Zacatecas 4 - 1 Atletico (379501201)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 4151 at Kick Ass Park today. Oliver Frančeskini was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Franz Joseph Rhade and Joop Juffermans. Zacatecas decided to use a 4-3-3 set up. The following players took the field: Kósa - Kragh, Szőnyegi, Jelkić, Vad - Perra, Dzenis, Premoli - Zargar, Mogensen, Norre.

Atletico started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Fonzalida - Layseca, Cano, Cobo, Cano - Silva Mitjans, Van Riet, Alarcón, Flores López - Alonso, Abellán.

Today, Zacatecas's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. Atletico took a creative approach on the field. Making his way up the middle 2 minutes into the match, J. Norre almost managed to squeeze a goal past the visitors' keeper, but the alert N. Fonzalida blocked it to keep the score level. M. Dzenis gave Zacatecas the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 1 - 0 M. Premoli of Zacatecas was able to make an impressive rush past the sluggish S. Layseca, which resulted in a goal making the score 2 - 0. M. Mogensen unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors' keeper did well to tip wide. The crowd roared its approval when Á. Kósa somehow managed to block a shot which seemed to be a certain goal by Atletico's T. Abellán 28 minutes into the game. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 0. Zacatecas enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 56 percent of possession.

Things were deteriorating for the away team as Zacatecas scored another to make it 3 - 0 after a left side attack resulted in a goal for M. Mogensen after 50 minutes. Zacatecas put in a good effort on the right, but M. Mogensen saw his volley fly wide of the mark 53 minutes into the game. Zacatecas put themselves up 4 - 0 when M. Kragh broke through on the right, leaving the entire defence trailing in his wake. 62 minutes in, an amazing pass from the left side resulted in a goal for the visitors, as J. Van Riet anticipated the through ball and scored, reducing the deficit to 4 - 1. Neither team were able to dominate possession this half.

Zacatecas's best player was J. Norre. On the other hand, C. Vad's play was disheartening. The most dominating Atletico player was without a doubt D. Alonso. D. Alarcón was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 1.