U23 World League

Escobedo Stadium
Spectators: 7770 (Terracing: 5828, Seating: 1787, VIP seats: 155) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Toro Murillo took the kick off in the first half of the match. 2 minutes into the match, Santa Fe's goal looked a bit too open when Gao Zhen Chao came free, but Shao Jing Yuan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Shao Jing Yuan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pavol Halko in the 8th minute of play. 9 minutes into the match, Santa Fe's goal looked a bit too open when Gao Zhen Chao came free, but Shao Jing Yuan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gao Zhen Chao in the 12th minute of play forced Santa Fe's goalkeeper Shao Jing Yuan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Shao Jing Yuan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gao Zhen Chao in the 13th minute of play. After 17 minutes of play, Kukova United's Gao Zhen Chao made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Shao Jing Yuan was left in no man's land by his defense there! Anıl Baran Uslu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Venancio Bertol, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. Ladislav Tribula lost his temper 22 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. In a very dangerous position, a player in Kukova United fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 21st minute. Penalty! The goalkeeper, Anıl Baran Uslu, was totally fooled by Santa Fe's Sandro Coisne, who 24 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Kukova United's Anıl Baran Uslu proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 27th minute of the match, managed to save Kukova United from getting a goal against them. Kukova United's Anıl Baran Uslu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Venancio Bertol in the 37th minute of play. When Eustaquio Obano fell near the penalty area in the 40th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Santa Fe's protests and gave Eustaquio Obano a yellow card for diving instead. In the 40th minute, one of Santa Fe:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Santa Fe. After some careless play in the Santa Fe defense, Ivan Galoša kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Shao Jing Yuan. The Santa Fe fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Shao Jing Yuan should have stopped the shot.

The wind increased when Gao Zhen Chao made the kick off in the second half. Anıl Baran Uslu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Venancio Bertol in the 52nd minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Juraj Bicák in the 54th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Shao Jing Yuan prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After 59 played minutes Santa Fe got a freekick which was hit by Venancio Bertol. Santa Fe's Shao Jing Yuan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gao Zhen Chao in the 65th minute of play. 66 minutes into the match, Kukova United's Ivan Galoša sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Shao Jing Yuan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Gao Zhen Chao during the 71st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 71st match minute, Kukova United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gao Zhen Chao to maneuver through the defense. Gao Zhen Chao kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Anıl Baran Uslu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Godofredo Rik in the 74th minute of the match. A collision led to Kukova United getting a freekick after 75 minutes play. Gao Zhen Chao hit a great ball. Kukova United made a substitution. Matej Bajus replaced Juraj Bicák. After 76 played minutes Kukova United got a freekick which was hit by Gao Zhen Chao. Anıl Baran Uslu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Toro Murillo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 86 minutes into the match, Santa Fe's goalkeeper Shao Jing Yuan had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ladislav Zemko. In the 87th minute of the match Kukova United got a corner. Santa Fe's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Pavol Halko ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Santa Fe's goalie and right to Matej Bajus. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Santa Fe's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Shao Jing Yuan was out of position in the 89 minute of play, and Gao Zhen Chao capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Gao Zhen Chao really showed his touch with that goal: 1-4. Gao Zhen Chao kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Kukova United walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.