Challenge

Lucas E. Abalos
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Joel Gaona took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 4th minute Lautaro Mancebo 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. After 5 played minutes Abuba Akotonon FC got a freekick which was hit by Ariel Artaldo. Hugo Orlando Gatti showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 7th minute of the match. After some careless play in the Abuba Akotonon FC defense, Joel Gaona kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Hugo Orlando Gatti. The Abuba Akotonon FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Hugo Orlando Gatti should have stopped the shot. 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. The audience was convinced that Cecilio Tristan's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Dante Lacasa was relentless in the 12th minute of the game. 14 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. 0-2. In the 18th minute Lautaro Mancebo 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. 21 minutes into the game, Mexico's Luca Zorita nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Hugo Orlando Gatti made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. In the 29th minute Alberto Tafalla 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. 31 minutes into the match, Abuba Akotonon FC's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Hugo Orlando Gatti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 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. After 39 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Felix Luque. In the 40th match minute, Mexico was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lorenzo Cazalla to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Lorenzo Cazalla hit a great ball. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cecilio Tristan, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When Luca Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 51st minute, the Mexico 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 Luca Zorita couldn't finish the play. Alberto Tafalla fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hugo Orlando Gatti having to interfere. 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 59th minute of play. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cecilio Tristan, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. 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 63rd minute. Mexico's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Joel Gaona in the 64th minute. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Joel Gaona fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Hugo Orlando Gatti quite easily take care of the ball. Lautaro Mancebo hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. Hugo Orlando Gatti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luca Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 71st minute. The referee felt a red card was in order, 73 minutes into the game, when Lorenzo Cazalla put in a rough tackle. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 72nd minute of the game. One of Mexico:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Abuba Akotonon FC:s goal. Alberto Tafalla could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 78th minute of the match, but Hugo Orlando Gatti made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luca Zorita in the 83rd 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. 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. 86 minutes had been played when some careless play by Mexico's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Genaro Elivareo was slow to take the kick. During this time Abuba Akotonon FC's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Abuba Akotonon FC's corner Genaro Elivareo fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Dante Lacasa quite easily take care of the ball. With a little luck, Abuba Akotonon FC's Hugo Orlando Gatti got control of the ball when Lautaro Mancebo tried to sneak it across the goal line. Emiliano Enol sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.