The Coquitlam Metro-Ford Barça '96 boys team won their 4th game in a row and 5th in 6 games beating a very game Langley United team 2-1 on a cold and rainy night under the lights in Langley.
The rain couldn't cool the red hot Rashaun Rivers who scored 2 outstanding goals including a world class hammer job that Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of. Rivers opened the scoring half way through the first half after some heavy pressure from the Langley team who was winning all the 50/50 balls and most of the races to every lose balls up until that point. Rivers collected the ball midway in the Langley end, proceeded to beat a Langley defender and rifle a shot on a rope from around 25 yards out that kissed off the underside of the crossbar and post to settle in the absolute top corner of the net. Gasps of breath could be heard around McLeod Stadium as Rivers put Barça up 1-0. The score stayed 1-0 thanks to some timely movement in goal by Jake Sundar who was quick off his line to pick off any through balls that came dangerously close to the Barça goal.
The second half started brightly for the Barça boys and really should have added to their lead when Barça strung at least 10 passes together in the Langley zone that led to a strike from Giordano Baldonero from 25 yards out that just missed the top left hand corner of the net.
Barça played much better in the first part of the second half and were in control until a breakdown after a Barça corner was cleared and Langley countered and chipped Sundar to make the score 1-1. Things turned negative for Barça for a while with the fast turf, poor weather condition and poor movement off the ball. The flowing Barça passing game that was so prevalent last weekend in there win versus Abbotsford again deserted them and left Barça scrapping to get something from the game.
Langley came close again when Jake Sundar kept out a hard shot on his back when another Barça defender was second to a loose ball at the top of the box. This time, it was Barça turn to counter and Marchello Polisi saw is shot hit the crossbar and go over.
As the game entered the last 5 minutes and both teams seeming to be looking at a draw, Rivers hustled onto a through ball that was played too deep and pressured the defender who promptly tried to play it back to his goalie. Rivers caught up to the ball rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net to the delight of his teammates and relief of his coaches.
Barça sneaks out a win that last year would have resulted in a loss. Barça moves to 6-2-4 on the season for 20 points and cements their 5th place position drawing closer to the 3rd and 4th place teams.
Special thanks to Jacob Powell who was called up for the game from the CMF Euro '97 team. Jacob played very well in the victory and again illustrated the ability of the club to produce players that can raise their game to play at a higher level.
Barça moves on to play the 1st place Coquitlam Metro-Ford Bayern next week that should be a classic as is all Bayern/Barça matches are.
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