Challenge

Vladikavkaz
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Arsenal F.C.'s Arkhip Ilyin 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. After having played for 2 minutes, Gijsbert ter Kruimer managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gijsbert ter Kruimer was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arkhip Ilyin in the 4th minute of play. If Gijsbert ter Kruimer had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 8th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Andrey Dvoryankin saved Arsenal F.C. from getting behind. The Netherlands fans' excitement grew in the 8th match minute when Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt 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 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Arnout Reekers was out of position in the 20 minute of play, and Andrey Savischev capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Andrey Savischev really showed his touch with that goal: 1-1. 23 minutes into the game, Arkhip Ilyin was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Arsenal F.C.'s manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Netherlands the free kick. In the 23rd match minute, Arsenal F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arkhip Ilyin to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Arsenal F.C.'s Afanasiy Maslyannikov got a free kick in the 25th minute. Gustaaf Groeneveldt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Andrey Dvoryankin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Andrey Dvoryankin came out of the goal in the 33rd minute to try and stop a shot by Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt. But to his dismay, Gustaaf Groeneveldt quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-2. Bruno Confesor charged in rather forcefully in the 43rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Bruno Confesor the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Andrey Dvoryankin 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.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gijsbert ter Kruimer stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. With an all-out effort, Netherlands's Andrey Dvoryankin threw himself towards the right post 51 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Gijsbert ter Kruimer, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arkhip Ilyin in the 56th minute of the match. Kris Hørvid kicked well hit freekick during the 64th minute of the match. Afanasiy Maslyannikov hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. In the 66th minute, Afanasiy Maslyannikov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Afanasiy Shefner in the 74th minute of the match. Andrey Dvoryankin 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. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Arkhip Ilyin in the 86th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Kris Hørvid in the 87th 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. 89 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Arkhip Ilyin came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Kris Hørvid kicked well hit freekick during the 93rd minute of the match. Gijsbert ter Kruimer sent away a hard shot on goal in the 94th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.