Challenge

Estadio Matute
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Axel Tasis took the kick off in the first half of the match. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Hugo Ferrant hit a great ball. 9 minutes into the game, ALIANZA 1901's Luis Escobar nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Benito Sanz made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. 11 minutes into the match, Alfredo Tomasini dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Benito Sanz, 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Axel Tasis in the 21st minute of play forced ALIANZA 1901's goalkeeper Bieito Luzuriaga to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Richie Ason's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Benito Sanz read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 23rd minute of play. In the 26th minute, Alfredo Tomasini reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Benito Sanz. The goal made the score 3-0. Eliseo Noboa struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Bieito Luzuriaga didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Costa Rica. Luis Escobar made a great header on ALIANZA 1901's corner, it was just that Costa Rica's Benito Sanz managed to reach the ball for a save. In the 35th minute, Luis Escobar left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The ALIANZA 1901 fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 4-0. Luis Escobar in the 37thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Benito Sanz, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. 38 minutes into the game, Alan Moruga was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Costa Rica's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave ALIANZA 1901 the free kick. Alan Moruga kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. After 39 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Lautaro Puig. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Abel Carballo during the 40th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 40th minute, one of Costa Rica:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Costa Rica. The goalkeeper, Benito Sanz, was totally fooled by ALIANZA 1901's Luis Escobar, who 41 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. With a little luck, Costa Rica's Benito Sanz got control of the ball when Luis Escobar tried to sneak it across the goal line. After having played for 47 minutes, Richie Ason managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. ALIANZA 1901's supporters crossed their fingers, but Richie Ason was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 5-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Luis Escobar to make the kick off. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Alfredo Tomasini 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. After some fancy dribbling in the 55th minute, Luis Escobar managed to get in a good position for a shot. ALIANZA 1901's supporters rose to their feet, but Luis Escobar was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Benito Sanz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Alfredo Tomasini blasted a shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Benito Sanz having to make a save. When the match clock showed 56 minutes, the score became 7-0 when Luis Escobar sped through Costa Rica's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. After 62 minutes, Juan Rubio mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the ALIANZA 1901 players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 62nd match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Juan Rubio to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alfredo Tomasini in the 63rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benito Sanz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. ALIANZA 1901's Bieito Luzuriaga played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Axel Tasis in the 65th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Alfredo Tomasini's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Benito Sanz was relentless in the 71st minute of the game. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luis Escobar in the 77th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alfredo Tomasini in the 78th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Efrain Moruga hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Alfredo Tomasini fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benito Sanz having to interfere. The supporters of ALIANZA 1901 booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eliseo Noboa didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 83 minutes, Pancho Tabernilla mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the ALIANZA 1901 and the Costa Rica players grew even worse after the yellow card. Lautaro Puig fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bieito Luzuriaga having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alfredo Tomasini in the 88th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benito Sanz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Alan Moruga was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 89 minutes had been played. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alfredo Tomasini in the 91st minute of play. Richie Ason sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 93rdth minute of the game Luis Escobar 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. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Hugo Ferrant got a free kick in the 95th minute. Nazario Ispuzua recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 95th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. ALIANZA 1901 walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.