Challenge

Croatia Arena
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Toni Mauzer took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 4th minute, Toni Mauzer 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. Ilija Skugor showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mané Freire, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. 8 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Válbson Gerber came free, but Ilija Skugor reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 10 minutes into the match, Phoenix Fc's goalkeeper Luís Fábio Bezerra had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Toni Mauzer. Phoenix Fc's Mané Freire got a good chance for a goal in the 14th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 17th minute of the match, Damir Pongrac got a very nice opportunity to score, but Luís Fábio Bezerra was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. The supporters of Phoenix Fc booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Neven Culina didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 22nd minute Toni Mauzer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Luís Fábio Bezerra saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Croatia's Damir Pongrac suffered a concussion after 24 minutes and had to leave the field. 24 minutes into the game, Carlinhos Martins was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Phoenix Fc's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Croatia the free kick. Croatia's Marin Jerkovic was substituted for Damir Pongrac. After 25 played minutes Phoenix Fc got a freekick which was hit by Carlinhos Martins. In the 28th minute Mané Freire shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ilija Skugor saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Luís Fábio Bezerra stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Toni Mauzer's shot from short distance in the 30th minute. Mané Freire sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With an all-out effort, Croatia's Luís Fábio Bezerra threw himself towards the right post 34 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Martin Bosak, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Phoenix Fc's Luís Fábio Bezerra proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Phoenix Fc from getting a goal against them. In the 37th minute Croatia were awarded a corner. Toni Mauzer went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Toni Mauzer got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Luís Fábio Bezerra quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Croatia's Ilija Skugor played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Válbson Gerber in the 38th minute of play. If Martin Bosak had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 45th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

After 52 minutes, Silvije Santek mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Croatia and the Phoenix Fc players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Croatia getting a freekick after 52 minutes play. Silvije Santek hit a great ball. Phoenix Fc's Luís Fábio Bezerra played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marin Jerkovic in the 60th minute of play. 61 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Mané Freire came free, but Ilija Skugor reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Phoenix Fc's Hernani Sampaio got a free kick in the 63rd minute. A collision led to Croatia getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Eduard Kostelac hit a great ball. In the 70th minute, Mané Freire fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Ilija Skugor, passed just outside the right post. Marin Jerkovic kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. If Carlinhos Martins had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Phoenix Fc booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marin Jerkovic didn't get a good kick on the ball. Luís Fábio Bezerra showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Toni Mauzer in the 86th minute of the match. Dinko Stankovic recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 94th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 96th minute, Toni Mauzer made a precise shot to the right of Luís Fábio Bezerra. Phoenix Fc's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. Croatia's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.