U18 World League

Ángel Labruna
Spectators: 7709 (Terracing: 5783, Seating: 1773, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Eliseo Illan took the kick off in the first half of the match. Carlo Markham hit a great freekick 2 minutes into the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Tony Schiavone during the 4th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of La Gallardeta booed when Seraċini Għawdxin was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tony Schiavone didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 9th minute, William Manicolo left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Seraċini Għawdxin fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. 15 minutes into the game, Carmelo Jeraldo was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. La Gallardeta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Seraċini Għawdxin the free kick. In the 15th match minute, La Gallardeta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carmelo Jeraldo to maneuver through the defense. In the 22nd minute William Manicolo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jaime Nafarroa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 29 minutes into the match, La Gallardeta's goal looked a bit too open when William Manicolo came free, but Jaime Nafarroa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 32nd minute Eliseo Illan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dejan Cumbo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Luca Callus hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. Eliseo Illan's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 34thth minute, Dejan Cumbo skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Jaime Nafarroa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Clayton Vella, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Seraċini Għawdxin's William Manicolo got a good chance for a goal in the 39th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 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.

In the 52nd match minute, La Gallardeta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Erubiel Chuan to maneuver through the defense. Dejan Cumbo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eliseo Illan, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. A collision led to La Gallardeta getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Erubiel Chuan hit a great ball. William Manicolo blasted a shot towards the goal in the 74th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jaime Nafarroa having to make a save. The crowd rose to their feet as Clayton Vella kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Jaime Nafarroa. That made the score 0-3 in the 76 minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers William Manicolo in the 81st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jaime Nafarroa saved La Gallardeta from getting behind. Sebastian Edur charged in rather forcefully in the 81st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Sebastian Edur the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 81 played minutes La Gallardeta got a freekick which was hit by Sebastian Edur. After a rather tough play, La Gallardeta's Narciso Matteo got a free kick in the 92nd minute. 96 minutes into the match, Seraċini Għawdxin's goal looked a bit too open when Donato Izotz came free, but Dejan Cumbo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.