Challenge

The Duck Pond
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) 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. Sly Collier made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 11th minute of play. In the 12th match minute, Stickleback Utd Xl was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Benji Browne to maneuver through the defense. Arnout Reekers made an important save on a dangerous shot by Francis Curtis in the 15th minute. Sly Collier made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 16th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rony Schmidt in the 17th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 20 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by David Eikelkamp. Durval Castro took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 21st minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Arnout Reekers. Netherlands's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. 22 minutes into the match, Gijsbert ter Kruimer notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Stickleback Utd Xl's Sly Collier. Sly Collier was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Sly Collier stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Lars Meesters's shot from short distance in the 26th minute. In the 27th minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sly Collier saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When David Sheringham fell near the penalty area in the 30th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Stickleback Utd Xl's protests and gave David Sheringham a yellow card for diving instead. After 30 played minutes Stickleback Utd Xl got a freekick which was hit by David Sheringham. After 31 played minutes, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Sly Collier came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Netherlands reached it. Lars Meesters fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sly Collier 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 Tod McCartney in the 33rd minute of play. 35 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Sly Collier narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 37 minutes Stickleback Utd Xl's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Gijsbert ter Kruimer who took care of the corner kick. In the 38th minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sly Collier saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a rather tough play, Stickleback Utd Xl's Durval Castro got a free kick in the 41st minute. After a defensive mix-up in Stickleback Utd Xl's zone, Gijsbert ter Kruimer stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sly Collier 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. 43 minutes into the match, Stickleback Utd Xl's goal looked a bit too open when Lars Meesters came free, but Sly Collier reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Tod McCartney fell near the penalty area in the 46th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Stickleback Utd Xl's protests and gave Tod McCartney a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Netherlands booed when Stickleback Utd Xl was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 46 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tod McCartney didn't get a good kick on the ball. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Tod McCartney was the one to do the kick off. 56 minutes had been played when some careless play by Stickleback Utd Xl'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. After taking down the ball on Netherlands's corner Lars Meesters fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Sly Collier quite easily take care of the ball. Sly Collier made an important save on a dangerous shot by Wim Wilmes in the 58th minute. 61 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Tod McCartney came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sly Collier showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 64th minute of the match. When David Eikelkamp came up free with the goalie in the 66th 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 David Eikelkamp couldn't finish the play. Stickleback Utd Xl made a substitution. Huey Blackwater replaced Benji Browne. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Sly Collier in the 73rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Sly Collier firmly grabbed it by the left post. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Francis Curtis, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Wim Wilmes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Sly Collier tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Stickleback Utd Xl made a substitution. Nicholas Poole replaced Tod McCartney. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Sly Collier in the 82nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Sly Collier read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 86th minute of play. In the 88th minute, Rony Schmidt hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mathijn Doctor kicked well hit freekick during the 91st minute of the match. Cliff Flower recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 91st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 93 minutes, Nicholas Poole made it 1-1 with a short kick to the right side. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Netherlands were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing Stickleback Utd Xl to leave the ground with a draw.