U23 World League

Ciudad de Vte. Lopez
Spectators: 7723 (Terracing: 5793, Seating: 1776, VIP seats: 154) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Amos Maietta started the match with the kick off. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Bar Marconi United's goalie and right to Remigio Bilintx. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Bar Marconi United's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. In the 19th minute, Arrigo Clementi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With an all-out effort, Platense es de Primera!!'s Franco Di Giambattista threw himself towards the right post 23 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Rafael Barea, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. In the 24thth minute of the game Amos Maietta who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Platense es de Primera!!'s Dario Senio was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 29th minute, Rafael Barea reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Franco Di Giambattista. The goal made the score 2-0. In the 36th minute Jimeno Nel shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Franco Di Giambattista saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jimeno Nel could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 40th minute of the match, but Franco Di Giambattista made a huge save. Jimeno Nels short, quick shot in the 42ndth minute got Franco Di Giambattista to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Dario Senio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Amedeo Testa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Franco Di Giambattista made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jaime Pes in the 46th minute of play. After 47 played minutes Bar Marconi United got a freekick which was hit by Camillo Piccone. Camillo Piccone hit a great freekick 48 minutes into the match. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jimeno Nel to make the kick off. In the 55th minute Amos Maietta shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dario Senio saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 56th match minute, Platense es de Primera!! was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jaime Pes to maneuver through the defense. Amos Maietta sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Jimeno Nel scored 3-0 in the 60th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Franco Di Giambattista, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Bar Marconi United's Franco Di Giambattista played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jimeno Nel in the 62nd minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Jimeno Nel in the 63rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Franco Di Giambattista prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The supporters of Platense es de Primera!! booed when Bar Marconi United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 66 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alfonso Andreozzi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Franco Di Giambattista took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jimeno Nel, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 79th minute, Fermin Oroitz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Bar Marconi United's Amedeo Testa got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 88th minute, Arrigo Clementi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 89th match minute, Bar Marconi United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Amos Maietta to maneuver through the defense. 94 minutes into the match, Bar Marconi United's goal looked a bit too open when Jimeno Nel came free, but Franco Di Giambattista reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Franco Di Giambattista stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Jimeno Nel's shot from short distance in the 96th minute. Bar Marconi United's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.