Challenge

Estadio Nacional
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Semen Rodionov got the match started through his kick off. Lautaro Puig could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 7th minute of the match, but Igor Brattsov made a huge save. 8 minutes into the match, Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Emil Mikhailov came free, but Benito Sanz reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 0-1 came in the 12th minute when Emil Mikhailov all by himself managed to get straight through the defense and place the ball into the net to the right of Benito Sanz. Costa Rica's Benito Sanz played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Felix Kikoin in the 15th minute of play. Benito Sanz stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Emil Mikhailov's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. Felix Kikoin hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Apatit Kirovsk FC's Igor Brattsov proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 19th minute of the match, managed to save Apatit Kirovsk FC from getting a goal against them. In the 20th minute Emil Mikhailov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Benito Sanz saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Innokentiy Balaban had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 25th minute, Eliseo Noboa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Innokentiy Balaban sent away a hard shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 31 played minutes Apatit Kirovsk FC got a freekick which was hit by Vadim Kudryashov. The supporters of Apatit Kirovsk FC booed when Costa Rica was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alan Moruga didn't get a good kick on the ball. Igor Brattsov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eliseo Noboa, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. Pavel Makarov charged in rather forcefully in the 48th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Pavel Makarov the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The Costa Rica players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Apatit Kirovsk FC were winning 0-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Axel Tasis made a kick off. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Lautaro Puig hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 56th minute, Semen Rodionov managed to get in a good position for a shot. Apatit Kirovsk FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Semen Rodionov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Benito Sanz breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 58thth minute of the game Innokentiy Balaban who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Costa Rica's Benito Sanz was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Igor Brattsov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lautaro Puig in the 61st minute of the match. Benito Sanz stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Innokentiy Balaban's shot from short distance in the 63rd minute. Innokentiy Balaban received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Benito Sanz tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Apatit Kirovsk FC's Leif Hammarberg was substituted for Felix Kikoin. Apatit Kirovsk FC made a substitution. Maksim Osipov replaced Vadim Kudryashov. Semen Rodionov blasted a shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Benito Sanz having to make a save. A collision led to Costa Rica getting a freekick after 70 minutes play. Abel Carballo hit a great ball. 79 minutes into the game, Sergey Matetskiy was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Apatit Kirovsk FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Costa Rica the free kick. In the 79th minute, Sergey Matetskiy hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Leif Hammarberg sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Innokentiy Balaban sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Costa Rica's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Emil Mikhailov 94 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-3. When the match was over Apatit Kirovsk FC could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Costa Rica throughout the match.