U23 World League

Cruz de Malta
Spectators: 7550 (Terracing: 5664, Seating: 1736, VIP seats: 150) OROTINENSE's Iordache Opincaru started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Cafu de Moraes charged in rather forcefully in the 4th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Cafu de Moraes the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of OROTINENSE booed when Three Lions FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 5 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cafu de Moraes didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dênis de Castro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Songurhan Mete in the 13th minute of the match. 14 minutes into the match, Iordache Opincaru had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dênis de Castro. Three Lions FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Iordache Opincaru was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. After 20 minutes Three Lions FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Jacek Walczak who took care of the corner kick. OROTINENSE's Liu Yong Yong proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 29th minute of the match, managed to save OROTINENSE from getting a goal against them. In the 30th match minute, Three Lions FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kauã do Valle to maneuver through the defense. Dênis de Castro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Iordache Opincaru, who was totally free with the ball in the 32nd minute. OROTINENSE's Iordache Opincaru got a good chance for a goal in the 37th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Iordache Opincaru in the 39th minute of play forced Three Lions FC's goalkeeper Dênis de Castro to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Iordache Opincaru took the ball and in the 40 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dênis de Castro. Dênis de Castro dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Liu Yong Yong made a fantastic save in the 44th minute, when Jeferson Pombal sent off a good shot on target. Liu Yong Yong showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kléber Cerezo in the 45th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Iordache Opincaru in the 47th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dênis de Castro saved Three Lions FC from getting behind. In the 47th minute, George Kimmich hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. George Kroos was the one to do the kick off. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Iordache Opincaru in the 58th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dênis de Castro prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With his leg Dênis de Castro managed to avoid a goal in the 58thth minute, when OROTINENSE's Iordache Opincaru fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Iordache Opincarus short, quick shot in the 58thth minute got Dênis de Castro to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Dênis de Castro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Iordache Opincaru in the 60th minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 61 minutes, Iordache Opincaru took a quick shot and it went in 1-4 without a chance for Dênis de Castro to make any attempt to save it. Jacek Walczak received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Dênis de Castro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alfonso Rulli hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. OROTINENSE's Leonel Cisneros was substituted for Jesus Cortez. A collision led to OROTINENSE getting a freekick after 74 minutes play. Alfonso Rulli hit a great ball. In the 75th minute George Kroos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Liu Yong Yong saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Three Lions FC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. George Pavard hit a great ball. With a little luck, Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro got control of the ball when Iordache Opincaru tried to sneak it across the goal line. 84 minutes into the game, Jacek Walczak lined in a short shot 1-6 behind a frustrated Dênis de Castro. 93 minutes into the match, OROTINENSE's goal looked a bit too open when Kléber Cerezo came free, but Liu Yong Yong reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Three Lions FC's Giuseppe Sena got a free kick in the 94th minute.