League

Venice Stadium
Spectators: 7947 (Terracing: 5961, Seating: 1828, VIP seats: 158) Rainier Drouin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Raoul Labrie in the 5th minute of play. 7 minutes into the match, Rapid Vienna's goal looked a bit too open when Margarito Hicks came free, but Abe Canales reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Luis Connors sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ed Stephens sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 27 played minutes Rapid Vienna got a freekick which was hit by Tory Burt. When Margarito Hicks came up free with the goalie in the 28th minute, the Venice 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 Margarito Hicks couldn't finish the play. Rapid Vienna's Abe Canales proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Rapid Vienna from getting a goal against them. Rapid Vienna's Abe Canales played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Margarito Hicks in the 37th minute of play. 40 minutes into the match, Rapid Vienna's goal looked a bit too open when Margarito Hicks came free, but Abe Canales reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Rapid Vienna getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Tory Burt hit a great ball. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Raoul Labrie was the one to do the kick off. Jeff Read blasted a shot towards the goal in the 51st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Rainier Drouin having to make a save. In the 55th minute Luis Connors shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Abe Canales saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rapid Vienna's Abe Canales played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Margarito Hicks in the 58th minute of play. If Margarito Hicks had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 64 minutes into the game, Margarito Hicks cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Abe Canales was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 69th minute, Luis Connors hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 70 minutes into the game, Serge Norbert was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rapid Vienna's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Venice the free kick. A collision led to Rapid Vienna getting a freekick after 70 minutes play. Serge Norbert hit a great ball. In the 71st minute, a hard, long distance shot from Buster Hurt hit the top of the crossbar and flew over the goal. In the 76th minute Margarito Hicks shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Abe Canales saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ed Stephens received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Abe Canales tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Rainier Drouin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Raoul Labrie, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Margarito Hicks in the 96th minute of play forced Rapid Vienna's goalkeeper Abe Canales to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Venice had played much better football throughout.