Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The audience was convinced that Giannis Kousas's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Benito Sanz was relentless in the 3rd minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vicente Buinton in the 4th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vicente Buinton in the 4th minute of play. Aaron Alcocer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vicente Buinton struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Benito Sanz didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for AEK S.C. Benito Sanz took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giannis Kousas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vicente Buinton in the 11th minute of play forced Costa Rica's goalkeeper Benito Sanz to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Giannis Kousas in the 14th minute of the match. AEK S.C's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Marcin Baszczyński in the 16th minute. AEK S.C's Marcin Baszczyński 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. In the 17th minute of the match, Lautaro Puig got a very nice opportunity to score, but Michael Hedström was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Giannis Kousas took the ball and in the 18 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. When AEK S.C's Giannis Kousas in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Costa Rica's goalie prevented a goal. In the 23rd minute, Alan Moruga hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 24 minutes into the match, Giannis Kousas had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Giannis Kousas was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. When the match had gone on for 28 minutes, Vicente Buinton put it in 0-3 from a short distance just to the right of Benito Sanz. Lambros Vouzatos kicked well hit freekick during the 30th minute of the match. Eliseo Noboa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Michael Hedström tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Costa Rica's Abel Carballo got a free kick in the 34th minute. After 35 played minutes, AEK S.C's Marcin Baszczyński shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Benito Sanz came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in AEK S.C reached it. 37 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Giannis Kousas came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vicente Buinton in the 40th minute of the match. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Axel Tasis hit a great ball. 45 minutes into the match, Giannis Kousas had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Giannis Kousas was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-4. Disappointed in the 0-4 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Vicente Buinton was the one to do the kick off. When the match clock showed 51 minutes, the score became 0-5 when Vicente Buinton sped through Costa Rica's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. 54 minutes into the match, Vicente Buinton dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Benito Sanz, 0-6. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Giannis Kousas in the 57th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Benito Sanz saved Costa Rica from getting behind. When the match had gone on for 57 minutes, Giannis Kousas put it in 0-7 from a short distance just to the right of Benito Sanz. Benito Sanz showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Giannis Kousas in the 61st minute of the match. AEK S.C's Vicente Buinton got a good chance for a goal in the 64th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 71 minutes into the game, AEK S.C's Giannis Kousas nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Benito Sanz made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-8. 74 minutes into the game, Petros Karterouliotis cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-9. Benito Sanz was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. When Pantelis Chatzivelos fell near the penalty area in the 76th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored AEK S.C's protests and gave Pantelis Chatzivelos a yellow card for diving instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Giannis Kousas in the 83rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Benito Sanz saved Costa Rica from getting behind. When the match was over AEK S.C could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Costa Rica throughout the match.