Zelena 2 - 1 Mernisa (378912348)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 4835 at Božkov Aréna today. Tjerk Schafthuizen was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Noah Laubegast and Rene Jenshøj. Zelena had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. They fielded: Balhar - Kłosiński, Azarfar, Vázquez Herrero, Puschacher - Kněžínek, Schneble, Weckhorft, Slunečko - Vrzala, Macík.

Mernisa tactics involved an interesting 4-5-1 combination. Lineup: Houssami - Zaidi, Duval, Radid, Batouli - Richardsen, Eguiaga, Plaza, D'Alessandro, El-Hafed - Gagić.

The guests almost went up by a goal after 11 minutes when W. Radid came through and shot from the right. The ball bounced harmlessly off the post, though. Zelena took the lead 16 minutes in, as V. Slunečko broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. H. Puschacher had a fantastic opportunity to put Zelena up another goal 26 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. Zelena's F. Balhar refused to leave the field after injuring his achilles tendon after 33 minutes. Halftime score was 1 - 0. Zelena had most of the ball, with 56 percent of possession.

With 51 minutes played, Zelena's H. Puschacher almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net. Mernisa had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 52 minutes, but W. Radid's shot from the left sailed high over the bar. There was concern in the stands when, at the 54 minute mark, Mernisa's R. D'Alessandro hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. Zelena's F. Macík increased the lead to 2 - 0, after he saw his shot go between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper following some good play down the right wing after 58 minutes. Zelena's H. Puschacher got himself booked for a foul. In a rapid move 69 minutes into the match, A. El-Hafed of Mernisa lost his man and passed the ball to the unmarked I. Gagić who easily hit it home to make it 2 - 1. Luckily the ref didn't see him taunting the opposing fans in celebration - naughty boy! Zelena enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

The most dominating Zelena player was without a doubt P. Kłosiński. On the other hand, J. Vrzala's play was disheartening. I. Gagić performed admirably for Mernisa. W. Radid on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 1.