U23 World League

Sven-Göran Eriksson
Spectators: 7462 (Terracing: 5597, Seating: 1716, VIP seats: 149) Vicente Fantini made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alex Nordström in the 7th minute. In the 8th minute, Ricardo Alagoano hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 10thth minute of the game Alex Nordström who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Dragões Barbudos FC's Vicente Fantini was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After a rather tough play, Dragões Barbudos FC's Ernani Linares got a free kick in the 11th minute. Alex Nordström took the ball and in the 12 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Vicente Fantini. Vicente Fantini dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. The supporters of Golden Lions FC booed when Dragões Barbudos FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ernani Linares didn't get a good kick on the ball. With 24 minutes on the clock, Hans Alén commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. In a very dangerous position, a player in Golden Lions FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 23rd minute. Penalty! An unexpectedly hard shot by Allan Rudqvist in the 32nd minute of play forced Dragões Barbudos FC's goalkeeper Vicente Fantini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Vicente Fantini made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Axel Samuelsson in the 35th minute of play. Axel Samuelsson hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

The audience was convinced that Allan Rudqvist's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Vicente Fantini was relentless in the 52nd minute of the game. If Allan Rudqvist had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dragões Barbudos FC's Vicente Fantini played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Axel Samuelsson in the 59th minute of play. In the 64th minute Golden Lions FC were awarded a corner. Axel Samuelsson went to the cornerflag to take it. 67 minutes into the match, Dragões Barbudos FC's goal looked a bit too open when Axel Samuelsson came free, but Vicente Fantini reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Axel Samuelsson charged in rather forcefully in the 77th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Axel Samuelsson the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Golden Lions FC's Axel Samuelsson got a free kick in the 77th minute. 78 minutes into the match, Oscar Peres notched a goal, 2-2, to the right of Golden Lions FC's Bengt-Rune Wallin. Bengt-Rune Wallin was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Vicente Fantini took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Allan Rudqvist, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nils-Erik Gustafsson's late challenge caught a Dragões Barbudos FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nils-Erik Gustafsson helped the player get up and apologised. Dragões Barbudos FC's Luiz Gustavo Furlan was substituted for Oscar Peres. After 87 played minutes Golden Lions FC got a freekick which was hit by Nils-Erik Gustafsson. Ernani Linares recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 88th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 93 minutes of play, Golden Lions FC's Allan Rudqvist made it 3-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Vicente Fantini was left in no man's land by his defense there! Vicente Fantini showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Allan Rudqvist, who was totally free with the ball in the 97th minute. When the referee ended the match the Golden Lions FC players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.