Challenge

NATIONAL ARENA
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Nelson Mendoza took the kick off in the first half of the match. 5 minutes into the match, UFC STEAUA's goal looked a bit too open when Daniel Zorita came free, but João Massa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cristian Sancho scored 0-1 in the 9th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of João Massa, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Daniel Zorita took the ball and in the 18 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised João Massa. João Massa dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. In the 24th match minute, UFC STEAUA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mugur Basarabescu to maneuver through the defense. João Massa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Felix Montenegro in the 25th minute of play. João Massa came out of the goal in the 28th minute to try and stop a shot by Ecuador's Agustín Saelices. But to his dismay, Agustín Saelices quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. An unexpectedly hard shot by Luis Andino in the 32nd minute of play forced UFC STEAUA's goalkeeper João Massa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 39th minute of the match Ecuador got a corner. UFC STEAUA's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Daniel Zorita ran over to the corner to take the kick. 43 minutes into the game, Cristian Sancho cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-4. João Massa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The supporters of Ecuador booed when UFC STEAUA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mugur Basarabescu didn't get a good kick on the ball. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-4.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Daniel Zorita to strike the kick off in the second half. Şamil Darcan tried to clear up in front of the goal, but didn't succeed and rather the ball rolled into the own goal to the right of a despaired João Massa. An unnecessary self made goal, 0-5 in the 51st minute. Felix Montenegro fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 54th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without João Massa having to interfere. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 59th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 62nd match minute, UFC STEAUA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mugur Basarabescu to maneuver through the defense. 64 minutes into the game, Cristian Sancho cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-7. João Massa was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 69thth minute of the game Gigel Seremet 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. UFC STEAUA's João Massa proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 70th minute of the match, managed to save UFC STEAUA from getting a goal against them. 79 minutes into the match, Daniel Zorita had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of João Massa. UFC STEAUA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Daniel Zorita was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-8. After a defensive mix-up in Ecuador's zone, Mugur Nisipeanu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Julio Vera came out of the goal and Mugur Nisipeanu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With a little luck, UFC STEAUA's João Massa got control of the ball when Daniel Zorita tried to sneak it across the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in UFC STEAUA's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. João Massa 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. Ecuador played a much better game than UFC STEAUA and deserved their victory. The UFC STEAUA players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.