League Play-Off

Saint Etienne Arena
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Malabrigo's Justino Cugat started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Claudio Normando showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Santos Manny in the 3rd minute of the match. Claudio Normando took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Justino Cugat, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Samuel Jaunzuria kicked well hit freekick during the 8th minute of the match. Serafin Eutor made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Emanuel Gigliotti in the 10th minute of play. After 11 minutes Malabrigo's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Maximino Errapel who took care of the corner kick. 12 minutes into the match, Samuel Jaunzuria had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Claudio Normando. Saint Etienne FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Samuel Jaunzuria was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Urbano Oinatz charged in rather forcefully in the 17th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Urbano Oinatz the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Saint Etienne FC booed when Malabrigo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Urbano Oinatz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Juan Enekoitz could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 18th minute of the match, but Serafin Eutor made a huge save. The supporters of Saint Etienne FC booed when Malabrigo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alejandro Tabby didn't get a good kick on the ball. 22 minutes into the match, Saint Etienne FC's goal looked a bit too open when Santos Manny came free, but Claudio Normando reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 25th minute Samuel Jaunzuria shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Claudio Normando saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Malabrigo's Santos Manny in the 30th minute got a chance for a shot 30th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Saint Etienne FC's goalie prevented a goal. Justino Cugat recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Malabrigo's Urbano Oinatz got a free kick in the 34th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Justino Cugat in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Claudio Normando saved Saint Etienne FC from getting behind. Samuel Jaunzuria scored 0-2 in the 44th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Claudio Normando, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Disappointed in the 0-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Emanuel Gigliotti made the kick off in the second half. Saint Etienne FC's Claudio Normando played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Justino Cugat in the 50th minute of play. If Fernando Ferdinand had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Claudio Normando showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Santos Manny, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. When Vladimiro Oriche fell near the penalty area in the 58th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Saint Etienne FC's protests and gave Vladimiro Oriche a yellow card for diving instead. In the 58th minute, Vladimiro Oriche hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Justino Cugat succeeded in the game's 60th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 0-3. 64 minutes into the game, Jacinto Telmo was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Saint Etienne FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Malabrigo the free kick. In the 64th minute, Jacinto Telmo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard shot by Ronaldo Novaes from long distance, 65 minutes into the match, got Claudio Normando's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. Justino Cugat recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 80th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Santos Manny sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Justino Cugat had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Saint Etienne FC's zone, Santos Manny stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Claudio Normando came out of the goal and Santos Manny tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Claudio Normando didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Justino Cugat went, in the 88th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-5 was the resulting score. Justino Cugat's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Claudio Normando read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 91st minute of play. In the 92nd minute of the match, Samuel Jaunzuria got a very nice opportunity to score, but Claudio Normando was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Santos Manny struck a weak shot in the 95th minute. Claudio Normando didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Malabrigo. The Saint Etienne FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Malabrigo were clearly better and deserved to take the win.