U18 World League

ARENA ITAFUT 4EVER
Spectators: 8596 (Terracing: 6448, Seating: 1977, VIP seats: 171) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Edgar Baiano started the match with the kick off. In the 4th match minute, BlueLionesse was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mihnea Martinaș to maneuver through the defense. Ernesto Varela didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Marcu Hagi went, in the 6th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. BlueLionesse's Rareș Pușcașu got a good chance for a goal in the 9th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Mihnea Martinaș charged in rather forcefully in the 10th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mihnea Martinaș the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 11 played minutes BlueLionesse got a freekick which was hit by Mihnea Martinaș. The supporters of ITAFUT 4EVER booed when BlueLionesse was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 14 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mircea Stejaru didn't get a good kick on the ball. Robinho Magalhães struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. Șerban Moșanu didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for ITAFUT 4EVER. Ernesto Varela made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rareș Pușcașu in the 16th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in ITAFUT 4EVER's zone, Mihnea Martinaș stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ernesto Varela came out of the goal and Mihnea Martinaș tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When BlueLionesse's Marcu Hagi in the 21st minute got a chance for a shot 21st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye ITAFUT 4EVER's goalie prevented a goal. Ernesto Varela showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marcu Hagi in the 35th minute of the match. In the 40th minute Marcu Hagi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ernesto Varela saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Sebastião Diniz charged in rather forcefully in the 43rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Sebastião Diniz the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 43rd match minute, ITAFUT 4EVER was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sebastião Diniz to maneuver through the defense. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-2 lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Marcu Hagi to strike the kick off in the second half. Șerban Moșanu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Estevez Palmeira in the 51st minute of play. 57 minutes into the match, BlueLionesse's goal looked a bit too open when Afonso Maciel came free, but Șerban Moșanu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 67 played minutes Marcu Hagi rounded ITAFUT 4EVER's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 0-3. After having played for 71 minutes, Afonso Maciel managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. ITAFUT 4EVER's supporters crossed their fingers, but Afonso Maciel was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Rareș Pușcașu hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. Șerban Moșanu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Afonso Maciel in the 83rd minute of play. 85 minutes into the match, Mihnea Martinaș had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ernesto Varela. ITAFUT 4EVER's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Mihnea Martinaș was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-4. Șerban Moșanu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edgar Baiano, who was totally free with the ball in the 90th minute. After 95 played minutes ITAFUT 4EVER got a freekick which was hit by Sidney Lima.