Challenge

BAKU-CITY
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer 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. The supporters of --FIRELAND-- booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mathijn Doctor didn't get a good kick on the ball. Arnout Reekers made an important save on a dangerous shot by Zeynal Malişov in the 5th minute. In the 9th minute, Wim Wilmes got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Lukasz Rasialdo 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 12th minute. Lukasz Rasialdo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 19th minute of play. After having played for 21 minutes, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Wim Wilmes was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Lukasz Rasialdo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 29th minute of the match. Alberto de Souza might have been able to make a better finish in the 31st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Arnout Reekers. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alberto de Souza ran back to his position shaking his head. Fortunato Trentini charged in rather forcefully in the 35th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fortunato Trentini the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Fortunato Trentini hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. Lukasz Rasialdo 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 36th minute. 39 minutes into the match, --FIRELAND--'s goal looked a bit too open when Lars Meesters came free, but Lukasz Rasialdo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lukasz Rasialdo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Gijsbert ter Kruimer struck a weak shot in the 43rd minute. Lukasz Rasialdo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Netherlands.

--FIRELAND-- made a substitution. Ehsan Äläkbärov replaced Xaläddin Qährämanov. --FIRELAND--'s Älağa Talıblı was substituted for Abdulhäşim Äläkbärov. The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Salvatore Foti to strike the kick off in the second half. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Salvatore Foti, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Lukasz Rasialdo made an important save on a dangerous shot by Wim Wilmes in the 54th minute. Gustaaf Groeneveldt could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 58th minute of the match, but Lukasz Rasialdo made a huge save. 60 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Lukasz Rasialdo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 63rd minute, Gustaaf Groeneveldt made a precise shot to the right of Lukasz Rasialdo. --FIRELAND--'s defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-3. Gustaaf Groeneveldt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Lukasz Rasialdo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Salvatore Foti in the 70th minute of play. Lukasz Rasialdo was a little too slow when Gijsbert ter Kruimer got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 73rd minute. The score was now 0-4. Gustaaf Groeneveldt blasted a shot towards the goal in the 79th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Lukasz Rasialdo having to make a save. Lukasz Rasialdo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 87 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Wim Wilmes sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Lukasz Rasialdo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 92 minutes into the game, Lars Meesters was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Netherlands's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave --FIRELAND-- the free kick. The --FIRELAND-- fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Netherlands were clearly better and deserved to take the win.