virusii 2 - 1 Amantino (392847371)

43941 punters turned up at virusii Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Simon Huard was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Emil Oving and Tobias Miller. virusii started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players took the field: Bădulescu - Vassura, Zuccaro, Martínez De Hoz - Verhnjak, Mangado, Domenet, Causerano, Fuentidueña - Tihelka, Lezertua.

Amantino tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. The following players had been chosen: Crespi - Raunkjær, Barros Faria, Przeździak - Yory, Elia, Hofkes, Dawson - Mitea, Ferlaino, Cebrail.

virusii clearly preferred using their ability to attack in the middle. 31 minutes into the game, S. Ferlaino almost gave the visitors the lead, as he clipped a delicate lob over the keeper, but the ball glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. It was obvious that team virusii had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. They were singing the praises of M. Tihelka 34 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 1 - 0 to virusii. M. Hofkes made a good effort at breaking through on the right, but the home team's left defence cleared the ball to a corner. Some lightning fast two foot dribbles by M. Dawson left G. Vassura way behind after 41 minutes, but the shot was just wide. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to virusii, who controlled the ball 58 percent of the time.

The home team will be cursing M. Dawson for weeks; he finished off a great pass from the left, knocking it past the keeper without a problem. The match was level at 1 - 1 after 59 minutes. virusii's J. Verhnjak got himself booked for a foul. virusii could have put themselves ahead after 83 minutes but E. Lezertua missed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. Against a lesser team, virusii could very well have succeeded with their smart indirect free kick routine after 84 minutes. A trio of passes took the ball all the way past the defenders, but by then the intended recipient was already blocked off and the keeper could make a leisurely save. virusii enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 60 percent of possession.

With the scores being level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. With 92 minutes played, seemingly due to lack of experience, A. Mangado needlessly tripped an opponent just outside the penalty area, but the free kick that followed didn't succeed. After a fine move down the middle H. Causerano nearly gave the home side a goal after 107 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. B. Martínez De Hoz of virusii received a yellow card after 108 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. After 114 minutes, M. Tihelka came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 2 - 1, giving virusii the lead. Extra time over, virusii were the victors! Most important virusii player was A. Zuccaro. A. Fuentidueña turned in a dismal performance, however. Amantino's best player was A. Elia. I. Mitea on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 1.