Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Tomas Berganza kicked off to start the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Panama's Isidoro Sarmiento slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Theodosis Kassapis. That made the score 1-0 after 5 minutes of play. Theodosis Kassapis took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Isidoro Sarmiento had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Aaron Barrios charged in rather forcefully in the 13th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Aaron Barrios the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Apostolos Mavrokordatos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 18 minutes into the match, Green Horses's goal looked a bit too open when Isidoro Sarmiento came free, but Theodosis Kassapis reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marcos Cotilla made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Apostolos Mavrokordatos in the 20th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Abraham Alguacil got free with Theodosis Kassapis in the 22nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Notis Bartzokas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Vaios Petridis took the ball and in the 27 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Marcos Cotilla. Marcos Cotilla dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Marcos Cotilla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Notis Bartzokas, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. After some careless play in the Panama defense, Sotiris Barberopoulos kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marcos Cotilla. The Panama fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marcos Cotilla should have stopped the shot. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

In the 56th minute, Isidoro Sarmiento made a precise shot to the right of Theodosis Kassapis. Green Horses's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. In the 61st minute, Miguel Miralles hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 65 minutes of play, Panama's Isidoro Sarmiento made it 4-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Theodosis Kassapis was left in no man's land by his defense there! After 68 played minutes Green Horses got a freekick which was hit by Loukas Brizolakis. Thanks to some nice moves Notis Bartzokas could shoot a difficult shot in the 70th minute, which Marcos Cotilla however easily saved by the left post. A collision led to Green Horses getting a freekick after 78 minutes play. Ntinos Farmakis hit a great ball. Tomas Berganza received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Theodosis Kassapis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 84 minutes into the game, Vaios Petridis recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Marcos Cotilla. Vaios Petridis showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 4-3. Marcos Cotilla made an important save on a dangerous shot by Notis Bartzokas in the 87th minute. In the 91st minute, Sotiris Barberopoulos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Theodosis Kassapis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Miguel Miralles, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. Thanks to some nice moves Notis Bartzokas could shoot a difficult shot in the 95th minute, which Marcos Cotilla however easily saved by the left post. Green Horses's Theodosis Kassapis played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 98th minute of play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Panama fans cheered their team off the field, for while Green Horses had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.