Challenge

MACONHA
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita 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. Ponte do Carro's Armindo Maltez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 3rd minute of play. Armindo Maltez made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 8th minute of play. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Loukianos Livas in the 10th minute of play. Armindo Maltez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 13th minute of the match. In the 14th minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. Ponte do Carro'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. It was a well-played corner which Luis Andino managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. A collision led to Ecuador getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Antonio Arias hit a great ball. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Luís Falcão tried to sneak it across the goal line. Loukianos Livass short, quick shot in the 27thth minute got Julio Vera to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Luis Andino might have been able to make a better finish in the 33rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Armindo Maltez. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Luis Andino ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 35thth minute of the game Daniel Zorita who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ponte do Carro's Armindo Maltez was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The Ecuador fans' excitement grew in the 35th match minute when Ecuador's Daniel Zorita looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. After 37 played minutes Ponte do Carro got a freekick which was hit by Adélio Brites. Ponte do Carro's Armindo Maltez 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. After 45 played minutes Ponte do Carro got a freekick which was hit by Manuel Carvalhal. 46 minutes into the match, Ponte do Carro's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Armindo Maltez reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-2.

The wind increased when Loukianos Livas made the kick off in the second half. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Ponte do Carro was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 51 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adélio Brites didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 55th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 59th match minute, Ponte do Carro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Graciano Caneira to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cristian Sancho got free with Armindo Maltez in the 76th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 87 minutes into the match, Ponte do Carro's goalkeeper Armindo Maltez had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. After 90 played minutes Ponte do Carro got a freekick which was hit by Graciano Caneira. In the 92nd minute, Graciano Caneira hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Daniel Zorita might have been able to make a better finish in the 95th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Armindo Maltez. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Daniel Zorita ran back to his position shaking his head. Cristian Sancho might have been able to make a better finish in the 95th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Armindo Maltez. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Cristian Sancho ran back to his position shaking his head. Ecuador played a much better game than Ponte do Carro and deserved their victory. The Ponte do Carro players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.