AFB 1 - 1 Maalilinja (364012295)

The 1720 fans in attendance at Boozers Palace were roasting in the hot sun. Szymon Kartasiński was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Edvard Davidsen and Mario Bombardieri. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for AFB. Starters: Kivi - Pasma, Lotvonen, Linden - Petäjä, Paasivaara, Vilén, Dvinin, Rosing - Sirenius, Alasalmi.

Maalilinja had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Tiusanen - Kopacz, Sakara, Benningen - Ruskomaa, Johansen, Kroeger, Giuliati - Gebenus, Melher, Anev.

Maalilinja's Z. Melher excelled in some fine tricks that completely confused J. Pasma - and the finish was no less spectacular - 0 - 1! G. Kroeger's lack of experience almost gave AFB a goal after 5 minutes, but the shot went right into the keeper's arms. M. Alasalmi made a superb strike after 6 minutes with a shot straight in front of the goal after a long ball through the middle, but one of the visitors' defenders got a foot in at the last second and warded it off for a corner. AFB's J. Petäjä was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 17 minutes. Several players seemed a little dazed by the warm weather, and were repeatedly tricked by the clever and agile V. Vilén. AFB's J. Sirenius put his head to a high ball coming in from the right after 19 minutes, but the ball went wide. After 28 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by AFB was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. 0 - 1 was the halftime score. AFB enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 55 percent of possession.

Maalilinja's M. Kopacz left the field after 63 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was R. Moreaux. R. Moreaux was, after 71 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors' lead with a well placed diving header after the ball had looped into the centre, but the home side's keeper E. Kivi made the save. J. Sirenius showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 72 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 1 - 1 equaliser away. This part of the game was a standoff between the teams in terms of possession.

M. Alasalmi performed admirably for AFB. P. Linden on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Maalilinja player was Z. Melher. A. Giuliati was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 1.