Challenge

Bombonera Stadium
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Gijsbert ter Kruimer started the match with the kick off. Ruben Sánchez showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from David Eikelkamp in the 3rd minute of the match. 14 minutes into the match, Magic is Back's Martin Palermo sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Arnout Reekers narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 16th minute, Gust Ennemans hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Magic is Back's Miguel Nicolau got a free kick in the 20th minute. 23 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Martin Palermo came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Magic is Back's Ruben Sánchez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Wim Wilmes in the 30th minute of play. Gust Ennemans made in the 32nd minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Gustaaf Groeneveldt however managed to control. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Palermo in the 37th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Arnout Reekers saved Netherlands from getting behind. A collision led to Netherlands getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. David Eikelkamp hit a great ball. 42 minutes into the match, Martin Palermo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Arnout Reekers. Netherlands's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Martin Palermo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. 46 minutes into the game, Roland Schiavi was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Magic is Back's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Netherlands the free kick. A collision led to Magic is Back getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Roland Schiavi hit a great ball. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Martin Palermo to make the kick off. The throw-in from Gust Ennemans in the 53rd minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Magic is Back's Miguel Nicolau. In the 54th minute, Martin Palermo left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Magic is Back fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-0. Ruben Sánchez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wim Wilmes, who was totally free with the ball in the 57th minute. In the 58th minute, Gust Ennemans hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Magic is Back's Ruben Sánchez played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 62nd minute of play. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Martin Palermo in the 63rd minute of the match. 65 minutes into the game, Gustaaf Groeneveldt cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Ruben Sánchez was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 70th minute, Gijsbert ter Kruimer reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Ruben Sánchez. The goal made the score 2-2. Ovidio Laurentzi kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. The long shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 79th minute really tested Ruben Sánchez's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. In the 88th match minute, Netherlands was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bas Tuitert to maneuver through the defense. 90 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Sebastián Battaglia came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Netherlands booed when Magic is Back was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 91 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ovidio Laurentzi didn't get a good kick on the ball.