League Play-Off

Miguel Morales
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Zeledon Liher started the match with the kick off. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Søren Nezer in the 3rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Arnulfo Nesto prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Cecilio Rio came free with the goalkeeper in the 6th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Arnulfo Nesto could save by the left post. Mercedes FC's Arnulfo Nesto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pablo Erlantz in the 8th minute of play. Cecilio Rio recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Mercedes FC's Arnulfo Nesto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pablo Erlantz in the 12th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Mercedes FC's zone, Pablo Erlantz stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Arnulfo Nesto came out of the goal and Pablo Erlantz tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 10 000 DE VISITANTE's Cecilio Rio got a good chance for a goal in the 19th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 19 played minutes Mercedes FC got a freekick which was hit by Zeledon Liher. Cecilio Rio struck a weak shot in the 21st minute. Arnulfo Nesto didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for 10 000 DE VISITANTE. After a rather tough play, Mercedes FC's Cayetano Rainerio got a free kick in the 29th minute. Cecilio Rio's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Arnulfo Nesto read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 32nd minute of play. 39 minutes into the game, Cecilio Rio cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Arnulfo Nesto was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Cecilio Rio might have been able to make a better finish in the 44th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Arnulfo Nesto. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Cecilio Rio ran back to his position shaking his head. After having played for 45 minutes, Arturo Bidun managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. 10 000 DE VISITANTE's supporters crossed their fingers, but Arturo Bidun was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Cecilio Rio to make the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cecilio Rio in the 51st minute of play forced Mercedes FC's goalkeeper Arnulfo Nesto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Arnulfo Nesto took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cecilio Rio, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 54th minute, Cayetano Rainerio hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 57th minute, Cecilio Rio made a precise shot to the right of Arnulfo Nesto. Mercedes FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. When Anastasio Misael fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mercedes FC's protests and gave Anastasio Misael a yellow card for diving instead. Anastasio Misael kicked well hit freekick during the 63rd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cecilio Rio in the 66th minute of play forced Mercedes FC's goalkeeper Arnulfo Nesto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 69th minute, Cecilio Rio managed to get in a good position for a shot. 10 000 DE VISITANTE's supporters rose to their feet, but Cecilio Rio was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Arnulfo Nesto breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Mariano Enaut sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Pablo Erlantz struck a weak shot in the 77th minute. Arnulfo Nesto didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for 10 000 DE VISITANTE. Cecilio Rio received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 78th minute. Arnulfo Nesto tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 84th minute, Cecilio Rio managed to get in a good position for a shot. 10 000 DE VISITANTE's supporters rose to their feet, but Cecilio Rio was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Arnulfo Nesto breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Pablo Erlantz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Arnulfo Nesto having to interfere. 95 minutes into the match, Mercedes FC's goal looked a bit too open when Pablo Erlantz came free, but Arnulfo Nesto reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.