U18 World League

SKY ARENA
Spectators: 7695 (Terracing: 5772, Seating: 1770, VIP seats: 153) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Mert Sehhar kicked off to start the match. In the 4th match minute, The Last Airbender was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ahmet Nedim Eronat to maneuver through the defense. Zülfikar Kumukbay made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Peter Degiorgio in the 5th minute of play. Nedim Kutsalmis's late challenge caught a Templars FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nedim Kutsalmis helped the player get up and apologised. After 7 played minutes The Last Airbender got a freekick which was hit by Nedim Kutsalmis. After 10 minutes, Mark Cuschieri mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Templars FC and the The Last Airbender players grew even worse after the yellow card. Templars FC's Dylan Pizzuto proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Templars FC from getting a goal against them. Peter Degiorgio sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mehmet Halis Haliç in the 29th minute of play forced Templars FC's goalkeeper Dylan Pizzuto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Raymond Callus during the 30th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of The Last Airbender booed when Templars FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 30 match minutes in a wonderful position. Raymond Callus didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 35th minute Mark Cuschieri shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zülfikar Kumukbay saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Uchechukwu Uche kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. After having played for 39 minutes, Peppino Azzopardi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Templars FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Peppino Azzopardi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Peppino Azzopardi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Zülfikar Kumukbay showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Peppino Azzopardi, who was totally free with the ball in the 41st minute. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Mark Borg Xuereb was the one to do the kick off. Zülfikar Kumukbay showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Adam Aquilina, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. Zülfikar Kumukbay stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Peppino Azzopardi's shot from short distance in the 52nd minute. Mark Cuschieri hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Uchechukwu Uche in the 57th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dylan Pizzuto prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Zülfikar Kumukbay showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Peppino Azzopardi in the 59th minute of the match. 60 minutes into the match, The Last Airbender's goal looked a bit too open when Adam Aquilina came free, but Zülfikar Kumukbay reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Zülfikar Kumukbay didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 62nd minute, which inside left pole to 0-2. After a defensive mix-up in The Last Airbender's zone, Mark Borg Xuereb stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zülfikar Kumukbay came out of the goal and Mark Borg Xuereb tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to The Last Airbender getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Mehmet Halis Haliç hit a great ball. Zülfikar Kumukbay made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Peppino Azzopardi in the 78th minute of play. With his leg Zülfikar Kumukbay managed to avoid a goal in the 79thth minute, when Templars FC's Mark Borg Xuereb fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After a rather tough play, The Last Airbender's Nedim Kutsalmis got a free kick in the 80th minute. If Peppino Azzopardi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 88 played minutes The Last Airbender got a freekick which was hit by Mehmet Halis Haliç. Zülfikar Kumukbay showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mark Borg Xuereb in the 91st minute of the match. Zülfikar Kumukbay made an important save on a dangerous shot by Mark Cuschieri in the 95th minute. The The Last Airbender fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Templars FC were clearly better and deserved to take the win.