cougars 1 - 4 gentlemen (391464391)

A brilliantly sunny day had enticed a crowd of 42166 to cougar stadium. Antonino Mondini was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Adrián Reyerta and Micha Aerts. A 5-3-2 alignment was the formation of choice for cougars. Starters: Duplessis - Bozek, Strandbeck, Wallek, Dilevski, Säffeldt - Flavell, Aulock, Jarry - Pineault, Gustavsson.

gentlemen decided to use a 5-4-1 set up. The following players had been chosen: Băcanu - Kloiber, Bentivegna, Eldar, Gašparović, Steffensen - Habekus, Mitlašauskas, Rabeder, Bandelloni - Ardama.

For their match strategy, cougars had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. It was an obvious ambition of gentlemen to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. gentlemen almost scored after a swift counterattack 4 minutes into the game, but D. Habekus put the shot from the left flank just outside the goal. 11 minutes in, cougars appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only weak. S. Bandelloni of gentlemen was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. gentlemen had a good opportunity to attack in the middle, but remembered their instructions to focus on wing attacks instead. The most controversial moment of the game was likely the penalty given after 30 minutes. gentlemen's A. Mitlašauskas kept his concentration, despite the upset crowd, and calmly put the ball past the keeper to make the score 0 - 1. An amazing free kick flew past the home keeper 35 minutes into the match, putting gentlemen ahead 0 - 2. A. Mitlašauskas was the scorer. 36 minutes into the game, S. Kloiber had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came M. Frigy. It was obvious that gentlemen had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. cougars were able to mount several counterattacks, such as the impressive one after 38 minutes, but B. Gustavsson lofted a free kick over the crossbar. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 2. gentlemen claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 66 percent.

A review of the gameplan helped cougars get back to a passable organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. It wasn't a good day at all for A. Strandbeck. His powerful style of play just didn't fit the bill on this warm day. A. Mitlašauskas increased the visitors' lead by putting a volley away after a pass from the right. 0 - 3. That was his third goal of the match - a hat trick for A. Mitlašauskas. N. Bozek finished off the counterattack of cougars from the left rather easily, making the score 1 - 3. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 63 minutes, gentlemen did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, D. Habekus was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 1 - 4. The players of gentlemen now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. The referee showed gentlemen's D. Habekus the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. A loud groan was heard from the fans of cougars, as A. Strandbeck left the pitch in too much pain to finish the match. L. Stokes took his place on the field. After the ball was lifted in from the left, A. Mitlašauskas was on his own in the home side's penalty area and should have scored after 68 minutes, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. cougars almost scored after a counterattack 69 minutes into the match, but B. Gustavsson took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net. L. Flavell of cougars received a yellow card after 70 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. gentlemen enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 62 percent of possession.

Most important cougars player was M. Dilevski. However, P. Duplessis made a disastrous appearance. gentlemen's top performer was clearly P. Ardama. On the other hand, M. Frigy's play was disheartening. The match ends 1 - 4.