Shay 4 - 2 Empire (365504780)

26100 punters turned up at F.C. shay, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Herbert Malin was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Allan Madsen and Aki Perttilä. Shay tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Hundstadt - Galus, Sokk, Curci - Fonte, Turpie, Ismail, Manoury, Acquaroni - Suerra, Pigarev.

Empire decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Passarelli - Drejer, Feulner, Baranga - Grabherr, Peinado, Hilgerink, Cirne, Larsen - Esen Uulu, Allende Maristany.

Shay clearly preferred using their ability to attack in the middle. A spectacular volley from L. Ismail almost resulted in a goal, but a good save from the keeper kept it out, and E. Acquaroni could only knock the loose ball wide. The home crowd was not impressed by the fancy moves of Empire's K. Esen Uulu after 39 minutes. He converted a pass from the left for a goal, resulting in the visitors taking the 0 - 1 lead. It was obvious that team Shay had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. After 40 minutes, V. Pigarev made a dash down the middle past the away team's defenders to score the goal that made it 1 - 1. After 42 minutes, Empire put themselves up 1 - 2, as L. Larsen finished off a strike from the left with a real cannonball of a shot. Empire's K. Esen Uulu got himself booked for a foul. 1 - 2 was the score after the first half. Shay enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

A. Hilgerink received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 47 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. After 52 minutes of play, A. Suerra evened things up for Shay with an impressive goal coming up the middle. 2 - 2. 62 minutes in, the referee awarded Shay a penalty. H. Turpie coolly slotted it home for a 3 - 2 lead. A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Shay's S. Manoury increasing the lead to 4 - 2. Possession in this half belonged to Shay, who controlled the ball 52 percent of the time.

The most dominating Shay player was without a doubt A. Suerra. L. Ismail turned in a dismal performance, however. Empire's best player was H. Cirne. On the other hand, A. Hilgerink's play was disheartening. The match ends 4 - 2.