U23 World League

Qemal Stafa
Spectators: 7522 (Terracing: 5642, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 150) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cristoforo De Luca got the match started through his kick off. In the last second Jerónimo Espírito Santo throw himself and got hold of the ball when Cristoforo De Luca in the 5thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. Cristoforo De Luca's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jerónimo Espírito Santo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 8th minute of play. K.F TIRANA's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Coronel Durango in the 9th minute. After a rather tough play, K.F TIRANA's Aurel Simaku got a free kick in the 14th minute. When K.F TIRANA's Cristoforo De Luca in the 17th minute got a chance for a shot 17th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Miradeses FC's goalie prevented a goal. Branden Shelton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Januário Castelo Branco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Aurel Simaku kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cristoforo De Luca in the 35th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jerónimo Espírito Santo saved Miradeses FC from getting behind. After 39 minutes of play, K.F TIRANA's Cristoforo De Luca made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jerónimo Espírito Santo was left in no man's land by his defense there! A collision led to K.F TIRANA getting a freekick after 45 minutes play. Mao Zhen Xing hit a great ball. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jordão Rebocho during the 51st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristoforo De Luca in the 52nd minute of play forced Miradeses FC's goalkeeper Jerónimo Espírito Santo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Miradeses FC's zone, Cristoforo De Luca stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jerónimo Espírito Santo came out of the goal and Cristoforo De Luca tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Coronel Durango succeeded in the game's 58th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 2-0. Paco Cano's late challenge caught a Miradeses FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Paco Cano helped the player get up and apologised. Paco Cano hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. Gusmão Menezes struck a weak shot in the 70th minute. Branden Shelton didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Miradeses FC. The audience thought a goal was coming when Burak Rede got free with Branden Shelton in the 72nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Mao Zhen Xing during the 78th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 78 played minutes K.F TIRANA got a freekick which was hit by Mao Zhen Xing. Jerónimo Espírito Santo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristoforo De Luca in the 82nd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Coronel Durango in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jerónimo Espírito Santo saved Miradeses FC from getting behind. In the 83rdth minute of the game Cristoforo De Luca who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Miradeses FC's Jerónimo Espírito Santo was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Jerónimo Espírito Santo stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cristoforo De Luca's shot from short distance in the 84th minute. The audience was convinced that Cristoforo De Luca's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Jerónimo Espírito Santo was relentless in the 85th minute of the game. Cristoforo De Luca recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 88th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 90 minutes, Cristoforo De Luca made it 3-1 with a short kick to the right side. Miradeses FC's Jerónimo Espírito Santo tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. When K.F TIRANA's Cristoforo De Luca in the 94th minute got a chance for a shot 94th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Miradeses FC's goalie prevented a goal. If Coronel Durango had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead.