U18 World League

Lucas E. Abalos
Spectators: 7730 (Terracing: 5799, Seating: 1777, VIP seats: 154) Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's Nichifor Dumitrescu 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. The audience thought a goal was coming when Miguel Merentiel got free with Avram Ştercă in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 6th minute, Dragoş Cumpanașu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to Batalionul U23 Dorobanti getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. Augustin Stănoiu hit a great ball. Rolando Estevez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Avram Ştercă having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Aurel Sucigan during the 15th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's Aurel Sucigan got a free kick in the 15th minute. In the 24th minute, Miguel Merentiel made a precise shot to the right of Avram Ştercă. Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. After some careless play in the Abuba Akotonon FC defense, Remus Bojin kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Domingos Iaki. The Abuba Akotonon FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Domingos Iaki should have stopped the shot. 37 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goal looked a bit too open when Remus Bojin came free, but Domingos Iaki reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Rolando Estevez had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 45 played minutes Batalionul U23 Dorobanti got a freekick which was hit by Augustin Stănoiu. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

After some fancy dribbling in the 53rd minute, Albano Elixio managed to get in a good position for a shot. Abuba Akotonon FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Albano Elixio was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Avram Ştercă breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's Nichifor Dumitrescu got a good chance for a goal in the 56th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Abuba Akotonon FC's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Damian Dumitrachescu 58 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-2. Damian Dumitrachescu was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 66th minute. Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. 66 minutes into the match, Nichifor Dumitrescu had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Domingos Iaki. Abuba Akotonon FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Nichifor Dumitrescu was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-3. Ozzy Doro hit a great freekick 70 minutes into the match. In the 72nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Batalionul U23 Dorobanti's goalkeeper Avram Ştercă, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 78th minute, Ismael Maureo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 84 minutes, Hipolito Piarres managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Abuba Akotonon FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Hipolito Piarres was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 88 minutes, Damian Dumitrachescu mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Batalionul U23 Dorobanti and the Abuba Akotonon FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Damian Dumitrachescu kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. Domingos Iaki stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Damian Dumitrachescu's shot from short distance in the 91st minute. Nichifor Dumitrescu who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 94thth minute tested the skills of Domingos Iaki when he managed to save the team from getting behind.