Challenge

Allianz Parque
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Gijsbert ter Kruimer made the kick off which started today's match. 3 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Róbson Simões came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Gustaaf Groeneveldt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 10th minute. Takis Koutsos tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 13th minute, Lars Meesters managed to get in a good position for a shot. Netherlands's supporters rose to their feet, but Lars Meesters was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Takis Koutsos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 16 minutes into the match, Gustaaf Groeneveldt had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Takis Koutsos. The Beatles's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gustaaf Groeneveldt was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. In the 21st minute Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Takis Koutsos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Takis Koutsos took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Doru Lițu in the 24th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 26th minute of the match The Beatles got a corner. Netherlands's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Reinaldo Trancoso ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner led The Beatles's Elder Santos to fire away a dangerous shot which Arnout Reekers despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 28th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Takis Koutsos saved The Beatles from getting behind. Róbson Simões hit a great freekick 29 minutes into the match. The supporters of Netherlands booed when The Beatles was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 31 match minutes in a wonderful position. Arthur Simão didn't get a good kick on the ball. Takis Koutsos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 32nd minute of the match. Doru Lițu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 46th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. In the 47th match minute, The Beatles was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Róbson Simões to maneuver through the defense. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

54 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Takis Koutsos narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Takis Koutsos in the 56th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 60 minutes had been played when some careless play by The Beatles'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. A nice corner shot did that Gijsbert ter Kruimer got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Takis Koutsos quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. If Gijsbert ter Kruimer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Beatles's Takis Koutsos played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 64th minute of play. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Reinaldo Trancoso, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Doru Lițu in the 66th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Arnout Reekers prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Róbson Simões, who was totally free with the ball in the 68th minute. Thanks to some nice moves Gustaaf Groeneveldt could shoot a difficult shot in the 69th minute, which Takis Koutsos however easily saved by the left post. 72 minutes into the match, The Beatles's goalkeeper Takis Koutsos had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt. In the 75th minute Reinaldo Trancoso 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. After some fancy dribbling in the 78th 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. Takis Koutsos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The Beatles made a substitution. Frederico Messias replaced Reinaldo Trancoso. The Beatles made a substitution. Zeca Brodel replaced Doru Lițu. A collision led to Netherlands getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Wim Wilmes hit a great ball. Elder Santos's late challenge caught a Netherlands's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Elder Santos helped the player get up and apologised. In the 90th minute, Elder Santos hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Takis Koutsos made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 91st minute. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.