U21 World League

Estádio da Paz
Spectators: 7486 (Terracing: 5615, Seating: 1722, VIP seats: 149) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gilson Saldanha took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 3rd minute, Claudinho Travassos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Wágner Toledo in the 4th minute of play forced Excelência de Luxe's goalkeeper Rodolfo Nunes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The crowd rose to their feet as Excelência de Luxe's Davi Rodrigues slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Luís Maia. That made the score 1-0 after 28 minutes of play. Luizão Vidal could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Luís Maia made a huge save. Rodolfo Nunes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cacá Bittencourt in the 38th minute of play. If Cacá Bittencourt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 47 minutes into the match, Francisco Soeiro had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rodolfo Nunes. Excelência de Luxe's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Francisco Soeiro was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Luizinho Soeiro made a kick off. In the 55th minute, Claudinho Travassos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gilson Saldanha who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 57thth minute tested the skills of Rodolfo Nunes when he managed to save the team from getting behind. 64 minutes into the game, Excelência de Luxe's Luizinho Soeiro nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Luís Maia made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. After a rather tough play, Excelência de Luxe's Edu Souza got a free kick in the 67th minute. Excelência de Luxe's Rodolfo Nunes proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 68th minute of the match, managed to save Excelência de Luxe from getting a goal against them. PALMEIRAS CE - DMZ's Manfredo de Toledo was substituted for Francisco Soeiro. Cacá Bittencourt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Rodolfo Nunes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cacá Bittencourt in the 78th minute of play forced Excelência de Luxe's goalkeeper Rodolfo Nunes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Excelência de Luxe's Rodolfo Nunes got control of the ball when Gilson Saldanha tried to sneak it across the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Durvalino Mello in the 83rd minute of play forced Excelência de Luxe's goalkeeper Rodolfo Nunes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Inácio Proença recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to PALMEIRAS CE - DMZ getting a freekick after 93 minutes play. Thiago Alcântara hit a great ball. Rodolfo Nunes made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cacá Bittencourt in the 95th minute. Rodolfo Nunes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Manfredo de Toledo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Excelência de Luxe support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.