Challenge

FC Riga Arena
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Venezuela's Tomas Illescas 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. Saivis Kikals made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Illescas in the 7th minute of play. 8 minutes into the game, Marin Ailenei cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Jonathan Ferrant was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Voldemārs Cariņš hit a great freekick 13 minutes into the match. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marin Ailenei in the 14th minute of play. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marin Ailenei, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marin Ailenei struck a weak shot in the 18th minute. Jonathan Ferrant didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for FC Riga. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Normunds Brencāns in the 20th minute of the match. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marin Ailenei in the 22nd minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Rigoberto Mina during the 29th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 29th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rigoberto Mina to maneuver through the defense. A hard shot 34 in the game by Marin Ailenei from a close distance when the talented Jonathan Ferrant managed to make a qualified save. Venezuela's players were relieved. Venezuela's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Tomas Illescas in the 36th minute. Salvador Gisbert hit a great freekick 36 minutes into the match. After 40 played minutes FC Riga got a freekick which was hit by Jimmy Svenningsted. In the 41st match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alex Chicote to maneuver through the defense. Jonathan Ferrant stood somewhat misplaced when Marin Ailenei came free in front of goal and shot 3-0 to the left of him in the 43 minute. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Marin Ailenei made a kick off. If Kaspars Ketris had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Rigoberto Mina got a free kick in the 53rd minute. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Voldemārs Cariņš in the 54th minute of the match. After 66 minutes, Marin Ailenei made it 4-0 with a short kick to the right side. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Saivis Kikals made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patricio Costa in the 70th minute of play. In the 74th minute, Dāvis Pipiris hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 74th minute of play forced FC Riga's goalkeeper Saivis Kikals to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 78th minute, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Venezuela's supporters rose to their feet, but Tomas Illescas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Saivis Kikals breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tomas Illescas came free with the goalkeeper in the 80th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Saivis Kikals could save by the left post. 81 minutes had been played when some careless play by FC Riga's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Tomas Illescas was slow to take the kick. During this time Venezuela's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Venezuela's corner Tomas Illescas fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Saivis Kikals quite easily take care of the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Joshua Secada in the 82nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Saivis Kikals saved FC Riga from getting behind. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marin Ailenei, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With his leg Saivis Kikals managed to avoid a goal in the 88thth minute, when Venezuela's Tomas Illescas fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 89th minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marin Ailenei in the 92nd minute of play. When Marin Ailenei came up free with the goalie in the 97th minute, the FC Riga fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Marin Ailenei couldn't finish the play. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The FC Riga fans cheered their team off the field, for while Venezuela had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.