Ranxo 2 - 1 Fuerte (391206042)

60000 fans braved the pouring rain at Pau Gerpe la rompio aqui. Arend Verver was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mduduzi Katiyo and Ralph Spalink. Ranxo had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. They fielded: Gazmuri - Barahona, Margitin, Solis, Roa - Parodi, Ferrer, Diestre, Friederichs, Molina - Totonho.

Fuerte decided to use a 4-5-1 set up. The following players had been chosen: Nielsen - O'Leary, Zielhuis, Marić, Bianchi - Mendizabal, Valdeliso, Dueñas, Vairinho, Avalos - Abelló.

Ranxo focused on getting players in position for long range shots. Fuerte immediately set off using their skill at pressing their opponents. The corner kick from R. O'Leary was powerfully met by the head of I. Vairinho to make the score 0 - 1. J. Abelló has acquired a talent for predicting the movements of the opposing defence over the years and this almost resulted in a goal 27 minutes into the match. The rain made it hard for players like Z. Totonho to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day. After 36 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by Ranxo was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. Coming in from the right, Fuerte had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 37 minutes, but J. Abelló's attempt to finish was easily stopped. Halftime score was 0 - 1. Ranxo claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 55 percent.

In the 52 minute, Ranxo were awarded a free kick as their counter attack dried up. The ball was sent in high over the penalty box and, in what looked like a well-rehearsed move, it was headed backwards to reach N. Margitin, who placed it into the net with a single touch. 1 - 1. 61 minutes into the match and the home team took a 2 - 1 lead after breaking through on the left. The scorer for Ranxo was R. Ferrer. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Fuerte's P. Valdeliso was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 61 minutes. P. Such was given a chance to change things around. Fuerte needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 61 minutes J. Mendizabal made way for T. Znamenáček. The bench was restless, and with 61 minutes passed Fuerte's coach gave M. Katajala the opportunity the player had been hoping for. J. Abelló reluctantly left the field. At this time in the match, Fuerte were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. The pressing tactics used by Fuerte were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Possession in this half belonged to Ranxo, who controlled the ball 61 percent of the time.

Ranxo's best player was J. Friederichs. T. Parodi was a disappointment, however. M. Katajala performed admirably for Fuerte. However, R. O'Leary made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 1.