U21 League

Crypto.com Stadium
Spectators: 161 (Terracing: 121, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Ryan Grima took the kick off in the first half of the match. Marcelo Severiano made an important save on a dangerous shot by Christos Ouzounidis in the 7th minute. After a rather tough play, Vakoufi Utd's Panagiotis Kleftokotakis got a free kick in the 9th minute. After 11 minutes Vakoufi Utd's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Leo Scalpello who took care of the corner kick. Sliema Dragons FC's Leo Scalpello was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Trifon Iraklideas in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Trifon Iraklideas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Grima, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Trifon Iraklideas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ryan Grima in the 20th minute of play. The supporters of Vakoufi Utd booed when Sliema Dragons FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luigi Muscat didn't get a good kick on the ball. 22 minutes into the match, Vakoufi Utd's Christos Ouzounidis sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marcelo Severiano narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 37th match minute, Sliema Dragons FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Leon Desira to maneuver through the defense. Trifon Iraklideas showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ryan Grima in the 40th minute of the match. 42 minutes into the match, Vakoufi Utd's goal looked a bit too open when Isaac Grimaud came free, but Trifon Iraklideas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After taking down the ball on Sliema Dragons FC's corner Leo Scalpello fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Trifon Iraklideas quite easily take care of the ball. In the 46th minute, Viktoras Natsikas ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Marcelo Severiano was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Viktoras Natsikas stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Makis Karoubalis kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. Leo Scalpello struck a weak shot in the 54th minute. Trifon Iraklideas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sliema Dragons FC. Trifon Iraklideas was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Ryan Grima showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-1 in the 59 minute of play. In the 63rd minute Viktoras Natsikas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcelo Severiano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Viktoras Natsikas fell near the penalty area in the 65th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Vakoufi Utd's protests and gave Viktoras Natsikas a yellow card for diving instead. After 65 played minutes Vakoufi Utd got a freekick which was hit by Viktoras Natsikas. With a little luck, Vakoufi Utd's Trifon Iraklideas got control of the ball when Isaac Grimaud tried to sneak it across the goal line. Trifon Iraklideas made a fantastic save in the 67th minute, when Isaac Grimaud sent off a good shot on target. Leo Scalpello kicked well hit freekick during the 68th minute of the match. After some careless play in the Vakoufi Utd defense, Ryan Grima kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Trifon Iraklideas. The Vakoufi Utd fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Trifon Iraklideas should have stopped the shot. In the 74th minute, Leo Scalpello got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Vakoufi Utd's Trifon Iraklideas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ryan Grima in the 76th minute of play. In the 78th match minute, Vakoufi Utd was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Christos Ouzounidis to maneuver through the defense. 79 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's Patrick Buttigieg sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Trifon Iraklideas narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 82 minutes into the match, Vakoufi Utd's goalkeeper Trifon Iraklideas had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Isaac Grimaud. 90 minutes into the match, Vakoufi Utd's goal looked a bit too open when Patrick Buttigieg came free, but Trifon Iraklideas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Trifon Iraklideas showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ryan Grima in the 91st minute of the match. After 93 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Patrick Buttigieg. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Sliema Dragons FC had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.