Challenge

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 51 (Terracing: 39, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) 6 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Kim Bolas. After some fancy dribbling in the 7th minute, Gábor Illés managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sliema Dragons FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Gábor Illés was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Julio Vera breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Mike Axisa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 18th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Luis Andino got a free kick in the 18th minute. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Kim Bolas tried to sneak it across the goal line. Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 21st minute of play. 22 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sliema Dragons FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. Julio Vera was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Kim Bolas showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 24 minute of play. Kim Bolas struck a weak shot in the 28th 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 Sliema Dragons FC. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 30th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Mike Axisa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 31 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sliema Dragons FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Sliema Dragons FC's goalie and right to Luis Andino. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Sliema Dragons FC's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Kim Bolas in the 35th minute. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Primitivo Andino hit a great freekick 37 minutes into the match. Kim Bolas could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Sliema Dragons FC's Mike Axisa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 42nd minute of play. A collision led to Sliema Dragons FC getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Pepe Ferreira hit a great ball. In the 45th minute of the match Daniel Zorita sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Mike Axisa skillfully saved the ball. Mike Axisa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 46th minute of the match. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. Mike Axisa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luis Andino in the 51st minute of play. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 52nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mike Axisa having to interfere. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 57 minutes into the match, Kim Bolas had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Kim Bolas was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. Daniel Zorita came free with the goalkeeper in the 61st minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Mike Axisa could save by the left post. Gábor Illés received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Kim Bolas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 68 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Kim Bolas came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Mike Axisa came out and tried to block the shot, but Cristian Sancho slotted it home off the left post making it 2-1 in the 73rd minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Dejan Cassar in the 78th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. 79 minutes into the game, Agustín Saelices 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 Sliema Dragons FC the free kick. In the 79th minute, Agustín Saelices hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dejan Cassar in the 80th minute of play. The supporters of Sliema Dragons FC booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 81 match minutes in a wonderful position. Primitivo Andino didn't get a good kick on the ball. Dejan Cassar scored 3-1 in the 82nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Julio Vera, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After having played for 85 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. If Dejan Cassar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After 91 minutes of play, Sliema Dragons FC's Dejan Cassar made it 4-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Julio Vera was left in no man's land by his defense there!