U23 World League

Soralex Arena
Spectators: 7703 (Terracing: 5779, Seating: 1771, VIP seats: 153) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Jefferson Linhares started the match with the kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 2nd minute, Yanne Callaerts managed to get in a good position for a shot. Real Unión CF's supporters rose to their feet, but Yanne Callaerts was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ruperto Bastia breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of Real Unión CF booed when MDQ Raptors FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jefferson Linhares didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Real Unión CF getting a freekick after 7 minutes play. Odilon Rozano hit a great ball. In the 8th minute, Xavian Amileta hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Xulian Curro hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. In the 9th minute of the match Aaron Neron sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Emanuel Neuer skillfully saved the ball. Emanuel Neuer stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Armando Blanco's shot from short distance in the 19th minute. Emanuel Neuer made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jefferson Linhares in the 20th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Jefferson Linhares's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Emanuel Neuer was relentless in the 21st minute of the game. Armando Blanco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 33rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Emanuel Neuer having to interfere. Odilon Rozano received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Ruperto Bastia tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Real Unión CF's Emanuel Neuer played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jefferson Linhares in the 39th minute of play. If Yanne Callaerts had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 48th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Real Unión CF players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. MDQ Raptors FC were winning 0-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Yanne Callaerts made a kick off. After taking down the ball on Real Unión CF's corner Cebo Segura fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Ruperto Bastia quite easily take care of the ball. 63 minutes into the match, MDQ Raptors FC's Armando Blanco sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Emanuel Neuer narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 66 minutes into the game, Jefferson Linhares recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Emanuel Neuer. Jefferson Linhares showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. Cebo Segura kicked well hit freekick during the 70th minute of the match. Jefferson Linhares sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Real Unión CF made a substitution. Joaquim Valdueza replaced Sandalio Urquiaga. Emanuel Neuer made an important save on a dangerous shot by Jefferson Linhares in the 82nd minute. Aaron Neron made a great header on MDQ Raptors FC's corner, it was just that Real Unión CF's Emanuel Neuer managed to reach the ball for a save. The audience was convinced that Jefferson Linhares's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Emanuel Neuer was relentless in the 88th minute of the game. In the 89th match minute, Real Unión CF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Castulo Quiroga to maneuver through the defense. Higinio Tximitx's late challenge caught a Real Unión CF's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Higinio Tximitx helped the player get up and apologised. Higinio Tximitx hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Real Unión CF's Yanne Callaerts got a free kick in the 93rd minute. Jefferson Linharess short, quick shot in the 96thth minute got Emanuel Neuer to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. MDQ Raptors FC's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.