Game 157 (Friendly) 05-23-299:

Game 157: Islandia-Ras Lanarch (friendly)

IVEFA announces the results for yesterday's friendly match:

The Technical Information:

Final score: ISLANDIA 3 - RAS LANARCH 2
Played in: Sandur Giant Stadium, Snaeffelstadir, Islandia
Attendance: 28,400
Referee: Trevor Speaks (BOW)
Goals: Hjalmarsson (ISL, 22.), Eyjolfsson (ISL, 33.), Leixnitz (RAS,
49.), Petursson (ISL, 55.), Mackendries (RAS, 61.)
Yellow cards: Hainey (RAS, 22.), Þórarinsson (ISL, 42.), Zastersson
(RAS, 58.)
Substitutions: Allbright for Kellers (RAS, 45.), Stelldichein for Gerthz
(RAS, 45.)

Match commentary:

Islandia gets more challenge than they bargained for, but prevail!

This little-hyped match went over rather unnoticed by the international
soccer scene, as it was not exactly a marquee matchup, with the recently
out-of-form Islandia, and the less than big name Ras Lanarch.  Only just
over 28,000 fans made it into the otherwise ususally packed Sandur Giant
Stadium, but those who came saw an exciting and entertaining match,
although the home fans had a little nailbiting to do.

Ras Lanarch once again showed that they can play with the bigtime teams,
and they were not at the least intimidated.  It is clear why some of the
formerly purely amateur players are rumored to have lucrative pro
contracts lined up for next season in the Westrian league!

Islandia was in control from the getgo, however, and everything seemed
on schedule as they pulled ahead 2-0 by the 33. minute, and went into
the break looking good.  Nobody suspected Ras Lanarch to make a
comeback, but after subbing two players in the break, they came back
refreshed, and from then on were Islandia's equals on the field.
Zeschgl's replacement Leixnitz showed the RL attack lacked nothing, and
scored in his first ever match to close the gap to 1-2, and RL was
pushing hard to equalize.  It took Islandia's defensive brilliance, with
the special sparkle from Kjartansson today, to hold them off.  Islandia
seemed to get a breather when Prtursson made the gap two again in the
55. minute, but only 6 minutes later, Mackendries turned back on the
heat with the 2-3.

A classic exchange of blows followed, and RL continued to put the more
experienced Pengiuns under pressure.  Both sides had several chances,
but Kjartansson continued to shine, and Ras Lanarch also found the right
recipes to defuse Eyjolfsson & Co., and Islandia managed to hang on to
win 3-2, which, considering their much better first half, was still an
earned victory.  But watch out for Ras Lanarch - they can be VERY
dangerous in the future!