Amgroot sends Madrid into mayhem!
By: Ray Porter
With Vienna having won the opening fixture to the 17th matchday, the pressure was on for Zagreb as they needed a win to stay within punching distance. Madrid, meanwhile, were trying to cling onto Lisboa and Kerberos in fifth and fourth respectively. Trying to contain Zagreb to as few chances as possible, Madrid started in a very defensive formation.
It took nearly 40 minutes until either side would have a threatening chance, as Madrid countered their way towards Zagreb’s goal. Billy Boyo would send in Woy Hodgson, but the young striker would be denied by Majmunovic and the post. Despite being pressured by Bebe Barry, you would expect any striker to bury that.
The second half would see both teams find more chances, especially with Zagreb being pushed to a more and more attacking position by their captain Scooter McGavin. And they would finally find the back of the net in the 80th minute. A long ball from Sobaksu finds Neagu, who immediately back heels it to Barry. “Big Cheeto” then sends in Akiyama Hernandez, who scores in the 1v1. Akiyama Hernandez, like the 10 coffees he drinks pre-match, ended the snooze.
With their hopes for a point in jeopardy, Madrid pushed bodies forward. Meanwhile, Zagreb only barely got more defensive, still fielding the back two they had before their goal.
With everything on the line, Madrid got their late chances to equalize. In the 90th minute, Amgroot finds Hodgson on the edge of the box, who starts to dribble inside. With everyone expecting a clumsy Barry tackle gifting Madrid a penalty, Hodgson only manages to win a final corner kick. Boyo’s corner would be cleared on the front post by Lennon, but it would only fall to Moorishinho on the wing, seeing Amgroot completely free on the edge of the box, he lays it off for Amgroot to fire it into the top corner. A fantastic effort saves Madrid the game and keeps Zagreb three points off first.
