Prized/Friendly Cup

Estadio 21 de Agosto
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Grabiel Escorcia started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Club El Progreso's goalkeeper Benjamin Tino, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The audience was convinced that Indiana Jones's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Cristiano Aveiro was relentless in the 7th minute of the game. 11 minutes into the match, Joseph Gayoso notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Club El Progreso's Benjamin Tino. Benjamin Tino was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 14 minutes into the match, Nacional's goal looked a bit too open when Matías Kranevitter came free, but Cristiano Aveiro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Grabiel Escorcia in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benjamin Tino prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Nacional's zone, Matías Kranevitter stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Cristiano Aveiro came out of the goal and Matías Kranevitter tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Benjamin Tino made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Grabiel Escorcia in the 24th minute of play. Grabiel Escorcia blasted a shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Benjamin Tino having to make a save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Grabiel Escorcia in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Benjamin Tino saved Club El Progreso from getting behind. Matías Kranevitter hit a great freekick 37 minutes into the match. Through an outstanding action, after 41 minutes, Cristiano Aveiro successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After the first half Nacional were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Grabiel Escorcia's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Benjamin Tino read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 56th minute of play. Diego Portela kicked well hit freekick during the 57th minute of the match. Ekain Menendez received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Benjamin Tino tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 64 minutes into the game, Grabiel Escorcia cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-2. Benjamin Tino was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Benjamin Tino made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Grabiel Escorcia in the 68th minute of play. After having played for 71 minutes, Grabiel Escorcia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nacional's supporters crossed their fingers, but Grabiel Escorcia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Grabiel Escorcia had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Nacional's Joseph Gayoso quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Diego Portela, made in the 76th minute of the game. After having played for 77 minutes, Grabiel Escorcia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nacional's supporters crossed their fingers, but Grabiel Escorcia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Nacional booed when Club El Progreso was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bonifacio Txindoki didn't get a good kick on the ball. Joseph Gayoso sent away a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 87th minute of the game Diego Portela made a throw-in which Enzo Bot played forward. With a little luck, Club El Progreso's Benjamin Tino got control of the ball when Grabiel Escorcia tried to sneak it across the goal line. Felipe Carballo was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. After 96 played minutes Club El Progreso got a freekick which was hit by Adolfo Fidensio. The audience thought a goal was coming when Xu Sha got free with Benjamin Tino in the 97th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 98 minutes had been played when some careless play by Club El Progreso's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Xu Sha was slow to take the kick. During this time Nacional's players had a chance to rest. The corner ended in Xu Sha almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Club El Progreso's Benjamin Tino did a great save. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Nacional eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.