Challenge

HITACHI STADIUM
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Paco Helguera kicked off to start the match. Ilija Skugor showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Juan Sobrado in the 3rd minute of the match. Ilija Skugor made a fantastic save in the 7th minute, when Paco Helguera sent off a good shot on target. 1-0 became the score in the 10th minute when Paco Helguera elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. Paco Helguera fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ilija Skugor having to interfere. 19 minutes into the match, AKATSUKIS FC's goal looked a bit too open when Toni Mauzer came free, but Amadeu Alvarenga reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Paco Helguera sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 23rd of the match, Paco Helguera tried to place the ball in the upper right corner, but Ilija Skugor got in the way and made a wonderful save. When Juan Sobrado came up free with the goalie in the 25th minute, the AKATSUKIS FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Juan Sobrado couldn't finish the play. After a defensive mix-up in Croatia's zone, Paco Helguera stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ilija Skugor came out of the goal and Paco Helguera tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 28th minute, Paco Helguera 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. Teo Gudelj hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. Juan Sobrado sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 38 played minutes Croatia got a freekick which was hit by Silvije Santek. If Paco Helguera had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Juan Sobrado fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 42nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ilija Skugor having to interfere. 44 minutes into the match, Paco Helguera had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ilija Skugor. Croatia's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Paco Helguera was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 4-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Toni Mauzer to strike the kick off in the second half. 54 minutes into the game, Paco Helguera cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 5-0. Ilija Skugor was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jose-Antonio Fragua during the 58th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Croatia booed when AKATSUKIS FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jose-Antonio Fragua didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Patrik Terzic during the 64th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Croatia getting a freekick after 65 minutes play. Patrik Terzic hit a great ball. Paco Helguera recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Martin Bosak fell near the penalty area in the 66th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Croatia's protests and gave Martin Bosak a yellow card for diving instead. Ramirez Matute fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ilija Skugor having to interfere. Ramirez Matute sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 76 minutes, Paco Helguera made it 7-0 with a short kick to the right side. Croatia's Ilija Skugor tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Patrik Terzic kicked well hit freekick during the 84th minute of the match. After 86 minutes, Paco Helguera made it 9-0 with a short kick to the right side. Croatia's Ilija Skugor tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Stalin Indart charged in rather forcefully in the 89th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Stalin Indart the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 89th match minute, AKATSUKIS FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Stalin Indart to maneuver through the defense. Ilija Skugor made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Harold Holsmuller in the 95th minute of play. After some careless play in the Croatia defense, Ramirez Matute kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Ilija Skugor. The Croatia fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Ilija Skugor should have stopped the shot. There was no doubt that AKATSUKIS FC were the better team. AKATSUKIS FC's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.