U23 World League

Roosgarden
Spectators: 7492 (Terracing: 5620, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 149) Real Cruzeiro FC's Gonçalo Sarmento 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. Real Cruzeiro FC's Ivo Amaral played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Karl-Michael Eriksson in the 5th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Karl-Michael Eriksson in the 10th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ivo Amaral prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Rune Stenman got free with Ivo Amaral in the 11th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 17th minute the ball was on its way in behind HEJA ESLÖV's goalkeeper Simon Bergsten, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Simon Bergsten made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ronaldo Vianna in the 22nd minute of play. HEJA ESLÖV's Rune Stenman got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Washington Alagoano fell near the penalty area in the 27th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Real Cruzeiro FC's protests and gave Washington Alagoano a yellow card for diving instead. After 27 played minutes Real Cruzeiro FC got a freekick which was hit by Washington Alagoano. HEJA ESLÖV's Ion Stârcea got a good chance for a goal in the 28th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Rune Stenman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 30th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rune Stenman charged in rather forcefully in the 31st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Rune Stenman the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Rune Stenman hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. The supporters of Real Cruzeiro FC booed when HEJA ESLÖV was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 33 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ion Stârcea didn't get a good kick on the ball. Karl-Michael Eriksson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 35th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ivo Amaral made an important save on a dangerous shot by Karl-Michael Eriksson in the 36th minute. A collision led to Real Cruzeiro FC getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Falcão Mendes hit a great ball. 45 minutes into the match, Kent Odén had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ivo Amaral. Real Cruzeiro FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Kent Odén was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Karl-Michael Eriksson's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ivo Amaral read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 62nd minute of play. In the 64th minute, Real Cruzeiro FC's Luís Guilherme Cabral dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-1. In the 68th minute, Melker Forsberg hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Aníbal Neto took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 69th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Simon Bergsten. HEJA ESLÖV's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. After having played for 77 minutes, Karl-Michael Eriksson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. HEJA ESLÖV's supporters crossed their fingers, but Karl-Michael Eriksson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Karl-Michael Eriksson scored 3-1 in the 78th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ivo Amaral, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Ivo Amaral took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Karl-Michael Eriksson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 87th match minute, Real Cruzeiro FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fábio Pontes to maneuver through the defense. In the 92nd match minute, HEJA ESLÖV was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rune Stenman to maneuver through the defense. 93 minutes into the game, Maximilian Brander was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. HEJA ESLÖV's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Real Cruzeiro FC the free kick. Maximilian Brander hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. Real Cruzeiro FC's Luís Guilherme Cabral got a good chance for a goal in the 95th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Real Cruzeiro FC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.