Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jairo Ler 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. After 6 minutes Ecuador's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Everardo Joey who took care of the corner kick. 9 minutes into the match, Cardiff City FC's goalkeeper Xencio Millan had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. If Julian Efraim had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Xencio Millan came out and tried to block the shot, but Cristian Sancho slotted it home off the left post making it 2-0 in the 19th minute. Cardiff City FC's Xencio Millan proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 22nd minute of the match, managed to save Cardiff City FC from getting a goal against them. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Julian Efraim in the 24th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Cardiff City FC's Xencio Millan got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 31 minutes Cardiff City FC'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. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Julian Efraim, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 36th minute Jairo Ler 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. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The wind increased when Julian Efraim made the kick off in the second half. Rafa Coutinho kicked well hit freekick during the 51st minute of the match. 53 minutes into the match, Cardiff City FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Xencio Millan reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 54th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Juan Sebastián Puig to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice moves Primitivo Ciano could shoot a difficult shot in the 56th minute, which Julio Vera however easily saved by the left post. In the 59thth minute of the game Daniel Zorita who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Cardiff City FC's Xencio Millan was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Cardiff City FC's Everardo Joey got a free kick in the 70th minute. After a rather tough play, Cardiff City FC's Everardo Joey got a free kick in the 71st minute. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Julian Efraim in the 75th minute of the match. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Nunez Larra tried to sneak it across the goal line. Ecuador's Felix Montenegro got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 87th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Xencio Millan in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Julian Efraim, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julian Efraim fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 96th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Julio Vera having to interfere. Ecuador walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.