Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Elpidio Francis got the match started through his kick off. Elpidio Francis's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Casper Claes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 4th minute of play. Branislav Velchevski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edward Vanderstraeten in the 5th minute of the match. In the 8th minute the ball was on its way in behind Belgium's goalkeeper Casper Claes, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 11th minute Edward Vanderstraeten shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Belgium's zone, Elpidio Francis stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Casper Claes came out of the goal and Elpidio Francis tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 22nd minute, Floris Claeys hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 23 minutes into the match, Belgium's goalkeeper Casper Claes had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Elpidio Francis. 23 minutes into the game, Elpidio Francis recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Casper Claes. Elpidio Francis showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. In the 25th match minute, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Elpidio Francis to maneuver through the defense. In the 26th minute the ball was on its way in behind ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 28 minutes into the match, Edward Vanderstraeten had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Branislav Velchevski. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Edward Vanderstraeten was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. 31 minutes into the match, Belgium's goalkeeper Casper Claes had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Elpidio Francis. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 35th minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Miguel Prosperi hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. In the 41st minute Edward Vanderstraeten shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 42nd minute of play. After a rather tough play, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Esteban Iztal got a free kick in the 44th minute. In the 46th minute, Esteban Iztal hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Edward Vanderstraeten made a kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elpidio Francis in the 52nd minute of play forced Belgium's goalkeeper Casper Claes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Edward Vanderstraeten got free with Branislav Velchevski in the 62nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 63rd minute Edward Vanderstraeten shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branislav Velchevski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Arnaldo Gabon was substituted for Miguel Prosperi. Branislav Velchevski made an important save on a dangerous shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 72nd minute. In the 74th minute, Elpidio Francis left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. In the 82nd minute of the match Belgium got a corner. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Edward Vanderstraeten ran over to the corner to take the kick. In the 91st minute of the match, Edward Vanderstraeten got a very nice opportunity to score, but Branislav Velchevski was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Elpidio Francis got a good chance for a goal in the 96th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA fans cheered their team off the field, for while Belgium had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.