Challenge

Franck Ribery Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Vasile Blănaru started the match with the kick off. In the 7th 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. Vasile Blănaru could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 16th minute of the match, but Jonathan Ferrant made a huge save. 19 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Karol Czempa came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Chorache Tofiño took the ball and in the 23 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 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 29th minute of play forced Progresul Pitesti's goalkeeper Martin Tudor to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tomas Illescas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 35 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Chorache Tofiño. A hard shot 40 in the game by Vasile Blănaru from a close distance when the talented Jonathan Ferrant managed to make a qualified save. Venezuela's players were relieved. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 44th minute the ball was on its way in behind Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Jose Correa kicked well hit freekick during the 47th minute of the match. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Tomas Illescas was the one to do the kick off. After having played for 52 minutes, Patricio Costa managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Venezuela's supporters crossed their fingers, but Patricio Costa was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 57th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alex Chicote to maneuver through the defense. In the 61st minute, Tomas Illescas left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Venezuela fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. 70 minutes into the match, Progresul Pitesti's goalkeeper Martin Tudor had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Tomas Illescas. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Progresul Pitesti was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ezkerra Villasana didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 72nd minute, Florin Logofătu managed to get in a good position for a shot. Progresul Pitesti's supporters rose to their feet, but Florin Logofătu 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. In the 74th minute Patricio Costa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martin Tudor saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Progresul Pitesti's Vintilă Marinică got a free kick in the 79th minute. 88 minutes into the game, Progresul Pitesti's Chorache Tofiño 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, 3-1. Patricio Costa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Venezuela's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.