Challenge

Alvaláxia Arena
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Daniel Zorita made the kick off which started today's match. 6 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sporting Clube de Gaya'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 Daniel Zorita fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Renato Vargas quite easily take care of the ball. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Sporting Clube de Gaya was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eurico lago didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 16 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 17th minute, Fredy Montero left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Sporting Clube de Gaya fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. Lucílio Figueiras hit a great freekick 24 minutes into the match. Cristian Sancho took the ball and in the 26 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Renato Vargas. Renato Vargas dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The audience was convinced that Cristian Sancho's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Renato Vargas was relentless in the 31st minute of the game. Renato Vargas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 35th minute of play. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 36th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sporting Clube de Gaya's Renato Vargas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 38th minute of play. Renato Vargas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Juan Sebastián Puig, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 44th minute after Sporting Clube de Gaya's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Renato Vargas in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. 47 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Renato Vargas made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 1-2 lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Lucílio Figueiras to make the kick off. In the 53rd minute, Agustín Saelices left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ecuador fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-3. Cristian Sancho who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 57thth minute tested the skills of Renato Vargas when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Marcus Edwards hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. 62 minutes into the match, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lucílio Figueiras, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Sporting Clube de Gaya's Lucílio Figueiras in the 68th minute got a chance for a shot 68th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. In the 72nd minute, Marcus Edwards hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Fredy Montero recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 75th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Sporting Clube de Gaya's Renato Vargas played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 82nd minute of play. After 86 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Luis Andino. In the 87th minute Lucílio Figueiras 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. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Lucílio Figueiras in the 92nd 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. When the final whistle sounded Ecuador left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Sporting Clube de Gaya.