U23 World League

Artemio Franchi
Spectators: 7583 (Terracing: 5688, Seating: 1744, VIP seats: 151) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Mario Balotelli made the kick off which started today's match. If Nelson Mendoza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Mario Balotelli had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 9th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Nelson Mendoza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the match clock showed 12 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Mario Balotelli sped through UFC STEAUA's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Costică Petran. The audience thought a goal was coming when Kurt Hamrin got free with Costică Petran in the 24th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Cosme Fole during the 29th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 29th minute, Cosme Fole hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to AFC Viola Gigliati getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Enrico Cicero hit a great ball. Albert Hodorog fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ralondo Barboa having to interfere. After having played for 33 minutes, Mario Balotelli managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. AFC Viola Gigliati's supporters crossed their fingers, but Mario Balotelli was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A collision led to AFC Viola Gigliati getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Kurt Hamrin hit a great ball. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

Nelson Mendoza who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 52ndth minute tested the skills of Ralondo Barboa when he managed to save the team from getting behind. The audience was convinced that Nelson Mendoza's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Ralondo Barboa was relentless in the 53rd minute of the game. AFC Viola Gigliati's Ralondo Barboa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nistor Fenici in the 59th minute of play. AFC Viola Gigliati's Ralondo Barboa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nistor Fenici in the 61st minute of play. After 68 played minutes UFC STEAUA got a freekick which was hit by Rafet Faydalı. AFC Viola Gigliati made a substitution. Pacifico Villazan replaced Guillermo Barzana. AFC Viola Gigliati made a substitution. Ciriaco Cañaveral replaced Kurt Hamrin. Costică Petran took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ciriaco Cañaveral, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 79 minutes into the game, Nelson Mendoza recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ralondo Barboa. Nelson Mendoza showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-1. Mario Balotelli charged in rather forcefully in the 82nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mario Balotelli the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 84th match minute, AFC Viola Gigliati was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ciriaco Cañaveral to maneuver through the defense. Nelson Mendoza took the ball and in the 87 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ralondo Barboa. Ralondo Barboa dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-2. 95 minutes into the game, AFC Viola Gigliati's Ciriaco Cañaveral nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Costică Petran made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-2. UFC STEAUA's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.