U23 World League

MACONHA
Spectators: 7706 (Terracing: 5781, Seating: 1772, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Valdemar Anjos took the kick off in the first half of the match. Roger Ekberg made a fantastic save in the 3rd minute, when Micael Marques sent off a good shot on target. The audience was convinced that Micael Marques's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Roger Ekberg was relentless in the 3rd minute of the game. AC United's Roger Ekberg played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Micael Marques in the 9th minute of play. Bertil Näver struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. Jorge Valério didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for AC United. Roger Ekberg showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Valdemar Anjos, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bertil Näver in the 21st minute of play forced Ponte do Carro's goalkeeper Jorge Valério to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. AC United's Roger Ekberg played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Valdemar Anjos in the 28th minute of play. In the 29th minute, Hilário Campelo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bertil Näver in the 32nd minute of play forced Ponte do Carro's goalkeeper Jorge Valério to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 40 minutes into the match, Ponte do Carro's goal looked a bit too open when Joachim Ekgren came free, but Jorge Valério reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 41st minute, Micael Marques hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Bertil Näver to make the kick off. The audience thought a goal was coming when Bertil Näver got free with Jorge Valério in the 52nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Valdemar Anjos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Roger Ekberg made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Valdemar Anjos in the 57th minute of play. Bertil Näver received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jorge Valério came out and tried to block the shot, but Bertil Näver slotted it home off the left post making it 0-1 in the 59th minute. After 62 minutes, Reinaldo Calado mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ponte do Carro and the AC United players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Ponte do Carro's Reinaldo Calado got a free kick in the 62nd minute. Ponte do Carro's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Joachim Ekgren 64 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-2. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joachim Ekgren in the 68th minute of play forced Ponte do Carro's goalkeeper Jorge Valério to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Ponte do Carro booed when AC United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bertil Näver didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Sune Pilberg fell near the penalty area in the 75th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored AC United's protests and gave Sune Pilberg a yellow card for diving instead. In the 75th match minute, AC United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sune Pilberg to maneuver through the defense. Bertil Näver received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Jorge Valério tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, AC United's Bertil Näver got a free kick in the 81st minute. Roger Ekberg took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Reinaldo Calado, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 86th match minute, AC United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Filip Holmgren to maneuver through the defense. Roger Ekberg made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Valdemar Anjos in the 88th minute of play. AC United's Roger Ekberg played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Reinaldo Calado in the 91st minute of play. Sune Meck kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. When the final whistle sounded AC United left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Ponte do Carro.