Challenge

94-07
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Joel Gaona made the kick off which started today's match. 7 minutes into the match, Sporting Cristal's Fernanco Peso sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dante Lacasa narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 8 minutes Mexico's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Gertjan De Ryck who took care of the corner kick. Delfino Rosario kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. 21 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jon Iruegas. Sporting Cristal's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Lautaro Mancebo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. When Mexico's Alberto Tafalla in the 24th minute got a chance for a shot 24th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sporting Cristal's goalie prevented a goal. The Mexico fans' excitement grew in the 24th match minute when Mexico's Alberto Tafalla looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Fernanco Peso sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Sporting Cristal's Claudinei Suarbol got a free kick in the 29th minute. Dante Lacasa was out of position in the 32 minute of play, and Fernanco Peso capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Fernanco Peso really showed his touch with that goal: 1-2. Sporting Cristal's Jon Iruegas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luca Zorita in the 34th minute of play. Jon Iruegas 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 39th minute. Hüseyin Turan Elçibey received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Dante Lacasa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 47th minute, Alberto Tafalla left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-4. Sporting Cristal made a substitution. Cheng Yang Cheng replaced Frank Tassotti. After the first half Mexico were leading 1-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Jon Iruegas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 57th minute after Sporting Cristal's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. Dante Lacasa didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Fernanco Peso went, in the 64th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-4 was the resulting score. Alberto Tafalla came free with the goalkeeper in the 68th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Jon Iruegas could save by the left post. Mexico's Luca Rouco was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Jon Iruegas in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jon Iruegas made a fantastic save in the 72nd minute, when Alberto Tafalla sent off a good shot on target. Luca Zorita hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. After 74 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Luca Zorita. Jon Iruegas made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 76th minute. Christian Luciano blasted a shot towards the goal in the 79th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dante Lacasa having to make a save. In the 79th minute Christian Luciano 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. Dante Lacasa didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Christian Luciano went, in the 84th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-4 was the resulting score. Jon Iruegas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luca Zorita in the 90th minute of play. 91 minutes into the match, Sporting Cristal's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Jon Iruegas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nerio Barreiro charged in rather forcefully in the 97th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nerio Barreiro the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Mexico made a substitution. Bautista Elvira replaced Joel Gaona. Mexico played a much better game than Sporting Cristal and deserved their victory. The Sporting Cristal players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.