U23 League

Swatar Arena
Spectators: 159 (Terracing: 120, Seating: 36, VIP seats: 3) Swatar United FC's Angelo Abela 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. After a defensive mix-up in Swatar United FC's zone, Adrien Andreu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sílvio Luiz Alcântara came out of the goal and Adrien Andreu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Angelo Abela in the 4th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Didier Lefebvre prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Didier Lefebvre made an important save on a dangerous shot by Angelo Abela in the 6th minute. After 11 minutes, Alexandre Bonnet mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Mans and the Swatar United FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Mans getting a freekick after 11 minutes play. Alexandre Bonnet hit a great ball. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind Mans's goalkeeper Didier Lefebvre, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 16th minute, Jamal Musiala left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mans fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. 20 minutes into the match, Mans's goalkeeper Didier Lefebvre had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Neil Micallef. Didier Lefebvre made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ian Montanaro in the 21st minute. A collision led to Mans getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Kevin Signoret hit a great ball. In the 27th minute of the match, Ian Montanaro got a very nice opportunity to score, but Didier Lefebvre was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. A hard shot 28 in the game by Ian Montanaro from a close distance when the talented Didier Lefebvre managed to make a qualified save. Mans's players were relieved. In the 30th minute, Kurt Francalanza hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Jamal Musiala came up free with the goalie in the 38th minute, the Mans 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 Jamal Musiala couldn't finish the play. Didier Lefebvre took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Angelo Abela, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Mans's Adrien Andreu got a free kick in the 41st minute. After a rather tough play, Mans's Mustapha Rouillon got a free kick in the 47th minute. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Jamal Musiala made the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Neil Testaferrata Olivier in the 51st minute of play forced Mans's goalkeeper Didier Lefebvre to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Sílvio Luiz Alcântara showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bérenger Bauche, who was totally free with the ball in the 52nd minute. If Bérenger Bauche had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alexandre Bonnet was shown his second yellow card after 59 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Neil Micallef struck a weak shot in the 62nd minute. Didier Lefebvre didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Swatar United FC. Ian Montanaro took the ball and in the 64 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Didier Lefebvre. Didier Lefebvre dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. When Jamal Musiala came up free with the goalie in the 67th minute, the Mans 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 Jamal Musiala couldn't finish the play. Adrien Andreu's late challenge caught a Swatar United FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Adrien Andreu helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Swatar United FC booed when Mans was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adrien Andreu didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 75th minute, Neil Micallef managed to get in a good position for a shot. Swatar United FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Neil Micallef was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Didier Lefebvre breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Neil Micallef's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Didier Lefebvre read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 78th minute of play. Bérenger Bauche fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sílvio Luiz Alcântara having to interfere. A collision led to Mans getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Jamal Musiala hit a great ball. Kevin Signoret got his second yellow card in the match during the 93rd minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. After 94 played minutes Mans got a freekick which was hit by Kevin Signoret. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Swatar United FC players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.