World League

Estadio Azteca
Spectators: 7132 (Terracing: 5622, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 10) Astros de México's Feliberto Eyague started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Antoni Lopes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Denis Degutis in the 2nd minute of play. 4 minutes into the match, Astros de México's goal looked a bit too open when Geraldo Wall came free, but Antoni Lopes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Hugon Raszkiewicz was out of position in the 8 minute of play, and Paulo Román capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Paulo Román really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. After a defensive mix-up in Astros de México's zone, Geraldo Wall stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Antoni Lopes came out of the goal and Geraldo Wall tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 14 minutes into the game, Opus Dei's Patryk Lisewski nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Antoni Lopes made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. 18 minutes into the match, Opus Dei's goal looked a bit too open when Angulo Cabañero came free, but Hugon Raszkiewicz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Quintin who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 21stth minute tested the skills of Hugon Raszkiewicz when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After 22 minutes, Antonio Iratze mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Astros de México and the Opus Dei players grew even worse after the yellow card. The audience was convinced that Denis Degutis's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Antoni Lopes was relentless in the 23rd minute of the game. In the 27th minute, Julio Quintin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Opus Dei's Patryk Lisewski in the 28th minute got a chance for a shot 28th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Astros de México's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Denis Degutis in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Antoni Lopes saved Astros de México from getting behind. When the match had gone on for 40 minutes, Geraldo Wall put it in 1-2 from a short distance just to the right of Antoni Lopes. 44 minutes into the match, Opus Dei's goalkeeper Hugon Raszkiewicz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Paulo Román. 45 minutes into the game, Jörgen Sander was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Opus Dei's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Astros de México the free kick. In the 45th match minute, Opus Dei was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jörgen Sander to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 47th minute, Angulo Cabañero managed to get in a good position for a shot. Astros de México's supporters rose to their feet, but Angulo Cabañero was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Hugon Raszkiewicz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After the first half Opus Dei were leading 1-2. 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 Denis Degutis made a kick off. The crowd rose to their feet as Opus Dei's Patryk Lisewski slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Antoni Lopes. That made the score 1-3 after 53 minutes of play. In the 62nd minute, Denis Degutis left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Opus Dei fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-4. 71 minutes into the match, Opus Dei's Denis Degutis sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Antoni Lopes narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Julio Quintin in the 73rd minute of play forced Opus Dei's goalkeeper Hugon Raszkiewicz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hugon Raszkiewicz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Angulo Cabañero, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. After a rather tough play, Astros de México's Feliberto Eyague got a free kick in the 79th minute. Denis Degutis came free with the goalkeeper in the 82nd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Antoni Lopes could save by the left post. Denis Degutis did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-5 to the left of a surprised Antoni Lopes 83 minutes into the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Denis Degutis got free with Antoni Lopes in the 88th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Astros de México's Antoni Lopes proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 90th minute of the match, managed to save Astros de México from getting a goal against them. Antoni Lopes made an important save on a dangerous shot by Denis Degutis in the 96th minute. The Opus Dei players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.