Challenge

Gigante de Ardiles
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Donato Venerando got the match started through his kick off. Erik Kassentoft 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 2nd minute. Luis Andino struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Erik Kassentoft didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. After some fancy dribbling in the 8th minute, Felix Montenegro managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Felix Montenegro was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Erik Kassentoft breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Jimeno Abastas 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. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristo Basajaun in the 16th minute. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Donato Venerando's shot from short distance in the 18th minute. Donato Venerando could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 23rd minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Felipe Nuno was slow to take the kick. During this time Ardiles's players had a chance to rest. 26 minutes into the game, Cristo Basajaun cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Julio Vera was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Donato Venerando's shot from short distance in the 32nd minute. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 34th minute, when Jimeno Abastas sent off a good shot on target. When Ecuador's Cristian Sancho in the 36th minute got a chance for a shot 36th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ardiles's goalie prevented a goal. The Ecuador fans' excitement grew in the 37th match minute when Ecuador's Cristian Sancho 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 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

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. Indiana Jones received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 55th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Erik Kassentoft took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 63rd match minute, Ardiles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jimeno Abastas to maneuver through the defense. Erik Kassentoft showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 65th minute of the match. In the 66th match minute, Ardiles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Donato Venerando to maneuver through the defense. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 67th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Kassentoft having to interfere. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Donato Venerando in the 72nd minute of play. In the 74th minute Ardiles were awarded a corner. Felipe Nuno went to the cornerflag to take it. A very nice done corner allowed Indiana Jones to score against Julio Vera in Ecuador's goal. 2-1 after 74 minutes. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Erik Kassentoft in the 77th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Indiana Jones during the 84th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 84th match minute, Ardiles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Indiana Jones to maneuver through the defense. Antonio Arias received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Erik Kassentoft tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Felix Montenegro sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Donato Venerando in the 92nd minute of play. When Ardiles's Donato Venerando in the 93rd minute got a chance for a shot 93rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. The Ardiles support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.