Challenge

Estádio do Minho
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cassius Byrne got the match started through his kick off. After having played for 10 minutes, Magno Aparecido managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Minho FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Magno Aparecido was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Zeferino Diegues took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 13 minutes into the match, Minho FC's Magno Aparecido sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marco Day narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Cláudio Santiago hit a great freekick 15 minutes into the match. In the 16th match minute, Minho FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Demetrio Savini to maneuver through the defense. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Minho FC's goalie and right to Jenson Smith. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Minho FC's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Zeferino Diegues showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Monty Rogers, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. In the 22nd minute of the match USA got a corner. Minho FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Cassius Byrne ran over to the corner to take the kick. USA were awarded a corner in the 23th minute after Minho FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Cassius Byrne took the corner. After taking down the ball on USA's corner Diego Bradley fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Zeferino Diegues quite easily take care of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 26th minute of play forced Minho FC's goalkeeper Zeferino Diegues to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Zeferino Diegues took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. USA were awarded a corner in the 30th minute after Minho FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Cassius Byrne took the corner. USA's Cassius Byrne was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Zeferino Diegues in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Zeferino Diegues showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Monty Rogers in the 35th minute of the match. In the 37th minute the ball was on its way in behind USA's goalkeeper Marco Day, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The supporters of USA booed when Minho FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antero Mendes didn't get a good kick on the ball. Zeferino Diegues showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Monty Rogers in the 39th minute of the match. 42 minutes into the match, Minho FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Zeferino Diegues reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Minho FC's Zeferino Diegues played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Monty Rogers in the 47th minute of play. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

52 minutes into the match, Minho FC's Magno Aparecido sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marco Day narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 53rd minute Minho FC were awarded a corner. Demetrio Savini went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 60th minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zeferino Diegues saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Zeferino Diegues took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Yu Ran Zhen recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 65th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Minho FC's Zeferino Diegues played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 68th minute of play. Monty Rogers fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zeferino Diegues having to interfere. Sam Campbell who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 76thth minute tested the skills of Zeferino Diegues when he managed to save the team from getting behind. In the 79th minute Hélder Soveral shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Sam Campbell got free with Zeferino Diegues in the 80th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Sam Campbells short, quick shot in the 82ndth minute got Zeferino Diegues to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. With a little luck, Minho FC's Zeferino Diegues got control of the ball when Sam Campbell tried to sneak it across the goal line. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. In the 92nd minute Marco Baker shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zeferino Diegues saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line.