Challenge

Zenithgården
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Viktor Ahlbeck took the kick off in the first half of the match. Alexander Carballo was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 4 minutes into the match. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 3rd minute of the game. One of Costa Rica:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of IK Zenith:s goal. The referee gave IK Zenith a penalty, 6 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Fabian Larsson, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Costa Rica's Benito Sanz. 1-0. Eris Mehmetaj kicked well hit freekick during the 9th minute of the match. After 10 played minutes Costa Rica got a freekick which was hit by Aaron Alcocer. The crowd rose to their feet as IK Zenith's Viktor Ahlbeck slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Benito Sanz. That made the score 2-0 after 12 minutes of play. 16 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Pelle Bollström came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 19 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 Viktor Ahlbeck. IK Zenith's Nichifor Bâlea played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lautaro Puig in the 23rd minute of play. 30 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Pelle Bollström came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 32nd minute, IK Zenith's Pelle Bollström ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 3-0. Benito Sanz was a little too slow when Marcus Rolandsson got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 37th minute. The score was now 4-0. In the 46th minute, Lautaro Puig ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Nichifor Bâlea was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-1. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 4-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Eliseo Noboa made a kick off. After 54 minutes Costa Rica's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Fabian Larsson who took care of the corner kick. IK Zenith's Fabian Larsson was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Benito Sanz in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Marcus Rolandsson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 67 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Viktor Ahlbeck came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Benito Sanz showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pelle Bollström, who was totally free with the ball in the 76th minute. 76 minutes into the game, Alan Moruga was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Costa Rica's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave IK Zenith the free kick. In the 76th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alan Moruga to maneuver through the defense. In the 77th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hugo Ferrant to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Viktor Ahlbeck in the 78th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Benito Sanz prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 85th match minute, Costa Rica was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alan Moruga to maneuver through the defense. Lautaro Puig sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Eliseo Noboa hit a great ball. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Viktor Ahlbeck in the 95th minute of the match. IK Zenith walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.