Challenge

El Monumental
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Daniel Zorita made the kick off which started today's match. In the 2nd minute of the match, Domingo Remigio tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Julio Vera saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 5th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcial Lordi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 6 minutes had been played when some careless play by RIVER'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. A hard shot 12 in the game by Eric Târban from a close distance when the talented Julio Vera managed to make a qualified save. Ecuador's players were relieved. Marcial Lordi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Agustín Saelices, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 15 minutes had been played when some careless play by RIVER'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. Marcial Lordi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Juan Sebastián Puig in the 15th minute of the match. In the 23rd minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. The crowd rose to their feet as RIVER's Eric Târban slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Julio Vera. That made the score 2-1 after 28 minutes of play. With an all-out effort, RIVER's Julio Vera threw himself towards the right post 34 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Niki Lauda, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. 36 minutes had been played when some careless play by RIVER'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. The corner went over the outstretched arms of RIVER's goalie and right to Antonio Arias. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. RIVER's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. After 45 played minutes RIVER got a freekick which was hit by Marco Rudolfo.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Niki Lauda was the one to do the kick off. With a little luck, RIVER's Marcial Lordi got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. When Marcelino Raposo fell near the penalty area in the 54th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored RIVER's protests and gave Marcelino Raposo a yellow card for diving instead. In the 54th match minute, RIVER was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcelino Raposo to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Niki Lauda in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. 58 minutes into the match, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marcial Lordi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Daniel Zorita came free with the goalkeeper in the 61st minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Marcial Lordi could save by the left post. A collision led to RIVER getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Isaac Nuxila hit a great ball. After 65 played minutes RIVER got a freekick which was hit by Isaac Nuxila. Luis Andino struck a weak shot in the 67th minute. Marcial Lordi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. With a little luck, RIVER's Marcial Lordi got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in RIVER's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marcial Lordi 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. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 73rd minute of the match, but Marcial Lordi made a huge save. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marcial Lordi having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Wu Li Zhi's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 88th minute of the game. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. RIVER were victorious despite being under pressure from Ecuador for much of the match.