Challenge

Patissia Arena
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Paralia Athens's Iulian Doinaș 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. Daniel Zorita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Cristian Nicolescu read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 12th minute of play. Agustín Saelices sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 20 minutes into the match, Petre Maghiran dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Julio Vera, 1-0. The supporters of Paralia Athens booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 25 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luis Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Iulian Doinaș in the 28th minute of the match. Iulian Doinaș took the ball and in the 28 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 2-0. 33 minutes into the match, Cristian Sancho had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Cristian Nicolescu. Paralia Athens's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cristian Sancho was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. After a defensive mix-up in Paralia Athens's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Cristian Nicolescu 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. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Paralia Athens was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gelu Beșliu didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 46th minute, a hard, long distance shot from Daniel Zorita hit the top of the crossbar and flew over the goal. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Cristian Nicolescu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 51st minute of the match. 52 minutes had been played when some careless play by Paralia Athens's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Cristian Sancho fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Cristian Nicolescu quite easily take care of the ball. After 55 played minutes Paralia Athens got a freekick which was hit by Gelu Beșliu. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 56th minute. Cristian Nicolescu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 62nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cristian Nicolescu having to interfere. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 66th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 72 minutes had been played when some careless play by Paralia Athens's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. When Primitivo Andino fell near the penalty area in the 73rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Ecuador's protests and gave Primitivo Andino a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Paralia Athens booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Primitivo Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Iulian Doinaș in the 79th minute of play. Cristian Nicolescu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Mircea Robu during the 82nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Cristian Nicolescu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 86th minute. The crowd rose to their feet as Ecuador's Agustín Saelices slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Cristian Nicolescu. That made the score 2-2 after 87 minutes of play. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ecuador were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.