Federation Clash Challenge

Jacksonville Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) ionion's Ilie Surugiu 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. In the 2nd minute the ball was on its way in behind ionion's goalkeeper Fabio Abalos, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a rather tough play, ionion's Ding Fabregas got a free kick in the 5th minute. After 7 played minutes Jacksonville 67 got a freekick which was hit by Freek Wander. Rogelio Hanni didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Costică Donose went, in the 9th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. The supporters of ionion booed when Jacksonville 67 was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Igor Pankiewicz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Fabio Abalos made an important save on a dangerous shot by King Batistuta in the 17th minute. In the 21st minute, Oscar Cruz made a precise shot to the right of Fabio Abalos. ionion's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. Oscar Cruz might have been able to make a better finish in the 24th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Fabio Abalos. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Oscar Cruz ran back to his position shaking his head. Fabio Abalos took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Oscar Cruz, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With his leg Fabio Abalos managed to avoid a goal in the 25thth minute, when Jacksonville 67's King Batistuta fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Rogelio Hanni made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Costică Donose in the 26th minute of play. Rogelio Hanni took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ilie Surugiu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 32 played minutes Jacksonville 67 got a freekick which was hit by Oscar Cruz. When ionion's Ilie Surugiu in the 34th minute got a chance for a shot 34th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Jacksonville 67's goalie prevented a goal. With his leg Fabio Abalos managed to avoid a goal in the 37thth minute, when Jacksonville 67's King Batistuta fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. A hard shot 39 in the game by King Batistuta from a close distance when the talented Fabio Abalos managed to make a qualified save. ionion's players were relieved. In the 47th minute Ilie Surugiu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rogelio Hanni saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Oscar Cruz to strike the kick off in the second half. The audience was convinced that Oscar Cruz's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Fabio Abalos was relentless in the 51st minute of the game. 54 minutes into the match, Costică Donose had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rogelio Hanni. Jacksonville 67's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Costică Donose was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. Dominik Šepetavec charged in rather forcefully in the 58th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Dominik Šepetavec the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. If Oscar Cruz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fabio Abalos showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from King Batistuta, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. In the 69th match minute, ionion was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ding Fabregas to maneuver through the defense. ionion's Fabio Abalos played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Oscar Cruz in the 70th minute of play. King Batistuta struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Fabio Abalos didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Jacksonville 67. When Ding Fabregas fell near the penalty area in the 75th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored ionion's protests and gave Ding Fabregas a yellow card for diving instead. Ding Fabregas kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. Fabio Abalos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from King Batistuta in the 84th minute of play. After a rather tough play, ionion's Costică Donose got a free kick in the 85th minute. In the 86th minute Oscar Cruz shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fabio Abalos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 90 minutes into the game, Grigore Pădure was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. ionion's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Jacksonville 67 the free kick. Sven Horring shot the penalty kick right outside the post. In the 95th minute, Oscar Cruz left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Jacksonville 67 fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-3. ionion's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.