Wheelsbridge 2 - 1 Bröderna (393968349)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 80000 at WoodsBank today. Laurent Combe was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Serse Ruffinoni and Poldi Linnemann. Wheelsbridge tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players took the field: Murgia - Stabel, Jansson, Languard - Aantjes, Pons, Karlbeck, Blanc, Berne - Rönnskog, Theilgaard.

Bröderna had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. They fielded: Vera Cordero - Soto Camino, Nemtzov, Martínez, Hansen - Blaščík, Pop, Wästerér, Rinnooy Kan, Valentino - Eroshkin.

The wings were the focus of most of Wheelsbridge's attacks today. Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Bröderna. Wheelsbridge's S. Jansson placed the ball right at his teammate's feet after a corner, but E. Aantjes couldn't finish. Players in Wheelsbridge heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. Wheelsbridge created a good opportunity to score 21 minutes into the match when B. Languard's hooked ball from the left created a scuffle in front of the goal, and the visitors' defenders had a hard time clearing the ball. After 24 minutes Wheelsbridge's A. Murgia limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. Bröderna mounted an inspired counterattack down the right wing after 36 minutes, but Y. Nemtzov was unable to convert from short range. Coming in from the right, Bröderna had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 39 minutes, but O. Eroshkin's attempt to finish was easily stopped. It was 0 - 0 at the break. Wheelsbridge claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 65 percent.

After 52 minutes, the Bröderna coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving V. Wästerér off the field. M. Osorio took his place. After 68 minutes, the defensive line of Bröderna created a counterattack through the middle that gave O. Eroshkin a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. M. Valentino's speed was clear to see after 72 minutes, as he darted down the wing and released O. Eroshkin who placed the ball into the back of the net to make the score 0 - 1. With 73 minutes played, the Wheelsbridge coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. H. Morin came on, S. Jansson had to leave the fray. Wheelsbridge's E. Aantjes made a successful breakthrough on the left after 74 minutes and should have levelled the score, but instead he clipped it over the bar. After 81 minutes, Bröderna's E. Vera Cordero fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! After 87 minutes, M. Rönnskog sent the corner kick right to K. Stabel who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 1! Wheelsbridge's A. Murgia left the field after 88 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was P. Specchio. H. Morin was the new captain of Wheelsbridge - handed the armband by the departing player. Wheelsbridge took the lead 88 minutes in, as H. Morin broke through on the left and put the 2 - 1 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. C. Pons of Wheelsbridge was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. With 89 minutes gone, Wheelsbridge's C. Pons had to leave the pitch after talking back to the referee and receiving his second booking. Possession in this half belonged to Wheelsbridge, who controlled the ball 63 percent of the time.

Most important Wheelsbridge player was M. Rönnskog. P. Blanc on the other hand, had a terrible day. O. Pop performed admirably for Bröderna. However, M. Valentino made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 1.