Challenge

Khachatryan Center
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Merlin Castro got the match started through his kick off. After 2 played minutes Khachatryan got a freekick which was hit by Antoine Schaefer. Khachatryan's Jermaine Richmond played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 3rd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Merlin Castro in the 8th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Julio Vera saved Ecuador from getting behind. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Merlin Castro in the 17th minute of play. Cristian Sancho kicked well hit freekick during the 18th minute of the match. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Khachatryan was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 20 match minutes in a wonderful position. Petros Oganesyan didn't get a good kick on the ball. 22 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Merlin Castro came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 23rd minute of play forced Khachatryan's goalkeeper Jermaine Richmond to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 23rd minute, Daniel Zorita ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Jermaine Richmond was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. 27 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sung McKinley. Marquis Kenny hit a great freekick 28 minutes into the match. In the 28th minute of the match Daniel Zorita sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jermaine Richmond skillfully saved the ball. After a rather tough play, Khachatryan's Antoine Schaefer got a free kick in the 30th minute. Merlin Castro scored 1-1 in the 32nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Julio Vera, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 35 minutes into the match, Khachatryan's goal looked a bit too open when Felix Montenegro came free, but Jermaine Richmond reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Merlin Castro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 38th minute, Merlin Castro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 44 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Merlin Castro. 46 minutes into the match, Khachatryan's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but Jermaine Richmond reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

Khachatryan made a substitution. Jon Yost replaced Petros Oganesyan. Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Daniel Zorita to make the kick off. 57 minutes into the match, Khachatryan's goalkeeper Jermaine Richmond had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Daniel Zorita. Jermaine Richmond made an important save on a dangerous shot by Daniel Zorita in the 59th minute. 61 minutes into the game, Khachatryan's Sung McKinley nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Julio Vera made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. Khachatryan's Cesar Holland was substituted for Zé Augusto Souza. Marquis Kenny kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Hu Wei Shu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Jermaine Richmond was a little too slow when Cristian Sancho got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 69th minute. The score was now 2-2. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daniel Zorita got free with Jermaine Richmond in the 72nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 76 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Hu Wei Shu came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some careless play in the Ecuador defense, Merlin Castro 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. After 85 played minutes, Khachatryan's Albert Paulíny shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Julio Vera 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 Khachatryan reached it. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Merlin Castro in the 89th minute of play. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Merlin Castro, who was totally free with the ball in the 91st minute. Cristian Sancho hit a great freekick 92 minutes into the match. If Hu Wei Shu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 95th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Daniel Zorita charged in rather forcefully in the 97th 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 97 played minutes Ecuador got a freekick which was hit by Daniel Zorita. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Khachatryan were victorious despite being under pressure from Ecuador for much of the match.