U23 World League

Dionisio Fernanco
Spectators: 7491 (Terracing: 5619, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 149) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Augeias Pezos took the kick off in the first half of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Augeias Pezos in the 4th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Abelardo Cristofor saved Sportivo Ben Hur from getting behind. 9 minutes into the match, Sportivo Ben Hur's goal looked a bit too open when Augeias Pezos came free, but Abelardo Cristofor reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Abelardo Cristofor showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nestoras Demakis, who was totally free with the ball in the 15th minute. Sportivo Ben Hur's Abelardo Cristofor played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Khariklo Bilias in the 17th minute of play. Augeias Pezos fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Abelardo Cristofor having to interfere. Teukros Economides received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Abelardo Cristofor tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Unione Sportiva's Chronis Diamantopoulos got a free kick in the 29th minute. In the 37th minute, Chronis Diamantopoulos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Teukros Economides received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Abelardo Cristofor tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Unione Sportiva's zone, Claudio Mark stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Seleykos Manoukarakis came out of the goal and Claudio Mark tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Augeias Pezos recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 46th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Fernando Tiniebra got free with Seleykos Manoukarakis in the 47th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Gavino Fagondo to make the kick off. After 50 played minutes Unione Sportiva got a freekick which was hit by Agix Kouklakis. Seleykos Manoukarakis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Claudio Mark, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 59 minutes into the game, Khariklo Bilias recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Abelardo Cristofor. Khariklo Bilias showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. Abelardo Cristofor made an important save on a dangerous shot by Khariklo Bilias in the 68th minute. Sportivo Ben Hur's Abelardo Cristofor proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 72nd minute of the match, managed to save Sportivo Ben Hur from getting a goal against them. Nestoras Demakis recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 73rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 78th match minute, Unione Sportiva was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lynkeus Pappageorge to maneuver through the defense. When Fernando Tiniebra fell near the penalty area in the 87th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sportivo Ben Hur's protests and gave Fernando Tiniebra a yellow card for diving instead. In the 87th minute, Fernando Tiniebra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Unione Sportiva players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.