League

EL PALOMAR
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) USURIAGA FC's Anibal Justin 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. Santiago Bertran made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Astor Belmiro in the 3rd minute of play. After 6 minutes, Elpidio Dei mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the USURIAGA FC and the MAR-RA players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 7th minute there was a penalty for MAR-RA. Orlando Macias stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Santiago Bertran. 0-1. Carmelo Bastiaro recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Nestor Benvido showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Anibal Justin, who was totally free with the ball in the 15th minute. When Anibal Justin came up free with the goalie in the 17th minute, the USURIAGA FC 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 Anibal Justin couldn't finish the play. Anibal Justin 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. Nestor Benvido showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Anibal Justin in the 24th minute of the match. In the 27th match minute, USURIAGA FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Oscar Santo to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Astor Belmiro in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Santiago Bertran saved USURIAGA FC from getting behind. The supporters of USURIAGA FC booed when MAR-RA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Astor Belmiro didn't get a good kick on the ball. Saverio Evis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Nestor Benvido tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Astor Belmiro made a kick off. Jairo Buinton hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. Hilario Jaen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 58 minutes, Astor Belmiro managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. MAR-RA's supporters crossed their fingers, but Astor Belmiro was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Nestor Benvido made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Saverio Evis in the 70th minute of play. Saverio Evis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Nestor Benvido tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Astor Belmiro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 77th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Santiago Bertran having to interfere. If Astor Belmiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nestor Benvido took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Anibal Justin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 90th minute, Hilario Jaen got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Astor Belmiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Astor Belmiro in the 96th minute of play forced USURIAGA FC's goalkeeper Santiago Bertran to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The MAR-RA supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing MAR-RA would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.