Challenge

Svetice
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) 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. Maksimir's Danijel Petrlin got a good chance for a goal in the 3rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 7 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Danijel Petrlin came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 13th minute of play forced Maksimir's goalkeeper Antonio Križanec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 16th minute, Cristian Sancho ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Antonio Križanec was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 20th minute of play forced Maksimir's goalkeeper Antonio Križanec to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Julio Vera didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Danijel Petrlin went, in the 22nd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Danijel Petrlin in the 25th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. In the 26th minute Maksimir were awarded a corner. Adam Dodaj went to the cornerflag to take it. Danijel Petrlin was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. After 28 played minutes Maksimir got a freekick which was hit by Marin Kuharić. Antonio Križanec showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 32nd minute. Antonio Križanec made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 36th minute of play. In the 37th minute of the game Camilo Gisbert made a throw-in which Luis Andino played forward. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Danijel Petrlin in the 40th minute of play. Danijel Petrlin's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Julio Vera read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 46th minute of play. In the 47th minute, Antonio Hrste hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 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.

Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Antonio Hrste, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marin Kuharić's late challenge caught a Ecuador's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marin Kuharić helped the player get up and apologised. Daniel Zorita sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Danijel Petrlin in the 61st minute of play. Antonio Križanec showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. Maksimir made a substitution. Gradimir Antonić replaced Miodrag Rozga. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Danijel Petrlin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Danijel Petrlin in the 67th minute of play. In the 68thth minute of the game Danijel Petrlin who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ecuador's Julio Vera was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Maksimir's Danijel Petrlin got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Maksimir made a substitution. Adrijan Grbović replaced Danijel Petrlin. In the 75th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Daniel Zorita got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Antonio Križanec quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Adrijan Grbović blasted a shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Julio Vera having to make a save. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Adrijan Grbović, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 85th minute the ball was on its way in behind Maksimir's goalkeeper Antonio Križanec, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 89th 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. Antonio Križanec took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Luis Andino, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 92 minutes Maksimir'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. The Maksimir support was delighted with a win in a match that could easily have ended differently.