U21 World League

Martin Palermo
Spectators: 7572 (Terracing: 5680, Seating: 1741, VIP seats: 151) Arnold Campet kicked well hit freekick during the 4th minute of the match. Julian Niguel kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. 10 minutes into the match, Alexandrie CF's Ívan James sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Cristo Haritz narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 11 minutes Santa Maradona's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was John-Paul Atlan who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Alexandrie CF's corner John-Paul Atlan fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Cristo Haritz quite easily take care of the ball. Roberto Boniel hit a great freekick 13 minutes into the match. In the 14th match minute, Alexandrie CF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ívan James to maneuver through the defense. 20 minutes into the match, Ívan James notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Santa Maradona's Cristo Haritz. Cristo Haritz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 23rd minute, Rodrigo Mora 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. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Arturo Abaurre during the 26th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Arturo Abaurre kicked well hit freekick during the 26th minute of the match. 27 minutes into the match, Alexandrie CF's John-Paul Atlan broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Benigno Vermudo got free with Renaud Berthier in the 29th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 40 minutes into the game, one of Santa Maradona:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Dimitri Goudard sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Disappointed in the 1-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Benigno Vermudo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Renaud Berthier tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alexandrie CF's Ívan James got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 54th minute, Fábio Cardoso 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Benigno Vermudo in the 57th minute of play forced Alexandrie CF's goalkeeper Renaud Berthier to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benigno Vermudo hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. Alexandrie CF's Franklin Cavalie was substituted for Arnold Campet. Ívan James could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 63rd minute of the match, but Cristo Haritz made a huge save. Roberto Boniel hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. Renaud Berthier made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Benigno Vermudo in the 69th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Alexandrie CF's Rodrigo Mora got a free kick in the 76th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Roberto Boniel during the 78th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 78 played minutes Santa Maradona got a freekick which was hit by Roberto Boniel. Roberto Boniel took the ball and in the 84 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Renaud Berthier. Renaud Berthier dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-3. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ívan James in the 87th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Cristo Haritz saved Santa Maradona from getting behind. Renaud Berthier made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Benigno Vermudo in the 90th minute of play. If Benigno Vermudo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead.