U23 World League

ADEM JASHARI
Spectators: 7683 (Terracing: 5763, Seating: 1767, VIP seats: 153) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ruud Geels got the match started through his kick off. After a rather tough play, Verwachting's Ruud Geels got a free kick in the 2nd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Theo Zoontjens in the 7th minute of play forced A.K.Sh Albania's goalkeeper Gjon Dhami to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 9th minute Verwachting were awarded a corner. Niels-Jan Harmens went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on Verwachting's corner Niels-Jan Harmens fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Gjon Dhami quite easily take care of the ball. Verwachting's Melvin Borgman played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Besart Pango in the 11th minute of play. After 12 played minutes Verwachting got a freekick which was hit by Henk-Jan Opdam. A.K.Sh Albania's Gjon Dhami played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Wilco Kosterman in the 14th minute of play. Gjon Dhami showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Wilco Kosterman in the 18th minute of the match. 23 minutes into the game, Armando Borja recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Melvin Borgman. Armando Borja showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alesandro Nesta in the 26th minute of play forced Verwachting's goalkeeper Melvin Borgman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Verwachting's Melvin Borgman proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 28th minute of the match, managed to save Verwachting from getting a goal against them. With a little luck, Verwachting's Melvin Borgman got control of the ball when Barnaba Pietras tried to sneak it across the goal line. A.K.Sh Albania's Gjon Dhami played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Theo Zoontjens in the 35th minute of play. Franck Bakhuis received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Gjon Dhami tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Armando Borja's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 43rdth minute, Melvin Borgman skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 45th match minute, Verwachting was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Peycho Angushev to maneuver through the defense. A.K.Sh Albania's supporters stood up full of expectation in the 47th minute of the game, when Alesandro Nesta after an extraordinary solo performance found himself with a golden opportunity in front of Verwachting's goal. Alesandro Nesta was unfortunally a little to anxious and the ball went outside the goal. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

When the match had gone on for 51 minutes, Besart Pango put it in 2-0 from a short distance just to the right of Melvin Borgman. Melvin Borgman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Barnaba Pietras in the 57th minute of the match. In the 59th minute Armando Borja shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Melvin Borgman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A.K.Sh Albania's Armando Borja managed to work through Verwachting's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Armando Borja dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in. A.K.Sh Albania made a substitution. Sergio-Roberto Ramos replaced Erald Spahiu. 69 minutes into the match, Verwachting's goal looked a bit too open when Ani Lici came free, but Melvin Borgman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A.K.Sh Albania's Zhani Laska was substituted for Zamir Hamzaj. After some careless play in the Verwachting defense, Besart Pango kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Melvin Borgman. The Verwachting fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Melvin Borgman should have stopped the shot. Gjon Dhami made an important save on a dangerous shot by Theo Zoontjens in the 87th minute. When Ani Lici fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored A.K.Sh Albania's protests and gave Ani Lici a yellow card for diving instead. Ani Lici kicked well hit freekick during the 89th minute of the match. In the 93rd minute Barnaba Pietras shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Melvin Borgman saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A.K.Sh Albania's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.