Challenge

Juan Gilberto Funes
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Pastor Nofre in the 5th minute of play forced Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 8 minutes into the game, Atlético Argentino's Josemir Lujambio nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Pedro Manzanares made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. In the 11th minute Josemir Lujambio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Manzanares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience was convinced that Axel Montenegro's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Denis Dolmos was relentless in the 12th minute of the game. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pastor Nofre in the 14th minute of play. Denis Dolmos 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 21st minute, Axel Montenegro ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Denis Dolmos was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Denis Dolmos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Axel Montenegro in the 26th minute of play. 29 minutes into the game, Santino Seco cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-2. Denis Dolmos was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 31st minute of the match, managed to save Colombia from getting a goal against them. After some fancy dribbling in the 32nd minute, Ennu Krae managed to get in a good position for a shot. Atlético Argentino's supporters rose to their feet, but Ennu Krae was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Pedro Manzanares breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 34 minutes into the match, Axel Montenegro notched a goal, 1-3, to the right of Atlético Argentino's Denis Dolmos. Denis Dolmos was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After some careless play in the Colombia defense, Josemir Lujambio kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Pedro Manzanares. The Colombia fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Pedro Manzanares should have stopped the shot. Samuel Navarro hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. Pedro Manzanares was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 46th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Eufemio Yabbarov. The Atlético Argentino players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Colombia were winning 2-3.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Abram Sarmiento was the one to do the kick off. The audience thought a goal was coming when Abram Sarmiento got free with Denis Dolmos in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Pedro Manzanares showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Josemir Lujambio in the 55th minute of the match. In the 57th minute Atlético Argentino were awarded a corner. Eufemio Yabbarov went to the cornerflag to take it. After a rather tough play, Atlético Argentino's Meder Fabelo got a free kick in the 60th minute. After having played for 61 minutes, Axel Montenegro managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Colombia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Axel Montenegro was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With an all-out effort, Colombia's Denis Dolmos threw himself towards the right post 62 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Abram Sarmiento, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. When Ennu Krae came up free with the goalie in the 66th minute, the Atlético Argentino fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Ennu Krae couldn't finish the play. Colombia made a substitution. Abram Secada replaced Axel Montenegro. Atlético Argentino made a substitution. J.J Huge replaced Joaquín Guzmán. Atlético Argentino were awarded a corner in the 70th minute after Colombia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Eufemio Yabbarov took the corner. A very nice done corner allowed Ennu Krae to score against Pedro Manzanares in Colombia's goal. 3-3 after 70 minutes. Ignacio Mastache recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 80 minutes into the match, Colombia's goal looked a bit too open when Eulalio Jago came free, but Pedro Manzanares reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Pedro Manzanares made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eulalio Jago in the 80th minute of play. If David Piarres had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 86thth minute of the game David Piarres who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Colombia's Pedro Manzanares was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Pedro Manzanares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eulalio Jago, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. After 90 played minutes Colombia got a freekick which was hit by Samuel Navarro. When Eufemio Yabbarov came up free with the goalie in the 91st minute, the Atlético Argentino fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Eufemio Yabbarov couldn't finish the play. Pedro Manzanares showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eulalio Jago, who was totally free with the ball in the 94th minute. Eulalio Jago scored 4-3 in the 94th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Pedro Manzanares, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Atlético Argentino's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.