Challenge

Stadio E Scida
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Kroton F.C.'s Concetto Donato 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. The supporters of Kroton F.C. booed when Colombia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kevin Mastache didn't get a good kick on the ball. 12 minutes into the match, Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristiano Chitarroni. In the 14th minute the ball was on its way in behind Kroton F.C.'s goalkeeper Alvaro Cirelli, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Johannes Støle could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 16th minute of the match, but Pedro Manzanares made a huge save. Pedro Manzanares was a little too slow when Concetto Donato got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 18th minute. The score was now 1-0. Zlatin Serdarov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Pedro Manzanares read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 20th minute of play. If Axel Montenegro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After 27 minutes of play, Kroton F.C.'s Concetto Donato made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Pedro Manzanares was left in no man's land by his defense there! 30 minutes in the game Paolo Cannavaro did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Cristiano Chitarroni. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Abram Sarmiento in the 33rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Alvaro Cirelli saved Kroton F.C. from getting behind. Pedro Manzanares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Concetto Donato, who was totally free with the ball in the 34th minute. In the 36th minute, Luis Cazalla made a precise shot to the right of Alvaro Cirelli. Kroton F.C.'s defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. Alvaro Cirelli showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Abram Sarmiento in the 39th minute of the match. Alvaro Cirelli took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Abram Sarmiento, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 42nd match minute, Kroton F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Zlatin Serdarov to maneuver through the defense. 43 minutes into the game, Axel Montenegro cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-2. Alvaro Cirelli was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The first half was very even, with the score at 2-2 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Abram Sarmiento stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Alvaro Cirelli showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pascual Carballar, who was totally free with the ball in the 54th minute. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zlatin Serdarov in the 55th minute of play. Paolo Cannavaro made in the 57th minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by Johannes Støle. Axel Montenegro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Kroton F.C.'s Alvaro Cirelli proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 62nd minute of the match, managed to save Kroton F.C. from getting a goal against them. Alvaro Cirelli made a fantastic save in the 63rd minute, when Axel Montenegro sent off a good shot on target. Axel Montenegro struck a weak shot in the 65th minute. Alvaro Cirelli didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Colombia. The supporters of Colombia booed when Kroton F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fabrizio Vieri didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 71 minutes of play, Kroton F.C.'s Johannes Støle made it 3-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Pedro Manzanares was left in no man's land by his defense there! Colombia's Kevin Mastache managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Paolo Cannavaro in the 73 minute of the game. 80 minutes into the game, Antonio Indiano was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Colombia's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Kroton F.C. the free kick. 79 minutes into the game, one of Colombia:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Colombia:s Pedro Manzanares showed great skill when he stopped Edgar Ieberink:s penalty. Concetto Donato's late challenge caught a Colombia's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Concetto Donato helped the player get up and apologised. Concetto Donato hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Abram Secada managed to get in a good position for a shot. Colombia's supporters rose to their feet, but Abram Secada was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Alvaro Cirelli breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Kroton F.C.'s Alvaro Cirelli played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ignacio Mastache in the 89th minute of play. Alvaro Cirelli made an important save on a dangerous shot by Abram Secada in the 90th minute. Alvaro Cirelli stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ignacio Mastache's shot from short distance in the 92nd minute. 96 minutes into the game, Abram Secada recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Alvaro Cirelli. Abram Secada showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 3-4. The Colombia players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.