U23 World League

ELLAND ROAD
Spectators: 7593 (Terracing: 5696, Seating: 1746, VIP seats: 151) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Robustiano Sansone got the match started through his kick off. Kaplan's René Higuita played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Moises Marcones in the 3rd minute of play. After 8 minutes, Gogo Tipi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Kaplan and the ManagerZone Academy players grew even worse after the yellow card. Gregorio Senio took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 9th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for René Higuita. Kaplan's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Steve Hyuga blasted a shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without René Higuita having to make a save. In the 10th minute the ball was on its way in behind Kaplan's goalkeeper René Higuita, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 13th minute Moises Marcones shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but René Higuita saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Aristides Avellaneda sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. René Higuita showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Moises Marcones, who was totally free with the ball in the 31st minute. A collision led to Kaplan getting a freekick after 37 minutes play. Gogo Tipi hit a great ball. Gregorio Senio might have been able to make a better finish in the 37th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over René Higuita. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Gregorio Senio ran back to his position shaking his head. If Steve Hyuga had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Danilo Martinez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without René Higuita having to interfere. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Moises Marcones stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Danilo Martinez charged in rather forcefully in the 51st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Danilo Martinez the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, ManagerZone Academy's Danilo Martinez got a free kick in the 51st minute. 53 minutes into the match, Steve Hyuga had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of René Higuita. Kaplan's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Steve Hyuga was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. A collision led to ManagerZone Academy getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Moises Marcones hit a great ball. After 65 played minutes Steve Hyuga rounded Kaplan's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 0-2. Gregorio Senio could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 69th minute of the match, but René Higuita made a huge save. René Higuita made an important save on a dangerous shot by Moises Marcones in the 69th minute. The supporters of ManagerZone Academy booed when Kaplan was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Serafin Lop didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Moises Marcones in the 75th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck René Higuita prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Moises Marcones who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 79thth minute tested the skills of René Higuita when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Rodolfo Jaunzuria fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without René Higuita having to interfere. A collision led to ManagerZone Academy getting a freekick after 90 minutes play. Prospero Elija hit a great ball. René Higuita made an important save on a dangerous shot by Moises Marcones in the 93rd minute. Steve Hyuga kicked well hit freekick during the 96th minute of the match.