17.05.2009 13:41
Poor start (6-4)
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Barça Mobicat have made a poor start to the play-offs, going down in the first quarter-final game at Pinto in Madrid. Now they need to win the next two matches at home.
There’s a reason why people say it’s the surprise team of the year. Tien21 P. Milenium
Pinto, promoted last season, finished the regular season in sixth spot to make the play-offs, and
have now won the first game of their quarter-final clash against hot favourites Barça Mobicat.
Home team effective
Pinto came out believing they could do it and within five minutes were ahead through Retamar.
Barça Mobicat immediately ramped up their attacking play but were unable to find a way through the
home defence.
After 10 minutes top goal scorer Fernandao managed to equalise, but a minute later Luís put
the home side back in front. The Madrid outfit were nothing if not effective, turning four of their
six first half shots into goals.
The third came on the break with Sergio firing home just after Javi Rodríguez had got Barça
Mobicat’s second. And with just seconds to go before the break, Fabían added the fourth from
the 10 metre line after a harsh penalty award against Carlos Muñoz to make it 4-2 at halftime.
Fernandao brings hope
Within a minute of the restart Luís Fonseca’s men made it five through Fabián. Barça
Mobicat were now really up against it but didn’t throw in the towel.
Marc Carmona then took the risk of playing an outfield player/goalkeeper, a decision that
proved to be the right one as Fernandao swiftly pulled two back in just two minutes. It was still
game on.
Controversial sending off
But with two minutes left on the clock came the game-deciding incident. As Pinto broke, Igor
brought down the last Madrid player as he cleared the ball. The referee harshly gave him a straight
red, so Barça were a man down for the last two minutes. Yet still they pushed forward and had
chances to grab an equaliser, only to see Fabián make it 6-4 on the hooter.
Now Barça Mobicat have to win the next two games to be played at the Palau Blaugrana arena.
MATCH FACTS
PINTO, 6
FCB MOBICAT, 4
Tien21 P. Milenium Pinto: Gus, Contreras, Fabián, Retamar and Hugo –
starting five – Raúl Campos, Matamoros, Sergio
FC Barcelona Mobicat: Paco Sedano, PC, Igor, Saad and Fernandao – starting
five – Chico, Carlos, Javi Rodríguez, Jordi Sánchez
Goals: 1-0, Retamar (5’); 1-1, Fernandao (10’); 2-1, Luís (11’);
3-1, Sergio (15’); 3-2, Javi Rodríguez (18’); 4-2, Fabián (19’); 5-2, Fabián
(21’); 5-3, Fernandao (32’); 5-4, Fernandao (34’); 6-4, Fabián (40’)
Referees: Peña Díaz and Peña Gómez