ZAFT 6 - 0 Vikings (378643411)

A brilliantly sunny day had enticed a crowd of 1799 to Zodiac Alliance Arena. Luís Nuno Bouça was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Frode Jochmans and Jerardo Ojalvo. A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for ZAFT. Lineup: Hârşu - Cork, Corsini, Styszko, Fernández Reguera - Orendi, Llofriu, Chirită, Kannewurff - Manankov, Id.

Vikings started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Fuchsloch - Freiherr Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim, Rizzoli - Zinnanti, Scuppa, Vicaretti, Herps, Mascia - Ramli, Lanciato, Isca.

Today, Vikings's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. ZAFT took the lead, 1 - 0, after a penalty 9 minutes into the match. R. Cork scored from the penalty spot. ZAFT were given a gift! The ref dubiously awarded them a penalty 25 minutes into the match, which was neatly put away by R. Cork. 2 - 0 for the home side. At this point, it was obvious that the players of ZAFT lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. ZAFT's R. Styszko saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 31 minutes. S. Mascia of Vikings received a yellow card after 35 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. It was 2 - 0 at the break. ZAFT claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 78 percent.

Things were going to get worse for the visitors. E. Kannewurff squirmed through their central defence after 50 minutes, increasing the lead to 3 - 0. Things were deteriorating for the away team as ZAFT scored another to make it 4 - 0 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for N. Id after 59 minutes. After 60 minutes, the ZAFT players received new instructions from their manager on how to keep in control of the game. In an effort to secure the lead, ZAFT changed their tactic after 60 minutes. The fierce heat made it important to save breath, and after a few swift runs G. Vicaretti found it hard to get back into position. The coach of ZAFT was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 65 minutes, E. Jalali came on for K. Manankov. With 65 minutes played, ZAFT's well-worked indirect free kick caused havoc in the penalty area, and when the ball eventually fell to E. Jalali he gleefully slotted the ball home to make it 5 - 0. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in ZAFT's N. Id increasing the lead to 6 - 0. The ZAFT players could smell victory in the air. S. Fernández Reguera wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for Z. Urretxua after 75 minutes. ZAFT had most of the ball, with 83 percent of possession.

G. Chirită performed admirably for ZAFT. R. Styszko was a disappointment, however. Vikings's best player was G. Isca. I. Fuchsloch turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 6 - 0.