SAN DIEGO (September 9, 2000 - MR29) - The #4 San Diego Flash and #5 Vancouver 86ers battled to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes of soccer, but the 86ers converted all five penalty kicks to defeat the Flash in an A-League first-round playoff match. The game was played at San Diego Mesa College’s Douglas Stadium before a crowd of 3,877, the second largest in franchise playoff history.
Paul Dailly’s near-post goal from 12-yards out in the 43rd minute put the 86ers up 1-0. Dailly received a short corner kick from Alfredo Valente and faked a pass and then took the shot that beat Flash netminder Tom Tate on the short side. For the third consecutive season, San Diego failed to score first in the opening match of the playoffs.
San Diego, which had several quality chances in the first half, drew level in the 53rd minute on a Carlos Farias direct free-kick marker. The 35-yard blast, which was set up after Mauricio Alegre was fouled by a Vancouver defender, sailed past 86ers goalkeeper Paul Sheperd.
Both teams played exciting end-to-end soccer in the final half-hour of regulation and for the thirty minute overtime session. The Flash would have the better of the play during the final hour of the match.
In penalties, all five 86ers tallied their chances from the spot, but Jerome Watson’s shot in the fourth round was saved by a diving Sheperd to his right side.
Vancouver advances to play #1 Minnesota Thunder in a two-legged aggregate goal series. For the first time in three A-League campaigns, San Diego finishes its season without reaching the conference finals. "Neither team deserved to lose tonight, it is just a shame that it was single-elimination," remarked Flash head coach Colin Clarke. The Flash will begin open tryouts in January 2001 and Spring Training Camp in March 2001 for the club’s fourth season. Season tickets are available at a discounted rate before December 31, 2000. For more information on tickets, please call the Flash office at 858.581.2120.
SCORING
VAN 1 0 0 0 (5)- 1
SD 0 1 0 0 (4)- 1
VAN - 43’ - DAILLY (Valente)
SD- 53’ - FARIAS (UA)
Penalties
VAN v. Tate: Tilley (G), Mobilio (G), Kindel (G), Franks (G), Titus (G)
SD v. Sheperd: Farias (G), Calderson (G), Ayim (G), Watson (S), O’Connor (G)
G=goal, S=save, M=miss
HIGHLIGHTS
SD- 19’ - Baena’s point-blank shot saved by Sheperd.
VAN- 43’ GOAL - Dailly strikes a 12-yard goal.
SD- 48’ Tate makes a diving save on Tilley’s shot.
SD- 50’ - O’Brien’s deflefcted shot sails wide right.
SD- 53’ - GOAL - Farias’ direct free kick goal from 35 yards out.
SD- 63’ - Flurry of chances by San Diego results in two saves by Sheperd.
SD- 66’ - Hetherington’s five-yard shot just wide right.
VAN- 76’ – Sulentic’s shot goes wide left.
SD- 88’ - Annicchero’s shot saved by Sheperd.
SD- 90’ - Watson’s shot saved by Sheperd.
SD- 97’ - Dumitru’s side-volley shot saved by Sheperd.
SD- 117’ - Dumitru’s header inside the box saved by Shepherd.
STATS
Shots: VAN 8, SD 14
Saves: VAN 4, SD 2
Fouls: VAN 27, SD 19
Corners: VAN 11, SD 6
Offside: VAN 4, SD 1
LINEUPS
VAN: Sheperd, Lyall, Titus, Franks, Holness, D’Onofrio(McCauley 90’), Kindel, Dailly, Sulentic(Jordan 80’), Valente(King69’), Tilley
SD: Tate, Brown, Banks, Annicchero, O’Brien(O’Connor 79’), Legg(Calderson 90’), Hetherington(Ayim 118’), Farias, Alegre(Watson79’), Baena(Dumitru 61’), Farace
CAUTIONS
VAN: Franks 2’, D’Onofrio 38’,
SD: Farace 21’, O’Brien 77’, Calderson 103’
SEND OFFS
None
REFEREES
Nathan Lacy, Bryan Elliott, Charles Kundle, Larry Guthrie
ATTENDANCE: 3,877
WEATHER: Clear & 68 degrees
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