Challenge

Sir Steaua
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Ecuador's Daniel Zorita 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. In the 3rd minute, Agustín Saelices made a precise shot to the right of Bogdan Şimandan. Sir Alexandria's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Bogdan Şimandan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Nistor Popilean struck a weak shot in the 10th 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 Sir Alexandria. The long shot by Domenico Serafini in the 12th minute really tested Julio Vera's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Bogdan Şimandan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 18th minute of play. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nistor Popilean in the 21st minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Felix Montenegro in the 29th minute of play forced Sir Alexandria's goalkeeper Bogdan Şimandan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Pompiliu Pociu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 34th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita got a good chance for a goal in the 35th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ecuador's Julio Vera proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 37th minute of the match, managed to save Ecuador from getting a goal against them. After a defensive mix-up in Sir Alexandria's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bogdan Şimandan came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Eric Alexa during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 41st minute, one of Sir Alexandria:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Sir Alexandria. Nistor Popileans short, quick shot in the 45thth minute got Julio Vera to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Bogdan Şimandan made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 53rd minute. 54 minutes had been played when some careless play by Sir Alexandria'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. Cristian Sanchos short, quick shot in the 56thth minute got Bogdan Şimandan to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. In the 58th 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. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Pompiliu Pociu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Pompiliu Pociu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Pompiliu Pociu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Bogdan Şimandan in the 70th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a little luck, Sir Alexandria's Bogdan Şimandan got control of the ball when Cristian Sancho tried to sneak it across the goal line. 89 minutes into the match, Felix Montenegro had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Bogdan Şimandan. Sir Alexandria's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Felix Montenegro was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-3. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita got a free kick in the 93rd minute. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tzonyo Viyachki in the 94th minute of the match. Ecuador's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.