Cool 7 - 0 Minsk (378563811)

A scorching day at Zombie Zoo, where 3977 spectators were in place for today's match. Norberto Moureau was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jason Akokhia and Anders Gustavsson. Cool had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Wainwright - Miles, Bordogna - Abbott, Peponis, Wooden, Austin, McGrath - Faulkes, Toovey, Burnett.

A 2-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Minsk. Lineup: Păunoiu - Wimmers, Donskikh - Cediel, Lakiza, Hosseinkhani, Olca, Juskowiak - Żółkiewicz, Mosiman.

Cool displayed their ability to play creatively. The wings were the focus of most of Minsk's attacks today. J. Austin was very close to giving Cool the lead with an ingenious free kick routine 3 minutes into the match, but the ball just grazed the bar. After 17 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Minsk found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to inadequate. 18 minutes into the match, Cool's L. Faulkes demonstrated his famed speed as he raced past his marker and passed the ball to L. Burnett who chipped it in for 1 - 0. Things were deteriorating for the away team as Cool scored another to make it 2 - 0 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for W. Peponis after 21 minutes. The head of K. Toovey connected with a corner kick after 24 minutes, and the ball ended up with L. Abbott of Cool who blasted the ball into the net, making the score 3 - 0. Confident in their lead, Cool's players relaxed and focused more on defending the lead than increasing it. It was a hot and sunny day, and several players seemed worn out. Maybe this was why J. Austin found an unusual amount of space for his snappy footwork. 31 minutes into the game, Minsk seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a weak level of organisation. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. N. Miles squirmed through their central defence after 31 minutes, increasing the lead to 4 - 0. 4 - 0 was the halftime score. Cool enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 69 percent of possession.

Despite his frustration resulting in the smashing of a few teacups, the coach of Minsk was able to get his message across, and raised Minsk's organisation to solid. The heat made it a terrible day for H. Mosiman, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players. The Cool players could smell victory in the air. J. McGrath wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for H. Ellison after 72 minutes. Given a free kick close to the byline, Cool tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let K. Toovey slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 5 - 0, 76 minutes into the game. After 80 minutes, Cool felt secure enough to make a tactical change. J. Austin and W. Bordogna assumed each others positions on the field. Cool put themselves up 6 - 0 when K. Toovey broke through on the right, leaving the entire defence trailing in his wake. 87 minutes in, Minsk appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only inadequate. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Cool to 7 - 0 as H. Ellison finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. Cool claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 61 percent.

Cool's top performer was clearly V. Wainwright. N. Miles on the other hand, had a terrible day. M. Żółkiewicz performed admirably for Minsk. D. Donskikh turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 7 - 0.