Challenge

THE RED MACHINE
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Palermo's Santiago Mino started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Alfredo Joey made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 3rd minute of play. The corner ended in Agustín Saelices almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Palermo's Alfredo Joey did a great save. Palermo's Alfredo Joey played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 11th minute of play. Alfredo Joey showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 13th minute. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 16th minute, when Santiago Mino sent off a good shot on target. Arkadiusz Glowacki's late challenge caught a Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Arkadiusz Glowacki helped the player get up and apologised. In the 18th match minute, Palermo was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arkadiusz Glowacki to maneuver through the defense. Arnoldo Medina was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 21st minute. Palermo's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. The audience thought a goal was coming when Santiago Mino got free with Julio Vera in the 37th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Alfredo Joey tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Alfredo Joey took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Felix Montes hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. After 48 minutes of play, Palermo's Santiago Mino made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Julio Vera was left in no man's land by his defense there! The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Daniel Zorita was the one to do the kick off. After 53 played minutes Palermo got a freekick which was hit by Sven-Arne Olsson. Alfredo Joey was a little too slow when Luis Andino got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 54th minute. The score was now 1-2. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arnoldo Medina in the 57th minute of the match. Arnoldo Medina received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Arnoldo Medina recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 59th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Santiago Mino in the 63rd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 66 minutes into the match, Palermo's goalkeeper Alfredo Joey had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. Alfredo Joey showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luis Andino, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. In the 69th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luis Andino to maneuver through the defense. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Santiago Mino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Agustín Saelices got a free kick in the 75th minute. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Alfredo Joey made a fantastic save in the 79th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arnoldo Medina in the 80th minute of the match. 82 minutes into the match, Palermo's goalkeeper Alfredo Joey had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. Marcelino Chaime's late challenge caught a Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marcelino Chaime helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Palermo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marcelino Chaime didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Palermo's Marcelino Chaime got a free kick in the 85th minute. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Santiago Mino's shot from short distance in the 87th minute. Daniel Zorita took the ball and in the 92 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Alfredo Joey. Alfredo Joey dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. 97 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Arnoldo Medina came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ecuador's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.