Challenge

Småland Tower
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Frank Berggren made the kick off which started today's match. After having played for 4 minutes, Luca Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luca Zorita was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Joacim Hultman showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. Småland Utd's Joacim Hultman played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 10th minute of play. In the 13th minute the ball was on its way in behind Småland Utd's goalkeeper Joacim Hultman, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 15 minutes into the match, Småland Utd's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Joacim Hultman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 18 minutes into the match, Småland Utd's goal looked a bit too open when Facundo Cadaval came free, but Joacim Hultman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Joel Gaona blasted a shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Joacim Hultman having to make a save. Joel Gaona scored 0-1 in the 25th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Joacim Hultman, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Joacim Hultman made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 31st minute of play. Joacim Hultman showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joel Gaona, who was totally free with the ball in the 31st minute. Luca Zorita might have been able to make a better finish in the 33rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Joacim Hultman. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Luca Zorita ran back to his position shaking his head. 39 minutes into the game, Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Joacim Hultman made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. Joacim Hultman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luca Zorita in the 43rd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 45th minute of play forced Småland Utd's goalkeeper Joacim Hultman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 46th minute the ball was on its way in behind Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Joel Gaona to make the kick off. The supporters of Mexico booed when Småland Utd was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sven Wennersten didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 64 minutes, Frank Berggren managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Småland Utd's supporters crossed their fingers, but Frank Berggren was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 65 minutes into the game, Småland Utd's Sven Wennersten nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Dante Lacasa made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Frank Berggren received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Dante Lacasa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 73rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Småland Utd's goalkeeper Joacim Hultman, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 76 minutes Småland Utd's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. In the 77th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Småland Utd's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 91 minutes, Sven-Ove Lövgren mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Småland Utd and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 91st match minute, Småland Utd was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sven-Ove Lövgren to maneuver through the defense. Joacim Hultman was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Joel Gaona showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-4 in the 96 minute of play. The Mexico supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Mexico would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.