Jacks 0 - 0 malabama (390255222)

32681 spectators had found their way to De Pauk, despite the heavy rain. Volker Rodenhagen was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Dragan Krstajić and Gunnar Eiselt. Jacks had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players took the field: Nimet - Albertema, Corradi, Müller - Keymolen, van Dal, Dikkops, Karadimitrov, López - Bijkerk, Lotužas.

malabama tactics involved an interesting 4-5-1 combination. The following players had been chosen: van Gemerden - van Leest, Slits, Vlijm, van Gilpen - Nierop, Rietbroek, Warnaar, Vlaar, Strijdonck - Grot.

malabama were relying on their ability to counter-attack. M. Albertema did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. Jacks made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in on the right hand side left M. Albertema completely alone with keeper T. van Gemerden, who made a spectacular block. The boggy pitch disrupted the game, especially for technical players like I. van Leest. Many thought D. Lotužas ought to have been awarded a penalty 41 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around T. van Gemerden after a determined run through the middle. malabama's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 44 minutes gone, but R. Grot's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. It was 0 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Jacks, with 55 percent of the ball.

The coach of malabama wanted to try to change things around after 70 minutes, and gave new tactical instructions. After 73 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by malabama was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. Jacks had most of the ball, with 55 percent of possession.

C. Dikkops performed admirably for Jacks. C. Müller was a disappointment, however. malabama's best player was R. Grot. E. Slits turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 0 - 0.