U23 World League

Oscar A. Ruggeri
Spectators: 7448 (Terracing: 5587, Seating: 1713, VIP seats: 148) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Gez Barber started the match with the kick off. 4 minutes into the match, Bruno Maiorga notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Garlic Eaters's Gul Keep. Gul Keep was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 11 minutes into the match, FC Kopenalguen's goal looked a bit too open when Gez Barber came free, but Constantino Herena reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Garlic Eaters booed when FC Kopenalguen was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Aaron Salomone didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 17th minute, James Tuck managed to get in a good position for a shot. Garlic Eaters's supporters rose to their feet, but James Tuck was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Constantino Herena breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. James Tuck took the ball and in the 20 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Constantino Herena. Constantino Herena dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Jim Tonkin hit a great freekick 22 minutes into the match. In the 26thth minute of the game Gez Barber who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC Kopenalguen's Constantino Herena was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 30th minute, Victorino Pierres hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 31st minute, Tod Tompkins managed to get in a good position for a shot. Garlic Eaters's supporters rose to their feet, but Tod Tompkins was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Constantino Herena breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 39 minutes into the game, James Tuck cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Constantino Herena was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. James Tuck struck a weak shot in the 42nd minute. Constantino Herena didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Garlic Eaters. The audience was convinced that Gez Barber's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Constantino Herena was relentless in the 43rd minute of the game. Jim Tonkin kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match. Victorino Oliviero recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 46th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal.

The wind increased when Bruno Maiorga made the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the game, Gez Barber lined in a short shot 1-3 behind a frustrated Constantino Herena. When Gez Barber came up free with the goalie in the 55th minute, the Garlic Eaters fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Gez Barber couldn't finish the play. FC Kopenalguen's Constantino Herena proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 57th minute of the match, managed to save FC Kopenalguen from getting a goal against them. A collision led to FC Kopenalguen getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Zeledon Sadurni hit a great ball. If Ronny Hurren had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Gez Barber sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in FC Kopenalguen's zone, Gez Barber stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Constantino Herena came out of the goal and Gez Barber tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 76th minute, Garlic Eaters's Gez Barber ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Constantino Herena. Constantino Herena yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-4. If Jim Tonkin had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. When David Bizi fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FC Kopenalguen's protests and gave David Bizi a yellow card for diving instead. In the 89th match minute, FC Kopenalguen was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by David Bizi to maneuver through the defense. Albert Crawshaw struck a weak shot in the 90th minute. Constantino Herena didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Garlic Eaters. When Tod Tompkins fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Garlic Eaters's protests and gave Tod Tompkins a yellow card for diving instead. In the 94th match minute, Garlic Eaters was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tod Tompkins to maneuver through the defense. When the match was over Garlic Eaters could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than FC Kopenalguen throughout the match.