Challenge

Lucas E. Abalos
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Joel Gaona got the match started through his kick off. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cecilio Tristan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 5th minute of the match, Cecilio Tristan tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dante Lacasa saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luca Zorita in the 10th minute of play forced Abuba Akotonon FC's goalkeeper Hugo Orlando Gatti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 11th minute, Lautaro Mancebo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Hugo Orlando Gatti was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. In the 14th minute, Lance Veloz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 16th minute Emiliano Enol 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. Hugo Orlando Gatti made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 17th minute of play. 19 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Vânderson Barbosa came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 21st minute Facundo Cadaval shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Hugo Orlando Gatti saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Dante Lacasa made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cecilio Tristan in the 26th minute. 30 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cecilio Tristan. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emiliano Enol, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 35th 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. Ariel Artaldo hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. 47 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Emiliano Enol came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After the first half Mexico were leading 0-1. 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 Cecilio Tristan to strike the kick off in the second half. Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 52nd minute of the match, managed to save Abuba Akotonon FC from getting a goal against them. 54 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Emiliano Enol came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Emiliano Enol in the 54th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. In the 56th minute, Joel Gaona left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lautaro Mancebo got free with Hugo Orlando Gatti in the 60th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 61 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. Vânderson Barbosa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Emiliano Enol fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dante Lacasa having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Cecilio Tristan during the 76th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Abuba Akotonon FC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Cecilio Tristan hit a great ball. Abuba Akotonon FC were furious when Ariel Artaldo was red carded, 78 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. 77 minutes into the game, one of Abuba Akotonon FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Hugo Orlando Gatti had in the 79thth minute some difficulties stopping Joel Gaona's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his right side, but he still managed to hold the ball Joel Gaona took the ball and in the 79 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Hugo Orlando Gatti. Hugo Orlando Gatti dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Hugo Orlando Gatti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Facundo Cadaval, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lautaro Mancebo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 84th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 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 Joel Gaona in the 92nd minute of play. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Emiliano Enol, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Mexico's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.