League

Rancho Cordova
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Hamid Meriem kicked off to start the match. If Mustapha Larfaoui had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Rancho Cordova AFC's Cheb Belfaa got a free kick in the 7th minute. The supporters of Valentine FC booed when Rancho Cordova AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cheb Belfaa didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 10th minute of the match Fathi Nima sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Tedj Belloumi skillfully saved the ball. The long shot by Larbi Daham in the 15th minute really tested Ali Sami Yachir's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Khalida Benida fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 16th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ali Sami Yachir having to interfere. Rachid Sami Yachir hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. In the 21st match minute, Rancho Cordova AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cheb Belfaa to maneuver through the defense. Tedj Belloumi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hamid Meriem, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Abdelnasser Ammour had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rancho Cordova AFC's attack was well implemented in the 31st minute, but when Khalida Benida was about to shoot he didn't get a good hit on the ball and it hit the crossbar and flew over. Goal Kick. When Rancho Cordova AFC's Khalida Benida in the 33rd minute got a chance for a shot 33rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Valentine FC's goalie prevented a goal. After 34 minutes, Ahmed Aggoune mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rancho Cordova AFC and the Valentine FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Ahmed Aggoune hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. Valentine FC's Ali Sami Yachir proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Valentine FC from getting a goal against them. Rancho Cordova AFC's Khalida Benida got a good chance for a goal in the 47th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar.

After 54 played minutes Valentine FC got a freekick which was hit by Hicham Gallaire. Hocine Djebbour was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 54th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Khalida Benida received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Ali Sami Yachir tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Abdelnasser Ammour in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ali Sami Yachir saved Valentine FC from getting behind. 63 minutes into the game, Rancho Cordova AFC's Abdelnasser Ammour nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ali Sami Yachir made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. After a rather tough play, Rancho Cordova AFC's Cheb Belfaa got a free kick in the 69th minute. In the 72nd minute Hamid Meriem shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tedj Belloumi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 81 played minutes Valentine FC got a freekick which was hit by Hicham Gallaire. Abdelnasser Ammour fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ali Sami Yachir having to interfere. Ali Sami Yachir took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Khalida Benida, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 90th minute the ball was on its way in behind Valentine FC's goalkeeper Ali Sami Yachir, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Ali Sami Yachir made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Khalida Benida in the 96th minute of play. Valentine FC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.