Challenge

Stadio dei Fratelli
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gijsbert ter Kruimer took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 4th minute Gustaaf Groeneveldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Loramendi Valdivia saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Azzurri FC getting a freekick after 5 minutes play. Jules Barrett hit a great ball. 9 minutes into the game, Jules Barrett recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Arnout Reekers. Jules Barrett showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. In the 14th minute David Eikelkamp shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Loramendi Valdivia saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jules Barrett, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Gijsbert ter Kruimer recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 23rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 26th minute Netherlands were awarded a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer went to the cornerflag to take it. In the 29th minute of the match Azzurri FC got a corner. Netherlands's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Denis Redd ran over to the corner to take the kick. Gijsbert ter Kruimer's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Loramendi Valdivia read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 30th minute of play. Azzurri FC's Loramendi Valdivia 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. 33 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Carlos Tello came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 36th minute, Wim Wilmes left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Netherlands fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. After some fancy dribbling in the 39th 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. Loramendi Valdivia breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Carlos Tello could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 44th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. 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.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jules Barrett to make the kick off. 50 minutes into the match, Jules Barrett 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 Jules Barrett was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. If Gustaaf Groeneveldt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thanks to some nice moves Gustaaf Groeneveldt could shoot a difficult shot in the 55th minute, which Loramendi Valdivia however easily saved by the left post. In the 68th minute of the match, Gijsbert ter Kruimer tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Loramendi Valdivia saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. 74 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Carlos Tello came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Carlos Tello in the 75th minute of play. Loramendi Valdivia made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 77th minute. 77 minutes into the match, Gustaaf Groeneveldt dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Loramendi Valdivia, 2-2. Azzurri FC made a substitution. Nelson Jodion replaced Wally Lécuyer. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Loramendi Valdivia in the 85th 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 Loramendi Valdivia firmly grabbed it by the left post. Azzurri FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 90th minute, when Gustaaf Groeneveldt scored to the left of an out of position Loramendi Valdivia, making the score, 2-3. Lars Meesters sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Netherlands walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.