Challenge

Santiago Bernabeu
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Aquiles Urtsin made the kick off which started today's match. Aquiles Urtsin in the 11thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Arnout Reekers, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Bayan Gugovski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lars Meesters, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Merengue FC's Ismael Frances got a free kick in the 21st minute. In the 24th minute Gustaaf Groeneveldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bayan Gugovski saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 28 minutes into the game, Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bayan Gugovski made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Netherlands were awarded a corner in the 32th minute after Merengue FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Gijsbert ter Kruimer took the corner. 33 minutes into the game, Lars Meesters was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Netherlands's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Merengue FC the free kick. After a rather tough play, Netherlands's Lars Meesters got a free kick in the 33rd minute. Wim Wilmes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 39th minute. Bayan Gugovski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Gustaaf Groeneveldt came up free with the goalie in the 47th minute, the Netherlands fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Gustaaf Groeneveldt couldn't finish the play. The Merengue FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Netherlands were winning 0-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Gijsbert ter Kruimer to make the kick off. Through an outstanding action, after 65 minutes, Bayan Gugovski successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. After 66 minutes Merengue FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Gijsbert ter Kruimer who took care of the corner kick. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aquiles Urtsin, who was totally free with the ball in the 70th minute. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aquiles Urtsin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 73rd minute of play forced Merengue FC's goalkeeper Bayan Gugovski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 74th minute, Ismael Frances hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Bayan Gugovski in the 77th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Bayan Gugovski firmly grabbed it by the left post. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Aquiles Urtsin in the 85th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Arnout Reekers saved Netherlands from getting behind. Gijsbert ter Kruimer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 92nd minute. Bayan Gugovski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the match had gone on for 94 minutes, Lars Meesters took a quick shot and it went in 0-3 without a chance for Bayan Gugovski to make any attempt to save it. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Netherlands eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.