Challenge

Jorge Luis Hirschi
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Elpidio Francis started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Antonio Arias got a free kick in the 8th minute. 9 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Arnaldo Gabon. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Elpidio Francis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elpidio Francis in the 15th minute of play. 26 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Arnaldo Gabon. 28 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Luis Andino came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Arnaldo Gabon stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Arnaldo Gabon tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 35 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Branislav Velchevski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Elpidio Francis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 37th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. After 39 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Camilo Gisbert. A collision led to ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Arnaldo Gabon hit a great ball. Esteban Iztal hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. Branislav Velchevski 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 44th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The wind increased when Daniel Zorita made the kick off in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Arnaldo Gabon 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. In the 55th minute, Antonio Arias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Elpidio Francis in the 59th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. 61 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's goalkeeper Branislav Velchevski had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. 71 minutes into the match, ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA's André Monclús sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Julio Vera narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Primitivo Andino made in the 76th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Agustín Saelices immediately put the ball in play. Felix Montes kicked well hit freekick during the 82nd minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers André Monclús in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Branislav Velchevski made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luis Andino in the 85th minute of play. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by André Monclús in the 91st minute of play. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita came free and shot a quick shot against goal 95 minutes in the game, fortunately Branislav Velchevski had problems saving as it came toward the left post. The ESTUDIANTES de la PLATA support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.