Challenge

FC NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Venezuela's Tomas Illescas 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. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Patricio Costa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 4th minute, Rigoberto Mina hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 5th minute of the match Isidoro Heriberto sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jonathan Ferrant skillfully saved the ball. Alex Chicote hit a great freekick 6 minutes into the match. In the 8th minute, Tomas Illescas 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: 0-1. Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 11th minute of the match, but Jonathan Ferrant made a huge save. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 14th minute. 21 minutes into the game, Francileudo Faarø threw the ball into play from the sideline. Venezuela's Guillermo Mariano quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 25th minute Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 26th minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jonathan Ferrant was a little too slow when Apostolis Polychronopoulos got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 29th minute. The score was now 1-1. 33 minutes had been played when some careless play by FC NATIONAL'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. A well-hit corner resulted in Patricio Costa heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. When Venezuela's Patricio Costa in 34 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Bogdan Lobonț guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. 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. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jonathan Ferrant didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos went, in the 41st minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. After a rather tough play, FC NATIONAL's Akestes Bentihavas got a free kick in the 46th minute. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Apostolis Polychronopoulos stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 52 minutes play. Camilo Gaos hit a great ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 53rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jonathan Ferrant saved Venezuela from getting behind. In the 54th minute, Jonathan Venegas hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Isidoro Heriberto stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Isidoro Heriberto tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal in the 58th minute to try and stop a shot by FC NATIONAL's Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos. But to his dismay, Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-1. Patricio Costa's late challenge caught a FC NATIONAL's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Patricio Costa helped the player get up and apologised. After 62 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Patricio Costa. In the 64th minute, Tomas Illescas 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. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Alex Chicote kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tomas Illescas in the 80th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bogdan Lobonț prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 88 minutes into the match, FC NATIONAL's goal looked a bit too open when Patricio Costa came free, but Bogdan Lobonț reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 92nd minute of play forced FC NATIONAL's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Patricio Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. FC NATIONAL's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.