Challenge

FC NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) FC NATIONAL's Octavian Popescu 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. Octavian Popescu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Patricio Costa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 6th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bogdan Lobonț having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Patricio Costa in the 8th minute of play forced FC NATIONAL's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 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. In the 11th match minute, FC NATIONAL was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Francileudo Faarø to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Camilo Gaos got a free kick in the 12th minute. After 14 played minutes FC NATIONAL got a freekick which was hit by Phaiakes Paraskevopoulos. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 18th minute of the match. Jonathan Ferrant made an important save on a dangerous shot by Octavian Popescu in the 21st minute. After 22 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jonathan Venegas. Octavian Popescu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 27th minute of the match, but Jonathan Ferrant made a huge save. In the 28th minute, FC NATIONAL's Apostolis Polychronopoulos 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. Octavian Popescu who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 31stth minute tested the skills of Jonathan Ferrant when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 33rd minute, Tomas Illescas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Venezuela's supporters rose to their feet, but Tomas Illescas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bogdan Lobonț breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of FC NATIONAL booed when Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rigoberto Mina didn't get a good kick on the ball. When FC NATIONAL's Octavian Popescu in the 36th minute got a chance for a shot 36th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Venezuela's goalie prevented a goal. Paraskevas Sorin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Paraskevas Sorin received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jonathan Ferrant came out and tried to block the shot, but Paraskevas Sorin slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 43rd minute. 45 minutes into the match, FC NATIONAL's Apostolis Polychronopoulos sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jonathan Ferrant narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Jose Correa hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

In the 53rd minute, Camilo Gaos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 54th 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. 3-0 became the score in the 58th minute when Octavian Popescu elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in FC NATIONAL's zone, Tomas Illescas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bogdan Lobonț came out of the goal and Tomas Illescas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Octavian Popescu in the 64th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Apostolis Polychronopoulos stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Apostolis Polychronopoulos tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 76 minutes, Octavian Popescu managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. FC NATIONAL's supporters crossed their fingers, but Octavian Popescu was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Octavian Popescu in the 76th minute of play. In the 79th minute of the match FC NATIONAL 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. Isidoro Heriberto ran over to the corner to take the kick. Octavian Popescu took the ball and in the 84 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Jonathan Ferrant. Jonathan Ferrant dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 5-0. There was no doubt that FC NATIONAL were the better team. FC NATIONAL's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.