U23 League

Octavio Hondo
Spectators: 147 (Terracing: 111, Seating: 34, VIP seats: 2) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Natalio Ralondo started the match with the kick off. Ciro Ferdinand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 2nd minute. Angelo Romano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 5 minutes into the game, Martin Asier lined in a short shot 1-0 behind a frustrated Angelo Romano. Martin Asier who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 9thth minute tested the skills of Angelo Romano when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Ciro Ferdinand struck a weak shot in the 12th minute. Angelo Romano didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Leones FC. Martin Asier succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 2-0 in the 14th playminute. Mercado Paulista F.C's Angelo Romano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ciro Ferdinand in the 20th minute of play. If Martin Asier had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 23 minutes into the game, Leones FC's Martin Asier nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Angelo Romano made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-0. After a rather tough play, Leones FC's Leonardo Poz got a free kick in the 26th minute. Angelo Romano was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Martin Asier showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 4-0 in the 32 minute of play. Leonardo Poz recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Martin Asier in the 39thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Angelo Romano, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After 40 played minutes Mercado Paulista F.C got a freekick which was hit by Elvio Illart. If Ciro Ferdinand had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mariano Peyo hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. 46 minutes into the match, Leones FC's goal looked a bit too open when Natalio Ralondo came free, but Aureliano Obeko reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Leonardo Poz came up free with the goalie in the 49th minute, the Leones FC 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 Leonardo Poz couldn't finish the play. Af the end of the first half the score was 4-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The wind increased when Martin Asier made the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute Martin Asier shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Angelo Romano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Leonardo Poz came up free with the goalie in the 54th minute, the Leones FC 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 Leonardo Poz couldn't finish the play. Angelo Romano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leonardo Poz in the 57th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 61st minute, Martin Asier managed to get in a good position for a shot. Leones FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Martin Asier was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Angelo Romano breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Angelo Romano stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Martin Asier's shot from short distance in the 63rd minute. 64 minutes into the game, Leones FC's Leonardo Poz nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Angelo Romano made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 6-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ciro Ferdinand in the 69th minute of play forced Mercado Paulista F.C's goalkeeper Angelo Romano to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Angelo Romano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ciro Ferdinand in the 70th minute of play. Mercado Paulista F.C's Angelo Romano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ciro Ferdinand in the 72nd minute of play. Ciro Ferdinand sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Martin Asier scored 7-0 in the 76th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Angelo Romano, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. If Martin Asier had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 80th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After having played for 80 minutes, Ciro Ferdinand managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Leones FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ciro Ferdinand was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Asier in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Angelo Romano saved Mercado Paulista F.C from getting behind. Angelo Romano showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ciro Ferdinand in the 86th minute of the match. Ciro Ferdinand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 88th minute. Angelo Romano tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 90 minutes, Martin Asier managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Leones FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Martin Asier was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Martin Asier in the 93rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Angelo Romano prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 96th minute, Leonardo Poz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Leones FC had played much better football throughout.