Challenge

Paulo I. Heineck
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Daniel Zorita started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute Felix Montenegro shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Andres van der Sar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Afonso Cardozo got free with Julio Vera in the 5th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 6 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Afonso Cardozo came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Afonso Cardozo, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Afonso Cardozo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 11th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. The corner ended in Afonso Cardozo almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ecuador's Julio Vera did a great save. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 16th minute, when Afonso Cardozo sent off a good shot on target. Andres van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luis Andino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Wei Guang Xing in the 24th minute of play. 26 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Afonso Cardozo was slow to take the kick. During this time MONTANHA's players had a chance to rest. In the 29th match minute, MONTANHA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Afonso Cardozo to maneuver through the defense. In the 32nd minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Andres van der Sar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 36th minute, Juan Sebastián Puig hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 37th minute of the match Afonso Cardozo sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Julio Vera skillfully saved the ball. In the 41st minute MONTANHA were awarded a corner. Afonso Cardozo went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 43rd match minute, MONTANHA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gonçalo Matos to maneuver through the defense. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Andres van der Sar tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 45 played minutes MONTANHA got a freekick which was hit by Afonso Cardozo. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Wei Guang Xing made the kick off in the second half. In the 51st minute, Afonso Cardozo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Julio Vera was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. The supporters of Ecuador booed when MONTANHA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 57 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wei Guang Xing didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Daniel Zorita could shoot a difficult shot in the 58th minute, which Andres van der Sar however easily saved by the left post. Afonso Cardozo 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. 63 minutes into the match, MONTANHA's goalkeeper Andres van der Sar had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Felix Montenegro. Afonso Cardozo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Wei Guang Xing sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 78 minutes Ecuador's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Afonso Cardozo who took care of the corner kick. After a rather tough play, MONTANHA's Roger Guerra got a free kick in the 79th minute. The supporters of MONTANHA booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luis Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Andres van der Sar tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Julio Vera came out of the goal in the 88th minute to try and stop a shot by MONTANHA's Wei Guang Xing. But to his dismay, Wei Guang Xing quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. Andres van der Sar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luis Andino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the referee blew the final whistle, MONTANHA could leave the field as winners, despite Ecuador having more of the ball for most of the match.