Challenge

Eternal Flame Arena
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Frederico Hendrickx started the match with the kick off. In the 4th minute Samai Asmawan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jenson Smith in the 6th minute of play forced PHOENIX SC's goalkeeper Ray Clemence to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 8th minute, Zach Harrison hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After some fancy dribbling in the 8th minute, Phoenix Kante managed to get in a good position for a shot. PHOENIX SC's supporters rose to their feet, but Phoenix Kante was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 11 minutes into the match, USA's goalkeeper Marco Day had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Frederico Hendrickx. In the 14th minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ray Clemence saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ray Clemence showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Monty Rogers in the 16th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 17th minute of play forced PHOENIX SC's goalkeeper Ray Clemence to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ray Clemence made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 19th minute of play. If Jenson Smith had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 31st minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ray Clemence saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 33rd minute of play forced PHOENIX SC's goalkeeper Ray Clemence to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Frederico Hendrickx who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 34thth minute tested the skills of Marco Day when he managed to save the team from getting behind. In the 35th minute, Frederico Hendrickx got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Lilcho Ilchov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marco Day having to interfere. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Cassius Byrne stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 56 minutes into the game, Monty Rogers recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ray Clemence. Monty Rogers showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. If Edward Mcdonald had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Samai Asmawan in the 60th minute of play. In the 61st minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ray Clemence saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rodrigo Abaurre kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. In the 71st match minute, PHOENIX SC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Rodrigo Abaurre to maneuver through the defense. Monty Rogers's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ray Clemence read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 71st minute of play. Frederico Hendrickx struck a weak shot in the 73rd minute. Marco Day didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for PHOENIX SC. Samai Asmawan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Marco Day tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. In the 87th match minute, USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marco Baker to maneuver through the defense. 88 minutes into the match, PHOENIX SC's Frederico Hendrickx sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marco Day narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 90 minutes into the match, PHOENIX SC's goal looked a bit too open when Marco Baker came free, but Ray Clemence reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 91st minute of the match, Sam Campbell got a very nice opportunity to score, but Ray Clemence was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Khalid Parry received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Ray Clemence tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Samai Asmawan in the 97th minute of play forced USA's goalkeeper Marco Day to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. USA'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.