Southorn 5 - 4 Dragon (348356742)

The crowd of 3904 turning up at Southorn Stadium today were greeted with some nasty showers of rain. Mats Nesslind was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ole Hauger and Luca Furlan. Southorn decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. The following players took the field: Kendale - Siclari, 雲翊 (Yunyi) , Halevi - Smillie, Sheridan, Lami, Sirico - 劍光 (Jianguang) , Ogarek, Svensson.

Dragon started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. They fielded: Ludányi - Bednárik, Váradi, Visky, Hursán - Gál, López, Csomai, Maros - Susánszki, Kakas.

The wings were the focus of most of Dragon's attacks today. K. Gál spent most of the time in a heap on the ground today, his normally rapid movement hindered by the slippery pitch. Southorn took the lead 28 minutes into the game by 1 - 0, as O. Svensson elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. After 29 minutes, the visitors tied it up at 1 - 1 when a fantastic pass from the left was finished off by K. Maros. After 33 minutes of play, P. Ogarek gave the home team a 2 - 1 lead after an attack coming in from the right. 38 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as C. Lami broke through, making the score 3 - 1 for Southorn. The teams went for the halftime break at 3 - 1. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Southorn, with 55 percent of the ball.

C. Lami was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn't move the ball around with his usual grace. Players in Dragon heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. The away team improved the scoreline to 3 - 2, as L. Váradi struck home, set up well by a play on the left 72 minutes into the match. Things were deteriorating for the away team as Southorn scored another to make it 4 - 2 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for M. Sirico after 73 minutes. By now, the players in Southorn felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. After 81 minutes Dragon's S. Ludányi contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. With clinical precision, the cross from winger K. Gál found its way to F. Susánszki's head, and a screaming header gave Dragon the goal after 82 minutes played. 4 - 3 T. Kakas finished off a quick charge from the left of the field by chipping the ball just past the home side's keeper, making the score 4 - 4 88 minutes into the match. After 89 minutes, Dragon's K. Gál fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! Neither team were able to dominate possession this half.

With the scores being level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. A. Csomai had a good opportunity to give Dragon the lead as he charged down the right and struck the ball towards the top corner, but the home team's goalkeeper made the save. Southorn took the lead 93 minutes in, as O. Svensson broke through on the left and put the 5 - 4 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Extra time over, Southorn were the victors! Southorn's top performer was clearly 譚. 劍光 (Jianguang) . C. Smillie on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Dragon player was without a doubt K. Maros. L. Váradi turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 5 - 4.