Challenge

Estadio ALBERDI
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) USA's Cassius Byrne 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. Bernardo Raggio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 16thth minute of the game Judas Verón who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but USA's Marco Day was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When the match had gone on for 18 minutes, Monty Rogers put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Bernardo Raggio. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 21st minute of play forced Belgrano de Pibasog's goalkeeper Bernardo Raggio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Judas Verón blasted a shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Marco Day having to make a save. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Judas Verón in the 26th minute of play. Bernardo Raggio showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Monty Rogers in the 28th minute of the match. After having played for 29 minutes, Judas Verón managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Belgrano de Pibasog's supporters crossed their fingers, but Judas Verón was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 31st minute of play forced Belgrano de Pibasog's goalkeeper Bernardo Raggio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. USA's Cassius Byrne got a good chance for a goal in the 37th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Bernardo Raggio made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 42nd minute of play. Silvio Abadia received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Marco Day tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After the first half USA were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Judas Verón was the one to do the kick off. Bernardo Raggio made a fantastic save in the 55th minute, when Cassius Byrne sent off a good shot on target. Timo Haydon charged in rather forcefully in the 61st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Timo Haydon the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of USA booed when Belgrano de Pibasog was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Timo Haydon didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bernardo Raggio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 68 minutes into the match, Belgrano de Pibasog's goalkeeper Bernardo Raggio had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cassius Byrne. In the 69th minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bernardo Raggio saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Judas Verón might have been able to make a better finish in the 73rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Marco Day. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Judas Verón ran back to his position shaking his head. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Judas Verón in the 73rd minute of the match. In the 75th minute, Cassius Byrne ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Bernardo Raggio was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. Belgrano de Pibasog's Iulian Ilinca was substituted for Judas Verón. 90 minutes into the game, USA's Khalid Parry nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bernardo Raggio made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. A collision led to Belgrano de Pibasog getting a freekick after 92 minutes play. Maximiano Delgado hit a great ball. Bernardo Raggio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marco Baker, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 95th minute, Marco Baker made a precise shot to the right of Bernardo Raggio. Belgrano de Pibasog's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-4. USA's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.