Challenge

Santiago Bernabeu
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Aquiles Urtsin started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute, Merengue FC's Aquiles Urtsin ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Julio Vera. Julio Vera yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. In the 8th minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. Merengue 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. At last the ball reached Daniel Zorita at the corner, ending with a kick to difficult to stop for the goalkeeper of Merengue FC. 1-1. Bayan Gugovski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 14th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Merengue FC's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bayan Gugovski came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 18th minute of play forced Merengue FC's goalkeeper Bayan Gugovski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bayan Gugovski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 21 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bayan Gugovski made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Darwin Núñez struck a weak shot in the 31st minute. Julio Vera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merengue FC. Ecuador's Julio Vera proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 36th minute of the match, managed to save Ecuador from getting a goal against them. Luis Andino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 38th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Merengue FC's Bayan Gugovski played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Felix Montenegro in the 39th minute of play. If Darwin Núñez had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 44 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bayan Gugovski made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Bayan Gugovski stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Daniel Zorita's shot from short distance in the 47th minute.

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 a defensive mix-up in Merengue FC's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bayan Gugovski came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Ismael Frances fell near the penalty area in the 53rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Merengue FC's protests and gave Ismael Frances a yellow card for diving instead. After 53 played minutes Merengue FC got a freekick which was hit by Ismael Frances. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Merengue FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ediberto Sampaio didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Ecuador's Cristian Sancho in the 55th minute got a chance for a shot 55th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Merengue FC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 56th match minute, Merengue FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Aquiles Urtsin to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Merengue FC's 麦风适 got a free kick in the 61st minute. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 68th minute, Darwin Núñez made a precise shot to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-3. After 74 minutes of play, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita made it 2-4 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Bayan Gugovski was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 76th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bayan Gugovski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Everardo Nerio kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 80th minute of the match, but Bayan Gugovski made a huge save. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Darwin Núñez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Aquiles Urtsin had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Aquiles Urtsin in the 95th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. The Merengue FC fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Ecuador were clearly better and deserved to take the win.