Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when 肖誉洋 kicked off to start the match. After some careless play in the 东莞新世纪 defense, Eliseo Noboa kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of 石坚斌. The 东莞新世纪 fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that 石坚斌 should have stopped the shot. The supporters of 东莞新世纪 booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alan Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 10th minute, Lautaro Puig hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Costa Rica's zone, 陶西坚 stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benito Sanz came out of the goal and 陶西坚 tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. Alan Moruga hit a great ball. 14 minutes into the game, 肖誉洋 cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Benito Sanz was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 17 minutes into the match, Lautaro Puig had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of 石坚斌. 东莞新世纪's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Lautaro Puig was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from 肖誉洋 in the 21st minute of the match. When Lautaro Puig fell near the penalty area in the 21st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Costa Rica's protests and gave Lautaro Puig a yellow card for diving instead. Lautaro Puig kicked well hit freekick during the 22nd minute of the match. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by 陶棋岩 in the 24th minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eliseo Noboa during the 28th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 28th minute, Eliseo Noboa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 龙冰树 hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. Lautaro Puig succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 3-1 in the 32nd playminute. After 35 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Eliseo Noboa. After some fancy dribbling in the 36th minute, 肖誉洋 managed to get in a good position for a shot. 东莞新世纪's supporters rose to their feet, but 肖誉洋 was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Benito Sanz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from 陶棋岩 in the 39th minute of the match. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by 陶西坚 in the 41st minute of play. In the 42nd minute the ball was on its way in behind Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Axel Tasis hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from 陶棋岩, who was totally free with the ball in the 46th minute. In the 47th minute 陶棋岩 shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-1.

Benito Sanz stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of 陶棋岩's shot from short distance in the 64th minute. A hard shot 70 in the game by 肖誉洋 from a close distance when the talented Benito Sanz managed to make a qualified save. Costa Rica's players were relieved. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Eliseo Noboa hit a great ball. 方磊响 could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 73rd minute of the match, but Benito Sanz made a huge save. The supporters of 东莞新世纪 booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juan Rubio didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by 肖誉洋 in the 88th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 肖誉洋 could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 93rd minute of the match, but Benito Sanz made a huge save. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Lautaro Puig got a free kick in the 93rd minute. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from 陶西坚, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Many of 东莞新世纪's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. 东莞新世纪 may have spent more time on the ball, but Costa Rica were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.