Challenge

Blue Water Arena
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Rune Griffenfeld in the 7th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Esbjerg fB getting a freekick after 9 minutes play. Rune Griffenfeld hit a great ball. Esbjerg fB's Rune Griffenfeld got a good chance for a goal in the 13th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 15 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Severin Torbell came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Donato Bordon took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the Esbjerg fB defense, Tomas Illescas kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Donato Bordon. The Esbjerg fB fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Donato Bordon should have stopped the shot. Ib Dalsted got a throw-in 29 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Max Rambov. The audience was convinced that Rune Griffenfeld's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Jonathan Ferrant was relentless in the 33rd minute of the game. The audience thought a goal was coming when Servet Turabi got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 38th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 41 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jose Correa. In the 43rd match minute, Esbjerg fB was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pelle Hvidegaard to maneuver through the defense. Donato Bordon showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tomas Illescas in the 44th minute of the match. Donato Bordon made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Illescas in the 47th minute of play. After some careless play in the Esbjerg fB defense, Tomas Illescas kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Donato Bordon. The Esbjerg fB fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Donato Bordon should have stopped the shot. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Tomas Illescas made a kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Servet Turabi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Servet Turabi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 64th minute, Jonathan Venegas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 67 minutes into the match, Esbjerg fB's Rune Griffenfeld sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jonathan Ferrant narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 69 minutes, Max Rambov mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Esbjerg fB and the Venezuela players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Esbjerg fB was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 69 match minutes in a wonderful position. Max Rambov didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Esbjerg fB's Servet Turabi in the 72nd minute got a chance for a shot 72nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Venezuela's goalie prevented a goal. Venezuela's Tomas Illescas got a good chance for a goal in the 73rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Servet Turabi during the 80th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Esbjerg fB's Servet Turabi got a free kick in the 80th minute. After having played for 81 minutes, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Venezuela's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tomas Illescas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rune Griffenfeld, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal in the 92nd minute to try and stop a shot by Esbjerg fB's Servet Turabi. But to his dismay, Servet Turabi quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-2. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Esbjerg fB fans cheered their team off the field, for while Venezuela had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.