U23 World League

Zinho de Oliveira
Spectators: 7515 (Terracing: 5637, Seating: 1728, VIP seats: 150) The mood of the audience was pleasant when João Vítor Bittencourt made the kick off which started today's match. If Davie McWhirter had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, FC Dezassete's Norberto Melo got control of the ball when Charlie Swan tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 9th minute Charlie Swan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Norberto Melo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 11th minute, Alcides Valadares left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The FC Dezassete fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. With a little luck, FC Dezassete's Norberto Melo got control of the ball when João Vítor Bittencourt tried to sneak it across the goal line. Norberto Melo was out of position in the 21 minute of play, and João Vítor Bittencourt capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. João Vítor Bittencourt really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when João Vítor Bittencourt got free with Norberto Melo in the 25th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 25thth minute of the game João Vítor Bittencourt who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC Dezassete's Norberto Melo was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Alcides Valadares hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by João Vítor Bittencourt in the 28th minute of play forced FC Dezassete's goalkeeper Norberto Melo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Norberto Melo made a fantastic save in the 30th minute, when João Vítor Bittencourt sent off a good shot on target. The audience thought a goal was coming when João Vítor Bittencourt got free with Norberto Melo in the 31st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 33 minutes FC Dezassete's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Davie McWhirter who took care of the corner kick. In the 33rd match minute, Gavião Kyikatejê was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ahmet Bülent Seyfeddin to maneuver through the defense. In the 33rd minute, Ahmet Bülent Seyfeddin fired away a free kick at the goal, but hit it at the wrong angle and it went over the crossbar. João Vítor Bittencourt made a well adjusted shot against goal in the 37thth minute coming free in front of the goal, but Norberto Melo would not let the ball come through at any expense and made a nice save by the left post. The corner led Gavião Kyikatejê's Davie McWhirter to fire away a dangerous shot which Norberto Melo despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Vivaldo Caneira hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. In the 44th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Dezassete's goalkeeper Norberto Melo, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. João Vítor Bittencourt struck a weak shot in the 45th minute. Norberto Melo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Gavião Kyikatejê. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

After a rather tough play, Gavião Kyikatejê's Robin Laidlaw got a free kick in the 53rd minute. Alcides Valadares's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nick McVean read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 55th minute of play. João Vítor Bittencourt scored 2-1 in the 57th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Norberto Melo, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling João Vítor Bittencourt in the 65th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Norberto Melo prevented the ball from getting in the gole. João Vítor Bittencourt spun around in front of the goal 68 minutes in the game, and got away a shot that, to his disappointment, went to the left of FC Dezassete's goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by João Vítor Bittencourt in the 71st minute of play forced FC Dezassete's goalkeeper Norberto Melo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Gavião Kyikatejê fans' excitement grew in the 73rd match minute when Gavião Kyikatejê's João Vítor Bittencourt looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 3-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After 77 played minutes FC Dezassete got a freekick which was hit by Maurício Caetano. Norberto Melo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Charlie Swan in the 87th minute of the match. 88 minutes into the game, Gatis Caca-Rato was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC Dezassete's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Gavião Kyikatejê the free kick. Gavião Kyikatejê's Dean McAusland was substituted for Davie McWhirter. In the 89th minute, Gatis Caca-Rato hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 90 played minutes Gavião Kyikatejê got a freekick which was hit by Lino Feyto. There was no doubt that Gavião Kyikatejê were the better team. Gavião Kyikatejê's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.