Imperator 1 - 5 paxareiras (383022333)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 13795 at Imperator F.C. Arena today. Francisco García Román was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Thomas Bundgaard and Tristan Niemeyer. Imperator started off with a 5-2-3 lineup. The following players took the field: Carrani - Rubagotti, Henestrosa, Vinet, Arceo, Aikanen - Queirós, Cirvelis - Gaztañeta, Geary, Dolente.

paxareiras had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Pinto - Nopper, Liepack, Prestegaard - Surdyk, Fjordside, Porte, Fernández, Antxia - Palviainen, Foti.

Imperator decided to play creatively. paxareiras saw most attack opportunities on the wings. paxareiras's A. Foti managed to lose the defenders as he advanced down the right wing and scored, putting the visitors ahead after 11 minutes. 0 - 1. After 23 minutes, an incisive pass through the middle gave G. Porte a chance to increase the lead for paxareiras, and he did not disappoint. The score was then 0 - 2. After 26 minutes, paxareiras's W. Liepack burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 3. After 37 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed A. Foti to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 0 - 4. 38 minutes into the match, Imperator's A. Dolente demonstrated his famed speed as he raced past his marker and passed the ball to R. Gaztañeta who chipped it in for 1 - 4. Had it not been for one of the home defenders, G. Porte would have put paxareiras up another goal 39 minutes into the match with his audacious lob from the right wing. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 4. paxareiras enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 61 percent of possession.

paxareiras increased their lead after 47 minutes when G. Porte broke through on the right, upping the score to 1 - 5, much to the home crowd's dismay. At this point, it was obvious that the players of paxareiras lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. H. Fjordside could have put his team up another goal 48 minutes into the game, after a rush down the left, but his closing shot hit the post. 53 minutes in, Imperator's A. Dolente received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. With 73 minutes played, K. Nopper of paxareiras fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. paxareiras had most of the ball, with 60 percent of possession.

R. Geary performed admirably for Imperator. On the other hand, T. Aikanen's play was disheartening. paxareiras's best player was A. Foti. D. Fernández turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 5.