Challenge

Crystal Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Joel Gaona made the kick off which started today's match. After having played for 3 minutes, Alberto Tafalla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alberto Tafalla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 5thth minute of the game Joel Gaona who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Veth Crystals's Marcos Lama was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gwidon Patora in the 11th minute of play. If Facundo Cadaval had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Marcos Lama took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marcos Lama took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marcos Lama made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 26th minute of play. Ludomir Radzyminski hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. 36 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when He Lin Di came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gwidon Patora in the 37th minute of play. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Carlos-Armando Valderrama in the 45th minute of play. When Luca Zorita fell near the penalty area in the 46th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mexico's protests and gave Luca Zorita a yellow card for diving instead. In the 46th minute, Luca Zorita hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Gwidon Patora to make the kick off. Luca Zorita hit a great freekick 55 minutes into the match. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gwidon Patora in the 57th minute of play. Marcos Lama made an important save on a dangerous shot by Joel Gaona in the 59th minute. 61 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Gwidon Patora came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 61 minutes into the game, Veth Crystals's Gwidon Patora 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, 1-2. After some fancy dribbling in the 73rd 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. Marcos Lama breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Veth Crystals made a substitution. Sebastian Wierzchowski replaced He Lin Di. Joel Gaona recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 77th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Marcos Lama made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Alberto Tafalla sent off a good shot on target. After some fancy dribbling in the 80th 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. Marcos Lama breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 83rd minute Sebastian Wierzchowski 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. With a little luck, Veth Crystals's Marcos Lama got control of the ball when Facundo Cadaval tried to sneak it across the goal line. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sebastian Wierzchowski in the 88th minute of play. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Erik Persson in the 89th minute of the match. Józef Kalafus kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. Mexico's Alberto Tafalla got a good chance for a goal in the 94th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Joel Gaona's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marcos Lama read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 96th minute of play. Mexico played a much better game than Veth Crystals and deserved their victory. The Veth Crystals players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.