Challenge

Netherlands Arena
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Gijsbert ter Kruimer made the kick off which started today's match. After 4 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by David Eikelkamp. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jimmy Svenningsted, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marin Ailenei in the 8th minute of play. In the 11th match minute, FC Riga was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dāvis Pipiris to maneuver through the defense. Saivis Kikals was a little too slow when David Eikelkamp got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 14th minute. The score was now 1-0. In the 18th minute of the match, Gijsbert ter Kruimer tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Saivis Kikals saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sidnei Silveira in the 21st minute of play. Saivis Kikals showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from David Eikelkamp in the 30th minute of the match. In the 33rd minute Jimmy Svenningsted shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Arnout Reekers saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Saivis Kikals made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 35th minute. Arnout Reekers stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Marin Ailenei's shot from short distance in the 37th minute. If Gijsbert ter Kruimer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Marin Ailenei was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the game, FC Riga's Nils Dortāns nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Arnout Reekers made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 54th minute of play forced FC Riga's goalkeeper Saivis Kikals to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 63rd minute of play forced FC Riga's goalkeeper Saivis Kikals to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 66th minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Saivis Kikals saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. FC Riga made a substitution. Kaspars Ketris replaced Vismants Kukurudzjaks. After 74 played minutes FC Riga got a freekick which was hit by Normunds Brencāns. 77 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jimmy Svenningsted. 89 minutes into the match, FC Riga's goal looked a bit too open when Gijsbert ter Kruimer came free, but Saivis Kikals reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The supporters of Netherlands booed when FC Riga was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jimmy Svenningsted didn't get a good kick on the ball. FC Riga succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Netherlands had controlled the match.