Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Graphic Ace |
Match Report
The air is damp with a fine drizzle here at The Stadium of Light where Sunderland play host to Rochdale. A crowd of 8,634 fill this 10,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Sunderland are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Rochdale appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by David Minto.
The pitch is in good condition.
Sunderland are playing in a 4-4-2 formation while Rochdale appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by David Minto.
0.00
0-0Sunderland kick off and get the first half underway!
2.06
0-0Francis Montague flicks a high ball forward to Steve Collymore who takes it down. Steve Collymore knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
12.59
0-0With great vision, Adriano Bellini plays the ball forward to Jean-Luc Biancalani. Jean-Luc Biancalani makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Leonardo Susic but he's offside!
18.02
0-0Steve Collymore clumsily knocks into Diego Di Natale. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Diego Di Natale runs off the knock.
21.24
1-0Diego Di Natale brings the ball forward. Diego Di Natale changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Diego Di Natale knocks in a cross ball towards John Blinker. John Blinker is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
26.01
1-0Francis Montague changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Francis Montague edges inside the box! Kai Sparwasser catches Francis Montague on the ankles. Francis Montague appeals for a penalty! Given!!
26.01
1-0The referee points to the spot..
27.09
Jean-Luc Biancalani takes a long run up. Jean-Luc Biancalani slots the ball inside the left post with the inside of his foot. Textbook penalty!
28.08
1-1Jose Diez takes it forward alone. Jose Diez flicks a high pass forward to Leonardo Susic who brings the ball under control. Leonardo Susic lofts in a cross ball towards Steve Collymore. Steve Collymore heads the ball goalwards. Romero P. Fernandez picks it out of the air!
33.02
1-1Leonardo Susic hacks Kai Sparwasser from behind! Leonardo Susic is warned by the referee! Kai Sparwasser stretches but gets up unharmed.
40.42
1-1Rochdale are dictating the run of play here today.
42.09
Jakob Arendt kicks a strong pass forward to John Blinker. John Blinker shoots from 20 yards. The keeper is more than a match for it. Fabulous save!
44.03
1-1Adriano Bellini comes in with a late challenge on Peter Dublin. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Peter Dublin gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Sunderland appear unchanged since the first half. Rochdale also appear unchanged since the first half. The Rochdale players look more motivated than they were before.
45.00
The whistle blows and Rochdale get the second half underway!
49.36
Sean Apolloni flicks a high pass forward. Adriano Bellini collects the pass. Adriano Bellini threads a neat ball through to Leonardo Susic. Leonardo Susic runs straight at the defence! Leonardo Susic comes through the middle and smashes a shot from 11 yards out. The ball takes a deflection leaving Romero P. Fernandez with no chance!! Goal for Rochdale!
53.06
Francis Montague deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Steve Collymore. Steve Collymore threads a neat, attacking ball through to Jean-Luc Biancalani. Jean-Luc Biancalani shoots from just inside the box. Romero P. Fernandez gets down and covers it.
59.25
Seeing a gap ahead, Fabio Hubner plays the ball forward to Steve Collymore. Steve Collymore shoots from long range but it is tipped over by Romero P. Fernandez.
66.37
1-2Craig Gower decides to run forward with the ball. Craig Gower threads a neat ball through to Wayne Dichio. Wayne Dichio tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
67.29
Jose Diez deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Francis Montague. Francis Montague surges forward with the ball. Francis Montague puts a great ball through. Steve Collymore runs beyond the defensive line but is deemed offside!
71.54
Francis Montague threads a neat ball through to Jean-Luc Biancalani. Jean-Luc Biancalani knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Craig Gower.
72.00
Wayne Dichio catches Garry Ferguson on the ankles. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Garry Ferguson runs off the knock.
75.08
Diego Di Natale makes a beautiful solo run. Diego Di Natale flicks a high pass forward. Wayne Dichio holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Wayne Dichio shoots from 20 yards but couldn't keep it down. It goes high into the crowd!
77.06
Francis Montague comes in with a late challenge on Jakob Arendt. The referee calls over Francis Montague and shows him a yellow card! Jakob Arendt stretches but gets up unharmed.
78.45
Jakob Arendt makes a beautiful solo run. Jakob Arendt shoots from long range but it is tipped over by Juan Ignacio Lorenzo.
79.20
1-2Thomas Janes takes the corner, driving a low ball out to the edge of the box. Jose Diez steps in with a tackle, taking the ball and clearing it up the pitch.
81.40
Garry Ferguson passes the ball forward to Fabio Hubner. Fabio Hubner takes it forward alone. Fabio Hubner shoots from 25 yards but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
2
Shots on Target
3
5
Shots off Target
2
1
Offsides
0
5
Fouls
2
4
Yellow Cards
1
3
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
39.4%
60.6%
Play Area
34.8%
42.4%
22.7%
Scorers
| John Blinker 21 | Jean-Luc Biancalani 27 (p) Leonardo Susic 49 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Leonardo Susic of Rochdale |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Romero P. Fernandez (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Craig Gower (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Diego Di Natale (DEF) | 8 | |
| 4. | Kai Sparwasser (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Eoin Gardner (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Ricardo Veloso (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Thomas Janes (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Jakob Arendt (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Peter Dublin (MID) | 6 | |
| 10. | Wayne Dichio (ATT) |  | 5 |
| 11. | John Blinker (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 12. | Graham Rankin (ATT) | 0 | |
| 13. | Danny Murrin (ATT) | 0 | |
| 14. | Nuno Semedo (DEF) | 0 | |
| 1. | Juan Ignacio Lorenzo (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Cesare Milanese (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Garry Ferguson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Jose Diez (DEF) | 8 | |
| 5. | Sean Apolloni (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Adriano Bellini (MID) | | 7 |
| 7. | Francis Montague (MID) | | 8 |
| 8. | Fabio Hubner (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Jean-Luc Biancalani (ATT) | | 6 |
| 10. | Leonardo Susic (ATT) | | 9 |
| 11. | Steve Collymore (ATT) | | 6 |
| 12. | Nicolas Schönenborn (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Pierre G. Rutzittu (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Michael Clemence (DEF) | 0 | |