Official Cup

LA ESTANCIA
Spectators: 147 (Terracing: 111, Seating: 34, VIP seats: 2) In the 2nd match minute, A A Arizona was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Natã Pereira to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in A A Arizona's zone, Gustavo Isazi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hu Zhen Hong came out of the goal and Gustavo Isazi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With an all-out effort, Northern California's Hu Zhen Hong threw himself towards the right post 5 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Leandro Chorche, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. In the 6th match minute, A A Arizona was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lyuboslav Penev to maneuver through the defense. Hu Zhen Hong showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustavo Isazi in the 7th minute of the match. Hu Zhen Hong made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leandro Chorche in the 8th minute of play. Hu Zhen Hong stood somewhat misplaced when Leandro Chorche came free in front of goal and shot 1-0 to the left of him in the 8 minute. Leandro Chorche sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 15 minutes of play, A A Arizona's Maicon Cavalcante made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. David Schembri was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 23 minutes, Natã Pereira mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the A A Arizona and the Northern California players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 23 played minutes A A Arizona got a freekick which was hit by Natã Pereira. Maicon Cavalcante's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but David Schembri read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 27th minute of play. Gervasio Isias could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 28th minute of the match, but Hu Zhen Hong made a huge save. 30 minutes into the game, Northern California's Gustavo Isazi nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Hu Zhen Hong made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. Northern California's David Schembri played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Natã Pereira in the 36th minute of play. Hu Zhen Hong showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Leandro Chorche in the 37th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Leandro Chorche in the 38th minute of play forced A A Arizona's goalkeeper Hu Zhen Hong to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. David Schembri showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Humberto Bastos in the 41st minute of the match. Hu Zhen Hong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gervasio Isias, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

A A Arizona made a substitution. Cláudio de Mendonça replaced Humberto Bastos. The wind increased when Lyuboslav Penev made the kick off in the second half. Northern California were furious when Gong Xiao was red carded, 53 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. In the 54th match minute, Northern California was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gong Xiao to maneuver through the defense. David Schembri was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 55th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Lyuboslav Penev. 60 minutes into the match, Leandro Chorche had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Hu Zhen Hong. A A Arizona's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Leandro Chorche was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. Bernard McFrank kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. In the 69th minute the ball was on its way in behind Northern California's goalkeeper David Schembri, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Jonathan Bernaldo's late challenge caught a A A Arizona's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Jonathan Bernaldo helped the player get up and apologised. In the 70th match minute, Northern California was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jonathan Bernaldo to maneuver through the defense. Cláudio de Mendonça sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Northern California's Gustavo Isazi in the 78th minute got a chance for a shot 78th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye A A Arizona's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Leandro Chorche in the 82nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Hu Zhen Hong saved A A Arizona from getting behind. When Natã Pereira came up free with the goalie in the 91st minute, the A A Arizona 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 Natã Pereira couldn't finish the play. After 94 played minutes Northern California got a freekick which was hit by Dante Taurino. After 97 played minutes Northern California got a freekick which was hit by Bernard McFrank. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Northern California fans cheered their team off the field, for while A A Arizona had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.