Challenge

Pirsus Arena
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Axel Tasis made the kick off and thus started the match. After 4 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Aaron Alcocer. 5 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Giuliano Spiller. An unexpectedly hard shot by Aaron Alcocer in the 7th minute of play forced Pirsus's goalkeeper Dan Steiger to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some careless play in the Pirsus defense, Axel Tasis kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dan Steiger. The Pirsus fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dan Steiger should have stopped the shot. 14 minutes into the match, Iago Aspas 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. 17 minutes into the game, Iago Aspas recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Benito Sanz. Iago Aspas showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-1. 23 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's Eliseo Noboa sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dan Steiger narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Lautaro Puig's late challenge caught a Pirsus's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Lautaro Puig helped the player get up and apologised. In the 25th minute, Lautaro Puig hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 27 minutes, Hugo Ferrant mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Costa Rica and the Pirsus players grew even worse after the yellow card. Benito Sanz was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 28th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Percy Ziegler. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Iago Aspas in the 30th minute of the match. A collision led to Pirsus getting a freekick after 34 minutes play. Iago Aspas hit a great ball. In the 37thth minute of the game Axel Tasis who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Pirsus's Dan Steiger was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Axel Tasis in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dan Steiger saved Pirsus from getting behind. Benito Sanz was a little too slow when Percy Ziegler got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 40th minute. The score was now 3-1.

52 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Iago Aspas came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Pirsus booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Efrain Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Costa Rica's zone, Percy Ziegler stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Benito Sanz came out of the goal and Percy Ziegler tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Pirsus's Dan Steiger proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 60th minute of the match, managed to save Pirsus from getting a goal against them. 61 minutes had been played when some careless play by Pirsus's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Axel Tasis was slow to take the kick. During this time Costa Rica's players had a chance to rest. Lautaro Puig's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Dan Steiger firmly grabbed it by the left post. Dan Steiger showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Eliseo Noboa in the 65th minute of the match. Aaron Alcocer hit a great freekick 68 minutes into the match. Costa Rica were awarded a corner in the 72th minute after Pirsus's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Axel Tasis took the corner. A collision led to Pirsus getting a freekick after 74 minutes play. Jonathan Helleren hit a great ball. When Jonathan Helleren fell near the penalty area in the 81st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Pirsus's protests and gave Jonathan Helleren a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Pirsus booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Efrain Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Percy Ziegler, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Pirsus fans cheered their team off the field, for while Costa Rica had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.