Challenge

Estadio Cerrado
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Martins Palermo made the kick off which started today's match. USA's Marco Day proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 4th minute of the match, managed to save USA from getting a goal against them. Martins Palermo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. Eliseu Vaz kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 8th minute of play forced Fecha Libre's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in USA's zone, Gavino Hodei stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marco Day came out of the goal and Gavino Hodei tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Martins Palermo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 20th minute Teo Mouricio 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. 25 minutes into the game, Martins Palermo lined in a short shot 1-0 behind a frustrated Marco Day. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Teo Mouricio in the 28th minute of play. After 31 minutes USA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Gavino Hodei who took care of the corner kick. Cassius Byrne blasted a shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Emiliano Martínez having to make a save. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cassius Byrne to strike the kick off in the second half. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Teo Mouricio, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. Emiliano Martínez stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cassius Byrne's shot from short distance in the 61st minute. The audience was convinced that Cassius Byrne's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Emiliano Martínez was relentless in the 61st minute of the game. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Martins Palermo in the 67th minute of play. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Teo Mouricio in the 68th minute of the match. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kamiel Stessel, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 74th minute Martins Palermo 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. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. 84 minutes had been played when some careless play by USA's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Gavino Hodei was slow to take the kick. During this time Fecha Libre's players had a chance to rest. Gavino Hodei made a great header on Fecha Libre's corner, it was just that USA's Marco Day managed to reach the ball for a save. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kamiel Stessel, who was totally free with the ball in the 90th minute. Emiliano Martínez was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Sam Campbell showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 91 minute of play. USA were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.