U18 World League

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 7956 (Terracing: 5968, Seating: 1830, VIP seats: 158) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Attilio Cavanna started the match with the kick off. In the 6th minute, Francesco Tacco had to be helped off the field due to a pulled leg muscle. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fabian Borg during the 6th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 9 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goal looked a bit too open when Flavio Combi came free, but Mike Salamone reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Montechiarugolo AFC were awarded a corner in the 10th minute after Sliema Dragons FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Federico Padula took the corner. In the 10th minute, Aurelio Orecchioni ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Mike Salamone was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Montechiarugolo AFC's attentive Antonello Masetti managed to snatch the ball when Neil Deguara made a throw-in in the 14th minute of the game. After 28 minutes, Attilio Cavanna made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Salamone tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Jean Carl Mamo scored 1-2 in the 34th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Domenico Tenaglia, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Domenico Tenaglia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Leon Desira, who was totally free with the ball in the 42nd minute. Mike Salamone took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Attilio Cavanna, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After the first half Montechiarugolo AFC were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Jean Carl Mamo made a kick off. Dave Croce charged in rather forcefully in the 51st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Dave Croce the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Domenico Tenaglia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leon Desira in the 56th minute of play. Domenico Tenaglia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Fabian Borg's shot from short distance in the 63rd minute. Montechiarugolo AFC's Dave Croce got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Mike Salamone was a little too slow when Flavio Combi got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 73rd minute. The score was now 1-3. After a defensive mix-up in Sliema Dragons FC's zone, Attilio Cavanna stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mike Salamone came out of the goal and Attilio Cavanna tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Montechiarugolo AFC getting a freekick after 84 minutes play. Cosimo Ragazzoni hit a great ball. When Aurelio Orecchioni fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Montechiarugolo AFC's protests and gave Aurelio Orecchioni a yellow card for diving instead. In the 89th minute, Aurelio Orecchioni hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 90th minute of the match Samuel Galdes sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Domenico Tenaglia skillfully saved the ball. Dave Croce hit a great freekick 92 minutes into the match. The Montechiarugolo AFC supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Montechiarugolo AFC would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.