Challenge

Lucas E. Abalos
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Joel Gaona kicked off to start the match. Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 3rd minute of play. 5 minutes into the match, Alberto Tafalla had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Hugo Orlando Gatti. Abuba Akotonon FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Alberto Tafalla was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The Abuba Akotonon FC fans' excitement grew in the 9th match minute when Abuba Akotonon FC's Cecilio Tristan looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. The audience was convinced that Joel Gaona's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Hugo Orlando Gatti was relentless in the 14th minute of the game. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 27th minute after Abuba Akotonon FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. In the 30thth minute of the game Emiliano Enol who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Mexico's Dante Lacasa was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 32 minutes into the game, Luca Zorita was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Mexico's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Abuba Akotonon FC the free kick. In the 32nd match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luca Zorita to maneuver through the defense. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cecilio Tristan in the 33rd minute. Dante Lacasa was a little too slow when Emiliano Enol got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 35th minute. The score was now 3-2. After a rather tough play, Abuba Akotonon FC's Ariel Artaldo got a free kick in the 40th minute. After 44 played minutes Abuba Akotonon FC got a freekick which was hit by Lance Veloz. Hugo Orlando Gatti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. Joel Gaona received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 48th minute. Hugo Orlando Gatti tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 3-2.

53 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's Vânderson Barbosa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dante Lacasa narrowly saved just below the crossbar. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 57 minutes play. Joel Gaona hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cecilio Tristan in the 58th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hugo Orlando Gatti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Abuba Akotonon FC's zone, Lautaro Mancebo stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hugo Orlando Gatti 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. Hugo Orlando Gatti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Gaona, 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 66th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Emiliano Enol in the 68th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Alberto Tafalla got free with Hugo Orlando Gatti in the 69th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Through an outstanding action, after 70 minutes, Hugo Orlando Gatti successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After 72 minutes Abuba Akotonon FC'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. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Hugo Orlando Gatti in the 74th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vânderson Barbosa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Mexico defense, Cecilio Tristan kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dante Lacasa. The Mexico fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dante Lacasa should have stopped the shot. In the 83rd minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Abuba Akotonon FC'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. Luca Zorita was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Hugo Orlando Gatti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. In the 87th minute, Alberto Tafalla made a precise shot to the right of Hugo Orlando Gatti. Abuba Akotonon FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-3. The supporters of Mexico booed when Abuba Akotonon FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Emiliano Enol didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lautaro Mancebo succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 4-4 in the 98th playminute. Mexico were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing Abuba Akotonon FC to leave the ground with a draw.