Challenge

Kopli Arena
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Elmar Loorits started the match with the kick off. 4 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Joakim Vennerström. FC Kopli's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Lautaro Mancebo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The Mexico fans' excitement grew in the 9th match minute when Mexico's Alberto Tafalla 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 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 14th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Joakim Vennerström saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 16th minute, Madis Ratas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 18th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Kopli's goalkeeper Joakim Vennerström, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 22 minutes had been played when some careless play by FC Kopli's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Joel Gaona was slow to take the kick. During this time Mexico's players had a chance to rest. 25 minutes into the match, Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Elmar Loorits. Joakim Vennerström came out of the goal in the 27th minute to try and stop a shot by Mexico's Luca Zorita. But to his dismay, Luca Zorita quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. Enar Aavakivi kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, FC Kopli's Kaido Lipmeister got a free kick in the 31st minute. 35 minutes into the match, FC Kopli's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Joakim Vennerström reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Joakim Vennerström showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 36th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in FC Kopli's zone, Joel Gaona stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Joakim Vennerström came out of the goal and Joel Gaona tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Joakim Vennerström showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. With a little luck, Mexico's Dante Lacasa got control of the ball when Elmar Loorits tried to sneak it across the goal line. After the first half Mexico were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Joel Gaona to make the kick off. Alberto Tafalla sent away a hard shot on goal in the 51st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Joakim Vennerström made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 54th minute. After some careless play in the FC Kopli defense, Joel Gaona kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Joakim Vennerström. The FC Kopli fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Joakim Vennerström should have stopped the shot. The supporters of FC Kopli booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Elmar Loorits in the 62nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. 63 minutes into the match, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Joakim Vennerström narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Elmar Loorits struck a weak shot in the 65th 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 FC Kopli. In the 66th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Joakim Vennerström saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, FC Kopli's Enar Aavakivi got a free kick in the 68th minute. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Madis Ratas, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. If Joel Gaona had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Madis Ratas in the 80th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 88 minutes in the game, Joel Gaona fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Joakim Vennerström having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elmar Loorits in the 93rd minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mexico's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.