Challenge

Estadio Varela
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Daniel Zorita kicked off to start the match. In the 3rdth minute of the game Peng Xiong who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ecuador's Julio Vera was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Crottos Crotters F.C.'s Freddy Mercurio played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniel Zorita in the 5th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cristian Sancho in the 9th minute of play forced Crottos Crotters F.C.'s goalkeeper Freddy Mercurio to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 11 minutes into the match, Felix Montenegro had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Freddy Mercurio. Crottos Crotters F.C.'s manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Felix Montenegro was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Crottos Crotters F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 14 match minutes in a wonderful position. Herminio Seguinus didn't get a good kick on the ball. Daniel Zorita was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 15th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. 21 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Peng Xiong came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Cristian Sancho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 24th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Peng Xiong, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After having played for 31 minutes, Cristian Sancho managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristian Sancho was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Peng Xiong in the 34th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Crottos Crotters F.C.'s Peng Xiong managed to work through Ecuador's defense and was going for an easy goal, but he hit the shot with his toe and the ball flew outside the goal. Peng Xiong dejectedly held out his arms as if to ask why the ball hadn't gone in. Freddy Mercurio took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 38 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Adilson Breckenfeld. Cristian Sancho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Freddy Mercurio tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After the first half Ecuador were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Peng Xiong to make the kick off. Felix Montes kicked well hit freekick during the 50th minute of the match. The audience cheered when Baldomero Mateo's long shot passed Julio Vera's right side. It was 1-1, 51 minutes into the match. Martin Biörkman charged in rather forcefully in the 66th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Martin Biörkman the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Ecuador booed when Crottos Crotters F.C. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 66 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Biörkman didn't get a good kick on the ball. Crottos Crotters F.C. made a substitution. Celedonio Cordara replaced Szilveszter Puja. In the 67th minute, Martin Biörkman hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Agustín Saelices's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Freddy Mercurio read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 68th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Crottos Crotters F.C.'s zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Freddy Mercurio 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. Baldomero Mateo was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 74th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Freddy Mercurio made an important save on a dangerous shot by Felix Montenegro in the 82nd minute. Cristian Sancho blasted a shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Freddy Mercurio having to make a save. Cristian Sancho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Freddy Mercurio read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 83rd minute of play. Ecuador were clearly unhappy with the draw, as they felt they had done enough to earn themselves a victory.