Challenge

UNITED
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Cresitobalo Cortes kicked off to start the match. Tomas Illescas blasted a shot towards the goal in the 8th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jan Oblak having to make a save. 8 minutes into the match, UNITED's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Jan Oblak reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jan Oblak showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Patricio Costa in the 9th minute of the match. Venezuela were awarded a corner in the 11th minute after UNITED's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Tomas Illescas took the corner. UNITED's Jan Oblak played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 13th minute of play. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cresitobalo Cortes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 23rd minute, UNITED's Cresitobalo Cortes ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 26th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tomas Illescas took the ball and in the 29 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Jan Oblak. Jan Oblak dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Cresitobalo Cortes received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jonathan Ferrant came out and tried to block the shot, but Cresitobalo Cortes slotted it home off the left post making it 2-1 in the 35th minute. In the 38th minute Tomas Illescas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jan Oblak saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cresitobalo Cortes'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 40th minute of play. In the 41st minute UNITED were awarded a corner. Eder Saavedra went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 45th minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 53 minutes play. Tomas Illescas hit a great ball. In the 66th minute, Cresitobalo Cortes made a precise shot to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. Venezuela's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-1. Cresitobalo Cortes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cresitobalo Cortes in the 69th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Venezuela's Tomas Illescas in the 70th minute got a chance for a shot 70th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye UNITED's goalie prevented a goal. After some careless play in the Venezuela defense, Cresitobalo Cortes kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. The Venezuela fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Jonathan Ferrant should have stopped the shot. In the 79th minute, Elmas Bobo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Cresitobalo Cortes came up free with the goalie in the 81st minute, the UNITED fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Cresitobalo Cortes couldn't finish the play. After 85 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Joshua Secada. Alex Chicote hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. After 88 played minutes UNITED got a freekick which was hit by Darien Toxeiro. Jan Oblak took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tomas Illescas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Tomas Illescas might have been able to make a better finish in the 95th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Jan Oblak. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tomas Illescas ran back to his position shaking his head. UNITED were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Venezuela for a fine match.