U23 World League

Purcaresti
Spectators: 7693 (Terracing: 5771, Seating: 1769, VIP seats: 153) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Edgar Björkman got the match started through his kick off. Edgar Björkman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dorin Georgescu in the 9th minute of play forced Firma Barnängen's goalkeeper Rune Söder to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Purcaresti CSS's zone, Edgar Björkman stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Romeo Hizo came out of the goal and Edgar Björkman tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 22nd minute Edgar Björkman shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Romeo Hizo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Edgar Björkman recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 25th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Dorin Georgescu during the 27th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Purcaresti CSS's Dorin Georgescu got a free kick in the 27th minute. After having played for 28 minutes, Humberto Alcaraz managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Firma Barnängen's supporters crossed their fingers, but Humberto Alcaraz was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Firma Barnängen's Edgar Björkman in the 29th minute got a chance for a shot 29th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Purcaresti CSS's goalie prevented a goal. In the 31st minute, Humberto Alcaraz 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. 46 minutes into the match, Purcaresti CSS's goal looked a bit too open when Edgar Björkman came free, but Romeo Hizo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ionuț Gane made a kick off. Kemalettin Yüksel's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Romeo Hizo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 51st minute of play. After 52 minutes of play Purcaresti CSS's Dorin Georgescu was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. The supporters of Firma Barnängen booed when Purcaresti CSS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dorin Georgescu didn't get a good kick on the ball. Humberto Alcaraz received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 61st minute. Romeo Hizo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Constantin Negru's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rune Söder read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 64th minute of play. After 69 minutes, Humberto Alcaraz made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Purcaresti CSS's Romeo Hizo tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Constantin Negru in the 72nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rune Söder saved Firma Barnängen from getting behind. Purcaresti CSS's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Valeriu Amurăriței in the 73rd minute. Purcaresti CSS's Romeo Hizo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edgar Björkman in the 77th minute of play. Valeriu Amurăriței charged in rather forcefully in the 77th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Valeriu Amurăriței the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Purcaresti CSS getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Valeriu Amurăriței hit a great ball. The audience was convinced that Humberto Alcaraz's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Romeo Hizo was relentless in the 78th minute of the game. After some fancy dribbling in the 79th minute, Edgar Björkman managed to get in a good position for a shot. Firma Barnängen's supporters rose to their feet, but Edgar Björkman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Romeo Hizo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Valeriu Amurăriței in the 83rd minute of play forced Firma Barnängen's goalkeeper Rune Söder to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Romeo Hizo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Edgar Björkman in the 84th minute of play. Purcaresti CSS's Romeo Hizo proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 87th minute of the match, managed to save Purcaresti CSS from getting a goal against them. In the 95th minute of the match Firma Barnängen got a corner. Purcaresti CSS's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Kemalettin Yüksel ran over to the corner to take the kick. After some careless play in the Firma Barnängen defense, Valeriu Amurăriței kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Rune Söder. The Firma Barnängen fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Rune Söder should have stopped the shot. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Firma Barnängen had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.