NPRFC 0 - 3 S.C. (375945519)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 10340 that came out to NPRFC Stadium. Joni Määttä was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Hercílio Buarque and Jeremy Kat. All of São Paulo was shut down for the day, as fans of both clubs came to the derby. A 4-3-3 alignment was the formation of choice for NPRFC. The following players had been chosen: Siener - Maze, Sanabria, Gusev, Abarrategui - Roso, Staudacher, D'Agueda - Josariański, Bessa, Vešović.

S.C. tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Starters: Gélard - Weißensteiner, Hauptman, Tavernier - Abutbul, de Nies, Grębowiec, Poeta - Lavalle, Carolea, Kreek.

S.C. used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 17 minutes into the match left S.C.'s R. Carolea completely free to score. 0 - 1 for the visitors. It was a hot and sunny day, and several players seemed worn out. Maybe this was why S. Bessa found an unusual amount of space for his snappy footwork. S.C. were determined to attack in the middle, even their wing attacks ended up centrally. The cannonball from 35 metres by M. Abutbul of S.C. was an impressive sight, but didn't make it into the net. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave K. Hauptman from S.C. a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 37 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! S. Gusev was the unlucky victim and couldn't continue the game, so NPRFC's A. Baena had to come off the bench. After 39 minutes, S.C.'s K. Grębowiec burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 2. NPRFC's L. Abarrategui got himself booked for a foul. 43 minutes in, S.C.'s K. Grębowiec received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 2. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by S.C., with 72 percent of the ball.

M. Kreek was, after 48 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 H. Siener made the save. The referee signalled a penalty 59 minutes into the game following an offence which looked like it was outside the box. M. Kreek knocked it home to make the score 0 - 3. At this point, it was obvious that the players of S.C. lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. S.C. had a good opportunity to attack on the wing, but remembered their instructions to go for middle attacks. 77 minutes into the match, L. Poeta came through the middle and almost added to his team's lead, but the shot went wide. U. Tavernier came close to extending the visitors' lead when he found himself completely unmarked in front of the goal after a pass through the middle. He tried to lift the ball over H. Siener but overcooked it and hit the bar instead. There was concern in the stands when, at the 84 minute mark, S.C.'s R. Weißensteiner hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. S.C. had most of the ball, with 70 percent of possession.

Most important NPRFC player was S. Bessa. However, D. Sanabria made a disastrous appearance. S.C.'s best player was M. Kreek. On the other hand, R. Carolea's play was disheartening. The match ends 0 - 3.