Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Elpidio Francis kicked off to start the match. In the 2nd match minute, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnaldo Gabon to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elpidio Francis in the 4th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 9 minutes into the match, Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Arnaldo Gabon. After a rather tough play, Panama's Aaron Barrios got a free kick in the 10th minute. Marcos Cotilla showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rafael Dalmu in the 13th minute of the match. Marcos Cotilla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Elpidio Francis in the 16th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Arnaldo Gabon got free with Marcos Cotilla in the 20th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 20th minute, Miguel Miralles hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marcos Cotilla didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from André Monclús went, in the 24th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-0 was the resulting score. Marcos Cotilla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Rafael Dalmu in the 28th minute. Branislav Velchevski showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Berganza, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. After 30 played minutes ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA got a freekick which was hit by Gabriel Erramun. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rafael Dalmu in the 37th minute of play. If Isidoro Sarmiento had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Abraham Alguacil didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 42nd minute, Felipe Ros hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The crowd rose to their feet as Elpidio Francis kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Marcos Cotilla. That made the score 4-0 in the 47 minute of play. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 4-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Tomas Berganza stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Marcos Cotilla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rafael Dalmu, who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. With 56 minutes on the clock, Aaron Barrios commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. Panama:s Marcos Cotilla showed great skill when he stopped Esteban Iztal:s penalty. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elpidio Francis in the 59th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 60th minute, Bonifacio Suarez had to leave the field with a concussion. Alex Cambeiro's late challenge caught a ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Alex Cambeiro helped the player get up and apologised. Alex Cambeiro kicked well hit freekick during the 60th minute of the match. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Miguel Prosperi was substituted for André Monclús. Alex Cambeiro kicked well hit freekick during the 61st minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Elpidio Francis in the 66th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marcos Cotilla saved Panama from getting behind. In the 74th minute, Arnaldo Gabon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 78th minute, Tomas Berganza ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Branislav Velchevski was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-1. 85 minutes into the match, Elpidio Francis notched a goal, 5-1, to the right of Panama's Marcos Cotilla. Marcos Cotilla was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Arnaldo Gabon got a good chance for a goal in the 97th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Panama's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.