Challenge

Xarilaou OPAP Arena
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Thodoris Loubakis kicked off to start the match. In the 3rd minute, Kostas Fasoulis left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Xarilaou FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. Ecuador's defense didn't have a chance, in the 7th minute, when Thodoris Loubakis scored to the left of an out of position Julio Vera, making the score, 2-0. Kostas Kourmouzis showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Daniel Zorita in the 10th minute of the match. 11 minutes had been played when some careless play by Xarilaou FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Daniel Zorita was slow to take the kick. During this time Ecuador's players had a chance to rest. The corner led to Ecuador's Luis Andino getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. Kostas Kourmouzis showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristian Sancho in the 13th minute of the match. 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 14th minute. In the 27th match minute, Xarilaou FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Themis Efthimidis to maneuver through the defense. Kostas Kourmouzis made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniel Zorita in the 33rd minute of play. Through an outstanding action, after 40 minutes, Julio Vera successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Julio Vera didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 40th minute, which inside left pole to 4-1. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Zorita to strike the kick off in the second half. After 53 minutes Xarilaou FC'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. A well-hit corner resulted in Luis Andino heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Cristian Sancho sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Thodoris Loubakis's shot from short distance in the 58th minute. When Xarilaou FC's Thodoris Loubakis in the 60th minute got a chance for a shot 60th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Xarilaou FC were awarded a corner in the 63th minute after Ecuador's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Fanis Skaltsas took the corner. The corner ended in Fanis Skaltsas almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ecuador's Julio Vera did a great save. When the match clock showed 65 minutes, the score became 5-1 when Thodoris Loubakis sped through Ecuador's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Julio Vera. The audience was convinced that Thodoris Loubakis's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 71st minute of the game. After 71 minutes, Thodoris Loubakis made it 6-1 with a short kick to the right side. Ecuador's Julio Vera tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Xarilaou FC made a substitution. Stratos Kabantais replaced Kostas Fasoulis. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Thodoris Loubakis in the 75th minute of play. Xarilaou FC's Christodoulos Troglis got a good chance for a goal in the 77th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Daniel Zorita's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Kostas Kourmouzis read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 82nd minute of play. Antonio Arias was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 84 minutes into the match. After 84 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Ecuador! Ecuador:s Julio Vera showed great skill when he stopped Stathis Kapelis:s penalty. 86 minutes into the game, Xarilaou FC's Stathis Kapelis 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, 7-1. In the 91st minute Fanis Skaltsas 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. In the 93rd minute Thodoris Loubakis 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. 97 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 home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Xarilaou FC were victorious despite being under pressure from Ecuador for much of the match.