Challenge

Gen. Dalla Chiesa
Spectators: 42 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Gijsbert ter Kruimer got the match started through his kick off. 8 minutes into the match, Luponero FC's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free, but Eraldo Cannone reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Eraldo Cannone didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt went, in the 11th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. Ciccio Cherubini received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 17th minute. Arnout Reekers tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gustaaf Groeneveldt might have been able to make a better finish in the 19th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Eraldo Cannone. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Gustaaf Groeneveldt ran back to his position shaking his head. Eraldo Cannone took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Luponero FC's Chen Sen Fan got a free kick in the 27th minute. The supporters of Netherlands booed when Luponero FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luca Toni didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 33 minutes, Gijsbert ter Kruimer managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gijsbert ter Kruimer was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Achille Molinaro could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 36th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. Achille Molinaro could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 40th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. After 42 played minutes Luponero FC got a freekick which was hit by Chen Sen Fan. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Achille Molinaro made the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Achille Molinaro 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. Eraldo Cannone made a fantastic save in the 53rd minute, when Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent off a good shot on target. When Wim Wilmes came up free with the goalie in the 54th 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 Wim Wilmes couldn't finish the play. In the 56th minute of the match, Gijsbert ter Kruimer tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Eraldo Cannone saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. 58 minutes into the game, Chen Sen Fan was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Luponero FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Netherlands the free kick. Chen Sen Fan kicked well hit freekick during the 58th minute of the match. 64 minutes into the game, Achille Molinaro cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Arnout Reekers was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Anthony Caniglia hit a great freekick 66 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Luponero FC's zone, Gijsbert ter Kruimer stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Eraldo Cannone came out of the goal and Gijsbert ter Kruimer tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 70th minute, Roman Kon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Through an outstanding action, after 72 minutes, Eraldo Cannone successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. 77 minutes into the match, Luponero FC's goalkeeper Eraldo Cannone had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wim Wilmes. Gijsbert ter Kruimer recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Luponero FC's Andrea Grassi was substituted for Luca Toni. Eraldo Cannone made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 85th minute. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Eraldo Cannone read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 91st minute of play. In the 93rd minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Eraldo Cannone saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Netherlands's Egbert Nijveldt got a free kick in the 95th minute. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Luponero FC 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.