Torpedo 2 - 3 Kickers (368740613)

The 43083 fans in attendance at Ali Dabaja Stadium were roasting in the hot sun. Erik Trimborn was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Alfredo Alberola and Gerardo Orefice. Torpedo had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. Starters: Kranzfelder - Sriubikis, Flennier - Flottbek, Palenberg, Gmainer, Cohen, Bura - Ligne, bin Hj Salim, Khatami.

A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Kickers. The following players took the field: Ermisch - Santisteban, Later, Wurzach, Proost - Ozeri, Velss, Dovensee, Mothe - Kraul, Predieri.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Kickers. After 4 minutes H. bin Hj Salim made a speedy advance and dropped the ball to A. Khatami who shuffled it past the keeper. The score was now 1 - 0. Some brilliant football from the visitors' right wing resulted in a levelling of the score as Kickers's D. Predieri put the ball in the onion bag after 16 minutes to make it 1 - 1. A mistake by the home side's central defence after 25 minutes allowed L. Dovensee to score for Kickers. The scoreboard now read 1 - 2. Boom! What a strike by Kickers's J. Kraul! Firing in from 35 yards after 29 minutes, that is probably one of the best goals he's ever scored! 1 - 3. Torpedo refused to be intimidated and, breaking through the middle, L. Bura managed to slip the ball home for 2 - 3. Halftime score was 2 - 3. Torpedo claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

Torpedo's B. Ligne made an attempt at equalising 62 minutes into the match, coming in from the right, but the ball hit the post and the defence easily cleared the rebound. After 70 minutes, Torpedo switched J. Flottbek with B. Guerra, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. The Torpedo players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. Torpedo tried to even things up by sending a long ball towards the centrally placed strikers, but the visitors' defence got the best of this rather direct style of play. T. Velss left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 75 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. B. Borovský was the replacement. Kickers almost scored after a counterattack 75 minutes into the match, but J. Wurzach took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net. Kickers's T. Mothe left the field after 76 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was M. Simons. No matter how hard he tried, A. Khatami just couldn't get his shot past the visitors' right side defence after 79 minutes. Had it not been for one of the home defenders, R. Proost would have put Kickers up another goal 83 minutes into the match with his audacious lob from the right wing. There was concern in the stands when, at the 85 minute mark, Torpedo's A. Khatami hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. 86 minutes into the game, Kickers worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. Torpedo enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 56 percent of possession.

Most important Torpedo player was B. Ligne. B. Guerra on the other hand, had a terrible day. J. Kraul performed admirably for Kickers. M. Simons turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 3.