U21 World League

Alesandro Abarzua
Spectators: 7542 (Terracing: 5658, Seating: 1734, VIP seats: 150) Apolo Larrañaga made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Calistrat Şerbănescu in the 4th minute of play. In the 4th match minute, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eric Astafei to maneuver through the defense. The PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca fans' excitement grew in the 11th match minute when PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Calistrat Şerbănescu looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 13 minutes into the game, Mircea Jupân was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Talcampeón FC the free kick. After a rather tough play, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Mircea Jupân got a free kick in the 13th minute. If Luciano Vilches had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Apolo Larrañaga showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Calistrat Şerbănescu in the 20th minute of the match. In the 22nd minute PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca were awarded a corner. Leonard Moarcăș went to the cornerflag to take it. PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Leonard Moarcăș was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Apolo Larrañaga in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After a rather tough play, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Emil Amuguroancei got a free kick in the 23rd minute. Jacinto Cross hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Talcampeón FC's zone, Calistrat Şerbănescu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Apolo Larrañaga came out of the goal and Calistrat Şerbănescu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience was convinced that Calistrat Şerbănescu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Apolo Larrañaga was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. If Eric Astafei had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Vlad Covrig made a fantastic save in the 37th minute, when Jacinto Cross sent off a good shot on target. When Cosme Mella fell near the penalty area in the 39th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Talcampeón FC's protests and gave Cosme Mella a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Talcampeón FC's Cosme Mella got a free kick in the 39th minute. In the 41st minute, Tanio Lezaeta got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Calistrat Şerbănescu was the one to do the kick off. 54 minutes into the game, Jacinto Cross was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Talcampeón FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca the free kick. Jacinto Cross kicked well hit freekick during the 55th minute of the match. After 56 played minutes, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Leonard Moarcăș shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Apolo Larrañaga 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 PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca reached it. Eric Astafei hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. 62 minutes into the match, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Calistrat Şerbănescu sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Apolo Larrañaga narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The supporters of PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca booed when Talcampeón FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 64 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bartolomé Rengifo didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vlad Covrig showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tanio Lezaeta in the 68th minute of the match. Mircea Jupân got his second yellow card in the match during the 70th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 73rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Talcampeón FC's goalkeeper Apolo Larrañaga, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Eric Astafei struck a weak shot in the 77th minute. Apolo Larrañaga didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca. Vlad Covrig didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Tanio Lezaeta went, in the 79th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-2 was the resulting score. 82 minutes into the match, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's goal looked a bit too open when Luciano Vilches came free, but Vlad Covrig reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Adrian Bârsan hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 94th minute, Leonard Moarcăș managed to get in a good position for a shot. PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's supporters rose to their feet, but Leonard Moarcăș was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Apolo Larrañaga breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.