Challenge

Buġibba
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Joel Gaona took the kick off in the first half of the match. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nikolai Gerada in the 4th minute of the match. Lautaro Mancebo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Buġibba Youngsters getting a freekick after 11 minutes play. Nathaniel Sammut hit a great ball. Francesco Ciantar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 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 13th minute. The audience was convinced that Alberto Tafalla's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Francesco Ciantar was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. After a rather tough play, Buġibba Youngsters's Zach Decesare got a free kick in the 20th minute. A hard shot 22 in the game by Joseph De Fremeaux from a close distance when the talented Dante Lacasa managed to make a qualified save. Mexico's players were relieved. 23 minutes into the game, Joel Gaona cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Francesco Ciantar was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Lautaro Mancebo in the 26th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Francesco Ciantar prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Lautaro Mancebo in the 26th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Francesco Ciantar prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 27th minute the ball was on its way in behind Buġibba Youngsters's goalkeeper Francesco Ciantar, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Francesco Ciantar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 30th minute of play. Nikolai Zammit might have been able to make a better finish in the 32nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dante Lacasa. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Nikolai Zammit ran back to his position shaking his head. Joel Gaona fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 33rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Francesco Ciantar having to interfere. The supporters of Mexico booed when Buġibba Youngsters was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Clint Bajada didn't get a good kick on the ball. Francesco Ciantar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 40 minutes into the match, Buġibba Youngsters's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Francesco Ciantar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 41st minute Mexico were awarded a corner. Joel Gaona went to the cornerflag to take it. Luca Rouco kicked well hit freekick during the 43rd minute of the match. Nikolai Gerada struck a weak shot in the 44th minute. Dante Lacasa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Buġibba Youngsters. Nathaniel Sammut kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match. In the 46th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Francesco Ciantar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nikolai Zammit in the 53rd minute of play. Francesco Ciantar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Joel Gaona in the 59th minute of play. When Joel Gaona came up free with the goalie in the 62nd 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 Joel Gaona couldn't finish the play. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nathaniel Sammut in the 65th minute of the match. After 68 minutes Buġibba Youngsters'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. The corner ended in Joel Gaona almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Buġibba Youngsters's Francesco Ciantar did a great save. A nice corner shot did that Luca Rouco got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Francesco Ciantar quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. 75 minutes into the match, Buġibba Youngsters's goalkeeper Francesco Ciantar had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lautaro Mancebo. In the 80th minute, Zach Decesare hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Buġibba Youngsters made a substitution. Luigi Schembri Zerafa replaced Nikolai Zammit. Buġibba Youngsters's Ivan Chircop was substituted for Nathaniel Sammut. The supporters of Mexico booed when Buġibba Youngsters was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zach Decesare didn't get a good kick on the ball. Buġibba Youngsters's Francesco Ciantar proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 82nd minute of the match, managed to save Buġibba Youngsters from getting a goal against them. Francesco Ciantar made a fantastic save in the 83rd minute, when Lautaro Mancebo sent off a good shot on target. Nikolai Gerada took the ball and in the 86 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dante Lacasa. Dante Lacasa dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-1. Francesco Ciantar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alberto Tafalla, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Brandon Dimech fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Buġibba Youngsters's protests and gave Brandon Dimech a yellow card for diving instead. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 93rd minute of the game. One of Buġibba Youngsters:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Mexico:s goal. Francesco Ciantar had in the 95thth minute some difficulties stopping Joel Gaona's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 97th minute, Luca Rouco hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Martin Demanuele, who was totally free with the ball in the 98th minute. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.