Challenge

Valentin Stanescu
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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Felix Montenegro in the 3rd minute of play forced Cetatea Suceava's goalkeeper Liviu Aldulescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Gigi Neacșu tried to sneak it across the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Codruț Octavian during the 8th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 8th minute, Codruț Octavian hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Cristian Elian received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 11th minute. Julio Vera tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tao Xiong Xuan struck a weak shot in the 17th 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 Cetatea Suceava. When the match clock showed 19 minutes, the score became 1-0 when Gigi Neacșu sped through Ecuador's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Julio Vera. A collision led to Cetatea Suceava getting a freekick after 26 minutes play. Emil Poalelungi hit a great ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gigi Neacșu in the 32nd 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. In the 33rd match minute, Cetatea Suceava was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cristian Elian to maneuver through the defense. Tao Xiong Xuan could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 36th minute of the match, but Julio Vera made a huge save. Liviu Aldulescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Montenegro in the 40th minute of play. Felix Montenegro took the ball and in the 40 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Liviu Aldulescu. Liviu Aldulescu dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 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.

In the 52nd minute, Cristian Elian hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard shot 53 in the game by Daniel Zorita from a close distance when the talented Liviu Aldulescu managed to make a qualified save. Cetatea Suceava's players were relieved. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gigi Neacșu in the 54th minute of play. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Liviu Aldulescu came out and tried to block the shot, but Daniel Zorita slotted it home off the left post making it 1-2 in the 56th minute. After some careless play in the Ecuador defense, Gigi Neacșu kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Julio Vera. The Ecuador fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Julio Vera should have stopped the shot. Nicolae Stroici charged in rather forcefully in the 67th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nicolae Stroici the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. 66 minutes into the game, one of Cetatea Suceava:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. When the match had been going on for 67 minutes, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita got an opportunity to shoot a penalty. He stayed cool and waited for the goalkeeper to move, before he confidently shot the ball into the goal, to the left of Liviu Aldulescu. 70 minutes into the match, Cetatea Suceava's goalkeeper Liviu Aldulescu had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. Liviu Aldulescu 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 2-4 in the 70 minute of play. In the 73rd minute, Cristian Sancho ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Liviu Aldulescu was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-5. After 75 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Antonio Arias. Cristiano Ronaldinho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 76th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Cetatea Suceava's Francesco Alfonsi got a free kick in the 88th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Cetatea Suceava's zone, Luis Andino stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Liviu Aldulescu came out of the goal and Luis Andino tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 97th minute, Tao Xiong Xuan ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Julio Vera was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-5. 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.