Challenge

Zestafoni Arena
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Tomas Illescas took the kick off in the first half of the match. Naskhida Cheishvili who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 3rdth minute tested the skills of Jonathan Ferrant when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Tomas Illescas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Gav Benbow read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 6th minute of play. In the 10th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jose Correa to maneuver through the defense. Gav Benbow made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tomas Illescas in the 13th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Salvador Gisbert got a free kick in the 18th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Anatoly Pilievi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Anatoly Pilievi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Djvebe Robakidze made in the 26th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Venezuela's Jose Correa. If Anatoly Pilievi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 39 minutes into the match, Football Club Zestafoni's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Gav Benbow reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 44 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Valiko Urushadze came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Naskhida Cheishvili got free with Jonathan Ferrant in the 45th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Patricio Costa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Gav Benbow tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Naskhida Cheishvili stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Anatoly Pilievi in the 52nd minute of play. In the 55thth minute of the game Valiko Urushadze who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Football Club Zestafoni were awarded a corner in the 58th minute after Venezuela's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Giorgi Gogava took the corner. If Anatoly Pilievi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Venezuela's Jonathan Venegas got a free kick in the 63rd minute. Patricio Costa hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. After 71 played minutes Venezuela got a freekick which was hit by Jonathan Venegas. Valiko Urushadze fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. Tomas Illescas who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 75thth minute tested the skills of Gav Benbow when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Tomas Illescas in the 76thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Gav Benbow, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After having played for 78 minutes, Valiko Urushadze managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Football Club Zestafoni's supporters crossed their fingers, but Valiko Urushadze was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Naskhida Cheishvili, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Valiko Urushadze in the 81st minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Valiko Urushadze, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 87th minute Naskhida Cheishvili shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jonathan Ferrant saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 88th minute, Tomas Illescas ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Gav Benbow was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2. 91 minutes into the match, Football Club Zestafoni's goal looked a bit too open when Tomas Illescas came free, but Gav Benbow reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 92nd minute, Patricio Costa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Venezuela walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.