U21 League

Estadio da Luz
Spectators: 174 (Terracing: 131, Seating: 40, VIP seats: 3) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Mario Gleason started the match with the kick off. Nestor Dietz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Denis Law, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. Frasco Esquivel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Manual Hope in the 7th minute of the match. 13 minutes into the game, Mario Gleason cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Frasco Esquivel was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Edwin Ortiz fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nestor Dietz having to interfere. In the 20th match minute, Sport Lisboa e Benfica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marquis Hopper to maneuver through the defense. In the 27th match minute, AFC United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nardo Torrecilla to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manual Hope in the 40th minute of play forced AFC United's goalkeeper Frasco Esquivel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Denis Law scored 1-1 in the 42nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Nestor Dietz, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When AFC United's Denis Law in the 49th minute got a chance for a shot 49th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sport Lisboa e Benfica's goalie prevented a goal. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The wind increased when Denis Law made the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Aldo Maldonado hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 53 minutes into the match, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's goalkeeper Nestor Dietz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Denis Law. Nestor Dietz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Denis Law in the 57th minute of play. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Nestor Dietz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Archibaldo Ahumada in the 71st minute of play. The supporters of AFC United booed when Sport Lisboa e Benfica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Shaun Wang didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dominic Hahn's late challenge caught a AFC United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Dominic Hahn helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Dominic Hahn got a free kick in the 87th minute. In the 90th minute, Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Jared Temple seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Jared Temple the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Sport Lisboa e Benfica protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Jared Temple had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. Jared Temple hit a great freekick 91 minutes into the match. Nestor Dietz acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 92nd minute, took the ball on the long shot from Balesio Leiva. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pirro Pereta in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nestor Dietz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Pirro Pereta got free with Nestor Dietz in the 97th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. AFC United were clearly unhappy with the draw, as they felt they had done enough to earn themselves a victory.