League Play-Off

Iruya
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Iruya AFC's Ceferino Presebal 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. The crowd rose to their feet as Iruya AFC's Ceferino Presebal slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Mauro Socorro. That made the score 1-0 after 9 minutes of play. Ceferino Presebal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 13th minute. Mauro Socorro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 20th minute Genaro Resto shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Efrain Mendebal saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ceferino Presebal was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 22nd minute. Iruya AFC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. 29 minutes into the game, Mercedes's Genaro Resto nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Efrain Mendebal made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. In the 32nd minute Ceferino Presebal shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mauro Socorro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Igor Rik had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ceferino Presebal sent away a hard shot on goal in the 35th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 36 minutes into the match, Igor Rik had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Mauro Socorro. Mercedes's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Igor Rik was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. Efrain Mendebal took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Augusto Polentzi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Genaro Resto was the one to do the kick off. Iruya AFC's Igor Rik got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 54 played minutes Mercedes got a freekick which was hit by Tiburcio Llorienzo. A collision led to Mercedes getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Tiburcio Llorienzo hit a great ball. Efrain Mendebal showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Genaro Resto in the 59th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Genaro Resto in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Efrain Mendebal prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 64 minutes into the match, Mercedes's goal looked a bit too open when Ceferino Presebal came free, but Mauro Socorro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mauro Socorro made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Igor Rik in the 69th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Igor Rik's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Mauro Socorro was relentless in the 74th minute of the game. The supporters of Iruya AFC booed when Mercedes was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Froilan Baraquiel didn't get a good kick on the ball. Augusto Polentzi recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Modesto Errando scored 2-2 in the 84th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Efrain Mendebal, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After some careless play in the Iruya AFC defense, Genaro Resto kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Efrain Mendebal. The Iruya AFC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Efrain Mendebal should have stopped the shot. Efrain Mendebal made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Genaro Resto in the 93rd minute of play. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Mercedes had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.