Challenge

Maravilla Stadium
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Quentin Gonzalez in the 3rd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Atlético Maravilla was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Honorato Arraz didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Felix Montenegro had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 7th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 14 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Zarando Lastras was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Quentin Gonzalez who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 17thth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Atlético Maravilla's Zarando Lastras played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 18th minute of play. In the 24th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Agustín Saelices got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Zarando Lastras quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Zarando Lastras made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luis Andino in the 26th minute of play. Daniel Zorita struck a weak shot in the 28th minute. Zarando Lastras didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. When Atlético Maravilla's Dionisio Hidalgo in the 30th minute got a chance for a shot 30th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. After some careless play in the Atlético Maravilla defense, Cristian Sancho kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Zarando Lastras. The Atlético Maravilla fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Zarando Lastras should have stopped the shot. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dionisio Hidalgo in the 37th minute of play. After 37 minutes of play, Atlético Maravilla's Dionisio Hidalgo made it 1-2 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! Atlético Maravilla's Zarando Lastras played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Agustín Saelices in the 40th minute of play. When the match clock showed 42 minutes, the score became 2-2 when Dionisio Hidalgo sped through Ecuador's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Julio Vera. Daniel Zorita charged in rather forcefully in the 46th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Daniel Zorita the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Leopoldo de Queiroz in the 53rd minute of the match. With an all-out effort, Ecuador's Zarando Lastras threw himself towards the right post 60 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Luis Andino, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Atlético Maravilla's Zarando Lastras played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 70th minute of play. Zarando Lastras showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 70th minute of the match. After 71 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Juan Sebastián Puig. Atlético Maravilla's Shawn Seracino Inglott was substituted for Dionisio Hidalgo. In the 72nd minute, Juan Sebastián Puig hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Anders Söderlund was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 73rd played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. If Luis Andino had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 78th minute, Cristian Sancho reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Zarando Lastras. The goal made the score 2-3. Zarando Lastras took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Agustín Saelices, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a defensive mix-up in Atlético Maravilla's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Zarando Lastras came out of the goal and Daniel Zorita tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Atlético Maravilla's Shawn Seracino Inglott got a good chance for a goal in the 94th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ecuador's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.