Challenge

XMAS park
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Tomas Berganza started the match with the kick off. After a defensive mix-up in XMAS's zone, Tomas Berganza stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Armando Polidori came out of the goal and Tomas Berganza tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out 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 6th minute. Armando Polidori came out of the goal in the 20th minute to try and stop a shot by Panama's Abraham Alguacil. But to his dismay, Abraham Alguacil quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. 25 minutes into the game, Panama's Tomas Berganza nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Armando Polidori made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-3. Tomas Berganza hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. 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. 38 minutes into the match, XMAS's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Berganza came free, but Armando Polidori reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Armando Polidori made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Berganza in the 40th minute of play. In the 45th minute Tomas Berganza 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.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Ernesto Minichiello to strike the kick off in the second half. The referee felt a red card was in order, 53 minutes into the game, when Felipe Ros put in a rough tackle. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 52nd minute of the game. One of Panama:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of XMAS:s goal. Marcos Cotilla had in the 54thth minute some difficulties stopping Ernesto Minichiello's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Isidoro Sarmiento could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 59th minute of the match, but Armando Polidori made a huge save. After 67 played minutes XMAS got a freekick which was hit by Christian Zaccardi. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ennio De Nardis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dylan Sarmiento made a great header on Panama's corner, it was just that XMAS's Armando Polidori managed to reach the ball for a save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ernesto Minichiello in the 78th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marcos Cotilla showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ennio De Nardis in the 83rd minute of the match. 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. Armando Polidori made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Berganza in the 84th minute of play. In the 87th minute of the match, Tomas Berganza tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Armando Polidori saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Comunardo Quadrini kicked well hit freekick during the 88th minute of the match. In the 89th minute Tomas Berganza 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. Christian Zaccardi charged in rather forcefully in the 93rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Christian Zaccardi the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Christian Zaccardi kicked well hit freekick during the 93rd minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in XMAS's zone, Tomas Berganza stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Armando Polidori came out of the goal and Tomas Berganza tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Panama eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.