Challenge

Arena Eduardo Máximo
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Daniel Zorita made the kick off and thus started the match. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 7th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 13th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Aaron Tanti saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 14th minute of play forced Eleven Young Elephants's goalkeeper Aaron Tanti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 18th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Aaron Tanti saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The goalkeeper smacked the ball away after a great corner, but Felix Montes advanced and headed the ball into goal, 0-1 in the 19th minute. 25 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Darren Carabott. Aaron Tanti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Aaron Tanti tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Aaron Tanti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristian Sancho, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. 38 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Darren Carabott. With a little luck, Ecuador's Julio Vera got control of the ball when Severino Bueno tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 42 minutes Eleven Young Elephants's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Daniel Zorita who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Daniel Zorita fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Aaron Tanti quite easily take care of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 45th minute of play forced Eleven Young Elephants's goalkeeper Aaron Tanti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Eleven Young Elephants getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Severino Bueno hit a great ball. After the first half Ecuador were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Severino Bueno was the one to do the kick off. Eleven Young Elephants's Aaron Tanti played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cristian Sancho in the 52nd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Severino Bueno in the 53rd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Aaron Tanti took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristian Sancho might have been able to make a better finish in the 57th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Aaron Tanti. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Cristian Sancho ran back to his position shaking his head. Carlo Camilleri hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. After 61 played minutes, Ecuador's Daniel Zorita shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Aaron Tanti came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Ecuador reached it. Aaron Tanti made a fantastic save in the 62nd minute, when Daniel Zorita sent off a good shot on target. Aaron Tanti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cristian Sancho, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Aaron Tanti in the 68th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With his leg Aaron Tanti managed to avoid a goal in the 76thth minute, when Ecuador's Felix Montenegro fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Aaron Tanti was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Cristian Sancho showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-2 in the 82 minute of play. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ma Fan during the 85th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. 85 minutes into the game, one of Eleven Young Elephants:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Aaron Tanti had in the 86thth minute some difficulties stopping Daniel Zorita's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. After 88 played minutes Eleven Young Elephants got a freekick which was hit by Fabio Savona. After a defensive mix-up in Eleven Young Elephants's zone, Daniel Zorita stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Aaron Tanti 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. When the match was over Ecuador could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Eleven Young Elephants throughout the match.