In their first ever match, Real OP (1-0-0, 3 points) dominated Liberty FC (0-1-0, 0 points) in a 5-1 display on a windy Saturday evening at BVNW High Stadium.
In the first 25 minutes of the match, the game seemed to be an even matchup with the run of play flowing naturally between both teams. However, Real OP soon capitalized on a breakaway play with midfielder Roman Briseno slotting a through-ball right onto attacker Ashton Watson's path, which Watson promptly took and put in the back of the net to make it 1-0 for the hosts, making history as the first player to score in a Real OP uniform. Liberty FC responded strongly, and would have tied the game had it not been for some extraordinary defensive efforts for Real OP, including an on-the-line clearance from defender Moe Oo. On the following play, Liberty FC took a poor corner, crossing it to the far side. The ball would have gone out for a throw-in, but the wind had other ideas, blowing so strongly that the ball stayed in play. Real OP right-back Robert Mugabe took advantage of this, quickly sending the ball up line to Ashton Watson, who through a fantastic display of dribbling and speed from the Real OP half, made it 2-0. After this goal, Liberty started to fall apart, and Michael Nichols and then Moe Oo from the penalty spot both scored to make it 4-0 at halftime.
The second half was less eventful, with Real OP settling down more into a defensive state. Liberty were able to score to make it 4-1, but Ashton Watson would not be denied his hat-trick, making it 5-1 and all but destroying Liberty's hopes of getting a result from the game.
With the 5-1 win, Real OP was the only team during matchday 1 to only give up less than 3 goals, as well as only being one of three teams that scored 5 or more goals. Real OP will also enter matchday 2 as the #1 ranked team, taking on Crown Villa FC in Crown Villa's inaugural match.
Real OP 5 x 1 Liberty FC
Team 1st 2nd Final
Real OP 4 1 5
Liberty FC 0 1 1
Real OP Starting Lineup: Richard Villalobos; Robert Mugabe, Phill Otsyula(c), Moe Oo, Danny Garcia; Alan Perez, Daniel Olivier, Jason Duarte; Ashton Watson, Jason Stevenson, Victor Nichols
Subs: Abraham Lopez, Carlos Ruz, Davey Valentin-Rosalio, Moses Daung, Roman Briseno, Michael Nichols
Goal Summary:
1x0 - Ashton Watson(Roman Briseno)
2x0 - Ashton Watson(Robert Mugabe)
3x0 - Michael Nichols(Abraham Lopez)
4x0 - Moe Oo(penalty)
5x1 - Ashton Watson(unassisted)