U21 World League

Jorge Guinzburg
Spectators: 7721 (Terracing: 5792, Seating: 1775, VIP seats: 154) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Valentin Ursulescu started the match with the kick off. Esteve Gasteiz's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Ionuț Lungu firmly grabbed it by the left post. Thanks to some nice moves Esteve Gasteiz could shoot a difficult shot in the 6th minute, which Ionuț Lungu however easily saved by the left post. After a rather tough play, The Owls's Eduard Bitănescu got a free kick in the 7th minute. The audience was convinced that Joaquin Gallardo's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Ionuț Lungu was relentless in the 10th minute of the game. In the 13th minute Constantin Ifrim shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Erasmo Salvidor saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 15 minutes into the match, Altos Gatos FC's goal looked a bit too open when Constantin Ifrim came free, but Erasmo Salvidor reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Altos Gatos FC getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Teodosio Beat hit a great ball. In the 18th minute, Fabian Isăcescu ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Erasmo Salvidor was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Ionuț Lungu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Felix Banegas, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. After 28 played minutes Altos Gatos FC got a freekick which was hit by Aaron Edwardo. In the 28th minute of the match Iulian Pordea sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Erasmo Salvidor skillfully saved the ball. After 31 played minutes Altos Gatos FC got a freekick which was hit by Edgardo Cordarrel. Ionuț Lungu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Teodosio Beat, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eugen Chiriacescu during the 40th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Altos Gatos FC booed when The Owls was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 40 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eugen Chiriacescu didn't get a good kick on the ball. Erasmo Salvidor showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Constantin Ifrim in the 43rd minute of the match. Teodosio Beat hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Joaquin Gallardo made a kick off. 71 minutes into the game, Valentin Ursulescu recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Erasmo Salvidor. Valentin Ursulescu showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-4. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Felix Banegas in the 77th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ionuț Lungu prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a rather tough play, The Owls's Eugen Chiriacescu got a free kick in the 78th minute. 82 minutes into the match, The Owls's goal looked a bit too open when Joaquin Gallardo came free, but Ionuț Lungu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Valentin Ursulescu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 86th minute of the match, but Erasmo Salvidor made a huge save. Joaquin Gallardo hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. The supporters of The Owls booed when Altos Gatos FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. German Duardo didn't get a good kick on the ball. 95 minutes into the match, Altos Gatos FC's goalkeeper Erasmo Salvidor had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Valentin Ursulescu. The The Owls supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing The Owls would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.