Challenge

Marcelo Bielsa
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Silverio Tuste made the kick off which started today's match. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Silverio Tuste tried to sneak it across the goal line. When Silverio Tuste came up free with the goalie in the 11th minute, the Newells Old Boys 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 Silverio Tuste couldn't finish the play. After 15 minutes Newells Old Boys'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. The Ecuador fans' excitement grew in the 17th 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 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. In the 21st minute, Newells Old Boys's Tomas Itzaina seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Tomas Itzaina the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Newells Old Boys protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Tomas Itzaina had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 20th minute of the game. One of Newells Old Boys:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Ecuador:s goal. Newells Old Boys:s Serafino Jurdan showed great skill when he stopped Daniel Zorita:s penalty. 23 minutes had been played when some careless play by Newells Old Boys'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. Ecuador's Luis Andino was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Serafino Jurdan in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Daniel Zorita in the 31st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Serafino Jurdan saved Newells Old Boys from getting behind. In the 32nd minute, Horacio Errapel got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 39th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Serafino Jurdan saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Serafino Jurdan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 46th minute of the match. The Newells Old Boys players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ecuador were winning 0-2.

After a rather tough play, Newells Old Boys's Horacio Errapel got a free kick in the 54th minute. Serafino Jurdan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristian Sancho, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Anastasio Berasko stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Anastasio Berasko tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 60th minute, Luis Andino hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 61st match minute, Newells Old Boys was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cao Liang to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Newells Old Boys getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. André-Pierre Gignac hit a great ball. Daniel Zorita came free with the goalkeeper in the 77th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Serafino Jurdan could save by the left post. Cristian Sancho might have been able to make a better finish in the 78th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Serafino Jurdan. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Cristian Sancho ran back to his position shaking his head. Serafino Jurdan made a fantastic save in the 82nd minute, when Felix Montenegro sent off a good shot on target. The supporters of Newells Old Boys booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antonio Arias didn't get a good kick on the ball. A hard shot 86 in the game by Cristian Sancho from a close distance when the talented Serafino Jurdan managed to make a qualified save. Newells Old Boys's players were relieved. Serafino Jurdan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 90th minute of play. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 92nd minute of the match, but Serafino Jurdan made a huge save. A collision led to Newells Old Boys getting a freekick after 93 minutes play. Anastasio Berasko hit a great ball. When the match was over Ecuador could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Newells Old Boys throughout the match.