League Play-Off

Estadio Ciénaga
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Santos Laguna's Fabricio Berenguer 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. Fabian Raulo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 5th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 7th minute, Fabian Raulo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ciénaga's supporters rose to their feet, but Fabian Raulo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Eloy Emesto breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Arnaldo Gutxi in the 17th minute of play forced Ciénaga's goalkeeper Israel Weather to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Fabian Raulo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eloy Emesto having to interfere. Fabricio Berenguer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 27 minutes of play, Santos Laguna's Gogo Frutos made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Israel Weather was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 33 played minutes Santos Laguna got a freekick which was hit by Gogo Frutos. In the 37th match minute, Ciénaga was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cecilio Montrelle to maneuver through the defense. Arnaldo Gutxi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Santos Laguna's Eloy Emesto got control of the ball when Abelardo Quirce tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Fabricio Berenguer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fabricio Berenguer in the 48th minute of play forced Ciénaga's goalkeeper Israel Weather to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Abelardo Quirce made the kick off in the second half. Abelardo Quirce fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eloy Emesto having to interfere. Abelardo Quirce struck a weak shot in the 55th minute. Eloy Emesto didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ciénaga. In the 56th minute the ball was on its way in behind Santos Laguna's goalkeeper Eloy Emesto, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The supporters of Santos Laguna booed when Ciénaga was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. David Suero didn't get a good kick on the ball. The Ciénaga fans' excitement grew in the 64th match minute when Ciénaga's Fabian Raulo looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Fabian Raulo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Abelardo Quirce's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Eloy Emesto read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 72nd minute of play. If Abelardo Quirce had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fabian Raulo in the 76th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Eloy Emesto saved Santos Laguna from getting behind. 78 minutes into the match, Santos Laguna's goal looked a bit too open when Abelardo Quirce came free, but Eloy Emesto reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ciénaga's Israel Weather proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 80th minute of the match, managed to save Ciénaga from getting a goal against them. After 82 played minutes Ciénaga got a freekick which was hit by Abelardo Quirce. Abelardo Quirce sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Eloy Emesto stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Fabian Raulo's shot from short distance in the 94th minute. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Ciénaga fans cheered their team off the field, for while Santos Laguna had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.