Challenge

Zeus Everest Arena
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, 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. In the 3rd minute, Cristiano Cigaran fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Jonathan Ferrant, passed just outside the right post. When Valdo Passos came up free with the goalie in the 6th minute, the Esquadrão Lusitano fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Valdo Passos couldn't finish the play. 8 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristiano Cigaran. Tomas Illescas scored 0-1 in the 12th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Vítor Damas, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Rui Sá fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. 18 minutes into the game, Rigoberto Mina was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Venezuela's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Esquadrão Lusitano the free kick. In the 18th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rigoberto Mina to maneuver through the defense. 19 minutes into the game, Rui Sá cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Jonathan Ferrant was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rui Sá in the 22nd minute of play. Vítor Damas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Cristiano Cigaran had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 27th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Vítor Damas showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tomas Illescas in the 33rd minute of the match. Venezuela's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Tomas Illescas in the 34th minute. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Jonathan Venegas got a free kick in the 34th minute. 40 minutes into the match, Esquadrão Lusitano's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Vítor Damas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Filomeno Esiquio received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Jonathan Ferrant tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jonathan Ferrant made a fantastic save in the 47th minute, when Cristiano Cigaran sent off a good shot on target. 47 minutes into the match, Cristiano Cigaran dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Jonathan Ferrant, 2-2. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Rui Sá was the one to do the kick off. When Tomas Illescas came up free with the goalie in the 56th minute, the Venezuela fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Tomas Illescas couldn't finish the play. In the 60th minute, Tomas Illescas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Camilo Gaos hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. In the 65th minute, Derman Anoia 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. Rui Sá might have been able to make a better finish in the 70th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jonathan Ferrant. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Rui Sá ran back to his position shaking his head. Tomas Illescass short, quick shot in the 73rdth minute got Vítor Damas to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Rui Sá struck a weak shot in the 74th 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 Esquadrão Lusitano. Derman Anoia sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Venezuela's Tomas Illescas got a good chance for a goal in the 83rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Rui Sá took the ball and in the 84 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 3-2. Esquadrão Lusitano's Rui Sá got a good chance for a goal in the 88th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tomas Illescas got free with Vítor Damas in the 89th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Jonathan Ferrant stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cristiano Cigaran's shot from short distance in the 94th minute. Tạ Bom struck a weak shot in the 95th 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 Esquadrão Lusitano. Jonathan Venegas kicked well hit freekick during the 97th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Tạ Bom stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Tạ Bom tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Esquadrão Lusitano's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.