U23 League

Súper Arena Azul
Spectators: 207 (Terracing: 156, Seating: 47, VIP seats: 4) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Podador Raheiro started the match with the kick off. 3 minutes into the match, Club Deportes Santa Cruz's goalkeeper Ilkka Markkula had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Juan Corredor. MILLONARIOS FC were awarded a corner in the 4th minute after Club Deportes Santa Cruz's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Ruud van Nistelrooij took the corner. A nice corner shot did that Ruud van Nistelrooij got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Ilkka Markkula quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. A collision led to Club Deportes Santa Cruz getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Antonio Gorri hit a great ball. Juan Corredor's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ilkka Markkula read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 9th minute of play. Videl Mauriz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Podador Raheiro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Videl Mauriz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Podador Raheiro, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. Juan Corredor hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Videl Mauriz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Raimundo Tupper in the 24th minute of the match. After 26 minutes, Eskild Sneftrup mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the MILLONARIOS FC and the Club Deportes Santa Cruz players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 26 played minutes MILLONARIOS FC got a freekick which was hit by Eskild Sneftrup. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Ilkka Markkula proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 28th minute of the match, managed to save Club Deportes Santa Cruz from getting a goal against them. MILLONARIOS FC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Ruud van Nistelrooij in the 29th minute. A nice corner shot did that Juan Corredor got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Ilkka Markkula quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. If Podador Raheiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 34 minutes into the match, MILLONARIOS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Podador Raheiro came free, but Videl Mauriz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Juan Corredor's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 40thth minute, Ilkka Markkula skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 43rd minute the ball was on its way in behind MILLONARIOS FC's goalkeeper Videl Mauriz, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Club Deportes Santa Cruz made a substitution. Yan Zhi Chuan replaced Podador Raheiro. In the 46th minute of the match Club Deportes Santa Cruz got a corner. MILLONARIOS FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gilberto Sandoval ran over to the corner to take the kick. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Eskild Sneftrup was the one to do the kick off. With an all-out effort, Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Videl Mauriz threw himself towards the right post 56 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Raimundo Tupper, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Yan Zhi Chuan took the ball and in the 63 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Videl Mauriz. Videl Mauriz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Club Deportes Santa Cruz made a substitution. Eusebiu Tunar replaced Raimundo Tupper. In the 76th minute, Club Deportes Santa Cruz's Vágner Linares seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Vágner Linares the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Club Deportes Santa Cruz protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Vágner Linares had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. Club Deportes Santa Cruz:s Ilkka Markkula showed great skill when he stopped Juan Corredor:s penalty. 85 minutes into the match, MILLONARIOS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Yan Zhi Chuan came free, but Videl Mauriz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 88 minutes into the match, Yan Zhi Chuan had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Videl Mauriz. MILLONARIOS FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Yan Zhi Chuan was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. If Yan Zhi Chuan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 95 minutes into the game, Yan Zhi Chuan was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Club Deportes Santa Cruz's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave MILLONARIOS FC the free kick. After 95 played minutes Club Deportes Santa Cruz got a freekick which was hit by Yan Zhi Chuan. 97 minutes into the match, MILLONARIOS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Yan Zhi Chuan came free, but Videl Mauriz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The Club Deportes Santa Cruz players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.