Challenge

ACR Olimpico
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Gijsbert ter Kruimer got the match started through his kick off. Arnout Reekers made an important save on a dangerous shot by Fabiano Di Rocco in the 6th minute. The supporters of AC Roma booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gustaaf Groeneveldt didn't get a good kick on the ball. 8 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Fabiano Di Rocco. 11 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Alvaro Sforza came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, Netherlands's Kees Mooiweer got a free kick in the 12th minute. After 22 played minutes AC Roma got a freekick which was hit by Horia Nasta. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 26th minute of the match, managed to save Netherlands from getting a goal against them. 29 minutes into the match, AC Roma's goal looked a bit too open when Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free, but Cristoforo Brillante reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alvaro Sforza in the 30th minute of play. In the 31st minute, Kees Mooiweer hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 32 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Alvaro Sforza came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 34 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Javier Della Francesca came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. AC Roma's Richard Askelöf quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Kees Mooiweer, made in the 38th minute of the game. After some fancy dribbling in the 41st minute, Fabiano Di Rocco managed to get in a good position for a shot. AC Roma's supporters rose to their feet, but Fabiano Di Rocco was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Arnout Reekers breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 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 players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Alvaro Sforza stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 56thth minute of the game Fabiano Di Rocco who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Netherlands's Arnout Reekers was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. AC Roma's Cristoforo Brillante proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 60th minute of the match, managed to save AC Roma from getting a goal against them. In the 61st minute Alvaro Sforza 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. Ferdinando Caponera hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. 64 minutes into the match, Alvaro Sforza notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Netherlands's Arnout Reekers. Arnout Reekers was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Wim Wilmes could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 71st minute of the match, but Cristoforo Brillante made a huge save. In the 91st minute, Lars Meesters reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Cristoforo Brillante. The goal made the score 1-1. Despite being the better team, Netherlands failed to find the winning goal and were forced to settle for a single point.