Chilean side O’Higgens took on California based side OC Blues in the opening premier match of the day at Roe Mill.
It was the Chilean side who started the much brighter taking the lead inside five minutes when Jhon Jorquera confidently took the ball round Blues keeper Bryce Logan to finish with ease.
OC Blues registered their first chance on twelve minutes as Owen Smiths free kick was plucked out of the air by the confident Javier Cerrutti in the O’Higgins goal.
Jorquera was playing some sensational football down the right wing giving OC Blues headaches; he had another chance as his shot from the angle was well held by Logan in between the sticks.
O’Higgins had their second, and once again Jorquera was involved in the build-up as his Alexis Sanchez-esque run saw him advance into the box to cross low for Hugo Herrera to smash low into the net.
Two nearly became three as David Salazar was played in by Juan Nunez he skipped round the keeper but delayed his shot allowing Andrew Paoli to block on the line and clear.
It was all one way traffic as the Chilean side were in cruise control keeping OC Blues boxed in their own half , Logan had to come up tops once again to prevent his side falling further behind as he kept out a thumping effort from Moises Avila. As the Halftime whistle blew it was the perfect chance for the Americans to regroup.
OC Blues had the first chance of the second period as Youki Chisa hit a powerful left footed drive only to be well saved by the impressive Cerrutti.
Blues changed their formation playing five across midfield settling down as the Chileans got too much room in the first half in centre midfield.
The second half started very slowly with few chances being created although O’Higgins were always in control of the game.
OC Blues however, were awarded a soft penalty with four minutes to go as Chisa was brought down in the box. Up stepped Matthew Davies to smash the ball low into the left hand corner of the net despite Cerrutti guessing the right way.
This gave the side from California confidence as they attempted to finish with a flurry, Francisco Liberona came to O’Higgins aid as he made a fantastic tackle to deny Matthew Korpontings a certain goal.
However, they could have saw their comeback wiped out completely as man of the match Jorquera hit a shot sweet as a nut only for Laclin McBride to clear the ball off the line.
O’Higgins wrapped up the game in injury time when that man once again Hugo Herrera scored a real special goal as he dinked a delightful chip over Logan and into the net.
This was how the game finished, a 3-1 victory for the Chilean outfit in a really commanding and dominating performance; real contenders for the competition.
Joshua Bunting