Challenge

Ángel Labruna
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Abram Sarmiento kicked off to start the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jan-Olof Eliasson got free with Pedro Manzanares in the 3rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fulgencio Gartzi in the 4th minute of play forced Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Colombia's Pedro Manzanares got control of the ball when Jan-Olof Eliasson tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 7 played minutes La Gallardeta got a freekick which was hit by Jan-Olof Eliasson. Fulgencio Gartzi scored 1-0 in the 12th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Pedro Manzanares, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Fulgencio Gartzi might have been able to make a better finish in the 20th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Pedro Manzanares. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Fulgencio Gartzi ran back to his position shaking his head. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fulgencio Gartzi in the 20th minute of play. La Gallardeta's Sebastian Abechuco managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Antonio Indiano in the 24 minute of the game. Belchior Saldanha took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Axel Montenegro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 39thth minute of the game Axel Montenegro who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but La Gallardeta's Belchior Saldanha was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 41st minute, Axel Montenegro made a precise shot to the right of Belchior Saldanha. La Gallardeta's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Fulgencio Gartzi might have been able to make a better finish in the 45th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Pedro Manzanares. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Fulgencio Gartzi ran back to his position shaking his head. 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.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Fulgencio Gartzi to strike the kick off in the second half. Belchior Saldanha made a fantastic save in the 54th minute, when Axel Montenegro sent off a good shot on target. A collision led to Colombia getting a freekick after 57 minutes play. Antonio Indiano hit a great ball. Belchior Saldanha took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Abram Sarmiento, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Juan Gotzon made in the 61st minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Colombia's Pascual Carballar. Colombia were furious when Samuel Navarro was red carded, 63 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. In the 63rd minute, one of Colombia:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Colombia. Colombia's Abram Secada was substituted for Axel Montenegro. After 68 minutes Colombia's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Alessio Scandella who took care of the corner kick. 71 minutes into the game, Jan-Olof Eliasson was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. La Gallardeta's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Colombia the free kick. After 71 played minutes La Gallardeta got a freekick which was hit by Jan-Olof Eliasson. Belchior Saldanha showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ignacio Mastache in the 72nd minute of the match. La Gallardeta's Belchior Saldanha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ignacio Mastache in the 76th minute of play. The crowd rose to their feet as Ignacio Mastache kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Belchior Saldanha. That made the score 1-2 in the 79 minute of play. 87 minutes into the match, Fulgencio Gartzi notched a goal, 3-2, to the right of Colombia's Pedro Manzanares. Pedro Manzanares was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Jan-Olof Eliasson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pedro Manzanares having to interfere. In the 95th minute, Fulgencio Gartzi made a precise shot to the right of Pedro Manzanares. Colombia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-2. Jan-Olof Eliasson took the ball and in the 98 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Pedro Manzanares. Pedro Manzanares dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 5-2. La Gallardeta's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.