Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 3rd minute of play forced Sheriff's goalkeeper Yahia van der Saar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Damaso Xacintu in the 4th minute of play forced USA's goalkeeper Marco Day to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 12 minutes into the match, Sheriff's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Yahia van der Saar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 15 minutes into the match, Sheriff's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Yahia van der Saar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cassius Byrne got free with Yahia van der Saar in the 16th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 23rd minute Cassius Byrne shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Yahia van der Saar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 25th minute Natalio Dominguez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Thodoris Tassoulis in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Marco Day prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Thodoris Tassoulis had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Sheriff's Yahia van der Saar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 32nd minute of play. Cassius Byrne could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 34th minute of the match, but Yahia van der Saar made a huge save. In the 38th minute Natalio Dominguez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day 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.

The audience was convinced that Cassius Byrne's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Yahia van der Saar was relentless in the 54th minute of the game. Yahia van der Saar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edward Mcdonald in the 55th minute of the match. 56 minutes into the match, Edward Mcdonald had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Yahia van der Saar. Sheriff's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Edward Mcdonald was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. Sheriff made a substitution. Alejandro Rubin replaced Dragoş Bălace. Sheriff made a substitution. Iraklis Karasavvidis replaced Akakios Trachanas. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 61st minute of play forced Sheriff's goalkeeper Yahia van der Saar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 62 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sheriff's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Cassius Byrne was slow to take the kick. During this time USA's players had a chance to rest. After a defensive mix-up in Sheriff's zone, Edward Mcdonald stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Yahia van der Saar came out of the goal and Edward Mcdonald tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 74 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Clayton Gol came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When USA's Sam Campbell in the 75th minute got a chance for a shot 75th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sheriff's goalie prevented a goal. Yahia van der Saar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sam Campbell, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fabian Brown during the 89th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. USA:s Marco Day showed great skill when he stopped Damaso Xacintu:s penalty. Yahia van der Saar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Khalid Parry, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Natalio Dominguez fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 97th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marco Day having to interfere.