Challenge

Stadio E Scida
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Kroton F.C.'s Severino Messias started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Wim Wilmes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Martin Eriksson having to interfere. Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a good chance for a goal in the 20th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After some fancy dribbling in the 22nd minute, Veli Vefa managed to get in a good position for a shot. Kroton F.C.'s supporters rose to their feet, but Veli Vefa was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Arnout Reekers breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 22nd match minute Veli Vefa ran free in the middle of the field and shot a long shot which scored behind a totally surprised Arnout Reekers. 1-0. In the 24th minute, Gustaaf Groeneveldt hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Patrick Vieira kicked well hit freekick during the 25th minute of the match. When Saul Sanduru fell near the penalty area in the 27th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Kroton F.C.'s protests and gave Saul Sanduru a yellow card for diving instead. 26 minutes into the game, one of Kroton F.C.:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Martin Eriksson had in the 27thth minute some difficulties stopping Gijsbert ter Kruimer's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. In the 29th minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. Kroton F.C.'s goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gijsbert ter Kruimer ran over to the corner to take the kick. Martin Eriksson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Arnout Reekers stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Severino Messias's shot from short distance in the 33rd minute. Martin Eriksson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 35th minute of the match. Martin Eriksson showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, who was totally free with the ball in the 47th minute. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Gijsbert ter Kruimer made a kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Veli Vefa in the 51st minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Martin Eriksson made a fantastic save in the 59th minute, when Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent off a good shot on target. In the 65th minute Johannes Støle 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. The audience was convinced that Severino Messias's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Arnout Reekers was relentless in the 67th minute of the game. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Severino Messias in the 69th minute of play. Martin Eriksson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 71st minute of the match. 72 minutes had been played when some careless play by Kroton F.C.'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. Wim Wilmes was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Martin Eriksson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 75th minute. Thanks to some nice moves Gustaaf Groeneveldt could shoot a difficult shot in the 79th minute, which Martin Eriksson however easily saved by the left post. Martin Eriksson 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 81st minute. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Severino Messias in the 84th minute of the match. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Kroton F.C. fans cheered their team off the field, for while Netherlands had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.