Challenge

Mauricio Pirro
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Croatia's Toni Mauzer 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. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Patrik Terzic during the 10th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Joel Macario managed to get in a good position for a shot. Blackened's supporters rose to their feet, but Joel Macario was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ilija Skugor breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Toni Mauzer hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. After a rather tough play, Croatia's Damir Pongrac got a free kick in the 18th minute. 20 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Cornelio Rocio came free, but Ilija Skugor reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 24th play minutes Aristides Vigil shot 1-0, a short shot which went by Ilija Skugor and just under the crossbar into goal. Blackened's Braulio Sarracino got a good chance for a goal in the 29th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 32 minutes into the game, Aristides Vigil recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ilija Skugor. Aristides Vigil showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Bosak in the 36th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Guido Weather saved Blackened from getting behind. After some careless play in the Blackened defense, Toni Mauzer kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Guido Weather. The Blackened fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Guido Weather should have stopped the shot. Patrik Terzic hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. Neven Culina received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 43rd minute. Guido Weather tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Aristides Vigil in the 46th minute of play forced Croatia's goalkeeper Ilija Skugor to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Aristides Vigil to make the kick off. Guido Weather made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Toni Mauzer in the 55th minute of play. In the 56th minute of the match Croatia got a corner. Blackened's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Toni Mauzer ran over to the corner to take the kick. Croatia's Toni Mauzer was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Guido Weather in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. After a rather tough play, Blackened's Albano Raymon got a free kick in the 64th minute. Guido Weather showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Toni Mauzer in the 65th minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Amancio Montxo during the 70th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Amancio Montxo kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eduard Kostelac during the 77th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 77th match minute, Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eduard Kostelac to maneuver through the defense. Croatia's Ilija Skugor played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aristides Vigil in the 80th minute of play. Baldomero Maura took the ball and in the 82 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ilija Skugor. Ilija Skugor dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. Damir Pongrac got his second yellow card in the match during the 88th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 89th minute, Damir Pongrac hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Cornelio Rocio hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. Martin Bosak sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Croatia's Patrik Terzic got his second yellow card of the match in the 93rd minute. The referee ordered Patrik Terzic off the ground. After a rather tough play, Croatia's Patrik Terzic got a free kick in the 94th minute. Croatia's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.