Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. José Vítor Passos started the match with the kick off. With an all-out effort, Panama's André Piovezan threw himself towards the right post 3 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Tomas Berganza, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. André Piovezan was a little too slow when Tomas Berganza got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 6th minute. The score was now 1-0. 10 minutes into the game, Panama's Tomas Berganza nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. André Piovezan made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-0. After some careless play in the Panama defense, Danilo Hermes kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marcos Cotilla. The Panama fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marcos Cotilla should have stopped the shot. Isidoro Sarmiento struck a weak shot in the 19th minute. André Piovezan didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Panama. Aaron Barrios kicked well hit freekick during the 22nd minute of the match. After 24 minutes, Wiliam Quintal mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Itajaí Football Club and the Panama players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 27 played minutes Panama got a freekick which was hit by Alex Cambeiro. 37 minutes into the game, Tomas Berganza cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-1. André Piovezan was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 40 minutes into the match, Panama's Abraham Alguacil sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that André Piovezan narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 41st match minute, Itajaí Football Club was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Narciso Severo to maneuver through the defense. Abraham Alguacil received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. André Piovezan came out and tried to block the shot, but Abraham Alguacil slotted it home off the left post making it 4-1 in the 43rd minute. Through an outstanding action, after 46 minutes, André Piovezan successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 4-1.

A sloppy throw-in by Hugo Ferraz in the 52nd minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Panama's Felipe Ros. Itajaí Football Club's André Piovezan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 53rd minute of play. Norberto Abreu charged in rather forcefully in the 54th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Norberto Abreu the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Panama booed when Itajaí Football Club was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Norberto Abreu didn't get a good kick on the ball. André Piovezan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alex Cambeiro in the 57th minute of the match. Danilo Hermes made in the 59th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Norberto Abreu immediately put the ball in play. When Norberto Abreu came up free with the goalie in the 59th minute, the Itajaí Football Club 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 Norberto Abreu couldn't finish the play. 68 minutes into the match, Danilo Hermes dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Marcos Cotilla, 4-2. Tomas Berganza kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Marcos Cotilla showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Norberto Abreu in the 76th minute of the match. Christiano Cearense received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 92nd minute. Marcos Cotilla tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Panama walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.