Challenge

Britannia Stadium
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tomas Illescas took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a rather tough play, Stoke FF's Edmund Alberg got a free kick in the 2nd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 5th minute of play forced Stoke FF's goalkeeper Niclas Andersson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Niclas Andersson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Patricio Costa in the 8th minute of the match. In the 9th minute, Patricio Costa made a precise shot to the right of Niclas Andersson. Stoke FF's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. In the 13th minute, Patricio Costa 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: 0-2. After 16 minutes, Marcelinho Motta made it 1-2 with a short kick to the right side. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Marcelinho Motta's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 19thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jose Correa hit a great freekick 23 minutes into the match. Patricio Costa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Niclas Andersson having to interfere. Jonathan Ferrant made a fantastic save in the 29th minute, when Bozkurt Orkun sent off a good shot on target. After some careless play in the Venezuela defense, Marcelinho Motta kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. The Venezuela fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Jonathan Ferrant should have stopped the shot. After a defensive mix-up in Stoke FF's zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Niclas Andersson came out of the goal and Tomas Illescas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaf Mikaelsson in the 38th minute of the match. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Stoke FF was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ove Fredriksson didn't get a good kick on the ball. 43 minutes into the match, Stoke FF's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Niclas Andersson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Marcelinho Motta to make the kick off. 52 minutes in the game Pontus Granlund did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Bozkurt Orkun. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaf Mikaelsson in the 58th minute of the match. In the 59th minute Tomas Illescas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Niclas Andersson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 71st 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. A collision led to Stoke FF getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Ove Fredriksson hit a great ball. After having played for 82 minutes, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Venezuela's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tomas Illescas was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Patricio Costa fell near the penalty area in the 86th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Venezuela's protests and gave Patricio Costa a yellow card for diving instead. After 86 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Patricio Costa. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.