Challenge

Phoenix Field
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Traian Moldovan got the match started through his kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patricio Costa in the 3rd minute of play forced Phoenix Strikers's goalkeeper Ionel Panaitoiu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 5 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Traian Moldovan. A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Jose Correa hit a great ball. 11 minutes into the match, Traian Moldovan had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Traian Moldovan was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. In the 20th minute, Jonathan Venegas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 26 minutes into the game, Jonathan Venegas 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 Phoenix Strikers the free kick. In the 26th minute, Jonathan Venegas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Traian Moldovan in the 37th minute of play. Phoenix Strikers's Olimpiu Mustea was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Jonathan Ferrant in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Mauricio Quentin got a throw-in 41 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Ovidiu Popescu. After 42 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Guillermo Mariano.

55 minutes into the game, Venezuela's Tomas Illescas nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ionel Panaitoiu made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. After 62 minutes of play, Phoenix Strikers's Traian Moldovan made it 3-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jonathan Ferrant was left in no man's land by his defense there! 70 minutes into the match, Traian Moldovan notched a goal, 4-1, to the right of Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Phoenix Strikers made a substitution. Pavel Haaland replaced Ivan Galtero. 80 minutes into the match, Olimpiu Mustea had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Olimpiu Mustea was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 5-1. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Traian Moldovan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 86th minute Tomas Illescas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ionel Panaitoiu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 94th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Guillermo Mariano to maneuver through the defense. Venezuela's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.