Challenge

Balaceanu
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Balaceanu UFC's Eusebio Arnalt 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 last second Julio Vera throw himself and got hold of the ball when Iustinian Burdujan in the 3rdth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. In the 4th minute Balaceanu UFC were awarded a corner. Vasile Tarchilă went to the cornerflag to take it. Adam Hârțan made a great header on Balaceanu UFC's corner, it was just that Ecuador's Julio Vera managed to reach the ball for a save. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eusebio Arnalt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Balaceanu UFC's Dorin Orghidan played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 8th minute of play. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Eusebio Arnalt's shot from short distance in the 9th minute. Dorin Orghidan didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Daniel Zorita went, in the 12th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. Cristian Sancho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Dorin Orghidan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 15th minute of play. After 17 minutes Balaceanu UFC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Daniel Zorita who took care of the corner kick. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Eusebio Arnalt managed to get in a good position for a shot. Balaceanu UFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Eusebio Arnalt 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. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 22th minute after Balaceanu UFC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. 35 minutes into the match, Balaceanu UFC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Dorin Orghidan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 39 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Felix Montenegro. With an all-out effort, Balaceanu UFC's Julio Vera threw himself towards the right post 42 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Iustinian Burdujan, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After a rather tough play, Balaceanu UFC's Cristi Bădiță got a free kick in the 44th minute. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The audience was convinced that Iustinian Burdujan's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 55th minute of the game. In the 56th minute Balaceanu UFC were awarded a corner. Vasile Tarchilă went to the cornerflag to take it. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Roch Bury in the 60th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Balaceanu UFC's Eusebio Arnalt got a free kick in the 66th minute. 71 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-3. Dorin Orghidan was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 75 minutes had been played when some careless play by Balaceanu UFC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roch Bury, who was totally free with the ball in the 79th minute. A collision led to Ecuador getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Daniel Zorita hit a great ball. Dorin Orghidan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 84th minute. Iustinian Burdujan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. When Marcu Tomoioagă fell near the penalty area in the 94th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Balaceanu UFC's protests and gave Marcu Tomoioagă a yellow card for diving instead. After 94 played minutes Balaceanu UFC got a freekick which was hit by Marcu Tomoioagă. The Ecuador supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Ecuador would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.