Elite Divisional Play Off Final Match, Benfica vs. Rangers FC (Thu May 30)


                              Benfica  |  Rangers FC
                          4-3-0-1-2 C  |  4-4-2 A
                   Matias Finkelstein  |  Steve Brown
                                       |
                       P_Gazzaniga GK  |  GK Rafael
                            D_Rose DF  |  DF K_Rekik
                          W_Samuel DF  |  DF J_Serrano
                         P_Maldini DF  |  DF L_Dixon
                          C_Romero DF  |  DF D_McGrain
                      J_Mascherano DM  |  MF J_Barjonas
                         A_Lallana DM  |  MF D_Cooper
                           Liziero DM  |  MF J_Baxter
                          A_Varela AM  |  MF R_Russell
                            G_Cano FW  |  FW B_McClair
                           D_Suker FW  |  FW Erling_Haland
                                       |
                          L_Yashin SUB |  SUB M_A_Stegen
                           Diego_T SUB |  SUB G_Stevens
                        A_Burdisso SUB |  SUB J_Drummond
                        S_Nakamoto SUB |  SUB Kan
                           Cantona SUB |  SUB Aoas

Referee: B_Kuipers (Netherlands)


Min. 6  :(rfc) J_Baxter takes on J_Mascherano
          ...  He runs past him
          ...  J_Baxter fires a shot at goal !
          ...  He couldn't have hit that shot much better!!
          ...  GOAL !!
          ...  Right into the top corner!
          ...  And Rangers FC are leading in the game now
          ...  Benfica 0-1 Rangers FC ...
Min. 12 :(bfa) D_Suker sidesteps his marker
          ...  He's been running his marker ragged all game
          ...  D_Suker looks to see where Rafael is!
          ...  He rifles in the shot!
          ...  Rafael makes a good save
Min. 13 :(bfa) A_Varela controls the ball with a deft piece of skill
          ...  He plays the ball out to the left!
          ...  G_Cano gets onto the end of the pass!
          ...  G_Cano rifles it at the goal !
          ...  But Rafael with the difficult save
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  G_Cano floats the ball in!
          ...  Rafael jumps well to claim it!
Min. 14 :(bfa) A_Lallana runs down the wing
          ...  He knocks it past the defender into space!
          ...  He cuts the ball back
          ...  A_Varela latches onto the pass
          ...  He carves out some space
          ...  A_Varela drives the ball low !
          ...  Rafael gathers it comfortably
Min. 15 :(bfa) D_Suker runs at D_McGrain
          ...  The defender slips and falls over
          ...  D_McGrain moves quickly to get the tackle in this time
Min. 15 :(rfc) K_Rekik crosses to B_McClair
          ...  W_Samuel read the danger and stops the pass
Min. 17 :(bfa) A_Varela turns past J_Barjonas
          ...  He has created space for himself now
          ...  Intercepted by J_Serrano
Min. 22 :(bfa) A_Varela unselfishly heads the ball back to G_Cano
          ...  A cracking drive from G_Cano !
          ...  But he puts it wide
          ...  He found himself with no room to manoeuvre
Min. 23 :(rfc) R_Russell with a superb first touch
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run!
          ...  He plays the ball across to him!
          ...  B_McClair gets on the end of the pass
          ...  B_McClair hits a curling shot!
          ...  It hits the bar and goes over
          ...  Well, sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't
Min. 24 :(bfa) J_Mascherano looks around for some movement
          ...  His team mate makes an overlapping run now!
          ...  He hits the ball to A_Varela
          ...  A_Varela shoots towards goal !
          ...  Rafael falls over
          ...  But the ball sails wide anyway!
Min. 24 :(rfc) D_Cooper holds the ball up and waits for support
          ...  His team mate makes an overlapping run now!
          ...  He knocks a through ball to J_Baxter
          ...  But J_Mascherano puts it in row Z!
Min. 27 :(bfa) D_Suker breaks clear of the defence!
          ...  He is clean through on Rafael!
          ...  B_McClair brings him down!
          ...  B_Kuipers ignores the protests for a card
          ...  Steve Brown looks relieved
          ...  FREE KICK!
          ...  This is a good chance!
          ...  W_Samuel hits it over the wall
          ...  The fans get off there seats!
          ...  But it sails over !!
Min. 28 :(bfa) J_Mascherano gets to the by-line
          ...  He sees a team mate in space
          ...  He plays the ball through to A_Varela
          ...  A_Varela strikes a wicked curler !
          ...  Rafael watches it sail safely wide!
Min. 33 :(rfc) D_Cooper lobs the ball over the defence
          ...  B_McClair latches on to it
          ...  C_Romero with a deliberate foul
          ...  That was a deliberate act that deserves punishment
          ...  B_Kuipers wants a quiet word
Min. 36 :(bfa) Liziero looks around for support
          ...  His team mate makes an overlapping run now!
          ...  He knocks a through ball to G_Cano
          ...  But he loses control of it
          ...  K_Rekik hits it out for a throw
Min. 41 :(bfa) A_Lallana turns past the defender
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run
          ...  He plays the ball through to A_Varela
          ...  What a shot from A_Varela !
          ...  It could go anywhere
          ...  He couldn't have hit that shot much better!!
          ...  Rafael tips it over !!
          ...  Great goalkeeping there!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  A_Varela chips the ball in towards the back post!
          ...  Rafael jumps well to claim it!
Min. 43 :(REF) The 4th referee signals that there are 2 minutes of time to be added on
Min. 43 :(rfc) L_Dixon takes on Liziero
          ...  He runs past him
          ...  L_Dixon with a blistering shot !
          ...  But it puts it well wide

