U23 World League

Olympic Stadium Maia
Spectators: 7522 (Terracing: 5642, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 150) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Paulo Neves got the match started through his kick off. Pendotiba's Naldo Hermes quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Alexandre Graça, made in the 3rd minute of the game. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cristian Hoffmann in the 4th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Horácio Caiado prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Pendotiba's Evaristo de Andrade played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ricardo Meira in the 6th minute of play. After 7 played minutes Pendotiba got a freekick which was hit by Naldo Hermes. 19 minutes into the game, Ɍυƒυs™'s Gervásio Lages nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Evaristo de Andrade made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. After 23 played minutes Ɍυƒυs™ got a freekick which was hit by Jacinto Azenha. 24 minutes into the match, Cristian Hoffmann had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Horácio Caiado. Ɍυƒυs™'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cristian Hoffmann was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. After some careless play in the Ɍυƒυs™ defense, Cristian Hoffmann kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Horácio Caiado. The Ɍυƒυs™ fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Horácio Caiado should have stopped the shot. 36 minutes into the match, Ɍυƒυs™'s goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Hoffmann came free, but Horácio Caiado reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Hoffmann recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 38th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ɍυƒυs™'s Horácio Caiado played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Hoffmann in the 42nd minute of play. Pendotiba's Evaristo de Andrade played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Saúl Soveral in the 45th minute of play. Ricardo Meira could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 48th minute of the match, but Evaristo de Andrade made a huge save. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Saúl Soveral made a kick off. Horácio Caiado showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Paulo Neves in the 52nd minute of the match. Horácio Caiado took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Hoffmann, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 60 minutes of play Pendotiba's Naldo Hermes was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. The supporters of Ɍυƒυs™ booed when Pendotiba was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 60 match minutes in a wonderful position. Naldo Hermes didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a little luck, Ɍυƒυs™'s Horácio Caiado got control of the ball when Cristian Hoffmann tried to sneak it across the goal line. The supporters of Ɍυƒυs™ booed when Pendotiba was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gökçen Yerhum didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Ricardinho Trigo came up free with the goalie in the 69th minute, the Pendotiba fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Ricardinho Trigo couldn't finish the play. After a rather tough play, Pendotiba's Paulo Neves got a free kick in the 82nd minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Saúl Soveral in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Evaristo de Andrade saved Pendotiba from getting behind. Cristian Hoffmann who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 91stth minute tested the skills of Horácio Caiado when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Evaristo de Andrade showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Saúl Soveral, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. Allan Arruda charged in rather forcefully in the 95th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Allan Arruda the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 95th match minute, Pendotiba was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Allan Arruda to maneuver through the defense. Saúl Soveral fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 96th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Evaristo de Andrade having to interfere. Pendotiba's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.