Challenge

Ángel Labruna
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) La Gallardeta's Eliseo Illan 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. Carmelo Jeraldo kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. Tomas Illescas, 4 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Eliseo Illan stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Eliseo Illan tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 12 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Eliseo Illan came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tomas Illescas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paulo Romelio read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 13th minute of play. With an all-out effort, La Gallardeta's Jonathan Ferrant threw himself towards the right post 26 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Eliseo Illan, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After 42 minutes, Alex Chicote mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Venezuela and the La Gallardeta players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 42nd minute, Alex Chicote hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Erubiel Chuan fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. Tomas Illescas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paulo Romelio read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 46th minute of play. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tomas Illescas to strike the kick off in the second half. Patricio Costa recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 53rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 55 minutes into the game, Tomas Illescas lined in a short shot 0-1 behind a frustrated Paulo Romelio. In the 63rd match minute, La Gallardeta was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Leonides Pancho to maneuver through the defense. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 72nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With an all-out effort, Venezuela's Paulo Romelio threw himself towards the right post 79 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Tomas Illescas, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Paulo Romelio was a little too slow when Tomas Illescas got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 89th minute. The score was now 0-3. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Venezuela walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.