Challenge

Murilo∆Stein Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tomas Illescas took the kick off in the first half of the match. If Tomas Illescas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Alvi Verde booed when Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 13 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alex Chicote didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tomas Illescas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 16th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Duarte Couto having to interfere. Salvador Gisbert made in the 21st minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by Joshua Secada. Alvi Verde's Duarte Couto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 21st minute of play. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Duarte Couto showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tomas Illescas in the 24th minute of the match. In the 29th minute, a hard, long distance shot from Joshua Secada hit the top of the crossbar and flew over the goal. Alvi Verde's Duarte Couto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 35th minute of play. Camilo Gaos made in the 37th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Tomas Illescas immediately put the ball in play. After some careless play in the Alvi Verde defense, Patricio Costa kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Duarte Couto. The Alvi Verde fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Duarte Couto should have stopped the shot. 44 minutes into the match, Tomas Illescas had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Duarte Couto. Alvi Verde's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Tomas Illescas was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. After the first half Venezuela were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Venezuela's Salvador Gisbert managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Basílio Mazza in the 53 minute of the game. 55 minutes into the game, Alex Chicote was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Venezuela's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Alvi Verde the free kick. With a little luck, Alvi Verde's Duarte Couto got control of the ball when Tomas Illescas tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 63 minutes, Manoel Berger mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Alvi Verde and the Venezuela players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Alvi Verde getting a freekick after 63 minutes play. Manoel Berger hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomas Illescas in the 66th minute of play forced Alvi Verde's goalkeeper Duarte Couto to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Duarte Couto came out of the goal in the 68th minute to try and stop a shot by Venezuela's Guillermo Mariano. But to his dismay, Guillermo Mariano quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. The throw-in from Salvador Gisbert in the 71st minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Alvi Verde's Basílio Mazza. The supporters of Venezuela booed when Alvi Verde was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 72 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tony de Carvalho didn't get a good kick on the ball. A hard shot 77 in the game by Tomas Illescas from a close distance when the talented Duarte Couto managed to make a qualified save. Alvi Verde's players were relieved. Venezuela's Patricio Costa got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Duarte Couto made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tomas Illescas in the 81st minute. Alvi Verde's Duarte Couto played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tomas Illescas in the 83rd minute of play. 85 minutes in the game Joshua Secada did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Joshua Secada. Patricio Costa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 87th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 88 played minutes Alvi Verde got a freekick which was hit by Manoel Berger. 90 minutes into the match, Alvi Verde's goal looked a bit too open when Patricio Costa came free, but Duarte Couto reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 92 played minutes Alvi Verde got a freekick which was hit by Manoel Berger. Duarte Couto made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patricio Costa in the 95th minute of play. Duarte Couto stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Tomas Illescas's shot from short distance in the 97th minute. Venezuela's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.