U23 World League

Aarsele Stadion
Spectators: 7684 (Terracing: 5764, Seating: 1767, VIP seats: 153) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Andrew Miggiani took the kick off in the first half of the match. Edgard Armentier sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Gerada proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 16th minute of the match, managed to save Seraċini Għawdxin from getting a goal against them. Kristiaan Van de Velde made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Andrew Miggiani in the 18th minute of play. The supporters of de belletrekkers booed when Seraċini Għawdxin was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wayne Schembri Zerafa didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Seraċini Għawdxin's Andrew Miggiani in the 23rd minute got a chance for a shot 23rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye de belletrekkers's goalie prevented a goal. de belletrekkers's Kristiaan Van de Velde played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Andrew Miggiani in the 26th minute of play. Kristiaan Van de Velde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andrew Miggiani, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Inocencio Ariando's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Clayton Gerada read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 34th minute of play. In the 35th minute James Buttigieg shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kristiaan Van de Velde saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Richard Pavia came up free with the goalie in the 40th minute, the Seraċini Għawdxin fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Richard Pavia couldn't finish the play. 44 minutes into the match, de belletrekkers's goal looked a bit too open when Robert Seychell came free, but Kristiaan Van de Velde reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Kristiaan Van de Velde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from James Buttigieg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Seraċini Għawdxin defense, Edgard Armentier kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Clayton Gerada. The Seraċini Għawdxin fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Clayton Gerada should have stopped the shot. Kristiaan Van de Velde showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Andrew Miggiani, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. After 57 minutes, Joseph Bruno mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Seraċini Għawdxin and the de belletrekkers players grew even worse after the yellow card. Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Gerada played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edgard Armentier in the 58th minute of play. de belletrekkers were awarded a corner in the 59th minute after Seraċini Għawdxin's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Quirce Castro took the corner. The corner led de belletrekkers's George Van Impe to fire away a dangerous shot which Clayton Gerada despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Gerada played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edgard Armentier in the 68th minute of play. In the 69th minute Antoine Bugelli shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kristiaan Van de Velde saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 73rd minute, Reuben Caruana hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 77 minutes into the match, Edgard Armentier notched a goal, 2-0, to the right of Seraċini Għawdxin's Clayton Gerada. Clayton Gerada was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. If Eliézer de Sousa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Kristiaan Van de Velde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Antoine Bugelli, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 95th minute of the match, Antoine Bugelli tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Kristiaan Van de Velde saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Many of Seraċini Għawdxin's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Seraċini Għawdxin may have spent more time on the ball, but de belletrekkers were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.