Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Valeriu Morovan got the match started through his kick off. The audience thought a goal was coming when Monty Rogers got free with Martin Crețu in the 15th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a little luck, Stiinta-Univ.'s Martin Crețu got control of the ball when Cassius Byrne tried to sneak it across the goal line. 22 minutes into the match, Stiinta-Univ.'s goalkeeper Martin Crețu had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cassius Byrne. After having played for 27 minutes, Aurel Panait managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Stiinta-Univ.'s supporters crossed their fingers, but Aurel Panait was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Martin Crețu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 28th minute of play. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Shi Ming Sheng in the 30th minute of the match. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Shi Ming Sheng, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 36th minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Martin Crețu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Martin Crețu was out of position in the 39 minute of play, and Monty Rogers capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Monty Rogers really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. If Cassius Byrne had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Valeriu Morovan in the 44th minute of play. Stiinta-Univ. were awarded a corner in the 45th minute after USA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Virgil Oargă took the corner. A nice corner shot did that Virgil Oargă got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Marco Day quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

Stiinta-Univ. made a substitution. Okan Koc replaced Valeriu Morovan. When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Cassius Byrne made a kick off. Martin Crețu stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cassius Byrne's shot from short distance in the 54th minute. Martin Crețu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Edward Mcdonald in the 56th minute of play. Stiinta-Univ.'s Martin Crețu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Monty Rogers in the 57th minute of play. In the 58th minute of the match USA got a corner. Stiinta-Univ.'s goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Cassius Byrne ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner ended in Cassius Byrne almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Stiinta-Univ.'s Martin Crețu did a great save. USA's defense didn't have a chance, in the 64th minute, when Aurel Panait scored to the left of an out of position Marco Day, making the score, 1-1. When USA's Edward Mcdonald in the 67th minute got a chance for a shot 67th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Stiinta-Univ.'s goalie prevented a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 71st minute, Shi Ming Sheng managed to get in a good position for a shot. Stiinta-Univ.'s supporters rose to their feet, but Shi Ming Sheng was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. USA's Monty Rogers got a good chance for a goal in the 76th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some careless play in the Stiinta-Univ. defense, Sam Campbell kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Martin Crețu. The Stiinta-Univ. fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Martin Crețu should have stopped the shot. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. USA's Khalid Parry was substituted for Monty Rogers. The audience thought a goal was coming when Aurel Panait got free with Marco Day in the 87th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Zach Harrison had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 91 minutes into the match, Stiinta-Univ.'s goal looked a bit too open when Sam Campbell came free, but Martin Crețu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 91 minutes into the match, Sam Campbell had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Martin Crețu. Stiinta-Univ.'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Sam Campbell was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. Shi Ming Shengs short, quick shot in the 94thth minute got Marco Day to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. USA had won after a very even match.