League

Carden Park
Spectators: 10493 (Terracing: 8000, Seating: 2493, VIP seats: 0) Emilian Zgabei made the kick off and thus started the match. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's Zlatan Junior was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Herb Good in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Zlatan Junior's long shot made the audience stand up and applaude when it rumbled by Herb Good on his right side and into the goal. 5 minutes into the game it was 1-0. After a defensive mix-up in Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's zone, Rostyslav Solodkyi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Buford Lim came out of the goal and Rostyslav Solodkyi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 17 minutes in the game Antony Lofton did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Jacinto Vela. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Garland Noël quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Filiberto Foucault, made in the 20th minute of the game. Du Lei Bin blasted a shot towards the goal in the 25th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Buford Lim having to make a save. Buford Lim made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Emilian Zgabei in the 27th minute of play. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Herb Good proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 30th minute of the match, managed to save Sport Lisboa e Benfica from getting a goal against them. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Antony Lofton managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Royal Swift in the 32 minute of the game. A collision led to Sport Lisboa e Benfica getting a freekick after 33 minutes play. Antony Lofton hit a great ball. Zlatan Junior came free with the goalkeeper in the 35th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Herb Good could save by the left post. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM were awarded a corner in the 39th minute after Sport Lisboa e Benfica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Zlatan Junior took the corner. The corner led Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's Astor Cesaro to fire away a dangerous shot which Herb Good despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Buford Lim took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emilian Zgabei, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Buford Lim took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emilian Zgabei, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 52 minutes had been played when some careless play by Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Rostyslav Solodkyi was slow to take the kick. During this time Sport Lisboa e Benfica's players had a chance to rest. 55 minutes into the match, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's goal looked a bit too open when Kazimierz Boniek came free, but Herb Good reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's Elwood Sykes was substituted for Zlatan Junior. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM made a substitution. Nicodème Lamoureux replaced Filiberto Foucault. The supporters of Sport Lisboa e Benfica booed when Gracias a la Pelota - DAM was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carlos Larra didn't get a good kick on the ball. Buford Lim made an important save on a dangerous shot by Emilian Zgabei in the 59th minute. Buford Lim didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 59th minute, which inside left pole to 1-1. Buford Lim made an important save on a dangerous shot by Emilian Zgabei in the 62nd minute. Emilian Zgabei could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 62nd minute of the match, but Buford Lim made a huge save. Astor Cesaro received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Herb Good tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 69th minute, Sylvester Grubbs managed to get in a good position for a shot. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's supporters rose to their feet, but Sylvester Grubbs was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Herb Good breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Sylvester Grubbs fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Herb Good having to interfere. Gracias a la Pelota - DAM's Astor Cesaro managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Antony Lofton in the 77 minute of the game. The supporters of Sport Lisboa e Benfica booed when Gracias a la Pelota - DAM was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carlos Larra didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 81st minute, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Emilian Zgabei ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Buford Lim. Buford Lim yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-2. In the 83rd minute, Emilian Zgabei reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Buford Lim. The goal made the score 1-3. Du Lei Bin struck a weak shot in the 86th minute. Buford Lim didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sport Lisboa e Benfica. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Emilian Zgabei in the 88th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Buford Lim saved Gracias a la Pelota - DAM from getting behind. Emilian Zgabei sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Sport Lisboa e Benfica supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Sport Lisboa e Benfica would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.