Saddledome Stadium
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38,
Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Diego Lopes started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Zach Harrison received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 7th minute. Tao Xi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cassius Byrne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 10 minutes into the match, Flames FC's goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Tao Xi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Monty Rogers in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tao Xi saved Flames FC from getting behind. After 13 minutes Flames FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Cassius Byrne who took care of the corner kick. Edward Mcdonald was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. The USA fans' excitement grew in the 16th match minute when USA's Cassius Byrne 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 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego Lopes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Tao Xi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edward Mcdonald in the 22nd minute of the match. 23 minutes into the game, USA's Cassius Byrne nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Tao Xi made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. Flames FC's Tao Xi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 26th minute of play. In the 29th minute Edward Mcdonald shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tao Xi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Miguel Campos in the 32nd minute of the match. In the 33rd minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tao Xi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cassius Byrne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 41st minute Jenson Smith shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tao Xi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 48 minutes into the game, Flames FC's Diego Lopes nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Marco Day made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.
The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Cassius Byrne was the one to do the kick off. Flames FC's Tao Xi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 56th minute of play. USA's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Cassius Byrne in the 57th minute. Monty Rogers took the ball and in the 63 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Tao Xi. Tao Xi dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Flames FC made a substitution. Stoyne Dushev replaced Miguel Campos. With a little luck, Flames FC's Tao Xi got control of the ball when Cassius Byrne tried to sneak it across the goal line. Flames FC's Tao Xi proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 69th minute of the match, managed to save Flames FC from getting a goal against them. A hard shot 73 in the game by Cassius Byrne from a close distance when the talented Tao Xi managed to make a qualified save. Flames FC's players were relieved. USA made a substitution. Sam Campbell replaced Cassius Byrne. The corner led USA's Edward Mcdonald to fire away a dangerous shot which Tao Xi despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 78th minute of the match USA got a corner. Flames FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Monty Rogers ran over to the corner to take the kick. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. After 79 played minutes USA got a freekick which was hit by Jenson Smith. With his leg Tao Xi managed to avoid a goal in the 84thth minute, when USA's Sam Campbell fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. 86 minutes into the match, Flames FC's goalkeeper Tao Xi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sam Campbell. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Khalid Parry managed to get in a good position for a shot. USA's supporters rose to their feet, but Khalid Parry was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tao Xi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Diego Lopes's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marco Day read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 97th minute of play. 98 minutes into the match, USA's Sam Campbell sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Tao Xi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 100 minutes had been played when some careless play by Flames FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Jenson Smith was slow to take the kick. During this time USA's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on USA's corner Jenson Smith fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Tao Xi quite easily take care of the ball. The attack was good, but when Marco Baker in the 100th minute was about to shoot he didn't kick quite good enough and the ball went high over goal. The Flames FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. USA were clearly better and deserved to take the win.
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