VOVINAM 1 - 2 COSMOS (379029215)

A brilliantly sunny day had enticed a crowd of 3979 to KC Stadium Arena. Franz Schmid was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Marco Braga and Ben Jaeger. VOVINAM started off with a 5-3-2 lineup. The following players took the field: Fagot - Negro, Patzina, Gennesiadis, Thanh Ân, Văn Lợi - Deijkers, Karolczuk, Balinski - Baranka, Lizurek.

COSMOS tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Avella - Múnera, Reyes, Mosquera - Delgado, Aruj, Piedras, Palacios, Junieles - Frías, Chaparro.

VOVINAM took a creative approach on the field. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave E. Piedras from COSMOS a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 23 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! VOVINAM's F. Fagot went down after a savage challenge, but could continue playing after some medical attention. VOVINAM were very close to putting themselves one up after 34 minutes as R. Karolczuk got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. The corner kick from A. Chaparro was powerfully met by the head of R. Reyes to make the score 0 - 1. VOVINAM 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. 0 - 1 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to VOVINAM, who controlled the ball 73 percent of the time.

E. Piedras hit the corner kick straight to the keeper, but it was mishandled, giving COSMOS's S. Frías an easy chance to knock it in for 0 - 2. The home crowd were delighted when Z. Lizurek scored with a header after an attack from the right, making the score 1 - 2. But did he use his hand? That'll be one for the pundits to talk about after the game, that's for sure! Several players seemed a little dazed by the warm weather, and were repeatedly tricked by the clever and agile J. Aruj. VOVINAM put pressure on the visitors' central defence 76 minutes into the game, but I. Patzina couldn't find an opening. There was concern in the stands when, at the 78 minute mark, COSMOS's R. Delgado hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. D. Palacios left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 80 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. M. Gervasio was the replacement. After 84 minutes COSMOS's R. Reyes limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by VOVINAM, with 58 percent of the ball.

VOVINAM's top performer was clearly Z. Lizurek. However, I. Patzina made a disastrous appearance. COSMOS's best player was J. Avella. E. Piedras turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 2.