Challenge

Marcus Aurelius
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Claudiu Popescu kicked off to start the match. In the 2nd match minute, Stoicii was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Claudiu Popescu to maneuver through the defense. 4 minutes into the game, Alexandru Zaki was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Stoicii's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Costa Rica the free kick. When Eliseo Noboa came up free with the goalie in the 8th minute, the Costa Rica 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 Eliseo Noboa couldn't finish the play. Axel Tasis scored 0-1 in the 10th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Olimpiu Oncescu, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. If Claudiu Popescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the match had gone on for 14 minutes, Claudiu Popescu took a quick shot and it went in 1-1 without a chance for Benito Sanz to make any attempt to save it. After 17 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Eliseo Noboa. 21 minutes into the game, one of Costa Rica:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Benito Sanz had in the 22ndth minute some difficulties stopping Mugur Aldulea's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 26th minute of the match, Mugur Aldulea got a very nice opportunity to score, but Benito Sanz was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. In the 27th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lautaro Puig to maneuver through the defense. Juan Rubio's late challenge caught a Stoicii's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Juan Rubio helped the player get up and apologised. In the 27th minute, one of Costa Rica:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Costa Rica. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Juan Rubio hit a great ball. Abel Carballo hit a great freekick 34 minutes into the match. 36 minutes into the match, Claudiu Popescu notched a goal, 3-1, to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Mugur Aldulea could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 41st minute of the match, but Benito Sanz made a huge save. Claudiu Popescu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Zbora in the 44th minute of play. Claudiu Popescu scored 4-1 in the 45th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Benito Sanz, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Axel Tasis to make the kick off. The supporters of Stoicii booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 58 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juan Rubio didn't get a good kick on the ball. Eliseo Noboa kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 65 minutes play. Axel Tasis hit a great ball. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Felix Zbora kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. The Costa Rica fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Benito Sanz should have stopped the shot. 74 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Mugur Aldulea came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 81st match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lautaro Puig to maneuver through the defense. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mugur Aldulea, who was totally free with the ball in the 85th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mugur Aldulea in the 86th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Aaron Alcocer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 91st minute. Olimpiu Oncescu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Olimpiu Oncescu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Axel Tasis, who was totally free with the ball in the 96th minute. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Stoicii had played much better football throughout.