League

Forsyth Barr Stadium
Spectators: 8016 (Terracing: 6014, Seating: 1843, VIP seats: 159) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Meyer Fasey kicked off to start the match. If Niles Dale had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Philip Fieldhouse showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Robert Tauschke in the 4th minute of the match. 6 minutes into the match, Shenhua FC - Real Madrid's goal looked a bit too open when Meyer Fasey came free, but Art Surman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Niles Dale hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. Robert Tauschke sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Shenhua FC - Real Madrid fans' excitement grew in the 17th match minute when Shenhua FC - Real Madrid's Dario Kile looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Philip Fieldhouse took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Robert Tauschke, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 23rd match minute, Blues was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tobie Isaac to maneuver through the defense. Ian Bowman's late challenge caught a Shenhua FC - Real Madrid's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ian Bowman helped the player get up and apologised. Ian Bowman hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. The supporters of Blues booed when Shenhua FC - Real Madrid was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fabian Beverley didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some careless play in the Blues defense, Dario Kile kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Philip Fieldhouse. The Blues fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Philip Fieldhouse should have stopped the shot. Dario Kile sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Blues players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Shenhua FC - Real Madrid were winning 0-2.

If Birrell Pukallus had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Philip Fieldhouse made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dario Kile in the 60th minute. Niles Dale's late challenge caught a Blues's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Niles Dale helped the player get up and apologised. Niles Dale hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. Art Surman stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Meyer Fasey's shot from short distance in the 69th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Robert Tauschke in the 71st minute of play forced Blues's goalkeeper Philip Fieldhouse to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Birrell Pukallus scored 1-2 in the 75th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Art Surman, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. If Dario Kile had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 80th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dario Kile sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After having played for 86 minutes, Robert Tauschke managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Shenhua FC - Real Madrid's supporters crossed their fingers, but Robert Tauschke was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Meyer Fasey sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Birrell Pukallus recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Shenhua FC - Real Madrid played a much better game than Blues and deserved their victory. The Blues players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.