Republika 1 - 3 Makapal (387128935)

12000 spectators arrived at Chuck Norris Stadium, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Federico Salmi was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Micke Nilsson and Sietse Beukenhorst. Republika had chosen a strategic 4-3-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Yaacov - Bhatti, Derecho, Bogok, Gold - Agustin, Espinas, Abdull - Uichanco, Limthongkul, Avidano.

Makapal tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players took the field: Vega - Lunadei, Perttilä, Wojczyński - Ololovski, Molina, Ahrenst, Chermenin, Rodríguez - Villablanca, Constantino.

Republika saw most attack opportunities on the wings. Makapal used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. The referee showed Republika's J. Agustin the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. After 3 minutes, Makapal's P. Chermenin made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 0 - 1. The home crowd cheered when, after 7 minutes, E. Ahrenst's charge up the middle resulted in the keeper making one of his best saves of the day. Makapal's E. Ahrenst had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 8 minutes having been played. A. Garitaonaindia was the replacement. Makapal were determined to attack in the middle, even their wing attacks ended up centrally. After 30 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for P. Chermenin who increased Makapal's lead to 0 - 2. By now, the players in Makapal felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. 0 - 2 was the score after the first half. Makapal enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

With 59 minutes played, A. Garitaonaindia nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through in the middle and fired from just outside the box, but his shot passed just over the bar. With 60 minutes played, the Republika coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. M. Carey came on, T. Espinas had to leave the fray. A. Bogok was the new captain of Republika - handed the armband by the departing player. After 68 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed T. Perttilä to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 0 - 3. With 69 minutes gone, Republika 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, M. Carey did not manage to connect with it cleanly and the ball went out. Central attacks were the recipe of the day for Makapal, as they moved the ball from the wings to the middle with startling regularity. A. Molina was, after 85 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors' lead with a well placed diving header after the ball had looped into the centre, but the home side's keeper N. Yaacov made the save. Makapal's T. Perttilä got himself booked for a foul. E. Abdull's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for Republika, he bravely continued in the match. The home crowd was given a certain amount of consolation when N. Uichanco scored after a brilliant midfield combination through the centre, reducing the lead to 1 - 3. Makapal had most of the ball, with 56 percent of possession.

N. Uichanco performed admirably for Republika. However, A. Bogok made a disastrous appearance. Makapal's top performer was clearly K. Constantino. A. Vega on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 1 - 3.