Challenge

Pildesti Arena
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) FC Steaua Pildesti's Filip Paulescu 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's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marian Văduvescu read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 3rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 6th minute of play forced FC Steaua Pildesti's goalkeeper Marian Văduvescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Cristian Sancho 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. In the 15th minute there was a penalty for Ecuador. Daniel Zorita stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Marian Văduvescu. 0-1. 18 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Marian Văduvescu made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. In the 21st minute, Nae Griguță hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 22nd minute of the match Daniel Zorita sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Marian Văduvescu skillfully saved the ball. In the 30th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Juan Sebastián Puig got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Marian Văduvescu quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. 31 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Zygmunt Dunajski came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, FC Steaua Pildesti's Zygmunt Dunajski got a free kick in the 36th minute. In the 37th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marian Văduvescu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 38th minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. FC Steaua Pildesti's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Daniel Zorita ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner went over the outstretched arms of FC Steaua Pildesti's goalie and right to Felix Montenegro. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. FC Steaua Pildesti's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. After 46 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Felix Montes. The FC Steaua Pildesti players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ecuador were winning 1-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Filip Paulescu in the 51st minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 54th minute Lucian Stere 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. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 63rd minute of the match, but Marian Văduvescu made a huge save. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 72nd minute of the match, but Marian Văduvescu made a huge save. Marian Văduvescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marian Văduvescu made a fantastic save in the 76th minute, when Cristian Sancho sent off a good shot on target. Constantin Deșliu kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 80th 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. Marian Văduvescu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of FC Steaua Pildesti booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Agustín Saelices didn't get a good kick on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Lucian Stere in the 89th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Marian Văduvescu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 93rd minute. 94 minutes into the match, FC Steaua Pildesti's goalkeeper Marian Văduvescu had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. Ecuador played a much better game than FC Steaua Pildesti and deserved their victory. The FC Steaua Pildesti players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.