SAN JOSE, Calif. – Real San Jose scored twice in the last 12 minutes, all while playing a man down Saturday night, to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Denver Kickers at Yerba Buena High School. After Denver’s Ben Gentatain had put the visitors in the lead in the 77th minute, Manny Avila equalized just a minute later, and with the match headed towards a draw, Juan Sandoval scored a dramatic game-winner with just six minutes remaining. Adriano Toni tallied Real’s other goal, while Denver’s Alejandro Alorzo scored the visitors.
Pending the outcome of other matches, the result saw Real (1-3-2, 5 points) haul themselves off the foot of the Northwest Division standings, while Denver (0-6-0, 0 points) are still looking for their first result of the season.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I couldn’t be prouder of the guys,” said a visibly relieved Nick Arellano, RSJ’s head coach. “It didn’t look good when we fell behind late, but we never gave up, and I’m delighted that some of our new signings came through.”
Real got off to a dream start after just two minutes, when Toni’s free kick from 25 yards put the home side up 1-0. RSJ continued to have the better of the play, but Denver equalized in the 18th minute when Alorzo launched a 30 yard rocket that beat Nico Arellano in the RSJ goal.
Real then suffered a hammer blow in the 28th minute, when forward Alfredo Grijalva was shown a straight red card by referee Peter Fletcher for a tackle from behind. As a result, Real’s play became more conservative as they struggled to cope with the man disadvantage.
Tempers flared even further shortly after half-time when RSJ keeper Arellano took exception to a challenge from Denver’s Andrew Scott, and both players were cautioned as a result.
Denver, who had entered the match have scored just three goals while conceding 21, thought they were on their way to a priceless victory when Gentatain’s first-time shot from Juan Ramos’ pass beat Arellano with just 13 minutes remaining. But their joy proved to be short-lived, as Avila went on a surging run just a minute later, beating Denver keeper Bennett Hartbrink to tie the match at two.
That set the stage for Sandoval’s heroics. The recent signing went on a similar run in the 84th minute, slotting his shot past Hartbrink and in the process, giving RSJ their first ever victory in NPSL play.
Real will now to build on the win when they take on the Santa Cruz Breakers next Saturday at Yerba Buena High School. Kick-off is set for 7:30.
Real San Jose (1-3-2) vs. Denver Kickers (0-6-0)
June 9, 2007 – Yerba Buena High School
Scoring Summary:
RSJ – Adrian Toni 2
DEN – Alejandro Alorzo 18
DEN – Ben Gentatain 77
RSJ – Manny Avila 78
RSJ – Juan Sandoval 84
Real San Jose – Nico Arellano; Emmanuel Vasquez, Pedro Alaniz, Danny Pena (Francisco Garrido 90); Adam Perez, Matt Amaral, Ritchie Gharapetian (Robert Orum 27, Juan Sandoval 59), David Diaz, Manny Avila; Adriano Toni (Jairo Carretero 78), Alfredo Grijalva
Denver Kickers – Bennett Hartbrink; Andrew Scott, Jose Sanchez (Mehdi Sfaine 71), Josh Veryer, Guillermo Corcha; Alfredo Ochoa, Elio Andrade (Ben Gentatain 53), Pedro Ayara (Jose Cubin 74), Juan Carlos (Juan Ramos 76); Alejandro Alorzo, Francisco Flores (Emilio Preciado 53)
Total Shots: RSJ 5 (Adriano Toni 2); DEN 5 (Alejandro Alorzo 3)
Shots on Goal: RSJ 3; DEN 4
Fouls: RSJ 22; DEN 9
Offsides: RSJ 1; DEN 5
Corner Kicks: RSJ 4; DEN 1
Saves: RSJ 2; DEN 0
Misconduct Summary:
DEN – Pedro Ayara (caution; hard foul) 2
RSJ – Ritchie Gharapetian (caution; hard foul) 13
RSJ – Alfredo Grijalva (ejection; serious foul play) 20
RSJ – Nico Arellano (caution; unsporting behaviour) 48
DEN – Andrew Scott (caution; unsporting behaviour) 48
RSJ – Adriano Toni (caution; hard foul) 64
Referee: Peter Fletcher
Referee’s assistants: Henrique Martins, Steve Krow-Lucal
4th Official: Alex Marquand-Willse
