Challenge

O.M. Olympic Arena
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, 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. In the 3rd minute, Daniel Zorita got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Dacian Cristoiu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 6 minutes Olympic CF'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. Felix Montes was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Dacian Cristoiu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Dacian Cristoiu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniel Zorita, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 13th minute Ecuador were awarded a corner. Daniel Zorita went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Antonio Arias got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Dacian Cristoiu quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. After a defensive mix-up in Olympic CF's zone, Cristian Sancho stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dacian Cristoiu 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. Dacian Cristoiu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dacian Cristoiu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Daniel Zorita, who was totally free with the ball in the 23rd minute. In the 25th minute Daniel Zorita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dacian Cristoiu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 26 minutes had been played when some careless play by Olympic CF'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. A well-hit corner resulted in Felix Montenegro heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. After 28 played minutes Olympic CF got a freekick which was hit by Ciprian Minteuan. Daniel Zorita might have been able to make a better finish in the 32nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dacian Cristoiu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Daniel Zorita ran back to his position shaking his head. Julio Vera made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ernesto Esposito in the 36th minute of play. Horaţiu Dijmărescu who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 41stth minute tested the skills of Julio Vera when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Dacian Cristoiu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristian Sancho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Julio Vera was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 47th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Liviu Bulcă. 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.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Horaţiu Dijmărescu made a kick off. A collision led to Olympic CF getting a freekick after 59 minutes play. Horaţiu Dijmărescu hit a great ball. Daniel Zorita blasted a shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Dacian Cristoiu having to make a save. Daniel Zorita fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 64th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dacian Cristoiu having to interfere. In the 66th minute of the match, Luis Andino tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Dacian Cristoiu saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. After 67 minutes Olympic CF'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. After taking down the ball on Ecuador's corner Cristian Sancho fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Dacian Cristoiu quite easily take care of the ball. Dacian Cristoiu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cristian Sancho in the 70th minute. Felix Montenegro could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 74th minute of the match, but Dacian Cristoiu made a huge save. Cristian Sancho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 76th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dacian Cristoiu having to interfere. If Daniel Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dacian Cristoiu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristian Sancho in the 82nd minute of play. Olympic CF's Horaţiu Dijmărescu got a good chance for a goal in the 85th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Daniel Zorita recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 88 minutes, Daniel Zorita managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ecuador's supporters crossed their fingers, but Daniel Zorita was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Liviu Bulcă fell near the penalty area in the 89th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Olympic CF's protests and gave Liviu Bulcă a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Olympic CF's Liviu Bulcă got a free kick in the 89th minute. In the 92nd minute, Olympic CF's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Daniel Zorita fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post.