League

La media cancha
Spectators: 8519 (Terracing: 6390, Seating: 1959, VIP seats: 170) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Stanley Santacruz started the match with the kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Rica FC's zone, Dario Negredo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pablo Santos came out of the goal and Dario Negredo tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Juan Rejo took the ball and in the 7 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Pablo Santos. Pablo Santos dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Higüey's Juan Rejo got a good chance for a goal in the 12th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The supporters of Higüey booed when Rica FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Isidoro Heredia didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dario Negredo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Rica FC's Stanley Santacruz got a good chance for a goal in the 17th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 21st minute, Stanley Santacruz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Stanley Santacruz received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Manolo Cruz came out and tried to block the shot, but Stanley Santacruz slotted it home off the left post making it 1-1 in the 24th minute. Pablo Santos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dario Negredo in the 38th minute of play. If Juan Rejo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Juan Rejo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Idelfonso Zamudio hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 46th minute, Juan Rejo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Higüey's supporters rose to their feet, but Juan Rejo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Pablo Santos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The wind increased when Juan Rejo made the kick off in the second half. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Juan Rejo in the 52nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Pablo Santos saved Rica FC from getting behind. In the 54th minute, Juan Rejo reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Pablo Santos. The goal made the score 1-2. A hard shot 60 in the game by Dario Negredo from a close distance when the talented Pablo Santos managed to make a qualified save. Rica FC's players were relieved. Dario Negredos short, quick shot in the 62ndth minute got Pablo Santos to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Dario Negredo struck a weak shot in the 65th minute. Pablo Santos didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Higüey. When Ignacio Sosa fell near the penalty area in the 66th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Rica FC's protests and gave Ignacio Sosa a yellow card for diving instead. Ignacio Sosa hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. 77 minutes into the match, Rica FC's goalkeeper Pablo Santos had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dario Negredo. In the 78th minute of the match Higüey got a corner. Rica FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Miguel Samaniego ran over to the corner to take the kick. Higüey's Miguel Samaniego was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Pablo Santos in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Juan Rejo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Pablo Santos tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Pablo Santos came out of the goal in the 81st minute to try and stop a shot by Higüey's Dario Negredo. But to his dismay, Dario Negredo quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-3. The supporters of Rica FC booed when Higüey was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Clemente Barton didn't get a good kick on the ball. 88 minutes into the match, Rica FC's Ignacio Sosa broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. When Higüey's Juan Rejo in the 91st minute got a chance for a shot 91st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Rica FC's goalie prevented a goal. 92 minutes into the game, Idelfonso Zamudio was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rica FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Higüey the free kick. The supporters of Higüey booed when Rica FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Idelfonso Zamudio didn't get a good kick on the ball. 93 minutes into the match, Higüey's Miguel Samaniego broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. When the final whistle sounded Higüey left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Rica FC.