Challenge

Mineirão
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Daniel Zorita took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 8th minute of play forced SE Palestra Itália's goalkeeper Tony Chaves to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Cristian Sancho's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Tony Chaves was relentless in the 11th minute of the game. When the match had gone on for 19 minutes, Betão Vargas put it in 2-0 from a short distance just to the right of Julio Vera. In the 22nd minute, SE Palestra Itália's Clayton Sergi ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Julio Vera. Julio Vera yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 3-0. 26 minutes in the game, Daniel Zorita dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. 28 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Clayton Sergi. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Daniel Zorita in the 31st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tony Chaves saved SE Palestra Itália from getting behind. Clayton Sergi who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 32ndth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Clayton Sergi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Bruno Campon blasted a shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Julio Vera having to make a save. In the last second Julio Vera throw himself and got hold of the ball when Betão Vargas in the 41stth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. Tony Chaves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 46th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tony Chaves saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ecuador's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Daniel Zorita in the 47th minute. Clayton Sergi hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. After having played for 48 minutes, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Daniel Zorita was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Betão Vargas to strike the kick off in the second half. Felix Montenegro's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Tony Chaves read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 52nd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Clayton Sergi 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. In the 55th minute Betão Vargas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 58 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Clayton Sergi came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Daniel Zorita blasted a shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Tony Chaves having to make a save. Cristian Sancho could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 61st minute of the match, but Tony Chaves made a huge save. SE Palestra Itália made a substitution. Richard Mendes replaced Clayton Sergi. In the 66th minute Betão Vargas shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Julio Vera saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cristian Sancho recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 68th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Betão Vargas in the 70th minute of play. When SE Palestra Itália's Richard Mendes in the 70th minute got a chance for a shot 70th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. 73 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Betão Vargas came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Richard Mendes in the 78th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ecuador's Daniel Zorita got a good chance for a goal in the 83rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. A hard shot 85 in the game by Cristian Sancho from a close distance when the talented Tony Chaves managed to make a qualified save. SE Palestra Itália's players were relieved. When Daniel Zorita came up free with the goalie in the 87th minute, the Ecuador fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Daniel Zorita couldn't finish the play. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Richard Mendes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 95 minutes had been played when some careless play by Ecuador's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Richard Mendes was slow to take the kick. During this time SE Palestra Itália's players had a chance to rest. The supporters of Ecuador booed when SE Palestra Itália was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 95 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alfredão Corrêa didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in SE Palestra Itália's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tony Chaves came out of the goal and Cristian Sancho tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. SE Palestra Itália's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.