Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Tomas Illescas got the match started through his kick off. Fausto Pinti sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tomas Illescas could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 4th minute of the match, but Damiano Battisti made a huge save. After 5 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jose Correa. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Fausto Pinti in the 8th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jonathan Ferrant prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Grant Irø stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Grant Irø tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 10 minutes, Fausto Pinti managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Eurospeed Asti's supporters crossed their fingers, but Fausto Pinti was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Damiano Battisti came out and tried to block the shot, but Tomas Illescas slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 15th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elia Pietrantoni in the 19th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Camilo Gaos kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fausto Pinti in the 21st minute of play. Damiano Battisti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Iosif Gherase took the ball and in the 27 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 30th minute, Grant Irø managed to get in a good position for a shot. Eurospeed Asti's supporters rose to their feet, but Grant Irø 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. 33 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Elia Pietrantoni came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Antonello Tofani in the 36th minute of play. In the 38th match minute, Eurospeed Asti was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Grant Irø to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Elia Pietrantoni in the 40th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 44th minute, Elia Pietrantoni left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Eurospeed Asti fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. After the first half Eurospeed Asti were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Fausto Pinti stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Fausto Pinti hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Fausto Pinti received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Jonathan Ferrant tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 57 minutes, Jose Berdoi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Eurospeed Asti and the Venezuela players grew even worse after the yellow card. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 60 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Fausto Pinti came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Iosif Gherase stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Iosif Gherase tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Tomas Illescas kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. If Grant Irø had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 73rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Elia Pietrantoni, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 76th minute of play forced Eurospeed Asti's goalkeeper Damiano Battisti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Damiano Battisti made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patricio Costa in the 78th minute of play. Elia Pietrantoni could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Jonathan Ferrant made a huge save. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Eurospeed Asti was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jose Berdoi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Camilo Gaos's late challenge caught a Eurospeed Asti's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Camilo Gaos helped the player get up and apologised. Fortunato Borromeo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 97th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Venezuela fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Eurospeed Asti were clearly better and deserved to take the win.