Challenge

Ángel Labruna
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) La Gallardeta's Fulgencio Gartzi 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. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fulgencio Gartzi in the 11th minute of play. 12 minutes had been played when some careless play by Venezuela's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alessio Scandella was slow to take the kick. During this time La Gallardeta's players had a chance to rest. The corner ended in Alessio Scandella almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant did a great save. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Jan-Olof Eliasson in the 15th minute. In the 23rd minute, Fulgencio Gartzi left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The La Gallardeta fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-0. Fulgencio Gartzi's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 29thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. 31 minutes into the match, Fulgencio Gartzi 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 Fulgencio Gartzi was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. 35 minutes into the match, La Gallardeta's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Belchior Saldanha reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Fulgencio Gartzi's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jonathan Ferrant read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 36th minute of play. A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Camilo Gaos hit a great ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Alessio Scandella got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 38th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 43 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Guillermo Mariano. La Gallardeta's Alessio Scandella got a good chance for a goal in the 44th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Belchior Saldanha tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tomas Illescas to strike the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the match, Fulgencio Gartzi 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 Fulgencio Gartzi was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 4-0. 59 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Fulgencio Gartzi came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 60 minutes Venezuela's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Alessio Scandella who took care of the corner kick. A well-hit corner resulted in Vinicio Polentzi heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Tomas Illescas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 64th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Fulgencio Gartzi took the ball and in the 68 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 5-0. After some fancy dribbling in the 72nd minute, Jan-Olof Eliasson managed to get in a good position for a shot. La Gallardeta's supporters rose to their feet, but Jan-Olof Eliasson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jonathan Ferrant breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fulgencio Gartzi in the 74th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jonathan Ferrant saved Venezuela from getting behind. 76 minutes into the game, Fulgencio Gartzi cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 6-0. Jonathan Ferrant was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The supporters of La Gallardeta booed when Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jonathan Venegas didn't get a good kick on the ball. The supporters of Venezuela booed when La Gallardeta was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Enzo Nuñez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tomas Illescas might have been able to make a better finish in the 89th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Belchior Saldanha. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tomas Illescas ran back to his position shaking his head. If Jan-Olof Eliasson had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. La Gallardeta were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Venezuela for a fine match.