Challenge

Walthamstow
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Walthamstow's Beagan Colwell 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. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 3 minutes play. Aaron Alcocer hit a great ball. Benito Sanz stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Beagan Colwell's shot from short distance in the 4th minute. When Axel Tasis came up free with the goalie in the 6th minute, the Costa Rica 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 Axel Tasis couldn't finish the play. In the 7thth minute of the game Beagan Colwell 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. Firdauz Chian hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. In the 15th minute Axel Tasis shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gage Pillai saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Edwin Lindgren could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 19th minute of the match, but Benito Sanz made a huge save. 20 minutes into the match, Lautaro Puig notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Walthamstow's Gage Pillai. Gage Pillai was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The supporters of Walthamstow booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Aaron Alcocer didn't get a good kick on the ball. Axel Tasis took the ball and in the 27 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Gage Pillai. Gage Pillai dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. The long shot by Faizal Tan in the 31st minute really tested Benito Sanz's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Edwin Lindgren could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 32nd minute of the match, but Benito Sanz made a huge save. When Axel Tasis fell near the penalty area in the 33rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Costa Rica's protests and gave Axel Tasis a yellow card for diving instead. After 33 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Axel Tasis. In the 37th minute, Axel Tasis left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Costa Rica fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-3. Efrain Moruga hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 45th minute, Israel Reno managed to get in a good position for a shot. Walthamstow's supporters rose to their feet, but Israel Reno 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. Edwin Lindgren fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 46th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benito Sanz having to interfere.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Axel Tasis was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Beagan Colwell in the 56th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lautaro Puig could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 57th minute of the match, but Gage Pillai made a huge save. Axel Tasis who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 59thth minute tested the skills of Gage Pillai when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Benito Sanz didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Israel Reno went, in the 61st minute, to the upper right corner, 2-3 was the resulting score. After having played for 66 minutes, Beagan Colwell managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Walthamstow's supporters crossed their fingers, but Beagan Colwell was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Axel Tasis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Eliseo Noboa struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Gage Pillai didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Costa Rica. In the 72nd match minute, Walthamstow was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Firdauz Chian to maneuver through the defense. The crowd rose to their feet as Axel Tasis kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Gage Pillai. That made the score 2-4 in the 75 minute of play. Lautaro Puig might have been able to make a better finish in the 79th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Gage Pillai. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Lautaro Puig ran back to his position shaking his head. Gage Pillai showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Axel Tasis, who was totally free with the ball in the 80th minute. Faizal Tan kicked well hit freekick during the 83rd minute of the match. Axel Tasis was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 83rd played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edwin Lindgren in the 85th minute of play. Alexander Carballo lost his temper 92 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. After 93 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Alexander Carballo. The audience held their breath when Firdauz Chian in the 95th minute of the game managed to trick the opponents defenses and fired away a shot outside the goal on the Benito Sanz's left hand side. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Costa Rica walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.