'Finders keepers, loosers weepers'

'¡Matanga, dijo la changa!' the K said

Mariano Ortega, 23th April, 2022

Matanga FC: Concutelli (Fulton 74), Logister, Fulton, Alonso (Los 68), Jiménez, Castaldo, Vera, Dawit Mamo, Consuegra (Achao 68), Cappio, Burgos (Poschl 67)

Kattegat: Neumann, Gedso, Sostegni, Neubauer, Bernardes, Segura, Galbassini, Bajac (Maciel 69), Pizzi, Brune, Chaparro

Booked: Consuegra (29)

Referee: José Viegas (Portugal)

Attendance: 18.579

Venue: The Walking

"¡Matanga, dijo la changa" (Finders keepers, loosers weepers), Spanish speakers say when they obtain something unexpected or when they grab something before another person that tried to grab it too.

That Spanish slang summarizes what occurred at The Walking Stadium when Cristoph Brune scored at the 63' for the Viking triumph. A crucial game, as Pizzi previously spoke before the match, where Kattegat snatched three vital points in their trip to the lands of Matanga.

The match was hard enough for the Vikings, as they had to make a great effort to get the victory. Jiménez had been given instructions to man mark Chaparro from the very beginning. He carried his orders out perfectly, following close, and reducing his options. Chaparro even had missed a penalty shot at the 32nd minute. He didn't have a good job today.

But the first count happened early at the 10' minute when Bernardes crossed the ball in the direction of Pizzi who was alert and able to pounce and roll the ball past hapless goalkeeper to score for the Raiders.

Kattegat had many more options to increase the difference but they weren't able to make them count.

At the 43', after a scuffle in the guests' penalty area, the home team was awarded a penalty that José Burgos scored to make 1-1.

Kattegat controled the game during most of the time, and then the Austrian striker, Brune, found himself completely free to score for the visitors, 2-1.

Matanga coach, Gerken, was desperate to reverse his squad's fate in the match, and commanded his team to change the strategy, Consuegra gave Achao the opportunity to make things better, and also Los and Poschl took part in the pitch today, but no effort could not produce a significant change in the score for Matanga.

Even worst for the home side, 'La Rosa' had to end up with 10 men in the field after the Italian keeper Enrico Concutelli's slammed his head so hard into the post, that he lost consciousness for several minutes. He was stretchered off with great care, but already aware and smiling. He was sent to the nearest hospital for a more intensive examination and treatment. With the goal empty, Adam Fulton had to leave his normal role an pick up the gloves.

The first official Kattanga ended 1-2 after a true tactical battle that left Kattegat Raiders in the second place of the series and Matanga FC in the seventh position.

"It was a pretty tough match", said captain Segura, "anyways, fortunately we could win". "I'm really glad for helping my teammates, and for beating a hard rival, we won three important points today", said Brune, who's performing quite well in these last matches and becoming a key player for the K offensive.

Mr. Gastón Gerken commented to the media as well: "We did a great job today. The guys were awesome, they did everything I could asked, they fought on every inch of the field, but we couldn't make it against a great team, bad luck fo us I'd say".

Next match in the series for Raiders will be at home against the leaders of the group, La Chuchu. While Matanga will have to visit the Burrow against one of their main rivals in a sparky clash.