swans 0 - 3 Cymru-Catalunya (370680172)

Due to an all-day shower, 4567 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at swans rock 1122 Arena. Tang De Beng was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Endre Simányi and Theo van Ostaay. All of South Glamorgan was shut down for the day, as fans of both clubs came to the derby. A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for swans. The following players had been chosen: Alford - Upson, Hallanan, Husband, St. John - Williams, Evans, Sharma, Ephraim - Morgan, Moroney.

Cymru-Catalunya tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Starters: Biagiotti - Heri, Štefaničiak, Bradley - Dawkins, Margaritis, Valestra, Bonsall, Webb - Savage, Wicksted.

Cymru-Catalunya used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. The home keeper expected a move to the right, but T. Štefaničiak surprised him with a free kick aimed the other way 15 minutes into the match. 0 - 1 for Cymru-Catalunya. 18 minutes in, Cymru-Catalunya appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only passable. The home crowd was not impressed when M. Wicksted came in from the right, shooting hard to score after 20 minutes. Cymru-Catalunya were now up 0 - 2. O. Evans of swans was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. Cymru-Catalunya came close to extending their lead as M. Wicksted delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 29 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. 33 minutes into the game, O. Ephraim had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came N. Griffiths. It was 0 - 2 at the break. Cymru-Catalunya had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

The coach gave his players an extra tactical briefing during the break, and after that Cymru-Catalunya had solid organisation. Cymru-Catalunya's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. 64 minutes into the game, Cymru-Catalunya worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. J. Moroney did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Cymru-Catalunya coach let J. Austin replace E. Webb after 67 minutes. After 70 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for E. Valestra who increased Cymru-Catalunya's lead to 0 - 3. After the ball was lifted in from the left, P. Bradley was on his own in the home side's penalty area and should have scored after 71 minutes, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. 72 minutes into the game, Cymru-Catalunya seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to inadequate. T. Bonsall left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 82 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. M. Kovács was the replacement. Cymru-Catalunya enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 65 percent of possession.

The most dominating swans player was without a doubt P. Sharma. R. Upson turned in a dismal performance, however. J. Savage performed admirably for Cymru-Catalunya. G. Biagiotti was a disappointment, however. The match ends 0 - 3.