FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.05.2008 22:29

Semi final beckons (1-7)

Cristina Collado

Barça Senseit are just one victory away from a place in the semi finals of the league play-offs after recording a resounding triumph against Benicarló Onda Urbana on Tuesday evening.

The Blaugrana eased to the win thanks to a hat-trick from Fernandao, two from Chico and one apiece from Javi Rodríguez and Paco Sedano. If they can now beat the same opponents in the Palau Blaugrana on Sunday (12.30pm kick off) then they will book their place in the final four.

Even start

Despite the empathic final score, the match in midweek began very evenly with goalkeeper Leandro helping to create moves for the home team. PC had the visitors first good chance of the match when he connected with a Javi Rodríguez corner moments before Tete went close at the other end.

Fernandao gave a warning of what would come later with a stinging drive and followed that up by sending a shot just wide of the other post soon after. The game flowed from end to end, but slowly Barça began to gain the upper hand and opening goal always looked likely.

Goals galore

In the 16th minute, Fernandao netted after a quick move forward and Barça's cause was helped even further when Paco Sedano saved a penalty from Tete. But within a minute the hosts were level when Parrel took advantage of a poor clearance and beat the keeper.

The effort lifted the home team and their fans and Parrel and Leandro came forward once more and only the reactions of Sedano kept the Blaugrana level. Before the break though, Barça caught Benicarló napping and Chico met Fernandao's cross to knock in the visitors' second.

Moving clear

After the half-time break, Barça took advantage of their opponents' conservative style and began to wrack up the goals. Fernandao added his second in the 23rd minute and soon after Javi Rodríguez put his name on the scoresheet. Benicarló were in shock and when Chico made it five before Fernando completed hi hat-trick, the game was all over.

In the final minute there was a real twist when Sedano launched an effort from one end of the pitch to the other to score Barça's seventh and cap a very strong display.