Challenge

Alçapão da Baixada
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ünsal Sendur got the match started through his kick off. After a defensive mix-up in USA's zone, Ünsal Sendur stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marco Day came out of the goal and Ünsal Sendur tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 7 minutes into the match, USA's goalkeeper Marco Day had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ünsal Sendur. Mickaël Maris took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 16 minutes into the match, Nova Iguaçu MZFC's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Mickaël Maris reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's Mickaël Maris played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 17th minute of play. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Zézinho Veloso in the 20th minute of play. In the 26th minute the ball was on its way in behind USA's goalkeeper Marco Day, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 33 minutes into the match, Cassius Byrne had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Mickaël Maris. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cassius Byrne was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. Marco Day was a little too slow when Ünsal Sendur got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 36th minute. The score was now 2-1. Mickaël Maris showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Monty Rogers, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. Jacob May kicked well hit freekick during the 43rd minute of the match. After 44 minutes, Zézinho Veloso mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Nova Iguaçu MZFC and the USA players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of USA booed when Nova Iguaçu MZFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zézinho Veloso didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 46th minute Cassius Byrne shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mickaël Maris saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cassius Byrne to strike the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 58th minute of play forced Nova Iguaçu MZFC's goalkeeper Mickaël Maris to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mickaël Maris showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jacob May, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. In the 63rd minute Nova Iguaçu MZFC were awarded a corner. Luiz Fábio de Medeiros went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner ended in Luiz Fábio de Medeiros almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but USA's Marco Day did a great save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cassius Byrne in the 65th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mickaël Maris saved Nova Iguaçu MZFC from getting behind. If Zézinho Veloso had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. USA's Sam Campbell was substituted for Cassius Byrne. Ödön Zsinka charged in rather forcefully in the 73rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ödön Zsinka the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 73rd minute, Ödön Zsinka hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 75th minute of the match, Monty Rogers tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Mickaël Maris saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. USA's Khalid Parry was substituted for Monty Rogers. In the 78th minute of the match USA got a corner. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Jenson Smith ran over to the corner to take the kick.