Challenge

Escobedo Stadium
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Toro Murillo got the match started through his kick off. Santa Fe's Shao Jing Yuan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Felix Txilar in the 9th minute of play. Shao Jing Yuan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Felix Txilar in the 9th minute of the match. In the 10th minute, Felix Txilar hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Segundo Balendin blasted a shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Shao Jing Yuan having to make a save. 15 minutes into the match, Santa Fe's goal looked a bit too open when Segundo Balendin came free, but Shao Jing Yuan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to Santa Fe getting a freekick after 17 minutes play. Mauricio Montes hit a great ball. U21 Mexico's Segundo Balendin got a good chance for a goal in the 24th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 26th minute, Segundo Balendin left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The U21 Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. In the 29th minute Segundo Balendin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Shao Jing Yuan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 29 minutes into the game, Godofredo Rik was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Santa Fe's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Mexico the free kick. After 30 played minutes Santa Fe got a freekick which was hit by Godofredo Rik. Shao Jing Yuan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Saverio Hurko in the 36th minute of play. In the 38th minute, Segundo Balendin left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The U21 Mexico fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. U21 Mexico's Ciriaco Hernando proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 42nd minute of the match, managed to save U21 Mexico from getting a goal against them. Shao Jing Yuan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Segundo Balendin in the 43rd minute of play.

Santa Fe's Hélio Sousa was substituted for Santi Ogazón. When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Segundo Balendin made a kick off. Ciriaco Hernando showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roque Roso, who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roque Roso in the 54th minute of play forced U21 Mexico's goalkeeper Ciriaco Hernando to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 62 minutes into the match, Santa Fe's goal looked a bit too open when Segundo Balendin came free, but Shao Jing Yuan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Shao Jing Yuan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Segundo Balendin in the 64th minute of the match. Segundo Balendin's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 67thth minute, Shao Jing Yuan skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 69th minute Godofredo Rik shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ciriaco Hernando saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Santa Fe's zone, Segundo Balendin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Shao Jing Yuan came out of the goal and Segundo Balendin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. U21 Mexico's Eloy Bonadona was substituted for Felix Txilar. U21 Mexico's Florencio Rojas was substituted for Segundo Balendin. An unexpectedly hard shot by Florencio Rojas in the 76th minute of play forced Santa Fe's goalkeeper Shao Jing Yuan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A nice corner shot did that Guaberto Ongile got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Shao Jing Yuan quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Florencio Rojas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Shao Jing Yuan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 86th minute, Florencio Rojas reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Shao Jing Yuan. The goal made the score 0-3. 90 minutes into the game, Guillermo Bemabe threw the ball into play from the sideline. U21 Mexico's Esteve Kusko quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. If Saverio Hurko had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Saverio Hurko sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Chants of U21 Mexico echoed around the stadium as the match drew to a close. Supporters and players were both delighted with the win, as Santa Fe had held the ball for most of the match.