Warriors 1 - 0 PIPICE (382813996)

A scorching day at Kraj Veličanke, where 49911 spectators were in place for today's match. Harry Van der Elst was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Zeng Lik Muk and Christian Lundskog. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Warriors. Starters: Trček - Kerssenfischer, Šmída, Gahlmann - Heijltjes, Casas, Diklan, Vincek, Mahon - Fuchs, Ríos.

PIPICE decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. Lineup: Datković - Jagić, Lozić, Morić, Pinho Souza - Dinjar, Bacsó, Timarić, Gračan - Kopić, Gamliel.

Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of PIPICE. PIPICE's counterattacks created a good chance for F. Lozić on the right after 5 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. M. Heijltjes neatly controlled the ball after a short corner, and knocked it on to M. Kerssenfischer who had the whole net open before him, but only managed to hit the post. N. Gamliel had a good try after 13 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. Warriors had a chance to take the lead after D. Vincek's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled out as his shot went just over the bar after 21 minutes. At 25 minutes played, E. Casas came in from the right with the intention of giving Warriors the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. Slack defending gave Warriors a chance to take the lead with 30 minutes played, but A. Gahlmann's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. 0 - 0 was the score after the first half. Warriors had most of the ball, with 66 percent of possession.

75 minutes into the game PIPICE managed a counterattack, but J. Kopić took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. The coach of Warriors wanted to try to change things around after 76 minutes, and gave new tactical instructions. It wasn't a good day at all for D. Dinjar. His powerful style of play just didn't fit the bill on this warm day. The home side put themselves ahead 1 - 0 after 85 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from U. Ríos, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. In the lead, Warriors adjusted their style of play with 85 minutes gone. The Warriors coach was visibly pleased with the score so far, but still ordered a few tactical changes 86 minutes into the game. M. Fuchs could have increased the lead after 87 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Warriors, with 67 percent of the ball.

Most important Warriors player was E. Casas. On the other hand, J. Diklan's play was disheartening. PIPICE's top performer was clearly J. Kopić. However, B. Pinho Souza made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 0.