Challenge

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Tomas Illescas got the match started through his kick off. Tomas Illescas scored 0-1 in the 4th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of João Massa, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. With a little luck, Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant got control of the ball when Gigel Seremet tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 10th 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. The supporters of UFC STEAUA booed when Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 11 match minutes in a wonderful position. Guillermo Mariano didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jonathan Ferrant was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 12th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Mugur Basarabescu. Nelson Mendoza's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 15thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. When the match had gone on for 17 minutes, Tomas Illescas put it in 0-2 from a short distance just to the right of João Massa. Tomas Illescas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but João Massa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 22nd minute of play. In the 25th minute, Xu Yue Yuan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 28 minutes into the game, UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jonathan Ferrant made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. 32 minutes into the game, UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jonathan Ferrant made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-2. Tomas Illescas scored 2-3 in the 37th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of João Massa, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patricio Costa in the 39th minute of play forced UFC STEAUA's goalkeeper João Massa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 40 minutes UFC STEAUA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Tomas Illescas who took care of the corner kick. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 2-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nelson Mendoza was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the game, Nelson Mendoza cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 3-3. Jonathan Ferrant was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Tomas Illescas in the 60thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of João Massa, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Rigoberto Mina kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. In the 66th minute of the match UFC STEAUA got a corner. Venezuela's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Mugur Basarabescu ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza to a score. 4-3 in the 66th minute. João Massa was a little too slow when Tomas Illescas got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 69th minute. The score was now 4-4. After having played for 74 minutes, Patricio Costa managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Venezuela's supporters crossed their fingers, but Patricio Costa was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jonathan Ferrant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nelson Mendoza, who was totally free with the ball in the 81st minute. After some careless play in the UFC STEAUA defense, Tomas Illescas kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of João Massa. The UFC STEAUA fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that João Massa should have stopped the shot. 85 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Nelson Mendoza came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nelson Mendoza in the 87th minute of the match. When the match clock showed 88 minutes, the score became 5-5 when Nelson Mendoza sped through Venezuela's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mugur Nisipeanu in the 93rd minute of play. Jonathan Ferrant made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nelson Mendoza in the 95th minute of play.