REDS 1 - 2 Leeds (367115311)

Clouds darkened the skies at -=STADIUM OF RED HEARTS=- as 78306 spectators turned up for the match. Józef Fedoruk was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Peter Dyrkvist and Louka Verplaetse. REDS tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Lineup: Nesteruk - Gonzenheim, Moussa, Schreilechner - Gwardiak, Evtimov, Stoyanov, Salfer - Rezner, Woodtli, Souto.

Leeds decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players took the field: Vasilev - Maschlanka, Chochev, Ananiev, Malkanov - Koykov, Gümüştay, Mala, Beleliev - Dimitrov, Orenbo.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Leeds. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 12 minutes, REDS did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, G. Woodtli was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 1 - 0. 24 minutes into the game, REDS had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to poor. REDS's M. Rezner swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. With their counter attack move halted 31 minutes into the game, Leeds were left with a free kick. The ball is passed straight through to the other end of the penalty area, with hopes for it to reach A. Ananiev. However, he didn't have his wits about him and the ball went out. With 33 minutes gone, G. Koykov suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by Leeds caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. It was 1 - 0 at the break. REDS enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

The REDS players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a passable organisation when the game started again. With 64 minutes played, G. Woodtli could have brought this one home for REDS as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high. Leeds's counterattacks created a good chance for R. Maschlanka on the right after 65 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. 74 minutes into the game Leeds's A. Dimitrov found a gap in the home side's central defence and scored with a fabulous shot, making it 1 - 1. 75 minutes into the game, REDS wanted to bring some new energy to their game. M. Rezner gave S. Gulyashki a quick hug as he left the field. After the game, the most discussed event will probably be the penalty given after 84 minutes that gave the visitors the 1 - 2 lead. Despite the controversy, M. Gümüştay struck home the penalty, as cool as anything. K. Gwardiak charged down the left and had a wonderful opportunity to score the equaliser for REDS, but the shot went well wide of the goal. G. Koykov of Leeds was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. With 88 minutes gone, a long pass from the defence of Leeds resulted in a counterattack that set O. Orenbo free through the middle, but the keeper made a spectacular diving save. Possession in this half belonged to REDS, who controlled the ball 61 percent of the time.

REDS's best player was H. Nesteruk. S. Gulyashki turned in a dismal performance, however. G. Malkanov performed admirably for Leeds. A. Ananiev was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 2.