U23 World League

The Clapham Oval
Spectators: 7578 (Terracing: 5684, Seating: 1743, VIP seats: 151) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Edgar Vlas made the kick off which started today's match. João Francisco Toscano received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Marius Rusu came out and tried to block the shot, but João Francisco Toscano slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 4th minute. In the 9th minute Cléberson Mendonça shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marius Rusu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Edgar Comarnescu kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. In the 16th minute, Remus Onea hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 16th minute Cléberson Mendonça shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marius Rusu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 18th minute Clapham Rovers were awarded a corner. Gavin Sedgemore went to the cornerflag to take it. Richard Thompson was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Gavin Sedgemore could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Marius Rusu made a huge save. After having played for 26 minutes, Gavin Sedgemore managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Clapham Rovers's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gavin Sedgemore was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 34 minutes, Damien Quinn mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Clapham Rovers and the FC ciufulici players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Clapham Rovers's Damien Quinn got a free kick in the 34th minute. When FC ciufulici's Edgar Vlas in the 35th minute got a chance for a shot 35th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Clapham Rovers's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Edgar Vlas in the 37th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Nilmar Brasil saved Clapham Rovers from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edgar Vlas in the 40th minute of play forced Clapham Rovers's goalkeeper Nilmar Brasil to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 41st minute, Andrei Joita hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Richard Thompson's late challenge caught a FC ciufulici's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Richard Thompson helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Clapham Rovers's Richard Thompson got a free kick in the 46th minute. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Cléberson Mendonça was the one to do the kick off. Marius Rusu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from João Francisco Toscano, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience thought a goal was coming when George Giurcă got free with Nilmar Brasil in the 57th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. A collision led to Clapham Rovers getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Cléberson Mendonça hit a great ball. Clapham Rovers's Nilmar Brasil proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 67th minute of the match, managed to save Clapham Rovers from getting a goal against them. If Edgar Vlas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cléberson Mendonça sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Clapham Rovers getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. João Francisco Toscano hit a great ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Edgar Vlas during the 84th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 89 played minutes FC ciufulici got a freekick which was hit by Sandu Pătrășconiu. Cléberson Mendonça received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 92nd minute. Marius Rusu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cléberson Mendonça received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Marius Rusu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 96 minutes into the match, FC ciufulici's goal looked a bit too open when Cléberson Mendonça came free, but Marius Rusu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.