U18 World League

Dream Arena
Spectators: 7713 (Terracing: 5786, Seating: 1774, VIP seats: 153) Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Vella 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. Dejan Cumbo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Harris Staarman, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 5th match minute, De Digitale Dribbelaars was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Wessel Wisgerhof to maneuver through the defense. After 10 played minutes De Digitale Dribbelaars got a freekick which was hit by John Ijkwezen. The long shot by Clayton Vella in the 10th minute really tested Vincent Wekenburg's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. 14 minutes into the match, Seraċini Għawdxin's goal looked a bit too open when Harris Staarman came free, but Dejan Cumbo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Adrian Sladden charged in rather forcefully in the 17th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Adrian Sladden the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Clayton Vella hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. Dejan Cumbo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Klaas Ritsma, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Seraċini Għawdxin's Edward Gruppetta got a free kick in the 27th minute. 28 minutes into the match, De Digitale Dribbelaars's Klaas Ritsma sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dejan Cumbo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 30 minutes into the match, Foeke Palsma had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dejan Cumbo. Seraċini Għawdxin's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Foeke Palsma was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Harris Staarman in the 34th minute of play forced Seraċini Għawdxin's goalkeeper Dejan Cumbo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dejan Cumbo didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Harris Staarman went, in the 36th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-2 was the resulting score. The supporters of Seraċini Għawdxin booed when De Digitale Dribbelaars was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Klaas Ritsma didn't get a good kick on the ball. When De Digitale Dribbelaars's Harris Staarman in the 47th minute got a chance for a shot 47th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Seraċini Għawdxin's goalie prevented a goal. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

The crowd rose to their feet as Klaas Ritsma kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Dejan Cumbo. That made the score 0-3 in the 53 minute of play. After a rather tough play, Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Vella got a free kick in the 58th minute. Harris Staarman might have been able to make a better finish in the 59th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dejan Cumbo. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Harris Staarman ran back to his position shaking his head. Godwin Spagnol charged in rather forcefully in the 59th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Godwin Spagnol the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Dejan Cumbo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Klaas Ritsma in the 61st minute of the match. Harris Staarman could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 69th minute of the match, but Dejan Cumbo made a huge save. Dejan Cumbo made an important save on a dangerous shot by Harris Staarman in the 74th minute. In the 75th minute, De Digitale Dribbelaars's Wessel Wisgerhof dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-4. Dejan Cumbo made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Foeke Palsma sent off a good shot on target. After some fancy dribbling in the 79th minute, Harris Staarman managed to get in a good position for a shot. De Digitale Dribbelaars's supporters rose to their feet, but Harris Staarman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dejan Cumbo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 94th minute Klaas Ritsma shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dejan Cumbo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. De Digitale Dribbelaars walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.