U23 World League

Cruz de Malta
Spectators: 7555 (Terracing: 5668, Seating: 1737, VIP seats: 150) Three Lions FC's Rafael de Godoi started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Samuca Bezerra made an important save on a dangerous shot by Rafael de Godoi in the 3rd minute. After a rather tough play, Three Lions FC's George Grealish got a free kick in the 7th minute. 10 minutes into the game, Rondinone F.C - FDFDF's Falcão Marques nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dênis de Castro made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Samuca Bezerra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fabiano Silveira, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Falcão Marques in the 18th minute of play. 21 minutes into the match, Three Lions FC's goal looked a bit too open when Falcão Marques came free, but Dênis de Castro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dênis de Castro stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Falcão Marques's shot from short distance in the 27th minute. Dênis de Castro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Falcão Marques, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Samuca Bezerra made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rafael de Godoi in the 32nd minute of play. In the 39th minute Adalberto Vianna shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dênis de Castro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 45th match minute, Rondinone F.C - FDFDF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adalberto Vianna to maneuver through the defense. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

The wind increased when Falcão Marques made the kick off in the second half. Three Lions FC's Dênis de Castro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Falcão Marques in the 53rd minute of play. Chicão Matos hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. If Rafael de Godoi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 63rd minute, Rondinone F.C - FDFDF's Falcão Marques ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Dênis de Castro. Dênis de Castro yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-2. Tiago Fontes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Dênis de Castro tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 68th match minute, Rondinone F.C - FDFDF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adalberto Vianna to maneuver through the defense. 71 minutes into the match, Adalberto Vianna had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dênis de Castro. Three Lions FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Adalberto Vianna was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-3. After 74 minutes, Tiago Fontes mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rondinone F.C - FDFDF and the Three Lions FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Three Lions FC booed when Rondinone F.C - FDFDF was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tiago Fontes didn't get a good kick on the ball. 76 minutes into the game, Falcão Marques recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Dênis de Castro. Falcão Marques showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-4. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rafael de Godoi in the 79th minute of play forced Rondinone F.C - FDFDF's goalkeeper Samuca Bezerra to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 81 played minutes Rondinone F.C - FDFDF got a freekick which was hit by Adalberto Vianna. 85 minutes into the game, Álvaro Proença was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Three Lions FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rondinone F.C - FDFDF the free kick. In the 85th match minute, Three Lions FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Álvaro Proença to maneuver through the defense. Dênis de Castro showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Falcão Marques in the 86th minute of the match. Dênis de Castro had great luck who in the 87thth minute grab hold of the ball when Falcão Marques from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. Dênis de Castro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Falcão Marques, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Adalberto Vianna got his second yellow card in the match during the 90th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. Adalberto Vianna kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. Samuca Bezerra showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jeferson Pombal in the 94th minute of the match. The audience was convinced that George Grealish's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Samuca Bezerra was relentless in the 95th minute of the game. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Rondinone F.C - FDFDF eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.