U18 World League

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 7835 (Terracing: 5877, Seating: 1802, VIP seats: 156) Patrick Buttigieg started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 4th minute Vanko Korchev shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brandon Ellul saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 5th minute, Samuel Galdes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tenyo Machkov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Sliema Dragons FC's Samuel Galdes got a free kick in the 8th minute. A collision led to Manchester United F.C. getting a freekick after 14 minutes play. Huben Madolev hit a great ball. Manchester United F.C.'s defense didn't have a chance, in the 22nd minute, when Patrick Buttigieg scored to the left of an out of position Tzanyo Zvúncharov, making the score, 1-1. In the 25th minute, Nick Abdilla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, Manchester United F.C.'s Tzanyo Zvúncharov got control of the ball when Patrick Buttigieg tried to sneak it across the goal line. Brandon Ellul made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pavlin Karadimitrov in the 33rd minute of play. In the 34th minute Vanko Korchev shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brandon Ellul saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Mark Polidano fell near the penalty area in the 35th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Dragons FC's protests and gave Mark Polidano a yellow card for diving instead. In the 35th minute, Mark Polidano hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 40th minute, Patrick Buttigieg managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sliema Dragons FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Patrick Buttigieg was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tzanyo Zvúncharov breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Patrick Buttigieg who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 48thth minute tested the skills of Tzanyo Zvúncharov when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vanko Korchev to make the kick off. Frederick Gatt charged in rather forcefully in the 51st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Frederick Gatt the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Frederick Gatt kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vanko Korchev in the 52nd minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Brandon Ellul to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Manchester United F.C.'s Vanko Korchev got a free kick in the 54th minute. When Sliema Dragons FC's Jean Paul Caruana in the 56th minute got a chance for a shot 56th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Manchester United F.C.'s goalie prevented a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Patrick Buttigieg in the 61st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tzanyo Zvúncharov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Tzanyo Zvúncharov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Patrick Buttigieg in the 62nd minute of the match. Tzanyo Zvúncharov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patrick Buttigieg in the 65th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Patrick Buttigieg's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Tzanyo Zvúncharov was relentless in the 67th minute of the game. Haralampi Glavanakov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brandon Ellul having to interfere. Sliema Dragons FC's Frederick Gatt got a good chance for a goal in the 73rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 73 played minutes Manchester United F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Tenyo Machkov. The supporters of Sliema Dragons FC booed when Manchester United F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vanko Korchev didn't get a good kick on the ball. Patrick Buttigieg took the ball and in the 77 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Tzanyo Zvúncharov. Tzanyo Zvúncharov dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-1. In the 85th minute Pavlin Karadimitrov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brandon Ellul saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 87 played minutes Manchester United F.C. got a freekick which was hit by Vanko Korchev. Tzanyo Zvúncharov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patrick Buttigieg in the 89th minute of play. Tzanyo Zvúncharov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jean Paul Caruana in the 90th minute of play. Manchester United F.C.'s players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.