Challenge

Pier Luigi Penzo
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Gijsbert ter Kruimer started the match with the kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherlands's supporters rose to their feet, but Wim Wilmes was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fernan Ralondo breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 15 minutes into the game, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Fernan Ralondo made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. Diego Frasquito could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. Venezia FC's Fernan Ralondo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 23rd minute of play. After a rather tough play, Venezia FC's Olaf Modliszewski got a free kick in the 25th minute. Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Desiderio Salvadore in the 30 minute of the game. Disappointed in the 0-2 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Filip Hodne kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. 53 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Venezia FC's Fernan Ralondo proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 55th minute of the match, managed to save Venezia FC from getting a goal against them. 56 minutes had been played when some careless play by Venezia FC'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. The corner led Netherlands's Egbert Nijveldt to a score. 0-3 in the 57th minute. 59 minutes into the match, Venezia FC's goalkeeper Fernan Ralondo had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Wim Wilmes. When Angel Quinito fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Venezia FC's protests and gave Angel Quinito a yellow card for diving instead. An unexpected shot in the 65th minute by Gustaaf Groeneveldt got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Angel Guillelmus in the 69th minute of play. 73 minutes into the game, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Fernan Ralondo made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-4. Venezia FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 87th minute, when Gijsbert ter Kruimer scored to the left of an out of position Fernan Ralondo, making the score, 0-5. Wim Wilmes received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Fernan Ralondo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Angel Quinito was shown his second yellow card after 95 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. After 96 played minutes Venezia FC got a freekick which was hit by Angel Quinito. Netherlands played a much better game than Venezia FC and deserved their victory. The Venezia FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.