Challenge

Qemal Stafa
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Cristoforo De Luca started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Branden Shelton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ecuador's Luis Andino got a good chance for a goal in the 8th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 13th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Branden Shelton saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Branden Shelton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Coronel Durango received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 19th match minute, K.F TIRANA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Paco Cano to maneuver through the defense. 23 minutes into the match, Ecuador's Felix Montenegro sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Branden Shelton narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 26 minutes into the match, K.F TIRANA's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Branden Shelton reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Branden Shelton took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some careless play in the K.F TIRANA defense, Daniel Zorita kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Branden Shelton. The K.F TIRANA fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Branden Shelton should have stopped the shot. 36 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Coronel Durango. In the 40th minute, one of K.F TIRANA:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for K.F TIRANA. Daniel Zorita shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Daniel Zorita to make the kick off. 51 minutes into the match, K.F TIRANA's goalkeeper Branden Shelton had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Cristian Sancho. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Coronel Durango in the 54th minute of play. Branden Shelton 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 56th minute. Daniel Zorita came free with the goalkeeper in the 59th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Branden Shelton could save by the left post. After 60 played minutes K.F TIRANA got a freekick which was hit by Marsel Spaha. Luis Andino blasted a shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Branden Shelton having to make a save. Branden Shelton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luis Andino, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Branden Shelton made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 66th minute. 67 minutes into the match, Cristian Sancho notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of K.F TIRANA's Branden Shelton. Branden Shelton was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Branden Shelton made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 76th minute of play. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 77th minute. The corner went over the outstretched arms of K.F TIRANA's goalie and right to Felix Montenegro. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. K.F TIRANA's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristoforo De Luca in the 79th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Cristian Sancho in the 81st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Branden Shelton saved K.F TIRANA from getting behind. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 86th minute of the match, but Branden Shelton made a huge save. 87 minutes into the match, K.F TIRANA's goalkeeper Branden Shelton had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Felix Montenegro. In the 88th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Agustín Saelices fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Branden Shelton having to interfere. Branden Shelton was a little too slow when Daniel Zorita got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 92nd minute. The score was now 0-3. 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.