Monday 18th November 2013
Mini Estadi, Villareal Attendance
New
York Cosmos signed off their Spanish trip with a 1v0 win over Villareal's B
side thanks to a single goal from Guenzatti just before half time. Despite the
sparse crowd and the low key surroundings at Villareal's Training Ground, the
match was arguably more competitive than the main event against Villareal's
first team days earlier.
The
B side stroked the ball around well and Cosmos worked hard to close them down,
with some robust challenges in the middle of the pitch, particularly from Dane
Murphy in midfield.
The
first chance fell to Dimitrov, and he should have done much better as he could
only divert an unchallenged header straight at the Villareal Keeper.
The
flow of the game was constantly interrupted with multiple substitutions taking
place, but late in the first half, the game livened up with chances at both
ends.
Cosmos
Keeper Jimmy Maurer came out to claim a free kick played into the box, but was
beaten to the ball, and Cosmos were fortunate to see the effort go wide of the
target.
Soon
after Villareal broke quickly from after a Cosmos free kick came to nothing,
but a timely intervention from Guenzatti of all people snuffed out the danger.
Chris
Rodd thought he had opened the scoring as he bundled the ball over the line
from a Cosmos corner, only to see the goal ruled out for an infringement.
But
seconds later and Cosmos did take the lead through Guenzatti, after good work
from Diaz. The Villareal Keeper managed to get something on the shot, but could
not stop the ball hitting the net, in the last real action of the half.
The
first half had been an even affair, but Villareal came out strong in the 2nd
half and created several opportunities to level the scores.
A
loose pass from Chris Rodd early in the half led to the Spanish sides first
chance of the half, but the effort on goal was blazed well over. Soon after and
substitute Keeper, Meredith was called into action as he saved well from
another Spanish attack.
Villareal
were having a lot of joy down the Cosmos right wing and another attack down
this side led to a cross, but the effort on goal was an acrobatic volley which
did not trouble Meredith.
The
Cosmos were not coping with the quick attacking of the hosts as they created
another opportunity on goal, but again their finish failed to hit the target.
Meredith had replaced Maurer between the posts, and it was his poor kick out
that led to the next chance, which went narrowly wide.
The
Cosmos survived the spell of pressure and finished the game the stronger side,
without really looking like adding to their 1v0 lead.
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