ALEX 2 - 3 Sporting (382965409)

The 25156 spectators at ALEX Arena were in for an afternoon of sunshine. Wouter Brand was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Fons Caers and Norbert Post. ALEX had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Hoyo - de Castro, Okle, Kesselbach - Torrent, Claesson, Pangrác, Mulana, Karındaş - Rambures, Joosse.

Sporting tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. The following players took the field: Calvillo - Martínez, Kardum, Nygård - Kujawiński, Liñán, Pölönen, Roel - Guantes, Jávega, Kmet.

The wings were the focus of most of ALEX's attacks today. With 3 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending. L. Liñán put the ball away for 0 - 1. ALEX were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. After 24 minutes, an incisive pass through the middle gave V. Kardum a chance to increase the lead for Sporting, and he did not disappoint. The score was then 0 - 2. With 31 minutes gone, ALEX had a free kick in a decent position. Despite this being a great chance for a shot, they tried a cheeky move intended to bypass the defence. However, Z. Pangrác did not manage to connect with it cleanly and the ball went out. Speedy C. Rambures tried one of his patented rushes 39 minutes into the game, but V. Kardum was just as fast and averted the attack. After 40 minutes, ALEX sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached C. Rambures, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 1 - 2. Sporting's A. Guantes had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 41 minutes having been played. B. Pivoňka was the replacement. 1 - 2 was the halftime score. ALEX enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 56 percent of possession.

It was obvious that ALEX had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. A penalty was awarded after 72 minutes, and R. Martínez made the most of his chance to put Sporting up by another goal. 1 - 3 for the visitors. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, B. Pivoňka got himself booked. The manager of Sporting was not happy. As usual, R. Martínez tried to use his strength and hard work for the benefit of the team, but the heat hit him hard and he couldn't keep pace at all. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, ALEX's E. Kesselbach was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 80 minutes. M. Osorio was given a chance to change things around. A scuffle developed as players from both sides clashed following a tussle in the centre of the field 82 minutes into the match. After regaining order and consulting his linesman, the referee called Sporting's R. Martínez to one side and produced a red card for the player. There was concern in the stands when, at the 83 minute mark, Sporting's A. Jávega hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. It took several tries, but ALEX managed to break through on the left after 85 minutes, getting the ball to C. Rambures who easily reduced the lead to make the score 2 - 3. Sporting came close to extending their lead as B. Pivoňka delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 87 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. Possession in this half belonged to ALEX, who controlled the ball 59 percent of the time.

Most important ALEX player was G. Mulana. M. Osorio turned in a dismal performance, however. Sporting's best player was J. Calvillo. O. Nygård on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 3.