Challenge

Genk Stadion
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, 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. Luis Andino blasted a shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Jannes Van Leempoel having to make a save. After a defensive mix-up in Genk's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jannes Van Leempoel 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. Jannes Van Leempoel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 7th minute of play. After 12 minutes of play, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jannes Van Leempoel was left in no man's land by his defense there! 17 minutes into the game, Suat Kaya lined in a short shot 1-1 behind a frustrated Julio Vera. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vergil Rupov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Genk's Loui Wouqier got a free kick in the 23rd minute. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Genk's Suat Kaya got a free kick in the 31st minute. Ecuador's Julio Vera proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 34th minute of the match, managed to save Ecuador from getting a goal against them. Genk's Jannes Van Leempoel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luis Andino in the 39th minute of play. 41 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alfons Rijniers was slow to take the kick. During this time Genk's players had a chance to rest. Genk's Alfons Rijniers 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. Vergil Rupov who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 44thth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Genk's Michel Hakimi was substituted for Ariel Paris. Genk made a substitution. Thomas-Jan Van de Weijer replaced Tony Mampaerts. Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vergil Rupov to make the kick off. When Genk's Vergil Rupov 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 Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jannes Van Leempoel having to interfere. In the 59th minute, Rain De Hond 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vergil Rupov in the 61st minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Jannes Van Leempoel made a fantastic save in the 64th minute, when Cristian Sancho sent off a good shot on target. After 65 minutes Genk'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. Genk's Albert Verdun was substituted for Alfons Rijniers. Julio Vera came out of the goal in the 71st minute to try and stop a shot by Genk's Vergil Rupov. But to his dismay, Vergil Rupov quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vergil Rupov in the 74th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Jannes Van Leempoel tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 90 minutes, Suat Kaya managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Genk's supporters crossed their fingers, but Suat Kaya was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ecuador were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing Genk to leave the ground with a draw.