U18 World League

SALIMEN Arena
Spectators: 7549 (Terracing: 5663, Seating: 1736, VIP seats: 150) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Belmiro Baptista made the kick off which started today's match. Aníbal Branco recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 9 minutes, José Vítor Paiva managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SALIMEN's supporters crossed their fingers, but José Vítor Paiva was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Unicorns ™ booed when SALIMEN was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Aníbal Branco didn't get a good kick on the ball. 12 minutes into the match, SALIMEN's goal looked a bit too open when Calistrat Mihalcea came free, but Claudinho Teixeira reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 14th minute, Octavian Chivu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Codrin Boc had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. SALIMEN's Claudinho Teixeira played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Denis Negruț in the 24th minute of play. Isac Drâmba showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Belmiro Baptista in the 26th minute of the match. Claudinho Teixeira took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Denis Negruț, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After the first half Unicorns ™ were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

If Petrică Ţirpescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Aníbal Branco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Iustinian Petre hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. Ernesto Machado hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. In the 67th minute of the match Petrică Ţirpescu shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Claudinho Teixeira showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Denis Negruțs short, quick shot in the 73rdth minute got Claudinho Teixeira to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Denis Negruț struck a weak shot in the 74th minute. Claudinho Teixeira didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Unicorns ™. Denis Negruț could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 80th minute of the match, but Claudinho Teixeira made a huge save. In the 81st match minute, SALIMEN was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Aníbal Branco to maneuver through the defense. Denis Negruț did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-2 to the left of a surprised Claudinho Teixeira 89 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Unicorns ™'s Denis Negruț got a free kick in the 94th minute. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Unicorns ™ had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.