Over-Fifties 1 - 1 Jamiro (386977684)

53000 punters turned up at Northland Community Centre, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Anders Björkborn was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Tero Kivikoski and Arto Airikka. Over-Fifties had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. The following players took the field: Kerremans - Bartlett, Dodemaide, Farr, Chana - 高瀬 (Takase), Snell, Hall, Tambling, Darlboonji - Foster.

Jamiro started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Puccini - Graf zu Rantzau, Chiru, Pozzobon - Bradl, Soualah, van Dorp, Rotoaatara, Old - do Tombo, Guðmannsson.

Over-Fifties were relying on their ability to counter-attack. The wings were the focus of most of Jamiro's attacks today. 3 minutes of the match played, and a comedy of errors by the home side gave the visitors a chance at the lead, but M. do Tombo, after finding himself dashing down on goal from the left with only the keeper to beat, sliced his shot horribly wide. 11 minutes into the game, a swerving free kick by D. Tambling almost resulted in the home team taking the lead, but the shot glanced harmlessly off the frame of the goal. Jamiro had a good opportunity to attack in the middle, but remembered their instructions to focus on wing attacks instead. The terraces were silenced after 14 minutes when Jamiro's Þ. Guðmannsson put the guests ahead 0 - 1, following an attack on the right. A. Chana sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from D. Tambling after 20 minutes of play, making the score 1 - 1. D. Rotoaatara had a good opportunity to give Jamiro the lead as he charged down the right and struck the ball towards the top corner, but the home team's goalkeeper made the save. With 23 minutes gone, T. Farr suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by Over-Fifties caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 1. Over-Fifties had most of the ball, with 51 percent of possession.

Coming in from the right, Jamiro had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 80 minutes, but K. Graf zu Rantzau's attempt to finish was easily stopped. 81 minutes in, Over-Fifties's F. Dodemaide received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. A loud groan was heard from the fans of Jamiro, as D. Rotoaatara left the pitch in too much pain to finish the match. G. Gregus took his place on the field. Jamiro's L. Old got himself booked for a foul. Over-Fifties claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

Over-Fifties's top performer was clearly F. Dodemaide. On the other hand, M. Hall's play was disheartening. The most dominating Jamiro player was without a doubt K. Graf zu Rantzau. G. Gregus was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 1.