U23 World League

SAN MARINO
Spectators: 7443 (Terracing: 5583, Seating: 1712, VIP seats: 148) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Mariano Eskuin kicked off to start the match. Rodolfo Roano didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Belchior Conde went, in the 3rd minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. When the match had gone on for 8 minutes, Mariano Eskuin took a quick shot and it went in 1-1 without a chance for Delfim Gusmão to make any attempt to save it. 11 minutes into the game, Marcelo Guerra was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. MEXACOMX's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA the free kick. The supporters of INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA booed when MEXACOMX was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marcelo Guerra didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in MEXACOMX's zone, Mariano Eskuin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Delfim Gusmão came out of the goal and Mariano Eskuin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Mariano Eskuin during the 20th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of MEXACOMX booed when INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mariano Eskuin didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 23rd minute, Rodolfo Seabra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mariano Eskuin might have been able to make a better finish in the 26th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Delfim Gusmão. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Mariano Eskuin ran back to his position shaking his head. Rodolfo Roano stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Hélio Granja's shot from short distance in the 30th minute. 35 minutes into the match, INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA's goal looked a bit too open when Hélio Granja came free, but Rodolfo Roano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Hélio Granja in the 37th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rodolfo Roano saved INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA from getting behind. The MEXACOMX fans' excitement grew in the 41st match minute when MEXACOMX's Hélio Granja looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Marcelo Guerra was shown his second yellow card after 45 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Marcelo Guerra hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. After the first half MEXACOMX were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

In the 52nd minute the ball was on its way in behind INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA's goalkeeper Rodolfo Roano, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Rodolfo Roano showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Hélio Granja in the 53rd minute of the match. If Hélio Granja had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of MEXACOMX booed when INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 63 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mariano Eskuin didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 64th minute, Mariano Eskuin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Hélio Granja sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Venancio Celino had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA's Rodolfo Roano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Hélio Granja in the 74th minute of play. Rodolfo Roano stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Hélio Granja's shot from short distance in the 78th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Venancio Celino in the 79th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Delfim Gusmão prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After some careless play in the INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA defense, Hélio Granja kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Rodolfo Roano. The INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Rodolfo Roano should have stopped the shot. After 83 minutes, Ovidio Gonzo mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA and the MEXACOMX players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, INTERNACIONAL DE MURAROA's Ovidio Gonzo got a free kick in the 83rd minute. Hélio Granja sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hélio Granja struck a weak shot in the 89th minute. Rodolfo Roano didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for MEXACOMX. Hélio Granja received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Rodolfo Roano came out and tried to block the shot, but Hélio Granja slotted it home off the left post making it 1-4 in the 93rd minute. MEXACOMX's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.