League

Ciudad de libertad
Spectators: 7074 (Terracing: 5574, Seating: 1400, VIP seats: 100) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Dante Gombal kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dante Gombal in the 5th minute of play forced Atlético Mermoz's goalkeeper Arnulfo Txema to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Orlando Dei showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Felix Orte, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. 11 minutes into the match, Midland's goal looked a bit too open when Aaron Ritchie came free, but Orlando Dei reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 15th minute, Felix Orte made a precise shot to the right of Orlando Dei. Midland's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. When Fabian Jerico fell near the penalty area in the 17th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Atlético Mermoz's protests and gave Fabian Jerico a yellow card for diving instead. In the 17th minute, Fabian Jerico hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Felix Orte scored 0-2 in the 21st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Orlando Dei, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Felix Orte took the ball and in the 26 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Orlando Dei. Orlando Dei dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-3. After some fancy dribbling in the 32nd minute, Rosendo Barbosa managed to get in a good position for a shot. Atlético Mermoz's supporters rose to their feet, but Rosendo Barbosa was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Orlando Dei breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 36 minutes into the game, Felix Orte cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. Orlando Dei was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Aaron Ritchie in the 38th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Orlando Dei prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Orlando Dei made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Orte in the 41st minute of play. Arnulfo Txema made an important save on a dangerous shot by Dante Gombal in the 43rd minute. Aaron Ritchie took the ball and in the 47 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Orlando Dei. Orlando Dei dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-5.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Felix Orte was the one to do the kick off. After having played for 53 minutes, Aaron Ritchie managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atlético Mermoz's supporters crossed their fingers, but Aaron Ritchie was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 60 minutes into the game, Aaron Ritchie lined in a short shot 0-6 behind a frustrated Orlando Dei. After 66 minutes, Gavino Pacho mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Atlético Mermoz and the Midland players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Atlético Mermoz's Gerardo Mannuel got a free kick in the 69th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Felix Orte in the 72nd minute of play forced Midland's goalkeeper Orlando Dei to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Midland's Orlando Dei got control of the ball when Aaron Ritchie tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 80th minute, Aaron Ritchie left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Atlético Mermoz fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-7. A collision led to Atlético Mermoz getting a freekick after 89 minutes play. Rosendo Barbosa hit a great ball. The supporters of Atlético Mermoz booed when Midland was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Christian Emmanuel didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Felix Orte in the 97th minute of play forced Midland's goalkeeper Orlando Dei to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Atlético Mermoz supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Atlético Mermoz would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.