*************  HALF TIME  ****************
Half Time Score: Benfica 0-1 Rangers FC

Min. 46 :(bfa) J_Mascherano sprints down the wing
          ...  He knocks it past the defender into space!
          ...  He puts in a square ball!
          ...  G_Cano runs onto it
          ...  He uses a clever change of direction to go past the defender
          ...  But he loses control of it
          ...  D_McGrain takes possession
Min. 46 :(rfc) R_Russell has found himself in space
          ...  He looks up for his team mates
          ...  He swings the ball in
          ...  Erling_Haland gets on the end of the pass
          ...  He is in space!
          ...  P_Maldini rushes in with a clumsy tackle!!
          ...  That s a foul!!
Min. 46 :(bfa) D_Suker cuts inside J_Serrano
          ...  He worked that well
          ...  J_Barjonas tugs on his opponent s shirt!!
          ...  B_Kuipers has stopped play
          ...  Well spotted by B_Kuipers!
          ...  YELLOW CARD!!
          ...  He was lucky to escape with a caution!
          ...  Matias Finkelstein looks bemused that it wasn't more!
Min. 47 :(rfc) D_Cooper is forced back with the ball
          ...  He belts the ball up field
          ...  B_McClair latches onto the end of it
          ...  J_Mascherano wins the ball with a clear tackle
Min. 48 :(bfa) P_Maldini runs at the defender
          ...  He gets past him!
          ...  He sees a team mate in space
          ...  He passes it to D_Rose
          ...  D_Rose bears down on goal!
          ...  It hits the post!!
          ...  But he beats the defender to the rebound
          ...  OHHHHHHHH !!
          ...  He's put it over
Min. 49 :(bfa) P_Maldini has the ball on the wing
          ...  He takes it past K_Rekik
          ...  He knocks it to A_Varela!
          ...  A_Varela tries to catch the keeper out!
          ...  Rafael gets a hand to it!!
          ...  But he picks up the rebound
          ...  Fantastic reflex save by Rafael !!
Min. 50 :(rfc) R_Russell knocks it forward
          ...  D_Rose slips
          ...  B_McClair gets to it!
          ...  D_Rose plays the back pass
          ...  P_Gazzaniga can't get to it!!
          ...  It goes just wide!!
          ...  What a lucky escape!!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  J_Barjonas curls it into the box!
          ...  C_Romero heads it away
Min. 52 :(bfa) G_Cano with the kinky dribble
          ...  G_Cano attempts to drive it home!
          ...  But Rafael tips it behind
          ...  B_Kuipers has given a goal kick
          ...  Unbelievable !
Min. 55 :(rfc) L_Dixon with the dribble
          ...  He skips through the tackle from J_Mascherano
          ...  J_Mascherano with a bad challenge
          ...  I don't think he meant anything other than trying to get the ball
          ...  He's in trouble here!!
          ...  YELLOW CARD!
          ...  He deserved that! And was lucky it wasn't more!
Min. 56 :(bfa) G_Cano leaves his marker standing
          ...  Blocked by J_Serrano
Min. 60 :(bfa) It looks like the manager is going to make a few changes to his side.
          ...  Diego_T will come on for C_Romero and play DF
Min. 60 :(rfc) G_Stevens replaces L_Dixon and will play DF
Min. 60 :(rfc) Kan is being brought on
          ...  J_Barjonas is leaving the pitch
          ...  He looks disappointed that he won't be continuing
          ...  Looks like his replacement will play MF
Min. 60 :(rfc) Aoas is being prepared to come on
          ...  B_McClair is leaving the pitch
          ...  He looks disappointed that he won't be continuing
          ...  Looks like his replacement will play FW
Min. 63 :(bfa) S_Nakamoto will come on for A_Lallana and play MF
Min. 64 :(bfa) D_Suker finds himself with plenty of time
          ...  D_Suker has a dig at goal!
          ...  It hits off a defender!
          ...  Rafael is wrong footed!
          ...  It drifts just wide!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  S_Nakamoto curls it into the box!
          ...  D_Suker swings a leg at it!
          ...  The fans behind the goal jump up!
          ...  Rafael acrobatically tips it over !!
