Challenge

P. Alexandru Arena
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Joel Gaona kicked off to start the match. Luca Zorita might have been able to make a better finish in the 3rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Felix Leahu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Luca Zorita ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 3rd minute the ball was on its way in behind F.C. YKE's goalkeeper Felix Leahu, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Felix Leahu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 6th minute of play. Felix Leahu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 13th minute of play forced F.C. YKE's goalkeeper Felix Leahu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Traian Brăiloiu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 17th minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save. 26 minutes into the match, F.C. YKE's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Felix Leahu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 31st minute Alberto Tafalla shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Felix Leahu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of F.C. YKE booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 33 match minutes in a wonderful position. Facundo Cadaval didn't get a good kick on the ball. Luca Rouco made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that F.C. YKE's Felix Leahu managed to reach the ball for a save. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Traian Brăiloiu in the 40th minute of play. In the 40th minute Traian Brăiloiu 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. Felix Leahu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 43rd minute of play. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Twan van Nistelrooij stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rodri Gol, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With his leg Felix Leahu managed to avoid a goal in the 53rdth minute, when Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Felix Leahu in the 58th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 59 minutes F.C. YKE'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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Samet Ağar in the 60th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Lautaro Mancebo could shoot a difficult shot in the 64th minute, which Felix Leahu however easily saved by the left post. Alberto Tafalla might have been able to make a better finish in the 65th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Felix Leahu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alberto Tafalla ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 69th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Felix Leahu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 73 minutes F.C. YKE'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. 77 minutes into the game, Macos Graciani threw the ball into play from the sideline. F.C. YKE's 武 吕布 quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. 86 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of F.C. YKE's Felix Leahu. Felix Leahu was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Lautaro Mancebo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Felix Leahu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Felix Leahu was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Alberto Tafalla showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-3 in the 93 minute of play. Mexico's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.