Challenge

El Monumental
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Hernán Crespo started the match with the kick off. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Ecuador booed when El Millo de Haedo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jeremias Ereinotz didn't get a good kick on the ball. The supporters of Ecuador booed when El Millo de Haedo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 12 match minutes in a wonderful position. Remigio Uhin didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Ecuador's Cristian Sancho in the 14th minute got a chance for a shot 14th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye El Millo de Haedo's goalie prevented a goal. 18 minutes into the game, Ecuador's Cristian Sancho nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Fernando Ruisko made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. The crowd rose to their feet as El Millo de Haedo's Hernán Crespo slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Julio Vera. That made the score 1-1 after 23 minutes of play. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 26th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 28th minute of play forced El Millo de Haedo's goalkeeper Fernando Ruisko to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 41 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. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 43rd minute got a chance for a shot 43rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye El Millo de Haedo's goalie prevented a goal. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Daniel Zorita made a kick off. The supporters of Ecuador booed when El Millo de Haedo was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Maximino Rosio didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Felix Montenegro got free with Fernando Ruisko in the 65th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The crowd rose to their feet as Cristian Sancho kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Fernando Ruisko. That made the score 1-2 in the 67 minute of play. Cristian Sancho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Fernando Ruisko read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 70th minute of play. After a rather tough play, El Millo de Haedo's Alejo Urtun got a free kick in the 74th minute. El Millo de Haedo's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Hernán Crespo in the 78th minute. In the 80th minute of the match El Millo de Haedo got a corner. Ecuador's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Hernán Crespo ran over to the corner to take the kick. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Fernando Ruisko in the 86th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Fernando Ruisko made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luis Andino in the 87th minute of play.