National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Leopoldo Jacinto Luque got the match started through his kick off. In the 6th minute, Leopoldo Jacinto Luque reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Olger Azofeifa. The goal made the score 1-0. Dorio Laje showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Kerry Flöter in the 9th minute of the match. 16 minutes into the match, U21 Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Kerry Flöter came free, but Dorio Laje reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ximun Zaldos hit a great freekick 21 minutes into the match. In the 24th minute Miguel Mondragon shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dorio Laje saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 27th minute of the match U21 Venezuela got a corner. U21 Costa Rica's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Severino Bruna ran over to the corner to take the kick. A well-hit corner resulted in Emeterio Somalo heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Olger Azofeifa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Leopoldo Jacinto Luque in the 37th minute of play. 39 minutes into the match, U21 Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Mainor Calderon came free, but Dorio Laje reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 42nd match minute, U21 Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Emeterio Somalo to maneuver through the defense. U21 Venezuela's Ximun Zaldos got a good chance for a goal in the 46th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Af the end of the first half the score was 2-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Kerry Flöter was the one to do the kick off. The supporters of U21 Costa Rica booed when U21 Venezuela was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Xurde Buiza didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Costa Rica made a substitution. Elbert Gudov replaced Kerry Flöter. U21 Venezuela's Roberto Pato was substituted for Leopoldo Jacinto Luque. Olger Azofeifa had in the 68thth minute some difficulties stopping Severino Bruna's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Olger Azofeifa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Roberto Pato in the 69th minute of play. U21 Costa Rica's Olger Azofeifa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Roberto Pato in the 77th minute of play. Olger Azofeifa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roberto Pato, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. 88 minutes into the match, U21 Costa Rica's goal looked a bit too open when Roberto Pato came free, but Olger Azofeifa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Roberto Pato in the 89th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Olger Azofeifa saved U21 Costa Rica from getting behind. Dorio Laje made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Elbert Gudov in the 96th minute of play. Dorio Laje took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Elbert Gudov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The U21 Venezuela fans cheered their team off the field, for while U21 Costa Rica had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.