U23 World League

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 7728 (Terracing: 5797, Seating: 1777, VIP seats: 154) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Noah Ortiz made the kick off which started today's match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Julian Savona in the 3rd minute of play forced Dep. Moron's goalkeeper Agustina Ortiz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Sliema Dragons FC booed when Dep. Moron was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Noah Ortiz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Isaac Grimaud's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Agustina Ortiz firmly grabbed it by the left post. Marcelo Severiano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rickie Whitlock in the 5th minute of play. Sliema Dragons FC's Marcelo Severiano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Noah Ortiz in the 8th minute of play. 9 minutes into the match, Dep. Moron's goalkeeper Agustina Ortiz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Isaac Grimaud. Marcelo Severiano showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Donald Silva, who was totally free with the ball in the 13th minute. In the 13thth minute of the game Donald Silva who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Sliema Dragons FC's Marcelo Severiano was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 22 minutes into the match, Dep. Moron's goal looked a bit too open when Martin Mangion came free, but Agustina Ortiz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Martin Mangion's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Agustina Ortiz was relentless in the 22nd minute of the game. 23 minutes into the match, Dep. Moron's goal looked a bit too open when Martin Mangion came free, but Agustina Ortiz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 25 minutes had been played when some careless play by Dep. Moron's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Julian Savona was slow to take the kick. During this time Sliema Dragons FC's players had a chance to rest. It was a well-played corner which Ryan Grima managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. In the 27th minute Julian Savona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Agustina Ortiz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marcelo Severiano made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rickie Whitlock in the 29th minute of play. After 32 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Michael Spillmann. 35 minutes into the match, Dep. Moron's goalkeeper Agustina Ortiz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Martin Mangion. The crowd rose to their feet as Sliema Dragons FC's Julian Savona slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Agustina Ortiz. That made the score 1-0 after 45 minutes of play. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Martin Mangion was the one to do the kick off. In the 50th minute the ball was on its way in behind Dep. Moron's goalkeeper Agustina Ortiz, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a rather tough play, Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Salamone got a free kick in the 60th minute. Agustina Ortiz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Grima, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 62ndth minute of the game Ryan Grima who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Dep. Moron's Agustina Ortiz was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When the match had gone on for 64 minutes, Dennis Bender took a quick shot and it went in 1-1 without a chance for Marcelo Severiano to make any attempt to save it. When Sliema Dragons FC's Martin Mangion in the 67th minute got a chance for a shot 67th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Dep. Moron's goalie prevented a goal. 68 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goal looked a bit too open when Dennis Bender came free, but Marcelo Severiano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 68th minute, Dep. Moron's Dennis Bender dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-2. After a rather tough play, Dep. Moron's Donald Silva got a free kick in the 82nd minute. Marcelo Severiano took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dennis Bender, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Sliema Dragons FC's Ryan Grima in the 86th minute got a chance for a shot 86th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Dep. Moron's goalie prevented a goal. 90 minutes into the game, Isaac Grimaud was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sliema Dragons FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Dep. Moron the free kick. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Dep. Moron walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.