Strainteam 2 - 5 Vejen (389426961)

45410 spectators had found their way to Strainteam Arena, despite the heavy rain. Albert Andreas Mößner was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Johan Gustavsson and Piet-Hein Heil. Strainteam started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Foryszewski - Veselin, Sasi, Vildners - Alayontlu, Calaiò, Hyry, Ustad, Beasley - Denieul, Käsbohrer.

Vejen decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Holst - Frost, Johansen, Verbaan - Stadsholt, Bøgelund, Quốc Dương, Kirk, Jovanović - Dyrvig, Bukhave.

Strainteam took the lead after 14 minutes as a result of M. Beasley's peach of a shot from the right hand side of the box - placed beautifully in the top corner. 1 - 0. The rain made it hard for players like P. Kirk to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day. Some brilliant football from the visitors' right wing resulted in a levelling of the score as Vejen's G. Bøgelund put the ball in the onion bag after 21 minutes to make it 1 - 1. At 28 minutes played, X. Denieul came in from the right with the intention of giving Strainteam the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. After 35 minutes, Vejen put themselves up 1 - 2, as T. Quốc Dương finished off a strike from the left with a real cannonball of a shot. 1 - 2 was the score after the first half. Vejen had most of the ball, with 53 percent of possession.

T. Stadsholt did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. After 72 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for T. Stadsholt who increased Vejen's lead to 1 - 3. 73 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 1 - 4 as K. Bukhave finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. With 76 minutes played, the Strainteam coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. B. Gallatin came on, S. Vildners had to leave the fray. M. Ustad became the new Strainteam captain. Strainteam's X. Denieul got the home crowd going when he finished off a left wing charge, reducing the away team's lead to 2 - 4. Strainteam's M. Beasley found himself alone on the left side 82 minutes into the match and laid down a perfect shot - right into the arms of the keeper! T. Stadsholt increased the visitors' lead by putting a volley away after a pass from the right. 2 - 5. By now, the players in Vejen felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Vejen enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

X. Denieul performed admirably for Strainteam. M. Alayontlu turned in a dismal performance, however. Vejen's top performer was clearly K. Bukhave. On the other hand, P. Kirk's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 5.