U23 World League

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 7569 (Terracing: 5678, Seating: 1740, VIP seats: 151) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Cai Espinosa took the kick off in the first half of the match. Rodriguinho Brito took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cai Espinosa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience thought a goal was coming when Toninho das Neves got free with Luis Maestro in the 8th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Adelino de Alcântara kicked well hit freekick during the 9th minute of the match. In the 10th minute, Pepe Perpiñán hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Real Llull de Reus's Cai Espinosa got a free kick in the 32nd minute. Luis Maestro made an important save on a dangerous shot by Toninho das Neves in the 35th minute. With an all-out effort, Estrela Solitária's Luis Maestro threw himself towards the right post 38 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Toninho das Neves, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Real Llull de Reus's Luis Maestro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Toninho das Neves in the 40th minute of play. In the 44th minute, Estrela Solitária's Toninho das Neves dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. 47 minutes into the match, Nico Paz had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rodriguinho Brito. Estrela Solitária's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Nico Paz was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Toninho das Neves to strike the kick off in the second half. 53 minutes into the match, Real Llull de Reus's Cai Espinosa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Rodriguinho Brito narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 58th minute Toninho das Neves shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Luis Maestro saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. César Negro hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. Luis Maestro showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Toninho das Neves, who was totally free with the ball in the 61st minute. 65 minutes had been played when some careless play by Estrela Solitária's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Jose-Manuel Litago was slow to take the kick. During this time Real Llull de Reus's players had a chance to rest. Luis Maestro took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Didi Tepedino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Hugo Almeida sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 73 minutes of play, Estrela Solitária's Toninho das Neves made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Luis Maestro was left in no man's land by his defense there! 78 minutes into the match, Real Llull de Reus's goal looked a bit too open when Toninho das Neves came free, but Luis Maestro reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Hugo Almeida had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 83 minutes, Nico Paz made it 2-2 with a short kick to the right side. Estrela Solitária's Rodriguinho Brito tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. The supporters of Estrela Solitária booed when Real Llull de Reus was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Che Valdivia didn't get a good kick on the ball. 90 minutes into the match, Estrela Solitária's goal looked a bit too open when Cai Espinosa came free, but Rodriguinho Brito reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Toninho das Neves struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Luis Maestro didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Estrela Solitária. Jose-Manuel Litago kicked well hit freekick during the 93rd minute of the match. Real Llull de Reus's Luis Maestro played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Toninho das Neves in the 97th minute of play. Real Llull de Reus succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Estrela Solitária had controlled the match.