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Barça 2-3 Noia Freixenet: Lliga Catalana defeat

A lead is let slip and a ninth Catalan League title is not to be

Barça were hoping to win the Lliga Catalana for the ninth time, but it wasn't to be and Noia are taking the trophy home this year. The blaugrana had looked on course for another piece of silverware to add to their collection when Alabart scored early on and then Xavi Barrosso extended the advantage not long after the sides had come back out for the second half.

But despite some lovely hockey from Barça, dominant at times, Noia would not give up and brought their A-game to the final throes of the encounter, with one goal from Humberto and two from Xavi Costa, one from the penalty spot, eventually delivering the goods for the opposition.

It was a frustrating climax to what had otherwise been a brilliant display by Barça, and they'll be wondering how on earth they failed to follow through on such a commanding position, but all credit has to go to the opposition, who secured their win with less than two minutes to go.

MATCH STATS

Barça, 2
Noia Freixenet, 3

Barça: Sergi Fernández, Pau Bargalló, Ignacio Alabart, Joao Rodrigues, Xavi Barroso, Llorca, Marc Grau, Panadero

Noia Freixenet: Blai Roca, Aleix Esteller, Jordi Bargalló, Humberto Da Silva, Ivan Morales, Martí Gabarro, Xavi Costa

Goals: 1-0, Ignacio Alabart (min. 15); 2-0, Xavi Barrosso (min.32); 2-1, Humberto Da Silva (min. 35), 2-2, Xavi Costa (min. 45); 2-3, Xavi Costa (min. 48)

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