Barlad 2 - 7 Boy`s (380872400)

11718 spectators had found their way to F.C. Barlad Arena, despite the heavy rain. David Matuška was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mario Muñoz and Andy Little. Barlad had chosen a strategic 4-3-3 formation. The following players took the field: Buranich - Cârciumaru, Lundmark, Gâfu, Boacă - Costache, Pintea, Anghel - Platteel, Costache, Zahiu.

Boy`s decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Steinwender - Uruş, Treschkow, Degler - Kamuthy, Beca, Compania, Ustić, Bănceu - Orzac, Bagdžius.

The strategy for Barlad was to use their ability to press. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of Boy`s. Boy`s had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 12 minutes in when O. Beca came up alone against S. Buranich who managed a block. The guests almost went up by a goal after 13 minutes when N. Ustić came through and shot from the right. The ball bounced harmlessly off the post, though. After 14 minutes, a well-worked counterattack by Barlad on the right presented an easy opportunity in front of the goal that was duly converted by Z. Lundmark to make it 1 - 0. After 16 minutes, the visitors levelled the scores after D. Kamuthy made it through the middle and struck home to make it 1 - 1. Down the middle came A. Bagdžius, making a fantastic play that nearly had Boy`s take the lead after 17 minutes, but S. Buranich preserved the tie. Boy`s's S. Compania had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 19 minutes having been played. M. Alupei was the replacement. Boy`s took the lead 31 minutes into the game, making the score 1 - 2 after some elegant movement down the middle. J. Treschkow was the scorer. 1 - 2 was the score after the first half. Boy`s had most of the ball, with 59 percent of possession.

Several players were looking tired, especially M. Boacă who gifted the opposition a goal as he lost the ball to a still energetic D. Kamuthy of Boy`s after 69 minutes. 1 - 3 A. Bagdžius received a delicate pass through the home side's central defence after 72 minutes, and chipped it past the flailing keeper to score making it 1 - 4. The Boy`s fans went wild, whilst the home fans started to think about leaving early. The visitors' B. Bănceu took advantage of a misunderstanding between the home side's goalie and centre backs 82 minutes into the match. 1 - 5 for Boy`s. Boy`s had to make a substitution after 84 minutes. J. Treschkow limped off the field and was replaced by C. Bancea. The Boy`s captaincy was handed to D. Uruş. Boy`s's E. Steinwender left the field after 85 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was D. Ionescu. The boggy pitch disrupted the game, especially for technical players like N. Ustić. At this time in the match, Barlad were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. After 89 minutes, Boy`s's A. Bagdžius burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 1 - 6. By now, the players in Boy`s felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. The head of M. Boacă connected with a corner kick after 89 minutes, and the ball ended up with Z. Lundmark of Barlad who blasted the ball into the net, making the score 2 - 6. After 89 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed M. Alupei to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 2 - 7. Boy`s enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 76 percent of possession.

Barlad's top performer was clearly S. Buranich. On the other hand, M. Boacă's play was disheartening. Boy`s's best player was O. Orzac. However, N. Ustić made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 7.