U23 World League

Gigante de Phoenix
Spectators: 7707 (Terracing: 5782, Seating: 1772, VIP seats: 153) El Canalla de Chicago's Justin Raines 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. Felix Frans showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Justin Raines, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. After a rather tough play, Abuba Akotonon FC's Dario Sabino got a free kick in the 12th minute. If Luka Langoni had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luka Langoni in the 15th minute of play forced El Canalla de Chicago's goalkeeper Jude Vang to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Justin Raines in the 17th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Felix Frans prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 19th minute, Luka Langoni got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. El Canalla de Chicago's Kareem Hendricks pulled a muscle in his back after 20 minutes and couldn't finish the game. Dario Sabino charged in rather forcefully in the 20th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Dario Sabino the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. El Canalla de Chicago's Cody Gentry was substituted for Kareem Hendricks. The supporters of El Canalla de Chicago booed when Abuba Akotonon FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dario Sabino didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Justin Raines in the 30th minute of play forced Abuba Akotonon FC's goalkeeper Felix Frans to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Domingo Lopez had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Edgardo Etxatxu fell near the penalty area in the 34th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Abuba Akotonon FC's protests and gave Edgardo Etxatxu a yellow card for diving instead. Ambrosio Haritz made in the 35th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Diego Maradona however managed to control. If Emilio Jakue had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 39 minutes into the match, El Canalla de Chicago's goal looked a bit too open when Luka Langoni came free, but Jude Vang reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 43rd minute Luka Langoni shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jude Vang saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Emilio Jakue kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. Luka Langoni kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match.

Dario Sabino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 51st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, El Canalla de Chicago's Hugo Hubbard got a free kick in the 52nd minute. Abuba Akotonon FC's Emilio Jakue got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 55 played minutes Abuba Akotonon FC got a freekick which was hit by Dario Sabino. Jude Vang made an important save on a dangerous shot by Luka Langoni in the 57th minute. Luka Langoni blasted a shot towards the goal in the 60th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jude Vang having to make a save. Jude Vang showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luka Langoni, who was totally free with the ball in the 71st minute. The supporters of Abuba Akotonon FC booed when El Canalla de Chicago was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hugo Hubbard didn't get a good kick on the ball. The supporters of Abuba Akotonon FC booed when El Canalla de Chicago was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hugo Hubbard didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jude Vang stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Luka Langoni's shot from short distance in the 76th minute. Felix Frans showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Armando Leobardo, who was totally free with the ball in the 79th minute. After 81 minutes of play, Abuba Akotonon FC's Luka Langoni made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jude Vang was left in no man's land by his defense there! The supporters of Abuba Akotonon FC booed when El Canalla de Chicago was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Curtis Daniel didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jude Vang took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emilio Jakue, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Luka Langoni who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 87thth minute tested the skills of Jude Vang when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Daron Davidson's late challenge caught a Abuba Akotonon FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Daron Davidson helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, El Canalla de Chicago's Daron Davidson got a free kick in the 94th minute. The El Canalla de Chicago supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Abuba Akotonon FC's performance. The match ended with a win for Abuba Akotonon FC.