League

Ocotal Perez Zeledon
Spectators: 6804 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1804, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Giovanni Palma got the match started through his kick off. In the 2nd match minute, Herradura was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Anselmo Echavarria to maneuver through the defense. In the 3rd match minute, Ocotal AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ruben Godinez to maneuver through the defense. 15 minutes into the match, Maikol Sosa notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Ocotal AFC's Freddy Ortiz. Freddy Ortiz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ocotal AFC's Freddy Ortiz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Maikol Sosa in the 18th minute of play. 21 minutes into the match, Ocotal AFC's Israel Blanco sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Benny Figueres narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Herradura's Maikol Sosa got a good chance for a goal in the 22nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Giovanni Palma recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ocotal AFC's Jaime Borbon got a good chance for a goal in the 29th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cesar Azofeifa kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. 34 minutes into the match, Herradura's goalkeeper Benny Figueres had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Israel Blanco. After the first half Herradura were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Rafa Lara made a kick off. Rafa Lara fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benny Figueres having to interfere. Maikol Sosa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Freddy Ortiz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ocotal AFC's Israel Blanco got a good chance for a goal in the 65th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Herradura's zone, Israel Blanco stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benny Figueres came out of the goal and Israel Blanco tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Israel Blanco came up free with the goalie in the 71st minute, the Ocotal AFC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Israel Blanco couldn't finish the play. Maikol Sosa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Freddy Ortiz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 75th match minute, Ocotal AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Walter Badilla to maneuver through the defense. Ocotal AFC's Freddy Ortiz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giovanni Palma in the 86th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Ocotal AFC's zone, Giovanni Palma stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Freddy Ortiz came out of the goal and Giovanni Palma tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Herradura walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.