Challenge

Atanasio Girardot
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Abram Sarmiento took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a rather tough play, Atlético Nacional's Nemesio Damario got a free kick in the 6th minute. In the 7th minute of the match Axel Montenegro shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Teodoro Peio showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. In the 13th minute, Kevin Mastache 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. 14 minutes into the match, Colombia's goal looked a bit too open when Baldomero Rodas came free, but Pedro Manzanares reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 16 minutes into the match, Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Carlos Alberto Azevedo. Baldomero Rodas blasted a shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Pedro Manzanares having to make a save. Carlos Alberto Azevedo's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 21stth minute, Pedro Manzanares skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Abram Sarmiento hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. In the 24th minute, Colombia's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Carlos Alberto Azevedo fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. 27 minutes into the game, Atlético Nacional's Baldomero Rodas nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Pedro Manzanares made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Atlético Nacional's Teodoro Peio played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Abram Sarmiento in the 30th minute of play. Teodoro Peio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joshua Garrido, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 32 played minutes Atlético Nacional got a freekick which was hit by Alonzo Rocendo. 36 minutes into the match, Axel Montenegro notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Atlético Nacional's Teodoro Peio. Teodoro Peio was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 39 minutes into the match, Atlético Nacional's goal looked a bit too open when Abram Sarmiento came free, but Teodoro Peio reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Atlético Nacional's Teodoro Peio played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Axel Montenegro in the 43rd minute of play. 43 minutes into the match, Axel Montenegro notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Atlético Nacional's Teodoro Peio. Teodoro Peio was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Carlos Alberto Azevedo recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 47th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After the first half Colombia 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 Carlos Alberto Azevedo to make the kick off. Colombia's Pedro Manzanares played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Carlos Alberto Azevedo in the 51st minute of play. The audience was convinced that Baldomero Rodas's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Pedro Manzanares was relentless in the 53rd minute of the game. In the 54th match minute, Atlético Nacional was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alonzo Rocendo to maneuver through the defense. Teodoro Peio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Abram Sarmiento, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Axel Montenegro charged in rather forcefully in the 56th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Axel Montenegro the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Colombia's Axel Montenegro got a free kick in the 56th minute. Atlético Nacional's Carlos Alberto Azevedo got a good chance for a goal in the 57th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Carlos Alberto Azevedo in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Pedro Manzanares prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The supporters of Atlético Nacional booed when Colombia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Pascual Carballar didn't get a good kick on the ball. Pascual Carballar hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. Pedro Manzanares took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Baldomero Rodas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 70th minute of the match Atlético Nacional got a corner. Colombia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Baldomero Rodas ran over to the corner to take the kick. After a defensive mix-up in Colombia's zone, Baldomero Rodas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Pedro Manzanares came out of the goal and Baldomero Rodas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 77 played minutes Atlético Nacional got a freekick which was hit by Anier Mel. 79 minutes into the match, Atlético Nacional's goalkeeper Teodoro Peio had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Abram Secada. An unexpectedly hard shot by Carlos Alberto Azevedo in the 81st minute of play forced Colombia's goalkeeper Pedro Manzanares to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Teodoro Peio made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ignacio Mastache in the 83rd minute of play. In the 84th minute Carlos Alberto Azevedo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pedro Manzanares saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 87th minute, Carlos Alberto Azevedo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Atlético Nacional's supporters rose to their feet, but Carlos Alberto Azevedo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Pedro Manzanares breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a rather tough play, Colombia's Ignacio Mastache got a free kick in the 94th minute. The Colombia supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Colombia would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.