U23 World League

STADIUM MEXACOMX
Spectators: 7530 (Terracing: 5649, Seating: 1731, VIP seats: 150) Pablo Rufio made the kick off and thus started the match. Pablo Rufio sent away a hard shot on goal in the 2nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 8 minutes into the match, Pablo Rufio had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Nuno Candeias. MEXACOMX's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Pablo Rufio was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. In the 15th minute, Pablo Rufio left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Piquirenda FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. 18 minutes into the game, João Valadão was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. MEXACOMX's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Piquirenda FC the free kick. After having played for 19 minutes, Pablo Rufio managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Piquirenda FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Pablo Rufio was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Marcelo Guerra fell near the penalty area in the 23rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored MEXACOMX's protests and gave Marcelo Guerra a yellow card for diving instead. In the 23rd minute, Marcelo Guerra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 24thth minute of the game Pablo Rufio who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but MEXACOMX's Nuno Candeias was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When Arnoldo Avellaneda fell near the penalty area in the 31st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Piquirenda FC's protests and gave Arnoldo Avellaneda a yellow card for diving instead. In the 31st match minute, Piquirenda FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnoldo Avellaneda to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Maurício Meireles in the 46th minute of play forced Piquirenda FC's goalkeeper Bartolo Amato to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-3.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Maurício Meireles to make the kick off. 60 minutes into the match, Piquirenda FC's goal looked a bit too open when Maurício Meireles came free, but Bartolo Amato reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marcos Montrel could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 62nd minute of the match, but Nuno Candeias made a huge save. Nuno Candeias was out of position in the 64 minute of play, and Pablo Rufio capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Pablo Rufio really showed his touch with that goal: 0-4. After a rather tough play, Piquirenda FC's Abel Hibai got a free kick in the 67th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Maurício Meireles in the 76th minute of play forced Piquirenda FC's goalkeeper Bartolo Amato to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Piquirenda FC's Abel Hibai got a free kick in the 78th minute. Alexandrino Junqueira's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bartolo Amato read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 79th minute of play. When Piquirenda FC's Pablo Rufio in the 91st minute got a chance for a shot 91st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye MEXACOMX's goalie prevented a goal. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Piquirenda FC had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.