Challenge

Ritokylä Stadium
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Joel Gaona got the match started through his kick off. Alberto Tafalla sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luca Zorita in the 8th minute of play forced FC PullaPojat's goalkeeper Reino Helavuori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 9th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC PullaPojat's goalkeeper Reino Helavuori, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Reino Helavuori came out of the goal in the 11th minute to try and stop a shot by Mexico's Joel Gaona. But to his dismay, Joel Gaona quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Reino Helavuori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Reino Helavuori showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. In the 18th minute, Jiang Xiao Yuan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 22nd minute Lautaro Mancebo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Reino Helavuori saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 22nd minute, Lautaro Mancebo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Reino Helavuori was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. Alberto Tafalla's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Reino Helavuori read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 25th minute of play. Mexico's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Joel Gaona in the 30th minute. Joel Gaona made a great header on Mexico's corner, it was just that FC PullaPojat's Reino Helavuori managed to reach the ball for a save. When Luca Zorita, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 31 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Reino Helavuori was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Facundo Cadaval in the 37th minute of play forced FC PullaPojat's goalkeeper Reino Helavuori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 38th minute, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot. Mexico's supporters rose to their feet, but Joel Gaona was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Reino Helavuori breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 41 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Edwin Söderqvist came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 42nd minute the ball was on its way in behind FC PullaPojat's goalkeeper Reino Helavuori, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Luca Zorita kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Edwin Söderqvist was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joel Gaona in the 52nd minute of play forced FC PullaPojat's goalkeeper Reino Helavuori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 55 minutes into the match, FC PullaPojat's goal looked a bit too open when Joel Gaona came free, but Reino Helavuori reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lautaro Mancebo's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Reino Helavuori firmly grabbed it by the left post. 62 minutes into the match, Mexico's goal looked a bit too open when Auno Kamppuri came free, but Dante Lacasa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mexico were awarded a corner in the 70th minute after FC PullaPojat's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Joel Gaona took the corner. 72 minutes into the game, Joel Gaona cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. Reino Helavuori was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. FC PullaPojat's Reino Helavuori proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 85th minute of the match, managed to save FC PullaPojat from getting a goal against them. In the 86th minute, Auno Kamppuri made a precise shot to the right of Dante Lacasa. Mexico's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-4. Alberto Tafalla could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Reino Helavuori made a huge save. Reino Helavuori made an important save on a dangerous shot by Joel Gaona in the 92nd minute. After having played for 95 minutes, Edwin Söderqvist managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. FC PullaPojat's supporters crossed their fingers, but Edwin Söderqvist was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mexico's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.