Alianza edge past Arabes Unidos with clinical finish
Arabes Unidos and Alianza met in round two of the Apertura at the home ground on Friday night, with the visitors taking all three points with a 1-0 victory. By then the pattern was set: Arabes Unidos controlled the ball but Alianza found the answer. B. Walters fired home in the 41st minute and that proved to be the decisive moment.
And here's the thing — Arabes Unidos had 66 per cent possession and 158 attacks, yet could only muster one shot on target. Alianza, with just a third of the possession, registered three shots on target and scored from one. To be fair, the hosts were out of sight by half-time after Walters' strike.
Discipline was tight throughout. Arabes Unidos collected three yellows — R. Burgess at 26 minutes, R. Mitre at 29, and Walters himself at 45 plus two — while Alianza picked up two, J. Villalobos at 55 and A. Cooper on 90 plus three. Neither side lost a man, but the game tightened as the visitors protected their lead.
Substitutions came thick and fast, particularly for Alianza who brought on M. Rodriguez and F. McClean together at the 59th minute. Arabes Unidos responded with a series of changes: G. Chiari at 73, M. Breary at 77, A. Stewart at 85, and O. Reefer at 86. It was a sign that the hosts were searching for something.
Arabes Unidos remain fifth in the table with 21 points from 16 games, while Alianza move into second place on 27 points. The gap between them is six points, and this result could prove significant as the season unfolds. The old head settled them down — Alianza knew how to manage the final quarter.