Superstar 2 - 2 Pinheiros (375987951)

12000 punters turned up at Konami Stadium, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Hugo Montenegro was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mikko Ojala and Jan Benito. Superstar had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players took the field: Cunha - Rakuzy, Nanico, Pollard - Alon, de Castro, Müller, Temnitschka, Bigode - Penedo, Izu.

Pinheiros decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Bigorrilho - Alquier, Unguraşu, Westphalen - Jackowski, Hohewarte, Wagner, Velčić, Oetliker - Vallabriga, Dāvletsiņš.

Superstar saw most attack opportunities on the wings. Players in Superstar heard their coach's words ringing in their ears and steered their central attacks to the wings instead. C. Temnitschka's lack of experience almost gave Pinheiros a goal after 20 minutes, but the shot went right into the keeper's arms. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 27 minutes, Pinheiros 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. After some beautiful movement down the left wing, C. Temnitschka scored for Superstar putting them ahead 1 - 0, after 32 minutes. With 33 minutes played, E. Westphalen of Pinheiros fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. The visitors refused to give in and, after 39 minutes, E. Vallabriga evened things up as he finished off a perfect pass from the right. 1 - 1 It was 1 - 1 at the break. Pinheiros enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 53 percent of possession.

They were singing the praises of J. Penedo 65 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 2 - 1 to Superstar. The home team will be cursing M. Velčić for weeks; he finished off a great pass from the left, knocking it past the keeper without a problem. The match was level at 2 - 2 after 70 minutes. Making his way up the middle 75 minutes into the match, L. Müller almost managed to squeeze a goal past the visitors' keeper, but the alert R. Bigorrilho blocked it to keep the score level. C. Bigode of Superstar received a yellow card after 80 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Superstar were very close to putting themselves one up after 81 minutes as R. Izu got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave D. Pollard from Superstar a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 82 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! In a fantastic display of determination, Pinheiros's E. Vallabriga forced himself to his feet, after an opponent viciously knocked him down. Pinheiros had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

The most dominating Superstar player was without a doubt R. Izu. I. Cunha was a disappointment, however. Pinheiros's top performer was clearly M. Wagner. On the other hand, Z. Jackowski's play was disheartening. The match ends 2 - 2.