KNOKETS 4 - 1 marn (382766279)

9186 spectators had found their way to KNOKETS Arena, despite the heavy rain. Engelbert Konijn was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Fernando Gabea and Tjeerd van Hootegem. KNOKETS started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. Starters: Rakušček - Neubert, Perčič, Bogner, Lazarevič - Sikošek, Lore, Zajc, Zibelnik - Kupljen, Tomič.

marn had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Potarič - Šink, Muhovec, Petek, Levstek - Dernač, Bogolin, Jakšič, Paradiž - Korene, Jovanoska.

H. Kupljen didn't let the weather get him down and made some great moves on the pitch in spite of the rain. KNOKETS took the lead 16 minutes into the game by 1 - 0, as T. Lore elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. KNOKETS increased the lead as Z. Neubert struck to make the score 2 - 0 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. The referee showed KNOKETS's F. Lazarevič the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. Cheers filled the stadium as H. Kupljen broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 3 - 0 to KNOKETS. By now, the players in KNOKETS felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Č. Zibelnik of KNOKETS was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. KNOKETS managed to extend their lead to 4 - 0 when H. Kupljen cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. Halftime score was 4 - 0. KNOKETS claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

marn reduced the deficit to 4 - 1 with a penalty placed perfectly beside the left post by D. Šink. The rain made it hard for players like S. Bogner to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day. A great save by keeper H. Potarič after 75 minutes kept the visitors in the game after T. Lore struck from the left with a real cannonball. With 77 minutes played, U. Tomič of KNOKETS fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. T. Lore should probably have put his team up another goal after 78 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by H. Potarič kept the visitors in the game. 81 minutes into the game, marn's attack got through on the right, but R. Muhovec couldn't handle the ball and his feeble kick wound up in the keeper's arms. When U. Tomič made yet another studs-first tackle after 84 minutes, the referee was obliged to book the KNOKETS player for the second time, sending him off the pitch. M. Zajc could have put KNOKETS up one more, but he fired into the side netting after breaking free on the left after 85 minutes. marn's K. Paradiž got himself booked for a foul. A loud groan was heard from the fans of KNOKETS, as T. Lore left the pitch in too much pain to finish the match. B. Predalič took his place on the field. marn had to make a substitution after 89 minutes. K. Paradiž limped off the field and was replaced by Ž. Krajnc. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by KNOKETS, with 68 percent of the ball.

H. Kupljen performed admirably for KNOKETS. On the other hand, E. Rakušček's play was disheartening. marn's top performer was clearly Ž. Krajnc. G. Petek was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 1.