Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Elpidio Francis 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. Branislav Velchevski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 3rd minute of the match. After 6 minutes ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Daniel Zorita who took care of the corner kick. Cristian Sancho made a great header on Ecuador's corner, it was just that ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's Branislav Velchevski managed to reach the ball for a save. The corner went over the outstretched arms of ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalie and right to Luis Andino. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Agustín Saelices in the 10th 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. Elpidio Francis scored 1-0 in the 19th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Julio Vera, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 25 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 28th minute, when Arnaldo Gabon sent off a good shot on target. 30 minutes into the game, Cristian Sancho cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Branislav Velchevski was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 34th minute of play. In the 36thth 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. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalie prevented a goal. 39 minutes into the game, Elpidio Francis cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Julio Vera was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 42nd minute, Camilo Gisbert hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Daniel Zorita was the one to do the kick off. Luis Andino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Branislav Velchevski having to interfere. In the 60thth minute of the game André Monclús 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. Arnaldo Gabon received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Branislav Velchevski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match had been going on for 73 minutes, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita got an opportunity to shoot a penalty. He stayed cool and waited for the goalkeeper to move, before he confidently shot the ball into the goal, to the left of Branislav Velchevski. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by André Monclús in the 81st minute of play. 87 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 Daniel Zorita. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from André Monclús, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ecuador were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.