U23 World League

Stadio Viola Sensi
Spectators: 7536 (Terracing: 5653, Seating: 1733, VIP seats: 150) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Natã de Salles made the kick off which started today's match. After 4 played minutes PLURAL got a freekick which was hit by Caio Caiado. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 5th minute of the game. One of PLURAL:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Villa Gordiani:s goal. Caio Coutinho had in the 7thth minute some difficulties stopping Linus Blomqvist's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. 12 minutes into the match, PLURAL's Valdemar Moreira sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Fabrizio Melfi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After some careless play in the PLURAL defense, Natã de Salles kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Caio Coutinho. The PLURAL fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Caio Coutinho should have stopped the shot. After a defensive mix-up in Villa Gordiani's zone, Paulo Velasques stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Fabrizio Melfi came out of the goal and Paulo Velasques tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Fabrizio Melfi stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Gentil Perdigão's shot from short distance in the 25th minute. Caio Coutinho made an important save on a dangerous shot by Natã de Salles in the 26th minute. Gentil Perdigão fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Fabrizio Melfi having to interfere. Fabrizio Melfi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gentil Perdigão in the 31st minute of the match. Natã de Salles blasted a shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Caio Coutinho having to make a save. Natã de Salles could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Caio Coutinho made a huge save. In the 37th minute, Natã de Salles made a precise shot to the right of Caio Coutinho. PLURAL's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. Caio Coutinho didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 40th minute, which inside left pole to 3-0. In the 46th minute, Gentil Perdigão left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The PLURAL fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-1. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Gentil Perdigão made a kick off. After some careless play in the PLURAL defense, Natã de Salles kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Caio Coutinho. The PLURAL fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Caio Coutinho should have stopped the shot. In the 56th minute, Natã de Salles got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Amedeo Scarpa hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. With his leg Fabrizio Melfi managed to avoid a goal in the 61stth minute, when PLURAL's Gentil Perdigão fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 63rd match minute, Villa Gordiani was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carter Di Rocco to maneuver through the defense. PLURAL's Gentil Perdigão came free and shot a quick shot against goal 65 minutes in the game, fortunately Fabrizio Melfi had problems saving as it came toward the left post. Valdemar Moreira sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sandro Mafra's late challenge caught a Villa Gordiani's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Sandro Mafra helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to PLURAL getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Sandro Mafra hit a great ball. Amedeo Scarpa kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Villa Gordiani's Natã de Salles got a free kick in the 77th minute. Fabrizio Melfi made a fantastic save in the 79th minute, when Valdemar Moreira sent off a good shot on target. After some fancy dribbling in the 82nd minute, Valdemar Moreira managed to get in a good position for a shot. PLURAL's supporters rose to their feet, but Valdemar Moreira was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fabrizio Melfi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Gil Simões charged in rather forcefully in the 83rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Gil Simões the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Villa Gordiani booed when PLURAL was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gil Simões didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 85th minute, Gentil Perdigão got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After 87 minutes of play, PLURAL's Valdemar Moreira made it 4-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Fabrizio Melfi was left in no man's land by his defense there! After a defensive mix-up in PLURAL's zone, Natã de Salles stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Caio Coutinho came out of the goal and Natã de Salles tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. PLURAL's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.