League Play-Off

Atenas
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Efren Fuentes kicked off to start the match. If Leonel Alpizar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Atenas FC's Stanley Varela proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 6th minute of the match, managed to save Atenas FC from getting a goal against them. In the 6th minute, Leo Portuguez hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Efren Fuentes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 8th minute. Romulo Lozano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Nery Sanabria took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 11th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Romulo Lozano. Atenas's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Mikael Ortega scored 0-1 in the 12th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Romulo Lozano, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Stanley Varela made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ronald Huetar in the 16th minute. In the 18th minute the ball was on its way in behind Atenas's goalkeeper Romulo Lozano, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Stanley Varela made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leonel Alpizar in the 22nd minute of play. When Efren Fuentes, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 25 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Romulo Lozano was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Efren Fuentes in the 26th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Romulo Lozano saved Atenas from getting behind. Romulo Lozano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mikael Ortega in the 28th minute of play. In the 35th minute, Bernie Solis hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 36th minute, Atenas FC's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Ronald Huetar fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. If Leonel Alpizar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Stanley Varela took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Leonel Alpizar, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Efren Fuentes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 42nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Romulo Lozano having to interfere. In the 43rd minute, Ignacio Orlich hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Efren Fuentes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Romulo Lozano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Mikael Ortega had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Mikael Ortega received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 51st minute. Romulo Lozano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 54 minutes into the match, Mikael Ortega had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Romulo Lozano. Atenas's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Mikael Ortega was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Romulo Lozano was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 59th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Jose Amador. If Ronald Huetar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 64thth minute of the game Leonel Alpizar who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Atenas FC's Stanley Varela was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 66 minutes into the game, Atenas's Leonel Alpizar nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Stanley Varela made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ronald Huetar in the 73rd minute of play forced Atenas FC's goalkeeper Stanley Varela to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Mikael Ortega got free with Romulo Lozano in the 83rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 83 played minutes Atenas got a freekick which was hit by Minor Sarmiento. Atenas's Romulo Lozano proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 85th minute of the match, managed to save Atenas from getting a goal against them. If Leonel Alpizar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Atenas FC's Bernie Solis got a free kick in the 88th minute. Ronald Huetar sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Mikael Ortega sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Atenas FC supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Atenas FC would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.