U18 World League

Saitama Stadium
Spectators: 7860 (Terracing: 5895, Seating: 1808, VIP seats: 157) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Germano Romero took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ismael de Lara in the 4th minute of play forced CANIL VON ZAATARI™️'s goalkeeper John Victor to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ismael de Lara struck a weak shot in the 7th minute. John Victor didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA. After a rather tough play, THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's Anselmo Recife got a free kick in the 11th minute. Willian de Alcântara showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from João Pedro Paiva in the 13th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jorge Fantini got free with John Victor in the 18th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Wanderson Paranaense sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Henrique Nóbrega fell near the penalty area in the 34th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's protests and gave Henrique Nóbrega a yellow card for diving instead. In the 34th minute, Henrique Nóbrega hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Willian de Alcântara showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wanderson Paranaense, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The wind increased when Wanderson Paranaense made the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Igor Jesus got free with Willian de Alcântara in the 51st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 54th minute Agnaldo Diniz shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but John Victor saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Agnaldo Diniz in the 62nd minute of play forced CANIL VON ZAATARI™️'s goalkeeper John Victor to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 63rd match minute, THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Henrique Nóbrega to maneuver through the defense. When THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's Anselmo Recife in the 66th minute got a chance for a shot 66th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye CANIL VON ZAATARI™️'s goalie prevented a goal. John Victor showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jorge Fantini in the 70th minute of the match. 74 minutes into the match, Germano Romero had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of John Victor. CANIL VON ZAATARI™️'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Germano Romero was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. The supporters of CANIL VON ZAATARI™️ booed when THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Henrique Nóbrega didn't get a good kick on the ball. Henrique Nóbrega got his second yellow card in the match during the 91st minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 92nd minute, Henrique Nóbrega hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. CANIL VON ZAATARI™️'s players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.