U23 World League

MAURO ARENA
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Islam Slimani made the kick off and thus started the match. Tymoteusz Mikulski charged in rather forcefully in the 2nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Tymoteusz Mikulski the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Martin Palermo F.C. booed when Mauro was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tymoteusz Mikulski didn't get a good kick on the ball. After recieving a nice pass, Martin Palermo F.C.'s Celso Felipillo tried to score from far away in the 3rd minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. 8 minutes into the match, Martin Palermo F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Nicola Zalewski came free, but Martín Izquierdo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Islam Slimani received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 10th minute. Martín Izquierdo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sebastián Izquierdo in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lu Hong Qiang saved Mauro from getting behind. Martín Izquierdo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Islam Slimani in the 14th minute of play. After some careless play in the Mauro defense, Sebastián Izquierdo kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Lu Hong Qiang. The Mauro fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Lu Hong Qiang should have stopped the shot. Mauro's Lu Hong Qiang played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sebastián Izquierdo in the 22nd minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sebastián Izquierdo in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lu Hong Qiang prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Lu Hong Qiang took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sebastián Izquierdo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lu Hong Qiang stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Sebastián Izquierdo's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Islam Slimani in the 40th minute of play forced Martin Palermo F.C.'s goalkeeper Martín Izquierdo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 45thth minute of the game Sebastián Izquierdo who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mauro's Lu Hong Qiang was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When the match had gone on for 45 minutes, Sebastián Izquierdo put it in 1-3 from a short distance just to the right of Lu Hong Qiang. After 49 minutes, Zula Tamulewicz mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Mauro and the Martin Palermo F.C. players grew even worse after the yellow card. Zula Tamulewicz hit a great freekick 49 minutes into the match.

Martin Palermo F.C.'s Benicio Izquierdo got a good chance for a goal in the 56th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Nicola Zalewski had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martín Izquierdo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Islam Slimani, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 63 minutes into the match, Mauro's goalkeeper Lu Hong Qiang had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sebastián Izquierdo. Sebastián Izquierdo in the 65thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Lu Hong Qiang, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Sebastián Izquierdo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 68th minute, Zbyszek Marud hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 73rd match minute, Mauro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Stefan Lundblad to maneuver through the defense. Lu Hong Qiang made a fantastic save in the 74th minute, when Sebastián Izquierdo sent off a good shot on target. 75 minutes into the game, Stefan Lundblad was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Mauro's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Martin Palermo F.C. the free kick. After 76 played minutes Mauro got a freekick which was hit by Stefan Lundblad. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sebastián Izquierdo in the 77th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lu Hong Qiang prevented the ball from getting in the gole. A hard shot 77 in the game by Sebastián Izquierdo from a close distance when the talented Lu Hong Qiang managed to make a qualified save. Mauro's players were relieved. In the 86th minute Karol Kinic shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martín Izquierdo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Martin Palermo F.C.'s zone, Islam Slimani stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Martín Izquierdo came out of the goal and Islam Slimani tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Segundo Peyo charged in rather forcefully in the 96th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Segundo Peyo the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Karol Kinic's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Martín Izquierdo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 98th minute of play. Martin Palermo F.C.'s fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.