Challenge

MERT ARENA
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Gijsbert ter Kruimer started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Arnout Reekers made a fantastic save in the 3rd minute, when Ahmet Orhan Kutulmuş sent off a good shot on target. In the 6th minute Gustaaf Groeneveldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dursun Ekinci saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 8th minute of the match, managed to save Netherlands from getting a goal against them. 9 minutes into the match, Naci Kaynak dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Arnout Reekers, 1-0. Naci Kaynak was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 14th minute. MERT FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. 16 minutes into the game, Sakut Şanlı was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. MERT FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Netherlands the free kick. After 17 played minutes MERT FC got a freekick which was hit by Sakut Şanlı. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Naci Kaynak, who was totally free with the ball in the 19th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 20th minute of play forced MERT FC's goalkeeper Dursun Ekinci to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dursun Ekinci didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer went, in the 20th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Dursun Ekinci made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 27th minute of play. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Naci Kaynak in the 30th minute of the match. In the 31st minute Gustaaf Groeneveldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dursun Ekinci 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 32nd minute of play forced MERT FC's goalkeeper Dursun Ekinci to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 38 minutes into the match, MERT FC's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free, but Dursun Ekinci reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Naci Kaynak, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 47 minutes had been played when some careless play by MERT FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer was slow to take the kick. During this time Netherlands's players had a chance to rest. After the first half Netherlands were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The wind increased when Naci Kaynak made the kick off in the second half. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 52ndth minute, Dursun Ekinci skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Naci Kaynak's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Arnout Reekers read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 54th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 63rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dursun Ekinci saved MERT FC from getting behind. Naci Kaynak hit a great freekick 64 minutes into the match. Dursun Ekinci made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 68th minute. Dursun Ekinci showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Wim Wilmes in the 71st minute of the match. In the 72nd minute Netherlands were awarded a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Egbert Nijveldt got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Dursun Ekinci quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. In the 79th minute, Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Dursun Ekinci. Dursun Ekinci yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-4. MERT FC's Dursun Ekinci played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 83rd minute of play. Dursun Ekinci made a fantastic save in the 85th minute, when Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent off a good shot on target. With a little luck, MERT FC's Dursun Ekinci got control of the ball when Gustaaf Groeneveldt tried to sneak it across the goal line. Dursun Ekinci took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 90th minute Daniel Stålberg 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. A collision led to MERT FC getting a freekick after 95 minutes play. Sakut Şanlı hit a great ball. The Netherlands players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.