U18 World League

Merceron Arena
Spectators: 7504 (Terracing: 5629, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 149) RACING FBPA's Armandinho Torres 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. Anthony Ruzzi kicked well hit freekick during the 2nd minute of the match. In the 3rd minute of the match Eliézer Prata sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Carmine Latini skillfully saved the ball. 5 minutes into the match, Merceron United's goal looked a bit too open when Armandinho Torres came free, but Carmine Latini reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 8th match minute, RACING FBPA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pedro Paulo Paraíba to maneuver through the defense. Juarês Linares took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Anthony Ruzzi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Alexander Longo fell near the penalty area in the 11th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Merceron United's protests and gave Alexander Longo a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Merceron United getting a freekick after 11 minutes play. Alexander Longo hit a great ball. In the 13th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Concetto Tiberio to maneuver through the defense. Leopoldo Marques hit a great freekick 16 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Merceron United's Concetto Tiberio got a free kick in the 17th minute. After 21 minutes, Eugenio Coccia mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Merceron United and the RACING FBPA players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 20 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Merceron United! Merceron United's Carmine Latini played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Hamílton Prestes in the 24th minute of play. Carmine Latini stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Moisés Bezerra's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. Eugenio Coccia kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. Wiliam Pernambucano sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 41st minute of the game, Eliézer Prata landed unfortunately after trying to head the ball, and pulled a muscle in the back, so badly that he had to leave the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Anthony Ruzzi during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. RACING FBPA made a substitution. Sandrinho Silveira replaced Eliézer Prata. Anthony Ruzzi hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. If Moisés Bezerra had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The wind increased when Anthony Ruzzi made the kick off in the second half. Juarês Linares showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Anthony Ruzzi in the 51st minute of the match. Moisés Bezerra's late challenge caught a Merceron United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Moisés Bezerra helped the player get up and apologised. In the 58th minute, Moisés Bezerra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Juarês Linares made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Filippo Corna in the 59th minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Filippo Corna during the 61st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 61 played minutes Merceron United got a freekick which was hit by Filippo Corna. 64 minutes into the game, Sandrinho Silveira was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. RACING FBPA's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Merceron United the free kick. A collision led to RACING FBPA getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Sandrinho Silveira hit a great ball. In the 69th minute Anthony Ruzzi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Juarês Linares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, RACING FBPA's Pedro Paulo Paraíba got a free kick in the 80th minute. Carmine Latini made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Armandinho Torres in the 87th minute of play. After 91 played minutes Armandinho Torres rounded Merceron United's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-2. If Anthony Ruzzi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The RACING FBPA supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing RACING FBPA would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.