U21 League

Javier Amilcar Díaz
Spectators: 145 (Terracing: 110, Seating: 33, VIP seats: 2) Domingos Sein made the kick off and thus started the match. Inter Miami CF's Marcos Chuan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Juan Riquelme in the 4th minute of play. Efrain Baraquiel came free with the goalkeeper in the 6th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Celedonio Urtzi could save by the left post. Zeledon Osoro struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Celedonio Urtzi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Inter Miami CF. After having played for 20 minutes, Celestino Bastian managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Inter Miami CF's supporters crossed their fingers, but Celestino Bastian was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Isidoro Mirande in the 25th minute of play forced Inter Miami CF's goalkeeper Marcos Chuan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 26th minute the ball was on its way in behind WINNING ELEVEN's goalkeeper Celedonio Urtzi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Isidoro Mirande had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Juan Riquelme received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Marcos Chuan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marcos Chuan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Isidoro Mirande in the 35th minute of play. If Ulises Abel had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cleto Txilar was shown his second yellow card after 39 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 39th minute, Cleto Txilar hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 41st minute Juan Riquelme shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcos Chuan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Isidoro Mirande to make the kick off. After 54 minutes, Nicolas-Gabriel Otamendi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the WINNING ELEVEN and the Inter Miami CF players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Inter Miami CF booed when WINNING ELEVEN was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nicolas-Gabriel Otamendi didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Juan Riquelme had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Isidoro Mirande recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Santo Abeitia's late challenge caught a WINNING ELEVEN's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Santo Abeitia helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Inter Miami CF's Santo Abeitia got a free kick in the 68th minute. A hard shot 71 in the game by Juan Riquelme from a close distance when the talented Marcos Chuan managed to make a qualified save. Inter Miami CF's players were relieved. Celedonio Urtzi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Domingos Sein in the 77th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Domingos Sein in the 82nd minute of play forced WINNING ELEVEN's goalkeeper Celedonio Urtzi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lino Arias blasted a shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Celedonio Urtzi having to make a save. In the 94th match minute, WINNING ELEVEN was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Armando Pietro to maneuver through the defense. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Inter Miami CF fans cheered their team off the field, for while WINNING ELEVEN had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.