U21 World League

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 7144 (Terracing: 5634, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 10) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Isidro Ihazintu made the kick off which started today's match. If Paulo Román had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Astros de México's Jose Ubarna got a free kick in the 7th minute. Olavo Leite sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 10th minute Duarte Trigo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rigoberto Ilixo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 15th minute, Olavo Leite made a precise shot to the right of Rigoberto Ilixo. Astros de México's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nilton Hoffmann in the 19th minute of play forced Astros de México's goalkeeper Rigoberto Ilixo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 19 minutes into the game, AllRaf EC's Nilton Hoffmann nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Rigoberto Ilixo made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. 30 minutes into the match, Astros de México's goal looked a bit too open when Nilton Hoffmann came free, but Rigoberto Ilixo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in AllRaf EC's zone, Paulo Román stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Davi Freire came out of the goal and Paulo Román tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Olavo Leite took the ball and in the 37 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Rigoberto Ilixo. Rigoberto Ilixo dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-3. Paulo Román kicked well hit freekick during the 42nd minute of the match. Cléber Queiroz's late challenge caught a Astros de México's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Cléber Queiroz helped the player get up and apologised. After 43 played minutes AllRaf EC got a freekick which was hit by Cléber Queiroz. After some careless play in the AllRaf EC defense, Angulo Cabañero kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Davi Freire. The AllRaf EC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Davi Freire should have stopped the shot. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 1-3 lead.

Astros de México's Claudio Suárez was substituted for Jose Dolfo. Paulo Román received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Davi Freire tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 56 minutes into the game, Cléber Queiroz recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Rigoberto Ilixo. Cléber Queiroz showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-4. The supporters of Astros de México booed when AllRaf EC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Edu Favoretto didn't get a good kick on the ball. Astros de México made a substitution. Joaquin Soter replaced Jose Ubarna. After 64 played minutes AllRaf EC got a freekick which was hit by Edu Favoretto. In the 70th minute Isidro Ihazintu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Davi Freire saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Olavo Leite had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rigoberto Ilixo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nilton Hoffmann in the 74th minute of the match. In the 78th match minute, Astros de México was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Angulo Cabañero to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Olavo Leite got free with Rigoberto Ilixo in the 84th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 91 minutes into the match, AllRaf EC's goal looked a bit too open when Isidro Ihazintu came free, but Davi Freire reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nilton Hoffmann's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Rigoberto Ilixo read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 93rd minute of play. When Paulo Román came up free with the goalie in the 96th minute, the Astros de México fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Paulo Román couldn't finish the play. When the match was over AllRaf EC could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Astros de México throughout the match.