Challenge

Manly Oval
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when John Aldridge took the kick off in the first half of the match. Camilo Gisbert made in the 3rd minute of the game a quick throw-in and Luis Andino immediately put the ball in play. A collision led to Manly FC getting a freekick after 4 minutes play. Clifford Hamilton hit a great ball. Ray Clemence made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 5th minute of play. John Aldridge who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 7thth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Ecuador's Felix Montenegro pulled a muscle in his back after 8 minutes and couldn't finish the game. After 8 minutes, Mo Salah mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Manly FC and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. Mo Salah kicked well hit freekick during the 9th minute of the match. In the 10th minute of the match Daniel Zorita shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ray Clemence showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by John Aldridge in the 12th minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when John Aldridge got free with Julio Vera in the 19th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If John Aldridge had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ray Clemence made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 27th minute of play. 29 minutes in the game Camilo Gisbert did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Luis Andino. In the 31st minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. Manly FC's Ray Clemence played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 37th minute of play. 40 minutes into the match, John Aldridge dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Julio Vera, 1-1. John Aldridge's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 43rd minute of play. Luis Andino received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 46th minute. Ray Clemence tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Zorita to strike the kick off in the second half. John Aldridge sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 60th minute, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Ray Clemence. Ray Clemence yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-2. John Aldridge might have been able to make a better finish in the 64th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Julio Vera. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. John Aldridge ran back to his position shaking his head. In the 64th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 65th minute, Daniel Zorita 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. 73 minutes into the match, Manly FC's goalkeeper Ray Clemence had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. John Aldridge's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 76th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Camilo Gisbert got a free kick in the 77th minute. In the 78th match minute, Ecuador was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Camilo Gisbert to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Manly FC's Duke Carnduff got a free kick in the 86th minute. Robbie Fowler recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 88th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Manly FC's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ray Clemence came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Robbie Fowler, who was totally free with the ball in the 94th minute. When the match was over Ecuador could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Manly FC throughout the match.