Friendly League

Ellis Park Stadium
Spectators: 37 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Artemio Jokin in the 2nd minute of play forced Club Deportes Santa Cruz's goalkeeper Ilkka Markkula to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Romeo Dominic took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Yan Zhi Chuan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 6thth minute of the game Raimundo Tupper who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but SOUTH AFRICA's Romeo Dominic was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 8th minute Yan Zhi Chuan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Romeo Dominic saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 10 minutes into the game, SOUTH AFRICA's Artemio Jokin nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ilkka Markkula made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Romeo Mel could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 14th minute of the match, but Ilkka Markkula made a huge save. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Podador Raheiro in the 16th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Romeo Dominic prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 17th match minute, SOUTH AFRICA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Isaac Terris to maneuver through the defense. Yan Zhi Chuan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 22 minutes into the game, Yan Zhi Chuan cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Romeo Dominic was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Romeo Dominic showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Raimundo Tupper in the 25th minute of the match. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Raimundo Tupper got a good chance for a goal in the 28th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cavit Sanay kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Qu Zheng Song in the 33rd minute. The corner ended in Qu Zheng Song almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but SOUTH AFRICA's Romeo Dominic did a great save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Raimundo Tupper in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Romeo Dominic saved SOUTH AFRICA from getting behind. In the 40th minute the ball was on its way in behind SOUTH AFRICA's goalkeeper Romeo Dominic, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Romeo Dominic showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Raimundo Tupper in the 41st minute of the match. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Ilkka Markkula proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 46th minute of the match, managed to save Club Deportes Santa Cruz from getting a goal against them. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Trayko Gradinarski was substituted for Podador Raheiro. The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Romeo Mel stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Ilkka Markkula played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Artemio Jokin in the 52nd minute of play. After some careless play in the Club Deportes Santa Cruz defense, Artemio Jokin kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Ilkka Markkula. The Club Deportes Santa Cruz fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Ilkka Markkula should have stopped the shot. When Silvio Navia came up free with the goalie in the 59th minute, the Club Deportes Santa Cruz fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Silvio Navia couldn't finish the play. 61 minutes into the match, Club Deportes Santa Cruz's goal looked a bit too open when Artemio Jokin came free, but Ilkka Markkula reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. SOUTH AFRICA's Romeo Dominic played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marcus Edström in the 66th minute of play. Romeo Dominic showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yan Zhi Chuan in the 67th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Marcus Edström in the 72nd minute of play forced SOUTH AFRICA's goalkeeper Romeo Dominic to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Romeo Dominic showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yan Zhi Chuan in the 74th minute of the match. In the 75th minute, Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Yan Zhi Chuan dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-2. 80 minutes into the match, SOUTH AFRICA's goalkeeper Romeo Dominic had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Marcus Edström. After taking down the ball on Club Deportes Santa Cruz's corner Qu Zheng Song fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Romeo Dominic quite easily take care of the ball. If Marcus Edström had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 82nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 85th match minute, SOUTH AFRICA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Oscar Ruggieri to maneuver through the defense. Yan Zhi Chuan could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 94th minute of the match, but Romeo Dominic made a huge save. Romeo Dominic took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marcus Edström, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. SOUTH AFRICA had played much better football throughout.