World League

Old Trafford
Spectators: 7719 (Terracing: 5790, Seating: 1775, VIP seats: 154) Manchester United FC's Valdemar Kuoppala 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. Man Tas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 5th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Edwin van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Man Tas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 11th minute of the match Grady Beckman sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Edwin van der Sar skillfully saved the ball. 13 minutes into the match, Sarmiento de Resistencia's goalkeeper Tobias Elizardo had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Valdemar Kuoppala. In the 17th minute Man Tas 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. Eero Uusipaavalniemi's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Tobias Elizardo firmly grabbed it by the left post. In the 25th minute, Valdemar Kuoppala reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Tobias Elizardo. The goal made the score 1-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Valdemar Kuoppala in the 33rd minute of play forced Sarmiento de Resistencia's goalkeeper Tobias Elizardo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 37th match minute, Manchester United FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gary Neville to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 40 minutes, Man Tas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Sarmiento de Resistencia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Man Tas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Edwin van der Sar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Man Tas in the 43rd minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 45 minutes, Taisto Pentsinen took a quick shot and it went in 2-0 without a chance for Tobias Elizardo to make any attempt to save it. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

Tobias Elizardo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Valdemar Kuoppala, who was totally free with the ball in the 56th minute. Sarmiento de Resistencia's Arias Fabelo managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Akseli Ilola in the 59 minute of the game. Alex Herrero sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Alex Herrero's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Edwin van der Sar read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 61st minute of play. Sarmiento de Resistencia's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Bogumil Spychalski in the 62nd minute. The corner ended in Bogumil Spychalski almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Manchester United FC's Edwin van der Sar did a great save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eero Uusipaavalniemi in the 67th minute of play forced Sarmiento de Resistencia's goalkeeper Tobias Elizardo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Eero Uusipaavalniemi in the 67th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tobias Elizardo saved Sarmiento de Resistencia from getting behind. Tobias Elizardo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Taisto Pentsinen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 72nd minute, Davide Beckham got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 77 minutes into the match, Manchester United FC's goal looked a bit too open when Alex Herrero came free, but Edwin van der Sar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Valdemar Kuoppala had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sarmiento de Resistencia made a substitution. Francis Sarmiento replaced Henning Martinsson. Edwin van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alonzo Peruxu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Tobias Elizardo didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Valdemar Kuoppala went, in the 91st minute, to the upper right corner, 3-0 was the resulting score. Edwin van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alonzo Peruxu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Manchester United FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.