Pinatubas 2 - 1 Carrassi (394035540)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 2109 that came out to TM Venta Arena. Elias Langhoyer was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Teobaldo Bigode and Paweł Wypart. Pinatubas tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Starters: Liansbergis - Kardušas, Mochovas, Kiršinas - Schlosser, Mendoza, Carlino, Marc, Marques - Stoute, Rymeikis.

A 2-5-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Carrassi. Lineup: Muscarà - Klintsø, Montanič - Sedran, Cruz, Quinto, Dinev, Ferlini - Nogueroles, Krenzler, Peyrev.

Carrassi used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. The pressing tactics used by Carrassi were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Pinatubas had a good opportunity to take the lead as F. Mendoza came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into the arms of A. Muscarà. The referee showed Pinatubas's S. Carlino the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. I. Dinev's lack of experience almost gave Pinatubas a goal after 26 minutes, but the shot went right into the keeper's arms. A foul after 37 minutes resulted in a free kick. A. Mochovas cannonballed it, giving the home team the lead 1 - 0. It was 1 - 0 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to Pinatubas, who controlled the ball 64 percent of the time.

Given a free kick in a difficult position after 62 minutes, Pinatubas tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. Carrassi needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 65 minutes P. Klintsø made way for P. Nordsjö. It was a hot and sunny day, and several players seemed worn out. Maybe this was why E. Quinto found an unusual amount of space for his snappy footwork. Carrassi pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. V. Kiršinas should probably have put his team up another goal after 76 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by A. Muscarà kept the visitors in the game. Carrassi tied it all up, 81 minutes in, after a spectacular goal by F. Cruz, who miraculously broke through the home side's central defence, making it 1 - 1. Pinatubas's M. Marques was shown a yellow card after 82 minutes for slicing down an opponent. A. Muscarà would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. F. Marescotti entered the game for Carrassi as the match clock showed 83 minutes. Slack defending gave Pinatubas a chance to take the lead with 85 minutes played, but A. Mochovas's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. Pinatubas's R. Rymeikis got himself booked for a foul. S. Carlino found it hard to catch his breath today in the stifling heat. Pinatubas were very close to putting themselves one up after 87 minutes as R. Rymeikis got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. Carrassi's P. Ferlini refused to leave the field after injuring his achilles tendon after 88 minutes. Pinatubas enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 65 percent of possession.

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. F. Mendoza gave Pinatubas the lead as he successfully challenged the guests' central defenders, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 2 - 1 This put an end to extra time, making Pinatubas the winners. Most important Pinatubas player was D. Marc. R. Stoute was a disappointment, however. Carrassi's best player was F. Cruz. F. Marescotti on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 1.