Master 1 - 4 AZZURRA (379248873)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 3575 at Van Niro today. İrfan Toptan was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Hortencio Carranza and Márcio Lameiras. Master started off with a 3-4-3 lineup. The following players took the field: Trávník - Duarte, Cristovão, Kiveläinen - Četvergas, Pantsar, Beauquis, Tzvetanov - Westerinen, Peltonen, Lauridsen.

A 4-3-3 alignment was the formation of choice for AZZURRA. Lineup: Galván - Ambrose, Jadoul, Issa, Oriani - Strohmeier, Ey, Bergholt - Forestieri, Bekelev, Carapelle.

AZZURRA took the lead 27 minutes into the game, making the score 0 - 1 after some elegant movement down the middle. N. Strohmeier was the scorer. AZZURRA came close to extending their lead as R. Bergholt delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 28 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. 39 minutes into the game, Master seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to inadequate. The crowd chanted their encouragement as Master's J. Pantsar came in from the right after 40 minutes and put the ball in the net to level the score at 1 - 1. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 1. AZZURRA enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 60 percent of possession.

A review of the gameplan helped Master get back to a solid organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. 55 minutes into the game, Master seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a weak level of organisation. After 65 minutes, the AZZURRA coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving A. Jadoul off the field. R. Esquivel took his place. 65 minutes into the game, AZZURRA wanted to bring some new energy to their game. F. Oriani gave M. Bergami a quick hug as he left the field. H. Lauridsen's fine footwork caused nothing but headaches for T. Ambrose. The keeper wasn't fooled however, and confidently scooped up the ball. After 67 minutes, the AZZURRA coach made a sign to R. Bergholt, who soon changed positions with C. Carapelle. With 67 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending. R. Bergholt put the ball away for 1 - 2. After 70 minutes, an incisive pass through the middle gave N. Strohmeier a chance to increase the lead for AZZURRA, and he did not disappoint. The score was then 1 - 3. By now, the players in AZZURRA felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. With 78 minutes played, J. Beauquis of Master fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. M. Bergami received a delicate pass through the home side's central defence after 81 minutes, and chipped it past the flailing keeper to score making it 1 - 4. The AZZURRA fans went wild, whilst the home fans started to think about leaving early. 86 minutes in, Master's H. Lauridsen received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. AZZURRA claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 62 percent.

Master's top performer was clearly E. Duarte. H. Lauridsen was a disappointment, however. R. Bergholt performed admirably for AZZURRA. T. Ambrose turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 4.