League Play-Off

Astra
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Valle's Apolo Abajas 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 12th minute, Anibal Primo 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. Anibal Primo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 19th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 24 minutes of play, Astra AFC's Anibal Primo made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Clemente Berbiz was left in no man's land by his defense there! Raimundo Veremundo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Inocencio Cerilo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 34th minute, Emiliano Stephen hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 35 minutes into the match, Valle's Nereo Gutierrez sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Inocencio Cerilo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. If Anibal Primo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Braulio Martino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Anibal Primo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Anibal Primo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Clemente Berbiz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 47 minutes into the match, Valle's goal looked a bit too open when Braulio Martino came free, but Clemente Berbiz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Braulio Martino was the one to do the kick off. After having played for 51 minutes, Anibal Primo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Astra AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Anibal Primo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Apolo Abajas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Astra AFC's Inocencio Cerilo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Apolo Abajas in the 64th minute of play. When Braulio Martino fell near the penalty area in the 68th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Astra AFC's protests and gave Braulio Martino a yellow card for diving instead. After 69 played minutes Astra AFC got a freekick which was hit by Braulio Martino. Apolo Abajass short, quick shot in the 70thth minute got Inocencio Cerilo to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Anibal Primo might have been able to make a better finish in the 72nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Clemente Berbiz. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Anibal Primo ran back to his position shaking his head. Apolo Abajas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Inocencio Cerilo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 79th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Braulio Martino in the 86th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Clemente Berbiz saved Valle from getting behind. 89 minutes in the game, Raimundo Veremundo fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Inocencio Cerilo having to interfere. If Anibal Primo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Anibal Primo in the 94th minute of play forced Valle's goalkeeper Clemente Berbiz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Astra AFC had played much better football throughout.