U18 World League

Robert Nesta Marley
Spectators: 8000 (Terracing: 6001, Seating: 1840, VIP seats: 159) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Cayetano Manni kicked off to start the match. ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣'s Hernan Firmin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lambis Savvakis in the 2nd minute of play. In the 4th minute of the match, Cayetano Manni got a very nice opportunity to score, but Tilemachos Manouselis was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Hernan Firmin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vassilis Tournas, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. After 8 minutes, Sebastian Iago mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ and the Tabachana F.C. players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Tabachana F.C. booed when ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sebastian Iago didn't get a good kick on the ball. 9 minutes into the game, Tabachana F.C.'s Vassilis Tournas nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Hernan Firmin made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Hernan Firmin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vassilis Tournas in the 12th minute of play. Fanis Eleftheropoulos charged in rather forcefully in the 16th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fanis Eleftheropoulos the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣'s Baltasar Valery was substituted for Freddy Gonzalez. In the 18th minute, Fanis Eleftheropoulos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sebastian Iago sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hernan Firmin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Avraam Lykoudis in the 31st minute of the match. Tabachana F.C. were awarded a corner in the 32th minute after ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣'s defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Stergios Siontis took the corner. In the 38th minute, Avraam Lykoudis left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Tabachana F.C. fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. After some careless play in the ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ defense, Avraam Lykoudis kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Hernan Firmin. The ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Hernan Firmin should have stopped the shot.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vassilis Tournas to make the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cayetano Manni in the 56th minute of play forced Tabachana F.C.'s goalkeeper Tilemachos Manouselis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benjamin Hermon took the ball and in the 59 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Tilemachos Manouselis. Tilemachos Manouselis dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Tabachana F.C. made a substitution. Tasos Kontosoros replaced Notis Trachanas. When Aris Mesidis fell near the penalty area in the 70th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Tabachana F.C.'s protests and gave Aris Mesidis a yellow card for diving instead. ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ made a substitution. Martin Suarez replaced Cayetano Manni. After 72 played minutes Tabachana F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Aris Mesidis. 73 minutes into the match, Martin Suarez notched a goal, 2-4, to the right of Tabachana F.C.'s Tilemachos Manouselis. Tilemachos Manouselis was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Hernan Firmin made an important save on a dangerous shot by Avraam Lykoudis in the 77th minute. After 82 played minutes Tabachana F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Avraam Lykoudis. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Suarez in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tilemachos Manouselis saved Tabachana F.C. from getting behind. Tilemachos Manouselis made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Martin Suarez in the 85th minute of play. In the 88th match minute, Tabachana F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vassilis Tournas to maneuver through the defense. When the match was over Tabachana F.C. could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than ♣ Natural Mystic OFF ♣ throughout the match.