In
a group that had already had so many great games
and important games the next fixture was arguably
the most important to date. Going into Round
4, there were four teams separated by 1 point
and two of those teams now met face-to-face
as JNJ Middle East took on JNJ Serbia. A win
for either team would see them as one of the
favourites to qualify for the Cup whereas defeat
would make that goal a long-shot. A draw would
not really suit either and make their task very
difficult going into the final round of games.
JNJ
Middle East were upwardly mobile having won
their last two games and after a narrow defeat
to the 2013 champions would come into this game
on a high. How would JNJ Serbia fare? Having
won their two opening games they had just tasted
defeat. Could momentum favour JNJ Middle East?
They
continued their habit of scoring in their first
half (Vasco Costa Marques with the goal on this
occasion) but unfortunately for them JNJ Serbia
scored twice to prevent JNJ Middle East having
a fourth consecutive half-time lead. Branko
Kosovic (four for the tournament) and Nemanja
Beatovic scored the goals that gave JNJ Serbia
a vital lead.
After
the break the game was settled by Nenad Stojanovic's
second goal of the day as he put JNJ Serbia
3-1 up and there was no way back for JNJ Middle
East. This was a huge result for JNJ Serbia
who moved into second on their own pending the
result of JNJ Russia A.
As
other results came in it emerged JNJ Middle
East would be the biggest losers of the round
in the race for Cup qualification. The defeat
had meant the Plate was their most likely destination
for knock-out football this afternoon.
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