U21 World League

ESA MONUMENTAL
Spectators: 7448 (Terracing: 5587, Seating: 1713, VIP seats: 148) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Cristian Rufo kicked off to start the match. After 3 played minutes Sarmiento de Resistencia got a freekick which was hit by Jaime Ellande. Sarmiento de Resistencia's Benigno Manilan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by German Isaio in the 4th minute of play. Benigno Manilan made a fantastic save in the 6th minute, when Aaron Fagildo sent off a good shot on target. Mateo Jakue showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cesar Lekubegi in the 10th minute of the match. 21 minutes into the match, Cesar Lekubegi had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Mateo Jakue. Esmeralda AFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cesar Lekubegi was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Cesar Lekubegi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Mateo Jakue made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cesar Lekubegi in the 26th minute of play. Benigno Manilan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Rufo in the 28th minute of the match. Mateo Jakue showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cesar Lekubegi, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cesar Lekubegi in the 31st minute of play forced Esmeralda AFC's goalkeeper Mateo Jakue to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 39 minutes into the match, Sarmiento de Resistencia's Cesar Lekubegi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Mateo Jakue narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 40 minutes into the match, Esmeralda AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Cesar Lekubegi came free, but Mateo Jakue reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Cesar Lekubegi came up free with the goalie in the 42nd minute, the Sarmiento de Resistencia 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 Cesar Lekubegi couldn't finish the play. Baltasar Maldonado came free with the goalkeeper in the 47th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Benigno Manilan could save by the left post. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cesar Lekubegi to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Aaron Fagildo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Benigno Manilan was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. The referee felt a red card was in order, 56 minutes into the game, when Vicente Beltxe put in a rough tackle. Filomeno Tirso shot the penalty kick by force right in the crossbar. No goal. 67 minutes into the match, Sarmiento de Resistencia's goal looked a bit too open when Aaron Fagildo came free, but Benigno Manilan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 71 minutes into the match, Sarmiento de Resistencia's goal looked a bit too open when Baltasar Maldonado came free, but Benigno Manilan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Benigno Manilan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Baltasar Maldonado in the 73rd minute of play. When Aaron Fagildo fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Esmeralda AFC's protests and gave Aaron Fagildo a yellow card for diving instead. Aaron Fagildo hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Esmeralda AFC's zone, Cesar Lekubegi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mateo Jakue came out of the goal and Cesar Lekubegi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Aquilino Mon kicked well hit freekick during the 76th minute of the match. Benigno Manilan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Rufo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Baltasar Maldonado sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sarmiento de Resistencia's Benigno Manilan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Rufo in the 91st minute of play. Mateo Jakue took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cesar Lekubegi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Sarmiento de Resistencia supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Sarmiento de Resistencia would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.