Challenge

Estadio Olímpico
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, 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. Henrick Zeier made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 3rd minute of play. Henrick Zeier made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 5th minute. 6 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Stian Aarflot came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Stian Aarflot in the 6th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Adam Wielowiejski in the 8th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Julio Vera prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Daniel Zorita took the ball and in the 9 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Henrick Zeier. Henrick Zeier dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. The referee felt a red card was in order, 12 minutes into the game, when Antonio Arias put in a rough tackle. 11 minutes into the game, one of Ecuador:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Julio Vera had in the 13thth minute some difficulties stopping Leif Kohler's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Agustín Saelices who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 16thth minute tested the skills of Henrick Zeier when he managed to save the team from getting behind. After having played for 19 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. 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 22nd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Adam Wielowiejski in the 23rd minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Julio Vera took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marcel Eichelberger, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 28th minute, Stian Aarflot left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Tarada fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. The audience was convinced that Adam Wielowiejski's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Julio Vera was relentless in the 32nd minute of the game. Julio Vera showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Adam Wielowiejski, who was totally free with the ball in the 37th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Stian Aarflot in the 48th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Julio Vera to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Adam Wielowiejski made the kick off in the second half. Adam Wielowiejski recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Adam Wielowiejski got free with Julio Vera in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Cristian Sancho struck a weak shot in the 56th minute. Henrick Zeier didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ecuador. Ecuador's Julio Vera played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Stian Aarflot in the 65th minute of play. After having played for 67 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. 80 minutes into the match, Ecuador's goal looked a bit too open when Serge Jeanneret came free, but Julio Vera reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Adam Wielowiejski got free with Julio Vera in the 81st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Henrick Zeier took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Felix Montenegro, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera made an important save on a dangerous shot by Adam Wielowiejski in the 94th minute. The Ecuador manager could be seen shouting at his players as they walked down the tunnel after the match. He was clearly angry that they had squandered their superior possession, allowing Tarada to win.