Challenge

Mineirão
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Frank Sachs made the kick off which started today's match. 3 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's goal looked a bit too open when Frank Sachs came free, but Arthur Bufi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a little luck, Germany's Tommy Kahn got control of the ball when Brock Friend tried to sneak it across the goal line. Brock Friend's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 11thth minute, Tommy Kahn skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Germany's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Frank Sachs in the 14th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Brock Friend in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tommy Kahn saved Germany from getting behind. In the 18th match minute, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Olavo Quadros to maneuver through the defense. Germany were awarded a corner in the 20th minute after Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Frank Sachs took the corner. 21 minutes into the match, Duarte Félix had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Tommy Kahn. Germany's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Duarte Félix was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. With a little luck, Germany's Tommy Kahn got control of the ball when Brock Friend tried to sneak it across the goal line. Chris Mergenthaler hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. Duarte Félix received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 28th minute. Tommy Kahn tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 30 minutes into the match, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Duarte Félix sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Tommy Kahn narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Adrian Dreifuss during the 37th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Adrian Dreifuss kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. In the 48th match minute, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Duarte Félix to maneuver through the defense. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

In the 51st minute, Chris Mergenthaler hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Chris Mergenthaler fell near the penalty area in the 57th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Germany's protests and gave Chris Mergenthaler a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Germany getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Chris Mergenthaler hit a great ball. If Brock Friend had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Tommy Kahn made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Brock Friend in the 60th minute of play. A well-hit corner resulted in Sven Krakouer heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. After having played for 67 minutes, Brock Friend managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's supporters crossed their fingers, but Brock Friend was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The supporters of Germany booed when Cruzeiro Esporte Clube was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Duarte Félix didn't get a good kick on the ball. Albin Holweck received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Arthur Bufi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tommy Kahn stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Duarte Félix's shot from short distance in the 73rd minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 76th minute, Duarte Félix managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's supporters rose to their feet, but Duarte Félix was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tommy Kahn breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tommy Kahn came out of the goal in the 77th minute to try and stop a shot by Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's Brock Friend. But to his dismay, Brock Friend quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-0. After a rather tough play, Germany's Janik Vogt got a free kick in the 83rd minute. After having played for 84 minutes, Oswaldo Maranhense managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cruzeiro Esporte Clube's supporters crossed their fingers, but Oswaldo Maranhense was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Oswaldo Maranhense hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. 96 minutes into the match, Germany's goal looked a bit too open when Brock Friend came free, but Tommy Kahn reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 98th minute, Germany's Chris Mergenthaler seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Chris Mergenthaler the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Germany protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Chris Mergenthaler had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. In the 99th minute, Oswaldo Maranhense 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. For all the effort they put into the match, the Germany players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.