Challenge

Levenshulme Stadium
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gijsbert ter Kruimer took the kick off in the first half of the match. Gijsbert ter Kruimer fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 5th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alexander Bird having to interfere. Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a good chance for a goal in the 6th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 8th play minutes Guido Pagomari shot 1-0, a short shot which went by Arnout Reekers and just under the crossbar into goal. Mayo's Alexander Bird played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Wim Wilmes in the 11th minute of play. After 13 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by Mathijn Doctor. In the 23rd minute Lars Meesters shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alexander Bird saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 24th minute of play forced Mayo's goalkeeper Alexander Bird to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gijsbert ter Kruimer took the ball and in the 29 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Alexander Bird. Alexander Bird dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. Alexander Bird 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. After 45 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by Bas Tuitert. 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.

The wind increased when Guido Pagomari made the kick off in the second half. Guido Pagomari hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. In the 54th minute of the match, Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a very nice opportunity to score, but Alexander Bird was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Gustaaf Groeneveldt made a great header on Netherlands's corner, it was just that Mayo's Alexander Bird managed to reach the ball for a save. After a defensive mix-up in Mayo's zone, Gustaaf Groeneveldt stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Alexander Bird came out of the goal and Gustaaf Groeneveldt tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got free with Alexander Bird in the 60th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alex Burton in the 67th minute of play. Alexander Bird made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David Eikelkamp in the 87th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 88th minute of play forced Mayo's goalkeeper Alexander Bird to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 90th minute Wim Wilmes shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alexander Bird saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 90th minute, Wim Wilmes made a precise shot to the right of Alexander Bird. Mayo's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-2. After 92 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by Bas Tuitert. 96 minutes had been played when some careless play by Netherlands's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Evelio Goren was slow to take the kick. During this time Mayo's players had a chance to rest.