Challenge

Pier Luigi PenZo
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Venezia FC's Sorin Dragușin 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. Mugurel Gârdan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lautaro Puig in the 3rd minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Costa Rica's zone, Aurel Șeimeanu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benito Sanz came out of the goal and Aurel Șeimeanu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Alan Moruga got a free kick in the 6th minute. Valeriu Manolescu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benito Sanz having to interfere. Valeriu Manolescu kicked well hit freekick during the 12th minute of the match. If Aurel Șeimeanu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 17 minutes into the game, Eliseo Noboa cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Mugurel Gârdan was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Aaron Alcocer hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. In the 22nd minute, Alan Moruga hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard shot 24 in the game by Sorin Dragușin from a close distance when the talented Benito Sanz managed to make a qualified save. Costa Rica's players were relieved. Lautaro Puig received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Mugurel Gârdan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Costa Rica booed when Venezia FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eric Apostol didn't get a good kick on the ball. 33 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Sorin Dragușin came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Ivan Gănescu 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. Benito Sanz made an important save on a dangerous shot by Aurel Șeimeanu in the 39th minute. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sorin Dragușin in the 40th minute of play. Valeriu Manolescu was extremely unlucky when he, in the 45th minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

Aurel Șeimeanu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Benito Sanz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sorin Dragușin in the 57th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 59thth minute of the game Sorin Dragușin who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Costa Rica's Benito Sanz was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 61st minute Sorin Dragușin 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. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sorin Dragușin, who was totally free with the ball in the 71st minute. When Alan Moruga fell near the penalty area in the 72nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Costa Rica's protests and gave Alan Moruga a yellow card for diving instead. Alan Moruga hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. In the 73rd minute Aurel Șeimeanu 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. In the 75th minute, Sorin Dragușin ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Benito Sanz was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-1. After 86 minutes, Edgar Coroian mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Venezia FC and the Costa Rica players grew even worse after the yellow card. Edgar Coroian hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Lautaro Puig received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Mugurel Gârdan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sorin Dragușin, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. Sorin Dragușin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.