Challenge

El Cilindro
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Robby Woody made the kick off and thus started the match. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 5th minute, when Francisco Alberto Zañartu sent off a good shot on target. Gong Peng Bo hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. With an all-out effort, La Academia's Julio Vera threw himself towards the right post 8 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Robby Woody, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Robby Woody in the 13th minute. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Robby Woody stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Robby Woody tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Francisco Alberto Zañartu in the 26th minute of play. The corner led La Academia's Gong Peng Bo to fire away a dangerous shot which Julio Vera despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Gong Peng Bo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 29th minute of play. In the 34th minute, Robby Woody got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Daniel Zorita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Iwan Grocholski read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 36th minute of play. Robby Woody received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 45 minutes into the match, La Academia's Maxín Bacarreza broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. 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.

After having played for 55 minutes, Robby Woody managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. La Academia's supporters crossed their fingers, but Robby Woody was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 62nd minute, Cristian Sancho fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. In the 69th minute, Daniel Zorita hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 72 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Agustín Saelices. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Iwan Grocholski in the 83rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. A collision led to La Academia getting a freekick after 89 minutes play. Putra Parios hit a great ball. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 95th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Iwan Grocholski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. La Academia succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Ecuador had controlled the match.