IHATOVE 2 - 3 FC.MünchenSapporo (393101455)

The 1780 spectators at Polano Square were in for an afternoon of sunshine. Américo Cruchaga was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Dennis Wagner and Lars-Erik Edsjö. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for IHATOVE. The following players had been chosen: Komasa - Bolwerk, Sauerwinkel, Onieva - Dyla, Jakab, van der Looi, Soacha - Bernobi, 榊原 (Sakakibara), Lytras.

FC.MünchenSapporo had chosen a strategic 5-2-3 formation. The following players took the field: Bianchi - Häven, Halbinger, Abulafia, Mameli, Santa-Iria - Pilgerstorfer, van de Kraats - Darscht, Dalbert, Kelkheim.

It was an obvious ambition of IHATOVE to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. Today, FC.MünchenSapporo's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. 2 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for IHATOVE to take the lead after a good cross from the right found M. Sauerwinkel alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. FC.MünchenSapporo's counterattacks created a good chance for M. Darscht on the right after 3 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. IHATOVE made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in on the right hand side left Q. van der Looi completely alone with keeper B. Bianchi, who made a spectacular block. A mistake by the home side's central defence after 35 minutes allowed A. Kelkheim to score for FC.MünchenSapporo. The scoreboard now read 0 - 1. After 38 minutes, FC.MünchenSapporo's M. Darscht burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 2. The crowd groaned when D. Bernobi, having maneuvered his way down the right, fired the ball just wide and missed a great opportunity to reduce the deficit for IHATOVE. 0 - 2 was the score after the first half. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by IHATOVE, with 51 percent of the ball.

The FC.MünchenSapporo players could smell victory in the air. W. Pilgerstorfer wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for M. Brudl after 46 minutes. Content with how the game was proceeding, the FC.MünchenSapporo coach let K. Goslar replace S. Abulafia after 46 minutes. IHATOVE didn't give in and with 63 minutes played M. Sauerwinkel was able to make the score 1 - 2 after an attack on the right. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, IHATOVE's A. Lytras was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 65 minutes. A. Sobota was given a chance to change things around. Attacking on the wings was the choice for IHATOVE, and they were successfully passing the ball from the middle to the wings to attack. IHATOVE's V. Jakab put his head to a well placed ball, lifted in from the left, and scored to make the score 2 - 2 with 67 minutes showing on the scoreboard clock. The visiting N. van de Kraats was booed thoroughly by the home crowd 69 minutes into the game, after he broke through the middle and scored, resulting in the visitors taking the lead. 2 - 3 was the score. After 70 minutes, IHATOVE switched M. Onieva with Y. Ariwa, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. FC.MünchenSapporo were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. 70 minutes into the game, FC.MünchenSapporo worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. M. Darscht left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 75 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. T. Jeon was the replacement. With 80 minutes played, the IHATOVE coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. S. Štědronský came on, G. Dyla had to leave the fray. The IHATOVE captaincy was handed to M. Sauerwinkel. IHATOVE enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

IHATOVE's top performer was clearly D. Bernobi. S. Štědronský on the other hand, had a terrible day. V. Dalbert performed admirably for FC.MünchenSapporo. On the other hand, C. Halbinger's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 3.