Challenge

Pildesti Arena
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Joel Gaona got the match started through his kick off. Zygmunt Dunajski had several of the Mexico's defenders around him in the penalty area when he, after 5 minutes of play, received a pass and succeeded in some way to shoot a shot which went straight ahead into goal. This resulted in a 1-0 score and a disappointed Dante Lacasa as he didn't even see the shot coming. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zygmunt Dunajski in the 15th minute of play. The supporters of Mexico booed when FC Steaua Pildesti was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 17 match minutes in a wonderful position. Robert Antohi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Filip Paulescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Alberto Tafalla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 23rd minute. Marian Văduvescu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 25 minutes FC Steaua Pildesti's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. The goalkeeper smacked the ball away after a great corner, but Alberto Tafalla advanced and headed the ball into goal, 2-1 in the 26th minute. In the 31stth minute of the game Alberto Tafalla who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC Steaua Pildesti's Marian Văduvescu was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo suffered a concussion in the 36th minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. 36 minutes into the game, Constantin Deșliu was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC Steaua Pildesti's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Mexico the free kick. A collision led to FC Steaua Pildesti getting a freekick after 37 minutes play. Constantin Deșliu hit a great ball. 43 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Nicolae Barbu. After 45 played minutes FC Steaua Pildesti got a freekick which was hit by Cristian Fința. Mexico's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Joel Gaona in the 47th minute. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Zygmunt Dunajski to make the kick off. With a little luck, FC Steaua Pildesti's Marian Văduvescu got control of the ball when Facundo Cadaval tried to sneak it across the goal line. 56 minutes into the match, Mexico's Joel Gaona sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marian Văduvescu narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 59th minute, Felix Luque hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marian Văduvescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 70 minutes into the game, Lucian Stere cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-1. Dante Lacasa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 78th minute Nicolae Barbu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dante Lacasa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marian Văduvescu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. In the 86th minute of the match, Bautista Elvira got a very nice opportunity to score, but Marian Văduvescu was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Joel Gaona received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Marian Văduvescu came out and tried to block the shot, but Joel Gaona slotted it home off the left post making it 3-2 in the 88th minute. Constantin Deșliu kicked well hit freekick during the 90th minute of the match. 91 minutes into the match, Mexico's Joel Gaona broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Bautista Elvira sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. FC Steaua Pildesti had won after a very even match.