U23 World League

Martin Palermo
Spectators: 7686 (Terracing: 5765, Seating: 1768, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Hernan Beat took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 12th minute the ball was on its way in behind SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's goalkeeper Anthony Sacchi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 13 minutes SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Luis Santana who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Santa Maradona's corner Erasmo Berasko fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Anthony Sacchi quite easily take care of the ball. When the match had gone on for 16 minutes, Hernan Beat put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Cristo Haritz. After 19 minutes, Erasmo Berasko mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Santa Maradona and the SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV players grew even worse after the yellow card. Erasmo Berasko hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Daniel Turi recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 20th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Anthony Sacchi was out of position in the 22 minute of play, and Luis Santana capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Luis Santana really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. Cristo Haritz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Turi in the 27th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hernan Beat in the 33rd minute of play forced Santa Maradona's goalkeeper Cristo Haritz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Cristo Haritz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Turi in the 37th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Apolo Elequemedo in the 45th minute of play forced SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's goalkeeper Anthony Sacchi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Hernan Beat in the 56th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cristo Haritz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Anthony Sacchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Apolo Elequemedo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 60th minute, Francis Sarmiento fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Cristo Haritz, passed just outside the right post. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Hernan Beat in the 64th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Cristo Haritz saved Santa Maradona from getting behind. The supporters of SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV booed when Santa Maradona was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Apolo Elequemedo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Santa Maradona's Cristo Haritz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Francis Sarmiento in the 67th minute of play. In the 70th minute, Apolo Elequemedo made a precise shot to the right of Anthony Sacchi. SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's Carolo Beltxe was substituted for Daniel Turi. 75 minutes into the game, Zhu Qing Yao was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Santa Maradona's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV the free kick. After a rather tough play, Santa Maradona's Zhu Qing Yao got a free kick in the 75th minute. Eulalio Tauro struck a weak shot in the 79th minute. Cristo Haritz didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV. Anthony Sacchi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Octavio Txurio, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Anthony Sacchi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luis Santana in the 83rd minute of play. In the 84th minute Santa Maradona were awarded a corner. Luis Santana went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner ended in Luis Santana almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's Anthony Sacchi did a great save. When Carmelo Inocente came up free with the goalie in the 87th minute, the SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV 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 Carmelo Inocente couldn't finish the play. After having played for 92 minutes, Carolo Beltxe managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV's supporters crossed their fingers, but Carolo Beltxe was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Santa Maradona were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of SPORTIVO BELLA VISTA SBV for a fine match.