Challenge

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Francisco Seco made the kick off which started today's match. Nelson Mendoza received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Joaquin Gayoso came out and tried to block the shot, but Nelson Mendoza slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 3rd minute. After 21st play minutes Francisco Seco shot 1-1, a short shot which went by João Massa and just under the crossbar into goal. In the 25th match minute, UFC STEAUA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mugur Basarabescu to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Uruguay getting a freekick after 37 minutes play. Jorge Sainz hit a great ball. Joaquin Gayoso acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 38th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Rafet Faydalı. When Gigel Seremet fell near the penalty area in the 47th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored UFC STEAUA's protests and gave Gigel Seremet a yellow card for diving instead. Gigel Seremet hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. In the 48th minute Francisco Seco shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but João Massa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

If Francisco Seco had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, UFC STEAUA's João Massa got control of the ball when Maximiliano Escribano tried to sneak it across the goal line. The UFC STEAUA fans' excitement grew in the 61st match minute when UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza 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 2-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After some fancy dribbling in the 64th minute, Francisco Seco managed to get in a good position for a shot. Uruguay's supporters rose to their feet, but Francisco Seco was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. João Massa breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in UFC STEAUA's zone, Maximiliano Escribano stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. João Massa came out of the goal and Maximiliano Escribano tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Xu Yue Yuan's late challenge caught a Uruguay's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Xu Yue Yuan helped the player get up and apologised. In the 70th match minute, UFC STEAUA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Xu Yue Yuan to maneuver through the defense. UFC STEAUA's Therkild Prendorf got a good chance for a goal in the 73rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 76th minute, Nelson Mendoza left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The UFC STEAUA fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-1. When UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Uruguay's goalie prevented a goal. Francisco Seco struck a weak shot in the 85th minute. João Massa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Uruguay. João Massa was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 87th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Camilo Franco. If Francisco Seco had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 96 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Francisco Seco came free, but João Massa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Uruguay's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.