Challenge

Pepsi Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Paul Holmstedt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Joshua Sammut Castelletti had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Lv Yuan Kuan tried to sneak it across the goal line. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paul Holmstedt having to interfere. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Luca Rouco hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Kurt Lundin in the 17th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mexico's Dante Lacasa proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save Mexico from getting a goal against them. Paul Holmstedt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Paul Holmstedt showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Paul Holmstedt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 35th minute Joshua Sammut Castelletti 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. Facundo Cadaval kicked well hit freekick during the 36th minute of the match. Lautaro Mancebo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paul Holmstedt read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 38th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 39th minute of play forced FC Pepsi's goalkeeper Paul Holmstedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dante Lacasa made a fantastic save in the 40th minute, when Kurt Lundin sent off a good shot on target. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Lv Yuan Kuan tried to sneak it across the goal line. 43 minutes into the match, FC Pepsi's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Paul Holmstedt reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Joshua Sammut Castelletti fell near the penalty area in the 44th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FC Pepsi's protests and gave Joshua Sammut Castelletti a yellow card for diving instead. In the 45th match minute, FC Pepsi was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Joshua Sammut Castelletti to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 46th minute of play forced FC Pepsi's goalkeeper Paul Holmstedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Joel Gaona stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Paul Holmstedt made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 51st minute of play. Mexico's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Joel Gaona in the 52nd minute. Paul Holmstedt made a fantastic save in the 54th minute, when Lautaro Mancebo sent off a good shot on target. 56 minutes into the match, FC Pepsi's goalkeeper Paul Holmstedt had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lautaro Mancebo. In the 59th minute Lv Yuan Kuan 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. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kurt Lundin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. FC Pepsi made a substitution. Kanu Kanu replaced Lv Yuan Kuan. 70 minutes had been played when some careless play by Mexico's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alf Klint was slow to take the kick. During this time FC Pepsi's players had a chance to rest. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Joel Gaona could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 76th minute of the match, but Paul Holmstedt made a huge save. FC Pepsi's Paul Holmstedt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Gaona in the 78th minute of play. In the 84th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Pepsi's goalkeeper Paul Holmstedt, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Kanu Kanu in the 86th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Joel Gaona was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Paul Holmstedt breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.