U21 World League

Lost Limbs Arena
Spectators: 7838 (Terracing: 5880, Seating: 1802, VIP seats: 156) Spartans FC's Fabio Gerbella 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. In the 4th match minute, Spartans FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Viviano Barra to maneuver through the defense. The long shot by Earle Franklin in the 5th minute really tested Nelson Tapia's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Fabio Gerbella sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Arne Gronow received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 7th minute. Nelson Tapia tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a little luck, Spartans FC's Nelson Tapia got control of the ball when Arne Gronow tried to sneak it across the goal line. The long shot by Earle Franklin in the 17th minute really tested Nelson Tapia's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Xaime Hinojosa's late challenge caught a Amputees FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Xaime Hinojosa helped the player get up and apologised. In the 20th minute of the match Abraham Laing shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Nelson Tapia showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. 30 minutes into the match, Spartans FC's goalkeeper Nelson Tapia had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ivan Kuskop. Nelson Tapia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Eden Heberle's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. Ivan Kuskop blasted a shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Nelson Tapia having to make a save. After 41 played minutes Spartans FC got a freekick which was hit by Jose Ramon Pinuer. After a rather tough play, Amputees FC's Bradshaw Hodson got a free kick in the 47th minute. Francisco José Vidal fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 49th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dean Watts having to interfere. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Eden Heberle to make the kick off. 54 minutes into the match, Spartans FC's goal looked a bit too open when Eden Heberle came free, but Nelson Tapia reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 55th minute of the match Abraham Laing sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Nelson Tapia skillfully saved the ball. Fabio Gerbella might have been able to make a better finish in the 58th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dean Watts. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Fabio Gerbella ran back to his position shaking his head. Nelson Tapia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Arne Gronow, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Steve Bohn kicked well hit freekick during the 66th minute of the match. Fabio Gerbella received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Dean Watts came out and tried to block the shot, but Fabio Gerbella slotted it home off the left post making it 0-1 in the 68th minute. After a rather tough play, Spartans FC's Jose Ramon Pinuer got a free kick in the 73rd minute. When Arne Gronow came up free with the goalie in the 76th minute, the Amputees FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Arne Gronow couldn't finish the play. Spartans FC's Nelson Tapia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arne Gronow in the 77th minute of play. The supporters of Amputees FC booed when Spartans FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 78 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jose Ramon Pinuer didn't get a good kick on the ball. Earle Franklin took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 79th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Nelson Tapia. Spartans FC's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Abraham Laing sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 81st match minute, Amputees FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abraham Laing to maneuver through the defense. 83 minutes into the match, Fabio Gerbella dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Dean Watts, 0-2. In the 85th minute, Eden Heberle made a precise shot to the right of Nelson Tapia. Spartans FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-2. Nelson Tapia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Arne Gronow, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.