Challenge

Babuf Stadium
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Allan Corrigan made the kick off which started today's match. Themos Leontiadis scored 1-0 in the 4th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Dante Lacasa, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After a defensive mix-up in Panionios MK's zone, Lautaro Mancebo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Erik Vale came out of the goal and Lautaro Mancebo tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 13 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Zisis Chronidis. In the 14thth minute of the game Joel Gaona who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Panionios MK's Erik Vale was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 17 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Zisis Chronidis. A collision led to Panionios MK getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Omiros Maniatis hit a great ball. Erik Vale made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 25th minute of play. Erik Vale didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Joel Gaona went, in the 25th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Themos Leontiadis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 29th minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save. Lautaro Mancebo took the ball and in the 33 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Erik Vale. Erik Vale dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-2. Erik Vale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 44th minute the ball was on its way in behind Panionios MK's goalkeeper Erik Vale, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Panionios MK's zone, Alberto Tafalla stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Erik Vale came out of the goal and Alberto Tafalla tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Disappointed in the 1-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Joel Gaona made the kick off in the second half. The supporters of Mexico booed when Panionios MK was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dimosthenis Ploumoudis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Panionios MK's Erik Vale proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 54th minute of the match, managed to save Panionios MK from getting a goal against them. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Vale having to interfere. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zisis Chronidis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Panionios MK's Erik Vale got control of the ball when Alberto Tafalla tried to sneak it across the goal line. 68 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Zisis Chronidis came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 73 minutes into the match, Panionios MK's goalkeeper Erik Vale had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lautaro Mancebo. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zisis Chronidis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 79th match minute, Panionios MK was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Omiros Maniatis to maneuver through the defense. The supporters of Panionios MK booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Macos Graciani didn't get a good kick on the ball. Argyris Ksagorarakis took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 82nd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Dante Lacasa. Mexico's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Lautaro Mancebo came free with the goalkeeper in the 83rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Erik Vale could save by the left post. Erik Vale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Facundo Cadaval, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 89th minute, Joel Gaona ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Erik Vale was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-3. After a rather tough play, Panionios MK's Antonis Linardakis got a free kick in the 92nd minute. An unexpected shot in the 93rd minute by Facundo Cadaval got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. After 94 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Joel Gaona. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Mexico had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.