U18 World League

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 8010 (Terracing: 6009, Seating: 1842, VIP seats: 159) Sliema Dragons FC's Jean Carl Mamo started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 2 minutes into the match, Boris Streche had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Mike Salamone. Sliema Dragons FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Boris Streche was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. After a rather tough play, UFC Puturoasa's Boris Streche got a free kick in the 7th minute. Thibaut Courtois showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Leon Desira in the 16th minute of the match. In the 16th minute, Alexandru Ciocan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 19 minutes into the game, UFC Puturoasa's Vadim Brãgutã nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Mike Salamone made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. Mike Salamone took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vadim Brãgutã, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marcel Iordan hit a great freekick 31 minutes into the match. After 32 played minutes, Sliema Dragons FC's Leo Scalpello shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Sliema Dragons FC reached it. Jean Carl Mamo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Thibaut Courtois read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 35th minute of play. In the 35th minute, Jean Carl Mamo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Thibaut Courtois was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2. After a rather tough play, UFC Puturoasa's Ion Gribincea got a free kick in the 37th minute. If Leon Desira had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Sliema Dragons FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. UFC Puturoasa were winning 1-2.

The wind increased when Boris Streche made the kick off in the second half. After 51 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Leon Desira. Mike Salamone made a fantastic save in the 58th minute, when Vadim Brãgutã sent off a good shot on target. 63 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Mike Salamone had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Boris Streche. Mike Salamone showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Boris Streche in the 67th minute of the match. UFC Puturoasa made a substitution. Dorel Chetrutã replaced Aurel Inculet. The corner led UFC Puturoasa's Marcel Iordan to fire away a dangerous shot which Mike Salamone despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a rather tough play, UFC Puturoasa's Boris Streche got a free kick in the 71st minute. Leo Scalpello took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 72nd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Thibaut Courtois. UFC Puturoasa's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Mike Salamone made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vadim Brãgutã in the 74th minute of play. After a rather tough play, UFC Puturoasa's Alexandru Ciocan got a free kick in the 76th minute. In the 76th minute of the match Fabian Borg sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Thibaut Courtois skillfully saved the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ion Gribincea in the 78th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Mike Salamone to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mike Salamone took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vadim Brãgutã, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ion Gribincea might have been able to make a better finish in the 84th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mike Salamone. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Ion Gribincea ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 91st minute, Harry Coppini hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When the match had gone on for 92 minutes, Vadim Brãgutã took a quick shot and it went in 1-3 without a chance for Mike Salamone to make any attempt to save it. The Sliema Dragons FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. UFC Puturoasa were clearly better and deserved to take the win.