U21 World League

Merceron Arena
Spectators: 7520 (Terracing: 5641, Seating: 1729, VIP seats: 150) Robbe Winnepennincks started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 4th match minute, Bacardi FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Michael Omblets to maneuver through the defense. In the 11th minute, Elia Cirelli hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Xander Steurms had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 15 played minutes Merceron United got a freekick which was hit by Alfredo Monaco. Alberto Giorda took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Robbe Winnepennincks, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With an all-out effort, Merceron United's Arend Van Beneden threw himself towards the right post 18 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Arrigo Di Crescenzo, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Merceron United were awarded a corner in the 20th minute after Bacardi FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Alfredo Monaco took the corner. After taking down the ball on Merceron United's corner Emilio Conti fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Arend Van Beneden quite easily take care of the ball. Artuur Van Steen's late challenge caught a Merceron United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Artuur Van Steen helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Merceron United booed when Bacardi FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Artuur Van Steen didn't get a good kick on the ball. 26 minutes into the match, Bacardi FC's goal looked a bit too open when Elia Cirelli came free, but Arend Van Beneden reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Lou Haesevoets during the 29th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Lou Haesevoets kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. Mathias-Alexander Pellegrims sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 38 minutes into the match, Bacardi FC's goal looked a bit too open when Arrigo Di Crescenzo came free, but Arend Van Beneden reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 39 played minutes Bacardi FC got a freekick which was hit by Lou Haesevoets. Arrigo Di Crescenzo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Bacardi FC's Arend Van Beneden played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elia Cirelli in the 48th minute of play.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Emilio Conti made a kick off. In the 56th minute, Arrigo Di Crescenzo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 58th minute, Frank Pizzi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Merceron United's Alberto Giorda proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 61st minute of the match, managed to save Merceron United from getting a goal against them. After 63 played minutes Bacardi FC got a freekick which was hit by Michael Omblets. When the match had gone on for 64 minutes, Emilio Conti put it in 1-0 from a short distance just to the right of Arend Van Beneden. Alberto Giorda was out of position in the 67 minute of play, and Robbe Winnepennincks capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Robbe Winnepennincks really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. When Robbe Winnepennincks fell near the penalty area in the 72nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Bacardi FC's protests and gave Robbe Winnepennincks a yellow card for diving instead. Arend Van Beneden made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Emilio Conti in the 78th minute of play. In the 79th minute Elia Cirelli shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Arend Van Beneden saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When the match had gone on for 82 minutes, Robbe Winnepennincks took a quick shot and it went in 1-2 without a chance for Alberto Giorda to make any attempt to save it. 85 minutes into the game, Alfredo Monaco was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Merceron United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Bacardi FC the free kick. The Merceron United supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Bacardi FC's performance. The match ended with a win for Bacardi FC.