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Week 3 (Nov. 18th & 19th) La Bombonera, ARG.
Alberto J. Armando Stadium was filled with 57,000 fans to watch
their beloved Boca Jrs. play Sparta Rotterdam, defending OFL champions.
In the first half Sparta Rotterdam scored their first goal on a
goalie error by A. Staberg. The Boca coaching staff didn’t
take much time to change their goalkeeper after the blunder. Sparta
added a second goal to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Boca Jrs.
had many opportunities in front of the net in the first half but
could never capitalize on them. Sparta Rotterdam who had half of
their team called up for national team duties, added five goals
in the second half for a 7-1 victory. The game saw the call up of
future Sparta star Hunter "Carlos" Kruse. Boca Jrs owner
J. McVay said after the game “We play hard for all 40 minutes
but it just didn’t seem to be our day.”
Sparta Golas: L. Lippincott (3), C. Hagan (2) - assist from
H. Kruse, C. McCann (1), Q. Nelson(1)
4
The Highbury coaching staff urged their side to tighten up
at the back and start taking their chances in this week’s
game. It seemed to work because Highbury produced a commanding performance
in London as they defeated Queens Park 13-4 to keep their OFL dreams
alive. Ethan Bennett's £3million summer capture from Old Trafford
seemed to be working out for Highbury. Bennett found the net twice
in the first half, twice in the second half and added three assists
to lead Highbury.
Highbury Goals: E. Bennett 4 (8), T. Werner 3 (4), M. Ottoson
2 (3), J. Koch (4), P. Anderson (1), Ma Anderson (2), Mi. Anderson
(5)
Highbury Assists: P. Anderson 3 (3), E. Bennett 3 (3), J. Koch 2
(3), T. Werner 2 (2), M. Ottoson (1), Mi. Anderson (2)
Manchester Press (AP)
Old Trafford moved closer to the top of the OFL after putting
on an irresistible display of attacking football to overwhelm arch-rivals
Shamrock Rovers 8-3 in Manchester on Saturday. Mitch Anderson and
Garrett Andrews continue to carry the Red Devils closer to their
goal, the OFL title. Anderson opened the scoring for the Red Devils
in the 3rd minute after spinning clear of the defense, following
a streaking run and pass from Andrews. The Rovers fought back and
tied it minutes later on a crafty cross to the far post for the
Rover forward to finish it. United took the lead back as Mitchell
“White Shoes” Ferris skipped his way through a barrage
of bodies on the edge of the penalty area, before firing a low strike
just inside of goalkeepers right-hand post. Andrews showed more
of his magic, with another set up for Anderson’s second, which
gives him most assist on the team with 6. The 4th goal came just
before half; Andrews did his best juggling display, and then laying
off a ball to the surging Ferris who crossed it to Dustin Schroeder
for his 4th goal of the year. It was 4-2 at the break. Anderson's
second-half double settled matters as his total goals for the day
reached 4. The 12-year-old Millard forward, with his electric pace,
was a constant handful for the Rover defense until he was substituted
in the 2nd half. Along with Anderson, the Honduran playmaker Ameer
sealed the win with two sensational solo efforts in the 34th and
38th minutes as Old Trafford ran away with the game. United’s
best goal happened when Schroeder stole possession on the right
and dashed into the penalty box. His cut-back and was touched back
and forth with Anderson, who crossed it to the Trip Duden, who volleyed
it home. The Shamrock Rovers accepted their defeat with grace. Beaten,
not by a team of greater quality, but by one who would not - dare
not – lose. Next up for Old Trafford is their crossed town
rival Manchester City on December 3, two weeks away. Manager Mike
Dean admitted it had been a 'difficult week' for Man. Utd., and
praised the way his side rallied together, saying "We knew
we couldn't afford a defeat and let's hope this match is the start
of a good run. If we can produce that kind of appetite and desire
to win in every game, we'll be hard to beat.”
Porto Sporting News -
Someone forgot to tell Porto it was game time in their game at historic
Stamford Bridge Stadium against Chelsea. Chelsea thrilled the home
crowd by taking a 3-0 lead into halftime behind some superb goalkeeping
and quality finishing. The Blues extended their lead to 5-0 before
Alex got Porto on the board. Chelsea thought the day was done after
adding two more goals and a commanding 7-1 lead. Things changed
in a hurry as Porto notched the next 5 tallies with Megan, Jordan
(2), and Maddie scoring and Alex adding a second goal. Time ran
out and Chelsea prevailed 7-6 after the wild finish. Coach Kelly,
through a translator, challenged her team to begin all games like
they finished this one, and not wait so long next time. Ate breve.
Stadio Renzo Barbera
Fiorentina was unable to overcome the quick first strike of Palermo
in a long anticipated match between the two Italian power houses.
In a sold out Stadio Renzo Barbera the visiting side from Fiorentina
fell a few goals short. Fiorentina forward Ryan Miller commented
that "the score was not consistent with the play of the game.
The teams were evenly matched they just got a few goals on us early
that we couldn't bounce back from." The lone Fiorentina goal
came late in the game from Daniel McDonald off an assist from Ryan
Miller. Fiorentina looks to rebound in their next match when they
travel to the "Chocolate Box" to take on the Boco Juniors
after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Team Manager Ron Carson expressed
concern over his teams weakness for turkey and gravy saying, "I
hope it doesn't weigh us down after the break!"
White Hart Lane, UK
Friday was a great night for futsal. Wolfsburg
came out and really showed some skill on the ball. Spurs were on
there heals for the first 7 minutes with the Wolves putting constant
pressure on the Spurs. The Greek master, Stathi Patseas, put the
first of his two goals in at the 8 minute mark, starting the flow
of a goal nearly every 2 minutes after that. Charlie Landon had
a hat trick with one goal from outside the arch! Luke Jatczak played
flawlesly in goal the first half, stopping a couple tough breakaway
oportunities. Alex Durbin had one goal and one assist in the first
half before replacing Luke in goal for the second half. The fabulous
fullback, Sam Rath had is first goal of the season with a brilliant
run from the back. Other goal scorers were Cam Kellner and Conner
Jackson who both also assisted on other goals. The Spurs next game
will pit them against some of the same players as they face the
strong Werder Bremen team coached by the ever intense German, Michael
Wells.
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