Challenge

Maravilla Stadium
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Quentin Gonzalez started the match with the kick off. A throw-in in the 10th minute of the game was made by Vykan Passarelli with Leopoldo de Queiroz as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. 14 minutes into the match, Tomas Illescas notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Atlético Maravilla's Zarando Lastras. Zarando Lastras was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patricio Costa in the 17th minute of play forced Atlético Maravilla's goalkeeper Zarando Lastras to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Jonathan Venegas charged in rather forcefully in the 18th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jonathan Venegas the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 18 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jonathan Venegas. After having played for 19 minutes, Anders Söderlund managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atlético Maravilla's supporters crossed their fingers, but Anders Söderlund was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 20th minute of the match, Quentin Gonzalez got a very nice opportunity to score, but Jonathan Ferrant was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. A hard shot 22 in the game by Leopoldo de Queiroz from a close distance when the talented Jonathan Ferrant managed to make a qualified save. Venezuela's players were relieved. 27 minutes into the match, Atlético Maravilla's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Zarando Lastras reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 35th minute Patricio Costa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zarando Lastras saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Atlético Maravilla's Zarando Lastras played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 36th minute of play. Venezuela's Patricio Costa got a good chance for a goal in the 39th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Quentin Gonzalez's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 44thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. 47 minutes into the match, Leopoldo de Queiroz had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Leopoldo de Queiroz was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. 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.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Tomas Illescas to make the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Quentin Gonzalez in the 53rd minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Quentin Gonzalez in the 54th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jonathan Ferrant prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Honorato Arraz struck a weak shot in the 60th 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 Atlético Maravilla. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Dionisio Hidalgo in the 63rd minute of the match. A collision led to Atlético Maravilla getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Herminio March hit a great ball. When Vykan Passarelli fell near the penalty area in the 70th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Atlético Maravilla's protests and gave Vykan Passarelli a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Atlético Maravilla was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vykan Passarelli didn't get a good kick on the ball. Zarando Lastras acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 71st minute, took the ball on the long shot from Tomas Illescas. Atlético Maravilla's Shawn Seracino Inglott was substituted for Dionisio Hidalgo. Honorato Arraz received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Jonathan Ferrant tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Vykan Passarelli made in the 82nd minute of the game a quick throw-in and Leopoldo de Queiroz immediately put the ball in play. In the 84th minute Patricio Costa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zarando Lastras saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 96th minute, Shawn Seracino Inglott ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Jonathan Ferrant was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-1. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Atlético Maravilla had played much better football throughout.