Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Daniel Zorita took the kick off in the first half of the match. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gigel Tilea having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Olimpiu Dichiseanu in the 5th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 5th minute Olimpiu Dichiseanu 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. The audience was convinced that Sergiu Coșeriu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 8th minute of the game. The crowd rose to their feet as Daniel Zorita kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Gigel Tilea. That made the score 1-0 in the 11 minute of play. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Felix Montenegro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gigel Tilea having to interfere. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Virgil Şimonca's shot from short distance in the 20th minute. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 23rd minute of the match, but Gigel Tilea made a huge save. Felix Montenegro could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 26th minute of the match, but Gigel Tilea made a huge save. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sergiu Coșeriu, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Julio Vera came out of the goal in the 37th minute to try and stop a shot by Academia Rio's Sergiu Coșeriu. But to his dismay, Sergiu Coșeriu quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Gigel Tilea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Sergiu Coșeriu's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 47th minute of play. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

When Daniel Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 50th 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. After a defensive mix-up in Academia Rio's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gigel Tilea 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luis Andino in the 53rd minute of play forced Academia Rio's goalkeeper Gigel Tilea to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 55th minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. Academia Rio'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. Gigel Tilea showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 57th minute of the match. Olimpiu Dichiseanu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Academia Rio getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Alex Nicolae hit a great ball. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 64th minute after Academia Rio's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. The corner ended in Daniel Zorita almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Academia Rio's Gigel Tilea did a great save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Felix Montenegro in the 64th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Gigel Tilea saved Academia Rio from getting behind. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 68th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 72 minutes of play, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Gigel Tilea was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 76th minute, Mihai Oniga hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alex Nicolae's late challenge caught a Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Alex Nicolae helped the player get up and apologised. After 79 played minutes Academia Rio got a freekick which was hit by Alex Nicolae. In the 84thth minute of the game Daniel Zorita who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Academia Rio's Gigel Tilea was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Academia Rio's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gigel Tilea 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. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sergiu Coșeriu, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Academia Rio was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. Dumitru Pantelimon didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 93rd match minute, Academia Rio was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sergiu Coșeriu to maneuver through the defense. Ecuador walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.