Challenge

Qemal Stafa
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) K.F TIRANA's Cristoforo De Luca 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. In the 3rd minute Cristoforo De Luca shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Branden Shelton made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Illescas in the 5th minute of play. Coronel Durango could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 7th minute of the match, but Jonathan Ferrant made a huge save. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 10th minute. Branden Shelton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 12 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Cristoforo De Luca came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tomas Illescas took the ball and in the 14 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Branden Shelton. Branden Shelton dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. 19 minutes in the game, Coronel Durango fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Coronel Durango got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 24th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 28th minute of the match, managed to save Venezuela from getting a goal against them. After a rather tough play, K.F TIRANA's Paco Cano got a free kick in the 31st minute. 32 minutes into the match, Patricio Costa had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Branden Shelton. K.F TIRANA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Patricio Costa was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Branden Shelton tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Coronel Durango got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 42nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. K.F TIRANA's Cristoforo De Luca managed to work through Venezuela's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Cristoforo De Luca dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in.

The wind increased when Tomas Illescas made the kick off in the second half. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Salvador Gisbert got a free kick in the 54th minute. 59 minutes into the match, Venezuela's Tomas Illescas sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Branden Shelton narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 61 minutes into the match, K.F TIRANA's goalkeeper Branden Shelton had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Tomas Illescas. After having played for 63 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. Salvador Gisbert hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Branden Shelton having to interfere. Paco Cano recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 74 minutes into the game, Salvador Gisbert threw the ball into play from the sideline. K.F TIRANA's Nevjon Rexhepi quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Jonathan Ferrant stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cristoforo De Luca's shot from short distance in the 75th minute. Branden Shelton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Illescas, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. In the 85th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Salvador Gisbert to maneuver through the defense. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 90th match minute, K.F TIRANA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Avram Iorgulescu to maneuver through the defense. Tomas Illescas hit a great freekick 94 minutes into the match. Venezuela played a much better game than K.F TIRANA and deserved their victory. The K.F TIRANA players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.