U18 World League

Tomas A. Duco
Spectators: 7460 (Terracing: 5596, Seating: 1715, VIP seats: 149) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Mugur Nisipeanu made the kick off which started today's match. 2 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goalkeeper Emanuel Gheorghe had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Epifanio Hartz. The audience was convinced that Mugur Nisipeanu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Enzo Oliverio was relentless in the 4th minute of the game. With a little luck, UFC STEAUA's Emanuel Gheorghe got control of the ball when Froilan Abella tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Horaţiu Fărcașu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In a very dangerous position, a player in UFC STEAUA fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 16th minute. Penalty! UFC STEAUA:s Emanuel Gheorghe showed great skill when he stopped Juan Su:s penalty. 20 minutes into the game, Froilan Abella cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Emanuel Gheorghe was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Florin Arsenescu kicked well hit freekick during the 28th minute of the match. In the 30th minute, Froilan Abella reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Emanuel Gheorghe. The goal made the score 2-0. Bernabe Indalecio hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. Horaţiu Fărcașu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Enzo Oliverio tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Dorin Cercelescu hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. Froilan Abella struck a weak shot in the 43rd minute. Emanuel Gheorghe didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Guns And Roses. A collision led to Guns And Roses getting a freekick after 45 minutes play. Tomás Leiva hit a great ball. Nistor Fenici was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 46th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Froilan Abella stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Mugur Nisipeanu's late challenge caught a Guns And Roses's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mugur Nisipeanu helped the player get up and apologised. Mugur Nisipeanu kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. 55 minutes into the game, Mugur Nisipeanu recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Enzo Oliverio. Mugur Nisipeanu showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-1. Froilan Abella fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Emanuel Gheorghe having to interfere. After 60 played minutes UFC STEAUA got a freekick which was hit by Marin Mihăileanu. Guns And Roses's Juan Su took a good shot, in the 61st minute, which hit the crossbar above Emanuel Gheorghe's head, and flew over the goal. UFC STEAUA's manager was very thankful on the sidelines as his team had managed to keep the ball out of the net after some serious pressure by Guns And Roses. In the 64th minute, Dorin Cercelescu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Guns And Roses's Froilan Abella got a good chance for a goal in the 66th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. UFC STEAUA's Florin Arsenescu suffered a concussion in the 70th minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Froilan Abella during the 70th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. When Nistor Fenici came up free with the goalie in the 74th minute, the UFC STEAUA fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Nistor Fenici couldn't finish the play. After 77 played minutes UFC STEAUA got a freekick which was hit by Mugur Nisipeanu. Albert Hodorog recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 80th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 81 played minutes UFC STEAUA got a freekick which was hit by Mugur Nisipeanu. Juan Su took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 82nd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Emanuel Gheorghe. UFC STEAUA's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. 93 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Froilan Abella came free, but Emanuel Gheorghe reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Many of UFC STEAUA's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. UFC STEAUA may have spent more time on the ball, but Guns And Roses were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.