Friendly League

Hippo Pool
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Savage Hippo's Kim Lekberg started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Kim Lekberg might have been able to make a better finish in the 3rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Genaro Ponciano. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Kim Lekberg ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 6th minute Marek Hamšík shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bengt-Arne Askstedt saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 8th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Iecēni's goalkeeper Genaro Ponciano, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Genaro Ponciano took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kim Lekberg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Olavs Eliass's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bengt-Arne Askstedt read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 12th minute of play. Bengt-Arne Askstedt showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Viktors Behmans, who was totally free with the ball in the 18th minute. FC Iecēni's Uvis Svitiņš quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Agatas Alkauskas, made in the 19th minute of the game. Kim Lekberg struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Genaro Ponciano didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Savage Hippo. Viesturs Pilāns kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. 30 minutes into the match, FC Iecēni's goalkeeper Genaro Ponciano had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Kim Lekberg. A collision led to Savage Hippo getting a freekick after 32 minutes play. Vakaris Daujotas hit a great ball. Bengt-Arne Askstedt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gints Lielgalvis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The crowd rose to their feet as Savage Hippo's Kim Lekberg slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Genaro Ponciano. That made the score 1-0 after 36 minutes of play. Marek Hamšík sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Kim Lekberg's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Genaro Ponciano firmly grabbed it by the left post. In the 41st minute, Olavs Eliass made a precise shot to the right of Bengt-Arne Askstedt. Savage Hippo's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Bengt-Arne Askstedt stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Marek Hamšík's shot from short distance in the 47th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Marek Hamšík to make the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, FC Iecēni's goal looked a bit too open when Kim Lekberg came free, but Genaro Ponciano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Genaro Ponciano showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kim Lekberg, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. Genaro Ponciano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kim Lekberg in the 64th minute of play. If Kim Lekberg had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Genaro Ponciano showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kim Lekberg, who was totally free with the ball in the 73rd minute. In the 77th minute Marek Hamšík shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bengt-Arne Askstedt saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Vakaris Daujotas during the 81st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Savage Hippo's Vakaris Daujotas got a free kick in the 81st minute. After 82 played minutes Savage Hippo got a freekick which was hit by Augustinas Ginaitis. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gints Lielgalvis in the 84th minute of play forced Savage Hippo's goalkeeper Bengt-Arne Askstedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Genaro Ponciano took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kim Lekberg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Kim Lekberg in the 91st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Genaro Ponciano saved FC Iecēni from getting behind. Bengt-Arne Askstedt was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 93rd minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Viesturs Pilāns. The audience was convinced that Kim Lekberg's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Genaro Ponciano was relentless in the 95th minute of the game. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.