Challenge

Gigante de Ardiles
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, 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. When the match had gone on for 6 minutes, Gustaaf Groeneveldt put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Emanuel Jacob. With a little luck, Netherlands's Arnout Reekers got control of the ball when Donato Venerando tried to sneak it across the goal line. Emanuel Jacob showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wim Wilmes, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent away a hard shot on goal in the 12th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Arnout Reekers made an important save on a dangerous shot by Donato Venerando in the 17th minute. After a rather tough play, Ardiles's Jimeno Abastas got a free kick in the 18th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 21st minute of play forced Ardiles's goalkeeper Emanuel Jacob to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 26th minute of play forced Ardiles's goalkeeper Emanuel Jacob to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Lisandro Estevon hit a great freekick 29 minutes into the match. Emanuel Jacob showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wim Wilmes, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Ardiles's Emanuel Jacob played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 38th minute of play. Emanuel Jacob didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt went, in the 38th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-2 was the resulting score. Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 44 minutes into the match, Ardiles's goal looked a bit too open when Wim Wilmes came free, but Emanuel Jacob reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Santos Eguen, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. After the first half Netherlands were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

After having played for 53 minutes, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Wim Wilmes was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 57th minute, Donato Venerando made a precise shot to the right of Arnout Reekers. Netherlands's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-2. If Wim Wilmes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Donato Venerando, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Ardiles fans' excitement grew in the 73rd match minute when Ardiles's Donato Venerando 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 3-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. In the 76th minute David Eikelkamp shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Emanuel Jacob saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Emanuel Jacob had great luck who in the 76thth minute grab hold of the ball when David Eikelkamp from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. 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 77th minute. Wim Wilmes struck a weak shot in the 79th minute. Emanuel Jacob didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Netherlands. When Gustaaf Groeneveldt came up free with the goalie in the 84th 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 Gustaaf Groeneveldt couldn't finish the play. A collision led to Netherlands getting a freekick after 87 minutes play. Lars Meesters hit a great ball. Lars Meesters hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. In the 94th minute, Gustaaf Groeneveldt hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 96th minute, Gustaaf Groeneveldt left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Netherlands fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-3. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Netherlands players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.