Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Apostolis Polychronopoulos took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 3rd match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Camilo Gisbert to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Isidoro Heriberto stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Isidoro Heriberto tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 9th match minute, FC NATIONAL was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mukul Muka to maneuver through the defense. When Akestes Bentihavas fell near the penalty area in the 10th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored FC NATIONAL's protests and gave Akestes Bentihavas a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, FC NATIONAL's Akestes Bentihavas got a free kick in the 10th minute. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luis Andino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 15th minute of play forced FC NATIONAL's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 17th minute after FC NATIONAL's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Luis Andino fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Bogdan Lobonț quite easily take care of the ball. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Octavian Popescu in the 19th minute of play. FC NATIONAL's Bogdan Lobonț proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 22nd minute of the match, managed to save FC NATIONAL from getting a goal against them. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 23th minute after FC NATIONAL's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. In the 30th minute, Apostolis Polychronopoulos left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The FC NATIONAL fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. After 34 minutes FC NATIONAL'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. Bogdan Lobonț made a fantastic save in the 35th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. In the 35th minute, Daniel Zorita reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Bogdan Lobonț. The goal made the score 1-1. 40 minutes into the match, FC NATIONAL's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Felix Montenegro. Bogdan Lobonț was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Felix Montenegro showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 40 minute of play. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Octavian Popescu, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. Bogdan Lobonț made a fantastic save in the 44th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. After 46 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Antonio Arias. Apostolis Polychronopoulos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 48th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Daniel Zorita to make the kick off. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bogdan Lobonț having to interfere. A collision led to FC NATIONAL getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Mukul Muka hit a great ball. Bogdan Lobonț took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to FC NATIONAL getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Akestes Bentihavas hit a great ball. A hard shot 65 in the game by Octavian Popescu from a close distance when the talented Julio Vera managed to make a qualified save. Ecuador's players were relieved. Daniel Zorita scored 3-1 in the 69th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Bogdan Lobonț, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 72nd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 75th minute of play forced FC NATIONAL's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 79th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Luis Andino to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 82nd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Apostolis Polychronopoulos in the 84th minute of play. Ecuador's Felix Montenegro got a good chance for a goal in the 87th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Luis Andino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bogdan Lobonț having to interfere.