Challenge

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Daniel Zorita got the match started through his kick off. João Massa 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 3rd minute. After 5 minutes UFC STEAUA'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. 8 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Luis Andino came free, but João Massa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 17th minute of the match, Gigel Seremet tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Julio Vera saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 18th minute of the match UFC STEAUA got a corner. Ecuador's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Rafet Faydalı ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led UFC STEAUA's Gigel Seremet to fire away a dangerous shot which Julio Vera despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Through an outstanding action, after 22 minutes, Julio Vera successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. In the 26th minute, Cristian Sancho got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. João Massa 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 27th minute. João Massa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nelson Mendoza in the 31st 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. The corner ended in Rafet Faydalı almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ecuador's Julio Vera did a great save. If Luis Andino had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without João Massa having to interfere. Isaac Guipuzkoa kicked well hit freekick during the 40th minute of the match. João Massa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 44th minute of play. João Massa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 46th minute of play. Mugur Basarabescu kicked well hit freekick during the 46th minute of the match.

The wind increased when Nelson Mendoza made the kick off in the second half. 55 minutes had been played when some careless play by UFC STEAUA's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. 56 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of João Massa. Daniel Zorita showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gigel Seremet in the 59th minute of play. In the 62nd minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but João Massa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cristian Sancho struck a weak shot in the 70th minute. João Massa 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 showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nelson Mendoza, who was totally free with the ball in the 72nd minute. 76 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. João Massa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 80th minute, Gigel Seremet made a precise shot to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-3. 83 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Luis Andino came free, but João Massa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 83rd play minute Luis Andino came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised João Massa. 1-4. João Massa 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 1-5 in the 87 minute of play. The audience was convinced that Nelson Mendoza's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 93rd minute of the game.