Challenge

Novotroitsk
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) FC NOSTA's Yuliy Esikov started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Felix Montenegro might have been able to make a better finish in the 4th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Nacho González. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Felix Montenegro ran back to his position shaking his head. After some fancy dribbling in the 6th minute, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Daniel Zorita was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nacho González breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Yuliy Esikov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 14 minutes into the game, Yuliy Esikov cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Julio Vera was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Yuliy Esikov who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 19thth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After 23 minutes of play, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Nacho González was left in no man's land by his defense there! Vitold Rubakin kicked well hit freekick during the 26th minute of the match. After 27 played minutes, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Nacho González came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Ecuador reached it. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Daniel Zorita in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Nacho González saved FC NOSTA from getting behind. In the 34th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC NOSTA's goalkeeper Nacho González, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 36th minute Felipe Custódio 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. Agustín Saelices's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nacho González read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 37th minute of play. The supporters of Ecuador booed when FC NOSTA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Melchor Lopez didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 39th minute of play forced FC NOSTA's goalkeeper Nacho González to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 42 minutes, Julian Czubski mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the FC NOSTA and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. Julian Czubski hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. Julio Vera was a little too slow when Felipe Custódio got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 44th minute. The score was now 2-1. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

Nacho González made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 51st minute. Agustín Saelices might have been able to make a better finish in the 52nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Nacho González. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Agustín Saelices ran back to his position shaking his head. Melchor Lopez took the ball and in the 64 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Julio Vera. Julio Vera dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. Nacho González showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 68th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Yuliy Esikov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Yuliy Esikov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 70 minutes into the game, Vladimir Terentiev was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC NOSTA's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ecuador the free kick. In the 70th match minute, FC NOSTA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vladimir Terentiev to maneuver through the defense. Felipe Custódio fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Julio Vera having to interfere. The supporters of FC NOSTA booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 79 match minutes in a wonderful position. Daniel Zorita didn't get a good kick on the ball. Yuliy Esikov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 85th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When Melchor Lopez fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FC NOSTA's protests and gave Melchor Lopez a yellow card for diving instead. In the 89th match minute, FC NOSTA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Melchor Lopez to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 93rd minute, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Daniel Zorita was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nacho González breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick.