Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, 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. Tomas Berganza started the match with the kick off. In the 4th minute there was a penalty for A.C. Milan. Aurelio Mederi stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Marcos Cotilla. 0-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Aurelio Mederi in the 7th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marcos Cotilla saved Panama from getting behind. After some careless play in the A.C. Milan defense, Tomas Berganza kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Costin Giugiuc. The A.C. Milan fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Costin Giugiuc should have stopped the shot. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aurelio Mederi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match had gone on for 14 minutes, Dumitru Zdrăilă put it in 1-2 from a short distance just to the right of Marcos Cotilla. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dumitru Zdrăilă in the 17th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Marcos Cotilla prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 23 minutes into the game, A.C. Milan's Costică Chiriloaie nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Marcos Cotilla made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aurelio Mederi in the 28th minute of play. When A.C. Milan's Aurelio Mederi in the 28th minute got a chance for a shot 28th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Panama's goalie prevented a goal. The supporters of A.C. Milan booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 30 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tomas Berganza didn't get a good kick on the ball. Flavius Dragotescu's late challenge caught a Panama's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Flavius Dragotescu helped the player get up and apologised. Flavius Dragotescu kicked well hit freekick during the 32nd minute of the match. In the 33rd minute Tomas Berganza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Costin Giugiuc saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dumitru Zdrăilă in the 34th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla 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 Aurelio Mederi, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. Horea Berca charged in rather forcefully in the 37th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Horea Berca the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 37th minute, Horea Berca hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Isidoro Sarmiento fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Costin Giugiuc having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dumitru Zdrăilă in the 42nd minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of A.C. Milan booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 46 match minutes in a wonderful position. Matthew Garrido didn't get a good kick on the ball. Aurelio Mederi took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 47th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Marcos Cotilla. Panama's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. After the first half A.C. Milan were leading 1-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Aurelio Mederi to strike the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dumitru Zdrăilă in the 52nd minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When the match clock showed 54 minutes, the score became 2-3 when Tomas Berganza sped through A.C. Milan's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Costin Giugiuc. Panama's Marcos Cotilla proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 58th minute of the match, managed to save Panama from getting a goal against them. Marcos Cotilla made a fantastic save in the 58th minute, when Costică Chiriloaie sent off a good shot on target. Marcos Cotilla made a fantastic save in the 61st minute, when Aurelio Mederi sent off a good shot on target. 63 minutes into the match, A.C. Milan's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Berganza came free, but Costin Giugiuc reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to A.C. Milan getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Horea Berca hit a great ball. 71 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Dumitru Zdrăilă came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A.C. Milan's Costin Giugiuc played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 72nd minute of play. Aaron Barrios kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. After 76 played minutes A.C. Milan got a freekick which was hit by Horea Berca. With an all-out effort, A.C. Milan's Marcos Cotilla threw himself towards the right post 82 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Emil Gheară, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. A.C. Milan's Horea Berca got his second yellow card of the match in the 84th minute. The referee ordered Horea Berca off the ground. Horea Berca hit a great freekick 85 minutes into the match. Abraham Alguacil's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Costin Giugiuc read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Eduard Crăcană in the 89th minute of play. After having played for 90 minutes, Tomas Berganza managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Panama's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tomas Berganza was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Costică Chiriloaie kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. Costin Giugiuc showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Berganza, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. 93 minutes into the game, Dumitru Zdrăilă was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. A.C. Milan's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Panama the free kick. In the 94th minute of the match Abraham Alguacil shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Costin Giugiuc showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. A.C. Milan's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.