After drawing the previous match, AKITA really wanted a positive performance against the yet undefeated MAGIC team. AKITA was presenting itself with new shirts thanks to its sponsor AKITA but without regulars Yoann, Angus and Hans unavailable on the China National Day.
Because of the tight schedule, both team had to start without any warm up on the pitch. Winning the draw, AKITA opted to leave the ball in order to benefit from any potential clumsy start. They did not have to wait much as the third MAGIC's pass flew directly to the side line giving the ball back to AKITA. AKITA needed 2 penalties for that but still were the team opening the scoring with Norbert. This was followed with a bad spell to drop 3 - 1 down in 5 minutes. Markus brought the score to parity with 2 goals in quick succession and Ulf scored his first. MAGIC came back as it was deemed to be a close contest for the whole of the match.
The weather was hot and both teams were struggling for air already which resulted in numerous turnovers. The fresh blood from Dominic, Rolf and Michael was making a difference. Wan who had to play the whole match with no change was vigilant and was able to make some good save when MAGIC was forced to shoot from the distance. A Rolf goal followed by Stefan first allowed for a 2 goals advantage for the first time. At that time, AKITA was having the upper hand with Michael entrance adding a different threat resulting in an immediate goal. Ulf was finding great passes to deceive the MAGIC defense and Matsuo quick hands allowed him for a goal too. Stefan scored his second as he finally managed to keep the ball low and Michael made it 10 -7. A last minute penalty for MAGIC made it 10 - 8 before the break.
The half time was all about recuperation and concentration, the team was reminded to cover the defense quickly as MAGIC best chances were usually on first and second waves. This was immediately confirmed at the restart as a lost ball by AKITA yielded a MAGIC goal.
Ulf making a strong impression on that day scored and gave Matsuo the ball for a 3 goal advantage but AKITA was not really able to limit MAGIC's scoring for a consistent period of time like they managed against other teams. Both teams were staying neck to neck as Michael restored twice a 2 goal advantage. As MAGIC seemed tired, AKITA was trying to take advantage but could not steer away. With MAGIC back to a one goal deficit, it was time for Jessica, the AKITA team official of the day, to ask for a time out.
With 15 minutes to go and only a 1 goal advantage, it was a match on its own that started. After some ball circulation, Norbert found the opportunity with a hip shot. A penalty and fast break for MAGIC provoked roars from their bench. Ulf restored the advantage but both benches were getting even more vocal when MAGIC came back again. After some poor shooting for the day, PA opened his account on the left half thanks to Markus' work. Michael who had moved to the right wing scored his fifth but each goal was answered by MAGIC. With 2 minutes to go, AKITA obtained another penalty. Under the pressure, Norbert went to a simple powerful shot in the bottom left for 19 - 18.
With only a minute to go, MAGIC was cracking under pressure and lost the ball on a confused play in the middle. Stefan was immediately running for the fast break and made sure he did not shoot before seeing the white of the keeper's eyes. With 2 goals and 30 seconds to play, the MAGIC team knew it was too late but still managed a last effort with a goal from number 6, their best player on the day, on the buzzer.
With this one goal victory, the first ever for AKITA, the team becomes the only undefeated team in the league and takes the outright league in a division where most team are extremely close.
Michael 5, Norbert 3, Stefan 3, Ulf 3, Markus 2, Matsuo 2, Rolf 1, PA 1
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