Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ernesto Minichiello kicked off to start the match. The supporters of Panama booed when XMAS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ennio De Nardis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Through an outstanding action, after 5 minutes, Armando Polidori successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. In the 6th minute, Comunardo Quadrini hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tomas Berganza's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Armando Polidori read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 7th minute of play. After 8 played minutes XMAS got a freekick which was hit by Christian Zaccardi. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alberigo Gianfrancesco in the 10th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marcos Cotilla saved Panama from getting behind. If Tomas Berganza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Armando Polidori made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Berganza in the 14th minute of play. Comunardo Quadrini kicked well hit freekick during the 16th minute of the match. 17 minutes into the game, Tomas Berganza recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Armando Polidori. Tomas Berganza showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. XMAS's Armando Polidori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 22nd minute of play. Panama's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Abraham Alguacil in the 23rd minute. XMAS's Armando Polidori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 25th minute of play. Armando Polidori 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 29th minute. 29 minutes into the match, Tomas Berganza had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Armando Polidori. XMAS's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Tomas Berganza was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. 32 minutes into the match, Tomas Berganza notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of XMAS's Armando Polidori. Armando Polidori was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After 35 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Isidoro Sarmiento. In the 38th minute the ball was on its way in behind Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The audience thought a goal was coming when Abraham Alguacil got free with Armando Polidori in the 39th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 40th match minute, XMAS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ferruccio Cesaroni to maneuver through the defense. After 44 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Aaron Barrios. After 45 played minutes, XMAS's Ferruccio Cesaroni shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in XMAS reached it. 46 minutes into the match, Alberigo Gianfrancesco notched a goal, 3-1, to the right of Panama's Marcos Cotilla. Marcos Cotilla was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-1 at half-time.

The wind increased when Tomas Berganza made the kick off in the second half. Tomas Berganza recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 51st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Armando Polidori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 56th minute, Tomas Berganza ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Armando Polidori was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-1. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alberigo Gianfrancesco in the 59th minute of play. Tomas Berganza received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 62nd minute. Armando Polidori tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. XMAS's Armando Polidori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 74th minute of play. In the 78th minute, Tomas Berganza made a precise shot to the right of Armando Polidori. XMAS's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 5-1. Armando Polidori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 85th minute Abraham Alguacil shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Armando Polidori saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marcos Cotilla showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ernesto Minichiello in the 89th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Panama's Isidoro Sarmiento got a free kick in the 90th minute. The long shot by Bruno Alessandrini in the 91st minute really tested Marcos Cotilla's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. The supporters of XMAS booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Aaron Barrios didn't get a good kick on the ball.