U23 League

San Saga
Spectators: 159 (Terracing: 120, Seating: 36, VIP seats: 3) Jan-Frode Sørby kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. After having played for 5 minutes, Erik Cantona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Manchester United FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Erik Cantona was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 9 minutes into the match, Paavo Salmela had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Edvin Hodneland. Saga TF's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Paavo Salmela was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Manchester United FC's Veli Siivonen got a good chance for a goal in the 13th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 16 minutes into the match, Saga TF's goal looked a bit too open when Veli Siivonen came free, but Edvin Hodneland reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Pirkka Rautee in the 21st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Edvin Hodneland saved Saga TF from getting behind. 24 minutes into the game, Jens Garberg cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Juha Jokiranta was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 27 minutes, Sebastian Onarheim mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Saga TF and the Manchester United FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Sebastian Onarheim hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. Edvin Hodneland showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pirkka Rautee in the 30th minute of the match. When the match clock showed 35 minutes, the score became 1-3 when Paavo Salmela sped through Saga TF's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Edvin Hodneland. After 37 minutes of play, Manchester United FC's Paavo Salmela made it 1-4 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Edvin Hodneland was left in no man's land by his defense there! 42 minutes into the match, Saga TF's goal looked a bit too open when Paavo Salmela came free, but Edvin Hodneland reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Erik Cantona in the 46th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Edvin Hodneland prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After the first half Manchester United FC were leading 1-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

In the 54th minute, Pirkka Rautee made a precise shot to the right of Edvin Hodneland. Saga TF's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-6. When Manchester United FC's Erik Cantona in the 57th minute got a chance for a shot 57th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Saga TF's goalie prevented a goal. In the 63rd minute, Manchester United FC's Pirkka Rautee ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Edvin Hodneland. Edvin Hodneland yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-7. Manchester United FC's Erik Cantona got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 72nd minute Pirkka Rautee shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Edvin Hodneland saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Paavo Salmela in the 74thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Edvin Hodneland, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Paavo Salmela scored 1-9 in the 75th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Edvin Hodneland, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 78th minute Erik Cantona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Edvin Hodneland saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Edvin Hodneland took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Erik Cantona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 81stth minute of the game Erik Cantona who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Saga TF's Edvin Hodneland was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Veli Siivonen recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The Manchester United FC fans' excitement grew in the 91st match minute when Manchester United FC's Paavo Salmela looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-11 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Paavo Salmela could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 96th minute of the match, but Edvin Hodneland made a huge save. Manchester United FC played a much better game than Saga TF and deserved their victory. The Saga TF players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.