U23 World League

SALIMEN Arena
Spectators: 7510 (Terracing: 5633, Seating: 1727, VIP seats: 150) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Adelino Penha got the match started through his kick off. In the 5th minute Severino Soares shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Giovanni Lucas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 5thth minute of the game Severino Soares who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but SALIMEN's Giovanni Lucas was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Giovanni Lucas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Severino Soares in the 7th minute of play. When Clube Atlético Paulista's Severino Soares in the 9th minute got a chance for a shot 9th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SALIMEN's goalie prevented a goal. Severino Soares struck a weak shot in the 12th minute. Giovanni Lucas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Clube Atlético Paulista. After having played for 15 minutes, Severino Soares managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Clube Atlético Paulista's supporters crossed their fingers, but Severino Soares was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Giovanni Lucas stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Severino Soares's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. Clube Atlético Paulista's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Eduardo Cabral in the 21st minute. Eduardo Cabral made a great header on Clube Atlético Paulista's corner, it was just that SALIMEN's Giovanni Lucas managed to reach the ball for a save. Giovanni Lucas stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Severino Soares's shot from short distance in the 24th minute. Giovanni Lucas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Severino Soares, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Severino Soares took the ball and in the 31 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Giovanni Lucas. Giovanni Lucas dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. After having played for 35 minutes, Ademar Guerra managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SALIMEN's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ademar Guerra 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 37th minute, Augusto Paranaense left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Clube Atlético Paulista fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Severino Soares in the 42nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Giovanni Lucas prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 43 minutes into the match, SALIMEN's goal looked a bit too open when Severino Soares came free, but Giovanni Lucas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 48 minutes, Manfredo Cerezo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Clube Atlético Paulista's supporters crossed their fingers, but Manfredo Cerezo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After the first half Clube Atlético Paulista were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Severino Soares made a kick off. Augusto Paranaense's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 52ndth minute, Giovanni Lucas skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. With his leg Giovanni Lucas managed to avoid a goal in the 53rdth minute, when Clube Atlético Paulista's Severino Soares fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The audience was convinced that Severino Soares's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Giovanni Lucas was relentless in the 57th minute of the game. SALIMEN's Giovanni Lucas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Severino Soares in the 59th minute of play. Augusto Paranaense's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 71stth minute, Giovanni Lucas skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Severino Soares's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Giovanni Lucas firmly grabbed it by the left post. SALIMEN's Giovanni Lucas proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 77th minute of the match, managed to save SALIMEN from getting a goal against them. In the 81st minute of the match Clube Atlético Paulista got a corner. SALIMEN's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Eduardo Cabral ran over to the corner to take the kick. When Clube Atlético Paulista's Severino Soares in the 84th minute got a chance for a shot 84th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye SALIMEN's goalie prevented a goal. 85 minutes had been played when some careless play by SALIMEN's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Eduardo Cabral was slow to take the kick. During this time Clube Atlético Paulista's players had a chance to rest. A nice corner shot did that Severino Soares got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Giovanni Lucas quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. In the 88th minute Severino Soares shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Giovanni Lucas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The Clube Atlético Paulista supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Clube Atlético Paulista would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.