Challenge

Diego A Maradona
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off. 4 minutes into the match, AFC FUSION's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Roberto Eztebe reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 7 minutes into the match, AFC FUSION's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Roberto Eztebe reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa made a fantastic save in the 9th minute, when Christoff Stocks sent off a good shot on target. Roberto Eztebe came out of the goal in the 10th minute to try and stop a shot by Mexico's Joel Gaona. But to his dismay, Joel Gaona quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aureliano Karlo, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. In the 14th minute, Luca Zorita hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aureliano Karlo in the 24th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Lautaro Mancebo in the 27th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Roberto Eztebe saved AFC FUSION from getting behind. In the 28th minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. Joel Gaona made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that AFC FUSION's Roberto Eztebe managed to reach the ball for a save. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Lino Rios was the one to do the kick off. In the 52nd minute Lino Rios 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. Through an outstanding action, after 53 minutes, Roberto Eztebe successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. In the 58th minute Romulo Abilio 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. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aureliano Karlo in the 60th minute of play. Roberto Eztebe took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. AFC FUSION's Guido Txindoki was substituted for Christoff Stocks. AFC FUSION's Ramon Bautista was substituted for Aureliano Karlo. Ramon Bautista fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. In the 72nd minute, Lino Rios hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 75th minute, Ramon Bautista managed to get in a good position for a shot. AFC FUSION's supporters rose to their feet, but Ramon Bautista was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Dante Lacasa breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When Lautaro Mancebo fell near the penalty area in the 85th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mexico's protests and gave Lautaro Mancebo a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo got a free kick in the 86th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ramon Bautista in the 87th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dante Lacasa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Roberto Eztebe made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 88th minute. Lino Rios's late challenge caught a Mexico's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Lino Rios helped the player get up and apologised. In the 90th match minute, AFC FUSION was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lino Rios to maneuver through the defense. Mario Sesuldo hit a great freekick 95 minutes into the match. Mexico's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.