Challenge

Rapid Giulesti
Spectators: 51 (Terracing: 39, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) A4p FC Gad's James Batistuta started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. The corner led USA's Cassius Byrne to fire away a dangerous shot which Glenn Fyfe despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. With an all-out effort, A4p FC Gad's Marco Day threw himself towards the right post 7 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from King Scorpio, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. A4p FC Gad's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Marcin Pachucki in the 8th minute. The corner went over the outstretched arms of USA's goalie and right to King Scorpio. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. USA's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. After 14 played minutes A4p FC Gad got a freekick which was hit by Olle Olsson. If James Batistuta had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 17 minutes into the match, USA's goalkeeper Marco Day had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alessandro Del Piero. After a rather tough play, USA's Koby Fletcher got a free kick in the 19th minute. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by King Scorpio in the 20th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when James Batistuta got free with Marco Day in the 22nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Alessandro Del Piero came free with the goalkeeper in the 27th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Marco Day could save by the left post. Glenn Fyfe took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After having played for 35 minutes, James Batistuta managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. A4p FC Gad's supporters crossed their fingers, but James Batistuta was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A long shot from Marcin Pachucki in the 37th minute of play was well struck, but Marco Day made a really good save at the right post. In the 39th minute King Scorpio shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. James Batistuta kicked well hit freekick during the 41st minute of the match. Alessandro Del Piero might have been able to make a better finish in the 45th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Marco Day. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alessandro Del Piero ran back to his position shaking his head. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Cassius Byrne was the one to do the kick off. If Monty Rogers had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 50th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cassius Byrne could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 52nd minute of the match, but Glenn Fyfe made a huge save. After 56 played minutes A4p FC Gad got a freekick which was hit by Olle Olsson. Alessandro Del Piero blasted a shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Marco Day having to make a save. In the 61st minute James Batistuta shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 65th minute, Zach Harrison hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A4p FC Gad's Gică Busuioc was substituted for James Batistuta. Zach Harrison hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Sam Campbell kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Glenn Fyfe. That made the score 0-1 in the 70 minute of play. Sam Campbell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 75th minute of the match, but Glenn Fyfe made a huge save. 76 minutes into the match, Monty Rogers notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of A4p FC Gad's Glenn Fyfe. Glenn Fyfe was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Sam Campbell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 82nd minute of the match, but Glenn Fyfe made a huge save. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gică Busuioc in the 84th minute of play. 0-3 became the score in the 88th minute when Sam Campbell elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. The audience was convinced that Flavius Cândroveanu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marco Day was relentless in the 92nd minute of the game.