Challenge

Lauton Park
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nacho Barbutski in the 3rd minute of play. Vladimir Tomanov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tomas Illescas in the 4th minute of the match. Guillermo Mariano made in the 9th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Tomas Illescas however managed to control. Vladimir Tomanov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Patricio Costa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 13 minutes into the match, Loko Plovdiv's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Vladimir Tomanov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Loko Plovdiv's Nacho Barbutski got a good chance for a goal in the 15th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nacho Barbutski, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nacho Barbutski in the 23rd minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 23 minutes, Nacho Barbutski put it in 1-0 from a short distance just to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. In the 26th minute, Elliot Hybbert hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Nacho Barbutski in the 27th minute. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nacho Barbutski, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a little luck, Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant got control of the ball when Nacho Barbutski tried to sneak it across the goal line. Loko Plovdiv's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Nacho Barbutski in the 33rd minute. If Joshua Secada had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 37th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Guillermo Mariano to maneuver through the defense. 39 minutes into the game, Venezuela's Patricio Costa nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Vladimir Tomanov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. After a defensive mix-up in Loko Plovdiv's zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Vladimir Tomanov came out of the goal and Tomas Illescas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Nacho Barbutski in the 43rd minute. In the 45th minute, Ilcho Argirov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nacho Barbutski was the one to do the kick off. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nacho Barbutski in the 51st minute of the match. In the 52nd match minute, Loko Plovdiv was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ilcho Argirov to maneuver through the defense. Guillermo Mariano hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. 61 minutes into the match, Loko Plovdiv's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Vladimir Tomanov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 64th minute Ilcho Argirov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nacho Barbutski fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 66th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 72nd minute, Nacho Barbutski managed to get in a good position for a shot. Loko Plovdiv's supporters rose to their feet, but Nacho Barbutski was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jonathan Ferrant breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nacho Barbutski in the 75th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Loko Plovdiv's Vladimir Tomanov proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 78th minute of the match, managed to save Loko Plovdiv from getting a goal against them. 79 minutes had been played when some careless play by Loko Plovdiv's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Tomas Illescas was slow to take the kick. During this time Venezuela's players had a chance to rest. A very nice done corner allowed Salvador Gisbert to score against Vladimir Tomanov in Loko Plovdiv's goal. 1-2 after 80 minutes. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Loko Plovdiv's Genadi Ahmakov managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Guillermo Mariano in the 86 minute of the game. In the 88th minute Nacho Barbutski shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Jose Correa fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Venezuela's protests and gave Jose Correa a yellow card for diving instead. Vladimir Tomanov made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tomas Illescas in the 91st minute. After 93 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Patricio Costa. The Venezuela supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Venezuela would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.