U23 World League

Estampido
Spectators: 7522 (Terracing: 5642, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 150) Esquirla FC's Kasper Viskens started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. An unexpectedly hard shot by Philippe-Arnaud Van den Plas in the 13th minute of play forced Rathmore Lime Tree's goalkeeper Sofyane Valognes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 16 minutes into the game, Benoît Lamarre cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Dimitri Huijbreghts was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ricki Martín in the 21st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Sofyane Valognes prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Philippe-Arnaud Van den Plas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Bakary Guinaudeau hit a great freekick 36 minutes into the match. After 41 minutes, Gabin Lièvin mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rathmore Lime Tree and the Esquirla FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Gabin Lièvin hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. Kasper Viskens's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Sofyane Valognes firmly grabbed it by the left post. The Esquirla FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Rathmore Lime Tree were winning 0-1.

Sofyane Valognes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ricki Martín, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. After 55 minutes of play, Esquirla FC's Ricki Martín made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Sofyane Valognes was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 62nd match minute, Rathmore Lime Tree was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brandon Pardon to maneuver through the defense. Bakary Guinaudeau's late challenge caught a Esquirla FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bakary Guinaudeau helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Esquirla FC booed when Rathmore Lime Tree was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 63 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bakary Guinaudeau didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 64th minute Kasper Viskens shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sofyane Valognes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Esquirla FC's Dimitri Huijbreghts played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Flavian Garcon in the 68th minute of play. In the 71st minute, Ricki Martín made a precise shot to the right of Sofyane Valognes. Rathmore Lime Tree's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-2. Dimitri Huijbreghts made a fantastic save in the 74th minute, when Benoît Lamarre sent off a good shot on target. 85 minutes into the game, Kasper Viskens cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-2. Sofyane Valognes was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After a rather tough play, Rathmore Lime Tree's Bakary Guinaudeau got a free kick in the 92nd minute. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Esquirla FC fans cheered their team off the field, for while Rathmore Lime Tree had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.