Zlin 0 - 5 United (393190620)

Clouds darkened the skies at Popo Arena as 1764 spectators turned up for the match. Sybrand Haarhuis was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ettore Ruju and Sören Bredander. Zlin decided to use a 5-2-3 set up. The following players took the field: Euler - Winter, Monteloyola, Bakuła, Đomlija, Del Sorbo - Orlović, Hasar - Ritzerfeld, Meloun, Niclasen.

United had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Szybiak - Dubois, Harrani, Vasile - Feijó, Martin, Trnečka, Ruusunen, Ahomies - Łagiewka, Gurbalov.

It was an obvious ambition of Zlin to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. United's Z. Harrani gave the visitors a 0 - 1 lead after 38 minutes with a superb strike from the right. After 38 minutes, United raised their score by one when F. Feijó's dangerous low cross was cleverly tucked in at the near post by T. Gurbalov. 0 - 2. With 42 minutes played, United's well-worked indirect free kick caused havoc in the penalty area, and when the ball eventually fell to Z. Harrani he gleefully slotted the ball home to make it 0 - 3. Zlin's L. Niclasen was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 43 minutes. After 44 minutes United's E. Dubois limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. A penalty was awarded after 44 minutes, and C. Vasile made the most of his chance to put United up by another goal. 0 - 4 for the visitors. After this, you could see that the players of United were more interested in killing time than scoring more goals. After 44 minutes of game time, C. Vasile had an excellent opportunity to add to the visitors' lead, clipping a volley hooked in from the right, but C. Euler was in the right place and tipped the ball over for a corner. 0 - 4 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to United, who controlled the ball 73 percent of the time.

The swift technical skills of W. Ritzerfeld were often too much for the tall but somewhat slow C. Vasile who was humiliated after 54 minutes. He'll be breathing a huge sigh of relief after the final shot went wide. It might be a while before the fans see Zlin's J. Bakuła again, after he had to leave the field in great distress at the 57 minute mark. He was replaced by H. Boekema. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 69 minutes, United did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, T. Gurbalov was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 0 - 5. 70 minutes into the match, T. Gurbalov came through the middle and almost added to his team's lead, but the shot went wide. 81 minutes into the game, United worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. United had most of the ball, with 76 percent of possession.

The most dominating Zlin player was without a doubt V. Meloun. H. Boekema was a disappointment, however. United's best player was M. Ruusunen. However, S. Martin made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 0 - 5.