Challenge

Råsunda
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita 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. In the 4th match minute, Average Joes was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matthias Liljeström to maneuver through the defense. In the 9th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Juan Sebastián Puig to maneuver through the defense. The long shot by Ganix Herrera in the 10th minute really tested Julio Vera's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. The supporters of Average Joes booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luis Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Yavuz Bülent Özger got free with Julio Vera in the 14th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Victoriano Abel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 15th minute of play. When Zé Roberto Sousa fell near the penalty area in the 19th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Average Joes's protests and gave Zé Roberto Sousa a yellow card for diving instead. Zé Roberto Sousa hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Agustín Saelices recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 22nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Victoriano Abel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 25th minute of the match. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Victoriano Abel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 38th minute. Victoriano Abel tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Arthur Sabas short, quick shot in the 45thth minute got Julio Vera to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Arthur Saba stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jo Blanchaert, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Victoriano Abel having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 59th minute, Jo Blanchaert managed to get in a good position for a shot. Average Joes's supporters rose to their feet, but Jo Blanchaert was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Julio Vera breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After some fancy dribbling in the 67th minute, Per Rolandsson managed to get in a good position for a shot. Average Joes's supporters rose to their feet, but Per Rolandsson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Julio Vera breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Average Joes made a substitution. Mattias Finnman replaced Jo Blanchaert. When the match clock showed 70 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Arthur Saba sped through Ecuador's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Julio Vera. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Arthur Saba, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 80th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Average Joes's Jeremias Silban was substituted for Per Rolandsson. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Yavuz Bülent Özger in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. In the 85th minute Average Joes were awarded a corner. Ganix Herrera went to the cornerflag to take it. Average Joes's Victoriano Abel proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 87th minute of the match, managed to save Average Joes from getting a goal against them. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Arthur Saba in the 92nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind.