U23 World League

Orlando Pereira
Spectators: 7519 (Terracing: 5640, Seating: 1729, VIP seats: 150) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Richard Linhares started the match with the kick off. Alan Machado's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Hélio Siqueira firmly grabbed it by the left post. After a defensive mix-up in Magnifico FC - FSCMZ's zone, Zé Augusto Vergílio stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nestor Paraibano came out of the goal and Zé Augusto Vergílio tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Nestor Paraibano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zé Augusto Vergílio in the 19th minute of play. After 30 played minutes Magnifico FC - FSCMZ got a freekick which was hit by Kléber Magalhães. In the 34th minute, Aloísio Eger 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Richard Senna in the 39th minute of play forced Icoara Football Club's goalkeeper Hélio Siqueira to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some careless play in the Magnifico FC - FSCMZ defense, Zé Augusto Vergílio kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Nestor Paraibano. The Magnifico FC - FSCMZ fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Nestor Paraibano should have stopped the shot. After 47 minutes of play, Magnifico FC - FSCMZ's Alan Machado made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Hélio Siqueira was left in no man's land by his defense there! After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

After 52 played minutes Magnifico FC - FSCMZ got a freekick which was hit by Dorian Marquez. Evaristo Recife could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 54th minute of the match, but Nestor Paraibano made a huge save. In the 57th minute Alan Machado shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Hélio Siqueira saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Hélio Siqueira showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Richard Senna, who was totally free with the ball in the 66th minute. Hélio Siqueira made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Richard Senna in the 68th minute of play. 69 minutes into the game, Richard Linhares cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-1. Hélio Siqueira was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 80 played minutes Zé Augusto Vergílio rounded Magnifico FC - FSCMZ's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 4-2. In the 90th minute Richard Senna shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Hélio Siqueira saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Hélio Siqueira made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Richard Linhares in the 94th minute of play. Richard Linhares took the ball and in the 96 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Hélio Siqueira. Hélio Siqueira dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 5-2. Magnifico FC - FSCMZ walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.