Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.puertoricoislandersfc.com

Friday, August 17, 2007

BAYAMON, PR -- As Hurricane Dean passed by Puerto Rico just over a 100 miles to the south of the island, it was Taiwo Atieno doing the damage to Miami with a stoppage time winner as the Islanders grabbed a late 1-0 win in Bayamon.

It was a fantastic night for football in Puerto Rico, and not even the tropical storm warnings issued due to hurricane Dean’s passage through the Caribbean could hold back the 3,411 highly spirited fans that showed up to rally the Islanders to a much needed win at home, following a not-so-gratifying stint of three lost games on the road.

Matching the weather, which was relatively calm in close presence of the hurricane, the first half of the match ended quite uneventfully, with only three shots to the goal between both squads, the second half was full of action.

Just three minutes into the second period, Noah Delgado saw a free ball ready to be blasted in with half-turn kick, but goalie Gabard Fenelon was ready and able to prevent the damage. Three minutes later, Petter Villegas went freely down the right flank and blasted a shot that missed over the goal.

Miami responded in kind with a power shot from Rachid Didouh that made keeper Mike Behonick dive for the save as the ball flew wide past the goal.

The rally continued as both squads fought for supremacy of the field with Puerto Rico defending its home turf and Miami relentless in its quest to avenge the loss suffered against the Islanders in Florida back in June.

In minute 77, a free kick by Alejandro González was centered to Noah Delgado who intended a header for the score, but the goal post got in the way.

A minute later it was Zinho’s turn to convert a free kick for Miami, but a brilliant save by Behonick did away with his perfectly positioned and highly threatening shot.

The winning goal of the game came in stoppage time after a confusing scramble at Miami’s goal allowed Taiwo Atieno to head the ball into the back of the net as he and Fenelon went up for the ball just outside the six.

Yet Miami was not about to give in and responded almost immediately with a fantastic shot from Sean Cameron. Behonick, however, again showed his top form as he slapped the ball away for the save.

Both squads rest tomorrow as they get ready for another showdown here at the Juan Ramon Loubriel stadium on Sunday.