Challenge

Babbis Chatzios DPLD
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Menios Chloros made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 5th minute of play. Menios Chloros made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Montenegro in the 9th minute of play. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 10th minute after Mean Machine's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nedim Emekli in the 12th 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 16th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Menios Chloros in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 19th minute Miltos Makris 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 recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 20th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Nedim Emekli could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 22nd minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Ecuador's defense didn't have a chance, in the 25th minute, when Carles Pujol scored to the left of an out of position Julio Vera, making the score, 1-0. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 29th minute after Mean Machine's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Daniel Zorita took the corner. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 31st minute, when Nedim Emekli sent off a good shot on target. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Carles Pujol in the 35th minute of the match. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Miltos Makris in the 36th minute of play. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Menios Chloros having to interfere. The Mean Machine fans' excitement grew in the 42nd match minute when Mean Machine's Nedim Emekli looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Agustín Saelices's late challenge caught a Mean Machine's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Agustín Saelices helped the player get up and apologised. In the 45th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Agustín Saelices to maneuver through the defense. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The audience thought a goal was coming when Cristian Sancho got free with Menios Chloros in the 52nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Luis Andino 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Miltos Makris in the 57th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Mean Machine were awarded a corner in the 58th minute after Ecuador's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Nikos Stasinos took the corner. Felix Montenegro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mean Machine's Agnaldo Braga was substituted for Archibaldo Peñaranda. Mean Machine's Nikos Kioupouroglou was substituted for Miltos Makris. Boruc Smolak kicked well hit freekick during the 66th minute of the match. After having played for 72 minutes, Nedim Emekli managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mean Machine's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nedim Emekli was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Carles Pujol might have been able to make a better finish in the 73rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Julio Vera. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Carles Pujol ran back to his position shaking his head. Nedim Emekli took the ball and in the 83 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Julio Vera. Julio Vera dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 4-0. In the 88th minute Carles Pujol 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. In the 91st minute, Camilo Gisbert hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience was convinced that Nedim Emekli's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 94th minute of the game.