League Play-Off

Juan Pablo Varsky
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Los Ases F.C's Dario Natal started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Teofilo Mitxel fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Epifanio Mateo having to interfere. 14 minutes into the match, Los Ases F.C's goalkeeper Epifanio Mateo had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Fausto Alvarez. Benito Loi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 16th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Fausto Alvarez's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 20thth minute, Epifanio Mateo skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Teofilo Mitxel blasted a shot towards the goal in the 23rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Epifanio Mateo having to make a save. After a rather tough play, FC Ryukyu's Aurelio Henry got a free kick in the 25th minute. 26 minutes into the game, Gaston Fernendo was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC Ryukyu's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Los Ases F.C the free kick. The supporters of Los Ases F.C booed when FC Ryukyu was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gaston Fernendo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Geronimo Herauso, 27 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Teofilo Mitxel recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Fausto Alvarez in the 39thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Epifanio Mateo, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After a defensive mix-up in Los Ases F.C's zone, Fausto Alvarez stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Epifanio Mateo came out of the goal and Fausto Alvarez tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Epifanio Mateo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Fausto Alvarez in the 53rd minute of the match. Benito Loi might have been able to make a better finish in the 56th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Ambrosio Alfonso. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Benito Loi ran back to his position shaking his head. The audience thought a goal was coming when Benito Loi got free with Ambrosio Alfonso in the 60th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Teofilo Mitxel received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Epifanio Mateo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Epifanio Mateo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fausto Alvarez in the 72nd minute of play. If Benito Loi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ambrosio Alfonso didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 90th minute, which inside left pole to 2-1. FC Ryukyu's Ambrosio Alfonso proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 94th minute of the match, managed to save FC Ryukyu from getting a goal against them. 97 minutes into the game, Dario Natal recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ambrosio Alfonso. Dario Natal showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-2. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.