U23 World League

Ministry of Magic
Spectators: 8591 (Terracing: 6444, Seating: 1976, VIP seats: 171) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Adriano Ribeiro kicked off to start the match. In the 10th minute, Adriano Ribeiro 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. Paolo Urko took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Anders Westerstrand, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Zheng Chao showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Steve Hyuga, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Zheng Chao took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Steve Hyuga, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 27 minutes into the game, Adriano Ribeiro cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Paolo Urko was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Anders Westerstrand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Paolo Urko tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Paolo Urko made a fantastic save in the 32nd minute, when Adriano Ribeiro sent off a good shot on target. Zheng Chao took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Steve Hyuga, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Zheng Chao stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Steve Hyuga's shot from short distance in the 38th minute. Alonzo Min received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 39th minute. Zheng Chao tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The Obscurials's Zheng Chao proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 52nd minute of the match, managed to save The Obscurials from getting a goal against them. Zheng Chao showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Baldomiro Martxot, who was totally free with the ball in the 56th minute. Paolo Urko took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Adriano Ribeiro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Obscurials's Angelo Eiró was substituted for Cliff Rowden. Baldomiro Martxot recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 71st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 73 minutes into the match, The Obscurials's goalkeeper Zheng Chao had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Steve Hyuga. The Obscurials's defense didn't have a chance, in the 77th minute, when Steve Hyuga scored to the left of an out of position Zheng Chao, making the score, 2-1. The Obscurials's Lawrance Grandison got a good chance for a goal in the 83rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Anders Westerstrand's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paolo Urko read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. In the 87th match minute, The Obscurials was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nelson Wright to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Defensores del Tiki Tiki's zone, Anders Westerstrand stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Paolo Urko came out of the goal and Anders Westerstrand tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 94 minutes into the match, The Obscurials's Lawrance Grandison sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Paolo Urko narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. The Obscurials had won after a very even match.