Challenge

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Nelson Mendoza made the kick off and thus started the match. Nelson Mendoza who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 8thth minute tested the skills of Jonathan Ferrant when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Tomas Illescas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. João Massa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tomas Illescas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but João Massa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 12th minute of play. Tomas Illescas struck a weak shot in the 13th minute. João Massa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Venezuela. Mugur Nisipeanu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jonathan Ferrant having to interfere. 17 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Nelson Mendoza came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal in the 27th minute to try and stop a shot by UFC STEAUA's Nelson Mendoza. But to his dismay, Nelson Mendoza quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. In the 32nd minute the ball was on its way in behind UFC STEAUA's goalkeeper João Massa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After some careless play in the Venezuela defense, Nelson Mendoza kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Jonathan Ferrant. The Venezuela fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Jonathan Ferrant should have stopped the shot. Venezuela's Jonathan Ferrant played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nelson Mendoza in the 41st minute of play. A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Jonathan Venegas hit a great ball. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gigel Seremet, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nelson Mendoza received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jonathan Ferrant came out and tried to block the shot, but Nelson Mendoza slotted it home off the left post making it 3-0 in the 45th minute. 48 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Jonathan Ferrant had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Nelson Mendoza. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-0.

The wind increased when Tomas Illescas made the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Jose Correa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. João Massa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Patricio Costa in the 55th minute of play. Venezuela's Tomas Illescas got a good chance for a goal in the 56th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Gigel Seremet stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jonathan Ferrant came out of the goal and Gigel Seremet tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 61st minute, Nelson Mendoza managed to get in a good position for a shot. UFC STEAUA's supporters rose to their feet, but Nelson Mendoza was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Jonathan Ferrant breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 62ndth minute of the game Nelson Mendoza 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. In the 66th minute, Tomas Illescas got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Xu Yue Yuan hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. Tomas Illescas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 76 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Mugur Basarabescu came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jonathan Ferrant took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gigel Seremet, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Patricio Costa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 79th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without João Massa having to interfere. In the 83rd minute Nelson Mendoza 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. 86 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Gigel Seremet came free, but Jonathan Ferrant reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jonathan Ferrant showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nelson Mendoza in the 89th minute of the match. UFC STEAUA walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.