Challenge

Pier Luigi Penzo
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Daniel Zorita got the match started through his kick off. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Juan Sebastián Puig got a free kick in the 9th minute. After 11 minutes of play, Venezia FC's Diego Frasquito made it 1-0 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! An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 15th minute of play forced Venezia FC's goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Diego Frasquito in the 19th minute. In the 20th minute Venezia FC were awarded a corner. Thibau Van Mellaert went to the cornerflag to take it. Venezia FC's Thibau Van Mellaert was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Julio Vera in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 23rd minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. Venezia FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Daniel Zorita ran over to the corner to take the kick. Cristian Sancho took the ball and in the 28 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Roberto Abbondanzieri. Roberto Abbondanzieri dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. If Felix Montenegro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience thought a goal was coming when Diego Frasquito got free with Julio Vera in the 37th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Diego Frasquito in the 42nd minute of the match. Angel Guillelmus hit a great freekick 48 minutes into the match. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Diego Frasquito made a kick off. After 53 minutes of play, Venezia FC's Thibau Van Mellaert made it 2-1 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 supporters of Venezia FC booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luis Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego Frasquito, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diego Frasquito, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Angel Guillelmus in the 63rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 64th minute of the match Venezia FC got a corner. Ecuador's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Thibau Van Mellaert ran over to the corner to take the kick. In the 66th minute Angel Guillelmus shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Venezia FC's Angel Guillelmus got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Diego Frasquito in the 70th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 79th minute, Diego Frasquito hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Venezia FC's Olaf Modliszewski got a free kick in the 80th minute. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 81st minute of play. The shot was stopped by Roberto Abbondanzieri but with some difficulty. A collision led to Venezia FC getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Angel Guillelmus hit a great ball. Luis Andino hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 89th minute of the match, but Roberto Abbondanzieri made a huge save. 90 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Diego Frasquito came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diego Frasquito, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego Frasquito, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Venezia FC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Thibau Van Mellaert in the 97th minute. The corner led Venezia FC's Thibau Van Mellaert to fire away a dangerous shot which Julio Vera despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Ecuador's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.