Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Daniel Zorita made the kick off which started today's match. In the 2nd 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. The crowd rose to their feet as Ecuador's Daniel Zorita slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Bogdan Lobonț. That made the score 1-0 after 3 minutes of play. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 8th minute of the match, but Bogdan Lobonț made a huge save. In the 8thth minute of the game Daniel Zorita who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Emerald's Bogdan Lobonț was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Bogdan Lobonț made a fantastic save in the 10th minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. Bogdan Lobonț was a little too slow when Daniel Zorita got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 10th minute. The score was now 2-0. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Emerald was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 15 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gabriel Mălaimare didn't get a good kick on the ball. The corner led Ecuador's Daniel Zorita to fire away a dangerous shot which Bogdan Lobonț despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. With a little luck, Emerald's Bogdan Lobonț got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 34th minute Victor Piţurcă 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. After a rather tough play, Emerald's Gabriel Mălaimare got a free kick in the 36th minute. A collision led to Emerald getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Grigore Stătescu hit a great ball. Victor Piţurcă might have been able to make a better finish in the 45th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Julio Vera. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Victor Piţurcă ran back to his position shaking his head. 47 minutes into the match, Emerald's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 4-0.

Emerald's Ioan Logofătu was substituted for Julio Iglesias. The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Victor Piţurcă was the one to do the kick off. Grigore Stătescu's late challenge caught a Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Grigore Stătescu helped the player get up and apologised. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 70th minute of play forced Emerald's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobonț to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Victor Piţurcă in the 73rd minute. In the 74th minute Emerald were awarded a corner. Jaime Carioca went to the cornerflag to take it. Jaime Carioca made a great header on Emerald's corner, it was just that Ecuador's Julio Vera managed to reach the ball for a save. Emerald's Jaime Carioca quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Camilo Gisbert, made in the 81st minute of the game. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Bogdan Lobonț tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 86th minute, Victor Piţurcă ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Julio Vera was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-1. After 89 played minutes Emerald got a freekick which was hit by Hurşit Cemşit. Cristian Sancho might have been able to make a better finish in the 93rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Bogdan Lobonț. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Cristian Sancho ran back to his position shaking his head. The audience thought a goal was coming when Victor Piţurcă got free with Julio Vera in the 96th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Ecuador had played much better football throughout.