U18 World League

ARENA MINEIRA
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Luka Saje started the match with the kick off. COURO COME FC's Hugo do Valle played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mato Podlogar in the 6th minute of play. In the 7th match minute, FC Koper was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Robert Jurčić to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in FC Koper's zone, Rubinho Tavares stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bine Šercelj came out of the goal and Rubinho Tavares tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 13th minute, COURO COME FC's Tião Castro ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Bine Šercelj. Bine Šercelj yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-0. Bine Šercelj stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rubinho Tavares's shot from short distance in the 18th minute. The supporters of FC Koper booed when COURO COME FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dino Medeiros didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Tião Castro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Hugo do Valle showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Znadimir Tancek, who was totally free with the ball in the 24th minute. Bine Šercelj took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rubinho Tavares, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With an all-out effort, COURO COME FC's Bine Šercelj threw himself towards the right post 36 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Rubinho Tavares, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Tião Castro to make the kick off. When COURO COME FC's Rubinho Tavares in the 54th minute got a chance for a shot 54th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye FC Koper's goalie prevented a goal. Bine Šercelj showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tião Castro, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. After having played for 56 minutes, Rubinho Tavares managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. COURO COME FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rubinho Tavares was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 58 minutes into the match, FC Koper's goal looked a bit too open when Rubinho Tavares came free, but Bine Šercelj reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of COURO COME FC booed when FC Koper was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mato Podlogar didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 66 played minutes, COURO COME FC's Antônio Tasso shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Bine Šercelj came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in COURO COME FC reached it. After a rather tough play, FC Koper's Eduard Marš got a free kick in the 68th minute. Hugo do Valle made an important save on a dangerous shot by Luka Saje in the 74th minute. In the 83rd minute, Timi Osojnik hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 84 minutes, Rubinho Tavares managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. COURO COME FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rubinho Tavares was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Robert Jurčić's late challenge caught a COURO COME FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Robert Jurčić helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to FC Koper getting a freekick after 85 minutes play. Robert Jurčić hit a great ball. For all the effort they put into the match, the FC Koper players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for COURO COME FC.