U23 World League

Purple Arena
Spectators: 8068 (Terracing: 6053, Seating: 1855, VIP seats: 160) Richy Van Boeckost started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. After having played for 6 minutes, Lukas Martinsson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. ZigZag Athletic's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lukas Martinsson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Frederic Gschwendtner made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Harrie Van Havent in the 8th minute of play. Michael Neels took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lukas Martinsson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Harrie Van Havent in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Frederic Gschwendtner saved ZigZag Athletic from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lukas Martinsson in the 14th minute of play forced Purple Talents's goalkeeper Michael Neels to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. ZigZag Athletic's Frederic Gschwendtner played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Richy Van Boeckost in the 21st minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Kosan Bonde during the 24th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Kosan Bonde hit a great freekick 24 minutes into the match. Frederic Gschwendtner made an important save on a dangerous shot by Richy Van Boeckost in the 26th minute. The corner led Purple Talents's Abraham Valckeneers to fire away a dangerous shot which Frederic Gschwendtner despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Harrie Van Havent got free with Frederic Gschwendtner in the 29th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a little luck, ZigZag Athletic's Frederic Gschwendtner got control of the ball when Harrie Van Havent tried to sneak it across the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Hannes De Vorster during the 31st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Purple Talents getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Hannes De Vorster hit a great ball. Michael Neels took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lukas Martinsson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Richy Van Boeckost could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Frederic Gschwendtner made a huge save. Frederic Gschwendtner made a fantastic save in the 45th minute, when Harrie Van Havent sent off a good shot on target. After a rather tough play, ZigZag Athletic's Kosan Bonde got a free kick in the 47th minute. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Lukas Martinsson made the kick off in the second half. Lukas Martinsson might have been able to make a better finish in the 55th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Michael Neels. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Lukas Martinsson ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 58th minute, Fabián Scoltore hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Damazy Turok took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 59th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Frederic Gschwendtner. ZigZag Athletic's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Michael Neels made a fantastic save in the 61st minute, when Lukas Martinsson sent off a good shot on target. If Lukas Martinsson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Purple Talents's Michael Neels played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lukas Martinsson in the 63rd minute of play. Harrie Van Havent struck a weak shot in the 67th minute. Frederic Gschwendtner didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Purple Talents. In the 68th match minute, Purple Talents was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ludwig Van Castel to maneuver through the defense. Purple Talents's Michael Neels played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lukas Martinsson in the 69th minute of play. Frederic Gschwendtner didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Harrie Van Havent went, in the 71st minute, to the upper right corner, 1-0 was the resulting score. ZigZag Athletic's Calle Bergfelt was substituted for Ćiro Immobile. Ludwig Van Castel hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. In the 88th minute, Lukas Martinsson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 92nd minute of the match Damazy Turok shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Frederic Gschwendtner showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lukas Martinsson in the 95th minute of play forced Purple Talents's goalkeeper Michael Neels to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Purple Talents's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.