Challenge

Alfredo Di Stéfano
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Turgay Hafi took the kick off in the first half of the match. Turgay Hafi recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 6th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ciro Nerio stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cassius Byrne's shot from short distance in the 12th minute. Marco Day was out of position in the 16 minute of play, and Turgay Hafi capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Turgay Hafi really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 22nd minute of play forced Bancruz F.C's goalkeeper Ciro Nerio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 22 minutes into the match, Cassius Byrne notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Bancruz F.C's Ciro Nerio. Ciro Nerio was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ciro Nerio made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 28th minute of play. Clodoveo Matro kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. Monty Rogers received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Ciro Nerio tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Turgay Hafi, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. Cassius Byrne scored 1-2 in the 45th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ciro Nerio, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After the first half USA were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Cassius Byrne to make the kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 53rd minute, Carlos Arixo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Bancruz F.C's supporters rose to their feet, but Carlos Arixo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 56 minutes into the match, Bancruz F.C's goalkeeper Ciro Nerio had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cassius Byrne. 59 minutes into the match, Cassius Byrne had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ciro Nerio. Bancruz F.C's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cassius Byrne was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-4. After some fancy dribbling in the 66th minute, Cassius Byrne managed to get in a good position for a shot. USA's supporters rose to their feet, but Cassius Byrne was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ciro Nerio breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Bancruz F.C made a substitution. Alfonso Tauro replaced Clodoveo Matro. Geronimo Jaunti kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. Çelikan Koçaş's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marco Day read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 77th minute of play. 80 minutes into the match, Çelikan Koçaş had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Marco Day. USA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Çelikan Koçaş was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-4. USA's Khalid Parry was substituted for Monty Rogers. Jacob May sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Khalid Parry struck a weak shot in the 87th minute. Ciro Nerio didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for USA. 92 minutes had been played when some careless play by Bancruz F.C's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Jenson Smith was slow to take the kick. During this time USA's players had a chance to rest. A well done corner resulted in Jacob May drilling the ball in to score 2-5 behind Bancruz F.C's goalkeeper. USA played a much better game than Bancruz F.C and deserved their victory. The Bancruz F.C players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.