Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Daniel Zorita made the kick off which started today's match. 3 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Kostas Fasoulis came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The crowd rose to their feet as Ecuador's Cristian Sancho slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Kostas Kourmouzis. That made the score 1-0 after 7 minutes of play. 11 minutes into the game, Daniel Zorita recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Kostas Kourmouzis. Daniel Zorita showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. The supporters of Xarilaou FC booed when Ecuador was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Felix Montenegro didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Fanis Skaltsas came up free with the goalie in the 18th minute, the Xarilaou FC 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 Fanis Skaltsas couldn't finish the play. After 19 minutes, Christodoulos Troglis mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Xarilaou FC and the Ecuador players grew even worse after the yellow card. Kostas Kourmouzis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Luis Andino, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Xarilaou FC's Kostas Fasoulis got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Julio Vera didn't succeed to prevent the ball from going into goal when Xarilaou FC's Thodoris Loubakis shot an unexpected shot in the crossbar's under edge and made 3-1 in the ordered_time% minute. Kostas Kourmouzis 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 33rd minute. After a rather tough play, Xarilaou FC's Stathis Kapelis got a free kick in the 35th minute. When Xarilaou FC's Thodoris Loubakis in the 39th minute got a chance for a shot 39th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Luis Andino sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 46th match minute, Xarilaou FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Stathis Kapelis to maneuver through the defense. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 3-1 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Thodoris Loubakis to make the kick off. Cristian Sancho recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 58 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Thodoris Loubakis came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Thodoris Loubakis got free with Julio Vera in the 61st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 62nd minute of play forced Xarilaou FC's goalkeeper Kostas Kourmouzis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 65th minute, Thodoris Loubakis 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 3-2. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Kostas Kourmouzis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kostas Fasoulis in the 72nd minute of play. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Thodoris Loubakis, who was totally free with the ball in the 74th minute. Julio Vera came out of the goal in the 77th minute to try and stop a shot by Xarilaou FC's Thodoris Loubakis. But to his dismay, Thodoris Loubakis quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-3. Xarilaou FC made a substitution. Stratos Kabantais replaced Kostas Fasoulis. A collision led to Xarilaou FC getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Theofanis Tsatsaronakis hit a great ball. After 85 played minutes Xarilaou FC got a freekick which was hit by Stathis Kapelis. In the 87th minute, Luis Andino ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Kostas Kourmouzis was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-3. Julio Vera showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Thodoris Loubakis in the 92nd minute of the match. Thodoris Loubakis'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 97th minute of play. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.