U21 World League

Dream Arena
Spectators: 7974 (Terracing: 5982, Seating: 1834, VIP seats: 158) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Shawn Darmanin took the kick off in the first half of the match. Leon Roldan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Shawn Darmanin in the 3rd minute. Stephan Hyzler could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 4th minute of the match, but Leon Roldan made a huge save. 10 minutes into the match, Seraċini Għawdxin's goal looked a bit too open when Astor Manilan came free, but Dejan Cumbo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some careless play in the Seraċini Għawdxin defense, Juan Bittor kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dejan Cumbo. The Seraċini Għawdxin fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dejan Cumbo should have stopped the shot. After 18 minutes of play, Howling Dawn U18's Cyprian Henryk made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dejan Cumbo was left in no man's land by his defense there! Leon Roldan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Robert Seychell, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Paul Montebello got free with Leon Roldan in the 25th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cyprian Henryk in the 30th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dejan Cumbo prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 32 minutes into the match, Howling Dawn U18's goal looked a bit too open when Robert Seychell came free, but Leon Roldan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dejan Cumbo came out of the goal in the 33rd minute to try and stop a shot by Howling Dawn U18's Juan Bittor. But to his dismay, Juan Bittor quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-4. Robert Seychell might have been able to make a better finish in the 37th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Leon Roldan. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Robert Seychell ran back to his position shaking his head. 37 minutes into the match, Howling Dawn U18's goalkeeper Leon Roldan had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Robert Seychell. 40 minutes into the game, Claudio Meli was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Seraċini Għawdxin's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Howling Dawn U18 the free kick. In the 40th match minute, Seraċini Għawdxin was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Claudio Meli to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Seraċini Għawdxin getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Luca Callus hit a great ball. Howling Dawn U18's Leon Roldan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Robert Seychell in the 48th minute of play. Disappointed in the 0-4 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cyprian Henryk to strike the kick off in the second half. A collision led to Howling Dawn U18 getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Romulo Palos hit a great ball. In the 66th minute, Cyprian Henryk reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Dejan Cumbo. The goal made the score 0-5. Shawn Darmanin's late challenge caught a Howling Dawn U18's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Shawn Darmanin helped the player get up and apologised. Shawn Darmanin hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. 74 minutes into the game, Robert Seychell cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-6. Leon Roldan was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Baltasar Walme might have been able to make a better finish in the 83rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dejan Cumbo. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Baltasar Walme ran back to his position shaking his head. Dejan Cumbo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Scott Weiland, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Leon Roldan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Clayton Vella in the 86th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Robert Seychell in the 88th minute of play forced Howling Dawn U18's goalkeeper Leon Roldan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dejan Cumbo made an important save on a dangerous shot by Baltasar Walme in the 91st minute. The Seraċini Għawdxin supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Howling Dawn U18's performance. The match ended with a win for Howling Dawn U18.