Wigam 4 - 2 Whup-ass (375856294)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 45170 at Wigam FC Colisseum today. Anders Johansson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Nils Falkenblom and Antonio Solano. Wigam had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Mărunţelu - Verdeja, Chiotis, Kehrli - Waltenspiel, Duncan, Kolnik, Delgado, Petersen - Baliarda, Platts.

Whup-ass decided to use a 2-5-3 set up. The following players had been chosen: Welzel - Braginskiy, Quesada - Lumbley, Deturres, Bock, Ávila, Vladisavljević - Beer, Lane, Calloway.

Wigam were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. Players in Wigam heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. The home side put themselves ahead 1 - 0 after 9 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from F. Delgado, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. Whup-ass managed, after 26 minutes, to even the score at 1 - 1 with a lucky free kick by S. Lane. Somehow the ball squirmed its way through the defensive wall! 27 minutes into the game, D. Lumbley had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came S. Cossette. S. Braginskiy was handed the Whup-ass captain's armband. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 33 minutes into the match left Whup-ass's S. Cossette completely free to score. 1 - 2 for the visitors. Wigam's R. Baliarda put his head to a well placed ball, lifted in from the left, and scored to make the score 2 - 2 with 39 minutes showing on the scoreboard clock. Halftime score was 2 - 2. Wigam claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 53 percent.

46 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Wigam substitution. G. van der Pas came on for A. Platts. 46 minutes into the game, Wigam wanted to bring some new energy to their game. T. Verdeja gave B. Lupien a quick hug as he left the field. Wigam were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. Wigam had a chance to take the lead after R. Baliarda's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled out as his shot went just over the bar after 63 minutes. It was obvious that Wigam had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. Wigam took the lead 67 minutes in, as G. van der Pas broke through on the left and put the 3 - 2 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. H. Beer made a run for the goal 70 minutes into the game but the home team's left back managed to sort the situation out in the end. With 77 minutes played, the visitors could have drawn level after M. Vladisavljević came through the middle, but his kick went wide. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. G. Kehrli squirmed through their central defence after 78 minutes, increasing the lead to 4 - 2. Wigam enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

Most important Wigam player was R. Baliarda. B. Lupien turned in a dismal performance, however. Whup-ass's top performer was clearly J. Calloway. S. Cossette was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 2.