Houston Fire Stadium
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32,
Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Houston Fire F.C.'s A.J. Hanks started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Houston Fire F.C.'s Aquilino Rameriz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 3rd minute of play. In the 4th minute Panama were awarded a corner. Abraham Alguacil went to the cornerflag to take it. Abraham Alguacil made a great header on Panama's corner, it was just that Houston Fire F.C.'s Aquilino Rameriz managed to reach the ball for a save. Aquilino Rameriz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Berganza, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. When the match clock showed 6 minutes, the score became 0-1 when Tomas Berganza sped through Houston Fire F.C.'s defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Aquilino Rameriz. Marcellus Rodgers's late challenge caught a Panama's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marcellus Rodgers helped the player get up and apologised. Tomas Berganza took the ball and in the 12 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Aquilino Rameriz. Aquilino Rameriz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. Deshawn Steiner charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Deshawn Steiner the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 15th minute, Deshawn Steiner hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Panama's Dylan Sarmiento got a free kick in the 20th minute. If Bernie Waldron had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dexter Ogden took the ball and in the 25 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 1-2. The supporters of Panama booed when Houston Fire F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Heriberto McPherson didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 29th minute Abraham Alguacil shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Aquilino Rameriz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. With a little luck, Panama's Marcos Cotilla got control of the ball when A.J. Hanks tried to sneak it across the goal line. 38 minutes into the game, Houston Fire F.C.'s A.J. Hanks nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Marcos Cotilla made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-2. After some fancy dribbling in the 43rd minute, Abraham Alguacil managed to get in a good position for a shot. Panama's supporters rose to their feet, but Abraham Alguacil was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Aquilino Rameriz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.
When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Tomas Berganza made a kick off. Aquilino Rameriz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Isidoro Sarmiento, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. After 60 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Dylan Sarmiento. Houston Fire F.C. made a substitution. Scott Guerra replaced A.J. Hanks. After 61 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Dylan Sarmiento. Dylan Sarmiento lost his temper 63 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. Marcos Cotilla showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bernie Waldron, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. Deshawn Steiner hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. Houston Fire F.C.'s Aquilino Rameriz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 75th minute of play. Isidoro Sarmiento sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 81st minute, Scott Guerra hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Scott Guerra in the 86th minute of play. 90 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Bernie Waldron came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Scott Guerra scored 5-2 in the 92nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Marcos Cotilla, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 95th minute, Aaron Barrios hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marcos Cotilla stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Scott Guerra's shot from short distance in the 96th minute. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Houston Fire F.C. fans cheered their team off the field, for while Panama had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.
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