U23 World League

Arena Taquaras
Spectators: 7496 (Terracing: 5623, Seating: 1724, VIP seats: 149) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Michel Drogba got the match started through his kick off. Rubinho Abreu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cezar Novăceanu, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. In the 6th minute the ball was on its way in behind Purcaresti CSS's goalkeeper Romeo Hizo, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 9 played minutes ADM Taquaras got a freekick which was hit by Michel Ibrahimovic. Michel Drogba kicked well hit freekick during the 11th minute of the match. Romeo Hizo made a fantastic save in the 14th minute, when Michel Drogba sent off a good shot on target. Dinu Aursulesei received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 23rd minute. Rubinho Abreu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 25th minute, Michel Ibrahimovic managed to get in a good position for a shot. ADM Taquaras's supporters rose to their feet, but Michel Ibrahimovic was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Romeo Hizo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Michel Ibrahimovic's late challenge caught a Purcaresti CSS's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Michel Ibrahimovic helped the player get up and apologised. If Cezar Novăceanu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 35th minute, Cezar Novăceanu made a precise shot to the right of Rubinho Abreu. ADM Taquaras's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. In the 41st minute ADM Taquaras were awarded a corner. Michel Martinelli went to the cornerflag to take it. After taking down the ball on ADM Taquaras's corner Michel Martinelli fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Romeo Hizo quite easily take care of the ball. Ionuț Gane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The wind increased when Ionuț Gane made the kick off in the second half. Michel Shevchenko charged in rather forcefully in the 58th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Michel Shevchenko the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Purcaresti CSS booed when ADM Taquaras was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Michel Shevchenko didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience was convinced that Michel Drogba's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Romeo Hizo was relentless in the 63rd minute of the game. When ADM Taquaras's Michel Drogba in the 67th minute got a chance for a shot 67th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Purcaresti CSS's goalie prevented a goal. Michel Gvardiol struck a weak shot in the 70th minute. Romeo Hizo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for ADM Taquaras. ADM Taquaras's Michel Drogba got a good chance for a goal in the 72nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 75 minutes into the game, ADM Taquaras's Michel Drogba nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Romeo Hizo made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-1. In the 80th minute, Michel Shevchenko hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A sloppy throw-in by Aurelian Stanciu in the 87th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by ADM Taquaras's Doni dos Santos. The audience thought a goal was coming when Eugen Tiberiu got free with Rubinho Abreu in the 89th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Michel Gvardiol fired away a difficult shot at goal in the 96th minute. He almost succeeded, but the ball went over. It was a very nice shot. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. ADM Taquaras had won after a very even match.