Challenge

Arena Dchamps
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when José Pedro de Moraes made the kick off which started today's match. 3 minutes into the game, Horácio Carvalho was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. América-SC F.C.'s manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Venezuela the free kick. Horácio Carvalho hit a great freekick 3 minutes into the match. Adelino Macedo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tomas Illescas in the 6th minute of the match. José Pedro de Moraes's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Jonathan Ferrant firmly grabbed it by the left post. After 10 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Rigoberto Mina. Paulo Antunes, 10 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Adelino Macedo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 20th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 24thth minute of the game Tomas Illescas who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but América-SC F.C.'s Adelino Macedo was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 25 minutes into the match, América-SC F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Adelino Macedo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Ulysses Linares fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored América-SC F.C.'s protests and gave Ulysses Linares a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Venezuela booed when América-SC F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ulysses Linares didn't get a good kick on the ball. 27 minutes into the match, América-SC F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Adelino Macedo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Horácio Carvalho was shown his second yellow card after 28 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Tomas Illescas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 34th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Venezuela's Patricio Costa got a good chance for a goal in the 35th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second 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. América-SC F.C.'s Adelino Macedo proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 52nd minute of the match, managed to save América-SC F.C. from getting a goal against them. In the 57th minute, Patricio Costa reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Adelino Macedo. The goal made the score 0-1. Adelino Macedo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Patricio Costa, who was totally free with the ball in the 61st minute. In the 62nd minute of the match Venezuela got a corner. América-SC F.C.'s goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Tomas Illescas ran over to the corner to take the kick. 65 minutes into the game, Patricio Costa recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Adelino Macedo. Patricio Costa showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-3. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by José Pedro de Moraes in the 75th minute of play. In the 82nd minute of the match Paulo Antunes sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jonathan Ferrant skillfully saved the ball. In the 87th minute, Guillermo Mariano left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Venezuela fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-4. Adelino Macedo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Patricio Costa in the 90th minute of the match. 91 minutes had been played when some careless play by América-SC F.C.'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. Patricio Costa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Venezuela's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.