Challenge

Belgium Arena
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Edward Vanderstraeten started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Manuel Zaharia hit a great freekick 4 minutes into the match. Gelu Bornescu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Siebe Michiels in the 6th minute. The Belgium fans' excitement grew in the 8th match minute when Belgium's Edward Vanderstraeten looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. The audience thought a goal was coming when Edward Vanderstraeten got free with Gelu Bornescu in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 12th match minute, Ninjas in Pyjamas was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Robert Onofrei to maneuver through the defense. Thanks to some nice moves Edward Vanderstraeten could shoot a difficult shot in the 16th minute, which Gelu Bornescu however easily saved by the left post. Edward Vanderstraeten could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 18th minute of the match, but Gelu Bornescu made a huge save. Robert Onofrei's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Casper Claes read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 20th minute of play. When Robert Onofrei fell near the penalty area in the 23rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Ninjas in Pyjamas's protests and gave Robert Onofrei a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Ninjas in Pyjamas getting a freekick after 23 minutes play. Robert Onofrei hit a great ball. Albert Vaştag charged in rather forcefully in the 26th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Albert Vaştag the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 27 played minutes Ninjas in Pyjamas got a freekick which was hit by Albert Vaştag. Edward Vanderstraeten might have been able to make a better finish in the 29th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Gelu Bornescu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Edward Vanderstraeten ran back to his position shaking his head. Pavel Teaşcă's late challenge caught a Belgium's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Pavel Teaşcă helped the player get up and apologised. Gelu Bornescu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edward Vanderstraeten, who was totally free with the ball in the 37th minute. After 38 minutes of play, Belgium's Edward Vanderstraeten made it 2-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Gelu Bornescu was left in no man's land by his defense there! After having played for 42 minutes, Edward Vanderstraeten managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Belgium's supporters crossed their fingers, but Edward Vanderstraeten was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Ninjas in Pyjamas's defense didn't have a chance, in the 43rd minute, when Edward Vanderstraeten scored to the left of an out of position Gelu Bornescu, making the score, 3-0. 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 3-0.

In the 51st minute, Edward Vanderstraeten made a precise shot to the right of Gelu Bornescu. Ninjas in Pyjamas's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-0. The supporters of Belgium booed when Ninjas in Pyjamas was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Iosif Mihele didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 54th minute of play forced Ninjas in Pyjamas's goalkeeper Gelu Bornescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 56th minute, Edward Vanderstraeten made a precise shot to the right of Gelu Bornescu. Ninjas in Pyjamas's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 5-0. In the 59th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ninjas in Pyjamas's goalkeeper Gelu Bornescu, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 66th minute, Edward Vanderstraeten made a precise shot to the right of Gelu Bornescu. Ninjas in Pyjamas's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 6-0. After some fancy dribbling in the 72nd minute, Edward Vanderstraeten managed to get in a good position for a shot. Belgium's supporters rose to their feet, but Edward Vanderstraeten was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gelu Bornescu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Edward Vanderstraeten's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Gelu Bornescu read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 75th minute of play. Gelu Bornescu didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Edward Vanderstraeten went, in the 77th minute, to the upper right corner, 7-0 was the resulting score. Gelu Bornescu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edward Vanderstraeten in the 80th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 90th minute of play forced Ninjas in Pyjamas's goalkeeper Gelu Bornescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 91 played minutes Ninjas in Pyjamas got a freekick which was hit by Albert Vaştag. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Vanderstraeten in the 92nd minute of play forced Ninjas in Pyjamas's goalkeeper Gelu Bornescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Ninjas in Pyjamas's zone, Edward Vanderstraeten stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Gelu Bornescu came out of the goal and Edward Vanderstraeten tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Belgium walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.