Challenge

Est Rommel Fernández
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Eusebiu Siniştean started the match with the kick off. Iulian Burtea made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tomas Berganza in the 4th minute. In the 9th minute Nichifor Mara shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcos Cotilla saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 11 minutes into the game, Eduard Culcer was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. MIT's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Panama the free kick. In the 12th minute, Eduard Culcer hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Iulian Burtea took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Berganza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 15 minutes had been played when some careless play by MIT's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Abraham Alguacil was slow to take the kick. During this time Panama's players had a chance to rest. Panama's Abraham Alguacil was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Iulian Burtea in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. A collision led to MIT getting a freekick after 19 minutes play. Mădălin Corocăescu hit a great ball. Abraham Alguacil received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Iulian Burtea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 23rd minute, Isidoro Sarmiento managed to get in a good position for a shot. Panama's supporters rose to their feet, but Isidoro Sarmiento was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Iulian Burtea breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Iulian Burtea made an important save on a dangerous shot by Abraham Alguacil in the 26th minute. 31 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Eusebiu Siniştean came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. MIT's Iulian Burtea played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Berganza in the 32nd minute of play. Panama's Marcos Cotilla played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Eusebiu Siniştean in the 36th minute of play. 37 minutes into the match, Panama's goal looked a bit too open when Eusebiu Siniştean came free, but Marcos Cotilla reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Isidoro Sarmiento struck a weak shot in the 41st minute. Iulian Burtea didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Panama. 43 minutes into the match, MIT's goalkeeper Iulian Burtea had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abraham Alguacil. In the 45th minute the ball was on its way in behind MIT's goalkeeper Iulian Burtea, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Panama's Abraham Alguacil got a good chance for a goal in the 58th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Berganza in the 60th minute of play forced MIT's goalkeeper Iulian Burtea to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Abraham Alguacil sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 65 minutes into the game, Tomas Berganza cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Iulian Burtea was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 74th minute Abraham Alguacil shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iulian Burtea saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. MIT's Iulian Burtea played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Isidoro Sarmiento in the 76th minute of play. Felipe Ros was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 79 minutes into the match. MIT's Martin Topală was substituted for Mădălin Corocăescu. In the 78th 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 81stth minute some difficulties stopping Eusebiu Siniştean's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 81st minute, Eusebiu Siniştean ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Marcos Cotilla was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. If Isidoro Sarmiento had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Martin Topală charged in rather forcefully in the 91st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Martin Topală the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Panama booed when MIT was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Topală didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tomas Berganza sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 94 played minutes MIT got a freekick which was hit by Marcel Pătrășconiu. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Panama players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.