U18 World League

Merceron Arena
Spectators: 7451 (Terracing: 5590, Seating: 1713, VIP seats: 148) Merceron United's Carlo Mandelli 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. When Harlow Beyer fell near the penalty area in the 2nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Zelg FC's protests and gave Harlow Beyer a yellow card for diving instead. After 2 played minutes Zelg FC got a freekick which was hit by Harlow Beyer. In the 5th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ermanno Mammarella to maneuver through the defense. Cameron Bragger made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Carlo Mandelli in the 9th minute of play. After 17 played minutes Merceron United got a freekick which was hit by Claudio Bosso. When Ermanno Di Federico fell near the penalty area in the 19th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Merceron United's protests and gave Ermanno Di Federico a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Merceron United getting a freekick after 19 minutes play. Ermanno Di Federico hit a great ball. Alberto Giorda showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Yannis Perathoner, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. 25 minutes into the match, Zelg FC's goalkeeper Cameron Bragger had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Carlo Mandelli. In the 27th minute of the match Harlow Beyer shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Alberto Giorda showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. After 30 minutes, Hercules Brütsch mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Zelg FC and the Merceron United players grew even worse after the yellow card. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 29th minute of the game. One of Zelg FC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Merceron United:s goal. Cameron Bragger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Carlo Mandelli in the 32nd minute of the match. Carlo Mandelli fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cameron Bragger having to interfere. Merceron United's Alberto Giorda played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Yannis Perathoner in the 38th minute of play. Alberto Giorda made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jens Oschwald in the 45th minute of play. 48 minutes into the match, Jens Oschwald had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Alberto Giorda. Merceron United's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Jens Oschwald was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jens Oschwald to strike the kick off in the second half. Cameron Bragger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Augusto Furia in the 59th minute of the match. Cameron Bragger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Augusto Furia in the 61st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Yannis Perathoner in the 62nd minute of play forced Merceron United's goalkeeper Alberto Giorda to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alberto Giorda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Yannis Perathoner, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 67 minutes into the match, Zelg FC's goal looked a bit too open when Carlo Mandelli came free, but Cameron Bragger reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Carlo Mandelli had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Zelg FC's Hercules Brütsch got his second yellow card of the match in the 75th minute. The referee ordered Hercules Brütsch off the ground. The supporters of Merceron United booed when Zelg FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hercules Brütsch didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Merceron United's Carlo Mandelli in the 78th minute got a chance for a shot 78th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Zelg FC's goalie prevented a goal. After a rather tough play, Merceron United's Ermanno Mammarella got a free kick in the 80th minute. In the 86th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carlo Mandelli to maneuver through the defense. Alberto Giorda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jens Oschwald, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Alvaro Colecchia during the 95th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Zelg FC booed when Merceron United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alvaro Colecchia didn't get a good kick on the ball. The excitement rose when Zelg FC's Gilbert Schaer after 97 played minutes turned away three defenders near the goal, and after that shot a ball that was too difficult for Merceron United's goalkeeper to hold. Score! 2-2. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Zelg FC players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.