U18 World League

ALEXANDRIA ARENA
Spectators: 7696 (Terracing: 5773, Seating: 1770, VIP seats: 153) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Bogdan Goma kicked off to start the match. When Vintilă Bâru, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 3 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Jerrod Hope was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. Bogdan Goma could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Jerrod Hope made a huge save. Alexandria Team08 were awarded a corner in the 6th minute after Sport Lisboa e Benfica's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Vintilă Bâru took the corner. Adam Beard tried in the 7th minute to hit away a contribution but miss-kicked the ball which ended up in his own goal and left an unhappy Jerrod Hope a with quite unnecessary self made goal. Result 1-0. Jerrod Hope showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Traian Dăianu in the 14th minute of the match. Vintilă Bâru's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jerrod Hope read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 16th minute of play. Valentin Smarandache hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. 22 minutes into the match, Alexandria Team08's goal looked a bit too open when Georges Christopher came free, but Traian Sucigan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Francisco Graham fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 24th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Traian Sucigan having to interfere. Traian Sucigan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Wilfred Fleming in the 28th minute of the match. Alexandria Team08's Bogdan Goma got a good chance for a goal in the 32nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Adam Beard during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 41 played minutes Sport Lisboa e Benfica got a freekick which was hit by Adam Beard. Bogdan Goma received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Jerrod Hope tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Francisco Graham made a kick off. A collision led to Sport Lisboa e Benfica getting a freekick after 52 minutes play. Georges Christopher hit a great ball. Francisco Graham in the 56thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Traian Sucigan, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 58 minutes into the match, Alexandria Team08's goal looked a bit too open when Francisco Graham came free, but Traian Sucigan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Bogdan Goma received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 59th minute. Jerrod Hope tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Through an outstanding action, after 63 minutes, Traian Sucigan successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Traian Sucigan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Francisco Graham in the 71st minute of the match. Traian Sucigan was out of position in the 73 minute of play, and Francisco Graham capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Francisco Graham really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. In the 76th match minute, Sport Lisboa e Benfica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gayle Darling to maneuver through the defense. Alexandria Team08 made a substitution. Aurel Răducu replaced Traian Dăianu. A collision led to Sport Lisboa e Benfica getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Gayle Darling hit a great ball. In the 78th minute, Valentin Smarandache had to be helped off the field due to a pulled leg muscle. After 78 minutes, Gayle Darling mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the Alexandria Team08 players grew even worse after the yellow card. Alexandria Team08's Sorin Rareș was substituted for Valentin Smarandache. Vintilă Bâru might have been able to make a better finish in the 84th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jerrod Hope. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vintilă Bâru ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 87th minute, Bogdan Goma 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. Jerrod Hope made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bogdan Goma in the 89th minute of play. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's Jerrod Hope played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vintilă Bâru in the 90th minute of play. Sport Lisboa e Benfica's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.