Challenge

Gran Parque Central
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Abram Sarmiento got the match started through his kick off. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jony Maidana in the 7th minute of play. Pedro Manzanares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Grabiel Escorcia, who was totally free with the ball in the 9th minute. In the 15th minute the ball was on its way in behind Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Juaneizu Merida showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Abram Sarmiento, who was totally free with the ball in the 17th minute. Nacional's Marta Minuhin quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Joshua Garrido, made in the 19th minute of the game. Juaneizu Merida made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abram Sarmiento in the 20th minute of play. 22 minutes into the game, one of Colombia:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Mendiko Bueres kicked well hit freekick during the 23rd minute of the match. In the 27th minute, Nacional's Grabiel Escorcia dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. Juaneizu Merida showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Santino Seco in the 33rd minute of the match. Juaneizu Merida made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Abram Sarmiento in the 34th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Grabiel Escorcia in the 37th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Pedro Manzanares saved Colombia from getting behind. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Grabiel Escorcia in the 43rd minute of play. In the 46th minute, Axel Montenegro made a precise shot to the right of Juaneizu Merida. Nacional's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Grabiel Escorcia stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The throw-in from Camilo Candido in the 54th minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Colombia's Kevin Mastache. Juaneizu Merida was a little too slow when Axel Montenegro got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 56th minute. The score was now 1-2. In the 66th minute, Grabiel Escorcia made a precise shot to the right of Pedro Manzanares. Colombia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. Colombia's Abram Secada was substituted for Axel Montenegro. In the 70th match minute, Nacional was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Xu Sha to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 77 minutes, Grabiel Escorcia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nacional's supporters crossed their fingers, but Grabiel Escorcia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 79 minutes into the match, Grabiel Escorcia had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Pedro Manzanares. Colombia's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Grabiel Escorcia was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 4-2. Juaneizu Merida took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ignacio Mastache, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Colombia's zone, Grabiel Escorcia stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pedro Manzanares came out of the goal and Grabiel Escorcia tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee felt a red card was in order, 93 minutes into the game, when Walme Yurre put in a rough tackle. After 93 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Nacional! In the 95th minute there was a penalty for Colombia. Kevin Mastache stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Juaneizu Merida. 4-3. Both teams had looked equal from kick-off, and no-one was surprised when the match finally ended in a draw.