Asterbran 5 - 1 Pippo (304402833)

Weather conditions were fairly good for football, and Shivu's Hill saw a crowd turnout of 9789. Fabio Arens was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Marcus Ritter zu Groenesteyn and Anı Özol. Asterbran had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players took the field: Neto - Zuazo Bernabeu, Leite, Olivares - Gnoni, Sparamonti, Wezel, Massa, Eulen - Déniaud, Silverborg.

Pippo started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Mattys - Manrique, Jestrović, Pedrone - Bitter, Huumonen, Chaperon, Stern, Magnetti - Mäger, Dimiczki.

Today, Asterbran's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. Pippo were relying on their ability to counter-attack. 4 minutes in, Pippo's A. Magnetti received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. Asterbran were forced into a substitution as C. Wezel couldn't continue due to some rough treatment, forcing A. Di Brandimarte to come in off the bench. N. Jestrović of Pippo seemed to be floating in the air as he elegantly headed in to make the score 0 - 1 after a corner kick that was nicely executed by Y. Stern. The crowd was on its feet 17 minutes into the match, as Asterbran's E. Silverborg found himself unmarked in front of the goal after a dash up the left side. He calmly put away the 1 - 1 equaliser. After 18 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Pippo found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to inadequate. After 23 minutes, V. Déniaud came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 2 - 1, giving Asterbran the lead. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. L. Sparamonti squirmed through their central defence after 27 minutes, increasing the lead to 3 - 1. By now, the players in Asterbran felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Asterbran put in a good effort on the right, but V. Déniaud saw his volley fly wide of the mark 34 minutes into the game. A. Magnetti of Pippo got sent off for kicking the ball after the whistle, a completely uncalled for move, earning him his second yellow card of the game. Asterbran managed to extend their lead to 4 - 1 when T. Leite cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. 4 - 1 was the score after the first half. Asterbran had most of the ball, with 71 percent of possession.

A review of the gameplan helped Pippo get back to a solid organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Pippo's N. Jestrović was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 47 minutes. D. Uzunov was given a chance to change things around. Players in Asterbran heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. E. Silverborg of Asterbran was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. 69 minutes in, Pippo appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only passable. E. Silverborg unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors' keeper did well to tip wide. V. Déniaud should probably have put his team up another goal after 73 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by B. Mattys kept the visitors in the game. 76 minutes into the game, Pippo had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to inadequate. The referee showed Asterbran's V. Massa the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. After 78 minutes Pippo's M. Manrique contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Asterbran to 5 - 1 as V. Déniaud finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. Asterbran enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 72 percent of possession.

The most dominating Asterbran player was without a doubt E. Silverborg. I. Neto was a disappointment, however. P. Dimiczki performed admirably for Pippo. B. Mattys turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 5 - 1.