GodSpeed 4 - 3 Puistokemistit (393402685)

Due to an all-day shower, 56900 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Pearly Gates. Faudel Rivera was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Patrik Örning and Joni Pentikäinen. GodSpeed started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. Lineup: Lindhen - Kaniščák, Bustos - Kouzuki, van Kesteren, Brasher, Tilkin, Oeiras - Consiglio, Hannila, Nummela.

A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Puistokemistit. They fielded: Tolamaa - Frid, Moisseinen, Ferrer Fuentes, de Wilth - Koval, Ursino, Meriläinen, Känsäkangas - Matjussi, von Moos.

It was an obvious ambition of GodSpeed to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. Puistokemistit were relying on their ability to counter-attack. V. Hannila was struggling to make the ball dance with his usual trickery and panache, and the opposing players had little trouble shutting him down in these muddy conditions. At 3 minutes played, A. Consiglio came in from the right with the intention of giving GodSpeed the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. Puistokemistit played a good counterattacking move down the left 4 minutes into the match, with J. von Moos finishing well for 0 - 1. The corner kick from J. Frid was powerfully met by the head of T. Moisseinen to make the score 0 - 2. After 23 minutes, R. Brasher had a good opportunity to reduce the scoreline for GodSpeed with a chance created through the middle, but wasn't cool enough. The ball went miles over the bar. After 28 minutes, Puistokemistit's P. Matjussi burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 0 - 3. GodSpeed's D. Oeiras got the home crowd going when he finished off a left wing charge, reducing the away team's lead to 1 - 3. 1 - 3 was the halftime score. GodSpeed had most of the ball, with 58 percent of possession.

At 49 minutes into the game, GodSpeed's V. Hannila deftly knocked the ball home after an impressive run down the left, reducing the visitors' lead to 2 - 3. T. Kouzuki's speed is always a threat when he gets a little room to move, and 58 minutes into the match was no different as he broke free of his man to send a delightful through ball to P. Nummela who knocked it in for GodSpeed. 3 - 3! J. von Moos slipped and slithered in the wet grass. His usual rapid runs were nowhere to be seen today. W. van Kesteren would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. T. Kramer Nielsen entered the game for GodSpeed as the match clock showed 80 minutes. It was obvious that GodSpeed had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. GodSpeed were very close to putting themselves one up after 83 minutes as R. Brasher got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. 84 minutes into the game, P. Matjussi was a hair's breadth away from giving Puistokemistit the lead with a shot from over on the left. A prompt block by H. Lindhen saved the home team that time. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave M. Tilkin from GodSpeed a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 86 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Unfortunately for Puistokemistit, P. Ursino was injured when the game became more physical, and he had to leave the field. K. Korzec replaced him. Possession in this half belonged to GodSpeed, who controlled the ball 64 percent of the time.

As neither team was able to break the deadlock before the end of regular play, the teams took to the field again for extra time. Players in GodSpeed heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. With 92 minutes played, the home side managed to get a 4 - 3 lead as A. Consiglio flipped the ball in after a cross from the right. Extra time over, GodSpeed were the victors! A. Consiglio performed admirably for GodSpeed. P. Nummela was a disappointment, however. Puistokemistit's top performer was clearly P. Matjussi. However, K. Korzec made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 4 - 3.