Challenge

Ciemme Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Franck Graziani took the kick off in the first half of the match. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Franck Graziani in the 3rd minute of play. Alfonso Nicolini took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 5 minutes into the match, Gustaaf Groeneveldt had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Alfonso Nicolini. Deportivo De La Prugna's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gustaaf Groeneveldt was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Franck Graziani succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-1 in the 12th playminute. After having played for 14 minutes, Gijsbert ter Kruimer managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gijsbert ter Kruimer was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Wim Wilmes's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Alfonso Nicolini read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 16th minute of play. In the 24th minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alfonso Nicolini saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 28th minute of play forced Deportivo De La Prugna's goalkeeper Alfonso Nicolini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gustaaf Groeneveldt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alfonso Nicolini having to interfere. Gijsbert ter Kruimer might have been able to make a better finish in the 38th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Alfonso Nicolini. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Gijsbert ter Kruimer ran back to his position shaking his head. Achille Micarelli hit a great freekick 39 minutes into the match. 41 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Di Maria came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Gijsbert ter Kruimer made the kick off in the second half. Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 51st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 53rd minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alfonso Nicolini saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Alberto Di Maria fell near the penalty area in the 61st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Deportivo De La Prugna's protests and gave Alberto Di Maria a yellow card for diving instead. After 60 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Deportivo De La Prugna! Deportivo De La Prugna:s Alfonso Nicolini showed great skill when he stopped Gijsbert ter Kruimer:s penalty. After some careless play in the Deportivo De La Prugna defense, Gijsbert ter Kruimer kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Alfonso Nicolini. The Deportivo De La Prugna fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Alfonso Nicolini should have stopped the shot. In the 64th minute of the match, Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a very nice opportunity to score, but Alfonso Nicolini was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. In the 66th minute Franck Graziani shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Arnout Reekers saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 76th minute, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherlands's supporters rose to their feet, but Wim Wilmes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Alfonso Nicolini breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Franck Graziani in the 77th minute of the match. 80 minutes into the match, Deportivo De La Prugna's goalkeeper Alfonso Nicolini had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wim Wilmes. 83 minutes into the match, Deportivo De La Prugna's goalkeeper Alfonso Nicolini had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wim Wilmes. Gijsbert ter Kruimer blasted a shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Alfonso Nicolini having to make a save. In the 89th minute of the match, Gijsbert ter Kruimer tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Alfonso Nicolini saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. In the 92nd minute, Tudor Mardarie hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gustaaf Groeneveldt fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 94th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alfonso Nicolini having to interfere. When the match was over Netherlands could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Deportivo De La Prugna throughout the match.