Challenge

STW ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, 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. After a defensive mix-up in Pogoń Stawiszyn's zone, Patricio Costa stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gilbert Podolski came out of the goal and Patricio Costa tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ryszard Pilipiec's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 5thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. 6 minutes into the match, Venezuela's Patricio Costa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Gilbert Podolski narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Gilbert Podolski came out of the goal in the 8th minute to try and stop a shot by Venezuela's Tomas Illescas. But to his dismay, Tomas Illescas quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Ryszard Pilipiec came free with the goalkeeper in the 15th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Jonathan Ferrant could save by the left post. In the 16th minute, Jose Correa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 18th minute, Tomas Illescas got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Jonathan Ferrant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ryszard Pilipiec, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Jonathan Venegas got a free kick in the 26th minute. Alex Chicote hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. Patricio Costa struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Gilbert Podolski didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Venezuela. In the 41st minute Tomas Illescas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gilbert Podolski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Venezuela were awarded a corner in the 42th minute after Pogoń Stawiszyn's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Tomas Illescas took the corner. The corner led Venezuela's Tomas Illescas to fire away a dangerous shot which Gilbert Podolski despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. If Adam Kaznocha had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ryszard Pilipiec made a kick off. Jonathan Ferrant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ryszard Pilipiec, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. 58 minutes into the match, Ryszard Pilipiec had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ryszard Pilipiec was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ryszard Pilipiec in the 62nd minute of the match. 65 minutes into the match, Pogoń Stawiszyn's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Gilbert Podolski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mieszko Bartelak charged in rather forcefully in the 67th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Mieszko Bartelak the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Mieszko Bartelak hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. 71 minutes into the game, Pogoń Stawiszyn's Ryszard Pilipiec 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, 2-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 74th minute, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Venezuela's supporters rose to their feet, but Tomas Illescas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gilbert Podolski breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Pogoń Stawiszyn was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zbyszko Furgal didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 78th minute, Mieszko Bartelak hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gilbert Podolski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patricio Costa in the 79th minute of play. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After 89 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Alex Chicote. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After having played for 94 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. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Pogoń Stawiszyn was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lech Gmoch didn't get a good kick on the ball. Venezuela's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.