U23 League

Pier Luigi Penzo
Spectators: 153 (Terracing: 115, Seating: 35, VIP seats: 3) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Rogelio Confesor kicked off to start the match. After 5 played minutes Ripa FC got a freekick which was hit by Ildefonso Bordat. Roberto Abbondanzieri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rogelio Confesor in the 11th minute of play. 13 minutes into the match, Venezia FC's goal looked a bit too open when Rogelio Confesor came free, but Roberto Abbondanzieri reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ramon Calvino blasted a shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Roberto Abbondanzieri having to make a save. In the 20th minute Tito Ramírez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Martxelin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 21st minute Hristo Stoichkov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Roberto Abbondanzieri saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Simon Martxelin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tsubasa Ozora in the 24th minute of play. In the 28th minute Tito Ramírez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Martxelin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 33rd minute Julian Ekialde shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Martxelin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 38th minute Tito Ramírez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Martxelin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Simon Martxelin didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 42nd minute, which inside left pole to 1-0. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Hristo Stoichkov during the 46th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 46th match minute, Ripa FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hristo Stoichkov to maneuver through the defense. Tito Ramírez charged in rather forcefully in the 47th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Tito Ramírez the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Tito Ramírez kicked well hit freekick during the 47th minute of the match. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Julian Ekialde was the one to do the kick off. Simon Martxelin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tito Ramírez, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. Nemesio Gutierrez charged in rather forcefully in the 54th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nemesio Gutierrez the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Ripa FC's Nemesio Gutierrez got a free kick in the 54th minute. With an all-out effort, Ripa FC's Roberto Abbondanzieri threw himself towards the right post 63 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Ramon Calvino, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After 64 minutes of play Ripa FC's Nemesio Gutierrez was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. In the 65th minute, Nemesio Gutierrez hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 67th minute, Tito Ramírez made a precise shot to the right of Simon Martxelin. Ripa FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-0. In the 73rd minute, Rogelio Confesor got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 75th minute Julian Ekialde shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Simon Martxelin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Julian Ekialde scored 5-0 in the 90th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Simon Martxelin, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When Maximo Perfecto fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Venezia FC's protests and gave Maximo Perfecto a yellow card for diving instead. Maximo Perfecto kicked well hit freekick during the 94th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Venezia FC's zone, Rogelio Confesor stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Roberto Abbondanzieri came out of the goal and Rogelio Confesor tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When the referee ended the match the Venezia FC players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.