Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Martin Palermo started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Martin Palermo in the 4th minute of the match. 7 minutes into the game, La Candela FC's Martin Palermo 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, 0-1. When the match had gone on for 13 minutes, Martin Palermo put it in 0-2 from a short distance just to the right of Julio Vera. In the 15th minute Martin Palermo 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. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Ruben Sánchez came out and tried to block the shot, but Daniel Zorita slotted it home off the left post making it 1-2 in the 19th minute. After having played for 24 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 26th play minutes Martin Palermo shot 1-3, a short shot which went by Julio Vera and just under the crossbar into goal. Ruben Sánchez made a fantastic save in the 30th minute, when Cristian Sancho sent off a good shot on target. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Martin Palermo in the 32nd 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Palermo in the 32nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Daniel Zorita was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 39th minute. Ecuador's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. In the 42nd minute La Candela FC were awarded a corner. Sebastián Battaglia went to the cornerflag to take it. Sebastián Battaglia kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Palermo in the 46th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. The Ecuador players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. La Candela FC were winning 1-3.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Daniel Zorita stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Ruben Sánchez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 52 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-3. Ruben Sánchez was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 55 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Martin Palermo came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ruben Sánchez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ruben Sánchez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 61st minute. In the 63rd minute, Antonio Arias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. La Candela FC's Gabi Batistuta was substituted for Osvaldo Potente. In the 65th minute, Antonio Arias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 68 minutes, Antonio Arias mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ecuador and the La Candela FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Antonio Arias got a free kick in the 68th minute. Martin Palermo who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 72ndth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. La Candela FC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Sebastián Battaglia in the 73rd minute. La Candela FC's Sebastián Battaglia 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. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 77th minute after La Candela FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Daniel Zorita fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Ruben Sánchez quite easily take care of the ball. Ruben Sánchez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Juan Sebastián Puig, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. 80 minutes into the match, Cristian Sancho notched a goal, 3-3, to the right of La Candela FC's Ruben Sánchez. Ruben Sánchez was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Martin Palermo in the 83rd minute of play. Ruben Sánchez 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 84th minute. Ruben Sánchez 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 86th minute. 92 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ruben Sánchez made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 4-3. There was no doubt that Ecuador were the better team. Ecuador's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.