U23 World League

Cruz de Malta
Spectators: 7509 (Terracing: 5632, Seating: 1727, VIP seats: 150) Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Higinio Luzea in the 4th minute of play. Dênis de Castro came out of the goal in the 8th minute to try and stop a shot by Estrellas de Caballito's Higinio Luzea. But to his dismay, Higinio Luzea quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. In the 11thth minute of the game Higinio Luzea who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Higinio Luzea in the 11th 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. The audience was convinced that Higinio Luzea's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Dênis de Castro was relentless in the 11th minute of the game. The Estrellas de Caballito fans' excitement grew in the 11th match minute when Estrellas de Caballito's Higinio Luzea 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 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Severiano Hustaz struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Dênis de Castro didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Estrellas de Caballito. In the 31st minute Higinio Luzea shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dênis de Castro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Dênis de Castro made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Higinio Luzea in the 36th minute of play. Jeferson Pombal hit a great freekick 37 minutes into the match. Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Higinio Luzea in the 38th minute of play. Dênis de Castro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Higinio Luzea, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Higinio Luzea took the ball and in the 41 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 0-4. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-4 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Higinio Luzea stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. After 50 minutes, Kauã do Valle mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Three Lions FC and the Estrellas de Caballito players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 50 played minutes Three Lions FC got a freekick which was hit by Kauã do Valle. Dênis de Castro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Igor Erruki, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 54th match minute, Estrellas de Caballito was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Isaias Domiku to maneuver through the defense. Guto Brodel charged in rather forcefully in the 62nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Guto Brodel the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Guto Brodel hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. Dênis de Castro made a fantastic save in the 63rd minute, when Higinio Luzea sent off a good shot on target. Álvaro Proença charged in rather forcefully in the 64th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Álvaro Proença the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Álvaro Proença hit a great freekick 64 minutes into the match. Estrellas de Caballito's Higinio Luzea got a good chance for a goal in the 65th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Higinio Luzea could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 69th minute of the match, but Dênis de Castro made a huge save. Alberto Refugio fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dênis de Castro having to interfere. Dênis de Castro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Higinio Luzea, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ciriaco Afonso charged in rather forcefully in the 77th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ciriaco Afonso the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Three Lions FC booed when Estrellas de Caballito was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ciriaco Afonso didn't get a good kick on the ball. 79 minutes into the match, Three Lions FC's goal looked a bit too open when Higinio Luzea came free, but Dênis de Castro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dênis de Castro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Refugio, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. 84 minutes into the match, Higinio Luzea dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Dênis de Castro, 0-5. The supporters of Estrellas de Caballito booed when Three Lions FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jeferson Pombal didn't get a good kick on the ball. Higinio Luzea received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Dênis de Castro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The Three Lions FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Estrellas de Caballito were clearly better and deserved to take the win.