Challenge

Manoel Barradas
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Tomas Berganza got the match started through his kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dieguinho Tavares in the 5th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tomas Berganza recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Richard Saldanha in the 17th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 20th minute Thiago Paraense shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcos Cotilla saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Panama's Marcos Cotilla proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 24th minute of the match, managed to save Panama from getting a goal against them. Richard Saldanha received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Marcos Cotilla came out and tried to block the shot, but Richard Saldanha slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 28th minute. Richard Saldanha received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Marcos Cotilla tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Dieguinho Tavares got free with Marcos Cotilla in the 39th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 41st match minute, Ebla FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Richard Saldanha to maneuver through the defense. Isidoro Sarmiento fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 42nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wilian Dracena having to interfere. Richard Saldanha could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 45th minute of the match, but Marcos Cotilla made a huge save. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Dieguinho Tavares made a kick off. After 67 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Alex Cambeiro. An unexpectedly hard shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 72nd minute of play forced Ebla FC's goalkeeper Wilian Dracena to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marcos Cotilla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Thiago Paraense, who was totally free with the ball in the 73rd minute. Thiago Paraense scored 3-0 in the 74th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Marcos Cotilla, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After 81 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Tomas Berganza. The supporters of Panama booed when Ebla FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Richard Saldanha didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Ebla FC getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Thiago Paraense hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 92nd minute, Abraham Alguacil managed to get in a good position for a shot. Panama's supporters rose to their feet, but Abraham Alguacil was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Wilian Dracena breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 95 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Thiago Paraense came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Panama's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.