Challenge

Babuf Stadium
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Panionios MK's Themos Leontiadis started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After having played for 5 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Themos Leontiadis, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luis Andino in the 14th minute of play forced Panionios MK's goalkeeper Erik Vale to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 16th minute, Themos Leontiadis 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. Allan Corrigan hit a great freekick 20 minutes into the match. 21 minutes into the match, Panionios MK's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Erik Vale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dimosthenis Ploumoudis kicked well hit freekick during the 24th minute of the match. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Panionios MK's goalie prevented a goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Themos Leontiadis in the 31st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 33 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Felix Montenegro nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Erik Vale made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Themos Leontiadis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 36th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. After 43 minutes Ecuador's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Argyris Ksagorarakis who took care of the corner kick. Luis Andino scored 0-2 in the 45th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Erik Vale, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. The Panionios MK players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ecuador were winning 0-2.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Daniel Zorita to make the kick off. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Panionios MK was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Omiros Maniatis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Themos Leontiadis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Themos Leontiadis in the 63rd minute of play. After having played for 67 minutes, Luis Andino managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Luis Andino was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Themos Leontiadis struck a weak shot in the 69th minute. Julio Vera didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Panionios MK. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 75th minute of the match, but Erik Vale made a huge save. 76 minutes into the game, Panionios MK's Themos Leontiadis nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Julio Vera made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. If Themos Leontiadis had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 79th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Luis Andino's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Erik Vale read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 85th minute of play. If Allan Corrigan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Panionios MK's Kyriakos Akrivoulis got a free kick in the 89th minute. In the 90th minute, Camilo Gisbert hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field.