          ...  Great keeping!
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  S_Nakamoto hits it into the box!
          ...  G_Stevens wins the ball
          ...  He belts it away
Min. 64 :(bfa) J_Mascherano moves out wide
          ...  He plays the ball through to G_Cano
          ...  D_Cooper with a bad challenge
          ...  YELLOW CARD!!
          ...  He'll be off if he does that again
Min. 67 :(bfa) There's going to be a change
          ...  Cantona will come on for D_Suker and play FW
Min. 69 :(bfa) Cantona with the dribble
          ...  But G_Stevens barges him off the ball
Min. 69 :(rfc) D_Cooper with a penetrating pass to Erling_Haland
          ...  Erling_Haland heads the ball towards goal !
          ...  But P_Gazzaniga punches it away
Min. 70 :(bfa) It looks as though Benfica is now playing A
Min. 70 :(bfa) Liziero cut's in on the inside of the defender
          ...  He gets past him!
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run
          ...  He plays the ball through to W_Samuel
          ...  A cracking drive from W_Samuel !
          ...  Rafael turns it behind for a corner
          ...  CORNER!
          ...  S_Nakamoto swings it in!
          ...  K_Rekik belts it clear
Min. 71 :(rfc) J_Baxter retreats under pressure
          ...  He hoofs the ball up field
          ...  Aoas gets on the end of it
          ...  Aoas with a little chip!
          ...  P_Gazzaniga makes a comfortable save
          ...  He makes it look so easy
Min. 72 :(bfa) Liziero controls the ball with a deft piece of skill
          ...  He plays the ball into the middle!
          ...  G_Cano gets onto the end of the pass!
          ...  G_Stevens gets to the ball first
Min. 73 :(bfa) G_Cano flicks it past the defender
          ...  He runs forward
          ...  G_Cano hits the ball first time!
          ...  Rafael catches the ball
Min. 73 :(bfa) J_Mascherano changes direction inside
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run
          ...  He plays the ball through to S_Nakamoto
          ...  Kan with a late tackle
          ...  It looked worse than what it was
          ...  He is surrounded by the Benfica players
Min. 76 :(rfc) Aoas gets the ball on the wing
          ...  He slides the ball past W_Samuel!
          ...  He has some space now!
          ...  But J_Mascherano wins the ball
Min. 77 :(bfa) D_Rose plays it to his team mate for a one-two
          ...  Cantona keeps possession instead!
          ...  He runs towards the goal now!
          ...  Cantona looks to see where Rafael is!
          ...  He shoots!
          ...  But Rafael punches it away
          ...  That's gone out for a goal kick
          ...  It was clear to everyone that Rafael got a touch
Min. 83 :(bfa) Liziero with a neat pass into A_Varela
          ...  But K_Rekik barges him off the ball
Min. 84 :(bfa) G_Cano makes himself available
          ...  Erling_Haland is called for the holding foul
          ...  Looked like a fair jump
          ...  The referee got it wrong
          ...  YELLOW CARD!!
          ...  He'll have to watch himself now
Min. 86 :(bfa) W_Samuel kills the ball dead
          ...  He sees a team mate in space!
          ...  He plays the ball in to him!
          ...  Cantona gets on the end of the pass
          ...  Cantona with the goal bound shot!
          ...  But Rafael makes a fine save
          ...  Wow!! That was close!
          ...  He had to be at his best to reach that one!
Min. 88 :(REF) The board goes up indicating that there are 2 minutes of time to be added on
Min. 89 :(bfa) A_Varela cut's in on the inside of the defender
          ...  He gets past him!
          ...  He sees a team mate making a run
          ...  He plays the ball through to S_Nakamoto
          ...  Brilliantly taken away by G_Stevens !!
          ...  Any youngsters out there should be taking notes
Min. 90 :(bfa) G_Cano beats J_Serrano
          ...  It looked like he pushed his marker
          ...  "Play On!" Waves B_Kuipers
          ...  D_Cooper with a bad challenge
          ...  The fans are chanting "OFF!!! OFF!!!
          ...  His 2nd yellow this game ! Sent off !

