Challenge

Thunderdome
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Maarten Colen kicked off to start the match. A throw-in in the 4th minute of the game was made by John Pothuizen with Gilbert Fleur as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. In the 5th match minute, MVV Maastricht was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by John Pothuizen to maneuver through the defense. The long shot by John Pothuizen in the 11th minute really tested Keld Paulsen'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. Dean Verbruggen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Chris Nygaard, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. A collision led to Denmark getting a freekick after 14 minutes play. Bjarne Kirkegaard hit a great ball. Dean Verbruggen stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Chris Nygaard's shot from short distance in the 16th minute. Dean Verbruggen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Chris Nygaard in the 19th minute of the match. In the 21st minute Chris Nygaard shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dean Verbruggen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Chris Nygaard took the ball and in the 22 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Dean Verbruggen. Dean Verbruggen dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. In the 27thth minute of the game Chris Nygaard who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but MVV Maastricht's Dean Verbruggen was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 28th minute, Hans Roelofsen hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. MVV Maastricht's Maurits Ruben got a good chance for a goal in the 38th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. When Denmark's Chris Nygaard in the 40th minute got a chance for a shot 40th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye MVV Maastricht's goalie prevented a goal. Chris Nygaard sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dean Verbruggen stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Chris Nygaard's shot from short distance in the 47th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Chris Nygaard was the one to do the kick off. In the last second Dean Verbruggen throw himself and got hold of the ball when Chris Nygaard in the 52ndth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. After having played for 54 minutes, Chris Nygaard managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Denmark's supporters crossed their fingers, but Chris Nygaard was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After a rather tough play, MVV Maastricht's John Pothuizen got a free kick in the 56th minute. The audience was convinced that Maurits Ruben's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Keld Paulsen was relentless in the 59th minute of the game. Denmark's Bjarne Kirkegaard got a good chance for a goal in the 63rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Chris Nygaard received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Dean Verbruggen came out and tried to block the shot, but Chris Nygaard slotted it home off the left post making it 1-2 in the 64th minute. Keld Paulsen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Maurits Ruben in the 70th minute of play. 71 minutes had been played when some careless play by Denmark's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Maurits Ruben was slow to take the kick. During this time MVV Maastricht's players had a chance to rest. Maurits Ruben made a great header on MVV Maastricht's corner, it was just that Denmark's Keld Paulsen managed to reach the ball for a save. 72 minutes into the match, MVV Maastricht's goalkeeper Dean Verbruggen had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Chris Nygaard. If Mathijs de Zee had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. During the 75th minute of the match John Pothuizen completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave John Pothuizen a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. In the 76th match minute, MVV Maastricht was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by John Pothuizen to maneuver through the defense. Dean Verbruggen made a fantastic save in the 78th minute, when Chris Nygaard sent off a good shot on target. Dean Verbruggen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mikkel Wulff, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Dean Verbruggen made an important save on a dangerous shot by Chris Nygaard in the 82nd minute. Denmark's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Chris Nygaard in the 83rd minute. The audience thought a goal was coming when Chris Nygaard got free with Dean Verbruggen in the 86th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. A collision led to Denmark getting a freekick after 88 minutes play. Lars Steen hit a great ball. Denmark played a much better game than MVV Maastricht and deserved their victory. The MVV Maastricht players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.