U18 World League

New Ground
Spectators: 7477 (Terracing: 5609, Seating: 1719, VIP seats: 149) Lions United's Mitch Hollandts 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. Runar Hårdell hit a great freekick 6 minutes into the match. After 13 minutes of play, Lions United's Gunter Van Bets made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Maurits Weinhardt was left in no man's land by his defense there! Steffen Dyrehøj charged in rather forcefully in the 17th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Steffen Dyrehøj the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 20th minute, Wagner Schaumburg hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Nils Taffenberg received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Izak Capellemans tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Svenn Gurliph fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Izak Capellemans having to interfere. Nils Taffenberg struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Izak Capellemans didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Pheonix FC. In the 35th minute, Nils Taffenberg fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Izak Capellemans, passed just outside the right post. The audience thought a goal was coming when Svenn Gurliph got free with Izak Capellemans in the 39th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 41 played minutes, Lions United's Jacky Valkeneers shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Maurits Weinhardt came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Lions United reached it. Pheonix FC's Runar Hårdell got his second yellow card of the match in the 42nd minute. The referee ordered Runar Hårdell off the ground. In the 43rd match minute, Pheonix FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Runar Hårdell to maneuver through the defense. After 44 played minutes, Lions United's Jorg Coenens shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Maurits Weinhardt came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Lions United reached it. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The wind increased when Nils Taffenberg made the kick off in the second half. Nils Taffenberg's late challenge caught a Lions United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nils Taffenberg helped the player get up and apologised. In the 53rd minute, Nils Taffenberg hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Lions United's Matias Calstermans got a good chance for a goal in the 57th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Steffen Dyrehøj got his second yellow card in the match during the 60th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. The supporters of Lions United booed when Pheonix FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Steffen Dyrehøj didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 61st minute of the match Jacky Valkeneers shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Maurits Weinhardt showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Jorg Coenens kicked well hit freekick during the 66th minute of the match. In the 77th match minute, Pheonix FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Svenaage Staunstrup to maneuver through the defense. The crowd rose to their feet as Lions United's Mitch Hollandts slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Maurits Weinhardt. That made the score 0-2 after 78 minutes of play. 84 minutes into the game, Laust Kisling was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Pheonix FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Lions United the free kick. Pheonix FC's Nils Taffenberg got his second yellow card of the match in the 96th minute. The referee ordered Nils Taffenberg off the ground. In the 97th match minute, Pheonix FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nils Taffenberg to maneuver through the defense. The Lions United supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Lions United would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.