Challenge

Gigi Riva
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Joel Gaona started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 5th minute, Martyon Brading reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Dante Lacasa. The goal made the score 1-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Mancebo in the 7th minute of play forced Verbano FC's goalkeeper Attilio Marzoli to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Martyon Brading in the 8th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dante Lacasa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience was convinced that Alberto Tafalla's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Attilio Marzoli was relentless in the 10th minute of the game. Attilio Marzoli took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 19 minutes into the match, Verbano FC's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Attilio Marzoli reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 21st minute, Joel Gaona hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Martyon Brading could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 27 played minutes Verbano FC got a freekick which was hit by Ennio Maccarone. Attilio Marzoli made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 29th minute of play. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Alberto Tafalla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 40th minute Joel Gaona shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Attilio Marzoli saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The wind increased when Martyon Brading made the kick off in the second half. After some fancy dribbling in the 59th minute, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Lautaro Mancebo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Attilio Marzoli breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 60th minute, Ermanno Bencivenni hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Attilio Marzoli made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Facundo Cadaval in the 62nd minute of play. After a rather tough play, Verbano FC's Yu Sheng got a free kick in the 67th minute. Lautaro Mancebo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 68th minute of the match, but Attilio Marzoli made a huge save. In the 70th minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Attilio Marzoli saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Facundo Cadaval hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. 75 minutes into the match, Mexico's Alberto Tafalla sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Attilio Marzoli narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Armin Fulgenzi in the 76th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dante Lacasa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. With a little luck, Verbano FC's Attilio Marzoli got control of the ball when Lautaro Mancebo tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 85 minutes Verbano FC'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. Lautaro Mancebo in the 85thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Attilio Marzoli, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 90th minute, Joel Gaona fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Attilio Marzoli, passed just outside the right post. After having played for 92 minutes, Lautaro Mancebo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lautaro Mancebo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 96 minutes into the match, Mexico's Lautaro Mancebo sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Attilio Marzoli narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Mexico's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.