U23 World League

Wamba Arena
Spectators: 7547 (Terracing: 5662, Seating: 1735, VIP seats: 150) Wambalamba FC's Dinei Goiano 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Adhemar da Fonseca in the 13th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tim Johnstone saved The Tigers from getting behind. If Hayden Moore had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Wambalamba FC's Naldo Mello played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tyrone Meehan in the 21st minute of play. Wambalamba FC's Naldo Mello played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tyrone Meehan in the 23rd minute of play. Hayden Moore hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Adhemar da Fonseca in the 32nd minute of play forced The Tigers's goalkeeper Tim Johnstone to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tim Johnstone stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Adhemar da Fonseca's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. Naldo Mello took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ionuț Mureșan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tyrone Meehan in the 37th minute of play forced Wambalamba FC's goalkeeper Naldo Mello to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tyrone Meehan in the 45th minute of play forced Wambalamba FC's goalkeeper Naldo Mello to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benji Murray took the ball and in the 48 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Naldo Mello. Naldo Mello dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The supporters of The Tigers booed when Wambalamba FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Teodoro Arantes didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 56th minute, Tyrone Meehan left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The The Tigers fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. If Dave Joy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Walmir de Queiroz kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. 61 minutes into the match, Wambalamba FC's goalkeeper Naldo Mello had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Tyrone Meehan. In the 63rd minute Hayden Moore shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Naldo Mello saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Naldo Mello made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ionuț Mureșan in the 64th minute. Ionuț Mureșan received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Naldo Mello came out and tried to block the shot, but Ionuț Mureșan slotted it home off the left post making it 1-3 in the 67th minute. The Tigers's Phil Clarke was substituted for Hayden Moore. After a rather tough play, Wambalamba FC's Tiago Gabriel Pena got a free kick in the 71st minute. Wambalamba FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 73rd minute, when Ionuț Mureșan scored to the left of an out of position Naldo Mello, making the score, 1-4. The Tigers made a substitution. Carl Atkins replaced Tyrone Meehan. After 77 played minutes Wambalamba FC got a freekick which was hit by Teodoro Arantes. 85 minutes into the match, Wambalamba FC's goal looked a bit too open when Phil Clarke came free, but Naldo Mello reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 86th minute, The Tigers's Ionuț Mureșan dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-6. Phil Clarke received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 90th minute. Naldo Mello tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Carl Atkins's late challenge caught a Wambalamba FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Carl Atkins helped the player get up and apologised. In the 94th match minute, The Tigers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carl Atkins to maneuver through the defense. After 96 minutes of play, The Tigers's Carl Atkins made it 1-7 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Naldo Mello was left in no man's land by his defense there! The Tigers played a much better game than Wambalamba FC and deserved their victory. The Wambalamba FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.