U23 World League

Cruz de Malta
Spectators: 7499 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 149) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rafael de Godoi made the kick off which started today's match. 5 minutes into the game, Ernest Zburlea was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Hope AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Three Lions FC the free kick. A collision led to Hope AFC getting a freekick after 5 minutes play. Ernest Zburlea hit a great ball. Sebastian Purje fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dênis de Castro having to interfere. Mathias Gonçalves charged in rather forcefully in the 13th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mathias Gonçalves the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Hope AFC booed when Three Lions FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mathias Gonçalves didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Three Lions FC's George Grealish got a free kick in the 17th minute. In the 22nd match minute, Three Lions FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rafael de Godoi to maneuver through the defense. The referee felt a red card was in order, 24 minutes into the game, when Cristo Dimo put in a rough tackle. In a very dangerous position, a player in Hope AFC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 24th minute. Penalty! After 35 played minutes Hope AFC got a freekick which was hit by Sebastian Purje. When Rafael de Godoi came up free with the goalie in the 36th minute, the Three Lions FC 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 Rafael de Godoi couldn't finish the play. 38 minutes into the match, Three Lions FC's goal looked a bit too open when Per Kjellberg came free, but Dênis de Castro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Per Kjellberg stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. George Grealish recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 50th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 56 minutes into the match, Three Lions FC's goal looked a bit too open when Per Kjellberg came free, but Dênis de Castro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 66 minutes into the match, Fabiano Silveira notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of Hope AFC's Gheorghe Comănescu. Gheorghe Comănescu was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Fabiano Silveira took the ball and in the 69 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Gheorghe Comănescu. Gheorghe Comănescu dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. In the 72nd match minute, Three Lions FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcos Guedes to maneuver through the defense. In the 74th minute, Jeferson Pombal hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 81 played minutes Three Lions FC got a freekick which was hit by Marcos Guedes. Thanks to some nice moves Per Kjellberg could shoot a difficult shot in the 82nd minute, which Dênis de Castro however easily saved by the left post. Marcos Guedes got his second yellow card in the match during the 88th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. 89 minutes into the game, George Grealish 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 Hope AFC the free kick. George Grealish kicked well hit freekick during the 90th minute of the match. Three Lions FC were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Hope AFC for a fine match.