Challenge

Marcelo Bielsa
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Silverio Tuste got the match started through his kick off. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Luis Andino got a free kick in the 6th minute. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Silverio Tuste, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Serafino Jurdan 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 12th minute. In the 16thth minute of the game Cristian Sancho who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Newells Old Boys's Serafino Jurdan was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Silverio Tuste in the 22nd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 28 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Silverio Tuste came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cao Liang'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. Cao Liang helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Newells Old Boys's Cao Liang got a free kick in the 33rd minute. Serafino Jurdan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 35th minute of the match. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Silverio Tuste in the 36th minute of play. Serafino Jurdan showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 39th minute of the match. In the 45th minute Silverio Tuste 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. Serafino Jurdan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 47th minute of play. 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 players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Daniel Zorita was the one to do the kick off. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from André-Pierre Gignac, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Newells Old Boys's Silverio Tuste got a good chance for a goal in the 54th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 56 minutes, Adan Chinto mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Newells Old Boys and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. Adan Chinto hit a great freekick 56 minutes into the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Camilo Gisbert during the 59th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 61 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ecuador's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Newells Old Boys the free kick. In the 67th minute, Cristian Sancho hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. André-Pierre Gignac recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Serafino Jurdan in the 80th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Horacio Errapel during the 81st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cristian Sancho got free with Serafino Jurdan in the 83rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Silverio Tuste in the 86th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. 89 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Silverio Tuste came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Newells Old Boys was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Horacio Errapel didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.