Challenge

Gazprom Arena
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. Håkan Kjellman started the match with the kick off. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Håkan Kjellman got a good chance for a goal in the 4th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Aron Sjöberg hit a great freekick 6 minutes into the match. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Håkan Kjellman in the 15th minute of play. Cristian Sancho struck a weak shot in the 17th minute. Zafer Hürsel didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. Julio Vera was out of position in the 18 minute of play, and Håkan Kjellman capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Håkan Kjellman really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Zafer Hürsel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 21st minute of play. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Johannes Botvidsson in the 26th minute. The corner led FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Johannes Botvidsson to fire away a dangerous shot which Julio Vera despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Emanuel Emander in the 28th 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. In the 31st minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zafer Hürsel saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Zafer Hürsel 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 36th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Håkan Kjellman got free with Julio Vera in the 39th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 39th minute, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Håkan Kjellman ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Julio Vera. Julio Vera yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 48th minute of play forced FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's goalkeeper Zafer Hürsel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Zorita to strike the kick off in the second half. Zafer Hürsel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Daniel Zorita kicked a quick shot right in front of the goal in the 67thth minute. Though ot was a great shot FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's keeper Zafer Hürsel was sill able to block leaving the score board unchanged. In the 71st match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Camilo Gisbert to maneuver through the defense. In the 72nd match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Camilo Gisbert to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Valentin Ivarsson stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Valentin Ivarsson tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Camilo Gisbert hit a great freekick 76 minutes into the match. 78 minutes into the match, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Peter Snell sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Julio Vera narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Felix Montenegro who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 80thth minute tested the skills of Zafer Hürsel when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Luis Andino got a free kick in the 81st minute. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Valentin Ivarsson, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 83rd minute of the match, but Zafer Hürsel made a huge save. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's attentive Johannes Botvidsson managed to snatch the ball when Luis Andino made a throw-in in the 86th minute of the game. A collision led to Ecuador getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Camilo Gisbert hit a great ball. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 93rd 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 95th minute FC Zenit Saint Petersburg were awarded a corner. Johannes Botvidsson went to the cornerflag to take it. 96 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Johannes Botvidsson was slow to take the kick. During this time FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's players had a chance to rest. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg had won after a very even match.