Challenge

Dino Manuzzi
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Daniel Zorita started the match with the kick off. Felice Tacco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Julio Vera having to interfere. Hélio O'Connell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 5th minute of the match. Julio Vera was a little too slow when Ettore Santo got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 12th minute. The score was now 1-1. 15 minutes into the match, Maritek FC's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Hélio O'Connell reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Hélio O'Connell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 18th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cristian Sancho in the 27th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hélio O'Connell prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Ecuador's Daniel Zorita in the 33rd minute got a chance for a shot 33rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Maritek FC's goalie prevented a goal. Ferruccio Zarillo 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. In the 42nd minute, Eli Mariani hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Antonio Arias fell near the penalty area in the 45th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Ecuador's protests and gave Antonio Arias a yellow card for diving instead. Antonio Arias hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. 46 minutes into the match, Maritek FC's Andrea Mariani broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Ferruccio Zarillo made a kick off. Cristian Sanchos short, quick shot in the 52ndth minute got Hélio O'Connell to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After a rather tough play, Maritek FC's Andrea Mariani got a free kick in the 53rd minute. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hélio O'Connell having to interfere. Daniel Zorita could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 58th minute of the match, but Hélio O'Connell made a huge save. Hélio O'Connell was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Daniel Zorita showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-2 in the 62 minute of play. When Eli Mariani fell near the penalty area in the 68th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Maritek FC's protests and gave Eli Mariani a yellow card for diving instead. Eli Mariani kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. 71 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Ferruccio Zarillo came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 73rd minute, Eli Mariani hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Maritek FC made a substitution. Federico Ondino replaced Felice Tacco. Eli Mariani hit a great freekick 75 minutes into the match. In the 81st minute Ettore Santo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Hélio O'Connell in the 83rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After having played for 84 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomás Moita in the 86th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Maritek FC's Alfredo Toschi was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Julio Vera in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Tomás Moita in the 94th 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Tomás Moita in the 94th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Ecuador's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.