FCVDG 1 - 4 SINGL (392850384)

A scorching day at FCVDG Arena, where 54007 spectators were in place for today's match. Richárd Sallay was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Robby Bekaert and Juan Luis Bolòs. FCVDG decided to use a 5-4-1 set up. Lineup: Vonwyl - Orjatsalo, Thyquist, O'Conner, Cioară, Zappia - Mastellone, Surichaqui, Kormu, Vukelić - Linkoranta.

A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for SINGL. The following players took the field: Trkulja - Grans, Pavel, Rundelin - Samko, Lauenförde, Benayoun, Rutland - Iorio, Almeyda, Ahvenniemi.

FCVDG saw most attack opportunities on the wings. SINGL seemed to prefer attacking in the middle. FCVDG were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. 15 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for FCVDG to take the lead after a good cross from the right found V. Linkoranta alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. FCVDG's J. O'Conner tried to break through in the middle repeatedly, but couldn't get past the visitors' defenders. A badly positioned defensive formation on a free kick after 24 minutes led to SINGL's E. Lauenförde giving the visitors the lead 0 - 1. A scuffle developed as players from both sides clashed following a tussle in the centre of the field 25 minutes into the match. After regaining order and consulting his linesman, the referee called SINGL's O. Pavel to one side and produced a red card for the player. After 28 minutes, an incisive pass through the middle gave D. Almeyda a chance to increase the lead for SINGL, and he did not disappoint. The score was then 0 - 2. The players of SINGL now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. 34 minutes into the game, SINGL seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to inadequate. Halftime score was 0 - 2. FCVDG had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

A review of the gameplan helped SINGL get back to a solid organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. The heat made it a terrible day for J. Thyquist, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players. The crowd groaned when J. O'Conner, having maneuvered his way down the right, fired the ball just wide and missed a great opportunity to reduce the deficit for FCVDG. J. Rutland sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from E. Lauenförde after 65 minutes of play, making the score 0 - 3. The home crowd cheered when, after 70 minutes, A. Samko's charge up the middle resulted in the keeper making one of his best saves of the day. The SINGL players could smell victory in the air. E. Lauenförde wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for J. Bruun after 75 minutes. G. Mastellone tried to get a goal back for FCVDG but despite all his hard work down the right, he just couldn't complete the move. A misunderstanding between the visitors' keeper R. Trkulja and his left defence could have resulted in a goal for FCVDG, but J. Thyquist's finish was way too lame. SINGL had a good opportunity to attack on the wing, but remembered their instructions to go for middle attacks. H. Surichaqui's technique was perfect on this sunny day and led to some breathtaking tricks that bamboozled the defence. A penalty kick was awarded to FCVDG 88 minutes into the match, and N. Cioară expertly put it away. 1 - 3. After 89 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for J. Rutland who increased SINGL's lead to 1 - 4. FCVDG claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

H. Surichaqui performed admirably for FCVDG. On the other hand, P. Orjatsalo's play was disheartening. SINGL's best player was V. Ahvenniemi. J. Bruun turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 4.