ASTRACANTACUZINO 3 - 5 Pblitos (393840789)

Fairly good weather for football had drawn a crowd of 2368 to ASTRACANTACUZINO Arena. Fabrizio Rocchi was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Heriberto Sabaini and Edgar Doganay. ASTRACANTACUZINO decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. They fielded: Marian - Ianca, Polvikoski, Fâţă - Ilie, Tãnase, Boilă, Parkkulainen - Derbeder, Ţiu, Dumitrache.

Pblitos had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Meduri - Biagianti, Mayans, Pfleger, Perrin - D'Antimi, Kappenstein, Alinari, Ficotoro - Chirico, Rençber.

Pblitos used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. S. Marian looked great 19 minutes into the match after stopping a shot from the middle of the penalty area from the visitors' F. Ficotoro. E. Polvikoski gave ASTRACANTACUZINO the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 1 - 0 ASTRACANTACUZINO's opponents know to be wary of M. Parkkulainen's speed, but it made little difference as he flew past the defence 28 minutes into the game. Only the keeper could stop him - and he did with a perfectly timed dive! Pblitos players heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their wing attacks to the middle instead. Pblitos levelled the score after 29 minutes to make it 1 - 1, as A. D'Antimi struck home after a fine midfield combination through the centre, which left him completely unmarked. ASTRACANTACUZINO took the lead 33 minutes into the game by 2 - 1, as A. Fâţă elegantly received a long range pass through the middle, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. It was 2 - 1 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to ASTRACANTACUZINO, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.

58 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as N. Ilie broke through, making the score 3 - 1 for ASTRACANTACUZINO. Pblitos were desperate to get a goal back and pushed forward through the middle 65 minutes into the game. After a scramble in the box, the ball dropped to F. Kappenstein, who smashed it home to make the score 3 - 2. Some brilliant football from the visitors' right wing resulted in a levelling of the score as Pblitos's A. Rençber put the ball in the onion bag after 71 minutes to make it 3 - 3. Pblitos's F. Ficotoro gave the visitors a 3 - 4 lead after 75 minutes with a superb strike from the right. N. Ilie charged down the left and had a wonderful opportunity to score the equaliser for ASTRACANTACUZINO, but the shot went well wide of the goal. Given a free kick close to the byline, Pblitos tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let F. Ficotoro slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 3 - 5, 79 minutes into the game. Pblitos had most of the ball, with 56 percent of possession.

Most important ASTRACANTACUZINO player was M. Dumitrache. S. Marian turned in a dismal performance, however. Pblitos's best player was M. Chirico. V. Mayans was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 5.