alex 1 - 9 socceroos

alex 1 - 9 socceroos (209559071)

 04-04-2009 14:10

Clear skies welcomed the 4056 spectators who had made their way to alex .com Arena. alex decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. They fielded: Soler Turmo - Fontauret, Guezala, Borrajo, Egurza - Balmaceda, Hughet, Neve, Corn - Maestro González, Perales.

A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for socceroos. Starters: Alcazaba - Corneanu, Pompei, Marín Valle - Jespersson, Moreau, Illescas, Olofsson, Johansson - Pfaffenzeller, Kotinurmi.

alex could have put themselves ahead after 13 minutes but Nauzet Maestro Gonzálezmissed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. socceroos's counterattack was impressive and was only stopped by a shocking foul. Somehow, the referee's cards remained in his pocket - a terrible decision! Albert Marín Valle's resulting free kick was easily saved by the keeper. With 17 minutes played, alex's Carlos Balmaceda fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Carlos Balmacedafor diving. socceroos had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 24 minutes in when Kalle-Matti Kotinurmi came up alone against Rafael Soler Turmo who managed a block. The terraces were silenced after 28 minutes when socceroos's Mats Johansson put the guests ahead 0 - 1, following an attack on the right. 35 minutes into the match, the speedy Carlos Balmaceda easily outpaced Albert Marín Valle to knock in the 1-1 goal. After 35 minutes, socceroos's Kalle-Matti Kotinurmi made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 1 - 2. socceroos's Mats Johansson received a play slashing through the home side's central defense after 38 minutes, and chipped it past the keeper to score the 1 - 3 goal. The home crowd was not pleased with that one. By now, socceroos were drawing the troops back in order to defend their lead. Halftime score was 1 - 3. socceroos held the ball, with a clear 63 percent of possession.

Content with how the game was proceeding, the socceroos coach let Serafín Gonzálezreplace Kalle-Matti Kotinurmi after 46 minutes. One of many good passes from Mats Jespersson at the wing was received and skillfully taken care of by Mats Johansson, scoring the 1 - 4 goal for socceroos. By then Mats Johansson was a three time scorer - a hat trick! The coach of socceroos was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 55 minutes, José Ezpeleta came on for Dorel Corneanu. Content with how the game was proceeding, the socceroos coach let Héctor Biarge replace Jonas Olofsson after 60 minutes. 60 minutes into the game, socceroos adjusted their style of play in order to conserve the lead. The visitors' Mats Jespersson took advantage of an error due to a misunderstanding between the home side's goalie and central backs 63 minutes into the match. 1 - 5 for socceroos. With 74 minutes played, a phenomenal play on the left side freed Artur Pfaffenzeller, of socceroos, to dash through and score another goal for the visitors. The score was then 1 - 6. As Mats Johansson had, completely unprovoked, swept the legs out from under an opponent in front of a linesman, the referee gave the socceroos player a red card without batting an eyelid. The socceroos free kick 83 minutes into the match seemed wasted, as the shot was both short and off target. But there was an idea to it - the misdirected ball was turned into a cross towards Héctor Biarge, who was waiting for it in the box. That's 1 - 7! Don't forget to thank the assistant coach for that gem of a routine! socceroos's José Ezpeleta was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 86 minutes. The home crowd was not impressed when Serafín González came in from the right, shooting hard to score after 86 minutes. socceroos were now up 1 - 8. The home crowd was not impressed when Nicolas Moreau came in from the right, shooting hard to score after 88 minutes. socceroos were now up 1 - 9. socceroos claimed to be the more dominant force in the game, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 64 percent.

Most important alex player was Carlos Balmaceda. Alejandro Fontauret on the other hand, had a terrible day. socceroos's top performer was clearly Artur Pfaffenzeller. José Ezpeletaturned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 9.

Highlights

0 - 1	Mats Johansson	28'
1 - 1	Carlos Balmaceda	35'
1 - 2	Kalle-Matti Kotinurmi	35'
1 - 3	Mats Johansson	38'
1 - 4	Mats Johansson	54'
1 - 5	Mats Jespersson	63'
1 - 6	Artur Pfaffenzeller	74'
1 - 7	Héctor Biarge	83'
1 - 8	Serafín González	86'
1 - 9	Nicolas Moreau	88'
	Carlos Balmaceda	17'
	Mats Johansson	76'
	José Ezpeleta	86'
	Kalle-Matti Kotinurmi   Serafín González	46'
	Dorel Corneanu   José Ezpeleta	55'
	Jonas Olofsson   Héctor Biarge	60'
	Albert Marín Valle Defensive    Normal	60'