Challenge

Stadio Cibali
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Raimundo Espírito Santo started the match with the kick off. Fan Xi Hong 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. Fan Xi Hong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Wim Wilmes, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Raimundo Espírito Santo in the 10th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Carter Barillari got free with Arnout Reekers in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 19 minutes had been played when some careless play by Netherlands's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Cesare Maestri was slow to take the kick. During this time Supremacy Catania FC's players had a chance to rest. 25 minutes into the match, Supremacy Catania FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lars Meesters came free, but Fan Xi Hong reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 27th minute Gustaaf Groeneveldt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fan Xi Hong saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Fan Xi Hong stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Wim Wilmes's shot from short distance in the 29th minute. After 31 minutes of play, Netherlands's Wim Wilmes made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Fan Xi Hong was left in no man's land by his defense there! Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Raimundo Espírito Santo in the 34th minute of play. Cesare Maestri sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Wim Wilmes in the 39th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fan Xi Hong prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Bas Tuitert kicked well hit freekick during the 42nd minute of the match. Fan Xi Hong didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer went, in the 45th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-2 was the resulting score. After the first half Netherlands were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Fan Xi Hong came out of the goal in the 57th minute to try and stop a shot by Netherlands's Wim Wilmes. But to his dismay, Wim Wilmes quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-3. Supremacy Catania FC made a substitution. Franco Lizzi replaced Cesare Maestri. Supremacy Catania FC made a substitution. Rachid Baba Ali Factor replaced Carter Barillari. An unexpectedly hard shot by Franco Lizzi in the 75th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Supremacy Catania FC made a substitution. Dave Di Gregorio replaced Raimundo Espírito Santo. After 78 minutes Netherlands's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Dave Di Gregorio who took care of the corner kick. After taking down the ball on Supremacy Catania FC's corner Rachid Baba Ali Factor fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Arnout Reekers quite easily take care of the ball. In the 84th minute, Dave Di Gregorio ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Arnout Reekers was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-3. 89 minutes into the match, Supremacy Catania FC's goal looked a bit too open when Wim Wilmes came free, but Fan Xi Hong reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dave Di Gregorio in the 91st minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Wim Wilmes in the 93rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fan Xi Hong saved Supremacy Catania FC from getting behind. In the 96th minute of the match Supremacy Catania FC 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. Dave Di Gregorio ran over to the corner to take the kick. Netherlands's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.