Challenge

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 51 (Terracing: 39, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Kim Bolas made the kick off and thus started the match. If Kim Bolas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Kim Bolas scored 1-0 in the 5th 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. Mike Axisa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 14 minutes into the match, Daniel Zorita notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa. Mike Axisa was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Sliema Dragons FC were awarded a corner in the 19th minute after Ecuador's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Leszek Cupial took the corner. Baran Erozan was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. 23 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Mike Axisa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Kim Bolas came free with the goalkeeper in the 24th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Julio Vera could save by the left post. Mike Axisa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 25th minute of play. Kim Bolas'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 26th minute of play. In the 28th minute Sliema Dragons FC were awarded a corner. Leszek Cupial went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Leszek Cupial got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Julio Vera quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Kim Bolas in the 33rd minute. In the 34th minute of the match Sliema Dragons FC got a corner. Ecuador's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Leszek Cupial ran over to the corner to take the kick. In the 39th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 44th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Primitivo Andino to maneuver through the defense. In the 47th minute, Giovanni Demicoli hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. Luis Andino's late challenge caught a Sliema Dragons FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Luis Andino helped the player get up and apologised. When Pepe Ferreira fell near the penalty area in the 53rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Dragons FC's protests and gave Pepe Ferreira a yellow card for diving instead. Pepe Ferreira kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 56th minute of the match, but Mike Axisa made a huge save. 57 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sliema Dragons FC'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. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kim Bolas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sliema Dragons FC made a substitution. Dejan Cassar replaced Kim Bolas. 75 minutes into the game, Sliema Dragons FC's Dejan Cassar nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Julio Vera made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Dejan Cassar 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. In the 88th minute Dejan Cassar 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. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Dejan Cassar, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. Julio Vera came out of the goal in the 94th minute to try and stop a shot by Sliema Dragons FC's Dejan Cassar. But to his dismay, Dejan Cassar quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 4-2. Many of Ecuador's supporters were seen to leave the ground early as it became clear their team was going to lose. Ecuador may have spent more time on the ball, but Sliema Dragons FC were more willing to take their chances and they walked away with the win.