Challenge

Nilton Santos
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, 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. When Sandrinho Hoffmann came up free with the goalie in the 4th minute, the Estrela Solitária 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 Sandrinho Hoffmann couldn't finish the play. Cristian Sancho struck a weak shot in the 6th minute. Benjamim Dante didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. When the match had gone on for 8 minutes, Sandrinho Hoffmann took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Julio Vera to make any attempt to save it. Sandrinho Hoffmann could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 13th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Gil Travassos charged in rather forcefully in the 19th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Gil Travassos the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Estrela Solitária's Gil Travassos got a free kick in the 19th minute. Sandrinho Hoffmann could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Sandrinho Hoffmann recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 28th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Sandrinho Hoffmann'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 31st minute of play. Sandrinho Hoffmann'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 34th minute of play. In the 36th minute, Luis Andino left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ecuador fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. Sandrinho Hoffmann'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 41st minute of play. In the 42nd minute Estrela Solitária were awarded a corner. Chicão Amorim went to the cornerflag to take it. Estrela Solitária's Chicão Amorim was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Julio Vera in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 43rd minute, Daniel Zorita left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Ecuador fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. After the first half Ecuador were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Dudu Meira made a kick off. Benjamim Dante made a fantastic save in the 58th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. In the 59th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. 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 Benjamim Dante quite easily take care of the ball. Benjamim Dante made a fantastic save in the 61st minute, when Felix Montenegro sent off a good shot on target. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 62nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Benjamim Dante having to interfere. In the 63rd minute Gerd Müller 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. In the 66th minute, Gerd Müller left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Estrela Solitária fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-2. In the 69th minute, Zé Roberto Hermes hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Estrela Solitária's Benjamim Dante played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luis Andino in the 73rd minute of play. Dudu Meira 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. Benjamim Dante made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. The audience thought a goal was coming when Felix Montenegro got free with Benjamim Dante in the 79th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 84 minutes into the game, Willian Gaúcho was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Estrela Solitária's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ecuador the free kick. Willian Gaúcho hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. Benjamim Dante was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Daniel Zorita showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-4 in the 90 minute of play. When the final whistle sounded Ecuador left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Estrela Solitária.