Challenge

Gigante de Ardiles
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Daniel Zorita kicked off to start the match. Ardiles's Erik Kassentoft played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 3rd minute of play. Donato Venerando in the 5thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Julio Vera, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Through an outstanding action, after 11 minutes, Julio Vera successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. If Indiana Jones had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 16 minutes into the match, Ardiles's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Erik Kassentoft reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Donato Venerando in the 17th minute of play. In the 19th minute of the match Ardiles got a corner. Ecuador's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Felipe Nuno ran over to the corner to take the kick. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Ardiles was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lino Telesforo didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 25th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Daniel Zorita to maneuver through the defense. Ardiles's Erik Kassentoft played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 29th minute of play. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Donato Venerando tried to sneak it across the goal line. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Felix Montes during the 39th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 39 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Felix Montes. Felipe Nuno recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Luis Andino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Kassentoft having to interfere.

The wind increased when Cristo Basajaun made the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Donato Venerando ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Julio Vera was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. In the 55th match minute, Ardiles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alfonso Astudillo to maneuver through the defense. Erik Kassentoft made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 56th minute of play. Erik Kassentoft made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 63rd minute. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Erik Kassentoft tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 68th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cristian Sancho to maneuver through the defense. In the 72nd minute Jimeno Abastas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Ardiles's Jimeno Abastas in the 73rd minute got a chance for a shot 73rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Daniel Zorita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Erik Kassentoft read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 77th minute of play. Felix Montes kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. Felipe Nuno was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 79th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Kassentoft having to interfere. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Ardiles was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristo Basajaun didn't get a good kick on the ball. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Ardiles were victorious despite being under pressure from Ecuador for much of the match.