Game 6 was a crucial game at the foot of Group A as ADP Dream Team met Deportivo Dooradoyle. Thus far, both teams were yet to earn a point and both teams were yet to score. Deportivo had come the closest only going down in the last minute in the last game.

The good news for both teams in this game is that they broke their goalscoring duck. Marko Slanc netted for ADP Dream Team whilst Keith Lynch and Ger O'Loughlin scored for Deportivo Dooradoyle.

The Irish held a 2-1 lead at half-time and the important fourth goal of the game also went their way. At 3-1 they were well on their way to victory and the 3 points were secure when Deportivo Dooradoyle made it 4-1. Both second half goals came from Ger O'Loughlin as he claimed a fine personal hat-trick.

Game 7 was the top of the table clash between Melee FC and ADP Netherlands 1. The two teams took a 100% record into the game with the maximum 6 points and only goal difference separated them. If either team could earn another victory they would virtually secure their place in the Cup competition.

Sometimes these top of the table games can be tight, close and low on goals but not this one. We had three goals to enjoy in the opening period and it was Melee FC who emerged on top 2-1. If they could hold on they would open up a 3 point gap at the top of Group A. They did better than hold on though as they extended their lead to 3-1. There was no way back for ADP Netherlands and Melee FC had their third win.

Jack Dell scored two of the Melee FC goals to take his personal tally to 4 for the day with Chris Pilsbury scoring the other (his second of the day). For ADP Netherlands 1 it was Jan Van Rabenswaaij's 5th of the day.

Shahs of Sunset were next on pitch against Deportivo Dooradoyle. Both teams had three points to show for their efforts to date and another win would put thim in joint second. For Deportivo Dooradoyle this was their final opportunity to gain some points and help decide their fate for the afternoon knock-out phase.

Shahs of Sunset still had another game after this so could conceivably still take the Group A title with two wins from their final games. There was no margin for error now – win or bust. All was going to plan for the Shahs in the early stages as they opened up a 2-1 lead at half-time with the aid of goals from Anes Jusic and Anders Schmachtenberg.

Paul Lehair maintained his “goal per game” record in the second half to make it 3-1 and then 4-1. It was just the victory they needed and meant that just 3 points separated the top three teams in Group A.

For Deportivo Dooradoyle, Neil Timothy opened his personal account and it looked like they would be playing their football in the Trophy competition this afternoon.

Game 9 saw ADP Netherlands 1 last chance to stake a claim for Cup qualification as they met ADP Dream Team. ADP Netherlands 1 could still win the group if they won this one, Melee FC lost to the Shahs of Sunset and goal difference worked in their favour. If they could finish second they could still qualify for the Cup as one of the best 2nd place finishers. A defeat would mean third place and the Plate.

For ADP Dream Team the aims from the game were quite different – to try and get their first win of the day and potentially rise from 5th to 4th position.

Remco Nijland opened the scoring for ADP Netherlands 1 and from there the Dutch never looked back. Michiel Nagelhout, Jan Van Rabenswaaij (2), Jeroen Quispel (2) and Nijland again all added to the score. The final result was 7-0 to ADP Netherlands 1 and they now had to wait for their fate to be decided.

ADP Dream Team would finish 5 th and be in the Trophy although we would not yet know if they were in the Quarter-Final draw or would need to play off for that honour.

Group A would be wrapped up with Melee FC and Shahs of Sunset. Melee FC only needed a draw to win the Group and secure Cup qualification. A defeat would see them part of a 3-way tie with Shahs of Sunset and ADP Netherlands 1. Given current goal difference it would hand the title to the Dutch and they could slip to third with a 2-goal deficit. Shahs of Sunset needed a 2-goal win for 2nd and a 7-goal win for the title. Anything less and they were in the Plate.

As you might expect from a top of the table encounter there was little to choose between the two teams and half-time came and went with the scores level at 0-0. As it stood Melee FC were happy but there was still time for Shahs of Sunset to change that.

The deadlock was then broken by Anes Jusic in what was a huge goal in the context of the group. The fates of Melee FC and Shahs of Sunset were delicately balanced. Just one more goal in this match would have massive repercussions. Shahs of Sunset desperately needed it but it eluded them and the match finished 1-0.

It was a valiant effort by the Shahs as although they finished joint top they would also finish third on goal difference and miss out on the Cup. It was harsh on them as with just one narrow defeat they would go into the Plate. For Melee FC, they were into the final 8 and the Cup Quarter-Final draw. ADP Netherlands 1 had won the Group A title.