Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Albirex Niigata FC's Hardo Kaarna 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. The audience thought a goal was coming when Abraham Alguacil got free with Christian Goy in the 7th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Abraham Alguacil could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 10th minute of the match, but Christian Goy made a huge save. If Isidoro Sarmiento had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The supporters of Panama booed when Albirex Niigata FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Polo Maldini didn't get a good kick on the ball. Albirex Niigata FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 25th minute, when Tomas Berganza scored to the left of an out of position Christian Goy, making the score, 1-0. The Albirex Niigata FC fans' excitement grew in the 31st match minute when Albirex Niigata FC's Hardo Kaarna 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 2-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Chus Egas hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. When Abraham Alguacil came up free with the goalie in the 34th minute, the Panama fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Abraham Alguacil couldn't finish the play. Christian Goy took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Hardo Kaarna sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When the match had gone on for 42 minutes, Tomas Berganza put it in 3-1 from a short distance just to the right of Christian Goy. Amir Pieng kicked well hit freekick during the 46th minute of the match.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Tomas Berganza made a kick off. Abraham Alguacil fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Christian Goy having to interfere. The supporters of Panama booed when Albirex Niigata FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Andrew Tongson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tomas Berganza sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 70th minute Tomas Berganza shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Christian Goy saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The Panama fans' excitement grew in the 72nd match minute when Panama's Abraham Alguacil 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 4-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Tomas Berganza fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 78th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Christian Goy having to interfere. In the 80th minute, Albirex Niigata FC's Hardo Kaarna dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 4-2. Khai Choy kicked well hit freekick during the 83rd minute of the match. Panama's Tomas Berganza managed to work through Albirex Niigata FC's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Tomas Berganza dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Panama had won after a very even match.