U23 World League

Qemal Stafa
Spectators: 7545 (Terracing: 5660, Seating: 1735, VIP seats: 150) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Paco Cano started the match with the kick off. After having played for 6 minutes, Faustino Montez managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Legacy Youth Academy's supporters crossed their fingers, but Faustino Montez was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Avram Iorgulescu fell near the penalty area in the 12th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored K.F TIRANA's protests and gave Avram Iorgulescu a yellow card for diving instead. In the 12th minute, one of K.F TIRANA:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for K.F TIRANA. Branden Shelton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Faustino Montez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lisandro Rameriz was a little too slow when Vegard Helmersen got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 23rd minute. The score was now 2-1. 26 minutes into the match, Paco Cano had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Lisandro Rameriz. Legacy Youth Academy's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Paco Cano was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. Branden Shelton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Faustino Montez, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Roberto Quirze in the 36th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Branden Shelton prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Branden Shelton made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Faustino Montez in the 38th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 39th minute, Faustino Montez managed to get in a good position for a shot. Legacy Youth Academy's supporters rose to their feet, but Faustino Montez was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Branden Shelton breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Branden Shelton made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Faustino Montez in the 44th minute of play. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-1 at half-time.

Lisandro Rameriz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Paco Cano in the 52nd minute of the match. Ezequiel Ixidor hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Paco Cano in the 70th minute of play forced Legacy Youth Academy's goalkeeper Lisandro Rameriz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ezequiel Ixidor kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. In the 78th match minute, K.F TIRANA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mao Zhen Xing to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Legacy Youth Academy booed when K.F TIRANA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 80 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paco Cano didn't get a good kick on the ball. Faustino Montez recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 81st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Legacy Youth Academy's zone, Paco Cano stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Lisandro Rameriz came out of the goal and Paco Cano tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Faustino Montez's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Branden Shelton read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 84th minute of play. Ezequiel Ixidor kicked well hit freekick during the 85th minute of the match. Lisandro Rameriz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kozma Poci, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Branden Shelton was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 89th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Fabian Rosio. Fabian Rosio charged in rather forcefully in the 94th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fabian Rosio the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Fabian Rosio kicked well hit freekick during the 94th minute of the match. K.F TIRANA were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Legacy Youth Academy for a fine match.