WINSTON 2 - 2 Kratovo (384983309)

19565 spectators had found their way to ASIA ARENA, despite the heavy rain. Iván Ungvári was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Tommy Laureau and Joni Salmela. WINSTON started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: Lammers - Frascella, Klinčák, Zambra - Harrison, Graszek, Adriaanse, Galva, Nierman - Drancourt, Colmenar.

Kratovo tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. They fielded: Käppeli - Al Sawaidi, Honore, Leyder - Abraham, Malet, Läänemets, Bakić, Ökeer - Rohrmann, Drulović.

Kratovo immediately set off using their skill at pressing their opponents. WINSTON took the lead 28 minutes into the game by 1 - 0, as C. Zambra elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. 1 - 0 was the score after the first half. WINSTON claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

Some brilliant football from the visitors' right wing resulted in a levelling of the score as Kratovo's M. Ökeer put the ball in the onion bag after 47 minutes to make it 1 - 1. The pressing tactics used by Kratovo were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. The terraces were silenced after 70 minutes when Kratovo's P. Rohrmann put the guests ahead 1 - 2, following an attack on the right. WINSTON's G. Klinčák was shown a yellow card after 71 minutes for slicing down an opponent. After a fatal mistake from the away team's right side defence 76 minutes into the match, an alert N. Harrison bagged the ball for WINSTON, levelling the score to 2 - 2. Slack defending gave WINSTON a chance to take the lead with 77 minutes played, but D. Colmenar's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. As the 80 minute mark approached, the WINSTON coach decided it was time for a substitution. D. Colmenar reluctantly made way for J. Nemeth on the pitch. After 80 minutes Kratovo's I. Al Sawaidi contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. WINSTON enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 59 percent of possession.

The most dominating WINSTON player was without a doubt M. Drancourt. However, M. Galva made a disastrous appearance. Kratovo's top performer was clearly P. Rohrmann. On the other hand, A. Käppeli's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 2.