U18 World League

Maidan Arena
Spectators: 7706 (Terracing: 5781, Seating: 1772, VIP seats: 153) FFC Merainies 03's Nigel Willemse started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 2nd minute, Timo Korfs hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Basarab Patriciu fell near the penalty area in the 4th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Juventus PTM's protests and gave Basarab Patriciu a yellow card for diving instead. In the 4th match minute, Juventus PTM was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Basarab Patriciu to maneuver through the defense. FFC Merainies 03's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Jan Hoven in the 8th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nigel Willemse in the 9th minute of play forced Juventus PTM's goalkeeper Virgil Lixandru to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 13th minute Nigel Willemse shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Virgil Lixandru saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 17 minutes into the match, Juventus PTM's Ivan Şumălan sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Fabrice Bemmel narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nigel Willemse in the 18th minute of play forced Juventus PTM's goalkeeper Virgil Lixandru to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Virgil Lixandru made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bart Speelman in the 20th minute of play. In the 24thth minute of the game Nigel Willemse who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Juventus PTM's Virgil Lixandru was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 29thth minute of the game Ivan Şumălan who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FFC Merainies 03's Fabrice Bemmel was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Horaţiu Tinu hit a great freekick 37 minutes into the match. Virgil Lixandru made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nigel Willemse in the 39th minute of play. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Ivan Şumălan was the one to do the kick off. After 55 played minutes Juventus PTM got a freekick which was hit by Olimpiu Birișu. Cornel Doman took the ball and in the 58 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Fabrice Bemmel. Fabrice Bemmel dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. In the 61st minute, Cornel Doman hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 70 minutes into the match, Leontin Iorda had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Fabrice Bemmel. FFC Merainies 03's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Leontin Iorda was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. The audience thought a goal was coming when Nigel Willemse got free with Virgil Lixandru in the 78th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Juventus PTM's Ivan Şumălan got his second yellow card of the match in the 82nd minute. The referee ordered Ivan Şumălan off the ground. Ivan Şumălan hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. Virgil Lixandru took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ronny Deinse, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Juventus PTM had won after a very even match.