Challenge

Saitama Stadium
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Germano Romero kicked off to start the match. Benito Sanz made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ismael de Lara in the 3rd minute. 6 minutes into the match, THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's goal looked a bit too open when Axel Tasis came free, but Willian de Alcântara reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Germano Romero got free with Benito Sanz in the 10th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Germano Romero, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's Willian de Alcântara played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Puig in the 17th minute of play. 27 minutes into the match, Agnaldo Diniz notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Agnaldo Diniz received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Benito Sanz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jorge Fantini sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Germano Romero in the 40th minute of the match. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Axel Tasis to strike the kick off in the second half. Costa Rica's Eliseo Noboa got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jorge Fantini in the 59th minute of play. Benito Sanz stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Jorge Fantini's shot from short distance in the 63rd minute. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Germano Romero kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. The Costa Rica fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Benito Sanz should have stopped the shot. In the 73rd match minute, THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jorge Fantini to maneuver through the defense. After some careless play in the Costa Rica defense, Jorge Fantini kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. The Costa Rica fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Benito Sanz should have stopped the shot. After 78 minutes of play, THESPA KUSATSU GUNMA's Jorge Fantini made it 4-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Benito Sanz was left in no man's land by his defense there! Caetano Moreira hit a great freekick 81 minutes into the match. If Germano Romero had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jorge Fantini in the 91st minute of play. Benito Sanz made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jorge Fantini in the 96th minute of play.