Challenge

Phoenix Field
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Traian Moldovan started the match with the kick off. If Patricio Costa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Olimpiu Mustea in the 8th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Olimpiu Mustea in the 10th minute. Tomas Illescas scored 1-1 in the 18th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ionel Panaitoiu, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When the match clock showed 21 minutes, the score became 2-1 when Traian Moldovan sped through Venezuela's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. After 23 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jose Correa. After 24 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jonathan Venegas. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Olimpiu Mustea, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Traian Moldovan's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 26thth minute, Jonathan Ferrant skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Ionel Panaitoiu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tomas Illescas, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Tomas Illescas scored 2-2 in the 31st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ionel Panaitoiu, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Mauricio Quentin's late challenge caught a Venezuela's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mauricio Quentin helped the player get up and apologised. In the 37th minute, Mauricio Quentin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Phoenix Strikers's Mauricio Quentin got his second yellow card of the match in the 40th minute. The referee ordered Mauricio Quentin off the ground. Mauricio Quentin hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Ivan Galtero stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Ivan Galtero tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a rather tough play, Phoenix Strikers's Eric Aanuţei got a free kick in the 46th minute. In the 47th minute of the match Patricio Costa shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ionel Panaitoiu showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 2-2 after a close first half.

Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Ionel Panaitoiu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Traian Moldovan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Traian Moldovan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Jonathan Ferrant tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 59 minutes into the match, Traian Moldovan notched a goal, 3-2, to the right of Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ovidiu Popescu took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 64th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Traian Moldovan in the 66th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jonathan Ferrant prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Patricio Costa blasted a shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Ionel Panaitoiu having to make a save. In the 70th minute, Traian Moldovan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Phoenix Strikers's Pavel Haaland was substituted for Ivan Galtero. In the 71st match minute, Phoenix Strikers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Traian Moldovan to maneuver through the defense. Patricio Costa kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Jonathan Ferrant showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Traian Moldovan, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Traian Moldovan in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jonathan Ferrant saved Venezuela from getting behind. 82 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Pavel Haaland came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Patricio Costa fell near the penalty area in the 83rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Venezuela's protests and gave Patricio Costa a yellow card for diving instead. In the 83rd minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Traian Moldovan in the 84th minute of the match. Eric Aanuţei kicked well hit freekick during the 87th minute of the match. 87 minutes into the match, Phoenix Strikers's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Ionel Panaitoiu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ionel Panaitoiu made a fantastic save in the 89th minute, when Patricio Costa sent off a good shot on target. 92 minutes into the match, Phoenix Strikers's Pavel Haaland sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jonathan Ferrant narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Pavel Haaland in the 93rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Jonathan Ferrant prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 95th minute, Pavel Haaland ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Jonathan Ferrant was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-2. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Phoenix Strikers fans cheered their team off the field, for while Venezuela had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.