In a game rich with controversy and fiery tempers the Kiteflyers bow out to an unlucky defeat at the hands of a clinical Portugal team. Two late goals for the Iberian side sealed victory following their early opener and a second-half equaliser from Whelan.
The game started well from a Flyers kick-off, passing the ball around well from the centre spot and an early injury to the Portugal squad left them without substitutes. A couple of early breaks for both sides punctuated a dogged midfield battle, with neither side afraid to get stuck into the game. This was exemplified just after the ten-minute mark when a steamrolling challenge leaves Howes on the floor and wins a long-range freekick for the Flyers, although the referee at this stage was feeling rather card-shy and no punishment was dished out. Conway plays a long freekick into the box onto the head of Whelan, dutifully saved by the keeper.
Portugal, however, find their feet. A quick break down the left-hand side beats the full-back. Drilling the ball low into the box Griffin finds himself wrong-footed, and also finds the back of the net. 1-0 to Portugal.
The referee again takes centre stage as a soft freekick is awarded to Portugal on the edge of the box. A direct shot on goal is tipped onto the bar by Mitchinson to deny a second goal. The midfield battle reignites, with Booth winning a crucial ball in midfield and playing in Castillo at a tight angle who manages to fire a shot away but sees the keeper tip it around the post. A well-earned throw on the right-hand wing plays Howes into the box who is again hacked down at the knees, but the referee elects to play on and deny the Flyers a penalty. Frustrations and tempers begin to boil over as Whelan and Monroe engage in a discussion about the finer points of communication on a football pitch. In a fine show of team play the first half finishes with a ball played out by Conway from the back to Whelan on the right-hand side. Playing the ball round the corner for Howes into the box, the pitch just isn't long enough as the ball runs out of play. Half time, Flyers 1-0 down.
Captain Casey rouses the troops at half-time and makes some tactical substitutions with a change of formation to bring the Kiteflyers back into the game in the second half. Hardie takes up position in goal with Mitchinson moving to right-back as the team move to a 4-4-2 formation looking to press into the Portugal defence.
Ensuring the Portuguese keeper is awake, Kiteflyers take the kick-off and fire a long-range shot in at goal to begin the second half. The second half doesn't quite explode into life, however, the new formation begins to bear fruits with a few good moves down the wings playing the ball into the box as the pressure begins to build on the Portugal defence for the first five minutes of the second half.
Finally, the referee remembers which pocket he packed his cards into as Portugal earn themselves a yellow card for a hand into the face of Castillo with the following freekick whipped towards the back post, but just out for a goal kick. This is closely followed by a corner into Monroe who heads just over the box - if he had those extra two inches the game may well have been level. Hardie demonstrates his inner Peter Schmeichel charging to the edge of the box to deny Portugal a second before sparks begin to fly following a tussle between Monroe and the Portugal player. Bad blood beginning to form out in Surco.
A few long-range shots from both sides begin to show the difficulty in breaking down defences and a goalmouth scramble in the Portugal box almost results in an equaliser for the Flyers. The game settles into a difficult phase as neither team can find a way in as the 45th minute of the 60-minute game looms.
Today, Tonga wasn't the only site of an eruption. Following another poor challenge, tempers boil over as Whelan puts his opposing number down on the floor. A 20 man melee ensues, with blows being traded between the teams. Whelan is restrained as the referee, unsuccessfully, tries to regain control of the match. As some semblance of control begins to settle over the crowd a flying boot from Monroe reminiscent of Maradona vs Bilbao, having sprinted the width of the pitch to join the fracas, reignites tempers and blows are again traded before the two teams are separated. In a bizarre moment of judgement, the referee decides to alter the rules of the game to his own liking and awards a 5-minute 'cooldown' on the sidelines to Whelan and his Portuguese colleague, with no cards being awarded.
Retribution, however, is duly dealt. Following his 'cooldown' Whelan breaks down the right-hand side following a visionary ball from Sanabria and plays a sublime shot across goal, dumbfounding the keeper and looping into the far top corner. Peeling away to the corner flag he shows his best Sturridge moves reminiscent of the dancefloor at Lima Bar. 1-1 and all to play for with 8 minutes left.
Things look up for the Flyers as, for the third time in the game, Howes is hacked down. This time the referee decides to take note, awarding a freekick and a yellow. Conway whips it low and hard into the box, splitting the defence but as the ball is tapped into the net the referee points out the whistle had not been blown. Retaking the freekick only finds the wall.
Looking for the winner, Booth plays a superb ball into Howes who beats the offside trap magnificently. As the keeper rushes out to close him down McAteer comes in on the right and Howes unselfishly squares for the tap-in. However, McAteer inexplicably elects this moment to examine the blade length on the artificial surface and takes a tumble to the floor, denying the Flyers the lead.
In the dying moments of the game, the Portuguese winger picks up the ball wide on the left and hits it long-range. Looping over Hardie in goal it finds the far corner, and the Kiteflyer resurgence is quashed. 2-1. A few more Kiteflyer attempts follow, but after Conway kindly passes to the advancing Portugal striker who rounds the keeper the game is settled at 3-1.
Man of the Match: David Mitchinson (1) Play of the Match: Will's redemption goal Twat of the Match: Will Whelan (1) for first-half verbal abuse of teammates Freestyle Award: Shane's Karate Kid moment
