Neffas 3 - 2 AScinicho (381754177)

The 26264 spectators at Neffa's Team Arena were in for an afternoon of sunshine. Cornel Heim was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Danilo Minonzio and Cédric Afonso. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Neffas. The following players took the field: Ceretta - Alistar, Hambeck, Hasseler - Bębenkowski, Frisa, Thierstein, Laugsand, Boccia - Meles, van Dortmond.

AScinicho tactics involved an interesting 2-5-3 combination. Lineup: Schachinger - Signoriello, Anfosso - Sturlini, Clementelli, Campigotto, Müller, Castagnoli - Pagnoncelli, Saeed, Ruja.

Neffas used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. AScinicho mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. It was a hot and sunny day, and several players seemed worn out. Maybe this was why C. Hambeck found an unusual amount of space for his snappy footwork. A mistake by the home side's central defence after 13 minutes allowed M. Saeed to score for AScinicho. The scoreboard now read 0 - 1. After 26 minutes, M. van Dortmond made a dash down the middle past the away team's defenders to score the goal that made it 1 - 1. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave T. Müller from AScinicho a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 27 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! After 28 minutes, AScinicho's R. Sturlini fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! M. Saeed of AScinicho was able to make an impressive rush past the sluggish E. Laugsand, which resulted in a goal making the score 1 - 2. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 2. Possession in this half belonged to AScinicho, who controlled the ball 59 percent of the time.

AScinicho's G. Clementelli was shown a yellow card after 56 minutes for slicing down an opponent. 66 minutes in, Neffas's J. Meles received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. The crowd was on its feet 70 minutes into the match, as Neffas's J. Meles found himself unmarked in front of the goal after a dash up the left side. He calmly put away the 2 - 2 equaliser. 73 minutes into the game, C. Ruja was a hair's breadth away from giving AScinicho the lead with a shot from over on the left. A prompt block by A. Ceretta saved the home team that time. AScinicho had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 75 minutes in when L. Pagnoncelli came up alone against A. Ceretta who managed a block. After 77 minutes of play, J. Meles gave the home team a 3 - 2 lead after an attack coming in from the right. AScinicho claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 58 percent.

Neffas's top performer was clearly J. Meles. On the other hand, E. Laugsand's play was disheartening. The most dominating AScinicho player was without a doubt C. Ruja. P. Campigotto was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 2.