Challenge

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Rodriguinho Viana kicked off to start the match. After 3 played minutes Botafogo MZRJ got a freekick which was hit by Enio Abreu. After a rather tough play, Botafogo MZRJ's Enio Abreu got a free kick in the 7th minute. Camilo Freixa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Paulo de Amorim, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Zé Roberto Paranaense hit a great freekick 17 minutes into the match. In the 19th minute, Eduardo Fontirroig 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. In the 24th minute Paulo de Amorim shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Camilo Freixa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Alfredo Ferrant fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marco Ramos having to interfere. After having played for 29 minutes, Eduardo Fontirroig managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Bolivia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Eduardo Fontirroig was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Edgard Reis hit a great freekick 31 minutes into the match. The Botafogo MZRJ fans' excitement grew in the 34th match minute when Botafogo MZRJ's Rodriguinho Viana looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. In the 37th minute, Alejandro Villa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Enio Abreu during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Enio Abreu kicked well hit freekick during the 42nd minute of the match. Enio Abreu was shown his second yellow card after 44 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 44th minute of the game. One of Botafogo MZRJ:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Bolivia:s goal. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Mario Fernandino to make the kick off. In the 51st minute, Rodriguinho Viana made a precise shot to the right of Camilo Freixa. Bolivia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. Waldir Maranhense kicked well hit freekick during the 54th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Mario Fernandino managed to get in a good position for a shot. Bolivia's supporters rose to their feet, but Mario Fernandino was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Ramos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 58th minute the ball was on its way in behind Botafogo MZRJ's goalkeeper Marco Ramos, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Waldir Maranhense hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. Mario Fernandino struck a weak shot in the 60th minute. Marco Ramos didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bolivia. After 61 played minutes Botafogo MZRJ got a freekick which was hit by Doni Gonçalves. Doni Gonçalves hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. Alfonso de la Cruz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of Botafogo MZRJ booed when Bolivia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Julio Chicote didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 72nd minute, Oséias Teixeira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eduardo Fontirroig in the 74th minute of play forced Botafogo MZRJ's goalkeeper Marco Ramos to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mario Fernandino might have been able to make a better finish in the 81st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Marco Ramos. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Mario Fernandino ran back to his position shaking his head. Eduardo Fontirroig could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 82nd minute of the match, but Marco Ramos made a huge save. In the 83rd match minute, Bolivia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eduardo Fontirroig to maneuver through the defense. Bolivia's Camilo Freixa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rodriguinho Viana in the 84th minute of play. Eduardo Fontirroig recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 87th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 94th minute, Paulo de Amorim made a precise shot to the right of Camilo Freixa. Bolivia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-1. The Botafogo MZRJ support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.