U23 World League

PINGO PINGO ARENA
Spectators: 7742 (Terracing: 5808, Seating: 1780, VIP seats: 154) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Arnoldo Licerio took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 7thth minute of the game Alvaro Micarelli who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but GREEN LIONS's Vaggelis Pantelidis was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 10th minute Arnoldo Licerio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vaggelis Pantelidis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Demis Laggizos in the 14th minute of play forced PINGO PINGO's goalkeeper Raul Isias to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Filippos Trontzos's late challenge caught a PINGO PINGO's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Filippos Trontzos helped the player get up and apologised. Vaggelis Pantelidis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alvaro Micarelli, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 26thth minute of the game Arnoldo Licerio who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but GREEN LIONS's Vaggelis Pantelidis was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. PINGO PINGO's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Manuel Galo in the 27th minute. In the 29th minute Alvaro Micarelli shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vaggelis Pantelidis saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Demis Laggizos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vaggelis Pantelidis showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Desta Roy in the 37th minute of the match. In the 46th minute, Filippos Kopelis ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Raul Isias was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Demis Laggizos made a kick off. 52 minutes into the match, GREEN LIONS's goal looked a bit too open when Alvaro Micarelli came free, but Vaggelis Pantelidis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Raul Isias made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Filippos Kopelis in the 53rd minute of play. Manuel Galo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Vaggelis Pantelidis made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Arnoldo Licerio in the 59th minute of play. Vaggelis Pantelidis made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Arnoldo Licerio in the 63rd minute of play. Demis Laggizos could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 64th minute of the match, but Raul Isias made a huge save. 65 minutes into the match, GREEN LIONS's goal looked a bit too open when Alvaro Micarelli came free, but Vaggelis Pantelidis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When PINGO PINGO's Alvaro Micarelli 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 GREEN LIONS's goalie prevented a goal. 66 minutes into the match, Arnoldo Licerio had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Vaggelis Pantelidis. GREEN LIONS's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Arnoldo Licerio was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. GREEN LIONS's Vaggelis Pantelidis played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arnoldo Licerio in the 78th minute of play. Demis Laggizos fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Raul Isias having to interfere. Demis Laggizos struck a weak shot in the 87th minute. Raul Isias didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for GREEN LIONS. A collision led to GREEN LIONS getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Ignatios Papachronakis hit a great ball. After 89 minutes of play, PINGO PINGO's Arnoldo Licerio made it 3-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Vaggelis Pantelidis was left in no man's land by his defense there! Filippos Trontzos was shown his second yellow card after 92 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. The supporters of PINGO PINGO booed when GREEN LIONS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Filippos Trontzos didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, PINGO PINGO's Manuel Galo got a free kick in the 94th minute. For all the effort they put into the match, the GREEN LIONS players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for PINGO PINGO.