League Play-Off

FC NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Mánthia's Dionisio Dicastillo 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. FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dionisio Dicastillo in the 4th minute of play. 0-1 became the score in the 6th minute when Dionisio Dicastillo elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos in the 11th minute of play forced Mánthia's goalkeeper Koulis Mestas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Octavian Popescu came free with the goalkeeper in the 16th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Koulis Mestas could save by the left post. After 20 minutes, Dionisio Dicastillo made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 28th minute Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Koulis Mestas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Mánthia's Aigeus Laganas got a free kick in the 29th minute. Koulis Mestas made an important save on a dangerous shot by Octavian Popescu in the 31st minute. A collision led to Mánthia getting a freekick after 32 minutes play. Argiris Andreoulakis hit a great ball. Octavian Popescu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 33rd minute of the match, but Koulis Mestas made a huge save. 35 minutes into the match, FC NATIONAL's Octavian Popescu sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Koulis Mestas narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Koulis Mestas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. In the 36th minute Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Koulis Mestas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nathan Aspinall charged in rather forcefully in the 41st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nathan Aspinall the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Nathan Aspinall kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Apostolis Polychronopoulos kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Koulis Mestas. That made the score 1-2 in the 43 minute of play. FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Iphitos Gravari in the 46th minute of play. After the first half Mánthia were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Apostolis Polychronopoulos was the one to do the kick off. If Dionisio Dicastillo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bogdan Lobonț made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aigeus Laganas in the 54th minute of play. In the 56th minute Iphitos Gravari shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bogdan Lobonț saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bogdan Lobonț made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Anestis Katsambis in the 60th minute of play. 61 minutes had been played when some careless play by FC NATIONAL's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Rahman Dilhan was slow to take the kick. During this time Mánthia's players had a chance to rest. The corner led Mánthia's Iphitos Gravari to fire away a dangerous shot which Bogdan Lobonț despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 61stth minute of the game Iphitos Gravari who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 69th minute Akestes Bentihavas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Koulis Mestas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to FC NATIONAL getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Apostolis Polychronopoulos hit a great ball. FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dionisio Dicastillo in the 79th minute of play. Thanks to some nice moves Iphitos Gravari could shoot a difficult shot in the 86th minute, which Bogdan Lobonț however easily saved by the left post. After 89 played minutes Mánthia got a freekick which was hit by Aigeus Laganas. Mánthia's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.