Challenge

Taba Opera Stadium
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Binjamin Ketelers made the kick off which started today's match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Constancio Jaque in the 4th minute of play forced Mexico's goalkeeper Dante Lacasa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 8th 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. Zhang Hong Xun breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 19th minute of the match, Binjamin Ketelers tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dante Lacasa saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Lorenzo Cazalla's late challenge caught a Tabalongo AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Lorenzo Cazalla helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Mexico getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Lorenzo Cazalla hit a great ball. Zhang Hong Xun made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Mancebo in the 29th minute of play. Through an outstanding action, after 31 minutes, Dante Lacasa successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After 33 minutes, Yerko Speed mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Tabalongo AFC and the Mexico players grew even worse after the yellow card. Yerko Speed hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. In the 35th minute, Joel Gaona got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Alberto Tafalla took the ball and in the 39 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Zhang Hong Xun. Zhang Hong Xun dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. The supporters of Tabalongo AFC booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. 47 minutes into the match, Joel Gaona had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Zhang Hong Xun. Tabalongo AFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Joel Gaona was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Joel Gaona to strike the kick off in the second half. 55 minutes into the match, Alberto Tafalla notched a goal, 0-3, to the right of Tabalongo AFC's Zhang Hong Xun. Zhang Hong Xun was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Yerko Van Dijk kicked well hit freekick during the 61st minute of the match. Zhang Hong Xun showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alberto Tafalla, who was totally free with the ball in the 65th minute. In the 73rd match minute, Tabalongo AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dario Bessa to maneuver through the defense. Zhang Hong Xun showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joel Gaona in the 74th minute of the match. 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 75th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Filip Frankowski in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dante Lacasa saved Mexico from getting behind. Lautaro Mancebo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 78th minute. Zhang Hong Xun tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 82 minutes, Joel Gaona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mexico's supporters crossed their fingers, but Joel Gaona 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 Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Constancio Jaque in the 85th minute of play. 88 minutes into the match, Lautaro Mancebo notched a goal, 0-4, to the right of Tabalongo AFC's Zhang Hong Xun. Zhang Hong Xun was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Mexico's Dante Lacasa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Max Vinkens in the 93rd minute of play. Dante Lacasa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Max Vinkens, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Tabalongo AFC booed when Mexico was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 96 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lorenzo Cazalla didn't get a good kick on the ball. 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.