World League

Levenshulme Stadium
Spectators: 7714 (Terracing: 5787, Seating: 1774, VIP seats: 153) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gong Yang kicked off to start the match. Róbert Behúň showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Idacio Ballejos in the 3rd minute of the match. After 5 minutes of play, FC Kukova's Gong Yang made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Marcus Deacon was left in no man's land by his defense there! The supporters of FC Kukova booed when Mayo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nathanial Pitts didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 13thth minute of the game Gong Yang who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mayo's Marcus Deacon was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 16th play minute Patrick Robins came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Róbert Behúň. 1-1. In the 20th minute Mayo were awarded a corner. Johnnie Osbourn went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 24th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Kukova's goalkeeper Róbert Behúň, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. A collision led to FC Kukova getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Stano Dubček hit a great ball. Róbert Behúň took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Patrick Robins, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 41 minutes into the match, Mayo's goal looked a bit too open when Gong Yang came free, but Marcus Deacon reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Idacio Ballejos could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 43rd minute of the match, but Róbert Behúň made a huge save. The Mayo players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. FC Kukova were winning 1-2.

In the 50th minute, Patrick Robins ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Róbert Behúň was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-2. The FC Kukova fans' excitement grew in the 65th match minute when FC Kukova's Gong Yang 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 2-3 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Mayo made a substitution. Will Porter replaced Patrick Robins. Idacio Ballejos hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. Mayo's Samuel Farmer was substituted for Idacio Ballejos. A collision led to Mayo getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Idacio Ballejos hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gong Yang in the 78th minute of play forced Mayo's goalkeeper Marcus Deacon to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gong Yang in the 83rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Marcus Deacon prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gong Yang in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marcus Deacon saved Mayo from getting behind. Marcus Deacon stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Gong Yang's shot from short distance in the 85th minute. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. FC Kukova had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.