U23 World League

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 7496 (Terracing: 5623, Seating: 1724, VIP seats: 149) An unexpectedly hard shot by Miles Person in the 2nd minute of play forced Botafogo AP's goalkeeper Percy Reis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 4th minute, Walker Elliot made a precise shot to the right of Percy Reis. Botafogo AP's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. When Carson McCann fell near the penalty area in the 7th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Tango en Miami FC's protests and gave Carson McCann a yellow card for diving instead. In the 7th minute, Carson McCann hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With his leg Graig Davenport managed to avoid a goal in the 13thth minute, when Botafogo AP's Humberto Maia fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 26th minute Walker Elliot shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Percy Reis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 27th minute, Miles Person ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Percy Reis was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Miles Person in the 30th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Percy Reis saved Botafogo AP from getting behind. After a rather tough play, Botafogo AP's Humberto Maia got a free kick in the 32nd minute. Graig Davenport didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Humberto Maia went, in the 35th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-2 was the resulting score. Miles Person recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 1-3 became the score in the 42nd minute when Graham Kearney elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. The Botafogo AP players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Tango en Miami FC were winning 1-3.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Graham Kearney was the one to do the kick off. Botafogo AP's Percy Reis played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Walker Elliot in the 58th minute of play. 59 minutes in the game, Graham Kearney dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. Eriberto Esteves hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. Botafogo AP's Frank Goiano was substituted for José Pedro Coelho. After 62 played minutes Botafogo AP got a freekick which was hit by Eriberto Esteves. When Walker Elliot came up free with the goalie in the 66th minute, the Tango en Miami FC 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 Walker Elliot couldn't finish the play. In the 72nd minute of the match Tango en Miami FC got a corner. Botafogo AP's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Miles Person ran over to the corner to take the kick. 74 minutes into the match, Botafogo AP's goal looked a bit too open when Miles Person came free, but Percy Reis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Miles Person received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Percy Reis came out and tried to block the shot, but Miles Person slotted it home off the left post making it 1-4 in the 75th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by André Luís Trigo in the 78th minute of play forced Tango en Miami FC's goalkeeper Graig Davenport to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 79th minute Botafogo AP were awarded a corner. Eriberto Esteves went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led Botafogo AP's Eriberto Esteves to fire away a dangerous shot which Graig Davenport despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Amílton Motta's late challenge caught a Tango en Miami FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Amílton Motta helped the player get up and apologised. In the 80th minute, Amílton Motta hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Graham Kearney came free with the goalkeeper in the 81st minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Percy Reis could save by the left post. Graham Kearney in the 83rdth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Percy Reis, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Graham Kearneys short, quick shot in the 85thth minute got Percy Reis to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Emanuel Matos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 90th minute, Clemente Lopes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Botafogo AP's André Luís Trigo got a good chance for a goal in the 92nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Tango en Miami FC's zone, Eriberto Esteves stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Graig Davenport came out of the goal and Eriberto Esteves tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Tango en Miami FC's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.