rafa.f.c 2 - 3 Forrozeiros (375945530)

44661 punters turned up at rafa.f.c Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Kunolf Bauzewski was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Dion Løber and Åsmund Øygard. rafa.f.c had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Maestro - Ciliberto, Vanherck, Michel - Jadot, Dracena, Sarmento, Garcia Neto, Månholt - Cavanha, Donhauser.

Forrozeiros started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Vanelli Coralli - Krykanov, Martzall, Shariff - Guerra, Maravilha, Feitosa, Berenguer, São Thiago - Paiva Diniz, Hansson.

C. Maestro looked great 15 minutes into the match after stopping a shot from the middle of the penalty area from the visitors' S. Shariff. G. Paiva Diniz acted with superior experience when, 23 minutes into the match, he predicted a pass, intercepted it and then finished off with a goal. 0 - 1 for Forrozeiros! rafa.f.c put pressure on the visitors' central defence 27 minutes into the game, but B. Michel couldn't find an opening. After 32 minutes, F. Jadot got through on the right and was very close to equalising for the home side, but didn't get the shot away. rafa.f.c 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. After 39 minutes, Forrozeiros's G. Paiva Diniz burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 2. rafa.f.c's J. Sarmento left the field after 40 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was H. Poturović. Halftime score was 0 - 2. rafa.f.c claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 53 percent.

Given a free kick in a difficult position after 47 minutes, Forrozeiros tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. F. Jadot has acquired a talent for predicting the movements of the opposing defence over the years and this almost resulted in a goal 49 minutes into the match. The home side worked their way through the middle and almost got one back when F. Jadot tried to sneak the ball past the keeper. P. Vanelli Coralli was too alert for that! 62 minutes in, Forrozeiros's D. Feitosa received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. In a fantastic display of determination, rafa.f.c's N. Ciliberto forced himself to his feet, after an opponent viciously knocked him down. rafa.f.c didn't give in and with 74 minutes played R. Månholt was able to make the score 1 - 2 after an attack on the right. After 80 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for S. Shariff who increased Forrozeiros's lead to 1 - 3. The home crowd were delighted when L. Cavanha scored with a header after an attack from the right, making the score 2 - 3. But did he use his hand? That'll be one for the pundits to talk about after the game, that's for sure! rafa.f.c had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

The most dominating rafa.f.c player was without a doubt J. Dracena. On the other hand, R. Månholt's play was disheartening. Most important Forrozeiros player was G. Paiva Diniz. However, S. Shariff made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 3.