JOKER 4 - 0 Honolulu (385012937)

Dark skies made the crowd of 29644 at JOKER Arena a little nervous, but the rain held off. Angelo Bissola was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Xavier Aguado and Joerg Kornführer. JOKER tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players took the field: Méndez - Gladilov, Ottich, Cánepa - Aravositakis, Arcudi, Hippenmeyer, Nafziger, Cabaços - Aeppli, Sollenberger.

Honolulu decided to use a 4-5-1 set up. Starters: Acarer - Steininger, Prinz, Gaudon, Fracasso - Favennec, Bleeker, Knobel, Helderle, Ivanov - Banin.

Honolulu clearly preferred using their ability to attack in the middle. After 14 minutes P. Aravositakis made a speedy advance and dropped the ball to F. Sollenberger who shuffled it past the keeper. The score was now 1 - 0. It was obvious that team Honolulu had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. The visitors kept the pressure on to tie the game when, after 17 minutes, A. Banin broke through the centre and found himself alone with the keeper. B. Méndez made a great block, though. After 18 minutes, the defensive line of JOKER created a counterattack through the middle that gave A. Cabaços a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. S. Gladilov squirmed through their central defence after 20 minutes, increasing the lead to 2 - 0. With 22 minutes played, R. Hippenmeyer could have brought this one home for JOKER as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high. Halftime score was 2 - 0. JOKER had most of the ball, with 55 percent of possession.

Honolulu's S. Steininger got himself booked for a foul. JOKER increased the lead as K. Aeppli struck to make the score 3 - 0 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. JOKER solidified their lead at the 69 minute mark, as K. Aeppli dribbled the ball through the opposing central defence and scored to make it 4 - 0. By now, the players in JOKER felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. R. Ivanov of Honolulu was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. JOKER enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 61 percent of possession.

Most important JOKER player was K. Aeppli. S. Gladilov on the other hand, had a terrible day. Honolulu's top performer was clearly A. Banin. A. Bleeker was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 0.