Challenge

Balan Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Bolivia's Mario Fernandino 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. The audience thought a goal was coming when Traian Pușcașu got free with Camilo Freixa in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 6 minutes into the match, Bolivia's goal looked a bit too open when Flavius Nechifor came free, but Camilo Freixa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sebastian Minulescu didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Eduardo Fontirroig went, in the 8th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. Eduardo Fontirroig fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sebastian Minulescu having to interfere. With an all-out effort, JUNIOR 2012's Camilo Freixa threw himself towards the right post 18 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Flavius Nechifor, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Sebastian Minulescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eduardo Fontirroig, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Through an outstanding action, after 24 minutes, Camilo Freixa successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. 27 minutes had been played when some careless play by JUNIOR 2012's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Mario Fernandino was slow to take the kick. During this time Bolivia's players had a chance to rest. The corner ended in Mario Fernandino almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but JUNIOR 2012's Sebastian Minulescu did a great save. Sebastian Minulescu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alfonso de la Cruz, who was totally free with the ball in the 31st minute. Bolivia's Francisco Gallo quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Virgil Oprescu, made in the 39th minute of the game. Sebastian Minulescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mario Fernandino in the 39th minute of play. 41 minutes into the match, Bolivia's Eduardo Fontirroig sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Sebastian Minulescu narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 43 minutes, Alfredo Ferrant mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Bolivia and the JUNIOR 2012 players grew even worse after the yellow card. Camilo Freixa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Flavius Nechifor, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 46 played minutes JUNIOR 2012 got a freekick which was hit by Ionuț Nedelcu. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Traian Pușcașu made a kick off. Mario Fernandino hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. Traian Pușcașu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Camilo Freixa having to interfere. Alfredo Ferrant fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 56th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sebastian Minulescu having to interfere. If Alfonso de la Cruz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The JUNIOR 2012 fans' excitement grew in the 66th match minute when JUNIOR 2012's Cătălin Nicolau looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Eduardo Fontirroig struck a weak shot in the 70th minute. Sebastian Minulescu didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bolivia. The supporters of Bolivia booed when JUNIOR 2012 was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ionuț Nedelcu didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alfredo Ferrant kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. When Dan Pintilie fell near the penalty area in the 76th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored JUNIOR 2012's protests and gave Dan Pintilie a yellow card for diving instead. Dan Pintilie kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. Eduardo Fontirroig blasted a shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Sebastian Minulescu having to make a save. Virgil Oprescu made in the 85th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Bolivia's Alejandro Villa. If Flavius Nechifor had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Alfonso de la Cruz blasted a shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Sebastian Minulescu having to make a save. In the 93rd minute of the match, Alfonso de la Cruz got a very nice opportunity to score, but Sebastian Minulescu was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. A collision led to Bolivia getting a freekick after 96 minutes play. Alfredo Ferrant hit a great ball. The Bolivia players were the happier at the end of the match as they had prevented JUNIOR 2012 from taking control. The game ends in a draw.