World League

ESA MONUMENTAL
Spectators: 7665 (Terracing: 5750, Seating: 1762, VIP seats: 153) 4 minutes into the match, Esmeralda AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Jimeno Henric came free, but Danijel Subašić reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Arlindo Rossi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Andrew Dalli in the 7th minute of the match. David Banegas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 8th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Esmeralda AFC's Danijel Subašić played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jimeno Henric in the 10th minute of play. In the 14th minute, Dráusio Laguna hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Nicasio Fonda sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Arlindo Rossi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Andrew Dalli in the 21st minute of play. Esmeralda AFC were awarded a corner in the 23th minute after └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Devidatta Vendetta took the corner. A nice corner shot did that David Banegas got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Arlindo Rossi quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Arlindo Rossi stood somewhat misplaced when David Banegas came free in front of goal and shot 1-0 to the left of him in the 23 minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 32nd minute, Jimeno Henric managed to get in a good position for a shot. └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s supporters rose to their feet, but Jimeno Henric was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Danijel Subašić breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 33rd minute of the match, Eloy Calvino tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Arlindo Rossi saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Arlindo Rossi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eloy Calvino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jimeno Esquipula during the 40th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 40 played minutes Esmeralda AFC got a freekick which was hit by Jimeno Esquipula. Danijel Subašić took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nestor Batista, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Danijel Subašić took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gong Zhan Chen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 44 minutes into the match, └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s goal looked a bit too open when Eloy Calvino came free, but Arlindo Rossi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Andrew Dalli made a kick off. A collision led to └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘ getting a freekick after 52 minutes play. Ronaldo Simão hit a great ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Andrew Dalli in the 57th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Arlindo Rossi saved └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘ from getting behind. In the 62nd minute └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘ were awarded a corner. Nestor Batista went to the cornerflag to take it. The goalkeeper smacked the ball away after a great corner, but Ronaldo Simão advanced and headed the ball into goal, 1-1 in the 62nd minute. Danijel Subašić made a fantastic save in the 65th minute, when Ronaldo Simão sent off a good shot on target. 66 minutes had been played when some careless play by Esmeralda AFC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Nestor Batista was slow to take the kick. During this time └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s players had a chance to rest. A well-hit corner resulted in Ronaldo Simão heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Arlindo Rossi didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from David Banegas went, in the 70th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. The supporters of Esmeralda AFC booed when └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘ was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cauã Trevisan didn't get a good kick on the ball. Arlindo Rossi came out of the goal in the 74th minute to try and stop a shot by Esmeralda AFC's Devidatta Vendetta. But to his dismay, Devidatta Vendetta quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-1. Cauã Trevisan's late challenge caught a Esmeralda AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Cauã Trevisan helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s Cauã Trevisan got a free kick in the 79th minute. Esmeralda AFC's Devidatta Vendetta got a good chance for a goal in the 79th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gong Zhan Chen in the 85th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Danijel Subašić saved Esmeralda AFC from getting behind. Esmeralda AFC's Danijel Subašić proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 89th minute of the match, managed to save Esmeralda AFC from getting a goal against them. If Ronaldo Simão had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 90th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. └◘RivierA▬Þauli§tA◘┘'s James Rodríguez was substituted for Ronaldo Simão. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Esmeralda AFC had won after a very even match.