U23 World League

Central Park
Spectators: 7713 (Terracing: 5786, Seating: 1774, VIP seats: 153) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Toninho Arruda started the match with the kick off. Natanael Sena showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alin Dragalina, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. Natanael Sena took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alin Dragalina, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Narciso Machado hit a great freekick 4 minutes into the match. Natanael Sena had great luck who in the 7thth minute grab hold of the ball when Hermes Soveral from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. The corner led Sporting Royal's Alin Dragalina to fire away a dangerous shot which Natanael Sena despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Monumento Sports's Natanael Sena played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alin Dragalina in the 14th minute of play. 19 minutes into the match, Monumento Sports's goalkeeper Natanael Sena had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alin Dragalina. Alin Dragalina received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Natanael Sena tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hermes Soveral fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Natanael Sena having to interfere. Natanael Sena made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alin Dragalina in the 36th minute. Alin Dragalina could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Natanael Sena made a huge save. In the 41st match minute, Monumento Sports was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Narciso Machado to maneuver through the defense. Sporting Royal's Lucrețiu Roșeanu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Lopes in the 46th minute of play. In the 46thth minute of the game Joel Lopes who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Sporting Royal's Lucrețiu Roșeanu was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Hermes Soveral to strike the kick off in the second half. 50 minutes into the match, Monumento Sports's goal looked a bit too open when Alin Dragalina came free, but Natanael Sena reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Toninho Arruda charged in rather forcefully in the 51st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Toninho Arruda the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Natanael Sena showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alin Dragalina, who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. After 56 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Monumento Sports! In the 58th minute there was a penalty for Sporting Royal. Alin Dragalina stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Natanael Sena. 1-0. The audience thought a goal was coming when Toninho Arruda got free with Lucrețiu Roșeanu in the 64th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Monumento Sports's Joel Lopes got a good chance for a goal in the 67th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 71st match minute, Sporting Royal was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dorin Borza to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 74th minute, Alin Dragalina managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sporting Royal's supporters rose to their feet, but Alin Dragalina was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Natanael Sena breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Monumento Sports's Bunda Brilhante quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Celso Valadares, made in the 77th minute of the game. Lucrețiu Roșeanu made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Joel Lopes sent off a good shot on target. In the 80th minute Alin Dragalina shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Natanael Sena saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 84 played minutes Sporting Royal got a freekick which was hit by Narcis Cutean. Narciso Machado kicked well hit freekick during the 93rd minute of the match. There was no doubt that Sporting Royal were the better team. Sporting Royal's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.