Zīlāni 0 - 2 Kickallica (381504980)

68051 spectators arrived at Zīlāni United Arena, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Emanuel Larsson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Tugay Us and Patricio Hircañaupa. Zīlāni started off with a 4-5-1 lineup. The following players took the field: Boisvert - Preda, Kyöstilä, Pahka, Coghlan - Murza, Scholten, Monteiro, Dreussi, Vilarnau - Fournier.

Kickallica decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. They fielded: Cuccu - Bolina, Basiņš, Pūrītis, Klucis - Johnson, Ruess, Zvity, Temeroso - Lemberg, Canzut.

It was obvious that Zīlāni were using their pressing skill as their primary tactic. Kickallica were relying on their ability to counter-attack. The pressing tactics used by Zīlāni were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. 24 minutes in, Zīlāni's P. Monteiro received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. Zīlāni's R. Coghlan placed the ball right at his teammate's feet after a corner, but P. Monteiro couldn't finish. Zīlāni's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. Kickallica's A. Johnson was shown a yellow card after 39 minutes for slicing down an opponent. Kickallica were given a free kick 41 minutes into the game, just after a swift counter attack broke down. Rather than shooting straight at goal, it was directed at the area just in front of the keeper. The attackers made several runs and made it hard for the defenders to protect their goal. After a short tussle with a defender, O. Ruess could finally lay the ball to rest behind the keeper. 0 - 1, and proof it can pay off to come prepared. As the game started to slip away for Zīlāni, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. Halftime score was 0 - 1. Zīlāni claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 69 percent.

The goal to make it 0 - 2 was scored by A. Johnson after 54 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by Kickallica. Zīlāni's G. Dreussi was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 57 minutes. The bench was restless, and with 65 minutes passed Zīlāni's coach gave G. Gundersen the opportunity the player had been hoping for. E. Pahka reluctantly left the field. After 70 minutes, Zīlāni used a short break in the game to take new instructions from their coach. The Zīlāni players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. The game was close to savage at times, and Zīlāni's P. Monteiro received a second yellow card after 76 minutes; his ticket out of the game. Kickallica's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 79 minutes gone, but F. Canzut's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the Zīlāni manager used a brief break in play after 80 minutes to give the players new directives. Zīlāni enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 63 percent of possession.

Most important Zīlāni player was G. Fournier. On the other hand, P. Preda's play was disheartening. Kickallica's top performer was clearly G. Cuccu. B. Zvity was a disappointment, however. The match ends 0 - 2.