Challenge

Am Sportzentrum
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Mexico's Joel Gaona 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. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Joachim Kretschmer, who was totally free with the ball in the 2nd minute. 10 minutes into the game, Joel Gaona cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Paul Heyckendorf was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joachim Kretschmer in the 14th minute of play. 15 minutes had been played when some careless play by Mexico's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alex Mansilha was slow to take the kick. During this time Academica Pulheim's players had a chance to rest. Academica Pulheim's Alex Mansilha was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Dante Lacasa in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alex Mansilha, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. Joel Gaona sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the last second Dante Lacasa throw himself and got hold of the ball when Alex Mansilha in the 28thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. Academica Pulheim's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Alex Mansilha in the 29th minute. Academica Pulheim's Alex Mansilha was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Dante Lacasa in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Kurt Ahrem could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 36th minute of the match, but Dante Lacasa made a huge save. After 43 minutes of play, Academica Pulheim's Alex Mansilha made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dante Lacasa was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 46th minute, Gary Lineker hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The wind increased when Alex Mansilha made the kick off in the second half. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kurt Ahrem, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Paul Heyckendorf made a fantastic save in the 55th minute, when Lautaro Mancebo sent off a good shot on target. Alberto Tafalla struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Paul Heyckendorf didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. Academica Pulheim's Zbigniew Setara was substituted for Kurt Ahrem. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zbigniew Setara, who was totally free with the ball in the 63rd minute. After 65 played minutes Mexico got a freekick which was hit by Joel Gaona. Dante Lacasa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zbigniew Setara in the 66th minute of play. In the 68th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Academica Pulheim's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on Mexico's corner Facundo Cadaval fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Paul Heyckendorf quite easily take care of the ball. Zbigniew Setara took the ball and in the 73 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dante Lacasa. Dante Lacasa dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-1. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hugó Bøss, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zbigniew Setara, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. 79 minutes in the game, Zbigniew Setara dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. Alberto Tafalla hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. 82 minutes into the game, Maxime Vrints cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-1. Dante Lacasa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After 84 minutes of play, Academica Pulheim's Alex Mansilha made it 4-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dante Lacasa was left in no man's land by his defense there! Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zbigniew Setara, who was totally free with the ball in the 88th minute. After 90 minutes Academica Pulheim's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. A nice corner shot did that Joel Gaona got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Paul Heyckendorf quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Alberto Tafalla got in the 92nd a clear chance and fired away a hard shot against goal, but Paul Heyckendorf handled the situation perfectly and made a save by the crossbar. Alex Mansilha made a great header on Academica Pulheim's corner, it was just that Mexico's Dante Lacasa managed to reach the ball for a save. Academica Pulheim's Alex Mansilha was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Dante Lacasa in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Mexico's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.