Challenge

Arena Viejo Parque
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Axel Tasis kicked off to start the match. Alberto Larrimbe's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Benito Sanz read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 3rd minute of play. When the match had gone on for 4 minutes, Guido Dameda put it in 1-0 from a short distance just to the right of Benito Sanz. After 7 minutes, Hugo Ferrant mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the NCA Defensor Mercenario players grew even worse after the yellow card. Hugo Ferrant hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jairo Torralbo in the 11th minute of the match. In the 14th minute, Txartiko Llerena hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Lautaro Puig had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 18 minutes into the game, Eliseo Noboa cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Ofelio Bermejo was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Alan Moruga kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. In the 21st match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abel Carballo to maneuver through the defense. The audience cheered loudly when Todor Hostar's long shot in the 22nd minute became 2-1 when the ball went to the left of and passed Benito Sanz. Steven Angostina hit a great freekick 24 minutes into the match. 26 minutes into the match, Todor Hostar dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Benito Sanz, 3-1. Axel Tasis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Eliseo Noboa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 34th minute. Ofelio Bermejo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 36th minute Todor Hostar shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lautaro Puig in the 38th minute of play forced NCA Defensor Mercenario's goalkeeper Ofelio Bermejo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benito Sanz was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Jairo Torralbo showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 4-1 in the 39 minute of play. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Abel Carballo got a free kick in the 42nd minute. Thanks to some nice moves with his feet 44 minutes in the game Todor Hostar managed to fire away a quick shot, that unfortunally went outside the top left corner. A very good opportunity for a goal. Todor Hostar's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Benito Sanz firmly grabbed it by the left post. After some fancy dribbling in the 46th minute, Rik Caldueño managed to get in a good position for a shot. NCA Defensor Mercenario's supporters rose to their feet, but Rik Caldueño was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Benito Sanz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Guido Dameda kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. The Costa Rica fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Benito Sanz should have stopped the shot. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Guido Dameda, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. 60 minutes into the match, Todor Hostar notched a goal, 6-1, to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 64th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abel Carballo to maneuver through the defense. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Guido Dameda, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 67 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Todor Hostar came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 70th minute Todor Hostar shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. NCA Defensor Mercenario made a substitution. Criston Mostaza replaced Xuban Zaldo. NCA Defensor Mercenario's Enetz Escrig was substituted for Rik Caldueño. NCA Defensor Mercenario's Dalimil Mrkva was substituted for Todor Hostar. The supporters of NCA Defensor Mercenario booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 78 match minutes in a wonderful position. Aaron Alcocer didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 80 played minutes NCA Defensor Mercenario got a freekick which was hit by Feliciano Cerbera. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dalimil Mrkva in the 86th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benito Sanz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Costa Rica's zone, Alberto Larrimbe stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benito Sanz came out of the goal and Alberto Larrimbe tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dalimil Mrkva scored 7-1 in the 93rd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Benito Sanz, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. NCA Defensor Mercenario had won after a very even match.