Challenge

Darcy Ribeiro
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gijsbert ter Kruimer kicked off to start the match. When Clube Audax Metropolitano's Haisenberg Dolar in the 8th minute got a chance for a shot 8th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Netherlands's goalie prevented a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Wim Wilmes in the 9th minute of play forced Clube Audax Metropolitano's goalkeeper Franco Szczęsny to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 13th minute, Egbert Nijveldt hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, Netherlands's Arnout Reekers got control of the ball when Bjørn Ironside tried to sneak it across the goal line. Franco Szczęsny showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 25th minute of the match. In the 26th minute Netherlands were awarded a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer went to the cornerflag to take it. After a rather tough play, Clube Audax Metropolitano's Betinho Tróia got a free kick in the 29th minute. In the 30th minute of the match Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Franco Szczęsny skillfully saved the ball. Gustaaf Groeneveldt recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 34 minutes into the match, Clube Audax Metropolitano's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free, but Franco Szczęsny reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Netherlands's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 35th minute. The supporters of Clube Audax Metropolitano booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Egbert Nijveldt didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 35th minute, Egbert Nijveldt fired away a free kick at the goal, but hit it at the wrong angle and it went over the crossbar. Arnout Reekers stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Haisenberg Dolar's shot from short distance in the 39th minute. 42 minutes into the match, Clube Audax Metropolitano's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free, but Franco Szczęsny reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Edgard Sá was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 46 minutes into the match. Clube Audax Metropolitano's Délio Azevedo was substituted for Bjørn Ironside. After 46 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Clube Audax Metropolitano! In the 49th minute there was a penalty for Netherlands. Gijsbert ter Kruimer stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Franco Szczęsny. 0-1. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The wind increased when Haisenberg Dolar made the kick off in the second half. Gijsbert ter Kruimer fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Franco Szczęsny having to interfere. In the 64th minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. Clube Audax Metropolitano'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. The corner led Netherlands's Lars Meesters to fire away a dangerous shot which Franco Szczęsny despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Wim Wilmes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Franco Szczęsny tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Clube Audax Metropolitano made a substitution. Bruno Aleixo replaced Claudinho Quadros. Franco Szczęsny made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Wim Wilmes in the 77th minute of play. 79 minutes in the game Kees Mooiweer did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Lars Meesters. After a rather tough play, Clube Audax Metropolitano's Emirşah Berkman got a free kick in the 81st minute. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eriberto Netto, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. Gijsbert ter Kruimer struck a weak shot in the 90th minute. Franco Szczęsny didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Netherlands. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Betinho Tróia in the 97th minute of play. A collision led to Clube Audax Metropolitano getting a freekick after 98 minutes play. Emanuel Esteves hit a great ball. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.