Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Venezuela's Tomas Illescas started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Tomas Illescass short, quick shot in the 4thth minute got Kurt Rosen to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Patricio Veguri might have been able to make a better finish in the 5th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jonathan Ferrant. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Patricio Veguri ran back to his position shaking his head. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Patricio Veguri, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patricio Veguri in the 10th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Rapid Punta Cana's Sebastián Prado got a free kick in the 10th minute. 12 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Patricio Veguri came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jose Correa kicked well hit freekick during the 13th minute of the match. 15 minutes into the game, Rapid Punta Cana's Patricio Veguri nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jonathan Ferrant made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. If Patricio Veguri had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Patricio Veguri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 21st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. Kurt Rosen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Patricio Costa, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by Rapid Punta Cana'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. Patricio Veguri kicked well hit freekick during the 24th minute of the match. Kurt Rosen made a fantastic save in the 25th minute, when Tomas Illescas sent off a good shot on target. Patricio Veguri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. Patricio Veguri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Domingo Lozano in the 35th minute of play. When Rapid Punta Cana's Patricio Veguri in the 36th minute got a chance for a shot 36th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Venezuela's goalie prevented a goal. If Patricio Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Patricio Veguri made a kick off. After 51 minutes of play, Rapid Punta Cana's Domingo Lozano made it 0-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jonathan Ferrant was left in no man's land by his defense there! 54 minutes into the match, Rapid Punta Cana's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Kurt Rosen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Rapid Punta Cana's zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Kurt Rosen 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 62nd minute of play forced Rapid Punta Cana's goalkeeper Kurt Rosen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Patricio Veguri sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 74th minute, one of Rapid Punta Cana:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Rapid Punta Cana. Patricio Veguri sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jonathan Ferrant stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Patricio Veguri's shot from short distance in the 90th minute. Domingo Lozano struck a weak shot in the 91st minute. Jonathan Ferrant didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rapid Punta Cana. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Rapid Punta Cana had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.