FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.01.2009 22:40

Great start to the year (5-3)

Cristina Collado

Barça Mobicat have beaten Benicarló 5-3 in the first game of 2009 and the second half of the season. Fernandao notched a hat-trick and Carlos Muñoz debuted at the Palau.

Barça Mobicat have made a good start to 2009 by beating Benicarló Aeroport Castelló, the team with the best defensive record in the League, by 5-3 in a game watched by director Albert Perrín. Fernandao picked up a hat-trick and Carlos Muñoz made his home debut.
Visitors strike first

Visitors Benicarló notched the first goal of the game on the counterattack when Dani Salgado slotted home in the 7th minute. They almost made it two a minute later but Cristian pushed away Jordi Lledó’s drive.

Woodwork denies Barça

Barça Mobicat had two good dead ball chances when Jordi Sánchez and Justo Cáceres went close, the latter hitting the woodwork.

Fernandao then had a header turned aside by Leandro in the visitors' goal, before the same player sent a shot against Leandro’s left-hand post with six minutes to go before the break.

Goal and post

But just as Barça Mobicat seemed to be on top, Benicarló struck again when Genaro slotted home after a free-kick.

Marc Carmona’s men didn’t throw in the towel and continued to attack. Fernandao once again hit the woodwork and then had a shot blocked by Leandro.

1-2 at half-time

Finally Fernandao managed to pull one back 10 seconds before the break after a great assist from PC on the break.

Barça come from behind

On the restart, Saad Assís for Barça Mobicat and Fali for Benicarló both had good chances, but it was Justo Cáceres who got the equaliser, slotting home under Leandro’s legs. Four minutes later Fernandao put the Catalans ahead for the first time.

There was still a lot of time to go, however, and the visitors were soon level when Vadillo found the net. But then Fernandao stepped up to the plate to finish off his hat-trick, while a minute later Jordi Sánchez lobbed into an empty net with Benicarló’s keeper supporting his side’s attack to make it 5-3.