Concordia 2 - 1 Rc02 (393773399)

Due to an all-day shower, 60000 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Theatro de los sueños. Victor Montilla Martos was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Klaas Jan Modderman and Shaban Tungu. The derby had been the talk of Asunción all week and fans of both teams could be seen throughout the stadium. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Concordia. They fielded: Rozental - Nãstase, Takács, Hutauruk - Amaro, De Abreu, Burli, Segales, Benítez - Blandin, Traverso.

Rc02 decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Barahona - Panum, Sobha, Andresen - Turek, Barrios, Ruíz Díaz, Mironescu, Agner - Ritzinger, Sborone.

Some great play up the middle by Concordia led to a chance for A. Benítez to score after 6 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. Slack defending gave Concordia a chance to take the lead with 29 minutes played, but F. Traverso's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. Many thought F. Traverso ought to have been awarded a penalty 35 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around C. Barahona after a determined run through the middle. Thighs bulging, D. Turek charged past the weaker players, seemingly oblivious to the rain. 38 minutes into the game Rc02 managed a counterattack, but V. Mironescu took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. With 41 minutes played A. Burli almost put the home team one ahead on a cross coming in from the right, but the shot went just wide. E. Takács did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. The terraces were silenced after 43 minutes when Rc02's A. Andresen put the guests ahead 0 - 1, following an attack on the right. It was 0 - 1 at the break. Concordia enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

After 65 minutes, Concordia switched E. Takács with H. Campos Cervera, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. 71 minutes into the game, Rc02 worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. Rc02's counterattack was impressive and was only stopped by a shocking foul. Somehow, the referee's cards remained in his pocket - a terrible decision! N. Sobha's resulting free kick was easily saved by the keeper. 77 minutes in, and Concordia were able to score the equalising goal to make it 1 - 1 when A. De Abreu picked up a pass coming in from the right and chipped it past the away team's keeper. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave N. Sobha from Rc02 a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 78 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Concordia, with 53 percent of the ball.

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. There was concern in the stands when, at the 97 minute mark, Concordia's A. De Abreu hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. The home side put themselves ahead 2 - 1 after 106 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from F. Traverso, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. What a dramatic win for Concordia! F. Traverso performed admirably for Concordia. R. Rozental on the other hand, had a terrible day. Rc02's top performer was clearly C. Sborone. On the other hand, D. Ritzinger's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 1.