Friendly League

LA BRANCANERA
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Mikael Hammarbäck started the match with the kick off. David Schembri took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mikael Hammarbäck, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. El Branca del Vieja's Genaro Ponciano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Conrado Frans in the 9th minute of play. El Branca del Vieja's Mikael Hammarbäck got a good chance for a goal in the 11th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 13th minute, Mikael Hammarbäck managed to get in a good position for a shot. El Branca del Vieja's supporters rose to their feet, but Mikael Hammarbäck was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. David Schembri breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 14 minutes into the game, Fabio Monte was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Northern California's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave El Branca del Vieja the free kick. Fabio Monte kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. Otto Kotto hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. David Schembri made a fantastic save in the 20th minute, when Lei Xiao Jian sent off a good shot on target. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Mikael Hammarbäck in the 23rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg David Schembri saved Northern California from getting behind. When the match had gone on for 25 minutes, Hector Garin put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Genaro Ponciano. 28 minutes into the match, El Branca del Vieja's Mikael Hammarbäck sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that David Schembri narrowly saved just below the crossbar. David Schembri showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mikael Hammarbäck, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Conrado Frans in the 31st minute of play forced El Branca del Vieja's goalkeeper Genaro Ponciano to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 32nd minute, Fabian Maldonado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 34th minute Fabio Monte shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Genaro Ponciano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. David Schembri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mikael Hammarbäck in the 39th minute of play. 40 minutes into the match, El Branca del Vieja's goal looked a bit too open when Hector Garin came free, but Genaro Ponciano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mikael Hammarbäck struck a weak shot in the 47th minute. David Schembri didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for El Branca del Vieja. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The wind increased when Fabio Monte made the kick off in the second half. Genaro Ponciano showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fabio Monte, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. El Branca del Vieja's defense didn't have a chance, in the 53rd minute, when Fabio Monte scored to the left of an out of position Genaro Ponciano, making the score, 0-3. Genaro Ponciano didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 58th minute, which inside left pole to 0-4. El Branca del Vieja made a substitution. Filiberto Benitez replaced Fabian Maldonado. In the 64th minute Lei Xiao Jian shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but David Schembri saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 65th match minute, Northern California was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fabio Monte to maneuver through the defense. David Schembri took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from 김 망절, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 69th match minute, Northern California was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnaldo Hustaz to maneuver through the defense. Northern California's David Schembri played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mauro Milano in the 70th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gervasio Isias got free with Genaro Ponciano in the 71st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. David Schembri showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mauro Milano, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. David Schembri stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Mauro Milano's shot from short distance in the 73rd minute. 74 minutes into the match, El Branca del Vieja's goalkeeper Genaro Ponciano had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Gervasio Isias. After 76 minutes, Timoteo Frisco mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Northern California and the El Branca del Vieja players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 76 played minutes Northern California got a freekick which was hit by Timoteo Frisco. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mauro Milano in the 78th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck David Schembri prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 80th minute 김 망절 shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but David Schembri saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. David Schembri took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from 김 망절, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 84th minute, Lei Xiao Jian ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. David Schembri was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-4. With a little luck, El Branca del Vieja's Genaro Ponciano got control of the ball when Hector Garin tried to sneak it across the goal line. When the match had gone on for 90 minutes, Mauro Milano put it in 2-4 from a short distance just to the right of David Schembri. Northern California's David Schembri played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mauro Milano in the 95th minute of play. Hector Garin kicked well hit freekick during the 96th minute of the match. The Northern California supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Northern California would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.