World League

Old Trafford
Spectators: 7506 (Terracing: 5630, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 150) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Valdemar Kuoppala took the kick off in the first half of the match. Edwin van der Sar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Steve Triganza in the 3rd minute of play. In the 5th minute Steve Triganza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Edwin van der Sar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eero Uusipaavalniemi in the 6th minute of play forced AEK FC's goalkeeper Kenneth Knudsen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With an all-out effort, Manchester United FC's Kenneth Knudsen threw himself towards the right post 11 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Davide Beckham, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Kenneth Knudsen was a little too slow when Taisto Pentsinen got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 14th minute. The score was now 1-0. In the 19th minute of the match, Valdemar Kuoppala got a very nice opportunity to score, but Kenneth Knudsen was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. In the 21st minute Taisto Pentsinen shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kenneth Knudsen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Kenneth Knudsen was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Taisto Pentsinen showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-0 in the 26 minute of play. 33 minutes into the match, Manchester United FC's goal looked a bit too open when Leonard Sandvær came free, but Edwin van der Sar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lars-Erik Angvik fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Edwin van der Sar having to interfere. Kenneth Knudsen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Valdemar Kuoppala in the 37th minute of play. Edwin van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Steve Triganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience was convinced that Taisto Pentsinen's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kenneth Knudsen was relentless in the 46th minute of the game. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Leonard Sandvær made a kick off. Edwin van der Sar made a fantastic save in the 51st minute, when Leonard Sandvær sent off a good shot on target. In the 52nd minute of the match AEK FC got a corner. Manchester United FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Steve Triganza ran over to the corner to take the kick. AEK FC's Steve Triganza was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Edwin van der Sar in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Edwin van der Sar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Steve Triganza in the 56th minute of the match. Taisto Pentsinen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Kenneth Knudsen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 60th minute AEK FC were awarded a corner. Steve Triganza went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led AEK FC's Steve Triganza to fire away a dangerous shot which Edwin van der Sar despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Kenneth Knudsen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Valdemar Kuoppala in the 63rd minute of play. In the 66th minute, Taisto Pentsinen left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Manchester United FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-0. The supporters of Manchester United FC booed when AEK FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cornelius Bjørgo didn't get a good kick on the ball. 72 minutes into the match, Valdemar Kuoppala notched a goal, 4-0, to the right of AEK FC's Kenneth Knudsen. Kenneth Knudsen was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Kenneth Knudsen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Taisto Pentsinen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Edwin van der Sar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kent Remme in the 75th minute of play. Taisto Pentsinen scored 5-0 in the 77th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Kenneth Knudsen, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 87 minutes into the match, AEK FC's goal looked a bit too open when Taisto Pentsinen came free, but Kenneth Knudsen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Manchester United FC's Eero Uusipaavalniemi got a good chance for a goal in the 90th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Manchester United FC's Iiro Riksman was substituted for Rio Ferdinand. Rio Ferdinand kicked well hit freekick during the 93rd minute of the match. A collision led to Manchester United FC getting a freekick after 95 minutes play. Davide Beckham hit a great ball. Manchester United FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.