Challenge

Estadio Resistencia
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Resistencia's Hugo Bakker 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Berganza in the 6th minute of play forced Resistencia's goalkeeper Gaetano Mathieu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 9th minute, Abraham Alguacil hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to Resistencia getting a freekick after 11 minutes play. Genaro Illan hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Gregorio Martinez managed to get in a good position for a shot. Resistencia's supporters rose to their feet, but Gregorio Martinez was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marcos Cotilla breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Genaro Illan in the 20th minute of play forced Panama's goalkeeper Marcos Cotilla to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 25th minute, Tomas Berganza 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. Marcos Cotilla made a fantastic save in the 28th minute, when Hugo Bakker sent off a good shot on target. Gaetano Mathieu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Berganza in the 37th minute of play. Marcos Cotilla showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Freddy Sabin in the 40th minute of the match. If Tomas Berganza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alex Cambeiro received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Gaetano Mathieu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gaetano Mathieu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Berganza, who was totally free with the ball in the 48th minute. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tomas Berganza to strike the kick off in the second half. With a little luck, Resistencia's Gaetano Mathieu got control of the ball when Abraham Alguacil tried to sneak it across the goal line. Freddy Sabin took the ball and in the 57 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Marcos Cotilla. Marcos Cotilla dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-0. Abraham Alguacil sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Freddy Sabin scored 4-0 in the 62nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Marcos Cotilla, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Panama were awarded a corner in the 69th minute after Resistencia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Abraham Alguacil took the corner. The supporters of Resistencia booed when Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Matthew Garrido didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Freddy Sabin came up free with the goalie in the 72nd minute, the Resistencia 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 Freddy Sabin couldn't finish the play. In the 76th minute, one of Panama:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Panama. Marcos Cotilla had in the 79thth minute some difficulties stopping Hugo Bakker's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 85th minute, Tomas Berganza 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. After a defensive mix-up in Panama's zone, Hugo Bakker stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marcos Cotilla came out of the goal and Hugo Bakker tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. If Tomas Berganza had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Panama's zone, Freddy Sabin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marcos Cotilla came out of the goal and Freddy Sabin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Marcos Cotilla took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hugo Bakker, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. There was no doubt that Resistencia were the better team. Resistencia's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.