U23 World League

Estadio Balnearia
Spectators: 7541 (Terracing: 5657, Seating: 1734, VIP seats: 150) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Leon Mino got the match started through his kick off. Aristides Neto hit a great freekick 4 minutes into the match. 8 minutes into the match, C. A. Balnearia's goal looked a bit too open when Hildeberto Sesimbra came free, but Severino Enaut reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A sloppy throw-in by Antonio Silva in the 10th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by C. A. Balnearia's Evaristo Lore. C. A. Balnearia's attentive Leon Mino managed to snatch the ball when Nicolau Madruga made a throw-in in the 13th minute of the game. Severino Enaut took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hildeberto Sesimbra, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 18th minute, Leon Mino 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. The Academia Monte Gordo fans' excitement grew in the 29th match minute when Academia Monte Gordo's Manuel Couto looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After 32 played minutes Academia Monte Gordo got a freekick which was hit by Damião Pinto. After some fancy dribbling in the 33rd minute, Andres Libertad managed to get in a good position for a shot. C. A. Balnearia's supporters rose to their feet, but Andres Libertad was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nuno Vasconcelos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience thought a goal was coming when Leon Mino got free with Nuno Vasconcelos in the 36th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Nuno Vasconcelos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Leon Mino in the 40th minute of the match. With a little luck, Academia Monte Gordo's Nuno Vasconcelos got control of the ball when Leon Mino tried to sneak it across the goal line. After the first half Academia Monte Gordo were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Americo Gonsalvo during the 55th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 56 played minutes C. A. Balnearia got a freekick which was hit by Americo Gonsalvo. 57 minutes into the match, C. A. Balnearia's goalkeeper Severino Enaut had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Manuel Couto. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Academia Monte Gordo's goalie and right to Evaristo Lore. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Academia Monte Gordo's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. J.P. Afonso charged in rather forcefully in the 62nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed J.P. Afonso the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Academia Monte Gordo getting a freekick after 62 minutes play. J.P. Afonso hit a great ball. When Jimeno Aires fell near the penalty area in the 64th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored C. A. Balnearia's protests and gave Jimeno Aires a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Academia Monte Gordo booed when C. A. Balnearia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 64 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jimeno Aires didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Academia Monte Gordo's J.P. Afonso got a free kick in the 69th minute. Leon Mino recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 71st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Severino Enaut took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hildeberto Sesimbra, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jimeno Aires kicked well hit freekick during the 83rd minute of the match. Leon Mino took the ball and in the 86 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Nuno Vasconcelos. Nuno Vasconcelos dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. When C. A. Balnearia's Leon Mino in the 91st minute got a chance for a shot 91st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Academia Monte Gordo's goalie prevented a goal. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Academia Monte Gordo players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.