DropKick 4 - 5 j.2010 (394201203)

It had rained all day, but 2293 hardy fans still made it out to PH Arena. Bruno Nsereko was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Bogdan Furtună and Józef Bitner. DropKick tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. They fielded: Chiariotti - Walschburger, Talk, Grebien, Leyh, Leary - Lyutov, Oeckl, Bemberg, Grambihler - Haltein.

j.2010 had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Starters: Pigoli - Cinquini, Montanaro, Fagaraz - Lusini, Mitrovic, Ou, 智信 (Zhixin), Ferriz - Edwards, Kasırga.

For their match strategy, DropKick had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area with a goal nearly scored by K. Grebien. At last, DropKick's B. Haltein was able to backheel the ball in. 1 - 0. J. Chiariotti's name was chanted throughout the stadium after he made a fantastic save from S. Ou's shot from the left 11 minutes into the match. A lot of people in the terraces claimed the penalty resulting in j.2010's A. Edwards equaliser for 1 - 1 was a mistake by the referee. He did, however, have a very good view of the situation from his position. After 38 minutes, the defensive line of DropKick created a counterattack through the middle that gave K. Talk a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. With 39 minutes played, G. Leyh of DropKick fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. The muddy pitch made the game a gritty affair, which seemed to suit H. Bemberg just fine. 1 - 1 was the halftime score. j.2010 had most of the ball, with 73 percent of possession.

The counterattacks of DropKick were deadly and 59 minutes into the game, B. Haltein received a nice pass from the right flank, making it 2 - 1. A. Edwards made a good effort at breaking through on the right, but the home team's left defence cleared the ball to a corner. With the clock showing 82 minutes played, a great pass from the defensive line of DropKick resulted in a counterattack that was smoothly brought under control by K. Walschburger in the centre of the opposition's penalty area, but his finish went high. After 84 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by j.2010 was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. 王. 智信 (Zhixin) of j.2010 was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. A well placed corner kick from A. Edwards was followed by 王. 智信 (Zhixin)'s hard but accurate header. The well executed routine resulted in a goal for j.2010, the score now 2 - 2. Possession in this half belonged to j.2010, who controlled the ball 75 percent of the time.

With the scores being level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. j.2010 had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 101 minutes in when S. Ou came up alone against J. Chiariotti who managed a block. P. Leary of DropKick received a yellow card after 108 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. S. Ou did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. A free kick aimed at the keeper's far post almost gave j.2010 the lead 111 minutes in, but the ball just wasn't able to squirm its way through the defensive wall. DropKick's counterattacks created a good chance for H. Lyutov on the right after 112 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. The result was still a draw, so the match had to be settled with penalties.

DropKick's H. Bemberg didn't look like he was confident as he stepped up, and produced a badly struck penalty - right into the arms of V. Pigoli. The score remained 2 - 2. j.2010's M. Cinquini made no mistake. J. Chiariotti didn't have a chance. 2 - 3. DropKick's U. Oeckl coolly put the ball past V. Pigoli. 3 - 3. j.2010's 王. 智信 (Zhixin) was relaxed as he smoothly put the ball in the net. 3 - 4! Oooh - how unlucky! DropKick's J. Chiariotti attempt hit the underside of the bar, but rebounded down into the grateful arms of V. Pigoli. The score stays 3 - 4. j.2010's G. Mitrovic penalty shot was very well placed but J. Chiariotti went the right way, blocking it spectacularly. The score was still 3 - 4. Clearly nervous from the start, DropKick's K. Talk took a long run up, but could only blast the ball over the bar. The score remains 3 - 4. j.2010's S. Ou looked like he knew exactly where he wanted to put the ball, but unfortunately his shot went wide of the left hand post. Still 3 - 4. DropKick's P. Leary kept his cool as he faced down V. Pigoli. His composure paid off as he scored easily for 4 - 4. j.2010's M. Ferriz looked nervous even as he was putting the ball on the spot. He didn't take much of a run up, and his weak shot was easily saved by the keeper. DropKick's B. Haltein cockily booted the ball with a short-and-fast instep. The penalty, going just wide of the mark, didn't produce a goal. j.2010's P. Fagaraz showed he has nerves of steel when it comes to penalties, easily changing the score to 4 - 5. Most important DropKick player was K. Walschburger. H. Lyutov turned in a dismal performance, however. The most dominating j.2010 player was without a doubt M. Ferriz. However, V. Pigoli made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 4 - 5.