Amfiali 2 - 3 "PzH2000" (381304310)

Due to an all-day shower, 27029 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Amfiali Red Arena. Arnoud de Graaf was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Malik Al-Ahmed and Timo Noah Kurth. Amfiali decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players took the field: Woditschka - Saxinger-Häusler, Perri, Le Marec, Farrús - Ecegün, Gherasim, Asselin, Cutajar - Fischerbude, Buhlmann.

"PzH2000" started off with a 4-5-1 lineup. They fielded: Hommes - Jimeno, Ben-David, Rozkošný, Takács - Skounas, Papazisis, Mpakiris, Contreras, Likas - Pagin.

It was an obvious ambition of Amfiali to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of "PzH2000". After 14 minutes, S. Cutajar came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 1 - 0, giving Amfiali the lead. With 20 minutes played, P. Le Marec of Amfiali fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. A. Farrús was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn't move the ball around with his usual grace. After 32 minutes, the visitors levelled the scores after T. Contreras made it through the middle and struck home to make it 1 - 1. Amfiali had a good opportunity to attack in the middle, but remembered their instructions to focus on wing attacks instead. Amfiali had a chance to take the lead after B. Ecegün's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled out as his shot went just over the bar after 35 minutes. 1 - 1 was the score after the first half. "PzH2000" enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 51 percent of possession.

After 53 minutes, "PzH2000"'s N. Likas made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 1 - 2. A spectacular volley from S. Cutajar almost resulted in a goal, but a good save from the keeper kept it out, and B. Ecegün could only knock the loose ball wide. After 74 minutes, a long pass from Amfiali's I. Gherasim caught the defence out of position. S. Cutajar collected the ball, and with the goal at his mercy calmly rolled the ball just inside the post. 2 - 2. V. Pagin sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from T. Contreras after 76 minutes of play, making the score 2 - 3. The game was characterised by rough play and many physical challenges on the wet field, but N. Likas showed great heart and had a good game. A counterattack by "PzH2000" after 89 minutes could have resulted in a goal, but S. Papazisis, coming in on the left, couldn't get the shot off. Amfiali claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

M. Buhlmann performed admirably for Amfiali. I. Gherasim on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important "PzH2000" player was V. Pagin. D. Hommes turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 3.