Challenge

Gama Arena
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, 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. After some fancy dribbling in the 3rd minute, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Cristian Sancho was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Cveto Novinec breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 13th minute of play forced FC Koper's goalkeeper Cveto Novinec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Cveto Novinec tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ecuador's Agustín Saelices got a good chance for a goal in the 21st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Agustín Saelices in the 28th minute of play forced FC Koper's goalkeeper Cveto Novinec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. FC Koper's Cveto Novinec played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 30th minute of play. Cveto Novinec 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 32nd minute. Wasyl Okropny hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. Through an outstanding action, after 38 minutes, Julio Vera successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. The supporters of FC Koper booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antonio Arias didn't get a good kick on the ball. 44 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Manos Labrou came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After having played for 47 minutes, Minas Markomichalis managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. FC Koper's supporters crossed their fingers, but Minas Markomichalis was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

With a little luck, FC Koper's Cveto Novinec got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. Minas Markomichalis recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniel Zorita's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Cveto Novinec firmly grabbed it by the left post. FC Koper's defense didn't have a chance, in the 59th minute, when Daniel Zorita scored to the left of an out of position Cveto Novinec, making the score, 1-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Minas Markomichalis in the 63rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. In the 74th minute the ball was on its way in behind FC Koper's goalkeeper Cveto Novinec, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Manos Labrou in the 75th minute of play. Cveto Novinec took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A collision led to Ecuador getting a freekick after 79 minutes play. Daniel Zorita hit a great ball. With a little luck, FC Koper's Cveto Novinec got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in FC Koper's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Cveto Novinec came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. FC Koper's Wasyl Okropny suffered a concussion in the 86th minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. Agustín Saelices charged in rather forcefully in the 86th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Agustín Saelices the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. FC Koper's Klaudij Škrjanec was substituted for Wasyl Okropny. In the 87th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Agustín Saelices to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 90 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. Daniel Zorita struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Cveto Novinec didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. Manos Labrou hit a great freekick 95 minutes into the match. Cveto Novinec didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Cristian Sancho went, in the 96th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-2 was the resulting score. Ecuador's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.