Challenge

Giulesti
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Panama's Tomas Berganza started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 5 minutes into the match, Rapid's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Berganza came free, but Edwin van der Saar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Rapid booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Abraham Alguacil didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 11th minute, Rapid's Ian Sparks ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Marcos Cotilla. Marcos Cotilla yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. 17 minutes into the match, Rapid's goal looked a bit too open when Abraham Alguacil came free, but Edwin van der Saar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 20 minutes of play, Panama's Isidoro Sarmiento made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Edwin van der Saar was left in no man's land by his defense there! The supporters of Panama booed when Rapid was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 24 match minutes in a wonderful position. Trent Salter didn't get a good kick on the ball. Edwin van der Saar 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 24th minute. Panama's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Abraham Alguacil in the 33rd minute. 34 minutes into the match, Rapid's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Berganza came free, but Edwin van der Saar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Rapid's Falcão Lima got a free kick in the 35th minute. Tomas Berganza recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Marcos Cotilla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ian Sparks in the 38th minute. In the 40th minute Ian Sparks 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. Edwin van der Saar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Rapid getting a freekick after 45 minutes play. Falcão Lima hit a great ball.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ian Sparks made a kick off. Dylan Sarmiento kicked well hit freekick during the 55th minute of the match. In the 56th minute of the match Ian Sparks shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Marcos Cotilla showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Abraham Alguacil could shoot a difficult shot in the 57th minute, which Edwin van der Saar however easily saved by the left post. Edwin van der Saar made an important save on a dangerous shot by Abraham Alguacil in the 60th minute. Panama's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Abraham Alguacil in the 61st minute. 63 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Ian Sparks came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 66 minutes of play, Panama's Abraham Alguacil made it 2-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Edwin van der Saar was left in no man's land by his defense there! Alex Cambeiro's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Edwin van der Saar firmly grabbed it by the left post. Abraham Alguacil struck a weak shot in the 74th minute. Edwin van der Saar didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Panama. A collision led to Rapid getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Trent Salter hit a great ball. When Panama's Tomas Berganza in the 82nd minute got a chance for a shot 82nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Rapid's goalie prevented a goal. 83 minutes into the game, Miguel Miralles was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Panama's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rapid the free kick. In the 83rd minute, Miguel Miralles hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 84th minute, Radoslaw Borkowski ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Marcos Cotilla was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-2. Edwin van der Saar made a fantastic save in the 87th minute, when Abraham Alguacil sent off a good shot on target. In the 88th minute, Trent Salter hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Many of Panama's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Panama may have spent more time on the ball, but Rapid were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.