Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 8th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Branislav Velchevski came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 13th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Elpidio Francis in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Elpidio Francis in the 17th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Elpidio Francis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 20th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Elpidio Francis got free with Julio Vera in the 20th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After some fancy dribbling in the 22nd 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. Branislav Velchevski breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Arnaldo Gabon could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 25th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 26th minute of play. In the 27th minute, Cristian Sancho 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. 31 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 32nd minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 34th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 41 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Elpidio Francis came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Sancho took the ball and in the 42 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Branislav Velchevski. Branislav Velchevski dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Elpidio Francis made a kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Agustín Saelices in the 52nd minute of play forced ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 57thth minute of the game Elpidio Francis who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ecuador's Julio Vera was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Arnaldo Gabon, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Esteban Iztal in the 61st minute. The corner ended in Esteban Iztal almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ecuador's Julio Vera did a great save. After 63 played minutes ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA got a freekick which was hit by Rafael Dalmu. In the 66th 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. 69 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Arnaldo Gabon came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Branislav Velchevski having to interfere. In the 72nd match minute, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arnaldo Gabon to maneuver through the defense. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. When Daniel Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 80th minute, the Ecuador fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Daniel Zorita couldn't finish the play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Arnaldo Gabon in the 84th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ecuador's Cristian Sancho got a good chance for a goal in the 88th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 90 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. A collision led to Ecuador getting a freekick after 91 minutes play. Luis Andino hit a great ball. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Ecuador were clearly better and deserved to take the win.