Converse 4 - 1 Schorreo (379805947)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 1074 at Chuck Taylor's Arena today. Rupert 'Alpenkampfsau' Wippel was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Wiktor Harasimowicz and Henrik Frenay. Converse had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. Starters: Gálvez - Sadık, Ros Rivero, Arkan - Del Fierro, Wądołkowski, Kräml, Morlotti - Alegría, Pérez Rubio, Burstein.

A 5-3-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Schorreo. They fielded: Marcos - Sánchez, Slaoui, Caulellas, Quiroga, Mingo-Revulgo - Nin Novoa, Ferrando, Moreno Clérigo - Toledo, Rivarola.

Converse focused on getting players in position for long range shots. Schorreo clearly preferred using their ability to attack in the middle. J. Sánchez received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 11 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. Converse had a good opportunity to take the lead as A. Morlotti came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into the arms of A. Marcos. After 29 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Schorreo found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to passable. A scuffle developed as players from both sides clashed following a tussle in the centre of the field 31 minutes into the match. After regaining order and consulting his linesman, the referee called Schorreo's R. Toledo to one side and produced a red card for the player. After 37 minutes, Schorreo sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached A. Moreno Clérigo, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 0 - 1. Some fine passing in the middle of the pitch, carving open the away defence, should have led to a goal for Converse, but V. Ros Rivero's shot went over the bar. It was 0 - 1 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to Schorreo, who controlled the ball 59 percent of the time.

A review of the gameplan helped Schorreo get back to a solid organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. Converse focused on finding shooting opportunities from distance and after 55 minutes T. Kräml fired off the big cannon, but the shot went sailing over the cross bar and into the car park. Coming in from the right, Schorreo had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 56 minutes, but A. Rivarola's attempt to finish was easily stopped. After 61 minutes of play, I. Alegría equalised for Converse after an elegant attack from the right. The home side put themselves ahead 2 - 1 after 70 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from A. Pérez Rubio, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. 72 minutes into the game, Schorreo seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a weak level of organisation. A cross coming in on the right hand side left S. Nin Novoa alone in front of the goal after 76 minutes but his shot was woeful. Cheers filled the stadium as M. Arkan broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 3 - 1 to Converse. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave I. Alegría from Converse a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 81 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! A loud groan was heard from the fans of Schorreo, as A. Slaoui left the pitch in too much pain to finish the match. P. Menkhaus took his place on the field. After 83 minutes, K. Del Fierro put Converse ahead 4 - 1 when he rose to head in a cross from the right wing. After 86 minutes Converse's U. Burstein limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Schorreo, with 54 percent of the ball.

Converse's top performer was clearly I. Alegría. V. Ros Rivero turned in a dismal performance, however. The most dominating Schorreo player was without a doubt A. Rivarola. I. Quiroga was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 1.