Challenge

Ruscova
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cassius Byrne got the match started through his kick off. In the 2nd minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Helmuth Duckadam saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Helmuth Duckadam made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 4th minute of play. Ciro Cortez could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 11th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 12th minute of play forced FC Ruscova's goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kian Natanael, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Zachary Snaza in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marco Day saved USA from getting behind. When the match clock showed 16 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Zachary Snaza sped through USA's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Marco Day. Glauco Motta sent away a hard shot on goal in the 19th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kian Natanael, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zachary Snaza in the 23rd minute of play. After 24 minutes USA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Roger Romary who took care of the corner kick. Helmuth Duckadam made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 26th minute of play. FC Ruscova's Helmuth Duckadam played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 27th minute of play. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zachary Snaza, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Helmuth Duckadam didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Cassius Byrne went, in the 35th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. When the match clock showed 44 minutes, the score became 2-2 when Cassius Byrne sped through FC Ruscova's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Helmuth Duckadam. The corner led FC Ruscova's Roger Romary to fire away a dangerous shot which Marco Day despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ciro Cortez in the 52nd minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Monty Rogers got free with Helmuth Duckadam in the 55th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 61st minute, Cassius Byrne reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Helmuth Duckadam. The goal made the score 2-3. After 64 minutes of play, FC Ruscova's Ciro Cortez made it 3-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Marco Day was left in no man's land by his defense there! Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Umur Renan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, FC Ruscova's Glauco Motta got a free kick in the 71st minute. In the 72nd minute, Glauco Motta hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Edward Mcdonald could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 73rd minute of the match, but Helmuth Duckadam made a huge save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 74th minute of play forced FC Ruscova's goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Helmuth Duckadam made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 74th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 76th minute of play forced FC Ruscova's goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Sam Campbell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 77th minute of the match, but Helmuth Duckadam made a huge save. In the 81st minute of the match USA got a corner. FC Ruscova'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. After some fancy dribbling in the 85th minute, Kian Natanael managed to get in a good position for a shot. FC Ruscova's supporters rose to their feet, but Kian Natanael was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. FC Ruscova's Gavril Sichitiu was substituted for Umur Renan. FC Ruscova's Helmuth Duckadam played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Khalid Parry in the 88th minute of play. The supporters of FC Ruscova booed when USA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fabian Brown didn't get a good kick on the ball. 90 minutes into the match, Kian Natanael had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Marco Day. USA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Kian Natanael was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 4-3. Sam Campbell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 97th minute of the match, but Helmuth Duckadam made a huge save. When the referee blew the final whistle, FC Ruscova could leave the field as winners, despite USA having more of the ball for most of the match.