Southern 1 - 2 ESW (377536238)

Fairly good weather for football had drawn a crowd of 2066 to Arena of Southern Dreams. Johannes Negenborn was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Pekka Suominen and Ignacio Rubio. Southern started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Abreu - Ialomiţeanu, Lemmens - van Hilst, van Strijen, van Helmond, Weryszko, van Hattem - Ellrichshausen, Sijes, Dirven.

ESW had chosen a strategic 5-5-0 formation. The following players took the field: Steri - Ex, Haafkens, van der Togt, Schenkhuizen, Douwes Dekker - Harte, Świerkowski, van der Staay, Ex, Peszeni -.

Southern immediately set off using their skill at pressing their opponents. It was obvious that ESW were using their pressing skill as their primary tactic. With 8 minutes played, seemingly due to lack of experience, B. van Helmond needlessly tripped an opponent just outside the penalty area, but the free kick that followed didn't succeed. ESW's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. At this time in the match, Southern were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. As the clock reached 30 minutes, Southern decided to regroup. A. Lemmens gave B. van Helmond a little pat on the back as they changed positions on the pitch. ESW's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. The pressing tactics used by ESW were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. As the 37 minute mark approached, the Southern coach decided it was time for a substitution. P. van Hattem reluctantly made way for M. Lind on the pitch. Halftime score was 0 - 0. ESW claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

57 minutes into the game, L. van der Togt was a hair's breadth away from giving ESW the lead with a shot from over on the left. A prompt block by C. Abreu saved the home team that time. After 60 minutes, the ESW coach made a sign to T. Schenkhuizen, who soon changed positions with P. van der Staay. 62 minutes of the match played, and a comedy of errors by the home side gave the visitors a chance at the lead, but L. Ex, after finding himself dashing down on goal from the left with only the keeper to beat, sliced his shot horribly wide. Southern pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. After 89 minutes, the ESW manager redeployed his men. H. Haafkens swapped positions with A. Peszeni. After 89 minutes, the ESW coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving B. Świerkowski off the field. T. Lotz took his place. L. Harte would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. D. Witteveen entered the game for ESW as the match clock showed 89 minutes. The ESW coach adjusted their lineup with 89 minutes gone. R. Douwes Dekker and K. Ex assumed each other's positions. Possession in this half belonged to Southern, who controlled the ball 51 percent of the time.

Still tied after 90 minutes, the match continued into extra time. 91 minutes into the game, Southern wanted to bring some new energy to their game. M. Lind gave E. Grootjans a quick hug as he left the field. The Southern coach adjusted their lineup with 91 minutes gone. A. Ialomiţeanu and T. Weryszko assumed each other's positions. The referee showed Southern's E. van Hilst the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. At this time in the match, Southern were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. With the score still deadlocked after extra time, the teams took to the field for a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.

Southern's E. Grootjans 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. ESW's P. van der Staay drove the ball hard to the corner but couldn't get it past the outstretched arm of C. Abreu. The score remains 0 - 0. A confident A. Ialomiţeanu of Southern put the ball right where he wanted, but P. Steri was right there for the save. No goal. Clearly nervous from the start, ESW's L. Ex took a long run up, but could only blast the ball over the bar. The score remains 0 - 0. Southern's D. Ellrichshausen cockily booted the ball with a short-and-fast instep. The penalty, going just wide of the mark, didn't produce a goal. ESW's R. Douwes Dekker kept his cool as he faced down C. Abreu. His composure paid off as he scored easily for 0 - 1. Southern's T. Weryszko showed he has nerves of steel when it comes to penalties, easily changing the score to 1 - 1. ESW's P. Steri looked like he knew exactly where he wanted to put the ball, but unfortunately his shot went wide of the left hand post. Still 1 - 1. Oooh - how unlucky! Southern's C. Abreu attempt hit the underside of the bar, but rebounded down into the grateful arms of P. Steri. The score stays 1 - 1. The crowd was awed by T. Lotz's finely placed shot for ESW making it 1 - 2. E. van Hilst performed admirably for Southern. On the other hand, D. Ellrichshausen's play was disheartening. ESW's best player was A. Peszeni. K. Ex turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 2.