U23 World League

Aguilas
Spectators: 7496 (Terracing: 5623, Seating: 1724, VIP seats: 149) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Alex De Toni took the kick off in the first half of the match. Rolando Michael fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cristoforo Iacomini having to interfere. In the 5th minute, Nunez Endira reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Cristoforo Iacomini. The goal made the score 1-0. With a little luck, Merceron United's Cristoforo Iacomini got control of the ball when Cornelio Quilino tried to sneak it across the goal line. Nunez Endira fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 11th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cristoforo Iacomini having to interfere. Benicio Ruy blasted a shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Cristoforo Iacomini having to make a save. After a rather tough play, Rossobianco's Rolando Michael got a free kick in the 14th minute. In the 17th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ennio Marcantonio to maneuver through the defense. In the 19th minute, Fidel Innocenzio hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Bakar Gopala Pillai showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Emilio Conti, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. In the 24th minute Alex De Toni shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bakar Gopala Pillai saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Nunez Endira had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Filippo Corna hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. Bakar Gopala Pillai stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Emilio Conti's shot from short distance in the 30th minute. In the 36th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Filippo Corna to maneuver through the defense. Bakar Gopala Pillai made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Emilio Conti in the 41st minute of play. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nunez Endira was the one to do the kick off. 57 minutes into the match, Merceron United's goal looked a bit too open when Cornelio Quilino came free, but Cristoforo Iacomini reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 59 minutes into the match, Benicio Ruy notched a goal, 2-1, to the right of Merceron United's Cristoforo Iacomini. Cristoforo Iacomini was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After 63 played minutes Rossobianco got a freekick which was hit by Nunez Endira. In the 78th minute, Merceron United's Alex De Toni dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-2. When Cornelio Quilino fell near the penalty area in the 80th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Rossobianco's protests and gave Cornelio Quilino a yellow card for diving instead. After having played for 85 minutes, Alex De Toni managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Merceron United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alex De Toni was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 88th minute, Alfredo Antonelli hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Benicio Ruy managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rossobianco's supporters rose to their feet, but Benicio Ruy was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Cristoforo Iacomini breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a rather tough play, Merceron United's Ennio Guidoni got a free kick in the 91st minute. In the 93rd minute, Emilio Conti ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Bakar Gopala Pillai was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-3. The Rossobianco manager could be seen shouting at his players as they walked down the tunnel after the match. He was clearly angry that they had squandered their superior possession, allowing Merceron United to win.