Prized/Friendly Cup

Lucas E. Abalos
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Cecilio Tristan kicked off to start the match. Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lino Rios in the 7th minute of play. Roberto Eztebe took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emanuel Aurre, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 12 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lino Rios came free, but Hugo Orlando Gatti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 14 minutes of play, AFC FUSION's Lino Rios made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Hugo Orlando Gatti was left in no man's land by his defense there! The supporters of Abuba Akotonon FC booed when AFC FUSION was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lino Rios didn't get a good kick on the ball. Cecilio Tristan blasted a shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Roberto Eztebe having to make a save. Roberto Eztebe made a fantastic save in the 18th minute, when Cecilio Tristan sent off a good shot on target. AFC FUSION's Lino Rios got a good chance for a goal in the 19th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lino Rios in the 21st minute of play. Cecilio Tristan's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Roberto Eztebe firmly grabbed it by the left post. Cecilio Tristan's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 23rdth minute, Roberto Eztebe skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. J.J Okocha's late challenge caught a AFC FUSION's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. J.J Okocha helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Abuba Akotonon FC's J.J Okocha got a free kick in the 24th minute. Hugo Orlando Gatti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lino Rios, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. AFC FUSION were awarded a corner in the 26th minute after Abuba Akotonon FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Dawid Beckham took the corner. 28 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lino Rios came free, but Hugo Orlando Gatti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Abuba Akotonon FC getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. J.J Okocha hit a great ball. Jan Hop was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. After 35 played minutes AFC FUSION got a freekick which was hit by Wojciech Fiszer. The crowd rose to their feet as Abuba Akotonon FC's Cecilio Tristan slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Roberto Eztebe. That made the score 1-1 after 36 minutes of play. In the 39th minute, Lino Rios made a precise shot to the right of Hugo Orlando Gatti. Abuba Akotonon FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-2. 43 minutes into the game, Wojciech Fiszer threw the ball into play from the sideline. Abuba Akotonon FC's J.J Okocha quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. 44 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lino Rios came free, but Hugo Orlando Gatti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 44 minutes into the game, Lino Rios cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-3. Hugo Orlando Gatti was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After the first half AFC FUSION were leading 1-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

51 minutes into the match, AFC FUSION's Lino Rios sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Hugo Orlando Gatti narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 51st minute, Lino Rios ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Hugo Orlando Gatti was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-4. J.J Okocha hit a great freekick 57 minutes into the match. Hugo Orlando Gatti was a little too slow when Lino Rios got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 74th minute. The score was now 1-5. AFC FUSION made a substitution. Christoff Stocks replaced Lino Rios. Abuba Akotonon FC made a substitution. Ernesto Oxarra replaced Ramiro Rey. Eduardo Emmanuel lost his temper 82 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. 82 minutes into the game, one of Abuba Akotonon FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. In the 84th minute there was a penalty for AFC FUSION. Thiago Silva stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Hugo Orlando Gatti. 1-6. Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 88th minute of the match, managed to save Abuba Akotonon FC from getting a goal against them. Christoff Stocks might have been able to make a better finish in the 89th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Hugo Orlando Gatti. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Christoff Stocks ran back to his position shaking his head. An unexpectedly hard shot by Christoff Stocks in the 89th minute of play forced Abuba Akotonon FC's goalkeeper Hugo Orlando Gatti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 92 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goalkeeper Hugo Orlando Gatti had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Christoff Stocks. The crowd rose to their feet as AFC FUSION's Christoff Stocks slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Hugo Orlando Gatti. That made the score 1-7 after 94 minutes of play. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. AFC FUSION had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.