U18 World League

Vila Belmiro
Spectators: 7713 (Terracing: 5786, Seating: 1774, VIP seats: 153) Santos FC's Kris Marks started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After a defensive mix-up in Santos FC's zone, Robert Medek stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jim Mitchell came out of the goal and Robert Medek tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 4 minutes into the game, one of SK Slavoj Vyšehrad:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Martin Czyž had in the 5thth minute some difficulties stopping Kris Marks's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Jim Mitchell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Petr Kvíz in the 8th minute of the match. 12 minutes into the game, Kris Marks recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Martin Czyž. Kris Marks showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Martin Czyž acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 15th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Tracey Dolan. In the 16th minute Leon Burr shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martin Czyž saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 21 played minutes Santos FC got a freekick which was hit by Kris Marks. After 28 minutes, Petr Kvíz mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the SK Slavoj Vyšehrad and the Santos FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Santos FC booed when SK Slavoj Vyšehrad was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Petr Kvíz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jim Mitchell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Michal Scholz in the 31st minute of play. 32 minutes into the game, Bart Greenwood was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Santos FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave SK Slavoj Vyšehrad the free kick. After some fancy dribbling in the 33rd minute, Petr Kvíz managed to get in a good position for a shot. SK Slavoj Vyšehrad's supporters rose to their feet, but Petr Kvíz was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jim Mitchell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 39 minutes into the match, Santos FC's goal looked a bit too open when Petr Kvíz came free, but Jim Mitchell reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Michal Scholz in the 40th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jim Mitchell saved Santos FC from getting behind. A collision led to Santos FC getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Tracey Dolan hit a great ball. In the 45th minute Petr Kvíz shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jim Mitchell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The wind increased when Petr Kvíz made the kick off in the second half. After some fancy dribbling in the 57th minute, Miloslav Pícha managed to get in a good position for a shot. SK Slavoj Vyšehrad's supporters rose to their feet, but Miloslav Pícha was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jim Mitchell breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Zdeněk Vyhnánek kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. Jim Mitchell made a fantastic save in the 71st minute, when Petr Kvíz sent off a good shot on target. Martin Czyž took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Leon Burr, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 77 played minutes Santos FC got a freekick which was hit by Homer Diggs. 81 minutes into the game, Leon Burr cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Martin Czyž was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The audience was convinced that Kris Marks's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Martin Czyž was relentless in the 84th minute of the game. Leon Burr's late challenge caught a SK Slavoj Vyšehrad's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Leon Burr helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Santos FC's Leon Burr got a free kick in the 85th minute. Michal Scholz struck a weak shot in the 88th minute. Jim Mitchell didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SK Slavoj Vyšehrad. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Santos FC were victorious despite being under pressure from SK Slavoj Vyšehrad for much of the match.