U23 World League

Piedra Preciosa
Spectators: 7710 (Terracing: 5784, Seating: 1773, VIP seats: 153) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Diego Milito made the kick off which started today's match. When Damaso Donzel fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Celestiales's protests and gave Damaso Donzel a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd minute, Damaso Donzel hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 4 played minutes, Deportivo Diamante U18's Lino Igon shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Evaristo Ubarna 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 Deportivo Diamante U18 reached it. In the 9th minute, Santiago Eufrasio hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The supporters of Deportivo Diamante U18 booed when Celestiales was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Máximo Fernández didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 13th match minute, Celestiales was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Damaso Donzel to maneuver through the defense. Lino Igon was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 14th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. The audience was convinced that Diego Milito's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Evaristo Ubarna was relentless in the 17th minute of the game. The Deportivo Diamante U18 fans' excitement grew in the 17th match minute when Deportivo Diamante U18's Diego Milito looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 20 minutes into the match, Celestiales's goal looked a bit too open when Conrado Maiorga came free, but Evaristo Ubarna reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Evaristo Ubarna showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diego Milito, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. After some careless play in the Deportivo Diamante U18 defense, Alvaro Elia kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Gregorio Fagildo. The Deportivo Diamante U18 fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Gregorio Fagildo should have stopped the shot. Evaristo Ubarna made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Conrado Maiorga in the 28th minute of play. Evaristo Ubarna stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Diego Milito's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Alvaro Elia to strike the kick off in the second half. Raul Vargas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 51st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gregorio Fagildo having to interfere. Lino Igon took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 60th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Evaristo Ubarna. Celestiales's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Conrado Maiorga in the 62nd minute of play forced Celestiales's goalkeeper Evaristo Ubarna to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alvaro Elia could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 71st minute of the match, but Gregorio Fagildo made a huge save. 75 minutes into the game, Alvaro Elia was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Celestiales's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Deportivo Diamante U18 the free kick. In the 75th minute, Alvaro Elia hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Evaristo Ubarna made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Diego Milito in the 81st minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alvaro Elia in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Gregorio Fagildo prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 88th minute, one of Deportivo Diamante U18:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Deportivo Diamante U18. Gregorio Fagildo had in the 90thth minute some difficulties stopping Damaso Donzel's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 92nd minute Diego Milito shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Evaristo Ubarna saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Evaristo Ubarna took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego Milito, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Celestiales players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.