Challenge

Estadio MARCELO BIEL
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Apolo Richie took the kick off in the first half of the match. Croatia's Ilija Skugor proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 12th minute of the match, managed to save Croatia from getting a goal against them. When Mario Uhin fell near the penalty area in the 13th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's protests and gave Mario Uhin a yellow card for diving instead. In the 13th match minute, NEWELL´S OLD BOYS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mario Uhin to maneuver through the defense. 15 minutes into the match, Dinko Stankovic had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ramon Calvino. NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Dinko Stankovic was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Ilija Skugor didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Fernan Hug went, in the 19th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. In the 22nd minute, Damir Pongrac left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Croatia fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. In the 27th minute Toni Mauzer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ramon Calvino saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ilija Skugor took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fernan Hug, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's Ramon Calvino played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dinko Stankovic in the 31st minute of play. In the 37th minute, Fernan Hug left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The NEWELL´S OLD BOYS fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-3. Leandro Ignazio came free with the goalkeeper in the 42nd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Ilija Skugor could save by the left post. Croatia's Ilija Skugor proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 44th minute of the match, managed to save Croatia from getting a goal against them. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Benjamin Domazet during the 44th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Adolfo Caitano shot from long distance in the 46th minute, but Ilija Skugor was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 2-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Toni Mauzer to make the kick off. In the 53rd minute the ball was on its way in behind NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's goalkeeper Ramon Calvino, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When Toni Mauzer came up free with the goalie in the 55th minute, the Croatia 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 Toni Mauzer couldn't finish the play. Ilija Skugor took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fernan Hug, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ilija Skugor made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Apolo Richie in the 59th minute of play. 61 minutes into the game, Eduard Kostelac recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ramon Calvino. Eduard Kostelac showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-4. Ilija Skugor showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Apolo Richie in the 64th minute of the match. A collision led to NEWELL´S OLD BOYS getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Leandro Ignazio hit a great ball. NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's Ramon Calvino played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Martin Bosak in the 69th minute of play. Ilija Skugor made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alejo Horado in the 70th minute of play. 74 minutes into the match, Fernan Hug 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 Fernan Hug was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-4. When Neven Culina came up free with the goalie in the 77th minute, the Croatia 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 Neven Culina couldn't finish the play. When Eduard Kostelac fell near the penalty area in the 81st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Croatia's protests and gave Eduard Kostelac a yellow card for diving instead. After 81 played minutes Croatia got a freekick which was hit by Eduard Kostelac. When Alejo Horado came up free with the goalie in the 83rd minute, the NEWELL´S OLD BOYS 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 Alejo Horado couldn't finish the play. If Dinko Stankovic had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 88 minutes into the match, NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's goal looked a bit too open when Toni Mauzer came free, but Ramon Calvino reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 90th match minute, NEWELL´S OLD BOYS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alejo Horado to maneuver through the defense. Toni Mauzer was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 90th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. 93 minutes into the match, NEWELL´S OLD BOYS's goal looked a bit too open when Toni Mauzer came free, but Ramon Calvino reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Croatia had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.