Challenge

Babuf Stadium
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Daniel Zorita started the match with the kick off. Erik Vale took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luis Andino in the 9th minute of play forced Panionios MK's goalkeeper Erik Vale to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 13 minutes, Zisis Chronidis managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Panionios MK's supporters crossed their fingers, but Zisis Chronidis was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With his leg Julio Vera managed to avoid a goal in the 14thth minute, when Panionios MK's Zisis Chronidis fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. When Dimosthenis Ploumoudis fell near the penalty area in the 15th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Panionios MK's protests and gave Dimosthenis Ploumoudis a yellow card for diving instead. Dimosthenis Ploumoudis kicked well hit freekick during the 16th minute of the match. 16 minutes into the match, Panionios MK's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Erik Vale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 19th minute. Erik Vale tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Panionios MK was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Omiros Maniatis didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 24th minute of the match Cristian Sancho sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Erik Vale skillfully saved the ball. 25 minutes into the match, Panionios MK's goal looked a bit too open when Felix Montenegro came free, but Erik Vale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Daniel Zorita made a great header on Ecuador's corner, it was just that Panionios MK's Erik Vale managed to reach the ball for a save. Panionios MK's Erik Vale played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 32nd minute of play. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 33th minute after Panionios MK's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. The corner led to Ecuador's Juan Sebastián Puig getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. 35 minutes into the match, Panionios MK's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Erik Vale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Sancho took the ball and in the 35 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Erik Vale. Erik Vale dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Vale having to interfere. A collision led to Panionios MK getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Omiros Maniatis hit a great ball. After having played for 42 minutes, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Daniel Zorita was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After the first half Ecuador were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Allan Corrigan stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Zisis Chronidis in the 51st 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. Luis Andino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Panionios MK's Erik Vale got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. 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. Panionios MK's Erik Vale proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 71st minute of the match, managed to save Panionios MK from getting a goal against them. After a defensive mix-up in Panionios MK's zone, Luis Andino stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Erik Vale came out of the goal and Luis Andino tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Panionios MK was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kyriakos Akrivoulis didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Felix Montenegro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a defensive mix-up in Panionios MK's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Erik Vale 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. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Panionios MK's Kyriakos Akrivoulis got a free kick in the 92nd minute. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ecuador's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.