League Play-Off

Rio Tinto Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Real Salt Lake's Maurin Valdez 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. In the 6th minute, Bernabe Calvo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 8th minute, Edgardo Alcayde got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Rioja Ternero had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Carabobo FC's Pabla Salablanca quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Albino Acebo, made in the 14th minute of the game. Matia Serantes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edgardo Alcayde, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. Matia Serantes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rioja Ternero, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some fancy dribbling in the 24th minute, Edgardo Alcayde managed to get in a good position for a shot. Carabobo FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Edgardo Alcayde was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Matia Serantes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Rioja Ternero sent away a hard shot on goal in the 29th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Matia Serantes came out of the goal in the 36th minute to try and stop a shot by Carabobo FC's Gaston Inestrosa. But to his dismay, Gaston Inestrosa quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when Americo Morros got free with Chucho Cañon in the 40th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Gaitano Brasa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After the first half Carabobo FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Gaston Inestrosa to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 51st minute, Rioja Ternero ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Matia Serantes was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. Chucho Cañon took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gaitano Brasa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Carabobo FC getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Pabla Salablanca hit a great ball. After 61 played minutes, Real Salt Lake's Maximo Barrallo shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Chucho Cañon came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Real Salt Lake reached it. In the 62nd match minute, Carabobo FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Edgardo Alcayde to maneuver through the defense. In the 64th minute, Maximo Barrallo sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Carabobo FC's Chucho Cañon didn't even have to move. When Rioja Ternero came up free with the goalie in the 68th minute, the Carabobo FC 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 Rioja Ternero couldn't finish the play. Rioja Ternero's late challenge caught a Real Salt Lake's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rioja Ternero helped the player get up and apologised. Rioja Ternero hit a great freekick 70 minutes into the match. Chucho Cañon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lapurdi Barriobero in the 72nd minute of play. In the 73rd minute, Maurin Valdez hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 84 minutes into the match, Santos Ubilla had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Chucho Cañon. Carabobo FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Santos Ubilla was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. Carabobo FC were awarded a corner in the 90th minute after Real Salt Lake's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Edgardo Alcayde took the corner. The corner led Carabobo FC's Edgardo Alcayde to fire away a dangerous shot which Matia Serantes despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. The supporters of Real Salt Lake booed when Carabobo FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lleir Villayuste didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 94thth minute of the game Lapurdi Barriobero who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Carabobo FC's Chucho Cañon was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The Carabobo FC 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.