World League

Gigante de Phoenix
Spectators: 7608 (Terracing: 5707, Seating: 1750, VIP seats: 151) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Răzvan Pisculescu got the match started through his kick off. Wilbur Hyde showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gigel Omescu, who was totally free with the ball in the 5th minute. Wilbur Hyde made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Răzvan Pisculescu in the 10th minute of play. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind El Canalla de Chicago's goalkeeper Wilbur Hyde, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Chu Xiang Chang in the 15th minute of play forced El Canalla de Chicago's goalkeeper Wilbur Hyde to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Wilbur Hyde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Răzvan Pisculescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 18 minutes into the game, TAXI-MM-'s Răzvan Pisculescu nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Wilbur Hyde made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Wilbur Hyde made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Chu Xiang Chang in the 24th minute of play. After some careless play in the El Canalla de Chicago defense, Gigel Omescu kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Wilbur Hyde. The El Canalla de Chicago fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Wilbur Hyde should have stopped the shot. El Canalla de Chicago's Wilbur Hyde played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Chu Xiang Chang in the 28th minute of play. Tom Adams's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Martin Alexa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 30th minute of play. Wilbur Hyde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gigel Omescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 36th match minute, El Canalla de Chicago was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matthew Medrano to maneuver through the defense. In the 37th minute, Răzvan Pisculescu made a precise shot to the right of Wilbur Hyde. El Canalla de Chicago's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-3. Wilbur Hyde stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Răzvan Pisculescu's shot from short distance in the 45th minute. Martin Alexa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Domingo Lopez in the 46th minute of the match. After the first half TAXI-MM- were leading 1-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

TAXI-MM- made a substitution. Horia Moșoiu replaced Chu Xiang Chang. 54 minutes into the game, Stig-Åke Mager was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. TAXI-MM-'s manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave El Canalla de Chicago the free kick. A collision led to TAXI-MM- getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Stig-Åke Mager hit a great ball. In the 55th minute Domingo Lopez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martin Alexa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Domingo Lopez in the 56th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Martin Alexa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Wilbur Hyde showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Horia Moșoiu, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. TAXI-MM-'s Stig-Åke Mager shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 60th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Wilbur Hyde but with some difficulty. Martin Alexa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Claude Mueller, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Claude Mueller had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martin Alexa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Claude Mueller in the 66th minute of play. After 69 minutes TAXI-MM-'s defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Wilfred Noel who took care of the corner kick. The corner led El Canalla de Chicago's Wilfred Noel to fire away a dangerous shot which Martin Alexa despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. The supporters of El Canalla de Chicago booed when TAXI-MM- was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gigel Omescu didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 72 played minutes TAXI-MM- got a freekick which was hit by Gigel Omescu. After 73 played minutes, El Canalla de Chicago's Wilfred Noel shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Martin Alexa came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in El Canalla de Chicago reached it. In the 74th minute Horia Moșoiu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Wilbur Hyde saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Wilbur Hyde showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Horia Moșoiu in the 75th minute of the match. 78 minutes had been played when some careless play by El Canalla de Chicago's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Stig-Åke Mager was slow to take the kick. During this time TAXI-MM-'s players had a chance to rest. The corner led TAXI-MM-'s Stig-Åke Mager to fire away a dangerous shot which Wilbur Hyde despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Wilbur Hyde took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Horia Moșoiu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When El Canalla de Chicago's Justin Raines in the 83rd minute got a chance for a shot 83rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye TAXI-MM-'s goalie prevented a goal. In the 85th match minute, TAXI-MM- was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Stig-Åke Mager to maneuver through the defense. A hard shot 91 in the game by Răzvan Pisculescu from a close distance when the talented Wilbur Hyde managed to make a qualified save. El Canalla de Chicago's players were relieved. After a rather tough play, El Canalla de Chicago's Carlo Greenberg got a free kick in the 95th minute. In the 96th minute of the match Stig-Åke Mager shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Wilbur Hyde showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched TAXI-MM- eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.