 1, after 43 minutes. 1 - 1 was the score after the first half. Maltenese had most of the ball, with 70 percent of possession.

After 46 minutes, the Maltenese coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving J. Caiçara off the field. A. Giugliano took his place. 46 minutes into the game, Maltenese wanted to bring some new energy to their game. J. Herman gave C. Scarpa a quick hug as he left the field. The coach of Maltenese wanted to try to change things around after 46 minutes, and gave new tactical instructions. As the 60 minute mark approached, the Starfighter coach decided it was time for a substitution. W. Kneuss reluctantly made way for E. Ozdoba on the pitch. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, S. Heggli got himself booked. The manager of Maltenese was not happy. Maltenese's R. de Dorlodot got himself booked for a foul. 70 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Starfighter substitution. I. Brzęczek came on for G. Ulvert. C. Gatti would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. A. van Goor entered the game for Maltenese as the match clock showed 70 minutes. Maltenese pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Maltenese, with 66 percent of the ball.

As neither team was able to break the deadlock before the end of regular play, the teams took to the field again for extra time. H. Kettenburg looked great 93 minutes into the match after stopping a shot from the middle of the penalty area from the visitors' S. Heggli. A well placed corner kick from N. Djurhuus was followed by L. Zenker's hard but accurate header. The well executed routine resulted in a goal for Maltenese, the score now 1 - 2. Game over, Maltenese win! Starfighter's top performer was clearly P. Ciubotaru. N. Munoz turned in a dismal performance, however. Maltenese's best player was L. Zenker. However, C. Scarpa made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 2.