Challenge

Angel Tulio Zof
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The corner led Ecuador's Cristian Sancho to fire away a dangerous shot which Salih Orus despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Luisito Quintan in the 10th minute of play. Salih Orus took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera made a fantastic save in the 13th minute, when Gelu Nicolau sent off a good shot on target. 17 minutes into the match, Central's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Salih Orus reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 18th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 19th minute Cristian Sancho shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Salih Orus saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Luisito Quintan stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Luisito Quintan tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 23rd minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Salih Orus saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 25th minute, Giovani Lo Celso left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Central fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. 30 minutes into the match, Giovani Lo Celso had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Julio Vera. Ecuador's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Giovani Lo Celso was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Daniel Zorita in the 33rd minute of play forced Central's goalkeeper Salih Orus to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 37 minutes into the match, Central's goal looked a bit too open when Cristian Sancho came free, but Salih Orus reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Giovani Lo Celso in the 38th minute. Luisito Quintan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Zorita to strike the kick off in the second half. Julio Vera stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Luisito Quintan's shot from short distance in the 53rd minute. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Luisito Quintan in the 60th minute of play. Cipriano Rolado kicked well hit freekick during the 65th minute of the match. 67 minutes into the match, Central's Luisito Quintan sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Julio Vera narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Salih Orus tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 71 minutes, Gelu Nicolau managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Central's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gelu Nicolau was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some careless play in the Ecuador defense, Luisito Quintan 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 a rather tough play, Ecuador's Juan Sebastián Puig got a free kick in the 75th minute. When Central's Giovani Lo Celso in the 81st minute got a chance for a shot 81st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ecuador's goalie prevented a goal. Daniel Zorita received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Salih Orus tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Salih Orus having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 91st minute, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ecuador's supporters rose to their feet, but Cristian Sancho was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Salih Orus breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Central had won after a very even match.