D2 Matchday 3: HP vs Phat

[Scarface]

HP

----------------------------Gianluigi Buffon----------------------------
----------------Pablo Ibanez--------------Kakha Kaladze---------------
-Lauren-------------------------------------------------Joan Capdevila-
--------------------Alou Diarra----------------------------------------
---------------------------------Johan Vogel--------------------------
----Felix Ettien----------------------------------------Robert Pires----
------------------------Adrian Mutu-----------------------------------
---------------------------------Emmanuel Adebayor------------------


Maarten Stekelenburg
Taye Taiwo
David Suazo
Manuel Fernandes
Hernan Crespo

vs

Phat

------------------Van Der Sar--------------------

G.Neville--------Stam---Vidic-----------Zambrotta

Ljungberg------Maniche---Nolan------------Downing

----------------Fred----Klose--------------------

subs:
Jaaskelainen
M.Taylor
Edmilson
D.Bent
Solskjaer

[Nedy]

Another tough match. Will vote later.

[Rambo]

Phat for me

[greenegg]

Very close contest maybe a draw or Phat just. Will vote laters.

[Highway Penguin]

Good luck Mike, but I think you may nick it this weekend. :)

[dimitrivdr]

In a hard-fought match, it was eventually Phat's gritty determined side that managed to gain the advantage and take home the 3 points.

Pires and Mutu were particularly effective in combining, although it was a controversial freekick won by Pires on the edge of the area that eventually broke the deadlock. Despite heavy protest from Stam in particular, the freekick was eventually taken by Vogel and Adebayor hammered a clear header passed a helpless Buffon.

The controversy seemed to inspire Phat's players however with Nolan, Ljungberg and Klose in particular taking the match into their own hands. Nolan almost scored but was unlucky to see his volley hit the woodwork. Klose finally decided the match with a double in quick succession . The first, a header from a Maniche corner and the second resulting from excellent link play with Ljungberg inside the penalty area.

Fred, a peripheral figure in the match was eventually substituted for Solskjaer, who came close to scoring but was denied by a fantastic one-handed save by Buffon, ending the game at 1-2.

[Hunter]

Going with Phat here, such a strong defensive line which I can imagine will be in high command throughout the match. Both keepers are very good but Buffon would have the edge. Fairly even spread over the pitch but the sheer strength of Phat's defence will be hard for HP to break down and I think it's more likely the combination of Fred and Klose will cause more havoc.

HP 0 - 1 Phat

[Scarface]

Fred and Klose would pose a significant threat to HP's backline, but a fairly strong defence, with help from Vogel and Alou Diarra, and the great Buffon behind them, can do enough to salvage a draw. A goal a piece from Robert Pires and Miroslav Klose.