U23 World League

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 7688 (Terracing: 5767, Seating: 1768, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Traian Hăvârneanu took the kick off in the first half of the match. Osvaldo Vilaverde showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Hermengildo Jobo, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. In the 12th minute, Jaime Corte-Real ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Felix Cosoreanu was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. The VB-Team fans' excitement grew in the 24th match minute when VB-Team's Luís Caeiro 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 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After 27 minutes of play, VB-Team's Traian Hăvârneanu made it 0-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Felix Cosoreanu was left in no man's land by his defense there! A collision led to VB-Team getting a freekick after 32 minutes play. Sandro Monteiro hit a great ball. If Luís Caeiro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of VB-Team booed when UFC STEAUA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nelson Mendoza didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Traian Hăvârneanu came up free with the goalie in the 48th minute, the VB-Team 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 Traian Hăvârneanu couldn't finish the play. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nelson Mendoza was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Traian Hăvârneanu came free, but Felix Cosoreanu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 53rd minute, VB-Team's Traian Hăvârneanu dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-4. In the 55th minute Valter Prada suffered a thigh injury and had to be helped off the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Nelson Mendoza during the 56th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Nelson Mendoza kicked well hit freekick during the 57th minute of the match. Felix Cosoreanu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Traian Hăvârneanu in the 58th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Traian Hăvârneanu in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Felix Cosoreanu saved UFC STEAUA from getting behind. After 63 played minutes UFC STEAUA got a freekick which was hit by Hermengildo Jobo. The supporters of VB-Team booed when UFC STEAUA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nelson Mendoza didn't get a good kick on the ball. Luís Caeiro struck a weak shot in the 73rd minute. Felix Cosoreanu didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for VB-Team. After 74th play minutes Luís Caeiro shot 0-5, a short shot which went by Felix Cosoreanu and just under the crossbar into goal. In the 80th match minute, VB-Team was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sandro Monteiro to maneuver through the defense. Emanuel Gheorghe hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. 85 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Traian Hăvârneanu came free, but Felix Cosoreanu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Nelson Mendoza managed to get in a good position for a shot. UFC STEAUA's supporters rose to their feet, but Nelson Mendoza was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Osvaldo Vilaverde breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 89th minute, Hermengildo Jobo 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. In the 94th match minute, VB-Team was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fábio Zarco to maneuver through the defense. 96 minutes into the match, VB-Team's goal looked a bit too open when Nelson Mendoza came free, but Osvaldo Vilaverde reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Sandro Monteiro fell near the penalty area in the 97th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored VB-Team's protests and gave Sandro Monteiro a yellow card for diving instead. In the 97th match minute, VB-Team was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sandro Monteiro to maneuver through the defense. The UFC STEAUA supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching VB-Team's performance. The match ended with a win for VB-Team.