Challenge

Micki Bulgakov Arena
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Severino Casero kicked off to start the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 3rd minute, Cecilio Ortzi managed to get in a good position for a shot. Vorwärts Lübeck's supporters rose to their feet, but Cecilio Ortzi was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 4 minutes into the match, USA's goalkeeper Marco Day had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Severino Casero. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 6th minute of play forced Vorwärts Lübeck's goalkeeper Abubakar Noach to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Abubakar Noach showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edward Mcdonald in the 7th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Vorwärts Lübeck's Giorgos Tsiantakis got a free kick in the 9th minute. In the 11th match minute, USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Diego Bradley to maneuver through the defense. Severino Casero in the 13thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Marco Day, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 18th minute of play forced Vorwärts Lübeck's goalkeeper Abubakar Noach to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 22ndth minute of the game Cassius Byrne who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Vorwärts Lübeck's Abubakar Noach was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When USA's Cassius Byrne, in the 22nd minute, received a pass right in front of the net, it looked like a certain goal, but his shot went outside. A wasted opportunity for USA. With his leg Marco Day managed to avoid a goal in the 26thth minute, when Vorwärts Lübeck's Severino Casero fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. After 29 minutes Vorwärts Lübeck's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Cassius Byrne who took care of the corner kick. Zach Harrison was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. In the 35th minute Cassius Byrne shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Abubakar Noach saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 37 minutes into the match, Vorwärts Lübeck's goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Abubakar Noach reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 40th minute of the match USA got a corner. Vorwärts Lübeck's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Cassius Byrne ran over to the corner to take the kick. 44 minutes into the match, USA's goalkeeper Marco Day had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Severino Casero. Severino Casero could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 45th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Abubakar Noach came out of the goal in the 55th minute to try and stop a shot by USA's Cassius Byrne. But to his dismay, Cassius Byrne quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Cassius Byrne's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Abubakar Noach read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 58th minute of play. In the 59th minute Zach Harrison shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Abubakar Noach saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cassius Byrne's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Abubakar Noach firmly grabbed it by the left post. After having played for 68 minutes, Edward Mcdonald managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. USA's supporters crossed their fingers, but Edward Mcdonald was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Sam Campbell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sam Campbell received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Abubakar Noach tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. Vorwärts Lübeck made a substitution. Eberhard Kobe replaced Cecilio Ortzi. In the 79th match minute, USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jenson Smith to maneuver through the defense. After some careless play in the USA defense, Jean-Baptiste Lasogga kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marco Day. The USA fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marco Day should have stopped the shot. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Khalid Parry in the 86th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Abubakar Noach saved Vorwärts Lübeck from getting behind. In the 90th minute of the match USA got a corner. Vorwärts Lübeck's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Jenson Smith ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led to USA's Khalid Parry getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. Eberhard Kobe 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. In the 94th minute, Daniel Becker hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field.