*************  FULL TIME  ****************


Match Details
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venue                : Elite Arena
Attendance           : 171,246
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benfica Match Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best player          : A_Varela
Scorers              : N/A
Sent Off             : N/A
Booked               : J_Mascherano (55)
Injured              : N/A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rangers FC Match Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best player          : Rafael (Man of the Match)
Scorers              : J_Baxter (6)
Sent Off             : D_Cooper (90)
Booked               : J_Barjonas (46), Erling_Haland (84)
Injured              : N/A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Match Statistics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Benfica      |   Rangers FC
Attempts on Goal     :          17        |       5
Off target           :           6        |       2
On target            :          11        |       3
Possession           :          59        |       41
Corners              :           5        |       1
Red Cards            :           0        |       1
Yellow Cards         :           1        |       2
Subs Used            :           3        |       3
Fouls                :           8        |       12
Key Tackles          :           5        |       9
Key Passes           :          17        |       8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Score          : Benfica 0 - 1 Rangers FC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Player Statistics - Benfica
Name          Pos  St  Tk  Ps  Sh  Ag | Min Sav Ktk Kps Ass Sht Gls Yel Red KAb TAb PAb SAb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P_Gazzaniga    GK  35   1   2   3  40 |  94   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
D_Rose         DF   1  34  12   8  22 |  94   0   1   1   0   1   0   0   0   0  20  10   0
W_Samuel       DF   2  34   8   4  28 |  94   0   1   1   0   2   0   0   0   0  20  10   5
P_Maldini      DF   2  32   7   4  33 |  94   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  20   0
C_Romero       DF   1  26   1   2  34 |  62   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  20   0   0
J_Mascherano   DM   1  16  32   8  47 |  94   0   3   4   0   0   0   1   0   0  58  38  -2
A_Lallana      DM   3  11  32   9  21 |  65   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0 -20   0 -20
Liziero        DM   1  20  31   5  23 |  94   0   0   4   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  40   0
A_Varela       AM   1  10  25  18  30 |  94   0   0   3   0   5   0   0   0   0   0  30  15
G_Cano         FW   2   1   4  32   9 |  94   0   0   0   0   4   0   0   0   0   0   0  15
D_Suker        FW   1   7  13  31  31 |  69   0   0   0   0   3   0   0   0   0   0   0  10
L_Yashin       GK  29   2   1   2  22 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Diego_T        DF   2  27   5   5  29 |  32   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 -20 -20 -20
A_Burdisso     DF   2  26   6   8  31 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
S_Nakamoto     MF   3   5  30  17  32 |  29   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Cantona        FW   1   5   9  30  13 |  25   0   0   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0  10

Player Statistics - Rangers FC
Name          Pos  St  Tk  Ps  Sh  Ag | Min Sav Ktk Kps Ass Sht Gls Yel Red KAb TAb PAb SAb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rafael         GK  39   2   2   2  20 |  94  13   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 105   0   0   0
K_Rekik        DF   1  38   8   2  12 |  94   0   3   1   0   0   0   0   0   0 100  10   0
J_Serrano      DF   1  32   1   1  30 |  94   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  40   0   0
L_Dixon        DF   1  30   8   9  31 |  62   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
D_McGrain      DF   2  30   6   3  19 |  94   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  40   0   0
J_Barjonas     MF   2  16  29   6  14 |  62   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0  -2  -2  -2
D_Cooper       MF   2   3  29   5  32 |  92   0   0   4   0   0   0   0   1   0 -10  30 -10
J_Baxter       MF   1   5  28   5  34 |  94   0   0   1   0   1   1   0   0   0  20  30  45
R_Russell      MF   2   4  28   4  34 |  94   0   0   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  20   0
B_McClair      FW   1   5  10  32  13 |  62   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Erling_Haland  FW   3   8  10  30  12 |  94   0   0   0   0   1   0   1   0   0  -2  -2   3
M_A_Stegen     GK  29   2   2   1  11 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
G_Stevens      DF   1  28   7   2  33 |  32   0   4   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  80   0   0
J_Drummond     DF   2  27  19   1  27 |   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Kan            MF   2   7  27  18  32 |  32   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
Aoas           FW   1   4   2  30  31 |  32   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0  20  20  25
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